27 December 2013
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Only 2 measly quarters
Harper Texas Weekly Volume 1 Issue 4
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News Flash Effective Immediately. To make our paper more affordable to those that want to stay up to date via our newspaper, we have changed the subscription price to $20.00 per year and the per issue price to 50 cents. We will be issuing a refund to our current subscribers for the difference in prices.
Obituaries We have had a request to add a obituary section and we are more than happy to do so.
Office Space We have heard you and we agree that it would be easier for you to pick up papers, drop off subscriptions, ads, etc. if we had a office that you could go too. If you know of something like the old office I used to have next to the old post office, and it is available for sale or lease, I would be interested in hearing about it as I too think this lack of a office has created many problems for everybody, and if you are in any community in our coverage area and you would like to have a drop-off location at your business, we will gladly pay a com- It has, and always will be mission for doing so. my goal to see the paper printed on a weekly basis as a minimum, and eventually I would like to offer it on a daily basis. While the cost to print any- Many people have sugthing on a weekly basis gested that I go to a every can be daunting for any other week schedule, and new business, it has been for now, I’m going to have almost insurmountable for to do so until the adverthis paper. tisements and subscripAs an example, if we print tions reach a level that will locally, we get next day allow us to resume a weekturn around which is ly schedule. great, but we have to print a minimum of 1,000 copies per issue which is more than we can afford at this point in time. I have been studying how And if we use a printer other papers get people to similar to the one that we write articles for their paused for the first issue, it per, and I have noticed takes as much as a week that they pay $30.00 to or more to get it back from $50.00 for these articles the printer, and they do depending on whether not offer the paper size they have pictures as well. that we would like to use, If you like to attend combut they do make it afford- munity functions and get able as we can print as paid to do so by writing few as 25 copies for about articles about these func1/3rd of what it costs to tions, I would like to talk to print locally. you as I want to see you be If you look only at the successful, and make a printing costs, we are name for yourself by covmuch better off printing ering these events. 1,000 copies locally. But, if you look at it from a operating capital perspective, than we must go with the remote printer for now.
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can stop by and read it at my office as it is that important, and I believe that it is kids like these, and concerned parents that will begin to reverse the trend of corporate media ownership and start doing what is right for the citizens of their community rather than urge you to vote for Free Trade Agreements that will ultimately decimate your community. Bottom line - Support your local schools media efforts as it is that important that they get to the bottom of the who, what, where, why and when if you want to read the truth when you read the newspaper.
Books While we are on the subject of books, another one you should read is “Selling U.S. Out” by J.R. Martin If you can’t find it I have put a link to both books on our website, and again, once I have a office you will be welcome to read either book at my office.
Help Us
Area
Amazes me
You are probably wondering why our coverage area is so big for a Harper newspaper. If you host community events, you may have noticed that your customers come from all over this area, and even from areas that are not on this map. This is a map of where we want to place our newspaper in stores so that the people that want to read about your events in Harper can do so without subscribing to the paper. And we want to make it easy for you to expand your business by making your advertising costs affordable, and your coverage area such that you can grow your business. We believe that we can do this best by distributing our paper to the area covered on this map. So, if you have a school event, or a hunting operation, or a benefit, or a business, or just about anything else, and you want to get the word out about your business, I believe this is the best way and the most affordable.
The newspaper business is new to me and like anything, there is a learning curve with it. As I read each issue, it amazes me what the kids and their advisors have accomplished, and I think to myself that if every community in America had a community newspaper that was run by kids like these, we would not be having discussions nationwide about how our newspapers no longer serve the readers of their communities. I study everything I can get my hands on in respect to any project that I undertake, and it amazed me when I learned that six media corporations controlled the majority of
news that we receive. Do you realize that if the students of each of our communities in America were to write the news for their respective communities like the kids in Harper have done, slowly but surely, the truth would return to our media that we want to trust. Many of you may not understand what I am attempting to say here, and I respect that as I too didn’t realize what was happening until I could no longer find software jobs in corporate America and I spent the last 10 years educating myself. There is a book called “Into the Buzzsaw: Leading Journalists Expose the Myth of a Free Press” Get you a copy of it, or once I find a office, you
Want to see a newspaper that covers the things that you enjoy, and the things that concern you? Tell us about them via mail, email, phone, or in person and we will find a way to address those issues.
Have you told everybody about your business? You can do it here if you would like too. The chart below and more information can be found at corporations.org I have also added a youtube video to our website if you would like to learn more about this important subject.
The Longhorn Express
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Second Annual Wounded Warrior Benefit MARK YOUR CALENDARS MAY 3, 2014 IS OUR SECOND ANNUAL WOUNDED WARRIOR BENEFIT, IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE FOR THE AUCTION YOU CAN DROP IT OFF AT HEADWATERS OR GIVE US A CALL AND WE CAN PICK IT UP 830-864-4055 COME OUT AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND MEET A GREAT GROUP OF GUYS Contact Headwaters Saloon for more details...
Second Annual Wounded Warrior Benefit MARK YOUR CALENDARS MAY 3, 2014 IS OUR SECOND ANNUAL WOUNDED WARRIOR BENEFIT, IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE FOR THE AUCTION YOU CAN DROP IT OFF AT HEADWATERS OR GIVE US A CALL AND WE CAN PICK IT UP 830-864-4055 COME OUT AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND MEET A GREAT GROUP OF GUYS Contact Headwaters Saloon for more details...
Harper Library and Resale Shop Welcome to the Harper Library! Both the library & resale shop are located in the same building at 23247 West US Hwy 290, Harper, TX 78631 (Mailing address: P O Box 74, Harper, TX 78631)
Business meetings are the 3rd Monday of every month, 5:00 PM Pre-K Story Time every 3rd Wednesday and Thursday, 10:00am . Summer Reading Club every Thursday in July, 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon.
- Drive through the gate to your library - Check out the Resale shop for new treasures every day! Harper Library is open: Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Thursday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM The Library is not open on Sundays or Mondays The Harper Library began in June, 2004, with a letter to the editor in The Harper News. Seven people met in response to the letter. This group and others began meeting monthly to plan and organize for a library. The library opened its doors to the public on April 6, 2006. The library started in a small house behind Dauna's on Hwy. 290. The collection started with donated books from area residents and other libraries, and soon outgrew the f i r s t s i t e and searched to find a new home. We
moved to our second location in November, 2006. Along with the move, the library staff converted the entire collection to an automated program allowing patrons to browse the collection, renew and reserve books from home. Now with our recent move, we are sharing our new building with our Library Resale Shop. The remodeling was a fantastic success and the new library is beautiful. With 3800 sq. ft. we have room to grow while enjoying the light and space in the new loc a t i o n .
When the library opened the collection included about 4000 books. Now the collection totals about 12,500 materials-- books, audio books, videos & DVD's, periodicals, and newspapers. There is a public meeting room available for local organizations to reserve. Laptops and WIFI connection are available for public u s e . In 2011 Harper Library became a member of the Texas State Library System allowing our patrons to have access to Inter Library Loans and the 49
Harper Library Resale Shop is open: Wednesday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM The Resale Shop is not open on Sundays, Mondays, or Tuesdays.
TexShare databases for research. Without the grant support from several foundations the library staff would not have been able to grow so successfully. Support also has been very generous from our area land owners and residents. Gillespie Co. now provides some annual funds for operations. Many fund raising events have been held including Music Fests, t w o h o m e tours, Double B Fireworks Jamborees, Attic Sales, Saturday in the Park, raffles, and many, many book sales. The Har-
per Library Resale shop was opened in May 2008. Their profits are a wonderful source of income needed to help fund our operating exp e n s e s . Summer Reading Programs have been held each July for children since 2005. Annual essay contests for Middle and High School students ar e co sponsored with The Harper News.They also have instituted a "Books on Wheels" program where they deliver books to persons unable to drive. Special programs are held throughout the year for our pa-
trons. All of these accomplishments have kept our Library volunt e e r s v e r y busy! Yes, everyone at the library is a volunteer and thousands of hours have been volunteered to make the Harper Library a vibrant and important part of the Harper area. The volunteers at the Harper Library are very proud of their accomplishment and invite all in the area to come and enjoy all the library services.
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School Board Business Keep an eye on our weekly calendar here in the paper and somewhere between the middle of the month and the end of the month you will notice a school board meeting. School board agenda’s are released to the public 72 hours prior to the meeting. You can find it on the school website and on the front door of the Harper Administration building. The results of the school board meeting will be voted on during the next months meeting. Once they are approved by the school board, they will be posted on the school website.
Editors Note: I monitor the school website daily so if you can’t find a copy, please let me know and I will get you a copy. Once I have found a office for the newspaper, I will also post the weekly calendar for the community, and a copy of each organizations agenda and meeting minutes so that it will make it easier for you to find everything in one location. I would like to print them in the paper to give you sufficient notice, but even with a weekly paper, a 72 hour notice is not sufficient which is why I will be posting a copy in the newspaper office ( hint, hint - If you own one of these abandoned looking buildings, we could use a office for the newspaper ) I am not against creating a daily newspaper if Harper wants it, but you are going to have to vote with your dollars by subscribing and advertising for me to do so.
Do Fund Raisers Benefit Anybody? These are some of the ones that I’ve recently heard about that were hosted by the Headwaters Saloon... 23 June 2012 - Medical Benefit for Tiffanie Evatt $3,000 + 29 September 2012 - Medical Benefit for Wayne Remington $10,000 26 January 2013 - Wounded Warrior donor appreciation fish fry $700 27 February 2013 - Harper Library $3,671 27 February 2013 - Harper Volunteer Fire Department $3,671 29 April 2013 - Wounded Warrior Benefit $33,000 If you have hosted a fund raiser or are considering hosting one, please tell us about it so that we can tell a lot of people about it...
I think they do - How about you?
What if the unemployment numbers are wrong?
Keep America At Work www.KeepAmericaAtWork.com
“We didn’t cut to the bone,” said Audra Ritter, a middle school special education teacher and president of the Coatesville Area Teachers Association. “We cut into the bone.” Across the country, public schools employ about 250,000 fewer people than before the recession, according to figures from the Labor Department. Enrollment in public schools, meanwhile, has increased by more than 800,000 students. Coatesville, a diminished steel town with 7,200 students, used to employ more than 600 teachers, psychologists, reading and math specialists, and other certified personnel. Since 2008, the district has cut close to one-fifth of that staff, according to Angelo Romaniello, the district’s assistant superintendent. “We didn’t cut to the bone,” said Audra Ritter, a middle school special education teacher and president of the Coatesville Area Teachers Association. “We cut
into the bone.” School districts in other hard-hit states, including California, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina and Texas, are coping with similarly squeezed resources. Along with budget cuts at the federal, state and local levels, rising public school enrollment over the past five years has exacerbated the pinch.
happening because they look around Gillespie county and see that things are ok, but they do not seem to realize that things roll down hill and it simply has not got here yet.
I could do like most and put on a happy face and only tell happy news, and get more subscribers and advertisers that way, but I feel that I have an obligation to the people of my ---------community to do what I I found this article in an- can to show them what other paper and decided our corporate media is to use it here simply be- not showing them. cause I don’t think most Is this not the purpose of people realize that as we the media? send our jobs to other To bring you the who, countries, it substantially what, where, when and reduces our ability to why so that you can make provide for our kids an informed decision. things like education. I think it is. Many will say this is not
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Why are we buying anything from China or selling any of our businesses, property, or other resources to China? Folks, I believe global trade is the greatest thing that has ever been invented.
turing to another country and then import those products back into your country.
But it must be done in a manner that protects But this China thing that the people of each coun- we are pursuing by altry. lowing them to buy many of our Aircraft As an example, with a Parts Manufacturers, name like Bierschwale it and allowing them to should be obvious that I buy as much of Detroit am of German descent. as they want has me It does not bother me worried. one bit for somebody Especially when things from Germany, India, like this are happening China, or anywhere to and it is our dollar via immigrate here and our purchases from the build a life for thembig box stores that are selves because they making this possible: want to pursue the American Dream. ----------------------------(CNN) -- A U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser took evasive action to avoid colliding with a Chinese warship in the South China Sea in what sources called a highly unusual and deliberate act by China, CNN has This is why I believe in learned. these 3 common sense The incident last Friday, rules. which was resolved Simply because they peacefully, was the latprotect the people and est sign of tension the sovereign state of around recent and aggressive Chinese terrieach of our countries: torial claims in the re1. It is OK to grow, gion involving internaraise or manufac- tional waters and exture your products panded airspace. here in America and Vice President Joe sell them to other Biden last week pressed countries and the Beijing over the issue, same applies to which stems from a longstanding dispute those countries. with Japan that has 2. It is OK to open retail grown tenser. or manufacturing branches in other Several U.S. military ofcountries to offset ficials confirmed details the shipping prob- of the incident on the high seas involving the lems as long as you USS Cowpens, which hire the locals to has just come to light. work in those countries. The American warship -which U.S. officials say 3. It is NOT OK to put was in international wathe people in your ters -- was approached country out of work, by a Chinese Navy ship. smaller vessel send the growing, The peeled off from a group raising or manufacAs long as they do their part to help others to pursue the American Dream as well by not destroying what our ancestors have done here in America.
of Chinese Navy ships that included the carrier Liaoning. The Chinese ship failed to stop, despite radio warning from the Cowpens that it was getting too close. The Cowpens commanding officer then issued orders for an "all stop" when the other ship was less than 500 yards off its bow, a U.S. Navy official said. The Chinese ship proceeded past the Cowpens. "It is unusual to have to take evasive action at sea to avoid a collision," the official added. ----------------------------And when we consider how China has treated its own people in their past, well I have serious concerns about the path that we are on in respect to China. And I believe that anytime that a Chinese company attempts to buy a piece of America, that we should at least see where their funds are coming from. As an example, how can a model airplane retailer afford to buy Mooney Aircraft? If their funds are legit, and they are doing everything that they can to build a better future for America and Americans, I have no problem with that. But if the funds are being supplied by the very same government that is willing to play chicken with one of our navy ships, then yes, I do have a problem with that.
Harper Volunteer Fire Department Coverage Area
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So you have common sense? I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve listened to over the years that have ended with the statement “I have common sense, that’s why!” Which makes me wonder. If
you
have
common
sense, will you believe your own calculations or the evening news that you watch on TV? How about we do a little first grade math to see if you trust your own calculations or blindly believe what you hear on TV?
The department of labor produces a “Labor Force Participation Rate” report that shows how many as a percentage are working each year. And the census bureau produces a population number.
If we multiply the labor force participation rate by the population, we can get the employed number. If we subtract the employed from the population, we get the unemployed which includes
retired, students, etc. If we add up the period from 1976 to 1996 (good times), and divide that number by the number of years, we get the average of 84,016,352. If we subtract that from the unemployed, we get
the true unemployment number. The right two numbers are my unemployment calculations shown as a total and a percent. What do your calculations show you?
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STEM could be in your children’s future. Like most kids around here, I grew up working odd jobs as a carpenters helper, electricians helper, working on windmills, and hauling hay while day dreaming about drag racing.
our jobs were sent to oth- 2000 we were starting to er countries. see major technology changes happening on a I mention all of this so that almost daily basis. you will understand that I’ve been there, and done For those wondering what that and I realize that your STEM stands for, it is an children are going to need acronym for the fields of to be proficient with tech- study in the categories of After leaving this area I nology because each sub- science, technology, engiwas exposed to the won- sequent wave will be com- neering, and mathematderful world of technology ing faster and faster. ics. that was just taking off in To put it into perspective, In some way, shape, or the 1980’s and I rode that back in the 80’s we had a form, your kids are going wave for as long as I major change every six to see things that you could until it suddenly months, and then ever probably can’t dream of crashed and burned when month or so, and around yet, and they are going to
need to be proficient in this arena, or at least comfortable working with technology in the pursuit of their daily career field. So I became curious as to the make up of our various departments at our school here in Harper, and I produced the following chart showing you the percentage of employees per department. Now you need to take this with a grain of salt as many teachers might be
holding down more than one job if it is anything like it was when I went to school back in the 70’s.
So, if you are one of the stakeholders, or have any input on the direction that we are going, feel free to use this chart if it will help But, it does give us a good you. idea as to how much of our school’s attention is And for those parents focused on the STEM whose children are atfields. tending our great school, it might give you some And it provides a ideas that might possibly roadmap for those on the help you draft some sugschool board, and mangestions to help with your agement, when they conchildren's future if you sider increasing the choose to do so. strength of any particular department.
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Help Wanted and other type ads such as hunting leases, leases wanted, services offered.
$5.00 per ad and they remain until you ask us to remove them
$10.00 per ad per issue
Barter, Wanted, and For Sale ads only
Help Wanted Commissioned Sales Rep in Harper and Surrounding towns to sell advertisements and subscriptions - 20% Commission
bathtubs wanted for garden beds - Virgil (830) 377-5729 or vbiersch@gmail.com ==========
Email Virgil at editor@HarperTexasWeekly.com or call (830) 377-5729
Help Wanted Do you love attending school events? Would you like to get paid to do so? Email Virgil at editor@HarperTexasWeekly.com or call (830) 377-5729
For those willing to take a chance on this new publication that are looking for the biggest bang for their advertising buck, I am willing to offer them a special discount price for a term of 1 year to help jumpstart their business and this business Our Working Man ad would normally cost you $650 per year and you can purchase it for $325 Our Businessman ad would normally cost you $2,600 per year and you can purchase it for $1,300
Help Wanted Do you love attending community events? Would you like to get paid to do so? Email Virgil at editor@HarperTexasWeekly.com or call (830) 377-5729
Office Wanted It would be easier for people to do business with us and drop things off if I could find affordable office space in Harper and the Surrounding Towns. Email Virgil at editor@HarperTexasWeekly.com or call (830) 377-5729 if you have one available.
If you have a business that sells products or services or you make a living off of the hunting industry in the area that is shown by this map, you really need to be advertising in this paper...
Harper Texas Weekly A weekly newspaper serving Harper 288 E. Kroll, Harper, TX 78631 (830) 377-5729 editor@HarperTexasWeekly.com
Editor and Publisher - Virgil Bierschwale Advertising Director - Position is open Sales - Position is open Reporter - Position is open Sports Editor - Position is open
Harper Texas Weekly is published weekly by Virgil Bierschwale at 288 E. Kroll, Harper, TX 78631.
Postmaster: Send address changes to Harper Texas Weekly, 288 E. Kroll, Harper, Texas 78631
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Help us to grow by subscribing, advertising and telling your friends and neighbors about us, and if you are the type that is interested in such, by writing for us and helping us to sell subscriptions and advertisements.
Any erroneous reflection upon the character or standing of any person or firm appearing in these columns will be gladly and promptly corrected upon calling the attention of the management to the article in question. The publishers liability for errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid for the advertisement.
Advertising Prices Our PO’ Boy ad is a 2 inch by 2 inch ad that will cost you $10.00 each time that you want to put it in the paper. Our Working Man ad is a business card ad that will cost you $20.00 each time that you put in the paper, or you can save money by agreeing to place the ad for a minimum of four issues which will cost you $12.50 each time that you put it in the paper. You can pay for it all at once, or you can pay $12.50 before each issue comes out ( by Wednesday ). Our Businessman ad is a quarter page ad that will cost you $170.63 each time that you put in the paper, or you can save money by agreeing to place the ad for a minimum of four issues which will cost you $50.00 each time that you put it in the paper. You can pay for it all at once, or you can pay $50.00 before each issue comes out ( by Wednesday ). Our Big Spender ad is a half page ad that will cost you $341.25 each time that you put it in the paper, or you can save money by agreeing to place the ad for a minimum of four issues which will cost you $100.00 each time that you put it in the paper. You can pay for it all at once, or you can pay $100.00 before each issue comes out ( by Wednesday ). Our MR. BIG SPENDER ad is a full page ad with a cost of $682.50 for one time or $200.00 per issue for four issues using the above terms.
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Mail To: Virgil Bierschwale, 288 E. Kroll, Harper, TX 78631 $20.00 per year
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