TWO KERR COUNTY STORES MAKE THE BEST STORES IN TOWN LIST

ShopAcrossTexas.com Releases the 2011 Best Stores in Town List

Two Kerrville stores were awarded top honors this month as ShopAcrossTexas.com released its annual Best Stores in Town list. The complete list will be released to the public throughout the coming weeks via ShopAcrossTexas.com. The Kerrville stores that made the list are Clint Orms and James Avery.

• Clint Orms: High profile clients who have purchased custom belt buckles from Clint Orms include Tommy Lee Jones and George W. Bush. Every piece here is handcrafted from silver, gold and precious stones in Clint’s workshop, and each is intended to become a family heirloom for years to come.

• James Avery: This is the original James Avery store, founded in 1954 by James Avery himself. His jewelry pieces are Texas classics, and if you’ve ever wondered why so many of them have religious references, it’s actually because James returned to the church in 1950 after many years as an agnostic. Who knew?

The list was determined through a six-week survey conducted on ShopAcrossTexas.com, in which readers voted for their favorite retail across the Lone Star state. The stores that made the list are giving shoppers one more reason to love them by providing Best Store discounts via printable coupons on ShopAcrossTexas.com! So before you head to one of the 2011 Best Stores in Town, check out the Discounts section on ShopAcrossTexas.com!

ShopAcrossTexas.com is the ultimate shopping resource for 60 cities across the Lone Star state. More than 600,000 people visit ShopAcrossTexas.com each year to check out the Best Stores in Town, Cool Finds from stores around the state and our Hither and Yonder blog, which offers tips on where to shop when you travel and what to do when you’re here. We serve up the latest shopping news each day, so check us out before you hop in the car on your next Texas trip!

The Best Stores in Town project is designed to promote the best-of-the-best retail in more than 40 Texas cities. If you’ve got a few hours to kill, The Best Stores in Town tells you exactly where you should go for the best shopping experience the city has to offer. Many of the 2011 Best Stores in Town are independent retailers that are unique to each city, so you’ll know you’re getting an authentic experience when you shop there.

ShopAcrossTexas.com works to promote independent retail throughout the state of Texas—that is, stores that are independently owned, that do not belong to national chains. The phrase “shop local” directly pertains to independent retail. When you shop at a locally owned and operated store instead of a national chain, more of your dollars spent stay in that community, and more local jobs are supported.

For more information, contact
JoAnn Dealey 214.373.3244
joann@shopacrosstexas.com

DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND EXHIBITION EXTENDED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 25, 2010

The Museum of Western announces the exhibition Texas’ Big Bend: From the Pecos to the Rio Grande, Photographs by Michael Marvins is extended until September 25, 2010. A record number of museum visitors have experienced the beauty of Big Bend through Marvins’ photographs. Big Bend is one of the most spectacular areas of the United States and Texas. Marvins’ images illuminate nature’s majesty in new and provocative ways.

For more information please call the Museum at 830/896-2553 or visit the website www.museumofwesternart.org

Museum of Western Art Announces Big Bend Exhibit

Big Bend National Park

Museum of Western Art, Kerrville

May 15, 2010 thru September 4, 2010

Kerrville- Mike Marvins, a fourth generation photographer, has traveled Big Bend by backpack, car and horseback for more than 20 years. He lives in Houston and is a part-time resident of the Texas Hill Country. Mike has captured the grandeur, remoteness, rich history, and dramatic ecological diversity of Big Bend which has caused it to take on an almost mythological status for travelers.

Officially founded in 1944, the Big Bend National Park had never been captured in its entirety. Mike Marvin has captured the entire region, including the Big Bend Ranch State Park, the territory between the historic towns like Alpine, Marfa, Terlingua and Marathon, and the vastness between the Pecos and the Rio Grande.

The Museum of Western Art
Aurora Ramirez
1550 Bandera Hwy
Kerrville Texas 78028
830/896-2553 ext. 221
aramirez@mowatx.com
www.museumofwesternart.org
Museum Hours:
Tuesday thru Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Kerrville is in the beautiful Texas Hill Country 65 miles northwest of San Antonio on I-10. For accommodations and area information please contact the Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-221-7958.
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Gourd Art Instruction to be Offered at Kerr Arts and Cultural Center – June 26

Kerrville. Gourd artists from all over the United States will exhibit in the Fifth Annual Southwest Gourd Fine Art Show in the Avery Gallery of the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center from May 27 to July 11, 2010. The entries in this year’s show promise to be even more spectacular than in previous years.

This year, gourd artists from the East Coast, West Coast, Gulf Coast , Midwest , North West , and all parts of Texas were juried in to compete for top honors. The awards reception will be May 29, 1-3 pm.

New this year will be a day of gourd art instruction. Barbie Holton and Judy Richie will each offer two different 1/2 day classes, including Pyrography Maniacs, Spirit Rattle, Beginner Pine Needle Coiling and Alcohol Dye Techniques for $65 each. Most supplies are
included. These June 26th classes are going to fill fast so sign up today.

For more information on the classes, contact Debbie or Lanza at 895-2911.
Kerr Arts & Cultural Center is located at 228 Earl Garrett, in downtown Kerrville. www.kacckerrville.com.

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Official Texas State Arts & Crafts Fair – in Kerrville – May 29-31, 2010

The Official Texas State Arts & Crafts Fair is one of the top ranked arts and crafts events in the nation. Located at the River Star Arts & Event Park, it displays big tents laced among the trees to create the atmosphere of an old-fashioned fair. Tempting smells of good food and thirst-quenching drinks permeate the air. Fun, music, art and more….come visit!

Memorial Day Weekend

May 29, 2010: 10 to 6
May 30, 2010: 10 to 6
May 31, 2010: 10 to 4

Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in the ONLINE STORE.

Kerrville is located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, 65 miles NW of San Antonio. For area and accommodation information, contact the Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-221-7958.

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Pinnacle Grill at Kerrville’s Comanche Trace features Mother’s Day Brunch

Mother’s Day Brunch

WHEN: Sunday, May 9th, 2010

WHERE: Pinnacle Grill, Vista Room, Trophy Room

TIME: Seating from 11:00am – 2:00pm

PRICING: Adults-$24.95++, 13 & Under-$12.95++

no charge for children ages 2 and under

Show mom how special she is! Join us Sunday, May 9th, 2010 for a special Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet. Not only will mom enjoy a vast array of culianary delights, she will also receive a complimentary flower to brighten her day. Mother’s Day is such a wonderful opportunity to let Mom know how much you care. This year, let Comanche Trace help show Mom that she deserves the best!

Comanche Trace is also pleased to feature harpist Stephanie Nash during this special brunch. Stephanie Nash Website

Guests MUST RSVP Please indicate meal time when making reservation.To RSVP Call: Comanche Trace Reception at (830) 895-8505

Mother’s Day Brunch Menu

Comanche Trace will offer all standard Mother’s Day menu items, PLUS, new for 2010, Mom can also enjoy an Omelet and Waffle Station AND an exclusive Full Salad Buffet.

Traditional Items:

Prime rib w/ au jus & horseradish sauceSauteed Grilled Breast of Chicken with Pineapple & Mango SalsaHerb-Crusted Halibut with Lemon-Dill SauceVegetable MedleySaffron Rice PilafBreakfast PotatoesSausage LinksHickory Smoked BaconEggs BenedictCheese Blitz with Blueberry SauceScrambled EggsAssorted Breakfast Breads

(NEW!!) Omelet & Waffle Station:

House Made Omelets – made to order with ingredients of your choiceFresh Prepared Waffles with Assorted Toppings

(NEW!!) Exclusive Salad Buffet:

Fresh Fruit Display w/ Poppy Seed DressingField Green Salad with Assorted Toppings and DressingsTossed Caesar Salad Topped with Marinated Grilled ChickenSpinach Salad with Pecans, Strawberries, and sweet red onionsTuscan Greek Pasta SaladShrimp and Crab SaladCucumber, Tomato, and Red Onion SaladLarge Peel and Eat Shrimp and Smoked Salmon Display

Dessert Display:

Assorted Cakes, Pies, Tarts and Sweets

Guests MUST RSVP. Please indicate meal time when making reservation.

To RSVP Call: Comanche Trace Reception at (830) 895-8505

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Kerrville is located 65 miles NW of San Antonio in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

Kerrville Folk Festival: New Folk Competition 2010

The Kerrville Folk Festival will run from May 27-June 13. A wealth of detail is on their website: www.kerrville-music.com. Here’s a press release with additional details. You gotta go! It’s a Texas Music Happening!
http://www.kerrville-music.com/media/2010/press%20releases/KFF%20Press%20release%204_14_10._NF_finalists.pdf

“The Sound of Music” Cast Announced at the Cailloux in Kerrville

Hayley Pickins Perez

Last Saturday, April 10, at the Cailloux Theater, Playhouse 2000 held a record-setting audition, with over one hundred local performers trying out for roles in this summer’s production of “The Sound of Music.” This broadway musical opens at the theatre on June 3rd and runs through the 19th.

“It was like nothing we’ve ever seen.” explains Jeff Cunningham “We knew there was a lot of talent in the community and we knew that the title would bring folks out of the woodwork to audition, but we had no idea so many brilliant actors and singers would show up to audition.”

Playhouse 2000 has expanded the cast and double cast many roles to squeeze over fifty local performers onto the Cailloux stage. Even still, with roughly one hundred and twenty people at the auditions, many walked away without roles. Cunningham insisted that everyone there was good enough to be in the show. “Again, the quality of the talent is staggering, especially the young people who made up a huge majority of the auditioners”

The Hill Country theatre community is going to need that talent. Playhouse alone has three more summer shows that will require many teen actors. Likewise, the Point Theatre, Fredericksburg Theatre Company, Hill Country Children’s Theatre, and many other groups are scouting for talent. And Cunningham assures that the groups are talking and working together to match actors with projects. “David (Cockerell, HCAF director) and Heather (Cunningham, Playhouse director) are meeting, talking regularly, and scouting talent for each other. There is no reason why everyone who wants to perform on stage this summer, can’t do it.”

As for “The Sound of Music” it took a full week to see all the auditioners and piece together the fifty-piece jigsaw puzzle of a cast. Heather Cunningham and her team finally posted a cast list last week.

The role of Maria Rainer, the religious postulant that joins the Von Trapp family as a governess, will be played by Hayley Perez. Perez joined Playhouse in 2009 and was extremely active taking chorus and smaller roles in “Tartuffe”, “Little Women”, and “Schoolhouse Rock”.

“It was really Hayley’s time,” explains Heather Cunningham. “if anyone had paid their dues, it was Hayley. We always wanted a major role to showcase her talent and charm. So when she got up to audition we knew we had a perfect Maria.

Opposite Perez’s Maria is Jeffery Brown in the role of Captain Von Trapp, the noble Navy officer who’s widower’s grief has alienated him from his family. Brown who has had a long career in theatre, debuted at the Cailloux in last summer’s “1776,” as Edward Rutledge, the slave owner from South Carolina who points out the hypocrisy of the North with the chilling and challenging song “Molasses to Rum.”

The remainder of the cast includes a diverse group that Playhouse staffers are extremely proud to announce. Among them are local acting favorites, newcomers, Academy students, Schreiner students, and families taking part in theatre together.

Tickets are on sale at the Cailloux Theatre box office at 830 896 9393. www.caillouxtheater.com

Kerrville is located 65 miles NW of San Antonio in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. For area and accommodation information, please call the Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-221-7958.

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4-12-2010

Grape Juice in Kerrville to Showcase Mini-Artist Chancy Walter

Kerrville, TX: Grape Juice will be hosting a 3 DAY ONLY mini-show April 1-3rd featuring up and coming wildlife artist Chancy Walters. At only 25 years old, this 100% self taught artist’s talent in acrylics is beyond his years.

Chancy Walters was raised in the small town of Creston in Southwest Iowa. Chancy grew up surrounded by art, as his father, Harry Walters, painted professionally on everything from motorcycles to custom signs. His father also painted on the now famous Miami Vice boat and the Batmobile.

Drawing came naturally to Chancy, but in his junior year of high school, he became intrigued with painting in acrylics. Being 100% self taught with no formal art training, Chancy turned his attention after high school to his other love hunting, where he ran a trophy deer ranch. On the Ranch is where he developed his love and talent for painting wildlife.

Soon, he began traveling to hunting shows and selling his canvas art on the road. He then broadened his worked to include paintings on turkey feathers and fallow deer horns too.

His passion from wildlife has fueled his work with many wildlife groups such as the National Wild Turkey Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Whitetail Unlimited, and Pheasants Forever. Art donated to these groups and the Boy & Girls Club of Laredo, have helped to raise thousands of dollars for these worthy causes.

Now just 25 years old, Chancy has moved to Texas to push himself out of his standard work of whitetails, turkey, and ducks. He has been painting for the last month on a ranch outside of Hunt, working on some portraits, and his new collection titled “Feathers”.

His latest collection, “Feathers” along with other works will be on display and for sale at Grape Juice in downtown Kerrville for 3 days only April 1, 2, and 3rd. Come meet the artist at Grape Juice, Thursday April 1st from 6-11pm for an Art Show kickoff party and enjoy art(and wine) from a whole new angle.

Grape Juice is a fun, casual, come-as-you-are place in downtown Kerrville that features a retail store, bar, and casual eatery. Contact: Keri Wilt
Grape Juice
623 Water Street
Kerrville, TX 78028
830-343-7259
keri@grapejuiceonline.com
www.grapejuiceonline.com

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3-30-2010

Point Theatre in Ingram Audition Notice for Summer Shows

Hill Country Arts Foundation

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Point Theatre Box Office: (830) 367-5121
Laura Naman

INGRAM—Audition dates have been announced for the Hill Country Arts Foundation Point Theatre summer season which includes “The Neverending Story,” “Cats,” and “A Tuna Christmas.”

Auditions for “The Neverending Story” will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18 at 2 p.m. Alicia Tafoya, lecturer of drama at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, will direct the fantasy. “The Neverending Story” will be performed June 11-26 on The Point’s outdoor stage.

Tafoya is seeking a cast of approximately 18 adults and youth to perform the tale of a young boy who comes of age through a series of adventures in the make-believe land of Fantastica. The play is based on the 1979 novel by Michael Ende which was adapted for the stage by David S. Craig. The novel was also the basis of the 1984 film of the same name. This will be the first time that the play has been performed by community theatre.

The director will be casting four men: one in his 30s, two in their 20s-30s, and one 50 or older. Two women are needed – one in her 20s-30s, and one 30 or older. Three to four boys ages 8-12 and three to four girls the same ages will be cast. An ensemble of six to eight (any age) is needed with the ability to move well and handle multiple roles. Some additional children ages 8-12 may be cast for a children’s ensemble.

Those auditioning will be reading from the script. Wear clothing that allows you to move comfortably.

Auditions for “Cats,” directed by Jim Weisman, will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 1 and 2 at 2 p.m. The show will run July 9-24.

The final show of the summer season, “A Tuna Christmas,” will be directed by David Cockerell. Auditions will be held Saturday, May 22 at 2 p.m. “A Tuna Christmas” runs August 6-21.

For more information, call the box office at 830-367-5121. The Point Theatre is located at 120 Point Theatre Rd. South (off Hwy. 39) in Ingram.

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3-30-2010