Features

SAN MARCOS PUBLIC LIBRARY 625 E. HOPKINS ST. 512-393-8200

I notice the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival is scheduled for Nov. 10-14, in Harlingen. (For information, visit www.rgvbf.org or call 209 227-48230.)

School is in session and that means busy families may be in need of a few meal solutions that fit into their schedules — particularly items to grab on the way to school or work. Granola bars often fit the bill as nutritious options in portable packages. While store-bought granola bars are convenient, they tend to be made with nuts or oats, which are not ideal for those with food allergies or intolerances.

Texas Performing Arts has announced that single tickets for Hamilton at Bass Concert Hall will go on sale to the public Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. for December 7 – 19 performances at BroadwayinAustin.com or texasperformingarts.org.

In Central Texas, a lowmaintenance landscape often includes only trees and grass, plus a few evergreen “foundation plants.” But adding just a few adapted plantings to the mix can turn an uninspired front yard into a garden of interest. This transformation happened at a newly-renovated house on Brown Street (corner of Clara Street), now owned by Buddy and Cindy Bailey. They purchased a San Marcos house, built in 1970, from the son of its original owner Dr. Richard Henderson, for years a beloved professor at Texas State University. The yard is partially shaded by numerous oak trees, and ground cover is a mix of grass and native horse herb.

No color stirs the passion in serious gardeners like blue. Sure, we like orange, yellow, red and pink but blue is the must-have color for mixed containers and baskets. It is like having sapphires in our pocket plantings by the front entrance to the home. It is for this reason The Garden Guy was eager to put Superbena Imperial Blue verbena to the test.

SAN MARCOS PUBLIC LIBRARY

All across America, birds are migrating to their new homes. To help in the migration, the City of Dripping Springs is once again launching Lights Out Dripping Springs, asking residents and businesses to take a pledge to turn off exterior lights during fall migration, Sept. 5 through Oct. 29, and spring migration, March 15 through June 15, from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Along with the Lights Out Dripping Springs pledge program, the Dripping Springs City Council has proclaimed August through October and March through May as Lights Out Migratory Months.

The biggest surprise in The Garden Guy’s testing this year comes courtesy of the Soprano impatiens. I cannot remember the last time I planted what we call bedding impatiens. I'm sure I had dark hair and was still helping children with homework. All I can say is Holy Wow.