Camy is a native Texan and mom of three who has lived in Jarrell since 2009. She serves her community as a director on the Sonterra MUD Board, is on the board for the Jarrell Education Foundation, on the District and Igo's Educational Improvement Committees, and founded the local Facebook group Mom Tribe Jarrell that has over 1,400 members.
Janet Hage has been part of the Jarrell community for almost 30 years. She has been involved in community fundraisers, campaigns, and committees; volunteered with JISD, and worked for the City for more than seven years. She is a development partner of NW Wilco, LLC and serves on the Community Library Board of Directors. Janet focuses her energy on serving, giving back, and uniting the community in positive ways.
Ann Marie Kennon • Charlotte Kovalchuk
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Linda A. Thornton • Emily Tilly
GRAPHICS & DESIGN
Sandra Evans
• Zion Eaton
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Christianna Bettis
DISTRIBUTION
IT/WEBMASTER
• David Schumacher
• Jesse Payne
CONSULTANT • W. Ben Daniel
As we enjoy the sights and smells of spring in the air and one of the handful of truly delightful Texas weather months, we start to think of the many ways things come alive in the warm weather. So, it’s time to revamp our routines and embrace any fresh starts you may have been thinking about during the winter months. For starters, Landscape Designs and Lawn Care shares their tried-andtrue tips and tricks to help prepare your yard for growing success all season long!
The Jarrell Chamber of Commerce is experiencing tremendous growth and the new board and president are excited to share with our readers their vision and plans for 2023. Their annual gala is coming up and you won’t want to miss it, so grab your tickets now.
We’ve also decided to be early adopters of the latest in charcuterie boards (spoiler alert: It involves butter!) so don’t wait another month to find a way to spread the love, maybe on St. Patrick’s Day, or your first spring brunch. Creativity and unique new flavor mixes await.
It’s always a pleasure to spend time with County Commissioner Russ Boles and Constable Paul Leal. Their leadership and involvement in the community are much needed and I appreciate all they have done and will continue to do for us here in Precinct 4. I was happy they joined me and EDC President Traci Anderson for the groundbreaking of the C. Bud Stockton Loop extension.
It goes without saying, we hope this month’s issue inspires you to make positive changes in your life and try something new like hydroponic gardening for exercise, nutrition, and self-sustenance. Whether it’s picking up a new hobby or simply taking some time to relax and recharge, we hope you find something that brilliantly inspires you too.
Happy Spring!
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info@myjarrell.com 512-746-4545
MyJarrellMonthlyisa FidelisPublishingGroup,LLCpublication andaproductofAdvocateNewsTXNewspaper. Copyright©2023
All rights reserved. MyJarrellMonthly is published monthly and mailed USPS, free of charge, to homes and businesses in the 76537 zip code. Mail may be sent to My Jarrell, P.O. Box 213, Jarrell, TX 76537. Email: info@myjarrell.com
Located in the beautiful countryside, Calumet offers a variety of homes in the City of Jarrell. The Calumet Subdivision is a master planned community located at 891 W FM 487 near Jarrell High School. It is ideally located with quick access to IH 35. The subdivision offers competitively priced single-family homes, multi-family homes and townhomes to fit a variety of needs.
• Open Concept Floorplans & 2 Car Garage
• City of Jarrell Utilities
• Engineered Foundations
Located in the beautiful Jarrell, Texas countryside, Calumet offers a variety of homes in the City of Jarrell located on IH 35, 40 miles north of Austin, Texas and 12 miles north of the Williamson County seat, Georgetown.
• R13 Walls with R37 Ceiling
• Firewall Between Units
There will be 55 townhomes in the Subdivision with a variety of two and three bedroom units. They will be nicely appointed and will provide a more cost effective entry for the home buyer along with opportunities for the multi-family investor.
• Energy Efficient Features & Appliances
• Granite Counters in Kitchen & Bath
The Calumet subdivision is a Master Planned Community located at 891W FM 487 near the Jarrell High School. It is ideally located with quick access to IH 35. The Calumet Subdivision offers competitively priced single-family homes, and multifamily homes, and townhomes to fit a variety of needs.
• Landscaped Yards & Sprinkler Systems CALL
There will be 55 townhomes in the Calumet Subdivision with a variety of two and three bedroom units. They will be nicely appointed and will provide a more cost effective entry for the home buyer along with opportunities for the multi family investor.
by Charlotte Kovalchuk
In 2017, Eddie Castro and Josh Fulfer started their landscaping business, literally, from the ground up from humble beginnings using just a push mower and broom to beautify lawns. “We started off small like everyone else,” Eddie says.
With his experience mowing and treating lawns for a pest control company and Josh’s background in irrigation and landscaping, the two decided to join forces on Landscape Designs and Lawn Care. Each brought knowledge of different parts of Central Texas. Born and raised in Jarrell, Eddie knew the Jarrell, Georgetown, and Round Rock area, while Josh was familiar with Salado, Belton, and Temple. “He had a bunch of contacts up there, and I had contacts down here. That helped us grow,” Eddie says.
Today, Landscape Designs and Lawn Care has grown from “just some regular mowing company” to a full-service lawn maintenance and irrigation installation business.
Unlike many landscaping companies that drop services along the way, Landscape Designs has stayed true to its roots. Eddie says, “Usually when people grow, they start mowing lawns and do landscaping, or construction and they end up not doing lawns anymore, just landscaping or construction. They slowly but surely leave some things behind. We’ve never left anything behind.”
Providing landscaping, lawn care, irrigation installation and repair, and hardscapes, Landscape Designs and Lawn Care takes the burden of lawn maintenance off homeowners and business owners in Jarrell—including Sonterra MUD and the City of Jarrell—and surrounding communities. One of the advantages of being based in Jarrell, right next to the high school, is that their team can offer same-day service. “If someone has an emergency leak in their system, it doesn’t take us a week to get there,” Eddie says. “If you have an issue with something or need something looked at, we can go out and look at it right away.”
This year, he plans to enhance services by adding a residential customer manager. “A lot of other companies provide customer service but nine times out of 10, that same person talking to you about your yard has to go and work on a different project that week or next, and if you have questions, you’re not their main focus. We’re going to have that main focus.” Scan
Planting timeline: When it comes to deciding when to fill your yard with plants, Eddie advises Texans to be mindful of the recommended dates on products. “I always recommend—if you’re going to put plants in your bed or redo your landscape, and if you’re planning to spend a pretty penny on these plants—to play it safe and wait until April. I’ve seen people get excited when there are a couple warm days in March, and the next thing you know, there’s a random freeze and all your plants are dead. We can have a beautiful March and an early spring, but you never know in Texas.”
Pre-emergent: Pre-emergent herbicides stop weeds before they germinate and should be applied in March/April.
Insecticides: Eddie recommends using insecticides in late March/early April to guard against insects like earthworms and snails that can eat plant roots and leaves.
Fertilizer: Fertilize your lawn at least twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, to promote strong root development, encourage lush green growth, and enhance the overall health and appearance of your lawn throughout the growing season. Be sure to read ratio labels before applying fertilizer, as putting too much fertilizer will burn your grass up.
Post-emergent: Post-emergent herbicides attack weeds after they appear and should be used in September/ October.
Landscape Designs and Lawn Care is taking orders for 30-gallon live oak trees throughout March. Trees start at $350 less expensive than a typical nursery and includes delivery, Eddie says and are up to 6 to 7 feet tall. “It’s not a tiny little twig. It’s not a Charlie Brown tree. We can order any tree, whether live oak, crepe myrtle, or magnolia. You name it, we can provide it.”
Customers can email admin@scapesandlawns.com, and trees are expected to be delivered in early April.
GREAT COMMUNITIES DON’T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT
As a prominent Williamson County business leader who joined the Jarrell Chamber of Commerce in 2022, Tammy Young was all too happy to be the chamber’s chair for 2023. Her experience and drive to be intentional about Jarrell’s growth is no doubt part of what will help nurture new development in the Jarrell area. Having moved to the Austin area in 2000, she pinpoints her election to the Round Rock City Council in 2017 as a singular experience that changed her perspective on business and community relations. “Being on council completely redirected my passion into community and what goes into a good one. It allowed me to be fully engaged in the process and understand how each of us has an opportunity to impact our own city.”
Her philosophy includes taking in the "flavor" or "vibe" of a city and how it relates to the businesses there. She says, “Without a business community or without the right businesses, it’s hard to say what a city represents.”
HAVING A VIBRANT BUSINESS SECTOR, WITH A DIVERSE RETAIL AND SERVICE BASE THAT IS FAMILY-FRIENDLY, SUSTAINABLE, AND HELPFUL TO RESIDENTS AND VISITORS IS KEY.
Chamber members are taking advantage of the idea that, in Williamson County, Jarrell is part of the final frontier, and current business owners can be part of determining how the community will look in the years to come. The board recently completed a strategic planning process that looks at where Jarrell is today and what the chamber can do to be a step ahead and attract the kinds of businesses that will be best for the city. Tammy says, “We can educate ourselves and be intentional about growth or we can let it happen accidentally. Experience has taught me that accidental growth is never optimal.”
To encourage optimum growth, the chamber has developed partnerships with the EDC, Jarrell ISD, Sonterra and other MUDS, and city leadership. She says, “Jarrell is like many Williamson County communities experiencing high growth. So, we are developing programs targeted to different sectors of the business community but in such a way that they will appeal to everyone in our membership.”
Traci Anderson, chair-elect of the chamber and current president of the Jarrell EDC, is eagerly anticipating her new role in leading a pro-growth board that is dedicated to advocating for local businesses. The chamber's newly adopted tagline, "The Voice of Businesses in Jarrell," reflects her commitment to being a vocal and active presence in the community and her experience with both organizations will be a bridge that ensures businesses have ample opportunities to thrive. She says, “The chamber's efforts to establish a strong foundation now will enable us to take advantage of future growth opportunities and attract talented staff members.”
The new chamber board also held the first Ambassador Committee meeting, led by Tiffany Oliver, who led discussions about the interdependence of the 76537 community and neighboring areas in Williamson County. She says, “I expect to see great things because we are not only memorializing and reminiscing about where Jarrell came from, we are highlighting where we’re going and what we want to be.”
Tiffany has also found new ways to integrate social media into chamber campaigns, operations, and events. She says, “Social media is ubiquitous and the way many of us communicate. During COVID we had to learn how to co-exist in a digital world. We’re coming out of that, but we’ve adapted our online communication into the way we do business today—staying connected to people we wouldn’t be able to reach out to, regularly, in more traditional ways.”
She is also stepping up a notch for ribbon cuttings—posting them live on Facebook—and her efforts are paying off with volumes of positive feedback. As we spoke, she was on her way to Florence to entertain business owners eager to join the Jarrell
Chamber and replicate the success Jarrell is having. “We are trying to renew the vivaciousness that Williamson County is all about. Communities that are closed off will not be successful and there’s no reason for us not to help each other grow.”
The chamber is hosting its annual fundraiser gala, which is open to the public. Tammy adds, “Everyone is invited to be part of the energy and momentum. It is a great way to learn about how local government works, what an EDC does, and what tools are available to all of us to build a great community.” Traci says, “The annual gala will provide members with a glimpse into the chamber's plans and demonstrate that their dues are being well stewarded. With new businesses and entrepreneurs flocking to the area, it's an exciting time for the Jarrell Chamber of Commerce to cement its role as a vital player in the local economy.”
Scan the code to learn more about and join the chamber, and check for updates about the gala, April 22 at the Schwertner Event Center.
Once you are ready to put your home on the market, it’s important to price it to sell and to close at your initial price. Many factors contribute to the value of your home, understanding all that those are is critical.
The best way to assess the current market value of your home is by asking a REALTOR® to conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). The CMA is free and helps determine the fair market value of your home based on evaluation of recently sold homes in your neighborhood that match your home’s age, features, and size.
Location – A desirable location (proximity to desirable amenities) adds quite a bit of value.
Seller Needs – Is there a need to sell quickly? Is the sale contingent on another sale?
Season - More homes are listed between spring and summer, creating more competition.
Condition of the Home – Does the home have strong curb appeal or attractive features?
Other Factors – Current interest rates, economic conditions, schools, etc.
254-228-9870
lara.ingalsbe@outlook.com
LaraIngalsbe.com
Days on Market (DOM) – The number of days a property has been listed on the market. A higher DOM can indicate an unrealistic sales price.
Inventory – The number of homes for sale on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). A small inventory indicates a high demand, therefore higher prices.
Seller’s Market – A real estate market characterized by small inventory available and short DOM. It’s common for multiple offers to be made on properties, sometimes exceeding the sale price.
Buyer’s Market – Occurs when sales slow, and inventory accumulates. This market is characterized by high DOM and falling sales prices, giving buyers greater opportunities.
Balanced Market – Usually a transitional phase between a seller’s and buyer’s market when neither party has an advantage over the other.
Median Sales Price – The midpoint between the most expensive house and the least expensive house sold in an area during the specific time.
Price Discount – The difference, usually expressed as a percentage, between the initial list price for a home and the final sale price.
While the market has changed in the last six months, Central Texas is still a very desirable area and there are buyers in the market who need homes. Understanding the factors that contribute to the value of your home and partnering with a real estate agent will result in reaching the goals for the sale of your home.
since 2020, consumers have reacted and adapted to shortages of toilet paper, disinfectant, beef, yeast and flour, lumber, canned soup, and more. Even now we are wishing for affordable eggs and hoping shortages won’t continue or get worse.
As the potential for food insecurity looms, it is no surprise that more than half of all American households spend time in some type of gardening activity for enjoyment or sustenance. Fortunately, the average garden provides $600 in produce in one year and, as an added bonus, children are more likely to eat vegetables they grew themselves.
So, if you are ready to embark on a soothing hobby for the whole family, a great way to get exercise, and improve your self-sufficiency, hydroponic gardening is a great way to get started.
The basic concept of hydroponics is growing plants—without dirt in nutrient-infused water to suit different needs, spaces, and availability of resources.
Hydroponics have increased in popularity because the plants are high quality, take up less space, and require fewer resources than traditional gardening. Because hydroponic plants do not have to use energy to find food, they spend more time growing. You can also grow, and mix, plants in small spaces or even indoors year-round. There are many fruits, vegetables, and herbs that can thrive in the smallest of spaces, no yard required.
You can assemble and build a simple garden in a day’s work using anything from PVC pipe and plastic cups, to plastic or styrofoam bins and pots. For growing, just add clay pebbles, water pump, plant ties, and seedlings to your shopping list. You can review expert plans at gardeningheavn.com/diy-hydroponics and thealternativedaily.club.
All you need is a level and enclosed structure or room, or an outdoor patio or deck with a wind barrier. Be mindful of extreme cold outside, and provide lighting if you plant inside.
When you get your seedlings home, soak the root ball in a bucket and separate the roots to remove all of the soil. Any soil left on the roots could clog the holes in the nutrient tubes or cups.
Hydroponics are great for crops that need a lot of water to produce a lot of fruit; think tomatoes, cucumbers, and melons.
To help your garden self-sustain, also consider sweet potatoes. Cuttings from a sweet potato vine grow well when placed in water, with good light and a consistent temperature. Their rapid growth is supported by ammonia and nitrates so the vine will convert toxins in your nutrient solutions.
For an outside garden, be sure to keep the water reservoir in a location with as little direct sunlight as possi-
ble. This will inhibit the growth of algae in the nutrient solution.
You can also support tomato growth with aspirin. Mix one tablet in a gallon of water and spray twice a month to prevent blight and wilt.
Styrofoam coolers are best lined with plastic or trash bags to keep water from seeping out, and light from seeping in.
Pool noodle cuttings make great plant stabilizers; they do not lose their shape or rigidity in water.
Whether indoors or out, it is important to look for signs of pests and diseases; chewed leaves and fungal diseases. Since the leaves of the plants never get wet (unless it rains), they’re much less likely to get leaf fungus, mildew and mold. But, because of their size and proximity, one sick plant can quickly damage others remove them immediately.
Even if growing hydroponic, insects and caterpillars can always find a way into the garden, so be sure to pick off and dispose of any bugs you see.
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Easter, April 9th
8:45 AM FAMILY WORSHIP
10:00AM
WORSHIP & KID MINISTRY
11:30 AM
ADORACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL CON MINISTERIO PARA NIÑOS
Saturday, April 1st, 1:00-4:00 pm
Egg Hunt, Games, Bounce House & More!
Pre-Register for Egg Hunt with QR Code
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS
6:00-8:00 PM
Fun, Games, Food, Friends, Worship, Devotional & more!
YOUTH
6th-12th Grade Every Wednesday
KIDS 4 CHRIST
1st-5th Grade First Wednesday each Month
UPWARDS PRESCHOOL
12 Months - 5 Years Tuesday & Thursday
RESCUE ISLAND VBS
June 5th-8th, 6-8:30pm
Registration April-May
Jarrell is wonderfully situated to provide us access to a cornucopia of family-friendly activities in every season. This month, many of us will be looking for great spring break activities and looking ahead to summer camps and vacation plans. Following is a short list of some of the area's most popular destinations and a few hidden gems that are close by or just a short drive away.
Thinkery is an interactive indoor/outdoor space where children of all ages can learn through play. Designed specifically for children from infancy through 11 years old, Thinkery uses hands-on, interactive STEAM exhibits and programs to encourage physical, emotional, and cognitive growth.
Outside, children can play in flowing water or build strength on the three-story climbing apparatus. Inside, they can paint on glass or draw with light, watch electricity work, or share engineer duties on a model train. Scan the code for their spring break camp.
1830 Simond Ave Austin • Admission required • Open every day
Topsey is a natural, free-range safari and petting zoo on 350 acres in the Hill Country. Guests can see a great variety of exotic domestic and wild animals from around the world, some of which are endangered and even extinct in the wild. Located about an hour from Jarrell, visitors can feed animals all day long for $1 per bag. Everything is well-maintained, well-marked, very clean. There is also an air-conditioned gift shop with games, toys, snacks and drinks, and apparel; some purchases help support conservation efforts outside the ranch.
945 CR 118, Copperas
Cove • All-day admission
Open every day
This park was designed to enable and entertain kids while they develop new skills. While specially designed to accommodate neuroatypical and special needs children, Play for All is a safe and exciting place for all. There are dozens of apparatus and theme sections to stimulate creativity and help develop gross and fine motor skills, physical strength, and social interaction.
151 N A.W. Grimes Blvd, Round Rock • FREE Open every day 6am-midnight
Cordovan is right on the Square in Georgetown and has classes year round for painters and sculptors. In addition to their morning, afternoon, or all-day classes, registration is open now for St. Patrick's Day and Easter paint and pottery events. Plus, their spring break and summer camps have morning, afternoon, or all-day options for kids to paint anything from Pixar to Pikachu and all the dragons and woodsy animals in between.
816 S Main St., Georgetown • Fees required Open every day
The Austin Steam Train Association combines nostalgic style with modern comfort. Genuine locomotives depart from Cedar Park and Bertram depots nearly every weekend, and they have nearly 100 special and annual events for all ages. Train cars are typical of those used in the 1920s to 1940s, they are air-conditioned, and include a concession car with refreshments and souvenirs. Local rail aficionados have recreated a historically authentic passenger experience for families and train-lovers alike who wish to enjoy seasonal or scenic weekend excursions.
401 E Whitestone Blvd. #C-100, Cedar Park • Tickets required
iFly invented a recirculating wind tunnel that allows guests to experience flight in a safe and controlled environment. Certified and trained instructors allow people of all ages (40" tall and under 300 lbs) to enjoy 60-second flight sessions. They also do birthday parties and special events.
13265 N US 183 • Fees required, packages available
The Jungle Movement Academy specializes in movement arts like parkour, ninja warrior, aerials, trampoline, rock climbing, and martial arts. Kids will never sleep better after playing games, running obstacle courses, swinging on ropes and rings, jumping on trampolines, doing flips into the foam pit, climbing the rock walls and more. The academy has one day, half- and full-day camps for spring break and summer vacation, plus after-school programs all year.
2701 Gattis School Rd, Round Rock • Fees required Open every day
This indoor water park is designed for kids age 1-10 but has plenty of room for parents to join in the play. A 10,000-square-foot building houses an interactive water play structure with slides and a large dump bucket. Ideal for young children to enjoy as there are no water depths outside of the slideouts.
1801
Lane,
Blue Hills Ranch in Texas is a perfect destination for families who love the outdoors. The resort is rife with scenic beauty and a tranquil atmosphere—and who doesn't want to have lunch with a giraffe or swim with an otter? The ranch offers private, luxury safaris on which groups will be up close with kangaroos, mini donkeys, zebras, camels, and free roaming cows, deer, and emu. Their rustic cabins provide a close-to-home glamping experience, with stunning sunsets, but with A/C and wi-fi! Kids can enjoy the wildlife and scenic vistas while engaging in a range of activities. They can have a chance to learn about animals, from the horses at the stables to the fish in the pond. An excellent destination for families seeking a break from suburban life but want to stay close to home. Even if you don't decide to go today, call the number just to hear the voice mail—it's priceless.
Today, the nation and the world recognize Texas' Lone Star State flag but most Texans know there is much more to Texas vexillology. Our modern history began back in the 16th century, is entwined with that of five nations, and includes a period of sovereignty during which Texas governed itself.
In the early 1500s, Spanish Conquistadors began exploring this lush region as they moved northward from their South American colonies. At the time, Spain was a collection of kingdoms rather than a country, and Texas was ruled by the Crown of Castile for more than 150 years.
In the 1680s, after claiming Louisiana, French explorers continued moving west from the Mississippi River and set about settling this large and strategic land mass for France. Recognizing its commercial potential, Robert de La Salle founded Fort St. Louis, a French colony along the Gulf coast, and hoped to profit from food crops and cotton.
by Ann Marie KennonUnfortunately for France, Native Americans defended their own rights to be there and killed the French colonists. After the failure of Fort St. Louis and due to continued pressure from Spaniards to keep Texas for themselves, the French colony was abandoned in 1690.
The Spanish never actually left and between 1690 and 1821, Spain built many settlements and forts across the southwest territories to accommodate Spanish settlers, missionaries, and soldiers. Spanish influence remains today in much of the culture and city names across Texas, most notably, San Antonio.
Like America against Mother England, Mexico won its own war of independence with Spain in 1821 and made Texas part of its new nation. Mexico's leaders quickly began encouraging settlers from the United States to immigrate and by 1834, Anglo settlers outnumbered Mexicans by nearly 5 to 1. However, the Texians were never happy with the dictatorship of President Santa Anna and they banded together to fight their own revolution in 1836.
IT IS ACTUALLY A MYTH (SORRY!) THAT TEXAS IS THE ONLY STATE ALLOWED TO FLY ITS FLAG AT THE SAME HEIGHT AS THE U.S. FLAG.
"ALL STATE FLAGS CAN BE FLOWN AT THE SAME HEIGHT AS THE US FLAG, AND ARE ROUTINELY FLOWN THAT WAY.
~ PETER ANSOFF, PRESIDENT, NORTH AMERICAN VEXILLOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
U.S. FLAG CODE STATES: NO ... FLAG OR PENNANT MAY BE PLACED ABOVE THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OR TO THE UNITED STATES FLAG’S RIGHT.
TEXAS CODE ALSO INDICATES THAT IF THE STATE AND U.S. FLAG ARE DISPLAYED ON THE SAME FLAGPOLE, “THE UNITED STATES FLAG SHOULD BE ABOVE THE STATE FLAG."
Motivated by losses at the Alamo and Goliad, Texas won its independence in 1836. Mexico refused to accept it but the Republic of Texas nonetheless convened its first Congress in 1836 under self-rule. Having endured nearly a decade of political turmoil, continuing conflict with Mexico and First Nations, a failing economy, and government debt, Texas began discussions with the United States to be admitted into the Union. While it existed 1836 to 1845 the Republic had two national flags. The second was the Lone Star flag, first flown December 29, 1845, when Texas joined the United States. The Lone Star flag is still recognized today as the state flag of Texas.
Texas was admitted to the Union and became the 28th state in 1845. The federal government assumed the Republic's debt and in
return, Texas lands were annexed as were other territories and claims in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Wyoming (map).
After 16 years in the Union, Texas seceded with other slave holding states and more than 70,000 Texans served in the Confederate army. Texans are known to have fought in every theater and almost every battle of the war. Texas surrendered June 2, 1865 following General Lee's surrender in Virginia and on June 19 (Juneteenth), federal forces arrived in Galveston to enforce United States law and begin the process of readmitting Texas into the Union.
Our directors are the heart of each center, with their leadership, determination and loving care. They each love their staff wholeheartedly allowing the staff a beautiful environment to love our children we serve.
britney flores
Jarrell West 1 year 3 total years in Childcare
nicola
vaughan
Belton
1 year 12 total years in Childcare
kristina taylor
Salado
1 year
17 total years in Childcare
For questions, information, or to schedule a tour visit us online at KIDSZONELEARNINGCENTER.ORG
THERE'S NO MISTAKING THE NAME OF THIS NEW FOOD TREND. MUCH EASIER TO REMEMBER—AND PRONOUNCE—THAN CHARCUTERIE, THE LATEST IN HOSTESS AND FAMILY APPETIZERS ARE BUTTER BOARDS.
Next time you’re wondering which appetizer or snack to make for a dinner party, barbecue, or even a child's birthday, you'll be happy you've discovered this low-effort, economical, delicious appetizer that only requires butter, toppings, and bread. Whether savory or sweet, butter boards are helping hostesses and busy families everywhere serve up beautiful and flavorful spreads in easy and unexpected ways.
• butter
• chives, rosemary, or basil
• Chile-infused honey
• black pepper
• fresh baguette, sliced
Spread a thick layer of butter across the board or platter.
Top with fresh herbs, hot honey, and black pepper.
Serve with baguette slices.
Since going viral just before the holiday season, butter boards are making the transition to spring entertaining and inspiring people to flex their culinary creativity with seasonal aesthetics and flavors. Butter is a great complement to nearly any finger food the options are endless and the only limits are your imagination and your personal palate.
Spreads may be sweet or savory so, depending on the occasion, you may want to start with unsalted butter and use sea salt or a variety of spices to make a custom flavor,
• 8 oz unsalted butter softened
• ½ cup fresh basil plus extra for topping
• ½ cup dill plus extra for topping
• ½ lemon zested
• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
• 4-6 slices bread for serving
or sweeten with fruit or honey for a lighter flourish.
For a savory experience, consider adding bits of vegetable, nuts, olives, or cheese. Add some heat with slices of pepper, red spice, or curry. For sweet toppings, fresh or dried fruit will pair nicely or spoon in some jam, citrus, coconut flakes, or chocolate.
Experts recommend serving with a hard bread that is easy to swipe without breaking, but any butter delivery vehicle will do including pita chips, naan dippers, crackers, pretzels, and chips.
Add softened butter to a food processor along with the herbs. Blend until smooth.
Remove and spread on a board or plate. Top with lemon zest, flaky sea salt, and extra fresh herbs. Serve with a butter knife and bread or add fresh radishes.
Trinity Catholic Church of Corn Hill
Holy Thursday April 6 7:00 pm
Good Friday April 7 3:00 & 7:00 pm
Holy Saturday April 8 8:15 pm
Easter Sunday April 9 Masses at 6:30, 8:30 & 10:30 am
8626 FM 1105, Jarrell 512-863-3020
Come celebrate with us for Holy Week & the Resurrection of the Lord LI0022951
Sure, I believe in climate change but only because that's what the planet has been doing for all of time and I'm not convinced social media is not the reason we all *believe* storms are worse now than they used to be.
I say this because 30 years... wait, I'm so old now that 30 years ago is no longer the disco era it was 1993 [headslap] and we had Internet then. Wow, okay, forty years ago, there were terrible ice storms and blizzards but we didn't know how many people lost trees and power until days later when we all dug out our driveways and went back to school to compare stories with a few close friends at most. But, during last month's freeze, there were dozens of stories on my social feeds, before the storm was even over, from people who managed to post things about having no power... without power.
I know it was a difficult time for all of us and I joke because I love, and I suppose the socially shared misery of broken trees and power lines was all about the comfort of not being in it alone. Or, it could just be a new kind of selfie contest focused on, "That's nothing, you should see how many trees we lost / hours we went without power!"
Alas, irony abounds, because ever since it happened, I knew the oak tree that gave my house an icy eight-ton hug was going to be the focus of my column this month. Not in a look-howtough-we-had-it way but, oddly, in a "Wow, there is no question watching Jason Bourne movies has done nothing to impart upon me any type of crisis response or superhero reflexes."
Writing at my desk, I heard what could only have been a freight train in my living room. No immediate run to the upstairs rooms to fling my son into the safe room, or jumping out of the chair to grab a bat or a firearm. Instead, as the clinkety-clink continued on the porch outside my office and, having grown up in a mid-Atlantic state, I continued to sit at my desk thinking, "Hm, that must have been a pretty big sheet of ice that just slid off my roof." But then the clinkety-clinking continued and I thought I might as well turn on the light to see a lovely wonder of nature on the deck. Lo and behold, there were not delicate 'let it go!' shards of ice sparking in the glow of the floodlights but I instead discovered a rather gaudy collection of bricks and shingles.
Walking gingerly among them, and realizing I had been transported from my images of Frozen into a real
life scene from Poltergeist, it occurred to me that there were several tons of lumber still perched precariously atop and sticking out of my chimney and roof. Perhaps I and my clearlynot-lightning-quick reflexes might not want to be walking underneath with a flashlight (and a camera). On the plus side, there was great potential for a Wizard of Oz picture of my feet sticking out from under a section of trunk, which might have gone viral.
No idea why there are so many movies associated with the mess in my mind. I suppose for Millennials who haven't seen Poltergeist, think Mind Flayer from Stranger Things.
Hopefully, dear readers, you are amused by or share the same sense that it is often easy to miss or not react to the obvious because it is kind of unthinkable. I've heard ice falling off the roof before so my icy Spidey-sense didn't picture Carol Ann getting sucked out the window quickly enough to see the giant tree doing its thing. But I suppose it also saved me from a brick to the head too. We'll never know.
In any case, I know I will be amused when the contractors are eventually gone and I can re-tell the story a hundred times, then take a selfie with the bill and complain about the cost on social media. I can't wait for the Likes!
Jarrell voters and drivers can celebrate the work that began on the extension of C. Bud Stockton Loop last month. The new roadway, funded with nearly $6 million in voter-approved road bonds, will connect the loop from FM 487 to CR 305 and includes constructing two lanes of a future four-lane roadway with turn lanes. The goal is to improve connectivity to the north and reduce delays along FM 487 for commuters heading to IH-35. Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles (second from left) says, “We recognize the challenges that commuters face every day, and Williamson County is committed to addressing them head-on. By investing in infrastructure that promotes mobility and accessibility, we can create more opportunities for residents and businesses to thrive. Today's groundbreaking demonstrates this community’s willingness to promote and build a more connected and prosperous community."
Charles Allen Stockton (1931-2002), or "C. Bud" as everyone in Jarrell called him, was an embodiment of Texas. Father, veteran, and educator, cowboy and entrepreneur, community servant and business leader, and among those who put wheels in motion to ensure Jarrell would always control its own destiny. Bud and his family moved to Georgetown in 1967, then to Jarrell around 1970. His son, Jeff Stockton, owns Stockton Real Estate at the same location where his parents owned and operated Bud's Western Store, which sold cowboy boots, blue jeans, and all things "cowboy" in the 1970s.
In the 1980s, without an EDC, Bud canvassed the Jarrell community to gauge their willingness to incorporate, to keep from being annexed by Georgetown. Jeff says, "Dad told them, 'This community can either control its own destiny or it will be controlled by someone else someday; we will become a subdivision of Georgetown.'" In 2000, Bud, Jeff, and a few others did the research, found an attorney, personally surveyed and drew the city lines, and... Jarrell became a City.
When the County began planning for future mobility, Jeff and his mother and sister donated family land for what is now the C. Bud Stockton Loop. When asked, they donated more, and even built a new fence to protect the cattle that still grazed where the road would go through. Jeff says, "When the City realized the totality of the donation we made, they were kind enough to offer to name the road after him. It was a tremendous honor; I believe every leader we've had in this city has been a blessing, and I'm glad our city is very financially sound, thanks to good conservative values and management. I'm proud of what we have accomplished for a city our size."
BUD BLESSED THIS COMMUNITY AND THIS COMMUNITY BLESSED HIM. VERY FEW PEOPLE GET TO SPEND TIME AROUND SOMEBODY THAT COOL.
~JEFF STOCKTON COURTESY STOCKTON FAMILY
