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Bandera County Courier is published weekly by Gail S. Joiner, 1210 Hackberry St., Bandera, TX 78003. Subscription price $26 per year in Bandera County, TX; $36 per year for other Texas counties; $40 per year out of Texas. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Bandera County Courier, P.O. Box 1704, Bandera, TX 78003. Periodicals Postage pending in Bandera, Texas.

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Confessions of a slot machine junkie by Judith Pannebaker BCC Editor Published May 8, 2008 A heavily disguised – and probably sedated – “Reno Slotnik”    The March closing of the fun and gambling games at 777 Vegas Games Bandera Downs, 2303 Highway 16 South had ramifications beyond those endured by employees of the ersatz casino.     Recently, the Courier interviewed a former habitué of the erstwhile gambling emporium, who apparently has been suffering withdrawal pains since it was closed by special investigators with the Texas Department of Public Safety.     ‘Reno Slotnik’     Although an actual person, the name of this former “slot machine junkie” has been changed to protect the gambler within – and without. For this article, she has been given the alias “Reno Slotnik.”     “Life after the raid is just not the same,” she lamented in an interview. “To fill the time, I do more housework and laundry, but it’s not as profitable.”     Slotnik began frequenting the gaming establishment “as soon as it opened,” approximately three years ago. As she put it, “Time flies when you’re pushing that button.”     Slot machines rather than eight-liners became Slotnik’s poison of choice. As time went by, she pursued her favorite past time with increased passion. “When the casino first opened, I went infrequently, but during the last six months, I began spending more and more time there,” she said. “I’d go at least three times a week, especially on my lunch break. I liked to go during the week ‘cause it was less crowded than on weekends.”     Gambling is illegal     Slotnik, it seems, harbored no illusions about the legitimacy of the operation. “Of course I knew everything wasn’t on the up and up,” she admitted, adding, “Duh … it’s illegal to gamble in Texas.”     According to Slotnik, when Vegas Games first started at Bandera Downs, the facility was touted as being operated within the parameters of the law. “I was happy about that, but never really convinced it was true,” she said candidly. She quickly added, however, “The staff definitely thought it was legal because that’s what they were told. I just knew differently – but it certainly didn’t stop me from going.”     Prior to spending much of her non-working waking hours pressing that little button, Slotnik confined her gambling to an occasional jaunt to Shreveport, Louisiana, and the Eagle Pass Indian Reservation.     In fact, she became hooked on slot machines in Shreveport.     “Years ago, I had a flight layover in Las Vegas. There were slot machines all over the airport. I watched people playing those machines and thought, ‘What are they doing?’ Well, when I got to Shreveport about 12 years ago, I found out. Once I started playing the one-armed bandits, I was hooked. If I ever have a layover in Vegas again, I intend to take full advantage of it.”     However, a week in Louisiana – or even a weekend in Vegas – just doesn’t measure up to the relative luxury of having what was almost a private casino just down the road. “Nothing compares to being able to go out anytime and spend an hour or two at the slot machines close to home,” Slotnik said.     Happy habitué     As a regular, she became well acquainted with the staff and patrons. “They served meals on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as snacks and cokes and it was all free,” Slotnik recalled, adding with a sigh of regret, “Of course, no alcohol was permitted.”     She described the facility as a “nice clean place. Everyone was very pleasant, both the staff and patrons. It was a good place to go and have fun whether you won or lost.”     Did Slotnik lose? You bet.     “Sure I lost, but you can’t think about that. It’s playing that’s important. Let’s face it, 99 percent of the time you’re going to lose. If you win, that’s extra. If people didn’t lose, casinos wouldn’t stay in business,” she explained.     Even with two big wins, $450 one day and $400 the next, after the columns were tallied Slotnik knows she came out on the losing side of the game – not that it mattered. After all, it was the play that mattered.     'Not there'     The play ended abruptly on March 26, when investigators declared Vegas Games a crime scene and confiscated 55 so-called eight-liners.     Six employees arrested and transported to the Bandera County Jail, charged with engaging in an organized criminal activity – a felony – to misdemeanor charges of promotion of gambling, keeping a gambling place and possession of gambling devices. The raid culminated a seven and a half month undercover operation. A first pre-trial hearing for the employees is slated for Friday, May 9, at the Bandera County Courthouse.     And where was Slotnik when the raid went down?     “Not there, and was I glad,” she replied. “Of course the only reason I wasn’t was because I had no money.”     Her husband, it seemed, had learned about the bust almost as soon as it was initiated. Fearing the worst, he tried to call his wife to let her know what was happening.     “I was in the backyard and didn’t have my cell phone with me,” Slotnik said. “My husband tried both our home phone and my cell and couldn’t reach me at all. Of course, he thought I was gambling.     “When he finally reached me, he asked, ‘Where are you?’ I told him, ‘Home.’ He said, ‘That’s good because they’re raiding the casino right now’.”     ‘You give them cash’     Did Slotnik know an undercover operation was afoot? Not a chance. “If I had, I would have had to stop going and I would have hated that,” she explained.     According to information, the eight-liners paid out far more than the legal limit, which is $5 on a single play. In addition, players often won more than 10 times their wager and winnings were paid with credit cards – all verboten payouts as per Texas statutes.     Slotnik confirmed the payoff methods. “You started playing the machines with a player’s card. If you won, management would transfer funds from that card to a Visa card, which worked everywhere, just like a regular credit card – which it was. “They didn’t give you cash. You gave them cash. That’s how the game works.”     Attorneys with the office of the Texas Attorney General arraigned former employees of 777 Vegas Games on Tuesday, May 6, at the Bandera Courthouse. Details of the arraignment will be in next week’s issue of the Courier.     A pre-trial hearing for the former employees has been scheduled for July 15.

Articles in the Hill Country Living section of the on-line edition of the Courier:

Weddings, Engagements, Birthdays, Anniversaries	Arts
Food
Articles about Poland and Polish visitors to Texas	Letters from Scotland
Confessions of a slot machine junkie	Published May 8, 2008
Tooth fairy sighting in Pipe Creek	Published April 24, 2008
Marching to a different drummer	Published April 3, 2008
Bandera – where it’s easy to ‘Live the West’	Published March 27, 2008
Punch 2-1-1 & help is on the way	Published March 27, 2008
CNN ‘Election Express’ rolls into Cowboy Capital	Published Feb. 28, 2008
Bandera vet sets off for Alaskan Iditarod	Published Feb. 21, 2008
Foster and adoptive families sought	Published Feb. 14, 2008
Hutchinson introduces bill recognizing Western Trail	Published Jan. 31, 2008
Carnes clan’s cruise & Caribbean Christmas	Published Jan. 31, 2008
Vaya con Dios, good friend, Tyler Beard	Published Jan. 10, 2008
Spirits of Christmas want to help Deadline to file Monday, Dec. 3	Published Nov. 22, 2007
Jud Ashmore - a man for all seasons	Published Sept. 27, 2007
Remembering 9-11, six years later	Published Sept. 13, 2007
Nicotine dependency classes set	Published July 26, 2007
Almost Patsy Cline band finds new friends, fab food in France	Published July 5, 2007
Local computer whiz wins prestigious prize	Published July 5, 2007
Hill Country Living articles from early in 2007
Hill Country Living articles from 2006	Hill Country Living articles from 2005

Tooth fairy sighting in Pipe Creek Published April 24, 2008    The children at the Little Rock Learning Center were surprised recently by the Tooth Fairy. She visited to tell the children about healthy eating for their teeth and bodies and how to keep their teeth in tip-top shape.     The Learning Center is located on Highway 16 South at the Pipe Creek Presbyterian Church. Operating hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 8-30 am to 2:30 pm. Call Director Heather Blair at 830-612-3663 or the church office at 830-510-6650.

Marching to a different drummer by David Arny BCC Staff Published April 3, 2008 When asked to describe their brass instruments, fellow mellowphone players Shelby Wiist, Ashley White, Hillary Heinz and Jane Ladege explained that their horns were like “coronets on steroids.” Staff Photos by David Arny     Jason Lindsey, Rudolphus Johnson and Alicia Gonzalez, who are used to doing the heavy lifting for the band, took a breather from playing their big gleaming tubas. A Thursday morning warm up practice session next to the Twin Elm rodeo arena was just what the band director ordered for his talented traveling ensemble.     The trumpet section “took five” while band director Max Chernick consulted with other band members. Faster than a 32nd note, the trumpeters were at attention and playing with everything they had.     While the percussion section drummed up even more enthusiasm in the already eager group of young musicians, an old rancher on a nearby property was overheard saying, “They sound real good, but I think they need more cow bell.” Heading out    Yes, Virginia – there is another BHS Marching Band. But the one that visited Twin Elm Guest Ranch recently was from Bloomington, Illinois, not Bandera.     The Bloomington High School Marching Raiders, along with Band Director Max Chernick, chose the Cowboy Capital as one of their destinations for this year’s spring break. While here, they held an impromptu practice session in the field adjoining the Twin Elm Rodeo arena on FM 470.     Following their Hill Country holiday, the friendly group of musical Midwesterners boarded three charter buses and waved goodbye to their Twin Elm hosts Terry and Karen Lammey. With a cargo truck brimming with band instruments following closely behind them, they headed out for a tour of the San Antonio River Walk and a scheduled performance at Sea World before returning home to the Land of Lincoln.

Bandera – where it’s easy to ‘Live the West’ by Judith Pannebaker BCC Editor Published March 27, 2008    This should come as no surprise to residents, but in the current issue of American Cowboy magazine, Bandera has been designated as one of the “20 Best Places to Live the West.”     In his introduction to the article, Managing Editor Tom Wilmes evoked images of “colorful characters” and “hearty souls who thrived against the odds” – individuals who had once populated this part of the county in abundance. Nonetheless, he contended, “Inspiring as these images are, however, comparing the Old West to modern times is as relevant as a Prairie Schooner on the freeway.”     Wilmes’s article decried the current “cookie-cutter chain stores and an always on-the-go mentality” that bring a certain monotony and blandness to people’s lives. “Progress, has a way of paving over heritage,” he wrote.     All is not lost, however. “A few remaining outposts of true Western spirit still thrive – communities that celebrate their Western roots just in the way they go about their everyday affairs,” Wilmes noted.     “Opinions will vary, but whether you aim to wet a line in a wild river, enjoy a unique annual event or explore living history in a place where it’s never been forgotten, you can’t go wrong with any of these choices.”     Wilmes and the in-house staff at American Cowboy concluded that Bandera is one of those communities.     In an interview, Wilmes explained how Bandera was included in the “Top 20.”     “The idea of the ‘20 Best Places to Live the West’ was fostered by Founding Editor and Editor in Chief Jesse Mullins Jr., who is well versed and well respected throughout the West,” Wilmes said. “It wasn’t a scientific process. A list was circulated around the staff with names of towns in the West that were steeped in cowboy culture. As the ‘Cowboy Capital of the World,’ Bandera just had to be in the final 20.”     Indicating that readers enjoy articles about unique communities, Wilmes noted, “American Cowboy likes to shine the spotlight on great communities.” In fact, the staff is exploring possibilities of including other “Top 20” articles in future editions.     The magazine is based in Boulder, Colorado, but Wilmes is a recent transplant to the West. He was involved in Backpacker Magazine, a sister publication to American Cowboy. Although originally from Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, Wilmes adheres to the bumper sticker philosophy: “I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could.”     As Wilmes put it, “I’m glad to have made the move west.”     Here’s what the good folks at American Cowboy had to say about Bandera: “It’s not ‘The Cowboy Capital of the World’ for nothing. Bandera is ringed by ranch land, and there are at least two rodeos a week in the summer. The Cowboy Capital PRCA Rodeo is in May. Kick up your heels with live country music nightly, and check out Cowboys on Main every weekend. Itching to roam? The Hill Country State Natural Area has more than 40 miles of horse trails.”     The only other town in the Lone Star State included on the “Top 20 Best Places to Live the West” was Palestine, located about 100 miles southeast of Dallas:     “In the late 1800s, the prominent Missouri Pacific Railroad was based in Palestine, making it one of the largest towns in Texas. Today, Palestine has a small-town feel, where you can stroll past historic homes, ride an antique steam engine and learn about the area’s history at the Museum for East Texas Culture. The Dogwood Festival in the spring is a big draw, and the rolling hills, lakes and pastures attract visitors year-round.”     Scattered about the West, other best places to live the dream include Wickenburg and Cave Creek, Arizona; Salido and Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Bozeman and Missoula, Montana; Reno, Nevada; Tularosa and Los Alamos, New Mexico; Lawton, Oklahoma; Pendleton and Bend, Oregon; Placerville, California; Heber City and Ogden, Utah; Walla Walla, Washington; and Dubois and Saratoga, Wyoming.     For a direct link to American Cowboy’s “20 Top Places to Live the West,” visit www.americancowboy.com.

Punch 2-1-1 & help is on the way by David Arny BCC Staff Writer Published March 27, 2008    The three-digit telephone number 2-1-1 enables residents of 13 South Texas counties to find assistance for family and personal “human care” needs.     Simply punching in the three digits allow residents of Bexar, Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina and Wilson counties to be connected to nonprofit charitable, governmental and faith-based services. Assistance with rent, utilities, counseling, mental health issues, food, health care, employment, child and elder care, adult literacy, drug treatment and many other social support services are available to citizens in need – 24 hours a day, seven days per week.     The United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, in partnership with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), operates the Alamo Area Regional 211 call center. The center maintains a regional human care database of 800 nonprofit social service agencies offering 4,000 assistance programs.     In addition, the United Way 211 call center has received a grant earmarked to assist military personnel who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as their family members. This includes active duty military, reservists, Texas National Guard and veterans.     Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera County’s Veterans Services Officer, notes approximately 3,000 veterans of the US military reside in Bandera County. She welcomed the assistance offered local veterans and their families by the United Way-HHSC program.     “United Way came to see me about helping get the word out to Bandera County veterans regarding services available to them. They went out of their way to let me know about what they had to offer,” said Schaffer.     For more information or referrals, call 211 or 210-227-4357, or visit www.211texas.org for a complete description of the program.

CNN ‘Election Express’ rolls into Cowboy Capital by Judith Pannebaker BCC Editor Published Feb. 28, 2008 CNN Anchor Ali Velshi gamely donned a 10-gallon hat and sat astride Kat Ryan’s registered paint mare, Sunny, for a live 7:30 am feed from The Cowboy Store’s parking lot that was beamed across the nation. Staff Photos by Judith Pannebaker Smile Bandera, you’re on CNN, said cameraman Philip Littleton.    For the politically unaware, Election Day in the Lone Star State is fast approaching.     Since Feb. 5, once billed as “Super Dooper Tsunami Tuesday,” failed to produce a definitive Democratic presidential nominee, the Texas Primary Election on Tuesday, March 4, has assumed a far greater importance than previously expected. In fact, political pundits opine a win here could resurrect Hillary Clinton’s stalled bid for Leader of the Free World. Conversely, a loss will seemingly sink her aspirations, according to talking heads on Fox, MSNBC and, of course, CNN.     On Monday, Feb. 25, the “CNN Election Express” rolled into the Cowboy Capital of the World and onto the parking lot of The Cowboy Store at the intersection of Main Street and Highway 16 South. Filled with cast and crew, the bus is crisscrossing the state to determine what the man on the Texas Street has to say about the looming election – as well as ascertain how an turned-down economy has affected the heartland.     Reporting from election hot spots to campaign battlefields, the Election Express has become an integral part of the network’s coverage of the 2008 presidential campaigns. The mobile news bureau combines the capabilities of a studio, editing room and production facility with those of a satellite truck. In addition, a state-of-the-art editing system and video production server provide full post-production capabilities.     CNN Anchor Ali Velshi gamely donned a 10-gallon hat and sat astride Kat Ryan’s registered paint mare, Sunny, for a live 7:30 am feed from The Cowboy Store’s parking lot that was beamed across the nation.     Velshi serves as CNN's senior business correspondent and host of Your $$$$$, the network’s weekend business roundtable program. No stranger to the Lone Star State, he covered the Enron Corporation scandal since it hit the national spotlight in 2001, including the guilty verdicts of founder Kenneth Lay and former chief executive Jeffrey Skilling on conspiracy and fraud charges, as well as Lay’s death.     Referencing his unaccustomed mode of transportation, Velshi offered, “I think I’ve found the solution to high gas prices. During the past two weeks, gas prices have increased an average of 16 cents.” His report was right on the money since a gallon of regular octane gasoline now costs $3.09 in Bandera.     While beaming live from Bandera, Velshi and his crew stayed at the Dixie Dude Ranch, where Velshi had the distinct honor of saddling up a longhorn. His prescient question was: “Does this thing come with power steering?”     By everyone’s account, the “dazzling urbanites” were pleased with Bandera as “the real deal.” As Patricia Moore, executive director of the Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau reported, “When the CNN bus driver pulled into the parking lot, he said, ‘I knew I was in the right place. I knew this was a real town’.”     Apparently the next stop for the CNN Election Express will be Laredo.     Locally, everyone is reminded to vote on Tuesday, March 4, at designated polling places. On that day, Texans will be able to elect candidates across the political spectrum – from the courthouse to the White House.

Bandera vet sets off for Alaskan Iditarod by Judith Pannebaker BCC Editor Published Feb. 21, 2008 Bandera’s Samantha K. Yeltatzie, will participate as a volunteer veterinarian during the 2008 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska. She’s pictured, not with a Siberian Husky or an Alaskan Malamute, but with the Courier’s Doc the Newshound, who wouldn’t mush 1,150 miles through snow and ice for anything. Staff Photo by Judith Pannebaker Samantha K. Yeltatzie with two of her dogs.    Caring for animals is what Samantha K. Yeltatzie, DMV, does for a living; this year, she plans to do it during her upcoming “vacation,” too.     The Rockport native will serve as an official veterinarian for the 2008 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska. For two weeks, beginning Monday, Feb. 25, through Monday, March 10, she’ll be stationed at checkpoints along the grueling 1,150-mile trail and provide medical attention and check ups to participating sled dogs.     “I particularly love working dogs – hunting dogs, herding dogs and, of course, sled dogs,” Yeltatzie said in an interview. “They have a drive and desire to work. When they’re not working, (these dogs) are not happy and that’s when behavior problems occur. But when they have a job to do, they’re happy doing it.”     Yeltatzie received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from New York’s Cornell University in 2005, which makes her something of an anomaly among the rest of the trail vets.     According to information on the Iditarod website, veterinarians usually must have a minimum of five years clinical practice experience prior to being selected to work the race.     “This was the first year that I applied to be a volunteer vet and I was accepted,” Yeltatzie said, adding, “I became interested in the Iditarod while I was in vet school, but they don’t take students.” She attributed her selection to her current practice in critical and emergency veterinary medicine in San Antonio’s I-10 Pet Emergencies. “It’s a new emergency pet care center and I work there evenings and on the weekends,” Yeltatzie said. “I love taking care of atypical cases, such as trauma and scorpion and rattlesnake bites, but I also miss seeing healthy animals.”     Yeltatzie is also a native Alaskan Haida Indian, a culture found in the southeast corner of the state. “I have a lot of family in Alaska and have visited occasionally, but never before in winter,” she said.     Described as “the last great race on earth,” the Iditarod begins in Anchorage in south central Alaska, and ends in Nome on the western Bering Sea coast. Each team of 12 to 16 dogs and their mushers take from 10 to 17 days to cover the distance. The race route roughly equals the distance between Los Angeles and Denver or from New York City to Memphis.     Now a National Historic Trail, the Iditarod Trail began as a mail and supply route from coastal towns to interior mining camps and west coast communities. Dog sleds took mail and supplies in and brought gold out. In 1925, part of the Iditarod Trail became a life-saving route for epidemic-stricken Nome. When diphtheria threatened, mushers and their sled dogs delivered the needed serum. However, this historic run was comprised of relay teams, most of which covered less than 100 miles each.     In 1995, Universal Pictures released an animated film, “Balto,” that commemorated the Siberian Husky that led a team of huskies on the final leg of the journey.     As a rookie Iditarod veterinarian, Yeltatzie must pay her own travel expenses, food and accommodations during the two weeks she’ll be in Alaska. “This is strictly a volunteer position. I’m going up for the love of the dogs and the sport,” she said. Prior to the race, she will attend a three-day orientation seminar. When the race begins, Yeltatzie will be stationed at different stops along the trail.     “We’ll do pre-race screenings and health checks on each dog. In addition, every dog must have screenings at each of the more than 30 checkpoints,” Yeltatzie said. She added, “Every musher is required to carry a diary of each of his dog’s health screenings.”     On the official website, Stuart Nelson Jr., DVM wrote, “Long-distance sled dog races, such as the Iditarod, require mushers to finish with only those dogs who started the race. Although none may be added to the team after the start, dogs can be dropped at any checkpoint and for any reason. A maximum of 16 dogs may start in an Iditarod team, and at least five are required to be in harness for an official finish.”     “I’m very excited to be doing this. I’ve always been a big fan of the Iditarod and love new adventures,” Yeltatzie said. “This is the perfect opportunity for me to give something back and try something new at the same time.”     She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M - Kingsville in 2001. Yeltatzie is married to J. Garrett Young, and the couple has two working dogs – a yellow lab and a Hungarian Vizsla.     The Iditarod can be tracked on www.Iditarod.com. In addition, the race will be available on the satellite channel Versus.

Foster and adoptive families sought Published Feb. 14, 2008    Personnel with Child Protective Services are currently seeking additional foster and adoptive families throughout the Hill Country to care for abused and neglected children who require temporary or permanent care.     Homes are especially needed in Bandera, Gillespie, Kerr, Medina and Real counties.     To help ease this shortage, training classes will begin in March and June in Kerrville. Anyone willing to foster a child or who is interested in learning more about the program should attend an informational meeting and learn more about foster care and adoption programs. Informational sessions will be held in May with a location to be announced at a later date.     For more information on the May sessions, call Laura Wright at 830-792-4303, ext. 248, or Kathy Tonner 830-792-4303, ext. 242 in Kerrville.

Hutchinson introduces bill recognizing Western Trail by David Arny BCC Staff Writer Published Jan. 31, 2008 Images of the 2004 trail ride heading north to Dodge City, Kansas, from Bandera along the Western Trail.    As a first step towards adding the Chisholm and Western Trails to the National Trails System, United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson has introduced Senate Bill 2255. The legislation requires the US Department of the Interior to conduct a study determining the feasibility of including the two 1800s-era cattle drive trails in the official registry, alongside such notable itineraries as the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and Appalachian National Scenic Trail.     Senators John Cornyn and James Inhofe (R-OK) are original co-sponsors of the bill. According to the National Park Service, the National Trails System is a network of scenic, historic and recreational trails created by the National Trails System Act of 1968.     “These trails provide for outdoor recreational needs, promote the enjoyment, appreciation and preservation of open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources, and encourage public access and citizen involvement,” said a NPS spokesperson.     In his chapter on the Great Western Trail in “A Pictorial History of Bandera County” (©2006, Bandera County Historical Commission), Bandera writer Dan Wise noted “The Western Trail laid the foundation for most everything Bandera County is known for today – cowboys, dude ranches … the mystique of frontier life and the romance of the Old West.”     Dave Burrell is a local history buff and longtime promoter of the Great Western Trail project. He helped organize and participated in the 2004 trail ride which retraced the pathway used to bring cattle by the millions from Mexico and South Texas to markets as far away as Saskatchewan, Canada. Burrell spearheaded an effort to place commemorative markers along the nearly 3,000-mile route.     “I’ve had an interest in the Western Trail since before the trail ride in 2004,” said Burrell. “I hope (the National Park Service) will list it – I’d like to see it marked on all the official state maps.”     Doan’s Crossing is the point on the Red River where cattle being transported up the Western crossed into Oklahoma from Texas. The city of Vernon lies just south of the river and is the home of Sylvia Mahoney, another enthusiast supporting the effort to recognize the trail’s historical significance. Along with other members of the Vernon Rotary Club and the city’s Chamber of Commerce, Mahoney was on hand at a May 1, 2007, ceremony where representatives of the nearby Red River Valley Museum announced plans to build a 37,000-square foot Western Trail Heritage Center.     “We want to introduce the Great Western Trail to people from all over the US,” said Mahoney. “The center will be interactive, so people will be able to experience what being on the trail was really like. We’re hoping to make it a destination for anyone interested in the history of the old west.”     Burrell urged those who would like to support Senate Bill 2255 to contact their US Senators and Congressmen. Telephone numbers and mailing addresses can be found in the “Know your officials” box at the bottom of Page A2, of The Bandera County Courier.     In addition, a complete list of e-mail addresses of US Senators and Congressmen can be accessed at www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm.

Carnes clan’s cruise & Caribbean Christmas Special to the Courier Published Jan. 31, 2008 Don Carnes of Bandera and his extended family of 16 took a seven-day Caribbean cruise on the Voyager of the Seas in Galveston during the Christmas holidays.    Don Carnes of Bandera gave his extended family of 16 an unforgettable 2007 Christmas gift. On Sunday, Dec. 23, the patriarch and his family boarded the Voyager of the Seas in Galveston and embarked on a seven-day Caribbean cruise.     The Carnes’ clan includes Don's wife, Patricia; son Michael and his wife, Holly, and their children, Elise, Matthew, Katherine Carnes and Sarah and Rebecca Elias, all from Nashville; as well as Don's daughter, Carolyn Roder, and her husband, Lee, and children, Derek, Jared, Erin, Ardon and Elyssa, of Pipe Creek.     After all the cousins and their parents were settled in their cabins, exploration of the Voyager began. The first two days “at sea” gave the family time to relax and enjoy the ship's amenities.     On board, the family delighted in the formal dinners – and the fun shows music, comedy and even a beautiful ice show that followed. On Deck 12, the Voyager sported a rock climbing wall. Don and Patricia opted out of climbing the wall, but not the rest of the family, who happily hauled themselves up the wall and rang a bell, which signified “a job well done.”     One very special occasion occurred at midnight on Christmas Eve when Don gathered the family in the beautiful Sky Chapel on Deck 14. Michael Carnes and Lee Roder read the Christmas story, and Don offered a special holiday prayer for his family.     The Voyager’s music, carols and beautiful holiday lights provided a stunning backdrop throughout Christmas week.     Ports of call included Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico.     In Montego Bay, some brave family members swam with the stingrays and snorkeled in the crystal clear waters while others visited the island, admiring its flora and fauna. In the Caymans, the family discovered Seven Mile Beach – a treat of sand, sun and snorkeling. It was so much fun the Roders decided to walk five miles back to the ship – to soak in as much sun as possible. They arrived back to the ship with red backs, tired feet and enough sun to last awhile.     In Cozumel, a trimaran took the family out to the reefs for snorkeling. This boat trip proved great fun; everyone agreed the outing to the beautiful reefs ended too quickly.     As the seven days drew to a close and the Carnes' family left the ship at Galveston, they took with them unforgettable memories of family and fun aboard a magnificent ship. They treasured the moments they had together and were awed by seeing more of the majesty of God's beautiful world. Of course, the family documented their entire adventure – including ports, ship, outings and each other – with pictures, pictures and more pictures.     The entire family thanks Don Carnes, husband, father and granddaddy, for a most special occasion and are grateful for his gift that allowed them to reunite and reconnect in today’s very busy world. In addition, they thank Kathleen McGroarty of Harp and Shamrock Cruise and Tours of Bandera for this enjoyable, memorable and exciting cruise.     Christmas 2007 ended for the Carnes' family with a big splash in the Caribbean, and, as 2008 begins, the entire family wishes all our friends and neighbors far and near a very Happy New Year.

Vaya con Dios, good friend, Tyler Beard by Judith Pannebaker BCC Editor Published Jan. 10, 2008 The late western author and collector Tyler Beard showed off his first pair of cowboy boots — "the ones that started it all." Beard wrote three books celebrating that quintessential American icon, the cowboy boot. File Photo by Judith Pannebaker Books on boots written by Tyler Beard Staff Photo by Judith Pannebaker    "I would like someone to write the truth just once," declared Tyler Beard, preeminent authority on the West and things cowboy. "We're bankrupt, I'm dying and we're getting a divorce, but not necessarily in that order."     The occasion for that startling quote was an interview with Beard in March 2001 prior to the Waco auction that dispersed his and his wife, Teresa's extensive collection of western trappings, country furniture and accessories.     Some credit Beard and Teresa with inaugurating the resurgence of interest in the American cowboy — if only along the East Coast, Europe and Japan. With its ever-increasing influx of tourism,     Bandera still receives the benefit of Beard's long-lived influence.     The author of five books on cowboy boots, western wear and life in the Hill County, Beard, 53, died at his home in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 20. He had been plagued with health issues after being diagnosed with head and neck cancer over a decade ago. In addition, Beard never fully recovered from the unexpected death of his wife in 2005.     During the Waco interview, Beard explained, "The truth is, every few years, in order to get the adrenaline pumping again, I need to reinvent myself, and (Teresa and I) are going to take two years off so I can do just that." To that end, not only did the couple disperse their cowboy and western collectibles, they also sold their business, True West. Originally, the company sold reproductions of vintage cowboy dinnerware featuring artwork by famed western artist Till Gooden.     Beard described his love affair with the West as enabling him to take "the wildest roller coaster ride ever."     The ride began in the 1960s during his first incarnation as a drummer in a rock and roll band.     That gig took him and Teresa to England, the mecca of the '60s music scene, also making him a lifelong Anglophile.     When the Beards returned to the United States, they settled in New England where Beard restored old houses.     However, while residing in the state made famous by baked beans, midnight rides and long, dreary winters, a Moroccan vacation convinced the couple to seek a warmer clime.     Both Beards were originally from Dallas. After flying to Sante Fe, New Mexico, and immediately getting caught in an ice storm, they rented a car and crossed into Texas at El Paso. After entering the Lone Star State, the scales fell from their eyes.     Beard recalled, "Once we crossed into Texas, the sun was shining, the bluebonnets were blooming and the air was warm. We asked ourselves, 'Why should we live anywhere else?' We felt like we had come home."     In 1985, the pair of 60s hippies, who had wanted nothing to do with anything western, rediscovered their roots — at the same time that Texas was desperately trying to shed its cowboy image in favor of a slicker, more sophisticated persona.     Home became a "pile of rocks" in Comanche. To decorate economically, the Beards scoured the countryside in search of old cowboy stuff that no one else "gave a hoot and a holler for," according to Beard.     "Nobody in Texas paid any attention to vintage western items, so the cream was heavy," he said. After a day spent rummaging, he and Teresa would return home with a surfeit of wonderful, authentic western trappings. The Beards skimmed off the best of the cowboy cream for their house and stashed the leftovers in their barn.     The leftovers became the genesis for Beard's next incarnation — and possibly the biggest adventure of the couple's life.     About that time, the pair walked into a Ralph Lauren shop in Houston.     After taking a gander at the western items serving as accessories and decorative objects, Beard commented to Teresa, "Shoot, we have better things than this in our barn."     He wrote to the vice president of the company and essentially told her the same thing — backing up his claim with a stack of photographs. The company immediately purchased the entire lot and requested more. The Beards hit the ground running and didn't stop for 15 years.     For the first two years, they became the official Americana vendors to the worldwide chain of Lauren's Polo stores.     After that, they supplied western props and authentic working cowboy gear to department stores, restaurants and movies, most notably the television epic miniseries, "Lonesome Dove" and to Euro Disney — Walt Disney Company's Old West Town and Cheyenne Hotel complex in Paris.     At the height of the cowboy craze, the Beards moved 400 to 500 pairs of vintage boots a month to customers in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan. Tom Cruise wore Beard boots in "Top Gun" and Christie Brinkley was a customer. True West even supplied the Rodeo pattern china for a fundraiser for then Texas Gov. George W. Bush.     In 1992, Beard wrote "The Cowboy Boot Book," a history of the bootmaking industry and an introduction to contemporary bootmakers, following it up in 1999 with "The Art of the Boot" and in 2004 with "Cowboy Boots," which he described as "his last word on boots." In 1993, he authored "100 Years of Western Wear." "Lone Star Living," which came along in 2003, featured Misty Hills Ranch, home of Bandera real estate magnate Tripp du Perier.     After the Waco auction, the Beards traveled the globe, but always returned to their Texas roots. After Teresa's death, Beard's restless wandering became even more pronounced. He moved first to Scotland, then back to America, settling in Santa Fe for a spell. Beard returned to Dallas in June to be with his family.     He is survived by his mother Betty Beard and sister Debra Conkling, both of Granbury, and a cousin and great friend David Slack.     Although Beard requested no funeral service, family and friends will celebrate his life at the later date.     Vaya con Dios, Tyler. May we all meet again where the grass grows stirrup high.

Spirits of Christmas want to help Deadline to file Monday, Dec. 3 Published Nov. 22, 2007    Do you know of a family who could use some help with Christmas this year?     Does your family need assistance this year?     Referral forms for the annual "Spirits of Christmas" are now available at all Bandera and Medina public schools, as well as the Helping Hand, 1116 12th Street.     All completed forms must include names, ages and clothing sizes of children living at home. Also, detailed directions to the house and a telephone number are required.     Deadline for the completed form is Monday, Dec. 3, and gift delivery will take place between 9 am and noon Saturday, Dec. 15.     Each family on the list will also receive a food voucher that must be taken to the Helping Hand between Monday, Dec. 17, and Friday, Dec. 21, to receive a box of food for their Christmas feast.

Jud Ashmore - a man for all seasons by David Arny BCC Staff Writer Published Sept. 27, 2007 Publicity photo of Jud Ashmore with his trademark moustache.    For someone with the credentials longtime Bandera resident Jud Ashmore possesses, bragging rights would seem to be well-earned and not without justification.     He was a Navy diver in WW II, Air Force parachutist during the Cold War who rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, meteorologist for the Strategic Air Command, radio and television personality known to several generations of South Texans and, at almost 84, still makes annual pilgrimages to the Grand Canyon to hike its arduous trails alone.     Even so, a more humble human being would be difficult to find. His self-effacing sense of humor and total lack of bravado in describing a lifetime of remarkable experiences and achievements reflects a man completely at home in his own skin, unconcerned with fame or notoriety.     He recently took a break from trimming trees and clearing brush on the hilltop property he owns with his wife of 33 years, Peggy, to talk to the Courier about his life and how his experiences have shaped his present outlook.     Ashmore was born in an Illinois farming community in 1924, five years before the Wall Street stock market crash ushered in the Great Depression. His father owned a small sawmill which provided enough income for the family's basic needs, but elsewhere, prospects were grim for their fellow Midwesterners.     "I remember I was eight when Roosevelt was elected," Ashmore recalled. "People were lucky to find a job paying 50 cents a day. If you made a dollar a day, you were in tall cotton. It was rough times."     His mother died of cancer when he was 13 and soon afterwards, his father had an opportunity to go to work building the new Alaska highway. The elder Ashmore set up an account at the local grocery store so his son could buy food, then left Illinois for Canada.     "So there I was, living in this house by myself," he said. "I never knew what the word 'no' was. Nobody ever told me 'no,' or 'you can't do that.' I guess I'm still sort of that way. So, one day, I decided I wanted to see the Pacific Ocean. I put some stuff in this little cardboard suitcase, hitchhiked up a gravel road to the highway, got a ride to Springfield and hopped on a freight train. It was the Wabash."     He rode the Wabash to Hannibal, Missouri, stopping long enough to visit the Mark Twain Museum, then boarded another boxcar and continued heading west.     "When I got to Dodge City, Kansas, the local police rounded us all up and threw us in jail. The next morning, they gave us 30 minutes to get out of town. I ran all the way to the city limits," he recalled. "Last year, I went back to Dodge City for the first time since then, and tried to find that old jail. I couldn't."     Ashmore may have dropped out of ninth grade in order to embark on his odyssey to the west coast, but he continued to receive what might be called an alternative education of sorts.     "Anyway, I got on another train ­ the Santa Fe ­ and rode it to Lamar, Colorado, where they put me in jail again. I learned that when the police asked you, 'What do you do?' and you said, 'Nothing ­ I'm a transient,' they'd say 'You're going to jail.' But if you answered, 'I'm a migratory worker," they had to let you go.     "I went north, up into Montana, went through Washington and Oregon, got to the ocean, then started back," he said. "I remember somewhere in North Dakota, this young Indian boy and I ­ he had tried to make it off the reservation, but couldn't and was heading back home ­ were sharing a can of pork and beans. I'd been doing odd jobs along the way and had some change, so I'd bought this can of pork and beans and was dividing it up with him, sitting in the open door of a boxcar. Well, the train just comes to a complete stop, with the center line of a highway right between where he was sitting and where I was.     "The first car that comes driving up was this shiny Cadillac limousine with a black chauffeur. And the people in that car were pointing at us and laughing at these two kids eating beans. So I thought, 'I'll bet the way those people got that Cadillac was by getting an education. I'd better get myself back to school if I ever want to amount to anything."     It was September and fall classes were just beginning back in Illinois. When he arrived home from his Sawyeresque adventure out west, however, the headmaster initially refused to readmit him. Eventually, he relented ­ but only on several conditions.     Ashmore would have to take advanced math and science courses, spend time between his classes sitting in a chair and studying in the hallway outside the headmaster's office and maintain a high grade point average throughout the remainder of his secondary education.     Those strict guidelines ­ the likes of which Ashmore had never been forced to submit to previously ­ were just what the young maverick needed. He excelled at his studies and developed a lifelong love of learning.     In addition to attending the Navy's Diver School and the US Air Force Officers Candidate School, he earned a degree from Bradley University, studied engineering at the University of Illinois, meteorology at the University of Utah and has accumulated countless hours of credits in a wide range of specialty courses taken at Trinity University and San Antonio College.     Most recently, he enrolled at Schriener University as a full-time student studying history. His academic to-do list remains incomplete. "I love being around a campus. I still want to take some courses in higher math and geology," he said.     After studying engineering at the University of Illinois on the GI Bill, Ashmore set his sights on a career with the General Cable Company.     Although his Naval service record was exemplary, his grades exceptional and his interview went well, he was surprised when the personnel office turned down his application. In the words of the interviewer, he was "too young" for the position.     "They said that if I was slightly bald, had two or three kids and was a Baptist, I'd have been exactly what they were looking for," he said.     "So, I proceeded to try and fulfill those qualities. I joined the Air Force and went down to Lackland in June, 1950, to Officers' Candidate School. Ten days later, the Korean War broke out. I got my Second Lieutenant's bars in December and thought I'd get a little experience – get a little bit bald-headed.     "I wasn't sure about the three kids or becoming a Baptist, but I thought I'd work on that later," he said.     He liked the USAF so much, he remained on active duty until he retired in 1968, despite some occasionally hair-raising circumstances.     "You know, the military is generally a lot of fun. True, you sometimes have to do things that scare the hell out of you. In the Navy, every time I went down (on a deep-sea dive), I knew there was that one shark that was waiting for me … and an octopus that was going to grab me and hold me down on the sea floor," he said, referring to the underwater adventure movies he remembered seeing as a kid at Saturday matinees.     "At Lackland, I volunteered for parachute duty in what the Air Force calls ‘Combat Control Teams.' They sent me to (US Army) Fort Benning, Georgia and, boy, did they have fun with me," he said. "I was the only Air Force guy in the class. Hell, I was scared to death. If the officer didn't have to be the first one out the door, I never would've jumped."     Somehow, Ashmore found the courage to make it through parachute training and accrued an impressive 21 nighttime jumps, but said, "The first opportunity I had to get out gracefully, I took it and became a meteorologist."     He was sent to the University of Utah and studied for two years what was later to become his vocation as a civilian. For the remainder of his Air Force career, he applied his weather forecasting skills while serving with the Strategic Air Command, first at a station in Labrador, Nova Scotia, and later at SAC headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.     It was during his service as a SAC meteorologist, however, that an old injury from one of his jumps progressed from an occasional nuisance to a serious problem necessitating surgical intervention. That surgery would take place at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio.     Next week in The Courier, "A Detour in San Antonio."

Remembering 9-11, six years later by David Arny BCC Staff Writer Published Sept. 13, 2007 For God and Country's JC Sanders and Veteran's Administration police officer Barbara Heckman-Sauer guided visitors through the sixth annual Patriot's Day Memorial observance Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Bandera Volunteer Fire Station on Main Street. The exhibition was a stirring remembrance of the sacrifices made by men and women in uniform who protect and defend the USA -- including the ultimate sacrifice made by first responders in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, and American Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Staff Photo by David Arny Pint-sized patriots Kassidy Langlinais, her sister Kortni, Emily Borgfeld and Sabrina Harrist helped observe the Patriot's Day Memorial event. Staff Photo by David Arny Mary Ellen Cook helps Jared Reser, 7, and his six-year-old sister Amber do their part to help the Medina Lake Volunteer Fire Department upgrade its brush truck. Cook's late husband Gary was instrumental in acquiring the vehicle for the MLVFD during his many years of selfless service with the organization. Staff Photo by David Arny Gary Cook was a committed member of the Medina Lake Volunteer Fire Department for over 16 years.    One of the things that makes Doris Keslar's D&H Automotive in Lakehills a one-of-a-kind business is the ever-changing display out front. You can tell the time of year just by noting the exhibit's theme, no matter what the season.     But in addition to Halloween pumpkins, Thanksgiving Pilgrims and Christmas manger scenes, Keslar and her crew have featured a 9-11 memorial every year since that fateful September morning six years ago this week.     The "Altar of Lakehills," as the display is known to some, currently includes images of ground zero in New York City, as well as photos of the dedicated law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who perished while attempting to rescue occupants of the Twin Towers following the attack. It serves a sobering reminder of those who risk their lives on a daily basis to come to the aid of others who find themselves in disastrous situations.     As part of Keslar's exhibit, a pair of firefighter's boots are used as a receptacle for donations to the Medina Lake Volunteer Fire Department's fund for upgrading their brush truck. The much-needed vehicle, which is essential for fighting fires in rugged terrain, was purchased in 2006, shortly before the untimely death of longtime volunteer firefighter Gary Cook. Cook's efforts to obtain the truck were invaluable -- so much so, the MLVFD dedicated it to his memory during a ceremony at its headquarters last May.     For those interested in supporting the MLVFD's efforts to protect the lives and properties of area residents, go by D&H Automotive at 12241 Park Road 37 and see this month's "Altar of Lakehills" display.

Nicotine dependency classes set Published July 26, 2007    "Quitting for Good: A Christ-Centered Approach to Nicotine Dependency" will begin Thursday, Aug. 2, at 6:30 pm at the First Baptist Church. Call 796-4171 to sign up. Workbook is cost $14.95. Seating is limited.

Almost Patsy Cline band finds new friends, fab food in France by Judith Pannebaker BCC Staff Writer Published July 5, 2007 The Dutch band Ranch House Favorites warm up backstage before a performance. The très populaire Marie Dazzler hammed it up for a photo with her band, Cowboy Deluxe. Marie Dazzler (second from left) and Sandrine Pazzagli (second from right) were among those Niçoise who befriended the Almost Patsy Cline Band. Margaret and Bill Tucker of Kerrville (with Vickie Gillespie) took a break from their Parisian holiday so they could see their favorite band from back home perform in Nice. A view of the historic downtown section of Nice, France.    All the world might not love America, but it’s a sure bet nearly everyone loves cowboys, particularly five musical cowboys and cowgals from Texas. County music lovers in the south of France proved no exception when they opened their hearts to Bandera’s favorite goodwill ambassadors.     The Almost Patsy Cline Band recently returned from a well-received musical gig across The Big Pond, basking in recollections of newfound friends – and fabulous food. After arriving back in the Cowboy Capital, band leader Lanette Pennell and singer and keyboard player Vicki Gillespie stopped by the Courier office with a firsthand account of their whirlwind et gourmand trip to France.     Along with other members, Dave Kemp, Bryan Kibbe and Rick Reynolds, the band participated in a one-day country music festival held among the centuries-old olive groves at Arenes et Jardin de Cimiez on the French Riviera.     The group left San Antonio Thursday, June 7, and 24 hours later found themselves in Nice, France – after making requisite stops in Houston and Paris.     In Nice, the group was taken to their hotel by a driver dispatched from the office of the Deputy Mayor of Nice.     On Friday, June 8, Phillipe and Marina Tort, who had met members of the Almost Patsy Cline Band members while vacationing in Bandera, assumed escort duties. The couple served as informal tour guides during the band’s whirlwind visit to France. The Torts are members of the American New Country Attitude group, a country-western line dancing club. In fact, it was due to their auspices that the band had been invited to perform at the festival.     “Phillipe works for Texas Instruments and spends lots of time in Dallas,” Pennell explained. “He and Marina love Texas.”     That night, the couple invited everyone back to their flat for a party. A five-course dinner later, Gillespie, Kemp, Kibbe, Pennel and Reynolds broke out their instruments and put on an impromptu concert – to the delight of a dozen or so newly acquired friends. “We played until about 1:30 am,” Gillespie recalled.     Not unsurprisingly, the band – and the Lone Star State – again engendered unabashed enthusiasm. “Everyone at the party loved anything that had to do with Texas, like UT and our (state) flag,” Gillespie said. “They treated us like royalty.”     The Torts had gave band members their first taste of cuisine typical of that region of France – a first, but assuredly not a last, taste.     The next day, Saturday, June 9, it was work, work, work as band members went through an obligatory sound check for the concert scheduled for later that evening. The group then enjoyed another nearly three-hour meal. This one was served in the Green Room, actually a spacious tent on the concert grounds, where musicians gather before and after their performances.     After describing this meal, Gillespie noted, “The French don’t believe in fast food. All the meals we had over there lasted two and three hours.” She added, “I think we could have done more if we hadn’t eaten so much, but none of us wanted to miss a meal.”     Before they knew it, however, the concert was underway with The Almost Patsy Cline Band well into their hour and a half set, performing in front of 4,000 appreciative fans of country music. The concert exceeded the band’s expectations.     “It was wonderful. The lighting and sound equipment was very professional,” Pennell recalled. “Vendors sold cowboy hats and western clothing. There was a mechanical bull and even roping lessons for the kids.”     During the concert, band members passed out brochures, flyers and leaflets on Bandera supplied by the Bandera Convention and Visitors Bureau.     They signed autographs and sold over $1,000 in CDs. “That helped defray our expenses,” Gillespie said, adding, “France is certainly not inexpensive. The dollar is not very strong against the euro.”     The euro is the currency used by the 13 countries in the European Union – Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia and Finland. During the event, band members became friends with members of Ranch House Favorites, an ensemble from the Netherlands that performs Bob Wills-style western swing. “They’re fantastic musicians and we’d love for them to perform in Bandera sometime,” Pennell said.     With just one day remaining in their sojourn in the south of France, the group spent time sightseeing in a fairytale-like French village complete with winding cobblestone streets – and, of course, savoring a final French meal.     “We had a wonderful time and met so many warm and friendly people that we cried when we left,” Pennell said.     Gillespie echoed her colleague’s sentiments. “We invited everyone to come visit us in Bandera. We would have loved to have brought all the friends we made back with us. The people were the best part of the trip,” she said, adding, “and the food, of course.”     In particular, members of the Almost Patsy Cline Band would like to thank Peggy Ashmore of Shoe Biz, Margaret Paradee of The Gingerbread House, James McGroarty of the 11th Street Cowboy Bar and Kerrville’s Bill and Margaret Tucker for making their trip to France an unforgettable experience.

Local computer whiz wins prestigious prize By Hana Manal BCC Staff Writer Published July 5, 2007 Texas A&M University senior Malcolm Smith (right), son of Medina’s Mike Smith, greeted Bill Gates at the recent Microsoft Imagine Cup. During the competition, Smith placed as one of 12 semifinalists from a field of 500 competitors.    To inspire young students’ interest in computer science, software genius Bill Gates founded the five-year-old Imagine Cup, a competition based on students’ abilities in program design.     Texas A&M University senior Malcolm Smith, son of Medina’s Mike Smith, recently became a top 12 semifinalist out of 500 regional competitors who competed in this year’s Microsoft Imagine Cup. With 50 students registered and 20 students involved, the university boasted the majority participation of all universities participating in the competition.     As a computer science major, Smith was informed of the Bill Gates’ sponsored contest by a school professor. At the first level of solo competition, Smith entered the required software, according to specified guidelines. After the semi-finals in New Orleans, Smith advanced to Seattle as the third place winner, where he was randomly placed on a team.     Although the team members only had about one week to organize their thoughts and build an entire program, Smith’s group took first place in the nation.     Inspired by the functions of social networks like MySpace and Facebook, Smith and his team created a website entitled Omni. By using Omni, anyone studying foreign languages can converse with native speakers, obtain translations and find others with similar interests or language passions.     Plans to launch Omni are still being discussed, and Smith says the site is still “under development.”     He recently returned from a second trip to Seattle, where he and his team presented Omni to Gates.     “We got to show our project to Bill Gates although we only had a couple of minutes to spend with him,” Smith said in an interview, adding, “I guess he’s really busy.”     For the final round of competition, Smith and his team will travel to South Korea for a week in August.     “We will basically present (Omni) to a panel of judges and demonstrate the functionality of the website,” Smith explained.     The first place prize at the international competition is $25,000. Members of top teams will be awarded classes that will instruct them in the basics of marketing and selling software ideas. Smith, 21, graduated as the Valedictorian of Roosevelt High School in San Antonio, and has maintained a 4.0 Grade Point Average at A&M. After graduating in May 2008, Smith plans to pursue a career in software development.     He comes by his computer ability naturally. Malcolm’s dad, Mike, owns Medina’s Smith Computer Service. His father’s business influenced not only Malcolm, but his brother Matthew, 22, too. “When they were born, I was working for IBM,” Mike Smith said. “Instead of buying (the boys) things like Nintendo, I always bought them computer games.”     After inspiring over 100,00 students worldwide to enter the competition, Microsoft’s mission to help students “imagine a world where technology enables a better education for all,” has certainly guided students like Malcolm Smith to experiment with a dream while creating a reality.