The Lead Oct. 6, 2022: Kerr County Sheriff visits The Lead Live; Public Power Week is here!

Good morning, Kerr County!

Sunny, warm and mild. That's it. However, the National Weather Service did offer this nugget on Wednesday about next week's weather: "While there are some notable model differences, this upper-level weather system as it advances east may lead to a weather pattern change for the latter half of next week where some rain chances could return along with the potential for a stronger fall cold front by that weekend."

On today's The Lead Live!

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha will join us to provide updates on how things are going for his office. The sheriff's office is heavily involved in Operation Lonestar — a border enforcement effort by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. We'll also ask Leitha about some pressing issues here in Kerr County, including what seems like a lot of drunk and high arrests. Over the last five weeks, Kerr County law enforcement made — at least — 32 suspected drunk driving arrests. In addition, law enforcement arrested another 34 people suspected of drug possession and another 34 alleged public intoxication arrests. Those three categories account for about half of all arrests over the last five weeks.

We've got a jam-packed show with Riverside Nature Center Executive Director Becky Etzler to discuss a new program called "Every Drop Counts." The first event is at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. The center says it is an important educational event to raise public awareness among residents and business owners about the importance of water conservation before, during and after a drought.

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And our final guest is Dani Mohr, owner of Kerrville Massage and Healing Arts, who will share with us how her business is growing and maybe give us some essential massage tips.

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Don't forget the Bucket Truck Rides are coming!

The Kerrville Public Utility Board (KPUB) is hosting a family-friendly event to meet our heroes in hardhats while we celebrate Public Power Week!

Please mark your calendars for Saturday, October 8, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., to join us in Louise Hays Park for a free community event!

This will be a free community event with family-friendly activities that will include taking a ride in one of KPUB’s bucket trucks, arc & spark demos, line worker tool displays, photo ops with our linemen, face painting and more.

KPUB will be providing free hot dogs, chips and refreshments on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as a free t-shirt for the first 100 attendees. For more information: https://www.kpub.com/community/public-power-week/

Today's events

• Symphony of the Hills, When in Rome — Cailloux Theater, 7:30 p.m. Information: https://www.symphonyofthehills.org The details: The opening concert of the 2022-23 season of The Symphony of The Hills celebrates the spirit of Rome, Italy, and all the history and accomplishments of its citizens and guests. The saying, "when in Rome, do as Romans do" captures the thrill and risk of learning and adopting new customs when in unfamiliar territory. The program is: Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90: "Italian"; Respighi – Pines of Rome; Gershwin/Balentine – Suite from Porgy & Bess for violin and orchestra, with Nicole Cherry, the violin soloist

Comedy

• Laugh Therapy — Arcadia Live!, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.thearcadialive.org The details: John Wessling and Patrick Eady perform.

Live music

• Kerrville Strummers — The Inn Pub at the Inn of the Hills, 6 p.m. Information: 830-895-5000 The details: This event is about bringing the songwriters together. The stage will be set for anyone that wants to play a tune. So show up early to make sure you make a list.
• Jake and Keith — Joanne Marie and Me Wine Boutique, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.facebook.com/wineboutique1
• Summer Nicole — Southern Sky Music Cafe, 6:30 p.m. Information: https://www.facebook.com/southernskymusiccafe

The Arts

• Vicki Keese Exhibit — Kerrville Hills Winery, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Information: https://www.dancingdogsdesign.com The details: Vicki Keese has an exhibition at Kerrville Hills Winery through the end of October. Stop by and enjoy some great wine and art. The show includes original art to enhance the walls of your home, business and outdoor space.
• KACC Exhibits — Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: https://www.kacckerrville.com The details: Three art exhibits. "Artwork by Phyllis & Doug Garey," "Kerrville Art Club Member Show," local artist exhibition and art sale, and "Quilts and Other Art Forms," local quilters exhibit.
• 39th Annual Western Art Show and Sale — Museum of Western Art, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: https://www.musuemofwesternart.com The details: The Exhibition and sale will bring together more than 40 top Western Artists presenting more than 100 original works of Western Art.

Guess what? Here comes the short-term rental discussion — again!

Live look at the P&Z

Whether they want to or not, the Kerrville Planning and Zoning Commission will review eight conditional-use permits for short-term rentals today. To make matters even more fun, five of those permits are in Riverhill.

As the window for approving short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods draws to a close, there is a small wave of property owners seeking permits. Today's number is among the most for the seven-member commission this year, and their approval track record is hard to predict. Today's meeting is at 4 p.m. at Kerrville City Hall.

The commissioners will consider conditional-use permits for the following properties:

• 220 Riverhill Club Lane East, No. 113
• 220 Riverhill Club Lane East, No. 114
• 220 Riverhill Club Lane East, No. 9
• 220 Riverhill Club Lane East, No. 5
• 503 Oakland Hills Lane East
• 339 Guadalupe St.
• 2324 Trails End Lane
• 800 Lake Drive

Four of the five Riverhill properties are in condos along or near the 18th hole at the Riverhill Country Club. The other property, 503 Oakland Hills Lane, is adjacent to the driving range and is a short walk to the clubhouse.

There is one opposition letter to the condos.

"To allow No. 13, No. 14, and No. 9 also to be (short-term rentals) would squeeze four STRs into one tiny footprint," wrote Sanny Sullivan, who lives nearby. "That is just too many. It's similar to the wing of a hotel. I do not want to live next to out-of-towners streaming in and out like at hotels on Sidney Baker Street."

In recent months, Riverhill Golf Course played host to numerous golf tournaments, attracting players from all over the state and nation. The Byron Nelson-designed course hosted a U.S. Amateur qualifying tournament and the Western Athletic Conference women's championship.

However, 2324 Trails End Lane, located in east Kerrville, is the one property that draws the most opposition.

"This Trails End neighborhood is a mid-priced family neighborhood of which our city is in short supply," wrote Jerry Wilson. "Secondly, I've seen other nearby communities, similar to Kerrville, which now have a large percentage of STR's, making available housing almost impossible to find and when found is very expensive. I know several school teachers in that city who must live in Kerrville and drive 45 miles round trip each school day in order to have affordable housing. I don't believe Kerrville wants our community to have those problems."

This monthly meeting might have been over in about 10 minutes if it wasn't for the short-term rentals. The agenda's other two items are a re-plat of property around Peterson Regional Medical Center, helping clear the way for a new parking lot and surgery center, and a re-plat of a small property near the Guadalupe River.

Symphony of the Hills takes the stage tonight!

Today is the opening day of the Symphony of the Hills 2022-2023 season, and we're giving away two tickets. The catch is that we asked people to share with us their feelings and thoughts about the symphony. Here are the responses:

• Justin Graham wrote: A symphony, anywhere, playing together, is the best evidence that there does exist in this world the fruits of peace and tranquility.
• Jane Polk wrote: "I watched The Lead this morning with the wonderful Gene Eugene Dowdy and I'm looking forward to attending more concerts here in Kerrville, Texas. I've been to several in the past, and enjoyed every note! It's great that these fabulous musicians can entertain here, we are so lucky."
• Ricardo Diaz wrote: "Symphony relaxes my soul! Combat veteran!"
• LoReacy Moses wrote: "The Symphony makes me feel all trembly inside."
• Ashley Phillips wrote: "The symphony is a beautiful display of the melting pot of talented people who reside here in the Hill Country!"
• From Instagram, JD Hopkins wrote: "My Great Auntarian Braunach played for the Sam Antonio Symphony. She was a timpani player. Did it for many years. She always supported my music endeavors throughout life. When I became a percussionist in Ingram Matching and concert bands-she would drive up with my Grandmother to watch us. When I played at The Point Theater with Mrs Beverly Chesire. She came with Grandma then came again to give me props. I still tinker and play around.When people ask me what I listen to I tell them swing and big band. I like the responses I get for that."
• From Instagram, Earthysister wrote: "We are currently teaching our homeschooled daughter Roman history. She plays violin as well and has always wanted to see a symphony! This would be a wonderful evening that would enrich her studies and musical craft."
• From Instagram, Marie wrote: "Visited Rome on our 30th anniversary! Best anniversary ever!"
• From Instagram, someone from MHDD wrote: "I am from Dallas and miss the symphony and the culture. Kerrville is stepping up in the culture department. My mother and my grandmother used to have a standing symphony date every Christmas to hear the Messiah and I miss that connection."

Coming Oct. 17 — Be Our Guest

September proved one thing about Kerr County — we are a tourism destination. With major events, including the Kerrville Triathlon Festival, thousands of people want to visit the Hill Country and Kerr County.

To better highlight some of the stories and offerings we have here in Kerr County, we're putting together a week of food, beverages and fun thanks to the Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Museum of Western Art and Pint and Plow Brewing Co. It starts Oct. 17 and runs through Oct. 21. And if you're a Kerr County purveyor, and we'll include Comfort in that mix, we're inviting you to share with us some of your finest offerings thanks to the generous presenting sponsorship of the Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Think of this as a virtual taste test.

Each segment is about five minutes long, and a copy of the segment will be made available.

That's right, it will all be streamed on The Lead Live! starting at 9 a.m. each day, and we'll go until we've had everyone on the show.

So, here's the plan:

We start our show on Monday with a discussion about the future of tourism in Kerr County. We'll have Kerrville Convention and Visitor Bureau President and CEO Julie Davis will lead a panel conversation about that topic.

• On Tuesday, we're bringing together wine and spirit makers and brewers to bring some of their best offerings while discussing the future of the craft here in Kerr County and the Hill Country. Want to participate? Just fill out the form and we'll have you join the show: https://forms.gle/qHj9ejBEmB6wiyN49
• On Wednesday, who has the best desserts in the area? We're inviting all dessert makers to bring their creations to the show. We'll also have a panel of celebrity judges to decide best cake, best cookie and best pie! Extra points for gluten-free options. It's free to enter, but each person must present their desserts on camera. We'll hand out awards at the end of the show! Register here: https://forms.gle/7ZCr574Gscv8F9To8
• We're challenging our restaurants and eateries on Thursday to bring us their signature dish! That's right, one defining dish you think is the best in Kerr County. It's free to enter, but you've got to present it on the show! Finally, we'll have another panel of judges who will decide best presentation, the best overall and the most savory! Register here: https://forms.gle/arUxhi1PGSVm6uXM9
• To wrap up the week, we all love to graze on the charcuterie boards, but the challenge here is to knock the socks off our celebrity panel with a presentation, unique offerings and overall deliciousness! Are you ready to join us? Register here: https://forms.gle/4YpCmVwmxyX5Abmz6

Got a question? Email Louis Amestoy at louis.amestoy@kerrcountylead.com

We will stream each show live from The Kerr County Lead's Facebook page, with more than 8,000 followers. The content will also be distributed via The Lead's email newsletter — reaching more than 3,600 subscribers. Each segment will be available to you and the Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Each segment is designed for immediate upload to YouTube, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

And remember, this is all free, thanks to the presenting sponsorship of the Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau. All you need to do is follow the links to register and bring a dish.

The countdown is on for the Chalk Festival

Kerrville City Hall, Oct. 15-16

Kerrville Chalk Festival is a family-friendly art event for the Texas Hill Country. More than 65 artists create large-scale chalk drawings directly on the pavement. Kerrville’s downtown becomes a festive canvas for local and regional artists, as wells as invited guest artists from around the United States.

The Festival has live music, many free activities, food trucks, as well as wine and craft beer. It attracts an estimated 10,000 attendees annually. Read about the history of chalk art.

Held at Peterson Plaza in the heart of downtown, the event encourages tourists and locals to dine, shop, and experience the beauty and charm of Kerrville, Texas.

The 2022 beneficiary is Kerrville Arts and Cultural Center (KACC). KACC was founded in 1995 by a group of artists with a mission of providing a show place for local artists and to further the arts and culture in the community. The Center is comprised of sixteen affiliated groups representing over 500 artists and has three distinct gallery spaces. It attracts over 20,000 visitors annually.