H ave you seen an October 2016 monarch butterfly yet? This is the peak week for migration along our 30th latitude. If you’re not seeing some, try looking up. On MonarchWatch.org, an observer in Dripping Springs reported on the 14th, ”The leading edge of a cool front just arrived and riding on the wi...

By Rafael Marquez An agreement between the city of Kyle and developers of the Anthem subdivision will pave the way for utility service to be extended to the development.  Kyle city leaders earlier this month approved an agreement with Mountain City 150, LP to extend water and wastewater services Ant...

What a story we live in, living in Mountain City. “A little slice of paradise” is what some say. With the people, pets, and nature, every week there’s something interesting. Here we live! Last week’s Neighbors Night Out on the lawn of Beth and Everett Smith (they’ve hosted the event every year, star...

“Though the calendar says autumn is here, the faint scent of summer roses still lingers in the air. It is so with life: One gift appears but another fades.” The publishers of my “Birds of North America” calendar had no source for the Sept. 24 quote. The page drew my attention because the bird of the...

M ountain City shut the prized recycling trailer behind a gate, signaling the end of the city’s recycling service. Before the city added the trailer (thanks, Kevin Johnson, for making it happen), green folks went to The Green Guy in San Marcos. Now, the city could not find anyone to empty the traile...

By Pauline Tom P raise God for the rain. Looking back in past Augusts, “Montage” mentioned crunchy grass; and, we prayed for rain. How beautiful the rain sounds and green grass! A soft rattle near sundown on Sunday turned my head back to the spot on the soft grass where I had just scooped dillo dirt...

N o interesting election for Mountain City government this time around, that’s for sure. The Council will cancel the November election – because only two submitted applications. With three seats open, the Council will appoint an alderman. Phillip Taylor filed to serve as mayor and Ray Patterson file...

W ho turned out the lights?” Mayor Tifanny Curnutt sent a message with this caption to those on the city’s email distribution list last week. (Not on the distribution list?  With the city’s website features not functioning well, you may send an e-mail to mountaincitytx@gmail.com and let the city kno...

A  constant parade of birds visits our limestone boulder water feature these hot days. The shallow water and soft flow of recirculating water beckons birds. Hummingbirds, Eastern Bluebird, Bewick’s Wren, roadrunner, Black-crested Titmouse, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Summer Tanager, cardinal, Painted...

By Pauline Tom V rooom. Vrooom. “Ladies and gentlemen, start. your. chainsaws.” This word came (via email) from Mayor Tiffany Curnutt on the evening of June 30. Why June 30? That’s the last day for “no pruning or wounding live oaks” period (with a few exceptions), according to TexasOakWilt.org’s pro...