San Antonio Current – November 28, 2018

NO EXISTEN FRONTERAS Following the Hard Road of Central America’s Refugee Caravan

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in this issue San Antonio Current

Issue 18_48 /// November 28-December 4, 2018

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Editorial

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Alexei Wood

11 Feature

‘No Existen Fronteras’

Following the Hard Road of Central America’s Refugee Caravan BY: R E B E CC A C E N T E N O A N D A L E X E I W O O D

07 News

Doing It for the Kids

A new report offers ways to help Texas’ disadvantaged children. Is the Lege ready to listen?

Shadow Master

S.A. adman Brad Parscale’s ‘dark money’ group spent $4.3 million last year to back pro-Trump candidates

18 Calendar

Our top picks for the week

29 Arts

End of an Era

Beloved zine St. Sucia announces its final issue

31 Screens

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Rocky spinoff Creed II gets KO’ed by tired script

If It’s Sleaze, It Leads

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33 Food

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Southern Flavors

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37 Music

Meet Emily Whitehurst The ex-Tsunami Bomb vocalist has relocated to San Antonio with her synth project, Survival Guide

Music Top Picks

46 Etc

Savage Love, Crossword Puzzle, Astrology, This Modern World

Two U.S. multimedia journalists traveled with the refugee caravan on its trek through Mexico. On the road, they discovered that desperation, danger and U.S. foreign policy drove the difficult journey.

Photo by: Alexei Wood Art Direction by: Carlos Aguilar

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CURRENT | November 28-December 4, 2018 | sacurrent.com

news Shutterstock

Doing It for the Kids

A new report offers ways to help Texas’ disadvantaged children. Is the Lege ready to listen?

BY SANFORD NOWLIN

T

exas children face high rates of poverty, health risk and educational inequality, according to the Center for Public Policy Priorities’ recently released State of Texas Children report.

There’s a good chance none of that is news to you, and the Austin-based public interest group’s previous editions of that annual report haven’t exactly prompted Texas lawmakers to fix the systematic issues at the root of those problems.

But that could change when the next legislature convenes in January, said Luis Figueroa, CPPP’s legislative and policy director. Even though the GOP remains in control of both houses, Democratic gains could give the group more leverage as it lobbies on children’s issues.

“I certainly look at every session as a new opportunity, but I feel this session is open to a whole array of new ideas,” Figueroa said.

“We’re gearing up and we think we’re in a better environment to have these discussions.”

To be sure, there’s plenty to address.

One in five Texas children live in poverty, according to CPPP’s report. And even after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, 9

percent remain uninsured.

When it comes to education, the state has over the past 10 years slashed 21 percent of the per-student funding for programs designed to help kids graduate. And with the majority of school funding now derived from local property taxes, those in poorer districts face significant disadvantages to children in wealthier ones.

Likely incoming House Speaker Dennis Bonnen said he considers school funding the Lege’s top 2019 priority — potentially good news when it comes to remedying such equity issues. But Figueroa cautions that lawmakers’ concern about rising property taxes could end up making problems worse.

“Our concern is that by mixing the issues of tax relief and school funding, we may end up sacrificing one for the other,” he said. “We’re pushing for a plan that’s equitable, increases the state’s share and moves toward more equitable outcomes.”

Although not a sure bet, the risk of losing more seats in 2020 could moderate some Republican lawmakers and lead to a more cooperative session, Trinity University political science professor David Crockett said.

“On areas of mutual interest, you could see some compromise,” he said. “Funding education is one of those areas that will require working with Democrats.”

Other Ways to Help Broad education reform isn’t the only route to a positive change for Texas children, though. Better pay for workers, expanded healthcare access and a statewide, allday pre-Kindergarten program are among the report’s other suggestions.

The latter option, which has proven popular in San Antonio, may even get a lift from leaders of both parties, Figueroa said, pointing to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s verbal support for pre-K. CPPP also plans to lobby lawmakers to establish a committee to ensure all Texans are counted in the 2020 Census, which helps determine how federal dollars are distributed in impoverished communities.

Some 30 percent of kids under 5 live in communities at risk of being undercounted, according to the group’s report.

CPPP spokeswoman Amanda Gonzalez points to bipartisan gubernatorial support for so-called Complete Count Committees in the leadup to previous Census years. Republican George Bush was the most recent Texas Governor to approve one.

“That’s something else Texas could do,” Gonzalez said. “Other states are already setting up similar committees and starting campaigns to fund them.”

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CURRENT | November 28-December 4, 2018 | sacurrent.com

Basse & Broadway

news

In its tax filing, America First Policies is transparent about its agenda if not its finances. Its uses TV ads, digital pushes, surveys and other “grassroots advocacy” to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, push for tax cuts and immigration policy changes.

Regardless of how it fares on those issues, Parscale appears to be a key beneficiary of America First Policies’ spending, according to its Internal Revenue Service filing. Parscale Strategy LLC, the Florida-based firm he formed to do political work, received $2.7 million in payments last year.

Hidden Agendas

David Fitzgerald

Shadow Master

S.A. adman Brad Parscale’s ‘dark money’ group spent $4.3 million last year to back pro-Trump candidates

BY SANFORD NOWLIN

T

rump 2020 campaign manager Brad Parscale’s first year in “dark money” politics was no timid affair. New tax documents show Trump might even say the one-time San Antonio web designer and ad exec made his entrance “bigly.”

According to a recent federal tax return, the Parscale-founded America First Policies Inc. spent $4.3 million to tip campaigns in favor of pro-Trump candidates during 2017, its first year of operation.

That’s on top of $7.5 million spent on lobbying activities for the period.

Because the group is organized as a nonprofit — the trick dark-money groups use to ease reporting requirements — it’s not required to reveal the identities of its donors. Recent corporate disclosures, however, placed Reynolds American, CVS Pharmacies and a leading big-pharma group among the check writers.

“The donors here are basically bene-

fitting Trump, and they’re doing it with secret money,” said Fred Wertheimer, president of Democracy 21, a group that seeks to curb big money’s role in politics. “So, there’s no way to know exactly how the money’s being spent and whether people are buying influence with those contributions.”

America First Policies didn’t respond to the Current’s interview request, nor did Mark Serrano, an attorney who previously served as a media handler for Parscale, who now resides in Florida.

Further muddying the trail, the vague descriptions in America First Policies’ tax filing appear to show a discrepancy between the amount of money the group reported spending on political activities in earlier federal disclosures.

In earlier Federal Elections Commission filings, it reported spending just $1.97 million on political activities and $245,000 on electioneering communi-

cations in 2017, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

However, discrepancies aren’t necessarily a red flag for illegal activity, Werthheimer cautions. That’s because dark money groups need not provide an exhaustive breakdown of how they categorize their expenditures. The separate filings could be counting apples and oranges.

Citizens United Dark money has flooded into politics since the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision, which lets corporations and nonprofits spend unlimited cash on political activity. While federal rules require political action committees to disclose their donors, there’s historically been no such requirement for nonprofits.

Parscale and other top Trump campaign operatives took advantage of that loophole in January 2017 when they formed America First Policies. One of Parscale’s partners in the venture — at least at its formation — was Rick Gates, the one-time deputy to former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, both of whom were swept up in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s net.

Even if the tax filing doesn’t shed much light on America First Policies’ spending or donors, recent corporate filings and tax records have pulled back the curtain — at least partially.

The group’s known 2017 corporate donors included Reynolds American ($1.5 million), Southern Company ($1 million), CVS Pharmacy ($500,000) and Dow Chemical ($100,000), according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Additionally, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, trade group disclosed a $2.5 million contribution in a recent tax filing.

It’s worth noting that CVS, Dow and Southern this summer announced they’d end their donations after news outlets reported on racist, sexist, anti-LGBT and anti-Muslim comments made by America First Policies staffers, including director of advocacy Carl Higbie. Higbie resigned after CNN unearthed a radio interview in which he said the “high percentage of people on welfare in the black race” was due to its “lax” morals.

But even if those donors back out, America First Policies isn’t likely to come up short. Its tax return lists secret donors who gave an additional $10.5 million combined.

Indeed, the source of three quarters of its funding is still unknown. And that anonymity is exactly the benefit that dark-money groups offer potential contributors.

“These groups are dangerous to democracy,” America 21’s Werthheimer said. “They are set up to allow big donors to give secret contributions to benefit officeholders and candidates with no way to impose accountability on whether government policies are being sold.”

sacurrent.com | November 28-December 4, 2018 | CURRENT

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Alexei Wood

O (There are no Borders)

Following the Hard Road of Central America’s Refugee Caravan BY: REBECCA CENTENO AND ALEXEI WOOD

n November 8, the two of us traveled with Strikecorps, a nonprofit workers’ movement from New York City, and other activists to livestream, record and provide media equipment to the refugee caravan in Mexico City.

After weeks of President Donald Trump demonizing the refugees as criminals and invaders, trying to thrill his base ahead of the November 6 election, we wanted to help these people tell their own stories. We wanted to show what was really happening with this exodus and why.

Now, as teargas flew across the border into Tijuana last weekend, the United States is faced with humanitarian and existential crises as it decides how to greet these asylum seekers.

(NOTE: The names of the people we interviewed during our trek were changed to protect their identities, and all interviews were conducted in Spanish.)

“They Killed My Mother, My Sister” Members of our crew left the hotel our first evening with the refugees and entered El Estadio Jesus Martinez Palillo, a stadium located in La Ciudad Deportiva Magdalena Mixhuca in Mexico City. Tents, clumped together in mini encampments, lined a narrow street leading to the stadium. The place was still bustling with people.

It was dark, and at the entrance to the stadium stood a table with 12 6 sacurrent.com | November 28-December 4, 2018 | CURRENT 11

Alexei Wood

6 11 phone chargers and electricity. Inside, a general assembly in the middle of the sports field was in full swing. A crowd of about 2,500 people gathered around members of the caravan, who took turns at the mic. Hundreds more filled the stadium seats to listen over the PA system.

Men raced past, carrying a woman who needed medical attention, and almost as soon as we walked in, about 1,000 people from another caravan arrived.

People already in the stadium excitedly threw water bottles in the air, yelled and clapped to greet the newcomers. In the United States, we’ve talked about “the caravan” as a single entity, but when they travel, it’s essentially multiple caravans, each made up of hundreds or thousands of people traveling north, most of them fleeing from Honduras.

Reporters, photographers and videographers were threaded throughout the stadium, so we felt comfortable getting our gear out, even though we’d just arrived. We climbed the stadium seats to get an aerial view. As we approached the middle of the bleachers away from stairs, people reached down and lifted us over the edge, helping with our bags. Some people slept while others listened to the assembly.

“We are speaking for the women who are pregnant, for the women who are coming with children, for the women who are sick, for the children who are sick too,” one of the male speakers told the crowd.

“How many of you want to go to Tijuana?” another man asked later. The crowd responded with cheers.

We interviewed several refugees. They talked about the rampant violence in Honduras and the lack of work opportunities. Gabriel, a 23-year-old man from Honduras, spoke about the violence his family has endured.

“When I was very little, they killed my mother, my sister and my uncle. There is a lot of crime,” Gabriel said.

“Do not look with eyes of hate, of racism. Look at the 12 CURRENT | November 28-December 4, 2018 | sacurrent.com

Alexei Wood

unity between Central Americans. We are all brothers [and sisters] in this world, and there are no borders.”

The people we interviewed said the United States shared the blame for the destabilization of Honduras.

Javier, a 30-year-old man from that country, talked about how U.S. intervention in Central America has undermined democracy and stability there.

“Everything that happens to the people in this caravan is the fault of Trump, the United States and worldwide groups such as the United Nations and the European Union,” Javier said. “In our most recent election in Honduras, who won the vote? It was Salvador Nasralla, not Juan Orlando Hernandez. All these powerful groups met to give power to Juan Orlando Hernandez and took the vote away from Salvador Nasralla” Last year, thousands of Hondurans protested the presidential election results as Nasralla, the projected winner from the Alliance of the Opposition Against the Dictatorship party, reportedly lost after servers crashed three days into the initial count. When servers came back online and counting resumed, the results showed Hernandez – an ally of the United States and a member of the right-wing National Party – ahead. Weeks of recounts ensued, finally giving the election to Hernandez. Riots broke out all over the country. A military curfew was enforced. About 30 people were killed and more than 1,600 arrested.

Not surprisingly, many people doubt the legitimacy of Hernandez’s victory and believe outside forces, like the U.S., which also supported a 2009 coup in Honduras, are responsible.

The refugee crisis didn’t happen in a vacuum.

We have to acknowledge that U.S. foreign policies contributed to the destabilization, corruption and violence in Honduras, just as people told us. In the last century, U.S. policies of military intervention, coups, economic neoliberalism and the extraction

Central American refugees take shelter in tents in El Estadio Jesus Martinez Palillo in Mexico City.

of resources have undermined both the country’s democracy and stability.

The March Takes a Toll Many individuals, faith groups and international humanitarian organizations worked in the stadium to assist the refugees. Portable toilets and water stations offered people the chance to wash their hands and brush their teeth. There was a medical area, a large tent for women and children to sleep and another for the men.

Still, the long march had clearly taken a toll. People coughed through the night and into the day. We learned a large number of refugees had upper respiratory infections and bronchitis. Lots of people wore medical face masks.

At the assembly, caravan members decided to travel Querétaro, about 135 miles northwest of Mexico City at 5 a.m. the next day. All decisions are made by members of the caravan. They are an autonomous group.

Younger men initially wanted to travel to the Texas border, which is much closer. But, after considering the safety of women and children, who are prioritized in all decisions and travel, the group decided on Tijuana instead. Even though that destination is much further and will take longer, it is safer.

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CURRENT | November 28-December 4, 2018 | sacurrent.com

6 12 The concentration of U.S. military personnel at the entry points along the Texas and Arizona borders, and the presence of right-wing militias and white nationalists, made these states a much riskier choice than California.

“An Exodus of Hope” We returned to the stadium early the next morning – Friday, November 9 – and were told that after the previous night’s assembly, people deliberated further and decided to stay in Mexico City one additional day.

As the sun rose, mariachis began to play. A long line of people stood outside the stadium waiting to enter a tent area where breakfast was being served – scrambled eggs with ham, black beans and pan. The mariachis played in the middle of the tent and a few people danced.

We left the stadium that morning and returned for the evening assembly. A van full of refugees was parked outside of the stadium. People heckled it. We were told the passengers inside were “self-deporting” – voluntarily returning to Honduras.

Inside the stadium, we took out our equipment to livestream and interview members of the caravan.

Men gathered around Matt Hopard, who’d flown in from New York City to join our group. A small group listened as Matt interviewed a man from Honduras.

Nobody appeared to be put off by our cameras. Another man asked to speak next.

“It’s a huge corruption crisis. Huge employment crisis... There’s a lot of violence happening there in Honduras,” the man said. “There is no medicine there either. Little opportunity... It’s an exodus of hope.”

After the interviews, we walked around the stadium. We peeked inside one of the tents to see where people were sleeping. In another area, children danced and played soccer.

We approached another male refugee, and Matt, once again, interpreted for us.

“He asked where we’re from,” the man replied, “and we said the U.S. And he asked us if we’re going to let them in, and I just said I hope. Espero.”

Matt translated for the livestream: “[He said] we’re all brothers. It doesn’t matter what country you come from.”

At the assembly that night, men came onto the stage and prayed, one holding a Bible, while people in the audience bowed their heads. They were praying for their journey to Quéretaro the following morning. Prayer and faith were central to many people we talked to there.

We asked refugees if they were scared of Trump sending military personnel to the border to meet them.

“No, I’m not scared,” Genaro said as he smiled and shook his head. “The only person I fear is God. “My message for Americans who do not want us because of our race or the color of our skin is that in this life we are all humans, and that God does not leave this land to anyone,” he added. “This was all created by God. We were created by God and nobody, including Trump, has the right to own this land.”

We wondered if the Mexico City stadium was an anomaly, a publicity stunt by the Mexican government. Friends who traveled to Querétaro after us said there was much less aid for the caravan – the situation there was bleak. And, last week, we received reports from media activists that the con-

Alexei Wood

Alexei Wood

ditions are bad in Tijuana, where it’s turned into a humanitarian crisis. Children are eating once a day and baby formula is scarce.

Not that we didn’t witness desperation in Mexico City. Despite the wealth of assistance in the capital, we saw refugees who were tired, hungry and sick. A man asked for pesos to buy shoes. One of the children asked for tortillas when we were on the Metro leaving Mexico City.

16 6

Refugees navigate Mexico City’s subway system as they leave town.

sacurrent.com | November 28-December 4, 2018 | CURRENT 15

6 16

Will Humanity Show Up? The refugee caravan left its Mexico City respite in the early morning of Saturday, November 10. Government officials there started the subways an hour early and gave the refugees free access. Thousands of people navigated the subway system, filled up train cars and took them as far north and west as they could.

The refugees walked half a day to reach Tepotzotlán, where the highway traffic slowed for a toll station and a rendezvous spot with medical support, food and lots of police awaited. Every truck and car passing the toll was asked to ferry passengers to Quertéaro, where another refugee camp had been set up.

Even the police stopped vehicles to ask. All day long, people offered up what they could, including food, money and rides. Refugees loaded into trucks, women and children got into cars with their bundles – the remains of their lives in Honduras.

When most of the refugees arrived at the next camp, largely set up by city and state officials with help from the United Nations, they felt they had the energy to push on. So, they continued walking until they reached another stadium further down the road.

Just south of Quertéaro, the refugees were given access to the grounds outside a public stadium, but they weren’t allowed inside.

Thousands of people crowded into the space, coveting any spot with protection from the rain that had started to fall. There were plenty of portable restrooms but not much food. Health-care workers from two medical trucks tended to an impossibly long line of sick people. A lot of police officers loomed in the background.

The coliseum walls were tall and fortified.

At one point, late in the night, officials closed the only exit gate to the space allotted to the refugees. No one was allowed in or out, and tensions skyrocketed. With the click of a lock, the refugee camp effectively became an openair prison. Confused crowds piled up on each side of the locked gate. But, after about 20 fraught minutes, officials reopened it.

At this point, the celebration and massive support we saw in Mexico City turned out to be an anomaly. The global media attention also fell off dramatically and quickly. The following night, after leaving the capital, the caravan received only bread. The cement walls it passed echoed with constant coughs.

Beyond the exhaustion and hunger, upper respiratory infections and bronchitis were rampant. The wind was cold, and the mood grew nearly hopeless.

Early in the morning, the refugees stirred,

packed up and prepared to drudge on. Kids cried during the morning church services.

No mariachi bands played. There wasn’t even breakfast.

By the time the sun was fully up, the colosseum was mostly vacant. Strikecorps handed off a bunch of livestream-ready phones and gear to an on-the-ground mutual aid support organization, Pueblo Sin Fronteras, so refugees could document and raise awareness of their situation. We jumped into our rental car, passing lines of stragglers, and headed back to Mexico City.

For the most part, the refugees enthusiastically gave consent for their journey to be documented. They wanted their stories told, to create an understanding of their plights.

However, soon after our arrival in Mexico City, a young English-speaking refugee approached us, shaking his head.

“You just see us as a show,” he said.

We tried to engage him, but he walked away in disgust. We finished our shots, packed up our gear and sat down to reflect.

We “parachuted” in, with expensive photographic gear, documented the suffering of “others,” and now we were flying back to our settled and secure life in San Antonio. The difference in our circumstances couldn’t be starker, and that’s unjust.

This caravan contests the geopolitical conditions created by U.S. foreign policies.

Decades of intervention have destabilized Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, yet the U.S. is abdicating its role and responsibility as well as any inclination to provide humanitarian solutions. Countries have a legal obligation to render aid to refugees under international law and to allow people to seek asylum. On the other hand, migrants – as the Trump administration classifies the caravans’ members – have no legal standing.

These people are fleeing, not migrating.

Their situations are so dire and desperate that they’re willing to travel, mostly by foot, for weeks or months, even to a hostile United States, for a chance at relief. They are refugees, and this is an in-your-fucking-face humanitarian crisis right at our door steps.

Will humanity show up?

16 CURRENT | November 28-December 4, 2018 | sacurrent.com

Alexei Wood

Alexei Wood

Refugees on the move and camping in Estadio Corregidora, Querétaro, Mexico.

Alexei Wood

Rebecca Centeno is a Mexican-American activist media maker and video journalist. Her work has been featured on Democracy Now!, Free Speech TV, the Washington Post, act.tv, NowThis Politics and Deep Dish TV. In 2015, she co-founded Reels for Radicals, a screening series by Paper Tiger TV and Deep Dish TV, highlighting the work of political filmmakers and creating space for critical dialogue.

Alexei Wood uses many lenses in their photography... anarchist, egalitarian, anticapitalist and antifascist are some of their favorites. Their portfolio is available online at lexshoots.com/RefugeeCaravan.

Together, Centeno and Wood are also admins for Voces Sin Fronteras, a Facebook group that seeks to amplify the voices of asylum seekers traveling across Central America to seek a better life. It’s accessible at facebook.com/vocessinfronteras18.

YOUR CITY THROUGH OUR LENS S A C U R R E N T. C O M / S L I D E S H O W S

Visit BillofRightsInstitute.org & GiveMeLiberty.org

OPEN TIL MIDNIGHT 7 DAYS A WEEK sacurrent.com | November 28-December 4, 2018 | CURRENT

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WED | 11/28

THU | 11/29 FI LM

A FACE IN THE CROWD L

TKO SPECIAL EVENT

HELLZAPOPPIN CIRCUS SIDESHOW REVUE

Jacksonville, Florida’s Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow Revue specializes in performances as unpredictable and outrageous as its namesake — a 1938 Broadway musical hodgepodge that lampooned Hitler (with a Yiddish accent), Mussolini (in blackface) and Roosevelt (speaking gibberish) while showcasing clowns, dwarfs, trained pigeons and chorus girls. Launched in Dallas in 2008 by Garland native Bryce “the Govna” Graves and now billed as “the world’s largest touring freak show,” Hellzapoppin puts a high-energy, rock-and-roll spin on the vintage sideshow experience — hits by Korn, Slayer, Slipknot and Danzig soundtrack acts ranging from the “razor-sharp machete walk” to “knife throwing and archery using human targets.” Highlighted by the Discovery Channel and Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, the troupe combines the bizarre talents of the Govna (a tattooed, fire-breathing, glass-eating ringleader with a background in both the entertainment industry and “high-rise window cleaning”); Short E. Dangerously (a three-foot, three-inch “half man” who walks on his hands and just might “blow your mind and steal your wife”); Nik Sin (a three-foot-tall escape artist who’s known for his Mini Marilyn Manson act — not to mention appearances on The Celebrity Apprentice, Portlandia and The Jerry Springer Show); Eric Ross (a street magician and “human blockhead” who specializes in piercing his hand, jaw and bicep with a steel skewer); and The Lizardman (a body-modification enthusiast and Guinness World Record holder who fronts the band Lizard Skynyrd and is versed in devouring insects, flesh-hook suspension and the “cranial corkscrew”). A suggestion from the Govna, his “band of gypsies” and his French bulldog Mr. Buggles: consider “locking up your daughters, sisters, wives, what have you, because they just might run away with the circus.” $11, 8pm, The Rock Box, 1223 E. Houston St., (210) 255-3833, therockboxsa.com. — BRYAN RINDFUSS 18 CURRENT | November 28-December 4, 2018 | sacurrent.com

Following the success of their eight-time Oscar-winning 1954 smash On the Waterfront, director/producer Elia Kazan and screenwriter Budd Schulberg reunited for 1957’s A Face in the Crowd — an originally overlooked film that questioned the power of the media, called out the soullessness of Hollywood and specifically warned viewers about the dangers of blindly believing everything on television. Based on Schulberg’s story “The Arkansas Traveler,” the film stars Andy Griffith (in his big-screen debut) as Lonesome Rhodes, a singer/guitarist/philosopher/jailbird who’s “discovered” by radio reporter Marcia Jeffries (Patricia Neal) and molded into an on-air personality. Loosely inspired by real-life characters including Arthur Godfrey, Huey Long, Will Rogers and Billy Graham, Lonesome jumps from radio to TV and eventually politics. As Lonesome’s ego explodes, Marcia realizes she’s created a monster and decides to expose him for what he really is: an overstuffed crackpot who believes his followers are nothing more than “sheep, hillbillies and hausfraus.” Speaking about his fan base, he boasts, “Those morons out there? Shucks, I could take chicken fertilizer and sell it to them as caviar. I could make them eat dog food and think it was steak. You know what the public’s like? A cage of guinea pigs. Good night, you stupid idiots. Good night, you miserable slobs. They’re a lot of trained seals. I toss them a dead fish and they’ll flap their flippers.” If Lonesome Rhodes’ bloated attitude reminds you of anyone in particular, you’re not alone. Citing 45’s infamous quote about being able to “stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody” and still not “lose any voters,” Deadline Hollywood writer Pete Hammond drew various parallels in a story titled “How Andy Griffith And Elia Kazan Predicted Donald Trump’s Rise (And Fall?) Way Back in 1957’s A Face In The Crowd.” Reviving the enduring sleeper for a contemporary audience, the McNay screens the classic as part of filmmaker AJ Edwards’ politically

calendar

Warner Bros.

charged turn as curator of the Get Reel film series. Free, 7pm, McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 824-5368, mcnayart. org. — BR FI LM

RODENTS OF UNUSUAL SIZE p

It’s man vs. swamp rat in Rodents of Unusual Size, an award-winning documentary about the invasion of coastal Louisiana by hordes of “nutria” (or “coypu”), a semiaquatic beaver-like rodent native to South America that can grow up to 20 pounds. To give the nutria a little credit, most people probably wouldn’t consider them as grotesque as the ROUS that Westley and Princess Buttercup have to battle in the Fire Swamp in 1987’s The Princess Bride.

Still, the monstrous mammals featured in the doc aren’t very innocent. They can destroy wetland habitats at alarming rates. In ROUS, co-director Chris Metzler follows the nutria through the Louisiana swamplands and also tells the stories of the local citizens who are doing everything possible to defend their communities and livelihoods from the invasive species. This includes participating in a state-sanctioned program that pays them a $5 bounty for each nutria they kill and supporting new companies that are in the business of harvesting the rodents for its fur and meat (foodies describe it as having a taste between turkey and pork). Metzler will be in attendance and answer audience questions

Trinity Press

after this one-night-only screening at Alamo Drafthouse. $13.79, 7:30pm, Alamo Drafthouse Park North, 618 NW Loop 410, (210) 677-8500, drafthouse.com. – Kiko Martinez

FRI | 11/30 TALKS

CANINE COSMONAUT: THE STORY OF THE FIRST ANIMAL TO ORBIT EARTH L

Tilapia Film

You know, we heap all kinds of praise on all of the humans who have been to space, especially the first ones, and rightly so — but where’s the love for the first mammal in space? That mammal, a Soviet dog named Laika, who was probably pretty damn shook about the whole affair, deserves some recog-

nition too, and more than a footnote. After all, Laika is the only Earth-based space tourist who has gone out of his world without any say in the matter. What a good doggo she was! Texas Tech University creative writing professor Kurt Caswell, who wrote a book called Laika’s Window: The Legacy of a Soviet Space Dog, will be giving a talk this weekend, followed by a Q&A session, that is sure to leave you informed and inspired by Laika’s odd odyssey. It is interesting stuff, and, if nothing else, we’re gonna show up to see the unlikely mixture of space junkies and animal lovers that turn out. Who knows, maybe there will be some beef. Free, 6:30-8:30pm, Trinity University, William Knox Holt Center, 106 Oakmont Ct., (210) 999-8884, tupress.org.

— James Courtney

SPECIAL GUESTS

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CURRENT | November 28-December 4, 2018 | sacurrent.com

calendar FRI | 11/30 SUN | 12/2 TH EATER

MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY 5

This playful sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice opens on the tableau of Christmas 1815, a few years after Elizabeth Bennet wed Fitzwilliam Darcy (sorry, we’re not gonna spoiler-tag a 200-year-old novel, y’all). Feeling left out as her other sisters find love, bookish middle-daughter Mary Bennet travels to the Darcys’ Pemberley estate for familial Christmas festivities. Likewise, Mr. Darcy’s shy cousin Arthur de Bourgh makes his own trek to Pemberley for the holiday, which, unbeknownst to him, will lead to a fateful meeting. Fans of Pride and Prejudice will be well-rewarded, as the play is chock full of allusions to Austen’s seminal work, but if you haven’t read the book (or have, and just don’t remember it), this yuletide romance stands on its own. Kelly Roush directs the Classic Theatre’s production. $18-$33, 8pm FriSat, 3pm Sun through Dec. 23, The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, 1924 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 589-8450, classictheatre. org. — Kelly Merka Nelson

Classic Theatre of San Antonio

SAT | 12/01

SAT | 12/1 ART

‘THE ABSURDITY OF THE FACT OF US’ 5

Fresh off a recently completed stint at Künstlerhaus Bethanien via Blue Star Contemporary’s Berlin Residency program, local artist Amada Miller will present a new body of work, beginning this weekend in conjunction with Sala Diaz’s inaugural Winter Warmer fundraiser/

Amada Miller

shindig. For this exhibition, which was partially developed during her residency, Miller digs deeper into her work with fabrics and dyes, and the connotations, histories and natural patterns they allow her to plumb. Utilizing elements like meteorites, clay and scent (with help from Kellen Stanley), along with the fabric and dye work, Miller looks to “investigate and observe natural processes on their own terms, relating them to the broader universe.” Meanwhile, the coinciding Winter Warmer will be a festive affair, replete with mezcal, wassail, beer, pozole and live music from Demitasse, offering up its weapons-grade melancholic joy. All in all, this promises to be a beautiful night for San Antonio art at the magical Sala Diaz compound.

Opening reception free, Winter Warmer $10 suggested donation (or give what you can), 7-10pm, Sala Diaz, 517 Stieren St., (972) 900-0047, saladiazart.org. — JC

San Antonio Museum of Art SPECIAL EVEN T

MUSEUM SHOP HOLIDAY FAIR

Doubling as a gift-seeker’s go-to as well as a festive opportunity to catch up on (or revisit) exhibitions like “Becoming John Marin: Modernist at Work,” “Harry Bertoia: Sculptor and Modernist Designer” and the recently “re-imagined” Texas art collection, the San Antonio Museum of Art’s annual Museum Shop Holiday Fair brings an eclectic assortment of giftable goods out to the West Courtyard for a creative browsing/shopping experience complemented by more than 30 artists associated with the San Antonio Potters Guild.

Besides whimsical socks celebrating Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and other icons, artistic cards, unique home accessories and jewelry you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in town, the fifth annual affair promises “everything from bowls and cups to ornaments, prints, clothing, scarves and decorative sculptures in ceramics and glass.”

Free, 10am-5pm, San Antonio Museum of Art Courtyard, 200 W. Jones Ave., (210) 9788100, samuseum.org. — BR

sacurrent.com | November 28-December 4, 2018 | CURRENT

21

CULTURE

tickets

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Dulce FRI, DEC 7 • 7-11PM SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN

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CURRENT | November 28-December 4, 2018 | sacurrent.com

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Courtesy of Piff the Magic Dragon

SAT | 12/1 TH EATER

PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON

Piff the Magic Dragon — “the world’s second most famous magic dragon” — gave a surprise turn on the 2015 season of America’s Got Talent, and delighted the judges with increasingly elaborate card tricks that vaulted him all the way to the final round of competition. Now, Piff’s got his own Vegas residency at the Flamingo Hotel alongside his loyal canine companion, Mr. Piffles, who holds the possibly dubious honor of being “The World’s Only Magic Performing Chihuahua.” John van der Put, the Brit with a dry wit behind Piff, deadpans his way through tricks and chows down on sandwiches on stage in a motley dragon costume, putting a comic twist on an innovative slate of illusions. But beware to anyone who volunteers to help with a trick or two — there’s a chance that Piff may ask you for some petty cash to cover his bus fare. $34.50-

Santa

$49.50, 8pm, Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, 226 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 2263333, majesticempire.com. — KMN SPECIAL EVEN T

CELTIC THUNDER

Celtic Thunder’s X Tour celebrates the 10th anniversary of the all-male Irish vocal ensemble with an eclectic mix of hit songs. Originally founded to promote music of Celtic heritage, Celtic Thunder has evolved to include poppy crowd pleasers mixed in with Irish ballads and other folk classics. This year’s tour features famous folk tunes like “Toora, Loora, Lay” alongside chart-toppers like “I’m a Believer.” To really mix it up, they even cover “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and, believe it or not, The Elder Scrolls V: “Skyrim’s Main Theme.” Backed by a full band featuring violin, harp and penny whistle, the show is certain to include something to please everyone. $39.50-69.50, 8pm, The Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-3333, majesticempire.com. — KMN

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CURRENT | November 28-December 4, 2018 | sacurrent.com

calendar

Spurs Sports & Entertainment

SUN | 12/2

P

SPORTS

SPURS VS. TRAIL BLAZERS

When the Trail Blazers trounced the Spurs in Portland earlier this season, Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combined for 53 points and 11 assists in triumph. San Antonio’s DeMar DeRozan and Bryn Forbes were no slouches in defeat, teaming up for 45 and 12 assists of their own. With Coach Pop recently favoring DeRozan and Forbes as his starting backcourt, after a brief stint with Derrick White at the helm, the resilient duo gets another crack at Portland’s gifted guards on Sunday night. Averaging career highs in points and assists, Forbes has been a silver lining for the Spurs this season. A threat from the arc anytime he takes the court, Forbes flows with the first unit, allowing space for DeRozan to flourish as a playmaker.

Containing Lillard and McCollum though, will require a team effort. $14-$1,650, 6pm, AT&T Center, One AT&T Center Pkwy., (210) 444-5000, attcenter.com. — M. Solis

URBAN-15 SPECIAL EVENT

HOLIDAY LASER SHOW

For the past 40 years, URBAN-15 has presented performance-based art, in a multitude of different forms, to communities in San Antonio and beyond. As it has grown, the multidisciplinary group of artists, dancers and musicians has parlayed its enthusiasm for the arts into a boon for our community in both education and entertainment. A creative collaboration between artist Tim Walsh and composer George Cisneros, the organization’s 15th annual Holiday Laser Show promises a multimedia extravaganza of choreographed laser beams, colorful 3D animation and light, paired with holiday favorites and experimental electronic compositions. Free but advance registration required at urban15.org, 4pm, Lila Cockrell Theatre, 900 E. Market St., (210) 736-1500, urban15.org. — JC

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Pop América 1965–1975 THROUGH JANUARY 13, 2019 The first exhibition of its kind, Pop América offers a hemispheric vision of Pop art. Featuring nearly 100 artworks that connect Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, and the U.S., this exhibition sparks a fundamental reconsideration and expansion of Pop. Funding for Pop América, 1965–1975 is most generously provided by The Brown Foundation, Inc., Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation, the Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992, the Marcia and Otto Koehler Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Sotheby’s Prize, The USAA Foundation, Inc., the Andy Warhol Foundation, Lori and Joel Dunlap, and Humanities Texas. Additional support is provided by the Director’s Circle and the Exhibition Host Committee, chaired by Lori and Joel Dunlap. Pop América, 1965–1975 is co-organized by the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, and the McNay Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas. The exhibition is guest curated by Esther Gabara, E. Blake Byrne Associate Professor of Romance Studies and Art, Art History & Visual Studies at Duke University. Hugo Rivera-Scott, Pop América (detail), 1968. Collage on cardboard. Courtesy of the artist. © Hugo Rivera-Scott. Photo by Jorge Brantmayer.

mcnayart.org

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CURRENT | November 28-December 4, 2018 | sacurrent.com

FEBRUARY 21 MAJESTIC THEATRE

arts

End of an Era

Beloved zine St. Sucia announces its final issue

BY ALEJANDRA GONZALEZ

I

f you had told the creators of St. Sucia back in 2014 that their work would end up in university libraries across the country, they would have never believed you. Thirteen issues later, the entire collection of the self-proclaimed zine exposing what it is to be a mujer in contemporary society can be found in some of the nation’s most prestigious schools, in archives dedicated to preserving profound literature and in the homes of thousands of readers who finally found the representation they were looking for. Now, after four years of DIY publishing, the zine is preparing its final issue.

Carving a space for Latinx women to express their stories of identity, religion, gender and sexuality, St. Sucia quickly earned a band of loyal readers after the release of its first issue: La Primera. Since then, art director Isabel Ann Castro and editor Natasha Hernandez have cultivated a global following that turned to their work to find comunidad and a sense of belonging.

Recently, Castro and Hernandez announced that their 14th issue will be their last — a decision they reached after long consideration to pursue other creative projects, such as independent zines, comics and a web series they plan to launch with the help of other San Antonio artists, including musician Alyson Alonzo. Reflecting on the experience

Courtesy of St. Sucia

of publishing St. Sucia, Castro says she’s ready to do more.

“The zine is established. And we did this,” she says. “And I feel like we could do more.

We have a community of creative friends. We can figure it out.”

For Hernandez, the goodbye seems a little harder to swallow: “I’m really sad. It’s been a part of my identity for a while.”

The duo promises to continue leading workshops, organizing events like the San Anto Zine Fest and guest lecturing at universities across the U.S. So far, they’ve visited schools around Texas and California to talk with Chicana/o studies classes, where St. Sucia has been placed on course syllabi and earned a spot in several graduate and PhD theses.

They admit that entering academia has been no easy feat, and each time they’re invited to give a talk exposes them to new hurdles they aren’t prepared for.

“It’s been difficult,” Hernandez says. “When we’re trying to learn how to navigate academic spaces — do we ask for money? Are people taking us seriously? There’s nothing to tell us what to do next and we have to figure out what sounds like the right thing to do.”

And sometimes figuring out the right thing to do means turning down opportunities, like interviews with big outlets such as Vice, which could have brought more publicity to their work but goes against their mission. As women of color, Castro and Hernandez have been challenged in many ways, they argue, that white males and other zine creators

would never have to consider. But the biggest challenge of all goes back prior to the release of their inaugural issue: finding a shop that would print their work.

“People didn’t even want to give us quotes,” Hernandez explains. “They would ask ‘What are you guys even doing?’”

Even so, the pair will tell you it’s all been part of the adventure — a journey that’s led them across the country and allowed them to meet women after the same goals from all over the world.

“People you meet at zine fests are super cool,” Castro says. “We’ve seen them hustling just like we have been, and traveling and making new friends has been the dopest part.”

For its final issue, St. Sucia is accepting poetry, art, prose and photography submissions through December 7. Though past issues followed a theme, this one is open to all ideas and subject matters. In recent months, they’ve received invitations to be a part of the archives at UTSA, the University of Houston, and the Benson Latin American Collection at the University of Texas.

“We want people to submit their best work,” Hernandez says.

For St. Sucia’s followers, it’s hard to say goodbye to a zine we’ve found so much solace and solidarity in, but readers can rest assured Castro and Hernandez will continue to explore new ways to express the voices of Latinx women — and for that, they see no end in sight.

The St. Sucia Issue XIV release party is TBD. Follow @stsucia for event announcements.

Submissions can be sent to stsuciasubmissions@gmail.com and should include a name and address. The submission deadline is December 7. You can find the St. Sucia zine collection at stsucia.bigcartel.com, or at the following libraries and universities: Duke University, Northwestern University, Rice University, Rhode Island School of Design, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of California at San Francisco, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Texas A&M University, Texas State University and the San Antonio Public Library.

Find more artsmore coverage Find news every day at sacurrent.com

Rocky spinoff Creed II gets KO’ed by tired script

BY KIKO MARTINEZ

W

hen Sylvester Stallone handed writer/director Ryan Coogler the reigns of his beloved Rocky franchise a few years ago, Coogler transformed what was arguably a stagnant series into Creed — a nostalgic drama with depth and meaning. At that point, Stallone had already done his part, giving audiences an unexpected Best Picture Oscar win in 1976 for the original film and a franchise-worst contribution with the 1990 sequel Rocky V. Although Stallone redeemed himself in 2006 with Rocky Balboa, it was the spinoff Creed that proved there was still untapped emotion in Rocky’s world of boxing. In the hands of Coogler, Creed became one of the surprise hits of the year and even earned Stallone a much-deserved Oscar nomination for his seventh reiteration of the Rocky character — only this time a lot grayer, lonelier and sadder.

MGM

Coogler’s choice to follow Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of Rocky friend and competitor Apollo Creed, was an inspired one — and Coogler delivered more than anyone could’ve imagined. Unfortunately, Coogler was unable to return to write or direct Creed II (some little movie called Black Panther got in the way) and, despite screenplay duties going back to Stallone, the sequel suffers because of it.

The premise, of course, is what will inevitably make Creed II hit big at the box office. Adonis squaring off with Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu), son of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), the

If It’s Sleaze, It Leads

Columbia Pictures

The Front Runner is a surface-level drama, but still worthy of a few headlines

I

t’s almost laughable to think that only 30 years ago, an entire political campaign for a U.S. presidential hopeful collapsed under the weight of a sordid extramarital affair. In comparison to the numerous sexual misconduct allegations raised about then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in 2016 — not to mention his countless public gaffes that would’ve destroyed any other candidate’s chances of making it to the White House — the unfaithfulness of Colorado Senator Gary Hart feels like such a trivial issue.

In The Front Runner, however, Academy Award-nominated writer/director Jason Reitman

(Up in the Air) does his best to make Hart’s narrative resonate for audiences that can see the parallels between his indiscretions in the late 1980s and the bad behavior men from all industries have been called out for since the start of the #MeToo movement last year. It’s not heavy-handed from this aspect, but the similarities are recognizable for those who consume news on, at least, a semi-regular basis.

Reitman, who has been in a slump these last five years with less-than-stellar contributions like Labor Day and Men, Women & Children, delivers a sufficient look behind the scenes of a campaign

screens

Sucker Punch

boxer who killed his father in Rocky IV, is every fanboy’s dream. What Creed II just can’t seem to recapture is the distinctive voice of Coogler. Director Steven Caple Jr. (The Land) tries to do his best impersonation but doesn’t equal Coogler’s creativity or narrative ambition.

What’s more troubling is that in the three years since we’ve seen Adonis, he hasn’t grown as a character. In the first three quarters of Creed II, Adonis is unlikeable and immature.

When Rocky decides he doesn’t want to train him for a match with Viktor (Mr. Miyagi does the same thing in The Karate Kid III!), Adonis throws a predictable fit (“I’m taking this fight with or without you”) and a myriad of sports movie tropes start ruining what should’ve been a memorable return to the ring.

Creed II also misses a major opportunity to tell a great story about fathers and sons.

Stallone’s script just isn’t strong enough to link the dynamics between Ivan and Viktor, Apollo and Adonis, and Rocky and his estranged boy Robert (Milo Ventimiglia). Somewhere under the clichés there’s something heartfelt to be said, but Stallone and first-time screenwriter Juel Taylor simply don’t land their jabs. But, hey, at least there’s a bunch of training montages.

spiraling out of control, although much of it is surface-level drama that fails to get into the heads of its main characters. It’s especially true of Hart (Hugh Jackman), who spends most of the film’s run time playing defense against accusations and blaming reporters for their salacious coverage.

As Hart, Jackman is genuinely believable in his role as a confident politician who is “talented at untangling the bullshit of politics” and becomes the front runner for the 1988 Democratic nomination. Hart was known for his resistance to answering questions about his personal life, so when the Miami Herald ran an article on an affair he was allegedly involved in, he quickly became a punchline for Johnny Carson and would later be written into the history books as the embodiment of political scandal.

The Front Runner is a captivating story but would’ve benefited from the script giving audiences a more meaningful insight into how Hart’s infidelity affected the lives of everyone around him — specifically his wife Lee (Vera Farmiga), campaign manager Bill Dixon (J.K. Simmons) and young lover Donna Rice (Sara Paxton). In her couple of scenes, Paxton gets closer than anyone in capturing the magnitude of Hart’s selfish actions.

Like all politicians, The Front Runner is flawed.

But Reitman offers up a compelling enough glimpse from the campaign trail and shows that, no matter in what era, journalists will always be there to hold people in power accountable — even if that means forcing them to air out their dirty laundry.

– KIKO MARTINEZ

Find more news Find more every day at film stories sacurrent.com

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BourbonQ

A Boozy take on 2M’s Syrupy Sauce

BY RON BECHTOL

A

s fate would have it, I decided to go to 2M Smokehouse on the day after online apostle Eater’s sages declared it one of America’s 38 Essential Restaurants. Congrats, guys. The news hadn’t made it to SA yet, given the evidence of the line. Arriving at a little before 11, it took me just shy of 45 minutes to negotiate the order and exit with my bounty — not unusual for the popular barbecue joint.

Service was as friendly as it always is, the peppery pork ribs were sensational, the brisket barky, moist and just fatty enough, the sausages snappy and, well: perfection. Only the chicharroni macaroni disappointed as it usually does: inadequate, too powdery chicharron. IMHO. (Yet I continue to order it.) Included in the self-assembled to-go pack, that also contained the irresistible pickled nopales, were two tiny containers of what 2M refers to as “barbeque syrup.” The barbecue shop’s meats do not need syrup — or any other adulteration.

So, I said to myself, what to do with this irrelevant, yet still compelling, accessory? Here’s where, all modesty aside, the stroke of genius comes in: use it as a cocktail component. Bourbon, with its all-American charred wood backbone, leapt instantly to mind. Char blended with smoke — what could go wrong? Nothing, as it happens. Should you find yourself with excess barbecue syrup any time soon, here’s the recipe:

food

NIGHTLIFE

2 ounces bourbon (I used Bulleit) ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice ½ ounce 2M barbejue syrup (stir before measuring) ¼ ounce, more or less, agave syrup A couple of drops of Jamaican jerk or Angostura bitters (Feel free to play with all quantities until this works for you. Extra bourbon rarely hurts. ) Shake with ice, double strain into a rocks glass with ice — preferably one large cube, and garnish with a slab of lemon peel. Or, if you have thought ahead as I cleverly did, a skewered slice of 2M sausage with Oaxacan cheese and jalapeño. Brings it all together somehow — especially if consumed with a pork rib in the other hand.

Find more food & drink news at sacurrent.com Ron Bechtol

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Southern Flavors

Texan ingredients shine at Meadow

BY RON BECHTOL

I

n 2010, acclaimed Charleston chef Sean Brock, proclaimed “Southern food is the best food in the world.” The South, in his eyes, had risen again — and food was its new foundation.

Putting aside the fact that Southern cooking is hardly monolithic, other chefs, in other cities, have rallied to the born-again Rebel cause: Donald Link in New Orleans is one, self-proclaimed “Korean-Brooklyn kid” Ed Lee in Louisville (now Washington D.C.), is another … and perhaps underpinning the whole movement is The Southern Foodways Alliance, with its director John T. Edge, which “documents, studies and explores the diverse food cultures of the changing American South.”

Apostles in spirit, if not card-carrying members in fact, exist even in semi-Southern San Antonio. Chef couple John and Elise Russ gifted us Clementine (“seasonal Southern and American eats”) late last year, with a menu that tweaked Southern standards and introduced new classics such as heretical hush puppies. And now we have Meadow, bought to us by another culinary couple, San Antonio natives PJ and Lindsey Edwards, she formerly with the Jason Dady Restaurant Group, he most recently culinary director of Austin’s Contigo. “Seasonal, Texas, Southern” is their mantra.

There are references to Texas products on the menu — pecans, apples and beef among them, but plates

fect for the occasion. (It’s not on the current restaurant menu, but should it appear, snap it up.) The new Meadow space, opened up and re-colored from its previous incarnation as Tre Enoteca, provides a far less casual setting for dishes such as grilled broccoli béarnaise with crispy shallot rings and Texas pecans.

I’d appreciate this one more with broccoli a little less crunchy, but the constellation of flavors is simply yet subtly sophisticated.

If pecans give the broccoli a marginally Texas edge, the cabbage pancake topped with a fried egg and anointed with red cabbage syrup comes out of left field; its origins are Japanese. If you’re not trying for vegetarian, the optional, crisply rendered pork belly is a good idea; it provides texture that the pancake might envy, its center being a little mushy. But, again, great flavors.

Texture and degree of doneness were an issue with another dish, the handsome wood oven-roasted carrots with oyster mushrooms, mushroom duxelles with chopped pecans, and dollops of shishito jam.

The crown of overdone carrots may have dominated visually, but the supporting-player mushrooms and zingy chili jam stole the show.

A charcoal-grilled ribeye holds pride of price at $32 on the menu’s “large” section. It’s supported by butternut squash and roasted peppers. But, inevitably, fried chicken. Edwards does a masterful job with the bird, all craggy and crusty and moist within. Its hot Jess Elizarraras sauce and honey drizzle didn’t do much for me, but at least it wasn’t cloying — and it played well with the seem to suggest more “I Suwanee” than “boy howdy.” vinegary greens, cooked to just that perfect degree Wood oven cornbread with jalapeño pimento cheese of Southern doneness. A chow chow made from the and honey lard butter both reinforced that impresstems of the greens added crunch, though not much sion and started us out with a bang. OK, the cornmore. A burger distinguished by house mustard, bread was a tad crumbly, but its smoky-savory flavor mahi-mahi, and pork played beautifully loin round out the large against both irresistible listings. The thoughtful honey-lard butter (you Meadow wine list, most of which could slather this stuff also comes by the glass, on almost anything) 555 W. Bitters Road provided a brilliant and exemplary pimen(210) 481-4214 sparkling rosé and a to cheese that had the meadowsanantonio.com robust, Washington red sort of snakebite heart Hours: 5-10pm Tue-Sat; 10am-2pm Sunday to accompany all the that is often masked Cost: $13-$32 entrees above.

by Southern poliThe dessert list is short tesse. ‘Nduja, a spiky/ Best bets: Cornbread, corn fritters, seasonal pickand, well, sweet, consistles, fried chicken spreadable Calabrian ing currently of lemon sausage, enlivened the The Skinny: Texas ingredients bolster recipes that ice box Pavlova with savory marmalade that respect their old-South origins while adding contemporary, and worldly touches such as shishito “jam” and “burnt” meringue and gave a nestful of crusty ‘nduja sausage. Fried chicken may seem knee-jerk, a chess pie. The burnt creamed corn fritters but it’s a jerk that works. Vegetables loom large both meringue didn’t scare a needed boost; they grilled and wood-roasted. Have the house pickles. me, but the pie seemed were good, but the more on point. I think it pudding-like filling would have been good needed a little more if it had had time to textural push-back. Inwarm up a bit. As it was, dividually house-pickthe crust was fine but flavors were muted. Cacao nibs led green tomatoes, green beans and cucumbers, provided a welcome accent, as did luxurious Luxardo or their seasonal counterparts, are a must-order, no cherries and a syrup with Amaro Montenegro. matter what else you’re having.

Southern Foodways claims “Our work sets a welMy first taste of chef Edwards’ food was at the come table where all may consider our history and recent Harvest Festival at Mission County Park — an our future in a spirit of respect and reconciliation.” event to keep in mind for next year. There, from If food, Southern or otherwise, can help to do that, behind a temporary counter, he served a heart- and bring more of this on. belly-warming chicken and dumplings that was persacurrent.com | November 28-December 4, 2018 | CURRENT

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Meet Emily Whitehurst

The Ex-Tsunami Bomb Vocalist Has Relocated to San Antonio, Along with Her Synth Project, Survival Guide

BY CHRIS CONDE

L

iving in San Antonio for a decade, I’ve witnessed the ebb and flow of a growing and changing music landscape. I’ve watched musicians move to the Alamo City and a lot of them move away (more of the latter).

That’s why it came as a bit of a surprise when I learned that a well-established artist decided to move to San Antonio and call it home.

If you were a fan of skate-punk or poppunk and were into bands like the Bouncing Souls, the Vandals, Face to Face, Pennywise or MxPx, chances are you’ve at least heard the name Tsunami Bomb. The Bay Area band made a pretty big name for itself in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, and even released a record that landed on Rolling Stone’s top 50 pop-punk albums of all time.

Recently transplanted to San Antonio, Emily Whitehurst, aka Agent M, lent her vocals to Tsunami Bomb until 2005, leaving then to start the Action Design, an indie power-pop band that wasn’t afraid to let its punk roots show. After a few years with that project, Whitehurst, along with the guitarist from Action Design, formed the first manifestation of her current project, Survival Guide.

Whitehurst moved to the Alamo City

a little over a year ago with her husband Doug Elkins, who came to work at Paper Tiger. She’s also continued Survival Guide as a solo project.

“I loved punk rock, but I just kind of wanted to use more instruments and do different tempos, which punk was just not conducive too,” Whitehurst told the Current.

Survival Guide’s 2015 debut, Way to Go, is a bit of a leap from her former projects. But Whitehurst’s familiar vibrato and timbre carry whispers of her punk beginnings, even as her soprano vocals soar over electronic beats and synths.

A melancholic acoustic guitar riff opens “January Shock,” a highlight from Way to Go, while drums and Whitehurst’s vocals carry listeners through a verse punctuated by drops of warm keyboard chords.

Pausing a moment in the pre-chorus, the song launches into a triumphant hook – Whitehurst singing, “And yet the sun will rise again,” as the synths morph into thick keyboard bass blocks and echoing drums crash like waves before landing back at the opening acoustic guitar riff.

If that was the only good song, I’d be super stoked, but the entire release is solid and diverse-yet-cohesive enough to be called a proper album. Live and Alone,

music

Courtesy of Survival Guide

released earlier this year, is the strippeddown acoustic answer to Way to Go and features a solo Whitehurst playing piano and singing. It’s raw and one of the best acoustic versions of an album I’ve heard in a while.

Whitehurst said she’s working on new material for a possible 2019 release.

As an established musician moving to San Antonio from the musically-saturated Bay Area, Whitehurst shared some insight about her new scene. Petaluma, about 45 minutes from the musical mammoth of San Francisco, is similar to San Antonio in that both cities are often overshadowed by their neighbors.

“It seems San Antonio is in the shadow of Austin, musically, but that to me doesn’t mean Austin is better,” said Whitehurst.

“In Austin, there’s so much competition, there’s so many shows going on every night. I feel like cultivating a music scene in San Antonio seems like a much more fun and relaxed thing to do.”

Whitehurst fondly recalled her memories of playing San Antonio dates while touring with Tsunami Bomb and the Action Design.

“When I was thinking about moving here, I was thinking about my past experience with San Antonio, and over the course of all the touring I’ve done over the years, San Antonio has always been a better spot than Austin as far as show attendance and how excited people are,” she added. “It’s always just been a super positive experience in San Antonio for me, musically.’”

While it won’t be her first show as a San Antonio resident, Whitehurst will be performing at Bang Bang Bar on Friday, November 30. She’s throwing a party for all the friends and fans who welcomed her to the Alamo City when she announced she’d be relocating.

“I’m gonna make some cupcakes, some party treats,” said Whitehurst with a spark of excitement in her voice. “It’s gonna be a winter formal-type theme – I’m gonna have a sparkly photo backdrop so we can have little dance photos and balloons.”

San Antonio royalty Alyson Alonzo also will be lending her beat-looping, soul-crooning vibrations to the party.

For more information on Emily and Survival Guide and to listen to her tunes, visit her website at srvvlgd.com.

Survival Guide Free Fri Nov. 30,9pm The Bang Bang Bar 119 El Mio Dr. facebook.com/events/202999457262290

Find more music coverage Find more news every day at sacurrent.com

music D.R.I. + DEATHWISH Wednesday, November 28

D.R.I. (that’s Dirty Rotten Imbeciles to those still hung up on formality) was one of the key bands during the Reagan era to mate hardcore tempos with metallic kerrang and birth an ugly-ass baby called thrash. As testament to the band’s ferocity, its debut LP packed in 22 blasts of hyper-speed, hyper-pissed suburban fury, only a handful clocking in longer than a minute. While D.R.I. moved in a more metal direction over time (sometimes with tepid results), it never fully throttled back the speed and anger that inspired a legion of admirers — Slayer among them. If you’re up to reliving the formative years of thrash, good thing original singer Kurt Brecht and guitarist Spike Cassidy are still around to boot you in the noggin. $15-$18, 7pm, Limelight, 2718 N. St. Mary’s St., ticketfly.com. – Sanford Nowlin

MAC DEMARCO 5 Friday, November 30

Ever the provocateur as a performer and persona, young Canadian indie pop oddball Mac DeMarco makes gently psychedelic music that is magnetic, groovy and relatable. At only 28 years old, DeMarco has become a bonafide star, winning fans over the course of nine releases (LPs and EPs) in as many years. He’s also been touring relentlessly, honing his folky, jangly, lo-fi pop-rock sound and delivering it to growing legions of young fans for whom his strange and often beautiful explorations hit the sweet spot between alien and comfortable.

His most recent album, 2017’s This Old Dog, is easily his finest to date, displaying his continued blossoming as a multi-faceted songwriter and pop mastermind. On Friday, he’ll be performing a special solo show in town, and it’s really no surprise that the affair is already sold out. Devotees of Macadelia, however, will no doubt wanna check Stub Hub for whatever’s available – it’ll probably be worth it. $141.55, 8pm, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, stubhub.com.

– James Courtney

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SCOTTY MCCREERY 5 Friday, November 30

Winner of the tenth season of American Idol in 2011, country music singer-songwriter Scott McCreery is hitting the road with a tour in support of Seasons Change, a new album released early this year. The tour hits the Alamo City Friday at the Aztec Theatre with special guests including the critically-acclaimed country music newcomer Jimmie Allen and “creative force” Heather Morgan. “Even though I’m always performing on the road, I really wanted to put together a specific tour surrounding Seasons Change because it is my favorite and most personal project yet,” McCreery said in a press release. “I am so excited to bring Jimmie Allen and Heather Morgan out with me. They are such talented singer/songwriters and I know the fans are going to love them.” $30-$45, 7pm, Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., theaztectheatre.com. – Chris Conde 38

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CRYSTAL METHOD 5 Saturday, December 1

I don’t get mad anymore when artists from the ‘90s and 2000s announce San Antonio dates these days because it happens so often. I’m just like, “Lol, more?” Next up in this revolving door of throwback musicians is beloved electronic duo the Crystal Method.

Along with the Prodigy, the Chemical Brothers and the like, the Crystal Method helped pioneer the big beat movement – a mix of heavy hiphop breakbeats and synthesizer-generated loops and patterns that often showed up on soundtracks to blockbuster hits like, you now, The Matrix. The Las Vegas-born duo hits the Paper Tiger Saturday, Chapman Baehler so bust out those Jncos and Airwalks, fam. This is one for the books. $21, 8pm, Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. – CC

DROWNING POOL p Saturday, December 1

Before you throw your computer or phone or whatever you’re reading this on, chill out. While Nu Metal was certainly one of the most commercial, uncool periods the genre went through, it wasn’t universally terrible, and Drowning Pool wasn’t the worst band out there. So go ahead and let the bodies hit the floor, y’all. After gracing us with their Nu Metal riffings back in April for Oysterbake, the Dallas-bred Drowning Pool are back because San Antonio still loves all things Nu Metal and ‘90s. $21, 8pm, The Rock Box, 1223 East Houston St., therockboxsa.com. – CC

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Saturday, December 1

Is the year over yet? No, “It’s Not Over,” because Daughtry is coming to the Alamo City. You know you can’t get enough of the ‘90s and early aughts, San Antonio, and it’s OK. It’s who we are, and we’ve accepted it. This Saturday, the former American Idol contestant will hit the Aztec Theatre. While Daughtry will most likely be playing a lot of the hits that propelled his post-Idol success, his newer music is definitely a step away from that alt-rock approach and veers in a more poppy, Imagine Dragons-y direction. $39-$65, 7pm, Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., theaztectheatre.com. – CC

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Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun — Billy Corgan’s first post-2000 Smashing Pumpkins album with both guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin — came out in early November, and it looked like they were skipping San Antonio on their tour to support the release. But, oh shit, y’all! The gods of ’90s alt-rock have smiled down on us, because the band added seven more dates, including the Alamo City. The band drops in for a show at Sunken Garden Theater this Sunday. $51.50, 5:30pm, Sunken Garden Theatre, 3875 N. St. Mary’s St., sanantonio.gov. – CC

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I’m a 30-year-old, Asian American, hetero-flexible cis woman. I’m also newly diagnosed with bipolar II. I’m on medication – the doctor is trying to figure that out – but no talk therapy for right now, as my last therapist wasn’t great and I haven’t managed to find a new one. My question for you is regarding the relationship between bipolar and kink. One of the common symptoms of the manic stage of bipolar is “risky sex.” I equate risk with “likely to blow up one’s personal or professional life” and have always answered “no” to that question when asked by doctors. I’ve had the occasional hookup, but otherwise I’ve consistently had sex in the context of closed, monogamous relationships, i.e., the opposite of risky sex. However, it recently occurred to me that I’m fairly kinky (BDSM, role-play). Nothing I’d consider a varsity-level kink, but what do I know? I have out-there fantasies that are varsity level, but I’ve never done them. Am I just bipolar and kinky? Are the two related somehow? Should I be concerned that I’ll go into a manic state and start enacting (or trying to enact) some of the varsity-level fantasies in my head?

Kinky And Bipolar P.S. I asked my doctor this via e-mail, but I haven’t heard back yet and have no idea how sex-positive he is. So I thought I’d get a second opinion.

P.P.S. I’m currently manic enough that it’s hard for me to edit, so there may be weird/ confusing shit in my letter. Sorry for that!

“I’d like to congratulate KAB for seeking help and for the work she’s doing to get stable,” said Ellen Forney, author of Rock Steady: Brilliant Advice from My Bipolar Life, an award-winning self-help guide to maintaining stability, and the best-selling graphic memoir Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo & Me. “I’d also like to welcome KAB to BIPOLAR! Toot! Toot! Confetti!”

The specific manic-stage symptom you’re concerned about – engaging in super risky sex – is called “hypersexuality,” and it’s what happens when the extremely poor judgment match meets the supercharged libido gas.

“But it’s only ‘hypersexuality’ when it gets in the way of a reasonably well-functioning life,” said Forney. “Picture masturbating all day instead of going to work, or having relationship-wrecking affairs or unprotected sex with strangers.”

If your diagnosis is correct and you have bipolar II and not bipolar I, KAB, you may be less susceptible to out-of-control hypersexuality.

“Strictly speaking, a bipolar II diagnosis means she cycles between ‘hypomania’ (mild

mania) and depression,” said Forney, “so her highs aren’t going to be as acute as they would be for someone diagnosed with bipolar I, where hypersexuality can really get dangerous.”

Forney warns that misdiagnoses are not uncommon where bipolar is concerned, so you might want to get your diagnosis confirmed.

But your long-standing kinks all by themselves – varsity and otherwise – aren’t necessarily related to your condition, KAB, and so long as they’re safely expressed and explored, you aren’t doing anything unreasonably risky or wrong.

“Kinky sex in itself doesn’t count as symptom-worthy risky sex – no matter what her doctor e-mails back,” said Forney. “Like for anyone else, there’s nothing necessarily wrong with feeling uninhibited enough to pursue varsity-level kinks, so long as they’re not putting her or anyone else in danger. Ultimately, KAB’s goal is to be stable enough to trust her judgment. For now, she might weigh the risks while she’s feeling stable, so she can make some levelheaded decisions about what might or might not be too risky.”

Forney also recommends having a discussion with your partners and friends about what your limits are – a discussion you’ll want to have when you’re not horny or manic or both.

“That way, her partners and friends can help her recognize if she’s crossing her own lines,” said Forney. “And realizing that she’s suddenly tempted to cross her own lines could be a signal to her that she’s getting hypomanic and needs to take steps to stabilize – steps like getting better sleep, adjusting her meds, and others I explore in Rock Steady!”

P.S. If your doctor won’t answer your sex questions – or only gives you unhelpful, sex-negative, kink-shaming answers – find yourself a new doctor.

P.P.S. There are letters I have to read three times before I can figure out what the fuck is going on. Your letter was as lucid as it was charming.

P.P.P.S. Therapists across the country are recommending Rock Steady to their patients with mood disorders, and Forney won a Media Partner Award from the National Alliance for Mental Illness for her work on Rock Steady and Marbles. If you haven’t already, KAB, please pick up Forney’s books. You’ll benefit from her insights, her advice, and her coping strategies. And thanks to Forney’s art and sense of humor, both books are a delight to read.

mail@savagelove.net @FakeDanSavage on Twitter www.ITMFA.org

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“Cast of Characters”– all with the help of one person.

ACROSS 1 Celebrity news site 4 “___ the season” 7 Site for some trivia events 10 “So frustrating ...”

13 Sugarloaf Mountain locale 14 Coach Parseghian 15 Make up stuff 16 Mauna ___ (Hawaiian volcano) 17 Character co-created by 63-Across 19 Abbr. on toothpaste boxes 20 ___-Wan Kenobi 21 Sasha’s older sister 22 Character co-created by 63-Across 25 “Here, I’ll get that” 27 Auguries 28 “Canterbury Tales” site 30 Great Lake name 31 Borrow (forever) 32 Starts to drop off 34 Dir. of this clue 35 “Incorrect” 39 Group of characters co-created by 63-Across 40 With “The,” character co-created by 63-Across 42 Character co-created by 63-Across 43 Mexican blanketlike shawl 45 Round fig.

46 Recording

47 Quit being serious 48 Open a little 50 Important 51 Colorado resort town 54 Create cartoons 56 Character co-created by 63-Across 58 Hands out hands 61 He did Solo work 62 Bird bill 63 Late comics maven whose career spanned eight decades 65 Foucault’s Pendulum author Umberto 66 Sport ___ (4x4) 67 Cassis-and-white wine cocktail 68 December 31, e.g.

69 Court partition 70 It gets steamrollered 71 Magic 8-Ball response 72 Liquor flavored with juniper DOWN 1 Quick haircut 2 Actress Sorvino 3 Ben Stiller character with signature looks 4 Dish served in cornhusks 5 Glass on the radio 6 Sub, e.g.

7 Lean on the horn 8 Assistant

9 Digital data display 10 Mitt 11 ABC host Roberts 12 Train tracks 18 Zero, in rugby 23 Patriotic memorabilia 24 Former Cowboy Smith 26 Emulated Cicero 28 “Need You Tonight” group 29 1890s gold rush city 31 Two-letter pair 33 Moved sinuously 36 Get going 37 “I don’t want that” 38 The Book of Mormon co-creator Parker 41 Ballet great Vaslav 44 Pesto ingredient 49 Detection methods 51 Beyond pale 52 First word of a Star Trek opener 53 Wine variety 54 Late Night with Seth Meyers writer/ performer Ruffin 55 Pin in the back 57 EGOT winner Moreno 59 Jeans maker Strauss 60 Noticed 64 Knot up ANSWER ON PAGE 21

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etc FREE WILL ASTROLOGY BY ROB BREZNY ARIES (March 21-April 19): Every year the bird known as the Arctic tern experiences two summers and enjoys more daylight than any other animal. That’s because it regularly makes a long-distance journey from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back again. Let’s designate this hardy traveler as your inspirational creature for the next eleven months. May it help animate you to experiment with brave jaunts that broaden and deepen your views of the world. I don’t necessarily mean you should literally do the equivalent of circumnavigating the planet.

Your expansive adventures might take place mostly in inner realms or closer to home.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): When the American Civil War began in 1861, the United States fractured. Four years later, the union was technically restored when the northern states defeated the southern states. At that time, African American slavery became illegal everywhere for the first time since the country’s birth decades earlier. But there was a catch.

The southern states soon enacted laws that mandated racial segregation and ensured that African Americans continued to suffer systematic disadvantages. Is there a comparable issue in your personal life? Did you at sometime in the past try to fix an untenable situation only to have it sneak back in a less severe but still debilitating form? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to finish the reforms; to enforce a thorough and permanent correction.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Does an elusive giant creature with a long neck inhabit the waters of Loch Ness in northern Scotland?

Alleged sightings have been reported since 1933. Most scientists dismiss the possibility that “Nessie” actually exists, but there are photos, films, and videos that provide tantalizing evidence. A government-funded Scottish organization has prepared contingency plans just in case the beast does make an unambiguous appearance. In that spirit, and in accordance with astrological omens, I recommend that you prepare yourself for the arrival in your life of intriguing anomalies and fun mysteries.

Like Nessie, they’re nothing to worry about, but you’ll be better able to deal gracefully with them if you’re not totally taken by surprise.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Does moss really “eat” rocks, as Cancerian author Elizabeth Gilbert attests in her novel The Signature of All Things? Marine chemist Martin Johnson says yes. Moss really does break down and release elements in solid stone. Gilbert adds, “Given enough time, a colony of moss can turn a cliff into gravel, and turn that gravel into topsoil.” Furthermore, this hardy plant can grow virtually everywhere: in the tropics and frozen

wastes, on tree bark and roofing slate, on sloth fur and snail shells. I propose that we make moss your personal symbol of power for now, Cancerian. Be as indomitable, resourceful, and resilient as moss.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Let’s shout out a big “THANKS!” and “HALLELUJAH!” to the enzymes in our bodies. These catalytic proteins do an amazing job of converting the food we eat into available energy. Without them, our cells would take forever to turn any particular meal into the power we need to walk, talk, and think. I bring this marvel to your attention, Leo, because now is a favorable time to look for and locate metaphorical equivalents of enzymes: influences and resources that will aid and expedite your ability to live the life you want to live.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Every dreamer knows that it is entirely possible to be homesick for a place you’ve never been to, perhaps more homesick than for familiar ground,” writes author Judith Thurman. I’m guessing you will experience this feeling in the coming weeks. What does it mean if you do? It may be your deep psyche’s way of nudging you to find an energizing new sanctuary. Or perhaps it means you should search for fresh ways to feel peaceful and well-grounded. Maybe it’s a prod to push you outside your existing comfort zone so you can expand your comfort zone.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Venice, Italy consists of 118 small islands that rise from a shallow lagoon. A network of 443 bridges keeps them all connected. But Venice isn’t the world champion of bridges. The American city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania holds that title, with 446. I nominate these two places to be your inspirational symbols in the coming weeks. It’s time for you build new metaphorical bridges and take good care of your existing metaphorical bridges.

ning big money, some blackjack players work in teams. One teammate secretly counts the cards as they’re dealt and assesses what cards are likely to come up next. Another teammate gets subtle signals from his card-counting buddy and makes the bets. A casino in Windsor, Ontario pressed charges against one blackjack team, complaining that this tactic was deceptive and dishonest. But the court decided in the team’s favor, ruling that the players weren’t cheating but simply using smart strategy. In the spirit of these blackjack teams, Sagittarius, and in accordance with astrological omens, I urge you to better your odds in a “game” of your choice by using strategy that is almost as good as cheating but isn’t actually cheating.

astrologer has told you that December is Love Yourself Better Month.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): What has become of the metaphorical seeds you planted during the weeks after your last birthday?

Have your intentions flourished? Have your dreams blossomed? Have your talents matured? Have your naive questions evolved into more penetrating questions? Be honest and kind as you answer these inquiries. Be thoughtful and big-hearted as you take inventory of your ability to follow through on your promises to yourself. If people are quizzical about how much attention you’re giving yourself as you take stock, inform them that your

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In his song “Happy Talk,” Academy Award-winning lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II offered this advice: “You gotta have a dream. If you don’t have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?” Where do you stand in this regard, Pisces? Do you in fact have a vivid, clearly defined dream? And have you developed a strategy for making that dream come true? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to home in on what you really want and hone your scheme for manifesting it. (P.S. Keep in mind Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s idea: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you want to play the drinking game called Possum, you and your friends climb up into a tree with a case of beer and start drinking. As time goes by, people get so hammered they fall out of the tree. The winner is the last one left in the tree. I hope you won’t engage in this form of recreation anytime soon—nor in any other activity that even vaguely resembles it. The coming weeks should be a time of calling on favors, claiming your rewards, collecting your blessings, and graduating to the next level. I trust your policy will be: no trivial pursuits, no wasted efforts, no silly stunts.

THIS MODERN WORLD BY TOM TOMORROW

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): To aid and support your navigation through this pragmatic phase of your astrological cycle, I have gathered counsel from three productive pragmatists. First is author Helen Keller. She said she wanted to accomplish great and noble things, but her “chief duty” was “to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” Second, author George Orwell believed that “to see what is in front of one’s nose” requires never-ending diligence. Finally, author Pearl S. Buck testified that she didn’t wait around until she was in the right mood before beginning her work. Instead, she invoked her willpower to summon the necessary motivation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Blackjack is a card game popular in gambling casinos. In the eternal struggle to improve the odds of winsacurrent.com | November 28-December 4, 2018 | CURRENT

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