Marble Falls Texas news

Legacy Ministry of First Baptist Church of Marble Falls (FBCMF) is about to celebrate its first anniversary with a Legacy Fair, a barbecue dinner and concert on Sunday, Sept. 10.

For anyone interested in the programs of Legacy, which aim for purposeful living for folks age 55 and older, the fair that begins at 4:30 p.m. is the place to start because it offers a glimpse of programs for the next year.

At 6 p.m., youth of the church will serve a Spyke's Bar-B-Que dinner, followed by a musical program by Kayle Stephens.

The Marble Falls Mustang Band is one of only two Texas high school marching bands performing here at the 2017 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. Their Concert in the Park Aug. 25 will introduce a new season of musical performance.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

When the Marble Falls High School Mustang Band marched in the National Memorial Day Parade on in Washington, D.C., they one of just two bands invited to represent the State of Texas.

Now, fans back home have a chance to hear what makes them a top band and to help send them on their next great musical adventure.

The MFHS Band Concert in the Park on Friday, Aug. 25, will preview their new fall show.

“The concert will be the first outlet of their new show, 'Music from the Heart,'” said Barb Shafer, president of the MFHS Band Boosters. “I have been watching them every day and I expect this show to go to state.

By Richard Zowie

The Highlander

The Texas Education Agency released its preliminary 2016-2017 financial accountability ratings, and Marble Falls Independent School District scored an A.

Created in 2001, the school Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) encourages public schools to improve how they manage their finances to allow for the best allocation for direct instructional purposes.

MFISD was among the 853 state-wide public school districts that received a superior rating.

One hundred and twenty-one schools received a B “above standard achievement,” while 43 received a C and “met standard.”

Five schools received F grades for “substandard achievement.”

“We also received clean audits form our external auditor as well,” said Dr. Chris Allen, MFISD superintendent.

In the 2017-2018 budget, the district adopted a balanced budget with no projected surplus.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The 26th annual LakeFest was a success on all fronts.

The roar of engines that echoes from Lake Marble Falls up and down the Highland Lakes on the second weekend of August each year has become familiar, but the attraction seems to grow.

“We saw more of everything,” said Patti Zinsmeyer, executive director of the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce, host of the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Races on Lake Marble Falls, Aug. 11-13.

“We saw more entries—112 this year. “We saw far more people. The Spectator crowds were bigger each day compared to past years. Lakeside Park was packed.

“We estimate, over the three days, there were more than 25,000 spectators. That is not counting all the families and crew members for the racers or people who watch from the bridge or homes or places like Riverview RV park on the south side of the lake.”

Richard Zowie

The Highlander

Bryan Sanders of Houston calls it as “quite a rush” and “hard to describe,” while Daryl Ehrlick of Round Rock says it is “terror and pleasure at the same time.”

Sanders and Ehrlick are drivers in the 2017 LakeFest Drag Boat Races, today through Sunday, Aug. 11-13,

the 26th year of the races. Both will be driving Top Fuel Hydroplane boats. Ehrlick’s is called “Problem Child.”

Burnet County shoppers can save money on a number of items, including school supplies and school clothes priced below $100, during the annual sales tax holiday, scheduled for this Friday through Saturday, Aug. 11-13, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said.

State law exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced below $100 from sales tax, which will save shoppers around eight to 8.25 percent ($8 ro $8.25) for every $100 they spend during the weekend.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The Marble Falls City voted to propose a fraction-smaller rate than recommended by city staff for a reduction of $1,260 in property tax income in the Fiscal Year 2017-2018.

The new rate and a proposed budget of approximately $10.1 million will have a public hearing Aug. 15 and possible adoption Sept. 5.

Unlike most cities, Marble Falls is a city of public works driven by its economic engine. Sales tax makes up about 60 percent of income and property tax, about 20 percent. Money from bonds, grants, utilities and fees form most of the remaining income.

Staff had proposed adoption of the effective tax rate, a rate lower than the current rate that equaled the same income as the last. The current rate is 0.6483 (64.83 cents) per $100 valuation. The effective rate would be 0.6341 (63.41 cents) per $100 and the proposed rate chosen was 0.6340 (63.40 cents) per $100.

Mustang football season tickets, parking passes to go on sale July 31

‘Meet the Mustangs’ event to be Aug. 23 at Mustang Stadium

Mustang fans who want to renew their season tickets for Marble Falls High School football can pick up their tickets, with payment, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, July 31, to Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the Marble Falls Independent School District Athletic Office at 2101 Mustang Drive.

The office is on the MFHS campus next to the Max Copeland Gym.

For mailed-in payments, tickets will be available for pick up 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday, from July 31-Aug. 16.

If mailing, they should be sent to: Marble Falls ISD — Tickets; 1800 Colt Circle; Marble Falls, TX; 78654

The price for Mustang reserved seat season football tickets is the same as in previous years: $45 per seat for all five home games, $15 for employees and $10 for ages 65 and over.

By Richard Zowie

The Highlander

Little by little, Faith Academy is expanding its amenities.

Previously, the private Christian school housed a weight room for its athletes in a 10 feet-by-10 feet portable building that also doubled as its junior high locker room.

“We’ve gone from that to about 2,100 square feet for the new weight room, which is now in a permanent building behind the gym on the other side of campus,” said Randy Denton, Faith Academy athletic director. “We have a weight room on one side, and on the other side we have a girls’ locker room and bathroom, boys’ locker room and bathroom and a trainer’s room.”

The director added that the various teams (football, volleyball and basketball) have all been using the weight room this summer. In the old room, they could fit seven to 10 kids. Now, they can fit 30.

By Frank Shubert

Publisher

The Highlander

One of the highlights of every Comic-Con International: San Diego, which wrapped another successful four days of fun and games in July, is the amazing cosplay by those in attendance.

For those who are uninitated in the ways of geekdom, cosplay — a blending of the words costume and play — is the art of dressing up as and imitating a character from a fan's favorite movie, book, comic, graphic novel or video game and the San Diego Comic-Con can be likened to the Super Bowl for cosplay enthusiasts.

A similar scene was played out not long ago in San Antonio as thousands of comic book fans, gamers and self-identified "geeks" descended upon the Mission City to show their enthusiasm for the latest fantasy heroes, heroines, villains and the artists who created them.