06.19.2024

Today’s Forecast

🚘 Take a road trip

Why you should visit Luckenbach, TX

Learn about the history of this getaway less than an hour north of the Alamo City. | Photo by @oldwestpodcast

When you think of Texas country music cities, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s heading to the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin, or visiting the Stockyards at Fort Worth.

There’s one town ~60 miles from San Antonio that every Texas resident needs to put on their country music road trip itinerary — Luckenbach.

The beginnings of Luckenbach

Jacob Luckenbach (1817-1911) settled in Texas in the mid-1830s and was among those who helped to win the state’s independence from Mexico. The Luckenbach family was allocated a town lot + 10 acres southwest of Fredericksburg, which was later sold in 1852. Luckenbach then moved further south to found the town.

Once the post office was established in 1886, a general merchandise store featuring a smithy, cotton gin, saloon, and warehouses soon followed. The dance hall (Tanz Halle) also served as a center for social gatherings. It still stands today + hosts various concerts year-round.

Airplanes: Texas did it first

lucken-2 — Texan Jacob Brodbeck is known as the “Father of US Aviation” and lived in Luckenbach.
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Photo by @marcussarate

In 1865, Luckenbach teacher, inventor, and musician Jacob Brodbeck built + flew what could be considered the world’s very first airplane. During a test flight, Brodbeck’s plane crashed and his investors wouldn’t help him try it again.

Brodbeck was later mugged and robbed of all his airplane diagrams while awaiting his invention patent + seeking new investors. It wasn’t until 15 years later that the Wright brothers got their airplane off the ground.

The song that changed everything

Waylon Jennings’ 1977 hit, “Luckenbach, Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love),” can be considered what catapulted the town into a country paradise. During Waylon’s time in a Nashville recording studio, Willie Nelson dropped by unannounced and ended up adding the last verse of the song.

The song made Billboard history with the first single to debut in the top half of the country chart (soon after claiming the No. 1 spot for six straight weeks).

Asked

Have you visited Luckenbach, TX?

A. Yes, I have and I loved it
B. Yes, I have but wasn’t a fan
C. No, I haven’t but I want to
D. No, I haven’t and don’t plan to

Give us your take

Events

Wednesday, June 19

“Trolls Band Together” | Wednesday, June 19 | 10 a.m. | Multiple Santikos Theaters, San Antonio | Free | Get to the theater early and claim the best seat in the house for a free movie.
TVC Juneteenth Festival and Fireworks Display | Wednesday, June 19 | 6-9 p.m. | True Vision Church, 2826 Ackerman Rd., San Antonio | Free | End your night with a fireworks display, food trucks, and live entertainment.
Allan Hendricksen | Wednesday, June 19 | 7-9 p.m. | RIM Commons Park, 17635 La Cantera Pkwy., San Antonio | Free | Wind down and enjoy live music by this local country artist with bites + brews for purchase by Southerleigh Haute South.

Thursday, June 20

Terra Cafe Grand Opening | Thursday, June 20 | 12-3 p.m. | Terra Cafe, 5846 Worth Pkwy., Ste. 109, San Antonio | Cost of purchase | Celebrate the newest coffee spot at the RIM Shopping Center with a $5 taco + margarita combo, a complimentary celebratory drink, and free samples.
Silent Book Club Meeting | Thursday, June 20 | 6 p.m. | Copernicus Community Center, 5003 Lord Rd., San Antonio | Free | Bring what you’re currently reading for this silent book club session.
Community Open House | Thursday, June 20 | 6-8 p.m. | Wheatley Heights Sports Complex, 200 Noblewood Dr., San Antonio | Free | Take a tour of this $4.4 million renovated sports complex on the city’s Eastside.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Today Is

Juneteenth. It is a federal holiday, so expect closures of City Hall and most municipal offices. Observe the day with cultural parades, pop-ups, and festivals. Learn about local organizations and community resources devoted to honoring + celebrating our local Black community.

Civic

The City of San Antonio is searching for applicants for the Diez y Seis de Septiembre Commission. San Antonio residents who are involved in advocating, creating, or educating about Mexican or Latin American history, art, and culture are encouraged to apply.

Closing

Hands Down Bar is closing its location. Announced via Instagram, the bar thanked its customers who’ve supported the establishment. Hands Down will continue to operate through pop-ups as an art-focused bar around town. Its last day of service is Saturday, June 22.

Development

The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) broke ground on its Center for Accelerating Materials and Processes. The new two-story, 36,600-sqft facility will support the research + development for tomorrow’s high-speed aerospace engines. SwRI plans to invest $34 million into the roughly year-long project.

Edu

San Antonio students’ STAAR test scores dropped in the science + math sections this year. SAISD saw a decline in passing scores for seventh grade math from 42% in 2023 to 26% this year. Northside ISD seventh graders’ passing levels fell from 52% in spring 2023 to 39% for math. (SA Express-News)

Real Estate

Austin-based investor Palladius Capital Management purchased an apartment complex near UTSA from a joint venture between Crow Holdings Capital, Crow Holdings, and Preiss Company. The 15-acre property called The Lux includes 220 units of apartments + townhomes, a pool, a two-story fitness center, and a UTSA campus shuttle. (SA Business Journal)

Coming Soon

The Deol Partners group is building a new bar at 15622 Chase Hill Blvd., Suite 10, behind the Tia’s Taco Hut. The third bar in this group’s portfolio plans to welcome an older crowd than its typical patrons of Deol Bar I and II. The name remains unannounced. (MySA)

Plan Ahead

The Stable Hall is throwing a dance party at 8 p.m. on Friday, July 12. Saddle Up: A House & Honky Tonk Hoedown is a mash up of country hits with house music featuring headliner Disko Cowboy and supporting act DJ Catwalk. Tickets are $18.

Environment

It’s Pollinator Week in the Alamo City. This yearly celebration spreads awareness about pollinators, their impact on our ecosystem, and how we can help protect them. See how you celebrate the impact these small creatures have in our daily lives.

Sports

Will this next series against the White Sox be a sweep? Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the Houston Astros with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Beauty

PROVEN Skincare analyzes 47 unique factors to create a personalized three-step regimen just for you. Take the quiz today. Bonus: get 50% off with code PROVENPARTNER.*

Biz

Small businesses 🤝 financial relief

San Antonio and LiftFund to provide funding for local small businesses impacted by construction

The City of San Antonio and the LiftFund are offering resources for small businesses located downtown affected by the ongoing construction. | Photo by City of San Antonio.

The City of San Antonio is now accepting applications for its Small Business Construction Support grant that aims to relieve the burden local establishments have face due to on-going downtown construction.

This program is looking to specifically target businesses near one of eight specific construction sites that began work between June 2020 and February 2023. Applications will be scored based on need and not on a first-come, first-served basis. If your business qualifies, you may receive up to $35,000 in grant funding to help offset losses in 2023.

Here’s a few of the eligibility requirements:

Have a minimum of $10,000 gross sales in 2022
Own the business + have a formation date on or before Jan. 1, 2022
Demonstrate net profit/loss in 2022 that is at least $5,000 greater than net/profit loss in 2023
Meet the SBA Size standard for small business

Check out the full list.

The Buy

The Buy 6.19.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Too Faced’s coveted Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara, which is newly available on Amazon.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Adriana

From the editor

I can’t tell y’all how many times I’ve driven past Luckenbach on my way to Frederickburg. I’m usually trying to get to my favorite wineries — but on my next trip, I think I might stop and check out this country town.

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