Links are the most important currency of the online world. A link from an authority site can nudge your pagerank up and result in more traffic from both users and search engines.

Terlingua Chili Cook-off

– The biggest news this weekend is simple: Terlingua Chili Cook-off.

• Official Casi (big cook-off) site
• Official Original Cook-off site
• Krazy Flats, camping for Casi Cook-off

–I am so psyched! Starting January 1st 2010, you will be able to have a mixed drink in the Greater Alpine area thanks to a ballot initiative. Start warming up your cocktail shakers, I want a double Rusty Nail and a shot of Rumpleminz.

–Elijah Wood of Lord of the Rings fame spun records there at the Crowley Theater after the Masquerade Marfa party. Welcome to West Texas, Elijah!

Nude Phto of Evi Quaid

–I am hearing a lot of unsubstantiated, bizarre stuff about Randy and Evi Quaid. Well, first they sent risque nude photos to a Seattle newspaper. Then? They took down a satellite dish from a neighboring home. Marfa City Council has stopped the Quaids from making their renovations to their Marfa, Texas home. I hear that there was a kerfuffle in the City Hall regarding this (I will speak to Marfa Councilperson David Beebe at next opportunity). Finally, B., a private detective who has extensive knowledge of the Quaids, warns that Evi may be planning a showdown in their fortified Marfa home (this sounds like quite a stretch). B. also speculated that Evi took down the satellite dish because of concerns that the Mafia (who killed Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett) are gunning for them. Whew! This private detective also claims that Evi is converting the residence to a museum honoring Randy’s legacy.

For more on this bizarre development (that is overexposing Marfa to the mainstream media), check out these links:

• Quaids Miss Fourth Court Date
• Vandalism on Satellite Dish
• Evi Sends Nude Photos to Editor

–DAN DEACON AT CHINATI OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND:

– My good friends, John and Beverly, are having a series of campfires at their place:

– One of my favorite blogs, BoingBoing, explores Liquid Smoke with this blogpost. I used some liquid smoke the other day in a chicken marinade and it was wonderful.

–The Mountain Goats, Jeff Davis County Blues:

–Quote of the Week: Among Zen Buddhists it is said, ‘When you meet another bodhisattva on the road, greet him with neither words nor silence.’ That leaves you with a vast selection of barnyard noises from which to choose.”–Kerry Thornley.

– The Talking Heads do “Psycho Killer” live.

The good news is that we have one.

The bad news is that we have two… some organization SNAFU or feud has created two farmer’s markets. One is at 10 am in the parking lot of the Big Bend Thrift Store, the other is at 9 am in the parking lot of Baeza’s thriftway. Many of the folks that I know here in town prefer Farmstand Marfa to our Alpine version. I take this with a grain of salt; it might just be an excuse to drive to Marfa and catch up with friends. They say that Farmstand has a better selection, is more fun, etc. Click here to learn more about Farmstand Marfa.

My advice to our local folks is to get together and have ONE FARMER’S MARKET AT ONE CONSISTENT TIME WITH ONE LEADER/ORGANIZER. Everyone benefits. Even if there’s an innocuous reason to meet at two different locations with two different times, it seems a little demanding to expect purchasers to spend an hour and a half at two different locations.

Let’s hear your comments on this issue. Also, I’d love to get comments from the organizers… these are just my general impressions. Click here to enter the post and leave a comment.

Dude of the Dead

Charlie Angell (the organizer) knows how to have a good time. When you go on an Angell Expeditions river trip or jeep tour you will be impressed with his extensive knowledge of the area’s back ways and his sense of humor.

UPDATE:– I will be attending the Zombie Bar Shamble today Friday at 6 pm at the Railroad Blues. Stay tuned for video of this event. Afterwards, about 9, the Blues will host the awesome Del Castillo. Their flamenco-tinged rock and Latin jazz is simply amazing. They received 7 Austin Music Awards Winning in 2003 including “Band of the Year”, “Album of the Year” and “Best Live Act” . Don’t miss this show!

Wind Damaged Alpine Library

UPDATE:– Get in the Halloween mood with this PUMPKIN DANCE!

UPDATE: IF YOU HAVE AN ALLERGY TO MILK, AVOID MRS. RIOS CORN TORTILLAS AND POP’S BAKERY TORTILLAS FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. They have whey in them, and it was not listed on the label. A recall of these products is going on. Click here to read the rest of the story.

UPDATE:– John Elsbury, the Bikeman, let me know about this event: “John Ehrke of the Big Bend Sierra Club and myself, representing Bikeman’s 7th anniversary, are sponsoring 3 bike rides from Kokernot Lodge this Halloween Saturday morning. The 25 miler begins @ 9:00am, and the 10-miler and 1-mile kids ride (on the paved path in the park) begin @ 10:00am. The rides are entitled ‘Roll Beyond Coal’ per the Sierra Clubs of Texas (see their website for more info), and there’ll be water, fruit, treats, but no other agenda. You are invited to cover this first bike ride event from Alpine for the West Texas Weekly (great website w/cool coverage, by the way).” Thanks for the compliment, Bikeman!

–AWESOME PROP ELECTRIC CHAIR:

YouTube user kenpilot built this: “My Halloween Electric Chair prop. Lights are on to see the full effect. It looks much better at night with just the right amount of accent light. It also has a chest strap which I just forgot to strap on him ”

Snow in Marfa

–Jake Silverstein is the new editor there at Texas Monthly. Again, I have no prejudice against the print media, I just wish that Texas Monthly would see the light and make all of their online content open to the internet.

This is news to West Texas because Mr. Silverstein credits his success in part to Marfa’s own Big Bend Sentinel. He told the Sentinel, “At the Sentinel, you’re so close to the your sources and you see the immediate impact of journalism on people’s lives. It teaches you to respect your sources and also to know your subjects and write about them with care and humor.” I agree completely, small town newspapers are great. However, I do not feel I am in direct competition with our local papers.

After all, they have to conduct “narrative non-fiction longform” journalism while I can present you with a YouTube video of a Dachshund riding a skateboard:

–If you’re a fan of the Marfa Shorthorns, check out Fred Martinez’s extensive collection of photos. Click here to view and join that Yahoo! group.

–I received the following sympathetic e-mail from B. regarding the recent run-ins between the Quaids and our boys in blue :

The truck Evi used to write her notes on is owned by Precision Packing in California. This is the same company Evi used to steal some items from someone’s home in Thousand Oaks. Evi is mentally unstable and really needs some help. Deputy Davis is wrong for filing a civil suit. He should have done his job and helped Evi.

–PHOTO OF THE WEEK:

Romi by Jennie Lyn Hamilton

–QUOTE OF THE DAY: There is no good in arguing with the inevitable. The only argument available to the east wind is to put on your overcoat. –James Russell Lowell

–I got a very gracious thank-you from Kelli King. She wrote the song “Do You Terlingua?” that I featured here a week ago. Click here to visit her website. If you like the song, you can contact her there.

–DON’T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK SATURDAY NIGHT.

–In honor of Halloween, here is a bit of the divine Elvira, Mistress of the Dark:

And director P. T. Anderson’s father, the kooky beatnik Ghoulardi:

Matt’s Pick: There are so many fun things happening this weekend that to pick one would be like picking just one piece of candy from the cauldron.  I just want everyone to have a fun and safe weekend… and not to mention a Happy Halloween!

Spooky and weird? Try the Residents:

Wednesday, October 28^th

• Open Mic Night at La Kiva in Terlingua, 8:00 PM.
• Hans York at Padres in Marfa, 10:00 PM.
   

Thursday, October 29^th

• Kevin Dean at Harry’s Tinaja in Alpine, 8:00 PM.
• Ted Arbogast at The Starlight Theatre in Terlingua, 8:00 PM.

Friday, October 30^th

• Open Mic Night at Harry’s Tinaja in Alpine, 8:00 PM.
• Kevin Dean at La Trattoria in Alpine, 6:30 PM.
• Del Castillo at The Railroad Blues in Alpine, 10:00 PM.

Saturday, October 31^st

• The Shades – 14th annual Halloween Bash at The Railroad Blues in Alpine, 10:00 PM.
• Moondogs at Padres in Marfa, 10:00 PM.
• Los Pinche Gringos at The Starlight Theatre in Terlingua. 
• Helois & the Savoir faire at Crowley Theater in Marfa, 10:00 PM.

Sunday, November 1^st

• The Dry Creek Diggers at Harry’s Tinaja in Alpine, 8:00 PM.

Monday, November 2^nd

• Ted Arbogast at The Starlight Theatre in Terlingua, 8:00 PM.

Tuesday, November 3^rd

•  Big Mountain Boogaloo at Harry’s Tinaja in Apline, 8:00 PM.

An ever present local treat in town, two guys who really put it all out there to entertain their audience.

Fancy Pony Land, Marfa Bedroom

–I want to thank all my readers. Running this blog has been a difficult, complex endeavor; the supportive e-mails and compliments have kept me going. My work is paying off; I’ve received about 7,000 visits in the last month according to Google Analytics. That means if you purchase a Basic Advertising Package, about 20,000 people will see your content for $99. That’s one-half of one cent for each impression! Click here to see ad rates and terms.

Bob Bell

Update: –I receive the following puzzling link from loyal reader, Ezekial:
Texarrakis Is this a commune based on the ideals of Frank Herbert? Who knows.

Ezekial comments:

Behold! The latest group of idiot hipsters who want to move to the desert.
It won’t be long before they pack up their stupid camp and move to Marfa. That is, if I don’t head out there and kill them first.

While those are harsh words, the following video might justify them:

Update: Use your BRAAAAINNNNSSS! when looking for freaky Halloween fun. Try the Zombie Bar Shamble here in Alpine on Halloween. You’ll be asking for MOARRRRR. “Pub crawl/Shamble begins 7PM at The Rail Road Blues with drink stops along the way ending at Harry’s Tinaja. Free swag, prize for best costume, pub games. Zombie make-up available starting 6PM at RRBlues for $3.”

Here’s footage from a NYC zombie crawl:

–DO YOU TERLINGUA? I got a very gracious thank-you from Kelli King. She wrote this song. Click here to visit her website. If you like the song, you can contact her there.

Cthulhu Mask, courtesy boingboing.net

In a recent post, she talks about what mask she wants to wear to the Ballroom Masquerade. Click here to read that post. Mercer has subtle taste. I don’t. I want to be Cthulu if I must be a fictional character. Not Oberon or Punchinello. Perhaps I can waltz in for a dance or two after the zombie crawl.

–There is a WEST TEXAS AMBER ALERT for Mitchell Romero, a three-year-old. He is believed to be with his father after the murder of his mother. Click here to see a photo of Mitchell. Maybe you can help authorities locate this child.

WEST TEXAS NEWS LINKS:

• Randi and Evi Quaid Blow Off Santa Barbara Hearing
• West Texas Soldier Killed While Home on Leave
• Big Turbines Echo West Texas Windmills

–Thank you to Texas Mountain Trails for featuring West Texas Weekly sponsors Murphy Street Raspa Company. Click here to see that blog post.

– If you’re new in the area and want painless Spanish lessons, call Rosa Lipsen at (281) 658-4892. She’s a native speaker with a graduate degree in bi-lingual education. She specializes in making language acquisition fun through cultural teaching. If you have a personal service that you would like to share with the world, click here to see how you can advertise on West Texas Weekly for as little as $30/month.

In a therapeutic show of generosity, I have allowed him to post the following message in order to demonstrate that his views are absurd and that there doesn't have to be a conspiracy in order for people to ignore him. If you find this post absurd, please comment on it and tell him so. It might be the best thing for him in the long run. Also, I have left in mistakes because I am too lazy to edit this guy's opinions.]

Why do they call me the Last Patriot? Because that is WHAT I AM!

The New World Order has penetrated every aspect of your day to day existence, yet you do nothing! You are sheep! Your shepherds have indoctrinated you so well that you welcome the blade that slits your throat.

I have done extensive research on the connection between Skull and Bones, the Tri-lateral Commission, and modern Illuminism– an occult faith that wishes to bring about the fascist one world government that will destroy all the rights guaranteed us by the US Constitution and the philosophy of Locke.

I take great precautions– don’t worry, there have been extensive attempts on my life (proof positive that I am touching a nerve somewhere). I use a Unix relay server in Germany, an anonymous e-mail account, and a public terminal for all communications.

This is my introduction to you. I am going to give you one fact (an indisputable public fact that you can easily confirm): President George H. W. Bush, his son President George W. Bush, and the latter’s 2004 Presidential opponent Senator John Kerry are members of Skull and Bones.
This is strong evidence (not indisputable evidence) that we live in a one-party state controlled by an elite. In my next post, I’ll show how this fact ties in to the British Royal Family. I have exclusive evidence that the British Royal Family is a group of drug-peddling pimps that kill Princess Diana because of her compassion and dedication to the people of England.

If you want to read more on the reality of everyday life under the New World Order, leave a comment ASKING FOR THE LAST PATRIOT AS A PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE STAFF AT WEST TEXAS WEEKLY!!! Together we can fight through the lies and evil and come to the truth, defrock this fraudulent bums and destroy this evil plan!

Hallie Stillwell Hall of Fame Museum

Hallie Stillwell was a pioneer woman who married a rancher and made the trek west in the covered wagon days. She was well known in the region and in the state of Texas. Travel South from Marathon and turn left at the ranch road just before Persimmon Gap Headquarters of Big Bend National Park, continue about 9 miles and come across the Stillwell Store and RV Park.

Fireplace in parlor at the Hallie Stillwell Museum

Having heard about the Hallie Stillwell Hall of Fame Museum I was curious but unsure if the museum would be open on a Sunday. We were greeted by Hallie’s grand daughter in the Stillwell store. She gave us a key attached to a large flat wooden coyote and told us to please turn the lights off when we were finished. “Be sure and watch the video, it’ll help your knowledge.”

Upon entering the museum, situated to the right of the store in an old but renovated adobe, a large portrait of Hallie in her iconic red boots and red cowgirl hat is a friendly greeting. In the large, parlor like, room to the right is the video. It was shot when Hallie was 97, I seem to remember her grand daughter telling me, by Austin College. It’s a fascinating video not only about Hallie and the Stillwell Ranch, but about the history of the Big Bend, Big Bend National Park, and the borderland.

Hallie's Chili Cook Off Queen Cowgirl Hats

The Hall of Fame is filled with things from Hallie’s life. Chili Cookoff Queen cowgirl hats from Terlingua, furniture, her family’s belongings, writings, books, and western life. The Stillwells give new meaning to the word survive and if you live in the area or are interested in the history I highly recommend a trip to this wonderful resource and celebration of an incredible woman’s life and family.

Hallie Stillwell Museum Memorabilia

Upon bringing the key back I chatted with her grand daughter who is quite an accomplished crochet artist and we made it onto the porch with a coke. Spent the rest of our time chatting about contemporary issues in the region with a couple of locals. It seems surviving in the desert, and the even more deserted corners is still difficult and still worth respect.

Tom Michael, Station Manager maintaining radio equipment

Marfa Public Radio kicks off their annual Fall Pledge Drive today at 11 am with Harry Hudson on Rock til One. Listen for special programming all week long, through Friday, October 23. Online at www.marfapublicradio.org or on your FM radio dial 93.5. Read more about Marfa Public Radio here.

Two times a year – in the Spring and in the Fall – KRTS 93.5 FM conducts a Membership Drive. We ask our listeners to support the station financially. Please click the Support button on the website. Or make your pledge over the phone, by calling toll-free to 800-903-KRTS.

Marfa Public Radio relies on the annual gifts of individual members and THANKS YOU if you are already an active member!

Marfa Public Radio Staff in Front of MPR Sign

KRTS provides radio that unites the community and promotes cultural enrichment through presentation and focus on the importance of art, education, quality of life and the local economy. In addition to daily NPR news programs and hourly newscasts, KRTS provides about 15 hours of original talk and music programming every day. Marfa Public Radio is radio for a wide range.

Marfa Public Radio invites the community to an OPEN HOUSE in the KRTS Studios Friday October 16th from 7PM – 9PM. Come have a drink, a snack, take tours of the station, meet DJ’s, staff and volunteers!

Dan Deacon Orders a Pizza

Despite my misgivings, there was a great deal of excitement and energy in the crowd. The dance contest was a high point, but the excitement really came to a head when the ‘human caterpillar’ crossed the road and the Presidio County Sheriff’s office made sure no one was injured. Their flashing lights only added to the psychedelic atmosphere. Everyone at Chinati (staff and volunteers) did an excellent job of ensuring a fun, safe environment. This is definitely the social high-point of the year for Marfa.

– To me, opening act Nuclear Power Pants was more accessible. Their mixture of cutting-edge progressive rock and poppy synth sounds reminded me of the great 70s Ohio bands; Pere Ubu or Devo comes to mind. They successfully combined spastic, jerky rhythms with infectious Key-tar riffs all the while performing in Pac Man heads.

–Congratulations to Rachel Osier-Lindley. Lonn Taylor has profiled her excellent KRTS show on vintage American music at the Big Bend Sentinel. Click here to read that article.

–Chris (above) of Republic of Austin interviews Julie Speed. Click here to read the accompanying article about Open House Weekend and El Cosmico. Click here to see some photos that Chris took from Marfa and its environs.

Photo Courtesy of TMZ.com

–A GREAT SHORT VIDEO FROM CBS NEWS ON THE TERLINGUA MEDICS. KUDOS TO ALL OUR LOCAL EMS PROVIDERS. YOU ARE LIFESAVERS!

–I speak with artist Juliana Johnson about a particular canvas on display in the lobby of the Paisano during Chinati Open House Weekend:

Douchebag who can tell time

–Thank you to Tim Wilde for placing a subliminal plug for me in the Big Bend Sentinel. He has a screen shot of a forced quit in his article on computer safety. What’s one of the open Internet Explorer windows? West Texas Weekly.

–Our Quote of the Week comes from visionary and inventor Buckminster Fuller: “Reality” is the only word in the English language that should always be in quotes.

–Bradford Hardie made a short film about his trip to Marfa for El Cosmico and Open House Weekend. It’s set to some music he made:

R.I.P. Captain Lou Albano: