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If you are like me, you are probably finding your news feed is focused on what is happening with the protests and riots and the possible defunding of police departments. And although I’d prefer to just address the normal subjects concerning recycling, I would also like to talk a little about current events. And I hope you don’t mind.

Editor’s note: This guest column was written by Dr. Oren Renick, School of Health Administration, Texas State University. He is a member of the Shepherd’s Centers of America Board of Directors. Renick’s book on racial reconciliation, “Smoke Over Mississippi,” was recently published as an expanded second edition. It is available through Amazon or Insight Press.

Q. I was sitting outside when I got buzzed by a bee-like insect that I hadn’t seen before. It was bigger than most bees and smaller than a wasp. It had bright gold and black stripes. Could it have been a hornet? I don’t know what they look like.

I am enjoying birds of all sizes at my place. A tiny black-chinned hummingbird feeds at my sugar-water feeder on the back deck while down below, a large black vulture stands on my birdbath and sips the water.

Summer is here despite what the calendar says. Central Texans are no strangers to the heat and once we start reaching triple digits, I figure summer — in the garden at least — is here.

The Juneteenth Foundation, Inc. (JFI) and the Dunbar Heritage Association (DHA) have revamped their annual citywide Juneteenth celebrations this year in order to celebrate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The San Marcos Public Library has been working to find ways to revamp and rethink important summer programs — like the Summer Reading Program, puppet shows, storytimes and career resources — to make them available to the community in the wake of COVID-19.