Eddy Lee Ryder’s new single finds a home with multiple audiences; it is featured in cult slasher film Terrifier 2, out now. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Singer, songwriter, and free spirit Eddy Lee Ryder creates haunting songs that tell dramatic stories through a slightly warped lens. Eddy’s unconventional, theatrical approach to songwriting explodes and sparkles with ‘70s good-time rock riffs, spiced with complex poetry. Proclaimed “demented pop,” her music is propelled by her charismatic voice and lyrics inspired by an intense bizarre world. “My songs are about a quest for utopia on the open road. Wandering through the world, writing and singing songs about the people I meet.” Her uproarious performances invite audiences to dance with her through the apocalypse. Self-confessed demented-pop artist Eddy Lee Ryder has been writing songs and performing them in quite the nomadic way since she was a teenager, but her new single “Smoke and Mirrors” ended up in a place even she could not have imagined; a hardcore slasher horror film. (Eddy Lee Ryder, 2022)
Through a series of informal introductions to Ryder’s music through mutual friends, Damien Leone—creator, director, and writer of Terrifier 2—ended up using “Smoke and Mirrors” in his film after a search for something that sounded like Fleetwood Mac and Kate Bush. “It was actually my friend Jeff Harris, who also was brought into the Terrifier family as a photographer, who messaged me one morning. ‘Can you email Damien? I don’t know why but they are looking for music in your genre, I don’t know how it fits with a slasher flick but that’s what they want!’” remembers Ryder.
The upbeat song itself has a much different backstory. “It’s about friends of mine, amazing independent awesome women, who started doubting themselves or losing themselves after getting married to men who didn’t treat them very well,” says Ryder. “One of the husbands I reference in this song would text other girls but the messages would pop up on my friend’s synced iPad. He once said, ‘Sometimes I wait for her plane to burn in flames.’ That line made it into the song. And this was coming from a guy who would judge me for not being married!”
Fans can hear “Smoke and Mirrors” here. Terrifier 2 is out in theaters and on streaming services including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
‘Heart Medicine: How to Stop Painful Patterns and Find Peace and Freedom – at Last’ by Radhule Weininger, MD, PhD. Photo: Amazon
Radhule Weininger, MD, PhDis a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, and meditation teacher. She leads weekly and monthly meditation groups in Santa Barbara and leads retreats in the United States and internationally. She is the author of “Heartwork: The Path of Self-Compassion.” In her new book “Heart Medicine: How to Stop Painful Patterns and Find Peace and Freedom – at Last” she helps readers find freedom from life’s painful recurring patterns in 12 simple steps, with guided practices of self-compassion, mindfulness, and embodiment. (Amazon, 2022)
“Heart Medicine” – Do you ever feel trapped by experiencing challenging feelings over and over again–sometimes without realizing it? Or do you find yourself thinking “Why is this happening to me again?” or “Why do I always feel this way?” You are not alone. With “Heart Medicine,” you can learn to identify your emotional and behavioral patterns through the lens of loving awareness–without self-judgment or blame, learning to hold yourself as you would a dear friend, with space and grace. Radhule Weininger has decades of experience as a therapist and meditation teacher and uses it to help readers understand the trauma behind their patterns and offers twelve simple steps to work toward healing. Each chapter includes short practices so readers can begin to put the book’s concepts to work for transformation in their own lives. In the Introduction, the author defines what LRPPs are, Long-standing Recurrent, Painful Patterns of hurt and that this book is about identifying and healing our LRPPs. The book is divided into two parts: Part One: Meet Your Long-Standing, Recurrent, Painful Patterns (LRPPs), where she defines LRPPs and explains why we obsess and repeat and Part Two: Twelve Steps toward Healing and contains chapters such as Being Mindful of Body, Thoughts, and Feelings and Forgiveness. All together, it contains her personal story, case studies, and suggested practices, like mindfulness and breathing exercises as well as journaling, geared towards reducing these painful patterns.
The need for better mental health care has never been more important and there are so many books out there that can help. “Heart Medicine” by Radhule Weininger is one of them. Given that the author herself has gone through her share of rough times and picked up some coping mechanism along the way, it gives the book an authentic voice. She shares her personal struggles, as well as those of others she has helped, in the hope that readers will benefit from them. Her tone is heartfelt and comforting yet professional but never condescending. Highlights, both in Part Two, include Step 1 – Recognizing Your LRPP – because in order to begin healing, “we must first be able to identify when our LRPP is manifesting and the particular characteristics signifying its presence” which include twelve types of indicators, two of which are narrowing awareness and depleted life energy; and Step 12 – Service: Sharing Our Healing Sets Us Free because by sharing, we can restore some of the equilibrium in our bodies that has gone awry. Her combination of psychology and Buddhist principles give readers the tools they need to break through the patterns that can hold them back and in turn begin to live better lives. “Heart Medicine” is an exemplary guide book that can help identify and address emotional and behavior problems and is recommended for readers interested in self help, mental health, Buddhism, and philosophy.
“This book is intended as a medicine for the heart. I hope that we can all find healing and freedom within our distress that has so often kept us from living the lives we wanted to create for ourselves.”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
The first School Discovery Days event will be this Saturday October 22 at Hemisfair’s Yanaguana Garden. Photo: San Antonio Charter Moms, used with permission.
Nowadays there are over 150 schools of choice in the San Antonio area alone. How do you define school choice? Simply put, school choice is the process of allowing every family to choose the PK-12 educational options that best fit their children’s learning needs regardless of zip code. Every child is unique, and all children learn differently. Some children might succeed at the neighborhood public school, while others might fit in better at a charter, magnet, online, private, or home learning environment. With so many options, parents and caregivers can quickly become overwhelmed. That is where the nonprofit San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) goes to work. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2022)
Considered the leading authority for assisting local families in their school search, the nonprofit is designed to help parents and caregivers make informed decisions. San Antonio Charter Momsprovides easy access to extensive school resources such as online discussion groups with over 10K members, articles, live videos, enrollment guides, podcasts, a school finder app, and perhaps the most anticipated and impactful of all, their in-person School Discovery Day Series held annually during enrollment season.
SACM hosts its largest series yet, with six School Discovery Days kicking off on October 22nd at Hemisfair’s Yanaguana Garden and concluding with their final event on March 4, 2023. Families will have the opportunity to meet school representatives from 15 to nearly 30 top San Antonio choice schools at each event, ask questions, get on interest lists and learn about application processes and deadlines. Families will also be able to enjoy a variety of fun activities during the event series, including DJs from The AM Project and animal show-and-tell with Once in a Wild, food trucks, and more. Families can receive hands-on guidance from the SACM team on navigating the nonprofit’s online tools and resources designed to simplify the search and application process. The events are free and open to the public and include great raffle prizes to boot.
SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT HEMISFAIR (Fall)
Saturday, October 22, 11a.m. – 2p.m.
Central Games Plaza in Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, 434 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78205
Hemisfair is a landmark park in downtown San Antonio. Families visiting School Discovery Day at Hemisfair can meet with over 15 top schools as they enjoy the fantastic amenities of Yanaguana Garden, including a splash pad, sand play area, table games, swings, climbing structures, picnic area, restaurants, and more.
SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT O.P. SCHNABEL PARK
Saturday, November 12, 11a.m. – 2p.m.
Graff Pavilion at O.P. Schnabel Park, 9606 Bandera Rd., San Antonio, TX 78250
O.P. Schnabel Park is a regional park on the Northwest Side of San Antonio with a YMCA, sports fields, hiking trails, and more. Families visiting School Discovery Day at O.P. Schnabel Park can meet with 14 top schools as they enjoy the playground, sample specialty hot dogs by Doolittle’s Mobile Kitchen, dance to the beats of The AM Project, catch Once in a Wild mobile zoo’s animal program, and get creative with face painting.
SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT THE DOSEUM (Flagship Event | National School Choice Week)
Saturday, January 21, 11a.m. – 2p.m.
The theater at The DoSeum, 2800 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
School Discovery Day is a free event in The DoSeum’s theater space. Guests will be greeted by the beats of the young DJs of The AM Project. With admission, guests can navigate The DoSeum’s 68,000 square feet of wow-worthy galleries designed to cultivate curiosity, ignite learning, and discover the power of play through interactive fun. Information on ticket prices and discounts for The DoSeum is available online.
National School Choice Week, January 22–28, is a celebration of the process of allowing every family to choose the K–12 educational options that best fit their children. SACM will host nearly 30 schools during this, the flagship event of the series.
SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH
Saturday, February 4, 11a.m. – 2p.m.
Second Baptist Church Community Center, 3310 E. Commerce St., San Antonio, TX 78220
Second Baptist Church is a historic Black congregation dating back to 1879, now located on the Eastside of San Antonio near the AT&T Center. Inside the Community Center, event guests can sample specialty hot dogs by Doolittle’s Mobile Kitchen, dance to the beats of The AM Project, catch Once in a Wild mobile zoo’s animal program, and get creative with face painting.
SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT HANGAR 9
Saturday, February 18, 11a.m. – 2p.m.
Hangar 9 at Brooks, 8081 Inner Circle Dr., San Antonio, TX 78223
Hangar 9, built in 1918, is the oldest wooden aircraft hangar of its kind still standing in its original location; now it’s an event space at Brooks, a vibrant community on the site of a former Air Force base. Guests at School Discovery Day at Hangar 9 can meet with 25 top schools as they sample specialty hot dogs by Doolittle’s Mobile Kitchen, dance to the beats of The AM Project, catch Once in a Wild mobile zoo’s animal program, and get creative with face painting.
SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT HEMISFAIR (Spring)
Saturday, March 4, 11a.m. – 2p.m.
Central Games Plaza in Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, 434 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78205
Hemisfair is a landmark park in downtown San Antonio. Families visiting School Discovery Day at Hemisfair can meet with over 15 top schools as they enjoy the fantastic amenities of Yanaguana Garden, including a splash pad, sand play area, table games, swings, climbing structures, picnic area, restaurants, and more.
The series adaptation of ‘The Peripheral’ will be available on Amazon Prime Video starting October 21, 2022. Photo: Amazon
William Gibsonis credited with having coined the term “cyberspace” and having envisioned both the Internet and virtual reality before either existed. His first novel, “Neuromancer,” won the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, and the Philip K. Dick Award. He is also the New York Times bestselling author of “Count Zero,” “Burning Chrome,” “Mona Lisa Overdrive,” “Virtual Light,” “Idoru,” “All Tomorrow’s Parties,” “Pattern Recognition,” “Spook Country,” “Zero History,” “Distrust That Particular Flavor,” “The Peripheral,” and “Agency.” “The Peripheral,” a fast-paced sci-fi thriller that takes a terrifying look into the future, has been adapted into a series and will air on Amazon Prime Video beginning on October 21, 2022. The first season consists of eight episodes and stars Chloë Grace Moretz, Gary Carr, and Jack Reynor. (Amazon, 2022)
“The Peripheral” – Flynne Fisher lives down a country road, in a rural America where jobs are scarce, unless you count illegal drug manufacture, which she is trying to avoid. Her brother Burton lives on money from the Veterans Administration, for neurological damage suffered in the Marines’ elite Haptic Recon unit. Flynne earns what she can by assembling product at the local 3D printshop. She made more as a combat scout in an online game, playing for a rich man, but she has had to let the shooter games go.
Wilf Netherton lives in London, seventy-some years later, on the far side of decades of slow-motion apocalypse. Things are pretty good now, for the haves, and there are a few have-nots left. Wilf, a high-powered publicist and celebrity-minder, fancies himself a romantic misfit, in a society where reaching into the past is just another hobby.
Burton’s been moonlighting online, secretly working security in some game prototype, a virtual world that looks vaguely like London, but a lot weirder. He has got Flynne taking over shifts, promised her the game is not a shooter. Still, the crime she witnesses there is plenty bad. Flynne and Wilf are about to meet one another. Her world will be altered utterly, irrevocably, and Wilf’s, for all its decadence and power, will learn that some of these third-world types from the past can be badass.
‘Promotions Are SO Yesterday’ is Julie Winkle Giulioni’s new book on redefining career development. Photo: Amazon
Julie Winkle Giulioni is a champion for workplace growth and development and helps leaders optimize talent and potential within their organizations with consulting, keynote speeches, and training. She is the co-author of the international bestseller “Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go: Career Conversations Organizations Need and Employees Want.” She is a regular columnist for Training Industry magazine and SmartBrief and contributes articles on leadership, career development, and workplace trends to publications including The Economist. Julie’s in-person and virtual keynotes and presentations offer fresh, inspiring, yet actionable strategies for leaders who are interested in their own growth as well as supporting the growth of others. In her new book, “Promotions are SO Yesterday: Redefine Career Development. Help Employees Thrive,” Julie Winkle Giulioni offers readers a new approach for developing their employees’ careers and helping them thrive in a company when promotions are not readily available. (Amazon, 2022)
“Promotions Are SO Yesterday” – The time-honored tradition of defining career development exclusively in terms of promotions, moves, and title changes may be dead, but there are many other ways that employees can, and want to, grow. Many organizations still operate under the idea that promotions are the only option for career development, leaving employees disengaged, managers frustrated, and the business disadvantaged in its efforts to retain talent. The good news is that career development is so much more than promotions alone, and managers are in a powerful position to redefine career development and create positive results for their employees and their organizations in this area. In the Introduction, the author states that the goal of the book is to offer answers that will enable managers to deliver greater employee engagement, satisfaction, and results. It is divided into nine chapters: Chapter 1: Promotions Are Overrated, Chapter 2: Contribution, Chapter 3: Competence, Chapter 4: Connection, Chapter 5: Confidence, Chapter 6: Challenge, Chapter 7: Contentment, Chapter 8: Choice, and Chapter 9:Possibilities Are the New Promotion. Chapters 2 through 8 examine the different frameworks that make up career development and how to use each to help employees grow. Each chapter contains tools, exercises and pro tips and ends with ‘The Final Word’ to summarize topic discussed. There are additional resources for employers to learn more, dig deeper, and get employees engaged in career development.
Career development is and always will be a major component of businesses and organizations. How employers tackle this issue is always changing, especially in a post-COVID environment, where priorities have shifted. “Promotions Are SO Yesterday” contains practical advice, questions to spark reflection and productive dialogue, and tools that managers can use to help employees thrive at work while supporting their organization. Highlights include Chapter 2: Contributions,Make Extracurriculars Go the Extra Mile – which suggests that managers should encourage employees to get involved outside of work as a volunteer in a charity, a non profit, or at a child’s school. This will not only help them give back to the community, but they will bring back to the workplace some valuable lessons and skills. Transferrable skills benefit the organization as a whole. As well as Chapter 4: Connection – it emphasizes the importance of connecting with others at work because this represents “a significant source of professional growth and career development.” Much of what we learn we pick up from others whether it is through coaching apprenticeships, mentoring, or role models. Despite the business subject matter, it is far from dull and long winded. The language is easy to understand and this makes it accessible to anyone. Even though this book is geared towards managers, employees can also benefit from the tools, guidelines, and exercises. “Promotions Are SO Yesterday” is an excellent business guide for management and employees and is recommended for readers who appreciate books on business mentoring, human resources, and business management.
“Helping others enhance their competence may simultaneously be your most selfish and selfless act as a manager. It’s selfless because you’re enabling the development of portable skills that make your employees more marketable. And it’s selfish because of the profound benefits that you and your organization can reap in terms of job satisfaction, engagement, performance, and results.”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
The new Whataburger ketchup charms are available now. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.
Attention Whataburger fans. Whether you are Team Fancy, Team Spicy, or both, Whataburger’s newest collaboration with James Avery Artisan Jewelry is a charming addition to any collection. (Whataburger, 2022)
Whataburger’s most popular condiments are now available as keepsake, hand-enameled designs in the “Whataburger® Fancy” Ketchup Charm and “Whataburger® Spicy” Ketchup Charm. The original designs in sterling silver feature Whataburger’s signature ketchup tubs with spectacular attention to detail.
The Institute will be available this Halloween on Vudu. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
With Halloween right around the corner, here is a list of movies now available or coming soon that are perfect for the season. (October Coast, 2022)
Croc! – Now available on digital/DVD Lisa and her family unite at a wedding venue, excited for the big day. However, unknown to the family, a nest of hungry crocodiles has been living in the nearby lake. As the crocodiles crash the wedding in a blood thirsty massacre, the remaining family members must survive the night against these Jurassic beasts.
The Mystery Spot – Now available on digital A number of lost souls find refuge in a small motel in the middle of nowhere, its only distinguishing characteristic being the ruins of an old Mystery Spot—a long-dead roadside attraction with strange metaphysical powers.
Frost – Now available on digital The story of a young woman and her father who have to fight for survival after being stranded on a remote mountainside during a storm.
The Murder Podcast – Available on October 26 on digital Two amateur podcasters start investigating a murder in their hometown only to become wrapped up in a terrifying adventure full of supernatural threats.
The Institute – Available on Halloween on Vudu The acclaimed supernatural horror film hits Vudu for Halloween. Fixes on a young couple who begin to suspect the fertility clinic they have booked themselves into is up to something sinister. They become suspicious when the medical regimen brings on psychological side effects.
Demons at Dawn– Available on October 26 on digital Starring John Altman, Ben Silver, Amanda Himsworth, Amber Doig-Thorne, Dani Thompson and Chris Sanders, the frightening, thrilling profusion of The Professional and End of Days follows a retired hitman who is blackmailed into taking one last job. During his mission, he uncovers an elite Satanic cult that uses human sacrifice to summon Demons.
‘Golden Cookies’ is the new children’s book by E’Laiya London-Ashlyn Cuthrell. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
E’Laiya London-Ashlyn Cuthrell is a twelve-year-old who enjoys making others smile. She is a 7th grader from North Carolina who developed an interest in writing from reading books, drawing characters, and journaling in her scrapbook. She challenged herself to find the creativity of converting her journals into a short story after completing a writing assignment at school. She realized that her goal to write a short story was possible with hard work, dedication, and words of encouragement. “Golden Cookies” is the story of a wise man who wants to spread positivity everywhere through his very special golden cookies. (E’Laiya London-Ashlyn Cuthrell, 2022)
“Golden Cookies” – The wise man’s cookies make people act and think positively. They bring exceptional changes in even the most mean-hearted people and make their behavior kind and loving towards those around them. He gives these golden cookies out free of cost just to help others and his only reward is seeing the happiness they bring to others. He travels through the woods and hands them out to anyone who would take them and tries to convince those who do not believe in the power of these cookies. Even though some people make fun of him, he eventually manages to turn everything around in a positive way. His efforts are rewarded when people find out that riches, power, beauty, trust, leadership, or recognition cannot bring them happiness, and only eating a golden cookie will bring such change which would give them ultimate happiness. Come join the wise man along a very special path that leads to positive changes, kind words, and happiness. Enjoy the excitement of completing the activity corner worksheets in this book to create your amazing story. Get a bite of the golden cookies as you read this book and all you have ever wished for on the positive side of life may come to you.
‘Silent Whispers of Hope’ is the new suspense thriller by Kimberly Morton Cuthrell. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Dr. & Atty. Kimberly Morton Cuthrell is an attorney, doctoral-level clinical therapist, suspense author, researcher, mediator, and currently a medical school student. She has a quest to create new inroads in suspense novels with behavioral health twists to destigmatize perceptions. Kimberly is a self-publishing consultant/mentor whereby she paved a landscape as a writing coach, ghostwriter, proofreader, professional editor, and beta reader. Kimberly’s interest to write evolved from reading books, writing proposals for grants and contracts that were awarded, composing corporate compliance and policy/procedure manuals within provisions of state and federal laws, and developing behavioral health accreditation manuals. In her fiction work, Kimberly draws from thought-provoking imaginary situations, the art of wisdom, and diverse viewpoints. She writes to intrigue readers’ minds about potential real-life situations and inspire them to advocate for positive change and make meaningful impacts in their communities. Her new book “Silent Whispers of Hope,” Hope Rankin-Glover is faced with a choice between saving her dying mother or forsaking her by vanishing without a trace with her husband in an effort to evade the FBI. (Kimberly Morton Cuthrell, 2022)
“Silent Whispers of Hope” – Hope Rankin-Glover is thrilled to finally escape her mother’s unstable nest. She tries to navigate the dangers of the unprotected world when she finds solace in the arms of Sloan Glover. Little does she know, Sloan has an ulterior motive for marrying her. As Hope struggles to balance her married life, a new business, and the care of her deaf fraternal twins, she finds joy in learning American Sign Language to open avenues of communication with her children. Torn by her traumatic past, she must come to grips with the odds of reversing her twins’ deafness which depends on her actions and comes with a considerable heart-wrenching truth. Seven years later, Hope’s world comes crashing down. The FBI’s discoveries shed light on Sloan’s darkest secrets. In a spiral twist of suspense, a hurtful betrayal derails Hope. The devastating reality of survival plagued by deception pressures Hope to contemplate venturing into an underworld scheme with Sloan. Not only is the underworld scheme filled with silent whispers, but secrets are exposed and lives are trapped in despair. The only way out will either bring forth a lifetime of despair or bitter peace at last. Not everyone is destined to survive and their survival depends on Hope’s actions which force her to take drastic measures. When silent whispers are all Hope has, will that be enough to survive?
“Silent Whispers of Hope” is available through Amazon. Read an excerpt.
Texas Women for the Arts opens 2023 grant applications in support of statewide arts organizations. Photo: Google
The Texas Cultural Trust is pleased to announce that Texas Women for the Arts (TWA) 2023 grant applications is currently open through December 1, 2022. TWA, a program of the Texas Cultural Trust, is a statewide membership giving circle that unites the financial forces of more than 200 Texas women and whose mission is to “awaken and nurture the artist in every Texas child.” The TWA grants fund arts education programs throughout the state, and have to date increased arts access for nearly 3.5 million Texas children. (Texas Cultural Trust, 2022)
Grants are awarded on an annual basis, in the spring, and are selected following a rigorous review process. Applications, information and guidelines are available online through the Texas Cultural Trust website. In order to be considered for the grant, applicants must have a 501(c)(3) designation, be nominated by a current TWA member, and the program for which applicants are seeking funding must reflect the mission of TWA.
The TWA recipients will be selected based on the following principles: arts access, artistic quality, capability, and impact. The 2023 TWA grant recipients may be invited to attend and accept their awards during the TWA 2023 Annual Meeting. TWA members have funded 318 grants totaling more than $3.7 million since inception in 2005.
For more information on the Texas Cultural Trust, visit them online or call 512-478-5289. To join Texas Women for the Arts, or to learn more about the program, visit them online or email.
Texas Cultural Trust is 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and increasing access and awareness for the arts across the state. Programs of the Texas Cultural Trust include the Texas Medal of Arts Awards, Art Can, Texas Young Masters, Texas Women for the Arts, Partners in the Arts, and Arts Access. Texas Cultural Trust efforts are amplified by its partners, who are instrumental in the success of leading a cohesive voice for the arts in education, advocacy and economic impact in Texas, spotlighting the artistic excellence of our state.
