KINGSLAND — A community blood drive is Nov. 18 at the Kingsland Community Center.
The Blood Center of Central Texas Bloodmobile will be parked 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the center, 3451 Rose Hill Drive.
Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments may be made at www.inyourhandsonline.org.
Those donating blood must be at least 17 years old with photo identification, weigh at least 115 pounds to donate whole blood and 110 pounds to donate platelets and be in good health.
For more, call (512) 608-5215
HORSESHOE BAY — The Horseshoe Bay Resort has opened up its annual Boat Parade of Lights to the public this season. The event is Nov. 25.
Decorated boats will float along Lake LBJ’s shore 6-9 p.m. the day after Thanksgiving near the resort, 200 Hi Circle North.
A cash-bar, hot chocolate and coffee will be available in the resort’s viewing area.
Resort guests, club members and the general public may enter their own boats and watercraft in the parade at no charge, according to the resort. The 90-foot Horseshoe Bay Yacht will end the event with a synchronized light and music show.
To participate in the parade, call the resort marina at (830) 598-9401.
HORSESHOE BAY — Plans to build a new Ferguson Power Plant reached another milestone with the approval of an air-emissions permit by state and federal environmental agencies, officials said.
Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recently authorized the permit for the Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant replacement project.
With regulatory approval in hand, the Lower Colorado River Authority is moving ahead to replace the 37-year-old plant with a new natural-gas plant.
The plant will use about 40 percent less fuel than the current plant when complete, according to LCRA officials.
“This new and efficient power plant will provide a safe and clean type of energy generation that will improve the Hill Country’s electric reliability,” LCRA board member Vernon E. "Buddy" Schrader said.
Schrader lives in Horseshoe Bay.
The new plant could cost more than $500 million, LCRA officials have said.
MARBLE FALLS — The city is barking up the wrong tree with proposed changes to the Animal Services ordinance, critics said Nov. 16.
After several residents voiced concerns about the revisions, the City Council during its meeting decided to hold another public hearing Jan. 3 before approving any alterations to the animal code.
“It seems like there is a lot more information out there,” Councilman John Packer said.
Council members agreed parts of the ordinance related to bee-keeping, registration fees for feral cats and the prohibition of livestock from land designated for an agriculture exemption need to be re-examined.
“I think we need to take another look at it,” Councilman Ryan Nash said. “It sounds like more vetting needs to be done.”
Police Chief Mark Whitacre said the Animal Control Advisory Committee started work on the ordinance last August.
The committee included himself, City Manager Ralph Hendricks, Animal Control Officer Bryan Wendt and Greg Wilson from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
During time set aside for public comment, Debbie Sapp said the committee neglected to seek input from Hill Country Cats and other local animal advocates.
Hill Country Cats is based in Horseshoe Bay.
“I am very disappointed Hill Country Cats were not included,” Sapp said.
Hill Country Cats have trapped and neutered about 4,000 feral cats and have found “good homes” for several felines since the group started five years ago, she added.
However, the proposed registration fee of $10 in the ordinance could hurt their cat-rescue activities, Sapp said.
“It is going to cost us so much money,” she added. “It could be prohibitive.”
Also, the proposed ordinance could discourage bee-keeping, Mary Ellen Goth said.
“Honeybees are disappearing,” Goth said. “Honeybee-keeping should be encouraged.”
The proposed ordinance allows bee-keeping if a bee hive is located at least 150 feet from the hive owner to another dwelling.
“That is too far,” Goth said.
Another look is needed, said Mayor George Russell.
“Any ordinance ought to have a review period to see what is working,” he added.
Also during the meeting, the council:
– Adopted the 2011 National Electrical Code and the 2009 International Energy Code.
– Authorized refinancing on Series 2002 general obligation bonds to save more than $102,000 on debt service through fiscal year 2019-2020.
– Approved a concession agreement for Zumba Fitness classes at Lakeside Pavilion through March 31.
– Directed City Attorney Patty Akers to research nuisance ordinances in other cities.
MARBLE FALLS — Two juveniles are suspected of cutting a swath of mischief and mayhem Nov. 13 that included breaking into the Marble Falls Middle School press box and a church on Mormon Mill Road.
The spree ended when police caught up with two teen boys and charged them under juvenile statutes with criminal mischief of a place of worship, criminal mischief, burglary of a building and burglary of a vehicle.
They were transported to the Kerr County Juvenile Detention Center in Kerrville.
Police Capt. Glenn Hanson said officers arrested a 15 year old and a 16 year old in connection with a series of incidents that included discharging a fire extinguisher inside a Marble Falls Independent School District vehicle.
Investigators said the episode began when intruders got inside the press box at the middle school’s Pony Stadium, 1511 Pony Circle, and grabbed a fire extinguisher. From there, Hanson said, the duo forced their way into a school vehicle and sprayed the fire extinguisher.
“They also broke into another vehicle and took some items,” he said.
MARBLE FALLS — With only a week until the 21st annual Walkway of Lights opens, organizer Amy Lee is scrambling to find enough volunteers.
“We have 125 trees coming in (Nov. 17) and we could really use some help setting them up and decorating them,” she said. “And we have less than a day to set them all up because on (Nov. 18) the Walkway starts.”
Lee said there are slots still open for greeters from opening day until the last day on Jan. 1.
Every year, thousands of visitors meander through the more than 2 million lights and 160 light sculptures at Lakeside Park, 306 Buena Vista Drive. Organizers began setting up the display in late October.
Last year, an estimated 52,000 visitors saw the Walkway, which is erected on the shores of Lake Marble Falls. Some hailed from as far away as Australia.
This year, officials said the Walkway likely will have more viewers because Austin is again canceling the Zilker Park light display.
MARBLE FALLS — Highland Lakes residents have several ways to get into the holiday spirit starting in November.
In the mood for a Christmas parade and a light show?
• The Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce is registering participants for the city’s Christmas Light-Up Parade on Nov. 18.
The parade begins on Main Street at 6 p.m. with lineup at 5 p.m. The procession ends at Lakeside Park, 306 Buena Vista Drive, with the switch being thrown to turn on the city’s Walkway of Lights.
Christmas is for Kids will collect toys for underprivileged children at the end of the parade. Members will take new, unwrapped toy donations from parade-goers as the group’s float passes by. The drive will provide Christmas gifts for ages infant to 16 years.
For more about the parade, contact the Chamber at amy@marblefalls.org or (830) 693-2815. The Chamber is located at 916 Second St.
• The Burnet County Courthouse lighting ceremony is Nov. 21.
The sixth annual event takes place at 220 S. Pierce St. in Burnet.
The ceremony kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with performances by the Burnet High School choir and the Highlandettes on the east lawn of the courthouse. Santa Claus will make an appearance at 7 p.m.
Bring an unwrapped toy or a money donation for the Santa’s Helper toy drive which provides gifts for underprivileged children across Burnet County.
The courthouse will be lit 6-10 p.m. each night through Dec. 31.
For more, visit www.thehighlandlakes.org; email tourism@burnetcountytexas.org or call (830) 798-3029.
• The annual Christmas on the Square festival in Burnet is Dec. 10.
The festival, sponsored by the Burnet Chamber of Commerce, will include a parade, arts and crafts vendors, holiday entertainment and a visit from Santa.
Deadline for parade entries is Dec. 2.
Festival sponsorships are available for $50-$250. Contributions will help provide bicycles for the event’s Great Bike Giveaway.
Parade and sponsorship applications are available at www.burnetchamber.org or at the Chamber office, 229 S. Pierce St.
For more, contact (512) 756-4297 or info@burnetchamber.org.
Help make it the season of giving.
• CASA for the Highland Lakes Area is collecting donations for its Angel Tree.
The nonprofit Court Appointed Special Advocates organization is asking for new and unwrapped gifts or gift cards for Highland Lakes children that it helps, according to a news release. The Angel Tree is located at Security State Bank and Trust, 608 U.S. 281.
CASA assists abused and neglected children who have been placed in foster care in Burnet, Llano, Lampasas, Blanco and San Saba counties.
Angels may be picked up now and gifts or gift cards should be brought by Nov. 30 to the bank. The angel tells donors whether the recipient is a boy or girl and the child’s age.
For more on becoming a CASA volunteer or a list of upcoming CASA events, visit www.highlandlakescasa.com or call (325) 388-3440.
• The Brown Santa program sponsored by the Llano County Sheriff’s Office needs help finding children in need this Christmas.
Underprivileged children ages toddler through 16 in the unincorporated area of Llano County may receive toys and gifts through the program.
Anyone who knows of a child or a family in need can call (325) 247-5050 or pick up an application at a justice of the peace office.
Need to do some Christmas shopping?
• The second annual Hill Country Christmas Market is Nov. 18-19 at Galloway-Hammond Recreation Center in Burnet.
The event is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days at the center, 1601 U.S. 281.
More than 65 vendors from across the Hill Country will offer items including handmade jewelry, fine art, handcrafted birdhouses, furniture, clothing, holiday treats and more. Lunch and refreshments will be available.
Admission is $2 in advance, $3 at the door and free for children under 8 with an adult.
HORSESHOE BAY — About 130 golfers helped raise more than $10,000 for Open Door Recovery House on Oct. 30 at Slick Rock golf course.
Open Door in Marble Falls is a residential facility for women recovering from drug or alcohol abuse that provides guidance and counseling in a Christian environment, according to a news release.
Since opening in May 2010, Open Door has served as a temporary home for 35 women in transition.
PHOTO: Glen and Kathy Salem of Horseshoe Bay won first place at an Oct. 30 golf fundraiser for Open Door Recovery House at Slick Rock golf course in Horseshoe Bay. Courtesy photo
"We are so grateful to so many people for making our first golf outing such a success," said Karen Vincent, president of Open Door’s board of directors. "Few families are untouched in some way by the disease of alcoholism, and it is gratifying to have so many wonderful people come out to enjoy a round of golf, good companionship and benefit our cause."
Glenn and Kathy Salem of Horseshoe Bay won the first prize of eight guest rounds at any of the Horseshoe Bay courses. Jay and Kel Win of Marble Falls finished second and won a guest pass for a foursome at the private Escondido course. Ray and Lynn Bishop of Horseshoe Bay were third, winning eight guest rounds at Horseshoe Bay’s Whitewater putting course.
Heidy Rodgers of Burnet won the closest-to-the-pin competition for women, while Glenn Salem won for the men. Jimmy Davis of Horseshoe Bay won most accurate drive.
For more about Open Door, call (830) 693-9292.
HORSESHOE BAY — Boosting the economy is one of the biggest challenges facing the country today, according to a candidate for the U.S. Senate.
"If you don’t have a strong economy, you don’t have a place at the table," Tom Leppert said Nov. 9.
The long-time businessman and former Dallas mayor recently announced he is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat held by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who plans to retire in January 2013.
PHOTO: Former Dallas mayor turned U.S. Senate candidate Tom Leppert spoke in Horseshoe Bay at the Escondido clubhouse on Nov. 9. Staff photo by Raymond V. Whelan
Leppert spoke to residents and reporters at the Escondido clubhouse.
