Wednesday, May 27, 2020

XXXTRA XTRA! MOON Extra!

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK BEGINS TO RE-OPEN
Big Bend National Park will resume visitor access for recreational day-use beginning Monday, June 1.  Paved roads and select frontcountry hiking trails will be open for desert exploration.

To view the full news release, please visit the Big Bend National Park news release page:

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

We hope you had a peaceful and happy Memorial Day weekend!

TERLINGUA MOON
May 26, 2020 Vol. 31 Edited by Cactus Jane


“The longest absence is less perilous to love than the terrible trials of incessant proximity.” ― Edna St. Vincent Millay

CENSUS 2020. Census field operations are still on schedule for surveys to be delivered in a couple of weeks. Peggy O’Brien - Get Out The Count Coordinator - Rio Grande Council of Governments
(915) 588-1375 
www.riocog.org

COVID UPDATE: The first confirmed case of coronavirus in Presidio County was announced by County Judge Cinderela Guevara, Saturday, 5/23. “The case is a female in her 40s and is a travel related case,” a press release read. The Texas Department of State Health Services’ local region is conducting contact tracing to identify if anyone was in contact with the impacted individual. The individual was tested at a PCHS clinic, not through drive-through testing.

BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK is open for Day-Use (hiking). No new camping reservations may be made at this time. Only existing camping reservations (made prior to March 1) will be honored. Day- use reservations are required. Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and maintain 6 feet distance from others. No group gatherings. For more information, visit TexasStateParks.org

LONG DRAW PIZZA. (432) 371-2608. Terlingua Ranch delivery on Wednesdays! Pizza wings, mozzarella sticks, cheesy breadsticks. Call and order 3:30 PM through 5:30 p.m. Pick up at entrance 7:30 p.m. *Payment taken over the phone*

RIO BRAVO RESTAURANT will be open from Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Only 10 people will be allowed to dine in at a time, but we will also be doing To-Go orders. People will be more than welcome to wait to dine in, without crowding of course. We encourage them to practice social distancing and keep at least 6 ft from each other.

ARRIVING THIS WEEK AT ALL ENERGIES: Q Cell 400 watt solar Panels, 20%
efficiency, measuring approximately 40" x 80" $285 each, plus tax. If you’ve got questions about solar or 
need help making your solar system work better, email casey@allenergies.net or call/text (432) 242-1874 today.

ESPRESSO ... Y POCO MAS! We're open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. Our dining area is open with continuous sanitation of surfaces. We're keeping things safe! Start your day with Big Bend Roasters coffee. The very best and local. All the same great menu items! Reubens, chicken salad, eggs anyway you like them, fantastic guacamole, super fresh salads and more. Call ahead (432) 371-3044 for your order and we will have it ready for you. Book mark the online order page, too. We now have gift cards available.

***** SHOT TIME LIQUORS ***** 
RAFFLE +++ RAFFLE +++ RAFFLE
This Summer is already too hot, and The Corona Virus has tried to ruin our fun. But we here at SHOT TIME say Hell No to that!!! We are going to start having a weekly Raffle for a bottle of booze. Yes, Karen, You read that correctly ... for a mere 50 cents per ticket OR 3 for $1 you can try your luck. Each week, we will let the FIRST CUSTOMER on Thursday pull the winning ticket. The winning number will be posted at the Store, in The Moon, and on our Shot Time Liquors Face Book page. This week, we are raffling a bottle of Calypso 151 Rum. So....get your Pirate on and come on in to buy a LUCKY TICKET ... who knows ... someone has to win ... it could be you! As always, Drink Responsibly.

THE TERLINGUA BOTTOMS GROUP OF AA meets every Thursday at 7:30 at the Big Bend Church in Study Butte. The meetings are open to anyone who has or thinks they may have a drinking problem. We meet in a group of less than five, and practice Social Distancing! If you are ill, we respectfully ask that you stay home and call for a "telephone meeting" instead, (432) 371-2073. (you can also call with any questions...) Leave a message and we'll get back to you.

QUICKSILVER TRADING. Open Wednesday & Saturday, 9 till noon. Next to Bee Mountain Hardware. Wear a mask please!

BIG BEND RESORT ADVENTURES CAFÉ. Check out our NEW MENU on the go! (See attached) Serving from 7:30AM-11AM Breakfast on the GO!!! Lunch 11AM to 3PM on the GO!!! Dinner 3PM to 6PM on the GO!!! Lunch Specials Tuesday - Friday. Taco Tuesdays, Fried Chicken Wednesdays, Hamburger Steaks Thursdays , Pizza Fridays. Don’t forget about Ice cream Parlor—Cones, Shakes, Sundaes, Floats. Thank you for wearing a mask for your protection and Others. Stay safe everyone.

WYLIE TANK. Our days, weeks and months have all melted together. Unfortunately, so have my notes, and I am an obsessive note-taker. Soooo, help me out here. If you inquired about adding a tank to the Wylie order, please call or email me, and jolt my memory. Or, just to ask about dimensions, prices or to add to the order. 371-2506, (512) 924-2506 or elcentro432@gmail.com

CANYON BREW AT FAR FLUNG OUTDOOR CENTER: Stop by for your daily dose of caffeine. Also try our kolaches, toasted bagels, espresso, candy bar lattes, cappuccino, macchiato, and chai. Bring your mug and save a buck! Open at 7:15am – 11:00am, 7 days a week with quick service! Don’t forget to stop by the Far Flung office to check out our recent markdowns!

CDRI will reopen on June 15, 2020! Tickets must be purchased online at www.cdri.org.

TERLINGUA LEGION. Legion has reopened. Come down and support the Legion. Doors open by 1400 Mon-Thurs. Friday and Saturday 1200. There will be post elections 30 May at 1000hrs at the Legion. Please pass the word around to all members to be present.

BIG BEND CHURCH. May 31st and church is open - with social distancing in place!
Adult Sunday School at 10:00 - the church children’s van will not be running. Worship at 11:00.


THE TOWN ELECTRICIAN. Charles Turvey, Owner/ Master Electrician TECL# 31504 ME# 326558 Local, Licensed, Insured thetownelectrician@bigbend.net (432) 424-3464 (Home) (432) 538- 2533 (Cell). 



Monday, May 18, 2020

TERLINGUA MOON

by Terlingua Thinking Team!!!


May 18, 2020

"I'm not making light of the situation. Well, maybe I am, because it's the light, I believe, that’s gonna dissolve the situation. I think God is in this, I really do. I think he's trying to hold us up to the light so we can see ourselves and see each other through the eyes of love. And I hope we learn that lesson." - Dolly Parton

Terlingua, you've got this!  I love you!  I miss you!  Be safe!  Wear masks!!!!

GRADUATION PARADE THIS FRIDAY AT 7:45 P.M.!!!
Terlingua’s graduating class of 2020! Come celebrate and honor the Terlingua seniors on May 29th! The town will be doing a graduation parade and we encourage all of our Big Bend Community to come out and help us celebrate! The parade will start at 7:45 at the emergency center and end at the high school. We hope you can come out to honor the 2020 graduating class in these unprecedented times. 

OUR FRIEND BILL VALENTINE
William Douglas (Bill) Valentine passed away Friday, May 8th in Odessa, Texas after a brief hospital stay.  He was born January 20, 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana but considered Texas his home.  Bill attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth where he received a bachelor’s degree in religion and then continued to George Williams College in Chicago where he earned a master’s degree in social work.  Working with the YMCA started him on the path to his eventual career as a gymnastics coach.  His love of sports included everything from football and basketball to cycling, golf, and everything in between.

Coach Bill started the Arlington Gymnastics Club and Lone Star Gymnastics and also served as the director of the women’s program for the United States Gymnastics Federation.  His work took him to many places around the world but his love of the Big Bend area of Texas determined the place he chose to settle down.

Bill moved to Terlingua in 1988 and explored surrounding areas while making friends in the area and hosting guests in his place on Bee Mountain.  He loved to tell stories (some of them true) about the places and characters that make the Big Bend region a remarkably unique experience.  He worked at the Lajitas Trading Post and then later at the Terlingua Trading Company in the ghost town.  If you needed questions answered, Bill would either know the answer, know someone who knew the answer, or he would just make up an answer.  

Known to his grandchildren as PawPaw, Bill loved to have his family come visit.  He shared his love of Big Bend and the kids loved to climb on PawPaw’s mountain.  All of them learned to appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature from sitting and watching the mountain and from visiting the park.  He will be sorely missed by his family, Joy and Marshall Gardner, Valerie and Matt Jacobs and by his grandkids:  Eleanor, Addison, Meredith, Herschel, Helen, CJ, and Blaze.  

The family is especially grateful to all of the wonderful friends in Terlingua who watched out for him and took care of him.  Bill was able to stay in his home in the mountains due to the support and love shown to him by the community.

OUR FRIEND ART EATMAN
Art Eatman passed away in April in Georgia at the age of 85. He was a Terlingua resident for over twenty five years.

WEST TEXAS PLANTS 
has received yet another shipment of pretty flowering shrubs, annuals and perennial plants. All plants are specifically chosen for the ability to live in our area. Blackfoot daisies, sages, copper canyon daisies, ice plant and lantana are just a few of the groovy plants to come check out! Swing by the yard behind the EMS station 9 to 3 Monday through Friday to see all the pretties!

HOW TO VOTE IN THE RUNOFF ON JULY 14
NOTICE OF RUNOFF PRIMARY ELECTION, DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PARTY
Notice is hereby given that the polling places listed below will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., July 14, 2020 for voting in a runoff primary election to nominate Members of Congress, Members of the Legislature, and state, district, party officers; and for the purpose of electing county and precinct chairs.
On Election Day, voters must vote in their precinct where registered to vote.
Location of Election Day Polling Place for Terlingua:
Precincts 5, 6 & 7 -- J.W. "Red" Pattillo Community Center, Hwy 118, Study Butte/Terlingua, TX 79852
For early voting, a voter may vote at the location listed below:
Judge Val Clark Beard Office Complex, 203 N 7th St, Alpine, TX
June 29th - July 2nd, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., July 6th - July 9th, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and July 10th, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Applications for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:
Lora Nussbaum, Early Voting Clerk, 107 W Ave E #3, Alpine 79830
Applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on July 2, 2020.

BIG BEND NP MAKES PLANS FOR A PHASED REOPENING
Big Bend National Park will remain closed through the month of May.  Park managers are planning a phased opening to maintain employee, visitor, and local community safety, and to avoid overwhelming limited medical services.  Selected park areas and facilities could open for day use beginning June 1st.

STARLIGHT
We're very happy to announce our dining room is back open!
To-go orders are still available. Check out our new online ordering option at TheStarlightTheatre.comor give us a call at 432-371-3400. We appreciate all of our neighbors who have supported us through the shutdown. We could not do this without you! We are excited to welcome you back inside!

ESPRESSO ... Y POCO MAS!
We're cooking and serving Big Bend Roaster's coffee  - 8 a.m to 1 p.m.  SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. Our dining area is open with continuous sanitation of surfaces.  We're keeping things safe! All the same great menu items! Reubens, chicken salad, eggs anyway you like them, fantastic guacamole, super fresh salads and more. Call ahead (432) 371-3044 for your order and we will have it ready for you.  Book mark the online order page, too. We now have gift cards available. It's good to be getting back!  Hope to see you this week!

CANYON BREW AT FAR FLUNG OUTDOOR CENTER
Yes, we’re still open and serving our same great “Grab-n-Go” breakfast! Stop by for your daily dose of caffeine.  Also try our kolaches, toasted bagels, espresso, candy bar lattes, cappuccino, macchiato, and chai.  Bring your mug and save a buck!  Open at 7:15am – 11:00am, 7 days a week with quick service! Don’t forget to stop by the Far Flung office to check out our recent markdowns!

LITTLE BURRO COUNTRY STORE
After cussing and discussing, As of Monday May 18th we are going to be reopen on mondays. We are working around here anyway, and have lots of requests for Monday hours. So come on out and see us on Monday's too again. hOURS returning to Mon-sat 9:00-6:00.

THE TOWN ELECTRICIAN
Charles Turvey, Owner/ Master Electrician TECL# 31504  ME# 326558  Local, Licensed, Insured  thetownelectrician@bigbend.net  432-424-3464 (Home)  432-538-2533 (Cell)

BIG BEND CHURCH
Mid-Week Service ONLY will resume meeting @ 5:00, May 20 in the Sanctuary. Social distancing will be in place.

THE TERLINGUA BOTTOMS GROUP OF AA 
meets every Thursday at 7:30 at the Big Bend Church in Study Butte.  The meetings are open to anyone who has or thinks they may have a drinking problem.  We meet in a group of less than five, and practice Social Distancing! If you are ill, we respectfully ask that you stay home and call for a "telephone meeting" instead, 432-371-2073. (you can also call with any questions...) Leave a message and we'll get back to  you. 

DIG TERLINGUA
We do Septic Systems and Dirt Work. Backhoe Ditching, Digging, Dozer, Motor Grader & Dump Truck with Operator for Hire. We deliver road base, gravel, sand, etc. Septic System Site Evaluations & Installations – TCEQ #34046  713.907.5259

FLACK ELECTRICAL SERVICES
Joshua Flack, Owner/Master Electrician TECL #31064 ME #337791
Licensed, bonded and insured  940.255.2723

BEE MOUNTAIN HARDWARE
Bee Mountain Hardware's new hours of operation will be 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with window service only. Orders can also be called in or emailed in advance for pick-up. 432-371-3113   beemountainhardware@yahoo.com
Thank you for your continued business and be safe.
Tom and Karen Pinkston

SHOT TIME LIQUORS
Open 9 to 10     MONDAY thru SATURDAY
CROWN ROYAL ADDED A FLAVOR JUST FOR TEXAS!
     *****     TEXAS MESQUITE     *****
..... And best of all .... we have plenty in stock ..... 
DRINK RESPONSIBLY and don’t forget the SHOT ICE!

CENSUS TIME
If you haven’t completed the 2020 Census yet, please don’t wait! The Constitution mandates that a census be taken every 10 years to count ALL PEOPLE living in the United States. Census data are used to distribute billions of dollars in federal funds to states and local communities for health, education, housing, and infrastructure programs. The Census is also used to determine how many seats in the House of Representatives each state has. State and local officials use Census results to help redraw congressional, state, and local district boundaries. Have you ever wondered why your neighbor across the street is in a different district than you are? The chance to change that is coming up, but we need an accurate count of everyone living here.

You can fill out your Census form online at www.2020census.gov in less than 10 minutes! You don’t have to wait for a letter in the mail, or a person at your door/gate. Your personal information is protected by law and responses are strictly confidential. The Census Bureau can only use your answers to produce statistics. In fact, every Census Bureau employee takes an oath to protect your personal information for life. If you need help or have any questions, please call (432-371-2902) or email me (colando@co.brewster.tx.us) any time. Thanks, and stay safe Terlingua! -Sara Allen Colando

Tuesday, May 12, 2020


TERLINGUA MOON
Vol. 31 No. 16
By MaeWestern

“It’s what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”  Nelson Mandela

The Town Electrician
Charles Turvey, Owner/ Master Electrician TECL# 31504  ME# 326558  Local, Licensed, Insured, thetownelectrician@bigbend.net, 432-424-3464 (Home), 432-538-2533 (Cell)

Want To Vote By Mail?  
To vote by mail in Texas, go here for details:  

Dear Porter’s Customers
We want to address some upcoming challenges with the nation’s meat supply. We hope that the following will serve to inform you, and not to cause you to panic. Porter’s primary goal — as it always has been — is to provide the communities we serve with the essentials they need for themselves and their loved ones. 
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the supply chain for most meat products, including beef, chicken, and pork, are facing challenges, specifically at the processing plants. Because several of these plants have been affected by the Coronavirus, some plants have had to close temporarily. The effect of these closures is starting to be felt by us at the retail level. Many of the orders we are placing are being allocated as our warehouse works hard to ensure the retail locations it serves can receive the product. Some meat products that we are used to receiving at a specific price point are increasing, some much greater than others. Porter’s will always strive to provide products to you at the best price possible — but please know we expect to see some pretty drastic increases in the coming days. This shortage in supply has the potential to affect the Weekly Ads that we just resumed this week.
This pandemic is a very fluid situation, and while we do not know precisely when supply will pick back up, we know that people working together for a common goal can accomplish great things. We remain hopeful that we will overcome this hurdle we are all facing together, and meat products will be more readily available soon. 
To allow as many customers as possible to get the products they need, we will be implementing an item limit on meat products until further notice.
Sincerely, The Porter’s Team


Tomorrow’s Commissioners Court
Wednesday, May 13, 9:30am
Brewster County Courthouse, Commissioners Courtroom
201 W. Ave. E, Alpine
Meeting agenda includes:
*Public Comments (comments are limited to 5 minutes per person and pursuant to the Texas Open Meetings
Act, the court is limited in its ability to respond to comments)
*Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19) by Dr. Etka Escovar, Brewster County Local Health Authority. Discussion and appropriate action

Big Bend Resort Adventures
Will be having a full ice cream parlor day!
5-13-20, Wednesday from 11am to 3pm
Orders will be taken outdoors
Milk shakes, banana splits, churros ala mode, cones and sundaes
Water contractors will be on property Tuesday, Wednesday & possibly Thursday: May 12-14, hopefully no longer!
Port-a-potties w/ handwash station available at gas station.
Public restrooms, laundry mat, showers & cafe will have to be closed. Grab N Go will be available.
We apologize for the inconvenience.

Terlingua Bottoms Group
The Terlingua Bottoms Group of AA meets every Thursday at 7:30 at the Big Bend Church in Study Butte. The meetings are open to anyone who has or thinks they may have a drinking problem. We meet in a group of less than five, and practice social distancing! If you are ill, we respectfully ask that you stay home and call for a “telephone meeting” instead at 432-371-2073 (you can also call with any questions...). Leave a message and we’ll get back to you.

Canyon Brew at Far Flung Outdoor Center
Yes we’re still open and serving our same great “Grab-n-Go” breakfast! Stop by for your daily dose of caffeine. Try our kolaches, toasted bagels, espresso, candy bar lattes, cappuccino, macchiato, and chai. Bring your mug and save a buck! Open 8am–11am Monday-Saturday with quick service! Don’t forget to stop by the Far Flung office to check out our recent markdowns!

Shot Time Liquors
Open 9 to 10, Monday thru Saturday. 
Now that the summer heat is upon us, we have taken a Special Delivery! Ice cream and ice creat treats - sweet! That’s right, Shot Time Liquors now has ice cream and ice cream treats at our drive thru, so come on through and grab some summer cool today!

Flack Electrical Services
Joshua Flack, Owner/Master Electrician TECL #31064 ME #337791, Licensed, bonded and insured, 940.255.2723

Dig Terlingua
We do Septic Systems and Dirt Work, Backhoe Ditching, Digging, Dozer, Motor Grader & Dump Truck with Operator for Hire. We deliver road base, gravel, sand, etc.
Septic System Site Evaluations & Installations – TCEQ #34046  Call 713.907.5259

2020 Census
NOW MORE THAN EVER IT IS IMPORTANT TO RESPOND TO THE 2020 CENSUS.
As of May 9, Southern Brewster County’s response rate is only 12.6%. National average is 58.5%. State average is 53.1%. Remember: an accurate count means funding for schools, food, medical assistance, roads and more.
Your survey will be delivered soon so keep an eye out for it. You can respond by phone, internet or mail. And your information is strictly confidential. Without it we all lose.  Everyone counts!

Espresso ... y poco mas!
We’re still cooking and serving Big Bend Roaster’s coffee Wednesday through Sunday - 8 am to 1 pm. 
Our dining area has reopened with continuous sanitation of surfaces and with disposable paper plates and utensils.  We’re keeping it safe so you can come in and safely sit at a table.
All the same great menu items! Reubens, chicken salad, eggs anyway you like them, fantastic guacamole, super fresh salads and more.
Call ahead 432-371-3044 for your order and we will have it ready for you. Bookmark the online order page, too. We now have gift cards available.  
Come in and say hey!

Earth and Fire Gallery
Stop by and see us in the Ghostown of Terlingua. We’re doing a soft opening from 9 am to 6 pm this week (with a mid afternoon siesta). We’ll help you practice social distancing and washing your hands in this new reality.

Beechie’s Auto
I just started my 27th year in Big Bend.  I want to thank God and all of my customers and the people from other countries for letting me serve them and for letting me live my dream of living in Big Bend. If it had not been for your support this would not have been possible. Thanks a lot. I wish for you to have the rest of your lives blessed. I am still doing inspections and some towing. Brandon Jones has leased my shop and tools and will be fixing flats and doing car and auto repair. 371-3990 home and 432-538-2375 mobile. Give him a call. I love you all and thanks again.   Beechie

Bee Mountain Hardware
Due to the ongoing situation with the Covid-19 pandemic and other considerations, until further notice, Bee Mountain Hardware’s new hours of operation will be 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with window service only. Orders can also be called in or emailed in advance for pick-up.432-371-3113
Thank you for your continued business and be safe.
Tom and Karen Pinkston

Quicksilver Trading 
Open Wednesday & Saturday 
9 till noon
Next to Bee Mountain Hardware
Wear a mask please!

Please email your submissions to terlinguamoon@gmail.com by Monday noon for that week’s Terlingua Moon. 

Please remember, no PDFS, fancy fonts or emojis! 

Each volunteer editor reserves the right to edit content for typos, misspellings or incorrect information.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020


The Terlingua Moon   

May 4, 2020--Vol. 31, #18
Next MOON: Send MOON news by Monday NOON for that week’s MOON. Please no PDFs or fancy fonts!

Editor’s note: check the Big Bend National Park website for updates on PARK closureswww.nps.gov/bibe and click on the ALERTS icon. Changes and additions will be posted there. ALSO, check the Big Bend National Park official Facebook page for “Ask a Ranger” events that happen live several times a week, and the most recent happenings like COOL historic preservation projects on Historic Adobe buildings at Castolon.

Happy Cinco de Mayo:  The Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, a holiday celebrated in parts of Mexico and the United States in honor of the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza.

News Release -- To: Area Media, April 30, 2020  --  From: Brewster County Judge's Office, BREWSTER COUNTY
Ekta Escovar MD, Local Health Authority
As of 3:20p.m., Brewster County was notified of the first COVID-19 case in the county. The case was identified through the Mobile Testing Team that was collecting patient swabs on April 25 and 26, 2020. The individual is in their 60s, residing in South Brewster County, and has been directed to self-quarantine. The case is still under investigation, and it is currently unknown how the individual became infected. We cannot release any further information as case contact investigation is underway.
It is imperative to maintain social distancing at this time, avoid social gatherings, and minimize contact with anyone outside of your household at this time. We continue to highly encourage Brewster County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19. Please practice good hand hygiene with frequent hand washing, proper respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow bend, avoid all handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

Brewster County to Reopen Hotels, Restaurants and Retail, Alpine, Texas – (May 1st, 2020)
The Brewster County Tourism Council and Visit Big Bend have received notice from county officials that the decision had been made to allow hotels, motels, short term rentals, campgrounds and RV parks to reopen today May 1st, 2020. Lodging facilities had previously been ordered to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants and retail establishments will also open with reduced occupancy measures and under standard social distancing practices.

In addition, Big Bend Ranch State Park is open for day use with some restrictions. Only the front country areas along FM-170 will be opening. Closed Canyon and the Hoodoos trails along FM-170 will open this weekend. The East and West Contrabando trail heads will be open as will river put ins; however, the interior of the park will remain closed along with Park visitor centers. Overnight use or camping is prohibited at this time. For information on day use regulations, please visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

At this time, Big Bend National Park remains CLOSED to the public including a ban on through traffic through the park. No information is currently available as to when the National Park may reopen.

Visit Big Bend is pleased to be able to invite visitors to the Big Bend area once again as local lodgings, restaurants, retail facilities and outfitters try to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors can rest assured that all business here have health and safety top of mind and will adhere to all guidelines recommended by the CDC including social distancing, sanitization and limitations on group gatherings and occupancy. Please go tovisitbigbend.com or check our Facebook page and Twitter feed for the most up to date tourism information regarding Brewster County accommodations, Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.

NOW MORE THAN EVER IT IS IMPORTANT TO RESPOND TO THE 2020 CENSUS.  As of May 2, Southern Brewster County’s response rate is only 12.2%.  Remember:  an accurate count means funding for schools, food, medical assistance, roads and more.  Your survey will be delivered soon so keep an eye out for it.  You can respond by phone, internet or mail.  And your information is strictly confidential.  Without it we all lose.  Everyone counts!

Big Bend Observatory  --  Per government relaxation, we are reopening for visiting astronomers on May 1st. Per our own decision, we will be limiting reservations and placing a 3-day isolation period on the property in between each guest or group. Call 1-855-224-4236 to book your casita and observing time here at the height of the milky way season.

CANYON BREW AT FAR FLUNG OUTDOOR CENTER: Yes, we’re still open and serving our same great “Grab-n-Go” breakfast options! Stop by or call ahead (432.371.2633) for your daily dose of caffeine. SPECIAL: Drip coffee and any food item for $5!  Bring your mug and save a buck!  Opens from 8am -11am Mon-Sat with quick service!

Per telephone conversation with our district coordinator at TDEM yesterday, there will be additional Covid testing in the region in about a week.  Sunday - May 10th - Fort Davis; Monday - May 11th, 9am to 5pm – Presidio.  It is still the nasal swab PCR test.  Citizens can make an appointment 24 hrs. prior to the testing date either on-line at TXCOVIDTEST.ORG or by calling 512-883-2400. Again, if you call earlier than 24 hrs. prior to the scheduled test date, you will be told to call back. Additionally, if you do not call or register for an appointment, you can still show up at the site and will be instructed to either register on your phone or call the number. Either way, the testers will do everything they can to accommodate those who want to be tested.

Porters new hours:  Seniors’ Shopping Hours 7 to 8 AM.  Both Alpine stores are open 7a – 9p. For other stores: myporter.net/about-us and scroll to “Locations.”

The Terlingua Bottoms Group of AA meets Thursday at 7:30 at the Big Bend Church in Study Butte.  The meetings are open to anyone who has or thinks they may have a drinking problem.  We meet in a group of less than five, and practice Social Distancing!If you are ill, we respectfully ask that you stay home and call for a "telephone meeting" instead, 432-371-2073. (you can also call with any questions...) Leave a message and we'll get back to you.

If you want a Wylie water tank on the next load, please let us know.  We realize that money's tight right now; we don't cash your deposit check until your tank is in your possession. The salesman told me delivery is roughly 2 weeks from the time I call the (filled) order in. There's room for at least 3 more now.  Prices remain the same as they were a few months ago. And we also have valves. You can call us for details. 371-2506 or (512)924-2506.

The Town Electrician, Charles Turvey, Owner/ Master Electrician TECL# 31504  ME# 326558  Local, Licensed, Insured  thetownelectrician@bigbend.net  432-424-3464 (Home)  432-538-2533 (Cell)

Espresso ... y poco mas!  We're still cooking and serving Big Bend Roaster's coffee Wednesday through Sunday - 8 am to 1 pm. Our dining area has reopened with continuous sanitation of surfaces and with disposable paper plates and utensils.  We are keeping it safe.  All the same great menu items!  Call ahead (432) 371-3044 for your order and we will have it ready for you.  Book mark the online order page, too. We now have gift cards available.  Look forward to seeing you all soon!

Flack Electrical Services  --  Joshua Flack, Owner/Master Electrician TECL #31064 ME #337791  Licensed, bonded and insured.  940.255.2723

Dig Terlingua – We do Septic Systems and Dirt Work.  Backhoe Ditching, Digging, Dozer, Motor Grader & Dump Truck with Operator for Hire.  We deliver road base, gravel, sand, etc.  Septic System Site Evaluations & Installations – TCEQ #34046.  713.907.5259

  *****   SHOT TIME LIQUORS    *****   --Open 9a to 10p     MONDAY thru SATURDAY.
WoW did it get hot early this year ... or what?   We have decided the best way to handle the HEAT is to FIRE UP the COCKTAILS!  Come in and grab a bottle of CALYPSO 151 RUM.     *****    $10     *****     $10     *****     $10     *****  DRINK RESPONSIBLY and don’t forget the SHOT ICE!

In Stock at All Energies: Solar Racking, UV resistant wire, battery cables and DC breakers are in stock as well.  Brand new 320W panels for $225 each and 400W panels for $278 can be ordered.  If you need help making your solar system work better, email casey@allenergies.net or call/text 432-242-1874

RECYCLING IN ALPINE OPEN!!  HAL Flanders Recycling in Alpine, New hours 9 to Noon Tuesday through Saturday     last load 11:50 am. Closed Sunday and Monday.  Social Distancing Please