Nopalito start date unsure

SANDERSON – The Labor Day weekend start for the first Nopalito Market in Sanderson was still being debated last week as committee members also discussed a location that would give it the best visibility.

No firm decisions have been reached.

Activities start today for Fourth

By ANNA La FLEUR

Production Manager

SANDERSON – Today starts what has become the biggest “Red Letter Day” of the social calendar here with the annual Fourth of July celebration.

Weather permitting, local residents, friends and out-of-town softball   players   will   take   in the festivities here for

Cookin’ up yummy cactus

By ANNA La FLEUR

Production Manager

SANDERSON – The Nopalito Market is working on a cookbook and is asking for local residents or anyone else to donate recipes of foods and drinks made with cactus.

We also encourage donors to feature dietary information.

‘Declaration’ eyed

By JIM STREET

Ed & Pub

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

So begins one of the most recognized documents in the annals of American literature.

Pecos Trail board to meet

ODESSA – The Texas Pecos Trail Region Board of Directors bi-monthly meeting will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 15, at the Barn Door Steakhouse at 2140 Andrews Highway here. The public is welcome to attend. 

Lunch will be served at noon.  Cost is $10 per plate, collected at the door.

Dark skies initiative launched

FORT DAVIS – The University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory here will kick off a campaign to promote awareness of the causes, effects and solutions to light pollution – stray light shone into the sky where it’s wasted, rather than down on the ground where it’s useful.

The Observatory has promoted dark skies awareness through its nationally syndicated “StarDate” radio program, its Spanish-language radio program “Universo” and through online video and summer programs on-site at its home near here.

‘WOW’ not only for literati

By JEAN HARDY-PITTMAN

Special to the News Leader

ALPINE – Lest the Alpine Rotary’s Third Way-Out-West Texas Book Festival July 29 to 31 be viewed as an exclusive literary affair, organizers this year are making it clear books are for everyone, especially children, young adults, families and teachers.

In fact, the first full day of programs on Friday, July 30, will feature authors and books for children and young adults.

Seal coating back on

SANDERSON – Hurricane Alex bringing rain to the Gulf Coast has resulted in another change in a plan to seal coat Ranch Roads 2400 and 2886 back to this week.

The Texas Department of Transportation said it planned to do the work last month but then changed it to later this month. But the storm caused another changed in schedules for contractor Ronald R. Wagner & Company of Kendalia and the work was moved up to this week.

FORT STOCKTON – Lightning caused at least three grass fires which burned about 185 acres on the Longfellow Ranch about 35 miles south of here Sunday.

The biggest fire was on about 120 acres in an inaccessible area of the ranch. Another 25 acres and then 30 to 40 acres also burned.

First tennis camp sparks interest

ALPINE – In the same week as the record-breaking eleven-hour Wimbledon tennis match, Sul Ross State University served up its first ever tennis camp.

Kay Whitley, director of athletics and head tennis coach, hosted the camp with the help of student tennis players Mike Quintero of San Antonio and Lauren Ivey of Imperial.

FORT DAVIS — The Nature Conservancy’s Davis Mountains Preserve will be open for hiking, camping, horseback riding, backpacking, picnicking, photography, birding, stargazing and other outdoor activities from about 10 a.m. Friday, July 9, through about 3 p.m. Sunday, July 11. The event is free and open to the public.

Guests will be required to sign in and out at the McIvor Conservation Center. Only high-clearance vehicles will be allowed past the center.

Patrol nabs suspected illegals

SANDERSON – US Border Patrol agents here arrested 20 suspected illegal aliens recently 15 miles east of here.

“Border Patrol spotted a group and it took several days but the group was captured,” Border Patrol spokesperson Bill Brooks said.

‘Micro’ grants offered

TEMPLE – The US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office offers grants to rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises.

The USDA Rural Development's Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program was authorized by the 2008 US Farm Bill.

Suggestions for losing weight

By ANNA La FLEUR

Production Manager

SANDERSON – Many people have noted that I lost weight recently and asked me how I did it.

Too many in this country suffer from obesity, hypertension, diabetes and many other preventable illnesses.

Wild animals are, well, wild

AUSTIN - Warmer weather brings out young, wild animals venturing from their nests and hiding places under the watchful eyes of their parents.

Young animals often stray and appear to be abandoned and that's when humans need to resist the urge to help, wildlife experts say.

Weatherization days set

BRACKETTVILLE – The Rio Grande Electric Co-op will host Weatherization Assistance Days at its area offices next month.

Representatives from community service agencies will be on hand to help co-op members fill out the application forms and will answer questions about the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Oil spill donation tips

MIDLAND – In the wake of any disaster, many reach for their checkbooks and donate money to aid and rescue organizations.

But the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance has cautioned that the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is unlike previous disasters and offers specific advice to potential donors and volunteers.