The television adaptation of Matt Ruff’s ‘Lovecraft Country’ is now on HBO. Photo: google
Matt Ruff is an American author of thriller, science fiction and comic novels, including “The Mirage,” “Bad Monkeys” “Fool on the Hill” “Set This House in Order” and “Lovecraft Country.” “Lovecraft Country” makes real the terrors of life in Jim Crow America and its lingering effects and combines historical fiction, pulp noir and Lovecraftian horror and fantasy. It has been adapted into an HBO series by J.J. Abrams, Misha Green and Jordan Peele. Starring Jonathan Majors as Atticus, Jurnee Smollett as Letitia and Courtney B. Vance as George Freeman, it premiered on August 16 and follows Atticus as he joins up with his childhood friend Letitia and his Uncle George on a road trip across 1950s Jim Crow America in search of his missing father.
“Lovecraft Country” is a dark fantasy novel that explores the topics of H.P. Lovecraft’s horror fiction and racism in the United States during the Jim Crow era as experienced by black science-fiction fan Atticus Turner and his family. Set in Chicago in 1954, when Atticus’ father goes missing, he sets off from Florida with Letitia and his Uncle George, publisher of “The Safe Negro Travel Guide,” to Chicago to try to locate him. On their journey, they encounter the terrors of white America and malevolent spirits that seem straight out of the strange tales that George loves to read. It is a blend of magic, power, hope and freedom that stretches across time and touches diverse members of two black families.
Celebrate National Dog Day this Wednesday August 26 with Whataburger. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.
This National Dog Day, Whataburger and the San Antonio Humane Society are partnering to host ‘The Ulti-Mutt Pooch Party’ for dog lovers everywhere. (Whataburger, 2020)
Set for Wednesday August 26,from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Whataburger’s YouTube channel, the live-stream celebration will feature adoptable pets, pool playtime with pups of all shapes and sizes, plenty of dog-friendly cake eating, an orange-and-white striped doghouse and maybe even a shout out to cats. Whataburger will also be launching their new pet collection that day, details coming soon.
Whataburger has been making burgers since 1950 when Harman Dobson opened a humble hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. He wanted customers to take one bite and say, “What a burger” so he named his stand on Ayers St “Whataburger.” Now with more than 800 locations across the country, Whataburger continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals every day with superior customer service. Community support includes charitable giving and volunteerism to nonprofit organizations that focus on children’s charities, cancer research, hunger assistance, disaster relief and military support.
‘Winter of the Wolf’ by Martha Hunt Handler is the coming of age novel of a young girl coping with her brother’s suicide.
Martha Hunt Handler is an environmental consultant and author who grew up in Northern Illinois dreaming about wolves and understanding that her role is to tell stories and be a voice for nature. After she and her family relocated from Los Angeles to South Salem, New York, she began to hear wolves in her backyard and for the next twenty plus years, she has been an advocate for wolves at the Wolf Conservation Center, where she currently serves as Board President. Her first novel, “Winter of the Wolf” is an exploration in grief, suicide, spiritualism and Inuit culture told through the perspective of Bean, a fifteen year old girl. All books sales from this novel will go to the Wolf Conservation Center.
“Winter of the Wolf” begins as Bean wakes up feeling cold, stiff and covered with a sheet and her first instinct is to believe she is dead. Instead, she is in her northern Minnesota room in the middle of winter with her bedroom window open. She is still recuperating from the trauma of the previous night, when she, her best friend Julie and older brother Sam were in an automobile accident. The night ended in tragedy with the discovery of Sam’s dead body in his room from an apparent suicide by hanging. With the entire family in shock, the household is in disarray and Bean makes it her mission to find out the truth surrounding Sam’s death, since they were extremely close and she knows in her heart that he would never commit suicide. He loved life and nature and admired the Innuit culture, who do not believe in suicide. With Julie’s help, they review Sam’s life, his last days alive and his deeply held beliefs and in the process, reconnect with their own spiritual beliefs to get to the truth, no matter how painful. In the end, they discover that he was a victim of auto asphyxiation, also known as ‘the choking game,” but in knowing what really happened, the family is finally at peace and Bean experiences her own spiritual growth, which includes accepting that souls never really die, they just move on to other forms.
In a note after the last chapter, Martha Hunt Handler explains that she was inspired by the death of her best friend’s 12 year old son, of what at first appeared to be suicide, to write this book. She combines this experience with her work as an environmentalist, her love of wolves and spiritual beliefs to tell a young girl’s inspirational coming of age story. Narrated in the first person point of view, it is classified as a Young Adult novel but the themes of grief and spiritualism appeal to any age group. It tactfully approaches the topic of teen suicide without making it just another depressing teen angst novel. The positive spiritual angle is refreshing, including the thought that ‘we are energy, and as such, according to the first law of thermodynamics, we cannot be created or destroyed but can only be transferred or changed from one form to another’ – death only means that a person’s time in a human body is over, but their soul lives on, becoming part of the world around us. The extensive character development creates relatable characters and because it is written in language that is easy to understand, the story flows easily from page to page, making it an exciting page-turner. There is an-author-recommended list of sources for further reading on spiritualism, life after death and the Innuit culture. “Winter of the Wolf” is a must-read and recommended for anyone dealing with grief and in need of comfort, spiritual guidance and one viewpoint surrounding the mystery of life after death.
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
Matthew Hall is a British screenwriter and novelist, often credited as M.R. Hall, who practiced law until 1995 when he became a full time writer. His first novel “The Coroner” was published by PanMacmillan in 2009 and was shortlisted for the Crime Writer’s Association Gold Dagger Award for the best crime novel of 2009. It is the first in the Jenny Cooper series which centers around Jenny Cooper, a lawyer who is appointed Severn Vale District Coroner. She is hoping for a quiet life where she can recover from a traumatic divorce but the office she inherits from the recently deceased Harry Marshall contains neglected files hiding dark secrets and a trail of buried evidence. Adapted into a television series by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, it stars Serinda Swan as a recently-widowed coroner in Toronto who investigates suspicious deaths and has been renewed for a third season. The first season premiered on the CW on August 5.
In “The Coroner,” the tragic death in custody of a young boy seems to be linked to the apparent suicide of a teenage prostitute and the death of Harry Marshall, the previous coroner. Jenny discovers that Marshall was behaving strangely before his death and that he was investigating a case but abruptly changed his mind. In the face of powerful and sinister forces determined to keep both the truth hidden and the troublesome coroner in check, Jenny embarks on a lonely and dangerous one-woman crusade for justice which threatens not only her career but also her sanity. Subsequent books in the series include: “The Disappeared,” “The Redeemed,” “The Flight,” “The Chosen Dead,” “The Burning,” “A Life to Kill” and “The Innocent” – a short story.
In the television series, Jenny is a former ER doctor whose husband dies of an aneurysm and leaves them in debt because he had a gambling problem. She suffers from clinical anxiety and is haunted by her husband’s sudden death and her inability to save him since she was there when he collapsed. During her first case, she fires the senior coroner when she uncovers his apathetic attitude and afterwards she is faced with the possibility that his past cases will have to be re-investigated. It also stars Roger Cross as Detective Donovan “Mac” McAvoy who helps Jenny in her investigations. The first two episodes show promise and the troubled Jenny, who powers through her own demons to speak for the dead, is an intriguing character.
Niche at Pearl has created The Stitch at Niche. Photo: Niche at Pearl, used with permission.
Pearl is announcing new initiatives by select retailers to better serve customers and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar to the launch of the Pearl Farmers Market Online to aid local farmers, these programs showcase the resilience of Pearl tenants as they adapt to changing circumstances. (Pearl, 2020)
With sewing and crafting on the rise across the country since the start of the pandemic, Niche at Pearl is creating its newest concept: The Stitch at Niche – a carefully curated fabric shop and project space. The shop will launch at the Niche at Pearl store starting on Friday, August 21, 2020. The Stitch at Niche will include one-of-a-kind textiles, trims, and buttons not available at other fabric stores. Much of the fabric has been developed specifically for the Niche brand with textile manufacturers from all over the world that only work with the garment industry. Niche at Pearl will be offering the fabric and trims by the yard and prices vary based on the material.
The Stitch at Niche will stock simple sewing patterns from the Niche collection for garments and projects. By Fall, it will roll out a collection of limited in-stock and semi-custom home decor to include pillows, curtains, napkins and other soft goods. Once it is safe to do so, Niche will host maker workshops and classes in store in the project area, led by its designer Nilgun Derman, its team and guest makers. In the meantime, the store will release short how-to videos on practical sewing tips and easy at-home projects.
The Stitch at Niche will stock over 75 kinds of rotating textiles and hundreds of buttons and trims:
Silks and silk dupioni in a rainbow of colors and patterns
Linens and linen blends, including solids and digital prints
French jacquards and brocades
Embroidered knit jersey and cotton shirting
PFD (prepared for dye) linens, cotton and knits for tie-dye and small batch dyeing projects
Boiled wool and lightweight outerwear fabrics
Handmade, detailed buttons in shell, horn and wood, including large decorative buttons
Beaded and crocheted trims
Traveling sewing kits will also be available for $8 and will include: black hinged tin, needle/thread, seam ripper, tape measure, “twinbutton” shell buttons, black mini safety pins, elastic band and set of snaps. Niche at Pearl will additionally carry pattern kits for simple home projects.
With the recent rising trend of virtual wine classes and wine packs to go, High Street Wine Co. added them to better serve its customers. But High Street’s programming offers a unique give back approach with the launch of its Nonprofit Labor Program.
For every wine pack and select wine classes purchased, High Street allocates service hours and sends its team members to volunteer with its nonprofit partners — all of which were selected by their team. At online check-out, guests can choose which organization to support, including San Antonio Hope Center, Meals on Wheels, West Avenue Compassion or San Antonio Food Bank. Guests can also choose to match labor contributions to pay High Street’s staff to take additional time to volunteer for the organizations. Wine packs and classes vary in price and selections are available on High Street online.
High Street has temporarily transformed its interior into a donation drop-off station. Guests can drop off donation items, which High Street then delivers to its nonprofit partners. To kick-start the program and encourage donations, High Street is providing complimentary Pearl beer to anyone who drops a donation from the approved list (must be 21 and older to receive complimentary beer).
“I’m continually inspired by the resilience and innovation of our retail and restaurant community. Our partners are responding to the needs of San Antonio and creating avenues of support for their businesses and employees.” – Elizabeth Fauerso, Pearl’s Chief Marketing Officer
‘Macbeth’ will be one of The Classic Theatre’s Season 13. Photo: The Classic Theatre, used with permission.
On Sunday, The Classic Theatre celebrated its announcement of season 13, Theatre in The Rough, with carefully selected cocktail recipes, classic party favors to be delivered to all attendees, performance space reveals, the season 13 line-up of shows and conversations with season 13 directors. (The Classic Theatre, 2020)
For Season 13: We are the Choices We Make, each production will perform the first two weekends of shows at:
San Antonio Botanical Garden
555 Funston Pl.
San Antonio, TX 78209
The last two weekends of shows at:
The ESPEE (previously Sunset Station)
1174 East Commerce
San Antonio, TX 78205
Shows will be held at 7:30p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, except for a few Thursdays in April.
Season 13 opening show: ‘Macbeth,’ by William Shakespeare – October 2 – 25, 2020 with alternate performance dates in March 2021. Performances Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30p.m. and directed by New York director Joe Goscinski.
‘Macbeth,’ a brave Scottish general, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. The play follows this loyal soldier as he seeks the crown regardless of consequences, asking the question ‘what happens when ambition subverts reason in an honorable and loyal man?’
‘Our Town’ by Thornton Wilder- February 5 – 28, 2021. Performances Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30p.m. and directed by Mark Stringham.
This heartfelt classic drama by American playwright Thornton Wilder tells the story of the fictional American small town of Grover’s Corners between 1901 and 1913 through the everyday lives of its citizens. How do the characters find meaning and contentment with their choices as their dreams, relationships, and futures unfold?
‘Antigone’ by Sophocles – April 8 – May 2, 2021. Performances Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30p.m. and directed by Kelly Roush.
‘Antigone’ begins with two brothers fighting for the kinship of Thebes. Both men die in battle. Their successor and uncle, Creon, decides that one brother will be buried but the other brother will be left on the field of battle. Their sister, Antigone, finds herself having to choose between what she believes to be right, burying her brother, or following the laws of man and facing death herself. What happens when we are forced to choose between doing what we feel is right and what the world is telling us is right? What forces us to take a stand? What are we willing to die for?
The EVO Drive-In experience. Photo: EVO Entertainment Group, used with permission.
After four sold-out weekends, Anthony Michael Hall’s Summer Drive-In Film Festival concludes this weekend courtesy of EVO Entertainment Group at the Schertz and Kyle locations. Anthony Michael Hall, known for films like The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, 16 Candles and more has been hosting the film festival. Each evening consists of a double-feature presentation shown outdoors at the EVO® Drive-In experience. On Saturday’s event in Schertz, there will be a virtual appearance by Robert Downey, Jr. who will live stream into the drive-in, as part of that evening’s “Iconic Duo” double feature, to participate in the festival’s Q&A. (EVO Entertainment Group, 2020)
Before he became known as Iron Man, he starred alongside Hall. From performing on the set of Saturday Night Live to co-starring in a number of films, Anthony Michael Hall and Robert Downey Jr. were known as one the iconic duos of the ’80s and ’90s and remain close friends to this day.
Weekend 5 – August 14 & August 15
Anthony Michael Hall and Robert Downey Jr.: The Iconic Duo – Hail Caesar / Johnny Be Good
Location:
Friday, August 14 at EVO Kyle
Saturday, August 15 at EVO Schertz
Throughout the screenings, guests will have the ability to purchase food and beverage, merchandise, autographs and more via EVO’s mobile app. During the intermission between the two films, guests will also enjoy a 45-minute interactive Q&A with Anthony Michael Hall and guests plus the opportunity to have a professional photo taken with the celebrities. In order to promote a safe environment, questions for the Q&A will be submitted via EVO’s mobile app or in writing. Guests who partake in the photo opportunity will be asked to wear a mask up until the photo is taken and photos will be available for download through EVO’s website. The use of personal phones for photos will not be permitted in an effort to limit the number of surfaces being touched during the photo opportunity.
All tickets are priced at $25.00 per vehicle and can be purchased online. Tickets are valid only for the weekend and location chosen and shown on the tickets. Guests must purchase a separate ticket for each event they wish to attend, there are no all-inclusive ticket options. Tickets are non-refundable.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic EVO Entertainment has taken extra precautions to better ensure the safety of its staff and guests. To learn more about EVO’s safety procedures visit EVO Cinemas online.
‘In Service to Love: Book 1: Love Remembered’ is the first in a series of three books by Darlene Green. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
A healer, teacher and empath, Darlene Green began studying vibrational healing in 1992 and has written and led programs on living consciously beginning in 1998 in Seattle, Washington. She left her practice as a massage therapist in 2012 to answer a deeper calling and at a sacred site in Southern France, she connected powerfully with her Council of Light and returned to her ancient heritage as a Scribe. On December 26, 2017, Darlene received an invitation by the Council of Light for divine collaboration in a body of work title “In Service to Love.” It began as a journal for her own spiritual journey and includes daily entries for Day 1 through Day 366 and as a whole is divided into three books: “Book 1: Love Remembered,” “Book 2: Love Elevated” and “Book 3: Love Now.” “In Service to Love Book 1: Love Remembered: A Dynamic Experience of Consciousness, Transformation and Enlightenment” ‘offers a pathway for shifting your awareness from the de-stabilizing chaos of the external world to the ever-present, potent, multi-dimensional, innovative expression of Love this is your authentic nature.’
“In Service to Love” is Darlene Green’s deeply personal guide that helped her to realize and live her divine nature. When she deducted that it is also an invitation for other people to live up to their potential in a way that makes a difference in how they live their lives, she started sharing the daily writings with a close group of friends and family. It is the collaboration between Darlene, the Scribe and the Council of Light. Composed of Masters, the Council of Light includes the voices of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Archangel Michael, Archangel Gabriel, Melchizadek, Infinite Oneness, Isis, the Elohim, Buddha, Sanat Kumara, Metatron, the Hathors, Gaia, the Grandmothers, the Grandfathers, St. Germain, Legions of Light, and many more. The speaker in charge shifts, depending on the subject, and the Egyptian god Thoth, the “Patron of the Scribe” is the mediator of frequency in light. It begins with a Welcome from the author where she explains the purpose of this project: [it] ‘provides a rich environment where your frequency will increase, your perspective will broaden and your next steps become illuminated.’ Book 1: Love Remembered includes Day 1 through Day 122 and is divided as such and is a collection of daily affirmations complete with mental exercises and meditations to help readers live an authentic and fulfilling life.
While it is easy to dismiss books written by healers or new age masters, “In Service to Love” is basically a self-help guide filled with positive affirmations, meditation guides and helpful visualizations meant to enrichen lives. Regardless of where the advice comes from, its intent is to help readers become the best self they can be. Every reader is different, so each will get something different from these daily writings. It can be read all at once and then return to specific days to reexamine important topics or it can be read a day at a time, similar to a ‘reflection of the day’ series. Standouts include Day 15: Presence and Conscious Choice where the emphasis is on being fully present in the day’s daily tasks, one at a time, giving each full attention and then moving on to the next one; and Day 6: From Past and Future to Now where it stresses the importance of not getting stuck living in the past; that if you are getting out of life what you have always gotten it is because you keep doing the same thing. Written in easy to understand language, it is filled with positive and encouraging messages that, considering how divisive and hate-filled our world can be, it does not hurt to take these messages to heart. “In Service to Love: Book 1: Love Remembered” offers readers a way to connect with their authentic self and live a more meaningful life and is recommended for anyone honestly looking to create a more positive vibe in their lives.
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
Receive a free EVO 2020 Fiesta Medal with the purchase of a Frozen Mangonada Margarita at EVO Entertainment Group. Photo: EVO Entertainment Group, use with permission.
Even though this year’s Fiesta has been cancelled, many in San Antonio still love to celebrate Fiesta and collecting medals. This week, EVO Entertainment Group is kicking off a limited time offer at their Schertz and Creekside locations where guests can purchase a Frozen Mangonada Margarita and receive a free EVO 2020 Fiesta Medal with purchase. The Frozen Mangonada Margarita is available for purchase for just $9.
This Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8, EVO Kyle and EVO Schertz will welcome celebrity guest and Freddy vs. Jason actress, Monica Keena, for special showings of the film. Tickets are $10 each and are available for purchase now using the link below.
Freddy vs. Jason showcases the epic face-off between horror icons Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees. Monica Keena, who portrays the role of Lori Campbell, will host these back-to-back showings and a Q&A following each screening, discussing her time on-set, behind-the-scenes stories and more.
The iconic Taco Cabana bean and cheese taco will be $1 this National Dollar Day at participating locations. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
This weekend, in celebration of National Dollar Day, Taco Cabana will offer its popular bean and cheese tacos for only $1. This offer is valid on Saturday, August 8, 2020 only. Guests can enjoy Taco Cabana’s iconic bean and cheese taco, without any limit on the number purchased, by using code Codedollarbc. (Taco Cabana, 2020)
In conjunction with Tax Free Weekend this Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9,
Taco Cabana is also offering $5 off any purchase of $10 or more by using code Codetxfreewk. Offer excludes purchase of alcohol or gift cards.
Guests age 21 years or older are encouraged to pair their $1 bean and cheese taco or Tax Free Weekend purchases with one of Taco Cabana’s 12 signature $2 margarita flavor options. Join the fun of MargaritaPalooza with flavors such as Lime, Strawberry, Mango, Blue Curacao, Mangonada, Watermelon, and others. Guests have the option to add chamoy to their margaritas at no additional cost and Jose Cuervo tequila is available for a $2 additional cost.
Taco Cabana continues to sell Lime, Strawberry and Mango margaritas on-the-rocks by the gallon to-go for $34.99 and Blue Curacao for $36.99. Starting Saturday, August 8, guests can make their margarita gallon purchase a Jose Cuervo gallon for an additional $14.
These offers are valid at all Texas locations in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio and are available via online ordering, drive-thru, curbside pick-up and delivery. Alcohol delivery is only available in San Antonio. Dine-in service is not available at this time. Offers cannot be combined.
Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, enchiladas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining and drive-thru windows. As of Jan. 1, 2020, Taco Cabana operates 146 company-owned restaurants in Texas.
SA Examiner 