Luncheon featuring Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson on Friday
     Both the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce and the Admiral Nimitz Foundation will host a luncheon featuring Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison on Friday, April 17 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Nimitz Ballroom at 340 E. Main St., in Fredericksburg.  Cost to attend is $25 per person in advance and $30 at the door and catering will be provided by Delicious Details.  Luncheon topics include the economy, transportation and border protection.  For information and ticket sales, please contact the Chamber office at 830-997-6523. Friends of Fredericksburg Nature Center to host program on Tuesday
     Learn more about bees this Tuesday, April 14 (tomorrow) when the Friends of the Fredericksburg Nature Center host a program, Making a Difference: Native Bees and Bee Gardens, featuring Austin master naturalist Kim Bacon.  This free program will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Gillespie County Agricultural Extension Building at 95 Frederick Road in Fredericksburg.  For information, call 830-990-9823.Reflections of the ‘60s at LBJ Ranch this Friday and Saturday
     Learn about the culture and events of the 1960s in the shadow of the Texas White House, the scene of many national decisions which shaped the decade during the LBJ Ranch’s special event, Reflections of the ‘60s – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. this Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18.  The event is free to the public.  Stop by the LBJ National Historical Park, Hwy 290 E. near Stonewall.  For information, call 830-868-7128, ext. 231 or visit www.nps.gov/lyjo .

Fredericksburg Theater Co. presents Love, Sex and the IRS
     The Fredericksburg Theater Company will present the hilarious and very popular production, Love, Sex and the IRS, beginning Friday, April 17 at the Steve W. Shepherd Theater at 1668 Hwy 87 S in Fredericksburg.  Performances run each Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 2:00 p.m. through May 3.  For tickets, call 1- 888-669-7114 or visit www.fredericksburgtheater.org .Wine & Wildflower Trail this weekend and again next weekend
     Take a self-guided tour of the Texas Hill Country wine country beginning this Friday, April 17 through Sunday and again next weekend, April 24-26.  Stop by any of the 24 wineries participating as each provides special trail activities.  There’s no charge to take the trail tour and no tickets are needed.  See individual wineries for complete details, including possible wine tasting fees.  For information, visit www.texaswinetrail.com .

Fredericksburg Peddler Show starts Friday
     Like to shop?  Stop by the Fredericksburg Peddler Show at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds on Fair Drive off Hwy 16 S. for a one-of-a- kind custom shopping experience on Friday, April 17, from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m., Saturday, April 18 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 19 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors age 65+ and free for children under age 12.  For information, call 512-358-1000 or log on to www.peddlershow.com .Photography 414 opens new exhibit this Friday
      Out of Africa, a new exhibit featuring photographer Jim Keupel’s images of Kenya will open this Friday, April 17 at 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Photography 414 studios at 414 E. Main St. in Fredericksburg, and will run this Saturday, 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The show continues next Friday and Saturday, same hours.  Make plans to attend the opening/artist reception on Friday, April 17 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.  For more information, call 830-456-1529 or visit www.photography414.com .

Every third weekend is Trade Days in Fredericksburg
      Check out Fredericksburg Trade Days on U.S. Hwy 290 E. as 350 vendors unearth great finds, this weekend, April 17 – 19. Gates open on Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Admission is free but there is a $3 parking fee.  For information, call 830-990-4900 or visit www.fbgtradedays.com .Texas VW Classic this weekend
     Fans of classic Volkswagen models will want to head out this weekend to the Pioneer Pavilion located at the Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park on State Hwy 16 S. outside Fredericksburg for the 2009 Texas VW Classic, April 17-19.  Take the Willkommen Cruise on Friday, April 18 beginning at 5:00 p.m. and the Bluebonnet Cruise Saturday, April 19 at 2:00 p.m. with maps available at the park.  Dinner will be held at the park on Saturday, April 18 at 6:00 p.m.  Stop by on Sunday, April 20 for a Car Show and Parts Sale & Swap Meet beginning at 8:00 a.m., and stay for the 2009 Awards Ceremony at 3:00 p.m.  For a complete itinerary and more information, visit www.texasvwclassic.com .

Pioneer Museum to hold Family Fun event this Saturday
     The Gillespie County Historical Society will host a family fun presentation entitled Hats: Practical to Preposterous this Saturday, April 18 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Pioneer Museum at 325 W. Main St. in Fredericksburg.  The event is free with regular museum admission of $5 for adults, $3 for kids age 6 to 17, and free for children age 5 and younger.   For information, call 830-990-8441.  To learn more about the museum visit www.pioneermuseum.com .Pacific Combat Reenactments to be held this weekend
     The National Museum of the Pacific War’s Pacific Combat Zone will reenact three shows daily this Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19 during its Pacific Combat Living History Reenactment.  Watch as docents in authentic World War II uniforms share a bit of the past. Demonstration times are 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.  For tickets and information, call 830-997-4379 or log on to
www.nimitz-museum.org .

Take at sneak peak at the reenactments by logging on to the Fredericksburg CVB’s “Our Fredericksburg” podcast at www.FredTexLodging.com .Fredericksburg VFD to hold Fish Fry Fund-raiser this Saturday
     Support the Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Department this Saturday, April 18, during a Fish Fry fund-raiser at the Marktplatz at the 100 block of W. Main St.  Cost for plates is by donation.  For information, call 830- 997-5603. 

Fredericksburg Music Club to host concert this Sunday
     The Fredericksburg Music Club will host a concert by the San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble this Sunday, April 19 at 3:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church at 1800 N. Llano St. in Fredericksburg.  Admission is free will.  For details, call 830-997-5413.Berkman Books’ new First and Third Thursday Events     
     Berkman Books is hosting its Wine, Cheese and Books social from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. each first and third Thursday of each month, with one slated for this Thursday, April 16.  Berkman Books is located at 416 E. Main St. in Fredericksburg.

Fredericksburg CVB helps bring NANPA event to Fredericksburg      
     The Fredericksburg Convention & Visitor Bureau has worked with officials with the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) over the past two years to bring the 2009 Texas Regional Event to Fredericksburg, April 16-19.  CVB sales staff helped with hotel selection, site inspections, collaterals and local contact information to bring the estimated 75 photographers and staff from across the U.S. to this city; chosen for its scenic landscapes, water, and natural resources, especially its game and abundant bird population – all ideal for nature photography. This week’s podcast:

LBJ 100 Bike Ride this Saturday
      The Hill Country Bike Touring Association and the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park will hold a Hill Country Bike Tour on Saturday, March 28 at 9:00 a.m. at the park on Hwy 290 near Stonewall.  Routes are 10-, 32-, 45- and 62-miles (100 kilometers) on scenic, traffic-free roads.  Registration is $40 and includes supported rides with maps, rest stops, sag wagon support, and a ride t-shirt (to pre-registered riders). As an added feature, Luci Baines Johnson will lead a special 10-mile historic tour with narrative of historical landmarks on the LBJ Ranch at 11:00 a.m. For more information, call 830-868-7128 or log on to www.lbj100bicycletour.org 19^th Century Ladies Conference at Fort Martin Scott this Saturday
     The 19^th Century Ladies Conference will be held this Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Fort Martin Scott at 1606 E. Main St. in Fredericksburg.  See how life in the 19^th century was like as women from across Texas gather to give their interpretations during this living history event.  Donations welcome.  To learn more, call 830-889-0776.Stonewall VFD to host Fish Fry Lunch Fund- raiser on Sunday
     Hungry?  Help support the Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department and get a good fish meal this Sunday, March 29 at the new fire station at the intersection of FM 1623 North and Hwy 290.  Event will benefit the Stonewall VFD and First Responders’ new station project.  Cost is $8 per plate; drive through only beginning at 11:00 a.m. until sold out.  For information, call 830-644-5571.

March 9, 2009       
    Have a Great Spring Break!
Spring Break Schedules for Restaurants
      Restaurants will be open for an extended schedule (either days or hours) during the spring break season.

Spring Break plans this week at the Pioneer Museum
      Make this week both educational and fun for the entire family with three acres of interactive living history demonstrations.  At the Pioneer Museum, located at 325 W. Main St. in Fredericksburg, you’ll learn how early German settlers sheared sheep, spun wool, quilted, worked with metal and wood, made soap, rope and much more. Auslander Spring Music Festival starts on Wednesday
      It’s a toe-tapping good time at the Auslander Biergarten & Restaurant at 323 East Main St. in Fredericksburg during its Spring Music Festival beginning Wednesday, March 11 and running through March 21.  Nightly concerts begin at 9:00 p.m.  For more information including schedule of performers and ticket pricing, call 830-997-7714 or visit www.theauslander.com .  Texas Geocaching Challenge this weekend
     It’s the thrill of the hunt!  Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices.  Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15, enthusiasts will gather in Fredericksburg for Texas Challenge 2009 to be held at the Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park on Hwy 16 S.   For specifics, visit www.texaschallenge.info  Kite Day at the LBJ State Park on Saturday
     Bring the kids for an afternoon in the great outdoors as the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historical Site at Hwy 290 E. presents Kite Day, with activities from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 14. The park will provide all the materials to make your own kite and there will be plenty of space to fly your creation. There’s no cost to attend.

Pacific Combat Zone Reenactment this Weekend
     The National Museum of the Pacific War’s Pacific Combat Zone at Austin and Elk streets in Fredericksburg will come alive as living history docents in authentic World War II uniforms recreate battle scenes on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15.  Hear combat strategy sessions in the Pacific Theater or tour a recreated battlefield; docents will demonstrate training tactics and the use of an authentic flame thrower. Program times both days are at 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and at 3:30 p.m

Texas Hell Week kicks off this Weekend
     Headquartered at the Sunset Inn at 900 South Adams St., the always popular Hell Week is back — so watch out for cyclists.  This eight-day bicycle challenge begins this Saturday, March 14 and offers daily rides around Fredericksburg for all skill levels.  A post-ride seminar series is also offered by experienced cyclists and trainers.  For information, call 806-683-6489 or visit www.hellweek.com .  

March 2, 2009       
     

   Happy Texas Independence Day!

First Friday Art Walk this Friday
      The first Friday of every month kicks off First Friday Art Walk promoting the art scene in Fredericksburg.  Nine local fine art galleries plan special events and stay open later (until 8:00 p.m.).  A list of participating galleries is available at the Fredericksburg Visitor Information Center at 302 E. Austin Street.  This month’s ‘Walk’ is this Friday, March 6.Saddle up –Texas Star Trail begins on Friday
     Annual multi-day, 112-mile horse trail ride starting on Friday, March 6 and running through March 14.  The trail starts off from Fredericksburg and heads through different Hill Country towns on the way to Driftwood.  For more information, including rates, call 512-791- 2503 or visit www.texasstartrail.com .Family Fun at the Pioneer Museum on Saturday
     Members of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe of the Lakota Nation in South Dakota will be on hand at the Pioneer Museum, located at 325 W. Main St. in Fredericksburg, as part of the museum’s Family Fun special promotion held every first Saturday of the month.  Bring the kids on Saturday, March 7 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. to learn more about the Sioux Tribe.  Group members will have a campsite on the museum grounds.  The special activities that day are free with the regular museum admission of $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 12 and under.  Free admission is available to members of the Gillespie County Historical Society as part of the membership package, which includes free access to the museum and all activities there throughout the year. 
Can’t make it this Saturday?  Tribe members will be at the museum throughout Spring Break week, March 9-14. 
     For more information, call Liz Brookshire at 830-997-2835 or visit www.pioneermuseum.com . Texas A&M Singing Cadets Concert this Saturday
     The Texas A&M Singing Cadets – known as the Voice of Aggieland – will be in Fredericksburg on Saturday, March 7 for a concert to be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, located at 109 E. San Antonio St.  Donations of $15 are being accepted.  For more details about the singing group in its 106^th touring season, call 214-534-4655 or visit www.singingcadets.com .Hill Country Wedding Expo on Sunday
     Head’s up, brides – the Hill Country Wedding Expo will be held in Fredericksburg at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds on Hwy 16 S. this Sunday, March 8 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. , with free admission.  For information, call 830-997-2197.