JUST LOVE
The Circle School, celebrating its 50th year, was recently awarded a Green Spaces Alliance grant to develop an environmentally friendly, edible landscape of flowers, culinary and medicinal herbs, seasonal vegetables, fruits and other native plants. A community garden is the perfect opportunity to honor the school’s Just Love Mission with a new program based on a cooperative type of learning that emphasizes and fosters a family and community spirit.
In the fall of 2011, the school community was devastated when a former student, Samvastion (“Sammy”) and her mom/after school teacher, Rebecca (“Veggie”) Gonzales, had their lives cut short. Sammy and Veggie were very close to many Circle School families. The term “Just Love” was the motto by which Veggie lived. The Just Love Committee was formed to honor Sammy and Veggie, and a community garden in their name will be a living tribute to their contributions and dedication to The Circle School’s emphasis on teaching peace, cooperation and respect for nature.
The school looks forward to capitalizing on its grant and working with students, teachers and families to coordinate the garden for the benefit of all.
DAVIDS LAW BEING DRAFTED
On January 4 our community lost one of its own, 16-year-old David Molak. His death is being attributed to cyberbullying. As so many have stated since, a loss like this will not be in vain. This tragic event has set in motion a world of people, a community beyond Alamo Heights, to find a solution to the issue of cyberbullying. State Senator Jose Menendez and State Representative Ina Minjarez are drafting comprehensive anti-cyberbullying legislation called David’s Law to honor the memory of Molak and as a response to similar bullying issues being experienced by youth throughout this city. This legislation will also aim to address outdated aspects of the state’s current laws on bullying. Gatherings took place on Jan. 21 and Jan. 30 to gain public input. Other opportunities to weigh in are being coordinated. Contact Senator Menendez’s office for details about how to participate at 210-733-6604 or 512-463-0126.
MAKE TIME FOR TACOS
In case you missed it, another taco joint opened at 5231 Broadway, Suite 117, before the end of 2015. Chela’s Tacos serves authentic Mexican food, and many recipes derive from different regions of Mexico. The simple but scrumptious chicken cilantro masterpiece from Chela’s Tacos made the cut as one of the 10 best MUST-TRY tacos in the state of Texas as determined by Texas Monthly this past December. One of the most popular offerings on the menu, the taco’s soft flour tortilla is topped with a creamy mix of its titular components.
Also making the cut was Rays Drive Inn, 822 SW 19th St., serving an avocado puffy taco, a tasty creation both crunchy and soft, topped with lettuce and tomatoes. The family-owned restaurant and self-declared home of the original puffy taco has been a popular West Side neighborhood hangout since the 1950s. Head on over to Rays for the best puffy tacos around. Tacos for all!
PIGPEN
The newest family-friendly spot located behind the Smoke Shack opened at the end of December in the former spot of the One-O-Six on Broadway. Smoke Shack owner Chris Conger recently added the laid-back bar, which includes indoor and outdoor seating, 14 beers on tap, full bar, smoke/fire pits, happy hour, live music, a kid-friendly play area and great food. Drop in for barbecue, happy hour and music, or meet up with the low niners. After all, who wouldn’t want to go somewhere to see what PigPen means?
HOW’S THAT NEW YEAR’S PROMISE TO LOSE WEIGHT?
This is the new spinning! The newest exercise craze is rowing your way to weight loss and getting into shape. This full-body workout burns calories quickly as you utilize 60 percent legs, 20 percent core and 20 percent of your arms and upper body to do one stroke motion. Look into a free first class, or check the website at www.energyxfitness.com for class options. Energyxfitness is located at 5162 Broadway.
SALUD!
Enjoy Culinary Nights at the Witte Museum with Xocolatl, Part 2, on Feb.10 at 6:30 p.m. $50 will reserve your spot and includes a souvenir wine glass. Classes are full at 50 guests, so definitely reserve early. You can purchase tickets at Witte reservations, 210-357-1910, or WitteMuseum.org. Gather your friends and experience an evening of conversation and culinary delights at the Witte Museum, just in time for Valentine’s Day!
MCNAY HOSTS MADE IN GERMANY:
CONTEMPORARY ART FROM THE RUBELL FAMILY COLLECTION
February 10 – April 24
The McNay Art Museum presents an exclusive look at some of the most significant German art created over the last 35 years by both masters and emerging artists in Made in Germany: Contemporary Art from the Rubell Family Collection. The exhibition opens this month and continues through April 24. The McNay is the sole venue scheduled to host the seminal exhibition, which is the first presentation of the Rubell Family Collection’s acclaimed German holdings.
The Rubell Family Collection is one of the world’s largest privately owned contemporary art collections, first established in 1964. No exhibition focusing on their German holdings has ever been presented––until now.
Comprising paintings, sculptures, photographs and works on paper, Made in Germany features established greats Anselm Kiefer, Sigmar Polke and Gerhard Richter; sculptors Katarina Fritsch and Thomas Schütte; influential photographers Bernd and Hilla Becher, Thomas Demand, and Thomas Ruff; and up-and-coming painters Kerstin Bratsch and David Ostrowski.
Special educational events include Barilleaux and the Rubells, a Sunday afternoon family activity, a contemporary German film series, a program connecting German and Mexican cultures around polka and conjunto music, and much more. The McNay also offers free school tours, a free family day that includes access to the exhibition, and free general admission and tours every Thursday evening and on the first Sunday of each month.
BY LESLIE FOLEY
