|
|
 |
|
|
|
Easily distracted by dancing bears or interesting facts derived from animal research, I never wondered what happened to these creatures after their gigs were up. In the subconscious of my idealism (or denial), the older bears became groupies with the other circus animals, and the test-subject monkeys were given meds and sent back home.
Sadly, that's not the case. The Wildlife Orphanage in San Antonio, operates two facilities that take in these animals, some of which have been dumped outside their doors. Tigers, bears, wolves, and chimpanzees: These and more make up the community of The Wildlife Orphanage. The 112-acre facility is not open to the public--taking humans into an area full of lions and tigers and bears is never a good idea, no matter how good the intentions--and the smaller one is opened for educational tours (sans free-roaming tigers). The animals bask in seclusion among lush natural areas with plenty of trees and grass--much better than a zoo bus or science lab. ASUS believes that every animal used in research deserves the right to permanent retirement in a humane and safe environment. The organization provides homes for animals that were either about to be euthanized or put in small cages for the rest of their life after they were no longer needed. Visit their site, http://www.wildanimalorphanage.org, to contribute to the Animal Sanctuary of the United States, and they are in need of dry dog food.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Times are tough. With droughts, both financial and ecological, taking place in San Antonio, this Fourth of July may have less of a celebratory feel than those in the past. It may seem like we’ll never pop firecrackers in the middle of the street or backyard, beer-in-hand and homemade barbequed ribs in stomach again, but rest assured, we will see better days. For now, we need to do as our forefathers did and come together, overcome adversity, eat some barbeque, and watch public fireworks displays.
A few ways to celebrate this year:
Freedom Fest at Market Square downtown
Marathon races
Keith Sweat and Montell Jordan at Sunset Station.
Fiesta Texas and Sea World will both be having fireworks shows
San Antonio Missions baseball game, with Robert Earl Keen and fireworks extravaganza included.
Symphony the Sunken Gardens Amphitheatre, fireworks included as well.
Tubing down the Comal or Guadalupe Rivers; Eli Young will be playing at Whitewater on the Horseshoe Bay (http://www.whitewaterrocks.com/ )and Jason Boland and the Stragglers at the River Road Icehouse (http://www.riverroadicehouse.com/), both of which are located on the river.
Because when the Fourth of July falls on a Saturday, it’s that much more unpatriotic to stay in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not long ago,
a coworker mentioned that living in downtown San Antonio "is the only way to live.” By
chance, I ended up at downtown bar SoHo that
night for a few martinis. I sipped my
vodka, ate my olives, and talked about a downtown modus vivendi to another
friend who, as it turns out, was also in the process of moving to the area and
couldn't be more excited. I loved the
prospect of not having to worry about a designated driver, as getting home
would now be a five-dollar cab ride.
Downtown goes neon at night; swanky bars like Suede and V-bar light up
in accompaniment to neighboring hipster dive bars such as Leapin" Lizards and
Alibi. It’s interesting to see the
downtown crowd transform from daytime (cute, khaki-clad tourists and
briefcase-toting lawyers) to nighttime (too much variety to describe in one
paragraph). It’s very Clark
Kent/Superman in a phone booth.
A walk
home after a culinary indulgence (or trolley-ride when the temperature hits
three digits) on the River was also appetizing. The modern high-rise condos going up, with
views of the skyline and city lights, and their counterparts such as apartments
in classic hotels or the Majestic have a, well, majestic appeal to them
difficult to find anywhere else. It’s impossible to list all the perks in a 3x7
box on your computer, but, three months later, I too live downtown, and I’ll
happily to talk downtown perks to you over a martini at SoHo (as my Superman
self, of course).-AB
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking for something a little different to do for your next birthday party or family get together? How about a scavenger hunt on one of the new Segway Human Tansporters while on a tour of downtown? The Segway Human Transporter is the new traveling rage across the United States. It is a two-wheeled self-balancing personal transportation device, giving everyone the opportunity to move more quickly, and explore a city faster. While only a little wider than a person's shoulders, the Segway uses the same amount of space as a pedestrian and can go wherever a person can walk. Easy to use, the Segway works when the rider moves slightly forward to move forward, and slightly back for reverse. Rent one of these people moving wonders at the Segway store located here in San Antonio.You can take a tour of downtown during the day or choose a sunset tour. If you've already spent time downtown and want something more out of the way you can ask for a custom package. Don’t worry about not knowing how to ride, the staff at the Segway store will provide you with training and helmets - you just provide the people. For more information visit www.segcity.com
|
|
|
|
Previous Page
|
Page:
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
32
|
33
|
34
|
35
|
Next Page
|
|
|
