Tag Archives: 2015

Ghoulishly Great Halloween Events in San Antonio

October 1, 2015Uncategorized13th floor, 2015, activities, best, blog, braune farms, events, family friendly, fun, Ghost tour, Halloween, haunted house, home builder, house, Jason Gale, kids, local, luxury, maze, Menger Hotel, pumpkin patch, San Antonio, South Texas maize, Stone Creek Custom Home, sutapants, texas, Texas Hill CountryStoneCreekTX

Fall is finally here, and if you haven’t made plans yet for Halloween and you’re looking to have a little more fun this holiday than just passing out candy to trick-or-treating kids in Batman and ballerina costumes, here are a few exciting events you won’t want to miss!

All Hallows Eve Dinner & Ghost Tour at the Menger

The Sisters Grimm puts on an annual event inside the Menger – one of San Antonio’s most historic hotels known for its ghostly past. Guests get to feast on a special three course dinner inside the haunted Colonial Room Restaurant and dine by candlelight at the Halloween-inspired dinner table.

After dinner, a tour guide will take you through the hotel and recount stories of its past. Step inside the King Ranch Suite, reported to be the most active and haunted room inside the hotel. Following the Menger, you can go on a “Ghost Walk” of the downtown area. Available dates are October 23 and 24 at 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 pm and Oct. 30 and 31 at 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. Go to the website to buy tickets.

Braune Farms Real Pumpkin Patch

Local farm, Braune Farms, will be open to guests who wish to experience a real pumpkin patch on October 17, 18, 24, and 25 from 11am to 4 pm, weather permitting. This is a great opportunity for the kiddos to enjoy picking out their own pumpkins, and see what they look like growing on the vine. The festivities include a hayride, face painting, a petting zoo with baby animals and access to a farm stand where you can buy seasonal veggies as well as handmade pumpkin pie and bread, made with Braune’s pumpkins. Braune Farms is located at 1300 Link Road, Seguin, TX.

South Texas Maize

Not far from San Antonio, in Hondo, Texas, you and your friends and family can get lost in a maize maze – that is, a labyrinth of corn stalks. It opens this year on September 19, and also sells pumpkins, food, offers hayrides, campfires and more. Click the link for details.

13^th Floor Haunted House

If chills and thrills are what you’re looking for in October, the 13^th Floor Haunted House is your best bet for a truly scary adventure. This year they’re showcasing two new attractions: “Into the Void” and “Burial Ground,” that sound just too creepy for us!

The fun starts on September 25 and runs through November 14, with some blackout dates during the week, so be sure to visit the website. The closer it gets to Halloween, the more crowded they get, so we recommend spending the extra cash to get immediate access.

Happy Halloween!

The San Antonio Film Festival is Back!

July 24, 2015Uncategorized2015, Alejandro Gerber Bicecci, arts and culture, Blind Date, blog, Claude Green, custom home, Film Festival, films, Hill Country, home builder, house, independent, indie, Jason Gale, July, kimberly suta, luxury, Moviemaker Magazine, Mragendra Singh, SAFILM, San Antonio, San Antonio: An Edible Renaissance, Stone Creek Custom Homes, sutapants, texas, The Doo Dah Man, things to do in San Antonio, TobinStoneCreekTX

The San Antonio Film Festival (SAFILM), which is celebrating its 21^st year next week, will be screening dozens of amazing local and international independent films throughout the five-day cinema event at locations around town, including the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. MovieMaker Magazine called SAFILM one of the coolest film fests around and we agree!

This year, SAFILM takes place from July 28 to August 2^nd and you can buy a badge for the entire festival or tickets for individual films or blocks of films that catch your fancy. Check out the schedule online for more information.

We’re happy to announce that one of our friends, local writer and director, Kimberly Suta, will be screening her documentary short about the exploding culinary scene in San Antonio that showcases some of our city’s most talented chefs, local growers and others trailblazers on the forefront of the evolving food culture. San Antonio: An Edible Renaissance will be playing in a block of films starting at 7 pm on Thursday, July 30th.

This fest is a great way to discover and learn more about the city of San Antonio and the burgeoning culture here as well as discover some hidden, not to mention well-known, talent. Their red carpet events are often graced with some big name stars and film industry people and are fun events to attend, even if movies aren’t in your wheelhouse. Here are a few of the upcoming films that caught our eye:

Blind Date (short) on July 31

By San Antonio Director Mragendra Singh

Description: A socially awkward, middle-aged man, who lives with his loud mouth, paraplegic mother, goes on a blind date.

The Doo Dah Man on August 1

By Director Claude Green

Description: 1980. Smitty, an escaped convict, is driving aimlessly across America in a stolen car. Jake, a New Jersey college student, is also on the run, from a home life that has suddenly exploded in his face as his estranged father wants to re-join the family. Their lives intersect on the lonely highways of America’s southwest.

Viento Aparte on August 2

By Director Alejandro Gerber Bicecci

Description: Omar and Karina’s mother fell ill on a holiday trip on a beach on the Mexican pacific coast. Without further notice, brother and sister will start a 2,500 kilometers journey to their grandmother’s house in Casas Grandes (Chihuahua), near the Mexico-USA border. They will face a country wounded by violence, distrust, helplessness and abandon, where the only possible shelter is to stay together.

We hope to see you out on the town next week exploring and celebrating independent film and the growing San Antonio arts and culture scene. SAFILM is just another reason we’re extremely proud to help families build long-lasting homes in the Alamo City.

San Antonio Real Estate Market Update – Summer 2015

June 18, 2015Uncategorized2015, best home builders san antonio, builder, builders, buy, contractor, custom, finacial, growth, Hill Country, home, house, Jason Gale, KFW Engineers & Surveying, luxury, market, real estate, river walk, San Antonio, Stone Creek Custom Homes, Stone Oak, summer, sutapants, texas, update, valueStoneCreekTX

It’s hard to believe we’re midway through the year! Here’s a look at where San Antonio stands in terms of the current real estate and economic market:

Even with the significant rainfall slowing construction of new homes and commercial buildings, everywhere you go it’s easy to see the growth that’s taking place in the city, particularly downtown, with condos, apartments and hotels sprouting up faster than weeds.

According to the San Antonio Business Journal, the West side of SA is also seeing a lot of growth with mixed-use developments becoming the “new frontier.” Just last month, KFW Engineers & Surveying, a local civil engineering firm, announced they will be building a multimillion-dollar headquarters off of Loop 1604.

According to Zillow, the median home value in San Antonio is now $153,600, which means our home values have gone up 8.7% over the past year and predictions indicate they will rise another 2.8% within the next year. Already the median price of homes currently listed is $189,900.

Some may view this growth as a negative, particularly if you’re wanting to buy and miss the cheap rates of just a few years ago. However, you can also look at it as San Antonio is finally rising to its potential.

Bexar County added almost 5,000 new jobs last year with another 4,000 likely to be added by the end of this year. Forecasters are claiming the city’s “new energy economy” is responsible for this significant growth.

In particular, CPS Energy’s New Energy Economy Initiative has been a primary catalyst – they’ve brought in seven new companies into the Alamo city, which translates into 1,000 new jobs and an estimated income of more than $40 million.

If this kind of growth in the tech / energy industries continues, San Antonio will be put on the map for more than just the Spurs and River Walk. At Stone Creek Custom Homes, we’re excited to see the bar being raised and are more than ready to meet the challenge!

We believe there’s no better time to consider building a custom home than right now. For more information, please call us today at 210-494-5400.

Viva Fiesta San Antonio!

March 27, 2015Uncategorized2015, april, best, custom home builder, fiesta, Flambeau, Hill Country, Jason Gale, kimberly suta, King William Fair, luxury, masquerade ball, parades, party, river, San Antonio, Stone Creek Custom Homes, taste of new orleans, texas, to do, Webb partyStoneCreekTX

It’s that time of year again – the time to crack confetti eggs on people’s heads, eat oysters until you’re sick and see some of the best parades in America! If you don’t know what we’re talking about then it’s likely you’re new to SA or you’ve been living in a cave for the past few decades.

If you’re new to Fiesta – an 11-day long festival that runs this year from April 16 – 26 – you can get overwhelmed with all of the exciting events. Fiesta, which began in 1891 and was centered around the Battle of Flowers Parade back when women would meet in front of the Alamo and throw blossoms at each other, now brings in millions of people and hundreds of millions of dollars into the city each year and has spawned a nearly infinite number of events.

Here are some of our favorite events you don’t want to miss:

WEBB Party – Friday, April 17^th:

The WEBB Party is one of Fiesta’s kick-off parties and this one takes the cake. It used to be held at the San Antonio Museum of Art until they caught people sneaking into closed-off exhibits. A fundraiser for the AIDS Foundation, it’s still one of the most entertaining Fiesta events with live music, dancing, performances, endless food and drinks.

Incognito Fiesta’s Masked Ball – Saturday, April 18^th:

This isn’t the only masked ball that takes place during fiesta, but it is the best one! Who doesn’t love dressing up in beautiful outfits and mysterious masks – it’s almost like you’re at Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro!

A Taste of New Orleans – Sunday, April 19^th:

Foodies love the array of amazing New Orleans food on offer at this popular event.

Cornyation – Tues, April 21^st – 23^rd:

Corynation, not to be confused with Coronation, is like San Antonio’s own version of Saturday Night Live set to music. Current events are made comical with the addition of dance, costumes and King Anchovy. For laughs, this is a must-see event! Get your tickets as soon as they go on sell because they sell out immediately.

King William Fair – Saturday, April 25^th:

Once a quaint neighborhood event of arts, music and food – King William Fair has evolved into a giant all-day street party. Many people bring their dogs and dress them up in outfits. Dog-lovers will also enjoy the Pooch Parade, which takes place on the same day in Alamo Heights.

Fiesta Flambeau Parade – Saturday, April 25^th

Just like most of the other parades, but with lights!

One of the other fun things about Fiesta is many of the local businesses have special medals made that they sell or give away. You’ll also notice San Antonians decorate their houses with flower wreaths and bright colors. You can find all sorts of fun decorations and party favors at the Fiesta store at 2611 Broadway or other vendors, including Fiesta on Main or Amols, which is downtown.

For more info on fiesta events or to inquire about tickets, go to fiesta-sa.org. We hope to see you there!

Stone Creek Custom Homes’ Website Designer Wins Addy Awards!

March 20, 2015Uncategorized2015, Addy Award, best, Danielle Cunningham, designer, graphic design, Hill Country, internet, Jason Gale, San Antonio, serious media, Stone Creek Custom Homes, sutapants, talented, texas, website, winnerStoneCreekTX

We’re excited to share that Stone Creek Custom Homes’ own website designer, Danielle Cunningham, just won several coveted Addy Awards from the San Antonio Chapter of the American Advertising Federation for 2015.

Danielle won a Silver Addy for a social media post and graphic design for K. Charles & Co. Salons and another Silver Addy for a menu design for The Wax Bar, as well as an esteemed Judge’s Award. Although this is not her first time to have won an Addy award, it’s been several years since she’s submitted any design for consideration.

This annual competition is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting over 40,000 entries every year nationwide. The mission of the American Advertising Awards competition is to recognize and reward the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising.

Creative spirit is something Danielle has in spades! “I like to do anything creative, from logo and business card design to environmental graphics,” Danielle said. As an artist, she’s inspired by the world around her, which she then translates into out-of-the-ordinary (we dare say extraordinary!) design elements.

She recently showed us a business card she designed for another client of hers who launches artists’ careers. The business card ingeniously folds into an origami butterfly.

We’ve been lucky to have her on board as our website designer for about five years now, and she’s done some logo design for us as well. She’s the owner of Serious Media – a graphic and web design company – and we’re absolutely thrilled about her success. She deserves it!

Feel free to contact her if you have any need for fresh, award-winning graphic or web design. Her website is seriousmedia.net.

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