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Community Corner

🌱 Memorial Service For Hispanic Elvis + Frida, The Jaguar At SA Zoo

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

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Gabriela Cantu Couvillion, Neighbor
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Happy Thursday, people of San Antonio! Here's everything you need to know going on in San Antonio today.

First, today's weather:

Sunshine and patchy clouds. High: 86 Low: 62.

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Here are the top stories in San Antonio today:

  1. On Tuesday, April 12, the family of John Esquivel, better known as Hispanic Elvis, said that "his memorial service will be open to the public and livestreamed on the funeral home's YouTube channel." San Antonians will have an opportunity to pay their last respects "to Hispanic Elvis, the revered local man known for entertaining downtowners and sharing smiles with anyone he met." On Jan. 10, 76-year-old Hispanic Elvis "was hospitalized with an esophagus infection and COVID-19" and in order to help with his medical expenses, his "family launched a GoFundMe fundraiser" for him. "The page now also serves as a means of communication between the family and Hispanic Elvis' supporters." The memorial service will be at Hillcrest Funeral Home on Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with a rosary at noon and "a cremation will replace the interment." Hispanic Elvis will be greatly missed by the San Antonio community. For more details on his life, please visit: (mySA)
  2. On Tuesday, April 12, "a 2-year-old female jaguar named Frida" transferred to the San Antonio Zoo from the Memphis Zoo "as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan." According to zoo officials, "only 10,000 jaguars remain in the wild," and they hope that Frida will "eventually mate with the zoo's male Jaguar named B'alam" at the San Antonio Zoo. "Frida will be housed at the facility's South American-themed Neotropica habitat, which recently went under $1.7 million renovation and expansion" and visitors will be able to see her and B'alam "via the Pantera walk, a skybridge that allows the jaguars to wander between exhibits." For more details visit: (San Antonio Current)
  3. On Monday, April 11, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the first phase of a new 3-acre park on San Antonio's West Side. The small park located at 224 W. Quill Drive includes a short loop walking trail filled with spring wildflowers, playground equipment, a drinking fountain and a small parking lot. "The total budget for this project was $786,942.50." The City of San Antonio Public Works Department is presently negotiating with contractors the cost of the second phase of the project, which will include a park pavilion and picnic tables. They hope to start construction on that phase soon and have it completed by the summer. Homer Garcia III, director of the city's parks and recreation department, said, "It's because of developments like this that we've been able to continue to see that number grow." He added, "I know it's only three acres, but it's a very charming park. This is just phase one, but there's more to come." For more details please visit: (mySA)

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Today in San Antonio:

  • South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Southside Networking Breakfast at Don Pedro Mexican Breakfast. (7:30 a.m.)
  • Loco About Small Business Summit Free Event at Workforce Solutions Alamo Career Center — Datapoint located at 3652 Bluemel Road. (8 a.m.)
  • Story Time in the Garden at The San Antonio Botanical Garden located at 555 Funston Place. Cost is included with admission and membership. (10 a.m.)
  • Healthcare Leaders of San Antonio Monthly Networking Mixer at Sustenio at the Eilan Hotel located at 18603 La Cantera Terrace. (5 p.m.)
  • Chris Cuevas Project, Local Silver Event for ages 18 and up. (17 and under admitted with parent or guardian only and charged an additional $5 at the door.) Event to be held at Sam's Burger Joint located at 330 East Grayson St. General admission tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the door. Reserved booths are $45 (admission not included.) (7 p.m.)
  • UTSA Spring Game Football Fiesta at The Alamodome with free admission and parking. For more information contact Ashley.marquis@utsa.edu. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • "Did you know that the history of the San Antonio River Walk dates back to 1536? Learn more about its history and its timeline at https://bit.ly/3JuQ3EK." (Facebook)
  • San Antonio Zoo: "Test your San Antonio Zoo knowledge and enter to win an 'eggs-tra' special 'Behind-the-Scenes' experience for four at http://ow.ly/BWU750I! Thank you @kinderus for supporting our vision in securing a future for wildlife." (Instagram)
  • "Have you visited our Goodwill Accents Boutique lately? Located next to our Goodwill Blanco Store at 717 NW Loop 410, the Accents Boutique is your place to find designer and name-brand clothing in addition to accessories! Visit our Accents Boutique Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Learn more at goodwillsa.org/accents." (Facebook)

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Events:

  • San Antonio's specialists' discussion of personal injury lawyers (April 24)
  • Free online Q & A with a San Antonio personal injury lawyer (May 7)
  • Add your event

Loving the San Antonio Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

You're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another 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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