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August 2014
LOCAL INFORMATION & ADVERTISING
Better Lights for Better Nights comes to town
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By Laurel Robertson
s has been widely celebrated, last February, Dripping Springs was proclaimed Texas’ first (and the world’s sixth) International Dark Sky Community by the International DarkSky Association (IDA). But what does that mean? Why are dark skies important? How can we preserve ours? To shed some light on the hows and whys of achieving effective and efficient outdoor lighting, the City of Dripping Springs and the Texas Section of IDA are teaming up to host the Better Lights for Better Nights Conference on August 15 at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center. Conference planners encourage community leaders, developers, builders, realtors, educators, outdoor lighting professionals and anyone interested in learning
about light pollution and solutions to attend the day-long conference, which will conclude with a nighttime bus tour viewing examples of best and worst outdoor lighting in the Dripping Springs area. Speakers from civic, educational, scientific, medical, professional and legal backgrounds will address the many problems artificial lighting can create, including glare, light trespass, wasted energy costs, and health and safety hazards for both humans and wildlife. Experts will explain how to achieve actual security and safety from night lighting instead of just the illusion of safety. Representatives from the McDonald Observatory will talk about preserving our view of the stars. Solutions to night lighting problems will be explored in depth, including both technical and legal approaches. Reducing See BETTER LIGHTS, page 2
Dripping Springs is Texas’ first dark sky community. © Lext | Dreamstime.com
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BETTER LIGHTS, from page 1
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Good lights at the Dripping Springs HEB. Photo courtesy Cindy Luongo Cassidy. unincorporated areas will be covered. Examples of best lighting practices and hardware will be shown and vendors and exhibitors will have samples on hand for viewing and purchase. Doors open at 10 am for viewing vendors’ booths; the conference begins at 11 am with a welcome and lighting demonstrations, followed by a box lunch. Afternoon sessions will discuss the economic, environmental and personal consequences of effective and wasteful night lighting, followed by sessions on solving night lighting issues through education, agreements and ordinances. An evening reception will have dinner catered by the Salt Lick Barbecue (with vegetarian options), concluding with a bus tour of night lights. Dripping Springs earned the IDA designation of Dark Sky Community in part for its Comprehensive Lighting Ordinance, passed in 2000 and updated in 2011. Steven Bosbach, IDA Coordinator for Texas and a speaker at the Better Lights for Better Nights Conference judges Dripping Springs’ light ordinance and enforcement “to be on par with the best dark sky friendly initiatives anywhere.
A shielded light at the Dripping Springs Home Depot®. Photo courtesy Cindy Luongo Cassidy. This community is well on its way to securing a place as one of the truly night sky friendly communities in the U.S.,” Bosbach writes in a letter to the IDA. Conference co-sponsor and owner of Green Earth Lighting Cindy Luongo Cassidy says that the most serious threats to the quality of our night sky now come from beyond Dripping Springs. She is part of a team effort to secure cooperation from cities along the Interstate 35 corridor to protect the dark skies of CenSee BETTER LIGHTS, page 3
The International Dark-Sky Association hosts the Better Lights for Better Nights Conference on August 15 at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center. Photo courtesy Cindy Luongo Cassidy.
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August 2014 HILL COUNTRY RALLY FOR KIDS AUGUST 15-17
Weekend of fun to benefit local youth DRIFTWOOD H Don’t miss the 8th Annual Hill Country Rally for Kids August 15-17 at Camp Ben McCulloch in Driftwood. A full weekend lineup of events features fun activities for the whole family. The rally kicks off Friday evening, as barbecue cook off teams set up and register, followed by live music from the Jim Halfpenny Band at 6 pm and the Carport Casanovas at 8 pm. Saturday, you can enjoy a car show, bike show, biker fun run, car fun run, silent auction, kids’ activities, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, a washer tournament and more, in addition to the barbecue cook off (awards presented at 5 pm). Also, hear live music from Al Monti and his Blues Band at 1:45 pm and Michael Myers at 3:45 pm. The winner of a raffle featuring a 1983 CJ7 Jeep — that’s a one owner; 4 wheel drive; 6 cylinder CJ7, with new paint, wheels, tires, seats, exhaust, bumpers and more — will be announced Saturday at 3:30 pm. Get your raffle tickets online at www.hcrally.com for $20 each or 6 for $100. Raffle tickets may also be purchased in Dripping Springs at Central Garage (120 West Highway 290) and Unlimited Power Sports (12024 West High-
A raffle for this rebuilt 1983 CJ7 Jeep benefits the Hill Country Rally for Youth. Photo courtesy Hill Country Rally for Youth.
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way 290). You need not be present to win. Sunday, all are invited to the 10 am morning worship service. Originally founded seven years ago as the Burke Rally (benefitting the Burke Center for Youth), the event this year has been expanded to provide for the needs of even more area youth. Funds from the Hill Country Rally for Kids will go to support local kids’ participation in extra-curricular activities, educational opportunities, access to healthy food and good nutrition, and in some cases, proper clothing and sufficient health care. This year’s rally funds will benefit the boys at the Burke Center, Red Arena, scholarships for kids through the Dripping Springs Kids Fun Foundation (501(c)3) and the DS Tiger Totes program (501(c)3). FYI • Gates open Saturday at 8 am. Admission to the Rally is $10, kids under 18 get in free. Camping is available for the weekend (with water and Electricity; no septic but showers/toilets on premises). No assigned camping spots (first come, first serve, pay when you get there). For more information about camping and facilities, call Camp Ben McCulloch at 512-858-2084 or visit the web site at www. campbenmcculloch.com. For more information about the 8th Annual Hill Country Rally for Kids, visit the web site at www.hcrally.com, where you can also register online as a vendor, for events (you can also register at the Rally), make a donation or buy raffle tickets for the 1983 CJ7 Jeep.
BETTER LIGHTS, from page 2 tral Texas by stemming the growth of new, wasteful outdoor lighting installations. She encourages other municipalities to participate in the Better Lights, Better Nights Conference. “Now we have to set our sights on the lights of Austin and San Antonio,” says Cindy. “We have to look beyond our town so that we don’t simply get flooded with light from elsewhere.” The Better Lights for Better Nights Conference is the first in a two-part series of Dark Sky events hosted by Dripping Springs and the IDA. Next March 28 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park, the Texas Night Sky Festival will bring fam-
Take some time for you!
ily and friends together for fun citizen science activities, exhibits of good lighting for home or business, displays of school projects aimed at reducing light pollution, and exploration of the stars. Participants will learn how to have the light they need while reducing glare, saving money, eliminating light trespass and protecting their (and the environment’s) health and safety. FYI • Better Lights for Better Nights Conference will take place August 15 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park’s Event Center. The Texas Night Sky Festival will be March 28, 2015 at DSRP Event Center. For more information and registration, visit texasnightskyfestival.org, or call 512858-4725.
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Burgers, chili, more at the Road Runner Grille
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eeing a road runner is always good luck, Bernie Koepsel’s uncle told him when he was a young boy. “It means you’re gonna have a good day.” Bernie believed the old tale and after retirement, decided what he really wanted to do was to bring a good day to others by doing what he loves most —cooking. Bernie and his wife Donna opened The Road Runner Grille to bring “American comfort food” to hungry Dripping Springers. The bright red trailer located in Mercer Street Dancehall’s outdoor beer garden has been up and running since June. Food has been a common thread in the couple’s lives since they met in a food line at a charity benefit. “He loves to cook and I love to eat,” quips Donna. Even she doesn’t know the secret recipe to Bernie’s famous chili, that he cooks up fresh daily. Growing up in a large family (with seven sisters and one brother) made him a good cook, claims Bernie. “There was a lot of good cooking going on, and lots of good recipes to learn.” In addition to a pot of Bernie’s special chili, the Road Runner Grille offers hamburgers and veggie burgers, hot dogs, BLTs, chicken tenders, barbecue plates and pulled pork sandwiches by the order. Bernie cooks up a daily special like fried shrimp plates, roast beef, fajitas, and fish on Fridays. And there’s fries
Diners order at the Road Runner Grille. Photo by Laurel Robertson. with all that. There’s also a discount on a different food item each day (check their Facebook page for details). “I don’t serve anything I wouldn’t eat myself,” says Bernie. He makes his hamburgers using six ounces of meat, and serves his pulled pork sandwiches (which have been a big hit) on Texas toast. The beer garden setting is underneath the shade of ivy-covered oaks, with picnic tables, and a pool table and washer pit for entertainment. The Road Runner Grille is open until late, for the benefit of the Mercer Street Dance Hall crowd. Bernie and Donna first got acquainted with Dripping Springs this past spring, See ROAD RUNNER GRILLE, page 5
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Road Runner Grille owners Bernie and Donna Koepsel at their new food trailer in the Mercer Street Dancehall Beer Garden. Photo by Laurel Robertson.
August 2014 ROAD RUNNER GRILLE, from page 4 hungry!” Bernie encourages everyone. FYI • The Road Runner Grille is located in the Beer Garden of Mercer Street Dancehall at 332 Mercer Street in Dripping Springs. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday from 11 am to 3 pm for lunch and 6 pm to late for the Mercer Street Dance Hall crowd in the Beer Garden. For more information, call 512-496-2650 or find them on Facebook (Road Runner Grille).
Wednesdays........................................................................ Open Mic hosted by Nick Gatwood Thursdays...................................................................................................................Hill Country Jam hosted by Doug Moreland Friday, July 25 ..............................................................................................................Peoples Choice Saturday, July 26..............................................................................................................Private Party Friday, August 1..................................................................................................................Finger Pistol Saturday, August 2.................................................................................................................... Bo Porter Friday, August 8 ........................................................................................................................ Silo Road Sat August 9 ..................................................................................................................... Bracken Hale Friday, August 15 ............................................................................Tessy Lou and Shotgun Stars Saturday, August 16 .......................................................................................................... The Georges Friday, August 22 ................................................................................................. Cameron Nelson & Guardrail Damage Ahead Friday, August 29 ................................................................................................ No Band, No Cover Tiger Tailgate Party in the Beer Garden Saturday, August 30 .......................................................................................................Michael Myers For more information, visit Mercer Street Dance Hall’s web site at www.mercerstreetdancehall.com.
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when they came to Founders Day celebration to hear a friend play music. “Everyone was so friendly here,” they remark “they all treated us like friends!” The couple hopes to move to Dripping Springs from their current home in Austin soon. Meanwhile, they’re getting to know the community one person, one burger at a time. “Come see us - and come
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Dripping Springs Calendar
Doug Moreland hosts Hill Country Jam every Thursday at Mercer Street Dancehall at 332 Mercer Street in Dripping Springs. Find out more online at www. mercerstreetdancehall.com. Photo courtesy Doug Moreland.
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EVERY SUNDAY • Live Jazz Brunch at the Nutty Brown Cafe. www.nuttybrown.com. SECOND and FOURTH SUNDAY • Drippin’ Dancin’. BYOB and food. Barn at Bell Springs, 4000 Bell Springs Road. 7 pm to 10 pm. Dance lessons 6 pm to 7 pm. $7 cover. www.HotTexasSwingBand.com. EVERY MONDAY • Rotary Club. 11:45 am at Creek Road Cafe. 301 West Highway 290, 512-626-7673, www.drippingspringsrotary.org. • Boy Scout Troop 280 meets at St. Martin de Porres Church Hall. 512-904-0444, ckichuk@yahoo.com, drippingsprings280. mytroop.us. SECOND MONDAYS • Group of Dripping Springs (GODS) Moms meets at Dripping Springs Methodist Church 9 am to 11:15 am. 512-894-0581. FOURTH MONDAYS • Artists of Dripping Springs. Gatherings at area studios. 512-894-0394. • Gen. Ben McCulloch 2435, UDC meets at the Veterans Hall, 27500 Ranch Road 12 at 7 pm. Call Sharon Hudson at 512-858-7177. EVERY TUESDAY • Dripping Springs Toastmasters. 6:30 pm at Pioneer Bank, 100 Creek Road. Visitors welcome. www.dstoastmasters.com • Dripping Springs Property Tour. 512-5797711, dshometour@gmail.com. SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH TUESDAYS • Dripping Springs Boy Scout Troop 101 meets. Dripping Springs United Methodist Church. 7 pm. Tom Chenault at 512-7077488.
FIRST and THIRD TUESDAYS • Lions Club meets. 6 pm at Flores Restaurant. Sharon at 512-858-5159. SECOND TUESDAYS • Friends of the Dripping Springs Community Library. 11 am. 512-771-3217 or friendsofdslibrary@gmail.com for information and volunteer opportunities. EVERY WEDNESDAY • Dripping Springs Farmers Market. The Triangle (Highway 290/ Ranch Road 12) 3 pm to 7 pm. cityofdrippingsprings.com. EVERY WEDNESDAY • Awana. Wednesday. Henly Baptist Church. henlybaptistchurch.org. SECOND WEDNESDAY • Free Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at Arveda Alzheimer’s Family Care, 11013 Signal Hill Drive. RSVP to 512-637-5400. www.arvedacare.com. EVERY THURSDAY • Hill Country Jam at Mercer Street Dance Hall with Doug Moreland. Free. 7:30 pm. www.mercerstreetdancehall.com. • Thyme and Dough Bistro Nights with live music, dinners and decadent desserts. 6 pm to 9 pm. 512-894-0001. • Henly Baptist Church JOY (Just Older Youth) Club meets at 9:30 am . www. henlybaptistchurch.org. FIRST THURSDAYS • Dripping Springs American Legion 7 pm. 512-858-5637. FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY • Lions Club meets at 131 East Mercer Street. 512-858-5159. SECOND THURSDAYS • Knights of Columbus, Council 11695, meets at the St Martin de Porres Parrish Hall on Post Oak Road, at 7:30 pm . Preceded by a pot luck dinner. THIRD THURSDAYS • Dripping Springs Cookoff Club. Meets at 6:30 pm in the VFW Hall in Dripping Springs. ryoncrew@yahoo.com. • Dripping Springs VFW meets. 27500 Ranch Road 12. 7 pm. 512-858-5637. • Thirsty Thursday meets at 7 pm at 1042 DS Ranch Road, in the ranch house located at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. Poets, musicians, songwriters and storytellers now share work under the co-sponsorship of the City of Dripping Springs and New Life Lutheran Church. 512-858-2024. FOURTH THURSDAY • Photographers of Dripping Springs (PODS). Dripping Springs Community Library. 6:30 pm. 512-524-7897. EVERY FRIDAY • Men’s Breakfast at Fitzhugh Baptist Church. 6:30 am. 512-913-4808. • Free wine tasting and art gallery. 5 pm to 8 pm at Cedar Valley Spirits. www. cedarvalleyspirits.com. FIRST SATURDAY • Low Cost Pet Vaccinations at Tractor Supply. 512-858-7229. EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY • Dance Lessons at Mercer Street Dance Hall. 7:30 pm. More information at www.
August 2014
Dripping Springs Calendar
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The Eli Young Band plays the Nutty Brown Cafe August 20. Photo courtesy Eli Young Band. mercerstreetdancehall.com. 512-858-4314. SECOND & FOURTH SATURDAY • Pet Adoption Sponsored by Thundering Paws Animal Sanctuary. Tractor Supply. 512-402-9725. AUGUST 1 • Frozen Week at The Art Garage. All those Frozen fanatics can join us for a fun storytime inspired by the movie. Paint beautiful snowflake bowls…perfect for holding popcorn while you watch your favorite movie. 512-852-9900. AUGUST 2 • Randy Rogers Band. Live music at the Nutty Brown Cafe. Doors at 6 pm. Tickets $20. www.nuttybrown.com. • DSISD Sports Physicals. Physicals for all sports offered for $25 at the Field House from 8 am to 1 pm. Cardiac screening may be completed for an additional $25. Parent Consent Form required for cardiac screening. www.dsisd.txed.net. AUGUST 6 • KOKE-FM Texas Concert Series presents Aaron Watson. Free live music at the Nutty Brown Cafe. Doors at 5 pm. www. nuttybrown.com. AUGUST 9 • Al Monti Blues Band. Free live music at the Nutty Brown Cafe. Doors at 6 pm. www.nuttybrown.com. AUGUST 15 • Better Lights for Better Nights Conference (See story, page 1). Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center. www. texasskynightfestival.org.
AUGUST 15-17 • Hill Country Rally for Youth (See story, page 3.) Live music, bike and car runs, barbecue cook off, vendors, food, kids’ activities, raffle, silent auction and more to benefit area youth organizations. Camp Ben McCulloch. www.hcrally.com. AUGUST 16 • Cedar Valley Band. Free live music at the Nutty Brown Cafe. Doors at 6 pm. www. nuttybrown.com. AUGUST 20 • Eli Young Band. Live music at the Nutty Brown Cafe. Tickets $25. Doors at 6 pm. www.nuttybrown.com. AUGUST 22 • Dan Adams. Free live music at the Nutty Brown Cafe. Doors at 6 pm. www. nuttybrown.com. AUGUST 25 • DSISD Back to School. AUGUST 30 • The Eggmen. Austin’s premiere Beatles’ cover band is back at the Nutty Brown Cafe. Doors at 6 pm. Pay at the door. www. nuttybrown.com. AUGUST 30 • Bob Schneider’s Labor of Love. Doors at 6 pm. www.nuttybrown.com. SEPTEMBER 6 • Drives4Drippin Golf Tournament. Event in Blanco raises funds for Tiger Totes and Helping Hands. Last years tournament raised more than $14,000. Visit www. drives4drippin.com for more information or call Jeff at 830-833-0706.
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