Both Blanco Major Boys Teams made the Championship game in the Wimberley Tournament held May 12. The Blanco Gold Team won the game to place 1st and the Blanco Blue team was the runner up.

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Bret Leigh Nance poses at the Capital after placing 5th in the 800 meter run at the State Track Meet.

Photo by Lisa Nance

The Lady Panther tracksters raced at the State Track Meet on Saturday, March 11.

Bret Leigh Nance placed 5th in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:26.06. The 4x200 meter relay team including Abbie Culton, Natalie Barnett, Leslie McClinton, and Abby Beard, placed 9th with a time of 1:47.83. The 4x400 meter relay team placed 8th with a time of 4:14.90. Members of the 4x400 are Paxston Koehl, Natalie Barnett, Lexee Jenkins, and Abby Beard.

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Blanco ISD will conduct annual physical screenings for the 2013-2014 school year on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. All students who will be participating in 7th- through 12th-grade athletics are required to have an annual physical screening.

Physical forms are available from the schools or on the Blanco ISD website: www.blancoisd.org

DATE: May 21, 2013

TIME: 2:45 PM

LOCATION: Blanco High School Gym

COST: $25.00 per student

Cash or check (payable to Blanco Regional Clinic)

For more information, contact Danny Rogers or Chris Lay.

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8th Boys Singles: 1st place Garrett Seales, 2nd place: Logan Parker

8th Boys Doubles: 1st Luis Elizondo & Jacob Robinson, 2nd place: Jonathan Campbell & Chris Prosise

8th Girls Singles: 1st place: Andrea Calzoncit, 2nd: Montana Wiseman, 3rd: Kaleigh Griffin

8th Girls Doubles: 2nd place: Victoria Moya & Jessica Sevilla, 3rd: Vianney Gonzalez & Veronica Segura

7th Boys Singles: 2nd : Paco Vargas, 4th : Isaiah Delgado

7th Boys Doubles: 1st : Kaleb Hunter & Jo Mac Wyatt, 3rd: Lance Reinhard & Cade Smith

7th Girls Singles: 1st: Skylar Wiseman, 2nd: Cheyenne Dechert

7th Girls Doubles: 3rd: Jasmine Barker & Sienna Buchenbacher, 4th: Rebecca Bergman & Jaslyn Rangel

7th Mixed Doubles: 1st place: Alexis Bates & Dustin Culak.

All Photos by Dawn Hunter and Jennifer Seales.

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Chase Glowka catches a fly ball at right field against East Bernard.

Photo by Diana Schwind

The search for dry ground to play the Area matchup between the Blanco Panthers and the East Bernard Brahmas forced the originally scheduled best 2 out of 3 game series to a single game clash with the Panthers falling 0-2.

On Friday the Panthers and Brahmas should have played their first game at Bastrop High School, but Thursday night rains changed those plans. The Friday game was then scheduled to play at LBJ high School in Johnson City. Moments before game time lightning, followed by torrential rain, cancelled the game. With no time left to play 3 games, the series was rescheduled for Saturday at 7 pm in Weimar. The game didn’t actually begin until 8:30, as the Blanco and East Bernard teams and fans waited for a 5A playoff game to end.

Layne Lassberg and James Leachman pitched for the Panthers. Josh McCaslin was the catcher. Chase Glowka made several good defensive plays at right field. The Panthers, of course, didn’t get the results they hoped for with the Brahmas making outstanding stops on Panther hits.

The Panthers finish an awesome season with a 27-6 record as Co-District Champions and Area finalists.

Senior members of the Panther baseball team are Colton Childress, Sam Isenberg, Chad Marshall, Skylar Itz, Ian Ray, T J Hardin, Jessie Ruiz, James Leachmann, Layne Lassberg, and Ryan Wagner Davis.

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Uptown Blanco Art Center is proud to present the annual Blanco County High School Art Show featuring students award winning work for 2012-2013 from Blanco High School and Johnson City LBJ High School. This year we will also spotlight Blanco & Johnson City Middle School award winning pieces of art in the display.

Ms. Perry Kuebel is the art teacher at Blanco High School, Ms. Diane Hudson, art teacher in Johnson City LBJ High School & Middle School, and Kris Baker, art teacher at Blanco Middle School. These are the hardworking art leaders of our county and to whom we owe a debt a gratitude for inspiring our young artists.

Blanco Middle School UIL Art team again earned the most points at district in the art event and the Art Teams placed first in district as a team in every grade level. Johnson City LBJ students recently also competed in the regional Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE), and those who won in regional went on to compete for a State Seal. Johnson City LBJ High School had one student receive a Gold Seal and 8 Middle School students received a Silver Seal, the highest awards in state competition.

Opening Reception will be Friday, May 17, from 6 to 8pm in the Uptown Blanco Ballroom. Please join us in honoring these students for their talents and achievements. The exhibit will also be open Saturday, May 18 from 10am to 2pm. The public is cordially invited to honor these students and show your appreciation for their dedication, talent and hard work.

The Uptown Blanco Art Center is located at 317 Main St. (entrance on 3rd). Please email or phone for more information: art@uptownblanco.com or 830-833-1579.

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More from School.

If you don’t want a concrete slab foundation, you might be considering a Pier and Beam foundation.

What is a Pier and Beam Foundation? Pier and beam foundations incorporate a crawl space (usually at least 18 inches) beneath the home and footings filled with concrete or cinder blocks to support the slab. This type of foundation is not considered a time saver, but it is safer and more convenient. An advantage of the crawl space, it allows access to heating and plumbing utilities without having to break through the concrete slab. The piers mean foundations are less susceptible to damage due to ground shifting. If extreme ground shifting does occur, the foundation is easily adjusted, a process that is much less expensive than slab foundation repairs.

Unlike a slab foundation with concrete floors, a pier and beam structure has wood floors, and a wood sub-structure. The disadvantage of this is that the wood is susceptible to rot after prolonged contact with water or soil, and also to deterioration from termites and other critters. Drainage problems are more severe in pier and beam structures. Make sure you divert water from flowing under the home. You can also add a skirting around the structure to keep those critters out. As for insects, call a pest company for assistance.

The spaced piers are always a main concern with pier and beam foundations. The standard spacing of piers is about 6 feet apart. This rule will usually prevent sagging of the wood structure above. Make sure you have a qualified contractor putting in those piers properly to omit some of those issues. Inadequate pier design is quite common under pier and beam homes where an inexperienced contractor has tried to install a makeshift support.

Some of the things you might see are wooden legs, bricks, pipes, which are not the normal way to construct this foundation. Concrete post or cinder blocks are the route to take.

Make sure you design the crawl space to be a minimum of 18”-24” under the floor joist. Usually the largest expense in repairing a pier and beam structure is when there is little or no crawlspace. Sufficient crawl space allows air to flow freely under the structure, keeping it dry. Having a reasonable crawl space allows inspectors, plumbers, engineers, telephone repairmen, air conditioning installers, electricians, and others easy access.

If you do have Pier and Beam, you might keep an eye on the Piers. If you have cinder blocks and you notice them angling, that is a sure sign that you need to get someone out. Or if you start seeing a corner of your homesinking, call a foundation to come out and level your home. As for the pipes under your home, make sure they are insulated for the cold winters.

Having a Pier and Beam house is not for everyone. But if you have a home or are going to build a home with this type of foundation, use qualified people to do the work or inspect it.

For ALL Your Real Estate and Building needs or questions, call Debbie at (830) 833-4249 / (713)818-6658 or debbie@vallonerealestate.net

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More from Putting the Pieces Together.

Closing is the final step of a real estate transaction, where ownership of the property is officially transferred and money changes hands. The days leading up to closing can stressful for everyone – buyers may be a bit nervous about making such a commitment and both parties, particularly sellers, hope that some unforeseen last-minute glitch doesn’t prevent the transaction from happening.

Although few closings are completely derailed by major setbacks, it can happen. To ensure your transaction closes quickly, it’s best to be prepared.

The process

Closing is more of a process than an event. It actually begins weeks before the buyer and seller sign stacks of documents across the table from each other.

In preparing for closing, buyers should review everything that has been done in connection with inspections, title work and surveys to make sure that there are no loose ends. If the contract calls for the seller to make repairs, the buyer should confirm that the work has been completed to his satisfaction. Ensure that the lender knows the time and date of the closing and has copies of any contract addenda.

In addition, the buyer needs to complete several tasks before closing:

Obtain homeowner's insurance. The policy should be in place and ready to go in effect days before closing.

Change the name on the utilities. The buyer should verify that the seller has canceled his accounts and have service scheduled to be turned on.

Schedule a walk-through. Conduct the walk-through near the closing date, but leave a few extra days as a cushion if the contract calls for the seller to make repairs prior to closing.

Review closing documents ahead of time. There are pages and pages of documents that the buyer will have to sign, and he should understand what they all mean. There won't be enough time at the closing to read them, so get copies ahead of time.

Make sure that the necessary funds are available. Transfer money, obtain a cashier’s check – do whatever must be done to have the funds for downpayment and closing costs on hand. The lender will provide a statement of the actual costs a few days before closing, so there shouldn’t be any surprises.

A delayed closing

Even if the transaction doesn't close on time, it doesn't mean all is lost. Sometimes the seller has a problem clearing a title, which can lead to the buyer fretting about his temporarily locked-in interest rate. Buyers need to know how long their rate is frozen for and have a plan in place with another lender if the closing gets delayed beyond that point.

In some cases, buyers may have trouble securing financing. In this case, sellers can entertain contingent contracts from other buyers. These contingent contracts usually don’t come into play. But when the original contract doesn’t close on time, the seller may move on to the next offer and sell the house before the first buyer can receive funding.

Do your part

The most important thing to remember is that before closing you want to be certain that all the conditions of the contract, like seller repairs, have been met. Before signing your name to any closing documents, check that everything is correct, including the interest rate, fees charged and condition of the property.

Closing checklists

Whether you’re the buyer or the seller, making a list is a great way to cover your bases. There’s a lot going on, and you don’t want to forget something – especially if it’s something you knew you were supposed to do or bring. Here are some basic ideas:

Buyer's closing checklist

A cashier's check or money order for the amount specified on your final settlement costs statement

Your personal checkbook in the unlikely event other charges come up at closing.

Proof of a homeowner's insurance policy.

Your lender's good faith estimate.

Some form of identification (i.e., drivers license, passport, etc.)

Seller's closing checklist

Keys, padlock combinations and garage-door openers.

Codes to security system. (if applicable)

Owners manuals for all appliances.

Checkbook for closing costs or other expenses paid by seller. (as agreed to as part of the buyer's final offer)

An expert in the industry, your Texas Realtor can help you navigate the closing process, answering any questions that may arise. For more information on buying or selling property in Texas, please call Waymond Lightfoot at (210) 386-5201.

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More from The Real Estate Corner.

The body of Samatha Segura, 26, was found Monday morning, May 13, by a couple walking along one of the nature trails in Blanco State Park, Blanco Police Chief Mike Ritchey told Blanco County News. She died of an apparent suicide.

"There did not appear to be any foul play," said Chief Ritchey. "I still have questions that I believe will be answered in the Medical Examiner's report."

Family and close friends of Samantha have told Chief Ritchey that she had a history of mental illness.

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Summer is in the air and so is the sweet smell of Lavender! Don’t miss it at the 9th Annual Blanco Lavender Festival, scheduled for June 7 – 9th in the heart of Blanco, on the Old Blanco County Courthouse Square. In the past eight years, the Blanco Lavender Festival has grown into one of the premiere events in the Texas Hill Country and has succeeded in bringing recognition to the beautiful community of Blanco as a destination location. Blanco is the Lavender Capital of Texas, with land and climate conditions suitable for growing this historic plant.

The festival features a speakers’ pavilion in the air-conditioned top floor of the Old Blanco Court House. The lineup this year offers exciting expertise in many topics that Hill Country lovers won’t want to miss. The following line up is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday and admission is FREE!

Saturday, June 8

11:30 am - Colleen Gardner – Bamberger Ranch – Beekeeping in the Texas Hill Country.

Colleen Gardner, Executive Director of the Bamberger Ranch Preserve, will share her knowledge of beekeeping in the Texas Hill Country. Colleen will include information about pollination and the type of plants bees prefer. Her talk will also include a live (enclosed) frame of honey bees for guests to witness up close.

2:00 pm – Melanie Van Aken – All About Lavender – History, Use and Growing Tips

In the 9th year of growing and using Lavender, Melanie Van Aken (farmer for 15 years at Heron’s Nest Herb Farm) will share Lavender’s history as well as its amazing and valuable uses. She will also be sharing her own experience with growing, harvesting and making products with Lavender Essential Oil. You will have an opportunity to make a unique Essential Oil Mister at the end of class ($5 – activity is optional )

3:30 pm – John R. Thomas – Owner and Founder of Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg – The Secret to Growing Wildflowers

Mr. Thomas will share his experiences of planting and growing Wildflowers in Texas. He will give you the opportunity to learn about what, when, where and how to plant seeds for maximum success and also share some secrets of how to manage your Wildflower areas for years to come!

Sunday, June 9

11:30 am – Sibby Barrett – Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Farm – Getting Lavender into your Food

Salts, Sugars, Syrups, Infusions and Steeping. Sibby will talk briefly about different ways to use both fresh and dried lavender in your kitchen. There will be foods available for sampling to see how tasty culinary lavender can be! Sibby has a wonderful selection of Onion Creek products including the popular Salsa Verde Italiano and Juniper Provence, a blend of rosemary, lavender and bay. Menu: Lavender Rubbed Pork Tenderloin Slider with Maple Bacon Marmalade; Arugula Cherry Tomato Salad with Lavender Balsamic Vinaigrette and Fresh Herb Garlic Boursin Cheese; Italian Cherry Lavender Cornmeal Tarts; Lavender Infused Sangria OR Lavender Mint Julep Sparkling Tea.

2:00 Bill Luedecke – Taming the Texas Hill Country

Bill will focus on why gardening is sometimes a bit tricky in the Texas Hill Country. Bill is just the guy to help you learn new “tricks” to making your garden a great success! He will share the basics of “Monthly Duties” and show you tools and formulas that work best in our rocky, alkaline soil. Bill can help you keep the deer away and still bring in the beauty of butterflies!

3:30 – Melanie Van Aken – All About Lavender – History, Use and Growing Tips

In the 9th year of growing and using Lavender, Melanie Van Aken (farmer for 15 years at Heron’s Nest Herb Farm) will share Lavender’s history as well as its amazing and valuable uses. She will also be sharing her own experience with growing, harvesting and making products with Lavender Essential Oil. You will have an opportunity to make a unique Essential Oil Mister at the end of class ($5 – activity is optional )

Complete information on the festival, including a list of speakers, farms, featured musical entertainment and vendors can be found at the festival website: www.blancolavenderfest.com. Make your plans now to visit Blanco during the 9th Annual Lavender Festival, June 7, 8 & 9, 2013. Seating is limited. See you there!

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D. D. Pelham of Horseshoe Bay with his double award winning classic car.

Photo by Merannda Button

The 25th Annual Classic Car Show, held Saturday May 18 in Blanco State Park, attracted over 120 entrants, an increase from last year. Entrants from all over the Hill Country, and as far aways as Raymondville, Texas, parked their classic cars along the Blanco River.

Boy Scout Troop 497 presented the colors for the awards ceremony. The Blanco Varsity Cheerleading Squad showcased their skills with a cheer and dance.

Express Care was the top sponsor; they gave their Top Sponsor’s Award to Bobby Maxa of Dripping Springs for his 1967 Yellow Chevy Nova. The Blanco State Park Ranger’s Award was given to Hal Cortez of Fredericksburg for his 1841 Blue Packard One-Twenty. The Blanco Cheerleading Squad Award went to Jim Eplean for his 1934 Pearl Orange Ford Delivery Sedan. D. D. Pelham of Horseshoe Bay earned two awards for his 1958 Black Chevy Impala; the Mayor’s Choice award and Best of Show.

The Quarter Centennial show was a great success thanks to it’s many sponsors and volunteers. The Car Show group from the Blanco Masonic Lodge would like to give Special Thanks to Texas Parks and Wildlife and Blanco State Park.

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Attendees view artifacts in the east gallery.

Photo by Willard Gibbons

The Central Texas chapter of the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) held its monthly meeting at Blanco’s renovated historical building on Wednesday. Approximately fifty educational planners from throughout the region were in attendance.

“This project is an answer for what communities can do when they are faced with similar concerns that we were faced with,” said Superintendent Dr. Buck Ford.

“Many communities may have an old school building that has deteriorated over the years. That was the case with Blanco’s historical building. Maintenance and repairs to the building were not cost effective. It was a safety hazard for students. It no longer served an instructional purpose.”

“At the same time, the building had historical, cultural, and artistic significance for the local community and many of its alumni. Preservation of the building was their passionate objective.”

“For years, there didn’t seem to be a resolution to the issue.”

At Wednesday’s meeting, attendees learned the story of how Blanco arrived at an answer for its problem—a story that involved community members coming together to both preserve their historical building, and upgrade elementary facilities that had students in 20-year old portable buildings.

Architect Randy Fromberg said, “Wednesday’s CEFPI presentation was a huge success and demonstrated how Blanco’s history has been honored throughout the project.”

“I know that many of the attending facility planners were from large districts that do “big box” schools—they seemed to really appreciate a project that can be both interesting and fun.”

“This has been a great example of how community based planning can identify common values and unite many in a shared vision.”

“It’s a great example of how a school building should happen.”

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Roxianna Avants and Randi Weeks from American Legion Auxiliary Post 352 presenting Mayor Chuck Homan and council member Al Turner poppy corsages in memory of veterans for Memorial Day.

Photo by Priscilla Seals

After deliberation in two Executive Sessions, members of the governing body of Blanco voted at their regular meeting May 14 to hire local economic development expert Mike Barnes to coordinate efforts to implement the Streetscape project.

Committee spokesperson Jack Twilley had reported earlier that the planning stage for the project to enhance the safety and beauty of the historic square is complete and that it is time to find someone to coordinate efforts to get grants and begin implementing Phase One of the project. Council’s initial vote, to hire a city manager, was reversed after Streetscape committee members Jack Twilley, Jim Raby, and Retta Martin reminded them that the tax-exempt money from KBB and the Blanco Historical Commission is designated only for the Streetscape project and not for a city employee who would do other work. The total amount designated for a project administrator, $15K, will fund Barnes’s work for approximately three months.

As Barnes explained in a phone interview with this reporter, his first task will be to “get a handle” on what has already been done and assemble all relevant documents. To arrive at ballpark engineering and construction costs, he will be assisted by Adams Engineering, a firm out of Houston, with whom he has worked before. Barnes will be the day-to-day administrator of the project as well as working with the grant administrative firm Langford and Associates, with whom the city has a longstanding relationship. Obtaining information from them about what grants the project might qualify for, he will assemble the necessary information for them to use in writing grants. Barnes will assume his duties on June 1. Retta Martin commented that he is a good choice because he lives and works in Blanco.

In the Public Comments portion of the meeting, American Legion Auxiliary Post 352 President Randi Weeks and Chaplain Roxianna Avants presented council members poppy corsages and urged all in attendance “to remember the sacrifices of our veterans” on Memorial Day. The post will be hosting a Memorial Day Fajita Lunch fundraiser on May 26 from 12-2p.m.

Real Ale Brewery owner Brad Farbstein reminded council members that there were nearly 2000 riders expected in town on May 18 for the annual Real Ale Bike Ride. He urged residents to drive carefully and courteously.

Jim Raby also expressed his concerns about unequal enforcement of the sign ordinance in Blanco. “Some people get away with things while other people get hammered,” he said. He cautioned that the city should “pay attention and enforce the rules equally.” Mayor Homan asked anyone who sees a sign which appears to be out of compliance to let the city know so that code compliance officer Pete McKinney can check it out.

Council members approved a zoning change at 206 4th Street from residential to mixed use due to a property line error. They also approved a street closure on Pecan Street between 5th and 6th Streets as requested by Zocalo Restaurant for a small music festival on May 17.

In his monthly police report, Chief Mike Ritchey said he is pleased with the productivity and follow-up of Blanco police officers on current cases. He proposed to council that the city could make money by allowing city police officers to work for the Department of Public Safety in highway construction zones, earning $65 per hour, of which $15 per hour would come back to the city. He said that localities all across the state use the program to enrich their coffers. Specifically, he asked that officers be allowed to work the construction project on Highway 281 during the 10-week paving phase. The first concern, expressed by council member Al Turner, was the cost of wear and tear on police vehicles, to which Ritchey responded that it would have to be balanced against the revenue generated. City attorney Eddy Rogers said, “We’re already short-handed-would it strain our resources?” Ritchey responded that officers would only work during their off-duty hours. Council member Maria Guerrero asked if officers’ personal vehicles are equipped for that work, and Ritchey responded that they are. Council member Bobby McClung asked if the city could try it for a month and come back with a report, to which Chief Ritchey said yes. Council member Danny Ray said, “We really need to see what the gas mileage is to see if it is worthwhile.” Al Turner said, “I say we give it 30 days and see how it goes.” Council voted to approve the proposal with Guerrero abstaining. Martin Sauceda was absent, due to the induction of his son into the National Honor Society, an event which Mayor Homan said was clearly more important than a city council meeting.

Debate about a city-approved golf cart ordinance was renewed in anticipation of the Blanco Lavender Festival in June. During the festival, Mayor Homan uses a Gator vehicle to assist with the festival, a vehicle which Eddy Rogers has contended violates state law. However, Chief Ritchey cast a new light on the controversy with his reading of a subchapter of a state law which seems to allow use of those utility vehicles by city employees. Although Rogers continued to be dubious, the discussion ended with Homan saying, “I’ve used this vehicle every year and haven’t gotten arrested.” Ritchey assured him that as a city employee, he would be able to drive legally.

Other agenda items which were not addressed included a review and approval of the Personnel Policy. The item was tabled to give council more time to look at it. An item to renew an agreement with Alexander Construction to lease the city yard at 202 Cherry Street became a moot point when city secretary Bobbie Mowery revealed that the company had found another place to rent. Danny Ray followed up that the property is now available for lease. Trustees then adjourned to Executive Session.

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When I enrolled at the university for the first time, there were almost as many students as there were permanent residents in the college town. Jobs were hard to come by. Government-backed student loans had yet to become popular. Unless one had some parents with deep pockets, it was customary for students to work their way through school.

I had just come up out of Mexico with very little in the way of worldly goods. My parents helped as much as they could with tuition but it was up to me to pay my everyday expenses.

After an extensive search, I was finally able to acquire work on campus for the lofty sum of 80 cents per hour. I like to tell people that I started out as “head man” in the library. It was my job to clean the heads in all the restrooms along with emptying the trash cans, sweeping and mopping floors and occasionally stripping and waxing them.

As a foreign student on a student visa I was allowed to work twenty hours per week beginning at 4:00 a.m. every morning. I was glad to have the work but there are those who seem less than appreciative of it.

In 1937 Walt Disney introduced the animated movie, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The dwarfs sang as they worked deep within a mountain:

“It ain’t no trick to get rich quick If you dig dig dig with a shovel or a pick In a mine (In a mine) In a mine (In a mine) Where a million diamonds shine.

“We dig dig dig dig dig dig dig from early morn to night, We dig dig dig dig dig dig dig up everything in sight.

“We dig up diamonds by the score, A thousand rubies sometimes more. We don’t know what we dig them for, We dig dig digga dig dig—Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, It’s off to work we go!” (Music by Frank Churchill, Lyrics by Larry Morey)

Quite a few years ago Hoyt Axton sang, “See the rain comin’ down and the roof won’t hold ‘er. Lost my job and I feel a little older. Car won’t run and our love’s grown colder; but maybe things’ll get a little better in the mornin’, maybe things’ll get a little better…Work your fingers to the bone—whaddaya get? Boney fingers, boney fingers.”

In 1955, Tennessee Ernie Ford released “Sixteen Tons”: “Some people say man is made outta’ mud, A poor man’s made outta’ muscle and blood and skin and bone, A mind that’s a-weak and a back that’s strong. Ya load sixteen tons and whaddaya get; another day older and deeper in debt. Saint Peter don’t ya call me ‘cause I can’t go—I owe my soul to the company store…” (Written by Merle Travis, 1947)

“Nothing does itself,” said Richard L. Evans. “That is, nothing constructive. Someone has to do everything. Lessons don’t learn themselves; classes don’t teach themselves; food doesn’t prepare itself; dishes and other household duties don’t do themselves; the very sick don’t serve themselves; machines don’t make themselves; words don’t memorize themselves; skills don’t develop themselves; projects don’t plan themselves; buildings don’t build themselves. Someone has to lay every brick and drive every nail, make everything that is made, do everything that is done, think everything that is thought.”

James L. Phillips said, “You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.” “We are all blind,” said Edwin Markham, “until we see that in the human plan Nothing is worth making, if it doesn’t make the man. Why build these cities glorious If man unbuilded goes? In vain we build the world, unless The builder also grows.”

So, Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, it’s off to work we go…

Comments? mustardseeds101@yahoo.com

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More from Mustard Seeds.

AUSTIN — With 10 days to go until the end of the 140-day 83rd regular session of the Texas Legislature, a committee of House and Senate negotiators on May 17 agreed on a proposed state budget for fiscal years 2014 and 2015.

Next step is for the 150-member House and the 31-member Senate to accept or reject the work of the negotiators in votes expected to take place May 20 or 21. Pressure is on to get the budget bill to Gov. Rick Perry as soon as possible, while lawmakers carrying hundreds of other bills hope to squeeze as many as possible through the process in the last few days of the session.

Members of both parties in both houses worked furiously to replace as much as possible of the $5.4 billion cut from public education in the 2011 legislative session as part of an across-the-board budget-reducing plan.

The comprise before the Legislature now would increase education funding by about $4 billion and take $2 billion out of the state’s Rainy Day Fund for water infrastructure improvements. Another $400 million from the Rainy Day Fund would be added to transportation funding already in the base budget bill.

Complicating the picture is the fact that a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers is required to spend Rainy Day Funds.

Disclosure bill is passed

On votes of 23-6 in the Senate and 95-52 in the House, the Legislature passed SB 346, legislation that would require politically active non-profit organizations to disclose their donors to the public.

Under the bill authored by Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, and sponsored in the House by Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, groups that spend more than $25,000 a year on political activities would have to report contributions of more than $1,000.

In passing the bill, Geren said donors have every right to give to political groups, but they should be willing to do so in the light of day, just like those who give directly to candidates.

HB 346 was forwarded to Gov. Perry’s desk on May 14.

Texas files suit over spill

Attorney General Greg Abbott, acting on behalf of the State of Texas and several state agencies, on May 17 filed a lawsuit against BP America and a list of other defendants for their roles in the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon offshore oil spill.

Filed in the Beaumont-based U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Texas, the lawsuit seeks natural resource damages, economic damages and civil penalties caused by the five-million-barrel spill.

According to the Office of the Texas Attorney General, Texas is seeking civil penalties for every day of oil discharge and for every barrel of oil that was discharged; lost sales tax, state hotel occupancy tax and mixed beverage tax revenue; revenue lost from state park entrance, facility, activity and concession fees; and damages to natural resources, including wildlife and coastal ecosystems and habitats caused by the released oil and chemical dispersants.

The State also seeks attorneys’ fees, court costs and investigative costs.

Tornadoes hit North Texas

Six people have been confirmed dead as a result of an EF4-rated tornado that hit the city of Granbury on May 15. More than 100 homes were damaged.

Gov. Perry visited the city on May 17 to express concern and condolences, and in his remarks, said, “As a state, Texas sent personnel to assist with search and rescue operations and we stand ready to provide any other assistance Granbury and the surrounding areas may need.”

Employment rate improves

Texas Workforce Commission on May 17 reported the Lone Star State’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment expanded by 33,100 jobs in April and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.4 percent for the month.

TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar said all major industries in the state added jobs over the last 12 months and the civilian labor force is at an all-time high with more than 12.7 million workers.

Senator reaches milestone

Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, on May 17 celebrated her 50,000th consecutive vote since the 1987 session of the Texas Legislature, when she was first elected to the Senate. She has never missed a vote.

Senate President Pro Tempore Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, said lawmakers’ voting records were checked nationally and, “We found that this record is unique and unmatched.”

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Merle Jean Fischer passed away peacefully at home in Fischer, Texas on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 of natural causes.

Born August 12, 1924 in Fischer, TX of parents W.O. and Alma Fischer, Merle Jean was a descendant of both Otto “Stock” Fischer and Hermann “Store” Fischer, who settled the community in 1853. She grew up on the ranch with sisters Elsie Lou and Lola Ann.

Merle attended school at Fischer Store Community School, New Braunfels High School, Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Texas State University) in San Marcos, and Santa Rosa School of Nursing in San Antonio. She spent many years in Houston and nearby Rosenberg, TX, before returning to the beloved Fischer ranch in the mid-1990s.

She is survived by two daughters Leesa Merle and Lucianne Brieger; Luci’s husband: Steve Elliott; five grandchildren: Dara and Shannon Bonomi and Emmet, Wendell, and Alianne Elliott; sister Lola Keck; niece and primary caregiver Dara Jean Zoboroski; step-sons Randy and David Granger and their families; numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews; and longtime friend Paul Records.

Merle Jean was proud to be a raging liberal, an avid animal lover, a conservationist, an unbeatable Texas domino player, a gardener, and an independent woman, much admired in her community. She was active in Fischer Store School Community Center events.

A memorial gathering in honor of Merle Jean and her sister and brother-in-law, Elsie Lou and William F. Hart, also recently deceased, is planned for the Thanksgiving season 2013 at the ranch they loved.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Fischer Store School Community Center (checks to: FSSCC), PO Box 162, Fischer, TX 78623, or Doctors Without Borders, USA, 1-888-392-0392, doctorswithoutborders.org

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More from Obituaries.

Pauline Brown born November 27, 1925 in Bowie County went to be with the Lord on May 19, 2013. She is preceded in death by her parents Lull and Mamie White, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. She is survived by her beloved husband Raymond Brown; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at Mission Burial Park South with interment following.

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The Family of Ashton Edwards would like to thank the Blanco Community for all their support and heartfelt sympathies in our time of need. We would also like to thank Gordon Crow and Susie Hunter of Crofts-Crow Funeral Home for all the help and support through this most difficult time.

Special Thanks goes out to:

The Blanco Bowling Alley • The Best Western Luxury Inn and Suites

Blanco Riverside Cottage • FTS International • Larry Keeble • Charles and Terrie Waxler

Will Porter and Family • Andrea Wiseman • Jason Wheeler of Blanco Heating and Cooling Young Life and Wyldlife • Sons of Liberty Motorcycle Club & other chapters

Blanco Middle School • JV Cheerleaders & their Moms • Paula Batey and Family

Dave and Tammy Cooley • Dana Tharp • David and Pat Lewien • Jeana Byler

Vanessa Burrow & Family • Anita Ramirez • Melonie Canga • Kim Olfers

Cindy Ueckert & Family • Peggy & Danny Berryhill & Family • Jonell Haas

Justin and Veronica Jones • Joe Kreuger • Naron Fisher • Wade Wagner

Marlin and Michelle Edge • Evangelina Forsberg • Sebastian Thomas • B.M.W.

Clara Gourley • Thomas Reininger and Family • Kathy Heckel and Family

Frank and Susan Hammack • Gary & Judy Travis • Chris and Melissa Bernstein

Dot, Jessica Lovell and Family • Dan and Peggy and the Hirsch Family • Norma Perry

Walley and Viven Dowdle • Sharon and Richard Edge • Sarah and Sharon Romero

Charles Jones and Family • Terre Collins • Baer Family • Wilda Mitchell • Jesse Williams

Janet Fisher • Pat and Augie Daniels • Tricia and Kendall Hartman • Evenlyn Heckel

Weber Family • Ray Scott Family • Robert & Charla Matthews • Patricia Ernest & Family

Jan Edwards & Family

Heartfelt thanks go out to everyone for all of the hugs, support and donations during this most difficult time!

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More from Announcements.

It has been sometime since my last article about the museum. During that period in time we lost our board member, treasurer and good friend, Rebecca Howerton. It took us awhile to recover from this loss. We appreciate all of the donations in her memory and we have planted some of the roses she had wanted to plant at the museum. The plants are small but growing, so look for the blossoms.

Other happenings are our involvement in assisting Dennis Moore with the World War II museum. We will be creating the home front section of the museum. If you have artifacts, media, other items from WWII which you feel are a part of the Blanco County War effort please phone Dennis Moore and make arrangements to loan or donate these items so they can be displayed for the public to view.

The mystery I spoke about in the title of this article came from an inquiry of a visitor researching her family. She had come across a small ledger which was from the 1800’s. The ledger had names of many of the citizens of Blanco and some from Johnson City. Apparently, this was a group that met on a regular basis around 1893 but in these minutes they never mentioned why they met. Rarely did they speak about a new member but when they had a new member he was of good character. This organization was named the Snearly Alliance # 2904. Another fact was that the organization had a seal for marking documents.

If anyone knows more about this organization, please contact Linda Howard at 830-833-4971. If I am unavailable, leave a message so I can phone you back.

One more item, we are not going to play Bingo Saturday May 25, at the Spaghetti Supper because of State gambling laws. We will still be giving away prizes. We hope you come out and have a good time.

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More from Community News.

The Crawfish Boil was held May 18 on the back deck along the Blanco River.

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