Botanical Garden to Unveil Magical Light Display
It’s called Lightscape, and it will be San Antonio’s newest holiday event beginning November 19, 2021, at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
Guests will experience magical light displays set along a beautifully illuminated one-mile path. The show will include installations unique to Texas, created by local and international artists.
Emily Knapp, marketing director at the Garden, told 78209 Magazine, “We wanted to bring in the event because of the high production values. Plus,” she added, “working with Sony Productions is an honor to be chosen. We were one of only five gardens chosen this year for this display. The others are the Chicago Botanic Garden, LA Arboretum, Houston Botanic Gardens, and The Brooklyn Botanic Garden.”
The light trail will feature a one-of-a-kind experience blending new works, including a field of Texas bluebonnets and the remarkable Winter Cathedral, an impressive towering cathedral arch tunnel sparkling with 100,000 lights.
In addition to the captivating light displays, guests will have an opportunity to enjoy festive food and drinks, including roasting s’mores. The trail has been designed to keep guest safety in mind and will include limited capacity per timeslot and a one-way path with a separate entrance and exit.
Lightscape runs until January 2, 2022.
Knapp said, “This event routinely sells out in other cities, so guests are encouraged to purchase tickets early.
The event is generously sponsored by the John R. and Greli N. Less Charitable Trust. It is produced in association with Sony Music and WAD Entertainment, creatively produced by Culture Creative.
Zoo Welcomes Baby Blue Duiker
San Antonio Zoo Animal Care Specialists recently welcomed a baby blue duiker to the Big Cat Valley area of the zoo. Animal Care Specialists named the baby Viazi, otherwise known as “potato” in Swahili.
Blue duikers are a small species of forest-dwelling antelopes found in central, eastern, and southern Africa. The calf is the fourth born to parents, Stumpy and Kate, who previously had calves in 2014, 2015, and 2017.
Blue duikers weigh up to 20 pounds as full-grown adults. The blue is named for the color their fur appears in the dense forest shade, and duiker is an Afrikaans word for “diving buck,” which describes its behavior in the forest as it dives into bush and brush undergrowth. Blue duikers are on the Species Survival Plan and have a conservation status listed as Least Concern.
San Antonio Zoo says it has a long history of working to preserve species worldwide.
New Museum Townhomes Offer Urban Living
Nine new townhomes by developer Victor Andonie are nestled behind Chipotle Grille, across from the Witte Museum, at the corner of Carnahan and Catalpa in 78209.
Andonie told 78209 Magazine, “We had owned that land for some time before we decided what we wanted to do with the property.” The answer – build nine one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath townhomes with adjacent covered parking. Rather than a garage, the homes feature a “flex-space,” which could be used as a gym, bedroom, office, or family room.
The 1,240 square foot homes are priced at $345,000. Andonie said he is looking for young professionals and some investors who could rent to students at UIW, Trinity, and other area colleges and universities. As of this writing, four of the units have already been sold.
Among his other projects in San Antonio, Andonie developed Green Heights behind the Home Depot on Sandalwood with home builder Juan Fernandez.
Unique New Restaurant Coming to Alamo Quarry Market
Imagine a conveyer belt winding through a restaurant loaded with sushi.
That’s precisely what Kura Sushi promises, when its new restaurant opens in the Alamo Quarry Market, in the space previously occupied by Papouli’s Greek Grill.
The restaurant does indeed feature a revolving conveyor belt carrying a variety of sushi dishes to customers. Kura Sushi says it offers more than 100 varieties of sushi.
According to its filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the company plans to spend $1.2 million to remodel the space, including demolishing existing structures and installing new equipment. Work is projected to begin on or about August 20. Completion is expected to be by December 27, 2021.
According to its website, Kura Sushi was founded in 1977 in Japan. It has more than 450 locations there, plus more than 30 restaurants in the United States, including several in Texas. Austin airport currently is the closest location to San Antonio.
Bagels & Beer Coming to Broadway
The San Antonio Bagel Company is moving into the old Taco Garage at 8403 Broadway. The company has been selling bagels and more from its food truck at Broadway News Food Truck Park, 2202 Broadway. Reportedly, they will continue operating at that location until they open the new brick and mortar restaurant.
In addition to bagels and other tasty treats, Wild Barley Kitchen plans to offer craft beers and house-made lagers and ales. Perhaps bagels and beer become a new San Antonio tradition.
By: Ron Aaron Eisenberg
