Good morning, Kerr County!
Record heat could define our weekend starting today! The National Weather Service is reminding people that dangerous heat is here — honestly, most of the western U.S. is facing this heat wave — and we could see forecast highs of 104 and 103 on Saturday and Sunday. Today is the cool day at 101. The forecast continues this trend through most of next week. Stay cool. Stay hydrated.
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On today's The Lead Live!
After a pair of marvelous shows by fill-in hosts Jeremy Walther and Andrew Gay, Louis Amestoy returns from his New York excursion to chat with the Community Foundation of the Hill Country's Austin Dickson and J.K. Bernhard Construction's Kevin Bernhard. Dickson will share how the Community Foundation put together a record-setting fundraising initiative to support Uvalde. Bernhard's company is making moves with steel, and he will explain how his Kerrville-based company is ready to make moves in steel framing. Join us at 9 a.m.
If you're new to The Lead
In the last few weeks, we've had more than 200 new subscribers to The Lead, and we wanted to share our efforts to grow with you. The Lead is a five-day newsletter, webcast, breaking news, and features throughout the week. Since our launch in August, we've had more than 200 webcasts, more than 700 email and web-based articles and more than 100 photo galleries committed to Kerr County. Our newsletter is for paid subscribers only on Monday and Tuesday; in the coming weeks, only those subscribers will receive Wednesday's edition. We aim to add more than 500 paying customers in the coming weeks, and just a reminder, it's $5.99 per month or just $54.99 per year — that's a significant saving compared to other media outlets in the area. So, welcome to The Lead; we hope you join us as a paying subscriber to ensure that we can grow our reporting in the coming months.
To subscribe or upgrade: https://kerrcountylead.com/subscribe
How does the weekend look?
To be honest, even with the high heat, the weekend looks great with a ton of activities, including the conclusion of the Kerrville Folk Festival. Here's a look:
Today
The Kerrville Folk Festival
7 p.m. The Kennedy Outdoor Theater
- Bob Livingston Band
- Gina Chavez
- Micky and the Motorcars
- Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians
Markets
- Kerrville Farmers Market — A.C. Schreiner Mansion, 4 p.m. Information: https://kerrvillefarmersmarket.com/ The details: Come down and enjoy a complimentary beer, or buy a handcrafted pizza and enjoy the market.
Education
- 101 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, discuss various topics, or listen to ideas about nature.
Theater
- Rumors — The Point Outdoor Theater, Ingram, 8:30 p.m. Information: https://www.hcaf.com The details: The show runs through June 25. At a large, tastefully-appointed Sneden's Landing townhouse, the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of Farce. Gathering for their tenth wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room, and his wife is nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken, and wife, Chris, must get "the story" straight before the other guests arrive. The evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity as the confusions and miscommunications mount.
Live music
- Treble Soul — Hunt Store Cafe, 7 p.m. Information: https://www.thehuntstore.com
- Charlie Bravo — Pier 27 River Lounge and Pizzeria, 8 p.m. Information: 830-896-7437
- Up the Creek Duo — Pint and Plow, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.pintandplow.com The details: Tony and Jon started "Up The Creek Band" about 10 years ago and the band played gigs all around the Possum Kingdom Lake area and nearby towns. During the pandemic, we formed "Up The Creek Duo" and then continued to work on classic Rock and country songs while waiting for the restaurants to reopen.
- Stan Morris — Cafe at the Ridge, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.shopsattheridge.com
- Allen Love Band — Joanne Marie and Me, 6 p.m. Information:
- Carlos Dan and the Silver Bullets — La Escondida 1962, 7 p.m. Information: https://www.facebook.com/La-Escondida-1962-402905176935599
Saturday, June 11, 2022
The Kerrville Folk Festival
7 p.m. The Kennedy Outdoor Theater
- Good Looks
- Mikaela Davis
- Guthrie Girls
- The Arcadian Wild
- Valerie June
Markets
- Heart of the Hills Farmers Market — River Hills Mall parking lot, 8 a.m. Information: 830-370-7476
- Friends of the Library Book Sale — Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: https://www.kerrvilletx.gov/349/FOTL-Book-Sale The details: The Friends have a wide selection of gently used books, movies, and audiobooks.
Car shows
- Cody's Car Show — Hill Country Youth Event Center, 8 a.m. Information: 830-739-3296 The details: All proceeds go to the Cody Blain Adams Memorial Scholarship Fund for local seniors in surrounding areas.
Fun runs
- Shatter The Stigma 5K Run — Schreiner University, Robbins-Lewis Pavillion, 8:30 a.m. Information: https://www.athleteguild.com/running/kerrville-tx/2022-shatter-the-stigma-5k-fun-runwalk/signup The details: The mission of the Volunteer Services Council is to provide mental health awareness to the community and to contribute to the quality of life of those served by Kerrville State Hospital. All proceeds will benefit the patients of the hospital.
Theater
- Rumors — The Point Outdoor Theater, Ingram, 8:30 p.m. Information: https://www.hcaf.com The details: The show runs through June 25. At a large, tastefully-appointed Sneden's Landing townhouse, the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of Farce. Gathering for their tenth wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room, and his wife is nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken, and wife, Chris, must get "the story" straight before the other guests arrive. The evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity as the confusions and miscommunications mount.
Skateboarding
- Kerrville Skateboard Competition — Singing Wind Skatepark, 10 a.m. Information: https://kerrvilletx.gov/1452/Kerrville-Skateboard-Competition The details: Come out to the Skateboard Competition to showcase your best tricks. Entrants will have three minutes to perform their best skating skills. Ages 5-18. Helmets are required.
Fundraisers
- High Tea in the Hill Country — Riverhill Country Club, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Information: https://www.hcyo.org The details: Wear a fancy hat and join in finger foods, tea, and games. All proceeds benefit Hill Country Youth Orchestra's scholarship fund. $50.
- Burgers in the Garden — Glory Community Garden, 11 a.m. Information: The details: The Glory Community Garden is hosting this event with the help of Kerrville Pets Alive. Celebrate the completion of the school year and the beginning of summer! Burgers for all, fun and games, community partners' exhibits. Free. Free microchip giveaway by Kerrville Pets Alive
Book signing
- Bernie Nelson — Museum of Western Art, 11 a.m. Information: 830-896-2553 The details: Singer/Songwriter and Nashville "Royalty" Bernie Nelson will be at the Museum to sign copies of his new book "HonkyTonkAngels." The book, a result of Nelson's 36-year career on Music Row, includes stories of God's influence on Nashville's most iconic songs. Nelson, a multi-platinum record Singer/Songwriter, is a new (2020) resident in the Texas Hill Country and a new member of the Museum.
Movies
- Sing 2 — Trailhead Beer Garden at Schreiner University, 9 p.m. Information: 830-257-7300 The details: Free. What begins as Buster's dream of big-time success soon becomes an emotional reminder of the power of music to heal even the most broken heart.
Live music
- Lady Lemon and the Boyeez Band — Babez Seafood Bucket, 6 p.m. Information: 830-315-2229
- Lisa Beck — Cafe at the Ridge, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.shopsattheridge.com
- RBQ Band — The Hunt Store, 7 p.m. Information: 830-238-4410
- Chris Salinas and the Wildgrass — Crider's Saloon and Dancehall, 8 p.m. Information: https://cridersrandd.com/band-lineup
- Casey Chesnutt — Gravity Check Saloon and Arena, 8 p.m. Information: https://www.gravitychecksaloonandarena.com
- Chris Boss — Pier 27 River Lounge and Pizzeria, 8 p.m. Information: 830-896-7437
- Braden Toomey — Joanne Marie and Me Wine Bar, Ingram, 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 12, 2022
The Kerrville Folk Festival
7 p.m. The Kennedy Outdoor Theater
- Bob Bridger
- The Flyin A's
- Stephanie Urbina Jones
- Symphony of the Hills
Live music
- The Night Owls — Pier 27 River Lounge and Pizzeria, 3 p.m. Information: 830-896-7437
Family fun
- Burgers and Bingo — Zion Lutheran Church, 4 p.m. Information: 830-257-8411 The details: Free, family-friendly event. Free will donations to benefit Zion youth's summer mission trip. Bingo winners will receive gift cards from various stores and restaurants.
Five things we learned from New York that apply to Kerrville
As observed by Louis Amestoy
OK, The Lead is (for the most part) a one-man band and the startup funding was from Meta — also known as Facebook. Last year, I signed a contract to do this project, and Meta noted the anniversary at an event in Brooklyn on Wednesday night. It was very nice. This was my fourth trip to New York City since 2016 — the first since the coronavirus pandemic. Whenever I travel, I like to look at things at how they might apply back home or something that might be compelling to my readers. This latest trip to New York provided some insights I'd like to share.
The pandemic changed things
In Kerr County, we have many people who just never accepted the reality of the coronavirus pandemic. Even though 10,000 people contracted the virus at some point and more than 200 people have died, resistance to vaccines and face masks was the norm. In Kerr County, about 51% of residents chose vaccination. New Yorkers accepted masks and vaccines, with 77% of all residents vaccinated. I'm triple vaxxed; I trust the science but didn't routinely wear a mask when I was in New York. Of course, I was outside a lot, but mask-wearing is the norm — everywhere. Many places require it. I suspect masking in New York City will remain a priority for years. And I was reminded of why wearing a mask is probably a good idea when I watched a little boy lick a handrail on a subway.
The Guadalupe River Trail is our Central Park
Without question, Central Park is magnificent, and I would never miss an opportunity to visit. However, this trip got me thinking about how our park system in Kerrville is equally impressive, and the River Trail will be an asset for decades to come. The challenge is how do we preserve, protect and continuously improve the River Trail. The one thing that stuck out to me is that a volunteer-run conservancy helps manage the park with the New York Parks and Recreation Department. As I walked through the park, I noticed volunteers doing landscaping work, planting and doing other tasks to keep the park beautiful. I would suspect the park's preservation is essential to many New Yorkers, and I have to believe that many in Kerrville feel the same way about the River Trail and how it connects different parts of the city. What could happen if a conservancy, armed with an endowment, leads efforts to beautify and add additional recreational opportunities to the park? What if there was an effort to place calls to action throughout the River Trail to help fund this initiative with simple ways to donate through a mobile device?
I've said it before; I always appreciate Kerr Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Gil Salinas' contention that quality of place is a vital attractor for businesses and people wanting to come to Kerrville. The River Trail plays a significant part in that attraction, and making it even better could further cement our reputation as the finest place to live in Texas.
A mobile app payment society is entirely here.
OK, I admit that many of us are already here, including those in Kerrville. However, when I travel, I usually have a few dollars in my wallet, but not on this trip. Most of the time, cash is for tipping, especially in large cities. In Kerrville, we can still see people writing checks at H-E-B — I get it. That's just not a thing in a lot of places. Increasingly, credit or debit cards are disappearing. I stopped for a bite to eat near Central Park, and I was the only one in line using a credit card — everyone ahead of me used their phone. Self-service and touchless ordering is gigantic. It was, perhaps, most striking in the Newark International Airport's United Airlines Terminal, where kiosks take the orders, and there's a credit card swiper at every table. Even the food trucks are tap and go; most people use their phones to pay.
Electric bicycles are essential
Now, this isn't one I expect to be a big thing in Kerrville, but it was amazing to see how many electric bicycles were out there. This also feels like a pandemic-related response because many bike riders deliver goods — it seems like mostly pizza. But it makes a lot of sense, battery power continues to improve, and these bikes are quick. That's especially important in a city as large as New York.
The big cities aren't dying
A popular narrative of the pandemic was that people were fleeing the big cities, but that didn't feel like it was the case in New York City or Brooklyn. Earlier this week, it was announced the median rent in New York City reached $4,000 per month — a record high. As a radio commentator noted during my drive to the airport, the idea that a permanent exodus from cities isn't a fact.
COVID-19's latest surge in Texas
The latest round surge of COVID-19 cases in Texas produced more than 6,500 new cases on Thursday, with more than 1,300 hospitalized. The concerning number remains how many children are hospitalized — at 82 on Wednesday. That may not seem like a lot, but it's still a significant number and has been steady for weeks. The positivity for molecular tests is now 20%. We're not done with this yet.
And then there was this:
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