discover
Published by the Hill Country Sun.
Dripping Texas For Springs, advertising, call 512-484-9716
or email julie@hillcountrysun.com
February 2014
LOCAL INFORMATION & ADVERTISING
Serene experience at Massage in the Hill Country
J
By Laurel Robertson
oe Peterson’s Massage in the Hill Country studio is – quite literally miles away from the experience you can find at any massage studio in town. Hidden away at his home on six private acres near Nutty Brown Road and RR 1826, Joe’s secluded studio offers a complete experience for all the senses. A typical session begins with a soak in a whirlpool hot tub overlooking lush koi ponds, as clients sip sparkling water or wine while their muscles unwind. A fruit and cheese tray soothes their appetite. Their view is a grassy meadow rolling into the green undergrowth of a nearby creek bed, spanned by a wooden footbridge. Sounds of birds and other wildlife fill the air. When they’re relaxed and ready for a massage, clients can choose a space on a
covered patio overlooking the hot tub and koi ponds, or in a serene massage room indoors. Each massage is a full hour, Joe points out—with no time taken up checking in, changing or filling out paperwork. The low overhead Joe enjoys by having his studio at his house enables him to keep prices affordable—many times less than what one would expect, he says. Couples often choose Massage in the Hill Country as a romantic retreat for special occasions, such as anniversaries and Valentines Day. It’s also popular as a Girls Day Out destination for friends or mother/daughter combos, Joe explains. As wonderful and relaxing as the massages are for his clients, Joe insists that he benefits even more from his practice—in fact, he credits the work with saving his sanity following some life-changSee MASSAGE IN THE HILL COUNTRY, page 2
Joe Peterson BACKGROUND prepares his massage table as guests relax by the koi pond at his idyllic Massage in the Hill Country studio. Photo courtesy Massage in the Hill Country.
LY PROUDEN T!
INDEPEND
THANK YOU for supporting one of Dripping Spring’s locally owned businesses! at Dripping Springs
100 Commons Road, #1 • 512-858-7935 • 512-894-0285 • drippingspringspharmacy.com
In-store Wellness Consultants
Monday thru Friday • 10 am – 2 pm (No Appointment Necessary) Peter McCarthy, ND, Certified Traditional Naturopath Radhia Gleis, PhD, Med, CCN Certified Clinical Nutritionist
10%
off any high quality supplement WITH THIS AD. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER PROMOTION.
Need A Haircut or Color?
MASSAGE IN THE HILL COUNTRY, from page 1
HULA CUTS
301-HULA • 301-4852
13110 Hwy 290 W, Suite 101 ACROSS FROM BELTERRA
MODERN ORTHODONTICS FROM FRIENDLY PEOPLE.
Hot stone massage. Photo courtesy Massage in the Hill Country.
Mark A Thompson DDS MS Specialist in Orthodontics 512-858-2916 • www.austinbraces.com corner of Ranch Road 12 @ 290 West
sanity following some life-changing events. After 32 years as an electrical engineer with Motorola and AMD, Joe retired five years ago, not long after he lost his wife of 23 years to cancer. His two sons soon left home for college and careers. “You have no idea how burned-out, bored and nuts I was!” Joe recounts. Through his (professional-level) hobby of photography, Joe met a massage therapist who convinced him to enroll in classes at the Lauterstein-Conway Massage School in Austin, where he became an LMT (licensed massage therapist). He later spent 10 days at the Esalen Institute in California to learn their signature style of healing massage. The beautiful location in Big Sur, open to the Pacific Ocean’s wind, waves, surf and sun, inspired Joe to create his home studio in its calming, natural setting.
Guests relax and enjoy a fruit tray at Massage in the Hill Country. Photos courtesy Massage in the Hill Country. “I fell in love with massage therapy—doing it is about as far from being an engineer as you can get,” Joe reflects. Instead of working long hours a week indoors at a high-stress occupation with hectic deadlines, he now works part-time in his own beautiful home and See MASSAGE IN THE HILL COUNTRY, page 3
Your Hill Country Used Car Superstore
No-Nonsense Used Car Dealer • Tasteful Website Shopping
WE CONSIGN CARS ~ WE SELL CARS It’s no secret that buying a used vehicle can be a daunting experience. We believe that purchasing your next vehicle should be as easy and fun as a trip to your favorite market.
512-288-5000 • toll free 866-933-5002 LOCATED 10 MILES EAST OF DRIPPING SPRINGS
loneoakmotors.com • 10010 Hwy 290 West 2
February 2014 MASSAGE IN THE HILL COUNTRY, from page 2 yard setting, with a schedule that he sets. “The best part is the immediate satisfaction and smiles it brings to people – very unlike the long wait and mixed results I saw with projects in the computer industry,” he reports. Joe says his new life feels like getting to have his cake and eat it, too. There’s icing on that cake, too —last month Joe
Order NOW for Valentine’s Day!
remarried. Life is good at Massage in the Hill Country. FYI • Massage in the Hill Country is located near Nutty Brown Road and FM 1826. They offer Swedish, Esalen and deep tissue massage in individual, couple, and small group sessions. Gift certificates are available. For more information and to make appointments, visit the website at joepeterson.massagetherapy.com or email joe@ massageinthehillcountry.com
“Granting Cookie Wishes”
Allison LeBlanc • 985-869-2296 • thecookiefairy@ymail.com WEBSITE COMING SOON! www.thecookiefairytx.com
Like us on
www.facebook.com/thecookiefairytx
to receive a dozen free minis with your first order!
Translate your vision into a beautiful, functional landscape
ABOVE Couples often choose Massage in the Hill Country as a romantic retreat. BELOW Serene indoor massage room. Photos courtesy Massage in the Hill Country.
Full Landscape Design & Installation Flagstone Patios & Walkways • Outdoor Kitchens Xeriscapes • Landscape Lighting • Arbors & Pergolas
512-923-0210 • www.BlazekLandscapes.com
Create with the one you love. Create for the one you love!
Great Valentine-themed projects!
Open for walk-in projects 7 days a week.
Or join us for Special Events: Hugs & Kisses Storytime Art, 2/7 Tie-dye Friday: Hearts! 2/7 Daddy/Daughter Date Night, 2/13 Be Mine Valentine Storytime Art, 2/14 Kids’ Night Out Canvas Painting, 2/14
Call today to register for special events!
512-852-9900 • www.TheArtGarageAustin.com www.facebook.com/theartgarageAustin
11190 Circle Drive, Ste 202-3 Austin, TX (Circle Drive at Highway 290, just east of Fitzhugh Road)
3
Massage in the Hill Country Therapeutic and Relaxation Massage in the beautiful Austin Hill Country. Indoor or outdoor sessions including hot tub pre-soak surrounded by Koi ponds and waterfalls. The ultimate in stress relief. Near 1826 & Nutty Brown Road
Joe Peterson, LMT (MT113103)
MassageInTheHillCountry.com • 512-413-0636 VALENTINE SPECIAL
Bring A Friend! Hot tub,
wine, fruit/cheese tray + two 60-min massages... $120
Upholstery • Slipcovers • Soft Furnishings
15 years professional experience offering eco-friendly services Laurel Robertson, Certified Upholsterer 512-351-5193 • Dripping Springs
REUSE...RECYCLE...REUPHOLSTER! Call about our home decor sewing classes.
Plenty of sweet treats here...
BIG Drip Ice Cream Parlor is back and even better
T
By Laurel Robertson
ammy Myers – better known to her legions of pint-sized fans as “The Ice Cream Lady” – is once again doing her best to make living in Dripping Springs a little sweeter. After seven years and several incarnations around Dripping Springs, her creation of affection and confection, The BIG Drip Ice Cream Parlor, is expanding its wares in the tiniest building on Mercer Street. In addition to hand-dipped cones and ice cream concoctions, The BIG Drip now offers homemade fudge, decadent candies, select chocolates, premium popcorn and a variety of brittles. And just in time for Valentine’s Day, Tammy is stocking and taking pre-orders for chocolate covered strawberries. With the arrival of warmer weather in March, The BIG Drip will station one of its three full-service ice cream trailers at the Mercer store to sell shaved ice, sausage wraps, hot dogs, nachos, Frito pies, chili and other snacks. The truck will be open late to satisfy the appetites of the growing nightlife on Mercer. The two remaining trailers will continue serving ice cream delights to folks at the Austin Zoo and at events both public (fairs, festivals and sports events) and private (weddings, parties and corporate events). Easily one of the most recognized people around town, Tammy says she
Tammy Myers, aka the “Ice Cream Lady” scoops up delectable treats at the BIG Drip Ice Cream Parlor on Mercer Street. Photo courtesy The BIG Drip. can’t go grocery shopping or out to a restaurant without having kids mob her. And she loves every minute of it. “I’m a kid magnet,” she shrugs. “When I’m surrounded by them, I’m in my natural element. God gifted me with a love of children and community.” Employee Bobbi Bone chimes in, “Tammy has 20 million adopted children (including my own) because she takes See THE BIG DRIP, page 5
Reliable Residential
CLEANING Please call
Abigail Saldana 512-701-4654 4
In addition to hand-dipped cones and ice cream concoctions (and just in time for Valentine’s), The BIG Drip now offers homemade fudge, decadent candies, select chocolates, premium popcorn and a variety of brittles. Photo courtesy The BIG Drip.
February 2014 THE BIG DRIP, from page 4 the time to talk with them. They can tell she really cares about them.” A recent post on The BIG Drip Facebook page paints a typical scene with Tammy and “her kids”: “My BIG Drip kids showed up and brought new friends. We all ate ice cream cones on the back of The BIG Drip Classic truck (aka My Gazelle), then we hula hooped the calories off and ended the eve with Tommy & the kids and I playing instruments & singing!” The mother of five, Tammy has 10 actual grandkids —and counting! (“They’re my ‘Grammy’ awards,” she quips.) But her trim waistline belies that fact. “I eat all the ice cream I want,” boasts the petite blonde, “and then hula-hoop for an hour a day! So eat more fudge!” is her advice. Tammy grew up in New England working summers at an ice cream shop, so The BIG Drip was a natural for her. She loves the feeling of small-town community she shares with the other proprietors on Mercer Street. “I love being across from Rippy’s and next door neighbors with our new dance hall in town!” she effuses. Since the BIG Drip is a cash-only establishment, Tammy occasionally offers to let cash-challenged customers pay her later for candy today. “I operate on the Honor System,” she
DRIPPING SPRINGS NEWEST BOUTIQUE
Goodie Two Shoes There’s always time for music and fun for kids of all ages at the BIG Drip Ice Cream Parlor on Mercer Street. Photo courtesy The BIG Drip. attests, “and they always come back to repay!” Tammy credits her success to her many friends in the community. In particular, she says she’d like to thank Bobbi, Dolores, Teresa, Travis, Edith, Stacey, Jeff, Calvin, Michael, her mother and all
“her kids” for her sweet success. FYI • The BIG Drip is located at 310 Mercer Street, in the rock building across the street from Rippy’s Ranch Supply. For more information and hours, visit their Facebook page. The BIG Drip Ice Cream trailer at the Austin Zoo is open Friday from 11 am to 3 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm.
CLOTHING • SHOES ACCESSORIES New Shipments Daily Something for Everyone Located in the Heart of Drip 400 Old Fitzhugh Road 11 am-7 pm Closed Sunday & Monday
512-689-1697
facebook.com/goodietwoshoes1
Ball Brothers
Paint & Drywall 30 Years Experience
Locally Owned & Operated Quality Workmanship References Available
Exterior Painting H Interior Painting Drywall Repair H Power Washing F ence & Deck Painting/Staining Additions H Remodeling
Need Carpentry Work? Call Us. Tammy Myers with a just a few of her fans in the classic truck outside The BIG Drip Ice Cream Parlor. Photo courtesy The BIG Drip.
Send Calendar Events to melissa@hillcountrysun.com Please submit by the 15th of the month prior.
512-360-7062 H www.ballbrotherspainting.com 5
Dripping Springs Calendar
Online Massage Scheduling & Instant Gift Certificates Available
www.DivineSerenity.net • 512-607-6357
13110 Hwy 290 West, Suite 305 • info@divineserenity.net
MT107321
This Valentine’s Day...Give the gift of massage to yourself and others
Promote Your Business in
Your Complimentary Guide to
Wimberley from the Hill Country
FALL/WINTER 2013-14
SUN
PRSRT STD AUTOCR
U.S. POSTAGE PAID WIMBERLEY, TX 78676 PERMIT NO. 21 POSTAL PATRON
The Ultimate Guide
to Wimberley published by the Hill Country
A Day... A Week... or A Lifetime
nment • Shopping • Services • Real
Lodging • Dining • Arts • Entertai
SUN Estate
25,000 copies! • Mailed to all residences serviced by the Wimberley Post Office (more than 5,200 homes) • Distributed to Chambers of Commerce, Visitors Centers & many locations throughout the Hill Country • Wimberley locations restocked weekly for the entire six months!
Get 6 months of exposure, all at one affordable rate! Reserve Space by March 4! Final Ad due by March 6 For information, please contact Julie
512-484-9716 • julie@hillcountrysun.com 6
EVERY SUNDAY • Live Jazz Brunch at the Nutty Brown Cafe. www.nuttybrown.com. SECOND and FOURTH SUNDAY • Drippin’ Dancin’. BYOB and food. Barn at Bell Springs, 4000 Bell Springs Road. 7 pm to 10 pm. Dance lessons 6 pm to 7 pm. $7 cover. www.HotTexasSwingBand.com. EVERY MONDAY • Rotary Club. 11:45 am at Creek Road Cafe. 301 West Highway 290, 512-626-7673, www. drippingspringsrotary.org. • Boy Scout Troop 280 meets at St. Martin de Porres Church Hall. 512-904-0444, ckichuk@ yahoo.com, drippingsprings280.mytroop. us. SECOND MONDAYS • Group of Dripping Springs (GODS) Moms meets at Dripping Springs Methodist Church 9 am to 11:15 am. 512-894-0581. FOURTH MONDAYS • Artists of Dripping Springs. Gatherings at area studios. 512-894-0394. • Gen. Ben McCulloch 2435, UDC meets at the Veterans Hall, 27500 Ranch Road 12 at 7 pm. Call Sharon Hudson at 512-858-7177. MONDAY through THURSDAY • Discovery Day School. mmilligan@ discoveryday-school.org. EVERY TUESDAY • Toastmasters Dripping Springs. 6:30 pm. Pioneer Bank Building Conference Room. Call Mike at 214-339-3237. • Dripping Springs Property Tour. 512-5797711, dshometour@gmail.com. SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH TUESDAYS • Dripping Springs Boy Scout Troop 101 meets. Dripping Springs United Methodist Church. 7 pm. Tom Chenault at 512-707-7488. FIRST and THIRD TUESDAYS • Lions Club meets. 6 p m at Flores Restaurant. Call Sharon at 512-858-5159. SECOND TUESDAYS • Friends of the Dripping Springs Community Library. 11 am at the library. Contact Bobbie Hentschel@512-771-3217 or friendsofdslibrary@gmail.com for information and volunteer opportunities. EVERY WEDNESDAY • Dripping Springs Farmers Market. The Triangle (Highway 290/ Ranch Road 12) 3 pm to 7 pm. cityofdrippingsprings.com. • Awana. Wednesday. Henly Baptist Church. henlybaptistchurch.org. SECOND WEDNESDAY • Free Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at Arveda Alzheimer’s Family Care, 11013 Signal Hill Drive. RSVP to 512-637-5400. www.arvedacare.com. EVERY THURSDAY • Steak Night and Karaoke at the Nutty Brown Cafe. nuttybrown.com. • Thyme and Dough Bistro Nights with live music, dinners and decadent desserts. 6 pm to 9 pm. 512-894-0001. • Henly Baptist Church JOY (Just Older Youth) Club meets at 9:30 a m . www. henlybaptistchurch.org. FIRST THURSDAYS • Dripping Springs American Legion 7 pm. 512-858-5637. FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY • Lions Club meets at 131 East Mercer Street. 512-858-5159. SECOND THURSDAYS • Knights of Columbus, Council 11695, meets at the St Martin de Porres Parrish Hall on Post Oak Road, at 7:30 pm. Preceeded by a pot luck dinner.
• Charlotte’s Book Club. Dripping Springs Community Library, 6 pm. Visit www.dscl. org , 512-858-7825’ THIRD THURSDAYS • Dripping Springs Cookoff Club. Meets at 6:30 pm in the VFW Hall in Dripping Springs. For information, email Michele at ryoncrew@yahoo.com. • Dripping Springs VFW meets. 27500 Ranch Road 12. 7 pm. 512-858-5637. • Thirsty Thursday meets at 7 pm. New Life Lutheran Church at 120 Frog Pond Lane off Highway 290. Poets, musicians, songwriters and storytellers share. Artists, photographers and quilters also welcome. 512-858-2024. FOURTH THURSDAY • Photographers of Dripping Springs (PODS). Dripping Springs Community Library, 501 Sportsplex Drive, conference room. 6:30 pm. 512-524-7897. EVERY FRIDAY • Men’s Breakfast at Fitzhugh Baptist Church. 6:30 am. 512-913-4808. • Free wine tasting and art gallery. 5 pm to 8 pm at Cedar Valley Spirits (across from Nutty Brown Cafe). www. cedarvalleyspirits.com. FIRST SATURDAY • Low Cost Pet Vaccinations at Tractor Supply. 512-858-7229. SECOND & FOURTH SATURDAY • Pet Adoption Sponsored by Thundering Paws Animal Sanctuary. Tractor Supply. 512-402-9725. FEBRUARY 28 • 11th Annual Suits & Boots Community Awards Banquet. Celebrate the community, walk the red carpet and have your photo taken in front of the “Academy Awards” wall. Dripping Springs Ranch Park Ballroom. drippingspringstx.org. FEBRUARY 15 • Hays County Master Naturalist Chapter 2nd Annual Dripping Springs Great Backyard Bird Count. Participants will receive an introduction to birding and information about the Great Backyard Bird Count, and then take a guided bird count at Charro Ranch Park, Dripping Springs Ranch Park or Founders Memorial Park. Appropriate for birders of all skill levels and ages. Registration required, space is limited, no charge. For more information go online www.birdsource.org/gbbc. MARCH 1 • Keith Tuck Memorial Football Game. Dripping Springs vs. Lake Travis at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff at 7 pm. www.facebook. com/playfortuck. MARCH 9 • 10th Annual Brittany Tuck Scholarship Memorial Benefit. Includes a barbecue cookoff. Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center. www.facebook.com/ brittanytuckbenefit. MARCH 15 • Fancy Feathers 7th Annual Open Chicken Show. A professionally judged poultry show set up and run by Fancy Feathers 4-H members, with adult and youth classes as well as a backyard class for both bantam and standard sized birds. See more than 40 varieties of chickens, participate in a cluck-off, more. Dripping Springs Ranch Park. 9:30 am to 2 pm. at www.fancyfeatherstx.org . FYI • For information on any calendar event, call the Chamber at 512-858-4740.
February 2014
12th Annual Community Awards Celebration “Come walk the red carpet and enjoy a night of glamour, paparazzi, delectable food and entertainment Hollywood style!” Awards to be given to: Business of the Year Up & Coming Business Outstanding Business Person of the Year The Ed Sims Memorial Hometown Hero Non-Profit of the Year Outstanding Customer Service
Friday, February 28th at 6:00 pm Dripping Springs Ranch Park Hosted By: DS Chamber of Commerce $40 for members & $45 for non-members Pre-sale only - no tickets at the door Purchase tickets at the Chamber office and on-line starting January 27
Magical Entertainment, Music by Upbeat Strings & the DSHS Jazz Band Decorations by BeeLavish, Whim Event Rentals and Flowers & Gifts by DanTay’s Cash Bar by Verde’s Mexican Parilla Appetizers & Dinner by Gourmet Gals Catering
7
HAPPY VALENSPINES! 3-Week Meditation Series beginning in February...
It’s the beginning of a new year - the perfect time to set into motion a practice that will change your life like no other.
Call Elaine to register.
on-going Beginners’ Series
& any necessary x-rays**
on Mondays & Thursdays, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm --
The PERFECT Class if you’ve ever wanted to get started.
**Offer excludes Medicare. 50% of fees will be donated to Oklahaven, a special needs childrens’ chiropractic facility
Plus, Level 2 classes, Yoga Pump, Healing Yoga, Pre-Natal and Stretch Classes. Something for everyone!
Specific low force Chiropractic for the whole family, Massage, Active Rehab Therapy, Custom nutrition & Wellness care
12009 Highway 290W
301-YOGA (9642)
www.YogaForYouAustin.com Yoga for All Levels • Drop-Ins Welcome • Private Sessions Available
55
$
$74 Initial Exam
FOR ONE MONTH UNLIMITED YOGA OR BUY ONE CLASS, GET ONE FREE for new members WITH THIS COUPON.
in the Arbor Center 800 Hwy 290 W, Bldg C Dripping Springs, TX DR. CHAE TRACY DR. NICK HOYER DR. MONYA TRACY
512-858-WELL • www.ffchiro.com
We’re the professionals specializing in customer satisfaction since 1993
Lloyd’s Automotive Complete Automotive Repair Foreign • Domestic • Diesel
Make Your Pay Count!
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
Conveniently located minutes away from The Salt Lick
512-894-0110 • 18161 RR150 West
4.5 miles east of Ranch Road 12 Mon-Fri 8-6pm • Closed Sat & Sun for Family Days
10% off any repair
*
*excluding engine or transmission replacements. Must bring in this coupon for 10% off. 8
Invisalign Preferred Provider, Implants, Myofascial Release, Cosmetic and Restorative Procedures, Laser Technology
changing smiles, changing lives Family & Cosmetic Dentistry www.heatherbobb.com 331 Sportsplex Dr, Suites A & B • Dripping Springs • 512-858-7200