Sip margaritas and support Mexican-owned tequila this Cinco de Mayo

The Banderita Flight cocktail at FRIDA Mexican Restaurant & Bar is made with LALO blanco tequila, a Mexican-owned, Mexican-founded tequila brand. (Photo: LALO Spirits, used with permission.

In the United States, more people consume tequila on Cinco de Mayo than on any other day of the year. LALO (a Mexican-owned tequila brand founded by Don Julio’s grandson) is celebrating the day with specialty cocktails at several bars and restaurants throughout San Antonio on Thursday. (LALO Spirits, 2022)

On Thursday, May 5, FRIDA Mexican Restaurant & Bar (18740 Stone Oak Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78258) will serve a Banderita Flight — three mini cocktails made with LALO blanco tequila and served in shades of green, white, and red to represent the Mexican flag. Flavors include a melon-lime margarita with citrus salt, ranch water with sea salt, and a strawberry hibiscus margarita with a tajin rim.

Screaming Goat Yard & Tap (4 Sun Valley Dr, Spring Branch, TX 78070) will be featuring LALO Ranch Waters, Palomas, and Perfect Margaritas. There will also be a LALO rep on site pouring taste of the popular blanco tequila from 6p.m. to 8p.m.

All three locations of La Fogata are featuring four special cocktails made with LALO throughout the month of May.

Fresca Margarita – LALO Blanco, Grand Marnier, Triple Sec, Sweet n’ sour, Fresh lime

Chispa Margarita – LALO Blanco, Triple sec, Fresh lime juice

Paloma – LALO Blanco, Fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, topped with sparkling mineral water

Ranch Water – LALO Blanco, fresh lime juice, top with sparkling mineral water over ice with salted rim

Ácenar on the Riverwalk (146 E. Houston St. San Antonio, Texas 78205) will serve a special cocktail called La Flaca, a skinny margarita made with LALO.

LALO is available for purchase at liquor stores, bars, and restaurants throughout San Antonio. It is also available online with direct shipping.

LALO is named after co-founder and maestro tequilero Eduardo “Lalo” Gonzalez, the grandson of Don Julio González of the iconic Don Julio tequila brand. Lalo continues the legacy of his father and grandfather with a bold new approach to perfecting blanco tequila. After nearly a decade in the industry seeing tequila follow many different trends, he and founding partner David R. Carballido sought to return tequila to its honest roots with a truly pure blanco tequila, without barrels or additives.

Each batch of LALO is 100% pure. It is made with wisdom passed down through generations of tequileros using the finest agave, handpicked from the Jalisco Highlands, cooked using a traditional process, and distilled only twice to maintain the agave’s integrity. The sole ingredients are fully-matured agave, a proprietary Champagne yeast, and deep well water, honoring the complex essence of the agave. 

What began as a small, private batch for friends and family in Guadalajara turned into a tequila high in demand for its taste and purity. LALO is not intended as a special occasion tequila, it is intended to make any occasion special.

 

Celebrate Mother’s Day at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

Celebrate Mother’s Day at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa with Brunch, Bluebonnets, and more. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate mom than with a Texas Hill Country brunch at the stunning, 13,000-acre JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in Sonora Texas? (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2022)

Families can treat mom to a delectable brunch on The Ranch on Sunday, May 8, with two exclusive seating options at 11:30a.m. and 1:30p.m. (locals and day visitors can book, too!). For $39.95 and $19.95 for children, guests will be treated by JL Bar’s expert culinary team with a special menu of signatures dishes including Balsamic Glazed Grilled Steak, Honey Garlic Glazed Pork Loin, Roasted Heirloom Carrots and Asparagus, and Chocolate Covered Strawberries. There will also be two action stations for guests to enjoy – a full Seafood Bar and Chef Attended Savory Crepe Station.

For those staying for the weekend, there is an activity for every type of mom. From a full equestrian program featuring horseback riding and a horse psychology experience to off-road ATV adventures, a Putting/Chipping Green, spa treatments, wine tasting, and clay and skeet shooting, families can make new memories at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa. Additionally, for those moms following the annual Bluebonnet blooms in the stunning Texas Hill Country, JL Bar’s grounds also offer rolling acres of oak trees and wild grasses to spot local wildlife and bluebonnets in their prime.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with these San Antonio favorites

Bakery Lorraine’s fruit tart. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

With Mother’s Day coming up on May 8, do not miss a chance to surprise and delight Mom this year with unique flavors and specials from favorite spots in San Antonio. Local businesses are offering several ways to help celebrate moms through delicious desserts, gorgeous bouquets and some much needed Spa treatments. See below for ways to celebrate Mother’s day with Bakery Lorraine and Hotel Contessa. (Bakery Lorraine, Hotel Contessa, 2022)

This Mother’s Day Bakery Lorraine will offer several specials that are sure to capture mom’s heart. From flower boxes to rose scented desserts, Bakery Lorraine and their partner, Emma Lily Flowers, are sure to have the perfect gift for Mom. 

  • The Flower Box: The Flower Box includes an assortment of six Parisian macarons that include raspberry, pistachio, and triple vanilla ($35) and is decorated with fresh flowers. There are no substitutions for this package.
  • The Petite Bouquet: The Petite Bouquet is a fresh bouquet of flowers and includes twelve macarons, including raspberry, pistachio, blueberry violet, and triple vanilla flavors ($60). There are no substitutions for this package.
  • Quiches: Treat mom to a special breakfast in bed with Bakery Lorraine’s savory quiches. Quiche options include the traditional Quiche Lorraine filled with bacon, gruyere, and caramelized onions and the Veggie Quiche which includes leeks, Swiss chard, and gruyere. The large quiche is available for $40, serves up to eight people and is packed cold for a quick reheat at home for only 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees in the oven.
  • Special Desserts: For moms with a sweet tooth, shoppers can gift Bakery Lorraine’s special desserts. Their large fruit tart ($32) is filled with a creamy vanilla mascarpone and topped with fresh fruit. Fruit varies based on season and availability. Add a flower scent effect to the gift of dessert with Japonaise, a rose scented vanilla cream swirled with raspberry jam in between two macaron shells with fresh raspberries. Give mom a literal heart with Bakery Lorraine’s Strawberry Pop Hearts, a grownup version of the classic pop-tart treat shaped into a heart, or Heart Shaped Moon Pies, rich chocolate shortbreads with honey marshmallow and dipped in white coating chocolate. 

Please note that the flower boxes and bouquet packages are limited and are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. The last day to place an order will be Wednesday, May 4, by 12p.m. Order pickups will be available Saturday May 7 or Sunday May 8 between 9a.m. to 5p.m. at all locations.

The newly renovated Spa at Hotel Contessa, located at the rooftop level of the hotel, is offering luxurious deals to take advantage of this Mother’s Day for some much welcomed pampering. 

Always on the Go Mom Package

  • $90.00 (gratuity included)
  • 30 min Reflexology (applies different amounts of pressure to the feet, which has shown to help reduce stress, anxiety, pain and improve the general well-being)
  • Scalp Massage
  • Glass of Champagne 

Pamper Mom Package 

  • $200.00 (gratuity included)
  • 50 min Custom Facial OR Massage
  • Lavender Scalp Massage
  • Aromatic Steam Towel Treatment
  • Glass of Champagne 

Super Mom Package

  • $500.00 (gratuity included)
  • 50 min Custom Massage
  • 50 min Custom Facial
  • Complimentary enhancement included
  • Glass of Champagne and Individual Cheese Board tray following service

Guests can purchase the above packages by calling the spa at 210-298-8038 between now and end of day on Sunday, May 8.

While enjoying spa services at the hotel, some added perks include the spa’s various jewelry pop-ups from local and regional designers. The unique jewelry designs are sure to catch Mom’s eye for a complete Mother’s Day experience to have her feeling special. Select skincare products can also be purchased for a chance to turn any home bathroom into a hotel spa.

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New book release: ‘Dream Town: An Archer Novel’ by David Baldacci

‘Dream Town’ is David Baldacci’s new novel in the Archer series. Photo: amazon

David Baldacci is a global #1 bestselling author, and one of the world’s favorite storytellers. His books are published in over forty-five languages and in more than eighty countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. His works have been adapted for both feature film and television. David Baldacci is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. In his new book “Dream Town: An Archer Novel,” the third in the Archer series, private investigator and World War II veteran Aloysius Archer heads to Los Angeles, the city where dreams are made and shattered, and is ensnared in a lethal case. (amazon, 2022)

“Dream Town”– It is the eve of 1953, and Aloysius Archer is in Los Angeles to ring in the New Year with an old friend, aspiring actress Liberty Callahan, when their evening is interrupted by an acquaintance of Callahan’s: Eleanor Lamb, a screenwriter in dire straits. After a series of increasingly chilling events—mysterious phone calls, the same blue car loitering outside her house, and a bloody knife left in her sink—Eleanor fears that her life is in danger, and she wants to hire Archer to look into the matter. Archer suspects that Eleanor knows more than she is saying, but before he can officially take on her case, a dead body turns up inside of Eleanor’s home and Eleanor herself disappears.

Missing client or not, Archer is dead set on finding both the murderer and Eleanor. With the help of Callahan and his partner Willie Dash, he launches an investigation that will take him from mob-ridden Las Vegas to the glamorous world of Hollywood to the darkest corners of Los Angeles—a city in which beautiful faces are attached to cutthroat schemers, where the cops can be more corrupt than the criminals and where the powerful people responsible for his client’s disappearance will kill without a moment’s hesitation if they catch Archer on their trail.

Upcoming events at EVO Cinemas

EVO Entertainment Group will be hosting several events in May. Photo: EVO Entertainment Group, used with permission.

For anyone who misses watching cartoons in his/her pajamas, EVO Entertainment is hosting an Adult PJ Party featuring a special screening of the beloved animated film Spirited Away on May 4, 2022 at 7p.m. at select EVO locations. The screening will be accompanied by a specialty munchie menu featuring Hot Cheetos Chicken Tenders, the Dagwood Burger, Philly Cheese Tater Tots, and Buffalo Chicken Tacos, so guests are encouraged to wear their comfiest pajamas and stuff their faces during this flashback film. Screenings will take place at EVO’s Schertz, Kyle, Belterra Village, and Springtown locations at 7p.m. Tickets for these one-night-only screenings are on sale now and can be purchased here. (EVO Entertainment Group, 2022)

In Spirited Away, during her family’s move to the suburbs, a sullen 10 year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts. Guests are invited to join in her adventure during these limited-time showings.

This May, EVO Entertainment Group also celebrates community caretakers with free movie screenings for teachers and nurses during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2 – May 6, 2022) and National Nurses Week (May 9 – 12, 2022). Teachers will be required to show proof of a school ID and nurses will be required to show proof of a medical ID at time of purchase. This complimentary offer is redeemable in-story only at the box office or concierge counter.

Additionally, in honor of Mother’s Day (May 8, 2022) EVO Entertainment Group is providing a $10 bonus card with the purchase of a $50 digital gift card purchased between May 1 – May 8, 2022. Digital gift cards are redeemable at any EVO Entertainment location. Only (1) $10 gift card will be awarded for each increment of $50 purchased in gift cards, up to $500. Guests are limited to the purchase of (5) gift cards per customer, per day.

Free Screenings for Teacher Appreciation Week – May 2 – May 5, 2022
Free Screenings for National Nurses Week – May 9 – May 12, 2022
Mother’s Day Gift Card BOGO – May 1 – May 8, 2022

The Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week offers are valid for all EVO Entertainment and ShowBiz locations. Digital gift cards are redeemable at all EVO Entertainment locations.

Studio restrictions will apply to the Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week offers; free screenings cannot be applied to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness screenings. Only one free ticket per person per day with valid ID may be redeemed. VIP Pods are not included in this offer. EVX and SDX are included in this promotion.

EVO Entertainment Group® is an Austin based out-of-home entertainment operator comprised of a number of innovative brands including EVO® Entertainment, EVO® Cinemas, and EVO® Concerts. Since its launch in 2014, EVO® has gained a reputation as a leader in innovation, as well as one of the fastest growing independent cinema circuits in the country. EVO® Entertainment Group currently employs over 1,000 team members and entertains nearly 3 million guests annually.

New movie release: Escape The Field

Shane West (“Ryan”) and Theo Rossi (“Tyler”) in Escape The Field. Photo: Lionsgate, used with permission.

Coming out next week: Escape The Field – The fear is inescapable and the suspense nonstop in this gripping horror-thriller about six strangers who suddenly awaken in a remote, endless cornfield. Stripped of their possessions, they are left with only six items: a gun with a single bullet, matches, a lantern, a knife, a compass, and a flask of water. As mysterious sirens blare in the distance and traps appear at every turn, the group realizes they have been plunged into a cat-and-mouse game with an unseen evil, and survival depends upon solving a diabolical — and deadly — puzzle. In select theaters, on digital, and On Demand on May 6, 2022. (Lionsgate, 2022)

Lionsgate presents, an Anacapa Pictures and CR8IV DNA production, in association with Ingenious Media / Double Dutch International / Glanzrock Productions / Stormchaser Films / Richmond Pictures / LipSync.

Cities: New York (Cinema Village), Los Angeles (Lumiere Cinema), and key cities nationwide.
Cast: Jordan Claire Robbins, Theo Rossi, Tahirah Sharif, Julian Feder, Elena Juatco and Shane West
Directed by: Emerson Moore
Written by: Emerson Moore and Joshua Dobkin and Sean Wathen
Produced by: Andrew Davies Gans, Michael Philip, Jason Moring, Emerson Moore
Genre: Thriller
Rating: R
Running Time: 88 minutes

Escape The Field movie poster. Photo: Lionsgate, used with permission.

Celebrate mom at Austin’s Commodore Perry Estate

Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection. Photo: google

Create a memorable spring retreat this Mother’s Day at Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection in Austin, Texas. The storied resort-style hotel is unveiling new guest experiences for the upcoming holiday, providing countless ways to rest, reconnect and celebrate Mom. (Auberge Resorts Collection, 2022)

Mother’s Day at the Estate:

Throughout the weekend, guests are invited to discover The Furtuna Pop-Up Spa Suite, where Mom can be treated to a luxurious Furtuna Skin Deluxe Facial or enjoy integrative wellness experiences led by Caitlin Fennessy of Peach House ATX.

Spend Sunday celebrating mom with a special Mother’s Day Brunch at the Mansion. Indulge in a decadent dining experience complete with a selection of Chef Bradley’s savory dishes and Chef Susana’s pastries. Families can also visit the Mansion lawn where ATX favorite Gypsy Floral’s signature flower bar is perched for the weekend. Here, they can create the perfect bouquet for mom using a selection of their luscious blooms. Finally, enjoy a special Kentucky Derby watch party in the Garden Nook on Saturday, featuring mint juleps and Derby-inspired bites.

Mother’s Day specials from Hiatus Spa + Retreat

Treat mom to a relaxation experience with specials from Hiatus Spa + Retreat. Photo: Hiatus Spa + Retreat, used with permission.

Give your mom the relaxing Mother’s Day she has always dreamed of with Hiatus Spa + Retreat’s spa specials. This year, Hiatus will be offering a Mother’s Day Gift Bundle featuring Hiatus Everyday products plus two spa packages that will ensure mom gets a Spa-cial day including the Silence Is Golden and The Big Chill. (Hiatus Spa + Retreat,2022)

Silence is Golden

This wonderful deal includes the following: Pick any two essential services for $198. Wherever you are, you can ensure your mom gets a Spa-cial day. (2 hours, $198 | $240 value)

The Big Chill

Hiatus’ 90-minute Signature Massage followed by a super-charged plant peel in The 29 Again Facial will help you hit refresh on that inner glow. We second that emotion. (2.5 hours, $265 | $330 value)

Mother’s Day Gift Bundle

Buy any three Hiatus Everyday products and receive a free Hiatus Gift Cylinder ($10 Value). Available for purchase in-spa only from April 12 – May 15 and excludes any lip products. Use this bundle to get your mom something small, something special, something for her.

With eight locations across Texas, eight years on Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing companies, and an innovative spa subscription model, Hiatus Spa + Retreat is a fresh kind of full-service spa that has changed the wellness industry. Powered by products with environmentally-friendly ingredients and a high-touch experience, Hiatus’ personalized approach to wellness is driven by the view that regular relaxation should be an empowering part of a healthy, happy lifestyle.

Fortieth anniversary of ‘Battlefield Earth’ by L. Ron Hubbard

‘Battlefield Earth’ by L. Ron Hubbard. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Science fiction classics are timeless stories that continue to captivate readers over the generations. I love books of all genres (at least most genres), both new and classics, especially science fiction. Books like “The Expanse” and “Expeditionary Forces” are very entertaining, but anyone who loves sci-fi will agree that there are several sci-fi classics that stand the test of time and are must-reads. (Galaxy Press, 2022)

Take for example “Battlefield Earth” by L. Ron Hubbard It is right up there with “Dune,” The Foundation Trilogy, and “Ender’s Game” and it is similar to Star Wars in terms of epic space opera adventure. Because this year marks the 40th Anniversary, I want to give it a shout-out.

Like many other classics, it was made into a major motion picture; it stars John Travolta and Forrest Whittaker and is directed by Roger Christian. While movies may not measure up to the novels that inspire them, this one has an average of over 3.8 stars on Amazon (not bad!). Also, the unabridged audio is outstanding with thousands of 5-star reviews on Audible. The story is non-stop, and a real page-turner.

Here is the Amazon description:

Sadistic Aliens……Man is an endangered species. Is it the end of the world or the rebirth of a new one? In the year A.D. 3000, Earth is a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Cities stand crumbling as a brutal reminder of what we once were. When the aliens invaded, all the world’s armies mustered little resistance against their advanced weapons. Now, all that stands between mankind and total extinction is Jonnie Goodboy Tyler—the courageous young warrior determined to rally the scattered tribes of humanity in an all-out battle for freedom. The fate of the Galaxy lies on the Battlefield of Earth. Get it now.

Notable authors LOVE this book. Here is what a few of them have to say:

“Pulse-pounding mile-a-minute sci-fi action-adventure that does not stop. It is a masterpiece of popular adventure science fiction.” —Brandon Sanderson (Way of Kings)

“Over 1,000 pages of thrills, spills, vicious aliens and noble humans. Un-put-downable.” —Neil Gaiman (Good Omens)

“Battlefield Earth is a terrific story! A masterpiece.” —Robert A. Heinlein (Starship Troopers)

“Wonderful … adventure … great characters … a master piece.” —A. E. Van Vogt

“Non-stop and fast-paced. Every chapter has a big bang-up adventure.” —Kevin J. Anderson (co-author of the Dune Sagas)

“With great heroes, battles, wonders, and interstellar intrigue, this is a book that you won’t put down.” —David Farland (Star Wars novels)

So celebrate the 40th anniversary by reading it (or re-reading) this year! Also available on Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, and Audible. 

Helpful links:
Ebook excerpt
Audio excerpt
Book club discussion guide
Battlefield Earth universe

Sponsored Post

John Inghram balances vintage style with modern meaning on debut album

His debut album, John Inghram will be out May 13, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Within the first few seconds of its first song, John Inghram’s debut self-titled album gives off an unmistakable vintage vibe—swirling guitar arpeggios giving way to thumping drums and deep, perfectly-timed bass—but once he starts singing, the bigger picture quickly comes into focus. This is not just folk-rock nostalgia, but a well-crafted take on connecting modern experiences with old-school sounds, allowing listeners to feel in a more circular than linear fashion. Fans can check out “Palisades” now at this link and pre-order or pre-save John Inghram ahead of its May 13 release right here.  (John Inghram, 2022)

Glide Magazine premiered John Inghram album-opener “Palisades,” writing, “Backed by soulful organ and jagged guitar, Inghram brings together Americana, folk-rock, and a kind of laid back 70s rock sound to make for a song that feels reflective yet forward-thinking.” Like most people hearing Inghram’s brand of Appalachia-drenched songcraft, Glide went on to note just how well he delivers great lyrics via feel-good instrumentation. “With its lyrics that speak to living in the moment and embracing the present, Inghram proves once again to have a penchant for crafting smart tunes that resonate in a universal way and then complementing them with big guitar solos and an inviting, full-band sound.”

“My whole career has been about serving other people, and other people’s music,” Inghram explains, “And that is beautiful. But there was some piece that I felt was missing as a creative. I needed to serve my own original music with the creation of this album.” For Inghram, the past is a complicated topic. “Like a lot of my fellow musicians, I spent much of my 20s strung out, partying, and generally just made a lot of poor life choices,” he says. “A big part of making this album has been deciding that it’s not too late. All I’ve got is the now and I’m going for it.” With a breadth of musical knowledge and experience, Inghram finds his own unique musical mantra on this debut record. While it is always tempting to dwell on the past, or dream about the future, he challenges listeners to move into an existential, yet completely joyful mindset with him. “Now that I have a beautiful family, and life is better than I ever thought it could be,” he says, “I just want to make use of this moment and make sure I give everything I have to offer.”

Recorded at two different studios between 2020 and 2021, Bud Carroll and Justin Francis engineered John Inghram while Francis mixed and mastered it. It features Carroll and Adam Meisterhans on guitars, Randy Gilkey and Micah Hulscher on keys, and Sam Wiseman on drums. 

For nearly two decades, bassist, composer, and producer John Inghram has been making a name for himself as one of the most sought-after musicians in the Appalachian region, Mid-Atlantic, and beyond. John tours and performs regularly with Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. (2011 Winner of “America’s Got Talent”), jazz pianist Bob Thompson (Mountain Stage), bluegrass mandolinist Johnny Staats, and jam-band Fletcher’s Grove. In addition to these, John performs regularly on NPR’s Mountain Stage Radio Show and serves as the show’s assistant producer. He has also toured with and/or backed up musical luminaries such as Chuck Prophet, Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon), Joshua Hedley, Catherine Russell (Steely Dan, Bowie), Roosevelt Collier, Larry Coryell, Branford Marsalis, Janis Ian, Kathy Mattea, Kris Myers (Umphrey’s Mcgee), Patrick Sweany, Christian Lopez, and many more.

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