Heart of Texas Today May-June 2013

Heart Of Texas TodayMay-June 2013 Free

A Magazine For: Bandera Kerrville

Fredericksburg Ingram HuntCenter Point Harper Comfort

Heart of Texas Today | May - June 2013 3

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PublisherAlice Sadler

Graphics & ProductionGolden Monkey

ProductionsContributing Writers

David Blackburn

Kelly Dooley

David LeMeilleur

Lainie Johnson

Cynthia Jones

Mary Gentry

Todd E. Peter

Ima Mystery

Kathleen Maxwell

Krista Pifferrer

Michael J. McGroarty

Cover PhotographyWilliam Kierce

Kierce Photography

5 Real Property Verses Personal Property

6 Mystery Shopper

9 “Le Meilleur” Two French Words WhenTranslated Means “the Best”

11 Brief Obamacare Update

12 Getting The Best Price For Your Home Includes Landscaping for Curb Appeal

14 Hill Country Profiles: Joe Cavanaugh

16 A Texas State of Mind…A Short Story From A Tall Texan: River’s Grasp

19 Is The Deathblow Coming on the Summer Winds?

20 Kerrville Events

21 The Importance of Early Childhood

22 Fredericksburg Events

23 Heart Of Texas Announcements

24 Comfort Events

26 “One Shop” Approach Touches the Lives Of Thousands Struggling Youth

28 Summer Recipes

Kelly DooleyRealtor®

Direct: (830)[email protected]

SHERMAN & CO., REALTORS819 WATER STREET • ONE SCHREINER CENTER

SUITE 170 • KERRVILLE, TX 78028OFFICE: 830-257-7588www.ShermanCo.com

SPRAWLING 1-STORY BRICK HOME ON 1-1/2 ACRE ESTATE LOT in picturesque subdivision just outside of Kerrville city limits. Over 2700 sq. ft. of living space with spacious family room featuring high ceilings & fireplace. Fabulous island kitchen with banks of cabinets, pantry, built-in desk, breakfast room, and pass-thru window to dining room. Large master suite plus tiled bonus room (or 4th bedroom) for office, craft room, workshop, etc. 2-1/2 baths. 3-car garage. Beautiful view of the valley from large covered front porch. Private covered back patio and fenced area for pets. Reduced to only $279,500! MLS# 79810.

MOVE-IN READY 3-bedroom, 2-bath brickhome with 2-car garage plus 2-car carport.Listed at only $148,500! MLS #78584.

EXCEPTIONAL 2-bedroom, 2-bath limestone home on peaceful 11+ acres 20 minutes from Kerrville. Listed at $289,500 MLS# 77407.

PRICED FOR QUICK CASH SALE!!! 3-bedroom, 2-bath mfg home on 0.89-acre lot in nice subdivision just outside of Kerrville city limits. Rented at $800/mo for last 3+ years. Roof, HVAC, plumbing, water heater all replaced. Needs paint & a little TLC. Only $55,000!!! MLS# 80396.

4.24-ACRE BUILDING SITE IN HUNT! In wet weather, spring-fed creek near back of property. Homeowners’ park on the Guadalupe River & 95-acre “wilderness” park. Nice restrictions. No mfg homes. No hunting. Convenience store & a few eating establishments nearby. Only 15 minutes from Kerrville. Only $69,500! MLS# 80285.

Reduced

This question often comes up. From buyers, the question is usually “What comes with this property?” From sellers, the question is “I would like to take this item with me. What do I need to do?”

According to wiki.answers.com, real property refers to land and things permanently attached to the land. Personal property generally refers to everything else: the items which are movable and not a part of the land.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? However, it can get pretty touchy in a real estate transaction; and what a shame to lose the sale of a house over a refrigerator or a wall mirror or yard art, and so on and so on…

When putting a property on the market, why not remove/replace that beloved antique chandelier that belonged to your mother or grandmother before any prospective buyer sees the house? That is the only sure way to avoid a situation where the buyer falls in love with that one item. Also, a light fixture would generally be considered part of the real estate as it is ATTACHED. For the seller, regardless of what is listed in your Listing Agreement or in MLS, I recommend that the Residential Contract lists any questionable items that you plan to move along with your other personal property upon the sale of your real property.

While the TREC Residential Contract lists improvements and accessories, in my opinion it is always best to list any questionable items that a buyer definitely wants to convey with the property in a Non-Realty Item Addendum to the offer.

Your real estate agent can assist you in preparing your home, as well as in writing an offer or responding to an offer so as to avoid any misunderstandings and resulting potential lawsuits. As always, my motto is “When in doubt, spell it out.”

The contents of this article are the opinion of Kelly Dooley, a professional real estate agent with Sherman

& Co., Realtors® in Kerrville, Texas. Other professional real estate brokers and agents may disagree or have other views. Comments and questions are welcome by email at [email protected]. Your comments and questions and/or Kelly’s response may be printed in an upcoming

issue.

Real Property vs. Personal PropertyBy Kelly Dooley, Realtor®

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Heart of Texas Today | May - June 5

6 Heart of Texas Today | May - June 2013

? Mystery Shopper ?by Imma Mystery


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LeMeilleur's RV, Truck and Equipment Repair Co take their name and what it means seriously. David and his wife Denise, believe Customer satisfaction is Number 1. This attitude has rewarded them with a thriving business and their loyal customers do return, again and again. They also believe it is important for their customers to be satisfied when they bring their vehicles to their facility for repairs, maintenance, service or accessories. They were rewarded for their efforts in 2010,2011 & 2012, when the readers of the Kerrville Daily Times selected their business for Best RV Repair. They have expanded their business to the corner of Yorktown and Stadium Dr. This new location has brought a heightened awareness to their business preceded by a great reputation and honest work ethic. They are known by their reputation "Fixing it Right the First Time" and this is extremely important to David and Denise because their name is on the door and they live in this community.

LeMeilleur's RV, Truck and Equipment Repair Co. celebrates its 15th birthday this June. They started this business on a wing and a prayer and believe their success comes from the support of their loyal customers and friends who have trusted them with their vehicles to repair. At LeMeilleur's they don't want to become so big they don't know who their customers are and by treating their customer's right they can also concentrate on what fuels their business, Family values, deep Faith and supporting by giving back to their community. It could be said they go out of their way to please their customers but "out of their way" is not the impression they give. There is an earnestness that is simply an inborn desire to do right by others.

David and the automotive technicians he employs are ASE Certified and between them have over 80 years of knowledge and experience in the automotive repair industry. LeMeilleur's maintains the same quality from their technicians their customers have come to expect and all of their employees have passed a background check. From bumper-to-bumper they offer repairs, maintenance and service for any vehicle, including gas, diesel, hybrid, foreign, domestic or recreational vehicles, and because their name is on the door they stand behind what it means, "the Best". Stop by and grab a cup of coffee and get to know this family owned business, you will be glad you did!

When the quality of the repair makes a difference; isn't it time you got familiar with

LeMeilleur's?

"Le Meilleur", two French words when

translated means "the Best".

Brief Obamacare UpdateSeniors And MedicareOn April 1, 2013, the Administration announced that it would change the proposed 2.3 percent cuts to the Medicare Advantage program to a 3.3 percent increase. The increase was justifi ed after ordering Medi-care’s actuaries to assume Congress will raise payments to physicians next year, instead of cutting them by 25%. This is the fi rst time that the industry has assumed that Congress would actually pass a “doc-fi x” that would prevent double digit cuts to Medicare. This should be welcomed news to seniors.

The Individual MandateBeginning in 2014, most Americans will be required by law to buy health insurance coverage or pay a tax penalty. However, there are some questions about how affordable coverage will be. A recent study conducted by the Society of Actuaries concluded that Texas individual health plan premiums are projected to rise by 35% to 65% in 2014 as a result of Obamacare. Younger Texans will likely see even larger increases. These costs are primarily driven by Guaranteed Issue and Community Rating, new Essential Health Benefi ts, and taxes and fees on plans, drugs, and medical devices. Many are hoping that federal subsidies and state exchanges will make coverage affordable. How-ever, the Congressional Budget Offi ce estimates the cheapest exchange plan, Bronze level coverage, will be approximately $4000 for an indi-vidual. Even if one qualifi es for a subsidy, a privately purchased plan will likely be more desirable. You can get a general idea of whether you may qualify for a subsidy @ http://healthreform.kff.org/subsidy-calculator.aspx

Employee Sponsored CoverageLast month, HHS delayed much of the Small Business Health Options (SHOP) exchange program in federally facilitated and partnership exchanges until January 1, 2015. Due to the fact there is going to be a user fee of 3.5 percent for federal exchange based coverage and the SHOP coverage will not otherwise differ from regular small group plans, it is highly unlikely that small employers will see much value in SHOP coverage in 2014. Oliver Wyman consultants’ recent study proj-ects a 20% increase in small employer plan premiums in 2014. This expectation, combined with new employer responsibilities, tax chang-es, and a plethora of new plan rules have dramatically changed thelandscape of benefi ts. There are strategies that can be implemented to reduce cost, mitigate tax liabilities, and minimize the overall impact of this legislation.

Seek advice from a healthcare specialist and begin planning now.

Todd E. Peter, RHU, REBC, ChHC, SGS

Mr. Peter is a Registered Health Underwriter, Registered Employee Benefi ts Consultant, Chartered Healthcare Consultant, Small GroupSpecialist and has been recognized asone of the top health insuranceproducers in the nation by the NationalAssociation of Health, Underwriters. Mr. Peter is the owner of Benefi tSolutions, located in Kerrville,

TX. He provides free consultations byappointment.

(830) 896.3727


Brief Obamacare UpdateSeniors And MedicareOn April 1, 2013, the Administration announced that it would change the proposed 2.3 percent cuts to the Medicare Advantage program to a 3.3 percent increase. The increase was justifi ed after ordering Medi-care’s actuaries to assume Congress will raise payments to physicians next year, instead of cutting them by 25%. This is the fi rst time that the industry has assumed that Congress would actually pass a “doc-fi x” that would prevent double digit cuts to Medicare. This should be welcomed news to seniors.

The Individual MandateBeginning in 2014, most Americans will be required by law to buy health insurance coverage or pay a tax penalty. However, there are some questions about how affordable coverage will be. A recent study conducted by the Society of Actuaries concluded that Texas individual health plan premiums are projected to rise by 35% to 65% in 2014 as a result of Obamacare. Younger Texans will likely see even larger increases. These costs are primarily driven by Guaranteed Issue and Community Rating, new Essential Health Benefi ts, and taxes and fees on plans, drugs, and medical devices. Many are hoping that federal subsidies and state exchanges will make coverage affordable. How-ever, the Congressional Budget Offi ce estimates the cheapest exchange plan, Bronze level coverage, will be approximately $4000 for an indi-vidual. Even if one qualifi es for a subsidy, a privately purchased plan will likely be more desirable. You can get a general idea of whether you may qualify for a subsidy @ http://healthreform.kff.org/subsidy-calculator.aspx

Employee Sponsored CoverageLast month, HHS delayed much of the Small Business Health Options (SHOP) exchange program in federally facilitated and partnership exchanges until January 1, 2015. Due to the fact there is going to be a user fee of 3.5 percent for federal exchange based coverage and the SHOP coverage will not otherwise differ from regular small group plans, it is highly unlikely that small employers will see much value in SHOP coverage in 2014. Oliver Wyman consultants’ recent study proj-ects a 20% increase in small employer plan premiums in 2014. This expectation, combined with new employer responsibilities, tax chang-es, and a plethora of new plan rules have dramatically changed thelandscape of benefi ts. There are strategies that can be implemented to reduce cost, mitigate tax liabilities, and minimize the overall impact of this legislation.

Seek advice from a healthcare specialist and begin planning now.

Todd E. Peter, RHU, REBC, ChHC, SGS

Mr. Peter is a Registered Health Underwriter, Registered Employee Benefi ts Consultant, Chartered Healthcare Consultant, Small GroupSpecialist and has been recognized asone of the top health insuranceproducers in the nation by the NationalAssociation of Health, Underwriters. Mr. Peter is the owner of Benefi tSolutions, located in Kerrville,

TX. He provides free consultations byappointment.

(830) 896.3727


Getting the Best Price for your Home Includes Landscaping for Curb Appeal By Michael J. McGroartyIf you own a home, then sooner or later you are going to be ready to sell that home. Maybe you’ve already sold a home or two. People tend to move more often than our parents did.

There are a lot of things that go into getting the best possible price for your home, but the very first thing your home needs is curb appeal. When a prospective buyer, or a realtor for that matter, pulls up in front of your home, they im-mediately form an opinion about your house. Fair or not, that’s what people do. You can have the most beautiful home in the city, but if pro-spective buyers don’t get a super positive feeling about your house the minute they lay eyes on it, they are going to enter and view the rest of your house with a negative impression.

Fixing that problem is easy enough to do.When people pull up in front of your house there are two things they see. A house, and the landscaping in front of that house. If the landscaping is unattractive, the house will appear to be unattractive. Landscap-ing for curb appeal does not cost a lot of money, it’s simply a matter of making sure the land-scaping is neat, with well defined edges, and colorful. But when landscaping for curb appeal, the most important thing you need to do is to raise the beds with topsoil. Of course you have to do this before you plant.

Plants do much better in raised beds, and the plants in the beds really stand out. In order to raise the beds around your house you do not have to buy expensive stones and build retaining walls. Just establish the outline of the planting beds, cut an edge into

the soil with a spade, and fill the planting beds with approximately ten inches of good rich top-soil. You’d be amazed at how much you can raise a planting bed without any type of retention.

Here are two more things you don’t need:Plastic edging. It’s expensive, a lot of work to install, and it neverstays in place. You can cut an edge with a spade and your landscape will actually look better. Then you can make the bed a little larger any time you need to.

The other thing you definitely do not need is weed control fabric. The stuff just doesn’t work. The weeds grow right on top of the fabric, then root through the fabric making it even harder to keep your beds weed free. You’ll find a really good article on weed control on my website. When landscaping for curb appeal, plant place-ment and selection is very important. In a cor-ner bed you need a centerpiece. I like Canadian Hemlock because they are evergreen and provide an excellent background for more colorful plants. In front of the Hemlock you can use a bright colored evergreen like Gold Thread Cypress, but don’t use too many. Usually three is all you want. Around the backside of the same bed you can use a darker evergreen like Taxus or even a flower-ing shrub that you keep trimmed down low like Weigela. Lots of colors are fine, but don’t stagger the colored plants in your landscape, use them in groupings, and be careful not to use too many in any one grouping. When you use more than three of any colored plant they lose their effectiveness. You are adding them for contrast, and when used sparingly they look much better.



There are lots of landscaping photos on my web-site that will give you a lot of good ideas.

In front of a house I like to use an arc of medium height plants like Blue Girl Holly, then put a couple of taller plants behind the arc. Whenlandscaping for curb appeal you want the land-scape to stair step toward the house. In other words, the lawn is the bottom step, the raised bed is step two, low growing plants step three and so on.

If you are re-landscaping an older home you probably should start with a sledge hammer be-fore you do anything else and bust out the side-walk to the front door. Builders put in the ugliest sidewalks in the world, and they usually are hard to maneuver as you walk toward the front door. Once you have the old sidewalk removed, let your imagination run wild. Remember, you are landscaping for curb appeal, and there is no better way to establish ultimate curb appeal than with a beautiful curved walk that gently winds its way to the front door. Once again, there are photos of such sidewalks on my website, and you’ll see what wonderful landscaping opportunities they present.

The last step in landscaping for curb appeal is to create an interesting shaped raised bed in the front yard. Fill this bed with spring floweringbulbs, and annual flowers for the summer. If your house is going to be on the market in the fall, add some chrysanthemums for a burst of fall color.

So what’s the best benefit of landscaping for curb appeal? You’ll gain great experience so you can make sure your new home is landscaped just the way you want it!

Michael J. McGroarty is the author of this article. Visit his most interesting website, http://www.free-plants.com and sign up for his excellent gardening newsletter. Article provided by http://gardening-articles.com. If you use this article the above two links must be active.

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Joe Cavanaugh is the Museum Director and Site Manager for the National Museum of The Pacific War in Fredericksburg.

HOTT: The museum was originally known as the "Admiral Nimitz Museum". How did it become the "National Museum of The Pacific War"? CAVANAUGH: The Nimitz Museum was originally created to honor those who served in WWII under the command of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz (FYI- Fleet is required to differentiate him from his son, Chester Jr., who also rose to the rank of Admiral), and to commemorate the life of this great leader during World War II. Chester Nimitz was born in 1885 in Fredericksburg and raised the first six years of his life in his Grandfather’s hotel, which is the cornerstone of this Historic Site. During the 1980's it became evident that it was not possible to tell the story of the command of Admiral Nimitz without telling the story of General MacArthur’s command in the Southwest Pacific. In the 1990's the scope of the museum continued to grow and became more of a broader reflection of the war that included the command theaters of Nimitz, MacArthur, and General Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stillwell’s efforts in China. Our goal is to honor all those who served. The museum collection was growing rapidly, so the decision was made to expand the museum to encompass the entire war effort of the Pacific Theatre rather than to focus on Admiral Nimitz alone. The name change punctuated that evolution.

HOTT: How long have you been with the museum? CAVANAUGH: Since 2000. I have been involved with museums for over 35 years and this is my fifth placement. Before coming to Fredericksburg, I was the Director of the Doctor Pepper Museum in Waco; prior to that I was involved with the Refugio County Museum in South Texas, the Mission at Goliad State Park, and Prairie Grove State Park, a Civil War historic site in Arkansas.

HOTT: How did you become involved with the Museum Of The Pacific War? CAVANAUGH: My wife's mother and sister were living in Fredericksburg and we wanted to be closer to them. When an opening became available with the museum, I applied and got the position. We love being closer to the family and we both enjoy the area very much.

HOTT: What is your favorite part of what you do? CAVANAUGH: That has to be working with the remarkable group of people who make up our staff. As part of the Texas Historical Commission, we work in conjunction with the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. Our public/ private partnership with these two entities is both creative and unique. Our main gallery is over 30,000 square feet and we house over 50,000 objects. Managing an operation of this size is challenging and rewarding for all of us.

HOTT: What are you most proud of in your efforts over the last 13 years here? CAVANAUGH: I am extremely proud of the creative process we have developed. We have a true team effort every day and do things through a consensus method. Pulling this team together, nurturing that creativity, and seeing the achievement of our goals gives me immense satisfaction.

HOTT: What is one thing that no one would ever guess about you? CAVANAUGH: Well, I am pretty much of an open book. Most people are aware of my work at the museum, but I am also a long time Rotarian. I devote as much time as possible to working with the Rotary organization in order to build cooperation and creativity on a world wide basis. Helping others has always been a big part of my life.

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A Texas State of Mind... A Short Story from A Tall Texan The River's Grasp By David Blackburn

The Rio Usumacinta is very long and has many different faces; it can be fast and dangerous or it can widen into a slow moving expanse that is placid and almost hypnotic in its tranquility. It was mid-morning and the heat of the sun warmed our faces as we continued our odyssey through the heartland of the long lost Mayan Empire. We had been on the river for six days and nights and had found our stride with the almost impenetrable jungles and changing currents that carried us downstream. We had encountered several series of rapids and navigated them successfully thanks to the aerial photos that Otis Imboden had provided prior to our departure. One stretch of white water was so fierce that we were forced to portage around it.Walking along the slippery rocks of the water's edge and dragging a fully loaded canoe was not much fun, but the likely alternative was drowning in waters moving with such speed and force that our small crafts would have been shattered on the boulders that lay just beneath the surface. I thanked my lucky stars that Otis had the foresight to create an accurate map for us before we embarked on our journey.

Otis Imboden was a remarkable man. He has been a National Geographic staff

Photographer for many years and had traveled the globe to obtain the beautiful and high quality photographs that filled the magazine. His current assignment was to travel to Guatemala and photograph several Mayan archaeological sites that dotted the banks of the Usumacinta; the original plan was to reach these remote locations overland. That would have meant assembling an expedition of local guides and porters then walking on foot through many miles of dense vegetation. Such an expedition would have probably have taken

months. But then, as luck would have it, Otis crossed paths with a motley collection of adventurous Texans who had planned a canoe trip through the exact area that he was planning to visit. A few weeks later, the veteran explorer found himself in a yellow fiberglass canoe paddling down one of North America's wildest and uncharted

rivers. The river had grown wide and flat and we drifted lazily along as Otis continually searched for any good subject worthy of photographing. He was ahead of us in Clint's canoe and we saw him look back at us as his camera shutter started to click. "Hey, we're gonna be famous," said Ken, who occupied the bow of my canoe. He mugged for the camera and shouted loudly, "Hi Mom!! It's your only son on the cover of National Geographic!"



We all laughed as Otis continued to immortalize him through the lens of his Leica. Soon I began to notice a change in the movement of the river and whistled to Clint, whose expression told me that he had observed the same thing. The sandy banks on each side of the water had disappeared and the current was growing faster. The river was narrowing and the water began funneling swiftly through a gorge that was flanked by sheer rock walls that offered no opportunity to beach the boats. The massive amount of water that had just a few minutes ago been spread over a vast surface was being forced by compression and gravity into a fast moving ribbon that continued to accelerate. The river began to bend and twist; we could see that the water in front of us was dropping at a pretty steep angle and the canyon walls on either side of us became higher and more foreboding with each passing moment.

Our lighthearted mood morphed into a realization that we had entered a very dangerous situation. A few moments ago the only sounds were those of birds and insects. Now, as we struggled to keep the boats lined up in the center of the current, I could hear a roaring noise ahead of us that sounded like a freight train. Ken heard it, too, and turned to look back at me. His eyes were as wide as hub caps and we knew we were in serious trouble. The freight train sound grew louder and louder and my heart pounded as I realized that our control over the placement and movement of the canoes would be soon be gone and we would be at the mercy of the Usumacinta. The cascading water took a sharp bend to the right and the sound of the rapids was overwhelming. I watched as the canoe carrying Clint and Otis seemed to disappear; they dropped into a deep trough that preceded a series of gigantic standing waves. Suddenly they emerged back into view and their tiny boat began to ascend the first of the waves, which appeared to be at least twelve feet from top to bottom. They crested the wave's peak and then dropped from sight once more.

It was now my turn to ride the powerful roller coaster that had captured us. Both Ken and I

paddled furiously in an attempt to keep the canoe aligned with the flow of the river, but our best efforts were totally insignificant in the face of nature's power. We fell into the first trough and were then catapulted to the top of the first wave. As we dropped into the second trough I could see Clint and Otis one wave length ahead of us. The sequence repeated itself again and again and we continued to shoot through the roughest water I had ever seen. The last trough was the deepest and the wave that followed was much larger than the previous four; as Ken and I descended into the churning caldron Icould see Clint's canoe being launched into the air by the force of the last giant wave. Clint and Otis were both thrown from the boat and the canoe flipped end over end as the oars flew into oblivion. In an instant, both Ken and I were also airborne. As soon as we hit the water the current dragged us under and tossed us like rag dolls. My lungs were bursting as I finally broke the surface. I gasped for air and tried to get my bearings; I could not see anyone else and the noise of the river drowned out my attempts to call to my companions. The savage river hurIed me downstream with all its' power. I kept my head above the water as best I could, but I was helpless in its grip. I was almost sure we had lost someone; the river was so strong and so swift that surviving the waves' gauntlet without a catastrophe was practically impossible. We were hundreds of miles from civilization and we all knew that there was no chance of rescue if we got into trouble. There were no hospitals nearby, no ambulances, no phones, no park rangers – we were completely on our own. And I was terrified.

NEXT: The Looter Known as "Deep Scar" This will be continue in the

July-August 2013 Issue



MAY 20131st-11th Art in the Hill Country TU-SA 9am-4pm The Gallery at the Point, Ingram, 830-367-5120. www.hcaf.com 1st-19th KACC Quilt Guild Exhibit TU-SA 10am- 4pm SU 1pm-4pm Kerr Arts & Cultural Ctr, 830-895-2911 1st-June 2nd Aqueous Abstractions TU-SA 10am-4pm SU 1pm-4pm Kerr Arts & Cultural Ctr 830-895-2911 1st-31st Thirty Years of Western Splendor Exhibition TU-SA 10am- The Museum of Western Art 830-896-2553. 2nd-19th KACC American Plains Artist TU-SA 10am- 4pm SU 1pm-4pm Kerr Arts & Cultural Ctr 830-895-2911 2nd Symphony of the Hills Greatest Hits TH 2:30pm Cailloux Theater, 910 Main St., 830-792-7469. 3rd Friday WineShare FR 6pm - 7:30pm Robert's Automotive, 2410 Memorial Blvd., 830-257-0625.6th Healing hearts Golf Classic MO 12:30pm Shotgun start Comanche Trace Golf Course 830-367-6115 10th �Relay For Life of Kerr County FR 6pm-Midnight Tivy

�High School Stadium www.relayforlife.org 14th Brown Bag Lunch & Learn TU 11:30am - 12:45pm Native Foods & Herbs Riverside Nature Center 830-257-4837. 17th �Andy Roddick Tennis FR HEB Municipal Tennis Center 830-832-2799. www.arfoundation .org 17th-18th Kerrfest FR-SA 8:00pm Open Pro Rodeo, Chili cook-off, Beer Fest Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center 830-896-1155. www.kerrvilletx.com 23rd-June 9th Kerrville Folk Festival All day Quiet Valley Ranch, 9 miles South on Hwy 16, 830-257-3600 23rd-June 23rd Southwest Gourd Fine Art Show TU-SA 10am-4pm SU 1pm-4pm Kerr Arts & Cultural Ctr St 23rd-June 23rd KACC Visions 10 Exhibit TU-SA 10am-4pm SU 1pm-4pm Kerr Arts & Cultural Ctr. 830-895-2911. 24th-June 22nd Hard Ware-National Ceramics Exhibit TU-SA 9am-4pm The Gallery at the Point 830-367-5120. 24th-26th Quilts In Motion” FR-SA 9am- 5pm SU 12pm-4pm Schreiner University, 281-610-2693.24th-26th 10th Annual Texas Masters of Fine Arts & Craft Show FR 12pm-8pm SA 10am-8pm SU 10am-6pm The Y.O. Ranch Hotel 24th-26thTexas Arts & Crafts Fair FR evening, SA-SU River Star Arts & Event Park, 4000 Riverside Dr., 830-895-5711 25th-26th Kerr County Market Days SA-SU 9am-4pm Kerr County Courthouse www.kerrmarketdays.org

For a more complete & detailed list of events. Go to : Kerrville& Visitors Bureau, 2108 Sidney Baker, Kerrville,

TX 78028 www.KerrvilleTexasCVB.com 830-792-3535 Email: events@ KerrvilleTexasCVB.com

Changes & cancellations of events do occur. Please contact the event coordinators or website for updates.

JUNE 2013 1st Hill Country Swap Meet SA 8am-7pm Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3805 Hwy 27, 830-370-3614 1st-2nd Aqueous Abstractions SA 10am-4pm SU 1pm-4pm Kerr Arts & Cultural Ctr, 830-895-2911. www.kacckerrville.com1st-9th Kerrville Folk Festival All day Quiet Valley Ranch, 9 miles South on Hwy 16, 830-257-3600 www.kerrville-music.com1st-22nd Hard Ware-National Ceramics Exhibit TU-SA 9am-4pm The Gallery at the Point, Hwy 39 830-367-5120. www.hcaf.com1st-23rd Southwest Gourd Fine Art Show TU-SA 10am-4pm SU 1pm-4pm Kerr Arts & Cultural Ctr, 830-895-2911 1st-23rd KACC Visions 10 Exhibit TU-SA 10am-4pm SU 1pm-4pm Kerr Arts & Cultural Ctr, 830-895-2911. www.kacckerrville.com5th-23rd Fiber Arts Invitational TU-SA 10am-4pm SU 1pm-4pm Kerr Arts & Cultural Ctr, 830-895-2911. www.kacckerrville.com7th Friday WineShare FR 6pm - 7:30pm Location TBA. 830-257-0625. www.1stfridaywineshare.com 11th Brown Bag Lunch & Learn TU 11:30am - 12:45pm Riverside Nature Center 830-257-4837 www.riversidenaturecenter.org 14th-29th Snow White: The Untold Story” FR-SU 8:30pm First weekend. TH-SA 8:30pm The Point Outdoor Theatre, 830-367-5121.20th-23rd �Fest Out West TH-SU The Y.O. Ranch Hotel, 2033 Sidney Baker, 512-295-3300 www.festoutwest.com 22nd Fox Tank Company Celebrity Golf Classic SA Time TBA Comanche Trace Golf Course 830-792-0770. 22nd Kerr County Market Days SA 9am-3pm Kerr County

�Courthouse, www.kerrmarketdays.org 24th Salvation Army Boys & Girls Golf Tournament Mon. Comanche Trace Golf Course 830-315-5762. 27th-July 28th KACC Exhibits TU-SA 10am-4pm SU 1pm-4pm Kerr County History Birds of A Feather Kerr Arts & Cultural Ctr.

The Importance of Early Childhood

By age 3, a child’s brain has reached about 90% of its adult size. When a child is born the parts of the brain that handle thinking and remembering, as well as emotional and social behavior, are very underdeveloped. The fact that the brain matures in the world, rather than in the womb, means that young children are deeply affected by their early experiences. Sights, sounds, smells, and feelings actually affect the way children’s brains become wired.

The brain operates on a “use it or lose it” principle. Relationships with other people early in life are the major source of development of the emotional and social parts of the brain.

Children who receive warm and responsive care giving and are securely attached to their caregivers, cope with difficult times more easily when they are older. They are more curious, get along better with other children, and perform better in school than children who are raised in an unstable environment.

Children who receive consistent, warm, and responsive care, produce less of the stress hormone cortisol, suggesting that they are better equipped to respond to life’s challenges.

Bruce Perry, M.D., and his colleagues at Baylor College of Medicine have shown that infants and young children exposed to abuse and neglect are more likely to produce a strong stress response, even when exposed to minimal stress.

Repeated positive experiences provide children with a sense of security. They also help a child learn what to expect from his environment and how to understand the world around him. Children who have safe and predictable interactions with others have also been found to do better in school when they get older.

Play is equally important in early childhood. Children actually learn through playing. As they grow and are able to crawl and walk, they begin to explore their world. We call it playing—it is really learning.

To learn more, please contact us at www.thepregnancyresourcecenter.org We offer FREE parenting classes, on an individual basis to address whatever concerns you my have about your child—from conception to age 12.

Parenting Tips



May 1 “Wide Open Spaces” Art Show & Sale at Fredericksburg Art Gallery 2-4 Hill Country Film Festival 2-Jun 2 “What I Like About Texas” Art Show at Fredericksburg Art Guild 3-Aug 22 Fredericksburg Summer Farmers Market (Thursdays) 3 First Friday Art Walk Fredericksburg 3-5 Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally 3-30 “20th Century Faces” Art Show at RS Hanna Gallery 3-Jun1 Texas Society of Sculptors Show at Artisans 3-4 Gillespie County Relay for Life 2013 4-8 New Braunfels to Fredericksburg Trail Ride 4 Guided Nature Walks at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site 4 Willow City VFD Annual BBQ Benefit 4 Pioneer Memorial Library Book Sale 4 Fredericksburg Dance Club “The Troubadours” 5 Maifest – A German Chorale Concert 11 Historic Schools Open House (Meusebach & Grapetown) 11 Founders Day Celebration 11 Fredericksburg Chorale “Dialogues & Dances”(May) 11 Texas Flower Country Women’s 5K/10K Run 12 Mother’s Day Luncheon at Becker Vineyards 13-19 American Craft Beer Week at Fredericksburg Brewing Company17-19 Fredericksburg Trade Days 17-19 Lone Star Street Rod Association Rod Run 2013 17-Jun 17 Oil Painters of America National Show at Insight Gallery 18 Fredericksburg Chorale Spring Concert 19 Fredericksburg Tennis Association Tennis Social 19 Fredericksburg Music Club presents Emile Pandolfi, Concert Pianist19 PCAA Concert in the Park24-26 Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival 25 USO Style Hangar Dance (May) 25 Luckenbach Birthday Bash & Memorial Weekend Celebration 25-26 Pacific Combat Living History Program (May) 27 Memorial Day Observance at the National Museum of the Pacific War

June1 Roots Music Series “Doo-Wop Sock-Hop Night” 1 9th Annual Masonic Open Car Show 1 Annual Fishing Day at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site1 Movies Under the Stars at the LBJ Ranch (June) 1 Fredericksburg Dance Club “Almost Patsy Cline” 2 New Horizons Annual Benefit Chicken BBQ 6-30 “Bring On the Heat” Art Show at Fredericksburg Art Guild 6-25 Archery Clinic at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site (Thursdays) 6-Aug 8 Summer Thursday Nights at Rockbox Theater 7 First Friday Art Walk Fredericksburg (June) 7 Wood Turning Demonstrations at Artisans 7-28 “Plein Air Painting Festival” Art Show at RS Hanna Gallery 7-29 “Variations of Light” Art Show at Good Art Company 7-27 “God Bless America” Art Show at Whistle Pik Galleries 8 Chisholm Trail Winery Birthday Celebration 8 Fredericksburg Chorale “Dialogues & Dances”(June) 8-9 Annual Antique Tractor & Engine Club Show 9 Fredericksburg Tennis Association Tennis Social (June) 14 4th Annual Nimitz Golf Classic 14 Flag Day Program at the National Museum of the Pacific War 14-16 Fredericksburg Trade Days (June)

15 Founders Day Commemorative Volkswalk

15 Luckenbach Rod & Custom Car Show 15 Fredericksburg Wine Road 290 “Vino al Pastor”

16 Waylon’s Birthday Bash in Luckenbach

20-22 Stonewall Peach JAMboree and Rodeo 23 PCAA Concert in the Park27-Jul 14 Fredericksburg Theater Company Summer Musical (weekends)29 Roots Music Series “Texas Country Night”


Heart Of Texas Announcements

A Baby Girl!

Lillian Grace JoeBorn March 31st in Austin, Texas at 1:56 PM. 5lbs, 14oz, 18 inches long.Parents Naomi Roach & Derick JoeGrandparents Judith Joe of Houston

& Joseph & Renee Roach

Sara Kay BrownJune 16th

Happy 9th Birthday

Sawyer John SadlerJune 4th

Happy 2nd Birthday

LeMeilleur;s RV, Truck and Equipment Repair CoWill be celebrating 15 years of great service

in the Hill Country.

MAY 2013

3 & 4 Comfort Public Library’s Backdoor Bookstore

3 & 4 Comfort Little Theater presents “Support Your Little Theater” or “Cash for Drunkards” in Waring Hall in Waring, Texas

4 Comfort Farmer’s Market from 8am-noon Comfort Park.

4 Downtown Market 8am-noon 7th & High Streets.

4 & 5 13th Annual Comfort Village Spring Antiques Show in Comfort Park. Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 10am-4pm.

10 & 11 Comfort Public Library’s Backdoor

11 Singing Water Vineyards 2nd Saturday Concert featuring music by Mike Blakely and quest Larry Nye from 1-4pm. Featured food by Crepe Nation from noon-5pm. 316 Mill Dam Road

11 Comfort Farmer’s Market 8am-noon Comfort Park

11 Downtown Market 8am-noon 7th & High Streets


18 Comfort FFA Benefit in Comfort Park Barbeque & Music

18 Comfort Farmer’s Market from 8am-noon Comfort Park.


24 & 25 Comfort Public Library’s Backdoor Bookstore open

25 Live Music at Bending Branch Winery’s Summer Music Series 2-5pm. 142 Lindner Branch Trail www.bendingbranchwinery.com


25 Downtown Market 8am-noon 7th & HighStreets

31 Comfort Public Library’s Backdoor Bookstore

JUNE 2013


1 Downtown Market from 8am-noon 7th & High Streets

7 & 8 Comfort Public Library’s Backdoor

8 Singing Water Vineyards 2nd Saturday Concert featuring music by the Almost Patsy Cline Band from 1-4pm. Featured food by Buzzies’ BBQ from noon-5pm. 316 Mill Dam Road



15 Live Music at Bending Branch Winery features local musician, Victor Andrada from 2-5pm. “Join us in supporting Texas Wine Month”. 142 Lindner Branch Trail www.bendingbranchwinery.com




16 Join Bending Branch Winery in Celebration of Music & Wine. Featuring certified platinum & gold hit songwriter, Cam King. 142 Lindner Branch Trail www.bendingbranchwinery.com



22 Downtown Market from 8am-noon 7th & High Streets


29 Comfort Farmer’s Market 8am-noon in Comfort Park




THE ORPHANS AND WIDOWS HOPE PROJECTA mercy outreach of Foundation Ministries

WHAT IS THE HOPE PROJECT?There are many orphaned children on the Continent of

Africa. The Hope Project, with headquarters in Kerrville, TX, is committed to helping hundreds of Africa’s most

vulnerable children as well as destitute widows.

MISSION STATEMENTThe Hope Project’s mission is to provide every child

and helpless widow in their care with food, clothing and medical aid. In addition, children are given an educa-

tion and provided uniforms, books, school supplies and school fees. Most are in their early years, but several

have now graduated trade school and are becoming pro-ductive citizens in their churches and communities. It is

their purpose to touch with compassion and material help the fatherless and widow whom God has given to them for care based on the scripture in James 1:27: “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is

this; to visit orphans and widows in their distress.”

HOW YOU CAN HELPThe ministry is supported by donations and all

contributions are tax deductible. All of the funds donated are sent to Africa and no money is held

back for administration costs.

For more information call: Elizabeth Brown (830) 377-0243

Address: P. O. Box 291130, Kerrville, TX 78029

Some people see things that are and ask, Why?

Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not?

Some people have to go to work and don't have time for all that.

George Carlin

“One Shop” Approach Touches the Lives of Thousands of Struggling Youth By Kathleen Maxwell and Krista Pifferrer

No eighteen year old has it all together (or nineteen or twenty year old either for that matter). Navigating the confusing web of first time apartment leases, financial aid forms, and the spice aisle at the grocery store is enough to make any young adult’s head spin. Now, compound this overwhelming feeling onto aging out of foster care without a parent, grandparent, or other positive role model to bestow tips and tools. How are these youth supposed to make it on their own? Enter: BCFS Health and Human Services’ (BCFS HHS) Kerrville Transition Center. The youth center was founded in Kerrville five years ago, a “one stop” facility that offers counseling, case management, medical care, and emergency housing. The center also helps with life skills training, literacy training, educational support, and employment connections to former foster youth, youth in the juvenile justice system, high school drop outs and homeless young adults. Because other non-profit organizations, government agencies, and community partners are housed and work at the center with BCFS HHS, services are more easily accessed by youth and existing resources are not wastefully duplicated elsewhere. This methodology also boosts innovation through shared talents and stretches financial resources to support many missions. Since opening, BCFS HHS’ Kerrville Transition Center has helped thousands of homeless and struggling youth find the resources they need to get their lives on track and grow into self-sufficient, law-abiding and employed adults. This year, the center is set to help more than 4,000 struggling young adults in our area.



“The benefits of the transition center reach beyond just the teens and youth we serve. It impacts the community through the prevention of crime, unemployment, teen pregnancy, homelessness, and drug and substance abuse,” said Terri Hipps, BCFS Executive Director for Teen & Youth Services. “When we leverage our talent, space, and resources in a smart and shared way, the results are lives that are more promising and a community that is more prosperous.” Today, the demand for services has increased exponentially, causing the center’s programs to now spill out into different locations – negating the effectiveness of the “one stop” model. This is one reason why Sandy Cailloux and the Cailloux Foundation put forward a $500,000 challenge grant to build a new 16,000 square foot center. To complete the project, BCFS HHS is leading a $1.9 million capital campaign, titled “Step Up for Youth.” Once complete, the center will house other non-profits like Art to Heart, Families in Literacy, The Pregnancy Resource Center and Partners in Ministry Vision Youth. This new center will create a dynamic synergism among the agen-cies, increase their effectiveness as well as cut down costs for all nonprofits. Ultimately, making the center will be the most robust site for care and compassion for Hill Country youth. “BCFS is unique and invaluable to our community because [the organization] provides kids with no prospects ‘one-stop shopping’ that will give them an array of opportunities,” said Stacie Keeble, attorney and City Council-man. “At the new BCFS campus, kids will be able to finish high school or earn a GED, learn a trade, obtain a job, find encouragement, and even find a home.” BCFS’ Kerrville Transition Center is presently located at 1105 East Main. To donate to the “Step Up for Youth” campaign, please visit www.DiscoverBCFS.net or mail your tax deductible donation to: “BCFS - Step Up for Youth Campaign,” 550 Earl Garrett Suite 114, Kerrville, Texas 78028. For questions, contact Kathleen Maxwell at 830.928.9387 or at [email protected].


By Mary GentryMary’s Ooh-La-La (So Easy) French Onion Soup

2 TBLS. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 cloves minced garlic/1 bay leaf

1 tsp. Sugar

1/4 tsp black pepper

4 cups thinly sliced Vidalia onions

2 cans Campbell’s French onion soup

1 can Beef consommé

1 cup dry red wine

6 slices (1") toasted French bread

(spray w/ Pam & dust w/ Romano cheese)

6 slices smoked provolone cheese

6 crock soup bowls

Caramelize onions, garlic, and sugar in olive oil. Add soups w/ 2 cans of water & 1

cup red wine & bay leaf. Simmer & cover approximately 45 mins stirring frequently

½ way through. Add pepper to taste. Remove bay leaf & ladle 2/3rds of a cup of soup

into crock bowls. Top w/ toasted French bread slices and 1 slice of provolone cheese.

Broil 2-3 mins. Until cheese is golden.

San Antonio SquashSeveral Yellow Squash1 sweet onion ( Vidalia or Texas)1 Red Pepper1 Green PepperBread Crumbs1 can Cream of Celery SoupGrated Sharp CheeseButter or Olive Oil1 Jalapeno Pepper (optional)Vary ingredients to taste. Chop peppers & onions into small pieces, Sauté’ in butter/olive oil until opaque. Chop squash inchunks. Layer Squash, onion/pepper mixture, cheese, and breadcrumbs in casserole dish.Pour soup over layers; top with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered For 35-45 minutes@ 350 degrees


SEAFOOD CASSEROLLE6 tablespoons butter1/4 cup flour4 tablespoons of sherry or more2 cups light cream (Half & Half)1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese(plus a little more for topping)paprikaboiled lobster, shrimp, and crabmeat (amount is up to you)

Prepare on top of stove. Make a roux with butter and flour; add cream and grated cheese gradually while cooking on low heat to avoid curdling. Takepan off heat when adding sherry. Add seafood, stir,top with grated cheese and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes (depending on amount of seafood used). Let cool 20 minutes before serving. Serves 6

MATTIE MAE’S PEACH COBBLER

Melt 1 stick butter in a 2 quart casserole dish @ 350 degreesMix 1 large can peaches w/ ½ cup sugar 1 TBLS. lemon juiceLet Sit Until You Make The BatterMix1 Cup Milk1 Cup Self Rising Flour1 Cup SugarPour Batter Into Melted ButterPour Peach Mixture On TopDo Not MixBake For One Hour @ 350 degrees

Documents

Heart of Texas Today May-June 2013