New ghost tour explores one of the spookiest spots in North Texas

Ghosts of Cowtown

US Ghost Adventures

A national travel company is showing off the scary side of the Fort Worth Stockyards with the launch of a brand new ghost tour.

US Ghost Adventures, an Orlando-based company that hosts ghost tours in some of the most haunted cities in the country, has just added Fort Worth to its list of tour locations. The one-hour tour is held nightly at 8 pm and includes eight stops within a one-mile walking distance.

Some of the haunted highlights from the tour include Miss Molly’s Hotel (109 W. Exchange Ave.), a former brothel where unexplained activity – think lights turning on and off, heavy breathing, and footsteps heard on the stairs – have long been documented.

The Stockyards Hotel (109 E. Exchange Ave.), built in 1904, is said to be home to the apparition of its developer, Colonel T.M. Thannisch, as well as rodeo cowboy C.D. “Junior” Colwell, who is said to have committed suicide to avoid jailtime for swindling people.

Tour participants will also visit the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame (2515 Rodeo Plaza), where it’s said the six-foot, four-inch ghost of famed actor John Wayne has been seen admiring the cowboy memorabilia on display – even with a museum dedicated solely to him located just steps way at John Wayne: An American Experience.

While other ghost tours exist in Fort Worth, US Ghost Adventures owner Lance Zaal says his tour specializes in storytelling.

“US Ghost Adventures offers EMF detectors and focuses on telling the history behind the hauntings,” says Zaal.

When paranormal activity takes place, theories suggest electromagnetic disturbances can be seen with electromagnetic field (EMF) detectors. Lights on the detector indicate the strength of the disturbances, with a green light meaning little to no activity, yellow meaning moderate activity, and red meaning high activity.

Fort Worth was one of 12 new cities recently added to the US Ghost Adventures roster, including Houston and El Paso. The company operates tours in more than 50 cities across the country, and full list of new cities include:

The tour is $25 per person and there’s a two-person minimum. There's also an option to add a 30-minute bonus tour of four additional stops for just $6 per person.

Reservations should be made in advance online, and participants should meet at the Livestock Exchange Building at 131 E. Exchange Ave.

Photo courtesy of Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower

Little Flower Basilica presents Basilica Heritage Tour

Little Flower Basilica presents Basilica Heritage Tour, which offers the people of San Antonio and beyond an opportunity to learn about the history of Little Flower Basilica and the lives of its Discalced Carmelite saints as depicted through the Stained Glass Collection of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower.

Photo courtesy of Visit Marble Falls

6 perfect weekend getaways to plan in Texas this fall

Post-Summer Plans

With the end of this brutal summer finally (hopefully?!) in sight, it is time to start planning for fall. Call it second summer, as in still plenty warm for enjoying the outdoors but no longer hot enough to melt pavement. Here are six places perfect for a much-needed autumn getaway. Take one (or more) as your just reward for surviving another scorching Texas summer.

Lake Bastrop North Shore Park
This LCRA park in Bastrop hugs the shore of a constant temperature lake for swimming, paddling (canoe, kayak, SUP, and Corcl rentals available), or fishing (with a boat ramp and pier). The park features almost 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, including one connecting to Lake Bastrop South Shore Park, and a sand volleyball court, too. Stay in one of 5 Airstream campers, 2 cabins, or 6 safari style tents. All have grills for cooking and decks for enjoying views of the lake and the stars while sipping a cold one. Other dining and entertainment options in nearby Bastrop, including a distillery and several breweries and taprooms. Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard and Iron Bridge Icehouse, both on the banks of the Colorado River, serve food, craft beer and cocktails, and live music.

Lake Georgetown
At this Corps of Engineers reservoir, choose from four campgrounds with RV and tent camping options. Enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking (rentals available at Russell Park), and hiking. The crown jewel is the Good Water Trail, a 26-mile loop around the entire lake through a variety of terrain, with multiple trailheads offering the opportunity for shorter hikes. Dining options, wine bars, breweries, and other lodging options are nearby in Georgetown. Check out Barking Armadillo Brewing and, on the courthouse square, three wine tasting rooms and multiple dining options.

Matagorda Bay Nature Park
Located where the Colorado River meets the Gulf of Mexico, Matagorda Bay offers miles of uncrowded beaches for combing and wetlands for paddling. Rent beach chairs, wagons, and kayaks (guided tours available), play miniature golf, fish on the beach or pier, or birdwatch. In addition to Airstream rentals and camping and RV sites, visitors now can rent one of 10 new bungalows that sleep from six to eight people, with fully equipped kitchens, outdoor decks, gas grills, and fantastic views.

Port Aransas
Miles of beach, without summer crowds: What else do you need? Well, perhaps a place to stay, and you’ll find every option from fancy condos to kitschy cottages in this seaside town. Plenty of dining and entertainment options, too. Try the local seafood at places like La Playa Mexican Grill, Fins Grill & Icehouse, and Seafood and Spaghetti Works. Have a cold one at Bernie’s Beach House, the Port A Beer Hut, or Moby Dick’s. Rent bicycles, golf carts, surfboards, and kayaks at Island Surf Rentals (check out the Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail). Or just sit on the beach.

Painted Sky Inn
Located on a tranquil inlet of Lake Buchanan, this waterfront property offers rooms for two to ten people with kitchens and lake views, as well as a tiny home and a vintage Airstream. Amenities include fire pits, BBQ grills, a fishing pier, and canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards. Find miles of hiking trails at Canyon of the Eagles and Inks Lake State Park (day pass reservations recommended), or tour several nearby wineries (Torr Na Lochs and Fall Creek, to name two) and breweries (Save the World Brewing and Double Horn Brewing), plus dining options in Burnet and Marble Falls.

Frio River
The aptly-named Frio River is famous for swimming and tubing in the summer. The most popular way to enjoy the river is Garner State Park, but getting weekend reservations can be tough. Another option is Neal’s Lodges, a sprawling family-owned complex that includes 81 cabins, 10 lodges, 17 condos, 45 RV hook-ups, and 16 tent sites, plus a country store and dining room. See a bat emergence at nearby Frio Cave or a bit farther away in Kickapoo Cavern State Park. Saturdays are for fine dining at The Laurel Tree and diner fare at Lost Maples Café, both in Utopia, and Concan has several eateries as well (some close after the summer season, so check websites).

Find miles of hiking trails at Canyon of the Eagles and Inks Lake State Park near Marble Falls.

Photo courtesy of Visit Marble Falls

Find miles of hiking trails at Canyon of the Eagles and Inks Lake State Park near Marble Falls.

Photo by Melanie Maganias Nashan

Legendary Texas troubadour Robert Earl Keen storms into San Antonio for final tour

Feelin' Good Again

The road, it seems, does not go on forever, and the party — at least the live one — is wrapping up for legendary Texas songwriter Robert Earl Keen. In January 2022, the he announced his decision in January 2022 to retire at the top of his game, and the acclaimed musician is making the most of his final touring year with a romping, rowdy set of shows across his home state of Texas.

“I’ve been blessed with a lifetime of brilliant, talented, colorful, electrical, magical folks throughout my life,” Keen shared in a video on his social media channels. “This chorus of joy, this parade of passion, this bull rush of creativity, this colony of kindness and generosity are foremost in my thoughts today. It’s with a mysterious concoction of joy and sadness that I want to tell you that as of September 4, 2022, I will no longer tour or perform publicly.”

The final leg of his final tour will kick off in Corpus Christi on August 4 and run through September 4, making stops at several Texas institutions, including a night at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, two nights at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, and three nights of sold-out shows at Floore's Country Store in Helotes.

With a catalog of 21 albums, his band of stellar musicians, and many thousands of shows under his belt, Keen has earned living-legend status in the Americana music world. A Houston native, he grew up on classic rock and Willie Nelson records, teaching himself the guitar by the time he entered Texas A&M University. Keen co-wrote “The Front Porch Song” with fellow Texas legend and friend Lyle Lovett, which both artists recorded on their debut albums.

Keen followed in the footsteps of some of the Lone Star State’s most revered singer-songwriters, producing and financing his first album No Kinda Dancer before moving to Nashville. By the time he moved back to Texas, he had a publishing deal, a new label, and a national booking agent. He released The Live Album and West Textures, the seminal album which debuted what remains his all-time fan favorite, "The Road Goes on Forever."

Since then, two more albums, A Bigger Piece of Sky and Gringo Honeymoon, produced instant classics like "Corpus Christi Bay," "Gringo Honeymoon," "Dreadful Selfish Crime," and "Merry Christmas from the Family.” Keen’s acclaim as a writer has earned him membership in the Texas Heritage Songwriter Hall of Fame, The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Texas Institute of Letters.

While Keen will continue to write music, host his popular podcast, support young artists, and follow his artistic muse wherever it takes him, his already-sold-out final public concert will be September 4 at John T. Floores Country Store in Helotes, Texas, followed by a fan appreciation party at the same venue on September 5.

Below is the complete list of dates and venues for his World Tour of Texas. Local presale tickets will go on sale on Thursday, May 26, from 10 am-10 pm. All tickets will be on sale Friday, May 27, at 10 am.

August 4 — Concrete Street Amphitheater, Corpus Christi
August 5 — Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio
August 6 — KOKE Fest, Hutto
August 12 — Starlight Ranch, Amarillo
August 17-18 — Gruene Hall, New Braunfels
August 19 — The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
August 20 — Texas Uprising, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Houston
August 21 — Julie Rogers Theater, Beaumont
August 24 — The Factory Deep Ellum, Dallas
August 25 — Billy Bob’s Texas, Fort Worth
August 26 — Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center, Midland
August 28-29 — ACL Live at the Moody Theater, Austin
September 1 — Floore’s Country Store, Helotes (sold out)
September 2 — TBA, College Station
September 3-4 — Floore’s Country Store, Helotes (sold out)

Bill Burr/Instagram

Edgy comedian-actor-podcaster Bill Burr makes slight return to San Antonio on new tour

a killer bill

Edgy, insightful, and a little fed up with pretty much everything, comedian/actor/podcaster Bill Burr has earned a loyal following for his deadpan takes on pop culture, sports, and society as a whole. “When are mom and dad gonna stop arguing over gender-neutral bathrooms you can hang an AR-15 in?” he asks.

San Antonio Burr fans can catch takes such as these when he hits AT&T Center on December 17 for his new (Slight Return) tour. Burr will also make Texas stops at Toyota Center in Houston on September 9, American Airlines Center in Dallas, on September 10, and the Moody Center in Austin on December 16. His San Antonio stop will be the last date on his 53-city tour.

General on sale begins at 10 am Friday, May 20 through Ticketmaster and Burr’s official site.

The Grammy-nominated comedian regularly sells out venues internationally; his Monday Morning Podcast is one of the most downloaded comedy podcasts available. He’ll host his new Netflix special, Bill Burr Presents: Friends Who Kill on June 6. He just wrapped filming the feature, Old Dads, which he will star in and also co-wrote and directed.

A streaming presence, Burr’s animated Netflix series, F Is For Family, just ended its fifth and final season starring Burr, Laura Dern, Justin Long, and Sam Rockwell. He also boasts a Roku series, Bill Burr Presents: Immoral Compass. Last September, Bill had a guest appearance on the hit FX on Hulu series, Reservation Dogs, as well as a fan-favorite spot on the Disney+ streaming smash, The Mandalorian.

Burr also popped up in Hollywood features with A-listers in The Front Runner, Daddy’s Home, Heat, and Stand Up Guys. Breaking Bad fans know him well as Kuby.

On August 21, Burr will make history as the first comedian to perform at Fenway Park.

Photo by Koby Brown Photography/Galveston Historical Foundation

Step back in time inside 9 grand and historic Galveston homes on popular tour

living history

Half the fun of a visit to Galveston (the other half being the beach, of course) is admiring all the grand and glorious turn-of-the-century homes in historic neighborhoods throughout the island. A popular annual tour takes architecture and design lovers inside several significant properties once a year, and it's coming up.

The Galveston Historic Homes Tour, which returns for its 48th year,kicked off May 7 and will host an encore event this weekend on May 14 and 15.

In addition to the self-guided tour of these private homes, there are a host of other events, including happy hours and walking tours, and Plein Air Southwest, a competition, show, and sale featuring more than 40 artists.

The home tour features nine historic private residences, dating between 1866 and 1931. Featuring a range of architectural styles, these homes showcase the beauty of life on the island, and offer a glimpse at their owner's approach to renovation and preservation.

Among them is the blue-shuttered Oscar and Mary Walker House, built in 1896. Its double galleries and side hall plan are typical of homes of the period. The Stubbs-Garrigan Bungalow, located on Avenue P and built in 1922 for cotton clerk Sidney Stubbs, sports a lovely inset porch. The Dr. Albert and Willie Dean Singleton House on Broadway was designed by Houston architect Cameron Fairchild, one of several he designed for Galveston's elite.

A full list of all the homes on tour is here.

Tours run 10 am to 6 pm on May 14 and 15. Tickets are $40 and are available online or day-of at any of the tour homes.

Meanwhile, tickets and reservations for special events, such as the History On Tap dinner at 1838 Menard House, or any of the walking tours, must be purchased separately.

All of the events offer experiences to walk in the footsteps of Galveston's storied past, and should prove fun for all ages.

A historic home on Broadway.

Photo by Koby Brown Photography/Galveston Historical Foundation

A historic home on Broadway.

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San Antonio celebrates 27th annual César E. Chávez March for Justice this weekend

SÍ SE PUEDE

Every year, thousands of San Antonians come together to honor the legacy of civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez with a two-mile walk through downtown on Saturday, March 25. Plans for the 27th annual César E. Chávez March for Justice have been released, including this year’s new theme.

The César E. Chávez Legacy and Educational Foundation (CECLEF) announced March 25 as the date for their next march, with the new theme titled “Finding True Life Through Service to Others.”

Interim District 7 Councilwoman Rosie Castro, U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro (her sons) will be the march’s Grand Marshals.

CECLEF Chair Ernest J. Martinez said in a press release that it’s inspiring for him to see how the longstanding San Antonio tradition has been well-received by the local community and continues to be embraced by the younger generation.

“This year, we are strongly encouraging our K [through] 12 and college students to march alongside our friends, family, community, civic leaders, and elected officials,” he shared. “The March has always been a time to engage in civic participation and advocate for social and economic justice for our communities.”

Another priority with this year’s march is to give recognition to the many farm workers in San Antonio, while also bringing awareness to the food disparities in the community. CECLEF encourages participants to bring canned goods to the march for their “Yes We CAN” food drive, which will be donated to the San Antonio Food Bank.

District 5 Councilwoman Terri Castillo, who is the daughter of migrant farm workers, said the march serves as a prominent commemoration of the farm workers who advocated for better working conditions.

“This march serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play to carry on the legacy of labor leaders like Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta," she said. "When we march together, we say yes to organizing for safe working conditions, a living wage, and a better future for San Antonio. ¡Sí se puede!”

The 27th annual César E. Chávez March for Justice will begin at 10 am on March 25 at the corner of Brazos and Guadalupe Street.

More information about the March for Justice can be found on sanantonio.gov.

Here are the top 5 things to do in San Antonio this weekend

Weekend Event Guide

Ballet, comedy, and fighting competitions top our list of must-attend happenings in Alamo City. Witness the stories of Swan Lake and Cinderella come to life through dance, or laugh along with comedian Felipe Esparza. Check out the top five things to do in San Antonio this weekend. For a full list of events, visit our calendar.

Thursday, March 23

World Ballet Series: Cinderella
The beloved fairytale of Cinderella is brought to life on the Majestic Theatre stage for one magical evening. This production includes a cast of 40 ballet dancers, more than 150 hand-sewn costumes, and choreography by Marina Kessler. For tickets, click here. This event is suitable for audiences of all ages.

Friday, March 24

Briscoe Western Art Museum presents Night of Artists
Celebrate the artists that showcase Western art during this special philanthropic evening. This signature event will include the work of artists who helped establish the Briscoe Western Art Museum and serves as an evening to explore the museum and honor the works within. Splurge on your tickets to this fundraising event and get a full program schedule here.

Saturday, March 25

The Ballet Conservatory of South Texas presents Selections from Swan Lake
The classic tale of good versus evil unfolds at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Audiences can enjoy a Swan Lake production performed by the talented members of the Ballet Conservatory of South Texas Company. Tickets for both performances are still available.

UFC Fight Night San Antonio: Marlon Vera vs Cory Sandhagen
After four years, the UFC® is back in San Antonio with two matchups. Fans can experience No. 4-ranked bantamweight contender Marlon Vera against No. 5-ranked Cory Sandhagen and No. 3-ranked Holly Holm against No. 6 Yana Santos in the co-main event. For tickets, visit the event website.

Felipe Esparza: The BigFoo Tour
Comedian and actor Felipe Esparza comes to Majestic Theatre for two back-to-back live shows. He’s best known for his recurring appearances on Superstore and The Eric Andre Show and was the 2010 winner of Last Comic Standing. View seating options on the ticketing website.

Photo by Alexander Devora Photography

The Ballet Conservatory of South Texas presents Selections from Swan Lake.

Netflix series Waco: American Apocalypse debuts with newly unearthed footage

Documentary News

Netflix has a new series on the tragedy that took place in Waco three decades ago: Called Waco: American Apocalypse, it's a three-part series documenting the standoff between cult leader David Koresh and the federal government that ended in a fiery inferno, televised live, with 76 people dead.

The series debuted on March 22, coinciding with the 30-year anniversary of the event which took place from February 28 to April 19, 1993. There's a trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scZ2x7R_XXc.

It's an oft-told tale and not the only new release to try and exploit the 30-year anniversary: Jeff Guinn, former books editor at the Fort Worth Star Telegram, just came out with a book in January, also described as definitive, called Waco: David Korsh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage.

Waco: American Apocalypse is directed by another "local": Dallas native Tiller Russell (Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer), who obtained never-before-seen videotapes of FBI negotiations, as well as raw news footage and interviews with insiders.

Those insiders include one of David Koresh’s spiritual wives; the last child released from the compound alive; a sniper from the FBI Hostage Rescue Team; the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit Chief; journalists; and members of the ATF tactical team who watched colleagues die in the shootout against the heavily armed members of the religious sect.

The FBI videotaped inside the hostage negation room, thinking they'd be there maybe 24 hours, not 51 days.

"These are video cassettes that were sitting in somebody’s closet for 30 years, that show the mechanics of hostage negotiations in an intimate setting - not the hostage negotiation scenarios you see in films, but a team of people grinding, day in and day out, for 51 days," Russell says.

He also procured footage from Waco TV station KWTX, who had a reporter embedded in the initial gunfight.

While the standoff was broadcast live on TV at the time, much of it was out of camera range. The film uses 3D graphics to recreate the details of the compound.

Russell acknowledges that the tale of the cult leader who was also a pedophile, the debate over the right to bear arms, the constitutional limits of religious freedom, dredge up painful conversations that continue today.

"It cast a long shadow, pre-saging the Timothy McVeigh bombing in Oklahoma, the shooting at Colombine, and a growing distrust of government, but I think it's important to reckon with our past so we don't repeat mistakes," he says.

"So much of what’s roiling in culture today can be traced to Waco, a story about God and guns in America with all these children at the center whose lives were determined by the adults around them," he says. "There was no playbook for what happened, everyone was out on a limb, and people made mistakes. But almost everybody was trying to do their very best."

"I think this is a story that's often recalled in politicized terms, with finger-pointing on who screwed up and how did we get here, but there's a profound humanity to it all," he says.

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