Dripping Springs, Texas

March 2016discover Published by the Hill Country Sun

For advertising, call 512-484-9716 or email julie@hillcountrysun.com

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Trey Cobb ABOVE and his wife Khanh Trang opened Greater Goods Coffee Roasters in Dripping Springs to fulfill two passions: roasting some of the world’s best coffee and trying to do good in the communities they serve. Photo courtesy Greater Goods Coffee Roasters.

By LaureL robertson

When your morning cup of coffee kickstarts not only your day, but gives a lift to your entire

community — that’s a Greater Good, be-lieve the owners of Greater Goods Coffee Roasters in Dripping Springs.

Husband and wife Trey Cobb and Khanh Trang opened their coffee roasting business in Dripping Springs last year to fulfill two passions: roasting some of the world’s best coffees and trying to do some good in the communities they serve.

The self-described “philantropre-neurs” had recently sold an auto parts manufacturing business they’d built over 38 years and wanted to create a new enter-prise that meant more to them personally. “We thought - let’s base it on something people do everyday anyway, so everyone can do good,” reasoned Trey. They cre-ated a business model for their new en-

terprise that allows them to donate part of each sale to four regional charities.

Austin Pets Alive receives one day of support for a rescue animal for each 12 ounce bag of A.M. Rescue, Life Saver, or Take Me Home coffee purchased.

A purchase of Bright Minds, Spark, or Stimulate coffee also buys a day for a child in need at the Boys and Girls Club of Austin.

Greater Goods provides three meals at the Capital Area Food Bank for every purchase of Kickstart, Pick Me Up, or Rise and Shine. And for every bag of Ethiopi-an or Cold Brew Blend, they’ll donate $1 to the Autism Society of Central Texas.

In just their first six months of opera-tion in 2015, Greater Goods was able to donate 10,000 meals to the Capital Area Food Bank and 3,000 days of canine reha-bilitation at Austin Pets Alive. See GREATER GOODS, page 2

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GREATER GOODS, from page 1

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Khanh serves as the chief coffee taster and blender and blender. Growing up in a family of chefs, she developed a very well-trained palate, Trey says, and can distinguish subtle flavor nuances in dif-ferent coffee roasts and blends.

Working her way through college as a barista, Khanh learned a good bit about coffee. After college, she worked long hours as a professional photographer and got even more closely acquainted with coffee, Trey says with a trace of humor.

When the couple decided to start Greater Goods Coffee, Khanh studied with a renowned coffee roaster and re-ceived what Trey describes as “a coffee version of sommelier training.”

Trey, with his background building a successful business from the ground up, focuses on the production side of the op-eration at their coffee shop and roasting facility on MacGregor Lane.

Next to the coffee serving bar in the front room is an area that resembles a chemist’s lab, with specialized equipment and machines to brew test batches of cof-fee for blending and quality control.

With a sharp whooshing sound remi-niscent of a wine taster, Khanh and Trey “cup” the brewed coffee into their mouths to thoroughly judge its unique body and flavor. “Every coffee is roasted different-ly. There are even seasonal differences in roasting the same bean,” Trey explains.

On the wall is a Coffee Tasters Flavor Wheel chart, with listings from floral and fruit to chocolate and spice - even vegetal and cereal.

“Coffee tasting has a lot of similarities with wine tasting,” Trey points out. “Like the craft beer movement, people are now learning to appreciate specialty coffees.”

Once they’ve determined the opti-mum roast time for each bean and dis-sected the balance of ingredients for each blend, Trey gets to work roasting raw beans into commercial-sized batches in the massive stainless steel roasters lining the large roasting room.

Exact temperature, roasting time and quick cooling are critical to achieving the 11 distinctive Greater Goods roasts and blends, he says.

The public is invited to come by the roastery or their Greater Goods booth at the Dripping Springs Farmers Market to sample their brews and maybe even pick up some to take home, Trey says.

The coffee is also available for pur-chase at Rolling in Thyme and Dough (Dripping Springs), Bee Cave Coffee (Hill Country Galleria and the Domain), Thom’s Market (Austin) and will soon be on the shelves at five Austin area Whole Foods stores.

Later this year, the couple plans to open Greater Goods coffee shops at two locations in East Austin.

FYI • Greater Goods Coffee Company’s roasting and tasting facility is located at 160 McGregor Lane, just west of Dripping Springs. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. To taste their coffees, come by the roastery or see them at the Dripping Springs Farmers Mar-ket (Wednesdays from 3 pm til dusk). For more information and to order coffee, visit the web site at www.greatergood-sroasting.com, or call 512-858-2680.

Khanh Trang ABOVE and her husband, Trey Cobb, opened Greater Goods Coffee Roasters. Growing up in a family of chefs, Khanh developed a very well trained palate, Trey says, and can distinguish subtle flavor nuances in different coffees and blends. Photo courtesy Greater Goods Coffee Roasters.

Exact temperature, roasting time and quick cooling are critical to achieving the eleven distinctive Greater Goods roasts and blends. Photo courtesy Greater Goods Coffee Roasters.

You are invited to come by the Greater Goods Coffee Roastery at 160 McGregor Lane or the Greater Goods booth at the Dripping Springs Farmers Market to sample their brews and maybe even pick up some to take home. Photo courtesy Greater Goods Coffee Roasters.

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MARCH 2016

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By LaureL robertson

There’s been a lot of clucking going on at Hill County Care recently. Last fall, a small flock of “therapy

chickens” took up residence at the skilled nursing facility as part of a new initiative to improve the daily lives of the 40 resi-dents there.

Director of admissions Debra Mad-dox spearheaded the changes, after reading about Eden Alternative, an in-ternational organization that promotes bringing live plants and animals into care facilities to eliminate the “three plagues that affect the elderly: loneli-ness, helplessness and boredom.”

With the support of executive direc-tor Cindy Kindle, and assistance from Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and other mem-bers of the Dripping Springs community, Debra created a new herb garden and chicken yard outdoors.

Inside, she replaced all the nursing home’s silk flowers with live plants and installed an essential oils diffuser that wafts invigorating scents like lemon dur-ing the day, and calming scents like lav-ender for nighttime.

She noticed an immediate positive effect on the residents’ moods.

But change never comes easy. When photos of smiling residents with hens napping in their laps, or leading chick-ens on leashes down the hallways began to appear in local papers, a few hackles were raised at City Hall.

City Code Enforcement Jon Thomp-son notified HCC that the facility would need to apply for a Conditional Use Permit and pay a fee of $150 in order to keep livestock within the city limits. City Sanitarian Kyle DeHart sent a letter saying that the residents could no lon-ger touch the birds or allow them inside the facility.

“Chickens can be a dirty bird.....I

cannot as a public health official con-done or approve the use of chickens as a therapy animal,” DeHart wrote in a let-ter to HCC.

Residents now have to settle for visiting the chickens from outside their fenced yard. To create more interaction and excitement between residents and the chickens, Debra has devised a game called “Bug Rugby.” She tosses crickets into the chicken yard and the residents cheer for their favorite chicken to catch the bug. Bug Rugby is a favorite activity at Friday afternoon’s Happy Hour — ac-companied by wine, beer, sodas, spar-kling cider and live music.

Though the chickens are banned from coming inside, other therapy ani-mals visit on a regular basis. The Austin Zoo brings in unusual animals (a py-thon, armadillos, birds of prey, etc.) and Jack the Rabbit visits once a month.

Guests may bring their own dogs (along with their shot records) for visits. “We call these the Grandpuppies, and

Fresh crawfish, cold craft beer and Cajun music will come together to create a ragin’ Cajun good time in Dripping Springs on March 26 at Hill Country Care’s 30th

anniversary celebration. Special-delivery Louisiana crawfish (served with

corn-on-the-cob, potatoes, onions and mushrooms) will be accompanied by the Louisiana sounds of Louis and Melissa. Lunch will be served from noon until 2 pm, followed by a performance from Austin’s own Charles Thibodeaux and the Cajun Aces from 2 pm to 4 pm. Dancing will be possible on a new outdoor dance floor constructed for the event.

Thirsty Planet Brewery is donating its Thirsty Goat beer for the event, and a Cajun-themed oil painting will be the Grand Prize in the afternoon’s raffle. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the highly rated nursing and rehab center located in Dripping Springs.

FYI • Hill Country Care Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center is at 1505 West Highway 290 in Dripping Springs. Admission is a suggested $10 donation at the door. For more information, call Debra Maddox or Cindy Kendall at 512-858-5624.

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Suzanne with fresh produce from the garden at Hill Country Care. Photo courtesy Hill Country Care.

Residents at Hill Country Care enjoy “Bug Rugby,” a game in which crickets are tossed into the chicken yard as they cheer for their favorite chicken to catch the bug. Photo courtesy Hill Country Care.

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the residents love them!” says Debra. She keeps Wally, a Green Cheeked Conyur (bird), in her office and a large fish tank in the main gathering room.

Besides benefitting the daily lives of the residents, the new program makes visiting the nursing home a better expe-rience for children who visit, says Debra.

“When kids have something to do that interests them, they’re happier to come visit. We named the path to the chicken yard ‘Grandma’s Hideaway.’ Kids love to go see it when they come visit their grandparents,” she says.

Grandma’s Hideaway is covered with memorial pavers inscribed with funny or inspiring sayings. “As long as kids take tests, there will always be prayer in schools” is a favorite. Comfort-able patio furniture and planters filled

HILL COUNTRY CARE, from page 3

with greenery and flowers create an invit-ing outdoor sitting area nearby.

Debra is working on a hydroponic vegetable garden that will raise produce for the nursing home’s kitchen.

Herbs from an existing 44’ raised herb bed are already supplementing the menu.

She relies on local volunteers to do much of the work on the new projects. “We have so many people in the commu-nity helping out. Middle and high school kids helped set up the chicken coop. They regularly read to the residents, help out with Bingo and just come talk with them,” she says gratefully.

FYI • Hill Country Care is located at 1505 West High-way 290 in Dripping Springs. For more information, visit the web site at hillcountry.seniorcarecentersltc.com, find them on Facebook, or call 512-858-5624.

Debra Maddox standing outside the chicken yard (Urban Chicken Coop in the back-ground) with hens. Photo courtesy Hill Country Care.

Residents can visit the chickens from outside their fenced yard at the new Urban Chicken Coop at Hill Country Care. Photo courtesy Hill Country Care.

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MARCH 2016

See CALENDAR, page 6

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EVERY MONDAY• Rotary Club Meets. 11:45 am at Flores Restaurant, 2440 East Highway 290. 11:45 am. www.drippingspringsrotary.org.• Boy Scout Troop 280 meets at St. Martin de Porres Church Hall. 512-904-0444, drippingsprings280.mytroop.us. • Karaoke Night at Hudson’s on Mercer. 7:30 pm. www.hudsonsonmercer.com.FIRST and THIRD MONDAYS• Dripping Springs Lions Club meets. 6:30 pm at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. Sharon at 512-923-8360.SECOND MONDAYS• Group of Dripping Springs (GODS) Moms meets. Dripping Springs Methodist Church 9 am to 11:15 am. 512-894-0581.FOURTH MONDAYS• Artists of Dripping Springs. Gatherings at area studios. 512-894-0394.• Gen. Ben McCulloch 2435, UDC meets at the Veterans Hall, 27500 Ranch Road 12 at 7 pm. Sharon Hudson at 512-858-7177.EVERY TUESDAY• Dripping Springs Toastmasters. 6:30 pm at Pioneer Bank, 100 Creek Road. Visitors welcome. www.dstoastmasters.com.• Dripping Springs Property Tour. 512-579-7711, dshometour@gmail.com.• Hill Country Community Band Rehearses at Chapel in the Hills, Wimberley. 7 pm to 8:30 pm. 512-517-3111.• Open “Mike” Night with your host Mike Waits at Hudson’s on Mercer. Sign ups at 6:30 pm, show starts by 7:30 pm. Each artists can perform up to three songs (time permitting.) www.hudsonsonmercer.com.SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH TUESDAYS• Dripping Springs Boy Scout Troop 101 meets. Dripping Springs United Methodist Church. 7 pm. Tom Chenault, 512-707-7488.SECOND TUESDAYS• Friends of the Dripping Springs Community Library. 11 am. 512-771-3217 or friendsofdslibrary@gmail.com for information and volunteer opportunities.EVERY WEDNESDAY• Dripping Springs Farmers Market. The Triangle (Highway 290/ Ranch Road 12) 3 pm to 7 pm. cityofdrippingsprings.com.• Open Mic at Mercer Street Dance Hall hosted by Nick Gatewood. www.mercerstreetdancehall.com.• Awana. Wednesday. Henly Baptist Church. henlybaptistchurch.org.SECOND WEDNESDAY• Free Alzheimer’s Support Group meets at Arveda Alzheimer’s Family Care. RSVP to 512-637-5400. www.arvedacare.com.EVERY THURSDAY• Hill Country Jam at Mercer Street Dance Hall with Doug Moreland. Free admission. 7:30 pm. www.mercerstreetdancehall.com.• Thyme and Dough Bistro Nights with

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live music, dinners and decadent desserts. 6 pm to 9 pm. 512-894-0001.• Henly Baptist Church JOY (Just Older Youth) Club. 9:30 am. www.henlybaptistchurch.org.

Tish Hinojosa plays Mercer Street Dance Hall March 18. Photo courtesy Tish Hinojosa.

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FIRST THURSDAYS• Dripping Springs American Legion 7 pm. 512-858-5637.• Nonfiction Addiction Book Club meets at the Dripping Springs Community Library from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. New members welcome. dscl.org, 512-858-7825.• First Thursday. Participating businesses offer special events from 5 pm to 9 pm. www.drippingspringstx.org.FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY• Lions Club meets at 131 East Mercer Street. 512-858-5159.SECOND THURSDAYS• Knights of Columbus, Council 11695, meets at the St Martin de Porres Parrish Hall on Post Oak Road, at 7:30 pm. Preceded by a pot luck dinner.THIRD THURSDAYS• Dripping Springs Cookoff Club. 6:30 pm in the VFW Hall in Dripping Springs. ryoncrew@yahoo.com.• Dripping Springs VFW meets. 27500 Ranch Road 12. 7 pm. 512-858-5637.• Thirsty Thursday. Poets, musicians, songwriters, storytellers share work. Sponsored by City of Dripping Springs and New Life Lutheran Church. 7 pm, Dripping Springs Ranch Park. 512-858-2024.FOURTH THURSDAY• Photographers of Dripping Springs (PODS). Dripping Springs Community Library. 6:30 pm. 512-524-7897. EVERY FRIDAY• Men’s Breakfast at Fitzhugh Baptist Church. 6:30 am. 512-913-4808.EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY• Dance Lessons at Mercer Street Dance Hall. 7:30 pm. mercerstreetdancehall.com.SECOND & FOURTH SATURDAY• Pet Adoption Sponsored by Thundering Paws Animal Sanctuary. Tractor Supply. 512-402-9725.

MARCH 2• Chamber Coffee Connector. Free coffee, breakfast tacos for purchase. 8:15 am at Smoke’n Hops, 3799 Highway 290 East. www.drippingspringstx.org.MARCH 4-6• Spring Release at Solaro Estate Winery. 13111 Silver Creek Road. 832-660-8642, www.solaroestate.com.MARCH 5• Texas Night Sky Festival. Activities for all ages at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. 3 pm to 10 pm. www.TexasNightSkyFestival.org.MARCH 18• Ti s h H i n o j o s a . L i v e m u s i c at Mercer Street Dance Hall. www.mercerstreetdancehall,com.MARCH 12• Fancy Feathers Open Chicken Show. Hundreds of breeds of fowl on display! Table Top Serama Show, and an Egg Show. Silent auction, raffles, food, and a cluck-off, in which participants do their best imitation of chickens. Dripping Springs Ranch Park. 512-771-5246, www.fancyfeatherstx.org.APRIL 2• Dripping Springs Market Day. All handmade, all original artwork market featuring artists and craftsmen from across the Hill Country and beyond. Free admission, 10 am to 6 pm at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. dsmarketdays@gmail.com.APRIL 22-24• 29th Annual Founders Day. Celebration kicks off with Grand Parade. Free music and entertainment on two stages, the Mighty Thomas Carnival, food, beer, street dances, cook-offs, more than 150 arts and crafts booths and business vendors. 512-858-4725, www.foundersdayfestival.com.

Free E-filing services availableDRIPPING SPRINGS H Free assistance with income tax preparation is avail-

able through DSISD Community Education, sponsors of the AARP Tax-Aide program located at the Dripping Springs Independent School District Adminis-tration building at 510 West Mercer Street. Volunteers are available at this site on Tuesdays through April 12 (except during spring break) from 3 pm to 8 pm. Tax returns will be filed electronically.

The local tax assistance group is part of the AARP Tax-Aide program. Each year, volunteers are trained and certified by the IRS. Although AARP focuses on the needs of older taxpayers, the Tax-Aide program has no age limits. The local site will continue to provide assistance to taxpayers of all ages. Tax-Aide assis-tance is limited to returns within the scope of the Tax-Aide training.

To have a returns prepared by Tax-Aide, you must bring photo identifica-tion, social security cards for all family members, all W-2 and 1099 forms for 2015, forms showing coverage by health insurance, your checkbook for direct deposit information, and any other relevant information about 2015 income and expenses. You are also encouraged to bring your 2014 tax return.

FYI • To make an appointment, leave a message at 512-858-0954.

CALENDAR, from page 5

TO ADVERTISECall Julie at 512-484-9716

email julie@hillcountrysun.com

7

MARCH 2016

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14th Annual Community Awards Celebration

The BEST of

Dripping Springs for 2015!

Hometown Hero/Ed Sims MemorialBuddy Lewis

Non-profit of the YearDripping Springs Cook-o� Club

Best Customer Service5 Star ER

Business Person of the YearJohn McIntosh

Up & Coming BusinessHudson’s on Mercer

Business of the Year Mazama Co�ee Co.Heritage Award

Sunset Canyon Pottery

Thank you to these great businesses who helped to make the evening special for all the nominees and winners:

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