Rolling Daily Volume 12 by Deliverabilities

ROLLING DAILY FIRST CLASS IN EVERY WAY

TOURS | CHARTERS | CASINOS

ISSUE 12 JUNE 2019

8 BEST DAY TRIPS FROM HOUSTON Take a day trip from Houston the next time you have a free day and a full tank...

ABOUT WIMBERLEY TEXAS

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WELCOME TO WIMBERLEY TEXAS Wimberley, Texas is located where the...

WHY WIMBERLEY IS YOUR NEW FAVORITE TEXAS TOWN From gorgeous views and great stays to two killer swimming holes...

TOP 10 CASINO GAMES Everyone loves to have a gamble from time to time (myself included)...

THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO SEE IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY WIMBERLEY BELLA VISTA RANCH. Visit an Olive Oil producing ranch First Texas...

TOP 10 CASINO ETIQUETTE DOS AND DON’TS If you’ve come to casino games via your desktop or...

PRODUCTION Production deliverabilities layout&design: Phone: 360.468.3699

Email: info@deliverabilites.com www.deliverabilities.com

THE 5 HIDDEN SECRETS OF CRAPS THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW I am a degenerate gambler, degenerating all the time at craps. Actually, I’m not. I was...

12 TIPS TO SIMPLIFY PACKING FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP There’s something seriously freeing about packing as light as possible when traveling...

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FIVE WAYS TO IMPROVE AT TEXAS HOLD ‘EM POKER

Texas Hold ‘Em Poker is a game that rewards good play. There’s obviously some luck involved...

WHERE TO GO. WHAT TO DO.

ADVERTISING First Class Tours

opportunities:

Phone: 281.590.8800 Email: info@firstclasstours.net www.firstclasstours.net

JUNE 2019

Preparation Once again we find ourselves entering hurricane season here in Texas and the rest of the gulf coast. Harvey is still fresh in our collective minds and like always this time of year our thoughts turn to preparation. For most, this means our families and neighborhoods but for me, it has also caused me to give consideration to the preparation that is required, not only for hurricane seasons but day in and day out at First Class Tours. Good companies are defined not by how things go when everything is working exactly as you plan but rather how things go when the unexpected happens. Just like we saw during Harvey, those who found themselves prepared for the rising waters had a completely different experience than those who werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Preparation takes many forms at First Class Tours, from our staffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s individual commitments to being the best they can be to drills we run that simulate situations where we will need to be prepared, we are constantly looking for ways to improve even in things we hope we never have to address. I am grateful for a team of professionals that I am able to work with who are committed to being ready for anything. Who look for ways to be the very best, even when things have not gone as we expected. I am mindful, especially this time of year, that without preparation, we find ourselves exposed and vulnerable to whatever may happen. I am proud to say that at First Class Tours, we are prepared, and we are ready for each and every day. I hope that as you prepare for this hurricane season that you will be ready as well, and more than anything I hope and pray that come the close of hurricane season that preparation will have been found to be unnecessary. To our customers, thank you for choosing us as your transportation partner, to those who have not yet experienced the first class difference, we look forward to showing you that our preparation, along with a long list of other things that set us apart, are done with you in mind. Thanks for stopping by this month. Welcome aboard!

-Jeff Rogers

www.firstclasstours.net

Jeff Rogers President First Class Tours Houston, TX

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8 BEST DAY TRIPS FROM HOUSTON BY: MADISON DRAGNA

Take a day trip from Houston the next time you have a free day and a full tank of gas. From the beach to central Texas, there are a number of great cities within driving distance from Houston that are perfect for day trippers. Have an unforgettable day when you spend it experiencing one of these 8 best day

trips from Houston. Galveston Island With a sandy beach less than an hour drive away from the city, Galveston Island is one of the most popular travel destinations for Houstonians. Beach dwellers will enjoy the more than 30 miles of sandy coast here.

However, there is more to experience in Galveston than just the beach. Visit Schlitterbahn Waterpark or Moody Gardens. History buffs will enjoy touring Moody Mansion, Bishop’s Palace, and Ship Elissa, while adrenaline junkies shouldn’t miss the rides and rollercoasters found on Pleasure Pier. You’ll have a day you’ll never

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forget when you visit Galveston. Brazos Bend State Park Escape to nature for the day by visiting Brazos Bend State Park. Home to six lakes, picnicking areas, and hiking and biking trails, this Houston-area park is sure to offer a refreshing experience. However, keep

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an eye out for the resident alligators that call this place home. George Observatory can also be found here too, which is both an observatory and a museum. You may never want to return to the city after a day spent here. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to extend your stay here, there are campsites too.

Kemah Head to Kemah to enjoy your day on the boardwalk. Restaurants, shopping and even an amusement park are found along this bayside attraction, so visitors of all ages will enjoy their day here. The day might be over but the fun doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop when the sun goes down here. During the summer,

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there are typically free live music and free fireworks on Fridays at the Kemah Boardwalk. Brenham Brenham, Texas is a charming country town that is only an hour drive from the city of Houston. Brenham is located in Washington Country, known as the “Birthplace of Texas.” So you can spend

your day browsing the museums in the area, like the Brenham Heritage Museum. However, this area also becomes a popular travel destination during the spring when the bluebonnets are in bloom. Before heading back to the city, stop at Texas’ ice cream giant Blue Bell Creamery for a scoop or two. Sam Houston National Forest

One of Texas’ national forests is found only 50 miles outside of the city. The Sam Houston National Forest is well known among hikers, bikers, recreational fishermen, and horseback riders. The only longdistance hiking trail in Texas, the Lone Star Hiking Trail, is found in the national forest and spans 130 miles. You won’t regret leaving the city for this Texas gem.

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JUNE 2019

Austin Texas’ state capital is only two-and-a-half hours away from H-Town. Austin, Texas is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” so it’s a great place to visit for music lovers. Spend the day enjoying one of Austin’s most popular festivals like ACL (Austin City Limits) or SXSW (South by Southwest). Apart from

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its music scene, Austin is known for its local restaurants, boutique shopping, and outdoor recreation. San Antonio From Texas historical sites to great Tex-Mex eateries, San Antonio offers a number of attractions for daytrippers. Stroll the River Walk, visit the Alamo, and

explore the San Antonio Museum of Art. Or you can spend the day at Six Flags Fiesta Texas amusement park. Natural Bridge Caverns is also found in San Antonio. Tours are offered through the cavern, which is one of the largest caverns in the state. ¦ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

CLICK HERE.

WIMBERLEY TEXAS Wimberley, Texas is located where the Cypress Creek and the Blanco River meet and is an hour outside of Austin. A lot of people refer to this city as a little bit of heaven.

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ABOUT

WIMBERLEY TEXAS

BY: TEXASHILLCOUNTRY.COM 10

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JUNE 2019

WELCOME TO WIMBERLEY TEXAS Wimberley, Texas is located where the Cypress Creek and the Blanco River meet and is an hour outside of Austin. A lot of people refer to this city as a little bit of heaven. The main attractions around Wimberley are the Blue Hole Regional Park, Old Baldy Mountain, Wimberley Glassworks, Wimberley Valley Winery and the shady Wimberley Square (shopping and dining). The drive from Wimberley to Blanco on the Devil’s Backbone, FM 32, provides sweeping vistas of the hills. For years, Wimberley has been a haven for writers, artists, & musicians. Their talent can be seen at local art galleries, shops and performing arts venues. Live music can be heard on the weekends at Cypress Creek Café, Ino’z and Linda’s

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Fine Foods. Live theatre can be enjoyed at the Wimberley Playhouse, the EmilyAnn Theatre and Gardens, home of the Annual Butterfly Festival in April and the Trail of Lights in December, a very big attraction. Market Days in Wimberley are the most popular in the area. These Market Days are every first Saturday of the months March through December at Lions Field. Bargainers and shoppers come from all over to join in on Market Day where over 475 booths are displayed with a variety of products. There are many sightseeing opportunities in this city because it is one of the most scenic locations in Texas. Outdoorsy individuals will definitely enjoy a swim in both Jacobs Well and The Blue Hole. Travel

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Magazineshas rated Blue Hole as one of the best swimming holes in Texas. Ancient Cypress trees line the swimming hole, creating a shaded area from the burning hot sun. There are several grassy areas along the banks where picnic and lounging can be enjoyed. Every Friday in April The Blue Hole hosts live concerts from 6:00-8:00pm. Concert goers may bring their own chairs and blankets, and admission is by donation. The Blue Hole Regional Park is also home to Wimberley Arts Fest every year in April. Jacobs well is one of the longest underwater caves in Texas and surges thousands of gallons of water per minute. Come enjoy the beauty of this area while taking a dip in the water. Tours of the natural area are held every Saturday at 10:00am. Another beauty to enjoy is Old Baldy Mountain, also known as Mount Baldy, which has a long strand of stairs that lead to one of the best panoramic views in Wimberley. This mountain is right outside of Wimberley in the Eagle Rock subdivision of Woodcreek.

Wimberley is the central flyway spot for migrating birds. The Edwards Plateau is a perfect location to watch these beautiful birds and view the vast variety of natural fauna and abundant wildlife. In October, Wimberley hosts migrating Monarch butterflies too. Many towns in the past have had outdoor movie theaters. Wimberley is one of these towns that still has an outdoor walk in theater, called the Corral Theater. The Corral Theater runs from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Enjoy a movie under the stars every Friday and Saturday night. Adventurous types will enjoy Wimberley Zipline Adventures â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with 15-mile views through a series of ten zipline crossings, the zip line, lasts about two hours providing excitement and spectacular views of the hill country. Call ahead for your reservation. ÂŚ .

SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

CLICK HERE.

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JUNE 2019

YOUTH

SPORTS Transportation

Is our

specialty

Game Day starts here!

Ready, Set, Travel! It seems that every season there are more games, seasons are longer and the travel commitment gets more and more complex. Imagine taking the entire team on one motorcoach, arriving at the game together ready to play, with plenty of space for players, families, and gear. With full sized motorcoaches that accommodate up to 56 passengers, have video capabilities, an onboard restroom and more. The possibilities are endless, often with prices less than driving in separate cars. Call us today and let our team of professionals put your team transportation in the fast lane!

GoMotorcoach Make the Smart Move! Safe | Green | Efficient | Affordable | Fun

281.590.8800 | www.firstclasstours.net www.firstclasstours.net

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WHY WIMBERLEY IS YOUR NEW FAVORITE TEXAS TOWN BY: VALERIE FRASER LUESSE

From gorgeous views and great stays to two killer swimming holes, this little Hill Country burg has got it going on. Nestled into one of the prettiest spots in all of Texas, Wimberley sits on prime Hill Country terrain where Cypress Creek meets the Blanco River. It’s home to towering cypress trees and spring

wildflowers and the kinds of artsy, outdoorsy, adventurous people who are drawn to such a place.

Town Profile Located in central Hays County, between Austin and San Antonio, Wimberley has a population of just over 2,600 people. It has an artsy vibe, with a downtown square that

welcomes shoppers and strollers. Market Days, held the first Saturday of every month, March through December, feature hundreds of vendors.

Scenic Route FM 32 from Wimberley to Blanco takes you across the “Devil’s Backbone” on Edwards Plateau for some amazing Texas views.

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JUNE 2019

Mountain in a Subdivision? Climb over 200 steps to the summit of “Old Baldy” and enjoy panoramic views of the Hill Country. The mountain’s inside residential LaToya Circle.

Iconic Landmark: Jacob’s Well This artesian spring is the head waters of

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Cypress Creek and one phenomenal swimming hole. It’s part of the Jacob’s Well Natural Area in Wimberley. Swimming season runs from May 1 until Labor Day. You’ll need to make advance reservations to swim because Hays County limits capacity to help protect the swimming area (Jacob’s Well Reservations).The Trinity

Aquifer, which fills the well, is 140 feet below the surface, delivering 68-degree water.

Yet Another Swimming Hole The centerpiece of 126-acre Blue Hole Regional Park is, as you might guess, the Blue Hole Swimming Area, where a stunning natural pool is shaded by soaring cypress trees.

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Not Exactly a Drive-In The Corral Theatre is an open-air movie theatre, where you can “see the stars under the stars.” And you can bring your lawn chair. They’re open from May 4 to September 3, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The Corral has been around since 1948.

Snoozin’ You wouldn’t expect so many interesting lodging options in a town with less than 3,000 residents, but there are some nifty places to stay in Wimberley, Texas. At the Creek Haven Inn on Cypress Creek, choose from 14 rooms and suites, each one uniquely decorated, and enjoy a serene Hill Country setting. For an elegant B&B, try

the Blair House Inn, which has well-appointed rooms, a pool with a Texas view, fine dining and cooking schools, a spa, and an art gallery. In neighboring New Branufels, find out what it’s like to sleep in a trickedout treehouse. River Road Cabins has 6 of them—with multiple bedrooms and all kinds of amenities—on a seasonal creek on the opposite side of River Road from the Guadalupe.

Sippin’ and Chewin’ Venture out and see more HIll Country scenery with a few tours of local wineries and distilleries. You’ll find plenty of maps and guides online. For a great dining option, locals swear by Ino’z Brew & Chew overlooking Cypress Creek.

Why We’d Move There Home prices in Wimberley aren’t cheap, averaging in the upper $400’s and lower $500’s for a newer home. But man, those views. And those creeks, rivers, and swimming holes! “There’s a real entrepreneurial spirit in Wimberley, which makes it interesting,” says Ross Quade of DrippingSpringsRealEstate. com. “It’s located in the rural Hill Country near the Blanco River, but it’s only an hour from Austin. So you can enjoy small town life in a beautiful natural setting, within close proximity to one of the most popular cities in Texas.” ¦ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

CLICK HERE.

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JUNE 2019

Retirement

sets you free.

A MOTORCOACH

helps make it

The best it can

possibly be. The Good Life Starts Here!

Welcome to the next generation of retirement! A retirement designed for those who have a passion for living, for fun and for spending their best years with those they love the most. Nothing compares to the experiences available on a motorcoach. From local sightseeing to a week on the road, motorcoaches offer the flexibility, comfort, and amenities that will make your next trip the best trip. Motorcoaches are a great way to make the most of your golden years and we look forward to the chance to welcome you aboard one of our modern coaches and wow you with all we have to offer.

GoMotorcoach Make the Smart Move! Safe | Green | Efficient | Affordable | Fun

281.590.8800 | www.firstclasstours.net www.firstclasstours.net

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Just a short 2 hour drive from Houston, Golden Nugget Lake Charles combines the glitz and glamour of

WEEKLY TRIPS AS LOW AS $17.00 Las Vegas withDAY the hospitality and charm of the South – creating an exceptional one-of-a-kind gaming and entertainment destination in Louisiana.

Since it’s unveiling in December 2014, the 242-acre casino and resort has attracted guests from all WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, & SUNDAY! neighboring states. The Golden Nugget name is synonymous with exceptional service and luxury, including TICKETS START AT $17 deluxe accommodations, 15 restaurants and lounges, a private beach and marina, a championship golf FRIDAY & SATURDAY! TICKETS START AT $18 course and an innovative casino floor.

Ride with First Class Tours to The Golden Nugget Lake Charles departing Terminal and Eastex Terminal Located off of interstate 210, Lake Charlesfrom is theFM fifth1960 installment of the iconic Golden Nuggeteach brand which Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday! is owned and operated by Houston-based restaurant, hospitality and gaming group Landry’s Inc. The

Perk

craftsmanship and attention to detail is evidence of money well spent. The luxurious rooms and suites feature plush bedding, premium amenities like idocking stations and picturesque lake and pool views.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET AVAILABILITY

PROPERTY FEATURES • 1,600 of the newest slot machines WITH PERKS • World-class spa, salon and barbershop OVERNIGHT TRIPS • State-of-the-art fitness center • 70 table games • • • • • •

• Pool complex with swim-up bar, lazy river Poker room and waterslide 740 luxury rooms and suites, with a tower addition in 2017 NEW TRIPS COMING SOON • Shopping promenade 18-hole championship golf course 30,000 square-feet of meeting and convention space $74 PP - DBLE OCCUP • Arcade • A-list entertainment Wedding gazebo $149 PP - SINGLE OCCUP Marina with dockage up to 206 feet

Perk

Ride with First Class Tours to The Golden Nugget Lake Charles, departing from FM 1960 Terminal and Eastex Terminals

G A M B L I N G CLICKPHERERFOROTICKET B AVAILABILITY L E M ? 18

P L E

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New for 2017!

JUNE 2019

B US TOUR S PACKAG ES DAY TRIP PACKAGES (Minimum 5 Hour Stay)

Package A • Golden Nugget will pay $10 per passenger • Receive $5 Free Slot Play or $10 Food Credit • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *No minimum passenger count required.

Package B • Golden Nugget will pay $500 for Bus Transportation • Receive $5 Free Slot Play or $10 Food Credit

GOLDEN NUGGET TRIP • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *Minimum 40 passenger counter required.

Package C

• Golden Nugget will pay $1,000 for Bus Transportation • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *Minimum 50 passenger count required.

*All passengers must be 21 or older. No deposit required. Any payment made by Golden Nugget will be sent to the approved motor coach company. Group leaders are not eligible to receive payment.

From upscale to casual, Golden Nugget Lake Charles also boasts a collection of Landry’s, Inc. awardwinning and nationally recognized restaurants that cater to every palate. Grotto Ristorante, Saltgrass Steak House, Landry’s Seafood House, Claim Jumper, Lillie’s Asian Cuisine, Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar and the crown jewel of steakhouses – Vic & Anthony’s – are just a few of the impressive selections. Guests can also peruse through a shopping promenade featuring all of the latest fashions from designers like Tommy Bahama and Michael Kors, catch a game of golf, or bask in the sun at H20 – an opulent Vegasstyle pool, swim-up bar and lounge. To learn more about available Bus Tour Packages to Golden Nugget Lake Charles, please call 337.508.7221 or email BusTours@gnlcm.com. 2550 GOLDEN NUGGET BLVD.

A S E

C A L L

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LAKE CHARLES. LA 70601

GOLDENNUGGETLC.COM

1 . 8 7 7 . 7 7 0 . S T O P 19

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As a local, it is not at all uncommon to be asked “What is there to do in Galveston?” To me, it seems like such an odd question. The question really should be more like “What ISN’T there to do in Galveston?” Galveston Island has a diversity of entertainment and leisure options that has made it one of the top beach destinations along the Gulf Coast. I think it’s the fact that Galveston has so much more than just sand and water to lure people across The Causeway. Let’s look at just Downtown Galveston – the epicenter of entertainment, food, drink and social activity in the city. So if you’re looking for something fun to do and need a little nudge for ideas, here’s a quick list of the top 10 things to do in Downtown Galveston. And I offer this one disclaimer – this is in no way intended to be inclusive. It is not the result of any survey. This is merely my list of top 10 things I recommend to folks based on living here 21 years and visiting the island city my entire life.

1. Shop If you’re fond of unique and interesting items for yourself or gifts for others, downtown Galveston is where you need to spend some time with Hendley Market as your first stop. Be sure to check the store for current hours – they tend to change from time to time. But it is worth the effort for the spectacular collection of unusual items you’ll find. Nativity scenes

TOP 10 CASINO G BY: RAVYN

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Everyone loves to have a gamble from time to time (myself included). Unfortunately we don’t always win, but the real fun is in the playing, not the winning. Here is a list of the top 10 Casino games.

10. Bingo Bingo is a game in which players try to match randomly selected numbers to the numbers on their card. The card consists of a 5×5 matrix where each column is represented by the letters B-I-N-G-O. The middle square is typically a free square. The first person to form a specific pattern (usually a straight line) calls out “Bingo!”. The card gets checked for accuracy and the winner is announced. Then a new round begins.

9. Baccarat

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In Baccarat each player has three options: Player, Tie, and Banker. When all players have placed their bets, the dealer deals out two 2-card hands, one is the banker hand while the other is the player hand. The hands are added up. If a hand totals over ten, the ten is dropped (I.E. 9+5=14=4). A hand equaled to 10 becomes a 0 or baccarat. The winning hand would be the higher of the 2 and anyone who placed a corresponding bet wins.

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8. Wheel of Fortune (The Big Six) This game is played by placing your bet on one of 6 symbols on the game table. Then the wheel is spun. The wheel is divided into 52 equal sections that are separated by pins around the edge. When the wheel comes to a stop, the pointer will be between two pins. All bets placed on the symbol the wheel stops on, win.

7. Keno Keno is a lottery game. The player get a card numbered 1 to 80. The player then picks up to

20 numbers and a wager. The card is then registered and the game begins. The caller announces 20 randomly drawn numbers. The player tries to match as many called numbers to their selected numbers. The more numbers matched the higher the winnings paid against their wager.

6. Pai Gow Poker Pai Gow Poker is played against the house instead of the other players. The dealer deals out 7 cards to each player and himself in rotation. Everyone then looks at their cards and tries to make the best

5-card and 2-card poker hands. The 5-card hand must rank higher than the 2-card hand. The hands are then compared against the dealers. If both hands beat the dealer, the player wins. If both lose, the player loses. If both the dealer and the player win on a hand, it is a push.

5. Roulette In roulette, the player places his chips on the table where they would like to wager. The table consists of number 0-36 and 00 and then has additional betting for even-odd, red-black, low 18-high 18, low/middle/

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JUNE 2019

high 12, and for the first/ second/third columns. A player may also place their bet between 2, 3, 4, or 5 numbers and may cross bet between the additional betting area. The dealer will signal no more bets. The dealer will spin the wheel in a clockwise direction then roll a ball in a counterclockwise direction. The ball lands in a numbered slot on the wheel. All bets that correspond with the number win.

4. Slots Slots are machines that play a number of different games. They are very

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popular. In general the player will insert coins into the machine and either pull a handle or press a button. This causes the wheels to spin. In older styled slot machines there were 3 wheels. In the newer machines they tend to have 3 to 5 simulated wheels. When the wheels stop, the player is paid based on the pattern of symbols.

3. Black Jack (21) Blackjack is a card game played between the house and the player. The dealer deals out two cards to each player and their self. The dealer has one card

face up and one down. The players then take turns trying to get as close to 21 without going over. Aces are equal to 1 or 11. Face cards are 10 and number cards are face value. The player calls hit to get a card, and stand to end their turn. A player may also call double to double their bet and may only receive one card and the turn ends. If a player has two identically numbered cards, they may split. This requires them to double their bet and then get two more cards making two new hands that they may play. After all players turns are over, the dealer reveals their card. The dealer

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then hits if the total is 16 or less and stands on 17 and higher. Everyone who has a hand that beats the dealer without going over 21 wins.

2. Craps Craps is a high energy dice game based on 7. The player places bets around the table. There are many places to bet. The Pass line is the main focus of the game. 7 and 11 win on this line while 2, 3 and 12 lose. All other numbers rolled make an established point. If that number is rolled again before a 7 is rolled, the bet wins. The Don’t Pass

line is just the opposite, 2 and 3 win where 7 and 11 loses. The Field line wins on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12. 2 and 12 pay double. The Come line is playable after a point is established. It plays the same as the Pass line. The Don’t Come plays like Don’t Pass after the point is established. Then you also can make bets on the horn. These bets are on getting 2, 3, 11, or 12 on the next roll. Other bets include Big 6/8, C&E, Any Seven, and Craps.

1. Poker

lowest to highest are high card, pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, and royal flush. The player with the best hand wins. There are many versions of poker such as 5-card draw, 5-card stud, Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hold’em, Razz, Pineapple, and 7-card stud.¦

SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

CLICK HERE.

Poker is a card game base on a 5 card hand. The ranking of hands from

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JUNE 2019

OVERNIGHT CASINO TRIPS WITH FIRST CLASS PERKS

Overnight

Luxury Transportation, Room Night and $35 in perks.

$44PP/DBL OVERNIGHT

Jun 26th-27th, Jul 10th-11th,

Overnight

Luxury Transportation, Room Night and $23 in perks.

Luxury Transportation, Room Night and $35 in perks.

Runs every Sunday except Holidays.

Dates coming soon!

$49PP/DBL

$74PP/DBL

Aug 7th-8th, Sep 16th-17th

$69PP/DBL

SATURDAY OVERNIGHT Aug 10th, Sep 21st, Oct 12th

Las Vegas Trip Includes: Transportation, 6 nights hotel accommodations (4 nights in Las Vegas, NV)

$559

PP â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DOUBLE OCCUP

August 4-10, 2019

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THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO SEE IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY TOURS | CHARTERS | CASINOS

WIMBERLEY BY: WWW.VISITWIMBERLEY.COM

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JUNE 2019

BELLA VISTA RANCH Visit an Olive Oil producing ranch First Texas Olive Oil Company is a family-run business, specializing in FRESH olive oil and other fresh, complementary foods. We base our products on the fruits and vegetables grown at the Bella Vista Ranch in Wimberley, Texas alongside our 1,200 olive trees. In 1996 Jack Dougherty, who grew up in the orchards of Santa Clara valley and later had a career working as an executive in the computer industry, purchased a dilapidated ranch with the intention of making it a working ranch. Today it has become an agricultural destination spot. Jack realized that Texas Hill Country soil and weather are

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akin to the Mediterranean, and he could not resist a stab at growing olives. The olive trees the on Bella Vista Ranch were planted in 1998. Our retail store opened on the ranch in the year 2000, and we opened our “frantoio” (olive pressing facility) in year 2001. Yes, you can grow olive trees in Texas! We have pressed fresh olive oil every year since 2001 and look forward to another “fruitful” pressing this Fall. If you’d like to be notified of our upcoming pressing, and get a chance to taste “fresh off the press” oil, please join our mailing list at: oliveguy@ bvranch.com. As the drycounty rules in Texas have evolved, we’ve received our winery license and created Bella Vista Cellars. Bella Vista Cellars produces a range of Italian varietals.

We are passionate about high-quality, fresh produce and products. We invite you to visit our tasting room to sample the olive oil, wine, and other gourmet foods available. 3101 Mt. Sharp Road, Wimberley, TX 78676 712.847.6514 WIMBERLEY IS THE HONKY TONK AND DANCE HALL HUB OF CENTRAL TEXAS Wimberley’s newest claim to being the right place for just about everything that’s good and fun. Texas is noted for being home of the nation’s oldest, most colorful authentic dance halls. They’re sprinkled (lightly) all over the state, but 11 of the best reside within a 50 mile radius of Wimberley and they include two of the state’s oldest

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(Twin Sisters Dance Hall and Gruene Hall). Imagine we’re at the center of a compass and beginning right up at the “N” and continuing on around the dial we have these wonderful destinations within easy reach (as “crow flies” mileage in parenthesis): Mercer Street Dance Hall in Dripping Springs (12); Cheatham St. Warehouse in San Marcos (13); Broken Spoke, Austin (30) Gruene Hall, Gruene (20); McQueeney Hall, McQueeney (40); Hanging Tree Saloon, Bracken (45); Anhalt Hall, Spring Branch (30); Kendalia Halle, Kendalia (35); Twin Sisters Dance Hall 6mi S of Blanco (20); Albert

Dance Hall, Albert (34), and, finally, way up around the “NW” is Luckenbach Hall (40). Their birthdates range from Gruene Hall in 1878 to 2013 (Mercer St. in Dripping Springs), but the rest qualify as “well done”: 1870, 1879, 1887, 1903, 1914, 1922, 1964, 1974 and 1989. Despite their age, all are going strong. Even though Gruene is the oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas, Twin Sisters hall was opened in 1870 but served as a meeting place for several years before becoming a dance hall as well. Several common factors qualified these 11 standouts for our

list. No pretentiousness, family friendly, live music, almost always lots of tin and raw plank construction; dim string lights, lots of smiles and, for most, an entertainer’s recommendation. Finally, each has no trouble in simply adding definition to what’s meant by Texas honky tonk, saloon, dance hall or all three. JACOB’S WELL NATURAL AREA ...the first Hays County owned preserve includes 81.5 acres surrounding the Jacob’s Well artesian spring. This ecological resource is the most significant and largest continually flowing karstic spring in the Texas

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Hill Country. Wildlife depend on the spring, which forms the headwaters of Cypress Creek, a few miles north of Wimberley, Texas. Limestone cliffs and native vegetation surround the spring with enchanting beauty for visitors of all ages. We hope you enjoy this popular recreational area and educational, ecological resource. Located just outside of Wimberley, it is open year round for exploration. Swimming is seasonally permitted; Memorial Day through Labor Day. The artesian spring, known as Jacob’s Well, is the head waters to Cypress Creek and the water is contained in the Trinity

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aquifer below. Year round the water temperature is a constant 68 degrees. The cave system below is extremely dangerous to explore which has led to several recreational SCUBA casualties in past history due to inexperience. Thus only permitted cave diving research professionals are allowed to dive. Their effort has charted the cave system to nearly 140 feet deep at its lowest point and almost a mile in length! Restoration efforts are constantly under way to improve and enhance the delicate ecosystem here. The artesian spring, Jacob’s Well, is a favorite swimming spot in Wimberley and is also the head waters to

Cypress Creek. The water is supplied to the spring by the Trinity aquifer, some 140 feet below the surface. Year round the water temperature is a constant 68(f) degrees. The cave system below is extremely dangerous to explore which has led to several SCUBA casualties in the past. Only permitted cave diving research professionals are now allowed to dive Jacob’s Well. Their effort has charted the cave system to nearly 140 feet deep and almost a mile in length! Restoration efforts are constantly under way to improve and enhance the delicate ecosystem here.

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ZIPLINE ADVENTURES The concept of ziplining — which today is primarily an adventure thrill ride — was actually conceived out of necessity. The gravity-fueled conveyance using cables and pulleys threaded between two points was created by workers and residents who needed to quickly transport people and supplies across canyons, rivers, and other impassable areas in remote regions of China, the Costa Rican rainforest, and the Australian Outback. Ziplining is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing adventure tourism activities. Today, professional ziplining adventure tours

can be found worldwide and there is one in Wimberley for all to enjoy. Experience a rush as you soar over canyons and creeks with breathtaking 15-mile views of the Wimberley Valley. Your adventure will begin with trained guides leading you on an educational walking tour. You’ll learn about the local ecosystem of plants and wildlife, local history, and other interesting Wimberley area facts. WIMBERLEY GLASSWORKS ...is Texas’ premier hand blown glass lighting and art glass studio, creating exclusive glass collections, limited edition vases, sculptures, platters and

lighting since 1992. Wimberley Glassworks hosts daily glass blowing demonstrations for travelers and art glass enthusiasts from around the world. The Glassworks’ custom lighting designs are featured in luxury and commercial properties throughout Texas. Wimberley Glassworks creates hand blown glass art installations that are welcoming, intriguing and beautiful. Our pieces engage with people, welcoming them into spaces that will capture their imagination and will continually provide a source of fascination for years to come. The captivating nature of glass and the liveliness of light,

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together with texture, form and function, create designs that are interesting and integrated. We will work with you and your team to create a piece that exemplifies the emotion and intent of the space as well as making it stand out in the eyes of the public. 6469 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, TX 78666 800.929.6686 SILO GLASS STUDIO & GALLERY ... offers lessons in the art of fused glass making. These classes are available Friday through Sunday, private classes for 2~6 people are available upon

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request. Making bowls, suncatchers, jewelry and more is taught in small groups. Private classes are also available upon request. Visit our webpage for more information. Silo Glass - Studio and Gallery offer three lines of fused glass. Silo Glass is an inexpensive fun glass, Glass from the Heart is a glass designed for the home decor and 2 Muses Fusing is art glass created by Chester C. John and Elissa D. Beach. Their passion for kiln formed glass extends to ornamental as well as functional items. Fused glass is a unique gift; art glass, decorative art glass, functional glassware

and jewelry are available for purchase in the Gallery. All pieces are made by Chester and Elissa, or by local artists. Studio Tours are available simply by asking. 7990 Ranch Road 12 San Marcos, TX 78666 512.444.6494 BAT EMERGENCE VIEWING Bats are present throughout most of the world, performing vital ecological roles of pollinating flowers and dispersing fruit seeds. Bats are important, as they consume insect pests, reducing the need for pesticides. Viewing a bat emergence is a very unique experience. In the Texas Hill

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• Fawncrest Vineyard

available for painting, jewelry making, photography, weaving, glass work and more. Wimberley Artist Workshops brings an array of nationally acclaimed artists to share their knowledge. Ply offers classes in weaving along with loom rental plus weaving supplies. Silo Glass offers fused glass classes, all supplies furnished and no experience needed. Arbor Gate Studio offers workshops for jewelry creation.

• Selah, Bamberger Ranch - Johnson City

are all located within a 20 minute drive from the Wimberley Square

Visit any or all of these galleries to view the artists’ work.

VINEYARDS AND WINERY TOURS

ART GALLERIES AND WORKSHOPS

Hill Country Wineries

Artists have been long

Hill Country wineries are hidden gems...enjoy the wines of each location or have a tour for even more fun. Enlisting the services of an areas touring service will enhance your experience. With over 60 Vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms in this central portion of Texas it is easy to see why wine lovers are flocking to the lodges and hotels in the area. Choosing a tour company is easy and many of our lodges have wine tours as part of their special packages if you enjoy venturing out on your own you will be rewarded by

been drawn to the Wimberley valley, ‘A Little bit of Heaven’. Many people discover the beautiful Texas Hill Country and are quickly taken by the sense of energy, the thriving cultural scene and the supportive artist’s community. With so many artists within the area they naturally needed outlets for their artwork. Art shows abound as do Art Galleries. In fact there is so much wonderful artwork that many of the local stores also feature local artists work.

Country and around the Wimberley Area there are a multitude of ‘bat caves’. Unfortunately most are on private lands and are not accessible to the public. Bat viewing areas in the Texas Hill Country are abundant. • Congress Avenue Bridge Austin • Bracken Cave & Nature Reserve - Garden Ridge Area • Old Tunnel State Park Fredericksburg Area

the beautiful views, Texas scenery and the wines from the boutique vineyards. Mount Gainor Inn near Dripping Springs welcomes many during the seasonal 290 Wine Trail. Some ‘close in’ wineries: • Bella Vista Ranch • Duchman Family Winery • Driftwood Estate Winery • Fall Creek Vineyards

All media are represented and if you want to dabble there are even classes

• Art on 12 • The Wildflower Art Gallery • Bent Tree Gallery of Wimberley • Gallery on the Square • Grahamstock Glass • Wimberley Fine Arts Center • Under One Roof • Wimberley Fine Arts Center Workshops and classes open to the public. • Wimberley Artist Workshops • Arbor Gate Studio • Ply Yarn, Art & Handwovens • Silo Glass HOTEL FLORA AND FAUNA

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For Business or Pleasure, Hotel Flora & Fauna is the place to stay! • Lovely 12 room ecofriendly boutique hotel • Free Breakfast every day all day • Beautifully decorated studio suites • Top rated service, amenities, and comforts • 150 HD channels, Free Movies on Demand • Free super fast WiFi • Heated pool and large spa • In suite massage services available • Lovely courtyard with evening light show • Pets and kids, 12 and older, always welcome • Hassle free check-in and check-out • 0.2 miles to Wimberley town Square • 1.0 mile to Blue Hole Regional Park 400 River Road Wimberley, TX 78070 512.842.9110 BLUE HOLE REGIONAL PARK A unique spot almost hidden in the center of Wimberley, the Blue Hole is lined by old growth cypress trees that have survived floods, milling, and settlers’ needs for building materials.

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The Blue Hole property possesses what is now becoming a much more rare ecosystem and supports many species of birds, reptiles, insects, amphibians, and mammals. Native grasses, wildflowers and groves of varieties of central Texas trees and shrubs are decoratively combined with rocky outcrops, creating a scenic and special environment. 2019 Profile Page 100 Blue Hole Road, Wimberley, TX 78676 1.512.660.9111 DINING Gourmet, Bistro, BBQ, TexMex dining in the small town of Wimberley is as diverse as its residents.If you are looking for the best Bar B Que in Texas, you’ll find it here. Gourmet dinners and lunches are available at Blair House Inn, French inspired Bistro fare from Jobell is always a gastronomical delight. Burgers, soups, home made pizza, Italian, Tex Mex and don’t forget the Wimberley Pie Company. Visiting Wimberley is always a great experience and dining at one of it’s locally owned and operated eateries puts the icing on the cake.

You can always expect great food and service from one of these eateries • Blair House Inn Gourmet Dining • Kimberlys on the Square • D’Vine Homecookin’ • INO’Z Brew ‘n Chew • The Leaning Pear CORRAL THEATRE With a long history The Corral Theatre offers first run movies from Memorial Day until Labor Day, one of Wimberley’s most popular and unique experiences is grabbing a lawn chair or two, jumping into the car with friends and family, and decamping at the camp... Rocky River Ranch, that is. Stopping off only for popcorn and cool drinks, happy movie-goers then find a place for the lawn chair (or use one of those provided, if they came early enough) and settle down for a good movie and a memorable experience. a bit of history 100 Flite Acres Road, Wimberley, TX 78676 1.512.847.5994 ¦

SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

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TOP 10 CASINO ETI DOS AND DON BY: KEVIN HORRIDGE

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IQUETTE N’TS

If you’ve come to casino games via your desktop or mobile phone, you might not know the subtle dos and don’ts of betting in a land-based casino. After the rules themselves, you’ll need to learn a few basic rules on etiquette to avoid wide-eyed glares from the dealer, and glances from your fellow players. Here are a few simple tips for making your first casino trip a little smoother.

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1 – Leave the Selfie Stick At Home

going topless is a big nono.

Most, if not all, casinos in the world don’t take too kindly to customers taking photos of the gaming floor. So, if you want to capture that Vegas moment of bustling roulette tables and banks of slots, buy a postcard unless you want a sharp word from casino security.

4 – Don’t Drink Too Much

2 – Turn Off The Mobile Not only is talking on your mobile distracting to players trying to concentrate on hitting blackjack, it’s rude. In most cases, anyway, the croupier will ask you to turn your phone off while you’re playing, or to step away from the table so you can to take your call. 3 – Dress Properly While many big casinos in Las Vegas operate a relaxed policy to dress (sandals and Hawaiian shirt fine) many others don’t. Depending on where you are, you may have to wear a shirt or smart trousers, and wearing sneakers might mean you’re going to have a long trip back home to change. Check with the casino BEFORE you arrive to make sure you’re not under-dressed. And of course, for men and women, it’s fair to say

Casinos are fun playgrounds where the grown-ups can chill out and have a good time while gambling. But don’t let the booze get the better of you and make both your and the other players’ experience lousy. 5 – Buying Chips Buying your chips is probably the easiest mistake casino newcomers make when sitting down at a table game. First, make sure you’re aware of the minimum and maximum bets of each table as they will differ. These are clearly displayed on boards, so don’t sit down at a roulette table and hand over $5, only to realize the minimum bet is $10. To buy chips, never hand the dealer cash; lay it on the table in front of you as you sit down. The croupier will catch sight of this and change your money into chips, announcing the amount as he does so. 6 – Listen to the Dealer If a roulette croupier says, “no more bets”, he means it. If you’re unsure about the passage of play, take one of the casino’s fresher

classes first, or watch the action for a while before joining in. It’s a good rule of thumb to listen to the dealer as they are directing the passage of play. 7 – Cashing Out Because roulette chips are specially colored, you’ll need to cash out before you leave the table. Indicate to the croupier that you want to leave (waiting for the end of a spin when they’re less distracted) and he will change your roulette chips for generic casino cash chips. The same goes for blackjack or craps. 8 – Handling Chips At a roulette table, the dealer will give you a different color of chips to everyone else. This is to differentiate your chips from everyone else’s. Remember your color and learn where the chips have to be placed correctly for a bet. Don’t be afraid to ask the dealer for help if you need; this way you won’t end up forfeiting bets by placing chips in the wrong place. Never move, or remove, chips during a spin of the roulette or hand of blackjack, and don’t touch other players’ chips. The croupier will place winning chips on top of

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your bets on the table and leave them. It’s your job then to remove the chips if you want or “let it ride” on the next bet.

the dealer or arguing with other players. Handling a gambling downswing should be handled outside the casino, not at the table.

9 – Keep Your Outbursts To Yourself

10 – Learn To Tip

Casino games should be friendly and entertaining, both for you and the other players at the table. Don’t fly into a rage when you lose and start blaming

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Unless you’re in a country where dealers can’t be tipped, it’s expected that you leave a small gratuity for the dealer when you get up to leave a table. It needn’t be big and don’t

feel pressured to donate a big portion of your stack if you’ve had a good win. $1 on every small win or $5/10 when you leave the table is usually sufficient. ¦

SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

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THE 5 HIDDEN SECRETS OF CRAPS THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW BY: FRANK SCOBLETE

I am a degenerate gambler, degenerating all the time at craps. Actually, I’m not. I was just kidding. I merely played a degenerate craps player on stage in New York (so far off-Broadway it was in another borough). I was an actor in the 1970’s

and 80’s, and in 1988 (or so) I played the role of the degenerate craps player Joe Grady in Frank D. Gilroy’s The Only Game in Town. Warren Beatty played Joe in the movie version. I heard he was okay. I had some great scenes in

the play where I emoted all over the stage. Let me tell you something, I am a great emoter, one of the best. I did have one little problem though; I had no idea what I was emoting about. In the end, Joe Grady has an incredible run at the craps table which he

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tells his lady-love-showgirl Fran. He hit all sorts of yo’s, hardways, horns, worlds and heaven knows what else. My problem was clear: What the heck were all these bets I was emoting over? I didn’t even know how the game of craps was played? Why was the game even called craps? It sounded pretty disgusting to me if you want to know

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the truth.

I MEET THE CAPTAIN

hotel of my conception after World War II. You can say that I won my biggest lottery the night of my conception, beating all those other sperm to my mother’s egg. Dear readers, you won your conception lottery too. You’ll never have as big a win as that ever again.

First stop, the Claridge, the

At the Claridge I met the

So I asked my co-star Alene Paone – who would eventually become my wife – if she wanted to go to Atlantic City to take a look at the game. She agreed.

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man who changed my life; the Captain, who took me under his wing. I soon discovered that the Captain had developed methods of craps play that were unique. He was the leader of a band of 22 high rolling players known as the Crew. These guys knew all about all those bets I had to emote about in The Only Game in Town.

obvious that he will go back to the casinos and lose his money based on how he bet. You don’t have a chance at craps if you make high houseedge bets. Frank, your play doesn’t have a happy ending for Joe Grady; it has a sad ending. Audiences might not realize that since Joe is celebrating a big win.

The Captain let me know clearly the following: All those bets your character made were bad bets. It’s

Over the years, the Captain taught me and I learned more from him than from any book I ever read or

expert I ever met. I will go through his ideas in future articles but here is the essence of his teaching:

THE CAPTAIN FABULOU’S FIVE: 1. Do not bet big on other shooters. Save your money to bet on yourself. 2. Only make the lowest house-edge bets so that the game is as close to 50/50 as it can get.

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3. Keep a separate account for your gambling money. 4. Make your bets low in comparison to your total bankroll. 5. Learn how to become a rhythmic roller. 1. HANDLING THOSE OTHER SHOOTERS Like Joe Grady, most craps players want those big wins, those monster nights with one or more shooters having monstrous hands. Sadly such hands are few and far between. The average length of a craps shooter’s hand is about eight rolls. Fortunes aren’t made that way. Since craps is a negative expectation game (yes, your expectation is to lose the more you play) every dollar you wager on a shooter is a dollar at risk over time. The Captain came up with a playing method called the 5-Count which reduces the number of rolls you bet on other shooters by 57 percent. I will explain the 5-Count in detail in an upcoming article. I play the 5-Count on other shooters but I add my own wrinkle to the Captain’s

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method. After the 5-Count is completed I will only make one bet on one shooter. That’s right, unlike most craps players who make multiple bets on a shooter I merely go with one.

WHY? Every bet you make on a shooter means you are playing another game against the house. There is no difference between you betting three bets or three separate players betting one bet - three games are being played! So why double, triple or multiply the number of games you are playing? If you are an inveterate craps player you are probably shaking your head thinking, What’s wrong with Scoblete? The more bets at craps the more fun! My answer to that is to paraphrase what the Captain said about Joe Grady: You are just asking to lose your money and the more bets the more money you will probably lose over time. So, one bet on one shooter.

2. THOSE LOW HOUSEEDGE BETS So what is the one bet I

make on one shooter? I will make either a Pass Line bet with full odds or a Come bet with full odds. The house edge is 1.41 percent on the Pass or Come, meaning a loss of $1.41 per one-hundred dollars wagered. (A loss of 14 cents per $10 wagered.) That’s pretty close to a 50/50 game. Using odds decreases the house edge substantially. So a small bet on the Pass and Come and put those odds as high as you can afford. When I am the shooter, I will make three bets to begin with. I make my Pass Line bet with full odds and two Come bets with full odds. If I get on a really hot roll I will spread my bets to all numbers and increase the Pass and Come portion of the wagers so I can take even more in odds. More information about house edge, etc. can be found in our designated article about Casino Odds.

3. MY BANKROLL It is smart to separate your real money from your play money. A separate account for your gambling money - what I call the 401G (G stands for gambling) allows you to accurately keep track of just what you

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are doing in your wagering life. In this way you will not be digging into little Lulu’s college fund.

4. SMALL BETS TO BIG BANKROLL If you have $10 and you are betting pennies at a game, a loss is usually not devastating. But if you are betting one dollar into that $10 a few losses in a row could unnerve you. The very first bankroll I had in my very first month of becoming a player was $5,000 which was a lot of money to me at the time. I made bets that were way too big for such a bankroll and, sad to say, I lost every penny. When my now wife (whom I call the Beautiful AP) and I stopped by the Captain’s house, he took one look at us and said, There they are with empty pockets. That never happened to me again. My gambling account and my real-life account are separate like matter and anti-matter. So make your bets small in relation to your total bankroll. For me it’s a dollar to $500. As I said in the previous paragraph, I will never lose my bankroll again.

Of course, at negative expectation games you are expected to lose money the more you play. That is the truth. But you can regularly contribute funds to your 401G from your salary or your business.

5. THE RHYTMIC ROLLER: IS CRAPS A BEATABLE GAME? Is craps merely a random game of luck for the players or are some players capable of beating the game over time? This question is the most controversial aspect of my writing about craps. The Captain believed that certain shooters, those he dubbed rhythmic rollers, had the ability to change the probabilities of the game. I think he was right. From my experience I have seen players such as the Captain, Jimmy P. and the greatest rhythmic roller of all time, the woman known as the Arm take loads of money from Atlantic City casinos. I have also seen modern-day rhythmic rollers such as Jerry Stickman demonstrate such proficiency. Still, my witness is not believed by some gambling experts and players. Other experts

have witnessed rhythmic rolling and are heralds of this method of play as am I. Many of the naysayers are individuals who have never attempted to learn rhythmic rolling techniques or they are people who have tried and failed to accomplish the task. Still, many players have developed a rhythmic roll but bet so poorly their skill could not overcome the house edges they were attempting to overcome. So here is where this idea of the Captain stands. The game for almost all players is strictly luck with the better bets allowing the player a decent shot at the casinos’ money and the poorer bets usually ending in tears and sorrow. For those small (really, really small) percentage of players who can actually achieve rhythmic rolling the game is beatable. You can take your pick as to whether you believe such a thing is possible or not. The Captain did. I do.

GREAT MOMENTS IN PERSONAL PLAY I’ve had many great experiences at the craps tables. I will share these with you in my future articles. So here is one for

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today: I was privileged to be on the Captain’s 147 number hand in July of 2005 in Atlantic City. Although his record was beaten by Patricia DeMauro’s 154 hand in May of 2009, such rolls are a craps-player’s

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dream come true. I guess you could say I was a real Joe Grady one time in my life.? I am sure there have been other rolls of amazing length that I don’t know about and craps players who cheered and high-

fived during them. So there are players who have lived, mostly for a short while, the dream. ¦

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BY: CHRISTINA TIPLEA

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There’s something seriously freeing about packing as light as possible when traveling. After all, you want to be focused on creating memories while on a trip – not worrying about juggling all the stuff you brought with! Pre-kid days, my Hubby and I would easily be able to pack only one small carry-on each and last for an entire week without even having to wear anything twice. On our 9 day honeymoon to Aruba three years ago, we both had just a carry-on and it was such a convenient and peaceful way to travel. While our traveling

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adventures aren’t quite as frequent since adding Little Miss to the mix, we have been on many a trip together in the last 9 years and have learned a lot about how to travel more simply while still being completely comfortable. Today I’m sharing some tips I’ve used over the years to make the process of packing for your next trip as easy and painless as possible! 12 TIPS TO SIMPLIFY PACKING FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP: 1. MAKE A MASTER LIST OF CONSISTENT ITEMS YOU NEED TO PACK AND KEEP IT ON FILE FOR ALL TRIPS

I started doing this after Little Miss was born because I felt like I couldn’t just toss everything into a bag without forgetting something important. It also helps to not have to recreate a packing list every single time we take a trip, but to just reference the one I already have created. Try to make a list of all the things you use throughout the course of an average day – like contact solution, underwear, a comb, etc. Write down all the things you use during your typical morning and nighttime routines as you go through them, and it will help ensure that you aren’t forgetting anything important that you might need.

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2. TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK UP THE WEATHER FORECAST AT YOUR DESTINATION Planning ahead for exactly what you should be wearing to be comfortable is going to drastically cut down on the amount of clothing you’ll need to bring. Of course you should plan for the weather being a bit different than what the forecast predicts, but it will give you a general sense of how many pairs of pants vs. shorts to bring and

will hopefully allow you to cut down on the amount of each of these.

of something when just one will do.

When traveling, I usually try to stick to one pair each of gym shoes, dress shoes, and flip flops. If you need to get more dressed up during your trip, choose a more neutral or black dress shoe so that it will go with any outfit you’d like to pair it with. This way, you aren’t bringing multiples

Putting items like underwear or socks into your shoes can not only save space in your suitcase by utilizing the area inside of your shoes, but it can prevent your shoes from crushing too.

4. PUT SMALL CLOTHING ITEMS IN ZIP TOP BAGGIES 3. CHOOSE ONE PAIR OF SHOES FOR ANY OCCASION INSIDE YOUR SHOES

5. CALL YOUR HOTEL AHEAD OF TIME TO SEE WHICH ITEMS THEY

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PROVIDE FOR GUESTS If they provide things like a hair dryer or shampoo and conditioner, those are a few less things you have to pack and then remember to bring home. Take advantage of this! I usually never travel with a hair dryer because most hotels do provide them for guests. 6. ROLL YOUR CLOTHES INSTEAD OF FOLDING IF YOU ARE TIGHT ON SPACE I find that my clothes take

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up significantly less space when I fold them, which is always a nice option if you are wanting to travel light but need a bit more room in your suitcase. The only caveat to this is that I find my clothes are a little more wrinkly when I roll instead of fold. I find it worth it if it means bringing less suitcases with us or not having to pay a luggage fee though, so you just have to determine what works best for you.

7. DO LAUNDRY ON YOUR TRIP IF POSSIBLE This is something I never did until we started traveling with Little Miss, but it is really nice if you have a laundry room available to you at your hotel. Not only does it cut down on the amount of overall clothing you need to bring, but you might even be able to come home with very little dirty laundry this way. I washed most of our clothes at the hotel before we came back

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from our road trip in early September, and it was such a treat to just have to unpack them when we got home instead of doing mounds of laundry all at once. 8. TRAVEL ONLY WITH CARRY-ON LUGGAGE WHEN FLYING When we are flying, we almost never check bags. As I mentioned above, even on our 9 day honeymoon trip we both each had just a carry-on. And yes, I still had plenty of cute outfits to wear! Not only can this strategy save you fees for checking luggage depending on your airliner, but it will also save you the headache of your luggage potentially not showing up when you arrive to your destination. I will say, this becomes a bit more difficult if you have a baby with you. At the toddler stage Little Miss is in, it is doable to travel this way, but definitely wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t when we took a trip when she was 6 months old and I needed to pack significantly more items for her. The bonus of carry-on luggage is that you can put your kids to work and make them haul it across the airport đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x2030; . Little Miss is apparently more than happy to help Mama out with this

task! 9. BUY TRAVEL-SIZED CONTAINERS While this is necessary to get through security if you only have a carry-on bag, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also nice just in general to be traveling with less. We have reusable travel-sized containers that we put our shampoos and lotions, etc. into for every trip and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice even for road trips to only take what you need. A huge bottle of shampoo can really weigh down your suitcase and cramp your style! 10. PACK CLOTHING THAT RESISTS WRINKLING Clothing made from polyester blends, wool blends, microfibers, silk, and rayon tend to do much better with traveling than linen or 100% cotton. This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t something I always practice, especially since Little Miss wears pretty much only cotton clothing and most of mine is too, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s definitely nice to do if you can try. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll avoid a lot of wrinkles this way!

important documents like your passport and other identification, any medications you need, essential toiletries, and one change of clothes. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice to have these things on hand in case your luggage gets lost. This way you can get by for a day or two at your final destination without too much inconvenience. 12. INVEST IN QUALITY LUGGAGE My hubby travels quite often for work, and I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell you how many suitcases weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gone through until we finally invested in more quality luggage that stands the test of time. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t currently have quality luggage for your travels, AtlanticÂŽ Luggage can be a great resource for versatile, lightweight, and affordable luggage. Amazon is actually currently running a Special offer on Atlantic Luggage 21â&#x20AC;? Spinner so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the perfect opportunity to invest in a quality carry-on bag to simplify your packing process if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have one already! ÂŚ

11. CARRY YOUR ESSENTIALS ONTO THE PLANE If you decide to check your luggage and not bring everything in a carry-on bag, make sure to have at least all of your

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FIVE WAYS TO IMP TEXAS HOLD â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;EM P BY: JULIANA PEYTON

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PROVE AT POKER

Texas Hold ‘Em Poker is a game that rewards good play. There’s obviously some luck involved, but a good player will beat bad players the vast majority of the time. Follow these rules to increase your chances of winning. Know Your Position The best position in Texas Hold ‘Em is “on the button.” When you’re on the button, you’re the last person to act in three out of the four betting rounds—after the flop, the turn, and the river. When it’s your turn, you have full knowledge of how many other players are still in the hand and you can make a much more informed decision on how much to bet if any. The worst position is the small blind. After the flop, the turn, and the river, you must act first. Sometimes you can use this to your advantage by playing aggressively, but it’s much better to act last. Also, focus on the total number of players remaining at the table. A hand that shouldn’t be played with seven players could be strong when you’re down to two or three since there’s less competition at the table. Also, the fewer players there are, the more often you’re forced to bet (the blinds), so you have to be more aggressive.

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Concentrate on the Other Players Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to get caught up in your own hand and lose sight of the other players. But you need to be aware of how many chips they have (a rough count, not necessarily a specific

count), what cards they could have, and what their best hand could be given the community cards you share with everyone else. Watching player trends can also be helpful. Try to determine who bluffs and who plays a tighter game.

If a player has consistently never bet more than $10 and suddenly comes in with a $50 bet, you should be wary. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good indication that player has something solid. If a player loses a fairly big hand and then comes

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right back with a big bet, that player may be betting recklessly out of frustration. This is not a bad time to push back—as long as you have a solid hand to do it with—because someone playing like that isn’t likely to fold. Don’t Let Other Players See the Flop for Free If you have a hand that’s strong enough to see the flop, don’t let other players see it for free—at least raise by the minimum bet. Beginners love to see the flop as cheaply as possible, but it’s dangerous to let them do it. Say your hand is an A-K and other players have a 7-4 and a 10-5. You should be able to get both of them out of the hand before the flop. But if you let them see the flop for just the price of the big blind, disaster could strike. In this case, a 10-9-8 would be about the worst—you have nothing, and one of your opponents has an open-ended straight draw while the other has a pair of 10s. You’ve wasted a great starting hand. Don’t Be Afraid to Get out After the Flop Folding a hand after the flop is difficult for some

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beginning players. “I’ve already put money into the pot, so I might as well stay in and see what happens,” they reason. But that kind of thinking can cause you to lose a lot of chips. Even if you start with a great hand, the flop could kill you. Say you have an A-K but the flop comes up J-J-5. That does you no good and if someone else has a J you’re suddenly a big underdog. Even if an A or K, or both, come up, you’ll lose to the three Js. If the flop doesn’t improve your hand, and you’re not holding a big pair, think hard about getting out. Sometimes, you should get out after the flop even when you might think it’s gone your way. Let’s say you stayed in with a Q-6, and the flop is K-106. A natural tendency is to concentrate on what went right—”Isn’t it grand? I have a pair of 6s!” but the K and the 10 are very dangerous—you have the low pair, meaning that any other player with a K or a 10 is ahead of you. Play Smart on the Turn and the River Following these simple tips will help make you a better player at the turn and the river.

• If you’re holding a draw after the turn—i.e. you need one more card to make a good hand, typically a straight or a flush—try to get to the river as cheaply as possible. • If you’re sure you have the best possible hand after the turn, make it expensive for opponents to see the river. • If the community cards include a pair, remember that you might be up against a full house. • If the board shows three cards of the same suit, watch out for an opponent holding a flush. After the river, your decision to check, bet, fold or call can only be based on the realized value of your cards—you no longer have the potential to improve your hand. If you think your opponent has a better hand, it’s usually unwise to bluff here. ¦

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18 TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH BABY BY: COLLEEN LANIN

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two kids, and who is writing a book about family travel—The Travel Mamas’ Guide—I know that vacations now are not as easy as they were prebaby. And while there are tons of tips on how to get there, there’s not much advice for how to manage once you arrive. A few simple tricks have saved some of my family’s trips.

Designate a babychanging station

Strategic Unpacking

Stash toys and books on a low shelf or in a drawer, or keep all the playthings in one corner. Creating a place for your baby to play will make the room feel homey and keep it from looking like a disaster area.

Just as important as what you pack—and you can check out getready checklists here—in my opinion, is how you unpack. Do it immediately

Have a fun and stressfree vacation with baby by navigating on-the-go naps, time differences and cramped hotel rooms Does “vacationing” with your baby sound like an oxymoron? As someone who has ventured on road trips, beach getaways, cruises and more with my

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As soon as you arrive (unless someone in the family is overly cranky or tired), set up your room to make it as close to home as possible. Put the baby in the playpen or hotel crib with a pile of toys and occupy an older kid with a coloring book. Or have your partner take the older sibling out to get the lay of the land while you unpack. Settling in will help you remain organized (and sane) throughout your stay.

Bring a box of wipes, lay out a changing pad (I like to put a disposable changing pad on top of a hotel towel) and stack a bunch of diapers in one area. That way, you won’t need to chase down the diaper bag when that first big poop occurs. Create a play space...

...and a kitchen Even if your room doesn’t have a kitchen or bar area, establish a spot where you’ll keep bottles, dishes, baby food, snacks, formula and dish soap. Sometimes the bathroom is best if it has the only sink in the room.

Napping Smarts Your baby needs her naps, but you don’t want to spend your whole vacation watching her snooze. Follow these strategies for squeezing in that daytime sleep:

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Start walking

Take turns nap-sitting

Give it a few days

When my daughter, Karissa, was a baby, she wouldn’t nap in a strange crib while on vacation. So we planned our days around taking long walks with her napping in a stroller. Some moms advise bringing the lightest, most compact umbrella stroller on vacation to save room, but I always pack a stroller that reclines completely to make stroller slumber easier.

If your tot isn’t an intransit sleeper, don’t be afraid to schedule naps back in the room. While it’s a different vacation rhythm than you’re probably used to, an a.m. break and midday siesta can be relaxing for you, too. Just consider your baby’s napping style when booking accommodations; if you’ll need to return to the room often, a hotel near the beach may be a better bet than a spot farther away, even if it’s a bit pricier. If you can, book a room with a balcony or patio so the parent “on duty” can enjoy the outdoors, too.

While it can be tempting to throw in the blankie and drive home in the middle of a sleepless vacation night with an inconsolable baby, I implore you to power through. Eventually, babies will adjust to their new surroundings and schedule, and sleep. If you can survive a couple of nights, I am (almost) willing to promise happy vacation days ahead.

Wear your baby If your baby doesn’t sleep well in a stroller, try a front carrier (like the BabyBjorn) or baby backpack. If you’ve never used one at home but think it might be convenient on vacation, try it out a few times before you leave. Not all babies will like it, and it might be too hard on your back. Go for a scenic drive Try taking leisurely drives to check out the area while your baby naps in the car seat. And on some trips, you can coordinate drive time between destinations with sleep time.

Easier Bedtimes One of the most worrisome things about traveling with a baby is getting your tot to sleep in a new place. Here’s how to up your odds of at least a few peaceful nights: Do some trial runs If you’re bringing a portable travel bed, have your baby sleep in it for a few nights before you leave. That way, it will feel like a familiar, comfy spot to go night-night on vacation.

Book the right room(s) If bedding down in the same room means no one will get any sleep, consider booking a suite or connecting rooms. A suite may offer the convenience of a kitchen area, but connecting rooms may afford more space at a cheaper price. Stick to the routine If your baby’s bedtime ritual at home includes a bath, lullabies and a bottle, do the same on vacation to make up for the change in location. Get adjusted Instead of expecting your infant to shift her internal clock and adjust to a new time zone, shift your day: Stay up later or

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get up earlier than usual by a few hours.

Meals on Wheels Sampling local cuisine and splurging on restaurant meals are vacation pleasures I refuse to give up. Dining with babies can be done.

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Breakfast in Bed Because our times to swim, hike, shop or visit an aquarium are limited by morning and afternoon naps, it makes sense for the entire family to eat something quick in the hotel room. So we pack plenty of ready-made breakfast

foods like mini-bagels, cereal bars and fruit (bananas, apples). BYOF If your baby drinks formula, it helps to pack more than you think youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need. To save space, empty powdered formula into zipper-lock

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plastic bags. Or order heavy staples like diapers and formula—even baby shampoo—from a site such as diapers.com or Babiestravellite.com that will ship to your destination (and since you won’t have to carry the formula, consider splurging on the readyto-feed type). Nurse wherever you feel comfortable You can breastfeed anywhere you are legally allowed to be. Bend the rules To enjoy dinners out, you may have to encourage what you would normally consider bad behavior. I don’t let my kids watch

TV while eating at home, but we always bring portable DVD players when we eat out. Putting on some Sesame Street for them allows us to actually taste the food we’re shelling out big bucks for. Eat early Sure, a romantic dinner would normally be at 8 p.m., but by dining out at 5:30, you’ll likely have an empty restaurant, room to park your stroller, and a short wait for your food. Alternatively, if your newborn loves to sleep in her car seat, make later reservations and then feed her a bottle or nurse her while you wait for your appetizers.

Hopefully, she’ll be out for the rest of the meal. Now, go enjoy! Toss out all your old ideas about what a vacation should be and embrace the new craziness that is traveling with a baby. Laugh at the fact that you’re at the local playground by 6 a.m. and in bed for the night at 8 p.m. Consider all the gear and babylugging as great vacation exercise. And then savor going back home to “regular” life that much more. ¦

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HOW TO HAVE A PERFECT DAY IN WIMBERLEY, TX TOURS | CHARTERS | CASINOS

BY: SAMANTHA SAENZ

The quaint town of Wimberley, Texas has always been a magical place, full of artisan shops and spring-fed waters. I’ve been surprised by how much it has grown over time, as new restaurants, shops, and distilleries pop up. Somehow, the small-town vibe has been preserved.

In my opinion, Wimberley is one of the best tourist destinations in Central Texas. So why not get up early one Saturday or Sunday morning, assemble an easygoing crew, and hop in the car for a Texas day trip? If you’re not sure exactly where to start, here are my favorite, mustexperience places in Wimberley.

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1/ Wimberley Glassworks For years, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve driven by this glass studio between San Marcos and Wimberley, but I never stopped. Trip Advisor reviews rave about Wimberley Glassworksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; glass-blowing demonstrations, so I finally made a point of popping in. Upon arrival, my road trip

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gang and I took a seat in the demo area, where things got hot fast. Gus, a veteran glassblower, began to meld lava-like glass with cobalt blue sand. In less than 20 minutes, he turned the raw elements into a one-of-a-kind vase. Tim and Vanessa deJong opened Wimberley

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Glassworks in 1992 and currently offer free public demonstrations Tuesday through Sunday (confirm times before you go). All the glassblowers in the studio use ancient Roman techniques dating back more than 2,000 years to create stunning works of glass art. Visitors can stop to watch a public demonstration or schedule a private viewing for larger parties. Wimberley Glassworks will be hosting glass-blowing workshops in October 2017. So whether you’re day trippin’ or want a hands-on experience, this glass studio is a must.

2/ Cypress Creek Rum Distillery Although the area between Wimberley and Fredericksburg has become synonymous with Texas wine, Cypress Creek is one of the few rum distilleries around. David and Laura

Watson started distilling rum in 2009, after David was inspired by the distilleries he visited on the island of Mauritius in between scuba diving sessions. Cypress Creek currently produces Crystal Rum and aged Vanilla Bean Rum, made with imported vanilla beans from Papua New Guinea. Stop by to tour the facility and enjoy a handcrafted rum cocktail of your choosing. Cocktail suggestions: • Vanilla Citrus Martini made with rum and fresh-squeezed lemon juice • Mojito with homemade mint simple syrup, garnished with fresh mint picked by the customers

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n’ cheese, and any of the wood-fired pizzas were just a few of my group’s favorite menu choices. I went with the Uncle Art pizza (sans the prosciutto). I tried to substitute traditional pizza sauce for the garlic cream sauce, but quickly learned that adding ingredients is frowned upon. The Leaning Pear’s head chef spent time abroad perfecting his flavor combinations, and will politely decline your substitutions. I was told by our server that the owners, Matthew and Rachel Buchanan, traveled to Perugia, where they explored the flavors and techniques of that Italian region. Soon after their travels, Matthew Buchanan attended the Culinary Institute of America. Since his culinary vision is to serve fresh, seasonal, and local food reminiscent of the cuisine he encountered while in Italy, I decided to trust my server on the melt-in-your-mouth garlic cream sauce. It was a wise decision.

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4/ 7A Ranch While much of Wimberley is privately owned, 7A Ranch (a 142-acre resort that dates back to 1948) currently offers day passes to visitors. The pass allows access to the Blanco River, where you can swim and cool off under century-old cypress trees between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The 7A river crossing is an ideal swimming hole, as it offers shallow rapids and deeper swimming areas, both guaranteed to wash your cares away.

5/ The Wooden Spoon Things heat up fast while you’re on the river, and there’s no better way to cool down than with a frozen treat. While there are a variety of options in town, The Wooden Spoon offers unique flavors like strawberry shortcake, watermelon, and mango. There

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is also a plethora of toppings, like candy bits, chopped nuts, and fresh fruit. Stop by and fill a cup with the flavor and toppings of your choice. Then relax and enjoy it on the shop’s elevated back porch that offers stunning views of Cypress Creek.

Wimberley Mentions

Day

Trip

Honorable

• Blue Hole Regional Park – Dive into the cool, emerald waters reaching 20-foot depths, or sit along the bank under a cypress tree at this 126-acre park. This lush watering hole has been a hot spot for visitors since it was made public in 1920. In fact, every summer it draws quite the crowd, so reservations are required as of 2018 (for swimming only). • Jacob’s Well – If you’re planning your trip to Wimberley in advance, make a reservation to swim at this fully submerged cave. Jacob’s Well is a natural spring sourced by the Trinity Aquifer, reaching depths of 140 feet. Its icy, 68-degree waters are sure to cool you down, even on scorching days. • Odie’s Place – Named after the legendary old-timer who once shot a deer from his living room because it was eating his garden, Odie’s Place is an up-and-coming food truck destination. Currently, Odie’s 68

is home to Dripping Wings, Gringas Grub Shak, and Wimberley Shave Ice. Future plans for this food truck park include a pavilion with seating and live music. • Ino’z Brew & Chew – If a casual atmosphere is what you’re looking for, then stop at this bar and grill overlooking Cypress Creek. Enjoy American fare and specialty drinks inside or on the Ino’z spacious deck that features live music Thursday through Saturday evenings. • Prayer Mountain – Want to extend your day trip into the evening? Be sure and hike the 218 steps up to Prayer Mountain, also known as Old Baldy. The scenic overlook offers 360-degree views of the Texas Hill Country night sky. In Wimberley, you won’t find a bustling metropolitan city connected by multiple highways and separated into neighborhoods. But you will find a unique town with a vibrant arts community, peppered with unique venues and attractions. You’ll also meet people who treat fellow residents and visitors like neighbors. It’s the Wimberley way. ¦ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

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WHY AND HOW TO PLAN A FAMILY REUNION VACATION BY: COLLEEN LANIN

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daunting to plan, but it is worth it for the quality time spent together and lifelong memories made. As with any large project, there’s only one way to tackle it: one step at a time. My advice? Start planning early – at least one year in advance. The first step is choosing definitive vacation dates that work for everyone involved. 2. You need leaders.

Sometimes family is spread out across the country (or the world), making it difficult to get your whole clan together in one spot. This is where a multigenerational trip comes in. But where to begin? Here are my seven tips to help you plan a family reunion vacation that you’ll always remember.

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1. Start early and choose dates first. It can be a challenge to plan a vacation for your own brood. Throw into the mix additional ages and abilities, strong personalities, various preferences, differing budgets and assorted travel logistics. A multigenerational vacation can seem a bit

Since you’re the one reading this article, the main leader is probably you. But maybe not. If you’ve recently had a major life event (had a baby, started a demanding new job, enrolled in graduate school, gone through a divorce), you may not have the time or presence to do the heavy planning. The leader should be someone who has the interest, organizational skills, and, most importantly, perseverance to get the trip from the “wouldn’t it be nice” phase to fruition. Each family unit needs a leader or spokesperson as well. As you get further into the planning process, you may want to assign one person to plan meals, another to be in charge

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of organizing activities, and another to arrange the accommodations. 3. Pick the right destination for your family reunion vacation. Next up? You need a destination! This sounds like the fun part, and it might be, or it could prove difficult indeed. Ask each family unit to narrow down their

suggested destinations to three to five places. You can go back and forth via email brainstorming vacation spots. Eventually you will probably need to set up a conference call attended by each family unit leader to hash out which place makes the most sense. Travel logistics and

budget play a major role in choosing the destination, so do some research on how much it will cost each family unit to reach each destination before making your final decision. You also want to consider the variety of activities available for each attendee. On a family reunion vacation to lovely Los Cabos, Mexico years ago, my

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husband, then toddler daughter and I felt left out when we hung back at the resort to play at the pool and manage naps while the rest of the family was busy doing activities for older kids and adults. Keep in mind it can be difficult to manage a lot of people in a destination where the focus is on site-seeing, like New

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York City or Washington DC. You may end up spending a lot of time wrangling your large group, or exploring separately. A destination with lots of options for large group activities, as well as some smaller spin-off fun, works best. For our most recent family reunion vacation, we discussed Hawaii (too expensive for

some family members to reach), Walt Disney World (too hectic a pace and not enough down time to spend together), a Caribbean cruise (my brother-in-law refused to take a cruise), and San Diego (my family of four lived there and wanted to go somewhere else), among other places. Finally we settled on visiting Keystone Ski Resort in Colorado

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during the summer. Keystone offered tons of activities for all sorts of ages and personalities, allowing everyone to pick and choose the things they wanted to do. 4. Choose the right accommodations and plan out meals. Although my family enjoyed staying at a beachside resort in Los Cabos during our multigenerational vacation years ago, deciding where to go for dinner each night was a hassle. If you want to stay in a resort, consider an all-inclusive option so that meals are easier to organize. Even if meals are included, you will likely want to plan ahead by making reservations for your larger group so you don’t need to wait a long time to be seated together. A multigenerational cruise may be the easiest route for planning a family reunion vacation because cruises offer a ton of activities for all ages. Also, you can request that your entire family be seated together each evening for meals. That way, groups can set off on

various shore excursions during the day and come together each night over dinner to swap tales of their adventures. In Keystone, all 13 of us stayed together in a vacation rental home. Our vacation home was outfitted with seven bedrooms, a pool table, air hockey, a hot tub, and fireplace…all of which added to the fun of our multigenerational trip. It may sound daunting to have so many family members under one roof, but we planned plenty of daytime activities with smaller groups so each night it was a joy to come together over a meal. A vacation rental home can save your family money on meals, with easy breakfasts at home and planned dinners. Our family ate two dinners out, but the rest of the nights we took turns making meals. So, each of our four family units made dinner one of the nights. We upped the fun by decorating our rental home differently for three celebration nights: milestone birthdays (my 40th, my sister’s 50th,

both my parents’ 70th birthdays), my triplet niece and nephews’ graduation from high school, and my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. Even if you’re not celebrating anything in particular, it would be fun to choose different themes for each evening, like luau, jazz club, and French bistro. 5. Consider childcare options. If you’re hoping your family reunion vacation will mean relief in terms of childcare, be sure to make your wishes known before you leave home. If you expect your in-laws to watch the kiddos every other night but they feel put out on their vacation, no one is going to be happy. You’re better off discussing expectations in advance. Childcare was one of the reasons I originally pushed for a cruise before we decided to vacation in Keystone. My children love kids clubs on cruise ships and I didn’t want to miss out on grown-up fun. Staying together in a rental home meant that my kids got to choose a different family member

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to read their bedtime stories each night. Then, it was time for the adults to sit in the hot tub, play board games, sip their beverage of choice, eat popcorn, and laugh a whole lot. 6. Schedule activities before leaving home. Once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve chosen your travel dates,

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selected your destination and booked your accommodations, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to plan what your family will do each day during your family reunion vacation. Winging it when traveling with a large group will eat into precious vacation time and may leave you scrambling to make the

most of each day. To keep this all organized, I recommend making an Excel spreadsheet. In my family of type-a personalities that includes two professional accountants, it was easy to find someone willing (and excited about!) creating a spreadsheet

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of our daily activities. We actually had two spreadsheets. I created one with various activity options including pricing, which I asked (hounded!) each head of household to fill in with every member of their family unit’s name for each desired option. Once I had this information, I was able to make arrangements for each event. For the second spreadsheet, we broke each day into three parts: morning, afternoon and evening. We filled in who was doing what for each segment of the day, so it was easy to keep track of who would be where at any given time. Dinners were included in the evening section, with which family unit was making what meal. Some things we did all together, like our Wagon Ride Dinner. Most things we did in smaller groups like flyfishing, mountaintop yoga and summer snowtubing. Make time for one-on-one activities too; I loved hiking and talking with just my 19-year-old nephew and me one day during our trip. All of this advance

planning meant that our focus upon arrival was on having a good time and connecting with each other, rather than trying to figure out where to go and what to do. 7. Forgive and ask forgiveness. Something crazy happened during my family’s multigenerational trip to Keystone: we forgave and asked for forgiveness when we screwed up. This was revolutionary for my family. With so many people spending so much time together, I was nervous the vacation could be ruined by arguments, silent treatments, and slammed doors. Our week was not without drama. A few times people said insensitive things to each other and there were a couple of minor arguments. But here’s where this trip marked a turning point in how our family operates…a couple of hours later or the next morning, we said we were sorry. And we accepted the apologies. We hugged and moved on.

family reunion vacation, all four family units had packed their rental cars and were ready to drive back to Denver for flights home to our different corners of the country. Often, after several days of family togetherness, we’re all tense and ready for some time apart. Not this time, though. Everyone lingered, going back for one more hug. We all had tears in our eyes. (Even the men!) Because we knew we’d never have this special time together ever again. Even though we knew we’d see each other again, there was something magical about this vacation that we didn’t want to end. It was a sense of appreciation of family and love that is often buried below busy lives and hurt feelings. I hope you’ll plan a family reunion vacation, too, so you can experience what it feels like when love among extended family is the top priority. ¦

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WHERE TO GO. WHAT TO DO.

m e M

A DEFINITIVE LIST OF THE BEST, HOTTEST, HIPPEST, COOLEST, DOWNRIGHT AWESOME GROUP TRAVEL IDEAS THIS SIDE OF... WELL ANYWHERE!

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NOLA CARIBBEAN FEST Jun 20 – Jun 23 Central City BBQ 1201 S Rampart St, New Orleans, LA

Jun 8 – Jun 9 French Market District Parking 2135 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA

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June 15th, Raising Cane’s River Center Arena, 275 S River Rd, Baton Rouge, LA

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Jun 22 • 7:30 PM Illusions Theater At The Alamodome, San Antonio, TX

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JUNE 22, Pop Shop Records, 2963 Government St, Baton Rouge, LA

June 15 @ 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm 701 Nolan St. San Antonio,TX

Jun 27, 4 AM – Jun 30, 4 AM CDT AT&T Center 1 AT&T Center Parkway, San Antonio, TX

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TASTE OF DALLAS

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THE AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL (TAFF) AWARDS DALLAS

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June 7th -9th 2019 Dallas Market Center, Dallas

Jun 30, 4 – 9 PM CDT, Moody Performance Hall, 2520 Flora St, Dallas, TX

June 8, 2019, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM CDT Peggy Park, 4101 Almeda Road Houston, TX

Jun 24, 8 PM CDT American Airlines Center 2500 Victory Ave, Dallas, TX

June 15, 2019, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM CDT Midtown Park, 2811 Travis Street, Houston, TX

June 1, 2019, 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT Peggy Park, 4101 Almeda Rd. Houston, TX

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THE BIG FAKE WEDDING

xt generation of retirement! A d for those who have a passion for or spending their best years with those Nothing compares to the experiences orcoach. From local sightseeing to d, motorcoaches offer the flexibility, ities that will make your next trip the ches are a great way to make the n years and we look forward to the e you aboard one of our modern you with all we have to offer.

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