Good morning, Kerr County!
One day from TURKEY DAY! Our cool and unsettled weather continues into today and on Thanksgiving. The National Weather Service forecasts a 20% chance of rain today, with an increasing chance of thunderstorms tonight. Expect a 30%-40% chance on Thanksgiving. Highs in the 50s.
On today's The Lead Live!
We welcome back Rachel Fitch for another episode of "Wonderful Wednesday." We'll get her thoughts on the holiday shopping season ahead. Join us at 9 a.m.
Speaking of holiday shopping!
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We're dubbing it the 12 Days of Gibson's, but why should they have all the fun? We're not saying Kerrville's general store isn't fun, because if you can't find it at Gibson's it probably doesn't exist. However, we know plenty of other businesses or nonprofits can use some exposure heading into Christmas. So, we're expanding it to the 12 Days Of Giftmas! Here's what you need to know:
- The promotion runs from Dec. 1-16 (Monday-Friday).
- If you do all 12 days, you have to bring the exact number of gift ideas for that corresponding day. Dec. 1 is Day 1, meaning you bring just one gift.
- You have to be on the show for about 5 minutes! That means we're doing it live!
- You need to RSVP by emailing louis.amestoy@kerrcountylead.com.
- The shows are from 9-10 a.m., except on Wednesdays when it's 10-11 a.m.
- It's free.
Today's events
The arts
- Texas Furniture Makers Show — Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: https://www.kacckerrville.com The details: Texas Furniture Makers' Show® is an annual statewide Competition of the Finest Custom Furniture Makers in Texas. The show is held at the beautiful Kerr Arts & Cultural Center.
- Works We Love Show — Museum of Western Art, 10 a.m. Information: https://www.museumofwesternart.com The details: "Works We Love," featuring Fred Harman, creator of "Red Ryder and Little Beaver." Also on display are works from our permanent collection.
Markets and sales
- Art Mart — Hill Country Arts Foundation, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Dec. 17. Information: https://www.hcaf.com The details: The annual Hill Country Arts Foundation showcase of hand-made arts and crafts by area artists. Gift ideas that are perfect for holiday giving.
- Kerr County Produce Market Day — The Big Red Barn, 10 a.m., Information: 830-896-7330 The details: Kerr County Produce Market Day (The Big Red Barn). Local Hill Country wholesale warehouse distributor for the finest fruits and vegetables. Open to the public.
Thanksgiving day
Thanksgiving
- Community Thanksgiving — The Kerrville Kroc Center, 11 a.m. Information: Jeannette Santiago-Garcia at (830) 315-5758 The details: Families and individuals can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner by dining in, take-out, or delivery. Travelers passing through Interstate-10 can stop at the rest stops before and after the Kerrville exits to receive a free Thanksgiving meal.
Restaurants open for Thanksgiving
- Branding Iron at the Y.O. Ranch Hotel, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The details: Dinner is $34 for adults, $16 for children 6-10.
- Cracker Barrel Restaurant, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- El Bracero de Jalisco, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- IHOP, open 24 hours
- Mo-Ranch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reservations required, (830) 238-4455.
- Pinnacle Grill at Comanche Trace, Reservations required, (830) 895-8505
- Rails Cafe, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Reservations required, (830) 257-3877
- The Boat Oyster Bar and Grill, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- The Inn of the Hills, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Reservations required, (830) 257-8282
Church Services
- Thanksgiving Mass — Notre Dame Catholic Church, 9 a.m. Information: https://www.notredamechurch.cc
Performing arts
- Cirque Italia: Aquatic Spectacular — Hill Country Youth Event Center, 7:30 p.m. through Nov. 27. Information: yearhart.cirqueitalia@gmail.com The details: Cirque Italia presents "Aquatic Spectacular." The name reflects a unique attribute under the tent, as the show features a custom-designed water stage that travels from city to city. The stage holds 35,000 gallons of water that performers dazzle over while thrilling the audience with every move. With this "unique feature" under the tent, guests will be surprised, for it's a show of its own. Started in 2012, Cirque Italia is an Italian entertainment company that brings a performance of European style. It is described as a "vivid, dramatic, and moving experience under a customized traveling tent."
The U.S. Census Bureau releases the rise of same-sex relationships across the country, including Texas
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The number of same-sex couples in the United States surged between 2019 and 2021, representing 1% of the nation's relationships. In Texas, which has the nation's second-largest number of same-sex relationships, partnerships topped more than 100,000 couples.
California's same-sex population grew by 20.6% from 2019 to 2021, but Texas grew by 34%. California has more than 160,000 same-sex partnerships. The Census found that same-sex couples are affluent, older and better educated than straight couples.
Texas same-sex couples are increasingly married. The Census said 61.3% of Lone Star-state same-sex couples were married — up from 53.4% from 2019. Same-sex marriage was legalized in Texas in 2015 following the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell vs. Hodges. Texas overcame New York in 2017 as the state with the second largest of same-sex couples.
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The issue of same-sex marriage made headlines when the U.S. Senate passed a bill to codify it after concerns about the Supreme Court potentially reversing Obergefell vs. Hodges. Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz voted against the protections.
It's Lulu's drive that overcomes the stigma of feminine hygiene
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When Lulu Stebbins was a student at Peterson Middle School, there wasn't a worry that if her period started, there wouldn't be pads or tampons available.
However, when she got to Tivy High School last year, it wasn't as obvious that those basics would be available. So, Lulu Stebbins, a 16-year-old sophomore, set out on a mission to provide it for her classmates.
"So, I asked around, and it was just something that they didn't really do," Lulu Stebbins said. "The student council used to do it and then sort of stopped, and so I went and talked to the nurse and she was like 'oh yeah like we are lacking on things like that and it would be amazing if you would bring things like that in.' So that's kind of where it started."
What started as a small endeavor to provide the basics has grown into a closet full of necessities and extras. Those include underwear, leggings and clothes.
There's still a seemingly taboo associated with the effort, meaning the female menstrual cycle isn't to be seen or discussed.
"There's such a stigma around it," Lulu Stebbins said. "When they do have issues with like you know having access to these things, they didn't know how to ask for help."
But even Lulu Stebbins, who is not afraid to discuss the need, is still teased about her work. She would place flyers around school, and that's when the teasing would start, but she was undeterred.
"I think that the goal with this is to provide them access but to also sort of break the stigma because it needs to be something that people can ask for help when they need because it is a necessity and so I'm trying to like get there with that," Lulu Stebbins said.
Lulu Stebbins found an immediate ally in her mother, Kerr County Attorney Heather Stebbins, who didn't hesitate to help. As a guest on Tuesday's edition of The Lead Live, Heather Stebbins and Julie Davis, one of the show's co-hosts, said it's essential for girls to have access — immediately.
"You can't wait until the end of the day," Davis said.
Heather Stebbins said the cost of the products is difficult. Compounding the cost is the fact that Texas still taxes them. There's bipartisan support, including from Gov. Greg Abbott, to end the so-called "Pink Tax."
Last week, Texas Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) filed a bill to eliminate the tax for the upcoming legislative session. However, previous efforts to do just that have failed in previous sessions.
"We were doing some math last night, and for one girl probably products for a year are around $300," said Heather Stebbins, who is the mother of four daughters. "One girl."
And Lulu Stebbins is not alone in her fight to provide for her classmates in need; she's got plenty of friends and supporters. She's always there to help.
"I would just take them to the closet," Lulu Stebbins said. "Help them get everything they need. We have underwear and leggings and every single product you could ever need and all the different sizes."
Schreiner women use big second quarter for second consecutive victory
Schreiner University's Josline Hernandez hits one of her four 3-pointers on Tuesday night. |
Schreiner University used a blistering second-quarter run to blow up its game Tuesday night against visiting LeTourneau University and held on for a 77-71 victory.
The Mountaineers outscored LeTourneau 28-4 in the second quarter. Schreiner forced the Yellowjackets into nine turnovers, and reserve guard Skye Thomas scored seven points in the quarter.
To see more photo from Tuesday's game: https://thekerrcountyleadphotography.zenfoliosite.com/zg/schreiner-womens-basketball-vs-letourneau
It was the second consecutive victory for the Mountaineers — and their first at home.
"When we play at the level we're supposed to play, we're pretty good," said Schreiner University coach Stacy Stephens, whose team improved to 2-3 overall. Schreiner's first three losses included two overtime games and a combined margin of defeat of 12 points.
Josline Hernandez led the Mountaineers with 18 points, including four 3-pointers. The performance tied Hernandez's previous career high of 18 points in a 2020 game against St. Thomas. Hernandez has played in 92 games for the Mountaineers, including 85 starts.
