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Community Corner

🌱 Holocaust + Hispanic Elvis + Meal Kits + Homeless + A New Pet

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in San Antonio.

Gabriela Cantu Couvillion's profile picture
Gabriela Cantu Couvillion, Neighbor
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Morning, San Antonio! Here's everything you need to know to get this Saturday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and cool. High: 52 Low: 37.

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Here are the top stories in San Antonio today:

  1. 'The Holocaust: Learn & Remember' series will kick off on Thursday, Jan. 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day and it will include in-person and online programs and exhibitions. It is being hosted by the San Antonio Public Library and will be held at The Holocaust Memorial Museum, which is in the Jewish Community Center Campus, located at 12500 N.W. Military Hwy., Ste 200. Scott Williams, San Antonio Library's community and public relations manager, said "The theme this year is immigration and refugees, so we're focusing on people who were displaced by the Holocaust, the people who moved to other countries during the Holocaust." He added, "It's really critically important that we as a community and as a people, step back and take a moment to reflect and learn about what's happened in our recent history, so that we can try our best to avoid it happening again." (KSAT San Antonio)
  2. On Thursday, Jan. 20, a GoFundMe online fundraiser was set up to help with medical expenses and after-care for 76-year-old "Hispanic Elvis," who was hospitalized for an infection in the esophagus and also tested positive for COVID-19. The fundraiser was set up by his brother, George Cisneros. His niece, Virginia Vasquez, gave an update saying that "her uncle was taken off oxygen and is able to talk more... he's slowly getting back to his 'feisty' self." If you'd like to help local icon Hispanic Elvis with his medical bills, please go to his GoFundMe online fundraiser. (mySA)
  3. On Saturday, Jan. 22, Meals on Wheels San Antonio will be delivering emergency preparedness meal kits to 4,500 customers. The kits include five no-heat meals, disposable hand warmers, water and thermal blankets. Volunteers are still needed to help deliver the kits and can sign up to do so at mowsatx.org. (KSAT San Antonio)
  4. Trez Scipio, a homeless outreach clinical coordinator with the Department of Human Services, is working hard to keep people warm and off the streets, especially during the cold weather. Unfortunately, not many are interested but prefer to stay in tents, and instead receive things such as coats, hats and gloves. Recently Scipio has been trying to help Shantell Thomas, who "has been approved for housing through the San Antonio Housing Authority," but still "working on getting her social security card so she can finish the process." For now, she's been staying in a tent in a wooded area and said, "I tried shelters, but they haven't been working. So, I've been staying out here. I feel more safer out here." After Wednesday's cold weather, though, she is reconsidering it. Despite wearing a "coat, shoes and multiple blankets," it was cold, so Scipio gave her a ride to a warming center for the night and said, "It's not a permanent fix to her situation, but it's something." (KSAT San Antonio)
  5. If you're looking for 4-legged buddies to cuddle up with during these cold winter months, the San Antonio Area Shelters have lots of new dogs and cats that need a "fur-ever" home. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, there are approximately 3.3 million dogs and 3.2 million cats that are in shelters, but unfortunately only about half are adopted, which means there are still many that need homes. Consider making one or more of them new members of the family, and see a list of them that was compiled by Patch and Petfinder by visiting: (San Antonio Patch)

Today in San Antonio:

  • The Story of Government Canyon at Government Canyon State Natural Area. (9 a.m.)
  • "Uniquely Us: Understanding Race and Building Unity" at The Doseum. (10 a.m.)
  • The Children's Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) Open Auditions for Roles in 'Aladdin 2022' at the Dance Center of San Antonio. (12:30 p.m.)
  • House of Henry Foundation Luncheon at Scuzzi Italian Grill. (3 p.m.)
  • Yesenia and The Groove Doctors at Krause's Cafe and Biergarten. (6 p.m.)
  • Noche Azul: Canción Social with Azul Barrientos at Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • "There's still time to sign up for the San Antonio Rodeo Vaquero Cook-Off! Enter to compete in three categories: Chili, Menudo, and a fan favorite — the Cook's Choice. The Cook-Off takes place on Saturday, Feb. 5, and will be part of our Rodeo Kick Off Event-Western Heritage Weekend! Sign up here. " (Instagram)
  • "We're getting excited about the changes coming at our San Antonio ISD Bond 2020 campuses! KABB FOX 29 News, San Antonio ran a great story previewing some of the changes at our M. L. King Academy for Arts Integration, SAISD." (Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with your next update.

— Gabriela Couvillion

About me: I'm an active mom of two grown sons and lifelong San Antonio resident. I received a BA in Spanish from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and in my free time I immerse myself in creative writing. Thanks for reading Patch, and feel free to reach out if you have any news and happenings you think may appeal to our readers!

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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