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Oh little town of Waxahachie: Bethlehem Revisited? That's what the town chamber of commerce and the Waxahachie Ministerial Alliance had in mind when they teamed up to build a model walled-in village recreating the historic event of Jesus's birth on a church-owned acre behind the Central Presbyterian Church. But community involvement turned the project into much more than a mere nativity scene. For two weekends at the end of December, visitors can walk down the gravel torch-lit streets, past the inn where Mary and Joseph were denied lodging, a market, a jail, and a tax collector's office, greeting volunteer townspeople and animals along the way. There's even a winery whose vintner is using vintage methods to produce the heady staple -- he conducts a bare-footed grape stomp atop a five-foot hill that sends the juice flowing down to a receptacle at the bottom where it would ferment. Christian denominations aren't the only religious organizations who participated in the project either; a synagogue where a Jewish volunteer will give children a brief lesson in Hebrew is also part of the installation. Although the village is only open during the holidays, it will remain standing on the property year-round so that it can be enhanced next season. North College and Oldham Streets, Waxahachie. Fri, Sat, & Sun 12/19-12/21, 6-10pm, weather permitting. http://www.texasusa.com/waxahachie
Good egg? EggsPlus look like regular eggs and supposedly taste normal too. What's fishy about them is the presence of Omega-3, an essential fatty acid found in fish and sea algae that increases good cholesterol (HDL) levels and reduces the risk of heart disease. Former Texas A&M poultry scientist Mary Van Elswyk developed a method to introduce Omega-3 into chicken eggs simply by feeding hens the dried algae rich in the organic substance. Pilgrim's Pride, an East Texas poultry producer, was the first to incorporate Van Elswyk's research into their product, and after a three-month study conducted by the scientist herself, the company started selling EggsPlus this year. Initial research conducted on 60 participants at high risk for heart disease who ate two of the new eggs 5 days a week showed no change in bad cholesterol levels (LDL), and an increase in the good levels. The new eggs aren't technically bio-engineered, but have been developed by adding a new link to the food chain; hens eating fish food without having to develop gills. EggsPlus are available at Albertsons, Kroger, Tom Thumb and IGA Markets in Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Oklahoma City and LA, and they'll be coming soon to San Antonio and Austin. http://www.pilgrimspride.com/eggsplus/eggplus.htm
Pray the safety is on: A pistol under a pew may be an image generally reserved for the likes of a Tarantino film, but a revision this year by the Texas Legislature of the 1995 concealed handgun law makes it possible to pack in church. The previous incarnation of the law had prohibited gun owners from taking weapons "on the premises of a church, synagogue or other established place of religious worship," but the law was changed this year and now churches are required to follow the same rules as other private property -- they must post a sign or hand out cards stating their policy on guns to each member of the congregation as they come to worship. Proponents of the law support taking the decision away from government and handing it back to the property owner, citing that in some cases ministers live on church property and should retain the right to defend themselves. Sen. Jerry R Patterson (R-Pasadena), who sponsored the change, told the Dallas Morning News in jest that the new law "enhances the quality of the sermons and shortens the length of the services." However, some churchgoers seem to think that having a sign stuck in their faces on the way to worship is almost as bad as a gun.
First Night again: After an 8-year hiatus due to lack of funds for security, San Antonians will once again be able to ring in the New Year in the city streets. The revived event, called Celebrate San Antonio, will take place on South Alamo Street between Market and Durango, and will feature three stages of live music, fireworks, and a falling elevator in the spirit of the Times Square ball drop in New York City. Magik Children's Theatre will offer family activites early on in the evening, and various vendors will be selling food and drinks. Involvement from private industry along with a renegotiated police contract is making the free-to-the-public event possible this year, and the city predicts it will be well attended -- the Alamo Bowl takes place the night before. San Antonio Chamber of Commerce: 210-229-2100 or 210-CHAMBER for more information.
(12/1/97) |
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