Melanie Tipps

The Village of Salado, Texas announces the seventh annual Wildflower Art Show, to be held Saturday, March 29th and Sunday, March 30th. Stroll under the majestic oak trees on the grounds of the historical Salado Civic Center as you enjoy the original works of the artists and craftsmen in a wide range of media. Vendors may click here for an application.

Visit www.salado.com for more information!

It's not a bird or a plane, but it could save the lives of those in the smaller communities outside of Austin.

St. David's has a brand new helipad.

"What it means, is when we bring a patient to them, they'll have almost immediate access," Dave Wuertz a flight nurse said.

A heart patient has a limited amount of time when they have a heart attack and Wuertz said that "time is muscle."

"The shorter the time frame from when the person loses the blood supply to their heart, to the time when they get into the [hospital], the better they are," he said.

And with the introduction of St. David's new helipad, emergency services hope to provide more and better medical assistance.

The new helipad isn't the only new digs scheduled to open. A new 377,000-square-foot women's facility is scheduled to open in April of next year.

Story by News 8 Austin.

Texas Hill Country: The next Napa?

There's more to do in Hill Country than chase wildflowers

By Cassandra M. Vanhooser
Southern Living

Thursday, March 16, 2006; Posted: 11:03 a.m. EST (16:03 GMT)

No trespassing. The state's prettiest country roads often meander through open ranch land. Keep in mind that it's illegal to trespass on private property, even when there are no fences blocking your path.

Be prepared to stop. Roads will be jammed during peak blooming season. Watch out for the other guy, and you'll avoid costly accidents or injuries.

Don't pick the bluebonnets. Feel welcome to admire the scenic vistas from your car or bike, but don't walk in, sit in, or drive in the flowers.

Finding the best blooms is akin to sport in Texas. Most locals will direct you to their favorite spots if you ask politely. The tourism folks will sell you maps that illustrate loops and trails that have been fruitful in the past. Or you can do what we did -- just get in the car, and explore at will.

In addition to bluebonnets, you'll also find those things that are quintessentially Texas -- barbecue joints, dance halls, and small towns filled with quirky characters. But we found some surprises. All across the region, sophisticated restaurants take Texas cuisine to new heights. Vintners plant new wineries every year. Well-established artists are generating a groundswell of interest in cutting-edge art.

So gas up your car, and head to the Hill Country. While you're following the trails where the bluebonnets grow, take some time to explore these unexpected pleasures.

Land of wine and wildflowers

"The Hill Country really sparkles this time of year," Richard Becker muses as he surveys the fields at Becker Vineyards near Stonewall. Even on this sleepy Monday, a steady stream of visitors drops by the tasting room to sample the dozen wines made here. It's a testament to the popularity of the Hill Country Wine Trail that features area wineries.

Visitors can pick up a brochure or visit http://www.texaswinetrail.com/ for a map and directions to the wineries. On April 21-23 and 28-30, the wineries will host a special Wine & Wildflower Trail celebration.

Because the Hill Country is one of the fastest growing wine-producing regions in the country, some believe the area is on track to become the next Napa Valley.

"That remains to be seen," cautions Richard. "It all depends on the quality of the wines we're able to produce. Right now, our wines taste really good, but only time will tell if we can consistently produce excellent wines."

A new taste of Texas

The Lone Star State has long been synonymous with barbecue, burgers and beer halls. But fresh produce and regional ingredients are now finding their way onto menus.

Locals and visitors alike embrace Cuvée, a wine bar, market and bistro that opened in Fredericksburg three years ago. Although the menu features some 300 wines, with 50 served by the glass, owner and sommelier Len White makes affordability a priority. "Anyone can get you a great bottle of wine for $100," says Len. "I try to get people interested in different kinds of styles of wine in the $18 to $28 range."

The market is a find for travelers too. The ever-changing gourmet takeaway menu features delights such as chicken-and-truffle lasagna, smoked beef tenderloin salad and roasted tomato soup. Len's wife, Stephanie, makes fresh-baked bread and homemade pastries and offers an array of cheeses, meats, and patés.

August E's has the look and feel of a great old Texas establishment, but the menu is nouveau Texas. The chink-and-mortar train depot was transported from Greeley, Colorado, and reconstructed about 5 miles east of Fredericksburg. On the back, there's also a westward-facing terrace that features a bar and two outdoor fireplaces.

You can get the traditional inch-thick aged Prime rib eye, grilled to perfection over a mesquite fire. But the menu also boasts Asian-inspired dishes such as the restaurant's signature Saigon Spring Rolls and Vietnamese-style mixed grill with duck, short ribs and garlic shrimp stir-fried with jasmine rice.

Unique crop of galleries

The Hill Country's vast skies and wide-open spaces seem to inspire the creativity in all of us. Recently, there's been a rising interest in fine art. In 2005, Italian artist Benini and wife Lorraine launched a series of events called Arts Encounters at their 140-acre ranch east of Johnson City.

On the last weekend of each month, the couple hosts noted artists from around the world and invites the public to attend free of charge. If they call ahead, visitors are also welcome to visit Benini's 14,000-square-foot gallery or drive through his Sculpture Ranch.

Debra Goldstein opened her contemporary art gallery in a restored turn-of-the-century limestone building in Johnson City.

"It always surprises me when people come in and go, 'Wow! What's this doing here?' " she confesses. "It's like it doesn't belong here. I think fine art belongs everywhere."

Goldstein admits it took locals a while to warm up to her gallery, Debra Goldstein Fine Art, but now she feels very much a part of the community. "This is a church-going town," she says. "There are more churches here than there are restaurants. But on Sunday afternoon, if people have visitors in from out of town, they bring them here to show off the gallery."

Cycle Texas

The Hill Country is a haven for cycling enthusiasts. A vast network of paved farm roads links ranches and creates a perfect surface for road riders. The region's abundance of natural areas also offers many opportunities for mountain bikers.

You can bring your own bike or rent one from Hill Country Bicycle Works, with locations in both Fredericksburg and Kerrville. They'll even help you map out a route that matches your ability. A new Web site points road cyclists to six challenging routes. They also post notices for local group rides that welcome visitors.

By JIM BERGAMO
KVUE News

The new Seton Medical Center Williamson opens its doors Thursday, becoming the largest medical facility in Williamson County.

Click here for larger video

Bishop Gregory Aymond of the Catholic Diocese of Austin will be on hand to bless the facility during a public event planned Thursday evening that begins at 4:30 p.m.

Williamson County is one of the fastest growing counties in Texas, and as it expands, demand for things like medical services grows too.

The hospital boasts of 34 emergency room beds and 16 recovery beds in the women's center.

Seton Medical Center Williamson will be the only facility where the baby can stay with the mother from the time it's born until it's time to go home.

An interactive television system in the women's center will allow the patients to take an active role their own care.

"They can pull up prescribed videos about their care or their condition, they can even look at their own medications on line. They can tell their care team about their pain level. They can also get a welcome from their physician," said Mark Hazelwood, president and CEO of Seton Medical Center Williamson.

With that interactive television, patients can access the Internet, check their email and even order room service 24 hours a day.

There are also several waterfalls incorporated into the building's design. The purpose is to provide the patients a tranquil feeling as they recover.

Information from http://www.kvuenews.com/.

Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo is just around the corner and here is a list of the performing artists! To purchase tickets, vist http://www.rodeoaustin.com/!

Entertainment

Arena Entertainment March 1 - Randy Rogers Band With musical influences ranging from Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson to The Beatles and even Pearl Jam, the Randy Rogers band has been a strong, local musical force since the band's formation in 2000. In their fifth and most recent album, Just a Matter of Time, The Randy Rogers Band masterfully blends country and rock n' roll to create a sound that's all their own. play sample Buy Tickets for the Randy Rogers Band March 2 - Rodney Atkins Rodney's first single, "In a Heartbeat," set the pace for a career full of climbing charts. The 2006 Top New Male Vocalist award-winner combines his love of music with his love for his family, writing songs that dwell on family matters. He's "Cleaning This Gun," for his daughter's potential boyfriend, looking for "Someone to Share it With," and "If You're Going Through Hell," he'll give a good piece of advice. play sample Buy Tickets for Rodney Atkins March 3 - Gretchen Wilson The rapid rise of Gretchen Wilson has surely been propelled by her raw talent and honest, no frills approach to music. With the release of her third album, One of the Boys, Wilson has proven herself a versatile, genuine artist. Her life experiences contribute to the depth and authenticity found in her music. play sample Buy Tickets for Gretchen Wilson March 4 - Willie Nelson If ever the words "living legend" were more than just public relations bluster, the application would be to Willie Nelson. The iconic Texan's career has spanned six decades, his catalog boasts more than 200 albums including historic recordings like "Crazy," "Hello Walls," "Red Headed Stranger" and "Stardust." He has gained credentials as an author, actor and activist. play sample Buy Tickets for Willie Nelson March 5 - Tracy Lawrence Tracy Lawrence is one of the premier voices of his generation, both a sensitive and intelligent singer. Tracy hit the national spotlight at the age of 23 with "Sticks and Stones." Lawrence's respect for tradition has enabled him to produce songs like "Lessons Learned" and "Find Out Who Your Friends Are," and build one of the most respected careers in recent country history. play sample Buy Tickets for Tracy Lawrence March 6 - Styx Styx helped define the 1970s and 1980s with songs like "Come Sail Away," "Babe," Lady," "Mr. Roboto," and "Renegade." Styx was the first band to have four consecutive albums certified multi-platinum. Most band members set out on solo careers and book-writing, and the legend rock band received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. play sample Buy Tickets for Styx March 7 - Neal McCoy Neal McCoy embodies the best in American music: He's an entertainer and a vocal stylist, a country star who still lives near the land he knew as a young man and a family man who travels the world on the wings of song. He has produced many number one hits including "No Doubt About It," "Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On" and "Wink". play sample Buy Tickets for Neal McCoy March 8 - Miranda Lambert Miranda Lambert first exploded onto the music scene as a finalist in 2003 on the television show Nashville Star. Her first album, Kerosene, debuted at No. 1 on the country charts and won over critics and fans alike. Lambert's latest album, Crazy Ex Girlfriend, showcases her aptitude as both a writer and a performer. play sample Buy Tickets for Miranda Lambert March 9 - George Jones Over the past twenty years, George Jones has frequently been referred to as "the greatest living country singer" and "the Rolls-Royce of country singers." The two-time Grammy winner is known for his distinctive voice and phrasing that frequently evoke raw emotions. He has had more songs than any other singer on the country charts, including "He Stopped Loving Her Today," "Why, Baby, Why," And "Choices." play sample Buy Tickets for George Jones March 10 - Natasha Bedingfield Natasha Bedingfield's first chart-topping single, "Unwritten," earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2004. Bedingfield's uptempo, pop-rock sound has spread across the U.S. with enormous popularity. Bedingfield has collaborated with artists like Eve, Adam Levine (Maroon 5), rapper Bizarre, Sean Kingston and more, including a performance with Justin Timberlake on his tour. play sample Buy Tickets for Natasha Bedingfield March 11 - Clay Walker Certain artists just have an innate sense of what it takes to please an audience. Clay Walker is one of those artists. Whether on stage or in the recording studio singing "Hypnotize the Moon," "Ordinary People," or "Fall," Walker never gives less than a hundred percent, and it's that kind of dedicated work ethic combined with God-given talent that have made him one of the most successful country acts of the decade. play sample Buy Tickets for Clay Walker March 12 - Joe Nichols Although he recorded his first album in 1996, it was not until the release of his 2002 single "The Impossible" that Nichols broke onto the country music scene. The single was followed by the release of his second album, Man With a Memory. Nichols has charted ten Top 40 singles on the U.S. Billboard country music charts, two of which - "Brokenheartsville" and "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" - reached No. 1. play sample Buy Tickets for Joe Nichols March 13 - Jason Aldean His relatable songs, powerful, dynamic voice, and total dedication to giving himself up for an audience have won over thousands of fans. Aldean followed up his hit "Hicktown" with "Why," and just released his second album, which includes a standout track with fellow rising star Miranda Lambert titled "Grown Woman" and the hit single "Laughed Until We Cried". play sample Buy Tickets for Jason Aldean March 14 - Sean Kingston Sean Kingston is not just a new face in popular music; he's accomplished the rare task of creating a new genre where rap, reggae, pop, doo-wop and remarkable songwriting all combine producting a refreshing sound. His latest hit "Beautiful Girls" and "Love Like This" duet with Natasha Bedingfield have topped charts. Add in Sean's family roots (his grandfather is legendary Jamaican producer Jack Ruby) and you have one of the most exciting debuts this year. play sample Buy Tickets for Sean Kingston March 15 - Kevin Fowler Kevin Fowler's music is a rock n' roll sound delivered by the heartfelt performance of a country boy. A Texas native who grew up listening to Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash, Kevin has recorded duets with both Willie Nelson and George Jones in his career. With his new CD Bring It On, Kevin delivers his unique and heartfelt "Southern country" with style. play sample Buy Tickets for Kevin Fowler Tickets to these concerts will go on sale January 18 at 10 a.m. Season and Group Tickets are available for purchase now. To learn more please see the Ticket Sales Brochure or call 512-919-3000.