March 11, 2015 Issue

Blanco Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Libbey Aly and Board Secretary Cornelia England went to the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 25 to lobby state lawmakers to oppose the expansion of the statutory uses of local hotel taxes. The hotel, travel and attractions industries are increasingly concerned with rumblings among some lawmakers to expand the use of those dollars from their traditional uses.

The final date to file for a place on the ballot in the May elections was last Friday, Feb. 27. All three open races will be contested. Two have filed for Mayor; Incumbent Chuck Homan and Bruce Peele. Three will vie for two seats on city council, Incumbent Maria Guerrero, Curtis Knutson, and Lindsey Nelson.

An Eagle Scout Review Board was held for Morgan C. Lockwood, on Thursday March 4, 2015. Morgan was interviewed and found to worthy to be an Eagle Scout. Sitting on the Eagle Review Board were Judge Don Barnett, Cub Master Amanda Raczkowski, Rev. Bill Mosley, and Dr. Doug Becker. Morgan became a Boy Scout in June of 2012, after being in Cub Scouts and Webelos, where he earned the Arrow of Light.

Specifications for a proposed bridge were approved by Blanco County Commissioners Tuesday, March 10 during regular session. The measure passed by a 3-1 margin. Pct. 2 commissioner James Sultemeier voted against it after expressing reservations of the scope and price of the project. The area where the proposed bridge would be constructed is just north of the current road's path, which is in Precinct 4.

Ceiling of upstairs ballroom being prepared for repainting (Karen Watson Photo). Work is in full swing on the attic restoration and repainting of the upstairs ballroom ceiling at the Old Blanco County Courthouse on the Square. David Hiser Construction Co. has begun this new phase of Courthouse renovation and repair after completing re-pointing and cleaning of the exterior masonry in December. Safety concerns loomed large before work could begin on the attic of the historic building.

An art show at the Redbud Café, held in conjunction with Brieger Pottery, featured the ceramic stylings of Mike and Teri Hubbeling on Thursday, March 5. The Austin-based artists are known for working with animal and vegetative-based patterns. "I'm interested in how animals are divided," Mike said. "There is a lot there to work with.

San Antonio Military Medical Center [formerly Brooks Army Medical Center, or BAMC) has awarded Blanco Elementary School, as well as its principal, Linda Romano, with a certificate for excellence in conjunction with the annual "Veterans Day Contest." Blanco's American Legion Auxiliary Unit 352 made the presentation on Thursday, Feb. 26. Auxiliary president Roxanna Avants said the award was well deserved. "The Auxiliary conducts a Veterans Day contest,"

The Region 12 University Interscholastic League High School Band concert and sight-reading contest for 3A and 4A schools was held on March 5 at Canyon Lake High School. The Blanco High School band performed their concert selections including Sparks by Balmages, A Childhood Hymn by Holsinger, and the Big Circus March by Foster.

Middle School reading teacher Teresa Hawkins (right) was honored at Monday night's Board meeting by Principal Keitha St. Clair (left). "In one year, she improved the 7th grade Reading scores from 78% passing to 94% passing. She also improved the at risk students' scores from 37% passing to 83% passing."

Panther Stadium's athletic field has been named a winner in Pioneer Athletics' "Fields of Excellence" awards. "This award is representative of the efforts of many people involved in maintaining the District's facilities, and it is something that we take great pride in," said Maintenance Director Tony Petri. Blanco was selected from a pool of over 250 applicants to receive the award.

First Baseman Cross Caldwell stretches for the out against the Georgetown Gators The Panthers baseball team traveled the short distance to Johnson City to take on the Eagles on Tuesday, March 3. Blanco defeated the Eagles 2-1. Ty Royce got his first win of the year in relief of Ty Preiss, pitching 2 innings and striking out 3.

Each year, during the Lenten Season, the Blanco Ministerial Alliance has lunches on Thursdays at different churches. Everyone in the community is invited. The schedule is below. The "Free Will Offering" is used by the Alliance to help those who are passing through Blanco and have difficulty getting to their destination.

Proverbs 25:28 says, "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." Cicero said, in all ages "fewer men are found who conquer their own lusts than that overcome the armies of enemies.'' A Christian who does not practice self control, leaves himself completely exposed to every attack and deception of Satan.

God's Word is so good! It is always so timely, too. I was reading Romans chapters 10 and 11, and it sure gives insight even now, to what's going on in Israel. Their rejection (blindness) is what led to the salvation of the Gentiles, and so we who were the wild olive tree are now (through our faith in Christ Jesus) grafted on to the olive tree, but he warns us not to be high minded, because if God did break off the branches so we could be grafted in, He can also break off the grafted branches (b ...

I encourage you to read Mt 12:33-37 carefully. Notice in particular what Jesus says in vs. 35 "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things." We see a good man has a heart full of good treasure and brings forth good things.

"8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8 Our kind of fasting is not really what God wants. Many people give up things for Lent, as a type of fast.