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Photo courtesy of the Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour

Hot on the heels — or wheels — of the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck comes another timely pink rolling shop. Actually, this truck will beat the Sanrio version here on September 30.

The Barbie Truck will stop in San Antonio on its 2023 "Dreamhouse Living Tour," which celebrates the 60th anniversary of Barbie's ever more popular property, and will give visitors a chance to spice up their own homes.

Although this is all about the house, there are only a few homewares: things like coasters, glass tumblers, a glass mug, a throw blanket, and an "accessories cup." Visiting Barbies have more opportunities to take home wearable and on-the-go items like graphic tees, hoodies, and denim; a baseball cap; embroidered patches; and keychains.

Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living TourPhoto courtesy of the Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour

Most people who have been awake and on social media in the past year have learned that Barbie's Dreamhouse has a more empowering history than many girls realized while orchestrating drama between the dolls.

A release announcing the arrival of the truck reminds fans (and detractors) that when the Dreamhouse came out, only a tenth of a percent of young women were independent homeowners, and states that someone buys a Dreamhouse every minute.

This is not the first time a Barbie truck has visited San Antonio, but for obvious reasons, it should be in very high demand this time around.

Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour

Photo courtesy of the Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour

Dreamhouse aside, this is a dream ride.

The Barbie Truck will be in San Antonio on Saturday, September 30th, from 10 am to 7 pm at North Star Mall. See it in the parking lot on the corner of the 410 access road and McCollough. Arrive early in case of long lines.

These Barbies will hit six other Texas cities on the tour:

  • October 7 — Austin
  • October 14 — Laredo
  • October 21 — Friendswood (Houston)
  • October 28 — The Woodlands (Houston)
  • November 4 — Plano (Dallas)
  • November 11 — Fort Worth

Follow along to see more stops on Instagram or Facebook.

106 Bella Cima Drive/Zillow

Legendary Houston Rockets 'champion' coach Rudy Tomjanovich lists elegant Lake Travis home for $3M

a slam dunk find

San Antonians who are serious about living like a baller on the lake should take a look at this house that just hit the market. Realtor.com recently spotted a listing for the 6,917-square-foot house of Basketball Hall of Famer Rudy Tomjanovich, right off the shore of beautiful Lake Travis.

The Zillow listing shows a wealth of photos in white and dark wood grain, for a tasteful, semi-natural look. But across this 5-bedroom, 7-bathroom house, there's one thing that ties it all together: a ton of arches. They appear over the entrance, in many of the windows, in doorways, in shelving, and even on both ends of the pool. Two domed showers look like they're inset in a cave-like bathhouse.

Among the more standard array of rooms — a very spacious entryway, a light-filled kitchen, and a couple of dining nooks and living areas — there are two that stand out.

The first is the study, the darkest room in the house, as one who often peruses mansions might expect. With wood paneling along the walls, exposed wooden beams inset in the ceiling, and big floor-to-ceiling bookcases, this serious room lightens up thanks to almost an entire wall of windows. In these photos, it's obvious that the house belongs to someone who loves basketball.

106 Bella Cima Drive Austin houseAll the natural woodgrain provides a beautiful contrast to the rest of the white house.106 Bella Cima Drive/Zillow

The other standout room is a wine cellar, seemingly carved from earth, but still fitting in with the white-and-wood aesthetic of the rest of the house. This dramatic storage space is lined with enough shelving to fit hundreds of bottles. A big air vent suggests that the room has its own temperature or humidity control.

Although large, the bedrooms are almost nondescript, save for some inset arches (no way, really?) and walk-in closets big enough to count as another room. At least one of the primary bedrooms features a fireplace in dark marble and a door straight out to the back patio.

It's a grand house, but certainly the biggest draw is the outdoor space. The back patio is topped with a deck, so the entire back of the two-story house is utilized for enjoying the beautiful views in the shade. Tuscan columns offset one section of the patio from the next, creating a few different conversation or reading nooks.

The stone tiled patio floor is even with the pool and "spa" (basically a small hot tub), creating one unified area. On the other side of the pool, an ornate retaining wall sets off the expertly manicured backyard, which avoids the boring green expanses of many mansion lawns in favor of some knobby Texas trees and a conversational fire pit.

106 Bella Cima Drive Austin HouseThere are lots of places to relax among the expert landscaping.106 Bella Cima Drive/Zillow

Other interesting features are a spacious laundry room, a "game room" (which could theoretically be used for anything, and a five-space attached garage.

A Texas legend, Rudy Tomjanovich spent his entire playing career with the Houston Rockets, starting the final year that the team was based in San Diego in 1970. He was the team's second draft pick that year. The six-foot-eight player (notice those high ceilings?) went on to coach until 2005, and is now a player personnel consultant for the Minnesota Timberwolves at age 74.

But fans will always remember "Rudy T" as the man who brought the city of Houston its first true pro sports championship — twice. Tomjanovich coached the Rockets and Hall of Fame legend Hakeem Olajuwon and co. to Houston and the Rockets' first title in 1994 — and followed suit the next year after a blockbuster mega-trade splash brought University of Houston icon and Hall of Famer Clyde "The Glide" Drexler home to the Rockets.

Addressing doubters and naysayers after the 1995 sequel championship win, Rudy T issued one of the greatest lines in pro sports history : "Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion."

106 Bella Cima Drive Lake Travis Austin house

The Lake Travis home is beautifully situated among trees.

See more of the house, which currently has an offer pending, on Zillow.

Steven Devadanam contributed to this story.

Photo by Sonnie Hiles on Unsplash

San Antonio brings its to-do lists for expert advice at the Fall Home + Garden Show

Supervised DIY

San Antonians have a lot to be proud of in their homes. We know they'll shell out thousands of dollars each year to keep up curb appeal, and the city is poised to attract lots of Gen Z residents who will at least become renters, if not buyers quite yet. But home maintenance can be overwhelming, even for longtime homeowners.

Inspiration and important tips can be found at the 35th annual San Antonio Fall Home + Garden Show. The expo just announced that it will set up its goods and service booths at the Alamodome from October 6-8, 2023.

With "hundreds of industry professionals under one roof," according to a news release, the show will offer a lot more than a chance to browse the more than 200 booths. Vendors are happy to give advice and inspiration (hey, maybe bring in that broken something-or-other you've been holding onto for months), and some have even prepared how-to presentations.

This isn't just something for landscape-obsessed dads. (Although...we'll see you there. Can't wait to talk about the best hoses.) Every member of the family can have a hand in keeping the home running smoothly, and kids are invited to learn about how to be more responsible and creative in workshops.

The release picks out 12 highlights, but here are the six CultureMap is most interested in:

  • Celebrity appearance by April Wilkerson: A home-improvement expert on YouTube, Wilkerson can often be spotted in her workshop forming DIYs with wood and metal. She has appeared on History Channel’s More Power, testing power tools. Wilkerson speaks on Friday, October 6, at 4 pm and Saturday, October 7, at 1 pm.
  • Celebrity appearance by Patric Richardson, The Laundry Evangelist: Believe it or not, people couldn't wait to go to Laundry Camp — so much that it created book and TV spinoffs. Richardson is teaching people to take better care of everything that goes in the laundry. He speaks on Friday, October 6, at 3 pm and Saturday, October 7, at noon and 2 pm.
  • Barbie-Inspired Dream Rooms: Barbie inspired tons of people at the movies this year, and her dream house will remain a lasting cultural touchstone for generations to come. Anyone who is ready to think pink can explore four "Barbie-themed dream rooms" by professional designers, to gather inspiration for what can be done in the real world.
  • Ask an Expert Arborist: Local arborists will be answering questions about "all tree-related matters." Hiring an arborist is a good idea, but not cheap, so these tree experts can help make sure you've checked all your boxes first. Consider asking what to plant, and where; whether your trees look healthy or need more attention; and if it's really time to take an old tree down.
  • Home Depot Children’s Workshop: Kids have too much creative energy to let it go to waste around the house. But before popping on a YouTube video and hand them a hammer, consider getting guidance from the Home Depot. The workshop will teach kids "how to build and make something real by themselves."
  • Runway Pet Show: Adoptable pets will hit the runway to inspire pet parents and find new homes. These runway models come from God's Dogs Rescue and San Antonio Pets Alive; Both rescue organizations will benefit from the silent dog house auction.

There will be plenty of snacks from San Antonio food vendors including Aloha Kitchen, Carina's Tacos, Casey's Cottage, Gigi's Cupcakes, Sofia's Pizzeria and The Original Taste of the Caribbean.

Tickets ($8 until October 5, $10 later) are available at sanantoniofallhomeshow.com. Children under 16 enter free, and special days are set for free entry for active military personnel, veterans, fire, police, first responders, and teachers.

Photo by Dillon Kydd on Unsplash

Here's how much San Antonio homeowners will spend to boost curb appeal this year

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Sure, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but that doesn't apply to a vast number of luxurious homes in this city. It's probably safe to say that many locals (or tourists) have been guilty of window shopping San Antonio's most gorgeous houses while cruising around town.

In a recent study, home services websites Thumbtack and Nextdoor asked more than 1,000 homeowners to set tangible values to curb appeal: both how much they care, and what kind of exterior home improvements have the most influence. It also ranked cities on how much they spend.

The study found that San Antonio homeowners will spend up to $4,705 on many "small curb appeal investments" – such as replacing the front door, installing outdoor lighting, pressure washing the driveway, or painting their fence.

But if a homeowner really wants their property to stand out, major projects like installing solar panels or maintaining a perfectly manicured front yard are surefire ways to catch people's attention and admiration. So much so, that 82 percent of survey-takers said investing in landscaping is a substantial improvement, and 73 percent believe a well-kept lawn dramatically improves curb appeal.

"At its core, curb appeal is a homeowner’s first presentation of themself to the neighborhood," the report said. "An individual home’s curb appeal impacts the whole neighborhood — and, as a result, can build relationships or even create tensions on the block."

Costs, of course, are driven up with the scale of the projects. Cost estimates for garage door or gutter replacements can ring up at $1,310, with San Antonio residents budgeting up to $14,582 for their "medium-sized" home improvement projects.

The study designates some projects as "large curb appeal investments": things like painting the entire exterior of a house, replacing property fencing, or installing a sprinkler system. Estimates for multiple large-scale projects can cost up to $27,000 in San Antonio.

Nextdoor's Head of Revenue, Heidi Andersen, said in the report that a home's curb appeal can show the owner's "deep investment" in their neighborhood, and can improve their fellow neighbors' pride within the local community.

"For many neighbors, the neighborhood is a gathering place, a central hub, and most importantly, a place they come to for genuine connections, support, and shared experiences among its residents," said Andersen. "Every day, neighbors everywhere are transforming houses into homes, and streets into welcoming avenues for their communities."

While San Antonio didn't make it into the ranking of the top 10 cities with the best curb appeal, Dallas-Fort Worth ranked No. 5, while Austin ranked No. 2 behind frontrunner Atlanta, Georgia.

The top 10 cities with the best curb appeal are:

  • No. 1 – Atlanta, Georgia
  • No. 2 – Austin, Texas
  • No. 3 – Charlotte, North Carolina
  • No. 4 – Washington, D.C.
  • No. 5 – Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
  • No. 6 – Baltimore, Maryland
  • No. 7 – Seattle, Washington
  • No. 8 – Orlando, Florida
  • No. 9 – Tampa, Florida
  • No. 10 – Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
The full report can be found on thumbtack.com.
Photo courtesy of Marketplace Events

35th annual home design and gardening expo returns to San Antonio in October

HOME IMPROVEMENT

San Antonio gardeners, get your hats and tool bags ready. The 35th annual San Antonio Fall Home and Garden Show is returning to the Alamodome the weekend of October 6-8.

The show is the perfect place for DIY-lovers looking for that next project, for those who need some inspiration or advice from experts, and for anyone who wants to check out the gorgeous displays and shop around the spirited atmosphere.

YouTube personality, home improvement expert, and native Texan April Wilkerson will be the show's special guest speaker on October 6-7. She started her blog a decade ago, and has grown her following thanks to her written and visual tutorials. Since then, she has appeared on the History Channel's More Power with Tim Allen and Richard Karn.

"April Wilkerson has been called a Maker, a DIYer, a Woodworker and Metalworker," the San Antonio Home and Garden Show website says. "All are apt, but regardless of the label, April makes stuff that she wants or needs instead of buying it or hiring it out. It’s her goal to be able to look around her home and have a hard time finding something she didn’t make with her own two hands."

Other activities that will be available at the San Antonio Fall Home and Garden Show include:

  • Fresh Ideas Stage for presentations
  • Ask An Arborist panels
  • Home Depot Kids Zone
  • Barbiecore designer rooms
  • A runway pet show and dog house silent auction
  • Sports lounge
  • Made in Texas Marketplace

The San Antonio Fall Home and Garden Show will take place from 12-8 pm on Friday, October 6, from 10 am to 8 pm on October 7, and from 11 am to 6 pm on October 8. Tickets are $8 online and $10 at the door, and admission is free for children under 16. More information about the show can be found on their website.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Fall Home & Garden Show

San Antonio Fall Home & Garden Show

The 35th annual San Antonio Fall Home & Garden Show will feature a marketplace where visitors can shop for home-related products and services, experience displays to help inspire their next home project, connect with industry experts, and enjoy informative presentations from local and international home professionals. Both Patric Richardson, The Laundry Guy, and celebrity YouTuber and home improvement expert, April Wilkerson, will be speaking during the first two days of the event.

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Comedian Chris Tucker returns to road after a decade with a stop in San Antonio

Comedy Comeback News

Comedian Chris Tucker will make San Antonio's Majestic Theatre one of the stops on his first major tour in North America since 2011, performing at the venue on Thursday, November 2.

The 33-city" Legend" Tour 2023 will kick off in Charleston, South Carolina on September 8, continuing through January 12.

This new date in San Antonio was added due to high demand, as well as a second date in Houston (November 4-5). Tucker will also perform in Irving on November 1.

"I started my career doing stand-up in comedy clubs and it's stand-up comedy that prepared me for all of my movie roles," said Tucker in a statement. "I'm looking forward to getting back to my roots. I love performing live, there's nothing like the energy of a live crowd and making people laugh."

Tucker’s career began in the early 1990s when he became a favorite on Russell Simmons’ HBO Def Comedy Jam. He is best known for his role in the Rush Hour action-comedy film franchise, as well as Friday and The Fifth Element.

He's been in only a few films since the Rush Hour series ended, but recently had a prominent role opposite Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Viola Davis in Air.

Tickets will be available on Tuesday, October 3, at 10 am on Ticketmaster.

THE LEGEND TOUR DATES (*new show):

  • Fri Sep 08 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center
  • Sun Sep 10 – Norfolk, VA – Chrysler Hall
  • Wed Sep 20 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace
  • Fri Sep 22 – Memphis, TN – The Orpheum Theatre Memphis
  • Sun Sep 24 – Durham, NC – DPAC
  • Sat Sep 30 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre-Oakland
  • Tue Oct 03 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
  • Wed Oct 04 – Inglewood, CA – YouTube Theater
  • Thu Oct 05 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
  • Sat Oct 07 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Pantages Theatre
  • Tue Oct 10 – Columbus, OH – Palace Theatre Columbus
  • Wed Oct 11 – Cincinnati, OH – Aronoff Center
  • Thu Oct 12 – Cleveland, OH – State Theatre at Playhouse Square
  • Wed Oct 18 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia
  • Thu Oct 19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Benedum Center
  • Sun Oct 22 – Baltimore, MD – Hippodrome at France-Merrick Performing Arts
  • Thu Oct 26 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
  • Wed Nov 01 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
  • Thur Nov 02 — San Antonio, TX — Majestic Theatre*
  • Sat Nov 04 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
  • Sat Nov 05 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center*
  • Tue Nov 07 – Oklahoma City, OK – Criterion Theater
  • Wed Nov 08 – Kansas City, MO – Music Hall Kansas City
  • Tue Nov 14 – Jacksonville, FL – Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts - Moran Theater
  • Wed Nov 15 – Orlando, FL – Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
  • Fri Nov 17 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
  • Sat Nov 18 — New York, NY — Beacon Theatre*
  • Wed Nov 29 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre
  • Sat Dec 02 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
  • Mon Dec 04 – St. Louis, MO – Stifel Theatre
  • Thu Dec 07 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
  • Tue Jan 09 – Toronto, ON – Meridian Hall
  • Fri Jan 12 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre

Hopdoddy mooves toward regenerative meats, nixing plant-based substitutes

86 the Beyond Patties

Hearty Central Texas-based chain Hopdoddy Burger Bar has unveiled a new lineup of regenerative burgers that are supposed to be better for the planet and the consumer.

The term ‘regenerative burger’ could cause a few head-scratches: Some may think of lab-grown or 3D-printed meat, while others think of plant-based alternatives but it’s neither. It is grass-fed meat, sourced a bit differently. "Regenerative farming" is a term used to describe farming and grazing practices that claim to restore and rebuild degraded soil, resulting in better-quality air and water.

Hopdoddy’s vice president of culinary Matt Schweitzer explained that it all began with with a sense of obligation to do better as a brand for the consumers and the ecosystem.

“We felt like we could really take a stand and look to move our entire supply chain in a regenerative fashion, so we could really be proud of the work we’ve done and we could hopefully leave the animals, the farmers, the ranchers, the native grasslands, and our planet a better place than before we started,” says Schweitzer.

The new menu items include the "Roosevelt Burger" with grass-fed regenerative bison; the "Nashville Hot Sandwich" with regenerative raised chicken; the "Regenerative Royale," which is a play on a classic double quarter-pounder with cheese; the "Mother Nature" with grass-fed regenerative beef; and the "Buffalo Bill" also uses regenerative bison, but appears not to be grass-fed.

The five burgers are available at all Hopdoddy locations nationwide. The beef and bison are sourced from Texas-based regenerative company Force of Nature, while the chicken is from Cooks Venture.

With this launch, Hopdoddy removes all plant-based meat substitutes from its menu, significantly reducing the options for vegans and vegetarians. The company felt the ingredients and ethos of the alternative meats — describing some such as Beyond Meats as "falsely advertised" regarding nutrition in a press release — no longer aligned with its values and mission. However, the house-made veggie patty remains on the signature "El Bandito" burger.

Schweitzer says the regenerative burgers have received positive feedback, as people are excited to know where their food comes from, how it gets to their table, and what type of impact it causes. Regarding the future of regenerative meat, he says there is no doubt it could become mainstream soon.

“I think the flavor profile, the eating experience, the story, the mission, the purpose, really speaks for itself," says Schweitzer. "So, I really think it’s a matter of time until 'regenerative' is talked about in the same way that 'organic,' or 'sustainable,' or those type of buzzwords are talked about."

To further show its commitment to regenerative agriculture, Hopdoddy is also one of the sponsors of Common Ground, a documentary about the pioneers of the regenerative movement, premiering October 4 in Austin. The "uplifting" film, according to a release, features well-known actors Laura Dern, Rosario Dawson, Jason Momoa, Woody Harrelson, Ian Somerhalder, and Donald Glover, emphasizing that this motley crew does share one thing in common: a strong belief in regenerative agriculture.

For more information about the new regenerative burgers, visit hopdoddy.com.

San Antonio International Airport clears runway for 1st nonstop flight to Europe, plus more top stories

Hot Headlines

Editor's note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From international flights to local delights, here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. San Antonio International Airport clears runway for 1st nonstop flight to Europe. Passengers can now book tickets for flights from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) to Germany's Frankfurt Airport (FRA).

2. Hot San Antonio hotel brings back popular live fire dinner series for fall. Executive chef Michael Collins will keep grilling on the patio at Ambler Texas Kitchen + Cocktails.

3. New honky-tonk surprisingly two-steps into St. Paul's Square. When Steve Mahoney first relaunched Francis Bogside and Anne’s, rumors circulated on how he would use the expansive upstairs space.

4. Nola breaks new ground and a Hill Country eatery heads to City Hall in San Antonio food news. This week's food news saw the expansion of a popular brunch spot, cookbook and website features, and more.

5. Here are the top 7 things to do in San Antonio this weekend. There's much to do this weekend, including beer festivals and a great standup set.