LocalTouch Comal County - Digital Magazine

VOL. 2 | ISSUE NO.1

C o m a l

DECEMBER 2019

C o u n t y

2020

Change 2020

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A B O U T

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Welcome to LocalTouch Online – Comal County. First off - “Thank You” - whether you are a 1st time reader, been with us since the first issue or part of our phenomenal advertising family – we cannot do this without YOU. Which is only fitting, since that is what “LocalTouch Online – Comal County” is about – YOU! We are dedicated to You – the people, the families, the community, small businesses, artisans, musicians -everyone and everything that makes up the unique and fantastic county we live in “COMAL County”. SO please enjoy, always free to send us your comments and suggestions. Remember – Live Large, Live Locally - Live Life. Have a blessed day.

Contents T A B L E

O F

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p.

LOCAL

HAPPENINGS

p. 4 3 R O O T C A U S E S O F P I C K Y E A T I N G Picky eating, most of the time, is a child’s way of saying “this taste is overloading my senses, I cannot eat this”.

p. 6 D I S H I N G I T O U T ! w/Chef Ron Smith

Five of these delicious dishes are from Local Restaurants in Comal County but one is from MY kitchen! Can you guess which kitchen each of these dishes are from?

UNDERSTANDING

STRESS

Research has shown us that stress comes from three sources. Learn how you can cope.

p. 14

A

TRUE

CHARACTER

Read about what’s considered “a character.” in Texas jargon!

p. 24 G I F T G U I D E

ut O s U Check oved e've M S! H I S T O R Y O FW WREATHS R O O D There are a number ofIstories telling the N history of Wreaths and in particular, With the holidays quickly approaching, there is one member of the family that you do not want to forget..find out who!

p. 28

the Christmas Wreath.

DEC 2019

Editor’s

Contributors •

“Happy

Christmas to Thee!”

•

K. Williams Chef Ron Smith Dr. Aaron Cain Joe Soliz Kara June Orton Karen McCarty

L E T T E R

Was the month of the season when all on the net Cyber Monday, Black Friday What a dangerous set People forgetting the truth and the reason because it was now an insane spending season Traditions had changed from families together it was now about shopping no matter the weather Now people buy without leaving the house and have it delivered from their favorite Clearinghouse All the decorations have been up since around September What store wants to wait Till late in November But I live here New Braunfels is home With the lighting downtown and the rare Holiday Gnome I love the warmth from the community here All the blessing I feel and the sense of Good Cheer So when walking around Tammie or me - you see You will hear a wish...

WRITING

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•

DESIGN

•

smallvillagedesigns.com O N T H E C OV E R

p h o t o by : R o n a l d S m i t h •

CONTACT

•

For advertising opportunities contact Ron Smith at 210-663-2774 LocalTouchComal@gmail.com •

FOLLOW US

•

/localtouchcomal /localtouchcomal localtouchcomal.com www.localtouchcomal.com

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3 Root Causes of Picky Eating In my world, we refer to “picky eating” as “food aversions”.

Why do I do this? Because it causes a mental shift for parents and professionals alike.

This shift moves us from placing blame on the child to creating awareness around the child’s perception of his or her senses.

Picky eating, most of the time, is a child’s way of saying “this taste is overloading my senses, I cannot eat this”.

“...this taste is overloading my senses, I cannot eat this”.

From a biological standpoint this is built into humans and animals order to protect them from anything potentially harmful, however when you are working with a child who is perceiving their environment in a way that triggers most foods as potentially harmful, we have to take a step back and ask ourselves where this message is being sent from and why.

Today I’m sharing what I’ve found to be the three main causes of food aversions in children.

#1) GUT DYSBIOSIS A fungal or bacterial overgrowth is common in small children, especially those who are showing symptoms of serious food aversions. Candida (a type of yeast) which sends signals to the brain to seek out sugar and simple carbohydrates is a very common cause for children craving breads, crackers, cookies, pastas etc. These bacteria send their own messages to the brain in order to have their survival needs met. #2) SUBLUXATIONS IN THE SPINE Imagine the spinal cord as a river. We use this river to send messages to every part of the body. Subluxation is similar to a dam being built along the waterway, it impedes the function of the river and either slows or completely stops certain messages from reaching their destination. When the nervous system is not operating correctly due to this blockage, the body can go into what we call “fight or flight mode”. This mode causes the body to think it’s in a state of emergency and it begins prioritizing certain functions over others in order to “survive”.

DEC 2019

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This can manifest as digestive issues, malabsorption and disruption to how children perceive what is happening to them and around them (just to name a few). In these cases, having a Chiropractor who specializes in Torque Release Technique on your child’s wellness team is crucial.

(This is who we see > www.myimpactchiro.com) #3) PARASITES Similar to fungal or bacterial overgrowth, parasites are extremely common and undiagnosed in small children. When we have a parasitic infection, the parasites begin to dictate their environment and food sources by communicating with the brain to crave certain foods and avoid others.

Next month we’ll be covering how I tackle these digestive issues with families, so stay tuned!

Health and Happiness, Kara June

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2020

Tell us what you think about our new look!

We’d love to hear from you!

LocalTouchComal@gmail.com | 210-663-2774 localtouchcomal.com

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Dishing it out!

with Chef Ron Smith

Five of these delicious dishes are from Local Restaurants in Comal County but one is from MY kitchen!

Can you guess which kitchen each of these dishes are from?

1.

2.

“Amigo!”

3.

“Family”

4.

5.

Now this is Mexican Food!

“There’s no place like...”

6.

“Now I know what the Fuss is about"

“Taco Tuesday”

Email me your guesses for a chance to win a FREE MEAL!

localtouchtexas@gmail.com

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2

1

stress

U N D E R S T A N D I N G

Many times, you hear the word stress and you instantly think about a work deadline or a massive to do list or even finances. There are two simple facts when it comes to stress.

First, there will always be stress no matter how young or old we are. Second, the most useful strategies in dealing with stress is not to get rid of them but understand where they are coming from. Once we can recognize where the stress is coming from, we can create steps to reducing the stress and make sure we have a plan to combat them.

Before we dive any further, we must first talk about how stress affects your body and health. Research has shown us that stress comes from three sources. Physical stress such as injuries, car accidents, desk jobs, bad posture, sleeping wrong, picking up kids all day and the list goes on. Emotional stress from finances, relationships, past experiences, being overwhelmed or even emotionally spent. Last is chemical stress, and this can be summed up by the things in and around our bodies at all time.

That can be food, the chemicals we use in the home, the air we breath and the water we drink.

Everyone has a unique set of stresses that

“Imagine a gas tank that is running on empty...� their bodies are under that typically involves a combination of the stresses above. The amazing thing is that no matter what the stress is your bodies natural defenses work the same. The sequence of events starts with your nervous system (master control system) detecting that there is a stress.

Once the stress is detected your sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight mode) takes over.

Typically, your heart rate will increase, your body will dump cortisol into the blood (weight gain) your food stops being digested properly, and it becomes difficult to sleep and feel rested.

Your body has an amazing ability to go into this mode for short spurts in order to accomplish certain tasks. The issue is that your body is not designed to stay there for an extended period.

This is where stress becomes detrimental to your family’s long-term health.

DEC 2019

about

& W H A T 3

DO

T O

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D O

IT

Now imagine you’re a child and adult and these stresses continue on a weekly basis sometimes for years. Imagine a gas tank that is running on empty and the car is sputtering, and your gas light is on, but we just keep the accelerator floored. What we get is a multitude of health changes and all along the warning signs were popping up, but we tell ourselves its normal or we continually put of doing something about it.

Over the next three weeks we will dive into each of the three types of stresses:

1. PHYSICAL STRESS 2. EMOTIONAL STRESS 3. CHEMICAL STRESS We will talk about where they most commonly come from but also simple and realistic changes that any family can make.

Stay tuned you won’t want to miss it!

Dr.Aaron Cain www.myimpactchiro.com localtouchcomal.com

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For more information about our nonprofit, to submit your family for consideration for aid or to help our mission, email us at hello@roomredux.org

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WHAT IS MAGNETIC THERAPY? If you were to do some quick research into the history of the use of magnets in medicine you would find mentions of it dating as far back as 2000 B.C. being used by the Aztecs, Mayans, and the Chinese. Magnetic therapy is a science focused on maintaining the body’s proper electromagnetic field to promote wellness. In the 14th century, an alchemist named Paracelsus postulated that because magnets were able to attract iron, they may also be able to attract diseases and pull them out of the body. Our advancement in society has improved our understanding of the way things work in our world, magnets included. This has allowed us to tap into the positive nature of magnets and apply them in ways that are beneficial to the user’s wellness.

Magnets are simple and effective. When a magnet is placed anywhere on the body, it helps temporarily increase micro-circulation. Magnets offer an all-natural form of wellness enhancement that can be used frequently with minimal risk of side effects.

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Potentially Alleviate Symptoms of Pain Recent research indicates that magnets assist pain relief efforts by stimulating ion channels, which in turn can lessen nerve pain signals.

This process works because of the relationship between magnets and ions. Ions are electrochemicals with positive or negative charge. The movement of ions through cellular gateways (known as “ion channels”) controls your body’s pain signals, muscle contractions, and countless other biological processes. We can alter our ion channels chemically, using drugs, manually, using electrical stimulation, and naturally, using magnets. Magnets have a number of notable advantages: they are safe, non-invasive, longlasting, and can be used as frequently as desired.

2

Magnetic Therapy Temporarily Reduces Minor Swelling Magnets can offer similar relief to compression and ice packs for common sprains, bumps, and bruises. In 2008, researchers at the University of Virginia investigated the ability of localized magnets to reduce swelling when applied immediately after an inflammatory injury. The researchers found that, by placing strong magnets close to rats’ blood vessels, they relaxed and blood flow temporarily increased. The research team then stimulated tissue inflammation in the rats’ paws and found that the presence of magnets at the site of injury potentially added to the results.

The ability to reduce swelling is a finding that would be applicable to common health issues that revolve around joint problems such as Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. (1)

4

DEC 2019

Magnetic Therapy May Help Reduce Some Symptoms of Osteoarthritis In 2004, a study was conducted with 194 men and women between the ages of 4084 with Osteoarthritis. The goal of the study was to determine the effectiveness of a commercially successful magnetic bracelet on their levels of pain. What they found after 12 weeks was that pain was decreased in wearers of the magnetic bracelets by 1.3 points with a confidence level of 95%. Wearers of the placebo bracelets experienced no reduction of pain or discomfort. It was reported that that the magnetic bracelets had a comforting effect when it came to relieving the pain of those with Osteoarthritis. (3)

3

Assists with Post-Op Recovery After injury or surgery, the most traditional recommendation is to alternate application of ice and heat. Ice and heat relieve pain and heal an injured area by affecting blood flow.

These traditional methods work, but they take a significant period of time to radiate through muscle tissue and actually start working. In addition, both ice and heat require pauses in treatment, increasing the opportunity for swelling to return. Magnetic therapy offers the many of the same benefits as ice and heat, without the disadvantages. Studies have demonstrated that strong magnets have the potential to reduce swelling, bruising, and pain, in those recovering from surgical wounds. In a study from 1999, doctors observed the effects magnetic therapy had on those that received plastic surgery. What they found were very clear instances of added benefits for those that used magnets. They reported that there was a reduction in pain, less discoloration, and a reduction of edema in patients treated with magnets. The magnets ability to be present at the start of recovery allows for its effects to begin immediately. (2)

5

Magnetic Therapy Is Good for General Well-Being Magnetic therapy is a small part of the equation to maintain your wellness levels.

The benefits are completely noninvasive and there are no side effects of continuous usage.

The history of magnets is widely discussed and researched for medical purposes. The technology is always evolving and being applied in new ways. It is a widely believed, natural therapeutic source that generates 5 billion dollars in revenue worldwide. People everywhere turn to it keep up their wellness.

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SPECIAL GUEST

A True Character

By Ernie Lee

In local Texas jargon, “a character” usually is an off-handed compliment. I’d love to be considered “a character.” Traditional meaning in my background refers to a person who is so unique, and so original that any traditional characterization just does not seem to fit. I think anyone who knows him will agree: “Clinton Baermann is a character.”

I’ll illustrate by describing how I first met Clinton Baermann almost thirty years ago.

I was eating lunch one day in a favorite Austin hangout called Cisco’s over on east 6th street. It is still in business, though Cisco is long gone. Also gone are the celebrities who used to hang out there, including Willie and the gang.

I had finished my lunch, and as my party continued to talk around the table, I chose to walk around the room and admire the

numerous items hanging on the walls. In Cisco’s corner hung a picture of Willie Nelson’s guitar Trigger. It was an attractive reproduction of a painting. Trigger was leaning against a barn wood wall with several bullet riddled beer cans nearby. I wanted it immediately. Closer inspection revealed that it was signed by Willie and the artist, Clinton Baermann. I copied down the artist name and called every art studio in Austin that afternoon. No one knew what I was talking about, but they did have several other Baermann pieces. He was a well-known artist, who I learned even had pieces hanging in the state capitol.

At the time I was dating Donna, my future wife. For years Donna sold antiques in downtown Gruene. That afternoon, I told Donna about the picture, and that if she ever came across one to grab it for me regardless of the price. She agreed and asked who the artist was. “Clinton Baermann,” I responded.

I was not prepared for her reaction.

After having a good laugh, Donna cryptically invited me to follow her home after we finished teaching classes at San Antonio College that night. I was more than willing, but a little puzzled by her good laugh. What followed was even more puzzling. It felt like I was in a spy movie.

On the way home, we pulled off Ackermann Road in NE San Antonio into a self-storage business. I followed her down a couple of alleys until she parked and turned off her lights. She came back to my car and told me to shut off my engine and lights and to stay there until she came back. She was clearly enjoying this mystery a little too much, I thought. Then she disappeared into the darkness and emerged under a weak security light near one of the metal rollup doors. She pounded on the metal door three times. The sound echoed off the walls of the nearby units. I still had no idea this “adventure” had

anything to do with our earlier conversation.

After a moment the overhead door began to slowly roll up. From the faint light inside I could not see anyone there, but Donna ducked under, went inside, and the heavy door came back down. I began to think she wanted me there as backup security for some mysterious meeting with some unknown person. I knew she wasn’t into drugs so I did not worry about that, but I had no idea what was going on.

“...one of the most interesting “characters” I ever met...”

I don’t know how long I waited in the dark.

After a while, the door began to roll up and two figures stepped under the security light.

One of them was Donna. The other person wore a beat-up western hat, jeans, and a beard. He looked to me like a cowboy hippie.

He followed Donna over to my car, as I got out to greet them.

Donna, enjoying her role, laughed again and said, “Ernie, I’d like you to meet Clinton Baermann!” I was speechless. He juggled three rolled up tubes under his harm as he shook my hand. Then across the hood of my car he spread out the very poster I was looking for. He whipped out a pen and put an original signature on the reproduction of Willie’s guitar. It turns out this poster was very rare, and was commissioned by Willie for his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Clinton threw in a couple of other pictures, including “Sweet Evangeline” a picture of the morning of the fall of the Alamo. I was thrilled, amazed, confused, and very, very grateful. He didn’t charge me a dime.

DEC 2019

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Clinton had been a vendor for Donna’s antique shop for years, and she sold Clinton’s pictures, sculptures, and artifacts for years.

A few weeks later, it was Willie’s birthday.

He was going to be signing autographs at Tower Records on Guadalupe that day, so I took my poster hoping he would add the final autograph. As I unrolled the poster, Willie’s eyes widened as he looked up at me.

“Where’d you get that? He asked. “Oh,” I said as nonchalantly as I could, “I got it from the artist.” Willie smiled that charming smile of his and said, “You know Clinton?” “Oh, yeah,” I replied, “we go back a long way!”

Willie signed my picture and invited us to come to his show at the Backyard in Austin.

For the next year, we were on the pass list for all of Willie’s local shows, which we took full advantage of.

I realized I had met a real “character.” Not Willie – Clinton Baermann. Over the years we’ve maintained close contact and an even closer friendship. When he painted the first historic mural in New Braunfels, I was there.

When he painted the mural in Landa Park, I was there too. I began to realize that he was unique, talented, brilliant, and as unaffected by fame as anybody I ever met. For thirty years he has never failed to be one of the most interesting “characters” I ever met.

Clinton Baermann is a true “character” if there ever was one. localtouchcomal.com

LOCAL HAPPENINGS 2019 DEC 13

FRI

6:00 – 7:30 PM

Caroling On The Plaza >> Greater New Braunfels Arts Council, 2339 Gruene Lake Dr., New Braunfels, TX DEC 14

SAT

8:00 AM

SJRC Jingle Bell Run >> presented by Comal ISD 2339 Gruene Lake Dr., New Braunfels, TX DEC 14

SAT

11:00 – 12:00 PM

Christmas Parade >> FM 2673 in Sattler DEC 15

SUN

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Comal County Aggie Moms Cookie Bake >> Canyon High School Cafeteria DEC 19

THU

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Meditation Class >> Everyday Zen

DEC 19

THU

11:00 – 12:00 PM

KEVIN FOWLER: >>

DECK THE DANCEHALLS TOUR Gruene Hall, Texas’ Oldest Dance Hall DEC 20

FRI

5:00 – 8:00 PM

Holiday Family Movie Night >>

McKenna Children’s Museum DEC 20

FRI

SOUL SESSIONS AT PHOENIX SALOON >> Phoenix Saloon

DEC 21

SAT

8:00 AM

NEW BRAUNFELS FARMERS MARKET >> New Braunfels, TX DEC 25

WED

MERRY CHRISTMAS! >> From Local Touch Comal!

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DEC 31

TUE

SETH SHAW QUINTET NEW YEARS EVE >> Sidecar

Dedicated to YOU the people, the families, the community, small businesses, artisans, musicians of Comal County!

2020 JAN 02

THU

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

TODDLER STORYTIME >> The Book Haus JAN 09

THU

BILL ANDERSON >> Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre Assn., Inc. JAN 10

FRI

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

HERMAN’S HERMITS Starring Peter Noone

Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre Assn., Inc.

Have an event you’d like us to post? email us at: localtouchtexas@gmail.com localtouchcomal.com

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LAST MARKET OF THE YEAR

12/18

t u O s U k c e Ch d e v o M e v ' e W !

S R O O IND

localtouchcomal.com

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DEC 2019

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localtouchcomal.com

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www.roxburkey.com BOOK REVIEW

Aquasaurus By: Ernie Lee Aim-Hi Publishing, LLC www.Aim-HiBooks.com ISBN: 978-0-9971284-0-6 https://amzn.to/2IxTvTI

Winner of the 2017 Suspense Novel of the Year, Texas Authors, Inc. Aquasaurus takes place across parts of Texas that are beautiful, rich in history, endearing, and often dangerous. When the drive to strike it rich, an oil driller using an illegal fracking method which sets off a chain reaction that devastates San Antonio and traps some young spelunkers in an extensive cave system in Central Texas. A monster crocodile 40-feet long and up to 8-tons is thought to be a descendent of the extinct Carnufex known as “The Butcher” is freed from his underground prison in the cavernous caves with disaster survivors

available to stalk and kill. Jesse and Jake are trapped but college friends, Katie and Rita, commit to find and rescue them after the earthquake. The search for them is seriously scary, and so believable, you’ll look up the last earthquake in San Antonio, I promise.

This Action Thriller Fiction will grab you for the entire ride, just to find out the fate of everyone and everything.

What was very impressive in this story were the pictures that Author, Ernie Lee painted with his words. All of my senses became engrossed in this story, right from the start.

For example, you get the first glimpse of the monster from this passage. “Exploding from the murky water, the predator’s crocodilian maw, gaping wide, engulfs the cloud of surprised bats. The jaws snare a huge segment of the moving cloud, fifteen feet wide, which disappears inside the creature’s massive mouth. Splashing back into the water the massive animal twists and turns, and churns the water, devouring hundreds of bats in huge snaps and chomps. The sounds of water roiling, wings flapping, and bones crunching fill the cavern.” The descriptions of the locations like Enchanted Rock, the Texas Hill Country, and the Texas oil business pulls you in, keeps you reading.

I loved the characters, Katie and Rita, who are strong females forced to overcome their deep-seated fears to locate their friends, Jake and Jesse. The strength of these young folk causes them to grow up fast as well as realize the value of team work and friendships as they search for solutions. Katie’s father, Clint Marshall, is so desperate to reach the oil that he uses a faster but far more dangerous method to attempt to crack the granite dome blocking him from success. His actions and the results did not disappoint me.

Ernie Lee clearly knows the history, charm, and geology of Texas. He takes that knowledge and undoubtedly hours of research weaving a story that captivated my

imagination. The character development is exceptionally good. He models very different characters with varied backgrounds, fears, and dispositions which allows for some interesting interactions. In placing them into difficult situations, he tests the best and worst in each of them. I look forward to reading about these characters in the next adventure.

I hope I never have to face these kinds of challenges. A must read if you like being on the edge of your seat.

About the Author www.aim-hibooks.com The Bard of the Blanco, Ernie Lee, is a Texas award-winning author, poet, and songwriter.

His award-winning True-badour literary newsletter is filled with poems, articles, and short stories from other authors across the country. The True-badour won a 2019 APEX (Award for Publication Excellence), along with such winners as AARP, Boy Scouts of American, the NFL, and other prominent winners.

You can subscribe to the free quarterly newsletter here: https://mailchi. mp/6fd6d3339d8d/the_true-badour Ernie writes on a variety of subjects through Aim-Hi Publishing (www.Aim-HiBooks.com).

He is a retired career US Air Force veteran, a consultant for state and local governments, and an educator. His books are infused with adventure, excitement, suspense, and the pure joy of life. Ernie is married and lives in Canyon Lake, Texas with his lovely wife Donna.

DEC 2019

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got reviews?

Do you have a local book recommendation or would like to submit a review!?

Contact us: localtouchtexas@gmail.com /localtouchcomal /localtouchcomal www.localtouchcomal.com localtouchcomal.com

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GIFT GUIDE With the holidays quickly approaching, there is one member of the family that you do not want to forget – the family dog! What better way to spoil your most loyal companion than shopping local right here in Texas. Here is a list of the top items and pet boutiques we recommend this season:

NMR Paw Butters This all natural smooth balm is perfect if your dog loves going on walks. It is made to not only protect their paws during the summer and winter months but also used to moisturize and nourish dry, cracked paws and noses. (natures-repel.com) Barking Lot Treats Located in Seguin, TX, this pet boutique specializes in unique dog treats and chews from duck heads, pig snouts, CBD treats and custom birthday cakes for your dog. If you want your dog to try something different, this is definitely the place to check out! (barkinglottreats.com)

Pink Poodle Grooming What better way to spoil your dog than to get them a fresh cut and clean. Pink Poodle is a small business owned by a New Braunfels native that offers friendly, clean, safe and caring environment for your pets. Their full service grooming package includes ear cleaning, nail clipping, anal check/expulsion, bath with specialized shampoo, massage, blow out, brush dry, cologne and bandana/bow. (pinkpoodlenb.com)

Lucky Dog Bakery and Boutique Looking for quality, organic homemade dog treats? This is the place - not only are their treats made with quality ingredients, they make a wide range of fun treats. You can find unique flavors such as their apple bacon churros, salmon croute, chicken lentils, sweet potato cranberry woofers, pupper mints and much more! (facebook.com/luckydogbakery) NMR Sensitive Shampoo Made with a special blend of lavender and chamomile, this shampoo was made specifically for dogs suffering from dry, itchy skin. Using only natural ingredients, this shampoo will moisturize and nourish your dog’s skin and coat while rebalancing your dog’s natural pH to keep your fur babies’ skin and coat shiny and healthy. (natures-repel.com) Lola D’s Dog Treats Swing by the New Braunfels Farmers Market every Saturday to find fresh baked, all natural, homemade dog treats and chews. You can find grainfree treats, slow roasted beef treats, bully sticks and different fun flavored treats such as bacon and peanut butter, chicken and carrot, beef and chedder, and pizza pies. (loladsdogtreats.com)

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Be on the look out for my Food Trailer!

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LOCATION-LOCATION!

LOCATION!

Can you guess where I went?

Location definitely is “EVERYTHING!” Travel with me as I stroll around Comal County to capture local business in action! Can you guess where I went?

1.

2.

“History under the lights”

4.

3.

“Indoors that’s awesome!”

5.

“Jump on it!

“Is this where Ricky lives?”

6.

“Place to be on Saturday Morning”

“Reading is brain food”

Email me your guesses for a chance to win a FREE MEAL!

localtouchtexas@gmail.com

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H I S T O RY O F

WREATHS

There are a number of stories telling the history of Wreaths and in particular, the Christmas Wreath. It is believed that wreaths date back to the Persian Empire and that they were original call diadems. These early wreaths were worn like headdresses to represent a sign of power or authority.

Later in history, wreaths were also used to mark the winter solstice or Yule and were meant to represent nature and the upcoming

promise of spring. Candles were placed in the wreath then lit, in hopes of the return of the warmer weather and the sunlight.

In Christianity, the Christmas wreath with its circular shape, no beginning or end, represents life never ending, in other worlds the eternity of God, his unending love and everlasting life. The evergreen traditionally was use because it signifies continuous life. localtouchcomal.com

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This belief is evident in a tradition, which began in the early 19th century, to shape evergreens into wreaths or crosses, then lay them on graves to honor the dead. These wreaths would then be brought home by family members to use as part of their Christmas decorations, embracing that feeling of remembrance and reuniting in the afterlife. The Advent Wreath was originally adopted, as spiritual preparation for Christmas, by Christians in the Middle Ages.

With its five candles, 4 in the wreath and the fifth being placed in the center, the Advent Wreath, not only tell the story of Christ’s birth but also the belief of his return.

Today, wreaths can be found hanging in homes year-round, but Christmas is still the time that they truly reflect hope, love and family. Recently, a church group used the making and selling of wreaths to raise funds to help a family on their foster to adopt journey. Another example of the wreath’s symbolization of hope.

Now for some, a Wreath is simply a decoration, used to be a beautiful addition, to bring a smile into a home or invitation to the celebration of Christmas. Others receive a feeling of blessings, that comes from the connection to their beliefs and the hope of peace on earth and goodwill to all.

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You'll get 50 of this design

Transformational Coaching

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double-hung windows

WHY

Window Replacement Will Be 2020’S Hottest Home Improvement Project

By Martin Bomba, Owner of Window World TX

According to a study conducted by the Home Improvement Research Institute, the most popular home improvement projects among homeowners includes kitchens, exterior paint, roofs, driveways and windows.

We see this trend continuing into the new year due to the many benefits that come from window replacement projects in the home. Here are just some of the reasons why window replacement is going to be all the rage in 2020.

Homeowners Want to Save Some Green Everyone has heard of energy-efficient dishwashers, ovens and other household appliances, but not many people know that windows can be a huge factor in energy efficiency. Older, inefficient windows are often to blame for an increase in air drafts and higher energy bills. According to Energy Star, older, single-pane windows are responsible for 25-30% of a home’s energy loss.

bay and bow windows Modern energy standards have made windows much more energy-efficient.

Innovations like higher-quality frame materials, Low-E glass, multiple panes, gas fills and warm edge spacers have revolutionized windows over the best couple years. These energy-efficient upgrades are great for the environment and even better for homeowners’ wallets. Regardless of their reasoning, getting new windows will have homeowners seeing green.

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Older Windows Aren’t Cutting It While windows do last a long time, they don’t last forever. The general rule of thumb is that windows last 15 to 20 years, but some windows might need replacing before or after their life expectancy.

There are a few telling signs that windows are getting too old and losing their functionality. If the frames around the windows are warped or starting to break away, they’ve probably gotten too old.

Windows that have difficulty opening are also a sign they need to be replaced. Windows that don’t open or shut properly are not only an inconvenience, they’re also a safety issue.

If windows have begun showing their age, the start of a new decade is a good time for replacement.

Homeowners Want an Updated Look While new windows are a functional addition to the home, they also add to a home’s overall aesthetic. With a wide array of styles available on the market, new windows can completely change the look of a home.

Some homeowners even go the extra mile by adding shutters or other exterior window covers. If you want to increase your property value or if you want to make your home the envy of all your neighbors, a stylish new set of windows will do the job.

2020 is just around the corner, and with it, new home improvement projects. If you’re looking for a home improvement project to improve your home’s functionality and appearance, consider starting off with a window replacement project.

picture windows

sliding windows

garden windows

...older, single-pane windows are responsible for 25-30% of a home’s energy loss. localtouchcomal.com

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Texas Black Gold Garlic Announces Revolutionary New Products San Antonio, Texas – San Antonio-based gourmet food manufacturer, Texas Black Gold Garlic, is excited to announce the release of three new unbelievably delicious "true vegan" products: Black Shallot, Black Pearl Onion and Black Ginger.

Currently, these new products will be sold on the Texas Black Gold Garlic website, through the Pearl Farmers Market and exclusively through local distributor, FARM to TABLE. For more information, please visit texasblackgoldgarlic.com.

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For those who have had the opportunity to taste and cook with black garlic, you know what a wholly unique culinary experience it is and how it can enhance just about any dish, from savory to sweet, with its rich caramelized, balsamic-like punch of scintillating and complex flavors.

Similarly, the Black Shallot, Black Pearl Onion and Black Ginger take these simple ingredients and send them into an umami orbit that chefs just can't get enough of.

"There's simply nothing else like this on the market. Other black garlic companies have stopped at garlic, but we saw the potential to truly enhance these other basic ingredients that chefs and home cooks use every day," shares Chef and Owner, Stephen Paprocki. "This is my magnum opus for the culinary world."

What They Taste Like, according to Chef Paprocki: Black Shallot: It's a pop of caramelized onion in your mouth, taking the staple of meat and potatoes to a whole new level.

Black Pearl Onion: Imagine French onion soup in pearl form.

Black Ginger: Nothing can compare to this unparalleled flavor profile. It's straight umami with none of the fiery/spicy ginger component one might expect.

Like their predecessor, the new products also offer health benefits derived from the Malliard process, akin to fermentation, such as a massive increase in antioxidants.

Additionally, the majority of the ingredients are grown in cooperation with local Texas farmers. "One of our company's primary missions has always been to work with and support local farmers. Not only does our seed program help the farmers, but knowing the farmer helps us maintain a significant amount of quality control, something no other black garlic companies are doing," explains Paprocki.

"On top of that, we say our products are truly vegan and beyond organic because they're grown without fertilizer or pesticides and are naturally non-GMO, for that matter,' he says.

"Many people don't realize this, but certified organic is not always what people expect.

Meaning people, vegans for example, feel assured they're eating clean produce when, in fact, organic fertilizer can be used to grow certified organic vegetables, but when tested, animal protein is often found due to the organic manure, so it's not a truly vegan product. However, we test our produce for non-animal specific protein and it's a hundred percent clean. The industry practically forces companies like ours to pay thousands of dollars for a can be misleading, and we believe it's important that the public be made aware of this issue," adds Paprocki. Lab Test Results: https://www.texasblackgoldgarlic.com/quality localtouchcomal.com

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W

December …a month with different meanings to different

no matter what your beliefs- and that is, it’s a Time for Frien

an outpouring of charity and peace. I know what you are t

up tomorrow in Bedford Falls hearing a bell ring for Char

how I choose to see the world at this moment. Truth is … towards Men” is still what this time of year means to me.

This is not a season about trees and presents or decoration

you can’t and helping one another with no strings. It’s tha

you see that simple act of kindness between total strangers. year, the holiday season, is full of loneliness or the pain of that is hurting. Now in my household – this is a time, that

we wish that everyone, has a BLESSED and VERY MER

DEC 2019

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Wonderful

t people. To me though, there is something that is universally significate,

nds, a Time for Family. It is a month of fellowship, a time of gathering,

thinking, Ron, this isn’t a movie or a bedtime story, you are not waking

rlie, seriously Ron, come back to reality. Well, this is my reality, this is

…. it is my reality because I believe it to be,” Peace on Earth, Goodwill It is my gift to myself; it is my gift to you and it’s my gift to the world.

ns and food, to me, it’s about “Happiness and Love”, it’s giving when

at joy you feel deep in your heart when you hear a child’s laughter, or

. It truly is a wonderful life and if you know someone that this time of memories – be that gift, share your happiness – bring joy to a person

hat we celebrate, worship and even if it is probably not politically correct,

MERRY CHRISTMAS followed by a Safe and Happy New Year!

Ron Smith localtouchcomal.com

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If you’re like many Americans with a mortgage, you’re probably looking for ways to pay it off sooner.

You’re in luck!

Below are some great tips to help you reduce your principal and eliminate your mortgage debt faster, so that you have more money in your bank account for retirement, investments or a relaxing tropical vacation. If you’re among the one-in-three lucky homeowners who have paid off their mortgage, forward this information on to family or friends who are seeking to pay off their mortgage debt.

Texas Real Estate Commi information: Information Ab

Texas Real Estate Commission requires that I provide you with the following information: Information About Broker Services and Consumer Protection Notice

Texas Real Estate Commission requires that I provide you with the following information: Information About Broker Services and Consumer Protection Notice

localtouchcomal.com

This final year of the twenty-teens has been filed with conclusions to many long running pop culture properties.

It began with the conclusion to M. Knight Shyamalan’s surprise trilogy that started with 2000’s Unbreakable, continued in 2016’s Split and culminated in the movie Glass.

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Tyler Perry declared A Madea Family Funeral the last appearance for his character after 11 films.

• • How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World brought closure after 10 years.

• Then the mammoth hit that was Avengers: Endgame descended upon us which The Big Bang Theory said goodbye after 12 years on T.V.

tied together 11 years of storytelling within the MCU.

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Dark Phoenix on the other hand was the not so well received final outing for Fox’s X-men films in the months after their acquisition.

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Then there was Toy Story 4 which we all held our breath with anticipation would be good after the perfect ending was achieved in Toy Story 3. Thankfully it was.

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Then came the controversial ending to Game of Thrones which many considered to be a very unsatisfying.

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On television, The Walking Dead T.V. show trucks on despite slipping ratings but the comic book ended on a shocking and cleverly unannounced surprise ending after 16 years in publication.

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After becoming the highest grossing horror movie of all time in 2017, the sequel It Chapter 2 concluded the story of the Losers Club and their fight against Pennywise.

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Even Sylvester Stallone dusted off his old action hero Rambo for what is supposed to be the character’s final appearance with Rambo: Last Blood.

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Finally, by the time this article drops we will know how the Star Wars saga will have concluded with the Rise of Skywalker.

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Here’s to hoping we will raise our New Year’s toasts to a good ending and that 2020 will bring many new offerings for pop culture.

-Joe Soliz

WWW.POPCULTUREGEEKERY.COM /popculturegeekery

/popculturegeekery

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