JoCo Flow - June 22, 2025 Edition

Table of Contents

• Local Business Spotlight

• Fast Facts

• Pet of the Week

• North Texas Stargazing Guide

• Trivia Time

• The Editor's Recommendations

🚨 Local Business Spotlight 🚨

🍳 Crossroads Cafe (Alvarado)

📍 1014 US-67, Alvarado
🍽️ Venue Type: Breakfast & lunch cafe with dinner service

Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you're just passing through, and Crossroads Cafe in Alvarado is exactly that kind of surprise. Nestled right off bustling US-67, this family owned and operated cafe has quickly become a local favorite for all the right reasons.

What makes Crossroads Cafe special isn't just their hearty breakfast plates or satisfying lunch options – it's the way they've created an inviting atmosphere. Whether you're a local grabbing your morning coffee or a traveler looking for a genuine taste of Texas hospitality, this cafe delivers comfort food with a side of genuine care.

Open weekdays from 7am to 8:30pm, and weekends from 7am to 2pm, they're perfectly positioned for that perfect pit stop or leisurely meal that reminds you why local cafes are the heart of any community.

 📆 Community Calendar

🛠️ Our community calendar is currently undergoing a revamp! Expect new events in our next issue.

Have any events to share in Alvarado, Burleson, Cleburne, Grandview, Joshua, Keene, Rio Vista, or Venus? Let us know by hitting reply or emailing us at [email protected] to get them on the list!

🧠 Fast Facts

• 🌊 The deepest part of the ocean is deeper than Mount Everest is tall.

• 🌟 The Summer Triangle - formed by the stars Vega, Altair, and Deneb - is now perfectly positioned for evening stargazing and will dominate our night sky through September.

• 🎭 Escape rooms generate over $1.8 billion annually worldwide, with the average player solving puzzles in 45-60 minutes.

• 👅 Humans have thousands of taste buds, and they're constantly regenerating. An average adult has anywhere from 2,000 to 10,000 taste buds.

 🐾 Pet of the Week - Terra

She just got her new summer cut and she’s ready to show it off.

🌟 North Texas Stargazing Guide 🌟 

Welcome to the most magical time of year for North Texas stargazers! With summer solstice behind us and those long, warm evenings ahead, there's never been a better time to look up and discover the incredible night sky right above Johnson County.

✨ Why Summer Stargazing in NTX is Hard to Beat

Summer nights in North Texas offer something special: comfortable temperatures after sunset, clear skies, and some of the year's most spectacular celestial shows. Plus, with kids out of school and longer days, evening stargazing becomes a perfect family activity that costs absolutely nothing but delivers memories that last a lifetime.

👀 Getting Started: No Equipment Needed 

Forget what you've heard about needing expensive telescopes. Your eyes are incredible instruments that can see thousands of stars, five planets, meteor showers, and even the International Space Station. Start with naked-eye stargazing and you'll be amazed at what's visible from your own backyard.

Give your eyes 20-30 minutes to adjust to the darkness (that means no phone screens!), and suddenly the sky transforms from a few scattered dots to a tapestry of stars, constellations, and cosmic wonders.

🌌 Best Local Stargazing Spots 

Cleburne State Park: Just 20 minutes from downtown, this gem offers dark skies and designated stargazing areas. The park even hosts astronomy nights throughout the summer.

Lake Pat Cleburne: The open water reduces light pollution, and the dam area provides excellent horizon views for catching planets and meteor showers.

Johnson County countryside: Any rural road away from city lights works wonders. Try the areas around Godley or Granbury for surprisingly dark skies.

Your own backyard: Even in town, you can see plenty! Face away from the brightest lights and look up.

🔭 What to Look for This Summer

The Summer Triangle: Look northeast after sunset for three bright stars forming a huge triangle - Vega, Altair, and Deneb. This asterism will guide you all summer long.

The Milky Way: On clear, moonless nights, look south for our galaxy's bright band stretching across the sky. It's absolutely breathtaking from darker locations.

Meteor Showers: The Perseids peak in mid-August, but you can catch early meteors starting in July. No equipment needed - just lie back and watch the sky!

👥 Make It Social

Stargazing is even better with friends and family. Pack some lawn chairs, bring snacks, and make it a regular summer tradition. Local astronomy clubs often host public viewing events - check with the Fort Worth Astronomical Society for upcoming gatherings.

Download a free stargazing app like SkySafari or Star Walk to identify what you're seeing, but remember to use red-light mode to preserve your night vision.

The universe is putting on a show every single night, and the best seats in the house are right here in Johnson County. All you have to do is look up.

💡 Trivia Time

What Johnson County community was once known as "Midway" and "Gossip" before adopting its current celestial name in 1903, also becoming a major cotton hub at the junction of two significant railroads?

👉 We’ll reveal the answer in next week’s JoCo Flow. Got a guess? Hit reply with your response and we might shout you out!

🔥 The Editor’s Recs

▶ What we’re watching: Andor (Season 2) 🌌

▶ Podcast on repeat: Crime Junkie 🕵️‍♀️

▶ Current read: Sunrise on the Reaping 📚

Sponsorships

💬 Want your business to flow into Johnson County homes?

Our affordable advertising spots help local businesses connect with the community they serve. Whether you're a restaurant, retail shop, service provider, or event venue, JoCo Flow will get your message in front of the folks you want to reach.

We’re offering intro rates for first-time sponsors. It’s affordable, local, and gets your name out there without screaming into the void of social media ads.

📩 Hit reply, visit us at jocoflow.com/c/sponsors, or email [email protected] to grab your space.