Features

SAN MARCOS PUBLIC LIBRARY

My journey this week includes a memory from a newspaper article I read long ago.

Peaches are a summertime staple. This sweet fruit is at home in desserts, salads, on top of cereals, and all on its own. Peaches thrive in warm climates with lots of sunlight. Peaches are native to northwest China, and they are believed to have been domesticated and cultivated since 2000 B.C. Later, they were widely grown in the region known as Persia, which is now called Iran. As a result, the scientific name for the peach species is Prunus persica. China continues to be the world’s largest peach producer, followed by Spain, Italy, Greece, and the United States. In the United States, even though Georgia is known as “The Peach State,” it is not the country’s biggest producer of peaches. Georgia is beat out by California and South Carolina. New Jersey also produces its fair share of peaches. Nectarines and peaches are similar fruits. In fact, nectarines are a type of peach. Peaches have a dominant allele for the fuzzy skin, while nectarines have a recessive allele for that fuzz. In regard to flavor, peaches and nectarines are very similar, but some experts say nectarines are slightly sweeter and firmer. According to the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, nectarines also have considerably more potassium and twice as much vitamin A as peaches.

A person’s habits can have a strong impact on his or her overall health. Unhealthy habits like smoking and living a sedentary lifestyle can increase a person’s risk for various conditions and diseases. On the flip side, healthy habits like eating a nutritious diet and getting enough sleep can bolster a person’s immune system and reduce his or her risk for various ailments.

What is the most dangerous animal in the world?

The craft beer boom has inspired millions of people to look at beer through a new lens. Once relegated to backyard barbecues and ballgames, beer is now served alongside gourmet meals. Much like the right wine can make a meal taste even better, beer can bring out the flavors of food, making it an ideal complement to anything from steak to seafood to salad.

Want to pair your favorite craft beers like an old pro at home or at your local pub with an extensive tap list? Consider these pairing recommendations, courtesy of the Brewers Association.

Imagine lounging in the cool grass along the Guadalupe River, listening to the soulful, laidback rhythms of reggae legends The Wailers. This August, Roddy Tree Ranch will host the two-day Reggae on the Guadalupe Festival, headlined by The Wailers and featuring Nautical Nation, Henry and The Invisibles, Cowboy Irie and more.

Sweet Caroline Medusa Green is an architectural plant of the first order. I know what you are thinking, isn’t that a sweet potato? The answer is, a hearty yes and AMEN, thank you! Sweet Caroline Medusa Green is like no other sweet potato.

The City of San Marcos invites members of the community to join an Arts Master Planning Open House on Wednesday, July 28. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Price Center, 222 W. San Antonio St. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with light refreshments available.