Saturday, November 29, 2014

A win-win tip for those that love Salado

Friends,

     Would you like a win, win tip?

     Shop Salado -- seriously, shop Salado.

     When you shop Salado, we get the sales tax.  When we get the sales tax, it helps keep property taxes down.

     And here is the best part of it all -- you get something for your money.  You get a nice gift for yourself or for a special person.  In addition, you get better village services -- roads, sewer, etc.

     And, you want another reason.  Our shops will continue keeping Salado the quaint, interesting village that everyone loves.

     Belton, Temple, Austin, Georgetown, Killeen, CC, Harker Heights, Round Rock, etc. will not do that for you.  You might get something a few dollars cheaper, but in the long run; you will not get near the advantages of buying in Salado.  You also have to figure in gas cost and time spent driving to save a few dollars.  And, you do not have the endless traffic and the crowds.

     One other thought.  Vendors come in with their trucks to sell.  Salado does not get the sales tax.  If they are from Brownwood and the address on their tax number/certificate is a Brownwood address; Brownwood gets the sales tax.  In addition, vendors do not have to pay rent, insurance, and utilities.  Yes, they have to pay for a permit, but it is nothing compared to our shop owners.

     Please consider shopping Salado carefully.  This is what it is going to take to continue bringing Salado back.  If you love this village and want it to be everything it is now and more, walk the talk.

     Please shop Salado.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Wisdom came softly

And Wisdom came softly . . .

Robert Frost’s “My November Guest,” writes:

“The desolate, deserted trees,
The faded, earth, the heavy sky,
The beauties she so truly sees,
She thinks I have no eye for these,
And vexes me for reasons why.”

   November in Salado, a month when we prepare for the Holidays and silently say, “thank you for lawns that need no mowing, a time-change that brings about family meals, a favorite television show, a good book, some long-awaited conversation, or just a time to fire-stare without feeling guilt.

   November, when we honor Veterans and silently worry about our country’s challenges with a nagging intuition of more Purple Hearts and Gold Star families to come.  And, with those thoughts; we hold our children closer and say more often, “I love you.”

   November, when we look at star-filled skies and say “thank you for unexplained beauty,” and awake to a golden, breath-taking sunrise.  For rain and cold that remind us the seasons come-and-go on schedule.

    November, when we gather for a family Thanksgiving or work on a serving line at a highway rest-stop offering free Thanksgiving meals to weary travelers; when we count blessings for what we have and forget the negativism that destroys mind and soul.

    November, when we reflect over the year and say, “It wasn’t so bad after-all.  The construction did not destroy us; our neighborhoods more beautiful than ever; our friends more cherished; our way-of-life still intact.  I may not have gotten my way; or may not have made as much money as I wanted; or may not be as healthy as desired; but money is not every thing; health is most important; and nothing is greater than family and friends.


And, with the November guest, Wisdom came softly.  Happy November.

The Rest Stop became more than rest -- Salado at its best

Friends,

I trust that you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving and a fun-day or evening of shopping.

The lights appearing around Salado are beautiful.  They are expensive and the electric bill will be higher, but they are beautiful and well-done.  Thank you.

Thanksgiving Day at the I35 South Rest Area was very inspiring and moving.  Salado United Methodist Church did a well-organized and very successful free Thanksgiving Lunch for travelers.  Working in shifts from 10 A.M. until 2 P.M., members and friends served large numbers of people from all walks of life.

The plates of food was bountiful with turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings.  The tables were filled with deserts.  And, the smiles, the happiness, the cheer, the greetings that makes SALADO SPECIAL were everywhere from the moment you got out of the car until you left.

Some people who stopped had very little -- a worn-out pick-up with their belongings and nothing more.  Others had plenty which was evident in dress and transportation.  It did not matter, they were all one as they ate together and discussed the beautiful day and the meaning of Thanksgiving.

Thank you, Salado United Methodist.  You made Thanksgiving real -- a day, maybe the only day, that brought joy and friendship to all.  It was probably costly in time and money; but what you did will be shared for many days to come -- and you cannot buy that kind of service, friendship, and appreciation.




VR/Skip

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Community Thanksgiving Service

Friends,

Our village came together for the Community Thanksgiving Service Sunday evening at Grace Baptist Church.  Ministers from Grace Baptist, Presbyterian Church of Salado, Salado Church of Christ, First Baptist Church, St. Stephen's Catholic Church, St Joseph's Episcopal Church, and Salado United Methodist participated in the service.

Special music was presented by the Salado Community Chorus, and, as usual, it was outstanding.

Reverend Bob Bliss, St. Joseph's Episcopal Church gave an excellent thought-provoking sermon that brought home the Thanksgiving message.

The evening offering went to the Salado Family Relief Fund.

Afterwards, the village gathered for refreshments in the fellowship hall.  There were more deserts than could be counted, and everyone enjoyed them all.

The Village Thanksgiving Service was an excellent way to begin the Thanksgiving season.  As a Village, we have so much in which to be thankful.


Thank you, Salado Village Pastors for bring us together.

VR/Skip

A great idea!

Friends,

Carolyn Milliser put this thought on her Time Line.  She is right.

We all love and appreciate Salado, so let's do our part.  Shop Salado first.  There are some great stores and great store owners.  It will continue to make our Village strong and vibrant.  VR/Skip



Saturday, November 22, 2014

The beauty of fall in Salado

Friends,

    This fall is especially beautiful with all the trees decorated in their finest clothes of splendor.  The oranges, the reds, the golden yellows, and rich browns have added color to our village making it more picturesque than ever.

    We cannot lose the charm of this village.  Salado is not a "brand," it is a way of life that few places in the world enjoys.  May we work together to protect the beauty and charm of Salado as we go forward.  Progress will eventually come but if we plan and manager our resources carefully; we can maintain our way of life as well as the beauty that surrounds us.







Thank you for making Salado special!

VR/Skip

A talented Man

Friends,

In his early years, he worked for J.C. Penny.

At the age of 35, he started painting as a hobby.

His wife recognized his talent and sold some of his paintings.

Before leaving J.C. Penny, he painted for them, too.

He opened a gallery in Dallas and started going to Art shows on the weekend.

One of the shows he especially enjoyed was the Salado Art Show.

In 1999, their love for Salado brought them here and he opened a gallery in Old Town Salado.

When you walk into his shop, you feel the friendly, kind spirit of a man who has mastered life.


Meet Mr. B. Herd, a very talented artist and a wonderful gentleman.

VR/Skip

Soup Heaven

Friends,

What a great event -- the empty bowl project!

The best tasting soups ever!

The fellowship that makes you extremely proud to live in Salado!

The generosity that will help the less fortunate!

And, the beautiful, creative bowls that will grace our homes and be passed to the next generation.


This is Salado -- neighbors with neighbors, sharing friendships and breaking bread.


"So many beautiful bowls!  Which shall I pick?"

Thank you, volunteers, for giving your time.  Thank you, bowl makers for beautiful bowls.  Thank you, friends, for sharing your lunch with others.  Thank you, businesses, for the great soup.

Each of you makes Salado a wonderful place in which to live.  You are the best of the best!

VR/Skip

The news we are expecting

Friends,

We are awaiting news on the following:

1.  Our 1.5 million dollar sewer grant we submitted to Economic Development Agency in October is still working.  The last heard was that it was out of committee and on the Regional Director's Desk.  (Do not get too excited, that does not mean much).  This is a matching grant.  The Federal Government gives us 1.5 million that does not have to be paid back and the Village matches it.  We can do that because of the sewer bond election.  It will give us 3 million which will help keep the overall costs down significantly as well as your property taxes.

Many, many thanks to Senator Cornyn and Congressman Carter for their significant support.  THEY BELIEVE IN SALADO and want the best for you and your village.  They will help identify more available grants.

Yes, we are going after more grants.  Kim is working on a spring grant offered by the State of Texas to refurbish downtown -- curbs, sidewalks, lighting, etc.

Like all grants, there are no guarantees.  They must be written well and involve political networking.
We can do both.

2.  Stagecoach Inn.  People are always asking, "Have you heard anything?"  The answer is "No, we have not heard anything."  To the best of our knowledge, it is still working.  We are patiently waiting and do not want to upset any negotiations by asking questions.  Stagecoach is important to our community.

3.  Robertson Land Sale.  Outside there being a contract, nothing else is new.

4.  A group of citizens and professionals with sewer engineering experience is being formed to discuss the sewer development and a time line.  This committee will begin working shortly after the Holidays.  If you are interested, please call Kim, Village Administrator, 947-5060.

5.  The Village Office gets a number of telephone calls and visitors from developers asking questions about future development.  They are usually very guarded with their plans.  As soon as there is solid, accurate information, it will shared with you.  We are not going to be saying, "Received telephone call from such and such developer and they are interested in us."  That only produces uninformed gossip.  As soon as we know something for sure; you will be the first to know along with the Planning and Zoning Committee.

Just wanting to keep you informed of what we know and do not know.

VR/Skip

Sanctuary -- the latest.

Friends,

    Tuesday night, 18 November, was the 2nd meeting hosted by Sanctuary.  Over 70 people met in the Municipal Building to hear the Sanctuary developers' plans.

    With each meeting, new details come forward.

Madison Inselmann
Director of Development
Sanctuary Development, emailed the themes from Workshop #2 as they interpreted the evening:

Themes from Workshop #2
  1. Sanctuary Rights-of-Way – In order to achieve a connected community with vehicular, bike, and pedestrian pathways, Sanctuary and even Main Street will want to have alternatives to the roadway designs.
  2. Annexation - Annexing Sanctuary into Village contingent upon Development Agreement with Village of Salado and must be a “win-win” for both.
  3. Sanctuary AND (not “or”) Salado (GROWTH) – Sanctuary’s focus on managing growth and assimilating target consumer groups that are pre-kids, families, and empty-nesters (aka, post-kids). Sanctuary expects to build 20-40 homes per year, not 100. This is going to be an exercise in craftsmanship.
  4. Sanctuary AND (not “or”) Salado (CONNECTIVITY) – Linking Main Street to FM 2268 through pathways and theme remains the key issues for meeting attendees. The December 2nd meeting will devote much time to this effort.
  5. Waste Water Treatment Plant – Step 1 was passing the bond. Step 2 is a plant to design and onstruct the facilities and lines. Effluent (repurposed) water that is safe will be used for streams and irrigation systems of the community.
A number of telephone calls were made to the Village Office with questions. The best answers at this point cannot be given because it is evolving with each session.  This being said, please know:

      1.  At this point, the Village is not involved in negotiations with Sanctuary.  Like you, we are listening intently to the plans.  Please, this needs to be repeated:  "We have not been and are not currently involved in negotiations."  

     2.  Our city lawyer will be involved in any negotiations.  Yes, it is costly but the Village cannot afford to make a mistake.  The intent is to be cautious.  In the future, "what we do for one developer, we have to do for all."  We must be very clear in all matters and expectations.

     3. The saying of old, "Haste makes waste," is true and it also causes life-long heartache.  Common sense, balance, and clear, intelligent thinking must be a part of progress.  

The elected village officials need you to attend these meetings and let us know what you are thinking -- concerns, questions, and opinions.  The next one is 2 December, 6 P.M., City Municipal Building. 

Some guidance:

    Listen well.
    Compare what has been said and what is being said.
    Ask hard questions, but keep them positive.  This is not a time for negative comments.
    Be Salado -- smart, intelligent, a cut-above, independent, and balanced. 

You are a great community -- a great village.  Together will protect our past, plan for the present, and design for the future.

VR/Skip


  
      


Salado style decorating -- only in Salado!

Friends,

The Holiday Season is here.  Whatever happened to Thanksgiving?  Christmas is here.

Last Saturday should have been entitled "How many Salado citizens does it take to hold a pole that is about to become the spine of a Christmas Tree?"  The following picture will give you some idea:


George and Frank discussing which end goes into the ground.  "If the star goes into the ground, no one will see it."
"I know, but it will make a good base."

Through cold, off-and-on-rain, and lots of laughter, 12 big electric Christmas trees, Angels, and lights became a part of this year's Christmas decorations.  Starting early and going until 5 P.M., the motley crew worked diligently getting things ready.  And like all work details, there has to be a boss.  Say hello to:


" Move it to the right.  No, to the left.  No, I like it where it was.  Well, maybe a little to the right.  Too much.  Go left."

This is a super great community.  Be a part of it.  Lots of fun and things get done.  Decorating last Saturday will live in the memories of all of us.  

VR/Skip

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Sanctuary Development meeting, Tuesday, 11 November

Friends,

The Sanctuary Development meeting last Tuesday evening in the Community Room, Library, was interesting and informational.  The room was full of citizens and Sanctuary personnel.  Mr. Robert Sulaski led the meeting.

It started with him asking if we knew anything about the property.  His geologist and others had researched/examined the property and discovered that there was a cave and water under the land.  Other than this, nothing.  The citizens had no other information.

Robert asked if there were questions?

For the next 90 minutes, it was question and answer time.  There were many, many questions and Robert answered each question patiently and with as much information as he could.  The development is still in the research/planning stages.

There were too many questions to list, much less to remember.  However, here are a few of the answers given:

There will be:

Homes ranging from $225,000 to $850,000.
A Wellness/fitness Center
Senior care facilities
An amphitheater for concerts, plays, etc. (over 1500 seats with very professional productions)
Many walking and biking trails
8 lakes
Shops
A boutique hotel (i.e. Hilton, Sheraton)
WildFire will remain as part of the Development
Medical care facility

The Development will

Help the city with the Sewer
Come into the City limits
Take 15-20 years to complete
Respect the Historical District of Salado to include shops
Directly Connect Main Street with Holland Road
Will NOT have a golf course; Salado's golf course will be used exclusively

The Developer

Has talked with the potential buyers of Stage Coach
"looked at" the Robertson Ranch land which is under contract with another Developer"
Will work with both potential buyers in planning
Will make Salado his home as well as have another home on the East Coast

The next meeting of Sanctuary is next Tuesday, 18 November, in the MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 6 P.M.

If the second meeting is anything like this last meeting, you will leave with much information.  The more you know; the better it will be.

VR/Skip









Wednesday, November 12, 2014

The Road Repair Plan

Friends,

Road Repair, depending on the weather, will begin in January.

Priority of this project is #1 along with the sewer.  Plans for the sewer are in the beginning stages and will continue into next year.

 In the last Board of Aldermen (BOA) these are the facts and plan the road committee presented:

1.  Their are three types of road repair that will take place.  The first will be Crack sealing which is necessary to keep the water from getting into the cracks and causing more damage.








2.  The second type of road repair is Seal coating.  Below are the recommendations to include the streets that will be receive first treatment.  Notice the cost estimate and what Bell County is willing to do.




3.  The third type of road repair is reconstruction.  Below is the plan:




Money may not be available for ribbon curbing, the third point in this slide.

Our City Administrator, Kim Faust, and the road committee chaired by Alderman Mike McDougal will be glad to answer your questions, 947-5060.

The BOA realizes that road repair will be an ongoing project forever.  Once all the roads are repaired, it will be time to start the process over.  Each year, money allocated in the budget will be used.

What is important to know:  (1)  There is a plan and it will begin immediately; (2) research is on-going on how to repair the roads the most cost effective yet quality way possible; (3)  the people who make up the Road Repair Committee are committed and will continue to work and plan for out future.

VR/Skip

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Sanctuary Development and Sculpture Park Ribbon Cutting

Friends,

If you want to know more about the Sanctuary Development, the following may be a good opportunity to listen and learn more about the project:

November 11 -- Establishing a framework for a growing community

November 18 -- Providing for the Village and the Community

December 2 -- Building a unique community but still one Village

January 12 -- Financing a new Community

January 26 -- Adding the Jewelry to the Community

These informational sessions presented by the Sanctuary Developer, Robert Sulaski, will be held in the Salado Library Community Room.  The time is not known, but Monday, please call the Village Office and ask, 947-5060.                                                    

(2)  On 17 November, 5:30 P.M., there will be a ribbon cutting for the Sculpture Park on Salado Plaza.  It is a beautiful Park.  If you have a moment, please come.  Sculpture Park is a treasure for our Village.

VR/Skip

The latest from TXDOT

Friends,

Tuesday, a brief informal meeting was held with Andy and Jason of TXDot.

The following is in the information received:

*         FM 2484 bridge opening- They are planning on having the new 2484 bridge opened to traffic by the 1st week in December.  Once the bridge is opened, within a week, the old bridge will be destroyed.

*         Southbound Frontage construction from 2484 to Main St- They plan on doing the tie in of the new Southbound frontage approach to the new 2484 bridge and indicated that this will be complete by the 1st week in December.

*         IH 35 bridge at Salado Plaza- The contractors schedule indicates closing the existing bridge after the 1st of the year and opening the new bridge sometime in mid-Summer 2016.  They are looking at ways to accelerate this work and complete the bridge construction sooner.  This is very interesting because this section is the last major construction to be done.  That means construction is gong to end much earlier than November of next year.   This is a major schedule change.  After this section is done, all this left is cleaning up and completing any minor adjustments.  


Many have asked about the Holland road bridge.  According to Jason, Andy, and Cody's replacement, the problem of Texas and James Construction not agreeing on how to stabilize the west side has been solved.  They said that the bridge will be open by the end of December or sooner.  It was explained to them that this was a major irritation and that something needed to be done as soon as possible.  

Citizen complaints were given to them concerning the frontage road of I-35 and the need to clean-up and level-out.  They said they would do it immediately.  Also, they will either repair and paint the sign in front of the Municipal Building or move it.  The sign belongs to James Construction who places their notices on it.  It has been in bad repair for a year.

TXDot will return in December for another informal meeting.

A Town Hall is being planned for January.  

The Destruction Construction Nightmare is coming to an end.  

VR/Skip

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Events you may not know


    Friends,

     1.  Horsefeathers has sold and currently the new owners are looking for lease tenants.  In front of the property is the lease sign and telephone number.  Great location.  The new owners paid a serious amount of money for the property meaning they see a great future for Salado.  That is proof positive.

    2.  The dedication of Sirena last evening was spectacular.  It was simple, moving, and very meaningful.  On the banks of Salado Creek, Troy Kelley, artist, told the process he used in making Sirena and and the magical catfish.  The mood of the evening was friendly and warm; the pride felt deeply and genuinely.  Truly this is Salado -- the people and love of history, tradition, and art. Thank you, Public Art League, Salado (PALS), for a world-class dedication.



   3.  Following the dedication, a reception was held in Larry Prellop's Art Gallery.  The food was wonderful, but the fellowship was outstanding as old friends and new acquaintances chatted.  Of course, the art on every wall was beautiful; such great, talented artists.




4.  Open House at the Spring House was extremely superb.  The decorations were exquisite and the items for sale, special and one-of-a-kind.  The soloist was simply awe-inspiring.  What a voice; what passion.  This was a very enjoyable hour in a beautiful store.  Thank you for inviting the community.

Folks, you have such a wonderful village.  Thank you for making it special and meaningful.  No one does it better than you!

Most respectfully, Skip

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Halloween in the Village

Friends,

October 31, Halloween, 2014, was a fun ghost and goblin evening in our Village.  It really started Wednesday evening with "Trunk or Treat" at the United Methodist Church.

Friday, the Baptist had an evening event at the Wildfire Horse Arena while the Episcopal Church had a Carnival-like event to include a Maze.

Trucks pulling trailers loaded with adults and children came through the neighborhoods wanting treats and sweets.

Most important, all returned home safe.  Maybe a little too many sweets to make mom happy.  Here are a few pictures to mark Halloween this year:

"I am a sweet little bumble bee."

"Were did we leave her?  She was just right here."


 

And they kept on coming.


The meeting of the animal kingdom.


VR/Skip