Page 133 – saobserver

Missing 3-Year-Old Boy Found Dead in Canal That Runs Behind His Home

National

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2024-05-21

Missing 3-Year-Old Boy Found Dead in Canal That Runs Behind His Home

Amari Galan Is Believed to Have Left a Residence in Rocky Ford on Foot Around 4 A.m. Local Time on May 18, According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation

The body of a toddler who went missing in Colorado over the weekend was found in an irrigation canal, according to authorities.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced Saturday, May 19, that the body of 3-year-old Amari Galan was found in the Catlin canal, which runs behind the child’s home in Rocky Ford.

His body was located “several miles downstream” around 5 p.m. local time, about 13 hours after he was last seen, according to a news release from the agency.

The boy had autism, according to the Rocky Ford Police Department.

Galan is believed to have left a residence on Washington Street on foot around 4 a.m., according to a missing persons bulletin from the CBI. The child was reportedly only wearing a diaper at the time.

Authorities used drones and dogs in addition to searching for Galan on foot, according to the RFPD.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene, according to officials. The Otero County Coroner and the child’s family confirmed his identity. 

“Law enforcement wishes to share its condolences with the family of Amari Galan,” the CBI wrote in its news release.

Rocky Ford mayor Duane L. Gurule also offered condolences and prayers “to the family and loved ones of Amari during this unimaginably difficult time.”

“May we come together as a community to offer our support, comfort, and strength to the family of Amari Galan during this heartbreaking time,” he said in a statement shared on Facebook. “Our thoughts are with you.” 

Gurule also thanked members of law enforcement and the search-and-rescue personnel “who worked tirelessly in the joint search efforts to locate Amari” after he disappeared.

“Your dedication, professionalism, and compassion in the face of such a tragic situation have not gone unnoticed,” the mayor concluded. 

No reason or cause of death has been released.

Video of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs beating then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in hotel hallway in 2016 released

Observer Staff

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2024-05-17

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Video of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs beating then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in hotel hallway in 2016 released

Sean “Diddy” Combs was seen shoving, kicking and dragging his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in harrowing 2016 surveillance released Friday.

The video, obtained by CNN and dated March 5, 2016, shows the rapper and producer running after the singer down a hallway at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.

Combs — who has a towel wrapped around his waist — then grabs her by the back of the neck and throws her to the floor.

While holding his towel closed with one hand, he proceeds to kick her, the video shows.

He grabbed a purse and a suitcase from the floor near an elevator bank before turning around and kicking Ventura again while she lay still on the carpet.

Combs briefly dragged his then-girlfriend her sweatshirt before walking away.

Ventura slowly stood up and appeared to pick up a phone on the hallway wall before Combs, still in his towel, returned and shoved her.

A few seconds later, he sat down in a chair, grabbed an object from a table, and threw it at Ventura, according to the footage.

He was seen walking away, only to turn toward Ventura yet again – just in time for someone to exit the elevator.

“The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs,” Douglas H. Wigdor, a lawyer for Ventura, said in response to the video – which appeared to match the allegations in the latter’s now-settled lawsuit against Combs.

“Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light,” Wigdor added.

Ventura – who was off-and-on with Combs between 2007 and 2018 – sued the Bad Boy Records founder in November 2023, alleging that he was physically violent and sexually abusive.

In the filing, Ventura alleged that Combs paid the InterContinental $50,000 for the security footage from a physical altercation in March 2016.

The suit was resolved the following day with an undisclosed settlement.

Article by: Olivia Land

Cuellar’s Federal Charges: Bribery To The Brim

Cover Story

Observer Staff

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2024-05-14

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Cuellar’s Federal Charges: Bribery To The Brim

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar Faces Federal Charges of Bribery and Foreign Influence, Colin Strothers Admits to Money Laundering

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, is facing federal charges, including bribery, money laundering, and working on behalf of a foreign government. He is the third lawmaker in Congress to be federally indicted this session. Cuellar stands accused of establishing fake shell companies with his wife, daughter, and staff to receive $600,000 in bribes from Mexico’s Banco Azteca and Azerbaijan’s state-run oil company. The Justice Department alleges Cuellar coordinated with Azerbaijani agents to obstruct legislation that opposed U.S. interests, violating the prohibition against Members of Congress working as foreign agents.

As the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing Homeland Security, Cuellar wielded significant influence in Congress. This made him a prime target for Azerbaijan, which sought to block legislation to finance landmine removal in a then-disputed region involving Armenia. If convicted, Cuellar could face decades in prison, but he maintains his innocence.

Cuellar Speaks Out On Federal Charges

Cuellar has held his congressional seat since 2005 and is a long-standing figure in South Texas politics. He quickly asserted his innocence, stating that his actions were consistent with his colleagues and aligned with the interests of the American people. “I want to be clear that both my wife and I are innocent of these allegations,” Cuellar said. But, then came Colin Strother.

Colin Strother Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges

Colin Strother, a seasoned now disgraced advisor deeply embedded in Texas politics and a long-term strategist for Cuellar, finds himself embroiled in a bribery scandal himself, having admitted to charges of money laundering. Presently, Strother is cooperating with prosecutors, offering crucial evidence against Cuellar and his wife in a bid to mitigate his own legal repercussions.

For many years, Strother has been a key consultant to various local San Antonio and Texas figures, often addressing concerns that were historically overlooked. He also has counseled Roland Gutierrez for an extended period of time. As of March 2023, one year before being charged, Strother received a $3,000 payment from Gutierrez. Financial and ethical questions also emerged in this relationship, highlighted by allegations that Gutierrez channeled funds, via Zelle, per transaction receipts, to ‘Alexis,’ an adult entertainer.

With two decades of purportedly corrupt dealings under Cuellar behind him, Strother is expected to provide detailed disclosures that might not only secure a more lenient sentence for himself but also expose longstanding misconduct among other local officials in San Antonio and its environs. Strother’s faces up to 20 years in prison and a six-figure fine for charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering. A pattern is emerging that will soon reveal the full picture of many skeptical individuals.

Luckily, there is still such a thing as a genuine politician, and despite these challenges, many remain dedicated to public service, drawn to the profession by noble intentions and eventually doing well for the community and society. Their unwavering commitment to ethical governance serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that true leadership may still be possible in today’s political climate.

Police Brutality Exposed in ‘For Our Children, Now on Netflix

Entertainment

Connor Wiley

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2024-05-14

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Police Brutality Exposed in ‘For Our Children, Now on Netflix

Ava DuVernay’s Distribution Company Acquires Documentary “For Our Children,” Now on Netflix – Demonstrating Hope and Strength in Community Amid Tragedy and Police Brutality

Last Friday Netflix launched the documentary “For Our Children,” originally titled “Black Mothers Love & Resist,” backed by Ava DuVernay’s distribution company, ARRAY. The film exhibits the union of two mothers whose lives were devastated as a result of police brutality, and the powerful network of hope and mutual aid they have created through their pain.

Written, directed and produced by Débora Souza Silva, “For Our Children” highlights the ongoing crisis of police violence in this country, centering on the mothers of those slain by law enforcement. Despite the increased national awareness around police brutality and the nation-wide BLM protests advocating for justice after the murder of George Floyd, police violence is higher than ever before. According to recent data from Mapping Police Violence, a non-profit research group, there were at least 1,200 people killed by law enforcement by the end of 2023, the most recorded deaths from police violence since experts first began calculating these statistics in 2013. Not even halfway through 2024, and there have already been over 400 deaths by officers this year. Even with the public attention toward these tragedies, every year racially-charged violence committed by police officers becomes worse and worse.

“For Our Children” hones in on two mothers, Wanda Johnson and Angela Williams, focusing on both of their ongoing battles for justice for their sons who were subjected to violence at the hands of police, while highlighting the community-driven efforts toward healing through solidarity. Johnson is the mother of Oscar Grant III, who was tragically shot and murdered by BART police officers in 2009 in Oakland, becoming the basis for the feature film “Fruitvale Station,” starring Michael B. Jordan. Williams’ son, Ulysses Wilkerson, was apprehended and beaten by Alabama police in 2017, when he was just 17 years old, leaving his face disfigured along with a slew of lasting injuries. Reverend Wanda Johnson started the Oscar Grant Foundation in 2009 just after her son was killed, and began inspiring and working alongside other mothers across the nation with young Black sons victimized by police violence. This network and organization, called Mothers of the Movement, aims to amplify the voices of those affected by police brutality, and has partnerships with Blueprint for Justice and other similar organizations with the goals of seeking justice and repairing the corrupted system of policing in America. The documentary follows Johnson as she connects with Williams and assembles a team of lawyers and community members in attempts to discover the truth of the events leading up to Ulysses’ encounter with police, aiming to shine light on the corruption within law enforcement. It is a heart wrenching but hope-filled exposition of the persisting police violence and brutality in the U.S., pointing to the power of community and healing through connection.

“For Our Children” is now available to stream on Netflix, so check it out if you can.

“Blacks Ranked Between Whites and Chimpanzees”

Black History

Mario Salas

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2024-05-14

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The Origins of Scientific Falsehoods

Misleading imagery was used in 1857 to suggest that Blacks ranked between Whites and Chimpanzees. They used bogus science to develop racist theories. One such science was called Phrenology. Supposedly the shape of the skull was used to describe inferior races from superior. This meant White and Black people. As a result of racist science, a “Pygmy” was displayed in 1906 as the so-called “missing link” in the Bronx Zoo in New York City. He was an African that was kidnapped and brought to New York. It could have been that this spurred the idea of the King Kong movie in 1933 which showed a crazed large ape in love with a white woman. These men, who developed Phrenology, were followers of Samuel Morton another racist scientist.

Crainiometry was another attempt by white supremacists to develop white supremacist using fake science to do so. Pieter Camper (1722-1789) was a theorist who used the measure of skulls to justify racial differences. He invented the racist concept of facial angle, used to determine racial intelligence. The angle was determined by drawing two lines; one from the nose to ear on a horizontal plane, the other perpendicular to it from the jaw to the forehead. Whites fell within the 90 degree to 80 degree range, Blacks in the 70 degree range and the orangutan ape at 58 degrees. This established a pyramid of racial inferiority with whites at the top and blacks closers to the animal kingdom. This is where white supremacists came up with the crazy idea of Black people being closer to the animal kingdom than others.

Samuel George Morton (1799-1851), was another white supremacist. He measured the volume of the brain and falsely determined he could determine the actual point at which whites ceased to be whites. This was even more absurd that some of the others, yet this false science was taught at universities in America and Europe as if it were fact. It is interesting and troubling to note that these fake scientists taught this to thousands of students thereby passing this racist infection across the globe. Many of America’s presidents studied this false science and used it as gospel as they wrote laws enshrining slavery and hatred into the founding ideas of the American constitution.

William Z. Ripley (1899) developed the “Races of Europe” which was influenced by U.S. white supremacy. Georges Lapouge (1899) developed the hierarchies model of three races from “Aryan” on down. He became the leading inspiration of the Nazis and much of what Hitler claimed to know was completely false. Christoph Meiners (1747 – 1810) was a German philosopher and historian. He supported the theory of human origins that each “race” had a separate origin. He was a very early practitioner of scientific racism. Meiners studied the physical, mental and moral characteristics of each “race,” and built a racist hierarchy based on evidence that was considered common in scientific and anthropological circles at the time. Meiners split mankind into two divisions which he labeled the beautiful White race,” and the “ugly Black race.”

In Meiners book The Outline of History of Mankind he claimed that a main characteristic of “race” is either beauty or ugliness. He viewed only the white race as beautiful. He considered ugly races as inferior, immoral and animal like. He claimed that the Black ugly peoples are distinct from the white and beautiful peoples by their sad lack of virtue and their terrible vices. This madman was believed in much the same way as the ignorant of today think they know something.

Cool-Aid for San Antonio

Community

Observer Staff

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2024-05-14

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Beating the Heat: Community Rallies to Provide Relief for Vulnerable Families in Scorching South Texas Summer

With the National Weather Service predicting an exceptionally hot summer for Texas, especially in the South Texas region, the risks increase for vulnerable communities. As temperatures climb, the absence of air conditioning can turn a home from a safe haven into a hazardous environment, particularly for families with young children or elderly members.

Amidst this backdrop of searing heat, the story of Maria, a single mom from San Antonio, offers a glimmer of hope and a testament to community spirit. Maria, who tirelessly juggles two jobs while raising three children, faced the brutal summer without the relief of air conditioning. Recognizing her struggles, her neighbors and local businesses came together to gift her a much-needed AC unit. Upon installation, Maria’s modest home was transformed. “This is more than comfort; it’s a reminder that we’re not alone, even on the hottest days,” Maria shared, her voice filled with gratitude.

Her story is not just uplifting but also a call to action. This summer, as the heat intensifies, the need for community support becomes more acute. The San Antonio Observer, in partnership with Shafer Services Plus, is stepping up to meet this challenge. They are offering free air conditioning units to families in need, ensuring that more homes like Maria’s can become havens from the heat.

If you know someone who is struggling without air conditioning this summer, don’t hesitate. Nominate them at HERE. Let’s band together and show that in our community, no one has to face the heat alone. Let’s make a difference, one cool breeze at a time.

Bezos Academy, Tuition Free Pre-K, Opening in Universal City

Education

Observer Staff

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2024-05-14

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Bezos Academy, Tuition Free Pre-K, Opening in Universal City

Jeff Bezos Launches Over a Dozen Tuition-Free Preschools in Texas, Citing Personal Montessori Education as Inspiration

Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, is launching ten tuition-free preschools in Texas, offering cost-free education to students. “He attributes his and his family’s success to his Montessori preschool education and prioritized this initiative when deciding how to allocate his wealth,” explained Allison Leader, a spokesperson for Bezos Academy.

Bezos Academy has established preschools in Old East Dallas, North Dallas, Lancaster, and Cockrell Hill, with plans to expand into Denton and Oak Cliff, Houston and a location in San Antonio, among other national sites.

For San Antonio, Bezos Academy’s Website states: Bezos Academy Universal City will open in 2024!

“We’re thrilled to announce the home of our next Bezos Academy preschool in San Antonio, TX. Our new school will be located on Northeast Lakeview College’s campus. We plan to open our doors in 2024, pending the completion of construction.”

“We offer tuition-free education for families earning under $120,000 annually,” stated Kanetria Doolin, director at the North Dallas campus, located within the Presbyterian Village North senior living community. Admission is through a lottery system, with significantly better odds than Powerball, catering to children aged three to five, with classes held five days a week. Applications are closed for this year but will open again next year.

“Approximately 50% of children aged three to five in the U.S. are not in preschool, mainly due to lack of access and affordability. We aim to address these barriers,” added Allison Leader. Lavoris McGruder, who once paid $400 a month for daycare, found a more affordable option for her son at Bezos Academy.

“And then when they said it was tuition free, me and my husband were like ‘Hey! We will take it,” she exclaimed.
McGruder said they can already tell a difference in their 4-year-old son.

“He’s so much more comfortable doing things on his own. We’re to the point where he can go downstairs and make his own toast for breakfast, and I owe that to Bezos because they are constantly challenging him,” she added.

Bezos appears invested for the long haul. The schools sign 10-year leases with partners they identify from communities in need.

A recent study from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin said the lack of affordable childcare is costing the Texas economy more than $11 billion per year.

Parents cannot go to work because preschool is either too costly or doesn’t exist in some Texas communities.

Lone Star Legacy Park Award Goes to: Martin Luther King Park on City’s Eastside

City of San Antonio

Observer Staff

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2024-05-14

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Lone Star Legacy Park Award Goes to: Martin Luther King Park on City’s Eastside

Awards led by outstanding services also recognize eastside park and innovative programming

City of San Antonio News Release — The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department earned four awards, including the prestigious Texas Gold Medal Award – Class I, at the Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) annual conference hosted in Galveston, Texas on February 29, 2024.

“We’re proud to represent San Antonio and highlight our amazing park system, initiatives, and innovative programming among fellow parks and recreation professionals across Texas,” Homer Garcia III, Director of Parks and Recreation, said. “These accolades highlighted by the Gold Medal Award and our recent national accreditation underscore our commitment to excellence in all that we do. We’re able to provide essential services and green spaces to San Antonio thanks to the hard work, dedication and support of our team, city leadership and the community.”

The Department received awards in the following categories:

Texas Gold Medal Award
The Texas Gold Medal award honors departments for excellence in the field of recreation and park management for the past three years. San Antonio received the award by demonstrating excellence in long-range planning, resource management and innovative approaches to delivering outstanding park and recreation services with financially sound business practices. The Gold Medal award is the most prestigious award that a department can earn and represents the best of the best in parks and recreation across the State of Texas.

Lone Star Legacy Park Award: Martin Luther King Park
Martin Luther King Park was designated as a Lone Star Legacy Park – one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a park. This designation is given to a park that holds special prominence in the local community and the state of Texas. Nominated parks must be a minimum of 50 years old. Martin Luther King Park opened to the public in 1972 and recently qualified for the nomination. Martin Luther King Park (2024) joins Brackenridge Park (2023), Woodlawn Lake Park (2018), Travis Park (2015), and San Pedro Springs Park (2012), on the roster of San Antonio parks with Lone Star Legacy Park designation. San Antonio holds the unique distinction of having the youngest qualifying park, Martin Luther King Park, and the oldest qualifying park in Texas, San Pedro Springs Park, designated as Lone Star Legacy Parks.

Lone Star Recreation Programming Achievement Award: Zero Robotics
Zero Robotics is a robotics program competition sponsored by NASA, the ISS National Laboratory and the Aerospace Corporation and operated by MIT. In this STEM program, Summer Youth Program participants learned computer programming, robotics, space engineering and code writing. Students were named finalists in the 2023 Zero Robotics Summer Program Competition and witnessed astronauts input their code to control NASA’s Astrobee satellites aboard the International Space Station. Participating community centers included Normoyle, Garza, Woodard, San Juan, Garrett, and Yates with a total of 50 participants.

Texas Arts & Humanities Award: Viva Los Tots
Viva Los Tots was a family-friendly event held at Lou Hamilton Community Center, in Lady Bird Johnson Park, during the City’s Fiesta holiday and focused on Fiesta-goers ages 0-5 and their families. Families were invited to join the fun in creating a place for children to feel safe to explore and play freely. A variety of activities included nature walks, hand and foot painting, making maracas, tummy time, parent/child fitness, and toddler crawl/running races. Viva Los Tots was designed for young children to encourage problem-solving, social, and emotional skills, and expression. Play materials were open-ended and children decided how to use them.

For more information about San Antonio Parks and Recreation, please visit SanAntonio.gov/ParksAndRec.

San Antonio’s Largest Whiskey Tasting Festival Brings An Experience Like No Other- This Saturday

Events

Observer Staff

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2024-05-14

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San Antonio’s Largest Whiskey Tasting Festival Brings An Experience Like No Other- This Saturday

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, the San Antonio Whiskey Riot festival will offer attendees the chance to sample over 200 whiskies and bourbons from local, regional, national, and international brands. Participants can also enjoy inventive whiskey cocktails, meet master distillers, and experience much more.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

General admission tickets are $90 and include:

Samples of 200+ types of whiskey and bourbon
An official Whiskey Riot tasting glass to take home
Whiskey cocktails from great brands
View the current pour list & get tickets: Here!

VIP tickets are SOLD OUT and include:

Special access to limited edition and rare whiskies and bourbons that will not be available during the General Admission time
Exclusive uncrowded VIP hour ahead of general Whiskey Riot start time and premium access to every whiskey brand and cocktail bar
Samples of 200+ types of whiskey and bourbon
An official Whiskey Riot tasting glass to take home
Whiskey cocktails from great brands
View the current pour list: Here!

FIRST POUR & GLASSWARE:

Hard Truth featuring first pour of Hard Truth Straight Rye Whiskey High Road Sweet Mash

OFFICIAL COCKTAIL BARS:

Green River Rye Whiskey featured in “The Rickhouse”

VIP POURS:

Old Elk Cigar Cut Island Blend
Yellow Rose Limited Release TBA
Fercullen Single Malt 21 Year Old
Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Tale of Two Islands
Blue Note Uncut
Balcones Cataleja Texas Single Malt Whisky
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Sweet Mash Four Grain Bourbon BiB
Widow Jane ‘The Vaults’ Aged 15 years
FEW American Straight Whiskey
Sagamore TBD
J.T. Meleck American Rice Whiskey, Single Barrel
Jacob’s Pardon Small Batch #3 American Whiskey
Still Austin – TBD
Giant Texas Brandy
Bending Branch 1840 Culinaria Blend

STANDARD POURS:

Michter’s US*1 Small Batch Bourbon
Michter’s US*1 Single Barrel Rye
Michter’s US*1 American Whiskey
Michter’s US*1 Sour Mash
1693 Bourbon Whiskey
1693 Rye Whiskey
1693 Honey Infused Whiskey
1693 Cask Strength
Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon
Old Elk Wheated Bourbon 8YR
Old Elk Wheat N’ Rye
Old Elk Straight Rye Whiskey
Texas Silver Star 1849 Bourbon
Texas Silver Star Honey Whiskey
Texas Silver Star Ranch Style Coffee Whiskey
Texas Silver Star Whiskey
Natterjack Irish Whiskey Blend 1
Natterjack Irish Whiskey Cask Strength
Ironroot Republic – Specific Whiskeys TBD
Dough Ball Cookie Dough Whiskey
Dough Ball Birthday Cake Whiskey
Cinnabomb Cinnamon Whiskey
Larceny Barrel Proof
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Heaven Hill BIB 7 yr
Bernheim Barrel Proof
Yellow Rose Outlaw Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Yellow Rose Harris County Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Yellow Rose Rye
Yellow Rose Premium American
Fercullen Fall’s Small Batch Irish Whiskey
Fercullen Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Fercullen Single Malt 15 Year Old
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Barrell Seagrass Rye
Barrell Vantage Bourbon
Barrell Dovetail Whiskey
James E. Pepper Barrel Proof “Decanter” Bourbon
Old Pepper Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
Old Pepper Bottled-in-Bond Rye
James E. Pepper 1776 Rye Whiskey
High West Campfire
High West Rendezvous Rye
Nelson Brothers Rye
Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon
Nine Banded Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Nine Banded Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Nine Banded Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon
Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon
Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Bourbon
Garrison Brothers HoneyDew Bourbon
Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Bourbon
Bendt No. 5
Bendt Bourbon Cream
Witherspoon Old Fashioned
Horse Neck’s RTD Variety Pack
Horse Neck’s Double Oak Barrel Bourbon
Horse Neck’s Sherry Cask Finish Bourbon
Milam & Greene Single Barrel Bourbon
Milam & Greene Triple Cask Bourbon
Milam & Greene Port Cask Finished Rye
Milam & Greene Very Small Batch Bourbon
Iron Wolf Select Bourbon
Iron Wolf Hotscotch Whiskey
Iron Wolf Straight Rye Whiskey
Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon
Frey Ranch Straight Rye
Penelope Bourbon Four Grain
Penelope BourbonBarrel Strength
Penelope BourbonToasted Bourbon
Penelope Bourbon Architect
George Remus Single Barrel
Rossville Union Bottled in Bond
Luxco’s Yellowstone Select
Luxco’s Rebel Bourbon 100 Proof Bourbon
Ezra Brooks 99 Proof Bourbon
Blue Note Juke Joint
Blue Note Crossroads
Blue Note Uncut
Blue Note Rye
Balcones Lineage Texas Single Malt Whisky
Balcones Texas 1 Single Malt Whisky
Balcones Baby Blue Straight Corn Whiskey
Balcones Texas Rye Bottled in Bond
Ballotin Peanut Butter Chocolate Whiskey
Ballotin Chocolate Toffee
Ballotin Chocolate Mocha Cream Whiskey
Ballotin Chocolate Cherry Cream Whiskey
Bear Fight American Single Malt Whiskey
Creek Water American Whiskey
Creek Water Cinnamon Whiskey
Numbskull Cool Mint & Chocolate Flavored Whiskey
Truthteller 1839 Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Sweet Mash Rye
Hard Truth Distilling Co. High Road Rye
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Sweet Mash Bourbon
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Sweet Mash Wheated Bourbon BiB
2XO American Oak
2XO Kiawah Blend
2XO French Oak
2XO Tribute Blend
St.George American Single Malt Lot series
St.George Baller whiskey
Nola Coffee Liqueur
Spiced Pear Liqueur
Widow Jane Aged Ten Years Old
Widow Jane Paradigm Rye
Widow Jane Apple Wood Rye
Widow Jane Decadence
FEW Straight Bourbon
FEW Straight Rye
FEW Whiskey Immortal Rye
FEW Whiskey Cold Cut
Triple Dog Irish Whiskey
Doc Swinson’s Session Blend Straight Bourbon
Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego Triple Cask Bourbon
Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego Solera Rye Whiskey
Doc Swinson’s Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey
Ole Smokey Pours TBA
Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey Signature 83
Sagamore Spirit Double Oak
Busker Irish Whiskey
Busker Irish Whiskey Single Pot Still
J.T. Meleck American Rice Whiskey, Small Batch
J.T. Meleck American Rice Whiskey, Single Barrel
J.T. Meleck American Rice Whiskey, Single Barrel
J.T. Meleck American Rice Whiskey, Single Barrel
BHAKTA 1928 Straight Rye, Calvados, & Armagnac
BHAKTA 2013 Straight Rye Whiskey
BHAKTA 1973 Armagnac
BHAKTA 2014 Straight Bourbon
Ghostwood Blended Bourbon
Ghostwood Black
Ghostwood Rye
Ghostwood Bourbon, Chardonnay Finish
RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished With French Oak
RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished With Brazilian Amburana Wood
RD1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Double Finished In Oak and Maple
Pursuit United Bourbon
Pursuit United Rye
Pursuit United Toasted Bourbon
Pursuit United Sherry Finished Rye
The Distillarium’s No Mans Whizkey
The Distillarium’s Cask & Slide
The Distillarium’s Cask & Spin
Straight Triticale Whiskey
Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon
Castle & Key Small Batch Wheated Bourbon
Castle & Key Restoration Rye Whiskey
Jacob’s Pardon Small Batch #3 American Whiskey
Drumshanbo Pinot Noir Cask Single Pot Still irish Whiskey
Drumshanbo Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Still Austin Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Still Austin Straight Rye Whiskey
Still Austin – TBD other products
Westland Flagship
Westland Garryana Edition 8
Westland Solum
Westland Colere
BoonDocks Port Finish Bourbon 6 Year
Tomintoul Cigar Malt Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
Tomintoul Single Malt Speyside T’laith
Glencadam 10 Year Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
Giant Texas Bourbon 95 Prf
Giant Straight Rye Whiskey 100 Prf
The Prideful Goat 6 Year Small Batch Rye
The Prideful Goat 6 Year Cask Strength
Rampur Select
Rampur Double Cask
Rampur Asava
Bending Branch 1840 High Rye Bourbon
ChickenDuck High Rye Bourbon
ChickenDuck Wheated Bourbon
Bending Branch 1840 Four Grain
Rebecca Creek Bottle in Bond
Rebecca Creek Double Barrel Spanish Oak
Rebecca Creek Spanish Oak Blended Whiskey
Rebecca Creek Fine Texas Whiskey
Von Payne Black Blended Whiskey
Von Payne Reserve Cask Strength Bourbon
+ MANY MORE TBA!

THE DETAILS:

Date: Saturday May 18, 2024
Time: 4-7 PM (VIP Hour: 3-4 PM)
Location: Freeman Expo Hall, San Antonio, TX
Cost: General admission $90 per session // VIP *SOLD OUT*
Must be 21 and over to attend. No exceptions.
View the current pour list, get tickets, and see FAQs: Here!

Gov. Abbott Boasts with Frat Boys Over Nixed DEI Program Where Funds Now Go To Campus Police

Politics

Observer Staff

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2024-05-14

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Gov. Abbott Boasts with Frat Boys Over Nixed DEI Program Where Funds Now Go To Campus Police

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas recently amplified a concerning decision from the University of North Carolina, which eliminated its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) department, reallocating those funds to campus police. By endorsing this shift on social media with a post from “End Wokeness,” Governor Abbott not only lauded the exclusion of DEI initiatives but symbolically aligned himself with a dismissive stance toward equality and inclusivity. His approval—“This is the way”—resonates a big invitation for other governors to follow suit.

The funds previously allocated to the DEI department have been transferred to campus police, a move that feels particularly provocative given the existing and historical tensions between minority communities and law enforcement—tensions that DEI initiatives aim to mitigate. It is a slap in the face. Such moves by a state leader not only marginalize vulnerable groups but also perpetuate a culture that undervalues the importance of addressing and understanding systemic inequalities. Abbott’s visible alignment with this regressive stance sends a clear, disheartening message to all Texans about the values our leadership chooses to promote. Go Vote.