The Big Bend Gazette – October 2021

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The

Big Bend Gazette October 2021

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Big Bend High School — If You Build It... By Mimi Smith, pg. 3 Cover Photo by Voni Glaves

Amy Oxenham: the Brewster of Brewster County By Mimi Smith, pg. 6

Awareness: the Greatest Defensive Skill By Jim Wilson, pg. 8

Analysis: Man Bites Dog, Tries to Make Amends By Ross Ramsey, pg. 9

... and Much More!

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Editor’s Letter

The

Big Bend Gazette

By MIMI SMITH

2021 Vol. 21, No. 9 PUBLISHER

Mimi Smith

publisher.bigbendgazette@gmail.com

ADVISOR

John Waters SUBMISSIONS, PRESS RELEASES, AND NOTICES OF EVENTS

(letters to the editor, articles, essays, photographs, other artwork) are welcomed—and published at our discretion. Anonymous letters to the editor are disregarded; you may request that your name be witheld from publication, but all submissions must be signed and contain contact information. All submissions are edited for clarity and brevity. The Big Bend Gazette is published the first week of each month from our office in Alpine, Texas, and printed at The Monahans News, in Monahans, Texas. The Gazette is distributed in Alpine, Big Bend National Park, Fort Davis, Lajitas, Marathon, Marfa, Terlingua. 432-386-5508 publisher@bigbendgazette.com

www.bigbendgazette.com Copyright © 2021 The Big Bend Gazette Material from this publication may be reprinted only with permission. As a forum for the community, the opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the Gazette staff.

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The Big Bend Gazette OCTOBER 2021

Kabul Airport

Eyes brimming with tears, Fort Bliss soldiers welcomed the first groups of Afghan Allies to arrive at Fort Bliss, El Paso, at the end of August. As one group of women and children descended the stairs from the aircraft, all the male soldiers moved off to the side of the staircase; their backs to the plane, their left shoulders to the staircase, eyes straight ahead. They did this to show respect for people and their customs; to minimize any embarrassment for the women coming down the stairs. And to give a clear message that women and men disembarking would be welcomed with dignity. “A lot of people had an undignified exit in the chaos of the evacuation. We’re hoping to give them a very dignified entry into their new lives in the United States,” explained a State Department representative during a September 10 press conference and tour of a small section of the village that Fort Bliss built for their guests, in Dona Ana County, New Mexico. (Reported by KERA, a public media organization) As for my two friends, both former interpreters, and their families, who were caught in the chaos in Kabul, trying to get out, I am happy to report that they came home to the United States. Written on their hearts forever are the courage and the kindness, the unflagging kindness, of our military men and women who held back the Taliban in the final stand in Afghanistan at the Kabul airport. I talked with one of these two women, after she was safe at home, and she told

me the airport was so difficult. She and her family were turned away the first day they tried to get in. Then, with the help of Congressional staffers stateside, coordinating with the State Department or with the military on the ground in Kabul, an American called my friend on her phone to tell her someone would come for her and her family. Within the hour, a U.S. vehicle came for her and her family at their hiding place, and took them back to the Kabul airport. And dropped them off outside the airport. This second time, she made it inside, terrified but determined, walking through Taliban gunfire meant to intimidate and harass. When an official of the U.K. saw that this woman had permanent resident status in the U.S., he insisted she was in the wrong part of the airport and should go out and come in again. That she was in the area for people who did not have complete U.S. residency status. For people whose Special Immigration Visas were still pending She could not go back outside. Instead, she went up to a young American Marine and asked him for help, explaining, and showing her U.S. documents. My friend told me on the phone: “He was so kind. He was so kind. He led us to the front of the line, and made sure that we got on the right transport. This flight went to the host country Qatar. Again, in Qatar, she found a U.S. serviceman and explained that she had a home in the U.S. and had been living in the U.S. All documented. To which the service

man responded by getting her on a flight for people who could go home, and did not need to be further vetted. She arrived in the U.S. exhausted, shaken, sick, grateful, and brimming with love for this country. Throughout the airport ordeal, mothers showed their children that this was a time to help others, with the children translating too. Powerful ties and strong emotions bind our military servicemen and women to our Afghan Allies. Each arrival represents those Afghans who stood by military and civilians, in the most harrowing of circumstances, for two decades in Afghanistan. As Commander Wagner said, in a video made by Fort Bliss, “There were a lot of wet faces. Especially for folks who have been deployed over to Afghanistan, to see our Afghan guests arriving, first coming in -a lot of our soldiers had some emotional moments.” Last month, I wrote that I didn’t know why I always cry when talking about or writing about the Afghan friends who helped us -- helped me. As it turns out, that is the universal response of anyone who was there, even as a civilian. I was so moved by the way my Afghan colleagues -- men and women -- welcomed me to Kabul, and went to great lengths to make me feel at home. Not a foreigner. I am again moved to tears that our military calls these Afghans guests, always guests, and has named the mission of bringing them to the U.S. Operation Allies Welcome.


Big Bend High School — If You Build It... By MIMI SMITH

View from the high school Photo by Voni Glaves

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hey call it “The Sky Dome’’, a decadesold term of endearment for the bare, open-air desert playing fields, punctuated by a hard slab of a basketball court, have been the only athletics venue that Terlingua Common School students and alumni have ever known. Up until now. Because Big Bend High School, as people usually call the pre-K through 12th grade

school, is finally getting a gym—a real gymnasium, with wooden floors that have just the right amount of give for pounding shoes and bouncing balls, the right surfaces to provide that telltale squeak of rubber-soled shoes in lateral motion, and walls to volley missed balls instead of having to chase them into the arid desert, bounding over cacti and creosote. But the name stays the Sky Dome.

Back in 1996, when Big Bend High School first broke ground, the nation sighed in relief for the students who had suffered the 176 mile round trip school bus ride for... well, forever. News of that high school bus ride had traveled around the country. Donations came in from everywhere, then grants, and it was finally time to build a school for the students of south Brewster County:

Terlingua, Study Butte, Lajitas, and Panther Junction. People had talked about it for too many years. The fundraising arm of the school, the Big Bend Education Corporation raised enough money, along with grants, to build a school, “on the thinnest of shoestrings”, said the L.A. Times. Over the years, the school added a library, a playground, a shady area,

OCTOBER 2021 The Big Bend Gazette

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Harvest Moon sets over the Skydome Photo by Leo Ofenstein

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The Big Bend Gazette OCTOBER 2021

and RV sites and pads for teachers’ housing. Initially, however, when the longest bus ride first ended, students and teachers took a leap of faith and started the school with only temporary classrooms that were barely more than a new discomfort to that first class in1996: hot, cramped little trailers in a climate regularly over 105 degrees. What those kids put up with for an entire school year. In August of 1997, the Washington Post reported gleefully from Terlingua: “Big Bend High School, home of the Roadrunners, seems like a palace.” These are tough kids. The high school grew top notch sports teams, including one particularly successful girls’ basketball team. The catch was that most of the other schools’ teams couldn’t handle the gravelly terrain, or see their way through the dirt delivered in swirling dust devils by the uninterrupted West Texas wind. Most of the other schools considered the Sky Dome downright inhospitable. But now the ink has dried on the contracts and the commitments are in: Terlingua Common School, AKA Big Bend High School, will have a real gymnasium for athletics, competitive division-wide sports, dances, graduations, UIL competitions and practice space, theater and music performances, workshops, and community gatherings, beginning in July of 2022. The TCS Directors over the years have budgeted for it and saved for this multipurpose building, and the Big Bend Education Corporation is still raising money for it, but it is finally happening. Student athletes will now have the chance for athletic scholarships and semi-pro clubs that other schools have long known. The performing arts will have a home in Big Bend High School. The multipurpose gymnasium even has a separate space for Big Bend High School’s (and Junior High’s) robotics classes and the robotics teams’ top secret competition engineering projects. To truly attempt to capture the energy, excitement,


and gravitas of the occasion, the Gazette tapped some former Terlingua players and players-turned -coaches for their take on what a new gymnasium really means. Here are their stories in their own words, edited for space and clarity. Isae Rodriguez, Class of 2003 “As a player, playing outside was hot and sunny, but it was an adventure I will always remember. It’s almost the same heat you have in a gym, but with a difference that there were some days that we would have that wind, same wind that would make us chase the basketballs into the desert. Chasing the basketball was one thing no one liked doing because you had to jump fences, mesquites, and creosote. On the basketball court, you wouldn’t take any charges -- that says how hard it was. A gym would help . . . students to have the experience that other schools have. As a coach, I had to remember we were practicing under the sun and breaks were required. I could feel the heat more when coaching than when actually playing. Having a gym will give coaches more time to actually coach rather than chasing basketballs.” Saray Fuentez, Class of 2009 “Congratulations Coach Reed & everyone involved that made this happen! I know how much you have always wanted this & it took many years of hard work but most definitely worth the wait. Although I will not benefit from this new development I couldn’t be any happier for the Paisanos that will now be able to compete at the level we couldn’t! Not because we weren’t talented enough, because Coach Reed poured so much time and energy into molding the players we became, but because we lacked a gymnasium! Not only will this new facility

open up new opportunities for the athletic department but it will also become a venue for academic events we were never able to host. It was an honor to play at the Sky Dome! It will forever be my home. I still go back when I can and catch up with Coach on that court. I literally have scars on my knees from falling on that hot concrete but I wouldn’t change it for anything! It made us such unique & tough players! No one can take those memories away from us.” Sierra Lowe, Class of 2006 “As one of the first members of the girls’ basketball team in Terlingua, I couldn’t be more excited about this new chapter for Terlingua CSD/BBHS, which has been ‘in the works’ since I graduated. Playing the Sky Dome was incredible. It definitely made us tougher in a very unique way, compared to the other teams we played. Our experience was like no other. There was no wall for us to bounce off of after trying to block a layup. Most of us learned to just slide in gravel and hopefully not eat it. Watching the girls from the opposing teams try to do so was, well, quite entertaining to say the least. I can’t wait to see the progress in the new upcoming gymnasium, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds for our future Paisanas and Paisanos! Viva Hoops!”

Sky Dome, but this new addition to the Terlingua CSD and BBHS will open up new opportunities for kids growing up in South Brewster. I couldn’t be any happier for the Paisanos that will now be able to compete at the level we couldn’t, not because we weren’t talented enough—because Coach Reed poured so much time and energy into molding the players we became—but because we lacked a gymnasium! Not only will this new facility open up new opportunities for the athletic department but it will also become a venue for all the academic events we were never able to host, either.” Shelsea Mendoza, Class of 2013 “What started as a dream for many BBHS alumnae and myself, is now turning into reality. Although the Terlingua Sky Dome will always hold a special place in our hearts and taught many of us the true meaning of building character, toughness and appreciating the small things,the feeling of finally having a multipurpose gymnasium at our campus, almost feels dreamlike. As a coach, I am grateful to be a part of this milestone and am extremely excited for the new students, especially being able to finally compete in district basketball.” ✽

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Brendan Flippo, Class of 2009 “It was an honor to play at the Sky Dome! It will forever be my home. I still go back when I can and catch up with Coach Reed on that court. I literally have scars on my knees from falling on that hot concrete, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. It made us such unique & tough players. No one can take those memories away from us! I have great memories of playing ball at Terlingua

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Amy Oxenham

The Brewster of Brewster County

Oxenham, celebrating the Brew

Photo by Amy Oxenham

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ome people are like cacti: a little encouragement, a little bit of help, the opportunity to learn, all go a long way when invested in a cactus person. That person will take the encouragement to heart; soaking up knowledge and wasting nothing. Amy Oxenham is one of those cactus people. She is the Head Brewer at Brick Vault Brewery & BBQ in Marathon, and was recently selected for the Samuel Adams Foundation’s year-long program: Moms Brewing the American Dream. The Foundation describes the criteria for selection: “The fifty recipients of the Moms Brewing the American Dream [are] chosen based on the predicted impact that the

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The Big Bend Gazette OCTOBER 2021

By MIMI SMITH mentoring sessions will have on their longterm business success.” Cactus people. Why moms? Samuel Adams Foundation says: “We recognize that supporting moms who are also pursuing their entrepreneur dreams goes beyond just offering help to their businesses right now, so we hope that this initiative can provide some relief to a community that needs some extra support.” As a giant in the food and beverage industry, the Samuel Adams Company saw the disparate impact that Covid measures had on moms. Moms left the workforce in droves. Mimi Smith of The Big Bend Gazette interviewed Oxenham in the Brewing

room of Brick Vault Brewery, to describe the journey in her own words. Gazette: You are part of Texas brewing royalty, not the kind you’re born into, but because you worked for and apprenticed with the late Steve Anderson, the first brewmaster of the first brewpub in Texas. Did you have any idea where this job would lead you, back in 2013? Oxenham: Landing the job at Big Bend Brewing Co.in Alpine was just a very awesome, and very fitting coincidence. I already had a background in agriculture and a particular interest in fermenting. I truly found my calling in brewing and also lucked out in finding the most incredible

brewing mentor, Brewmaster Steve Anderson. Not only did he mentor me but he supported my formal brewing education with the Siebel Institute of Technology (his alma mater). In 2015, I earned a certificate in Brewing Science and Technology. Less than a year into my brewing job at BBBco, I started working toward a biology degree at Sul Ross State University, in the fall of 2014. I have always been interested in food science, and Sul Ross has a great Food Science graduate program. Of course, fermentation has always been a point of interest for me. I actually began the biology degree hoping to prepare for graduate studies in food science—I haven’t made it


to grad school yet because I’m incredibly happy with where I am currently, professionally. In 2019 I completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Sul Ross. While I had started with brewing, I feel fortunate for my circuitous route to higher education. I’m grateful for the practical experience that I had before the academic experience. I was already working at Big Bend Brewing Co., observing and experiencing phenomena that were then fully elucidated in the classroom. I look at my position now as an opportunity to honor the legacy of the Brewmaster who changed the face of Texas brewing, Steve Anderson. Gazette: Had you studied agriculture? Oxenham. Oh no. I worked in agriculture. I had never been to college. I had not even visited a college. When I began at Sul Ross in 2014, I had absolutely no background in university life. It was all new. I was 28 years old, with an almost-4-year-old daughter— definitely a non-traditional student. In 2017, I welcomed my second daughter mid-semester. I’m proud to say that I am a first-generation college graduate and was able to graduate with honors (cum laude). Gazette: How did you do it? Working, with two children, one of whom was born while you were going to college full time? Oxenham: I had the unwavering support of my husband, Elliott Ybarra. Also the support of generous teachers from the Sul Ross Biology department: Dr. Ritzi, Dr. Crystal, Sean Graham, and Dr. Zech, and history lecturer Matt Walter. All of these teachers allowed my kids to attend lectures; allowed me to take time away from school to parent, and allowed for accommodations for both pre and post delivery. I’m also incredibly grateful to Student Support Services (SSS) under the guidance of Liz Castillo, Juddith Loya, and Aaron Herrera who held my hand through the confusing landscape of university. Gazette: What is Student Support Services? Oxenham: It’s a part of the university, a peer-oriented, hands-on program that offers support to students who are first generation college students, or students who come from a low income household, or who have a documented disability. Gazette: Did you know about SSS when you started school? Oxenham: No. They reached out to let students know that the Services were there. Liz Castillo gave a talk during one of Matt Walters’ history lectures. Through SSS, I was encouraged to and shown how to apply for scholarships and grants. I received grants and tutoring. I was exposed to cultural activities. (The crowning jewel culturally was seeing the musical “RENT”.) Student Support Services even provided me access to a private and quiet place to breastfeed my newborn. I carry the generosity of each of these people in my heart and into

Amy Oxenham in the brewery room, at Brick Vault Brewery and BBQ Photo by Amy Oxenham

my own professional life. Gazette: After graduation, what did you do? Oxenham: After graduating, I was actually in a teaching position for the 2019 -2020 school year. I had been offered the brewery position in 2019 by Brick Vault’s founding brewer Brodie Pierce (we’d brewed together at BBBco), but I was unable to accept the brewing position due to my teaching commitment. When Covid happened, the school where I was teaching decided not to return to in-person school after spring break of 2020. It was then that I accepted the brewing position and actually finished up the end of the teaching semester, Zooming from the brewery. Gazette: You started this career in the middle of Covid shutdowns of 2020? That was a precarious time for the food and beverage industry. Was the brewery affected? Oxenham: There was a short time that the Brick Vault closed—however, we were able to open again because we are a brewpub, meaning that the food sales are more

than 51% of the sales. [State law] Of course, it was a difficult time community-wide and company-wide, but thanks to the ingenuity and perseverance of our Operations Manager and Kitchen Manager, Phillip Moellering and Andrew Ramirez, we were able to pivot through this difficult time to create different offerings and service accommodations. We offered a lot of to-go options like family meals and beer/beverages to-go to make it through. Luckily, we have a large and comfortable outdoor patio space in the front of the restaurant. We were able to provide options for outdoor dining that lent themselves easily to covid precautions. Gazette: What is the vision of Brick Vault Brewery and BBQ? Oxenham: Our mission here at the Brick Vault is to provide world-class bbq and beer in the best part of Texas, the Big Bend Region. Between the Brewery, the BBQ, the kitchen and our incredible staff at the front, serving up food and beverages, we offer a highly crafted menu in a casual and

beautiful setting. The place is designed to suit family gatherings, date night, even work meetings; out of town visitors, and people from this region going out for great food and craft beer. The Brick Vault is able to offer a comfortable, spacious, relaxed setting with out-of-this world food and beverage. Each of us are extremely dedicated to our craft—and I’m proud to work with such passionate people. Gazette: And your own vision? Oxenham: Personally, I aim to make the brewery a hub for education, community, and creativity. I welcome anyone interested in brewing, especially other women, into the brewery to observe and participate in this age-old process. This year I’ve teamed up with some other local homebrewers to create a home brew club: Big Bend Brewers. We meet bi-monthly to discuss, taste, collaborate, and inspire one another. It is my goal to create more educational and collaborative opportunities around beer and brewing within this amazing community. OCTOBER 2021 The Big Bend Gazette

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Awareness: The Greatest Defensive Skill W

hether or not a person chooses to lawfully carry a defensive handgun, awareness is the greatest defensive skill that a person can have. That would seem like an obvious statement except that none of us are as aware of our surroundings as we could be or as we should be. The ideal is to spend our waking hours in a state of relaxed awareness. That is, we should be continually observing what is going on around us, evaluating it, and determining what, if anything, we should do about it. What we are looking for is things that don’t fit...that strange car prowling our neighborhood...the person who seems focused on watching us or our family members...the guy in the convenience store who seems excessively nervous as if he might be getting his nerve up to pull a robbery...the argument across the room in the restaurant that sounds like it might be getting out of hand. In short, we are

MODIFIED BITUMEN

especially alert for things that might place us in danger or lead to a criminal attack. Once we spot a potential problem, we should not ignore it and just try to go on about our business. We should keep an eye on that potential threat until it leaves, we leave, or we realize that it is not really the problem that we thought it might be. A good illustration would be a situation where we are working in our yard and just get the brief glimpse of a snake as it goes into the bushes. We don’t know if it is venomous or not. In that situation, only a fool would just ignore it and go on about the yard work. We stay on alert and observant until we determine what kind of snake it is and what we need to do about it. The alert citizen, observing a potential threat, should begin preparing for flight or fight. By training ourselves to be more aware, we are able to spot potential trouble while there are still several options for dealing with it. Whenever pos-

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The Big Bend Gazette OCTOBER 2021

By JIM WILSON

sible, the best choice a citizen can make is just to get away from the problem, but he should always consider that it may become necessary to employ self defense. And one should always consider the need to notify law enforcement. It is even easier to heighten our awareness if we work with a spouse or partner who also understands the need. Two people can remind each other to stay observant. And one person might see things that the other one misses. Illness and fatigue can also rob us of our ability to be alert and, in those times, the partner can take up the slack. And, in the event of an actual criminal attack, having a trained partner multiplies the chances of surviving. We are fortunate in the Big Bend country that there is really very little violent crime. But this can lead a person to being unconcerned and unaware of what is going on around him. The low rate of violent crime is little consolation when

we become the exception to the rule. And, regardless of where you live, you are responsible for your own safety. It is simply a good idea to work to increase one’s state of awareness. You know you are gaining on it when you begin to spot friends in the grocery store before they see you. And, of course, you would be losing points if you don’t see the police car until he is right behind you and turns his lights on. Simply put, by increasing our awareness we are able to spot potential trouble while there is still time to get away from it or, failing that, prepare to deal with it. And the more we work at it, the better we become at it. Stay alert...stay safe...it’s up to you. Jim Wilson is a retired Texas peace officer and former Texas sheriff with 30 years behind the badge. He currently makes his living as a writer and defensive firearms instructor.

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Analysis: Man bites dog, tries to make amends By ROSS RAMSEY

The Texas Tribune, texastribune.org

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his audio is available at https://www.texastribune. org/2021/09/08/texas-greg-abbott-dog-humane/ Greg Abbott is trying to ease his way out of a treacherous political mistake. Earlier this year, the governor of Texas vetoed legislation that would protect dogs. State lawmakers knew what they were doing when, during the regular legislative session earlier this year, they passed Senate Bill 474, which said, in part: “An owner may not leave a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint unless the owner provides the dog access to: adequate shelter; an area that allows the dog to avoid standing water and any other substance that could cause harm to the health of a dog that is subjected to prolonged exposure to the substance, including feces or urine; shade from direct sunlight; and potable water.” Seems reasonable, if you like animals. But the governor, himself a proud dog owner (Pancake and Peaches, if you’re curious), thought that legislation was an infringement of the rights of dog’s best friend, who presumably should be allowed to tie dogs to any old thing and leave them outside.

The governor didn’t say it that way. In the signed veto message attached to the bill, he wrote: “Texans love their dogs, so it is no surprise that our statutes already protect them by outlawing true animal cruelty. Yet Senate Bill 474 would compel every dog owner, on pain of criminal penalties, to monitor things like the tailoring of the dog’s collar, the time the dog spends in the bed of a truck, and the ratio of tether-to-dog length, as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Texas is no place for this kind of micromanaging and over-criminalization.” The governor’s veto is a political opponent’s dream. Any meathead who has even seen a political advertisement could write this one. Camera starts with a shot of a yard with a post, with a chain hooked to the post and to the collar on a sorrowful dog. Announcer: This is Skippy. Skippy’s owner went shopping and forgot to leave water next to this circle of dirt where Skippy spends most of his time. Camera zooms in on the dog. Announcer: Skippy is hot. Skippy is thirsty. Camera zooms in on Skippy’s face. Announcer: Some people think this is a terrible way to treat a dog or any other

animal. The Texas Legislature agrees. Republicans and Democrats alike supported a bill this year that would punish people who do this to their dogs. Announcer: Greg Abbott vetoed it. Camera shows Skippy turning his head in confusion. Maybe you’d handle the advertising differently, but for anyone running a campaign against Greg Abbott, it would be malpractice not to talk about protecting dogs. And the governor, or someone working for the governor, has apparently figured that out. He added the issue to the agenda of the third special session of the Legislature, the one that’s mainly about redrawing new political maps and spending $16 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds. He’s trying to clean up his mess. Abbott also included a couple of hot political issues that didn’t pass in earlier special sessions. One would require that transgender student athletes play on sports teams based on their gender assigned at birth instead of their gender identity. Another would restrict local government vaccine mandates. Those are serious issues that have stalled after pitched debates both in the Legislature and among the voters law-

makers try to represent. Two more were intentionally left for this third special session. If lawmakers don’t draw new political maps, they risk letting judges do it for them. And spending $16 billion in federal pandemic relief is on everyone’s list of things to do. Only one of the five issues is new to the governor’s to-do list. The dog bill passed during the regular session that ended in May, and the governor vetoed it in June. He didn’t include it on his list of priorities in the first or second special session — gatherings where restrictive election and anti-abortion legislation topped the governor’s agenda. But it’s there now, added to the to-dos in the dry language of gubernatorial pronouncements: “Legislation similar to Senate Bill 474 as passed by the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, but that addresses the concerns expressed in the governor’s veto statement.” Somebody must’ve barked. “Analysis: Man bites dog, tries to make amends” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

OCTOBER 2021 The Big Bend Gazette

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South Brewster County JP, Judge Jim Burr, will not run for reelection

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erlingua area Justice of the Peace, Judge Jim Burr, has announced he will not seek reelection next year. Judge Burr said “I can’t thank the people of South County enough for allowing me to be their Justice of the Peace for four terms. It’s truly been an adventure, an honor, and a pleasure to serve. I’ve made some mistakes along the way but I’ve done my best to be fair and treat everyone the same. Though I’ll miss this job, the time has come for someone else to take over. That said, after sixteen years of service I’m retiring at the end of my term on December 31st of 2022”. While the end of next year may seem a long way off, the time-

frame for filing to appear on the ballot starts this year on November 13th and ends on December 13. The primary will be held in the spring of next year, 2022. The actual date has yet to be set by the Texas Secretary of State. Those who have an interest in running for the office should contact Ms. Lora Nussbaum, the Brewster County Elections Administrator at (432) 837-6230. She will have the information on how file to be put on the ballot and the needed contact numbers. The Judge added “Please feel free to contact me if you’d like some idea of what holding this office entails. And again, thank you very much for your support over the years”.

Jim Burr | Courtesy photo

Meet Cosmo

Cosmo is an older male cat just looking for his home and lap to retire. He is approximately 12 years old and he will need some healthy food, lots of petting, and love. He probably counts naps as exercise now BUT he still has lots of devotion to give you. Cosmo is happy with other cats and has happy interactions with the other cats at the shelter. He even likes to be with the younger cats, although he is not ready for any roughhousing. We think he will need attention at first until he gets settled and then will find his hiding places for long naps. For Cosmo, a lap and love is the one thing he really wants. He head butts you before you even get to him and his desire to spend time with you is what he deserves. We suspect that Cosmo would prefer older children and it is also unknown how he would like a home with a dog. If your home does have either, a good acclimation will get Cosmo settled in nicely.

Many wonderful cats and dogs are at the shelter, awaiting good homes. The City of Alpine Animal Shelter, 2900 Old Marathon Hwy in Alpine, allows visitors every day between 10 am and 6 pm, by appointment only, due to public health concerns, and face masks are required. Please call ahead (432) 837-9030 to arrange to meet your new furry family member. Or visit www.petfinder.com and put in Alpine’s zip code 79830. Follow the Alpine Humane Society on Facebook Alpine Humane Society Thrift Store, 706 N. 5th Street in Alpine Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm All proceeds help animals of Brewster County.

We can help you defray the cost of spaying/neutering your pet. Call us: 432.837.2532 www.alpinehumanesociety.org

We have trees, shrubs, perennials, Agaves, Yuccas, Cacti and other plants, mostly grown from regionally collected seed. Right now is the best time for color here in the Trans-Pecos, and we have lots of flowering plants. Email inquiries are welcome. Sales by appointment only.

Call or email to make an appointment to see for yourself all that is available. Patty Manning 432-940-1124

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The Big Bend Gazette OCTOBER 2021

Cyndi Wimberly 432-386-3635


HONORING PATTY MANNING

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By THE BIG BEND CHAPTER OF THE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS

he Big Bend Chapter of the Native Plant Society is proud to announce that Patty Manning will be honored this October at the Native Plant Society of Texas Fall Symposium. Patty is a long time member of the Big Bend Chapter of NPSOT and she and Cyndi Wimberly own and operate a native plant nursery, Twin Sisters Nursery, in Alpine, Texas. Patty been encouraging native plant landscaping since her days as a student at Sul Ross State University and, later, as the manager of the SRSU native gardens and greenhouses. She collected, propagated, and sold plants as well as offered education and advice for landscaping with native plants. She was, and continues to be, a driving force for using Trans Pecos natives in landscapes throughout the Big Bend. She is getting the award for her work collecting herbarium

specimens for preservation and documentation of the native plants of Texas. We are proud of Patty and lucky to call her friend and colleague in the Big Bend Chapter of the Native Plant Society. Below is the announcement released by the Native Plant Society of Texas. The Shirley Lusk Memorial Award honors a community scientist for collecting and preserving Texas native plants for public education by providing outstanding contribution of herbarium vouchers. Patty Manning has been collecting herbarium specimens during her tenure at Sul Ross State University and continues to collect and document the flora of Texas now that she is retired from the university. She has added valuable data to our knowledge, including the collection and documentation of plants that were previously unknown in Texas.

Patty Manning | Photo: Leo Ofenstein

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The Well Armed Woman Shooting Chapters Inc

Creating Armed Brave Confident Women

Sheriff (Ret.) Jim Wilson teaches a class to members of the Big Bend Chapter of TWAW Photo courtesy of TWAW Big Bend Chapter

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re you a woman with an interest in learning more about firearms, firearm safety, personal protection, concealed carry, and more? TWAW Shooting Chapters can help! TWAW chapter meetings offer a welcoming, non-intimidating place for women to come each month to learn about all those topics and so much

more. Monthly meetings offer classroom and range time, all under the guidance of certified women instructors. Class time offers the best information the industry has to offer, and leaders seek out top-tier guest speakers to further expand your knowledge. On top of all that, you’ll make lifelong friends with other women in your area. Chapter Leader Instructors offer

their expertise on subjects such as selfdefense, local gun laws, owning a gun with children in the home, concealed carry, and more. Safety is always the primary focus. The universal firearm safety rules are taught, applied, and always adhered to under the supervision of certified firearms instructors and range safety officers. TWAW has nearly 400 chapters in 47

states. Membership is open to women 18/21 years (depending on state law) or older who are legally eligible to possess firearms. For more information or to find a chapter near you visit twawshootingchapters.org. The Big Bend Chapter of TWAW meets monthly in Alpine for classroom and range training. Contact Sylvia Nelson at (432) 294-0595

BigBendGazette.com

www. 12

The Big Bend Gazette OCTOBER 2021


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Alcoholics Anonymous Food Pantry of Jeff Davis County distribution dates: FORT DAVIS, 609 Compromise St 2nd & 4th Saturdays, Jan - Oct 1st & 3rd Saturdays, Nov - Dec 9-11 am VALENTINE (City Hall, next door to the Community Center) On the Thursday prior to distribution in Fort Davis 3-5 pm DAVIS MOUNTAINS RESORT, DMR Firehouse Fridays, the day before distribution day in Fort Davis 2:30-4 pm FORT DAVIS: Oct 9 & 23 Nov 6 & 20 Dec 4 & 18

VALENTINE Oct 7 & 21 Nov 4 & 18 Dec 4 & 16

DMR: Oct 8 & 22 Nov 5 & 19 Dec 3 & 17 Due to COVID precautions, all distribu-

tions are DRIVE-THRU. People can fill out an application in the drive-thru line and if they qualify they will receive food immediately http://foodpantry-jdc.org/ How to become a client, including income guidelines and exceptions: http://www.foodpantry-jdc.org/ become-a-client.html Mobile Comunidad: https://www.mobilecomunidad.org/ https://www.facebook.com/jdc.mobile.comunidad

TERLINGUA meetings held Thursdays, 7:30 pm at the Big Bend Church, just north of the post office on Hwy. 118. ALPINE meetings held most evenings of the week at 502 E Lockhart Ave. For all area meetings, times and places, go to: http://nwta66.org

Northern Brewster County / Alpine Food Pantry Food Distribution Saturday, October 2, 9am to noon Tuesday, October 5, 4pm to 6pm Thursday, October 7, 10am to noon Tuesday, October 19, 4pm to 6pm Thursday, October 21, 10am to noon The new location is starting up for October, 2021 at 933 East Gallego. Check out Alpine Food Pantry on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/ FoodPantryOfAlpineTexas/ Or Call: (432) 294-5053 OCTOBER 2021 The Big Bend Gazette

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OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2021 ROUNDUP OF EVENTS OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2021 ROUNDUP OF EVENTS The best of what’s going on out West each month, for residents and friends of the Big Bend Region—and visitors, too!

ALPINE

National Night Out October 5th 6 to 8 p.m. at Kokernot Park (Alpine Municipal) Come mingle with the Alpine Police Department and other law enforcement agencies at this annual communitybuilding campaign, designed to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community—it provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Alpine Farmers’ Market Every Saturday 9 a.m. to Noon at 105 East Murphy Street The Alpine Farmers’ Market offers local food, crafts, plants and live music every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon in Alpine at the corner of 4th and Murphy Streets. There are new vendors every week and established vendors who come back every Saturday, all year round, including Bread Garden Bakery Alpine, Big Bend Beef, Desert Delights, Red Dirt Farm, Desert Mountain Growers, Bella Rocca. Blessing of the Animals October 9th 9 a.m. to Noon at Alpine Farmers Market (105 E. Murphy Street) Bring your (leashed or crated) furry,

14

The Big Bend Gazette OCTOBER 2021

finned, scaly, and feathered friends to receive their annual blessing and treats ( for them and their owners!) at this event sponsored by St. James Episcopal Church. This family-friendly commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi and his love for animals as a vital part of God’s creation will have a short service and then each pet will be blessed by Father Mike Wallens. Mid-Week Mercantile & Music Every Thursday through November 18th Starting at 4 p.m. at the Alpine Visitor Center (106 N 3rd Street at Avenue E) Break up the week with live music, arts & crafts, and food on the lawn outside the Alpine Visitor Center every Thursday evening, featuring local musicians such as Music Circle (October 14th), Hall’s Last Call Band (October 21st), and Ross Fleming (October 28th). Interested vendors can simply show up with merchandise in time to set up before the event begins, tables are available on a first come, first served basis. Contact the Alpine Visitor Center at 432-837-2326 with any questions. Old Gringo Pickers’ Circle October 3rd 4 to 7 pm at Old Gringo Coffee and Cocktails Big Bend Biker Hotel (101 West Avenue E) Grab some great grub, beverages (coffee or stronger libations), and free live music every Sunday at one of West Texas’s newest watering holes--voted NextDoor neighborhood favorite in 2020, and third best biker bar in all of Texas by Ride Magazine. Big Bend Bluegrass Jam October 9th & November 13th 3 to 5 p.m.

at Kokernot Park (Alpine Municipal) FREE Join the Big Bend Bluegrass Association at the Southwest side of the park for this monthly free public jam session and concert, held every month on the second Saturday. The BBBA encourages the promotion, preservation, and enjoyment of bluegrass, old-time, and traditional gospel music in the Big Bend Region of Far West Texas through public performances, workshops, educational programs, and historic preservation efforts. Cornhole Tournament October 16th 12 to 6 p.m. at American Legion Post 79 (306 W. Sul Ross Ave) $40 per team/$10 per plate Toss some bags for the soon-to-be grads and refuel with a taco bar supper at this fundraiser for the Alpine High School Project 2022 Graduation. Registration starts at noon and the games begin at 1 p.m., with prizes for first, second, and third place teams. The taco bar is $10 per plate, and includes rice, beans, all the fixings, dessert, and a drink! Wild West Night Virtual Fundraiser October 9th 5 to 9 p.m. with Sunshine House Celebrate virtually in 2021 with this annual fundraiser for the local Meals on Wheels program and senior center. The drive-by dinner includes curbside pickup of their famous enchiladas ($10 per plate), plus a free live-streamed concert by Craig Carter, and a silent auction. Visit SunshineHouseAlpine.com to buy advance tickets or register to bid on auction items. Bidding starts on October 1st! Living the Dream Mural Dedication October 8th 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sul Ross State University Come toast to the unveiling of the first Hispanic cultural pride mural at Sul Ross, created thanks to a $25K grant from the Union Pacific Community Giving Program. The goal of the project was to enhance outdoor spaces on campus by creating a second mural to honor the region’s diverse heritage. The new mural will live in front of the Graves-Pierce Gym, at the Fishbowl (room 129), downstairs from the Pete P. Gallego Center. Light refreshments will be served. Jonathan Foster at the Railroad Blues October 19th 8:30pm.-11:30 Country singer Justin Cole at the Railroad Blues October 29th Show begins at 10:00 pm

RRB 504 W. Holland Avenue, Alpine

FORT DAVIS

Davis Mountains Preserve Open Days October 23rd & 24th 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Get outside with the whole family with free day use admission to the nature preserve. Reserve your spot in advance online (register at preserve.nature.org/ page/90152/event/1). All visitors are encouraged to socially distance and wear a mask during registration, to bring their own food & water and to pack out everything they bring into the park. Some trails are accessible from the registration area but high clearance is required for all travel into the interior of the preserve including to the Baldy Peak trailhead. Expect a typical mountain climate:mild with unpredictable weather, so check the forecast, prepare appropriately, and assume nothing. Please, no camping, no fires, and no pets.

MARATHON

Second Sundays October 10th, November 8th 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the French Company Grocer (206 North Avenue) Old Rugged Gospel Choir (includes some of The Swifts) Outdoor stage and seating. The Comanche Trail: In the Shadow of Santiago October 8th, 9th & 10th at The Gage Hotel Tickets: $300/pp Head to Marathon and book a room at The Gage Hotel for the weekend to join notable scholars on all things Big Bend Region and First Nations history at this three-day cultural event. Some highlights of the weekend schedule include: an artists’ reception with Comanche artist and historian Dr. Eric Tippeconnic on Friday evening; a full day of speakers and lectures plus breakfast, catered lunch from Brick Vault BBQ, then cocktails in the Gage Gardens followed by a silent auction, dinner, dancing, and live music by Craig Carter and the Spur of the Moment Band on Saturday; and finally a Chuckwagon breakfast, cooked by the awardwinning chuckwagon chef JD Barnum, plus a Native Flute performance by the Marathon ISD Ensemble, on Sunday. Big Bends and Brews at Brick Vault Brewery and BBQ Second Sundays October 10th 11 to 11:45 a.m. Tickets: $10 per person


Join Brick Vault on the patio every Second Sunday of the month at 11 a.m. for Big Bends and Brews: an hour of yoga to get you warm followed by a cold pint to cool you off. The $10 admission includes 45 minutes of guided yoga (bring your own mat!) and a complimentary pint of Brick Vault craft beer. “It’s all about balance,” as they say on their Instagram @BrickVaultBreweryAndBBQ, where you can find more updated information about the event, and menus. Plus: dogs are welcome! 18th Annual Marathon 2 Marathon October 23rd Sprint to the finish line for a good cause in one of four races—marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K loops—with staggered starts between Highway 385 and the Marathon Community Center. 100% of registration proceeds from all M2M events over the weekend benefit The Marathon Health Center. Plus, this is a Boston Marathon qualifying course! To register and find more information, head to Marathon2Marathon.com.

MARFA

Marfa Farmers’ Market Saturdays in October 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Behind the USO Building on Highway 67 Find Marfa Meats, Marfa Coffee Company, Marfa Maid (goat dairy products) and more local purveyors and growers of groceries and gourmet goods at the new weekly farmers’ market, held each Saturday morning behind the USO building. Mystery Lights Run ’N Gun October 15 and 16 First time for this event. A mile high centerfire biathlon. Registration Is full, but go to the website to get on the waiting list. October 15th (Range Officers’s Run) & 16th (Competitors Run) On the Shurley Ranch, 30 minutes south of Marfa Texas. -www.mysterylightsrunngun.com Chinati Weekend Marfa October 8th, 9th & 10th FREE Chinati Weekend will kick off on Friday,

October 8 with Made in Marfa, an event that showcases the shops, galleries, and studios around Marfa. Free open viewing of the Chinati collection, scholarly talks, and a community dinner will round out the weekend. Over the course of three days—starting Friday, October 8 and continuing through Sunday, October 10—the weekend’s free public program will also feature the opening of special exhibitions of work by Dan Flavin, Donald Judd, and Hyong-Keun Yun, an artist’s talk and open studio by Alan Ruiz, and a sunrise viewing of Judd’s 15 untitled works in concrete. Head to VisitMarfa.com for more info. Free Exercise & Wellness Classes at Marfa Public Library FREE Put some sweat and serenity back in your weekly routine with three different weekly outdoor classes in the Library courtyard: Zumba (Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.); Meditation (Tuesdays at 6 p.m.); and Kids’ Yoga for ages 3 to 10 (Sunday at 10:30 a.m.). Marfa PL would like to thank the Tocker Foundation for supporting these classes with a grant, so that they can offer them at no cost to the community. Follow @MarfaLibrary on Instagram or visit MarfaPublicLibrary.org/Programs for more info. Marfa 100 Ride October 15th to 17th This ride is so good that the live rides at 100k and 50k are sold out, all positions are taken. The virtual rides are still available, wherever you are. Spectacular Spectator Event. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Marfa Food Pantry. For updates, find the event’s page on Facebook or contact Zeke Raney at (214) 562-0070. MXTX: a Cross Border Exchange November 5th at Marfa Visitor Center (USO building, 302 S. Highland Ave) Ballroom Marfa invited 40 artists from across Texas and Mexico to collaborate on a sound library that represents each of their perspectives. A live performance of 12 works made from that library will take place at the Marfa Visitor Center on November 5th. Call Ballroom Marfa at (432) 729-3600 for times.

HUECO TANKS STATE PARK AND HISTORIC SITE

National Historic Landmark Designation and 27th Annual Interpretive Fair October 16th & 17th 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hueco Tanks Celebrate the National Park Service’s designation of Hueco Tanks State Park as a National Historic Landmark during the 27th Annual Interpretive Fair, during which the community can visit the park and learn more about the rich history of this region while being among the incredible rock formations of Hueco Tanks. Enjoy traditional performances, plus tours and programs throughout the two days. Rock climbing, archery, hiking, and much much more. Free events; all park entrance fees are waived. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit Hueco Tanks’ Facebook/Instagram or call Park headquarters at (915) 8571135.

Friday morning. Folklorica dancers. More. All Friday proceeds go to scholarships and other support for Terlingua schools. The Tolbert Chili Cook-Off November 3rd to 6th at the same time and dates, is on the south side of Hwy 170, 4.5 miles west of the intersection of highways 118 and 170. Some of the proceeds go to ALS research and to Terlingua school projects.

TERLINGUA

Dia de los Muertos Terlingua October 31st to November 2nd At Terlingua Ghost Town Come celebrate the Day of the Dead in Terlingua! It’s a Terlingua tradition to meet at sunset on November 2nd at the Historic Cemetery in the Terlingua Ghost Town to light candles and make offerings to loved ones long past, remember old friends, and make new ones as everyone visits and honors those who’ve gone before them. This is not a Halloween party, but a tradition of solemn remembrance and a quiet gathering at the historic Terlingua Cemetery just south of the Terlingua ghost town, on a slope overlooking the dramatic Chisos Mountains. CASI Chili Cook-Off Terlingua November 3rd to 6th at Rancho CASI on the north side of Highway 170 (River Road), 11 miles west of Study Butte and 7 miles east of Lajitas. Don’t miss the Big Bend High School band performance,

Backbends for Burros Join Us for even MORE Down Home Yoga @ Cactus Farm on Saturday mornings! Introductory Classes: Oct 16 – Vinyasa Flow; Oct 23 – Gentle & Slow (Both Intro Classes 9-10am). Additional Classes: Oct 23, 30, Nov 6, 20, 27, Dec 4, 11, 18. Times: 9-9:45 am – Vinyasa Flow & 9:45-10:45 am - Gentle & Slow. Suggested Donation $10/class. 100% of your donation will go towards securing permanent pasture lands for the region’s Wild Burros. Please do not let finances keep you from getting healthier. Give what you can and enjoy! Feel free to attend BOTH types of Classes for a single Donation. Led by Kate Healy Dykes, eryt500, lmt. Contact: www.katehealy.net

Alpine Small Animal Practice and large animal services Mary Dodson, D.V.M. Zachary Dodson, D.V.M.

All dogs and cats, big and small. If it barks or meows, we’ll see them. All surgical and medical services, vaccinations, boarding, and baths and dips provided.

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432-837-5416

Mon-Fri 7:45 am–5:30pm OCTOBER 2021 The Big Bend Gazette

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Big Bend Bluegrass Association is jammin’

Marc Goff plays in the first BBBA jam Tom Curry (back of his head) on guitar Photos by Mimi Smith

By MIMI SMITH

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Cynthia Perdue, Director of BBBA 16

The Big Bend Gazette OCTOBER 2021

he Big Bend Bluegrass Association had absolutely perfect weather for its first monthly jam in Kokernot Park’s idyllic setting, September 18th. A happy audience wandered in and about, some settling down on picnic blankets with cookers; some strolling with babies in arms. One toddler listened from above, straddling a large tree branch. It was a Norman Rockwell portrait of a community get-together. Second Saturdays of each month, from 3:00 - 5:00, mosey on over to Kokernot Park (south end of the picnic area). Listen, play, mingle, picnic, ask questions, and become part of the new Big Bend Bluegrass Association. It’s free; family friendly, and dog friendly, too! (leashed) Association Director Cynthia Perdue and the other players want to give musicians the opportunity to play, and give the

rest of us a chance to sit back and enjoy the fellowship and music. The BBBA is reviving Bluegrass Music in the Big Bend, with public performances, workshops, and educational programs throughout the year. As a 501c(3) non-profit organization the group’s vision is to encourage and support young musicians just starting out; to introduce Bluegrass music to school age kids, working with area schools or providing scholarships to special workshops and private music programs. BBBA is committed to access to music for all, even raising money to buy instruments for those who don’t have them and want to play. Not having an instrument or experience will not be a barrier to Bluegrass. Keep up with future performances or weather- induced changes in venue, at the BBBA FaceBook page.


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