Liberty Hill Digest • January 2023

Published by Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC

PUBLISHER Cathy Payne

Like many of the best in her craft, Cathy has a specialized degree—in her case, hard science—and a gift for writing. She found her voice and fulfillment reporting and writing news and magazine features for a regional Central Texas audience. Along with serving as the publisher of the Liberty Hill Digest, Cathy oversees multiple magazines, marketing campaigns, and books.

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Megan, a mom of two, has been a part of the Liberty Hill community for 11 years. Originally trained as a nurse, today, she channels her passion to help others into throwing birthday parties for kids battling cancer. Megan’s other passion is running, and that same zest for life flows into her writing and sharing the inspiring stories of Liberty Hill.

FROM THE EDITORS

Greetings, Readers, and happy New Year from the editors and writers at Liberty Hill Digest. We hope you are enjoying a collective sense that, regardless of the weather or the news, January always brings some kind of affirmative change, or at least anticipation of good things hoped for.

To support your reflections or resolutions, this issue features some wonderful strategies and resources to help you take steps toward making 2023 your best year. Or, you can take our feature about exercise-in-disguise feature literally and turn your steps into big leaps to better fitness. We are also introducing some great local businesses that will satisfy your appetite as well as your need for ‘me’ time, and in between you’ll find easier paths to ‘healthy’ foods and choosing the right diet for your lifestyle.

We also saved room for a great "Worth the Drive" trip to Enchanted Rock where you can put your new exercise for fun skills to the test. Or at least get some sunshine, fresh air and family time.

However you may be celebrating or fretting in the new year, we’ll leave you with an uplifting thought from Isaiah... Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Is 43:18-19)

Megan Diane Beatty

SENIOR WRITERS / COPY EDITORS

Marie

Jesse Payne CONSULTANT

W. Ben Daniel

GIVING LIBERTY HILL a Shot of Confidence

Going through body changes after her second child was born inspired Bethany Meyer to open a medical spa from which women could leave looking and feeling beautiful. “I wanted to help women feel good about themselves and feel empowered,” she says.

Formerly a nurse practitioner who was part of her patients’ healing journeys, Bethany is now helping people look and feel better as the owner of Signature Aesthetics because, she says, “being able to help others is how I identify myself.”

MORE THAN A NUMBER

Born and raised in Odessa, Texas, Bethany was drawn to Liberty Hill after getting her master’s in nursing at Texas State University in Round Rock. She moved here with her husband in 2019 because she liked how Liberty Hill was a little town “away from the hustle and bustle.” She felt the close-knit community was the perfect setting for the type of welcoming medical spa she wanted to create where women could be themselves without being

judged. Originally located in a one-room suite in Leander, Signature Aesthetics opened at its current and much larger spot in Liberty Hill last October.

“We are focused on the relationship with the client, not the number of clients we’re bringing in,” she says. “Other med spas may make you feel like you’re just a number—we want everyone to feel like they’re part of a family. Your first visit to the medical spa comes with a warm welcome and a million questions to get to know you, followed by a

consultation with me and a personal treatment plan to start your anti-aging journey.”

Signature Aesthetics’ services designed to help you reach your skin care goals include anti-wrinkle treatments like Botox and Dysport, Kybella to reduce chin fat, chemical peels, facials, laser hair and tattoo removal, IV therapy, vitamins, a biostimulator to improve skin elasticity, and micro-needling to treat acne and tighten skin. “Our techniques are minimally invasive, and we take precautionary measures to assure you have the safest and most pleasurable experience,” Bethany says.

LIFE-CHANGING RESULTS

One of her clients, Amy Maddox, had suffered from terrible acne since she was 12 and says she tried every treatment imaginable, but nothing worked. “I met Bethany two years ago and my skin has never been this clear and perfect in my entire life.” Thanks to an easy-tofollow skin care regimen and injections that have helped

with aging and fine lines, “the results are drastic, and my skin is glowing,” Amy says. “She changed my life!”

Rose Branigan calls Signature Aesthetics a wonderful addition to the Liberty Hill businesses community. “I’ve seen Bethany for skin care and her husband Dylan for immune IV therapy,” she says. “They are both extremely knowledgeable on the best course of treatment no matter what needs you have and they make every effort to make you feel comfortable during each session. Their new location is very conveniently located, clean, comfortable, and beautifully decorated. I love having them as local business owners and neighbors and am thankful to patronize a family-owned business for needs like these.”

signatureaestheticstx.com 512-264-5662 201 St. Joseph Ct, Ste 410 Liberty Hill

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos by Christianna Bettis

Ja’ll Will Love our New Gastropub

Liberty Tavern Serving Up Cuisine and Culture

LIBERTY TAVERN

3000 Ranch Road 1869

Liberty Hill, TX 78642

512-548-6503

LibertyTavern.co

WITH POSITIVE ENERGY, A STRONG WORK ETHIC, AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT, PEPPE AND AMY HAVE PUT THEIR UNIQUE EUROPEAN STAMP ON THEIR LIBERTY HILL MOM AND POP BUSINESS.

by

Having grown up in a small town in Germany, Giuseppe “Peppe” Gazzana vowed to himself that when he had the chance he would always live in a big city. As a young man, he settled in London and worked in the restaurant business for many years but, over time, decided it was not his true calling. Then, after a chance meeting with his future wife Amy in a London restaurant in 2012, he laughs to think how their whirlwind romance has reminded him to never say never.

Once Peppe sold his shares in a restaurant chain, he and Amy spent a year traveling the world. On a stop in Arlington, Texas to visit family, they considered moving to Austin, where Amy’s brother lived, then a job offer for Amy detoured them to Liberty Hill.

While he loved his new Texas home, Peppe missed the public houses—pubs for short—in London, with their camaraderie and comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. These drinking establishments are an important part of British culture and serve as the focal point of the community, especially in small villages.

He began daydreaming of opening a gastropub—a pub that also serves a “proper meal” and not just bar food. Having finally landed his ideal location in Liberty Hill, Peppe and Amy, together with general manager Brian Inman, executive chef Chris Peterson, and a dedicated staff have been hard at work since their soft open in September, preparing for their grand opening later this month.

Follow Liberty Tavern on Facebook or at LibertyTavern.co for updates.

YOU’LL BE CHUFFED TO BITS (THAT’S PUB FOR ‘VERY PLEASED’)

With 30 beers on tap, a bar, dining room, and beer garden, Liberty Tavern serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, and plans to begin breakfast service early this year. Diners will find ribs, salmon, and steak on the menu along with top sellers like burgers, chicken-fried steak, and Brussels sprouts with a balsamic, chili, and ginger glaze. While seeking to please your palette, the dining room will also be a delight for the eyes as they display art for sale a rotating basis at no charge to local artists.

Giving the establishment that distinctive pub feel is the Gazzanas’ goal—to make it a gathering place for families and friends of all ages. With two children of their own, it was an easy decision to add a playground to the fenced-in beer garden, complete with picnic tables and glittering white lights that encircle and enliven the space. They also plan to include live music, outdoor games, themed nights, and special events, to share the appeal with a wide range of customers.

PHOTO BY U&ME PHOTOGRAPHY

Linda A. Thornton

by Ann Marie Kennon • photos courtesy LHISD

HUMAN AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PROVIDING FULL-SCALE SECURITY

Liberty Hill ISD is continuing to level-up in its ability to safeguard every individual learning and working at district sites and buildings thanks, in part, to our good fortune that Steven Gold, CEO of SparkCognition, and his family live in Liberty Hill. Mr. Gold reached out to Superintendent Steve Snell and proposed a program that would provide and integrate his company’s software with the district’s current hardware, resulting in a combined physical and artificial intelligence (AI) system that is more effective at recognizing threats to personal and property safety. Mr. Snell expects the open system to be fully online by February.

officer at every campus in the district, which represents a vital layer of security backed up by the AI, which will be watching and learning 24 hours a day. “The AI helps our officers do double duty,” Mr. Snell said. “They can be on playgrounds or in various positive engagement activities while the system monitors every activity on campus.” He adds that even with advanced technological options available, the most essential part of the plan is hiring good people with good training because that is the greatest return on investment. He says, “A computer may track a suspect via camera angles and lock the right door at the right time but, at the end of the day, if a bad guy comes on campus with a gun, I want a police officer on campus to handle that situation.”

With all the positive attention garnered by this initial deployment, Mr. Snell is pleased that the current program only scratches the surface of SparkCognition’s full capabilities, and the software was provided on a trial basis at no cost. “Our most recent school bond included $3 million for a multi-faceted approach to keep our facilities safe. We used those funds to upgrade our cameras and cell phones, harden campuses1 , and hire new SROs.” The ISD now has at least one uniformed

The superintendent explains that the new system is mid-spectrum between the old model of a single security guard monitoring cameras from behind a desk and a “’Skynet’” version of a fully automated and futuristic response paradigm. “A person can only watch one camera at a time for a few seconds, but the AI can watch dozens of cameras 24 hours a day without being distracted or tired. The program can be given faces to recognize but also, over time, will ‘learn’ patterns of behavior and activity that will enable it to recognize anomalies and alert human personnel to suspicious activity. The AI will consider a gun or a knife an immediate threat but will flag anything that could be a weapon, e.g., a pipe or bat, lock on it, and learn that shape.”

For instance, the system can recognize that a car in the parking lot is not normally present and notify the lot attendant where and when the vehicle arrived. The human officer will be able to discern if it is a student with a new car, or a parent simply dropping off a forgotten item.

CHECKING INTENT AND RESPONSE

Mr. Snell says while much attention is given to the worst-case shooter incident, there are many scenarios in which a security response may be warranted. “It is not always the big bad wolf. The system looks for the same thing any officer or administrator would; are those students smoking or vaping, why did this person fall, why is that door open, what is that person carrying, what are they doing in the hallway? Further up the spectrum, perhaps it’s a custody issue and the wrong parent is in the pickup line. In all cases, the AI loops officers in immediately of the incident time and location on campus.”

Christianna Bettis Photography

Apart from physical security, the ISD already employs an online monitoring system to review what is typed on computers in its network. “Students and staff have no expectation of privacy on a school computer, and we have a similar platform that recognizes conversations or search parameters that may indicate violence or selfharm. We immediately call the parents to make them aware and direct students to appropriate counseling to help them get back to a positive frame of mind. There are different levels of ‘flags’ so, like our physical security, the system merely triggers an alert to a human administrator with subjective experience. This system has shown the greatest return on investment of anything we’ve done.”

Mr. Snell says he will continue to provide updates on security audits and how the new AI performs generally, as well as provide information about the kinds of incidents that it catches to reassure parents and community members that expectations are being met. “We expect, once the system is fully online, we will also have drones in service and costs of service will average approximately $5,000 per month. It is a minimal expense compared to other things we’ve put in place, and parent feedback indicates it is money well spent when weighed against safety.“

Scan the code to learn more about security measures in the district.

Luxury homesites are selling now at The Canyons at HCH Ranch in Georgetown. Located off of FM 3405 in Georgetown in a private gated community, these heavily wooded home sites will offer expansive hill country views throughout. The Canyons at HCH Ranch feature luxury custom homes built exclusively by Grand Endeavor Homes. The Canyons is a place of unmatched natural beauty in the Texas Hill Country.

Experience Stunning Hill Country Views

Situated on some of the most scenic land in Williamson County, The Canyons rests atop rolling hills looking out over the vast landscape. Offering an abundance of natural beauty and lush vistas, The Canyons has been carefully planned to integrate seamlessly into the natural environment. The development of The Canyons pays homage to the rich heritage of the land and encourages the continuation of this existing beauty to create a timeless natural environment. The homes in The Canyons are considered part of a cohesive element that melds the natural beauty with a place to call home.

You may have heard tales of canine heroes like Salty and Roselle, two service dogs that led their blind owners to safety from the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attack. Or stories like the woman who was denied taking her emotional support peacock on a flight. But what exactly is a service animal, and what do service and emotional support animals do?

Service and emotional support animals play crucial roles in improving their humans' quality of life. They provide a calming distraction during disasters, help with depression, or perform tasks like alerting owners to seizure episodes or even sniffing out cancer.

SERVICE ANIMALS

Service animals are typically dogs—any breed and size—that have been trained to perform a task to help with their owner’s disability, such as picking up items for a person who uses a wheelchair, preventing a child with autism from wandering away, or calming a person with PTSD during an anxiety attack. People with disabilities may train their dog themselves and are not required to use a professional training program. While most service animals are canine, miniature horses, pigs, and monkeys may also be placed into service.

SUPPORT ANIMALS

Emotional support animals provide companionship, reduce loneliness, and can help with depression, anxiety, and certain phobias, but do not have special training to perform tasks that assist people with disabilities. They are typically dogs and cats but may also be birds, hamsters, hedgehogs, pigs, and horses. Experts suggest any animal can provide emotional support but recommend a domesticated animal that is likely to be acceptable to a landlord or airline authorities. Airlines are not required to transport unusual animals like snakes, ferrets, rodents, and spiders.

For adopters who want to train their current dog to become a service dog, Wilco Regional Animal Shelter Animal Services Director Misty Valenta recommends a Good Manners training. “When helping adopters choose a dog for that reason, we help pick one that the adopter bonds with, enjoys learning, and is not reactive around other animals, people, or strange environments,” she says. In the past, the shelter has partnered with organizations that train dogs to pair with military veterans, although it is not something the shelter does consistently.

Scan the code to learn more about service animals.

Emotional Support v. Service Animals

FOR PEOPLE WITH HEALTH ISSUES, FURRY COMPANIONS ARE MORE THAN JUST ONE OF THE FAMILY; THEY CAN ALSO BE THE KEY TO INDEPENDENCE.

Miles of Inspiration

by Emily Tilly

Just over three years ago, Brenda Guajardo brought a new family member into her home and his arrival rekindled a creative urge she’d not indulged since childhood. The new family member was Miles—Miles of Adventures to be precise—a fox red, fun-loving, and playful English Labrador. At that time, Brenda was excited to take a break from 12 years as a professional ultramarathon runner, and she soon found herself spending even more time with Miles due to pandemic restrictions. During that time, Brenda noticed a few of her pup’s toys needed some improvements.

“We were going through a lot of toys I bought from stores, and it occurred to me that maybe I could sew some myself that would hold up better. I bought a sewing machine and—using just scarves and fabric I found— began making toys for Miles,” Brenda recalls. The experience brought back memories of sewing as a child, and inspired her to create Yards and Miles Studio, LLC. The studio offers myriad products, which Brenda makes herself, including pencil pouches, tote bags, make-up bags, key chain pouches, and other home accessories, not to mention other unique items like signature sewn and embroidered dog bone toys or pillows.

In addition to her aesthetic and handcrafted work, Brenda is also an expert at combining embroidery and sewing, which makes each of her products a rare find. Most items have uplifting messages embroidered inside. “The embroidery is really the fun part. There is

something classic and timeless about an embroidered item because the personalization is in the fabric—in the grain—so it won’t wash away. It also makes a high-value statement for business and personal gifts. Yes, it is a bit more expensive than an iron-on but that’s what really makes the statement when you present it as a gift, or you keep it for yourself. You're saying, ‘This is important to me and I want to enjoy it for a long time,’” says Brenda.

Yards and Miles also provides custom embroidery for items made or manufactured by other companies: linens, towels, wreath sashes, shirts, and hats (individual, family, team, club, or business), jackets, and backpacks. Brenda enjoys creating memorable monograms, logos, and messages and, in addition to her focus on quality and precision, she consults freely with clients to discuss and recommend optimal placement, size, or alternatives (e.g., a patch) to maintain the integrity of any customer item. Her goal and vision are to provide a close study on every piece that will enable her to produce the highest quality product.

Scan the code to learn more about Yards and Miles Studio or to contact Brenda, and check out her work at Instagram.com/yardsandmilesstudio/

~ Miles, an enthusiastic, repeat client

“Yards of fabrics, miles of adventures!”

In a world of treadmills and weight machines, it can be easy to think of exercising as a grueling chore. Instead of dreading your next workout, try these exercises-in-disguise and most likely you’ll be having so much fun you won’t realize you’re burning calories.

hate working out?

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

HEALTH &

TRY THESE EXERCISES-IN-DISGUISE

DANCE YOUR WAY TO HEALTH

Whether you’re grooving with friends, learning new steps in a classroom or having a solo kitchen dance party, dancing is a fun way to get your whole body in shape, both physically and mentally. Because the activity is a full-body workout, no muscle is left behind no matter which style you decide to try. In addition to improving cardiovascular health, strength, and balance, dance is beneficial for your mental well-being, as the brain power needed to focus on the various moves and patterns creates an excellent form of mental exercise.

Before you start your dance journey, consider your fitness level and goals. For those wanting to improve their posture and balance, ballroom or ballet could be a perfect fit, while high-energy dance routines like Zumba and hip hop are great for getting fit and

losing weight. And while it’s never too late to start dancing, it’s also important to consider any physical limitations. Many forms, including ballroom, are appropriate for people with health issues or limited mobility. Talk to your doctor or instructor before taking a class if you have concerns about the intensity of the class.

 Arthur Murray Dance Center: Social and wedding dance lessons, 3010 Williams Dr., Suite 177, Georgetown.

 Palace Theatre: Jazz, tap, and ballet classes for various ages, 810 S Austin Ave., Georgetown.

 Performing Arts Studio: Tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, acro, contemporary, and musical theater for preschool to high school ages, and tap for adults, 900 N Austin Ave., Suite 123., Georgetown.

GET ROLLING

Whereas running and walking can wreak havoc on your joints, roller skating is a low-impact exercise that could be a good fit for people with knee, hip, and ankle conditions. Whether you’re skating at a local rink or around your neighborhood, this workout on wheels is a great exercise for your legs that also strengthens your heart and improves balance and coordination.

When it comes to choosing the right kind of skates, think about what kind of skating you want to do. If you’re more interested in outdoor skating, consider inline skates—which have wheels all in one line—or, if you’re planning to do a lot of rink skating, quad skates are the way to go, with two wheels side by side in the front and two side by side in the back. You should be able to wear skates that are the same size or slightly larger than your shoe size. Don’t forget to add safety gear—elbow and knee pads, wrist guards, and a helmet.

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Austin Roller Rink: 11600 Menchaca Rd. #101, Austin

Bartholomew Roller Derby Track: 2104 E 51st St., Austin

Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex: 1156 Hargrave St., Austin

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Playland Skate Center: 8822 McCann Dr., Austin

Rock Sports Arena: 3918 Gattis School Rd. #102, Round Rock

UNDERGROUND ADVENTURE

Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely stroll through a show cave or exploring an undeveloped part of the underground world, caving is an adventurous way to improve both your mental and physical health. Texas is home to thousands of caves, with the Texas Cave Trail consisting of five show caves. From beginner-friendly tours to wild, off-path ones, the trail offers excursions for caving enthusiasts of all skill levels. All caves are about 70 degrees year round, with tours averaging from one to four hours. Some caves offer walk-in tours while others require reservations, so visitors are encouraged to check out the cave’s website before making a trip.

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Cave Without a Name: Enjoy an hourlong, quarter-mile tour of the cave that was “too pretty to have a name.” 325 Kreutzberg Road, Boerne.

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Caverns of Sonora: In addition to touring the caverns in Sonora, visitors can pan for gemstones as well as camp on the ranch grounds. 1711 Private Road 4468, Sonora.

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Inner Space Cavern: Inner Space offers a trek on a lit, paved trail during the Adventure Tour, an off-the-beaten-path experience on the Hidden Passages Tour, and four hours of hiking, crawling, climbing, and squeezing through tight spots on the Wild Cave Tour. 4200 S I-35 Frontage Road, Georgetown.

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Longhorn Cavern: In addition to cave tours, visitors can enjoy hiking and picnicking at the Longhorn Cavern State Park as well as camping, boating, and other outdoor fun at the nearby Inks Lake State Park. 6211 Park Road 4 S, Burnet.

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Natural Bridge Caverns: Embark on an adventure in the largest cave in Texas, and above ground, find your way through an outdoor maze, pan for treasure, and test your agility on a ropes course and zip rails. 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio.

PARKOUR!

A sport that requires you to see your environment creatively, parkour is all about getting from point A to point B in the quickest and most efficient way possible. It’s about treating the world like a giant playground as you run, jump, climb, swing, and roll your way through various obstacles.

Running, jumping, and climbing not only make for a full body workout, it also fosters creativity and boosts confidence as you search for creative ways to overcome obstacles. Two area gyms offer parkour classes for various ages—Lache Move, 8868 Research Boulevard in Austin, and Tumble Tech, which has two locations at 1301 Toro Grande Dr. in Cedar Park and 4300 Westbank Dr. in Austin.

PICKLEBALL

Dubbed the perfect pandemic pastime, pickleball has taken over the global sports scene as a “safe, accessible, and endlessly enjoyable way for people of all different ages, body types, and fitness levels to come together,” Rachel Simon writes in Pickleball for All.

At 22, Jesse Payne hadn’t heard of the paddle sport inspired by tennis, Ping-Pong, and badminton when his friends invited him to play a few months ago, but he has since become an avid player. Not only is it a fun way to connect with friends, he says, it’s also a game you can play on a variety of surfaces, including volleyball, tennis, and badminton courts.

The Georgetown Pickleball Club supports pickleballers in Georgetown and neighboring cities as well as out-of-towners while promoting the growth of pickleball in Georgetown and the surrounding area through education, training, social events, and amateur competitions. New members are welcome to join at GeorgetownPickleball.org

 Georgetown Tennis Center: 400 Serenada Dr. in Georgetown, $2/hour per person, reservations required. The center also offers pickleball lessons, tournament play, competitive leagues and more.

 McMaster Athletic Complex: 101 Walden Dr. in Georgetown, free, players must provide their own paddles and balls.

MODERN-DAY TREASURE HUNT

An outdoor adventure that combines nature and technology, geocaching is played around the world by those seeking hidden containers (the caches) using latitude and longitude coordinates on geocaching.com Geocaches are hidden, not buried, in tree hollows, under park benches, and other outdoor nooks, and come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Containers includes things like small toys, games, compasses, and keychains. Use your eyes, hands, and geo-senses, as your GPS or smartphone will only get you within about 30 feet of the cache location. Geocaches are hidden in almost every country on Earth, and there are 443 geocaches waiting to be discovered around Liberty Hill.

Successful seekers can take an item, leave another item, and sign the logbook before moving on to the next destination. Geocachers can also post about their experiences online and offer clues for other geocachers. Create a free account and download the phone app or use a GPS device to start your treasure hunting adventure.

SADDLE UP

The smell of pine trees, the grip of the reins, the bond with another living being there’s nothing quite like the magic of horseback riding.

The American Heart Association calls it a good cardiovascular workout that also improves core strength, burns calories, and lowers blood pressure.

Texas Trail Rides offers horseback riding and family friendly equestrian activities in Austin, and the Brushy Creek Saddle Club is a familyoriented, nonprofit horseback riding organization in the Liberty Hill area.

1

ARCHERY

A modern sport with ancient roots, archery takes all forms—survival, com bat, and competition—in almost every culture of the world, and has been a Hollywood favorite from Robin Hood, to The Hunger Games. Improving focus, hand-eye co ordination, and upper body strength, archery also has one of the lowest injury rates of all outdoor sports1, according to the.

Double G Archery has an indoor range at 4185-B E University Ave. in Georgetown where people can shoot for $10 an hour with their own equip ment. A bow rental program provides instruction, equipment, and range time for $25 an hour. Double G also offers archery lessons as well as League Nights at 6:30pm for $10 per person for ladies on Tuesdays, Open League on Wednesdays, and Traditional League on Thursdays.

UNDERWATER FUN

Whether you want to experience a deep dive or just-below-the-surface marine adventure, scuba2 diving and snorkeling are great ways to explore our underwater world. Snorkeling allows you to explore close to the surface at a low cost—with just a mask and snorkel tube. Scuba diving provides a deeper underwater adventure but requires safety certifications and specialized equipment, including an oxygen tank with regulator, wetsuit, and fins. Lake Travis, and Spring Lake in San Marcos are great snorkeling and scuba diving gems in Central Texas.

proves balance, stability, and flexibility, especially for older people. It is also a low-stress way to return to exercising while recovering from an injury.

 Karate is a fighting style that focuses on hand techniques and uses kicks as backup. Karate is a good fit for those interested in learning balanced, full-body moves.

 Taekwondo is a Korean self-defense martial art that emphasizes kicking and uses hands as backup. This martial art form is best for those interested in learning fast and more elaborate kicking moves.

 Krav Maga, Hebrew for contact fight, is the official self-defense and hand-to-hand combat of the Israel Defense Forces. It relies on simple, instinctive movements rather than rigid techniques so it can be used effectively by men and women of all ages and fitness levels. “Not only is it a great way to be physically active but it also gives you confidence to know how to protect yourself if you ever need to,” says Lacey Nash, who has been going to Round Rock Krav Maga for 18 months. “I have also gained some amazing friends going to Round Rock Krav Maga who challenge me mentally and physically.”

 Muay Thai is known as the art of the eight limbs but actually uses 10 points of attack—fists, feet, shins, elbows, and knees—to act as weapons in combat, a fighting style used by the Thai military for centuries. Muay Thai does more than just make individuals into good fighters. “It’s a confidence builder and stress reliever, and it improves your overall health,” says Kru Wrath, owner and head instructor at Monster Makers Kickboxing, Boxing, and Fitness in Jarrell.

U.S. National Institutes of Health

Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.

WORTH THE DRIVE

Archaeological evidence suggests Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has been fascinating and drawing people to Central Texas for 12,000 years. Its principal attraction is a pink granite dome, which peaks 1,825 feet above sea level, known as a batholith

In the modern era, the area was colonized in the 1700s, and has been home to missions, presidios, and mineral mining. Today, the park is a National Natural Landmark and is one of the most visited parks in Texas, with more than 250,000 trekkers annually.

THE BATHOLITH

One billion years ago, this granite was part of a large pool of magma (liquid rock) as far as seven miles below the surface. It pushed up into the rock above in places, then cooled and hardened very slowly, becoming granite. Over time, the surface rock and soil eroded, leaving Enchanted Rock, Little Dome, Turkey Peak, and other domes visible.

The domes, a bit like icebergs, are the small and visible part of a much larger underground area of granite—the Enchanted Rock Batholith, for example, stretches 62 square miles, mostly underground.

by Ann Marie Kennon

Although Enchanted Rock appears to be solid and durable, it is actually an exfoliation dome, which means it has layers like an onion, which are changing and eroding—however slowly—even today.

As rock and soil on the top wear away, the granite expands slightly, because there is less weight on it. This expansion causes the dome to split into curved sections. As the outer layer of rock breaks into smaller pieces and slides off, the next layer begins to peel away from the dome.

HISTORY

Prehistoric people left at least one kind of evidence throughout the park; bedrock mortars—depressions in the granite—where they ground and pounded their food. There are at least 400 known archaeological sites in the park to explore.

During the 1700s, Spaniards began to colonize the area and mine for minerals. Word from the mines got out and Germans and Americans began arriving in the mid-1800s, hoping to strike it rich.

enchanted rock

when you go

The park is less than two hours from Georgetown. There are nearly 11 miles of hiking trails, rock climbs, picnic and camping areas. Visitors can also birdwatch and geocache.

From ground level in the park, Enchanted Rock rises 425 feet. The entire dome covers 640 acres and the trip to the top is about like climbing the stairs of a 30- or 40-story building. Hikers suggest arriving early in the day to avoid large crowds and full sun exposure in the open expanse of the rock during summer months.

Tent campsites are available for a per-car fee. Some private sites include shade shelters, and all are located near the shower building, with water faucets and restrooms nearby. Each has an outdoor grill and fire ring, tent pad and lantern post. Hardier guests may hike further in to the historical sites, and spend the night near Moss Lake or Walnut Springs. There are also group historical sites that allow as many as 75 campers per night.

Pets are welcome on a leash, and the only activities not permitted in the parks are swimming and trail biking. There is also a park store that carries gifts, wood, and snacks. Rangers encourage visitors to bring and carry drinking water to ensure a good supply.

enchanted?

Geologists say temperature changes cause the dome rock to “creak and groan” on occasion. Native Americans believed the sounds were from ghosts. As well, on clear nights, after a rain, the top of the rock glitters resembling flickering “ghost fires,” which enhanced legends and stories through the ages. Scientists believe the glittering is reflections from collected water or wet feldspar (crystallized magma).

SAVE THE DATE

As part of the Texas State Parks’ 100-year anniversary, Enchanted Rock will have a 45th birthday celebration and fair Thursday, March 2 from noon to 4pm. Visitors are invited to learn new skills, enjoy old hobbies, and explore the history and beauty of the domes. Free day passes will be available in February.

Stargazers are in luck as well. The park has International Dark Sky status and, while visitors are welcome to stay until 10pm daily, Rangers occasionally host Rock Star Parties for expert input.

Scan the code to visit their website for events and updates.

by Emily Tilly

New Rules for a New Year

The FDA is making strides to further benefit the consumer when it comes to what we eat and how we can find it.

New Year’s resolution. A pretty familiar term. This is the time many of us make a list of things we want to begin, stop, or change to become better versions of ourselves so it is no surprise that healthy eating and wellness remain at the top of the list year after year.

And resolutions are a good thing given the data that show more than 80 percent of people in the United States do not eat enough vegetables, fruit, and dairy. Most of us also consume more added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium than are necessary.

For some, changing eating habits can be overwhelming given the myriad options available and, more commonly, the difficulty in deciphering which foods and plans are truly healthy.

See our story on page 24 for more about eating plans.

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

As part of its efforts to help consumers make good choices, reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve general health, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently proposed a new rule focusing on helping us sustain healthier eating habits. The timing of this proposal intentionally coincided with the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.

The proposed rule would help ensure nutrient-dense foods, according to the Dietary Guidelines for 2020-2025, can carry this label.

The FDA also plans to change the consumer labeling on these foods to detail the nutritional information of each.

WHAT IS A “HEALTHY” FOOD?

The FDA believes redefining “healthy,” identifying foods that qualify, and modifying the limits on certain nutrients are key to changing the way people shop for food. Under the current definition, there are limits for total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.

 Salmon, due to its high fat content, is not healthy under the current definition. However, taking other benefits into consideration—rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein and low in cholesterol and saturated fat—it may qualify under the new rule.

 Avocados and most whole raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and certain oils do not currently qualify as healthy.

 Water does not currently qualify as healthy, but is under consideration in the new paradigm.

The agency announced on September 28th that under the proposed new definition, in order to use the new label on their packaging, products must also contain a certain meaningful amount of food from at least one of the food groups or subgroups in the guidelines. Each must also adhere to specific limits for certain nutrients, such as saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.

The threshold for those limits is based on a percentage of the DV for the nutrient and varies depending on the food and food group. For example:

 A food item or product must provide at least 10 percent of the daily value (DV) for at least one of the following: iron, fiber, calcium, protein, vitamin A, and vitamin C.

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The limit for sodium is 10 percent of the DV per serving (230 milligrams per serving).

Cereal must contain ¾ ounces of whole grains and no more than 1 gram of saturated fat, 230 milligrams of sodium, and 2.5 grams of added sugars.

HEALTHY HABITS

HOW CAN I FIND THEM?

In addition to identifying foods appropriately, the new labels will make them more easily recognizable by the consumer. Using the healthy symbol and label are both voluntary, but the benefit to consumers will be in greater confidence and efficiency while shopping. According to the FDA, “Symbols may be particularly helpful for those with lower nutrition knowledge to identify foods that can be the foundation of a healthy eating pattern.”

FIRST STEPS

It is important to note the new proposal could take months to be firmly in place. However, those hoping to make positive change can start now to be more aware of eating patterns and incorporate more whole and fewer processed foods in their daily diet. Scan the code to check for updates to the Dietary Guidelines and progress on the proposed new rule.

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healthy food from healthy foods

Making healthy choices will be even easier in 2023 thanks to updated dietary guidelines coming from the FDA to your local grocery store, into your home, and onto your table. These recipes highlight a few of the food items formally recommended for meals and snacks as part of a healthy lifestyle.

For more on the FDA changes, see our story on page 22.

SLOW-COOKER MEDITERRANEAN STEW

• 2 x 14-oz cans no-salt-added fire-roasted diced tomatoes

• 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

• 1 cup coarsely chopped onion

• ¾ cup chopped carrot

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ¾ tsp salt

• ½ tsp crushed red pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

• ¼ tsp ground pepper

• 1 x 15-oz can no-salt-added chickpeas, rinsed, divided

• 1 bunch kale, stemmed and chopped (about 8 cups)

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• fresh basil leaves, torn

• 6 lemon wedges (Optional)

 Combine tomatoes, broth, onion, carrot, garlic, oregano, salt, crushed red pepper, and pepper in 4-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low 6 hours.

 Measure 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons chickpeas; mash with a fork until smooth.

 Add the mashed chickpeas, kale, lemon juice, and remaining whole chickpeas to the mixture in the slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on Low until the kale is tender, about 30 minutes.

 Ladle stew into 6 bowls; drizzle with oil. Garnish with basil. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

CRISPY SPICED & ROASTED CHICKPEAS

• 1 x 15-oz can no-salt-added chickpeas

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• salt & pepper to taste

SEASONING SUGGESTIONS

• ½ tsp cumin plus ½ tsp paprika • ½ tsp curry plus ½ tsp turmeric • ½ tsp zaatar plus ½ tsp sumac

• ½ tsp chili powder plus ½ tsp garlic powder  Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.  Rinse chickpeas in a colander until water runs clear. With paper towel, dab chickpeas until dry.  Transfer chickpeas to baking sheet, add olive oil, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper, and toss until are well coated. Spread chickpeas in a single layer over the baking sheet. Bake chickpeas 30-35 minutes, tossing halfway through.

 Eat immediately while warm or allow them to cool to store. Store up to 4 days in a container at room temp. Leave a small space in the lid; air helps chickpeas stay crisp.

CRUNCHY GREEK YOGURT WITH BERRY MEDLEY

1 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt

1 cup mixed fresh berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, etc.)

cup All-Bran cereal

tablespoons pomegranate seeds

tablespoon walnuts or almonds, chopped In a cereal-size bowl, add the yogurt. Top yogurt with remaining ingredients.

BELLE CHIMES IN First World "Tragedies"

Belle is struggling today (it's mid December at the writing desk) to write serious satire because it is just too tempting to talk about Paul Whelan. Trying to wrap my head around the situation that left an American—a Marine who formerly served our country in Iraq and later as a police officer—sitting in a jail cell in Russia is just irony waiting to be put to paper and the satire practically writes itself.

But since that's old news by the time you read this, Belle will just reflect on the lighter side of other "things that are just not fair" for 2023.

For instance, we all have first-world problems whether we realize it or not. Sure, no one cares about them, and no one should, but I bet you have at least one thing in your own life that qualifies. It may not be a big problem and it certainly doesn't change the world, but it's your problem so you're allowed to let it bother you. Belle doesn't judge.

Seriously, there's a reason I don't tell people my back hurts because I have spent weeks skimming thousands of leaves and acorns out of my pool, which we chose to build under an oak tree for the shade and so we didn't have to walk too far from the porch to get in it. Seriously (again), I'm not even humble bragging; I'm actually just trying to see myself as a jerk before I forget and say things like that out loud. So I suppose writing them down for a magazine is not too bright either. Did I just do it again by reasoning that lots of people read my column? Eh, Belle is all about life lessons and it is the month of resolutions, right?

Maybe it's not just me. How many times have you gotten angry about being blocked on Netflix because there are too many devices online in your home? This is about the same as "I wish my charger was long enough so I could stream movies in bed."

Overheard: "My storage unit company [implied: because I have so much stuff I have to rent a piece of a building to hold it all] is raising its rates this year." Note, readers, we've just confirmed, "My garage has so much junk, I can't park my car in it," is a qualified substitute, and the judges will also accept, "My house is so big I don't get good wi-fi in some of the rooms."

But even Belle has her limits. This is probably on the list for some but you will likely never hear me say, "This all-inclusive resort/cruise/Disneyworld wristband is too tight to wear 24 hours a day to eat and get services without payment." Full disclosure, I have, on occasion, complained that my flight to some lovely vacation destination was too early in the morning.

Did you know there is a $55 soap dispenser that is Alexa-enabled? Have I become so incredibly attention-deficited that I can't wash my hands without entertainment? Still, I would probably pay for an audible alert that tells me when the water coming out of our old pipes is finally warm. I don't enjoy wasting ten minutes and ten gallons of water to avoid hypothermia in the shower.

In contrast to the old pipes, it's also annoying that my smart refrigerator sends me emails when it thinks I've opened the door too many times this month. Thanks, but I already have a human mom to tell me when I'm getting fat and I can only wish I could upgrade her software.

Meanwhile, I'm going to find out how I can mail a care package to Paul Whelan. He may not get it, but how fun would it be if he suddenly got dozens of boxes and we all got to read about our first-world disposable income annoying a bunch of Russian politicians?

PARTING SHOT

Hard work, determination, and endurance are just a few of the reasons our Liberty Hill High School football team was able to fight their way to the State Semifinals. Sporting events are one of the best ways to unite a community and once again the people of Liberty Hill did not disappoint. We congratulate you as Panther Nation for fighting a hard battle and making it to the fifth round of playoffs!

PHOTO CREDIT: FACEBOOK/LIBERTY HILL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

ECRWSS POSTAL PATRON LIBERTY HILL, TX