Explore
Let's Explore!
July invites us to slow down just enough to rediscover what’s right in front of us — the beauty of long summer evenings, spontaneous road trips, backyard gatherings, and the stories that connect us to where we live. In this month’s Explore Issue of Hays City Lifestyle, we celebrate the people, places, and experiences that make life in the Texas Hill Country feel rich with connection and possibility.
We begin with “Life’s Better Poolside,” our feature alongside Baird Pools, exploring the outdoor lifestyle so many families are embracing this season. More than a backyard upgrade, pools have become gathering spaces — places where memories are made, conversations linger longer, and summer feels a little more magical.
We also sit down with Gabriel Tovar of Tovar Financial Group for a thoughtful conversation on compassionate leadership, family legacy, and what it means to serve others with intention. His perspective is a reminder that true success is often measured by impact, not just achievement.
For those craving a nearby escape, we take a short drive east to Lockhart — what many are calling “the new Austin.” Just twenty minutes from South Austin, this small Texas town is rich with art, live music, legendary barbecue, and an authenticity that feels increasingly rare. It’s a place where culture and community still move at their own pace, and where the spirit of small-town Texas remains beautifully intact.
And from the heart of Hays County to the plains of Africa, our spotlight on our travel expert, Kristen Meckem Travel, reminds us that exploration can happen both close to home and across the world. Her journey takes readers on an unforgettable adventure through Africa while inspiring us to pursue experiences that broaden our perspective.
At Hays City Lifestyle, our mission continues to center around connection — connecting the communities of Buda, Kyle, Wimberley, Southwest Austin, and West San Marcos through the stories of the local businesses, entrepreneurs, and hidden treasures that shape the character of Hays County. These pages are not simply about places to visit or businesses to support; they are about the people building something meaningful here every day.
Thank you for continuing to support local storytelling, like our spotlight on Ally Medical and the businesses that invest in this community alongside us. We hope this issue inspires you to explore a little farther this month!
Warmly,
JILL KING, PUBLISHER @HAYSCITYLIFESTYLE
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Jill King | Jill.King@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
JoAnn Chang | joann.chang@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Julie Fustanio Kling | julie.kling@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julie Fustanio Kling, Ashley Brown. Kristen Meckem
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
April Rankin, Iris Castro, Lisa Hause, Ally Medical, City of Lockhart, Kristen Meckem, Tiffany Baird
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Liz Nixon
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
3:5-6
city scene
WHERE
NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1-14: Locals showed up in style for the “Green and White Pickleball Launch Party” held at Racfit. @hayscitylifestyle
Photography by April Rankin of Twinty Photography
We Build Lifestyles
Hays City Lifestyle Of ficially Launches Their Luxury Publication
Recently, Hays City Lifestyle celebrated the launching of the "City Lifestyle" national brand for Hays County. Offering beautifully curated editorial and photography to their audience, their premiere publication has been widely received, reaching Buda, Kyle, Wimberley, SW Austin, and West San Marcos.
The “Green and White Pickleball Launch Party” was hosted by RACFIT in Buda, and guests and partners enjoyed bites, drinks, prizes as well as playing pickleball.
Truc Nguyen/Venice Nail Spa featured on Acquir ing Minds
Truc Nguyen is a local small business owner with a big vision for the beauty industry. As the owner of two neighborhood nail salons (Venice Nail Spa), she brings a thoughtful mix of finance experience, strategy, and heart to her work. After leaving the corporate world to pursue small business ownership, Truc, a Harvard graduate, is now growing through acquisitions in the beauty space. Currently, her story is featured on the popular Acquiring Minds podcast.
This year marks 35 years of DLC Financial Service, and our hearts are full of gratitude. Our journey has been shaped by loyal clients, lasting relationships, and shared successes. We are excited to celebrate this milestone.
LIFE'S BETTER POOLSIDE
Where Family and Friends Come Together to Overcome Challenges and Celebrate
ARTICLE BY JULIE FUSTANIO KLING
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Now that school’s out, pools are in. Pools are the best way to stay cool in the summer. When you have a pool in your backyard, there is so much more to explore. For extraverts – games, parties and backyard barbecues become weekly activities. For introverts – quiet time underwater
“A pool is the perfect staycation for a family.”
- Tiffany Baird
is soothing, a way to prepare for your day, reset, or put your worries to rest. Pools provide a beautiful blue backdrop for life’s most memorable moments and, most importantly, an enduring family bond.
Tiffany Baird made sure her four sons were good swimmers before she designed her first pool. “Parker was born with chlorine in his blood,” she says. Now he is a pool repair technician, and her son, Conner, is a partner in Baird Pools. Her oldest son, Cameron, works for Pentair, a pool distribution company. And her son, Caden, is a computer engineer and designer who is starting his career in a different line of work.
The Bairds, who now have five grandchildren that love to splash around, have overcome a lot of challenges to create their family business, especially in the past year and a half.
When they began designing, renovating and repairing pools in 2021, the Bairds built their business up from scratch. In the process, they have decided to focus on quality, not quantity. Because they have a good relationship with the county permit department, they have decided to build pools exclusively in Hays County. They find that most clients want clean lines, with simple designs that are durable and easy to clean.
“We have built a lot of pools for our friends, and we know all of our customers on a personal level,” Tiffany says. “We want to be in our back yard and our customers back yards only.”
The decision to stay close to home came as a huge relief last January, when, in the midst of erecting their showroom in downtown Buda, Tiffany’s husband, Cris, was diagnosed with stage 3B colorectal cancer.
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The family was devastated, but they found incredible resources and turned inward to care for each other the best way they knew how. They kept their struggle with cancer private until recently. Without the support of their family, they could have never made it through Cris’ treatment and finished the building project. Now he is in remission.
Throughout it all, they learned to focus on what matters most. They have come to appreciate every moment and lean into the good times. When they reflect on their family history, they realize that many of their family memories were centered around their pool – graduations, weddings, gender reveal parties and of course, birthdays. Seeing their dogs and grandchildren paddle around in the pool keeps them lighthearted.
“A pool is the perfect staycation for a family,” Tiffany says. “When you come home and watch your kids jumping in the pool, that mama bear comes out and says, they are here.”
The luxury of having a pool is kind of like having a boat. Friends and neighbors say yes to your invitations. And there is always something to do. In addition to the upkeep, there are endless ways to upgrade, whether it’s with landscaping, gardening, furnishing your outdoor space with places to lounge and stay cool in the shade, or putting in a new pool feature.
Lately, Baird has been building a lot of tanning shelves in pools. Tanning shelves are shallow areas that make great play pads for toddlers and a wonderful space for parents to lounge in the water while their kids swim. Bubblers are the second most popular upgrade. They provide a fountain like feature without the expense of a fountain.
“Everybody wants a water feature of some sort because the sound of water is amazing,” Tiffany says. “A bubbler makes for a very soothing background.”
Tiffany never imagined she would own a pool company. In fact, she didn’t even learn to swim until she was older than most kids because she was traumatized by water as a 5-year-old child. That was when she fell in a muddy water tank at her grandparents East Texas cattle ranch.
Every birthday after that (her birthday is in July), her mother rented out the public pool for her party. “I was the little girl that would sit on the stairs and not move. When I was 10, I finally jumped off the diving board.”
The patience and persistence it took for her to get comfortable enough to dive into the water has helped guide Tiffany through this past year’s challenges. They took life day by day. And even though Chris has had to stay out of the water to get through his treatment, the pool business is thriving.
“You never know what you might go through in life,” she says. “You just have to persevere. No is never the answer.”
3 Great Ways to Stay Cool and Celebrate Poolside
1. Make it a Luau – a Hawaiianthemed, tropical bash. Gals wear grass skirts, guys Aloha shirts. Make lei necklaces with fresh flowers and serve Mai Tais. Play Jack Johnson or other ukelele music on your pool speaker.
2. Host a Summer Olympics – play a competitive game of pool volleyball or stage relay races. Keep it lighthearted with foot races holding a ball in a spoon, tug-owar, or have two teams wrestle for a greased watermelon.
3. Create a hydration station with a sunscreen cart and a cooler full of ice and electrolyte drinks to keep people hydrated in the hot sun (see article on enjoying the outdoors safely).
Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community. Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?
Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit, we’d love an introduction
ARTICLE BY JULIE FUSTANIO
KLING | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA HAUSE | CITY OF LOCKHART
LOCKHART Vibes
A Small Town with Big Austin Style Personality
Lauren West has seen a huge transformation in her historic hometown, which she describes as part hipster and part honky-tonk. As a kid she used to take daytrips outside of Lockhart. Now that she’s a mom, Lockhart’s charm has been discovered. There’s always something to do in town.
“A lot of people compare Lockhart to the old, old Austin,” says West, the business development director for Corridor Title, LLC. “Now you have all these really hip people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. They are artists and musicians…you are going to see a fully tattooed girl walking around in Wrangler jeans.”
The main attraction is the hot, sweet and tangy barbecue. In 1999 the Texas legislature ratified Lockhart as the BBQ Capital of Texas. Today, people come from all over the world to go to hot spots like Kretz, Smitty’s, The Original Black’s and the new Terry Black’s barbeque to name a few. Barbs BBQ, where the queue for lunch begins at 9am on weekends, has earned a Michelin star, a global gold standard rating for culinary excellence.
The flavors complement Lockhart’s small-town feel. Here, community isn’t just about the connections people make, it’s about the choice to slow down, ask about each other’s day and share kindness.
“You are going to meet locals, and you are going to love them because of who they are,” says Megan Carvajal, the chief executive officer of the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce.
“I think the unique things are what happens in between what
you are doing. You might get stuck in the middle of a small march or parade or stumble onto live music.”
The music scene in Lockhart is beginning to rival the barbecue, so keep your eyes out for musicians as well as chefs who gravitate to this old cattle town on the Chisholm Trail.
The cattle drives used to rule these roads. But as the saying goes – if you build it, they will come. Holly Malish, the new executive director of the economic development corporation for the city, recently moved to Lockhart from New Braunfels and has seen a lot of growth in central Texas throughout her career. She is excited about the expansion of the Lockhart State Park, which recently bought two ranches, adding 188 acres of prime birding wildlands, and plans to build a new recreation center, pool and visitor’s center where the clock museum used to be.
“You build the spaces and the community makes the quality of life,” she says. “I saw a horse parked by Chaparral last week. The owner stopped to chat before getting coffee. Where else do you go downtown and see someone riding a horse.”
ITINERARY:
9am: Coffee at Chaparral Coffee & Cantina, a local hub (for people and horses) on the town square.
10am: Wander about town for the local color and decide which barbecue spot to go to for lunch.
The Attic – One-of-a-kind antiques in the attic.
Happy Haunt – Mystery bookstore in the basement with garlic on the doors.
Dr. Eugene Clark Library – the oldest continuously operated library in Texas, named for a local physician.
12pm: Barbecue lunch, Barbs BBQ is only open Friday-Sunday.
2pm: Drive to the Lockhart State Park and roll down the windows. Download your Merlin app and listen for the Purple Martins, Woodpeckers and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers.
4pm: Find a barstool at the Old Pal Tavern. You never know who you will meet. or
Take the kids duckpin bowling. There’s an arcade at Spare Change and a hipster scene at Big Bob’s.
6pm: Dinner at Commerce Café where you can watch the chefs in action in their open kitchen or double dip in the BBQ scene.
8pm: Follow your ears to find the best live music in town. You might end up at Case Room, Loop & Lil’s or back at Old Pal for some honky-tonk.
COMPASSIONATE Leadership
Financial Services Entrepreneur Leads by Example
ARTICLE BY JULIE FUSTANIO KLING
PHOTOGRAPHY BY IRIS CASTRO
Sam (not his real name) was in his 40s when he decided to increase the premium on his life insurance policy. Business at the restaurant was going well and his family ranch had a mortgage with a favorable interest rate. Less than a year later, he passed away suddenly.
“His wife always thanks me because she never imagined they needed so much,” says Gabriel Tovar, Austin native and CEO of Tovar Financial Group. Less than a year before, Tovar had encouraged Sam to increase his premium from $100,000 to $750,000. “She would have had to go back to work and they could have lost the ranch,” Tovar says. Sam’s real name is being withheld for confidentiality reasons.
Driven by a desire to relieve family stress, make a difference in the world and enrich people’s lives, Tovar Financial Group specializes in simplifying financial planning. Tovar’s congeniality and compassion is comforting to his clients and his matter of fact delivery simplifies what is to many, a daunting task.
“When it comes to saving for the future it’s overwhelming,” he says. “Medicare is confusing. Retirement, long term care, living insurance. I get to see every scenario.”
“It may sound cheesy, but it really is an act of love. When someone is investing in their future to leave a legacy for their family, it is an act of love,” says Tovar. “This business can really change people’s lives.”
With 28 years of experience, Tovar has seen a lot of older people struggle because they didn’t plan for their future. That is why he encourages people to start saving money young, so that they can maximize the financial tools available for the long term.
One of his favorite financial products is the IUL - Index Universal Life - an insurance policy combining a death benefit with cash value growth based on equity indexes like the S&P 500. IULs protect investors from
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losing their cash and allow policyholders to adjust premiums. Accumulated cash can be used to pay for home improvements, college tuition and medical expenses as well as the insurance premiums.
“It allows you to borrow from yourself,” he says. Once I learned about it, I took one out for my wife and both of my daughters.”
As the primary breadwinner of his family, Tovar knows first hand what it is like to have to pivot his livelihood because of a tragedy. “I used to be in printing but I crushed my finger so I changed careers,” he said.
When he wasn’t able to work with his hands anymore, he decided to become an independent insurance agent in South Austin servicing low income communities. Two decades later his business has grown to the point where he travels the world going to seminars with a mentor organization, Secure Agent Mentor.
Having seen the benefits of mentor relationships, Tovar has adopted a mentoring mentality as another way to give back in his business. This summer he is excited to work with his daughter and not only mentor her, but find new people to mentor by offering free financial planning seminars once a month at restaurants in Hill County and beyond.
“As a father knowing you can set up your kids to be financially independent, why wouldn’t you build your kids a tax-free account?” he says.
He hopes to replicate the success he’s had in South Austin in Hill County by educating people about the benefits of getting life insurance while they are young.
Another case Tovar is proud of is the living insurance policy he got for an 18 year-old with Leukemia. His client only ended up having to pay $1,000 for a $40,000 bill because Tovar guided him through the process.
“There are a lot of ways to protect people when they need long term care,” he says.
The Upside of Indexed Universal Life (IUL) Insurance
• Living Benefits: Many IULs allow access to death benefits early for chronic or critical illnesses or a other lifestyle changes.
• Flexible Premiums: Policyholders can adjust premium payments, or skip them if the cash value is high enough to cover costs.
• Market Upside with Downside Protection: Cash value growth is tied to an index, but a 0% floor ensures no losses due to market dips.
• Tax-Advantaged Cash Value: Cash value accumulates tax-deferred and it can be accessed tax-free via policy loans or withdrawals if structured properly.
Nest. Invest. Build Your Legacy.
FRO M RWANDA’S GORILLAS TO EAST AFRICA’S ICONIC SAFARIS, AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY AWAITS
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTEN MECKEM
GIANTS ROAM WHERE
Few travel experiences genuinely alter your perspective. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of them. Combined with a safari in Tanzania or Kenya, it creates one of Africa’s most compelling luxury itineraries, blending outstanding settings, adventure, and extraordinary wildlife encounters.
Most journeys begin in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, where first impressions are not of the city itself, but its people. To better understand Rwanda’s extraordinary resilience, visit the Kigali
Genocide Memorial. It’s deeply worthwhile and offers important context for the nation’s story. Above all, what lingers most is the warmth of the Rwandan people and an unmistakable spirit of community.
From Kigali, the journey continues to Volcanoes National Park, where mist-covered mountains shelter one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters: the endangered mountain gorilla.
Gorilla trekking is intentionally intimate and highly regulated. Permits are limited to small groups, with just one precious hour spent alongside a habituated gorilla family. The experience is difficult to describe until witnessed firsthand: bushwhacking through the bamboo with your guides and trackers, the quiet rustle of the forest, a silverback watching from nearby, playful juveniles tumbling through the undergrowth, reminiscent of human children. You will undoubtedly want to capture every moment on camera, but before long the magic of the moment takes over. You’ll lower your camera, take a breath, and simply be present. It is humbling, moving, and unforgettable.
For travelers seeking a refined experience, Rwanda offers remarkable accommodations. Singita Kwitonda Lodge pairs understated luxury with exceptional service and sweeping mountain views. Thoughtful touches, from expertly fitted trekking gear to conservation briefings before departure, ensure guests feel prepared.
What makes Rwanda especially appealing is how effortlessly it pairs with safari. In Tanzania, travelers can witness the drama of the Great Migration across the Serengeti or retreat to private reserves with extraordinary wildlife density. Kenya offers iconic landscapes, elegant camps, and deeply rooted safari traditions. Together, gorilla trekking and safari create a rare balance: intimate wildlife encounters in Rwanda followed by the sweeping scale of East Africa’s legendary plains. For travelers seeking something extraordinary, few journeys feel as profound and beautiful.
ABOUT KRISTEN MECKEM
Kristen Meckem is a luxury travel advisor, recognized as a Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist, and independent affiliate of Brownell Travel, a Virtuoso agency endorsed by Forbes Travel Guide. She specializes in curating refined, elevated journeys worldwide. Visit www.kristenmeckemtravel. com for details.
Enjoying Outdoors Safely in Texas
When Heat Exhaustion Becomes an Emergency
With the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, including rivers, creeks, and springs, it’s no surprise that folks love to venture outside to play. In fact, Buda has recently earned the title of the Outdoor Capital of Texas. Scenic parks, hiking and biking trails, and open green spaces beckon residents to spend time outside all summer long enjoying everything the city has to offer.
From cooling off at Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley, to exploring trails near Driftwood or attending summer festivals in Kyle, outdoor adventure is part of what makes life in Hays County special. ‘Tis the season for walks and hikes to afternoons shopping or attending outdoor events. There is no reason why being outside shouldn’t be part of daily life in Hays County. But in the heart of summer, when the heat is at its peak, outdoor lifestyles in Texas come with risks.
High temperatures, humidity, and prolonged sun exposure can quickly lead to heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.
Heat exhaustion is an early warning sign that your body is struggling to cool itself, typically due to water and salt loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency where the body’s temperature regulation fails completely, causing core temperatures to skyrocket.
ARTICLE BY ASHLEY BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALLY MEDICAL
Depending on age and sensitivity, casually strolling around town after hitting up a lovely outdoor winery (possibly leading to dehydration) can be just as dangerous as more vigorous activities.
Luckily, we have access to Ally Medical Emergency Room, providing 24/7 emergency care to the Buda and surrounding communities. At Ally Medical ER, they frequently treat heat-related illnesses, especially during peak summer months. And they have some helpful tips to stay safe this summer.
WHY HEAT ILLNESS HAPPENS
In Central Texas, high temperatures combined with humidity make it harder for the body to cool itself. Sweating helps regulate body temperature, but when fluids aren’t replaced, dehydration and heat exhaustion can set in.
Outdoor activities, long periods in the sun, and limited hydration all increase the risk.
Common risk factors include:
• Spending extended time outdoors
• Not drinking enough water
• High humidity levels
• Physical activity in the heat
• Children and older adults being more vulnerable
SIGNS HEAT EXHAUSTION NEEDS EMERGENCY CARE
Heat exhaustion can start with mild symptoms but quickly worsen without proper treatment.
Seek emergency care if you experience:
• Dizziness or fainting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Heavy sweating or hot, dry skin
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion or disorientation
These symptoms may indicate that the body is struggling to regulate temperature and requires immediate medical attention.
EMERGENCY CARE THAT SUPPORTS AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE
Our region’s outdoor lifestyle is one of its defining features. Whether it’s kayaking, swimming, live music under the sun, or simply spending an afternoon downtown, summer invites locals and visitors alike to get outside and explore.
Emergency care supports that by being accessible, efficient, and ready when conditions become serious.
At Ally Medical ER Buda, patients have 24/7 access to rapid diagnostics, IV fluids, and experienced emergency physicians who understand how quickly heat-related illness can progress.
Heat-related illnesses don’t follow a schedule, and symptoms can worsen quickly. When something doesn’t feel right, having a trusted emergency room nearby provides peace of mind and immediate support. So get outside, stay safe, and feel secure in the knowledge that should you or a loved one need it, there is an ER close by to support your health through these hottest of months. Check for a location near you at www.allymedical.com.
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SHOP EAT STAY AWHILE
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY
JULY 2026
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
JULY 3RD - 5TH
79th Annual VFW CPRA
Rodeo + After‑Rodeo Dance in Wimberley
Veterans Park Arena (401 Jacobs Well Rd) & VFW Hall | 5:30 PM
A Hill Country tradition since 1946! Enjoy 3 nights of rodeo action including bull riding, barrel racing, mutton bustin', calf scrambles, and special appearances by the Lone Star Cowgirls and Hall-Of-Fame bullfighter Leon Coffee in Wimberley. July 3-5. Tickets required.
JULY 4TH
Fourth of July
Fireworks Show at Roughhouse Brewing
Roughouse Brewing - Wimberley | 9:00 PM
Save the date for one of the biggest community events of the year-Roughhouse Brewing's Fourth of July Fireworks Show! The show is FREE to attend and hosted in the open field at Roughhouse Brewing. The brewery offers food and drink and no outdoor coolers are allowed. Please bring a chair or blanket and arrive at least 1.5 hours before showtime.
JULY 4TH
Wimberley 4th of July Parade
– “Blast from the Past”
Downtown Wimberley (along FM 2325 beginning at Green Acres Rd & RR 12 | 9:30 AM
A retro celebration through time: decorated floats, classic cars, vintage-costumed participants, and community pride. Prizes for Most Creative Float, Truck, Patriotic Theme, and Best Retro. Plan to arrive early at 9:30am for prime viewing. Parade participants may still register through June 30.
JULY 11TH
Wizard of Oz/Summer Musical in the Park Buda, TX
Buda City Park and Ampitheatre | 8:00 PM
The timeless tale, Wizard of Oz, in which young Dorothy Gale travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz, continues to thrill audiences worldwide. Bring a blanket, chairs, and picnic or snacks.
July 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 8:00pm-10:30pm
Sponsored by the City of Buda FREE www.BudaSummerMusical.com
JULY 14TH
Movies in the Park in San Marcos
UFCU Stadium | 7:00 PM
FREE movie night at various locations around San Marcos. There will be concessions available for purchase. Pre-movie activities will begin one (1) hour prior to the start time. Don't forget your blankets and chairs!
JULY 31ST
Alice in a Winter Wonderland Theatre Production
Burchfield Educational Theatre - 2581 S Loop 4 Ste 400 Buda | 6:30 PM
The Burchfield Original Musical Alice in a Winter Wonderland is on Friday, July 31st and Saturday, August 1st. Showtimes are at 6:30pm. Tickets: www.burchfieldtheatre.com.
ARTICLE BY ALYSSA LAVY, MS, RD, CDN
Summer Seafood Gazpacho
This summer seafood gazpacho screams summer and is the perfect, refreshing meal, snack or appetizer to beat the heat - whether you’re entertaining or enjoying a quiet meal with family. It’s packed with some of the season’s most flavorful produce and provides satisfying fiber and protein to help keep you feeling full, while still being light enough to enjoy on the hottest of summer days. Plus, there is no need to turn on the oven or the stove, keeping your kitchen (and you) cool as a cucumber! You can enjoy this chilled soup as is, or add toppings like chopped jalapeños, cilantro, or creme fraiche and scoop it up with tortilla chips!
Alyssa Lavy, MS, RD, CDN, CPT is a registered dietitian, personal trainer and mom of 2. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from The George Washington University and her Master of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Teachers College Columbia University, where she also completed her dietetic internship. She has been an ACSM certified personal trainer for over a decade. Alyssa is the owner of Alyssa Lavy Nutrition & Wellness, a wellness brand offering nutrition communications, program development and consulting services for individuals and corporations.
Website: alyssalavy.com
Instagram: @alyssalavyrd
Ingredients: (yields ~8 C gazpacho)
• 8 large tomatoes
• 1 large cucumber
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 small sweet onion
• 1 jalapeño pepper
• ½ tsp hot sauce
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 2 Tbsp parsley (fresh or dried)
• 8 oz lump crab meat
• 8 oz cooked shrimp, chilled (about 8-12 large shrimp)
*Optional suggested toppings include: cilantro, tortilla chips, chopped jalapeños, creme fraiche, or additional parsley.
Directions:
1. Cut tomatoes into large chunks, approximately 6-8 pieces each. Set aside.
2. Slice cucumber into thick slices. Set aside.
3. Mince garlic. Set aside.
4. Chop onion into medium sized pieces. Set aside.
5. Slice jalapeño pepper in half, lengthwise. Remove seeds if you prefer less heat. Chop jalapeño pepper and set aside.
6. Add tomatoes to large food processor. You may need to add about half of the tomatoes, pulse for a few seconds and then add the remaining tomatoes depending on the size of your food processor. Pulse tomatoes until chunky and slightly pureed. You will continue to puree the tomatoes once the additional ingredients are added, so do not pulse until completely smooth.
7. Add remaining vegetables (cucumber, garlic, onion, jalapeño pepper) to food processor with the tomatoes. Add hot sauce, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper and parsley. Replace the lid and pulse to desired consistency – the gazpacho should be pureed, but still somewhat chunky and not completely smooth.
8. Store in an airtight container and chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving. If not serving right away, this gazpacho can be made in advance and stored in the fridge overnight or for a few days until ready to serve. If making this gazpacho in advance, purchase fresh seafood or thaw frozen within 1 day of serving to keep seafood fresh and store seafood separately, only adding when ready to serve. When ready to serve, chop the shrimp and add approximately 1-2 oz chopped shrimp and ~1 oz crab meat to each bowl. You can add optional toppings, such as chopped cilantro, chopped jalapeños, tortilla chips, creme fraiche and an additional sprinkle of parsley, if preferred. Enjoy!
Note: This gazpacho can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up for 4 days, without the seafood. Store seafood separately and add when ready to consume.
A REFRESHING, CHILLED, SUMMER FORWARD SOUP THAT PACKS IN PROTEIN AND FIBER!
