Alpine Public Library News

The Friends of the Marathon Public Library held their summer reading program party on Saturday, July 25^th from 10am-12pm to celebrate the participants’ hard work and enthusiasm this summer!  The 44 registered children read 671 books in seven weeks!   Great participation from the community helped the summer program run smoothly. Volunteers Carol Henthorne, Nancy Newsom, Jackie Boyd, Arlene Griffis, Steve Griffis, Zach Gonzales, and Big Bend Rangers Molly McCormic and Jane Digman led the programs during the seven weeks. A very special thanks to all of them. Seventeen children and ten adults attended the party, which had a Fiesta theme. We had a wonderful time swimming at Jackie and Don Boyd’s and wish to send a special thanks to them for opening their home to us. We enjoyed burritos, cheese nachos, and drinks. The children had a great time with the “Boot Piñata” that was filled with candy, water guns and other small prizes. All the children received certificates signed by Governor Perry and bags filled with books, bookmarks, coloring books and small gifts.  

We also wish a warm thank you to Jim Street for supporting our library in the Sanderson Paper over the years.   If you missed the party please come by the library to pick up your certificates!  Please visit the library year-round as there are new materials and programs planned for the near future!

The Alpine Public Library is offering free basic computer classes in two separate sessions. The first session will be May 19^th through June 4th, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:15-8:15pm.

The second session will be June 9^th through June 25^th, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:15-8:15pm. To register for these classes visit or contact the Alpine Public Library at 432-837-2621.

Classes at the Marathon Public Library will be held May 23^rd through June 27, Saturdays at 2-4pm. To register for these classes visit or contact the Marathon Public Library at 432-386-4136.

The instructor, Matt Packard, has a computer installation, setup and repair background. Students will learn the basic parts and use of the computer, internet basics and how to set up and use email.

 Arlene Griffis and James Evans

Friends of Marathon Library Hold Successful FundraiserOn October 25-26 the Friends of the Marathon Public Library held a fundraiser at the Marathon Community Center.  The group sold books that library staff had removed from inventory, as well as some Christmas ornaments and hand-knitted scarves and hats.  On Sunday the Friends hosted a salad luncheon which was attended by approximately fifty people.  After the luncheon Marathon photographer James Evans presented a slide show of a collection of people, places, and things around the Big Bend region.  The entire audience was spellbound during the approximately fifteen-minute program, which was set to background music.  Although all of James’s pictures are breathtaking, he has a special talent for photographing people, as he seems to have the ability to photograph their very souls along with their faces.  Many of these “people” pictures evoked strong emotions in those present, particularly those who have lived for a long time in the area.  Shedding a few tears, Marathon resident Carol Townsend said, “David and I moved here in 1995 and so many of those were people we knew back then who are no longer with us.”  Evans, who in 2003 had his photography book “Big Bend Pictures”  published by University of Texas Press, is considering a second book proposal featuring these photographs.  Friends President Arlene Griffis said “This was such a successful event for Friends of the Marathon Library.  The money raised will help fund several of our projects for the coming year.  We want to thank each person who donated a salad or salads, as well as those who purchased books and made other monetary donations.  Our patrons are always generous and are willing to come to our aid in times of need.  A town the size of Marathon is so fortunate to have a library.”Librarian Carol Townsend and assistant Shirley Rooney will continue to sell the Christmas ornaments and scarves throughout November and December at the library.

On October 21, the Marathon ISD Board of Trustees honored the volunteers who worked with the kids in the Marathon Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, Texas Jubilee. Superintendent Conrad Arriola stated that the board appreciates the efforts of those who work with MISD students during summer on reading skills, as it helps bridge the gap between spring and fallsemesters. Pictured left to right are Arlen Griffis, Eula Mae Colemenero, David Townsend, Carol Townsend, Shirley Rooney, Carol Henthrone, Hal Henthrone, and Laverne Avery. Others who volunteered, but not present to receive their awards were Steve Griffis, /sky Townsend, Ashley Canales, Don and Jackie Boyd, T.J. and Tracie Joyner, Mary Baxter and Luke Novavich.

The passport card is a wallet-size card that can only be used for land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The card will provide a less expensive, smaller, and more convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. The card may not be used to travel by air.

The Department of State is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. The card has the same period of validity as a passport book: 10 years for an adult, five for children 15 and younger. Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20. First-time applicants pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children.

You can apply for the Passport Card at the following offices:
Brewster County Clerk 201 W Ave. E AlpineTX79830 (432) 837-62160
Presidio Post Office202 O’Reilly St PresidioTX79845-9998(432) 229-337537
Marfa Post Office100 N Highland MarfaTX79843
Jeff Davis County District Clerk 100 Woodward Ave. Fort DavisTX79734 (432) 426-3251

For more information visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

Way Out West Texas Book Festival

The Rotary Club of Alpine will host the WAY OUT WEST TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL to benefit the Alpine Public Library and its Marathon branch.

The multifaceted event is scheduled for August 8-9 at the Sul Ross Espino Conference Center. Participants will gather at 7 p.m., Friday, August 8, for a Chuckwagon Supper and Songfest on the grounds of Kokernot Lodge, where singer/guitarist/author Mike Blakely will perform, and special invitees will be introduced. This ticketed event will require reservations.

Programs throughout the day Saturday, August 9, will feature authors who have written books on Western Fiction, Texas Rangers in Fact and Legend, Natural History of the Big Bend, and other such topics. These programs are free and open to the public. Some sessions will feature panels of authors hosted by a moderator, while others will highlight one or two authors.

On Saturday, August 9, authors and publishers may rent booth space in the reception area of the conference center to sell their books to the visiting public.

A Grand Silent Auction will take place during the day in a designated area of the Espino center. In order to bid, attendees must have purchased tickets for either the Chuckwagon Supper or the Saturday Night Banquet Finale, a dressy affair with a gourmet menu with the evening entertainment provided by Kinky Friedman and guests. The auction will end just as the banquet begins at 7:00 p.m., and guests will claim their auction items before they leave.

To date, authors Elmer Kelton, Jim Glendinning, Mike Blakely, Sharon Spinks, Joaquin Jackson, Bobby Byrd, Lee Merrill Byrd, Tim McKenzie, Denise Chavez, David Carlton, Joe Nick Patoski, Roy Morey, Benjamin Saenz, Sarah Bird, Cyndi Hughes, Larry Thomas, Mike Cox, James H. Evans, Bob Kinford, The University of Texas Press, Texas Tech University Press, Cinco Puntos Press, Iron Mountain Press, have made plans to attend.

“We expect a great deal of enthusiasm for this event,” said Festival Committee Chair Wanda B. Morgan. “We have just begun to fill in the dots in what we hope will become a premier literary festival for the entire state.”

Committee members Jean Hardy and Arlene and Steve Griffis round out the planning group, which is actively seeking volunteers and participants. Authors, publishers, journalists, and other publishing professionals, as well as those individuals with interest in supporting the Alpine Public Library, are encouraged to contact Arlene Griffis at info@wowtxbookfestival.com(or 432-386-4695) or any member of the committee.

For more information visit: http://wowtxbookfestival.com/1.html

Living with Nature IV
“Sustainable Living and Greenbuilding Festival”
Friday-Sunday, August 1-3, 2008

Come enjoy three days of fun, live music, children’s activities, and presentations on green activities like solar energy, rain water harvesting, alternate transportation and more. This event is being produced by volunteers and sponsored by Blue Water Natural Foods as a fund raiser for the Alpine Public Library and the Marathon Community Center.

The Festival will also feature Buffalo Ranch tours, arts and craft vendors. More events and activities will be announced as they are scheduled.

If you or your business or organization would like to be a part of the Living with Nature Festival pick up a registration form at the Alpine Public Library (before July 1^st for pre-registration) or contact Bennett Jones at 837-3008 for more details. Volunteers are also greatly needed for everything from ticket sales to clean-up.

Marathon Public Library branch of Alpine Public Library summer reading program begins on June4th. We will have a drawing for four bicycles:
Children read 10 books in 10 weeks and can put their name in the drawing for a bike. The Junior and Senior High reads 10 books and writes 10 pages to be viewed by library friends and will receive $100.00 for their effort. Must finish all 10 books and papers. Please come to the library to type page on computer or write out your paper. Our goal is to include all ages into our program and have the children reading and using the library.

Our program includes a reading time, crafts, puppet shows, and fun from 1-2 pm, Wed. during the month of June and July. Our end of summer program party date will be scheduled sometime in August. Come join the fun at the Marathon Public Library. We welcome parents to join the fun and anyone that would like to volunteer to help. marathonlib@yahoo.com Please come by and register for the program. 432-386-4136 Donations are being accepted to help with the funding for the older grades.

Marathon Public Library

106 N. 3rd Street East

Marathon, Texas 79842

In 2009, all television signals will be digital. Do you have an analog TV or questions about digital conversion? If so, please visit www.dtv2009.gov.  Or, you can visit www.alpinepubliclibrary.org and click the links section. The DTV 2009 site will even tell you how to get a free converter so your television will do digital signals.  If you have any questions, please ask a librarian.

The first computer class at the Marathon Public Library branch of Alpine Public Library will be held on June 7, June 14, and June 28 from 9am -12pm and June 26 6-9pm at the library located 106 N. 3rd Street East, Marathon. For more information please contact Carol at 432-386-4136 or marathonlib@yahoo.com.

Another class has been scheduled for May 28, 29, June 4, 5, 11, and 12 from 6-8pm. (Sorry this class was cancelled).  The Sat. class is full.