October Entire Month: Passport Event at the Texas Hills Vineyard – Call the Texas Hills Vineyard for more information 830-868-2321 www.texashillsvineyard.com

Saturday, October 4: Volksmarch on the LBJ Ranch: Walk the LBJ Ranch. Contact Liz Lindig for more information 830-868-7128 ext. 231 or email: liz_lindig@nps.gov website: www.nps.gov/lyjo/planyourvisit/events.htm

Saturday, October 4 (To Be Confirmed): Wild Game Dinner, Blanco County Show Barn, 5:00 p.m. $10.00 donation includes Wild Game dinner & Door prize chance (children under 10 free). Silent Auction, Door Prizes and Live Auction! Music by TBA. Raffle includes: rifles, shotguns, hunting equipment, camping & outdoor equipment and much more – you do not have to be present to win. Sponsored by the Sale Committee in support of Blanco County Youth Livestock Show – call (830) 833-5335 for more information, to purchase raffle tickets or donate a silent auction item.

Tuesday, October 7: Silver K Cafe Open Mic: Join us on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays for Open Mic Night starting at 7:30 pm. (All musicians are invited and there will be 1/2 price beer for any of the participants.). Full menu available as well as beer & Texas wines. Info: 830-868-2911. Web: www.silverkcafe.com.

Saturday, October 11: Post Oak School House / Community Center – Sesquecentennial Celebration. Potluck Dinner. Music by Kevin Engbretson. "REENACTMENT OF YEARS GONE BY" by Ed and Rachel Boyd and ORAL HISTORIES.

Friday - Sunday, October 10, 11, & 12 (To Be Confirmed): Pig Roast – Blanco County Fairgrounds in Johnson City. Poker Run, Bike Show, free camping, BBQ on Saturday, bands Friday and Saturday night and more. Proceeds to benefit the Cherokee Home for Children. $25 per person, 6 and under free. Under 21 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, visit their website at www.jcpigroast.org or call Sharon for vendor info @ (830) 864-4832, Lisa for band info @ (830) 868-7693 or Sandie @ (512) 556-5579 or sandieandbob@sbcglobal.net.

Tuesday, October 21: Silver K Cafe Open Mic: Join us on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays for Open Mic Night starting at 7:30 pm. (All musicians are invited and there will be 1/2 price beer for any of the participants.). Full menu available as well as beer & Texas wines. Info: 830-868-2911. Web: www.silverkcafe.com.

Tuesday, November 4: Silver K Cafe Open Mic: Join us on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays for Open Mic Night starting at 7:30 pm. (All musicians are invited and there will be 1/2 price beer for any of the participants.). Full menu available as well as beer & Texas wines. Info: 830-868-2911. Web: www.silverkcafe.com.

Saturday, November 15-16 (To Be Confirmed): Bunkhouse Gallery 13th Semi-Annual Exhibition & Sale: More Information at www.wenmohsranch.com

Tuesday, November 18: Silver K Cafe Open Mic: Join us on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays for Open Mic Night starting at 7:30 pm. (All musicians are invited and there will be 1/2 price beer for any of the participants.). Full menu available as well as beer & Texas wines. Info: 830-868-2911. Web: www.silverkcafe.com.

Thursday, November 27: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

Thur. - Sun., November 27 - 30: Johnson City Carriage Rides: 20 minute rides in beautiful ornate carriages, originating from the Courthouse Square, $5/person (age under 3 free), minimum 4 adults per pull-out. Call for special pick up locations or destinations, extended trips, non-holiday and private rides. Available Thurs-Sun: 5:30-11p, through Christmas every week (except Christmas day). Advance Reservations & Planning Information: 512-477-8824. Head Carriage Driver: 512-659-0591 (for same night inquiries). Elaine Glass, Owner, Die Gelbe Rose Carriage Company. Email: admin@diegelberosecarriage.net, Web: www.diegelberosecarriage.net.

Friday, November 28: "Let There Be Lights": 6:30p @ the Blanco County Courthouse, followed by food court opening. We will have a ladies dance team performing in front of the old Blanco County Hardware store beginning at 5:45 Friday night, and then a band will play in front of the Courthouse after the Lights are turned on.

Friday, November 28 – Thursday, January 1: Lights Spectacular: Annual lighting of the Blanco County Courthouse. 100,000+ lights on the Courthouse! “Light Art Displays” featuring the 12 Days of Christmas. Christmas in the Park. One million lights twinkling in the trees around Pedernales Electric Coop’s Headquarters on Ave F. Carriage rides available at the Courthouse. The Courthouse is open on Saturday and Sunday nights from 6p-9p and will be selling ornaments and crafts from the Garden Club. After the parade, a Food Court for dinner and dessert will be behind the Friendly Bistro and in the alleyway next to Johnson City Bank on Courthouse Square with food booths on opening weekend hosted by local non-profit organizations with one of their biggest fundraisers of the year (hosted by Lions Club, Little League, Christmas J.O.Y., Baptist Church, Women's Club, and many more). You can purchase items from delicious funnel cakes, hamburgers, glow necklaces, designer candy, chopped beef sandwiches, sausage wraps, turkey legs and much more. You don't want to miss this. Volunteers needed for set up. Contact Norma Honeycutt @ 868-7044. See Lights Spectacular 2006 field report.

Saturday, November 29: Whittington's Jerky Hosts 7th Annual OPEN HOUSE at Whittington's Jerky and General Store, 604 HWY 281 South in Johnson City. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. — Hourly door prizes including Gift Baskets with Whittington's Jerky products and other goodies. The OPEN HOUSE will also include children's activities, book signings and wine tasting, all free to the public. Products available for purchase with FREE SHIPPING for items purchased on the day of the OPEN HOUSE. Visit www.WhittingtonsJerky.com for more information.

The fun leads up to Johnson City's Annual Light Spectacular Lighted Parade at 6:30 that evening around the downtown Courthouse!

Saturday, November 29: Clickety Cloggers @ 5:30 p.m. Lights Spectacular Hooves and Wheels Parade at 6:30 p.m. Clickety Cloggers dance group perform @ 5:30p in the street in front of the Courthouse Square, follow by the lighted parade around the Courthouse Square beginning @ 6:30p and food court opening at the second night of Lights Spectacular. Christmas in Memorial Park on Main Street, Pictures with Santa Claus in the Park. Carriage rides at the Square.

Saturday, November 29: Christmas at the LBJ Boyhood Home – 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. each evening. National Park Rangers will provide an open house and relive a 1920’s small town Christmas celebration in this decked out historic home located on Elm Street, one block south of Hwy 290 (Main Street) in Johnson City. Free. Complemented by stunning lighting display at the PEC, across the street www.nps.gov/lyjo for more information or call the public affairs office at (830) 868-7128, ext. 244. More Information »»

December 1 – Thursday, January 1: Continuation of Lights Spectacular: Annual lighting of the Blanco County Courthouse. 100,000+ lights on the Courthouse! “Light Art Displays” featuring the 12 Days of Christmas. Christmas in the Park. One million lights twinkling in the trees around Pedernales Electric Coop’s Headquarters on Ave F. Carriage rides available at the Courthouse. The Courthouse is open on Saturday and Sunday nights from 6p-9p and will be selling ornaments and crafts from the Garden Club. After the parade, a Food Court for dinner and dessert will be behind the Friendly Bistro and in the alleyway next to Johnson City Bank on Courthouse Square with food booths on opening weekend hosted by local non-profit organizations with one of their biggest fundraisers of the year (hosted by Lions Club, Little League, Christmas J.O.Y., Baptist Church, Women's Club, and many more). You can purchase items from delicious funnel cakes, hamburgers, glow necklaces, designer candy, chopped beef sandwiches, sausage wraps, turkey legs and much more. You don't want to miss this. Volunteers needed for set up. Contact Norma Honeycutt @ 868-7044. See Lights Spectacular 2006 field report.

Friday & Saturday, December 5 & 6 and 12 & 13: 1st United Methodist Church Living Story of Christmas – Johnson City First United Methodist Church will put on is annual (over 25 years!) Christmas program. It is a show for all ages and a great part of anyone's Christmas. There will be 5 free shows per night, starting at 6:30 p.m. and run on the hour and half hour; the last show being at 8:30 p.m. Each show lasts about 10 minutes. Bleacher seating. Children are welcome to pet the animals after each show. In the Church Activity Center there will be a large display of nativity scenes, free refreshments (cookies, hot chocolate and coffee). Info: 868-7414. See www.fumcjctx.org (pictures of the 2006 program are in the Photo Gallery on this web site)

Sat. - Sun., December 6 - December 7: Johnson City Courthouse Ornaments Sale: The Courthouse lobby will be open during the holiday on weekends and the Garden Club will be selling Christmas ornaments, crafts, post cards, bird houses, bumper stickers and local cook books. The ornaments are hand made each Monday morning throughout the year at our nursing home by the residents, and they are excellent decorations for a very modest cost. Proceeds support local non-profit organizations. Opening weekend of Lights Spectacular the "store" is open 5p-9p on Fri 11/28 through Sunday 11/30. Each weekend thereafter it is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 6p-9p through 12/21. Info: contact Joycelyn Carter, 868-7070.

Thurs. - Sun., December 4 - 7: Johnson City Carriage Rides: 20 minute rides in beautiful ornate carriages, originating from the Courthouse Square, $5/person (age under 3 free), minimum 4 adults per pull-out. Call for special pick up locations or destinations, extended trips, non-holiday and private rides. Available Thurs-Sun: 5:30-11p, through Christmas every week (except Christmas day). Advance Reservations & Planning Information: 512-477-8824. Head Carriage Driver: 512-659-0591 (for same night inquiries). Elaine Glass, Owner, Die Gelbe Rose Carriage Company. Email: admin@diegelberosecarriage.net, Web: www.diegelberosecarriage.net.

Saturday & Sunday, December 6 & 7: Texas Hill Country Holiday Wine Trail Join us as we celebrate the holiday season. Great ideas for party appetizers! The halls of the tasting room will be decked with unique gift ideas along with gift baskets and the full selection of award-winning wines. Collect our 10th annual unique dated Christmas ornament. You do not have to have a ticket to enjoy the fun. Texas Hills Vineyard - Our award winning wines are always a hit for that hard to buy person. Gift baskets are also available, wine and Texas produced sauces and jellies. Call the Texas Hills Vineyard for more information 830-868-2321 www.texashillsvineyard.com or phone 1-866-621-9463 www.texaswinetrail.com

Saturday, December 6: Biker’s Toy Run Celebrating our 25th year! Starting at the Johnson City Courthouse at 9 a.m. (arrive early for social time with coffee and donuts), the Bikers Toy Run heads west and swings through Fredericksburg, then up Hwy 16 north through Llano to the small town of Cherokee, picking up bikers along the way. With Santa and a sleigh full of wrapped presents purchased through donations and proceeds from the Johnson City Pig Roast, the children of the Cherokee Home will be wide-eyed and smiling as Christmas joy is delivered and the motorcycle enthusiasts share a meal with the children and spend the afternoon with them to make their day special. Event open to all. No fee. Motorcycle encouraged. Contact: Kevin Martin, 830-868-4007. www.jcpigroast.org/HillCountryToyRunAssoc

Saturday, December 6: Christmas at the LBJ Boyhood Home – 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. each evening. National Park Rangers will provide an open house and relive a 1920’s small town Christmas celebration in this decked out historic home located on Elm Street, one block south of Hwy 290 (Main Street) in Johnson City. Free. Complemented by stunning lighting display at the PEC, across the street www.nps.gov/lyjo for more information or call the public affairs office at (830) 868-7128, ext. 244. More Information »»

Thur. - Sun., December 4 - 7: Johnson City Carriage Rides: 20 minute rides in beautiful ornate carriages, originating from the Courthouse Square, $5/person (age under 3 free), minimum 4 adults per pull-out. Call for special pick up locations or destinations, extended trips, non-holiday and private rides. Available Thurs-Sun: 5:30-11p, through Christmas every week (except Christmas day). Advance Reservations & Planning Information: 512-477-8824. Head Carriage Driver: 512-659-0591 (for same night inquiries). Elaine Glass, Owner, Die Gelbe Rose Carriage Company. Email: admin@diegelberosecarriage.net, Web: www.diegelberosecarriage.net.

Sat. - Sun., December 13 - December 14: Johnson City Courthouse Ornaments Sale: The Courthouse lobby will be open during the holiday on weekends and the Garden Club will be selling Christmas ornaments, crafts, post cards, bird houses, bumper stickers and local cook books. The ornaments are hand made each Monday morning throughout the year at our nursing home by the residents, and they are excellent decorations for a very modest cost. Proceeds support local non-profit organizations. Opening weekend of Lights Spectacular the "store" is open 5p-9p on Fri 11/28 through Sunday 11/30. Each weekend thereafter it is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 6p-9p through 12/21. Info: contact Joycelyn Carter, 868-7070.

Saturday & Sunday, December 13 & 14: Texas Hill Country Holiday Wine Trail Join us as we celebrate the holiday season. The halls of the tasting room will be decked with unique gift ideas along with gift baskets and the full selection of award-winning wines. Collect our 10th annual unique dated Christmas ornament. You do not have to have a ticket to enjoy the fun. Texas Hills Vineyard - Our award winning wines are always a hit for that hard to buy person. Gift baskets are also available, wine and Texas produced sauces and jellies. Call the Texas Hills Vineyard for more information 830-868-2321 www.texashillsvineyard.com or phone 1-866-621-9463 www.texaswinetrail.com

December TBA: Blanco County Community Choir Christmas Performance in Johnson City – Baptist Church in Johnson City at 8:00 p.m. The Blanco County Community Choir, a volunteer organization that has been presenting Christmas programs since 1974, is preparing a wonderful program for this year. Contact: Beverly Voron @ 868-7215

Friday & Saturday, December 5 & 6 and 12 & 13: 1st United Methodist Church Living Story of Christmas – Johnson City First United Methodist Church will put on is annual (over 25 years!) Christmas program. It is a show for all ages and a great part of anyone's Christmas. There will be 5 free shows per night, starting at 6:30 p.m. and run on the hour and half hour; the last show being at 8:30 p.m. Each show lasts about 10 minutes. Bleacher seating. Children are welcome to pet the animals after each show. In the Church Activity Center there will be a large display of nativity scenes, free refreshments (cookies, hot chocolate and coffee). Info: 868-7414. See www.fumcjctx.org (pictures of the 2006 program are in the Photo Gallery on this web site)

Saturday, December 13: A Timeless Christmas Christmas at the LBJ Boyhood Home – 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. In addition to the Christmas celebration in the decked out LBJ Boyhood historic home located on Elm Street, one block south of Hwy 290 (Main Street) in Johnson City visitors can board a shuttle bus and ride to the Johnson Settlement, where they will be guided by lantern light even further back in time to a late 1860s Christmas frontier Texas and a visit to the frontier cabin of Sam Ealy Johnson. Free. www.nps.gov/lyjo for more information or call the public affairs office at (830) 868-7128, ext. 244. More Information »»

December TBA: Blanco County Community Choir Christmas Performance in Blanco – First Baptist Church in Blanco at 7:00 p.m. The Blanco County Community Choir, a volunteer organization that has been presenting Christmas programs since 1974, is preparing a wonderful program for this year. Contact: Beverly Voron @ 868-7215

Wednesday, December 17 (To Be Confirmed): Christmas Lighting Contest Registration DEADLINE – To enter, complete the registration form (Click to download registration form PDF file) and fax it to (830) 868-4855 or deliver your completed registration form to one of the following representatives: Johnson City Chamber of Commerce office located at 100 Main Street (the Withers & Spaulding Building at the corner of Nugent and Main); The Record Courier Newspaper at 207 S. Highway 281; Cattleman’s Bank 403 S. Highway 281; Johnson City Bank 100 E. Pecan.

Thur. - Sun., December 18 - 21: Johnson City Carriage Rides: 20 minute rides in beautiful ornate carriages, originating from the Courthouse Square, $5/person (age under 3 free), minimum 4 adults per pull-out. Call for special pick up locations or destinations, extended trips, non-holiday and private rides. Available Thurs-Sun: 5:30-11p, through Christmas every week (except Christmas day). Advance Reservations & Planning Information: 512-477-8824. Head Carriage Driver: 512-659-0591 (for same night inquiries). Elaine Glass, Owner, Die Gelbe Rose Carriage Company. Email: admin@diegelberosecarriage.net, Web: www.diegelberosecarriage.net.

Sat. - Sun., December 20 - December 21: Johnson City Courthouse Ornaments Sale: The Courthouse lobby will be open during the holiday on weekends and the Garden Club will be selling Christmas ornaments, crafts, post cards, bird houses, bumper stickers and local cook books. The ornaments are hand made each Monday morning throughout the year at our nursing home by the residents, and they are excellent decorations for a very modest cost. Proceeds support local non-profit organizations. Opening weekend of Lights Spectacular the "store" is open 5p-9p on Fri 11/28 through Sunday 11/25. Each weekend thereafter it is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 6p-9p through 12/21. Info: contact Joycelyn Carter, 868-7070.

Friday & Saturday, December 20 & 21: 1st United Methodist Church Living Story of Christmas – Johnson City First United Methodist Church will put on is annual (over 25 years!) Christmas program. It is a show for all ages and a great part of anyone's Christmas. There will be 5 free shows per night, starting at 6:30 p.m. and run on the hour and half hour; the last show being at 8:30 p.m. Each show lasts about 10 minutes. Bleacher seating. Children are welcome to pet the animals after each show. In the Church Activity Center there will be a large display of nativity scenes, free refreshments (cookies, hot chocolate and coffee). Info: 868-7414. See www.fumcjctx.org (pictures of the 2006 program are in the Photo Gallery on this web site)

Saturday, December 20: Christmas at the LBJ Boyhood Home – 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. each evening. National Park Rangers will provide an open house and relive a 1920’s small town Christmas celebration in this decked out historic home located on Elm Street, one block south of Hwy 290 (Main Street) in Johnson City. Free. Complemented by stunning lighting display at the PEC, across the street www.nps.gov/lyjo for more information or call the public affairs office at (830) 868-7128, ext. 244. More Information »»

Sunday, December 21: 39th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Evening Ranch Tours. 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, TX. Celebrating the Season with an open house at the Sauer-Beckmann German farm (including a candlelit Christmas tree and delicious homemade refreshments), a children's nativity scene,and a relaxing rid through the famed LBJ Ranch to view special Christmas displays and decorations at the Texas White House and other treasured sites. Yuletide music, courtesy of the Community Band of Fredericksburg and Stonewall school students, adds even more enjoyment As dusk turns to darkness, Johnson family members arrive and extend their holiday wishes, culminating in the lighting of a beautiful native cedar tree. Santa has always found time in his busy schedule to make an appearance as well. Join LBJ State Park & Historic Site, LBJ National Historical Park & Western National Parks Association for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Tours of the LBJ Ranch and Sauer-Beckmann in Stonewall. For more information call 830-644-2420 or 830-868-7128 x 245 or www.nps.gov/lyjo

Fri. - Sun., December 26 - 28: Johnson City Carriage Rides: 20 minute rides in beautiful ornate carriages, originating from the Courthouse Square, $5/person (age under 3 free), minimum 4 adults per pull-out. Call for special pick up locations or destinations, extended trips, non-holiday and private rides. Available Thurs-Sun: 5:30-11p, through Christmas every week (except Christmas day). Advance Reservations & Planning Information: 512-477-8824. Head Carriage Driver: 512-659-0591 (for same night inquiries). Elaine Glass, Owner, Die Gelbe Rose Carriage Company. Email: admin@diegelberosecarriage.net, Web: www.diegelberosecarriage.net.