Georgetown View Magazine • August 2020

(P)up and Running: Dog Days 2020

Our special dog- and pet-themed articles are quite fetching!

george t own v i ew WE BUILD COMMUNITY

AUGUST 2020

Angela Lally Photography

AUSTIN’S NEWEST PREMIER WEDDING AND EVENT VENUE

Angela Lally Photography

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content s FEATURES 8 WORLD RECORD! At 103, Al Blaschke Jumps Into the Record Books 16 PET THERAPY “Smiling Visitors” Help Georgetown Residents 28 WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS” Are You Ready For Some Football?

FAVORITES 20 EXPERIENCE GEORGETOWN Shelter Pet Trends Are Positive During COVID

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PAW-SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT

Our people called Kato and Fuze’s people and we got some face time with a couple of Sheriff’s Office rock stars.

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24 HEALTHY HABITS Acupuncture: What’s the Point?

50 WHY IS THIS A THING? Guinness World Records

34 KIDS “Officer Jolly” Débuts

53 POPPY TALKS Notes To My 2019 Self

36 SAVE THE PLANET Eco-Friendly Pet Lifestyles

54 ASK THE EXPERT Cat Boarding

39 WINE 101 Acquired Tastes 40 THE NEW NORMAL Be Prepared: Not Just for Boy Scouts 42 WORTH THE DRIVE Austin Steam Train Association 46 FIVE QUESTIONS K9s Fuze and Kato

Al Blaschke, next to his grandson Kevin, on their climb to 14,000 feet. Behind them, grandson David; and friends Betty Schleder and Don Field.

ON THE COVER Al Blaschke and his tandem, Don Cameron, in free fall at Skydive Spaceland.

Photo courtesy of Skydive Spaceland

57 FACTS TO BLOW YOUR MIND How Bored Am I? 60 FOOD Celebrating Farmers’ Market Week 63 PARTING SHOT Sirius-ly Epic Skies

Visit our Facebook page for follow-ups to these stories, outtakes & hints to those upcoming...

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georgetown view Published by Optimus Media Group, LLC

PUBLISHER

Cathy Payne

cathy@georgetownview.com Like many of the best in her craft, Cathy has a specialized degree—in her case, hard science—and a gift for writing. She found her voice and fulfilment reporting and writing news and magazine features for a regional Central Texas audience.

Along with serving as the publisher of the Georgetown View, Cathy oversees multiple news magazines, marketing campaigns, and books.

EDITOR Ann Marie Ludlow Kennon AnnMarie@georgetownview.com

While not a native of Texas, Ann Marie is at home here. With a quarter-century of writing, reporting and marketing behind her, she not only writes about Georgetown, she dove into community service almost as soon as she moved here. Currently, she is on the board of the Williamson County Child Advocacy Center and Carver Elementary PTA, and a member of several support organizations.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Charlotte Kovalchuk • Greta Bauer GRAPHICS & DESIGN Ann Marie Kennon • Zion Pistole

ANN MARIE KENNON EDITOR’S NOTE

The ancient Romans called the hottest, most humid days of summer “dog days.” The name came about because they associated the hottest days of summer with the star Sirius.

Sirius was known as the “Dog Star” because it is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog).

That’s enough astronomy for the day, because I suppose while July 12 to August 20 may have been a thing in ye olde Roman empire, in Texas, we know the hottest days are... all of them... from April to October.

Taking that summer cue, our theme this month has a diverse focus on Texas’ brand of football, flight and fundraising, and—because we know Georgetown is a pet-loving town—a LOT about furry friends. I enjoyed seeking out the different flavors of how our furry companions please, entertain, and even serve us, but also how we help and care for them as their stewards in this earthly plane.

There’s also plenty of available dates to take a trip with the Austin Steam Train Association—open for business—and when you check the calendar again, we’ve done our best to find fresh tips, hacks, and stories to get you in the mood for Fall.

CONSULTANT Ben Daniel

Our “Five Questions” turned out more like ten, since I got to interview two of Williamson County’s biggest stars, K9 Kato and Fuze. I have been looking forward to that visit for months, and the dogs and deputies certainly did not disappoint.

IT/WEBMASTER Jesse Payne

Grab a Popsicle, or some sweet tea (is there another kind?) and put your feet up in a cool spot for some warm stories.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Valdez • Rudy Ximenez

ADVERTISING Mark Elliott 512-240-2267 • 512-598-3500 ads@georgetownview.com

Georgetown View is an Optimus Media Group, LLC publication.

Copyright © 2020 All rights reserved. Georgetown View is published monthly and individually mailed USPS, free of charge, to homes and businesses in Georgetown, TX zip codes. Mail may be sent to View Magazine, P.O. Box 203, Jarrell, TX 76537.

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cover story

Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@georgetownview.com Photos by Ann Marshall and Nathan Shannon, courtesy of Skydive Spaceland

CELEBRATING AT THE SPEED OF LIFE Kylee Stewart, Kevin Blaschke, Al Blaschke, Jason Blaschke, Betty Schleder, and Don Field

O

n July 2, Al Blaschke reached a four-year goal, and personal dream, to skydive with his amazing grandsons to celebrate their college graduation.

Incidentally, at 103 years, 174 days, he also officially broke the Guinness record as the world’s oldest tandem skydiver. At press time, he had not received his official notification, but it is just a matter of time—it takes Guinness about five weeks to certify witness accounts and details for each new record. (Check out more interesting −and quirky−Guinness records on page 50.)

At Skydive Spaceland near San Marcos, about 75 friends and family from Sun City and beyond, and “official witness” Sheriff Robert Chody, watched Al, his grandsons, future daughter-in-law Kylee Stewart, and friends Betty Schleder and Don Field, climb to 14,500 feet before taking the plunge. Everyone landed safely and congratulated Al, who frequently tells inquisitive reporters, “I will not jump to jump; I want to jump to celebrate something!”

EXTRAORDINARY AL

This wasn’t the first time Al had wings, although he is likely one of the few people to decide to make their first jump after reaching a triple-digit birthday. On January 4, 2017, for his 100th birthday, he did a tandem jump from 10,000 feet to tie the record.

It all started when a friend asked him, on his 97th birthday, if he would like to jump out of a plane; he said it was a good idea but decided, “No thank you, I’ll wait until I’m 100.” Prompting one guest to comment, “While most people blessed enough to make it to 97 might reflect on accomplishments, Al was still making long range plans.”

Al’s story has been told and seen many times over, but the coverage of inspiring goodnews story has become part of the story itself. In his lifetime, Al survived the Spanish flu, the Great Depression, was an es-

Jumpers may choose to have their skydive on digital film and video.

Photographers jump simultaneously and bite down on a shutter releasecable to take pictures, so they can use their arms to maintain stability in flight.

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cover story

I T WA S A N H O N O R TO B E I N V I T E D A N D B E A N O F F I C I A L W I T N E S S TO T H I S H I S TO R I C E V E N T. TO S E E A M A N , AT 1 0 3 , D O S O M E T H I N G T H AT G I V E S M E G R E AT F E A R I S A D M I R A B L E . I A M V E R Y IMPRESSED WITH HIS ABILITY—AND DESIRE— TO D O I T. M O S T P E O P L E A R E N ’ T A B L E TO FA C E A F E A R O R A TA S K L I K E T H AT, E S P E C I A L LY AT 103, A N D I WA S G L A D TO B E A PA R T O F I T. ~ S H E R I F F R O B E R T C H O DY

sential engineer building airplane parts for Pratt & Whitney during World War II and, as a resident of The Estrella, he has been careful to avoid COVID as well. In fact, he was still playing golf every Friday until the pandemic put everyone on hiatus.

When asked about his hopes for the event, he said, “I’m excited to see my grandsons up there. That’s my dream. I never thought I’d be around this long.” Despite the gaggle of press and media, his primary plan for the day was to spend time with his grandsons and stay six feet away from everyone else.

Jason Blaschke is graduating from A&M and will be commissioned in the U.S. Air Force after completing Officer Training School. He was more confident about the jump thanks to a great deal of aviation training. Kevin is graduating from UT and will be developing software for General Motors in Pflugerville. Both say grandpa is “literally unstoppable” and has always been supportive of their activities and dreams. Having taught them how to bowl, shoot, fish, and throw a boomerang, Al also stayed pretty busy as a spectator for marching band, competitive black belt karate, Eagle Scouts, and innumerable sports events.

Most recently, during a storm in 2018, they enlisted his help to build a snowman they named Dave.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Prior to the jump, Al said this may be his last parachute jump, but he is not done having new goals. “I am liable to do anything at any time. I just look forward to having the opportunity to do something great, and I go!”

True to form, when he landed July 2, his first comment was, “I’m ready to go again this afternoon!”

A L AT T R I B U T E S H I S LO N G E V I T Y TO H I S W O N D E R F U L W I F E O F 49 Y E A R S , W H O A LWAY S H E L P E D H I M S E E T H E J OY I N E V E R Y T H I N G ( A N D A L S O K E P T H I M H Y D R AT E D )

From top: Military and Law Enforcement Veterans Don Field, Al Blaschke, and Sheriff Robert Chody. • Al in free fall with his photographer • Coming in safely, and right on target, for the landing.

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It’s Doggone Hot!

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ur pets rely on us to keep a cool head and make sound judgments about activities during the scorching summer climate. Wag Heaven in Georgetown knows a lot about dogs, and with two pet-friendly locations in Georgetown, co-owners Jusak Yang Bernhard and Jeff Manley have some great tips for keeping your pet safe in summer heat.

HEAT IS RUFF ON DOGS

We humans sweat as a principal means to cool our bodies. But a canine’s body is not equipped to cool off by perspiring. Dogs have sweat glands around their paw pads and their noses—areas not covered by fur. But these areas, even in the aggregate, are much too small to help effectively with the cooling process.

Panting is a dog’s primary means of stabilizing body temperature. Dogs cool down by panting with their mouths open, allowing moisture on their tongues to evaporate, but inhaling hot air may cause a rapid rise in body temperature. If a dog is very overheated, in addition to heavy panting you may see a trail of wet paw prints where he is walking. Be extra careful with breeds that have short snouts; they have to work harder than other breeds to get sufficient amounts of oxygen in any temperature.

HOW TO HELP

Limit physical activity in hot weather. Mornings or evenings are more ideal for going on walks and exercising your furry family members. In the middle of a hot day consider taking your dog for a swim instead of a walk.

If you do not have a pool or local swimming spot, you can cool your pet somewhat with a water hose.

Rather than hosing down the dog’s coat from the top, focus the water on the dog’s belly and underside where the fur is thinner and cool water will have more effect on core temperature. Dogs with thick fur take a long time to dry and a warm, wet coat is more uncomfortable.

Avoid walking on hot asphalt or pavement, which could result in blistered paws. Even after the sun goes down, if the sidewalk or pavement is too hot for the palm of your hand, it’s too hot for your pup.

Dogs don’t normally show signs of pain until it is too late, so strive to walk on grass or along shaded pathways. Doggie boots can help protect paws during harsh environmental conditions.

Never leave your pet in parked car, as temperatures can rise quickly. On a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes.

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pet therapy

Charlotte Kovalchuk • charlotte@georgetownview.com Photos courtesy of Tom and Ruth Olsen

Smiling Visitors: Georgetown’s Most Pup-ular Therapy

Handlers Bill Roberts and Mojo, and Dick Wills and Maggie—both registered Pet Partners teams—provide pet therapy at Southwestern University.

R

uth Olsen was training her new dog, Maggie, when the instructor said the canine would make a great therapy pet. “That sounds like fun,” Ruth thought.

Fast forward 11 years. Today, Ruth, her husband Tom, and 45 dog and handler teams provide pet therapy across Georgetown, comforting struggling elementary schoolchildren, overwhelmed college students, hospital patients, and lonely seniors. “We know we’re out there doing something for our community, helping people,” Ruth says. “[Pets] make people feel better, happier, and more relaxed. We call them the Smiling Visitors, because dogs are always happy, and they make people happy.”

Pet therapy isn’t just for hospital patients or students —it’s also for everyone around them; patients’ families, administration, nurses, doctors, and teachers. “Everyone is stressed,” Ruth says. “If we can help put a smile on their faces, it makes a big difference.”

A DAY AT THE PAW-FFICE

Ruth is a therapy instructor and evaluator with Pet Partners, a national organization that registers therapy dogs and other animals, including horses, cats, rabbits, and 16

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birds. Maggie and the Olsen’s other dog, Bella, went on to earn their therapy badges before passing the torch to the couple’s new dog, Rascal.

Tom’s love for pets goes beyond therapy, as he also heads the 440-member Sun City Pet Club, which has helped furnish the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter’s disaster relief trailer. The club donated $12,000 in funds and supplies last year to local animal shelters and rescue agencies.

Ruth has trained 115 dog and handler therapy teams, and their pawprints can be found all over town at elementary schools, Southwestern University, the Georgetown Project’s after school program, The Nest, St. David’s Georgetown Hospital, Georgetown Behavioral Health Institute, Rock Springs, nursing homes, and assisted living and memory care facilities. The pets bring peace and relaxation simply by being a calm presence and letting folks pet them. One of Ruth’s favorite memories is of a patient who was in the hospital due to uncontrolled high blood pressure. After a therapy dog was allowed to sit by her on the bed, her blood pressure dropped for the first time in four days

pet therapy

than meals, and now she had someone. It allowed her to have a conversation with someone,” he says.

From giving kids a confidence boost to helping hospital patients heal, Ruth and Tom are glad to play a part in uplifting people.

Pet Partners Handler Mary Beth Applefield and her dog, Gracie, provide pet therapy.

STAYING PAW-SITIVE

For struggling students, dogs inspire confidence and improve reading skills through the Read with Me and Walk with Me programs at Georgetown elementary schools. Students with difficulty reading or talking in class read a fun story to a dog once a week for the whole semester. “We don’t try to correct them,” Tom says. “We let them fumble over words so they learn to enjoy reading and not be afraid of it. They go back feeling special because they got to read to a dog.” He says it never gets old hearing the excitement in a child’s voice who says, “I finished a book. I never finished a book before!”

In the Walk with Me program, children with special needs are encouraged to be more outgoing; they give treats, teach tricks, and walk dogs around their school.

“They are so proud to be in charge of a dog,” Ruth says.

“To see them take that position—having a right no one else did—is impressive.”

AND THEN, 2020...

COVID-19 changed everything. The shutdown of schools and lockdown of senior care facilities meant the end of pet therapy, which was discouraging to the Olsens; they know this is when people need therapy most. Seniors in care facilities are isolated from families, and teachers and students face an uncertain school year ahead. “This is when they need us,” Ruth says. “We want to do something, but we can’t. I understand it, but it’s just sad. We have those wonderful, amazing animals that could help them.”

In the meantime, they are looking for a way to reach out to schools, possibly with a pen pal project like one they started for first responders. Pet Partners teams and Sun City Pet Club members send fun letters, pictures, and jokes about their pets’ activities at home to the Georgetown police and fire departments to show appreciation and help combat the stress they’re going through.

To learn more about pet therapy, contact Ruth at 6pawstraining@gmail.com.

The Olsens have also taken pet therapy to Southwestern University, where nervous freshman, those stressed during finals, and staff members are happy to interact with the dogs for a few minutes of relaxation.

Sometimes the dog simply serves as an excuse to start a conversation, as Tom learned when he and Bella visited a lady on an oxygen tube. She kept to her room at an assisted living facility, but a brief chat ended up turning into a two-year conversation. “Here’s a lady who never went out for activities other Ruth and Tom Olsen cuddle with their pet therapy dog, Rascal.

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experience georgetown

Charlotte Kovalchuk • charlotte@georgetownview.com

More Pets Find Forever Homes in Pandemic T H E S TO R I E S O F J E A N N E A N D J I M B O S A N D WA LT E R VA L D E Z A R E J U S T A F E W O F T H E H E A R T WA R M I N G TA L E S O F I N C R E A S E D A D O P T I O N S F R O M T H E W I L L I A M S O N CO U N T Y A N D G E O R G E TO W N A N I M A L S H E LT E R S , A S M O R E R E S I D E N T S T U R N TO P E T S F O R CO M F O R T A N D S T R E S S R E L I E F D U R I N G A N U N C E R TA I N T I M E .

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s essential workers facing not just a pandemic, but also the loss of their cat, Jeanne and Jim Bos were in desperate need of a new furry friend.

Then they met Gabe, a senior cat with behavioral issues, who fell into the hard-to-adopt category, which is precisely why the Boses chose him.

Their previous cats were challenging too; one a diabetic and the other blind.

“We figured if Gabe was going to find a home, it would have to be with someone like us. We thought, ‘If we don’t take him, who will?’” Jeanne says. “The thought of him staying in the shelter because no one could deal with him was sad.”

In February, the couple lost the cat they’d had for ten years and were cautious about adopting another, but they ultimately decided their house was empty without a pet, especially during a pandemic. While searching the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter’s website for their next companion, they were drawn to Gabe, a beautiful, angry, 8-year-old that had been surrendered by his owner.

Since being adopted at the end of May, the feisty feline has come a long way. At first, he walked around hissing at his new humans all the time. But, the Boses understood. “He needed someone that wouldn’t be afraid of him and would be patient with him,” Jeanne says. Gabe has grown more comfortable in their quiet home, and, in turn, given comfort to his owners, who have been working, in person, for UPS and the Goodwill Resource Center throughout the pandemic. “It’s very stressful, of course,” Jeanne says. “Coming home to Gabe when it was so stressful—it’s very calming. He and I talk all the time. He’s been good company.”

“We needed him and he needed us,” Jim says, and Jeanne adds, “It’s the best thing we did all year.”

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Jeanne & Jim Bos cuddle with Gabe.

WALTER AND ROCKY

Gabe’s polar opposite, Rocky, can be described as the friendliest, most energetic dog on the planet, saying hello by nearly toppling over his new human friends with enthusiastic hugs. That friendliness is just what Walter Valdez was looking for after a divorce and a new empty house. “He was very clingy, but it makes you feel good.

It’s a mutual caring of each other,” Walter says.

He adopted Rocky June 1 and describes him as a comforting presence in the middle of stay-at-home job isolation. “I feel like I’m not alone anymore,” he says.

PANDEMIC POSITIVES

The Georgetown Animal Shelter has experienced its lowest canine population in three years, particularly during the city’s stay-at-home order—one morning in April the shelter had only two adoptable dogs and five strays. The city’s animal services manager, April Haughey, says more folks may be adopting because they have more time on their hands and need comfort. Plus it’s great, she adds, to have time to bond with pets while they adjust to a new home.

experience georgetown Walter Valdez has a hard time containing Rocky’s excitement about his new home.

The Williamson County shelter has also seen an adoption increase, thanks to a plea for the community to empty the shelter with adoptions and fosters. Staff didn’t know how the virus might impact them, and they wanted to make sure the animals would be taken care of if workers got sick. “The community stepped up in an amazing way,” says Animal Services Director Misty Valenta. “We had the lowest population of animals at our shelter ever.

It was phenomenal.”

April says, “Having a pet does wonders for the soul.”

Furry friends help reduce stress, blood pressure and loneliness; and because of them, folks are able to exercise, go outside, and socialize more. And they provide a sense of purpose. “In this difficult time, there could be a lot of self-reflection—what am I doing?” Misty says.

“When you have those incredible eyes looking up at you, needing you to care for them, that is purpose.”

have time for pets and aren’t giving them the attention they deserve. April anticipates a rise in surrenders over the next few months as COVID-19 becomes more widespread, and she says other areas have already experienced more surrenders. COVID-19 hasn’t affected the Williamson County shelter’s number of owner surrenders because the facility has taken only emergency cases.

During this time, staff are helping families resolve issues they are facing or encouraging them to use ReHome. com, which allows families to give their dog or cat directly to another family looking to adopt.

The Georgetown shelter has launched a food pantry to help owners with financial concerns. People can request pet food at pets.georgetown.org/how-to-help. “With so many people being furloughed and seeking unemployment, we all thought it was a great idea,” April says. “We are part of such a generous community and thought it would be great if we could give back to the city that gives so much to us.”

LEND A HAND The Williamson County shelter is seeking volunteers to help care for animals in case the facility becomes shortstaffed. To join the team, visit pets.wilco.org/Volunteer/ Getting-Started. The Georgetown shelter has temporarily halted its volunteer support, but pet lovers can still support the facility through online donations and sharing adoptable pets on social media.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR PET It’s also important to be mindful of pet stress. Misty says naughty or atypical behaviors may be a sign of stress. Try food puzzle toys, long-lasting chews, and extra exercise and training sessions throughout the day. Quiet time in a safe space is also a great way to help a pet deal with stress. With families staying at home more, or with loud kids, sometimes an animal just needs a quiet, calm space to rest.

While shelter adoptions have increased, more pets are currently in need of forever homes. It is kitten season and both facilities are experiencing a high number of cats.

The County shelter has about 400 cats and kittens in the shelter or a foster home, and Georgetown took in 201 in May and June, compared with 158 during the same time last year.

As people travel less and stay home more, the Georgetown shelter has seen a decrease in surrenders. April says owners who have surrendered their pets sometimes say they travel too much, especially during the summer, don’t

Rocky enjoys life in his new fur-ever home.

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3720 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX 78628

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healthy habits

Charlotte Kovalchuk • charlotte@georgetownview.com

Acupuncture: What’s the Point?

Ancient Treatment For the Modern Age

W

hen you stub your toe, your brain immediately goes into action, sending signals to the area to jumpstart the healing process. But sometimes, a disconnect happens between the brain and the injury, so even after a month or two goes by, you realize the pain still hasn’t gone away. That’s where acupuncture comes in.

HOW IT WORKS

A mind/body connecting force, as Georgetown acupuncturist Dr. Stephen Tranter calls it, acupuncture works by inserting tiny needles into the affected region to stimulate the nerves and draw the brain’s attention to the area.

Usually the brain already has that laser focus.

“The theory in holistic medicine is that your brain is the master controller that drives everything in your body. When the brain recognizes what is happening in the body, it has and can make use of necessary resources to take care of itself.

Bottom line; when there is a good connection, you heal,” Dr. Tranter says.

Thanks to poor diet, inadequate sleep habits, lack of exercise, or severe injury, that connection can weaken, which leads to long-lasting or chronic pain. But, acupuncture, which originated in China, has been relieving pain, without or complementary to medication, as early as 6000BCE. In those early days, practitioners used sharpened stones and long bones.

Acupuncturists believe energy, or qi (pronounced “chee”), flows through the body along 12 main channels, known as meridians, that represent the major organs and functions of the body. Illness or injury can disrupt that flow; acupuncture therapy can release that energy and prompt your body to begin healing itself.

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healthy habits ÖETZI THE “ICE MAN” WAS FOUND AFTER AN ALPINE GLACIER MELTED. HE DIED APPROXIMATELY 3300BC, AND WAS COVERED WITH MANY TATTOO MARKS SIMILAR TO THOSE USED IN ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS THAT FOCUS ON THE MERIDIANS.

REVIVAL

Acupuncture has had peaks and declines in popularity over the millennia; it was even outlawed in China in the early 20th century. By mid-century, the government saw fit to revive it among other traditional medical treatments. It spread to the United States in the 1970s when a journalist who traveled to China received treatment to relieve post-appendicitis pain. He later wrote an article about his experience, which sparked national interest in this foreign treatment.

OBJECTIVES AND OBJECTIONS N O T H A N K S , YO U M I G H T S AY. I ’M A L R E A DY I N PA I N A N D I D O N ’ T N E E D A N Y M O R E O F I T, E S P E C I A L LY I F I T I N V O LV E S N E E D L E S .

Hold on, we’re not talking about getting a shot. As Dr. Tranter explains, eight acupuncture needles can fit into a single syringe needle. Most of the time, clients do not even feel an acupuncture needle. “At worst,” he says, “it just feels like a mosquito bite or a little prick that vanishes within seconds.”

Still needle-phobic?

Dr. Tranter recommends acupressure, which applies pressure with tiny sticks. He says it is great for relieving everything except severe pain, which needs the added stimulation from needles.

After seeing acupuncture help his wife recover from bronchitis, as well as heal inflammation in his own hands, Dr. Tranter now recommends the treatment to others, from infants to seniors. “All of our body processes fall on one of our meridians, so those who suffer from chronic headaches, inflammation, stress injuries, and even Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be helped.”

Even if you don’t have an injury, acupuncture can simply improve overall wellness. Different providers may specialize in smoking cessation, infertility, depression, digestion, or allergies. “One of the most common things I hear is, ‘My body just feels so good,’” he says.

Patient Kathryn Rossremembers being suddenly struck with severe muscle pain in her back and legs. The pain reduced her from a runner who worked out every day to someone who couldn’t even walk one block, and none of the doctors she saw could determine the source of her mysterious pain. “It is life altering to lose that type of mobility,” she remembers. A friend described her amazing experience with acupuncture and urged her to see Dr. Tranter. “I went from not being able to walk a block, to now I’m running several miles and working out.

It’s the best thing I ever did,” Kathryn says.

A JAB WELL DONE

Nicole Ware, a Licensed Acupuncturist, recommends if you are considering this non-toxic option for a condition or concern, it is important to remember acupuncture is a process of helping your body heal itself.

Depending on needs, some experience relief in the first treatment, and others require one or two visits per week for a few weeks or months. “For many of us, our pain did not appear overnight, and our bodies need time to repair. Medication may fix a symptom, but, ideally, we are helping our bodies ‘remember’ their optimum processes.” She adds that, for many, the combination of eastern and western medicine may be the best solution and warns not to eschew seeing your primary care doctors for medical advice and complementary treatments.

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WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”?

part 8

ND DAY, A AY, R U T SA ND (AND , AND MO AY Y) SUND THURSDA &

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS TEXAS FOOTBALL MATH: TWO TEXAS HIGH SCHOOLS, EACH IN A TOWN WITH 6,000 RESIDENTS, PLAY FOOTBALL AGAINST EACH OTHER. EQUALS 20,000 SCREAMING FANS IN THE STADIUM.

Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@georgetownview.com

what makes Texas “Texas” SOME SAY FOOTBALL IS A RELIGION. OTHERS BELIEVE IT IS THE CLOSEST SPORT TO WAR... ...AND TEXANS DID FIGHT A WAR JUST TO FORM TEXAS.

F

ootball wasn’t invented here, but for more than a century, Texas football has been part of the state’s cultural DNA, and a national fixation in sports.

TEXANS FIRST From big-city bankers to farmers in the valley, every Texas student studies Texas history and understands the gravity of high school football. The unique history of the state is a strong bond among Texans, and football is part of the “glue” that makes people feel Texan first, with whatever differences we may have coming in second.

Texans have always enjoyed, and generally perpetuated, the reputation of being bigger and tougher; ideally suited for a rough and high-speed game like football.

Since the early days, even high school teams received the same love and attention as other football divisions, particularly because at the high school level, it was personal. Friday nights were consistently filled with tailgates, packed bleachers, screaming fans, and appreciation for players out on the field. And, for better or worse, many a young athlete could strive to be a star on the field, to perhaps enjoy similar adoration (or perks) in school, church, at the barber shop, or anywhere in town.

Texas is also known for dynasty teams that have gone multiple seasons with almost no losses. College teams include UT and Texas A&M; high schools like Abilene, Wichita Falls, John H. Reagan, and (Friday Night Lights) Permian are all in the record books. As well, although not all the NFL Cowboys are born here, they have still brought five Super Bowl trophies back to Texas.

Plus, more than entertainment value, for decades, teams have provided community pride and a means for many to get a higher education. Their popularity often also provides plenty of revenue to enable and grow myriad other sports in the districts.

EARLY DAYS It all began in the 1890s, when private football clubs began springing up in Texas towns. As football’s popularity grew, and following more than 20 years of intercollegiate games to the East, the University of Texas fielded its first permanent college team in 1893. Those first Longhorns played and won all four games, against independent clubs, in shutouts.

The following year, UT hired their first full-time coach, R.D. Wentworth, for a whopping $325 plus expenses.

That season, Texas A&M fielded its first team, the first Texas intercollegiate game took place, and a great sports rivalry was born. Today, UT vs. A&M, and the Red River Rivalry (UT vs. Oklahoma) are two of the nation’s top 25 greatest rivalries.

THE PROS In 1952, Texas transformed the NFL New York Yanks into the Dallas Texans, who won one game in that first season. In 1959, Bud Adams and Lamar Hunt founded the American Football League (AFL), and created the Houston Oilers. The following year, the Dallas Cowboys were formed, and although they didn’t win any games in their first season, they were popular in the league.

Following the merge of the AFL and NFL in 1969, the Cowboys made it into their first Super Bowl but lost to the Baltimore Colts. During the 1971 season, the Cowboys took home their first Super Bowl trophy, winning 24-3 against the Miami Dolphins.

Texas even briefly had its own semi-professional league. The Texas Football League was a minor league from 1966 through 1971 and included six teams from Texas and Oklahoma. 

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IT’S REALLY ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL

Perhaps no discussion about Texas football would be complete without a note about “America’s Sweethearts.”

The Cowboys cheerleaders were not the first in the NFL; they were the 8th, but they have been with the team since its founding. They were the first team to hire professional dancers to replace the co-ed high school cheerleading team (Beaux and Belles) they began with in 1960.

Team owners tried using models, but they were not athletically inclined and sideline performances were lackluster.

In 1967, when the team’s owner saw the crowd reaction to [exotic dancer] Bubbles Cash walking down the stadium steps in a miniskirt, he realized traditional cheerleaders were not the optimal way to entertain paying customers from the sidelines.

Until that time, the cheerleaders had worn modest skirts and hats, and yelled, “Defense!” etc. but Ms. Cash changed all that. Two-piece (and now trademarked) outfits replaced jumpers, bigger poms replaced megaphones, and choreography replaced arm motions and “Go team!” They set the new trend for sexy sideline entertainment, and throughout the 1970s, the Cowboys had consistently great teams, so the whole program got attention. Other NFL franchises followed suit, but nothing ever tops a groundbreaker.

Today, more than 600 women audition for the team annually, for a chance to perform, travel, and be a part of televisions shows and world tours.

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The University Interscholastic League (UIL) organized the structure of high school football in 1920, in response to growing popularity. Thanks to football, everyone in the family, in the schools, and in the towns could be involved.

That involvement was ingrained long before H.G. Bissinger wrote “Friday Night Lights”. Fans in Texas have enjoyed football as a cumulative social experience and something to do when other diversions weren’t available. Most small schools did not have other sports programs, and many Texas towns had plenty of open space, dirt, and dry weather; perfect for football. So, when Friday night arrived, if people couldn’t afford to take the family to the movies, or a restaurant, or the town didn’t have either of those things... everyone went to the game.

Another book, “High School Football in Texas: Amazing Football Stories from the Greatest Players of Texas” by former NFL Head Coach Jeff Fisher tells about some of the greatest players in NFL history. People like Drew Brees, “Mean Joe” Greene, Bob Lilly, Andrew Luck, Mike Singletary, and Sammy Baugh were all from Texas.

Texas has also had five Heisman Trophy winners, including Baker Mayfield, Johnny Manziel, and Robert Griffin III. At the time Fisher’s book went to print, Texas had sent 2,488 players to the NFL, the most of all-time.

Not only are homecoming mums a Texas-based tradition, no other place has them this big.

We found custom mums at a modest $348 from Margie Gonzalez’ Etsy store.

Don’t forget the band—since 1935, high school marching bands have had their own chance to duel on the field during San Antonio’s Battle of the Flowers Band Festival. In 2019, nearly 5,000 marchers participated in the on-field finale.

Nothing like pride and positivity! In 2014, Apollos Hester of East View High School, gave a postgame interview with TWC News that got six million views on YouTube, and hundreds of replays everywhere from ESPN to Time magazine.

BY THE NUMBERS

Texas is home to some of the largest—if not the largest—high school football stadiums. San Antonio’s newly renovated Alamo Stadium seats 23,000 fans.

In Allen, the $60 million Eagle Stadium took two years to build.

Video: Lauren Mickler on Vimeo

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kids Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@georgetownview.com

“Officer Jolly” The Book!

G

eorgetown already celebrates Officer Delta Jolly as a confident, compassionate—and often whimsical—law enforcement professional. She has been a dispatcher, patrol officer, and Community Engagement Officer over her ten-year career, and recently added Adjunct Professor to her resume. Now, she is also an author and soon-to-be beloved children’s book character who will inspire and uplift readers of all ages through her courage, humor, and 40 years of living.

If you have met Delta, you won’t be surprised her friend Tonya Taylor, a marketing consultant, saw the wonderful potential in an Officer Jolly series. “We were at a martial arts class with our kids and I had a particularly bad day. Some kids had been up to some shenanigans and were badly injured. It made me think about my life and how I might relay some of my experience, and maybe wisdom, to an audience. Tonya convinced me to put pen to paper and I began writing about my childhood, my life experiences, and what it takes to become a police officer. What emerged just felt like a children’s book.”

Two years later, “Officer Jolly Earns Her Badge” is in print, on sale, and the first 500 copies will be autographed by the author herself.

MEET OFFICER JOLLY

This first-in-a-series sets the stage for children to understand the process of becoming a police officer.

The story shows readers, not just those interested in law enforcement, how to push through the “No”s to get to the “Yes”s that will catapult them to and through their careers.

She says the book is brief, about 32 pages, and while appropriate for elementary students, it is a good lesson for any age. “I think if parents are reading it to their children, they will get something out of it too. This book lays the foundation of who Officer Jolly is, so when you read future books, which will be prequels that tell about my background growing up as an Air Force brat, going to school, and more, you will already know her well.”

LIFE LESSONS

One of Delta’s goals as a writer is to make a personal connection with the reader. “We talk about ‘personalizing the badge’ all the time, and it is important to understand people don’t come from the same beginnings. But, no matter your background, you can do anything you set your mind to do. I have many stories that illustrate those points; overcoming fear and overcoming obstacles.

There will be a different message in every book. Right now I’m highlighting courage and perseverance for young children, but future books will also tackle young adult concerns like bullying and life changes that take you by surprise as you grow up.”

Delta plans to release a new book about every six months so the community can get used to seeing them and enjoying wherever the road takes her. “I see the need for many young people to have a good mentor; one they have access to right here in Georgetown. I hope to have many in-person events to meet my readers and help any way I can.”

“Officer Jolly” is available in hardback (because it is meant to last!) for $20.99 and can be purchased at OfficerJolly.com. Stay tuned to her website and Facebook page for local events, autograph sessions, and future YouTube channel for live readings and more!

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save the planet

Greta Brauer • greta@georgetownview.com

Planet-Friendly Pet Lifestyles

Y

ou may spoil your best friend with expensive meats from time to time, but many people are now considering how much of an eco-pawprint our pets are adding to our environment. Following are a few ways owners can make good choices for their cats and dogs without the accompanying eco-guilt.

MEALTIME*

Eco-experts suggest when choosing pet food to put in your cart, look for ingredients that include secondary products, like animal bone meal or organ meat. Also look for plant-based ingredients or sustainably certified fish.

The reason for this is the ecological impact of food is based on the processing of human-grade meat (the stuff we eat)—which has a much greater ecological footprint than the by-products of that meat. A study at the University of Sydney showed the increasing trend in the “humanization” of pets and pet products reflects an increase in meat quality in pet food, which means we will eventually need unsustainable amounts of land and resources to raise enough meat products for ourselves and our pets.

There are many commercial pet foods based largely on by-products; animal and soybean meals or dried egg. Using these leftovers cuts down on waste, provides nutrient- and energy-rich products, and gives more value to the source animals’ lives. You might also see if your dog likes insect-based treats, available at most pet stores.

Insects are eaten around the world, are a great source of protein for humans and pets, and are highly sustainable.

PLAYTIME

We already know that when it comes to the environment, the less plastic the better. Check labels that indicate post-process recyclable materials; e.g., recycled

plastic bottles and rubber. You can also find many good options for chewing that are ultimately digestible and also non-toxic. Many companies now make toys from natural materials like hemp and rice husks; e.g., rope toys are a popular and eco-friendly playtime staple. Garden Fresh brand plushies are stuffed with 100 percent post-consumer, certified-safe recycled plastic bottles and colored with AZO-free dyes. HonestPetProducts.com has a full selection of hemp-based, planet-friendly toys as well.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

You already know it’s rude not to clean up after your dog. Aside from the mess, rain may carry toxic pathogens in dog waste into streams. It contains nitrogen and phosphorus, which may contribute to slimy and potentially toxic algae. These elements also make it unsafe for home compost systems. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) explains killing those pathogens requires higher temperatures than typical household methods can achieve.

As well, do not flush animal waste down the toilet. The NRDC says standard water treatment does not remove cryptosporidium, which causes illness in humans. The exception to this rule is an indoor-only cat that has tested negative for toxoplasmosis. On the plus side, Georgetown’s most recent water quality report (2018) showed zero positives for animal waste pathogens.

Believe it or not, the best solution is to throw pet waste in the trash, from which it will end up in a landfill, away from water sources and food plants. To contain it, the Federal Trade Commission recommends researching companies that make “biodegradable” baggies. Despite what it might say on the box, many companies are not able to fully test the validity of their marketing claims.

*Many veterinarians and pet owners prefer specific nutrition plans with varying amounts of meat and grains.

This article focuses solely on eco-friendly options. Check with your veterinarian for your pet’s optimum diet.

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advertorial

Keys To A Dream Come True

D

olce Music Studio celebrates its 10 year anniversary in August 2020. This milestone celebrates a dream come true for owner Brenda Bedell. Brenda began her musical journey when she was just 6 years old on a vintage, upright piano she inherited from her grandmother in 1962. As this beautiful instrument was moved into her small bedroom to begin piano lessons, Brenda remembers being filled with excitement at seeing the literal keys to her future.

At the age of 12, Brenda began transforming from student to teacher as she remained committed to music education under the guidance of Ann Gipson Houser, a graduate of the Memphis Conservatory of Music and the Chicago Music College. Mrs.Houser was more than a piano teacher. She instilled a love of music which provided Brenda the foundation for her musical success. Part of Brenda’s training included Mrs. Houser’s Student Teacher program which allowed advanced students to begin teaching at the age of 16.

In 1973, Brenda began teaching her own private piano lessons from her home. She remembers vividly her first piano student playing on her grandmother’s piano. As the years rocked on, Brenda continued

to use the vintage piano to build her private student base to 20+ students (including both of her children) with support from her mentor and the community.

Brenda often dreamed of expanding her private home business to owning and directing a music studio. After moving with her family and her grandmother’s piano to Georgetown in 1996, a series of events brought that dream to fruition. Brenda began teaching at Georgetown Music Academy where she developed a dynamic learning

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In 2010, the opportunity came for Brenda to launch her own music studio and Dolce Music Studio was born. Now, 10 years later, comes much appreciation and reflection.

Dolce offers musical instruction for almost any instrument and continues Mrs. Houser’s legacy by offering a Student Teacher Training program. During the 2020 pandemic, Brenda and 17 other Dolce instructors began offering virtual music lessons. Brenda has enjoyed blending the virtual and vintage as she gives online music lessons from home on her grandmother’s piano.

The seed planted 58 years ago with the gift of a beautiful piano and a heart drawn to share the beauty of music continues. Dolce Music Studio now serves over 200 students every week. Brenda believes the seven keys to success are: Attention to detail Believe in your pursuit

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wine 101

Greta Bauer • greta@georgetownview.com

Acquired Tastes

E

xperts say the more you drink wine, the more you start to notice scents and flavors; vanilla, herbs, or even salt air. While wine makers don’t actually flavor their product with spices, etc., the locations they choose to plant have a great effect on the flavor of their final product.

Planting grapes in an area surrounded by a variety of wild flowers and herbs encourages bees to distribute their pollen in the vineyard. As the grapes ripen, they absorb some of those flavor characteristics.

The soil also plays a role in a particular vintage.

Conventional wisdom indicates a more alkaline soil has fewer nutrients and provides a more rounded flavor from the grapes that grow in it. In this way, grapes are a little like olives; the less water and nutrients they get from the soil, the more they “hoard” and keep to themselves during the growing season. As a result, often, the best harvests come after very dry seasons, so if you like wine from a certain region, you can research rainfall for a good idea of which years might be optimum.

Once picked, the wine maker then makes a series of decisions; how to press the grapes, which type of container to use for aging, and how long the aging process will take. Each of these steps has its own influence on the final subtleties of each bottle.

LOOSE TANNINS

We can easily see the difference between red and white wine, but did you know you can get a white wine from a red grape? It seems, in the wine world, it’s all about the skin.

All the color and most of the flavor of a particular wine comes from the tannins (tannic acid compounds) in the skin. Tannins are a naturally occurring substance in grape skins and seeds. The taste is bitter and causes a dry and puckery feeling in the mouth. If you’ve ever chewed on a grape for a while, until only the skin was left, or accidentally crunched a seed, you already know.

Those tannins are loosed in the wine when the vintner leaves the skins in the juice as it ferments, which is also how the wine gets its color. Wines that have little or no skin contact have fewer tannins and end up pink or white.

Wines that ferment with the skins for a long period end up red, have a strong presence of tannin, and rest on a spectrum from “firm” to “hard” (too many tannins).

Conversely, white wine tannins put them on a spectrum of acidity. They are more likely to be labeled “crisp” or “tart.” Or, if there isn’t enough acidity, they are “flat.”

AROMA

Experts agree, since wine is made from grapes, it should smell like fresh fruit, unless it is very old, very sweet, or very cold. If you smell toast, smoke, vanilla, chocolate, espresso, roasted nuts, or even caramel, those are likely due to the wine being aged in new oak barrels.

Floral aromas are particularly common in cool climate white wines, which may also carry herbal or grassy scents.

ON THE ROCKS?

There’s no law against drinking your red wine chilled or even cold, but those pesky tannins tend to become more bitter at lower temperatures. Chilled red wine isn’t ruined, but it is not at its best unless at room temperature. Conversely, white and rosé wines have a low tannin content, and have optimum flavor when chilled—but not too cold.

Still, experts say it is all a matter of taste; plenty of people around the world eat cold pizza and drink warm beer. Cheers!

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new normal

Greta Bauer • Greta@georgetownview.com

“Be Prepared” Isn’t Just for Scouting

W

e’ve been told (and told again) that hoarding is a bad thing. But there’s nothing wrong with being prepared, right? Stocking sturdy supplies is something we should make a habit, not just for pandemics, but for any type of crisis.

If it helps, just think about how incapacitated we feel when the power goes out for a few hours. We already know it’s wise to have plenty of cleaning supplies and paper products, but following, courtesy of a mix of almanacs and prepper handbooks, are a few others to consider purchasing—in times of plenty—to have on hand.

Disposable Butane Lighters – Fire is not one of the top three survival needs, but it is useful for all three. It’s much easier to start one with a disposable lighter than any other way.

Firewood – Heating and cooking are a necessity, so remember, it takes four to six cords of firewood to heat a home through the winter.

Salt – Salt is nature’s #1 food preservative. Ironically, it can be extremely hard to come by in nature.

Canning Jar Lids – Canning jars can be used over and over; but the lids (seals) are not considered reusable.

Batteries – Ok, batteries aren’t really a survival necessity, but they go in many things we use every day.

Stocking AA and AAA will make life easier.

Personal Hygiene Supplies – Don’t forget things like soap, toothpaste, and shampoo. Cleanliness is important to combat disease, and maintain personal dignity.

Plastic Bags – Something we can’t substitute. In a crisis, they are good for transport, food and water storage, removing refuse, and keeping things dry.

Work Gloves – Cheap ones are not worth the effort, and you can’t make them yourself.

Over the Counter Medicines – Self-diagnosis and treatment is not ideal; but sometimes it’s all we have. Having a good assortment of over-the-counter medicines will make it possible to treat at least the symptoms of common ailments.

First-aid Supplies – Any place hit by a disaster is ripe for risk. People find themselves doing things far outside the norm, many of which can lead to serious injuries. Be prepared for more than scraped knees.

Hand Tools – Many people don’t have hand tools anymore. Do you have a crosscut saw? How about a handcrank drill? You’re may need them, if you can’t plug in.

Rope – Always useful. Paracord is excellent.

Sewing Supplies – There probably won’t be any shortage of clothing, but there will be of sewing supplies.

You’re going to want to fix your good stuff.

Vitamins – Our diets probably won’t be well-balanced in a crisis. Best to find a way to get those micronutrients that nutritionists tell us we need.

Bullion (soup stock) – Anything can be turned into a soup or a casserole if you have soup stock. Generally, beef and chicken flavors are enough, as they go with everything else.

Flashlights – No such thing as enough flashlights. They don’t last forever and you really can’t fix them.

Oil-burning Lamps – A good oil-burning lamp will work with just about any flammable liquid to provide you with light. The best is oil, of any sort; but if you have something else, it will work, but test carefully first.

Insect Repellant – There are more of them in the world than there are of us.

Charcoal or Propane – Whatever fuel your grill runs on, be sure to have plenty on hand.

Cast-iron Pots – Okay, this is more like ‘gear’. But if you’re going to cook on a grill, it would be a good idea to have some on hand. Grills are rough on Teflon.

Chlorine Bleach – Bleach is not just good for cleaning, it’s the easiest means of purifying water. Just add 8 drops (1/4 tsp) of standard (non-scented, non-color safe) bleach to a gallon of water, stir it and allow it to sit for 20 minutes. That will kill all the microscopic pathogens, making it safe to drink; boiling alone will not remove all chemicals.

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worth the drive

Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@georgetownview.com

Something About a Train AUSTIN STEAM TRAIN ASSOCIATION • 401 E. WHITESTONE BLVD. #C-100, CEDAR PARK 512-402-3830 • AustinSteamTrain.org • TICKETS START AT $23

T

he Austin Steam Train Association (ASTA), Texas’s own non-profit railroad, is more than a trip through the beautiful Hill Country; it’s 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 re-created a historically authentic passenger experience for families and train-lovers alike who wish to enjoy seasonal or scenic weekend excursions.

As well, most of the train staff are in vintage uniforms and children will delight in the real-life conductor calling, “All aboard!” at departure time. After departure, there’s nothing like sitting quietly, watching the countryside go smoothly by, and seeing the kids thrill over no-tech adventures.

A LITTLE HISTORY

ASTA has been operating out of the Cedar Park station since 1993. Their century-old steam engine was donated to the city in 1956 and while it is being restored, the group uses a diesel-electric locomotives to take passengers through and around 167 miles of scenery in Central Texas. In addition to the steam engine, part of the association’s mission is to preserve many aspects historic railroading.

All of the operating crews on the trains are volunteers.

They not only run the trains, but provide the time and talent for countless other projects such as equipment maintenance, tracklaying and restoration of ASTA’s engines and historic 1912 country depot in Bertram, which opened in 1997. The depot is a great stopover for photo ops on the popular Hill Country Flyer.

ASTA volunteer Greg Rohde says volunteers enable the group to be 85 percent self-sustaining. “The revenue The annual “Day Out With Thomas” (2019 event pictured) includes games, rock walls, photographers, crafts and booths, a Thomas expo, and plenty of food and drink for the whole family. The train departs from Bertram on a two-hour round trip to Burnet.

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worth the drive

October’s Pumpkin Flyer includes free pumpkins and costumed characters for the kids

we receive from ticket sales all goes to the railroad. The only money we spend is for the salaries of our administrative employees who keep the business running. Our volunteer force makes us the most efficient railroad in the nation, and we are happy to welcome anyone who wants to volunteer as part of a great historical past-time.”

The ASTA temporarily closed earlier this year but is now open for weekend excursions. They are working hard to rebuild and keep the trains running, for family enjoyment, for many years to come. Tickets are available until each trip reaches 50 percent capacity to ensure appropriate social distancing. Staff wear masks and gloves, and passengers are asked to wear masks as well.

SPECIAL EVENTS

In addition to the regular Hill County and Bertram Flyers, ASTA offers a one-hour, adults-only trip to Wedding Oak Winery in Burnet. The trip includes a visit with the vintners, wine tasting, and a two-hour layover for dinner at the winery.

Many excursions include free activities on the train or at destination stations; superheroes, murder mysteries, live entertainment, or storybook reading.

The 1912 Bertram Depot

WHEN YOU GO

Cars may be reserved for special events, large parties, and seasonal events. AustinSteamTrain.org is jampacked with details about rides and schedules, as well as online ticket sales; call 512-402-3830, or visit the station in Cedar Park for a relaxing journey into railroad’s classic past. The ticket office opens one hour before the first departure of the day. Trips are two hours (or more) and tickets start at $35 for weekend trips, up to $85 for adult events with dinner, and children under 3 may ride free on a parent’s lap.

For kids, check the website for updates on October’s Pumpkin Flyer and December’s North Pole Flyer. That special two-hour excursion is on a fully-decorated train, includes a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, all-you-can-drink hot cocoa, and a holiday cookie. Kids will enjoy story time, Santa is always happy to take photos, and there is something in his sack for all the kids.

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Paw & Order: WCSO K9 KATO AND FUZE—AND THEIR “DRIVERS”—TOOK TIME OUT OF THEIR DUTY DAY TO GIVE OUR READERS AN INSIDE LOOK AT WHAT IT TAKES TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER WHILE BEING TELEVISION STARS. Is it really playtime when you are chasing a bad guy?

KATO: It sure is. For us dogs, it has to be fun for us to want to do it. Also, since I’m a dog, I don’t really see people as good or bad, so I’m not angry or trying to punish anyone.

I’m just trained to do what my handler asks; when I hear his voice, I know what he wants.

He is Happy-Fun guy with a high-pitched voice when things are good, and when he speaks in a low voice, I know it’s time to go to work. We train a lot like that; repetition of commands helps me recognize the difference. He uses a lot of German words so I don’t confuse his commands with his everyday talking. Plus, the people I chase won’t know that telling me to STOP in English is useless.

FUZE: Kato is right, we love working. Even though I specialize in explosives detection, we are both Belgian Malinois, so we are the happiest when we are active and busy. I am always alert to what my handler is up to, so I read her body language really well. If she opens the door in a relaxed way and speaks in a nice voice, I am relaxed and ready to be her companion or visit with people.

But, when our car pulls up quick, she jumps out, and I can see her body tension, I get right in the zone. Even though I don’t really understand what the words mean, her vocal inflections tell me everything I need to know.

So do you have a preference for chasing, say, a peanut butter Kong, or a suspect?

KATO: I like both, but if you watch my episode on “America’s Top Dog” you’ll see just how high I’m willing to jump to get hold of my Kong. This is another thing that is just part of being a dog; we like to bite and chew things. Being eager, and able to hold on, is one of the things they look for when they recruit us for law enforcement.

Really, it’s all about the exercise; that is our purpose, and loving it makes us good at it.

DEPUTY SARAH COLE AND FUZE

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FUZE: We are a lot like kids; if we like something, we enjoy doing it and we get really good at it; if we don’t like it, we’re not doing it. Part of why we were chosen for this job is a thing called prey drive.

That is our instinct to search, stalk, chase, and bite. Kato and I have a bite pressure of about 195psi, so it’s easy for us to hang on, and also best not to encourage us to get that far.

What was your favorite part about being on television?

FUZE: “Top Dog” was a new experience for us; pretty much all of it was a bit weird. For the most part, the obstacles were designed to be similar to what we do every day, which is fun and we enjoy it.

KATO: We appeared in one episode with four other dogs, then there was a champion at the end. I’m hoping there will be a Season 2 and we will be invited back to compete. If you didn’t get to see it air, you can see our scenes on YouTube. #TopDogAE Is it difficult to focus on the work now that you have been a television star?

KATO: I have a good “switch.” I go to a lot of social events with crowds and children and I have a great sense of where I am and what I’m there to do. But if my human says the right thing, I’m ready in a second to turn around and bite. We’ve been partners for 2-1/2 years and he has a lot of patience with me. With all the changes lately, due to the sickness all the humans are worried about, I really miss going to demonstrations to see the kids. Mostly I miss all the petting!

FUZE: TV and work were much the same. I still wait for the quick movements and serious voice when it’s time to rush; or just be a sweetheart when my human has the leash, a sweet voice, and easy body language.

How do you keep in shape for the job?

FUZE: Every dog in the unit trains and works on obedience at least six hours per week, but I need playtime every day. My human also works hard to build her upper body because there are some fences I can’t jump over, or places I can’t get to; she gives me a great assist. But even we have our limitations. Working narcotics searches in cars, in the heat of summer blacktop, is rough on us dogs; we usually just look forward to getting back to chasing. But we Belgian Malinois handle the heat better than the German Shepherds people typically mistake us for. My human tells me we Belgians are built better and we don’t have some of the health issues that the Shepherds have, so we are able to have long careers.

DEPUTY CHARLES DUVALL AND KATO KATO: When we aren’t training, we run and play fetch with our handlers for an extra 20-30 minutes a day. We all have strengths and weaknesses, and sometimes we have our own agenda. One of the things about us working dogs is that our skills make us great for the job, but we always have a lot of energy so we need a lot of patience as “pets.” It all boils down to our humans; if they are confident, we feel that and we will be too.

FOLLOW KATO AND FUZE, AND THEIR FRIENDS NEMO, ENZO, MAX, BOHDI, AND SHELTER SUPERHERO, BOLO, ON TWITTER @WILCOK9 FOR FUN, ADVENTURE, AND CATCHING BAD GUYS

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(

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-3354

AL Facility ID# 106705

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why is this a thing?

Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@georgetownview.com

More than a best-selling book WHO COMES UP WITH THIS STUFF?

G

uinness World Records has long been the authority on recordbreaking achievements, but its origins are just as fascinating as its content. To start, there was no Mr. Guinness; the book was actually named for...yes, the beer.

In the 1950s, Sir Hugh Beaver, Managing Director of the Guinness Brewery, while at a shooting party, debated about which was the fastest game bird. He later fixed on a idea for a promotion—a book of facts in every Guinness pub that could be used to settle arguments.

More than 2,000 hours of research later, his team produced a book that sold 187,000 copies in its first year, and would eventually hold its own world record for the most copyrighted books sold.

Guinness has been cataloging ‘firsts’ and superlatives for 65 years, and is now a multi-media product in digital, event, and business solution channels. In the 21st century, Guinness evolved its model to include campaign and marketing solutions support to promote great (or at least interesting) achievements.

Guinness explains its mission is not necessarily to sell books, but to inspire. Their outside-the-box branding recognizes non-traditional success to support individuals, families, schools, teams, groups, companies, and communities anywhere in the world.

So, if you are looking to create buzz or awareness for an event, or a concern, consider Guinness as a partner. For instance, if you want to draw attention to shelter pets, you might squeeze a world record number of retrievers in a minivan, or assemble the most dogs ever to play fetch at one time. For the cost of the application fee, having the media machine of one of the world’s most recognized brands on your team is superlative publicity in itself.

Apparently, it is working well; the company gets more than 1,000 calls every week from record seekers. John Corcoran of Ripley’s Entertainment says the company is very cautious about events and records they authenticate. John says, “If someone says they are going to cook the world’s largest pizza, we need to affirm that they actually cooked a food item that can, and will be eaten before we will issue the certificate.”

He adds they are vigilant in their oversight of records attempted by children or seniors. “We always ensure the person is capable and willing, and not compelled by others for the sake of the certificate.”

While some records are silly or mundane, at least one was banned after 19-year-old Randy Gardner stayed awake for 11 days. His health was affected in the extreme at the time and he never recovered his ability to sleep normally.

So it seems some things you can try at home... but, like our list at right... why would you, really?

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It would seem you don’t necessarily need to be a Michael Phelps to create or break a record. Apparently, some of them just require a little creativity.

Most toilet seats broken by the head in one minute — 46; by Kevin Shelley, U.S. The heaviest weight lifted with an eye socket — 30.86 lb by Manjit Singh, U.K. Sweet Pea, an Australian Shepherd/ Border Collie, holds both records for walking while balancing a glass of water — 10 steps up going backwards and 10 steps down going forwards.

Halapi Roland of Hungary holds the record for longest distance being dragged by a horse, while on fire — 1,151 feet 2 in.

Longest bath in a tub full of baked beans — 100 hours by Barry Kirk, England In 2012, to boost morale during exams, two teams of 2,012 Air Force Academy cadets beat the World Record for the largest dodgeball game.

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poppy talks

Notes to My 2019 Self R

ecently, I have had occasion to reflect on many things we say that are completely normal. Then I laugh when I realize if I had said them at nearly any other time of my life, people would call me a lunatic then go’head’n lock me up, or at least think I was being extremely sarcastic.

Still, I do enjoy thinking about look on my face if someone had said some of these things to me a year ago.

Toilet paper, pasta, AND soap? You must have been first in line.

Here’s $10, go fill up your gas tank this month.

No, I don’t think it’s excessive to have Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Vudu, HBO Max, Disney+, Peacock, and Sling; do you?

Hey, did you catch that 1985 Super Bowl the other night?

Nah, you don’t really need to buy new socks / bras / razors / mascara any time soon.

Matching shoes? I don’t even wear pants to work.

My dog just lays there and looks at me when I take his leash off the peg and call his name.

Shower? Um... what day is it?

I’ll have the broccoli; I can’t taste it anyway.

Mne skuchno. (That’s Russian. I also learned to say “I’m bored” in Irish, German, and Finnish.)

Remember the good old days when all we had to worry about were terrorists and North Korea?

OMG, I’m really enjoying “Breaking Bad”. Have you heard of it?

I’m so excited; I found a headband with buttons so I won’t have TMJ every night.

Big day today, going to the grocery store.

Do you like Conan’s living room better than Jimmy Fallon’s?

I know it’s not Black Friday, but I have to be at Costco by 5am.

Speaking of days, today is Blursday, the forty-teenth of Marprilajunly. Happy EasteCincoDeJuly!

Why are people eating bats anyway?

Yes Netflix, I am still watching. What are YOU doing to save the world?

My virtual church got hacked by a Zoom bomber.

The weekend? Well, my windows are clean, and I stripped and re-stained that china cabinet taking up space in my garage for two years. Tomorrow I’m going to screen in the back porch.

It’s your birthday today? What time is the parade?

Did you hear there’s an election coming up?

I found three cans of Clorox wipes on Ebay for $75.

Score!

I wonder what color car I should buy my son’s teacher.

I really like Simon Cowell’s pajamas.

Don’t forget to spray the pizza box.

Headed to the bank...better cover my face with this bandanna.

I don’t eat in public because if I get something stuck, ain’t nobody going to touch me to do the Heimlich.

Well, I don’t live in the Quarante province of France, so it’s more like “sparkling isolation.”

Remember when going out was fun and all you had to do to be safe was cover your drink?

Wow, that was a fun visit; I really miss seeing my mother-in-law.

I already can’t wait to find out what kind of weird things I’m going to hear myself saying in 2021.

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ask the expert

Charlotte Kovalchuk charlotte@georgetownview.com Photos courtesy of Jennifer Miller

Cat Boarding: A Whole Different Animal

Y

our long-awaited vacation is finally here and you’re excited for a much-needed rest. But will your beloved feline be okay at home alone or should you board?

How will she react?

Jennifer Miller is the owner of Whiskers Luxury Cat Boarding in Georgetown and she is an expert on healthy and comfortable environments for your kitty.

Unlike a vet’s office or facilities that board other types of animals, a cats-only facility has no need for kennels or cages, allowing cats to relax quickly in a home-like environment. “It’s important to create an environment with cat comfort and behavior in mind,” Jennifer says.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

When looking at potential providers, a cat facility should have large rooms that can house multiple cats from one household, and rooms that face away from other felines. Cats are generally not interested in making friends with other cats, so a sense of isolation is calming.

Cats may enjoy play sessions, but with one human at a time, not other cats. In addition to companionship, a professional may also administer medication.

But, you might ask, what about leaving kitty at home and having a friend check on her? Jennifer says while there’s nothing wrong with that, some cats get lonely,

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and with many hours alone, they may get themselves tangled or into some other mischief.

WHAT IF KITTY WON’T GO?

Jennifer says it is a rare cat that is unable to settle in anywhere but her own home. “We’ve had thousands of cats come through our doors; some with behavioral issues, and they settle in just fine.” The facility had only one case that didn’t work out because the cat had an extreme aversion to carriers. For cats that are nervous about their carrier, Jennifer suggests removing the door or throwing a blanket or treat inside to make them more comfortable.

A GOOD IDEA

Consider boarding if you’re going to be out of the house but still in town; e.g., your home is being remodeled or needs repairs. Kitty can have a “spa” weekend safely away from chemicals or loud noises—but not confined—and owners can check in for playtime. Ask if your facility can send photo and video updates.

While we know cats are more independent, relative to dogs, but Jennifer suggests occasional boarding might be a good idea for owners who travel frequently. The cost is consistent with dog boarding, from $30 a day to a luxury $75.

If you have more questions about cat boarding, or Whiskers services, email info@catsonlyboarding.com.

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Anxiety? Sadness? Depression?

Distracted/Preoccupied?

Can’t sleep? ADHD? Racing mind?

The Rev. Dr. Bill Pederson, Pastor

Are you feeling trapped?

TrTrouble with anger?ouble Alcohol and substance abuse?

Bipolar Disorders?

PTSD/Trauma? Schizophrenia?

We have solutions.

AUSTIN MENTAL HEALTH CARE 512-597-6712 / 512-884-4866 Call for Free Consultation - Appointments Available - Private Pay Ketamine Treatments Available

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On-site activities suspended until further notice.

Sermons & Children’s Sunday School online at

www.sgpcgeorgetown.org For additional information, call 512-868-0902 5404 Williams Drive | Georgetown

facts to blow your mind

HOW BORED AM I? In case you haven’t used enough data yet, the latest Excel spreadsheets have 220 or 1,048,576 columns; 214 or 16,384 rows; resulting in 234 or 17,179,869,184 cells.

The most current Apple calendar scrolls all the way back to January 1, 1 and ends December 31, 10000. Assuming no changes to our current system, you won’t need to update until 4909, when one full day will be added to match Earth’s orbit.

My 1000th birthday is on a Monday

If you decide to watch all the videos on YouTube, you will never finish. There are more than five billion videos right now, and 300 hours are added nearly every minute.

Gravity Points is a digital “pen” created by Akimitsu Hamamuro. The website simulates the effect of gravity by allowing you to plot small gravity centers on your screen.

Then, even smaller floating objects will flock to these gravity centers and orbit them until they become black holes.

It’s a teeny tiny time lapse of how the universe works.

There actually is a word that rhymes with purple; “hirple” means “to limp awkwardly.” Still no luck for orange,or silver.

In case you are still wondering…In the Vietnam protest rally scene in Forrest Gump, where Tom Hanks’ mic is cut, what he actually says is “Sometimes when people go to Vietnam, they go home to their mommas without any legs.

Sometimes they don’t go home at all. That’s a bad thing.

That’s all I have to say about that.”

The Twitter bird’s name is Larry. Supposedly, the blue bird was named after former NBA player Larry Bird by Twitter co-founder Biz Stone. Stone’s home team was the Boston Celtics.

The Track Sharker tool by Marine Research Group OCEARCH lets you track tagged sharks—who all have names, by the way—as they travel all over the world. You can even zoom in on the Texas coast to see which sharks are hanging out there, and also where they’ve been swimming and traveling for the past year.

Go! Pico, GO!

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Spend your time on what matters.

Leave your taxes and accounting to us.

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August: From the Almanac You may already know August 11 marks the end of the Dog Days of Summer, which began on July 3. We didn’t know that August 17 is the beginning of “Cat Nights.” Without reviewing the folklore about cats with nine lives and witches, science tells us August is a loud time for cats, and nights are continuing to get longer. Since cats are active at twilight and night time, they make great nocturnal hunters. Bonus; with superior night vision, the nights belong to them.

August 19 brings National Aviation Day, chosen for the birthday of Orville Wright who piloted the first recorded flight of a powered heavier-than-air machine in 1903.

August 26 is Women’s Equality Day, which celebrates the 1920 ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment and, with it, women’s right to vote in the United States.

And in Texas... in 2003, we mourned Connie Reeves, America’s oldest cowgirl, who died at 101 after being thrown from her horse, Dr. Pepper. (She was still riding!) She was one of the first women to study law at UT and she started one of Texas’ first women’s drill teams!

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Mobile • Pick-up & Delivery On-site at our Facility

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food

Celebrating Farmers’ Market Week THE FIRST FULL

SPAGHETTI WITH NO-COOK PUTTANESCA

WEEK OF AUGUST IS NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK. THIS CELEBRATION FOCUSES ON THE LOCAL HARVESTING OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THAT ARE NOW RIPE FOR YOUR FAMILY’S TABLE. THESE RECIPES FEATURE SOME OF THE BEST CENTRAL TEXAS HAS TO OFFER.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 beefsteak tomatoes (about 1lb.), halved crosswise, seeds removed

(removing the seeds reduces bitterness and keeps the sauce from being watery)

• 2 garlic cloves, finely grated • 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes • 2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more • 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved • 1 cup Castelvetrano olives, crushed, pits removed • 2 Tbsp. drained capers • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling • 12 oz. spaghetti • ¼ cup finely chopped parsley • 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces

DIRECTIONS

Pulse beefsteak tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, and 2 tsp. salt in a food processor until smooth; transfer sauce to a large bowl and mix in cherry tomatoes, olives, capers, and ¼ cup oil.

Cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving ¼ cup pasta cooking liquid.

Add pasta, parsley, and butter to sauce. Toss vigorously with tongs, adding a splash of pasta cooking liquid or more as needed to create an emulsified sauce that coats pasta. Divide among bowls and drizzle with more oil.

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A U food GUST HARVEST SLOW COOKER CREAMED CORN

When you visit your farmers’ market, these are Central Texas’ best picks for August.

This is the side dish practically designed for your ribs or barbecue.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream • 1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened

Apples

• ¼ cup unsalted butter

Beets

• 2 tablespoons white sugar • ½ teaspoon salt

Cucumbers

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Figs

• 5 cups frozen sweet corn

Grapes

DIRECTIONS

Melons

Stir whipping cream, cream cheese, butter, sugar, salt, and pepper together in a slow cooker set to High; cook, stirring regularly, until the cheese and butter are melted, about 10 minutes.

Stir corn into cream mixture. Cook on Low for 4 hours.

Peaches Plums Pumpkins Raspberries Squash Sweet Corn

SOUTHERN BAKED YELLOW SQUASH

Tomatoes

INGREDIENTS

• 3 pounds yellow summer squash, cut into 1-inch cubes • ½ cup dry bread crumbs • ½ cup chopped onion • 2 eggs • ¼ cup butter, melted • 1 tablespoon white sugar • 1 teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon black pepper • ¼ cup butter, melted

Wolf Ranch Town Center Farmers’ Market

•¼ cup dry bread crumbs

DIRECTIONS

Preheat an oven to 375°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish.

Place the squash in a large saucepan, cover with water, and boil until soft, about 15 minutes. Drain the squash well, place in a large mixing bowl, and mash until slightly chunky. Stir in 1/2 cup of bread crumbs, onion, eggs, 1/4 cup of butter, sugar, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined, and spread mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Saturdays, 9am-1pm In the parking lot at 1015 W University Ave, Georgetown

Drizzle the top of the casserole with 1/4 cup melted butter, and sprinkle 1/4 cup bread crumbs over the butter.

Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is cooked through and the top is golden brown, about 1 hour.

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512-643-9200

10% OFF valid through 8/31/20

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parting shot

Sirius-ly Epic Skies

Photos taken in Liberty Hill, July 17 about 10pm by Reagan Scott Photography. Graphic by HORIZONS System, JPL, NASA (Wikimedia Commons)

T

he Dog Star (Sirius) is the brightest object in the sky this month but comet NEOWISE got all the attention over the past few weeks. Astronomical estimates put comet NEOWISE’s last visit to Earth—depending on your version of history—during the Halocene epoch, or about the time Adam and Eve ruined the party for the rest of us.

This summer sensation was discovered in March 2020 by the Near Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) telescope, and is a mere three miles wide. It intersected our solar plane just outside the orbit of Mercury in early July and passed closest to Earth at about 64 million miles, on its parabolic journey back out of the solar system, on July 22.

Comet science (and observation) tells us that its speed and visibility increased as it approached, maxing out at

about 277,200mph during its slingshot around the sun and moving away until the year 8820 or so.

Comets are frozen leftovers from the formation of our solar system, roughly 4.6 billion years ago. The masses of dust, rock, and ice heat up when approaching the Sun; as they get closer, they emit gas and dust that are visible as a glowing head and tail reflecting light from the sun.

NASA satellite data indicated the NEOWISE had a dust tail and possibly two gas tails.

The NEOWISE project is the asteroid-hunting portion of NASA’s Planetary Science Division. It tracks and collects measurements of asteroids and comets from telescope images and has helped construct a database that allows astronomers to search for solar system objects.

During its first mission, NEOWISE detected more than 34,000 new minor planets.

K E E P LO O K I N G U P F O R T H E P E A K O F T H E P E R S E I D M E T E O R S H O W E R , AU G U S T 11 - 13.

T H I S I S M A N Y S K Y WATC H E R S’ FAV O R I T E T I M E O F Y E A R ; U P TO 50 M E T E O R S P E R H O U R ( A F T E R M I D N I G H T ) A N D B R I G H T E N O U G H TO B E S E E N , E V E N W I T H T H E M O O N I N Q UA R T E R P H A S E .

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georgetown view P.O. Box 2281, Georgetown, TX 78627

ECRWSS POSTAL PATRON GEORGETOWN, TX