It’s been a decade since Chris Wall has given fans a new dose of his smart, insightful and highly listenable country music, but that drought is ending with the release of El Western Motel. A collection of intimate, mostly acoustic tunes inspired by his beloved American West and such influences as the words of Hemingway, Faulker, James Dickey and Richard Hugo, El Western MotelL captures this Texas troubadour reflecting on the peaks and valleys of a singular life. Wall is best known for his to ...

To understand what Hope Hospice does, it is necessary to first understand hospice. Hospice is not a place; it is a philosophy of care that aims to care for the whole person – body, mind and soul – during the final months of a life-limiting illness. Hospice focuses on keeping people comfortable so they may spend their time doing the things that are most important to them.

Submitted by Barby O’Brien That’s right - Elvis will be performing at the Buggy Barn Museum the first Saturday of May. Activities begin at 10 am, with the Dry River Band performing from 11 am to 2 pm. And then, live from Canyon Lake, home of this Elvis impersonator, there will be an afternoon of total Elvis entertainment.

State Law requires county appraisal districts to notify property owners about changes in their property’s value. On May 1, 2013, the Blanco County Appraisal District mailed 4,168 property owners letters showing their 2013 proposed appraised values. Hollis Boatright, Chief Appraiser for Blanco County, reminds property owners that the letter of appraised value is not a tax bill, so please do not pay at this time. Boatright emphasized the importance of this letter and the key information it c ...

The Blanco County Emergency Service District #2 (ESD) is hosting a town hall meeting on Monday, May 6, 2013 at the Old Blanco County Courthouse at 6:00 PM to gather input from south Blanco County residents about expectation and concerns they have for emergency services. The ESD contracts with Blanco Volunteer Fire Department for fire and emergency services and with Blanco Volunteer Ambulance Corp for ambulance and emergency services.

Last Friday’s Stars-in-the-Park event at Blanco State Park saw more than fifty participants. Combining environmental awareness with a hands-on orientation to the science of astronomy, this continuing series of events has become an important community outreach by the Park and is greatly enjoyed by local residents and visitors alike. Comments from both children and adults on Friday confirmed a high level of excitement and enthusiasm for the program and the majesty of Blanco’s night sky. The ...

We had our volunteer luncheon this month to thank all of the wonderful people that make this library so friendly. Without all of the people that help and give their time, this library could not provide such wonderful service 6 days a week. Here is a poem that our lovely volunteer Sally Wall wrote for the occasion: The Library By Sally Wall The library’s a wonderful place you can go, To learn many things you never did know. For computer help, tax help, art classes and such, Our little Bl ...

On April 13th, eight members of the "Blanco Quilters on the Square" traveled to the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange, Tx. The Museum opened in 2011 and showcases both historically significant and contemporary quilts. The museum exhibits change 2-3 times a year, and the current exhibit theme is "Flower Power". In addition to the Museum, the ladies enjoyed visiting the "Grandmother's Garden"

For the 25th year, we proudly ask you to come and visit us on Saturday, the 18th of May, when we will again enjoy the Blanco Classic Car Show at the Blanco State Park. It is also Armed Forces Day and we cordially invite all Active-duty, veterans, National Guard, Reserves and retired military to attend our Free show and allow us to thank each and every one of you and your families for your service and sacrifice to our country. Rev up your engines, turn your radio or CD player up and head to Bl ...

Blanco County is partnering with area agencies to plan for our future, focusing on economic development and transportation. Judge Bill Guthrie worked with county commissioners and local stakeholders to partner with the Capital Area Council of Governments to guide the development of the plan. The plan will create a vision for economic growth and transportation improvements Blanco County through the year 2040. The first public meeting for input on the plan will be held April 25, 2013 starting at ...

The Blanco County Fair Board has announced that it is conducting a public contest to determine the theme for the 2013 Blanco County Fair and Rodeo’s 82nd annual event. “The Fair & Rodeo is an important part of our local heritage and culture and we want to keep it alive and well.” said Terri Waxler.

Blanco County Commissioners Court held a Special Meeting on Tuesday, April 23rd. All four commissioners were present, and Commissioners approved the minutes of the April 9th Regular Meeting. Official reports were also approved by the Court with Commissioner Paul Granberg making a motion for approval and Commissioner Chris Liesmann providing a second. Blanco County Judge Bill Guthrie asked the Court to consider raising the speed limit from 30 to 35 mph on Kendalia and Rocky Roads.

As the Bluebonnets and spring wildflowers pop up along the Hill Country roadsides, festival season is in full bloom. This spring marks the return of the 3rd Annual Bands 4 Band Music Festival to Yett Memorial Park. The daylong event which takes place on Saturday, April 27th has traditionally drawn many enthusiastic music fans from as far away as Dallas, as well as the surrounding Austin and San Antonio area.

It is time for our Friends of the Blanco Library’s annual Dinner and a Movie! Sibby of Onion Creek Kitchens is crafting a wonderful “New American Cuisine” to go with our movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Pick up your $20 tickets for this May 3rd night out on the town at the Blanco Library or at Liz’s On the Square.

The Fredericksburg Music Club is pleased to present Nancy Zhou, violinist, in concert on April 21, 2013. The concert will be at 3:00 pm at the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. A good will offering will be taken to help defray the expenses of this concert. The concert will include pieces by Bach, Ysaye, Debussy, and Wieniawski Nancy Zhou, born in 1993 and a native of San Antonio, Texas, began violin studies at age four with her father, Long Zhou, who continued to be her teacher throughout ...