Harper Texas Weekly
Your mailing address could be here
if you subscribed to this paper
27 December 2013
Only 3 measly quarters
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.HarperTexasWeekly.com
Are you looking for an inexpensive method to advertise your business? - I can show you how for much less than you thought possible
News Flash Effective Immediately.
To make our paper more
affordable to those that
want to stay up to date via
our newspaper, we have
changed the subscription
price to $20.00 per year
and the per issue price to
75 cents.
We will be issuing a refund
to our current subscribers
for the difference in pric-
es.
Obituaries We have had a request to
add a obituary section and
we are more than happy to
do so.
Office Space We have heard you and we
agree that it would be eas-
ier for you to pick up pa-
pers, drop off subscrip-
tions, ads, etc. if we had a
office that you could go
too.
If you know of something
like the old office I used to
have next to the old post
office, and it is available
for sale or lease, I would
be interested in hearing
about it as I too think this
lack of a office has creat-
ed many problems for eve-
rybody, and if you are in
any community in our cov-
erage area and you would
like to have a drop-off lo-
cation at your business,
we will gladly pay a com-
mission for doing so.
Printing
Problems While the cost to print any-
thing on a weekly basis
can be daunting for any
new business, it has been
almost insurmountable for
this paper.
As an example, if we print
locally, we get next day
turn around which is
great, but we have to print
a minimum of 1,000 copies
per issue which is more
than we can afford at this
point in time.
And if we use a printer
similar to the one that we
used for the first issue, it
takes as much as a week
or more to get it back from
the printer, and they do
not offer the paper size
that we would like to use,
but they do make it afford-
able as we can print as
few as 25 copies for about
1/3rd of what it costs to
print locally.
If you look only at the
printing costs, we are
much better off printing
1,000 copies locally.
But, if you look at it from a
operating capital perspec-
tive, than we must go with
the remote printer for now.
Weekly
Paper It has, and always will be
my goal to see the paper
printed on a weekly basis
as a minimum, and eventu-
ally I would like to offer it
on a daily basis.
Many people have sug-
gested that I go to a every
other week schedule, and
for now, I’m going to have
to do so until the adver-
tisements and subscrip-
tions reach a level that will
allow us to resume a week-
ly schedule.
Reporters
Wanted I have been studying how
other papers get people to
write articles for their pa-
per, and I have noticed
that they pay $30.00 to
$50.00 for these articles
depending on whether
they have pictures as well.
If you like to attend com-
munity functions and get
paid to do so by writing
articles about these func-
tions, I would like to talk to
you as I want to see you be
successful, and make a
name for yourself by cov-
ering these events.
Our
Coverage
Area You are probably wonder-
ing why our coverage area
is so big for a Harper
newspaper.
If you host community
events, you may have no-
ticed that your customers
come from all over this
area, and even from areas
that are not on this map.
This is a map of where we
want to place our newspa-
per in stores so that the
people that want to read
about your events in Har-
per can do so without sub-
scribing to the paper.
And we want to make it
easy for you to expand
your business by making
your advertising costs af-
fordable, and your cover-
age area such that you
can grow your business.
We believe that we can do
this best by distributing
our paper to the area cov-
ered on this map.
So, if you have a school
event, or a hunting opera-
tion, or a benefit, or a busi-
ness, or just about any-
thing else, and you want to
get the word out about
your business, I believe
this is the best way and
the most affordable.
The
Longhorn
Express
Amazes me The newspaper business
is new to me and like any-
thing, there is a learning
curve with it.
As I read each issue, it
amazes me what the kids
and their advisors have
accomplished, and I think
to myself that if every com-
munity in America had a
community newspaper
that was run by kids like
these, we would not be
having discussions nation-
wide about how our news-
papers no longer serve the
readers of their communi-
ties.
I study everything I can
get my hands on in respect
to any project that I under-
take, and it amazed me
when I learned that six me-
dia corporations con-
trolled the majority of
news that we receive.
Do you realize that if the
students of each of our
communities in America
were to write the news for
their respective communi-
ties like the kids in Harper
have done, slowly but
surely, the truth would re-
turn to our media that we
want to trust.
Many of you may not un-
derstand what I am at-
tempting to say here, and I
respect that as I too didn’t
realize what was happen-
ing until I could no longer
find software jobs in cor-
porate America and I
spent the last 10 years ed-
ucating myself.
There is a book called
“Into the Buzzsaw: Lead-
ing Journalists Expose the
Myth of a Free Press”
Get you a copy of it, or
once I find a office, you
can stop by and read it at
my office as it is that im-
portant, and I believe that
it is kids like these, and
concerned parents that
will begin to reverse the
trend of corporate media
ownership and start doing
what is right for the citi-
zens of their community
rather than urge you to
vote for Free Trade Agree-
ments that will ultimately
decimate your community.
Bottom line - Support your
local schools media efforts
as it is that important that
they get to the bottom of
the who, what, where, why
and when if you want to
read the truth when you
read the newspaper.
Books While we are on the sub-
ject of books, another one
you should read is “Selling
U.S. Out” by J.R. Martin
If you can’t find it I have
put a link to both books on
our website, and again,
once I have a office you
will be welcome to read
either book at my office.
Help Us Want to see a newspaper
that covers the things that
you enjoy, and the things
that concern you?
Tell us about them via
mail, email, phone, or in
person and we will find a
way to address those is-
sues.
Our Coverage Area
The chart below
and more infor-
mation can be
found at corpora-
tions.org
I have also added
a youtube video to
our website if you
would like to learn
more about this
important subject.
Have you told eve-
rybody about your
business?
You can do it here
if you would like
too.
Volume 1 Issue 4 Page 2 www.HarperTexasWeekly.com
Are you looking for an inexpensive method to advertise your business? - I can show you how for much less than you thought possible
Second Annual Wounded Warrior Benefit
MARK YOUR CALENDARS MAY 3, 2014 IS OUR SECOND ANNUAL WOUND-
ED WARRIOR BENEFIT, IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO
DONATE FOR THE AUCTION YOU CAN DROP IT OFF AT HEADWATERS OR
GIVE US A CALL AND WE CAN PICK IT UP 830-864-4055 COME OUT AND
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND MEET A GREAT GROUP OF GUYS
Contact Headwaters Saloon for more details...
Second Annual Wounded Warrior Benefit
MARK YOUR CALENDARS MAY 3, 2014 IS OUR SECOND ANNUAL WOUNDED
WARRIOR BENEFIT, IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE
FOR THE AUCTION YOU CAN DROP IT OFF AT HEADWATERS OR GIVE US A
CALL AND WE CAN PICK IT UP 830-864-4055 COME OUT AND SHOW YOUR
SUPPORT AND MEET A GREAT GROUP OF GUYS
Contact Headwaters Saloon for more details...
Harper Library and Resale Shop
Welcome to the Harper Library!
Both the library & resale shop are located in the same building
at 23247 West US Hwy 290, Harper, TX 78631
(Mailing address: P O Box 74, Harper, TX 78631)
- Drive through the gate to your library
- Check out the Resale shop for new treasures every day!
Harper Library is open:
Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Friday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The Library is not open on Sundays or Mondays
Business meetings are the 3rd Monday of every month, 5:00 PM
Pre-K Story Time every 3rd Wednesday and Thursday, 10:00am .
Summer Reading Club every Thursday in July, 10:00 AM - 12:00
Noon.
Harper Library Resale Shop is open:
Wednesday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The Resale Shop is not open on Sundays, Mondays, or Tuesdays.
The Harper Library began in June, 2004, with a letter to the ed-itor in The Harper News. Seven people met in response to the letter. This group and others began meeting monthly to plan and organize for a library. The library opened its doors to the public on April 6, 2006.
The library started in a small house be-hind Dauna's on Hwy. 290. The collection started with donated books from area resi-dents and other li-braries, and soon outgrew the first site and searched to find a new home. We moved to our second
location in Novem-ber, 2006. Along with the move, the library staff converted the entire collection to an automated program allowing patrons to browse the collec-tion, renew and re-serve books from home. Now with our recent move, we are sharing our new building with our Library Resale Shop. The remodel-ing was a fantastic success and the new library is beauti-ful. With 3800 sq. ft. we have room to grow while enjoying the light and space in the new location. When the library
opened the collection included about 4000 books. Now the col-lection totals about 12,500 materials-- books, audio books, videos & DVD's, peri-odicals, and newspa-pers. There is a public meeting room available for lo-cal organizations to reserve. Laptops and WIFI connection are available for public use. In 2011 Harper Li-brary became a mem-ber of the Texas State Library Sys-tem allowing our pa-trons to have access to Inter Library Loans and the 49 TexShare databases for re-search.
Without the grant support from several foundations the li-brary staff would not have been able to grow so successfully. Support also has been very generous from our area land owners and resi-dents. Gillespie Co. now provides some annual funds for op-erations. Many fund raising events have been held in-cluding Music Fests, two home tours, Double B Fire-works Jamborees, Attic Sales, Saturday in the Park, raffles, and many, many book sales. The Harper Li-brary Resale shop was opened in May 2008. Their profits
are a wonderful source of income needed to help fund our operating ex-penses. Summer Reading Programs have been held each July for children since 2005. Annual essay contests for Middle and High School stu-dents are co-sponsored with The Harper News.They also have instituted a "Books on Wheels" program where they deliver books to per-sons unable to drive. Special programs are held throughout the year for our pa-trons.
All of these accom-
plishments have kept
our Library volun-
teers very busy! Yes,
everyone at the li-
brary is a volunteer
and thousands of
hours have been vol-
unteered to make the
Harper Library a vi-
brant and important
part of the Harper ar-
ea. The volunteers at
the Harper Library
are very proud of
their accomplishment
and invite all in the
area to come and en-
joy all the library ser-
vices.
Volume 1 Issue 4 Page 3 www.HarperTexasWeekly.com
Are you looking for an inexpensive method to advertise your business? - I can show you how for much less than you thought possible
School Board Business
Keep an eye on our weekly calendar here in the
paper and somewhere between the middle of
the month and the end of the month you will no-
tice a school board meeting.
School board agenda’s are released to the pub-
lic 72 hours prior to the meeting.
You can find it on the school website and on the
front door of the Harper Administration build-
ing.
The results of the school board meeting will be
voted on during the next months meeting.
Once they are approved by the school board,
they will be posted on the school website.
Editors Note:
I monitor the school website daily so if you can’t
find a copy, please let me know and I will get
you a copy.
Once I have found a office for the newspaper, I
will also post the weekly calendar for the com-
munity, and a copy of each organizations agen-
da and meeting minutes so that it will make it
easier for you to find everything in one location.
I would like to print them in the paper to give
you sufficient notice, but even with a weekly
paper, a 72 hour notice is not sufficient which
is why I will be posting a copy in the newspaper
office ( hint, hint - If you own one of these aban-
doned looking buildings, we could use a office
for the newspaper )
I am not against creating a daily newspaper if
Harper wants it, but you are going to have to
vote with your dollars by subscribing and ad-
vertising for me to do so.
Do Fund Raisers Benefit Anybody?
These are some of the ones that I’ve recently heard about that were hosted by the Headwaters Saloon...
23 June 2012 - Medical Benefit for Tiffanie Evatt $3,000 +
29 September 2012 - Medical Benefit for Wayne Remington $10,000
26 January 2013 - Wounded Warrior donor appreciation fish fry $700
27 February 2013 - Harper Library $3,671
27 February 2013 - Harper Volunteer Fire Department $3,671
29 April 2013 - Wounded Warrior Benefit $33,000
If you have hosted a fund raiser or are considering hosting one, please tell us about it so that we can tell a lot of people about it...
I think they do - How about you?
What if the unemployment
numbers are wrong?
Keep America At Work www.KeepAmericaAtWork.com
Volume 1 Issue 4 Page 4 www.HarperTexasWeekly.com
Are you looking for an inexpensive method to advertise your business? - I can show you how for much less than you thought possible
Volume 1 Issue 4 Page 5 www.HarperTexasWeekly.com
Are you looking for an inexpensive method to advertise your business? - I can show you how for much less than you thought possible
Why are we buying anything from Chi-
na or selling any of our businesses,
property, or other resources to China?
Folks, I believe global
trade is the greatest
thing that has ever been
invented.
But it must be done in a
manner that protects
the people of each coun-
try.
As an example, with a
name like Bierschwale it
should be obvious that I
am of German descent.
It does not bother me
one bit for somebody
from Germany, India,
China, or anywhere to
immigrate here and
build a life for them-
selves because they
want to pursue the
American Dream.
As long as they do their
part to help others to
pursue the American
Dream as well by not
destroying what our an-
cestors have done here
in America.
This is why I believe in
these 3 common sense
rules.
Simply because they
protect the people and
the sovereign state of
each of our countries:
1. It is OK to grow,
raise or manufac-
ture your products
here in America and
sell them to other
countries and the
same applies to
those countries.
2. It is OK to open retail
or manufacturing
branches in other
countries to offset
the shipping prob-
lems as long as you
hire the locals to
work in those coun-
tries.
3. It is NOT OK to put
the people in your
country out of work,
send the growing,
raising or manufac-
turing to another
country and then
import those prod-
ucts back into your
country.
But this China thing that
we are pursuing by al-
lowing them to buy
many of our Aircraft
Parts Manufacturers,
and allowing them to
buy as much of Detroit
as they want has me
worried.
Especially when things
like this are happening
and it is our dollar via
our purchases from the
big box stores that are
making this possible:
-----------------------------
(CNN) -- A U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser took evasive action to avoid colliding with a Chinese warship in the South China Sea in what sources called a highly unusual and deliberate act by China, CNN has learned.
The incident last Friday, which was resolved peacefully, was the lat-est sign of tension around recent and ag-gressive Chinese terri-torial claims in the re-gion involving interna-tional waters and ex-panded airspace.
Vice President Joe Biden last week pressed Beijing over the issue, which stems from a longstanding dispute with Japan that has grown tenser.
Several U.S. military of-ficials confirmed details of the incident on the high seas involving the USS Cowpens, which has just come to light.
The American warship -- which U.S. officials say was in international wa-ters -- was approached by a Chinese Navy ship. The smaller vessel peeled off from a group
of Chinese Navy ships that included the carrier Liaoning.
The Chinese ship failed to stop, despite radio warning from the Cowpens that it was get-ting too close.
The Cowpens command-ing officer then issued orders for an "all stop" when the other ship was less than 500 yards off its bow, a U.S. Navy offi-cial said.
The Chinese ship pro-ceeded past the Cowpens.
"It is unusual to have to
take evasive action at
sea to avoid a collision,"
the official added.
-----------------------------
And when we consider
how China has treated
its own people in their
past, well I have serious
concerns about the path
that we are on in re-
spect to China.
And I believe that any-
time that a Chinese com-
pany attempts to buy a
piece of America, that
we should at least see
where their funds are
coming from.
As an example, how can
a model airplane retailer
afford to buy Mooney
Aircraft?
If their funds are legit,
and they are doing eve-
rything that they can to
build a better future for
America and Ameri-
cans, I have no problem
with that.
But if the funds are be-
ing supplied by the very
same government that is
willing to play chicken
with one of our navy
ships, then yes, I do
have a problem with
that.
Harper Volunteer Fire Department Coverage Area
Volume 1 Issue 4 Page 6 www.HarperTexasWeekly.com
Are you looking for an inexpensive method to advertise your business? - I can show you how for much less than you thought possible
So you have common sense? I can’t tell you how many
conversations I’ve lis-
tened to over the years
that have ended with the
statement “I have com-
mon sense, that’s why!”
Which makes me wonder.
If you have common
sense, will you believe
your own calculations or
the evening news that you
watch on TV?
How about we do a little
first grade math to see if
you trust your own calcu-
lations or blindly believe
what you hear on TV?
The department of labor
produces a “Labor Force
Participation Rate” report
that shows how many as a
percentage are working
each year.
And the census bureau
produces a population
number.
If we multiply the labor
force participation rate by
the population, we can
get the employed number.
If we subtract the em-
ployed from the popula-
tion, we get the unem-
ployed which includes
retired, students, etc.
If we add up the period
from 1976 to 1996 (good
times), and divide that
number by the number of
years, we get the average
of 84,016,352.
If we subtract that from
the unemployed, we get
the true unemployment
number.
The right two numbers
are my unemployment
calculations shown as a
total and a percent.
What do your calculations
show you?
Volume 1 Issue 4 Page 7 www.HarperTexasWeekly.com
Are you looking for an inexpensive method to advertise your business? - I can show you how for much less than you thought possible
STEM could be in your children’s future. Like most kids around
here, I grew up working
odd jobs as a carpenters
helper, electricians help-
er, working on windmills,
and hauling hay while day
dreaming about drag rac-
ing.
After leaving this area I
was exposed to the won-
derful world of technology
that was just taking off in
the 1980’s and I rode that
wave for as long as I
could until it suddenly
crashed and burned when
our jobs were sent to oth-
er countries.
I mention all of this so that
you will understand that
I’ve been there, and done
that and I realize that your
children are going to need
to be proficient with tech-
nology because each sub-
sequent wave will be com-
ing faster and faster.
To put it into perspective,
back in the 80’s we had a
major change every six
months, and then ever
month or so, and around
2000 we were starting to
see major technology
changes happening on a
almost daily basis.
For those wondering what
STEM stands for, it is an
acronym for the fields of
study in the categories of
science, technology, engi-
neering, and mathemat-
ics.
In some way, shape, or
form, your kids are going
to see things that you
probably can’t dream of
yet, and they are going to
need to be proficient in
this arena, or at least
comfortable working with
technology in the pursuit
of their daily career field.
So I became curious as to
the make up of our vari-
ous departments at our
school here in Harper,
and I produced the follow-
ing chart showing you the
percentage of employees
per department.
Now you need to take this
with a grain of salt as
many teachers might be
holding down more than
one job if it is anything like
it was when I went to
school back in the 70’s.
But, it does give us a good
idea as to how much of
our school’s attention is
focused on the STEM
fields.
And it provides a
roadmap for those on the
school board, and man-
agement, when they con-
sider increasing the
strength of any particular
department.
So, if you are one of the
stakeholders, or have any
input on the direction that
we are going, feel free to
use this chart if it will help
you.
And for those parents
whose children are at-
tending our great school,
it might give you some
ideas that might possibly
help you draft some sug-
gestions to help with your
children's future if you
choose to do so.
Volume 1 Issue 4 Page 8 www.HarperTexasWeekly.com
Are you looking for an inexpensive method to advertise your business? - I can show you how for much less than you thought possible
Advertising Prices
Our PO’ Boy ad is a 2 inch by 2 inch ad that will cost you $10.00 each time that you
want to put it in the paper.
Our Working Man ad is a business card ad that will cost you $20.00 each time that you
put in the paper, or you can save money by agreeing to place the ad for a minimum of
four issues which will cost you $12.50 each time that you put it in the paper. You can
pay for it all at once, or you can pay $12.50 before each issue comes out ( by Wednes-
day ).
Our Businessman ad is a quarter page ad that will cost you $170.63 each time that you
put in the paper, or you can save money by agreeing to place the ad for a minimum of
four issues which will cost you $50.00 each time that you put it in the paper. You can
pay for it all at once, or you can pay $50.00 before each issue comes out ( by Wednes-
day ).
Our Big Spender ad is a half page ad that will cost you $341.25 each time that you put
it in the paper, or you can save money by agreeing to place the ad for a minimum of
four issues which will cost you $100.00 each time that you put it in the paper. You can
pay for it all at once, or you can pay $100.00 before each issue comes out ( by
Wednesday ).
Our MR. BIG SPENDER ad is a full page ad with a cost of $682.50 for one time or
$200.00 per issue for four issues using the above terms.
Subscriptions
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________________________________________________________
State: ____________________________________________________________________________
Zip Code: ________________________________________________________________________
Mail To: Virgil Bierschwale, 288 E. Kroll, Harper, TX 78631
$20.00 per year
Harper Texas Weekly
A weekly newspaper serving Harper
288 E. Kroll, Harper, TX 78631
(830) 377-5729
Editor and Publisher - Virgil Bierschwale
Advertising Director - Position is open
Sales - Position is open
Reporter - Position is open
Sports Editor - Position is open
Harper Texas Weekly is published weekly by Virgil
Bierschwale at 288 E. Kroll, Harper, TX 78631.
Postmaster: Send address changes to Harper Texas
Weekly, 288 E. Kroll, Harper, Texas 78631
Annual Subscription Rate: $20.00
Any erroneous reflection upon the character or
standing of any person or firm appearing in these
columns will be gladly and promptly corrected upon
calling the attention of the management to the article
in question.
The publishers liability for errors or omissions in con-
nection with an advertisement is strictly limited to
publication of the advertisement in any subsequent
issue or the refund of any monies paid for the adver-
tisement.
For those willing to take a chance on this new publication that are looking for the biggest bang for their advertis-
ing buck, I am willing to offer them a special discount price for a term of 1 year to help jumpstart their business
and this business
Our Working Man ad would normally cost you $650 per year and you can purchase it for $325
Our Businessman ad would normally cost you $2,600 per year and you can purchase it for $1,300
Help us to grow by subscribing, advertising and
telling your friends and neighbors about us, and
if you are the type that is interested in such, by
writing for us and helping us to sell subscrip-
tions and advertisements.
Help Wanted
Commissioned Sales Rep in Harper and Sur-
rounding towns to sell advertisements and sub-
scriptions - 20% Commission
Email Virgil at [email protected]
or call (830) 377-5729
Help Wanted
Do you love attending school events?
Would you like to get paid to do so?
Email Virgil at [email protected]
or call (830) 377-5729
Help Wanted
Do you love attending community events?
Would you like to get paid to do so?
Email Virgil at [email protected]
or call (830) 377-5729
Office Wanted
It would be easier for people to do business with
us and drop things off if I could find affordable
office space in Harper and the Surrounding
Towns.
Email Virgil at [email protected]
or call (830) 377-5729 if you have one available.
bathtubs wanted for
garden beds - Virgil
(830) 377-5729 or
==========
Old Time Trading Post
$5.00 per ad and they remain until you ask us to remove them
Barter, Wanted, and For Sale ads only
Help Wanted and other type ads such as hunt-
ing leases, leases wanted, services offered.
$10.00 per ad per issue
If you have a business that
sells products or services
or you make a living off of
the hunting industry in the
area that is shown by this
map, you really need to be
advertising in this paper...