Opinion

I am writing to you to get some help. Maybe by crying out to the public, we can make Alpine safer.

New laws taking effect in New Year A spate of new laws took effect on Jan. 1, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Holiday lights are the best. When colorful decorations delight, and fireworks illuminate the night.

This year, the Alpine Avalanche turns 135 years old. In just a few short months, the United States of America will mark its 250th birthday. On paper, these are simply numbers; anniversaries to be circled on a calendar. But here in Far West Texas, where history is not something we read about but something we live with every day, those numbers carry real weight.

To the Good Folks of the Tri-County area: I want to thank everyone who helped with the 38th production of the Live Nativity. It does take an army of volunteers to haul, unload, stuff hay in the stable as well as repair lanterns, wings, angel robes and the stable, cut sticker weeds, rake rocks, organize costumes, set up lights and sound, help angels don their wings, make cookies, coffee and hot chocolate for three nights for everyone, and then pack it all up and load it back in the trailer until next year.

Dear Neil: Could you please recommend some foundation plantings suitable to plant on the north side of the house? In addition to north side shading, the area is also shaded by two enormous crape myrtles, so there is never any direct sunlight. I favor native plants, but I also like color, favoring blooms and berries.

Every year, millions of people set New Year’s resolutions with the hope that this will be the year things finally change. While the tradition dates back nearly 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians, modern resolutions are less about ceremony and more about personal improvement. The challenge, of course, isn’t setting a goal—it’s sticking with it.

“Tonight’s December thirtyfi rst, Something is about to burst … Hark, it’s midnight, children dear. Duck! Here comes another year!” —Ogden Nash, (1902 – 1861) American poet declared by The New York Times as the country’s best-known producer of humorous poetry.

Winter has officially arrived, and officials with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas say the Texas power grid is expected to hold up through most weather conditions, the Houston Chronicle reported. However, the boom in data centers across the state increases the risk of rolling brownouts to 1% to 2% through February.

The winter months are upon us, and as most of you know, Alpine temperatures change constantly, and it has been known to drop to single-digit temperatures. It is important to protect your pets from the elements while they are outside. Alpine Animal Services recommends that all pets be allowed inside when temperatures are below freezing, and if they have to go outside, make sure it is not for long periods of time and that they have access to sufficient shelter and water. Here are some tips for keeping your pet safe in the winter: Make sure that your dog has a well-insulated, waterproof doghouse. If you have outdoor cats, make sure they have one too. Shelters should be big enough for them to move around comfortably. Shelters should be elevated and have some type of bedding. Never leave pets outside during an ice or snowstorm.