Author: Sandra Cruz

Blogger, book reviewer, artist, poet, avid reader and nature/animal lover.

Award-winning documentary Our American Family opens this month

Our American Family opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles and Video on Demand. Photo: Giant Pictures, used with permission.

Our American Family will be released in the United States theatrically in New York (Cinema Village), Los Angeles (Laemmle Monica) on September 2 and on Video On Demand in the United States, Canada, UK, and major territories on September 6, both timed to National Recovery Month. Video on Demand platforms include US – Apple TV/iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, Canada- Apple TV/iTunes, Google Play, and UK- Apple TV/iTunes. (Giant Pictures, 2022)

Winner of the Woodstock Film Festival 2021- Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature
Addiction is an all-encompassing force, in not only of the lives of the afflicted, but also those around them. Our American Family provides an honest, unfiltered look at a close-knit Philadelphia family dealing with generational substance abuse. Captured at a pivotal “nothing to lose” moment, for over the course of a year, five family members tired of life with addiction on center stage, each struggle to transcend their crippling histories.

What will it take to shift this entrenched, wrenching pattern in their lives? Will they be able to make significant shifts to help their next generation? The members of Our American Family invite us into their lives to find hope and to explore what is possible. Though they often falter, their familial loyalty is powerful, demonstrating how through love and dedication people can rise out of the deepest depths. For a touching, eye-opening look into one of America’s most pressing crises, look no further.

Our American Family opens in September timed to National Recovery Month, a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible.

Hallee Adelman is a writer, filmmaker, and co-founder of World of HA Productions. She is an executive producer on the Emmy-winning documentary “The Social Dilemma,” and the Oscar-nominated international film “Writing with Fire.” Other titles include the Academy shortlisted, “The Truffle Hunters,” the Sundance premiere “UsKids,” and the soon to be released, “Art & Krimes by Krimes.” Recent festival premieres, “Aisha,” “Broadway Rising,” and “Your Friend, Memphis.” Adelman is a Board Member of the International Documentary Association. Adelman co-directed and produced Our American Family after a writing project deepened her connection with the brave participants featured in the film.

Feature Length Documentary / (USA) / 87 mins

Photo: Giant Pictures, used with permission.

New movie releases: September

The Alternate is one of the movies that will be available this September on digital platforms. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

A new month means a whole new batch of movies coming up in a variety of genres, from horror, to documentaries, and romance. I prefer science fiction movies dealing with time travel/alternate universes so The Alternate looks good to me, but below is a list of upcoming movies that will be available on digital platforms. (October Coast, 2022)

OUT NOW
We Are Gathered Here Today
Drama | Cinedigm | Digital Platforms (U.S, CANADA)
Director: Danny Boyd, Cast: Danny Huston, Lin Shaye, Phoebe Tonkin, Javicia Leslie
Synopsis: We Are Gathered Here Today is a film about a multi-generational mixed-race family coming together to say their last goodbye to the patriarch of the family, while at the same time dealing with other underlying issues that family gatherings can bring.

SEPTEMBER 2 (limited digital), SEPTEMBER 16 (global national digital release)
Surrogate
Paranormal thriller | Indie Rights | Digital Platforms (U.S, AU, UK, NZ, CANADA)
Director: David Willing, Cast: Kestie Morassi and Jane Badler
Synopsis: Written by Beth King and David Willing, in his feature directorial debut, Surrogate tells of Natalie Paxton (Morassi), a single mother and nurse, who falls mysteriously ill and struggles to stop her family from being destroyed.

Mister Limbo
Sci-fi/Comedy/Horror | Terror Films | Digital Platforms (U.S/CANADA)
Director: Robert G.Putka, Cast: Hugo de Sousa, Vig Norris, Cameron Dye, Hugo Armstrong
Synopsis: A young man in a parachute lands in the middle of a desert. He does not remember who he is or how he got there.

SEPTEMBER 6
Kingdom of the Dinosaurs
Sci-fi/Horror | Uncork’d Entertainment | Digital Platforms/DVD (U.S/CANADA)
Director: Scott Jeffrey, Cast: Mark Haldor, Darcie Rose, Chelsea Greenwood, Chrissie Wunna
Synopsis: In 2030 during World War III a small group of survivors make it into a bunker. Two years later they have to exit to find new supplies, but they are greeted by dinosaur predators.

Something in the Woods
Sci-fi/Horror | Uncork’d Entertainment | Digital Platforms/DVD (U.S/CANADA)
Director: Alex T. Hwang, Cast: Nicole Cinaglia, Robbie Dias
Synopsis: The creature feature tells of two women who battle a frightening monster in the woods and stars Nicole Cinaglia.

This Land
Drama/Documentary | Gravitas Ventures | Digital Platforms/DVD (U.S/CANADA)
Director: Matthew Palmer
Synopsis: From executive producer, Sundance and SXSW winner Jim Cummings (Thunder Road, The Beta Test), This Land is a film exploring six groups of Americans as they experience Election Day across the United States.

SEPTEMBER 13
Gameboy: The Movie
LGBTQ+/Romance | Dark Star Pictures | Digital Platforms/DVD (U.S/CANADA)
Director: Ivan Andrew Payawal, Cast: Kokoy de Santos and Elijah Canlas
Synopsis: Gamers turned lovers Cairo and Gavreel spend time together a few weeks before Cairo returns to his province. Their relationship is tested as they have to deal with distance, the pandemic, fate, and circumstance.

Greywood’s Plot
Horror-comedy | Terror Films | Digital Platforms (U.S, UK, AUSTRALIA, NZ, CANADA)
Director: Josh Stifter, Cast: Josh Stifter, Daniel Degnan
Synopsis: Two friends venture into a forest to see if a monster sighting is real. Has won acclaim on the festival circuit. Stifter’s follow-up to cult favorite The Good Exorcist.

The Alternate
Sci-fi/Thriller | Uncork’ d Entertainment | Digital Platforms/DVD (U.S, CANADA)
Director: Alrik Brussell, Cast: Ed Gonzalez Marino
Synopsis: Upon unlocking a portal to an alternate dimension where all his dreams have come true, struggling filmmaker Jake is forced to confront his idealized self.

SEPTEMBER 15
How Dark They Prey
Horror | Film Valor| Digital Platforms, WatchMoviesNow (U.S, CANADA)
Director: Jamison M. LoCascio and Adam Ambrosio, Cast: Josiah Schneider, Timothy Paul Jobe, and David Johnson.
Synopsis: Four dark tales about the haunting nature of man and the unknown from WWII to Alien investigation, finding the occult, and kidnap with torture, the highly anticipated horror anthology is written by Adam Ambrosio, Anthony LoCascio and Jamison M. LoCascio.

SEPTEMBER 30
The Wild Man
Horror | Terror Films| Digital Platforms (U.S, UK, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, CANADA)
Director: Ryan Justice, Cast: Michael Pare
Synopsis: Young women have been going missing in Ochopee, FL, without a single suspect in custody. A young journalist, Sara, convinces her crew to join her investigation as she travels to Ochopee to document her discoveries, but they soon realize their presence in this town is not welcome. Determined to find her story, Sara convinces her friends to stick with her, because they are onto something big. Upon meeting Dale, the town’s notorious conspiracy theorist, she is convinced he knows more than he is willing to share. The crew humors Dale’s ridiculous theories, even accompanying him into the Florida swamps on his quest to show them “The Wild Man,” hoping he will somehow reveal his guilt. But what the crew discovers is a secret much deeper than fairy tales and legends. What they discover is much darker and more sinister than they bargained for.

 

Book review: ‘Unfear’ by Gaurav Bhatnagar and Mark Minukas

‘Unfear: Transform Your Organization to Create Breakthrough Performance and Employee Well-Being’ by Gaurav Bhatnagar and Mark Minukas of Co-Creation Partners. Photo: Sandra Cruz

Gaurav Bhatnagar is the founder of Co-Creation Partners and has dedicated more than two decades to helping companies thrive and achieve breakthrough performance. Since founding Co-Creation Partners in 2010, he has designed and led programs and workshops for private, public, and social-sector clients across multiple industries, including financial services, basic materials, manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. Mark Minukas has worked across multiple industries, including financial services, high tech, biotech manufacturing, IT services, and governmental offices to deliver both top-and bottom-line improvements and build high-performing operations. As co-authors of “Unfear: Transform Your Organization to Create Breakthrough Performance and Employee Well-Being,” these top experts on high-performing organizations show you how to reframe your, and your employees,’ relationship with fear and anxiety to create a learning culture of engaged workers at the top of their game. (Amazon, 2022)

“Unfear” – Fear and uncertainty have been undermining performance and well-being in the workplace for as long as we have had workplaces. Mismanaged fear is responsible for almost all of the dysfunction that most organizations experience. While fear can drive short-term results, it does so at the cost of high employee burnout and turnover. It also undermines long-term business performance. We can not eradicate it entirely; it is inherent to the human condition. Winning organizations are not fear-free; they know how to reframe fear into opportunities for learning and growth. They create resilient cultures of unfear. This book is divided into two parts: Part I: Fear with chapters such as Biology of Fear and Unfear and Eight Fear Archetypes in the Workplace and Part II: Unfear and includes chapters on Unfear Transformation and The Unfear Organization. In the Introduction, the authors explain how it is divided: the first part explores fear including its impact and the different ways in which it is expressed in an organization and the second part explores unfear and how to bring about an unfear transformation. This timely and essential guide shows leaders the impact of fear, the strategies and actions needed to bring about an unfear organization, and so much more.

Fear is a natural part of life and therefore impossible to avoid. Instead of hiding from it, we should learn to not only live with it, but learn how to use it to our advantage in every day life, including in the business world. In their book ‘Unfear,’ the authors define the different types of fear and offer advice on how to ‘unfear’ – to shift our relationship with fear and use it as a tool to learn and grow. It is an extremely useful and easy to read business guide that uses down to earth language that does not include too much business jargon. Highlights include Chapter 2: Biology of Fear and Unfear that explains the biology of fear and its importance “In order to live as an unfear individual, you need to understand the evolutionary function of fear and how it can cause dysfunction in the modern world,” Chapter 3: Eight Fear Archetypes in the Workplace, and Chapter 7: The Unfear Organization which emphasizes the need to control fear mindset in the workplace “Instead of cohesion and focus, it [fear] leads to second-guessing, indifference, and wasteful internal politics.” This proven approach to workplace anxiety reduces stress, boosts engagement, and overcomes obstacles that get in the way of success. In the long run, it leads to personal rewards, greater profits, and sustainable growth which is only possible with a culture of unfear. ‘Unfear’ is an excellent guide for recognizing and overcoming fear not only in our personal lives but in the workplace. It is recommended for readers who appreciate self help and enrichment books as well as books on workplace culture, business, and human resources.

“Look forward rather than backward. Don’t dwell too much on why something went wrong. Instead, recognize the value in reflection and diagnostics, but keep most of your focus on solutions and the future.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Best Quality Daughter to host fundraiser for reproductive rights

Best Quality Daughter is partnering with New Orleans’ Turkey and the Wolf to host Good Trouble in Little China on September 11, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Best Quality Daughter is excited to announce that they will be hosting a house party, Good Trouble in Little China, to raise funds for reproductive rights in Texas and Louisiana. Guest Chef Mason Hereford from Turkey and the Wolf in New Orleans joins Chef Jennifer Hwa Dobertin for a special menu at Best Quality Daughter for one night only on Sunday, September 11, 2022 from 7p.m. to 11p.m. The party and fundraising event will benefit Planned Parenthood South Texas and Lift Louisiana with proceeds being split 50/50. This is not a seated dinner, so unfortunately dietary restrictions and food allergies are unable to be accommodated. (Best Quality Daughter, 2022)

Three dishes are being curated by both Chef Hereford, a recent Iron Chef alum, and Chef Dobertin, along with house made cocktails. Chef Hereford’s menu includes collard melts and deviled eggs with crispy chicken skin, while Chef Dobertin’s items include wagyu scallion pancake sandwiches and chorizo and egg dumplings. Drinks served will include house cocktails such as Aide and Abet and Purple Texas, along with a beer from Kunstler Brewing called The Morning After Pils.

Tickets are available for a donation of $150 through Eventbrite and include drinks and food. Guests must be 21+ to attend. 

Good Trouble in Little China is sponsored by Annie’s Petite Treats, Back Bar Project, El Dorado Rum, Farm to Table, Kunstler Brewing, Mezcal Amaras, Peeler Farms, Potluck Hospitality, Rambler Sparkling Water, Jamie Stolarski and Sarah Fox.

Best Quality Daughter
602 Avenue A
San Antonio, TX 78215

Best Quality Daughter is a restaurant by Chef Jennifer Dobbertin that opened at Pearl in November of 2020. Pioneering New Asian-American Cuisine, the restaurant experience is a reflection of Dobbertin’s travels and the comfort food of her youth as a second-generation Chinese American. A warm, fun, and gorgeous environment serves as a culinary beacon to locals and travelers alike.

September events at San Antonio Museum of Art

San Antonio Museum of Art. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

This September, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) is packed with “can’t miss” events including an Author Talk and book signing, a Japanese Art-inspired lecture, and the highly-anticipated reopening of SAMA’s Latin American Popular Art Gallery. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2022)

On Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 6p.m. to 7p.m., visitors can head to the John L. Santikos Auditorium at SAMA for an evening with Anne Elise Urrutia, (SOLD OUT) author of ‘Miraflores: San Antonio’s Mexican Garden of Memory.’ This lecture and book signing will explore SAMA’s Urrutia Arch; its relationship to Dr. Aureliano Urrutia’s historic garden, Miraflores; and the arch’s artists, origins, symbolism, and significance to the city. Her book is available at the Museum Shop for attendees hoping to snag a last minute copy. This free admission, or pay as you wish program, will also be live streamed via Zoom.

The second weekend of September kicks off with the long-awaited return of SAMA’s Latin American Popular Art Gallery, reopening on Friday, September 9, 2022. Formerly known as the Folk Art collection, this internationally recognized gallery is an unmatched experience unique to SAMA. Dr. Lucia Abramovich Sanchez, Associate Curator of Latin American Art, will speak on the reimagined collection with special remarks at 11a.m, with coffee and light bites available from 10a.m. to Noon. The gallery is included in general admission to SAMA. 

On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, functionality and sculpture collide at the John L. Santikos Auditorium at SAMA with Listening to Bamboo: An Unrivaled Japanese Art Form. From 6p.m. to 7p.m., Robert T. Coffland, one of the world’s leading experts on Japanese bamboo, will trace the development of this specialized medium and guide guests on a journey to find where practicality became artistry. Admission is free for members and $5 for non-members. 

The California Honeydrops’ new album Soft Spot

The California Honeydrops let loose in the studio for new album Soft Spot, due out October 7, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

In their fourteenth year together, bay-area soul/R&B favorites The California Honeydrops hits the post-lockdown ground running. Tour dates and festivals returned, including the Honeydrops’ first headlining show at Red Rocks, and, much to the delight of the band and fans alike, the group returned to the recording studio to lay down a new full-length album. The Honeydrops are sharing the very first taste of their upcoming release Soft Spot—out October 7, 2022. (The California Honeydrops, 2022)

The first single “Takin’ My Time” kicks off with a slinky groove that the Honeydrops are known for, having made a career out of their signature blend of Bay Area R&B, Southern soul, Delta blues, and New Orleans second line. With tasty horn-section interjections dancing around well-timed background vocals, “Takin’ My Time” embodies exactly what guitarist, trumpeter, and lead singer Lech Wierzynkski wanted to channel with the song’s lyrical content—as he describes, “Slow down, erase your social media, smoke some weed, watch the sunset, get out of the rat race.” 

The Honeydrops have come a long way since Wierzynkski and drummer Ben Beaullieu started busking in an Oakland subway station, but the band has stayed true to that organic, street-level feel. Listening to Lech sing, it can be a surprise that he was born in Warsaw, Poland, and raised by Polish political refugees. He learned his vocal stylings from contraband American recordings of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and Louis Armstrong, and later at Oberlin College and on the club circuit in Oakland, California. With the additions of Johnny Bones on tenor sax and clarinet, Lorenzo Loera on keyboards, and Beau Bradbury on bass, they’ve built a powerful full-band sound to support Wierzynski’s vocals.

Fans can listen to “Takin’ My Time” now and pre-order or pre-save Soft Spot ahead of its October 7 release.

Soft Spot track list:
Honey and Butter
Gonna Be Alright
Nothing at All
I Miss You Baby, Pt. 1
Tumblin’
Takin’ My Time
The Unicorn
Soft Spot
In Your Arms
Lil Bit of Love
Sneakin’ into Heaven
I Miss You Baby, Pt. 2

Catch The California Honeydrops On Tour:
September 9 – St. Helena, CA – Charles Krug Winery
September 10 – San Luis Obispo, CA – SLO Gathering
September 11 – Perris, CA – Same Same But Different Festival 2022
September 19 – Buena Vista, CO – Ivy Ballroom at Surf Hotel
September 20 – Crested Butte, CO – Center for the Arts
September 22 – Telluride, CO – Sheridan Opera House
September 24 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up
October 14 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
October 16 – Flagstaff, AZ – Yucca North
October 18 – Durango, CO – Animas City Theatre
October 19 – Santa Fe, NM – Meow Wolf
October 21 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
October 22 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads
October 23 – St. Louis, MO – The Big Top
October 25 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club
October 26 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club
October 27 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
October 29 – Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI Annex
October 30 – Ferndale, MI – Magic Bag
October 31 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Brewery
November 2 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
November 3 – Portland, ME – Aura
November 5 – New York, NY – Sony Hall
November 6 – Boston, MA – Royale Boston
November 8 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
November 9 – Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre
November 11 – Charlottesville, VA – The Jefferson Theater
November 12 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
November 13 – Highlands, NC – Highlands Food and Wine Festival 2022
January 15-22, 2023 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Sandy Beaches Cruise 2023

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Jonathan Terrell releases new single from new EP

Jonathan Terrell welcomes you to his home state on new single ‘Texas’ from his new EP A Couple, 2,3. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

“To be from Texas means to be a good neighbor and to be a good friend to that neighbor,” says Austin-based recording artist Jonathan Terrell. His new single “Texas,” out now on Range Music, reads like a postcard and acts as an open invitation to anybody wanting to visit the great state of country music, barbeque and Willie Nelson. Written by Terrell and Jess Carson of Midland, “Texas” is a ‘come as you are’ anthem for all walks of life. (Jonathan Terrell, 2022)

Terrell recently released the music video for “Texas,” in partnership with Desert Door Texas Sotol’s Unreleased music series, which supports local Texas artists. Raised Rowdy premiered the single as well, calling it, “velvet-warm with a healthy dose of soul.” Produced by Beau Bedford at Dallas’s beloved Modern Electric Studios, like the rest of A Couple, 2, 3, “Texas” is available to stream or purchase. Fans can also pre-save or pre-order A Couple, 2, 3 ahead of its September 9 release via Range Music.

Terrell will be supporting wildly popular country trio Midland on a string of U.S. dates starting where he will also be performing as part of their touring band.

A Couple, 2, 3 track list:
Samantha
I Know
Paint By Lightning
Texas
Place Out Back
Better For You

With his new EP, A Couple 2, 3, the singer-songwriter now signed to Range Music has translated his philosophy into a staggeringly coherent, funny, heartbreaking, and gorgeous project. Highlighted by brilliant singles like “Better For You,” which comes alongside a self-directed video with frequent collaborator Shakey Graves onboard as a producer, it is clear that two decades into this game, Terrell is firmly in his prime. There is a bravery in Terrell’s storytelling on this new project that only comes from repetition and honing the craft. The way he owns these songs—honors the stories he tells with joy and bravado—comes from his tenacious work ethic; all those days on the road, engaging in musical conversations with his fans to figure out what works best.

Catch Jonathan Terrell on tour:
September 8 – Cheyenne, WY – Outlaw Saloon w/ William Clark Green
September 10 – Billings, MT – Pub Station w/ William Clark Green
September 11 – Great Falls, MT – The Newberry w/ William Clark Green
September 15 – Spokane, WA – Lucky You Lounge w/ William Clark Green
September 16 – Portland, OR – Ponderosa Lounge w/ William Clark Green
September 17 – Medford, OR – The Rocky Tonk Saloon w/ William Clark Green
September 20 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern w/ William Clark Green
September 21 – Boise, ID – The Olympic w/ William Clark Green
October 21 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union w/ Midland
October 22 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks w/ Midland
November 12 – Kennewick, WA – Toyota Center w/ Midland
November 16 – Bellingham, WA – Mount Baker Theatre w/ Midland
December 7 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage w/ William Clark Green
December 8 – Richmond, V – The Broadberry w/ William Clark Green
December 9 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater w/ William Clark Green
December 10 – Worchester, MA – Off The Rails w/ William Clark Green

 

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Female-founded Après Hours launches ready to drink espresso martini

Two PR executives turned co-founders create canned cocktail brand with built-in grant program that supports women entrepreneurs. Photo: Chase Hall, used with permission.

Despite the explosion of canned cocktail offerings in recent years, Nicole Craven and Alexis Smith found themselves waiting for their favorite libation — the espresso martini —  to appear in a convenient, ready-to-drink format. After months of waiting, hoping someone else might bring their vision to life, the two publicists quit their agency jobs to pursue a profit-promising gap in an already booming market, and Après Hours was born. (Après Hours, 2022)

Après Hours is a new line of ready-to-drink, canned espresso martinis designed for a gluten-free, dairy-free lifestyle. The brand officially launched in Dallas on August 1 is now available in select liquor stores throughout the city and online with nationwide shipping to 39 states.

“We’ve always preferred our espresso martinis with tequila instead of vodka, which is where we got the idea to use agave-wine as our base,” says co-founder Nicole Craven. “It gives the entire cocktail a smoother, rounder flavor and allows us to be sold in grocery stores as well as liquor stores.”

Après Hours is available in three gluten-free and dairy-free flavors — Salted Caramel, Classic, and Vanilla. Each 12-ounce can is 10% alc/vol and contains 40 mg of Colombian caffeine, slightly less than a standard shot of espresso.

However, building a business was not as easy as balancing a beverage. Craven and Smith ran into multiple roadblocks along the way, especially with funding. These initial difficulties made the sudden success and warm reception of Après Hours by Dallas shoppers even sweeter. Their first run sold out the day it hit store shelves. According to a recent study by BevAlc Insights, less than 2% of companies with an RTD offering are owned by women. Hence Après Hours’ tagline, “It’s time to shake things up.” 

“We wanted to honor the tradition and craft of bartending while communicating a greater message to aspiring female entrepreneurs,”  says Craven. “We’re so proud of the work we’ve done to build this brand and we hope to inspire other women and girls to do the same. That’s why we’ve established our “Après Hours Grant Program” to help fund female-founded start up businesses.

The goal of the program is to streamline the fundraising process for women and girls to create businesses of their own. Applications will be accepted via the Après Hours website beginning in September 2022.

Après Hours is currently available in bars, restaurants and liquor stores across the Dallas area, including POGOs, Dallas Fine Wine and Spirits, Roots Market, Uptown Liquor, Monticello Liquor, Cafe Duro, Castle Spirits, Lucky’s Liquor, Buddy’s Booze, Jerry’s Liquor and Biagio Wine and Spirits. Retail prices range from $13.99 per 4-pack to $55 per 12-pack.

Founded by two female marketers turned entrepreneurs, Après Hours is a Dallas-based spirits and lifestyle brand born from Nicole Craven and Alexis Smith’s obsession with espresso martinis and a lack of the classic caffeine-infused cocktail in the ready-to-drink spirits industry. As female community leaders who are always on the go, Smith and Craven developed a sophisticated yet convenient canned espresso martini cocktail that combines daytime fuel with a wind-down buzz, perfect for any after hour activity. Providing the pick-me-up needed to take on the day or night, Après Hours is available in three dairy-and-gluten free flavors: Classic, Salted Caramel and Vanilla. Après Hours and its social club seek to create a culture that empowers change, encourages women to break boundaries and levels the male-dominated playing field to change the dynamics of drinking overall.

The Squeezebox announces inaugural Fajita Lounge Showdown

The Inaugural ‘Fajita Lounge Showdown’ will feature five local chefs competing for the ‘Best Fajita Taco’ title. Photo: txtroublemaker, used with permission.

The Squeezebox is excited to announce its inaugural “Fajita Lounge Showdown” featuring five local chefs competing head-to-head for the title of “Best Fajita Tacos” in San Antonio. All summer long The Squeezebox has been throwing Sunday carne asadas that have become the popular Fajita Lounge adored by all its fans with free fajita tacos for all customers, hosted by Chefs Aaron Peña, Matt Garcia and Jake Gonzales. This event will take place on Sunday, September 4, 2022 and door open at 8p.m. (The Squeezebox, 2022)

To commemorate the Labor Day holiday weekend, a competition will take place with five local chefs featuring their best take on the fajita taco. With a $10 cover at the door, tacos will be free for all on a first come, first served basis and will feature the following chefs:

  • Kenny Loo of Golden Kirin Restaurant  
  • Sergio Flores of La Tortuga Cocina Latina 
  • Eddie Barrera of Sijang Korean Corn Dogs  
  • Rory Torres of Crispy Bao Gang
  • Steve Lopez 

In addition to traditional fajita tacos, a “wildcard protein delicacy” will also be provided to test out the chefs’ creativity. The chefs will compete for a grand prize of $500, with Peña, Garcia and Gonzales as the judges. Live music by local favorite The Texases will keep the party going as well as music by DJ Plata. The Texases will play at 9:30p.m. This event will have a $10 cover per person at the door, must be 21 or older. 

The Squeezebox
2806 N St Mary’s St.
San Antonio, TX 78212

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

New book release: ‘Aurora: A Novel’ by David Koepp

‘Aurora’ is the new novel by David Koepp. Photo: Amazon

David Koepp is a celebrated American screenwriter who has written more than two dozen feature films in a wide variety of genres, including the first two Jurassic Park films, Death Becomes Her, Carlito’s Way, The Paper, Mission: Impossible, Spider-Man, Panic Room, War of the Worlds, Angels and Demons, Inferno, and Kimi. Some of the films he has both written and directed are Stir of Echoes, Secret Window, Ghost Town, and Premium Rush, the latter two co-written with John Kamps. Koepp is also the author of the novel “Cold Storage.” In his new book “Aurora: A Novel,” a worldwide cataclysm plays out in the lives of one complicated Midwestern family. It will soon be a major motion picture from Netflix and Academy-Award winning director Kathryn Bigelow. (Amazon, 2022)

“Aurora” – In Aurora, Illinois, Aubrey Wheeler is just trying to get by after her semi-criminal ex-husband split, leaving behind his unruly teenage son. Then the lights go out—not just in Aurora but across the globe. A solar storm has knocked out power almost everywhere. Suddenly, all problems are local, very local, and Aubrey must assume the mantle of fierce protector of her suburban neighborhood. Across the country lives Aubrey’s estranged brother, Thom. A fantastically wealthy, neurotically over-prepared Silicon Valley CEO, he plans to ride out the crisis in a gilded desert bunker he built for maximum comfort and security. But the complicated history between the siblings is far from over, and what feels like the end of the world is just the beginning of several long-overdue reckonings—which not everyone will survive . Aurora is suspenseful storytelling—both large scale and small—at its finest.