DRIPPING SPRINGS BABBLE

DSBABBLE.COM UPDATE

DSBabble.com — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:12:30 GMT

While our website URL has always been DSBabble.com, content has been hosted at drippingsprings.dsbabble.com and forwarded to DSBabble.com, but we have freshened up the site and moved it to straight-up DSBabble.com. If you have received auto updates by email when new content is posted, you will not be receiving any more (after this one). All new updates are on DSBabble.com. We now have an RSS feed option and, as always, links to Facebook and Twitter for updates. Come on over!

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WINTER'S EVE - A CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL IN WIMBERLY ON SATURDAY

DSBabble.com — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:53:51 GMT

Join the Wimberley Merchants Association for Winter’s Eve – A Christmas Festival on the Wimberley Square this Saturday, December 10, at 5pm when the festivities and food booths begin. Santa arrives at 6:30pm. Live entertainment throughout the evening. For more information on the festival, visit wimberleymerchants.com.

And, if you haven't been to The Goodnight Diner's new location, it is more than worth the short trip down RR 12. Chef-owners Jana and Chris have made such a warm and inviting place. We love that in addition to regular seating, they are one of the very few places in the area where you can sit at the counter, diner-style. The address is 15401 RR12, Wimberley. They're located before you get into town on the right side (headed from Dripping into Wimberley). New Hours are Tuesday - Sunday, 11am - 9:30 pm. Get the latest news and menu on their website at thegoodnightdiner.org.

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UPCOMING DRIPPING SPRINGS EVENTS

DSBabble.com — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:26:33 GMT

Lots of upcoming events in Dripping Springs. If you have an event for the Babble please see our submission info here.

Volunteers have organized a Charro Ranch Park Workday on Saturday, December 10, from 9am - Noon. Charro Ranch Park is located on Hwy 150 one mile east of Hwy 12. Activities will include trail maintenance, pruning junipers, and cutting old stumps. Bring your own tools (shovels, picks, loppers, saws, etc).

Friends of the Dripping Springs Community Library present their Annual Tour of Homes on Saturday, December 10, from 10am - 4pm. Four unique homes and the Dr. Pound Farmstead will warmly welcome you to step inside and see how they celebrate Christmas. After the tour, 4:30pm - 6:30pm, the Friends will host an International Wine Tasting at an exclusive home. The wine tasting event will feature 6 fine wines from all over the world and a special blind tasting of one of France’s premier wines and one of Texas’s best rated wines. Several spectacular bottles of wine from private cellars will be raffled off. For more information, including how to purchase tickets for both events, visit dscl.org/Friends.

On Saturday, December 10, 11am - 3pm, Stay N Play Pet Ranch hosts a Holiday Open House and Photos with Santa. Bring your pets for photos with Santa for just a $10 donation with all proceeds benefiting PAWS Shelter and Humane Society.

Photos with Santa for the kids at Nutty Brown Cafe (12225 West Hwy 290) on Saturday, December 10, from Noon - 4pm. Photos are a $10 donation with your camera and a $15 donation for a picture taken by Dream Pixel Photography. Proceeds benefit Burke Center for Youth.

Drippin' Dancin' is now the second Sunday of every month, which is December 11 this month. Dance from 6pm - 9pm at the Barn at Bell Springs (4000 Bell Springs Rd). Bring your own drinks and food. There is a $5 cover. Music by the Dripping Springs All-Stars. Also, in December dance organizers are collecting canned goods for Helping Hands. Bring something if you can.

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MADE IN AMERICA (AND DRIPPING SPRINGS, SPECIFICALLY)

DSBabble.com — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:41:19 GMT

World News with Diane Sawyer is promoting a Made in America Christmas, the premise being: "If each of us spent just $64 on American made goods during our holiday shopping, the result would be 200,000 new jobs." As part of their Made in America feature, they have compiled a list, by state, of products made in the U.S. Included in the list is Dripping Springs' very own D.S. Ironworks, owned by Wayne Rossi. Visit the Made in America resource guide on abcnews.go.com/WN/MadeInAmerica/ and click on the map. On the next page, when you click on Texas, you'll see D.S. Ironworks and more. Also on that page, they invite you to email them if you know of a Made in America company left off the list. Know of any more Made in Dripping Springs, Texas, USA?

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HOLIDAY HEROES BLOOD DRIVE

DSBabble.com — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:17:13 GMT

An excellent excuse to eat another good meal after Christmas! On Tuesday, December 27, the Hays County Sheriff's Office hosts its first blood drive in coordination with The Blood Center of Central Texas. The Holiday Heroes Blood Drive will be in the HEB-Dripping Springs parking lot on Tuesday, December 27, from 10am - 2pm. All donated blood from the blood drive will go to hospitals that service the citizens of Hays County, to include Central Texas Medical Center, Seton Medical Center Hays, St. David’s, Brackenridge, and Dell Children’s.

Donors may do a “walk-in” donation, or may schedule their appointments on line by clicking here. If you have any questions about donating blood, please contact The Blood Center at (512) 206-1266 or visit their Web site at www.inyourhandsonline.org.

Donors are reminded to "eat a full meal before donating and don't forget to bring your photo ID."

Other locations in Hays County on Tuesday, December 27, from 10am - 2pm, include the parking lot of the Courthouse in San Marcos and the parking lot of the Cabela's in Buda. You can also donate at the Hays County Sheriff's Office, Training Room, Wednesday, December 28, 3pm - 7pm.

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CITY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS PUBLIC NOTICES

DSBabble.com — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:55:20 GMT

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
Public hearings will be held at the City of Dripping Springs Planning & Zoning Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. on December 14, 2011 and at the City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. on January 10, 2012 at Dripping Springs City Hall, 511 Mercer Street, Dripping Springs, Texas, to consider the site development plan for Camp Lucy, Venue 2 located at 3509 Creek Road. Comments regarding the proposed site development may be emailed to jtouchstone@cityofdrippingsprings.com or mailed to PO Box 384, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. For more information call City Hall at 858-4725. There will be a Town Hall meeting regarding this application on Thursday, December 8, at 7pm at City Hall. The property owner and site engineer will be on hand to answer neighbor questions.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ZONING AMENDMENT
The City of Dripping Springs will consider a zoning amendment request to change the zoning for the tract of land known as the “Harrison Hills Subdivision” property located southwest of the intersection of RR12 and the entrance to Harrison Ranch Park, and adjacent to Harrison Ranch Park on the south and Springlake subdivision to the west, to be amended from AG (Agricultural) to SF-2 (Single Family Two). Public hearings will be at City Hall, 511 Mercer Street at 7:00 p.m. at the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on December 14, 2011 and again at the City Council meeting on January 10, 2012. If you have any questions or comments, please contact City Hall in writing at P.O. Box 384, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, or by telephone at (512) 858-4725, or email to jtouchstone@cityofdrippingsprings.com.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR SUBDIVISION
Public hearings will be held at the City of Dripping Springs Planning & Zoning Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. on December 14, 2011 and at the City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. on January 10, 2012 at Dripping Springs City Hall, 511 Mercer Street, Dripping Springs, Texas, to consider the proposed final plat and construction plans for Belterra Phase 2, Section 7, located near the southwest intersection of Belterra Drive and Trinity Hills Drive. The proposed plat will be composed of 22.038 acres with 52 lots of which 49 are residential and three are open space / greenbelt. The average lot size is less than an acre. Comments regarding the proposed subdivision may be emailed to jtouchstone@cityofdrippingsprings.com or mailed to P.O. Box 384, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. For more information call City Hall at 858-4725.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ZONING SPECIAL EXCEPTION
Public hearings will be held at the City of Dripping Springs Planning & Zoning Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. on December 14, 2011 and at the City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. on January 10, 2012 at Dripping Springs City Hall, 511 Mercer Street, Dripping Springs, Texas, to consider the approval of a special exception from the Dripping Springs Code of Ordinance, Chapter 30 “Zoning”, Exhibit A “Zoning Ordinance”, Section 3.12.4 “Area Regulations – Size of yards” for a rear yard setback for a business located at 222A US Hwy 290 W in Dripping Springs. The commercial business is the “Print Plus”, who wishes to place a portable building on the outside of the existing building which encroaches the rear yard setback already. Comments regarding the proposed zoning special exception may be emailed to jtouchstone@cityofdrippingsprings.com or mailed to PO Box 384, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. For more information call City Hall at 858-4725.

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BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

DSBabble.com — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:03:28 GMT

Frost on the pumpkin and everything else this morning! We just saw this little bird working hard for winter breakfast. Alas, we did not have the world's tiniest coffee mug to offer. Birds have multiple adaptations to keep warm, including fluffing out their feathers to create air pockets for insulation (making their own puffy parka).

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FREEZING TONIGHT

DSBabble.com — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:02:39 GMT

UPDATE: The U.S. National Weather Service has issued a "special weather statement" including Hays County advising of a hard freeze tonight. Temps could drop below freezing by 8pm in parts of the Hill Country and stay that way until between 9am - 10am tomorrow morning. Pets, Pipes, and Plants! Stay warm!

Looks like it will drop to 27 tonight. Remember your Pets, Pipes, and Plants! Weather forecast here.

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DRIPPING EGGNOG, WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE?

DSBabble.com — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:26:39 GMT

We're in the mood for homemade eggnog! Do you have a favorite recipe? If so, please email it to driptips@gmail.com. We'll be doing some experimenting soon and will post the nog results.

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STICK HORSE STUDIOS CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

DSBabble.com — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:08:34 GMT

Friends and family picked up such cute and locally made Christmas tree ornaments at Christmas on Mercer on Saturday. The hand-crafted, glazed, stoneware ornaments are made right here in Dripping Springs, Texas by Melodie Greider of Stick Horse Studios and are only $5 each. Below is a photo of a just few, but they come in a much wider variety of colors and themes. You can find Melodie's ornaments at Lone Star Gifts (301 Mercer) and at Navidad Farms (9914 Hwy 290 W). Melodie let us know that folks are also welcome to visit her studio to see most of her inventory, you just need to call first (512) 940-4502 to set an appointment and get directions.

Just a few of Stick Horse Studios' adorable Christmas tree ornaments made right here in Dripping Springs, Texas. Only $5 each.

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MUSTANG MARE-Y CHRISTMAS BARN TOUR

DSBabble.com — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:12:58 GMT

We saw lots of fancy wellies yesterday at Christmas on Mercer. For those doing the Mustang Mare-y Christmas Barn Tour today, Sunday, the tour is on rain or shine, according to the event's web page. For more information, click here!

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CHRISTMAS ON MERCER RAIN OR SHINE!

DSBabble.com — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:15:29 GMT

Who needs snow for Christmas when we've got rain! We'll be pulling on our wellies and slipping into our rain slicker tomorrow to take in the sights and sounds of Dripping Springs' 7th Annual Christmas on Mercer Street. The hometown holiday event in downtown Dripping will feature holiday shopping, arts and crafts booths, free music and live performances, children’s activities and more. Hosted by the City of Dripping Springs and the Dripping Springs Lions Club, admission is free to the public.

At 8 am, the Fit for Change 5K Run will begin at the Springs Family Branch YMCA. Awards, prizes, and trophies will be presented at 10 am at the kick off of the Christmas on Mercer Street festival.

As in years past, the street will be closed off for easy strolling. Live holiday entertainment has been planned for the entire day. The featured line-up consists of the Kyle Sisters, Ford Kiser, Alex Dormont and Friends, Head to Toe Dance, Homer and the Plainsmen, and Rogers Music presents Dripping Strings.

Activities for kids include a trackless train ride, Santa sleigh rides, pony rides, and grand appearance by Santa Claus in his Clydesdale-drawn carriage. There will also be an opportunity to purchase photos with Santa.

The annual Lighting of the Tree will be held at the Triangle at 6:15 pm with traditional Christmas Carols accompanying the tree lighting ceremony.

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PROJECT ELF FOR HELPING HANDS

DSBabble.com — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:13:04 GMT

Project Elf is now in full swing. The Helping Hands Elf Project is a community wide Christmas gift drive for families in the Dripping Springs area that need an extra hand. Project Elf gives community members an opportunity to anonymously provide gifts for children who otherwise would not have them for Christmas. Look for the Project Elf trees (covered with red and green mittens) at the following businesses and churches within Dripping Springs:

Tree Locations:
Adair Dental
Broadway Bank
Church of Christ
Cunningham Orthodontics
Dr. White
Driftwood Methodist Church
DS Presbyterian Church
DSUMC
Episcopal Church
First Baptist Church
First Baptist Church – Daycare
Mt Olive Lutheran
Pioneer Bank
Physical Therapy
Prosperity Bank
Stanberry Real Estate
Sunset Canyon Baptist
Wells Fargo Bank

Other ways to help:
The Art Garage has homemade angel ornaments available for purchase at their studio. They are located just off Hwy 290 at 11190 Circle Drive. Proceeds will benefit Project Elf.

Texas Hill Country Olive Co will also be collecting donations for Project Elf at their showroom located at 2530 West Fitzhugh.

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MERCER STREET PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS SELECTED FOR FUNDING

DSBabble.com — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:50:18 GMT

The Hays County Commissioners Court recently selected five transportation projects, including the pedestrian walkway improvements along Mercer Street in Dripping Springs, to send forward to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Transportation Policy Board for funding approval.

Earlier this month, the CAMPO Board allocated $3,870,782 in federal Surface Transportation Program Metropolitan Mobility (STP MM) funds to Hays County and asked that the Commissioners Court select projects for that funding. The CAMPO Transportation Policy Board is expected to meet December 12 to approve funding for the selected projects. The projects selected and the amount of federal funds to be used includes:

$770,400 for sidewalk and bicycle lane construction along FM 2770 and FM 150 in Kyle; $419,696 for pedestrian walkway improvements along Mercer Street in Dripping Springs; $984,000 for intersection improvements on SH 21 at FM 150 in Hays County Precinct 1; $1,000,000 for a railroad overpass on Loop 82/Aquarena Springs Road and $696,686 to add shoulders and safety improvements to RM 12 between Oakwood Loop and CR 346 in Hays County Precinct 3.

All of the projects require a local/state match equal to at least 25 percent of the amount of federal funds involved in order to cover total project cost. The Texas Department of Transportation has committed to providing the match for the four projects on the state highway system, while the City of Dripping Springs has committed to the match for the Mercer Street project. These five projects are the final set of transportation projects in Hays County to be approved for funding by CAMPO and TxDOT in a process that started in May of this year.

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HAYS COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLAN PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON THURSDAY

DSBabble.com — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:38:38 GMT

The population of Hays County has grown by some 60,000 people since the original Hays County Transportation Plan was developed 10 years ago. Now, the Hays County Commissioners Court is seeking public input into the development of a new countywide, long-range transportation plan that will provide overall policy and project direction to guide the transportation future of Hays County. The first of a number of public meeting will be held Thursday, December 1, at the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins Street, from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. The "come-and-go" workshop will enable residents to visit one-on-one with County representatives and the planning team members, participate in a survey and use maps to locate areas of concern in Hays County.

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IN MEMORY OF AMBERLYN FETT

DSBabble.com — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:27:46 GMT

Dripping Springs recently lost an angel when Amberlyn Michelle Fett passed away at the age of 22 on November 18, 2011 due to complications from a double lung transplant and cystic fibrosis. Many of you knew of Amberlyn thanks to the non-profit charity she founded, Amber's Angels. Her lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis meant most Christmases spent in the hospital. During one Christmas, she noticed that many of the children in the the pediatric units did not have family with them or any gifts to open. She was particularly concerned with a 5-year old girl who never had any visitors and did not receive any presents during the holiday season. From her hospital bed that Christmas, Amberlyn was inspired to form Amber's Angels, a charitable group created to deliver gift bags to the patients of Dell Children's Hospital. Last Christmas (2010), was the very first time that Amberlyn herself was able to attend the passing out of gift bags to the children at the hospital.

While her time on earth was so short and filled with struggles few of us can comprehend, she never lost her spirit, and what she did to help others in her too-brief lifetime should be an inspiration to all of us. For those who want to help keep Amberlyn's spirit alive to bring a brighter Christmas for many hospital-bound children, memorial contributions may be made to Amber’s Angels, a 501(c)(3) organization), at ambers-angels.org. Contributions can also be made to the bereavement fund for her family via Fett Family Fund c/o Cattleman’s National Bank, Account #3136760, PO Box 1243, Dripping Springs, TX 78620.

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SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE REPORTED IN HENLY AREA

DSBabble.com — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:56:04 GMT

Constable Hood reports receiving a complaint of the following suspicious vehicle/driver in the area of FM 165 and Hwy 290 (Henly) around 7am this morning (Monday, November 28):

2003-2005 black Ford pick-up, 4-door diesel
(No license plate info available)
Driver: White male, mid 30’s

The subject/vehicle drove up a private driveway and was confronted by the female homeowner. The driver asked the homeowner if she lived alone and when she replied that she did not, the driver then left the area. Unfortunately, the homeowner was not able to get the license plate information. The homeowner advised that she does not know the subject nor has she seen him in the area before this date.

Please report any suspicious vehicles or activity you may witness by calling 911 immediately.

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CYBER MONDAY WITH THE BURKE CENTER

DSBabble.com — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:34:20 GMT

The Burke Center for Youth in Driftwood has made local support more convenient with an online auction. Point, click, and shop from the comfort of your home now through December 4 to bid on practical, fun and creative donated items including vacations to far away places, romantic dinners and hotel stays in Austin, spa services, a wedding photography package, a Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce membership, iTunes gift cards, sports memorabilia and tickets to the event of your choice, and many more.

It's Cyber Monday with a greater purpose! Click here to go to the Burke Center's dedicated online auction site.

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FREEZE WARNING

DSBabble.com — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:47:22 GMT

The National Weather Service has issued a hard freeze warning tonight for the Texas Hill Country, including Hays County. Temperatures will quickly drop to freezing by midnight and will not warm to above freezing until 8am and 9am Monday morning. Remember the to protect your 3 Ps: Pets, Pipes, and Plants.

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SANTA PHOTOS FUNDRAISER ON SUNDAY

DSBabble.com — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:32:34 GMT

Without Regrets Foundation holds a photos with Santa Claus fundraiser at the Barber Shop bar (207 Mercer) on Sunday, November 27, from 3-5 pm. Bring your camera, make a donation, and take pictures with Santa. Without Regrets Foundation was started in June 2011 by two moms from Dripping Springs to assist terminal adults who are the parents of minor children achieve a pre-established goal with their family before the end of their life. Without Regrets Foundation provides the families with memories that will last forever and allow their clients to leave without regrets.

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