Tommy Newman and Darryl Ohlenbusch have joined us

There’s a lot of fun and a lot of good information in this issue of LNF Weekly.

First, we’re introducing two great new ‘voices’ — Tommy Newman and Darryl Ohlenbusch. Tommy and Darryl will both write regularly on topics where they’re experts.

Tommy owns Southtown Vinyl, the record store on St. Mary’s that we wrote about recently. He’s a music lover with wide-ranging interests and, it happens, a good, fun writer.  I was fascinated with his topic this month.

Darryl is pretty well known in the neighborhood. He’s been involved in the community for a lot of years, in really substantive ways. He’s also an architect, teaching at UTSA, and he’s very, very interested in neighborhood development issues. This month, he’s put together a really informative piece that explains all the various overlapping districts and boundaries that make up Lavaca.

Loans for your small business

We think that one of the best small business resources anywhere in the country is centered right here in our neighborhood: LiftFund. If your small business needs a loan and you don’t think you’ll get help from a bank, these are the folks to see. I’ve written an article about LiftFund this month, and it includes the story of a neighborhood business that got its start thanks to LiftFund.

And we've also got an article by LiftFund's CEO, Janie Barrera, telling us about two special, very-low-interest loan programs available to local small businesses right now. What do I mean by low? Does 3-1/2% sound good? No? Well, how about zero percent?

Art, Art, Art

As always, art is a big deal with LNF Weekly.

To kick things off, Jane Gennarelli has written about Contemporary Art Month — both the event and the organization.

One of the things I most enjoy about putting together LNF Weekly’s online magazine each month is the selection of ‘cover art.’ Our cover art this month is by Lyn Belisle, and you can read about it here. 

And we’re continuing our series from photographer Al Rendon. Every month, Al dips into his archive, finds an interesting photo, and tells the story behind it. This month, his photo choice has a rodeo theme.

Food, Food, Food (and Wine)

We love eating, cooking, and baking.

Once again, Jane Gennarelli draws on her New York Italian heritage to give us this recipe for spaghetti with braciole. As always, I volunteered as a taste tester, and I can confirm that it’s a great winter dish.

And our recipe editor, Patricia Ortiz, has been drawing on her heritage, too. She took on the ultimate challenge: she cooked a family favorite, fideo and meatballs, for her mother.

Of course, good food requires good wine.

Jen Beckmann, the owner of the Re:Rooted wine bar in Hemisfair, has written a terrific piece about pairing wines. I learn something new from Jen every month. 

If you’re going to eat all that food and taste all that wine, you really ought to do something to burn off the calories. Andy Thomas of the AVA (‘America’s Walking Club’) has written about some upcoming walking events that could be just what you need.

Dogs, dogs, dogs

There’s nothing that says Southtown like dogs. Many of my neighbors, I met first through their dogs. In fact, I often knew the names of the pups before I knew the names of the ‘parents’. And there’s nothing for waking up the neighborhood like walking down Leigh Street with your pup on a Sunday morning.

It therefore makes sense that we’d have a really good boarding and daycare facility nearby. Jane has written this month about Lucy’s Doggy Daycare and Spa.

And cats

The neighborhood is also known for its feral cat colonies, and one of our longtime neighbors was a critical caretaker for those animals. Rose Mary Pedersen Budge passed away in January, and Cannoli Fund founder Nancy Diehl has written about her, as she’s remembered by her neighbors.

Superintendent Search

The SAISD is searching for a new superintendent, and our board member, Sarah Sorensen explains the job and the search process.

A small town has fun and raises $52,000 for charity

This doesn’t have anything to do with our neighborhood, but it was a lot of fun. 

While we thought it was cold here, folks in rural Wisconsin were dealing with twenty-below-zero temperatures and 4:30 PM sunsets. What do you do for fun under those circumstances? Get on Facebook Live and bid for baked goods, of course. 

I watched and became addicted.