Above, Salvia farinacea, native to the Edward Plateau and Blackland Prairie. Top right, the red yucca, also native to our area, is a succulent that requires little water. Bottom right, the rock rose is native to the Blackland Prairie, but performs well in the Edwards Plateau.
Photos courtesy of the Texas A&M Superstar program
Native perennials a hardy addition to landscapes
Hays County Local Health Department will host a back-to-school fair to encourage student vaccinations on Saturday, in time for the upcoming school year.
BACK TO SCHOOL GIVING
With back to school in San Marcos set for Tuesday, Aug. 15, a tradition I like to celebrate is to take a back to school supply list and get the items, and then donate these to one of the area organizations providing assistance to families. Back to school shopping for me as a youngster growing up on the Southside of Chicago was always a time to look forward to, in that I had babysitting funds to use for 64-count crayon boxes and new Shaeffer fountain pens with turquoise ink cartridges, and later, in high school in New Jersey, I had to buy my own school books, as I was a scholarship student at Oak Knoll in Summit, N.J. This weekend local stores will be crowded and staff busy as parents and children go item by item and get ready for the new school year. Think about paying it forward to the car in back of you in a drive-through or if you can help a family in need in paying for supplies. Be extra considerate of those trying to get those lists taken care of this weekend especially. Summer may be winding down but there is still some joy that can be spread around if you are looking for the opportunity.
LOOK TO THE SKIES
The younger version of myself would be gobsmacked to hear of my new interest in bird watching. I really never understood the appeal until recently. It might be that my appreciation of nature has matured with age like a fine wine– another appreciation of mine that is positively correlated with the number of years under my belt. A local birder, Stephen Ramirez, hosts a bird walk that travels through local green spaces, preservers and riverside parks. Be up bright and early because the best bird watching, and this event, occurs right when the sun comes up. There will be ten binoculars available to borrow. No furry friends allowed as they might scare off the birds. The location will be announced today on this facebook group link https://www.facebook.com/ groups/SanMarcosBirdWalk. I imagine all of that walking around in the summer is going to have you working up quite a sweat, so I recommend a dip in the beautiful San Marcos river afterward to cool you off. After that, a nap will probably be in order seeing as it will still be very early.
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH
Tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Southside Community Center and Methodist Healthcare Ministries will host its Back to School Bash on the center’s grounds located at 518 S. Guadalupe St. This event, which is co-sponsored by Texas Preparatory School - San Marcos, will feature free haircuts, bookbags and school supplies, as well as complimentary food and drinks and a special gift distribution. If you happen to be out for the Farmer’s Market on The Square, grab some fresh produce, some pastries and a cup of coffee from the Coffee Bar, then head down to Southside Community Center to support local families getting ready for the 2023-2024 school year. Southside encourages those with school-aged children to arrive early because supplies will be available in limited quantities.
Later in the evening, Wake the Dead Coffeehouse will host its monthly Abracadavar Witches’ Market starting at 5 p.m. In addition to locally-made art and jewelry, this weekend’s market will feature sweets such as candy apples, caramel apples, cakesicles, dipped oreos, pretzel rods and rice crispy treats: perfect to put us in the mood for fall, which I promise is coming and hopefully soon.
The San Marcos Daily Record suggestions for things to do in and around San Marcos
Tips for keeping older homes energy efficient will be part of the Historic Home Collective Open House set for Saturday..
Photo provided by city of San Marcos
The city of San Marcos is inviting the public to an event that is all about preserving the past and powering the future.
CHARLIE AT THE AIRPORT
Today, the taxiway known as Charlie will be the highlight of an event at the San Marcos Regional Airport at 9 a.m. San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson will deliver remarks and those on the scene will have a fine opportunity to see and experience the excitement associated with this first reconstruction of the historic taxiway, since its installation during WWII. While I will not be there this morning, I am planning to go out to the airport on Saturday for my first visit. All things aviation history are important to me and usually I make it a point to go out to regional airports, especially to understand how these contribute to the vitality of a community. We are fortunate in that our airport is a growing, vibrant part of Central Texas. The taxiway reconstruction alone is definitely something to be celebrated, but there is so much more to see at our airport and I encourage more of us to take the time to explore it. To learn more about Taxiway Charlie, visit sanmarcostx.gov/news.
MOM'S BIRTHDAY MEAL
This really isn’t an event, I’m just going to use this platform to tell you Saturday I’ll be entertaining my mom for her birthday. Happy Birthday Mom! she’ll be 40 as is apparent by her flawless appearance. I’m only kidding… about her age, not her beauty. Since she wants a nice meal for her birthday, that gives me a chance to gush about her birthday present and my favorite local restaurant — Cody’s. This is my favorite place to go when I want to feel fancy and have a guaranteed delicious meal and beverage combo. I like to start with a wedge salad because bacon and blue cheese is a match made in heaven, as bacon is with most things. My favorite dish is their Beef Wellington; my mouth is watering just thinking about that perfectly flaky crust with a tender medium-rare masterpiece nestled inside. Their drinks are delicious too. The This or That is a fun drink that can be ordered as a collins or a martini with whatever house-made infusion they have that day. Last time I had a jalapeno and watermelon martini which was crisp and refreshing. I recommend making a reservation for a weekend night, their out-of-this-world menu is no secret.
SHAKING IT , BAKING IT
The original Shake Shack opened in New York’s Madison Square Park in 2004 with the goal to serve “elevated versions of American classics: burgers, fries and shakes.” Since then Shake Shack has opened 470 locations worldwide, and until recently, the closest one was in Austin. However on Friday, Tanger Outlets will open its own drive-thru version of the burger franchise, much to my husband’s delight. Ever since the sign went up in the Tanger parking lot, he’s been talking up Shake Shack’s burgers, so that is where we will have lunch. Also on Friday, True Pure Refillery & Craft Bar will be having a sourdough starter workshop at 6 p.m. Guided by sourdough expert Haley Anderson, this beginner’s class includes starter, a glass of kombucha and light refreshments. All participants will go home with a quality sourdough starter. Fee includes all supplies and is $28. On Saturday, True Pure Refillery will host a sip and paint workshop where participants can create their own golden-hour cactus on an 8x10 canvas. All materials and beverages are included. Three times slots are available at noon, 3 and 6 p.m. Each workshop will last about two hours. The fee is $45.
For information or to register for either event, visit the website at trulypurerefillery.com.
The San Marcos Daily Record suggestions for things to do in and around San Marcos
The birds are thirsty. Add a birdbath to your garden for them.
Photo from Metro Creative
Yes indeed, it has been a tad warmish in our area lately. Cows are giving evaporated milk and wiener dogs have grill marks.
Mouth-watering chicken salad features watermelon as its accenting ingredient.
Photo from Metro Creative
Few things are as delicious and refreshing as watermelon on a warm day. Watermelon grows quite readily in summer and is often ready to pick after three months of growing time. Harvesters look for a pale buttery yellow spot on the bottom of watermelon (the ground spot), indicating ripeness. However, shoppers can do their part and pick perfect watermelon at the store. The fruit should be firm, symmetrical and free from bruises, cuts or dents. The melon also should be heavy, as it is comprised of 92 percent water.
Monte Montgomery played at Cheatham Street Warehouse on July 15. Named one of the Top 50 Guitarists in America, Monte Montgomery lives up to the title. He plays with a blend of technical skill and emotion that makes him mesmerizing to behold.
Photo by Celeste Cook
Montgomery kicks off 23-24 tour
Despite their beauty, various plants are toxic to humans and animals, including this manjula pothos, which is a common and easy-to-grow houseplant.
Photo by Celeste Cook
Homeowners must consider various factors when choosing plants to display in and around their homes. That’s because, despite their beauty, various plants are toxic to humans and animals.
(512) 392-2458
P.O. Box 1109, San Marcos, TX 78666
