‘Autopsy: A Scarpetta Novel’ will be released on November 30, 2021. Photo: amazon
Patricia Cornwell is recognized as one of the world’s top bestselling crime authors with novels translated into thirty-six languages in more than 120 countries. Her novels have won numerous prestigious awards including the Edgar, the Creasey, the Anthony, the Macavity, and the Prix du Roman d’Aventure. Beyond the Scarpetta series, Patricia has written a definitive book about Jack the Ripper, a biography, and three more fiction series, among others. Cornwell, a licensed helicopter pilot and scuba diver, actively researches the forensic technologies that inform her work. Her new novel “Autopsy: A Scarpetta Novel” will be released on November 30, 2021. In this relaunch of the electrifying, landmark #1 bestselling thriller series, chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta hunts those responsible for two wildly divergent and chilling murders. (amazon, 2021)
“Autopsy: A Scarpetta Novel” – Forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta has come almost full circle, returning to Virginia as the chief medical examiner, the state where she launched her storied career. Finding herself the new girl in town once again after being away for many years, she has inherited not only an overbearing secretary, but also a legacy of neglect and potential corruption. She and her husband Benton Wesley, now a forensic psychologist with the U.S. Secret Service, have relocated to Old Town Alexandria where she is headquartered five miles from the Pentagon in a post-pandemic world that is been torn by civil and political unrest. Just weeks on the job, she is called to a scene by railroad tracks where a woman’s body has been shockingly displayed, her throat cut down to the spine, and as Scarpetta begins to follow the trail, it leads unnervingly close to her own historic neighborhood.
At the same time, a catastrophe occurs in a top-secret laboratory in outer space, endangering at least two scientists aboard. Appointed to the highly classified Doomsday Commission that specializes in sensitive national security cases, Scarpetta is summoned to the White House and tasked with finding out exactly what happened. But even as she works the first potential crime scene in space remotely, an apparent serial killer strikes again remarkably close to home.
La Panadería’s Happy Hour Brunch is available Monday through Friday from 10a.m. to 2p.m. Photo: Giant Noise for La Panadería, used with permission.
This Fall, La Panadería is ushering in the season with new offerings and seasonal favorites. For a limited time, San Antonians and visitors to the Alamo City can enjoy new pan dulce treats, seasonal offerings for Día de los Muertos and enhanced brunch hours and menu items. (La Panadería, 2021)
What is the fall season without a pumpkin-themed treat? For a limited time, visitors to La Panadería can now enjoy a Pumpkin Pecan Croissant at any location. Developed by co-owner and Chef David Caceres, the seasonal treat brings a delicate taste to the classic autumn flavor. Nestled between La Panadería’s signature croissant, the light pumpkin cream filling is folded with cinnamon and topped with candied pecans.
Brunch lovers can now revel in La Panadería’s Happy Hour Brunch Monday through Friday from 10a.m. to 2p.m. Guests can enjoy buy one get one free mimosas and beers during happy hour, and can also enjoy a discounted price of $10.99 on La Panadería’s brunch burger, formerly the patty melt, which has been reimagined to feature a brioche bun sandwiched with a hearty patty and topped with melted cheese and a fried egg.
Highlighting Mexico’s “Bread Cultura,” La Panadería is now offering their classic Día de Los Muertos pan dulce like Pan De Muerto and specialty pan dulce boxes. Guests can order their family-sized Pan de Muerto online.
Hoping to share their Mexican heritage with citizens in the U.S., José and David Cáceres opened La Panadería in San Antonio, Texas in 2014. The bakery, which specializes in handmade bread, pan dulce and pastries inspired by Mexico’s Golden Era, or Epoca de Oro, draws influence from French, Italian and American bread making techniques. La Panadería’s unique approach to breadmaking includes a minimum 48-hour fermentation process that results in artisan bread and pastries unlike any other. La Panadería has three locations in San Antonio, Texas.
WB Liquors & Wine’s online Bourbon Vault Auction will benefit Home For Our Troops (HFOT). Photo: google
WB Liquors & Wine has launched its exciting online Bourbon Vault Auction, which will give customers the chance to bid on 15 different bundles of rare and highly coveted bourbon bottles. The auction is only available in San Antonio, and will run from Thursday, October 14 at 10a.m. (CST) through Wednesday, October 27 at 1p.m. (CST). (WB Liquors & Wine, 2021)
The Bourbon Vault Auction will include fifteen bundles with various assortments of 2-5 bourbon bottles, including Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, W. L. Weller, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, and more.
All bundles have a starting price of $100 and additional bids can be placed at increments of $100. All bids require online registration before placing a bid. While bids will be placed online only, the location for pick-up of the bundles will be at 9801 IH-10 West San Antonio, TX 78230. Individuals can view the bourbon bundles, register an account and submit bids online.
All proceeds from the auctions will benefit Home For Our Troops (HFOT) – a nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives.
WB Liquors & Wine has partnered with HFOT since 2017 and this year they have chosen to support Marine Corporal Raymond D. Hennagir III of Arlington, Texas. Marine Corporal Hennagir was serving as a combat engineer on his second deployment in Iraq, when he was severely injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion. The blast resulted in the loss of both his legs and several fingers on his left hand. He underwent more than 50 surgeries within two months before learning how to walk on prosthetics.
“Last year, we were able to donate over $40,000 to various food banks across Texas with our Pappy Van Winkle auction. We’re excited to try something completely new with this year’s auction, but more importantly it will allow us to build something really meaningful for veterans like Raymond Hennagir and his family – a new home.” – John Herrmann, President of WB Liquors & Wine.
WB Liquors & Wine has helped Texans across the state celebrate their special occasions for more than 50 years. As a family-owned business, the brand specializes in convenient locations and a great variety of liquor, beer and wine – along with fast, personalized and expert-level service. As of October 2021, WB Liquors & Wine operates 59 locations across the Texas region, which includes 34 WB Liquors & Wine stores and 25 WB Liquor stores adjacent to COSTCO.
The fan-favorite Pumpkin Spiked Milkshake is back this month at EVO Entertainment this month. Photo: EVO Entertainment, used with permission.
This Halloween season, some San Antonio businesses are offering special events, specials, recipes, and more to help San Antonians celebrate the spooky season. (San Antonio Museum of Art, Taco Cabana, EVO Entertainment, Bakery Lorraine, Twang 2021)
San Antonio Museum of Art Families can enjoy the San Antonio Museum of Art in a new way by trick-or-treating throughout the museum on Sunday, October 31 from 10a.m. – 5p.m. Visitors are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes as they explore the museum’s galleries. Swords, scepters, weapons, wands, and full-face masks will not be permitted.
Taco Cabana This Halloween season, Taco Cabana is celebrating with the return of its popular Bean and Cheese taco coupon booklets. For a limited time and while supplies last, guests can purchase the booklets for $2 each at any Taco Cabana location. Each booklet will include five coupons for a free TC classic Bean and Cheese taco, and the $2 donation from each booklet sold will directly benefit local food banks. Offer is valid until October 31 and coupons are redeemable through November 30, 2021.
EVO Entertainment Austin, Schertz, New Braunfels and San Marcos locations On Saturday, October 30, families can check out “Pumpkins & Popcorn” at EVO locations featuring a specialty screening of Scoob! at 11a.m. Tickets to the event include a wooden pumpkin, painting and decorating supplies, and a popcorn and candy snack bag. Limited tickets are available for purchase here.
Kyle, Schertz and San Marcos locations On Wednesday, October 20 EVO’s Kyle, Schertz and Springtown locations will host the annual Drunken Pumpkin Parties. Guests will each get a large pumpkin, carving tools and stencils, a snack bag and hidden prizes while they enjoy a screening of the Halloween classic, Hocus Pocus. This event is 18+ and costumes are encouraged. Tickets are available here.
Throughout the month of October, select EVO locations will also be serving themed cocktails perfect for spooky season. “The Symbiote” is a strawberry margarita with a black salted rim created in honor of the highly-anticipated film Venom: Let There Be Carnage and will be available through October 31. The fan-favorite Pumpkin Spiked Milkshake is also making a return this fall, made with vodka and Baileys Pumpkin Spiced Irish Cream. A non-alcoholic version of the milkshake is also available.
Bakery Lorraine Beginning Thursday, October 28 and through the end of the month, Bakery Lorraine will be offering a special Halloween menu at both Austin and San Antonio locations. The menu will include a black cat tart for $6 made of chocolate mousse with a vanilla filling, a lemon mummy tart for $6 made of lemon curd topped with meringue and two chocolate chips for the mummy’s eyes, a chocolate caramel tart for $6 made of a caramel filling topped with chocolate ganache, a phantom of opera cake slice for $6 layered with pumpkin spice sponge cake and buttercream topped in a rich dark chocolate glaze, a voodoo doll gingerbread cookie for $5 made of gingerbread cookie dipped in a rich dark chocolate, and a ghost moon pie for $5 made of homemade graham cookies with a honey marshmallow filling dipped in a white chocolate.
Twang In the spirit of celebrating Halloween on October 31, family-owned salts and seasonings company, Twang, has a themed cocktail to enjoy at home using their Twang-A-Rita Nectarberry. The cocktail is appropriately named Witch’s Brew and is composed of 2 oz. cinnamon liqueur, 3/4 pomegranate syrup, 3oz. apple cider, and topped with champagne for a single serving. If wanting to celebrate with a bigger group, their punch recipe is composed of 16 oz. cinnamon liqueur, 6oz. pomegranate syrup, 24oz. apple cider, and 1 full 750ml bottle of champagne. Recipe courtesy of Aaron Peña, Owner of Amor Eterno and Squeezebox in San Antonio, Texas.
Bakery Lorraine’s ghost moon pie and voodoo doll gingerbread cookie. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.
‘Some Things I Still Can’t Tell You: Poems’ is the new poetry collection by Misha Collins. Photo: amazon
Misha Collins is an actor, author, and activist focused on inspiring change through art and by gamifying civic engagement and social good. Misha was a lead on Supernatural, the longest-running sci-fi/fantasy series in U.S. history, where he portrayed the angel Castiel. When not in front of the camera, Misha connects with his millions of social media followers to promote social change through projects like GISH, his Guinness World Record-setting global scavenger hunt that fosters creative mayhem to inspire social activism, and Random Acts, his nonprofit, which has raised millions to complete grassroots charitable projects. Misha is a published poet and author of bestselling book “The Adventurous Eaters Club.” A University of Chicago graduate with a B.A. in Social Theory, Misha is a former White House intern who has campaigned extensively for progressive candidates nationwide. His debut poetry collection “Some Things I Still Can’t Tell You: Poems” is both a celebration of and aspiration for a life well lived. (amazon, 2021)
“Some Things I Still Can’t Tell You: Poems” – This book is a compilation of small observations and musings. It is filled with moments of reflection and a love letter to simple joys: passing a simple blade of grass on the sidewalk, the freedom of peeing outdoors late at night, or the way a hand-built ceramic mug feels when it is full of warm tea on a chilly morning. It is a catalog and a compendium that examines the complicated experience of being all too human and interacting with a complex, confounding, breathtaking world, and a reminder to stop and be awake and alive in yourself. Trademark wit and subtle vulnerability converge in each poem.
Demigod is coming to theaters and On Demand on Friday, October 15, 2021. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Just in time for the Halloween season, Demigod, starring Rachel Nichols, Jeremy London, and Elena Sanchez opens nationwide in theaters and On Demand on Friday, October 15, 2021. Upon the death of her grandfather, a woman and her husband return to her birthplace in Germany’s Black Forest, only to find a terrifying secret awaits them. Directed by Miles Doleac. (Demigod, 2021)
After her grandfather dies, Robin (Rachel Nichols) and her husband Leo (Yohance Myles) travel to Germany to return to her childhood home in the Black Forest. She grew up there surrounded by the wonders of the forest and has memories of spending time with her grandfather. The more time she spends there, the clearer those memories become and they are not all pleasant ones. Soon after, a group of local witches captures the couple and they, along with other captured locals, become part of an ancient hunting ritual meant to appease Cernunnos. Cernunnos was an ancient Celtic god who represented nature, flora and fauna, and fertility. He is frequently depicted in Celtic art wearing stag antlers or horns and usually a torc around his neck.
Demigod is a horror movie composed mostly of suspenseful horror instead of the type of horror that scares people and haunts them after the movie is over. The Black Forest is the perfect location for this type of dark movie that centers around witches, a demigod, and winter solstice rituals. It also provides excellent cinematography that envelops the action and makes it come alive. Cernunnos’ dark red eyes stand out against the bleak background for dramatic purposes. Having a group of people struggling to survive reveals the strength of the human survival instinct and how far they are willing to go to protect a loved one. Prepare for a plot twist at the end.
Overall, Demigod is entertaining, suspenseful, and at times creepy. The violence is not too graphic, which might otherwise turn off more sensitive viewers. At only an hour and a half long, the story is short and to the point. There is some German dialogue with subtitles.
Digital platforms: iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, Xbox/Microsoft, Comcast/Xfinity, and more. Demigod, 2021 1 hr. 35 min.
*The author received an opportunity to pre-screen this movie for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
‘This Bright Future: A Memoir’ by Bobby Hall, a.k.a. Logic. Photo: amazon
Bobby Hall, a.k.a. Logic, is a Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling recording artist, author, actor, streamer, and film producer. In addition to his three number-one albums, ten platinum singles, and billions of streams, Hall’s debut book, “Supermarket,” made him the first hip-hop artist to have a #1 New York Times bestselling novel. His new book “This Bright Future: A Memoir” is a raw and unfiltered journey into the life and mind of Bobby Hall who emerged from the wreckage of a horrifically abusive childhood to become an era-defining artist of our tumultuous age. (amazon, 2021)
“This Bright Future: A Memoir” – A self-described orphan with parents, Bobby Hall began life as Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, the only child of an alcoholic, mentally ill mother on welfare and an absent, crack-addicted father. After enduring seventeen years of abuse and neglect, Bobby ran away from home and—with nothing more than a discarded laptop and a ninth-grade education—he found his voice in the world of hip-hop and a new home in a place he never expected: the untamed and uncharted wilderness of the social media age. In the message boards and livestreams of this brave new world, Bobby became Logic, transforming a childhood of violence, anger, and trauma into music that spread a resilient message of peace, love, and positivity. His songs would touch the lives of millions, taking him to dizzying heights of success, where the wounds of his childhood and the perils of Internet fame would nearly be his undoing. A landmark achievement in an already remarkable career, “This Bright Future” looks back on Bobby’s extraordinary life with lacerating humor and fearless honesty. Heart-wrenching yet ultimately uplifting, this book completes the incredible true story and transformation of a human being who, against all odds, refused to be broken.
‘Taco Treats For A Cause’ coupon booklets contain five coupons for a free Bean and Cheese taco. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
Available now, Taco Cabana is treating guests this Halloween season with the return of its popular Bean and Cheese taco coupon booklets. For a limited time and while supplies last, guests can purchase the booklets for $2 each at all Taco Cabana restaurants across Texas now through October 31, 2021. Each booklet will include five coupons for a free TC classic Bean and Cheese taco. (Taco Cabana, 2021)
The $2 donation from each booklet sold will directly benefit local food banks in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and El Paso. Coupons are redeemable for free TC Bean and Cheese tacos (one per person, per visit) through November 30, 2021. Coupons may be redeemed in-restaurant or via TC’s convenient drive-thru.
Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, 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 October 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 142 company-owned restaurants in Texas.
Taco Cabana’s Halloween coupon booklets. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
Oxtail Mash Up will benefit the community while enriching cultural identity. Photo: Oxtail Mash Up, used with permission.
Oxtail Mash Up, Houston’s coveted culinary mash is back and this year there will be a boozy twist and big national names. On Sunday, November 14 Houston chefs and prized bartenders will come together for a ‘mash up’ of food, drink, art, and music in celebration of the culinary diversity of oxtail and the playfulness of punch. This spirited competition of both food and drink will take place in the lush garden of Project Row Houses, where resident artists will exhibit in the venerable open studios aimed at “encouraging artists to extend their practice outside of the studio into the social context.” Not only are event attendees invited to drink, dine, and dance, but also to step into each exhibit being fully encapsulated by the power of both culinary and resident art. (Oxtail Mashup, 2021)
A percentage of proceeds raised throughout the evening will benefit Project Row Houses and Texas’ Children’s Sickle Cell Anemia programs throughout Houston. Under the glow of Project Row Houses, chefs and bartenders will go head-to-head in two inventive competitions where both judges and attendees crown the evening’s winners.
The Oxtail Mash Up is a culinary competition that brings together some of the industries’ favorite chefs, bartenders, and DJs for an evening of food and drink all for charity. Founded in 2017, this spirited competition is the brainchild of Shakti Baum and partner Warren Luckett, and held in the lush garden of Project Row Houses. The event brings awareness to Texas Children’s Sickle Cell Anemia program and its effects on the African American Community.
Oxtail Mashup welcomes the local-supporting community to gather at Project Row Houses from 6p.m. – 10p.m. on Sunday, November 14, 2021 for an evening tasting event filled with luscious chef-prepared oxtail, custom-crafted punches, black-owned/black-crafted wines, Houston craft beer, and more. Project Row Houses installations will be open and DJ Melodic will be spinning for the season’ premiere evening experience.
EAT: Fourteen chefs will pull from their diverse roots as well as gastronomic inspirations in a challenge to create stellar oxtail creations. Each chef will battle it out for smack-talking rights (people’s choice wins $500) as well as a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico (judges choice).
DRINK: Five bartenders will set the mode onto ‘Island Time’ as they work with previously selected spirits and locally sourced ingredients to craft Tiki-inspired punches. Attendees will crown the best barkeep of the night while our panel of experts selects their own winner for a grand prize of $500 cash. To bring the heat, Oxtail Mashup cofounders – chef, instructor, and event creator Shakti Baum and Black Restaurant Week Founder Warren Luckett – have invited Houston food and drink stars to battle against nationally recognized names. With each chef and bar star a master of their craft and leaders within the industry.
2021 OXTAIL MASHUP CHEFS ● Andre Burns – Burns BBQ (Houston, TX) ● Andremica Braggs – One Feisty Chef (Houston, TX) ● Curtis Evans – EMI Dinner Series / Everybody Eats Philly (Philadelphia, PA) ● Don Bowie – Taste Bar / Rare HTX (Houston, TX) ● Javani King – JKO Kitchen (Houston, TX and Oxtail Mashup 2018 winner) ● Jonny Rhodes – Broham Soul Food and Grocery / Restaurant Indigo (Houston, TX) ● Mark Clayton – Squable (Houston, TX) ● Nicola Blaque – The Jerk Shack / Mi Roti (San Antonio, TX) ● Ossume Collins – KISS (Houston, TX) ● Rishi Singh – Hotel Derek (Houston, TX) ● Robert Butts – Twisted Soul Cookhouse + Pours (Atlanta, GA) (additional chefs to be announced in the coming weeks)
2021 OXTAIL MASH UP BARTENDERS ● Ryan Perry – Rabbit Got the Gun (Houston, TX) ● Jamal Rashad – Slush (Atlanta, GA) (additional bartenders to be announced in the coming weeks)
VIP Event tickets cost $135 and include admission and early entry into the Third Annual Oxtail Mashup event, unlimited sampling of all chef-prepared bites, complimentary cocktails + Hot Toddy Bar (must be 21 or over to consume alcoholic beverages), entry into all Project Row Houses installations, and one parking pass.
General Admission event tickets cost $75 and include admission into the Third Annual Oxtail Mashup event, one sample of each chef-prepared bite, five cocktail tickets + Hot Toddy Bar (must be 21 or over to consume alcoholic beverages, and entry into all Project Row Houses installations).
Project Row Houses is a community platform that enriches lives through art with an emphasis on cultural identity and its impact on the urban landscape. We engage neighbors, artists, and enterprises in collective creative action to help materialize sustainable opportunities in marginalized communities.
Briscoe’s Sips and Sounds of the West hosts Los Callejeros De San Anto on October 24, 2021. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
From the banks of the River Walk, travel to Northern Mexico as you enjoy a night of music under the stars at the Briscoe’s “Sips and Sounds of the West” Norteño Night on October 24. Celebrating all things vaquero in honor of Hispanic heritage and the Briscoe’s fantastic fall exhibition, Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo: Contemporary Photography of the Northern Mexican Cowboy, the Briscoe’s Sips and Sounds series will spotlight Norteño music with band Los Callejeros De San Anto in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden at 6p.m. The ticketed event is a night of music, drinks and tacos under the stars. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2021)
Launched by Piñata Protest front man Alvaro Del Norte with bandmates Jose Morales on bajo sexton, bassist Richie Brown and Chris Ramirez on drums, Los Callejeros De San Anto blends well known influences of Conjunto and Norteño into the perfect Tex-Mex street band and is “abuela approved.” Sips and Sounds of the West: Norteño Night tickets are $15 for museum members and $25 for non-members. Each ticket includes two complimentary beer tickets. Food Truck fare is available for purchase from Dona Kika’s Tacos & Gorditas.
Norteño music is native to the Mexican state of Sonora, the birthplace of the modern cowboy featured in Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo. Making its United States debut at the Briscoe, the exhibition details a legacy with profound influence on the American West. With almost sixty images that span more than twenty years of the lives of the vaqueros, Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo features celebrated photographer Werner Segarra inviting audiences to peer into the world of the Norteño Cowboys, not as a casual tourist, but as an intimate observer. The exhibition is open to the public through January 24, 2022, and is included with museum admission.
Courtesy photo, used with permission
The Briscoe’s Sips and Sounds of the West series highlights the soundtrack of the West through live music while surrounded by the beauty of the garden’s fantastic bronze sculptures and lush greenery. The museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden is an oasis featuring a beautiful courtyard surrounded by bronze sculptures depicting iconic figures of the American West. The sculpture garden offers the perfect respite during any River Walk visit, with tables, chairs and benches to rest and enjoy the view. With the lights of downtown in the background and stars overhead, the garden becomes magical at night, making it the perfect spot for a date night or a night out with friends.
Preserving and presenting the art, history and culture of the American West through engaging exhibitions, educational programs and public events reflective of the region’s rich traditions and shared heritage, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is located on the San Antonio River Walk at 210 W. Market Street in the beautifully restored 1930s former San Antonio Public Library building. Named in honor of the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, the museum includes the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for event rentals and programs, and the outdoor McNutt Sculpture Garden.
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