Katy Today

TODAY NOVEMBER 2019

Happy

holidays

CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL

PAGE 7

CBD: SCAM OR MIRACLE CURE?

PAGE 12

POLO CRASH COURSE

PAGE 30

ARE YOUR

LUNGS TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING?

D

FAMILY FEATURES

o you get short of breath doing daily activities? Feel like you’re unable to take deep breaths? Are you constantly coughing or wheezing? If you said yes to any of these questions, you may be experiencing symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a serious, potentially devastating lung disease also known as chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Though it’s easy to think of these symptoms as just part of “getting older’’ or as problems that come with allergies, often they are not.

Nearly 16 million people in the United States are currently living with a COPD diagnosis, and millions more don’t know they have it. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability.

In people with COPD, the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs become partially blocked, which makes it increasingly difficult to breathe. If left undetected, the disease can greatly affect your quality of life and your ability to complete even ordinary daily activities.

COPD often occurs in people who have a history of smoking or long-term exposure to secondhand smoke and other lung irritants, such as air pollution, chemical fumes, and dusts from the environment or workplace. The chances of getting COPD also increases significantly in people who

have alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a rare genetic condition.

While COPD develops slowly and worsens over time, its symptoms can be treated and its progression can be slowed, which is why early detection and treatment are so important. If you are noticing any issues with your breathing, talk to your health care provider about getting tested for COPD. The sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner treatment can begin. Your provider will design a treatment plan to help address your symptoms and improve your lung function and quality of life.

The key to keeping COPD at bay - or preventing it from getting worse - is to understand and recognize the signs and symptoms early and discuss them with your health care provider. The sooner this happens, the sooner you can get back to doing the things you love.

Through educational efforts like the Learn More Breathe Better program (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/breathebetter), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute shares valuable information about the symptoms of COPD, as well as how to diagnose and treat it. With these tools, those living with COPD can effectively manage the disease, and those who have symptoms can find the support and assistance they need.

TODAY

NOVEMBER 2019

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

5 8 11 12 18 30

FAV 5 Survive home remodeling MUST SEE This winter's box office blockbusters BLACK FRIDAY The history behind the madness CBD All your questions answered BREAK THE HABIT How to break bad habits you don’t know you have POLO The sport of kings

STAFF Karen Lopez, Publisher Terri Richard, Advertising Debbie Prejean, Administration Victoria Parker, Designer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Roxanne Avery CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Sabrina King Straussfeld Dirk Straussfeld Produced by Katy Media Publishing, LLC, publishers of Katy Times newspaper.

P.O. Box 678 Katy, Texas 77493 281-391-3141 katytimes.com For more information about advertising or distribution contact karen.lopez@katytimes.com COPYRIGHT © 2019 The entire contents of this publication and its electronic version at katytimes.com are copyrighted by Katy Media Publishing, LLC. No material may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher.

Copyright © 2019 Katy Times LLC. All rights reserved.

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KATY TODAY

FAV

Five

TO SURVIVING HOME REMODELING

By KAREN LOPEZ

1 3 4

2

DON’T TAKE THINGS TOO SERIOUSLY

Everything is a process and WILL NOT go at your pace. Expect the unexpected. Goofy selfies and grandbabies are a wonderful outlet.

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE Go catch a game with a good friend. Go ‘Stros!

EXPECTATIONS Expect to go over your budget. If you expect to spend $8,000 on your bathroom remodel, guess what? You are going to spend $12,000. Or maybe that was just me.

5

BREATHE

“Breathe, breathe, breathe. Tomorrow is a new day.” The uplifting words from my friend and home designer Lisa Dupree. She helped me get through the day to day stress of dust, dirt and strange men in my house for months.

ENVISION YOUR END-RESULT

Here are some before and after photos of my recent master bathroom remodel. Yes, I did remove the bathtub completely and made a larger, open door shower. If you are only taking the time once a year to relax in the tub, then you don’t need it. The shower, on the other hand, I use every day. You’re welcome!

KATY TODAY

5

Open for TOURS & tastings every Saturday from 12-6pm Come visit us!

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Veteran and Family owned business. Founded in 2017, Shire Distilling Co. was founded on three core values: Honor, Integrity, and Continually Seeking a Better Spirit. We believe quality locally-sourced ingredients make a superior spirit and we are driven to be the best craft-distillery in the South.

shiredistilling.com 505 Bains Street Suite 303 Brookshire, TX 77423

Winter White Cosmopolitan 1.5 oz. Shire Ice (Premium Vodka) 1 oz. Cointreau 1/2 oz. St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur 1/2 oz. Fresh Lime Juice 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup 1.5 oz. White Cranberry Juice Garnish 3-4 Frozen Cranberries Mint Sugar (rim of martini glass) KATY TODAY

7

NEW RELEASES

FOR THIS WINTER

Frozen II

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

DECEMBER 2019

NOVEMBER 2019

Terminator: Dark Fate

JANUARY 2020

Jumanji: The Next Level

The Informer

Bad Boys for Life

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Cats

The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle

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THE HISTORY OF

BLACK FRIDAY B

lack Friday marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Come Black Friday, shoppers strive to get the lowest prices on gifts for their loved ones.

Much of the focus of Black Friday is on finding the best deals, but it can be interesting to take a breath and learn how this phenomenon developed and how it has evolved over the years.

“Black Friday”

The term “black Friday” was originally associated with gold prices and manipulation on the part of speculators Jay Gould and James Fisk. This scandal occurred in September 1869.

Commodity prices plummeted 50 percent as a result, and the term “black Friday” was coined to refer to that drop.

The phrase “black Friday” also became famous for all the wrong reasons in 1966. Philadelphia police used it to refer to the Friday traffic jams and crowding in downtown stores from tourists and shoppers who flooded into the city in advance of the Army-Navy football game held the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year. Bigger crowds and rowdiness contributed to long hours and stressful shifts for local police.

Black Friday reinvented

The retail industry started using the term “Black Friday” in the

late 1980s. Spin doctors turned previously negative connotations into positive ones by associating the phrase with stores turning a profit and moving accounting ledgers from “red to black” thanks to big year-end sales. Retailers and consumers rallied around low-cost “doorbusters” and other discounted prices.

Interestingly enough, according to the National Retail Federation, Black Friday really hasn’t been the most lucrative day for retailers over the years. In fact, greater profits and larger crowds are often seen on the last Saturday preceeding Christmas.

Shopping weekend evolves

While Black Friday may have been the catalyst, in recent years shoppers have made the entire weekend of Black Friday a lucrative one for retailers. Many stores now open on Thanksgiving and extend sales through the entire weekend.

Small Business Saturday and Sunday promote patronizing mom-and-pop stores. Cyber Monday emerged when online shopping became a popular way to grab deals, and it marks the close of the opening weekend of the holiday shopping season.

In 2017, Black Friday weekend attracted 174 million shoppers who spent an average of $335.47, according to the NRF.

KATY TODAY

11

CBD YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT

ANSWERED

By ROXANNE AVERY

W

hat are the benefits of CBD? Is it a narcotic? Will it get you high? Will it show up on a drug test? What is it used for? Here are your questions answered!

What is CBD?

CBD, the acronym for cannabidiol, is a chemical compound from the cannabis (hemp) plant. It’s a natural substance used in products like oils and edibles resulting in a feeling of calm and relaxation. Unlike its cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it’s nonpsychoactive, best known for it’s perceived medical benefits. By using it, you won’t have feelings of euphoria or feel an altered consciousness or feel sedated.

“CBD is one of 113 plus molecules found in cannabis,” Joe Scearce, cannabis grower recently explained. “It’s the most abundant and the one that has been studied the most. It has hundreds of uses and benefits.”

Where can you buy it?

As one of the biggest wellness products advertised today, it seems you can buy it almost anywhere in states where it is legal. One reason is because CBD sales are estimated to be $22 billion by 2022 and businesses want in on the action because CBD is a considerably higher-margin product than the traditional dried cannabis flower. Plus, smoking any product (tobacco or cannabis), is at a five-decade low and a new generation of cannabis users prefer alternative consumption options, including vapes, edibles, topicals, concentrates, and oils. There is little fear of oversupply or pricing pressure.

Retailers selling CBD based products such as oils, topicals and capsules include CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Ulta Beauty, GNC, Designer Brands (sells creams and balms) and Neiman Marcus.

Even though you can now buy CBD lattes at coffee shops, have a CBD facial at a spa, and buy CBD water in grocery stores, many people find CBD confusing, especially when learning how to use it and making sure it is legit. This is important because the FDA doesn’t regulate CBD, making it possible to buy a product more or less potent than advertised or even containing small amounts of THC.

What is hemp?

To understand CBD, you need to understand the female hemp plant. “We’ve all heard the words hemp, marijuana and cannabis and the Cannabis Sativa plant has two main species; hemp and marijuana both of which contain CBD,” Scearce explained. The percentage of THC in hemp is very low (less than 0.3%) compared to marijuana.

There is no CBD or THC in hemp oil which is oil taken from seeds of the hemp plant. You can often find this ingredient in beauty products because it is packed with healthy fats and used as moisturizers.

Where is CBD grown?

With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, it is now (again) legal to grow hemp in the United States. Because hemp grown for CBD could be worth up to $30,000 per acre, it is a lucrative crop to farm. Because regulations that govern hemp have yet to be established, it is up to each state to address their own policy regarding hemp cultivation.

Hemp loves full sun (12 + hours a day), loamy soil rich in organic manner full of specific rich minerals. It also adores water (20-30 inches of rainfall during its’ growth cycle).

“Because it is grown in high quantities, most of it is grown outside but it can also be grown in greenhouses,” Scearce said.

What are the health benefits of CBD?

With only one CBD medication FDA approved (for certain types of epilepsy (Epidiolex)), people are now swearing it helps other ailments such as back pain, osteoarthritis and even cancer.

But the research is not there yet to prove such statements.

Pre-clinical trials over the last four decades have found cannabinoid shows promise as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotectant, anxiolytic, anti-depressant, analgesic, sleep aide, anti-tumoral agent and anti-psychotic. It also acts as an antioxidant, absorbing free radicals. Cleaning the cells and helping them operate more efficiently is what leads to reduced inflammation. Reducing inflammation is very powerful in fighting diseases and ailments. It’s one of CBD’s strongest abilities.

What is the best way to take CBD?

There are many ways to take CBD and depending on how quickly you want the product to begin working and how long you need it to work are questions to ask when deciding the best method to take it.

Vaping creates fast results (usually within 10 minutes) but wears off faster – usually between one to four hours. Tinctures (liquid placed under your tongue) and edibles (capsules, gummys or baked goods) begin working within 30 minutes but last four or five hours. Topical creams and ointments (apply to muscles, joints and ligaments for a localized release) last various time periods for various people and depend on how well your skin absorbs it and how much you use.

How is CBD extracted?

It is important to understand various CBD extraction methods as they have a major impact on the quality of the end product; not to mention your health. The solvent method is not recommended because it is dangerous to make and also more likely to cause health problems.

1. CO2 Cannabis Extraction Method: This is the most regularly used extraction method because it is safe and provides a pure end product. This method uses pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2) to pull CBD (and other phytochemicals) from the plant. CO2 acts like a solvent at certain temperatures and pressures but possesses none of the dangers.

2. The Olive Oil Extraction Method: This method can be done at home and involves heating the plant to a certain temperature for a specific length of time to activate the plant’s chemicals.

3. The Dry Ice Extraction Method: This method can also be done at home although it takes more time and effort than its olive oil equivalent.

4. The Solvent Extraction Method: This method involves common substances such as ethanol, low-grade alcohol and butane.

Although ethanol extracts the full range of cannabinoids from the plant, making the end product safe for consumption, it also extracts chlorophyll, which may lead to unpleasant side effects.

What is the difference between full-spectrum and isolated?

This is actually a question of dosing.

16

KATY TODAY

Full-spectrum can include other cannabinoids such as cannabidivarin or cannabigerol. This is important because the “entourage effect” can happen which is when the ingredients are more effective together than any one of them alone). “Isolate is 100% CBD,” Scearce said. “Some people may need just 10 milligrams of full-spectrum CBD while taking 80-100 milligrams of Isolate may not have the same effect.”

Does CBD cure diseases?

No. Any company making this claim should be avoided.

Is CBD a narcotic?

As long as CBD oil does not contain elements of THC, it is not considered a narcotic.

Will CBD show up on a drug test?

CBD should not show up on a drug test as long as you are buying it from a third-party tested CBD with no additional THC. But, if a drug test is more sensitive (such as the ones required for athletes), a positive test could result for trace amounts of THC if using CBD products.

Is CBD safe?

Because CBD is being produced without any regulation, products result in a wide variety of quality. It’s still uncharted territory because people who want to start a CBD company can say whatever they want and also put whatever they want on the label.

There have been very few studies done on humans and in those studies did not include a control group that did not use the oil.

Because of this, there is no way to know if the results are the true effect of the drug or just simply a placebo effect because someone thinks they have been given a drug that will be beneficial.

A 2017 study led by Bonn-Miller found that nearly seven of ten CBD products did not contain the amount of marijuana extract as indicated on the label and nearly 43 percent of the products contained too little CBD while 26 percent contained too much.

One in five CBD products contained the intoxicating pot chemical.

“If I were a consumer purchasing it for myself or my kid, I would want to test it so I knew what it actually had in it because I would not trust what was on the label,” BonnMiller concluded.

People really need to be under the care of a health care provider who understands CBD. They need to be monitored and not just go out and buy CBD thinking it is going to be the answer.

“Hemp and Cannabis have been around for a long time,” Scearce said. “A Chinese grave at least 2,000 years old was dug up in June in the Pamir Mountains (of what is now western China) and incense burners were unearthed.

An analysis of the residue proved not only that it came from cannabis but also that it contained high levels of THC.” Marijuana can stay in the human system for several months but cannabis sticks to other surfaces for millennia.

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Visit the new University of Houston-Victoria at Katy location at 22400 Grand Circle Blvd. (across from Cinemark and Katy Asian Town), and learn how you can make your mark by finishing your bachelor’s degree as a transfer student or earning your master’s degree.

Find out about UHV’s affordable tuition and quality programs at our open house from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14.

Contact us now at (281) 396-3700 or katyrecruitment@uhv.edu.

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18

KATY TODAY

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

Don’t miss the next edition of the Katy Today magazine.

Rodeo | What is coming for 2020 | Who’s your Valentine?

Spring break ideas | How to pay off your holiday debt Contact Terri Richard today to get the best rates!

281.391.3141 Terri.richard@katytimes.com Deadline December 13, 2019

Simple Festive Mimosas Ingredients:

• Orange wedges • Sugar, for rimming flutes • 2 ounces Champagne or prosecco • 2 ounces Orange juice • Splash (1 teaspoon) grenadine Preparation Keep both alcohol and orange juice chilled Rim glasses with orange wedge and dip in sugar.

Use festive colors for the holidays.

In each flute, pour 2 ounces of champagne or prosecco Top off with orange juice Add a splash, 1 teaspoon, of grenadine for deeper color Garnish with orange wedges 20

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f you don’t know you have a bad habit, obviously you have no motivation to break it. But it is the mysterious habits that we do subconsciously – or almost subconsciously – that can do the most damage to our lives.

“Sometimes bad habits can veer into addiction territory,” says John Collopy, author of the book The Reward of Knowing. “The most dangerous bad habits are the ones we don’t realize we have.”

Collopy is a successful real estate broker today who is the owner of 38 real estate offices in Minnesota and Wisconsin. But it was not an overnight success. He had a long uphill battle against demons he didn’t know he had. He thought he had moved past his troubled childhood with a dysfunctional family and abusive father. But when he became an adult, he quickly became dependent on alcohol to get through the day, and he also had anger management issues.

“Pinpointing bad habits is not as easy as diagnosing a drug or alcohol addiction,” says Collopy. “Honing in on why we think the way we do, and why we do the things we do – that takes some deep reflection that many people won’t take the time to do.”

He says that it was only after he dived deep into his own soul that he realized he had subconscious bad habits and he needed to break the cycle. He says he makes a conscious effort each day to make choices that align with his personal life goals.

He offers these suggestions for those who may be struggling to understand why they continually seem to make the wrong decisions.

22 KATY TODAY

How to break b a d h a bits you don’t know you have

Start with identifying where you are stuck

The first step is identifying the exact moment you realized you were doing something that you knew you didn’t really want to do.

Find the trigger

As soon as you have located the exact moment you went off the rails, try to find out what triggered your behavior that you want to change.

Ask yourself: is this behavior moving me towards my life’s goals?

By keeping your ultimate goals in mind, it will make it easier to take the smaller steps needed to obtain those goals.

Don’t let bad habits cause you to have a mediocre life

Sometimes bad habits are not as serious as alcohol or

drugs, but nonetheless they wear you down so you are not as productive and happy as you could be. Don’t allow bad habits to make your life less fulfilling than it should be.

Ask for help

If it is a small habit you are trying to break, just telling friends about it can help you internalize the need for change. If it is a big problem, don’t be afraid to seek professional help.

“Our habits – good or bad – determine if we reach most of the goals in our lives,” Collopy says. “What I’ve learned is that you have to identify the underlying cause of the bad habits before you can break them.”

KATY TODAY 23

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A

FAMILY FEATURES

s chilly weather sets in and days get shorter, comfort food favorites once again fill menus. While traditional flavor combinations typically hold a special place in many families’ hearts and on their plates, there is almost always room to add new and exciting flavors to triedand-true favorites.

If you’re craving cheesy scalloped potatoes, savory stuffing or juicy braised meat, an option like California Ripe Olives are an easy addition that can spruce up your go-to dishes. Their mild and unique taste lends itself well to many different flavor pairings such as Prosciutto-Wrapped Stuffed Turkey Breast, Potatoes Au Gratin with Olives and Fennel, and Green Beans with Olive Butter.

California family farms produce 95% of the ripe olives grown in the United States. Multi-generational family farmers work with family-owned canneries to produce each can and ensure only the highest quality olives make it from the farm to your table.

For more creative ways to use olives, including family recipes from growers across California, visit CalOlive.org.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Stuffed Turkey Breast Recipe courtesy of Karista’s Kitchen Brine: 1/4 cup salt 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns 2 bay leaves 2 quarts water 3 1/2-4 pounds turkey breast Turkey: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided salt, to taste pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon orange zest 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/4-1/3 cup dried cranberries 3/4 cup sliced California Green Ripe Olives, divided 4-5 slices prosciutto Gravy: 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1-1 1/2 cups chicken broth salt, to taste pepper, to taste orange slices, for garnish To brine turkey breast: In large, non-reactive bowl, mix salt, peppercorns and bay leaves in water. Place turkey breast in brine and cover with

additional water, if needed. Place plastic wrap over bowl and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.

To cook turkey breast: Heat oven to 375 F. Remove turkey breast from brine, rinse and pat dry. On large cutting board with sharp, sturdy knife, slice into thickest portion of turkey and cut lengthwise, but not all the way through.

Brush inside of turkey breast with 1 tablespoon olive oil then sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste, rosemary, parsley and orange zest. Spread minced garlic, cranberries and 1/2 cup sliced green olives over bottom half of turkey breast then fold top over bottom.

Brush outside of turkey breast with remaining olive oil and place prosciutto slices over top of turkey breast. Using three pieces kitchen twine, tie turkey breast on each end and in middle.

Green Beans with Olive Butter

On baking sheet, roast turkey 15 minutes then turn heat down to 350 F and roast 35-45 minutes.

Once internal temperature reaches about 155 F, remove from oven and tent foil over top to allow it to continue cooking and stay warm. Let turkey rest about 15 minutes.

Once turkey is cool enough to handle, remove kitchen twine and slice. Arrange slices on platter.

To make gravy: Take remaining juice from baking sheet and add to saucepan over medium heat along with butter. Once butter is melted, sprinkle in flour and whisk. While whisking, add 1 cup chicken broth. If it becomes thick, add 1/2 cup chicken broth, or more, as needed. Let gravy cook several minutes, whisking constantly.

When gravy is done, remove from heat and drizzle over sliced turkey breast. Garnish with remaining green olives and orange slices. Serve warm.

Recipe courtesy of Culinary Hill 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened 20 California Black Ripe Olives, chopped 2 shallots, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 4 quarts, plus 1/4 cup, water, divided 1 tablespoon salt, plus additional, to taste 2 pounds green beans, trimmed freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In food processor, pulse butter, olives, shallots and garlic; set aside.

In large saucepan or stockpot, bring 4 quarts water and 1 tablespoon salt to boil.

Add green beans and boil until tender-crisp, but still bright green, about 3-5 minutes.

Work in batches, if necessary. Drain well and immediately plunge into bowl of ice water to stop cooking. In large skillet, add remaining water over medium heat. Add blanched beans and toss until heated through.

Toss beans with olive butter to coat.

Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Transfer to serving platter.

TIPS FOR CLEANING OUTDOOR SPACES

By FAMILY FEATURES

O

ver time, the appearance and function of any outdoor space can dull due to combinations of heat, precipitation and use.

With some careful attention, you can quickly spruce up your outdoor living areas and get them back in great working order for patio season.

Take care of textiles

Outdoor textiles often take a beating from the elements. Freshen up often-overlooked things like outdoor rugs, lawn furniture cushions, pillows and umbrellas. A thorough vacuuming may be adequate to remove leaves, bugs or dirt. However, if stubborn spots persist and a deeper cleaning is needed, review the manufacturer’s guidelines. Washing covered furniture from time to time helps ensure it’s ready for use no matter the season.

turbo nozzle to give you the ability to blast away grime up to 40 percent faster than with a standard spray tip. When that power is combined with an onboard detergent tank, you can eliminate outdoor grime quickly and efficiently, so you can get back to enjoying your outdoor living space.

Getting started is simple. Just turn on the washer and begin with a rinse setting to loosen dirt and debris. Next, use the soap nozzle to apply the detergent in the tank. You may want to let the detergent sit for especially grimy areas, depending on the detergent’s directions for use. Rinse thoroughly and repeat the process if needed.

Declare dust off-limits

Dingy light fixtures and fans lend an air of disrepair in any space.

Outdoors, they’ll undoubtedly collect dust and dirt quickly, but a deep clean can help make them easier to maintain. Dust and scrub as needed, and if necessary, grab a scrub brush and some soapy water to brighten up other items like decorative pieces and flower pots.

Freshen up finishes

From furniture to hard surfaces, the finishes can take a beating.

Take time to bring these items back to their former glory by rinsing, scrubbing and brushing dirt away from your wrought iron, metal, aluminum or wicker furniture. If needed, apply a fresh coat of sealant or add a rust-preventive layer of new paint. The same applies for other surfaces with finishes that may be chipped and dull.

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Blast away grime

A careful sweeping with a sturdy broom is a good starting point, but to get your outdoor space truly clean you may need a little more power. When used at the appropriate settings, a pressure washer can clean a wide range of surfaces from patios, decks and sidewalks to siding, windows, screens and tables.

When cleaning these surfaces, it’s important to find a power washer that can cut through the grime and rinse it away. In addition to gas-powered options, Briggs & Stratton offers a full line of electric pressure washers to help you tackle light-duty outdoor cleaning projects around the house. Some models, like the S1800, feature a

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27

BPAETNODISORHS

D

ogs, cats, birds, and lizards have evolved from wild animals and outdoor companions to become beloved, largely domesticated members of the family. The number of pets in homes across the country continues to grow. According to Statista, as of March 2017, 94.2 million cats and 89.7 million dogs were estimated to live in the United States as pets. Canada’s Pet Wellness report estimates that there are approximately 7.9 million cats and 5.9 million dogs in Canada.

Over time, pet owners grow accustomed to their pets’ antics, messes and even their odors. Dealing with smells is par for the course for pet owners, and many become desensitized to certain 28 KATY TODAY

common smells. But when company is on the way or people are thinking about selling their homes, pet odors must be addressed.

Even though it will take effort, homeowners can freshen their homes and eliminate unpleasant pet-related smells.

• Find ways to ventilate. Odors can build up inside closed environments and prove overpowering. Opening windows when applicable, using exhaust fans and encouraging cross-breezes can air certain odors from the home.

• Clean frequently. Cats and dogs can leave behind fur, dander, food messes, and more. Eliminating the debris that pets create can reduce odors. Sweeping, vacuuming and mopping floors can help as well. Don’t forget to vacuum draperies and furniture, and

consider purchasing cleaning appliances specifically designed for homes with pets.

• Keep on top of accidents and litter boxes. Puppies and even adult dogs may have their share of accidents. Cats may avoid litter boxes if they are not cleaned frequently and then soil around the house. Be sure to clean up pet waste messes promptly. Baking soda and vinegar solutions are all-natural ways to clean up and can help remove urine odors more readily. Also, look for safe deodorizing cleaning products that can be used on carpeting, flooring and upholstery.

• Purchase an air purifier. Air purifiers can help remove odors and allergens from the air. They’re relatively inexpensive and can be placed in rooms that pets frequent.

• Wash pet blankets and beds. Launder pet beds, cloth toys, blankets, and any other items that pets lounge on. Sweat, saliva and dander can cause these fabrics to become stinky, and, in turn, make the house smell worse.

• Keep pets clean. Most pets are very good at selfgrooming, but can benefit from a spa treatment once in awhile. Dogs that spend ample time outdoors or frequently get wet and dirty may need routine baths. Ask a professional groomer what he or she recommends to address potent pet odors.

Neutralizing pet odors takes effort, but it can make for a more pleasant-smelling home environment.

KATY TODAY 29

30

KATY TODAY

THE SP OR T OF

K ING S

By ROXANNE AVERY

T

he sport of polo has been around for more than 2,600 years and for most Americans, lives up to its nickname, “the sport of kings” because it was played by middle eastern royalty thousands of years ago.

As one of the oldest team sports, every game is fast, aggressive and skillful as spectators watch an exhilarating display of horsepower, athleticism and control at the heart of which is a powerful bond between the player and their equine partner.

In a sport of sophistication and carefree elegance, polo has also been called the “sport for the adrenaline junkie” as horses can hit speeds of 35 mph and players are known to get boisterous as they fight for the ball.

Polo tournaments need a fairly large area – the field alone is 10 acres with additional space needed for parking horse trailers, the pony line viewing area and seating areas for spectators. The land area necessary is around 20 acres, which generally means polo fields and clubs are found in very rural locations. One of the best-kept secrets in Austin and Washington counties is the amazing number of polo fields hidden behind tree-lined roads with not many people knowing they are there.

Local polo fields

“There are a lot of polo fields out here,” said Sabrina King Straussfeld, a local polo player, field owner and realtor who started playing in college while at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. “There are arguably more polo fields within 30

miles of Sealy than anywhere in the world except Argentina and Florida – and all of the fields out here are private.”

Many of the fields are nestled on large acreages of what would be Texas wilderness or dedicated cattle ranches. You can usually see large pastures with cattle as you drive across the ranch to the polo field and fields growing hay for the livestock.

Many of the polo ranches have grounds which include the main house, houses for the families that work on the ranch, a horse stable that holds 30 or more horses, the polo field and several ponds.

Some properties have more than three fields and there are two covered polo arenas in the area as well.

“There are around 10 fields in the area of the Brazos River close to Brookshire as well as some down in Wharton, Navasota, Fulshear and Brenham,” Straussfeld said. “And a lot of people have practice fields on their property that although are not full size, they might be half or three-quarters size. Some of these fields have been out here for probably over 20 years.”

The sport of polo

The objective of polo is to score goals against the opposing team by driving a small hard white ball into the opposing team’s goal using a long-handled wooden mallet. Each polo team consists of four riders and their polo ponies.

A game of polo usually consists of six seven-and-a-half minute time periods known as chukkers. After each chukker, players switch out horses and after three chukkers, it’s half-time and time to stomp the divots.

KATY TODAY 31

The rules are written for the safety of players as well as horses and are enforced by umpires who blow whistles when penalties occur.

“At one time there are four horses on each team and two umpire horses on the field so there are a total of 10 horses on the field at a time,” Straussfeld explained. “A third man up in the stands helps if the two men on the field can’t make a decision. That man makes the final call.”

According to the United States Polo Association (USPA), strategy in polo is based on the “line of the ball,” an imaginary line created by the ball as it travels down the field. This line traces the ball’s path and extends past the ball along that trajectory. The line of the ball defines rules for players to approach the ball safely. The “line of the ball” changes each time the ball changes direction. The player who hit the ball usually has the right of way, and other players cannot cross the line of the ball in front of that player. As players approach the ball, they ride on either side of the line of the ball giving each access to the ball.

A player can cross the line of the ball when it does not create a dangerous situation. Most fouls and penalty shots are due to players improperly crossing the line of the ball or the right of way. When a player has the line of the ball (the ball can be run on either side), he has the right of way.

The object in polo is to score goals by hitting the ball between the goal posts, no matter how high in the air. If the ball

32 KATY TODAY

goes wide of the goal, the defending team is allowed a free “knock-in” from the place where the ball crossed the goal line, thus getting the ball back into play. A typical game of polo lasts one and a half to two hours.

Polo players

Each polo team has four mounted players and can be a mixed team of men and women. Each position has certain responsibilities: Number One is the most offense-oriented position. This position generally covers the opposing team’s Number Four.

Number Two has an important role in offense either running through or scoring themselves or passing to Number One and getting in behind him. Defensively, Number Two covers the opposing team’s Number Three which is usually the other team’s best player. This position is difficult and is not uncommon for the best player on the team to play Number Two as long as another strong player is Number Three.

Number Three is the tactical leader and must be a long powerful hitter to feed balls to Number Two and One while maintaining a powerful defense. The best player on the team is usually Number Three and wields the highest handicap.

Number Four is the primary defense player. He can move anywhere on the field but usually tries to prevent scoring. The emphasis on defense by Number Four allows Number Three to

attempt more offensive plays since they know they will be covered if they lose the ball.

Incidentally, polo must be played right-handed.

Polo ponies

The horses themselves are called “ponies” although they are typically full-size horses that are six to twelve years old (when in competitive polo). The typical breed is thoroughbred and can be American or Argentinian.

“A lot of the American thoroughbreds were previously racehorses and didn’t make it on the track so they received a new life as a polo pony,” Straussfeld explained.

The polo pony is selected for quick bursts of speed, stamina, agility and maneuverability. The horse must remain responsive under pressure and not become excited or difficult to control.

They are trained to be handled with one hand on the reins and to respond to the riders’ leg and weight cues for moving forward, turning and stopping. Well-trained polo ponies can account for up to 75 percent of the player’s skill.

Training begins at age two or three and lasts around two years. Full physical maturity is reached around the age of 5 and ponies are at their peak of training around six or seven years old. However, polo ponies without injuries have the ability to play until they are 18 to 20 years old, usually in slower polo as they get past the age of 15.

The best of the best

With Argentina indisputably the breeding ground of the best players in the world, the first game was played there in 1875. Argentina boasts at least eight 10-goal players (the highest rating) thanks to the countries’ amazing topography, plentiful supply of horses and ranching families.

There are many talented players, most of whom have been on horses since they could walk, and hitting a ball since they were young. Additionally, there are now extensive youth tournaments creating a bona fide polo player factory.

History of American polo

The Galveston News reported on May 2, 1876, the first to play polo in America was actually the English Texans. The report states that Denison, Texas had a polo club before James Gordon Bennett, publisher of the New York Herald, established his Westchester Club in New York. On May 6, 1876, he organized the first polo match in the U.S. at Dickel’s Riding Academy at 39th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City.

There is an urban legend that the first game of polo in America was played in Boerne, Texas at retired British officer Captain Glynn Turquand’s famous Balcones Ranch. This legend has a lot of evidence pointing to the fact that polo was played in Boerne before Bennett ever picked up a polo mallet.

KATY TODAY 33

America’s first polo pro

Cecil Smith was “born poor” on a Texas ranch and began playing polo in 1924 while working for a horse trader. Smith followed the horses to California and Long Island where he became known as an exceptional player. Although Smith was not “society,” society players were happy to have him on their team in order to avoid playing against him. Smith won the Monty Waterbury Cup in 1930 and held a 10-goal rating from 1938 to 1962. He is considered to be the first U.S. polo’s true pro.

Costs

Because each polo player must allow for tired ponies to be replaced by fresh ones, a player usually has several ponies from between two or three in Low Goal matches (with ponies resting for at least a chukker before reuse), to four or more for Medium Goal matches (at least one per chukker), and even more for the highest levels of competition.

“If you want to compete seriously at a high level, polo quickly becomes an extremely expensive game,” Straussfeld said. “If you are playing a six-chukker game, you need at least eight horses. If you are playing a higher-level game, you may need more as you may need to switch horses during a chukker. You’ll need to keep your horses fed, they will need shoes approximately every five weeks and you must pay someone to keep them in good shape.

You also need to pay membership fees, purchase riding gear, and pay one or more professionals known as polo pros to play with you on your team. It all adds up.”

34 KATY TODAY

The only piece of equipment required by the United States Polo Association is a helmet or cap with a chin-strap.

Conclusion

When asked what draws a person to polo, Straussfeld said, “It’s so addictive. Some people get into it because they already ride and love horses but it’s really a social activity. It’s an absolutely thrilling game that can also be very dangerous. The thrill of the speed, the fierce competition against the opposition, vying for the ball and sometimes stealing it from an opposing team member are simply exhilarating. Playing polo is an incredible experience full of adrenaline that cannot be matched. Many times during the games you will be riding flat out, as fast as your pony can take you.”

Polo is played professionally in 16 countries and was an Olympic sport from 1900 to 1936.

The USPA is the official governing body of the sport of polo in the United States. Founded in 1890, the USPA promotes the game of polo and coordinates the activities of its Member Clubs and Registered Players. The USPA honors the tradition of polo and fosters an inclusive environment where everyone is invited to be a part of this extraordinary sport.

One polo player commented, “People think polo is just for the rich but it’s not. Polo can be played by anyone, on any horse, whether on the Sunday field at The Houston Polo Club, or a back pasture stick n ball field (practice field). A polo horse is any type of horse that can play the game, even a true pony can play polo for a child who is learning.”

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