$10,000 in Art Past Dark Proceeds to Local Schools

Thursday evening, May 24, $10,000 of the proceeds from Art Past Dark 2006 were distributed to the art programs at all public and private schools in Gillespie County.

Hampton Inn Opens

Fredericksburg's newest hotel, The Hampton Inn & Suites, located at 515 East Main Street, has opened. The telephone number is (830)997-5393.

Chisholm Trail Winery 6th Birthday!- June 2

Join Chisholm Trail Winery in celebrating their 6th anniversary! All day event starting at noon on June 2. Cowboy re-enactments by the Time Walkers and Saloon Girls. Bagpipes noon-2pm, Bill Smallwood & Friends, 2pm-5pm. Birthday cake, and much more! Plus Grapevine smoked BBQ for sale.

Fredericksburg Lavender Trail: Farm to Table

The Fredericksburg area lavender farms and a dozen restaurants have teamed up to create the “Fredericksburg Lavender Trail: Farm to Table” event. Visitors will be encouraged to visit local lavender farms and then experience lavender-infused menu items at the participating restaurants.

ROT Weekend - Ride to Luckenbach June 1-3

Luckenbach hosts the annual ROT Bike Rally ride to Luckenbach. Live music all weekend long. The Republic of Texas Biker Rally is the state's largest motorcycle rally, and is held every year in Austin.

Mini Symposium on MIA's - 5/28

As part of the Memorial Day activities at the National Museum of the Pacific War, there will be a review of the WWII MIA's in the Nimitz Ballroom. Cost is $25 per person. The fee to the Museum is $6.

Memorial Day Program at the Nat'l. Museum of the Pacific War - May 29 10 am

The National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas, pays tribute to America's fallen soldiers. There will be a keynote speaker, a wreath laying and a 21-gun salute. The event will be held at the Plaza of the Presidents, 340 E. Main Street at 10 am.

Summer Hours Announced by Woodrose Winery

Beginning on Monday, May 28, Woodrose Winery, located just west of Stonewall on Highway 290, will extend their hours. The winery will be open seven days a week. Mondays through Fridays the hours will be 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6:00 p.m. For more information, call (830)644- 2539.

Cowboy Action Shooting Returns to Tin Star Ranch

On the weekend of June 30 and July 1, cowboy action shooting will return to the Tin Star Ranch, located off of RR 965, north of Fredericksburg. New owners have taken over the operation of Tin Star Ranch and promise a new look and a new attitude. Shooter participation fee is $50. To pre-register or for vendor information, please call (830)685- 3464.

9th Annual 150th birthday at Luckenbach, Texas - 5/27

Come on out and join in Luckenbach's 150th Birthday Celebration for the 9th dang time!! Music, kids and adult games with a BIG birthday cake, and much more! call 830/997-3224 or 888/311-8990 for more information.

Cherry Spring Festival Debuts June

A new festival is in the works for June 7 through June 9 at Cherry Spring, about 17 miles north of Fredericksburg. The festival features the visual arts and choral and musical performances. Tickets are available at Grasshopper and Wild Honey, located at 113 East Main, and Photography 414, located at 414 East Main. For more information, visit www.cantochoir.org.

Scrapbook Retreat at Journey Lane - 5/25-27

Journey Lane hosts an in-store scrapbook retreat that is sure to inspire you, cost per person is $75 and includes the following: Friday evening meal, all meals on Saturday, breakfast & lunch on Sunday, & tools available for use. Additionally, supplies will be available for purchase, and projects may be left overnight - no need to set-up multiple times. Scrapbookers may come and go as they wish and work on their projects at their convenience.

If this sounds likes something you'd enjoy, please give Colleen a call at (830) 990-6942.

Roots Music Concert - May 19

The first Roots Music Concert of the sixth season at the Pioneer Museum grounds is this Saturday, May 19, with gates opening at 5:00 p.m. and the concert starting at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $10 per person or $8 with a coupon from Pioneer Museum website. My Own Chef Catering will serve dinner for $7. The concert features Two Hoots & a Holler, Jon Emery Band and Bill Kirchen & The Hammer of the Honky Tonk Gods. Call (830)997-2835 for more information.

Billy Joe Shaver - May 19 at Luckenbach

Come out to Luckenbach, Texas and hear legendary award winning singer/songwriter, Billy Joe Shaver in the Luckenbach Dance Hall. Doors open at 7pm. Opening Act George Ensle will start at 9pm. Advance tickets are $12 and will be available until midnight Thursday, May 17th. Starting Friday, May 18th ticket prices will be $15. Children 12 and under are free. All tickets will be held at "Will Call" and can be picked up the day of the show.

As a living lightning rod for the blues, Billy Joe Shaver is one rough 'n' rowdy Texan who's experienced more than enough joy and pain in his sixty-seven years to ever have to go begging for material. Like Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, and Jimmie Rodgers, Billy Joe has lived the songs he sings--when it's about love, he's embraced it; when it's about grief, he's writhed in it; and when it's about screwing-up, well, Lord knows he's done it. When Shaver kicks his to-the-bone tales back our way, they smack of irrefutable truth--a truth that's delivered with simple, poetic grace.

Fredericksburg Music Club Classical Concert

The Fredericksburg Music Club Classical Concert series at United Methodist Church, 1800 N. Llano St continues on Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 3 pm. This month features Kay Sparks & Friends. Admission is by free-will donation.

Becker Vineyards Lavender Fest - May 19-20

Becker Vineyards invites you to come out for a lavender filled weekend! There’s no admission charge, and there will be multiple lavender vendors, speeches and demonstrations on the uses of lavender, cooking demos by area restaurants, wine tastings, and much more. There will also be lavender plants for sale, fresh cut lavender, dried lavender and more! Fest hours are Saturday 10AM – 6PM and Sunday 12PM – 6PM.

Lavender Luncheons catered by two local chefs, begin at 12:30 p.m. both days in the Lavender Haus Reception Hall. The 3-course meal features lavender in each course. The luncheon menu and price is still TBA, but reservations are required for the luncheons. Pls. call (830) 644-2681 to make your reservation. Other concessions will also be available.

Becker Vineyards is 10 miles east of Fredericksburg on Jenscke Lane.

PCAA/Fredericksburg Art Guild Juried Art Show

Annual art show with cash awards for area artists. The show runs from Friday, May 18, 2007 thru Sunday, August 12, 2007. For more info, please call (830) 997-4949 for more information.

Lone Star Street Rod Association State Run

Close to 500 Pre-1949 Street Rods will be on display at Lady Bird Johnson Park on Highway 16 South, on Friday, May 18, 2007 through Sunday, May 20, 2007 . Games, activities, food, drink and more. Free to public. Contact Linda Rowlett at (817)-788-0081 for registration information.

Spring Chorale Concert

The Fredericksburg Chorale's annual spring chorale concert this year features Beethoven's Mass in C. THe concert will be at Zion Lutheran Church, 426 W. Main Street, Friday, May 18, 2007 at 7 pm, and Saturday at 3pm. Call (830) 997-0212 for information.

TTU Lifelong Learning Film Series “The Triplets of Belleville”

The final film of the International Film Series and Discussion Group will be “The Triplets of Belleville”, in French and Portuguese with English subtitles. The film was nominated for two Academy awards, including best animated feature and best original song. It runs 80 minutes and will be followed by discussion and refreshments. The film will be shown May 15 at 2 pm at Texas Tech University Offices 102 E. San Antonio Street. Admission to the film and the discussion is free for members of the Texas Tech Lifelong Learning Community and $2 for non-members. Reservations are recommended to assure seating. Call Wanda Merchant, (830) 990-2717, for details.

Founders Day Festival - 5/12

The Pioneer Museum presents a day of various living history activities, artisan demonstrations, live music and great food for both local families and visitors alike. Come see activities such as blacksmithing, soap making, sheep shearing, spinning, wool dyeing, flint knapping, fence making, corn grinding, quilting, and much more. Admssion is free but donations accepted. Hours are from 10 am to 5 pm.

Home & Garden Show - 5/11-13

Annual home and garden show at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds, on Hwy. 16 South. $7/admission. Hours are: Friday 5PM-8PM, Saturday 10AM-5PM, and Sunday 10AM-4PM. Call (830) 997-2359 for more information.

Artisan’s Spring Fling at Rocky Hill

The Artisans at Rocky Hill are hosting the annual Artisan's Spring Fling, a weekend of art talk and demonstrations. Schedule is as follows:

Fri., May 11th from 4PM - 9PM - Ben Beckendorf, Barry Bradley, & Dottie Moon. Beer, wine & cheese will be served.

Sat., May 12th from 10AM - 5PM - Kirk Acosta, Barry Bradley, Susan Ehlers, Suzan Germond, & Dottie Moon. Wine and cheese will be served.

Sun., May 13th from 11AM - 3PM - Barry Bradley, Peggy Joyce, Dottie Moon, Kim Norris, & Melissa Starry. Refreshments will be served.

All events are free and open to the public. Call (830) 990-8160 for more information.

Hill Country Musicians' Jam at Luckenbach

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday features the Hill Country Musicians Jam afternoons and evenings. Bring your instrument of choice and join in with musicians from near and far. They'll be out back under the oak trees or inside around the pot bellied stove depending on the weather. You never know who might stop in!

Oil Painters of America 2007 National Exhibition - May 10 -June 9

Whistle Pik Galleries is proud to host the prestigious 2007 Oil Painters of America National Exhibit and urges you to begin making your plans now to attend! This will be the 16th annual show and will feature over 200 paintings, including OPA Master Signature Members.

On the opening weekend, a real collector's dream, works are shown and sold, and a reception, awards presentation, and preview are held. The educational component includes artist demonstrations, interviews, and panel discussions, with many artists in attendance. Leading artists from throughout the country vie for more than $45,000 in prize money at the Oil Painters of America's 16th annual National Juried Exhibition. The winner of the top honor, the prestigious American National Award of Excellence, receives a cash prize of $15,000.

The juror of wards for the 2007 exhibition is Colorado artist and OPA Master Signature member Quang Ho, who also gives a painting demonstration of Friday morning. On Friday afternoon, David Leffel, considered by many "a 20th-century old master," speaks about his career in the art world. Other highlights of the opening weekend include a panel discussion featuring owners and directors of top galleries; a talk on the business of art by William E. Bush, owner of the Fredericksburg Artists' School; and painting demonstrations by other OPA artists. Click here for a complete schedule.

Founded in 1991 by the late Shirl Smithson to preserve and promote traditional, representational art, OPA has held the National Juried Exhibition every year since its inception. More than 2,300 artists from throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico belong to the organization.

Call Whistle Pik Galleries at 800-999-0820 for more information.

Hill Country University Center Education Expo

LIVE here, LEARN here, WORK here!

Are you interested in: Going to or finishing college? Being a teacher or a nurse? Want a business degree? Advanced teaching or nursing education? An art class—for fun?!

If you answered yes to any of the above, then clearly you need to attend the Hill Country University Center's Education Expo on Marktplatz on May 9 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm, where the following institutes of higher education will be on hand to provide information and answer any questions you may have:

• Austin Community College
• Texas Tech at Fredericksburg
• Concordia University
• Schreiner University
• ACC Nursing Program
• Texas Tech Health Sciences Center School of Nursing
• Texas Tech Univ. Outreach

Refreshments will be served while you learn more about FAFSA applications, tuition assistance, get admission advice, on-site computers for applications, and info on local continuing education classes.

Call (830) 990-4948 for more information.

Willow City Volunteer Fire Dept. Annual Benefit BBQ

On Saturday May 5, the Willow City Volunteer Fire Deparment hosts its annual benefit BBQ at the Willow City VFD Fire Station at 2553 Ranch Road 1323, with all proceeds going towards the Fire Dept. There will be a ladies auxiliary country store with homemade canned and baked goods (from 3PM-4PM), a live auction starting at 4PM, raffle prize drawings throughout the afternoon, BBQ at 6PM and door prizes after the meal. Call (830) 685-3385 for more information.

Luckenbach's Bluebonnet Ball 5-5

On Saturday, May 5th Two Tons of Steel will perform in Luckenbach for the annual Bluebonnet Ball. Doors open at 7pm and the music starts at 8pm. Opening act T-Roy & Candace. Advance tickets are $12 and will be available until midnight Thursday, May 3rd. All tickets will be held at "Will Call" and can be picked up the day of the show. Day of show ticket prices will be $15.
Children 12 and under are free.

Texas band Two Tons of Steel might be described as equal parts Elvis Presley and Elvis Costello, with a liberal dose of Buddy Holly and a dollop of The Ramones. It's a one-of-a-kind sound that bandleader and frontman Kevin Geil likes to call "countrybilly."

International Birddog Fly-In - 5/5

The International Birddog Association's fly-in event will highlight the important role this specialty aircraft has played in modern warfare. The public is invited to meet the pilots and learn about birddog reconnaissance missions during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and the significance of the historic LBJ Ranch airstrip. Call 830-868-7128 extension 245 for more information.

Friends of the Pioneer Memorial Library Book Sale - 5/5

Attention all book lovers! The annual book sale benefiting the Pioneer Memorial Library will be at Marktplatz from 9 am to 3 pm.

Bull Riding at Harper on Saturday

The 4th Annual Harper Chute Out and Dance is this Saturday, May 5 starting at 8:00 p.m. with some 40 head of championship bulls provided by the Lester Meier Rodeo Company. A dance follows at 9:00 p.m. The event takes place at the Harper Community Park. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 -12 and free for under 6 years. Call (830)864-4912 for more information.

Friday Night Dance at Luckenbach

Pauline Reese and her band High Country will perform in the Legendary Luckenbach Dance Hall on Friday, May 4th. Show time is 8pm and Admission is $5.00 at the door. Kids 12 and under get in free.

Now, at 27 years of age, Pauline has evolved as an artist and a songwriter. Known as one of the hardest-working artists in the state, she has shared bills with Willie Nelson, Gary P. Nunn, Freddy Powers, Kevin Fowler, Mark Chestnutt, Johnny Rodriguez, Billy Joe Shaver, Merle Haggard, Johnny Bush, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Cory Morrow, Pat Green, Gene Watson, Jack Ingram, Sonny Throckmorton, Roger Creager- the list goes on and on. In addition, she has garnered a nomination for the Western Swing Female Vocalist of the Year award by the Academy of Western Artists, and completed her first tour of Europe in the summer of 2003.

Hill Country Motorcycle Run

The Optimist Club of Fredericksburg hosts their 11th annual Hill Country Run motorcycle rally! RV camping, tent camping, cowboy breakfast, road trip and raffle, bike show, live music, bike games and more. $42/per person. For more info, please call 830-997-8515.