2022 Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival

Brackenridge Park Conservancy announces this year’s Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival in Brackenridge Park. Photo: Google

The Brackenridge Park Conservancy, in partnership with the Texas Butterfly Ranch, is proud to present the 2022 Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival. The event  will take place Saturday, October 8 from 10a.m. to 2p.m. in the Pecan Grove at Brackenridge Park as part of a month-long celebration of pollinators. Festivities include the People for Pollinators Parade, a monarch butterfly migration obstacle course for kids, butterfly tagging, live bee hive demonstrations, and more. (Brackenridge Park Conservancy, 2022)

The festival is free and open to the public and brings together more than 20 community partners to educate the community on the importance of the monarch butterfly and other pollinators. Activities for the whole family will take place starting at 10a.m. with the Caterpillar Train launching from the train depot in the park. The train was transformed with the assistance of local landscape architecture firm MP Studios and the beloved and nostalgic San Antonio Zoo train will be converted to a monarch butterfly caterpillar for the month of October.

“Brackenridge Park is thrilled to host the 2022 Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival. The Park means so much to the people, plants and animals in this city so we look forward to being a home to free and fun educational events like this.” – Lynn Osborne Bobbitt, Brackenridge Park Conservancy Director of Development and Special Events

Throughout the day, visitors can tag monarch butterflies with trained docents as part of the Monarch Watch citizen science initiative. Festival goers can also participate in the Forever Journey, a program started in 2020 that tags butterflies in honor of deceased loved ones.

“Just as San Antonio sits in the heart of the migratory flyway for monarch butterflies and other wildlife, Brackenridge sits in the heart of our city. It makes for an ideal roost for this year’s Festival.” – Monika Maeckle, Festival founder and director of the Texas Butterfly Ranch.

More initiatives from this year’s festival include a monarch migration obstacle course organized by Blooming with Birdie, butterfly bike rides with the Austin Bike Zoo, a birding tour of the park and adoption events for hundreds of trees provided by the San Antonio Parks Department and pollinator-friendly native plants made available by SAWS. 

The Brackenridge Park Conservancy has listened to and been a voice for those who use this cherished San Antonio park and its facilities. The organization operates under a long-term Management Agreement with the City that is administered by the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department. The only organization dedicated solely to protecting Brackenridge Park, the Conservancy raises funds for projects that benefit the Park, implements park-based programs and projects, advises City staff and elected officials, supports the evolution and implementation of plans for the Park, and acts as a forum for users to address common issues and build consensus.

The mission of the Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival is to raise understanding and appreciation of the insect pollinators that make one of every three bites of our food possible, underscore our inherent interconnectedness, encourage the use of native nectar and host plants in gardens and landscapes, and reinforce San Antonio’s strategic role in the monarchs’ annual migration as the First Monarch Butterfly Champion City.

 

Movie adaptation: ‘Luckiest Girl Alive’ by Jessica Knoll

The movie adaptation of ‘Luckiest Girl Alive,’ the bestselling novel by Jessica Knoll, is now on Netflix. Photo: Amazon

Jessica Knoll is the New York Times bestselling author of “Luckiest Girl Alive” and “The Favorite Sister.” She grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and graduated from The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. She has been a senior editor at Cosmopolitan and the articles editor at Self. “The Luckiest Girl Alive” follows an unforgettable young woman striving to create the perfect life—until a violent incident from her past threatens to unravel everything and expose her most shocking secret. It has been adapted into a major motion picture from Netflix starring Mila Kunis and is now available for streaming. (Amazon, 2022)

“The Luckiest Girl Alive” – Her perfect life is a perfect lie. As a teenager at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani FaNelli endured a shocking, public humiliation that left her desperate to reinvent herself. Now, with a glamorous job, expensive wardrobe, and a handsome blue blood fiancé, she is so close to living the perfect life she has worked so hard to achieve. But Ani has a secret. There is something else buried in her past that still haunts her, something private and painful that threatens to bubble to the surface and destroy everything. With a singular voice and twists you will not see coming, “Luckiest Girl Alive” explores the unbearable pressure that so many women feel to “have it all” and introduces a heroine whose sharp edges and cutthroat ambition have been protecting a scandalous truth, and a heart that is bigger than it first appears. The question remains: will breaking her silence destroy all that she has worked for—or, will it at long last, set Ani free?

Celebrate National Taco Day at Taco Cabana

Taco Cabana celebrates National Taco Day with unlimited $1 bean and cheese tacos and announces the return of bean and cheese Halloween Coupon Booklets. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

This October, Taco Cabana will celebrate the season with the return of its beloved limited-time Taco Treats For A Cause Halloween Coupon Booklets featuring five FREE bean and cheese tacos – available for purchase starting Saturday, October 1, 2022 – as well as special one-day-only offers for National Taco Day on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. (Taco Cabana, 2022)

Beginning Saturday, October 1, 2022, Taco Cabana will bring back its annual, limited-time Taco Treats For A Cause Halloween Coupon Booklets available for purchase at all Texas Taco Cabana locations for just $2. Each booklet includes five coupons for a FREE TC bean and cheese taco. This year, all proceeds from the booklet sales will be donated to Apraxia Kids, a national nonprofit partner of Taco Cabana whose mission aims to strengthen the support systems in the lives of children with Apraxia of speech. The booklets will be available for purchase in-restaurant through Monday, October 31, 2022, while supplies last, and coupons must be redeemed by Wednesday, November 30, 2022.

“The Taco Treats For A Cause Halloween Booklets have become a tradition at Taco Cabana and something that so many of our loyal guests ask for and look forward to each year. We’re so happy to bring them back once again for 2022. This year, we’re even more pleased to announce that our partner, Apraxia Kids, will receive 100% of all proceeds.” – Ulyses Camacho, Taco Cabana’s Chief Operating Officer.

In celebration of National Taco Day on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, Taco Cabana invites guests to enjoy unlimited $1 classic bean and cheese tacos and unlimited $12 classic bean and cheese dozen taco boxes for one-day-only at all Texas Taco Cabana locations while supplies last.

“Like Cinco de Mayo, National Taco Day means so much to Brand Taco Cabana,” continued Camacho. “We wanted to celebrate not only the day, but celebrate our iconic bean and cheese taco as well. It’s the perfect taco at a fantastic price for the special day.”

For guests who are looking to indulge in Taco Cabana’s other delectable offerings, Taco Cabana’s all-new Hatch Chile Smoked Pulled Pork menu options are also available at all Texas locations and are the perfect addition to any Taco Day celebration. Guests 21 years of age or older can complement their taco order with one of TC’s 12 refreshing margarita options available for $3 each all day, every day with flavors ranging from dragon fruit and mango to coconut and classic lime and strawberry.

$1 bean and cheese tacos and $12 bean and cheese dozen taco boxes can be ordered in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, in the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App or ordering online. Halloween Coupon Booklets must be purchased in-store.

Taco Cabana is also pleased to announce that it is a Straight Flush sponsor of the upcoming Eva’s Heroes Celebrity Casino Night on Saturday, October 8, 2022 in San Antonio. Eva’s Heroes is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual special needs by providing an inclusive setting built on four tenets: interact, grow, learn and love. Casino Night is one of its biggest fundraisers of the year.

“Community involvement has always played an important role at Brand TC and we’ve been actively engaged as partners with San Antonio-based Eva’s Heroes for some time now,” shared Camacho. “They have always held a special place in our Taco Cabana hearts. We’re proud to be their partners.”

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, delivery and catering. As of September 26, 2022, Taco Cabana operates 144 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

New album release: Petra-Fi by Stephen Akina

Petra-Fi is the new album by Stephen Akina. Photo: Google

Stephen Akina is a music composer and arranger who enjoys collaborating and producing original music. Following the premiere of his work “Seven,” commissioned by the Pasadena Pops Orchestra in 2006, Stephen began writing for films, television, and video games. His compositions and arrangements have been performed worldwide. Along with his future wife Kimberly, they founded Special Blend Music, a music service provider for the Film & Television industry. Over the years he has scored original music for over two dozen films, composed production music for over 100 + television shows worldwide and supplied soundtracks to highly acclaimed video games. Several of these scores have been converted into music that can be enjoyed on its own and available on all music streaming services. (Stephen Akina, 2022)

His new album Petra-Fi features new and popular remasters of downtempo/chill piano inspired by the ancient petroglyph locations throughout Hawai’i.

Petra-Fi 12 songs, 43 minutes

Track list:

  1. Glass Pagoda (04:11)
  2. For Sure (02:45)
  3. Wavedancer (Remaster) (04:56)
  4. Electro Peace (Remaster) (06:17)
  5. Moon Over Kahala (02:23)
  6. Beatitude (03:00)
  7. Greek Holiday (03:04)
  8. Simple Life (02:20)
  9. Makani (04:01)
  10. Mirage (03:50)
  11. Nightfall (03:07)
  12. Makani Solo (Piano) (4:01)

Petra-Fi is is available on all streaming/digital stores.

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New supernatural horror movie: Sawed Off

, Sawed Off will be available on digital and DVD on October 11, 2022. Photo: Uncork’d Entertainment, Used with permission.

Uncork’d Entertainment has acquired Sawed Off, a new supernatural horror feature based on a comic anthology story and starring Eva Hamilton, Jody Barton, and Trae Ireland. The movie will be released on digital platforms and DVD October 11, 2022. (Uncork’d Entertainment, 2022)
 
Sawed Off – In the vein of “The Evil Dead meets Groundhog Day,” the movie centers on two hunters, friends for years and vying for the affections of the same woman, who find themselves on cursed land and keep killing each other and coming back to life. Hunter Johnson is the producer and director. The screenplay is by Barton, Johnson, and Chuck Wagner, based on Wagner’s Eclipse Comics story “Bag Limit,” published in Tales of Terror in 1986. Other producers include Cris Hernandez and Richard Trejo along with Barton and Ireland. Jeff Miller executive produces through his company Millman Productions, along with James Cullen Bressack and his company Sandaled Kid Productions. Special makeup effects are by Oliver Poser. Trejo is Director of Photography.

“Sawed Off is a new twist on ‘cabin in the woods’ stories and features great performances from Jody, Trae, and Eva,” says Miller.


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New book release: ‘Psychological Principles Of Power’ by Jordon Bevan

‘Psychological Principles of Power’ by Jordon Bevan Photo: Amazon

Jordon Bevan is an American coach, author, and teacher in the realm of personal psychology and social dynamics. He trained as a CrossFit athlete, coached clients on self-development philosophies, and partied with friends at Ohio State College Fraternities. While living in Columbus, Ohio- Jordon became fascinated with psychology and social dynamics and spent much of his time in the gym and the library. He is one of the foremost underground experts on achievement and personal growth. In his new book “Psychological Principles Of Power: Strategies And Skills to Transform Your Self,” he provides readers with a potent and tried-and-true set of concepts they can use to immediately improve every aspect of their lives. These principles are the product of years of research and application. (Jordan Bevan, 2022)

“Psychological Principles Of Power” – You pick up thoughts, ideas, and techniques employed by successful individuals everywhere and in all fields. You acquire the knowledge necessary to realize your own potential for greatness. You will instantly become more upbeat, convincing, and laser-focused in all you do. Many of you who are reading this will have significantly increased your income and greatly enhanced your lives as a direct result of the knowledge provided here. These pages provide a plan for psychological success and achievement that is based on tried-and-true ideas from psychology, philosophy, biology, business, and metaphysics. These concepts are brought together in a quick-moving, educational set of actions that can help you achieve greater things than you ever thought possible. They help you feel better about yourself, enhance your own performance, and grant you total control over every facet of your personal and professional life.

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New book release: ‘Rise of the Unicorn’ by D. Elliot Woods

‘Rise of the Unicorn’ is the new suspenseful thriller by D. Elliot Woods. Photo: Amazon

D. Elliot Woods has been an LA-based Film, TV and Commercial Actor for more than 25 years; from human and alien roles across various Star Trek films and TV shows to appearances on LOOT, NCIS: LA, HBO’s Ballers, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Friends, Drake & Josh as well as over 100 commercials for numerous household brands. His extensive industry experience and knowledge bleeds through into his writing. His Fly Free Entertainment production banner is dedicated to producing his own projects as well as helping train a whole new generation of creatives. He pours all his life experiences and knowledge of the industry into writing captivating stories featuring diverse, non-stereotypical characters. His unique way of viewing the world elevates his writing to thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, emotional and even comedic, in a fresh way that readers and audiences will fall in love with. “Rise of the Unicorn,” his new book, is a thought provoking, emotional suspense/thriller that entertains and captivates while carrying a message that cuts across every class of society. (D. Elliot Woods, 2022)

“Rise of the Unicorn” – Augustus ‘Gus’ Martin is an embattled LAPD negotiator. Months after suffering a significant blow to his career, he has clawed his way back up only to come face to face with The Unicorn – bank robbers who may in fact be a terrorist group – and who seem dead set on committing the messiest daylight robbery and hostage crisis of all time. The Unicorn will only negotiate with Gus as the world watches hostages die, one-by-one. If that were not enough, the politically desperate Mayor of Los Angeles recently appointed a new Police Commissioner… a Black woman from Texas whose credentials and competence have been quietly questioned by the rank and file. In the most pressurized of circumstances, she and Gus must trust one another in order to win a chess match against the most formidable criminal mind either has ever faced. The lives of over 30 hostages hang in the balance while philosophical questions demand very real answers.

“Rise of the Unicorn” is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, and Angus & Robertson.

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Pharm Table welcomes Scott Ota as Resident Sommelier

Pharm Table in San Antonio will be hosting two Wine Wednesdays. Photo: Google

Pharm Table, San Antonio’s nationally recognized plant-forward restaurant in Southtown, has added a notable new member to its team as Resident Sommelier, Scott Ota. Scott is one of San Antonio’s most celebrated sommeliers and brings his expertise of almost two decades within the restaurant and wine industry to Pharm Table, where he has built the restaurant’s new wine program from the ground up. (Pharm Table, 2022)

Under Scott’s leadership, Pharm Table’s dinner menu now features a small, grower-focused wine list of over 25 selections, with numerous sustainable, biodynamic and organic options. To encourage food and wine pairings, wines by the glass are available in a 3 ounce and a 5 ounce pour. Each wine has been hand-picked by Scott, taking into account flavors that pair especially well with the restaurant’s fresh, plant-forward fare. When selecting wines, Scott focuses on producers that mirror Pharm Table’s ethos of strong sustainable and regenerative farming practices, placing a special emphasis on highlighting female winemakers and owners.

Scott is well-known throughout Texas as an Advanced sommelier, having reached level III certification by the Court of Masters Sommeliers. Some of his most notable accolades include being named one of Wine & Spirits Magazine’s 2014 “Best New Sommeliers” and one of Food & Wine Magazine’s 2018 “Tastemakers to Revolutionize the Business,” among others.

Pharm Table now hosts periodic “Wine Wednesdays” tasting events that are curated and led by Scott. The evening event features a selection of approachable wines and small bites, and each one centers around a different theme, such as female winemakers, a specific varietal, or a specific region of the world.  The next two events will take place on September 28 and October 19. Tickets for the September 28 event are available now for purchase.

Pharm Table is an entirely unique concept and one of just a few true anti-inflammatory restaurants of its kind. Its philosophy is to help heal the body through food by blending the principles of Ayurvedic medicine with naturally healthful and gourmet global cuisines. Featuring local San Antonio heritage foods as well as a fusion of diets from the East, West, and Mesoamerica, the evolving menu is shaped by locally sourced produce and a global spice library and is free of dairy, refined sugar, wheat, and processed foods. While plant-centric, the menu also offers diners a selection of sustainably raised meats and fish. In addition to physical health, soil health and regeneration is a top priority at Pharm Table, and it is the first commercial restaurant composter in San Antonio. Supporting local businesses is also a priority, and Owner and Executive Chef Elizabeth Johnson partners with numerous local farmers along with supplying produce from her own backyard organic micro-farm.

Resident Sommelier Scott Ota. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Upcoming book release: ‘Livid: A Scarpetta Novel’ by Patricia Cornwell

‘Livid: A Scarpetta Novel” is the newest Scarpetta novel. Photo: Amazon.

Patricia Cornwell is an American crime writer best known for her best-selling novels featuring medical examiner Kay Scarpetta, of which the first was inspired by a series of sensational murders in Richmond, Virginia, where most of the stories are set. The plots are notable for their emphasis on forensic science, which has influenced later TV treatments of police work. She sold her first novel, “Postmortem,” while working at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia. Her books have sold more than 100 million copies. Her new book “Livid: A Scarpetta Novel” is the 26th in the series and will be released on October 25, 2022. In “Livid: A Scarpetta Novel,” chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta finds herself a reluctant star witness in a sensational televised murder trial causing chaos in Old Town Alexandria with the threat of violent protests. (Amazon, 2022)

“Livid: A Scarpetta Novel” – While in the middle of a murder trial, Kay Scarpetta receives shocking news. The judge’s sister has been found dead. At first glance, it appears to be a home invasion, but then why was nothing stolen, and why is the garden strewn with dead plants and insects? Although there is no apparent cause of death, Scarpetta recognizes telltale signs of the unthinkable, and she knows the worst is yet to come. The forensic pathologist finds herself pitted against a powerful force that returns her to the past, and her time to catch the killer is running out.

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20th Digital Studio’s Bite Size Halloween on Hulu

20th Digital Studio’s Bite Size Halloween on Hulu brings 20 spooky shorts from diverse and emerging filmmakers. Photo: 20th Digital Studio, used with permission.

In celebration of Huluween, 20th Digital Studio’s Bite Size Halloween series of spooky shorts is back for a third season. Twenty new shorts from exciting emerging filmmakers premiere October 1 on Hulu, blending genres like horror, comedy, sci-fi, thriller, and more. (20th Digital Studio, 2022)

Shot in seven different countries, this season takes on topical issues such as racism, gender, parenthood, sexuality, and identity. Snatched features Tatiana Maslany (“She-Hulk: Attorney-at-Law”) in her first on-screen role with husband Brendan Hines (“Locke & Key”). Misha Osherovich (“Freaky”) stars as their son.
Other shorts feature familiar faces like Brigette Lundy-Paine (“Atypical”), Lin Shaye (“Insidious”), David Costabile (“Breaking Bad”), and former “Glow” co-stars Rebekka Johnson and singer-songwriter Kate Nash who co-wrote/directed/star in a short featuring Nash’s original music.

“As we launch the first feature films developed with our incredibly talented Bite Size Halloween filmmaker alums, we are thrilled to introduce the next wave of dynamic filmmaking talent and their ingenious short films. We take great pride in showcasing these vital, diverse voices and their very personal twists on horror, thriller and sci-fi.” – David Worthen Brooks, SVP – 20th Digital Studio

The goal of 20th Digital Studio’s short film programs is to continue to guide and finance the growth of these artists’ careers and to transition some of the shorts into longer features. The first two films developed in this way will premiere this month on Hulu: “Grimcutty” from John William Ross on October 10 and “Matriarch” from Ben Steiner on October 21. Shorts from past seasons have played at festivals such as SXSW, Sundance, Tribeca, Fantasia, and more.

20th Digital Studio’s focus on diversity and inclusion continues as prestigious filmmakers from the festival world are featured, including Nuhash Humayun (“Moshari,” SXSW Grand Jury Prize), Sam Max (“Chaperone,” Sundance), Michelle Krusiec (“Bite,” AFI DWW), Zoey Martinson (“Cupids,” Tribeca), and many more.

20th Digital Studio focuses on funding and producing award-winning short-form genre content together with up-and-coming filmmakers from the digital and film festival worlds. 20th Digital develops select shorts into longer form content, packaging new voices with established producers and offering opportunities for growth and representation; always with a goal to create innovative character narrative, voice-driven filmmaking with a social message, cultural impact and box-office or streaming success. Set up in 2008 as a nimble entrepreneurial group within Fox Filmed Entertainment, 20th Digital is now a part of Disney General Entertainment Content.

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