Willow’s Cheese Shop Opens in Castle Hills
San Antonio area now has a dedicated cheese shop to discover and purchase gourmet hand crafted cheeses, and other fine foods.
Willow’s Cheese Shop was launched and opened in August by mother-daughter team, Velma Armijo and Gabby Armijo, who are both enthusiastic cheese connoisseurs. Gabby Armijo has years of experience working as a cheesemonger and is eager to share her knowledge and love of cheese with customers.
Whether you are a cheese connoiseur looking for a diverse assortment of textures and flavor profiles to pair with other foods and beverages for an upcoming meal or party or whether you are just looking to try something new, the staff at Willow’s Cheese Shop are ready to assist with recommendations.
While the owners at Willow’s Cheese Shop carefully select their inventory to source cheeses from all over the world, from the Spanish Manchego, Italian Mozzarella, and French Brie they also include many locally sourced cheeses from Texas cheesemakers.
If you are looking to create your own custom charcuterie board or add rich flavors to a gourmet meal, you will find plenty options to inspire you at Willow’s Cheese shop.
The recent Grand Opening of Willow’s Cheese Shop was well attended, with guests enjoying music and samples of the wide selection of infused vinegars and infused olive oils, crackers, jams and fine cheeses on offer at Willow’s Cheese Shop.
In addition to fine cheeses, and cured meats, Willow’s Cheese Shop also offers a wide selection of fine olive oils and vinegars, infused with garlic, herbs and fruits that customers can decant into elegant glass bottles available for purchase in store.
If you are looking for a thoughtful and satisfying hostess gift or to create a custom gift basket, you will find plenty of inspiring selections such as gourmet crackers, jams, fine chocolates, toffees, gift baskets and beautifully crafted charcuterie boards on which to display your hand selected items.
Willow’s Cheese Shop will also offer cheese pairing classes so that food enthusiasts will be able to confidently select and enjoy various flavor pairings.
Willow’s Cheese Shop is conveniently located at 6413 Blanco Road, in Castle Hills, just south of Loop 410 and close to North Star Mall. Stop by and visit them soon! Go to https://www.willowscheeseshop.com/ or call 210-988-9863 for more information on hours and offerings. • • •
Outdoor Spaces Grant Program Launched
Assistance Available for San Antonio Bars and Restaurants
The City of San Antonio recently launched a grant program to help small independent food and drinking establishments within City limits to improve their outdoor spaces. The grant awards will range from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the project’s Combined Equity Score and funding match requirements. Successful applicants will also have access to other City support and services, including single-point-of-contact assistance with Development Services and Historic Preservation needs, and City Fee Waivers for the approved project.
The grants are designed to help independent restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments to add to or improve their outdoor spaces by physically redesigning spaces, adding accessibility upgrades, adding take out windows, the addition of lighting, shade structures, outdoor furniture, umbrellas, outdoor cooling systems, outdoor heaters and weather protection investments.
Learn more and start your application at the City of San Antonio’s page https://www.sanantonio.gov/EDD/Programs-Grants/Outdoor#la-312921728-eligible-expenses
NOTE: Applications are being accepted now through Sept. 1.
The City is hosting upcoming online information sessions on July 17th, August 16th. Go to https://publicinput.com/j2428 to sign up to attend one of the information sessions.
City of San Antonio Elections – May 6th
Saturday, May 6th is the Election Day for Bexar County and San Antonio for Municipal Elections, Joint General, Special, Charter and Bond Election.
At this election, voters will be electing the San Antonio Mayor and District Council Representatives. Also on the Ballot is a proposed Amendment to San Antonio’s City Charter.
Proposition A, Law Enforcement on Abortion, Marijuana, and Police Actions Charter Amendment (May 2023)
A “yes” vote supports:
· establishing a city justice director appointed by the mayor and city council;
· prohibiting police from issuing citations or making arrests for certain misdemeanor marijuana possession offenses;
· prohibiting police from enforcing criminal abortion laws;
· banning no-knock warrants and chokeholds by law enforcement; and using citations instead of arrests for certain misdemeanors.
A “no” vote opposes this initiative to establish a justice director, prohibit police from issuing citations or making arrests for certain misdemeanor marijuana possession offenses, prohibit police from enforcing criminal abortion laws, and change policing practices.
To view more information on what and who is on the Ballot, and for more details about this proposed Amendment go to https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
For more information contact the office of the Bexar County Elections Administrator, Jacquelyn F. Callanen, at (210) 335-VOTE (8683) or go to https://bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department
Are You Ready to Vote?
The General Election is on Tuesday, Nov. 8th
Early Voting Period: Monday, October 24, 2022 – Friday, November 4, 2022
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 11th. Voter Registration Cards are available at local libraries, high schools and government offices.
In this General Election Texas voters will be voting for representatives for office for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, US Senators, State Senators and House Representatives, Agriculture, Land and Railroad Commissioners, Texas Supreme Court Justices, Appeals Court Justices, District Attorneys, District and County Judges, County Commissioners and State School Board members.
Go to https://www.bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department for information about the election, to check your voter registration status, review a sample ballot, find polling places and other helpful voting information and view videos about what to expect when voting and using the new voting machines.
You are eligible to vote in Texas if you:
– Are at least 18 years old by Election Day
– Are a resident of Texas
– Are a U.S citizen
Visit VoteTexas.gov– the Texas Secretary of State’s website for voter information and ID requirements.
Visit Vote411.org for the League of Women’s Voters site which provides voter resources including polling locations and sample ballots. Another online resource to look up voter information and resources is https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
San Antonio Bond Improvements and Constitutional Amendments on Ballot in May 7th Elections
Bexar County Elections Are on May 7th, with Early Voting Running from Monday April 25th to Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022
On May 7th voters have the opportunity to vote on several items that have the potential to make significant improvements in the lives of San Antonio residents.
Important Items on the Ballot include –
City of San Antonio Bond Election Propositions: A -Streets, Bridges, and Sidewalks; Proposition B – Drainage projects; Proposition C- Parks and Recreation; D – Library and Cultural Facilities; E – Public Safety Facilities; F- Affordable Housing.
These Bond Proposals will enable the City to make significant important investments to improve safety and quality of life in San Antonio by adding and maintaining infrastructure, drainage, public safety facilities, drainage and recreational spaces.
The City Plans to borrow $1.2 Billion over five years to pay for the Bond projects. The City of San Antonio says that no new taxes are required to pay for the Bond Improvement projects. For more information about the City Bonds and a list of projects and proposed expenditures go to TakingCareofSA.com
Other important items on the Ballot are Texas State Constitutional Amendments 1 & 2 relating to property taxes and homestead exemption –
STATE OF TEXAS PROPOSITION 1 “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled to reflect any statutory reduction from the preceding tax year in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the homestead.” This proposition will enable elderly and disabled home owners with to save some money on their property tax bill.
STATE OF TEXAS PROPOSITION 2 “The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $25,000 to $40,000.” This proposition will enable home owners with a Homestead Exemption to save some money on their property tax bill.
For more information about the Constitutional Amendments go to https://www.sos.texas.gov/elections/voter/2022mayballotlang.shtml
There are additional items on the ballot, depending on your precinct and applicable districts. To view more information about the upcoming elections and the sample Ballot, go to www.bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department
Early Vote Period: Monday, April 25, 2022 – Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked): Tuesday, April 26, 2022 Election Day: Saturday, May 7th
Use Your Right to Vote! ~ Election Day is Tues, March 1st ~ Joint Primary Election
The Joint Primary Elections are underway. Early voting ends on February 25th. Election Day is March 1st.
Here are some links to learn more about voting in Bexar County, including non-partisan guides with more information on the voting process and profiles of the candidates:
Bexar County Elections Department – https://www.bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department
Precinct Finder – Find your precinct, see who represents you and what your districts are – https://www.bexar.org/2231/Who-represents-me-Search
League of Women Voters San Antonio – Provides lots of helpful info the voting process and a non-partisan Voters Guide with profiles of the candidates. https://lwvsa.org/
Express News Guide to Voting for the Texas Primary Election – https://www.expressnews.com/projects/2022/san-antonio-voter-guide/?sid=5b0234f524c17c5e3d91b853&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=news_a&utm_campaign=SAEN_ExpressBriefing
Is it Safe to Sell My House Right Now?
In today’s real estate market, the buzz is all about how it’s a great time to sell your house. Buyer demand is high, and there simply aren’t enough homes available to buy to meet that growing need. This means now is the time to make a move so you can close the deal on your ideal terms.
Even in today’s strong sellers’ market, there are homeowners who are choosing not to sell due to ongoing concerns around the health crisis, financial uncertainty, and life in general. According to Zillow, here are the top three reasons homeowners who are thinking of selling sometime in the next three years are not putting their houses on the market right now:
- 34% – Life is too uncertain right now
- 31% – Financial uncertainty
- 25% – COVID-19 health concerns
If you identify with any of these, you’re not alone. Whether it’s the future of your employment situation or simply being uncomfortable having guests in your home for showings, life feels a lot different than it did at this time last year. The good news is, real estate professionals have spent the majority of 2020 figuring out how to sell homes safely, and it’s paying off for those who are choosing to move this year.
Real estate agents are doing two things very well to make selling your house possible:
1. Agents Are Implementing Technology in the Process
While abiding by state and local regulations as a top priority, real estate agents are making sales happen safely and effectively by leveraging key pieces of technology. Agents know exactly what today’s buyers and sellers need and how to put the necessary digital steps in place. For example, agents have capitalized on the technology buyers find most helpful when deciding on a new home:
- Virtual tours
- Accurate and detailed listing information
- Detailed neighborhood information
- High-quality listing photos
- Agent-led video chats
They’re listening to their audience and leveraging the tools that help buyers get an initial look at a home without having to step inside. This helps reduce the number of people entering your home, so only those who are very seriously interested need to take the next step: in-person showings.
2. Agents Are Facilitating Safe and Effective In-Person Showings
After leveraging technology, if you have serious buyers who still want to see your house in person, agents are following the guidelines set by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and utilizing safe ways to proceed. Here are a few of them, understanding again that the agent’s top priority is always to follow state and local restrictions first:
- Limiting in-person activity
- Requiring guests to wash their hands or use an alcohol-based sanitizer
- Removing shoes or covering them with booties
- Following CDC guidance on social distancing and wearing face coverings
Getting comfortable with your agent – a true trusted advisor – taking these steps under the modern-era safety standards might be your best plan. This is especially important if you’re in a position where you need to sell your house sooner rather than later.
As Jeff Tucker, Senior Economist for Zillow notes:
“Homeowners who feel life is uncertain right now may think they can still get a strong price if they delay selling until they have more clarity. The catch is that waiting to sell may raise the cost of a trade-up. This fall’s record low mortgage rates, which make a trade-up more affordable on a monthly basis, are not guaranteed to last.”
Bottom Line
In this new era in our lives, things are shifting quickly, and virtual strategies for sellers may be your ideal option. Opening your doors up to new approaches could be game-changing when it comes to selling your house while the market is leaning in your favor. Let’s connect so you have a trusted real estate professional to help you safely and effectively navigate all that’s new when it comes to making your next move.
Voting in San Antonio with Bexar County Elections New Voting Machines
San Antonio and Bexar County residents voting in the General Election this year will be using new voting machines, introduced by Bexar County Elections Department in November 2019. Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen explains how to use the new voting machines in the following video. This video is also available in Spanish on the Bexar County Elections Department website. https://www.bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department
Early Voting in Bexar County runs until Friday, October 30th and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020.
To view a complete list of early voting sites and hours, a map reflecting voting locations, and a sample ballot visit: https://www.bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department
City of San Antonio registered voters will have the opportunity to vote on two propositions. For more information on the City of San Antonio’s Special Election, please visit: https://www.sanantonio.gov/ElectionsCampaignFinance/City-Elections#13227904-upcoming-elections or call the Office of the City Clerk at (210) 207-7253 or the Bexar County Elections Department at (210) 335-8683 (VOTE).
Governor Abbott Announces Phase One for Re-Opening of Texas Businesses
Today Governor Abbot issued a new Executive Order along with a plan to gradually re-open business in Texas for those businesses that were not previously deemed essential in the Governor’s earlier Order. While Governor Abbott is committed to re-opening business across the state he stressed that the re-opening of business will be done in phases and will follow the recommendations of scientists and health professionals. Phase 1 of the re-opening will begin on May 1st through May 18th. If things go well the state will be able to move to Phase II. The state has published guidelines for businesses that are able to open to help keep people safe – https://gov.texas.gov/organization/opentexas
Retail stores, restaurants and movie theaters will be able to open at 25% capacity. If Phase 1 goes well the State will move to allowing an increase of occupancy to 50%.
The Order allows businesses to open, it does not require them to.
Museums and libraries can open on Friday, May 1st, with the same limitations on capacity.
If Phase 1 goes well the Governor plans to move to Phase 2 in the middle of May, which would allow some other businesses, such as barbers, hairdressers and gyms to open.
It is essential that we continue to implement social distancing practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Governor’s Report to Open Texas https://gov.texas.gov/organization/opentexas outlines the measures that individuals, employers and employees must take in order for businesses to reopen and for us to all help keep ourselves and others safe throughout the process.
Testing and Contact Tracing are important factors of the plan. The Governor’s report states that Texas has mobilized 1,157 state and local contact tracers and will establish a contract tracing call center. Details of how contact tracing will work are briefly outlined in the plan.
The governor recognized that one challenge for people returning to work is the need for childcare and said that the State has established a helpline to help put people in touch with area childcare facilities.
While the Order allows restaurants to re-open with up to 25% capacity it also encourages people to continue to use of drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options for food and drinks. The Order also reminds people that they are allowed to access essential or reopened services or engaging in essential daily activities, such as going to the grocery store or gas station, providing or obtaining other essential or reopened services, visiting parks, hunting or fishing, or engaging in physical activity like jogging, bicycling, or other outdoor sports, as long as the necessary precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and to minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household.
To read the announcement on the Governor’s website – https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-phase-one-to-open-texas-establishes-statewide-minimum-standard-health-protocols
San Antonio Mayor Announces Stay Home Work Safe Orders
At 6pm on March 23rd, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge, Nelson Wolff announced Stay Home Work Safe orders limiting activities in San Antonio area to help curtail the spread of COVID-19. The orders will take effect 11:59 on Tuesday March 24th through 11:59 on April 9th unless rescinded, superseded or amended.
The purpose of the orders instructing residents to stay home is to prevent a spike in COVID-19 cases that would overwhelm the health care system.
The orders instruct all individuals living within the City of San Antonio and the suburban cities within Bexar County to stay home and only leave their homes to perform allowed activities. There are many exemptions which allow certain essential business and personal activities. People will still be able to go to the grocery store and other activities related to health and safety of themselves and their pets. Restaurants will be allowed to provide drive through and delivery services. Residents are allowed to get out for fresh air and exercise. Non-essential travel is not permitted.
The Mayor’s Order #95 is available here for you to review https://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/health/COVID19/Website%20Docs/Emergency%20Declaration%20No.%205.pdf?ver=2020-03-23-175107-393
The Mayor’s order also supports Judge Wolff’s order to suspend rental evictions and foreclosures for the next 30 days so that individuals who have lost their source of income can remain in their homes during this health crisis.
True San Antonio Life 