Georgetown View Magazine/ March 2011 by Georgetown View

MARCH 2011

Kay “Kmac” McConaughey

Y E S , YO U C A N B E H A P P Y Matthew’s (and Mike’s and Patrick’s) mom shares secrets for amazing happiness St. David’s Georgetown Hospital

R U N N I N G A N E W H O S P I TA L A hospital worth a second look Heart To Heart

T H E V I E W ’S H E A R T O F G E O R G E TO W N AWA R D What’s Cookin’?

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content s

28 f eat u reS Yes, You Can Be Happy | 22

An Old Path To New Health | 40

An Extra view

The Jewels of Georgetown | 14

Kay McConaughey (yes Matthew’s mom), gives sage advice on making your own happiness.

Join us on a hunt for Georgetown’s not-so-hidden treasures.

get ting to know georgetown

Wonder Woman Puts Stronghold on Cancer | 16

Running A New Hospital | 32

St. David’s Georgetown Hospital makes major enhancements—take another look.

a Healthy view

Early mammogram screening saves woman’s life. creatE

Oriental medicine treats many ailments. What Mat ters Is…

An Open Heart | 43

Southwestern senior shares her heart and her stay in Vietnam. what’s cookin’

SAVORY SOUPS | 44

Homemade soup recipes to warm your heart (and your tummy).

A Nesting Place | 19

d e partment s

Local artisan designs heavenly homes for birds to roost.

An Extra view

THROUGH THE LENS

Amazing Mrs. Z helps Georgetown’s students in transition and wins prestigious Georgetown View Magazine Award.

Candid shots of our community.

Texas A&M graduate tells her story about travel (and work) “in the safest country in the world.”

An Extra view

Great Expectations

Heart to Heart | 7

live and learn

Dick Schwartz: Math Tutor Par Excellence | 9

Tutor helps students believe in their ability to master math. a giving view

Putting Faith Into Action | 12

Non-profit provides free transportation and lends medical equipment.

A Traveler’s View

New Zealand or Bust | 46

Faces Of Georgetown | 28

Mad for Montessori | 29

Parent and author discovers gem of a school and writes about it. An Extra view

Book Clubs Around Georgetown | 48

Georgetown book clubs turn the page on reading fun.

Finish Strong Georgetown! | 31

a natural view

Get GT Fit 5K helps families get healthy.

Local “listers” look for flying friends.

a business view

Sugar Gliders – Pocket Pets Extraordinaire | 52

Winging It | 50

an Animal’s View

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E x tra s Greetings | 6 Events | 54

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G reet i ng s

Publisher

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EDITOR’S NOTE

It’s hard to believe that over 365 days have passed since those first planning meetings when Georgetown View Magazine was just a thought. What’s happened over this past year is just short of a miracle. Actually, it is a miracle. The miracle is that in the process of working to bless you with stories that uplift, we have been uplifted ourselves. Many of you have shared your joys and challenges by giving us a glimpse of your lives. It matters not the path that brought you here or your station in life today. What matters is your willingness to open up your homes, businesses and hearts in a way that says, “My life isn’t perfect, but I’m willing to share what I have and what I know.” That is what matters. What matters to you? I’d love to know, and I think our readers would, too. That’s why in this anniversary issue of Georgetown View Magazine, we have begun a new department called “What Matters Is… (See page 43). This space is for you. Write in. Tell us what really matters to you. Maybe you’ve experienced something that has brought clarity to what’s really important in life. Friendship? Honor? Love? Chances are it will bless you in the writing and others in the reading. Speaking of what matters, I want to take this opportunity to thank the writers and photographers who, this past year, have worked to produce stories and photos that inspire, educate, and entertain. Most of all, I thank you, our readers, for following us and for your great story ideas. Please keep them coming. They really do matter.

Bill Skinner bill@viewmagazineinc.com Managing Publisher

Matthew Painter matt@viewmagazineinc.com Managing Editor

Alicea Jones alicea@viewmagazineinc.com Assistant Editors

Meg Moring Jan Schultz jan@viewmagazineinc.com Production Management

Jill Skinner jill@viewmagazineinc.com Creative Director

Ben Chomiak Red Dog Creative Contributing Writers

Carol Hutchison Meredith Morrow Ursula James Meg Moring Karen Lange Emily Treadway Nancy Bacchus Kathy Buckley Anne Feary Sarah Paulk Contributing Photographers

ps We receive so many beautiful photographs throughout the year and we thought it would be fun to share them with you. If you love taking photos and would like to share them with other readers, send them to editor@viewmagazineinc. com with your name and a short description of your subject. Happy Snapping!

Cover photo by Todd White Georgetown View is a View Magazine, Inc. publication. Copyright © 2011. All rights reserved. Georgetown View is published monthly and individually mailed free of charge to over 31,000 homes and businesses in the Georgetown zip codes. Subscriptions are available at the rate of $38.00 per year or $3.50 per issue. Subscriptions requests should be sent to View Magazine, P.O. Box 2281, Georgetown, TX 78626. For advertising rates or editorial correspondence, call Bill at 512-775-6313 or visit www.viewmagazineinc.com.

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Teri Grant Anne Feary Meg Moring Todd White Matt Painter Carol Hutchison Dana Jones Sales

Sharon Shaw sharon@viewmagazineinc.com Matthew Painter matt@viewmagazineinc.com Bill Skinner bill@viewmagazineinc.com

E x tra V i ew

Heart of Georgetown

elinda Richards was featured last June in a View article by Cindy Wiegand, “The Amazing Mrs. Z.,” explaining her tireless work with Georgetown’s population of “students in transition.” At year’s end, the View issued an invitation seeking nominations for a Heart of Georgetown Award. “At the heart of Georgetown are the people who give so much to make this a great place to live,” we wrote. “If you know of someone who is deserving of special recognition for the work that they do, we’d love to know about them.” As Georgetown always does, the community spoke, and their hearts went to Zelinda Richards. Officially, Zelinda is the school district’s Family Specialist/Homeless Liaison, serving approximately 200 identified students, with 60 of those designated as “unaccompanied youth.” She reaches out to the kids and their families, getting to know them individually as she provides practical connections to local services. Some people are born with extra dollops of kindness and empathy. Zelinda has these qualities, but she also

Heart toHeart has her own story to share with students. She grew up on Seventh Street in the heart of Georgetown, the youngest of seven children, six of whom were girls. Although Zelinda’s mother had a limited education, she wanted more for her children and instilled in her daughters a message that education mattered. Knowing that her mom would be proud today, Zelinda claims herself and her sisters as “strong, outspoken women.” One of her most difficult school years came in seventh grade when her father passed away. Georgetown was different back then, offering fewer safety nets. Zelinda names her mother, her grandparents, and some special teachers like Beth Seamen as her sources of encouragement. She says that she learned to “put on a smile” and keep going, through college and beyond. Today, her optimism and energy are part of the pay-back to Georgetown. On a recent cold February day, her office was overflowing with donations from people she calls “Earth Angels.” These angels are her “11th-hour help in any crisis,” giving money

or collecting and distributing By whatever is needed. Zelinda asked rhetorically, “What does an angel look like?” and then she pointed to little angel figurines peeping from the leaves of plants and other unlikely places. As her program touches hearts in Georgetown, Zelinda has a clear vision of progress, goals, and problems. This year, nearly 25 students from the program are on track to graduate from either Georgetown High or Richarte with traditional diplomas. A “safehaven” facility for teens is being planned through the leadership of The Georgetown Project. The community is more aware, even though some misconceptions still exist about homelessness. Some problems, like the economy, lack of public transportation, and a yearround need for support, continue. Sustained by prayer, her son, her fiancé, two of her sisters, and a few Earth Angels, Zelinda Richards stands ready with an open heart to encourage stuZelinda Richards dents in transition. 

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Nancy Bacchus

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L i ve an d Learn

Dick Math Mentor Par Schwartz Excellence

magine a comfortable retirement in a lovely area like Sun City. Imagine golf, gardening, swimming, painting a sunset, carving a bowl, dining with friends and neighbors. Imagine relaxing. Now imagine, instead, choosing to help young people become better in math. That’s exactly what Dick Schwartz did more than six years ago when he volunteered as a math tutor. Math from the Heart After retiring from the Navy, Dick still felt a call to serve his community. He wanted to share both knowledge and experience, and he first volunteered at Annunciation Maternity Home. For nearly three years, he helped young women with their math lessons and saw a wide range of abilities within a fairly small group of students.

With a desire to lighten the teachers’ loads as well as reach out to students who were having trouble in math, Dick offered his expertise to the math department at Georgetown High School (GHS). However, before meeting with a single student, he spent several weeks studying algebra and geometry textbooks in the teachers’ lounge to become familiar with current approaches in these subjects. He does not feel that one student is born with an aptitude in math while another may have lesser math talent. Instead, he sees a need “to demonstrate to the student that math can serve him/her well.” He claims that his often-repeated refrain is “read the problem, read the problem.” Dick would like to encourage students “to accept what’s in front of them,” believing

that “what we’re exposed to helps develop an affinity for a subject,” whether the subject is math or history or English. He advises students to “keep an open mind across the board” instead of letting a negative attitude interfere. “There’s no reason to hate anyone or anything, so don’t say, ‘I hate math, or I hate spinach,’” Dick commented. He 

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Nancy Bacchus

a student fails a test, Dick might take him/her to the library for one-on-one instruction. This helps the student work through his/her misunderstandings before moving on to new material.

Dick Schwartz from page 9 would encourage parents and teachers to use creative ways to show the real-life impact of math. One example might be having a student plot distances along her route to school. Another technique could be throwing a handful of change on the table after dinner to show a child the “magic numbers of fives and tens,” along with the life skill of making change for a dollar bill. Real learning will “tax the child’s brain” as Dick helps a student grasp the complexities of math. However, the trade-off is that he and the student experience great satisfaction when a concept “clicks” or when test grades improve. From the students, he has learned some new skills with graphing calculators. When students need additional time for their work, Dick feels that having the option of a study hall in their daily schedule would be helpful. When he’s at the high school, Dick may assist in a couple of different ways. In one scenario, he may audit the lesson as the teacher presents new material. Then, as students begin their practice problems, he moves around the room, helping those with questions, reinforcing the concept or explaining with different words or examples. When

Math and a Path Both talent and an interest in math have played important roles in Dick’s life. When he graduated from high school in January 1943 at the age of 16, Dick had earned a scholarship to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Before starting there, however, he took some courses in math and physics at Georgetown University. His MIT career continued for a year until he was old enough to enlist in the Navy in March, 1944. After World War II ended, Dick further honed his math talents with a degree in 1946 in mechanical engineering from Duke University. Later, after receiving a commission in the Navy, he used his

Based on his own experience, Dick would encourage others in Georgetown and Sun City to share their talents by assisting students. Someone’s talent may lie in art, music, golf, or traditional school subjects, but passing it along could make an awesome difference.

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math skills as a pilot. One tour of duty involved teaching engineering subjects like Descriptive Geometry and Fluid Mechanics at the United States Naval Academy. He explained such concepts as triangulating a flight, which includes variations of both algebra and geometry. Maintaining a lifelong interest in learning, he completed his master’s degree from George Washington University while serving as a full-time naval officer. Math and Other Lessons In his six-year quest to help students learn math, Dick has taught other lessons as well. They see someone who values young people enough to give them his time. They see that worthwhile learning takes effort and patience. They have the benefit of his experience and an opportunity to interact with an older member of the community. They see a volunteer, a mentor, a friend who believes in them. Dick Schwartz exemplifies the spirit of “passing it forward” to the future. He hopes that others in Georgetown and Sun City will share their talents by assisting students. Someone’s talent may lie in art, music, golf, or traditional school subjects, but passing that talent along could make an awesome difference. In a community like Sun City, he sees a tremendous pool of talented people, and in the Georgetown schools, he sees a tremendous need. 

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Putting Faith into Action By

Carol Hutchison

“E

veryone has a different story to tell,” says Larry Black, recalling his reasons for volunteering with Faith in Action Caregivers. “It enriches my life to make this connection with people.” Larry is among many volunteers who put their faith into action by helping Georgetown citizens over 65 live independently. Without

dedicated volunteers, Faith in Action would be, well, inactive. The organization began 10 years ago when founder Kathy Backus and other community members sought to fill a need for elder care in Georgetown. Today, Faith in Action is sponsored by 12 local churches, all of vari-

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“I don’t have the words to say how much I appreciate this help. My drivers have been so wonderful and are a large part of my support system.” ous doctrines. Kathy passed away in 2008, but her vision lives on in the many volunteers—including her husband, Tom—who keep the wheels turning. “Volunteers are the heart of the organization,” says Rita Handley, Executive Director of the non-profit, whose 180 volunteers serve 300 clients. And the need for volunteers is growing as the senior population in Georgetown grows. “Most volunteers who start with us stay with us,” says Rita. “They feel they get more joy out of it than our clients.” All volunteers go through a training process (and a background check) to make sure they’re ready to serve. Faith in Action’s office, located in the Community Resource Center, coordinates all client and volunteer activity. Transportation makes up approximately 85% of their services. Drivers furnish rides to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and personal business in Georgetown, while

“Most volunteers who start with us stay with us. They feel they get more joy out of it than our clients.” other volunteers stand ready to run errands and pick up prescriptions for the homebound. Care calling is another way volunteers regularly check on clients, either by phone or in person. And handymen complete minor household repairs. The organization also lends vital medical equipment, such as crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs, to anyone in the community. “I don’t have the words to say how much I appreciate this help,” said Sylvia Lankford, a client who needed assistance getting to and from dialysis treatments. “My drivers have been so wonderful and are a large part of my support system.” Sylvia, who recently passed away, was amazed at the organization of the office as well as the compassion of the volunteers. The sponsoring churches offer some financial support, provide members for the governing body, and assist in recruiting volunteers. The organization, however, relies heavily on fundraising throughout the year. The annual choral concert, its main fundraiser, is scheduled for April 28 at First Baptist Georgetown, where the audience makes a freewill donation. The San Gabriel

Chorale and choirs from all twelve sponsoring churches give spectacular performances, as well as a combined choir grand finale. Other 2011 fundraising plans include a fall dance, a volunteer appreciation luncheon, and an open house. “Faith” means believing in something, despite material evidence to the

contrary. Faith in Action helps seniors in our community believe that independence and quality of life are possible. And its many volunteers can believe that their actions are worth their time. “For a very small cost of your time,” Larry Black says, “the rewards are bountiful.” 

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The Jewels of Georgetown

1 By

Karen Lange

eorgetown is adorned with jewels—43 beautiful sculptures set throughout the town like priceless gems in a crown. The sculptures make up The Georgetown Sculpture Tour, part of the larger Central Texas Sculpture Tour, and are on display until October 2011. Most of the exhibitors are members of The Texas Society of Sculptors. Society member and Georgetown resident Dar Richardson is the man behind the placement of the sculptures in Georgetown. Dar says that all of the sculptures are for sale, and twenty-five percent of sales go to the Arts and Culture Board to encourage the development of all the arts in Georgetown. Here is a sampling of the jewels that beckon visitors:

Old Glory by Terry Jones. This sculpture is symbolic of the rock for which it stands. It is made of recycled metal objects and located in San Gabriel Park. www.tmjcreativesculptures.com Strength by Julio Sanchez De Alba. Strength is a bronze black rhino and, in all its splendor, weighs in at five thousand pounds, is ten and a half-feet tall and seventeen feet long. Strength is on display at the south entrance of the Georgetown Public Library. 1 www.juliosart.com

Balance by Cindy Debold is a life-sized bronze dancer. This enchanting piece welcomes young and old alike into the Children’s Room of the Georgetown Public Library. 3 www.cindydebold.com Horatio II by Marla Ripperda is a mixed media creation located near the Georgetown Playscape, next to the Georgetown Recreation Center. Its whimsy captivates the interest of the youth that play nearby. www.marlaripperda.com/

Distortionists by Ho Baron. This treasure is a surrealistic cast bronze piece measuring eight feet tall. View it at the entrance to the Georgetown Recreation Center. 5 www.hobaron.com

Guardian by Herb Long. This diamond in the rough is a six-foot tall concrete creation situated in San Gabriel Park. Long is an Austin-based sculptor who sculpts in concrete, bronze and clay. 2 www.hlstudios.com

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Mirroricity by Johann Eyfell is a bronze sculpture installed at the Georgetown Playscape. Mr. Eyfell was born in Iceland, and his sculptures reflect the natural beauty of his homeland. www.eyfellsandeyfells.com Centrophy by Michael Epps is a mixed-media creation located at the Georgetown Recreation Center. Epps sculpts in a variety of mediums such as bronze, clay and cement. 4 I’ve Been Kissed by Pokey Park. The sculpture has been the most sought after treasure of them all since it went missing around October 31, 2010. The bronzed beauty reappeared on Christmas Day near the Georgetown Playscape, its original location. Upon its return, the princely frog was given a new residence, the Georgetown Public Library, where grateful Georgetown citizens may wish him a “happily ever after.” 6 www.pokeypark.com/index2.html 

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Wonder Woman Puts Stronghold on Cancer By

Karen Lange

f she had still been in her native England, Christine Johns might not be alive to tell about her cancer experience. The American Cancer Society recommends that American women begin mammogram screenings at age 40. In England, however, the recommended age is 50. That age would have been too late for Christine, who had no family history of breast cancer, had found no suspicious lumps, and had no reason to go for the costly screening before age 50. Luckily, Christine moved to the United States in 1991, and on October 11, 2005—at age 44—she was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram. She was shocked. If she had been in England, that cancer would have gone undetected until it had likely spread throughout her body. Christine elected to have a double mastectomy rather than the lumpectomy her doctor suggested. “Something told me [that the mastectomy] was the right thing to do,” she said. Her intuition was right; following the operation, she learned that the aggressive, triple-positive mass

2011 Relay For Life of Northwestern Williamson County April 8 & 9, 2011 at Forbes Middle School

can Cancer Society. This year The Wonder Women (and Men) hosted a Dine to Donate event at Applebee’s on February 22nd and 28th. They will hold a garage sale on the Williams Elementary School campus on March 26th, in addition to other campuswide activities. Johns is approaching 50 this year and says that she now sees aging in a whole new light. This Wonder Woman counts every birthday as a gift. 

“However, through it all, I remained thankful that it was me and not my kids who had cancer.” was twice the suspected size. Christine’s life was jolted by the physical and emotional effects of the chemotherapy, radiation, reconstructive surgery, and hysterectomy that followed her operation. Family and financial matters added significant stress to the situation. However, through it all, Christine remained “thankful that it was me and not my kids who had cancer.” Five years later, Christine is cancer free and, while she is hesitant to say she’s beaten cancer, she is optimistic about the future and fully intends to see her sons graduate from college. She has made it her mission to help other breast cancer victims by participating in the annual Relay For Life event held at Forbes Middle School. For the past three years, Christine has served as the team captain for the Wonder Women (and Men) of Williams Elementary, where she is employed as the campus nurse. From November to April the team works tirelessly to raise funds to benefit the Ameri-

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The American Cancer Society guidelines: • Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health • Clinical breast exam (CBE) about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over • Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. • The American Cancer Society recommends that some women – because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors – be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms Source: http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/ FindCancerEarly/CancerScreeningGuidelines/americancancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-ofcancer.

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A Nesting Place

Kay O’Toole

ife changing. That’s how 2005 was for Kay O’Toole. A job change, a divorce, a move halfway across the country, and the diagnosis of breast cancer shook Kay’s everyday life to its core. When many others would have crumbled, however, Kay responded with strength. She created a new direction for her life through an unexpected creative outlet. Now she is soaring above the problems she once faced. A New Direction Once she learned of her diagnosis, Kay knew her job providing office support for financial advisors and accountants was no longer a viable option. “When I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, I had to stop work-

ing to undergo treatment,” Kay says. “I began trying to think of something that would provide me with flexibility, while also filling a market niche that had opportunities for growth.” As Kay was looking for new job opportunities, a chance meeting brought her a new career path and passion. “A friend and I were visiting the home of his brother-in-law, who had just recently retired,” Kay says. “He is an incredible artisan and talented woodworker. When we walked into his backyard, he was just finishing a beautiful birdhouse he had made for a friend. It was on a five-foot stand, and looked like a church, with a white crackle finish and colored glass windows on the sides. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before.”

Immediately, Kay knew she had stumbled upon a great business idea. “When I saw that birdhouse, I started thinking about the birdhouses that were currently on the market,” she says. “They were either decorative and non-functioning and poorly made, or they were sound and functional, but plain. That is when the ‘bell’ went off and I wondered if we could start marketing and selling handcrafted birdhouses.” Through the mentorship of her friend’s brother-in-law, Kay began learning woodworking skills and purchasing tools she had never used before, like drill 

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Sarah Paulk

A Nesting Place from page 19 presses and nail guns. Soon, the two were designing and creating a variety of birdhouses together. “We took our birdhouses to garden centers in California, where I lived at the time, and made sales calls,” she says. “The first one we went to was an upscale garden center in Newport Beach. I spoke with their buyer and he loved them. He bought every single one.”

Her birdhouses also include important extras, like doors for easy cleaning and ventilation. “I make the birdhouses with doors that easily open because it is important to clean out the birdhouses,” she says. Birdhouses have to be cleaned at least once a year so that diseases, parasites, and insects don’t infect the birds. An easyopen door makes monitoring the birds for disease and injuries easier, too. Owners also need to check for loose nails or other materials that can harm birds. “And because it is important to leave the houses out year-round, I build all of my houses almost exclusively of durable cedar wood,” Kay adds. Kay’s greatest reward comes from seeing a successful nesting in one of her birdhouses. “One of the first birdhouses I made was a simple saltbox house for bluebirds,” she says. “A friend of mine put it up on his balcony, and within a few months, a bluebird family started nesting in it. To watch

Finding Inspiration A walk through an antique store or a glimpse of a magazine can send Kay’s imagination into design mode. Her move to Georgetown, Texas, in 2008 inspired her rustic and western birdhouses that feature horseshoes and lone star emblems. “I try to make each birdhouse unique and different,” she says. Aesthetics are not the only focus of Kay’s birdhouse designs. “There are dimension specifications necessary for different types of birds,” she says. “It is important to design the right size for the opening, as well as the nesting cavity, because they determine which type of bird can nest inside.” An opening for a bluebird, for instance, typically measures one and a half inches. If the hole is too small or too large, bluebirds cannot nest properly or will be forced out by larger birds.

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the mother and her babies nest in the little home I had made for them was so rewarding. Every year, for about four years now, they continue to come back to that simple little box I made. It gives me great pleasure.” Becoming a birdhouse designer is not something Kay could have anticipated, but it is a creative outlet that she treasures, as well as a flexible career path that has allowed her to heal from her physical and emotional traumas.

“Watching the mother and her babies nest in the little home I had made for them was so rewarding.” “Designing birdhouses has been–and is even now–my salvation,” she says. “It has given me a new focus and something that I can really hold onto and feel good about doing.” Today, Kay is cancer-free and in remission. Her life-changing experiences, however, have brought her a new outlook on life. “Going through cancer treatment redirected my attention to doing what I find enjoyable in life,” she says. “I am very grateful that I discovered my love for designing birdhouses. It has given me my grounding when everything else was falling apart.” 

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Yes, You Can Be

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Happy

hen you first meet Kay McConaughey, you might be tempted to wrap your arms around her to keep her from blowing away. At five feet, maybe, and 90 pounds, again, maybe, with a wisp of champagne-colored hair the texture of a china doll’s, one would assume she needs protecting. But Kay McConaughey needs protecting about as much as a pit bull. In reality, this bold, bright, and beautiful storm of a woman intends to live a happy life, so get out of her way. Kay, mother to Hollywood A-lister Matthew McConaughey, prohibits whining in her house. No I can’ts, no if onlys, no it’s not my faults. These chants signal misery. Instead, Kmac, as she’s known about town, makes her own happiness. And she has little use for people who mope their lives away, blaming their unhappiness on life’s injustices. In her book I Amaze Myself, Kay says, “Get over it and get on with it. Learn to accept the fact that not everything is going to turn out the way you want.” And when those inevitable tough times invade your life, she reminds readers that “[it’s] a perfect time to turn the page.” Afraid, I Fear Fear, especially fear of failure, can lead us right to unhappiness. Kay believes people tend to camp out in Fearsville—mostly by choice—both because they recognize the territory and they’re afraid to try new, untraveled roads. 

Alicea Jones

Kay McConaughey

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Be Happy from page 23 Fear shows up in our need for continual affirmation. Should I try that new hairstyle? I’m not sure I feel comfortable traveling to Europe. I don’t think my daughter-in-law likes me. “When people are needy, they seem to be constantly looking for confirmation from others,” Kay said. “They need someone to tell them ‘It’s okay.’” Because she sees this with women especially, Kay encourages them to make some decisions on their own. “Don’t be afraid of failure or making a wrong turn…you never know where it might lead.” That’s how she met CJ, her “habit” as she calls him. Kay and her son Mike attended a Bear Bryant reunion in Kentucky when she was 69 years old. They sat at a banquet table when she eyed a tall, handsome man “working the crowd.” After Mike determined the man hadn’t brought a date, Kay courageously made the first move. “Hi, my name is Kay McConaughey, and I’ve been checking you out.” Her bold step began a decade-long “lustful, fun, exciting, and caring relationship.”

when she says something that bruises feelings, she apologizes and keeps going, whether she’s forgiven or not. “I will add to their happiness and be part of their happiness, but I’m not responsible for their state of mind,” she says. With regard to forgiveness, digging our feet into the wet concrete of self-righteousness immobilizes no one but ourselves. Like most of us, Kay has come face-to-face with injustice Permission Granted and been forced to decide whether to Another misery-maker is perfectionforgive or to live in bitterness. Kay’s ism. “Like laugh lines around the eyes, mother decided she wanted to be free imperfections show true character, and of the responsibility of parenting and you should be free to be simply who placed 16-month-old Kay and her you are,” Kay says. She doesn’t waste 3-year-old sister in a boarding house. time fretting over mistakes or making “She just couldn’t care less,” Kay said. sure every piece of furniture passes the Her stepmother was no Aunt Bea, white glove test. She gives the example either. “She didn’t want my sister and of playing golf and scoring poorly. me around. She just wanted my dad’s “When this happens, I give myself attention. I can’t tell you how many permission to tear up the scorecard. It’s things she just did out of spite.” Kay a game, and I’m not going to let it beat remembers the day her stepmother hid me down.” What about the perfectionthe car keys when it was time for Kay’s ists we work, live and play with? By dad to drive Kay to a beauty contest. accepting our imperfections, we will Kay had two options: she could either undoubtedly disappoint the perfectionperpetuate the rejection and spitefulists in our lives. But that’s OK. They’ll ness she experienced—at the hands of get over it. someone who should have loved her, or Kay’s candid and honest response to she could refuse to shoulder the burden life sometimes gets her in trouble. Not of responsibility for the actions of otheveryone appreciates her directness. So ers. She chose the latter. In her opinion, anyone who At age 80, this fearless woman continues to try new things. She uses the “foul excuse” that serves on three boards: Seeds of Strength, a grant making entity; Children’s Advocacy Center of Williamson County—(see the Febthey didn’t have good role ruary issue of Georgetown View Magazine; and Scott and White models or didn’t know betHospital). And despite her age, she continues to stay fit by doing ter just isn’t taking responPilates and walking three times a week and riding her bicycle 10 sibility for the choices they miles on Sundays. make.

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“Are you going to look at the dust on the table or the rose in the vase?”

–Matthew McConaughey (as inscribed on a mirror he carved for Kay)

“I wanted to be a good, hands-on, loving mother,” says Kay. The result? Strong children who love and respect their mother. When asked what amazes them about their mom, her three sons had these comments: Patrick: “Strong! And loving.” Matthew: “Her will . . . to get what she wants. She will work, love, or manipulate her way into getting it!” Mike: “No one’s going to ruin her day. She’s so resilient.” Kay treats herself as kindly as most people do their friends. And she doesn’t apologize for it. She gives herself plenty of encouragement, especially when no one else does. Also, she looks at herself as highly capable and doesn’t compare herself to other people—ideas she wishes more women would take hold of. Kay believes people would be much happier if they’d stop trying to keep up with others or measure up to other people’s standards. “Enjoy the TV set you have. Fancier and bigger is not always better,” she says. All this outspoken spunk adds up to one strong woman: Kmac. 

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Can I go in now?

E x tra

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Celebrating 30 years of excellence in education! Trevor Eissler

ast year, Trevor Eissler saw kangaroos in Australia, drove through a blizzard in Idaho, and cruised along the rocky California coast. As a jet pilot, he is accustomed to traveling around the globe. Only now, he travels to talk about Montessori education. What passion prompted this husband and father of three to trade his captain’s hat for a microphone? “It wasn’t just passion. I was angry,” Trevor explained. It all started when he became a dad. Trevor and his wife, Robin, had assumed their children “would go to a traditional school: desks, school buses, report cards, tests, homework, smiley faces, honor rolls, and all the rest,” said Trevor. However, as the children neared school age, Trevor and Robin began to rethink their assumptions. Would sitting behind a desk for most of the day be best for their children? Trevor wanted to go places with them—to the zoo, the beach, museums. He thought an ideal school day would be one where the children could curl up with a good book for several hours, delve deeply into academic interests, play games with each other, wrestle, and throw the football. Could they find such a school?

They researched the web, read books, visited classrooms, and spent months hunting for a school that didn’t seem to exist. A friend suggested that they look at Community Montessori School in Georgetown. “It was a perfect match,” Trevor said. They found no desks lined up in rows, no teacher lecturing at the front, no homework, no tests. Instead, the classroom was a cross between a living room and a laboratory. “The teacher moved around the classroom working with the students. Classmates worked together or individually,” Trevor said. “Every one of the educational principles we had been looking for (independence, discipline, responsibility, progressing at one’s own pace, community, rigorous academics, joy of learning, leadership) was there.” “How come no one knows about this school?” Trevor asked himself. That’s when he got mad. He took pen in hand and wrote the book Montessori Madness! A Parent-to-Parent Argument for Montessori Education. He wanted to make sure other parents knew about the Montessori option. And his book has taken him around the world to speak about Montessori schooling. Independence is the hallmark

of Montessori education. Children choose work based upon their interests and often work in clusters, reading books, working puzzles, learning to tie shoe laces, all by their own choice. “I prefer this self-directed approach,” Trevor said. “Like all preschoolers, my children loved to count, talk, build, read, explore, climb and swim. I didn’t want that zest for life and learning to be squelched,” he said. “Montessori has changed the way we treat and view our three children,” Trevor declared. “We spend so much less time now on figuring out how to control them or make sure they don’t mess up. Now we try to figure out how to facilitate their own endeavors and get out of their way so we don’t mess them up.” 

Alicea Jones

Montessori Madness! A Parent to Parent Argument for Montessori Education, by Trevor Eissler, Sevenoff Publishing, Georgetown, Texas. Trevor Eissler also recommends: • The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori • The Discovery of the Child by Maria Montessori • Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius by Angeline Stoll Lillard

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E x tra

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Finish Strong Georgetown!

n your mark, get set, GO! Preparations are under way for the third annual Get GT Fit 5K run and kids’ 1K, scheduled for Saturday, April 9th. The “Get GT Fit” program began three years ago when then PTA Council Wellness Chairman, Jackie Holcomb, and her CoChairman, Michelle Tate, attended the state PTA seminar and learned some successful ways schools could help change students’ lives with better health and introduce habits that would last a lifetime. They then approached Run Tex for help and met the Sunshine Webster, who had already developed the “Born to Run” program, designed to educate and motivate kids into developing a love for running. It was a great fit, and the “Get GT Fit” program was born. PTA has partnered with RunTex, the Georgetown Health Foundation, and GISD Physical Education teachers to broaden the scope of the program. As a result, a nutrition component has been added. The mission of PTA is to advocate, educate and involve. GISD head nurse Mary McKenna says that the Get Fit 5K race encompasses parental involvement, nutrition services, health services

and physical education—four of the eight components in children’s health. Registered dietitian Michelle Carter, the current Get GT Fit chairperson, says a common concern is that children are eating far too much sugar. She and her team have put together a 12-week nutrition initiative that includes tips on topics such as portion control and lowering fat and sugar intake, as well as advice on weight management to prevent childhood obesity. They have also provided schoolchildren and their families with water bottles to encourage hydration and refrigerator magnets that encourage this healthy eating equation: Go Proteins + Go Whole Grains + Go Fruit/Vegetables = A Go Meal! The program incorporates guidelines for novice runners who plan to take part in the 5K run. Race day preparation is key for preventing injuries and bolstering performance. Families are encouraged to train and work together towards this common goal. The 3.1-mile, timed event begins and ends at Run Tex on the square and loops around historic downtown Georgetown. Race categories include top male and female from the following age groups: 6 and under, 7-8, 9-10,

11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, 1939 and 40 and over. “[The race] will demonstrate to our kids that physical activity can be fun,” says Nurse McKenna, who adds, “It is also a demonstration that the whole community is serious about living a healthy lifestyle.” An awards ceremony, as well as a variety of booths and activities, will await runners after they cross the finish line. Afterwards, participants are encouraged to stay downtown and take part in the “Get GT Fit Weekend” and Easter festivities occurring on the square, compliments of The Downtown Georgetown Association. PTA and the Georgetown community encourage all to run for the finish line in a personal quest to “Get Georgetown Fit!” 

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Karen Lange

Running a New

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G ett i ng to Know

Hospital I

was given three warnings when I moved to Georgetown five years ago: 1) watch out for chiggers, 2) don’t feed the deer, and 3) if I get sick, don’t go to Georgetown Hospital. I’ve survived about 300 chigger bites, the deer haven’t eaten my roses, and, yes, I even made a few trips to Georgetown Hospital thanks to poison ivy and a sprained ankle. But I could never shake the warning about the hospital. I decided that if stricken with a serious ailment, like chest pain, I would drive the extra miles to Round Rock or Austin—until I found out what it really meant to have St. David’s HealthCare System join forces with the hospital. If you’re like me, you didn’t know that Georgetown Hospital was Williamson County’s first hospital. It started as an independent not-for-profit community operation with roots going back to the early 1900s when Georgetown’s population was less than 3,000. The hospital was staffed with family practice physicians and didn’t hire its first general surgeon until the mid 1980s. Since then, of course, our population (and diversity of illnesses) has exploded and the once sufficient community hospital was challenged to meet the community’s growing needs. Nevertheless, the hospital continued to do the best they could with what they had. Kenneth W. Poteet, who had served as CEO of the hospital since 1972, and the board of directors, began their search for a financial partner who could help bring state-of-the-art care to Georgetown. They wanted a partner who could assist in accelerating how they could bring those services to the area, Poteet said. The board chose St. David’s, not only because of its resources ($3.1 billion in annual gross revenues as of April 20, 2010), but also their reputation for quality care and commitment to friendly service—a selling point for a hospital that prided itself on its smalltown friendliness. The partnership commenced in May 2006, creating St. David’s Georgetown Hospital. And in 2007, Hugh Brown was appointed CEO.

Alicea Jones

A Plan Of Attack I met Hugh Brown in his office on the third floor of the hospital. He stands at about six-foot-two and has the healthful demeanor of someone who rides bikes or climbs mountains. A photograph of a submarine hung on the wall behind his desk. Hugh Brown has the hopeful smile of youth, betrayed only by the faint creases of wisdom around 

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New Hospital from page 33 the outer corners of his eyes—hopeful eyes with a hint of sadness, like they have witnessed great suffering—and a brush of silver just above both ears. He had graduated from University of North Carolina on a Navy ROTC scholarship in the early 1980s. (His father had also served in the Navy and attended Dartmouth College on a Navy ROTC scholarship.) As an ensign with a business degree, his first job out of school was on a fast attack nuclear submarine. In this position, Hugh stuck out like a penguin among peacocks. The crew consisted of 120 nuclear-trained officers and enlisted technicians. Hugh was the only non-nuclear officer. “As the only business guy [on the ship]. . . I learned to take on a lot of responsibility and initiative very quickly,” Hugh said. “I also learned that every leader rises or falls, is successful or not based on their ability to find out what the skill set of the people working with them is.” Perhaps Hugh’s most enduring lesson was to simply dive into whatever role he landed, which is exactly what happened with his first job in the medical industry. After the navy and several administrative jobs in other fields, he took a position as a medical office supervisor in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. “I knew nothing about health care. I hadn’t even been to the doctor,” he said. Nevertheless, just like in the navy, he learned by doing. “I said, ‘Let me attack this the way I’ve attacked everything else in my life; let me make it better.’ That’s where I really got my schooling in health care,” Hugh said. Two of his wisest teachers were his employees. Gloria his phlebotomist and Rhonda his X-ray technician would preach to him; it’s all about the patient. Therefore, he did whatever needed doing, so the medical staff could focus on patients. He delivered coolers full of blood and satchels full of films to the hospital 14 miles away. He’d hop in the van, drop off his cargo at the hospital and pick up the mail before returning to the clinic. He even fixed clogged toilets for the doctors. “So I’d tuck my tie in my shirt and go plunge their toilet,” he said.

responsibility are bearing fruit at St. David’s Georgetown Hospital. Based on the experience he gained in the navy and in his various posts in health care, Hugh has made significant enhancements that have positioned the hospital to compete on equal footing with others in Central Texas. One of his first jobs was to assess the skill level of his staff. Consequently, the hospital has added two full-time pulmonary–critical care physicians to the intensive care unit. Drs. Dominic de Keratry and Esther Fields are now the medical directors for the Intensive Care and Respiratory Services units. This team performs and oversees cryospray ablation, which is a specialized treatment that can destroy cancerous lung tumors and severe airway scars without much of the scarring caused by traditional surgical methods; the treatment is available in Central Texas only at St. David’s Georgetown Hospital. Drs. De Keratry and Fields also perform bronchial thermoplasty, a treatment for severe asthma making St. David’s Georgetown Hospital the only hospital in the Southwest region to offer this procedure. Last year, the hospital completed an 18-month, $7 million renovation. The hospital enlarged the surgical services suite by 5,000 square feet to create more spacious operating rooms, and to accommodate additional surgical specialists and equipment in the future. St. David’s Georgetown Hospital is a certified Level IV Trauma Care facility, which means it possesses the resources to provide initial and immediate board-

A New Hospital An MBA and several promotions later, Hugh’s initiative and sense of

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In his spare time, Hugh Brown teaches adult Bible study at Main Street Baptist Church and is a road bicyclist.

certified physicians and specially trained nurses when seriously injured patients arrive. The Women’s Services floor, where babies are delivered, has also benefitted from innovative technology. AirStrip OB transmits monitoring information about the baby’s condition, directly to the physicians’ smart phones. The hospital is also a nationally certified Chest Pain Center that provides quicker assessment and treatment for stroke and cardiovascular patients. The Chest Pain Center has also received new point-of-care testing equipment for quicker identification of heart blockages. Hugh Brown convinced me there’s good reason for me to stay right here in Georgetown. Good medical help is only a few minutes away. 

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Find the Frog Prince!

Each month we hide an object somewhere in the magazine. If you can find it, you could win a prize! In this issue, the frog you see here is hidden somewhere in one of the ads! Find it and email the correct location to graphics@viewmagazineinc.com or snail-mail the answer to Georgetown View Magazine, P.O. Box 2281, Georgetown, TX 78627. This month’s winning answer will be selected at random, and will win a $50 gift certificate to Tony and Luigi’s Restaurant! Congratulations to Elisa Roberts for winning the February contest! Last month’s groundhog was found in the Country Inn & Suites ad on the inside back cover.

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Discover Affordable Care at Dentures & Dental Services By

Meg M. Moring

hat do the tires on your car and a set of modern dentures have in common? Both were made possible by Charles Goodyear, who discovered vulcanized rubber in 1839. Thanks to Goodyear, tires can bounce over potholes and hold up on searing summer highways—and people everywhere can eat and smile without their artificial teeth slipping out and splashing into their soup. Goodyear’s discovery allowed dentists to make false teeth that were embedded in a rubber base that was pliable, customizable, and inexpensive. The dentures available today at Dentures & Dental Services are not, of course, made of old-fashioned rubber (they’re acrylic), but they are affordable and customizable, and they can be ready in just one day. For someone who can’t eat or who won’t smile because

of terrible teeth, that’s truly a discovery. Everyday actions like chewing a steak, giving a speech, or smiling for the camera are huge problems for those people with missing or painful teeth. Restoring Smiles Right Away Even with brushing, flossing and fluoride treatments, millions of people experience tooth decay and loss; others lose their teeth because of injuries. And dentures are prohibitively expensive and take weeks to make, right? Surely they are inconvenient? Not at Dentures & Dental Services. “We have 24 clinics scattered across four states: Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas,” says Brent Parker, manager of the Georgetown office, which opened

Did you know? • False teeth—in some form—have been around thousands of years. • In ancient times, false teeth were made out of ivory, bone, gold, silver, agate, mother of pearl, or human teeth. • False teeth were kept in place with silk thread. Later, steel springs were used. • Porcelain dentures were introduced in 1774 in France. In 1817, they were introduced in the United States. • Some famous people who wore dentures include George Washington and Winston Churchill.

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in December 2009. That number of clinics—each with an on-site lab—translates into great prices and a huge selection of dentures. “We work with our suppliers to get good prices for our patients,” Brent explains. “This allows us to pass the savings to our patients. We have a lineup of replacement dentures that range from $395 to $1,595 per set.” No matter what the price, the dentures that Dentures & Dental Services offer are not just generic dentures. They maintain a tooth inventory that allows patients to select from an array of tooth shades—from movie-star white to tea-tinted. Patients can find the right size, too. “The size of the teeth is based on the size of the person,” Brent adds. “We wouldn’t

Dentures & Dental Services General Dentistry put the same size teeth in a 6'7" male as we would in a 5'4" lady.” Drs. Alex Gavrilov and Mimi Harmon customize dentures by taking scrupulous measurements and making an impression of each patient’s mouth. In the on-site lab, an experienced technician produces a wax mold that the patient can “try in” to get the correct bite and appearance. Once everything is okay, the lab makes the dentures, in most cases in the same day.

Other Services to Smile About “Don’t let our name kid you,” Brent urges. “We do a lot more than just dentures.” Besides dental implants that can stabilize dentures by implanting metal posts that dentures snap into, Dentures and Dental Services is a comprehensive, digital office. Fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, teeth cleaning and whitening—these are just a few of the services offered. Patients don’t have to grit their teeth over the cost, either. A new patient

Thomas John Kennedy of Texas, D.D.S., P.L.L.C. and Associates Dr. Alex Gavrilov • Dr. Mimi Harmon 1103 Rivery Blvd., Suite 300 Georgetown, TX 78628 512-868-0238 Toll-free 866-994-0913

exam is $100. Quick, customized, affordable dentures and dental services—what a discovery! 

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An Old Path to New Health By

Nancy Bacchus

he small cottage with rocking chairs on the front porch doesn’t look like a medical office. Yet inside patients find effective medical treatment proven over thousands of years. The cottage near the Georgetown square is home to both Oriental Medicine Associates and Harmony and Health, two practices that offer people a healing touch and a way to renew both mind and body. Business partners Kathy Kerr and Jagjit Khalsa (JK) each hold Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAcOM) degrees, as well as being Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Ac). They share an office space and a compatible philosophy about the many benefits of complementary/ alternative medicine (CAM) based on the four pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine: acupuncture, bodywork, mind/body disciplines and nutritional/herbal support. The women, both former teachers, met during their training at the Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin (AOMA). Recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges, the AOMA is ranked among the top 10 schools nationally for alternative medicine. Kathy

and JK completed a four-year program and internship in which one-third of the curriculum focused on Western medicine. To be licensed by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, they had to pass five major board exams. Today, they work handin-hand with “regular” doctors who refer patients for problems such as chronic pain, stress/ Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, digestive disorders, allergies, addictions like smoking, or oncology issues. With patients from 8-94 years old, they treat people in all phases of life. Many have come simply because they have not found relief through traditional options, and Kathy and JK believe that 99 percent of their patients experience some improvement. Kathy, the owner of Oriental Medicine Associates, specializes in geriatric issues and helping “baby boomers” and active seniors, as well as being a thirddegree black belt in Aikido. Jagjit, owner of Harmony and Health and a registered Texas massage therapist, specializes in back pain, athletic issues, women’s health, emotional and sleep disorders and yoga. Years ago, as a piano student at a music conservatory,

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she developed carpal tunnel syndrome. At that time, China was slowly opening to Western contact, and Jagjit was treated through acupuncture, thus

sparking her lifelong interest in its drugfree benefits. It’s easy to cross boundaries of time and culture to explore some basic concepts of Oriental medicine that Kathy and JK employ in their treatments. First, they use 10 questions for a client’s basic health diagnosis. In Chinese medicine, the roles of emotions, attitude and breathing are important. Jagjit incorporates medical Qi Gong for cleansing and balancing. Qi Gong involves clearing the energy flow in the blood through 12 major channels or pathways to help the body rebalance itself. Kathy compared it to a traffic jam within a person’s body (JK says “free your Qi.”). They are skilled in diagnostic methods using the pulses and the appearance of the tongue, as well as relating the effects of the seasons and time of day to an individual. Asian Body Work (Tuina), translated

as “push-grasp,” is central to much of their treatment, along with acupuncture. Kathy or JK concentrate on specific pressure points, energy trigger points, muscles and joints around an area of pain or trauma. Tuina improves circulation and promotes healing through nurturing touch. Within six months, Kathy and Jagjit hope to have an herbal pharmacy stocked with Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas, books, and gifts. The little house with the rocking chairs offers a friendly environment and a functional but serene décor inside. And Kathy and Jagjit offer professional skill for anyone seeking alternative treatment. They are open by appointment. 

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W hat M atter s I s …

hat matters to me is having an open heart. Last spring, I set off on a fourmonth study abroad program in Vietnam. I was a junior anthropology major, eager to do fieldwork in a foreign land. Through the program, I traveled the length of the country with 11 other American students, learning about Vietnamese customs, religion, politics, economics, and language. After three months of traveling, we parted ways to conduct independent study projects. I chose to study the tourism industry in a small coastal town in central Vietnam called Hoi An. At first, I felt lonely and lost. I wandered Hoi An’s unpaved streets all day, stopping in cafes and souvenir shops to try to talk to anyone who might be willing to answer my research questions. A few days into my unsuccessful search for friends and information, an American friend of a friend on a solo Southeast Asian adventure showed up in Hoi An. Jackson had a natural knack for making friends

An Open Heart with everyone he met. He quickly snapped me out of my self-pity and introduced me to people he had already met in town. My, which means beautiful, was a tailor in one of the many tailoring shops in Hoi An. She was in her late twenties and eight months pregnant when I met her. After Jackson introduced us, I began to stop by the shop everyday to visit My and her coworkers. After several of my daily visits, the women began to treat me like one of their own. They fed me, lent me their bicycles, took me shopping, and fixed my clothing. They gave me friendship and a safe haven. The day I said goodbye to “my tailor ladies,” was difficult and emotional. I moved to a hotel across town and could not visit again. However, one of the dresses that I ordered was not finished, and I was told that someone would bring it to my hotel later. Around 9:00 pm, I was called down to the lobby. When I saw My’s beaming face, my heart swelled. After a twelvehour workday, she had ridden her motorbike across town to deliver

my dress and a silk scarf as a present. She held my hands and hugged me several times before handing me a piece of paper with her email address and phone number on it. We both held back tears. I was humbled. This very pregnant and exhausted woman, who worked 84-hour workweeks, had taken the time just to come see me and bring me a gift that she purchased with her modest salary. Vietnam showed me that it is often those who have the least who give the most. Jackson showed me how to be open to everyone I meet. Most importantly, My showed me the true meaning of friendship, across cultural and linguistic barriers. She showed me the value of kindness and of opening up one’s heart completely. This openness and kindness is what matters to me.  Ursula is a senior at Southwestern University, where she is writing a thesis based on her research in Vietnam. She will teach elementary school next year through Teach for America.

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Ursula James

Need someone to listen? We will, and so will our readers! This month, we’ve started the What Matters To You… column. In 500 words or less, tell us what’s really important to you. Send entries for publication consideration with your e-mail address and phone number to editor@ viewmagazineinc.com or Georgetown View Magazine, P.O. Box 2281, Georgetown, Texas, 78627. 43

W hat ’ s C oo k i n ’

Savory Soups By

Kathy Buckley

here is magic in Lisa Hoekstra’s soup pots. The soups she concocts in them—full of mouthwatering colors, flavors and aromas—will enchant just about anyone. Follow her recipes, and you, too, can enchant others. Lisa perfected her talents by reading every cookbook in the

old Georgetown Library. Now, as owner of the Red Poppy Coffee Company in the new library, she can still read cookbooks while purveying a perfectly-brewed cup of coffee, a healthy sandwich, or a delicious bowl of soup. What tricks does she use to make her soups so irresistible? She starts with a basic mirepoix. This is French for onions, celery and carrots. For a good stock, she recommends the Better Than Bouillon brand, which has natural ingredients and few additives. Another secret is letting soup simmer so flavors will blend. Last, Lisa recommends simply experimenting. Go with your favorite ingredients and see what happens. 

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Tomato Basil Ingredients: 1 large onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, chopped 2 (28 oz.) cans good quality crushed tomatoes Big handful of basil (I prefer the Purple Ruffles basil) 1 cup cream (or half & half ) 2 cups vegetable stock Sea salt and white pepper, to taste Olive oil infused with basil for garnish Instructions: Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Add tomatoes and stock. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Add basil. Add sea salt and white pepper, to taste. Simmer 30 minutes then add cream. Serve with basil oil drizzled on top.

W hat ’ s C oo k i n ’

French Onion au Gratin

Poblano Corn Chowder

Bean Vegetable Farro Soup

Ingredients: 4 large red onions, cut in half and sliced 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 quarts beef stock 1 quart chicken stock 1 cup red wine 2 sprigs fresh thyme French bread (a slice for each bowl) Grated Italian cheese mixture (mozzarella, provolone, and Romano)

Ingredients: 4 Tbs (1/2 stick) butter, room temperature 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped 2 celery stalks, coarsely chopped 2 large poblano peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded, chopped 2 Tbs or more of honey, to taste 1 (16 oz.) package frozen corn kernels 2 large potatoes, cubed ½ cup potato flakes (instant potatoes) 2 quarts chicken broth 1 cup cream ½ tsp cayenne pepper Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Ingredients: 3 (15 oz.) cans garbanzo beans 2 (15 oz.) cans black beans 1 cup organic Farro, rinsed (whole grain substitute for rice, couscous or pasta) 3 big handfuls baby spinach 1 habanero, seeded and finely minced 3–4 quarts chicken stock 1 large red onion, chopped 4 shallots, finely minced 4 cloves garlic, finely minced 1½ cups carrot coins 3 ribs celery, chopped 1 handful each of fresh basil and oregano 1 can tomatoes with chilies 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes Olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions: Sauté onion and garlic. Deglaze pan with red wine. Add stocks and thyme. Simmer for 1 to 2 hours. Float a round of French bread topped with cheese in each bowl.

Gazpacho Ingredients: 1 clove garlic 1 red onion, divided (set aside ½ cup chopped onion) 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, divided (set aside ½ cup chopped cucumber) 1 poblano pepper, roasted, peeled and seeded 1 quart tomato juice Handful cilantro 2 Tbs good olive oil 2 Tbs white wine vinegar (or lemon juice) Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Instructions: Finely chop onion and celery. Mix together and set aside. Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion-celery mixture and sauté until soft. Add chopped peppers. Mix. Add chicken broth and potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer 40 minutes to blend flavors. Add corn. Simmer until cooked through, about 5 minutes longer. Add potato flakes while stirring to thicken. Then add cream. Season with sea salt and white pepper.

Instructions: Sauté the onion, shallots, celery, garlic, and carrots in olive oil until soft. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Instructions: Mix together ½ cup chopped red onion and ½ cup chopped cucumber. Set aside. Place remaining ingredients in a blender. Blend. Pour into serving bowl. Garnish with onion and cucumber mixture and drizzle with more olive oil. Serve cold.

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New Zealand or Bust By

Emily Treadway

eredith Morrow of Georgetown did what most people only dream of doing. Graduating a semester early from Texas A&M, she wanted an adventure before it was time to settle down and get a real job. A mentor had mentioned a trip through the work organization BUNAC® which provides what their Web site terms “working adventures” for college-age persons. After some research, Meredith chose New Zealand as her travel destination. “The terrain is fantastically diverse, and the country is small enough to visit everything I wanted to see in the amount of time I had,” she explained. New Zealand’s climate is temperate year round and English is the national language. The Economist ranked New Zealand as the safest country in the world—a fact that

reassured Meredith’s parents. BUNAC® supplies the working holiday visa and a list of hiring companies, but travelers must hunt out their own jobs. Two days after arriving in Auckland, Meredith and a new friend, Katy from Boston, discovered that the Stray bus company was looking for two people to work in their hostel in exchange for free bus travel around both islands. “We thought it was the best deal ever!” Meredith exclaimed. “And it was. We saw the entire country on the Stray bus. I met so many new people from so many different places and saw things I probably never would have seen traveling on my own.” Meredith eventually settled in Queenstown, known as the “adventure capital of the world.” Situated near the Remarkables and Coronet Peak ski areas, Queenstown is also home to three

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A.J. Hackett bungee sites. For the winter (which is our summer), Meredith took a job at Kathmandu, the New Zealand equivalent of REI. When not at work, she headed to the ski fields and bungee jumping sites. “I plan on going back someday,” she said. “I saved the largest bungee jump for my next trip.” Meredith fell in love with New Zealand. Most people only read about the Hobbit territory of Tongariro Crossing, but Meredith hiked across it. She saw the waterfalls of Piha and the shells at Herne Bay. She rafted down the highest commercially-rafted white water falls in the world in Rotorua. “And I would do it all again,” Meredith said. “It doesn’t get any better than sitting in a massive hot tub (dug into the sand) on Hot Water Beach, watching the shooting stars.” 

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G reat E x p ectat i on s

Book Clubs around Georgetown By

Nancy Bacchus

eorgetown is full of book clubs. Some take trips based on locales in the books they read, and some share meals at their meetings. Whatever they read—from thrillers to best sellers—discussion flows and friendships grow. Lynn Willis, Jane Shepherd, Janet Woods, Chris Miller, Laurie Locke, and Rosemary Crossfield have read and discussed 108 books together since 1997. They have traveled to Nantucket, Hilton Head Island, and New Orleans. Favorite books include Ahab’s Wife and East of Eden, and Tortilla Curtain proved controversial. The meals are wonderful. Maryann Hoisek has been part of a Sun City group for four years. They favor historical fiction, with Pillars of the Earth being a favorite, and recently, The Help, which generated lively discussion. Their evenings have been

Denise Wade, Rosemary Crossfield, Chris Miller, Lynn Willis, Laurie Locke, Jane Shepherd, and Janet Woods with author Nathaniel Philbrick

“soul-cleansing, revealing, a time to share and listen.” “Book Club in a Bag” is available for twomonth checkout, includes a red tote, 10 copies of one title, discussion questions, author bio, and reviews. This “novel” idea was funded by Friends of the Georgetown Public Library two years ago. Leslie Bradley administers the “bag” and says that Isaac’s Storm and My Sister’s Keeper have been popular titles among the 24 available. Begun in 2002 for staff enrichment, the Southwestern club meets three times each spring semester. Selections include two pieces of fiction and one non-fiction. Carol Fonken and Dana Hendrix, campus librarians, select the titles. Recently, Room “generated an intense response.” Theresa McKenna and five friends have read 114 books in the past 11 years. Meals

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connect to the book being discussed. They’ve augmented their readings with operas, plays, movies, and trips to Chicago and Natchez. Discussions are often based on questions from www. readinggroupguides.com. Books for Texans, the Williamson Museum club, is in its third year and has two criteria: the books must be about Texas and in paperback. Started by Lisa Worley and Cheryl Lanfear, Dana Oglesby now facilitates this wide-open group. Members recommend and vote on titles six months out. The Big Rich and Tulia led to interesting discussions. Mickie Ross enjoys hearing from members who have personal connections to the settings. The women educators of Delta Kappa Gamma stay busy teaching others to read. They chose three titles in the past three years: Three Cups of Tea, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and currently, A Whole New Mind. Not surprisingly, the books relate to education and lead to an informal discussion dinner. 

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N at u ra l

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Winging It “In summer when I passed the place I had to stop and lift my face A bird with an angelic gift Was singing it sweet and swift.”

Anne Feary

Robert Frost

inoculars in hand, over 48 million people—of all ages, walks of life, and ethnic backgrounds—lift their faces to the sky, making birding the second largest hobby in the United States. They are often “listers,” those seeking to augment their life list, and they will travel the globe to view a single species. You don’t have to hop a jet for New Zealand to see interesting birds, however. The Williamson Audubon Group offers a way to see birds right in your own backyard. Incorporated as a non-profit in August 2009, WAG promotes the appreciation of birds by sharing knowledge and expertise. They offer classes in bird identification, bimonthly field trips led by an experienced birder, and quality

evening programs throughout the year. People of all ages and experience levels, especially beginners, are welcome. While their focus is on birds, they enjoy all nature and have fun while providing a forum for members to post photos and join in discussions. “Georgetown is a particularly rich area for birding,” explains Jim Hailey, one of the founders of WAG, “[because] the Coastal Plains, Post Oak Savannah, and the Edwards Plateau converge to form an ecotone, a transition area between differing ecologies.” Migrations account for many species in the area, and birders participate in counts, an important tool for gauging the numbers and health of particular species. Starting in March, local residents can view shore birds; from April to May they can catch passerines flying the South America/North

A Guide to Austin-area Birding Sites is available from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 4200 Smith School Road Austin, TX 78744 or send a message to: nature@tpwd.state.tx.us

America route, a feat that puzzles scientists. How does one get started in birding? “First, sign up with the Williamson Audubon Group and attend meetings. A field guide is a necessity, and what we see locally will be in the guides,” Jim advises. (One of Jim’s favorites is Birds of North America by Kenn Kaufman). “Then go on a field trip with experienced birders. That’s where the learning really takes place, as real birds often look different from the pictures in the books. To really appreciate birds, you must have a pair of binoculars,” he further suggests. This spring, grab your binoculars and join WAG birders for an outing. To find out how, simply e-mail Jim at irasciblej@gmail.com or call him at 512.591.7616. 

Area Birding Groups: Williamson Audubon Group: www.meetup.com/williamsonaudubongroup Texas Ornithological Society: www.texasbirds.org Audubon Society: www.audubon.org

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Everything in our restaurant is made for you right in our kitchen. The dishes are designed by Chef James Ramsey, who grew up here in Georgetown. He brings to the table a different way of enjoying old and new recipes. You can dine at your leisure enjoying your food and perhaps a wonderful glass of wine. Silver and Stone has been recognized by the Wine Spectator Magazine two years in a row. We are located atop AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

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the Tamaro building on the corner of 5th and Austin

2009

2010

Ave. From our restaurant you have a beautiful view of Georgetown and the surrounding areas. We are opened Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner, dinner on Saturday and a delightful Sunday brunch. Come join us for happy hour in our beautiful bar or if the weather permits sit on our balcony and watch the sun go down. Call us for reservations at 512-868-0565.

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ANIMAL

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Sugar Gliders: Pocket Pets Extraordinaire By

Anne Feary

he noise sounds like a mechanical squawk box. The sugar glider male is crabbing—warning his group that a stranger is in the house. Owner and breeder Rebekah Wright, a Gateway College Preparatory School junior, introduces her gliders: Smudge, who favors a UT cap, and Cricket, who prefers hanging upside down, are her pets; the breeding colony includes Sherman, Toph, and Katara. Indigenous to Australia and Indonesia, these marsupials live in arboreal colonies of 20 to 40 individuals. They are about six inches long, with a tail of equal length. Colors include the standard gray, white (leucistic), platinum, buff, cinnamon, and “black beauties,”

Rebekah and Sugar Glider Condo

Sugar Gliders (Petaurus breviceps) • Came by their name from their preference for sweet fruits and the ability to glide from branch to branch in their native environment. • Are sometimes called “sugar bears” for their propensity in a defensive mode to rear up on their hind legs and swipe out with their paws. • Have opposable toes. For more information: www.sugargliderconnection.com www.sugar-gliders.com

who sport a black “chin strap.” They glide on a large membrane (patagium) attached to the fifth finger and the first toe. If they are high enough when they launch, they can glide up to 150 feet. Moving the legs changes the curvature of the membrane, allowing sugar gliders to navigate. A prehensile tail aids in balancing. Given proper nutrition and exercise, captive sugar gliders can live to 15 years. They are best kept as a pair, since solitary suggies have been known to die of depression. “They are very social animals with intelligence comparable to a dog. If you can only keep one, be prepared to spend three hours a day playing with her,” Rebekah cautions. Naturally nocturnal, their circadian rhythms can be altered. “Play with them, tire them out just before bedtime, and eventually they will sleep through most of the night, just like a baby,” she says with a laugh. Being omnivores, her gliders feast on a varied diet of eggs, nuts (sparingly, since they can become addicted to them and refuse all other foods), grapes, fruit, vegetables, and multivitamins. Yogurt raisins are a favorite treat. Gliders reach maturity at 12- to 18-months old. After a two-week gestation, the “joeys” (which are usually twins) migrate to the mother’s pouch for another 40 days.

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Both parents actively care for the young. Rebekah handles her joeys enough to tame them, but not excessively, because she doesn’t want them to bond with her. When they go to a select home, she gives detailed instructions on their care and feeding to ensure that the babies get a good start. “Bonding can take two weeks to several months, so a person has to be persistent and patient. It is critical to the gliders’ wellbeing.” Rebekah’s gliders live in structures more akin to condos than cages. Shredded paper, a bundle of timothy hay, an exercise wheel, and plenty of toys keep them physically active and mentally stimulated. “I change out their toys, or at least rearrange them when I clean the cage, as they get bored quite easily,” she explains. Her advice to anyone considering a sugar glider as a pet? “Research them for at least a year before buying. Understand that they are very high maintenance creatures requiring significant interaction with their human keepers. They do form strong bonds, and rehoming them is intensely stressful,” she counsels. If they are the right pets for you, look forward to many years of love, mirth, and entertainment. If you would like more information about sugar gliders, contact Rebekah at dogloverlhw@yahoo. com. 

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03-04 Roland Waits and the Wayward Travelers 03-05 Phillip Thomas Band 03-11 Go4Broke Band 03-12 Jason Boland and The Stragglers Special guest Jeremy Steding 03-18 Darrick Gray 03-19 Granger Smith 03-25 Georgtown High School ROCK benefit 03-26 Just Add Water

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E vent s

March through march 20 | Evita. The Palace, Fri and Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm. georgetownpalace.com 4 | First Friday on the Square. Shops open late, food, music. thegeorgetownsquare.com 2-6 | Into the Woods. Musical, times vary. southwestern.edu/sarafim/calendar 5 | Fish On. Colorado Bend State Park near Bend, Tx., 6am-5pm. Bring your fishing gear or borrow ours. For ages 8-up. adventuregeorgetown.org 5 | 7th Annual March for Mothers. Berry Springs Park and Preserve, 9am-2pm. thematernityhome.org 7-28 | Art Smart. For ages 7-11. recreation.georgetown.org/youth-programs 12 | Market Days on the Square. Arts, craft, food, Ultimate Play Zone. Dance Gallery performs 11:30am. thegeorgetownsquare.com 12 | Hands on History. Williamson County Museum, 10-2. williamsonmuseum.org If you have an event you would like to include in next month’s issue, send your information to jill@viewmagazineinc. com by the 15th of the month and we’ll do our best to include you.

13-18 | Teen Adventure Camp. Wild Wichitas and Possum Paddle, for ages 12-17. Mandatory parents meet Match 8, 7-8pm, Parks Rec Admin Bldg camps.georgetown.org/spring-break-camps 14-18 | GISD Spring Break.

Camp Goodwater for ages 5-12, 9am-4pm camps.georgetown.org/spring-break-camps

Fencing Camp for ages 6-up, 9am-3pm camps.georgetown.org/spring-break-camps

Tennis Camp for ages 12-18, 9am-11:30am camps.georgetown.org/spring-break-camps

Krav Maga – Self Defense camp for ages 12-16, 10am-2pm camps.georgetown. org/spring-breakcamps

Sports Spectacular Camp for ages perk-8th grade, 9am-3pm camps.georgetown. org/spring-breakcamps

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15 | Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter Adoption Counseling Classes. 5:30-6:30pm, 1855 S.E. Inner Loop. wilcopets.org 15 | 21st Annual Benefit Soup Supper. St. Helen’s Catholic Church, 4:30-7:30pm. caringplacetx.org 15 | Books for Texans. Georgetown Public Library 402 W 8th, 7-8pm. Williamsonmuseum.org 19 | Don Piper, Author of “90 minutes in Heaven” will be speaking at Zion Lutheran Church in Walburg, 7:00pm. www.zionwalburg .org 25 | Community Montessori School, Oak Tree Dinner and Auction. Georgetown Community Center, Jodi Johnson at 512 863 7920, 6:30pm. community-montessori.org 26 | Archeology Day @ Berry Springs Park and Preserve, 10am-3pm. williamsonmuseum.org 26 | 2 one-act operas. “The Old Maid and the Thief,” and “Trouble in Tahiti” presented by Southwestern Opera Theatre, 3:00-5:00pm. southwestern.edu/sarafim/calendar 30, 31 and April 1 | Pillowman. A black comedy presented by Southwestern University, times vary. southwestern.edu/sarafim/calendar 31-April 2 | Just Between Friends Consignment Spring/Summer Sale. Georgetown Church of Christ Hwy 29 and DB Wood, times vary. roundrockjbfsale.com [consignor and volunteer sign up March 30 by 10am]

Reach Your Customers. “I stay in the View each month because that is what my customers read. I have many customers who eat at my restaurant because they heard about us in the View.”

Faruk Zulcic, owner of Tony and Luigi’s

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The Most Modern Medical, Surgical, And Dental Care For Your Pet Family

Meet Our Veterinarians Dr. Wayne Zeh has been a practicing veterinarian in Central Texas for 17 years. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1993 from Texas A&M University. In addition to canine and feline pets, Dr. Zeh’s interests include exotic pets and geriatric pet medicine.

Award-Winning Facilities Zoot Pet Hospital has received a 2010 Hospital Design Merit Award for excellence in cutting-edge veterinary hospital design in the 45th annual Veterinary Economics Hospital Design Competition. Zoot was one of only ten similarly recognized pet hospitals nationally, and the sole award-winner in the state of Texas.

Dr. Jensen Young is a graduate of Texas A&M University (B.S., Biomedical Science) and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He also participated in the prestigious Veterinary Clinical Program at Texas A&M. At Zoot Pet Hospital, Dr. Young’s interests include internal medicine and orthopedic surgery. Dr. A.J. Clemmons attended Texas A&M University where she received her Bachelor’s in Animal Science in and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Her professional interests at Zoot include canine and feline internal medicine and reproduction. She is also an avid equestrian and is often competing with her horses when she’s away from the hospital.

3981 Highway 29 West, Georgetown | (512) 864–ZOOT [9668] | ZOOTPETS.com