To mark the 25th anniversary of Dripping Springs’ Founders Day Festival, event organizers have announced a t-shirt contest that invites Dripping Springs residents under the age of 18 to create a special design commemorating the 25th anniversary celebration.

The contest begins today, with submissions accepted through March 23, 2012. To enter, submit your original design along with your name, age, phone number, and physical address to gfaught@cityofdrippingsprings.com. The design must be an original, unpublished work and should be submitted as a JPEG. Parents must approve your participation in the contest. The winner’s design will be featured on a limited number of 25th Annual Founders Day Festival T-shirts.

This year the Founders Festival, held in downtown Dripping Springs, is set for April 20-22, 2012. The three-day event includes a “Grand Parade,” free music and entertainment, the Mighty Thomas Carnival, food and drinks, street dances, cook-off competitions and more than 150 arts and crafts booths and business vendors. The Annual Founders Day Festival honors and celebrates the founding of the Dripping Springs community in 1850 by the Moss, Wallace, and Pound families.

Hosted by the City of Dripping Springs and the Founders Day Commission, which includes representatives of various community organizations, the proceeds from the festival are donated back into the community and directly benefit local non-profit organizations, churches, school and park programs, youth groups, and charities.

For additional information, please call Dripping Springs City Hall at 512-858-4725.

Statement from Rep. Jason Isaac regarding hot mix overlay on RR 12, below. Per information in a related letter from TxDot to Isaac, the project will be completed by the end of summer 2012. Download the TxDot letter (PDF) by clicking here.

Rep. Isaac:

“Great news! Our efforts have paid off. I met with TXDOT this afternoon and they have agreed to repave the entire seven mile stretch of Ranch Road 12 with a hot mix overlay.

“Although I met with TXDOT in October to discuss my concerns about the noise and safety issues that the recent chip seal re-pavement had caused, local residents were still dealing with the repercussions months later. Property values had declined, business sales were slumping, and flying gravel was dangerous for motorists and bicyclists alike. I was happy that TXDOT accepted my invitation to hear about these issues first hand at our town hall meeting earlier this month. During that meeting they committed to have more information for us within two weeks.

“During that time, I met with TXDOT’s new Executive Director, Phil Wilson, and my office kept in daily contact with TXDOT to ensure that our request for a comprehensive solution was being seriously considered. TXDOT conducted new sound tests and traffic counts in addition to bringing in the Texas Transportation Institute to examine the structural integrity of the road. After reviewing all of their data, I am so pleased that they have made the decision to completely repave the road with a surface that is more appropriate for our rapidly growing community.

“This pavement must be laid during warm weather to prevent cracking, so the project is scheduled to be complete this summer. In the meantime, additional sweeping will continue and temporary repairs will be made to some intersections in order to mitigate loose gravel. I have asked TXDOT to keep me updated on these projects so that I can pass that information on to you.

“Having the road properly repaved was my short term goal. However, I plan to continue to work with TXDOT to address other factors that affected this situation, such as keeping local elected officials more informed about changes that are planned for their area.

“Additionally, it’s crucial that we are good stewards of taxpayer money, especially during a time when we are all spending every penny carefully. The original chip seal job cost the state $338,000, and I was happy to find out that this money was not wasted. According to TXDOT, the chip seal serves to fill cracks and preserve the structural integrity of the road, and would have been laid under the hot mix overlay either way.

“I am appreciative of TXDOT’s efforts to fix our road, and I look forward to continuing my working relationship with Mr. Wilson and the TXDOT staff who manage the roads in our area. I also want to thank Commissioner Whisenant, Rep. Workman, Sen. Wentworth, and Shari Schmok of Fix Ranch Road 12 for their efforts. I know we all share the same resolve to maintain an effective transportation network in our state.

“Thank you for voicing your concerns and allowing me to be your ally in this fight for Ranch Road 12.”

Jason Isaac
State Representative

The Hays County Commissioners Court today suspended for one week Section 10.1d of the Hays County Animal Control Ordinance that requires a dog known to have killed livestock, domestic animals or fowl to itself be humanely destroyed.

The Court instructed Assistant District Attorney Mark Kennedy, Chief of the Civil Division, to propose changes to the ordinance that will provide due process for the owners of a dog accused of killing livestock, including domestic animals or fowl. The changes are expected to be presented to the Court at its next meeting on February 28.

The Court also instructed Hays County Animal Control officers, part of the Sheriff’s Office, to transport dogs accused of killing livestock to the San Marcos Animal Shelter and board them at the owners’ expense until the Court formally adopts changes rather than immediately have the animal destroyed.

Under State Law, property owners continue to have the right to kill dogs or coyotes caught on the premises killing or attempting to kill or harass livestock.

The change to the ordinance is intended to help resolve issues in a county that is becoming increasingly suburbanized while continuing to protect the rights of farmers and ranchers whose investments may be eroded by dogs roaming at large.

Mr. Kennedy indicated that he would offer proposed changes that would be made available to the public by 5 p.m. Friday, February 24, when the Court’s agenda and backup information is typically posted to the Hays County website at www.co.hays.tx.us.

We know quite a few of you have already checked it out, but this Friday, February 24, The Dudley’s Wine Bar & Tap Room on Mercer will celebrate its official grand opening starting at 4pm. Just two doors down from The Barber Shop, The Dudley’s takes over the former chiropractic space (nee Mercer Street Mercantile) and features wine, beer, cheese, and chocolate. We stopped in this past weekend to check out the space which they have made comfortable with couch lounge areas, traditional seating areas, and a tranquil outdoor space in the back. The Dudley’s regular hours are Wednesday – Friday at 4pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. For more information, call (512) 858-WINE.

We just received words from the owners of The Commons retail center that they have signed a long term lease with Goodwill Industries of Central Texas who will occupy more than half of the former Super S food store. Plans are being drawn now and will be submitted to the City for approval. Expectation is that renovations to their space will be complete and Goodwill opens for business by mid-April.

On Thursday, February 23 at 6pm at City Hall (511 Mercer), the Farmers Market Board will host an Open House for vendors and shoppers. Board members and market staff will be on hand to answer questions about the coming season. For more information, email Farmers Market Manager Carolyn Hodges at mkcarolynhodges@yahoo.com.

Casino Night at Creekside Pavilion on Friday, February 24, from 7pm – 11pm, hosted by the Dripping Springs Education Foundation and featuring food, live music, prizes and a silent auction. General admission tickets are $75 and include dinner and $20K in gaming chips. Live music by the Hot Texas Swing Band. Tickets are $75 per person, general admission available at Keller Williams Realty and Gracy Title in Dripping Springs and from DS Education Foundation Board Members.

On Saturday, February 25, from 8am – 3pm, The Friends Foundation hosts a Vintage Tag Sale at 400 Hwy 290 W, Suite B-104 (the former Kethley Physical Therapy location). Shop for vintage, one-of-a-kind treasures. All monies raised at this sale go directly toward Friends Foundation programs to help improve the quality of life for the elderly in the greater Dripping Springs area.

On Saturday, February 25 from 10am – 5pm, Wesley Gallery’s Pastel Art Show launches with refreshments and wine. The show continues until March 10 with normal hours on other days. The show features work by pastel artists Nancy Skelsey, Linda Wells, March Mattingly, and Sonja Kever. Wesley Gallery is located at 27008 RR 12. Call (888) 806-0678 for more information.

Beyond this week…

The 7th Annual Sculpture Challenge happens on Saturday, March 3, from 10am – 5pm at Carved Stone (5300 Bell Springs Rd) here in Dripping Springs. Stroll through the charming, rural garden on the Carved Stone grounds, visit with sculptors as they demonstrate their craft, and help pick the winner of Sculpture Challenge by marking your ballot by 4pm. Enjoy tastings by Dripping Springs Vodka and Bell Springs Winery, food by Creek Road Cafe, and music by Jim Halfpenny Band. Sculpture Challenge is a benefit for PAWS Shelter and Humane Society. Admission is $10 per person. All admission proceeds and benefit PAWS. If you buy any sculpture in Sculpture Challenge, 20% will go to the shelter. More information at sculpturechallenge.com.

On Thursday, March 8, at 6:30pm Wilson Appliance hosts Dinner By the Bite, a fun and festive culinary benefit for PAWS that brings together a delicious mix of popular local chefs and food lovers with a heart. For this ninth incarnation of an always sold-out event, chefs from the tastiest food trucks and trailers will put the cool in coolinary. Perfectly paired beer and wine selections will also be available, just right for sipping while you peruse the silent auction. Tickets are just $50 for early pups or $60 at the door. For more information, visit dinnerbythebite.com.

All His Children Preschool hosts a Multi-Family and Friends Garage Sale on Saturday, March 10, 8am-2pm 9725A Circle Drive. Shop for toys, household items, and more.

The 8th Annual Brittany Tuck Memorial Scholarship Benefit will be held Sunday, March 11, at Camp Ben McCulloch in Driftwood. The event celebrates the life of Brittany Tuck and the $120,000 in scholarships that have been presented to graduating seniors. This year, the benefit will include live silent and live auctions, its first ever BBQ Cook-Off, plus live music by HoneyBrowne, Texas Renegade, Chad Hudson, The Jerry Martin Band, and Michael Myers. For more information on how to sign up for the cook-off, call Keith at 936-334-6407 or Sandra at 512-569-4804. Tickets for the Brittany Tuck Memorial Scholarship Benefit can be purchased at Cattleman’s Bank and Prosperity Bank, both in Dripping Springs, as well as at the gate on March 11, at Camp Ben McCulloch.

Hays and Travis counties included in a Flash Flood Watch from 6pm tonight through Saturday morning. A Flash Flood Watch means flooding is possible in or near the watch area. Turn around, don’t drown. More from the National Weather Service here.

Oh, Friday, we hear you knocking. Let’s go ahead and look ahead to this weekend:

The 22nd Annual Dripping Springs Wild Game Dinner happens on Saturday, February 18, at 6pm at the Dripping Springs High School Cafeteria. The Wild Game Dinner is an annual dinner and auction hosted by the United Methodist Men of Dripping Springs United Methodist Church. This year’s menu includes varieties of prepared entrees including elk enchiladas, venison, elk, fallow deer, white tail deer, pronghorn antelope, feral hog and pheasant gumbo. Michael Myers will be the musical guest at the event. In addition to the dinner and entertainment, attendees will have the chance to bid on dozens of items in the event’s live and silent auctions. Also, raffle tickets are available to win a 2012 Kawasaki 4010 Mule 4X4. Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for children aged 12 and younger if you wait until the night of the event to buy tickets. Advance tickets may be purchased today at the discounted price of $20 for adults (children’s’ tickets are still $5). For more information, and to buy tickets, visit the event’s website at dswildgamedinner.com.

St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Dripping Springs celebrates Mardi Gras with a Casino Night and Auction on Saturday, February 18, from 6:30pm – 10:30pm at Creekside Pavilion. Enjoy seafood gumbo, jambalaya, casino, auction, and prizes for $100 per person or $175 per couple. For more information email stmartindp@austin.rr.com.

On Sunday, February 19, 5pm – 8pm, it’s YMCA Night at Nutty Brown benefiting the Partner of Youth Campaign. Enjoy the sounds of Chad Hudson, Bobby Pounds, and Richard Aaron Barrera and special guests. Entrance fee is $15 minimum donation with kids 12 and under free. The campaign helps friends and neighbors in Dripping Springs and SW Austin have access to the YMCA membership and program services who otherwise may not be able.

For more upcoming Dripping Springs Events, click here.

The BoDeans shot a music video at the Barber Shop bar yesterday. Best known for their Closer to Free which was used as the theme song for the television series Party of Five, the BoDeans had a string of hits in the late 80s that some may fondly remember, including She’s a Runaway and Fadeaway. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for the final video result!

The birds have really been chatting it up lately, perhaps buzzing about The Great Backyard Bird Count which starts this Friday, February 17. Whether expert, novice, or feeder watcher, bird watchers across the U.S. and Canada are getting ready to tally millions of birds in the annual count coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada. Anyone can participate in the free event, and no registration is required. You simply count birds at any location for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter your tallies at www.birdcount.org.

The data captures a picture of how bird populations are changing across the continent year after year–a feat that would be impossible without the help of tens of thousands of participants. To learn more about how to join the count, get bird ID tips, downloadable instructions, a how-to video, past results, and more visit www.birdcount.org. The count also includes a photo contest and a prize drawing for participants who enter at least one bird checklist online.

Thank you to Paula for sending us a Backyard Bird Count reminder!

Down for the count? A robin hangs out with chipping sparrows in Dripping Springs. Photo courtesy Howard Williams.