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Christmas Eve at our Adobe
Feliz Navidad!
Continuing our Christmas Eve tradition everyone was invited to the Adobe to share starting about 6 PM. Before that it is my tradition to ride my motorcycle south for Christmas Caroling. This year the site moved from the Chapel in Lajitas to Santa Inez, Terlingua Ghostown Church. As usual the caroling was led by Ted Arbogast with the service following with Priest Carolyn Metzler.
December 8 was my [Voni Glaves] birthday and I decided the very best place to celebrate was Terlingua Ghostown. Two years ago Paul and I stayed at the Perry Mansion so this time we chose La Posada Milagro, http://www.laposadamilagro.net/home.html It's a heavenly slice of history, a renovation of typical Terlingua architecture, stacked rocks, and a fascinating and peaceful place to contemplate my 68 years. We met friends at the Porch who serenaded me with a rousing round of Happy Birthday, and the Starlight celebrated with two for one burgers, as they always do on Monday nights. The stars at night are amazing from the heights of Terlingua and a sunrise there is like no other.
November 30, 2014 - Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone once more. I read recently that this is one of the busiest time for visitors in our Big Bend of Texas. There are gatherings large and small to celebrate Thanksgiving. My favorite has been to gather with friends at the Cowhead Ranch, home of Cowboy Chris Calvin. He was called to his Maker in January but we wanted to honor his memory one more time by sharing food, music and the joy of friends so we met up at his unique cowboy town 24 miles north of Terlingua.
The dinner bell was rung by his daughter, Sunny, and the feasting began. Music followed thanks to the talents of Judy and Charlie. Here's just a taste of the day for you. with a song written just for Chris.
The dinner bell was rung by his daughter, Sunny, and the feasting began. Music followed thanks to the talents of Judy and Charlie. Here's just a taste of the day for you. with a song written just for Chris.
November 21, 2014
November 21, 2014 - Good Neighbors Day at Big Bend National Park was well attended by area school children and locals as well as visitors from around our nation. Held on Saturday, October 18 the setting and the weather couldn't have been better. More than 600 people took part in this musical celebration.
Jim Burnett shared lots of wonderful details here: http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2014/10/big-bend-national-parks-good-neighbor-day-success-despite-remote-location25833
I'll share a few pictures and point you to many more.
Jim Burnett shared lots of wonderful details here: http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2014/10/big-bend-national-parks-good-neighbor-day-success-despite-remote-location25833
I'll share a few pictures and point you to many more.
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November 13, 2014 - Let's jump in the not so wayback machine to visit our 6th annual Terlingua Green Scene - October 25th 2014.
Saturday, October 25th Terlingua Ghostown celebrated the 6th Annual Green Scene, a festival of sustainability through education, demonstrations, art and music. Here, head volunteer Zoey Sexton, accompanied by Ronda Haberer, is ready to start the day.
There were raffles, a silent auction, an art auction, two Grand Prizes, and a small admission charge, all to raise money for four new tanks. Installed to catch water at the Starlight Theater, these gravity fed tanks will provide the Terlingua Community Garden with enough water to grow food year around.
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Demonstrations were the backbone of the day. Here Kevin Sexton explains the fine art of building with mud in his Introduction to Cobbing.
You can read more of the day's events at their website: http://www.terlinguagreenscene.org/events/2014-schedule
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Healthful living involves choices and there were many at the Green Scene. Sandi Turvan, with the skillful assistance of Teren Williams, put AcroYoga in a new perspective.
David Long of Big Bend State Park started a fire pit 24 hours in advance to cook sotol and prickly pear. Here he offered a taste of roasted sotol.
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November 8, 2014 - You might have heard we got around 4 inches of rain in the last few days. I've been told that blooming purple sage predicts rain and that was my first clue of the mysteries to come. The desert is greening even more now and there are predictions of lots of spring blooms.
Plume Tiquilia
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November 2, 2014
November 2, 2014 - My apologies for being away so long. Since our return we've been way too busy attending events and catching up. But I do promise to be much more faithful to our Terlingua Today readers. That said, every year in Terlingua our community has come together to celebrate in a unique way our own Dia de los Muertos. The invitation from our "Terlingua Moon" reads:
"The Annual Day of the Dead Celebration will be held in the Terlingua Cemetery on Sunday evening, November 2, 2014. Everyone is invited to attend and participate in the lighting of candles on all of the graves in the historic cemetery. Candles will be provided, but please bring your own lighters. Pot luck dishes are much appreciated and musicians are especially welcomed to bring their instruments and play music around the campfire.
"This year, a special altar will be dedicated to the Sanchez family that is traveling from Monterrey, Mexico to create a traditional altar in memory of their parents. Jose Sanchez has participated in and consulted for many Dia de los Muertos Celebrations in Terlingua over the past years. Their authentic altar is certain to be special indeed.
"The other two altars are open to everyone to place mementos and representational items to remember and honor loved ones and family members that have passed away. The Day of the Dead is a celebration of life and memories and a time to be thankful for the gift of living and the joys of fellowship, family, and love.
"This year, the community is especially encouraged to remember Glen Felts and other local residents who have passed away recently. Please bring mementos, pictures, and your memories to celebrate the lives of these great friends.
The lighting of the candles will begin at sundown on November 2, and the gathering will last as long as the night determines. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to participate."
"The Annual Day of the Dead Celebration will be held in the Terlingua Cemetery on Sunday evening, November 2, 2014. Everyone is invited to attend and participate in the lighting of candles on all of the graves in the historic cemetery. Candles will be provided, but please bring your own lighters. Pot luck dishes are much appreciated and musicians are especially welcomed to bring their instruments and play music around the campfire.
"This year, a special altar will be dedicated to the Sanchez family that is traveling from Monterrey, Mexico to create a traditional altar in memory of their parents. Jose Sanchez has participated in and consulted for many Dia de los Muertos Celebrations in Terlingua over the past years. Their authentic altar is certain to be special indeed.
"The other two altars are open to everyone to place mementos and representational items to remember and honor loved ones and family members that have passed away. The Day of the Dead is a celebration of life and memories and a time to be thankful for the gift of living and the joys of fellowship, family, and love.
"This year, the community is especially encouraged to remember Glen Felts and other local residents who have passed away recently. Please bring mementos, pictures, and your memories to celebrate the lives of these great friends.
The lighting of the candles will begin at sundown on November 2, and the gathering will last as long as the night determines. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to participate."
Click on the images to enlarge them
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Site Editor's Note: There are many more pictures than it may seem. When you click this button you see 15 thumbnails on the left. clicking on a given thumbnail will show it enlarged on the right. But click the arrows on the set of thumbnail photos to go to another group of 15 and then another and many many more. There are eight groups of 15 photos. Don't miss seeing them all. the third group has calaveras on horesback -- and, oh yes, the horses are also calaveras (skeletons). You'll be sorry if you don't see them all. :-)
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June 21, 2014
local writer Beth Garcia will read tomorrow in Austin as one of the winners of the Texas Authors Association. She got awarded first place in Crime/Police fiction for 2013 for "One Bloody Shirt at a Time."
You can get more details at her new Web site, Elizabeth A. Garcia author, which she launched earlier this week.
You can get more details at her new Web site, Elizabeth A. Garcia author, which she launched earlier this week.
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June 22, 2014 1:15 PM -- Elizabeth A. Garcia reads from "One Bloody Shirt at a Time." The Texas Association of Authors awarded Ms. Garcia best Police/Crime Fiction for "One Bloody Shirt at a Time." Malvern Books is hosting a two-day event with the winning authors reading from their works. Ms Garcia is scheduled to read at 1:15 PM Sunday June 22. Click for map to Malvern Books. 613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705 Ph: 512-322-2097
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June 6, 2014 Beth is interviewed on Talk at Ten
and that evening reads at the Alpine Library
and that evening reads at the Alpine Library
Beth at Talk at Ten
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On June 6, 2014 from 7 PM to 9 PM Elizabeth A. Garcia read from her works at the Alpine Public Library (805 West Avenue E) to raise funds for the library. Tickets were $25 and include wine and snacks. All proceeds benefit the library. Click to here her interviewed on the KRTS "Talk at Ten" radio program about the library event but also about her writing process.
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Beth raising funds for the Alpine Library
Paige Delaney, the Librarian at the Alpine Library, welcomed Beth Garcia to read from her award winning novel One Bloody Shirt at A TIme. Beth wrote about this event in her weekly article for the Alpine Avalanche and her blog, "My Name in Lights." She sent us a copy of "My Name in Lights" that you can read by clicking here.
Paige Delaney and Beth Garcia
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It was a large audience
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Beth reading from her book
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The audience made Beth feel "like a rock star."
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You can see her joy as Beth talks about writing
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May 11, 2014 Voices From Both Sides II
A Mother's Day Service started the day with families meeting from both sides
The RED side was US, the Blue was Mexico, with only a tiny river in between us
LAJITAS, TEXAS - The second annual Voices from Both Sides festival was held in and at the Rio Grande River between Lajitas, Texas and Paso Lajitas, Chihuahua, Mexico on Sunday, May 11. Organized again by Terlingua residents Jeff Haislip and Collie Ryan, along with representatives of Paso Lajitas and San Carlos, Chihuahua, the festival was much larger than last year's inaugural event. The crowds on both sides of the river this year were three or four times as large as during the 2013 event.
The celebration took place in and on the banks of the Rio Grande. Alternately, bands played on one river bank or the other. Children, parents, grandparents, couples and singles, frolicked in the water. Citizens of Mexico and the United States mingled in and along the river. In many cases there were family reunions of grandparents and grandchildren or parents and children separated by nationality when the theretofore open border was slammed shut in 2002. Food was shared on both sides. And this year, Mother's Day presents! As Bill Ivey of Terlingua and El Presidente (Mayor) Benjamin Ortiz of San Carlos met in the middle of the river, celebrants formed a human chain, symbolically linking the river communities at the border. For some Voices from Both Sides is a glorious festival. For many, the festival is also a protest; a protest of the U.S. border policies and the harmful impacts those policies have on families and children and the quality of life and culture in the settlements along both sides of this unique area along the border. 
A tranquil Sunday afternoon on the border
Teacher Pam Priddy met up with former students
Originator Jeff Haislip met Bill Ivey from Terlingua, USA and el Presidente Benjamin Ortiz from San Carlos, Mexico in the middle of the Rio Grande
Bill Ivey, Benjamin Ortiz and his wife joined the human bridge in celebration of Voices From Both Sides
Quiet time for reflection in the shade in the midst of the fun
Casey Colando, from All Energies provided solar power for the music on the US shore
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The tiny town of Paso Lajitas, right across the border from Lajitas, was about to be joyously invaded
The US Border Patrol might have been the first thing arrivals saw, but they disappeared early
Anita and Sian translated and the languages mingled harmonically
Desert Sports made sure everyone was hydrated in the 100 degree heat
Colorful Free t shirts were provided by the village of San Carlos if you were early and lucky enough
Collie Ryan and friends serenaded from the US side
It was easy to stay cool in the lazy river
Mexican music alternated with US music, each with their own special style
Bixby traveled from far away back home again just for this celebration. Don't know if he realizes the history being made to his left.
Viva Neighbors! Viva Voices! Viva Friends/Amigos!
Gil Prather, Grammy Award winning songwriter added his heartfelt lyrics to the festivities
Heat doesn't seem to matter when you have a cooling river
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Monday, April 21, 2014
Some of the officials arrived on horseback to the Boquillas Point of Entry
Cake, cookies and drinks were provided by Forever Resorts
After the boat ride, a visitor had the choice of truck, burro, horse or a walk to Boquillas
Your intrepid reporter's choice of transportation
The newly constructed gazebo on the plaza
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Superintendent Ott-Jones speaking about the importance of a year of having the border open for legal crossing
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK - The First Anniversary of the opening of the new Boquillas Crossing was celebrated by Big Bend National Park and the village of Boquillas del Carmen, on Saturday, April 19. The actual opening date was April 10, 2013 but April 19 was selected by the Park Service and the Village for the celebration. The celebration coincided with the weekend during which admission to all national parks was free. Big Bend National Park Superintendent Cindy Ott-Jones hosted a brief ceremony at the Boquillas Crossing building on the U.S. side. Following Ott-Jones brief remarks, many used the "Boquillas International Ferry" (rowboat) to cross the Rio Grande to the Mexican side. From there visitors chose from among horses, burros, pickup trucks, or walking to go the approximately thee-fourths mile to the village. The residents of Boquillas have made much progress since the re-opening of the crossing one year ago. It is now possible for visitors to choose from among three restaurants, to purchase items from a well stocked curio shop and from many local artisans. Overnight stays are now possible at several locations too though as Superintendent Ott-Jones reminded guests, the border is closed each day at 6 p.m. and all of Monday and Tuesday, something to consider when planning a visit. The first anniversary fiesta included music by local musicians, many from the U.S. side, performed at the new gazebo on the plaza, built by the Mexican government. The fiesta was not grandiose, but according to Ott-Jones a more formal, larger event to be attended by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and Mexico's Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources is in the planning stages for sometime in the fall. 
A rainbow was the perfect end to an historic day
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TriColors have a most impressive scent.
March 6, 2014
Spring is definitely in the air.
And all Around. The first bluebonnet I found was December 28. Just lately lots more signs of spring are popping up. Here. There. And Everywhere. Click on the photos to enlarge them
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Just after a few sprinkles of rain, this Ocotillo started its bud.
Roses in the desert? Yes, if they can find water.
Mormon Tea with blooms. First time I've seen these.
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Conventional wisdom is that Winter is finally over when you spot Mesquite bushes with leaves coming. And Turkey Buzzards.
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I shot the Red Yucca in the center and didn't even see the other two till I moved this photo to my computer.
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February 5, 2014
When Felts’ parents arrived, they welcomed musicians and friends to La Kiva’s parking lot where, in frigid cold and blowing wind, the musicians set up, and led with a song written for the occasion.
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Musicians, friends, mourners pay tribute to Glenn Felts Terlingua and area musicians, friends and patrons of Glenn Felts and La Kiva gathered on a cold Wednesday evening for the 886th consecutive Open Mic, this one hosted by Moses Martinez and Laird Considine. The occasion was to celebrate Felts’ life, which was cut short when he was found slain outside La Kiva early Tuesday. |
“79852”,sung by Alex Whitmore, had everyone singing along.
Others joined in to share their love for La Kiva and Glenn Felts, including (from left) Laird Considine, Ted Arbogast, Chase Peeler, Jane Brown, Moses Martinez and Mark Kneeskern.
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The sun broke through just at sunset to light the stage, where Carol Whitney, Ted Arbogast, Craig Peeler, Jane Brown and Charlette Teer were performing.
Cold drove the musicians in to a warmer spot, but to finish the memorial/tribute, a group hug was blessed with the most amazing sunset.
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January 22, 2014
Chris Calvin, known as Cowboy Chris, got the very best birthday present -
Just after 5 PM on January 21, 2014
he departed this earth bound for glory.
He lived so very well as anyone who ever met him can attest.
He and I put together this tribute a year ago when there was rough weather battering him.
Be Safe. Be Happy.
Just after 5 PM on January 21, 2014
he departed this earth bound for glory.
He lived so very well as anyone who ever met him can attest.
He and I put together this tribute a year ago when there was rough weather battering him.
Be Safe. Be Happy.
Chris Calvin from Voni Glaves on Vimeo.
You can read more about this remarkable man and his Cowhead Ranch here:
