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ALPINE – The yearly Cinco de mayo celebration in Alpine is happening again on Saturday, May 5 and 6. The celebration will be held at Market Square located at 103 Historic Murphy Street in Alpine.

The Gran Mercado opens Saturday from noon to 1am and the parade will be held beginning at 1pm down Holland Ave.

Ballet Folklorico Ratabaachi, Las Suavecitas and Matachines Danza Guadalupe will entertain the crowds.

The street dance will be held under the stars beginning at 8pm until 1am with Mariachi Santa Cruz of Presidio, Grupo Alegre and DJ Cony Vega and Joe Mendoza.

The fun continues on Sunday beginning at noon and will include the car and motorcycle show. This year the show is in memory of Frankife Cobos and Tony Aguilar, Jr.

Mary Ann Lujan, organizer of the Cinco de mayo event invites car and motorcycle enthusiasts to bring your car and motorcycles to the show. “Just show up on Sunday,” she said.

Sunday’s music will be provided by Robert Alvarez, there will be a Grito contest, and free give aways for those wearing traditional Mexican costumes.

Come join the fun, eat good food and listen to great music.

For more information or to participate in the parade or car show, please contact Mary Ann Lujan at 432-294-2370.

On May 3 through the 6th, more than 150 “birders” from all over the state will be in town to attend the spring meeting of the Texas Ornithological Society. The meeting will be headquartered at the Alpine Civic Center. For three days, attendees, divided into small groups, will go out into West Texas preserves and public lands with local guides to see how many different species of birds can be found—especially the rarer ones such as the Colima Warbler, Common Black Hawk, Tropical Parula, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, and Dusky Flycatcher.

The Texas Ornithological Society has been in existence since 1953, and was founded to provide a unifying organization for birdwatchers residing in the state. More specifically it promotes the discovery and dissemination of knowledge of birds; encourages the observation, study and conservation of birds as well as the formation of local birding clubs. It also serves to stimulate cooperation among professional ornithologists. The highlight of club activities are the annual Winter and Spring meetings when members gather at a regional site in Texas to bird together. “Texas is an amazing place for birds and birders” says Shelia Hargis, current president of the Texas Ornithological Society. “But to see all of them, birders must travel to different parts of the state, since some birds are found only in certain areas. That’s why TOS members are very excited to visit the Alpine area for special birds found here.”

Evening programs will feature four local speakers. On Thursday evening at 7pm, Cecilia Riley, founder of Gulf Coast Bird Observatory and now residing in Fort Davis, will speak on Big Sky Country Birds. Kelly Bryan, retired from TPWD and initiator of the West Texas Hummingbird Project, will talk Friday evening at 7pm about Banding Birds on Top of a Mountain. The keynote address at 7:30pm Saturday evening, will be presented by The Nature Conservancy’s staff biologists, John Karges and Rich Kostecke. Their topic is The Davis Mountains: A Bird’s Eye View.

Afternoon programs will be on bird research. On Friday at 4:15pm Mieke Titulaer, PhD and Denis Perez will present about Baird’s and Grasshopper Sparrows of the Chihuahuan Desert. On Saturday at 4:15pm, Liz Oaster will focus on the Ecology of Montezuma Quail.

All speaker sessions are open to the public and all with an interest are invited to attend.

For more information, call 325-372-7615. To learn more about the meeting, become a TOS member, or make a donation, go to www.texasbirds.org

FORT DAVIS – The Wrapped in Love Texas Chapter has pledged over 100 adoption blankets and bandannas for Grand Companions pets.

This virtual group whose “meeting place” is on their Facebook page is made up of crafters of all skill levels who create soft, cuddly blankets, fun toys, potty training nappies and more for donation to rescues and shelters all over Texas.

“Grand Companions is honored to be the next recipient of this clever, caring, animal loving group,” says Executive Director Laura Langham. “We can’t wait to see the pets going to their new sweet homes swaddled in these beautiful blankets.”

WIL-Texas is actively growing its membership in the TransPecos region and welcomes people of all ages, from persons who don’t sew to the seamstress, to join their all-star volunteer team. For anyone interested in joining in the fun, go to Facebook and check out WIL-Texas Public Group.

ALPINE – The yearly Cinco de mayo celebration in Alpine is happening again on Saturday, May 5 and 6. The celebration will be held at Market Square located at 103 Historic Murphy Street in Alpine.

The Gran Mercado opens Saturday from noon to 1am and the parade will be held beginning at 1pm down Holland Ave.

Ballet Folklorico Ratabaachi, Las Suavecitas and Matachines Danza Guadalupe will entertain the crowds.

The street dance will be held under the stars beginning at 8pm until 1am with Mariachi Santa Cruz of Presidio, Grupo Alegre and DJ Cony Vega and Joe Mendoza.

The fun continues on Sunday beginning at noon and will include the car and motorcycle show. This year the show is in memory of Frankife Cobos and Tony Aguilar, Jr.

Mary Ann Lujan, organizer of the Cinco de mayo event invites car and motorcycle enthusiasts to bring your car and motorcycles to the show. “Just show up on Sunday,” she said.

Sunday’s music will be provided by Robert Alvarez, there will be a Grito contest, and free give aways for those wearing traditional Mexican costumes.

Come join the fun, eat good food and listen to great music.

For more information or to participate in the parade or car show, please contact Mary Ann Lujan at 432-294-2370.

MARFA – The first annual Blackwell Block Party is happening this Saturday, April 28 in Marfa. This is a one-day festival celebrating and commemorating the unity of bi-national culture and the rich heritage of Marfa and the borderlands. The event is free and everyone is invited.

Activities begin at 11am with the unveiling of a community inspired mural by El Paso artist Cimi Alvarado. The mural wall is located on the east side of Marfa City Hall, ½ block east of Marfa’s 4-way stoplight. Mariachi Santa Cruz will provide music and Presidio Classic Cars set the mood for honoring our history. A short program will dedicate the mural.

Following the mural program, Mariachi Santa Cruz will lead a slow parade of classic cars and pedestrians to the Blackwell School for the remainder of the day’s activities. The Blackwell School is located at the corner of Abbott and Waco Streets, 2 blocks west and 3 blocks south of the 4-way stoplight.

Following a bilingual blessing, a free buffet lunch will be served, including tamales, picadillo, cabrito, and the usual sides. The Marfa Police Department will also host a menudo cook-off, with a fee of $10 to enter. Menudo cooks interested in competing should arrive at 10:45 with an electric pot of fully cooked menudo. Judging takes place between 11:30 and 12:00 noon, with prizes worth $400 being divided among the top three winners. When judging is completed, guests can pay $5 to eat a bowl of menudo. The cook-off is a fundraiser for Marfa ISD’s Ballet Folklorico Troupe.

Throughout the afternoon, guests will be entertained with music by local favorites Primo and Beebe, playing their special blend of traditional and Texas favorites, followed by stories from the borderlands. Marfa Film Festival is curating a collection of Pedro Infante and Cantinflas films to be shown at the Block Party. Marfa ISD is part of the fun with a performance by the Ballet Folklorico troupe. Read Marfa will provide thematic stories for children. Socorro Mena will lead loteria, with prizes for the winners. Rae Anna Hample will provide face painting for children. The Marfa Rotary Club will have a children’s game as well. Smilebooth will offer snapshots free to your family. And DJ Natalie Melendez will close out the afternoon with music to dance and reminisce to, while our guests enjoy the company of old friends and new.

The Blackwell Block Party is created to bring people together to honor our heritage and have fun, explains co-organizer Taylor Garcia Dickson. “We will sing along with the songs our grandparents sang. We will eat food that we remember from home, or eat something new to us and hear a story from the person who cooked it. Art and storytelling will bring us together with our neighbors.”

The Blackwell School Alliance is hosting the Block Party as part of their mission to serve the Marfa community through culture, history, and education. Education in Marfa for children of Mexican descent dates from the 1880s, and is commemorated today in the historic adobe Blackwell School built in 1909.

The Blackwell Block Party is an alcohol-free event. Learn more at theblackwellschool.org.

ALPINE, TX. – Event organizers and members of the public are invited to a workshop regarding the appropriate use of the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Funds at 9am Tuesday May 15 in the Alpine City Council Chambers, 803 West Holland Avenue.

Texas Hotel & Lodging Association General Counsel Justin Bragiel will present on the eligible uses of the local hotel tax funds and discuss the most effective practices utilized by cities throughout Texas to maximize the impact of these funds.

The session will also serve as an orientation for those interested in applying for HOT fund grants from the City of Alpine for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

“Event organizers are strongly encouraged to attend this informative session,” said City Manager Jessica Garza. “This will be your best opportunity to get information on the changes to the HOT fund application procedures and requirements for next year.”

Applications for HOT funding will be available on the city website (cityofalpine.com) starting June 1. Completed applications will be due June 30. Previously funded groups will not receive individual notice of the application availability or deadlines.

At the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association, Bregiel handles a diverse array of legal and legislative issues, including local and state hotel occupancy tax, hospitality law, regulatory issues, contract law, employment issues, and more. Based in Austin, THLA is the largest state lodging association in the United States, serving over 3,700 member businesses.

More information: Diana De La O, (432) 837-3301 and d.delao@ci.alpine.tx.us.

MARFA – Marfa Public Radio and St. Mary’s Catholic Church would like to welcome area residents to a free weekly Spanish class.

Classes will meet regularly on Wednesdays from 6-7pm starting April 25th and continuing for the next three months.

Class will be held in the library adjoined to the West Texas Ministry building at 211 West San Antonio Street.

Dr. Zamora, professor of Spanish at Sul Ross State University, has generously offered to teach the class for free. All are welcome.

More information: elise@marfapublicradio.org.

ALPINE – Climate Spcialist Bruce Melton will speak at Sul Ross State University Saturday, April 14th at 3PM in Room 201 at the Warnock Science Building.

His book, “Climate Discovery Chronicles,” details 40 recent climate science discoveries with stunning photographs. In the early 1990’s, Melton, an engineer, climate specialist and filmmaker embarked on an intriguing climate journey as he followed the flow of ice from Greenland onwards and around the world. He’s also been making annual missions to West Texas.

“I’ve been photographing the changes at the Big Bend National Park for nearly 40 years and what I’ve witnessed; the forest mortality in the Basin, the ocotillo borer worm, the collapsing of the creosote bush and most of all the deteriorating air quality of the region should be a wakeup call for the people,” said Melton.

The talk is sponsored by the Big Bend Sierra Club and the SRSU Conservationist Biology Club. For more information call Brandt Buchanon at 432 294 1112.

FORT DAVIS – Judge Roy B. Ferguson of the 394^th State Judicial District invites one and all to celebrate Texas Day of Civility in the Law at noon Friday, April 20 at the Jeff Davis County Courthouse in Fort Davis.

Participating Trans-Pecos Bar Association members and Far West Texas attorneys will renew their dedication to the Texas Lawyer’s Creed.

“This is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves as officers of the court to promoting and practicing civility in our profession, and to foster public confidence and faith in the judicial system,” Ferguson said.

Remarks will be made by U.S. Magistrate Judge David B. Fannin, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Bert Richardson, and state Rep. Poncho Nevarez.

In addition to Ferguson and Fannin, observance sponsors are Brewster County Judge Eleazar Cano, Jeff Davis County Judge Jeannette Duer, and Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara.

More information: 432.837.1241.

MARFA – Marfa City Council hopefuls are scheduled to appear at a meet and greet and candidate forum at 7pm on Wednesday, April 8 at the USO Building.

Candidates for the May 5 election are incumbent council member Manny Baeza, Alberto Garcia Jr., Buck Johnston, Saarin Keck, Raul Lara, Natalie Melendez, and Mary Lou Saxon.

Early voting begins on Monday, April 23 and ends Tuesday, May 1.