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Friday, September 30, 2005

International Film: Russian Arc - Oct 4

Texas Tech's International Film Series and Discussion Group shows a film once each month. These films are from all over the world, and are offered not only to increase appreciation of the best foreign language cinema, but also to further awareness of history and our world. A discussion of the film with a knowledgeable speaker follows each showing.


This month's film is entitled Russian Arc and is a Russian film made in 2002. Told in a fluid shot, this is a tale which floats like a dream-like journey through the majestic spaces of the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg.


The film is free of charge for TTLLC members and $2 per film for non-members; pre-registration is encouraged. To RSVP, please call the above listed phone number or you can email your RSVP to: wanda.merchant@ttu.edu.


The film will be shown at 102 E. San Antonio St, in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Texas State Ladies Chili Championship Cookoff -Oct. 1

This Ladies-only chili cookoff held at Luckenbach, Texas, qualifies for the big Terlingua cookoff in November. There will be plenty of music, fun, and fellowship, with a dance Saturday night. Call (830) 997-3224 for more information.

Craft Sale at St. Joseph's Halle - October 1

Local Fredericksburg, Texas vendors sell their arts and crafts at St. Joseph's Halle, 212 W San Antonio St, from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday October 1. Take a short break from your Oktoberfest celebration, and take a look!

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Oktoberfest 2005

Join us in celebrating the fun and flavor of Fredericksburg, Texas' German heritage! Three stages of entertainment including oompah, waltzes, polkas, contests, and dancers; a variety of authentic German food and 30 varieties of cold drinks; 40 artisans; Kinderpark for the kids; and souvenirs galore!


Friday: 6PM – Midnight, Saturday: 10AM – Midnight, Sunday: 10AM - 6PM
Adults $6, Kids 6-12 $1, under 6 - free


2-day passes are $10 per person and are available for Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday. 3-day passes are $15 per person. Tickets can be ordered through the mail with check or money order -- please indicate which days (Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun) if you are ordering two-day passes. Make checks payable to Oktoberfest and mail to PO Box 222, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Hurricane Rita Evacuation Information

The Chamber of Commerce of Fredericksburg has advised that Fredericksburg is completely booked on Friday and Saturday. They do have a list of other communities with lodging available. Their number is 888-997-3600. It is a toll free call. The closest city to Houston with room availability is Tulsa, Oklahoma.


The American Red Cross has opened a shelter in Kerrville. Register at the American Red Cross office, 333 Earl Garret Street in Kerrville. Or call, 24 hours a day, 830-257-4677.


Keep checking the area news websites for up to date information:

Houston Chronicle

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Galveston County Daily News

The Baytown Sun


The Beaumont Enterprise

The Orange Leader

Port Arthur News

The Victoria Advocate

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Quincy Harper at The Shops at Rocky Hill

Sponsored by BMV Specialties (Bell Mountain Vineyards) & the Artisans at Rocky Hill, Quincy Harper will be providing live musical entertainment in the courtyard on Saturday afternoon, just outside Fredericksburg, Texas on US Hwy 290 East; come out for some great music, wine tasting, and unique shopping!

Bonterra Celebrates Art Feast - 9/24

Throughout the day of this contemporary food and arts extravaganza, nibbles from one of Fredericksburg, Texas' premiere chefs and art will be the selection-du-jour!


Lunch will be served beginning at 11:30AM; an eclectic dinner buffet by Chef Steve Howard will be served from 6:30PM - 9:30PM at $20/per person; Becker Vineyards will have selections of wine for your purchase; musical entertainment to be provided by Terri Sharp; art will be by Elementz Gallery.


Bonterra is located at 1440 N US Highway 87 in Fredericksburg, TX. Call (830) 997-9742 for more information.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

62nd Semi-Annual Hill Country Classic Car Auction & Show - 9/24

An auction for classic car enthusiasts by classic car enthusiasts, enjoy a trip back in time with this classic car show and auction The Hill Country Classic will be held at the Hangar Hotel & Airport Conference Center, 155 Airport Road, in Fredericksburg, Texas. If you're interested in consigning your own classic, call (866) 495-8111.

Monday, September 19, 2005

Eisbahn Coming to the Marktplatz - November 25 through January 2

Here in the Texas Hill Country, we don't many opportunites to ice skate. It just doesn't get that cold. This year however, people in Fredericksburg, Texas will be able to skate every day, and support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.


Eisbahn is a unique holiday ice skating rink experience in Fredericksburg. Local residents and visitors will be able to ice skate in an open air rink, located at the Kinderhalle pavilion at Marktplatz. Eisbahn will be open daily from Friday, November 25, through January 2. More details to come.

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Fredericksburg B&B and Cuisine Tour - Sept 18

The Fredericksburg B&B and Cuisine Tour will feature 12 B&B properties that have each been paired with an area restaurant where there will be delicious samples to taste while touring the B&B properties.


Property tour times are from 1-4PM, with a reception to follow from 4-6PM at
The Cotton Gin Restaurant, located at 2805 State Hwy 16 South.


Tickets are $15 each and may be purchased at Gastehaus Schmidt, which is located at 231 W. Main Street in Fredericksburg, (830) 997-5612 or (866) 427-8374.


As of August 29th, the featured properties and restaurants that will be on the tour include:



* A Casita on Creek/Clear River Pecan Co.

* A Place in Time/Fredericksburg Coffee Co.

* Barons Creek Cottage/Chocolat

* Camp David B&B/Peach Tree Tea Room

* Cotton Gin Restaurant & Lodging/Reception Host

* The Garden Inn/Fredericksburg Pie Co.

* Hoffman Haus/Fabulous Breakfast

* Inspiration Hill/August E’s

* Magnolia House/Cuveé

* Palo Alto Creek Farm/Rather Sweet Bakery & Cafe

* Red Stair/Java Ranch

* Runnymede Country Inn/Navajo Grill

* Town Creek B&B/Cottage Café

Saturday, September 17, 2005

Renewable Energy Roundup & Green Living Fair - 9/23-25

The Renewable Energy Roundup & Green Living Fair returns to Marktplatz in Fredericksburg, Texas for the 6th time! The Roundup will be held on Fri., Sept. 23rd from 12PM - 6PM, Sat. Sept. 24th from 9AM - 6PM, and Sun. Sept. 25th from 9AM - 3PM. Ticket prices are $8 for either Friday or Sunday, $10 for Saturday, or $16 for a 3-day pass.


This event will feature family-friendly activities including exhibits, speakers, vendors, learning activities for kids, and workshops covering topics such as:

* Solar

* Wind

* Water Use & Reuse

* Energy Conservation

* Rainwater Harvesting

* Green & Sustainable Building

* Organic Growing

* Alternative Transportation

* Straw Bale Construction

* Exhibits

* Free Guest Speakers

* Food

* Family Activities


Call 512/326-3391 OR 877/3ROUNDUP for details.

Friday, September 16, 2005

2nd Annual BGCA Invitational Shopping Tournament

Love to shop in Fredericksburg, Texas? Come shop to help raise money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America on Saturday, September 17. Get ready to "play a round" on Fredericksburg, Texas' famous Main Street with the 2nd Annual BGCA Invitational Shopping Tournament. The tournament is "invitational" and the number of entrees will be limited, so be sure to send in your registration form as soon as possible. You can either register as a team of four, or as an individual, and awards will be given for costumes, team names, and spirit! All shoppers will receive a 10% discount at all participating stores and restaurants, discounted hotels rooms at La Quinta (830/990-2899) and Quality Inn (830/997-9811), and all proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Texas Hill Country.


Participating stores include The Haberdashery, Lauren Bade, Adornments, Secret Garden, Parts Unknown, Grasshopper & Wild Honey, Texas Silver Rush, Sweet Pea, Villa Texas, The Boutique, Seasons, Jeep Collins, Phil Jackson's Granite & Iron Store, Remember Me Too, A Closer Walk, and many more to come.


Scoring is set up similar to a golf tournament, with "par" for each "hole" (store) being a score of 4. All scores are based on actual amount spent after tax.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Van Cliburn Finalist Concert - Sept 18 3pm

The Van Cliburn Finalist Concert is an afternoon concert and there is no admission charge. It will be held at the United Methodist Church, 1800 N. Llano St. in Fredericksburg, Texas. Call (830) 997-5413 for more information.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Birddog Roundup 2005 - Fredericksburg Airport - 9/18-22

The International Birddog Association (IBDA) is an international organization that is involved in the preservation of the history of the L-19 and O-1 Cessna Birddog aircraft and those military pilots who flew them.


Several dozen Birddog aircraft are expected to be flown in and on display during the Roundup in Fredericksburg, Texas.


On Sunday, 09/18, from 3-5PM, there will be an open house which will include both static displays and flying of restored former military aircraft. Veterans will be honored during the day and a special "Missing Man" formation will be flown at 5PM.

Monday, September 12, 2005

Symposium: Okinawa, A Hellish Prelude - Sept 17 & 18


The Battle of Okinawa was the largest amphibious invasion and last major campaign of the Pacific War. This years' Museum of the Pacific War sypmospium focuses on the Battle of Okinawa. Speakers include historians, authors and academics. Topics to be discussed at this year’s symposium include:



* Strategic Situation & Japanese Forces (Sat.)

* US Forces and Initial Operations (Sat.)

* The Yamato and Kamikazes (Sat.)

* Logistics and Support (Sat.)

* Breaking the Shuri Line (Sun.)

* The End of the Campaign & Implications for the Future (Sun.)

* Historian's Round Table (Sun.)


Registration Information: The cost is $40 per person for members of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and $50 for non-members. Box lunches are available for an additional $9 per day. A dinner with the panelists will be held on Saturday evening (Sept 17) for $40 per person. Call (830) 997-8600 for more information.

Saturday, September 10, 2005

The History of Oktoberfest

The History of Oktoberfest and the Beer
by BeerAdvocate 09-18-2002
First published in: Boston's Weekly Dig / 09-26-2001

The official sign of fall, for us, is the beginning of Oktoberfest! This festive celebration was established in October of 1810 by Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (crowned as King Ludwig I) in celebration of his marriage to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The unusual thing was that the general public was invited to share in his celebration. At the time, such a thing was unheard of – nobles rarely associated themselves with the general public – however, some 40,000 Bavarians attended the celebration in Munich on what is now called Theresienwiese (the Teresa Meadow). Almost 200 years later, year after year, the celebration is held at the same location. "Wies’n" (the local term for the celebration, derived from Theresienwiese) is truly a Bavarian event that has become a celebration of life not only for Barvarians, but for all Germans and now the world, with some form of Oktoberfest happening in many cities and breweries.


Although major amounts of beer were had at the very first Oktoberfest, the event was initially built around its horse race and state agricultural show. The horse race has since been dropped, however the agricultural show continues and the festival has taken on many carnival characteristics. Oktoberfest now lasts 16 days, beginning in mid-September and ending on the 1st Sunday in October, with major Munich breweries sponsoring the event, up to 6 million attendees packing into mega beer halls and over 5 million liters of beer consumed every year. For information on this year's Munich Oktoberfest, go to http://www.oktoberfest.de. For more information about Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, Texas click here.


The whole beer association/craze of Oktoberfest didn't really happen until 1818, with the introduction of food and beer stands. The common Munich Oktoberfest beer served at Wies’n contains only 4.5% alcohol by volume, is dark/copper in color, has a mild hop profile and is typically labeled as a Bavarian Märzenbier in style – an amber lager with bottom fermenting yeast at 45º-55ºF. There's confusion as to the origin of the style; however, it mostly likely came about hundreds of years ago, before refrigeration and before the first Oktoberfestbier. Beers brewed during the winter were kept in cold storage over the Spring and Summer months so that they'd keep. Some were also brewed to contain higher levels of alcohol to also help preserve. The label Märzen (March) soon signified beers brewed during the last months of Spring. These beers were then consumed over the Summer months when brewing was impossible due to the hot weather and bacterial infections.


Spaten, Paulaner, Ayinger and Hacker Pschorr are all exceptional must-tries, as they tend to be close in all aspects of flavor, smell and color. Usually reddish amber in color, very fragrant of deep-toasted malt, smooth, with the use of noble hops that make the beer spicy and herbal yet sweet and grainy. Domestic versions run the gamut, from being very close to their respected origins to brewing ale and calling it "Octoberfest Ale." Sam Adams, Harpoon, Brooklyn Brewing, Saranac, Beck’s and Pete’s are good examples of the former, more traditional lagers. Some breweries, however, simply brew an ale and call it an Octoberfest beer ... what’s up with that? Otter Creek and Wachusett Brewing just blatantly brew ale and slap "Octoberfest" somewhere on the label. Not to say these ales are bad, but these brewers have some guts to claim to be brewing one of the toughest beer styles when they're not.


For more info on these beers and beers in general, visit http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/29/, as they will be reviewing Oktoberfestbiers throughout the season. In the meantime, pick up some Oktoberfestbier (or ale) while they are around. Then celebrate your existence! You have an excuse! Celebrate beer! Prost!

Friday, September 09, 2005

Wildseed Farms Fall Planting Days, Sept. 10 - 18

It's never to early to get ready for Spring wildflowers in the Texas Hill Country. Wildseed Farms Fall Planting days will help you get your bluebonnets ready for the new year. Free horticultural and wildflower seminars daily during these nine days. Call (830) 990-8080 for more information.

17th Annual New Horizons Live Music Concert & Radiothon, Sept 10 - 4 to 10 pm

The 17th annual New Horizons Live Music Concert & Radiothon is a benefit for New Horizons Developmental Training Center in Fredericksburg, Texas, and will feature Ben Beckendorf, Beth Williams, Walt Wilkins, Craig Dillingham, Dan Tucker, Bad Rodeo, Smokey Wilson & Texas Blues, and others to be announced. The concert if free and will be at Marktplatz, in the center of town. Call (830) 997-2197 to make donations.

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Mike Blakely's Tex-Americana Fandango - September 9 & 10

Head on out to Luckenbach, Texas, deep in the Texas Hill Country for Mike Blakely's Tex-Americana Fandango. What's a Tex-Americana Fandango? It's wine-tasting, book-signing, and music on Friday; shooting, riding, rope demonstrations, music, fun, and stage coach rides on Saturday! Call the Post Office Beer Joint for more information, (830) 997-3224!

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Cottage Cafe Night of Spanish Dining - September 8

Cottage Café, at 232 W. Main Street in Fredericksburg, TX invites you to a 5-course Spanish Feast! $45 for the meal only or $65 for the meal plus 4 wine pairings.


Private or community tables available; Theme music also available with theme attire encouraged. Reservations required. (830) 990-1037

Art Past Dark Preview Reception - 9/8 6-8PM

The Fredericksburg Alliance of Arts & Antiques (FAAA) inf Fredericksburg, Texas, is hosting an Art Past Dark Preview Reception at the Photography is Art Gallery. This event is free of charge, but reservations are recommended; please call the above listed phone number to RSVP. Wine & hors d’oeuvres will be served.


At approximately 6:45pm the committee will review the major events scheduled for the
Fifth Art Past Dark Weekend, Nov. 11-13, 2005. Local arts organizations, restaurants, and galleries will also have the opportunity to provide information on events they may have scheduled for the Art Past Dark weekend. For an event to be included in the Art Past Dark weekend, the sponsoring organization or business is required at a minimum to purchase a one-fourth page advertisement ($75) in the weekend program or the 2006/2006 Fredericksburg Arts & Antiques Guide.


Tickets will also be on sale that evening for the Art Past Dark Gala, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 11th from 8-11PM at the Hangar Hotel. Tickets are $50/per person.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

National Museum of the Pacific War Island Assualt 1944

Experience the sites, sounds and drama of a World War II assault on an enemy bunker. Re-enactors use authentic clothing, weapons and vehicles from the Pacific War era. Programs are in an outdoor environment, so dress for the weather conditions. Educational opportunity for the entire family.


Demonstrations will be presented at the Pacific Combat Zone at 10:30 a.m., and 12:30, 2:30 and 4 p.m. each day. The Pacific Combat Zone is located two blocks northeast of the museum complex on E. Austin Street between Elk and Lee in Fredericksburg, Texas.


Fees for "Island Assault: 1944" are free with regular museum admission of $5 for adults, $3 for students, and free for children age 5 and younger. Fees without museum admission are $2 for adults and $1 for students.

3rd Annual Hill Country Rendezvous

Mini-Cooper car show and rally with poker run, live entertainment, and delicious food!, September 2 through September 4 at Marktplatz and Pioneer Pavillion at Lady Bird Johnson Park, in Fredericksburg, Texas. Call (830) 997-6982 for more details.