Christopher Barnett, of Scout Troop 497 in Blanco, has earned the Eagle Scout award, the highest rank awarded by the Boy Scouts of America. Christopher is also a member of the Order of the Arrow and recently joined the Sea Scouts at Canyon Lake. Christopher is the son of Don and Missy Barnett of Blanco.

Miss Brailee JoBeth Snow arrived two weeks early on April 15, 2009. She weighed 9 lbs 4 oz and was 20 1/4 in. long. Her proud parents are Josh Snow and Jessi Haas-Snow of Blanco. Maternal grandparents are Joe and Jo Nell Haas of Blanco and paternal grandparents, Dale and Beth Snow of Bandera.

The annual Spring Luncheon, hosted by the Blanco County EEA Clubs, was held on April 24 at the Gem of the Hills Center in Blanco. Cookbooks, containing favorite recipes from club members, are sold every year at the luncheon with many in the community having a collection of these cookbooks from years past.

TEMPLE, TX (May 19, 2009)— The Hill Country Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (HCASWCDS) will meet May 28, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Bandera United Methodist Church in Bandera for its annual spring tour and business meeting. The meeting will begin with a 10 a.m. scheduled tour of a new fiber products processing and manufacturing plant in Bandera. Joe Cantu, a partner in the new plant said, “This new business venture will process and market by-products of cedar.

The Wimberley-based Second Act Troupe will bring the fifth and final production of their inaugural season to Blanco with one performance at 7:30pm on Saturday, June 6, in the School District’s Learning Center theatre, 814 East 11th Street. Two one-act comedies will be performed. Ellen Massey and Dan LaFleur will play an elderly couple that meet in a local park, feud a lot, and then indulge in a little courtship in A Little Something for the Ducks.

Taken hit the shelves last week and it was worth the wait. At its heart, it's about a man, desperate to find and save his daughter, and willing to employ any means necessary to get her back, and I mean any means necessary. The action is awesome and they barely tamed the violence down enough for the PG-13 rating because there are times you forget. It’s a little discombobulating to hear the voice of the Lion “Aslan” from the Chronicles of Narnia (Liam Neeson) as the one who is doing crazy b ...

AUSTIN — The Texas Senate on May 14 approved legislation that requires automobile passengers of all ages to buckle their seatbelts, no matter where they sit. Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, author of SB 1028, said, “This is about safety; it’s about making sure that people don’t end up dying or in the hospital.” Watson said Texas Department of Transportation figures show that in 2006 there were nearly 400 traffic fatalities that could have been prevented by wearing a seatbelt, and that pas ...

Saturday, May 23rd from 10am to 3pm, will be a “HOT TIME” at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site. The Sauer-Beckmann Farm blacksmith shop will host blacksmiths from all over the Hill Country who will demonstrate their knowledge and talent making turn-of-the-century pieces. The LBJ State Park is located 14 miles west of Johnson City or 15 miles east of Fredericksburg on Hwy 290.

The Blanco Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the Ranches of Brushy Top as a Bronze Marketing Partner of the Blanco Lavender Days (the month of June) and Lavender Festival being held June 12, 13 & 14, 2009. The Ranches of Brushy Top is “Nature on Display 24 Hours a Day” and welcomes you to cross the threshold of your past into your future.

May 24, 2009 •American Legion’s Annual Memorial Day BBQ: At the Blanco Courthouse Grounds on Sunday, May 24th; Serving time will be from 11am to 2pm. Dinner includes: BBQ Beef & Sausage, beans, potato salad, bread, tea, & dessert. To-go plates available. May 26, 2009 •Panther Band Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser & Spring Concert: Dinner served from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Blanco Elementary Cafeteria.

Most Americans are aware of Ellis Island’s importance for immigration in our early history. However, many are unaware that Galveston was also an important port of entry during the 19th and early 20th century. Forgotten Gateway, a new exhibit exploring this history, can now be seen at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin.

Code Blue and Code Blue Jr. participated in the Blanco County Relay for Life in Blanco again this year. Great fun was had by all, in spite of the weather. The Relay for Life Committee did a great job dealing with weather issues, wind issues, and electricity issues. Once everything was finally set up and the event was underway, all the hard work that went on beforehand paid off.

Are you looking for activities close by and FREE for your kids to participate in this summer? Check out the Bulverde/Spring Branch Library’s summer program with the theme, “Libraries: Deep in the Heart of Texas.” “The program will run from Monday, June 1 through Friday, August 14 with something for everybody,” says Library Director Susan Herr.

Last week and in the weeks to come, Blanco businesses and residents proudly wave lavender flags donning Blanco’s 2006 designation as the Lavender Capital of Texas®. The City of Blanco was the first to hang their flag, after it was presented to them by the Blanco Chamber of Commerce at the May 12 city council meeting.

Close to 100 people have signed up to be volunteers for the Blanco Lavender Festival, to be held June 12th thru 14th. The majority of these are from the Blanco area, but several are coming from Austin, Houston and other parts of Texas. Some are even reported to be coming from across state lines!

What? They looked like they were hurt...they acted like they were hurt...but the injuries were as fake as the tornado that never happened! It was all just a training exercise for the Travis County Search and Rescue Team and about 50 SAR team members from various agencies around Central Texas. They had spent the week in a detailed training class, and the final step was to demonstrate what they had learned. That meant they needed a disaster to practice on, and members of the Blanco County Disaste ...

PEC Press Release - The Pedernales Electric Cooperative Board of Directors voted May 18 to change its Line Extension Policy to better align it with industry standards. The new policy takes effect July 1. The new policy changes the current $1,050 Establishment Fee to a $200 System Impact Fee. Pedernales Electric will calculate the cost of each new line extension to include labor, materials, engineering, right-of-way acquisition and clearing, and all other costs directly associated with the exte ...

LCRA Press Release - Pedernales River Nature Park in Blanco County, LCRA’s newest park, will open for limited use beginning May 23 between the hours of dawn until dusk. The park is located on U.S. Highway 281 at the northern edge of Johnson City. “Thanks to community assistance from Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC), the City of Johnson City, and Blanco County, LCRA is ready to welcome park visitors,” said David Whatley, LCRA’s manager of Parks Operations.

BLANCO, Texas — A new running event will bring hundreds of women to Blanco to run through scenic Texas lavender country. The Texas Lavender Hills 5k & 10k Women’s Run/Walk takes place June 6, 2009, in Blanco, Texas. The race starts and ends in the fields of Texas Lavender Hills Farm & Market during the peak of lavender season.

Memory triggers transport us back in time: an old song, a familiar voice on the phone, going home, driving by a hometown school, revisiting a church attended in our youth. These are only a few moving memory motivators that are likely to return us to nostalgic days of yesteryear. The Psalmist declared that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) and our ability to remember may be one of the clearest evidences of the accuracy of his conclusion.

I’ve mentioned before that Iowa was where I was raised, but it never felt like home and how Texas is truly home. Lately I have been wondering why that is - and then I got to realizing that humans are always in transition, and sometimes transition means we’re trying to find where we belong.

Do we REALLY LISTEN when we’re having a conversation with someone? Or are we trying to figure out WHY they are saying what they are saying, instead of listening to WHAT they are saying? James said “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” James 1:19 Not really listening causes confusion in relationships, and one might feel like giving up, thinking “what’s the use”?

In Luke chapter eleven Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. There was on that occasion a lawyer (lawyers: supposedly experts in the Mosaic law) listening to Jesus. When he heard what Jesus had to say, he said to Jesus, "Teacher when You say this, You insult us too" (Luke 11:45).

Page 122: The book reads, Sarayu: “Mackenzie, we have no concept of final authority among us, only unity. We are in a circle of relationship, not a chain of command or ‘great chain of being’ as your ancestors termed it. What you’re seeing here is relationship without any overlay of power.

David Key, nationally recognized figure in ballroom dancing, passed away peacefully in his partner’s company on May 14th after suffering a sudden severe seizure at home a few days earlier. David was President of the Pan American Teachers of Dancing and last year’s recipient of the Living Legends of Dance Award.

Hazel West Price, age 82, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2009. She was born March 8, 1927, to Henry “Dude” West and Pearl Bagby West in Blanco, living most of her life there. Hazel married Charlie Fulcher Price on March 18, 1945. Charlie preceded in death on July 17, 1998. Hazel wore many hats in her lifetime while taking care of her family.

The Office of the Attorney General has recently received complaints from Texans who were mailed high quality counterfeit U.S. Treasury checks by con artists. Under one variation of the scheme, checks were mailed with instructions telling recipients to cash them and wire part of the money abroad. In a second version of the scheme, recipients are instructed to deposit the checks into their accounts and call for additional instruction.

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today charged three telemarketing firms with participating in an unlawful scheme to sell vehicle service contracts, which were falsely marketed as extended warranties. The state’s lawsuit cites multiple violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DPTA), the Texas Telemarketing Disclosure and Privacy Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and the Federal Trade Commission’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). Two California-based telem ...

Even though the band had to cancel a festival performance in Corpus Christi due to the swine flu scare, the Panther Band set aside their disappointment and continued their hard work preparing for their last two performances for the year, Spring Concert and Graduation. The Spring Concert is scheduled for May 26th at the Blanco Elementary School Auditorium following the Spaghetti Dinner that will be served from 5:00pm to 7:00pm in the cafeteria.

Sarah Isenberg, 2008 Blanco High School graduate and a member of the UT Tyler Patriots softball team, traveled to New Jersey this past week where the Patriots competed in the 2009 NCAA Softball Championship at Montclair State University. The Patriots ended their season with a loss to Tufts. The girls finished the season with a 39-10 record and are currently ranked No.

The Blanco Panther Softball team fell to the #7 ranked Hallettsvile Brahmas in the Area Championship. The Panthers played a 2 out of 3 series against the Brahmas, losing game one 6-1 and game two 18-0. “These girls have nothing to be upset about. They played some solid softball throughout their season,” stated Coach Seales.

Roses and most spring blooming shrubs and flowers have finished their spring blooming cycle. Deadheading and pruning should be done at this time. Due to the May heat, pansies, snapdragons and winter blooming flowers can be replaced. Fertilize and water after pruning. Insects are early this spring and are already causing problems.

Water. What is it good for? Absolutely everything! Last week we researched phosphates, common in laundry and dishwasher detergents, and how phosphates damage our local and international water supplies. What other toxic residue lurks within our waterways? The San Antonio Express published a tiny article January 9th of this year stating that the EPA, The Environmental Protection Agency, "is reconsidering the amount of a toxic rocket fuel ingredient allowed in drinking water." Apparently, the chem ...

Gentle readers: Our condolences to David Key's partner, Armando, as well as David's family and friends - David was a larger-than-life, one-of-a-kind, behind-the-scenes philanthropist for the Blanco community. He didn't want recognition for the things he did, since he had worldwide recognition for his dancing as well as his judging of international dance competitions - he just wanted to help Blanco quietly and he provided that in many ways.

Are you looking at getting a home inspection done, but you are worried that you could fail it? There are some key precautionary measures that you can take to ensure that you will pass a home inspection every time. Many things can be done to ensure that your inspections run smoothly.

Blanco Water Rates Raised May 18, 1979 Machaevellian diplomacy, power politics and polite blackmail Monday night ended up with the unhappy news that Blanco’s water rates are going up. In the only positive result of a long and hectic City Council session, the aldermen, admitting they “might get run out of town” voted to leave the base water rate at $3.50, but to raise the cost per thousand gallons thereafter effective July. Our Servicemen May 16, 1969 Electrician’s Mate Fireman Darrell ...

Would you like a green home? I'm not talking about a residence painted the shade of a lime. I mean green as in environmentally friendly. These days, many people consider the environment when making purchases. Just look at the popularity of hybrid vehicles, alternative fuels, locally grown produce, and a host of other products designed to use fewer resources and reduce pollution and waste.