River Rodeo Fest to be postponed due to the surge of the COVID-19 Delta variant. Photo: google
Statement from Sendero Provisions Co.:
After careful consideration and to ensure the health and safety of staff, event goers, and Comal County, Sendero Provisions Co. has decided to postpone the River Rodeo Fest until 2022 due to rising concern of the surge of the COVID-19 Delta variant. As the presenting sponsor, Lone Star Beer is in total agreement with this decision and looks forward to a safe and fun festival next year.
Since the inception of River Rodeo Fest, organizers have prioritized the safety and well-being of attendees, artists, staff, and the local community. The festival anticipated bringing 2,500 people together from across the country to a concentrated area and without full confidence in health safety, the event cannot continue in its current format.
All customers who purchased tickets will receive a full refund as well as an exclusive “Thank You” gift from Sendero Provisions Co. The refund process will be initiated through the ticketing partner, Eventbrite, for all attendees who purchased ticket(s) through their site. There is no action necessary and customers can expect to see the refund on their credit/debit card statement within the next 5-7 business days.
“We have been incredibly proud to partner with Lone Star Beer to bring this event to life and while we are disappointed that we have to postpone, it would be a disservice to our community and amazing home state of Texas to bring thousands of people together during this health crisis and surge of the Delta variant. This was the first of many we planned over the next few years, and I can tell you that 2022 is already in the works…and we expect it to be awesome!” – Sendero Provisions Co. Founder Hunter Harlow
Whataburger will host its first ever systemwide fundraiser to benefit Feeding America®. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.
Orange Spirit Week is Whataburger’s annual tradition of honoring its legacy while giving back to the communities it serves. This year, in honor of its 71st anniversary, Whataburger is partnering with Feeding America® to help provide at least 2.5 million meals through local food banks across Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. (Whataburger, 2021)
From Sunday, August 8, through Sunday, August 15, customers who donate a minimum of $1 at any of the more than 850 Whataburger restaurants across these ten states will receive a thank-you coupon for a free Whataburger with the purchase of a medium fry and 32-ounce drink. A $1 donation helps provide at least ten meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks. Whataburger guarantees a minimum donation of $250,000 with no maximum set.
Every dollar donated during the week-long fundraiser will go to Feeding America and its member food banks in the local communities. It is all in support of Whataburger Feeding Student Success, the company’s signature community program operating at the intersection of food insecurity and education and focusing on helping students at all levels of education achieve their goals and dreams.
The 2021 celebration will kick off in San Antonio on Sunday, August 8, with a drive-through teacher appreciation event at The DoSeum. As part of the Whataburger Feeding Student Success program and Whataburger’s commitment to providing support for education in the communities it serves, the event will include classroom supply and summer swag giveaways for teachers with whom student success begins. Teachers will also have the opportunity to participate in drawings for classroom grants and receive free meals from the Whataburger Food Truck, which debuted during last year’s Orange Spirit Week, among other fun activities. Teachers must show their school IDs for entry into the event.
During the week, Whataburger employees, known as Family Members, will assemble and deliver 10,000 school supply bags to local organizations across ten states.
“Feeding America is doing such amazing work through their network of food banks. All of us at Whataburger are looking forward to joining our customers in showing support for them during Orange Spirit Week. We invite our friends and neighbors to visit their local Whataburger throughout the week and donate to help keep our children nourished and on the path to bright futures.” – Ed Nelson, Whataburger CEO
The magic of Whataburger started on Aug. 8, 1950, in a tiny burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. An entrepreneur named Harmon Dobson set out to build a burger so delicious that customers would take that first bite and say, “What a burger!” Today, Whataburger is known for delicious burgers, big flavor, and the brand’s pride in taking care of its guests, communities. and employees, known as Family Members. Orange Spirit Week celebrates its founding and the foundation for success that Dobson created. Today, Whataburger is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 850 locations across its 14-state footprint, and sales of more than $2.8 billion annually. Whataburger has 50,000 Family Members (employees) and more than sixty million customers who like to customize their Whataburgers just the way they like it.
Guests traveling to the area for the annual Sutton County Days will find many more West Texas activities available at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.
This Friday August 13 – Saturday August 14, families can embrace their inner cowboy/cowgirl by attending Texas Hill Country’s annual Sutton County Days, which invites locals and visitors to enjoy the 49th annual Sonora Outlaw Rodeo, BBQ Cookoff with 10 awards categories, a festive parade for the whole family, fair, and more. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)
For those traveling to the area for the festivities, the nearby JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa offers guests the opportunity to round out their West Texas weekend with its own outdoor activities, luxe accommodations, cookouts, and more—
Luxury Cabins & Cottages: JL Bar Ranch boasts 16 standalone luxury cabins and 16 spacious guest rooms with premium amenities, as well as the exclusive Archer’s Nest Villa, a six-bedroom villa that accommodates up to 12 guests and has a private swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, and a full home theatre.
Hill Country Adventures: From a full equestrian program featuring horseback riding and a horse psychology experience to off-road ATV adventures, a Putting/Chipping Green, weekend yoga, wine tasting, and clay and skeet shooting, JL Bar Ranch’s slew of activities and programming showcase the best of West Texas culture and scenery.
Cowboy Cookout: The culinary team at JL Bar Ranch has designed a decadent and interactive dining experience with its new Cowboy Cookout. Guests can take in the Texas Hill Country views with a horseback ride to the property’s cookout camp, enjoy cocktails and snacks as the culinary team prepares a lavish steak dinner, and relax to country music while soaking in the magnificent sunset.
Private Jet and Airplane Access: For those flying in for the weekend, JL Bar Ranch offers direct landing for private jets and personal planes via its private Fixed Base Operator (FBO) private hangar, making it even easier to hop over to Sonora for the festive weekend.
Photo: San Antonio Charger Moms, used with permission.
Just as families started to unwind from the stressful school year and settle into a normal summer filled with sleepovers, swim holes and summer camps – STAAR test results flooded in-boxes confirming Covid-slide concerns and leaving parents anxious about the school year ahead. Now with back-to-school season upon us, San Antonio Charter Moms is helping parents prepare for the pivotal year ahead by teaching them how to unlock personalized learning resources from STAAR report cards and decipher valuable data points for pandemic recovery. Virtual parent workshops are scheduled for August 12 and 26 and September 9 from 5:30p.m. to 7p.m. with registration available online. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2021)
While many hold strong opinions about the STAAR test, too few are aware that the report cards provide personalized learning resources built into the results as explained in a recent Charter Moms Chat interview with Dr. Nathan Balasubramanian, Founder, CEO, and Superintendent of 7Cs Academy. Also known as “Dr. B,” Balasubramanian holds a background in psychometrics, is a trained curriculum auditor and a TEA Authorized Provider for evaluating and improving student outcomes. He argues that stakeholders may want to take another look at standardized test results to make them work to the student’s advantage.
“No matter how parents feel about the test, STAAR results offer a significant amount of personalized data which we so badly need after a year of educational upheaval. We encourage families to take a closer look at the results before the school year begins so they can identify problem areas and use the resources available to start the school year informed and ready. Waiting for parent-teacher conferences in the Fall will put students further behind in the race to catch up.”
Inga Cotton, Founder and Executive Director of San Antonio Charter Moms
San Antonio Charter Moms has created a user-friendly step-by-step set of instructions for interpreting the report cards and identifying personalized learning resources for your child. The first step for accessing your child’s report card is to visit TexasAssessment.gov. Once logged in, you can quickly review your child’s performance year to year. From this page, you can download your child’s report card into a printable PDF, a great resource to use during parent-teacher conferences. On the test results tab, the scale score tells us whether a student is in one of four categories: Masters Grade Level, Meets Grade Level, Approaches Grade Level, or Did Not Meet Grade Level. Scroll down a bit, and you will see information on performance and progress, showing where your child’s score falls on the continuum. In a latest information session with San Antonio Charter Moms, local parents, and educators, Balasubramanian stated, “Parents should monitor the child’s progress along the continuum. Even if the child is performing at the highest level, they should continue to show progress along this graph year after year or they are not being challenged to reach their full potential.”
In this section you can also review questions that your child missed; the goal is not to focus on any one question but to identify patterns of challenge. For example, parents can see firsthand whether their child struggled consistently on multiplication in math or metaphors in reading. Having this data allows parents to personalize learning for their child and seek additional resources to help them succeed.
Further down the page, the report card offers Lexile scores for reading and Quantile scores for math. The purpose of these scores is to help match students with reading and math materials that are at the right level of difficulty. Students learn best when they are doing work at their individualized level. If it is fast and easy, they get bored. If it is hard and slow, they get frustrated. If it is exactly right, they will have fun and feel challenged along the way.
The parent portal allows you to personalize learning resources, which is key to keeping students engaged and growing. Within the portal, parents will find a link to literacy and Lexile tools, including a Find a Book Tool that allows you to enter a Lexile score and an area of interest to search for book recommendations on just about any topic imaginable. From there, why not head to your local public library to tap into the endless resources available for free. The parent portal also includes math and Quantile tools. Dr. B recommends using Math@Home to find materials, including videos and problem sets, that will be at the right challenge level and on the right topics to help students get the help they need to advance to the next level. Should parents need guidance with the process, they can join the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group on Facebook for support from parents and caregivers who are walking the same journey to prepare for the challenging year ahead.
In summary, STAAR scores can be an extremely useful tool for setting a path for progress. As parents and educators brace for the pivotal year ahead, communication and engagement between parents and educators is paramount to success. Reviewing previous test results with teachers early in the school year and asking for guidance in problem areas can put students on the right path. More specifically, parents can ask for tutoring recommendations, school library resources, additional books or online games. The important thing is to be engaged and work together to set a course for success. If parents do not receive the feedback they are looking for, Cotton recommends going up the chain of command to see who at the school can help. If no help is available, it may be time to exercise the right to school choice.
San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM)began as a blog in 2012 when Founder Inga Cotton was inspired to help San Antonio families more easily find useful information about high-quality school options. Starting with a focus on the growing local charter school offerings, the blog has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares fair information about all types of schools. Established in 2018 as a nonprofit, SACM can accept funding that enables it to grow in ways that support accomplishing its mission of being the most trusted information source on education in the region. This growth includes Spanish-language blog post translations, surveying target publics, holding meetings with decisionmakers, supporting public speaking, community outreach and enhancing mobile technology.
Celebrate Tax Free Weekend at Taco Cabana this Friday August 6 through Sunday August 8, 2021 with special meal deals. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
In celebration of Texas Tax Free Weekend, Friday August 6, 2021 through Sunday August 8, 2021, Taco Cabana is offering a limited-time meal bundle that the whole family will enjoy. Continue the savings all weekend long with two large cheese quesadillas, twelve chicken flautas, and three 3.25 oz. quesos for just $19.99. Offer valid at all participating Taco Cabana locations in Texas. (Taco Cabana, 2021)
Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, and delivery. As of June 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 142 company-owned restaurants in Texas.
Pastry selections during my visit. Topo Chico is also available. Photo: Sandra Cruz
There seems to be no shortage of coffeeshops in Brownsville nowadays, so it does not matter what part of the city you are in, a java jolt is certainly within reach. Such was the case for me recently when I was at North Park Plaza shopping at Amor Y Pan that I noticed a new coffeeshop. Last time I was in the area, I saw construction going on but this time it was open for business – Nerve Coffee. From the outside, it looked clean, organized, and inviting so I decided to get a coffee to go.
The interior is decorated in neutral colors with minimal furnishings but enough tables to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. At the far corner, there is a retail station where they sell t-shirts and shopping bags with the cute company slogan – “Pa Los Nervios” as well as bagged coffee. With such a cute slogan, you get the feeling that coffee is their number one priority, yet they also sell baked goods and cold beverages. I like that the barista station is close by and out in the open so you can see, or supervise, as your coffee is being prepared. The front counter has samples of their baked goods and during my visit, this included cookies and brownies. I have a feeling the selections change frequently, as with some small businesses. I will have to go back again to verify this.
I knew I wanted coffee, but I was unsure what kind, so the patient cashier guided me with several questions: hot or cold? definitely cold; sweet? Yes, please. Any flavors? I opted for mocha and of course, made with almond milk. It was exactly what I expected – sweet and refreshing because in this South Texas heat, I cannot imagine drinking hot coffee in the middle of the afternoon. I also bought two chocolate chip cookies and lingered awhile to enjoy my coffee and survey my surroundings. I noticed that the majority of the patrons were young, so I get the impression that some do their studies while they are here. Not a bad idea. It might just be a hip place to hang out because a recent Facebook post announced live acoustic music last Saturday. The latte art on their hot coffee is amazing.
Nerve Coffee might be off my usual route, but next time I am in the neighborhood I will no doubt return for an iced coffee and maybe pick up one of their cool t-shirts. Everything is reasonably priced, so it is not out of the question. The customer service is top notch and the baked goods pair deliciously with their coffee. Next time you are craving a treat, stop by and support your local coffee shop. Remember: shop small, shop local. We might just run into each other next time.
Krause’s Café & Biergarten in New Braunfels. Photo: Krause’s Café, used with permission.
With International Beer Day fast approaching on Friday August 6, New Braunfels based beer garden, Krause’s Café & Biergarten, will be having beer specials all day to celebrate. Krause’s will be offering half price pints on all Altstadt Brewery products with an all-day Altstadt tap takeover. Guests can find Altstadt lager, Kolsch, amber, hefeweizen, pilsner, IPA, and more at Krause’s. Kick off the weekend with Krause’s and get a taste of German tradition in the Texas Hill Country. (Krause’s Café & Biergarten, 2021)
Krause’s Café & Biergarten is a New Braunfels historic restaurant opened in 1938 and successfully run until 1995. Today, Krause’s Café honors the previous traditions of the restaurant with the addition of a ‘biergarten,’ live music, and more. The menu reflects New Braunfels’ German heritage as well as South Texas flavors. Over one hundred beers are available on tap with local, regional, and international options. The restaurant also features cocktails and wines on tap. Krause’s Café is located at 186 S Castell Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, next to the popular New Braunfels Farmers Market.
‘Billy Summers’ is the new novel by Stephen King. Photo: amazon
Stephen King is the author of more than fifty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His first crime thriller featuring Bill Hodges, “Mr. Mercedes,” won the Edgar Award for best novel and was shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger Award. Both “Mr. Mercedes” and “End of Watch” received the Goodreads Choice Award for the Best Mystery and Thriller of 2014 and 2016, respectively. King co-wrote the bestselling novel “Sleeping Beauties” with his son Owen King. Several of his books have been adapted into celebrated films and television series including The Shawshank Redemption, Gerald’s Game and It. King was the recipient of America’s prestigious 2014 National Medal of Arts and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for distinguished contribution to American Letters. In 2007 he also won the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. His new book “Billy Summers” is out now and is the story about a good guy in a bad job. (amazon, 2021)
“Billy Summers” – Billy Summers is a man in a room with a gun. He is a killer for hire and the best in the business. But he will do the job only if the target is a truly bad guy. And now Billy wants out. But first there is one last hit. Billy is among the best snipers in the world, a decorated Iraq war vet, a Houdini when it comes to vanishing after the job is done. So what could possibly go wrong? How about everything. This spectacular novel is part war story, part love letter to small town America and the people who live there, and it features one of the most compelling and surprising duos in King fiction, who set out to avenge the crimes of an extraordinarily evil man. It is about love, luck, fate, and a complex hero with one last shot at redemption.
Lawrence Fernandez, author of “Jackass Flats” will be at the Brownsville Public Library for a book signing event on August 24 and 26. Photo: amazon
Coming up this month at the Brownsville Public Library, there will be a book signing event with Lawrence Fernandez, author of the book “Jackass Flats: Tales of the Deltaland of the Rio Grande.” He will be at the Main Branch as well as the Southmost Branch location on August 24 and 26, 2021 from 7p.m to 8p.m. There will be copies of his book available for purchase on the day of the event. (Brownsville Public Library, 2021)
“Jackass Flats” (amazon, 2021) This book is a virtual fireside chat with the great storytellers of the delta region of the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. It is appropriately named “Jackass Flats,” paralleling it with the vanished prairie herds of wild horses and jackasses that inhabited a thin range of land in the Lower Nueces Strip. Just as these mythical beasts are now gone, so stands the feared endangerment of a species of “tellers of yarns” who kept the oral traditions alive, perpetuating a lifestyle that was colorfully filled with customs which were unique to South Texas colonization.
Four or five generations of close friendships, inter-marriages, business dealings, and even the occasional fights bring these accounts over the line, into being “personal stories.” You know it is personal when you open up your family cedar chests and discover a whole cross-section of photographs of non-family, and recognize them for the impact that each one gave to the community at large. You close your eyes and you can still vividly recall the scenes where the old chats were carried out; the chiseled features of the “old folks”, the smell of pipe tobacco, the salt spray of the gulf, mesquite wood campfires. You tried your darnedest to lap up all of the words of these tales.
Even though your grandmother sometimes altered the details with each presentation, you dare not correct her – that was part of the flavor. There will always be something special about reflecting back to what it was like in a bygone era. It is like going to a costume party and dressing out your fantasies. The storytellers are a strong example of reincarnation. They left a verbal, oral legacy that will live for as long as there are those who will light a fire to rekindle the message.
When: Main Branch – August 24, 2021 from 7p.m. to 8p.m. Southmost Branch – August 26, 2021 from 7p.m. to 8p.m.
Brownsville Public Library
Main Branch 2600 Central Blvd. Brownsville, TX 78520 (956) 548-1055
‘The Noise’ by James Patterson and J.D. Barker will be released on August 16, 2021. Photo: amazon
James Patterson is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. His books have sold in excess of 375 million copies worldwide. He is the author of some of the most popular series of the past two decades – the Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club, Detective Michael Bennett, and Private novels – and he has written many other number one bestsellers including romance novels and stand-alone thrillers. He also writes a range of books for young readers including the Middle School, I Funny, Treasure Hunters, Dog Diaries, and Max Einstein series. J. D. Barker is the international bestselling author of numerous books, including “Dracul” and “The Fourth Monkey.” His novels have been translated into two dozen languages and optioned for both film and television. Their new thriller book, “The Noise,” will be released on Monday, August 16, 2021. (amazon, 2021)
“The Noise” – If you hear it, it is too late. Can two sisters save us all? In the shadow of Mount Hood, sixteen-year-old Tennant is checking rabbit traps with her eight-year-old sister Sophie when the girls are suddenly overcome by a strange vibration rising out of the forest, building in intensity until it sounds like a deafening crescendo of screams. From out of nowhere, their father sweeps them up and drops them through a trapdoor into a storm cellar. But the sound only gets worse . . .
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Release of ‘The Noise’ by James Patterson and J.D. Barker
SA Examiner 