[Each Thursday you can enjoy Big Bend events, dining, video, news and photos from the editorial staff, contributors and readers.]
Big Bend Video
Texas Monthly takes a look at some of the amenities at the Terlingua Ghosttown, Terlingua, Texas.
–Nathan (tumbler and acrobat) on finding Terlingua.
Big Bend Photographs
Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine
Thank you to reader Daniel Chamberlain. See more of his local photography at Into the Green.
Big Bend Events
Tea Party Rally Today— 4-6 pm at the Railroad Park in Alpine, Texas, corner of Holland Avenue and 7th Street. Protest against overly high taxes.
–Celebration benefit for Doyle Tucker: Sat April 17th, 6:30 pm at the Alpine Country Club. Music by Bake Turner. Silent Auction. Pork loin dinner – donations welcome, no charge at the door. For more information or to make financial or silent item donation, contact Mike Nelson at 432.238.2661.
–Alpine Chamber Mixer: The Alpine Chamber of Commerce mixer will be from 6-8 pm Thursday April 15th at the Holland Hotel. Expect music from the Doodling Hogwallops, food and fun.
Big Bend Gem and Mineral Show this weekend: The annual Gem and Mineral Show takes place this weekend at Kokernot Lodge in Alpine from 9 am to 6 pm Sunday. Admission is free.
–Alpine Dark-Sky Star Party: Sierra la Rana and the Big Bend Astronomical Society (Alpine-Big Bend Texas) will host the Alpine Dark-Sky Star Party on April 17th, . The Dark-Star Party will be in recognition of Earth Day Week and participate in the Global Astronomy Month’s “Thirty Nights of StarPeace,” a worldwide-scale event that will join together astronomy groups in neighboring countries, one patch of Earth at a the time, on successive nights during the month of April 2010.
The Dark-Star Party is open to the public free of charge and the organizers will provide coffee and hot chocolate. There are 8 telescope pads available located at the Sierra la Rana Astronomy Village. Please feel free to bring a telescope and/or binoculars to share with event attendees.
Dave Oesper will moderate the star party starting off with viewings of Mercury and Venus from 8:30 – 8:45 p.m. and then a twilight presentation will immediately following the viewings begin at 8:45 p.m. and lasting until 9:15 p.m. approximately 30 minutes. The presentation will be an inspirational talk both on both what is viewable in the night sky and the joys of observational astronomy in general from Sierra la Rana and the Big Bend region in general.
Big Bend Dining Notes
Talgar’s— Talgar’s has been open for about a year and I am puzzled why it is often empty. The food here is fresh, well-prepared and plentiful. Today I had four jumbo flautas impeccably plated on a bed of red cabbage with copious amounts of fresh avocado, sour cream and cilantro. The flautas were hand-rolled and large; the chicken flavorful and moist without being greasy.
Before I’ve had the fish tacos and a chuleta, a mexican hamburger. I will admit my bias; I personally think that Talgar is a great person and great cook (particularly her Christmas tamales). However, this is one of the few places in Alpine that is really trying some different– a fresh, vibrant approach to cooking from Mexico and the rest of the Spanish-speaking world. If you haven’t tried it and you live locally– please, trust me and go in for an al fresco dinner on the beautiful patio.
The wine list is modest, but carefully selected to augment the latin flavors.
102 West Murphy Street Alpine, TX, Lunch ~ T-Sa 11:30-2:00, Dinner ~ Th-Sa 5:30-9:00 Ph# 432.837.5101 (it may be prudent to call ahead) Approximately $10-15 per plate.
Whoops and Hollers
Chinese Invasion Tour in Dallas from Julie Hwang on Vimeo.
These bands came through Alpine and Marfa. Do any locals have comments? Three Chinese bands touring America– exciting!
—Do you FourSquare? This is a new online game that uses the GPS feature of cellphones to introduce you to new places. I’m addicted! Check out foursquare here. Here’s my profile. I’m the mayor of four places! Harry’s Tinaja, La Trattoria, Bread and Breakfast and the Murphy Street Raspa Company. How about some free snacks for your hungry mayor?
