– a fun-filled festival highlighting this city’s German heritage with plenty of Gemütlichkeit, German treats, music, and beer! At St. Nikolaus Markt, over 35 booths will provide visitors with the opportunity to shop early, with wares ranging from Christmas ornaments, nutcrackers, mugs, clothing and accessories, to traditional German clothing, German jellies and jams; candles and jewelry.

Traditional German foods will be served, including sausage, schnitzel, warm pumpernickel rolls, sauerkraut, stuffed meat puffs, and more. Sweet lovers will marvel at the variety of cakes, cookies and candies. And don’t forget the beer! Along with soft drinks and local wines – including the warm, spiced Glühwein – the festival will serve a variety of German beers, further emphasizing the German theme of this event.

Entertainment on Saturday night will headline the popular band, the Sauerkrauts, on stage from 6:00 – 9:00pm. Throughout the day on Saturday, visitors will enjoy the sounds of traditional German accordionist as well as Fredericksburg High School carolers. And a mention of Christmas cannot go without the mention of children. Dancers from the Fredericksburg Youth Ballet Ensemble will perform the holiday classic, the Nutcracker Suite, at 8:00pm immediately following the Fredericksburg Community Parade on Friday, which begins at 6:30pm.

 Gates to the St. Nikolaus Markt open on Friday at 4:00pm and remain open to welcome visitors until 10:00pm. On Saturday, gates are open from 10:00am – 9:00pm. There’s no admission charge on Friday, while tickets on Saturday are $5 for adults and free for children age 12 and younger. Adult admission is one dollar off on Saturday for individuals with active military ID and seniors age 65 an older. Merry Christmas!

President George H.W. Bus, Governor Rick Perry, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, and General James T. Conway, USMC, Marine Corps Commandant, will be honored guests at the grand opening on Monday, December 7 (Pearl Harbor Day) of the expanded George H.W. Bush Gallery of the National Museum of the Pacific War, located at 311 East Austin Street in Fredericksburg, Texas.

 Events begin at 9:30 a.m. with a precision parachute jump by the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army Parachute Team; immediately followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony. The conclusion of the ceremony will be marked by a flyover of World War II aircraft and with a performance of the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.

From noon to 9:00 p.m. the public will be invited to take free timed tours of the new $15.3 million, 33,000-square-foot gallery.

For a complete schedule of weekend activities in Fredericksburg relating to the grand opening of the gallery or to request times tour tickets for December 7, visit www.nationalmuseumpacificwar.org . The National Museum of the Pacific War is a project of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and the Texas Historical Commission.

By:  Lynne Renaud, sales Associate

Did you know that the tradition of carving lanterns from vegetables – and most often turnips – existed throughout the British Isles? It was not until 1837 that the term Jack-o-lantern was uses to describe carved vegetable lanterns. In the United States carved pumpkin first signified the harvest season, but in 1850, it became associated with Halloween when John Greenleaf Whittier wrote: “The Pumpkin” Oh!- fruit loved of boyhood!-the old days recalling, When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling! When ugly faces we carved in its skin, Glaring out through the dark with a candle within!

2009 Christmas Home Tour and Decorating Contest

Sponsored by CENTURY 21 Sunset, Realtors

 Many people enjoy looking at well decorated homes during the holidays.

CENTURY 21 Sunset, Realtors would like more families to have the same tradition  and are hoping to help with it’s first time 2009 Christmas Yard Decorating Contest.

 Families who enter their home in the contest will be advertised so other residents can travel around Fredericksburg and be sure to see all the best lights.

 Fredericksburg residents who want to enter their home in the contest get entry forms from CENTURY 21 Sunset, Realtors at 408 W. Main St., online at www.Century21SunsetRealtors.com, by email at info@c21sunset.com, or look in the Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post during November.

 All applications are due in the office by noon on December 9th and can be mailed, faxed or hand delivered with your name, address, and category to:
CENTURY 21 Sunset, Realtors   408 W. Main St.  Fredericksburg, TX 78624

830-997-9591     Fax: 830-997-2400

info@c21sunset.com

 Prizes will be awarded to one home in each of the following 4 catagories: Santa’s Favorite; Christmas Elegance; Best Outdoor Daylight Display; and Best Religious Display. 

 The Christmas Elegance award will be awarded to the home that has the best evening/night display and the best outdoor daylight award will be given to the home with the best daytime display. The best religious display will be awarded to the home that displays the true religious root of Christmas and must have over 50% religious decorations to qualify. The Santa’s Favorite award will be given to the best home that captures the true spirit of the Christmas holidays. .

 Winners will be announced December 11^th by yard signs, on the radio, on www.Century21SunsetRealtors.com and at the Century 21 ® office located at 408 W. Main St and prizes will be awarded on December 14^th. Winning homes will also be published in the Dec.16 edition of the Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post.

 The Christmas Home Decorating Contest is limited to residents within the city limits and up to one mile outside the city limits who have entered by 12 noon on Wednesday, December 9, 2009.

 Preliminary judging for all homes will be Dec. 10th from 7:00 pm on. All entered homes will have their displays lighted at this time. Entrants must keep their displays set up and lit each evening until Jan. 1.

 ”We’d love to get eveyone in our great community involved. We have some great prizes to give away,” said Dwight Oestreich, broker/owner of CENTURY 21 Sunset, Realtors.

 featuring “The City of Christmas Trees”- It’s time to get in the holiday swing of things! This year, in preparation for the holiday shopping season, the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce along with the City of Fredericksburg, will sponsor the 1st annual “Storefront & Christmas Tree Decorating Contest 2009”. A Must Have: All entries must have a decorated tree somewhere in the design. It can be a small or large tree either in the interior or exterior of your business. All entries must be received by Monday, November 23, 2009 at the Chamber offices. Please pick up your application in the Visitor Center at 302 E. Austin Street. There is no entry fee.

 Deadline for Spring 2010 registration at Texas Tech University at Fredericksburg is December 1.  Students must apply to Texas Tech University at www.applytexas.org   Please call 990-2717 for more information and visit www.fredericksburg.ttu.edu

This December, the National Museum of the Pacific War, the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and the Texas Historical Commission will celebrate the Grand Opening of the new George H.W. Bush Gallery with a weekend of ceremonies, entertainment and educational programs, highlighted by the visit of President Bush on the morning of December 7.

The Grand Opening Committee expects upwards of 4,000 visitors will tour the Gallery on December 7, and we are inviting the community to participate in this extraordinary event by volunteering as gallery tour guides and hosts.

Everyone interested in participating as a volunteer tour guide or host is asked to attend one of two orientation sessions in the Grand Ballroom of the Admiral Nimitz Museum – Thursday, November 5 from 5:30 – 7:00pm or Saturday, November 7 from 10:30am – noon. These sessions will introduce volunteers to the schedule of events for the Grand Opening weekend and the specific volunteer opportunities available. These first sessions will be followed by two additional training programs for all those who will serve as tour guides and hosts.

National Museum of the Pacific War launched grand opening website: www.nationalmuseumpacificwar.org

 With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice: If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home. Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information.

Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON’T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau. AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org and www.census.gov. This information was provided by Susan Johnson.

Century 21 Sunset, Realtors is holding a city wide Open House this Saturday and Sunday.   Homes will be open from 1:00 PM TO 3:00 PM each day with agents available to answer all your questions.

The homes that are on Open House are listed below.  If you have any questions about location you may call 830/997-9591.

IN CITY LIMITS:

419 Summit Circle Drive   2 bd, 2.5 bath  $249,500

530 Winding Way  2 bdrm, 2 bath   $229,900

710 Ettie Street    5 bdrm, 5 bath, B&B    $449,000

 707 S. Franklin  2 bdrm, 2 bath     $199,900

 715 Dawn Lane    3 bdrm, 2 bath    $188,000

 313 W. San Antonio   3 bdrm, 2 bath   $279,000

 302 E. Travis  3 bdrm, 2.5 bath   $309,000

112 E. Orchard   2 bdrm, 2 bath   $362,000

 312 E. Hackberry      2 bdrm, 2 bath   $188,500

 901 N. Llano    6 bdrm, 3 bath, guesthouse     $419,000

 204 W. Nimitz   2 bdrm, 2 bath     $185,000

 101 Crestwood   3 bdrm, 3 bath    $263,500

 219 Timberidge Drive   3 bdrm, 2 bath    $289,000

 611 W. Burbank   3 bdrm, 2.5 bath   $249,500

 1201 Kyle   4 bdrm, 2 bath, new      $289,000

 1207 Kyle   3 bdrm, 2.5 bath, new     $279,000

 1206 Nicole    3 bdrm, 2 bath, new     $279,000

 OUTLYING AREA:

 483 ReehWeinheimer    3 bd, 2.5 b  , 4.99 ac     $432,500

( US Hwy 290W to Reeh Weinheimer, home on left)

 709 Royal Oaks Loop   3 bd, 2 b, 2.30 ac       $424,500

(Hwy 290W, to Armory Rd, to Royal Oaks Loop, property on left)

 549 Smith Road       5 bd, 3.5 b, 3.86 ac     $539,000

(Hwy 16S, to Liveoak Road, right on Post Oak, left on Smith rd, property entrance at end of Smith Road)

 731 Baethge Blvd  3 bd, 2 b, 1.02 ac       $118,000

(Hwy 290E, to Cain City Rd, right on Baethge Blvd. property on right)

OPEN SUNDAY 1:00 TO 3:00

 142 Stoneledge     3 bdrm, 3.5 bath      $550,000

(Hwy 16N, left on Ellebracht, right on Amberstone, right on Stoneledge, home on left)

 461 Knopp School Road    3 bd, 3 bath, 22.24 ac    $725,000

(Hwy 16N, right on Knopp School Road, property on left)

FTC PRESENTS “PIANORAMA”- The Fredericksburg Theater Company presents Johnny Nicholas and guests Sunday, October 4 from 6:00 – 9:00pm at the Steve W. Shepherd Theater, Highway 87 South. Cost is $25 per person. Please call 888/669-7114 for tickets and visit www.fredericksburgtheater.org

FTC PRESENTS “NUNSENSE II, THE SECOND COMING”- The Fredericksburg Theater Company production of “Nunsense II, The Second Coming” starts October 9 – October 25. Performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. Cost is $20 for adults and $5.50 for 18 and under. Please call 888/669-7114 and visit www.fredericksburgtheater.org for ticket information.