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Community Corner

Raul Jimenez Dinner + Ringtail Cat + Tamales & Menudo + Habitat

Your five-minute guide to all things going on today in San Antonio.

Gabriela Cantu Couvillion's profile picture
Gabriela Cantu Couvillion, Neighbor

Happy Monday, people of San Antonio! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening locallytoday.

First, today's weather:

Very warm with plenty of sun. High: 83 Low: 57.

Here are the top stories today in San Antonio:

  1. The annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner is in need of volunteers. Each year, the nonprofit event provides holiday meals to many families in the San Antonio community. Patricia Jimenez, daughter of the late Raul Jimenez, said "My father started this in 1979 because he wanted to give back in gratitude for all of his blessings. My mom and he had started a business when they first got here to San Antonio. And so he wanted to say thank you, but also find a way to help where it was needed." Last year, almost 10,000 meals were delivered to families in need and this year, the nonprofit hopes to deliver 12,500 meals. To volunteer to help out or to request meals, please sign up at: https://www.rauljimenezdinner.com/. (KSAT San Antonio)
  2. A new species was seen at the new San Antonio 165-foot wide land bridge at Phil Hardberger Park, which was completed in December 2020 but officially opened in April 2021. On Thursday, Nov. 11, "Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy posted a shot on Facebook of a Ringtail Cat with a Texas Spiny Lizard in its mouth. The species is a member of the raccoon family, according to the conservancy." Other wildlife creatures such as Virginia opossum, cottontail rabbit, white-tailed deer and coyote have been spotted enjoying food, water, and shelter for animals at the bridge. Other bridge features include "two water bubblers, trees, shrubs, and grasses for food and native vegetation for shelter." For more information, visit: (mySA)
  3. As cold weather and the holidays arrive, so do two local favorites! "Next month, two of San Antonio's cold weather favorites will combine at Bentley's Beer Garden's Tamale and Menudo Festival." The family event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 18 at the venue's location on 802 N Alamo Street. Gates will open at 12 noon and there will be live music from 3 - 10 p.m. It's not yet known if there will be an admission cost "or which restaurants or cooks will be showing off their cooking expertise, but one thing for sure is that it's time to get ready for the Downtown San Antonio food fest that's all about tamales and menudo! (Laredo Morning Times)
  4. Habitat for Humanity is celebrating 45 years of building homes in the San Antonio area. "The nonprofit has constructed more than 1,200 homes over the course of its history." Rod and Patti Radle run their nonprofit Inner-City Development in the neighborhood where the first Habitat for Humanity house in the world was built. Ernesto and Sylvia Torres, who bought that first habitat home, still live there. Natalie Griffith, President and CEO of San Antonio's Habitat for Humanity, said "We've built a lot of affordable houses since our founding." On Saturday, Nov. 13, the organization dedicated 20 new homes as part of its Build for Better Bash in celebration of their 45th anniversary, which included music, games, construction and celebration of "families that now have a home to call their own for years to come." KENS5.com)

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Today in San Antonio:

  • SA Amigos Memory Café: Cozy Conversations: Let's Talk FALL - Alzheimer's Association San Antonio Office. (10:00 a.m.)
  • 2021 Tribute to Women Business Leaders - San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. (11:30 a.m.)
  • Teen Time: Washi Tape Art - San Antonio Public Library. (5:30 p.m.)
  • Café Con Libros: In At The Deep End by Kate Davies - San Antonio Public Library. (6:00 p.m.)
  • An Evening With Sandra Cisneros - Westfall Library. (6:00 p.m.)
  • Chicano Celebration - St. Mary's University. (6:30 p.m.)

San Antonio Patch Notebook

  • Visit San Antonio: "There are so many options for shopping, dining, and entertainment at the historic Pearl Brewery. Where do you usually head to first on your visits? Let us know in the comments." (Instagram)
  • The San Antonio River Walk: "Kick off the magic of the holiday season at the 40th Annual Ford Holiday River Parade on Friday, Nov. 26. Watch the River Walk lights twinkle, hear the choirs singing, and get a glimpse of Santa and Mrs. Claus!" (Facebook)
  • San Antonio Things To Do: "Another beautiful Fall day that you can enjoy with your furry friend!" (Facebook)
  • Goodwill San Antonio: "Get a 10% off Electronics Store Coupon when you take part in the Goodwill Electronics Store Tech Donation/E-Recycling/Loose HDD Shredding Drive Thru event on November 15th. DON'T E-WASTE. DONATE! View event details and limitations: bit.ly/TexasRecyclesDay." (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with your next update. If you're into these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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!

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming San Antonio Daily? You can reach me at sanantonio@patch.com.

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

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