Day: April 30, 2021

Mother’s Day gift guide: ‘Tears of Change’ by Debbie Monteggia

In her book ‘Tears of Change,’ Debbie Monteggia portrays human emotions as an opportunity for personal growth. Photo: amazon

Debbie Monteggia is an interior designer turned author. Diagnosed with acute anxiety, she turned her condition into an opportunity to live an authentic life, pursue her passion for writing, and inspire other people through her poems. Throughout her journey in life Debbie has recognized the depth, diversity, and power of emotions. She understands how important it is to honor all emotions and not to suppress or ignore the more challenging or fearful ones. These are the ones that will transition you into your joy once you move through them. All your experiences are necessary to get you through your life lessons. Her book “Tears of Change” is a collection of unique poems and quotes that take the reader on a cathartic journey through life’s everyday emotions— sorrow, acceptance, loss, renewal, pain, and joy. It emerged from the author’s own tears of sadness and despair, and carried her through subsequent tears of joy, grace, and gratitude. (Black Château, 2021)

With its heartfelt message and beautiful illustrations, “Tears of Change” makes the perfect Mother’s Day gift and the kind of book that finds a permanent and cherished home on the coffee table. The poetry collection provides a roadmap for navigating inner and outer challenges and turning them into opportunities for personal growth.

Debbie hopes that some of her poetry will touch readers’ hearts and bring them to a place of appreciation and peace. Most importantly, she hopes that her work will reveal to the reader the depth, diversity, and power of emotions and help them understand how important it is to honor all emotions. She is passionate about expressing her voice through poetry and hopes that that one or many of the poems included in “Tears of Change” will inspire readers to take a leap in expressing all their emotions, so they might reach a deeper place of love and gratitude within themselves.

Twang celebrates 35 years in business

Twang celebrates 35 years in business with the addition of two new Michelada flavors: Spicy and Pickle. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

Twang Partners, Ltd. is excited to announce the launch of two new flavors of its Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix. The new flavors include spicy and pickle flavored mixes. The two additions come on the tails of the brand’s success with the launch of its original Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail mix in 2019. The two new flavors, as well as the original mix, are now available for purchase on Twang’s website or at SPECS locations across Texas. 

The michelada mix formula is 85% juice-based and uses all natural ingredients including a seven-vegetable blend, organic Worcestershire sauce, ancho chilies, real lime juice, and no preservatives or corn syrup. The Spicy Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix includes notes of serrano peppers and extra hot sauce to give it an additional kick, while the Pickle Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix is made with real dill and cucumber to give it an authentic pickle flavor. Both new flavors are available in 16oz. bottles and retail for $5.00 plus tax and the price of shipping on Twang’s website. 

“We are really proud of the response we received from our original michelada mix, and we’re looking forward to getting the new flavors out there for everyone to enjoy. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate 35 years in business other than to keep expanding and sharing the recipes our family loves.” – Elysia Treviño-Gonzales, Chief Executive Officer for Twang.

Twang’s line of michelada mixes are high-quality, tomato-based blends used to quickly and conveniently create the perfect michelada, the popular beer cocktail that is native to Mexico, popular in Texas, and quickly gaining notoriety throughout the United States. The prepared mix works best with Mexican beers and domestic lagers and is commonly referred to as a milder version of its American cousin, the Bloody Mary.

Twang is a family owned and operated business based in San Antonio, Texas. In 1986, Twang Founder and CEO Roger Treviño, Sr., left his career in law enforcement to embark into the food industry, starting the business out of his garage with his children. This April, the business celebrated 35 years of sharing the family’s culture through food and beverage spices, salts and mixes. The launch of the original michelada mix in 2019 was the company’s first venture into liquid products and the company plans to continue expanding its product offerings. Today, daughter Elysia serves as the CEO, son Patrick is acting Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, and youngest son Jacob is a Key Account Executive.

Based in San Antonio, Texas, Twang Partners Ltd. is a family-owned and operated creator and manufacturer of premium-flavored salts, sugars and seasonings and credited as being “The original beer salt.” Since 1986, Twang Partners has produced the highest quality products designed to enhance the taste, appearance and enjoyment of food and beverages. Brands include Beer Salt, Twangerz, Twang-A-Rita, Clamato Salt, ZAS! Super Seasoning, Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mixes and Cafe Zuca. Find Twang products in grocery, convenience, liquor and specialty store shelves across the country. Twang Partners has successfully collaborated with some of the top food and beverage companies around the world to create innovative custom blends.

Photo: Twang, used with permission.

Photography: Recent Acquisitions now on view at San Antonio Museum of Art

Photography: Recent Acquisitions is now on view through Fall 2021. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The latest installation at the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA), Photography: Recent Acquisitions, is now on view through Fall 2021 during standard hours of operation in the Museum’s Arcade Gallery. Spanning different generations and diverse backgrounds, the artists whose photographic works are on view are united by their insightful awareness of everyday life, especially the experiences of marginalized communities. Their ability to capture a formally rich image with socially conscious content makes their voices some of the most vital today. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2021)

Influenced by photojournalism and documentary photography approaches, these works are drawn from larger photo-essays or series and often motivated by a personal desire for social change or justice. Featuring works by Danny Lyon, Leonard Freed, and LaToya Ruby Frazier, the installation focuses on photographers who have a close relationship with their subjects—immersing themselves in the communities and the lives of those who inhabit them. Through their cameras, these photographers capture life in America—both monumental and everyday moments—in unforgettable images that explore the connections we have with our surroundings and one another. This exhibition of recent acquisitions was curated by Lana Meador, Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Lavanderia #2 by Christina Fernandez

The San Antonio Museum of Art serves as a forum to explore and connect with art that spans the world’s geographies, artistic periods, genres, and cultures. Its collection contains nearly 30,000 works representing 5,000 years of history. Housed in the historic Lone Star Brewery on the Museum Reach of San Antonio’s River Walk, the San Antonio Museum of Art is committed to promoting the rich cultural heritage and life of the city. The Museum hosts hundreds of events and public programs each year, including concerts, performances, tours, lectures, symposia, and interactive experiences. As an active civic leader, the Museum is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the city and the region, and to supporting its creative community.