Texas Quilt Museum Opens Nov. 13
Quilt: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (76” x 76”) by Ruth Cattles Cottrell
LA GRANGE, Texas — The city of La Grange soon will welcome visitors from all over the world as quilt artists and aficionados come to see the years-in-the-planning Texas Quilt Museum.
Nestled in the scenic hills of central Texas in Fayette County, the museum is the culmination of a lifelong dream of fifth-generation Texas quilters and cousins Karey Bresenhan and Nancy O’Bryant Puentes, also the President and Executive Vice-President, respectively, of Quilts, Inc., producers of trade and consumer quilt shows around the country.
The Grand Opening of the museum, located at 140 W. Colorado in La Grange, will take place on Nov. 13 at 1 p.m., and admission will be free all day.
Featuring 10,000 square feet of exhibition space and including a museum store, and the Pearce Memorial Library and Material Cultures Center, named for the pair’s grandmother, the museum also contains workspace for exhibition preparation.
The inaugural exhibit will showcase more than 60 quilts featured in the book Lone Stars III: A Legacy of Texas Quilts 1986-2011 (UT Press). It’s the third volume in a trilogy documenting the state’s quilt history.
“With this being the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Texas, we definitely wanted the first quilts that the public will see in the Museum to be from the Lone Star State,” Bresenhan says. “But future exhibits will feature incredible quilts from all over the world.”
The Texas Quilt Museum is housed in two buildings that date back to the 1890s in the heart of La Grange’s downtown historic district. And while much has been renovated and restored in the buildings, they definitely maintain the flavor of past times.
“We fell in love with these structures as soon as we saw them, and felt immediately that they would make a wonderful home for the museum,” Puentes says. “What could be better than viewing great quilts in a historic building?”
In addition, the side of the building will feature a specially commissioned mural, Quilt…History in the Making, that will overlook a planned period garden called “Grandmother’s Flower Garden” after the well-known traditional quilt pattern.
“We just can’t wait to cut the ribbon and invite people in the front doors for the first time,” Bresenhan sums up. “And we’re very happy that people from all walks of life—not just quilters—will be able to appreciate the artistry and history of quilting at this Museum.”
Quilts, Inc. produces trade and consumer quilt shows all across the country, including the largest in the U.S., the International Quilt Festival/Houston, which in 2010 attracted more than 60,000 attendees from over 35 countries.
For more information about the Texas Quilt Museum, visit <www.TexasQuiltMuseum.org>.
RFD-TV To Honor Roy Rogers, Trigger, Bullet
FORT WORTH, Texas – RFD-TV is scheduled to bring the “Trigger and Bullet Happy Trails Tour” to Texas as part of a 48-state tour honoring Roy Rogers (a.k.a. “The King of the Cowboys”).
Trigger “The Golden Palomino” and Bullet “The Wonder Dog” were two of Americas most loved pets and the public is invited to view the duo from Thursday, Dec. 1, through Saturday, Dec. 10, at the 50th NCHA Futurity at the Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum in Texas.
Roy Rogers reigned at a time when the cowboy ideal seemed to signify everything decent about a nation in which all things were possible. “The Roy Rogers Show” was one of Americas most watched television shows and over the course of 15 years on air and countless personal appearances with Roy’s horse, Trigger, Roy became an American icon and a pillar of strength, honesty, courage and decency that impacted so many Americans.
The Trigger and Bullet “Happy Trails Tour” began in July of 2010, after RFD-TV purchased Roy Rogers’ preserved horse, Trigger, and his German Shepherd dog, Bullet, in an auction at Christie’s in New York.
The company began traveling the pair in honor of western heritage and as a commemoration to what would be Roy Rogers’ 100th birthday.
The tour began in Omaha, Neb. where RFD-TV is headquartered.
“At every tour stop, these have proven to be very emotional experiences for all as the sight of this simple horse and dog on display brings back a flood of memories from their youth,” said Patrick Gottsch, founder and president of RFD-TV.
Trigger and Bullet will be located in the Amon G Carter Exhibit Hall where families and long-time enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view the “King of the Cowboys” faithful companions. RFD-TV offers the public the opportunity to have a free picture taken with the American icons.
Nostalgic Trigger and Bullet “Happy Trails Tour” merchandise are available online at RFDTV.com. RFD-TV also offers online opportunities for the public to share Roy Rogers stories, download pictures or join the RFD-TV Roy Rogers Riders Club.
“Roy Rogers, Trigger, and Bullet represent values and traditions that have been lost over time,” said Gottsch. “The club allows fans to re-establish that commitment to family values. The tour along with the RFD-TV Roy Rogers Riders Club will bring back very fond memories for many people. It’s values that parents and grandparents can share with their children and grandchildren.”
The Roy Rogers Riders Club boasted over 2.5 million members in its heyday and fans can still join the Roy Rogers Riders Club which inspires good values and helps support rural youth. When joining the Roy Rogers Club on <www.rfdtv.com> riders receive a membership card, a discount on merchandise, and a monthly Roy Rogers Club E-Newsletter.
Roy’s television show was Americas most watched show in its day and can be seen today on RFD-TV. The Roy Rogers Show, a collection of 100 television shows, and Roy Rogers Happy Trails Theatre, a collection of 88 movies air weekly with Roy “Dusty” Rogers Jr. hosting the programs.
For more information,visit <http://www.triggerandbullet.com> or <www.rfdtv.com>.
Texas School Districts May Owe Oil Companies Millions
TEXAS NEWS SERVICE
AUSTIN, Texas – Already hard-hit by more than $4 billion of state cuts, Texas school districts may have to pony up millions more to some of the nation’s largest oil refineries.
So far, 16 companies, including Valero Energy, have requested $135 million in property-tax rebates they say are owed to them for installing pollution-control devices covered by a state incentive program.
Tom “Smitty” Smith, spokesman for Public Citizen of Texas, says the controversy comes at a pivotal time for Gov. Rick Perry, who has announced he would slash both the federal Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency if elected president.
“At a time when the refining industry is making near-record profits, this is a real critical question for Gov. Perry. Are you going to stand up for the school kids, or are you going to stand up for corporate welfare for the biggest polluters in the state?”
Perry has said he trusts the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to evaluate the refund requests, but Smith says TCEQ’s members – all appointed by the governor – have a pro-corporate history. Unless there’s a public outcry, Smith fears, they will side with an industry which has donated heavily to past Perry campaigns.
“The tendency of the TCEQ is to bend over backwards and give these large corporate polluters everything they want at the expense, in this case, of the schoolchildren of Texas and the taxpayers of the state.”
Disagreement remains about whether the equipment Valero installed in 2007 meets eligibility requirements for tax incentives. Environmentalists contend it makes no sense to give state tax incentives for technology that already is required by the feds.
Some of the counties that might have to pay for the rebates include Harris, Howard, El Paso, Jefferson, and Nueces. Many of the school districts which depend on refinery property taxes already have been struggling because of multiple corporate tax breaks.
“These aren’t like rich suburban school districts that have lots of wealthy homeowners to tax. These are amongst the poorest in the country.”
Linda Bridges, president of Texas’ American Federation of Teachers, says some schools would find it impossible to take additional revenue losses after staff layoffs, larger class sizes and program cuts.
“There’s a tremendous amount of money that has been cut that directly impacts kids. And then you add in rebates to Valero and other oil companies. It certainly makes a bad situation worse.”
It’s not clear when the TCEQ will decide the matter, but school advocates are expected to voice concern at the commission’s next meeting Nov. 2. Meanwhile, community-based opposition to the tax refund has been growing, with some parents planning bake sales to demonstrate their need for more – not less – state aid.
El Hierro Island Still Menaced By Earthquakes
New Volcano May Be On Verge Of Erupting
EL HIERRO — The Lone Star Iconoclast’s article “When Will The Canary Sing?” drew considerable attention worldwide. It was about the recent earthquake, volcanic activity on the Canary Islands, specifically El Heirro.
According to Saturday’s report online at the Volcano Discovery website, <http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/2431/El-Hierro-volcano-Canary-Islands-Spain-deep-earthquake-swarms-in-the-El-Golfo-area.html>, earthquakes continue there.
“While the submarine eruption south of El Hierro Island continues, a large number of mostly deep (around 20km) earthquakes of up to 3.3 magnitude have been occurring in the gulf off the NW coast of this island.
“Yesterday, IGN listed 63 earthquakes, 4 above or equal to 3, 27 in between 2 and 3 and 32 lower than 2. The strongest was a M3.3 quake at 14:16 UTC. Today, Saturday IGN has listed already 32 earthquake, the vast majority with epicenter in the El Golfo area. The tremor of 10:46 UTC this morning was the strongest at M 3.3.
“It is likely that this is related to magma movements at depth, but at present not a sign that another eruption or a major change in the eruption style could be in the making. However, the situation clearly needs to be followed carefully.”
San Antonio, Texas Earthquake
Recently, a 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck near Karnes County in Texas, impacting San Antonio.
No injuries were reported, but the U.S. Geological Survey explained that this was the largest earthquake on record for this area.
In September, an earthquake in West Texas of 4.4 magnitiude occurred near Abilene.
Earthquakes seem to be happening with greater abundance worldwide.
The El Heirro earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are being watched, since scientists have warned that an eruption in the Canary Islands could have a major tsunami impact on the United States.
Texas Lawns Going Native During Drought
TEXAS NEWS SERVICE
AUSTIN, Texas – Facing the state’s worst drought, many communities have doubled down on water restrictions, leaving homeowners wondering what to do about their yellow lawns – which are getting crispier by the day.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has been fielding an unusually high volume of calls and e-mails on the subject. Mark Simmons, director of the center’s Ecosystem Design Group, has been conducting research on native grasses for several years.
“The species that are largely used throughout the Southwest are often non-native species, like St. Augustine grass – they’re not very drought tolerant. So, we’re suggesting that this might be an opportunity to replace lawns with something more native.”
Native grasses requiring significantly less water include buffalo grass and blue grama, Simmons says, as well as a commercial mix called Habiturf – all available in stores. Some homeowners, he adds, are foregoing lawns altogether, replacing them with native plant landscaping.
One strategy Simmons recommends for people wanting to transition away from perpetually thirsty lawns is to let the non-native grasses die off now, and then get ready for planting in the spring.
“We should be thinking about soil preparation, because soil preparation is the key to a healthy lawn. If you do that now or over winter, and get the seed in by March-April, you’ll be in good stead for next year.”
Simmons cautions that even native grasses require a lot of water at first, so it’s best to plant when there are no watering restrictions.
Most climate scientists say drought in Texas will be increasingly common in the foreseeable future, and Simmons says even skeptics of climate change might want to consider native plant options.
“The availability of water is always going to be an increasing issue. There’s a limited amount of water which can go around. So, we see this trend of looking for options continuing.”
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website has a Drought Resource Center at wildflower.org/drought-resource-center with a variety of tips, guides, and articles about converting to native plants and grasses.
Louisiana Bans Cash For Sales Of Anything ‘Used’
BATON ROUGE, La. — The State Legislature and Governor of Louisiana have passed a law that bans individuals and businesses from transacting in cash if they are considered a “secondhand dealer.”
House Bill 195 of the 2011 Regular Session (Act 389) broadly defines a secondhand dealer to include “… Anyone, other than a non-profit entity, who buys, sells, trades in or otherwise acquires or disposes of junk or used or secondhand property more frequently than once per month from any other person, other than a non-profit entity, shall be deemed as being in the business of a secondhand dealer. ”
The law also states that “A secondhand dealer shall not enter into any cash transactions in payment for the purchase of junk or used or secondhand property. Payment shall be made in the form of check, electronic transfers, or money order issued to the seller of the junk or used or secondhand property…”
According to law specialists, this essentially includes everyone buying or selling anything used., thereby outlawing the free use of U.S. legal tender, and forces businesses to turn over to police authorities the names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, and license plate number of vehicles traded, including a detailed description of the item purchased.
Established as a pretense of cracking down on crime, the bill, argues critics, costs individuals their privacy, with personal economic repercussions, civil liberty loss, and is an attack on freedom.
The Death Panel Machine
Dear Editor,
The world’s most powerful computer was given a friendly name, “Watson.” Sherlock Holmes’ assistant, Alexander Graham Bell’s assistant, it’s a helpful name.
Watson was introduced to the public as a friendly entertainment. It beat the best human player in “Jeopardy,” a friendlier game than chess. Friendly. Helpful. Entertaining.
Now, the Watson computer is being used by the WellPoint health insurance company to determine how much health care to grant to each of its customers. This machine will determine who gets medical coverage, how much, and who doesn’t. Who lives and who dies.
So how does this machine work? It is programmed to consider a host of factors to diagnose patients’ disease, then it can determine which patients will be covered. Factors like cost and probability of recovery will be calculated, and balanced against the imperative that WellPoint makes a profit. The owners of the company can have the computer reduce the amount of coverage and thereby guarantee increased profit for themselves. If the reduction is done gradually, no one will know, no one will object. A few more people will die a bit younger than before. The average age for life expectancy drops a little. Some people live longer, so its not a hard-line execution. But gradually, this machine will enable a few to become very, very rich by reducing the health and life of everyone else. It’s one more weapon in the billionaires’ class warfare.
We’ve heard Sarah Palin and other Republican hyenas scream against imaginary “death panels” to discredit President Obama’s health insurance reform. Now a private company has a machine that is programmed to run a death panel. Where are the screamers now? Bought off by the company? Will selected beneficiaries get health coverage no matter what happens?
Watson is a death panel machine, being used by a profit making company to harvest the health of its customers. Soon, every health insurance company will be using a Watson. We need health insurance regulation now, more than ever.
Yours truly,
Bruce Joffe, Piedmont, CA
