Alpine, TEXAS
relationships, and to create ways to promote
excellent customer service, region-wide.
One new program raises the bar of service
standards across town – and it’s already seeing
fruits.
Each month, every board member has one
voucher to award to someone employed in the
customer service industry who has gone above and
beyond the usual expectations. The board member
keeps a matching copy of the voucher, and at the
monthly chamber board meeting, all voucher
copies are put in a bag and a winner is randomly
drawn. The winner receives $100 as a reward for
their extra graciousness, kindness, helpfulness,
patience, or other attributes that set them apart.
One recent winner was a cashier at Dollar
General. “She ran my card eleven times before it
took, and the whole time was friendly and
engaging,” said chamber co-president Ruth Hucke.
It’s little things like that which make routine
transactions special, and those little things that set
Alpine apart as a great place to shop, live, and visit.
The chamber recognizes this and is eager to
encourage locals to get on board with that vision,
too.
The chamber’s biggest event each year is its
award banquet, where “best of ” categories
recognize great citizens of Alpine. It’s a special
event to honor locals for doing their personal best
to ensure Alpine has the biggest heart any small
town could – that’s what makes locals proud.
Learn more on page 36.
Speaking of heart, the Alpine Downtown
Association continues to host Heart of Alpine
events in the downtown center, with a notably
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successful Valentine’s weekend-long event called
the Heart of the Arts. Live music, including Dallas-
based jazz guitarist Gerhard Kraus and Trio and
strolling mariachis, enlivened an evening of culture
in downtown galleries and boutiques. The event
was so well-received that another, similar evening
is planned for the weekend of September 21-23,
2018.
“We’re going to celebrate the end of a hot
summer with a full moon festival,” said Alpine
Downtown Association board member Dave Busey.
The Harvest Moon festival brings back Gerhard
Kraus and Trio, for a romantic evening concert in
the historic patio of Holland Hotel.
Although it is a small event, there will be other
musical acts staged across downtown, including a
Presidio-based mariachi band called Mariachi
Santa Cruz. “It’s a fabulous group with 7-piece
trumpet,” emphasized Busey.
The Harvest Moon Festival will give the Alpine
Ambassadors a chance to sharpen their giant-sized
ribbon-cutting scissors for the great unveiling of a
new mural, at what is being dubbed “Rally in the
Alley,” as local ceramicist and muralist Pauline
Hernandez finishes up a mural depicting
Chihuahuan desert scenes. Her mural adds to a
growing number of mountain-inspired, nature- and
Western- themed wall art dotting the alleys and
streets. “It will be a romantic evening under
moonlight,” Busey envisioned.
Thanks to hardworking businesses and
volunteers, Alpine’s businesses and business
district, are leading the way for positive growth.