07.04.2023

Today’s Forecast

98º | Partly cloud, Isolated storm | 20% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:39 a.m. | Sunset 8:37 p.m.

🌻 Native flowers 101

Become an expert on native flowers

Black-eyed susans are similar to Europe-native daisies. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

You love local food, music, business, and art — so while you’re planning your garden this summer, why not choose local plants, too?

Native plants are naturally adapted to the local climate, provide sustenance to native wildlife, and save water by thriving on normal rainfall. Plus, they’re more visually diverse than, say, lawn grass.

Consider planting some Central Texas flora this summer. We’ll get you started.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Water needs: Moist, Dry
Light needs: Sun
Bloom time: March-November
Attracts: Birds and butterflies (Bordered Patch + Gorgone Checkerspot).

Growing tips: Black-eyed susan can become aggressive without competition, so consider planting it alongside other plants on this list.

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Water needs: Moist, dry
Light needs: Sun, shade, part-shade
Bloom time: May-September
Attracts: Hummingbirds and butterflies (Monarch + Grey Hairstreak).

Growing tips: Butterfly weed attracts aphids, which you can deal with by spraying with soapy water, blasting with high-pressure streams, or by leaving the aphids for ladybugs.

MKT Butterfly Milkweed — Plant some of this, and you may find yourself playing host to monarchs.
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Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Water needs: Dry
Light needs: Sun, part-shade
Bloom time: April-September
Attracts: Hummingbirds and butterflies.

Growing tips: Suited to northeast Texas, purple coneflower thrives in lean soil with ~six hours of direct sunlight daily.

Two more species

Events

Tuesday, July 4

Story Time at Hemisfair with SAAACAM | Tuesday, July 4 | 10-11 a.m. | Yanaguana Garden, 434 S. Alamo St., San Antonio | Free | Join the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum for a special story time reading.
4th of July Fireworks Spectacular | Tuesday, July 4 | 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. | SeaWorld San Antonio, 10500 SeaWorld Dr., San Antonio | $47.99-$122.97 | Celebrate America’s independence with a colorful display of fireworks at this theme park.
An Alamo City Fourth | Tuesday, July 4 | 3-4 p.m. | Trinity Baptist Church, 319 E. Mulberry Ave., San Antonio | Free | Join the Heart of Texas Concert Band as they celebrate this national holiday.

Wednesday, July 5

“I’ll Toast to That” Happy Hour | Wednesday, July 5 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Landrace, 111 Lexington Ave., San Antonio | Free | Come celebrate this restaurant’s hard work as they recognize winning the Wine Spectator award.
Party in the Park | Wednesday, July 5 | 7-9 p.m. | The RIM Commons Park, 17635 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio | Free | Grab bites + beverages while listening to live music by Matt Kirk and the Güeyfarers at this summer music series.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Drink

🍹 Give it up for this (zero-proof) marg

Add a splash of mango or passion fruit juice to your margarita for an added tropical punch. | Photo via Ritual Zero Proof

Your new favorite summer cocktail? An alcohol-free marg made with Ritual Zero Proof tequila. The best part? It’s hangover-free.

Virgin all day margarita

Ingredients:

2 oz. Ritual Tequila Alternative
1 oz. orange juice
1 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
Lime slice

Directions:

Shake all ingredients (except lime slice) in a shaker with ice. Pour into a cocktail glass with ice and garnish with a lime slice.

More recipes

News Notes

Pets

San Antonio Pets Alive! is asking for immediate fosters for dogs at its Building One Rescue Center. The facility’s air condition unit went out and will take three to four weeks to repair. Want to help? Send the organization an email if you are interested in fostering.

Civic

The City of San Antonio is warning residents to be cautious about phone calls displaying spoofed city numbers. This comes after multiple reports of false calls originating from a city department. As a reminder, the city will never ask for payment via phone call or to transfer money.

Today Is

Independence Day. America has been celebrating this day for 247 years, since the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on July 4, 1776. Round up the kids, friends, or just yourself and head to The Official City Fourth of July Celebration and Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

Drink

Speaking of Independence Day... Archie’s Coffee Lounge is celebrating with a few drink specials. Grab a red (strawberry or raspberry), white (white peach or coconut), or blue (blue raspberry or blue curacao) sparking lemonade. For an extra (21+) bang, the lounge recommends adding a shot a vodka.

Award

El Forno has landed on the 2023 50 Top Pizza list for the US — moving from 32 in 2022 to 24 for 2023, the Italian-based list praises the restaurant for its wood-fire pizzas, wine selection, salads, and fast + organized service.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Adriana

From the editor

It’s the fourth, y’all. My family’s dogs, Benny and Reggie, do not like to celebrate. Not only do they not understand the holiday — because they are dogs — they do not appreciate the loud explosions of the fireworks. They will be getting extra cuddles and treats tonight to help with their anxiety.

Fun fact: I did not like fireworks until I was almost 20 because of how loud they are (unfortunately, I figured out how loud they were at one family reunion when I was a kid). Who can relate?

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