AUSTIN – Jackson Walker L.L.P. is pleased to announce the election of Austin attorney Chris B. Pepper to the firm’s partnership. Chris Pepper is now a partner in the Legislative and Environmental Practice Group. He has special expertise in TCEQ air quality and environmental permitting matters. He represents many industrial facilities in Texas, including cement kilns, rock quarries, chemical plants and steel mills.

Back in the 1840s in Nauvoo, Illinois, a Mr. Smith happened upon a group of men discussing the tragedy that had befallen a local man that had left his family near destitute. Mr. Smith listened for a moment and then he reached into his pocket and extracted a five dollar gold piece.

Couples Retreat Some critics didn't like this movie; maybe because in Hollywood you’re not supposed to try and fix your marriage, but move on to the next partner. Now I know not everyone in Hollywood is like that so don't send emails defending certain stars, but 75% of Hollywood could care less about commitment or character and this film is a hilarious look at what a few couples went through to try and save their marriage. Off to a deserted island with three othe ...

AUSTIN — Texas doctors, dentists and hospitals could find their Medicaid fees reduced by 1 percent if a budget reduction plan forwarded by the state Health and Human Services Commission is adopted. HHS Commissioner Tom Suehs said health care providers, including nursing homes and group homes for the mentally disabled, could see a 2 percent reduction when treating adults. Stephanie Goodman, spokeswoman for the commission, said the commission has not yet adopted the plan.

When you get ready to start a construction project, where do you start? Do you know anything about the Contractor/Builder? What is their primary Business? How long have they been doing this type of work? Do they have references? Will they give you a guarantee – and if so, what kind of guarantee?

Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve talked about heart disease as the number one killer of women and the things that put you at risk for developing this disease. But how do you know if you have it—what are the warning signs? First, this might surprise you, but women and men do not have the same symptoms of heart disease.

BOERNE, TX— Executive Director and Stone Sculptor, Rachman Ulmer will host, “A Stone Sculptor’s Day - Stone, Tools and Techniques with special guest Myles Schachter,” February 24, 2010 from 10am to 5pm. This event is free and open to the public. Myles Schachter will be at the Hilltop Pavilion at Majestic Ranch and will have 16,000 pounds of hand selected Italian Marbles and Alabasters from around the world and a spectrum of stone sculptor’s tools for sale ...

Blanco County Master Gardeners left the February meeting with a new appreciation of the intriguing life cycle of butterflies. Guest speaker Dan Holland’s slide presentation of butterflies in each stage of life provided attendees with a better knowledge of how to identify a particular butterfly starting at the caterpillar stage, how to distinguish males from females, and preferred host and nectar plants of the different butterflies.

The Blanco County Youth Council invites all members and other interested persons to attend their Annual Meeting set for Wednesday, March 3, 2010, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Blanco County Show Barn in Johnson City. This is the annual meeting where items may be brought before the Board of Directors for consideration of a rule or policy change.

The Blanco Woman’s Club met at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, at the Blanco Library, with twenty members and five guests present, the guests being Connie Barron, Penny Thomas, Liz Waller, Crystal Spybuck, and Debbie Homeier. President Bonnie Holmes welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order, and the fun began (alas, without me there).

(DRIPPING SPRINGS) ---- Dripping Springs’ biggest fundraising effort will celebrate two decades of serving the community at the 20th Annual Dripping Springs Wild Game Dinner and Charity Auction, slated for Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 6 p.m. at the Dripping Springs High School Cafeteria. The Wild Game Dinner is an annual dinner and auction hosted by the United Methodist Men (UMM) of Dripping Springs United Methodist Church (DSUMC).

Joe Johnson (left), Chief Deputy for the Blanco County Sheriff’s department retired February 15, 2010. Mr. Johnson has been with the Blanco County Sheriff’s department for 17 years and became Chief Deputy in September of 2006. Bob Morgan will be installed as Chief Deputy upon Mr. Johnson’s retirement. Bob has been with the Blanco County Sheriffs department for 9 years.

AUSTIN – Feb. 19, 2010, marks the 75th anniversary of the Lower Colorado River Authority – better known to many people as LCRA. Born in the Great Depression, LCRA today provides energy, water and community services to more than 1 million people in all or parts of 61 Central and South Texas counties. “Seventy-five years ago, LCRA opened for business to put the Colorado River to productive work for the people of Texas,” said LCRA General Manager Tom Mason.

BLANCO, Texas – Have you always wanted to take your family camping, but really weren’t sure how to go about it? If so, Blanco State Park will be hosting a two-day program March 6 and 7 designed for folks just like you. During the overnight Texas Outdoor Family program, families will spend much of the weekend learning not only how to pitch a tent, cook outdoors and learn about nature, but also how to use a global positioning system (GPS) to navigate trails and locate hidden ...

Michael A. Codiga, MS, MD, will lead a free Good Health School on sleep disorders Friday, February 26, at noon in Hill Country Memorial’s first-floor learning center. Before the program, the public is invited to meet and visit with Dr. Codiga at 11:30 a.m. in the hospital’s main lobby. Dr. Codiga said two of the most common sleep disorders, particularly among the elderly, are sleep apnea and PLMS (periodic limb movements of sleep—twitching or involuntary muscl ...

Landowners and operators have spent generations becoming range stewards and leaving their piece of Earth better than how it was received. Ranching in the Texas Hill Country is a passion for most and a hobby for few. With the help of the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) producers across the region can obtain assistance and cost-share in implementing conservation practices. The 2008 Farm Bill authorized some key programs for technical and financial assistance. T ...

Building upon the nation’s call to return to the principles that our country was founded upon, the Patriots of Gillespie County sponsored two educational events in Fredericksburg which began on Saturday, February 6 when the group hosted approximately 350 guests at the Hangar Hotel Convention Center. Representatives from Patriots of Gillespie County, NRA, TSRA’s President, Oath Keepers’ Founder and the President of the Fredericksburg Tea Party were on hand to meet, greet and ...

Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s Governance, Bylaws and Legal Committee met on Wednesday, February 3 and voted to send key governing documents to the Cooperative’s full Board of Directors for consideration. When the Board meets on February 22, it will consider approving revisions to PEC’s bylaws, and whether or not to put a revised articles of incorporation, which would include the Co-op’s first member bill of rights, up for a member vote. If the revised bylaw ...

The Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department and First Responders is planning a building dedication ceremony on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at the new station located at the corner of U. S. Highway 290 East and Ranch Road 1623 North, in Stonewall. In 1957 a small group of residents and business owners in Stonewall recognized the need to provide fire protection to the eastern part of Gillespie County.

The Kendalia Extension Education Assoc. met on Thursday, Feb. 11 at the Kendalia Community Center with 10 members and three guests, Marcie Dotson, Donna Lux, and Sonja Hartmann present. Mrs. Lux and Mrs. Hartmann demonstrated rug hooking and had a number of their beautiful items on display. A community project is being planned especially for school children.

It was nearly four years ago that Joyce Bettinger, a survivor of terminal brain cancer, entered ‘Deer Creek of Wimberley’ and embraced it as her permanent community. I came to know Joyce during our weekly art class. She looks forward to this time of creative focus and social exchange with sincere dedication, but also as a significant promoter of its success as an activity in the nursing home’s infrastructure. As a member and [former] president of the Residents Counci ...

The most sought after answer today is to the question, “What is truth.” Before we examine truth we must have something to measure truth against. That would be the definition of a lie. The definition of a lie is, “A false statement deliberately presented as being true; a falsehood. Something meant to deceive or give a wrong impression.” Bible is full of references to lies: Romans 7:11; II Thessalonians 2:10; Ephesians 4:22; and Hebrews 3:13. So, a lie is deceitf ...

Let Everything that has Breath Praise God … Please join us for the World Day of Prayer to be celebrated on Friday, March 5, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church in Johnson City. The sanctuary will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM for all who wish to participate - come into the church and offer prayers.

Saturday, February 20, 2010, marks the second Gospel Sing in a series at Spring Branch Baptist Church, 11750 US Hwy 281 North (¾ mile north of the Spring Branch Post Office). This month features award-winning, popular duo Gene and LaVada Triesch from Blanco, Texas, in the heart of the Hill Country. After completing a year-long study of the Bible in 2001, Gene was impressed to begin writing gospel songs.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” While we were yet sinners. While we didn’t love God, nor did we regard Him. While we lived sinful, selfish lives. While we snubbed our nose at God and His Holy Word - He loved us, and gave His Son for us.

The apostle Paul said, "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God..."

God loves us and wants the best for us in all things. Deuteronomy 30:19 –“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” He wants to bless us. Deuteronomy 30:15-16-“15See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 16In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk i ...

Amy Kate Boyce Pozniak, born on 7 July 1913 in Burnet, Texas, daughter of Emma Kate Engle Boyce and Jack Boyce, died on 9 February 2010 at the age of 96. Amy Kate was married to Francis L. (Rocky) Pozniak on 8 September 1934. They had been married 62 years at the time of his death in 1996.

Dear Editor, This letter was read at the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 9, 2010, and I would like the good people of Blanco to read it as well: To: Members of Blanco City Council: Please do not think for one second that I resent in anyway the thought of a memorial to honor Mr.

Dear Editor, I attended the Blanco City Council Meeting on February 9 and left there feeling very proud of the citizens and council members. An issue that had sparked great controversy was heard and many people had strong opinions about it. What impressed me the most as a member of this growing town was that people came with prepared information, tempers did not flare, and their issue was expressed in a very professional manner to the City Council.

Dear Editor, Is it possible that we have something other than the president we elected? Is it possible that Obama is using the presidency as a disguise? How could anyone reject the pomp and ceremony, the splendor of the presidency, the power as Commander-in-Chief of the greatest military force on earth for an ideology that negates the oath of office? Or, is it possible that we elected a president who is incompetent for the job?

On Friday, February 26, the Blanco All Sports Booster Club will be having a fish fry during the Blanco Baseball Tournament. The fish fry will be held at the Blanco Baseball Field from 4:00 to 7:00pm. The Panthers play at 6:00 and 8:00pm; come out and support our Panthers and eat fish!

Since 1991, Blanco United Methodist Church has awarded scholarships to deserving Blanco community students who seek to further their education after high school. A total of $65,500 in scholarships has been awarded to106 students. Before making application for 2010 scholarship consideration, a potential applicant must meet four requirements: 1) be a graduating senior, 2) be active in BUMC or another church, 3) have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and 4) plan to attend a four-year college, a comm ...

Blanco High School teams swept the UIL District 27AA cross-examination debate tournament on Monday, February 8 at the First Baptist Church in Blanco. The team of Briar Koehl and Allen Strandtman, both juniors, and the team of senior Kristen Mancha and junior Wes Stults qualified to represent Blanco at the UIL State CX Debate Tournament in Austin on March 15-16.

Texas Tech University at Fredericksburg and the Hill Country University Center will present an information session on navigating the College Financial Aid process on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Fredericksburg High School Library at 5:30 p.m. Financial aid specialists from Texas Tech University and Austin Community College will be the speakers.

Blanco Elementary fourth graders invite you to a winter event of singing, instrument play, dance, and artistry. This event will take place on Tuesday, February 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the Elementary School Auditorium. The kids have been working very hard in music and art class to prepare for this.

The Varsity Boys completed their season with a 47-45 win against the Johnson City Eagles on February 9 and a 21-60 loss to the Cole Cougars on February 12. In the Johnson City game, Tanner Rogers scorched the net with five 3-point shots to lead the Panthers. Austin Carrola added nine points and Blake West scored eight.

The 2010 camp will be held March 15 and 16 at the Blanco Baseball Field from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Second - sixth graders pay $35, seventh and eighth graders attend free. Camp t-shirt, hat and snacks will be provided. Campers will receive instruction in all aspects of baseball/softball. For an application, see Coach Seales at the Middle School or Coach Wyatt at the High School. Deadline to register is March 3.

February is the month to prune roses. Bush roses should be cut back by one-half by mid month. Climbing roses and one time bloomers should be cut back after they have finished blooming. Ever blooming roses need to have the broken and weak stems removed and 3-5 stems need to be shortened to 12-18 inches.

On Friday, February 12, Live Oak had a Valentine/Birthday Celebration. Darlene Kiernan played piano and Dorothy Dillon sang many old-time favorites for the residents to enjoy. Nellie Luttrell’s birthday was on Valentine’s Day; her daughter brought a beautiful cake decorated with red roses, “Happy Birthday” was sung to her, and she received her early birthday gifts.

World Day of Prayer February 17, 1961 The World Day of Prayer will be held at the Lutheran Church of Blanco on Friday, February 17, at 2:00 p.m. Mrs. Richard Beckman and Mrs. Carl Poenish are the leaders this year. The participating churches are Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Methodist Church of Blanco, The First Baptist Church and Mount Horeb Baptist Church of Payton Colony. Everyone is most cordially invited to attend t ...

How much is your home worth? Even if you don't plan to sell in the near future, it's an intriguing question. Eventually, almost every house ends up for sale – and determining its value is critical to maximizing profit and selling within an acceptable time frame. So what’s the best way to find the value of your home? ThisAnswerMayBeWrong.com You've probably come across Web sites where you can look up property values for homes.