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Wake the Dead Coffeehouse

We’ll have a rare treat this weekend as my brother and his wife will be visiting us to attend a concert in Austin Friday night. They live in East Texas in a town with great Cajun and seafood, but beyond that, their options are less diverse. My goal: To treat them to a different, local place each day they’re here. We will start with North Street, because Indian-Mexican fusion is not something you find every day. Please: You had me at curry queso. The next stop in our culinary adventure will be brunch in Blue Dahlia’s secret garden, followed by Rhea’s Ice Cream, because where else can you get a scoop of raspberry goat cheese? On Sunday, we’ll wrap it up at Garcia’s — forever our family’s favorite. It’s always Mom’s No. 2 for me (hands down, best crispy taco). My brother says their Chile Relleno is the relleno against which all others are judged, and all are found wanting. Happy eating, y’all!

The San Marcos Art League celebrated Pride Month with its annual art exhibition at the San Marcos Art Center during the month of June. The showcase titled “Love’s Palette” featured 33 artists in the LGBTQ+ community.

Smoked foods are wildly popular. The unique flavor that smoking imparts to anything from beef to poultry to seafood to vegetables is impossible to replicate with other cooking methods, which perhaps contributes to its popularity.