Bats are amazing creatures!  If you have never experienced the departure  of bats at dusk, I invite you to drive out Old San Antonio Road to the Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area just east of Fredericksburg at dusk!  Viewing is May – October and you can get up-to-date bat emergence by calling 1-866-978-2287.

Mike Leggett’s Journey Across Texas is featured in the Austin American-Statesman each Sunday.  He has compiled “A Texas To-Do List: 24 Things Every Texas Should Do Before he Dies.”   On Sunday, June 25th Mike featured BATS!!!  According to the article, In Texas, we have 32 of the 45 bat species known to inhabit North America.  Our most numerous is the Mexican free-tailed bat, and we have good reason to love him.  We would be, almost literally, standing knee-deep in bugs if it weren’t for bats.    A typical bat may consume as many as 40 corn ear worm moths in a single night.  That’s in addition to the mosquitoes, scorpions, moths and flies the bat might devour.

Bats make their home in the Bat Tunnel on Old San Antonio Road residing in a 920 foot long railroad tunnel dug with pick and shovel out of a limestone mountain.  Trains ran through this tunnel for nearly 29 years beginning in August 1913.  “Since the early ’50s, there have been bats reported at Old Tunnel every year, though the numbers do fluctuate,” says Nyla Brown who  oversees this Wildlife area.  They say that free-tailed bats can fly up to 40 miles each night as they forage for insects.

It is truly a sight to behold watching the bats leave the tunnel at dusk.  First there are just a handful and then bursts of a few dozen at a time.  Soon the sky is covered with these awesome creatures.  Watch where you are standing or you may get some “bat guano” in your hair or on your clothes, BUT it is well worth this marvelous viewing of nature at work.

While you are there take time to eat at the Alamo Spring Cafe.  It has been written up as serving the third best hamburger in the state of Texas (voted on by Texas Monthly readers.  Enjoy the laid back atmosphere and enjoy the music on the patio usually on weekends.  I have never heard of anyone being disappointed by their visit to the Cafe. “http://www.alamospringscafe.com”

Annual Father’s Day event filled with music, fun and celebration for Waylon Jennings, one of the original “Waylon, Willie and the Boys”. Live music host is Thomas Michael Riley. $10 donation benefits the Good Samaritan Clinic to buy diabetes test kits in honor of Waylon, who died of complications from the disease.

Noon to 6 pm. By donation.

Crossroads, 305 West Main Street, is proud to announce their 2013 Summer Concert Series.  The first concert on June 9 will feature Los Lonely Boys.  Ticket price includes dinner and the show.  Please call 830-992-3288 for more information and ticket reservations.  Seating is limited.

We hope you are having an enjoyable Memorial Day. Our office will be open from 10 am until 4 pm today.

Learn to add zest to your cooking without adding fat & calories. Great new sauces & zesty dishes. Cost is $65.00.

Contact URBANherbal to custom design your private class/party for a couple’s retreat, for your group or organization, bridal or baby shower. Our preset classes are small and intimate maximum of 10 participants. Cancellations must be made 72 hours before class date in order to obtain a refund. See our website for more details.

Reserve you seat now!! wvarney@urbanherbal.com or 830-456-9667

Join Pink Pig, 6266 U.S. Highway 290 East, to celebrate Mother’s Day with fabulous food, great wines, and delectable desserts. All of this is to be enjoyed on their beautiful patio while listening to the music of Jake Martin. Jake shares eclectic folk, country, cover and original music.

Enjoy this special day, May 12th, from noon to 3pm.

Pink Pig will be open our regular hours of operation on Sunday.

The Herbal Texas Brunch – create tasty breakfast and brunch dishes using flavorful Texas-centric herbs, including mimosas and Bloody Mary’s.

Cost is $50.00.

URBANHerbal is at 407 Whitney Street. For information call 830-456-9697.

Celebrating moms and all they do – the first 100 moms to arrive at the winery will receive a rose.

Join the folks at Pedernales Cellars,  to taste their Dry Rosé and listen to live music by Phil Grota from 2 to 5 PM.

Photo by La Branĉaro

Take the kids to participate in an old-fashioned Easter celebration at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm at the Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park on Hwy 290 near Stonewall during its Easter Traditions event on Saturday, March 30 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Costumed interpreters provide insight to life as early German settlers, showing how those early settlers performed Easter traditions, like dyeing eggs naturally and building grass nests. While there, stop by to see all of the Farm’s newborn animals. There’s no cost to attend; however, donations are always welcome. For details, call 830-644-2252.

Families seeking to spend quality time together this Spring Break are invited to participate in Family Fun Day at the National Museum of the Pacific War on Friday, March 15 2013. The event will take place at 10:30 in the Historic Ballroom of the Nimitz Museum. Children will enjoy a brief history lesson on kites in World War II.

Kites were an important tool used to train anti-aircraft gunners. Training kites were decorated with enemy aircraft silhouettes. When flown, the kite’s edges disappeared against the sky and gunners practiced shooting enemy aircraft.

The kids will have the opportunity to make kites that can be taken home and flown. This fun activity is recommended for children ages 6-10, however younger children may attend. A parent must be in attendance with their child for this program.

Cost for the event is $5.00 per child. Payment may be made at the event by cash or check. Younger siblings who attend but do not make kites are admitted free of charge. Because supplies are limited, pre-registration is suggested. Call 830-997-8600 ext 223 to RSVP.