Ron's Blog

2012-02-20T08:47:00.001-08:00

The Wharton Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture is pleasedto announce the recipients of our 2012 Educator of the Year and 2012 BusinessPerson of the Year awards, which will be presented at the chamber’s annualbanquet on Thursday, March 8.

Karen Machann receives our Business Person Award. CyndiMaffett receives our Educator Award. Machann is owner of The Flower Shoppe.Maffett is currently the librarian at Wharton Junior High School.

The chamber’s banquet committee selected the recipientsamong several nominees last week.

“The committee felt that the honorees exhibited the verybest of their professions and went above and beyond in their love and supportof their community,” said Ron Sanders, the chamber’s executive director.

The honorees will the highlight of the chamber’s 93^rdAnnual Banquet. The social hour starts at 6 and serving begins at 7 p.m.Thursday, March 8, at the Wharton Civic Center. Hinze’s is catering a ribyesteak dinner.

Individual tickets are $35 each. Gold tables of 10 are$1,000. Silver tables of 10 are $500. Booth spaces are $150 each. (Goldsponsors get free booth space, silver half off.)

Raffle tickets also are on sale from chamber board membersor at the chamber office. There also will be a silent auction.

Contact Ron Sanders at ron.sanders@whartonchamber.comor 979-532-1862.

2012-02-14T12:06:00.001-08:00

This is from Linda King, from Milam Street Coffee
The next Java Jam at Milam Street Coffee Shop in Wharton will be Friday, February 24th, 6-9 pm.

Duke Davis, a former member of The 13th Floor Elevators, infamous for those who followed the hot Texas bands of 30 years ago, will perform at the Milam Street Coffee “Java Jam,” Friday, Feb 24, 6-9 pm. In 1979 Duke, a native of Schertz, Texas, moved to Los Angeles and formed The Buckshot Band which included Vince Gill, Thumbs Carlisle and many others. Many from his original band went on to solo careers as well as to play for Garth Brooks, Dwight Yoakum, Highway 101, Desert Rose, and The Mavericks.

Duke has toured with the likes of Waylon Jennings, Lee Greenwood, Charlie Daniels and has opened for George Strait, Hank Williams, Jr., Bobby Bare, The Bellamy Brothers and Doug Kershaw, just for starters. After many years on the road Duke switched careers to raise and train horses, first on his ranch in New Mexico, later Colorado. But as they say, “You can take the boy out of Texas but you can’t take Texas out of the boy,” so Davis, along with his wife Ruth and beloved pet, Bo the Wonder Dog, moved back home, this time to Fredericksburg. In 2007 Duke and the boys launched “Westward Ho,” a 27 song, 90 minute, one act theatrical musical play that presents the history of Western Music. The versatile Duke Davis, this time, will be doing his one man, one guitar show in the opening guest slot at 6 pm and then trading licks with the locals in the Java Jam, 8 pm, in the second set following the always delicious covered dish buffet. Bring a covered dish with enough to share and $15 per person for the cover charge. For a sample of Duke’s music, in this instance playing bass and singing lead, in a You Tube video, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mj5hekh_lk

Please bring a covered dish to share. BYOW. Cover charge $15.

**Here's the way the Java Jam works:

6-7 pm opening music

7-8 pm buffet

8-9pm second round of music

What you'll need to enjoy the evening:

1. Bring a covered dish, enough for you and a bit extra.

2. Bring your own wine if you wish.

3. Bring $15 per person to help pay for the guest musicians. This is an honor system donation designed to help attract and pay a little gas money to out of town musicians.

4. The special dessert for February will be announced later as will our business of the month.

Some Dates to Keep in Mind –

Saturday, February 25th from 2 to 4 pm, we will have a book signing here at Wall2Wall Words Used Books. More about our author and her children’s book later.

The Lions Club Pancake Supper on March 1^st.

The Chamber of Commerce Banquet on March 8^th.

Thank you for your support.

Directions from Houston, Sugarland or Rosenberg, Texas --

Take Highway 59 South, take first Wharton exit which is Business 59 to Hwy 60 (Bay City), turn left, go around the Courthouse Square on one way streets. We are on the northwest corner of the square. If you need any help, please call 979-282-9771.

2012-02-13T07:33:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for work, or want a better job, the place to be is the Wharton County Job Fair on Tuesday at the Wharton civic center. Details at whartontexas.com.
The Valentine's Day sale downtown Wharton on Saturday was a blast. So nice to see all these friendly shoppers from here and from out of town. We are so proud of our Monterey Square Merchants.
Personal:
I was watching barrel racing Saturday on TV. The barrels don't do the racing at all. It is the folks on the horses. I did not know this.
I saw a big headline in the Houston Chronicle on Saturday about a Renoir stolen. Cars get stolen all the time. What's the big deal? So what, if it is made in Europe?
I am learning the Dwight Yoakum song, Fast as You. I used to know it, but then the band dropped it, but now has agreed to add it to our set lists again. I loved playing the song, and now I get to play it again! The only thing to remember for me is that its got a couple of stops it in.

2012-02-08T09:52:00.000-08:00

I went to the doctor this morning. They cleaned my ears out. I can smell even better out of my ears. And for some reason, I am still hearing out of my nose.

2012-02-07T12:39:00.002-08:00

Shop for your honey, and et a flower at each participating shop at Build Your Bouquet this coming Saturday, Fe3b. 11, at Monterey Square, downtown Wharton.

2012-02-07T12:39:00.001-08:00

The Wharton County Job Fair is a great way for employers and those looking for career opportunities to connect. It will be 9 am to 3 pm Tuesday, Feb. 14, at the Wharton Civic Center. Free booth space, and free admission.

2012-02-02T08:22:00.000-08:00

Stuff on the Plaza Theatre in Wharton!
Here's a link to the Plaza Theatre's Wharton's Got Talent results:
http://www.whartontexas.com/uploads/News%20WGT%202012%20Results%2001302012.pdf
And here's the text of their press release on their next production:
The Plaza Theatre, on Monterey Square in Wharton, will be presenting the first musical production of its current season entitled, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This hilarious musical will be performed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from February 10-19,

2011. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30pm, with Sunday matinee performances beginning at 2:30pm.

A long-running Broadway hit, this Tony Award-winning musical comedy follows six young people in the throes of puberty as they compete to be the spelling champ of the Putnam County Middle School. Along the way they learn that winning isn't everything and losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. Audience members get the opportunity (strictly voluntary) to become part of the onstage action as spellers--get to the theater early if you want to join the fun!

"This cast has been amazingly professional and they have each brought their own unique, individual talents and abilities to their roles" commented director, Janice McDonald. "It has been a joy to direct this show that almost directed itself."

General admission is $15 and $13 for seniors, students, and groups of 10 or more. Plaza Theatre season ticket holders are reminded they can use their season tickets for this event.

Ticket reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling the box office at 979-282-2226 or online at whartonplazatheatre.org.

** Due to mature nature of some comedic elements, we recommend this show to anyone 13 years or older.

More information about auditions for this production please visit whartonplazatheatre.org.

# # #

2012-01-31T12:56:00.000-08:00

The chamber office manager, Kim Peikert, and administrative assistant, Makyla Monroe, are going to Conroe this coming Tuesday to staff Destinations Galore. That's the convention where all the bus tour operators shop for where to go. We have been very successful in the past and look for a good one. They will be armed with thousands of travel "menus" and visitors guides and power point. I am putting the finishing touches on the menu right now and will send it off to the printer this afternoon.

Personal:
Listening to Stan Ridgeway. I took the brace off my foot this afternoon as an experiment after starting to sense a little feeling in my toes. We shall see.

2012-01-31T07:55:00.000-08:00

Some more purely personal thoughts on Moose Hunting.
On second thought, I realize that Residential Moose Hunting might be dangerous. Instead of bullets, however, hunters could be armed with stun guns. After the animal is stunned, it could be bludgeoned into Moose Steaks. Still not sure about this, however. I gotta funny feeling.

2012-01-30T07:10:00.000-08:00

The Java Jam at Milam Street Coffee was another great experience Friday night. Singer/Songwriter Brian Burns is a true professional. His picking is incredible, his songs melodic, and his voice strong and strong with emotion. My favorite was Border Radio.

Saturday, we took down a bunch of lights on the courthouse lawn. Goodbye Christmas. Thank you to all that helped.

Today, it is getting the invitations to our March 8 banquet in the mail. Busy day.

Personal:
Listening to "Footloose and Fancy Free" by Bill Bruford's Earthworks. Bill is my favorite drummer. Some of you may remember him as the original drummer from Yes, and played many years with King Crimson. He also was the guest drummer on the 1975 tour of Genesis, the one right after Peter Gabriel left.

Many years ago, frustrated with the inability of being able to build a dam on the Colorado, I wrote a newspaper column proposing getting hold of a bunch of beavers and throwing them in the river. I thought we could get our dam that way. It did not take.

Now, I keep having a reoccurring thought of starting a heard of Mooses. Let them loose in town and begin a residential moose hunting club.

I have more thoughts on this.... Later.

2012-01-27T11:36:00.001-08:00

Here is a press release on tonight's guest performer, Brian Burns, performing at tonight's Java Jam, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Milam Street Coffee, Wharton, Texas:

SINGER/SONGWRITER BRIAN BURNS TO APPEAR THIS FRIDAY, JANUARY27 AT JAVA JAM, MILAM STREET COFFEE HOUSE, 6 PM.

Brian Burns’ songs have been recorded by legendary Texasartists Gary P. Nunn, Johnny Bush, The Geezenslaw Brothers and scores ofothers. Voted “Solo Artist of the Year” and “Texas Artist of the Year” multipletimes by several Texas Music Associations, Brian’s single “I’ve Been Everywhere (in Texas)” wasselected as the soundtrack for the movie “Grand Champion,” a movie starringBruce Willis, Julia Roberts and an all star musical cast.

His album “The Eagle and the Snake: Songs of the Texians” isregarded as a masterpiece of Texas musical history and his program by the samename has been presented throughout the state at schools and Universities, whichhas branded him as the premier Lone Star educational entertainer in addition tohis other honors. More on Brian at www.brianburnsmusic.com See also www.milamstcoffee.com for details onthe Java Jam.

2012-01-27T09:40:00.000-08:00

Saturday, tomorrow, is when our Chamber volunteers will be taking down Christmas lights on the courthouse square. Our job is removing the lights on the Gazebo, the lamp posts, and the the first six feet of the pecan trees. We meet at 8:30 a.m. Please join us if you would like.

I'd also like to talk about the folks on probation who help us and serve court-assigned community service. They work hard and take pride in being part of a project that is larger than themselves. They ride by the courthouse at night at Christmastime and are proud to say they were part of it. We appreciate them.

Personal.
Listening to Wind and Wuthering by Genesis and The Daytrotter Session by Wire. Quote of the day: "My teeth are killing me." George Washington.

2012-01-26T08:19:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the Pilot Club of Wharton for your Chili Supper last night. I won something, too! Two bottles of win and a bunch of gift cards to our Wharton businesses.
If you did not win something, I just have one thing to say. Tough.
But remember of all the great stuff that Wharton's Pilot Club does: Helping those with brain injuries. Making sure those who are homebound can get medical help if, God forbid, they fall or become ill and can't reach the telephone. And so much more,
The enormous crowd present last night is testament to their great work.
So if you did not win anything, tough.

I am reminded of the saying of our friend Dwight King, when it was time to build the Boys & Girls Club: "Make it Better." Wish more people, up there in Washington, specifically, lived by that credo, too.

The stuff on the banquet. Be part of it!

2012-01-25T14:37:00.000-08:00

Here is some poop on our chamber banquet:

Our Wharton Chamber Banquet is coming up soon. Please be part if it! It's simple!

Mark your calendar. The banquet will be Thursday, March 8, at the Wharton Civic Center, 1924 N. Fulton St.

Bring your appetite. It’s ribeye steaks from Hinze’s.

Enjoy the program. The highlights include Business Person of the Year and Educator of the Year Awards, and the Java Jam Band with Doc Blakely. And more! Be home in time for the news.

Lend us a hat. The theme of this year’s banquet is “Many Hats, One Vision.” So we need hats. Lots of hats. We’ll use them, representing the many occupations and activities that comprises our great community, atop or table centerpieces. Then, we return them to you; we can deliver them to you, you can pick them up at the chamber office, or you can pick them up after the banquet before you return home.

Win something. There’s seven great raffle prizes. You can buy tickets in advance or at the banquet. Six for $25 or $5 each.

Buy something. Also choose from lots of great silent auction items. We encourage you to donate an item as well. Some may be bigger than a breadbox, but some may not.

Visit with friends and neighbors. The social hour is from 6 to 7 p.m. The banquet is at 7 p.m.

Get a ticket. $35 each. Contact us to reserve your seat.

Be a sponsor, Gold tables and Silver tables of 10 are available, with lots of perks and recognition for your business or organization.

Nominate. We are accepting nominations for our two awards, Business Person of the Year and Educator of the Year. Call us for details.

Reach us for details at 532-1862 or admin@whartonchamber.com.

Personal stuff:

I am currently listening to Pete Lockett's "Network of Sparks" and Mogwai's "Mr. Beast." Currently reading novelist Ian Rankin.

My dogs have not torn up anything in three days.

At this time I suddendly can smell out of my ears and hear out of my nose. This concerns me.