San Antonio Food & Drink Specials: Celebrate Tequila and Wine & Cheese Day

Corinne San Antonio at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa. Photo: Plaza San Antonio & Spa, used with permission.

Sip & Savor: The Ultimate San Antonio Guide to National Tequila Day and Wine & Cheese Day

Get ready for a weekend dedicated to finely curated food and drinks! Two fantastic food holidays are right around the corner, and San Antonio is turning up the flavor. (The Gunter Hotel, Kimpton Santo San Antonio – Riverwalk, Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, 2026)

Whether you’re in the mood for a smoky agave cocktail or a perfectly paired charcuterie board, here is everything you need to know to celebrate National Tequila Day (Friday, July 24) and National Wine & Cheese Day (Saturday, July 25) in style.

🍹 What Are We Celebrating?

National Tequila Day | Friday, July 24

Celebrated nationwide with vibrant tasting events, cocktail specials, and promotional deals at Mexican restaurants and bars, this is the ultimate day to raise a glass to Mexico’s most famous spirit.

National Wine & Cheese Day | Saturday, July 25

Created by freelance writer and wine enthusiast Jace Shoemaker-Galloway, this holiday honors one of the world’s most classic culinary duos. Falling on a Saturday, it’s the perfect excuse to visit local vineyards, attend tasting events, or host an at-home pairing party featuring artisanal cheeses and meats.

📍 Where to Celebrate in San Antonio

Several premier hotel spots around San Antonio are rolling out craftsman-quality agave expressions, tequila flights, and curated wine pairings to help you mark the occasions.

1. The Gunter Hotel

Artisan Boards & Wine Specials at Jots

  • When: Saturday, July 25
  • Where: Jots (205 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205)
  • Reservations: Reserve a table here.

Jots inside The Gunter Hotel is celebrating National Wine & Cheese Day with the ultimate pairing: guests who purchase one of their artisan charcuterie boards can enjoy half-priced select bottles of wine. Set in the heart of downtown, Jots offers a seamless blend of historic charm and relaxed sophistication.

2. Kimpton Santo San Antonio – Riverwalk

Premier Tequila Selections at Tenfold Rooftop

  • When: Friday, July 24
  • Where: Tenfold Rooftop (431 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205)
  • Reservations: Reserve a table here.

Home to a premier collection of Clase Azul expressions and cocktails thoughtfully crafted to complement its expansive tequila program, Tenfold Rooftop is the place to be for National Tequila Day. Guests can choose from four distinct agave-based flights for a fully immersive tasting experience.

Oaxacan Old Fashioned at Dean’s Steak & Seafood

For a smoky twist on a classic, Dean’s Steak & Seafood is spotlighting the Oaxacan Old Fashioned ($15)—crafted with premium mezcal, reposado tequila, and finished with smoke to enhance its bold flavors. Enjoy it in an upscale atmosphere alongside a curated collection of over 50 agave spirits.

3. Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa

A Taste of Tequila at Corinne San Antonio

  • When: Friday, July 24
  • Where: Corinne San Antonio (555 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205)
  • Reservations: Reserve a table here.

Tequila enthusiasts and curious novices alike can enjoy an $18 Tequila Flight at Corinne. Featuring Humano Tequila’s blanco, reposado, and añejo spirits, it pairs effortlessly with light bites like their Navajo Fry Bread ($10), whipped with brown butter and spiced with agave.

Tip for Readers: Table reservations fill up fast for weekend holiday specials—be sure to secure your spot ahead of time using the links above!

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Book Spotlight: ‘Uncommon Sense’ by Mel Blackwell

‘Uncommon Sense’ by Mel Blackwell features battle-tested culture secrets from a former EOS Integrator. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Spotlight: Uncommon Sense: The Fight to Fix Your Workplace Culture in the Wild West of Business

By Mel Blackwell

Does your business look successful on the outside but feel chaotic on the inside?

Are you stuck in constant firefighting, watching the same problems repeat while people dodge responsibility and culture slowly erodes? Is your culture just dysfunctional enough that everyone’s comfortably miserable, too afraid of the change that actually removes the root obstacles? (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

You don’t need another trendy leadership theory. You need something that actually works. Fix your culture, and all metrics improve immeasurably.

The Synopsis

After more than 35 years leading startups, turnarounds, and large organizations, former EOS Integrator Mel Blackwell has seen what really breaks businesses, and what actually fixes them. He’s led from the shop floor to the C-suite, rebuilt broken teams, and helped leaders move from chaos to clarity when pressure was real and payroll was due.

Uncommon Sense: The Fight to Fix Your Workplace Culture in the Wild West of Business is built on battle-tested leadership, not buzzwords. Through gritty stories, plainspoken wisdom, and practical tools, Mel shows you how to build a culture that can take a hit, solve problems fast, and keep moving forward.

This book doesn’t sell theory. It gives you a roadmap.

What You’ll Learn inside:

  • Problem-Solving over Complaining: How to build a solution-oriented culture.
  • Leverage & Traction: How to build winning momentum directly into your company culture.
  • Structure First: Why structure must come before people, and how to get it right.
  • True Accountability: How to lead with ownership, not excuses.
  • The Toxicity Antidote: A system for eliminating toxic behavior that attracts, empowers, and develops good people.
  • The Best Pledge™: How to get the absolute best from your team (because people at their worst self will never deliver best practices).
  • Alignment & Execution: How to align your team around a unified vision and stellar execution.
  • The Two Visions: Why every organization needs two visions—and exactly how to use them.
  • Courageous Leadership: How to lead with courage and win when pressure hits.

Plus, you’ll discover why most leaders are “worshipping problems” instead of solving them, why not everyone belongs in every role, and how real leadership shows up when things get tough.

Why This Book is Different

This book doesn’t read like a consultant talking at you. It’s written by a mentor walking beside you, telling the truth, sharing the scars, and showing you what works in the trenches.

When you apply what’s inside, leadership gets clearer. Problems get smaller. Teams get stronger. You gain leverage, and your business becomes something that can survive storms instead of being wrecked by them.

If you’re tired of drifting, guessing, and putting out fires, it is time to lead with clarity, courage, and confidence.

👉 Buy Uncommon Sense Today and Start Building a Culture That Actually Works!

About the Author

Mel Blackwell

Senior Executive Mel Blackwell is a visionary renowned for driving extraordinary results and fostering high-performing cultures using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). With over three decades of unparalleled expertise in operations, sales, and marketing, Mel’s diverse experience spans industries from forestry and wood products to global trade shows, 3D agency marketing, telecom, and software, leading organizations from startups to billion-dollar enterprises.

Holding a BS in Marketing from Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business and an MA in Management from The University of Alabama’s Manderson Graduate School of Business, he masterfully combines academic rigor with real-world mastery.

As a dynamic public speaker, storyteller, and thought leader, Mel captivates audiences with his sharp insights, infectious energy, vivid metaphors, and plain-spoken humor. Attendees leave his talks not only entertained, but equipped with actionable tools to drive success in their organizations.

‘The Descent: Part 2’ Finally Gets a 4K Steelbook Release in the U.S.

The Descent: Part 2 will be available on 4K for the first time in the U.S. Photo: Lionsgate Limited, used with permission.

For physical media collectors and horror enthusiasts alike, the depths are calling once again.

Lionsgate has officially announced that The Descent: Part 2 is making its way to 4K Ultra HD for the very first time in the United States. This claustrophobic 2009 sequel is getting a gorgeous, limited-edition Steelbook release on August 11, 2026. Featuring terrifyingly vibrant custom artwork designed by the talented Matt Ryan Tobin, this is a must-have addition to your horror shelf. (EG PR, 2026)

Return to the Cave: The Story

Picking up immediately where the bone-chilling events of the first film left off, The Descent: Part 2 follows Sarah Carter (Shauna Macdonald). Dazed, covered in blood, and completely speechless, she emerges alone from the Appalachian cave system.

When authorities force her back underground to help a rescue team search for her missing friends, Sarah’s fractured memories begin to resurface—and with them, the realization of what truly lurks in the pitch black. Worse yet, the team is about to encounter a new, even more viciously feral tribe of deformed “crawlers.”

Release Details & Technical Specs

This limited release is packed with premium technical details, bringing the movie’s dark, atmospheric dread to life with gorgeous Dolby Vision HDR and crushing 5.1 surround sound.

FeatureSpecification
U.S. Release DateAugust 11, 2026
Format16×9 (2.35:1) Dolby Vision Presentation
AudioEnglish 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio™
SubtitlesEnglish SDH
Run Time94 minutes
RatingR (Strong bloody horror violence, grisly images, terror, and language)

The Cast & Crew

  • Directed by: Jon Harris
  • Written by: James McCarthy, J Blakeson, James Watkins
  • Produced by: Christian Colson, Ivana Mackinnon
  • Starring: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, Douglas Hodge, Krysten Cummings, Gavan O’Herlihy, Josh Dallas, and Anna Skellern

Special Features Guide

The 4K + Blu-ray + Digital combo pack comes loaded with both brand-new exclusive content and classic legacy special features that take you deeper into the filmmaking process.

🎬 Lionsgate Limited New Extras

  • Flashback on The Descent: Part 2 – Shauna Macdonald: An exclusive retrospective interview with the lead actress.
  • Flashback on The Descent: Part 2 – Krysten Cummings: A brand-new look back with co-star Krysten Cummings.

💀 Legacy Special Features

  • Audio Commentary: Featuring Director Jon Harris alongside actors Shauna Macdonald, Krysten Cummings, and Anna Skellern.
  • The Making of The Descent: Part 2: Deeper & Darker
  • The Genesis (Behind-the-scenes featurette)
  • Deleted Scenes: Complete with optional director commentary.
  • EPK B-Roll & Interview Clips
  • Production Design & Storyboard Galleries
  • U.S. & International Trailers

Note on regional playback: The 4K UHD disc is entirely region-free and plays worldwide, while the included standard Blu-ray disc is locked to Region A (North America).

The Descent: Part 2 4K Steelbook is available for pre-order now. Will you be descending back into the darkness this August?

Photo: Lionsgate Limited

New San Antonio Hotspot Adair Kitchen Launches Daily Weekday Specials

Adair Kitchen offers weekly specials. Photo: Adair Concepts, used with permission.

Skip the Weekend Wait: Adair Kitchen Launches Epic Weekday Specials & Community Events

New kid on the block, Adair Kitchen, is ready to welcome the neighborhood with a full lineup of weekday programming and specials. (Adair Kitchen, 2026)

Always striving to make simple favorites accessible morning, noon, and night, this gourmet cafe is delivering on its promise by providing fun, affordable ways to enjoy their quality offerings.

And the best part? You don’t even have to wait for the weekend.

Here is a look at what’s cooking at Adair Kitchen every day of the week.

🎒 Class is in Session: Daily Student & Educator Discount

Adair Kitchen is showing some major love to our local schools. They are rolling out a 15% discount for students and educators with a valid school or university ID.

  • When: All day, every day (and yes, this applies year-round, so summer schoolers are covered).
  • The Vibe: Whether you need a study spot with a solid Wi-Fi connection or a quick bite between classes, Adair is your new go-to routine.

🀄 Mahjong Mondays

Mondays are officially for Mahj! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or looking to learn, lovers of this historical tile game can now gather across a shared table of delicious bites and sips.

  • How it works: You bring your Mahjong sets, and Adair provides the space and the vibes. It’s the perfect excuse for a girls’ night out or to meet fellow players in the community.
  • The Drink Specials:
    • $6 wine pours
    • $2 off house cocktails
    • $1 off all craft and domestic beers

🍔 $5 Tuesdays (Yes, Really!)

Tuesdays just got a whole lot tastier. All day every Tuesday, Adair Kitchen is serving up two of their menu staples for just $5 each:

  • The Mid Lane Margarita: A crisp, refreshing blend of tequila blanco, fresh lime, curacao, agave, and tajin.
  • The AK Burger: A juicy 8oz chuck, brisket, and short-rib blend patty topped with melted cheddar, shredded lettuce, and their delicious not-so-secret sauce.

Treat yourself to a killer burger-and-rita combo for only $10!

🍷 Wine Down Wednesdays

Need help getting through the midweek slump? Adair has you covered with Wine Down Wednesdays.

  • The Deal: Take 50% off all bottles of wine from their premier collection.
  • Whether you want a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to beat the Texas heat or a full-bodied Cabernet to cap off the night, there is a bottle waiting for your palate.

🥞 The Weekend Classic: All-Day Brunch

For those who still love a weekend ritual, Adair Kitchen hosts all-day brunch every Saturday and Sunday.

Whether you’re craving breakfast classics, fresh lunch fare, or a fruity mimosa, brunch here plays by its own rules, served up beautiful and fresh from sunrise to sunset.

The Verdict: With weekday specials this good, you might just find yourself looking past the weekend and eagerly anticipating Monday through Wednesday.

About Adair Kitchen

Started by siblings Nick Adair and Katie Adair Barnhart, Adair Kitchen has built its reputation on fresh, approachable cooking with a health-conscious edge.

  • Daytime: Counter service makes it easy to grab a quick breakfast, coffee, or a midday lunch break.
  • Nighttime: The space shifts into full-service dining with a curated wine and cocktail program.

From morning scrambles to evening steak frites, it’s the perfect neighborhood joint to open your laptop and work, or catch up with friends over an amazing meal.

📍 Visit Adair Kitchen

  • Address: 4108 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
  • Phone: (210) 660-2010
Photo: Adair Concepts

Carly Simon Returns with New Album ‘Comes In Waves’ and Lead Single ‘Howl’

‘Comes In Waves’ is Carly Simon’s first album of original songs since 2008. Photo: Sally Taylor, used with permission.

Carly Simon Announces First Album of Original Songs Since 2008: ‘Comes In Waves’

Legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon is officially returning with Comes In Waves, her first album of original material since 2008. Set to arrive on August 14, the 12-track album was written and recorded primarily at her Martha’s Vineyard home, bringing together a body of work that feels both deeply personal and quietly expansive. (Miller PR, 2026)

Six decades after her solo debut, Simon’s voice remains unmistakable: emotionally precise, literate, and unguarded. Rather than looking back with simple nostalgia, Comes In Waves is anchored in clarity, exploring the complex emotional terrain of love, memory, family, and self-reckoning.

Pre-save Comes In Waves

A Striking Reintroduction: “Howl”

Serving as the album’s opening track and lead single, “Howl” captures the emotional depth Simon continues to explore. Co-written and produced with platinum- and gold-certified producer David Spencer, the track pairs Simon’s signature vocals with a lyric that moves from the sting of betrayal toward the peace of forgiveness.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the single, Simon shares:

“‘Howl’ lives in that space between betrayal and forgiveness, where anger has to be voiced before it can be released. It’s about letting the frustration out so it doesn’t sit and simmer. The song begins in anger, but it moves toward forgiveness, and speaks to any situation where trust has been broken.”

Themes of Healing and “Slowly”

The album’s title is drawn from “Slowly,” a song centered on patience, return, and emotional renewal. In the track, feelings rise and recede like the tide—a concept that serves as the emotional anchor for the entire record. Across these 12 tracks, love, grief, anger, memory, and healing all arrive in waves, moving with their own natural force and timing.

Rather than trying to recreate her past hits, Comes In Waves continues the honest, vulnerable conversation Simon has shared with her audience for decades.

A Close Circle of Collaborators

This record was brought to life alongside a tight-knit circle of family, friends, and longtime creative partners:

  • John Forté: Features on the album posthumously, following his passing earlier this year.
  • Ben Taylor (Son): Contributed throughout the project as a singer, musician, producer, and songwriter.
  • Sally Taylor (Daughter): Contributed vocals and created the single’s cover artwork.

Comes In Waves track list

  1. Howl
  2. Maybe I Never Loved You
  3. Peaches
  4. Love Has No Ending
  5. Mother Of Pearl
  6. Slowly
  7. Four In The Morning
  8. The More I Look For You
  9. Love The Way I Do
  10. The Father Daughter Dance
  11. Share the End
  12. Do It Anyway

About Carly Simon

For those who need a quick refresher on the incredible legacy of this trailblazing artist:

  • A Trailblazing Career: Emerging in the early 1970s, Carly Simon helped redefine pop music as an intimate, emotionally intelligent form of storytelling.
  • The EGOT-Adjacent Legend: Her catalog includes generation-defining hits like “You’re So Vain,” “Anticipation,” and “Let the River Run.” The latter earned her an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy, making her the first female artist to win all three as both a performer and composer.
  • Accolades: Simon is a five-time Grammy winner (with 19 additional nominations) and an inductee into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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Pearl Farmers Market Favorite Dough Baby Opens First Shop in Olmos Park

Dough Baby’s Olmos Park Grand Opening celebration is this Saturday July 18. Photo: Dough Baby, used with permission.

Pearl Farmers Market Favorite Dough Baby is Opening Its First Brick-and-Mortar Shop

If you’ve ever braved the weekend crowds at the Pearl Farmers Market, chances are you’ve fallen in love with Dough Baby. Known for their incredible handmade kolaches and iced-to-order cinnamon rolls, the local favorite has frequently boasted weekend sell-outs over the last two years. (Dough Baby, 2026)

Now, founder Nancy Fitch, a longtime San Antonio restaurant professional and former head of the Pearl Farmers Market, is bringing the brand’s very first permanent home to the Olmos Park community.

Mark your calendars: Dough Baby is officially opening its first brick-and-mortar location on Saturday, July 18

The Grand Opening Celebration

To celebrate this major milestone, Dough Baby is hosting a community-focused grand opening complete with giveaways, raffles, and special guests.

  • 8:45 AM – Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: Kick off the morning with Olmos Park Mayor Erin Harrison.
  • 9:00 AM – Doors Officially Open: The first 50 guests in line will receive a complimentary cinnamon roll!
  • All-Day Giveaways: Want a chance to win a $25, $50, or $100 gift card? Simply RSVP via Eventbrite, make a purchase during the grand opening, and you’ll get a raffle ticket at checkout.

“The grand opening of Dough Baby’s first brick-and-mortar wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of our San Antonio community and everyone who has visited us at the Pearl Farmers Market. What started as a fun idea has quickly grown into a dream come true.”

— Nancy Fitch, Founder of Dough Baby

What’s New on the Menu?

Designed as a casual grab-and-go concept, the new Olmos Park location will still serve up the signature gooey cinnamon rolls and kolaches you love, but they are also expanding the menu with some delicious new additions:

  • Sweet Treats: Baby cakes, seasonal pies, and classic fresh-baked cookies.
  • Savory Bites: A daily fresh quiche and other savory selections.
  • Beverages: A carefully curated coffee and tea program to pair perfectly with your pastry.

Don’t worry, market-goers! Dough Baby will still maintain its usual weekend presence at the Pearl Farmers Market.

Plan Your Visit

Here is everything you need to know to visit the new shop:

DetailInformation
Address4219 McCullough Ave., #2, Olmos Park, TX 78212
Grand Opening HoursSaturday, July 18, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Regular HoursWednesday through Monday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Closed Tuesdays)

About Dough Baby

Founded in San Antonio, Texas, Dough Baby is a locally owned bakery known for its Texas-style pastries, including handcrafted cinnamon rolls, kolaches, and pralines. Led by founder Nancy Fitch, Dough Baby emphasizes high-quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and approachable comfort flavors inspired by Texas traditions.

The Ultimate Leadership Field Manual for Uncertain Times: ‘Citizen Servant Leader’

‘Citizen Servant Leader: A Doctrine for Leadership When Control, Authority, and Permission Are No Longer Guaranteed’ by Steven Kuhn Photo: Amazon

📖Book Spotlight: Citizen Servant Leader

A Doctrine For Leadership When Control, Authority, and Permission Are No Longer Guaranteed

By Steven Kuhn/Ron Lynch

The Synopsis

Citizen Servant Leader is a doctrine-based field manual for leadership when authority, control, and permission are no longer guaranteed. (Amazon, 2026)

Rather than teaching influence, motivation, or personal branding, this book focuses entirely on the behaviors that stabilize systems under pressure. It is built on one uncompromising principle: responsibility always comes before authority.

Responsibility Precedes Credibility.
Credibility Precedes Authority.

Drawing from combat experience, high-stakes international business, and decades of organizational leadership across ten countries, the authors show how leadership forms naturally when individuals are willing to carry burden early, speak truth when it costs something, and create space when control is gone.

What’s Inside?

Each chapter combines real-world stories with clear standards, recognizable failure patterns, and practical field applications designed to be practiced, not admired. The book examines:

  • How silence and passivity quietly erode trust.
  • Why truth functions as a structural requirement rather than a moral preference.
  • How small, disciplined actions prevent collapse at personal, organizational, and civic levels.

This is not a motivational book. It is a practical guide for becoming reliable when others hesitate, and for leading with clarity, restraint, and integrity when systems fail.

Who is this book for?

It is written for people who already feel the weight of responsibility: leaders without titles, citizens navigating uncertainty, business operators, veterans, parents, and community builders who are done waiting for permission to act.

Exploring the Citizen Servant Leader Series

This book is the foundation of the Citizen Servant Leader series, a values-first leadership doctrine designed for individuals who choose responsibility before authority.

VolumeTitleFocus
1Citizen Servant LeaderThe foundation. Who you are, what you owe, and what it means to lead with integrity.
2Financial FreedomBuild wealth, break dependence, and use resources to serve.
3Health, Wellness and ResilienceThe physical infrastructure the mission requires.
4Information WarfareThe defensive manual.
5IncorruptibleThe capstone. The standard every Citizen Servant Leader is building toward.

About the Author: Steven Kuhn

Steven Kuhn is a decorated U.S. Military combat veteran who has been hand-picked to consult with some of the most influential people in the world (including rock stars, actors, business leaders, and politicians) on how to expand their brand, build loyalty, and develop strategies for increasing beneficial relationships.

Steven served in the U.S. Army in combat and was awarded the Bronze Star. After his military service, he spent over 30 years living and working internationally, advising business leaders, organizations, and public-sector decision-makers across Europe and the Middle East.

His grassroots movement, Take America Back, grew from these experiences after observing similar patterns across multiple countries: centralized power, declining accountability, and citizens disengaged from responsibility.

Elin Hilderbrand’s ‘The Five-Star Weekend’ Is Now a Peacock Series

The best-selling novel is now a limited series on Peacock. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book to Series: Elin Hilderbrand’s “The Five-Star Weekend” Hits Peacock

Elin Hilderbrand’s beloved summer read is officially jumping from the page to the screen, The highly anticipated adaptation of The Five-Star Weekend has officially arrived as an eight-episode limited series on Peacock.

Whether you are a longtime resident of Hilderbrand’s fictionalized Nantucket or a newcomer looking for your next dramatic binge-watch, here is everything you need to know about the book’s premise and the star-studded new series.

📖 The Book Synopsis

Hollis Shaw’s life seems picture-perfect. She’s the creator of the popular food blog Hungry with Hollis and is married to Matthew, a dreamy heart surgeon. But after she and Matthew get into a heated argument one snowy morning, he leaves for the airport and is tragically killed in a car accident. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

In the wake of the tragedy, the cracks in Hollis’s perfect life—including a strained marriage and a complicated relationship with her daughter, Caroline—grow deeper.

Seeking comfort and a fresh start, Hollis decides to host her own “Five-Star Weekend” on Nantucket. The concept? One woman organizes a trip inviting one best friend from each distinct phase of her life: her teenage years, her twenties, her thirties, and midlife.

But this getaway doesn’t turn out to be a joyful, breezy Hallmark movie…

🎬 Meet the Cast & Characters

The Peacock adaptation features a powerhouse ensemble cast to bring Hollis’s inner circle to life. Here is who is playing who in the eight-episode series:

CharacterPhase of LifePlayed ByThe Drama They Bring
Hollis ShawThe HostJennifer Garner (also Executive Producer)A grieving food influencer trying to piece her life back together six months after her husband’s death.
TatumTeenage YearsChloë SevignyHollis’s childhood best friend. Her husband stirs the pot by inviting Hollis’s first love, Jack Finigan, to the island.
Dru-AnnThe TwentiesRegina HallHollis’s UNC Chapel Hill college roommate. Now a prominent Chicago sports agent, her career is on the line after a major social media misunderstanding.
BrookeThe ThirtiesD’Arcy CardenHollis’s adulthood pal who has just discovered her husband is having yet another inappropriate workplace relationship.
GigiMidlife / PresentGemma ChanA mysterious internet stranger who connected with Hollis through her blog. She embodies unusual grace but harbors major secrets.

📺 From Page to Screen

The Five-Star Weekend is a surprising and captivating story about friendship, love, and self-discovery. It promises to be a weekend like no other.

Fans of the book can expect plenty of beautiful Nantucket backdrops, delicious food blog aesthetics, and juicy, decades-spanning secrets.

All eight episodes are streaming now on Peacock.

Are you planning to read the book first, or are you diving straight into the binge-watch? Let me know in the comments below!

What’s Happening at The Faust Hotel: Free Live Music & New Brunch Menus

The Faust Hotel in New Braunfels hosts recurring music series across the Magnolia Patio. Photo: The Faust Hotel, used with permission.

Live Music & New Menus: What’s Happening at The Faust Hotel This July

Exciting news out of historic downtown New Braunfels! This month, The Faust Hotel, the city’s newly renovated landmark destination, launched a recurring, free live music series on the Magnolia Patio, the hotel’s lush outdoor lounge. (The Faust Hotel, 2026)

Gather your friends, grab a craft cocktail, and enjoy light bites under the stars. Here is everything you need to know about what’s coming up at The Faust.

🎶 Live Music on the Magnolia Patio

  • When: Thursday through Saturday, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Where: The Magnolia Patio at The Faust Hotel
  • Cost: Free admission!

This month’s diverse lineup spans everything from pop-country fusion and Americana to R&B and soul. Line-up subject to change. Here is the upcoming schedule so you can plan your weekends:

Upcoming Shows

DateArtistGenre & Vibe
Thursday, July 9Bru TunesVersatile South Texas musician specializing in violin and guitar.
Friday, July 10Nate GuthrieCentral Texas Americana singer, guitar picker, and mandolin player.
Saturday, July 11Guy VincentRising San Antonio country artist performing soulful southern tunes.
Thursday, July 16Soul SessionsHigh-energy R&B, soul, and funk music group.
Friday, July 17Kristen ForemanTalented Nashville vocalist rising fast in the country music scene.
Saturday, July 18Lacy BrinsonSan Antonio country vocalist known for versatile sets and empowering themes.
Thursday, July 23Mariana & MarciaGenre-bending duo performing jazz, pop, boleros, and bossa nova.
Friday, July 24MC & the MystyxFemale-fronted band delivering a powerful blend of blues, rock, and Americana.
Saturday, July 25Elysha LeMasterLocal New Braunfels favorite performing an eclectic blend of pop, rock, and country.
Thursday, July 30Tiffany DawnFour-piece cover band playing nostalgic country, Latin, jazz, and rock favorites.
Friday, July 31Austin GilliamSkilled guitarist and singer blurring the lines between rock and country.

🍽️ New Lunch & Weekend Brunch at Wilhelm & Werner

The music isn’t the only thing fresh at the hotel. Wilhelm & Werner, the hotel’s signature Texas-style brasserie, has just introduced highly anticipated lunch and brunch services focusing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Elevated Midweek Lunch

  • When: Tuesday through Friday | 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
  • The Vibe: An elevated yet approachable dining experience in a relaxed, historic setting. Perfect for business lunches or a leisurely midday escape.
  • Menu Highlights: Tuna Niçoise, Fried Gulf Fish Sandwich, and a rotating soup of the day.

Texas-Style Weekend Brunch

  • When: Saturday & Sunday | 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
  • The Vibe: A warm, inviting weekend atmosphere featuring refined takes on classic comfort foods and perfectly paired morning sips.
  • Menu Highlights: Duck Confit Hash, Caprese Benedict, and a crowd-favorite Cinnamon Roll Pancake Flight.

Planning to Dine? While walk-ins are always welcome, they highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time on OpenTable to secure your table.

Visit The Faust Hotel

📍 229 South Castell Ave., New Braunfels, TX 78130

About the Hotel:

Originally opened in 1929 and now part of the boutique hotel portfolio of Lark Hospitality, The Faust Hotel stands as a landmark destination blending timeless Texas charm with modern hospitality. It offers a welcoming retreat just steps from downtown New Braunfels and the scenic banks of the Comal River.

‘I Know a Place’ by Nat Cassidy Book Review: The Best New Atmospheric Horror

‘I Know a Place’ by Nat Cassidy. Photo: Shortwave Publishing

Related Post: Stephen King to Write Introduction for Nat Cassidy’s New Horror Collection

Book Review: I Know a Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours

By: Nat Cassidy

Featuring an Introduction by: Stephen King

The first collection from author Nat Cassidy features his unique blend of gleefully terrifying short fiction, including the hit novella Rest Stop.

“These stories are f*cking great. They rule. So read them.” — Stephen King, from his introduction

Synopsis

There are locations in this world where the light doesn’t seem to reach. Where, no matter how illuminated the place might be, shadows creep in too strongly to fight back.

These locations and more are your destination, and bestselling author Nat Cassidy will be your guide. Featuring the Bram Stoker Award-nominated, critically acclaimed novella Rest Stop (one of Esquire’s Best Horror Books of 2024), along with a number of other original short stories—some of which have never been published before—I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours is a travelogue down twisting side streets and through alleyways where the darkness has eyes and teeth.

Let’s hope you make it home in one piece.

The Table of Contents (Stories):

  • Rest Stop
  • Meet-Cute #1: The Unluckiest Girl
  • Generation
  • Nice
  • The Art of What You Want
  • The Lunar Eclipse
  • Laughlines
  • Run for Your Life
  • Jubilee
  • Juncture
  • Come Into the Life of Things
  • Meet-Cute #2: The Scariest Thing
  • A Fruiting Body

My Review: Creeping Dread in Everyday Places

Nat Cassidy is a Stephen King fan, and his influence absolutely shows. King has a keen gift for turning ordinary situations into absolute nightmares, and this collection proves that Cassidy has that exact same superpower.

I Know a Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours is a chilling collection that proves horror doesn’t need haunted castles or isolated mansions to unsettle readers. Instead, Cassidy transforms the mundane—a lonely highway rest stop, a doctor’s office, a cramped apartment, even a modern kitchen—into landscapes of creeping dread where something always feels just a little wrong.

Anchored by Rest Stop, which absolutely lives up to its award-nominated reputation, the book delivers relentless tension and a growing sense of unease. Throughout the collection, Cassidy expertly blends psychological horror, supernatural terror, and deep human emotion. His characters feel completely authentic, making their encounters with the bizarre all the more impactful.

Standout Highlights

  • Rest Stop – Abe is in a band that has a gig coming up, but for now, he’s on the road in the middle of the night to visit his grandmother in the hospital. He has a complicated relationship with her, but she’s the only grandparent he has ever known. When he sees a sign for a gas station, he takes the next exit for a much-needed break. What could possibly go wrong? Next time you stop at an isolated gas station in the middle of the night, try not to think about this story.
  • Nice – Mitchell is a six-year-old boy obsessed with Santa, much to his parents’ chagrin. When Twinklebottom the Elf visits him in the middle of the night to ask for his help in easing the elves’ workload by not being too nice, he’s unprepared for how far Mitchell will go.
  • The Lunar Eclipse – A woman waiting for an eclipse looks back at her life and the man she met when they were six years old. They eventually became romantically involved but have since moved on. He has passed away, but she can’t help but remember the promise they made 50 years ago while witnessing another eclipse: no matter what happened, they’d be together for the next one. No matter what…

The Verdict

Each story explores different shades of fear, from grief and guilt to obsession and isolation, while maintaining a distinctive voice that is equal parts unsettling and compassionate. Cassidy’s vivid prose creates immersive settings where darkness seems to seep through every crack.

“This parking lot has gotten too dark and it feels like that van, with its impenetrable windows, is swelling in size, blotting out what little light there is.”

He takes places we all instinctively distrust, like an empty midnight gas station littered with googly eyes, and injects them with a creeping, visceral malice. The atmosphere throughout the anthology is thick and heavy; no matter how well-lit these venues claim to be, the shadows always fight back with teeth.

Cassidy’s writing is remarkably adaptable. He bounces effortlessly between psychological unease and sharp, bloody terror, ensuring that each detour feels uniquely dangerous. It’s a sharp, terrifying read that reminds us exactly why we look over our shoulders in empty rooms.

For those brave enough to step off the main highway, I Know a Place is a brilliant, dark journey that’s well worth taking. Just be prepared for the nightmares that may follow. Perfect for fans of atmospheric horror and unsettling short fiction, this exceptional collection showcases Nat Cassidy’s remarkable imagination and storytelling skill.

“It was a joke, more or less. He had to have known that.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Get your copy today!

According to Deadline, Gary Dauberman’s Coin Operated has secured the rights to Rest Stop for a future feature film. Cassidy will adapt the screenplay with Dauberman and Mia Maniscalco as producers.

** Thank you to Eve Bailey and Flo Communications for my gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.