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Bandera, TX Real Estate News

By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
My how time flies! Another year has come and gone, but wait, you still have time to make it to Bandera, Texas for our annual "Celebrate Bandera" spectacular. Events have already kicked off at Mansfield Park with the Circle of Life Powwow and the Cowboy Mounted Shooters this evening at 7PM. A don't miss starts at 11AM with the Longhorn Cattle Drive through downtown Bandera. All around the Courthouse are arts and crafts booths and  food booths to satisfy the hunger in you. At  City Park from 12noon to 6PM will be the Brazos Bottom Cowographers, the Buffalo Soldiers, Concho Cowboys, San Antonio Living History and Interactive Childrens Activities. The Wild West Show starts at 5:30pm at Mansfield Park, with Bull Riding at 8pm.  On Sunday, the fun continues with an Invitational Tie Down Ropin...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
Another Labor Day weekend is upon us, time to head to Bandera Texas where the cowboy never dies- time again for another "Celebrate Bandera" extravaganza.  I don't mean a small get together, I mean mega celebration, The Bandera County Chamber of Commerce, The Convention and Vistors Bureau, the Bandera Business Association, the Dude Ranches, the Watering Holes, and numerous Bandera Businesses pull out the stops when it comes to jamming the weekend full of activities. The big kickoff begins Saturday, August 30, at 11AM with the Longhorn Cattle Drive and Parade down Mainstreet Bandera.  The streets are lined 3 deep in anticipation of the yearly trek of some 50 longhorns, none of which stray from their intended destination. Quite a feat, considering all the screaming fans as they strole by. ...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
Last night, the Silver Sage Community Center, and Bandera Honors Veterans, put on a program for Veterans, which I, as the Bandera County Veterans Service Officer, was a participant.  Being that I have only been the Service Officer for Bandera for one year, this was the first seminar that I had a part in. There were several participants, the Texas Veterans Commission, the VA Hospital System, The Veterans Administration, the Texas Veterans Land Board, TVC Employment Counselors from San Antonio and Kerrville, the American Legion from Bandera and Lakehills Chapters, and a VA approved loan officer. All of these representatives were there for two hours to explain their jobs and to answer veterans questions, and to assit them in filing for benefits. Besides myself, there were Service Officers ...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
Back on August 28, 2007 I wrote a blog about "Devastating Fire on Main St. Bandera" in which I told about the wipe out of two major businesses in Bandera Texas. Shoe Biz, owned by Peggy Ashmore opened on April 17, 1987 and has been a constant in Bandera ever since. The store carries not just shoes, (Keds, Clarks, and many other distinguished brands), but a full line of womens clothing, accessories and jewelry. Hers was the place to find out what styles were new and what colors were in this year.  It is where the menfolk could buy that oh so special blouse or dress, or necklace that the Mrs. wished was her own. It seemed as though the rebuilding process was going oh so slow as well, there was the Fire Marshall's report, the Insurance Inspector's report, the wait for the insurance proceed...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
The routine is the same for us each Sunday morning- call the OST (Old Spanish Trail) to see what  the lunch buffet is today. That is important because that call determines where my husband an I will have lunch that day.  If the OST is having something that I don't like (turkey and dressing for example) then we go somewhere else for lunch.  I've called each Sunday morning so often, that Linda (the hostess with the mostess) already knows it's me (by my phone#) and just tells me what the buffet is that day. Well, today was roast beef, broccoli with cheese, boiled potatoes, succotash, ribs, rolls, plus a salad bar with potato salad, jello and pudding. Who could ask for better? And only $7.95 per adult, such a deal! The night before, we were greeted with a new menu with higher prices on all ...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
This morning, as we drove past the Frontier Times Museum and saw the remnants of the American Cowboy celebration that was held last night, we couldn't help but feel sorry for the homeowners that lived behind the museum. Right out their bedroom window were 50+ revelers enjoying the food, music and lively conversation till who knows, what hour of the night. Then our discussion turned to the neighbors of the 11th St. Bar with neighbors behind, and alongside it. It becomes especially loud when they have special events, such as chili cook-offs, cabrito cook-offs, that spill out into the street. The City of Bandera has taken steps to help the homeowner's in the city by enforcing a noise ordinance. I'm sure this helps put limits on businesses like the 11th St. Bar, but does little to stop the ...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
Main Street Bandera was unusually busy this morning, not sure if it was due to visitors staying overnite after the wrestling matches at the Longhorn Saloon, or visitors passing through on their way to Lost Maples State Park, or Hill Country Natural Area or cowboys coming to town to stay for the American Cowboy Celebration this Saturday.  There were cowboys on horseback strolling the main thoroughfare in search of something (drink, maybe) and wannabe cowboys watching them.  We ran into Jeanne Parker, owner of Bandera Carriage, hanging out on Main Street with her buddy Boots.  Jeanne operates a horse and carriage business in town, just the thing for special occasions -like a date with your sweetie.  Today she was offering photo ops with her miniature pony Boots.  For $10 your little cowbo...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
Bandera Texas is known as "The Cowboy Capital" and that will be evident on Saturday July 26th starting at noon at the Courthouse lawn. and ending at the Frontier Times Museum on 13th Street with a Cowboy Dinner put on by the Deadwood Hollow Ranch Cook Team. In between those two events, there will be plenty to do for young and old, the Cowboys on Main singers, historians, trick ropers, music and arts and crafts, face painting for the little ones and of course, a cow chip tossing contest. The National publication, American Cowboy has recognized Bandera Texas as one of the best places to be on the National Day of the American Cowboy- and we're proud of that! Be sure and wear your best western duds and clean up your boots - an appetite will help as well- and join us for a rip roaring Bander...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
It's not too late to come to the 11th Annual Bandera Riverfest!  Gates opened at 10AM, and close at 6PM. Even though the Watermelon Eating Contest is over, you still have time for the River Rodeo, Sack Races, Wheel Barrel Races, Water Balloon Toss, Water Relay, a great local band, $50 Dynasty, and the "Anything That Floats Regatta", at 3PM. There's plenty of food ($6 Brisket, Chicken or Pork Rib), plenty of stuff to buy (arts and crafts show), and lots of fun to be had. Turn left at the light on Main Street,  right on Maple Street, and pay your $5 Entrance Fee for a "Cool and Wet" good time! 
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
The earliest settlers of Bandera came from Poland, in search of a better place to live.  The beautiful Medina River afforded them shelter and a budding business in cypress tree shingles. Many of the ancestors of the first residents are still living in Bandera, few have returned to visit and rekindle with those they left behind in the home country. What started as an exchange of flags with the relatives in Poland, has evolved into week long visits to Poland and Bandera by decendants of the first settlers and local government officials and businessmen. Last year, Bandera residents toured the native land, this year they came to Bandera and were treated to a week long celebration of all things Bandera.  Thursday was the grand finale with a banquet at the Flying L Ranch, with entertainment p...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
The Cowboy Capital Rodeo Association's Rodeo will be held this Memorial Day Weekend, May 23, 24, and 25th at Mansfield Park, Bandera Texas.  This year's event promises to be bigger and better than rodeos past. The slate of events and entertainers is full, including calf roping, team roping, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, bareback riding, barrel racing and steer wrestling.  For the young riders there will be mutton bustin', calf scrambles, and stickhorse races.  Entertainment will be by Amanda Payne of the One Arm Bandit & Company.  For the budding chefs in the audience, there is a "Get your Cook-On" cook-off that begins on May 23 and winds up on Sunday the 25th. Mansfield Park won't be the only hopping place in town, oh no, the local watering holes will have entertainment of their ow...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
In the New York Times Great Homes and Destination section of April 18, 2008, Robert Strauss describes the sleepy town of Bandera as "A Not-Too-Wild-West Cowboy Town".  He goes on to describe how part time residents and full time real estate agents came to make Bandera their home.Being that this article is about Real Estate, he goes on to describe what average prices are on residential and ranch property.  Homes range from $105,000 for a cottage in town, to $10,000 an acre for ranches.  He doesn't describe individual listings, but talks mostly about why the residents moved here and what they did before they moved here and how they feel about Bandera. It wouldn't be an article about Bandera if you failed to mention the 11th Street Bar, or the Longhorn Saloon and the drinking and partying ...
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By Trey Thurmond, College Station , Texas Homes
(BCR Realtors)
My wife and I attended the first ever ( at least the first we know about ) Texas Real Estate Group sponsored AR Meeting in Wonderful Bandera Texas this weekend. Hosted by Ricki Eichler  at one of her listings, a nice little place called Pomarosa RV Center, and the owners who were kind enough to cook some great Brisket BBQ, this event came off just fine. Thanks to all who helped also.  My wife and I were able to totally offset two weeks of intense dieting, but that is ok too because I had some of the very best ever-ever dessert  made including banana puddin' and  an out of this world bread puddin' with some fantastic whiskey sauce just oozing with flavor. Yummy! Yummy! Wow!It was just great getting to meet all the faces and names you see and converse with on active Rain including, Liz Ca...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
Bandera's Metal Cowboys took over the town for the second time in two weeks this weekend- the roar was deafening, unless, of course, you turned off your hearing aid.The streets were full of crome and leather, the gas stations, the parks, the restaurants, had no space, no seats for us locals. Tunes blared from a loud speaker at City Hall- everthing from country to heavy metal, just what you wanted to hear as you headed home with the kids on a Saturday afternoon. I like seeing the different types of bikes, some with neon lights on the sides, different types of riders, unique apparel and hair and tatoos.  Most are professionals living their dream on the weekends and they love the Cowboy Town that is Bandera.I like that they spend their money here, the waitresses and waiters get extra money...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
This past weekend, hundreds of motorcyclists descended upon Bandera for the phenomenon known as Wild Hog Explosion.  The event kicked off on Friday, March 14th and concluded Sunday afternoon.Events were for all ages, there was an all bike rally, wild hog catching, pork rib cook off, hog kissing contest, a children's bicycle rodeo, lots of food, fun, and arts and crafts to help lighten your wallet.Besides the festivities, traffic up and down Main St. was impossible, 10mph at best and try to find a parking spot on Main St. or even off Main- not gunna happen.  The restaurants were packed, the bars were crowded and noisy, good for the business owners, bad for the regulars.Things are back to normal today, hopefully a biker or two will want to settle down in Bandera and buy some real estate- ...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
Super Tuesday 2 has hit Bandera Texas in a big way.  The CNN news crew has been camped out here since yesterday with their news bus to get the "feel" of a real Texas Town and how they feel about the primary election in Texas.  Their satellite truck is now in front of a local watering hole "The Eleventh Street Bar" for live shots on CNN's election coverage.  I haven't seen the spots, but everyone is talking about nothing else.  Bandera County has several contested offices this election, so you would think that most of the residents would be concerned about the outcome, but no, all interest is on CNN and getting on TV.  I may switch channels tonight just to catch a glimpse of what "my town" is up to, and how we are portrayed by the media.   
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By Judi Morgan, San Antonio, TX Real Estate
(RETIRED)
Ricki Eichler & I met here on Active Rain back in November when she joined and I was one of the first members to welcome her.  There was an immediate connection - of course, we're both in Texas and both with Coldwell Banker franchises but there was more to it.We've been scheduling lunches since November and life and business kept getting in the way.  But, yesterday, we were finally able to work both schedules so that we could meet in Bandera, TX (with a little tweaking of schedules throughout the morning).  What was supposed to be a 12:00 o'clock lunch turned into a 1:00 o'clock lunch.Ricki arrived a few minutes before I did and was waiting in the parking lot - directing me into town and to the parking lot.  Big hugs in the parking lot and non-stop talking for the next 5 hours!  Just as...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
Bandera Texas is definitely a small town- in fact, Bandera is the only incorporated city in the entire county.  The population hovers around 1000 residents, in about a 2 mile square area.  They are happy with who and where they are, and I don't expect they'll change anytime soon.  In fact, the hub of commercial activity has moved to the highway that intersects the City of Bandera, Highway 16.  Without any zoning in place, the highway is a hodge podge of office buildings, strip centers, and car dealers and retail.  Water and sewer needs will increase as more businesses move to this corridor of activity.  TXDOT does what it can to regulate access off of the highway, to avoid accidents with 70 mph traffic on 16. All of this activity hopefully will not change the heart and soul of Bandera- ...
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
Yesterday was quite a busy day in Bandera, Texas.  Even tho Fat Tuesday is not until February 5th,  Bandera got a jump on all of New Orleans by having their own "Cowboy Style" Mardi Gras parade down mainstreet Bandera.  The horse took center stage in this town, as it should.  Multi-colored beads were everywhere- tossed to any and all.  The locals and the tourists loved every minute- after the parade the local eateries and saloons were to the rim with revelers.  The 11th Street Bar had the street blocked off so the overflow crowd could partake in the festivities.  Based on the happy faces I saw last nite, this new tradition will be a continuing one.    
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By Mary Jo Schaffer, Bandera Texas Real Estate
(Sweetheart Realty)
Yesterday i eavesdropped on a conversation that got me to thinking about my town, Bandera Texas. We are known as the "Cowboy Capital of the World" and I asked myself what that entails.  Should we be rough and rowdy as they were in the early west, or should we be refined and genteel suburbanites? We could be considered a suburb of San Antonio.  Our Chamber of Commerce and Visitor and Convention Bureau markets our city as cowboy. What do you think of when cowboy is mentioned? Should we stay scruffy and unkempt, or clean and polished?   
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