The Idle American – A lament for linemen

February 2nd, 2012

By Dr. Don Newbury

No, this isn’t about Super Bowl “grunt” players “duking it out” in the football trenches. I’m referencing Glen Campbell, who is crooning around the country on his well-earned “farewell tour” to cap off a career spanning 50+ years.

The Alzheimer victim is singing our old favorites, including “Wichita Lineman,” one of lyricist Jimmy …

Fine in the ‘Pine – A rock ‘n’ roll excursion to Little Rock

February 2nd, 2012

By ROXANN CHAVEZ

I made it back from Arkansas, and that’s a story of its own, but I wanted to let you know that I went to Arkansas to watch my favorite band perform, Evanescence.

Amy Lee and Evanescence rock Little Rock. (photo by ROXANN CHAVEZ)

It was about a 24-plus-hour-drive to and from Little …

Our Senator in D.C. on the State of the Union

February 2nd, 2012

Reaction to President’s State of the Union Address

“We Need to Get Serious on Entitlement Reform”

By U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas

The President’s annual State of the Union address is an opportunity for our country’s elected leader to put aside partisan politics, talk to Congress and the American people about our country’s direction, and outline his …

Our Congressman in D.C. on the State of the Union

February 2nd, 2012

By U.S. Rep. Francisco Canseco, R-23rd Congressional District

Last Tuesday the President delivered his annual State of the Union address to the Nation. As someone who came to Washington just one year ago, I was very much looking forward to new ideas and a renewed sense of purpose from the President. My hopes were based on …

Star Gazer – Transit of Venus and other celestial spice this year

February 2nd, 2012

By PAUL DERRICK

The coming year offers many stargazing delights, and a couple of them don’t even occur at night.    There will be the usual annual meteor showers, brilliant naked-eye planets, and pairings of night sky objects, but 2012 also will treat us to a partial solar eclipse and a rare transit of Venus.

The Idle American – Uncle Mort

January 26th, 2012

Please welcome Dr. Don Newbury to our Big Bend Blog. He’s a former Alpine resident and Sul Ross State University news and information director. Now retired after an illustrious career in Texas higher public education, he lives and writes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

By Dr. DON NEWBURY

My Uncle Mort claims to have a sixth sense …

Breaking up is hard to do

January 26th, 2012

By Texas Senator CARLOS URESTI

Pecos, meet Poteet.

Fort Stockton, let me introduce you to Charlotte and Christine.

Alpine, I just know you’re going to like Crystal City and Pearsall.

Rocksprings, say hello to Carrizo Springs.

Beginning next year, you will likely be a part of the family known as Senate District 19.

While the redistricting process is still playing out …

Fine in the Pine – We wear many hats

January 19th, 2012

By ROXANN CHAVEZ

“Who are you? I’ve never seen you before.”

I’ve been asked that question a lot lately, and I didn’t quite know how to answer the question. I just simply smiled and said, “Well, I’m me.” What this individual didn’t know is that I am a mom, a wife, a columnist with The Big Bend …

Fine in the ‘Pine – Music of a generation

January 12th, 2012

By ROXANN CHAVEZ

What’s the music of your old school days? I ask because I was at a dance celebrating the wedding of Armida and Michael DiCicco, with Letty Gonzales, Natalia Hinojos and Dennis Martin, and the music was awesome. DJ Mikey did a great job.

Everyone knows Armida by her maiden name Gonzales. She is the …

In Praise of Marfa Elementary School

January 12th, 2012

By Kathleen and David Walstrom

No Child Left Behind legislation and its subsequent rules, regulations and labels remind us a bit of the Federal Tax Code.  Put in the hands of politicians, both are difficult to understand, and both are constantly changing.  In the case of the TAKS test, now named the STAAR, our experience indicates that …