Celebrating 15 Years! - Country Line Magazine

Transcription

Celebrating 15 Years!
Country Line ... It's not just music ... it's a lifestyle.
January 2011
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S
So I love the idea that each day we
have the opportunity to push the reset
button on our lives. We can wake up
and tell someone sorry, or thank you, or
love you. It is a rare day I don’t reflect
on something I wish I would have done
differently. At 51, I am also contemplating
what will be the takeaway from my life that
folks are going to have.
That all being said, the new year is a
really cool time to put a plan into place.
By now, most of you have been beaten
over the head with new year’s resolution
information overload. You have been
told to trim the eating, go to the gym,
buy a new vehicle and give to the charity
of your choice (www.KidsOutdoorZone.
org). These are not bad things to do,
but sometimes they can be a set-up for a
letdown.
A wise old man told me one time,
actually I can’t remember if it was a guy
and if he was old, but it sounds good –
don’t set giant new year’s goals. Set small
goals that are achievable, like, don’t eat
a bowl of cereal every night before bed,
read a paragraph out of the Bible each day
or walk to the end of the street and back
once each day, no matter what. When you
conquer a small goal and feel successful in
achieving that step, you prepare yourself
for the next bigger goal.
When I was a teenager, I convinced my
then-godfather to loan me $1,000 to buy
a car. I had found a really cool late ‘60s /
early ‘70s Firebird 400. I wish I had that
car today; it was the best. The car was fast
as lightening, white with a black interior
and if I didn’t have it, the world was going
to end. Mr. Fischer, my godfather, had not
seen me in who knows how long, maybe
since I was born, but I called him. I don’t
remember having a job or any reason he
would lend me that kind of money, but for
reasons I still to this day don’t understand,
he did. That was a lot of money in the
mid-‘70s.
I got the money, then the car, and it
was good times for T.J. I don’t remember
going by and showing Mr. Fischer the car
or saying thanks. What I remember does
not speak well for me; I just ditched him
debt and all and went on my way. I had the
car a few years and was too irresponsible
to care for it. Eventually I sold it and
continued on with my lost and selfcentered living.
Years later, many years later, the guilt
surfaced. It got to a point where I could
not continue to ignore the way I treated
Mr. Fischer. I made a vow to send him
money every month, the same amount, and
pay him back. I did just that. Month after
month it felt good, really good, to put that
check in an envelope and mail it away.
Finally I sent the last check and a note to
make sure he was OK with it. He sent back
the most wonderful letter telling me he was
proud of me, that they were struggling and
the money was a blessing. Wow.
I am exposing myself quite a bit here
telling this story, but it was a new year
resolution I made many years back that was
doable. It was a huge and wonderful Godhonoring, man-honoring, T.J.-honoring
resolution from which I gained a lot of
pride and heartfelt satisfaction.
I have gone to the gym, saved money,
quit smoking, ate healthy and not cussed
resolutions in the past. Each one them
were met with minimal success. All good
things, just not quite time for me to bring
them about fully. I do believe in pushing
yourself out of the comfort zone, hard
work and getting your butt off the couch
to accomplish goals, so this is a personal
challenge when it boils down to it.
Even the apostles made promises to
Jesus right to his face and broke them.
“I will never forsake you or deny you,”
Peter said. It was just hours later he said
three times he did not know that man
they called Jesus. Alas, we are forgiven,
and Jesus forgave Peter. We all make
commitments we can’t keep and promises
beyond our ability to fulfill.
Reset is something we should
incorporate into our lives daily. We all
know it; our heart tells us that. Take
something this year and pay it forward, ask
forgiveness, walk to the end of the street
everyday or begin donating to a worthy
cause. By doing something hard, something
small, something meaningful or something
good, you will not only feel better but it
lifts all humanity up a notch and, man, do
we need it now. Amen.
The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine Country Line Magazine • 3
in this issue
F eat u res
Vendor spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The 7th annual austin songwriter symposium
brings together industry heavyweights . . . . . . . . . . 8
album spotlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
george strait and reba with special guest lee ann
womack announce austin tour date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Nashville: The "Other" music town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2011 checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
master gardener volunteer program kicks
off 13th year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
chickens in the city: austin's 3rd annual funky
chicken coop tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
d epartme n ts
Texas roadhouse by Dale Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
coffee shop moments by D. “Bing” Bingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
recipe by Shirley Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
grandma’s hints by Shirley Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
’Round About Texas by Sandra Greaney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
on the trail by Kendall Hemphill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
following the way by Jeff Gore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
counting your chickens by Mike Young . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
the outdoor classroom by Larry LeBlanc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
texas outdoor zone by Cody Ryan Greaney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine
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MAILING ADDRESS
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LETTERS & COMMENTS
tj@countrylinemagazine.com or mailing address
E D I T O R | T. J. Greaney
P U B L I S H E R | G&G International
M A R K E T I N G D I R E C T O R | Sandra L. Greaney
sandra@countrylinemagazine.com
C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S | Cody Ryan Greaney,
Mike Young, Larry LeBlanc, Shirley Baker, Sandra Greaney, D. “Bing” Bingham
Kendall Hemphill, Mike Barnett, Jeff Gore, Paul Pryor
VENDOR
spotlight
C
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The Lure of
Cripple Creek
THE BOB BULLOCK TEXAS STATE HISTORY MUSEUM
For tickets and showtimes, visit TheStoryofTexas.com
Shows subject to sell out, change or cancellation without notice.
Specializing in beautifully handcrafted items for the quality-minded musician
and fishing enthusiast is what The Lure of Cripple Creek is all about. The
concept came about with being “lured” into bluegrass music. In the beginning
of the 1990’s, the true bluegrass experience began when Mal Bates attended
his first music festival. “I was easily lured into the music, the people and pure
enjoyment of the festival. Then I was lured into taking up an instrument, the
banjo.” The first song Bates learned to play was “Cripple Creek.”
“Somehow my enjoyment of this music merged with my enjoyment of fishing
and the idea of fishing lures made in the shape of instruments was born. I started
making them and using them and amazingly they worked! Bass and cat fish are
particularly fond of them.”
2001 was the year The Lure of Cripple Creek began participating in bluegrass
festivals along the east coast. Starting out with the fishing lures was just the
beginning. The idea expanded to include many other novelty items shaped
like bluegrass instruments – guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin and bass. As time
progressed, they began to incorporate the bluegrass theme into other products
they made, including instrument straps, dome top trunks and wallets. Working
with leather, silver and wood they offer anything from clothing to cue cases
to hand made golf bags. Each item is made for the individual with old school
craftsmanship and quality! Check out both their web sites for cool and unique
items at www.thelureofcripplecreek.com and www.the-hands-of-man.com.
Texas roadhouse
Anytime you put George Strait on
the cover of your magazine, you are
guaranteed to move some issues. This guy
is a Texas icon that just continues to get
better with each passing year.
I remember 1981 like it was yesterday.
OK, maybe not like it was yesterday, but
I do remember it. A little song called
Unwound was all over the country radio
stations and the artist was George Strait.
He was the real deal, a cowboy living in
San Marcos, Texas, he wore a hat and
he sang traditional country music. Many
didn’t think he would last, that his style
of music wasn’t commercial enough for
country radio.
Well, it's 30 years later and it’s safe
to say that Ol’ George did just fine. I
remember seeing him many times at the
old Crystal Chandelier in New Braunfels
for just $5 at the door. The Crystal
Chandelier is gone now, replaced by
a Rudy’s BBQ, but they still have the
original posters on the wall of the days
when George was a regular there.
Let’s look at few of his
accomplishments shall we. First, there’s
this little matter of Number One singles
on the charts. No one, not Elvis, not The
Beatles, not Michael Jackson, not Led
Zeppelin or the Rolling Stones, not even
the mighty Merle Haggard or Johnny
Cash can even come close to King
George. He’s had 57 hits make it to the
top of the charts. No one in the history
of recorded music has ever achieved
that milestone. He’s sold more albums
than The Beatles or Elvis. He’s had more
platinum-selling albums than any artist,
in both rock and country music. The list
just goes on and on, and Strait shows no
sign of stopping anytime soon.
His latest album, Twang, features a
photo of George in front of the famous
Gruene Hall, a venue that helped launch
his career. His 2011 tour kicks off on
January 14 at the Frank Erwin Center
in Austin with Reba McEntire on board
again as his special guest. They toured
by Dale Martin
together last year and have decided to
join forces again this year.
A few months ago I caught a set by
the Clay Jeffrey Band at a local club
and was extremely impressed with their
style of music. They definitely fall in the
southern rock field, except Clay performs
all his guitar tricks on an acoustic guitar.
Think Monte Montgomery meets Stevie
Ray Vaughan. They are a tight threepiece band with Clay on guitar and
vocals, Ethan Ford on bass and vocals
and usually Michael Ortega on drums.
We exchanged phone numbers and I
spoke with Clay recently to get some
insight into this exciting three-piece
band.
“I grew up in Belton,” said Clay.
“My dad was a guitar player and was
friends with Townes Van Zandt. He
bought me my first guitar and taught me
my first chords out of a Mel Bay guitar
book. When I graduated from college
my parents weren’t impressed with my
grades, but they noticed I had gotten
much better on the guitar. I got a job and
started playing anywhere that would let
me.
“I got so comfortable with an acoustic
guitar that I just decided to stick with it.
I can play electric guitar but there’s just
something about doing everything on an
acoustic that feels right.
“A buddy took me to see Monte
Montgomery and I realized then that
it was possible for an acoustic guitar to
be the lead instrument in a rock band.
We keep things very simple in our band,
you can hear every instrument. We do
a lot of originals and some cover tunes.
Everything from Jimmy Vaughan to the
Allman Brothers, we can play four hours
and never repeat a song.”
Clay and the guys are based out of
Austin and play all around central and
south Texas. Their latest CD, Live from
Nowhere was recorded at various Texas
venues. Check out their website at
clayjeffrey.com.
Sean McConnell was on the road
with Cody Canada, Wade Bowen and
Seth James when he called in midDecember to talk about his music. He
was playing a few shows in the area plus
he will be playing at Floores Country
Store in Helotes on Jan. 21, so he had
lots to discuss.
His latest CD Saints, Thieves & Liars
is a staple on the Texas music charts,
even though Sean calls Nashville home.
He was introduced to the Texas music
scene by his friend Wade Bowen and has
been completely embraced by the Lone
Star State musicians.
Sean is from the Boston area and
moved to Atlanta when he was a
teenager. He grew up in a very musical
household, which proved to be a helpful
asset when he decided to have a career
in music.
“My parents were full-time musicians
for many years and that’s how they
supported our family,” recalled Sean.
“Fortunately they were very honest with
me about my talent and never sugarcoated anything. They also exposed me
to a wide variety of music, mainly folk
artists like Shawn Colvin and Harry
Chapin ... mainly singer-songwriters, but
when I was growing up I was into artists
like Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen.
So when I started writing, I didn’t really
have a filter as far as what format to stick
to.”
What a true statement, because
when you see Sean in a live setting,
he covers many different styles. See
seanmcconnell.com for a full list of all
his CD’s and upcoming live shows.
Garth Brooks roared back on the
concert scene in December for a series
of shows in Nashville to help the city
recover from a devastating flood they
recently suffered. His shows were typical
100-minute powerhouses covering all
the hits of his career. It was basically the
same set list of his famous concerts from
the 1990’s, even including a duet with
his wife Trisha Yearwood and a guest
appearance by old friend Steve Wariner.
Brooks donated all proceeds from
these shows to the Nashville Flood
Relief Foundation. It was obvious Brooks
relished his time in front of a live
audience, so hopefully he will get the
urge to load up the bus (or private jet)
and hit the road again.
Lyle Lovett played a few shows
in central Texas in early November,
including the final taping of Austin
City Limits in its original building at
KLRU in Studio 6A located in the UT
Communications Building. Lovett and
Willie Nelson have both performed a
dozen times on the award-winning show.
Lovett drew the honor of playing the
final show at the old Studio and when
they move to the new venue downtown
it will be Willie’s turn. Nelson is an
investor in the new venue, named the
Moody Theater, and is scheduled to
christen it with two shows on Feb. 13 &
14.
Cody Canada & the Departed
made their band debut at Gruene Hall
on Dec. 29th and will perform for the
Capital City on Feb. 11 at the new ACL
Moody Theater. Their new CD, This is
Indian Land, is scheduled for a spring
release and once that happens, the
next album will see the ‘Cody Canada’
name dropped and the band simply
go by ‘The Departed.’ The album will
be a tribute to the Oklahoma singer
songwriters that influenced Canada in
his early year. The new band has Steve
Littleton on keyboards, Jeremy Plato on
bass & vocals, Dave Bowen on drums,
Seth James on guitar & vocals and
Cody Canada on guitar & vocals. See
thedepartedmusic.com for more info and
tour dates.
We’re sending you
Strait to the show.
Listen to win your free
George Strait tickets.
kvet.com
The 7th Annual Austin
Songwriter Symposium
Brings Together
Industry Heavyweights
This year’s Symposium will feature a
performance by Brett James, two-time
ASCAP Songwriter Of The Year, who has
had a hand in many of the top songs of the
past several years, including hits for Taylor
Swift, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Kenny
Chesney, Carrie Underwood and Jason
Aldean. James will also participate in the
workshops and panels.
For the first time ever, the ASG
Symposium will have representatives from
all three performance rights organizations
(ASCAP, BMI & SESAC) in attendance.
Also, Bart Herbison, Executive Director,
Nashville Songwriter’s Association
International (NSAI), will report on
current legislative stances regarding
pending songwriter copyright issues.
The 2011 Songwriter, Producer
& Recording Engineer Faculty: Sonny
Throckmorton, Ruth Ellsworth Carter,
Brett James, Chuck Cannon, Stephen
Doster, Debbie Throckmorton, Bobby
Arnold, Lynda Jones, Joe Gracey, Marvin
Dykhuis, Jim Photoglo, Kimmie Rhodes,
Bill Carter, Monte Warden, Bob Cheevers,
David Halley.
The 2011 Publishing and
Performance Rights Faculty: Bobby
Rymer (Writers Den Music Group),
Thomas Cain (BMI Senior Director,
Writer/Publisher Relations), Daniel Lee
(Ten Ten Music Publishing), Brandi
Warden (Moon Kiss Music) Nate Lowery
(Cornman Music), John Mullins (SESAC
Senior Director, Writer/Publisher
Relations), Jesse Willoughby (ASCAP),
Bart Herbison (Executive Director NSAI).
The cost to register for the four-day
event is only $175 and includes access
to all events located at the Omni Hotel,
4140 Governors Row, Austin. The
Symposium offers a full slate of seminars,
workshops, song-pitch sessions, showcases
and all night pickin’ circles. Showcases
opportunities available at an additional fee.
Go online www.austinsongwritersgroup.
com for all details and registration or call
(512) 698-4237.
ALBU M SP OT LI G H T S
Kevin Fowler – Best Of…So
Far (Kevin Fowler Records)
Finally, all my favorite Kevin Fowler
songs on one CD plus three previously
unreleased tracks and just in time for
Christmas. When Fowler left his gig as
guitarist for the hard rock band ‘Dangerous
Toys,’ everyone expected him to continue
down his heavy metal path. However,
once he started writing songs, he found he
was returning to his outlaw country roots.
Raised on Waylon and Willie, Fowler
released the nine-track One for the Road
that gave his fans a taste of what was in
store. For Beer, Bait & Ammo, his second
album, he cut his long hair and started
playing every beer joint and honky-tonk
in Texas. That one song catapulted him to
the front of the Texas music scene.
Three more albums followed, High on
the Hog, Bring it On and Loose Loud and
Crazy, each moving his career one more
notch closer to the top. For his Best Of…
So Far collection, he combines 15 of his
best known songs and adds three new
previously unreleased songs, all in one
tidy package. All your favorites are here,
including “Long Line of Losers,” “100%
Texan,” “Don’t Touch my Willie” and of
course, the one that started it all, “Beer,
Bait & Ammo.” Of the three new tunes,
two stay firmly in Fowler category. “Pound
Sign” is a tongue-in-cheek salute to staying
politically correct in today’s super sensitive
society. It’s a typical romp it up Fowler and
already a concert favorite. “Beer Season”
combines his love of the outdoors with his
love of drinking beer. Together they make
a perfect match and a perfect song. The
third new song “What I Wouldn’t Give
For Your Love,” starts off like a love ballad,
but eventually takes off and enters familiar
Fowler territory. It does show a tender
side that isn’t always evident in his music,
but still maintains that humorous streak
that Kevin is so famous for. Fowler has
definitely discovered his niche in the Texas
music scene and can easily continue this
pace for as long as he wants too.
The Rankin Twins –
Headaches & Heartbreaks
(Rankin Twins Records)
Amy and April Rankin have been
performing together since they were just
toddlers, so by the time they got around to
releasing this EP, they were seasoned pros.
This five song EP is their third release and
easily their most commercial. Growing
up in Portland, Texas, they were exposed
to traditional country music by their
parents and soon were going with them
to dancehalls near their hometown. After
graduating from A&M, the girls moved to
Dallas and started getting their feet wet in
the Texas music scene.
A few years down the road finds the
girls firmly on their way to being successful
musicians. When Amy was diagnosed
with a brain tumor in 2008, she had to
undergo two very serious surgeries. This
strengthened their bond for each other
and made them even more determined to
succeed in the music business. The title
track “Headaches & Heartaches” came
from this experience. On “I’m Ready,” they
come to terms with love and heartache
and decide it’s time to go for it, both in
love and in their career. “Monday Morning
Blues” is a song we can all relate to. It’s
about the feeling we all have when the
weekend is over and it’s time to go back
to work. “Gypsy Girl” is a song April
wrote about Amy, her free spirited sister.
“Breakdown” is my favorite track and it’s
fitting that it closes the CD. It describes
the place we all get to in our lives when
we just can’t take the pressure of everyday
life. Their voices blend together in perfect
harmony, taking the serious nature of the
tune and transforming it into a breezy singalong melody. This is a great collection of
songs; I can’t wait for a full length album
from these talented gals.
Old Settler's Music Festival
Buy tickets now and save big.
Special pricing in December
only $10 each!
Don't miss the
3rd Annual Reckless Kelly
Celebrity Softball Jam
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Dell Diamond in Round Rock
For tickets, call 512.255.2255 ext. 6
or visit www.recklesskelly.com
Single-day wristbands for the acclaimed
Old Settler’s Music Festival went on sale
Tuesday, December 21, exclusively at www.
oldsettlersmusicfest.org. The 24th annual
festival will be held, rain or shine, Thursday,
April 14 through Sunday, April 17, 2011,
with an outstanding lineup of award-winning
roots-music, bluegrass and Americana artists
including The Avett Brothers, Sam Bush,
Tim O’Brien, Jake Shimabukuro, Langhorne
Slim, Green Mountain Grass, Elliott Brood
and Emmitt-Nershi Band.
They are among more than 30 acts that
will perform on four stages at the Salt Lick
Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch on FM
1826, in the Texas Hill Country just south
of Austin, Texas.
Festival-goers that purchase earlybird single-day wristbands now for $50
for Friday or Saturday – only at www.
oldsettlersmusicfest.org – will enjoy a
limited-time savings of $10. Early-bird
single-day wristbands will increase to $55
and then to $60 at the gate.
Available since November 15 are the
four-day wristband with campground access
(Thursday-Sunday), three-day wristband
with campground access (Friday-Sunday),
three-day no-camping wristband and the
all-inclusive Platinum Pass. Children 12
and younger will be admitted to the Festival
free. Camping access will certainly sell out.
Superb roots-music and Americana
performances on multiple stages and a singular
Texas Hill Country campground experience
have brought audiences to Old Settler’s Music
Festival for 24 years. Many attendees return
year after year for amazing shows by awardwinning artists such as Patty Griffin, Peter
Rowan, Buddy Miller, Travelin’ McCourys,
Michelle Shocked, Bruce Hornsby, Yonder
Mountain String Band, Nickel Creek, Alison
Krauss and Union Station, Bela Fleck, and
Vassar Clements and local favorites Joe Ely,
Alejandro Escovedo, The Belleville Outfit,
Sarah Jarosz and 7 Walkers.
For more information, visit www.
oldsettlersmusicfest.org.
ROUGH PATCH
A
A while back, my wife and I hit a
rough patch.
Folks weren’t interested in buying
our livestock, alive or in white packages.
Coyotes were giving our sheep and meat
goats a beating, we were losing more of
them than we could afford. Ranch income
was down and bills were up.
It wasn’t the end of the world or
anything close – just a rough patch.
We’ve been through it before and
likely will again. We cut costs, looked for
ways to increase income and hunkered
down. Just before Christmas, I went out
to the mailbox and found a strange hand
written envelope with no return address. I
didn’t pay much attention.
After going through the bills and
getting the bad news, my wife and I
opened the strange envelope and got a
surprise: two crisp 50-dollar bills. There
was an unsigned note, which said the
person sending us the money had prayed
and received a message that we could use
the cash more than he could.
We stared at each other, shock and
outrage registering on our faces. We
spluttered...
“...our problems are no big deal and we
didn’t ask for money...”
“...wonder who sent the money and
why...”
“...maybe we can give it back...a big
mistake...”
My wife calmed down before I did. She
thought for a moment.
“Maybe we should accept this present
with the grace and kindness in which it
was given,” she said.
Finally, I admitted she was right.
Perhaps we could pass the gift back the
same way we’d received it – with grace and
kindness.
We accepted the offering.
Both of us had had our noses to the
grindstone for so long that we used the
money to take a brief break – dinner
in town and a motel for the night. It
wasn’t much, but it sure felt good and
it was something we wouldn’t have had
otherwise.
The following year, just before
Christmas, we were doing better. Not
great, just better. We took three crisp
fifties down to the community kitchen
where they feed people who are in a tough
spot. We explained that we’d like help
out with Christmas dinner that year. The
only thing we asked was the hungry people
get something for dinner they wouldn’t
ordinarily have had.
These days, our finances are better still.
We’re not rich, but that’s OK. People are
buying more meat. Our livestock sales are
about the same, but we’re able to increase
the size of our flock – still making up for
the beating we took from coyotes.
So here’s the deal: This economy is
tough. Many people are hurting. Take a
look around; is there someone nearby who
is worse off than you?
Perhaps you have something they
don’t – a bag of onions or potatoes, maybe
an old sweater. Perhaps all you have to
give is a friendly greeting someone wasn’t
expecting.
Offer that and a genuine smile – If
they take it, they’ll have something they
wouldn’t have had for the New Year.
Bing Bingham is a writer, rancher and
p u b l i c r a d i o c o mm e n tat o r . H e k n o w s
t h e r e a s o n f o r t h e s e a s o n . If y o u
h av e a N e w Y e a r s t o r y t o pa s s a l o n g ,
c o n ta c t h i m at b i n g @ b i n g b i n g h a m . c o m .
RECIPE
Crunchy Cjorn Casserole
1 can cream style corn
1/2 cup green peppers, chopped
1 teaspoon margarine
2 teaspoons chopped pimento
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 can French fried onions
1. Cook peppers in margarine.
2. Mix in corn, pimento, egg
and 1/2 can onions. Place in
casserole.
3. Bake 350 degrees for 25
minutes.
4. Put remaining onions on
top and let cook for another 5
minutes in oven.
Different and easy for busy
people.
GRANDMA’S
HINTS
Polish silver candlesticks
with banana peel.
•
Erase crayon marks
with shaving cream.
•
Remove water rings on
wood with toothpaste.
•
Polish leather with a potato.
•
Place favorite coffee beans in an
open saucer or pretty bowl and place
around room. The aroma will be safer
and last longer than a scented candle.
—SHIRLEY BAKER
FINANCING & ON THE SPOT DELIVERY
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905 E. Cesar Chavez
512-431-6775
&
George Strait
Reba
with Special Guest Lee Ann Womack
G
Announce Austin Tour Date
George Strait and Reba with special
guest Lee Ann Womack have announced
a stop at the Frank Erwin Center on
Friday, January 14. With a career spanning
more than 30 years, George Strait has the
most No. 1 singles of any artist in history
including Elvis (57 to date inclusive of
all charts). He has sold more than 68.5
million records and with 33 different
platinum or multi-platinum albums,
Strait has the most Recording Industry
Association of America (RIAA) platinum
certifications in country music and the
third in all genres, behind The Beatles and
Elvis Presley.
George Strait’s CD Twang debuted
at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 chart and
the Top Country Albums chart. This is
the fourth time in Strait’s career that a
new release has debuted at No. 1 on the
Billboard 200 chart and the 13th time
debuting at No. 1 on the Top Country
Albums chart. Named the Academy of
Country Music’s Artist of the Decade last
year, George Strait was nominated for this
year’s ACM Entertainer of the Year for the
12th time and Top Male Vocalist for the
20th time, bringing his all-time record to
81 ACM nominations.
Reba embarks on an exciting new
chapter of her career with the muchanticipated release of All The Woman I Am
on November 9. Reba has sold over 55
million albums worldwide and her previous
13 studio albums have all achieved Gold
or Platinum-plus status. She has won 15
American Music Awards, 12 Academy
of Country Music Awards, nine People’s
Choice Awards, seven Country Music
Association Awards and two Grammy
Awards. Her current album, Keep On
Loving You, was recently certified Gold
and includes Reba’s biggest career single
to-date, the 4-week No. 1 “Consider Me
Gone.” Reba has also found success in
television, where her self-titled primetime
TV series was a top-rated sitcom for
six seasons, on Broadway, where she
received rave reviews for her irresistible
performance in Annie Get Your Gun, and
in film.
Lee Ann Womack has won two
Grammy awards, been named Female
Vocalist of the Year by the Country Music
Association and scored a No. 1 country
hit with the crossover smash “I Hope You
Dance.” Call Me Crazy (2008), produced
by Tony Brown, is Womack’s seventh
studio album. The 12-song album includes
the debut single “Last Call,” a duet with
George Strait called “Everything But
Quits,” as well as “New Again,” “Have
You Seen That Girl” and “If These Walls
Could Talk.”
For more on the concert or how to
win one of the new DVDs of George
Strait’s new movie Pure Country 2 go to
countrylinemagazine.com.
Nashville: The “Other” Music Town
Patsy Cline and Roy Acuff. In 1994,
the Ryman was reopened, after a major
renovation, and in 2001, named a
National Historic Landmark. Today,
visitors can enjoy a tour of the old
playhouse known as the “Carnegie Hall
of the South” because of its amazing
acoustics and historical stage.
Also, the Ryman has re-established
itself as a premiere concert venue for
large touring shows, attracting worldclass artists from all genres of music
who want to play on its historic stage.
Today, you’ll find the hottest rock &
roll shows, jazz and blues legends, A-list
comedians and the winter run of the
Grand Ole Opry (November – January).
Some of today’s hottest acts that
have appeared at the Ryman include:
Emmylou Harris, Harry Connick,
Jr, Sheryl Crow, and even the Jonas
Brothers.
Nashville (aka Music City) is a
popular destination for those of us
who enjoy country music. The town is
known as “Music City” for a variety of
melodic reasons. For those of us who
relish our live music, appreciate the
tenacity it takes to write a song, and
find the history of music fascinating,
Nashville is truly a city you must visit.
From the famous Grand Ole Opry to
the Country Music Hall of Fame and
historic Studio B, one can soak up loads
of inspiration and music heritage from
classic music legends of yesterday and
today.
Hotel Preston: One hotel
that marches to the beat of
its own music
As I flew into Nashville in the
middle of a winter storm (10 degrees
and ice on the roads) and got into my
rental car, I’ve never been so glad to get
to my hotel as I was to Hotel Preston,
only three miles from the Nashville
airport.
Do you desire a pet goldfish to keep
you company? Do you need to fall asleep
under the glow of your own lava lamp?
Hotel Preston redefines the overnight
stay with a perfect blend of class and
creativity. Each room has a You Want
It, You Got It button on the phone that
caters to guests’ needs or whimsical
desires: i.e. the goldfish, lava lamp, a
collection of over 60 CDs, pillow menu
and a “Spiritual Menu” (offering any
kind of “holy” reading you are looking
for).
Hotel Preston, an art-themed
boutique hotel, was honored with a
“Hospitality Award,” presented by the
Tennessee Chapter of the International
Interior Design Association. Every room
in Hotel Preston houses an eclectic
collection of art, serving up eye candy
one piece at a time. Because the hotel
bar is named “Pink Slip”, there’s a piece
of art in the lobby that is a mini dress,
or slip, made of pink crayons – yes,
crayons!
I found the guest rooms to be
spacious and comfortable. However, I’m
always surprised to come across a hotel
that still charges for wireless internet
($10/day). Hotel Preston offers 196
rooms and is a great fit for both the
leisure and business traveler.
Appetites are satisfied at Hotel
Preston’s Café Isabella, praised for
serving a unique blend of “Italian
comfort food with southern roots.” I
enjoyed the calzone with a nice glass of
Malbec wine. The hotel also offers room
service and access to a fitness room.
Hotel Preston is only minutes away
from – not only the airport – but also
Opryland and downtown, providing
hotel guests easy access to all Nashville
has to offer. Another nice amenity is a
free airport shuttle. More information
can be found at www.hotelpreston.com.
You can follow local events and hotel
Visit the Hotel Preston for your stay in Nashville.
updates on Facebook (www.facebook.
com/hotelprestonnashville) and Twitter
(www.twitter.com/hotel_preston).
Grand Ole Opry
It’s the “show that made country
music famous.” What started in 1925
by George Hays as “down to the earth
for the earthy,” a radio show for the
rural South on WSM Radio still exists
today in a more glamorous fashion as
the Grand Ole Opry. It is said that the
beauty of the Grand Ole Opry is that its
success is due to a melding of the right
singers with the right circumstances at
the right time. Truly, it is greater than
the sum of its parts. And to this day,
the Grand Ole Opry, synonymous with
country music, is the longest-running
radio show in the world.
The Grand Ole Opry is made up
of more than 60 country music artists
spanning three decades and representing
all facets of the genre, including:
bluegrass, Texas swing, old Western
ballads and, of course, contemporary
country. Shows at the Grand Ole Opry
are held on Tuesdays, Fridays and
Saturdays (depending on time of year)
and will typically feature approximately
12 artists covering a wide variety of
styles. On any given night, you might
see the likes of Little Jimmy Dickens,
the Oak Ridge Boys, Trace Adkins,
Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood or the
newest inductee, Montgomery Gentry.
Opry membership is the official stamp
that a country performer has arrived on
the scene and is the most coveted gig in
all of country music. Experiencing the
show is a chance to enjoy the timeless
spirit of country music.
The current location, which is at
the Grand Ole Opry House, seats a
crowd of 4,400 and has been its location
since 1974. Before that, the most wellknown location is the historic Ryman
Auditorium. The Grand Ole Opry
celebrates their 85th Anniversary this
– Marika Flatt
year. What a great excuse to visit!
Ryman Auditorium
Initially built in the 1880s as a
church and therefore known as the
“Mother Church of Country Music,” the
Ryman Auditorium housed the stellar
line-up of the Grand Ole Opry from
1943-1974, and was a favorite stage
of such performers as Hank Williams,
Marika Flatt has been a freelance
travel writer since 2002, writing for
publications such as: GoodHousekeeping.
com, AustinWoman magazine, Plate &
Vine, and ChickVacations.com. Her travel
writing has also appeared on NPR.org. She
lives with her husband and 3 children (who
love to travel) in Austin, Texas.
Advertise in
Country Line Magazine
Specials available for
February Texas Issue
March Rodeo & SXSW Issue
Don't miss out!
The new year means things to do, new places to go, chores to get accomplished
and adventures to charter. We took some of our favorite Country Line people,
places and things and made a checklist for 2011. Cut out this list and check off
each item as you accomplish it; it is a bucket list, I guess, but one that doesn’t
conclude in a wooden box covered in dirt.
Cool Stuff:
Go fishing. Book a fishing trip with Country
Line outdoor writer and professional angler Cody
Ryan. Gift certificates or a personal adventure
with this top pro angler are bargains at twice the
price. Every kid who fishes on his boat gets a brand
new fishing rod and reel to keep! (512) 576-2200,
cody@texasoutdoorzone.com
Take the time to go to Callahan’s General
Store. This is one of the hippest and most unique
stores in the world. Pure country, pure Texas,
pure cool and every other thing you can imagine
in this giant modern day classic Austin landmark.
CallahansGeneralStore.com – (512) 385-3452
Family portrait: D-S Photography. Get a
new image, senior pictures, family portraits and
more by one of central Texas’s most sought-after
photographers. (512) 565-3520
Go watch an IMAX movie and visit or
revisit the Bob Bullock Texas State History
Museum. This is a must-see for anyone who is
within a hundred miles of Austin.
TheStoryofTexas.com
Home Improvements:
Foggy glass patio door and cracked window in
the dining room on your to-do list? Call Morris
Glass and have them come out and fix them.
Call Julie at (512) 835-7575.
A slow running computer or bad wireless is
something that just hard drives (pun) me nuts;
you? Get the once over by Blue Computer
Solutions. (512) 644-9054
Stuff You Want / Services:
An economical car or a tough and handsome
truck – Champion Toyota can put you in a vehicle
that holds its value and exceeds your needs hands
down. www.ChampionToyotaofAustin.com –
866-324-2623
You always wanted
your teeth whitened and
that one filling needs
to be replaced. Time
to get it done by
Authentic Smiles.
Everything you need in
one modern, convenient office by Austin’s own Dr.
Shane Matt. (512) 330-9403
Get a new haircut with a small town family
barber atmosphere in the only place this would
work – Austin, Texas, Capitol City Barber Shop.
This is where cool meets need creating a win-win for
everyone. Great folks, north and south.
South (512) 992-0561, North (512) 386-1719
Get that pick-up truck you always wanted
or trade in for a good, clean used vehicle at one of
Austin’s best and most reputable used car dealers.
Family-owned and operated, Chapman Motors are
all over Austin. Call (512) 454-3763 for a location
near you.
Need a new vet or want to get your new pet on
the right track with Austin’s Favorite Vet? Call Dr.
Buck at (512) 441-3192, SouthLamarah.com.
Food:
Voted best chicken fried steak in Austin by
Country Line Magazine and best hamburger by
Austin American-Statesman, Hill’s Cafe is a
no-brainer must-do on your 2011 list. If it’s been
a while, you have to stop back by. A true Texas
landmark. HillsCafe.com
Cabo Bob's has the best fish taco and
hands down best mango pico de gallo you will eat.
Their fresh tortilla chips, salsa and queso are all to
die for. Find the Country Line crew invading the
joint at least once a week. CaboBobs.com –
(512) 432-1111
The old-fashioned meat market is where
handmade breakfast sausage and hand-stuffed pork
chops are found. Thick bacon, large orders of meat for
big gatherings and special orders of everything meat
is found at Johnny G’s Meat Market. Worth
a visit, place an order at this old Austin traditional
business for fresh meat or awesome smoked and
dried meat gift baskets – yum. (512) 280-6514
Adventure:
Lockhart: Take the drive to the heart of Texas
barbecue. This town is full of things to see and do
that are clearly Texas. Black’s Barbecue, BlacksBBQ.
com; Texas Hatters, the Texas hat maker, www.
TexasHatters.com; Ranch Style general store –
you’re in Texas, live like it, www.RanchStyleStore.
com; Main Street Gallery, best antiques – www.
MainStreetGalleryLockhart.com; Wendy R, fun
and hip for ladies and babies, RancidRanch.com;
Logo’s, put your brand on it, (512) 398-4617.
Stay on the beach at the Dunes Condo’s in
Port Aransas. This is a wonderful family vacation
spot that is easy, yet breathtaking and fun. Fishing,
surf camps, sun, beach, pool and more await your
visit. www.TheDunesCondos.com, 877-296-3863
Music / Instruments:
If you have any interest in musical instruments,
you have got to add a mandolin to your collection.
Moon Beam mandolins are handmade and
beautiful. Even art collectors who don’t play a note
can enhance a room in the “Live Music Capital of
Texas.” MoonBeamMandolins.com
by Sandra Greaney
Every year it’s the same old resolution…get organized. Organized
shmorganized….I just can’t seem to do it! This year my motto is that of
Nike’s….JUST DO IT! In an effort to help me to organize my calendar, I
have done some research on events that I try to attend throughout the year
along with information on some new ones! I hope this helps you as well as
me, to start off this year on a good foot. Happy organizing…. if that is your
“new mode of operetta” as well.
January 2011
March 2011
Jan. 14-22
Travis County Youth Show
March 2
Celebrate Texas (Texas
Independence Day)
*see inside this issue for details
www.traviscountyyouthshow.org
Jan 14-16
Austin Home & Garden Show
Don’t miss Austin’s only Home & Garden
Show! Whether you’re building a new
home or sprucing up the one you have,
the 13th Annual Austin Home & Garden
Show will feature a the city’s broadest
variety of home and garden products and
services. There’s something for everyone all
under one roof.
www.austinhomeandgardenshow.com
Jan. 15-16
Bridal Extravaganza Austin
Palmer Events Center
www.austinweddings.com
Jan. 20-13
2011 Austin Boat, Sport &
Outdoor Show
This year the Austin Boat Show has
combined with the Central Texas
Hunting and Fishing Show at the Austin
Convention Center. There you will find
all the same great local boat dealers you
are used to PLUS a whole new element of
Outdoor. This is definitely a must-see for
2011.
www.austinboatshow.com
February 2011
Feb. 20
Austin Marathon (and Half
Marathon)
www.youraustinmarathon.com
Feb 25-27
Trudy’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake 2011
Bowl for Kids’ Sake (BFKS) is the largest
annual fundraising event for Big Brothers
Big Sisters (BBBS). This fundraising event
takes the form of a bowl-a-thon where
participants secure donations and then
come to the event to enjoy a large bowling
party. Because of Bowl for Kids’ Sake, more
Bigs and Littles can be paired up, more
friendships can be gained, and improved
outlooks on life can be started.
Various Austin Locations
March 5
K.O.Z. (Kids Outdoor Zone) Benefit
www.kidsoutdoorzone.org
March 6
Zilker Park Kite Festival
April 16
Lone Star State Jam
Waterloo Park
www.lonestarjam.com
April 23
Funky Chicken Coup Tour
August 2011
Aug. 20
Austin Ice Cream Festival
April 30
Woofstock at Waterloo
Waterloo Park
www.roadwayevents.com
Waterloo Park
www.woofstockatwaterloo.org
September 2011
www.zilkerkitefestival.com
March 11-20
SXSWeek 2011
Interactive March 11-15
Film March 11-19
Music March 16-20
SXSW.com
March 11-26
Rodeo Austin
Travis County Expo Center
www.rodeoaustin.com
March 27
Austin Capitol 10K
Downtown/South Austin
www.statesman.com/cap10k/
March 26-27
Zilker Garden Festival
May 2011
Sept. 4
Batfest
May 1
Reckless Kelly Softball Jam
Congress Avenue Bridge
www.recklesskelly.com
Sept. 16-18
Austin City Limits Music Festival
(ACL Fest)
May 26-June 12
Kerrville Folk Festival
Zilker Park
www.aclfestival.com
www.kerrville-music.com
May 28-29
Austin Wine Festival
www.austinwineandmusicfestival.com
June 2011
Oct. 22-23
Texas Book Festival
Zilker Botanical Gardens
www.zilkergarden.org
April 2011
June 9-12
Republic of Texas Biker Rally
(ROT Rally)
April 14-17
Old Settler’s Music Festival
www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org
April 15-17
www.oktoberfestinfbg.com
October 2011
June 2-6
Fest Out West
www.festoutwest.com
April 9
The Louisiana Swamp Thing and
Crawfish Festival
Sept. 30-Oct.2
Octoberfest
http://www.texasbookfestival.org/
Travis County Expo Center
www.rotrally.com
Please continue to check my calendar each
month for new and upcoming events. If
you have an event that you would like me
to mention…. give me a shout at Sandra@
countrylinemagazine.com.
July 2011
July 4
Austin Symphony July 4th Concert
& Fireworks
Auditorium Shores at The Long Center
Austin Reggae Festival
www.austinreggaefest.com
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trust your PC or laptop to professionals??
At Blue Computer Solutions, we have 14 years experience with
PC and laptop repair. We’ve worked with both large companies
and individual clients. We’ve built large networks, and we’ve
helped families maximize their PC experience at home.
Master Gardener Volunteer
Program kicks off 13th year
The Master Gardener Volunteer
program in Cameron County kicks off
its 13th-year in January with weekly
instead of monthly classes, Texas AgriLife
Extension Service officials say.
“We went to weekly classes so that we
can have our graduation in March instead
of July,” said Dr. Enrique Perez, an AgriLife
Extension agent in Cameron County.
“This way, graduates can complete their
volunteer work and become certified Master
Gardeners in the spring when many of our
community gardening activities begin.”
A Master Gardener intern orientation
will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 20 at the
San Benito County Annex Building at
Williams Road and U.S. Hwy. 83/77.
Classes begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 and
meet every Wednesday through March 22,
also at the annex building, said Jennifer
Herrera, the AgriLife Extension county
horticulture educator and manager of the
Master Gardeners Association.
“We hold an orientation prior to the
beginning of classes so that everybody
knows what is expected of them before
they sign up,” she said. “We’ll provide a
class schedule, discuss our Master Gardener
programs in Cameron County and the
rules and regulations of attending classes.
We want everybody to understand what
they’re getting into, plus prospective
students will meet other Master Gardeners
and the association officers.”
Those who sign up for the training
provided by AgriLife Extension agree to
provide at least 50 hours of horticulturerelated volunteer service to the community
by May 2, she said.
“Once they become Master Gardeners,
they can re-certify with 20 hours of
volunteer service annually to stay active
in the Texas Master Gardener program,”
Herrera said.
At least 100 residents have become
Master Gardeners in Cameron County
since the program started there in 1999,
Perez said.
“Of those, we still have about 60
active members in the Master Gardener
Association,” he said. “Together, they’ve
established a long list of still-active
programs that serve our community well.”
The programs include an annual plant
sale, the development of an arboretum
next to the county building and a Master
Gardener stewardship program that
teaches gardening, water conservation,
composting, tree care and vegetable
gardening.
“Last year members brought in
the Earth-Kind program, which is an
integrated approach to gardening that
stresses conservation with the use of
composting to reduce the use of pesticides,
fertilizers and water,” Herrera said.
The program has brought horticultural
activities and awareness not present in
Cameron County prior to 1999, Perez said.
“Each new group of Master Gardeners
brings new ideas to the table to sustain
the program with sound educational
activities,” he said. “We manage our
programs with several committees,
including the marketing, education and
program committees that are now managed
by Jennifer Herrera.”
Class topics, taught by local experts,
include landscape drip irrigation, insect
control and identification, native
landscaping, butterfly gardening, plant
propagation, raised-bed vegetable and herb
gardening, landscape fruit, and tree care.
For more information, contact the
AgriLife Extension office for Cameron
County at 956-361-8236.
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Order cookies at KATCOOKIES@GMAIL.COM
Call and book today.
Now accepting Credit Cards on-line at
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Keepin’ It Local!
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The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine
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by Kendall Hemphill
What’s for dinner
M
My friend, Morris Gresham, recently
wrote a book called Musings of a Country
Boy. Which was confusing because Morris
lives in Dallas, so I was wondering whose
musings he had written about, when he
sent me the book by email so I could read
it. As it turns out Morris grew up in the
country, and in fact he did a fine job with
the book. It’s about, well, growing up in
the country. But then, it’s possible you
already figured that out.
The musings part was kind of a mystery
to me, though, since I’ve never mused, as
far as I know. At least not in public, that I
would admit. That’s how accidents happen.
Morris, as it happens, once introduced
me to Bobby Bare. It was at the ribboncutting ceremony for the new Bass Pro
Shops store in Dallas, which was the first
one in Texas. Morris and I were standing
in an area roped off for writer types, so
we wouldn’t mingle with the crowd and
infect someone. The VIP section was right
next to the writer section, due to some
computer error, I imagine. So we were
standing there and Bobby Bare came out
with some other folks, and Morris called
him over to say hello.
Of course, Morris had never met Bobby,
either, so he introduced himself at the
same time as he introduced me. So there
you go.
But Morris sends me other stuff, too,
besides his books. Recently I got an email
from him that puts to rest, finally, the old
question about whether venison is better
than beef. Here, in its entirety, is the email,
written, supposedly, by a fellow named Ted
Malkowski, of San Angelo, Texas:
H
Hello friends.
I am extremely excited this month to
announce that my first novel has just been
released. Its title is Jingle In The Horses
after a term used on ranches to bring in the
saddle horses each morning for gathering
cattle.
It is about an old man who takes a
young boy under his wing to teach him
the ropes of life on the roundup and life
in general. My point here is not just to
promote my book but the principle of
taking someone younger and with less
experience than one’s self and mentoring
them.
Paul, the apostle, took a young man
named Timothy and taught him about
Christ and how to minister to others.
In turn, Timothy became the pastor of a
church Paul started. The two letters Paul
wrote to Timothy to teach and encourage
him are still used today by young ministers
From the U.S. Venison Council:
Controversy has long raged about the
relative quality and taste of venison and
beef as gourmet foods. Some people say
venison is tough, with a strong ‘wild’ taste,
others insist venison’s flavor is delicate. An
independent food research group was retained
by the Venison Council to conduct a taste
test to determine the truth of these conflicting
assertions once and for all.
First, a Grade A Choice Holstein steer
was chased into a swamp a mile and a half
from a road and shot several times with arrows
tipped with insufficiently sharp broadheads.
After some of the entrails were removed, the
carcass was dragged back over rocks and logs
and through mud and dust to the road.
It was then thrown into the back of a
pickup truck and driven through rain and
snow for 100 miles to get it home so we could
drive it around another eight hours showing
it to friends, and about another hour taking
pictures, before being hung out in the sun for
a day.
It was then lugged into a garage where it
was skinned and rolled around on the floor
for a while. Strict sanitary precautions were
observed throughout the test, within the
limitations of the butchering environment. For
instance, dogs and cats were allowed to sniff
and lick the steer carcass, but most of the time
they were chased away when they attempted to
bite chunks out of it.
Next, a sheet of plywood left from last
year’s butchering was set up in the basement
on two saw horses. The pieces of dried blood,
hair, and fat left from last year were scraped
off with a wire brush last used to clean out the
grass stuck under the lawn mower.
The skinned carcass was then dragged
down the steps into the basement where a
half dozen inexperienced but enthusiastic and
intoxicated men worked on it with meat saws,
cleavers, hammers, and dull knives. The result
was 375 pounds of soup bones, four bushel
baskets of meat scraps, and a couple of steaks
that were an eighth of an inch thick on one
edge and an inch and a half thick on the other
edge.
The steaks were seared on a glowing red
hot cast iron skillet to lock in the flavor. When
the smoke cleared, rancid bacon grease was
added, along with three pounds of onions, and
the whole conglomeration was fried for two
hours.
The meat was gently teased from the
frying pan and served to three intoxicated
and blindfolded taste panel volunteers. Every
member of the panel thought it was venison.
One volunteer even said it tasted exactly like
the venison he has eaten in hunting camps for
the past 27 years.
The results of this scientific test
conclusively show that there is no difference
between the taste of beef and venison.
So there you have it – there is no
difference between beef and venison. If
I had been conducting this test I would
probably have selected an Angus steer, or
maybe a Hereford, but still, you can’t argue
with the facts.
Plus I was impressed with the level
of sanitation involved. I don’t think it’s
necessary to scrape old hair, etc. from the
cutting board, but your science types are
pretty picky about stuff like that. I guess
that’s why they get to wear the snazzy
pocket protectors . . .
K e n d a l H e mp h i l l i s a n o u t d o o r h u m o r
columnist and public speaker who never
cleans out the grass from under the
l aw n m o w e r . W r i t e t o h i m at P O B o x 1 6 0 0 ,
Mason, Tx 76856 or jeep@verizon.net
by Jeff Gore
in His Father’s house.
and as a guide for
ministry by many others. Timothy obviously looked
up to Paul and learned from his
experience.
It is important for us to remember
that people are watching us. Many times
younger people are not only watching but
looking up to us and even copying what
they see. We are actually here for two
reasons. Two reasons God created us and
has us living in this place, even though He
has created a better place for us to live and
called it heaven. Jesus even said in John 14
that He was going to prepare a place for us
Reason 1
To have a relationship with Jesus
Christ. You can do that by admitting you
are a sinner, asking Christ to forgive you of
your sins, come into your heart and be your
personal Lord and Savior. He says He will
do that if we just ask.
Reason 2
Tell others how they can have that
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Those are the only reasons we are here. All
the rest is peripheral.
Live within the will if Christ for your
life and take someone under your wing and
teach them to do the same. That is the best
mentor anyone could have.
Thanks for reading. If you have comments
or questions look me up at my website
www.jeffgore.org.
See you next month,
Jeff Gore
Today is Christmas Day, and I just
finished a wonderful turkey and dressing
dinner. The main course had so much
tryptophan in it that I hope I can stay
awake long enough to get this article
written. Maybe I shouldn’t blame the bird,
but rather myself for eating way too much.
Regardless, this needs to be done.
The Winter Solstice was just the other
day – December 22nd to be exact – and
that is the shortest day of the year, which
in turn, offers a few challenges for egg
producers. I am receiving many inquiries
as to why that should be, so, this is as good
a time as any to discuss the relationship
between chickens and light.
Many people think that chickens slow
up or quit laying eggs in the winter because
they get cold or that the water gets too
cold to drink (we know that if they don’t
get enough water, egg production grinds
to a halt). Nothing could be further from
the truth. It’s about the light, or more
correctly, the lack of it. When the number
of daylight hours drops below 14, hens
may stop laying until spring. Many of my
customers are first time chicken owners, so
I guess I should go back to the beginning
of the process and explain how all of this
comes about.
All pullets (young female chickens)
start laying small eggs, and then only every
three or four days. This process usually
starts about 26 weeks. At about 30 weeks,
the hen starts producing normal size eggs
at the rate of two eggs every three days.
This results in about 20 dozen the first
year. After that first year, the hen will go
into molt. Upon completion of the molt,
she will begin laying larger eggs, and
production will taper off to approximately
18 dozen eggs per year.
So now, back to the light, and the
very important role it plays in the life of
a chicken. Hatchlings should be provided
with at least 22 hours of light for at least
the first three to four days of life. This
allows chicks to learn their surroundings,
like the locations of feed, water, and heat.
Birds are very responsive to light, and
the use of light in the poultry houses is
not intended to give the hens more time
to eat. The light stimulates the pituitary
gland through the eyes. This gland in turn
secretes hormones that stimulate the ovary
of the hen to lay eggs.
So, it seems the experts agree that 15
to 16 hours of light daily will yield the
optimum amount of eggs. Commercial egg
producers have that figured out and utilize
artificial lighting to maximize output.
In a prior article dealing with some of
these same issues, I wondered aloud if a
chicken were born blind, would she even
lay an egg? I don’t yet have the answer.
Adios. – Mike Young
Chickens in the City: Austin’s 3rd Annual Funky Chicken Coop Tour
On Saturday, April 23, 2011, Austin-area poultry
keepers will open their backyards to the public for the
third year in a row, to show off their chickens and their
urban coops. After such a huge turnout for the 2010 tour,
with at least 1500 visitors, we knew we’d be having a great
time with this year’s tour! Chickens and other backyard
livestock are growing in popularity. Besides being easyto-care-for pets, chickens provide insect control, supply
delicious fresh eggs, and help create better yards and
gardens. Most chicken owners report that it’s just plain fun
to have them around. Visitors to the tour sites will see how scavenged
materials can be transformed into a low-cost coop or how
a fashionable coop can enhance a landscape. The tour
hosts will be on hand to share their experiences with
chicken care, coop design, maintaining harmony among
the chickens, people and other pets, and more. If you are
thinking about keeping chickens in your own backyard,
you’ll get some great ideas. Chicken coops often integrate
into larger projects, such as organic gardens, sustainability
and permaculture efforts, and school activities.
All attendees are eligible to enter a free drawing to
win a brand new chicken coop from our premiere sponsor
Mobile Chicken Coops! The lucky winner of the drawing
will receive their choice of either a mobile chicken coop,
that houses 4-8 chickens, or a stationary coop for 4-5
chickens. The coop will be donated by Josh Hudgins of
Mobile Chicken Coops. To be eligible to win, stop by our
Information Center on the day of the tour, located at Buck
Moore Feed and Pet Supply at 5237 North Lamar Blvd. The
drawing will be held shortly after 4:00 pm, following the
end of the tour.
2011 will also mark the first year that coop owners can
enter to win the prizes for Austin’s Funkiest Chicken Coop
of the year, as well as other coop prize categories. Coops
will be voted on by attendees and an esteemed panel. The
coop winners in each category will be awarded prizes from
our sponsors, as well as a commemorative hand screened
poster from tour Artist, Joe Wirthiem, who will be
creating unique artwork for the tour. Urban chicken-keeping continues to be a growing
trend and The Funky Chicken Coop Tour will include
coops all over the Austin area. We’re hoping to have more
people than ever interested in checking out what Austin
poultry people are doing to keep their birds housed and
happy. Maps to the coop locations can be downloaded
closer to the tour date from their website at fccooptour.
blogspot.com.
Printed copies of the map will be available in limited
quantities at select locations, also listed on the website.
So, make some time on Easter weekend to check out this
free event. The free, self-guided tour will run from 10:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m, rain or shine.
If you are interested in volunteering or being a sponsor
for the tour, or entering your very own coop in this third
annual event, visit website and complete your application
today! Help support urban sustainability. All proceeds
from the tour benefit the Sustainable Food Center.
We won’t take your pigs to market,
but we will market your pigs.
THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE
BEGINS HERE!
COMING IN 2011
Spring Quail Hunts for Boys and KOZ Pink:
These weekend adventures are all about hunting upland
game birds, skeet shooting and God’s great outdoors.
PRINTING
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GRAPHIC DESIGN
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MARKETING
www. RANCHRO AD.com
www.RanchRoad.com/promo
Spring Survival Camps for Boys: A challenging weekend for boys who want to see what they got and learn how to
survive. Powerful camp fires bring in a heart for the Lord.
Summer Hunting Camps for Boys and KOZ Pink:
The annual hog, varmint and predator hunting camps that
change the lives of those who attend including the adults.
Summer Fishing Camps for Boys and KOZ Pink:
The annual week long fishing adventure camps that teach and
challenge the kids to think and listen. Awesome.
Summer Mountain Adventure Camps in Colorado
Rockies: This is a first for KOZ. A week long adventure into
the mountains with just what they can carry on their backs.
Life challenge and times with a God many have never seen.
These and more will be posted online at
kidsoutdoorzone.com
Please donate to help a child afford to experience the adventure
of a lifetime. Donate online or call
512-292-1113 to donate land or
outdoor items.
The Kids Outdoor Zone (KOZ) is a youth hunting, fishing and outdoor
adventure ministry designed to teach boys Christian-based values
through cutting edge outdoor programs. We believe the key to this
program’s success is mentorship.
KIDSOUTDOORZONE.COM
I
I know I continually pound on Hunter
Education, but to start with it is the law.
But the real benefit is since the law came
into effect across the country firearm relate
hunting accidents resulting in deaths have
dropped into the single digit numbers and I
am pointing out 3 or 4 as a maximum. Now
that should cause any responsible person
to sit up and take notice. This is proof
positive that knowledge is golden and
hunters are safer than they have ever been
in the history of our country.
Since I was born prior to 1971 I do not
have to take the Hunter Education course
to hunt in Texas; I am not sure if they
figure I am too old to teach anything, or if
I have managed to hunt all of these years
without shooting myself I have probably
learned enough to get by.
Recently my oldest granddaughter told
me that she wanted to take her Hunter
Education Course. So I called down to the
Gun Emporium and registered her and me
for the next course which was December
6 and 7. I had sit through parts of it before
doing research for stories but I had never
taken the entire course and as usual I
learned a lot from taking the course and
I even passed it, but I came in behind my
granddaughter in scoring.
I had no problem with the firearms and
the firearm safety portion of the test as I
have been shooting for a long time and
survived so I have strong feelings about
by Larry LeBlanc
Photography by Larry J. LeBlanc
the outdoor classroom
A mirror and dry matches are important for a safe hunting trip.
gun safety. Where I fell short was in the
portion about other dangers some of which
I am familiar with and some I did not
think about. For instance I did not know
that Hypothermia claims the lives of more
outdoors people than any other cause.
Once your body cools down too much
you loose the ability to think properly
and then you start to loose control of your
muscles. To prevent that you need to do a
couple things immediately upon realizing
that you are lost or in trouble and they are
stop where you are and relax getting rid of
the panic. I have been lost a couple times
in the thick East Texas Woods and the
first thing that happens when you realize
that you are lost is panic. You have to force
yourself to get past that and relax so you
can accurately evaluate your situation.
If you have brought the waterproof
container with the dry matches you can light
a fire, which always brings comfort, and figure
out your best plan of action. If you leave your
thinking to fear motivation a person will start
to run aimlessly and eventually into exhaustion
and then you can be in real trouble.
The two main things you can do to
make sure that help will be on the way are
to plan your hunt and hunt your plan and
share that with your family so they know
roughly where you are going to be hunting.
The second is to be prepared for most
emergencies that you can practical foresee.
If you find you are hopelessly lost the
best thing to do is to hunker down and
make yourself comfortable. If the weather is
a problem with rain or cold, build yourself a
shelter and start a fire and wait for help.
A last note on something that can
reach out and get you is a 4-wheeler. There
is nothing wrong with 4-wheelers. They
are excellent modes of transportation when
used in the proper locations by responsible
people. Speed and poor judgment are what
can kill or injure people. Look in a mirror
and figure that one out before you go.
COBWEBS TO BASEBOARDS, WINDOW SILLS TO CEILING FANS
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20% Off First Clean
HURRY! COUPON EXPIRES JAN. 31, 2011
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We honor His excellency in
dependability & trustworthiness
Texas outdoor zone
by Cody Ryan Greaney
Reeling in the
New Year
Goals and resolutions are a long
tradition for bringing in the New Year.
For centuries, this time-honored attempt
has been broken time and time again
from the likes of people just like you and
me. Lose weight, exercise more, stop
smoking, blah, blah, blah…those aren’t
any fun and no wonder they don’t last
past March. What about fishing more,
expanding your fishing knowledge,
fishing new places and organizing your
tackle? Now that’s something that can be
done!
A goal can be defined as a projected
state of affairs that a person or a system
plans or intends to achieve. A resolution
is a decision to do something or behave
in a certain manner. Both of which
are totally lame when the motivation
is lacking. That’s why I make mine
attainable and in the realm of something
I am already planning. Sure, organizing
a pile of lures, line and reels is not the
most fun thing to consume my Sunday
afternoons with, but I assure you it is
far better than promising to jog on a
treadmill staring at the wall. You might
as well give me a spoon and tell me
to dig my way to China. Not going to
happen.
This year, I plan to fish more. Every
waking moment I have will be striving
to get the boat to the water. As an old
timer once told me, probably Dad, “The
only way to learn more about fishing,
conditions and how to catch fish is to
fish.” Stubbornly only fishing a few times
a week for the past couple of years, I will
promise to do just that. Fish more.
This year I took the advice of a good
friend and fished a small lake not far
from my house. How cool was that!? We
caught some good fish and I saw parts of
this great state that I have never seen.
Trees I have never flipped, docks I had
never gotten tangled in and lost lures on
rocks I never knew existed. Inevitably
with my tournament schedule this year,
I am scheduled to fish at least one new
lake this year. To me, it’s like battling
a never before seen beast that I must
conquer. I will be out to prove that fish
are fish. They swim, they eat and I can
catch them.
Finally, the nitty gritty, actual work
portion of my lofty goals for 2011 is the
organization. Already I spend about one
full day each month organizing, fixing
and managing my tackle, baits and lures.
This doesn’t include the time I spend
almost weekly preparing for future trips.
I am sort of obsessive compulsive you
could say, but it’s not my fault. I was born
this way. This year though, I want to
organize everything in a way that I don’t
have to spend eight hours each month
solely to organizing. Things will have a
permanent home with labels, stacks and
boxes. Everything will either fit perfectly
or it won’t make it to the “playing field,”
AKA – Boat. If I were to sleep walk
and need a ½ oz. Stanley Spinner bait
in a chartreuses color, I want to find it
without being woken by a hook in my
hand. I aspire to look at my tackle and
with just a quick glimpse be able to tell
how many 3/0 light wire X-Point hooks
I have left. This year will come a day
when I can open my rod locker and see
that there are exactly ten Temple Fork
Outfitter Rods lined with 12, 15 or 20
pound Vicious Fluorocarbon line. That’s
what my home away from home will look
like in 2011!
No matter what your goals are
for 2011, make them achievable and
fun. Take a kid into the outdoors and
teach them what it means to have an
addiction to the outdoors. Your passion
will rub off on them, weather you see it
today, tomorrow or in ten years. What
we do today, will make for a better
tomorrow. Sounds like a generic political
statement…but it’s true. Better yourself,
better your time and better your fishing
in 2011! Fish ON!
I wouldn’t have the tackle obsessive,
fish craving, hook setting disorder
without those who enable my passion:
Champion Toyota of Austin, Renewal
By Anderson Window, Stanley Baits,
Temple Fork Outfitters, TTI Blakemore,
Ranch Road Creative Solutions,
Vicious Fishing, Texas Fishing Forum,
Country Line Magazine, Bass Champs
Tournament Trail and in support of the
Kids Outdoor Zone.
Fish Texas, Texas Outdoor Zone
and Cody Ryan Greaney
provide full day and half day
guided fishing trips to some
of Texas' hottest areas.
Call and book today.
Now accepting Credit Cards on-line at
TexasOudoorZone.com.
(512) 576-2200
Cody@TexasOutdoorZone.com
Come Experience The Dunes...
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Your vacation for the family awaits...
• Beach
• Sun
• Fishing
• Family time
• The summer starts here!
Call for reservations!
1000 Lantana, Port Aransas, TX 78373
361.749.5155 | 1.877.296.3863
www.thedunescondos.com
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ARRIVING 3RD/4TH WEEK OF JANUARY
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