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Bastrop Cedar Creek Edition VOLUME 1, ISSUE 12 MARCH 128, 2025
Shuffling schools
Bastrop ISD adjusted its attendance boundary map as the district prepares to open its ninth elementary school— Adelton—in the fall to alleviate overcrowded schools.
49% projected increase in student population from 2023-2033
COURTESY BASTROP ISD
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Bastrop ISD shifts school boundaries amid growth as new facilities come online
campus enrollment, maintaining the integrity of our neighborhood communities, and ultimately setting our schools and students up for success,” said Cassie Balderas, director of communications and marketing.
million 2021 and 2023 bond initiatives, adding a ninth elementary school—Adelton—and 10th ele- mentary school alongside two restructured middle schools to accommodate the growing district. “These new attendance boundaries support our continued growth while ensuring well-balanced
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
Bastrop ISD middle and elementary school students will shift campuses for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years after trustees rezoned the district’s boundaries in January. These changes follow the latest round of the $500
CONTINUED ON 12
Also in this issue
2025 Camp Guide
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Impacts: Learn about a new pottery painting business now open in Bastrop (Page 7)
Government: Read about council rejecting the voter-approved marijuana decriminalization amendment (Page 19)
Community: Check out Bastrop-area summer camps
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
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HAWTHORNE ST.
Impacts
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL, DACIA GARCIA & JACQUELYN BURRER
GORDON ST.
Relocations
BUTTONWOOD ST.
GREEN VALLEY DR.
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8 Smithville Innovation Center Smithville city ocials broke ground in early January to expand its workforce center. • Opens in late spring • 400 Fawcett St., Smithville • www.smithvilleworkforcetrainingcenter.com 7 Horsemen Co. Husband-and-wife team Ben and Faith Benitez expanded into a larger space inside Harmony Ridge—a few buildings down from their original shop one year after opening their brick-and-mortar. The new spot £lls the former Oddity Den, which closed in August 2024. Horsemen Co. o ers locally handcrafted bent-wood plant hangers, ceramic and wooden art pieces, and a variety of plants. • Relocated on Jan. 15 • 601 Chestnut St., Bldg. G, Bastrop • www.horsemenco.com
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SOUTH ST.
4 The Colorful Luna As a full-service salon, owner Andrea Luna o ers a range of hair, makeup and styling services. • Opened Nov. 4 • 1018 Main St., Bastrop • Instagram: the_colorful_luna 5 Tacos El Fercho The family-run food truck serves tacos, burritos, tortas, gorditas and more. • Opened Jan. 17 111 GORDON ST.
Now open
1 Stained Glass by Robbin Locals Martha Galarza Hunt and Robbin Hunt o er unique and custom-made stained glass pieces. • Opened Feb. 1
• 249 Green Valley Drive, Bastrop • www.stainedglassbyrobbin.com
2 Café Monet Owned by Jules Winson, the pottery painting and clay hand-building studio provides a family-friendly environment for artists of all ages. • Opened Jan. 25 • The Boring Bodega, 865 FM 1209, Bastrop • www.cafemonet.org/bastrop 3 Quinto Patio The owners of Anita’s Mexican Restaurant in Bastrop opened a new Tex-Mex eatery. • Opened Nov. 2 • 114 NE Second St., Smithville • Facebook: QuintoPatioSmithville 111
• 710 Chestnut St., Bastrop • www.tacoselfercho.com
Expansions
Closings
6 Liberty Dance Center The construction on the dance studio’s new and expanded space in Bastrop began in mid-January. • Opening in the fall • 134 Hasler Shores, Bastrop • www.libertydancecentertx.com
9 The Bearded Baking Company Locals Wesley Dills and his husband Adam Lloyd closed their eatery in late January. • 1006 Main St., Bastrop • Facebook: The Bearded Baking Company
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Events
BY DACIA GARCIA
March
2025 Kritter Karaoke Bastrop County Animal Services will host its fundraiser
with comedian Scott Hardy. • March 7, 7:30-10:30 p.m. • $25 • 1600 Chestnut St., Bastrop • Facebook: 2025 Kritter Karaoke
Touch a Truck The event will include vehicles, vendors, games, concessions and a free movie screening of Big Hero 6. • March 8, 6 p.m. • Free • 159 Shoreline Drive, Bastrop • Instagram: Parks and Rec Bastrop TX Lunch & Learn: Our Pioneer Foremothers The public is invited to chat with local historian Michal Hubbard and learn about impactful women. • March 12, noon-1 p.m. • $5 (members), $10 (nonmembers) • 904 Main St., Bastrop • www.bastropcountyhistoricalsociety.com Music in the Museum: Terry Lyne Moore In honor of Women’s History Month, the museum’s music series will welcome the local songstress. • March 15, noon-2 p.m. • Free • 904 Main St., Bastrop • www.bastropcountyhistoricalsociety.com Little Sit Bastrop Audubon & Bird City birding experts will share their knowledge about birds with community members. • March 22, 8:30-10 a.m. • Free • 100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop • https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/bastrop/little-sit Lights, Camera, Bastrop Community members can witness a live stunt show and
Airing of the Quilts Quilts made by local community members will be aired out by several local businesses to complement the Bastrop Museum and Visitor Center’s Stitched Exhibit. Participants can stop at the Bastrop Visitor Center to pick up a brochure detailing each quilt’s story and location. • March 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Free • 904 Main St., Bastrop • www.bastropcountyhistoricalsociety.com
Cult Classic Convention With horror short lms, a scavenger hunt, live music and vendors, attendees can spend their weekend enjoying all things horror. • March 21-23 • $25-plus • 1408 Chestnut St., Bastrop • https://conventionforms.wixsite.com/cult-classic
meet stunt professionals. • March 26-29 • Ticket prices vary
Artisans Alliance, Smithville Food Pantry, The Smithville Community Gardens, Smithville Community Clinic and Samella Williams Angels Unaware Ministry. • March 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. • Free (kids 12 and under accompanied by an adult with a ticket), $20 (adults) • 106 Royston St., Smithville • www.smithvilleemptybowl.org Restoration Ranch Spring Fling 2025 Community members can enjoy an afternoon of family entertainment, horses and vendors. • March 29, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. • Free (kids 10 and under), $10 (adults) • 154 Hills Prairie Road, Bastrop • www.restorationranch.org
• 25 American Legion Drive, Bastrop • www.lightscamerasbastrop.com
Lend Me A Tenor Individuals interested in the arts can enjoy a showing of Lend Me A Tenor at the Bastrop Opera House. • March 28-April 6, showtimes vary • $25 • 711 Spring St., Bastrop • www.bastropoperahouse.org Smithville Empty Bowl Project The annual fundraising event will benet Lost Pines
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Events
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
Locals George Appling and Brian O’Leary will o er a range of kid- and adult-friendly adventures at Sherwood Forest Faire each weekend from March 1-April 20. The medieval-style, 25-acre village is lled with stages, pubs, merchant shops and more—drawing crowds from near and far, said Marketing Coordi- nator Teach Minchew. “It isn’t just a festival; it’s a living tribute to history and camaraderie,” Minchew said. “There is a deep sense of fellowship that turns strangers into family. Our owners pour their passion into every detail, supporting artisans, performers and patrons alike. Their love for this community makes Sherwood more than an event, it’s our home.” Entertainment With over 150 live daily performances, visitors can explore everything from jousting and music to falconry, swordplay, re eating, archery, juggling, comedy, theater and more. Artisan marketplace The grounds feature a variety of artisans and handcrafted goods, showcasing over two dozen categories of merchants. These include apoth- ecary, armor, leatherwork, jewelry, art, instru- ments, toys and more. Additionally, demonstrations are held in various crafts, such as glassblowing, blacksmithing, pottery spinning, leather armor making, weaving, and jewelry and art creation. Song and dance Minchew said there is no shortage of music and merriment, with minstrels, bards, storytellers, magicians, jugglers, and all types of performers who wander the faire and perform on the many stages. Food and drink Hungry visitors can get meals, snacks, treats and libations, ranging from traditional fair food like turkey legs, funnel cakes and fried treats, to international options like curried goat, chicken shawarma, bangers and mash, various skewered meats, and many more. Drink stations are scattered throughout the faire, o ering non-alcoholic options like soda, lemonade, energy drinks and water, and alcoholic beverages such as meads and ciders. 4 reasons to check out Sherwood Forest Faire
Sherwood Forest Faire features over 150 live daily performances and is open each weekend from March 1April 20.
Sherwood Forest Faire
170+
artisans and merchants
permanent buildings 100
stages 40
live bands 20
The faire features shows such as re dancers.
pubs 3
SOURCE: SHERWOOD FOREST FAIRE COMMUNITY IMPACT
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There are 40 stages throughout the fairgrounds.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Government
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL & JACQUELYN BURRER
City seeks input on residential building rules Bastrop residents can give feedback on pro- posed residential building code changes, known as the Bastrop Building Block Code, or B3. What’s happening According to a city news release, the changes aim to preserve the character and quality of the community. Code changes will impact rural and residential neighborhoods, focusing on issues such as density, transportation, lot sizes and setbacks. Some context The city adopted the B3 in late 2019; however, there are concerns about its impact on residential neighborhoods, according to ocials. Bastrop City Council members are teaming up with Planning and Zoning Commission ocials, sta members, and the public to brainstorm ways to address those issues.
4 candidates le for Bastrop City Council Four candidates led to run for Bastrop City Council’s election in May. Only Place 1 and Place 5 are up for election, and the ling period closed Feb. 14. The overview Place 1 is currently held by Cheryl Lee, who instead led to run for Place 5. The candidates for Place 1 are: • Perry Lowe • Cecilia Serna Place 5 is currently held by John Kirkland, who is also serving as Mayor Pro Tem. The candidates for Place 5 are: • John Kirkland, incumbent • Cheryl Lee Lee and Kirkland were elected in 2022.
Public hearings on B3
Residents can attend the upcoming public hearings at 1408 Chestnut St. in Bastrop.
March 4, 6:30 p.m.
March 11, 6:30 p.m.
Proposed changes
The proposed changes include: Adopting minimum lot sizes where none currently exist
Establishing rst-layer setbacks to match the surrounding areas
Removing duplexes as an allowable building type in rural and single-family neighborhoods
Removing all references to the gridded street network in the B3
Repealing amendment to Chapter 5 Thoroughfare Plan of the Transportation Master Plan
SOURCE: CITY OF BASTROPCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Bastrop scraps proposed regional sports complex Plans for a potential sports complex were halted after Bastrop ocials learned it would not serve as the economic driver they hoped for. What happened Some context The city commissioned the $60,000 feasibility study in August to explore the potential for a regional sports complex.
Complexes in the region Austin • Onion Creek Soccer Complex
• Krieg Athletic Complex • Town & Country Sports • Westlake Athletic & Community Center P ugerville • Northeast Metropolitan Park Round Rock • Round Rock Sports Center • Round Rock Multipurpose Complex • Old Settler's Park Taylor • Taylor Regional Park & Sports Complex
Ocials hoped it would attract a sports tourism crowd and boost Hotel Occupancy Tax funds and sales tax revenue; however, the study showed neighboring areas are pursuing similar projects.
On Jan. 28, Hunden Partners presented its nd- ings at a joint meeting of Bastrop City Council and the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation.
SOURCE: HUNDEN PARTNERSCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Learn more about school funding issues and how they a ect your local schools. THE 89 TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS HERE
Ad paid by Raise Your Hand Texas
RaiseYourHandTexas.org/school-funding
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Shuing schools From the cover
Overview
Proposed 2025 26 school boundaries Elementary school
Middle school
1 Bluebonnet 2 Camino Real 3 Cedar Creek 4 Colony Oaks 5 Red Rock
6 Emile 7 Lost Pines 8 Mina 9 Adelton
1 Bastrop 2 Cedar Creek
3 Riverside 4 Creekside
BISD ocials held several public workshops in December to get community feedback on the proposed boundaries. Balderas said about two dozen families attended the town halls, and others submitted feedback via email. “For the most part, it was well received,” Deputy Superintendent Kristi Lee said. Lee said some families wanted changes to the high school boundaries; however, ocials said they were not prepared to do that yet. “We know that when Elementary School 10 comes online, we are going to have to go back through this boundary process, and that may be a good time to consider that,” Lee said. The 10th elementary school should welcome students in the fall of 2026, said Lee Raspberry, BISD director of construction and planning.
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SOURCE: BASTROP ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Middle school student distribution
What’s changing
For the 2025-26 school year, middle school students will attend school as follows:
The new jurisdictions will aect elementary school through eighth grade students, with changes happening during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years, Balderas said. The new zoning accounts for the addition of Adelton Elementary School, as well as the restruc- turing of Riverside and Creekside middle schools— all of which will open in the fall. Raspberry said all remaining bond projects are on track to be completed by fall 2026.
Sixth graders
Seventh graders
Eighth graders
Riverside Middle School
Creekside Middle School
Based on the new boundary lines
Bastrop Middle School
Cedar Creek Middle School
Beginning with 2026-27, sixth through eighth grade students will attend the middle school within their new zones.
STATE OF THE COUNTY BREAKFAST
8AM WEDNESDAY,APRIL 23, 2025 Bastrop County Community Center
REGISTER
Vision for the Future Economic Growth & Development Population Growth & Housing Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Education & Community Services
Natural Resources & Environmental Initiatives
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
Enrollment projections
Stay tuned
enrollment is expected to hit 19,361 by 2033—a 45% increase from the 2024 enrollment of 13,373. Although the rezoning will eliminate the projected overcrowding within the district, he said it won’t last long.
Bob Templeton, vice president of Zonda—the district’s demographer—said that the growing population in Bastrop led to the restructuring of attendance zones. Templeton explained that the district’s student Bastrop ISD enrollment projections Elementary school Student enrollment Enrollment capacity
Templeton said capacity challenges in elementary schools will resurface within the next three years, with other schools lling near the 2030-31 school year. “We owe [these boundary changes] to the taxpayers before we go out and ask for another bond,” BISD Superintendent Barry Edwards said.
Middle school
Student enrollment
Enrollment capacity
“We are aware that another bond proposition is inevitable in the near future based on this
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exceptional growth, and it’s important for our community to be aware of this too.” BARRY EDWARDS, BISD SUPERINTENDENT
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Community
Camp Guide
2025
Lost Pines Art Center Type: art Ages: 8-10 Dates: June 17-19 Cost: $95 • 1204 Chestnut St., Bastrop • www.lostpinesartcenter.org/youth-programs Pathways Gymnastics Type: sports Ages: 4-11 Dates: June 16- 19, June 23- 26, July 7-10, July 14-17, Aug. 4-7 Cost: $220 per week, $50 nonrefundable deposit • 201 Hunters Crossing Blvd., Unit 1, Bastrop • www.pathwaysgymnastics.com Teen Wilderness Survival Overnight Camp Type: overnight Ages: 13-16 Dates: June 23-27 Cost: $795 (per week)
Ages: 8-13 Dates: July 7-10 Cost: free • Various locations around Bastrop • www.cityofbastrop.org/page/police.home
Bastrop
Bastrop ISD Athletics Camp Type: sports Ages: 5-17 Dates: summer break Cost: varies • Bastrop and Cedar Creek high schools • www.bisdtx.org/SummerCamps
Camp Farm and Forest Type: day Ages: 6-10
Dates: July 21-Aug. 8 Cost: $250 per week • 921 Shiloh Road, Bastrop • www.earthnativeschool.com/camp-farm-and-forest
Bastrop Opera House Type: musical theatre Ages: 9-18 Dates: June 30-July 13 Cost: $325 • 711 Spring St., Bastrop • www.bastropoperahouse.org
Gravity District Type: dance Ages: 7-16
Dates: June 3-6, July 15-18 Cost: $400 (per session) • 201 Hunters Crossing Blvd., Ste. 14, Bastrop • www.gravitydistrict.com/home
Bastrop Police Department Junior Police Academy Type: day
Summer at the Bullock Museum
A season of fun for Texans, big and small.
Plan your summer now! THE STORY OF TEXAS .COM/SUMMER
The Bullock Museum, a division of the Texas State Preservation Board, is funded by Museum members, donors, and patrons, the Texas State History Museum Foundation, and the State of Texas.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL, DACIA GARCIA & SIERRA MARTIN
Dates: ongoing Cost: $100-$195 • 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Road, Cedar Creek • www.lostpinesresortandspa.com/things-to-do/camp- hyatt
• Earth Native Campus, 137 Woodview Lane, Bastrop • www.earthnativeschool.com/teen-wilderness- survival-overnight Valenta STEAM Quest: AI & Space Camp Type: STEAM Camp
Cedar Creek
STARS Summer Camp Type: day Ages: 5-13
Ages: kindergarten-6th grade Dates: June 16-20, July 14- 18
Cost: $449 (per week) • TBD - Bastrop Area • www.valenta.school
Dates: May 27-Aug. 8 Cost: $150 per week • Cedar Creek, Emile and Mina elementary schools (tentative) • www.bisdtx.org/stars
Wilderness Skills Overnight Camp Type: overnight Ages: 9-12 Dates: June 2-6, June 16-20, July 14-18 Cost: $795 (per week)
Elgin
McKinney Roughs Nature Park Type: day Ages: 5-15 Dates: June 2-Aug. 1 Cost: $280 per week • 1884 SH 71 W., Cedar Creek • https://lcraparks.com/summer-camps
• Earth Native Campus, 137 Woodview Lane, Bastrop • www.earthnativeschool.com/wilderness-skills- overnight-camp
Ranch Camp Type: day, overnight Ages: 13+ Dates: June 8-July 18 Cost: $870-$1,125
Cedar Creek
• Down Home Ranch, 20250 FM 619, Elgin • www.downhomeranch.org/ranch-camp This list is not comprehensive.
Camp Hyatt Type: day; however, guests must be staying in the hotel
overnight Ages: 3-12
PRIVATE MICRO-SCHOOL – OPENING FALL 2025
Raising the Bar in Education Curious? Learn more at Valenta.school
Try it out! Sign up for after-school programs Ready to experience it? Enroll in a Shadow Day
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Community
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
Hundreds attended the historical marker dedication ceremony for Leah Moncure in mid-January.
COURTESY BETH PICKENS
Leah Moncure was the rst woman in Texas to earn a professional engineering license in 1938.
COURTESY TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Ceremony held for Texas’ 1st female engineer Over 100 people from across the country gath- ered Jan. 31 to honor Texas’s rst female engineer with a historical marker at her Bastrop home. Some background
Leah Moncure’s niece, Martha Leah Kunkle Oppenheim, attended the marker ceremony and was a guest of honor.
the historical marker for Moncure after learning about her while working at TxDOT. In mid-January, locals, Moncure’s family, TxDOT representatives, and engineers gathered to honor Moncure at the dedication ceremony. The histor- ical marker can be found in front of the house at 1601 Main St. What they’re saying “This was an incredibly moving event,” said Rachel Hatch, Bastrop County Historical Society spokesperson. “The signicance of Moncure’s accomplishments and her place in Texas history was enthusiastically received by the audience.”
COURTESY BASTROP COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Leah Moncure made history in 1938 when she became the rst woman in Texas to earn a professional engineering license after graduating from Baylor University the year prior. From there, she began working for the Texas Department of Transportation. Specializing in research, right-of-way and road design, Moncure’s career spanned 32 years, according to a news release from TxDOT. Bastrop resident Sandra Chipley spearheaded
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Expansion is in flight
JOURNEY WITH AUS
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
One seat contested in Bastrop ISD trustee election
Adelton Elementary Principal announced
Those living within Bastrop ISD boundaries can vote in the upcoming May 3 trustee election. Three seats are soon expiring, including places 5, 6 and 7. Following the Feb. 14 application deadline, only Place 5 was contested. The details Running for re-election, Place 5 incumbent Chris Dillon is a local attorney and the current vice president of the board. He has served as a trustee since 2018. John Eason has served as pastor of Bastrop’s Celebration Community Church for over 30 years, and is challenging Dillon for Place 5. What else? The uncontested seats include Place 6 trustee, held by Matthew Mix and Place 7 trustee, held by Ashley Mutschink. Mix is a local chiropractor who has held a position on the board since 2013.
Up for election
Bastrop ISD ocials selected the inaugural principal for the district’s newest campus, Adelton Elementary School. In a nutshell Serving as the current assistant principal at Bluebonnet Elementary
Dates to know
April 22-29: early voting period May 3: election day
Incumbent
Denise Guerrero
Trustee, Place 7 Ashley Mutschink
Trustee, Place 6 Matthew Mix
Trustee, Place 5
Chris Dillon John Eason
School, Denise Guerrero will transition into her new role to prepare for Adelton’s opening in August. With 20 years of experience, Guerrero has also worked as the assistant principal for BISD’s Emile Elementary School and Elgin ISD’s Booker T. Washington Elementary School, according to a news release.
SOURCE: BASTROP ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Mutschink, a partner at The Nitsche Group, has served on the board since 2013 and is the current president. Find Q&As, voter registration information and more election coverage at communityimpact.com/ elections.
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Transportation
Government
BY HALEY MCLEOD
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
City rejects voter-approved marijuana decriminalization amendment
Rates increase for 6 Austin toll roads
What else?
Some context
The Mobility Agency continues funding $259 million in new toll roads, extending the pay-for-play express lanes from Hero Way in Leander to a little past Hwy. 29 in Liberty Hill. According to the Mobility Authority, 183A Toll has also seen an increase in drivers. It predicts weekday trac increases of more than 50% by 2040. Plans brought before the public over the summer included adding a fourth lane in both directions from RM 620 and SH 45 to Hero Way. In addition to their work in the north, the agency is also eyeing an extension of the MoPac Express Lanes in South Austin. A public comment period is underway for proposed new toll lanes on an 8-mile stretch of south MoPac from Cesar Chavez Street to Slaughter Lane.
In January 2024, Attorney General Ken Paxton launched lawsuits against cities that passed similar measures, according to previous reporting by Community Impact . Since then, judges have dismissed several of the lawsuits; however, Paxton is currently appealing the decisions. Per Texas Local Government Code, municipalities cannot create rules that are against state laws. Called the Bastrop Freedom Act, the proposed amendment to the Bastrop Home Rule Charter directed police to deprioritize arrests and citations for misdemeanor marijuana possession oenses, except in cases involving violent crime and major drug investigations.
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, the agency responsible for managing and collecting toll fares on many of the express lanes in the Austin area, increased toll rates Jan. 1. Originally approved during an October Mobility Authority board meeting, the majority of toll collection points will see between a 2%-3% increase. The toll rate increases follow Mobility Authority policy that adjusts rates each year based on in ation to prevent larger hikes every ve years. Most tolling location points will see between a $0.01 to $0.05 increase for toll users compared to previous rates in 2024, while three tolling points along the 183A Toll will see a $0.09 increase. The MopPac Express Lane will also see an $0.08 rate increase.
183A TOLL
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Bastrop City Council denied a charter amendment calling for police to eliminate criminal sanctions for misdemeanor marijuana possessions. Known as Proposition M, the amendment passed last November with 70% of the vote. Council members were split during a Jan. 28 meeting, which led to Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland breaking the tie. During the meeting, Attorney Stanley Springerley told council members that if they accepted the amendment, the state would likely sue the city as state law supersedes local law—adding that it could cost taxpayers around $400,000.
“Hundreds of thousands of dollars is a lot of taxpayer money to spend [on a lawsuit] ...” JOHN KIRKLAND, MAYOR PRO TEM Voted against decriminalization
183A Toll
45 TOLL
183
620
290 Toll
Austin
MoPac Express Lane
290
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71
183 Toll
Voted for decriminalization
290
“... I’m going to have to stick with the voters on this one.” CHERYL LEE, COUNCIL MEMBER
MOPAC
183
71
SH 45 Toll
Hwy 71 Toll Lane
N
BASTROP 739 State Hwy 71 (512) 308-0250
ELGIN 1100 US-290 (512) 285-2741
GIDDINGS 1920 E Austin St (979) 212-4031
FIRST EDITION!
A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT FEBRUARY 2025
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
EXCURSIONS: A Port Aransas Quest CRITTER: Black-Tailed Prairie Dog OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas MADE IN TEXAS: A Western Wear Pair FEATURE PREVIEW: Panhandle Fires, One Year Later
Above: Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, in Port Aransas.
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TEXAS MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2025
Dear Fellow Texan, WELCOME
I couldn’t be prouder and more excited to bring you this special edition of Texas Monthly ’s February issue within the pages of Community Impact . One great Texas institution meets another. Community Impact and Texas Monthly have shared goals: to equip you with the news and perspectives that help you understand your state and your neighborhood and inspire you to engage with the people and places that surround you. Each month, we’ll provide you a kind of sampler of what Texas Monthly has to oer. Food, drink, travel, critters, and a taste of some of the award-winning storytelling Texas Monthly is known for. Enjoy the next few pages, thank you for welcoming us into your home, and please consider subscribing to Texas Monthly. ROSS McCAMMON
EXCURSIONS Among the Craniacs North America’s tallest bird stalks Port Aransas once again. Its fans are back too. BY ROSE CAHALAN
I'M LEANING ON the rail of the Scat Cat, a red-and-white charter fishing boat in Aran- sas Bay, when two bottlenose dolphins leap majestically out of the water alongside our wake. The midday February sun gleams on their fins as the pair chases us. “Look!” I shout. A few of my sixty or so fellow passengers turn to watch, but this is only a warm-up for the real stars of the show: the whooping cranes. Today’s tour is part of the Whooping Crane Festival, an annual four-day winter celebra- tion of one of the continent’s rarest avian
species—and its tallest. About two thousand birders have descended on Port Aransas, a Gulf Coast town of around 2,900 residents on Mustang Island, for the twenty-seventh iteration, which is packed with more than fifty events, including birding tours and lectures by scientists. (This year’s festival happens February 20–23.) Before the arrival of European settlers, more than ten thousand of these birds soared across the continent, but habitat destruction and overhunting drove them to the brink. By
EDITOR IN CHIEF, TEXAS MONTHLY
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Its Reputation As a Ranch Pest Is Changing. The most common of the five species of prairie dogs in North America, these charismatic creatures today inhabit only about 2 percent of their native range, which once covered roughly 100 million acres of the Great Plains. Agriculture and urban development have consumed much of that habitat, and some ranch- ers, worried that these prairie dogs were competing with cattle for grass, exter- minated them. It turns out, though, that they are beneficial for grasslands. SO HOW DO THEY HELP? Prairie dogs nibble down the woody shrubs that could hide their predators and that often take over grasslands. This preserves habitat for birds and animals such as pronghorn. Plus, the rodents’ digging mixes and aerates the soil, and their scat provides nutrients. HOW DO WE KNOW FOR SURE? Scientists collected data from a group of GPS collar–wearing cattle that grazed on three pastures within a pre- serve. In warm seasons, the herd spent more time on the prairie dog colony than in areas outside it. I HEARD THEY CARRY PLAGUE. IS THAT TRUE? Prairie dogs are susceptible to the syl- vatic plague, caused by the same bac- terium as the bubonic plague. But it’s primarily fleas, not rodents, that spread it. At a respectful distance, you can en- joy them without fear. —Robyn Ross CRITTER BLACKTAILED PRAIRIE DOG
early eorts to revive whooping cranes with captive breeding. During several breeding seasons in the late seventies and early eight- ies, he even lived in a shed with a female crane named Tex, who had imprinted on humans after hatching at the San Antonio Zoo. “Cranes require a great deal of space,” Ar- chibald said. “Each species selects a dierent type of wetland or grassland.” Unfortunately, those are some of the most easily destroyed habitats: With no trees to cut down, develop- ers can simply pave them over. Captive breed- ing has played a crucial role in the comeback of the species. In the past decade, the Dallas Zoo has picked up the baton, as one of seven organizations in the U.S. and Canada to carry on Archibald’s legacy of breeding baby whoop- ing cranes to release in the wild.
1941 only 21 whooping cranes were left in the wild. Today, after decades of extensive conservation work, there are about 700 wild whoopers left. Wherever there are cranes, there are crani- acs. The birders who visit Port Aransas—“We estimate the economic impact to be near $1 million,” says Brett Stawar, president and CEO of the town’s tourism bureau—bring with them an intense enthusiasm. The undisputed king of the craniacs is George Archibald, the 78-year-old cofounder of the International Crane Foundation. Archibald was a leader in
A birder at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, in Port Aransas, on December 14, 2024; birders in Port Aransas; a sign at the preserve.
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January 18-February 14
Give your loved one the ultimate symbol of endless love… a hissing cockroach.
Stop by the Museum Store to visit our Valentine's Roach Motel!
Endless Love supports conservation efforts of the Cockrell Butterfly Center
Purchase and dedicate a cockroach at hmns.org/endlesslove
TEXAS MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2025
MADE IN TEXAS
All Loud on the Western Wear Front With its bold colors and modern designs, the Kennimer label is drawing the attention of pop stars and New York Fashion Week.
Meanwhile, In Texas OUT THERE
BY TAYLOR PREWITT
A video of a horse riding in the back seat of a pickup truck in Fort Worth went viral on social media, with one viewer commenting “living in fort worth this normal to me at this point.” A woman in Dallas booked a rental car for one day, then drove to Wash- ington State and continued to use the vehicle for 46 days , telling Spokane authorities that she didn’t return the car because she was too busy. Claiming to be a member of the U.S. Army’s Delta Force special opera- tions unit, a man from Manor de- frauded victims of more than $12 million by falsely telling them that they were at risk of violence from drug cartels and oering “protec- tion” in exchange for money. A Richardson resident was named CNN’s 2024 Hero of the Year for running a nonprofit in North Texas that helps people going into treat- ment for addiction find temporary homes for their dogs. Billionaire Tilman Fertitta became the first restaurateur in Texas to o er A5 Wagyu bone-in ribeyes from the Kagoshima region of Japan, which he sells at one of his Houston steakhouses for $1,000 each. Researchers at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi detect- ed low levels of fentanyl and other pharmaceuticals in the blubber of dolphins swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. —Meher Yeda
while Ben, who hails from the small East Tex- as town of Latch and previously worked in graphic design, handles the hats. They jump in to help each other with tedious tasks such as adding rhinestones or handsewing when needed. “We’ve always just worked well to- gether,” Ben says, recalling early collabora- tive projects that included a hot dog–cart side hustle and a screen-printing business. They work as a team to conceive a collection’s overarching look and theme. The couple are motivated by their network of musician friends, many of whom have be- come clients. “We’re excited to show people it’s not a trend,” says Bonnie of Western style. “It’s a staple.” They’re looking forward to de- buting a few couture looks in New York. Some of the pieces, which incorporate subtle nods to the Victorian era (such as high collars and covered buttons), are so intricate that they required around seventy hours of detailed handsewing.
IN LESS THAN a decade, Ben and Bonnie Kennimer have gone from teaching them- selves hat making and clothing design to cus- tomizing looks for some of music’s biggest stars. Their eponymous Western wear label, which they founded in Houston in 2017, is fa- vored by Fort Worth songwriter and soul sing- er Leon Bridges, the Houston trio Khruang- bin, DJ and producer Diplo, and pop star Joe Jonas. One of Bonnie’s dresses, for renowned songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jenee Fleenor, is housed at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame. And this February the couple will take their creations to a New York Fashion Week runway for the first time. Now based in Bonnie’s hometown of Aus- tin, the married couple splits the work down the middle: Bonnie, who has a background in costuming and tailoring, designs the clothes,
Ben and Bonnie Kennimer.
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
TEXANS’ #1 CHOICE Baths • Showers • Windows Doors • Kitchen Cabinets
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An estimated 15,000 head of cattle were killed in the Panhandle fires of February 2024.
flag warnings, an alert the National Weath- er Service issues a few dozen times a year in the Panhandle when a combination of strong winds and low humidity increases the risk of extreme wildfire. Though rain had been plentiful that winter and grass was thriving, unseasonably warm February temperatures had dried it out quickly. What should have beenarancher’sblessing—bountifulfieldsfor grazing—had instead turned into something ominous: “fuel load.” Adam, a 31-year-old with a slight build, shag- gy brown hair, and bright blue eyes, has the plumb posture of a man who takes pride in his work.He’dstartedpreppingforfireseasonthe week before, securing insurance for most of the 712 cattle he owned with his wife, Aubrie, a 30-year-old with sympathetic brown eyes and strawberry blond hair. They’d decided against paying the higher premiums to cover the full herd, largely because they’d made it through the previous five seasons unburned. Adam was no stranger to fire risks. The youngest of two boys, he’d known he want- ed to be in the cattle business since he was a five-year-old playing with a toy Ford pickup that was identical to the one his dad drove around their family’s ranch in Canadian, an almost utopian hamlet of 2,300 in the rolling sand hills and caprocks northeast of Amarillo. Adam earned a degree in ranch management at Texas Tech University. That’s where he met Aubrie, the daughter of an accountant and a rodeo competitor turned professor who’d given up horses when his children were born. To read the full story, please subscribe to Texas Monthly .
WHEN THE TOWERING black plume first sprouted on the western horizon, it wasn’t much cause for alarm. The sky in the north- eastern Panhandle is near-boundless, and from his Hemphill County ranch Adam Isaacs often spottedsmokefromfiresthatwereahundred miles away. Few of them ever threatened his property. This one, he knew, had gotten started roughly seventy miles west, and though the winds were blowing his way, the flames had a lot of ground to cover before Adam would allow himself to get concerned. His land, his livestock, his loved ones—none were at risk. Not right away. But the potential was there. That Monday morning, February 26, had brought one of the 2024 fire season’s first red
FEATURE PREVIEW
Where There’s Smoke After last year’s historic Panhandle inferno, Adam and Aubrie Isaacs are among the many ranchers in the region weighing how—and whether—to carry on. BY EMILY McCULLAR
READ THIS FEATURE AND MORE IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUE TK AUDIENCE SPACE
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
OUTSTANDING TICKET? Resolve Immediately Without Further Court Action CASE RESOLUTION CAMPAIGN GOING ON NOW! Bastrop County JP Courts Info: (800) 994-0676 Pay: www.co.bastrop.tx.us
Message from Bastrop County in Conjunction With Perdue Brandon Law Firm
Searching for an orthopedic specialist near you?
Appointments available — find a time that works for you Don’t let ongoing bone and joint pain slow you down. Schedule care now with an orthopedic specialist such as Michael M. Albrecht, MD, one of many doctors with Ascension Seton Smithville Health Center. Start a conversation about care for a chronic condition or new symptoms, including options for minimally invasive surgery, partial and total joint replacement, sports medicine and active injury care, and physical therapy and rehabilitation.
To schedule your appointment today, call 737-255-5163 or scan the QR code
Orthopedic Surgery Michael M. Albrecht, MD
Ascension Seton Smithville Health Center 1201 Hill Rd., Suite A, Smithville, TX 78957
© Ascension 2025. All rights reserved.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Real estate
The real estate market for the Bastrop-Cedar Creek area experienced a total of 60 home sales in January, according to data from the Austin Board of Realtors. Residential market data
Homes sold by price point in January 2025
78602
78612
1
1
$900,000+
3 5
-
$700,000-$899,999
7 3 2
$500,000-$699,999
31
$300,000-$499,999
7
<$299,999
95
78602
71
21
Median home sales price
21
304
January
2024
2025
78612
$385,000
$355,768
N
78602
MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS AND UNLOCK MLS 5124547636 WWW.ABOR.COM
$450,000
$551,715
78612
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Let's build what's next—together. Stop by or visit us online today to get started. At Roscoe Bank, we believe in the power of what's possible. Since joining the Cornerstone family in 2022, we've amplified our impact throughout Bastrop. We've expanded development lending and deepened our giving commitments in the community we call home. For more than a century, our neighbors have counted on us for more than banking—we've been a trusted partner in turning potential into progress. Bank with a Partner Invested in You & Bastrop Spring Into New Possibilities
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512.303.1800 710 Hwy 71 W. | Bastrop, TX 78602
Roscoe Bank, a Division of Cornerstone Capital Bank, SSB. Member FDIC. NMLS ID #2258.
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