WEST, BY GODDESS, TEXAS NEWS

A sad day in West. The West Fraternal Auditorium is closed..after 35 years. It opened in 1977 and was the location for countless dances(both polka and country)along with serving as the site for numerous wedding receptions, parties, bingo and other community functions.( I used to play bingo (not often) with my sister Donna and our various kin folk. Mostly my step grandparents, Viola and Papa Tony Maler. Viola didn't want Papa Tony to drink, but that never stopped me from making sure he did. I'd always sit right by him and let him drink my beer. Good thing he liked Lone Star Light..not that it mattered to him, I'm pretty sure he didn't care what it was. Every now and then she'd look down at us and say 'You're not giving him beer are you?'..and I'd say nope, not me. I'm sure there is a fine difference between me giving it to him and me buying it for him but I never told. Donna was insistent that I would have a good time if I went. After about the 3rd time I said the only way I could do that again was to get really really drunk before hand.)

A lot of big name bands played there, like Earnest Tubb, Steve Warner, The Bellamy Brothers, Restless Heart, Eddie Rabbitt and Willie Nelson. The rest of the time local Polka and Country bands played. Right up til the end they played over 50 Dances on weekends.

And no I never went.

West is building a new athletic center at the West High School.

Coaches are needed for West League Club teams. I think they need 2 coaches to coach the girls from age 11-12. Years and years ago I was Mike A. assistant coach for T-ball. Every now and then some guy will call me the T-ball lady and I'll know he was on our team. It was so much fun. I had to quit when I went to work at Hastings.

The Boy Scouts are still collecting cans and the Catholic Brothers and Sisters United from St. Mary's are selling drawstring backpacks as a fun raiser to help with the expenses of DCYC 2012.

West Band Boosters are collecting metal scrap. Any type of metal and aluminum is accepted, but no plastic, wood or glass.

The West Public Library is having a Art Show. I was in there today and took some pictures. I posted them on Facebook, but will post them here too. We really have some very talented artists here ..There is a glass bowl with beautiful painted eggs. There was a sign that said please don't touch. I wanted to see what they were made of and asked Nancy as I was touching them what they were made of..and (she's so goofy) she took the lid off one of them and clinked it on the other half and said it's glass can't you see?..I said brilliant, your telling me not to touch them by showing me their breakable by clinking them together?..like I said..goofy..and here is all this beautiful art, and on the counter is a stick figure in purple that she had drawn(had it in plastic cover, looking very official.) for our enjoyment. ..goofy..

We have some cute babies that were born ..Ethan Samuel Rodriguez weighing in at 7 pounds, and 18 inches long..and Brody Michael Taylor was 6 pounds, 11 ounces, 19.5 inches long.

Amanda Christine Mynar is going to marry Ricky Edward Grones,Jr. on April 21st at St. Mary's.

Rylie Anne is celebrating her 1st birthday. and "Pop" is celebrating his 70th.And the twins Laison and Maddison Uptmore celebrated their 8th birthday. West has so many twins, I think there is something in the water.

The West Lady Trojans won first place in the Midway softball tournament last Saturday with an 11-2 victory over the China Spring Lady Cougars. They will play Fort Worth Nolan 10 a.m. this Thursday. Then they will play on Friday against Highland Park, and Saturday against Magnolia. Go Trojans.....The West Trojans picked up 5 wins in 7 games and finished second in the Waco ISD tournament at Veterans Field(Baylor) in Waco. They have a slew of games to play this week..and will get to play some of those games at the Ballpark in Arlington (Home of the Texas Rangers)..I'm so proud of these kids

West Food Mart has tuna fish on sale for 59cents a can. I got about 12 of them so I could keep his royal highness happy. Usually if I want him to come in from outside I rattle his treat bag and he comes hauling ass..Now I stand on the porch in the high squeeky voice that people use to talk to their animals or baby's...'want tuna ? tuna tuna tuna?'...if you get in his way he'll knock you on your ass. He looves his tuna.

And if all of that isn't enough how about this for a nice home:1414 Jane Lane 2,066 sq.ft.3/2, 2-car garage, with new appliances and new vinyl flooring..$140,000. I'm thinking this one might be a fixer upper..no one puts in vinyl any more.

Ray's Electric & Plumbing is still for sale and it's gone down again in price to $115,000, which includes 2 leased retail store fronts.Owner will finance.

wow..here's a good one..reduced.140 acres with brick home and pool. Rent house include. Good oats patch with balance heavily wooded. Deer and turkey roam this place. Older barn, live creek with stock tank. Paved road frontage and also gravely county road in back of the place. $449,000. Dang I wish I had the money for that.sigh*:(

Something that has nothing to do with West..but so happy about it..The Lady Bears(Baylor) basketball went 30-0 all season..undefeated..how great is that..Of course I'm sure that our 6ft.8 inch Brittney didn't have anything to do with it..Best player in college bar none.

Ok...It's late, I need to start getting ready for bed..Dexter is out playing with his Opossum buddy and need to get him in. See ya Wed.

WEST, BY GODDESS, TEXAS NEWS

Christmas in West ...lots of activities going on. St. Mary's School PTC sponsored the Sixth Annual Santa's Workshop at St. Mary's Parish Center. Santa came and had his pictures taken, there were arts and crafts and face painting for the kids. Performances by Jennifer's Academy of Dance and a big basket raffle which will go to The Saint Mary's School.

The West Chamber of Commerce is inviting everyone to attend their Christmas activities beginning at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Gazebo on the West City Hall Grounds. Santa is expected to be visiting with the children until around noon.

David Pareya, West chamber president said parents are encouraged to bring their cameras to the event to take pictures of their children visiting with Santa. This event is being sponsored by Cen-tex Roof Systems. Treats will also be handed out to the children. There will be a limited number of coloring books and crayons, furnished by the Hilco Electric, for the kids.

Also during this time, the West Toys For Tots drive is planning to have a 'Stuff the Police Car' event in which they will attempt to fill a West Police car with toys donated by area residents that day.

The West Public Library is hosting it's Sixth Annual Christmas With Santa celebration beginning at 6 p.m. Friday in the West Community Center.

When asked why the center is being used this year, West Librarian Nancy Hykel explained, "When this event first began as a pajama party six years ago, only around 20 children attended. Last year the library was absolutely packed!"

Besides a chance to take photos with Santa, the Tale Tellers have planned several activities to keep children busy and to keep the Santa wait-line short. There will be crafts, Christmas cookie decorating, coloring with Tommy the Puppet and story time.

Parents are asked to provide their own cameras for picture taking. "Until last year the library took and printed photos for the parents, but the process takes too long and had become rather costly," Hykel said.

This activity is free for area children. For more information, call 254-826-3070.

Also something wonderful for West.

Library offering new online service.

For the first time the West Public Library patrons will be able to enjoy a new service as they can now download e-Books, audiobooks, music and videos from their home computers.

This new service powered by OverDrive, is free for patrons with their valid West Public Library card ID. Overdrive is the same system used by the Waco-McLennan County Library.

The West library was one of only 7 selected within the Central Texas Library System to receive a one-year free subscription to OverDrive, a $1,500 value. During the year, West will be part of the CTLS consortium. Selection of the titles will be made in Austin by the coordinator of the project.

anyone needing more information about this program and what you will need to be able to use it..call the West Library 826-3070. Also the West Public Library book sale is extended for another week. Beginning Saturday the books will be 1/2 of the sale price or $5 for a bag of books which will be furnished by the library.

The West High School Junior Historians are hosting their community performance 3 p.m. Sunday in the WHS Gym. Students will be exhibiting their traditional Czech costumes and performing a variety of Czech dances.

Bake Sale at West Rest Haven along with a garage sale from 2-5 December 13th in the nursing home's activity room. Various deserts will be available.

You know I'll have a hand in this.

The Bold Spring Baptist Church has scheduled 2 meals in the Mary E. Howard Center in West. A fish and shrimp dinner is planned for Friday and a hamburger meal(oh my...the best hamburgers ever) for Dec.12th.

Gholson VFD has scheduled a pancake supper with Santa beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday in the new fire station. The meal is $7 for adult plate and $5 for a kids plate.

West First Assembly of God Church invites everyone to join them on a "Christmas Journey: at 5 p.m. on December 17th. The walking adventure will begin at West City Hall and it will be a candlelight and caroling journey, with Mary and Joseph as they make their way through the streets of West. The trip will conclude at First Assembly of God Church, where you are invited to share fellowship and hot cocoa.

Free gift wrapping is available for area senior citizens from noon to 2 p.m. Wed and Thurs. in the West Community Center. Those with gifts to wrap are asked to bring their favorite wrapping paper and the wrapping will be provided free.

The annual Maler family reunion and Christmas dinner will be at noon on December 11 at the old K.C. Hall in West. Fried chicken and sausage along with tea and coffee will be served. Each family is asked to bring a covered dish and dessert. Donations will also be accepted for the silent auction and door prizes will be given.

I am as most of you know..am related by blood to no one but my granddaughters in West. But by marriage and love I'm related to a bunch of people..and the Maler's are one of the family's I claim. My step grandmother and grandfather were Viola and Papa Tony Maler. Anissa, Ricky, Sarah, their kids, and their kids kids are my family.The Lucas's are family, the Hollingsworth are family, the Adamson's are family and many more. In many ways they are more family than my own family and I like that very much.

Kelly Urbanovsky who is a little doll has her 2 year birthday. Amber and Crystal Pavelka are celebrating their 13th birthday. Beautiful twin girls.

We lost 6 people that have links to West and none more heartbreaking than Key'lee Dawn Sowders who spent much of her life in Cook's Children's Hospital in Fort Worth. She was born on Jan 21,2011. Goddess bless this child and her loving family.

WEST, BY GODDESS, TEXAS NEWS

Before I even get started on the West news... Czech out what was waiting for me at Gerik's Old Czech Bakery this morning...except there were 2 of those hunks of chocolate goodness. I barely made it out of the parking lot before I ate the whole damn thing. My blood sugar was really really low, I was shaking and sweating, so I thought I'll just take a big bite and then I'll be fine..yeah, right!..Holy shit..I can't even describe it..It was cake brownie..but was thick and chewy and sooo chocolaty..and that little chocolate turd on top?...It was liquid chocolate gold..sweet smooth, silky..sigh*...If I had fallen over the steering wheel in my little Mazda truck, I would have died one happy bitch. The one on the bottom left is a Sharla..they are made of something similar (maybe is philo dough) and is flaky, light and airy with the best filling ever..my favorite is blueberry and cream cheese..sigh*.the pin wheels are made out of a flaky dough but different from the Sharla, and are soo good. I ate the one chocolate what ever it's called and will keep the Sharla in the freezer for when I've been a very good girl..(approximately 37 days away) and the rest I'll take to Jamie tomorrow...she's chomping at the bit. So eat your hearts out..

Great news the West Kiwanis won the District Boys T-Ball championship. The won over the Bosqueville Sharks last Wednesday. 10 years from now they will be winning state for Baseball..you watch.

Austin Patterson got a check from The West Fair and Rodeo Association and the West Longhorn Club for $500 to help with his travel expenses to the National Rodeo Finals in Gillette, Wyoming. Haven't heard how he did, but when I do you'll be the first to know.

Texas has a new testing program which will replace TAKS, and it's STAAR(State of Texas Assessment of Academics Readiness.) We also came up with more money and will be able to fill 5 of the positions that were lost due to budget cuts.

The Eight Annual West Knights of Columbus Texas Allstar Barbecue Shootout is scheduled for July 29 and 30 at the Knights of Columbus grounds in West. I will see if I can volunteer again, but no more chicken. No more no more.Entry fee is $150 per team.

Oh man..high crime in West. Police arrested a guy in connection with 3 July 15 fires in the city. The West man was charged in connection with a 4 p.m. fire outside of West Elementary School, which resulted in a burned trash receptacle, a 5 p.m. grass fire across from the school and a 6:30 p.m. fire in the alley behind the 100 block of South Main. Chief said that a fire at approximately 8:30 p.m. on July 13 on a sidewalk outside the West Elementary is still under investigation. So that gets him a second degree felon arson charge.

Run to Live group plans West fundraiser. A combination garage sale, bake sale and car wash from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Czech Inn. This foundation was established to raise money so those suffering from drug addiction can get help and to also help in keeping Freeman Center in Waco open.

Great news, Tommy and JoAnn Wolf are celebrating their 50th Anniversary. They are really nice people and it's great they are celebrating their 50th..wow..

Mattie Urbanovsky celebrated her 4th birthday.

Knights of Columbus 33rd Annual Picnic at Geneva Hall is having fried chicken and country sausage and all the trimmings for $8.00 a plate. There will also be games and auctions starting at noon.

West High School 1950 grads gathered for their 60th reunion. There were 23 people there. For their 50th high school reunion..dang.

Still need volunteers for the library to make confetti eggs...Call Nancy at the library if you'd like to help.

I love my town..West car dealers plan program to raise funds for Legacy West. Three car dealers are starting a program next month aimed at raising money for the Legacy West Education Foundation.

Upmore Motors, Sykora Family Ford and Greg May Chevrolet have agreed to donate $100 to the foundation for each car sold at these businesses in August. Pretty cool.

50 years ago at the Circle Burger you could get 2 large pieces of chicken, hot french fries, texas toast and pickle slices for 49 cents. This was a Friday and Saturday Special. I wish I had lived here to have gone to the Circle Burger. Have heard such great things about it. 50 years ago Edward Hykel served aboard the USS Lexington. Bet he had some stories to tell.

West Food Mart has Tyson's Chicken breasts for .99 cents a pound..I got a small package. Trying to cut back on meat...Sigh..*

Community Grocery has some great sales on veggies and fruits.and their fruit and vegs are really fresh and tasty. Like em.

I'm telling you ..houses are at a premium here in West. 3/2 brick home, just outside of town, 2 shops and large backyard for $89,900.

3/3 with Ch/Ac and 2 car garage on 1 acre for $159,900

New business opening up in West. Wild Bill's Outlaw Steakhouse and are hiring. I think it must be at the old K.D.'s Restaurant which went out of business. Big prices and small servings will do that every time here. West is all about size and quality. Which is why Pizza House is and always be the best place to eat. But then I'm a tad biased..I'll keep touting them until Jeanne gives me the recipe for skunk eggs.

I have some Jackiesue news...We have had workers out here for about a week putting in a sprinkler system and then will landscape. The weather is horrible..It's been 100 or over with heat index up to 108, these guys are working so hard and are so nice and not from here, and not Czech. They are Mexicans. So ....

Anyhow..I started out with a huge pitcher of ice water ...well, if they leave it sitting out there, it becomes hot water. So Babs gave me some of her bottled water and I semi freeze it and when they drink it I switch it out with more water from the freezer. Plus I took a bunch of old towels and wet them down and stuck them in the freezer for 5 minutes or so and they can use them to wipe down with. During the week they were using the bathroom in the office..but Friday the office is closed so I was letting them use my bathroom..there are 4 of them Neo, Gilberto, and Eddie..Not sure what the other guys name is. Eddie is his kid, about 13-14 or so. Speaks good English, the rest..very little..But nicer, sweeter hard working guys you'd never meet. So I took some pictures we figured out Facebook and now Neo and Gilberto are my friends and I tagged the pictures so they could show them to everyone. They live in Warton, Texas which is down by Houston. Can't wait to see them Monday, even if they did mess up my napping Friday coming in and out.

So..that's the news here. Going to take Jamie the goodies from the Bakery tomorrow for Breakfast and make her fried catfish for dinner. Oh...the best news of all..Babs is doing wonderful on her diet and the changes are remarkable. I'm so proud of her..she's done a 380..Completely vegetarian diet. Brown rice, veggies and fruit..Taught her out to make granola and she snacks on it. Lost over 20 pounds and her numbers have dropped almost in half...yeah to Babs..

ok..I'm out of here..I'm watching Great Big Fat Gypsy Weddings out of the corner of my eye, and it's like watching a train wreck...have a great weekend..stay cool.. The devil called, wants Texas to turn the heat down.

WEST, BY GODDESS, TEXAS NEWS

HOT DANG! The city of West will be opening the new West Thrift Shop where the old Caritas was. I have already stopped by and gave some donations. And spotted a few things I am sure I can't live without. And they hired Marie and Cindy back too..Was so glad to see them and so glad they will be running the place. Now..all you people in West, go through your closets, junk drawers, garages and under the bed and take all that stuff up to The Thrift Shop. You and I both know you will never get into those size 8 blue jeans.

Sixteen year old Austin Paterson , a West High School sophomore is competing in the 63rd Annual National High School Finals Rodeo July 17-23 in Gillette, Wyoming.They had a send-off for him this past Friday at the Gazebo for him. I of course forgot to go..Wanted to take pictures. I hope he wins the whole shebang.

The West Rodina Automotive Girls T-Ball team swept the TTAS District 5 Tournament in West last week to capture the district title and advance to the state tournaments. I'm telling you ..we have some absolutely terrific athletes. And the Pizza House won second place in the Junior Midget Boys division in West with a 7-3 record. Baseball and softball is king in West, Texas. They start them young and they go right on up to the World Series. We rock.

West Public Library's Tale Tellers will continue free summer story time presentations each Wednesday morning during July from 10:30 to 11:30 at the Library. The annual summer reading award presentation will be July 27th. The theme for that day is Masquerade Ball. Certificates will be given to all children reading ten or more books, and trophies will be given to one student at each grade level who has read the most books. I have been whining for years that I read more books then anyone in West and by Goddess, I want a trophy. No dice. Nancy isn't even nice about it..Tough luck I think was what she told me the last time I brought it up. Sigh*

Briome Gin is celebrating 100 years in operation. Which makes me wonder how long our gin has been around?..I know the West News is the oldest operating business in West, since1889, but would think the gin is getting up there too.

50 Years ago Dunbar school opens for their summer session. So we still had segregation in West in 1961. Wonder when it closed down?..I'll have to ask and find out.

There is a great article from 70 years ago. July 11, 1941(2 years before I was born) Here's the article verbatim.

Twas a great weekend in West--including July 4th. Never have we seen so many people. so

much to eat, so much to drink, and so little entertainment. Congressman Bob Page's address was the principal feature of the picnic, and deserved the applause it received. If the rest of the nation felt the same as central Texans, Japan would not be receiving war material from this country while China is forced to content herself with promises of aid.(my my my...how the tide has turned.)

50 years ago we had 2.35 inches of rain in 15-30 minutes. Oh how I wish we had just some of that now.

If you want to buy a house in West, ask Nitty, he gets updates on all available houses daily, and the prices are going down down down.

Right now we have a reduced 3/2 manufactured home on 3.07 nice acres. New flooring, recently painted, creek on property and for $63,000. 4/3 house including appliances, recreational equipment 2,600 sq. ft. shop and 1.5 acres for $159,000.

If your looking for work while you buy your new home, there is an ad for part time to full time secretary/front office help and needs to be fluent in Spanish. There is a job for a nanny, part time sales at Marak-Gerik and warehouse position needed at Jupe Mills who also needs a truck driver. 3 years experience driving a tractor trailer and must have current CDL and health card.

Easton Kadlacek celebrated his 1 year birthday at South Padre Island while on his first big vacation with his family. On July 3rd he had a monkey themed birthday party at his home in Tours.

The Svacina Family Reunion was today at the Knights of Columbus.

The Cherrywood Apts are advertising apts for rent. We do have a bunch of vacancies. Not just in our end but over at Babs end too. 1-2 Bedroom apts 62 years or older Handicapped /Disabled no age requirement. Rent based on income. Call Charlouue(Charlotte..I added her into my phone and was new at the spelling on it and that's how I ended up spelling her name.

August 13th we're having a Pickle Contest at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption. Entry fee is $5 and there will be 2 categories- dill and sweet. Sounds like fun.

welp...that's all the news there is fit to print. Hope you all had a great week and good luck for the week coming..Good Hair Perry had a prayer for rain service and we've had nothing but 100 plus heat and no rain. If his kind of prayer really worked, he wouldn't be Governor of Texas.