Wimberley Valley News & Views - Vol. 28 Issue 7 - July 2025
POSTAL PATRON
Editor Publisher
Cyle Elizabeth Johnson
Assistant Editor
Catarina Evangeline Johnson
Cover
Thanyakan Thanapanprasert
The Wimberley Valley News & Views, a subsidiary of Valentino Publications, is mailed monthly to all street addresses serviced by the Wimberley Post Office in 78676.
“WHEN I WAS A BOY AND I WOULD SEE SCARY THINGS IN THE NEWS, MY MOTHER WOULD SAY TO ME, ‘LOOK FOR THE HELPERS. YOU WILL ALWAYS FIND PEOPLE WHO ARE HELPING.’” FRED ROGERS
A Prayer for Our Friends
This enchanted community is made up of so many wonderful people. I'd like to take a moment to pray for our friends and for our contributors that make Wimberley – and this publication – such a magical place.
Our friend, Tim de Jong from Wimberley Glassworks, is currently battling throat cancer in Houston. His outlook is good, yet he, his wife, Vanessa, and their children remain in our prayers. His art, his spirit, and his story are a part of the colorful tapestry that make this valley such a vibrant place to be.
I'm praying and grateful for our friends who remained in limbo for the last businesses
several months, wondering if their businesses would be able to stay open while they waited for Texas lawmakers to make a decision. I am so happy things worked out for the best and that their time of unknowing has come to an end.
I pray for our friends in their good times and I pray for our friends going through challenging times. In the words of Mr. Rogers, “look for the helpers,” because they're here in your community. They're all around. You just have to reach out. Sometimes we ask for help and receive a no or a blank stare, but if we stay on the lookout, we will find the helpers.
I pray for Wimberley Valley and thank you for what you do for this community.
Cyle Elizabeth Johnson, Editor
WIMBERLEY VALLEY COMMUNITY CALENDAR
• Every 1st Mon. Wimberley Apron Society meets at Emily Ann Annex Bldg. Set-up at 5:30, program 6-8pm. Exchange ideas on healthy sustainable lifestyles, gardening, cooking, homesteading. See Facebook page for more.
• 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 2nd & 4th Monday, The Wimberley Chapter of Overeaters Anonymous meets at 7pm, Wimberley Presbyterian Church, 956 FM 2325 (3rd door from the right). For more info, call or text Aida, 512-787-8313.
• Mon. July 14, 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
• Mon. Toddler Time, Wimberley Village Library, 10:30-11:30am
• Every Mon. Stroller Strides workout, 9am, Wimberley First Baptist Church, contact Summer 512 644 4198, SMWimberleyDS@fit4mom.com
• Every Tues. & Fri. 9am-noon, 42 Dominoes at Wimberley Senior Center (inside Community Center). Contact joan1950@gmail.com.
• Every Tues. Gentle Hatha Yoga, 6pm, Wimb. Community Center ($10)
• Every Tues. 6:30pm, Celebrate Recovery with an option for dinner served at 6pm. Calvary Baptist Church, San Marcos. Contact Celebrate Recovery Leadership Team, 512-426-3758.
• Every Tues. Bilingual Spanish Storytime, 10:30-11:30am, Library
• Every Tues. 6:30-8pm. Community Bible Study, an interdenominational Bible study. Men, women, Co-Ed, Spanish, Youth & Children. Register at SanMarcosEve.CBSClass.org
• 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 meets at Wimberley Library. Ermias K. Gebremeskel is president, 512 210 6966, Ketema_Ermias@yahoo.com
• 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 Wed. Spanish for Homeschool Teens, 12:30-1:30pm, Wimberley Library, multipurpose room, 7th grade and up
• Every 1st Wed. WV Quilt Guild, 9:30am social, 10am meeting. Presbyterian church 956 RR 2325. WimberleyValleyQuiltGuild.org.
• Every 1st Wed. Transforming Stress: Unique Approach to Calm Body, Mind, Emotions, Friends Meeting Room, 6-7:30pm, contact Dr. Marianne Calvanese, ND for more information, 512 663 1820.
• Every 1st Wed. 5:30-7pm, Wimberley Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance mixer at Middleton Brewing. All are welcome. WimberleyArts.org.
• Every 1st Thurs. Wimberley Chamber of Commerce breakfast, Wimberley Cafe for networking opportunities, 8-9am. Bring business cards.
• Every 3rd Wed. Sept.-May, Hill Country Unit of the Herb Society of America, Emily Ann meeting room. Visitors welcome! Refreshments 9:30am, program at 10am. Contact Valentine_Lisa@msn.com. To learn more and for monthly topics visit HillCountryHerbSociety.org.
• Every 1st Thur. 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, 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. Toastmasters teaches public speaking and leadership. Contact Amy, amy@texiasllc.com.
• Every 3rd Thur. Concerts at Susanna’s Kitchen Coffeehouse, 7:30pm; $25 adults, $5 kids. Pie, pizza, tamales, coffee, soft drinks . RR 12 & CR 1492 (United Methodist Church.) WimberleyUMC.org Barnabas Connection & Mother’s Day Out scholarships. Thurs. July 17: Shake Russell
• Every Thurs. Gentle Yoga 10-11am, Wimberley Village Library
• Every Thursday, Master Gardeners at the Library, 2-5pm
• Every Fri. Wimberley VFW Post 6441 bingo nights. Doors 6:30pm with food concession. Earlybird 7:00pm. Regular 8pm. 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, SMWimberleyDS@fit4mom.com
• Every Fri. Storytime, 10:30-11:30am, Wimb. Village Library
• Every 4th Friday, Art Crawl, 5-8pm, 5 Wimberley galleries open late, guest artists, refreshments. GalleryTrail.com/ArtCrawl
• 1st Sat. Wimberley Market Day, 7am-3pm, rain or shine
• 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.
• Every 3rd Sat. Art Bazaar, Wimberley Valley Winery noon-6pm
• 1st Sun. of every month, Coffee & Cars, 8am-11am, at Blanco Brew
Time Together
We spent several days watching a film crew go about their work near us. They set up a trailer in the shade of an enormous oak and stretched power lines and water hoses to it. The crew spent most of their time setting up just the right people, costumes, equipment, and props to record a few minutes of action. When lightning struck nearby, the script was rewritten to incorporate the overnight storm into the script. The entire operation was taken down and protected from the storm as it filled the skies with thousands of lightning bolts and nearly three inches of rain. Their timing was perfect, and the storm did not ruin their progress.
Much of our energy is spent trying to avoid Nature’s negative effects on our lives. From building shelters to protect us from storms, to engineering vaccines against diseases, humanity has always strived to minimize Nature’s harsher impacts. But it is fascinating how, despite all our efforts, we remain deeply intertwined with nature—relying on it for food, water, air, and even mental well-being.
Some cultures have mastered ways to coexist rather than combat Nature’s forces, adapting their lifestyles instead of resisting them. And then there are those moments when nature reminds us of its power—storms, wildfires, droughts—forcing us to rethink how we interact with our environment.
Strengthening our relationship with Nature takes both individual action and broader systemic changes. How can we foster a deeper connection and a healthier coexistence?
by Kern Deschner
Rewilding Spaces – Whether planting a garden, restoring habitats, or simply letting nature take its course, creating more green spaces promotes biodiversity.
Planet-Friendly Innovation – Advancements in technology, architecture, and agriculture can help us build more sustainable cities and industries without over-exploiting
natural resources.
by Tim Thompson
Cultural and Educational Shifts – Encouraging a nature-positive mindset through education, storytelling, and cultural values can lead to long-term changes in how we respect the environment and mindfully use its resources.
Spending Time Together – Simply experiencing nature—hiking, camping, gardening—deepens our appreciation for it and reminds us of its importance, not only to films, but to our lives.
Horticulturist Tim Thompson managed the garden center at King Feed for over 25 years. They offer everything you need to have the garden of your dreams without stressing your budget. Call King Feed at 512 847 2618.
Who’s the boss around here anyways?
I have been reading a book called Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari, a writer who has written several books about the state of human society. While I don’t agree with many of ```.
his opinions, the book is certainly thought-provoking. For example, he asserts that humans were all happier, healthier, and even smarter thousands of years ago, when we were all in tribes of hunter-gatherers. We hunted, gathered, and then relaxed. No bills, no boss, no road rage. Harari suggests that we had to have a keen sense of the world around us and we had exquisite survival skills. Author Harari posits that civilization, agriculture, and technology have made human lives worse, more routine, narrower. He supports his claim with many anthropological observations although I am not convinced. I would be pretty unhappy without AC, Ibuprofen, and Tex-Mex. He believes that the reason humans, particularly our species of human, Homo sapiens, rose to world domination not because of our bigger brains or opposable thumbs (something other animals have, too) but because we uniquely learned how to communicate (speech) in a more detailed manner and were willing to create and collaborate in unnaturally large groups with shared ideas, like nations, religions, agriculture, or industry. Perhaps my favorite twists in his thinking, however, is that our concept of domestication may be backwards, that some life forms ````
we feel we have domesticated may have conversely, actually domesticated us. Take wheat, originally a relatively localized grass in The Fertile Crescent upon which humans have become so dependent that wheat has spread and prospered around the world. Did wheat actually do a great job of using us to spread wheat worldwide? Same for chickens, a local southeast Asian bird that is now worldwide, outnumbering even humans. Humans have worked to care for, feed, protect, and cultivate some species so well that an alien might wonder who is really in charge. Kind of silly, but it does make you think from a different perspective.
I get that same thought when I’m cleaning up barns on a weekend morning when I could be at the lake, or making a nice breakfast, or sleeping late! But, no! There I am with a rake and a shovel, cleaning out of the barns what the alpacas left overnight. They didn’t bother to walk away from the barn fans and take it outside because they know their domesticated human will clean, deliver food, and spray off the floor – which consequently cools down the barn. They are probably thinking the bigger mess we make, the cooler the barn will be when our human is done cleaning. So, Mr. Harari, I see at least one of your points!
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.
A Child’s Perspective on Practice
I had an interesting conversation with one of my young, 10-yearold students recently. The studio had been closed for a brief holiday break and I had not seen this student for two weeks. When he returned to his weekly lesson at the studio, he surprised me by showing me that he had learned even more than I had expected—on his own.
I clapped delightedly when he showed me what he had developed in home practice.
“You learned much more since I saw you at your last lesson. How did you do that?”
“I practiced,” he answered proudly. Here was my opportunity! I could now steer our discussion to the definition of effective practice and reinforce how it leads to learning mastery.
“What did you do? What do you mean by ‘practice’?” I asked.
He thought a bit before he answered, “You can practice in two ways. There is the kind of practice when students come to their lesson and practice with you.” I thought this described students who did very little practice in between lessons, and I nodded in agreement. Yes, this was one way to “practice”.
by Casey Harrison, LDT, CSLDS, CALT-QIT
He continued, “The other kind of practice is when the student practices at home and then comes to their lesson to practice even more with you at their lesson.”
Wow! This young student truly understands the practice concept. Children often see things so clearly. I hope we can all see the wisdom and value in his ```
by Paula E. Bird
final words. We can do the work ourselves at home in between lessons and continue to build on our progress at our lessons. This is the road to mastery, no matter what the learning subject is. Summer is a wonderful time to learn a musical instrument. Join the Wildflower Music Studio (violin, piano, guitar, early childhood) and begin your journey of learning and practicing.
Paula E. Bird has taught in the Wimberley area for over 20 years. Recently retired from Texas State University and the Austin Symphony, she has performed at Carnegie Hall as a founding member of the Artisan String Quartet. Joined by her business partner, musician Ian Lee, the pair serves over 100 students in the Central Texas area. Contact her at birdtull@prodigy.net or (512) 694-7687.
Write This Way: How Parents Can Boost Handwriting (and Reading!) Skills Over the Summer
Handwriting is more than just a motor skill; it is a powerful bridge to success in reading and writing. Like reading, writing must be taught explicitly and systematically. However, many students receive limited handwriting instruction in school or time for practice, and most teachers report minimal training in how to teach it
effectively (Graham et al., 2023). This is where parents play a crucial role in empowering their children’s learning journey, especially during the summer.
We know that knowledge of letter names and fluency in kindergarten are among the strongest predictors of future reading success (Catts et al., 2015). But how does handwriting play a role?
When children are explicitly taught how to form letters and how those letters correspond to sounds, they store this information as linguistic symbols in the brain’s language center (Berninger & Wolf, 2015). Writing each letter with correct formation builds a motor memory that becomes automatic over time. This automaticity is crucial: when students can quickly and effortlessly form letters, they free up mental energy to focus on spelling, organizing thoughts, and composing ideas.
Summer offers a unique opportunity for parents to build handwriting foundations in fun, relaxed ways. Begin with fine motor play: string beads, peel stickers, use tweezers, or sort small items. These activities build the pincer grasp using the thumb and
pointer finger, essential for pencil control. These activities’ relaxed and enjoyable nature will make the learning process exciting for parents and children.
When ready to write, support posture (feet flat, knees and hips at 90 degrees) and teach correct pencil grip. Then offer frequent, short sessions to explicitly teach and practice letter formation, ensuring the letters are formed correctly each time and linking the letter to the sound. These short, frequent sessions are practical and manageable, instilling confidence in parents about their ability to support their child’s learning.
By combining playful activities with intentional handwriting practice, parents can help children gain the confidence and skills they need to write well and read and think more fluently.
Learn more about handwriting and literacy success at WimberleyDyslexiaCenter.com or Casey@WimberleyDLC.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. She works with parents, teachers, and PK-12th grade students at her private practice, providing dyslexia therapy, literacy instruction, consultations, resources, and training. She sits on the National Board atlarge of the Academic Language Therapy Association. Her podcast, Together in Literacy, focuses on dyslexia, literacy instruction, and the whole child. Author of Teaching Beyond the Diagnosis - Empowering Students with Dyslexia Through the Science of Reading (release 2025). She resides in Wimberley, Texas, with her husband, their three daughters, and many animals in their little slice of the country.
Water, Breathing, and Movement
I’ve gotten to the point where I believe that we need more water, breathing, and movement to avoid illness. These are huge factors in healing. They are very basic and do-able, but very easily neglected.
Water and breathing are all about taking in the new and washing out the old. Movement releases toxins, stress, and gets rid of all sorts of clogs. A full range of motion in every joint ensures all parts of the body are moving and being supplied with fresh nutrients.
Obviously, a lot of unclogging and healing is done in yoga. When we become more in tune with our bodies, we gain more awareness of the signals they are giving us about our needs. Emotions can constrict muscles and letting go unclogs both the mind and body. We have had numerous students tell us that they have gotten rid of pain, are able to do more, and able to enjoy more because of their yoga practice.
I recently had karate student come up and tell me that her back has stopped hurting because of her training. This is not surprising, as it happens all the time. Another student had been told that he had needed back surgery. Instead, he started karate. Karate alleviated his pain and nine years later he is still pain free.
by Robert Donnelly, DDS
The advantage of karate over yoga –and many other sports – is that it provides a full body stretch, full body strengthening, slow-control and rapid movement, and both cardio and meditative workouts. Yoga does not have the cardio that karate has and most
sports are more demanding on an isolated muscle group, creating imbalances in the body. A yoga student can increase cardio activity by intensifying the practice or going for brisk walks. This is a great combination. Athletes can create more balance by playing many different sports. No matter what movement you choose, taking in more water, especially in the morning, and doing some breathing sessions during the day can be helpful to anyone.
Sarah is the owner of Wimberley Karate and Yoga Studio near Blue Hole and OnlineSeniorsYoga.com. Their yoga, Tach Chi, and karate classes especially cater to Seniors. The first class is free. Go check them out. by Sarah
Wimberley Karate and Yoga Studio
Sarah Geenberg 512 971 8528
501 Old Kyle Road
WimberleyKarateYoga.com
The Effects of Acid Erosion
The loss of tooth enamel due to acid erosion and acid wear is a growing epidemic. Studies have found that 22% of U.S. adults say they experience acid erosion, which can cause tooth sensitivity, transparency, discoloration, and more.
Acid erosion occurs when acid in the foods and drinks you consume wears away your enamel which is the white-looking outer covering of the tooth. Erosion exposes your teeth’s inner layers, which increases sensitivity and makes them more susceptible to cavities or decay. It also can leave your teeth looking cracked, transparent, and discolored. Acid erosion also can occur as a result of your teeth’s exposure to stomach acids due to some medical conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease and bulimia. In addition, environmental factors, including friction (bruxism) and abrasion (brushing too hard) can cause erosion. Signs and symptoms of acid erosion include sensitivity, discoloration, rounded teeth, transparency, cracks and cupping, or small dents that may appear on the chewing surface of your teeth.
You can reduce sensitivity at home by using specially formulated toothpaste or over-the-counter enamel-building products. These products are designed to reharden (remineralize) tooth enamel to 11111
Geenberg
make it more resistant to acid. However, there are no products that can reverse the damage caused by erosion. At our dental office, if the enamel loss is minimal, we may apply a bonding material that will protect your teeth and improve appearance. If the enamel loss is significant, we may recommend covering it with a crown.
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!
J. Robert Donnelly, D.D.S.
Master of the Academy of General Dentistry 1337 Thorpe Lane San Marcos, Texas 78666
512 396 5225 Fax: 512 396 7022
SanMarcosDental.com
Home Tasks
by Alice Lebkuecher
We’ve all been there — spotting a task that needs to be done around the house and then choosing not to take care of it right away. Unfortunately, skipping certain home maintenance tasks — whether they’re not urgently threatening or
just jobs that need to be taken care of seasonally — can result in much bigger problems down the line.
Water Leaks Water leaks can cause significant damage to your home. Ignoring them can lead to mold growth, structural issues, higher water bills, electrical hazards, and costly harm to your home and belongings.
Infestations No one wants to live with infestations of any kind, whether it’s something small like termites or something a bit larger and a lot furrier, like rodents — both of which can cause major issues for your home and safety.
Cleaning Gutters The dreaded task of cleaning gutters should be done twice a year unless there’s heavy tree cover around your home, in which case, every three months is advisable. Pine needles and small leaves can clump together, creating blockages that may cause water damage to your roof, siding, foundation, and landscaping.
Tree Trimming Untrimmed trees can become overgrown, diseased, and dangerous. Dead or broken branches can fall, causing injuries or property damage, and overgrown trees are often messy and unsightly. In general, trees should be trimmed every two to five years, but some may require maintenance more or less frequently.
Checking for Mold You should inspect your home for mold at least once a year, or more frequently if there are risk factors. Mold risk factors include high humidity, poor ventilation, past water damage, condensation, damp basements, and faulty gutters.
Changing HVAC Filters It’s not something most people think about, but it’s important to regularly change the HVAC filter in your home. As a general rule of thumb, you should change the filter every 30 to 90 days — if you can’t remember the last time it was done, you’re probably due for a replacement.
This article was adapted from an article found on Living Simple
Alice Gumbert Lebkuecher is a sales agent with Keller Williams Realty, Partners in Real Estate, in Wimberley. She works with both buyers and sellers in Wimberley and surrounding areas. To contact her, call her cell at 713 253 1311 or by email at AliceinWimberley@gmail.com.
How to Get Your Home Sold
and 43% offered incentives such as home warranties or closing costs. Twenty-five percent of homes that were on the market for 17 weeks or longer reduced the price four times or more.
by AJ Harwood
Make sure the price is right. Pricing a listing competitively from the beginning is the best way to attract buyers, but sellers can also spark some interest with a strategic price reduction. If you have had little buyer activity and no offers after 60 days in
today’s marketplace, it may be time to lower the price in order to appeal to active buyers in your area.
Don’t wait too long to make an adjustment if it becomes clear that the current listing price may be too high. If a competing property is reduced first, your higher price could make your property less attractive to buyers. Also, you may want to review the current condition and curb appeal of your home. Small changes could result in major results.
Keep in mind that the longer a home sits on the market the more likely it is to be perceived as undesirable. Buyers may start to assume there is something wrong even if it was simply overpriced next to the competition. Delaying a price reduction could end up costing you — if your property takes several months longer to sell; you still have to pay the mortgage, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc. Price cuts become par for the course. Sixty percent of sellers said they reduced their asking price at least once
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 Hill Country area. If you’re thinking of selling, call me today! Experience matters.
This information is designed to provide a brief overview of the subject matter covered and is offered for general educational and informational purposes only. Sources: NAR 2015 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Used with permission by the Buffini & Company.
Allison “AJ” Harwood, JD, MBA, GRI, is the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX REAL PROPERTIES and a Top Producing Agent in the Texas Hill Country areas. 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!
pARTners
By Tom Wiley
It’s interesting how two people on opposite sides of the world can come together, then years later arrive in Wimberley to pursue their art. Or maybe that sort of thing happens in Wimberley all the time!
Tim Leibrock was encouraged by his mother, Betty McGuire, an accomplished artist. When he and his brother were young, she would supply them with art supplies and say, “Boys, go entertain yourselves.”
Through his father’s position in the Air Force, the family lived in Japan from 1966 to 1969. Tim’s mother spent that time experiencing Japanese art. Her work left an influential effect on him. Tim obtained a Commercial Art degree in 1975. A family friend offered a chance to move to Kyoto, Japan, to study kimono dyeing and design. He pursued this art for eight years.
One opportunity which would impact Tim’s art today was when he joined some Kyoto artists in Plein Air painting, capturing a sunrise over a lake or other outdoor scenes in the Japanese landscapes. Another opportunity was when he first saw Yuko, his future wife, at a coffee shop. They would reconnect three years later when they again met at some friends’ wedding. Tim graciously gave her a ride home on his motorcycle.
Yuko Leibrock enjoyed painting as early as elementary school. But students were restricted to using only watercolor. An elective high school art class was discouraging, so her pursuit of art was temporarily shelved. When the couple moved to Houston, Yuko was consumed by her job. Tim’s mother lived in Wimberley at the time and was involved in the Art League and a local gallery. At her wake in 2012, Tim and Yuko recognized her impact on the Wimberley art scene and how special the town was.
After a short spell in California, Tim and Yuko moved to Wimberley. Tim remembered how impressed he was with the Hill Country landscape in Kerrville when he was a high school student. He also remembered those Plein Air experiences in Kyoto. With the scenic beauty of the Texas Hill Country as part of his home now, he and a group of local artists formed Wimberley Plein Air, which is celebrating its fifth year.
With her arrival in Wimberley, Yuko felt her art inspirations were adrift. That changed when she met Linda Jacobson at Wildflower Art Gallery and took lessons from her at Casa de Linda Art Studio. Since then, she studied under artists Lilli Pell and Elizabeth Locke. Yuko’s former work in business and accounting led her to become treasurer for the Wimberley Valley Art League and helping with the Art League Gallery and Wimberley Arts Fest. She is also the bookkeeper for Art On 12 Gallery, where she and Tim share a wall of their work. It seems that this special place known as Wimberley has a way of collecting special people like Tim and Yuko Leibrock, partners in art!
Want to entertain summer out-of-town guests? Send them on the Wimberley Boot Trail. Information & map at BootifulWimberley.com.
Tree Lightning Protection Systems
Storms in Central Texas remind us of a related issue regarding trees and safety: lightning damage. Our business has installed a number of tree lightning protection systems in Central Texas, but how do you know if you need one and how exactly do those systems work? The following information provides answers to these questions.
Every year in the United States, more than a million trees are struck by lightning. Some of those trees sustain little damage, but others are killed immediately, or they sustain enough damage that they eventually die from boring insects and other secondary invaders. Many people are unaware that a lightning strike to a tree can damage nearby structures as well. This can happen when lightning that strikes a tree side-flashes or jumps to more conductive materials, such as metal downspouts.
The National Fire Protection Association Standards indicate that candidates for lightning protection systems include trees that are within ten feet of a structure, are taller than the structure, or have limbs over the structure; trees of historic interest or high value; trees in recreational areas (under which people tend to gather during storms); and trees prone to strikes due to their location on a hill, in a pasture, or near water. I should note that
trees equipped with lightning protection systems should not be considered safe havens from storms. The likelihood of damage from lightning is greatly reduced for such trees but not guaranteed.
Tree lightning protection systems work by installing conductors and connecting them to a ground rod. This directs the electrical charge to the earth where the
energy is dispersed. Properly installed according to ANSI (American National Standards Institute) A300 standards, these systems have proven very effective in protecting trees and reducing risk of side flash.
Annual inspection of tree lightning protection systems by a qualified arborist is advised. As a tree grows, conductors may need to be extended and fasteners replaced.
Joe grew up in Charlotte, Michigan, as a second-generation arborist. He attended Texas State, joining Bartlett while he was there. Joe worked 5 years as an arborist climber and crew leader, transitioning to Arborist Representative. He and his family love spending time on the San Marcos river. Visit Bartlett.com or call 512 392 1089 to schedule an appointment. by Joe Harris
Service Call Checklist
by Randy Lawrence
As with any major appliance, a water softener can occasionally have problems which are beyond the abilities of the homeowner. There are some simple things you should check before scheduling a service call. They could save you an unnecessary expense.
First, make sure that the unit is plugged into an outlet that has power. Sometimes a tripped breaker or GFCI can cut power to the softener. Often, houses are wired so that one GFCI outlet can cut power to several other outlets, so the reset button could be in a different location.
The next item to check is the bypass valve. This takes different forms depending on the type of softener you have, but is typically a quarter-turn valve, or a plunger style handle. The bypass valve should be in the service position for soft water. You should make sure that there is salt, or potassium, in the brine tank. It is important to know that, if the unit should run out of salt completely, it can be several days before the softener will get back on track. You can initiate a manual regeneration to speed up the process. You should never have to add water to a brine tank, as the softener is set to add a specific amount of water during the regeneration cycle.
On a related note, if low flow is the issue, be sure that your whole house pre-filter (if you have one) is not clogged. If you
have checked these basics, and still have a problem, it may be time to contact a licensed professional.
It’s worth noting that there are two basic types of service providers: technicians and parts-changers. The technician truly understands the technology and function of the appliance, and actually wants to determine the source of your problem. The technician also cares to make sure that you understand the problem, what caused it, and how to avoid future issues. The much more common parts-changer is simply repeating learned actions in hopes of solving a problem. This can prove to be costly when unnecessary parts, or equipment, are replaced.
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 25 years of experience he has serviced Wimberley and surrounding areas for over a decade.
“When you want quality, call a pro.”
Pitfalls of Annuity Products: Understanding the Hidden Challenges
Annuities are often promoted as reliable solutions for retirement, offering steady income streams. However, they come with significant drawbacks that require careful consideration before making a commitment.
Complexity and Costs Annuity contracts are notoriously complex, filled with technical terms that can confuse even savvy investors. Variable annuities, in particular, include numerous fees —such as mortality, administrative, and management fees—that can erode returns. Additional costs for optional riders, like guaranteed income benefits, further reduce potential gains. Moreover, surrender charges penalize early withdrawals, sometimes lasting up to 10 years with fees as high as 10%.
Illiquidity and Tax Implications Funds invested in annuities are relatively illiquid, making it challenging to access money for emergencies without incurring surrender charges or tax penalties. While annuities offer tax-deferred growth, withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, which can be higher than capital gains taxes. Early withdrawals before age 59½ also incur a 10% penalty.
Inflation and Insurer Risks Fixed annuities do not adjust for inflation, causing income to lose purchasing power over time. While inflation-protection riders are available, they come at an extra cost. Additionally, annuity income depends on the financial stability of the issuing insurer. In the event of the insurer’s insolvency, income streams may be jeopardized despite state guaranty protections.
Limited Flexibility and Sales Practices
Annuities often lack flexibility, making it difficult to adapt investments or access funds without penalties. Aggressive marketing and high commissions can lead to sales practices that prioritize advisors' profits over clients' best interests.
While annuities can be useful in retirement planning, their high costs, illiquidity, and other risks make them unsuitable for most. Thorough research and consultation with a fiduciary financial advisor are essential to determine if an annuity aligns with individual financial goals.
Scott G. Hackett, CFP® is the president of the Hackett Financial Group LLC (HFG), a fee-only registered investment advisor. Visit HackettFinancialGroup.com or reach out at 512 847 0630. Email Scott at Scott@HackettFinancialGroup.com.
Family Settlement Agreements in Probate
by Carrie Campbell, J.D.
The purpose of our probate courts is to provide for the peaceful resolution of disputes and to protect those who are vulnerable in the process of determining who manages and inherits assets after someone dies. Whenever possible, the
courts prefer that families work together to address problems since such solutions are far more likely to be effective than an order imposed by a judge. Family Settlement Agreements are therefore respected and enforced, if the need arises. Such agreements must be in writing and signed by all the parties affected.
Within probate, there are several common issues that families choose to resolve within a written Family Settlement Agreement. For example, a will may disinherit or exclude a particular family member. To avoid a will contest or simply to keep peace within the family, all members included in and excluded from the will may agree to include all siblings, stepchildren or grandchildren as fits their particular family's dynamics. A handwritten will may fail to name an executor. In such cases, all the distributees of the will can agree who should be the executor and whether they should serve with or without bond. A will may gift an asset that is impractical for those who inherit, such as joint ownership of a ``````
home. The persons inheriting can agree to sell the home or allow one of the joint owners to buy out the others, an outcome that is much preferred to figuring out how to pay for taxes or repairs, or manage occupancy/use fairly.
In previous decades, when estate taxes affected middle class families, trusts were often created to minimize those taxes. Currently, the estate tax is over $13 million for an individual and $26 million for a married couple. Therefore, for the vast majority of Texans, the expense, hassle, and bureaucracy of maintaining a trust has no corresponding benefit. Accordingly, many families agree to defund or terminate a trust to simplify inheritance and protect property tax exemptions.
If you have questions about family settlement agreements, you should consult with an attorney experienced in probate and estate planning.
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. To contact Carrie, call 512 847 1308 or CarrieC1970@gmail.com.
Litigation: Guessing What the Law Is
Recently, after hearing a former chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court and a current justice sitting on the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals discuss their experiences as appellate judges, my wife and I had a discussion about interaction between state and federal courts. This included a rather interesting fact about guessing.
The context was that when a case which turns on state law rather than federal law is filed in a federal court, the federal court applies the law of the state except for the procedural and evidentiary laws. That way, the federal court works in its customary framework of how it proceeds with a case but decides the case as state law dictates. The federal court then looks to see what the state law is and applies it. So, where does the guessing come into this picture?
Occasionally, a case filed in federal court requires determination as to what the Texas law is, but the Texas law may be unclear. Sometimes two or more of our state Courts of Appeals (COA), may have considered the same issue but arrived at different interpretations. If that issue has not been addressed by our highest state appellate court, the Texas Supreme Court (TSC), then the issue is unsettled in Texas, so here we go - federal judges: let’s guess what the TSC would decide if this issue were presented to it. The “guess” is actually a somewhat informed decision as the court examines the conflicting Texas COA decisions, or, if none, the potentially relevant Texas court opinions that might shed
light on the issue, seeking insight as to what the TSC might ultimately do if that issue were before it.
There is an alternate route the federal
by Roland Brown
court can take which is to certify the question to the TSC. That process asks the TSC to render its opinion on the issue and advise the certifying federal court as to what that opinion is. However, the rules provide that the TSC can decline the request, leaving the federal court with no option but to guess.
How does the federal court decide whether to just guess or to certify? It’s complicated – lol! Considerations include the complexity of the question being considered, the importance of the question in deciding the case, how complex the certification process is under the state’s rules, and whether it seems appropriate to let the state court decide the question rather than the federal court simply guessing. Got it? No? Oh well – lol!
Attorney Roland Brown handles exclusively personal injury claims. Roland, who offices in Wimberley, has been voted HAYS COUNTY’S BEST PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY for 2020, 2021, and 2023 in annual polls of Hays County attorneys. For more information call 512 847 2500.
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