Here’s some basic information regarding the Jacob’s Well Community Garden…we anticipate being open for our first growing season by March 1.
Last week over 700 concrete blocks were delivered for the development of 14 raised-bed garden plots measuring 15’ x 4’; 2 blocks high. Three core Garden Committee members were able to measure out those 14 beds and 
physically construct nine.

Early this week, AquaTexas had 24 yards (that’s 2 huge dump trucks full) of super soil delivered to the site). Because of the weight of the trucks and the wet ground conditions, the trucks we unable to get up onto the garden area.  The soil was dumped alongside the gate with a promise from a local contractor to come back later time to move the soil up onto the garden site.  About 85% of that was done yesterday (Friday) via a 4-wheel drivebackhoe; then came the heavy rain…enuf said.   A gentleman contractor lives here in our neighborhood and has for PR for his company in payment of services rendered.   As soon as I get the particulars:  PR will be done!! (update on this:  Mike Boss says the e-mail thanks was sufficient…he was glad to be able to help…GOOD neighbor!)

We have verbal reservations for several garden plots.   At this point, 14 will be this early season’s limit.  If enough interest is shown, further development will be made for September 1 (Fall gardening) openings.  Guttering to be attached to our garden shed roof was donated by a Committee member. This, of course, will be used to direct rainwater into the soon-to-be added 1000-gallon water tank.  We have much yet to do but we feel much better about our progress. 

The information posted here regarding the Homestead Exemption was incorrect. According to Hays County’s Elections Administrator and an alert poster in the comments section, this matter was resolved in 2007. There will be no amendment on the ballot this May. OOPS!

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To: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

       Water Supply Division

       Utilities & Districts Section MC 153

       P.O. Box 13087

       Austin TX 78711-3087

Date:_______________

Re: NOTICE OF PROPOSED RATE CHANGE

Aqua Texas, Inc., Aqua Utilities, Inc, Aqua Development, Inc., Harper Water Company, Inc, & Kerrville South Water Company, Inc. (‘Aqua Texas”)

CCN Numbers 11157, 12902, 11421, and 11484

Company address: 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 400W, Austin, TX 78723

My Aqua Texas account or meter number:_____________________

I am a ratepayer in an unincorporated area known as Woodcreek North in Hays County, Texas. My PWS# is 1050039.

I am filing this letter in protest to the proposed rate change set to go into effect on February 21, 2012. 

Please do not grant yet another rate increase to Aqua Texas.

Sincerely,

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Hays County Elections Administrator Joyce Cowan has announced that ongoing litigation regarding state redistricting plans has delayed the mailing of voter registration certificate renewals. “Voters are expecting new voter registration cards to replace their blue cards, which expired Dec. 31, 2011,” Cowan said. “However, until the federal courts finalize the   Texas redistricting plans, the mailing is on hold.” Voters who had blue voter registration cards can expect their new yellow cards before  the 2012 primary elections, which are not yet set. They will be valid through Dec. 31, 2013.

For questions about the renewal process or to register to vote, contact the Hays County Elections Department at 512-393-7310 or visit www.co.hays.tx.us/elections 

February
 
Now we have left Valencia and are working our way through central Spain in the region of La Mancha. We all know that Cervantes wrote Don Quixote and had his character going to war with the windmills on these plains. Does “the rain in Spain, really fall mainly on the plain”? Heaven only knows, but we do know that more fusion takes place here with garlic, saffron, paprika, and olives and that foods have a Moorish touch.  Let’s not forget the vineyards.  This region’s vineyards have always been known for their precious local white grape. Today there is expansion into the reds, the Merlots, Cabernets and Syrah are taking over. Well, not “taking over” but pushing their way into the mix.
 
The Spanish meals are very much like the Italian meals, in that they are a time for conversation, laughter, serious talk, and simply for the pleasure of eating. I have never been able to understand how or why people in this country rush through a meal. We do lead busy lives, but there is no reason why the whole family should not sit down together and eat. This is what being part of a family means.
 
There is usually one daily meal in Spain that includes soup. I always looked forward to this meal and would often eat a Castilian soup known as  “Sopa De Ajo Con Huevos”. It is a garlic soup with egg. So I will share this recipe with you and let you be the judge as to how you like it.   I picked this up in a small café in Central Spain.  This recipe yields about four servings. double it for eight.
 
Sopa De Ajo Con Huevos ~ Garlic and Egg Soup
2 garlic cloves                4 tomatoes
4 slices of white bread    2 tablespoons of olive oil
sea salt & pepper            4 eggs
 
 I suspect you will find this recipe in most households in Spain.  Remove the crusts from the bread (use a rustic bread).  Pound the garlic cloves in your mortar and fry them in oil.  When the garlic is golden, add the bread and fry it slightly.  Add the tomatoes and fry, then add  two pints of cold water water. Bring this to a boil and just before serving, beat the yolks of four eggs and add this to the soup. Sometimes poached eggs are used in this dish with added paprika, prosciutto, and parsley.  Hearty country  bread can be used as I said, “rustic”. 
This is a simple dish but tasty one!  What the Spaniards had in mind when they dreamed this recipe up, I believe was it is a “stick to your ribs”, filling soup, and very inexpensive to make.
 
One does not normally sit down to a meal considered lunchtime until 2:00 p.m.  Dinnertime is about 9:00 to 10:00 p.m.
 
A typical menu Dinner Menu would be Trucha en aceite (trout in oil)
                                                               Sopa de Ajo Con Huevos   (Garlic & Egg soup)
                                                                Pastel (a flan)
                                                              Arroz con Pollo (rice with chicken)
 
Preparing these dishes as we travel along, the fun for me is shopping the markets  for the ingredients. Each Wednesday vendors set up their wares across Ranch Road 12 across from Ozona Bank. Shoppers stroll through looking for what they need.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have more vendors and a larger market?   I hope if this happens there will be the addition of more food items.We also have a great kitchenware shop on the square. They can help you choose any  items you need.  I believe in patronizing the local shops.
 
I covered this before but would like to repeat that the three things necessary when preparing Spanish foods are a mortar and pestle, a casuela, and a paella pan. The mortar should be of marble, ceramic or stoneware. I use stoneware. I recommend that the casuela 12 to 13 inches in diameter. It is brown   earthenware that has been used in Spanish kitchen for centuries.  The paella pan  I prefer is 16 inches in diameter and is carbon-steel. Remember that paella is NOT paella unless a paella pan is used. It is considered a “deadly sin” otherwise.
As we leave La Mancha, I leave you with this thought, relax and unwind when having your meals, no matter whether you eat alone or with others.  Savor the food before you!
Hasta la vista
Anita Savino Fournier