July 2021

Lots of hype about “critical race theory” these days. The best explanation I’ve seen can be found at alternet. org/2021/06/critical-race-theory. But we really should de-racialize the whole argument. The reality is discrimination that harms equal opportunity is not just a racial issue. There is, aside from racial distinctions, systemic discrimination based on sex, religion, and disability status. The issue is really one of xenophobia - fear of or disregard for others. And it’s not a matter of whether we recognize the otherness of groups and individuals.

The port city of Topolobampo in Sinaloa, Mexico, was said to already house a liquefied natural gas plant six years ago when the infamous Trans Pecos Pipeline that was to supply it with natural gas was on every sign-toting protester’s lips.

The City of Alpine held its regularly scheduled meeting on July 6, and illegal dumping and the dark skies ordinance were main topics of discussion. Interim City Manager Megan Antrim voiced her displeasure with residents discarding brush, mattresses, carpeting, and more next to the dumpsters around the city.

Terlingua residents Carl Garcia and Mandy Jorgenson earned first and second place, respectively, at the Fourth of July Chili Cook Off at Marathon Motel and RV Park in Marathon. The cook off, along with a silent auction, raised $6,500 for Marathon Volunteer Fire Department. Photo by Shawna Graves

Racing enthusiasts will get their fix once again in West Texas this fall. For the first time in 13 years, there will be a second open road race in a calendar year that takes place between Fort Stockton and Sanderson.

Johanna Wells, Alpine: We actually went on our summer vacation last week. We went to the beach at Cinnamon Shore on Mustang Island.

The Food Pantry of Alpine will distribute food to Northern Brewster County residents on Thursday, July 8, from 10 a.m.- noon at 108 South Neville Haynes in Alpine. To protect our volunteers and limit their contact, we have shortened our hours of distribution.

Zakirra Fuentes, 9, dresses up with a bit of face painting by Carol Fairlie at the Fourth of July celebration on the Brewster County courthouse lawn on July 2, hosted by Trans-Pecos Bank. Avalanche photo by Gail Diane Yovanovich

July 21 Medicare Education Class, 3 p.m. at Alpine Public Library, 805 W.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 502 E. Lockhart Ave.