The Big Bend Gazette

America’s 50 Year Awakening: Big Bend National Park (now designated the largest “International Dark Sky Park” in the world)

The Big Bend Gazette — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:31:18 +0000

By Dave and Virginia Fricker (April 11, 2012)

About 46 years ago, Lady Bird Johnson visited Big Bend National Park; her visit was well-received and subsequently documented in the January 1968 edition of National Geographic.

I vividly recall our initial visit to Big Bend National Park, in November 1968. During the entire drive south on [...]

Cool, Cool San Francisco

The Big Bend Gazette — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:43:19 +0000

By John Waters, Publisher

Late last month along the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park, it had already hit 110° Fahrenheit. The really hot season of May and June is upon us. This is a time of year when many Brewster County residents seek a respite from the heat and travel to cooler places, [...]

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on its 50th anniversary celebration in 1987, a firsthand account

The Big Bend Gazette — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:59:40 +0000

By John Waters

On May 24, 1987, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Golden Gate Bridge was closed to vehicles; pedestrians were encouraged to walk across the bridge from both directions, towards San Francisco and Marin.

Officials had estimated 75,000 people would meet mid-section and continue their walk to the opposite side of the [...]

Save your rain water from your roof …and save money on your water bill!

The Big Bend Gazette — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:43:23 +0000

The Big Bend Soil & Water Conservation District offers various sizes of storage containers to catch water from your roof to store and flow to your lawn, flower and vegetable gardens—very reasonably priced, and tax-free.

Come to the USDA Service Center at 1805 Hwy 118 in Alpine to order yours today. Call 432.837.5864 for more information.

Cat Call: Remember your friends at Alpine’s Animal Shelter? They need homes. Dogs, too!

The Big Bend Gazette — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:24:31 +0000

By Marlys Hersey, Editor

What can I possibly say to convince you to adopt one of these great cats at the City of Alpine’s Animal Shelter? Or one of the fine dogs? Most of us in the Big Bend who love dogs and cats already have several. We keep being nudged — by friends, conscience, [...]

Our MAY 2012 issue is out!

The Big Bend Gazette — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:50:57 +0000

Look for it at fine vendors throughout West Texas, from Fort Stockton to Lajitas, and inserted into The Monahans News!

If you can’t buy the Gazette in your area or if you’d like to subscribe or give a gift subscription, check out the information here under “About Us.”

Thanks for your interest, enthusiasm, ideas.

Important ELECTION DATES

The Big Bend Gazette — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:16:52 +0000

May 14: First day of early voting

May 12: Brewster County Candidate Forum in Alpine, with Gazette Publisher John Waters as moderator.

Brewster County Democratic Party invites you to attend a candidate forum for primary candidates running in contested races: May 12 at 2 pm in the AISD Administration Building Auditorium 704 W Sul [...]

New website chronicles effects of drought on Texas businesses

The Big Bend Gazette — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:57:45 +0000

A new website chronicling the Texas drought and its impact on business, the economy, the environment and citizens has launched, and its creators invite Texans impacted by the drought to share their stories, photos and videos to assist further reporting.

The State Impact Texas drought website provides the first comprehensive, interactive look at the [...]

Jeff Davis County Library breaks ground for new Library Terrace

The Big Bend Gazette — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:01:14 +0000

On April 19, 2012, the Friends of the Jeff Davis County Library, led by president Cyndee Barnes, held a well-attended groundbreaking ceremony to kick off development of the Library Terrace.

Cyndee Barnes gave a brief overview of the project and reported that over 50% of the necessary funds of $90,000 have been acquired. She also [...]

Alpine area homeless pets go online

The Big Bend Gazette — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:07:26 +0000

Jethro Homeward Bound Pets, Alpine, has joined other animal welfare organizations in the area that list their homeless pets on Petfinder.com, the oldest and largest database of adoptable animals on the Internet. The site currently has over 359,000 homeless pets listed, and it is updated continuously.

More than 13,700 animal welfare organizations in the U.S., [...]