City Insider January 2017 by Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC

JANUARY 2017

NEW YEAR NEW YOU!!

From Fitness To Philanthropy Make 2017 your best year ever!

Read the latest issue of City Insider online at CityInsiderTX.com

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2017 - How Did We Get Here? By: Cathy Payne Most people look forward in a new year—they make plans for self-improvement, along with a list of things they plan to leave behind in the previous year. While I certainly believe that the future lies, well, in the future, one of my favorite things to do at the beginning of each year is to look back at the past year. While I won’t bore you with a stock of my personal life, I thought it might be fun (and eye-opening) to take a look at the last 50 years. These certainly aren’t the most significant events—you can read those in a history book—but in my opinion, they certainly qualify as things that changed or shaped our world. 1966 Pampers introduces the first disposal diapers 1967 First heart transplant operation 1968 McDonald’s debuts the Big Mac 1969 First ATM installed in the U.S. 1970 Walter Cronkite retires 1971 Walt Disney World Resort opens 1972 Cable television service begins with HBO 1973 Air bags are installed in the Oldsmobile Toronado

1993 The World Wide Web is created at CERN 1994 The “Chunnel” between England and France opens 1995 EBay is founded 1996 Dolly the sheep becomes the first mammal to be successfully cloned 1997 Hong Kong returns to Chinese rule from UK rule 1998 Microsoft becomes the biggest company in the world 1999 The Euro is introduced 2000 Vladimir Putin is elected president of Russia 2001 An American engineer becomes the first “space tourist” at a cost of $20M 2002 American Idol premieres 2003 Human genome project is completed

1975 Bill Gates creates Microsoft

2005 YouTube is launched

1976 Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak found the Apple Computer Company

2006 Twitter is launched

1977 The first documented “high-five” occurs between Los Angeles Dodgers players

2008 Water is discovered on the moon

1980 Post-It Notes are invented 1981 “Frequent Flyer” miles are introduced by American Airlines 1982 “The Computer” is named as Time Magazine’s Man of the Year 1983 Motorola introduces the first mobile phones to the United States 1984 The first Mac computer goes on sale 1985 Route 66 is removed from the US Highway system 1986 The Oprah Winfrey Show debuts

2007 iPhone is debuted 2009 Captain “Sully” Sullenberger lands a plane on the Hudson River 2010 The world’s tallest building opens in Dubai (2,716ft high/ 160 floors) 2011 The world’s first synthetic organ transplant successfully completed 2012 Space rover “Curiosity” lands on Mars. 2013 Edward Snowden leaks information about the NSA’s secret internet and cell-phone data gathering 2014 A spacecraft lands on a comet 2015 Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy announce the end of their relationship 2016 A 3-D pen that makes synthetic cartilage from stem cells is introduced

1987 Disposable contact lenses are first sold 1988 Prozac is introduced 1989 Mirage Hotel & Casino opens in Vegas

1992 The Mall of America opens in Minnesota

2004 Facebook is launched

1979 The first missing child appears on a milk carton

A local resource for residents of Sun City, Texas

1991 The internet becomes available for unrestricted commercial use

1974 UPC bar codes are introduced

1978 Home Depot is founded in Atlanta

A Guide To Quality Living in Georgetown

1990 East and West Germany are reunited after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Care to make any predictions for 2017? Send them to me at CPayne@CityInsiderTX.com.

CONTENTS 4 6 8 10 11 12 13 14 16 18 19 20 21 22

Getting to Know your Neighbors: Lou Gibson Sun City Shriner: Jim Smith Pinning Down Your Cravings Building Up at Gatlin Creek New Years Resolutions New Year - New You Firm on Fitness Fresh Look at City Market Mayor’s Update Health & Wellness Council Conversations: What’s to do in 2017 The Bucket List Savvy Senior Ask Your Lawyer

STAFF Managing Editor/Lifestyles: Cathy Payne Writer: Ann Marie Ludlow Design: Elysia Davis Marketing: Bill Mateja Guest Columnists: Mayor Dale Ross, John Bickle, Webster Russell and Dee Coffeen, Kay Taylor, Jim Miller

Info@CityInsiderTX.com P.O. Box 213, Jarrell, TX 76537 To Advertise in City Insider, call a sales exec at 512-746-4545 © Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC, 2017. All rights reserved. Don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook at City Insider for more news & pictures! Cover: Beth White, Group Fitness Coordinator for the Sun City Community Association offers some tips to Frank Smith (N46).

JANUARY 2017 | 3

Getting To Know your Neighbors Lou Gibson (N09) is well known in Sun City for helping people; very well known. But he is, at once, lucky and humble, and says simply that his charities are very important to him because he loves to give back. A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Gibson had a good family life and great experiences and says, “We didn’t realize we were poor. I grew up in it and didn’t know any different.” But he flourished through a nearforty-year career with Aetna Insurance. In that time he managed 200 employees and 650 agents, and was also the happy caretaker of a wife of 62 years and four daughters. He came to Sun City in 2000, and since retiring, he has become an extraordinary supporter and philanthropist for more than two dozen organizations in and around Georgetown. Even now he is a member of five different boards. “I love helping a lot of people. I’ve done that for most of my life,” Gibson says. “When I was working, I was always active in volunteer work. I have had a lot of opportunities and always felt like since I was fortunate enough to have a great career, it was important to give back. So I did.” His strong public service began

Lou Gibson (N09) with the YMCA of Dallas. He was on the board for 15 years and chair of the facilities committee. When he moved to Sun City he moved on to the Baylor Richardson Hospital Board for nine years. He is also very active in the Sun City Rotary Club. Among his passion projects are Faith in Action. Gibson helped found this group, which provides rides for people over 65 to get to doctor appointments, haircuts and important meetings. He is also a founder of a group called Special Friends, which clearly holds a special place in his heart. Special Friends was originally the

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Georgetown Alzheimer’s Project. The group established respite programs for caregivers and provided information seminars for people to get together and speak about struggles and conquests. Gibson took over in 2004 and it became Special Friends. Family members bring a loved one to the Worship Center in the morning and the Special Friends do activities all day; dancing, singing and exercise therapy. They have lunch together and sometimes even professional entertainment. “I am very proud of the success and membership in this group,” Gibson says. “We have over 150 people on the roster and about 30 weekly participants. We have one volunteer for every participant because each person needs personal care and attention. So it gets to be a big group and I’m very proud of the success we’ve achieved and the volunteer help we receive.” Special Friends has even expanded to other churches, and there is a group at Scott & White as well. “We’ve reached as far as Plano and Denton. My real objective is to have one place every day, all week, that a

caregiver could take his or her loved one to have some time away for relaxation or self-care.” Not content to just volunteer, Gibson also created a 501(c)3 to raise money for training and setup for other organizations in town. He enjoys being a problem solver; if he sees a need he just has a knack for creating a group or an enterprise to fix it. “Being on boards has given me a lot of experience and institutional knowledge to help them get started and keep running. Although,” he laughs, “people see me coming and now they just get out their checkbooks.” Gibson’s good works are too many to mention, but the list is two pages long. When he’s not raising money he exercises every day, plays golf and is active in the Theater Club as a performer. He also has breakfast with his buddies at Carl’s Jr. every Friday and enjoys a lot of other Sun City clubs on a weekly basis. He stays close with his four daughters and two brothers too. “Family is always the priority and I’m only 89,” he says, “So, I’m not ready to slow down yet.”

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Sun City Shriner Prepares To Head World Organization Jim Smith (N35) is totally committed to helping kids. So much so, that in 2020 he will be the worldwide leader of the ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine— otherwise known as The Shriners— which is dedicated to saving and building better lives for children. A resident of Sun City since 2001, Smith is currently the Imperial

Oriental Guide for the international organization and is chair of the finance committee, which oversees a very large operating endowment. “‘Imperial’ denotes the world structure of the Shriners, so most people would call that the 4th Vice President of a company,” Smith says. “I am in year six of a ten-year leadership tract, which allows me to work

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up to a one-year term as Imperial Potentate starting in July 2020.” Originally from Wisconsin, he visited Sun City in Arizona and he and his wife Alice loved the amenities. He looked at Hilton Head, but finally decided on Texas because (it wasn’t at sea level and) of the sense of giving and the caring people in the area. “People opened their doors for us and this is the longest we’ve lived in one place in 44 years of marriage.” His Masonic and Shriner posts and accomplishments, too many to name, earned him the title of “Honorary Texan” by Governor Rick Perry in 2005. In 2009, after serving as Potentate of the Austin Ben Hur Shriners and balancing their challenging budget for the first time, Jim and Alice hit the campaign trail to meet and greet Shriner’s all over the United States for his first election. “Most folks campaign for two or

JIM SMITH (N35)

“In 1922, the Shriners, having seen personally the devastation of the polio epidemic, opened their first hospital for children in Los Angeles, with plans for more,” Smith says. At the time, transportation wasn’t what it is today, so instead of making people travel, they just built more hospitals and took the doctors to the kids. “Shriner hospitals treat kids from birth to age 18, regardless of their ability to pay. We have 1100 beds and an $840 million budget, which we raise money for all year.

When Zion Harvey was 2 years old, he lost his hands and feet to an infection. His 2015 double hand transplant, the first of its kind, made history. What did not get as much attention was the fact that it took place at a Shriner’s hospital in Philadelphia thanks to the vision and dedication of his surgeon, Dr. Scott Levin who is, not surprisingly, a Shriner.

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more years, but we had a great plan and good support, so I was elected in my first year.” As Potentate, he will manage and delegate the work of 250,000 Shriners in 196 temples and 22 hospitals around the world. Before he retired, Smith provided material handling systems for customers like Miller Brewing or Target, so he is well-versed in operations for large organizations.

When it looked like polio had been licked, they stayed with orthopedic treatment, and now are the go-to treatment for injuries and spina bifida. In the 1960s we added burn centers as well, and we are recognized experts.” To be a Shriner, one must first be a Mason. Smith is a Master Mason who has a personal passion for helping kids after seeing the Shriner’s help a nephew born with a

Imperial officers Jerry Gantt and Jim Smith.

deformed leg. “My father’s boss was a Shriner and he took my nephew to the Chicago hospital because his leg was bent at the knee. The doctors decided to amputate and provide him with a prosthesis, which he learned quickly and went on to run and even play soccer. They don’t just work with the body, they heal in mind and spirit too. Rather than being crippled for life with a bent leg, he lives a wonderfully free life with a prosthetic.” “No one in our organization, from the newest member to the Potentate, gets a dime for their work. Our Sun City Shriners Club meets monthly and I visit other shrines and hospitals as often as I can,” Smith says. “Our organization provides research and education and locally we also provide free transportation whenever needed, to the hospital in Houston. If a family calls in the middle of the night, we grab our van from the Legacy parking lot and take children and their guardians to the hospital no charge. It’s just part of the job but I love being a Shriner and there’s nothing better than being totally committed.” JANUARY 2017 | 7

PINNING DOWN YOUR CRAVINGS More than 50 million Americans smoke. But, in the past few decades, acupuncture has become a popular alternative approach to quitting. Not only can professional acupuncturists help people lose their cravings, they can also focus treatments on individual symptoms that often prevent patients from even wanting to quit, like overeating, anxiety or irritability.

Kitara Byerly provides treatments at Ash Chiropractic and Wellness in Georgetown and she explains, “Placement of the needles creates new neural pathways in the brain that steer you away from cravings.

“Research has

Think of smoking as a rut in the road. Acupuncture makes a whole new new pathways road for you to drive can even help with on so rather than helping you consciously restroke recovery, sist the urge to smoke, the urges themselves dementia and go away.” Treatments take five Parkinson’s.” to 30 minutes and include

shown that these

hair-thin needles in the ears and various points in the body that help create balance in organs and other body parts. “There are many things involved in smoking, for instance some people like the feel of the cigarette on their mouth, or the smell of the tobacco. We work on all those sensations and habits.” Byerly says research has shown that these new pathways can even help with stroke

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Acupuncture makes a whole new road for you to drive on so rather than helping you consciously resist the urge to smoke, the urges themselves go away.”

Acupuncture needles are very thin and most people feel nothing, but for those who would rather avoid the “puncture”, acupressure is available as well.

recovery, dementia and Parkinson’s. “The needles are very thin and most people feel nothing, but if you don’t want the –puncture, we also do acupressure on the same important body parts.” Case in point, Dave Schumacher of Georgetown was a heavy smoker for 55 years. He happened into Kitara’s salon one day, and, like many, mentioned that he didn’t understand the benefits of sticking needles into one’s body. She said, “It has many benefits for pain relief, allergy help, smoking cessation, reflexology and more.” Skeptical, Dave agreed to a free 20-minute session just so see. Two weeks later, he was on her gurney with many pins in his head, neck and shoulders. “I had the most amazing relaxing half hour ever. Later she sat me down on a couch and put pins in my other ear and my wrists and hands. After another half hour, she came in and roused

me. She then asked if I wanted or needed a cigarette. I realized that I had no desire for one. She reminded me that it had been an hour and a half—a long time for this smoker— and I told her I had no desire for a smoke.” The date of Dave’s single freebie was November 24, 2014. “I smoked most of my life and tried to quit many, many ways: patches, pills, hypnosis, nicotine gum, vapor cigs, cold turkey. None of these did enough to stop the habit or the craving. But it has been two years, one month and two weeks since my acupuncture treatment and I am now a nonsmoker. Thank you, Kitara.” Georgetown has many locations for licensed acupuncture practitioners; visit Acupuncturists.HealthProfs.com for specifics of each.

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BUILDING UP AT GATLIN CREEK Readers may have noticed the backhoes and trucks on Williams Drive just east of Sun City. Wolf Properties—owned by David Wolf, who also developed the family’s namesake Wolf Ranch Town Center—is developing parts of a 121-acre property currently known as Gatlin Creek. Mr. Wolf says, with an easement for a flood plain, there are 95 acres for development. To date, he has sold 22 acres on the HEB side to Century Communities, also known as Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes. “There are 70 lots for single-family detached homes, which will be age-targeted for folks who want to buy homes that require no maintenance.” Wolf says this means the development will be marketed to

buyers over 55 years of age, but the neighborhoods will not have any restrictions on ownership. Wolf is currently building the roads and infrastructure to accommodate the homes, tentatively named The Cottages at Gatlin Creek. There is also a five-acre tract for multi-family use. He anticipates a 100-unit complex on the west end of the property and the sale is due to close within the next 60 days.

The land between the homes and apartments comes to 17 acres for commercial use. “It is zoned for anything from banks to restaurants, but we do not have specific brands as yet.” The company is ‘teeing up the property’ and hopes to attract businesses like Chick-fil-a and Wells Fargo. “We have a great location

and we think Chick-fil-a is a gold standard for QSRs (quick serve restaurants). I’ve also found that brick and mortar banks are becoming more scarce, but many people still want to walk in and take care of their transactions. We are five or

more miles from Wolf Ranch here so the possibilities are wide open.” Wolf is also hoping for a Freddy’s Frozen Custard or other nostalgic themes that will be attractive to nearby Sun City residents.

There will also be room for office condos or a hotel. “With 17 acres, we can manage whatever the market dictates. This is a great spot right on Williams Drive and we have placeholders for things that are sparse on the west side of Georgetown. For instance, restaurant choices are a little lacking here compared to downtown. It’s a great place for any company to get a foothold.” Wolf is glad to be building in what he feels is an underserved area and is investing a lot in the project. “We are marketing the tracts heavily right now to justify the expense in the infrastructure. One mile of finished road with full utilities is close to a $5 million investment. We hope to satisfy all the people who are looking forward to more choices in entertainment, churches, medical and restaurants probably within the next three years.”

The development of Gatlin Creek on Williams Drive will bring more choices in housing, entertainment, churches, medical services and restaurants within the next three years.

10 | JANUARY 2017

N E W Y E A R N E W YO U New Year’s Resolutions ANONYMOUS ( N05) “I plan to do my best not to [tick] off anybody.”

“

I will continue to try to effectively make Sun City and Georgetown the best place in the world to live. RON GARLAND ( N04)

2017

MIKE JOHNSON ( N42) “I work near a fitness center, so I should probably exercise more.”

“

I’m going to dance more. JIM HESTER ( N07)

YVONNE NIX ( N40)

“As an employee at Cowan Creek Fitness, I want to try to be a better ambassador for the center.” JANUARY 2017 | 11

NEW YEA R— N E W Y OU Fitness Opportunities Aren’t Limited By Age or Ability “I like nothing more than hearing someone talk about how happy their doctor was to see their tests improve or that they need less medication because they are getting healthy. It is cool to see that.” ~ Beth White Instructor Cara Cunningham

be self-motivated, which means treadmills and machines are the thing for you. But we also have tons of classes, trainers and buddy systems you can take advantage of if you enjoy the social aspect or want someone to make Jan Kondelis (N19) leads a group fitness class. sure you do it.” Sun City has two Like many amenities in Sun City, centers and three fitness your fitness options are many and studios, and by January 2 will have varied. Beth White is the Group added a third room at Cowan Creek Fitness Coordinator for the Sun City for classes. “When we started group Community Association, and with fitness 20 years ago we had about 25 years’ experience in the industry, a half page of class listings. Now we and every exercise from sit-n-fit to have two full pages of cardio, weight boot camp, she is a one-stop shop training, cross training, aquatics, tai for advice and support to get you fit chi, pilates yoga, kickboxing and (or fitter). more. And I love seeing people take City Insider spent some time with advantage of technology, tracking, Beth talking about all the ways resi- nutrition and other growing trends dents can get started on or mix up a in fitness.” workout routine. “The most importNewcomers to Sun City are afant thing about exercise, other than forded a free consult or class to give safety,” Beth says, “is being account- it a try. White even has a helpful able. If you’re going to work out, chart of best-of exercises to fit your you have to do something you’re needs; e.g., recovering from injury or going to want to do again. You may surgery, just getting started, or want 12 | JANUARY 2017

to up your game. “We work with people to make sure they are being safe in their programs. As we age, we aren’t able to do the same things or maintain the same levels. Our fitness experts help people come

back safely from injury, or start a new program at 60 if they haven’t exercised since they were 30. It’s also important to realize the things change in the exercise world and things that were a good idea in the

Above: Gary Einem (N51) and Dave Stockwell (N51) motivate each other during a cycling class.

1980s have been shown to be not quite so beneficial. We’re getting smarter, so we are happy to re-teach folks how to get the best results from any program.” The trainers are available to help residents set up a basic program they can follow on their own, or they will personally train to keep people accountable. White says she loves being part of group fitness. “I am most happy when I see people come out of the fitness room smiling and talking and ready to go to another class. The friendships and sense of accomplishment you see in their faces is what makes me feel like we were successful today and they will be back tomorrow.” She says another critical piece is to be consistent. “There’s no perfect way to do it. If you’re a morning person and 6:30am works for you, then that’s the perfect thing for you. Just be prepared to cross train, or change up your routine about every six weeks. Your body is all about muscle memory and if you do the same thing for too long, your body will start to resist more change and you plateau; that’s when we come in and help you find another exercise that you’ll enjoy and do again.” Like many in the industry today, White agrees it’s not about a numbers game or how much you weigh. “We want people to feel good regardless of their size. I like nothing more than hearing someone talk about how happy their doctor was to see their tests improve or that they need less medication because they are getting healthy. It is cool to see that.” With facilities open year round, White made sure to mention that they have one Pilates instructor who is 82 years old because, “You are never too young to start!”

Carolyn Morris (N33) is a firm believer that for wellness and fitness, attitude and lifestyle are the best ways to achieve your goals. As a former Weight Watchers coach, she knows a lot about motivation and consistency, and has helped many people create healthier habits for life. “It has to be about balance. People who hit the gym in January in ‘extreme’ mode and work out for 90 minutes until they are sore are going to find it difficult to maintain,” she says. “My first suggestion is that diets don’t work. They are a quick fix and the results may not last.” Morris always recommends that people don’t make any changes that they cannot actually live with. “For instance, when I ask someone how they lost some weight and they say ‘I gave up wine’; that’s a red flag. Because then I ask them if they can give up wine forever, and they say ‘no’, it’s not a lifestyle change.” She suggests people make small changes that they can live with, like giving up wine except on weekends or one day a week, so they don’t feel deprived or frustrated. She also doesn’t want people to skip meals. “Going all day without food so you can go to a big party, where you will go berserk is a bad idea. Don’t go anywhere hungry.” As a point, Morris loves to play golf, and for a three- to four-hour outing, she will pack sandwiches, snacks and fruit to maintain her energy throughout the day. For exercise, it’s best to find something you like to do, so you’ll be sure to do it. “I would rather be drug naked down Main Street than get on a treadmill, but I love Jazzercise and have attended 325 classes this year.” Morris also recommends getting some kind of

FIRM ON FITNESS

activity tracker, like a Fitbit. “The tracker is because people move a lot less than they think, and we eat a lot more than we realize, so I also read all my food labels.” She always checks the serving size because even though it’s a small bag or a small wrapper, it may still be two or more servings; e.g., the Lay’s you get with your sandwich at Subway. The best way to go, she says, is to start slow and make sure the changes you make are things you can live with. If you’re not a self-motivator, find a buddy. “But, don’t rely on that person to make you exercise. You should always have a Plan B if he or she needs to go to the dentist that day.” She also points out that if you’re a daily walker, but it’s cold and raining outside, have a Plan B, like marching in place while you watch television, and have your tracker tell you when you reach your distance. “I want people to be patient with themselves too. You didn’t get this way in two weeks, so don’t expect your results in two weeks.” More than anything, Morris says to change one word in your vocabulary. “Don’t say ‘try’; say’ ‘will.’ You don’t want someone to try to pick you up at the airport do you? The worst days when I told myself I didn’t want to go, I saw a man with a wheelchair doing his therapy on a mat and someone sat in his chair to complain about pains. Crazy!” “It all comes down to making a decision every day to sit less and move more. I didn’t get hold of my weight until I was in my 50s, but I can exercise as RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING SPECIALISTS! long as I’m breathRepairs • Replacements ing and upright, New Construction • Water Softeners and I plan to do it. So can you.”

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FRESH LOOK AT CITY MARKET

The City Market reopened December 12 after a brief closure and a fresh new look was completed. Regular customers will have noticed a new coat of paint back in November, and the latest update was the installation of a new enamel floor.

Manager Craig Alvarez says the store was a bit bare for a while to cut down on the amount of moving they needed to do, but everything is up and running full strength again. He also says customers can look forward to some great changes to the grill menu at the start of 2017. City Market is open 24 hours every day but Sunday.

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MAYOR’S UPDATE

City of Georgetown - 2016 in the Rearview Mirror My wife, Mickie, and I wish all the good people of Georgetown the happiest of holidays and a healthy and prosperous 2017.

Fastest Growing City in US

By Mayor Dale Ross The City of Georgetown has been a work in progress for the last 168 years and we treasure the rich heritage of the past. Our tradition of making history continued in 2016 and below is a sampling of some of the significant events and developments in this amazing city during the last 12 months.

Apparently, the secret is out about Georgetown and we are experiencing tremendous growth. As that growth comes, we are careful to protect those qualities that define our character and traditions. It has been a remarkable year of headline-grabbing innovations, ventures and announcements. We know there are more exciting developments to come as we embrace a bright and dynamic year ahead. We will continue to build a bridge between our storied past and the future which has allowed Georgetown to become the best city on planet Earth to live, work, play, raise kids and retire. 16 | JANUARY 2017

In May, Georgetown was named the nation’s fastest growing city with a population greater than 50,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Georgetown’s population estimate was 63,716 in 2015, with a growth rate of 7.8 percent between July 1, 2014 and July 1, 2015, adding 4,611 residents in that time period. Georgetown’s population was 47,400 in the 2010 census. According to the bureau’s estimate, Georgetown had a growth rate of 34 percent from 2010 to 2015. Since May, the pace of growth has only accelerated. Why are people moving to Georgetown? Because we have been committed to preserving Georgetown’s unique charm and character - from its great school district, to the San Gabriel River, to Southwestern University, to having the Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas. The City has worked very hard to make Georgetown the community it is today, and will continue to do so, while at the same time planning, preparing, and innovating for the future.

Solar Deal Finalized with NRG; Windfarm Celebrates First Anniversary The sale of a 154-megawatt photovoltaic solar project to NRG Energy in November moves the

City of Georgetown electric utility a step closer to a 100 percent renewable energy supply. The PV solar electricity plant near Fort Stockton will supply energy to Georgetown through a 25-year purchased-power agreement that starts in July 2018.

Additionally, the Spinning Spur 3 wind project owned by EDF Renewable Energy has been already been supplying the city with energy from 97 wind turbines since it began operations in October 2015. The wind farm located 50 miles west of Amarillo is under a 20-year contract to supply 144 megawatts of energy to Georgetown. While Spinning Spur 3 was projected to meet 90 percent of Georgetown’s energy needs, over the last 12 months, the electricity output from the wind plant has exceeded Georgetown’s consumption, making Georgetown 100 percent renewable for that period. The excess energy has been sold to the statewide electric market.

Sheraton Opens

Officials completed a ribbon cutting in July to mark the opening of the Sheraton Georgetown Texas Hotel and Conference Center. The 222-room full-service hotel and conference center is at the Summit at Rivery Park development. The hotel includes 30,000 square feet of meeting space, with a 16,000-square-foot ballroom. The new multi-level public parking garage constructed for the project and available for hotel guests, Rivery Park visitors, and the pub-

lic, was made possible because a public-private partnership with Novak Brothers, the owner and developer for the hotel. The Rivery Park Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, a partnership that includes the City of Georgetown and Williamson County, reinvests revenue generated by the project to fund the parking garage, improvements in Rivery Park, public roads, and utility infrastructure. The Summit at Rivery Park project will serve as a northern gateway to the Austin metro area and is an anchor for retail, office, and residential development in the center of Georgetown.

Key Staff Hired

Several key staff have been hired in 2016. In February, City Council was pleased to announce Charlie McNabb as our new City Attorney. McNabb came to Georgetown after serving a total of 27 years with the City of El Paso, Texas, including 10 years as city attorney. Wayne Reed was also hired this year as the new Assistant City Manager to oversee development services for the City. With almost 20 years of local government experience in both Colorado and Texas, Reed most recently served as the deputy city manager for the City of Centennial, Colorado. Leigh Wallace was recruited as the City’s new Finance Director. Wallace previously served as the corporate budget manager for the City of Austin.

Major Transportation Projects

Several major transportation projects will improve mobility in our fast-growing city. Southwest Bypass, which started construction in May, will provide a north-south link from Texas 29 to Leander Road and connect with a County segment to reach Interstate 35. Work continues on Farm to Market 1460 that will become a four-lane road from Georgetown to Round Rock. The Mays Street extension, a project in partnership with Round Rock, will provide a new connection to Bass Pro Drive from Westinghouse Road. Transportation planning work in 2016 included evaluation of the

Austin Avenue Bridges, the Williams Drive Corridor, and a new fixed route bus system with options and key decisions in each case expected in 2017.

taining wall and construction is set to begin next year on the 525-acre Garey Park after the completion of design work.

Lowered Tax Rate for FY2017

City Council recently finalized a public-private partnership with Rentsch Brewery to help them increase their production ten-fold, as well as and start a canning operation. Their labels will even emphasize their use of 100 percent renewable energy on their products. Starting next year, Rentsch beer will be made with “Texas sun, Texas wind, and Texas water.”

In October, City Council approved a tax rate of 42.4 cents per $100 of valuation. This is a lower rate than last year, and is actually the lowest rate in Central Texas. In terms of affordability, Georgetown has worked very hard to have the lowest tax rate in the region, as well as very competitive water and electric rates.

Major Facility Improvements

A number of projects expanded or improved City facilities, including the renovation of Williams Drive Pool, the opening of the “catio”, which is a screened porch at the Georgetown Animal Shelter, and the construction of new water storage tanks at Daniels Mountain, Rabbit Hill, and on DB Wood Road at Cedar Breaks. The first phase of renovations to San Gabriel Park began with the completion of a riverbank re-

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50th Anniversary of the Library

Georgetown Public Library completed a year-long celebration to celebrate its 50th anniversary, culminating in a gala in March. The Georgetown Public Library’s opened on March 21, 1966 in a one-room storefront in downtown. They have come a long way since then, hosting their gala in the 50,000 square foot library, which is open seven days each week with a staff of 23 em-

Earlier this year, a team from Texas State University conducted a survey of Georgetown residents on behalf of the City. Overall, City services and programs received high marks in the Citizen Survey. With respect to the overall quality of life in Georgetown, 97 percent rated it as good or excellent and 95 percent think Georgetown is a good or excellent place to raise children. Almost 80 percent of our citizens feel the value they receive for the taxes they pay are good or excellent. When asked about public safety, 95 percent of those polled think police protective service are good or excellent and 98 percent feel fire protective services are good or excellent. The City’s newest service, EMS medical transports, are rated good or excellent by 97 percent of respondents.

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Finally, the City has a new Economic Development Director in Michaela Dollar. Dollar has eleven years of experience working for economic development organizations in Texas and Florida. Her role in business recruitment, retention, and marketing in those cities helped in the creation of more than 2,730 jobs and $659.7 million in capital investment.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS Starting an Exercise Program That Works for You By Kay Taylor A new year brings a new opportunity to improve your health and possibly extend your life. If you are among the 70 percent of Americans who are not exercising regularly, now is the time to make a change in your lifestyle. Exercising and staying active help maintain your gait and improve strength, endurance, balance, agility and posture. People who are active can lower their risk for heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, depression and some cancers, and they tend to live longer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends older adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., brisk walking) per week, as well as muscle-strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms) at least two days per week.

Seniors should start slowly by adopting a walking program and engaging in regular activities, such as gardening, yard work and household chores, before attempting a more aggressive program, such as jogging, bicycling, weight lifting or hiking. When you feel you’re ready for more, lengthen the time of your current activities before increasing difficulty. St. David’s HealthCare suggests the following tips for starting and maintaining a safe and effective 18 | JANUARY 2017

exercise program for seniors:

It is never too late to start an exercise program; however, you should check with your physician first for advice on what you should, or should not, do.

Before doing any exercise routine, it is important to warm up. A warm-up period should begin with slow, rhythmic activity, such as walking, gradually increasing the intensity until your pulse rate, respiration rate and body temperature are elevated.

cise at less-crowded times during the cold and flu season. Exercise outdoors whenever weather permits, but check local air quality levels to ensure it’s safe to be outside. Use common sense and don’t exercise when you’re coughing, have a fever, cold or the flu.

If you have a temporary illness, don’t let this stop you permanently. Resume your exercise program and activities as soon as you can—rather than drift into sedentary habits. However, be sure to give your body time to recover. Following these simple tips will help get you on the right track to

a healthier and longer life. Keep in mind that it is important to tailor your exercise program to your own level of ability, as well as your specific needs. Most older people, even those 85 and over and people with illnesses or disabilities, can take part in moderate exercise programs. Need some motivation to get started? Consider inviting a friend, family member or significant other to regularly exercise with you, and set goals together. Kay Taylor is a certified physical therapist and supervisor at St. David’s Rehabilitation in Sun City.

Begin any activity in short stints. Try walking a block or a lap around a track, then add some distance as you adapt to the exercise. Drink lots of water. When you’re exercising, your body requires even more fluid. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. Thirst is an indication that you have not adequately hydrated your body. Check with your physician since some health conditions require restricted fluid intake. Wear the appropriate athletic shoes with good support and comfort. Eat smaller meals throughout the day.

Choose activities that you enjoy and can do consistently to maintain your regimen.

Be aware of air quality when you work out. If you go to a gym, exer-

PAT AND LINDA ESTES (N31) were re-married December 22 at JP3 by Justice of the Peace Bill Gravell. The Estes were together 16 years, divorced, and decided to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year by tying the knot again! They and their story were even featured on FOX News as part of the good news of Christmas!

Council Conversations What’s to do in 2017 STEVE FOUGHT: Georgetown City Council (District 4)

By the time we get to live in Sun City we’re at a special place in our lives. We’ve worked long and hard, been successful, and have some “spare time” we can give to help others, to take time for personal enjoyment, or to work (for pay or not) on things that are important to us. We have earned these luxuries, and ought to take full advantage of the situation. Sun City’s residents do just that as individuals and through Club activities. The Horticulture Club donates over 10,000 pounds of fresh produce each year to the Annunciation Home and the Caring Place. The Woodworking Club

donates well over 1,000 hand-made toys each year to Toys for Tots and Camp Discovery. The Hunting and Fishing Club donated nearly $7,500 to support outdoor activities of the Boy and Girl Scouts, active duty, and children of deployed military personnel, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Individual Sun City residents can be found throughout Georgetown in every volunteer capacity you can imagine. Whether it be the local hospitals, library, or even the public schools, Sun City residents give their time, resources, and knowledge freely and widely. So, if you’re looking for a way to do good in this

coming year, there’s always a place in our community where you can make a difference. There’s also ample opportunity to broaden your horizons and add a new flavor of enjoyment to living here. You might start by taking a Guided Tour of Historic Georgetown. You’d be amazed at what has gone on around here. Tours are given on Fridays and Saturdays at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 pm with the exception of holidays. For tour information, call (512) 943-1670, or visit: www.WilliamsonMuseum.org Or if you’re into “engines”, you might take in “Pistons on the Square” — it’s a gathering, weather permitting, of antique, classic, muscle, late model cars and motorcycles on the Square on the third Saturday of every month from 8-10 a.m. For more information, please contact pistonsonthesquare@gmail.com. Or you might wander downtown

on the First Friday of each month, between 6-8 PM. There’s live music, the shops are open, and there are plenty of good restaurants. While you’re there you might even explore the Georgetown Art Center or The Williamson Museum. Or if you want a whole list of ideas just go to the city web site (georgetown.org) and look at the calendar (or go direct at https://visit. georgetown.org/events/event-calendar/ This is just the tip of the iceberg, and I haven’t even mentioned the service clubs such as Kiwanis and Rotary, nor have I scratched the surface on our Sun City amenities, not to mention the Red Poppy Festival, Music on the Square, or a few other “happenings” around town. There’s a lot of good to be done, and fun to be had, in our town — take full advantage in 2017!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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JANUARY 2017 | 19

THE BUCKET LIST:

Recently, Sun City residents Webster Russell (Russ) and Dee Coffeen checked a major item off their bucket lists—a 111-day trip around the world! Russ and Dee invite you to experience this adventure as they share photos, anecdotes, travel tips, destination recommendations, and maybe even a little gossip about finding love on the high seas.

Bridge of Tears between the Doge’s Palace and the prison

What can be said about Venice that hasn’t already be said? Words simply do not do it justice; you have to see it to believe it. Let’s start at the beginning— and to do so we will show our ignorance. What we did know was that the Republic of Venice was a major financial and maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Venice is considered to have been the first real international financial center which gradually emerged from the 9th century to its peak in the 14th century. We knew Venice was a city state and it had no “king” but a Doge elected by the powerful wealthy families. The historic city of Venice has a population of about 60,000, and as you have seen in your travelogues, traffic is 99% water based. Only one of the 118 islands that make up Venice has cars on it; the island of Lido. Lido is also the only island with a golf course. We cruised into Venice via the

lagoon’s large waterway. One of the benefits of our cruise is that we had a balcony off of our room, so we could view the sites in comfort. The ship moves at steerage, or the slowest speed possible to still be able to steer it. What is absolutely breathtaking is that when entering or leaving Venice, you go right through the population centers with its beautiful architecture. Again, there are no words to describe slowly steaming by St. Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Tears, the Doge’s Palace and the Grand Canal. We decided to take a day-long cruise through the islands of Venice, stopping at Burano and Murano among others. The islands of Venice were populated out of need rather than population expansion. They had their own “Ellis Island,” where all entrants were screened before entry. To minimize the risk of fire from glass furnaces, all glass blowers were relocated to Murano. There was also a garrison island for

explosives, as well as an island that housed the fishing industry, and one for the sick. Burano can easily be called a “colorful” island. This was the island that housed the fisherman and each family’s house had its own color. Burano is also the home of Burano lace. Less famous, but as intriguing, is the leaning bell tower which sits off of the old European-style town square. We also traveled to the island Murano, home of Venice’s glass artisans. It did not have the architectural interest of the other island, but the glass art they displayed and sold was absolutely beautiful. Both Dee and I love Chihuly’s glass sculptures, so Murano was a real treat. We spent rest of the afternoon cruising the lagoon and its myriad islands. Two days in Venice was not nearly enough—hopefully we will return for another visit.

Bridge of Tears between the Doge's Palace and the pris

Burano, Italy

20 | JANUARY 2017

So, if you don’t mind admitting your age, here are some tips and tools to help you find the discounts you may be eligible for. always ask

GETTING OLD PAYS OFF by jim miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

What types of discounts are avail-

able to baby boomers, at what age

do they kick in, and what’s the best way to go about finding them? Almost 50

Dear Almost,

One of the great perks of growing older in America is the many discounts that are available to boomers and seniors.

There are literally thousands of discounts on a wide variety of products and services including restaurants, grocery stores, travel and lodging, entertainment, retail and apparel, health and beauty, automotive services and much more. These discounts – typically ranging between 5 and 25 percent off – can add up to save you hundreds of dollars each year.

The first thing to know is that most businesses don’t advertise them, but many give senior discounts just for the asking, so don’t be shy.

You also need to know that while some discounts are available as soon as you turn 50, many others may not kick in until you turn 55, 60, 62 or 65. search online

Because senior discounts frequently change and can vary depending on where you live and the time of the year, the Internet is the easiest way to help you locate them. To do a search, start by visiting SeniorDiscounts.com, which lists thousands of discounts that you can search for by city and state, and by the category you’re interested in, for free.

You can also look for discounts at TheSeniorList.com, which provides a large list of national and regional business chains that offer them, or you can Google them individually. Just go to Google.com and type in the business or organization you’re curious about, followed by “senior discount” or “senior discount tickets.” If you use a smartphone, another

tool is the Sciddy app (see Sciddy. com) that lets you search for senior discounts and can send you alerts when you’re at an establishment that offers them. join a club

Another good avenue to senior discounts is through membership organizations like AARP, which offers its 50 and older members a wide variety of discounts through affiliate businesses (see AARPdiscounts.com).

If, however, you’re not the AARP type, there are other alternative organizations you can join that also provide discounts such as The Seniors Coalition or the American Seniors Association. Or, for federal workers, there’s the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. types of discounts

Here’s an abbreviated rundown of some of the different types of discounts you can expect to find.

Restaurants: Senior discounts are common at restaurants and fast food establishments – like Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Subway, Wendy’s, Applebee’s and Golden Corral – ranging from free/discounted drinks, to discounts off your total order. Retailers: Many thrift stores like Goodwill, and certain retailers like Banana Republic, Kohl’s, Michaels and Ross stores offer a break to seniors on certain days of the week.

Supermarkets: Many locally owned grocery stores offer senior discount programs, as do some chains like Albertsons, Kroger, Publix and Fry’s Supermarkets, which offer some discounts on certain days of the week but they vary by location.

Travel: Southwest Airlines provide the best senior fares in the U.S. to passengers 65 and older, while Amtrak offers a 15 percent discount and Greyhound offers 5 percent off to travelers over 62. Most car rental companies provide discounts to customers who belong to organizations like AARP. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Carnival cruise lines offer discount rates to cruisers 55 and over. And, most hotels offer senior discounts, usually ranging from 10 to 30 percent. Entertainment: Most movie theaters, museums, golf courses, ski slopes and other public entertainment venues provide reduced admission to seniors over 60 or 65. And the National Park Service offers a lifetime pass for those 62 and up for $10 (see nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm).

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Jim Miller is the creator of Savvy Senior, a syndicated information column for older Americans and their families that is published in more than 400 newspapers and magazines nationwide. Jim is also a regular contributor on NBC’s “Today” show and KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City,and is the author of The Savvy Senior, The Ultimate Guide to Health, Family and Finances for Senior Citizens, (Hyperion). Jim is frequently quoted in articles about issues affecting senior citizens and has been featured in numerous high profile publications, including Time magazine, USA Today and The New York Times. In addition, he has made multiple appearances on CNBC, CNN, Retirement Living Television and national public television.

JANUARY 2017 | 21

By John W. Bickle, Attorney at Law 1. What is a sweepstakes, a lottery or a premium?

Welcome to another in my series of articles regarding matters involving Texas and Federal law which I hope will be interesting and useful to you. As before, I’ll continue to quote liberally from and use the format which was inspired by the Elder Law Handbook of the Tarrant County Bar Association. However, remember this is information and not legal advice. For legal advice, ask your lawyer. As many of you know, I’ve been writing articles for Sun City residents for more than a dozen years. Several years ago, I wrote a series of articles on CONSUMER PROTECTION. It’s time we took another look at some situations that continue to cause concern.

A legitimate sweepstakes is an advertising or promotional activity that awards prizes to participating consumers by chance with no purchase or entry fee required. You should never have to pay a fee to enter and win a sweepstakes, nor should you have to pay a fee to receive a prize in a sweepstakes. A legitimate lottery is a promotional activity by which prizes are awarded to members of the public by chance, but it requires some form of payment to participate. Lotteries are illegal except when conducted by a governing body, e.g., the city, state or federal government, or certain exempt charitable organizations. A legitimate premium is a gift that organizations provide to all recipients who respond according to the organization’s instructions, e.g., a gift that you receive with a subscription or donation.

2. Why should I worry if a promotional activity is legitimate? Unfortunately, Americans lose over

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$40 billion dollars annually to fraudulent promotional activities. Many of these frauds are perpetrated on the elderly. The telemarketers who perpetuate these frauds frequently work from what is called a “mooch list”, a list of names and telephone numbers of people who are likely victims of telemarketing fraud. According to some Congressional studies, almost 60% of the names on the “mooch lists” are people aged 50 or older. Most of us are aged 50 or older. Be careful and don’t get your name on a “mooch list”.

3. How do I know what is legitimate or what is fraudulent? Your answer to some of the following questions might help you decide: • Do I have to buy something, send some money, or call a toll-free number to enter the sweepstakes or can I simply send in an entry form with no purchase required and still be qualified to win? • Do I have to give the organization a credit card number or bank account information when registering to win? If so, do I have to give them that information right now? • Do I have enough time to think it over and research the promotion or do they require my decision right now? • If I am responding to a phone call, will the organization send me additional information through the mail outlining their promises in writing? • Do they want to send a messenger for my check or meet me at my bank today?

4. How do I protect myself from fraud? Common sense says use your head, take your time and think about the offer. Talk it over with someone you trust. Read the fine print. Remember that these people are not your friends. They are trying to get money from you, legally or illegally. Get all information in writing before you agree to buy. Don’t give your credit card numbers or checking account numbers over the phone or internet to anyone unless you initiate the transaction. Especially not to someone who tries to sell you something that confuses you or that you don’t understand. Check out charities before you give. Find out how much of your money goes to charity. Be cautious about any investments with an unknown caller or one who insists that you must decide immediately. If large amounts of money are involved, check with your legal or financial advisor. Don’t send cash or other easily negotiable currency by messenger or overnight mail. Using cash rather than a credit card may waive your right to dispute fraudulent charges. Hang up if you are feeling pressured to buy. Finally, remember the old saying “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”. I’ll be back next month with more questions and, hopefully, more answers. Remember, we’re all in this together and the more information you have the better questions you can ask your lawyer and the better decisions you will make. John W. Bickle resides in Sun City, is licensed to practice law in Texas and continues in practice today as a member of the Williamson County bar. He can be reached by phone at (512) 868-8593 or by email at jbbickle@msn.com

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