Meet The Team Lindsey Kasprzak
PUBLISHER, ART & MEDIA DIRECTOR
Leslie Henderson MANAGING EDITOR
Dawn Allen EDITOR
Taylor Smith WRITER
Beth Waytt SALES
CONTRIBUTORS:
TRACEE EVANS CLAUDIA LAIRD W.F. STRONG BRANDIE @THE COUNTRY COOK JENNIFER BROWN CONROE/LAKE CONROE CHAMBER
Meet Our Publisher Welcome to Lone Star Local Guide! My name is Lindsey and I am so proud to not only call myself a Texan, but also a Houstonian. My family history is not only deep in the heart of Texas but deep in the heart of Houston since I’m a direct descendant of the Allen Brothers. I’m therefore very proud that my digital publication represents the area where I live and where my family is from. I am passionate about my community and the businesses that reside in it. Without a community, we have no place to call home and nothing to leave the next generation. I believe strongly in the power of the small business and what it represents. When you shop at a small business, you’re not only supporting your community, but you’re also supporting a family. I started Lone Star Local Guide to showcase these local businesses. I strive to find unique small businesses, each offering something different. You may not have even known some of these companies were local to you and my hope is that I’ll be able to give them exposure and support for their businesses. Along with promoting these unique businesses, the Guide will also include informational, educational, and just plain interesting articles on various issues and topics that I hope you will enjoy. Here’s a helpful tip: every ad is linked directly to the advertiser’s website so no more having to write it down- just click and go! Thanks again for stopping by and I look forward to seeing you again in the next issue! Please help spread the word by liking and following us on Facebook and Instagram, where we’ll regularly post upcoming local events, news, and, of course, awesome local businesses!
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LONE STAR LOAL GUIDE © 2019, all rights reserved. All editorial and advertising copy belongs solely to LONE STAR LOAL GUIDE Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission is strictly prohibited. Articles are the opinions and experiences of other people and we do not necessarily approve, agree with, and/or condone those opinions.
table of
CONTENTS
FEBRUARY 2020
Person of the Month Robert Kasprzak For the 457th District Judge - Page 6 Features
6
The Country Cook - Page 5 Spring Fire Department - Page 9 Three Texas Myths That Will Not Die - Page 13
5
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber - Page 19 Come And Explore It - Page 21 Jack Johnson: The Galveston Giant - Page 29
9
Learn From Lady Justice - Page 33 Lone Star Local Savings - Page 34 Conroe Noon Lions - Page 35
21 Lone StarEdition Local Guide Dock Line Magazine - Atascocita AprilPage 20183 3
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By: Brandie @The Country Cook
JALAPEÑO POPPER BITES This recipe for Jalapeño Popper Bites reminds me
nonstick cooking spray. Place popper bites in the basket
of some appetizers I ate at a Tupperware party once.
in a single layer. Air fry for about 4 minutes (or until golden
Do you remember when they used to teach you how
brown.)
to burp your Tupperware? Or am I just showing my age
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
here? Anyhow, this was a recipe that could be made
crescent rolls
up quickly and are easy to share.
bacon
TIPS FOR MAKING THIS APPETIZER:
jalapeños
I don’t brush anything on the tops of these but if
cream cheese
you’d like a more glossy topping, just brush with an
ranch dressing (for serving, optional)
egg wash. You could even sprinkle the tops with a bit
HOW TO MAKE EASY JALAPEÑO POPPER BITES:
of parsley flakes for some color.
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray baking sheet with
Trying to save some time? Go ahead and purchase
nonstick cooking spray. Start frying up your bacon. If you’d
those real bacon pieces instead of cooking the bacon.
like, cut the bacon up in pieces (I used kitchen scissors)
Add some spice to the filling. Try sprinkling with ca-
and then cook it. While the bacon is cooking, I cut up my
jun seasoning or seasoned salt or even add a touch of
jalapenos. Be sure to remove seeds. (If you are sensitive to
salsa!
jalapenos, you may want to wear gloves while doing this.)
Want an amazing RANCH DRESSING RECIPE? Give mine a try – so good! You could use thawed puff pastry instead of the crescent roll dough. Try making these in the air fryer. Preheat air fryer to 375 for about 3 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with
Now begin separating your crescent rolls into triangle shapes. On each triangle, put a shmear of cream cheese. I like a lot of cream cheese so I put about 1/2 tbsp. or so on each one. Then put a piece of jalapeno, followed by some cooked bacon. Now time to roll them up in little bundles. Just do your best to close all the seams so the cream cheese doesn’t run out on ya while baking. Now place all your bundles on your baking sheet (seam side down). I usually only cook one set at a time. Let folks start eating the warm ones while I bake up the second batch. Bake for about 12-15 minutes (or until golden brown.) Take them out and serve warm. Serve with ranch dressing for dipping.
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By: Taylor Smith
This month we want to do something a little different. Instead of having a “Business of the Month,” we want our readers to be informed on a local Montgomery County candidate. Some of you may already be informed on the upcoming March 3rd election—while some of you may not even know there is an election looming. But I think everyone should be informed about your local candidates and their qualifications. Robert Kasprzak—that’s “Casper” as in the friendly ghost, and “Zack” like our 12th president, Zachary Taylor—found his calling when he heard about the new Montgomery County court that had been created. The 457th district court was created to hear all civil cases because the county has Lone Star Local Guide Page 6
such a backlog waiting to be heard. As Kasprzak has many years of civil law experience he knew he was the RIGHT FIT for this civil bench. I asked Kasprzak, “What makes you the RIGHT FIT for this bench?” He replied, “I have practiced general civil law for 15 years. I estimate that 95% of my practice has been in general civil law. I have been involved in nearly every type of civil matter: from personal injury to business relationships of all kinds; real, personal, and intellectual property issues, tax, and collections issues; evictions, and product liability. I’ve represented small and medium-sized private and publicly-traded companies around the world. I have owned my own business and have advised other businesses for the entirety of my career. I have managed staff and have
been in positions of ultimate decision-making. Beyond that, I have the proper demeanor, mindset, and temperament to be a civil judge. I have no ties to any local attorneys or other elected officials that could potentially conflict with my ability to do my job or cause me to recuse myself from certain cases.” What are civil cases you ask? That’s the tricky part—it’s almost easier to tell you what they’re not. Civil cases are NOT anything having to do with criminal matters, or family law like divorces or custody, or probate matters involving wills and trusts. Rather, civil cases involve a dispute between two parties where the resolution is through monetary compensation paid by the losing party. So how will Kasprzak handle
new cases in the civil court to prevent a case backlog? “It’s important to keep the cases in front of you, but you also don’t want to overly burden litigants with attorneys’ fees and whatnot because of unnecessary hearings and conferences. Video conferencing can help with this. More, I think it’s incredibly important to set a case schedule early and try as best as possible to stick to it. Scheduling orders are good road maps for lawyers, who in most cases have multiple clients/matters at various stages of litigation at once. If they are all scheduled out, managing them becomes easier for the lawyers. More, that same logic applies to the court itself. Good scheduling is good planning and good planning is efficient. Finally, and as discussed herein throughout, I believe there are additional case management tools that will help ensure that cases are processed efficiently.” You might be asking yourself, why should I care about voting for a judge? Well, don’t you want a fair case if you’re ever in court? Don’t you want to know that your judge is unbiased and follows the law exactly as written and knows exactly what law applies and where? Don’t you want a judge you can respect and someone your children can look up to as a leader in the community? I do! that’s why I want you all to know who you’re voting for and why. One of the many great things about Kasprzak is his open-door policy. If you have a question you can call or e-mail him directly. Kasprzak wants his community to know who they are voting for and why he is the RIGHT FIT! You can contact Kasprzak at 936777-1093 or e-mail him at: Kasprzakforjudge@gmail.com. To read more about Kasprzak, be sure to check out his website at: www.Kasprzakforjudge.com and give him a follow on Facebook and Instagram. Early voting starts February 18th and the primary election is March 3rd.u POLITICAL ADVERTISING PAID FOR BY THE ROBERT KASPRZAK CAMPAIGN IN VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE WITH THE JUDICIAL CAMPAIGN FAIRNESS ACT.
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Spring Fire launches 2020 “Leadership Initiative.” By: Tracee Evans
Frank Viscuso teaching a training class in the Spring Fire Department Administration Offices.
“I am not here for me, I am here for we, And we are here for them.” --- Frank Viscuso “Step Up & Lead” Along with the hiring of new training division captains, the Spring Fire Department Training Division continues to move forward and build our personnel to even higher levels. “2020 is the year for our “Leadership Initiative” and we have kicked it off by having the first of many scheduled guest speakers
talk to our team,” said Spring Fire Training Captain Greg Monroe. This past week, Deputy Chief (retired) Frank Viscuso presented to the members on his experiences and values from his career in the fire service. “Do the right thing for the right reasons in the right way” was the theme of Viscuso’s presentation. According to Viscuso, an employee’s attitude is a direct reflection on their leadership. Viscuso, who served more than 26 years at the Kearny, New Jersey Fire Department, is a col-
umnist for Fire Engineering and Fire Rescue magazines and the author of several books, including the best-sellers, Step Up and Lead, Step Up Your Teamwork and Common Valor. Spring firefighters followed up on the leadership training with two weeks of ropes training to hone their rescue skills. During the knot exercises, two firefighters practiced tying a knot with one hand each. It’s ‘knot’ as easy as it looks. “Spring firefighters perform Continue on page 11 u Lone Star Local Guide Page 9
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Spring Firefighters and Officers flanking Deputy Chief Joel Crenshaw and Frank Viscuso
phenomenally, because training is an everyday commitment,” added Monroe. “Our training division is committed to providing our
Cover of Step Up and Lead by Frank Viscuso
officers and firefighters with the best education, knowledge and training possible,” said Monroe.
“Why? Because we can always strive to be even better.”u
Spring firefighter Amanda Erekson listens as Captain Calvin Adkins reviews the knots they are practicing. Lone Star Local Guide Page 11
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By: W.F. Strong
In my travels around the state, I run into people now and then who have deeply-held convictions about Texas that are simply untrue. They hold to myths that have been nurtured by well-intentioned souls since San Jacinto days, and it breaks my heart to tell them they are mistaken. But not for long. I soon realize, you see, that they are not saddened by their error, but by mine. As one man told me, “Son, you need to get out more. Try reading a book or two.”
With that caveat staring me icily in the face like Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” I will forge ahead and tell you about three such myths that just won’t die. First up is the widely-held belief that Texas is the only state in the union that was its own country first. This is not so. Four years before California became a state, it was the California Republic, for about three weeks. True, there was no armed revolution, no Alamo, no grand battle,
like San Jacinto, where they defeated a maniacal dictator. But nonetheless, it was a bona fide republic for an ever-so-brief time. It didn’t have a constitution, but it did have a flag, and according to Eddie Izzard’s law of nation building, the flag is more important. The flag showed a grizzly bear and a lone red star, influenced by the white lone star on the Texas flag. The republic didn’t survive, but the flag did. It became the basis of Continue on page 15 u
A banknote issued by the Treasurer of the Republic of Texas. Lone Star Local Guide Page 13
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California’s modern state flag. Hawaii was both a kingdom and a republic before becoming a state, though Hawaiians were not as enthusiastic about statehood as were Texans and Californians. For four years, Florida was an independent country called Muskogee, and Vermont, for 14 years, was an independent republic as well, beating Texas’ record by four years. Another widespread myth is that Texas can, by law, divorce herself from the U.S. any time she wants. Many insist that this is in the Texas Constitution or in what some call the “Treaty of Annexation” papers. But it’s not there. I’ve looked – with a magnifying glass. And searched the marginalia of both documents. I’ve searched for the smallest of print. It’s not there – no hint of such an idea. But we can divide ourselves into up to five states if we wish. We would get ten senators that way. Wonder what
we’d name those five states were we to do it Probably just North, South, East, West, and Central Texas. Though we could get creative. I’m against doing it, but I’ll take hypothetical suggestions. A third myth I hear about quite often is that Texas should have kept her wealth and remained an independent country. Well, it’s a romantic idea that I’ve often longed for myself, but it wasn’t practical. First, in the 1840s, we were poor, dirt poor – better known as land poor. Sure we had oil and gas, but nobody knew about that yet and there was no market for it anyway. All we had was vast amounts of land to manage – 300,000 square miles and a population of 50,000 people to try to protect it. No money, no treasury, no military to speak of. The republic could barely pay the Texas Rangers, and was often quite late in paying them. Mexico regularly sent armies into the state to
rattle their sabers and terrorize the citizens, making them feel that Mexico could retake Texas at any moment. The Comanches and Apaches were often on the warpath across the Western frontier. Texans wanted security and investment and jobs and capital. The fastest way to get it was to join the United States. So they did, with 94% of Texans voting in favor of it. Ultimately, we became rich by virtue of joining the union. And so did the U.S. One other widely-held belief is that a real Texan doesn’t put beans in chili. This one is actually absolutely correct. You can put beans in chili if you want to, but you cannot then legitimately call it Texas chili. You don’t mess with Texas and you don’t mess with Texas chili.u This article was edited for broadcast by Texas Standard producers for the Texas Standard radio program on Apple podcast
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e Travel
gablond n with Va w ro B r e if By: Jenn
Destination Spotlight: Dominican Republic With some bad publicity over the last year, Dominican Republic as you
all well know has taken a hit and it has really hurt their economy. These
amazing countries depend on the tourism industry and this is the sole Continue on page 23 u
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way the feed their families! As an advocate of travel in general and this gorgeous country, I can tell you confidently, that the DR is back and stronger than ever! I have had the privilege to visit two times in the last 3 months, both times enjoying great food, great beaches, great golf, great service, and great hospitality! Not for a second would I question sending my clients to this country, in fact it’s on the top of my list right now! Fresh new resorts like the Hyatt Ziva and Zilara have recently opened to accommodate families and couples and give the destination a fresh new look! Side note: I have to give credit where credit is due and Hyatt new property blew me out of the water with their STUNNING beach, 14,000 sq ft gym, waterpark that competes with Hurricane Harbor Splashtown (ok maybe it’s not that big), a combined 18 restaurants with unique options to cater to everyone in the family. You really cant go wrong staying here!
So, lets talk more about the DR. It’s nestled alongside Haiti, the Domini-
can Republic is the second largest nation in the Caribbean. This counContinue on page 25 u
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try is a beach goers dream, boasting over 1,000 miles of pristine coastline. The scenery doesn’t stop there with their lush rainforest, soaring mountain peaks, and rugged desert landscapes. This dynamic scenery paired
with the welcoming people and rich history gives you plenty of reason to visit this gorgeous country! Where should you go? Here are some of our favorites other than Hyatt Ziva/Zilara
• Tortuga Bay Hotel • Amanera • Secrets Cap Cana • Excellence El Carmen • Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts • Hard Rock Punta Cana Be sure to follow our next adventure to Turks & Caicos where we stay on a private island.u
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By: W.F. Strong As I was watching the Olympics,
out of his way. But Jack’s sister saw
there, hoping that would take him to
I began thinking about all the great
this and got angry. She insisted that
a storybook future. In many ways it
athletes who have come from Texas
he fight the bully. “In fact,” Jack re-
did.
and gone on to be the best in the
membered, “She pushed me into the
Over the next decade, Jack be-
world. Though not an Olympic cham-
fray. There was nothing to do but fight
came known in boxing as The Galves-
pion, I thought of one Texan who
so I put all I had into it… and finally
ton Giant. The son of freed slaves, he
stood unexpectedly at the pinnacle
whipped my antagonist.”
worked his way through all the black
of his sport for an impressive number
Jack’s reputation as a fighter was
boxers and some of the white ones,
born. Later, working on the Galves-
too, to get a shot at the World Heavy-
He was born and raised in Galves-
ton shipping docks, the vigorous work
weight Champion, James Jeffries.
ton. His life seemed defined by an in-
strengthened his muscles and tough-
But Jeffries wouldn’t fight a black
cident that occurred when he was
ened his body. He learned boxing
man. He claimed it was not some-
quite young. When he came home
from the stout men on the docks and
thing a champion should do. So rath-
from school he would often avoid a
began fighting in amateur matches,
er than risk his title, he retired, unde-
bully who had once attacked him in
winning most all of them. This was the
feated.
the street. That bully was older and
1890s.
of years.
larger so he thought it best to stay
When he could learn no more in Galveston, he hopped a train out of
Tommy Burns became the champion and Johnson chased him all Continue on page 31 u
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the way to Australia and finally got a
ed what he had said before: “I have
nor Campbell of Texas cited those
match. It would be in Sydney. Burns
said I will never box a colored fighter
grounds in saying he would discour-
would get $35,000 and Johnson
and I won’t change my mind.”
age authorities from showing it Texas
would get $5,000. Burns’ manager
But money can work magic on
and would convene the legislature to
would referee the fight. It went four-
prejudice. For the guarantee of
teen rounds and it was stopped be-
$120,000 from promoter Tex Rickard,
Muhammad Ali, who was often
fore Burns got knocked out. Johnson
for the fight and the film rights, Jeffries
compared to Jack Johnson for his un-
was declared the winner. He wrote in
signed on to what was billed as “The
shakeable confidence and easy-go-
his autobiography, “The little colored
Fight of the Century.” It was held in
ing banter in the ring, had enormous
boy from Galveston had defeated
Reno, Nevada, on July 4, 1910. It was
admiration for Jack Johnson. He said,
the world’s champion boxer and,
well over 100 degrees at fight time –
“Jack Johnson was a big inspira-
for the first and only time in history,
2:30 in the afternoon under a cloud-
tion for what he did out of the ring.
a black man held one of the great-
less sky. Johnson said the “…red hot
He was so bold. Jack Johnson was a
est honors that exists in the field of
sun poured down on our heads. The
black man back when white people
sports…”
great crowd was burning to a crisp.”
lynched negroes on weekends. This
“promote this end.”
Jack London, the famous novel-
The betting was heavily in favor of
man was told if you beat a white
ist, covered the fight for The New York
Jeffries – about 2 to 1. A reporter from
man we’re going to shoot you from
Herald. He wrote, “The fight? There
Palestine, Texas, wrote that when
the audience and he said well just go
was no fight. No Armenian massacre
Johnson was asked how he felt about
ahead and shoot my black butt cuz
could compare with the hopeless
that, he said, “I know I’m the short
I’m going to knock him out. He had to
slaughter that took place today. The
ender in the betting and I know why.
be a bad, bad black man cuz wasn’t
fight, if fight it could be called, was
It’s a dark secret, but when the fight
no Black Muslims to defend him, no
like that between a pygmy and a co-
starts we’ll be color blind. I’m going in
NAACP in 1909 no MOV or any black
lossus… But one thing now remains.
to win.” And he did. He knocked out
organizations, no Huey Newton, no
Jim Jeffries must emerge from his al-
Jeffries in the 15th round.
Angela Davis, no Malcolm X. He was
falfa farm and remove the golden
Johnson said, “Whatever pos-
smile from Jack Johnson’s face. Jeff,
sible doubt may have existed as to
it’s up to you! The White Man must be
my claim to the championship, was
rescued.”
wiped out.” Jack London agreed. He had
The Great White Hope came from:
called out for the great white hope
Jack London.
himself and wrote that Johnson
had
decisively
de-
on, Jack Johnson, accepted his vic-
feated the white champion. Lon-
tory with a contrasting humility. He re-
don doubted that Jeffries, even in
called: “I did not gloat over the fact
his prime, could have defeated this
that a white man had fallen. My satis-
“amazing negro (boxer) from Texas.”
faction was only in that one man had
He said he knocked down the man
conquered another and that I had
who had never been knocked down
been the conqueror… The hunt for
and knocked out the man who had
a ‘white hope’ began, not only with
never been knocked out. “Johnson is
great earnestness and intenseness,
a wonder,” he concluded. “If ever a
but with ill-concealed bitterness.”
man won by nothing more fatiguing
So people started sending tele-
had to be the greatest.” My special thanks to my good friend James Dennis who suggested
And that is where the notion of
The World Heavyweight Champi-
by himself… He was the greatest. He
this topic as especially worthy of the Stories from Texas series.u This article was edited for broadcast by Texas Standard producers for the Texas Standard radio program on Apple podcast
than a smile, Johnson won today.”
grams and letters to Jim Jeffries, beg-
The film of the fight was consid-
ging him to come back and take the
ered an immoral display and banned
title from Johnson. He initially repeat-
in many states and cities. GoverLone Star Local Guide Page 31
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Montgomery County Resources We see many people at the court-
states. The service is designed to help
and website is www.lonestarlegal.
house who have legal woes and little
the people of Houston receive simple
org. Lone Star Legal Aid will help with
to spend on an attorney. Or you may
legal advice, answers to legal ques-
a variety of problems, but specializes
be an individual that has a simple le-
tions and referrals to helpful resourc-
in evictions, landlord problems, fore-
gal question, and don’t need to take
es over the telephone, at no cost to
closure, insurance claims, probate,
time off work for an appointment.
the caller. Callers may ask questions
property rights, FEMA decisions, un-
This article will describe some of the
on any legal topic. All calls are an-
employment benefits and family law
legal resources available in our com-
swered by licensed attorneys. Attor-
issues.
munity.
With that said, the author
neys specialize in a variety of fields,
Another great resource for those
is not and cannot, due to ethics re-
including family law. LegalLine takes
that are contemplating divorce and
strictions upon judges, recommend
place on the first and third Wednes-
planning to do it without an attorney
any of the resources. The article is to
days of every month between 5:00
is the Montgomery County Law Li-
make readers aware of what is avail-
p.m. and 8:00 p.m. You can confirm
brary. The law library is located at 301
able.
the date and time of the next Legal-
N Main St., #122, Conroe, TX 77301
Line by calling the HBA office at (713)
and is open during the week from
759-1133.
8am to 4:30pm. If you ask the librari-
The Montgomery County Bar Association hosts a Law Line which is a free call-in public law line for residents
Lone Star Legal Aid is a service
an to point you to the family law doc-
of Montgomery County who have
providing legal advice and attorneys
uments, she can direct you to where
general legal questions. This service is
to those who cannot afford to oth-
there are forms to use for divorce that
only open periodically. The next Law
erwise address legal problems. Their
have been pre-approved by our lo-
Line opening will be Monday, Febru-
telephone number is 800-504-7030
cal family law judges.u
ary 3rd from 5pm until 7pm. The number for the law line is 281-645-6344. The law line is sponsored by volunteer attorneys from The Woodlands Bar Association. The law line will also be open on March 2, from 5pm until 7pm. Likewise the Houston Bar Association also has a Free Legal Line. The telephone number is 713-759-1133 and more information can be found at their website: www.hba.org which Lone Star Local Guide Page 33
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