March 2016 Hays County Echo

HAYS COUNTY

ECHO MARCH 2016

INSIDE: • Urban farmers find success in Hays County • City to honor two famous Kyle women • Get a green thumb with Central Texas Gardener

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HAYS COUNTY

ECHO is published monthly by Barton Publications, Inc 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX Contents © March 2016.

Publisher Cyndy Slovak–Barton Editor Moses Leos III Graphics Director David White Graphics Assistant Christine Thorpe Contributing Writers Chris Reid Moses Leos III Paige Lambert Anna Herod Distribution Suzanne Hallam Marketing Tracy Mack Jim Darby Suzanne Hallam Paula Pulley Pamela Patino For advertising information, please contact our sales department at 512–268–7862. page 2 u march | 2016

A taste of the farming life...

B

ack before talk of expanding growth and the like, farming was king in the Buda and Kyle area.

And while urban sprawl continues to take shape, farming continues to claim a hold on many a Hays County citizen.

In fact, according to the 2012 U.S. Census of Agriculture, 1,439 farms were listed in Hays County, with 173 of those farms consisting of one to nine acres.

With spring just around the corner, many area farmers take to local farmers markets to provide residents with the fresh produce they clamor for.

It’s Hays County’s continued love affair with the farming life, and the produce those farmers cultivate, that drives this month’s theme of farmers markets and those who participate in them.

This month, we highlight two area farms that bring colorful, fresh and locally grown produce

to area farmers markets.

Also in this month’s Echo, read about a Buda area baker that turns to area farmers markets to sell his confectionary delights.

And columnist Christine Reid provides insight on the importance of a local public access television program that can help gardeners of all experience levels get started.

Don’t forget that March is Women’s History Month. Read about two historical women from the area on page 12.

Whether you’re prepping to start a garden of your own, or you just like to take in the sights and sounds of a farmers market, this month’s Hays County Echo has just what you’re looking for.

Cheers to a wonderful March and be sure to shop local.

Moses Leos III, Editor

Inside

Farming in the eye of the urban storm......................................4-5 Five-acre farm supplements 30 families

From Gray to green.....................................................................6-7 Billy Gray of Gray gardens finds success through CSA program

Delicious delights made locally.................................................8-9 Farmers markets aren’t just for vegetables.

A visit to Central Texas Gardener..........................................10-11

Behind the scenes of one of Central Texas gardeners’ most entertaining resources

Women’s History Month.............................................................. 12 City to honor famous Kyle women

Service Directory......................................................................... 13 Find service professionals in your area

Central Texas Events..............................................................14-15 Top picks for events and festivals

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Farming in the eye of an urban storm

by Paige Lambert

A

s Hays County grows, more farmers are creating innovative ways to grow their own crops.

Tim Miller, owner of Millberg Farms, has found the secret to keeping to his organic roots.

Miller grew up near organic farms in Wisconsin and continued working in organic farms when he moved to Austin in the 1980s. He and his wife moved to Kyle in 1991

and created Millberg Farms.

Millberg Farms is a 5-acre limited resource farm off of Opal Lane in Kyle. Miller serves as its only full time farmer and harvests anything from vegetables to fruit and even pecans.

Small farms typically rely on the success at a farmers market to keep them afloat. After moving to Kyle, Miller quickly realized he couldn’t produce enough to sell at a market.

“If I had to produce more, the quality would be dimin-

ished,” Miller said. “The quantity would go up but it’s a domino effect and the phyiscalness of me doing all of that would be challenging.”

Miller said he wanted to keep the farm as organic as possible without the complication of hiring or searching for volunteers. He decided to have the farm function in a community sponsored agriculture (CSA) style.

The CSA style allows him to sell directly to customers.

Miller currently sells $10 bags

to 30 families and caters to two restaurants.

“I’d rather have customers that have kids, that have families,” Miller said. “So that I can provide produce to that mother who wants to make her own baby food.”

Miller said he also attributed the farm’s success to its diversity. He said he could easily make $2,000 from pecans one year and make $2,000 from fruit trees the next year.

“Having that diversity allows me to not have any

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severe crop loss which leads into why some of these smaller farms fail,” Miller said. “A good bit of that failure rate is because the diversity isn’t there and it’s just vegetables.”

The diversity and quality that comes from organic farming has kept customers coming to his farm, Miller said. He typically uses his own organic seeds, has a rainwater catchment system and only uses hand tools for tilling.

He said he rarely uses fertilizer and allows native weeds to grow on the farm.

“Just the aspect of health in the ground is going to give you healthier, nutrient-dense vegetables when they are derived from that kind of living arrangement,” Miller said.

Miller’s decades of experience in organic farming has helped him lead the way in small-scale farming in unique ways. About seven farms across the country are thriving after using his techniques.

Miller said he plans to keep his unique farming techniques and pass along the secrets of organic farming.

“When I think of what do I want in my free time, I could read more or get on the computer more,” Miller said. “But I would rather help young farmers.”

Dental excellence “Having that diversity allows me to not have any severe crop loss which leads into why some of these smaller farms fail. A good bit of that failure rate is because the diversity isn’t there and it’s just vegetables.”

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From Gray to green

by Moses Leos III

A

mid the hustle and bustle of Buda, one location near downtown holds on to the town’s historic farming background.

Gray Gardens, which is situated on six acres along Main Street, continues to sustainably farm on 2.5 acres of land.

For owner Jonas Jones, ensuring the public continues to support locally grown product is a growing trend.

“It’s fortunate that it’s going the way it’s going,” Jones said. “I think it’s awesome that people want to support local and know more about where their food comes from.”

Jones, who has worked on the farm for three years, said the business isn’t certified organic, but is sustainable. He said the farm does

everything organically, so there’s “no reason” to obtain the certification.

“Organic is a marketing word in the big industry,” Jones said.

The farm, which was created 20 years ago by former Buda Mayor Billy Gray, also participates in the CSA program.

According to the Gray Gardens website, the farm provided food to 40 families from seven cities through the CSA program.

The farm also allows stakeholders to volunteer their time to assist with farming. In return, the volunteers obtain products from the farm. Jones said the program helps them understand what they need to cultivate for the season.

“It helps us coordinate (volunteers) and promote the CSA,” Jones said. “And it’s a way to get more

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“It’s fortunate that it’s going the way it’s going, I think it’s awesome that people want to support local and know more about where their food comes from.”

– Jonas Jones

volunteers. It’s a win-win.”

From planting seeds in January to harvest in the fall, Jones said he and other workers must push themselves. It’s based on the amount of produce they must harvest to meet demand for the five Farmers Markets they attend, and produce for the CSA program.

But implementing the sustainability of the garden is a “gamble” he said. Changing weather patterns and conditions are variables the farmers must adapt to.

“You work for 12 hours trying to get everything ready for three months down the road, and you don’t know if you’ll have a summer flood, hail storm, or insects taking everything,” Jones said.

Jones said Gray Gardens also

keeps in mind Buda’s rapid pace of growth.

“We try to grow with it,” Jones said. “It’s a great thing, it’s not going to stop. You have to find positive ways to grow with it.”

But more people means more business for the farm, Jones said.

With the public becoming more aware of local farms and people “scratching the light” on wanting farm-to-table produce helps their business.

Public outreach on social media also helps spread awareness of urban farms.

“You have to be a little crazy to do this. But everyday, I wake up, I ask, what do I need to do today,” Jones said. “I wouldn’t trade it at the end of the day.

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Local delicious delights showcased at Buda Farmers Market Paige Lambert

The goods can be sold out of a home, farmers market or s winter ebbs away, residents event sponsored by a non-profit of Hays County will flock to organization. farmers markets for local “That’s when we found out this produce and artisan creations. is what you can and can’t do,” Every market has a flavor of its Poole said. “So I thought, cool, I own and the Buda Farmers Market can deal with that.” is delectably sweet.

He began with simple treats like Don Poole, a Buda resident, chocolate turtles and fudge. Poole owns Chocolate Drop Confections joined the Buda Farmers Market LLC. The in-home bakery sells and became one of the most breads, fudge and other treats at consistent vendors, Gray Gardens the Buda and the Dripping Springs farmer Jonas Jones said. farmers markets.

Jones said it can be hard to sell Poole began baking five years baked goods at farmers markets ago when he and because his wife lived in baked goods Maryland. The are extremely bakery served perishable. more as a hobby “It’s always since laws the dilemma prohibited bakers of, how much from selling do I make and from their home how much and commercial do I bring?” kitchens were Jones said. “So expensive to rent, usually those he said. vendors go “We had been to the larger talking about markets where starting a business they know of our own that we the traffic is can do together,” there.”

Poole said. “We Poole’s went from making business has stuff for family only expanded – Don Poole, Buda Farmers and friends to over the past Market vendor doing this.” few years and Around 2011, he said the the couple moved booth is almost back to Texas, so Poole’s wife always empty by the end of the could work at Whole Foods. The market day.

Texas legislature also passed the “A lot of the stuff just comes Texas Cottage Food Law in 2011, from HEB or a restaurant depot which allows residents to sell but I use as much organic or baked goods that don’t require natural stuff as I can,” Poole said. refrigeration.

“With my wife being from Whole by

A

“You can just roll up to a farmers market and bake cookies ...

This is just a way to expand and you can do a little more with those than you can in a home kitchen.”

page 8 u march | 2016

Foods, she is a big time stickler on being organic.”

Jones said the organic ingredients and gluten-free goods Poole sells has served as a big attraction. Many people return after sampling the naturally sweetened treats.

Chocolate Drop Confections has expanded to cookies, pies, mini breads, cinnamon apples and special holiday treats. Poole said his next step is a food truck so he can sell goods like bananas foster and sundaes with cake balls.

“You can just roll up to a farmers market and bake cookies,” Poole said. “This is just a way to expand and you can do a little more with those than you can in a home kitchen.”

Poole said he’ll stay at farmers

markets even though he could put his business anywhere, hypothetically. He said meeting people at the market is his favorite part of the job, next to making cinnamon rolls.

“It’s coming out and meeting people and hanging out on a sunny afternoon,” Poole said.

“There’s a lot of good people and stuff at the farmers market.”

Poole said his success doesn’t necessarily come from his consistency or attending large markets, but from the quality of his creations.

“We do the best we can to make it as clean as we can,” Poole said.

“The one thing we have figured out is that it’s not so much the recipe but what you put in it.”

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CTG

A great resource for gardeners

by Christine Reid

If you want to have a garden, you just go outside and start getting dirt under your fingernails, right? Well ... not so fast! One of the smartest things beginning or even advanced gardeners can do is to click on the television or computer and check out “Central Texas Gardener,” a local show on KLRU, Austin’s public television station. Just ask any fan – while gardening shows are as ubiquitous as sunflowers in the summer, the award-winning “Central Texas Gardener” towers above them all.

In the capable hands of producer Linda Lehmusvirta, the show started as a monthly program in 1989, went weekly in 1999 and then national in 2004. Lehmusvirta (while her surname is Finnish, she didn’t get the blonde hair, she jokes), who also writes and edits the show, coordinates a group of gardening experts and guests who highlight gardening trends, showcase the best plants for the area and inspire every viewer to create their own backyard paradise. These days, the internet has made it possible for almost anyone, anywhere, anytime to have access to CTG’s past and current shows at klru.org/ctg. But make no mistake, this program is designed for the Central Texan who wants to grow vegetables, flowers and trees, in spite of the floods, droughts and all things in between known as Texas weather.

At a January taping (shows usually air a few weeks later), Lehmusvirta kept things flowing, starting with host and

page 10 u march | 2016

Above are producer of “Central Texas Gardener,” Linda Lehmusvirta; host, Tom Spencer; and Travis County Horticultural Extension Agent Daphne Richards and her dachshund Augie. (photos by Christine Reid)

“Each passionate gardener has a story to tell and I want to help them tell it.”

–Linda Lehmusvirta, producer of Central Texas Gardener

fellow gardener Tom Spencer interviewing Mark Klym from Texas Parks and Wildlife about Texas hummingbirds. After that segment was completed, Spencer then talked with Randy Thompson of Sunshine Community Gardens in Austin about some of the best tomato varieties to grow here, like Celebrity and Cherokee Purple.

Earlier in the day, Lehmusvirta watched from the control room as regular contributor Trisha Shirey of Lake Austin Spa spoke with Ellen Zimmerman of EZ Herbs about the medicinal and edible parts of so-called weeds that grow in almost everyone’s yards, such as dandelions, cleavers and lamb’s quarter.

Along with Shirey and others,

organic pioneer John Dromgoole is a frequent contributor to Backyard Basics.

While each half hour show often begins with video of beautiful gardens and parks, it finishes up with Travis County Horticulture Extension Agent Daphne Richards answering viewers’ questions, discussing what to do in the garden that week and describing the plant of the week. She’s often accompanied by her irrepressible dachshund Augie, who has been known to get a bit wiggly in her lap. This day he was quite well-behaved and charmed everyone with his soulful eyes and happy-golucky ways.

Living in Austin with her

husband Greg Klinginsmith as well as indoor bunnies Harvey and Bun, Lehmusvirta has learned a lot about gardening over the years, especially from her mistakes, like trying to grow plants out of their hardiness zone, not watering enough or putting plants in the wrong kind of soil. Along with picking up tips from CTG guests, she also likes hanging out in area nurseries, talking with the people who grow the plants. An epiphany occurred early in her gardening journey.

“What changed me most,” she explained, “was attending events at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at its first location and learning how soil, plants and wildlife connect.”

Over time, “I started to understand the habitat and seasonal progression that serves each insect, bird, worm, lizard, toad and countless other critters that can safely live in my garden.”

Continued, next page

Recent Topics of Central Texas Gardener: Water-saving gardens Vines Gardening for renters Taking care of trees Butterfly gardening Drought defiant plants Worm composting Growing lavender Bee gardening Backyard citrus Urban chickens Ponds and water features Native plants Go to klru.org/ctg and check out the current show, blog, resource page and past episodes. Clicking on the ‘resource’ tab offers things like question and plant of the week, tips of the month and a ‘how to’ page with information on seed starting, hypertufa, tips on fighting fire ants, preserving garden bounty and much more.

Continued from previous page Besides producing CTG, Lehmusvirta also maintains a blog and Facebook page for the show, where she connects with viewers, answers questions and shares her love of growing plants and nurturing wildlife with other gardeners. At the end of a busy day, she recharges by observing the daily and seasonal changes in her own perennial garden. Along with enjoying seeing the bulbs pushing forth and seeds emerging, “I’m captivated by bees and other pollinators, butterflies, hummingbirds and all the creatures that call this home,” she said. After a vigorous weekend gardening session, she may take a steamy Epsom salts bath, infused with lavender or eucalyptus, and read a paperback mystery. And, she added, “A bit of wine never hurt anyone!”

Lehmusvirta’s advice to any gardener: shop at locally-owned nurseries, attend garden club and other plant sales and, when possible, purchase plants grown or introduced by Texans.

In the years since CTG began, gardening questions and concerns have changed, she pointed out.

While brown patch in the lawn was once a top worry, now “people want to feed the wildlife and themselves.” They want to avoid the use of pesticides and herbicides, she noted, as well as nourish the soil and conserve water. “What I love best about CTG is meeting so many diverse personalities, interests and concepts,” Lehmusvirta said. “Each passionate gardener has a story to tell and I want to help them tell it.”

Any questions? Send an email to reidsnursery.com or call us at (512) 398-6011. Enjoy your garden!

Lehmusvirta’s advice to any gardener: shop at locally-owned nurseries, attend garden club and other plant sales and, when possible, purchase plants grown or introduced by Texans.

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M A R C H • W OMEN IN HISTORY MON TH

City to honor famous Kyle women

by Anna Herod

T

wo of Kyle’s most famous women will soon be remembered in downtown as city officials work to incorporate Katherine Anne Porter and Mary Kyle Hartson into the historic area.

According to City Manager Scott Sellers, incorporating the two women into the downtown sector could provide a story to build around.

“As we researched the history of both of these women, we realized that they had extraordinary histories – very fun to learn about – and could provide a story for the downtown, and unique aspects that we could capitalize on in the form of walking tours, events, sales promotions, etc.,” Sellers said.

Katherine Anne Porter lived in Kyle with her grandmother as a young girl and grew up to be a famous writer of American literature.

A collected series of Porter’s stories won the Gold Medal for fiction from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

Porter lived with her grandmother from 1892 to 1901 in a home located on Center Street, otherwise known as the “heart of downtown.”

Sellers said Porter’s connection with Kyle has proved to attract tourists interested in both Texas history and American literature.

Mary Kyle Hartson, who already has the old city hall named after her, will also be recognized downtown. The city of Kyle was named after her father, Fergus Kyle, in the mid 1800s, according to the TSHA.

page 12 u march | 2016

From 1901 to 1925, Hartson served as the city’s postmistress and later went on to become the mayor of Kyle from 1937 until 1941.

She served as Kyle’s mayor again from 1944 until 1946.

Hartson served on an “all woman council” that made Ripley’s Believe it or Not. She was the only female mayor in Texas at the time.

Stacey Pfefferkorn, an intern working with the city of Kyle, has led the effort in coming up with ways to incorporate the two women into the downtown sphere.

These ideas include painting a mural, naming a pie after Porter and Hartson at Texas Pie Company, incorporating their names on street signage, conducting walking tours and ceremonially renaming the pavilion at the public library to honor Hartson.

“Every city looks for a unique brand, and every downtown does the same,” Sellers said.

“Downtowns that are successful are anchored around a primary lure or primary attraction. As we looked at what the primary lure was for Kyle, there were two prominent women from the city’s history that emerged very clearly.”

Part of the plan to incorporate Porter downtown is already in action. Residents can find a book display in the Kyle Public Library featuring her work.

As for other future incorporations, officials are still in the planning process.

“We’ve got like four or five ideas queued up and

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Katherine Anne Porter, above, and Mary Kyle Hartson

are in the exploration process to see which idea takes shape first,” Sellers said.

The initiative will be funded by part of the hotel occupancy tax fund, Sellers said. Signage could cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000, while establishing walking tours could cost approximately $2,000.

“I don’t know if there’s an upper limit,” Sellers said.

“Each idea will have its own little budget.”

Ultimately, Sellers said the city hopes that by incorporating Porter and Hartson downtown, the area will become richer and the economy will be boosted. “(The idea) came from analyzing the city’s downtown and looking for ways to create a unique and sustainable attraction feature that would not only generate more foot traffic, but more sales for the merchants,” Sellers said. “(We hope it generates) more interest for those who are interested about the city’s past and character, and provide opportunities for additional tourism and a unique identity for downtown.”

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Attorney and Counselors At Law Business law, wills, trust, probate, family law, divorce, custody, consumer law, deceptive trade, property law, landlord–tenant law, personal, injury, DWI, criminal defense, debt defense, general civil litigation.

130 Hall Professional Center Kyle, TX. 512–268–6425

PAINTING Alex’s Painting Residential & commercial painting, texturing, sheetrock repair, wallpaper removal, popcorn texture removal, wood replacement, power washing.

Clean and neat professionals, fully insured, on time & dependable.

Family owned & operated.

Satisfaction guaranteed, excellent references.

512–470–3953

PEST CONTROL Burnett Pest & Lawn Services Call Dale Burnett or Ken Graff at 512-912-6696, burnettspestcontrol.com

LP Pest Solutions Finding solutions for all your pest control needs. Family owned and operated. Call David Pritchard at (512) 922-4577, lppestsolutions@ gmail.com.

PET SITTING Just Like Home Pet Care Where your pet is family. Serving Kyle, Buda and surrounding areas.

512-376-1200 or email JustLikeHomePet@aol.com

PLUMBING Prince Plumbing Company Residential repair, remodeling, water heaters, sewer maintenance, slab & gas leak repair. 20 years experience, family owned and operated.

512–312–0710

POOL SERVICE G&S Pool and Spa Service Serving South Austin, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Kyle and Buda since 1994.

512–326–4695 www.gspoolspa.com

High Tide Pool Service Over 10 years cleaning and maintaining pools. Drain & cleans pressure washing, full service repairs, replastering. Free estimates, call Keith Miller at (512) 965-3465.

REMODELING Tri–County Construction Let us make your dreams a reality!

Specializing in custom remodeling and insurance repairs since 1984.

Fully insured. 512–282–6224

Wild West Remodeling No job too small or too big!

Kitchen/bath remodels, painting, tile, siding, decks, trim, door & window replacements, drywall repair, electrical and plumbing.

Curtis Dorsett, 512–402–4704

ROOFING Area Roofing Company Serving Hays County Residential & Commercial Free estimates. Insurance claims welcome.

Ron Johnson, owner 512–312–5050

SEPTIC SERVICES All American Wastewater Solutions, LLC Septic problems... Let us help!

Locally serving our community since 1982. Septic repair and installation specialist, septic tank pumping and servicing, aerobic system servicing and more. Commercial and residential. www.allsepticcheck.com, 512–282–3889.

Sellman Enterprises, Inc. Septic plumbing, cleaning, repairs Commercial & Residential Serving the Hays Metro area, including Travis, Blanco, Bastrop, Williamson & surrounding counties.

512–312–0002 www.SellmanSepticServices.com

TREE SERVICES Lees Trees Firewood, pruning, tree removal, chipping, planting, cedar posts, bulk mulch. Free assessments & estimates. Affordable oak wilt treatment. Schedule ball moss treatment for March. Call Marcus Lees at (512) 858-4018, leestrees@vownet.net

WINDOW TREATMENTS Made in the Shade Custom window treatments at affordable prices. Graber, Hunter Douglas, Norman and more. Blinds, shades, draperies and shutters.

Low prices with lifetime guarantees and fast professional installation.

Call 512-847-8970, www. madeintheshadeofwimberley.com

Dependable Windows Cleaning Service Residential window cleaning is our specialty. References available, free estimates, bonded & insured, locally owned and operated. Cleaning windows since 1976. Call (512) 657-7130 or visit us online at www. dependablewindowcleaningservice. com

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Central Texas Festivals & Events March 3

First Thursday Downtown Buda Numerous local businesses will stay open late on March 3 from 5-8 p.m. to give locals a chance to shop downtown Buda. Visit homegrown shops and restaurants for specials, giveaways and live music.

March 5

Wimberley Market Days Stroll along a shaded path to more than 475 booths filled with a wide variety of arts, crafts, antiques, gift items, clothing and more. Also enjoy barbecue

and treats with live music under the pavilion. Lions Field, 601 F.M. 2325. www. shopmarketdays.com 512-847-2201

March 5

Negley 5K/3K/1K Negley Elementary will host families from all over central Texas for 6th Annual Negley 5K/3K/1K. All walkers, joggers, runners, and out-to-have-fun strollers are invited to join. Register at http://tinyurl. com/2016NegleyRaces. The race will begin at Negley Elementary School (5940 McNaughton, Kyle, TX 78640).

The race benefits the Negley PTA to support health and wellness in our school and community.

March 5

Texas Night Sky Festival A star-studded celebration is on its way to Dripping Springs. The first ever Texas Night Sky Festival will be held Saturday, March 5 from 3-10 p.m. at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center, 1042 Event Center Drive. This free celebration of the Texas night sky has been designed especially for students, individuals, and families who are interested in learning more about the night sky and the movement to limit excessive light pollution, which obscures night sky viewing. With something for everyone, the festival will kick off at 3 pm with activities planned for all ages, including live presentations, education, science and arts displays, solar observations, a mobile planetarium, demonstrations of glare-reducing lighting, tasty food, and a good, old-fashioned Star Party. See more at www.texasnightskyfestival.org

March 5

March 12

On Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. join Wimberley ISD for a free community event at Wimberley High School. STEAM programs include science, technology, engineering, agriculture/arts, and mathematics/ mechanics. Anyone interested in STEAM is invited to come out for a fun and educational time.

Show features hundreds of breeds, contests, a silent auction, raffles, concessions and a clucking contest. Dripping Springs Ranch Park, 1042 DS Ranch Road. Visit www.fancyfeatherstx.org for more information.

March 5

Second Saturday Guided Hikes at Blue Hole - Wimberley

Wimberley STEAM Fair

First Saturday Birding Hike Interested in birding hikes?

From water fowl to woodpeckers to hawks to songbirds - you never know which feathered friends will be spotted. This new monthly event features hikes guided by Stephen Ramirez, a local photographer and unicycle enthusiast. Location varies each month and cycles through greenspaces, preserves and riverside parks. For more information and to receive location notifications contact Stephen@birdsiview. org.

March 6

Moe’s Better Half Marathon This annual San Marcos road race is known for its challenging and scenic course and often colorful race management.Visit www.sanmarcosrunners.org/mbhm for more information.

March 12

Blue Hole Regional Park’s guided hikes are offered free to the public every second Saturday of the month, 9 - 10 a.m. Included in the hike is interesting information about the history of the park and its sustainable development concepts, information on the Cypress Creek watershed, and fun facts about native plants and animals.

March 12

Second Saturday gallery trail - Wimberley

More than a dozen galleries offer wine, snacks and art displays from 4-7 p.m. at this monthly gallery trail. See local artwork and spend the day in beautiful Wimberley.

March 12

Central Texas Tejano Extravaganza The inaugural Central Texas Tejano Extravaganza will be held March 12 at Central Texas Speedway (24801 Interstate 35, Kyle, TX 78640). This event will feature live music, food, merchandise vendors and a car show.

It’s fun for the whole family! Gates open at 1 p.m. for the public and for car show registration. Tickets are $20 advance or $25 at the gate. Car show is officially from 2:00 - 4:00 and winners will be announced on the main stage at 5:00 after the first act is finished playing. Musicians include “Ray Ray”, the Garcia Brothers, the Home Town Boys and more.

page 14 u march | 2016

Fancy Feathers Poultry Show

March 13

Hill County Kitetail Festival The brilliant blue Hill Country sky deserves to be decorated with hundreds of colorful kites dancing in the wind. Welcome spring with the very first Hill Country Kitetail Fest at Treaty Oak Distilling (16604 Fitzhugh Rd, Dripping Springs, Tx 78620).

Flying skills are appreciated, but not required. There will be prizes for the Most Creative and Best Homemade Kites, with judging and awards at 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

March 19

March 24

Help keep Kyle beautiful. Kyle Parks and Rec will host the inaugural spring break fun fest March 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Lake Kyle Park (700 Lehman Road in Kyle). Learn about water quality, enjoy fun activities and help clean up your parks. “Wall-e” will be shown on the big screen afterwards. The movie begins 30 minutes after sunset.

The annual spring carnival will run from 6-9 p.m. and feature a free egg hunt, concessions and attractions for an additional cost. The event will be held at San Marcos Plaza Park.

Spring Break Clean and Green

Farmer Fred’s Spring Carnival

April 1-3

Swing on the Square Formerly the Texas Natural and Western Swing Festival, the festival features Western Swing acts, and a variety of other styles of music that are the roots of western swing, including blues, 40s jazz, big band swing and country. This is a free event in downtown San Marcos.

Ongoing Rodrigo Moya: Photography and Conscience / Fotografia y conciencia - San Marcos

first retrospective in the United States of Moya’s work. More than 90 images document Mexico and Latin America from revolutionary movements to timeless moments of daily life. The exhibit is located on the top floor of Alkek Library at Texas State University. Visit www. thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu for more information.

Places in the Heart: Texas Cinescapes - San Marcos This exhibit celebrates Oscarwinning movies and award-winning independent films set in Texas.

Screenplays, props, wardrobe pieces, behind-the-scenes photos and other materials show how authentic visions of the Lone Star State have been created on screen. The exhibit is located on the top floor of Alkek Library at Texas State University. Visit www. thewittliffcollections. txstate.edu for more information.

Animals Among Us: Photographs from the Permanent Collection San Marcos This photography exhibit features cats, dogs, horses, fish, fowl, insects and more in images created with a va riety of photographic and printing techniques by 39 artists. The exhibit is located on the top floor of Alkek Library at Texas State University.

Visit www.thewittliffcollections. txstate.edu for more information.

Share calendar information to be printed here, as well as in the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch.

Email Christine@haysfreepress.com

This exhibit at the Texas State University Witliff Collection is the

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