‘Cosmic Queries’ is the new book by Neil DeGrasse Tyson with James Trefil. Photo: amazon
Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson is the host of the popular podcast StarTalk Radio and Emmy award-winning National Geographic Channel shows StarTalk and Cosmos. He earned his BA in physics from Harvard and his Ph.D. in astrophysics from Columbia. The author of more than a dozen books, including the best-selling “Astrophysics for People in a Hurry,” Tyson is the first Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium. James Trefil, Clarence J. Robinson Professor of Physics at George Mason University, is internationally recognized not only as a distinguished scientist but also as an expert in making complex scientific ideas understandable. He is the author of numerous magazine articles and books on science for the public, including both editions of National Geographic’s “Space Atlas.” “Cosmic Queries” is the thought-provoking follow-up to acclaimed “StarTalk” book, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson tackles the world’s most important philosophical questions about the universe with wit, wisdom, and cutting-edge science. (amazon, 2021)
For science geeks, space and physics nerds, and all who want to understand their place in the universe, this enlightening new book from Neil deGrasse Tyson offers a unique take on the mysteries and curiosities of the cosmos, building on rich material from his beloved StarTalk podcast.
Illustrated with dazzling photos and revealing graphics, Tyson and co-author James Trefil, a renowned physicist and science popularizer, take on the big questions that humanity has been posing for millennia–How did life begin? What is our place in the universe? Are we alone?–and provide answers based on the most current data, observations, and theories. Populated with paradigm-shifting discoveries that help explain the building blocks of astrophysics, this relatable and entertaining book will engage and inspire readers of all ages, bring sophisticated concepts within reach, and offer a window into the complexities of the cosmos.
For all who loved National Geographic’s StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, Cosmos: Possible Worlds, and Space Atlas, this new book will take them on more journeys into the wonders of the universe and beyond.
The new telenovela-style tv series ‘Sangre Negra’ continues in March. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The new telenovela TV series SANGRE NEGRA (“Black Blood”) (2021) continues on Tubi, the exclusive streaming home to the series. The series recently unveiled in February and new episodes will be continue shortly in March. (Dina White PR, 2021)
Political struggle and volatile romance form the explosive backdrop to this epic series. Sangre Negra is the cross-generational saga of the Santos Family which is told telenovela style and combines the family drama of “Dallas” with the underworld intrigue of the “Sopranos.”
Set in modern-day Los Angeles, the Santos family includes Guillermo Santos Sr. (played brilliantly by Erik Estrada), the wealthy patriarch of La Familia de Santo; the eldest son, Guillermo Jr. (Ricardo Herranz) a slick and ambitious criminal defense attorney, and Ricardo “Ricky” Santos (Antonio McKay), the half-black, half-Hispanic illegitimate son of Guillermo Sr. The charismatic Ricky is an up and coming star in world of organized crime, and another talented actor, Christian Santos (Danny Arroyo) rounds out the cast as the youngest of the Santos brothers, a decorated LA detective dedicated to cleaning up the streets of Los Angeles, even if it means putting Ricky, his own brother, in jail.
The brothers are “the law, the lawyer and the lawbreaker!” When Ricky gets arrested- by his brother, the cop, naturally his attorney brother defends him. Guillermo is constantly trying to make peace between Christian and Ricky. This series features the constant battle between good and evil, and how the choices made will determine the path each character will take to achieve the American dream.
Pluckers Wing Bar is bringing back their famous ‘March Badness’ competition for the 2021 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. Photo: Melissa Skorpil, used with permission.
In celebration of March Madness, Pluckers Wing Bar will bring back their famous “March Badness” competition and offer Lucky Longshot specials during the Final Four for the 2021 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. (Pluckers Wing Bar, 2021)
*** Update: brackets will be available to download online; however, fans will need to print out their bracket form and drop off the filled form at their closest Pluckers location to be eligible to enter the “March Badness” competition.
Pluckers is flipping the typical March Madness festivities upside down for a unique “March Badness” competition. The contest will only run online for the second round of the tournament, Thursday, March 18 and Friday, March 19, and participants will be asked to choose the losers of the games rather than the winners. One winner who correctly chooses each of the losers will win a $1,000 Pluckers gift card.
Brackets will be available to fill out online and will be posted the Sunday night after the tournament bracket is announced. Pluckers Club members will have the opportunity to fill out a second entry via the app.
Once the Sweet 16 has been set, Pluckers will assign a special to the four lowest seeded teams. If any of the four teams reach the Final Four, Pluckers will feature that special during the Final Four on Saturday, April 3.
Throughout the tournament, from the first round on Monday, March 15 to the finals on Monday, April 5, Pluckers will offer $1 off 34-oz Michelob Ultras and Bud Lights for dine-in guests.
Owners Mark Greenberg, Dave Paul, and Sean Greenberg, 2017 Ernst and Young Central Texas Entrepreneurs of the Year, opened their first Pluckers restaurant in Austin in 1995. Over the past 25 years, Pluckers Wing Bar has opened 30 locations, expanding to Baton Rouge, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston Killeen, San Marcos, and San Antonio. Pluckers is known for its signature wings and is consistently recognized as the best sports bar and chicken wing restaurant in the cities where it is located. Offering guests a fun, laid-back atmosphere where friends, family, and co-workers can enjoy a great meal and watch sports, Pluckers has been named in USA Today’s “Top Ten Wing Restaurants,” ESPN’s “Top 5 Sports Bar in North America,” and Dallas Observer’s “Best Sports Bar,” along with being named one of “Austin’s Best Places to Work” for three years by Austin Business Journal.
Miles Gannett’s Meridian album is due out on April 16 but the first single is out now. Photo: google
Miles Gannett, a Louisiana native, who now calls Maryland home, hears the seamless character of all music, blending and balancing strains of bluegrass with psychedelic folk textures, classic country phrasing with the propulsive notes of acid rock, and earthy blues with spectral ambience. His inventive lyrics combine the curious meditations of Jason Isbell with the story-song style of Townes Van Zandt and John Prine and the swinging rhythms of Willie Nelson. Gannett put together a group called Fractal Cat in early 2011, recording three albums of original music with them and building a reputation on Baltimore’s airwaves and live music scene. After meeting up with recording engineer/producer Frank Marchand to record Fractal Cat’s third album, Gannett started working on his “first countryish album,” which reflects his deep love of progressive bluegrass and classic country. That album, Meridian, will be released on April 16, 2021. (IVPR, 2021)
Produced by Gannett and Frank Marchand, Meridian is one part country and western, one part bluegrass, and one part roots-rock; seasoned, simmered, and garnished with a dose of psilocybin mushrooms. A pinch of overdriven guitar and a dash of Latin percussion in the occasional tune round out a unique, cosmic foundation from which Gannett tells his stories. “Meridian”—the first track on Gannett’s debut solo album of the same name—paints a waltzing, pedal-steel steeped picture of beauty in disrepair; of a city that was once grand and of the kindness of its current-day residents. On Friday, Glide Magazine premiered “Meridian,” saying, “Gannett’s warm vocals carry listeners on shimmering waves of pedal steel through various musical landscapes.” Hear “Meridian” now right here and pre-order or pre-save the entire Meridian album ahead of its April 16 release date at this link.
Gannett’s music honors the contours of traditional music even as he continues to innovate freely and ingeniously within those contours. “I’m always adding elements that might be considered irreverent or blasphemous. I always try to build on old music, but I am not making museum music.”
Meridian Track listing: Meridian The Lucky Ones Thunder River, Tumbling Down Persuasion Let’s Have Each Other for a While Short Haired Willie Give and Take Spores on Grass Screw Loose Dark Time Long Burning Bridge Maria Sabina
‘The Code Breaker’ by Walter Isaacson will be released on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Photo: amazon
Walter Isaacson, University Professor of History at Tulane, has been CEO of the Aspen Institute, chairman of CNN, and editor of Time magazine. He is the author of “Leonardo da Vinci;” “Steve Jobs;” “Einstein: His Life and Universe;” “Benjamin Franklin: An American Life;” and “Kissinger: A Biography.” He is also the coauthor of “The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made.” His new book “The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race,” is a gripping account of how Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues launched a revolution that will allow us to cure diseases, fend off viruses, and have healthier babies. It will be released Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Excerpt available here. (amazon, 2021)
When Jennifer Doudna was in sixth grade, she came home one day to find that her dad had left a paperback titled “The Double Helix” on her bed. She put it aside, thinking it was one of those detective tales she loved. When she read it on a rainy Saturday, she discovered she was right, in a way. As she sped through the pages, she became enthralled by the intense drama behind the competition to discover the code of life. Even though her high school counselor told her girls did not become scientists, she decided she would.
Driven by a passion to understand how nature works and to turn discoveries into inventions, she would help to make what the book’s author, James Watson, told her was the most important biological advance since his co-discovery of the structure of DNA. She and her collaborators turned a curiosity of nature into an invention that will transform humanity: an easy-to-use tool that can edit DNA. Known as CRISPR, it opened a brave new world of medical miracles and moral questions.
The development of CRISPR and the race to create vaccines for coronavirus will hasten our transition to the next great innovation revolution. The past half-century has been a digital age, based on the microchip, computer, and internet. Now we are entering a life-science revolution. Children who study digital coding will be joined by those who study genetic code.
After helping to discover CRISPR, Doudna became a leader in wrestling with the moral issues that come along with it and, with her collaborator Emmanuelle Charpentier, won the Nobel Prize in 2020. Her story is a thrilling detective tale that involves the most profound wonders of nature, from the origins of life to the future of our species.
eSkootr Championship. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The eSkootr Championship™ (eSC) is delighted to announce it has become a member of the Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) association. SandSI is a not-for-profit group that seeks to accelerate sustainability in and through sport – promoting diversity, inclusion, integrity in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Through this strategic partnership, SandSI will support and reinforce eSC’s ongoing sustainability efforts, both on and off the racetrack. Dedicated to transforming the way we move through cities, eSC has committed to achieving a net-zero carbon footprint by 2022 as part of the UN’s Climate Neutral Now program. (eSkootr Championship, 2021)
According to a Global eScooter Market 2020-2024 Report by market research firm Technavio, the global e-scooter market will grow by 2.13 million units between 2020-2024, presenting a CAGR of nearly 6% during the forecast period*.
“We created the eSkootr Championship™ around the central concepts of sustainability, safety, inclusivity and affordability.” – eSkootr Championship™ co-founder and CEO Hrag Sarkissian.
With the first championship races set to take place in 2021, eSC is leading the way in providing more sustainable and innovative micro mobility solutions for sport as well as for daily city life. Together, SandSI and eSC will endeavor to inspire cities and its people to adopt safer and more sustainable mobility solutions.
“We are very pleased to welcome eSC as our newest member to SandSI. The partnership provides an opportunity to leverage the emerging eScooter market trends we are seeing, and we look forward to supporting eSC in their effort to provide more sustainable solutions for cities – both locally and globally.” – Philippe Duperrex, Secretary-General of SandSI .
Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI)is a non-for-profit Swiss association with headquarters based in Lausanne. Founded in 2017, SandSI seeks to accelerate sustainability in and through sport, aligning its activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). A global membership organization, SandSI’s current membership is comprised of sport and non-sport entities as well as individuals representing 40+ countries, across all continents.
Formed in 2020, the Electric Scooter Championship is the world’s first micro mobility motorsport series. Using high-performance race eScooters, eSC has been designed to champion progressive micro mobility policies and as an advocacy platform promoting smarter, cleaner, and safer mobility in our cities. The series is developing an international sporting calendar and infrastructure that will encourage diversity and inclusivity from a new generation of motorsport competitors worldwide. Formula E champion Lucas Di Grassi and ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz are founding stakeholders in the organization.
EVO Schertz will be having all day specials on Monday March 8 to celebrate their second anniversary. Photo: EVO Entertainment, used with permission.
In celebration of EVO Schertz’ second anniversary, on Monday March 8, 2021 from Noon until 10p.m., EVO Entertainment Group is offering $2 all-day specials for guests. On Monday only, guests can enjoy $2 regular popcorns (not bottomless; one per guest), $2 house margaritas (frozen or on the rocks), $2 all-day video game play, and $2 bowling reservations (can be made online only with promo code “2YEARS”)
EVO Entertainment Group® is an Austin based out-of-home entertainment operator comprised of several innovative brands including EVO® Entertainment, EVO® Cinemas, and EVO® Concerts. Since its launch in 2014, EVO® has gained a reputation as a leader in innovation, as well as one of the fastest growing independent cinema circuits in the country. EVO® Entertainment Group currently employs over 1,000 team members and entertains nearly 3 million guests annually.
Ben Carpenter began his career as a Commercial Lending Officer at the Bankers Trust Company. Two years later he joined Bankers Trust’s Primary Dealer selling U.S. Treasury bonds. After a brief stop at Morgan Stanley, Ben joined Greenwich Capital which, during his 22 year career there, became one of the most respected and profitable firms on Wall Street. At Greenwich Capital Ben was a salesman, trader, sales manager, Co-Chief Operating Officer, and Co- CEO. Currently Ben is the Vice Chairman of CRT Capital Group, a 300 person institutional broker-dealer located in Stamford, CT. His book “The Bigs: The Secrets Nobody Tells Students and Young Professionals About How to Find a Great Job, Do a Great Job, Be a Leader, Start a Business, Stay Out of Trouble, and Live A Happy Life” is an invaluable guide for all college students, young professionals, and anyone seeking the hard-earned wisdom of a man who has won and lost many battles while winning the war of personal fulfillment.
“The Bigs” begins with a Preface by the author where he explains how this book came about. One day he received an email from his daughter Avery, who had just gotten a job, asking him if it was okay to send an email to her new boss asking if she could start “a week from Monday.” After the panic subsided, he responded with a list of items Avery should consider following at her new job, and afterwards, his friend suggested that he write a book on the topic. After a series of health scares, he seriously gave it more thought because he felt his daughters “could benefit from my experience, knowledge and mistakes even if I wasn’t there to tell them.” The final project turned out to be a combination of a memoir, a how-to book, and a collection of stories he lived through, all meant to dispense advice. It is divided into two parts: Part One, “How to Survive, Thrive, and Have Fun in the Big Leagues,” – teaches readers how to think about the kinds of issues that they will encounter in the real world; and Part Two, “How to Choose, Get, and Do a Great Job” – teaches readers specifically how to accomplish these critically important tasks. Ben Carpenter uses the baseball analogy to get his points across. In baseball, “the bigs” is slang for the big leagues. When you become responsible for yourself, and you are being paid to do a job, you are in “the big leagues.”
For the most part, life consists of lessons learned along the way that help pave the road to happiness and success. These lessons are as varied as humans are, and it is always advantageous to read about other people’s experiences in the hopes of learning something new. Such is the case in “The Bigs,” an American story of one man’s journey through his life and career. He recounts the people he met, the experiences he had, the mistakes he made, and what he learned along the way. Readers will encounter a colorful cast of real-life characters which include Big Hank, Hoops, Sweater Girl, The Zombies, Mr. Nuts, The Cheese, Deep Throat, and The RAT. Their tales stories are followed by a “lessons learned” section. The only downside is that it has too many sports analogies and that might be a turn off for readers who are not into sports. Since the language is easy to understand, it is suitable for all ages, but mostly for young people just starting out on life. One chapter that stands out because it has general advice for any age, is Chapter 5: Living a Happy Life. It contains stories and advice such as: The Secret- happiness is in your hands, Creating a Happy Life– you must create your own happiness but it takes maturity, self-awareness, hard work, and intelligence, and Money and Happiness- be happy with what you have. For example, on The Rude Waiter: he stresses that he is unwilling to ever allow poor service to spoil his dinner. He may not return, but he will not allow a rude waiter or bad service ruin his evening. While the real world can be fun, it is sometimes an uphill battle, and any type of advice should be embraced. “The Bigs” is full of practical advice, amusing stories, and lessons that anyone can use in their daily lives. It is recommended for readers who are sports fans and open to a different perspective on life.
“Most young entrepreneurs make the mistake of asking themselves ‘What product or service do I want to sell?’ More often, the better question is, ‘What product or service do I want to buy that I can’t easily find?’
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
SAY Sí will have a student art contest, complimentary art kits, and a community survey raffle. Photo: google
This March, San Antonio nonprofit SAY Sí is offering area students and educators the opportunity to recognize local teachers and engage with the arts, in addition to enlisting feedback from the San Antonio community on the nonprofit’s latest efforts. (SAY Sí, 2021)
With Spring Break just around the corner, SAY Sí has partnered with the Alamo Colleges to provide community members with local and virtual resources that everyone can enjoy, including free art supplies for kids. Free art supply bags will be available for curbside pickup for parents with elementary- and middle school-aged children on a first come, first served basis this weekend; limit two bags per car. 1,250 art kits will be available for pickup from the Palo Alto College Arts Center from 4p.m. – 6p.m. on Friday, March 5, 2021, and another 1,250 art kits will be available for pickup from 10a.m. – Noon at the ACD District Support Operations building (2222 N. Alamo St.) on Saturday, March 6, 2021. Those interested in receiving an art supply bag should complete an interest form. Each kit will include a transportable bag with watercolors, markers, glue, a sketchbook, pipe cleaners, and sidewalk chalk. The community can consult SAY Sí online for additional ideas for at-home art projects.
Now through March 21, 2021, San Antonio students in grades Kinder-9 can submit original portraits of their teachers for a chance to win a $100 H-E-B gift card, (for the educator) as well as an art kit for their class (supplies for a class size of 25). A total of 10 teachers will be selected, one educator per grade level, and will be chosen by SAY Sí staff. To enter, students can visit here to fill out their application and upload an image of their original artwork, as well as explain why their teacher should be chosen. Any medium is accepted, including painting/drawing/coloring, photography, mixed media/collage, song/spoken word, written poem, sculpture, comic, digital drawing, or other creative outlets.
SAY Sí is also offering the San Antonio community an opportunity to win an H-E-B gift card by completing their community impact survey. To enter for a chance to win an H-E-B gift card, entrants must be 13 years of age or older. Four winners will be chosen on Monday, March 22, 2021; gift card amounts are valued at $10, $15, $25 or $50.
In 2019, SAY Sí announced its relocation to the Westside of San Antonio with an all new, expanded campus. The new location, a former industrial warehouse located at 1310 S. Brazos, boasts nearly 98,000 square feet of space that will allow for the integration of three new programs into their existing offerings, including: Culinary Arts, Digital Music Composition and Journalism. SAY Sí’s diverse programming and state of the art technology and resources make the arts program one of the best in the world. While currently closed for in-person programs and community visits during construction, SAY Sí continues to offer virtual programs and resources to encourage participation in the arts from home.
Founded in 1994, SAY Sí is a national award-winning, art-based nonprofit youth development program located in San Antonio, Texas. The goal of the organization is to provide San Antonio area students in grades 6-12 with the opportunity to develop artistic and social skills in preparation for higher educational advancement and career building. SAY Sí programs serve over 200 students from all of San Antonio’s school districts – in addition to serving 4,000 youth in community programs. SAY Sí’s unique approach to education has placed the organization on the national stage, with recognition as one of the top out-of-school-time organizations in the country by The Wallace Foundation, as well as serving as one of seven international youth arts organizations chosen to receive an inaugural Creative Catalyst Award by Adobe Project 1324 in 2016.
Twin Liquors’ March events include virtual tastings all month. Photo: Twin Liquors, used with permission.
Twin Liquors is excited to announce that beginning next week, the Texas based liquor store will be offering a variety of virtual tastings featuring guest appearances from Whiskey ambassadors as well as a special Austin Cocktails virtual tasting presented by the founders. All virtual tastings are free and the full March schedule can be found below. Additionally, to get in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit this month, Twin Liquors will be offering deals on Irish Whiskies beginning March 4 through March 17. More information can be found online. (Twin Liquors, 2021)
The March virtual tastings presented by Twin Liquors are as follows:
March 11 Jameson St. Patrick’s Virtual Pre-Party, Tasting & Cocktailing From 6p.m. to 7:30p.m., join Gareth Jordan, Jameson Brand Ambassador, to learn more about your favorite Irish Whiskey & how to make a perfect Jameson Black Barrel Old Fashioned as we prepare for St. Patrick’s Day. Register here in advance for the event.
March 12 All Things Irish – High Marques virtual tasting of Redbreast, Middleton, Green Spot & Powers From 6p.m. to 7:30p.m., Whiskey Ambassador, Simon Nicolian, will be leading a tasting of some of Ireland’s most premium offerings to elevate your St. Patrick’s Day. Be sure to pick up the list of ingredients and register in advance.
March 23 How We Built This: Jill Burns & Kelly Gasnik of Austin Cocktails The family tradition that launched a craft cocktail company: Co-Founders and sisters Jill Burns and Kelly Gasnik discuss how their grandfather’s philosophy shaped the company’s brand personality and will answer questions about everything from their biggest cocktail failure and riskiest business decision to how getting out of their comfort zone brought one of Austin Cocktails biggest and most unexpected wins. Event URL link can be found here.
Born and raised in downtown Austin, Texas, Twin Liquors began as one small store and has developed into a successful “home-grown” Texas company that has a unique and well-respected reputation throughout the United States for having impeccable team members, outstanding customer service, conveniently located stores, extensive selections of fine wines and premium spirits from around the world, and substantial community involvement. Twin Liquors currently operates 85+ neighborhood stores across central, south, and southeast Texas.
SA Examiner 