Whistle Pik Galleries to feature works of V….Vaughan

Whistle Pik Galleries to feature works by V….Vaughan this Friday

    Celebrating 15 years of “Graceful Discoveries” in 2010, Whistle Pik Galleries, located at 425 E. Main St. in Fredericksburg, offers exceptional collectible art from the nation’s finest artists.

As part of its First Friday Art Walk Fredericksburg festivities on Friday, February 5, Whistle Pik Galleries will feature the works of V….Vaughan, a 2009 finalist for Texas State Artist and award recipient from the prestigious Phippen Museum.

  For information, call 830-990-8151 or log on to www.whistlepik.com .

Sauer-Beckmann to demonstrate Old Time German Smokehouse Secrets at LBJ Park

Old German smokehouse secrets will be happening  this Saturday at LBJ State Park Stop by the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm at the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site on Hwy 290 E. (16 miles east of Fredericksburg).

Saturday, February 6 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. to learn more about Old Time German Smokehouse Secrets. See how this area’s German settlers cured bacon and stuffed sausage as you experience meat processing methods during the 1900s at this free demonstration.

For information, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/lbj .

Luckenbach Winter Blues Festival coming up on Saturday

       The 3rd Annual Blues Festival will kick off in Luckenbach Texas on Saturday, January 30 at 3:00 p.m. 

 Some of the musicians on tap include The SA Blue Cats, Ben Beckendorf, Debbi Walton, Guy Forsyth, Danny Brooks, Omar & The Howlers, Seth Walker, and Paul Thorn. 

Advance tickets are $17 online or by calling 830-997-3224 or 888-311-8990 by noon on Friday, or $20 at the door.  Luckenbach Texas is located eight miles southeast of Fredericksburg at 412 Luckenbach Town Loop.  For information, log on to www.luckenbachtexas.com .

Indian Artifact and Collectible Show this Saturday in Fredericksburg

Gillespie County is steeped in Indian history and lore, from the signing of our settlers’ peace treaty, to stories about Enchanted Rock, and on Saturday, January 30, you’ll have a chance to take a little piece of Indian history home with you when the Indian Artifact and Collectible Show runs at the Pioneer Pavilion in Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park on Hwy 16 S from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Admission is $5 (free for children under age 14).

You’ll be able to find pre-1900 artifacts and old collectibles on exhibit and for sale. Food will also be available. For more information about the show, call 830-626-5561 or 830-238-3795.

Economic Data: Week January 18, 2010

 Washington vs Wall Street was the main event last week as Big Banks put on their boxing gloves to defend themselves from the big payouts they have provided to executives within their ranks. Washington wants a firm understanding of how they can give out those bonuses when just a year ago they had TARP funds to keep them from sliding further into financial abyss.

The Administration is thinking of adding a ‘tax’ that each of the 50 financials will have to pay in order to recoup those funds for taxpayers. But, in reality, who do you think will be paying those taxes.? The banks aren’t going to pay it. They might in the form of no more ” free checking accounts”, and other fees.

Federal Regulators have already begun expanding their charges against Bank of America over bonuses paid at Merrill Lynch. Considering the turmoil in Washington and Wall Street, the DOW was able gain 1.7% for the week ending Jan 15th. JP Morgan Chase earnings were better than expected too, most likely at the expense of inside cuts.

From Tony Stevenson, SWBC, Visit our website at www.swbc.com

Fredericksburg Music Club hosts The Merling Trio this Sunday

     The Merling Trio – performing in violin, cello and piano – will be in concert this Sunday, January 17 at 3:00 p.m. at the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church at 1800 N. Llano St. in Fredericksburg. Admission to this concert is by donation.  For information, call the Fredericksburg Music Club at 830-997-5413 or visit www.fredericksburgmusicclub.com .

Hill Country Gem and Mineral Show this weekend in Fredericksburg

     The public is invited to attend the Fredericksburg Rockhounds Club’s 41^st Annual Hill Country Gem and Mineral Show this Saturday, January 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, January 17 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Pioneer Pavilion of Lady Bird Johnson Park on Hwy 16 S. in Fredericksburg.  There’s no admission charge and parking is free.  For information, call 830-990-9823 or visit www.fredericksburgrockhounds.org .

Gillespie County Country Schools Open House on Saturday

     The Luckenbach School and Community Center, located at 3566 Luckenbach Rd., will be the site of 2010’s first Country Schools Open House on Saturday, January 2 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

 Back when the school was in use, there was an old-fashioned school bell that rang for the children to attend classes, six days a week.  Today the site is used for precinct voting, and is where the Luckenbach Community Club meets for its monthly meetings. 

 Pick up your map to the school at our Visitor Information Center at 302 E. Austin St.  Or, for more information, visit www.historicschools.org .

Area New Year’s Eve Dances / Celebrations in Fredericksburg, Texas

     Local venues with live music catering to New Year’s Eve revelers on Wednesday, December 31 include:

Auslander Biergarten & Restaurant – 323 E. Main St., Fredericksburg; no cover; 8:00 p.m.; music by The Mighty Orq.  830-997-7714 / www.theauslander.com

Crossroads Saloon & Steakhouse – 305 W. Main St., Fredericksburg; $50 per person; dinner, dancing and champagne toast at midnight; music by Jay Boy Adams & The Roadhouse Scholars. 830-997-0485 / www.crossroadssaloonandsteakhouse.com

Hangar Hotel Officer’s Club – 155 Airport Rd., Fredericksburg; no cover; doors open at 5:00 p.m.; music starting at 8:00 p.m. by the Bill Smallwood Band.  830-997-9990 / www.hangarhotel.com

Hilltop Cafe – 10661 N US Highway 87, Fredericksburg; reservations required; two dinner seatings;  music by the Texas All Stars.  830-997- 8922 / www.hilltopcafe.com

Hondo’s on Main – 312 W. Main St., Fredericksburg; no cover; 8:00 p.m.; music by the Dust Devils.  830-997-1633 / www.hondosonmain.com

Inn on Barons Creek – 308 S. Washington St., Fredericksburg; $100 per person; fund-raiser for the Morning Rotary Club; music by the Spare Parts band; enjoy good food, champagne, dancing.  830-456-2735

Luckenbach Texas— RR 1376 off Hwy 290, Luckenbach; reserved seats $35/single or $50/couple and general admission $30/single or $40/couple; 9:00 p.m.; concert, dance, champagne toast and balloon drop; music by Mike Blakely y Los Whiskey Traders.  830-997-3224 / www.luckenbachtexas.com .

Pedernales Cellars—2916 Upper Albert Rd off Hwy 290 E, Stonewall; no cover; music by Lonnie Lett; food and wine available for purchase. 830-644-2037 / www.pedernalescellars.com

Silver Creek Beer Garden & Grille —310 E. Main St, Fredericksburg; no cover; music by Josh Dodds and Quincy Harper.  830-990-4949 / www.silvercreekfbg.com

Tin Star Ranch— Off RR 965 on Crabapple Rd., Fredericksburg; $20 per person/$35 couple; doors open at 6:00 p.m.; music by the Raggedy Cats from 9:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.; food and drink are available. 830- 685-3464 / www.tinstarranch.com

Turner Club— 103 W. Travis, Fredericksburg; $15 per person; 8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.; music by Bubba Littrell and the Melody Mustangs; 830- 997-3936

Two Volkssport Walks to be held on Thursday and Friday.

A Memorial Volkssport Walk will be held on Thursday, December 31 noon until 2:00 p.m. departing from the St. Joseph’s Halle at 212 W. San Antonio St. in Fredericksburg noon until 2:00 p.m.

Later that night, walkers will meet at 11:00 p.m. at the Halle for the Midnight Volkssport Walk that begins at midnight. For information, call 830-992-2053.