Marble Falls Texas news

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Sculpture on Main is celebrating a big coming out party for its 11th annual event all day today and into the night today, Friday, Dec. 2.

The doors open at 10 a.m. at Lakeside Pavilion, 307 Buena Vista Drive, to art exhibition, demonstration and sale until 6 p.m. Nine artists of table top art works will be on hand to meet the public there and discuss their works.

Among them will be Beth Schoen exhibiting for sale her bronze of Willie Nelson and a ceramic of Albert Einstein.

Downtown, tours of the 11 new juried entries in the year-long exhibit of Sculpture on Main will be going on.

“You can ask for a tour or join one that is going on,” said Carolyn Bates of the board of directors of the event sponsor, Highland Lakes Creative Arts (HLCA) “Volunteer docents will be dressed in turquoise artists aprons imprinted with “the arts.” That's how we refer to HLCA.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The two victims who died in the crash on Texas 71 east of Spicewood Monday, Nov. 28, were Cynthia Ann Vega, age 46, and her son, Santiago Vega, age 17, both from Marble Falls.

A funeral service will be held for the mother and son at Celements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Marble Falls Friday, Dec. 2, at 4 p.m., followed by a rosary service at 6 p.m. On Thursday, however, friends and family gathered at the site of the crash to memorialize them. Balloons were released into the skies over the rolling hills where they died.

Unable to attend was Justino Rodriguez, age 50 and also of Marble Falls, who was a passenger with the Vegas.

He was airlifted from the scene Monday and remains in University Medical Center Brackenridge, as does Bala Chandra Sekhar Gutti, 29, of Richardson, driver of the 2015 Subaru that first collided with the Vegas' 2015 Ford Focus.

Note: This story has been updated twice since first posting, each time with additional information from the Texas Department of Public Safety and University Medical Center Brackenridge.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The two victims who died in the crash on Texas 71 east of Spicewood Monday, Nov. 28, have been identified officially as Cynthia Ann Vega, age 46, and her son, Santiago Vega, age 17, both from Marble Falls.

Justino Rodriguez, age 50, a passenger with the Vegas in a 2015 Ford Focus and also from Marble Falls, along with the driver of the 2015 Subaru which struck them, Bala Chandra Sekhar Gutti, 29, of Richardson, were air lifted to University Medical Center Brackenridge. Both were reported in "Good" condition Tuesday afternoon.

The annual Victorian Christmas Open House sponsored by board members of the Falls on the Colorado Museum (FOCM) is set for Saturday, Dec. 3.

Home owner Caryl Calsyn will be on hand to talk with visitors as they tour a view into Marble Falls history.

The open house will take place at the historic Christian-Matern home, 603 Seventh Street at Avenue F, east of US 281 in Marble Falls. The community is invited to visit any time from 6-8:30 p.m. Handicap access and parking are available at the back of the house.

“Caryl Calsyn owns the old home and has hosted the museum event for several years,” said FOCM Board Chairwoman Darlene Oostermeyer. “We hold this open house every year to say 'thank you' to the community for their support of the museum.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Eleven sculptures will be featured in the 11th Annual Sculpture on Main event in Marble Falls, opening with fun from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2.

Highland Lakes Creative Arts, the new non-profit organization coordinating the event will add an indoor small works exhibit and sale all day at Lakeside Pavilion, 307 Buena Vista Drive. Visitors will be able to purchase table-top pieces, meet artists and watch live sculpture demonstrations.

From 6:30-9 p.m., Sculpture on Main will honor all the artists in the new year-long exhibit. Meet the Artist is a ticketed reception and awards ceremony with three live music performances, gourmet food and wine. Surrounded by the glow of the Walkway of Lights, guests will meet all the artists and peruse table-size sculptures and watch a culinary show.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Some shoppers may lay down their Thanksgiving Forks and hit the hay for distant Black Friday deals, but out in the Hill Country the finds may be right out our back doors.

Up and down US 281 from furniture at Aladdin Home Store up north to fine jewelry and fashions down south at Salem's and in between at Blair's Western Wear, hometown shopping offers variety and special savings.

“If we don't have it, you don't need it,” said Blair. “We've added lotions and perfumes besides all the small gifts for a Western home. Everybody knows about the upscale western wear, but now we even have Birkenstock sandals.”

For 70 years, Salem's Jewelry has kept Burnet County shoppers at home for fine jewelry, but when they added fashion in 1981 they broadened the field. They have a list of merchandize especially for Black Friday, but they offer something more, doing business with people they know.

On Tuesday, Nov. 29 anyone who lives, works or plays in Marble Falls is invited to an open house from 6-9 p.m. at Lakeside Pavilion, 307 Buena Vista Drive.

It will allow the final public input into the update of the City of Marble Falls Park, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan, slated for council approval in January.

One of the most important components of the update process has been assessing wants and needs of the community.

The Tuesday night meeting will add to public participation begun with an online survey.

More than 40 citizens, or stakeholders, have met with staff of the city and Halff Associates, the company contracted to develop to revise the plan.

By Alexandria Randolph

Highland Lakes Newspapers

While ecological concerns were at the forefront of comments in the first public meeting for the Wirtz Dam Bridge, economic questions and survey fairness seemed to be the primary concern at the second meeting.

The meeting was conducted by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and, as of Nov. 3, CAMOP hd received “almost 500 surveys and about 500 comments” from citizens about the bridge, said

CAMPO Public Information Officer Doice Miers.

According to the results, 35 percent of survey takers said the greatest transportation need is bridges and river crossings.

“Eighty-two percent said the Wirtz Dam Bridge would be beneficial,” she said.

Highland Lakes residents have only a few weeks left to submit opinions regarding the project; the final public meeting will be held on Nov. 21, and the online survey will close on Nov. 27.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Monday night's downpour was concentrated into Backbone Creek tributaries, causing damage to Marble Falls parks and calling first responders into action to rescue a motorist stranded on the Avenue J bridge at Johnson Park.

Just after 1 a.m. Tuesday morning, Nov. 8, the call came in from the driver on the roof of his car, according to Capt. Glenn Hanson of the Marble Falls Police Department. Hanson identified the man as Spencer Loftis, but he said the police had no more information on him than the fact that he drove a four-door Lincoln.

“Water was washing over bridge, but the guy drove into water above headlight level of vehicle,” said Hanson. “It stalled and he was stranded.”

Making sure no child is injured an auto accident is the goal of the car seat inspection event of Marble Falls Area Emergency Medical Service (MFAEMS) on Saturday, Nov. 12.

The MFAEMS is scheduling appointments before 1:30 p.m. for car seat inspection and fitting at their main station, 609 Industrial Boulevard, in Marble Falls.

The number to call is 830-693-7277. The service is free and the MFAEMS can help provide a seat for families that cannot afford one.

Every child younger than age eight and shorter than four-feet-nine-inches tall travel in a federally approved child car seat. Fines from $25 for the first offense up to $250 for subsequent offenses are little compared to the heartache of injury or death of a child.