Features

WINTERING WONDERFULLY

Hard to believe that in just a few weeks, we move from Fall to Winter in the meteorological world. As a former resident of Caribou, Maine, I will not wish to see more snow, but I can enjoy all of the finer aspects of winter at this Saturday’s Winter Family Fun Day presented by The Meadows Center Glass Bottom Tours starting at 10 a.m. and going until 3 p.m. Held at Spring Lake, there will be crafts to make and hot chocolate to sample. Later, I will check in at the Sights & Sounds of Christmas Festival to see why everyone has praise for biscuits and rides, of course. Then, I will spend some time celebrating my daughter’s December birthday. Yes, she gets more presents on her birthday just because Christmas is so close. Bundle up this weekend but be sure to get out and enjoy the wealth of events from Kyle to Buda to San Marcos that make this time of year so special.

ROCKIN’ OUT THEN ROCK PAINTING

This weekend I’ve got a couple of things on my plate that I’m very excited about. First and foremost, tonight I will be watching my favorite band—Queens of the Stone Age—in Austin at the Moody Center. My tickets are for general admission, which at my 33 years of age may be quite an experience as this band is the type of rock that could get a little chaotic. If you’re less of a mosh-pit person and feeling more of a chill and local vibe, as a sane person should, you could always celebrate an old yuletide tradition by going to Sights and Sounds with your family tonight. I went last weekend, and I kid you not, that funnel cake and Christmas light combination transported me to my childhood. Also, you should try the biscuits and gravy. I never would have thought of this as a winter treat or a carnival treat for that matter, but I was so wrong—it’s perfect. Saturday I’m going to Wilory Farm in Martindale to support Own Your Own Universe—a nonprofit created by grammy-award winning musician Terri Hendrix to bring inexpensive art and music classes to the public. This class is a rock painting class, and there are various types of visual and auditory art classes that happen all of the time. If you’re interested in perusing the course selection go to this link ownyourownuniverse. org/calendar/ .

MUSIC, MUSIC AND MORE MUSIC

How about a San Marcos-based two-day music festival happening on the Square? This weekend is SMFest: Winter Edition, an event that will take place at multiple venues around downtown San Marcos including Sean Patrick’s, Tantra Coffeehouse, Wildfire and The Railyard. This allinclusive free music festival will feature music from local bands such as Ryn, Kenny Normal, Unspoken, Mad Dabber, Boycott and more. The event will also have vendors, art booths and SMFest’s first ever community art installation. SMFest begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and will continue through 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. For more information, check out the Sean Patrick’s Facebook event page at facebook.com/seanpatrickstx.

In addition to SMFest, this Saturday is the last Art Squared of 2023, so don’t miss the opportunity to pick up unique hand-made holiday gifts from local artists on the Square from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you’re still in the mood for shopping small and local, check out the Sunday Flea Market at Wonder World Cave located at 1000 Prospect Dr. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND?

Fri, 12/08/2023 - 12:00am

The San Marcos Daily Record suggestions for things to do in and around San Marcos

Read more about WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND?

Yellow esperanza is the first in line of many blooms across the Powell front yard on Nance St.
Photo by Sharon Lockett

Above, coral vine elevated on wire cages provides privacy and backdrop for potted red bougainvillea and periwinkles.
Photo by Sharon Lockett
Inset, coral vine and bougainvillea bloomed together in November behind a limestone boulder.
Photo by Jenny Powell

A gravel walkway between a curbside garden and foundation plants includes another red crape myrtle plus irises and garden ornaments. Inset, Esperanza or yellow bells shine curbside in Powell front yard in December.
Photos by Sharon Lockett

Red turk’s cap and lantana edge left side of yard in front of red crape myrtle and potted bougainvillea with ligustrum in background.

Indigo spires of salvia contrasts with red bougainvillea and pink periwinkles in the Powell front garden for the December Yard of the Month.

Yard of the Month

Sun, 12/03/2023 - 5:00am

Powell residence displays front yard with lowmaintenance, drought-resistant landscape

Read more about Yard of the Month

Acanthus the Rooster.
Photo from Metro Creative

Broke Thespians to stage reading of ‘Acanthus’ Dec. 9 at the San Marcos Public Library

Sun, 12/03/2023 - 5:00am

The Broke Thespians Theatre Company will present a staged reading of “Acanthus“ as part of the company’s New Works Series on Dec. 9 at the San Marcos Public Library.

Read more about Broke Thespians to stage reading of ‘Acanthus’ Dec. 9 at the San Marcos Public Library

Community organizations come together for the “Stronger Together Fair” set for Dec. 9 at the San Marcos Public Library.
Photo by Celeste Cook

The ‘Stronger Together’ Fair: Community empowerment at the San Marcos Public Library

Sun, 12/03/2023 - 5:00am

The San Marcos Public Library is excited to announce an inspiring community program that brings together residents and local organizations in an endof- year festival of learning and resources. Called the “Stronger Together Fair,” this unique gathering seeks to bolster the spirit and assets of our beautiful San Marcos community by providing invaluable services, volunteer opportunities and engagement with organizations that span the gamut of San Marcos’ diverse needs.

Read more about The ‘Stronger Together’ Fair: Community empowerment at the San Marcos Public Library

Graphic submitted by the Wimberley Community Chorus

Wimberley Community Chorus to present winter concerts starting Dec. 8

Sun, 12/03/2023 - 5:00am

The Wimberley Community Chorus presents its 2023 winter concert, “Holiday Classics” on Dec. 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. in Avey Hall of the Chapel in the Hills, 14601 RR12, Wimberley.

Read more about Wimberley Community Chorus to present winter concerts starting Dec. 8

MERRY MARTINDALE

Today starting at 5 p.m., Martindale will have its festive for the holidays face on, as the community prepares for its 16th Annual Downtown Tree Lighting. With funding provided by St. David's Foundation, I expect to enjoy the official lighting of the tree from 6 to 6:15 p.m., along with watching Santa arrive on one of my favorite Main Streets in Central Texas. Martindale has old-fashioned charm here that completely lines up with my early December frame of mind. For those heading to Martindale, expect food and other refreshments to be available. There will be a movie and crafts on hand at the Martindale Public Library, and Friends of the Martindale Library are sponsoring a raffle. Local vendors will have booths and tables set up where you can purchase homemade goods and perhaps a present or two. And if that is just not enough, with the weather cooperating, many of us will be out to listen to music and to share in some caroling. Have earplugs if you are standing close to me, because on any given day, I can manage a decent Jingle Bells and Rudolph, but from there on, I am not responsible for your hearing.

SANTA PAWS

My heart bursts with excitement just thinking about this weekend's activity. The Taproom, on the Square, hosts Santa Paws annually, and as the name entails, it's a Christmas treat for your furry friends, but mostly for local dog parents. It will be held Saturday, Dec. 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. In typical holiday fashion, Santa Clause will be in attendance, and being the photogenic celebrity that he is, will be taking photos with your dogs for a small fee that will benefit the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter. I’m curious to see how my dogs will do. I have two, and they are both completely different. Sookie is my Rottweiler. She’s big and loves to snuggle, but may attempt to chew up Santas furry Christmas hat, particularly the puffy white ball at the tip of it. Dante is my toy Australian Shepherd. He’s a big momma's boy and also a snuggler, but mostly just with his favorite people. I’m thinking his face may be full of terror in the photo, but I’d like to give it a shot anyway. And If you’re feeling a bit grinchy, I would highly recommend going to this link to see the Santa Paws photos from previous years: taproomsanmarcos.com/santa-paws ; They’re enough to grow the coldest of hearts three sizes.

SEE SIGHTS, SOUNDS

This weekend is the perfect time to get your holiday shopping on. Starting with Sights & Sounds, which opened last night, the festival offers a variety of local artists and vendors, each with different and unique gift ideas for everyone on your list. Visit Santa’s Gift Shop for the amazing comic book art of Edward Kraatz II (eeknation.com). Kraatz is a nationally-published comic book artist who sets up his booth every year at Sights & Sounds. Santa’s Gift Shop also boasts homemade candy vendors, handmade crafts and pottery by Zuni Plum, San Marcos Playing Cards (the ultimate gift for anyone who loves our little town), jewelry, soaps, leather goods and more. Sights & Sounds has 16 carnival rides this year, a plethora of food booths, a petting zoo, Bethlehem village, photos with Santa, music, biscuits, kettle corn, s’mores … I could go on and on because I have deep love for our hometown holiday festival. For information about parking, shuttles, tickets and wristbands, visit sights-n-sounds.org.

Other holiday markets include Seaon’s Creepings at The Davenport, starting at 11 a.m. and the Abracadaver Market at Wake the Dead, starting at 5 p.m.

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND?

Fri, 12/01/2023 - 12:00am

The San Marcos Daily Record suggestions for things to do in and around San Marcos

Read more about WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND?

Live Music

Fri, 12/01/2023 - 12:00am

Danny B. Harvey and Annie Marie Lewis Friday, Dec. 1, 8 - 11 p.m.

Read more about Live Music

Different seeds for different beaks: Blue jays like whole peanuts. Mourning doves enjoy millet. But chickadees, like the one above, prefer black-oil sunflower seeds.

Of the 15 million acres of black-oil sunflower seeds planted, 20% of that will go to bird food. November is the prime time to harvest the seeds.
Photos from Metro Creative

Exploring Nature: Birdseed Bonanza

Sun, 11/26/2023 - 5:00am

I have a tubular bird feeder hanging under the roof eaves of my back deck and I fill it daily with black-oil sunflower seeds. I am in good company when it comes to feeding birds. A recent study showed that nearly 57 million people in the U.S. feed wild birds. They spend a whopping four billion dollars on the hobby. That’s a billion with a “b.”

Read more about Exploring Nature: Birdseed Bonanza

Wimberley Players present ‘Nuncrackers’ through Dec. 10

Left to right: Reji Smith, Karin Cunningham, Elizabeth Armer.
Photos by Kevin Rigdon

Front Row: Anais Molin Back Row: Audrey Strobel, Gibson Rigby-Cockle, August Rigby-Cockle.

Wimberley Players present ‘Nuncrackers’ through Dec. 10

Sun, 11/26/2023 - 5:00am

The Little Sisters of Hoboken are back on The Wimberley Players stage to bring you “Nuncrackers,” the Christmas themed sequel in the “Nunsense” series written by Dan Goggins running weekends through Dec. 10.