Cover Story
Since the pandemic, more San Antonians are demanding high quality, locally raised meat
On a cold December afternoon in 2013, among food writers, farmers and noted Texas chefs, I learned what it means to be happier than a pig in shit. I’d heard the phrase before, but on the sprawling grounds of South Texas Heritage Pork, an artisan hog farm nestled just 50 minutes southeast of downtown San…
Harp meets harmonica in the next streaming concert from Musical Bridges Around the World
Musical Bridges Around the World returns on Sunday with the latest installment of its free streaming concert series. “Harp vs Harp” features the one of a kind styles of Switzerland-born Grammy-winning harmonica player Grégoire Maret and Colombian harpist Edmar Castañeda. Both Castañeda and Maret have made their mark on the modern jazz world with uncommon instruments…
Four ERCOT board members who live outside of Texas resign in the aftermath of the power outage, winter storm
Four board members of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the entity that manages and operates the electricity grid that covers much of Texas, will resign on Wednesday, according to a notice to the Public Utility Commission. Sally Talberg, board chair; Peter Cramton, vice chair; Terry Bulger, finance and audit chair; and Raymond Hepper, human…
Southerleigh restaurants land spots in national recipe contest, could win money for San Antonio Food Bank
Winner, winner chicken dinner! Okay, maybe “chicken dinner” isn’t entirely accurate, but San Antonio eateries Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery and Southerleigh Haute South are both winners. The pair were among the 20 champions selected in General Mills’ Neighborhood to Nation recipe contest. The annual competition celebrates dishes created using General Mills foodservice brands while giving…
San Antonio mayor creates panel to probe power and water outages during last week’s winter storm
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg has minted a panel to investigate what the city and its utilities got wrong during last week’s historic winter storm that left hundreds of thousands without power and water. Former councilman and San Antonio Water System trustee Reed Williams will lead the seven-member group, which also includes attorney and Texas…
San Antonio’s Dorćol Distilling sues Austin’s St. Elmo Brewing for Betty copyright infringement
And so begins the Battle of the Bettys. San Antonio-based Dorćol Distilling and Brewing sued St. Elmo Brewing in federal court this week, alleging the Austin company infringed on its trademark by using a name and text-based imagery that could be confused with HighWheel Betty Kölsch, a beer Dorćol launched in 2016. St. Elmo released a seasonal,…
New food pantry on San Antonio’s West Side to distribute free brisket sandwiches Tuesday
A West Side food pantry born during the COVID-19 pandemic will distribute free grab-and-go brisket sandwiches to folks in need on Tuesday, February 23. The West Side Community Pantry, located at 3203 W. Houston St., launched at the end of January, aiming to provide free food supplies to community members in need. In recent weeks,…
San Antonio Police Department suspended three officers for offensive Facebook posts
At least three San Antonio police officers were suspended late last year for Facebook posts that brought “reproach and discredit” to the department, according to a KSAT investigation. The San Antonio Police Department released disciplinary documents to the TV station Monday. The officers were disciplined in November and December — months after they made the…
San Antonio Museum of Art celebrates 40th anniversary with a new pop culture attraction
As part of its 40th birthday celebration, the San Antonio Museum of Art is debuting a new pop-up exhibition on Tuesday, February 23. The pop culture pop-up “Movie Metal” showcases life-size statues of beloved movie characters plus iconic vehicles from films and TV shows. Attendees can see Tony Stark’s F-1 race car from Iron Man…
Actress Eva Longoria volunteers with San Antonio Food Bank following devastating winter storm
Television and film actress Eva Longoria lent her manicured hands to the San Antonio Food Bank Monday, making home deliveries to households jolted by last week’s history-making winter storm. “Longoria spent [Monday] afternoon delivering food, water and pet supplies to some hurting San Antonio neighbors,” San Antonio Food Bank Chief Resource Officer Michael G. Guerra…
Attention, nerds of San Antonio: Pearl area to gain new comic book, retro collectible shop
Nerds of San Antonio are about to gain a more central home base. If you’ve ever bellyached about having to drive to SA’s Northeast side to get your nerdy need fix from collectible shop The Scruffy Nerd Herders, you’ll be thrilled to learn that the enterprise has announced a move to a more central location.…
Black Restaurant Week San Antonio kicks off with help from Tim Duncan and Spurs Give
San Antonio’s third annual Black Restaurant Week has joined forces with the Tim Duncan Foundation and Spurs Give to support the San Antonio Food Bank through donations and a matching effort. An impressive array of more than 30 Black-owned restaurants, food trucks and businesses will take part in the initiative this year, aiming to help…
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton took trip to Utah during winter storm and blackouts
Looks like Sen. Ted Cruz wasn’t the only widely disliked Lone Start State politico to blow town while millions of Texans were stuck without power during a historic winter storm. According to a Monday Dallas Morning News report, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a fellow Republican, jetted to Utah to meet with that state’s counterpart and…
San Antonio eatery Costa Pacifica to extend National Margarita Day offers through the weekend
There’s no shortage of local spots offering National Margarita Day specials on Monday, February 22, but one SA eatery has decided to extend its offers for the entire week. Costa Pacifica, a North Central SA joint known for its margaritas and seafood, will offer discounted drink specials and music all week long. The eatery will…
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas gets roasted on Saturday Night Live for fleeing to Cancun
Comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live has mastered the art of roasting American lawmakers, and Sen. Ted Cruz is the latest Texan politico to land in the show’s crosshairs. Saturday’s edition of SNL opened with a fictional talk show sketch, “Oops, You Did It Again,” wherein a Britney Spears stand-in — portrayed by comedienne Chloe…
The Mendoza Line: Heidi Cruz opening travel agency to help GOP families vacation spouse-free
We understand that in the current political environment it can be really tough to tell the difference between real news stories and satire, which is precisely why we’re letting you know that the Mendoza Line is a weekly work of satire. Heidi Cruz, the wife of Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, held a press conference Monday announcing…
City of San Antonio approves councilman’s $14M plan to provide aid to local bars and restaurants
District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño’s plan to provide millions in potential relief for bars and restaurants sat indefinitely on city council’s proverbial back burner — until now. The councilman, along with local bar and restaurant owners, has been stumping for more targeted relief for local bars and restaurants since October of last year. On Friday,…
Texas ranks as 3rd-best state for college students in new study
A new study ranks Texas as one of the top three U.S. states for college students. Studee — a search engine that helps students find the right college — based its research on tuition costs, rent and board, the percentage of each state’s population in the 19-25 age range, average salaries, crime rates, happiness index scores, weather…
CPS Energy won’t know consumer billing effect of outages for another week or two
CPS Energy, San Antonio’s city-owned electric utility, is holding bills for its customers until it can fully determine how it will spread out additional natural gas costs incurred from last week’s catastrophic winter storm. During a Tuesday press event, CEO Paula-Gold Williams said it will take a week or two before CPS Energy can determine…
San Antonio restaurants, public figures stepped up this weekend to feed locals affected by winter storm
As the city attempts to pick up the pieces following last week’s historic winter storm, several local restaurants provided comfort to San Antonians via the avenue they know best: with food. This weekend saw nearly fifteen local restaurants open their doors to feed folks who have been affected by the winter storm, free of charge.…
Analysis: Texas failed in a storm, again. Will we be ready next time?
ERCOT, the state-controlled electric grid operator taking most of the initial blame for widespread blackouts and for all of the attendant misery over the last week, answers to the Public Utility Commission of Texas. The governor appoints the members of the PUC, and names which of the three of them will be chair. The state’s…
Bexar County Judge Wolff calls on Texas’ governor to roll back power deregulation after outages
In another sign that blame for Texas’ widespread electrical failure falls on more than just the operator of its power grid, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff is urging the governor help reverse the state’s deregulation of public utilities. In a Friday letter to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, Wolff cited a 1999 bill passed by the…
Texas officials block electricity providers from sending bills, disconnecting utilities for nonpayment
Gov. Greg Abbott said he and other state leaders are working fast to find solutions for homeowners and renters facing steep electricity bills after a winter storm left many Texans without power for days. After Abbott convened what his office described as an “emergency meeting” Saturday with lawmakers to discuss the issue, the Public Utility…
Exploring San Antonio’s churro options offers a variety of takes on the doughy treat
It’s tempting to think of churros as simply another form of Fiesta-fueled fried dough on the order of the infamous funnel cake — only with sexy ridges and a Spanish accent. But in Spain, where the sugary treats have been around for centuries, they’re a cherished tradition — one that was inevitably exported to other…
San Antonio Water System lifts its boil-water notice for some areas. This map shows where.
San Antonio Water System has lifted its recommendation for some customers that they boil water before drinking or cooking with it. The city-owned utility posted an interactive map on its website showing which neighborhoods no longer need to follow the notice. Most are inside Loop 410 or in the northern suburbs. SAWS issued the recommendation…
Coronavirus vaccine deliveries to Texas pick up after winter storm
Texas will get nearly 600,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for next week, allowing the state to distribute the vaccine to the largest number of counties so far. The vaccines will be shipped to 563 providers in 230 counties across Texas, including 84,240 doses for large vaccine clinics in Harris, Dallas and Tarrant counties…
The COVID-19 death toll sent U.S. life expectancy plunging in 2020
Life expectancy in the United States plunged in the first half of 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. A preliminary estimate of overall U.S. life expectancy from birth finds it dropped a full year compared with 2019, from 78.8 to 77.8 years, the National Center for Health Statistics reports online February 18. It’s the largest…
As Texans endured days in the dark, the state failed to deliver vital emergency information
As millions of Texans fought to survive brutal winter weather without power and water, Gov. Greg Abbott said residents should call 311 or visit a state website to find warming centers — and added that a Google search had also worked for him. The only problem: Many people lacked internet access, cellphone service and the ability…
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s tough talk for ERCOT avoids his own culpability, lack of action
Gov. Greg Abbott’s slathering of blame for this week’s electrical outages solely on the operator of Texas’ power grid is both misdirected and coming a decade too late, say critics familiar with the state’s utility systems. During a Thursday afternoon news conference, the Republican governor unloaded on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) for…
San Antonio Housing Authority in need of donations to support elderly and disabled residents
Many elderly and disabled San Antonians are still struggling to gain access to basic necessities such as food and water following this week’s historic winter storm, and the San Antonio Housing Authority is determined to help. The Housing Authority is asking for donations of water, non-perishable food items and adult diapers during a weekend drive…
Texas-born jeweler Mary Moody to donate proceeds from necklace to winter storm relief efforts
Custom jewelry company Made By Mary has announced a fundraising effort wherein proceeds of its hand-stamped For Texas Disc Necklace will be donated to the Texas Salvation Army and Feed the People Dallas Mutual Aid. The necklace features a gold-filled round flat disc, with a hand-stamped outline of the Lone Star State, as well as…
Singer Kacey Musgraves sells anti-Ted Cruz shirt to raise funds for Texans affected by winter storm
Country music artist Kacey Musgraves is trying to channel the anger over Sen. Ted Cruz’s widely criticized Cancun jaunt into relief for his constituents suffering through Texas’ snowmageddon. The Lone Star State-based singer is selling a T-shirt on her website to raise money for those affected by the freeze while letting purchasers proudly proclaim just…
H-E-B purchasing limits, grocery giveaway: San Antonio’s biggest food stories of the week
From granting H-E-B honorary sainthood to local businesses giving out warmth and water during the winter storm, this week’s food news runs the gamut of both warm and fuzzies. And that’s despite the brutal freezing temps outside. Stave off a jaunt outdoors and peruse the Current’s most-read food news stories of the week. San Antonio-based…
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo reschedules again due to winter storm
The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has again rejiggered its schedule, this time due to the week’s devastating winter storm, KENS5 reports. The reshuffling applies to all PRCA Rodeo and livestock events as well as musical performances, according to the news station. The decision comes nearly three weeks after County Judge Nelson Wolff asked…
Winter Storm, Greg Abbott: the top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week
Let’s hope we’re not forced to endure another news week like the one we’re now closing out. At least not anytime soon. A natural disaster gripped the state, forcing millions to endure water and electrical outages during a deep freeze. Meanwhile, the politicos in Austin and Washington kept up their shenanigans, and Texans did their usual…
San Antonio eatery Burgerteca to distribute 300 free meals Saturday
Southtown’s Burgerteca has partnered with Houston-based disaster recovery company Cotton Holdings to provide 300 free, hot meals to San Antonians affected by this week’s devastating winter weather. San Antonio celebrity chef Johnny Hernendez’s Southtown burger restaurant will distribute the complimentary meals on a first come, first served basis starting at noon Saturday, February 20. Meals…
Photo of exhausted Domino’s workers taken at peak of San Antonio winter storm goes viral
As restaurants struggled to open and serve customers amid this week’s winter storm and power outages, a photo taken at a San Antonio Domino’s Pizza put a human face on the strain faced by food-service workers. The image of two beleaguered employees following a harrowing four-hour Wednesday shift wound up on social media feeds and online…
‘An emergency on top of a pandemic’: Texas hospital workers scramble as winter storm hampered operations
Icy roads kept a pregnant Texas woman from reaching the nearest birthing center early Monday, so, the medical director of the tiny Bayside Community Hospital in rural East Texas delivered her baby in the emergency room. Hours later, the water shut down. For the next three days, staffers at three Chambers Health facilities in Anahuac,…
In tweet defending Cruz, Donald Trump Jr. blasts incompetence of Texas’ ‘Democrat Governor’
His dad wasn’t permanently implanted in the White House, as was his wish, but Donald Trump Jr.’s foot sure seems to be permanently implanted in his own mouth. Sharing his steel-trap analysis about the furor surrounding Sen. Ted Cruz’s ill-timed trip to Cancun, the Trump scion opined Thursday via Twitter that Texans should be less…
Analysis: A winter storm leaves Texas with a black eye
Texas got close to the brink this week, as bad weather, inadequate preparation and weak leadership left millions without electricity and water, endangered in a prosperous state that ought to know better. The toll has been awful. At one point, more than 4 million households were without power, and as many as 13 million people…
Already hit hard by pandemic, Black and Hispanic communities suffer the blows of an unforgiving winter storm
Neighborhoods across the state — some lined with million dollar homes, others by more modest dwellings — went cold and dark for days as Texas struggled to keep the power on during a dangerous winter storm. But while the catastrophe wrought by unprecedented weather was shared by millions left shivering in their own homes, the…
SAWS will update billing so San Antonio customers aren’t slapped with high charges after winter storm
For those worrying they’ll be hit with an astronomical water bill after flooding and pipe breakages from this week’s storm, San Antonio Water System has announced plans that may provide peace of mind. On Thursday, the utility unveiled a relief program that will apply to all customers’ next monthly bill. Under the initiative, customers will be charged the…
Texas was ‘seconds and minutes’ away from catastrophic monthslong blackouts, officials say
Texas’ power grid was “seconds and minutes” away from a catastrophic failure that could have left Texans in the dark for months, officials with the entity that operates the grid said Thursday. As millions of customers throughout the state begin to have power restored after days of massive blackouts, officials with the Electric Reliability Council…
San Antonio Food Bank to hold emergency distributions this weekend due to winter storm
The San Antonio Food Bank will spend this weekend filling the cupboards — and bellies — of local families hit hardest by the winter storm gripping much of Texas. The Food Bank will hold seven mega-distributions Friday through Sunday, aiming to help families restock their shelves with food and water. “We have been meeting the…
San Antonio’s congressional delegation asks White House to set up mass vaccination center here
San Antonio’s five-member congressional delegation is urging the Biden Administration to establish a mass vaccination center here similar to ones announced for Dallas, Houston and Austin earlier this month. In a letter pointing out that Bexar County has suffered more COVID-19 deaths per capita than any of Texas’ other large population centers, the bipartisan group…
San Antonio’s North East Independent School District to provide weekend meals for kids
Several middle schools within SA’s North East Independent School District network will provide free meals to school-aged kiddos Friday, News4SA reports. The free grub — available at select school campuses February 19 from noon to 2 p.m. — will consist of a lunch for Friday and a bag of food for the weekend. Guardians will…
Ted Cruz, facing outrage over Cancun trip, once blasted Austin’s mayor for traveling to Mexico
Someone needs to remind Sen. Ted Cruz that once you post stuff on the Internet, it’s kinda out there. Forever. After Cruz was spotted on a flight to balmy Cancun while millions of his constituents were braving freezing temps without power, critics unearthed a tweet from December in which the Texas GOPer chastised Austin’s mayor…
Rick Perry saying Texans prefer blackouts to regulations is only his latest dumbass remark
Former Texas governor Rick Perry made headlines this week for claiming Texans would rather endure blackouts in freezing weather than have the big bad gubment regulating their power grid. It was no surprise his claim made national news: statements that dumb often do. But those who have followed Gov. Haircut’s illustrious career know that it…
These San Antonio businesses are offering filtered water and warmth to locals who are without
For those who are without water or power on day four of SA’s snowmageddon, some local businesses are coming in clutch. Weathered Souls Brewery, Roadmap Brewing Co. and Max’s Wine Dive in the Alamo Quarry Market are among the many local businesses offering filtered water or water-boiling services to folks who can venture out safely.…
San Antonio-based H-E-B gifts groceries to Leander shoppers after store power fails amid storm
Is it possible for a grocery store to run for a state political office? Some Twitter users think H-E-B should, after word got out that a store full of shoppers near Austin was given their groceries after a power failure made it impossible for the cashiers to ring purchases up. “Today the Leander @HEB had…
Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republicans blamed green energy for Texas’ power woes. But the state runs on fossil fuels.
Millions of Texans didn’t have power Tuesday night, and the arctic blast was still pummeling the state. Many were looking for answers on why they were stuck in the cold and when their heat would return. And Gov. Greg Abbott was being interviewed on Fox News, decrying the Green New Deal — a massive framework…
H-E-B updates product purchasing limits as second wave of winter storm hits San Antonio
As new snow falls over SA, grocery giant H-E-B has updated its product purchasing limits to include basic refrigerator staples, propane tanks and bottled water. While some COVID-era items remain on the list — brisket, aerosol disinfectant sprays, isopropyl alcohol swabs, gloves and the inexplicable frozen chitlins — new winter storm-specific items have been added.…
Podcast describes trials of San Antonio man with disabilities as he endures lengthy power outage
A new podcast from San Antonio’s climate-focused Deceleration blog is putting a human face — or should that be voice? — on the power outage affecting millions of Texans. The podcast details the trials of Ralph Garcia, 24, a San Antonio man with muscular dystrophy, who at the time of the interview had power no…
Photos purport to show Ted Cruz on flight to Cancun, as Texans endure power failure
As millions of his Texas constituents suffer through blackouts in freezing weather, Twitter users shared photos of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, saying he was taking a tropical holiday. Multiple Twitter users shared photos of the Republican senator and armchair seditionist — or someone who looks just like him — purportedly on a flight to the…
CPS Energy chief says San Antonians will face power outages through Saturday, some longer
San Antonio residents will likely need to contend with intermittent power through Saturday, and some still may experience outages into the following week, CPS Energy’s top official told city council Wednesday. During an emergency council session conducted virtually, CPS Energy CEO Paula Gold-Williams described a perfect storm of weather catastrophes that ate away at the…
San Antonio Metro Health has declared a blood emergency as a result of winter storm
Because this storm hasn’t fucked things enough, San Antonio Metro Health has declared a blood emergency which will require the help of at least 2,000 donors, MySA reports. “… there is not enough blood on hand to treat trauma cases and patients who need emergency surgeries and procedures that require blood,” an alert issued by…
San Antonio Water System will issue a boil order for tap water Wednesday afternoon
San Antonio Water System will join Texas cities such as Corpus Christi, Arlington and Fort Worth this afternoon by issuing a boil-water notice, CEO Robert Puente said during an emergency city council meeting. “This is a precautionary boil-water notice,” Puente said, explaining that state regulators require residents to boil water they consume when water pressure…
Numerous primates and tropical birds have died after power loss at San Antonio-area animal sanctuary
A San Antonio-area animal sanctuary was unable to fulfill its mission this week, as numerous animals perished in the winter storm barreling through the state, the San Antonio Express-News reports. Primarily Primates takes in animals from the research and entertainment industries, aiming to rescue and rehabilitate them from previous abuse and exploitation. When the power failed…
Climate change will drive up energy use in Texas and beyond
When the summer heat peaks in Texas, the familiar hum of air conditioners across the state grows a little louder, and the demand for electricity on the state’s grid shoots up. On Monday, as temperatures soared past 100 degrees across the state, the grid reached a new record demand: 74,531 megawatts of electricity in one…
City of San Antonio will continue to use convention center as shelter for residents
San Antonio will continue using the Henry B. González Convention Center as a warming center for San Antonio residents until at least Friday, City Manager Erik Walsh said during an emergency city council meeting. The city opened the facility to up to 500 people Tuesday after it became clear there was no end in sight…
These San Antonio restaurants are open today to provide hot food and warmth to powerless locals
With no end to the ongoing power crisis in sight, some San Antonio restaurant staff are braving the icy roads to provide warmth and hot meals to locals who have fallen victim to electrical blackouts caused by the winter storm. The Winchester, an English Gastropub in SA’s Alamo Heights neighborhood, opened to the public yesterday,…
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro demands Texas regulators explain power outages
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, penned a letter signed by eight other members of Texas’ congressional delegation demanding that the operator of the state’s power grid and the state regulatory body overseeing electrical utilities explain the outages that have left millions of Texans without power. In the letter sent Tuesday, Castro — a San…
Hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 vaccine deliveries, injections delayed by winter storm
The winter storm has halted Texas’ urgent and critical COVID-19 vaccination efforts — delaying the delivery of hundreds of thousands of doses that were scheduled to arrive and preventing what might have been 1 million injections by hundreds of providers this week, state health officials said Tuesday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…
‘We’re in it alone’: Power outages leave millions of Texans desperate for heat and safety
A grandmother slept in her car. Parents who ran out of firewood burned belongings to keep their children warm. A Richardson resident watched the battery level of her partner’s oxygen machine drain away and desperately sought help to have it recharged. As Texas utility operators and politicians squabbled over responsibility for “load shedding” and “rolling…
Video of Houston man skiing on icy highway goes viral
In the latest episode of Texas Man giving Florida Man a run for his money, a Houstonian decided this week’s intense winter weather was the perfect opportunity to ski down I-10. Yep, you read that right — he went skiing on the highway. In a video posted to Facebook Monday by Travis Mcgullam, a man…
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott lies on Fox News about cause of the state’s power outages
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has wasted no time politicizing — and twisting the facts about — the outages that have left millions of his constituents without power in freezing temperatures. During a Tuesday appearance on right-wing TV personality Sean Hannity’s Fox News program, the Republican governor erroneously claimed renewable energy failures were responsible for statewide…
City of San Antonio opening Henry B. González Convention Center as a warming center
During a news conference, City Manager Erik Walsh announced that the city will open the Henry B. González Convention Center as a warming center for residents at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Elderly people and families with children will be given top priority. There will be room for 500 people, though that capacity may increase, officials said.…
San Antonio state senator calls on CEO of Texas power grid to resign
In a tweet, State Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, called for the firing or resignation of the CEO and board for the organization that oversees Texas’ electrical grid. His demand comes as at least 2 million Texas households are without power because the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) was unable to meet demand during…
Being cold sucks. Warm up with this Hot Toddy recipe from San Antonio-based Ranch Brand spirits
Why a hot toddy recipe on this bitter Tuesday? Because alcohol tastes better than tears. If you’re one of the lucky households that still has regular access to power, consider giving this classic cocktail a spin. A cocktail containing booze, sugar, hot water, lemon and warming spices, the Hot Toddy is a drinkable hug, warming…
Far West San Antonio Kolache Factory offering free treats for National Kolache Day
It’s never too early to mark your calendar for free snacks, especially those of the Czech pastry variety. On Monday, March 1, SA’s one and only Kolache Factory will be offering free handheld pastries featuring warm, sweet yeast dough stuffed with cheese or fruit in celebration of National Kolache Day. The West SA shop does…
Ted Cruz’s 2020 tweet about California blackouts comes back to bite him in the ass
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz spews so much bile on Twitter that it’s little surprise when detractors bottle it up and splash it back in his face. The latest such foot-in-mouth moment shared by social media users is a tweet from last August, in which the Texas Republican and armchair seditionist heaped scorn on California’s energy…
San Antonio’s CPS Energy says outages will continue through Tuesday
CPS Energy is warning San Antonio customers that the ongoing freeze and Texas’ floundering power grid mean power outages will continue through Tuesday evening. Customers who haven’t yet experienced rolling blackouts will now start to experience outages, the utility warned in a statement posted late Monday night. Meanwhile, the two-thirds of customers who did experience…
San Antonio’s first-ever selfie museum opens to the public
Walking into The Selfie Box, San Antonio’s first-ever selfie museum, is like walking into a photo-op paradise. Located in the heart of the South Side, the new “selfie museum” opened on Saturday, February 13. Just in time for Valentine’s Day — assuming the lousy weather didn’t keep most lovers stranded at home. The Selfie Box, 1602 SW…
San Antonio actor Jesse Borrego talks about how the pandemic is changing Hollywood
Actor and San Antonio native Jesse Borrego (Blood In, Blood Out) considers himself an “old dog” in the movie industry. But that doesn’t mean he’s unaware of the changes happening in Hollywood, even before the pandemic upended everything almost a year ago. “[The pandemic] changed society and the way we live our lives and our…
San Antonio Zoo shares adorable photos of animals enjoying the snow
It’s not just local kids that are having a snow day: the animals at the San Antonio Zoo also got to enjoy the rare winter treat. Though the zoo is closed to the public Monday and Tuesday due to the inclement weather, some of its residents still got the opportunity to play in the snow…
After limiting hours, H-E-B has now closed more than 30 San Antonio stores due to weather
Remember a few hours ago when we told you H-E-B would limiting the hours of its San Antonio stores? Now, it looks like the Alamo City-based grocery chain will be closing some of them all day Monday to the harsh winter weather. But don’t panic, they’ll reopen Tuesday from noon until 5 p.m. Here’s the…
Here’s how you can support San Antonio restaurants while the snow keeps us hunkered down at home
Some San Antonians were thrilled to wake up Monday to a wintry wonderland. But for local restauranteurs, the storm was yet another financial blow. Dining spots already smarting from the pandemic had to lose out on Valentine’s Day revenue due to the weather. Some may be forced to remain closed through Tuesday evening. If you’re…
Some San Antonio eateries extending Valentine’s Day specials to next weekend due to weather
If wintery weather put the kibosh on your Valentine’s Day plans, you’re not alone. As result, some San Antonio restaurants are keeping love alive by holding over their special V-Day meals for an additional weekend. Locally owned Comfort Cafe, Tripoli’s Mediterranean Grill & Coffee Shop, Europa Restaurant & Bar and Aldaco’s are among the spots…
Expect rolling blackouts as winter storm continues, Texas’ power grid operator warns
If things haven’t gone dark at your house yet, there’s a chance they may before the wintry weather is over. The operator of Texas’ electrical grid said it began conducting rolling blackouts Monday after the near-statewide storm led to unprecedented electrical demand and forced power-generating plants offline. “Every grid operator and every electric company is…
Hospitality industry snags $18 billion in latest round of Paycheck Protection Program
Restaurants and hotels grabbed nearly 18% of the $101 billion in loans delivered under the latest round of the federal Paycheck Protection Program, RestaurantDive.com reports. U.S. Small Business Administration data from February 7 shows that the $18 billion in loans is the most received by any industry so far this year. During the first round of…
Analysis: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defending his reputation on two fronts
From his first campaign for statewide office in 2014 to now, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has never not been in legal trouble. And his problems are multiplying at a time when someone in his spot would ordinarily be dreaming and scheming about higher office. Paxton is fighting for his reputation on two fronts —…
The Mendoza Line: God freezes Texas to stop San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo from happening
We understand that in the current political environment it can be really tough to tell the difference between real news stories and satire, which is precisely why we’re letting you know that the Mendoza Line is a weekly work of satire. In a weather manipulation move of biblical proportions, God plummeted Texas temperatures to record lows…
Grocery chain H-E-B further reduces San Antonio store hours due to winter storm
Grocery giant H-E-B has further cut its operating hours, informing shoppers that its San Antonio and Hill Country stores will only be open from noon to 5 p.m. due to inclement weather. “The severe weather has disrupted some deliveries to our stores, which will temporarily impact supply of certain products,” read a statement on the…
Here’s how f—cking cold it is right now in San Antonio and across the state
If you opened your door this morning and wondered if your little corner of San Antonio had magically been transported to New England, you’re not alone. Overnight, 3-5 inches of snow blanketed an area east of Eagle Pass to San Antonio up the Texas Hill Country into Austin, according to the National Weather Service. Isolated…
San Antonio musician John Coker charts a genre-defying path on his new album STOIC
A freak injury while performing onstage forced classical musician John Coker to reevaluate his life. During a performance rehearsal at Baltimore’s Peabody Institute, he was exposed to a blindingly bright lighting rig that he says triggered a permanent hyperactive state in his visual cortex. He was temporarily blinded and later diagnosed with PTSD from the…
Assclown Alert: Texas rep who tried to reverse Biden’s fair win picked to chair elections committee
Assclown alert is a column of opinion, analysis and snark. To many who follow Texas politics, State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, is a fucking joke: a lawmaker better known for stirring the pot on Twitter than engaging in serious deliberation. For example, he once made a veiled threat to train his AR-15 on Beto…
San Antonio homeless nonprofits open emergency shelters due to weekend freezing temperatures
San Antonio is dealing with freezing temperatures this weekend and several homeless organizations are providing emergency shelters to make sure those without shelter are safe and warm. The following locations are available for emergency shelter and will be practicing social distancing, requiring masks and limiting numbers, according to a roundup created by the Christian Assistance…
Migrants in ‘remain in Mexico’ program will soon be allowed to enter the United States, federal agency says
EL PASO – Tens of thousands of asylum seekers who have been forced to wait in Mexico under a Trump-era immigration policy will soon be able to enter the United States to pursue their cases, the Biden administration announced Friday. Launched by the Trump administration, the Migrant Protection Protocols forced asylum seekers to wait in…
Buffalo Wild Wings to open two takeout- and delivery-focused stores in San Antonio
Chicken-wing conglomerate Buffalo Wild Wings is getting in on the takeout and delivery trend with a new scaled-down concept — two of which will open in the Alamo City by month’s end. Buffalo Wild Wings GO restaurants feature a walk-up counter, digital menu boards and limited seating. SA’s locations will offer traditional and boneless wings,…
Get a head start on National Margarita Day with these San Antonio twists on the beloved drink
It’s going to be hella cold this weekend, y’all. What better way to warm up than with tequila? Technically, National Margarita Day isn’t until February 22, but we couldn’t resist the thought of snuggling up on a heated patio — or on the couch at home— and combatting the cold with some of that Mexican…
Study: owning a house is out of reach for average single earner in San Antonio
San Antonio is among the most affordable big U.S. cities when it comes to housing costs, but owning a house is still a herculean feat for the average single person here, according to a new study. Financial site SmartAsset analyzed data from the 15 largest U.S. cities to estimate how much money residents must earn…
La Marginal, Vybrations Luxury Lounge: San Antonio’s biggest food stories of the week
Hungry for headlines? Well, we’ve got you covered. To sate your appetite, here are the San Antonio Current’s most-viewed food stories for the week: San Antonio Puerto Rican restaurant La Marginal loses owner to COVID-19 Sexy new San Antonio nightspot Vybrations Luxury Lounge will open on Valentine’s Day Study: 90% of Black restaurant workers saw…
Latest census delay will push Texas’ redrawing of political maps into the fall
Texas lawmakers will almost certainly be back for a rare special legislative session in October now that the U.S. Census Bureau has set a fall deadline for releasing the 2020 census results. Facing significant holdups in finalizing the decennial count, the bureau announced Friday that the detailed population numbers needed to redraw legislative and congressional districts…
San Antonio blogger living the dream by rating taquerias solely on their bean and cheese tacos
Not all heroes wear capes. Turns out, some eat tacos. San Antonio Redditors have identified a selfless public servant who reviews local taquerias based solely on the quality of their bean and cheese tacos. Sure to spark some debate among breakfast taco purists, the anonymous mastermind behind SABeanandCheese.net has documented an impressive amount of visits to…
San Antonio tea shop celebrates the Lunar New Year with traditional red envelope giveaways
Lustea, a Vietnamese tea shop in Northwest San Antonio, is going all-in for its traditional Lunar New Year celebration by offering special envelopes filled with cold hard cash and gift cards. In many Asian cultures, family and friends celebrate the new year by exchanging bright red envelopes filled with money, a symbol of good luck and fortune…
Texas launches multimillion dollar campaign to combat vaccine hesitancy
Snappy music opens the 15-second video featuring a diverse bunch of Texans getting their shots at a COVID-19 vaccination site. The ad ends with a Black woman imploring her peers to “do it for yourself, do it for your family, do it for your community.” Then she feigns shooting a basketball through a hoop with her…
San Antonio’s Barshop JCC Jewish Film Festival pivots to streaming for 20th anniversary event
If you’re stumped about how to while away the freezing weekend indoors, the Barshop Jewish Community Center might just have you covered. On Saturday, Barshop JCC’s Jewish Film Festival returns for its 20th anniversary, screening 11 films that span a range of genres. Rather than follow a strict schedule, the films will be available to…
Ted Cruz among 3 GOP senators who met with Trump impeachment team about legal strategy
So much for trial by an impartial jury. Texas’ Ted Cruz was among three Republican senators who met with former president Donald Trump’s defense team to discuss legal strategy, according to PBS NewsHour correspondent Yamiche Alcindor, who tweeted details on Thursday evening. Cruz told Alcindor the discussion pertained to the defense team’s planned Friday presentation, including…
Councilman launches Eat on the Street initiative to support expansion of San Antonio eateries
District 1 Councilman Roberto C. Treviño wants to get more butts into locally-owned restaurant seats — and he’s started a pilot program dedicated to doing just that. The Eat on the Street initiative is a joint effort between the councilman’s office, the World Heritage Office and the city’s public works department that aims to help…
Hipster City-based Torchy’s Tacos sets opening date for newest San Antonio location
Torchy’s Tacos will open its fourth San Antonio location on Wednesday, suggesting that as much as folks love to trash talk the Austin-based chain, someone here must be buying its food. The Medical Center restaurant will begin serving February 17, dishing up an extensive menu of Hipster City-approved tacos, burritos and salads. It also has…
Texas-based Garrison Bros. bourbon tapped for limited edition Pecan & Praline ice cream
Fun Friday food fact: Texas has many official symbols, including a state nut. And, no, we’re not talking about Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Whether you pronounce it pee-can or puh-kahn, some things just make pecans — Texas’ official state nut — irresistible. Garrison Bros. distillery gets that, and has partnered with California-based McConnell’s Fine Ice…
San Antonio City Council approves police reform and housing bond amendments for May 1 ballot
City council on Thursday cleared a pair of significant charter amendments to appear on the ballot in the May 1 citywide election. Those amendments, which needed council’s vote to move forward, will determine whether to strip collective bargaining powers from San Antonio’s police union and whether to give the city the ability to use bond…
Texas artists and modern masters share the walls in fauna-filled exhibition ‘El Rancho McNay’
Evidenced by the curly tailed babirusa (or “pig deer”) scrawled on the wall of a cave in Indonesia, animals have been inspiring art for at least 45,500 years. As the oldest muse on record, critters unsurprisingly boast a fascinating art historical record that includes ancient Egyptian cat sarcophagi; a foreboding dog mosaic in the lost…
Groundbreaking jazz keyboardist Chick Corea has died
Jazz giant Chick Corea, whose career spanned five decades, died on February 9 as a result of a rare form of cancer, according to a statement posted on his Facebook page. He was 79. “Throughout his life and career, Chick relished in the freedom and the fun to be had in creating something new, and…
Lengthy Bandcamp article praises San Antonio’s rich and expanding alt-country scene
Looks like Bandcamp is picking up on something San Antonio music fans have known for a while now: our city’s burgeoning alt-country scene is a wellspring of creativity. The music-streaming site on Wednesday posted a lengthy primer on the rootsy and rollicking scene that’s grown up around St. Mary’s Strip honky tonk the Lonesome Rose.…
San Antonio’s Cherrity Bar to host event for Black-owned, vegan-friendly businesses
Locals interested in supporting Black-owned and vegan-friendly businesses will be able to do both on Sunday, February 28, as Cherrity Bar hosts the city’s first-ever Vegan Family Reunion. Hosted by Rooted Vegan Cuisine — a San Antonio vegan restaurant pop-up-turned-frozen-food-purveyor — the event will bring together some 20 small businesses that check both boxes, including restaurants, clothiers, jewelry artists,…
San Antonio brunch spot Snooze to hold pancake party to benefit nonprofit No Kid Hungry
Brunch authority Snooze an A.M. Eatery will partner next week with nonprofit No Kid Hungry to celebrate National Pancake Day with a philanthropic twist. No Kid Hungry is a nonprofit that fights childhood hunger through meal programs for food-insecure homes. During the pandemic, millions of children have lost reliable access to the school meals they…
Volunteers from progressive groups trying to get Ted Cruz donors to demand their money back
Sen. Ted Cruz is a money-raising machine, having raked in $54.7 million in campaign contributions since 2015. Now that he’s been tarred with egging on the January 6 Capitol insurrection, Women’s March and a new progressive PAC are trying convince the Texas Republican’s former supporters to demand a refund. Using publicly accessible federal records, volunteers…
San Antonio chefs Jeff White and Luis Colon to launch takeout concept JDubs Burgers and Grub
The term “pandemic” has become synonymous with “pivot,” and two more San Antonio chefs are taking that strategy to heart. Longtime friends Jeff White and Luis Colon are set to launch a new concept, JDubs Burgers and Grub, slinging stick-to-your-ribs burgers, sandwiches, shakes and desserts. “I’ve had this idea in my brain for about three…
Regal Fiesta 16, once San Antonio’s largest movie house, has permanently closed
The Regal Fiesta 16 dollar theater — once San Antonio’s largest movie house — has been permanently shuttered, the Express-News reports. Weingarten Realty, the owner of the Fiesta Trails shopping center, which houses the cineplex, confirmed the closure to the daily, saying it plans to repurpose the building. The colorful theater, located at 12631 Vance Jackson Road,…
San Antonio’s Biga on the Banks has the perfect Galentine’s Day cocktail to make at home
Galentine’s Day virtual happy hour? Yes, queen! For obvious reasons, large gatherings are out right now, but you can still spread the love to your girlfriends via a virtual happy hour. And this cocktail from longtime River Walk eatery Biga on the Banks just may be the perfect libation for your Zoom session. Beverage Director…
COVID-19 has killed 40,000 Texans, and Dan Patrick is worked up over the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’
Leave it to bomb-throwing culture warrior Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to fiddle the “Star-Spangled Banner” while Texas burns. Patrick — the Republican author of the anti-transgender bathroom bill that made the state a national fucking embarrassment — on Wednesday announced that requiring that the national anthem be played at “at all events which receive public funding”…
‘Cat lawyer’ in viral Zoom clip led a controversial crusade against a West Texas smoke shop owner
Turns out the West Texas lawyer who grabbed global headlines when a Zoom filter transformed him into a fluffy kitten has something in common with plenty of other viral stars: a complicated past. Unless you just came out of Internet exile you’ve likely seen the video clip of attorney Rod Ponton that’s been shared millions of…
Downtown San Antonio wine-tasting room Re:Rooted 210 opens this week
Like a fine Burgundy, the anticipation surrounding downtown San Antonio’s first tasting room to serve its own wine has only grown more robust over time. Re:Rooted 210, located in the quick-growing Hemisfair area, will open Thursday, February 11, welcoming guests with a tasting menu 100% dedicated to Texas wines — specifically, varietals produced under contract…
San Antonio ranks No. 10 in the nation for women out-earning their husbands
San Antonio ranks 10th among large U.S. metros in the percentage of women who earn more than their husbands, according to a new study. Research issued this week by Self Financial shows that 32.2% of women in the San Antonio-New Braunfels area make more money than their husbands. SA-area women who earned more than their…
New food truck from San Antonio chef Jesse Kuykendall will offer ‘overlooked’ Mexican street foods
The chef behind the innovative cuisine at Ocho at Hotel Havana is branching out to offer San Antonio the food of her childhood along the U.S.-Mexico border. This weekend, chef Jesse Kuykendall will launch Milpa, a food truck specializing in Mexican street food that may be unfamiliar to many San Antonians. A brick and mortar space is also…
Sexy new San Antonio nightspot Vybrations Luxury Lounge will open on Valentine’s Day
The newly opened Vybrations Luxury Lounge is looking to bring love to the Alamo City by way of “sexy and grown” vibes, R&B music, and jazz and poetry nights, MySA.com reports. Appropriately, the nightspot has set its grand opening party for Valentine’s Day: Sunday, February 14. “This is something San Antonio doesn’t have much of,”…
Indie Lens Pop-Up film series continues with screening of new documentary Mr. SOUL!
Celebrate Black History Month by remembering one of the first television shows to showcase Black art and culture across the nation, SOUL! The 2021 documentary Mr. SOUL! captures the vibrancy and importance of the variety show, which for five years highlighted the Black Arts Movement when other media focused instead on inner-city poverty and violence.…
First cases of more contagious U.K. variant of COVID-19 confirmed in San Antonio area
Local health officials have identified the first two known cases of the more contagious U.K. variant of COVID-19 among Bexar County residents. The two cases, detected by genetic sequencing, are still under investigation by San Antonio Metro Health, which pledged to share more information when it’s available. During Tuesday evening’s pandemic briefing, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff…
Rev up your Valentine’s Day with the Pastie Pops’ online burlesque extravaganza
On Valentine’s, let the Pastie Pops knock your socks off with a virtual version of their annual Va-Va-Valentine burlesque and variety show. Hosted by Camille Toe and Topsy Curvy, the sexy show features risqué performances by Jessabelle Thunder, Tito Bonito, Ruby Champagne, Chola Magnolia, Louisianna Purchase, Ginger Snaps, Natasha B. Capri, Jasper St. James, Vixy…
Newly certified petition changes the dynamic of contract talks with San Antonio’s police union
Police accountability activists landed a big win last week when the city confirmed that they’d secured enough signatures to let San Antonio voters decide in May whether to repeal the police union’s collective bargaining power. In the nearer term, that victory could also reshape the upcoming negotiations on a new contract between the San Antonio…
Black and Latino San Antonians still lag white residents in getting vaccinated against COVID-19
In San Antonio and across the country, COVID-19 has taken its heaviest toll on communities of color. But state data suggests that, nine weeks into the vaccine rollout, white people in Bexar County are receiving shots at a higher rate than any other ethnic group — even though they represent just over a quarter of the…
