Spring Wine & Food Fest - 4/30

Enjoy wine tastings from five Texas wineries and local food artisans at Texas Vineyards & Beyond LLC, at 329 1/2 E. Main Street from 2-6 pm. Meet the winemakers and obtain autographed wine bottles! Guitar music by Florin Sanchez. $10 per person at the door, includes logo wine glass, wine and food tastings. Wineries: Pillar Bluff Vineyards, McPherson Cellars, Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards, Red Caboose Winery, Santa Maria Cellars. Food: August E's Nouveau Texas Cuisine, Fredericksburg Pie Company, Texas Cajun Sausage Company. Call 830-990-9199 for more information

Grapetown School Open House & BBQ Benefit - 4/30

As part of the Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools’ History Country School Trail open house promotion, the Grapetown School and Teacherage at 7325 Old San Antonio Rd. off Hwy 290 E. will be open to the public this Saturday, April 30 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Former students will be present on this day as the school will celebrate a school reunion. Join the fun – tour this 1887 school and, while there, enjoy a meal as organizers are hosting a BBQ fund-raiser on site at 11:00 a.m. Cost for the chicken plate meal is by donation. For information about the open house and BBQ, call 830-997-7298

Texas Gun Collectors Assosiaction Meeting and Show - 4/29-5/1

The Texas Gun Collectors Association, made up of individuals who collect antique and classic arms, will hold its 2011 Annual Spring Members’ Meeting and Show at Trois Estate at Enchanted Rock Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1. In addition to its business meeting, the association will hold a gun show in the reception hall at Trois Estate, which is home to the Cap Gun Museum—the world’s largest cap gun collection. The gun show will be open to the public on Friday, April 29 from noon until 6 p.m., on Saturday, April 30 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and on Sunday, May 1 from 9 a.m. until noon. The gun show will display millions of dollars worth of collectible arms and antiquities. Some of the featured items include the Ronald Reagan Colt Single Action Army revolvers given to the former President by Arvo Ojala of fast-draw fame and Texas Pioneer Robert Hall’s frontiersman buckskin beaded outfit and carved horn gifted to him by Sam Houston. For more show details, visit www.tgca.net or contact Crockett Keller at 210-323-9519 or kellerstore@msn.com.

InSight Gallery "Two Perspectives" - 4/29 -5/22

See life from the talented perspective of two artists – Nancy Bush and James Fox – during InSight Gallery’s new show, Two Perspectives, which opens Friday, April 29 and runs through May 22 at the gallery at 214 W. Main St. in Fredericksburg. An opening reception will be held for the artists on Friday, May 6 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. For all the details, call 830-997-9920.

2nd Annual Hill Country Film Festival - 4/28-30

The Hill Country Film Festival (HCFF) is a three-day celebration of independent film in the heart of the picturesque hill country, Fredericksburg. Created to showcase filmmakers from Texas and around the world, the festival began in 2010. This year HCFF will screen more than 45 independent films, short and feature length, as well as host filmmaker Q&A, panel discussions, a filmmakers lounge and event parties. Films range from animation and comedy to action, drama and suspense. All films will be screened at the Stagecoach Theater. For a complete schedule of events and to view the festival program detailing each film, please visit www.hillcountryff.com/schedule.php. The festival is open to the public. The following are the ticketing options: · All Access Badge ($100) entitles a guest admission to all film screenings and to all festival events, including the filmmakers lounge, panel discussions and the private Closing Night Awards Party where HCFF will screen the trailer for Seven Days in Utopia (filmed in Fredericksburg last summer) followed by Q&A by Dr. Cook, producer and co-screen writer, and Dennis Rice, Head of Marketing and Distribution. The screenplay was adapted from Dr. Cook’s book, Golf’s Sacred Journey, Seven Days On The Links of Utopia. The Closing Night Party will also feature food and drinks by August E’s, Llano Estacado Wine, Republic Tequila, and Blue Moon Brewing. All Access Badges can be purchased online or at the Stagecoach Theater during the festival (cash or check only). · Day Pass ($40) entitles a guest admission to all film screenings on either Friday or Saturday. Day Passes can be purchased online or at the Stagecoach Theater during the festival (cash or check only). · Individual Tickets ($10) will be sold for single screenings, based on availability, at the Stagecoach Theater during the festival (cash or check only). To purchase tickets or for more information, visit: www.hilcountryff.com or email info@hillcountryff.com.

Wings over the Hills Nature Festival - April 29 to May 1

Join fellow birders and nature enthusiasts for the Wings Over the Hills Nature Festival, kicking off this Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1 (with level of activity on Sunday dependent on demand). Bring the whole family for the educational and entertainment activities that will focus on the unique wildlife features of the Texas Hill Country – the birds, butterflies, bats, and dragonflies. It’s a celebration of flight! Planned events will be held at several locations around Fredericksburg and the Texas Hill Country. On the program are many educational presentations by noted nature specialists, an activity program just for kids, guided field trips and motor coach tours of the area. For more information, including ticket pricing, visit www.wingsoverthehills.org.

Easter Egg Hunt at Pioneer Museum - 4/23

Take the kids to the Pioneer Museum on Saturday, April 3 for an Easter egg hunt! This BYOB event (that’s: bring your own basket) meets at 10:30 a.m. at the museum barn, with the hunt beginning at 10:30 a.m. No child will leave empty-handed. The Pioneer Museum is located at 325 W. Main St. in Fredericksburg. Regular museum admission is $5 for adults, two kids for each adult admission are free. To learn more about this perfect picture-taking opportunity, call 830-997-2835.

FBG CARES Candidates Forum - 4/21

FBG CARES will also hold its 2nd annual forum for candidates running for Fredericksburg City Council on Thursday, April 21st from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the Golden Hub Community Center, 1009 N. Lincoln, Fredericksburg. This public event is open to all Fredericksburg residents as a public service to help potential voters make informed choices. This non-partisan forum will be in two parts. Part one will consist of a few selected questions posed to candidates in advance concerning local quality of life issues, some of which are highlighted in the City’s comprehensive plan. Potential topics are: the new Community Pool, public access and urban livability (sidewalks, bicycle lanes, etc.) as well as potential expansion of the City's existing recycling program.

What'$ It Worth? and Photo Contest - April 15-16

For the first time the public is invited to submit entries for the new, juried photo contest in conjunction with  “What’$ It Worth?” the popular antique appraisal event hosted by the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg on April 15 & 16, 2011. Deadline for entries is April 12.

The photography theme is black and white historical images taken from a creative point of view. The photos must be the artist’s original work.

The jury will award prizes of $100, $50, and $25 for top entries. Entry fees are $10 per image or 3 images for $25 and contestants may enter as many images as they wish.

Contest entries are due with payment by April 12 at the Society office, 312 West San Antonio Street, Fredericksburg TX 78624. Further details will be made available on the website.

The photos will be part of an exhibit to be displayed for 30 days ending May 12, 2011. Visitors may purchase select framed black and white photos from the Museum collection, along with others offered by photographers. Part of the proceeds will go to the Museum.

Judges are James Fox, fine art photographer, teacher, and  owner of James Fox Photography; Lance Tatum, principal and owner of Lance Tatum Architect; and Cynthia Lively, owner of cynlee-studios.

In its second year, the popular appraisal event offers several new activities.

Nine independent antique appraisers will view furniture, paintings, sculpture, art, photographs, books, silver, glass, toys, guns, knives, western and Fredericksburg memorabilia, and other collectibles from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm on Saturday. Individual appraisals will be offered at $10 per item. Large items can be appraised by bringing in a high-quality photograph with written detail if available.

This year’s appraisers include:

Margaret Mangum, antique dealer and shop owner for 30 years; Tim Taylor, owner of Whistle Pik Galleries in Fredericksburg; Shawn Umphress, antique dealer and shop owner; Ron Woellhof, owner of Showcase Antiques in Fredericksburg; Harold Scharold, consultant, teacher, lecturer, and author; Glen Treibs, a premier local historian and dedicated collector of local memorabilia; Larry Jackson, consultant for museums, auction houses, collectors, decorators, authors and estate sale specialists; Jim Holley, collector of fine Western and Texas collectibles; and Rachel Fitch, owner of Fitch Estate Sales.

On Saturday, guests can attend four new seminars. They are:

9:30-10:15 Provenance -Stephen Vollmer

10:30-11:15 Antique Guns and Fire Arms & their Evolution in Texas -Bill Thompson

11:30-12:15 Antique China -Eva Lee

1:00-1:45 Incorporating Antiques into the Home –Brenda Newman & Michelle Weberpal

Seminars are $10 each, or guests can purchase VIP tickets for $50. A VIP ticket will admit the holder to up to four seminars by antique experts and includes two appraisals. Refreshments will be available, along with David’s Old-Fashioned Pit Bar-B-Que, who is donating part of the proceeds to the Museum.

An expanded Friday evening catered cocktail reception will feature Bruce Shackelford, international expert and a popular TV appraiser. Guests will enjoycatering by featured Fredericksburg Restaurants: August E’s, Amish Market, Bejas, Chocolat, Dutchman’s, Fredericksburg Fudge, Navajo Grill, Sunset Grill, with beer, wine, champagne, soft drinks. Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for non-members and will include one free appraisal on Saturday.

Event appraisers are independent of the museum and society. Appraisals are for fair-market value, and not intended for insurance and tax purposes. No appraisals offered on jewelry or Oriental items. The Gillespie County Historical Society holds no liability for inaccuracies or damaged items.

For information and to purchase tickets, call 830-997-2835, email info@pioneermuseum.net, or visit online at www.pioneermuseum.net.

FTC's "A Tribute to the Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber"

Join the Fredericksburg Theater Company as they celebrate another season at The Steve W. Shepherd Theatre, 1668 Highway 87 South, April 1-17. FTC's production will be "A Tribute to the Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber". Expect to hear your favorite show tunes in this concert filled with their greatest songs from Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, Cats, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard, Aspects of Love and more. All performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm.

Farm Day at Agarita Farms - 4/10

Agarita Creek Farms in Fredericksburg is hosting a farm day this Sunday, April 10 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the farm at 1945 River Rd., between Hwy. 16 S (to Kerrville) and U.S. Hwy 87 (to Comfort). Take a tour of the market garden, talk to owners Beverly and Tom Carnes, and purchase farm-fresh produce and lamb. While there, check out the farm’s agritourist log cabins on a bluff overlooking the farm. Call 830-997-7790 for details. For map, visit www.agaritacreek.com.

Garden Club Plant Sale - April 9

Spring is here! This is your chance to start your flower beds by shopping at the Garden Club's plant sale at Kinderhalle on Marktplatz from 9 am to noon. Please call 830/997-5386 for more information.

Gun and Blade Show - 4/9-10

A collection of guns, knives, ammo, jewelry, fishing, coins, gifts and collectibles. Buy, sell, trade or just browse at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds on Highway 16 South. Admission is $5 for adults and 12 and under free. Hours are Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm and Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm.

Stonewall VFD Fish Fry Lunch - 4/9

Coming together as a community to show their local volunteer fire department and first responders how much they are appreciated, this drive-thru only fish fry benefits the Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department and and helps them be able to purchase needed equipment. Drive thru only. Cost is $8 suggested donation. Please call 830-644-5571 for more information. Tell a firefighter "Thank You!".

Pedernales Knap-In at Fort Martin Scott- 4/7-10

Four days of family fun, as well as educational, making arrowheads, knives, spears and bows. This event is free, with a small fee for camping at the Fort. Please call 469-371-4422 for more information.

The Festival will be held on the grounds of Fort Martin Scott, a pre-Civil War era frontier fort located just east of Fredericksburg, Texas, on Hwy. 290, very near to the Wal-Mart & directly across the highway from the Fredericksburg Law Enforcement Center.

1st Annual Fredericksburg Star Party - April 9

Come to the First Annual Fredericksburg Star Party held at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, south of town on Highway 16.

Activities will include raffles for a nice telescope, valued at over $500, and a handmade lap quilt with an astronomy theme. Live music will be provided. Of course, there will be many amateur telescopes for people to view a lot of celestial objects, including galaxies, nebula, planets, and stars.

This event benefits The Texas Amateur Astronomers' Scholarship (TAAS) endowment at The University of Texas at Austin, Astronomy Department. The scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate major in astronomy once per year.

This event is free to the public, and especially beneficial for children. Donations to TAAS will be accepted. For more information, please contact Hunter Scott 830-992-0740

2nd Annual Nimitz Old Texas Round-Up Barbecue - April 9

The Admiral Nimitz Foundation will hold the 2nd Annual Nimitz Old Texas Round-Up Barbecue on Saturday, April 9, at 6 p.m. at the National Museum of the Pacific War to raise money for the Admiral Nimitz Foundation which supports, operates, and manages the National Museum of the Pacific War. Dinner will be served from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

There will also be a silent auction and the raffle drawing for a $5,000 travel voucher.

The barbecue-themed fundraiser is inspired by Fredericksburg native Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz. During his command in the Pacific, Nimitz would hold barbecues for Texans (and those who wished they were Texans) serving in his command. It was a chance for the men and women to enjoy a few hours of food and recreation without thinking about the war. The five-star Admiral was the Navy’s last Fleet Admiral and was born in Fredericksburg, TX.

Captain Paul O. Monger (U.S. Navy), the commanding officer of USS Nimitz will visit the museum with the same namesake—The Admiral Nimitz Museum (one part of the National Museum of the Pacific War). The USS Nimitz, one of the U.S. Navy’s ten big-deck nuclear powered carriers, is one of the largest warships in the world. It is named after World War II Pacific Fleet Commander Chester W. Nimitz.

Captain Monger will be speaking with visitors at the National Museum of the Pacific War on April 9th at 3pm in a question and answer session that is free and open to the public inside the Nimitz Ballroom. Later that evening, Monger will attend the Nimitz Old Texas Round-Up Barbecue which begins at 6pm.

Monger is the son of a career naval aviator and retired rear admiral. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1982. During his career, he has served as a flight instructor, commanding officer of F14 Squadron VF-154 and was the personal aide to the secretary of the Navy during the 1990s. Monger has received various awards, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the 2001 Navy League Leadership Award.

Tickets for the barbecue are $25 for adults 21 and older, $15 for those ages 12- 20, and children 11 and younger are free. Each dinner ticket includes two drink tickets. Tickets will be available at the door or you can purchase yours today in the Museum stores or online at Nimitz-bookstore.com. Raffle tickets are available at the National Museum of the Pacific War stores for $5 each or 5/$20. The Almost Patsy Cline Band is a Hill Country staple that performs country hits will be providing music for the gathering thanks to a donation from the Perdernales Creative Arts Alliance and Oktoberfest.

Wings of Freedom Tour happening Wednesday through Friday at airport

Fly in a B-series bomber and fighter aircraft – just like what was flown during WWII during the Wings of Freedom Tour happening this Wednesday, April 6 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., Thursday, April 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, April 8 from 9:00 a.m. until noon at the Gillespie County Airport. Make plans to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience with 30-minute flights in an authentic B-17 or B-24 or an hour flight in a P-51 Mustang fighter. Cost: $425 per person. Walk-through tours are $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 years and younger. For information, call 800-568-8924

Gillespie County Historic Schools Trail - April 2

Gillespie County Country Schools Open House features five schools this spring. Willow City, Rheingold, Cave Creek, Nebgen, and Junction schools will be open for tour. Driving maps and directions for the tour are available at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center at 302 East Austin Street, at each school, or online at www.historicschools.org/directions.htm. PRIZE DRAWING Prize tickets are available now through April 3. Proceeds to benefit restoration and maintenance at the twelve schools.