News

Viva Big Bend returns for its 11th season July 27-31 with live music in Alpine, Marathon, Marfa, Fort Davis, and Terlingua. More than 60 shows are scheduled, showcasing musicians featured from past years.

“And in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” I have a dear friend and mentor, A.B. Lamido, an Archbishop in the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

Famous for being the biggest, longest, wildest birdwatching tournament in the country, this year’s Great Texas Birding Classic raised $45,000 for projects to benefit birds and other wildlife. Celebrating its 26th year, the tournament has raised $1.1 million for on-theground conservation work to acquire, restore, and enhance wildlife habitat.

Alpine has a new onestop gardening and plant store, and unique gift shop wrapped in one. Owned by the Killingsworth family, El Papalote welcomed customers on June 11, and has taken off since then .

Museum of the Big Bend commemorated a milestone in its new building construction with a Sign the Beam ceremony on July 13. The new complex, scheduled for completion in early 2023, will double the space of the museum, and include a temporary exhibit gallery, a rotating Tom Lea gallery, additional collection storage, and an interior event space with a connecting outdoor patio.

Ryan Roberts, Terlingua: Silver tequila or Sotol, with Topo Chico and lime. It is extremely refreshing and has a long rich history throughout this region.

JULY 21 Alpine Ambassadors Meeting, 6-7:30 p.m., at the BBT conference room. Sponsored by BBT.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 502 E. Lockhart Ave.

Kids and guest volunteers from First Baptist Church of Midland had a blast as they wrapped up a week long summer day camp on July 8 at Kokernot Park, hosted by First Baptist Church of Alpine. The youngsters enjoyed a fun filled day with bible stories, games, snow cones, and more. The summer day camp for kindergarten through fifth grade was held July 5-8 at the park. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs recently launched Texas Utility Help to help eligible lowincome Texas homeowners and renters pay their utility bills. The statewide program works to distribute funding from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program.