December 2016 Hays County Echo

HAYS COUNTY

ECHO DECEMBER 2016

Inside:

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Law enforcement agencies give back during the holidays

EDITOR’S NOTE

HAYS COUNTY

ECHO

I

t may not seem like it just yet, but the holiday season is practically in full swing.

No matter where you go, festive lights and décor accentuate businesses of all kinds. The senses are bombarded with the sounds, smells and even tastes of the holiday season.

All of it brings to mind warm holiday feelings shared with family.

But for some Hays County families, the ability to have a festive holiday may not be easily attained. That’s where heroes on the thin blue – or brown – line step in to fill the void.

This month, the Hays County Echo highlights various charitable causes that help those in need celebrate the holiday season.

We start with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Brown Santa program, which annually delivers a box of holiday cheer to families in need.

We then focus in on the Kyle Police Department’s Blue Santa campaign that provides families the necessary items needed for the holiday season.

The spotlight then hits the Buda Police Department’s Shop with a Cop – a program that allows children who may not be able to celebrate the holidays the chance to buy gifts for themselves and their families.

Sharing is caring during this time of the year and reporter Samantha Smith has offered a few secret family holiday recipes in this issue.

Also, columnist Chris Reid provides life lessons learned in the garden.

Whether giving back to the community or sharing food with family, we hope your holiday season is merry and bright.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year Moses Leos III Editor

is published monthly by Barton Publications, Inc 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX Contents © December 2016.

Publisher Cyndy Slovak–Barton Editor Moses Leos III Graphics Director David White Graphics Assistant Christine Thorpe Contributing Writers Chris Reid Moses Leos III Samantha Smith Contributing Photographers Moses Leos III Distribution David White Marketing Tracy Mack Jim Darby Pamela Patino For advertising information, please contact our sales department at 512–268–7862.

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page 2 ◆ december | 2016

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IN THIS ISSUE...

Blue Santa Gives Back ................................................4-5 Brown Santa Provides Volunteer Opportunities........6-7 Good Eats in the Area ..................................................8-9 Local Kids Shop with a Cop ......................................... 10 Thigh High Gardens: Life Lessons Learned ................ 12 Central Texas Festivals & Events ................................ 13 Hey! Cupcakes for the Holiday .................................... 14 Service Directory .......................................................... 15

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Kyle Police give back to families in need

BY MOSES LEOS III

According to Dibble, the program, which first started in 1999, ears welled in the eyes of Kyle “started really small.” resident Nancy Charlez when “It was run by the police she saw what awaited her and department and the city,” her two children at Wallace Middle Dibble said. He said the first few School last December. giveaways were held at Historic Charlez, who at the time was Kyle City Hall in downtown Kyle. going through a divorce, didn’t think Since the program’s inception, she would be able to afford a ChristDibble said it has taken off, growing mas for her two girls, Adriana and “beyond expectation.”

Alexandria.

“We started with giving 15 to 20 But through the help of the Kyle bicycles. Now it’s more about the Blue Santa program, bikes, more the presthe Charlez family ents, the food that not only was able goes out to people,” “It helps in so to get a complete Dibble said. many ways holiday meal, but also This year Blue a variety of Christmas Santa served 96 and it brings presents for her kids.

Kyle families, which For Charlez, receivconstituted one the joy to everyone ing assistance was a largest giveaways to blessing she didn’t ... I don’t know date. take lightly.

The program in what is more “It’s so awesome 2015 gave away 41 to know they are holiday important than complete actually here to help meals. In addition, people,” Charlez said. the program served this – to show “It’s very cool. This is over 300 children that we do awesome that they with gifts, which inare able to give back 70 bicycle and care. That we’re cluded to the community.”

26 razor scooters.

The Kyle Police Dibble said donot just the Employees Assocainations from the police, but we’re community play tion (KPEA), under president and Kyle a vital role in the human and Police officer Jason program’s success.

Dibble, leads Kyle’s the course of also people. It’s During Blue Santa giveaway the year, Blue Santa program. very important.” conducts various The program helps toy donation drives, – Jason Dibble, families in need of along with fundraisKyle Police officer assistance who othing programs, such as erwise may not have the annual Pancake a holiday. Families Breakfast. register for Blue Santa by applying While Blue Santa also provides for help. Requirements include that assistance during the Thanksgiving the family must reside in Kyle, and holiday, it’s during Christmas when that children must be between the Dibble said the program’s imporages 0 to 14 years old. tance is felt.

Blue Santa then aids them by “It helps in so many ways and it offering a complete holiday meal. In brings joy to everyone,” Dibble said. addition, the program also provides “I don’t know what is more importgifts and presents for children, ant than this – to show that we do which in some cases may include a care. That we’re not just the police, free bicycle. but we’re human and also people.

T

page 4 ◆ december | 2016

It’s very important.”

Kyle resident Araceli Estrada, who recently moved to the area, also lauded the importance of the program.

Araceli, who at the time was an unemployed stay-at-home mother, said Christmas wasn’t something that was thought of this year. It wasn’t until a friend referred her to the Blue Santa program that she applied.

Watching her children play with the bicycles they received from the Blue Santa program also brought tears to her eyes.

“This is the first time (my children) get something like that. They are so excited for that,” Araceli said.

“Thank you so much (to Blue Santa) for all of these presents for my kids.”

For Dibble, seeing a child’s face light up when they receive a new bike or a toy they weren’t expecting for Christmas is an emotional moment.

It’s something he calls “the best feeling in the world.”

“You see people you don’t expect to see, they come in and they are really appreciative,” Dibble said. “It makes you feel good.”

Want to help?

KPD Blue Santa • Volunteer applications accepted at the Kyle Police Department until Dec. 9 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Applicants must reside in the Kyle city limits and must show proof of residency • Children must be between the ages 0 to 14 years old

Wrapping Events Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 Kyle Public Works Training Room 520 E RR 150, Kyle, Tx 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Monetary Donations www.kpea.us/Blue-Santa.htm

Toy and Clothes Drop-Off Locations Kyle Police Department 111 N Front St., Kyle, TX Sustainable Living Center 409 W Center St., Kyle, TX UPS Store 5401 FM 1626 Suite 170, Kyle, TX Overlook at Plum Creek 4850 Cromwell Drive, Kyle, TX

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Brown Santa provides volunteer opportunities

BY MOSES LEOS III

stoves,” he said. “They can thaw and put the ham in a pan or a pit. It’s more aving helped coordinate the Hays expensive to do it that way, but we do it County Sheriff’s Office Brown because it’s a bigger impact for them.”

Santa program for the last 27 Gutierrez said Brown Santa accepts years, Lt. Dennis Gutierrez has seen all families that live in Hays County demand rise and fall. except those who live in A consistent theme, San Marcos and Kyle, “There are however, is the positive which have Blue Santa feelings he and many people among programs. other volunteers have the “We don’t require us that moment they deliver a statements that you’re box of holiday happiness welfare,” Gutierrez received from on to those in need. said. “We’re on the “It’s awesome. This is a honor system. That’s Brown Santa group of people that are how we do it.” and we helped trying to reach out to a The program, family in need,” Gutierrez which has been in existhem get tence for many years, relies said. “When I lead my team, I allow them to take strictly on monetary, toy over a slight items to houses to see the and food donations, along kids faces and see them hump over the with several fundraisers light up.” during the course of the holidays. Then year.

Brown Santa, which assisted over 550 families Community members they come last year, is a program that volunteer time to asthat provides a holiday back and pay sist the program also help meal to needy families.

Brown Santa. Help extends it forward. It The meal consists of a to building boxes, wrappre-cooked ham, milk, ping gifts and delivering means a lot.” bread and canned goods. the items to homes.

The box also contains Coordinating that help is –Lt. Dennis Gutierrez toys for children up to 16 conducted through social with the Hays County years old. media, Gutierrez said. He Sheriff’s Office Brown Gutierrez said includsaid the program places Santa Program ing the ham, which is the call outs for help through highest expense, is important as many Facebook and Twitter. Word of mouth Hays County families in need may not also helps drum up support. have the ability to cook a turkey.

Gutierrez said Brown Santa’s volunteer “Some people don’t have working base is “well into the hundreds.”

H

page 6 ◆ december | 2016

“We don’t do a lot of advertising anymore as so many people want to help,” Gutierrez said.

One key trait Gutierrez said that separates Brown Santa from others is that they deliver boxes to families.

But learning to understand different situations is a key trait for volunteers who help deliver, Gutierrez said.

It extends to the variety of people that sign up for help through Brown Santa.

While one house may have a nice car in the yard or a nice TV in the home, another may live in “deplorable” conditions, Gutierrez said.

“We give a speech to volunteers to turn the other cheek,” Gutierrez said.

“We don’t know the circumstances of what they’re going through.”

He said approximately 40 percent of the homes visited by Brown Santa are “really bad.” Some homes may not have

running water or plumbing, while other homes may not have food in the refrigerator, he said.

“You hear stories where a volunteer gets to a household and they would be so heartbroken by the conditions, they go to HEB and Walmart to help them,” Gutierrez said.”

Giving back to their community is the end goal for volunteers for the program, he said. Occasionally, those who were helped additionally give back as well.

One family helped by the program six years ago has returned every year to volunteer.

“There are people among us that received from Brown Santa and we helped them get over a slight hump over the holidays. Then they come back and pay it forward,” Gutierrez said. “It means a lot.”

Want to help?

Brown Santa Schedule Nov 30-Dec 3 December 2 December 2 December 3 December 5 December 8 December 9 December 10 December 10 December 11 December 12 December 13 December 14 December 17

5-11 p.m.

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

4-8 p.m.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

6-8 p.m.

5 p.m.

5 p.m.

9 a.m.-Noon 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

2-10 p.m.

5 p.m.

1-5 p.m.

8 a.m.-Noon 7 a.m.-Noon

Sights and Sounds Booth fundraiser Holiday Lockup fundraiser Wimberley Winter Wonderland Wimberley Winter Wonderland Pct 4 Dripping Springs Christmas Party Deadline for applications Deadline for unwrapped toys donations Gift Wrapping Day “Fill the Stocking” fundraisers Willie’s Joint Holiday Toy Drive Deadline for wrapped toy donations Sorting of toys and food Sorting of toys and food (if needed) Delivery of food and toys

Budafest Downtown Buda Parade Saturday 10 a.m.

Fun

Dec. 3-4 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Music Crafts Rides Vendors Visit Santa!

Budafest proceeds are distributed to non-profits in and around Buda.

How

Can

We

Help

Compassionate Care Hospice of Central Texas

Volunteer Details Wrapping: If you want to help with wrapping, we ask that you bring scissors and if you have a roll or two of wrapping paper, bring that as well. We are starting to run short of wrapping paper this year.

Also, the warehouse is carpeted but it is rather dirty so you may want to bring a blanket to sit on if you wish. Some families bring folding tables with them so that they don’t have to sit on the hard floor!

Delivery: If you are interested in helping deliver food and toys to families on Dec 17, Lt. Gutierrez will need to know the name of the driver, what type of vehicle they will be driving, and their cell phone number. Volunteers deliver lots of boxes, milk, and bread so trailers and trucks are most helpful but not required. Gutierrez will assign a Sheriff’s deputy to lead each team and will assign the appropriate vehicles to each team based on the number of families the team will be delivering.

Gutierrez will try to start briefing volunteers at 7 a.m. so please get there a little early.

Toy donations: Brown Santa prefers toys to be unwrapped but if you want to donate wrapped toys, we ask that you place a tag or note on each toy that shows what age group the toy is appropriate for and whether the toy is for a girl or boy.

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Brown Santa Headquarters is located at: 200 Springtown Way Suite 401 Springtown Center San Marcos, Texas To make a monetary donation, mail check or money order to: Hays County Brown Santa P.O. Box 1475 San Marcos, TX 78667 If you wish to make a cash donation or are interested in helping with any of the above events, contact: Lt Dennis Gutierrez (512) 393-7877 or email dg1203@co.hays.tx.us

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Local children get the opportunity to

SHOP WITH A COP

by Moses Leos III

B

uda resident Nicholas Gonzalez had a smile on his face when he chose the first gift he wanted during the 2015 Buda Blue Santa Shop-With-A-Cop event.

And while the gift he chose, a table tennis set, dwarfed the shopping cart it was supposed to go in, a Buda Police officer was more than happy to push it for him.

For Gonzalez, his reason for choosing the tennis table was a simple one. It was to provide his family a Christmas gift they may not have had otherwise.

It was similar with the seven other children participating in the Blue Santa program. They wanted something to share.

“It’s because I can share (the tennis table) with my family and play with them,” Gonzalez said.

Buda’s Shop-With-A-Cop program has children team up with Buda Police officers to shop for gifts and toys for themselves and their families.

Buda Police Chief Bo Kidd said the program is something the department wanted in order to bring “something positive with the kids.”

Kidd had previously worked with Hays County Sheriff’s Office Brown Santa program for 15 years. While he said the program worked, he didn’t believe it reached out to those most in need.

In addition, he said children often didn’t know what they were getting in terms of presents. Kidd opted to have children walk with police officers to gather what they wanted. Participants are given a budget of roughly $150 each to shop for themselves and their families.

“I thought Shop-With-A-Cop

page 10 u december | 2016

would be a better way to do that, to reach out to those most in need,” Kidd said.

After the shopping experience, volunteers pitch in to help wrap the presents and gifts, which are then delivered to the families.

While the kids shopping know what they are getting, Kidd said the importance is to ensure they and their families have the full Christmas experience.

Those selected to ShopWith-A-Cop are referred to Buda Police by councilors at Hays CISD or through a church.

According to Kidd, school councilors are “the best equipped to identify those most in need.”

Kidd talked about a case where a student participated after losing a parent in a car accident.

He said the program has led to a variety of “heartbreaking stories” over the years.

It all hit home when Kidd shopped with a pair of siblings whose family had fallen on hard times financially.

Kidd noticed during their shopping experience that the siblings were making their way to the grocery section of the store. While officers were trying to get them to shop in the toy section, it was obvious that they were looking to gather food for their family.

“When a kid is thinking about going down a food aisle before the toy aisle, that’s kind of heartbreaking,” Kidd said.

Kidd said the program would help the family by providing a gift certificate to assist in purchasing food.

The program also has an additional benefit, as it helps Buda Police reach out to children and built a positive relationship.

Buda Police helped seven children in need purchase holiday gifts for themselves and their families for Christmas at the annual Shop for a Cop event last year. (photos by Moses Leos III)

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page 11

Life Lessons in the Garden

BY CHRISTINE REID

T

hough her life ended far too soon, Stephanie Bledsoe nonetheless jam-packed her 27 years with passion and purpose. What is hoped to be one of her most enduring legacies is a piece of land known as Thigh High Gardens. Located just outside of San Marcos, the 20 acres are teeming with projects that would do any forward-thinking grower proud: gardens filled with herbs, flowers and vegetables, fruit tree orchards, solar panels, permaculture design, bio-diesel production, rainwater collection and drip irrigation, to mention just a few.

Bledsoe graduated with a degree in horticulture and a minor in biology and music from Texas State University in 2011; she was Texas State Horticulture President in 2010 and also a member of the Texas State Environmental Services Committee. While the blue-eyed, freckled beauty sang, belly-danced and pursued many interests, being in nature was an all-consuming desire.

She purchased the undeveloped land now known as Thigh High Gardens in 2012 and, with the help of like-minded people, set about creating a small community trying to make a difference.

Things then took a very sharp turn for the worse. In August 2013, Bledsoe died from complications relating to an accident at the farm. Working past this huge loss, her friends have continued to fulfill her goals and dreams at Thigh High Gardens.

Silas Parker, the manager of Thigh High Gardens, lives on the property with his wife Grace, a musician and artist, and their carpenter friend Henry.

“Thigh High Gardens was designed to be a classroom of sorts, a place to learn about the various features and practices of homesteading/permaculture,” Parker explained. Eventually, the property will be financially supported by Parker’s brewery, Darkside Fermentation, which is in construction on ten acres adjacent to Thigh High Gardens. According to Parker, Bledsoe’s vision is intact and proceeding as planned, probably better than could have been hoped. “Her death really brought the community together and supercharged our intentions and motivation,” he added. "The community that keeps this place going blows my mind."

Another person who helps keep Thigh High Gardens thriving is Zach Halfin,

page 12 ◆ december | 2016

Top left, is Silas Parker, manager of Thigh High Gardens. Center is Zach Halfin, head gardener and designer. (photos by Christine Reid)

“Thigh High Gardens was designed to be a classroom of sorts, a place to learn about the various features and practices of homesteading/permaculture.”

–Silas Parker, manager of Thigh High Gardens

head gardener and designer. His horticultural talents are revealed in the many garden areas containing neat rows of vigorous plants such as squash, cherry tomatoes, lemon grass and zinnias. He's also in charge of organizing the garden spaces, orchards, irrigation and earthworks. A current project is installing fruit trees, plants and herbs to supply the brewery with flavorful, fermentable food such as peaches, figs, persimmons, blackberries, loquats, sage, wormwood and more.

Halfin and Bledsoe, who met at Texas State when they were students, founded SMTX Permaculture, an organization that helps small growers connect and

share ideas. The group meets at Thigh High Gardens on the first and third Thursday of each month. Those interested in attending can check the Thigh High Gardens Facebook page or thighhighgardens.org for details.

In keeping with the educational aspect of Thigh High Gardens, several successful courses on permaculture have been held at the farm and more are planned. “THG is the crucible in which ideas are tested and forged,” Parker said, and “we hope to expand our interests every year as we bring more and more people into the fold.” Future areas to be explored include beekeeping, mycology, canning/preserving/fermenting and

renewable energies.

Along with its emphasis on agriculture, Thigh High Gardens also supports the local music scene. In November, the third annual Hill Country Fair was held on the property, which featured a dozen bands and singers, along with wares offered by artists, beer tastings from area breweries and permaculture workshops held throughout the day. It’s not an unheard-of partnership, according to Kevin Adams, local grower and manager of the San Marcos Farmers Market. “There’s always been a natural alliance between musicians, poets and small-scale organic agriculture,” Adams said. “Thigh High typifies that.”

Bledsoe lived her life to the fullest, rejecting the idea that people should let fear hold them back. The mission page of the THG website uses Bledsoe's own words to inspire others: “Do your fears have you down? Drop them. It's all in your head. It’s time to just do it. Do it... do it now.”

Central Texas Festivals & Events Nov. 26-Dec. 29

Dec. 3

Christmas on Mercer - Dripping Springs

EmilyAnn Trail of Lights Wimberley Enjoy more than 100 lighted exhibits created by Wimberley businesses and organizations. Roast a marshmallow at the Yule Log, listen to live music and meet Santa.

Get details at emilyann.org

Nov. 30-Dec. 3

Sights and Sounds of Christmas San Marcos Enjoy four full evenings of holiday festivities in San Marcos. Highlights include carnival rides, arts and crafts, pictures with Santa, local school performances, live nativity scene and a food court. This annual event is held daily at San Marcos Plaza park.

Dec. 1

First Thursday - Dripping Springs From 5-9 p.m., businesses on Dripping Springs’ Mercer Street and Old Fitzhugh Road will welcome customers with specials, giveaways and live music for all to enjoy at participating merchants. First Thursday is a monthly event featuring downtown businesses who are alive after five.

This annual event will feature an oldfashioned holiday celebration on Mercer Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with live music and entertainment, arts and crafts booths, kid’s games and activities, a trackless train and pony rides, photos with Santa Claus and more. The annual Lighting of the Tree will be held at the Triangle at 6:15 p.m. Christmas carolers representing local churches and schools will serenade with heart-warming, traditional Christmas Carols at the tree lighting ceremony.

Dec. 3

Wimberley Market Days

On Saturday, Dec. 3, from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. head to the Lions Field in Wimberley for this free monthly event featuring locally made goods and live music. Work on your holiday shopping at one of the largest outdoor markets in the area. For more information visit shopmarketdays.com.

Dec. 3-4 Budafest

Buda’s annual Christmas celebration will be held Dec. 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Meet Santa, enjoy family-friendly activities and do some local holiday shopping. See budafest.org for more information.

Dec. 8-10

Buda Trail of Lights See the spectacles of the holiday season at this annual event at Historic Stagecoach Park Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 15-18. The trail is open 6-10 p.m. nightly. Senior Citizen Night (RSVP only)will be held Dec. 8, 6-8 p.m.

Dec. 10

Winter’s Eve - Wimberley

Dec. 15-18

Buda Trail of Lights See the spectacles of the holiday season at this annual event at Historic Stagecoach Park Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 15-18. The trail is open 6-10 p.m. nightly. Experience one of the best homegrown light trails around.

Dec. 16-18

Starlight Symphony Orchestra Celebrate the holidays with the Starlight Symphony Orchestra’s performance of “All I Really Need to Know I Learned from the Symphony - Warm Cookies & Cold Milk.”

The orchestra will perform 7 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 at the Hays PAC and Dec. 18 at the Wimberley First Baptist Church.

HaysFreePress.com

FARMERS

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Enjoy the enchanting lights and music of the season as you make your way around the Wimberley Square for holiday shopping from 5-10 p.m. Santa arrives at 6 p.m.

Browse & buy photos from local events at

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page 13

Holiday Pumpkin Cupcakes and Cream Cheese Frosting

Dental excellence in a relaxed environment.

Compassionate care for the entire family.

You will quickly discover that buda dental professionals

by Samantha Smith

is an uncommon place. a place where you honestly feel at home, while receiving dental care that is second to none.

PUMPKIN CUPCAKES

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

dr. strickland has a reputation for being a knowledge-

• 1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist Golden Vanilla flavored cake mix • 1 tsp. vanilla extract • 1 can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) • 1 ¼ cups water • 1/3 cup vegetable oil • 4 eggs • ½ tsp. cream of tartar • 1 tsp cinnamon

• 2 blocks of cream cheese • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract • 2-3 cups sifted powdered sugar • 1 stick of butter (salted or unsalted)

able professional with a gentle heart and touch, and she

First, preheat oven to 350°.

Mix dry cake mix with water, oil, pumpkin, vanilla and cinnamon in a bowl.

Separate egg yolks from egg whites and add egg yolks to bowl with cake mix, stirring well to incorporate.

In a separate smaller bowl with egg whites mix in ½ tsp. cream of tartar and whisk with hand mixer on high until stiff peaks begin to form.

Slowly fold in whipped egg whites into bowl of cake batter being careful not to vigorously stir to keep air bubbles in egg whites intact. (This will make cupcakes light and fluffy) Once egg whites are folded into batter, use an ice cream scoop to scoop batter into lined cupcake tins and bake in 350° oven for 17-22 minutes.

Let cool for 10 minutes before frosting.

page 14 ◆ december | 2016

Let the cream cheese and the butter come to room temperature then cream them together until smooth.

Add vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated.

If powdered sugar has not been sifted, sift 2-3 cups of powdered sugar then slowly add to cream cheese/butter mixture until sweetened to taste and consistency is smooth and thick. (If powdered sugar is not sifted before it’s added to cream cheese it will make the frosting lumpy and not uniform) Use a pastry piping bag or a Ziploc bag with the corner cut off to frost cupcakes after they have cooled.

Decorate to taste then serve.

would be honored to care for you and your family. come visit to see for yourself why so many have made bdp their “forever” dental home.

{

DR. ASHLEY STRICKLAND AND FAMILY

220 Main Street . Buda, Texas 78610 www.BudaDental.com

512.295.5555

Hays County Echo Service Directory AIR CONDITIONING AIM A/C and Heating Service

Free estimates for replacements.

Service, sales, installs, duct cleaning.

Locally owned and operated.

Licensed, bonded, insured and registered.

512–312–9080 www.AIM4AC.com

APC Service, LLC

Electrical, A/C, heating Commercial and residential.

Free service call with repair.

512–295–4023 www.APCServicePros.com

NEMEC Heating and Air

Proudly serving Central Texas.

Residential, commercial and after hours available. chris@nemecheatingandair.com 512–312–9081 512–789–5132

AUTOMOTIVE AMM Collision Center

Three great locations!

Kyle: 21681 IH–35, 262–1013 Austin: 11740 Manchaca Rd., 292–1060 Dripping Springs: 3990 Hwy 290, 512–894–3888

Buda Automotive

You know us... by our reputation!

Full service car & truck repair.

601 S. Loop 4 in Buda 512–295–2832

Central Garage, LLC

Complete Auto Repair, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

20 Hwy. 290 West, Dripping Springs 512-894-4114 or 512-858-4252

COMPUTER SERVICE A Computer Werks

Business, residential or commercial.

Adware, spyware, malware, installations. Service, software, hardware and custom builds. 512– 694–1746 www.acomputerwerks.com

Hays Technical Services

Want help selecting the best value?

Office systems not maintained?

Did your kids or employees leave your computer useless? mike@haystech.com

DIRT Rick-Rob Trucking

Loam, topsoil, sand, gravel, roadbase, asphalt millings, granite, compost mix. Tractor work available.

Specializing in country driveways.

512-858-7952. robinnds@aol.com, www.rick-rob.com

HOME REPAIR The Handyman Can

No job too small – all your home improvement needs. Painting, pressure washing, fencing, electrical, flooring, landscaping, roofing, decks, tile and more.

Call Jon at 512–496–1243.

GLASS SERVICE Berry Glass Company

Commercial and Residential Contract glazing, storefronts, insulated glass, furniture tops, tempered glass and mirrors.

Framed & frameless tub & shower enclosure.

5360 Industrial Way Dr., Buda, TX 78610. 512–312–2767

LANDSCAPING/LAWN CARE Daniel Stone & Landscaping Supplies

We deliver. Grass: St. Augustine, Buffalo, Bermuda, Tifway. Chopped rock, patio rock, flagstone, drystack, gravel, river rock, mulch, sand and loam. 12015 Hwy 290 W, Cedar Valley, Austin. 512-288-8488.

LEGAL SERVICES John A. Hall

Attorney and Counselors At Law Business law, wills, trust, probate, family law, divorce, custody, consumer law, deceptive trade, property law, landlord–tenant law, personal, injury, DWI, criminal defense, debt defense, general civil litigation. 130 Hall Professional Center Kyle, TX. 512–268–6425

LOCKSMITH AALCO Locksmiths

Auto, home, business. Established 1985, License B11969.

512-443-3444, lockmedic.com

PAINTING Alex’s Painting

Residential & commercial painting, texturing, sheetrock repair, wallpaper removal, popcorn texture removal, wood replacement, power washing.

Clean and neat professionals, fully insured, on time & dependable.

Family owned & operated.

Satisfaction guaranteed, excellent references. 512–470–3953

PLUMBING Prince Plumbing Company

Residential repair, remodeling, water heaters, sewer maintenance, slab & gas leak repair. 20 years experience, family owned and operated.

512–312–0710

POOL SERVICE G&S Pool and Spa Service

Serving South Austin, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Kyle and Buda since 1994. 512–326–4695 www.gspoolspa.com

High Tide Pool Service

Over 10 years cleaning and maintaining pools. Drain & cleans pressure washing, full service repairs, replastering. Free estimates, call Keith Miller at (512) 965-3465.

REMODELING Tri–County Construction

Let us make your dreams a reality!

Specializing in custom remodeling and insurance repairs since 1984.

Fully insured. 512–282–6224

Wild West Remodeling

No job too small or too big!

Kitchen/bath remodels, painting, tile, siding, decks, trim, door & window replacements, drywall repair, electrical and plumbing.

Curtis Dorsett, 512–402–4704

ROOFING Area Roofing Company

Serving Hays County. Residential & Commercial. Free estimates.

Insurance claims welcome. Ron Johnson, owner. 512–312–5050

SEPTIC SERVICES All American Wastewater Solutions, LLC

Septic problems... Let us help!

Locally serving our community since 1982. Septic repair and installation specialist, septic tank pumping and servicing, aerobic system servicing and more. Commercial and residential. www.allsepticcheck.com, 512–282–3889.

Sellman Enterprises, Inc.

Septic plumbing, cleaning, repairs Commercial & Residential Serving the Hays Metro area, including Travis, Blanco, Bastrop, Williamson & surrounding counties.

512–312–0002 www.SellmanSepticServices.com

TREE SERVICES Lees Trees

Firewood, pruning, tree removal, chipping, planting, cedar posts, bulk mulch. Free assessments & estimates. Affordable oak wilt treatment. Schedule ball moss treatment for March. Call Marcus Lees at (512) 858-4018, leestrees@vownet.net

WINDOW TREATMENTS Made in the Shade

Custom window treatments at affordable prices. Graber, Hunter Douglas, Norman and more. Blinds, shades, draperies and shutters.

Low prices with lifetime guarantees and fast professional installation.

Call 512-847-8970, www. madeintheshadeofwimberley.com

Is your business scoring with customers?

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page 15

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