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...

Arts + Culture

Empowering Women

Meet the women supporting San Antonio families with knowledge, compassion, and informed decision-making in health and childbirth. Article by Erin Lyons | Photography by Engrid Ramirez Birth is different for every woman, every time. It can be a beautiful, life-changing experience. It can also be a vulnerable and challenging time. Dr. Erica Hernandez, Alyxandriah Bermea-Ramos, and Jenna Hernandez are making it their life’s work to guide women with education, caring, and love. All these women...

Fitness

Strength In Practice

A martial arts academy where women build confidence and community Article by Caroline Mitchell | Photography by Haley Johnson For many, the hardest part of trying something new is walking through the door for the first time. Jiu-Jitsu carries assumptions that make that mountain an even steeper climb; strength, athleticism and ability are seen as prerequisites, creating hesitation before a class ever begins. At Gracie Barra, women often arrive unsure of what to expect, but find a welcoming...

Arts + Culture

Rooted in Texas

Creating Beautiful Landscapes with Native Plants that Give Back to our Local Ecosystem Article by Erin Lyons | Photography by Chelsea Humphreys If you have lived in South Texas for any amount of time, you know there are certain challenges when it comes to gardening around here. It’s very hot most of the year. Water use is restricted for months at a time. We live on top of limestone, and sometimes we look outside to see deer eating our gardens. All of that can make us wonder if it’s worth...