1. Artist Foundation Of San Antonio
(210) 262-8653
artistfound.org
This year, Current readers chose to single out the Artist Foundation of San Antonio from among the dozens of organizations that make up the city's vibrant and robust nonprofit community. Founded by Bettie Ward and Patricia Pratchett, the foundation sets itself apart from SA's rich tradition of arts philanthropy by billing itself as the only local organization with the sole objective of giving directly to individual artists. Since 2006, the Artist Foundation has enriched the work of over 100 artists in Bexar County with more than half a million dollars in grant awards. Last year's winners included multimedia artist Daniela Riojas, composer Matthew Dunne and visual artist Christie Blizard. The Foundation's annual Elf Ball fundraiser is always a must-attend event.
2. San Antonio Pets Alive!
9107 Marbach Rd.
(210) 370-7612
sanantoniopetsalive.org
3. San Antonio AIDS Foundation
818 E. Grayson St.
(210) 225-4715
sanantonioaids.org
1. Lucy's Doggy Daycare and Spa
Multiple locations
lucysdoggydaycare.com
The people have spoken again in favor of the reigning doggie day care champ, Lucy's. Whether you're just going to work or planning a two-week vacation, leaving anxious four-legged Fluffy in trusted hands is essential to combat anxiety for both parent and animal. The staff at Lucy's is friendly and attentive and offers a variety of services, including interactive daycare, grooming, obedience training, pick-up and delivery and a self-serve dog wash for the DIY enthusiasts who hate the cleanup. Their luxury boarding rivals some of the better human hotels, featuring amenities like a raised cot, flat-screen TV and webcams for the parents to check in from afar.
2. Green Dog Kennels
610 E. Josephine St
(210) 930-8600
greendogkennels.wordpress.com
3. Pawderosa Ranch: Dog Boarding and Daycare
Multiple locations
pawderosaranch.com
1. Alamo Drafthouse Park North
618 NW Loop 410
(210) 677-8500
drafthouse.com
2. Santikos Palladium
17703 I-10 W.
(210) 496-2221
santikos.com
3. Santikos Bijou
4522 Fredericksburg Rd.
(210) 734-4552
santikos.com
1. A Night in Old San Antonio (N.I.O.S.A)
niosa.org
Did any of the other events really stand a chance? As the big daddy event of Fiesta, the San Antonio Conservation Society's N.I.O.S.A. delivers with four nights of festival frivolity. Each year, more than 80,000 revelers squeeze into La Villita, casting aside caution and calorie concerns to enjoy the event's 15 themed areas representing the diverse heritage of South Central Texas. You simply can't call yourself a San Antonian until you've donned a wonderfully tacky Fiesta hat and braved the crowds on college night. Every local must wander the historic venue at least once with a stack of empty beer cups in hand while hunting down the turkey legs and sausages-on-a-stick to feed the Fiesta-loving beast within. But steer clear of Clown Alley. It's terrifying.
2. King William Fair
kwfair.org
3. Fiesta Oyster Bake
oysterbake.com
1. Maverick Music Festival
maverickmusicfestival.com
San Antonio just wants to rock, if this reader's choice is any indication. The Maverick Music Festival — the only music festival of its kind in the city — took over La Villita for its third year earlier this month with Cake, Cypress Hill, Toadies and Portugal. The Man as headliners. Over 20,000 music fans packed Maverick Plaza and the Arneson River Theatre to watch dozens of national and local indie acts, proving you don't always have to drive up I-35 to get some indie music festival action. After only three years, the Maverick Music Festival is outgrowing its original venue, and has its sights set on Hemisfair Park across the street, which is currently undergoing major renovations.
2. Alamo City Comic Con
alamocitycomiccon.com
3. Luminaria
luminariasa.org
HONORABLE MENTION
Tamales At Pearl
atpearl.com/tamales
1. The Ghost Tracks
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Step aside Donkey Lady and Dancing Devil of El Camaroncito. San Antonio's favorite urban legend is still the Ghost Tracks on the city's South Side near Mission Espada. If you believe a train killed a school bus filled with children back in the late 1930s and now ghost kids haunt the area and push vehicles out of harm's way, don't let us tell you otherwise. We just implore you not to YouTube the phenomenon and watch the logical explanations offered by TV shows like Miracle Hunters and Is it Real? that use science and technology to suck all the fun out of the folklore.
2. The Donkey Lady
3. La Llorona
1. San Antonio Pets Alive!
Multiple locations
(210) 370-7612
sanantoniopetsalive.org
Working to make San Antonio a no-kill city, San Antonio Pets Alive! has saved the lives of more than 20,000 pets since January 2012, making it an Alamo City favorite. The organization works to mitigate issues leading to euthanasia at the city shelter and also offers adoptions and fostering. The shelter focuses on pets on the euthanasia list and provides resources to pet owners in an effort to stop them from surrendering their pets to the city shelter.
2. San Antonio Humane Society
4804 Fredericksburg Rd.
(210) 226-7461
sahumane.org
3. Animal Defense League of Texas
11300 Nacogdoches Rd.
(210) 655-1481
adltexas.org
1. Eva's Escape at Gardenia
Inn307 Beauregard St.
(210) 223-5875
evasescape.com
Just steps away from Southtown favorites like Mad Hatters Tea House, Tito's Mexican Restaurant and The Friendly Spot, this five-room bed and breakfast in the King William Historic District features rooms with flowery names like Lily, Blue Bonnet, Desert Rose, Lavender and Magnolia. Surrounded in a peaceful environment a stone's throw away from one of the hottest night spots in San Antonio means you're going to be hungry in the morning. Eva's Escape aims to please, serving up family secret waffles, roasted vegetable frittata, pancakes, quesadillas, oatmeal and French toast with praline topping. With advance notice, Eva's can provide vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
2. King William Manor
1029 S. Alamo St.
(210) 222-0144
Kingwilliammanor.com
3. Arbor House Suites
109 Arciniega St.
(210) 472-2005
1. San Pedro Springs Park
1415 San Pedro Ave.
(210) 207-7275
sanantonio.gov/parksandrec
San Pedro Springs Park is America's second oldest public park and boasts 46 acres of family-friendly recreation area that doubles as a romantic outdoor make-out spot. Sharing the same length of a mile as San Antonio College, just north of downtown, the park offers a tennis center, skate plaza, multiple playgrounds, gazebo and a shallow, but fabulous swimming pool built in what used to be a lake bed. The watering hole is an oasis surrounded by massive trees that beckons local residents with a need to cool down in the Texas heat. Bring your friends, your kids and your dog to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
1. All American Barbershop
421 Howard St.
(682) 224-9969
facebook.com/allamericanbarbershopjoseluis
2. Diesel Barbershop
Multiple locations
dieselbarbershop.com
3. Clippers Barber Shop
Multiple locations
clippersbarbershop-tx.com
