This week's hot headlines

Restaurants' calls for support top this week's 5 most-read SATX stories

Sangria on the Burg is open for last hurrahs and support through December 31.

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Editor's note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From restaurants' calls for support to one very merry local university, here are the five most-read stories over the past seven days. Looking for the best things to do over this long Christmas weekend? Find that list here.

1. San Antonio restaurants call for community support amid closures and more. Restaurants are opening and closing all the time in San Antonio, but the past few weeks have seen a high frequency of both — plus more woes that have business owners reaching out for community support.

2. Merry San Antonio university ranked 10th best in U.S. for Christmas traditions. Students being away for winter break doesn't stop colleges from decorating and celebrating the holidays in their own ways. Three Texas colleges in particular – San Antonio's St. Mary's University, Baylor University, and Texas Tech University – have some of the most dazzling Christmas traditions in the U.S., says a new report.

3. Acclaimed San Antonio chef closing roti concept to make room for fried chicken. One of San Antonio's most celebrated culinary storytellers is writing a new chapter for her Bottling Department food hall stall at Pearl. Chef Nicola Blaque is shuttering Mi Roti in preparation for debuting a new concept, Freight Fried Chicken.

4. Famous Texas cookies take first journey with nationwide shipping. Central Texans have plenty of creature comforts, but none could beat a warm, hand-delivered chocolate chip cookie for simplicity and joy-per-ounce. This is the uncomplicated story of how the Austin-based Tiff's Treats became a Texas favorite. But there's good news for fans who live farther away: These chocolate chip cookies are now available for shipping across the United States.

5. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget revisits Claymation classic. Even though Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget might be considered heads and tail feathers above some other animated films, it doesn’t compare favorably to Aardman Animations best work, writes our critic in his review.

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STRUM AND STAY

San Antonio resort plucks hitmakers like Coleman Jennings for fall country fest

Photo courtesy of Warner Music Group

Coleman Jennings is one of the performers at La Cantera Resort's inaugural country music festival.

With its zen-like spa, lush golf course, and sparkling pools, La Cantera Resort & Spa has long been a relaxing destination. Now, the upscale property is turning up the volume. In early October, the resort will host its first music festival featuring top singer-songwriters.

Running October 2-4, Tip of the Hat to Texas will feature hitmakers like Randy Rogers, Ben Burgess, Coleman Jennings, Tony Lane, Heath Warren, Palmer Anthony, Ty Myers, and William Beckmann. La Cantera partnered with Renate Event & Design and music publisher Warner Chappell to bring the inaugural festival to life.

"We're always looking for ways to elevate the guest experience and give them something extraordinary and unexpected," says La Cantera Resort & Spa General Manager Ben Turner via a release. "We've built our brand on settings that inspire, and now we're providing opportunities for guests to meet singers and songwriters as new songs come to life and are shared through live performances."

The first night starts with a 6:30-7:30 pm dinner show at SweetFire Kitchen featuring Beckman and Lane. Then Warren, Burgess, and Antony will perform free acoustic sets in the hotel's lobby from 8-9:30 pm. The October 3 programming features a singer-songwriter showcase on Plaza San Saba, headlined by Rogers.

On October 4, the festival breaks out the amps for a raucous set from The Texases from 7-9 pm. The local band, known for its rollicking playlist of honky-tonk classics, has become a statewide favorite through frequent appearances at venues like Austin's The White Horse, Houston's The Rustic, and San Antonio's Lonesome Rose and Stable Hall.

Festival tickets are à la carte and range from $20-$100, with sales supporting the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Scholarship Fund. Though all the events are open to the general public, one-night stays can be bundled for $249-$289.

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