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The April meeting of the Johnson City Woman’s Civic Club was held Monday evening, April 28, 2008 at the lovely candlelit home of Frana Keith.

The evening’s program was presented by Shirley Beck, former member of the Blanco County Water Board, who provided good and timely information concerning water issues, both from a world, as well as a Blanco County, perspective. She was an inspiring speaker. She is a leader and an educator, who has put her beliefs into action.

She began by saying that the availability of clean water is, arguably, the most important problem of the 21st century. The discussion must begin with how we define water. Is it a commodity-type of resource, like oil, or is it so vital to life that it is more like blood? Should people have the “right” to clean, drinkable water? These are difficult questions that must be asked, and how they are answered is critical to continuing life as we now know it.

Though there is abundant water on Earth, only 3% is drinkable. And of that 3%, the vast majority is used for manufacturing or irrigation.

Approximately 1 million people per year die due to lack of drinkable water. This is definitely a serious issue for women, who in many parts of the world, must travel miles to obtain even marginally drinkable water. Don’t think it can’t happen here. It can, if we aren’t good stewards of our limited water resources.

In the United States, 36 states are already in trouble over dwindling water resources. Seven states are currently fighting over Colorado River water. Overdevelopment, especially in areas which are drought-prone, will be a huge problem for future generations.

Groundwater Management Areas (GMAs) have been set-up in Texas. Blanco County is in Area 9, which encompasses much of the Hill Country. The Areas are charged with doing reservoir/aquifer modeling studies over the aquifers in their area. The Texas Water Development Board wants a 50 year plan from each GMA, to reflect what is a desired or acceptable future for their aquifers.

A sobering reality is that only about 4% of the rain that falls in an area, actually gets to the aquifer. The rest is runoff.

People leave a “water footprint”, just as they do a carbon footprint. In the US, each person is using 100-150 gallons of water per day. In Europe it is closer to 30 gallons/person/day. In much of Africa, it is 1-5 gallons/person/day. We have taken clean water for granted in the US for a long time.

Conservation of this vital resource is critical to ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to live in and enjoy this beautiful Hill Country. It is imperative that we take action now. Everyone can do their part, by conserving water where possible, by educating themselves on the issues, by speaking out, and by using their votes to support candidates who are cognizant of the severity of the looming crisis and willing to work for the benefit of all the residents.

Following this fascinating program, the April business meeting was called to order by President Beverly Voron.

The Woman’s Club participated in the Johnson City Wildflower Days Celebration, held April 19th and 20th. Our bake sale booth brought in $406.00 for the benefit of the Johnson City Library. Also, the Silent Auction items and bluebonnet fabric netted another $250.00. It was good to greet old friends, and a great opportunity to make new ones, while showcasing our city.

The Nominations Committee presented a great slate of officers for the 2008/2009 year. Other nominations were requested from the floor, and there being none, the new officers were approved by unanimous vote of the members present.

The new officers are: President – Cynthia Keene; Vice President – Diane Burke; Corresponding Secretary – Pat Hartmann; Recording Secretary – Sandi Thompson; Treasurer – Kay Culp; Historian – Beverly Voron; Reporter – Suzanne Milner; Parliamentarian – Patty Carpenter.

Perhaps the most important item of business was reported by Cynthia Keene. Great news!! The ground-breaking ceremony for the new Johnson City Library will occur Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Many, many people in our community have worked very hard to make this happen and it is truly a time for celebration!

The hostesses for the evening were: Frana Keith, Eunice Byars, Celia Grote, Susan Hamm, and Betty Hullum. A buffet of taco salad “fixin’s” was both pretty to look at and very good to eat. The members enjoyed their meal on the patio with a lovely view across the valley as the sun set. The efforts of our gracious hostesses were applauded by all.