PHOTO 1: Do you need a trim? The stylists at CrossHairs Salon, 309 Main St. in Marble Falls, channel ‘Edward Scissorhands’ for the annual ‘Moonlight Madness’ celebration Oct. 27. Stephanie Gutierez (left), Crista Chance and Christine Elizondl worked during the morning to get their costumes just right. More than 40 Marble Falls area businesses participated in the event, which included sales, discounts and stores staying open late to kick off the holiday shopping season. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton

PHOTO 2: What about the mustard? MacKenzie Shorb of the BookShop, 212 Main St. in Marble Falls, adds a bit of flavor to the annual ‘Moonlight Madness’ celebration Oct. 27. Business owners, employees and even customers dressed up and enjoyed the kickoff for the holiday shopping season. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton

PHOTO 3: Pam Spiller (left) and Jolene Pool of In Harmony Thrift Store, 1104 West RR 1431 in Marble Falls, enjoy the fun of ‘Moonlight Madness’ Oct. 27. More than 40 area businesses and merchants participated in the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Area Chamber of Commerce shopping extravaganza, which included stores staying open late and offering special deals. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton

GRANITE SHOALS — A new drought contingency plan carries mandatory restrictions and even fines of up to $1,000 for violations as the city girds for future water shortages.

The City Council approved the new set of guidelines Oct. 25 as Texas endures one of its worst droughts on record. Forecasters say lakes Buchanan and Travis, which supply the area’s drinking water, could drop to record lows by spring if there is no significant rainfall.

"We’ve hashed this (drought contingency plan) since July," Mayor Dennis Maier said. "It isn’t punitive, but hopefully encourages people to conserve."

The plan outlines measures the city and residents will take during water-shortage trigger points. There are four stages — mild, moderate, severe and critical.

Under a mild water shortage, or Stage 1, voluntary limited landscape irrigation is allowed on certain days at specified hours.

MARBLE FALLS — Get ready for some ghoulish great fun and frightfully good deals Thursday, Oct. 27, as area merchants celebrate another season of Moonlight Madness.

Timed to coincide with Halloween every year, Moonlight Madness — an annual shopping and costume extravaganza —promises sales and other promotions from participating stores.

Sponsors say Moonlight Madness gets people excited about the wares offered by local retailers — especially with the Christmas shopping season just weeks away.

“It’s just a great, fun event,” said Dortha Feaster Coalter, the owner of The BookShop, 212 Main St.  “I love seeing the kids come in in their costumes with smiles on their faces.”

Sponsored by the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce, merchants taking part in Moonlight Madness offer sales, discounts and special deals.

The stores often extend their hours, and shop owners and employees enjoy a bit of the “madness” themselves by dressing in costumes.

For a complete list of participating retailers, pick up copies of the Oct. 23 River Cities Sunday Tribune and the Oct. 26 Picayune. Both editions feature special pages that include a map of all the merchants.

A segment on Moonlight Madness also is featured on this week’s “Picayune Roundup” on www.thepicayunetv.com.

“It’s a lot of fun because the businesses and customers really get excited about it,” said Kathy Daniels of the Chamber.

In conjunction with Moonlight Madness, a “Haunted Dungeon” is offered at the Boys & Girls Club of the Highland Lakes, 1701 Broadway. It runs Oct. 27-Oct. 30. The cost is $5 for ages 8 and up, but adults must accompany children 8-12 years old.

For more on Moonlight Madness, contact the Chamber at (830) 693-4449 or (830) 693-2815.

MARBLE FALLS — Lower temperatures and reduced use have prompted city officials to lift mandatory watering restrictions.

Stage 1 voluntary water-use restrictions went into effect Oct. 24. The city had been under the more stringent Stage 2 at the behest of the Lower Colorado River Authority.

“The city believes we can meet our (water) conservation goals with voluntary restrictions,” City Secretary Christina Laine said.

Under voluntary restrictions, officials ask residents to water lawns only on certain days from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m.

Residents with even-numbered street addresses are asked to water during even-numbered days. Those with odd-numbered street addresses are asked to water during odd-numbered days.

HORSESHOE BAY — Two golfers recorded a hole-in-one at Horseshoe Bay Resort recently.

Doreen Drinkard of Horseshoe Bay recorded an ace on the par-3 17th hole of the Slick Rock golf course Oct. 15. She used a 7-iron from 110 yards. Carole Barnes witnessed the feat.

David Tapp aced the 170 yard par-3 8th hole on Slick Rock golf course. He did this on Oct. 18 with a 5-wood. Witnesses were Dan Holitzke, Ken Walker and Bill White.

MARBLE FALLS — H-E-B Spinach Spring Mix Bagged Salad is being voluntarily recalled by H-E-B grocery stores as a precaution because of a possible salmonella contamination identified by vendor Taylor Farms Retail Inc., according to a news release.

The bagged salad products include those with “best by” dates ranging from Oct. 18 to 21. They were marketed under the brand names Fresh Selections, H-E-B, Marketside and Taylor Farms. Deli products made the mix also are being recalled.

While no illnesses have been reported, the recall has been issued by H-E-B to ensure the safety of its customers, the release said.

The product name, codes and sizes are as follows:

• H-E-B Spinach Spring Mix Bagged Salad (0-41220-19752-1), 5 ounces

• Chicken ranch salad (62440), small

• Chicken ranch salad (62441), large

• Garden salad (62442), small

• Garden salad (62443), large

• Chef salad (62444, small

• Chef salad (62445), large

• Garden salad with rotisserie chicken salad (62449)

• Garden salad with roasted turkey (62450)

• Cobb salad (62451)

Customers may return the recalled products to any H-E-B or Central Market store for a full refund.

For more, call H-E-B customer relations at (210) 938-8357 or (800) 432-3113.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

GRANITE SHOALS — USTA pro Jeff Savage will give free tennis lessons every Monday and Wednesday beginning Oct. 24

The lessons are 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Quick Start Courts near the Granite Shoals City Hall, 410 N. Phillips Ranch Road.

The lessons are through the Andy Roddick Foundation, which will provide tennis rackets, balls and shoes.

Savage, of United States Tennis Association, can be reached at (512) 704-3658.

HORSESHOE BAY — Four live oak trees identified as traffic hazards are on the chopping block after City Council approved a request from Police Chief Bill Lane to remove them.

A fifth tree originally on Lane’s list is being spared after a resident pleaded to preserve it. That live oak could date to the Civil War.

The decision to get rid of the other trees is not an easy one, Lane told the council Oct. 18.

"I’ve given this a lot of soul searching," Lane said. "We don’t want to remove any more than necessary."

Last year the council asked Lane to identify possible traffic hazards involving trees in or near roads. The trees listed by the chief after he drove the city could lead to injuries and pose a liability to the city, he told the council.