Fiesta Decorating

Fiesta time in San Antonio means parties, parades, food, fun and Mexican themed decorations. With my background in design I've had to find the best sources for supplies. I thought I'd share some of my favorite shopping spots for all things Fiesta!

Travis Wholesale , located near The Pearl, has paper flowers in all shapes, colors and sizes. In this picture of my foyer I've used the flowers around the base of a large red vase. I've also added white and green branches (Styrofoam secures branches) to hang Mexican ornaments.  Travis Wholesale will also have the wide net ribbon, and wreath base for your fiesta wreath , which I sprayed bright blue. Start with your focal point then layer trays with candles and flowers, something fresh like a Bromeliad from Loews and paper garlands.

Tin ornaments and Girl bought at Fiesta on Main

Candles bought at HEB

Fiesta on Main now called Alamo Fiesta, is the number one hot spot for everything Fiesta. They have Guayuberas for men, dresses, sashes for medals and everything you'll need to decorate. I buy the small sombreros, and small ornaments there as well as the paper animals, garlands and Fiesta flags.  This is their busy time of year so allow enough time for parking and shopping. Oh by the way....The BEST pinatas ever!   As mentioned earlier, I've sprayed my wooded wreath bright blue, added loops of mesh ribbon (not bows) and started hot gluing flowers, hats and ornaments until it was full. Use hot glue and lots of it! 

 
                        Other hot spots for Fiesta...

Lilys Cookies is my absolute favorite for iced cookies in the shapes of Fiesta. They are edible masterpieces. Order early!

Nativa for gorgeous Mexican dresses and accessories. Their pieces are authentic and a little more in price but absolutely worth it. Each piece has a story of origin and are unique.

Hope this help in narrowing your search for Fiesta decorations. Have fun and Happy Fiesta!

Mandy Barkley with River Valley Real Estate

Southtown San Antonio: A Day in the Life

Southtown San Antonio

A day in the life

With so many wonderful areas in San Antonio, it’s easy for even the most demanding of families to find a great place to live. But if someone asked me choose a spot with the hottest restaurants, culturally diverse people, interesting neighborhoods and architecture, and the most exciting nightlife, I’d have to point them in the direction of Southtown. Currently a thriving bohemian district near downtown San Antonio, Southtown consists of the King William, LaVaca, and Blue Star neighborhoods collectively. And with so much to choose from and do, here’s a few suggestions on how to spend your day…..

Forget Starbucks. Start with locally roasted coffee beans and hand crafted drinks and pastries from the likes of White Elephant Coffee Company or Halcyon. Looking for something more substantial? Take a step back in time as you enjoy the ambiance and food offered at the home of the Pioneer Flour Mill’s founding family, The Guenther House, built around 1915.

With breakfast out of the way, your most exciting task will now be to decide how to spend the rest of your day taking in the city. Southtown provides a seamless thread between its neighborhood and downtown San Antonio. A literal common ground for both locals and tourists. Enjoy works from local artists at Blue Star Arts Complex or Gallista Gallery. If walking’s not your thing, enjoy a more contemporary experience of San Antonio offered by SegCity.  Jump on a Via trolley to tour the neighborhood or try the double decker busses offered by City Site Seeing Tours for a greater understanding of downtown’s history. Rent a bike if you didn’t bring your own already and enjoy the San Antonio Mission Reach Trails also accessible in Southtown.

Sightseeing and shopping are sure to work up a sweat. Cool yourself down with an ice cold drink from various watering holes including La Tuna and The Friendly Spot. Enjoy a mid-afternoon snack from either of their restaurants or head to B&D Icehouse for some world famous Bar-B-Q. I suggest the ribs over anything else.

As the sun sets in Southtown, sophistication is on the rise. Meet friends at Bar 1919 for the best cocktails in town or try the craft beers at Blue Star Brewing Co. Work up an appetite and head over to the higher end restaurants like Hearsay, Le Frite, or Bliss (voted San Antonio’s #1 restaurant).

Visiting Southtown is great. Living there is even better. Houses start at $245,000 to 1,950,000. Condos (very popular) start at $225,000 to $563,000. Rentals start at $925 to $2,500. Care for more information? Contact us today for details including photos and alerts to new listings. Allow us to schedule you an appointment to tour them first hand.

Written by: Oscar Felan, Realtor

5 Places to Eat Like a San Antonio Native

I have lived in San Antonio all my life and watching this city grow over the past 20 years has been an incredible site to see. When moving here, people want to know what are my favorite eating “hot spots”.When it comes to places to eat there are so many to choose from, selections ranging from the chains that we all know to the more local taste. These are what I consider the top 5 places to dine in San Antonio.

Chris Madrid's - This hole in the wall offers, what I consider, the best burgers in town. Handmade over-sized patties with real cheese that is so good you have to cut away the cheese just to get the burger off the plate. So good! If you go, I recommend the macho cheddar cheesy, you won't regret it. Click here for more information.

Cappuccino’s – Offering a variety menu, this has been one of our favorite local posts to go for lunch or a light dinner.They offer a vast bar selection with a tasty menu of sandwiches, pizza, and really good desserts. It's located off Broadway, near central market. Click here for more information.

     Koi Kawa – This has been one of our favorite Sushi restaurants ever since they opened. Friends and I have always enjoyed dinning at a table or at their bar. Unlike the sushi chains, you get a more authentic sushi experience. You can watch them hand-make your roles or slice sushi. After trying almost the whole menu, I can say there is little that I do not like. Sushi lovers, this is a place to go. For more information on Koi Kawa, click on the following links to their Yelp and Facebook pages. Yelp  Facebook  

    
 Boudro's - Located on the river walk, my family and friends have been going here to enjoy a great dinner and the downtown scene as you dine alongside the river. A must have is their guacamole, which they hand make at your table. Click here for more information.

Arcade Midtown Kitchen – Located in the Pearl Brewery, this is one of the newest restaurants that has opened up. With a more modern menu, every experience I have had there has been great. I recommend the lobster soft taco. Pearl Brewery houses the Culinary Institute of America and as a result, a number of specialty restaurants have opened up. I recommend trying them all. Click here for more information.

Written by Travis Reed, Associate Broker with River Valley Real Estate

Stone Oak Park

Are you an active individual or family who is new to the Stone Oak area? Fortunately for you Stone Oak has an amazing public park that is accommodating to any member of the family. The park is located near Canyon Ridge Elementary off 281 on Stone Oak Parkway. 

The park features hiking trails, covered picnic areas, an open air amphitheater, playscape and complimentary doggie bags. There's also informational workout stations with built in equipmet. Don't forget to check out the bear cave too. Be aware that there is a north and a south entrance located on each side of Stone Oak Parkway.

The north entrance features a 1 mile trail where you can enjoy some of the south Texas wildlife in the middle of stone oak. As you begin the north trail you will pass by the bear cave and walk into a great open area full of deer, cotton tail rabbits and amazing flowers. 

The South entrance features the playscape, amphitheater and then goes into a 1.2 mile trail. This trail is a lot more developed than the North side of the park and is adjacent to some of the homes in the Villages of Stone Oak. You will also get to travel through an underpass that was built at the end of the trail under Evans Rd that just makes this experience unique.

You will be able to enjoy a variety of plants and wildlife as you walk through the trails as well as get to meet and great local residents and their pets.  The park hours are from 7am to sunset and it is open seven days a week. It is a great park for the whole family to enjoy and take in the nature around! 

San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo

When starting to write this blog I must tell you that it was overwhelming in that there is so much going on during the San Antonio rodeo it would be impossible to list everything along with the dates and times. I've decided to highlight a few favorites in hopes that if you were on the fence as whether to go or not that I can help convince you that The San Antonio Rodeo is one of the BEST in the U.S. I can promise you will get your money's worth and you will experience a high class Texas rodeo.

Let's start with the entertainers because the line up this year is star studded! All concerts are held at the AT&T center , performers are paraded out to the center stage and where ever your seat is you feel every bit of something intimate! There's not a bad seat in the house and with ticket sales ranging  from $12-$75.00 per ticket it makes it affordable for the whole family! Remember that a Rodeo ticket includes the two hours of rodeo attractions like bull riding, steer wrestling, Xtreme bulls and calf roping followed with the concert! http://www.sarodeo.com/explore/att-center-seating-chart

This years performers are laden with country artists (it is a Rodeo!) and we are getting some of the best of country, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatt's and Josh Turner to name a few. Other artist include Nickelodeons very own "Big Time Rush" for the younger crowds, the 70's classic band Heart, the dynamic entertainer Pitbull for lovers of pop and the Grammy award winning Latin group Grupo Pesado. Please check out http://www.sarodeo.com/entertainers

Now on to the attractions. There are interactive exhibits with animals, milking demonstration with cows, hatching chicks, a petting zoo, pony rides. Don't forget the "Swift Swine Sprints" where pigs compete in a piggy race which is supposedly a "pig drawal"...no pun intended! To see these attractions all you need to purchase is a grounds admission ticket which includes the carnival, shopping, and all grounds attractions. The cost for a grounds admission is $10 Adults and $5.00 Children, again well worth it. When and where else would you see baby chicks being born? http://www.sarodeo.com/attractions

The Carnival is another draw and this one is BIG! There are fun game booths, rides like the Cliff Hanger, Fireball and Spaceloop, basically everything you'd expect a carnival to have. Pricing starts with individual ride tickets, wrist band options and the "Mega Pass" plus which gives you carte blanche for rides and attractions all day! There are food booths galore with lots of typical carni food options, like my personal favorite the funnel cake!

The Live Stock Show and Rodeo exhibits include cattle, chickens and turkeys, goats, pigs and sheep. The entire show schedule can be seen on the rodeo site I've listed below. So much time and effort go into the caring and grooming of these live stock, it's fun to see them as they strut their stuff! http://www.sarodeo.com/livestock-show

For the Rodeo and Entertainment you'll need to buy your reserved seat online. All ticket prices include grounds admission (livestock etc..) rodeo attraction for that date and entertainment for that date. Prices are very affordable and money well spent!

The downtown parade on Feb1st is centered around our western heritage and the earlier cattle drives. The cowgirls luncheon and Rodeo ball are special events that raise money for scholarship programs. Check out the times and dates at http://www.sarodeo.com/attractions/category/special-events/

Rodeo starts February 6th and runs through the 23rd! Visit http://www.sarodeo.com/ for more info and we here at River Valley Real Estate hope you and your family have a great boot scootin' time!

Christmas Time in San Antonio

It’s December in San Antonio and there are no shortages of family fun events to get even the grouchiest into the Christmas spirit. I couldn't possibly list everything so I’m only listing a few events that stand out to me. Happy Holidays from River Valley Real Estate!

RIVER WALK

Courtesy of Allen Brewer via Flickr

River Walk Ford Holiday Boat Caroling Nights. Starting December 4th through December 22nd every night from 6:30-9:30pm. Caroling groups from more than 185 schools, churches and civic organizations sing Christmas favorites while riding on decorated barges cruising up and down the river. Click here for more info on the Ford Boat Caroling

Also, along the River Walk enjoy The Fiesta de Las Luminarias, when 6,000 luminaries line the sidewalks symbolically marking the “lighting of the way” for the holy family. This is only the first three weekends in December (Fri., Sat. and Sun only)  starting at 6:30 until 10:00 pm. Click here for more info on luminarias

 

December 12th, Las Posadas "the inns" on the River walk starts at La Mansion Del Rio Hotel at 6:00pm. From what I have heard this is an incredible reenactment of Mary and Josephs journey to find shelter. Starting at the La Mansion Del Rio Hotel with a candle procession and then the journey begins and winds down along the river to the Ameson River Theater, after which there is a piñata party and other festivities. Click here for more on the Las Posadas

PEARL BREWERY

By Marrovi  GFDL via Wikimedia Commons

The Annual Tamales! 40 different vendors sell  tamales while enjoying live music, arts and crafts. This start this Saturday the 7th 12:00-6:00 pm. Also, look for Santa on his very own decorated barge where you can tell him your wish list and get a picture!  More on Pearl Brewery events

THE LIGHT ENTHUSIAST

Santa’s Ranch. Pricey at $28.00 per car but with one million lights and over 100 displays it couldn't dissappoint! Located on Interstate 35 I mile south of San Marcos. http://www.santasranch.net/

Windcrest neighborhood nicknamed “City of Lights” during Christmas because entire blocks of homes decorate with elaborate lights. Opening Ceremony is December 14^th starting at 5:00. Enjoy a picture with Santa, hot chocolate, holiday outdoor movies and much much more! Don’t forget to get your neighborhood map which tells you which houses won in the different lighting categories. Free to public! Windcrest information

The University of the Incarnate Word, Light the Way is spectacular. Every tree surrounding this beautiful campus is lit creating a spectacular light show!

SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS

December 21st, The Mission San Jose presents Los Pastores. This Hispanic folk play depicts the shepherd’s journey to worship the Christ child. Free to public and begins at 7:00 pm

CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT

The Majestic Theater has performances the entire month, it's best to visit their site but here I’ll mentions a few. For more info on times and dates click here!

 

The all-time classic "Nutcracker",  December 23rd and 30th

Holiday Pops Symphony, Dec 20th and  21st

Dr Seuss’ “How the Grinch stole Christmas” the musical, Dec 26-29th.

Courtesy of Gabriel Saldana via Flickr

Staycation in San Antonio

I remember the day I stepped off the plane in San Antonio. It was a dreary, damp day in November but my first impression of San Antonio, was far from morose.  It was far enough into the Holiday season to invoke a feeling of cheerfulness as we ventured down to the San Antonio River Walk and all its luminous glory. I was awe struck at all the lights and joyful celebrants partaking in the entertainment, shopping and eateries. It reminded me of my childhood visit to Disney World – almost magical.

My visit was supposed to be a short one, followed by a return to my hometown and a possible return at a much later date. Needless to say, my visit turned into an almost immediate return with no departure date in sight.  Let’s just say, I have been here almost 20 years and have no plans of leaving. I have raised three sons here and hope to see my grandchildren grow up here as well.

I decided over that very weekend that San Antonio had everything I desired for my family. It was rich with diversity, history, quality schools, and an economy that was constant and steady. It was a large city with a small town feel.  It boasted of a place you could vacation without going farther than 20 minutes from your own doorstep. This part was most appealing.

While I could never convince all of my family to take up roots and move here, some have come and stayed and love it as much as I do, but most just love to visit because of all it has to offer families to enjoy in a safe environment.

Growing up, when I imagined vacationing, I would imagine myself in Disney World, on Broadway in New York City, laying on a beach in Hawaii or the Bahamas or skiing in Colorado. Of course, I have done most of these, but some of my fondest memories with my own children have been “staycationiong” right here in our lovely city.  

Think about it, we have an innumerable venues to enjoy throughout the year and a multitude of seasonal festivities to explore. I would also like to mention, we have no shortage of sports teams to keep our adrenaline flowing. So if you are sitting around the house with nothing to do, or so you think; take a look at a few of the things our little city has to offer families that just don’t like to travel, but love to have fun and make memories:

Family Theme and Water Parks

v  Seaworld and Aquatica Water Park

v  Six Flags Fiesta Texas

v  Schlitterbahn

v  Splashtown

v  Morgan’s Wonderland

Resort and SPAs

v  JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and SPA

v  Hyatt Hill Country Resort and SPA

v  Westin La Cantera Resort and SPA

Sports Team

v  San Antonio Spurs Basketball

v  San Antonio Silver Stars Women’s Basketball

v  San Antonio Missions Baseball

v  San Antonio Rampage Hockey

v  San Antonio Scorpions Soccer Team

v  San Antonio Talons Arena Football 

Tours

v  San Antonio Grand Tours

v  King William Carriage Tours

v  San Fernando Carriage Tour

v  San Antonio Wine Tour

v  Alamo Trolley Tours

v  San Antonio Hill Country Tours

v  Rio San Antonio Riverwalk and Cruises

v  Alamo Reflections Tour

v  Battlefield Tour of the Alamo

v  Downtown San Antonio Segway Tour

v  San Antonio City Lights Ghost Tour

v  San Antonio and Alamo Helicopter Tours

v  San Antonio 60 minute Trolley Tour

v  Travis Park Carriage Tour

Art and Museums

v  Institute of Texan Cultures

v  Mcnay Art Museum

v  San Antonio Children’s Museum

v  San Antonio Museum of Art

v  Steve’s Homestead Museum in King William

v  Witte Museum

v  Buckhorn Museum and Texas Ranger Museum

v  La Villita Historic Arts Village

Miscellaneous

v  Natural Bridge Caverns and Wildlife Ranch

v  Enchanted Springs Ranch

v  Old West Chuck Wagon Ride and Show

v  Ripley’s Believe it or Not Haunted Adventure

v  Embassy Miniature Golf

v  Ice and Golf Center Northwoods

v  K1Speed Raceway

v  Botanical Gardens

v  San Antonio Zoo

v  Animal World and Texas Snake Farm

Go ENJOY!!

 By: Laurie A. Holiday

Sources: VacationsMadeEasy.com; TripAdvisor.com; VisitSanAntonio.com;