Eleanor Holmes, KENS5.com – Article.pdf –  February 14, 2015

Valentine’s Day across San Antonio

Valentine’s Day is this Saturday, but deals and events are already popping up across the city.

If you want to try something different for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day and skip the age-old flowers and box of chocolates, look no further. We’ve found dinner specials at local restaurants, 5Ks, museum events and even a social mixer at the zoo. We also found a few kid-friendly events to take the little ones to.

If you decide on one of these events, we want to see your photos! Send them to iwitness@kens5.com

Author’s note: These are single-person approved for “Galentines” celebrations or solo outings. Take yourself on a date, you’re loved.

28 Days of Hearth Health with Baptist Hospital: Is your heart healthy enough for love? You may think so, but did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women? Take charge of your health! By participating in “28 Days of Heart Health” you’ll learn how to reduce blood pressure, identify heart-related illnesses in your family history, prepare recipes for better heart health and even determine what the signs are of a heart attach. You can sign up for free online at BaptistHearts.com.

5Ks all weekend: Take care of your heart this month! There are a few 5K run/walks across San Antonio this weekend.

The McNay’s 5K run/walk honors the founder of the museum, Marion Koogler McNay. It takes place on the museum grounds Sunday Feb. 15 at 10 am. Food, birthday cake and music will be provided after. You can find more information about registration on their website.
Cupid’s Chase 5K benefits people with disabilities. The event is put on by Community Options, Inc. It takes place at McAllister Park and the race starts at 10 am. Raffle tickets will be available for prizes including a $500 HEB gift card, a $500 diamond pendant and more. For registration information, go to their website.
River City Run is a running tour of San Antonio. They happen every Saturday and Sunday morning but are putting on a special run for Valentine’s Day. Take a significant other or even a family member to get out and get active for Valentine’s day. Two people can run for $60. The run is at 8:30 am on Sunday, Feb. 15. For registration information, head to their website.

Love Central Library Day: Head over to the library Saturday Feb. 14 to show your love for your library! They will host a variety of come-and-go events like food trucks, classical guitar in the lobby, classic movies in Connect, a Friends of Texana book sale and crafts for kids and teens. There are a ton of other events for the entire family or for you and date. The event runs from 11:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. at the Central Library, 600 Soledad Street.

Clifford the Big Red Dog: Speaking of fun events for the family, Clifford the Big Red Dog will make an appearance Saturday at the Barnes and Noble on San Pedro. Valentine’s Day Storytime will feature the lovable dog, created by the late Norman Birdwell. Your kids will have fun with activities like “I Love You Like This,” showing kids that there are many ways to say “I Love You.” The event is at 321 NW Loop 410, Suite #104 this Saturday, Feb. 14 at 11:00 a.m.

Animal Care Services “The One” Adoption Party: Looking to get your sweetie a furry friend? You can pick one out together at the Valentine’s Day adoption event this weekend. Animal Care Services is putting on the event with Best Friends Animal Society on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Adoptions are only $10 and adult cats and dogs will be available!

My Furry Valentine at San Antonio Pets Alive!: If you are just in the market for a dog, you also have an adoption option! Dogs over 25 pounds will be available for $25. Vendors will be set up and all proceeds from purchases will go towards heart worm treatment for SAPA! animals. All pets are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots and are microchipped. They are also covered for the first month for flea and heart worm prevention.The event will take place at all four SAPA! locations. You can find the one nearest on their website.

San Antonio ZooAmore: The name of this event is “Strange mating habits of the animal kingdom,” and that’s all we will say about that. Cocktails and snacks will be provided and guests might even get to touch an animal or two! The event is open to everyone, but is free for Zoomers, the zoo’s young professionals group. If you aren’t a Zoomer, it will cost you $35. To RSVP, email the Zoomers at sazoomers@gmail.com

Rosella Coffee. Food. Beer. Wine: The all-encompassing establishment at The Pearl is offering half off bottles of wine when you order one of their large dinner plates. That’s all the information they gave us, but head to their website for more information.

Canyon Cafe at the Quarry: As of 11 a.m Saturday, they are booked for reservations but still have plenty of room if you don’t mind a moderate wait. The southwest inspired restaurant at 225 East Basse (inbetween Starbucks and James Avery) is featuring a 3-course special for couples. The menu includes artichoke queso, Trout Los Cabos or a surf-and-turf dish, finished off with a chocolate tres leches. Their house mixologist also created a special drink menu available this weekend only. For more information, called 210-821-6541.

Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours: Take a look inside the historic Menger Hotel during the most romantic time of the year. Tour inside the Menger and hear “spine chilling ghost stories” and find out why it’s the most haunted hotel in Texas. The tour is $70 per adult and includes a 3-course meal. Tours will take place Friday and Satruday.

Historic Gruene, Texas: What is sweeter than quaint Gruene, Texas? Why, Gruene with your sweetheart of course! There is always lots to do and this weekend is no different.

The staple restaurant Gristmill in the historic district is featuring their reserve wines and a steak and shrimp dinner special. You can call the restaurant for reservations and information
The oldest dancehall in Texas, Gruene Hall, will play host to great shows all weekend. Texas Country newcomer William Clark Green takes the stage Friday night. WCG, as he is known in short on Twitter, is gearing up to release his sophomore album, “Sympathy.” He writes and performs with the likes of Josh Abbott and Randy Rogers, if that clues you in on the stylings you’re in for,
Saturday will include two performances. A gospel show will be the afternoon showcase, from artist So-Patch. ShinyRibs will close out the night. The dancehall’s website calls him “alternative country.”
For all concert information, go to Gruene Hall’s website.

Cowboys Dancehall:

Live music will also be at Cowboys Dancehall this weekend!

Friday night will feature Texas Country crooner Aaron Watson. The show is Watson’s CD release party for his 12th album, The Underdog. The album is the first time Watson has written music about and for his daughter Julia, who passed away just hours after she was born nearly three years ago. Some of Watson’s hits include “3rd Gear and 17,” “Reckless,” and “Barbed Wire Halo.” You can buy tickets online on the venue’s website.
Also at the dancehall this weekend is Stoney LaRue. LaRue is popular on the Texas and Red Dirt circuits. He is a natural-born performer as well as songwriter. Drinking songs, love songs — LaRue has them all. You can buy tickets on the venue’s website.

John T. Floore’s Country Store: Keeping with live music, you can catch Whiskey Myers at Floore’s. If you have heard their music, you know what you are in for. Opening for Whiskey Myers is Jake Ward, a band out of Corpus Christi. Tickets are available on Floore’s website.

San Antonio Rodeo: Starting Thursday, you can catch some fabulous shows at the AT&T Center along with great rodeo action!

Thursday, Feb. 12: Joe Nichols opens up the rodeo with hit like “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” and “Brokenheartsville.”
Friday, Feb. 12: Four-time Grammy nominee Hunter Hayes takes the stage. The kid is a true talent, he can sing, write, produce and play just about any instrument on the stage.
Saturday, Feb. 14: Keith Urban. A good country music, a good guitar and an Australian accent. Enough said.
Sunday Feb. 15: The North Texas acapella group was one of 11 Texas artists that won Grammys this year. They are unlike any vocal group in the business today.
For tickets to these and any other rodeo events, head over to the rodeo’s website.

Last but certainly not least….

Get Married at the County Courthouse for free: The Rev. Joe Sullivan will offer another free mass wedding on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse (north side, Dolorosa St.) on Valentine’s Day. The first ceremony will begin at 12:01 a.m. and then again at 10 a.m. and every two hours until 4 p.m. You must get a marriage license this week before showing up.

Renew Your Vows: Same place at 5 p.m! Congratulations to you! There will also be a vow renewal ceremony at The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope Corps Chapel. They even have a reception planned after. Ceremonies start at 9 a.m, and mariachis start at 10 a.m. The chapel is located at 521 W. Elmira Street, 78212.