Whataburger to host Boots and Badges event

In the past Whataburger has hosted events to bring the community together. On Tuesday March 28 from 5p.m. to 7p.m. Whataburger will host a Boots and Badges celebration at the Balcones Heights location on Fredericksburg Road. The celebration is meant to honor the community’s first responders and will feature family friendly activities including tours of Balcones Heights police cars and fire trucks, meet and greet with members from the 100 Club of San Antonio, a face painter and a spin wheel with prize giveaways. Children 12 and under will receive a free kid’s meal. Whataburger App members will also be eligible to register for the Whataburger for a Year drawing where one customer’s name will be drawn to win the ultimate prize-a free Whataburger every week for a year. (Whataburger, 2017)

Whataburger has been making burgers since 1950 when Harman Dobson opened a humble hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. He wanted customers to take one bite and say “What a burger” so he named his stand on Ayers St “Whataburger.” Since then Whataburger now has over 700 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals everyday with superior customer service. Community support includes charitable giving and volunteerism to nonprofit organizations that focus on children’s charities, cancer research, hunger assistance, disaster relief and military support.

Whataburger
4502 Fredericksburg Rd (near Northwest Loop)
Balcones Heights, TX 78201
(210) 732-6570

Evening with the Authors event April 20

The Texas Book Festival, in partnership with the Texas Library Association, will be hosting an ‘Evening with the Authors’ event on Thursday April 20 at 6p.m. at La Orilla Del Rio Ballroom. Guests will be able to enjoy dinner overlooking the San Antonio River Walk in La Orilla Del Rio Ballroom while five acclaimed national authors read from their latest literary work. They will also be able to meet with any of the participating authors and attend a special book signing immediately following the dinner. Tickets are $45 and available online. Since seating is limited, anyone interested should act fast. Deadline to purchase tickets is Friday April 7. (Texas Book Festival, 2017)

Authors scheduled to appear include international bestselling and award-winning author of “Shotgun Lovesongs” Nickolas Butler, acclaimed author of mystery-horror “The Winter People” Jennifer McMahon, author of the female private investigator Warshawski series and international philanthropist Sara Paretsky, Young Adult crossover novelist Ruta Sepetys, whose latest novel “Salt to the Sea” is a New York Times #1 bestseller and critically acclaimed author Amanda Eyre Ward.

La Orilla Del Rio Ballroom
203 South Saint Mary’s St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 207-2753

Radney Foster part of unity rally in Del Rio, TX

Radney Foster is a country music singer, songwriter and musician and a fourth generation Texan whose family grew up along the border. On Saturday March 25 he will return to his hometown for a unity rally scheduled to take place in Del Rio, TX. Residents of Del Rio, TX and Ciudad Acuña, Mexico will participate in a unity rally by joining hands across the border on the International Bridge. Del Rio mayor Robert Garza and Ciudad Acuña mayor Hector Arocha will form the first link in a hand to hand chain stretching into both cities. The event will begin at 3p.m. and will feature addresses by both mayors and other dignitaries and a performance by Radney Foster, followed by receptions in each city. This event is sponsored by the We Are One Foundation and is one of several rallies being held in other border cities including Laredo and San Diego. (The Press House, 2017)

“This non-partisan rally is to promote the spirit of friendship and unity that exists between our two communities,” Rally organizer Jorge Urby

Movie adaptation: ‘The Sense of an Ending’ by Julian Barnes

Julian Barnes is an English writer who has published collections of essays, short stories, non-fiction works and nine novels. His works have been translated into more than forty languages and three of his novels have been finalists for the Booker Prize including “Flaubert’s Parrot,” “England, England” and “Arthur & George.” His book “The Sense of an Ending” won the Man Booker Prize and has been adapted into a movie which is now in limited release. It stars Jim Broadbent, Charlotte Rampling, Harriet Walter, Emily Mortimer and Michelle Dockery.

According to Amazon, “The Sense of an Ending” is narrated by a retired man named Tony Webster who is reminiscing about how he and his friends met Adrian Finn and vowed to remain friends for life. He thought he had left his past behind until those friends return, one from the grave and another from the present. His career has provided him a comfortable retirement and he has a stable relationship with his ex-wife and daughter who now has a family of her own. When presented with a mysterious legacy he is forced to confront his past and reflect on the path he and his friends have taken as well as his place in the world.

Book review: Thoughtless series by Gregory Nicholas Malouf

emptyearth — ‘Empty Earth’ is book 6 in the Thoughtless series by Gregory Nicholas Malouf. Photo: google

Gregory Nicholas Malouf is the founder of Epsilon Healing Academy and a successful businessman and entrepreneur. After a traumatic childhood he became a workaholic in order to run away from his past and achieve what he considered the perfect life. Despite his success he failed to achieve fulfillment and eventually changed his spiritually empty life into one filled with love, peace and abundance. He has written numerous self-help books but he is best known for his Thoughtless series. With this series he aims is to help people better themselves and find a peaceful more fulfilling life. He challenges readers to look within themselves and develop a deeper connection to their Self.

In his previous books he defined the Self. The Self by nature is authentic and needs no outside fulfillment. When the connection to the Self is lost that is when the sense of fulfillment is lost and shallow love begins. Shallow love is the attachment to someone or something that people develop in an effort to fill the void in their lives. The loss of connection with the Self can also cause the development of fears and phobias. Previous books in the series include “Shallow Love,” “Tunnel Vision,” “Self Fulfilled,” “Overzealous,” and “Victim State.”

“Empty Earth” is book 6 in the series and in it the author offers readers ways to presently start living the life they desire and deserve. This comes by connecting to the Self and appreciating who and what they currently have. In book 7,“Unmalice Curse” he writes about learning how to be aware, end old distorted beliefs and replace them with new ones to be able to live wholly in the present. Among the tips he gives is learning how to listen to and trust the inner voice. Judgement becomes the central theme in book 8: “Judging is a Trap.” He writes that once people overcome the opinions and behaviors of others it can free their mind to accept love, joy and peace into their lives.

All the books in the Thoughtless series are small and easy to read. They are recommended for anyone looking to make a change in their lives. Some of these methods may be hard to put into practice but he shares personal stories of how they worked for him. He practices what he preaches and that gives his work a sense of authority and authenticity.

“The purpose of life is to evolve……The purpose of everyone on earth is the same: to learn to forgive so we may live in complete peace and joy, and with sustainable love.” Book one – “Shallow Love”

*A copy of these books were given for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this article are solely the author’s.

Lecture brunch with Julieta Gonzalez at Artpace

Artpace is having its 22^nd annual gala celebration in April which will honor Carla Stellweg and Eugenio López and as part of the activities scheduled, there will be an exclusive lecture on Sunday April 9, 2017. Julieta González, the Artistic Director of the Museo Jumex, an internationally respected contemporary art museum in Mexico City, will be onsite to discuss contemporary art and the public. Topics will include the first three years of the museum and insight into the current state of contemporary art in Mexico City and beyond. This is a ticketed event and will include a light brunch. Thanks to the generous support of Artpace donors and members, ticket prices for this event are $15 in advance, $10 for members available online and $20 at the door. Doors open at 12p.m. and the lecture will begin at 1p.m. and will run until 3p.m. (Artpace, 2017)

Artpace is a non-profit contemporary art organization that includes residencies, exhibitions and educational and community programs. Since it opened in 1995 Artpace has housed more than 200 artists through the International Artist-in-Residence program. Every year they host three residencies that include a Texas-based artist, one national artist and one international artist who are each chosen by a guest curator. After an eight week residency the artists will have their exhibits on site for two months. The purpose of these residencies is to give artists every opportunity to grow by giving them the resources they need

Artpace
445 North Main Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 212-4900

Drag Brunch at Paramour

paramourbar — Paramour will host another Drag Brunch on Sunday March 19, 2017. Photo courtesy of Paramour, used with permission.

Paramour will be presenting its third Drag Brunch of the year with a Madonna vs Britney themed celebration. It is set for Sunday March 19 from 11a.m. to 4p.m. with performances at 2p.m. There will be an exclusive Madonna and Britney themed cocktail menu suited for the occasion. Music will be provided by DJ Vitamin A with performances by Kristi Waters, show director and hostess of Babio’s Eat Drink Dance and winner of Most Original at 2016 San Antonio Burlesque Festival, Lucy Lips, winner of Audience Favorite at the 2016 San Antonio Burlesque Festival and member of the Pastie Pops Burlesque Revue and Nikaya Milan from Rey Lopez Entertainment. This event is free and open to the public with brunch drinks and food available for purchase. (Paramour, 2017)

Paramour
102 9^th St, Suite 400
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 340-9880

Book review: ‘Breaking the Trust Barrier’ by JV Venable

breakingtrust — ‘Breaking the Trust Barrier is JV Venable’s book about building and leading high performance teams. Photo: google

JV Venable is a graduate of the USAF’s Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) and an inspirational speaker, seminar leader and coach on building and leading high performance teams. He has led individuals, teams and organizations at the highest ends of performance and risk in both peacetime and in combat. He was also the commander and demonstration leader of the US Air Force jet demonstration team, The Thunderbirds. Since then he has used that experience to write “Breaking the Trust Barrier: How Leaders Close the Gaps for High Performance,” a book about building and leading high performance teams.

In “Breaking the Trust Barrier,” JV Venable shares his lessons learned as commander and demonstration leader of The Thunderbirds. Some of the maneuvers required teamwork that meant the difference between life and death. The distance between jets was down to a mere eighteen inches and closing the gap to sustain that kind of separation requires the highest levels of trust. It is this closing of gaps that the author defines in the first chapter. Subsequent chapters describe how the close the different types of gaps found in everyday life that inhibit the growth of trust. These gaps include Traction Gap, Engagement Gap, Passion Gap, Confidence Gap, Respect Gap, Integrity Gap, Principle Gap and Empowerment Gap. Since he uses common Air Force lingo he includes a helpful Glossary at the end of the book.

Trust is the central theme of this helpful reference book about increasing leadership abilities. Secondary to that is identifying and “closing the gap” that can cause a lack of confidence and cause leaders to be anything but stellar. Together with inspirational stories the author gives step by step examples on how his tips can be used in virtually any scenario. Overall it is easy to read and the subject matter is easy to follow but sometimes the terms he uses require a little more thinking. It is geared towards leaders but anyone can benefit from it.

“…there are many common traits that successful people share. One trait that seemed of paramount importance was a desire to improve, no matter what one’s current level of success might be.”

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

New Whataburger items available online

Whataburger is big in Texas and fans of the franchise might want to take note of the release of two new Whataburger items. One is a new super soft boot themed t-shirt that is comfortable enough for lounging around but lightweight enough to be worn while out and about. A playful nod to the Texas flag and to Whataburger’s designation as a Texas Treasure, an official declaration of the Texas legislature, this blue-gray t-shirt pairs perfectly with boots or flip flop. Price is $19.99 and is available in unisex sizing. The other is Whataburger’s signature Orange & White Stainless Steel Tumbler designed to look like the official Whataburger cup fans know and love. Prices is $42.99. Both of these items are available online. (Whataburger, 2017)

Honorees for The Happening gala at Artpace

The Happening is Artpace’s annual fundraising gala and it is scheduled for Saturday April 8, 2017. This year’s honorees are Eugenio López Alonso, founder of the Jumex Collection and Carla Stellweg, art curator, writer and Latin American specialist for their efforts in advancing contemporary art in Mexico City. The theme will be a celebration of the contemporary art of Mexico City. Artpace will honor collectors and artists who have contributed to the growth of contemporary art in Mexico over the past two decades. The goal is to provide funds to support the world’s most innovative artists, provide unique and free exhibitions and serve more than 14,000 students annually through education. Tickets are available online and range from the $200 Pacesetter ticket to the $15,000 Lead Sponsor Luis Barragan Table. (Artpace, 2017)

Eugenio López Alonso was born in Mexico City and is the Jumex fruit juice heir, an art collector and the founder of the Fundación Jumex Arte Contemporáneo. He has been recognized by national and international organizations for his commitment to art collection and patronage. In the United States he is on the board of trustees of the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

Carla Stellweg is a Latin-Americanist who has worked as a museum and non-profit director, writer and editor and curator and professor. She was the founder of the first bilingual quarterly avant-garde Contemporary Art Journal in Mexico, Artes Visuales. Stellweg is considered a pioneer promoter and facilitator in the Latin American international contemporary art field.

Artpace is a contemporary art space located in downtown San Antonio created to support artists with residences, exhibitions and educational programs to foster the creative process. Since it opened in 1995 Artpace has housed more than 200 artists through the International Artist-in-Residence program. Every year they host three residencies that include a Texas-based artist, one national artist and one international artist who are each chosen by a guest curator. After an eight week residency the artists will have their exhibits on site for two months. The purpose of these residencies is to give artists every opportunity to grow by giving them the resources they need.