Events

An extra incentive to take pride in your annual spring cleaning will be offered again this year in Marble Falls.

The City of Marble Falls 2017 Spring Clean Up Event will be going on April 1-9 and the city is accepting nominations for the second, and now annual, Community Pride Award.

The city will display a sign at winners' property.

The Community Pride Award aims at encouraging residents and businesses to enhance the appearance of their hometown. This year, awards will be presented for both residential and commercial properties.

To participate in the contest, visit the city website, www.marblefallstx.gov, and complete the nomination form. Submitting pictures is strongly encouraged. 2017 Spring Clean Up dates and information are also available on the city website.

Citizens can take advantage in the Spring Clean Up in two ways—curbside pickup or bulk item drop off.

The annual Granite Shoals Spring Clean Up, set for Saturday, April 1, will again offer document shredding.

From 8 a.m.-noon, citizens can access the dumpsters and the shred station from the main city hall entrance, 2221 North Phillips Ranch Road. A current water bill and Driver License will be required for admission. No contractors will be allowed.

“Condor Document Services will be on site until 11 a.m.,” said City Secretary Elaine Simpson. “Residents who want secure shredding should bring their documents in boxes and all binders and large fasteners should be removed.”

Almost any refuse will be accepted, including bagged trash and leaves, furniture, appliances without Freon, scrap metal and even toilets. Tires with or without rims will be accepted for a $3 recycle fee.

Artists are all around Marble Falls, competing in Paint the Town, the annual plein air art event of Highland Lakes Creative Arts (HLCA).

Fans and visitors can soak up their techniques and artistic vision in three days of fun events.

“We are billed as one of the top 5 plein air events in Texas,” said Carolyn Bates of the HLCA board. “And, we're asking the community to 'Fire Up for Paint the Town.'

“Through Saturday, plein air artists will be painting in Marble Falls and the surrounding bluebonnet-filled countryside. Visitors will be able to watch them at work and view the finished art.”

Support of Meals on Wheels is the aim of Style in Action, a ladies apparel show Tuesday, April 4, at Lakeside Pavilion in Marble Falls.

The event includes a luncheon and a spring style show from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for a ticket price of $40.

The latest fashions from Accents Boutique, Blair's Western Wear, Caio Bella, Edna Rose, Salem's Fashions and Smartie Pantz will be on parade. Door prizes and a silent auction will be included.

The luncheon will be prepared by Burnet High School culinary arts students.

To purchase a ticket, visit Salem's in Marble Falls or Salem's Jewelry in Burnet or online at MealsOnWheels-WilliamsonBurnet.org. Select “Donate” for ticket purchase and other choices to support Meals on Wheels.

Meals on Wheels in Burnet County is a program of Opportunities for Williamson & Burnet Counties (OWBC).

Paint the Town, the annual plein air art event of Highland Lakes Creative Arts (HLCA), will bring 40 open-air artists to Marble Falls, along with three days of fun events for fans and visitors.

“We are billed as one of the top 5 plein air events in Texas,” said Carolyn Bates of the HLCA board. “And, we're asking the community to 'Fire Up for Paint the Town.'

“Thursday through Saturday, plein air artists will be painting in Marble Falls and the surrounding bluebonnet-filled countryside. Visitors will be able to watch them at work and view the finished art.”

From 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day Paint the Town Galleries will be open and exhibiting/sales space is doubled.
Now is the time, Bates said to purchase the $50 tickets for the Friday night reception, Introducing 2017 Paint the Town, that will include the results of the Nocturnal Paint Out, with local craft foods, wine, beers and live music.

A one-day plant sale at Marble Falls High School (MFHS) is offering almost everything needed for spring planting.

Today, Friday, March 24, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. shoppers can pick up flower, pepper, tomato and other vegetable plants for a cost of from $1 to $3.

Proceeds from the event, sponsored by the MFHS Horticulture Program, will benefit all the schools Career and Technology Education Workforce Ready programs.

A community arts exhibit and artists reception will be held Thursday, March 23, from 5-6:30 p.m. to recognize student artists from throughout the Burnet County.

The exhibit will take place at Happy Scoops Ice Cream, 104 West Washington Street, just off the courthouse square in Burnet.

The art exhibit will feature work by kindergarten through 12th grade artists from around the county, including students from Faith Academy in Marble Falls; Colt Elementary in Marble Falls Independent School District (MFISD) and Bertram Elementary, RJ Richey Elementary, Shady Grove Elementary, Burnet Middle School, Burnet High School, all in the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District (BCISD), .

Paint the Town, a plein air, or open air, competition March 30 – April 1 will host 40 artists from around the country to capture the scenes of Marble Falls and you can have a ring-side seat.

Texas bluebonnets are a topical favorite and you can pack a lunch and a lawn chair and watch their artworks magically appear. Organizers of the event from Highland Lakes Creative Arts suggest looking for artists at work at these prime locations:

• Bella Vista B&B--1455 Cimarron Ranch Road--off Ranch to Market Road 1431 east on Lake Travis. (Charming country inn with beautiful vistas.)

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Spring is in the air and coming with it March 13-18 Marble Falls Parks & Recreation Spring Break Program.

Last year, attendance almost doubled and this year one donor more than doubled support in response.

“We received a $2,500 grant from the H-E-B Community Investment Program,” said City Manager Mike Hodge. “Typically the city's budget for spring break is about $2,400.”

Most of the city's largest retailers, some smaller ones and restaurants always contribute in some way but this year H-E-B is the primary sponsor.

“The local H-E-B has always been a Spring Break supporter with volunteers and donations,” said Parks & Recreation Director Robert Moss. “HEB continues to help our community become a better place to live; both at the local and corporate levels.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The weather turned cold and rainy Saturday, March 4, putting a damper on the dual fundraisers for the Highland Lakes Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals—the 5th Annual Walk-a-Dog-a-Thon and the Dingers for Dogs Co-Ed Softball Tournament.

“They are rain or shine events,” said Shannon Heep, one of the organizers. “The softball teams played right through the rain and SPCA volunteers stayed at the Johnson Park Pavilion with adoption dogs to the end. Will Duncan played his guitar and sang for us, compliments of On the Rocks.”

Typically, dogs were undaunted by a little rain, but the weather cut in to human attendance and to proceeds, Heep said. By a rough count, 150 people turned out for the 2.5 mile circuit of the walk but many were part of family groups, not individual donors.