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LOSS IS A WIN IN FRONTAGE REDUCTION CHALLENGE

GET’CHER BOOTS ON FOR R.O.C.K. BARN DANCE

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February 10, 2015

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GeorgetownAdvocate @Advocate_TX

U S

info@georgetownadvocate.com

(512) 746-4545

Central Texas’ Award-Winning Local News Source

CELEBRATE THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH Presidents’ Day is Feb 16.

Presidential info throughout this issue...

Williamson County Juvenile Justice Services Executive Director Scott Matthew (back row, left-center) with the new faces of Juvenile Service Officers, case managers, educators, county attorneys, counselors, a minister, and more... celebrate the completion of Trinity; ready to begin treatment.

WILCO JUVENILE SERVICES’

New Resident Facility for Girls Trinity Extends Rehabilitation to Young Women

by Ann Marie Ludlow

The treatment and support that

has made the Triad program for boys synonymous with excellence will now apply to the same services for girls. Williamson County Juvenile Services (WCJS) held an open house to introduce staff members of the new unit—Trin-

ity—and goals for success.

The converted space at the Juvenile Justice Center will house up to ten girls, which Executive Director Scott Matthew says is a winning solution for everyone.

“Until now, we have had to pay other counties to manage our residential female cases, which costs

Union Bank owner Coleen Beck with leadership; Brad Curlee, Leo Wood, Mike Litterst and Jay Walker at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce awards banquet January 30. Story on page 4.

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taxpayers and means kids are away from family, their attorneys, and whatever support system they may have. Kids perform better when they are close to home.”

Closer to Home is not just a strategy but a January 2015 report on state reforms by the Council of State Government Justice Center.

Its massive data sets show the rearrest rates of kids treated in their community are significantly lower than those released from state-run secure facilities. “In short,” Matthew says, “no one takes care of our kids better than we can.”

District Judge Donna King, who is also a member of the WCJS Board was very pleased with the tour. “Working with juvenile offenders over the years, I found it difficult for many young ladies with special circumstances to receive comprehensive services locally and therapeutic placements were costly.”

Staff are very excited to focus on girls and specifically to provide them a safe place to deal

with trauma and emotional issues.

Treatment Coordinator Lynn Kessel says, “This space communicates to the girls that we care, and our staff and training shows we are sensitive to the differences between boys and girls at their age.”

The project has been on the to-do list of County Attorney Dee Hobbs and Prosecutor Tina Graves for some time. Hobbs said, “We have not been processing kids fairly if the boys get to stay close to home and the girls do not.” Graves, as a former defense attorney says those colleagues are pushing for it too.

Hobbs says, “[Triad] has been showing results for five years.

Everything they have done to maintain having our own control and our ability to provide services for our kids has been a success and I expect no less from Trinity.” Later Hobbs added “Other counties don’t have the resources and any time I mention Williamson County and Scott Matthew, people listen.”

Matthew responded, “We are fortunate that our county government works and we are all collaborating. Without Dee and Tina to speak up for us, and the See Trinity, page 15

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CITY DESK

Breakfast Bites Feb. 11: Show Me the Money

The Breakfast Bites panel will discuss crowd-funding strategies for small businesses. Breakfast Bites is a quarterly business development event by the Georgetown Main Street Program.

The February 11 panel will include three professionals, each with a unique perspective on crowd-funding for small businesses.

Mark Thomas, economic director for the City of Georgetown, will serve as moderator. Panelists: Hall Martin is the founder & CEO of Texas Entrepreneur Networks, the largest crowd-funding portal in Texas. To date, the TEN Funding Program has helped entrepreneurs raise more than $141 million for startup and growth companies. Martin also is the creator of WilcoFundingPortal. com, a local crowd-funding resource.

Karen Soeffker is the owner of All Things Kids with locations in Georgetown and at The Domain in Austin. Karen and Christian Soeffker are in the process of expanding their business to new locations and are looking for investors and partners via non-traditional financing to help them grow rapidly.

Bradley Farrell is the creator of StitZii, a new product to absorb grease, fats, oils, and carbohydrates from prepared foods like pizza. Farrell has received crowd-funding for StitZii through WilcoFundingPortal.com.

The event on Wednesday, February 11 is from 8:30 to 9:50 a.m. in the Hewlett Room at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth Street. Breakfast snacks, coffee, and drinks will be provided. Networking starts at 8 a.m.

Attendees should pre-register by contacting Shelly Hargrove, Main Street manager, by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 9 at shelly. hargrove@georgetown. org or (512) 930-2027.

Main Street is a program of the City of Georgetown Downtown and Community Services Department.

Help for Taxes

Two volunteer groups are offering free assistance in preparing tax returns during tax season. The volunteer, free help continues through the April 15 deadline.

Public Library

Free and confidential tax preparation assistance at 402 W. Eighth Street Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:30-7:30pm; Wednesdays, 12-4pm and Saturdays, 10am-2pm.

Volunteers help prepare e-file or mail-in returns, prior year returns, amended returns, or extensions and help you find answers to tax questions. Bring a copy of your return from last year if possible since, for e-filers, the AGI number (bottom line on front of 1040/A/EZ) is your verification PIN for this year. Provided without regard to income level; first-come, first-served.

Financial Stability Coalition

IRS-certified preparers to those who qualify. No appointment necessary.

Volunteers will be available to elderly and households earning less than $53,000 in 2014. IRScertified volunteers will be available at the sites to help individuals and families file 2014 federal returns.

Taxpayers are eligible to have their tax returns filed at no charge and speciallytrained volunteers will assist in identifying tax credits available in order to maximize each person’s federal tax refund. The free tax sites will serve those whose income was less than

$53,000 in 2014.

These sites are offered in Georgetown: • The Caring Place Annex, 2001 Railroad Street; through April 15 Wednesdays 12-8:30 p.m.

Saturdays 9a.m. - 3 p.m.

• Cowan Creek Amenity Center, 1433 Cool Spring Way; through April 10 Fridays 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

All returns are filed electronically and taxpayers generally receive their refunds within seven to 10 days. For additional information on the free tax sites, visit WilcoFreeTaxPrep.org or email info@ unitedway-wc.org or call (512) 255-6799.

GISD Summits Feb. 12 & 19

Georgetown Independent School District adopted its strategic plan in June 2014 to build awareness of 21st century demands and create a shared vision, mission and core values for the district.

The strategic plan charged the district with redesigning the learning model to include customization and innovation at every level.

In an effort to fulfill our vision to be home of the most inspired students, served by the most empowered leaders, you are encouraged to participate in one of the district’s upcoming education summits designed to facilitate a conversation about the learning needs of our students.

During the first phase

of this process, GISD will host a series of education summits to gather input from parents, students, teachers, business leaders, and community members to determine the desired skills and characteristics of a Georgetown graduate. We want to better prepare our students for the future, and we need your ideas to make that happen. Please consider participating in one of the following communitywide summits: Thursday, February 12– 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Georgetown Community Center in San Gabriel Park, 445 E. Morrow St. and 6pm -7:30pm, Georgetown Community Center in San Gabriel Park Thursday, Feb 19 – 6pm– 7:30pm, EVHS cafeteria.

For more information on these upcoming education summits, please visit the GISD website.

Breakfast for Middle School Dads Feb. 13

All fathers and fatherfigures who have children in GISD middle schools are invited for a free breakfast Feb 13, in their children’s middle school library. Breakfast will be provided 7:45am – 8:30am by the PTA Council Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students). The breakfast will allow you to meet other dads and learn more about the Watch D.O.G.S. program. Contact Mike Watson at mikerwatson@ suddenlink.net.

THE ADVOCATE  FEBRUARY 10, 2015

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Frontage Reduction Challenge - Loss is A Win in Jarrell

by Cathy Payne

S

ometimes less is more, especially when it comes to body weight. Thanks to a unique marketing strategy

by Jarrell businessman Charles Ashby, the residents of Jarrell are at least 300 pounds lighter in 2015. This past December, in typical New Year’s resolution fashion, Ashby decided to embark upon a personal improvement campaign come January first, but this innovative entrepreneur saw a way to market his company while improving his own health and the health of others in his community at the same time.

Ashby, who owns Interstate Frontage (InterstateFrontage.com), a web-based company that gives Real Estate agencies the opportunity to list and showcase properties for sale along state and interstate highways throughout the entire United States, began promoting his “Frontage Reduction Challenge” noting, in a nod to both his company’s mission and his

own physique, that “frontage comes in all shapes and sizes.” The challenge was simple - the participant who lost the highest percentage of body weight during the month of January, provided it was more than Ashby lost, would win $1000. “I knew I wanted to make some personal changes,” explains Ashby, “so I decided to put some of Interstate Frontage’s marketing budget toward helping improve the overall health of everyone here.”

Over 50 participants picked up Ashby’s gauntlet initially, but when word got out at the end of the month that one contestant had lost over 11% of his body weight, final weigh-in numbers were around twentyfive, with a collective loss of around 300 pounds.

Jarrell’s Dr. Loy Graham of YourPersonalMD.net kept track of all official weighins.

When the final numbers were tallied, the Clawson family appears to have cornered the market on weight-loss. Troy Claw-

son indeed topped the list, but no longer tipped the scale, with a loss of 11% of his total body weight.

Troy’s sister Tanya came in a close second - and while her numbers weren’t disclosed, Troy mentioned that “another pound and a half and she would have beaten me.” Concerning any secret weight loss tips, Troy said he simply committed to eating little to no junk food, planning meals ahead of time and not eating out. “I actually won $2000 this month,” he joked, “a thousand from the challenge, and a thousand saved by eating at home.”

Clawson also mentioned that although he didn’t intentionally increase his exercise, he found that he felt so much better from eating right that he had more energy, and in turn, the more weight he lost, the more he was able to do physically. Turning serious, Clawson says that he is grateful for the motivation Charles Ashby and Interstate Frontage provided to him and his sister, and that

Troy Clawson (right) celebrates his weight loss with $1000 check from Charles Ashby of InterstateFrontage. com (left), better health and a slimmer physique.

he would love to see Jarrell continue to focus on better health.

Even participants who didn’t win the monetary prize agreed that the challenge was a great incentive and that in reality, the real ‘win’ comes from shedding pounds, improving

health and committing to a healthier lifestyle. From the marketing side of things, there are plenty of Interstate Frontage T-shirts in the community; and more importantly, Ashby says, “I hope this made people think more about their health. I have established a fairly

regular workout routine that I have wanted for a long time.”

Ideas are being considered now as to how to continue to keep Jarrell residents on the path to better health! If you have ideas send them to publisher@fpgtx.com.

Eby Seeking District 1 Seat Anna Eby

is not a newcomer to Georgetown leadership and she has let the city know she is ready for more. She officially threw her hat in the ring for City Council February 2 to succeed Patty Eason, who will be stepping down after four terms in District 1.

Eby is a current member of the Historical Architecture Review Committee (HARC), and at 31 years old would bring a fresh new perspective to city government; “I think my age adds an element of youth and a different kind of vision.”

Running for an open seat means Eby was able to ask Ms. Eason for advice. They discussed background on city issues and she has been “looking at goals in general terms; being a part of planning for Georgetown’s future, its leadership and being able to have a say in what’s in our future.”

Eby says her interest in Council stems from her work in HARC and interacting with city staff; “It is an exciting prospect considering all the changes that I will be going through in 2015. I have definitely been made aware of the time required to do a good job and I’ve looked at my life and profession and am ready to make it work.”

Eby was most recently with the Bour-

land Law Firm in Round Rock. Following Cynthia Bourland’s appointment to Justice on the Third Court of Appeals, Eby has taken the mantle at her own firm, Eby Law (EbyLawFirm.com) in Round Rock. She specializes in business litigation and is a trial attorney.

Eby came to Georgetown in 2001 to attend Southwestern University and moved to the Old Town area in 2011. “Be sure to mention,” she added, “that I commuted to Baylor Law School from Georgetown because I didn’t want to leave.” She says the thing she loves about Georgetown is that whenever she travels she is always more excited to come home than she was to leave.

Eby said, “I’m from a town where the graduating class was 44 people, so Georgetown is not a small town to me. Sometimes we are presented with opportunities and the excitement follows.”

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FEBRUARY 10, 2015  THE ADVOCATE

GEORGETOWN

Wider Spaces for R.O.C.K.

Newly acquired 20 acres along Rockride Lane for use by R.O.C.K. riders. Curious cows are now “trespassing” on the land and will be moved by their owner soon. At right: Barn Dance 2015 entertainer Gary P. Nunn.

by Ann Marie Ludlow

What the Ride On Center for

Kids (R.O.C.K.) does, while not potentially headlines every day, is no less remarkable for every child, veteran and family who benefits from the proficiency and peace of the place. As a steadfast Georgetown non-profit, it is constantly expanding, sometimes

literally, to provide better services for those in need in the region.

In December, after more than a year of fundraising and tough negotiation, founder and CEO Nancy Krenek reported R.O.C.K. finally closed on the sale of 20 additional acres adjacent to the center; doubling the space available for trail rides and equine living; a far cry from the single

building they began with over 15 years ago.

Thanks to constant fundraising, grant-writing, and nearly 250 ROCKeteers (volunteers), they continue to support 25 horses (and one very popular dog) to provide critical help for 200 clients, none of whom pay full price.

Krenek says, “Although R.O.C.K. has a great track record

of raising money, we are never in a position to take it easy. Just over 60 percent of our annual operating budget comes from fundraising so it has to be a big part of what we do here. Without the love our many volunteers have for our mission, we could not afford the facilities and paid staff we have.”

One parent always remembers to bring a checkbook to her sessions because there are frequently small projects around the arena to supplement what big donors provide. Having purchased a large supply of hay for the animals during the Christmas season, she said “It feels good to provide help directly. Local giving lets you see the difference you can make.”

R.O.C.K. provides a variety of therapy types, everything from autism, speech disorders and physical rehabilitation, to anger management and PTSD. Right now they are gearing up for their biggest fundraiser, the annual Barn Dance: Wide Opens Spaces, scheduled for March 28 at the Marvin Hoppe Arena. Tickets are going fast, and include a sumptuous Texas dinner and a concert by Gary P.

Nunn—a party to see and be seen in Georgetown! There are also silent and live auctions, and once again attendees can provide funds for specific things so they always know how their donations are helping, whether it’s sponsoring a horse for a year, maintenance on tractors, or even mittens for riders in the wintertime. Visit rockride. org to get more information, buy tickets, donate funds and auction items, or volunteer for one of Georgetown’s premier organizations. You don’t need any special horse skills; just a desire to help kids and adults gain greater independence.

“Oscar Night” for the Chamber T

he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards banquet January 29 with roughly 300 in attendance. President Karen Sheldon was pleased to see the business and philanthropy community well represented, and to present awards in all seven categories thanks to so many outstanding nominations.

Before the awards, several sponsors were recognized, including Sport Clips; the first Georgetown business to reach $2 billion in revenue.

The awards portion began with Ambassador

Celebrating Georgetown and the Best of Georgetown

of the Year, Kylie Ebersol of Rebranding360. Ambassadors recruit and welcome new members. Kylie was responsible for 17 new members in 2014.

Volunteer of the Year, for working with the staff outside of a full time job and family was Curtis Wren of SouthStar Bank.

The Small Business of the Year was Michelle Webb’s of Schlotsky’s. An emotional Webb was happy to be recognized for supporting GISD to the tune of $12,000 last year.

The Large Company of the Year was Brown,

Graham & Company.

Recognized for their support and partnership for at least a dozen non-profits, GISD, Southwestern University, Rotary and the Optimists just for starters, they were also touted as a great example of investing in the community.

First Texas Bank received the Martha Diaz Hurtado College Town Award for their partnership with Southwestern University.

Georgetown Family Wellness received the Jess “Buz” Sawyer Award, which is only presented when merited. Dr. Patricia Felder and Dr. Stephen Tranter said “We can’t begin to give back what Georgetown has given to us.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Mark Thomas, and as presenter Mel Pendland said,

Top: Rebranding360 and Ambassador of the Year, Kylie Ebersol • Right: Sneed, Vine & Perry Attorney Josh Schroeder Citizen of the Year • Bottom: Mayor Dale Ross and Wife Mickie make an entrance.

“is a great quarterback who threw a Hail Mary right away.” Thomas said his job is not a one-person deal and he is “grateful for the support of the Chamber and the staff who are always glad to serve you.”

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zen of Year presented the 2014 award to “a great man and a friend,” Josh Schroeder. Alarcon engaged the crowd to affirm that we live in an exceptional country, in the finest state, and in the finest community in Texas, so being the Citizen of the Year is saying something.

Sneed, Vine and Perry Attorney Joshua Schroeder “has been on numerous boards, past president of The Caring Place, involved

in Boys & Girls Clubs, FCA, Rotary... he is a person in the trenches making a positive difference.” After the pride of Taylor received his plaque Schroeder said “I feel so blessed to be here in Georgetown; from Taylor it always seemed to be the city on the hill.”

THE ADVOCATE  FEBRUARY 10, 2015

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GEORGETOWN

Chief Nero: “Nothing else like it in all of Texas...”

Georgetown Public Safety Center Open

The Georgetown Police and

Fire Departments moved to the new Public Safety Operations and Training Center February 2 at 3500 DB Wood Road next to Fire Station 5.

All Police Department offices, including Code Enforcement, as well as Fire Administrative offices, including Fire and Life Safety and Fire Plans Review, are in the new facility.

In addition to office and indoor training areas in the 76,204 square-foot main building, the center also includes a driving track and a training building with 3,897 square feet of office and outdoor classroom space. The building is approximately 60 percent occupied and was purposefully built to accommodate future growth. For now, the City has a five-year lease with the Texas Attorney General to provide some of that extra work space for the state’s Cyber Crimes unit.

Chief Nero invited members of the press to tour the facility prior to moving day. Moving from place to place onsite, Nero explained the functional and training value of every aspect of the build. To coin a phrase, they thought of everything.

One of the jewels of the center is a 12,800 squarefoot unfinished training bay with movable partitions and observation catwalks. Chief Nero is particularly ebullient about the department’s ability to create realistic scenario-based training that can be changed constantly, blacked out, include sounds and smells (e.g., distress calls or gasoline), and broken and splintered on purpose. They can also use plexiglass walls for observation.

“What we’re doing is

taking the knowledge we’ve given officers in the classroom and adding competency in the field.” Nero explains that it’s one thing to simulate breaking and crawling through a window, but until an officer actually does it, the techniques can not really be perfected. Thanks to Nero’s foresight and planning, his officers began training to use catwalks and other training tools since he came here in 2011 so “everyone in the department will hit the ground running on day one.”

Assistant Chief Roland Waits says the building will accommodate 20-30 years of growth. “Although we are in the northwest quadrant, as Georgtown grows, the DB Wood site will be closer to the geographic center of the City.”

Waits explained the many aspects of the designs that were geared toward officer morale, including a state of the art weight room, lockers that rival the NFL, and “quiet rooms” to decompress after difficult events that also can be used for female officers to nurse. “In fact,” Waits says, “The number one question right now is ‘When can we get into the weight room?’”

There is a press room that is wired for live television feeds, and a special lot for broadcast trucks.

The building has space available for community organizations and non-profit use, as well as furnished offices for volunteers and other programs like Blue Santa.

The incident

command center is a multi-media and multipurpose room that can accommodate turnkey operations for disaster response. It is physically connected to fire and police on either side, wired for future live traffic cameras from around the city, has private meeting rooms, and can facilitate emergency communications.

Other functions and offices include: vehicle bay for car processing, tactical room with heavy bags for fight training, access-controlled evidence intake rooms, multiID armory with blast relief chamber, and a drive through to the holding area.

The personnel areas are also designed to provide space for what will be a regional SWAT team.

Several times during the tour, Nero and Waits compared the new building to the old and the dramatic effect it will have on the officers and staff. Waits said “The City Light and Power building has been here since 1910 and in some cases we had eight officers sharing one office. Now they each have a desk and a place to keep their work organized. Our techs have lab

Top: Nero explains partitions and catwalks; infinite possibilities for skills competency. Right: Nero demonstrates ease of use and modifications. Scenarios will have doors, windows, hallways, etc.

Bottom: Assistant Chief Waits talks about the 300% bigger lockers (a huge morale boost). A bottom drawer to lay Kevlar flat will lengthen the effective life span of the vests.

They are also vented and deep enough to hang a uniform. Below: Waits explains the features of the incident command center. space, secure facilities and room for growth.”

A public open house will be held in March. Details will be announced this month.

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FEBRUARY 10, 2015  THE ADVOCATE

COMMUNITY

Rotary Club of Georgetown Donates $5000 to The Caring Place

The Rotary Club of

Georgetown donated $5,000 to the Caring Place February 6 for the purchase of a walk-in refrigerator.

Through its Food Pantry program, The Caring Place provides a seven-day supply of emergency food to eligible individuals and families (about 30 lbs. of food per person) once a month.

This supply of food, until recently, has primarily been composed of a variety non-perishable food items.

However, over the past year, the need to store perishable items has become an increasingly critical need of The Caring Place. Not only have fresh food donations from community gardens increased, but through a new partnership with the Georgetown Walmart, The Caring Place receives large quantities of perishable items twice a week.

Through the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s donation, the new walk-in refrigerator will enable The Caring Place to store these fresh produce and other perishable items so more individuals and families have access to items that are part of a healthy diet In 2014, The Caring Place distributed 501,720 pounds of food to 16,724 individuals through its Food Pantry program, a 30

percent increase from the previous year. The Caring Place expects the number of people they serve through the program to continue to grow in 2015. The walkin refrigerator will have a significant impact on The Caring Place’s ability to serve those in need.

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. In more than 160 countries worldwide, approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 30,000 Rotary clubs.

For more information, visitgeorgetownrotary.org/.

Front row L to R: Larry Baird - Rotary Club and Board of Director The Caring Place, Alicea Jones – Communication Director The Caring Place; Ginna O’Connor – Executive Director The Caring Place. Back row L to R: Brad Curlee - President Rotary Club, Cris Cash – Director Service Projects Rotary Club, Stuart Garner – Chairman International Services Rotary Club

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THE ADVOCATE  FEBRUARY 10, 2015

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COMMUNITY

Jarrell Senior Nears Eagle Scout Rank

Enjoying newly placed tables after their delivery to the Jarrell Elementary Campus this past weekend.

Jarrell High School Senior,

Cole Puska, along with other Boy Scouts from Troop 155, delivered four picnic tables to Jarrell Elementary School for use as outdoor classroom space on Saturday, February 7.

The tables were part of Cole’s Eagle Scout Project.

The last requirement for the rank is an Eagle Scout Project that will benefit a community.

He decided that tables placed outside the Science Lab at the elementary school, where his mother Jackie Puska teaches, would not only benefit the students, but also families that use the playground facilities in the evenings and on weekends.

Cole was required to plan the project from conception to completion, including cost, materials, safety concerns, tools needed and funding. Once he gathered the information he needed

to complete the project, he sought funding and purchased the materials. Puska contacted Troy Clawson of ACDI, who graciously donated the money that was needed.

This project has been one of many Cole and his family have been involved in over the years. He joined Boy Scout Troop 155 in Georgetown in the spring of 2008. He earned 37 merit badges along with participating as a leader within his troop. Eagle Scout is the last rank he will receive after completing his Board of Review, which will happen in the next month.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank a Boy Scout can earn and only 5% of all Boy Scouts in the U.S. become Eagle Scouts. The Advocate will continue to follow the momentous event for Puska, and will provide updates as Cole gets closer to achieving this final rank.

Georgetown Symphony Gala, February 7

L-R: City Councilman Keith Brainard and his wife Katie, Jeff and JJ Parker, Mickie Ross, Kathy Krause, Nancy Krenek Jack Krause, and Mayor Dale Ross.

Jarrell High School Senior Alan Stovall’s National Letter of Intent signing to attend and play football at Washburn University. The event took place on February 4, 2015 in the Jarrell High School Cafeteria.

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Place your order online at:

www.zionwalburg.org/church/support-zion/sausage.cfm

or call: 512-863-3065

Proceeds benefit Zion mission efforts, LINC-Austin, Lutheran Social Services of the South, and Lutheran International Student Ministries

7

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FEBRUARY 10, 2015  THE ADVOCATE

JARRELL

Mayor Larry Bush Hosts First Town Hall Meeting for 2015 Jarrell Mayor Larry

Bush made his first “State of the City” address January 27.

Anyone that has been in and around Jarrell over the past few years can see that the City is growing. This growth means additional expenditures are necessary to take care of the increased wear and tear on current infrastructure, as well as the need to expand to meet the needs of a growing population.

Mayor Bush likened the numbers and needs of the community the Dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities.

The actual City of Jarrell contains less than 300 homes and approximately 1500 residents. However, including Sonterra MUD in that number creates a different picture of “metropolitan” Jarrell.

Mayor Bush indicated that a good working relationship between the MUD and the City is essential to getting things done.

Where does the City of Jarrell’s money come from to accomplish its goals?

In 2014, the city collected $1.02 million in

How does the City of Jarrell spend this income?

Topping the list for the City are numerous Capital Improvement Projects. The list of projects and their current placement in budget years can be found on the City of Jarrell website at CityOfJarrell.com, along with full revenue and expense graphs, and sales tax spreadsheet. The projects for 2015 include the purchase of the Jarrell Town Center well, expansion in several areas of the City’s wastewater infrastructure and new radios for the police department.

In closing, Mayor Bush cited the cooperation and diligent work of the Jarrell City Council has put the city in a very stable financial position. In fact, Jarrell has the ability to extend borrowing needs to in the private marketplace because of its stability.

He adds that the City will continue to make the most informed, financially sound decisions for its residents, and the expected potential commercial and industrial growth.

sales tax revenue, providing the City with 33% of its revenue. Another 28% of the revenue came in from utility operations.

The sales tax numbers play a large in roll in what the Mayor and the City Council are able to accomplish. When compared to that of neighboring towns, Jarrell’s sales tax revenue is dramatically higher. In Williamson County, the payments collected in 2014 for Liberty Hill, Florence, Bartlett, Granger, Thrall, Coupland and Weir totaled almost $1.16 million. Jarrell’s total of over $1.45 million was almost $300K more than the combined total of the seven listed towns. Jarrell’s numbers were only surpassed by Hutto, Leander, Taylor, Georgetown, Cedar Park and Round Rock.

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Trike-A-Thon for St. Jude’s For the past five years, Kids Zone Learning Center in Jarrell has sponsored a Trike-A-Thon week at their facility. The purpose of the week is two-fold. First, Kids Zone uses it to teach the importance of Bike Safety to the kids. In addition, they use the week to encourage their kids to have giving hearts. In only 5 days of collecting donations, owner Whitney Hicks is happy to report that the center was able to raise over $1000 for St. Jude’s Hospital with this year’s event through donations from friends and families of their students.

Supporting St. Jude’s is very near and dear to the heart of Kids Zone, because two of their parents have older children that had childhood cancer.

Photo: Learning bike safety at an early age is important. Austin Garner has it all figured out and looks great in his Cars bike helmet.

Tax Help Coming to Jarrell It is tax season! Get help for free. Yes - FREE. ACCURATE. CONFIDENTIAL. IRS trained and certified volunteer tax preparers will be available in Jarrell to provide this free help to those who qualify! No gimmicks. No hidden costs. Simply bring all your important tax documents with you to the Jarrell High School on one of the days & times listed below. No appointment necessary.

February 21st • 10 am - 2 pm March 2nd • 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm March 28th • 10 am - 2 pm March 30th • 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm

THE ADVOCATE  FEBRUARY 10, 2015

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9

FAMILY LIFE

Friendly Computer Advice

by Bill Schubert

LOCAL WRITER CRYPTOLOCKER My lead this time last year was that 2014 was the year of Internet security/insecu-

rity. There has been more discussion about security in the Internet this past year than ever before. From Target to Sony to the lead in this article, Cryptolocker, it was a busy year.

CryptoLocker was a ransomware trojan that targeted computers running Microsoft Windows, believed to have first been posted to the Internet in 2013.

CryptoLocker propagated via infected email attachments, and via an existing botnet. When activated, the malware encrypts certain types of files stored on local and network drives with a private removal code stored only on the malware’s control servers. The malware then displays a message that offers to decrypt the data if a payment (through either Bitcoin or a pre-paid cash voucher) is made by a stated deadline, and threat-

Presidential Civics 101 In Honor of Presidents’ Day, here are a dozen facts about our Commanders in Chief... 2. As a young boy, John Adams would often skip school, choosing instead to spend his time hunting and fishing.

• 6. John Quincy Adams was known for taking early morning dips in the Potomac River, always in the nude. • 7. Andrew

Jackson taught his parrot to curse. It had to be removed from his funeral because it wouldn’t stop swearing.

• 12. Zachary Taylor’s nickname was “Old Rough And Ready”, which he was given by admiring soldiers while he was fighting in the Seminole War. • 18.

Ulysses S. Grant was given a $20 speeding ticket for riding his horse too fast

ened to delete the private key if the deadline passes after which the files are unrecoverable.

Cryptolocker is even more of a problem this year.

We are seeing variations of the software the latest called CTB Locker. Basically different ‘companies’ rewriting the code. There are some technical differences but the biggest one to me is that the program is available for purchase for about $3000. Although it could not be verified in this instance these kind of kits typically come with a help desk if there are problems if, after having paid $3000, you have problems deploying it.

As always, someone has to get you to click on a link or an attachment or, maybe something like “Go out to this web site” from an “employee of Microsoft”. It is social engineering. Snake

Oil sales. Convince the user to click on something that will download a piece of code or small application that you want them to have.

In the case of this virus, CTB Locker, nothing happens immediately. Or at least nothing you can see.

But a scheduled task is set up in your PC so that at a set time it will run an encryption program and encrypt every document, picture, any kind of user created data on your computer. You know, the important stuff, the stuff that takes hours and days and lots of money to recreate.

That would be bad enough.

But it gets worse. If you have a drive connected to your computer, maybe that one that has your backup files on it, that drive will be encrypted also. And if you have a drive mapped from another computer or a Dropbox folder the encryp-

down a Washington street.

• 20. James Garfield was ambidextrous. It was said he could write a sentence in Latin with one hand and write it in Greek with the other hand. • 28. Woodrow Wilson is the only president to have Ph.D.; Political Science and History from Johns Hopkins University.

• 29. Warren G. Harding bet the White House china collection and lost it all in one hand of poker. • 31.

Herbert Hoover moved

his family to China before becoming President, and he and his wife learned to speak Mandarin Chinese fluently. They spoke the language to prevent others from understanding them.

• 31. Late one night at a dinner party, FDR regaled guests with a premise for a mystery novel. Magazine editor Fulton Oursler was in in attendance, and he hired some mystery writers to flesh out the premise to a novel, which was then adapted into a movie, “The President’s Mystery.” FDR received a “story by” credit.

• 38. In the 1940s Gerald Ford did a bit of modeling and even posed on the cover of “Cosmopolitan”. • 41. In high school, George HW Bush was the captain of varsity baseball and soccer teams, and he was a forward on the school’s basketball team.

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tion program will go after that too. The only place that is absolutely positively safe from such destruction is data that has been backed up off site.

There is no magic in avoiding this stuff. While no system is perfect we’ve found that a combination of the right hardware, the right software and the right processes in place will nearly ensure protection from Cryptolocker or its variants and, for that matter, any malware.

The short answer is, up-

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dated computer and application software, a sophisticated firewall (REQUIRED for a business), top tier automatically updated antivirus and web filtering.

Uses business computers for business purposes only and do a little training.

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FEBRUARY 10, 2015  THE ADVOCATE

FAMILY LIFE

RANCHO SIENNA GEORGETOWN, TEXAS

Building Better Brains

by Jim Kelley

LOCAL WRITER

LUXURY IS PART OF EVERYTHING WE DO

RANCHO SIENNA

Luxury is something tangible, beyond quality.

It is in the materials we use and the places we build. Rancho Sienna is such a place, from the breathtaking Hill Country views to the native stone and finishing touches in all our homes.

• A Newland Community • South of Hwy. 29 on Ronald Reagan Blvd.

105 Rancho Trail Georgetown, TX 78628

• NEW MODEL NOW OPEN!

Call Cristy Bloomingdale today at 512 843 4172 and tell her what luxury means to you.

Luxury, custom homes from the $500s.

e m o H

s n a Lo Start Your Search With Us!

We offer an array of mortgage loan products with flexible features designed for EVERYONE!

As You begin The Home Loan Process, Keep These Considerations In Mind.

How Much Can I Afford?

Many experts suggest that your monthly housing payment not exceed 30% of your total income.

Ask us about a loan program that’s suitable for you.

How Much Money Will I Need At Closing?

Your down payment & any costs not paid by the seller will be due at the time of closing.

This week’s brain protection feature is oral hygiene.

Bacteria in the mouth produce a byproduct called cytokines. These cytokines are capable of penetrating to the brain and poisoning brain tissues. Mouthwash without alcohol or fluoride (a known neurotoxin), such as Crest’s Pro-Health Clinical is recommended with fluoride free toothpaste.

Incidentally, the aluminum you pick up through cans, cookware, and some underarm antiperspirants increases the damage that fluoride causes the brain.

Since the dust bowl years of the last century, we have been aware of the depletion of critical nutrients in our soils. So even if we were to avoid the negative effects of fast food and processed foods, the plants and animals we consume are likely to be deficient in the substances our brain requires to operate most efficiently. We end up having to review our need for nutritional supplements. This week’s supplement is bacopa monnieri. It is remarkable in that it is able to: • boost production of gammaamino-

butyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that manages stress. (below) • Improve memory acquisition and retention - published in Psychopharmacology.

• Enhance cognitive performance of older people- a Helfgott Research Institute study.

• Reduce amyloid deposits of Alzheimer’s – a Texas A&M study.

• Compare to medication on the symptoms of major depression- a Banaras Hindu University study.

• Benefit in treating irritable bowel syndrome and effective antifungal agent.

• Since it may react with medication, physician’s consultation is advisable.

So how can we take advantage of the beneficial effects of bacopa monnieri?

How can we limit the stress and fear that attacks our memory function and gives us anxiety and depression? The complete answer would fill a library, so let’s start with some foundational principles that work the spiritual while bacopa monnieri works the physical.

1. God is not mad at you!

He desperately wants to save you. So much so that He entered the human race as a man to pay all the penalties for every misbehavior with His own blood.

2. He is immediately available to anyone who will acknowledge their wrong and accept His payment for it. From that point and forever you cannot ever be separated from His love.

3. He wants you to get to know him intimately and powerfully. He wants you to become someone who is constantly overcoming trying circumstances by tapping into His strength, applying His ways, and discerning the direction that He intends.

He had some of His people, spend a couple of thousand years writing a manual for us.

4. Life on earth is a very brief moment of time in the plans that He has for you. It is here that we learn the principles of living in his kingdom.

So reorient your thinking from the moment to eternity and from being a victim to being a member of His Royal family.

5. Rom 5:8 But God shows and clearly proves His love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Therefore, since we are now justified by Christ’s blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be daily delivered from sin’s dominion through His [resurrection] life.

Jim Kelley is an ordained minister who uses current research and developing EEG technologies to augment an intense form of pastoral care, which is designed to address the complete person. After his first pastorate in 1972, he left traditional pastoral care to search out the causes and solutions for moral mental, spiritual and physical failures so common in the church. This included 15 years performing psychological services for several government organizations that met the needs of the elderly, the young, the abused and the mentally ill. He is certified as a practitioner and trainer in the field of neurofeedback and is certified as a quantitative EEG technologist. Contact Jim at The Center For Power-Filled Living at 512-869-0936 or visit ChristNeuro.org.

What Are Closing Costs?

There are a variety of costs needed to fund a loan & purchase a home.

We will let you know about all of these expenses up front.

For More Information:

Tommy Sladecek, Senior Vice President

Eagle Bank, A Branch of Round Top State Bank 512-746-2531 or TSladecek@eagle-bank.com

Equal Housing Lender. Some products may not be available in all states. Credit & collateral are subject to approval.

This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms & conditions are all subject to change without notice.

Mobile Veterinary Clinic

Vaccinations, Internal Medicine, Microchipping, Spay/Neuter, Dentistry, Heartworm & Flea Preventive

Florence Clinic - Feb. 14 | 10 am - Noon in front of Ace In The Hole Pawn (FM 970 & IH-95)

Jarrell Clinic - Mar. 7 | 10 am - Noon Cougar Plaza Parking Lot

David Foster, DVM • (254) 228-3960

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No Appointment for Mobile Clinic • Limited to Cats & Dogs

THE ADVOCATE  FEBRUARY 10, 2015

|

11

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Special Events Friday, Feb 13 6 pm 2nd Annual BiG Valentine’s Art Auction, Dinner & Dance Fundraiser The Taylor Mansion, 2109 East Fourth St., Taylor. $75/ person - proceeds benefit Brookwood in Georgetown.

Reservations, contact annem @brookwoodcommunity.org or inquire at the BiG Shop, 202 Austin Ave. BrookwoodCommunity.org/Georgetown.

Mon, Feb 16 5pm-7:30 pm Bartlett UMC Annual Pancake Supper at 715 W. Clark St. Enjoy All-You-CanEat Pancakes, Bacon, Coffee & More! $8 Adults/ $5 12 & Under. Carry-out available.

Benefits maintenance & preservation of the historic Bartlett UMC building.

Tuesday, February 17 7 pm Aglow International of Georgetown present Deke

and Joy Silverman of “The Psalms of David.” At the

Georgetown Parks & Rec. Building, 1101 N. College Ave., Georgetown. Contact Teresa at 513-300-9100 Saturday, Feb 21 6 pm Jarrell Chamber of Commerce Gala at Schwertner

Ranch Event Center, 1200 Lindemann Rd., Schwertner.

Tickets - $100/person and include dinner and $20 in casino chips. Open Bar wristbands are available in advance for $25. At the end of the night each $20 in chips is worth one raffle ticket for the Grand Prize a $1000 weekend getaway for two to the WinStar Casino and Resort in Oklahoma. Contact info@jarrellcoc.com or 512677-5501 for tickets.

Sunday, Feb 22 11 am Fidelis Publishing Group’s 2nd Annual Citizen of the Year Award and Reception

honoring Pastor John Warden of Jarrell. At New Hope Baptist Church, 1700 CR 305, Jarrell. Luncheon and reception following 11 am church service. All are welcome.

Wednesday, Feb 25 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Fidelis Publishing Group’s 2nd Annual Citizen of the Year Award and Reception honoring Jim Wilson of

Georgetown. At Minuteman Press, 1904 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown. All are welcome.

Sat, Mar 21 10:30 am Spring Fling Style Fashion Show, Luncheon & Purse Auction Berry Creek Country Club in Georgetown to benefit the Georgetown Branch of the American Association of University Women. Tickets are $30 and include lunch. Call 512-869-2268 or 512-7316627 by March 15 for tickets.

Weekly Events Georgetown

AA Meetings Mondays - 10 am, Wednesdays & Fridays - 3 pm at the Scott & White Clinic located at 4945 Williams Dr. Saturdays - 9:30 am at The Worship Place located at 811 Sun City Blvd.

Heroes Night Out Center

1150 S Bell Blvd, Cedar Park

Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30 am Peer to peer Donuts & Coffee Wednesdays - Noon Peer to peer pizza lunch Wednesdays - 7 pm Veteran Support Group (at HNO Center AND at Akins High School at 10701 S. 1st St, Austin) Thursdays - 7 pm Combat Veteran Support Grp (at HNO Center) FREE Sports Injury Screenings -Wednesdays 4 pm at the Scott & White Sports Medicine & Rehab Clinic, 5353 Williams Dr., Suite 100 in Georgetown.

The clinic provides athletes with quick access for injury assessment and recommendations for care of the injuries.

Contact 512-819-5000.

FREE ESL Classes -Wed - 9:30 am - Noon presented

by Friendship International at Round Rock First Baptist Church (First Life Center), 306 Round Rock Ave., Round Rock. Through May 2015. Visit friendshiprr.org, email friendship@fbcrr.org or Molly at 512-468-4236.

Potluck Meal & Bible Study Wednesdays - 6:30 8:30 pm at Calvary Chapel of Georgetown, 3400 Shell Road. Youth group meets.

Childcare provided. calvarygt.org. 512-966-9040 Royal Rangers & MPact Girls Wednesdays - 7 pm - 8:15 pm at River of Life Church, 6040 Airport Road.

All ages are welcome ~ infant to adult! For info, contact April at 512-863-0854.

Healing Rooms of Georgetown Thurs 7-8pm River of Life Church (6040 Airport Road) is bringing the Power of God’s Love & Healing to those in need, wherever they may be. If you or a loved one are in need of God’s Divine Healing, contact Michelle at 512-508-3222 or 512-8630854. Email at HealingOutreachMinistry@gmail.com.• riveroflifegt.org Special Friends - Alzheimers Caregivers Support Thursdays 10 am -2 pm Free, weekly respite care program that gives caretakers a few hours of free time. Meet in foyer of the Worship Place in Sun City, 811 Sun City Blvd.; volunteers plan special activities, serve lunch, and have a fun time. Volunteers needed. Call Cheryl White (512) 864-1380 or Carol Cockrell (512) 240-9103.

VFW Post 8587 1000 College St, Saturdays - 8 pm - Midnight “Freedom Karaoke” Sundays - Noon until ?

NFL Sunday Ticket - watch the games on 4 Flat Screen TVs Central Texas 912 Project Saturdays 9:30 am A community of American Patriots who have come together to restore our nation to its historical foundations.

Discuss issues and create plans of action to influence leaders. Visit Centex912project.com for locations.

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Authorized Dealers

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Jarrell

Seniors’ Luncheons Mondays starts at 11 am at American Legion Post 317, located at 201 W. FM 487 in Jarrell. A $2 donation is requested.

Wednesdays starts at 11 am at the Jarrell Memorial Park Community Center, 1651 CR 305 in Jarrell. A $3 donation is requested. Jarrell Noon Lions Club Mondays - 11:30 am at American Legion Post 317, located at 201 W. FM 487.

All-You-Can-Eat Public Meal Wed - 6-8 pm at American Legion Post 317, located at 201 W. FM 487. $6/person - dine in or carry-out.

Florence

Florence Noon Lions Club 1st & 3rd Wednesdays Noon at the Florence Fire Hall, 301 Brewster St. Community Wide Fellowship & Game Day 1st & 3rd Wednesdays - 1 pm at First Baptist Church of Florence, 106 College Ave. Seniors 55+ welcome!

(254) 793-2991 for info & transportation.

Monthly Events Georgetown

Neuropathy 2nd Monday of the Month 1 -3 pm at the GHF Community Room, 2423 Williams Dr., Ste. 101. Contact Diane and Bob Ricklefsen, 512-863-9293 or handsfeetheart@gmail.com; www.handsfeetheart.org.

Breastfeeding Support 2nd Monday of the Month 1 -2 pm at Seton Medical Center Williamson, 201 Seton Parkway, Learning Center 1, Round Rock. Open and free education and support to breastfeeding moms.

For info call 512-324-4100.

Stroke Support Group 1st Tuesday of the Month at 1 pm at 201 Seton Parkway, Learning Center, Round Rock. Stroke survivors as well as their families and caregivers are invited to join us for education and support.

Reservations are required.

Contact Eduardo S. Maqueda at 512-324-4000 x 20911 or emaqueda@seton.org.

Cardiac Support Network Group 2nd Tuesday of the Month at 10 am at 201 Seton Parkway, Round Rock.

Open to anyone wanting to learn about heart disease including how to prevent, reverse, and treat. For more information, contact Lydia Terry at (512) 324-4000 ext.

21828 or laterry@seton.org.

Georgetown AGLOW 3rd Tuesday of the Month at 7 pm at Georgetown Parks & Recreation Ad Bldg, 1101 N College St., Georgetown. For further info, contact. Teresa Tucker (512) 355-2433.

VFW Post 8587 Monthly Meeting 3rd Tuesday of the Month at 6:30 pm 1000 College St, Call 512863-2535 for more info.

Memory Loss, Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease, 4th Tuesday of the Month 11 am - 12:15 pm at the GHF Community Room, 2423 Williams Dr., Ste. 101, Gtown. This free program offers information about Alzheimer’s disease, signs, diagnosis, treatment options, coping tips & resources.

Registration required. (512) 241-0420 or email txprograms@txalz.org.

Williamson County Detachment #1022 of the Marine Corps League Last Wednesday of the Month at 7 pm at the VFW Hall, 1000 College St, Georgetown for dinner and meeting. All Marines and FMF Corpsman are invited to attend.

San Gabriel Writers’ League 1st Thurs - 6:30 pm at the Georgetown Public Library, 2nd Floor. Novice and authors welcome. gwl.net.

Parkinson’s Support Group 4th Thursday of the Month at 2 pm in the Georgetown Health Foundation rooms at 2423 Williams Drive. This group is open to patients, caregivers, spouses, family, and friends. For information, contact Mary Jane Berry at 240-4167; dberry3@suddenlink.net.

Marine Corps League Spaghetti Dinner 2nd Friday of the Month 5 pm - 7 pm at the VFW Hall, 1000 College St. All you can eat spaghetti, meatballs, bread, salad, & a drink $8 adults / $5 children.

Proceeds go to annual scholarship fund for Marine Corps JrROTC.

VFW Fish Fry Last Friday of the Month 5:30 pm - 7 pm at the VFW Post 8587, 1000 College St, Georgetown. All you can eat catfish, chicken strips, fries, hush puppies, beans, potato salad, coleslaw & a drink $10 adults / $5 children. Proceeds benefit scholarship & veteran’s programs.

Fleet Reserve Assn. Branch 201 2nd Saturday of the Month - 7:30 pm at the IHOP in Pflugerville, 14310 S. I-35. For more information, go to fra.org.

Jarrell

“All You Can Eat” Fish Fry, 3rd Sunday of the month from 11 am - 1 pm at American Legion Post 317, located at 201 W. FM 487 in Jarrell. The cost is $9 per person.

Jarrell FD 2nd Monday of the month - 7 pm Jarrell School Board 2nd Monday of the month - 7 pm at the Jarrell ISD Admin Bldg, 312 N. Fifth St. Sonterra MUD 3rd Monday of the month - 6 pm at the Sonterra MUD office, 113 Limestone Terr.

Jarrell Livestock Assn 4th Monday of the month - 7 pm at the Jarrell Memorial Park Community Center, located at 1651 CR 305 ESD #5 3rd Monday of the month 6:30 pm at Fire Station #2, 155 CR 313 E, Jarrell, TX. Jarrell City Council 4th Tuesday of the month 7 pm at Municipal Building at 161 Town Center Blvd.

Jarrell-Schwertner Water Board. 2nd Wed of the month - 7 pm at the Jarrell Memorial Park Community Center, located at 1651 CR 305 Jarrell Chamber of Commerce 3rd Wednesday of the month - 11:30 am at the Sonterra Community Pool Clubhouse, 616 Copper Court, Jarrell. Catered lunch - $10/person.

Florence

Florence PTA 1st Monday of the month - 5:45 pm at the Florence Elementary Cafeteria. All parents are welcome – the PTA supports the Elementary, Middle & High Schools.

Florence Youth Recreation Association 2nd Monday of the month - 6:30 pm at City Park Ball Fields.

Florence Chamber of Commerce 4th Monday of the month 12 pm at Florence Diner, 208 E Main St. www.florencechamberofcommerce.org Florence City Council 1st Tuesday of the month 7 pm at Florence City Hall, 106 S. Patterson.

To have your community, church, or non-profit event posted on our calendar, visit: WilcoOnline.com click on “Submit A Calendar Event”

Creating Reality From Vision

Watching over Jarrell’s growth: • Information on economic development incentives • Assistance with the City’s permitting process • Available land and facilities

JarrellEDC.ORG

512-746-4593

12

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FEBRUARY 10, 2015  THE ADVOCATE

FAITH

Zion Lutheran Paying it Forward

Victorious Living

The 16 eighth graders at

Zion Lutheran school in Jarrell who participated in the Pay it Forward project in December presented their individual projects January 28. Each wrote an essay describing his or her choice of beneficiary(ies) and the impact the project had.

The project was made possible by Mike and Sara Bottom, who donated $100 to each student and challenged them.

Some used the money to purchase materials to make things that were later donated, some purchased gift cards to be distributed by charitable agencies.

Kylie Sinclair, as she walked into PetSmart in Wolf Ranch, passed by the dogs and staff from the Williamson County animal shelter. She thought about how they take care of so many animals and always need supplies. She spent her $100 in the store and put it all in the donation bin.

She said, “I was reminded of Proverbs 19:17, ‘Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done,’ and I hope everyone in our project will pay it forward.”

Megan Suie donated her funds to a battered woman shelter in Round Rock. She learned that many women who flee a dangerous situation don’t normally leave town but choose to stay near home in safe place.

So she got some friends involved and collected additional items the shelter needed; books, linens, and

Rev. Clyde E. Nichols

F

Top: Mike Bottom, Allie Shero, Sara Bottom. Allie multiplied her $100 to $1605 by visiting and soliciting matching donations from friends and business owners all over Jarrell and Georgetown. Her donations helped a Cedar Park family who lost their home to fire.

Bottom: Kylie Sinclair presented her results, having donated to the Williamson County Animal Shelter. toys, and needed two cars to deliver them.

One student commented that he realizes how much we all take for granted and if we love our neighbors as ourselves, why do we not give more... pay it forward is available all year long.

Many students’ presentations contained similar themes; this is not just talk but action, not just learning but doing. The kids have been blessed as they blessed others and they are

being teachers to everyone.

All of the kids are looking forward to continuing doing good works.

Principal Thomas Wrege was excited about the project, so he also received $100 from the Bottom family. He donated to a group who mails care packages monthly around the world to military members and reflected on the “blessed house of the servant” from 1 Chronicles.

. B. Meyer was a young man whose life was empty and meaningless. He had no goal, no idea what he wanted to do or be. Then all of that changed through the influence of C. T. Studd, one of “The Cambridge Seven.” F. B. Meyer saw in this man’s life a spirit, an intensity, an integrity he had not found in any one else and knew he wanted what he had.

One day he suddenly said abruptly, “Mr. Studd, how can I be like you?”

C. T. Studd smiled, “Well, young man, have you given your heart to Christ?” F. B. Meyer’s answer has become a classic. He said, “Yes, Sir, in a general sort of way.” C. T. Studd began to laugh, “Well, my friend, you need to give your heart to Christ in a particular sort of way. Until you do, he is not your Lord.”

F. B. Meyer was stunned.

They talked a little longer and then he left. But that night he made the decision to give his heart to Christ in a particular sort of way.

On his knees beside his bed he visualized an iron ring on which he put a key to every relationship in his life, every business matter, every project, every concern. However, one key he decided to hold back, a key to a very small closet he didn’t want Christ to see.

Then holding up the ring

OF GEORGETOWN

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with all the other keys he offered them to Christ, asking him to take possession of his heart. As Christ reached for the ring, he said, “My son, is this all?”

F. B. Meyer answered, “Well, all except one. It’s to a little bitty closet that isn’t important. But here are all the other keys.”

Sadly Christ shook his head. “If I am not Lord of all, I am not Lord at all.” F. B. Meyer began to tremble.

Knowing he couldn’t let Christ go, he cried out, “My Lord, I’m not willing to give you all the keys, but I am willing to be made willing!”

He remembered it so well. “Jesus came back, took the ring of keys and then took the little key I had tried to hold back. And the first place he went was into that little closet that I didn’t want him to see! In just a week he cleaned it all away.

And I found that what he took away was what had been eating me alive, what in time it would have killed me. He gave me instead himself and filled what had been a source of death with life.”

F. B. Meyer went on to become an incredible, mighty man of God, one of the truly great Christian leaders of nineteenth century England and the world.

Rev. Nichols is Minister Emeritus of First Christian Church, Temple, where he served as senior minister for 23 years before retiring in 1986. He writes a religious column for several newspapers.

For more info: Teresa Tucker 513-300-9100

Sunday Services

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Episcopal Church 881 N. Main St. Salado, TX 254.947.3160 Sundays: 9:30 am Sunday School Sundays: 11 am Holy Eucharist www.stjosephsalado.org

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THE ADVOCATE  FEBRUARY 10, 2015

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14

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FEBRUARY 10, 2015  THE ADVOCATE

PUBLISHER’S FORUM

Your Christian Ancestors Were Murderers ~Barack Obama

by Mike Payne

Important people have ‘handlers’. Handlers are the people who keep the important people from looking like they just came to Texas from, say, Oklahoma. Everyone who has to “keep up appearances” needs a protocol expert, or at least someone who says, “I don’t think that’s a very good idea…” For example, Michelle Obama apparently could have used a handler before she decided that the Queen of England needed a hug earlier this year. Protocol Rule #1: Never. Never.

Ever. Hug. The. Queen.

Of. England.

Got it? Does everyone understand why these handlers are important?

Apparently not everyone...

During the annual National Prayer breakfast last week President Obama showed, completely unintentionally, that he is entirely clueless about Christianity.

And apparently, Obama doesn’t even have Christians in his inner circle of friends who could have “coached him up” and informed him that what he was about to say would be analogous to a white guy putting on black face to speak at the NAACP convention.

In fact, what Barack

Obama did during the traditional National Prayer Breakfast was to passionately assert that ISIS, the rapidly expanding group of Muslim Islamo-fascist terrorists, had nothing on the bloodthirsty Christians who recently committed murderous atrocities in the name of Jesus Christ.

You remember… from the 5th to the 15th centuries… back in the Middle Ages… Amazing how time flies, isn’t it? Those darn Crusades… seems like they happened just yesterday…

He may as well have held up a flashing neon sign that said, “I haven’t the slightest idea of what Christianity is about, or who this Jesus guy is.”

His lack of understanding of the concepts of Christianity could not have been better on display if they had been written in the sky.

This really should come as no surprise.

Remember, this is the same guy who dismissed American exceptionalism, saying, “Remember, the Greeks think their country is special too.”

Considering he has minimized American exceptionalism, worked as hard as he can to destroy capitalism, and completely maligned the traditional American family, it should come as no great revelation when, at a ceremony that traditionally acknowledges and thanks God for the blessings He has bestowed on this great nation, Obama showed not only his contempt for, but his ignorance of, the most basic tenants of the Christian faith.

If you’re a Christian, get off your high horse, he says. Burning up men in a cage? Cutting Americans’ heads off with Samurai swords?

ADVO-CATIE

Sending your six-year old strapped with a bomb to kill the infidels?

This is nothing new. In the Middle Ages Christians did it too... Note: Infidel: a person who does not accept the Islamic faith. FYI - That’s you and your family. We are who the little smiling tyke is wearing that big tub of nails and dynamite for.

The Bible tells us that each of us will hear the gospel message and have the chance to respond. I know, atheists to Unitarian Universalists are foaming at the mouth and shouting, “You can’t read another man’s heart!” And they’re right.

But you can read his lips.

And on February 5th, 2015, millions of Christians did just that. They know for certain your view on Christianity, Mr. President. I would be completely remiss if I did not use this opportunity to point out a key difference between Christianity and Islam.

Instead of purchasing an “As Seen On TV” set of Ginzu knives with which to slaughter him because he does not agree with us religiously, we will do as Christians have been admonished to do since the papyrus version of the Holy Bible was written: we will pray for him.

By my calculations, it’s been a minimum of 515 years since the misery he says “Christians” caused in the name of Christ. After this defining moment on the first Thursday in February, 2015, it may be another 515 years before historians stop talking about the day Barack Hussein Obama unequivocally showed his true colors; if only they had been red, white and blue…

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in volume, over 1 billion cards will be sent worldwide this year. In the U.S., add 35 million heart-shaped boxes of candy, 2 million roses, and $4 billion in jewelry and the national Valentine spending comes in at just over $20 billion.

Included in that number are 15 percent of U.S. women who send themselves flowers for Valentine’s Day. Helen Fisher, a sociologist at Rutgers University, says we have only ourselves to blame; “If no one wanted to buy presents, they wouldn’t be for sale.”

So, in the past decade or two, to combat the commercialization that has spoiled the day for many, Single Awareness Day has become a way for those without partners to turn a cheek to the oozing romance. Party themes include things like...

• paper shredders to publicly destroy photos of exes • attractive models to pose for cellphone pictures that can be sent via mobile to exes • broken chocolate hearts (served alongside a knife) • seafood skewers that are called “backstabbers.”

Still, for the happy among us, nearly six million couples get engaged every year on February 14th.

We may not always be civilized but a diamond ring will likely always be preferable to being hit with a bloody animal skin. I’m just sayin’.

Mardi Gras Features

Valentine’s Features th

S

ome say Jesus was born in the Spring and the Christians changed the date to December 25 to coincide with a pagan ritual. But did you know they did the same thing with Valentine’s Day? In ancient Rome, the pagans celebrated Lupercalia, a very ancient, possibly pre-Roman pastoral festival, observed on February 13 through 15 to avert evil spirits and purify the city, releasing health and fertility.

Men slaughtered animals and women (seriously) lined up to be hit with the pelts to make them more likely to be fertile.

Then, history says Emperor Claudius II executed a cleric named Valentine on Feb. 14, 273. He was a priest who married Roman soldiers in secret after the emperor decided single soldiers were better fighters.

Other sources say Roman men began refusing to go to war in order to stay with their wives.

In either case, he was honored by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day. Incidentally, Valentine wasn’t executed for performing weddings. In the third century, Christians were persecuted and martyred just for being Christian, and while in prison, Valentine converted a Roman Judge and his

whole family. It didn’t go over well.

The holiday commemorates the marrying priest, but the Catholics have canonized at least 11 other Valentines.

In 496, Pope Gelasius I combined St. Valentine’s Day with Lupercalia to clean it up a little bit.

The first greetings were sent in the 15th century and cards and letters commemorating the day began popping up universally in the 17th century.

After America became a thing, Valentine’s Day was imported and became an official holiday in the 1840s.

Up through the early 1900s, the Ozark hill people in the eastern United States thought birds and rabbits began mating on February 14, a day for them that was not only Valentine’s Day but Groundhog Day as well.

In the late 1800s, Chicago’s post office rejected more than 25,000 cards on the grounds that they were so indecent, they were not fit to be carried through the U.S. mail.

Finally, in 1913, the Hallmark company began mass producing greeting cards (thank you, industrial revolution) and people have been agonizing over the “perfect” card ever since. Good luck... they have 13,000 different cards JUST for Valentine’s Day. On February 14, 1929, Alexander Fleming introduced his mold by-product called penicillin to cure bacterial infections.

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THE ADVOCATE  FEBRUARY 10, 2015

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TRINITY, FROM PAGE 1 confidence of our board and commissioners, it would be hard for me to stand up for the programs as I am able.”

Trinity

The most obvious feature of the unit is the decor.

Gone are the gray or institutional green walls, replaced by tranquil purple facades, bright linens, a piano and a large teddy bear. JSO Auicha Johnson says “When girls arrive here they are already full of anxiety and the colors may help to soothe them so they can adjust more readily.”

Matthew

RITA ZBRANEK Your Local Agent 40 S. Main St. STE. A Salado, TX 76571 rzbranek@farmersagent.com

expects kids to stay between six and nine months as they transition through lesser levels of security and, as always, there is no “just do your time” here.

In the past, if an Academy student harmed herself or others and had to be moved to another secure facility, taxpayers may have spent as much as $300 per day for her to stay in her room and wait out her time. At Trinity, each person is engaged, working, going to school, and constantly working toward the goal of going home.

Case Manager Sabrina Simpson has been transitioning girls home for 20 years.

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HOME AUTO LIFE there for them in the long term.”

What Can You Do?

Matthew says “We are at full capacity have a full range of residential programs; boys and girls, non/secure and detention; and the legislature wants to raise the age to 18, which will bring us about 200 more referrals each year. We may have an influx of more beds and will need to grow again. Our next move will be to build on to our facility. We are very mindful of taxpayer dollars; we don’t want to pay other people to house our kids when we can keep them better motivated here for less.”

Graves said, “We will be looking for community involvement from people who have specific skill sets and want to work with our programs.”

The plan is to link kids to people in the community who care, and continue to support beyond WCJS services, like tutors or Backpack Buddies.

Judge King added, “As an attorney, I had many clients involved in the juvenile justice system over the years that came from extremely difficult circumstances, including being victimized, which contributed to their poor decision making. Trinity’s approach to redirecting behavior by helping the young ladies address their core issues and cope with problems will no doubt have life altering results. I applaud the efforts of our Juvenile Probation Department and Director, Scott Matthew, for affording this opportunity to the youth of Williamson County, it will truly make a difference.”

16 |

FEBRUARY 10, 2015 ď‚Ť THE ADVOCATE

CASINO NIGHT AT THE FUNDRAISER

Feb Satu ru rda Sch 6 ar y we -11 y 21 Ev rtn PM st en er t C Ra en nc ter h

The Jarrell Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala

Tickets are $100 per person - Includes dinner and $20 in chips. Players may purchase additional chips.

At the end of the night, chips will be cashed in for raffle tickets for a chance to win the Grand Prize, a weekend trip for two to the Winstar in Oklahoma, valued at $1000.

Dinner will be served shortly after 6 PM. On the Menu: Sirloin Beef Tips, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Caramelized Carrots, Steamed Broccoli, Sauteed Mushrooms, Salad, Apple Ring and Chocolate Mousse.

Followed by a presentation of awards to the Inaugural Chamber Members, then a night of Casino FUN! Beer and wine will be available to anyone who PRE-PURCHASES the JCOC Beer/Wine Band for $25.

The bands will NOT be available the night of the event.

Tickets and bands are available at Schwertner State Bank during normal business hours.

Please speak to Deborah Marquis or Regina Wharton or leave a message at 512-763-2932.