This evening at Williams Stadium in Garland, Texas my old alma mater--North Garland High School--will do their usual Friday night thing in the fall, namely play football. Only tonight, though, my classmates from 1981 will assemble and begin a two-day reunion celebrating 30 years since we graduated. I'm not sure how many will make it because I won't be in attendance myself. I've kicked the thought around quite a bit of showing up, but I will be going to Garland in just three weeks to celebrate Grannis' (my grandmother) 90th birthday, so I decided to not make the 1200 mile roundtrip. So I guess if I try to go next time, I'll be 58! Holy guacamole!
So where did the time go?
Well for starters, I have been here in Presidio since 1987. That's 24+ years and counting, meaning that over half my life I've been way out in West Texas. And that's cool because time has just flown by.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sunday, October 31, 2010
What pappened to 2010?
Hey, my apologies to anyone expecting to find something Presidio-related on this page during 2010. What can I say? It's been a great year in Presidio; time flies when you're having fun.
We're almost to November, and what a beautiful Fall it's been. Of course, Fall in Presidio is like late summer in most other places. The mornings are mild and afternoons are still quite warm. But it's usually around this time of the year when we get our first cold snap, so don't be surprised when that happens. On the plus side, Presidio winters are almost an oxymoron. If it doesn't get above 70 F on a January afternoon, that's a chilly day.
Presidio got a new, state-of-the-art sulfur-sodium battery this year (for power outages), along with many new paved streets. We're gettin' there...
On the down side in "things Presidio" I keep watching and waiting for a hopeful sign of Mexico to turn the corner with its internal issues. At least for right now, gone are the days when you could travel Mexico with hardly a care. In the past I ventured into rural areas where most tourists wouldn't think about going. Now even I am nervous. It's not really the cartels that I worry about, because I am of no value to them. It's the lower-tier criminal element who have been emboldened by the general chaos to prey upon others through kidnapping, extorting, and being a general pain in the ass to the populace. It's really unfortunate.
Any up for a bike ride on a sunny Sunday afternoon?
We're almost to November, and what a beautiful Fall it's been. Of course, Fall in Presidio is like late summer in most other places. The mornings are mild and afternoons are still quite warm. But it's usually around this time of the year when we get our first cold snap, so don't be surprised when that happens. On the plus side, Presidio winters are almost an oxymoron. If it doesn't get above 70 F on a January afternoon, that's a chilly day.
Presidio got a new, state-of-the-art sulfur-sodium battery this year (for power outages), along with many new paved streets. We're gettin' there...
On the down side in "things Presidio" I keep watching and waiting for a hopeful sign of Mexico to turn the corner with its internal issues. At least for right now, gone are the days when you could travel Mexico with hardly a care. In the past I ventured into rural areas where most tourists wouldn't think about going. Now even I am nervous. It's not really the cartels that I worry about, because I am of no value to them. It's the lower-tier criminal element who have been emboldened by the general chaos to prey upon others through kidnapping, extorting, and being a general pain in the ass to the populace. It's really unfortunate.
Any up for a bike ride on a sunny Sunday afternoon?
Saturday, January 30, 2010
In the Devils' house
Presidio is enjoying an entertaining high school basketball seaon this year. The boys are right in the hunt, and the girls are competitive more often than not. The basketball program is well-coached and the teams are loaded with outstanding players and lots of heart. Going to see the Blue Devil teams play is definitely the most sought-after ticket when the teams are in town.
Part of this year's excitement is the addition of a school pep squad and pep band. When these spirit groups get revved up, the electricity starts to buzz, and the Blue Devils seem to take their game to the next level. It's a different feel because Presidio fans aren't used to being rowdy unless the refs make a questionable call. But now they're learning the art of how to get inside the visiting teams' heads, and it makes for great fun.
Part of this year's excitement is the addition of a school pep squad and pep band. When these spirit groups get revved up, the electricity starts to buzz, and the Blue Devils seem to take their game to the next level. It's a different feel because Presidio fans aren't used to being rowdy unless the refs make a questionable call. But now they're learning the art of how to get inside the visiting teams' heads, and it makes for great fun.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Trash in the news
Slow news day, I'm afraid.
First, some non-trash related news. Evidently an individual representing a national chain hotel was in town surveying the landscape for a possible new location here. Presidio really misses out on a lot of tourist hotel stays simply because our current offerings aren't that great. Let's see if anything comes of this business visit.
Probably the biggest news recently is that Presidio will end its contract with Duncan Disposal in April and begin trash pick-up with city-owned equipment immediately thereafter. Solid waste disposal is a headache for cities, and it's a financial pain in the bee-hind for customers. Due to rising prices being charged by commercial trash-haulers, the city opted to give the service a "go." It won't necessarily result in trash fees going lower, but maybe they won't head for the stratosphere quite so fast, either. Another very important consideration will be that the money spent on solid waste disposal may now re-circulate within town.
Finally, a commentary on trash. Presidio has a significant litter problem. Just about everywhere you look, there is either trash on the ground or plastic bags hanging from mesquites. Sadly, I think we locals have just become jaded to this reality. If everyone would just get out and clean up their property from time to time, this blight would cease. The reality is that we will need a coordinated campaign to clean up our town, and guess who's headed to city hall on Tuesday to get this ball rolling...
First, some non-trash related news. Evidently an individual representing a national chain hotel was in town surveying the landscape for a possible new location here. Presidio really misses out on a lot of tourist hotel stays simply because our current offerings aren't that great. Let's see if anything comes of this business visit.
Probably the biggest news recently is that Presidio will end its contract with Duncan Disposal in April and begin trash pick-up with city-owned equipment immediately thereafter. Solid waste disposal is a headache for cities, and it's a financial pain in the bee-hind for customers. Due to rising prices being charged by commercial trash-haulers, the city opted to give the service a "go." It won't necessarily result in trash fees going lower, but maybe they won't head for the stratosphere quite so fast, either. Another very important consideration will be that the money spent on solid waste disposal may now re-circulate within town.
Finally, a commentary on trash. Presidio has a significant litter problem. Just about everywhere you look, there is either trash on the ground or plastic bags hanging from mesquites. Sadly, I think we locals have just become jaded to this reality. If everyone would just get out and clean up their property from time to time, this blight would cease. The reality is that we will need a coordinated campaign to clean up our town, and guess who's headed to city hall on Tuesday to get this ball rolling...
Friday, January 8, 2010
Catching Some Rays At The Smelly Place
Happy 2010! Well 2009 was a good one and I'm hoping 2010 is better.
So what's news in Presidio? We'll how about plans for a solar-powered sewage treatment plant! Normally news about such a place focuses on how it overflowed, or why Presidio originally built evaporation ponds that are uphill from town. Well, come 2010 Presidio will have a brand new facility, and we're just now hearing that it will be powered by solar panels. I don't think I'll plan on hanging out there to sing praises to Ra (Utopia album, 1975), but altenative energy rocks! In addition because Presidio will be utilizing solar power, we will be eligible to recieve credits and incentives to expand this type of electrical generation.
Evidently, there are other projects being proposed to utilize solar energy locally, as well. One thing's for sure: we got lots of sun! I don't think it's quite windy enough here to do wind power, but one thing's for sure: we got lots of sun!
So what's news in Presidio? We'll how about plans for a solar-powered sewage treatment plant! Normally news about such a place focuses on how it overflowed, or why Presidio originally built evaporation ponds that are uphill from town. Well, come 2010 Presidio will have a brand new facility, and we're just now hearing that it will be powered by solar panels. I don't think I'll plan on hanging out there to sing praises to Ra (Utopia album, 1975), but altenative energy rocks! In addition because Presidio will be utilizing solar power, we will be eligible to recieve credits and incentives to expand this type of electrical generation.
Evidently, there are other projects being proposed to utilize solar energy locally, as well. One thing's for sure: we got lots of sun! I don't think it's quite windy enough here to do wind power, but one thing's for sure: we got lots of sun!
Friday, December 25, 2009
The end of a decade
Wow, can it be almost 10 years ago that people were fretting about the Y2K Bug? Where were you when we rang in 2000? Well, here we are closing out that "old" decade and about to christen a new one. Do we call it twenty-ten or two thousand-ten? I like twenty-ten better. Seems like everytime you say two thousand-something the "Also Sprach Zarathustra" theme (music to "2001" movie) should be playing. Regardless, Happy New Year!
Presidio is always a nice place to be during the holidays. Being a teacher, I run into former students going back 20+ years. Hopefully the Presidio they come back to is a better place than when they left years ago. I hope so. My motto is "be a good person and leave the earth a better place than you found it."
OK, so let's take a look at our dreamworld, Presidio, and see how we fared over the past decade:
The challenges facing Presidio are pretty much ones which most small towns face. Fortunately we have in place outstanding local leadership at city hall, the school board, county commissioners, state rep and senator, as well as federal rep. With all these entities working together, there are going to be some important developments around town, but I'll brag on them--once again--as they occur.
I'm hoping that Presidio and Ojinaga will continue to be strong friends of one another in the coming decade. Ojinaga faces some pretty tough challenges, as they have for quite some time. In spite of difficulties face on many fronts in Ojinaga, there are numerous citizens there who have much to contribute. We should always look for ways to facilitate their efforts and work in tandem to continue making La Junta a special place.
Happy New Year! Feliz ano nuevo!
Presidio is always a nice place to be during the holidays. Being a teacher, I run into former students going back 20+ years. Hopefully the Presidio they come back to is a better place than when they left years ago. I hope so. My motto is "be a good person and leave the earth a better place than you found it."
OK, so let's take a look at our dreamworld, Presidio, and see how we fared over the past decade:
- Built a new elementary school
- Built a new middle school
- New track at the football field
- Two new clinics
- Alco, Subway, Payless Shoes, DY Store, Melrose
- Mariscos Las Palapas de Aldama, La Pasadita, The Enlightened Bean
- Street paving underway
- New community center
- Community internet
- The Resonators formed (personal plug)
The challenges facing Presidio are pretty much ones which most small towns face. Fortunately we have in place outstanding local leadership at city hall, the school board, county commissioners, state rep and senator, as well as federal rep. With all these entities working together, there are going to be some important developments around town, but I'll brag on them--once again--as they occur.
I'm hoping that Presidio and Ojinaga will continue to be strong friends of one another in the coming decade. Ojinaga faces some pretty tough challenges, as they have for quite some time. In spite of difficulties face on many fronts in Ojinaga, there are numerous citizens there who have much to contribute. We should always look for ways to facilitate their efforts and work in tandem to continue making La Junta a special place.
Happy New Year! Feliz ano nuevo!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
The beginning of the Christmas holidays in Presidio
Today (Saturday) we had our annual Christmas Parade in Presidio. It was pretty small, but counted with the participation of the Franco Middle School Band--all 100 of them. Good job, kids! At the parade's conclusion, the Ft. Davis State Bank (Presidio branch), hosted a community Christmas party, and it was very well done. Providing music entertainment were the Presidio Elementary Honor Choir and La Rondalla de CeTIS 98. Magical!
It's been unseasonably cold here for the past few days, with temps falling into the 20's at night and daytime highs in the 40's. We've even had snow, with the surrounding mountains really showing off what winter can be with a beautiful dusting. This will all be a fond memory come May.
It's been unseasonably cold here for the past few days, with temps falling into the 20's at night and daytime highs in the 40's. We've even had snow, with the surrounding mountains really showing off what winter can be with a beautiful dusting. This will all be a fond memory come May.
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