By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple

There’s been a whole lotta waggin’ going on this week at the Gourley home.

Today is Pawz on the Plaza, Temple’s play-day for dogs, and Clara, Tess, Mary and Bungus can’t wait. Neither can Mallory Anthony and her dog, Baxter Ray.

To celebrate National Puppy Month, Temple is holding a party for canines and their families in and around Santa Fe Plaza.

Pawz on the Plaza is open to all dog-friendly, people-friendly and leash-friendly canines.

“This is a free event, but we will be accepting donations for the Temple Animal Shelter,” said Kiara Nowlin, a spokesperson for the city. Instead of paying admission, those attending are asked to bring unopened containers of pet food and treats.

The celebration will include a Treat Trail from Santa Fe Plaza, down Market Trail to The Yard food truck courtyard.

“Vendors will be passing out dog treats and goodies,” Nowlin said. The Chock Full of Cheese food trailer at The Yard will be providng freshly baked pup snacks (and selling human food, too).

“Vendors along Market Trail will be selling pet-themed arts and crafts, and personalized pet and pet-owner items,” Nowlin said.

Another don’t-miss event will be dog-trick performances by Good Karma K9Z. Stunts include Frisbee tricks, ladder tricks and a dog that walks on ropes suspended in the air. All of the stunt dogs are rescue animals.

Mary Ellen Gonsiorek, a Dallas-based artist specializing in pet illustrations, will be on hand to draw pets and pet owners. Her illustrations are done on-site and she works with remarkable speed.

Another big draw will be a pet costume contest.

“There will be three divisions — puppies, adult dogs, and a pet and owner look-alike contest,” Nowlin explained.

“This is so exciting,” said Mallory Anthony, a real estate agent and marketing director for Re/Max Temple-Belton Realty. “I’m taking Baxter Ray because I want to support my community and encourage more dog-related events.”

Candice Gourley agreed.

“I’m bringing Tess and Clara because this is a good way to widen their worlds,” said Candice, an administrator at Baylor Scott & White who also fosters dogs. “I’ll take them first, then go home and get the other two — Bungus and Mary.”

Candice said Pawz on the Plaza provides a fun day for families.

“Dogs are a big part of my family, and events like Pawz on the Plaza help keep them socialized,” she said. “Events like this set your dogs up for success and help owners recognize situations that might cause a dog stress.”

While Saturday promises to be loads of fun, it’s not the city’s first day for dogs. Back in 2007, when Lions Park had a swimming pool, the day after the pool officially closed was reserved for dogs and their owners. Dogs were everywhere — on the diving board, in the water, on the pool deck (They didn’t listen either when the lifeguard’s yelled: Don’t run!).

A similar event was held in 2012 — Drool in the Pool. This event raised money toward the Lions Bark Park.

Jimmie Vaughan tonight at CAC

Our Town Temple

Jimmy Vaughan — brother of guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan and former co-leader of The Fabulous Thunderbirds — will take the Cultural Activities Center stage tonight.

Show time is 7:30 p.m.

A handfull of tickets were available late Friday.

Vaughan was born and raised in Dallas and began playing guitar as a kid, influenced heavily by the blues and rock ’n’ roll. When he turned 19, he moved to Austin and formed The Storm, a popular bar band.

Jimmie met harmonic player Kim Wilson in 1974 and they formed a new band — The Fabulous Thunderbirds. They played Texas nightspots and developed a massive fan base from Corpus Christi to El Paso.

The T-Birds were popular but never stepped onto the national stage until signing with Epic Records. Their first Epic effort was indeed epic.

Tuff Enuff was a monster hit both as an album and as a single.

After leaving the T-Birds in 1987, he worked on an album with his brother entitled Family Style. Stevie Ray was killed in a helicopter crash before it was released.

Jimmie Vaughan is still going strong, playing with Texas legends such as Charlie Sexton and Billy Gibbons, plus legends such as Eric Clapton. He has earned two Grammy awards.

SATURDAY | MARCH 19, 2022

AROUND TOWN: party at Fire Base

Maxx Carter performs at Fire Base Brewing Company on Friday night in Downtown Temple. Fire Base was still in Saint Patrick’s Day mode with green beer and such, and Flexin’ Texan was cooking up the burgers Great music, great food! David Stone photo

NEWS FROM EVERYWHERE

TODAY’S BEST BETS :

• Saturday Night Comedy Showcase, Show starts at 8 p.m. Mysia Chabert presents Bub Jenkins, JT Stockman and Cuzin Berto in a great night of comedy.

• Belton Market Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors, street food, unique items and get your face painted.

• Pawz on the Plaza. Join us in celebration of National Puppy Day with our annual Pawz on the Plaza event. Friendly, well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome—Don’t fur-get! Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. For health and safety reasons, pets must remain on leash throughout the event and handlers must be at least 10 years old. Vendors, pet illustrations, stunt dogs, Treat Trail and pet costume contest. Noon to 4 p.m.

• Holi Celebratin at Wilson Park Recreation Center. Holi is one of the most revered and celebrated festivals of India. Often called “the festival of love”, Holi brings people together to unite and forget all resentments. This vibrant festival is known for its colorful powders, which are said to help bring joy and positivity, as families and friends gather together to play. Join us as we learn about and celebrate this beautiful ceremony of Love. This event will culminate in a large Holi Powder party (each participant will receive a bag of colored powder to use) so please wear a white shirt and a towel or change of clothes afterwards.10 a.m. to noon

• Operation: Dumpster Drop: East Downs area (712 E. Calhoun Ave.)To continue helping our neighborhoods stay clean and safe, along with minimizing illegal dumping of trash and tires, the City of Temple, partnering with Citizens for Progress and Keep Temple Beautiful, is continuing to offer our Dumpster Drop program. Visit templetx.gov/dumpsterdrop for details.

• Texas Red’s Game Show Night at Fire Base Brewing. 7:30 p.m. Cajun Cauldron food truck

• Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by Running for CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties! This is our 5th Annual CASA St. Patrick’s Day 5K Race and Shenanigans Fun Run. Our unique loop running course in Temple was voted “Best 5K Route” last year by our race participants. Come run our fully paved, well-marked, and measured route. The route is excellent for serious runners as well as those who enjoy supporting a great cause with a fun run. This is a chip-timed race with official results. In addition to all of the running prizes for the various age categories, our “Shenanigans” race includes prizes for “Best in Theme” dressed runners, largest club/group participation prize, youngest and oldest runners, and an award for the runner that travel’s the farthest to participate. Have fun, share in our CASA Shenanigan’s, and support CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties. 8:45 a.m.

• JIMMIE VAUGHAN  live at the Cultural Activities Center. Texas Music Series. Season tickets are on sale at cacarts.org.

• Sparta Volunteer Fire Department Car Show. Show starts at 11 a.m., judging at 2:30 p.m. Food, games and amazing cars!

• Eric Turner live at Barrow Brewing at 7 p.m.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

To include your events in What’s Happening, email information to OurTownTemple@gmail.com. Photos are welcome to for use in the publication as space permits!

On this day in 1840, Republic of Texas soldiers killed some thirty Penateka Comanche leaders and warriors and five women and children in the Council House Fight in San Antonio. The Comanches had come to San Antonio seeking to make peace. Texas officials had demanded that the Comanches return all captives, but the Penatekas brought only a few prisoners, including the severely abused Matilda Lockhart. After a dispute about the other captives, Texas soldiers entered the Council House, where the peace talks were being held, and informed the assembled chiefs that they were to be held as hostages until the remaining captives were released. The Comanche chiefs attempted to escape and called to their fellow tribesmen outside the house for help. In the ensuing melee, the soldiers killed most of the Comanches who remained in the Council House courtyard. Six whites were killed and twenty wounded as well. Texas authorities freed a single Comanche woman with orders to secure the release of the remaining white captives in exchange for twenty-seven Comanches captured in the fight. The Penateka leaders refused to respond to Texas demands, and most of the Texans' captives escaped. The Council House Fight outraged Comanche sensibilities, for they considered ambassadors immune from acts of war. Led by Buffalo Hump, the Penatekas retaliated by raiding deep into Texas. Comanche hatred of Texans deepened and contributed much to the violence of the frontier.

OurTownTemple@gmail.com | (254) 231-1574