Robert Byron Gottschall is the quintessential artist, a cosmopolitan free spirit who, by his imagination and skill, has created objects of startling beauty and attracted attention from the rich and famous, but a man of simple tastes who prefers life in a "natural setting," away from the bright lights of the city. Artist Robert Gottschalls Gottschall, who describes himself as a "fifth-generation Texan," was actually born in Los Angeles, California.

When is a small-town Texas library a tourist attraction? When it’s the new $5.6 million El Progreso Memorial Library, Archives and Museum in Uvalde, opened on August 2, 2004. In its park-like setting at 301 West Main Street (Hwy 90 West), the 35,000-square-foot structure beckons to passers-by to stop for a while.

The phrase 'lions and tigers and bears' might not be regularly muttered by Leander veterinarian Dr. Frank Stiles at his South San Gabriel Animal Clinic, but conversations about elephants, buzzards, ostriches, dogs and cats are quite common place. For the past 20 years, Stiles has offered animal health care in Leander.

Attention lovers of art, architecture, and all things Western! The next time you're in Kerr County, you'll want to put Kerrville's Museum of Western Art high on your to-do list. This inspiring collection of works by many of America's most prestigious Western artists celebrates long-closed chapters of American history as well as recognizing and embracing its enduring legacy.

I once took a college course in Western Civilization, which covered centuries of (mostly European) progress in the arts and sciences, politics and war, industry and commerce. I got another view of "western civilization" over the Christmas holidays, when I read the journal of DeWitt Clinton Thomas, who served as sheriff, soldier, mayor, clerk and judge during the late 1800's in the Texas Hill Country.

Each year at the end of May, a community rises from the rocky hills of Quiet Valley Ranch south of Kerrville. Grass is mowed, benches painted, outdoor stages swept clean. Travelers arrive from all directions, some from as far away as Europe and Australia. They pitch tents and shade canopies, back campers into place, and unpack guitars, mandolins, and assorted other instruments.