Shelly's Market in Lipan, Texas means First Saturday Hootenany!

Read this spring press clipping from the Dallas Morning News!

New young talent has been sitting in on these monthly blue grass sessions.

Lipan ISD puts on Senior Night on Friday with the final home basketball game of the season. The next day at Shelly's Grocery Market on Main Street is the long running "First Saturday" monthly Hootenany.

Joe Bass and several of his Double Mountain Boys have formed the core performers over recent years. However, a number of young fidlle players have begun to liven up the night!

Come check it out! Bring your own folding chair or lean against the racks of merchandise! Eat what you want, and settle up with Shelly and Pam as you leave.

Rumor has it that Billy and Judy Green are back working part-time at the Market! Now this I want to see!

Improving communications using LISD's website

For 2007 the School Board should take the opportunity, through its superintendent, to increase communications with the community.

There are a number of issues to consider, but now that the district's website has been functioning since September, accomplishing that goal is reasonable.

There has been some discussion on this. With the 2nd half of the school year underway, now is a good time to implement additional reporting of the District's goals and projects.

The Hood County News does an outstanding job following Indian athletic activities. More times than not, the coaches take responsibility for calling in the information. The News isn't staffed to cover Lipan's ongoing governmental activities, either city or school.

I know from past experience, rarely do interested citizens attend these kinds of meetings. Unless you have a concern to voice, meetings tend to be routine and without refreshments!

By statute, the Texas Open Meetings Act makes all kinds of records available for post review - upon written request. But that's not convenient, it's inefficient, and usually is unnecessarily perceived as adversarial.

Many school districts now provide current and archived agendas and minutes on their websites. I notice some superintendents post recaps of Board actions. Some are providing quarterly status reports of district accomplishments, student acheivements, construction projects, etc.

Larger schools hire a webmaster to control the unending possibilities of the website. With Lipan's current budget constraints, the school needs to carefully tailor its website to the basics.

Having your community as informed as possible is never wasted effort. Because of the important tasks ahead for the Lipan ISD, educating your citizen stakeholders pays dividends. LipanIndians.net presents an excellent opportunity.