A new bike path has recently been added to the trail system at this popular park in North San Antonio.

What residents should know: A new mountain biking trail at McAllister Park called The Grove got its “finishing touches” on Dec. 14, according to a Facebook post from the Friends of McAllister Park, or FOMP.

Volunteers helped to construct portions of the trail, including planting vegetation, spreading mulch, laying down boulders and more.

FOMP is an independent, nonprofit organization that helps to fund and maintain projects at the park, according to its website.

The new trail is near the park’s multipurpose sports field, just outside the parking lot off Buckhorn Road.

More details: As a “flow” trail, The Grove contains a series of hills and is named after the native Texas Persimmon, common in the San Antonio area, according to an announcement from FOMP’s Facebook page.

• 13102 Jones Maltsberger Road, San Antonio

The Sicilian Butcher and its bakery, the Sicilian Baker, is now open in Landmark North along Loop 1604.

The details: Offering hand-made pasta daily, the Italian eatery’s menu also features a wide selection of appetizers, salads, pizza and signature dishes. Appetizers include eggplant and ‘nduja croquettes, shrimp and calamari and Italian Saganki, which is grilled ciabatta with imported Kefalotyrii cheese flambeed tableside. Signature dishes include Nonna’s Baked Cannelloni, NY strip steak, pork rollatini and gnocchi and 10-layer lasagna.

The restaurant is owned by James Beard and award-winning Chef Joey Tomaso, who left Sicily at 20 years old and opened over 50 restaurants during his career, according to the Sicilian Butcher website. 

• 5546 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio

Check out four businesses now open in Northeast San Antonio, from a new Smoothie King to a new frozen yogurt spot.

Ferritortas
The food truck offers a wide selection of internationally-inspired specialty tortas.

• 14040 Nacogdoches Road, San Antonio

• 933 Cibolo Valley Drive, Cibolo

• 18476 I-35 N., Ste. 300, Schertz

• 7038 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio

The Texas Department of Transportation announced a series of night closures as part of its I-35 Northeast Expansion, or NEX, project from Jan. 5-9. All closures are subject to change.

The overview: According to a press release, TxDOT will close portions of I-35 frontage road and entrance ramps for bridge work.

Northbound I-35 frontage road to Rittiman Road
The northbound I-35 frontage road and nearby entrance ramps will be closed from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Jan. 5-9 for bridge work.

According to the press release, drivers who seek to connect with the northbound Loop 410 South frontage road to Binz Engleman Road are advised to use the signalized turnaround at Binz Engleman Road to enter the Loop 410 South frontage road.