A Shot of Texas Magazine™ - JULY 2018

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JULY 2018

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Features July 2018

C 2014 A Shot of Texas Magazine.

All Rights Reserved.

Printed in the USA. For current Media Kit,

6. Extend Your Hunting Season

18. Belize

By Barbara Giacalone

10. Texas Bach Festival

23. Alex Winters

14. Choosing The Right Knife

25. How You Can Grow Organic Food – 7 Practical Tips

14. The Song Maestro

advertising or questions about our Traveling Trade Show contact Rob Kahn.

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Our Team

Robert & Teffany Kahn Founders & Co Editors

Kendall Rae Kahn Jr Editor Event Planner

Shane & Kathy Ragsdale Shane-Pit Master of Events Kathy-Co Editor/ Writer

Music & Entertainment Editor Lois Jenison

Captain Nathan Beabout Fishing Editor A Shot of Texas Magazineâ„¢ 5

EXTEND YOUR HUNTING SEASON

While improving the land and habitat

L

ate spring is the time for new fawns and other wildlife to make an appearance. Nothing gives one a warm smile like seeing twin fawns playing around their mothers and enjoying the season! But a silent danger to deer and antelope populations enjoys seeing the new fawns out and about too…predators!

With recent drought conditions, especially in parts of Texas, coyotes pose more of a threat to strictly managed deer herds. Why not extend your time afield and hunting days by going after some coyotes when they are after vulnerable fawns? It will have ample rewards on your deer herd, and make you smile by outsmarting a truly deadly shadow at their own game.

When going after the crafty coyote, to be successful, you need to do three things.

First and foremost is to watch the wind. Scent elimination products may work on other animals to an extent, but don’t waste your time or money trying to fool a coyotes’ nose. Isn’t going to happen.

What you can do, is be aware of where your wind direction is when making a coyote stand. The scent emanates from your body and gets wider, the further it 6 Shot of Texas Magazine™

gets from you, much like a “cone”. Be aware of your scent cone, and when the coyote responds to the calling, put him down at the first available chance before it gets to it. I personally like calling into the wind, or cross-wind. If using a remotely operated call, I put it out with the wind in mind, a distance of 30-45 yards from the place I wish to call from.

Hunting coyotes keeps a hunter’s shooting skills sharp in the off season Next, you need to blend in! Have a seat overlooking the area you want to call, and get comfy in your favorite turkey chair with some shooting sticks and rifle or shotgun on the “ready”. But, have some good camouflage on too! A coyote can see an eye blink at 50 yards, so wear a face mask and gloves much as you would when calling spring gobblers.

I like a lightweight, zip-up ghillie suit, or other “leafy” camo for calling coyotes. Any camo that blends in to the background will work though.

Have your rifle or shotgun ready, so when you see a coyote approaching the stand, no sudden movement is needed to get on target.

Finally, you need to play the coyote a tune! Many e-callers today offer excellent choices for calling predators.

I personally use a FoxPro digital electronic caller. The sounds are actual digitally recorded sounds from real animals, so I have a vast library to choose what will bring them to me at a particular time of year. If coyotes are eating fawns, then play them a sound of a fawn. In the spring when fawns are about, the sound is natural, and coyotes that kill fawns KNOW what that sound is, and will come running.

Other sounds that work well are bird sounds, or cottontail. It doesn’t have to be extremely loud. Softer is better sometimes. And unless it is windy, the coyotes within a mile of where you are calling will hear you, even when the volume is not maxed out.

If you prefer a mouth call, there are many to choose from today that are

easy to blow, and easy on the wallet too. Again, play softly.

Be ready! When you get everything set, and start calling, be ready for action right away. Many, many times I have started calling and had a coyote stand up or dart in from the onset of the sound.

When the weather gets warmer, you may want to shift your hunt time to darkness. While I really prefer to call

in the daytime to see the coyotes better, night hunting is effective too. When weather gets hotter during the daylight hours, coyotes often move more at night.

Daytime movement and hunting by coyotes is best early in the morning and later in evening. Moon phase is not that important to calling coyotes. They have to eat throughout the month, right? But, be aware that brightly moonlit nights let the coyotes see YOU as well. So, the same rules of camouflage apply on a moonlit night as in the daytime.

Which gun do I take? If all you have is your deer rifle, then it will work fine.

Shotguns with coyote specific loads and a tight choke, or buckshot work well too. I prefer my AR-15 in .223 for a quick follow-up shot, but any center fire rifle you are comfortable with will suffice. Hunting coyotes keeps a hunter’s shooting skills sharp in the off season as well.

out to the ranch or deer lease for a weekend away, take your calling gear and try your hand at hunting coyotes.

You will definitely be doing the deer herd a favor, as well as getting yourself hooked on the fastest growing hunting sport in the U.S. now.

When you get the urge to do some hunting in the off season, or just get

Be safe, and enjoy the outdoors! 

My Little Chickadee

B

old and curious is the chubby little chickadee. It is a small gray bird with a long tail, black cap and bib, white cheeks and buff colored belly. Chickadees are

year-round residents and readily come to feeders. They favor Black Oil Sunflower and Safflower seeds and are usually one of the first to discover new feeding spots. They will

flit into a feeder, snatch up seed and hide it in various places to use later.

Chickadees will use nesting boxes.

The female usually picks out the nesting site; then both the male and female build a cup-like cavity out of wood-shavings, moss or other rough material. The female lines it with soft items such as fur; she will have 1-2 broods per summer laying up to 13 eggs per brood. The incubation period is just shy of two weeks and the nesting time for the fledglings is another two weeks.

This bird’s call is quite complex, almost as if it were a language. They communicate to other flocks and even signal alarms when predators are near.

In winter-time they roost in their own cavities to stay warm; putting out roosting hives when it’s cold and water when it’s hot would help these friendly little birds.

Enjoy the beauty that flies around us!

The Bird Ladies

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Night Vision Scopes FOR HUNTING

N

ight vision scopes for hunting are often overlooked by even the most avid hunter because they seem cumbersome and unnecessary. Why would you need a night vision scope when most of your time is spent in the daylight? The fact of the matter is that conditions are not always ideal which makes having a variety of scopes a smart idea. Night vision scopes for hunting can greatly enhance your hunting capabilities in harsher environments and weather thus enabling you to hunt more animals than ever before.

Hunting nocturnal creatures can be a hassle. Their eyesight is much more accustomed to darkness than ours, making them a lot harder to sneak up on and take out. Having a night vision scope for hunting can make discovering and killing nocturnal creatures ten times easier than without a night vision scope. Hunting at night can make taking down daylight prey a lot easier as well. You will be able to catch them unaware and possibly asleep at night.

You will also give yourself a huge advantage because many daylight animals have limited visibility at night as well. With a night vision scope for hunting you will be able to become a silent and more effective killer.

How does it work? Night vision scopes take in the limited amount of natural light in an area and enhance it to maximize your field of vision.

It even brightens infrared light which is invisible to the naked eye. Night vision scopes for

hunting can cost an exuberant amount of money which makes most hunters choose to purchase night vision binoculars instead. However, many soon find out that separate night vision devices are not as useful as night vision scopes. A scope allows you to keep your eye on your target before, during, and after the kill is made. If you’re using a separate night vision device you will have to take the time to readjust your eyesight and rediscover your target when you go to make the kill shot.

In that amount of time your target could move and you could lose it entirely. Like any hunter knows, the less amount of time between discovery and kill[Computer Technology Articles], the better.

A night vision scope for hunting is an absolute necessity for anyone looking to hunt cave dwelling or nocturnal creatures. It can be a bit difficult to adjust to at first but once you get the hang of hunting with a night vision scope you will be a much more pro-

lific hunter and have an overall easier time. A night vision scope will make it possible for you to hunt effectively all day long; as night falls all you will have to do is switch scopes to continue hunting at your best.

Do yourself a favor and get a night vision scope for hunting as soon as possible.

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A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 9

E

veryone loves a really great sequel to an outstanding film, book or athletic championship; such is the case for Georgetown’s newest and truly exceptional music festival, the second annual 2018 Texas Bach Festival, Bach In the Saddle Again (www. texasbachfestival.org), to be unveiled July 5-8 at St. Helen Catholic Church in Georgetown.

Texas Bach Festival 2018: Bach In the Saddle Again 10 Shot of Texas Magazine™

Everyone loves a really great sequel to an outstanding film, book or athletic championship; such is the case for Georgetown’s newest and truly exceptional music festival, the second annual 2018 Texas Bach Festival, Bach In the Saddle Again (www.texasbachfestival.org), to be unveiled July 5-8 at St. Helen Catholic Church in Georgetown.

As a new player in Georgetown’s active performing arts scene in July 2017, TBF’s triumphant inaugural Festival passionately displayed its mission to “champion and advance the great and timeless music of Johann Sebastian Bach and subsequent composers inspired by him in the Georgetown and greater Central Texas areas,” including two free concerts at the Georgetown Library and historic Courthouse, and four Festival series concerts at St. Helen. TBF’s exceptional roster of vocal, choral and instrumental performers expertly delivered a splendid variety of art songs, chamber music, cantata and choral/orchestral works by Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann and Brahms, selling over 700 tickets and delighting audiences at every opportunity. Founded and led by Dr. Barry Scott Williamson, also Director of Music at St. Helen, much important progress was made laying groundwork with the Georgetown business, media and Arts communities, helping establish its donor and audience base. As a result, TBF experienced a thrilling and healthy first season, organizationally, artistically and financially, setting up an exciting future.

And, accordingly, TBF’s 2018 Festival, Bach In the Saddle Again, promises to deliver even more, expanding to 9 total concerts, and unveiling a new ensemble, the TBF Camerata. The 2018 concert schedule began on April 22 with the first of four free/outreach concerts, the last of which will be in Sun City July 1, and culminates with five festival series concerts July 5-8, including four at St. Helen and one in Aus-

tin. The Texas Bach Festival’s trademark mix of outstanding artistry, repertoire and performance experience will be on abundant display during the 2018 concerts, featuring Austin’s Artisan String Quartet, the fully professional TBF Choir, Georgetown pianist Toby Blumenthal, Austin pianist Rick Rowley, cellist Douglas Harvey and a bevy of other exceptional instrumental and vocal soloists.

The aforementioned April 22 concert will be at 2:30 pm at The Delaney at Georgetown Village, featuring the Artisan Quartet performing works of Haydn and Borodin; next is a June 17 Father’s Day concert at 2:00 pm at the Georgetown Library featuring soprano Meredith Ruduski, bass Gil Zilkha and pianist Rick Rowley performing Art songs of Schumann, Fauré and Debussy; the 12:00 noon June 29 concert in the Courthouse’s historic 26th District Courtroom again features the Artisan Quartet, this time performing Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden” string quartet; the last of four free concerts is a wine &

cheese event at 6:30 pm at Sun City’s Cowan Creek Center, with the Artisan Quartet once again leading the festivities.

The Georgetown 2018 festival series opens at St. Helen Catholic Church on July 5 with a chamber music program of J. S. Bach’s Musical Offering Trio Sonata, BWV 1079, Franz Krommer’s Oboe Quartet No. 1 and Johannes Brahms’

Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115; July 6 with the TBF Choir performing Bach motets Jesu, meine Freude (BWV 227), and Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (BWV 225), Brahms’ Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 52 and Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music; July 7 with the TBF Camerata performing Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, Handel’s Water Music Suite in F Major and Mozart’s soprano concerto Exsultate Jubilate, and culminates on July 8 with a matinee concert of chamber music with Bach, J. S. Bach’s Gamba Sonata No. 2 in D Major (BWV 1028), W. A. Mozart’s Violin Sonata No. 32 in B-Flat Major (KV 454), and Beethoven’s String Quartet in C Major (Op. 59). All the concert times, performer details and ticket information can be found at texasbachfestival.org.

For all subscribers of “A Shot of Texas” Magazine, Dr. Williamson emphasizes that key underwriting opportunities (called “Impresarios”) are still available for the Texas Bach Festival’s 2018 season. If you love or an aficionado of chamber, choral, solo vocal or orchestral music, especially of great master composers led by the great Johann Sebastian Bach, visit our website at texasbachfestival.org today to see how you can help bring this timeless music alive in Georgetown.

Enjoy the sequel, and see you there!

A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 11

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A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 13

CHOOSING

the right hunting knife

Don’t get caught in the woods with the wrong knives.

In this article you will learn how to pick the best hunting knife for your next hunting trip. Find out which handle and blade will work for you under extreme conditions.

Which knives are best for a dedicated hunting knife, or an all purpose work knife.

Don’t get caught in the woods with the wrong knives.

In this article you will learn how to pick the best hunting knife for your next hunting trip. Find out which handle and blade will work for you under extreme conditions. Which knives are best for a dedicated hunting knife, or an all purpose work knife.

Choosing the best hunting knife can be a very tricky decision. There are a lot of different factors that can make or break a hunting knife depending on the specific use you intend for it. Some of the choices you will have to make are just your personal preferences, but others are important in making sure the knife functions well for your specific style of recreational activities.

The handle One of the most important qualities of a knife is the handles grip strength and level of safety. There are many traditional knife handle materials 14 Shot of Texas Magazine™

that may not be the best choice for multi function hunting knives. Some of the more traditional materials such as wood, bone, molded plastic, or even leather, can be smooth to the touch and very slippery when wet with rain, sweat, or blood.

This can cause unsafe grip strength and lead to serious injuries. For higher grip strength under these conditions, you may consider some of the newer materials being used in the manufacturing of top quality knives. Both rubber and composite material can give you a safer grip, and are very durable in even the most unfavorable conditions. The newer materials are also being manufactured in more colors, and textures to give them a more stylish look.

The type of knife There are two main styles of knives that hunters can choose from: the fixed blade knife or the folding knife. Both styles offer their own unique set of benefits, and challenges.

Choosing between the two will have a lot to do with the specific type of hunting that you do. This decision will also be based on your personal preferences in how you prefer to carry your knife, and if you want it accessible to both hands.

Folding knives frequently come available with a one handed opening feature by utilizing a small thumb lever, or a hole in the blade to put the thumb into. This makes the knife usable with either hand, and increases the mobility of the hunter. Folding knives also have a lock feature that increases safety during use. These knives are generally smaller in size and fit neatly into a pocket or small belt sheath. Many folders also come equipped with a pocket or belt clip so they can be worn on the outside of clothing for quicker access. Folding knives are great for everyday use as well, but because of their smaller size, may not be the best choice for larger game or survival techniques.

Fixed blade knives do not have a hinge to fold with, so they are usually stronger under stressful conditions. The blade is made from a solid piece of metal that extends into the handle. Always being in the open position can increase speed and ease of use when working with just one hand. Fixed blade knives are carried in a belt, leg, boot, or sometimes a lower arm sheath. Which sheath works the best for you will depend on the specific type of game you are hunting[Business Management Articles], and the type of clothing worn. Fixed blade knives are almost always the best choice for hunting larger game and deep woods camping.

The Blade The clip point blade has a more traditional work knife design with the blade only curving near the end of the blade. The drop point knife has a slow curve to the blade that lowers the tip for control and strength. Both knives are curved to make skinning easy but the drop point is better for a dedicated hunting knife. It allows more precision for cleaning and butchering larger or smaller game. The clip point is better for a multipurpose work or back woods knife.

Other options are available to choose from on hunting knife blades. One of these is the gut hook. The gut hook is used to open game up with less risk of puncturing the guts and possibly damaging the meat. Having a small section of the blade serrated is useful for cutting jobs such as separating a rib cage or cutting synthetic materials.

Wrap up So before you buy your next hunting knife do your research.

Sit down and ask yourself a few questions about what your expectation are for the knife.

Then hit the back woods and have some fun.

The Song Maestro!

G

ood luck has shadowed singer songwriter Mike Mathis, Sr. throughout his life, in spite of being born on Friday the 13th, in the month of ghosts and goblins, during a year he describes as “long ago”. Mike’s very first awareness of music was the sound from a church just down the road, hearing his mother singing beautifully while she did daily chores, and music from his mother’s radio. As a three-year-old boy, Mike was first struck with his love of music. His family’s Bakelite radio was sitting on top of the refrigerator, far above his head. With a desire to make the radio a little bit more accessible, to change the station from Frank Sinatra and Perry Como to Mike’s newly discovered country music, he tugged on the dangling electrical cord. As the radio tumbled, it may have knocked some sense into him, for which he has a forever memento where the vintage Bakelite musical box encountered his forehead.

Mike’s desire to be a songwriter began as a 7th grader, after being inspired by an impressive “upperclassman” 8th grade boy, who sang an original song. Mike and his most elementary next-Christmasgift-guitar didn’t make much progress in following that envious example. Years passed and after he entered college, he purchased himself a finer guitar on a layaway payment plan, with $10 down. He gave playing and writing another try.

Numerous songwriters influenced Mike during the 1970’s, and he had an opportunity to meet various celebrities such as Kris Kristofferson and Ernest Tubb. Jimmy Webb, Willie Nelson, Tom T. Hall, Billy Joe Shaver and others inspired him.

He entered the “new folk competition” category at the annual Kerrville Folk Festival in 1976, where he played on stage for more than just his family, close friends, and private parties for the first time. Mike was one of the finalists and six award winners. He was once more a finalist in the Kerrville competition the following year. He continued to make demos, enter competition and pick up a gig here and there through the years ahead.

After graduating from Texas A&M, Mike made a career of working for the State of Texas.

He married Beverly, and became the proud father of two children.

His son became a singer songwriter as well. Mike, Jr. began to play with a band, record CDs, and perform in Dallas and in the stockyards in Fort Worth, including a few of his dad’s original songs in his set lists.

Mike, Sr. has recorded two CDs in later years. He produced “Old Dog, No Tricks” in 2012 and “South of the Sun” in 2014.

He gathered themes and inspirations for his lyrics from friends and family, as well as from shared tales within the diary of a handy man and what he witnessed when working in different homes, and from the privately shared, “newsy experiences” of a dear friend, with a career as a newspaper reporter. Mike describes his original music as folk, alternative country, and country rock. His influences have included Kris Kristofferson, Gordon Lightfoot, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Jerry Jeff Walker.

He begins each performance by walking toward the stage with a gentle smile and a slow, onemotion wave to his audience. He prefaces his songs with a little introductory story to share his

thoughts, memories, and his heart and soul, much in the style of Michael Martin Murphy.

Mike is the host and a performer at “Walburg Songwriter Wednesdays”, a successful venue beginning its fourth year. He has performed at private parties, house concerts, Kenz Guitars, the “Come Hell or High Water” hurricane benefit, and a fundraiser at “A Shot of Texas Ranch” for a former Williamson County resident who lost her home and possessions due to the hurricane in Rockport. In 2017. He helped plan and performed in a songwriter showcase at the Pflugerville “Duetchenfest”. He has played two acoustic shows in the “Songwriters Across Texas” summer concert series and had a couple of songs from “South of the Sun” played on the “Songwriters Across Texas Radio Show.”

Songwriting and playing have woven in and out of Mike’s life since teenage years, like walking away, and turning around and coming back. He referred to the line from Ryan Bingham’s song, “The Weary Kind,” within the 2009 movie, “Crazy Heart”, “Pick up your crazy heart, and give it one more try!” Mike describes himself as a “poet, philosopher, teller of tales, and writer of simple little songs”.

His major goal in life is “to be nobody’s fool and everybody’s friend”! He is a successful, content man, with a gentle, happy heart. Watch for Mike’s performances. They offer a relaxing, joyful experience!

Life’s a song! Sing it!

Lois Jenison Publicist, Poet, Lyricist Promotress of Musicians in Central Texas A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 15

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Welcome to Beautiful

Welcome to Belize Yucatan Peninsula February 14 – 18, 2013 Traveling south from Belize City to Placencia via Tropic Air, all passengers had a “bird’s eye view” of the rich and lush coastline, encompassing magnificent views of jungles and lavish elevations that many called “Un – Belizeable.”

The city of Placencia is located on a 16 mile peninsula, and boasts to be the home to the narrowest main street in the world, according to Guinness World Records.

Turtle Inn Resort Only twenty five thatched roof huts have views of the water’s edge, presented by its famous owner, Francis Ford Coppola.

Mr. Coppola brings back to nature a relaxing resort atmosphere with no TV’s or air conditioning, only trade winds to cool the tranquility of the mind. No blenders are permitted for the mix of are to be hand shaken to give ddrinks, i k all ll iisland l d beverages b the opulence of serenity. The only in room phone was a locally caught conch shell presented on a wood stand known throughout the resort as their “Shell-Phone”. The shell was refitted to hear the voice of reception echoing voices from reception to answer the guest’s requests, quite ingenious!

Rumfish y Vino Restaurant A very popular restaurant in downtown Placencia is owned by New York expats. As their story goes they traveled from New York for their destination wedding and never looked back. Their restaurant offers a cultural melting pot of Belizean, Asian, European delicacies. We ordered the spiced plantain chips and the perfect conch ceviche, followed by freshly caught fish of the day. What a delightful combination of flavors dining alongside the soft trade winds.

18 Shot of Texas Magazine™

The Tourist Tree Sun burns the bark; the tree bark turns red and peels; now it resembles the skin of a sunburned tourist. The resin in the bark is known to be used for a treatment for gout and fever, while the leaves are brewed into a medicinal tea possessing an anti-inflammatory component. Amazing Jungle Living!

Mayan Civilization Belize earlier settlers are to be known as the Mayan’s, evolving three millennia (3000) years ago. This mecca has vast ancient ruins that continue to baffle archeologists as to their pristine and precise building capabilities.

They were also noted for the only fully developed written language, art, architecture, mathematical and astronomical systems. They were once estimated to have 400,000 inhabiting these vast regions that one time encompassed Belize, Guatemala, W. Honduras and part of El Salvador. But during the tenth century the Mayan society suffered an austere breakdown, and the mystery of their massive disappearance, to this day, remains unresolved.

Rio Frio Cave Belize is riddled with many caves throughout their country, but the Rio Frio cave has been found to contain

human remains. The BIG MOUTH entrance alone, rises over 60 feet, as the Mayans performed ritual sacrifices in these places because they believed they were portals to the underworld through which the Sun God, in the form of a Jaguar, would travel at dusk.

Cayo Region The crown jewel of this region is known as CARACOL a sprawling ruin that once was one of the most powerful cities in the Mayan world. At its peak there were maybe 150,000 people living here roughly half the population of Belize as the whole city was clad in plaster. It was mysteriously abandoned 1,200 years ago and rediscovered by a logger in 1937.

Children Around the World C Globally travelers find children G selling their souvenirs, but at s one o of the Mayan ruins they approached me to buy their a trinkets.

But instead of buying t their treasures I kindly offered t them some money and said, t “Please I will pay you to eat “ the t chocolate chip cookies we packed in our cooler” quickly p the cookies disappeared… t Happy Faces!

H Our Journeys End Sitting in the Belize City airport transit lounge waiting for our flight back to the US I had several hours to watch the true mix of cultures headed for many points beyond. What I found throughout Belize were people with sincere and pleasant personalities always taking the time to share their “Un-Belizeable” legacy. “Up Up & Away!”  Safe Travels,

Barbara

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KARAOKE Wednesdays starts at 8pm

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“SELLING AND SERVICING AMERICAN IRON HORSE MOTORCYCLES” OUR SERVICES: Engine Servicing & Upgrading Transmission & Oil Service Brakes Front Ends Electronic Diagnostics Wreck Estimates & Repairs Tires 1525 N IH 35 IN Georgetown wn Serving Central Texas Since ce 19 1993 9 9 3 Chain & Belt Adjustments And More !

512-930-5475 22 Shot of Texas Magazine™

Alex Winters A shining star musical performer in and around Austin, Texas, Alex Winters may be described as a shy, sweet, sassy, spirited, sexy, strong, successful survivor! Writing has been therapy for Alex, carrying her through her rough times, and helping her cope with situations. Within her lyrics she expresses emotions, releasing stress and tensions. She explains that connecting with her fans and learning how her music touches them is a powerful motivator, propelling her to write, play, and provide more of what she has to give. She enjoys the local community that builds around her music.

Alex’s story began at birth in Seattle. She has progressed through many new beginnings ever since. After leaving home at 15, she eventually settled within the home of a special aunt and uncle in Yakima, Washington, who guided her back on track with her life, and schooling. She entered a “Running Start Program” and attended a community college where she could earn coinciding college and high school credits. Alex worked full time, nights and weekends, at various jobs, supporting herself, while attending classes. Eventually, she “graduated from a high school which she never physically attended.”

A “former band nerd” flutist, Alex switched to singing in a choir during high school.

Her family was sprinkled with musical talent. A singing grandmother gave Alex a guitar at the age of twelve.

She taught herself how to make music with the magical strings and began writing lyrics while working full time during her school days.

Within passing years, Alex has had a few guitar lessons, as well as performance and vocal coaching. She became

serious about her music in her 20s and joined her first band, “Eleven 69”, with whom she made 2 CDs. She gives credit to her mentor, “Willie Hoffee” in Washington State and “A Premium Blend” in Texas.

Alex currently describes her music as moody rock-pop,

with meaningful lyrics about real life situations, “except for one song about vampires”! She has also made 2 CDs as “Alex Winters”.

Alex first came to Texas in 1999, only for job training, and began to dream of moving to the Austin metro-

plex. Today, after 12 years in the Austin area she feels “at home”. She has been fortunate to meet and connect with the “Blackroom Studios” producer, who has propelled Alex in delivering her own sound. She received the first ever “Shining Star” award from Luna Guitars, and has participated in multiple songwriting showcases in and around Austin during the last few years. Alex’s goal is to perform more intimate house concerts, as well as more full band shows. She sometimes appears on stage behind a beautiful mask, adding mystique to her performance, and reminding others that she is a very private person.

Throughout Austin and central Texas Alex has been truly electrifying the stage of many various venues including cafes, restaurants, saloons, dance halls, and wineries.

Catch one of her dynamic upcoming shows. You’ll become an Alex Winters fan!

Life’s a song! Sing it!

Lois Jenison Publicist, Poet, Lyricist, “Promotress” of local Singers, songwriters, and Musicians A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 23

MDF MILL DIRECT FLOORS “Celebrating 30 years in Georgetown” Ceramic-Carpet-Laminite-Wood 900 N Austin Ave. # 113 Georgetown, Texas 78626

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24 Shot of Texas Magazine™

For 20 years, Scott Olson served in the U.S. Army. Throughout his 10 years as a Financial Wealth Manager, Scott has applied his Officer training and military integrity as he focuses on his clients’ financial future.

Securities offered through Sigma Financial Corporation. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Sigma Planning Corporation. Upstream Investment Partners is independent of Sigma Financial Corporation & SPC.

How You Can Grow Organic Food – 7 PRACTICAL TIPS

E

ating organic food has grow to be very popular diet in the food industry. The main reason is the fact that not only organically grown vegetables and fruits taste better, but it also contains more vitamins and has less risky chemicals.

Nevertheless, organic and natural food is usually more expensive than typical food and that is why there’s a growing trend to grow up your very own organic garden.

If you want to make your personal organic food listed here are some useful tips that will help:

Select The Proper Plants Select crops that grow best in your zone. Some crops can grow successfully in nearly any conditions, whereas others could require long growing seasons or a more temperate climate. Seed catalogs provide you with a listing of the zones that are most favorable for that particular plant.

Hook Up With A Friend One thing that may particularly help you is to hook up with a gardening buddy and to share seeds, tools, buy cheap bulk products which you can split (such as potting mix) and share equipment rental fees. Join a local garden society or check with your local council to see what services are available in your area.

Save Money On Commercial Weed Mats In the event you have problem with weeds in your garden beds, use cardboard or carpet under mulch to smother them. They’ll finally break down and provide organic matter in your garden.

This is much better than spending money on commercial weed mats.

Try Containers Whereas seeds grow in the soil, there is no such thing as a rule that the soil must be in the ground. It’s easy to grow fruits and vegetables in containers and this is something I personally recommend.

Lettuces First Begin with planting lettuces first since they grow without difficulty and get used more often than most of the vegetables.

Worms Is Good Having worms in your garden is a must! The organic and natural matter that worms leave behind is much better than what the worms eat. Worms digest the organic matter in your soil and leave behind worm castings. Worm castings are an amazing 100% natural fertilizer for your garden. Worms in addition aerate the soil because they dig and move

through it. This allows your roots to penetrate throughout the soil.

Composting Is Great Garbage is without doubt one of the biggest problems of a growing population. For eco-friendly issues, one of the simplest ways to process them is through composting. One simple method is by making a portion of your backyard as composting zone. Throw vegetables and fruits peelings and food left-overs in your composting area and the worms will do the rest.

These tips and tricks can be very helpful for you if you want to grow organic food by yourself.

However in case you really want to get the very best outcomes I’ll recommend getting a step-by-step guidebook that will show you all the things that you must know to make your very own organic and natural food at home.

I hope that these tips will be useful for you, good luck with your garden!

A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 25

s y u G

& GRILLS

with Pitmaster, Rob Kahn

A “Hole” New Way to Entertain Clients!

If you want to make your deer lease or ranch more interesting consider “hole” new way of cooking. I tried this at A Shot of Texas Ranch in Georgetown and was surprised at how easy fun and entertaining it was. Being a good cook is not required because its fool proof and delicious every time.

There is nothing new about this method that is hundreds of years old but doing it in this time and age is just plain fun. It was an amazing experience and this is how you can do it at your farm, ranch or deer lease. Here is what you need: 1. A Hole in the ground 2.5 to 3 feet deep and maybe 36 inches across.

Rocks at the bottom if you’re in soft soil with 12 inches of burning hot mesquite coals (Oak is the best substitute but just doesn’t compete with mesquite).

Pitmaster Rob knows his BBQ 2. A piece of roof tin or pit from a hole in the ground... because it is a hole in the any piece of steel to ground! cover the hole.

3. Shovel, dirt, foil, a burlap sack and some wire.

I did a whole cows head and it was delicious but so that I don’t lose you here let’s use a large brisket. Start by using your favorite rub or just salt and pepper. Season and then wrap it with lots of heavy duty foil.

Place the wrapped meat in a soaking wet burlap sack (old pillow case works but burlap is best) and use the wire to bind it all while leaving the wire with some sort of loop that you will later use to lift the meat from the hole.

Place the meat directly on about 12 inches deep of burning hot coals. Immediately cover the hole with the tin or metal cover and cover with about 6 inches of dirt. Use the dirt be smother any smoke coming from the hole. No smoke means that you did it.

Six to twelve hours later uncover and pull it out. Be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. You can’t over cook it so relax and enjoy. ¨ 26 Shot of Texas Magazine™

Houston, TX Corporate Office

TEL: 281–431–5900 FAX: 281–431–6881 www.sprintpipeline.com Sprint Pipeline Services offer a wide range of pipeline and utility construction, maintenance, and fabrication services throughout the central U.S.

4111 S Darlington Ave., Suite 1000, Tulsa, OK 74135 Phone: 918.274.1100 | Fax: 918.274.1102 www.tulsainspection.com

Randall Lorett

Ron Ledingham

Richard Grogan

President

Chief Operating Officer

Vice President, Integrity Services

Jimmy Crawford

Matt Kesner

Mark Armstrong

HSE and Compliance Manager

Manager Of Field Services

Manager of Field Services

Lane Armstrong

JR Martino

Jeremy Thomason

Manager of Field Services

Manager Of Field Services

Recruiting Manager

Scott Miles

David Bennett

Manager of Business Development

Manager of Business Development

Their Mission:

Make Great Beer!

Four Army veterans got together one day to brew beer and talk about movies, music, video games, and life which then turned into a regular home brewing event. Not too long afterwards, it was noticed that the city of Waco, Texas didn’t have a microbrewery to call its own to accommodate a growing music scene and its relaxed college atmosphere. It was obvious what the next move would be.

BOSS (TM) ACCOUNTING PAYROLL

Even though the brew-masters and owners are Army Veterans, the name Scars & Stripes stands as tribute all military veterans as a thank you for the sacrifices they have made that allow us all to live free. The mentality behind this company is not your Captain America patriotism, but rather one that embraces independence and freedom for all with no judgment for lifestyle choices.

Scars & Stripes is Waco’s only micro brewery!

Their beer is self distributed around various stores and restaurants in central- and north-Texas area. The brewery features regular tasting events.

Anyone of legal drinking age can take a tour of the brewing facility and sample the craft beer for free. Scars & Stripes shirts, glasses, stickers, and growlers is also available at the brewery will be available for purchase. The brewery is located at 323 N. Industrial Dr., Suite L, in Waco, Texas. 

TAX PREP AND PLANNING CFO SERVICES “Let Gary know you saw him in A Shot of Texas Magazine and you will automatically be entered to win a Grizzly Cooler”.

DRAWING HELD AT OUR MONTHLY NETWORKING MEETING RIGHT HERE IN GEORGETOWN

Jan Ohrstom - Founder, and Army Veteran; Toby Donica, Founder, Army Veteran; Trey Coody and Kliff Maughan are on a new mission: to make great tasting craft beer and enjoy life.

5353 Williams Drive #200-Georgetown, Tx 512-930-3003 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 27

KEEP THE SPORT GROWING Photos from our young hunters

Ethan Trotter of the Dalea ll e s s a r B w e Matth his kids...and Company !with nice spec

Lauren

& Lan ns Ba rnard Shotgun - check; ammo check; beer - check; cute pink bow - check?

Justin Bonnett

ge Bob My lucky Sponnev er fail! swim trunks

Take a kid fishing.

Submit your photos and stories to rob@ashotoftexas.net

28 Shot of Texas Magazine™

AGUADO STONE INC. Every stone selection is a masterspiece in waiting for a Ń anvas

www. AguadoStone.com

201 Cobb Creek Road Georgetown, TX 78633

• All styles of Fencing • Decks, Patios, Pergolas • Outdoor Kitchens

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