New release: ‘Near Dark’ by Brad Thor

Brad Thor is an American thriller novelist and The New York Times’ bestselling author of twenty thrillers. These include “Backlash,” one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of the Year, “Spymaster,” “The Last Patriot,” nominated for best thriller of the year by the International Thriller Writers Association and “Blowback,” one of the ‘Top 100 Killer Thrillers of All Time’ by NPR. He graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California where he studied creative writing under author T.C. Boyle. His new novel “Near Dark” will be released on Tuesday July 21, 2020 and features the return of Scot Harvath, one of America’s top spy. An excerpt is available on the author’s page.

In “Near Dark,” the world’s largest bounty has just been placed upon Scot Harvath, America’s top spy. His only hope for survival is to outwit, outrun and outlast his enemies long enough to get to the truth. For him to accomplish his most dangerous mission ever, one that has already claimed the lives of the people closest to him, including his new wife, he is going to need help. Not knowing whom he can trust, Harvath finds an unlikely ally in Norwegian intelligence operative Sølvi Kolstad. Just as smart, just as deadly, and just as determined, she not only has the skills, but also the broken, troubled past to match Harvath’s own.

Drive-In Film Festival hosted by Anthony Michael Hall

EVO Entertainment Group® is excited to announce Anthony Michael Hall’s Summer Drive-In Film Festival taking place over four weekends in July and August. Anthony Michael Hall, known for films like The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, 16 Candles and more will be hosting the film festival. Each evening will offer a double-feature presentation of two films shown outdoors at the EVO® Drive-In experience. The festival will take place at EVO Entertainment’s Schertz, Texas and Kyle, Texas locations. (EVO Entertainment Group, 2020)

The Summer Drive-In Film Festival schedule:
Weekend 2 – July 24 & July 25 (sold out)
John Hughes Comedy Classics #2 – The Breakfast Club / National Lampoons Vacation

Location:
Friday, July 24 at EVO Schertz
Saturday, July 25 at EVO Kyle

Weekend 3 – July 31 & August 1
Rudy / The Goonies

Location:
Friday, July 31 at EVO Schertz
Saturday, August 1 at EVO Kyle
Special Guest: Sean Astin

Weekend 4 – August 7 & August 8
The Iconic Duo – Terminator 2 Judgement Day / War Machine

Location:
Friday, August 7 at EVO Kyle
Saturday, August 8 at EVO Schertz
Special Guest: Robert Patrick

Weekend 5 – August 14 & August 15
AMH & RDJ: The Iconic Duo – Hail Caesar / Johnny Be Good

Location:
Friday, August 14 at EVO Kyle
Saturday, August 15 at EVO Schertz

Throughout the screenings, guests will have the ability to purchase food and beverage, merchandise, autographs and more via EVO’s mobile app. During the intermission between the two films, guests will also enjoy a 45-minute interactive Q&A with Anthony Michael Hall and guests plus the opportunity to have a professional photo taken with the celebrities. In order to promote a safe environment, questions for the Q&A will be submitted via EVO’s mobile app or in writing. Guests that partake in the photo opportunity will be asked to wear a mask up until the photo is taken and photos will be available for download through EVO’s website. The use of personal phones for photos will not be permitted in an effort to limit the number of surfaces being touched during the photo opportunity.

All tickets are priced at $25.00 per vehicle and can be purchased online. Tickets are valid only for the weekend and location chosen and shown on the tickets. Guests must purchase a separate ticket for each event they wish to attend, there are no all-inclusive ticket options. Tickets are non-refundable.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic EVO Entertainment has taken extra precautions to better ensure the safety of its staff and guests. To learn more about EVO’s safety procedures visit EVO Cinemas online.

Taco Cabana offering delivery and curbside pickup for alcoholic beverages

tacocabanamargaritas — Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Update:

For the first time ever, Taco Cabana is offering curbside pickup for alcoholic beverages at all Houston and San Antonio locations, and delivery of alcoholic beverages from all San Antonio locations. Information about specific delivery locations and ordering options is available online.

Taco Cabana is excited to announce the launch of MargaritaPalooza. Beginning Friday, July 3, the popular restaurant chain will feature 12 margarita flavors that will be available for purchase all day and every day at participating Texas locations in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and El Paso. Margaritas will be available for dine-in, pick-up and drive-thru with food purchase. (Taco Cabana, 2020)

The 12 flavors include:

Lime
Strawberry
Mango
Blue Curacao
Passion Fruit
MojitoRita
Frosé
Prickly Pear
Dr Pepper
Mangonada
Watermelon
Star-Spangled Banner (a patriotic-themed blend of lime, strawberry and blue curacao)

Guests will have the option to add chamoy to their margaritas at no additional cost.

Taco Cabana continues to sell Lime, Strawberry and Mango margaritas on-the-rocks by the gallon to-go for $34.99 and Blue Curacao for $36.99. This weekend only, guests can purchase any two gallons of Lime, Strawberry, Mango or Blue Curacao flavors for $60.

Starting July 1, members of the MYTC! Loyalty Program can also earn reward points for each alcoholic beverage purchase, including any of the new margaritas. Additional details regarding delivery in select markets, curbside pick-up and upcoming new menu items will follow in the coming weeks.

“Taco Cabana has always been the go-to place in Texas for great margaritas. We’re excited about these new flavors and all for just $2 each. Order online for convenient pick-up or in-person at our front counter to-go or via the drive-thru. We welcome everyone to join us for MargaritaPalooza at TC…come be a part of the fiesta.” – Rich Stockinger, Fiesta Restaurant Group President and CEO

New release: ‘The Only Good Indians’ by Stephen Graham Jones

Stephen Graham Jones is a Blackfeet Native American author of experimental fiction, horror fiction, crime fiction and science fiction. He is celebrated for applying more “literary” stylings to a variety of speculative genres, and for having published 22 books under the age of 50. He has won the Texas Institute of Letters Award, a National Endowment for the Arts fellow in fiction and the Bram Stoker Award (Long Fiction). His newest novel “The Only Good Indians” is available today and is being called “One of 2020’s buzziest horror novels” by Entertainment Weekly.

According to amazon, “The Only Good Indians” is a tale of revenge, cultural identity, and the cost of breaking from tradition from the Jordan Peele of horror literature, Stephen Graham Jones. Seamlessly blending classic horror and a dramatic narrative with sharp social commentary, the story follows four American Indian men after a disturbing event from their youth puts them in a desperate struggle for their lives. Tracked by an entity bent on revenge, these childhood friends are helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.

Culinaria expands to month long campaign to support local eateries

culinaria20 — Culinaria’s Restaurant Weeks has been expanded to a month-long campaign. Photo: Culinaria, used with permission.

This week, Culinaria announced the expansion of Restaurant Weeks to Restaurant Month, August 1-31. More than any other industry, restaurants have suffered the most significant sales and job losses since the COVID-19 outbreak. Initially the HospitALLity House focused on short-term needs by ensuring furloughed workers received a hot meal. Now, the HospitALLity Fund is a crucial part of Culinaria’s Emergency Relief efforts helping restaurants on the financial brink by assisting them in covering operating costs. (Culinaria, 2020)

Participating restaurants have $20 lunch, $45 dinner, three-course prix-fixe menus for dine-in or to go, and most also offer bar beverages for take-out. All businesses have implemented and are enforcing COVID compliant procedures and protocols for sanitizing and service. Reservations are required. A complete list of participating restaurants and information on how to donate to the HospitALLity Fund is available online. Donations are 100 percent tax deductible.

Culinaria is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to promoting San Antonio as a premier wine and food destination while fostering community growth and enrichment. Culinaria is a registered 501 c (3) tax-exempt organization with a volunteer board of directors who represent the community and guide the organization in its mission to champion the wine and food industries.

“The mission of Culinaria has always been to promote San Antonio as a culinary destination, and, to support the restaurant and hospitality community when they need us in times of financial hardship or family emergencies, as they have been there for the community in times of hardship – natural disasters, flood and hurricane relief. So, we ask the community to give what you can to help restaurant owners keep their establishments operational. Donations are 100 percent tax deductible.” – Suzanne Taranto-Etheredge, president and CEO, Culinaria

Garrison Brothers Distillery releases honey-infused bourbon

This week, Garrison Brothers Distillery, the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas, announced its 2020 release of HoneyDew, the latest addition to the company’s portfolio of ultra-premium, Texas-born bourbon whiskies. The 80-proof bourbon, infused with 100% Texas-made Burleson’s wildflower honey, is a smooth, light bourbon with a subtle honey finish. It will be available year-round in select liquor stores, bars and restaurants throughout Texas, California, Florida, New York, twenty one other states as well as on military bases where Garrison Brothers is sold. (Garrison Brothers Distillery, 2020)

This special release is 13 years in the making and represents a departure from previous expressions created by the brand. Nancy Garrison, business partner and wife of proprietor Dan Garrison, wanted the distillery to produce a honey-sweetened bourbon whiskey since they started the business together in 2006. Dan strongly objected due to his disdain for “flavored whiskies,” hence the name “HoneyDew,” as a play on “Honey Do” requests. Garrison’s objections to flavored whiskies come from the fact that so many are syrupy, chemical concoctions and several are even made with propylene glycol. The new bourbon has tasting notes of sweet elderberry syrup, yellow-flesh peaches, apricots, white chocolate, and of course, delicious, golden Texas honey.

Garrison Brothers will celebrate the release of HoneyDew with a drive-thru sealed bottle sales day at their distillery in Hye, Texas on Saturday, July 18. Per state law, the bottles are sold for off-premise consumption. HoneyDew will be available at the distillery in Hye, Texas, for $89.99 beginning July 18. Bottles will then be distributed to select liquor stores, bars, and restaurants across the nation, available for purchase nationwide the week of August 1.

Garrison Brothers Distillery is a small farm and ranch located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country that authentically produces straight bourbon whiskey. It is the first legal bourbon distillery in Texas history and one of the first distilleries in America outside of Kentucky to produce authentic, handmade bourbon whiskey—and only bourbon whiskey. The business was founded in 2006. Every expression of Garrison Brothers bourbon is made from a sweet mash bill and barrel-aged in the intense Texas climate. The extreme heat creates multiple aging seasons in a year, resulting in a darker, richer, and fuller bourbon, bolder than almost any other bourbon on the market.

Since 1907, Burleson’s Honey has been manufacturing the highest-quality honey from its facility in Waxahachie, Texas. For the first 40 years, the company operated as a honey beekeeping organization (producer) while also packing honey for local distribution. With company growth came increased opportunities to provide the highest-quality honey to more consumers. Today Burleson’s purchases raw honey from worldwide sources and offer their Clover Blended product, which is found in the distinctive “Blue Label,” as well as a Natural honey, which is darker and more robust in flavor. Both products contain only the finest U.S. Grade A honey.

“It’s exciting to have two family-owned businesses collaborating in support of Texas agriculture and entrepreneurship. It’s been a rewarding experience to work with Dan Garrison over the years and we’re excited to deepen Burleson’s relationship with him and his team. We want to continue bringing fine honey and fine bourbon together for everyone to enjoy.” – Tim Burleson, President of Burleson’s Honey

Top five best-selling hardcover fiction books in June

wherethecrawdadssing — ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ by Delia Owens

Looking for something to read this summer? These were the top best-selling hardcover fiction books in June according to The New York Times. From coming of age novels to murder mysteries, there is something for everyone from favorites like John Grisham, James Patterson and Danielle Steel.

5. “Daddy’s Girls” by Danielle Steel
After the death of his wife, Texas ranch hand JT Tucker took his three small daughters to California to start a new life. With almost no money, an iron will and hard work, he eventually built the biggest ranch in California. But when he suddenly dies at the age of sixty-four, his three daughters inherit the ranch and they each find it impossible to believe that this larger-than-life figure is gone from their lives.

4. “The Summer House” by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois
The Summer House was once a luxurious southern getaway on a rustic lake but now it is a dilapidated crash pad and the grisly scene of a nighttime mass murder. Eyewitnesses point to four Army Rangers known as the Night Ninjas who recently returned from Afghanistan. To ensure that justice is done, the Army sends Major Jeremiah Cook, a veteran and former NYPD cop, to investigate. But the major and his elite team arrive in sweltering Georgia with no idea their grim jobs will be made exponentially more challenging by local law enforcement, who resists the Army’s intrusion and stonewall them at every turn.

3. “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett
The Vignes twin sisters are identical twins. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, as adults their lives turned out different: their families, their communities and their racial identities. Many years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white and her white husband knows nothing of her past. While separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. What will happen to the next generation when their own daughters’ storylines intersect?

2. “Camino Winds” by John Grisham
Bruce Cable owns a popular bookstore in the sleepy resort town of Santa Rosa on Camino Island in Florida but he makes his real money as a prominent dealer in rare books. Very few people know that he occasionally dabbles in unsavory ventures. Mercer Mann is a young novelist with a severe case of writer’s block who has recently been laid off from her teaching position. She is approached by an elegant, mysterious woman working for an even more mysterious company. A generous monetary offer convinces Mercer to go undercover and infiltrate Cable’s circle of literary friends, to get close to the ringleader, to discover his secrets. But soon Mercer learns far too much and soon there is trouble in paradise.

1. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. In late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand.

Briscoe Western Art Museum celebrates all things cowboy

briscoecowboyday20 — Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

Lassoing a good time at the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s annual National Day of the Cowboy celebration is taking a pause this year due to COVID-19. Rather than have cowboys and cowgirls crowd the museum’s grounds to celebrate all things cowboy, the Briscoe invites everyone to “Bring Home the Briscoe” throughout the month of July. Part of the museum’s popular Lil Partners children’s programming, “Bring Home the Briscoe” features four weeks of Western Art activities and hands-on art, letting little cowboys and cowgirls immerse themselves in fun. The museum has also created a new program, “Briscoe Buddies,” to share the kits with nonprofit children’s organizations across San Antonio. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2020)

Cowboy Fun and More
One of the Briscoe’s most treasured annual events, National Day of the Cowboy, is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of July each year. It traditionally attracts Western fans for a day filled with fun, music and art throughout the museum’s home on the River Walk. With continued safety concerns surrounding social gatherings, the Briscoe decided to create something that celebrates not only cowboys, but all four pillars of Western Art: wildlife, Native American heritage, Spanish and Mexican heritage and of course, cowboys.

Bring Home the Briscoe: Summer Fun with a Western Twist
With the Bring Home the Briscoe kits, families can saddle up for arts and crafts, western storytelling and cowpoke games. Choose one theme or go for all four since each kit offers a different excursion through the West. The kits are recommended for children ages 5-10 years old. To purchase a kit, visit the Museum Store, order online or call the Museum Store (210.507.4852) to arrange for contact-less, “river side” pickup outside of the Briscoe. Each take home kit is $20 for members or $25 for nonmembers. Kits are available throughout the month of July.

Briscoe Buddies
The Briscoe traditionally hosts field trips and museum visits for children’s groups throughout the year. To give children the chance to experience the West outside of the museum, the new “Briscoe Buddies” program provides free activity kits to local children’s organizations. Distribution is scheduled throughout July with several community partners including Boys & Girls Club, Haven for Hope, St. PJ’s Children’s Home and Mission Road. To support the Briscoe Buddies effort and give these Lil Partners the chance to “Bring Home the Briscoe,” donations are being accepted and can be made in person at the Museum Store or online.

Briscoe Membership Takes You West All Year Long
If you are ready to dust off your saddle and travel West, there is no need to travel far. Buy a Briscoe membership to see the beauty and spirit of the West in the heart of downtown San Antonio. The Briscoe offers membership packages that include unlimited admission to the museum and through the month of July, every membership includes one free “Bring Home the Briscoe” activity kit. Memberships may be purchased online with contact-less curbside gift pickup from the Briscoe’s Museum Store.

Family membership includes museum admission for two adults and all children/grandchildren under 18, making it great for family fun all year long. Members receive unlimited admission to the Briscoe and free or discounted admission to its events, as well as invitations to private members-only events. Full membership benefits are detailed online. Memberships are instrumental support that help the Briscoe continue to share the art, history and culture of the American West and are tax deductible.

See the West Indoors and Out at the Briscoe
The McNutt Sculpture Garden and the museum grounds feature 30 sculptures portraying various aspects of Western life, giving everyone the opportunity to get out and enjoy the West. Inside the museum’s beautifully restored historic home inside the former San Antonio Public Library building, galleries, exhibitions, monthly talks, exclusive member events and a fantastic museum shop provide art, culture, history and entertainment year-round, but especially now thanks to the 2020 Night of Artists Exhibition and Art Sale.

Night of Artists draws artists, collectors and art enthusiasts from around the country each year to celebrate Western art. The museum’s largest annual exhibition features more than 300 new works of painting, sculpture and mixed media by 80 of the country’s leading contemporary Western artists on display through July 26.

Museum hours are 10a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10a.m. to 3p.m. on Sunday. The museum is located on the River Walk, with convenient parking at the Riverbend Garage directly adjacent to the museum or one of many downtown surface lots. Now through August, parking is free at city-owned garages, pay-stations and meters all day Saturday and Sunday and 4p.m. to 2a.m. Monday through Friday. Museum hours and admission details are available online.

“Celebrating cowboys and all of the traditions and spirit of the West is something we do every day at the Briscoe. With our spacious galleries and outdoor sculpture garden, everyone can safely visit the museum. Adding to the museum experience, ‘Bring Home the Briscoe’ includes summer fun that families can explore at home, while our new ‘Briscoe Buddies’ program brings the Briscoe to children’s groups who can’t enjoy field trips to the museum right now.” – Michael Duchemin, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Briscoe Western Art Museum

Taco Cabana announces new MargaritaPalooza