San Antonio's mahjong boom has a new home at The Polished Tile in Monte Vista.

Why it matters: The centuries-old Chinese game is having a moment, and the new parlor gives San Antonio players a permanent place to gather around the table.

Zoom out: Yelp named mahjong a top home trend for 2026, citing surging searches for clubs and lessons.

The latest: Owner Erika Gonzales — who calls herself the "chief mahjong officer" — opened the parlor this month.

How it works: Memberships range from $100 to $225 a month, with options that include unlimited mahjong, coworking space and social events.

• A limited founding membership costs $3,000 a year.
• Nonmembers can pay $40 for a visit, buy multi-visit passes starting at $150 or take lessons starting at $115.
• Gonzales recommends beginners take the four-class, $200 "Confidence Series" to learn the game and get comfortable playing at any table.

The vibe: The parlor fills a historic 1909 mansion designed by architect Alfred Giles, who renovated the Menger Hotel.

• The restored home retains original woodwork, stained glass and soaring ceilings.
• Gonzales describes the look as "Shanghai meets Palm Springs."

Zoom in: The Polished Tile primarily teaches American mahjong, the version Gonzales says is driving much of the game's popularity.

• Lessons begin with a brief history of the game, and Gonzales hopes to bring in instructors to teach Asian styles.
• Wood carvings, lotus motifs and a pagoda lantern nod to the game's Chinese roots.

What they're saying: "One of the hardest things about mahjong is actually getting a crew together," Gonzales tells Axios. "The Polished Tile should be really popular, because you don't ever have to put a table together. People are always going to be here to play."

The big picture: Gonzales sees mahjong as a vehicle for something bigger.

• "What I hope The Polished Tile becomes for the San Antonio community is a place to connect," she says. "Mahjong is just a medium."

San Antonio is one of the most pet-friendly metros for renters, per a recent Apartments.com report.

Why it matters: Finding an apartment that welcomes you and your fur baby without breaking the bank can be ruff — but pet parents may find more affordable options in Texas than elsewhere.

By the numbers: Five of the seven U.S. metros where at least 94% of rentals allow dogs or cats are in Texas, per the report.

• San Antonio, where the average monthly pet rent is $24, is in the 7th spot.
• San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Houston tie at 94% of rentals allowing pets. Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin tie at 95%.

Yes, but: Austin takes the top spot overall because its average monthly pet rent is slightly lower at $24, compared with $26 in D-FW, per the report.

Between the lines: Texas doesn't have specific tenant pet laws, per the report, meaning landlords can set their own rules.

• And the state's recent wave of new apartments has boosted landlord competition for renters.

What they're saying: Texas landlords often need to have "pet-friendly policies" to stay competitive, Apartment.com's Danny Khalil tells Axios.

• Many new communities are also "specifically designed around dog ownership," he says.

Case in point: Coopers Row at Pearl and The Standard at Legacy near Stone Oak cater to four-legged residents with dog parks and indoor pet spas.

• The Standard also advertises pet parent events.

⚖️ The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested prominent local attorney Neil Calfas on human trafficking and solicitation of prostitution charges yesterday.

• DPS says the investigation is ongoing; Calfas' office did not immediately respond to the Express-News' requests for comment. (Express-News 🔒)

🤝 The Spurs named Heybike their official e-bike partner, marking the China-based company's first NBA partnership. Fans will see promotions tied to the deal, including a 20% discount. (NBA)

​​💨 Saharan dust and wildfire smoke are drifting into San Antonio, worsening air quality today and tomorrow. (TPR)

Thursday

🌼 Celebrate the release of Shiner beer's Dandelion Honey Kölsch — a collaboration with Ella Langley — with a free party at Otto's Ice House. The night features a flower market, jewelry bar, photo ops and more, 6-9pm.

Friday

😂 Laugh through the weekend with Kevin Nealon at Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club. Tickets start at $37.58.

• Shows are at 7pm and 9:30pm Friday; 6pm and 8:30pm Saturday.

Saturday

☮️ Get groovy at La Tuna Icehouse's Woodstock party, featuring live music, hula hoop and costume contests, vendors and more, 7-10pm.

🎨 Honor Frida Kahlo at the free 10th annual FRIDA Fest at Wonderland of the Americas, featuring 60+ local vendors, live performances, art, a fashion show and a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest gathering of Frida look-alikes.

• Noon-5pm Saturday and Sunday.

🎤 See Southern rap legends Z-Ro, Slim Thug and Mike Jones at Texas Fest at the Majestic Theatre.

• Doors open at 6pm; tickets start at $49.

📻 Dance along to a stacked lineup of '80s freestyle stars, including Stevie B, Lisa Lisa, Johnny O and more, at the Freestyle Explosion at the Frost Bank Center.

• Doors open at 6:30pm; tickets start around $68.

We love hearing from you. Here's some recent correspondence.

We recently asked y'all how the heat is shaping your summer routines.

• Reader Mitzi M. calls August her time to "hibernate." Any outing that requires climbing into a hot car has to be "well worth the trouble," she says.
• Court T. wishes more public pools would open earlier — around 9am or 10am — so swimmers can beat the worst of the heat.

Meanwhile, the cyclosporiasis outbreak has some readers rethinking their greens.

• Reader Jan C. says she's steering clear of fresh lettuce for now and sticking with canned greens and frozen veggies.

The bottom line: Don't be a stranger. Our inbox is always open.