Wimberley Valley News & Views - Vol. 27 Issue 6 - June 2024

POSTAL PATRON

EDITOR

PUBLISHER

CYLE ELIZABETH JOHNSON

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

NICO JOHNSON

COVER

ALENA OZEROVA

THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY NEWS AND VIEWS, A SUBSIDIARY OF VALENTINO PUBLICATIONS, IS MAILED MONTHLY TO ALL STREET ADDRESSES SERVICED BY THE WIMBERLEY POST OFFICE IN 78676.

ENTIRE CONTENTS COPYRIGHT ©2024. REPRODUCTION OF ANY OF THIS PUBLICATION REQUIRES WRITTEN PERMISSION OF PUBLISHER. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ADVERTISED OR THE VIEWS CONTAINED IN THIS PUBLICATION.

• Every 2nd Mon. Wimberley Valley Art League meets at the Wimberley Community Center at 6:30-8:30pm. Visit WimberleyArtLeague.org

• Every 2nd Mon. Wimberley 4H meets during the school year at VFW Hall, 401 Jacobs Well Road, 7pm, 6:30pm Clover Kids

• Every 3rd Mon. The Wimberley Area Parkinsons Association meets at the Chapel of The Hills Church, 14601 RR 12 in Wimberley from 9-11am. Caregivers, friends, and relatives are welcome. Guest speakers, general discussion. Parkinson’s exercise program. Paulwilj99@gmail.com.

• Every Mon. Celebrate Recovery 6:30-8:30pm, Cypress Creek Church, in the den. CelebrateRecovery@CypressCreekChurch.com or 512-8471222 Potluck at 5:30pm every 2nd Monday.

• Every 2nd & 4th Monday, The Wimberley Chapter of Overeaters Anonymous meets at 7pm, at the Wimberley Presbyterian Church, 956 FM 2325, Wimberley, TX 78676. (3rd door from the right). For more info, call or text Aida at 512-787-8313.

• Mon. June 10, Jacob’s Well Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Emily Ann Theater in Wimberley at 9:40am, for chat time and 10am for our business meeting. JacobsWellNSDAR@gmail.com for more.

• Mon. Toddler Time, Wimberley Village Library, 10:30-11:30am, beginning January 9.

• Every Mon. Stroller Strides workout, 9am, Wimberley First Baptist Church, contact Summer 512 644 4198, SMWimberleyDS@fit4mom.com

• Every Tues. Gentle Hatha Yoga, 6pm, Wimberley Community Center ($10)

• Every Tues. Bilingual Spanish Storytime, 10:30-11:30am, Library

• Every Tues. 6:30-8pm. Community Bible Study, an interdenominational Bible study. To register contact Karen Bryson at 512 644 8805 or KB17@TXState.edu.

• Every 3rd Tues. The Lions Club meets from 6pm-8pm at the Wimberley Community Center. Call 512-847-0207 for info.

• Every Tues. at noon, Rotary Club of Wimberley meets at the EMS Classroom on Twilight Trail. Carolyn Manning is our President, 512-5581626, Director@WimberleyLibrary.org

• Every 1st Tue. The Wimberley Community Center hosts free medical checks 9:3010:30am. Call 512-847-2510.

• Every Wed. Stroller Barre workout, 9am, Wimberley First Baptist Church, contact Summer, 512 644 4198 or email SMWimberleyDS@fit4mom.com

• Every 1st Wed. 5:30-7pm, Wimberley Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance (WVACA) mixer at Middleton Brewing. All are welcome. WimberleyArts.org.

• Every Wed. Spanish for Homeschool Teens, 12:30-1:30pm, Wimberley Library, multipurpose room, 7th grade and up

HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD TO THE CALENDAR? REACH OUT TO US AT INFO@WVNEWSVIEWS.COM OR 512 375 5590.

• Every Wed. Gentle Hatha Yoga, 3pm, Burdine Theatre, EmilyAnn Theatre ($10)

• Every Wed. Join Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce for breakfast at the Wimberley Cafe for networking opportunities, 8-9am. Bring business cards.

• Every 3rd Wed. Sept. thru May, 9:30am-12pm. Hill Country Unit of the Herb Society of America, Wimberley Presbyterian Church. Visitors welcome! Refreshments 9:30am. Program 10am. Valentine_Lisa@msn.com.

• Every 1st Thur. The Wimberley Alzheimer’s Caregiver’s Support Group, 12:30pm at the Presbyterian Church Library FM 2325. Contact Linda at 512-924-3661.

• Every Thurs. Gentle Hatha Yoga, 12pm, Wimberley Community Center ($10)

• Every 2nd Thursday, Hill Country Bead Society meets at 1pm at the Wimberley Community Center. All levels and types of beading and metal work. Marilyn Pierce at 512-722-3549.

• Every 2nd and 4th Thur. 7pm Wimberley Toastmasters Club, First Baptist Church Wimberley, 15951 Winters Mill Parkway, Wimberley. Toastmasters teaches public speaking and leadership. Contact Amy, amy@texiasllc.com.

•Every 3rd Thur. Live concerts at Susanna’s Kitchen Coffeehouse, 7:30pm; $25 adults, $5 children. Food, coffee, soft drinks . Corner of RR 12 & CR 1492 (Wimberley United Methodist Church.) WimberleyUMC.org Benefits Barnabas Connection & Mother’s Day Out scholarships. Thurs. June 20: Jeff Plankenhorn

• Every Thurs. Gentle Yoga 10-11am, Wimberley Village Library

• Every Thursday, Master Gardeners at the Library, 2-5pm

• Every Fri. Wimberley VFW Post 6441 hosts bingo nights. Doors at 6:30pm with food concession. Earlybird games at 7:00pm. Regular games start at 8pm. Visit vfw6441.com/bingo

• Fri. Storytime, 10:30-11:30am, Wimberley Village Library

• Every Fri. Stroller Strides workout, 9am, Emily Ann Theatre, contact Summer, 512 644 4198 or smwimberleyds@fit4mom.com

• Every Fri. Stroller Strides Playdate with Kids Craft Fridays, 10am, Emily Ann Theatre, contact Summer, 512 644 4198 or SMWimberleyDS@fit4mom.com

• Every Fri. Story Time, 10:30-11:30am, Wimb. Village Library

• Every 2nd Sat. Wimberley’s Second Saturday Gallery Trail. Visit ten galleries for art, food, fun, 4-7pm. Email BentTreeGallery@gmail.com. Have a glass of wine & enjoy art after hours.

• 1st Sat. Wimberley Market Day, 7am-3pm, rain or shine

• 1st Sun. of every month, Wimberley Coffee & Cars, 8am-11am, at Blanco Brew located at 14200 Ranch Road 12

Tim’s Garden

Living in a log home, we have grown accustomed to the now familiar sounds of the logs creaking and popping as they expand and contract with the natural heating and cooling cycles of the day. Visitors, and even we are sometimes startled by an unexpected chorus of house sounds, especially on a windy day. Even on a quiet morning, the rising sun heats and expands the eastern face of the house first, and those logs settle by fractions of an inch with the cooler logs from other parts of the house. After our decades here, they are friendly, comforting sounds and are part of the familiar environment here, blending with the birds, rustling trees, yelping foxes, and the sweet patter of occasional rain on the roof.

Mother Nature recently introduced us to a new and utterly unfamiliar sound here – the deafening and constant crashing of golf ball to baseball sized hail pummeling the roof, walls, and windows of our home for a quarter of an hour, driven by high winds and heavy rain. The theme was pure Texas thunderstorm, the likes of which we have never seen in Wimberley, and which would have been more terrifying if we hadn’t been preoccupied with doing all the things one is called upon to do during a tornado warning.

Now we know firsthand why you are supposed to stay away from windows during a storm of this type! Glass and half melted ice had traveled over forty feet inside the house from the window it broke through, and our car’s windshield was shattered from multiple strikes. Fortunately, our “cave” room with no windows kept us safe with our emergency radio keeping us apprised of the storm.

by Tim Thompson

We have now gotten used to hearing of rare weather events: Forest fires of devastating expanse. Temperatures of barely survivable extremes. Ice storms, hurricanes, tornado swarms, floods. Glaciers melt, the seas rise, ice shelves wander the ocean and the world changes.

Mother Nature still has much to teach us. May we pay attention, so we learn her lessons in due time.

Horticulturist Tim Thompson managed the garden center at King Feed and Hardware for over 25 years. They offer everything you need to have the garden of your dreams without stressing your budget. Pick up Tim’s Tips, free one page sheets on how to carry out dozens of gardening projects available only at King Feed Nursery. Call Tim at 512 847 2618.

Unsung Heros

It seems like our society, overuses the word hero. We apply it to anyone who has ever had to suffer, not just those who had to sacrifice. Among teachers, soldiers, policeman, and doctors, there are a number of heroes, but there also are those who are not. The same can be said about practically every walk of life.

What constitutes someone being a hero?

To me, a hero sacrifices something, or risks themselves, to help someone else, and expects nothing in return. If you are in a tall building, when it collapses, you are a victim, until you become a hero by risking your life to dig others out. Being a hero sounds kind of scary. However, NPR has a series called Unsung Heroes and one nice thing about the show is that it illustrates that acts of sacrifice don’t necessarily have to be huge dangerous things, as long as they are unselfishly given to somebody who really needs help.

The radio show made me think of unsung heroes I have met. In 1971, after hurricane Celia blew through Corpus Christi, knocked out all the power, left water everywhere, and took all the leaves off the trees, it was miserably hot and humid. And there was no ice, fans, AC. In August. Water had to be boiled and then it would cool down... to room temperature. So my Dad put me in the truck and we drove through the National Guard checkpoints on a quest

for ice. We didn’t find any until we got to Port Lavaca. The unshaven man with the cigarette on his lip, wearing overalls behind the counter, looked at us and growled, “Y’all are from Corpus, right?” We knew the price of ice had just gone up, but he surprised us, telling us to take all of it “and you don’t owe me nothin’. Y’all did this for us when Carla came through here in ‘61.” I don’t know what else that man has done in his life, but over 53 years later, I still remember him as a hero.

Rhonda has unsung heroes in her travels. They were in Nowhere Oklahoma with flat tire on the trailer. Her and Jenny, pulling together, couldn’t get the lug nuts loose to change the tire. A rancher shows up with an air hammer, gets the lug nuts off, proceeds to change the tire for them and put the lugs back on. He accepts nothing in payment and drives away. There have been other episodes while on the road where a hero showed up. Those nameless people that have helped Rhonda and Jenny forever have my gratitude.

Listening to Unsung Heros makes me wonder if I have ever done anything that would be considered heroic. I hope so, but maybe heroes don’t see themselves as heroic. Since I am not certain that I have ever done anything heroic, I think I need to start trying harder. I think it starts with opening our eyes to people around us.

Rhonda and Kern Deschner are experienced alpaca ranchers raising alpacas through all kinds of Texas weather since 1997. Tierra Prometida Alpaca Ranch can be visited by calling Rhonda at 512 753 9962, or at tierra@alpacausa.com.

Forever Chemicals

by Rance and Betsy Mosley

Have you ever wondered what our air and water was really like before the rise of industrialization? Our early ancestors never had to worry about pollution and the effects it can have on the human body. Now, with the use of chemicals in manufacturing our bodies are constantly being bombarded with pollutants that they were not designed to deal with on a continual basis. This brings me to the topic I would like to discuss this month, which is forever chemicals.

The term forever chemicals has been used recently to describe perfluorinated chemicals (PFAS) including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid found in water supplies. PFAS are used to keep food from sticking to packaging or cookware, make clothes and carpets resistant to water or stains, and create firefighting foam that is more effective. They may also be found in certain personal care products such as shampoo, nail polish, dental floss, and eye makeup.

The characteristics of these chemicals that make them useful is also the reason they persist in the environment and can build up in our bodies and in the bodies of wildlife.

Some of the health risks of exposure to PFAS include developmental effects to fetuses during pregnancy, lipid and insulin dysregulation, liver disease, kidney disease, cancer, altered immune

and thyroid function, along with interference with your body’s natural hormones.

In a recent article in The Texas Tribune by Alejandra Martinez, it states that the EPA has finally set its first drinking water limits for five types of PFAS chemicals. The scary part is that in Texas, 49 public water utility systems have reported surpassing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s limits for these five forever chemicals in drinking water. These numbers will likely increase because not all of the systems have submitted their data. The new standards will require water utilities to meet them within five years and will help prevent thousands of deaths and illnesses, including cancer. This is great news for the future of our municipal systems and the EPA has also approved the use of activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange (a chemical process) to remove PFAS from drinking water.

I strongly recommend that everyone pay close attention to what you put into your body in order to minimize the effect our environment currently has on our overall health. This begins with the most important nutrient our body needs, which is water!

Rance & Betsy Mosley are the owners of Blue Jug of Wimberley and My Wimberley Office Space. Rance retired from teaching after 28 years & now manages and operates Blue Jug while Betsy teaches at Blue Hole Primary. Stop by & try the best tasting water in the Hill Country. Located at 14201 Ranch Road 12, Suite 1. Contact us at 512 387 1001 or email Rance@bluejug.com.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine that originates from India. It emphasizes a holistic approach to healing, balancing the mind, body, and spirit to improve overall health and well-being.

Ayurveda uses natural remedies, including herbal medicines, massage, and dietary changes, to treat various illnesses and promote a healthy lifestyle. It is a timeless and comprehensive system of medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years and continues to be relevant today.

Ayurvedic facials use natural ingredients and techniques to improve the health and appearance of the skin. It begins with a skin analysis to determine skin type and the appropriate products to be used. The facial may include cleansing, exfoliation, steam, massage, and applying an herbal mask. Ayurvedic facials are designed to balance the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) believed to govern the body and mind. The goal of an Ayurvedic facial is to nourish the skin, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being.

Integrating Ayurvedic aromatherapy into your daily routine can profoundly impact your overall well-being. When combined, Ayurveda and aromatherapy can help soothe and balance the doshas. This can lead to reduced stress, improved sleep, increased energy levels, and a greater sense of overall well-being. By using custom-blended Ayurvedic experiences such as MISSION signa-

by Jesseca Zollars Smith

ture blend and MISSION brillante blend, you can harness the power of Ayurvedic aromatherapy to promote balance and harmony in your life. The MISSION signature blend is specially formulated for Vata or Vata/Pitta. It has a soothing and comforting essential oil blend which denotes warm florals and helps those who may be scattered and anxious. MISSION Brillante blend has essential oils and Ayurvedic herbs perfect for pacifying Pitta or Pitta/Kapha by reducing physical heat and calming frustration in the mind.

Jesseca is the owner of MISSION Day Spa. She is a Licensed Master Aesthetician, Licensed Continuing Education Provider for TDLR, and Licensed Aesthetics Educator, sensitive skin specialist, oncology esthetics trained. Wimberley resident, Jesseca apprentices Wimberley ISD students at her spa. With 30 years in the spa industry and a background in cosmetics chemistry, Jesseca holds CE classes Monday evenings and online. Call 512 522 6467!

The Benefits of Audiobooks with Children

The topic of audiobooks comes up often. Audiobooks are an accommodation for those with dyslexia and one that I recommend to all my students. While an excellent tool for anyone, audiobooks provide additional benefits for those with dyslexia or other learning differences.

Audiobooks offer a bridge to higher-level texts than what the student is reading independently. We want students to continue reading over the summer and audiobooks provide many benefits.

1. Build background knowledge and grade-level content knowledge. Audiobooks provide access to grade-level content, with expected information for their age, grade level, and beyond. Students can gain confidence as they engage in conversations and activities.

2. Higher-level vocabulary is gained through audiobooks and becomes part of a student’s knowledge base. Students develop new vocabulary, complex syntactic forms, and literate language forms. When students hear new words, they can connect that word’s pronunciation to the written representation and meaning, increasing their ability to read that word later.

3. Increase comprehension. By listening to grade-level stories, students can access print beyond their current independent reading while improving decoding abilities. Audiobooks provide a bridge between independent word reading and understanding of the text. The cognitive load and workload during school can become overwhelming, impacting our reading. Audiobooks release that stress and allow mental workspace to think about the content of the text.

4. Allows students to enjoy books that are on par with their spoken language. Many dyslexic students have average to above-

by Casey Harrison, LDT, CSLDS, CALT-QIT

average receptive language skills. Audiobooks allow students access to grade-level and above books that are often better aligned with their language skills. In addition, students can choose books of interest – an essential part of learning to read for pleasure.

5. Human-voiced audiobooks provide models for fluent reading and are a much better use of instructional time than silent reading for students with dyslexia. Audiobooks help students keep up with reading assignments, especially as they move up the grades. Textbooks are often available in audiobook format and prove helpful for students of all ages. Students should follow along with their eyes on the text as they engage with the audiobook.

6. Many students with learning differences become anxious when asked to read and discuss books. Audiobooks allow students to become immersed in the meaning of the text. They can have social conversations with peers about books read, empowering them to engage in literacy conversations or connect with references from books that occur in movies, songs, and other writing pieces.

Audiobooks are a great tool if you are looking for ways to support students in the classroom and beyond. To learn more, visit WimberleyDyslexiaCenter.com and TheDyslexiaClassroom.com

Casey is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (ALTA), Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (TX, ALTA), Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist (IDA), and a Qualified Teacher with over 27 years of experience. Her podcast, Together in Literacy, focuses on dyslexia, literacy instruction, and the whole child. She resides in Wimberley, Texas, with her husband, their three daughters, and many animals in their little slice of the country.

I used to do yoga...

by Sarah Geenberg

So the yoga you used to do, may well not be the yoga you can or even would want to do, today. The same is true with karate or Tai Chi or – really – anything you do.

Yesterday will never be the same as today.

Today is, in a way, a re-iteration of yesterday. The sun rose and set and so did the moon. I think of the repeating aspects like a shell that is growing in ever-expanding circles. The circles are the same, but different. Today can never be the same. So why try to box it up like that.

Yoga, Tai Chi, and karate have all evolved since they were popular in the 1970’s. They are the same, but different.

Our yoga is not about going to the edges (or extremes) of what you can do – how far you can go into a pose, for example. It is about strengthening what you can do and expanding it. Karate is the same way. We use natural movements that anyone does on a day-do day basis and turn them into movement for self-defense and a strong attack. All these movements, Tai Chi included, then strengthen and expand the movements you do in daily life. Easy!

Wimberley Karate and Yoga Studio

Sarah Geenberg (512) 971-8528

501 Old Kyle Road

Wimberley, TX 78676 wimberleykarateyoga.com

Sarah Geenberg is the owner of Wimberley Karate and Yoga Studio, near Blue Hole, and OnlineSeniorsYoga.com. The yoga, Tai Chi, and karate classes are building again. Classes are offered indoors, outdoors, and online. Feel free to come check us out.

When you’re smiling

Universally, a smile can be interpreted and recognized by every culture on the face of the Earth. Smiling demonstrates a positive influence on both our professional and personal relationships – and some researchers strongly believe that it also affects our physical and mental health in a positive manner. In a recent poll, nearly 90% of adults agreed that an attractive smile is an important asset in social and professional settings. Yet, regardless of public opinion and widespread agreement of the power and importance of a smile, many people are insecure with their own.

With both traditional and emerging dental techniques, cosmetic dentistry can completely correct or significantly diminish one’s negative perception of their smile through a comprehensive approach known as Smile Design. Smile Design requires more than a patient specifically requesting a popular procedure or even generally saying make my smile beautiful. Like any worthwhile undertaking, it entails forethought and planning. Successful planning begins with an extensive discussion between patient and dentist with the end results in mind. Stretching the imagination and picturing ideal results can be fun – dreaming is always at the heart of any great planning process, even the creation of a brilliant, new smile!

When it comes to putting your smile plans into action, you may be surprised at the wide array of cosmetic techniques now at the dentist’s disposal – most of which have been in development for

by Robert Donnelly, DDS

decades! Some techniques, such as whitening, bonding, veneering or enamel shaping, will change the appearance and shape of the patient’s natural teeth. Other techniques, like crowns, bridgework and implants will provide permanent artificial replacements for missing or abnormal teeth that cannot be corrected with the previously mentioned procedures. Regardless of the techniques involved, the outcome should be the same: the smile you once beheld has been transformed! More importantly, not only has confidence in your smile enhanced, but your dental health has been simultaneously restored! You will be a healthier you and that is definitely something to smile about.

If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about maintaining oral hygiene, Dr. Donnelly is here to help you. You can contact San Marcos Gentle Dental by calling 512 396 5225 where we will be happy to get you scheduled. Come see why Dr. Donnelly was voted a Texas Super Dentist by Texas Monthly Magazine and Best Dentist in Hays County! 1337 Thorpe Lane San Marcos, TX 78666 512-396-5225

Fax: 512-396-7022 Sanmarcosdental.com

J. Robert Donnelly, D.D.S.

DEEP IN THE ART OF TEXAS

Water Weighs

by Theresa Vincent

As I was out for a jog along the north shore of Canyon Lake last week, I saw a large sign hung at the entrance of the swim beach: “CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.” It was a stark reminder of the fact that the lake is less than 60% full, with no signs of any improvement in the foreseeable future.

The scarcer water becomes, the more important it is to focus on its importance and preservation. The “Water Weighs” juried exhibit at 220 Fine Art Gallery in Wimberley explores the beauty, force, and matter of water in the Texas Hill Country, as interpreted by 13 area artists.

Taking center stage at the exhibit is an abstract work by David Baker, founder and executive director of the Watershed Association. Founded in 1996, the Watershed Association has been working to protect water through land conservation and education across the Hill Country.

In addition to highlighting the role of this all-important natural resource, gallery owner Suzanne Oliver shared that she was pleased that the exhibit will help enhance Wimberley’s growing reputation as an art destination. A wide reach of the Texas Hill Country arts community is represented, including artists from Lago Vista, Comfort, Dripping Springs, and beyond.

There is also a great deal of versatility in the types of art on display as well, including fiber art, photography, representational and abstract painting, and three-dimensional (sculpted) painting. The works of Kathy Utts (“A River Runs Through It”), Irene Harrell (“Overflow”), and Elizabeth Compton (“McKinney Falls”) were selected for awards.

Each of the artists conveyed a silent but meaningful message through their creations. Celeste Perez Smith observed that her painting, “Whispering Past the Stones,” conveys the “secrets that water whispers on its journey in nature. Sometimes the whispers are louder than others, but regardless, water finds its way to everything living.”

According to his wife, artist Bob Rohm was excited to be selected for the exhibit and painted every day, with a special love of painting various lakes and waterways near their home in Lago Vista. His sudden passing makes his two pieces in the exhibit especially poignant.

Other featured artists include Irma Gros, Larry Alford, Albert Slavin, George Craig, Diane Fraser, Jennifer Bacon. I was also honored to have one of my own three-dimensional paintings selected, “Crystal Falls,” which seeks to portray the profound beauty to be found in the chaos of nature.

All artwork in the “Water Weighs” exhibit is available for purchase. In addition, visitors will be able to cast their vote for a People’s Choice award, the winners of which will be announced at the closing reception on Saturday, July 20, from 4:00-7:00.

Saturday, June 8 – Art on 12 – Second Saturday celebration

Tuesday, July 9 – Entries due for Wimberley Valley Art League juried show Friday, July 12 – WVAL show opening reception

Bob Rohm

Drought and Trees: Here we go again

We’re all aware of the impact that the drought of the last several years has had on area water supplies and on Central Texas trees. It can take trees a number of years to recover from effects of prolonged drought, so recurring drought conditions continue to be a concern for tree health.

Plant pathologist Dr. Bruce Fraedrich states that, “moisture stress adversely affects virtually every physiological process in the plant.” For example, as a defense mechanism against moisture loss, the leaf stomata (small openings that permit gas exchange) will close, but then carbon dioxide is not absorbed and photosynthesis is inhibited. This limits growth and increases the tree’s susceptibility to insect and disease pests. This and other impacts of extended drought often result in yellowing leaves, premature defoliation, crown thinning, and poor shoot growth. And trees can die from the complications caused by drought.

With more Texas communities imposing stricter water restrictions, it’s especially important to water wisely and according to community guidelines. I offer a few tips for conservative but effective watering:

Concentrate your efforts on your high-value trees. Spread a two- to three-inch layer of wood-chip mulch out to the tree’s dripline, avoiding the trunk. This will help to moderate temperatures,

by Steven Austin

retain moisture, and improve soil structure.

Water in the morning or evening hours to reduce evaporation. Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems. These allow a slow, deep delivery of water and reduce runoff and evaporation. The area to water should be under the canopy over the mulched area. If you water in this manner, your trees will probably only need watering every two to three weeks. Remember that overwatering can also be harmful to landscape plants.

With proper moisture delivery, your trees will be more responsive to other treatments or procedures they might need to increase their odds of surviving extreme drought. A Bartlett Tree Experts ISA Certified Arborist can complete an inspection to help ensure your trees are reaching their full health potential.

A Wimberley resident, Steven Austin is a member of the Texas Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture and is an ISA Certified Arborist and ISA Tree Worker/Climber Specialist. His expertise includes integrated pest management of trees and shrubs and state-of-the-art organic treatments. He holds a commercial pesticide license with the Texas Department of Agriculture and is Texas Oak Wilt Certified by the Texas Forest Service. Steven is an Arborist Representative for Bartlett Tree Experts and can be reached at 512-392-1089 or toll-free at 800-443-8733.

Tackling tough conversations

Use these simple techniques to handle difficult conversations the right way.

Plan ahead. Your nerves or emotions can take over during a difficult conversation, making it hard to speak clearly and calmly. To avoid this, plan and practice what you want to say beforehand.

Time and place... Avoid having a critical conversation in public or in a distracting setting. Instead, choose a private, quiet, and relaxing location.

Have an open mind. To get the most out of your conversation, leave your assumptions at the door. Aim to go into it with an open mind and try to see things from the other person’s point of view. Avoid you statements. You statements can make the other person feel attacked. So instead of saying you keep forgetting to do what I ask! say, I feel really upset when [insert task here] doesn’t get done.

Be up front. To help give a clear way forward, be up front about your desired outcome from the get-go. Do you want an apology? An acknowledgement of your perspective? A change in future behavior?

Take a break if needed. If things become too heated and there doesn’t seem to be a resolution in sight, respectfully suggest a timeout. A brief break is a great way to rest and relax.

1324 Old Martindale Road, San Marcos, TX 78666

Steven E Austin Arborist Representative ISA Certified Arborist #TX-3616AT

SAustin@bartlett.com p 512.392.1089 f 512.392.7398 bartlett.com by AJ Harwood

If you are wondering what your home would look like on the market, give me a call! I would be honored to complete a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to see what homes in your neighborhood are selling for right now – you might be surprised! At the end of the day, real estate is local. I’m here to walk you through with the best information so you can make the best choices and know how it applies to you in the Wimberley and Texas Hill Country area. If you’re thinking of selling your home, call me today! Experience matters – especially in a changing market!

This information is designed to provide a brief overview of the subject matter covered and is offered for general educational and informational purposes only. Used with permission by the Buffini & Company.

Allison “AJ” Harwood, JD, MBA, GRI, is the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX REAL PROPERTIES and the #2 Top Producing RE/MAX Agent for Austin and the Central Texas Area for 2023. When Experience matters…Call “AJ” Today! Your Hill Country Luxury Property Expert. Member: Institute for LUXURY HOME MARKETING. He is Wimberley’s “Peak Producer” offering Professional Representation for both Buyers and Sellers in Real Estate Transactions. AJ may be contacted at 512.848-6612 or at AJ@ REMAX.net Call AJ Today!

Prepare for inspection surprises

A good realtor helps keep transactions on track by helping clients plan for the unpredictable. A home inspection gone awry can spell double trouble in a real estate transaction. Sellers who believe they’ve kept their house in pristine condition might hit the roof when costly problems with the property are uncovered. And buyers, especially first-timers with no experience in the market, may be scared away by the prospect of daunting repairs.

How do you keep this common scenario from devolving into acrimony? Before the inspection, talk with your clients about their expectation and about how they might handle certain results, says Daniel L Alden, broker-associate.

Listing agents can be proactive by doing a visual inspection of their client’s home, looking for obvious areas that need repair.

Rich Wolnik Jr., a sales associate with Riklin Realty in Niles, Ill., advises reviewing the age of the seller’s furnace, water heater, and air conditioning unit and finding out what major repairs or upgrades have been done. Make sure sellers are aware of issues

by Jim and Debbie Donaldson

that are common in your market and let them know that whatever issues you find in a visual inspection will very likely arise in an official inspection.

Sellers may want to pay for a pre-listing inspection. This gives them an opportunity to collect cost estimates for repairs and determine whether they want to pay for fixes or lower their asking price. Either way, it can prevent last-minute setbacks.

If buyers’ first reaction to inspection problems is to walk away, remind them of why they were moved to make an offer in the first place. They may rue letting inspection issues derail their dream. If this is the only property you’ve seen that meets your requirements, let’s talk it through and make it work.

Jim and Debbie Donaldson are Sales Agents with Keller Williams, Partners in Real Estate Group, in Wimberley. They moved to Wimberley in 1993 and enjoy helping sellers and buyers have an awesome real estate experience. You can reach Jim at 830-8573371 or Jim.Donaldson78@gmail.com or Debbie 512-665-9588 or Debbie.Donaldson79@gmail.com.

Pre-plumbing requires pre-planning

When building or remodeling a home, there are plenty of details to keep track of. One item that is often overlooked is preparing your home for the installation of water treatment equipment. This preplumbing is referred to as a “softener loop.” As a side note to our wonderful local builders, if you don’t already include a softener loop in every home you build, you should consider doing this. Even if you don’t install a softener, the individual purchasing the home may want one, and completing it during construction will make a huge difference in the ease of system installation and overall cost.

The purpose for a loop is to separate the inside water from that used outside for irrigation, so that only the water entering the house is treated. In most cases, a loop will be located in a garage, closet, or mechanical room. There will be a water line exiting the wall, then turning 180 degrees before re-entering the wall. This will provide the inlet and outlet lines for the softener or filter. There should also be a drain which will handle the water discharged during a regeneration cycle. If there is a concern about this water entering the septic tank, a french drain, or gravel pit, could be an alternative. If your water treatment equipment is to be installed in a well enclosure, the house should be fed by two lines. One for treated water and the other for untreated irrigation water.

A 110 volt electrical outlet should be placed near the loop in order to power the water treatment equipment. A standard GFCI outlet will suffice, but a four-way outlet will ensure that you have

by Randy Lawrence

additional plug space for heat lamps, or for additional equipment. It is also a good idea to have this outlet on a dedicated circuit. Planning ahead for a water treatment system can save you a great deal of money and frustration when you do decide to treat your incoming water. A licensed water treatment specialist can work with your builder to make certain that all of these components come together smoothly.

Randy Lawrence is the owner of ProQuality Water Systems, a full service water treatment company. He is one of only six Class III Certified Water Treatment Specialists in Hays County (LIC# WT0002693). With over 20 years of experience he has serviced Wimberley and surrounding areas for over a decade.

Summer Vacation Planning Tips

How to save money and enjoy your vacation...

Summer is a great time to relax, have fun, and travel. But it can also be a time when you spend more than you planned or neglect your financial goals. That’s why it’s important to have some summer financial planning tips in mind, so you can enjoy your vacation without breaking the bank.

Tip 1: Set a budget and stick to it.

One of the most effective summer financial planning tips is to set a budget for your summer expenses and stick to it. This means you need to estimate how much you will spend on things like travel, entertainment, food, and shopping, and allocate a specific amount for each category. Then, you need to track your spending and make sure you don’t go over your budget.

Tip 2: Save for your vacation in advance.

Another tip is to save for your vacation in advance, rather than relying on credit cards or loans. This way, you can avoid paying interest and fees, and reduce your debt. Start saving for your vacation as early as possible by setting aside a portion of your income every month, or by using a savings app that automatically transfers money to your vacation fund.

Tip 3: Look for deals and discounts.

A third summer financial planning tip is to look for deals and discounts on your travel and entertainment expenses. You can save money by booking your flights, hotels, and car rentals in advance,

and by comparing prices on different websites. You can also use coupons, vouchers, or loyalty programs to get discounts on attractions, restaurants, and shopping.

Conclusion:

Summer is a wonderful season to enjoy life, but it doesn't have to ruin your finances. By following these summer financial planning tips, you can have a fun and memorable vacation, while staying on track with your financial goals. Remember to set a budget and stick to it, save for your vacation in advance, and look for deals and discounts. Happy summer!

Debts after death

Most individuals incur debt as an ongoing part of living within our society. When an individual dies, any remaining debts must be settled before any distribution of assets. The most common debts include home mortgages, car notes, credit cards, student loans, personal loans, utilities, medical bills, and taxes. To make sure no further debt is incurred in the deceased’s name, the social security administration and the credit reporting agencies should be provided a copy of the death certificate as soon as one is available.

The Texas Estates Code dictates the priority of debts. Funeral expenses and probate fees are given the highest priority. Next comes taxes, then bills arising out of the final illness. Secured debts which have specific assets held as collateral can then be paid. Unsecured debt (such as credit cards) has the lowest priority.

All secured creditors along with taxing authorities must be given written notice when a probate estate is opened. That notice must meet the requirements of the Texas Estates Code and be delivered by certified mail, return receipt requested. Proof of delivery must be filed with the probate court. It is the representative of the estate that determines whether to notify unsecured creditors, and there are pros and cons which should be carefully considered with an

experienced probate attorney.

by Carrie Campbell

Hopefully, the assets will be sufficient to satisfy all debts. If not, then particular care must be used by an executor to avoid personal liability. Just because a person is named an executor in a will, does not mean that the individual must accept that role. I would not ask for appointment of executor if I knew the estate owed more than it owned. Yet some find it hard to walk away from the family ranch, grandma’s wedding ring, or other sentimental heirlooms of differing value. If it is important to keep certain items in the family, then the family must be prepared to pay the deceased’s debts.

Carrie Campbell has lived and practiced law in Wimberley since 1997. She is the managing partner of Mounger & Campbell law firm. Carrie is an active member of the Rotary Club of Wimberley and president of the Wimberley Village Library Foundation. She proudly has three wonderful daughters and two lively grandsons.

Litigation: We Share the Roads –

by Roland Brown

A couple of recent interactions remind me of a topic that I revisit ever so often. Today, that topic is sharing the road with cyclists, particularly my chosen mode of two-wheeled transportation, bicycles.

I recently settled a case for a young man who was hit by a motorist as he was traveling through an intersection on a green light after dark.

The motorist, who was looking at her hand-held cell phone, failed to observe the well-lighted oncoming cyclist and turned into him throwing him over the hood of her car. Fortunately, aside from the lingering fears left by the incident, my client has recovered well and resumed his regular riding.

Then just the other day, I was driving and passed a cyclist on a road with only a minimal shoulder. He was as far to the right as he could get, was wearing a helmet and riding as safely as conditions allowed, but I thought of the times that some small object or road defect, invisible to a motorist, has caused me to swerve or temporarily lose control of my bike. I slowed and moved as far to the left as I could knowing that something similar could happen to him even as I was passing him.

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These experiences, which carry similarities to interactions

with motorcycles, serve as reminders to bicyclists, motorcyclists and motorists that the potential for serious or fatal injury is ever present as cars, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles legally share our roadways. Some cyclists are guilty of inexcusable behavior, but most are just enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and trying to comply with the rules of the road.

To my cyclist friends, I say, keep in mind that even under optimal conditions you are easily lost in the blind spots of vehicles, the glare of the sun, the gray of a rainy afternoon, or the clutter of roadside signs, trees and other things. Wear the bright colors, use good lighting, clip on a rear-view mirror, and remember that if the wind is in your face, you will not hear that car coming up behind you as quickly as when the wind is coming from behind you. For motorists, the signs that say “look twice for cyclists” and “hang up and drive” are good rules to remember. Respect and attention are critical as we share the roads here in Texas.

Attorney Roland Brown handles exclusively personal injury claims. Roland, who offices in Wimberley, has been voted HAYS COUNTY’S

PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY for 2020, 2021, and 2023 in

polls of Hays County attorneys. For more information call 512 847

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