Texas Co-op Power May 2013

LOCAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE EDITION Civilian Space Travel

Parenting Your Parents Don’t Be Caught Without a Plan

Texas Capitol

MAY 2013 Fast-Fix Meals

SIMPLY BRILLIANT Commands lawns. Captures attention. Leads the way. Meet the KOMMANDER. Now available for

$0 down and 0% ямБnancing for 36 months.* A.P.R.

www.kubota.com

GRZQ $ 3 5 ┬┐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┬┐ QDQFLQJ PD\ QRW EH DYDLODEOH ZLWK FXVWRPHU LQVWDQW UHEDWH & , 5 RIIHUV )LQDQFLQJ LV DYDLODEOH WKURXJK .XERWD &UHGLW &RUSRUDWLRQ 8 6 $ 'HO $PR %OYG 7RUUDQFH &$ VXEMHFW WR FUHGLW DSSURYDO 6RPH H[FHSWLRQV DSSO\ 2IIHU H[SLUHV 6HH XV IRU GHWDLOV RQ WKHVH DQG RWKHU ORZ UDWH RSWLRQV RU JR WR ZZZ NXERWD FRP IRU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ 2SWLRQDO HTXLSPHQW PD\ EH VKRZQ ┬Л .XERWD 7UDFWRU &RUSRUDWLRQ

For product and dealer information, call 1-888-4-KUBOTA, ext. 128 or go to www.kubota.com.

May 2013

Since 1944

FAVO R I T E S

33 Texas History Valentine’s Breakup

By E.R. Bills

35 Recipes Make It Snappy

39 Focus on Texas Black & White

40 Around Texas List of Local Events

42 Hit the Road Texas Capitol

By Camille Wheeler

ONLINE

TexasCoopPower.com Texas USA Unbridled Nostalgia at Fort Hood

By Martha Deeringer

FEATURES

The Call That’s Coming Talk to your family about the issues of aging before there is a crisis. Procrastination is your enemy. There will never be a perfect moment to bring up the subject. By Jim Comer • Photo illustrations by Frank Curry

Observations And Now the Rest of the Story

By Ashley Clary-Carpenter

8

Above and Beyond Companies with Texas ties are involved in quest to send civilians into space. By Charles Boisseau

14

Around Texas: Celebrate the food, music and culture of Mexico at the Cinco de Mayo events in Palacios and Victoria on May 4. 40

14

33

46 42 35

COVER PHOTO

Jim Comer’s life was turned upside down when he became his parents’ caretaker in 1996. By Frank Curry

T E X A S E L E C T R I C C O O P E R AT I V E S B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S : Ron Hughes, Chair, Sinton; Darryl Schriver, Vice Chair, Merkel; Jerry Boze, Secretary-Treasurer, Kaufman; Debra Cole, Itasca; Kyle Kuntz, Livingston; Randy Mahannah, Perryton; Bobby Waid, Bandera P R E S I D E N T/C E O : Mike Williams, Austin C O M M U N I C AT I O N S & M E M B E R S E RV I C E S C O M M I T T E E : Bryan Lightfoot, Bartlett; Billy Marricle, Bellville; Stan McClendon, Wellington; Blaine Warzecha, Victoria; Buff Whitten, Eldorado; Jerry Williams, Paris; Kathy Wood, Marshall C O M M U N I C AT I O N S S TA F F: Martin Bevins, Vice President, Communications & Member Services; Carol Moczygemba, Vice President, Executive Editor; Tom Widlowski, Associate Editor; Suzi Sands, Art Director; Karen

Nejtek, Production Manager; Ashley Clary-Carpenter, Field Editor; Andy Doughty, Production Designer/Web Content Manager; Sandra Forston, Communications Assistant; Suzanne Haberman, Staff Writer; Kevin Hargis, Food Editor; Blake Mitchell, Print Production Specialist; Ellen Stader, Proofreader; Brittany Lamas, Communications Intern S O M B R E R O : ST E V E S N OW D E N | B I G STO C K .CO M

TexasCoopPower.com

May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

3

The National Grass of Texas

w ww ww w .. T TU UR RF FF FA AL LO O .. cc o om m or 800-872-0522 Bred in Texas to help save one of our most precious resources - water! Order from your nursery or direct from Turffalo online. Your lawn will be shipped to you in plugs that are easy to install at one per square foot. Then get ready for a green lawn - in sun or in shade!

Marathon, America’s most durable and efficient water heater. Now available at these member-owned cooperatives:

Old Faithful and Marathon provide hot water dependably, year-after-year, without a worry. But, one is owned by the government. Fortunately, Marathons are available from electric utilities. So now you can have your very own “Old Faithful” efficiently providing hot water for a lifetime.

Bailey EC Bandera EC Bowie-Cass EC Central Texas EC Central Valley EC Concho Valley EC Deaf Smith EC Farmers EC, TX Farmers EC, NM Greenbelt EC Hamilton EC Heart of Texas EC Lamb County EC Lea County EC Lighthouse EC

Lyntegar EC Magic Valley EC Medina EC Mid-South Synergy North Plains EC Roosevelt EC Rusk County EC San Bernard EC South Plains EC Southwest Rural EA Taylor EC Victoria EC Wharton EC Wise EC

Have questions? Ready to buy? Call us!

1-866-390-4832 Marathon Water Heaters are proudly made in the USA • For more information, visit www.marathonheaters.com

4

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

TexasCoopPower.com

CURRENTS Vocational Training Gee, what a concept! The gap between laborers and supposed rocket scientists in our Texas workforce is severely hurting the future of our students, business prospects and our state’s economy.

Labor laws and liability, lack of mentoring and apprenticeships, and a “not-college-material” attitude has diluted value, honor and pride in the pursuit of trade and technical skills. There is nothing elite about a college education that garners an unfulfilling, mediocre degree and heavy loan debt.

As a private business owner of 39 years, I hope to be around long enough to enjoy employing some of these young people who graduate from farsighted school systems that invest in the real-world advantages of focused vocational training and licensing.

JOHN DEA | SOUTH PLAINS EC

Letters, emails and posts from our readers

FEBRUARY MARCH 2013 Presidio La Bahía The Veggie Experience

Giving Students an Edge

A Future I thought these types of programs no longer existed Behind the Scenes Untangled at the Stock Market [“Honing Their Futures,” March 2013].

This is Main Street, not Wall Street, but the excitement in the air is unmistakably bullish I was a member of Vocational Industrial Clubs of America and the Industrial Cooperative Training class at Gladys Porter High School in Brownsville in 1977. This program and training helped me get a job during my senior year. It was a wonderful program, and I am glad to see schools today still have these programs to give students an edge in life, skills and toward a better living.

I am a business teacher at South Texas College and encourage all students to check out these vocational opportunities if they are offered.

High school students are smoothing out career uncertainty and preparing for such jobs as butchers, hair stylists and welders

JUAN ORTIZ | MAGIC VALLEY EC

bean or pea we ever saw.

Each week they have a farmers market in each section of town. We did our shopping there, and all agree we never saw a black-eyed pea anywhere in the country.

I have to add that Greek food is absolutely the best in the world and cannot be duplicated outside of the country, even by a Greek.

GEORGE VICK | CHEROKEE COUNTY EC

Editor’s note: Greek chef Diane Kochilas, whose black-eyed pea recipe we cited, writes at dianekochilas.com: “Dried blackeyed peas are often [dismissed] by Greeks who have vivid memories of World War II, since the humble black-eyed pea sustained them through years of hunger.”

Greek Mystique After the Athens section, in the “Back to Greece” factoid, you write, “Turns out black-eyed peas are a regular part of the Greek diet.”

My family and I lived in Athens and visited all the provinces of Greece and most of the towns and cities. The lima bean is the only

LOCAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE EDITION Your Legislature Crockin’ Girls Foreign Influences Cactus Jack

I really enjoyed the March article “Foreign Accents” detailing how Texas cities got their names. I would really love to see this as a regular feature of the magazine.

In your footnote on Edinburg, “Back to Edinburgh,” you wrote, “Others of Scottish or Scotch-Irish ancestry … ” Scotch is a distilled spirit. Scots are a people. Ancestry of Scots and Irish would be Scot-Irish.

It was lovely to find some vegetarian recipes in the March issue. But, oh, you silly people. A “vegetarian” who eats chicken or fish cannot be considered a vegetarian because neither a chicken nor a fish is a vegetable.

DALE LYNN | PEDERNALES EC

NICOLE HUNTLEY | PEDERNALES EC

GET MORE TCP AT The Butts Crux The sad part you omitted [“Miles and Miles of Cigarette Butts in Texas,” March 2013] is that butts last 10 years on our roadsides.

LARRY MCWHERTER | BLUEBONNET EC

Eat Your Veggies So wonderful to see “The Veggie Experience” in your March issue.

These were wonderful recipes. I wish more people would try a vegan- or plant-based way of life.

You cannot imagine the energy and health benefits you will have after adopting this lifestyle.

SANDY TATE | CHEROKEE COUNTY ECA

JOHN KALMA VIA FACEBOOK | UNITED COOPERATIVE SERVICES

TexasCoopPower.com Find more letters online in the Table of Contents. Sign up for our E-Newsletter for monthly updates, prize drawings and more!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! ONLINE: TexasCoopPower.com/share EMAIL: letters@TexasCoopPower.com MAIL: Editor, Texas Co-op Power,

1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701 Please include your town and electric co-op.

Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

@TexasCoopPower

TEXAS CO-OP POWER VOLUME 69, NUMBER 11 (USPS 540-560). Texas Co-op Power is published monthly by Texas Electric Cooperatives (TEC). Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, TX and at additional offices. TEC is the statewide association representing 76 electric cooperatives. Texas Co-op Power’s website is TexasCoopPower.com. Call (512) 454-0311 or email editor@TexasCoopPower.com. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE is $3.96 per year for individual members of subscribing cooperatives. If you are not a member of a subscribing cooperative, you can purchase an annual subscription at the nonmember rate of $7.50. Individual copies and back issues are available for $3 each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Texas Co-op Power (USPS 540-560), 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701. Please enclose label from this copy of Texas Co-op Power showing old address and key numbers. ADVERTISING: Advertisers interested in buying display ad space in Texas Co-op Power and/or in our 30 sister publications in other states, contact Martin Bevins at (512) 486-6249. Advertisements in Texas Co-op Power are paid solicitations. The publisher neither endorses nor guarantees in any manner any product or company included in this publication. Product satisfaction and delivery responsibility lie solely with the advertiser. Direct questions or comments about advertising to Martin Bevins, sales director.

© Copyright 2013 Texas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. Reproduction of this issue or any portion of it is expressly prohibited without written permission.

Willie Wiredhand © Copyright 2013 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

TexasCoopPower.com

May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

5

CURRENTS

Energy, innovation, people, places and events in Texas

CO-OP PEOPLE

Lyntegar Member Named a Best Young Farmer Lamesa’s Josh Krohn says he’s a happy, albeit sleep-deprived, farmer. It’s exhausting just reading about his farm’s operation, not to mention his involvement in the community. His efforts were acknowledged recently when The Progressive Farmer magazine named him one of America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers for 2013. Krohn is one of five farmers honored and the only one from Texas.

Krohn, 34, is a member of Lyntegar Electric Cooperative. He farms 1,000 acres of crops—peanuts, alfalfa, milo and cotton—and works 2,000 acres of planted and native pasture. He uses drip irrigation systems in portions of his cultivated fields to conserve increasingly limited supplies of water. Krohn Farms also owns 100 cows and a 130-sow operation that focus on the production of show animals for local and national stock shows. The use of artificial insemination allows Krohn to incorporate genetics into his breeding program, which has improved his livestock.

“I was very honored and very happy to get it,” said Krohn of the honor, which is in recognition of production and management innovation and for community involvement. He also custom-bales hay for neighbors, serves on the Dawson County Livestock Association board, assists local Future Farmers of America chapters and is active with the Texas Pork Producers and the National Swine Registry.

His latest undertaking? Marriage. Krohn tied the knot with fiancée Bridgette King on March 31.

Co-op People ideas? Send them to editor@TexasCoopPower.com.

WHO KNEW?

Big and Important Austin, with a population of about 820,000 is the largest state capital in the country that is not also the largest city in its state. Despite being the 13thlargest city in the United States, Austin is eclipsed in population by Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. Sacramento, California, is the next largest capital that’s not the largest city in its state. It is dwarfed by Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco and Fresno and has about 472,000 people.

HIT THE ROAD Under and around that lofty dome, boisterousness and bliss have been occurring for more than a century. Page 42.

6

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

18 Of the 251 objects and sites on the list of Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks compiled by ASME (founded as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers), 18 are in Texas.

They include historic relics such as the Victoria Dutch Windmill—located in Victoria, the headquarters town of Victoria Electric Cooperative—and modern marvels like the Digital Micromirror Device—instrumental in digital film projectors—first developed in 1987 at Texas Instruments in Plano. Innovative technologies on the list compiled

by ASME also include those from the state’s oilfield and space industries.

TexasCoopPower.com

J O S H K R O H N A N D FA M I LY: KA R L WO L F S H O H L . T E XA S C A P I TO L : B RA N D O N S E I D E L | B I G STO C K

Josh Krohn, Bridgette (King) Krohn and daughter Kenley ‘Peanut’

On Top of the Co-op World

M O U N T E V E R E ST: D M I T RY P I C H U G I N | B I G STO C K . JA M E S W H I T TA K E R : W I L L I A M A L B E RT A L L A R D | N AT I O N A L G EO G RA P H I C STO C K . D E W B E R RY P I E : E DD PATTON. BASEBALL: MARK ROSS | BIGSTOCK

James Whittaker, an ambitious co-op employee at Recreational Equipment Inc., made history 50 years ago when he became the first American to climb to the top of Mount Everest, the tallest peak in the world at 29,035 feet, on May 1, 1963.

His accomplishment also took his company to great heights. It’s now the nation’s largest consumer cooperative.

Whittaker, right, was the store manager for Recreational Equipment in Seattle when he was invited to join an expedition to climb the mountain on the border of Nepal and Tibet. The store started as a co-op in 1938 as a way for Pacific Northwest climbers, led by Lloyd Anderson, to buy hard-to-find European mountaineering equipment.

Whittaker’s historic climb was a boon for the store’s business. When Anderson retired in 1971, Whittaker took over as president and CEO. By the time he left eight years later, REI was a $46 million business with more than 700 employees, branches nationwide—including eight in Texas—and hundreds of thousands of members.

HAPPENINGS

O N T H I S DAT E

Dewberry To-Do Celebrate the sweeter things in life May 18 at the Cameron Dewberry Festival. This free festival, held annually at Wilson-Ledbetter Park, has something for the whole family. From 9 a.m. to noon, kids can compete for prizes in a fishing contest in the park’s lake, which will be stocked by state game wardens. There will be cake and cobbler bake-offs, too—cake, any flavor you wish, but all cobblers must contain dewberries—with winning entries auctioned off to the highest bidder. All proceeds will go to Milam County Child Protective Services. There will also be arts and crafts and food booths, a classic car show, horseshoe tournament, a petting zoo, a bicycle decorating contest and a pet parade. Now, that's pretty sweet!

FOR INFO: (254) 697-4979, CAMERON-TX.COM Find more happenings all across the state at TexasCoopPower .com

Astros No-No On May 17, 1963, Don Nottebart of the Houston Colt .45s threw the first no-hitter in franchise history, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 at Colt Stadium in Houston. No team has more than the Astros’ 10 no-hitters in the past 50 years.

(Nottebart also gave up Willie Mays’ 500th career home run, on September 13, 1965.)

TexasCoopPower.com

May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

7

The CALL THAT’S COMING B Y J I M C O M E R • P H O T O I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y F R A N K C U R R Y

If you remember nothing else from this article, let it be this: Talk to your family about the issues of aging before there is a crisis. Procrastination is your enemy. There will never be a perfect moment to bring up the subject.

At 7 a.m., my phone rang and I heard the voice of Lisa Huff, my parents’ next-door neighbor in Dallas.

8

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

TexasCoopPower.com

O

n the morning of February 20, 1996, I lived in Los Angeles, had a good corporate job with excellent benefits, enjoyed a caring group of friends and sang in the church choir. I had been in California for 13 years and thought my life was stable. I was mistaken.

At 7 a.m., my phone rang and I heard the voice of Lisa Huff, my parents’ nextdoor neighbor in Dallas. In 34 years she had never called me. I braced myself for bad news, and she produced it promptly.

She told me that my dad was walking up and down in front of the house as if he were in a trance. She thought he was having a stroke. Lisa’s sidewalk diagnosis proved correct. Caring for my mother, who had early Alzheimer’s, had taken its toll on my 86-year-old father. Within hours he was in intensive care, I was on a plane to Dallas, and my world changed forever.

When I walked into the hospital room, I could hear my parents’ friends breathe a collective sigh of relief. The only child, the surviving son, was back. The man with all the answers had arrived! If only that had been true: I didn’t even know the questions. Now it was too late for the conversation we never had: Dad couldn’t talk, walk and had no control of his bodily functions. Mother was confused, unsure of what had turned her life upside down.

Though it was time for me to take charge, I didn’t have a plan or the most basic information I needed. During my twice-yearly trips home, Dad and I talked about “important” things like the Dallas Cowboys or who should be elected president. I knew how he stood on the federal deficit but had no idea about his own investments.

Every time I asked a question about Mother’s condition or mentioned the possibility of their selling the house and moving closer to his sisters, Dad would leave the room. And I let him get by with that year after year! Why didn’t I follow him, let him know that I wanted to be there when they needed me, but couldn’t help if he wouldn’t talk to me? Instead of confronting my dad, I remained a polite Texas son, he stayed in denial, and we talked about football instead of the future.

Suddenly faced with making scores of decisions, I had to start from scratch. I had never seen their wills or the contents TexasCoopPower.com

of their lock box, didn’t have powers of attorney and had never discussed end-oflife decisions. I knew little about their finances (other than how much they’d lent me) and nothing about their insurance. It turns out they were insured for everything except long-term care.

The hospital officials wanted Dad out in one week. I had just seven days to find a rehabilitation center where he might possibly learn to walk and talk again. I knew they couldn’t stay in Dallas, as most of our family was in Central Texas. In a crisis, friends are wonderful but family is essential.

Two days later I flew to Austin and inspected four rehabilitation centers in one day. I chose St. David’s Rehabilitation for a very logical reason: A nurse smiled at me. I needed a smile badly that week.

They told me that they’d move Dad in an ambulance the following Monday. Then

the question was what to do with Mother.

Two cousins lived in Georgetown and guaranteed their eventual sainthood by volunteering to keep Mom while I reconstructed my life. First I had to get her there. Mother announced in her sweetest Southern belle style: “Jim, I’m not leaving Dallas.” She could no longer live alone but was unaware of that fact.

For the first time, I packed for my mother. More accurately, I transferred the contents of her closet into the trunk of their Buick. Monday morning brought the real challenge—getting her into the car. That led to the first of many therapeutic lies. As Mother sipped her coffee, I said, “Would you like to get some ice cream?” Mother never turned down ice cream—not even at 8:30 in the morning.

She smiled, put down her cup and happily got into the car. We drove away from

I stopped at the first Dairy Queen we came to and bought her the biggest, gooiest chocolate sundae imaginable, but somewhere around Waco she must have realized we were going on a longer ride.

May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

9

Mine was not a planned parenthood.

I was woefully unprepared to be a caregiver.

Concerns That Need To Be Addressed With time, patience and persistence, you are likely to get the information you need—whether it takes one talk with your parents or 10. Be sure to have an understanding of these key issues: Do your parents have wills and where are they kept? 7 out of 10 Americans do not have a will. 10 out of 10 are going to die. I know because I Googled it.

Make sure your parents assign durable (financial and legal) and health care powers of attorney. Encourage them to choose a practical, trustworthy sibling to make legal, financial and medical decisions if they are unable to do so. Although the forms are online for free, my cousin, the lawyer, says you should spend $200 and have an attorney draft it.

Be clear about the difference between Medicare and Medicaid.

• Medicare pays for medical care for seniors and some prescription drugs. It does not pay for long-term care. It will pay for up to 100 days of rehabilitation in a nursing home if the patient is making measurable progress.

• Medicaid pays for nursing home care for those who can’t afford the cost. It has strict limitations on income and a $2,000 limit on total assets, with the exception of a primary residence. Approximately 80 percent of Texas nursing home residents are on Medicaid. Medicaid generally does not pay for assisted living.

Encourage your parents to get long-term care insurance. Only about 8 percent of Americans currently have this coverage. Applying before health problems arise will mean lower monthly rates and less risk of being turned down due to pre-existing conditions.

As tactfully as possible, find out the state of your parents’ finances. Many of their decisions—and those of their caregivers—will be a direct result of what they can afford. The average cost of a semiprivate room in a skilled nursing home in Texas is $5,000 to $7,000 a month. That’s $60,000 to $84,000 a year and varies greatly depending on their location (metropolitan areas are costlier than small towns), amenities, and the condition and reputation of the home.

Assisted living facilities do not provide nursing care. They offer assistance with the tasks of daily living (taking medications, getting dressed, toileting) and are almost completely private pay. Costs range from $2,200 a month to $6,000 and up, depending on the number of individual services provided, as well as location and amenities.

End-of-life decisions: the questions we don’t want to ask, but must.

• What are your parents’ wishes if they have a condition that is terminal or irreversible? Do they want life support (respirators, feeding tubes) continued indefinitely? A living will (directive to physicians) is necessary to make their preferences a binding legal document.

• Finally, do they want cremation or burial, funeral or memorial service? When I got the nerve to talk to my dad about his funeral, he said, “Jim, do what you want to do. I won’t be there. Funerals are for the living.”

There are 2.7 million Texans serving as unpaid family caregivers. You might be one of them. The ones who get through this journey with sanity and health intact are the ones who are willing to ask for help.

Don’t try to do it all yourself. Reach out to others and accept assistance and support gratefully. In addition to family, friends, neighbors, church and social groups, there are many governmental and private agencies that provide information, advice, referrals and services—usually at no cost.

10

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

TexasCoopPower.com

Chicago Doctor Invents Affordable Hearing Aid Outperforms Many Higher Priced Hearing Aids Reported by J. Page CHICAGO: Ž‘…ƒŽ Â„Â‘ÂƒÂ”Â†ÇŚÂ…Â‡Â”Â–Â‹Ď?‹‡† ÂƒÂ”ÇĄ ‘•‡ǥ Š”‘ƒ– Č‹ ČŒ ’Š›•‹…‹ƒÂ?ÇĄ ”Ǥ Ǥ Š‡”—Â?—”‹ǥ Šƒ• Œ—•– •ŠƒÂ?‡Â? —’ –Š‡ Š‡ƒ”‹Â?‰ ƒ‹† ‹Â?†—•–”› ™‹–Š –Š‡ ‹Â?˜‡Â?–‹‘Â? ‘ˆ ƒ Â?Â‡Â†Â‹Â…ÂƒÂŽÇŚÂ‰Â”ÂƒÂ†Â‡ÇĄ ƒˆˆ‘”†ƒ„Ž‡ Š‡ƒ”‹Â?‰ ƒ‹†Ǥ This revolutionary hearing aid is designed to help millions of people with hearing loss who cannot afford—or do not wish to pay—the much higher cost of traditional hearing aids.

“Perhaps the best quality-toprice ratio in the hearing aid industryâ€? – Dr. Babu, M.D. Board Certified ENT Physician ”Ǥ Š‡”—Â?—”‹ Â?Â?‡™ –Šƒ– —Â?–”‡ƒ–‡† Š‡ƒ”‹Â?‰ Ž‘•• …‘—Ž† Ž‡ƒ† –‘ †‡’”‡••‹‘Â?ÇĄ •‘…‹ƒŽ ‹•‘Žƒ–‹‘Â?ÇĄ ƒÂ?š‹‡–›ǥ ƒÂ?† •›Â?’–‘Â?• …‘Â?•‹•–‡Â?– ™‹–Š ŽœŠ‡‹Â?‡”ǯ• †‡Â?‡Â?–‹ƒǤ He could not understand why the cost for hearing aids was so high when the prices on so many consumer electronics like TVs, DVD players, cell phones and digital cameras had fallen. ‹Â?…‡ ‡†‹…ƒ”‡ ƒÂ?† Â?‘•– ’”‹˜ƒ–‡ ‹Â?•—”ƒÂ?…‡ †‘ Â?‘– …‘˜‡” –Š‡ …‘•–• ‘ˆ Š‡ƒ”‹Â?‰ ÂƒÂ‹Â†Â•ÇĄ ™Š‹…Š –”ƒ†‹–‹‘Â?ƒŽŽ› ”—Â? „‡–™‡‡Â? ̈́ʹͲͲͲnj̈́͸ͲͲͲ ˆ‘” ƒ Â’ÂƒÂ‹Â”ÇĄ Â?ƒÂ?› ‘ˆ –Š‡ †‘…–‘”ǯ• ’ƒ–‹‡Â?–• …‘—Ž† Â?‘– ƒˆˆ‘”† –Š‡ ‡š’‡Â?•‡Ǥ ”Ǥ Š‡”—Â?—”‹ǯ• ‰‘ƒŽ ™ƒ• –‘ Ď?‹Â?† ƒ ”‡ƒ•‘Â?ƒ„Ž‡ •‘Ž—–‹‘Â? –Šƒ– ™‘—Ž† Š‡Ž’ ™‹–Š –Š‡ Â?‘•– …‘Â?Â?‘Â? –›’‡• ‘ˆ Š‡ƒ”‹Â?‰ Ž‘•• ƒ– ƒÂ? ƒˆˆ‘”†ƒ„Ž‡ ’”‹…‡ǥ Â?‘– —Â?Ž‹Â?‡ –Š‡ Dz‘Â?Â‡ÇŚÂ•Â‹ÂœÂ‡ÇŚĎ?‹–•njÂ?‘•–dz ”‡ƒ†‹Â?‰ glasses ƒ˜ƒ‹Žƒ„Ž‡ ƒ– †”—‰ •–‘”‡•Ǥ ‡ ‡˜ƒŽ—ƒ–‡† Â?—Â?‡”‘—• Š‡ƒ”‹Â?‰ †‡˜‹…‡• ƒÂ?† •‘—Â?† ƒÂ?’Ž‹Ď?‹‡”•ǥ ‹Â?…Ž—†‹Â?‰ –Š‘•‡ •‡‡Â? ‘Â? –‡Ž‡˜‹•‹‘Â?Ǥ ‹–Š‘—– ÂˆÂƒÂ‹ÂŽÇĄ ƒŽÂ?‘•– ƒŽŽ ‘ˆ –Š‡•‡ ™‡”‡ ˆ‘—Â?† –‘ ƒÂ?’Ž‹ˆ› Â„ÂƒÂ•Â•Č€ Ž‘™ ˆ”‡“—‡Â?…‹‡• ȋ„‡Ž‘™ ͳͲͲͲ ÂœČŒ ƒÂ?† Â?‘– —•‡ˆ—Ž ‹Â? ƒÂ?’Ž‹ˆ›‹Â?‰ –Š‡ ˆ”‡“—‡Â?…‹‡• ”‡Žƒ–‡† –‘ –Š‡ Š—Â?ƒÂ? ˜‘‹…‡Ǥ

O

Designed By A Board Certified Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Doctor Doctor-Recommended, Audiologist-Tested +++++ Top rated hearing aid online—thousands of satisfied customers FDA-Registered Save Up To 90% Free Shipping Available Batteries Included! Comes Ready To Use

O

100% Money Back Guarantee

O O O O O O

’Š‘Â?‡ Š‡ Šƒ† Œ—•– ’—”…Šƒ•‡†Ǥ “I felt that if someone could devise an affordable device like an iPhoneÂŽ for about $200 that could do all sorts of things, I could create a hearing aid ƒ– ƒ •‹Â?‹Žƒ” ’”‹…‡Ǥdz

“I have been wearing hearing aids for over 25 years and these are the best behind-the-ear aids I have tried. Their sound quality rivals that of my $3,000 custom pair of Phonak Xtra digital ITEâ€? Č„ ‡”ƒŽ† ‡˜›

Affordable Hearing Aid With Superb Performance Š‡ Š‹‰Š …‘•– ‘ˆ Š‡ƒ”‹Â?‰ ƒ‹†• ‹• ƒ ”‡•—Ž– ‘ˆ Žƒ›‡”• ‘ˆ Â?‹††Ž‡Â?‡Â? ƒÂ?† ‡š’‡Â?•‹˜‡ —Â?Â?‡…‡••ƒ”› ˆ‡ƒ–—”‡•Ǥ ”Ǥ Š‡”—Â?—”‹ …‘Â?…Ž—†‡† –Šƒ– ‹– ™‘—Ž† „‡ ’‘••‹„Ž‡ –‘ †‡˜‡Ž‘’ ƒ Â?‡†‹…ƒŽ ‰”ƒ†‡ Š‡ƒ”‹Â?‰ ƒ‹† ™‹–Š‘—– •ƒ…”‹Ď?‹…‹Â?‰ –Š‡ “—ƒŽ‹–› ‘ˆ …‘Â?’‘Â?‡Â?–•Ǥ Š‡ ”‡•—Ž– ‹• –Š‡ ‡ƒ”‹Â?‰ ܠ ÂŽÇĄ •–ƒ”–‹Â?‰ ™‡ŽŽ —Â?†‡” ̈́ʹͲͲǤ It has been declared to be the best low-cost hearing aid that ƒÂ?’Ž‹Ď?‹‡• –Š‡ ”ƒÂ?‰‡ ‘ˆ •‘—Â?†• associated with the human voice without overly amplifying background noise.

“I have a $2,000 Resound Live hearing aid in my left ear and the MDHearingAid PROÂŽ in the right ear. I am not able to Â?‘–‹…‡ ƒ •‹‰Â?Â‹Ď”Â‹Â…ÂƒÂ?– †‹ˆˆ‡”‡Â?…‡ ‹Â? sound quality between the two hearing aids.â€? Č„ ”Ǥ ÂƒÂ›ÇĄ Š›•‹…‹ƒÂ? “We ordered two hearing aids for my mother on Sunday, and the following Wednesday they were in our mailbox!

Unbelievable! Now for the best part— they work so great, my mother says she hasn’t heard so good for many years, even with her $2,000 digital! It was so great to see the joy on her face. She is 90 years young again.� Ȅ Ž ‡–‡”•‘�

Tested By Leading Doctors and Audiologists Š‡ ‡ƒ”‹�‰ ‹† Ž Šƒ• „‡‡� ”‹‰‘”‘—•Ž› –‡•–‡† „› Ž‡ƒ†‹�‰ ’Š›•‹…‹ƒ�• ƒ�† ƒ—†‹‘Ž‘‰‹•–• ™Š‘ Šƒ˜‡ —�ƒ�‹�‘—•Ž› ƒ‰”‡‡† –Šƒ– –Š‡ sound quality and output in many cases exceeds more expensive hearing aids.

For the Lowest Price Call Today 1-800-873-0680 Phone Lines Open 24 Hours EVERY DAY www.MDHearingAid.com/HX67

Inspiration from a surprising source Š‡ †‘…–‘”ǯ• ‹Â?•’‹”ƒ–‹‘Â? –‘ †‡ˆ‡ƒ– –Š‡ Â’Â‘Â™Â‡Â”Â•ÇŚÂ–ÂŠÂƒÂ–ÇŚÂ„Â‡ –Šƒ– Â?‡’– ‹Â?‡š’‡Â?•‹˜‡ Š‡ƒ”‹Â?‰ ƒ‹†• ‘—– ‘ˆ –Š‡ ŠƒÂ?†• ‘ˆ –Š‡ ’—„Ž‹… ƒ…–—ƒŽŽ› …ƒÂ?‡ ˆ”‘Â? ƒ Â?‡™ …‡ŽŽ

Doctors and patients agree: “BEST QUALITY SOUND� “LOWEST AFFORDABLE PRICE�

Use Offer Code HX67 to get FREE Batteries for a Full Year!

Proudly assembled in the USA from Domestic & Imported Components.

45 DAY RISK FREE TRIAL

FREE Shipping Available

100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

BBB RATING

A

Eight Suggestions on Having the Talk I Never Had: 1. Meet with your parents on a quiet weekend, not during a holiday or family celebration. If it must be at Christmas, make it a day or two after Santa has departed.

2. Prepare well for this meeting. Find out which among the siblings are going to be active caregivers, who will send money but not show up often and who will be missing in action.

3. Don’t shy away from asking the tough questions and have someone take notes or record the conversation.

4. Ask what is most important to your parents as they age. Find out what they want and don’t want.

5. Listen more than you talk.

6. Give them the respect and dignity they deserve, even if you disagree with their plans—or lack of them.

7. Depending on the state of their health, don’t try to make big decisions in the first meeting. This talk should begin an ongoing conversation.

8. Congratulate yourself for getting the subject on the table, no matter how the conversation goes.

her home of more than three decades, and she never saw it again.

True to my word, I stopped at the first Dairy Queen we came to and bought her the biggest, gooiest chocolate sundae imaginable, but somewhere around Waco she must have realized we were going on a longer ride. When we got to my cousins’ house, I kissed her goodbye, headed for the airport and jumped on a plane for LA. My body went back to work the next day, but my mind remained in Texas.

Two weeks later I returned to Austin to check on Dad’s progress. There wasn’t any. This fiercely independent man had flown 75 World War II combat missions in a B-17. Although he was tethered to

tubes, his mind was sharp, and he knew what he wanted. When I walked in his room, he gathered his strength and forced out three words: “Get … me … pills.” He wasn’t talking about aspirin. He wanted me to help him kill himself. As he was nearly deaf, I had to yell my response.

“Dad, I can’t do that, I’ll go to jail! …

Not hell, Dad, jail! … Well, maybe hell, too! I can’t do it.”

He was not pleased with my response.

Later that day, one of his doctors suggested a prostate operation that might restore his bodily functions. It worked, and within two weeks Dad was using the restroom unassisted. That’s when he

Tape This to Your Refrigerator.

These are links to agencies that provide detailed information on programs, services and information that are invaluable to seniors and their caregivers.

The TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES is a great resource.

Area Agencies on Aging: 1-800-252-9240, dads.state.tx.us/contact/aaa.cfm Overview of State Services: 1-800-252-9240, dads.state.tx.us/services/caregiver.html Respite Care: (512) 275-9309, dads.state.tx.us/taketimetexas/about/availableservices.html Fact Sheet: dads.state.tx.us/taketimetexas/help/respitefactsheet.pdf Contact Numbers by County: dads.state.tx.us/contact/DADSServicesByCounty.html Frequently Asked Questions: dads.state.tx.us/services/faqs-fact/index.html ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION: National Alzheimer’s Association: (312) 335-8700, alz.org Capital of Texas Chapter: (512) 241-0420, alz.org/texascapital LEGAL HOTLINE FOR TEXANS: 1-800-622-2520, tlsc.org This information is also available as a PDF on TexasCoopPower.com.

12

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

decided he wanted to live.

For six months, I flew to Texas almost every other weekend and finally realized that I couldn’t do what needed to be done from 1,000 miles away. I had to make a choice: move my folks to California where they knew no one but me and things were much more expensive, or quit my job and move back to Texas where I had not lived in 30 years. I chose to parent my parents and never regretted it. However, mine was not a planned parenthood. I was woefully unprepared to be a caregiver.

If you remember nothing else from this article, let it be this: Talk to your family about the issues of aging before there is a crisis. Procrastination is your enemy. There will never be a perfect moment to bring up the subject. If all else fails, remind yourself that there are no meaningful discussions on a respirator.

Fear keeps many intelligent, caring families from having this necessary discussion. For parents, major changes late in life are understandably difficult. It may mean selling their home, downsizing, moving in with a child or living in a retirement community. It takes courage to face the realities of aging with wisdom and grace.

Adult children have fears of their own.

Many don’t speak up to “spare” their parents’ feelings when they really want to spare themselves a difficult discussion.

They tell themselves—often mistakenly— that a candid conversation will lead to crying, yelling or angry feelings. That may happen in some families, but crying and yelling are far better than not having the information you need when that call comes at 7 a.m.

Jim Comer, author of When Roles Reverse, speaks on caregiving to audiences across America. His website is parenting-your-parents.com.

TexasCoopPower.com

ÂŽ

ABSORB HARMFUL SHOCK s 2ELIEVE DISCOMFORT

s )NCREASE ATHLETIC

PERFORMANCE s )MPROVE POSTURE

s &EEL REJUVENATED

s )DEAL FOR REHABILITATION

Comfort-Fit Removable Insole

The All New

NEXTA Smart Memory Master Shock Absorber

X-ray view simulated

Adjusts to Your Weight

Twin Stabilizers

A.

VS2 VersoShock™ Sole Exclusive Shock Absorbing System

IMAGINE LIFE PAIN FREE ABSORB THE HARMFUL SHOCK THAT MAY CAUSE PAIN IN YOUR FEET , KNEES , BACK OR JOINTS

Experience relief FROM STANDING ON HARD SURFACES WITH A SHOE THAT MAKES EVERY STEP PILLOW SOFT !S YOU AGE

THE CARTILAGE PROTECTING YOUR JOINTS BECOMES DEHYDRATED THINNER AND LESS RESILIENT -OVEMENTS YOU VE DONE ALL

YOUR LIFE nEVEN THOSE AS SIMPLE AS WALKING OR GOING

Dr. Arnold Ross, DPM UP AND DOWN STAIRSn CAN TEAR OR BRUISE THIS VULNERABLE

TISSUE LEAVING YOU SUFFERING WITH SORE JOINTS

“I recommend Gravity Defyer ™ /UR ALL NEW 63 6ERSO3HOCK

shoes to my patients and If you dream of a healthier more active you FREE

TRAMPOLINE SOLE WILL HELP GUARD

friends... I wear them myself!�

FROM THE STRESS AND DISCOMFORT CAUSED BY LEG PAIN

YOUR JOINTS

KNEE PAIN OR JOINT PAIN THEN YOU RE READY FOR 'RAVITY

Associate Clinical Professor: Western University College of Podiatric Medicine, Private Practice: West Los Angeles

AGAINST HARMFUL

$EFYER )T IS THE WELLNESS FOOTWEAR THAT WILL NOT ONLY HELP Board CertiďŹ ed, ABPOPPM TODAY BUT PROTECT YOUR BODY FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

SHOCK REDUCING

with the ultimate in comfort and protection! e, runn mor l more, moree and stay on your feet longer PEAK FORCES SO

Walkk mor .

OW FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY TRY 'RAVITY $EFYER SHOES Free for 30 Days.* .OW FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY TRY 'RAVITY $EFYER SHOES Free Days.* )F YOU RE NOT COMPLETELY SATISlED

)F YOU RE NOT COMPLETELY SATISlED

YYOUR BODY CAN O U R B O D Y C A N SCAN TO LEARN MORE SCAN TO LEARN MORE RRETURN THEM AND PAY NOTHING nBUT WE KNOW YOU LL LOVE THEM !ND AS A PART OF THIS SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER YOU ETURN THEM AND PAY NOTHING nBUT WE KNOW YOU LL LOVE THEM !ND AS A PART OF THIS SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER YOU AADJUST MORE DJUST MORE W ILL SAVE AN ADDITIONAL OFF YOUR PURCHASE #ALL OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY 4HIS OFFER WILL NOT LAST WILL SAVE AN ADDITIONAL OFF YOUR PURCHASE #ALL OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY 4HIS OFFER WILL NOT LAST NNATURALLY &EEL REJUVENATED AS THE ATURALLY &EEL REJUVENATED AS THE SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER! HHIDDEN SHOCK ABSORBERS PROPEL IDDEN SHOCK ABSORBERS PROPEL NEXTA NEXT T A $129.95 Try T ry r them Free Free for 30 Days and SA SAVE AVE V $ $30* 30* YYOU FORWARD RESTORING ENERGY OU FORWARD RESTORING ENERGY Don’t miss this chance to change your life forever!

B. C. D.

www www.gravitydefyer.com/ .gravitydefyer.com/MQ8EDL7 A+

MEN A. TB9001MBU B. TB9001MYB C. TB9001MBS D. TB9001MWBB Sizes 7 - 15 E.

WOMEN E. TB9001FGO Sizes 5 - 11

F.

or call (800) 429-0039 Coupon Code: M MQ8EDL7 Q8EDL7

FREE RETURNS s RETURNS s FREE EXCHANGES G.

MEN

WOMEN

MARSEILLE II

MARVITA M

TB841L Size 7.5-15 $145

TB793FW T Size 5.5-11 S $99.95 $

JENDA TB747FL Size 5-11 $139

FF.. TB9001FBS FF.. TB9001FWP

*$30 discount at time of purchase of offf a minimum order of $120. Deferred billing for 30 days from date shipped Offer and is an optional selection during checkout. Credit card authorization required. Of fer excludes outbound S/H.

Ov Over er 300 Styles for Men and W Women omen Available Available Online

SpaceX, whose Dragon capsule is grappled by a robotic arm of the International Space Station in 2012, has a rocket test facility near McGregor.

V E O A B

A N D

B E Y O N D

Imagine rocketing into space and living on the International Space Station for 10 days. You have a window seat and the best view of your life.

Flying at 17,000 miles an hour, you complete an orbit of the Earth every 90 minutes and see a sunrise or sunset every 45 minutes. Even from 250 miles up, you can clearly see places you know: North America, the United States, the Gulf Coast, Texas.

Richard Garriott de Cayeux (in recent years he added his wife’s surname to his own), a wildly successful developer of computer games and the world’s sixth civilian astronaut to fly into orbit, said his experience in 2008 was life changing—but not for reasons he would have predicted, such as seeing the beauty of Earth and experiencing the thrill of weightlessness.

“As you go around the Earth, you begin to see how weather systems work, how tectonic plate movements have changed the surface because you can see the fault lines; you can see how erosion by water has washed so much mass out into the oceans,” Garriott de Cayeux said during an interview in his West Austin home. “The biggest and most impactful part is how clearly fully occupied the Earth is by people. Even in the Amazon, there are roads crisscrossing it all over the place. You can see the fires with people clear-cutting.”

14

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

Garriott de Cayeux is the first of a new breed of civilian astronauts. Eager to follow is the next wave of well-heeled people who are lining up to fly in spacecraft being launched starting as early as this year by about a half-dozen companies.

For Garriott de Cayeux, becoming an astronaut was the experience he seemed destined for. The son of NASA astronaut Owen Garriott, Garriott de Cayeux grew up during the 1960s and ’70s, the heyday of U.S. space exploration. NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston was the center of manned spaceflight.

Apollo missions culminated in men walking on the moon, and “Houston” was the first word spoken from the lunar surface with the landing of the Eagle module. Garriott de Cayeux’s nextdoor neighbors in Nassau Bay, which is right across the street from the Johnson Space Center, were astronauts. His friends were other astronauts’ kids, so he took it for granted that he would one day become an astronaut.

Garriott de Cayeux fulfilled his dream when he flew aboard a Russian rocket with a Soyuz crew that spent 10 days on the International Space Station. Garriott de Cayeux, 51, paid dearly for the ride of his life, plunking down $30 million.

Now, a handful of companies, many with Texas ties, promise to fly travelers roughly 60 miles above the Earth into what is known as suborbital space. These flights would last little more TexasCoopPower.com

NASA ARCHIVE | ALAMY

SPACE COMPANIES WITH TEXAS TIES ARE CHARTING A TRAJECTORY TO TRANSPORT CIVILIANS ON THE RIDE OF THEIR LIVES

BY CHARLES BOISSEAU

than a couple hours but give travelers the high of experiencing weightlessness and heavenly views at a cost of about $95,000 to $200,000, depending on the operator and spacecraft.

That’s certainly not chump change. But Tara Hyland, director of marketing at Universal Travel, a Houston travel agency, sold a $200,000 flight on Virgin Galactic, an outfit founded by British entrepreneur Richard Branson. The company plans to begin flying people on a six-passenger craft known as SpaceShipTwo from a spaceport in New Mexico by the end of 2013.

The ticket holder? A 56-year-old retired Houston businesswoman. She asked us not to use her name because she hasn’t told her nearly 80-year-old mother about the trip and doesn’t want to scare her to death. (“She calls us every time there is a thunderstorm; I’m trying to keep her anxiety to a minimum amount.”)

The would-be space traveler is one of more than 500 who have placed down payments of at least $20,000 on a future flight, according to Virgin Galactic.

“I was one of those kids who always wanted to be an astronaut,” she said. “I grew up during the early space program. There are a lot of baby boomers doing this. Our parents would park us in front of the TV to watch the space missions.” She is not independently wealthy, having never earned more than $80,000 a year, but has been an aggressive saver and followed her petroleum geologist father’s sage investing advice. “I’m well off, but this is not a tiny drop in the bucket for me,” she said. “It’s a portion of my savings.”

a space capsule. He makes no bones about SpaceX’s long-term goal: traveling to Mars. SpaceX plans its first manned orbital flights in 2015.

NASA spokesman Kelly Humphries noted that private contractors have always worked closely with the agency. He said what’s different now is best explained by an analogy. In the past, NASA hired companies to build a truck and then accepted all the responsibility to operate and maintain it. For now, NASA is content to hitch a ride and load all its cargo in someone else’s truck. That explains why NASA awarded a $1.6 billion contract to SpaceX for 12 flights to ferry tons of cargo back and forth from the International Space Station, giving the U.S. its first capability to return to the station since the grounding of the space shuttle. NASA retired the shuttle to focus on deep-space exploration to destinations such as an asteroid or Mars. Among other things, the agency and its partners are developing a capsule, called the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, which will be used for future exploration missions.

Of course, everyone in the business realizes there are payloads of risks in the daunting effort of launching rockets into space, said Neil Milburn, vice president of program management for Armadillo Aerospace, which hopes to make its first

THE SKY’S NO LIMIT

CO U RT E SY R I C H A R D G A R R I OT T D E C AY E UX

As an investor, partner and board member of a number of space businesses and organizations, you might call Garriott de Cayeux an unofficial Texas ambassador of the civilian spaceflight business.

In addition to serving on NASA’s Advisory Council, he is co-vice chairman of Space Adventures, the company that hammered out the deals for civilians to train as cosmonauts and fly aboard Russian spaceships. Space Adventures now has an agreement with Armadillo Aerospace, a Caddo Mills-based company that is developing a two-passenger spacecraft to fly people into suborbital space for roughly $100,000 each.

Garriott de Cayeux and Branson fit the breed of dreamers who are opening this new frontier at a time when NASA has shed jobs with the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011. The short list includes: John Carmack, another highly successful computer game creator and founder of Armadillo; Elon Musk, founder of PayPal, Tesla Motors and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (or SpaceX); and Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, whose closely guarded Blue Origin spaceflight business launches rockets from a pad in Culberson County in far West Texas.

Another fast-growing company is XCOR Aerospace, which announced last year it will build a research and development facility at Midland International Airport, where officials have applied with the Federal Aviation Administration for approval to create what would be the state’s first private spaceport.

SpaceX has a rocket and equipment test facility outside McGregor that employs about 200 and is considering locating a rocket launch facility near Brownsville.

Company CEO Musk has collected enough awards for his innovations and designs—including the Falcon, the first privately developed liquid-fuel rocket to reach Earth’s orbit—to fill TexasCoopPower.com

Space travel might be a foreign concept for some people, but not Richard Garriott de Cayeux. As the son of an astronaut growing up in Nassau Bay, he figured it was his destiny. Sure enough, in 2008 he joined a Russian crew and spent 10 days on the International Space Station.

May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

15

manned commercial flights as soon as next year. “The vehicles keep getting bigger and bigger and the risks get larger and larger,” Milburn, an engineer, said.

Richard Branson, top, partnered his company, Virgin Galactic, with a California firm and hopes to send a six-passenger craft into space by the end of the year.

He’s holding a model of the carrier plane that would take SpaceShipTwo to an altitude of 50,000 feet, where it would then be released to fly into space.

Another firm, Blue Origin, launches rockets in Culberson County in West Texas.

Its goal is to send a biconic space vehicle, in rendering above, into orbit carrying astronauts and supplies.

Armadillo participated in and won a secondary award in the inaugural X Prize, the foundation-run contest that in 2004 provided an enticing $10 million first-place prize to the first company to demonstrate two successful takeoffs and landings of a reusable spacecraft within two weeks. The winner was SpaceShipOne made by Scaled Composites, a company based in Mohave, California, that is partnering with Virgin Galactic on its upcoming flights.

The prize, now called the Ansari X Prize, was funded with money provided by the family of Anousha Ansari, a native of Iran who immigrated to the United States as a teenager and leads Prodea Systems, a Plano-based consumer technology company. Ansari became the first woman civilian astronaut in 2006 when she flew to the International Space Station as part of another Space Adventures-Russian space agency trip.

There are many other entrepreneurial outfits carving off pieces of the market. These include companies that specialize in preparing and arranging the launching of satellites into orbit, such as Austin-based Astrotech, which is run by Tom Pickens, the youngest son of oil and gas tycoon T. Boone Pickens. A Clear Lake company called NanoRacks has created specially designed tanks that easily plug into the space station to allow for experiments that can be monitored from Earth, even by high school science students.

One of the most far-out businesses is Houston-based Celestis, which specializes in sending the ashes of the deceased into space. The company flies a “symbolic portion of cremated remains,” up to 7 grams, or about as much as would fit into a lipstick container, said Charlie Chafer, chief executive of Celestis.

Chafer said the company has flown the ashes of the deceased on a variety of rockets operated by NASA and private firms, and the company’s website includes dozens of biographies of customers, many with notes from their surviving family members.

In most cases, the ashes disappear upon re-entry or otherwise return to Earth unrecovered.

Prices range from about $1,000 for a suborbital flight to $5,000 for orbital. And Celestis also is beginning to market a lunar burial for $10,000 as a payload on a spacecraft that wins the Google Lunar X Prize, a $30 million award that would go to the first company that can fly to the moon and release a robotic rover by the end of 2015.

“We’ve put more than 1,000 people into space—more than any other company,” Chafer boasted.

Wonderment about the moon and stars and all that’s out there is as old as humanity itself. As civilians continue pursuing space travel, would-be adventurers—living and deceased—will benefit from advances being gained around Texas today.

Charles Boisseau is an Austin writer.

On TexasCoopPower.com All systems are go for Fredericksburg High School’s rocket science program.

16

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

TexasCoopPower.com

BRAN SON: ZUM A WI RE SERVI CE | ALAMY. R ENDERI NG : B LUE ORI GI N

‘Launching a vehicle into space is monumentally difficult,’ Milburn said. ‘After all, it is rocket science. NASA has been at it for half a century, and they sometimes get it wrong.’

PEOPLE WILL TALK. “How much? ... seriously?”

- Your husband

“I LOVE your ring!”

- Bank teller

“There is NO WAY this ring cost you only $79!”

- Linda from accounting

“Wow. That color is unbelievable!”

- Your hairdresser

87%

“I want one.”

- Your best friend

Less

than the independently appraised value of $590

“PLEASE tell me where you found that ring! ” - Waitress at lunch

Wear this stunning 2-carat Tanzanite Ring for only $79!

Random compliments are absolutely FREE.

T

sterling-silver setting loaded with 2 carats of marquise-cut tanzanite for only $79!

Tanzanite is 1,000 times rarer than diamond. It became a sensation when it was first discovered in 1967 in Tanzania’s Merelani Hills (in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro). It is found nowhere else on Earth and experts say supplies will not last forever.

Other jewelry stores hate us because we don't play by their rules. We took the Sunburst Tanzanite Ring to an independent appraiser who works with auction houses, estate sales and insurance companies. He valued it at $590.* We thanked him for his professional opinion and then ignored it. Because even if a graduate gemologist tells us that this tanzanite ring is valued at nearly $600, we want you to have it for ONLY $79. I know it sounds ridiculous, but we're absolutely serious. For this exclusive offer, we’ve actually lowered our price for one of the world’s most endangered gemstones.

his is not the ring to wear if you want to blend in. Two carats of genuine tanzanite attracts attention. Lots of it.

People will talk. That’s just what happens when you wear the passionate purple stone experts have called “the most beautiful gem discovered in generations.” Put it on your finger and you’ll understand why the Stauer Sunburst Tanzanite Ring is a spectacular piece of jewelry that refuses to be ignored.

Don’t miss your chance to make gem history.

Nobody knows exactly how much remains to be found, but Fifth Avenue is more than happy to charge you as if the mines were nearly empty. One of the largest jewelry retailers is selling genuine tanzanite rings online for well over $2,000 each. That’s ridiculous. Order now and we’ll send you an elegant .925

Stauer

—

Sunburst Tanzanite Ring (2 ctw) — Appraised at $590*

®

Was $99 Now Only $79 + S&P

14101 Southcross Drive W., Dept. TZR512-06 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337

Promotional Code TZR512-06 Please mention this code when you call.

www.stauer.com

* For more information concerning the appraisal, visit http://www.stauer.com/appraisedvalues.asp.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If for any reason you don’t completely adore your 2-carat Sunburst Tanzanite Ring, just send it back within 30 days for a full refund of your purchase price. Yes, it’s really that simple. And yes… it really is that beautiful. Mention ring size: 5-10

Rating of A+

CALL NOW! 1-888-201-7112

get healthier

with Nutrisystem D! HELPING YOU MANAGE DIABETES

Nutrisystem D is well-known for delivering simple, effective, affordable, worry-free weight loss right to your door. You get the added structure and resources designed for the dietary needs of people with type 2 diabetes: Meal plans that meet American Diabetes Association

nutritional guidelines* Diabetes-friendly menu with over 140 foods!

FREE access to Certified Diabetes Educators, and FREE meal trackers and glucose trackers

Plus, it WORKS—Nutrisystem D, in combination with counseling sessions, is clinically proven to help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and manage their blood glucose.

Serving Suggestion

You get Nutrisystem® breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees, plus dessert for less than $11 a day—and your success is guaranteed!†

THE MORE YOU LOSE, THE MORE YOU SAVE!

Call 877-619-DIET (3438) Click nutrisystem.com/tex213 (with 28-Day Auto-Delivery plans)

TRY NUTRISYSTEM RISK FREE FOR 14 DAYS— LOVE YOUR RESULTS OR THE FIRST 2 WEEKS ARE FREE†

†Offer good on new 28-Day Auto-Delivery programs only. Savings vary based on plan purchased. Free shipping Continental US only. With this offer you receive an additional discount off the Full Retail Value with each consecutive 28-Day Auto-Delivery order.

Additional 5% discount applied to each of the first five consecutive 28-Day plan deliveries up to 50% total savings. With Auto-Delivery, you are automatically charged and shipped your 28-Day program once every 4 weeks unless you cancel. You can cancel Auto-Delivery at any time by calling 1-800-727-8046. Other restrictions apply. Call or see website for details. The Nutrisystem Select program is available to Continental U.S. residents only and cannot be shipped to PO Boxes, APO Boxes or military addresses.

Cannot be combined with any prior or current discount or offer. Limit one offer per customer. If you’re not 100% satisfied, call within 14 days of receiving your first 28-Day order and return the remaining non-frozen food to us for a full refund. We’ll even cover return shipping. Limit one guarantee per customer. ©2013 Nutrisystem, Inc. All rights reserved.

Nutrisystem D is a portion-controlled, low-fat, reduced-calorie comprehensive plan designed to help people with type 2 diabetes achieve meaningful weight loss. It does not treat or cure diabetes, and is not a substitute for diabetes medications. Your physician may need to reduce your medications due to changes in your diet or weight while on this plan. Consult your physician before starting this or any other diet plan. *American Diabetes Association: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes – 2012 (Position Statement). Diabetes Care 35 (suppl.1): S11-S63.

On Nutrisystem you add in fresh grocery items.

Electric Notes CONSERVATION AND SAFETY INFORMATION

Why Is My Electric Bill More Than My Neighbor’s?

If the warm spring weather tempts you to turn on your air conditioning too early, don’t do it.

Reach for your ceiling fan instead.

Ceiling fans can make a room feel cooler, and they use 90 percent less energy than an air conditioner.

If you’re looking into getting a new ceiling fan, answer these five questions: 1. HOW BIG IS YOUR ROOM? The bigger the room, the longer the blades should be.

A rule of thumb: For a room smaller than 100 square feet, such as a bathroom or laundry room, buy a fan with 32- to 36-inch blades. For a medium-sized bedroom, office or kitchen—up to about 225 square feet—you’ll need a fan with blades measuring 42 to 48 inches. Large master bedrooms and dining rooms up to 485 square feet: 50- to 56-inch blades. Large rooms such as a living room—up to around 600 square feet: 60 inches or more.

2. WHAT STYLE AND COLOR DO YOU LIKE? Fan blades come in painted colors, metallic coatings and wood finishes so you can match them to your furniture, floor or even cabinet hardware. Some manufacturers make two-sided blades so you can flip them when you’re in the mood for a new look.

3. HOW HIGH IS THE CEILING? For the most comfortable results, install the fan 7 to 8 feet from the floor. If your room has a high ceiling, buy an extension downrod to lower the fan to the ideal location. Some manufacturers have special close-mount fans for rooms with extra-low ceilings.

4. DO YOU WANT TO COMBINE THE FAN WITH A LIGHT? Most manufacturers will double them up for you. Fixtures with downlighting create a traditional effect, while those with uplighting will bounce the light off the ceiling to diffuse the light and make it softer. If you do opt for lighting with your fan, be sure to look for the Energy Star label for the light. Energy Star-qualified units are more than 50 percent more efficient than conventional units and can save you money on your utility bills.

5. HOW DO YOU WANT TO OPERATE THE FAN? You can pull a cord, flip a light switch or tap a remote control.

Now that you’ve picked the perfect fan, be sure to use it wisely. In the summer, run the blades to push air downward to create a cool breeze. If you raise your thermostat by only 2 degrees and use your ceiling fan, you can lower air-conditioning costs by up to 14 percent over the course of the cooling season. And remember: Ceiling fans cool only people, not the room, so when you leave the room, turn the ceiling fan off.

20

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

I STO C K P H OTO

Stay Cool with the Right Fan

You have a television, DVD player, microwave oven, electric range and cooktop, refrigerator/freezer, stereo, heat pump and personal computer. So does your next-door neighbor. So why is your electric bill almost twice as high every month?

Consider: How well are your walls insulated compared to your neighbor’s?

Do you take longer, hotter showers? Are you cooking gourmet meals or baking from scratch while your neighbor opts to microwave? Does the TV keep you company even when you’re not watching it?

Just as no two families live alike, no two electric bills are the same. Comparing your monthly statement to anyone else’s would be like comparing your weekly grocery tabs. Two families of four will most likely not spend exactly the same amount on food because their tastes and habits are different.

Think about the conveniences for which you might be willing to pay, even though your neighbor isn’t. Are you more comfortable sleeping in an extracool house on hot summer nights?

Maybe your neighbor’s thermostat setting is a few degrees warmer at bedtime.

Do members of your family entertain themselves in separate rooms after dinner—turning a light on in each—while the folks next door gather all together in a family room to watch baseball games on TV or play a board game?

The way to lower your electric costs is to use energy more efficiently before the bill comes. If your neighbor’s bill is lower than yours, ask for some tips about how to save money by conserving energy around the house or contact your electric cooperative for energysaving ideas.

TexasCoopPower.com

Whether you have the newest, most efficient electric appliances or you’re hanging onto some that practically qualify as antiques, you can use them smarter so they waste less energy.

Here are some free and easy ways to cut waste—and your energy bill: a Move your refrigerator away from the stove, dishwasher and heating vents. The heat from those devices makes the refrigerator work harder to stay cold, so it runs less efficiently. a If your refrigerator’s coils are exposed, vacuum them every three months. When dirt builds up on the coils, the appliance has to use more energy to keep your food cold. a Repair the gaskets on your refrigerator’s door if they come loose. Damaged gaskets let cold air leak. a Cover all foods and liquids in your refrigerator. Uncovered food products will release moisture into the air, forcing your refrigerator’s compressor to work harder. a If your old freezer doesn’t self-defrost, do it yourself—as soon as a quarter-inch of ice builds up. An ice-laden freezer is inefficient. a Stop rinsing dishes by hand before you load them into the dishwasher, especially if it has a prerinse or rinse/ hold cycle. Simply scrape leftover food from the plates and let the dishwasher do the rest. a Set your dishwasher to its “energy-saver” feature and leave it there so it saves energy every time you use it. a Air-dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle. a Match the size of your pots and pans to the size of the stovetop burner you’re using. Placing a small pot on a large burner wastes a lot of heat. a Cover pots and pans with lids so you can cook at a lower burner setting. a Cook small meals in toaster ovens or microwaves instead of in an oven. It takes a lot of energy to heat the space in your oven, so unless you’re cooking something as large as a turkey or a ham, all that energy is going to waste. Plus, you’re not adding wasted heat to your kitchen.

Heating a small pot on a large burner wastes energy. a Select the small-load setting on your washing machine when you don’t have enough laundry to fill the tub. At that setting, the washer will fill with less water. a Clean your clothes dryer filters after each load. This not only keeps the appliance from working too hard, but it can also prevent a fire. a Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes. a Periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure that it is not blocked. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material, not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages. a Don’t overdry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it. a Set your water heater to 120 degrees. That’s hot enough, even though some manufacturers preset the devices to 140 degrees.

TexasCoopPower.com

If you’re drying your hair with an appliance that’s way out of style, replace it. Not because it’s unfashionable, but because it’s likely unsafe and wasting electricity.

How Old Is Your

Hair Dryer?

H E M E RA | T H I N KSTO C K

H E M E RA T EC H N O LO G I E S

Smart Appliance Use Saves Energy

Most hair dryers made after 1991 have built-in shutoff switches in case they land in water. But the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that millions of old dryers are still in use.

If yours is old, get a new one. When choosing a new hair dryer: a Look for a large, rectangular-shaped plug at the end of the cord. This indicates that the dryer has extra protections in place to prevent electrocution. a Check for a sticker indicating that the model has been certified by a recognized testing agency like Underwriters Laboratories. a Manufacturers are not required to include the automatic shut-off switches, so inspect a dryer’s packaging and descriptions before you buy it. Beware of super-inexpensive products or those packed in shoddy materials.

And remember, water and electricity don’t mix—even if your hair dryer has a safety shutoff. Never use a hair dryer while taking a bath or near a sink full of water.

May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

21

Texas USA

Unbridled Nostalgia at Fort Hood H

Mounted cavalry detachment gallops by the book as it continues proud traditions that were forged in 1862

BY MARTHA DEERINGER

22

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

Generations have passed since warrior and steed confronted terrain and tyrants under the Stars and Stripes.

Horse-mounted troops were no match against the machinery and weaponry that began to dominate the battlefield in the past century, and so the U.S. Army did the prudent thing and put the cavalry out to pasture.

That is, it took the noble beasts out of harm’s way. But the Army holds firm to its traditions and has kept a spot in its heart and on some of its posts for the cavalry to thrive. That is why whinnying and the rattle of sabers emerge from the past once a week at Fort Hood in Killeen for a demonstration of centuries-old horsemanship skills.

The Horse Cavalry Detachment of the 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood, is one of seven horse detachments on active duty in the Army. (The others are at Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Irwin, California; Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and Fort Riley, Kansas.) Since its inception in 1972 as a special ceremonial unit, the 33 troopers and one officer permanently assigned to the detachment have striven for authenticity. Uniforms are 1870-era authentic dark blue shirts, sky blue trousers secured by bright yellow suspenders, black felt Stetsons and 19inch black cavalry boots.

The 37 horses—all geldings—are chosen to fit standards imposed a century ago. They are dark in color, of medium height, and show a minimum of white markings. They are outfitted with replica

McClellan saddles, designed by career Army officer George B. McClellan and adopted by the Army in 1859. The replicas are made by troopers in the leather shop maintained at the cavalry barn on-post.

The Fort Hood unit’s close-order mounted drills—performed at a walk, trot and gallop—are taken directly from the 1874 Cavalry Drill and Tactics Manual. “We work hard on developing military posture in the saddle,” says Spc. Curtis Dethample. “When we ride, there should be an imaginary straight line that runs from our ears through our shoulders, hips and heels. No slouching in the saddle allowed.”

No slouching under the saddle, either.

New horses go through training that can take up to a year.

“Not all horses adapt well to cavalry training,” says Staff Sgt. Michael Hatfield. “They have to be athletic to complete the drill maneuvers and calm during noisy parades or when firearms are discharged from their backs in demonstrations.”

Soldiers volunteer for the unit and must be recommended by their superiors.

To qualify, they must first be able to jump aboard a 16-hand horse—64 inches— bareback from the ground—no small feat.

That accomplished, they take a written test and go through many hours of training in horse anatomy, firearms use and close-order drills before they are assigned full time to the horse detachment.

Each mounted trooper carries a Colt revolver, a Springfield carbine and an 1860 model light cavalry saber and is TexasCoopPower.com

D E ST RY JA I M E S

expected to hit targets with each weapon at a full gallop.

Fort Hood’s mounted cavalry continues the proud traditions forged by the 1st Texas Cavalry Regiment, formed in 1862 to serve the federal army in the Civil War. But cavalry forces in the American military date all the way back to the Revolution, when Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee III, father of Robert E. Lee, led mounted soldiers against the British.

After the Revolution, 50 years passed before cavalry units became part of the regular army again. Congress approved the nation’s first true cavalry divisions in 1833 for the purpose of subduing Native American tribes, but the American cavalry came into its own during the Civil War. Jefferson Davis recognized the potential of mounted forces, and the South drew its mounts from the many superb bloodlines in Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina.

The most famous cavalry regiment in the Army was the 1st Volunteer Cavalry, better known as the Rough Riders, recruited by Theodore Roosevelt in 1898 during the Spanish-American War and trained in San Antonio. And long before he was a leader in World War II, George S. Patton Jr. joined Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing’s horse-mounted expedition against Pancho Villa in 1916.

The training of cavalry troops in the 20th century remained mostly unchanged until just before World War II. A few mounted units saw action in France, but the mechanization of the cavalry had already begun.

By 1940, the horse had been left behind, replaced by jeeps, trucks, tanks and aircraft. The final mounted charge took place on January 16, 1942, when the 26th Cavalry drove back Japanese tanks in the Philippines.

At Fort Hood, the Horse Cavalry Detachment rides on. Demonstrations, which take place on Thursday mornings at the cavalry barn, open with cannon fire. When the smoke clears, the troopers ride through intricate patterns and negotiate jumps accompanied by high-spirited shouts from the riders, who expertly slay balloons and stuffed burlap targets on the demonstration field.

The detachment is a recruiting tool for the Army. It travels throughout the United States, appearing in military ceremonies, parades, rodeos and public demonstrations. The troopers have ridden in the TexasCoopPower.com

inaugural parades of two presidents and in 10 Tournament of Roses parades.

“This is by far the best job in the Army,” Dethample says.

Martha Deeringer, frequent contributor

LONE RIDERS The Horse Cavalry Detachment at Fort Hood is the Army’s only full-time mounted unit. The 33 troopers’ sole assignment is to participate in 19th centurystyle cavalry functions, including weekly demonstrations on the post in Killeen.

May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

23

Observations

And Now, the Rest of the Story Super Bowl commercial featuring voice of Paul Harvey puts spotlight on farmers in Medina County

BY ASHLEY CLARY-CARPENTER

24

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

More than 108 million Americans watched the Ravens beat the Niners during the Super Bowl on February 3. That’s all fine and good, if you’re a Ravens fan. I joined millions of football fans everywhere, dejected by their teams’ not making it all the way (are you with me Texans fans?), and watched more for the commercials.

One of the most popular ads was for the new Dodge Ram. Set to a portion of the speech “So God Made a Farmer” that the late legendary radio broadcaster Paul Harvey gave at a 1978 Future Farmers of America convention, the ad featured poignant photographs of rural America.

Farmers and ranchers, faces worn by the elements; calloused, clasped hands showing years of hard labor; soulful children looking toward the future. The moving piece generated much buzz—and about 15 million YouTube views.

The ad stirred something in me, deep down to a place that many of my fellow city-dwellers don’t know exists. Hearing Harvey’s familiar voice, seeing the images of hardworking farmers and ranchers, I was taken back home. I grew up near and in the small, unincorporated community of D’Hanis, safely sitting near the western border of Medina County. What’s more: I’m a farmer’s daughter. My dad’s name is Austin Clary, and he farms in Medina and Uvalde counties.

The ad might have generated a few disapproving comments from critics, but not from me.

It’s easy to criticize the unfamiliar.

Those critics obviously did not experience getting on a school bus around 6:45

a.m. and then not seeing their fathers until twilight had faded to darkness, after their grandmother had helped them with homework and fed them a warm meal.

They did not bounce along on the greasy toolbox of a pickup while their father stopped to check irrigation pipe after irrigation pipe, or while cracked, bleeding fingers inspected cornstalks for pests.

They did not see, after months and months of no rain and merciless heat, some crops go fallow and listen to Dad share worried concerns with area farmers over iced tea and burgers at the Amber Sky Coffee Shop.

But now, the rest of the story.

Two days after the Super Bowl, I popped up Facebook to see what was going on. And there was a link to the San Antonio Express-News article: “2 Hondo families shocked to see themselves in Super Bowl ad.” Hondo is Medina County’s seat, a mere 7 miles from D’Hanis. The article was about that Paul Harvey commercial, and as I read it, I kept coming across familiar names.

I had heard of Fohn Bendele, who owns Grass Field Farms in Hondo and sells grass-fed beef over the Internet.

Same with Fohn’s brother and father, Eric and Kenneth, who operate a farm together nearby. And vegetable farmer Bryce Britsch, who also owns Hermann Son’s Steak House, a restaurant I’ve been eating at my whole life (tip: pepper steak).

One man whom the Express-News failed to mention was F.J. Wurzbach, who TexasCoopPower.com

SA N A N TO N I O E X P R E SS - N E WS

I later found out is my ex-stepdad’s sister-in-law’s brother who farms north of Castroville. All are members of Medina Electric Cooperative, as is my family.

Fohn, Bryce and F.J. were contacted by a photographer who wanted to come out and shoot pictures of them and their farms. It turns out he was one of 10 photographers assigned to capture iconic images of American farms. Fohn thought it would be a great opportunity to have some professional photos of his family, but not everyone shared that sentiment.

“Everyone thought I was crazy,” he said. “My wife, Jana, didn’t want to pull the kids out of school. My dad and brother said they were too busy. My mom was on board; we really had to strong-arm everyone to get them to come out. Can you imagine if I hadn’t gotten my way?”

At first, all anyone knew was that it was an ad of some kind. They didn’t really know who the client was until the shiny Dodge showed up in the 18-wheeler.

On Super Bowl Sunday, Eric and his wife, Angela, were watching the big game.

“Paul Harvey came on, and that gets your attention,” Eric said. “I saw my dad’s face and thought, ‘Wow!’ As it went on I saw Bryce’s little girl (Ella Britsch, 8), and Brad (Bendele, Fohn’s son, 9) and the close-up of me at the end. It’s just a weird feeling to see yourself on TV. I immediately started getting texts and phone calls.”

While thousands of shots of the families were taken, in the end, images of Eric (man hauling hay/portrait at end), Kenneth (older man in cowboy hat leaning against fence), F.J. (man on an orange Case 600 tractor), Brad (boy with cowboy hat over heart), and Ella (girl in spinach field) had made it into the commercial, as did images of their land.

The next day, Brad and Ella went to school as instant celebrities.

“I was surprised. It’s been fun,” said Brad, a boy of few words whose older sister Krisann, 16, had him sign autographs for friends and teachers.

Ella agreed. “I was really, really excited and had no idea that was going to happen. My friends were like, ‘Was that you?’ And I’m like, ‘Yes!’ ” she said.

“It’s just really exciting. You go through the drive-thru bank … everyone is just really happy for us. I can’t believe something like this would happen to somebody local,” said Fohn, who gave the photographer some beef.

For what it’s worth, maybe that’s what TexasCoopPower.com

sent the Chrysler advertisers over the edge.

But never mind the pickup. Paul Harvey’s words, masterfully wed to the images, were endorsing my life, my people. But I was already sold.

Ashley Clary-Carpenter, field editor

Fohn Bendele, top photo, who raises grassfed beef, talked his family into letting a professional photographer make photos of the family and its farm. And then his photo never made it into the Super Bowl commercial. But his father, Kenneth Bendele, above, and, from left, Ella Britsch, Brad Bendele (Fohn’s son) and Eric Bendele (Fohn’s brother), were featured in the Paul Harvey-Dodge Ram spot.

May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

25

The New Robert Blake Whitehill Thriller

DEADRISE A Ben Blackshaw Novel

Former S.E.A.L. Ben Blackshaw dives for oysters in the frigid Chesapeake Bay for a living. He discovers a recently-wrecked speedboat mired on the bottom. It’s carrying millions in gold bullion, a 24-hour dirty bomb ticking down to zero, and the body of a man that Blackshaw has not seen in fifteen years, his father. When a psychotic NSA agent whistles up a pack of blood-thirsty mercs to steal back the diabolical cargo, Ben must stand his ground and rally his Smith Island neighbors to the fight. If he loses, it could be the opening skirmish of World War III.

“From the very first chapter it is clear that DEADRISE is a novel that takes you captive and won’t let you go until the very end. Whitehill has done lovers of action and suspense a great service with this debut, and we thank him for it.”

Cyrus Webb, Host of Conversations LIVE Editor-In-Chief of Conversations Magazine

“DEADRISE is a lethal page-turner. Fun and deadly!

Recalls, for me, the activist frolic of Kurt Vonnegut and Edward Abby novels.”

Michael Buckley, Host of Voices of the Chesapeake Bay, WRNR-FM, www.VoicesoftheChesapeakeBay.org

“DEADRISE is a cracking good tale of mysterious fortune combining irreverent characters, history driven invention, snappy dialogue, artfully managed conflicts, and startling surprises in a sensational count-down-style treasure hunt.”

Anita Campos, www.BlueCrabsHon.com

“DEADRISE is a sure hit...thrilling...engaging and one of those books you just can’t put down.”

Warren Lawrence, WKNY, Kingston NY

DEADRISE is Available at www.Amazon.com, www.BN.com, Paperback and all E-Book Formats www.robertblakewhitehill.com To Schedule Robert Blake Whitehill for Speaking/Signing Events Call Shelton Interactive (512) 206-0229

Meet the Beauty in the Beast Discover this spectacular 6½-carat green treasure from Mount St. Helens!

F

or almost a hundred years it lay dormant. Silently building strength. At 10,000 feet high, it was truly a sleeping giant. Until May 18, 1980, when the beast awoke with violent force and revealed its greatest secret. Mount St. Helens erupted, sending up a 80,000-foot column of ash and smoke. From that chaos, something beautiful emerged… our spectacular Helenite Necklace.

EXCLUSIVE

FREE

Helenite Earrings -a $129 valuewith purchase of Helenite Necklace

Helenite is produced from the heated volcanic rock of Mount St. Helens and the brilliant green creation has captured the eye of jewelry designers worldwide. Today you can wear this massive 6½-carat stunner for only $149!

Make your emeralds jealous. Our Helenite Necklace puts the green stone center stage, with a faceted pear-cut set in .925 sterling silver finished in luxurious gold. The explosive origins of the stone are echoed in the flashes of light that radiate as the piece swings gracefully from its 18" luxurious gold-finished sterling silver chain. Today the volcano sits quiet, but this unique piece of American natural history continues to erupt with gorgeous green fire.

Necklace enlarged to show luxurious color.

Your satisfaction is guaranteed. Bring home the Helenite Necklace and see for yourself. If you are not completely blown away by the rare beauty of this exceptional stone, simply return the necklace within 30 days for a full refund of your purchase price.

JEWELRY SPECS: - 6 ½ ctw Helenite in gold-finished sterling silver setting - 18" gold-finished sterling silver chain

Limited to the first 2200 orders from this ad only Helenite Necklace (6 ½ ctw).................Only $149 +S&P Helenite Stud Earrings (1 ctw) .....................$129 +S&P

Helenite Set $278 ....Call-in price only $149

+S&P

(Set includes necklace and earrings)

Call now to take advantage of this extremely limited offer.

1-800-859-1979 Promotional Code HEL387-04

Please mention this code when you call.

Stauer

®

Rating of A+

14101 Southcross Drive W., Dept. HEL387-04, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

“My wife received more compliments on this stone on the first day she wore it than any other piece of jewelry I’ve ever given her.”

- J. from Orlando, FL Stauer Client

Smart Luxuries—Surprising Prices

Scan to view the gorgeous Helenite Necklace in all its radiant beauty.

HIGH RATES on Bank CDs

1-800-359-4940

TEXAS TOLL-FREE www.mattsonfinancialservices.com BLAKE MATTSON, CFP

™

Signal Securities, Inc., 5400 Bosque, 4th Floor, Waco, TX 76710

Serving Customers All Over Texas All CDs are insured to $250,000 per institution by the FDIC. All CDs are subject to availability. Securities offered through Signal Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. 700 Throckmorton, Ft. Worth, TX 76102, (817) 877-4256.

Six Decades of Texas’ Favorite Foods, Fads & Facts

It’s time to see red Wylie Sprayers Case IH Ag Equipment Trimble and Raven Precision Full Parts and Service Department Abilene Amarillo 800-588-7100 855-335-2861

Lamesa 877-308-9685

Lubbock 800-722-4001

Munday 800-338-2401

Plainview 855-293-4116

Seminole 888-758-1 888-758-1181 181

www.wylieimplement.com

Full Color, Hardbound, More Than 600 Recipes From 60 Years of Texas Co-op Power Discover authentic recipes true to each decade from our readers and archives.

Remember what life was like “back when” with an introduction to each decade.

Learn about great, and not-so-great, moments in food history with our culinary timelines.

Only $2995 Includes tax, shipping and handling

Get yours today at

texascooppower.com

28

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

TexasCoopPower.com

MARKETPLACE B U Y • S E L L • T R A D E • A C R O S S

T O W N • A C R O S S

T E X A S

FLOATING FISHING PIER

Farm • Industrial • Commercial

On your pond or lake, with or without roof.

Prices F.O.B. Mfg. Plants; Seal Stamped Blue Prints; Easy Bolt Together Design.

All sizes—installation available.

45 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

2 5 Y E A R C O L O R WA R R A N T Y

Call for Free Information • 1-800-310-1425

PRICES INCLUDE COLOR SIDES & GALVALUME ROOF

www.ellisonmarine.com • Ellison Marine, Franklin, TX.

30’ x 50 x 10’...............$8,390 40’ x 60’ x 12’..............$11,799 50’ x 75’ x 14’..............$17,606 60’ x 100’ x 12’............$22,995 80’ x 100’ x 14’............$31,549 100’ x 150’ x 14’..........$55,949

MANUFACTURED HOME OR PIER & BEAM HOME INSULATED CEMENT SKIRTING 3 designs & 11 colors to choose from!

Replace your vinyl skirting with STONECOTE.

Arena Special (roof & frame) 100’ x 100’ x 14’...$33,992

1-830-833-2547 www.stonecote.com

Based In Texas (Local codes may affect prices)

VISIT

VISIT

OUR

OUR

WEBSITE

WEBSITE

F a x : 9 4 0 - 4 8 4 - 6 7 4 6 e m a i l : info@rhinobldg.com Website: www.RHINOBLDG.COM

Toll Free

1-888-320-7466

SKID STEER MOUNTED SHEAR • 1/2" to 6" diameter trees and brush.

• Perfect for cedar, shin oak, persimmon, mesquite.

(512) 263-6830 • www.brushshark.com

GAS UP AND GO!

Browse hundreds of events from around the state at TexasCoopPower.com/events

Getet the thehe Muck Mucuck

OU UUTT! OOUT! TM

Marble size AquaClear Clear P Pellets ellets cclear lear lake your la ke or pondd bottom. botto

Beneficial microorganisms. Restore balance in natural and man made surface waters. Increase water clarity.

Improve water quality. Eliminate black organic muck.

A 10 lb. bag bag treats 0.50 to 1.00 acres $80.00 A 50 lb. bag bag treats 2.50 t0 5.00 acres $309.00 Apply weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly to maintain.

No water use restrictions! FREE SHIPPING!

800-328-9350

KillLakeWeeds.com/50HX KillLak eWeeds.com/50HX Order online today, today, or request free information. information.

Our 58th year

TexasCoopPower.com

AQU AQUACIDE CO CO. O. Q UACIDE C Boxx 10748, DEPT 50HX PO Bo Lake, White Bear Lak e, MN 55110-0748 May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

29

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS Quality Tools at Ridiculously Low Prices FACTORY DIRECT TO YOU! How does Harbor Freight Tools sell high quality tools at such ridiculously low prices?

We buy direct from the factories who also supply other major brands and sell direct to you. It’s just that simple! Come see for yourself at one of our 400 + Stores Nationwide and use this 20% Off Coupon on one of our 7,000 products*, plus pick up a Free 7 Function Digital Multimeter, a $9.99 value. We stock Shop Equipment, Hand Tools, Tarps, Compressors, Air & Power Tools, Woodworking Tools, Welders, Tool Boxes, Generators, and much more.

• Over 20 Million Satisfied Customers!

• 1 Year Competitor’s Low Price Guarantee • No Hassle Return Policy!

• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed!

• Over 400 Stores Nationwide NOBODY BEATS OUR QUALITY, SERVICE AND PRICE!

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" ALL PURPOSE WEATHER RESISTANT TARP LOT NO. 877/69121/ 69129/69137/69249

Item 877 shown

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

FREE!

Item 90899 shown

ITEM 90899/ 98025/69096

LIMIT 1 - Only available with qualifying minimum purchase (excludes gift value). Coupon good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Original coupon must be presented. Non-transferable Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

3 GALLON, 100 PSI OILLESS PANCAKE AIR COMPRESSOR

SAVE 50%

LOT NO. 95275/ 60637/69486

39

$

Item 95275 shown

99

2

LOT NO. 68861/68303/60428

LOT NO. Cut Metal, Cut Flooring, 94141/69874 Cut Plastic, Plunge Cut,

1999

$

REG. PRICE $49.99

LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

9

Includes three AA NiCd rechargeable batteries (one for each fixture).

LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

LOT NO. INCLUDES: • 6 Drawer Top Chest 67421 • 2 Drawer Middle Section • 3 Drawer Roller Cabinet

14999

$

REG. PRICE $299.99

LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

4000 LB. CAPACITY CABLE WINCH PULLER For dead loads only; not for lifting.

Item 30329 shown

8999

42304 shown

9 PIECE FULLY POLISHED COMBINATION WRENCH SETS SAE

12

REG. PRICE $24.99

LOT NO. 42304/69043

SAVE 60%

METRIC

LOT NO. 42305/69044

5

$ 99

YOUR CHOICE!

REG. PRICE $14.99

LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

1/2" PROFESSIONAL VARIABLE SPEED REVERSIBLE HAMMER DRILL LOT NO. 68169/ 67616/60495

SAVE 50%

2499

$ Item 68169 shown

REG. PRICE $49.99

LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

SAVE $70

99 $

Item 69381 shown

LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON SU UP CO RAPID

PUMP 14" ELECTRIC CHAIN SAW 3 TON HEAVY DUTY STEEL FLOOR JACK LOT NO.

44

R !

PE ON U P S U Item CO

10" SLIDING COMPOUND MITER SAW

7999

LOT NO. 98199 REG. PRICE $149.99

™

REG. PRICE $179.99

99

LIMIT 1 - Save 20% on any one item purchased at our stores or website or by phone. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon, gift cards, Inside Track Club membership, extended service plans or on any of the following: compressors, generators, tool storage or carts, welders, floor jacks, Towable Ride-On Trencher (Item 65162), open box items, in-store event or parking lot sale items. Not valid on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase date with original receipt. Non-transferrable.

Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LOT NO. 30329/69854

$

LOT NO. 66619/ 60338/69381

$

67255

REG. PRICE $74.99

SAVE 40%

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

30

30", 11 DRAWER ROLLER CABINET

SAVE $150

800 RATED WATTS/ 900 MAX. WATTS PORTABLE SAVE GENERATOR 48%

SAVE $90

NEW!

$

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

ANY SINGLE ITEM!

REG. PRICE $59.99

Scrape Concrete, Scrape Flooring

LOT NO. 95588/ 69462/60561

SAVE $ 99 66% REG. PRICE $29.99

1499

sold separately.

OFF!

SAVE 75%

LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

3 PIECE DECORATIVE SOLAR LED LIGHTS

Item 95588 shown

REG. PRICE $79.99

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

OSCILLATING Item 68861 TRIPLE BALL MULTIFUNCTION shown POWER TOOL TRAILER HITCH 8 Functions: Sanding, Remove Grout, Accessories $

SAVE 60%

20%

REG. PRICE $9.99

R !

PE ON SU UP CO REG. PRICE $8.99

shown

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

7 FUNCTION DIGITAL MULTIMETER

LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON U P S U Item CO 94141

ON ALL HAND TOOLS!

WITH MINIMUM PURCHASE OF $9.99

$ 79

SAVE 68%

LIFETIME WARRANTY

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

69

$

®

SAVE $80 Item 68048 shown

99

REG. PRICE $149.99

WEIGHS 74 LBS.

LOT NO. 68048/ 69227

LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

SAVE 28%

36 LED SOLAR SECURITY LIGHT LOT NO. 98085/ 69644/69890/60498

Item 69644 shown

Includes 3.2V, 600 mAh Li-ion battery pack.

17

$

99

REG. PRICE $24.99

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

TexasCoopPower.com

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

MULTI-USE TRANSFER PUMP LOT NO. 66418/61364

SAVE 64%

4

$ 99

Item 66418 shown

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

12" RATCHET BAR CLAMP/SPREADER LOT NO. 46807/68975/ 69222/69221

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

Item 68887 shown

90 AMP FLUX WIRE WELDER LOT NO. 68887/61207

8999

$

SAVE SAVE 66% $ 99 $60

Item 46807 shown

1

REG. PRICE $13.99

REG. PRICE $149.99

NO GAS REQUIRED!

REG. PRICE $5.99

LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

3 PIECE TITANIUM NITRIDE COATED HIGH SPEED STEEL STEP DRILLS

3-IN-1 JUMP-STARTER AND POWER SUPPLY

Item 91616 shown

7

$ 99

LOT NO. 38391/60657

SAVE 40%

LOT NO. 91616/ 69087/60379

SAVE 60%

Item 38391 shown

REG. PRICE $19.99

1-1/2" CAPACITY 14 AMP CHIPPER SHREDDER

900 PEAK AMPS

SAVE $60

Item 69293 shown

3599

$

LOT NO. 66910/69293

12999

$

REG. PRICE $59.99

REG. PRICE $189.99

LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

1500 PSI PRESSURE WASHER

18 PIECE T-HANDLE BALL POINT AND HEX KEY WRENCH SET

LOT NO. 68333/69488

SAVE $50

79

$

99

LOT NO. 96451/69465/60725

LOT NO. 96645

SAVE 33%

Item 68333 shown

Requires two AAA batteries (sold separately).

99

Item 69465 shown

2499

$

SAVE 58%

11

$

REG. PRICE $129.99

NON-CONTACT INFRARED THERMOMETER WITH LASER TARGETING

REG. PRICE $59.99

REG. PRICE $17.99

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

16" x 30" STEEL SERVICE CART

Item 5107 shown

LOT NO. 5107/60390

6" DIGITAL CALIPER LOT NO. 47257/61230

45 WATT SOLAR PANEL KIT

SAVE 66%

Item 47257 shown

9

$ 99

REG. PRICE $29.99

SAVE $110

Includes two 1.5V button cell batteries.

Item 68751 shown

LOT NO. 68751/ 90599

13999

$

220 LB. CAPACITY

SAVE 37%

2799

$

REG. PRICE $44.99

REG. PRICE $249.99

LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

R !

PE ON SU UP CO

5 SPEED DRILL PRESS

LOT NO. 38119/44506/60238

SAVE 44%

$

4999

Item 38119 shown

12 VOLT, 250 PSI AIR COMPRESSOR LOT NO. 4077

LOT NO. 96289

1500 WATT DUAL TEMPERATURE HEAT GUN (572째/1112째)

SAVE 59%

SAVE 60%

REG. PRICE $89.99

5

$ 29

7

$ 99

REG. PRICE $12.99 LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 9 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

STORE LOCATIONS TexasCoopPower.com

Dallas Denton

REG. PRICE $19.99

LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or website or by phone. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/1/13. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

El Paso West Houston-Federal

Lufkin Pearland

San Antonio South Arlington

May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

31

W.D. Metal Buildings

Steel shops, agriculture barns, RV buildings, airplane hangars, barndominium homes.

Erection included. Concrete slabs available.

LOW L OW COST COST

M Mobile obile Home Home Insurance Insurance Complete coverage Superior service Easy payment plans

Instant Quotes Online: www.wdmb.com

(Including the option of Credit Cards)

Low deductibles Free & easy online quotes

“Building “B Bui uild din i g Solutions” Soolu lutti tion ion ons” ns” s ...w .wit .w wit i h integrity! iinte in tegr te g it ity! ity yy!! ...with

w www.stdins.com ww.stdins.com

Full Service Post-Frame Design & Construction Since 1992 Serving 27 States and Over 10,00 0 Customers

C Call all F For or A C Custom ustom Q Quote uote

1-800-582-BARN ( 2276) No Money Down Lic

8 8005220146 00 522 0146

ensed, All Major Credit Cards Acce Bonded & Fully Insured pted

FAX: 1-866-582-1400 E-mail: sales@nationalbarn.co m

32

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

Start Saving

g Mobile wners 961

TexasCoopPower.com

Texas History

Valentine’s Breakup

J O H N KAC H I K

Every February on its namesake holiday, Valentine, population 134, becomes something of a mail-order mecca. Thousands of romantics from around the world send the Valentine postmaster envelopes containing preaddressed and stamped Valentine’s Day greetings so they can be mailed to their loved ones with a handmade, Valentine, Texas, postmark.

BY E.R. BILLS

The town in far West Texas holds a special place in many Valentine’s Day remembrances, but in the early 20th century, the town was famous for a terrifying breakup—one that had nothing to do with human hearts.

On August 16, 1931, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Texas was centered near Valentine. It started a little after 5:30 a.m., beginning as a tremble.

The tremble lasted 72 seconds and turned into a rumble. By the time the shaking stopped, the magnitude-5.8 earthquake had damaged most concrete, brick and adobe structures in the town and toppled chimneys all over the area.

Wooden structures suffered cracked ceilings and split walls. The schoolhouse separated and fell apart. The schoolhouse bell tower collapsed, and fissures appeared in the schoolyard. Several tombstones shifted and rotated in the local Protestant and Catholic cemeteries.

And a huge crack appeared in the earth near the Protestant cemetery.

Concrete water tanks cracked and split. Local railroad crews reported that tracks appeared to rise slightly and then fall back into place.

No one was seriously injured, but everyone was affected.

Damage from the quake wasn’t limited to Valentine. There were landslides in the Van Horn, Chisos and Guadalupe mountains. Plaster fell in Alpine. Houses rocked in Fort Stockton. Buildings swayed in Pecos. Pendulum clocks stopped in Anson.

And a two-story hotel in Lobo crumpled.

In San Antonio, dishes broke and chandeliers swayed. Tremors were felt in El Paso, Del Rio, Dallas (the Balcones fault, a remnant of a prehistoric quake, stretches from Del Rio to Dallas), Sherman, Bonham, Taylor, Austin and LockTexasCoopPower.com

hart. The earthquake was reported almost 1,000 miles away in St. Louis, where it was recorded on a seismograph at Saint Louis University.

There were rockslides in Picacho, New Mexico. Elsewhere in the state, windows rattled in Artesia, Carlsbad and Roswell.

In Mexico, several people suffered minor injuries in sections of the town of Chihuahua and the state of Coahuila.

In the days following the earthquake, springs around Valentine became muddied, and folks began finding fish in the area wells and irrigation ditches. Some reliable wells soon declined or dried up altogether.

Like many Texas residents today concerned about the seismological effects of natural gas extraction by “fracking,” folks back then wondered whether the removal of vast quantities of oil from Texas land might be responsible for the earthquake.

But University of Texas physics professor S. LeRoy Brown, who died in 1966, dismissed the notion, telling the Dallas Morning News days after the Valentine earthquake that wherever oil was being extracted, it was being replaced by water.

In January 1932, the Valentine school board received $25,000 in disaster aid from the state and began repairs on the

school. Workers using three-quarterinch iron rods and turnbuckles below the ceiling joists pulled the schoolhouse back together and then installed steel and concrete buttresses on the building’s exterior to reinforce the turnbuckles. The bell tower was never rebuilt.

Shortly after the earthquake, a local fortune-teller claimed that Valentine would be destroyed by another earthquake the following year. The citizens of Valentine were terrified by a minor tremor on August 16, 1932, but the prediction was incorrect.

On July 19, 1935, Valentine was rocked by another strong seismic event, and local railroad crews reported a 500-yard fissure, varying from 6 to 36 inches wide and of undetermined depth, 10 miles northwest of the town.

The last major quake centered in Valentine occurred on January 26, 1954.

Though it measured 4.0 on the Richter Scale, no serious damage was reported, and no one was hurt.

Today, the repaired Valentine school building plays a big role in the town’s Valentine’s Day festivities. The handmade postmarks are designed by Valentine ISD high school students.

E.R. Bills is a writer from Aledo.

May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

33

A DVANTAGE STEEL BUILDINGS Quality Buildings at Affordable Prices 30’ x 50 ’x10’ ................... $7,126 40’ x 60’ x 12’ .................. $10,287 50’ x 75’ x 14’ ................. $15,196 80’ x 20’ x 16’ ................. $36,874

DUCTLESS A/C HP SYSTEMS • Eliminate those noisy inefficient window units!

• Replace that old dirty central A/C system!

• Energy efficient up to 20+ SEER • Save up to 30% or more on your electric bill • Improved Air Quality/Extremely Quiet • Cools and Heats – No Furnace Required • Affordable / Financing Available (w.a.c.)

Discover what the rest of the world has known for years; all the advantages of ductless split systems. Call us today for a free estimate.

Minis - 30’ x 100’ with 20 10’ x 15’ units - $14,740

1.877.657.8335 www.advantagesteelbuildings.com

40 x 50 x 10 = $8,637.00 40 x 60 x 12 = $10,362.00 50 x 75 x 12 = $14,376.00 60 x 80 x 14 = $18,153.00 100 x 150 x 14 (M-1) = $46,824.00 ALL SIZES MINI-STORAGE!

Call Toll Free 800-228-1265 www.atlanticservice.com 6525 Baker Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76118

WATER PROBLEMS ??

NO MORE SAND NO MORE

IRON!

NO MORE

HARDNESS!

NO MORE

SULFUR!

NO MORE

BACTERIA!

PROBLEMS SOLVED WITH

NO SALT & NO CHEMICALS FREE BROCHURE~1-800-392-8882 MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!

www.waterproblems.net

#/--%2#)!, s ).$5342)!, 3(/0 s &!2-

#!,, 4/$!9 &/2 "5),$).' 15/4%

1-800-509-4949 www.accessiblebuildings.com

34

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

TexasCoopPower.com

Recipes

Make It Snappy

I am something of an improvisational cook. Opening the refrigerator or raiding the pantry and cobbling a meal together with whatever ingredients I find can lead to an interesting and tasty discovery. Or, sometimes, it can lead to a barely edible disaster. (But I don’t write about those.)

One evening a few months ago, I was out of ideas and didn’t have much in the fridge. I thawed some chicken thigh meat and cooked it with a few pantry staples. The result was so tasty, I have made it a regular part of my repertoire, adding and subtracting ingredients until I got it just the way I wanted it.

And since it goes together so quickly, I thought it was perfect for this month’s Fast-Fix Meals theme. KEVIN HARGIS

Triple Tomato Chicken › ¼ 2 3 ½ 1

cup frying oil pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 8 thighs) cloves garlic, minced cup red wine (substitute broth or water) tablespoon Italian seasoning (or 1 teaspoon each of oregano, basil and thyme) 1 can (14.5 ounces) chopped tomatoes 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste Salt to taste ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes Cooked pasta or rice to serve

›

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for about a minute, then add chicken. Fry until done on one side, about 3 minutes, then flip and add garlic. Continue

› ›

›

cooking until second side is done.

Deglaze pan with wine, broth or water. Reduce heat to medium-low.

Add seasoning, chopped tomatoes and tomato paste and stir to combine.

Cover pan with lid and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (cut into the thickest part of a thigh to ensure doneness). Taste sauce and add salt as desired.

Top chicken pieces with sun-dried tomatoes. Serve over pasta or rice.

Servings: 4. Serving size: 2 thighs with sauce. Per serving: 330 calories, 19.8 g protein, 16.4 g fat, 21.3 g carbohydrates, 3.5 g dietary fiber, 688 mg sodium, 12.1 g sugars, 68 mg cholesterol

Cook’s Tip: The chicken will cook even more quickly if flattened with a meat mallet or tenderized by a butcher first.

R I C K PAT R I C K

Triple Tomato Chicken

TexasCoopPower.com

May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

35

Recipes Aunt Martha’s Stacked Enchiladas KATY LUTZ | BRYAN TEXAS UTILITIES This month’s winner of the Fast-Fix Meals recipe contest, sponsored by the Texas Peanut Producers Board, not only goes together quickly, but it also provides a nice change of pace with its Asianinspired flavors.

1½ 2 1 1 1 1 1 18

pounds ground beef tablespoons flour can (10.75 ounces) cream of mushroom soup can (10.75 ounces) cream of chicken soup small jar (24 ounces) tomato-based pasta sauce can (14.5 ounces) enchilada sauce can (4 ounces) green chilies corn or flour tortillas Oil for frying 1 cup grated cheddar cheese 1 cup chopped onion Sour cream, optional, for garnish Pickled jalapeño slices, optional, for garnish

Thai Peanut Chicken & Mushroom Pizza 1 jar (10 ounces) Thai peanut sauce ¼ cup peanut butter, or more to achieve desired consistency 1 12-inch prebaked pizza crust 8 ounces precooked, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 bunch green onions, finely chopped ¼ cup thinly sliced baby portabella mushrooms 1 cup shredded cheese, preferably Parmesan or Italian blend ½ cup bean sprouts ½ cup matchstick carrots 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped peanuts

›

›

›

› ›

›

›

Servings: 6. Serving size: 1 three-tortilla enchilada or ⅙ of casserole. Per serving: 492 calories, 29 g protein, 21.1 g fat, 37.6 g carbohydrates, 5.9 g dietary fiber, 1,180 mg sodium, 9.7 g sugars, 92 mg cholesterol

CAROLYN KILPATRICK | COOKE COUNTY ECA

Cook’s Tip: You can make these as mild or as spicy as you’d like by controlling the kind of enchilada sauce and adding jalapeños.

Regina’s Thai Massaman Curry 2 2 2 2 2 2 ½ ½ 2 2 1 ½

tablespoons cooking oil onions, chopped cloves garlic, minced teaspoons minced fresh ginger teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder * teaspoons ground cumin * teaspoon cayenne pepper * teaspoon turmeric * teaspoons salt * cups low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock can (14 ounces) unsweetened coconut milk pound boiling potatoes (about 3), peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces 1 cup baby carrots, sliced in half 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4), cut into ½-inch slices 1 cup chopped peanuts

Servings: 4. Serving size: ¼ of pizza. Per serving: 498 calories, 36 g protein, 27.5 g fat, 23.0 g carbohydrates, 5.3 g dietary fiber, 506 mg sodium, 12.3 g sugars, 63 mg cholesterol

Note: We misidentified the winner of the Vegan and Vegetarian recipe contest in the March 2013 issue. Eric Ketzel of Pedernales EC won for his Tuscan Veggie Sandwiches recipe. $100 RECIPE CONTEST

September’s recipe contest topic is No Leftovers Left Behind. With rising prices, who can afford to let leftover food go to waste? Do you have a favorite recipe that can put a new spin on yesterday’s dinner?

The deadline is May 10.

There are three ways to enter: ONLINE at TexasCoopPower.com (under the Submit and Share tab); MAIL to 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701; FAX to (512) 763-3408. Include your name, address and phone number, plus your co-op.

36

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

›

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over moderately low heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes.

TexasCoopPower.com

L E F TOV E R CO N TA I N E R S : J O E B E L A N G E R | B I G STO C K .CO M

›

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Stir together the peanut sauce and peanut butter in a medium bowl.

The consistency should be spreadable but not runny. If it is too thin, add more peanut butter, a tablespoon at a time. Spread peanut butter mixture over the pizza crust.

Top mixture with chicken strips, then the green onions, then the mushrooms. Spread shredded cheese over all.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Remove from oven and top with bean sprouts and carrots. Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top. Allow to cool for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving.

Brown ground beef with flour. Then stir in both soups, pasta sauce, enchilada sauce and chilies. Cook until bubbly.

Quickly fry tortillas in hot oil until crisp. On a plate layer a tortilla, sauce, cheese and onion. Build the stack as high as you’d like. You can top the stack with sour cream, jalapeños, or both, if desired.

This can also be made in a casserole dish by layering tortillas (without frying).

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes to heat through.

› ›

› ›

Add the garlic, ginger and seasonings. Stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Whisk in the broth and then the coconut milk; bring to a simmer. Stir in the carrots and potatoes, cover and cook over low heat until they are almost tender, about 12 minutes.

Add the chicken, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the peanuts.

Turn the heat off, cover and let steam until the chicken is just done, about 2 minutes longer. If gravy needs to be thickened, remove a couple cooked potato slices, mash in bowl and then whisk back into the gravy.

Servings: 4. Serving size: ¼ dish. Per serving: 863 calories, 65.5 g protein, 49.4 g fat, 35.2 g carbohydrates, 6.4 g dietary fiber, 1,646 mg sodium, 8.5 g sugars, 148 mg cholesterol

½ ½ 1 1

›

› › ›

can (about 1 cup) black beans cup chopped onion cup Mexican blend cheese can (15 ounces) chili, without beans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square glass baking dish with four tortillas to create bottom crust (they will overlap).

Remove wrappers from tamales, cut each into 4 pieces and scatter over tortillas.

Top with corn and black beans and half of onion and cheese. Cover with half of the can of chili.

Top this layer with remaining tortillas. Cover with remaining chili, onion and cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.

Servings: 4. Serving size: ¼ of dish. Per serving: 578 calories, 27.3 g protein, 21.9 g fat, 65.5 g carbohydrates, 13 g dietary fiber, 962 mg sodium, 3.6 g sugars, 58 mg cholesterol

REGINA MOSER | PEDERNALES EC

SHARON SAMPLE | PEDERNALES EC

* Note: Instead of the curry spices (five-spice powder, cumin, cayenne, turmeric and salt), use ½ cup of jarred curry paste.

Cook’s Tip: You can easily double the recipe with a second layer by using the remaining corn and beans and doubling the rest of the ingredients.

Fast and Easy Texas Tamale Casserole 8 yellow corn tortillas, divided 1 can (15 ounces) beef tamales ½ can (about 1 cup) whole kernel corn, drained

On TexasCoopPower.com Find another fast and easy recipe that could let you have dinner ready in a jiffy.

9TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY RECIPE CONTEST

$5,000 in Prizes!

5 Winners! $3,000 Grand Prizewinner! $500 Best Appetizer Recipe. $500 Best Main Recipe. $500 Best Side Dish Recipe. $500 Best Dessert Recipe.

Can Texas pecans be a delicious part of your entire meal?

Of COURSE, they peCAN! Send us your best original Texas pecan recipes. (These are recipes you develop, not ones copied from a friend or found in a book or magazine.) Show us how you use Texas pecans to create dishes that cover every part of a meal. All recipes must include pecans (Texas pecans are our favorite). Winners will be featured in our December 2013 issue. Enter by August 10, 2013, at TexasCoopPower.com. Go to TexasCoopPower.com for details and official rules.

SP ONSORED

BY

TEXAS PECAN BOARD Texas pecans make this Pecan-Crusted Cheeseball appetizer even better.

Visit TexasPecans.org for a list of Texas pecan retailers.

Enter online at TexasCoopPower.com. Each entry MUST include your name, address and phone number, plus the name of your Texas electric cooperative, or it will be disqualified. Specify which category you are entering, Appetizer, Main Dish, Side Dish or Dessert, on each recipe. Send entries to: Texas Co-op Power/Holiday Recipe Contest, 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701. You can fax recipes to (512) 763-3408. Up to three entries are allowed per co-op membership. Each should be submitted on a separate piece of paper if mailed or faxed. Mailed entries can all be in one envelope.

No email entries will be accepted. For official rules, visit TexasCoopPower.com. Entry deadline: August 10, 2013.

TexasCoopPower.com

May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

37

(; ;,5 ; 065 46)03, /64,

6 > 5 , 9: ,?7,9; 05:;(33(;065

9,+<*,+ ,3,*;90* )033

05:<9(5*, *9,+0;

30-,;04, >(99(5;@ 05*9,(:,+ /64, =(3<,

: ; 6 7 3,(2:

56 469, 966- 9<4)3,

& ! " # % ! " !& # ! " " ! ! " ! & ! ! " ! " ! " ! ! ! & " !! ! ' !&

:PUJL

YVVMV]LY JVT

ÂŽ

" $ & " ! $ # # ! $ ! "

mortonbuildings.com 800-447-7436

Š2013 Morton Buildings, Inc. A listing of GC licenses available at http://mortonbuildings.com/licenses Reference Code 537

A

D

V

E

R

T

I

S

E

M

E

N

T

Loose Saggy Neck Skin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Can Any Cream Cure Turkey Neck?

DEAR DORRIS: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a woman who is 64 years young who suffers from really loose skin under my chin and on my lower neck. I hate the term, but my grandkids say I have â&#x20AC;&#x153;turkey neckâ&#x20AC;? and frankly, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had enough of it!

Dear

Dorris:

I have tried some creams designed to help tighten and firm that loose, saggy skin, but they did not work. Is there any cream out there that can truly help my loose neck skin?

Turkey Neck, Montgomery County, TX DEAR TURKEY-NECK: In fact, there is a very potent cream on the market that firms, tightens and regenerates new skin cells on the neck area. It is called the Dermagist Neck Restoration CreamÂŽ. This 38

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

cream contains an instant lift ingredient that tightens the skin naturally, as well as deep moisturizing ingredients to firm the skin and make it more supple.

Amazingly, the Dermagist Neck Restoration CreamÂŽ also has Stem Cells taken from Malus Domesticus, a special apple from Switzerland.

These stem cells are actually unprogrammed cells that can mimic those of young skin that stays tight, firm and wrinkle free. As an alternative to the scary surgeries or face lifts that many people resort to, this cream really packs a big punch on the loose saggy skin of the neck.

The Dermagist Neck Restoration CreamÂŽ is available online at Dermagist.com or you can order or learn more by calling toll-free, 888-771-5355. Oh, I almost forgotâ&#x20AC;Ś I was given a promo code when I placed my order that gave me 11% off. The code was â&#x20AC;&#x153;TXN11â&#x20AC;?. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth a try to see if it still work.

TexasCoopPower.com

Focus on Texas

Black & White There is something powerful and raw about black-and-white photography. And, as you can see from our favorites this month, black and white is anything but simple. It can be soft, it can be harsh, it can be textured and it can be smooth. Thank you for the more than 300 unique photos hitting every point on the gray scale—Ansel Adams might be proud of our talented members!

ASHLEY CLARY-CARPENTER On TexasCoopPower.com What’s black and white and read all over? This month’s Focus slideshow. g The early morning light fills a stairwell at Mission Concepción in San Antonio. Thanks to Ginger Smith, Pedernales EC, for sharing.

Mark Holly, Bandera EC, says hiking the Lost Mine Trail at Big Bend National Park provided an unforgettable experience. d

o Rebecca Steele, daughter of Harold and Shelleen Steele, Karnes EC, caught this resting hackberry emperor butterfly.

o Cheryl Stephenson, Wood County EC, snapped this during a broommaking demonstration at the Henderson Heritage Syrup Festival.

Scott Moore, Bluebonnet EC, says a storm was rolling in the morning he captured this moment between Bastrop and Red Rock. a

Upcoming Contests July Issue: Vintage August: Let’s Eat!

Deadline: May 10

September: Portraits

Send your photo for the June contest—along with your name, address, daytime phone, co-op affiliation and a brief description—to Vintage, Focus on Texas, 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701, before May 10.

A stamped, self-addressed envelope must be included if you want your entry returned (approximately six weeks). Please do not submit irreplaceable photographs—send a copy or duplicate. If using a digital camera, submit your highest-resolution images at TexasCoopPower.com/contests. We regret that Texas Co-op Power cannot be responsible for photos that are lost in the mail or not received by the deadline.

TexasCoopPower.com

Get Going >

Around Texas

This is just a sampling of the events

May

Pick of the Month Western Heritage Classic Abilene [May 9-11] (325) 677-4376, westernheritageclassic.com There’s a lot more than rodeo going on at the Western Heritage Classic. Besides your classic bronc riding and team roping events, also enjoy the world’s largest bit and spur show, a chuckwagon cook-off, cowboy poets and a giant Western parade.

03

Luckenbach [3–5] Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally, (830) 997-8515, hillcountryrun.com

04

May 4 Bandera Medina River Cleanup

Bandera Medina River Cleanup, (210) 413-7264, medinariver.net Huntsville Chigger Hill BBQ Cook-Off, (936) 577-8506, samhoustonpost95.org Moody Mother Neff Historic Bus Tour, (254) 853-2389 Palacios Cinco de Mayo Celebration Fundraiser, (361) 972-2642, palacioskids.org Pattison German Sausage Dinner at Christ Lutheran Church, (281) 934-8218 Port O’Connor Crawfish Fest and CookOff, (361) 649-0630 Smithville Go Wild in Smithville, Texas, (512) 237-2323 Victoria Cinco de Mayo Celebración, (361) 573-5277, victoriachamber.org

04

Comfort [4–5] Comfort Village Antiques Show, (830) 995-3670, texasantiqueshows.com

10

Lewisville Pipes & Drums Concert, (972) 219-3590, lfdpipesanddrums.com Electra [10–11] Goat Barbecue and Craft Show, (940) 495-3577, electratexas.org

11

Coleman Walk For A Cure, (325) 625-3455, chhalefoundation.com

SA D D L E : J I M S P H OTOS | B I G STO C K .CO M . M E D I N A R I V E R C L E A N U P : B A R B A RA B R I S C H E T TO

WANTED: DEMO HOMESITES FOR 2013 SEASON Display This Maintenance-Free Pool And $AVE $$!

Call TODAY to Qualify for this Limited-Time Opportunity!

PRE-APPROVED

FINANCING AVAILABLE!

WE CONSIDER

ANYTHING ON TRADE!

VISIT US ON THE WEB! WWW.SWIMTEXSUN.COM

STAYcation at Home in 2013!

1-800-SWIMTEX

(1-800-794-6839)

A family owned and operated Texas Company since 1986.

40

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

TexasCoopPower.com

May 11 Greater Plano Kiwanis Butterfly Festival

and festivals around Texas. For a complete listing, please visit TexasCoopPower.com/events.

11

Collinsville Camp Tonkawa’s Mother’s Day Festival, (940) 440-8382, camptonkawatexas.com Corsicana The Corsicana Airsho, (903) 257-8282, coyotesquadron.org Edinburg Walk-N-Rolla, (956) 969-5778, hcmpo.org

16

Luling Field Day, (830) 875-2438

17

29

Sherman [29–6/1] Melody Ranch Bluegrass Festival, (903) 546-6893, melodyranchbluegrassfestival.com

Mesquite [17–18] Mesquite Meander, (972) 216-6468, historicmesquite.org

June

18

01

Port Aransas Coastal Bend Peace Officer’s Chili Cook-Off, (361) 749-5241, portaransas.org

Spicewood Buzzard Bump, (512) 799-3625, buzzardbump.com

Winnsboro [11–12] Spring Festival, (903) 342-1300

Van Vleck VFD Spring Picnic/Pledge Drive, (979) 245-9440

Kyle Kids Hooked on Fishing Clinic & Derby, (512) 262-3939, kylechamber.org

Whitney [11–12, 17–19] “Southern Hospitality,” (254) 694-5105, lakewhitneyarts.org

23

Magnolia Springs [1–2] Jasper County Singing Convention, (409) 423-2998

Plano [11–19] Greater Plano Kiwanis Butterfly Festival, (214) 514-3059, greaterplanokiwanis.org

Grapeland [23–26] Memorial Day Gospel Music Festival, (832) 712-2445, texasbluegrassassociation.com

25

13

Levelland Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, (806) 894-3157, levelland.com

Farmers Branch Liberty Fest, (972) 919-2620, fblibertyfest.com Tomball Memorial Day Weekend Chili Challenge, (281) 351-5484, tomballtx.gov

15

Jacksonville [15–18] Tops in Texas Rodeo, (903) 586-3285, topsintexasrodeo.com

Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion, 1-888-294-2847, athenstx.org

07

Lockhart [7–8] CTR ‘BBQ Capital of Texas’ Barbecue & Chili Cook-Off, (512) 398-2818, chisholmtrailroundup.com

Submit Your Event!

We pick events for the magazine directly from TexasCoopPower.com. Submit your event for July by May 10, and it just might be featured in this calendar!

SWA L LOWTA I L B U T T E R F LY: J E F F B A N K E | B I G STO C K .CO M

Surprisingly affordable.

This is a great time to build your new home!

Building materials are affordably priced

and mortgage rates are at an all-time low.

Get started today with United-Bilt Homes.

In-house financing with ZERO down & no payments for 6 mos!

Austin Beaumont Cleveland Corpus Christi

Dallas Fort Worth Houston Rosenberg San Antonio

800.756.2506

Sherman Terrell Texarkana Tyler

unitedbilt.net

* With approved credit for qualified land owners.

TexasCoopPower.com

Lic Res Mort Lender AR,LA,MS,MO,OK,TX NMLS#39943

May 2013 Texas Co-op Power

41

Hit the Road

Austin

From determined lawmaking to mindless frolicking, there’s something—almost anything—happening all the time on the iconic, public grounds of the Capitol

BY CAMILLE WHEELER

TEC’s headquarters, on the building’s next-to-highest 24th floor, keep the statewide association close to legislative action affecting the 76 electric co-ops it serves. And TEC employees in east-facing offices can easily see, and hear, the myriad happenings on the Capitol grounds below. From marching bands to protestrally speakers wielding megaphones, the continuum of celebrations and causes forms the mosaic of a diverse state.

Some throngs spilling south from the Capitol onto Congress Avenue resemble a three-ring circus. But most days, the Capitol grounds quietly thrum with the calmness of regular folks doing regular things: people taking pictures of historic monuments, dogs chasing Frisbees, school groups picnicking beneath grandfatherly trees … and couples saying I do.

Regular, as it turns out, is a relative word. In October, under a clear, blue sky, I strolled the grounds one afternoon, testing a theory: With patience, I’d see something captivating. My gaze snagged on a couple posing for photos. Ah. Engagement pictures.

But wait. The couple now stood facing a man in a black suit: “For better for worse, richer or poorer …” Oh my gosh, they’re getting married! I briskly walked over, joining a wedding party of two—the groom’s sister and brother-in-law—and rejoicing for people I didn’t know.

Children played on a nearby hill, and a

boy somersaulted all the way down.

Rings were exchanged, the groom kissed his bride, and I met the group: Kaycee Jesko, wearing purple heels and a strapless, white, above-the-knee wedding dress; her husband, Stephen Keenan, in a white shirt untucked over golf shorts; his sister, Tisha Kizziar, and her husband, Dustin Kizziar, of Fort Worth; and Jon Wisser, a Travis County senior district court judge who has performed about 100 weddings on the Capitol grounds.

“This is my usual Friday,” Wisser said.

“I sent seven guys to prison this morning, and I just sent this one guy to matrimony.

He was a lot happier.”

Kaycee, 34, and Stephen, 32, grew up in Texhoma—on the Texas side, they emphasized—on the Texas-Oklahoma border. And before returning home to Guymon, Oklahoma, they’d enjoy a weekend honeymoon in Austin, attending the Texas-Baylor football game.

Just another iconic day on the Capitol grounds. Something doing, all the time.

Camille Wheeler is an Austin-based writer.

Guided Capitol tours, free to the public and generally 45 minutes long, are held Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m; and Sunday, noon to 3:30 p.m.

On TexasCoopPower.com More information on tours of the Capitol plus snapshots of the happy couple

GROUNDS FOR EXCITEMENT: Many spectacles have been staged in the shadow of the Capitol, including this early 1900s carnival. As for the historic Capitol and its

H

grounds, no admission ticket is required: Daily tours are free, as is a gallery seat for the 83rd legislative session, which ends May 27.

42

Texas Co-op Power May 2013

TexasCoopPower.com

C 1 0 5 61 , R U SS E L L C H A L B E R G CO L L EC T I O N O F P R I N TS A N D N EG AT I V E S , AU ST I N H I STO RY C E N T E R , AU ST I N P U B L I C L I B RA RY. CO PY P H OTO : R I C K PAT R I C K

In 1903, a century before Austin officially started trying to keep itself weird, the city crackled with excitement over a coming attraction: the Austin Street Fair and Carnival to be staged along Congress Avenue in the shadow of the sunset-red granite Capitol dedicated 15 years earlier.

“Something doing from noon till midnight,” the Austin Statesman proclaimed of the December 7-12 event. “The committees have spared neither time nor money to make this the biggest and most elaborate affair that Austin has ever given.”

The Gaskill-Mundy Carnival Company would present “clean, refined, and moral shows,” the Statesman assured.

But that didn’t mean tame.

In the wild animal exhibition, two lion cubs christened during carnival week likely would be named “Austin” and “Texas.” Of Electrical Theatre star M’lle Celeste, the Statesman teased: “Once seen, never forgotten. Watch for the girl. Who she is, you will find out in her spectacular fire dance.” And bicycle stunt rider Nicholas Chefalo was set to floor crowds with his terrifying spin around the death trap loop.

Finally, there was the carnival’s 3,000seat Grecian Stadium to be built just west of the Capitol in a vacant lot near where the Westgate Building, home of Texas Electric Cooperatives and Texas Co-op Power magazine, now stands.

TO ELEVATE THE BEAUTY OF YOUR HOME,

START AT

THE TOP

A MUELLER LER MET METAL TA AL ROOF ADDS YOUR HOME. CHARACTER CHARA CTER TO TO YOUR If you want to dramatically improve your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exterior, consider a Mueller metal roof.

With a single move, you can make your home more beautiful and distinctive. We offer a wide variety of designer colors, and we guarantee that your roof will look fresh and vibrant for years. Ready to lift your home out of the ordinary? Contact us today.

877-2-MUELLER (877-268-3553)

www.muellerinc.com

EExpand xpan and your your hhorizons oriizons

R ural L and L oans Rural Land Loans R esidential H ome L oans Residential Home Loans F arm & R anch L oans Farm Ranch Loans quipment L L ivestock & E oans Livestock Equipment Loans O perating C apital Operating Capital

We’rre the answ wer.

C

Real Estate Appraisal Services R eal E state A ppraisal S ervices

apital Farm Credit has made agricultural production, real

estate and agribusiness loans for 95 years. We embrace our

Agribusiness Financing A gribusiness F inancing Leasing Leasing

cooperative structure and our commitment to return profits to our customers. Through our patronage program, we return almost 100 percent of our net earnings back to our customers ̶ a distinct benefit of doing business wit h us.

CapitalFarmCredit.com T E X A S

877.944.5500

L A R G E S T

R U R A L

Follow us on

L E N D E R