The sci-fi documentary Aliens Uncovered: The Golden Record will premiere this July 4. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
In the late 70s, the US government sent a message to our distant neighbors. Twenty years later, the response we received sparked the biggest UFO sighting in history. Now, the Pentagon confirms Alien mothership could be sending probes to Earth. Could this be the same mother ship that showed up during an event that was nine times stronger than the Carrington event? The answer to that question could be hidden deep in Arizona’s High Desert. Clive Christopher’s third film in the ALIENS UNCOVERED series, Aliens Uncovered: The Golden Record is a compelling watch, and it is coming to digital July 4 from Breaking Glass Pictures. (October Coast, 2023)
“I am thrilled to bring ‘Aliens Uncovered: The Golden Record’ to audiences worldwide. This thought-provoking and captivating film takes viewers on a journey into the mysteries of the universe, exploring the possibilities of extraterrestrial life and our profound connection to the cosmos. With its intriguing storyline and compelling revelations, the film challenges us to question our place in the universe and sparks a sense of wonder and curiosity. We are proud to be a part of this project that pushes the boundaries of exploration and discovery. Get ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure as ‘Aliens Uncovered: The Golden Record’ unveils secrets that will leave audiences awe-inspired and craving further exploration.” – CEO Rich Wolff of Breaking Glass Pictures.
‘Breathe: Healing Conversations’ is a contemporary poetry book by Karen Achille. Photo: Karen Achille, used with permission.
In today’s book news: if you love poetry as much as I do, Karen Achille’s “Breathe: Healing Conversations”should be on your radar. Take a journey into the full range of emotions that poetry can convey.
Karen Achille is a Georgia-based and Haiti-born poetess, teacher, and relationship coach whose lifelong vision is to help empathic souls heal through the power of poetic storytelling. In addition to the co-authored debut book “Jaded” and her second book “Breathe,” she holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and two graduate degrees in English Education and Leadership. When she is not pouring her heart out on paper, you can find this altruistic soul dancing like nobody is watching, cooking a delicious meal, or simply relaxing in the present moment. She is also a pluviophile and nature lover. Above all else, Karen cherishes quality time spent with her loved ones, especially her love and muse, Gayle. “Breathe” is available on Amazon. More from the author: Writer’s Workshop: The Creative Huddle. (Karen Achille, 2023)
“Breathe” takes the reader on an emotive voyage of upheaval, heartache, healing, and ultimately, personal transformation. Through heartfelt poetic narration and evocative lines, poetess Karen Achille reveals a relatable story that reminds you that you are never truly alone on this journey called life. By the book’s end, each sense will be awakened, and your heart will be empowered. Most importantly, “Breathe” invites the reader to truly reside in the present, darkness and all.
7 Brew announces arrival in San Antonio, elevating the city’s beverage landscape. Photo: 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee.
Attention coffee lovers: 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee, a leading brand in the beverage industry, is celebrating the Grand Opening of its San Antonio location with several events in anticipation of the big day. (7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee, 2023)
Leading up to the grand opening of its 100th location, 7 Brew Coffee is celebrating soft openings including three special charity days. 7 Brew Coffee will offer a 50% beverage discount to guests and donate 100% of all proceeds made to three dedicated charities, CHRISTUS Children’s Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Morgan’s Wonderland, that they actively support.
When: • June 29 – Proceeds to CHRISTUS Children’s Foundation • June 30 – Proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital • July 1 – Proceeds to Morgan’s Wonderland
7 Brew Coffee will also host Community Hours leading up to SWAG Day, the grand opening of their first location in the city of San Antonio and 100th location overall. During these hours, customers can stop by and enjoy a free small drink on the house.
When: Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 14 from 7a.m. to 8a.m., 1p.m. to 2p.m., and 5p.m. to 6p.m.
Lastly, join 7 Brew Coffee for the coffee stand’s Grand Opening Event, SWAG Day, in celebration of its first location in San Antonio. For every large drink purchased, customers will receive one free 7 Brew Coffee t-shirt. Additionally, the first person in each drive thru line will win free coffee for one year.
When: July 15 from 5:30a.m. to 11p.m.
7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee is a coffee concept that is all about cultivating kindness and sharing the essence of community. The rapidly growing coffee chain offers over 20,000 unique drink options, including sugar, dairy, and gluten-free customizations. They pride themselves on providing premium quality coffee to customers in record time while making friends along the way. The Brew Crew goes by the saying, “If you can think it, we can make it,” creating a tailored experience for each customer and showcasing that people are at the heart of what they do.
7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee 2901 Pat Booker Rd Universal City, TX 78148
‘My Goodbye Girl’ is the new contemporary romance novel by Anna Gomez. Photo: Amazon
Anna Gomez was born in the city of Makati, Philippines and educated abroad. She is Global Chief Financial Officer for Mischief and No Fixed Address, a consolidated group of ad agencies. Gomez was recently selected for the 2020 HERoes Women Role Model Executives list, which celebrates 100 women who lead by example and drive change. Gomez has championed various ERGs for Black and API colleagues as well as resources to address challenges of ageism. She serves on several boards, including Breathe for Justice and The Jensen Project. Anna’s inspiration for her writing stems from the people she meets and the places that she has seen. Her stories are realistic and honest, thought-provoking and impactful. Her love for poetry is evident in her writing style. Writing under the pen name Christine Brae, six of her books have won literary awards and ranked as bestsellers upon release. In her new book “My Goodbye Girl,” in order to move forward, Tessa must let go of the past and determine once and for all if love is truly more powerful than the pain of goodbye. (Amazon, 2023)
“My Goodbye Girl”– When Tessa Talman first meets Simon Fremont, not only is she attracted to him, she is intrigued by how different their lives are. He is a dedicated scientist, practical, pragmatic, and grounded. She is a head-in-the-clouds romance author. As their relationship grows, they meet in places around the world, while continuing to live in different countries. Though their feelings for each other deepen, their priorities remain the same. Simon is in a hurry to be financially sound and settle down, but Tessa is enjoying her freedom and newfound success. Neither is willing to give in, but as each goodbye gets harder, Tessa begins to wonder whether fame is the path to happiness, or if she has everything she needs in Simon. Just as Tessa finds the courage to go after her own happily ever after, the unthinkable happens, separating them in ways she never imagined.
The song Billions Of Suns is from their new album Afterworld. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
In music news today, if you are into death metal, Carcariass recently released a new lyric video from their latest studio album.
This month, French melodic death proggers Carcariass unveiled a brand new lyric video for Billions Of Suns, the third single from their sixth studio album Afterworld, out now. Afterworld is available for purchase via Bandcamp. (Ebony Jeanette, 2023)
“Billions Of Suns evokes a gigantic Intergalactic Empire and its Inquisition, which ensures that the immutable word of the Emperor-God is respected to the very ends of the universe and exterminates all opposition!” – Carcariass
Released in March, Afterworld was recorded and mixed by “Drop” (Samael guitarist) at Downtone Studio in Switzerland. Jens Bogren (Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth, Sepultura, At The Gates) mastered the album at Fascination Street Studio in Sweden and produced by GSI Records.
For another taste of Afterworld, check out the first two album singles, No Aftermath and The Hive now.
Carcariass is: Pascal Lanquetin (musical composition and lead guitars) Jerome Thomas (vocals) Bertrand Simonin (drums) Raphaël Couturier (bass) Bob (rhythm guitar for live shows)
Afterworld track list: 01- No Aftermath 02- Billions of Suns 03- Identity 04- Angst 05- Fall of an Empire 06- Black Rain 07- Generational Rot 08- The Hive 09- Machine Kult 10- Afterworld
“Masterpiece!” -METALLIAN
“An album of impressive musical richness and extreme beauty.” -HARDFORCE
“The guitar solos are breathtakingly musical.” -ROCK HARD Magazine
“A highly entertaining listen with the right grooves put in place to demonstrate a keen sense of harmony. – HEAVY MUSIC HQ
The Magik Theatre announces its electrifying summer blockbuster production The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Photo: Magik Theatre, used with permission.
Like a bolt from the blue, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical hits the Magik Theatre from July 1-August 6. This adaptation of San Antonio native Rick Riordan’s extraordinary bestseller features all of the action and excitement Percy Jackson fans love, set to an original rock score by Rob Rokicki that will electrify audiences. This mythical adventure deemed “worthy of the gods” by Time Out New York, follows everyone’s favorite 12-year-old demi-God Percy Jackson as he descends to the underworld and back on the most dangerous quest of his life. (Magik Theatre, 2023)
Author Rick Riordan, a San Antonio native, published “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” in 2005. It is the first in the award-winning series created by the Alamo Heights High School alumni and former St. Mary’s Hall teacher. Originally created as a bedtime story for his oldest son, the Percy Jackson series features a modern-day 12-year-old boy who discovers he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon. In The Lightning Thief, we meet young Jackson who is just discovering his lineage and his uncontrollable powers, neither of which he wants. When he is falsely accused of stealing the master lightning bolt of the Greek god Zeus, he must accept his destiny, prove his innocence, and prevent a war between the gods by finding and returning the bolt. The hero’s journey demands that Jackson travel to the underworld and back, solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend, and finally come to terms with his father who abandoned him.
Magik Theatre takes pride in using only professional actors in their productions. These talented, trained, working actors are masters of their craft, transporting audiences to faraway and magikal places via cherished, timeless literature, and storytelling. In The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, the titular character is brought to life by James Cazares, making his Magik Theatre debut. He is joined by Izabella Montes as Annabeth Chase, the demigod daughter of Athena, and Ian Eller as Jackson’s best friend Grover Underwood. The rest of the cast includes Jon Renee Tucker as Luke, John Michael Hoke as Mr. Brunner aka Chiron, Jessica Willis as Sally, and Emma Gervasi as Clarisse. Artistic Director Anthony Runfola is the director with choreography by Kaity McSalis and music direction by Christopher Bailey. The design team includes scenery by Christopher Boneta, costumes by Stormie Brennan, lighting by Carlos Nine, and sound design by Jo Villanueva. Together this talented team weaves a “magikal” spell that will resonate with audiences young and old.
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is made possible in part by the generous support of a grant from the Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts.
Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice? To celebrate The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical making its Magik appearance, the theatre is hosting The Percy Jackson Musical Theatre Experience. This week-long summer camp will have students on their feet learning catchy tunes and action-packed choreography from the musical. Ideal for aspiring young performers, Percy Jackson fans, or a combination of both, participants will have the unique opportunity to attend master classes led by professional artists from the show. Not only will the students be able to catch a full matinee performance, but on the last day of camp, they will get their turn on the professional stage to share what they’ve learned with family and friends. Camps will be held from 9a.m. to 4p.m. July 10-14 and July 17-21. Final sharing events will be held at 3p.m. on Friday, July 14, and Friday, July 21.
Magik Theatre is committed to making theatre accessible to everyone. “We are here to make theatre accessible to every family and remove any existing barrier,” says Magik Theatre CEO Frank Villani. In keeping with that commitment, the 2023 season boasts some upgrades to include the special performances below.
American Sign Language Interpreted Performance | Saturday, July 29, 2p.m. Robert Cardoza, the San Antonio theatre community’s primary sign language interpreter, will be available during this performance for patrons that require ASL as their primary form of communication.
Sensory-Friendly Performance | Wednesday, July 26, 10:30a.m. Sensory-friendly performances create a welcoming environment for people who are on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities. Modifying certain production elements to accommodate these individuals allows families and friends of those with autism or other disabilities to enjoy an authentic performance experience together.
Pay What You Wish Performance | Thursday, July 20, 2p.m. Magik’s way of giving back to the community and providing an opportunity for families to experience live theatre with a donation of any amount.
Single Tickets are $33.50 for Orchestra Rows A – I and $23.50 for Orchestra Rows J-N and Balcony., Military, Seniors, and Educators. Children under two are free. Flex Passes and Single Tickets are available online or by calling (210) 227-2751. You can also purchase at the box office, 420 S. Alamo, from 9a.m.to 5p.m., Monday through Friday. If a child under two uses a seat, even a car or booster seat, the patron must pay for a general admission ticket. Group rates are available to parties of ten or more people.
Assorted spices on brown wooden table beside red and white textile. Photo: Engin Akyurt/Pexels, used with permission.
If you want to become a better cook, then you are already taking a positive step towards making happier and healthier meals for your family. Take a look below to find out more.
Collect Skills
Home cooks should try and develop a repertoire of tried-and-tested recipes. It’s important to collect skills as well. When you have mastered everything, you can then apply them to several different recipes. You should ideally know how to make an omelet, a steak, and a simple pan sauce. Other skills you need to master include making classic gravy and short crust pastry. If you can do this, then the world is your oyster when it comes to your cooking journey.
Emulate Professional Chefs
If you want to become a better cook at home, then you need to try and emulate the professionals. You can usually tell if someone is a good cook or not by simply looking at their kitchen. Everything should have a place and ingredients should be stacked, labelled and finally, organized. Your kitchen should be free from clutter, and you should also have a time plan for when you’re cooking. Not taking the time to read the recipe from start to end is a major mistake. You need to know in advance if you need to be leaving something overnight, so keep that in mind.
Invest in your Equipment
If you have a budget, then spend the whole thing on some new knives. Knives should be comfortable, and they should also have a good weight. Store them in a knife block and never put them in the dishwasher. You should have a large cook’s knife for meal prep and a paring knife for things that require greater control. This is especially the case when it comes to cutting up smaller ingredients. A serrated knife is great if you intend to cut up bread and cake too. If you haven’t got one already, then make sure that you invest in a sharpening steel. This will help you to keep your blades nice and sharp.
Choose Gadgets Wisely
If you go to a professional kitchen, then you won’t find gimmicky gadgets. You will find labor saving appliances, such as spice grinders, food processors, mandolins, and meat thermometers. Micro graters are also great to have. If you want to experiment with cutting gadgets then these fall salad recipes are great, as you can practice cutting up different vegetables with ease.
Taste Everything
You need to taste everything again and again. Sometimes a sprinkling of chili flakes ruins a dish, but other times it saves it. Take care when using salted butter in your recipes as it is very difficult to over season this way. Most chefs will use unsalted butter for this very reason. If you are cooking using a white sauce then white pepper seasons the dish while stopping it from having large black lumps, like you’d get with black pepper. You’ll pick up little tricks as you go, so make sure that you keep this in mind.
Popular modern Irish pub grand opening weekend celebration includes expanded food menu launching this Friday, June 23. Photo: TXTroubleMaker, used with permission.
Francis Bogside is now open in its new location at St. Paul Square and excited to announce its Grand Opening Weekend Celebration with the expansion of its food menu and the launch of brunch service on Sundays and live music. (Francis Bogside, 2023)
The Grand Opening Weekend is set for Friday, June 23 – Sunday June 25, and will include the expanded food menu including fan favorites from its previous location like the SmashBurger, Fish and Chips, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Chicken Wings, Devilled Eggs, Fried Pickles, and more. Brand new menu items include the Cauliflower Parm Pasta, Green Curry with fresh Steamed Rice, Braised Short Ribs, Blackened Shrimp Pasta, Focaccia Deep Dish Pizza, and more.
To celebrate the grand opening, Francis Bogside will also be launching Sunday Brunch Service with Mimosa and Bloody Mary specials, including menu items like Prime Rib, Crab Cakes with Eggs, Seafood Platter and more. Brunch service will kick off on June 25 and be held every Sunday from 12p.m. to 3p.m.
The grand opening celebration will include live music throughout the weekend, including Mike Ryan set to perform on Friday, June 23 from 5p.m. to 8p.m. and Christine Roberts and the So So’s performing from 9p.m. to 2a.m. Yacht Rock will be performing on Saturday, June 24 from 10p.m. to -1a.m.
Grand Opening Weekend: Friday, June 23 – Sunday, June 25 Brunch Service: Sunday, June 25 from 12p.m. to 3p.m.
New Operating Hours (Starting June 23): • Tuesday through Saturday: 4p.m. to 2a.m. • Sunday: 12p.m. to 2a.m. • Closed Mondays
Francis Bogside 1170 E Commerce St. Suite 100 San Antonio, TX 78205
The Devil Comes At Night is available on digital and DVD. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The Devil Comes At Night, starring American God’s Adrienne Kress and Ryan Allen (In the Shadow of the Moon), is now out from Uncork’d Entertainment. It is available on digital streaming (Vudu, Prime Video, and Apple TV) and DVD. The film also stars Jason Martorino, Elias Zarou, Shawn Ahmed, Todd Campbell, Dana Fradkin, Ty Andrassy, DL Macdonald, Jeremiah Sparks, and Julie Cohn. (October Coast, 2023)
The Devil Comes At Night – Ben, a washed-up boxer searching for his inheritance, must fight for his life when he is trapped in his deceased father’s farmhouse by a cannibal cult. With the help of Amy, the local librarian, he discovers the cult’s leader, Mason, has been hunting down his family for generations. And now his sights are set on Ben. Together, Ben and Amy come up with a plan to defeat the cult once and for all.
‘Retribution’ is the new novel by Robert McCaw and the fifth in the Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery Series. Photo: Amazon.
Robert McCaw grew up in a military family, traveling the world. He is a graduate of Georgetown University, served as a U.S. Army lieutenant, and earned a law degree from the University of Virginia. Having lived on the Big Island of Hawaii, McCaw’ s writing is imbued by his more than 20-year love affair with this Pacific paradise. In his new novel “Retribution,” the fifth in his Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery Series, Chief Detective Koa Kāne wonders if he might be the real target as people around him come under attack. Other books in the series include “Death of a Messenger,” “Off the Grid,” “Fire and Vengeance,” and “Treachery Times Two.” (Amazon, 2023)
“Retribution” – the story begins as an unknown Muslim man climbs off a Philippine freighter unto a speed boat with one goal in mind: to avenge his brother’s killing. Meanwhile, in the back alley of a bar on the Hawaii Island, a young man is found stabbed to death. When Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kāne begins investigating the crime, the murder weapon is conveniently recovered only a few feet away from the body. Crime scene technicians find fingerprints on the knife and they are a perfect match for Kāne’s younger brother, Ikaika. Even though his brother has a history of getting in trouble with the law, he has turned his life around, so Kāne is certain he is being framed for this crime. He is warned to stay out of the investigation, but of course he is determined to clear his brother’s name. During the investigation, another crime sends shockwaves through the Hilo police force. A sniper tries to take out Makanui, Kāne’s closest colleague. As Kāne tries to figure out whether these crimes are connected, the sinister force continues the killing spree, threatening him and his loved ones at every turn. Could Kāne be the real target? If so, who is behind this trail of retribution? With his own secret criminal past, he confronts an all-out offensive against those closest to him and his police force to which he has devoted his life. As the bodies pile up, Kāne finds himself the ultimate target of a ruthless adversary and must risk it all to survive.
Someone out there is determined to get to Detective Koa Kāne and is killing everyone connected to him. Not only is he still haunted by a secret he has kept all these years, he is constantly worrying about the safety of those around him but determined to catch a killer who seems to be one step ahead of him. On top of it all, he also needs to clear his brother’s name, and that further increases the conflict he feels between his police responsibilities and family loyalty. Since there are a couple of storylines, it can become challenging to follow along from time to time. The action is non-stop but perfectly balanced by the beauty of the Hawaiian location, which ironically enough, sometimes makes the investigation harder because some of the locations are remote and hard to access. With deeply developed and relatable characters, the story is mostly dialogue driven and flows from page to page until the suspenseful climatic ending. The highlight is Chapter 59 where the killer’s identity is revealed. As with his previous books, the author uses relevant Hawaiian terms and language, and even though he explains them as he goes along, it occasionally slows down the pacing, but it is worth it and readers are rewarded with a thrilling murder mystery filled with one plot twist after another. “Retribution” is another remarkable murder mystery by Robert McCaw and is recommended for fans of Michael Connelly who enjoy action thrillers revolving around terrorists and terrorist organizations. The good thing about this excellent mystery series is that each novel stands on its own and can be read in any order.
“The cave exploded with the roar of the gunshot, and the sound reverberated off the cave walls. Makanui’s bullet hit its mark and exited through the back of Cruz’s skull, leaving a golf-ball-sized hole and splattering Cruz’s brains into the lava tube behind him. His gun and hard hat went flying, plunging the cave into blackness.”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
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