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POWER TALK
LETTERS
‘Silver Dollar’ Jim Serves Up Big Tip
In reference to the February 2009 article on “Silver Dollar Jim” West Jr.:
My friend worked for Jim West in the ’40s and says that one night after a hard day’s work at one of his ranches, the crew of about eight, including Jim, went to a restaurant for dinner. They ordered the works, and Jim kept giving the waitress a hard time.
As they were finishing their meal, Jim told one of the hands to get a sack (of silver dollars) from the truck. They each formed a ring of silver dollars on the rim of the dinner plate. Then they went outside and watched through the window.
The waitress looked all over the table, and there was no tip. You can imagine her disgust. She started cleaning the table. As she picked up the first dinner plate, silver dollars rolled away from it. On the next plate were more silver dollars. She was overjoyed with her tip, and Jim West laughed at the good joke.
Charles R. Brown
Cedar Park
Dollars for Votes?
One item you left out of your article on “Silver Dollar Jim” was his reported use of his silver dollars in elections. When the poll tax was in use, certain voters would appear and pay the tax with silver dollars. And, they were expected to vote as Jim wanted them to. Thankfully, that dark time in our history is over.
Betty A. Morris
Pedernales Electric Cooperative
Canyon Lake
‘Neat Little Magazine’
What a neat little magazine you have. A friend shared it with me, and there are several articles that drew my interest. Even at age 87, I still like to maintain interest in current events. The (February 2009) article on the Kilgore Rangerettes was outstanding. I believe my 13-year-old great-granddaughter might be interested. The “Baking Up a Breakfast” recipes were great. How I wish I could try those apple turnovers. Thank you so much.
Doris M. Walker
Bedias
Correction: The children in the 1980 photo that accompanies “Living in Feather Heaven” (which appeared in some February 2009 issues) are Tommy Seely and Amy Seely English. They are the grandchildren of Bill Carpenter, co-founder of the now-defunct Brownwood Feather Factory.
We want to hear from our readers. Send letters to: Editor, Texas Co-op Power, 1122 Colorado, 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701, or e-mail us at letters@texas-ec.org. Please include the name of your town and electric co-op. Letters may be edited for clarity and length and will be printed as space allows. Read additional letters at www.texascooppower.com.
BLAME IT ON THE GRIME
While some Texas electric cooperatives were dealing with ice on their power lines during winter, others were coping with pole fires that started during an ongoing drought. The culprit? Believe it or not, it’s moist dust, or grime.
The problem stems from the lack of rain in many areas, leaving dust to collect on lines and insulators, explained Will Holford, manager of public affairs for Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.
When moist, misty weather comes along—in lieu of rain—the dirt isn’t washed away by rain but instead becomes grime that sticks to poles and components. “The grime causes the insulators to become less effective,” Holford said. “I’d venture to guess that nearly every utility has this type of issue.”
OCCUPANCY SENSORS MAKE SENSE
Install energy-saving occupancy sensors in bathrooms, utility closets and other less-used spaces so lights will automatically turn on and off in response to movement. Occupancy sensors, which may also be suitable for spaces such as offices that are not regularly staffed, can save energy wherever they are installed: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, energy savings can range from 40 to 46 percent in classrooms, 13 to 50 percent in private offices, 30 to 90 percent in restrooms, 22 to 65 percent in conference rooms, 30 to 80 percent in corridors and 45 to 80 percent in storage areas.
ENERGY FACT
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that two-thirds of all homes in the United States have air conditioners, which consume about 5 percent of all electricity generated in the U.S., at a cost of more than $11 billion.
If homeowners upgraded to more efficient air conditioners in addition to running fans, caulking and weatherstripping, and planting cover trees or shrubs around their outdoor units, they could save 20 to 50 percent of that figure.
HAPPENINGS
Quick: Name the state flower of Texas. That’s right—the bluebonnet. Now name the city that holds the Official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas each year.
Give up? It’s Chappell Hill, a quaint, historic town just east of Brenham that finds itself surrounded by the ravishing flowers each spring. This year’s festival, designated the state’s official bluebonnet event by the Texas Legislature in 1997, is set for April 18-19.
Lavish fields of bluebonnets blanket the landscape just outside Chappell Hill, where the festival features more than 250 booths—including home décor, gardening, art and crafts, jewelry, and clothing—and food and live entertainment. Children’s attractions include a Ferris wheel, train and pony rides, and a petting zoo.
Adopted as the state flower in 1901, the bluebonnet is so named because of its resemblance to a sunbonnet. Bluebonnets also have been called buffalo clover, wolf flower and, in Spanish, el conejo, which means “the rabbit.”
For more information about the festival, call (979) 836-6033 or go to www.chappellhillmuseum.org/festivals.htm.
A PARK FOR THE EONS
Franklin Mountains State Park may be a long way the wrong way for many Texans. But on the outskirts of El Paso, it’s a great amenity for local residents and visitors alike. At 24,247 acres, it’s the largest urban park in the nation, covering some 37 square miles within the El Paso city limits. North Mount Franklin reaches an elevation of 7,192 feet, more than 3,000 feet above the city. One hiking trail is accessible off Loop 375/ Trans-Mountain Road, and work is under way for a trail network that ultimately will cover a 100-mile system. The park is virtually pristine—much like the way Native Americans, Spanish conquistadors and other visitors have found the area for thousands of years. Rangers conduct public tours the first and third weekends of the month by reservation only. For more information, call (915) 566-6441 or go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
CHECK IT OUT
I Have No Ranch
Have you ever wanted to hang out where the artists and writers go? Rancho No Tengo might be right up your alley. Literally translated as “I have no ranch,” this compound near Lake Buchanan was hand-built over the past dozen years by musician and artist Joe “King” Carrasco. He conceived the place as a creative retreat. But he spends most of his time now in Puerto Vallarta. Rates for the basic but highly creative accommodations are $35 to $40 a night or $500 to $600 a month. For more information, e-mail sbrammer@austin.rr.com.
WHO KNEW?
After Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna and his troops were decisively beaten at the Battle of San Jacinto, leaving Texians free to establish a Republic, Santa Anna went to U.S. President Andrew Jackson and offered to sell his lost territory at a discount. Jackson declined the offer.
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