February 4, 2010

The County Clerk’s office is currently accepting applications to vote by mail. Individuals who will be absent from the county on the day of the election or are over the age of 65 or disabled are eligible to vote by mail and may contact the County Clerk’s office at 830-868-7357 about obtaining an application to vote by mail. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is February 23, 2010. Early voting in person will start Febru ...

As more people get pets it’s nice to know some of the common risks to their health and how to prevent disease. Heartworm disease is a life threatening infection in pets seen throughout the nation and also is a significant problem right here in the Hill Country. The disease is actually spread from one pet to another by mosquitoes.

The national "Souper Bowl of Caring" campaign to support local food pantries is coming to Johnson City, too. On Sunday, the youth of the First United Methodist Church will offer football fans the option of watching the pre-game shows without having to fix lunch. Instead, fans can have soup, cornbread and dessert at the church — or take it home to the TV — and make a donation to the Johnson City food pantry at the same time.

Put February 6, 2010 on your calendar for exciting concert opportunities at 10 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Halle, 212 W. San Antonio Street, Fredericksburg. The Fredericksburg Chorale will be joined by the Zion Children’s Choir and the League of David for their Midwinter Concert which has now become part of a new and dynamic tradition.

The first BBQ sale of the youth at First Christian Church that’s what. If you were lucky enough to purchase some of this melt in your mouth brisket then you will not want to miss the opportunity to taste it again. The youth will be set up on Sunday Feb 7th at the corner of Main street (Hwy 290) and Ave E.

Can you hear me now? This has taken on a whole new meaning in my life, as children have become preteens and teens. It just used to be a funny little saying that everyone got off a cute commercial. Now I feel like I say it a million times a day. You’ve seen them, the teenagers that walk around 24/7 with headphones on like it is a lifeline that cannot be severed for fear they might die.

Ooooohhhh… it has been cold enough for me, what about you? I keep thinking that it will warm up any day now, but the weather fools me again. I guess I shouldn’t complain because we have been getting some rain and that we still need. I am sure I will be complaining about the heat soon. Groundhog Day is February 2nd so let us look for answers to your Groundhog Day questions?

Well, Sherry and I took off Wednesday and made a trip to Seguin. No quilt shops there, just a good friend that needed to be visited. We had a great day. Coming home we stopped in San Marcos. Sherry needed fabric for several projects she is working on. We made some great purchases there and had a great day.

How does one become competent with today’s electronics when as soon as one learns the basics like turning on ones car, computer or camera, the car, the computer or the camera changes models and all of last years things become obsolete? When I mention to some one under 50 that I have a new car they get all excited and begin to talk about all the new things on the latest model and ask me all sorts of questions.

*****Belated birthday to Pearl Hedlund! Pearl celebrated her January 18th birthday at Silver K on Tuesday, January 26. Thirteen friends helped with the festivities. Ask her why she is banned from birthday cakes. *****The regular monthly meeting of the Lone Star Red Hatters was held on Tuesday, January 26, at the Texas Highway 290 Diner.

Former President, and local hero, Lyndon B. Johnson once said, "The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men." As the local elections begin to heat up in surrounding communities, candidates for the small hill country town of Johnson City are also busily putting forth their best efforts to secure the votes of local residents. T ...

On Tuesday, February 2, the Johnson City – City Council met in their regularly monthly meeting. There was a wide range of agenda items to discuss, and the meeting began promptly at 6 pm. One of the early agenda items that aroused the interest of the local citizenry was a discussion about taking "possible action on a dog problem."

Pedernales Electric’s Partners in Learning program has awarded $1,000 to the Johnson City Community Education Foundation, which serves students enrolled in the Johnson City Independent School District. "The donation helps us raise scholarships for graduating seniors and grants for teachers with innovative teaching techniques and ideas," said Larry Milner, the foundation’s chairman.

His name…..Scotty Roberts, now 17 last October, alive and well yet not the same yet reality is hard to bare but misinformation makes it harder so here are some details you may find helpful, I apologize for not keeping everyone up with accurate information, he’s just had so many ups and down times.

TURKEY RELOCATION The Johnson City Housing Authority is hosting a meeting on February 11th for the public to learn about a trapping and relocation effort being considered by Texas Parks & Wildlife. The trapping is being considered as a way to reduce the large, urban Rio Grande turkey population in Johnson City.

El Nino is on Target Remember back in early September when we discussed the El Nino effect? Well we have been feeling his effects for several months now. All he has to do now is fill the Highland Lakes chain and we will be very happy campers. All the creeks, rivers and ponds are really full to overflowing.

Farmers and ranchers who made a collective sigh of relief last year when the U.S. Senate agreed to put of any climate change legislation decisions until the New Year will be watching closely what lawmakers do regarding the controversial cap-and-trade provisions so heavily favored in the House. "This is no doubt one of the worst policies to come out of Washington in some time,"

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications to participate in USDA’s Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), a $4.6 million conservation program in Texas. "While GRP is open to anyone who owns grassland, we are giving priority consideration to threatened areas of Texas so ranchers can protect their land resources through rental agreements or perpetual easements,"

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), a voluntary conservation program that helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. Eligible entities can apply at any time, but must submit applications on or before March 1, 2010, to receive consideration for initial funding in fiscal year 2010. FRPP provides funds to help purchase development rights to keep productive farmlan ...

Jim Thayer passed away at his home on January 26, 2010. He is survived by his wife Phyllis; two sons, Billy and Mike of Llano; two daughters, Leah and Jeanett of Austin; parents, Edison and Laverne of Buda; brother, Ricky and wife Sharon of Floresville; sisters, Marilyn and husband Larry Basham of Houston, Tracy and John Mangione of Austin and Nancy and Craig Peebles of Maxwell.

Johnson City Police Department Reports These reports were filed between Jan. 16 and Jan. 22. Jan. 16 • Super S Pumps. 6:57 AM. Traffic Stop • Baptist Church JC to Miller Creek. 8:49 AM. Escort • 300 Haley Rd. 9:07 AM. Alarm • 100 Hwy 281 next to Cupboard. 10:01 AM. Burglary • Nugent and 290 West.

Poets and preachers have long pointed out the similarities between the seasons of the year and life. In effect, we’re all born in January and immediately start heading toward December. Along the way, we’re initiated into life’s realities by the cold winds of winter, welcomed by the striking colors and flowery fragrances of spring, warmed by the pleasant breezes of summer, made thoughtful by the breathtaking beauty of our sentimental journey through fall and finally, in Dece ...

University-San Marcos has announced that the following students were among the graduates during spring commencement ceremonies at the university: * Jessica J Lutz, a resident of Johnson City (78636), who received a master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance. * John C Clanton, a resident of Round Mountain (78663), who received a bachelor’s degree in Geography. Texas State is a doctoral granting university located in the Austin-San Antonio corridor on the ed ...

LBJ Middle School hosted an Academic UIL Meet January 27th. Six middle schools competed which included, LBJ, Harper, Cole, Randolph, Comfort, and Blanco. The meet was a huge success and ran smoothly because of the LBJMS staff and many volunteers. Here are LBJ Middle Schools winners… 7th Grade Art Ellie Park – 4th place, Robert Herrera – 6th place, 2nd place 7th Grade Team – Park, Herrera, Santos, Hulse, and Sharp

The LBJ Eagle varsity boys basketball team continued their trek through the district season this past week with games against the Brooks Academy Bengals and Harper Longhorns. The Eagles took on Brooks Academy on Tuesday, January 26 at the LBJ gym. They got off to a quick start scoring the first 11 points of the game in running out to a 16-6 first quarter lead.

The Lady Eagles played against Comfort in Comfort. The Lady Eagles 8th Grade B team played a very exciting game that came down to the wire but lost 22-24. Katie Porter had 4 points and Jackie Medrano had 2 points –the leading scorer was Lydia Yachimski with 12 points. The 7th graders came out fighting but lost to Comfort 10-30.

On Thursday, the LBJ Middle Schools Eagles took on Hunt in their last game. The boys fought hard and won two of three. In the first game, Juan Aguilar scored 8 points as the C team blanked Hunt in the first half, leading 17-0. The C team finished hard. They won the game 23-6 and finished the season undefeated (8-0).