January 7, 2010

November saw a sharp decline in the number of foreclosure filings in Llano County, with only seven properties posted for sale by lenders. The last time foreclosure filings were that low was in January of 2008. However, December ended the year on a sour note with 36 foreclosure filings according to records of the Llano County Clerk’s Office.

The City of Horseshoe Bay issued one new residential building permit in December for a house to be built on La Serena in Escondido. HSB Development Services Director Eric Winter reports 25 other permits were issued in December including one renewal of a building permit, 13 re-roof permits, two remodels, two pools, two fences, two arbors, two decks and one boat dock. The City of Horseshoe Bay issued 27 new building permits during calendar year 2009.

No place beats the Horseshoe Bay area for golf. Whether it’s a casual outing with friends or an official tournament, golf is a way of life in the Hill Country. The list is too long to name every winner of every local event during 2009, but here’s a few to re-live while waiting for warmer days on the fairways and charting your path to winning a trophy for the mantle in 2010. David Tapp started off the golf season in 2009 by winning the Men’s Golf Association&rs ...

Pedernales Electric Cooperative invites its members to a forum on Wednesday, January 13, to discuss the ongoing effort to consider revisions, updates and improvements to the cooperative’s bylaws. The meeting also will include a discussion of a proposed member bill of rights, to be included in the bylaws. The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m.

A Founders Circle Gala is scheduled for Saturday, January 16, at the Trails of Horseshoe Bay Clubhouse to help raise needed funds in support of a new Phoenix Wellness Center and the ongoing free outreach programs provided to local youth by Camp Phoenix. “Creating an innovative array of mental health services of this caliber will take considerable effort,” Camp Phoenix Executive Director Sarah Garrett said.

The cold weather might derail some resolutions to get fit in the New Year, but not for the hearty folks who turn out for Cardio-Tennis classes at the Horseshoe Bay Resort Tennis Center. With temperatures below 40 degrees on Saturday morning, five Cardio-Tennis veterans turned out to run, lunge and split step to music while perfecting volleys, backhands and drives down the line.

Nationally known artist and humorist Jeff Leedy and pastel colorist Elaine Leedy are hosting four fun-filled workshops in January and February to jumpstart participants’ drawing and painting skills for 2010. Did you start painting in mid-life only to discover that you did not draw very well? You’re not alone. So how does one get better?

As I consider my own personal resolutions for the New Year, a thought from King Solomon rings in my ear. “One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6. Does that message ring in anyone else’s ears? Perhaps so. Having a good work ethic is a wonderful thing.

Happy New Year! January is National Get Organized Month! Organize your house, life, family, office and DVDs — or be bold and form a new organization. Find creative inspiration at your library. The staff of the Marble Falls Public Library are just waiting to help you find what you need.

Yesterday evening, Sky King and I enjoyed a great New Year’s Day meal of ham and black-eyed peas at the home of Scooter and Moon Pie. As you may recall in one of my past columns, Scooter and Moon Pie were the hosts of a possum that slipped in the back door this past autumn.

If you already have a Roth IRA, you’re aware of its biggest benefit: Your earnings grow tax free, provided you meet certain conditions. If you don’t have a Roth IRA, you may want to consider one — and it may be easier for you to do just that in 2010. Before we get to the reasons why 2010 may be your year to open or convert to a Roth IRA, let’s look at some differences between Roth and traditional IRAs.

CITY OF HORSESHOE BAY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING ZONING CODE AMENDMENT TO ADD DEFINITIONS FOR CONVENIENCE STORE AND BAR/NIGHTCLUB The City Council of Horseshoe Bay will conduct a public hearing to receive public comment and take action on January 26, 2009 as part of its regular meeting agenda that will commence at 3:00 p.m.

CITY OF HORSESHOE BAY, TEXAS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO ALLOW Manufactured Homes ONLY in THE M-1 MOBILE HOME CLASSIFICATION in Zone 4B Horseshoe Bay South and TO Add Minimum Lot Development Standards for NEW Manufactured Homes located in the m-1 Classification in Zone 4B Horseshoe Bay South The City Council of Horseshoe Bay will conduct a public hearing on January 26, 2010 as part of its regular city council meeting agenda that will commenc ...

CITY OF HORSESHOE BAY, TEXAS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS REGARDING PERMANENT ZONING DESIGNATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING NEWLY ANNEXED AREAS: 1. TRACTS R, S, T & U OF HORSESHOE BAY WEST PLAT NO. 1.2; 2. FIVE AREAS TOTALLY OR ALMOST TOTALLY SURROUNDED BY THE CITY LIMITS; AND 3. A 0.20 Acre pArt OF LOT W5013-A OF HORSESHOE BAY WEST PLAT NO.

There will be a public hearing concerning the replat to be known as Horseshoe Bay West Plat No. W21.4, a replat of Lot Nos. W21037 and W21038, Horseshoe Bay West Plat No. W21.1 including a 30 square foot tract and a 575 square foot tract out of the Robert Bratton Survey No.

There will be a public hearing concerning the “Preliminary Plat of a Re-plat of Lots 23042 and 23043 of Horseshoe Bay Plat No. 23.4, to be known as “HORSESHOE BAY, PLAT NO. 23.45” at the regular scheduled City of Horseshoe Bay Council Meeting on January 26, 2010 at 3:00 p.m., followed by discussion and action on the same.

I found a lovely quotation online from a 1949 cookbook called The Soup Book, by Louis P. De Gouy: “Soup is cuisine’s kindest course. It breathes reassurance; it steams consolation; after a weary day it promotes sociality, as the five o’clock cup of tea or the cocktail hour.” I like soup at just about any time of year, but now that our brief winter is upon us, a kind and hearty soup sounds particularly appealing. One of the best things about homemade soups is th ...

Friday, January 8 Marble Falls Library-1st class of a five week course for parents and caregivers, learning the six literacy skills and the importance of each to children, 11:30 p.m. Continuing education credits available. FMI 693-3023 or www.marblefallslibrary.org Sunday, January 10 The International Club will meet at noon at Quail Point, lunch at 12:35 p.m.