July 2021

One of the things I love about living in Fort Davis is being near the Fort Davis National Historic Site. If ever you feel like modern life is weighing you down, take a step back to a simpler time with a visit to the fort. If you’ve never strolled around the grounds and peeked in the windows to catch a glimpse of life in the 1800s, you’re missing out. It’s truly my No. 1 favorite place to visit.

BBT was joined by the Midland Chamber of Commerce and guests at the recent ribbon cutting for its new data center in Midland. The facility will be a major network access hub for the entire Permian Basin and surrounding region of West Texas. The carrier-neutral facility will offer multiple connectivity options and access to nation-wide locations. Businesses of all sizes will have access to an always-on powered remote and safe backup for important data. Courtesy photo

Send your community events to editor@alpineavalanche.com. UPCOMING EVENTS July 23 Spaghetti Dinner, 6-8 p.m.

Renowned mural artist Stylle Read on July 19 began work on the much-anticipated Tribute to Texas Musicians mural on the north side of the Printco building in Alpine. The mural is scheduled to be dedicated on July 30 during Viva Big Bend. Avalanche photo by Gail Diane Yovanovich

Alpine Humane Society Pet of the Week is Aries, one of many, many kittens available at the Alpine Animal Shelter. All kittens are spayed or neutered before adopting out, but you can choose your kitten now, and pick it up when it is ready to go. And did you know that adopting two kittens can result in healthier, happier cats living more enriched lives? It’s true!

The Chinati Foundation will offer free family days for Tri-County residents at Cavalry Row in Marfa. The whole family will be able to explore Chinati’s collection, and make cool art.

The Texas Council on Family Violence on July 15 announced recipients of more than $300,000 to 12 domestic violence agencies across Texas via its 2021 Swalm Grants, with 91% of the grants matching 100% of the recipients’ requested amounts. Individual grants ranged from $6,000 to $30,000, and come from the Swalm Endowment Fund.

Fifty users will be permitted to enter Davis Mountains Preserve on Sunday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

A proposed noise ordinance and street paving were the main topics of discussion at the City of Alpine’s regularly scheduled council meeting on July 20. Interim City Manager Megan Antrim announced there might be changes to the city’s noise ordinance, indicating the police department had received several complaints from residents about noise emanating from several businesses around town, some with outdoor live music stages and others with deejays.

The island Krakatoa split apart and nearly disappeared in 1883 when the volcano Krakatoa spewed 20 million tons of sulfur into the atmosphere. The pressure wave from the explosion that broke eardrums reached 310 decibels, was heard 2,000 miles away, and traveled around the world more than three times. Ash was propelled to a height of 50 miles. The Northern hemisphere’s summer temperatures the following year were down 0.4 degrees centigrade, and Los Angeles received 38 inches of rainfall. The effects on world climate lasted several years.