Leta Garcia

Leta Garcia was born on the South Llano River in Junction and grew up there. She attended Southwest Texas State University and then went into the property tax field, both as a Tax Assessor/Collector and as a Chief Appraiser for over 28 years.

During much of this time she lived on ranches in Terrell and Brewster Counties, where there are virtually no lights, and the night sky is absolutely awesome. She feels that it is heartbreaking that so many people are moving to Blanco County that have no regard for the beauty of the night sky. That is one reason she agreed to be an Advisory Board Member helping with accounting audits and art contests. Residents need to be informed about preserving the night sky, and what better way than to start with the middle school and high school kids through the art contests.

Leta has two sons, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She is retired from the property tax field and accounting and currently has an art studio at her home. She is Music Minister and Pianist for Trinity Lutheran Church, Secretary for the Blanco Education Foundation, on the board for the Old Blanco County Courthouse, Treasurer for the Rotary Club of Blanco County, and an Advisory Board Member for Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky. She also donates her time for various organizations teaching painting for fund raising.

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HCA NIGHT SKY TEAM MEETING

On August 9th, BCFNS President Wayne Gosnell traveled to Kerrville to attend the semi-annual meeting of the Night Sky Team of the Hill Country Alliance. Some 13 members were there in person with another dozen or so joining via Zoom. These meetings share accomplishments and challenges among the various night sky advocacy groups that have been established all across the Hill Country. As an added bonus, Pete Strasser, Technical Director at IDA HQ in Tucson zoomed in to update the groups on the latest developments in light pollution controls to include a discussion of Correlated Color Temperatures (Kelvin temperatures). IDA has a worldwide network of night sky advocates, with those in the Texas Hill Country being among the most active.

Do you personally need eclipse glasses? YES!!! If we have any left over after distributing to the school districts, we’ll figure out how to get them to our membership. But, whatever you do,…don’t look at the sun without eclipse glasses!

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Other Benefits of a Dark Sky

Saving our beautiful night sky and keeping the stars shining brightly are not the only benefits of light pollution abatement. A Dark Sky can also help us save our birds! The full southern migration is just beginning. The birds could sure use our help so, please “LIGHTS OUT TEXAS!”

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Facebook & Instagram

We now have over 720 followers on Facebook and over 360 followers on Instagram! Are you one of them? If not, check us out and join the groups at Facebook and Instagram.

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Guests attend Board Meeting

We had 3 guests from Comal County Friends of the Night Sky join us for our August meeting. President Larry Wells, who joins us often, brought 2 of his colleagues, Betty Buckley and Jeanette Nelson. Betty and Jeanette are interested in starting Night Sky education programs, such as an Art Contest and Essay Contest, in the Comal County schools and came to hear how we have done that in Blanco County.

Additionally, Karl Petter and Paul Bauml of Blanco County joined us. We hope they will come again and take on one of our volunteer opportunities. We sure could use the help.

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Next Business & Brainstorming Session

Join us, like Karl and Paul did, on Wednesday, September 21st @ 9 am, at El Charro Restaurant in Johnson City.

If you would like to attend via Zoom, just let us know ahead of time and we’ll make it happen.

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Upcoming Events

Here are a few events we are working on:
• Twin Sisters Raise the Roof -- September 24 (9 am – 7 pm)
• Hill Country Night Sky Song Writing Contest -- October 1 @ 6 pm at Gem of the Hills in Blanco ("This promises to be great party!")
• Marigold Festival -- BCFNS Booth: October 28 & 29 (pending)

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Other News

• BCFNS Advisory Board – Are you willing to share your expertise? We would like to include: A realtor, a developer, a contractor, a lighting fixture expert and other professionals who have a passion for the night sky. Contact us at info@BlancoCountyNightSky.org
• Volunteer Opportunities at BCFNS Volunteers

Night Sky Friendly Business Recognition Program Facilitator (for Johnson City)
• Work with the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce to establish this program, modeled on the on-going program in Blanco.
• Best if two volunteers work together on this.
• Follow-up periodically to evaluate the success of the program and solicit suggestions for improvement.

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Remember we are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Please consult your accountant or tax adviser for details regarding deductibility for your donation.