Arts + Culture

Turning Up The Volume

At School of Rock, playing in a band teaches more than music. Article by Erin Lyons | Photography by Haley Johnson Right inside the front door of School of Rock San Antonio, a wall is covered with photos of kids performing onstage. They’re playing bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, or singing. Some of them are young, and others look like they’re about to graduate from high school. But what they all have in common is that they look like they’re having the time of their lives. Seeing these photos...

Arts + Culture

The Ibizan Hound

Meet the little-known breed known for their athleticism, intelligence and playful personalities Article by Caroline Heiberg | Photography by Rob Martin, Maddie Newton , Tanya Lee Few people recognize an Ibizan Hound on sight. Some mistake them for deer. Others stop simply to ask what they are. Spend an afternoon with four of them, though, and another question quickly emerges: How can one breed be this athletic-and this funny? A Breed with Ancient Roots Ibizan Hounds trace their roots to...

Arts + Culture

To Understand an Elephant

Learning through care, connection and conservation at The Preserve Article by Caroline Heiberg | Photography by Danielle Lochte Many people understand the basic care required by dogs and cats. Grooming, vaccinations, nail trims and routine veterinary visits are familiar parts of pet ownership. Across the Texas Hill Country, residents may also know the needs of horses and livestock. Caring for an elephant, however, introduces an entirely different scale of responsibility. At The Preserve...

Arts + Culture

Love Your Library

Lauren is convincing people to rediscover their local library. Article by Erin Lyons | Photography by Nichey Brown Some people think of the library as a room full of books, with librarians hushing every noise above a whisper. But Lauren Cortez is telling a different story with her popular Instagram account @laurenslibrarycard. She wants everyone to know that libraries are vibrant community hubs that welcome everyone with resources to enrich their lives and save them money. Born and raised in...

Arts + Culture

Conjunto Carries On

With an international tribute to Flaco Jiménez, the festival explores conjunto as a living tradition shaped across generations Article by Caroline Heiberg | Photography by Haley Johnson Every year, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center’s Tejano Conjunto Festival gives audiences a way to explore the culture of this region through sound. The music carries the bright pull of the button accordion, the depth of the bajo sexto and rhythms shaped by polka, waltz, huapango, bolero and cumbia. Created by...

Arts + Culture

Beyond the Tasting Room

Exploring a different side of Fredericksburg through wildlife, wine, design and local makers. Article by Caroline Heiberg | Photography by Danielle Lochte It’s easy to think a Fredericksburg weekend follows a familiar pattern with wine tastings, shopping and a walk down Main Street. Over the course of a few days, exploring reveals something less predictable. The weekend begins in a house, a cozy space with wine and chocolate passed between guests. By the next morning, it shifts to a warehouse...

Fitness

Breaking the Ice

Northwoods provides the space for figure skating, hockey, and a growing community on the ice. Article by Erin Lyons | Photography by Engrid Ramirez If San Antonio gets freezing temperatures and a little bit of ice, everyone knows the whole city shuts down. But at the Ice and Golf Center at Northwoods, they make the ice fun for everyone. Northwoods opened in 2002 to provide a place for people to learn about and enjoy ice sports in San Antonio. Home to the only year-round ice rinks in town...

Arts + Culture

The Men Behind The Work

Stone Oak leaders reflect on work, family and responsibility Article by Caroline Mitchell | Photography by Provided   Most people see the finished product–the business, the title, the growth. What’s less visible is the road that came before and the weight that comes with it. For this feature, a group of San Antonio business owners and professionals responded to a shared set of questions about leadership, work and family. While their answers differ, their priorities reflect a communal focus on...

Arts + Culture

Hope Honors Veterans Program

Serving Those Who Served Article by Chelsea Humphreys | Photography by Provided Some forms of service do not end when the uniform is folded away. For many veterans, military service becomes part of the memory, body, and story they carry for the rest of their lives. Some come home to celebration. Some come home quietly. Some come home changed in ways they cannot easily explain. For many, those memories rise again near the end of life, when silence can feel especially heavy. That is where the...

Arts + Culture

The Women of MASO

Moms Around Stone Oak, a Facebook community built on connection and support Article by Chelsea Humphreys What started as one mom’s desire to create a kinder, more supportive space has grown into one of the most trusted communities for mothers in Stone Oak. Founded by Kimberly Kayatta, MASO (Moms Around Stone Oak) began over a decade ago with a simple goal: create a space where moms could ask questions, share experiences, and support one another without judgment. Today, Kimberly leads MASO...