Sign up for the parade!

Entries are coming in for the 33rd Annual Holiday Parade on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Entry forms are available at our office, 225 N. Richmond Road. You can also download the entry and vendor forms from our website at whartontexas.com.

This year’s parade theme is “Storybook Christmas”. Our Parade Marshal is Phil Stephenson, who is the first state representative from Wharton in more than one-half century.

Lots of other stuff happening:

Camille Miller, president and chief executive officer of the Texas Heath Institute, will explain the new health-care law at the Wharton Chamber’s Lunch and Learn Seminar series.

The luncheon will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Wharton Civic Center. Tickets are now on sale.

The emphasis of her talk will be the new law’s impact on businesses. Call us at 532-1862 to reserve tickets.

The Chamber’s Christmas Open House will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10. Come by and visit!

Susan Shell Winston will have a book signing at Milam Street Coffee Shop from 3 to 5 p.m. today, Saturday, Nov. 16. The coffee shop also will host the next Java Jam from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22.

“Proof” is at the Plaza Theatre this weekend, and the Farmers Market from 9 to noon today at the WCJC parking lot.

Whartontexas.com can post your events and has a complete listing of events. It also is a great way to avoid conflicts when scheduling an event.

This week’s Business Spotlight: K&D Design.

The new health care law and what you need to know for your businesses

Camille Miller, president and chief executive officer of the Texas Heath Institute, will explain the new health-care law at the next in the Wharton Chamber’s Lunch and Learn Seminar series.

The luncheon will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Wharton Civic Center. Tickets go on sale Monday, March 11.

An emphasis of her talk will be the new law’s impact on businesses.

Miller gained extensive experience in policy research and development while she served in Texas for three governors, two lieutenant governors, a state comptroller, and state senator, planning, researching and developing state ies.

She also held executive staff positions at the Texas Department of Community Affairs and the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.

As chief of staff for the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, she supervised legislative studies on medically fragile children, reorganization of health and human services, and conducted the most recent comprehensive study of Medicaid in Texas.

In February 1995, the Texas Hospital Association selected her to be the director of THA’s Medicaid project, and immediately promoted her to Director of Regulatory Affairs. When the 32-year-old Texas Hospital Education and Research Foundation changed its name and mission, THA again tapped her experience in policy development and her strong leadership skills, asking Camille to be the first president and chief executive officer of the Texas Institute for Health Policy Research.

In 2006, a merger with Texas Health Foundation created the Texas Health Institute, an independent, statewide  non-profit organization.

Luncheon tickets are $15 for Wharton Chamber members and $20 for others. Call 532-1862 to reserve them.

Luncheon sponsors are Exellon Generation, the Wharton Journal-Spectator, Moonwalks ‘N More, and H-E-B.

Here is a press release from the Plaza regarding open auditions:

Open Auditions and Registration for Youth

THE LITTLE MERMAID, JR.

The Plaza Theatre, on Monterey Square in Wharton, will be holding open auditions and

registration for the Litefooters Summer Youth Workshop and Production, Disney’s The Little

Mermaid, Jr. All interested youth should arrive at the Plaza Theatre on Sunday, May 5,

2013 at 6:00pm.

Every summer we teach basic stagecraft and theatre discipline to youngsters age 6 through 16 at the Litefooter Summer Youth Workshop. The workshop culminates in a major production on the Plaza’s main stage during the last weekend in June as part of the annual Wharton County Freedom Fest. Registration is $50.00 and covers t-shirt, snacks and supplies. Scholarships are available upon special request.

In a magical kingdom fathoms under the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first she'll have to defy her father King

Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice. Adapted from Disney’s 2008 Broadway production, Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr. features the hit songs "Part of Your World," "She’s in Love," and the Oscar-winning "Under the Sea."

The performance schedule for this production is June 27-30. 2013. Additional information regarding the Litefooters program and auditions for this production are available at www.whartonplazatheatre.org.

Coming soon. Stay tuned!

Here is a press release from LCRA regarding management of the Colorado River:

TCEQ executive director recommends approval of LCRA's proposed Water Management Plan

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has finished its technical review of LCRA's proposed Water Management Plan for lakes Travis and Buchanan and TCEQ's executive director is recommending that the plan be approved.

LCRA is publishing notice in newspapers throughout the lower Colorado River basin that TCEQ's executive director is recommending approval.

The proposed plan offers more protection for LCRA's municipal and industrial firm customers and is more flexible than the current plan. The changes in the proposed plan include:

·         Using two trigger points during the year instead of one to determine how much stored water from the lakes Travis and Buchanan is available for agriculture, mostly downstream rice farming. One trigger point, Jan. 1, would be used for the first or main rice crop and a second, June 1, would be used for the second (or ratoon) crop season. The current plan contains only a Jan. 1 trigger point.

·         Eliminating "open supply," the practice of making unlimited water from lakes Buchanan and Travis available for downstream agriculture when the lakes are above a defined trigger point. In the future, the amount of stored water available from the lakes for downstream agricultural operations would have an upper limit at all times.

·         Asking firm water customers, mostly cities and industry, to reduce water use consistent with their drought plans only after interruptible water from the lakes for agriculture is restricted. Current practice can result in LCRA requesting firm customers implement voluntary conservation before agricultural water is restricted.

·         Incorporating new scientific studies that better reflect the conditions of the river and bay environment.

LCRA went through an 18-month stakeholder process when developing the plan that included representatives from all the major interests that depend on Highland Lakes water (municipal, industrial, agricultural, environmental and lakes area residents and businesses).

TCEQ's executive director is recommending approving all LCRA proposed changes to the WMP except LCRA's request for a “dry year exception.” This provision would have allowed LCRA's Board discretion to modify its WMP procedures under certain drought conditions without going to the TCEQ for approval.

Once the notice is published, the public and interested parties have 30 days to comment, protest or ask for a public meeting on the plan. If the plan is not protested, the earliest the TCEQ could approve proposed WMP amendments is likely 60 to 90 days.

Here's a press release about the Plaza Theatre's next production we thought we would pass along to you:

The Plaza Theatre proudly presents

ENCHANTED APRIL

The Plaza Theatre, on Monterey Square in Wharton, will be presenting the next stage production of its 2012-2013 Season, Enchanted April.  This romantic comedy will be performed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from April 19-28, 2013. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30pm, with Sunday matinee performances beginning at 2:30pm. 

Feeling lost in their marriages and in the rapidly shifting social currents of post WWI London, two middle-class housewives rent a villa in Italy for an impulsive holiday away from their lives, reluctantly recruiting a pair of independent upper-class women to share the cost and experience. There, among the wisteria blossoms and Mediterranean sunshine, all four clash – and then begin to bloom – rediscovering themselves in ways that they never could have imagined.

"It’s a wonderful story of love, forgiveness, and enchantment,” commented director Quinn Wrench.  “I have a feeling it is going to have many of our audience members looking into a trip to Italy soon after the show.”

General admission is $12 and $10 for Seniors, Students, and groups of 10 or more. Plaza Theatre season ticket holders are reminded they can use their season tickets for this event.  Visit www.whartonplazatheater.org to take advantage of the new online ticketing system where you are able to choose your exact seats, pay by credit card, and print your tickets from home.  You may also make reservations by calling the box office at 979-282-2226.

Chamber Ambassadors: it’s good for business

Chamber Ambassadors: it’s good for business 

What are chamber ambassadors?

Ambassadors serve as good-will representatives of the Wharton Chamber of Commerce & Agriculutre. Ambassadors will always be in the public eye. They make new contacts at Chamber functions by meeting, greeting and introducing themselves and their businesses. Being an ambassador presents a great opportunity to gain new business exposure as they are the first to meet and greet Chamber members and get their business name out to them.

What are the benefits of being an Ambassador?

- New business contacts in the Wharton area.

- Recognition as an Ambassador on the Chamber website.

- Visibility to you and your business at Chamber and other functions.

- Recognition as the “Ambassador of the Year” chosen at the Banquet in March.

- Pride through community involvement.

How do ambassadors help the Chamber?

Ambassadors help assimilate new members into the Chamber’s programs and services, 

Who are ambassadors?

Individuals exhibit the highest degree of professionalism and embrace an attitude that is positive, supportive and respectful to all people that furthers the success of our business community.

Meetings are noon the first Thursday of every month at the chamber office. Bring your lunch! Go to http://www.whartontexas.com/uploads/ambassador%20brochure.pdf to download a Wharton Chamber Ambassadors membership application. Membership is free. 

Get the form to sign up for the Citywide Garage Sale, Friday and  Saturday, June 14 and 14, at http://www.whartontexas.com/uploads/sign%20up%20form%2013.pdf.

And find out more about the upcoming Freedom Fest and the James Simmons Jr. Juneteenth Festival at http://www.whartontexas.com/articles/freedom_fest_and_juneteenth

This is from Ditmas Park Corner:

David Lindsay-Abaire Selected for First Horton Foote Writer’s Retreat

BY AVI ON MARCH 21, 2013 · 9:56 AM · ART & MUSIC, NEIGHBORS

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Ditmas Park resident David Lindsay-Abaire was recently selected as the inaugural writer-in-residence for the first Horton Foote Writer’s Retreat, awarded by the Horton Foote Legacy Project. According to Playbill.com:

Each playwright will receive a four-week private residency in Foote’s preserved Texas home, where they will have the opportunity to write and reflect at the same desk Foote used to write his award-winning plays and films prior to his death in 2009. The Project’s aim is to provide six four-week residencies annually to established and emerging playwrights.

“I’m so grateful to the Foote family, and everyone involved with the Horton Foote Legacy Project, for this great gift of time, space and support to write without distraction,” added Lindsay-Abaire. “And to do it in the very house, in fact in the very room, where Horton wrote so many of his plays, is a privilege beyond words.”

Along with being an award-winning playwright, David is also ascreenwriter, recently penning Rise of the Guardians and Oz the Great and Powerful. Last year, local theater company Brave New World Repstaged a production of Thornton Wilder’s The Long Christmas Dinner at his Albermarle Road home.

The other playwright selected for the retreat was Annie Baker, who got her MFA from nearby Brooklyn College. Annie, whose critically acclaimed play, The Flick, just finished its premiere run at Playwrights Horizons, will attend the retreat in May.

Congratulations to both David and Annie!