The Lead Nov. 8, 2021: There's a lot to pay attention to this week — a lot

GOOD MORNING

We hope you made the most of your weekend. It wasn't quite as full as weekends past, but there was still plenty going on. Today, on The Lead Live, we'll welcome singer, musician, educator and philosopher Konrad Wert, who will update us about his musical tour and plans for a new album under his performance name "Possessed by Paul James." The show starts at 9 a.m. The weather, by the way, will be fantastic all week, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s — perfect.

TAKE A WALK, ENJOY THE WEATHER AND PUBLIC ART

If you're taking a pleasant stroll along the Guadalupe River Trail — between G Street and Schreiner University — you'll notice the mural taking shape under the Memorial Boulevard bridge.

SPEAKING OF POSSESSED BY PAUL JAMES

We found the latest video of Wert performing on his epic tour across the U.S. in the month of October.

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CHECK THIS OUT

We stopped by the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center on Saturday to see the 22nd Annual Furniture Makers Show, which runs through Dec. 17. We highly recommend the show and here's our five favorite things to see at the show: https://kerrcountylead.com/1744343269108219

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

Commissioners Court

The Kerr County Commissioners Court has a full agenda on tap at 9 a.m. today, and when we say full, we mean long — really long. So, there are 24 things on the agenda, some routine, but here are the items we're watching:

• The commissioners will vote on a contract to repair the road after being hit with higher-than-expected costs on the Ranchero Road fixes — chock full of potholes thanks to the winter storm.
• The commissioners will hear feedback from their workshop last week about accepting the American Rescue Plan Act funds, which drew opposition from speakers.
• The commissioners will also vote to (finally) upgrade the county's website. While functional, the county's website is desperate for a refresh — like into the 21st century.

Kerrville City Council

After spending the last few meetings at the Cailloux Theater and Arcadia Live, the City Council returns to Kerrville City Hall on Tuesday for what should be a fascinating meeting.

The meeting, which starts at 6 p.m., has two interesting agenda items that could shape the future of the Council's actions. Here's a brief rundown:

• Former Councilman George Baroody wants the City Council to discuss the meaning of its 2020 election, which technically shorted the tenures of Mayor Bill Blackburn, Place 3 Councilwoman Judy Eychner and Place 4 Councilwoman Brenda Hughes. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott postponed municipal elections to the 2020 General Election on Nov. 3. That shortened the terms of those elected officials by eight months. However, the Council seems to be moving toward the regularly scheduled May 2022 election to decide the Council and Mayor races, along with a potential bond measure to pay for a public safety building.
• The Council will discuss several changes to its meeting procedures. Place 1 Councilman Roman Garcia has proposed a raft of changes, including removing the rule that speakers present their addresses when speaking to the Council. Several people have complained about the practice — standard operating procedure for most public meetings — arguing it's an invasion of privacy. Eychner, however, is proposing a ban on personal electronic devices during the meetings. While the City Council is issued a city-owned iPad, Garcia uses a personal laptop. Even personal electronic devices are covered under the Texas Open Meetings Act, which requires disclosure of communications via those devices.

SPORTS ROUNDUP

• The fall sports seasons are wrapping up around the Hill Country. Tivy senior Alyssa Pena had a terrific run in the state championships last weekend at Old Settler's Park in Round Rock. Pena placed 22nd in the girls' 5A, covering the 3-mile course in 19 minutes. Ingram Tom Moore freshman Makenna Rumbo placed 39th in the University Interscholastic League 3A girls' state finals. Rumbo covered the 2-mile course in 12:45.2. She was the sixth-fastest freshman in the 3A. Tivy senior Ethan Wrase finished placed 57th in the 5A boys' state finals by covering the 3-mile course in 16:35.
• The volleyball seasons of Tivy and Ingram Tom Moore came to a close last week in the second round of the University Interscholastic League playoffs.
• Tivy lost to Rouse, 3-1. Rouse is now onto the regional semifinals against Canyon. Ingram Tom Moore lost 3-0 to Poth.
• Harper is in the 2A volleyball regional semifinals and will play Freer on Tuesday night. The Longhorns are 22-5 on the season.
• On the football field, Harper is the only local team to make the playoffs and will face Shiner in the bi-district round on Friday night.

THINGS TO DO

Tuesday

Sheriff's Foundation Fundraiser

Arcadia Live

6-9 p.m.

• The Kerr County Sheriff's Foundation, a new nonprofit, is hosting its first fundraising effort from 6-8 p.m., at Arcadia Live, 717 Water St. The priority will provide Sheriff Larry Leitha with the tools needed for the special response team — a force within the Sheriff's Office to handle critical situations. This is a free event. To learn more about the organization, visit their website at: kerrcountysf.com

Thursday

KPUB Community Blood Drive

Kerrville Public Utility Board (KPUB)

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

• The KPUB Community Blood Drive will be by appointment only; walk-ups will not be accepted. The entire process takes about one hour total, including paperwork. Please click here to schedule an appoinment: https://donor.southtexasblood.org/…/drive_schedule/130760 For questions, please contact KPUB's Blood Drive Organizer, Allison Bueche, at 830-792-8250 or abueche@kpub.com.

Hill Country Gala

Hill Country Youth Event Center

6 p.m.

• The nonprofit Hill Country Gala, Inc., was created to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. The organization's board voted to expand to include local veteran nonprofits, and the event will be a new and exciting format. The banquet will be a fun and entertaining event that consists of a formal dinner, program, live performance by Pat Green, dance, wine and bourbon pull. Attendance is limited to 700-900. Visit HillCountryGala.com for more details.

Friday

Sound Meditation with Jody

The Yoga Space, 804 Main St, Kerrville

• Experience the first ever evening sound meditation. Calming, relaxing, tranquil modalities and Tibetan bowls ease you into your weekend on this Friday evening event. Deepen your own sense of renewal, personal balance and clarity of intentions as you relax into a guided meditation, bathed by the healing sounds of gongs, crystal & Tibetan bowls and other soothing instruments. Jody Emerson is a certified yoga instructor, meditation and sound healing facilitator. Information: https://www.yogaspace-tx.com/

Saturday

Big Brothers Big Sisters 5k

Louise Hays Park

9 a.m.

• 5K Run or walk benefitting Big Brothers Big Sister of the Texas Hill Country. Big Brothers Big Sisters offers 1 to 1 mentoring service to youth in the Texas Hill Country. www.athleteguild.com/running/kerrville-tx/2021-big-brothers-big-sisters-5k-runwalk

WHAT'S DRIVING THE NEWS

• The recriminations involved with the death of eight people at the Astroworld Festival during a performance by Travis Scott continued. Here's a report from Buzzfeed: https://www.buzzfeed.com/natashajokic1/travis-scott-astroworld-statement?d_id=2805670&ref=bftwbuzzfeed&utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=bftwbuzzfeed
• The University of Texas and Texas Tribune released its latest poll and found that Gov. Greg Abbott has a nine-point lead over potential challenger Beto O'Rourke. A previous poll suggested the two were in a dead heat. Here you go: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/11/05/texas-poll-greg-abbott-beto-orourke/
• Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton continues his legal battle against President Joe Biden. Paxton won a victory in the Firth Circuit Court of Appeals in an effort to stop vaccine mandates.