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View Article  Big Bend People, Then and Now, Featured in New Photo History

Not a comprehensive history of the region, this is the sort of book that will appeal to lovers of Big Bend, admirers of tenacious spirits, and anyone enchanted by ephemeral faces suspended in old photographs. by Megan Wilde    more »
View Article  Gallery on the Square and new website are latest projects of regional artists' cooperative

The gallery is located in the “Old Town Square” row of buildings on the corner of N. 5th Street and Sul Ross Avenue, and is open 11 am to 5:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday, with alterations for major holidays.   more »
View Article  A Day (or Two) in the Life... of a Tour Guide
My job is entertainer and informant. I try to convey something of the spirit of the border lands, without overloading guests with facts. I use anecdote, personal reminiscence and contemporary references to tell of the area’s violent history, distinctive geology and varied natural habitat – particularly its colorful residents, including contemporary ones I have interviewed. The landscape speaks for itself, it just needs explaining. I try to keep the tone of my narrative light, and am always looking at audience response. Drooping eyelids means I’m boring them. By Jim Glendinning    more »
View Article  “Healing the Wounds of War with Wilderness”

At nightfall Boren commanded the attention of the group and told the returning veterans he would lead them in an interpretation of the Navajo Enemy Way Chant Ceremony. Historically, the ceremony’s goal was used to exorcise the spirits of the violence and ugliness that warriors had experienced and to pray for and protect from the spirits of slain enemies. by John Waters    more »
View Article  “Bonilla Bypass”/Lajitas Highway Funds Shifted to Repave Highway 90 in Alpine

Although authorized by the federal transportation bill, the $1.2 million for the Lajitas Relief Route remained unspent. After the transportation bill became law the funds could not be spent for anything else, period. by John Waters    more »
View Article  Phoenix Rising: Lajitas Resort Six Months into New Ownership

Granted, my visit was on Memorial Day weekend, so a vibe was to be expected, but with the temperature at 102, the number of guests moving around was impressive. Impressive too was that people were still outside, on the patio, imbibing cold beverages, seemingly unbothered by the heat. For the first time in my living near and reporting on Lajitas in nearly five years, the place had a buzz. Could Lajitas be rising like a phoenix out of the ashes? by John Waters    more »
View Article  An open letter to the community from the new Pres. & CEO of Lajitas Resort
In the coming months you will see many changes at Lajitas, the first of which will be making the resort a public resort not only for the benefit of everyone in Texas, but also everyone in the community.   more »
View Article  Lajitas Resort Sold
Kelcy L. Warren of Dallas has bought the bankrupt Lajitas Resort for $13.5 million. Today Bankruptcy Court officials in San Antonio confirmed the price, and said a final hearing is set for December 18. An internal Lajitas memo issued today... by John Waters    more »
View Article  Lajitas Resort unsold, road funds unspent
he U.S. Bankruptcy Court has again postponed a decision regarding Lajitas Resort. The resort has received several bids ranging from $13.5 million to $18 million. The resort, which filed for bankruptcy protection in July, continues to operate fully.The Bankruptcy Court has scheduled a hearing on December 7 to consider several motions... by John Waters    more »
View Article  Honkin' huge batch of letters to the editor (thank you!)
I thought about your request for improvements to the Gazette [“On celebrating 4 years of publication,” October 2007] and could think of nothing. It seemed as if nothing should be changed…and then suddenly   more »
View Article  Lajitas Resort Saga Continues: new $18 Million Bid Reported.
Lawyers for the bankrupt Lajitas Resort have postponed a bankruptcy court hearing until November 16. by John Waters    more »
View Article  Beetle! A biological solution to saltcedar infestation

Once established, the saltcedar is a tenacious tenant. Its root system is substantial with a tap root sometime reaching 15 feet deep and secondary surface roots which soak up rainfall. It tolerates drought, heat, cold, salinity, fire and flooding. But this is not the worst part.... by Jim Glendinning    more »
View Article  Poindexter rekindles Big Bend Ranch State Park bid with Lajitas land swap at core; Brewster County officials irate

During a regularly scheduled meeting of the Big Bend Ranch Advisory Committee in Lajitas on August 7, Poindexter outlined his proposal whereby he would buy land from Lajitas Resort in Brewster County that may be of interest to Texas Parks and Wildlife. That land would be appraised, then offered as a swap to TPWD in exchange for land of equal value for part of BBRSP land near Cienega Creek that adjoins Poindexter’s Cibolo Creek Ranch in Presidio County. by John Waters    more »
View Article  Lajitas in bankruptcy, lenders scarce, shutdown possible
Lajitas Resort, the financially beleaguered south Brewster County resort, filed for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition July 2, and has been given 90 days by U. S. Bankruptcy Judge Ronald King to either find new financing or auction the property. by John Waters    more »
View Article  Dream of ultimate resort becomes more elusive as Lajitas foreclosures loom
While Smith and his team were busy building his resort, the locals with fond memories and a proprietary sense of ownership stayed away. The new resort would cater to a different clientele, ones with private jets or the ability to rent one. Promotional materials were designed to sell the proposed lakeside cottages used such phrases as “Master of Our Destiny.” In real estate it is said, “If you build it, they will come.” Apparently they did not. by John Waters   more »
View Article  Big Bend Ranch State Park to increase recreation, offer largest park hiking trail system in Texas
In a major thrust to increase recreational opportunities, the current 68.4-mile trail system will add an initial 83.1 miles and a future 90.4 miles of trail for a total 242.06 miles, in what would become the largest trail system of any park in Texas. By comparison, Big Bend National Park has 203 miles of trails, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park has 80. by John Waters    more »
View Article  Governor orders more troops to border: Operation Wrangler expands border crime initiatives statewide
"Operation Wrangler" is a coordinated interagency law enforcement surge effort intended to prevent and disrupt all crime and illegal international drug and human trafficking. Operation Wrangler will involve federal, state and local ground, air and water-borne assets, including more than 6,800 personnel, 2,200 vehicles, 48 helicopters, 33 fixed wing aircraft and 35 patrol ships.   more »
View Article  A borderline collie tale

Dogs loaded in the truck bed, we headed for the river – the mighty Rio Grande. Cocoa has a definite Type A personality and she was in rare form, barking and spinning, moving from one side of the truck to the other like some manic goalie determined not to let the other team score. Bodhi is more zen monk, resembling a large furry hood ornament displaced to the rear of the vehicle, as he gracefully leans into the wind, gaze steady, fur waving. by Ceil Drucker    more »
View Article  Fresh Food - the 4 H's: Health, Harmony, Happiness, Humility

The Tri-counties has mind-boggling diversity in weather, soil, pests and moisture. But once you know the basics, it’s a matter of fine-tuning to get your vegetable garden just right. The soil is the beginning. What’s in the soil will be in our food. by Dallas Baxter    more »