Outside 78209

The 39th Annual Home & Garden Show

Projects Solved – for two days, February 22-24th, the Alamodome will be filled with products, ideas, service providers, and shopping opportunities and activities for the entire family. Check out the new technology, DIY projects, educational opportunities and more if you ever planned to build a house, remodel, explore trends or compare products. This one-stop opportunity will be available for three days. Don’t miss this show with opportunities to improve your life and beautify your garden and home.

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Ford Jazz on the River

Get your jazz fix with everything from brass bands, trios and full on jazz bands as they float on the downtown section of the beautiful River Walk with the sounds of jazz filling the air. Book a table at your favorite River Walk patio to enjoy. Free admission, March 2-5, 7-9 PM, floating along the 2 1⁄2 mile downtown area of River Walk.

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Parade of Lanterns

Ten magically-illuminated 26 foot lanterns will float throughout the downtown River Walk, February 9 – 23 from 7-9 pm. The lanterns depict a dragon, a panda bear, the Texas star, umbrellas and more. Enjoy the spectacular lanterns each night. Enjoy the magically illuminated floats from anywhere along the downtown portion of the River Walk. This is a free event.

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The Poinsettia Ball

The 30th Annual Poinsettia Ball was held on December 13th, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. This year’s Ball honored LouAnn and Wayne Noll. The 2018 Poinsettia Ball committee, under the leadership of chair Beverly Pace, and co-chair Derrick Dodge, worked tirelessly to rally participation in this fabulous 300 Centennial event for the benefit of uninsured hospice patients. Two hundred plus guests enjoyed a festive evening begin- ning with a cocktail hour followed by fine dining and dancing. The Nash Hernandez Orchestra (from Austin) played again this year, and guests took advantage of the expanded dance floor to make room for ballroom, two-step, rock and roll and line dancing. Poinsettias adorned the cocktail venue and ballroom band stand. The table centerpieces were designed by Derrick Dodge and all were sold during the Ball. Proceeds from the Ball exceeded $126,000. Ned Meneses designed the invitation. He is on staff at Say Sí, a non-profit that ignites the creative power of young people. Other committee members were Lois Armor, Rita Bragg, Johanna Comuzzi, Joanne Cox, Sue Dullnig, Cynthia Duvall, Donna Gilger, Patti King, Lupita Medina, Jennifer Mueller, Marlene Richter, Diana Ridgway, Sandy Ryan, Kay Sandidge, Sherry Satel, Becky Schweers, Marie Soules, and Barbara Williams.

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Confucius Wishing Lanterns

Head to the River Walk for an ethereal experience of casting lanterns into the river in honor of loved ones, hopes, dreams and wishes. Admission to this event is free and the lanterns cost $5 (at the event) and $5.25 each (online in advance.) The lanterns are available in two styles; square gold- rimmed rice paper or lotus flowers. The lanterns include one LED candle. Pens will be available at the event to personalize your lanterns. Other entertainment at this event includes festival dancing to thematic music. The event takes place on the River Walk at the Convention Center Lagoon near the Grand Hyatt Hotel, February 9, 4-10 PM. The lantern launch begins at 6 PM.

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Chris Madrid’s New Building Opens Soon

One of the city’s favorite burger joints hopes to re-open it’s doors this spring. The 40-year-old San Antonio institution, known as Chris Madrid’s has been operating out of a food truck since a fire badly damaged the back bar area of the original restaurant in 2017. The new restaurant will still be located at 1900 Blanco road and the owner Richard Peacock wants to preserve the original restaurant’s unique character. Fans of the original restaurant are so eagerly awaiting its return that they are following the construction progress on Facebook and posting comments like “looking forward to opening night and my next Flaming Jalapeno Cheddar Cheesy Burger and fries!”

By LESLIE FOLEY