4 Events for Your 4th of July

This week we celebrate the birth of the United States of America. The 4th of July marks the anniversary of the day we adopted the Declaration of Independence, signifying our emancipation from Great Britain. There are plenty of ways to celebrate. This Saturday, San Antonio has tons of fun things to do to commemorate the day.

1. For three days, from July 2nd until July 4th, you can browse through the craft show taking place at the San Antonio River Walk. Starting at 11 AM each day, different vendors will gather to display their crafty wares for sale. Only 20 minutes away from La Cantera apartments.

2. Starting early in the morning on the fourth, you can get the celebrations going early. Starting at 8 AM you can participate in the first annual Zumba-thon by the SA Parks Foundation, take part in a cook off, proudly march in the children’s parade, and listen to live music and see fireworks, until 11 PM that night! Woodlawn Lake Park is a quick 20 minute ride from La Cantera apartments.

3. From 6 to 10 PM you can bring the whole family to the Alamodome. Stars and Stripes Over San Antonio will have live music, all the food trucks you can count and a kids zone for the little ones. Make sure to stay for the fireworks display at 9:30! From the Residences at La Cantera, the Alamodome is only a 20 minute drive!

4. For the first time since 2010 the fireworks display at Jones Beach is back for 2015! The fireworks show will last 30 minutes and start at 9:30. The fireworks will be bursting alongside patriotic music to top it off. Jones Beach is only a 40 minute drive from La Cantera.

Celebrating patriotism in San Antonio is easy. There are so many choices this year if you’re looking to have fun for the Independence Day this year. There are options for the kids, adults and everyone else in between! For more information on all of these events you can check out each of their respective websites listed at the bottom of the page.


Sources Cited:
Jones Beach
SA Parks Foundation
Stars & Stripes Over SA
SA River Walk

Long Table Dinners Take You to Mexico for a Night

Calling all San Antonio foodies: have you attended one of the very exclusive Long Table Dinners at the Distillery yet? Every fourth Thursday of the month at 6:30 at the Dorcol Distilling Company you can enjoy a delicious meal.

Limited to only 20 people this meal is put on by Cocina Heritage the Restaurant. Cocina Heritage offers a multitude of homemade, seasonal meals from Central Mexico to Southern Mexico, celebrating the vibrant flavors of the country. They pride themselves on using their own original recipes from as far back in time as is possible. Not only are the meals diverse and delicious but they also use traditional processes to create the meals to ensure authenticity.

Cocina Heritage has received sparkling reviews from food critics and guests alike. In 2014 their Pastel Tres Leches was named one of the top 10 dishes in San Antonio’s Taste Magazine. Not only will you get the chance to enjoy four courses of amazing Mexican cuisine but you can experience delicious pairings of specialty cocktails to match your meals.

Attending one of these dinners gives you access to the up and coming South Flores district as well as well as a private tour of San Antonio’s very first rakia distillery. Not to mention your tastebuds will take a trip to Mexico during the fantastic meal!

The dress code is casual formal but it is recommended the guests dress a little more warmly as it is kept quite cold in the distillery. Admission to the dinners is a bit steep at $75 per person but it’s well worth it! Guests must be 21 or older to enjoy this dinner and cocktail extravaganza. The Dorcol Distilling Company is only a 20 minute drive away from the Residences at La Cantera. The dinners will continue throughout 2015 until October 22nd. Make sure to reserve your spot soon as there are only 20 places and they fill up quickly! Reserve your tickets by emailing info@CocinaHeritage.com. Don’t miss out on this delicious opportunity to experience Mexican cuisine as you’ve never had it before!

Sources Cited:
SA Current

The San Antonio DoSeum

Courtesy of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope

On Saturday June 6, San Antonio officially got a new museum: The DoSeum. The 47 million dollar children’s museum opened its doors for the first time to children from the ages of birth to 10. Previously a car dealership, the museum is now full of exciting hands-on activities for children.

After three and a half years in construction the museum is finally open to the public. Aimed at elementary aged children, the brand new museum includes an outdoor exhibit and play area. With over 65,000 square feet of exhibits and 30,000 square feet of outdoor exhibits, there is no shortage of fun to be found at the DoSeum.

Creators of the DoSeum wanted to provide the children of San Antonio with the absolute best. Now that it is finally completed it is a marvel to behold on 5.5 acres of land. The goal of the DoSeum is to educate young children, not with books and slideshows but with activities and experiments. The exhibits focus on STEM, science, technology, engineering and math, in a way that’s fun and engaging for younger kids. Children can interact with Baxter the robot or make-believe as secret agents in the math-oriented spy area. Upon entering the museum one of the first things you will encounter is the Puppet Parade which allows children to control a projection of 2 giant birds using only their hands and a motion sensor. And don’t miss out on the musical staircase. You’ll know which one it is from the moment you step foot on it!

The DoSeum is an exciting new museum for young children of all ages. Even parents will find themselves wowed and amazed by the fun happening in the new children’s museum. This is definitely fun for the whole family! Stop by and strengthen your learning skills. Located on Broadway St., only a 20 minute drive from the Residences at La Cantera.

National Iced Tea Day: Where to Get It & How to Make It

If you want good tea you better head south. Northerners don’t get to appreciate delicious tea quite like we do. Today we get to celebrate the tasty beverage with Iced Tea Day! Instead of reaching for a hot coffee to boost you up, grab yourself a frosty iced tea.

At Grampa’s Tea, you’ll find teas from all over the globe right here in sunny San Antonio. Any kind or flavor you could possibly dream of is here at Grampa’s, served hot or ice cold. You can even get a free tea tasting for you and 5-10 of your friends. Grampa will bring everything, the tea, the pots, the water, he’ll even clean up afterwards for you.

Jamaica Jamaica Cuisine is here to dish you out some reggae music and some delicious meals flavored with pineapples and ginger. Don’t miss out on the mango tea. Juicy and yummy, it goes so well with the fruit flavored dinners. Actually, it goes well with everything!

You don’t have to leave the house to get a good glass of tea. You can brew them yourself right at home.

This recipe will help you honor not only Iced Tea Day but also Bourbon Day! Try this yummy Peach Infused Bourbon Iced Tea.

All you’ll need is:

• 3 Large peaches
• 3½ to 4 Cup good bourbon (such as Woodford Reserve)
• 2 Family-size tea bags (or 8 regular black tea bags)
• 1 Cup Light brown sugar, packed
• Fresh peach slices and lemon wedges, for serving

Strawberry Lemonade Sun Tea will take you a little more time but it’s worth the wait. You’ll have to let it sit in some sunshine for optimum flavor before you drink it.

For this recipe you’ll need to get:

• 24 ounces Filtered Water
• 2 Tablespoons Truvia (or preferred sweetener) - optional
• 1 Family Size Iced Tea Bag (or 3 regular tea bags)
• 1 Lemon - sliced
• 5-6 Large Strawberries - tops removed and cut in half
• Sunshine
• Ice

Combine everything and mix in the sweetener before sealing it into a container and placing it in direct sunlight for 1-2 hours. Or leave it overnight for even more flavor.

Do you have a favorite place to get iced tea? Tell us where on the Facebook and Twitter.

June Events

June is here! If April showers bring May flowers, then May flowers bring… June festivals and so many events for you to enjoy. June is jam packed with exciting events for you to enjoy. You won’t have an excuse to stay in the house.

Movies by Moonlight
Every Tuesday in June

For the entire month of June you can enjoy movies out on the lawn. Every Tuesday in June at Travis Park, there will be a different movie playing. Starting with Big Hero 6, everyone is invited to bring a picnic basket and a blanket and watch a great movie under the stars. Bring the whole family!


Mamma Mia!
June 9th-14th

For a week you can see the ninth-longest running Broadway musical. Mamma Mia is at the Majestic Theater! The story of a girl searching for the identity of her father before she heads to the altar. But what happens when three men step up and claim to be her father? You won’t want to miss out on the laughs.


The Texas Folklife Festival
June 13th-14th

The 44th annual celebration of the great state of Texas takes place over 2 days this June. Over 40 cultural groups come together to represent their home. Take part in the music, the food, the arts and crafts and most importantly, the fun.


Dog Days of Summer 5K
June 14th

Bring your furry friend to join you on this mutt strut about town. Keep your pups on a leash at all times but feel free to let them run with you. All humans must pick up any droppings left behind. Proceeds from the race benefit the Guide Dogs of Texas.


Missions vs. Rockhounds
June 25-28

There are 4 opportunities to catch the Missions play the Rockhounds in this 4 game streak home series. Each night has something different in store for fans: Thursday is dollar night, Friday will feature a cap giveaway, Saturday will see a firework after-show and on Sunday, the first 500 kids will go home with sticker packs.

You won't want to miss out on any of these exciting events and festivals coming up in the month of June. There are things for people of all ages even your four-legged family members. What events are you excited about this month? Let us know on our Facebook.

Road Trips: How to Deal with Snags Along the Way

Summer is one of the most popular times for travel. Everyone is loading up the cars, strapping in their kids and setting off for weekend getaways. 657 million long distance summer trips were taken during the time between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend in 2001. No doubt that number has increased in recent years. Whether it be on the road or by air, there will be a lot of people on the move this weekend for Memorial Day. With the increase in traffic for the holidays, you need to be more careful on the roads.


1. Stay Connected

Be aware of what’s going on around you. Listen to local radio stations to keep track of any traffic jams occurring in the area. Apps like Waze let travellers work together to find the best routes to avoid traffic and save gas and time. SitorSquat will find you the nearest bathrooms along with other users’ reviews on the cleanliness of each one. That’s an amazing resource for long trips and weak bladders. When it’s time for a fillup you’ll want to find the cheapest gas station. Use GasBuddy to help find the most affordable gas stations in the area.


2. Avoid Hunger Pangs

Long car rides or airplane rides can be incredibly unpleasant if your stomach is rumbling the whole time. Airline food and food found in the airport shops can be pretty hard on your wallet. To avoid breaking the bank, pack your own snacks. Best Health Magazine compiled a list of the best snacks to bring on long trips. However, if you’re stuck in the airport without snacks and you’re feeling hungry, the Travel Channel can tell you the best airport restaurants to look for and what to get while you’re there.


3. Pack Earplugs/Headphones

Does the driver’s choice of music grate on your eardrums? Is that baby 2 rows back ever going to stop crying? Earplugs and headphones are the perfect way to tune out distractions on long trips. Blocking out the noise is the best way to ensure you have a peaceful and restful nap in the backseat or on the plane. Consider an eyemask too!


4. Be Prepared

Batteries die. Tires can pop. Detours can get you lost. Make sure you’re prepared for all of these things. Keep a phone charger in your car to make sure your phone battery is full in case of an emergency. Pack jump cables in the trunk in case of a car battery dying. Also, make sure to have a flashlight in case you break down at night in a poorly lit area. Tools to change a tire and a spare tire are imperative! If you’re not sure of your route, bring along a GPS or use a map application for your smartphone. Getting lost on the way is a time waster and can be dangerous if you run out of gas in the middle of nowhere. Preparation is the most important step of a road trip.


5. Just Breathe

The guy that just cut you off, the 2 hour traffic detour, the cancelled flight, the lost luggage: those are all minor snags. Staying calm is the only way to handle them. Freaking out on the woman at the desk or your family won’t bring the plane any faster or fix your flat tire. The best part of these mishaps is that they’ll make the best stories when you get back from your trip.


Happy travelling! What’s your worst travelling experience?

National Bike Month Events Near San Antonio

May is National Bike Month! Each hour that you spend exercising extends your life expectancy by 2 hours! Opting for a bike instead of a car is not only good for your health but it’s good for the Earth’s health as well. Last week we celebrated by ditching 2 wheels and riding our bicycles to work for Ride Your Bike to Work Week. If you want to participate, here are some local events celebrating the cyclist:


Once a month, you can swap your bike with others for a day at Frankenbike. This month at Alamo Bike Shop, sell your bike gear or parts to others looking to improve their bikes. After, head to Taps y Tapas to enjoy some delicious tapas and beer while listening to live music by Stoic’s Descent and streaming music from Richard Parrilla and Merge 98FM. 

Every Thursday from 4 to 7, gather at Tuckers for some music from DJ Tech-neek and some bike talk with other cyclists. Happy hour is from 4 to 7.


Bike World organizes rides every Thursday night and Saturday morning departing from different bike shops in the area. Make sure you have bike lights for the Thursday night rides as these events do occur at night! Check their event page each week to find out what location to meet at.


Zombies riding bikes? Sounds spooky! Every Monday the Zombie Bicycle Club meets for a ride around town. Led by “Chicken Fried Zombie” aka Matt Martinez, the ZBC meets outside the Blue Star Bike Shop. Rides may include stopping at local bars.


Mark your calendars: this event doesn’t take place for a few months but you won’t want to miss out. This free event clears the streets of San Antonio of cars to make room for walkers, bicyclists and runners. On September 27th for 5 hours, Siclovia lets you participate in exercise classes, ride your bike or go for a jog all in the middle of the streets.

For more information and events head to Bike Texas.