News release from the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center:

Last year, just before the year ended in December, MacKenzie Scott, a philanthropist, donated about $4 billion in total to 384 organizations. Some of those included organizations in San Antonio such as:

Esperanza Center for Peace and Justice is marking its 30th anniversary throughout 2017. But for individuals who have long been associated with the nonprofit, such as director Graciela Sanchez, Esperanza is not standing idly by, celebrating with a few special events. Sanchez. other staff members, volunteers and supporters of the Esperanza have plenty to do, addressing a variety of local and global issues, like they always have.

Update: This listing incorrectly stated the address for the OPEN holiday markets was within La Villita. This article has been changed to reflect that the OPEN holiday market will be held along E. Houston Street.  There is more than one alternative to shopping at big boxes, the mall, or online. Here is NOWCastSA’s list of the most unique and unusual local places to shop in San Antonio. 

As I walk into the Guadalupe Theater on a Wednesday evening, there is a familiar laughter resembling a family reunion. But this is not the kind of reunion where one has to make small talk with kooky great-uncles or the distant cousins that are barely known. No. This is more of a family reunion of kindred souls—a reunion of creatives: a place where one can meet writers who give warm hugs and loving “hellos.”

CineFestival in San Antonio, the nation’s original and longest-running Latino film festival, will celebrate its 34th anniversary Feb. 25 through Mar. 3, 2012, at the historic Guadalupe Theater in San Antonio. This year, the festival expands from four days to eight days of national and international film screenings.