The Lead Aug. 19, 2022: It's our first anniversary; The Spikes need your help; and the county is closing in on a budget

Good morning, Kerr County!

How about that momentary break we had in downtown Kerrville with a bit of rain Thursday? It certainly was a bit of good news for all of us weary of the drought, but it's not going to break its hold. Today, however, we've got a 70% chance of rain, and that unsettled pattern continues through much of next week. Your weekend appears to be relatively dry but warm.

On today's The Lead Live!

Geri Magnell will tell us about the Hal Peterson Middle School fundraiser she's assisting. The fundraiser is a bit of a twist this year — it's called the UN Fundraiser. We've provided this visual aid:

If you're interested in donating, we encourage it; just scan the QR code and give.

Also, on today's show, we'll have the Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau's Julie Davis give us the lowdown on all things fun across Kerr County this weekend. There's a possibility that Ashley Phillips may storm onto the show with some breaking news.

Today marks our first anniversary

For those of you who have followed The Lead, you may remember we actually started it in January 2021. However, I got a little spooked by the expenses and took another job for a short time. In May of last year, Meta Facebook came to us with an opportunity to re-launch The Lead, and we did just that on Aug. 19. So, happy birthday to us.

Stories we're following across Texas

The tampon tax

One of the most annoying things for women is the fact that tampons and other feminine projects are taxed, but Texas Comptroller Glenn Hagar supports repealing the law, and State Sen. Joan Huffman joins him. Here's the Texas Tribune's story: https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/18/glenn-hegar-joan-huffman-tampon-tax/

The Spurs set to make a one-game return to Alamodome

The San Antonio Spurs are celebrating their 50th anniversary, and they're doing it with some unusual home games — away from home. The Spurs will play in Austin, Mexico City and at the Alamodome. Here's the story from the San Antonio Report: https://sanantonioreport.org/spurs-2022-23-schedule-austin-mexico-alamodome/

The first case of monkeypox infecting an infant in Texas

The county inches toward adopting a budget

Despite a $3 million deficit, the Kerr County Commissioners Court will likely adopt a budget with a no-new revenue tax rate for the third consecutive year. The commissioners finalized their budgetary plans during a workshop Wednesday, but there are still some unknowns facing the county.

The county's budget is about $52 million.

There is an argument that the county would be in a vastly different financial position if it were not for the nearly $10 million federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. That money will help pay for a new public safety communications system for the Sheriff's Office and the volunteer fire departments.

The use of ARPA funds is a rallying cry for conservatives who argue that the federal government cannot be trusted. There have been large turnouts from conservative Kerr County groups to protest the use of the funds, but only the county has been at the end of those tongue lashings by residents.

"If we don't put the ARPA funds in the budget we can't spend it next year," Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said. "The (request for proposal) on the communications system is going out by the end of the month. We don't want to put that RFP out there and get bids and not be able to do anything."

The proposed tax rate could come in at $0.4051 — about a five-cent rate decrease from the previous year. That rate is for every $100 of valuation.

"I think we can work with this budget," Kelly said.

There's a ton to do this weekend:

The arts

• Luckenbach Legacy, Hondo's Daughter, Becky Crouch Patterson Exhibition — Museum of Western Art, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: The details: Becky Crouch Patterson, a fifth-generation Texan whose father was the legendary developer of historic tiny-town Luckenbach, made famous by Waylon Jennings's classic song, "Let's Go to Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love." This is Patterson's original art, described as a marriage of Texas Folk Art and Fine Art, plus textiles, memorabilia and works from her life. In addition to her work, Hondo and Luckenbach artifacts fill three cases.
• Hill Country Arts Foundation Member's Show — Hill Country Arts Foundation, Ingram, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Information: https://www.hcaf.com The details: Featuring art by HCAF member artists.
• Kerr Arts Exhibits — Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: https://www.kacckerrville.com The details: Three art exhibits. Paintings by James Crouse, “Images” KACC judged membership show, “Photoquest” a judged exhibit featuring images captured by members of the Kerrville Camera Club. Artists reception August 27th, 1-3pm.

Today

Live music

• Callie Stetler — Cafe at the Ridge, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.shopsattheridge.com
• Justin Heflin — Southern Sky Music Cafe, 7 p.m. Information: https://www.southernskymusiccafe.com
• Jake Martin — Arcadia Live, 7 p.m. Information: https://www.thearcadialive.org The details: Join Arcadia Live for another gorgeous night on the back deck for an acoustic concert.
• Charlie Bravo — Pier 27 River Lounge and Pizzeria, 8 p.m. Information: 830-896-7437

Performing Arts

• The Nerd — Hill Country Arts Foundation, 7:30 p.m. Information: https://www.hcaf.com The details: Willum Cubbert has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. He has written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, "you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you" —so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his thirty-fourth birthday party. But his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless "nerd" —a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence and less tact. And Rick stays on and on, his continued presence among Willum and his friends leading to one uproarious incident after another until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating violence—a dire development which, happily, is staved off by the surprising "twist" ending of the play.

Science and Nature

• 1-on-1 with a naturalist — Riverside Nature Center, 10 a.m. Information: https://www.riversidenaturecenter.org The details: Naturalist, author, and columnist Jim Stanley and Texas Master Naturalist and native plant enthusiast John Hucksteadt will be available to meet one-on-one to answer questions, and discuss various topics, or listen to ideas about nature.

Dance

• Learn to Belly Dance — Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, 6 p.m. Information: The Cheeky Peacocks Dance Company The details: Bring a yoga mat, a bottle of water and a friend! The class is $10.

Saturday, Aug. 20

Nature

• Bird Walk and Talk — Dietert Center, 8 a.m. Information: rnc.kerrville@gmail.com The details: Join Paul and Deloris Sellin on a stroll along the River Trail for a wonderful morning identifying & admiring birds in the Hill Country area. All ages and levels of experience are welcome.

Live music

• 830 Fest — Hill Country Youth Event Center, 2-10 p.m. Information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/justin-case-and-deebaby-live-tickets-379340566847?fbclid=IwAR01_Q0253hA_2xyJW8Qf_y7xyPx9IJcxQIUbNcKGZO-tjpu_k9I_tcYizA The details: Musical performances by Justin Case, Dee Baby, King Kylee Lee, Daughters of SPM and Carley. End of Summer Bash. Live music, car display, corn hole and horseshoe tourney, food and drink vendors, children's s activities, and more.
• Homer Whisenant — Cafe at the Ridge, 6 p.m. Information: 830-367-2735 The details: Homer Whisenant is a Hill Country Musician who started playing and singing at an early age, songs learned from jukeboxes, dance hall bands, and a 78 rpm record collection as well as country radio and blues records. His original songs include Folks and Friends, Above the Timberline, Aint' Got Time For The Blues, and many others.
• Juniper Djinn — Trailhead Beer Garden at Schreiner University, 7 p.m. Information: https://www.trailheadbeergarden.com The details: The intimate sounds of the great 30s and 40s Jazz era come to new life with Juniper Djinn.
• My One and Only — Southern Sky Music Cafe, 7 p.m. Information: https://www.southernskymusiccafe.com
• Starseed — Pier 27 River Lounge and Pizzeria, 8 p.m. Information: 830-896-7437
• Drew Moreland and The Neon Hustle — Crider's Rodeo and Dancehall, 8 p.m. Information: https://cridersrandd.com/band-lineup

Equestrian

• Bandera Shooters Mounted Shooting — Gravity Check Saloon and Arena, 10 a.m. Information: https://www.gravitychecksaloonandarena.com The details: Come on out for a great day of fun and excitement as you are entertained by the Bandera Shooters, members of the Cowboy Mounted Shooters of America

Livestock

• Texas Two-Step Sale — Hill Country Youth Event Center, 2 p.m. Information: https://www.Texas2StepSale.com The details: Offering an Elite Selection of Wether Does, Fullblood Does and Sire Prospects. Just in time for Texas Major Show Validation.

Markets and sales

• Heart of the Hills Farmers Market — River Hills Mall parking lot, 8 a.m. Information: 830-370-7476

Performing Arts

• The Nerd — Hill Country Arts Foundation, 7:30 p.m. Information: https://www.hcaf.com The details: Willum Cubbert has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. He has written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, "you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you" —so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his thirty-fourth birthday party. But his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless "nerd" —a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence and less tact. And Rick stays on and on, his continued presence among Willum and his friends leading to one uproarious incident after another until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating violence—a dire development which, happily, is staved off by the surprising "twist" ending of the play.

Sunday, Aug. 21

Live music

• Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines — Trailhead Beer Garden at Schreiner University, 2:30 p.m. Information: https://www.trailheadbeergarden.com The details: Sunday Afternoon Songwriters hosted by Bill Muse. Produced by Schreiner University Songkeepers and sponsored by River Trail Cottages. Terri Hendrix is a pioneering independent Texas songwriter who spins sorrow into joy and wrings wisdom from the blues with poetic grace and engaging melodic flair that has endeared her to three generations of fans around the globe.
• RBQ Band — Pier 27 River Lounge and Pizzeria, 3 p.m. Information: 830-896-7437

Performing Arts

• The Nerd — Hill Country Arts Foundation, 2:30 p.m. Information: https://www.hcaf.com The details: Willum Cubbert has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. He has written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, "you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you" —so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his thirty-fourth birthday party. But his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless "nerd" —a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence and less tact. And Rick stays on and on, his continued presence among Willum and his friends leading to one uproarious incident after another until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating violence—a dire development which, happily, is staved off by the surprising "twist" ending of the play.

Dance

• The Doyle Dance Extravaganza — Doyle School Community Center, 3-5 p.m. The details: Held under the outdoor pavilion, the extravaganza will feature more than 20 styles of dance, and expect Clifton Fifer to lead the way.