Life + Culture

The Heartbeat of Community

one veteran redefining what it means to serve Article by Lauren Piland At the heart of every community is its people. People who share stories. People who share passions. People who share support. And some of the special ones, are people who share their service.  Juan Reyes is one of those people. One might even call him a community hero, although I’m sure he'd shrug off the notion.  Meeting with Juan, he’s humble, he’s reserved, and he’s just here to help.  As an Army veteran with 22 years...

Entertainment

Homegrown Country Takes Center Stage

The Will Carter Band puts Texas country on the map Article by Lauren Piland From his family farm upbringing on the outskirts of Katy, to seeing his name in lights on venues across the nation, Will Carter’s path to success has sprouted from many seeds rooted here in southeast Texas.  “We’d milk goats, tend to cows and sheep, and farm chores in the morning, followed by homeschooling in the afternoon, then back on horseback by the evening. I didn’t fully understand what we had until college...

Home Services

Reverse Engineering

how leadership - and a strong roof - both start at the top Article by Shawna Hinman & Lauren Piland | Photography by Gillian Nichols If you want to understand what makes something last, you reverse engineer it. Start with the end result—strength, trust, longevity—and work your way back to the source. For Lucid Services, that source isn’t just found in materials or methods.  It starts with friendship. Owners Christian Pendley and Mark Arnim didn’t just build a company—they built a bond. The...

Life + Culture

Out of the Valley

one local dad’s path out of the shadows Article by Lauren Piland Out of the Valley  one local dad’s path out of the shadows   “The Kevin of today may impress you, but Kevin 3-4 years ago made really small decisions, and small steps to get to the dad he is today,” explains Kevin Goodnight.    Now an inspirational father, author, speaker, leader and mentor, Kevin’s life might seem like the “picture perfect” existence from the outside looking in.    One would call him a devoted Dad who...

Life + Culture

Digging Deeper

the transformative simplicity of playing in dirt Article by Lauren Piland Going back to your roots has had a powerful and quite literal meaning for Jacob Robinson. Born of the generation that played outside until the street lights came on, rode bikes down dirt roads, and didn’t flinch getting their hands dirty. A more simplistic way of life that we often see vanishing in the rearview of our fast-paced future.  But, like most modern, young families, the hustle and bustle of everyday life can...

Life + Culture

A Pride of Her Own

the craving for connection in our female communities Article by Lauren Piland Since the dawn of time, many life forms have been built around its communities. And at the heart of most, are the females.    Females that nurture.  Females that lead.  Females that connect.    From prides of lionesses and queen bees, to matriarchal indigenous tribes and bands of voices for women’s rights, to the lifelong bonds of female friendships - to know, and to be cared for by women is something fierce.  ...

Entertainment

"The Girl"

Talking animals, singing creeks, a strange and fantastical land! This is where a young girl finds herself suddenly embarking on an adventure! Article by Leeah V. Books | Photography by Sammy Jay Art Chapter 7 She awoke the next morning to the sight of a horse drinking water from the creek that lay next to her. She sat up staring at him as she rubbed the sleepiness away from her eyes. She saw the horse was mostly white and dappled with dark gray spots all over his tall muscular body that was...

Beauty

Empire State of Glow

redefining beauty & restoring confidence, one body at a time Article by Lauren Piland | Photography by G. Nichols Photography To glow is to emit light, radiate heat or emanate a feeling of passion.    A feeling that Angie Ramirez believes women should feel about themselves everyday. Growing up in Bogota, Colombia, radiating energies are evident in their culture, their spirit, and their way of life.    She explains that Colombian women are known to be very in tune with their appearance...

Wellness

Fighting Her Fire Within

how one woman got curious, and found her own path to healing Article by Lauren Piland Many early twenty-somethings yearn for exploration, adventure and finding purpose to set the stage for entering adulthood. From jungles to the outback, from rocky roads to smooth sails.    And, Koehl Robinson felt that itch. With a natural entrepreneurial spirit from her parents, and an indomitable heart that thrived on curiosity, it came as no surprise that she had already ventured into starting three...

Local Services

From Misfits to Monarchs

one woman’s fierce fight for rebirth and reemergence Article by Lauren Piland Monarch butterflies are known to most for their beautiful reemergence. Meandering from a once prickly caterpillar, and growing into an illustrious marvel. One that takes determination, strength and instinct before embarking on their journey ahead.    Tyler Smith has personified that journey. One that started with self-imprisonment and addiction, and leading to actual incarceration and rock bottom. But, what...