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May 2022 | LHIndependent.com

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

2006

LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT MONTHLY |A Publication of Texas Independent News Corp. PUBLISHER | Shelly Wilkison CREATIVE DIRECTOR | Stacy Coale DESIGN | Katie McLaughlin ADVERTISING SALES | Stacy Coale CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rachel Madison, Scott Akanewich, Shelly Wilkison, Ramona Thompson

CONTENTS FEATURES 7 | THE BEST OF LIBERTY HILL FOOD

www.LHIndependent.com

Learn more about the best culinary offerings in Liberty Hill

17 | THE WINNERS LIST Liberty Hill voted - find out who made

this year’s Best of the Best of Liberty Hill Winners List

22 | HAIR METAL GIANTS

& AGAPE BBQ

Voted the Best Live Music Venue, Agape BBQ features the best of metal June 4

ABOUT OUR COVER

29 | MEET THE BEST OFFICER IN LH

Find out why voters chose David Joiner as the Best Police Officer

32 | COMMUNITY BARBER & CO. An exceptional haircut and good fellowship awaits at Liberty Hill’s ‘Best Barbershop’

Maxwell the rescue dog was pampered and groomed to appear on our cover this month. Liberty Hill has plenty to offer when it comes to pet care and grooming. PHOTO BY CLAIRE WILKISON

The information in this publication was compiled with great care to assure the accuracy of editorial content and advertising copy. Liberty Hill Independent Monthly and its parent company assume no liability for the accuracy of the information reported to us herein, and the opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. For advertising rates and information, or to obtain additional copies, call (512) 778-5577 or send email to news@LHIndependent.com. This publication is truly a collaborative effort of experienced journalists, a professional design team, advertising specialists and many others passionate about sharing the story of Liberty Hill, Texas. Copyright©2022 Texas Independent News Corp./Liberty Hill Independent. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher. Contact Us: (512) 778-5577 News@LHIndependent.com Liberty Hill Independent, PO Box 1235, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 Stop by at 921 Loop 332, Liberty Hill, TX 78642

M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

BIZ BRIEFS:

What’s New?

Latest business openings and what’s coming soon to Liberty Hill

FOOD & BEVERAGE LH Food Truck Court

Corner of CR 214 and Hwy. 29 The yellow food truck known as Mini Crunchy Tacos has been set up in this location for several months, but now other food trucks are invited to join the busy corner to create a food truck court for Liberty Hill.

Bojangles

Location TBD, Liberty Hill Chicken and biscuit fast-food restaurant Bojangles recently announced it will be opening a new location in Liberty Hill. The restaurant has multiple locations across the eastern and southern United States. The Liberty Hill location will be the only Bojangles restaurant in Texas.

Hoppy Hydrant

Mobile, Liberty Hill The Hoppy Hydrant is a firefighter-owned mobile beer bar. It’s set to open in the Liberty Hill area by the end of May. Beer will be served from a vintage 1984 fire truck utilizing self-pour technology. The mobile beer bar will be available for all sorts of events, from weddings to community festivals.

RETAIL Fletchers Florals

Mobile, Liberty Hill Local business Fletchers Florals started up just a few months ago, and offers customers a variety of fresh florals, from bouquets and corsages to wreaths and garlands.

Bertram Grocery

324 E. Hwy. 29, Bertram

OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS • Gandhi Bazaar Indian Supermarket 9073 Hwy. 29, Vista at 29

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

SERVICES The Fold Up

Mobile, Liberty Hill Just launched in Liberty Hill in April is The Fold Up, a full-service laundry business. The company offers pickup, washing, folding and the return of customers’ laundry.

BPG Inspections

Mobile, Liberty Hill BPG Inspections is the largest employee-based inspection company in the country, and a local branch of the business has been started by Rachel Morse. BPG provides home inspections for real estate professionals, buyers and sellers in the real estate transaction business.

Whitewater Express Car Wash

11730 Hwy. 29, Stonewall Crossing Whitewater Express Car Wash has 92 locations across the United States, and its next location is planned for Liberty Hill. The car wash will offer free vacuums, air guns, wet and dry mat cleaning stations, and more. The new car wash will be built at Stonewall Crossing, next door to Taco Bell.

Beleza Med Spa

101 Jonathan Drive Dr. Staci Hix-Hernandez is opening her fifth Beleza Med Spa in Liberty Hill this month. The med spa will be located on Jonathan Drive in the space previously leased by Liberty Hill Pediatrics, and will offer everything from injectables and dermal fillers to facials and laser tattoo removal. The grand opening for the spa is May 20.

FT Blocks Co.

Mobile, Liberty Hill This new Liberty Hill-based mobile business brings giant blocks to parties, events and schools for fun building activities for all.

Bearded Barber ATX

14365 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill Center A new barbershop is set to open in Liberty Hill soon, and will be the second location for the Bearded Barber. The first is located in Austin and both will be owned by Casey Needham. The barbershop runs off the motto that it’s “a 21st

century barber your grandfather would go to.” Interior finish out is underway, but no opening date has been set yet.

OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS • Native Picnic Co. Mobile, Liberty Hill

• Blue Hole RV Resort 1500 CR 279

• Juniper Ridge RV Village 1070 CR 256

• State Farm Insurance

12701 Hwy. 29, Liberty Meadows Plaza

• Liberty Hill Physical Therapist 15050 Hwy. 29, Panther Plaza

OPENING A BUSINESS? JUST PROMOTED? MOVING LOCATIONS? SHARE YOUR BUSINESS NEWS WITH US! Email rachel@LHIndependent.com

DAILY NEWS DELIVERED FREE TO YOUR INBOX!

Scan this code to sign up or visit www.lhindependent.com/users/signup/

Information gathered from the City of Liberty Hill, Liberty Hill Economic Development Corporation, LoopNet and Williamson County ESD No. 4.

BEST OF LIBERTY HILL This month, Liberty Hill celebrates the Best of the Best in our community with the newspaper’s annual Best of Liberty Hill edition. More than 74,000 votes were cast in our online poll - more than any year previously. It’s the fourth year for the annual contest. Recognizing the unique offerings of area businesses is a special occasion for us, and the accolades of local voters means a lot to businesses whose owners

and employees work tirelessly to deliver quality products and services every day. Liberty Hill is a unique community and local businesses are at the core of what makes this a special place. Your recognition and your vote of confidence inspires us to want to do more, to do better. Shopping local is important to the Liberty Hill economy. Businesses like ours, which are locally owned and operated, reinvest here every day. We

Daniel Quach, owner of Happy Wok, shows off two of his restaurant’s most flavorful Asian dishes. On the left is the calamari, and on the right is the crispy rice noodles. PHOTO BY RACHEL MADISON

Readers: Happy Wok serves the Best Asian food For the fourth year, Happy Wok takes home the award for Best Asian Food in Liberty Hill

BY RACHEL MADISON

STAFF WRITER

appy Wok has been a staple in Liberty Hill for the last 12 years, and for good reason. The restaurant serves a wide variety of Asian-inspired dishes, from the popular General Tso’s chicken to more unique dishes like pho and vermicelli. For the fourth year, the restaurant has won the Best

HAPPY WOK Best Asian Food

Asian Food award, as voted by the readers of The Independent. Owner Daniel Quach took over the restaurant from his father about seven years ago, and just earlier this year, moved to a new location that has been a boon for the business, he said. The restaurant, now locat-

ed in the Water Tower Center on Highway 29, has seen a tremendous increase in business since it relocated, plus the new restaurant allows dine in—something the previous location hadn’t offered since before the beginning of the pandemic. Another side effect of the pandemic was Happy Wok’s takeout business, which skyrocketed when most businesses were shut down. Even though dining in is starting to gain traction, the fact that Happy Wok offers takeout is a big deal to customers. “We are still primarily a to-go business—about 80 percent of what we do is take out,” Quach said. “We are really known now as a takeout restaurant.” Whether dining in or taking their food to go, customers at Happy Wok appreciate the wide range of menu items. “Our main thing here is American Chinese style food,” Quach said. “We do sesame, sweet and sour and General Tso’s. We also have Vietnamese and Thai fare, like vermicelli, beef noodle soup (pho) and more. Since opening our new location, I have also added a few new dishes, like crispy rice noodles and a crispy rice omelet.” Most of Happy Wok’s dishes were created by Quach’s father, who has a long history of working in the restaurant business and owning a variety of different restaurants. Quach said the most popular dishes they serve include General Tso’s chicken, crab rangoons, calamari and the vermicelli bowls. “People like good food in this area, and sometimes that’s hard to find,” he said. “A lot of people don’t like fast food. They want to get something fast, but they want it to be hot and fresh, and that’s why they come to us.” Quach said he prides himself on always offering fresh vegetables and meats. Everything starts out raw and is cooked fresh when it’s ordered. All of the restaurant’s sauces are also made in-house. “We like serving our community,” Quach said. “We’ve been here for 12 years already, and we plan to be here even longer.” Happy Wok is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit happywoklibertyhill.com.

employ local talent, pay property taxes and sales tax, donate generously to local charities, and support Liberty Hill students. We take care of our families with purchases made from our fellow businesses. Together, we make Liberty Hill a better place. When you see the Winner’s Badge at a local business this month, offer your congratulations to the Best in Liberty Hill. ~Shelly Wilkison, Publisher

Coop to Coast takes title for Best Seafood Fresh ingredients, great sauces tempt customers

BY RACHEL MADISON

STAFF WRITER

ne of David Eller’s goals at his restaurant, Coop to Coast, is to get people who don’t really care for seafood to change their minds. “There is a whole body of people who won’t eat seafood, and then a whole body who love it,” he said. “We use fresh ingredients along with great sauces—and that pulls people who don’t try seafood often to try it, and usually, they like it. All of my sauces are made from scratch and are based on trying to pull people into trying seafood.” For example, the C2C shrimp is tossed in a crowd-pleasing sweet chili sauce, and the shrimp tacos are made fresh with a crunchy coleslaw and spicy, flavorful sauce. Add to that the CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Coop to Coast shrimp is tossed in a sweet chili sauce a popular favorite. (Courtesy Photo)

M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

BEST OF LIBERTY HILL

Liberty Hill’s ‘Best Food Truck’ inspired by heritage, family recipes BY RACHEL MADISON

were all sitting down eating it and it was so good. Everything she has made is so acob Sanchez and Ket Vora delicious.” launched their food truck Vora said it was that in September, and already recipe, coupled with it has gained local popularity another recipe she creas it was voted Best Food Truck ated using leftovers, that LAO-MEC KITCHEN for 2022 by the readers of The helped them decide to Independent. move forward with openBest Food Truck The couple’s unique take on ing the food truck. authentic dishes is what draws “Jacob had made briscustomers in and keeps them ket, and I had made fried coming back, said Vora, who has created rice, and we had leftovers of both,” Vora most of the recipes for their menu. said. “I don’t like to throw anything away, “We are keeping things authentic with a so I decided to combine the two, make it twist,” she said. “For example, our street spicy, and bring it to work to share.” tacos have an authentic Laotian stuffing, Vora, who also owns local nail salon Abbut we put it into a tortilla and turn it into solute Nails—and won best nail technician a taco. It’s innovative and fitting to more for 2022—has one of her salon employees people’s palates like that.” to thank for naming the rice dish. After Vora uses her Laotian heritage as well sharing her dish with a few clients and as Sanchez’ Mexican heritage to create the co-workers, one of her most discerning food truck’s menu. Popular items include co-workers told her the rice wasn’t good— brisket fried rice, beef, egg rolls, Thai tea, it was damn good, and their damn good Lao Mec tacos and street tacos. rice dish was born. The pair decided to open a food truck afSanchez and Vora also worked together ter figuring out they were on to something to create the name and logo for their food when they started creating unique dishes truck. Lao Mec is short for Laotian-Mexiat home and for family. can, which are the cultural influences they “We were at my mom’s house cooking, use to create their authentic recipes. The and Ket made some chicken thighs the logo, a three headed elephant wearing a Lao way, and she made a salsa the Lao way sombrero and hold maracas, also repto put on the chicken,” Sanchez said. “We resents both of their heritages. The couple STAFF WRITER

Jacob Sanchez and Ket Vora, owners of Lao Mec Kitchen, take inspiration from their cultures to create unique dishes, like their damn good fried rice, made with brisket. RACHEL MADISON PHOTO

designed and drew the logo together. “Laos was taken over by communists, but the three-headed elephant was on the flag prior to that. Laos and Thailand used to be one country, and it was known as the land of the million elephants,” Vora said. “Anybody who is Lao knows the three headed elephant represents freedom. To spice it up, we added the sombreros and maracas.” Because they are still so new to the food truck industry, both Sanchez and Vora have a lot more they want to do with their business in the future. “We are new—we just started,” Sanchez

said. “I’m not going to lie, it was rough in the beginning, and we’ve done a lot of learning about truck repairs and replacing parts, and trial and error with different food, but we love it. There’s a lot we can do in the future to change things up and keep creating new recipes.” Lao Mec Kitchen comes to Liberty Hill the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.in the Higginbotham Brother’s parking lot. On the weekends, the truck can be found at The Granary in Jarrell. For more information, visit facebook.com/Lovelaomec.

spent months serving a variety of fish and shrimp prepared different ways to his friends and family to perfect his recipes. “I was practicing constantly,” he said. “There was a day where we just tried tarter sauces. I bought some frozen fish sticks and had some friends over. I made six or seven different tarter sauces to see which was the best. We had a lot of fun with that.” In the near future, Eller plans to add more seafood offerings to his menu, including fish tacos, and someday, he hopes to open a second location in another city. “I have a love for the restaurant indus-

try,” Eller said. “I got into it because I love people. I know if I take care of my people, they’ll take care of my recipes, and those will take care of my guests.” Coop to Coast is open every day but Monday during the same hours as Main Street Social. Those hours change depending on the season. For more information, visit cooptocoastlhtx.com.

Coop to Coast

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

restaurant’s best seller—fish and chips—and it’s no surprise that Coop to Coast won the 2022 award for Best Seafood, as voted on by readers of The Independent. “The fish and chips are a twist off the classic fish and chips recipe,” Eller said. “I haven’t reinvented the wheel. It’s just about taking fresh ingredients, making sure the batter is perfect every time, and using a really good maldon salt.

All of my recipes are inspired from places I’ve been and recipes I’ve learned throughout the years. I just took those recipes and put my own spin on them.” Coop to Coast opened inside Main Street Social in July 2021. Eller was one of the first restaurants to join COOP TO COAST the food hall. During the pandemic, when everyBest Seafood thing, including construction and most businesses, shut down for a time, Eller

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

HOME DÉCOR LIFESTYLE BOUTIQUE

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M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

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M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

We thank the community, friends, family and teammates for making John’s Gym Liberty Hill

BEST CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY and

BEST MARTIAL ARTS in the 2022 Best of Liberty Hill Readers' Poll!

Brazilian Jiujitsu Little Warriors Ages 5-8 Junior Grapplers Ages 9-13 Women Only & Adult Classes

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Liberty Hill Location

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...For your continued business! We strive to provide banking EXCELLENCE to our community and customers! 12

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

Thank you for voting us

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M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

Hip, hip hooray!! Thank you for voting us Best Child Care Center 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022!

(512) 515-0555

14865 W. Hwy 29, Liberty Hill | HappyTrailsLearningCenter.com

WE ARE SO BLESSED. THANK YOU TO OUR CLIENTS! W E A R E H O N O R E D T H AT YO U T R U S T U S W I T H Y O U R S K I N C A R E , WA X I N G A N D M A S S A G E N E E D S .

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

• (512) 548-6733

LIBERTY HILL, THANK YOU FOR VOTING US

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M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

2022 BEST OF LIBERTY HILL RESULTS BEST COMMUNITY NEWS & INFORMATION 1st - Liberty Hill Independent Runnerup - Liberty Hill Facebook Page

BEST BARBERSHOP 1st - The Community Barber & Co Runnerup - The Hair Stop BEST CAR DEALERSHIP 1st - Benny Boyd Runnerup - Mak Haik

BEST COMPUTER REPAIR 1st - Longhorn Computers Runnerup - Liberty Hill Computer

BEST CHARITABLE/ NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION 1st - L4 Cares Runnerup - Operation Liberty Hill L4 Cares

Two Brand It

BusiNEsSEs BEST ACCOUNTING 1st - The Well Account Runnerup - Stephanie’s Accounting BEST AIR CONDITIONING COMPANY 1st - ACA Appliance & Air Conditioning Runnerup - Schneider Mechanical BEST ARBOR CARE 1st - Certified Arbor Care Runnerup - AABear Tree Care

BEST CUSTOM TEES & APPAREL 1st - Two Brand It Runnerup - The Wildflower Republic BEST AREA HOSPITAL 1st - Cedar Park Regional Medical Center Runnerup - St. David’s Medical Center BEST AUTO PARTS STORE 1st - Auto Zone Runnerup - O’Reilly Auto Parts BEST AUTO REPAIR 1st - Davis Tire & Automotive Runnerup - CrossTech Automotive BEST BANK 1st - Classic Bank Runnerup - Prosperity Bank

BEST DAY SPA 1st - Royal Bliss Day Spa Runnerup - Blushin’ Beauty Salon & Boutique BEST CHILD CARE 1st - Happy Trails Learning Center Runnerup - Mrs. Amy’s Adventures Preschool

BEST DENTAL PRACTICE 1st - Liberty Hill Dental Runnerup - West Family Dentistry BEST DOG DAYCARE 1st - Action Pack Dog Center Runnerup - Dancing Dog Bed & Biscuit

BEST CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY 1st - John’s Gym Liberty Hill Runnerup - City of Liberty Hill Splash Pad

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

The Grove Church

BEST CHILDREN’S HEALTH CARE PROVIDER 1st - Liberty Hill Pediatrics Runnerup - Austin Regional Clinic BEST CHURCH 1st - The Grove Church Runnerup - Fellowship Church BEST CHURCH FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS 1st - The Grove Runnerup - Fellowship Church

Cedar Park Regional Medical Center

BEST COMMUNITY FACEBOOK PAGE 1st - Liberty Hill Independent Runnerup - Getting to Know you in the Liberty Hill TX Area M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

2022 BEST OF LIBERTY HILL RESULTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Loving Touch Pet Spa

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN 1st - Liberty Hill Independent Runnerup - The Other Day

BEST ORTHODONTICS 1st - Liberty Hill Orthodontics Runnerup - Ortho 360

BEST HAIR SALON 1st - The Indigo Salon Runnerup - Radiant Salon

BEST OUTDOOR/ HUNTING SUPPLIES 1st - Winkley’s Runnerup - Tractor Supply

BEST HARDWARE STORE 1st - Winkley’s General Store Runnerup - McCoy’s Building Supply BEST HOME BUILDER 1st - Prince Custom Homes Runnerup - Hollywood Custom Homes BEST HOME DECOR 1st - Blue Door Gift Store & Boutique Runnerup - Blinded by the Light

BEST DOG GROOMING 1st - Loving Touch Pet Spa Runnerup - HyrdroDog BEST DOG TRAINING 1st - Action Pack Dog Center Runnerup - United K9 BEST DRY CLEANERS 1st - Ivory Cleaners Runnerup - Liberty Hill Cleaners BEST ELECTRICAL SERVICES 1st - J & Co Electric Runnerup - Avery Electrical Service

Agape BBQ

BEST PEST CONTROL 1st - Research Pest Control Runnerup - Reeds Pest Control

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE 1st - Agape BBQ Runnerup - Main Street Social

BEST PHARMACY 1st - Liberty Hill Pharmacy Runnerup - CVS Pharmacy

BEST LOCAL WEBSITE 1st - LHIndependent.com Liberty Hill Independent Runnerup - Divinesavioracademy.com Divine Savior Academy

BEST PLUMBING COMPANY 1st - Ski’s Plumbing Runnerup - Meadows Plumbing Ski’s Plumbing

BEST MARTIAL ARTS 1st - John’s Gym Liberty Hill Runnerup - Urban Defense Academy Blue Door Gift Store & Boutique BEST HOME REMODELING & REPAIR 1st - McKinnis Roofing Runnerup - Stone Canyon Homes BEST HOUSEKEEPING SERVICE 1st - Maids & More Runnerup - Liberty Hill Cleaning Services

BEST MEDICAL PRACTICE 1st - Care First Runnerup - Liberty Hill Physician Associates BEST MEDICARE INSURANCE COMPANY 1st - Hanson Insurance Agency Runnerup - Better Coverage with Bolton

BEST INSURANCE COMPANY 1st - McCoy Agency - Farmers Insurance Runnerup - GT Insurance

BEST MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER 1st - Liberty Hill Child & Family Counseling Runnerup - Renew Psychiatric Associates

BEST INTERNET PROVIDER 1st - Spectrum Runnerup - Western Broadband

BEST MORTGAGE COMPANY 1st - Lend Friend Home Loans Runnerup - Guild Mortgage

BEST JEWELRY STORE 1st - Blue Door Gift Store & Boutique Runnerup - Blinded by the Light

BEST NAIL SALON 1st - VIP Nails & Spa Runnerup - Liberty Nails & Spa

BEST FURNITURE STORE 1st - Blinded by the Light Runnerup - Furniture Market

BEST LANDSCAPING SUPPLY 1st - Whittlesey Landscape Supplies Runnerup - Austin Wood Recycling

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD 1st - Santa Rita Ranch Runnerup - Stonewall Ranch

BEST PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION 1st - Overall Home Inspection Runnerup - Able Eye Inspectors

BEST GIFT SHOP 1st - Blue Door Gift Store & Boutique Runnerup - Texas Honey Hole

BEST LIQUOR STORE 1st - Uptown Liquor Runnerup - JJ’s Liquor

BEST OIL CHANGE 1st - Davis Tire & Automotive Runnerup - Kwik Kar

BEST PROPANE PROVIDER 1st - P & R Propane Runnerup - Action Propane

BEST FITNESS CENTER 1st - Flock Fitness Runnerup - Anytime Fitness BEST FOOD PANTRY & RESOURCE CENTER 1st - Operation Liberty Hill Runnerup - Community Pathways BEST FUNERAL HOME 1st - Beck Funeral Home Runnerup - Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

BEST PORTABLE BUILDINGS 1st - Moore Liberty Portable Buildings BEST POWDER COATING 1st - Next Level Powder Coating Runnerup - Highpoint Powder Coating BEST PRINTING 1st - DigiTex Printing Runnerup - UPS Store

BEST REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE 1st - Hughes & Company Real Estate Runnerup - Shane T. White Team RE/MAX Town & Country BEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 1st - Riva Ridge Assisted Living & Memory Care Center Runnerup - Liberty Manor BEST SMALL ENGINE REPAIR 1st - Quick Start Small Engine Repair Runnerup - Quick Service Garage BEST STORAGE FACILITY 1st - Panther Storage Runnerup - Best Little Storehouse in Texas BEST STORE FOR PANTHER GEAR 1st - Two Brand It Runnerup - Blue Door Gift Store & Boutique BEST SWIMMING POOL COMPANY 1st - Paradise Pools & Spas Runnerup - Laguna Clara Custom Pools BEST THRIFT STORE 1st - Operation Liberty Hill Runnerup - Country Girl Consignment BEST TIRE DEALER 1st - Davis Tire & Automotive Runnerup (Tie) - Baker Automotive and Discount Tire BEST TITLE COMPANY 1st - Independence Title Runnerup - Austin Title BEST TOWING COMPANY 1st - Cedar Park Towing Runnerup - Liberty Hill Towing

BEST TRASH PICKUP SERVICE 1st - Clawson Disposal Runnerup - Texas Disposal

BEST DONUTS 1st - Grand Donuts Runnerup - Donut Palace

BEST URGENT CARE 1st - Care First Runnerup - Urgent Care

BEST FAST FOOD RESTAURANT 1st - Dairy Queen Runnerup - Major’s Burger Company

BEST VETERINARY CLINIC 1st - Comanche Trail Veterinary Center Runnerup - Highway 29 Veterinary Hospital

BEST FOOD TRUCK 1st - Lao-Mec Kitchen Runnerup - Bombs Away BEST FRIED CHICKEN 1st - Golden Chick Runnerup - Dahlia Cafe

BEST WEDDING/ SPECIAL EVENT VENUE 1st - HighPointe Estate Runnerup - Diamond Barrel Wedding & Event Venue

BEST FRIES 1st - Major’s Burger Company Runnerup - Hell or High Water Brewing

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BEST SALAD 1st - Texas Taco Kitchen Runnerup - Major’s Burger Company CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Hell or High Water Brewing

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BEST BEER 1st - Hell or High Water Brewing Runnerup - Liberty Hill Beer Market M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

2022 BEST OF LIBERTY HILL RESULTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

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M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

BEST OF LIBERTY HILL

Always A good ‘Hair’ day Local tribute metal band blast from the past STORIES BY SCOTT AKANEWICH Hair Metal Giants was originally formed in 2013 when lead singer Paul Ross founded a band that was meant to feature variety classic rock before switching over to the ‘80s rock genre. (Courtesy Photo)

After moving to Austin in

2008, Paul Ross wanted to start a band, but, he wasn’t sure exactly what kind.

So, the Canadian expatriate decided to throw musical caution to the wind. “At first, we played all sorts of different kinds of music. Call it everything from ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and into the 2000s and even did a little modern country,” said Ross. However, what seemed like a good idea at the time didn’t exactly work out that way, he said. “Once we got playing out in the music scene here in Austin, we realized mixing country and rock didn’t work very well – there was always kind of like a hard wall between the two,” said Ross. Despite the conflict of genres, though, Ross quickly discovered what truly got the juices flowing for the band’s audiences. “The music that got the most reaction people really enjoyed, got up to dance to and asked for ended up being ‘80s music – Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Whitesnake,” he said. “It seemed to be where the demand was, so we made the switchover.” But, there was still one final decision to make as far as which direction the band would go. “We were trying to decide if we should go full tribute band in terms picking Def Leppard or Whitesnake and only do songs by that one particular band,” said Ross. “But, that was kind of limiting. So, then we thought ‘Why don’t we attribute an era?’” At that point, the wheels were really motion, he said. “I was previously an Elvis impersonator for years in Canada and I have no issue wearing a wig or a costume – in fact, it helps me transform on stage to a little different persona, as it were. So, we decided to do the eighties,” said Ross. “Let’s look at the pictures, look at the videos and look

for at people are wearing, how their hair looks and let’s focus on looking like that, so we made the change.” A personnel shakeup within the ranks shortly thereafter finally brought the finished product to fruition – along with the arrival of new drummer JD DuPont, he said. “Soon after, maybe six months later, JD joined the band and we decided to pick a name that reflected what we’re doing now,” said Ross. “We decided, let’s just rebrand and take this thing the right way. So that’s when we became Hair Metal Giants.”

back to a better time

As a result, the band has rocked stages across central Texas with its catalog of favorites from a time when big hair and ballads were king of the charts, with current members Ross (lead vocals, guitar), Liberty Hill resident Jack Kittrell (guitar), Carlos Salinas (bass, vocals) and Jungi Padilla (drums, vocals) – as Dupont has now stepped away from the stage to be solely the band’s manager, a role he was already performing while still the drummer. According to Ross, the choice to be an ‘80s metal tribute band was due to the kind of music it tended to be and also what came after it once the calendar flipped to the ‘90s. “It’s happy music,” said Ross. “If you think about the era that came after, it was Nirvana and the whole Seattle scene and

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

Agape BBQ features live bands Fridays & Saturdays Reinoehl said he and his When Agape BBQ opened staff are always on the lookout in 2020, the focus was on for how they can further food. However, General improve their guest experience Manager Brandon Reinoehl from both a food and enterhad additional plans to make tainment standpoint. the restaurant at 3610 RM “We added some regular 1869 a destination not only specials and a few items to for delectable delights on the AGAPE BBQ our menu recently,” he said. plate, but top-notch enter“From the entertainment tainment on the stage. Best BBQ Best Live Music Venue side, we're looking to build a “We had planned on state-of-the-art stage that will having live music from the help our sight lines and provide beginning,” said Reinoehl. a better experience overall, which will enable us “We got a good response last summer, so we've to bring in some national acts at some point – upped our budget and are bringing in some possibly in 2023.” higher-level acts throughout the music season. According to Reinoehl, the two elements We're also considering a new stage that will be work hand-in-hand. much more friendly to the music goers.” “The live events are two of the things we Agape features a spacious outdoor entertainwork hard to offer,” said Reinoehl. “We're ment area that is protected by 300-year-old first a barbecue (restaurant), but we also want oak trees – a unique feature that makes the to be known as a music venue that brings in venue even more enjoyable, said Reinoehl. high-quality acts.” “Outdoor venues are definitely a big thing Reinoehl said the accolades further his estabin Texas,” he said. “We love the fact we have lishment's mission statement. tree coverage to have 80-degree temperatures “These awards are great,” he said. “We defiin the shade when it's 100 out. People can comfortably see a show while still enjoying a nitely feel validation in being selected as No. 1 on comfortable temperature as summer sets in.” our two biggest offerings.”

it was very downtempo and downbeat. The message was angsty and angry or depressed. The thing about the eighties music was it makes you want to pump your fist, drive your car fast, have a good time and party with your friends.” DuPont said the age demographic of those who were primarily teens when much of the music they play first came out has resulted in a huge audience all these years later that makes up the majority of the crowds that attend their shows. “Look at our age, right? When you look at the people who are the contemporaries of the children of the eighties, most of their kids are gone – a lot of empty-nesters that are able to go out again,” he said. “Whereas for the last, maybe 15 or 20 years, they really didn’t go out. So we have a whole lot of available fan base that has available income and available time.”

LOCAL CONNECTION

Kittrell and his wife Susan moved to Liberty Hill last year seeking refuge from the big city. “We were just looking to get out of the rat race,” said Kittrell, who is retired from a 30-year career as an engineer with Southwestern Bell. “So far, we love it here. We’re always going downtown to Hell or Highwater and other places just looking to meet and get to know new people who do the same thing we do.” When asked what guitar hero he could be on stage if he had his choice of anyone, Kittrell didn’t hesitate. “Eddie Van Halen,” he said. “He could just do so many things with a guitar.” Kittrell is the only member of the band who doesn’t need to wear a wig along with the rest of his stage get-up, as his long, flowing locks are 100 percent the genuine article – and all that ink on his arm is real, too. “I don’t have to dress up,” joked Kittrell. “I’ve always had long hair and a tattoo sleeve.” Kittrell – who originally hails from McGregor – has long had a passion for playing guitar – and different genres – although his heart was always in the land of love ballads and party tunes, he said. “I’ve been in rock bands, country bands, you name it,” said Kittrell. “But, I always wanted to play ‘80s rock.” Hair Metal Giants will make their Liberty Hill debut at Agape BBQ on June 4 as part of the venue’s “Music Under the Oaks” series. Agape BBQ was recently voted Best of the Best of Liberty Hill in multiple categories.

A NEW GENERATION

Something else boosting the popularity of the music – and one that has introduced

it to a whole new, younger generation – is rooted in one of the favorite pastimes of that group, said DuPont. “I think you look at the video games,” he said. “The inspiration games like ‘Guitar Hero’ and ‘Rock Band’ have played,” he said. “Most of that music has been based on the eighties stuff. So, when we look out into our crowds now, it’s not unusual to see 25-ish-year-old kids rocking out with their 55-year-old parents – sometimes side-byside – because it’s kind of contemporary music for both of them in a very odd way.”

PLAYING AS IT WAS INTENDED

“We get asked all the time what makes us a ‘tribute to the 80s’ rather than an ‘80s cover band,’ and I believe the differentiation is very rarely do we ‘make the song our own,’” Dupont said. “Instead, we try to honor it by playing it the way the original artist created it – the way we’ve all been hearing it since it was released. I love every night I get to try to be 25 or 30 different drummers.” Ross added that approach can also take the form of some on-stage antics that paint a more precise picture for the audience in the form of visuals. “We do play with that a little bit,” he said. “For example, I sometimes pull out some purple round glasses, put my hair in my face and shuffle across the stage during ‘Crazy Train’ a-la-Ozzy Osborne with the occasional shout of ‘Sharon!’ We also try and do some coordinated stage moves like the original bands in songs like ‘Back For More’ (RATT), ‘Breaking The Law’ (Judas Priest), etc. We do our best to stick to the arrangements people are familiar with of the songs too since they – and we – have been listening to them that way for 30-40 years.”

HAVING THE LOOK

Guitarist Jack Kittrell, left, is a Liberty Hill resident who has played in a variety of rock and country bands over the course of his musical career. (Courtesy Photo)

Anyone who’s familiar with ‘80s hair metal knows it was big on over-the-top, flamboyant images with band members featuring makeup and outrageous outfits, not to mention crazy antics – on stage and off – in the party-all-the-time tradition. Ross said one of the goals of the band is to recreate a time that was so magical for many who hold the genre close to their hearts. “I think that’s part of the whole tribute for us. It adds to the party atmosphere of the show and it certainly, from my perspective, allows me to let loose and feel like I’m actually one of my heroes of that time, jumping, dancing and moving to the music,” he said. For DuPont, pairing up the look with the tunes is a natural extension of what they’re trying to accomplish every time they take to the stage –

and what truly makes them stand out from similar acts, he said. “The ‘80s were a time of excess for the glam rock, Sunset Strip bands we largely pay tribute to,” said DuPont. “Putting aside our daily personas and putting on the wig, the clothing, the accessories – these are the things I think help separate us from other bands. Add on top our choreographed light show and the videos. I’m convinced if you put us on an empty stage and had us play in street clothes in front of an audience, then had us come back out and perform the same songs in front of the same audience in full costume with our full production, 99 out of 100 are going to say the second band was a better band – even if we performed the songs exactly the same. Why? It’s not just musicianship, it’s showmanship.” Of course, when craziness is encouraged, sometimes the results can be downright madcap, said Ross. “So far, we’ve had power outages – we blew the breaker and killed the generator – smoke alarms when our fog machines were too much for that particular indoor venue and women pulling up their shirts to display their – ahem – assets,” he said. “Jack also once tried to jump during the song ‘Jump’ and fell over, knocking down one of our banners and kept playing!” Audience participation can also get a bit out of hand at times, said DuPont. “One time we came perilously close to collapsing a stage,” he said. “Because we had so many girls on it jumping up and down for a song!”

ESTABLISHING HARMONY

Perhaps the ultimate experience for musicians and concert-goers alike is the connection that can exist between stage and floor during which both parties are in perfect synergy with one another, enhancing the enjoyment on both ends of the spectrum, said Ross. “There are some times where you just feel the audience there in the palm of your hand,” he said. “Where you know no matter what song you drop next, they’ll be right there riding along on the ‘80s rock journey with us. It becomes a symbiotic relationship of the audience feeding off our energy and vice versa – those are generally the best-feeling shows for us” DuPont agreed wholeheartedly. “One of our marketing pitches is ‘bringing the ‘80s arena concert experience to the small stage,’” he said. “It’s why we dress the way we do. It’s why we’ve invested so much time and money into our stage production. Watching people singing along, watching people pointing at our video screens and talking to one another, people coming up and high-fiving us – it’s a great feeling when you feel that energy.”

M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

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M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

BEST OF LIBERTY HILL

Engaging the community LHPD officer flourishes in outreach role

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

RETURNING TO THE FOLD Joiner spent 20 years as a memSTAFF WRITER ber of the Travis County Sheriff’s Department before retiring and hen David serving as pastor of Life Springs Joiner enters church in Liberty Hill for a dea Liberty Hill cade until he was called back into business, he sometimes get law enforcement, he said. OFFICER DAVID JOINER some quizzical looks from “For me, it was a natural fit,” those within. said Joiner. “I honestly believe I “Usually, when a police was called to do this job.” officer shows up, people Joiner said once he enters a want to know one thing,” business and makes known the said Joiner. “What happened?” reason he’s there, people are welcoming in Answer: nothing. nature. Joiner functions in the role of commu“I’m there just to check on them, see how nity engagement officer for the Liberty they’re doing and listen to what they have to Hill Police Department, a position that was say,” he said. “They’re happy somebody cares created in July 2020 in order to promote about whatever problems they may have.” goodwill between the department and the Graeter said Joiner is the prototype for public, said LHPD Chief Royce Graeter. the position. “The position was created to serve our “Officer Joiner is awesome at this job,” he citizens better and create great relationsaid. “He loves to talk and visit with people, ships between the police and those we which makes him perfect for this role. He’s serve,” he said. “Officer Joiner is tasked with very caring and has a great sense of humor.” managing our community events, visits to local businesses, communication with local PLAYGROUND HI-JINX churches, performing crime prevention According to Joiner, one of the most assessments and everything of that nature.” enjoyable aspects of his job are his visits to Graeter added Joiner’s interaction allows local schools and the interaction he has with him to become aware of issues that may not students – including matching wits with be readily visible on the surface. them in the athletic arena. “Since he’s in constant daily contact “We play gaga ball,” said Joiner, of the with so many citizens, businesses and activity that resembles dodgeball in which churches, he is also able to learn about players attempt to hit a ball with their hands problems people are having that may have at their opponents. “I was undefeated until been unreported,” he said. “Once we learn just recently.” of these issues, we can better serve them Aside from the playground shenanigans, by doing more security walk-throughs, though, Joiner has a sincere feel for what he close patrols, traffic enforcement, or whatbrings to the many local children he comes ever is needed. “Officer Joiner is also our chaplain and is available to help anyone who might need him in that capacity. He also gives the invocation at City Council meetings, events and anywhere else needed. He works closely with larger agencies such as the Leander Police Department to learn about programs that are working great for them our citizens may benefit from. Having Officer Joiner out there doing these types of things is very beneficial to our citizens and our agency.”

Liberty Hill Police Officer David Joiner was recently voted Best Police Officer by readers of The Independent in the annual Best of the Best of Liberty Hill poll.

into contact with, he said. “Kids need hope and to know we (law enforcement) are in their corner,” said Joiner. “They need to know we’re human.” Graeter said this allows positive avenues of communication to be established in the minds of youngsters. “Officer Joiner loves being able to visit with school kids – he has a lot of fun with these types of visits and the kids always have a lot of fun as well,” he said. “This interaction helps to foster a positive relationship between children and the police. It lets them know we’re there for them, we love our community and we’re servants who are out there to help people and keep them safe.”

FIRST AND FOREMOST Of course, despite his role as the department’s goodwill ambassador, Joiner is still a police officer charged with the same duties as his badged brethren and can be called away at a moment’s notice to attend to serious police work. “Sometimes, there will be a domestic situation we’re called out to,” said Joiner. “So, I’ll support the officers and give them a hand with whatever they might need.” Joiner’s background as a chaplain also allows him to provide comfort for those who have gone through a traumatic situation, such as a traffic accident. “Sometimes, all somebody needs is someone to talk to,” he said. “Whether it’s from a (Left) Officer David Joiner plays gaga ball with students - interaction that helps foster a positive relationship between young people and the police.

pulpit or on a scene, I think there’s something in all of our hearts to want to make a difference in the lives of others.” POSITIVE GROWTH As Liberty Hill continues to grow, there are more and more businesses and people to engage with, which was why the department felt a need to establish the position in the first place, said Graeter. “The position is a result of the rapid growth of our city,” he said. “We want to be proactive and stay ahead of the growth as much as we can, building great partnerships between the community and the police along the way.” Graeter added although the local populace of Liberty Hill is largely positive toward the police, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be constantly cultivated and maintained. “The public’s image and perception of the police varies greatly from area to area,” he said. “Our community here in Liberty Hill tends to be very supportive, where other areas may not be so fortunate. This is a prime reason for us to stay very focused on our overall community policing, as well as specialized positions such as Officer Joiner’s. Building strong relationships with those who we serve is very important. We will always strive to build and maintain these strong and trusting relationships with our community.” For Joiner, what he does every day as he strolls the city’s sidewalks and rolls around its roads is a labor of love. “I work for an outstanding department and really enjoy what I do,” he said. “Not everybody can say that, so it’s a blessing.”

M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

BEST OF LIBERTY HILL

Always fixin’ to help Local mechanic takes pride in repairs

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT AKANEWICH STAFF WRITER

As for why he chose central Texas for his destination, he was succinct in his assessment. “I got tired of the wind and the flat land,” he said. “So, we moved to Austin first, then ended up in Liberty Hill.”

hen J.D. Davis was a young man in high school, he got his first car – a 1973 Ford DAVIS TIRE & AUTOMOTIVE Maverick. JD DAVIS Everything was great as he BLAST FROM THE PAST Walking through the front cruised around his hometown Best Auto Repair door of Davis’ business is like of Plainview in the Texas panBest Auto Mechanic Best Oil Change handle – until one day on the stepping into a time capsule Best Tire Dealer way home, he encountered and taking a trip back to some mechanical issues. when men of the wrench “My car just died on the side relied solely on know-how to of the road,” said Davis. “So, I diagnose and repair vehicles went home and told my father and he just – before the computer age came along and said, ‘Well, fix it.’” complicated things for those who get their Only one problem. hands greasy for a living. “I said to him, ‘I don’t know how,’” he According to Davis, although all the said. “Then he said to me, ‘I don’t know technology of today’s cars makes driving how, either.’” more comfortable and enjoyable for those However, the story has a happy ending. behind the wheel, the opposite is true for “Luckily, I had a buddy who was in auto those under the hood. shop at school and was good with cars,” said “Now, just to diagnose things, you need Davis. “He looked at the distributor cap and scanners and scan optics,” said Davis. got an emery board to clean it off, which “Those constantly need updating, so it took care of the problem. I swore to myself costs a lot of money. Used to be, you could I’d never let that happen again.” just look at something and figure out the So, Davis decided to learn the craft that problem.” would save him from any future automotive MECHANICAL INTEGRITY anxiety. “Back then, you could go to school half-aDavis said one of the primary reasons he day and work half-a-day,” he said. “So, I got decided to open his own shop after years of a job in a local shop.” toiling away in someone else’s employ was Which was how the mechanical seed was the pressure that sometimes existed to put sown in Davis’ soul, causing him to pursue the bottom line before honesty. a career as an auto mechanic and for the “Some shops try to make stuff up,” he past 17 years, he has owned and operated said. “You go in for one thing and all of a Davis Tire & Automotive on Highway 29 in sudden, you need this or that – it depends Liberty Hill. on who you work for – I didn’t want to work Last month, the business was recognized for someone else anymore.” by Liberty Hill voters as the Best of the Best Davis certainly realizes the value of in the categories of Best Auto Mechanic, offering full-service automotive care, as opposed to just specializing in one particular Best Auto Repair, Best Oil Change, and Best area, such as brakes or transmission. Tire Dealer. “It’s what people need,” he said. “You SETTLING DOWN don’t want to have to go to one place for one Davis moved to Liberty Hill in 2005 and thing, then another for something else.” In addition, there’s nothing like the remembers the stark difference between expertise that years of experience can prothe town then and now. vide as opposed to just rolling up to an auto “When we first got here, the intersection at Highway 29 and (RM) 1869 was a parts store and expecting the same level of blinking red light,” said Davis. “You could service, said Davis. “Some people think you can just go to drive from here to Georgetown without Auto Zone or someplace, have them bring seeing another car.”

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

J.D. Davis says treating customers fairly and providing quality work is important to him. A Liberty Hill resident since 2005, Davis said his interest in auto repair started as a high school student.

J.D. Davis, a trusted local auto mechanic, was named Best of the Best in multiple categories in this year’s poll.

out a scanner and tell you what’s wrong with your car,” he said. “But, that’s not the case.” At the end of the day, Davis – who routinely spends 12 hours a day at work – understands and recognizes what customers really want above all else when they bring

a vehicle to his shop – and what he gets in return. “You have to treat people right and fair and give them good quality work,” said Davis. “When I do that, I feel gratified I was able to help them.”

BEST OF LIBERTY HILL

Action Pack Dog Center owners Dave and Jana Rossoreili provide extra care and attention for their guests, including doggie birthday parties (left). (Courtesy Photos)

Next Level Coatings owners Titus Mucha and Alex Johnson earned the distinction of Best Powder Coatings in Liberty Hill by voters in the annual Best of the Best contest last month. PHOTO BY RAMONA THOMPSON

If you can dream it, Next Level Coatings can make it happen

Action Pack Dog Center provides quality care, lots of action

BY RAMONA THOMPSON

both grew up in Central Texas, went to college, worked summer jobs, made a business plan and saved enough to get usiness is “crazy good”. a lease and start the compaThat’s how Titus Mucha describes his powder ny. Mucha says his father’s coating service, Next Level hobby was racing, collecting Coatings LLC. in Liberty Hill. and restoring classic cars and NEXT LEVEL COATINGS, LLC Young entrepreneurs, Mucha old trucks so that made him Best Powder Coating and business partner Alex aware of the need for powder Johnson started their growcoating. Johnson’s father owned a business that reing business in 2020 during the pandemic, but they stayed paired dents and hail damage open and found customers doing projects so Alex was familiar with the process as well. at home and needing their services. Whether it’s custom projects or commerThis spring, Next Level Coatings was cial, anything metal that needs attention, chosen Best Powder Coating business in Mucha says “if you can dream it, we can Liberty Hill. make it happen.” Powder coating is a versatile alternative to Powder coating applies a durable finish wet paint that can be used in many areas of a to all kinds of objects like automotive parts, classic vehicle project. furniture, gates, railing, motorcycle parts “You can choose a color that pops and gets and tire rims. The process works by applying attention,” explains Titus. an electrostatic charge to a powder that conFor example, you may want to customize sists of pigments and resin. The powder is your wheels to give them a two-tone effect applied with a spray gun to a grounded metal or you may be ready to reinstall a rebuilt object and then baked in an oven. During engine, but because it looks factory fresh the curing process, the pigments and resins it makes the vehicle’s under-hood brackets bland and harden, and the result is a hard appear old and rusty. Along with powder finish that is resistant to chipping. Older coating, they also offer cerakoting, which is objects or those with paint or rust are first also a very durable coating used to coat fire sandblasted to make them completely clean, arms and high temperature parts. and then they undergo the powder coating Next Level Coatings LLC is located at 126 process. Holmes in Liberty Hill. They can be contactAt the age of 18 and 20 years, respectively, Mucha and Johnson decided they would ed by phone 512-820-7176 or https://nextlvl rather be in business for themselves. They coatings.com/services. STAFF WRITER

BY RAMONA THOMPSON

her heart and take care and train dogs. “I wanted to create a place og care is a growing for dogs that allows many segment for many positive experiences and pet-boarding busiinteractions with humans nesses to meet the demand and other dogs,” she said. “A for short- and long-term care. place where dogs can get the ACTION PACK DOG CENTER More and more dog owners mental and physical stimulaare turning to daycare to avoid tion they need to promote a Best Dog Daycare Best Dog Training leaving their pets home alone healthy, happy lifestyle.” while they are at work or The location in Liberty Hill running errands. only provides care for dogs, Action Pack Dog Center not other pets. There are 34 in Liberty Hill provides short-term day care large spacious suites with outside patios and long-term boarding, and was recently for pets to stay. They offer a large variety of voted Best Dog Daycare and Best Dog Trainexercise and play time as well, and activities ing by local voters in The Independent’s Best that involve one-on-one time with staff and of the Best Contest. group play. Jana Rossorelli, owner of Action Pack Dog The center is situated on 11 landscaped Center currently owns three locations in acres to play on and activities that keep Round Rock, Georgetown and Liberty Hill paws moving and make tails wag. for local pet owners to board their dogs. The Action Pack Dog Center even has extra centers are spacious and offer dog boardmonthly events like parties for birthdays, ing, daycare, fun play and training for furry holidays like Halloween and even a prom. friends. Liberty Hill is her newest location. Rossorelli says they choose a king and queen Rossorelli says that as long as she can of the prom just for fun. remember, dogs have been a large part of Liberty Hill Action Pack Dog Center her life. She started Action Pack Dog Center is located at 13150 W. State Highway 29. because she saw a need for quality care in Learn more by calling (512) 515-0499 or visiting their website, www.actionpack the area. Although she enjoyed a teaching dogs.com. career in the past, she wanted to follow STAFF WRITER

M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

BEST OF LIBERTY HILL

More than just a haircut Community Barber Shop & Co. offers fellowship STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT AKANEWICH STAFF WRITER

he first thing you see when entering the building at SH 29 and CR 200 is an old piano in the entryway like the kind you might find in a church on a Sunday morning as you walk across floorboards creaking beneath your feet. Next up is a black leather sofa and a vintage Victrola record player complete with a stack of vinyl recordings in their original sleeves stored just below. But, this is neither a house of worship nor a music store. It’s the Community Barber Shop & Co., where clients can find fellowship in addition to a clean cut. Owner Anthony Kendig opened his shop in February, but the establishment has quickly gained a reputation throughout the community as a warm, friendly place to go when one’s locks must be shorn – which is exactly what he intended, he said. “To me, that’s almost more important than the haircut,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong – you can come in and get an expert cut, but we want to treat people a certain way – as if they’re a friend or buddy and not just another number or statistic – it’s really one of the big reasons I do what I do. There are very few jobs out there where you can connect with people like I can here.” Haircutting has been around the periphery of Kendig’s life since he was a kid, he said, adding that his grandmother worked at a salon in Georgetown when he was growing up. Following buzzing his own hair for years or having family members do it, Kendig finally sat in a chair himself. “I only got my first-ever haircut from a barber eight years ago,” he said. “My eyes were really opened at how detail-oriented he was – shaving the back of my neck, which I had never had done before – I was hooked into something I had never experienced and thought that was something I could do.” Kendig, a Georgetown native and current Stonewall Ranch resident who owns the shop along with wife Tracy, said running his own place had always been on the back burner of his brain when he was cutting hair at his previous workplace - Mad Hatters in Burnet - the result of a project he did while in barber school in 2019, he said. “We had to develop a business plan from scratch of how to open a shop,” said Kendig. “But, it wasn’t until recently I was compelled to actually do so – it was a God-given vision.”

OLD-SCHOOL FEEL

In addition to the vintage items scattered throughout the spacious main room of the shop are more modern ones, with the intention of creating a crossroads of culture, said Kendig. “The look we were going for was classic meets con-

some places where you just get rushed in and out. Here, it’s more like a relaxed experience – you don’t feel like he’s in a hurry.” Once the barber’s cape has been removed, Catlin knows the result will be exactly what he wanted without even looking in the mirror. “I’m a pretty meticulous person and very picky about my hair and beard,” he said. “But, I know he’ll do a great job every time.” Such a satisfied customer COMMUNITY BARBERSHOP is music to Kendig’s ears. ANTHONY KENDIG “It’s all about treating people well,” said Kendig. “I Best Barber Shop Best Barber care more about the individual, but I want to give them an incredible customer

GRANTING WISHES

Whenever someone sits down in Kendig’s chair, they usually have an idea of how they want to look walking out – although sometimes the near-impossible is asked – like one such instance when a youngster had a rather bold request, he said. “The kid was probably around eight years old,” said Kendig. “He looked right at me and said, ‘I want to look just like LeBron James.’ Well there was no way that was going to happen, so in cases like that I just try to explain what we can do with the kind of hair you have. His mother looked over to me and mouthed, ‘Thank you.’” Kendig added clients will often bring photos of someone and ask for the same look the subject in the picture has without understanding the basic tenets of how hair works. “Somebody will show me a photo off Instagram and say, ‘That’s what I want,’” he said. “Only problem is just because that person can do that with their hair doesn’t mean you can do that with yours. So, we figure out how we can come the closest with what we have to work with as far as hair color, density, direction of hair growth and texture are concerned.”

A NEW CONNECTION ACCOMPLISHED

Community Barber Shop owner Anthony Kendig - who provides fellowship with clients in addition to custom cuts - puts the finishing touches on client Kellen Catlin, a loyal customer who travels from Burnet.

temporary,” he said. “We wanted to create the nostalgia of a small town – reminiscent of what we grew up with.”

LOYAL CUSTOMER

On this mid-April afternoon, Kellen Catlin settled into the 98-year-old antique barber chair for a cut after making the drive east on Highway 29 from his Burnet residence. A client of Kendig’s when he was still at his previous place of employment, Catlin said commuting for a cut is well worth the jaunt. “I like the attention to detail Anthony puts into his work,” said Catlin, who gets a haircut every two or three weeks and also sports a bushy beard that will require a trim. “It’s not an express lane here, like

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

service experience – I think a barber that can make that personal connection with someone is more valuable and that comes from treating people with kindness and respect.”

FAITH-BASED FOUNDATION

Kendig is a man of God and it’s his faith that has enabled him to follow the path he is now on – one he wishes to encourage others to join him on. “My wife and I started a church out of our home,” he said. “Every Thursday night, we meet for fellowship with the same kind of attitude and approach we have at the shop – just building relationships within the community – an opportunity to share life and love with others.”

After Catlin left with his clean, new cut, Lindsey and Michael Pfaff arrived with four-year-old son Everett in tow. Once the lad had ascended up onto the ancient seat and donned the cape and neck strip, Kendig queried the young man with a question. “Tell you what, Everett,” he said. “I’ll make you a deal. If you can guess how old this chair you’re sitting in is within five years, we’ll give you a free haircut today.” Following some cajoling and encouragement from Mom and Dad, he replied. “A hundred,” said Everett. “Right you are,” answered Kendig. “Free haircut for you today!” According to Lindsay, there were issues with her son’s blond hair. “It’s super-straight,” she said. “Which makes it very difficult to do anything with it.” Kendig to the rescue with clippers at the ready and the day was saved. “When you walk in here,” Michael said, “it doesn’t feel like you’re at SuperCuts or someplace like that.” Which is in a nutshell is what Kendig worked to create, he said. “I know there are barbers out there who are more talented than me,” said Kendig. “But, I think most people have a desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves, so for me what I do is more about the relationships I can build with others.”

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M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

HVAC • Commercial HVAC • Wine Cellars • Locally Owned Since 2009

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Grateful for YOU! MANY THANKS FOR VOTING ME BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT IN LIBERTY HILL 2022!

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1905 Loop 332 | Liberty Hill, TX 78642 Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Oak Crest Financial is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Investment Advisory Services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

COUNSELING HELP Made Easy Offering 20 different counselors specialized for YOUR needs. Kids & Teens • Marriage & Couples • Adults Video & ln-office sessions available CENTRAL TEXAS CHILD & FAMILY COUNSELING GEORGETOWN & LIBERTY HILL

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ASSISTED LIVING

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A Practical Approach to Pet Care 512-548-5065

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

DISCOVER A HEALTHIER YOU

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

Adrienne Hughes

Broker/Owner REALTOR®, GRI, SRS®

Cheryl Stephens

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REAL ESTATE

Plan the ultimate patio party If you’re like many people, you’re more than ready to gather friends together. Whether you’re planning the bash of the century or just want to turn a run-of-the-mill afternoon into a bonified party, use these tips to make your outside gathering pop:

GREAT FOOD

Barbecues are always popular, but you don’t need a huge grill set-up to entertain guests outdoors. In warmer weather, you may prefer to keep guests cool and well-fed with light bites like Vietnamese summer rolls, charcuterie, fresh dips, seasonal veggies, cold pasta and fruit salad.

FUN GAMES

Keep spirits high with fun activities. Lawn games like cornhole, Spikeball and oversized Jenga are perennial favorites. For those that prefer to take it easy, be sure to include games that can be played at the table, like Cards Against Humanity and all of its various iterations. Do you and your friends have a competitive streak? Set up a bracket system and host a knockout tournament. Winner gets bragging rights until the next party.

SURPRISING LIBATIONS

Hard teas are trending, hard. They make

for a delicious daytime sipper on their own, but can also serve as the perfect base for warm weather cocktails -- especially when they’re made from authentic ingredients. Lagunitas’ Disorderly TeaHouse, a 100-calorie, gluten-free, premium spiked, sparkling tea is brewed using guayusa leaves -- an Amazonian botanical herb -- and features natural fruit flavors, like yuzu lemon, raspberry and blackberry. Try it alone or make this simple slushie recipe your party’s signature cocktail: lagunitas.com/story/disorderly-teahouse-slushie.

GREAT JAMS

The right music can make a good party great. Be the perfect host (and DJ) by just hitting play on this already carefully-curated “Steep Cuts” playlist from Lagunitas. Featuring artists like Kurt Vile, The Linda Lindas and Jack White, it celebrates all things disorderly like mosh pits, sound blasting out of garages, and dancing with wild abandon: open.spotify.com/playlist/2E2GGB9TYIeOvvwjRY6VzX. Be sure to make the most of your playlist with high-quality, durable speakers designed to deliver great sound in outdoor spaces over the revelry. Those that link to other Bluetooth speakers are a good choice for creating surround sound -- perfect for that impromptu dance party.

TAKE THE PARTY INTO NIGHT

Should your party extend into the evening, you’ll want to be prepared. Remember that at dusk, the bugs come out in full force, so consider citronella candles to ward them off. For cool nights, consider having a heat lamp or smoke-

less portable fire pit on hand to keep guests nice and toasty. For ambiance and to illuminate the fun, hang string lighting or paper lanterns. With this patio party checklist, you can give every party you throw this season something a little extra. (StatePoint)

Homes Around the Hill

HOMES AROUND THE HILL HOME & PROPERTY LISTINGS Homes For Sale

Cierra Springs - Liberty Hill - 1 acre lot

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Brooks Mill Acres Amifast Ind Park Highland Lake Estates - Lago Vista Durham Park Cloudwood Ranch Lot - Briggs Kempner Ranch - 40 acres

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4BR/2BA 3BR/2BA 3BR/2.5BA Mobile conveys No building restrictions Golf course, lake, park 3BR/2BA No restrictions, water available AW0478 Northcross, J. Sur AW0478 Northcross, J. Sur AW0478 Northcross, J. Sur Cleared & level Sold! 3BR/2BA No restrictions, water available Electricity & water available 3BR/2BA Lots of trees 3BR/2BA

$ 150,000 $ 680,000 $ 60,000 $ 535,000 $ 255,000 $1,200,000

M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

WORSHIP GUIDE Liberty Hill & Surrounding Communities ANDICE BAPTIST CHURCH

6570 FM 970 Florence, TX 76527 (254) 793-2557 www.andicebc.org PASTOR Derrick Norris, Senior Pastor Matt Koehler, Associate Pastor of Students & Families SERVICES Sunday Bible Study 9:45am Sunday Worship 11am Wednesday AWANA 6:30pm Sun. Online facebook.com/andice baptist/

CROSS TRACKS CHURCH

101 Church St. Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 515-0070 crosstrackschurchumc.org PASTOR Michele Lott SERVICES Sunday School 9am Sunday Worship 10am Sun. Online Facebook.com/ crosstracks church/

FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

3600 RR 1869 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 515-5579 fellowshiplh.com PASTORS Tim McIlhaney, Dan Riemer, Ed Billock & Angel Perez SERVICES Sunday Worship 8:30 & 11am Servicio española a las 11am Sunday Bible Study All ages 10-10:45am Wednesday Bible Study All ages 6pm

THE HILL CHURCH

111 Holmes Road Liberty Hill, TX 78642 fbg.church PASTORS Tim Richardson, Pastor Kendall Ringler, Youth Pastor SERVICES Sunday Worship 10:15am Sunday Online 10:15am facebook.com/thehillchurch.church

HOLY ANNUNCIATION ORTHODOX CHURCH

5205 County Road 236 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 782-9940 annunciationtx.com PASTOR Bp. Irineos Placek SERVICES Vespers, Sat. 6:30pm Divine Liturgy, Sun. 10am

PASTOR Rev. Mike Cofer SERVICES Sunday Bible Study 9am Sunday Church Worship 10am Sunday Online 10am missionlibertyhill.com/onlineworship/

NEW LIFE CHURCH

LIFE SPRINGS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

15611 W. State Hwy 29 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 633-6074 lifespringschristianchurch.org PASTOR Dr. William Brannan SERVICES Sunday Bible Study 9am Sunday Worship 10am Sun. Online youtube.com/c/Life Springs

MISSION LIBERTY HILL LUTHERAN CHURCH

(LCMS Affiliated) 15725 W. State Hwy 29, Ste.7 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 778-9310 missionlibertyhill.com

1015 US-183 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 567-3809 newlifechurch.family PASTORS Stephen Behrman, Senior Pastor Kimberly Behrman, Worship Pastor SERVICES Sunday Worship 10am Wednesday Bible Study/ Livinit Youth 7pm Sunday Online newlife church. family/media/livestream

ONE CHAPEL LIBERTY HILL

811 Loop 332 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 729-6200 onechapel.com/liberty-hill PASTOR Darren Shaw SERVICES Sunday Service 10am Online Service 10am

online.onechapel.com Wednesday Youth 7pm

SELAH HILLS CHURCH

14370 W. SH 29, Suite 10

Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (833) 735-2489 selahhillschurch.com info@selahhillschurch.com PASTOR Chris Wimberly SERVICES Sunday Services 9am & 11am Sunday Youth Service 11am Wednesday Services 7pm Wednesday Youth 7pm Roam Coffee Shop Thurs-Sat 7am-2pm Live Stream selahhills church.com/ livestream

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P.O. Box 953, Bertram, TX • TECL#32830

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Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

The Liberty Hill Fair & Rodeo is scheduled May 14-15 and May 19-21 at Harvest Arena. For event schedules and ticket information, visit www.libertyhillfairandrodeo.com. (Courtesy Photo)

Local rodeo to be fully sanctioned pro event

Liberty Hill’s annual extravaganza set for mid-May BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

STAFF WRITER

For the first 12 years of its existence, the Liberty Hill Fair and Rodeo featured only a single event that was sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. However, this year in addition to the steer roping event, the entire rodeo program will be under the umbrella of the PRCA, which will make for an even more compelling competition, said Corey Ross, pastor of the Williamson County Cowboy Church and organizer of the rodeo held at Harvest Ranch on RM 1869 five miles west of downtown Liberty Hill. “Having the rodeo fully-sanctioned is a pretty big deal,” said Ross, who is also a competitor himself. “It’s even possible to get it on television.” This year, the event will be divided into two separate parts, with the PRCA steer roping event to be held on May 14-15 and the full rodeo and carnival on May 19-21. According to Ross, the different dates are due to the growth of the event, which has continued on an upward trend since its

inception. “Back when we started, we probably got about 1,000 to 2,000 people – mostly from the local area,” said Ross. “Now, we get approximately 10,000 with people coming here from other areas.” In addition to all the traditional events, women’s breakaway roping will be part of the program for the first time. Popular family events such as the calf scramble, during which children can win bicycles, will also return, along with entertainment by Gizmo the Rodeo Clown, with famed rodeo announcer Jody Garner calling all the action. Livestock for the rodeo events will be supplied by Pickett Pro Rodeo, who supplies stock for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Ross said one of the goals of the rodeo is to preserve a way of life that is as old as the sport of rodeo itself. “We really want to keep Western culture supported – it’s how our country started,” he said. “People can come out and see what country life is all about and the heritage of the early days of ranching and rodeo.”

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M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

LOCAL EVENTS

512-355-7377 hometownwateringhole.net alicia.boychuk@gmail.com

May

May 21

MUSIC UNDER THE OAKS WITH PREACHERS ON THE RADIO Agape BBQ 3610 RM 1869, Liberty Hill 7-9 p.m. 512-548-6230 / agapebbq.com

May 7

FUSION ATX Hometown Watering Hole 3317 E. Hwy. 29, Bertram 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $10 Cover 512-355-7377 hometownwateringhole.net alicia.boychuk@gmail.com

Liberty Hill Fair and Rodeo

GIRL ULTRA WITH JASPER BONES Haute Spot 1501 E. New Hope Dr., Cedar Park 6-11 p.m. Tickets $15 – $29.50 512-986-7411 hautespotvenue.com

May 15

Whimsy & Wonder

May 14

WHIMSY & WONDER Downtown Liberty Hill Liberty Hill’s annual interactive arts and music festival will feature seven live bands including headliner Caleb Young Band, eclectic art demonstrations, wine tasting, street performers, artisan vendors and much more. Satisfy your curiosity and creativity as Main Street is magically transformed into a land of imagination and surprise. 6-10 p.m. experiencelhtx/whimsyandwonder MUSIC UNDER THE OAKS WITH FAMILY SHILOH Agape BBQ 3610 RM 1869, Liberty Hill 7-9 p.m. 512-548-6230 / agapebbq.com

RUSS HEB Center 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park / 7 p.m. Tickets $39-$59 HEBCenter.com

May 19-21

LIBERTY HILL FAIR AND RODEO Harvest Ranch Arena Highway 1869, Liberty Hill An annual tradition as Harvest Ranch will host a PRCAsanctioned rodeo with events including bull riding, saddle bronc, barrel racing, steer wrestling and much more. Gizmo the Rodeo Clown will be on hand to provide awardwinning entertainment in the ring between events in addition to a carnival featuring food, beverages and souvenirs. libertyhillfairandrodeo.com Mitchell Tenpenny

RAY WYLIE HUBBARD Globe Theater 132 W. Vaughn St., Bertram Doors 7 p.m; Show 8 p.m. Tickets $15 globetheatertx.com

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

MITCHELL TENPENNY Haute Spot 1501 E. New Hope Dr., Cedar Park 6-11 p.m. Tickets $24.50 – $42.50 512-986-7411 hautespotvenue.com

Preachers on the Radio

LIVE MUSIC WITH JASON KANE WHITE Hometown Watering Hole 3317 E. Hwy. 29, Bertram 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $10 Cover 512-355-7377 hometownwateringhole.net alicia.boychuk@gmail.com NO LIMIT REUNION TOUR HEB Center 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park / 7 p.m. Tickets $40-$75 HEBCenter.com

May 22

SMOKEY ROBINSON HEB Center 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park 7 p.m. Tickets $55-$150 HEBCenter.com LIVE MUSIC WITH SECOND HAND ROSE BAND Hometown Watering Hole 3317 E. Hwy. 29, Bertram 8-11:30 p.m. $10 Cover

May 28

MUSIC UNDER THE OAKS WITH NAMELESS ROAD Agape BBQ 3610 RM 1869, Liberty Hill 7-9 p.m. 512-548-6230 / agapebbq.com

Winona Judd

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE WITH CRAIG MARSHALL Agape BBQ 3610 RM 1869, Liberty Hill 7-9 p.m. 512-548-6230/agapebbq.com

Smokey Robinson

DJ TX RENEGADE Hometown Watering Hole 3317 E. Hwy. 29, Bertram 8-11:30 p.m. No Cover 512-355-7377 hometownwateringhole.net alicia.boychuk@gmail.com

June

May 20

JIMMIE ALLEN: DOWN HOME TOUR WITH NEON UNION Haute Spot 1501 E. New Hope Dr., Cedar Park 6-11 p.m. Tickets $25 – $49 512-986-7411 hautespotvenue.com

May 27

ARJIT SINGH HEB Center 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park / 7 p.m. Tickets $69-$199 HEBCenter.com

May 26

DARRELL SCOTT Globe Theater 132 W. Vaughn St., Bertram Doors 7 p.m; Show 8 p.m. Tickets $15 globetheatertx.com

June 3

WYNONNA JUDD Haute Spot 1501 E. New Hope Dr., Cedar Park 6-11 p.m. Tickets $35.50 – $75.50 512-986-7411 hautespotvenue.com

June 4

MUSIC UNDER THE OAKS WITH HAIR METAL GIANTS Agape BBQ 3610 RM 1869, Liberty Hill 7-9:30 p.m. 512-548-6230 / agapebbq.com

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M AY 2 0 2 2 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M AY 2 0 2 2

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