• Andrew Suber on Sound Off! : I’ll have to go in there and have a virgin pina colada one of these days. “Uh, can I have a colada and milk?”
• Andrew Suber on Sound Off! : Thank you, Paula. Say hi to Tony, Maria and the rugrats for me when you get the chance.
• Andrew Suber on Sound Off! : I give newspapers their due… classified ads are still useful in small geographic markets because everyone reads them. People expect online classifieds to...
• Anonymous on Sound Off! : Thank God we finally have a real bar in Alpine. The Saddle Club ROCKS!!
• PAULA on Sound Off! : THANKS ANDREW FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK . I LOVE ALL THE INTRESTING INFO YOU POST AND PEOPLES LIKES AND DISLIKE. MY MY HOW LUCKY WE ALL ARE JUST TO BE ABLE TO DISAGREE...
• Anonymous on Sound Off! : You should have job openings listed on here somewhere Andrew. I’ve been looking for a job in the area for a year now and it’s nearly impossible to find...
• Andrew Suber on ADVERTISING : The average wage here is low.
• Andrew Suber on Sound Off! : Thank you for the feedback.
• Yamnonamous on Sound Off! : West Texas Weekly should have a Calendar of events going on in West Texas at all times! I don’t have any central place to find out what’s going on,...
It's 1/2 Wikipedia, 1/2 Whole Earth Catalog and 1/2 Reader's Digest. Our mission is to disprove Chomsky's statement: "Any dictator would admire the uniformity and obedience of American media."
We can do it together! We can use this new technology to create a better community.
--Do your part, comment on something if it piques your interest.
--Write an article and submit it on a subject you love.
[Submit your press releases (formatted in a plain text file, please) for non-commercial events to andrewsuber@hotmail.com.]
The 10th annual Big Bend Ranch Rodeo is scheduled this weekend — Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 12-14 — at the SALE Arena at Sul Ross State University, featuring three days of non-stop action.
The weekend begins at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, with a SHOT (Stock Horse of Texas) Clinic at the SALE Arena.
The RCHA cutting competition gets under way at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 13, at the o6 Flats Arena, and that evening brings the first of two performances of the rodeo at 7 p.m. Read More on this year’s Big Bend Ranch Rodeo
[Email your event announcements in plain text format to the Editor at andrewsuber@hotmail.com. If I missed your event, just comment on this post with your event.]
Warnock Center offers bird watching talk
LAJITAS — If you’ve ever wanted to get involved in bird watching but didn’t know where to start, the Barton Warnock Visitor Center is offering a talk on the basics at 7 p.m. Aug. 11. Mark Klym of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in Austin will discuss tips, ethics and identification. The talk will be at the center, one mile east of Lajitas on FM170. This free talk is sponsored by Texas Parks & Wildlife and Big Bend Ranch State Park. For more information, contact David Long at 432-424-3327 or david.long@tpwd.state.tx.us.
Garden, greenhouse tour Sunday
Transition Alpine’s 1000 Gardens program welcomes community members to a free edible garden and greenhouse tour at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, at the garden of Bob and Polly Mastin. Participants will observe irrigating with drip lines and effective ways to decrease weeding, as well as how to grow microgreens indoors. Call the Mastins at 432-837-3601 for directions.
Marfa Book Company
Saturday, August 7th, 6 PM
Reading : Michael Dickman, Lannan Writer in Residence, and damn fine poet, will be reading
from his work. You don’t want to miss this one. Plus, it’s (FREE)
First Saturday Flea Market Fort Davis
At Old Fort Country, directly across the street from the Fort Davis National Historic Site and right beside The Caboose. Address:1250 North State Street Fort Davis, Texas. Ice cream, a moonbounce and some folks selling stuff out of the back of their truck.
[Each Thursday you can enjoy Big Bend events, dining, video, news and photos from the editorial staff, contributors and readers. To contribute, e-mail your photos, events, thoughts, opinions to the Editor at andrewsuber@hotmail.com, andrew suber [at] hotmail [dot] com.]
Big Bend Video
“Opal Moon” performed by Evelyn Roper. Kudos to Bob Kinford. He has posted all of the Crossroads Gathering video here at YouTube. I wish that more West Texas events would make my job easier by doing this exact same thing!
–See “Hunter Gatherers” in Terlingua this weekend. See below for showtimes.
–South Rim Hula Hooping. For those in the know, Hula Hooping is the preferred method for South Brewster County to raise money, have fun and commune with the dance gods.
Big Bend Photographs
La Junta thrift and fashion took a creative approach to recycling on Earth Day. These outfits are recycled from discarded objects (except, of course, for Lucia and Erin Aguayo’s). Johanna is a light and a credit to our community (she’s also a proud underwriter of West Texas Weekly). Thank you for your support and positivity!
–”Photograph of Ruperta Chavarria in a pretty dress made by Petra Nunez. She was 19 years old and getting ready to go to a dance in 1928. This photo was included in a research paper by Stella Nunez for an American History class at Marfa High School in 1967.”
Big Bend Events
Front Street Books Reception: A closing reception for photographer Ruth Janyn will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 Friday, April 30 at 121 E. Holland, Alpine, Texas. It will be the last chance to see Jaynyn’s color photographs of the Big Bend; refreshments will be served. For more info, call (432) 837-3360.
“Hunter Gatherers”: Last Minute Low Budget Productions presents “Hunter Gatherers” by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb at 8pm Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through May 1 at the Theater behind the Terlingua Store on Highway 170 in Terlingua, Texas.
Inauguration Ceremony for Ricardo Maestas: Inauguration ceremonies for Dr. Ricardo Maestas, 11th president of Sul Ross State University, will be held at 10 am Friday, April 30, in the Pete Gallego Center, Alpine, Texas.
‘Heat’ Exhibit Reception: The Big Bend Arts Council’s Gallery on the Square will have its “Borderland Heat” reception and show from 5-7 pm Saturday, May 1. The show will remain on display through July. In addition, works by the two newest members are on display. Dwight Gover will have his flintknapping available and Ann Eckly will display her painting in thread. The gallery is at 5th St. and Sul Ross Avenue in Alpine, Texas. For more information about Gallery on the Square, call Diane Baylor at (432) 364-2609.
Whoops and Hollers
Marfa Roller Derby
I have proudly become a sponsor of Marfa Roller Derby. Practices are at Sunday at 2 pm at the slab at Vincainzo Park, Marfa, Texas.
My good friend Mercer Black is looking for other sponsors. I am coming in at the ‘Angel’ level; I think that my modest donation will provide skates and safety equipment to ‘the Romi’. Kudos to everyone involved. And, please, if you are a local business that wants to contribute to a worthy, grassroots sort of hip thing: BECOME A SPONSOR!
–Another local project that I am super-supportive of is Theater of the Big Bend. If you are person who likes to sing and dance and is at loose ends for something fun to do this summer. GO TO THE OPEN CASTING CALL. Parts are available to all ages of men and women. It is always a ton of fun and shows the rest of the world how much talent we have out here in the Big Bend. Open call auditions take place Saturday, May 1st at 2 pm and Monday May 3rd at 5 pm Room 105 FAB, SRSU, Alpine, Texas. For more info, check out their facebook page.
–I received the following letter from Lonn Taylor:
Dear Andrew,
I enjoyed your interview on KRTS yesterday and have taken to heart
your comment that not many Fort Davis people subscribed to West Texas
Weekly. I just subscribed, and I am looking forward to reading your
comments and occasionally responding to them.
For starters, I suggest you ask the Wineaux to drop by Nel’s Coffee
Shop in Fort Davis for breakfast or lunch any day of the week. The
owners, Jerry and Nelda Miles, are the hardest-working people in town.
They keep their cafe open 7 days a week from 6:30 in the morning until
3 in the afternoon, and they have provided Fort Davis with a place
where residents can not only get delicious meals but drink coffee and
solve the world’s problems. This is especially welcome since the
absentee owner of the Drug Store decided that running a restaurant was
too much work and not only closed it but boarded the building up.
Nel’s has become the town’s hottest spot.
Fort Davis may not have the buzz that Marfa does but I like it because
nothing has happened here since the army left, and that was in 1891. I
can drive to Marfa for excitement (and good dining), but for serenity
I’ll take Fort Davis any day.
Lonn Taylor
Fort Davis, Texas
Where the duck chews tobacco and the goose drinks wine
I want to thank Lonn for subscribing and taking the time to write this e-mail… I have a feeling that the Classical Wineaux may make a visit to Ft. Davis. Read Lonn’s thoughts in the Ft. Davis and Marfa newspapers or listen to his dulcet tones on KRTS, 93.5.
Also, I am hearing from lots of folks from Ft. Davis. Look for more future coverage from Steve Chaney.
–Speaking of Fort Davis, Karl Rove (or as Novak dubs him, the Prince of Darkness) will be visiting Fort Davis.
I applaud the Republican party for their ideals: smaller government, fiscal responsibility and strong foreign policy. However, under Karl Rove’s example, they have too often relied upon attacking homosexuals and abortion in order to get short-term gains.
For the vast majority of Democrats, these are relatively minor issues compared to creating jobs, ensuring health care for middle class Americans and balancing the budget. Gay civil rights and abortion availability are wedge issues even within the Democratic Party.
Karl Rove and his disciples are in part responsible for the divisiveness and rancor in the Washington today. He revealed the identity of Valerie Plame (an undercover government agent). Treason?
–Last week was 4/20. My jeers go to Julie Vega who coerced her Sul Ross students with extra credit to picket the Purple Zone (the Big Bend’s only source of adult toys, adult DVDs and tobacco accessories, or, as I like to call it, my one stop shopping choice). There were ten picketers on their side who picketed about an hour.
On the other side (supporting the harmless things that go on between consenting adults) were 50 protesters. You get my cheers for supporting freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of contract.
It’s easy to demonize and pick on a small business owner who is selling accessories to lifestyle choices you don’t agree with. The hard thing is to do something that really matters. Kilos and kilos of hard drugs move through our area due to organized crime– why doesn’t Ms. Vega go undercover in a Mexican drug cartel if she cares so strongly about this subject?
My support and enthusiasm goes out to the Purple Zone. If people really have a problem with pornography they should attack the national companies that provide pay-per-view pornography to each home in America instead of a local businessperson who pays local taxes and provides local services.
–In regard to 4/20 (a national day to partake of cannabis) I received the following message from a member of the Terlingua Liberation Front:
Today is 4/20. Reflect on the holy medicinal herb that has been demonized and slandered by the same crazy baldheads that sell you liquor, sugar, tobacco and synthetic pharmaceuticals… “A true Rasta man dinnae drink the rum. A true Rasta man dinnae gamble. Opie apa opie a ya. Jah jah sent me ‘ere to catch vampire.”
–Big thank-yous to all participants so far in the 2nd Annual Big Bend Photography Contest : Justin Vogt, Elena Goodrun, Paula Curry, Daryl Hoelzer, and Voni Glaves. Hurry up and get your entries in! We only have until May 2nd.
Big Bend Web Resources
–I want to give a big heartfelt thank you to Jay Valles. We have inspired one another in providing a voice to local folks. His website, La Voz, provides hard-hitting political news concerning our area. He examines political issues that some of the local newspapers are a little squeamish about investigating. I highly recommend this site to all my readers. Check out this archive of his original content.
The Altar of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Marfa, Texas, 1920
–Are you interested in the best and funkiest site for Texas Roadhouse music? Try Texas Roadhouse Live. “Texas Roadhouse Live, a Texas-based live concert music television program showcases the finest regional and national talent as they pass through the Lone Star State. Shot entirely on location, Texas Roadhouse Live takes the viewer directly into the Roadhouses, cafes, bars and dives that have made the Texas music scene the notorious experience it is. So grab a beer and relax as we take you up close and personal with some of today’s finest bands and some of yesterdays legends.”
[Big Bend Live Music is a feature brought to you by Matt Hodges, Contributing Editor Music. If you have a gig you'd like to share with the world, email him at matt.hodges@live.com]
Shows this weekend:
Thursday, April 22nd
Ted Arbogast at Starlight Theatre in Terlingua, 8:00 PM.
Friday, April 23rd
Open Mic Night at Harry’s Tinaja in Alpine, 8:00 PM.
[Do you have a local live music event here in the Big Bend? Share it with the world, email Matt Hodges at matt.hodges@live.com You can also leave it as a comment on this post.]
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This article is brought to you by these local sponsors:
Railroad Blues The premier live music venue in the Big Bend– Try their world famous Sangria!
La Posada Milagro– Beautiful, unique rooms in the Historic Terlingua Ghosttown
[Each Thursday you can enjoy Big Bend events, dining, video, news and photos from the editorial staff, contributors and readers.]
Big Bend Video
Texas Monthly takes a look at some of the amenities at the Terlingua Ghosttown, Terlingua, Texas.
–Nathan (tumbler and acrobat) on finding Terlingua.
Big Bend Photographs
Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine
Thank you to reader Daniel Chamberlain. See more of his local photography at Into the Green.
Big Bend Events
Tea Party Rally Today– 4-6 pm at the Railroad Park in Alpine, Texas, corner of Holland Avenue and 7th Street. Protest against overly high taxes.
–Celebration benefit for Doyle Tucker: Sat April 17th, 6:30 pm at the Alpine Country Club. Music by Bake Turner. Silent Auction. Pork loin dinner – donations welcome, no charge at the door. For more information or to make financial or silent item donation, contact Mike Nelson at 432.238.2661.
–Alpine Chamber Mixer: The Alpine Chamber of Commerce mixer will be from 6-8 pm Thursday April 15th at the Holland Hotel. Expect music from the Doodling Hogwallops, food and fun.
Big Bend Gem and Mineral Show this weekend: The annual Gem and Mineral Show takes place this weekend at Kokernot Lodge in Alpine from 9 am to 6 pm Sunday. Admission is free.
–Alpine Dark-Sky Star Party: Sierra la Rana and the Big Bend Astronomical Society (Alpine-Big Bend Texas) will host the Alpine Dark-Sky Star Party on April 17th, . The Dark-Star Party will be in recognition of Earth Day Week and participate in the Global Astronomy Month’s “Thirty Nights of StarPeace,” a worldwide-scale event that will join together astronomy groups in neighboring countries, one patch of Earth at a the time, on successive nights during the month of April 2010.
The Dark-Star Party is open to the public free of charge and the organizers will provide coffee and hot chocolate. There are 8 telescope pads available located at the Sierra la Rana Astronomy Village. Please feel free to bring a telescope and/or binoculars to share with event attendees.
Dave Oesper will moderate the star party starting off with viewings of Mercury and Venus from 8:30 – 8:45 p.m. and then a twilight presentation will immediately following the viewings begin at 8:45 p.m. and lasting until 9:15 p.m. approximately 30 minutes. The presentation will be an inspirational talk both on both what is viewable in the night sky and the joys of observational astronomy in general from Sierra la Rana and the Big Bend region in general.
Big Bend Dining Notes
Talgar’s– Talgar’s has been open for about a year and I am puzzled why it is often empty. The food here is fresh, well-prepared and plentiful. Today I had four jumbo flautas impeccably plated on a bed of red cabbage with copious amounts of fresh avocado, sour cream and cilantro. The flautas were hand-rolled and large; the chicken flavorful and moist without being greasy.
Before I’ve had the fish tacos and a chuleta, a mexican hamburger. I will admit my bias; I personally think that Talgar is a great person and great cook (particularly her Christmas tamales). However, this is one of the few places in Alpine that is really trying some different– a fresh, vibrant approach to cooking from Mexico and the rest of the Spanish-speaking world. If you haven’t tried it and you live locally– please, trust me and go in for an al fresco dinner on the beautiful patio.
The wine list is modest, but carefully selected to augment the latin flavors.
102 West Murphy Street Alpine, TX, Lunch ~ T-Sa 11:30-2:00, Dinner ~ Th-Sa 5:30-9:00 Ph# 432.837.5101 (it may be prudent to call ahead) Approximately $10-15 per plate.
These bands came through Alpine and Marfa. Do any locals have comments? Three Chinese bands touring America– exciting!
–Do you FourSquare? This is a new online game that uses the GPS feature of cellphones to introduce you to new places. I’m addicted! Check out foursquare here.Here’s my profile. I’m the mayor of four places! Harry’s Tinaja, La Trattoria, Bread and Breakfast and the Murphy Street Raspa Company. How about some free snacks for your hungry mayor?
This video comes from Apparent Motive, from Terlingua, Texas:
This video is revolutionary. It depicts a Terlingua Liberation Front free human being giving his response to the 2010 Census. This is a true patriot, hiding his face so he can’t be isolated and shot before more people follow his example and decide they are mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore!
–John Wells demonstrates a StepperSpinner. Be sure to attend the Green Scene in Terlingua on Saturday and see his oven demonstration.
–This isn’t a Big Bend video per se, but its making the rounds in local social media. Enjoy!
–RIP JACK ROSE. OPIUM MUSIC. THE SOUL OF THE WEST. YOU WILL BE MISSED JACK.
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Big Bend Events
Davis Mountains Theraputic Riding Center Beginning April 6th the DMTRC will be offering programs to people with disabilities using horse riding as a means of therapy. Research shows that theraputic riding improves the physical, cognitive, social and emotional functioning of people living with physical and developmental disabilities. For people living with disabilities ranging from cerebal palsy to autism, riding a horse has been shown to improve balance and joint mobility, increase muscle strength, overcome fear and anxiety, and enhance the person’s ability to set and achieve goals. For more information about how to get involved (whether as a volunteer or a patient) contact Margret O’Donnel at info [at] dmtrc [dot] org or call Fonda Ghirardi at (432) 426-2363.
2010 Texas Poet Laureate Karla Morton at SRSU On April 8 from 2:15 to 3:15 Karla Morton will be providing a poetry reading hosted by SRSU. It will take place in the Morelock Academic Building in room 302. Morton, described as “one of the most adventurous voices”, uses a mix of American poetry, prose and story-telling with a distinctly western flair. Morton is also the first Woman named Texas State Poet Laureate in more than 15 years.
Train Writers Retreat Features Japanese Haiku Hike April 9 – 11 will be the date of the 19th annual event hosted by the Texas Mountin Trail Writers of the Big Bend area and will feature a special Haiku walk in which Donna Greene, the president of the Texas Mountain Trail Writers, will be working with hikers/writers on the Haiku Writing art. Participants will be given handpainted booklets with a Far Eastern theme, also rustic lodging is available at the camp or in town at the motel/hotel of your choice. For more information, visit the website: www.texasMountainTrailWriters.org.
Terlingua Green Scene getting Ramped Up On April 10 in Terlingua Ghost Town, there will be live demonstrations begining at 11 AM on how to cook with a solar oven, build with paper-crete, knit with recycled materials, and much more. All day there will be art, music, food and drinks. This is a family-friendly event with activities for the whole family. Starlight Theatre will be hosting a story-telling event in the evening. For more information, visit www.TerlinguaGreenScene.com.
Big Bend Photos
Thank you to reader Darlene LeFevre for submitting this beautiful picture of the River Road between Lajitas and Presidio, Texas.
–Thank you to reader Mr. Gringo for this snapshot of the immortal Jackie Pepper and Susannah– his beautiful back-up singer.
Come to Our Census Dept.
I received the following opinion from reader George Covington:
One tragic incident comes to mind and, of course, it happened in Terlingua. Now, to begin with, I’m not certain why the Census people would bother to even go to Terlingua, because as we all know and has been stated in this column before. The area is inhabited by ancient hippies, parole violators and Satan worshippers; none of whom are capable enough to fill out forms, even if they can write. The incident involved a census taker who had never met a javelina. As my regular readers know, a javelina is like a skinny pig with teeth, tusks and a really nasty attitude toward those who would interrupt its carefree lifestyle. The intrepid Census taker discovered quickly that this is one animal that you do not want to mess with and in a fit of panic, a call is made to Terlingua’s Medical Emergency Team. When the MEs showed up they shot the javelina, which was a pet. Those who are uninitiated in to the wily ways of the west might ask, “Why was such an action taken against an unarmed pet?” A better question might be, “why do medical emergency folks in Terlingua carry guns?”
Read more of George’s opinion at the Alpine Avalanche (and thanks to Mike and Cindy for giving me some encouragement and advice regarding a personal issue).
Whoops and Hollers Dept.
Yr Humble Editor
Mark your calendars. My nasal tones will be heard on April 19th on KRTS’s Talk at Ten (a great show I listen to constantly). I’ll be talking about local news, blogging and new media. Thanks to all the staff there– and congrats for meeting their $70,000 pledge drive goal.
–Daniel Chamberlain, Marfa Resident, has an excellent article on the Green Scene that appeared in Arthur Magazine. ” Plus, no matter how much of a bohemian air the place may have, it’s still Texas, and while the true-to-life cowboys and good ol’ boys have a streak of tolerance and hedonism that is unique to this wild region of the Lone Star state, their presence is enough to ensure that the thick-skinned hippies and outsiders that find their way here are decidedly outlaw in spirit, if not vocation.”
Daniel, can I get you to submit some of your excellent prose and photography to WTW?
–Billy Joe Shaver on trial for assault: “Willie Nelson and Robert Duvall showed their deep friendship for Billy Joe Shaver, who us accused of aggravated assault for shooting Billy Coker in the face March 31, 2007 in Lorena, by sitting through about three hours of deadly dull proceedings Thursday in Waco.”
–Dallas Observer comments on Brooklyn folkies Yeasayer; Yeasayer? Or Mehsayer? Marfa Ballroom is bringing them out and it promises to be a great show. I, for one, am really excited. Can I get a couple of press passes, Ballroom?
–Kudos to City of Presidio for mention in National Geographic: “The hoped-for remedy is a battery, a Texas-size battery, which could eventually end up playing an important role in wider use of green power generation such as solar and wind. The U.S. $25 million system, which is now charging and is set to be dedicated April 8, will be the largest use of this energy storage technology in the United States.” Click here for the full article.
–Hey, Texas. Let’s get together and do a little better. According to impartial third parties Texas has worst record of prison sex abuse. Texas has 5 of the 10 U.S. facilities with the highest sexual assault rates. This isn’t just sexual abuse at the hands of other prisoners… it’s also at the hands of guards.
A society is judged by how its most marginalized members are treated. By this standard, we are a society in peril.
Sometimes a Great Quot-ion Dept.
Whoso would be a man must also be a non-conformist. –Ralph Waldo Emerson, Essays: First Series
I think we ought always to entertain our opinions with some measure of doubt. I shouldn’t wish people dogmatically to believe any philosophy, not even mine. -Bertrand Russell
Nowhere else in history has there ever been a flag that stands for the right to burn itself. This is the fractal of our flag. It stands for the right to destroy itself. -Ken Kesey
Nuttier than a Fruitcake Dept.
Recent Last Patriot post “The Terlingua Ranch is F@#$ed” has ruffled some feathers on the Ranch. There’s a Yahoo group that people swap information on. I want to thank Ronald Mahan for defending me in the following post:
I do not know if that story from the West Texas Weekly is true or not – but it is my opinion that the publisher – Andrew Suber is definitely not a “fruitcake”!
He is a lifetime Brewster County resident who has been educated as a lawyer – and most probably knows just how much of this scandal he can report without being sued. His father – Craig Suber – was sued by an earlier POATRI board – for putting up gates to limit public access across his Terlingua Ranch property – and that case is in mediation! Andrew Suber has ample reasons to illuminate any improprieties that Directors Demetri and Jordan may have committed and gotten caught doing!
Some of the Terlingua Ranch property owners are naive enough to believe that POATRI does not hide most of the unpleasant facts of life from the property owners. I recently heard the rumor that the new ranch manager the POATRI board hired – had a criminal record. My checks with the Texas Rangers disclosed the new manager did have a criminal record and the man had been convicted of a felony – cattle rustling!
My proof from the Texas Rangers was given to Director Demetri – but she never released that information to the property owners! Last year’s POATRI board had the new Ranch Manager resign and nothing was disclosed about their serious error of judgement – in failing to protect the property owner interests.
Who would want to send their POATRI fees to a convicted felon? Our new POATRI board has pledged a lot’s more transparency and openesss!
Thank you Ronald! I think I might have a notarized certificate that says that I am not a fruitcake (but at that point I will be certified.)
SISSY NOBBY DEPT.
–One last tiny shout-out, “Aziz Ansari is F@#$ing Awesome. And his brother Aniz isn’t too bad either. Big up to all at the double T posse at tallarico.com. “
[Kudos to the Chinati Foundation and Marfa Book Co. for generously arranging cultural events such as this one.]
March 17th, at 8:00PM, Chinati and the Marfa Book Co. invite you to a free screening of Me and Orson Welles, Richard Linklater’s 2009 film about the young Orson Welles. Linklater will be on hand to introduce the movie.
Me and Orson Welles is a fictionalized account (the screenplay is by Holly Gent Palmo and Vince Palmo, from Robert Kaplow’s novel) of Welles’ landmark 1937 staging of Julius Caesar in New York. Welles (played here by the British actor Christian McKay) is twenty-two at this point and coming off the success of his all-black production of Macbeth. (The radio version of War of the Worlds and Citizen Kane are still to come.) A young would-be actor (Zac Efron) joins Welles’ new Mercury Theatre group and is taken under the wing of the great man—a swaggering enfant terrible and theatrical dynamo who everyone in the company (and the theater world at large) regards with a mixture of awe, dread, and loathing. Click for more…
[Big Bend Live Music is a feature brought to you by Matt Hodges, Contributing Editor Music. If you have a gig you'd like to share with the world, email him at matt.hodges@live.com]
Matt’s Pick This Week goes to A Few Too Many!
Shows this weekend:
Thursday, March 11th
Kevin Dean at Harry’s Tinaja in Alpine, 8:00 PM.
Ted Arbogast at Starlight Theater in Terlingua, Texas, 8:00, PM
Friday, March 12th
Open Mic Night at Harry’s Tinaja in Alpine, 8:00 PM.
[Do you have a local live music event here in the Big Bend? Share it with the world, email Matt Hodges at matt.hodges@live.com You can also leave it as a comment on this post.]
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This article is brought to you by these local sponsors:
Railroad Blues The premier live music venue in the Big Bend– Try their world famous Sangria!
La Posada Milagro– Beautiful, unique rooms in the Historic Terlingua Ghosttown
VAL BEARD WINS BREWSTER COUNTY JUDGE, KILLINGSWORTH AND PALLANEZ RE-ELECTED
“Brewster County voters agreed with County Judge Val Beard’s campaign slogan — “Keep Val Beard” — and returned her to office Tuesday. She will have no GOP opponent in November’s general election.” Click here to read more at the Alpine Avalanche.
NIMBY NEWS ACCUSES AVALANCHE OF BIAS
The Avalanche’s completely confused editorial policy and demonstrably unprofessional unfairness toward Avinash Rangra and bias toward Judge Beard justifies the low esteem in which the American press is now held.
All over the Granite Newspapers website we read the words “community” as it relates to newspapers. Who among us is in Perry’s community?
Lastly, publisher/editor Mike Perry is directly accountable for this mess.
I know no one in journalism who works harder than Mike and Cindy Perry. But the proud traditions of the American press from the Colonial printers to the Washington Post and the New York Times in the Watergate mess demand that journalists be competent too.
Read the rest of McNamera’s coverage of the election at The Nimby News.
–For Presidio and Brewster County election results for state posts, click here.
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Big Bend Video
A wonderful event. I hope this video captures that.
–”Dustin Roller, Cody Higgins, Joseph Cupps being badasses. Sul Ross State University.” Thank you for the footage, Jayson.
–Marfa, My Dear: “An improvised absurdity starring Jaclyn Jonet, Black Moses and Lola “Prosciutto” Ruspoli. Directed by Tao Ruspoli, based on a story by Olivia Wilde www.lafco.tv www.marfafilmfestival.org”
In celebration of Texas Independence and the battle of the Alamo, Dude of the Dead outdoor music festival in south Presidio County at the base of the Chinati Mountains, will take place Saturday March 6th, starting at 2pm. The festival is located 15 miles west of Presidio off HWY 170. Camping is free, BYOB encouraged. Seven bands are set to preform including local talent: Doodlin Hogwallops; Big Mountain Boogaloo, Cantina Fight and from Austin: Rayon Beach; The Flesh Lights; Shapes Have Fangs, Dead Space plus Randy Travesty.
The entry fee is $5 per person or $20 per car/truck/van load. Admission will be waived for the first 15 vehicles.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Charlie Angell, 432.229.3713.
–Dumitrescu Gallery reception
The Dumitrescu Gallery, located inside Elms Bookkeeping at 108 N. 5th Street in Alpine, will have its final exhibition this month, with a reception from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 5. The gallery’s last day will be from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 3. Avram Dumitrescu is an illustrator and lecturer with the Center for Big Bend Studies at Sul Ross State University. His illustrations are featured in a new textbook, “Drawing Inspiration: Visual Artists at Work.”
–Sierra Club to hike Hancock Hill
Start your spring break with a hike up the Hancock Hill trail above Sul Ross State University on Saturday, March 6. Hikers will meet by 9 a.m. at the trailhead behind Mountainside dorm (entrance No. 4). The hike will take about 2 hours and is moderately strenuous. Participants should bring water, a hat and footwear appropriate for loose rocky surfaces. For more information, call Martha Latta at 432-837-1070.
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Enjoy only 2 cosmetics, enough sleep and Dr. Bronner’s ‘Magic Soap’ to clean body-mind-soul-spirit uniting One! All-One! Absolute cleanliness is Godliness! For facial packs, scalp & soothing body rub, add dash on bath towel in sink of hot water. Wring out. Lay over face & scalp. Massage with fingertips. Repeat 3 or 4 times ’til arms, legs and all are rubbed, always toward the heart. Rinse towel in plain hot water and massage again. Breathe deeply! Health is Wealth. For we’re ALL-ONE OR NONE! ALL-ONE! ALL-ONE! ALL-ONE!
Here at West Texas Weekly, you come first! My new layout and navigation reflects that:
Popular Articles (now in the left sidebar of the homepage) features the popular articles that you comment on and that provoke discussion
The Your Comments feature (now in the left sidebar of the homepage) provides an excerpt from your comment, a link to your homepage and your avatar. Your comments on Big Bend events are now displayed to the world.
The User Hall of Fame (now in the left sidebar of the homepage) showcases those West Texas Weekly users who consistently provide their insight, opinions and information to the community.
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Flanked against the Alpine Amtrak Station stands one of the best little restaurants I’ve found in the Big Bend. The Gulf Station offers a limited lunch and dinner menu but packs a lot of joie de vivre from each item. Soups, sandwiches, burgers and salads are the main items but try the stuffed Portobello mushroom or roasted chicken.
It’s easy to go veggie here – we did it accidentally: Greek Salad, Garbanzo-Potato- Spinach soup and the killer choice of the night spinach pancakes made with Japanese panko, in a perfectly French beurre blanc sauce.
The place is cozy – something urban going on: tall ceilings, stained cement floors, polished aluminum tables, black chairs and Stella Artois on tap served in classic pint glasses – we could be on the left bank. The wine hangs from a chained raw iron rack with bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay from Argentina to Texas. At least the varieties are French.
Exposed three membrane brick colors one wall, a dead give-away for anything commercial built in Alpine in the 1930’s. The other wall glimmers with sheet metal and old photographs from the 1950’s – when the place was a true Gulf Station. Choo-choo-cha-boogie plays through speakers mounted near a large abstract on canvas. Chagall would not be impressed, but it is not bad.
The train horn blows, a signal for the pause that refreshes, a mistake for sure, not that the bathrooms weren’t beautiful – exquisite actually … his and hers, regular and ethyl, but when I return there is only a sliver of the home made Key Lime Pie, a sliver so small it reminds me of the inferior country to the east of France that makes the little wheels of soft cheese, packaged in tiny wedges. But the pie – par excellence! [M. Chenault]
UPDATE: We are starting a new season of TRIVIA SMACKDOWN September 15 at the Railroad Blues at 8 pm. Thank you for your support, my dear trivia nuts. There will be all new categories, new surprises and a new element of the rules– get ready for the awesome SMACKBACK.
UPDATE: We are starting a new SUMMER SEASON OF TRIVIA SMACKDOWN on June 2nd at 8 pm. Show up and enjoy!
Here is the Brandy Cup being presented to the winning team, O.A.F./Ramrod:
Here we have the teams for Smackdown Trivia introducing themselves.
Here three fine athletes compete for glory.
Smackdown Trivia is at 8 pm on the following dates at the Railroad Blues in Alpine, Texas. It is popular culture, sports, geography, history and random facts. It is the area’s only trivia challenge. Bring people for a group and compete, or just show up for the show.
Update: Here is some footage of me riding in a balloon with aeronaut Rusty Kaim on Saturday morning. Stay tuned for behind the scenes footage of the crew preparing us for flight.
Since 1987, the Big Bend Balloon Bash has provided an unforgettable experience for sport hot air balloon pilots, sponsors, vendors, and families. Over the three-day Labor Day Weekend, each day offers the chance to create and capture memories unique to the high mountain desert region of Alpine, Texas, and the Big Bend.
Come join us this year for another fun-filled weekend of aerial displays and special events.
The Blackwell School Alliance, in partnership with the Marfa Chamber of Commerce, proudly presents the 2009 Marfa Lights Festival at the historic Presidio County Courthouse grounds.
The festival features artists exhibiting
and demonstrating original art and crafts as well as food and entertainment. Saturday night’s headliner band is three time Grammy Award winner Little Joe y La Familia, who will perform at the Vizcaino Park.
The festival starts at 5pm Friday, September 4, with DJ music and dancing at the courthouse. At 8pm, Los Pinche Gringos from Terlingua will take the stage for a four hour dance party.
Saturday’s Schedule:
6:30am – 10K Run/5K Walk
10am – Marfa Lights Festival parade. Booths open after the parade.
1pm – Miley Franco Band
3pm – Alpine Belly Dancers
3:30pm – the El Paso band Raw Deal
Saturday night concert at Vizcaino Park with Nightlife from Del Rio, Texas, and Little Joe y La Familia. Tickets for Little Joe y La Familia are available at $25 per person by calling 432-729-4445, 432-729-4811 or 432-386-5737.
Sunday’s Schedule:
Noon – Booths open at the courthouse
1pm – Tahitian Dancers
1:30 – Folklorico Dancers
2pm – Raw Deal takes the stage
4pm – Mariachi Santa Cruz
5pm – the Presidio band The Resonators
Padre’s Marfa, one of Texas’ most unique live music venues, presents the First Annual Marfa Jazz Festival, August 28-30, 2009. The first concert on Friday, August 28th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Crowley Theatre features the Latin Jazz of the Ruben Gutierrez Quartet, followed by acclaimed vocalist Greta Matassa from Seattle, Washington, with the Paul English Trio. The second concert on Saturday, August 29th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Crowley Theatre features the unique jazz ukulele and percussion of multi-instrumentalist Abe Lagrimas, Jr. from Honolulu, Hawaii, followed by the Paul English Trio with special guest David Caceres on saxophone and vocals. The concerts are $30 advance and $35 at the door and available now on the Padre’s Marfa website. On Sunday, August 30th at 12:00 noon there will be a jazz jam at Padre’s with free admission. Padre’s and the Crowley Theatre are located in close proximity on West El Paso Street in Marfa, Texas. Click for more…
Update: I attended the town hall meeting. I saw Tom Michael of KRTS there, (he’s conducting an interview with Rep. Rodriguez at 3:30) and Mike and Cindy Perry of the Alpine Avalanche and Jack McNamara of the Nimby News.
Video is downloading to YouTube. Stay tuned.
In general, people seemed more civil than what you’ve seen on television. I think there is a lot of scary misinformation out there about ‘death panels’, abortions, illegal immigrants and other bugaboos that aren’t actually in the bill before the House. Ciro did a great job of defusing these tensions and focusing on the real issue: Americans pay more for health care than anyone else in the world and still lag in important stats such as life expectancy and infant mortality.
[The following e-mail comes from a reader. Thank you for alerting the public to this.]
A couple weeks ago I emailed the office of Rep. Ciro Rodriguez to find out when we would be having a town hall meeting in our area and never received a response. Later I called the congressman and was told by his office that I would be notified of any town hall meeting. A few minutes ago, I called the congressman again, seeing that August is drawing to a close, and given the following information regarding meetings in our area:
Alpine: Alexanders Tex Mex Grill – this Saturday at 1:00
Marfa: Presidio County Courthouse -
This Saturday at 5:00 I asked his office why my repeated requests for notification had been ignored and was told that “the company handles that”. Apparently our congressman has contracted out the notification of his constituents to a private company. I informed his office that the company never appeared on any ballot I have seen. Click for more…
The following description is taken from this official site:
The Big Bend Ranch Rodeo is dedicated to the preservation of the working ranch and western heritage lifestyle. Our goals are to put on a first rate ranch rodeo dedicated to working ranch cowboys and at the same time raise money for scholarships for students attending Sul Ross State University in the School of Natural Resources and Animal Sciences. The Big Bend Ranch Rodeo has become one of the premier events in the Davis Mountains and Big Bend area. Click for more…
The Rotary Club of Alpine will host the WAY OUT WEST TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL, July 31 and August 1, 2009, to promote literary appreciation and benefit the Alpine Public Library and its Marathon branch.
The multifaceted event is scheduled for August 1, 2009 at the Sul Ross Espino Conference Center, 2nd Floor, University Center. Click for more…
Councilwoman Johanna Nelson. HerLa Junta Exchange is one of the most fun shops to visit here in Alpine.
The dog days of summer are approaching and downtown Alpine merchants and others are planning a cool Fiesta del Sol June 20th – 21st to counter the heat. More than 30 businesses and other entities are expected to take part in the solstice event, which this year features Friday evening activities, all-day Saturday observances and a Saturday evening climax event.
For the first stime, a string of businesses on South Murphy Street will be participating, along with the retail establishments and restaurants on East and West Holland Avenue and North Fifth Street. The Seventh Annual Fiesta del Sol will feature special music, art exhibits, refrshments, sales, programs, book signing, and dancing. Retailers will have later hours than usual – until 8 p.m. Friday until 10 p.m. Saturday. Many merchants will have all-day Saturday sales and special activities.
On Murphy the following businesses, most of them new, will participate: Pinata’s Gifts (pinatas and Mexican gifts) Murphy Street Raspa Company, J.R. Smith/Alpine Studio, El Jardin, Talgar’s restaurant, Texas Fusion and Patti Hildreth Studio.
Also taking part: Bell Gallery, Bread and Breakfast Bakery & Café, Big Bend Arts Council, Catchlight Gallery, Curva Grande, Dance Tahiti, Edelweiss at the Historic Holland Hotel, Front Street Books, Ivey’s Emporium, La Trattoria, Mi Tesoro, Mis-Jen’s Closet, Mystic Gitanas dancers, Ocotillo Enterprises, Quetzal Art & Imports, Railroad Blues, Ringtail Records, Salon 109, TransPecos Guitars.
“Fiesta del Sol is a summer festival for our hometown customers and for special out-of town visitors, to let them know how much we appreciate them year-round,” said event co-founder Jean Hardy. “It’s a great big ‘thank-you” party, she added.
From my favorite Terlingua periodical, the Terlingua Moon:
Countdown to the July 4th festivities, only 4 days to get your float together. Keep in mind there will be $100.00 cash prize for the bestdressed float. When the parade ends at the KKKK, you can buy votes for your favorite float, and all the money will got to the EMS/Fire Dept. Lineup for the parade is at 5:30 at the Study Butte Store, departing by 6:00. Cars, trucks, bicycles, motorcycles, 4-wheelers, horses,tractors, rafts, canoes, bring it all on. Our EMS/Fire Crew will be selling food and drinks, sno kones, anyone interested in making a dessert, please feel free to do so. We will be introducing each EMS/Fire member as they walk the runway, sporting their new gear. This is your opportunity to meet and greet the crew.
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