Hey y'all,
Cory here.
One of my favorite things about this work—writing, filming, and making media about San Antonio—is that it gives me a reason to keep exploring.
I’m working on a project with Nourish’d Seeds, spotlighting local growers who are keeping food production close to home. That took me from Born Again Farms—a small-scale egg producer tucked way south of 1604—to visiting the San Antonio Soil Sister in the far Northwest, where I scouted a shoot for next week and admired a small front yard garden that packs a major punch.
Tuesday, we kicked off bigcitysmalltown’s mayoral interview series with candidate Beto Altamirano in studio (two more on deck next week). I also got a behind-the-scenes look at the new “Falling Water” sculpture along San Pedro Creek and spoke with folks from the River Authority for an upcoming story.
Also squeezed in: dinner at Barbaro in Monte Vista (still one of the best salads in town), a visit to the new Stranded Coffee location, and a long-awaited meal at Best Quality Daughter. If you couldn’t already tell: I really love this city.
Enjoy the week ahead!
🏀 Feature of the Week: The Final Four is Here!
A Day-by-Day Guide to the Madness
Whether you’re planning to jump headfirst into the chaos—or steering clear of downtown entirely—it’s undeniable: the Final Four is taking over San Antonio.
From Friday through Monday, the city is packed with free concerts, fan experiences, tailgates, and even river parades. Here’s your play-by-play guide to the biggest weekend in college basketball:
🎉 Friday, April 4
• Fan Fest at the Convention Center (Noon–6 PM): Think SXSW meets a sports arcade. Interactive games, celebrity sightings, and athlete autographs. Kids 12 and under get in free.
• Reese’s Final Four Friday at the Alamodome (10 AM–?): Free open practices + the NABC All-Star Game. A great chance to see the court without a ticket.
• Tip-Off Tailgate at Civic Park (3 PM–11 PM): Big screens, games, drinks, and live entertainment.
• March Madness Music Festival: AT&T Block Party at Hemisfair (4:30 PM–10 PM): Free concert featuring major artists.
🎺 Saturday, April 5
• River Rally on the River Walk (11 AM): A San Antonio twist—team bands and cheer squads float past in pep rally fashion.
• Fan Fest continues (11 AM–6 PM)
• Tailgate + Coca-Cola Live (1:30 PM–11 PM): Watch party + concert night two.
• Final Four Semifinal Games (Evening): Game time if you scored tickets—or find a bar downtown.
🏀 Sunday, April 6
• NCAA Dribble presented by Buick (10 AM): 3,000 kids dribble basketballs through downtown SA. Starts at Travis Park and ends at Fan Fest (which continues from 11 AM–6 PM).
• Tailgate returns (Noon–5 PM)
• Capital One Jam Fest at Hemisfair (2:30 PM–10:30 PM): Sunday’s headliner concert wraps the three-day festival.
🎉 Monday, April 7
• Championship Monday
• Fan Fest (Noon–6 PM) & Tailgate (3 PM–11 PM)
• Championship Game at the Alamodome
• Championship River Parade (Post-Game): Only in San Antonio. The champs float the River Walk to Arneson Theatre to receive their trophy.
Depending on your vibe, this week is either a reason to avoid South San Antonio altogether… or your best excuse to dive into the madness and soak up the energy.
P.S. We took a behind-the-scenes look at how this all comes together in a recent episode of bigcitysmalltown.
🎧 What It Takes to Host the Final Four—Inside San Antonio’s Big Moment features Elena Wells and Jenny Carnes from San Antonio Sports discussing what it means—logistically, economically, and culturally—for SA to host one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
📆 This Week's Picks:
🦋 The Nectar Bar Anniversary & Grand Reopening | Saturday–Sunday, April 5–6📍 7600 Eckhert Rd, celebrate this wonderful native plant nursery’s 2-year anniversary and ribbon cutting at their new location with vendors, plant giveaways, and more.
🌊 Watershed Cleanup with River Aid San Antonio | Saturday, April 5, 9 AM–12 PM📍 Exact location, kick off Earth Month by showing some love to the San Antonio River. This community-driven cleanup tackles everything from plastic bags to mattresses—yes, really.
📝 11th Annual Viva Poesía: Palabras, Música, y Cultura | Saturday, April 5, 6–10 PM📍 Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave., free—National Poetry Month kicks off with this vibrant, family-friendly celebration of spoken word, live music, art, and culture. Bonus: a fruit tree adoption while supplies last!
🎨 First Thursday & First Friday at Blue Star | First Thursday runs 7–9 PM, First Friday from 6–10 PM , April 3–4📍 Blue Star Arts Complex, 1420 S Alamo St., free—More than a dozen exhibitions open across two evenings featuring painting, photography, sculpture, and more. Studios are open late with art for sale, refreshments, and conversation (some spaces open ‘til midnight).
🎧 One Watch/Listen: Why Other Cities Look to Haven for Hope
On the latest episode of bigcitysmalltown, host Bob Rivard sits down with Kim Jeffries, outgoing CEO of Haven for Hope, to reflect on her 25+ years in nonprofit leadership and what makes San Antonio’s approach to homelessness unique. From collaborative care to campus-style services, the conversation highlights how Haven became a national model—and why Jeffries is now headed to Las Vegas to replicate the success.
If you care about San Antonio’s most vulnerable residents (and want to better understand our system supporting them), this is a must-listen.
🎧 Listen to or watch the episode.
🍽️ (Re)Discover Something New: Eastside Eateries Worth a Detour
San Antonio Sports estimates the Final Four will bring in a $400 million impact to the city. But how much of that stays here? How much makes it into the hands of local businesses and entrepreneurs?
That part’s up to us.
Whether you’re heading to the Alamodome or avoiding the area entirely, consider this your excuse to support five hyperlocal spots within walking distance of the Final Four action. Curated by Marie Adams of @flavors_of_travel, these businesses serve up not just great food—but community, culture, and real San Antonio flavor.
Here’s the shortlist:
• 🌱 Sweet Yams: Vegan, gluten-free soul food with serious spice. Try the shrimp po’ boy.
• 🍔 Mark’s Outing: Home of the legendary 2LB burger. Community vibes for days.
• 🍶 Cherrity Bar: Japanese bites, drinks, and 100% of profits go to local nonprofits.
• 🍕 Tank’s Pizza: Local legend for NY-style pies and laid-back vibes.
• 🍗 Js Eatery: Black-owned, husband-and-wife run gem just steps from Tank’s.
Headed downtown this weekend? Bookmark this guide and support local. Staying clear of the crowds? Save this for your next night out—it’s a delicious reminder of what makes San Antonio taste like home.
📖 Full feature at Culture Travels.
👃 Texas Nature Journal: The Texas Tree That Smells Like Spring
If you’ve caught a whiff of something sweet in the air lately, that’s likely the Huisache in bloom. Sometimes dismissed as a “weed tree,” this tough Texas native is anything but. A true pioneer species, Huisache thrives in disturbed, nutrient-poor soils and does double duty by fixing nitrogen into the ground—improving conditions for future plant communities.
In early spring, its golden, fragrant puffball blooms provide critical nectar for bees and butterflies before most other plants have even budded.
It’s also a host plant for the marine blue butterfly and a nesting shelter for birds like the white-winged dove. But don’t be fooled by its delicate looks—those branches are thorny, and its suckering roots can spread quickly.
Use it wisely: great for wild margins, hedgerows, or stabilizing soil. Pair with native grasses, agarita, or mealy blue sage for a dynamic, low-maintenance landscape. Just give it space—and a little respect.
If you check out any of this week’s picks—or have thoughts on what it really means to support local in San Antonio—I’d love to hear from you.
Just hit reply and let me know what resonated.
And if A Guide to Living in San Antonio brings you closer to this place we call home, forward it to a friend. More eyes = more ideas.
Want to collaborate or support this work?
Reach out anytime:
📬 sponsor@ensembletexas.com
See you around town,
Cory