Author: Sandra Cruz

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

From Diagnosis to Treatment: A Review of ‘Ready, Set, Radiation’

Prepare for your radiation therapy journey with ‘Ready, Set, Radiation: How to Prepare for Radiation Therapy Treatments.’ Photo: Amazon

“Ready, Set, Radiation” is a comprehensive guide for those about to go through radiation therapy. While similar books are written by former patients, a medical professional wrote this one. Drawing from her own experience as a radiation therapist, Shaina Moore-Ivanov presents a clear and accessible roadmap through the uncertainty of cancer treatment. The goal is “to introduce you and your support system to radiation treatment as it pertains to cancer.”

The practical advice covers everything from understanding the radiation process to managing side effects and preparing emotionally and physically for each session. She addresses common fears and uncertainties and offers reassurances and empowers readers to take an active role in their treatment.

Some of the chapters include:
Chapter 1 Cancer Diagnosis – What Comes Next?
Chapter 2 What is Radiation Therapy?
Chapter 5 – Factors to Consider When Deciding Where to Undergo Treatment
Chapter 6 – Consultation with a Radiation Oncologist
Chapter 8 – CT Simulation – General information
Chapter 9 – Tattoos, Patient Autonomy, and Self-Advocacy
Chapter 22 – Scheduling Daily Treatment Appointment
Chapter 23 – Arriving On Time and Prepared for Treatment
Chapter 24 – Radiation Oncology Team
Chapter 26 – Final Day of Treatment

Highlights:
Chapter 1 Cancer Diagnosis – What Comes Next? – reminds patients “to advocate for yourself and to ask questions.” She explains that everyone’s treatment is different because not all cancers respond to treatment and that if you want a second opinion, to get one. The doctors will not be offended.

Chapter 8 – CT Simulation – General information – explains that the purpose of CT Simulation is to decide on the best position for you to be in when receiving radiation treatment which helps plan your treatment. The area will be marked to detail where the treatment will be.

She expertly combines medical expertise and human connection so that it’s not just a technical manual; it’s a companion that understands the fears and challenges patients face. The language is straightforward and doesn’t use complicated medical jargon, making it accessible to everyone involved in the treatment journey. I especially like that the tone is empathetic to patients without being condescending. The figures and pictures make it easy to understand the chapters on body positioning and the different machines being discussed. There are QR codes that you can scan for videos that further explain the topic.

Overall, “Ready, Set, Radiation” is an invaluable resource for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals alike. Since it provides not only vital information but also a sense of solidarity and guidance during a challenging time, it is recommended for anyone facing radiation therapy or who knows someone who is.

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

Rating: 5 out of 5.

National Michelada Day: A Twang Michelada Mix Recipe

National Michelada Day is Friday July 12, 2024. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

As National Michelada Day approaches on July 12, Twang is sharing a recipe to elevate your celebration using Twang Michelada Mix & Twang Reserve Michelada Rimming Salt. Twang, a Tex-Mex inspired, family-driven company, specializes in the creation of products with flavored salt, sugar, and spice blends. (Twang, 2024)

Raise your glass to celebrate National Michelada day with Twang’s Classic Michelada recipe below:

Twang Classic Michelada 

Ingredients:

  • Twang Reserve Michelada Rimming Salt
  • Choice of Twang Classic Michelada Mix, Spicy Michelada Mix or Pickle Michelada Mix
  • Mexican Lager of your choosing
  • Lime 

Directions:

  1. Rim glass with Twang Reserve Michelada Salt then fill with ice.
  2. Add choice of Twang Michelada Mix and Mexican Lager. 
  3. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!

The secret to making the perfect Michelada is the 16oz. Twang Michelada Mix. Crafted with a blend of versatile and flavorful ingredients, Twang enhances the flavor of any beer with its rich and zesty flavor. Flavors include the Classic Michelada Mix, Spicy Michelada Mix and Pickle Michelada Mix. Priced at just $7.00 each, this mix is a staple for anyone who loves to celebrate with a flavorful and fun drink.

Made from premium salts and a blend of unique spices, Twang Reserve Michelada Rimming Salt adds a savory kick to your Michelada. Enjoy a perfectly salted rim ready to pair with any beverage priced at just $4.00. 

From Challenge to Triumph: ‘Stress Test’ by Kay White Drew

‘Stress Test’ is the new memoir from Kay White Drew. Photo: Amazon

Kay White Drew is a retired physician and lifelong writer. Her essays, poems, and short stories are found in several journals including Hektoen International, The Intima, Bay to Ocean Journal, and Loch Raven Review, where one of her essays was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2022. Her new book “Stress Test” is a love letter to women in medicine and the feminist causes of the 1970s and the present day. (Amazon/Mindbuck Media Book Publicity, 2024)

“Stress Test” – The story covers a five-year ordeal, from the first day of medical school through the last day of pediatric internship. Unveiling the cadaver in the anatomy lab while her mother lay dying on an oncology ward; the excitement of making difficult diagnoses and the terror and tragedy of disastrous mistakes; the joy of connecting with patients and the heartbreak of losing them—it’s all here. Women made up less than a fifth of the author’s medical school class and as a white woman in the largely Black urban environment of West Baltimore, barely a decade after the Civil Rights movement and long before Black Lives Matter, she bore witness throughout her training to the human cost of racism.

The author navigated personal struggles as well: her mother’s death; several ill-starred romantic relationships, including an interracial love affair with a professor; a roommate’s suicide; and her own suicidality, depression, and experiences in therapy.

“Stress Test” joins a growing body of work by women physicians. This memoir takes place at a time when women were still years away from comprising half—or more—of medical school students, and when the second wave of feminism was surging; but many of the fears, griefs, and struggles that women in medicine face today are the same ones the author grappled with decades earlier.

Reviewing ‘Mastering Knowledge Management Using Microsoft Technologies’: Insights and Evaluation’

‘Mastering Knowledge Management Using Microsoft Technologies’ by Tori Reddy Dodla offers practical guidance and strategies. Photo: Amazon

“Mastering Knowledge Management Using Microsoft Technologies” is essential for professionals looking to get the most out of Microsoft tools when dealing with knowledge management. It is expertly put together and thoroughly explores the complexities of knowledge management systems, offering practical insights and strategies.

The author begins by defining knowledge management principles and then incorporates Microsoft technologies such as SharePoint, Teams, and Office 365 into the discussion. Each chapter is formatted to progressively build upon the previous one, ensuring a consistent and logical learning experience. The graphs, figures, and illustrations throughout each chapter summarize the topic being discussed. Each chapter begins with a Chapter Goal and ends with a Chapter Summary and Key Takeaways.

The book is divided as such:
Chapter 1: Introduction to Knowledge Management
Chapter 2: The Knowledge Base
Chapter 3: Power Apps for Knowledge Sharing
Chapter 4: Power BI for Knowledge and Insights
Chapter 5: Integrate AI with Microsoft Co-Pilot
Chapter 6: Knowledge Management for Document Management
Chapter 7: Discussion of Knowledge Sharing Tools
Chapter 8: Knowledge Management Metrics and Analytics
Chapter 9: Challenges and Solutions
Bibliography
Index

Highlights:
Chapter 4: Power BI for Knowledge and Insights
Section 4.2 Gamification in Knowledge Management because it explains how it takes the most popular elements used in gaming to make knowledge management more engaging, interactive, and fun. These elements are points and scoring systems, badges and achievements, leaderboards, levels and progression, feedback and recognition, and challenges and quests.

Chapter 6: Chapter 5 – Integrate AI with Microsoft Co-Pilot because it explains how to use AI for advanced knowledge management to automate routine tasks, speed up information retrieval, and streamline data analysis. I particularly like that it has sample prompts on section 5.5 for writing and editing, e-mail assistant, data analysis, presentation, meeting assistant, and other such tasks.

It includes real-world examples, case studies, and step-by-step instructions that empower readers to apply knowledge management solutions successfully within their organizations. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced professional, her writing style and depth of knowledge make this book a valuable resource.

“Mastering Knowledge Management Using Microsoft Technologies” is a must-read for anyone seeking to use Microsoft tools for improving knowledge sharing, collaboration, and organizational effectiveness. Dodla’s expertise shines through, making this book a definitive guide in the field.

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

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Exploring the Chemical Frontier: A Review of ‘Strained Sigma Bonds’ by Arasibo Campeche

Embark on adventures with stories about science, magic, the tarot, Haitian vodou, the clash of epistemologies, and addiction. Photo: Amazon

“Strained Sigma Bonds” expertly combines the workings of science with an intense narrative. Arasibo Campeche explores the complexities of chemical concepts and uses them to create engaging stories that are accessible to both academics and curious readers alike. His writing style is as captivating as it is informative, blending personal tales, that are often narrated in the first person, with scientific insight. The language is descriptive and lures the reader into the story: “…following me through the forest like a slow-moving orgy ascendant from hell.”

Stories include:
Penalties of Entropy
Given Pain,
Magnetization and Resistance
Regret in Blue Sharp
Big Water Protect You
Flavor of Lab
Conservation of Cold
The Greater Secrets of Carbocations
One Step Forward, Two Steps Starways, Three Steps Plop!
Trompe-l’oeil
The Organometallic God
Butter Me Up and Float Me Sideways
Drowned in Mindfulness
First Blink
The Chroma of Home

Highlights:

Big Water Protect You – a survivor of a plane crash in the Puerto Rican rainforest, who has a PhD in biochemistry but was drafted into the army and sent to solve The Plague, encounters man made zombies. The CRISPR/Cas9 technology that was used to help cure many illnesses had inadvertently re-animated the dead. “That the ancient dead could be revived was one thing, but biting a bullet out of a wound…Signs of intelligence were a whole new problem.”

Conservation of Cold – Alicia dies from a heroin OD but her spirit is trapped at home with her grandmother. She doesn’t have the mass necessary to move objects but she can absorb people’s heat to move around, similar to a Carnot engine that transforms heat into mechanical energy. When her grandmother dies later that same day, her spirit is also trapped at home. Furious that she is not in heaven, she blames Alicia and attacks her and gouges her eyes out. Now Alicia can’t see and she is freezing cold. Her only hope is that someone eventually hears her. “…a chill spiraled up my spine like fingers flicking air out of a syringe.”

This is science meets horror and sci-fi at its best and Campeche uses it to successfully explore the darker aspects of the human condition with themes such as redemption, love, death, and survival. The stories are deep and reflective and the characters are relatable, each dealing with his or her own demons, whether real, imagined, or tech/science-related.

Overall, ‘Strained Sigma Bonds’ is a brilliant collection of short stories that has science, especially biochemistry, at its core. The author manages to make it easy to understand and follow, so that even if you’re not a science person, you will appreciate how it enriches the narrative. It is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the intersection of biochemistry and human interest, offering not just knowledge but a profound appreciation for the elegance of scientific inquiry. Fans of thought provoking science fiction, horror, and especially speculative fiction will find it fascinating.

“You march on the ocean floor, heading northwest, hungry for the pound of flesh owed to your people.”

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

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Unsinkable: Redefining Storytelling with Audio Cinema

The series Unsinkable launches on July 10, 2024. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

In today’s movie news, there’s a new audio movie series coming to Wondery+. Audio movies, also known as audio dramas or audio plays, transport listeners into vivid worlds using only sound. These productions rely on voice acting, sound effects, and music to tell compelling stories without visual elements. They stimulate the imagination, painting scenes and emotions through dialogue and soundscapes while creating a theater of the mind where every listener interprets and visualizes the story in their own way. If you’re looking for a new series to binge and like military movies about heroic battles during World War 2, this is one worth checking out.

The star-studded character-driven binge worthy series “UNSINKABLE” launches on July 10 with the first two episodes on Wondery+. This compelling, wholly immersive original audio movie series is from creators Misha Crosby and John Mawon. (Cinematic Red PR, 2024)

“UNSINKABLE” is an immersive new 11-part audio movie series presented in Dolby Atmos  from creators, directors, and showrunners, who also voice key characters, Misha Crosby, and John Mawson, and stars a multi-award-winning cast led by Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Brian Cox, Nathalie Emmanuel,  John Malkovich, and Harry Hamlin, as well as  Blair Redwood, Paul Telfer, Juliet Aubrey, Rupert Vansittart, John Altman, and Hugh Fraser.

The series launches on July 10 with the first two episodes with an additional episode dropping weekly. 

“UNSINKABLE”  tells the true story of the British tanker, the San Demetrio – one of the most extraordinary tales of heroism, fortitude, and seamanship of World War 2. When the ship is attacked thousands of miles from home in enemy infested seas, a raw young officer and a handful of desperate seamen fight to survive both against the elements and themselves.

 * This epic story experience is told over 3 hours 30 mins broken into an 11-episode series, each roughly 20 mins in length.

* The story transitions from deadly action at sea to heartbreaking events in Blitz-torn London and the extraordinary High Court case that resulted.

* This is not an audiobook, podcast or radio-play, there is no narrator. This is a movie for the ears.

* Led by extraordinary A-List Talent, a cast of over 37 actors created more than 100 distinct roles. The series is flooded with moments of blockbuster action, high drama, romance, comedy, deep jeopardy, and gripping tension all presented through the lens of our characters in an immersive Dolby Atmos mix.

What is an Audio Movie: This is a movie for the ears; presented through the lens of the characters in an immersive Dolby Atmos  mix. The 11-part series is flooded with action, drama, romance, comedy, and gripping tension that brings this epic event to life. It is NOT a radio play, audiobook, docudrama, or an ordinary podcast. There is no narration. This wholly immersive original audio movie series embraces the production style and values of cinematic feature films by creating an immersive narrative blockbuster experience through sound design and original orchestral score. The sound design has been led by Jimmy Boyle and his team and delivered in Dolby Atmos, mixed by Academy Award® Winner Ben Wilkins.

Style Reborn: Exploring Rehab Revolution Apparel

Rehab Revolution Apparel has unique apparel for nurses, therapists, and patients. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Specialized clothing and gifts for medical professionals are an excellent way to  recognize their dedication and care. Whether it’s a small token of appreciation or a meaningful item, such gestures can brighten their day and show gratitude for their tireless efforts. It’s a way to acknowledge their hard work, especially in demanding times, and to remind them that their compassion does not go unnoticed. Most of all, they promote a sense of camaraderie and appreciation within the healthcare community. When it comes to gift giving and getting, Rehab Revolution Apparel is leading the way.

Rehab Revolution Apparel – Discover fun and positive clothing and gifts designed for nurses, therapists, cancer survivors, surgery patients, and individuals on the journey to sobriety. Gifts include custom made t-shirts, candles, and other specialized gifts.

Reasons to consider a gift from Rehab Revolution Apparel:

  • Support Patients and Care Givers Alike – Items are tailored for nurses, therapists, and patients, with customization options.
  • Made in the U.S.A. – Discover a collection of meticulously designed and crafted products, all made right here in the U.S.A.
  • Fast Shipping – Enjoy fast shipping to receive your products promptly. They prioritize efficiency and convenience for all our customers.

These gifts are suitable for:

  • Nurses
  • Physical Therapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Speech Therapists
  • Cancer survivors and those recovering from illness/surgery
  • People celebrating their sobriety
Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Gifts from Rehab Revolution Apparel make excellent gifts for the medical professional in your life, or even yourself, to celebrate your hard work and accomplishments. If you know someone who is celebrating being cancer free or recuperating from an illness or surgery, they have gifts for that too. Customized gifts are more personal and thoughtful. So check out the wide selection of gifts and start shopping!

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Embracing Vulnerability: Maya de Vitry’s Journey in The Only Moment

Maya de Vitry’s The Only Moment will be out July 12. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Maya de Vitry’s vibrant voice seems to rise out of some necessity of bringing songs to life, embracing listeners with what Folk Alley calls a “soulful intimacy.” She grew up in a musical family in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, understanding music to be a place of gathering, a way to spend a summer night around a campfire. Maya first traveled and performed as a fiddling street musician, and then in bars, theaters, and on festival stages as a founding member of The Stray Birds (2010-2018). Since the band parted ways in 2018, Maya has been devotedly creating a powerful new body of work—one that consistently blurs genre while showcasing her delight in storytelling and her extraordinarily dynamic singing. In addition to performing and recording, Maya is a sought-after co-writer and co-creator and has been steadily and closely collaborating within her chosen musical community of Nashville, Tennessee, for nearly a decade. (IV-PR, 2024)

Her latest single, “Odds of Getting Even,” owes its inspiration to an unlikely figure in the greater Americana world: the late, great soul and funk singer, Sharon Jones. “I really wanted to do this one justice, for this song to feel as alive and exuberant as I think it wants to be – and I just honestly couldn’t find that in myself for a while. But this finally felt like the perfect band and moment in my own life for me to sing this one,” she says, having compiled her Nashville “bar band” of A-list, next-generation players for this new batch of songs. “I feel especially lucky to have my friend Phoebe Hunt singing harmony. She’s on the whole record, but on this song I just think she’s absolute magic.” 

“Odds of Getting Even” is the latest single to be released from Maya de Vitry’s upcoming self-produced album The Only Moment—out July 12. Fans can stream or purchase “Odds of Getting Even,” check out de Vitry’s previously released single, “Compass,” and pre-order The Only Moment ahead of its July 12 release. 

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The Only Moment tracklist:

Nothing Else Matters

Compass

Odds of Getting Even

I’m Not Going Anywhere

If They Feel Like Wings

Some Rent

Burning Building

Addicted

Watching the Whole Sky Change

Ribbon

Produced by Maya de Vitry and mixed by Grammy-award-winning engineer Justin Francis (Madison Cunningham), The Only Moment is an unabashed blend of indie folk, indie rock, and indie pop, with elements of Americana and alt-country. Recorded at Phantom Studios in Gallatin, TN, the album captures the unfettered energy and occasional chaos of de Vitry’s Nashville “bar band,” featuring Anthony da Costa on electric guitar, Ethan Jodziewicz on electric bass, and Dominic Billet on drums. These three musicians played a pivotal role in nurturing de Vitry’s vision, crafting atmospheres around her songs that feel unrestricted by notions of genre.

Catch Maya de Vitry on tour:
June 21 – Tryon, NC – Summer Tracks Music Series
July 12 – Nashville, TN – Finally Friday w/ WMOT at 3rd & Lindsley
July 20 – Bethlehem, NH – Colonial Theatre (co-bill w/ Griffin William Sherry)
July 26-27 – South Hiram, ME – Ossipee Music Festival
August 31 – Erwin, TN – Sol Slam Mountain Jam
September 24 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Lounge
September 25 – Cambridge, MA – Club Passim
September 26 – Portland, ME – Oxbow
September 27 – Brooklyn, NY – Owl Music Parlor
September 28 – Lancaster, PA – West Art
September 29 – Vienna, VA – Jammin’ Java
October 1 – Evanston, IL – Space
October 3 – Milwaukee, WI – Anodyne
October 4 – Madison, WI – Shitty Barn
October 5 – Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center (supporting Robin & Linda Williams)
November 1 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Caffe Lena
November 2 – Lincoln, VT – Burnham Presents

1720780970

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The Only Moment release date

Thrills and Twists: A Review of ‘The Bucharest Legacy’ by William Maz

‘The Bucharest Legacy’ is the latest novel in the Bill Hefflin Spy Thriller Series by William Maz. Photo: Amazon

William Maz was born in Bucharest, Romania, of Greek parents and emigrated to the U.S. as a child. He is a graduate of Harvard University, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Yale residency. He studied writing at Harvard, the New School, The Writer’s Studio in New York City, and with Gordon Lish, and is now writing full time. He is the author of the Bill Hefflin Spy Thriller Series that includes “The Bucharest Dossier” and “The Bucharest Legacy.” In “The Bucharest Legacy,” CIA agent Bill Hefflin is back in Bucharest and right in the middle of spies and crooked politicians as he looks for a KGB mile inside the Agency. (Amazon, 2024)

“The Bucharest Legacy” – The CIA is rocked to its core when a KGB defector divulges that there is a KGB mole inside the Agency. They learn that the mole’s handler is a KGB agent known as Boris. Bill Hefflin recognizes that name—Boris is the code name of Hefflin’s longtime KGB asset. If the defector is correct, Hefflin realizes Boris must be a triple agent, and his supposed mole has been passing false intel to Hefflin and the CIA. This makes Hefflin the prime suspect as the KGB mole inside the Agency.

Hefflin is given a chance to prove his innocence by returning to his city of birth, Bucharest, Romania, to find Boris and track down the identity of the mole. It’s been three years since the bloody revolution, but the country is controlled by the underground and the new oligarchs, all of whom want to find Boris. But Hefflin has a secret that no one else knows—Boris has been dead for over a year.

This espionage thriller takes place in a post-Cold War Europe and expertly combines history, intrigue, and contemporary geopolitics into a thrilling narrative. The story begins in Romania in 1993 as he is put in charge of driving a KGB defector to the American embassy but the mission is compromised and he has to take him to a safer location, his family’s old apartment. So begins Bill Hefflin’s journey of uncovering a mysterious conspiracy rooted in the aftermath of Ceausescu’s Romania.

Maz’s writing is crisp and haunting, painting vivid pictures of European cities scarred by history yet pulsating with modern life. The language is descriptive and makes the action come to life: “The building windows burst, shards sprayed both Hefflin and the defector and crackled on the cobblestones like fine sleet. A ball of fire hurtled high above the buildings, followed by the cries of men.” The characters are well developed and compelling, especially Hefflin, whose relentless pursuit of the truth drives the plot forward with each twist and revelation.

The author’s deep understanding of espionage and geopolitical forces gives the story authenticity and keeps readers on the edge of their seats. He expertly explores the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of historical secrets, delivering a narrative that is both intellectually stimulating and poignant.

Overall, “The Bucharest Legacy” is a suspenseful thriller that will appeal to fans of international espionage and political intrigue similar to the works of John le Carré and Brad Thor. It offers an intriguing glimpse into the shadowy world of intelligence operations within the backdrop of Europe’s turbulent history.

“He took a deep breath and forced his mind to look at her the way his father, the doctor, must have looked upon the body of a patient, and as Catherine had taught him to look upon an assailant, without regard to their humanity. It was the only way he could do what she was asking.”

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

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Red, White, and Blue: Unforgettable Fourth of July Celebration Ideas

Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa has limited-time spa packages available for the month of July. Photo: San Antonio Hotel & Spa, used with permission.

The Fourth of July is coming up tomorrow, so if you’re in the San Antonio area and looking for ideas to celebrate in style, consider the following.

*** Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa ***

With Fourth of July happening next week, Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection is launching new limited-time spa treatments you can’t miss. The Spa Plaza San Antonio, located on the property, offers a restorative approach to health and wellness. This summer they are offering the below limited-time treatment packages, available now through July 31. (Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, 2024)

  • Red, White, and Blueberry Facial – $140
    • Celebrate Fourth of July at the property with this restorative treatment. The Skin Authority exfoliant won’t leave you with any redness and a blueberry infusion gives your skin a superfood infusion to leave you glowing and bright. This facial finishes with a dose of nourishing hydration and Skin Authorities Skinsuit signature sunscreen that never leaves a white cast on the skin.
    • Book directly online
  • Summer Body Bliss – $140
    • Includes Skin Authority’s illuminating body peel to reveal your skin’s most healthy glow. Vitamin D serum is applied to stimulate blood flow to the skin’s surface while also reducing puffiness. A Vitamin D infused serum and a light shea butter application finish this service to ensure you leave feeling hydrated and smooth. Includes a glass of sparkling wine or prosecco.
    • Book directly online.

Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa can be found on ResortPass for a daycation getaway at its pool and spa. Bookings can be made online and include a Spa Daycation Pass priced at $45, a Pool Day Pass priced at $35 for adults or $20 for children (infants are free), a Pool Cabana starting at only $100 for a max of three people, and a Pool Garden Oasis Cabana starting at $225 for a max of five people to name a few of the offerings.

*** Pearl ***

Pearl will host a special 4th of July celebration this Thursday from 9a.m. to 12p.m. at 1100 Springs Plaza. This family-friendly event promises live entertainment and activities. The celebration will feature a live DJ, a caricature artist, face painters, and stilt walkers, bringing vibrant energy and fun for all ages. Attendees can enjoy a variety of lawn games and other exciting activities that ensure a memorable experience for the entire family. In addition to the main festivities at 1100 Springs Plaza, there will be a red, white and blue themed flower wall for capturing photos, and storytelling sessions with Miss Anastasia at Parkito at Pearl.

Guests will have an opportunity to take a photo with the newest mural under Pearl’s Shaded Structure, “Summer Vibes,” designed by local artist sisters Manola & Maria. The artist duo will conduct a live painting activation this July 1 through July 3, just ahead of the holiday festivities.

Cool Off & Play

Let the kids splash and play at the refreshing splash pad or relax in comfort with cooling stations and patio misters spread throughout the property. Ice cream delights  Savor the delicious ice creams from Lick and Pullman’s ice cream counter.

Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

*** Majestic Theatre ***

The Majestic Theatre, an ATG Entertainment Venue, invites everyone to join them for a Free Open House event during the inaugural Stars & Stripes on Houston Street. On July 4, 2024, from 10a.m. to 3p.m., the community can enjoy free historic tours of the stunning 1920s atmospheric theater. This is a unique opportunity to experience the Majestic Theatre like never before with behind-the-scenes access. (Majestic Theatre, 2024)

Discover the rich history, architecture, and character of the Majestic Theatre. Knowledgeable tour guides will lead tours every 30 minutes, starting at 10a.m. Visitors will have the chance to go backstage and see the theatre’s inner workings, making it a memorable experience for all. Concessions will also be open for those who want to enjoy a cool beverage while enjoying the festivities on Houston Street. 

The final tour will leave at 2:30p.m. No advance reservations are required.

Picnic Under the Stars of the Majestic

There will be a ticketed dinner on the Majestic Theatre stage at any time between 5p.m. and 8p.m. Enjoy cocktails in the lobby, open concessions, and perfect opportunities for capturing picnic photos. Tickets are $100 per person, with only a limited number available, so secure yours in advance.

Your ticket includes:

  • The opportunity to picnic on the Majestic Theatre stage, under the stars of the historic atmospheric theatre.
  • Chilled Tenderloin Slices with Parker House Rolls and Horseradish Sauce, Charcuterie of Meat & Cheese with Crackers, Mixed Nuts, Double Fudge Brownies, Candied Bacon, Pecan Pie Bites.
  • Two Drink Tickets for Beer, Wine, Special July 4th Cocktail, or Non-alcoholic Beverage.
  • Historic Tours of the Majestic Theatre (final tour leaves at 7:30pm).

Reserve tickets online. 

Photo: Majestic Theatre, used with permission.