The Terlingua Moon  

August 25, 2020--Vol. 31, #34

Next MOON: Send MOON news by Monday NOON for that week’s MOON. PLEASE no PDFs or fancy fonts!  terlinguamoon@gmail.com   We are on the web at: theterlinguamoon.blogspot.com

 SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE “GET OUT THE COUNT” CENSUS COORDINATOR – The 2020 Census self-response deadline is September 30 and it's never been more important to respond.  Census takers are currently out in communities to ensure a complete and accurate count.  Census data determines a state’s congressional seats and federal funding for Medicare, Medicaid, roads, schools, and other essential resources.  People living in Far West Texas are an historically undercounted population.  When people are not counted, communities can lose out on federal funding allotted every year for health clinics, schools, food assistance and hundreds of other critical services and programs that make a difference in our lives every day.

Respond today! You can go online at 2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020 for English and 844-468-2020 for Spanish.  You may use the paper form you received at your home.  Respond today.  Everyone counts!

 Editor’s comment: Remember:  an accurate Census count will ensure funds for medical, food assistance, education and more.  Everyone Counts!  Our representation in both the Texas State and Federal Congresses are based on the Census – for the next TEN! YEARS! As of August 16, South County response is only 24.2% -- compared to the National response rate: 63.8% and Texas at 58.9%. That means that OUR tax money will go to other parts of the State!  Stand up and be COUNTED!!!

MICHAEL (Mike) BASKETTE   Long-time Terlingua resident, Mike Baskette passed from this life on July 27, 2020, in Dallas at the home of a friend. He was 72.  Mike was born October, 17, 1947, in Princeton, Indiana, but his family got him to Texas as soon as they could!  He started school in Gainesville, TX.  Mike attended Rider High School in Wichita Falls until the last semester of his Senior year.  His family moved to Hobbs, NM, and he graduated from there in 1965.  He attended NM Jr. College and New Mexico State University. Mike was a Senior Field Engineering Supervisor for Camco Trading Corporation and lived and worked in Singapore in the 70’s.  While working for them he was able to travel to many countries all over the world. Mike loved sports.  He played softball and coached little league football and was a certified football referee before moving to Terlingua in 1992.  From 1997-2005 he worked with one of his best friends from college, Ringo Smith, who owned and operated the Study Butte Store, and Mike also managed the Café at the Big Bend Motor Inn (2005-2008) before retiring.  In 2000 he was on the Census Team for Brewster County.  Mike’s ashes will be scattered over some of his favorite places in the Big Bend area.  Editor's note: Mike has been missed since he left the area.  Our heartfelt best wishes to his family and friends. 

 COVID-19 Testing will be held on:

Monday, Aug. 24 at the City of Presidio Fire Station in Presidio

Tuesday, Aug. 25 at the City of Presidio Fire Station in Presidio

Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the Marfa Visitor Center in Marfa

Thursday, Aug. 27 at the Alpine Fire Station in Alpine

Friday, Aug. 28 at the Alpine Fire Station in Alpine

 Testing will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at each site, or until testing capacity is reached.  No appointment is needed, but personal identification is required to receive a test.

 PRESS RELEASE – 8/19/2020 -- The Big Bend COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund will be sending out our final checks this month, August 2020.  The Fund was established in March 2020 to help Brewster County residents deal with hardships caused by the pandemic. Volunteers from Alpine and Terlingua started the fund through Big Bend Citizens Alliance—a Terlingua-based non-profit organization.  The Fund has awarded over $67,000 to help residents and non-profits cover costs for housing and transportation, medical expenses, utilities, food, childcare needs, and animal feed.  As we close out the Fund, we want to extend our sincerest gratitude to the volunteers, organizations and private individuals who so generously donated their time and money.  This has been an outstanding show of community support and we could not have done it without you - THANK YOU.

Please continue to support the Big Bend Citizens Alliance. Visit https://bigbendcitizensalliance.org/ to learn more about the organization and how to get involved.

 The proclamation by Texas Gov Abbott did 2 things: 1) Extends early voting for the November 3 election from Oct 13 to Oct 30.  2) Allows those who want to turn in their mail ballot in person to do so at ANY time prior to the election and on election day.  To turn in your mail ballot you mark it, seal it in the envelope for mailing and, in Brewster County, take it personally to the Early Voting Clerk, Lora Nussbaum, at 203 N 7th St, Alpine, during regular business hours.   You can only turn in your own ballot and you must show your ID to prove that.  The web site for the proclamation is: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-extends-early-voting-period-for-november-3rd-election

EDUCATIONAL FUND FOR THE STOCKBRIDGE CHILDREN:  We are grateful to share the news that Texas Wildlife Association Director and Executive Committee member Nyle Maxwell and his wife Nancy have established an educational trust fund for Jameson and London Stockbridge for their future education after the tragic loss of their father Dewey Stockbridge from a helicopter crash at the Black Gap WMA in Brewster County on August 8th.  Please click or search the link below for the full story and information on how to donate:     https://www.texas-wildlife.org/resources/news/black-gap-wma-tragedy-one-way-to-help

 Are you no longer using your WTG supplied 100-gallon propane tank? WTG is experiencing a shortage right now. Please call 432-682-4349

 McDonald Observatory--We are reopening! We will restart our on-site public programs, in a reduced capacity, with a Star Party on Friday, August 28. Reservations required. Get all the details below!https://mcdonaldobservatory.org/news/releases/20200819

 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)

 CANYON BREW AT FAR FLUNG OUTDOOR CENTER: Come check out our new smoothies and our Canyon Freeze blended coffee!  Also serving kolaches, toasted bagels, espresso, candy bar lattes, cappuccino, macchiato, and chai.  Bring your mug and save a buck!  Open at 7:00am – 11:00am, 7 days a week with quick service!

Brewster County announced today that Betse Esparza has officially resigned from her position as Brewster County Commissioner, Precinct 1, effective immediately.  Betse has been acting as Brewster County Commissioner, Pct. 1 for the last three years and eight months and has done an excellent job maintaining that position, even through these difficult past few months during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  We thank Commissioner Esparza for her service to Brewster County and wish her well on her future endeavors!

BREWSTER COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S COURT WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2020 AT 9:30 A.M. at the BREWSTER COUNTY COURTHOUSE – Agenda http://www.brewstercountytx.com/open-government-and-meetings/agenda/ 

In case you weren’t already aware, this year’s Terlingua International Chili Cook-off has been canceled. These events bring in a lot of the scholarship money for our small school (graduating classes are sometimes less than 10).  Our students depend on these scholarships to further their education. This year it is likely without donations the scholarships may be less or none for the 2021 seniors. If you are looking to donate for a wonderful cause that will directly impact an individual students life please consider Big Bend High School. Donations can be mailed to:  CASI Scholarship Program, 329 W. Tucker, Hobbs, NM. 88242      *make sure to specify it is for Big Bend High School.  Make a donation that counts! And stay safe so the chili cook-off can happen in 2021 🌶!

 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, wear masks, and practice Social Distancing...

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

 Dig Terlingua – We do Septic Systems and Dirt Work --  Backhoe, Bulldozer, Motor Grader & Dump Truck with Operator for Hire.  Site Preparation - pads, roads & ditches.  We deliver road base, gravel, sand, etc.  Licensed for Septic System Site Evaluations & Installations - Commercial & Residential.   Whatever you need dug – WE DIG IT.  713.907.5259

 ~~~~~SHOT TIME~~~~~ 

This week's Rockin' Raffle winner is #927333 - We are switching up the RAFFLE! This week's winner got to choose from 2 prizes! Yes........your eyes did not deceive......2 choices. Who can tell what this week's winner might get??? Maybe a can of the Brand-New Western Son SPIKED ICE POPS. Yep, we brought in some MORE Adult Ice Pops. You just can't beat that combo!!! Seems like our SUMMER HEAT gets a tiny bit more bearable with some frosty booze in a tube. We also got a complete resupply in on our ICE CREAM PINTS - Chocolate, Double Strawberry, Vanilla Bean, and Bunny Tracks. $4.00 at the DRIVE THRU. THAT IS HARD TO BEAT ON A HOT AUGUST NIGHT!            As always - please remember to drink and drive responsibly.

Espresso ... y poco mas!  We’re open from 7:30 am to 1 pm seven days a week.  Our environment is being kept safe for everyone so come on in!  We have what you need for summer!  Incredible smoothies and iced coffee and great salads for this time of year.  Nothing better to cool you down a little.   We have Ruebens, eggs any way you like them, amazing guacamole and so much more.  Call ahead (432) 371-3044 for your order and we will have it ready for you.  If you want to pick up, let us know the model of your car when you call, and we will bring your order out to you.