Amarillo Magazine | December 2010 by Amarillo Magazine

December Feature: “Showing Up” - Dr. Dane Welch and Medical Missions

amarillomagonline.com December 2010

A Night to Remember The perfect companion for a holiday soiree is the little black dress.

The Tireless Advocate

After an unsuccessful search to find the right school for her son, Carrie Lesley decided to build her own.

A Message of Hope

Paramount Baptist Church brings the classic movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” to the big stage.

Holiday Cookie Jar Finalists

The votes are in and we’ve got 12 reader recipes to add to your recipe box.

contents

On the cover photo by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography

28 A Night to Remember

The perfect companion for a holiday soiree – aside from a handsome date, of course – is the little black dress. Step out this season in a dress that creates a night to remember.

Features 40 Showing Up

For this Ft. Worth native, the intention was to run a small dental practice, raise a family, travel a little and enjoy the later years with his wife. That was the big plan, but according to Dr. Dane Welch, sometimes plans change. And in his case, they changed far beyond his wildest dreams.

48 The Tireless Advocate

After an unsuccessful search to find the right school for her son, Carrie Lesley decided to build her own.

51 A Message of Hope

Paramount Baptist Church brings the classic movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” to the big stage as an inspirational message of hope.

58 Holiday Cookie Jar Finalists

The votes are in and we’ve got 12 reader recipes to add to your recipe box, including the top winner who won the grand prize.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

sections Fruity Holiday Biscuits courtesy of Rebecca Cosart

photo by Shannon Richardson

Online Page............................12 Out & About...........................14 The Way I See It....................24 Get Involved..........................26 Dress Code..............................28 Home.........................................36 Special Features...................48

Inspire........................................54 What’s Cooking?..................58 Events........................................67 Let’s Eat!....................................73 Retro Rewind.........................82 Spotlight..................................84

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contributors Shannon Richardson Shannon Richardson has been photographing commercial/advertising work for the past 14 years. His photography has won numerous Addy awards including three best of shows as well as being featured in the Graphis Photo Annual 2001, JPG Magazine and Shots. He is currently working on a photographic book about Route 66. See Shannon’s work at shannonrichardson.com and route66americanicon.com.

Donna Alexander Donna, a West Texas native, has lived in Amarillo for 11 years. She received her Associates of Applied Science in Photography from Amarillo College in May 2009. Donna is a member of the Texas Professional Photographers Association and specializes in commercial, real estate, event and portrait photography. She has two daughters, Alex and Krista.

Jeff Harbin Jeff is a husband, father of two little boys, a firefighter with the Amarillo Fire Department and the owner of Life of Riley Photography. He was born and raised in Amarillo and is proud to work in the community. His passion for art and the creative process began as a child and led him to his love of photography. To see Jeff’s work, visit lifeofrileyphotography.com.

Chriselda Chriselda has been a photographer for the past 13 years. She specializes in wedding and portrait photography. She studied Film and Digital Photography at San Antonio College and University of Texas at San Antonio. To see Chriselda’s work, visit chriseldaphotography.com.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

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publisher’s letter

n my eight years as publisher of the Amarillo Globe-News, I don’t think anything we’ve done at the newspaper has produced more positive comments than Amarillo Magazine. Readers appreciate the quality of the magazine and its advertising as well as the opportunity to learn more about their neighbors and our community. I hope you like it as well. If you do and want to continue to receive it, we need to know. In a few months, we’ll change how we distribute Amarillo Magazine. And now we need to hear from you so you can continue to receive the magazine with your subscription to the Amarillo Globe-News. Amarillo Magazine has enjoyed continued success and we know our readers enjoy learning more about the people and places that make Amarillo a great place to call home. I consistently hear positive feedback from people I see everyday and emails that let us know we’re hitting the mark. I’ve learned from years of experience in publishing that change is inevitable, although sometimes it doesn’t come easy. We’ve seen many changes in the past few years in the newspaper industry, throughout the nation and at the Amarillo Globe-News. No matter what change brings, we strive to bring our readers the best that Amarillo has to offer every month. The red sticker on the cover this month lists a number to call and let us know you’d like to keep the magazine coming. Make the call to our customer service department and a representative will register your request quickly and easily. There’s no additional cost to continue to receive Amarillo Magazine every month and we don’t want you to miss a single issue.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

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Publisher

Les Simpson

Editor

Michele McAffrey 806.345.3256 michele.mcaffrey@amarillo.com

Feature/Online Editor

Jennie Treadway-Miller 806.345.3223 jennie.miller@amarillo.com

Steven Adams

Creative Services Manager

Designer

Darren Hendricks

Intern

Rebeka Rutledge

VP Advertising/ Revenue Development

Mike Distelhorst

Classified Sales Manager

Cindy Brown

Retail Sales Manager

Jaime Pipkin

Online Sales Manager

Kendra Barrett

Major/National Accounts Manager

Dewey Shanks

Account Representatives

Kimberly Barclay Laura Collins Sharon Denny Trish Faris Cory Griggs Rick Miller Hailey Morrison Michelle Parsons Marcy Weldon Cindy Ledesma

Sales Assistants

Natasha Reavis Sarena Poor

Patrick Ayala

Online Production Manager Programmer

Tosh Lyons

To advertise in Amarillo Magazine, please contact Jaime Pipkin at 806.345.3432 or jaime.pipkin@amarillo.com To advertise on amarillomagonline.com, please contact Kendra Barrett at 806.345.3472 or kendra.barrett@amarillo.com

Production Director Division Controller

Mike O’Connor Mike Clayton

900 S. Harrison St., Amarillo, TX 79101 806.376.4488 • amarillomagonline.com Amarillo Magazine is a monthly publication of Amarillo Globe-News Custom Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent. Letters to the Editor are welcome but may be edited due to space limitations.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010 2010

editor’s letter

s I’m writing this, Amarillo has just recovered from the first snow of the season. While everyone else was on November time, we were surrounded by Christmas cookies, holiday party dresses and evergreen wreaths, so waking up to a winter wonderland put a little skip in my step (that is, until the tree branches began breaking). Our staff is always looking to the future, so it’s easy to stay busy and bogged down with details and not so easy to remember that I need to live in the now. It was refreshing, to say the least, to meet and spend time with the extraordinary people we profile this month. As we planned the content for December, we decided it would be “The Giving Issue” and we’d profile people who live a life of sacrifice. As I got to know each person we feature this month, I told my husband I was going to dub this issue “The Nicest People I’ve Ever Met Issue.” Nancy Haning and the team of volunteers at A Time to Share rank way up on my Nicest People list. Nancy’s an endearing woman who definitely doesn’t know a stranger. She’s ready to give a hug and a kind word to anyone she meets. Read about the ministry’s care for Amarillo’s elderly at Christmas in “Get Involved.” Then there was Dane and Pam Welch who we feature in “Showing Up.” An evening spent with them, listening to Dane’s stories about the things he’s witnessed in places like Nicaragua, North Korea, Afghanistan and Ethiopia, was a wake up call. While I stress about the inconsequential details of daily living, Dane puts his life on the line meeting the needs of people a world away. His humility and action inspired me. Our first-time models for “A Night to Remember” also made me thankful that I got to spend an evening with them. David and Heather were such troopers on a cold fall night in their dress-up clothes. Watching a couple be all-out cheerleaders for each other, hearing their enthusiastic compliments and encouragement was the sweetest reminder to enjoy new experiences together and cherish them. It was obvious that, for them, the photo shoot really was a night to remember. So, thank you, to the people I’ve mentioned and the people I haven’t, for reminding me what’s important and for making the work of this issue so fun and gratifying. And Merry Christmas! Thanks for reading,

“When Mom was being put into her bed, I knew she was where she needed to be.

he said, ‘I’m cold.’

and in a heartbeat a nurse was back with

a warmed blanket... that was the beginning of the journey of the last six days of her life.

The care our mother and family received at BSA Hospice overwhelms me. We were at our wit’s end. For our family, who had never been through the hospice experience, you were a light in the darkness, a hand to lead us. We truly felt God embraced us through your abundant grace and tender mercy.” – Family member of BSA Hospice patient Read the rest of the story at www.bsahs.org/hospice

Thirty years ago, the Amarillo community came together to build BSA Hospice. We give God the glory for everything beautiful that happens here. As part of BSA, the leading healthcare system in the region, we care for each patient with Christian love, service and dignity. Faith based. Community built. Care and compassion in all we do. 600 N. Tyler St. • Amarillo, Texas 79107 806-212-8028 • 800-315-6209

COMMEMORATING

2010

• 30th anniversary of BSA Hospice • 25th anniversary of the inpatient hospice facility • 20th anniversary of Olivia’s Angels, a BSA Hospice support group

A Co-Ministry of CHRISTUS Health and Baptist Community Services

amarillo voices

I enjoy Amarillo Magazine and look forward to the next issue.

I want to tell you that I love your magazine. We are new to Amarillo and it gives me the insight I’m looking for.

Peggy Soalno

Rachel Landegent

I loved the featured restaurants. It helps me learn about new places.

Every month I find useful information within your pages, not to forget all the fun stuff, too.

Anna Rigler

Karen Maye

I love the last Sunday of each month just to read and see all the things happening in Amarillo. Keep up the great magazine.

We just recently moved to Amarillo, and we are really enjoying the city. It’s very easy to navigate around the area. I just received a copy of Amarillo Magazine from one of husband’s coworkers and we are going to try each restaurant in it. I can’t wait to get started!

Diana Stumbo

I loved your feature about foreign foods in Amarillo Magazine that came out on October. I have been asking about a Vietnamese restaurant and voila! Pho Van! Susie Wheeler

Terri Shell

amarillomagonline.com A Changed Perspective In October, a group of dental hygiene students from Amarillo College traveled to three schools and one orphanage in Nicaragua on a mission trip. Read about the experience of these young people and how a few of them hope to go back again next year.

Honorable Mentions

Because 12 cookie recipes just aren’t enough, we’ve put a larger selection of recipes online from our Holiday Cookie Jar Challenge entries. Raid your pantries and start baking!

Enter to Win

Ready to shop? Let us help! Submit your name and contact information to amarillomagonline.com/contact this month to be eligible to win a $100 gift card to Dillard’s.

We’re Sociable!

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

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December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

out & about

Best of Amarillo The Amarillo Globe-News hosted its eighth annual Best of Amarillo event on October 21 in the Amarillo Civic Center. The Route 66-themed event showcased businesses voted best in their category for 2010. Winners and the public showed up to network and to celebrate. This year’s event featured more than 25 restaurants and nearly 70 booths.

1. Tate Neely, Daniel Scott and Danny Jasper, 2. Susan Canas and Micaela Garcia, 3. Kish Runde and Debbie Moak, 4. Rosemartha Cates and Mariso Florez, 5. Paulette Scott, Lori Green, Kelli Beck, Kathy Copeland, Ashley Webber, Christy Taylor and Kelly Anglin photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography

Boo at the Zoo The Amarillo Zoo held its annual Boo at the Zoo event on October 30 and 31. Several spooky but not-too-scary activities such as crafts and games, a creepy crawly petting zoo, and treat stations were a part of the event. To complete the seasonal feel, the zoo was adorned with Halloween decorations that included a lighted pumpkin walk. 1. Kimberly and Garrett Hall, and Thomas Montgomery, 2. Jarrett Schaef, Nicholas Simpson and Obi Smith, 3. Jerika Smith, 4. Lauren McMahon, 5. Levi Freeman, Isabella Silva and Hannah Rushing photos by Donna Alexander

5 4

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

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December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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• W W W. j o e ta c o. c o m December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

out & about

Oktoberfest The Bridge hosted their first Oktoberfest on October 23 in the Sunset Center Event Room. The event included both German and American beer, as well as sausage and sauerkraut. Live music was provided by Andy Chase and Vic Fontana and the Automatics. Additionally, a sanctioned cook-off took place in conjunction with the event. 1. Bryant Bustanante and Ben Melier, 2. John and Teresa Britton, 3. Kindra Hodges and Gary Fletcher, 4. Patrick Vigil, Ove Johansson, Jim Gray and Kelley Young , 5. Chuck Parr and Jim Garrison

photos by Donna Alexander

Leigh Ann Tuohy Behind the Blind Side

The Amarillo Area Foundation presented Leigh Ann Tuohy “Behind the Blind Side” on November 4. The event was held in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts and benefited The Women’s Philanthropy Fund. Tuohy shared her personal “Blind Side” observations and how the experience changed her as a person and changed her family. A reception and book signing followed the program. 1. Taos and Marcy Welden, 2. Lindy Welden and David Wetzel, 3. Phillip and Judy Periman, 4. Carley Dumenic and Tammy St. Pierre, 5. Leigh Anne Tuohy photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

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out & about

Breakfast of Champions

The Amarillo Area Breast Health Coalition hosted its first annual Breakfast of Champions brunch in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom on October 27. The event honored those in the Panhandle who have made significant contributions to promote early detection and treatment. Featured speaker Geralyn Lucas, author of “Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy,” shared her own experience with breast cancer. 5

1. Cindy Whisenant and Kathy McAfee, 2. EmElise Knapp, Kayla Bull and Madison Sanders, 3. Donna Berger, Lynda Brown, Connie Fields, Pat Stout, Kasey Morgan, Lee Zielke and Susan Allen, 4. Paula Gibson, Claudette Dove, Jenny Alzeerah, Cindy Whisenant and Rita Bryant, 5. Katie Collins, Christina White, Sarah Huguley, Geralyn Lucas, Katy Katt and Stephanie Cunningham photos by Chriselda Photography

Freedom Fund Banquet

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People held its annual Freedom Fund Banquet on November 6 in the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza. The theme for the night was “change” and Alethea Bonello, the NAACP’s southeast region field organizer, was the keynote speaker.

1. Georgia Baker and Denise Blanchard, 2. Allison Roberts and Helen Neal, 3. Dorothy Ragster and Linda Williams, 4. Claudia Stravato, Iris Lawrence, Sharon Anthony and Tameka Hodge, 5. Shirley Benton Hunt, Betty Solis, Mary Faulkner and John Solis photos by Donna Alexander

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

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December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

out & about

Hunt Dinner The Friends of Amarillo Botanical Gardens hosted the Annual Hunt Dinner in the home of Gainor and Derek Davis on November 6. A wild game dinner was provided along with live and silent auctions and entertainment by Anderson Fletcher and Key. 1. Alicia Walls, Billy Morgan, George Raffkind and Caroline Ware, 2. Martha Walton and Tisha Peterson, 3. Burk and Ben Whittenburg, 4. Betsy Kelley, Ashley Robinson and Molly Caviness, 5. Richard and Dana Walton

photos by Donna Alexander

3 5

Christmas Roundup Luncheon The Amarillo Symphony Guild and Amarillo Museum of Art Alliance hosted the 30th annual Christmas Roundup November 5 through 7. The event was held in the Amarillo Civic Center where more than 70 vendors offered a variety of merchandise. A preview party was held on the evening of November 4 and a luncheon and style show on November 5.

1. Courtney Evans, Jennifer Lang and Rosalinda Villalon, 2. Sally Skaggs, Doris Alexander Cooper and Maurine Strickland, 3. Gayle Rhoades, Amanda Clark and Neva Burks, 4. Emily Wood, Patti Ward and Laura Turner, 5. Janie Vincent, Kati Adams and Jennifer McElreath

photos by Donna Alexander

Amarillo Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ December 2010

December 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ Amarillo Magazine

the way i see it

Jon Mark Beilue

Fruitcake, I’m Giving You Another Chance

t’s been known, at various times, as the scourge of Christmas. It’s like relatives entering the home and never leaving. It just seems like it collects dust on top of the refrigerator and never goes away. It’s not the Grinch. No, some call it Terror in a Tin Can. It’s the fruitcake. And it has been known to wreak havoc on suspecting folks at Christmas for years. But is it a bad rap, or just bad fruitcake? Each January, Manitou Springs in Colorado has its Annual Great Fruitcake Toss, where they make effective use of those fruitcakes they got from friends during the holidays. They launch them – for distance and accuracy in two classes: one for two-pound fruitcakes and one for the giant four-pounder. Blame or credit comedian Johnny Carson. The legendary “Tonight Show” host brought fruitcake to the nation’s consciousness. Each year he used to joke there was really one fruitcake and that it kept getting passed and re-gifted from one poor house to another. Dry, bland, ugly and with the taste of cardboard, it tasted neither like fruit nor cake. It was the edible – though to some just barely – Christmas version of the Old Spice gift set. “Johnny Carson wasn’t a very popular person around the company,” said Dale Parker, vice president of the Claxton Fruitcake Company in Claxton, Ga., 45 miles west of Savannah. Claxton Fruitcake Company is in a little town of 2,500 – about the size of Panhandle – on Highway 73. Claxton, along with Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, south of Dallas, are two of the country’s most well-known makers of fruitcake. Claxton is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Collin Street has been around for 110 years. They’ve got to be doing something right to last this long. Or just as accurately, they’re not doing something wrong. Locals will come to make a well-meaning purchase for either themselves or family. Both companies do a huge amount of shipping across the country. Claxton, said Parker, whose father bought the company in 1945, does about 95 percent of its business in November through midDecember. Even in October, they produce 86,000 pounds of product a day. A day. Locally, Richard Zaccardo of Belmar Bakery makes them only for the holiday season, and sells about 100 or so. Okay, I’ve been a critic of fruitcake, but I’m coming to make peace with Christmas past. Before, I’ve tried to drown it with coffee. I’ve worked up the courage to delay eating the little marble-shaped pieces

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

of fruit and settle on the dark middle and the nuts. (Nuts would be the pecans and not the people around me.) “There’s a lot of good fruitcake out there and a lot of bad fruitcake out there,” said Parker. “It makes it pretty tough for those of us in the industry to uphold real quality standards for our product and defend those folks who don’t quite make as good a fruitcake.” I don’t think Parker is referring to the piece of fruitcake I have on my desk as a paperweight. When I was a wee bit critical of the fruitcake a few years ago, a friend bought one for me at a dollar store for the bargain price of 25 cents. It originally sold for $1. The expiration date of this “Holiday Fruit Cake” is November 2008. It has the texture of an Acme Brick. Probably the taste too, but it would take a blowtorch to cut through it. “Folks who like to malign the fruitcake never had a good fruitcake,” Parker said. “My sister bought a fruitcake the other day in Savannah, and it was absolutely a piece of junk.” I firmly believe I’ve forced down my throat that piece of junk just to be polite. “It was a very dry pound cake with a few sprinklings of fruit around it,” Parker said. “It was probably 85 percent cake, probably 10 percent fruit and five percent filler. There’s good ones made, but for every good one made, there’s some bad ones too. I hate it. It’s tarnished our reputation.” It darn sure has. It’s almost vogue to trash the fruitcake, that circular piece of Christmas fruit-filled inner tube that comes in a small tin can with a list of 16th century explorers encompassing the side. They might have turned up their nose at a fruitcake too. “I’ve been in this business for 36 years, and when I first came to work, nobody knew what a fruitcake joke was,” said Parker. “Now they’re proliferated. You work through things like that. I guess it goes with the territory.” Maybe it’s just bad luck on my part. I’ve not had that moist cake, that just right mixture of raisins, nuts and fruit that make the holidays unique. I Jon Mark Beilue is a columnist for the know they’re out there, Amarillo Globe-News. and I’m willing to wipe He can be reached at the slate clean and give jon.beilue@amarillo.com it a fair shot. or 345.3318. If I can like egg nog, there’s a fruitcake in my future. am

get involved

The Forgotten Generation Warming the hearts of the elderly at Christmastime By Michele McAffrey

photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography

have a confession to make: after many years of working in retail, when it came to the holidays, I used to be somewhat of a Scrooge. Seeing Christmas decorations in stores in September, hearing the same annoying music over and over, and watching people nearly kill each other to grab a bargain jaded me for years. I’d wonder: where’s the Christmas Spirit in all this madness? It’s been a while since my retail days but blatant, selfish consumerism can still bring back those Scroogie feelings. Luckily, I was given a pre-holiday gift this year as a gentle reminder that the Spirit of Christmas is alive and well. Early one Saturday morning, Nancy Haning and the team of volunteers at A Time to Share invited me to their warehouse as they wrapped presents for Amarillo’s senior adults who find themselves alone at Christmas. Have you ever met someone whose embrace and natural affection for others felt like being gathered in your favorite warm, fuzzy blanket? It’s a crude comparison, but that’s Nancy Haning to a T. What more could a weary, cold person (me) wish for than a door thrown open in welcome, a contagious smile and a warm embrace? That’s what Nancy gave me without hesitation and it’s what she and her team gives each of the seniors they visit every year. A Time to Share was started by Nancy, her husband Jerry and their daughter Ashley in 1999. Over the years, Nancy’s career as a social worker exposed her to lots of lonely elderly folks in the northern Panhandle and Amarillo. She knew they were being overlooked and forgotten during the holidays. “This generation is the forgotten generation because they are not good advocates for themselves,” Nancy told me. “Think about your grandparents. How often did they ever ask for anything? They have no sense of entitlement whatsoever.” Seeds of an idea to help the elderly were planted when the Hanings started volunteering with the Eveline Rivers Christmas Project. Ashley was 10 years old at the time. The motherdaughter team loved seeing the happy faces of the children as they were given their gifts, but Nancy couldn’t shake the faces of the elderly that she would see. She told me that she’d visit during the holidays and it might as well have been August; there were no Christmas decorations and no visits from family or friends for a lot of them. They tugged on her heart. So Nancy and Ashley decided to take action. They formulated a plan, and then went home and submitted it to Jerry. For three years, they researched and saved their money. Then in 1999, it all came together. Their first delivery included 151 people with at least three gifts per person. Every year since, A Time to Share has served the forgotten with things we all take for granted, like warm clothing, pajamas, robes, slippers and blankets. Nancy and her team want older people who are alone to know, as Nancy says, “You are important to us and our community. You are special. You mean something even though you aren’t active any more.” Participants are referred by agencies in the Panhandle that work

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

Top: The mural in the entry at ATtS was painted by Darla Carthel. Middle: Volunteers Melissa Rye and Diane Campa wrap gifts. Bottom: Nancy Haning tells me about ATtS.

with the aged and disabled. Currently that includes Jan Werner Adult Day Care, Catholic Family Services, Texas Dept. of Aging and Disability Services, Hilltop Senior Citizen Center, Area Agency on Aging, J.O. Wyatt Clinic, Cornerstone Outreach Center, Plum Creek Healthcare Center, Panhandle Independent Living Center, Kirkland Court Health and Rehabilitation, and others. ATtS continues to find pockets of people they are missing, so they try to add more referring agencies and participants every year. In 2002 they added disabled adults. In 2005 they outgrew their home office and moved to the warehouse. In 2006 they added Easter delivery and in 2007, pet care products. In 2009 they expanded to Dumas and several other Panhandle communities. In fact, it’s easy to see that Nancy is tireless. She exudes energy and that elusive Christmas Spirit. Says husband, Jerry, “I always tell people she works harder at this job than most people do at their paid job.” Nancy is quick to tell me that the ministry definitely isn’t all about her. She gushes over the many people who have brought her passion

for helping the elderly to life. She includes retailers like Bealls, Dollar General, Wal-Mart, the JC Penney Outlet in Plainview and Burlington Coat Factory as members of her team. The stores help the cause by not only donating money, but also letting Nancy know about deep discounts and markdowns so she can shop for gift items. Additionally, the local AIG branch has adopted ATtS as the beneficiary for employee donations and New Neighbors of Amarillo also donates to the ministry. All gift items are purchased off season to maximize every dollar invested by the community. “Every year there are so many blessings,” she says. Nancy keeps in mind that these older adults are alone every day, so gifts are delivered by volunteers that are known by at least one member of the team. She feels responsible to keep her clients safe, so no strangers deliver gifts. The neat, organized warehouse has gift items set up by zip code. Volunteers can choose one or more on delivery day. ATtS also tracks deliveries so they can ensure that everyone receives their Christmas presents. When I visited the warehouse, faithful volunteers worked at waisthigh tables wrapping bags full of gifts. Among them, Chuck and Kelly Lynch worked together side by side. The couple has volunteered for about five years, and Chuck is a member of the ATtS board. Kelly’s favorite thing about volunteering that keeps her coming back year after year is “seeing their faces when we deliver. We are the best thing that has happened to them in a while and they are so grateful.” And, adds volunteer Angela Knapp, “Nothing will make you feel better about Christmas than this kind of volunteerism.” September is kick-off month every year. ATtS receives forms from referring agencies through November, and then they deliver gifts in early December. And unlike my former bah-humbug self, Nancy’s excitement doesn’t wane because there is a long Christmas focus. She told me she’s so excited on delivery day that she often doesn’t sleep the night before. And she jokes that everyone knows it’s delivery day because she breaks out an old pair of corduroy shorts that she wears every year. “Delivering the gifts brings home what Christmas is really about,” says Nancy. am

Top: The dedication wall at ATtS Middle: Chuck Lynch prepares a gift for delivery. Bottom: Angela Knapp, Kelly Lynch and Vincent Eggers are hard at work.

How You Can Help • Donate money so A Time to Share can shop for gift items off season • Donate new robes, pajamas, slippers, warm clothing, socks, gloves, blankets, pet food or useful household items • Give through a memorial/ honorarium of a loved one • Organize, box and wrap gifts • Help on delivery day For more information, contact Nancy Haning at 353.3802.

December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

dress code

A Night to photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography hair and makeup by Ebbie Snyder models: David and Heather Kouba Special thanks to B.L. Bistro for accommodating our photo shoot.

Amarillo Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ December 2010

Remember he perfect companion for a holiday soiree – aside from a handsome date, of course – is T the little black dress. It’s a no-fail, always fabulous option, and when you embellish the gown with jewels and fur, you’ve created an enchanting ensemble sure to charm the pants off your courter. Step out this season in a dress that creates a night to remember.

December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

dress code

Amarillo Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ December 2010

At Left: On Heather: Xscape ruffled dress $150; Antonio Melani “Genevive” pumps $89.99, Dillard’s Round white gold diamond hoops; 18 karat white gold diamond circle pendant, prices upon request, Graham Brothers Jewelers On David: XMI dress shirt $89.50; Robert Talbott tie $85; Cole Haan shoes $155; Calvin Klein suit $400, Raffkind’s Clothiers Men’s two-tone Rolex with Datejust and black diamond dial, price upon request, Graham Brothers Jewelers This Page: On Heather: issue off-the-shoulder dress $348, Lilly Finch Nina “Venita” sandals $109, Dillard’s 15-17-mm. multi-colored South Seas pearls, price upon request, Graham Brothers Jewelers

December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

dress code

Amarillo Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ December 2010

At Left: Iceberg sheared and lasered mink with Russian sable trim $7995, Marcella Furs & Leather Black and white diamond earrings with marquise and princess cut diamonds, price upon request, Graham Brothers Jewelers This Page: Lace strapless dress $98, Express Fox and Swarovski crystal bowstone stole $1295, Marcella Furs & Leather Antonio Melani “Avia” sandals $89.99, Dillard’s Black and white diamond earrings with marquise and princess cut diamonds; platinum princess and radiant cut diamond ring, prices upon request, Graham Brothers Jewelers

December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

dress code

On Heather: Maggy London strapless dress $160, Raffkind’s Clothiers Nina “Eveline” pumps $99.00, Dillard’s Round brilliant cut diamond drop studs; platinum princess and radiant cut diamond ring; 16-inch platinum diamond necklace; 18 karat white gold “Diamonds by the Yard” necklace and diamond pendant, prices upon request, Graham Brothers Jewelers

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

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Hanging of the Greens How to create the perfect holiday wreath Cole Campbell

he most important element in creating the perfect holiday wreath is a quality, sturdy base. It needs to be full of strong needles on which to attach your ribbon, picks and floral pieces. Start with a flimsy wreath and you will have a flimsy finished product.

Amarillo Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ December 2010

Materials needed: 30-inch wreath base 20-gauge floral wire ribbon floral picks

greenery ornaments scissors wire cutters

1. Begin by fluffing the

wreath and add a hanging wire to the back (secure under the wreath in a knot and pull tight). It is essential to touch and manicure each sprig alternately by pulling out and upward.

Once the wreath is fluffed and wired, you are ready to add your decorative elements, starting with the bow. You can position your bow in four ways - the top, bottom, right or left side. While you can use as many ribbons as you want, too many make the wreath look busy rather than decorated. Ribbon comes in 4-inch or 2.5-inch x 10-yard bolts. (This ribbon was created by using two 4-inch bolts.) The position of the bow creates a symmetrical point on the wreath. If you are placing it on the top or bottom make sure your wire lines up with the bow so the wreath hangs properly. Weave the ribbon through the sprigs to create a layered look and snip the ends in a V.

After the ornaments, add the floral and greenery picks. Again, there is no set rule for this process. Just make sure your design travels around the wreath and that you do not place your elements on the front of the wreath only, which makes it appear flat. Bring the pieces all the way to the sides so it looks full from every angle. Clip longer stems and secure each piece by using two sprigs tied in a knot instead of gluing them so they can be moved if needed. Work each piece around the pine sprigs to build layers and depth.

3. Next, add the elements you have gathered,

starting with the ornaments. The most important design aspect is to make sure your eye travels around the entire wreath, so it doesn’t matter whether you have an even or odd number of pieces. Place them in a balanced arrangement so you don’t end up with one giant red ornament on its own. Secure larger ornaments deeper into the wreath with prewrapped florist wire so the wreath has a layered look.

photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography

December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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Finally, stand back and look at your completed wreath. Stepping back will allow you to see the full picture and thereby help you see an area that needs rearranging. Use evergreen sprigs to fill in gaps and 8-inch strips of ribbon to carry the color and texture around the wreath. When you are pleased with your work, the wreath is ready to hang over the mantle or on the front door.

Cole Campbell An Amarillo native and graduate from the University of North Texas, Cole and his wife spent a great deal of time touring the United States and Europe before returning to their hometown. Their shop, Gray is Grey, is a creative reflection of the varied styles and ideas they came across while traveling.

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Showing Up Answering the Call for Help By Jennie Treadway-Miller

or this Ft. Worth native, the intention was to run a small dental practice, raise a family, travel a little and enjoy the later years with his wife. That was the big plan, but according Dr. Dane Welch, sometimes plans change. And in his case, they changed far beyond his wildest dreams.

photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography

Amarillo Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ December 2010

December 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ Amarillo Magazine

feature It all began in the mid-80s when the modest and caring Fritch dentist joined friends on a mission trip to Honduras. He met a few missionaries, volunteered his time and came home. Little did he know at the time that a seed had been planted in his heart that wouldn’t sprout wings for another decade. At the time, Dane was busy building a successful practice and raising three young girls with his wife, Pam. Raised in Ft. Worth and a graduate of Texas Wesleyan, Dane attended dental school at Baylor, and after responding to an ad on a bulletin board from the Fritch Chamber of Commerce, the Welch’s settled in the small Panhandle town to live a quiet life. They were living the plan. Then, in 2000, the plan slowly began to shift. His friend Dave Bennett approached Dane for help. He had gotten to know a handful of Sudanese refugees who settled in Amarillo and they told him of a small village in Sudan that was left in turmoil. It had been raided, leaving the children orphans and sold into slavery. Though

photos courtesy of Dr. Welch and ICA

2001- Egypt in August & September

2002- Egypt in January Egypt in June Pakistan/Afghanistan in November

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

2003- Nicaragua in June Ethiopia in October

it was unlike anything Dane had heard before, it didn’t deter him. “We found a small Dinka church that had been buying the children back into the orphanage. It was all pretty confusing so we had to use translators,” says Dane. “We went to Cairo three times and through the [United Nations] refugee process, we were able to resettle them in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was a real stretching thing.” For most people, hearing a story of Sudanese orphans would’ve remained a solemn memory of injustice and inhumanity. But for Dane, it was a call for help that he knew he could answer. “The thing in Cairo was just that these were kids who had a need,” he says with ease. “And that’s where I met Pat.” During one of the trips to Egypt, Dane was introduced to Pat Bradley, a humanitarian who at the time was vice president of International Christian Concern. The ICC aided in the rescue of the Sudanese orphans and the two men hit it off. By 2002, they’d created their own organization, International Crisis Aid, based in Pat’s hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. “Pat had a vision and you were there when it got started,” says Pam to her husband. “We help people in crisis,” Dane says of the organization, “people no one else is helping.” The first ICA mission landed the men in Afghanistan, an area of great risk considering the United States was still reeling from the September 11th attacks and subsequent War on Terror in the Middle East. Despite the political climate, Pat and Dane saw a need – winter was approaching in Afghanistan and there would be villages unable to survive its harshness without assistance from the outside world. There was a call for help and the ICA answered. “I’d be lying to you if I said I had no reservations,” says Dane. “You’re vigilant about your surroundings but the work takes over. People are people and they were struggling.” By 2003, ICA was working in Ethiopia, Cambodia, and Nepal. Sometimes they took a medical team; sometimes they built a

2004- Pakistan/Afghanistan in January Ethiopia in April & October

Dane with his wife, Pam

2005- Ethiopia in February North Korea in June

December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

feature dental clinic. Sometimes they built an orphanage, and sometimes they just went somewhere to feed hungry people. If there was a need, Pat, Dane and his team worked tirelessly to meet it. “What first took us to Ethiopia was a huge famine. We went over there first to see what was going on, so it was more of a planning trip,” he recalls. “Pat went, then I went, and we settled on a remote area where babies were dying from malnutrition. There were some 160,000 people in this region, so we decided to build a therapeutic feeding center – kind of a ‘MASH’ operation – to set up IVs and such. We needed to raise $80,000 for the project and we had $300 in the bank.” The plan was laid out in October 2003. By December, it was up and running. Working with regional churches, ICA was able to pitch a tarp tent, bring in equipment and staff the clinic in under three months. In fact, the day Dane left Ethiopia a Northwest Medical Team out of Seattle arrived in the very region he had just been, an area that until then had never seen a doctor. “It was exactly what was needed,” smiles Dane. “We couldn’t have planned it better if we tried.” Seemingly unbelievable, this pattern of unplanned precision

2006- Ethiopia in February, April, October & December

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

has repeated itself over the course of ICA’s eight-year existence. Though the team often precedes a mission with a “planning” trip, Dane is quick to relax and let divine intervention take over. “We’ve learned a lot over the years. We’ve always had plans and then we get there and it all falls apart,” he laughs. “I’ve learned to be flexible.” By 2004, the Welch family sold their home in Fritch (though Dane kept his practice there) and moved to Amarillo to be closer to Pam’s mother. As time allowed the empty-nesters availability for travel, Pam joined Dane on his trips abroad. The couple would stop in Europe for an extra day or two on the tail end of a trip as their way to fit in the travel part of their original plan. When Pam isn’t on a mission with ICA, she’s working here in Amarillo with Refugee Services of Texas. Though the bulk of ICA’s work began as a means to meet the physical and spiritual needs of sick and starving people, in recent years its focus has also been on rescuing young girls involved in sex trafficking in Ethiopia, Cambodia and Haiti. It was an issue that popped up on their radar, one that no one at ICA could ignore. Once again, the team drew up a plan and in March 2007, the first safe home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was built. Today there are seven homes in that region overseen by ICA partners Dr. Henok Ghebrehiwot and his wife, Betty. “We just saw our first girl die from AIDS. We rescued her at 17 years old. Her mom was a prostitute and contracted AIDS and died when the daughter was in fifth grade. They agreed that when the mom died, the daughter would take over as the prostitute to support the family,” says Dane. “‘Agents’ go to places like Ethiopia and promise these girls a life. Then they’ll take them to Bahrain, take their passports and basically turn them into slaves. “These girls have no hope or future,” he continues. “But if you can offer them that, how can you not?” It’s a simple question Dane and his wife answer with a great deal of humility. Even when he describes how a bar and brothel were turned into a church and school, that there are computers where there used to be beds, it’s a story told quietly and without embellishment.

2007- Ethiopia in February & December Cambodia in July Nicaragua in September

And just when one story about Cambodia ends, another about Haiti begins. Though it’s been nearly a year since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake obliterated the tiny country, killing more than 230,000 people, injuring the same amount, and leaving one million Haitians homeless, Dane and Pam say you wouldn’t notice much change even now. “I’ll never forget going there and seeing people living in the medians,” says Pam. “It’s going to be a long time before they’re okay.” In nine years, Dane has made more than 30 trips to “no-go zones,” areas in need that other agencies cannot or will not go for various reasons. He’s seen near-death babies grow into healthy, robust toddlers, and young girls caught in sex slavery be freed to learn, grow and be part of a loving family. He’s watched people receive medical care for the first time in their lives, and he’s been welcomed back to villages by the generous elders who are grateful for the help. “Do I love the food everywhere I go? No. Do I like 120-degree weather? No I don’t. But I don’t struggle with that. Most people struggle with what they see, like one of our board members who went over there and it took her a whole year to want to go back,” says Dane, pausing. “There’s nothing special about us. We just showed up.” am

2008- Ethiopia in February & October Nepal in August 2009- Ethiopia in February & April Bahrain in July

2010- Ethiopia in February, August & November Haiti in January, April, May, June & October

December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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The Tireless Advocate A mom spends four years building a school where all are welcome By Jennie Treadway-Miller photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

he direction of Carrie Lesley’s life changed dramatically the day her son, Jayden, was born with Down syndrome. At the time, she was on track for a degree in agronomy, but after a divorce and the birth of her son, it was clear that she needed to head down a new road. “I moved home to Perryton and began subbing part time while I finished college,” says Carrie, who switched gears by enrolling in the Panhandle Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE) program to pursue work in special education. “There were more job opportunities in Amarillo, so I moved here in 2003 and started teaching in a [Pre-school Program for Children with Disabilities] class.” One of the things Carrie insisted on when it came to Jayden’s education was the importance of inclusion. Though he may not have been on the same cognitive or behavioral levels as other three and four year olds, that didn’t mean Jayden couldn’t be in the same class with his peers. To Carrie, it wasn’t a matter of ability or inability. Obviously, much of what Carrie learned about special education occurred right in her own home. When your son doesn’t start talking until five, you quickly learn other methods of communication. When she felt like his needs weren’t being met with various programs, Carrie took on the role of therapist, but that soon offset her role as his mother.

“I knew what I wanted in my mind. I just cried to my mom every night because I knew in my head it would work.” Something needed to change. “I knew what my son needed and I knew what other kids needed, and I was caught in the middle,” she says. “I tried to pick battles, but in the end they were all battles.” By 2006, the fight for Jayden’s best interests swelled into a larger mission. “I knew what I wanted in my mind – a school for infants to kindergarten, because the early years are so important, that would be all-inclusive with therapy services,” says Carrie. “I just cried to my mom every night because I knew in my head it would work.” The plan was there, but the money wasn’t, which didn’t stop this persistent mother. She consulted an architect, Kelley Lesley, and divulged her whole plan, from the long wide hallway to the “mommy cams.” Sure of her idea, Carrie went to the bank for a loan, for which they required a business plan. Having nothing to present, Carrie went to the West Texas A&M Enterprise Center for help. Thus began a two-year lull while the details of her business plan, loan acquirement and land search took place. In the meantime, Carrie worked independently as an advocate for parents of special needs children and brainstormed the details of what would eventually become Unique Individuals. “It was a long and stressful time but we finally bought the land in September 2008 and broke ground that December,” says Carrie. “I was here everyday, which was all chaos because I’m a perfectionist. If I saw a nail out of place, I couldn’t help it. Kelley was the subcontractor and he got to hear all of my gripes. We lived and breathed Unique Individuals.” Kelley also heard her gripes at home, as the two were married in 2009.

If the building of Carrie’s school took forever, getting their license took even longer. Yet, she wasn’t discouraged thanks to a waiting list of kids ready to start at a new school. Four long, laborious years later, Unique Individuals opened on April 26, 2010. “Today we have about 170 enrolled, and capacity is 196, so we’re doing well. We have more typical children but those with special needs range from speech delays and autism to Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other syndromes I’m just now learning about,” says Carrie. Their staff of 45 includes a full-time nurse, a lead teacher and assistant in each room (most of whom have Early Childhood Education qualifications) and two head cooks who serve an all-organic breakfast, lunch and two snacks per day. The facility maintains strict guidelines regarding food due to a number of allergy concerns and the kitchen can easily cater to the dietary needs of each child. At first, each classroom resembles that of any other school, but after looking closely you’ll notice each area is handicapped accessible and offers a wide variety of educational tools geared towards children of all intellectual, social, emotional and physical levels. Carrie combines a number of curriculum programs, such as Pinnacle and Math Their Way, to provide an all-encompassing environment for learning. Whether a child has special needs or not, each should have a fighting chance at getting the best educational foundation possible, a pillar of the school’s mission. Outside of the classroom is a large gym, two playgrounds and a Get Well room for respite care with its own ventilation system. “I love what I do,” says Carrie, who is happy to have Jayden at the school each afternoon with her. “Every child can learn and deserves to be taken care of.” am December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

special feature

DeAnna Hurt and Dennis Humphrey reprise their roles as Mary and George Bailey.

A Message of

Hope Paramount Baptist Church’s production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” By Rebeka Rutledge

photos courtesy of Paramount Baptist Church

“It’s a Wonderful Life” tells the story of George Bailey, a selfless man who has given much to the town of Bedford Falls while standing up to the wealthy and cruel Mr. Potter. However, on Christmas Eve when his Uncle Billy misplaces $8,000 from the building and loan business that George’s father left him, he contemplates suicide, thinking that his family and loved ones will be better off with him gone. He even exclaims that he should have never been born. In response to the prayers of George’s family and friends, Clarence, George’s guardian angel who has yet to earn his wings, is sent to show George the error of his thinking and what would have been if he hadn’t been a part of the people of Bedford Falls’ lives.

ast year, Amarillo audiences were captivated by the musical version of this beloved holiday classic, which once again will be brought to life this month by Paramount Baptist Church. The production is under the direction of worship pastor Brent Dyer, who says that they began to look at doing “It’s a Wonderful Life” five years ago, yet they never felt that they were prepared to do such a large-scale production. December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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“Over the last few years, we’ve had some new actors and actresses join our church,” says Brent. “We also had the financial resources we needed, so we decided to try it.” Their committee began meeting a year before the show to work out costumes, props and sets. In order to produce a show of Broadwaylike magnitude, Brent says it’s been a team effort. There are ten people who make up the committee and all of them are skilled, motivated individuals who aren’t afraid of hard work. “Each person on the committee has their own area of expertise,” he says. “We have a range of people from school teachers to professional production managers to housewives.” The committee held auditions in the summer of 2009 and this year’s cast is almost identical to last year’s. About 20 new members joined the show, a couple as lead characters, but most fill supporting roles. There are nearly 300 people involved in the production with almost 100 as cast members. Rehearsals began in September and occur twice a week, although it’s difficult in the midst of daily life to get everyone together. “It’s a challenge mainly because of dealing with so many schedules,” says Brent. “There are so many families involved and these are all real people. There are no professional actors.” Although they aren’t professionals, several cast members prepare for the production by taking voice and acting lessons. The set and props, purchased from First Baptist, Dallas, are large scale and include roll-ins, as well as fly-ins. The props are very detailed and include a living room scene and a train station. A snow machine and an aqua fogger help bring in the feeling of winter. Additionally, the orchestra consists of both church members and Amarillo Symphony performers. The musical follows the movie close to 95 percent word for word. “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the movie, is a favorite for many at Christmastime and is what brought in such large crowds last year. Feedback from the audience proved to be very positive with people saying it had lived up to and exceeded expectations. That reaction is exactly what the cast and crew had hoped to hear. There are several reasons for doing this production, Brent says. The church really wants to appeal to the artists of the community and people who love the Arts. Additionally, they want to provide an economical family entertainment alternative during the Christmas season. “We also want to share the message of hope, redemption and life change,” he says.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

“Everyone out there in the audience, at one time, has been George Bailey.” - Dennis Humphrey Although the cast of “It’s a Wonderful Life” shares the same motivations for doing the production, they also have individual incentives. Dennis Humphrey, who plays George Bailey, says that as the children’s pastor for PBC, his involvement in the production gives him time to be around adults. It helps DeAnna Hurt, who plays Mary Bailey, in much the same way. “As a stay-at-home mom, this is a good outlet to have,” she says. “I think everyone should have a hobby. This also allows me to get to know the people of the church better.” When facing the challenge of portraying such iconic personalities like James Stewart and Donna Reed who play George and Mary Bailey in the 1946 film, Dennis and DeAnna say they try to represent them the best they can, but it is difficult. “Donna Reed is such a sweet, kind personality,” DeAnna says. “My face hurts from smiling so much but that is who she was and I don’t want to disappoint.” The authentic costumes, designed by Janet Norton, the costume director, help each actor with their character. Janet found old patterns from the 40s to make each outfit realistic. “She had exact ideas of how a collar or skirt should look,” DeAnna says. “Having the perfect costumes really helps get us into character.” DeAnna explains that what she most likes about Mary is her unrelenting faith and that she is a witness to George. Her faith never dies and she is content with what she has. “I think that is a great message because these days everyone is so materialistic,” she says. In the story George loses everything, Dennis explains, and at one point wishes he was never born. Christmas can either be the most wonderful time or the most depressing. For this reason, Dennis believes that a message of hope is so important. “Everyone out there in the audience, at one time, has been George Bailey,” he says. “If you’re not in that position right now, then look around, it is someone right next to you. You can be Mary to them.” am

December 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ Amarillo Magazine

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Thank the Soldiers Haley Traves

’m lucky. I get to be with my family at Christmas for our traditions: turkey and stockings, a fire in the fireplace, and hot chocolate. I can’t imagine what it would be like to spend the holidays in the middle of the desert without snow, Santa Claus and Christmas lights. At my school, we are doing something to try to bring a little cheer to some special people isolated two thousand miles away in a lonely place. Two years ago, I came to North Heights to make up the classes I missed through my sophomore year. Before I even started my classes, I fell in love with the school. Just by talking to the counselor, I knew this place was different. By not fitting in, I fit in. At traditional high schools, there are clubs and activities you can join and possibly stick with throughout your high school career, but those social networks never worked out for me. I joined Choir, the Key Club, Spanish Club and several other organizations, but there was just so much going on and so many people that I couldn’t handle all the cacophony. Once I joined North Heights, I noticed posters on the walls of the halls of the school. I started reading one that read “Thank the Soldiers” in big red and green letters. Being my

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

rebellious, anti-war self, I blew it off and didn’t think about it again until I overheard a conversation one of the students was having with Mrs. Smithwick, the organizer of the project. They were planning to send 28 boxes to different soldiers. I couldn’t help but be interested in the fact that this wasn’t exactly a “normal” project. She was collecting snacks and toiletries for soldiers in her brother’s troop, soldiers that he noticed never received any mail. My rebellious side still tried to tell me I didn’t need to help but after I slept on it, I began to think about the fact that they were doing what their country assigned them to do, and knowing that they weren’t being appreciated for their dangerous service had to be tough on their souls. Before contributing to the project, I thought I’d better get more information. Turns out we started with 28 soldiers in just one troop that never even received a single letter saying “Hello” or “I miss you.” With a lot of work to do, we could be a part of the project in other ways than just bringing snacks to put in boxes. Some students wrote letters and came up with ideas to raise the $2,400 it was going to cost to send these packages all the way to Afghanistan. When it all started coming together, I noticed that it wasn’t a select few kids who were involved. It was the entire school. None of them dressed the same or acted better than the next

one. Writers came together and asked each other to revise their letters and the school joined one morning to make pancakes. Another way we raised money was with Nacho Tuesday. Everyone looked forward to buying one dollar nachos every Tuesday knowing that our money was serving a higher purpose and that the nachos were hot, spicy and filling. The day finally came to pack the boxes full of all the crackers, jerky and water flavor packets. Every student and teacher put on Santa hats and gathered into Mrs. Smithwick’s room to put them together and seal letters. I realized I wasn’t supporting war. We were making our brothers and fathers and mothers and cousins feel like they were alive and loved. The spirit in the room was one of love, caring and gratitude. The soldiers sent us letters thanking us for our consideration. I imagined their faces when they opened the gift-wrapped packages. Their words jumped off the stationery, their joy obvious and solid. More than two thousand miles away, two worlds apart in a war zone in Afghanistan or learning in a classroom in the Heights, we created a bond that even if we didn’t hear from them again or see their faces, we’d be a part of each other’s hearts forever by making each other feel better and appreciated. Now, with this new round of care packages during this time of celebration and hardships, we’ll forever remember each other on Christmas day. am

EILEEN FISHER

Haley Traves is a high school student in the PASS Program at North Heights Alternative School. She will be graduating this December. Her dream is to make a career as a writer.

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December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

inspire

Carpe Christmas By Jason Boyett

couple of years ago, a friend alerted me to a blog post by Kevin Kelly, the co-founder of Wired magazine. Kelly had created a personal motivational device he called a “Life Countdown Clock,” based on his current age and life expectancy. It’s a digital badge that appears on his homepage and estimates how many days he has left to live. Every time he opens his browser, he’s greeted with a box that says, for example, “8,500 days until dead.” What a way to start the day. Every morning, the number decreases: 8,499…8,498…8,497 days left. Kelly, who is in his late 50s, uses it as a reminder to make the most of every day. After all, those days are disappearing like clockwork. Yes, it’s a morbid idea. And, no, I haven’t calculated how many days or years I have left. But I think about Kelly’s countdown on a regular basis. My time is a limited resource. It’s irreplaceable. I don’t dare waste it. I’m writing this a few days before Thanksgiving. The holiday season is here, but it’s been a hard month—the kind that keeps reminding me how fleeting life can be. Just days ago, my brother-in-law lost his grandfather to a sudden illness. One week they were enjoying their new apartment in San Francisco. The next week they were scrambling to buy last-minute flights to Philadelphia for the funeral. My own grandfather was a World War II prisoner of war. In captivity in Nazi Germany, he escaped more brushes with death in a year than most people have in a lifetime. But for the last week, he’s been hospitalized with fever and double pneumonia. He once was stronger than anyone I knew. Today he’s so fragile. Last weekend, a close family friend was in a terrifying car accident on the way home from Lake Greenbelt. He was alone. Something happened, and he rolled his vehicle. He’s been in intensive care ever since. 8,496…8,495…8,494. And as the holidays near, I feel stress. I have a large extended family here in Amarillo, and so does my wife. We have family members coming to visit, too. We have meals to prepare and parties to plan and visits to schedule. We want to be together and, yes, we realize how good we have it. But we also know that the weeks between Thanksgiving and

New Year’s—the busyness, the activity, the pressure of meeting expectations—can be exhausting. My temptation is to complain. I want to whine about how hectic and demanding Christmas can be. About the difficulties the season presents for families like ours, which require us to carve out time for so many activities. And then, when the grumbling reaches its peak, I’ll remember Chris, my brother-in-law, celebrating his first Christmas without “Papa Pipe.” I’ll think of a dad, lying in a hospital bed, who missed his daughter’s concert. She sang while he fights to get better. I’ll think of the families who are discovering that, while past Christmases brought joy and togetherness, this year’s might bring grief. And I’ll remember that I’m being selfish. 8,493…8,492…8,491. Because I’m not the only one on the clock. I’m young. My countdown number is much higher. But my grandparents? My parents? They’re painfully aware of the countdown. They know that life is precious. And because of that, all they want is to spend these holidays—these holy days—with me. With my kids. With our whole big, chattering family. At Christmas, your family may stress you out, but they can also help you cope. Your family may wear you out, but that’s only a problem of closeness and proximity. Your family may drive you toward selfinflicted solitude, but they’ll also prevent you from being lonely. It’s Christmas, Ebenezer. Give. Smile. Sing. Laugh. Cry. Take nothing for granted. Love your family, and let them love you. Seize the holiday. Carpe Christmas. Do it for yourself, and do it for them. 8,490…8,489…8,488… am

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

Jason Boyett is an Amarillo native and the author of several books. His latest is titled “O Me of Little Faith.” Learn more at jasonboyett.com.

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December 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ Amarillo Magazine

what’s cooking?

Holiday Cookie Jar Challenge

Special thanks to our judges: Brian Mason, B.L. Bistro Phyllis Enloe, Village Bakery Deana Zaccardo, Belmar Bakery T and Andy Price, Real Food Company Dr. Jim and Amy Douthitt

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

e asked and you delivered – pounds of sugar, flour, chocolate and nuts in the form of delicious holiday recipes. Our panel of judges voted and the winning cookie is Fruity Holiday Biscuits courtesy of Rebecca Cosart. Amarillo newcomers Rebecca and Bart Cosart know their way around a kitchen. The couple moved here in March after living in Weymouth, England, just five miles north of the English Channel. Rebecca teaches nutrition and interpersonal studies at Richard Milburn Academy, continuing her 23-year career as a family consumer science teacher. One of their favorite things to do together is cook. A friend in England used to make these biscuits (or, cookies) for the Cosarts at Easter and Christmas, so it seemed like the appropriate recipe to submit to the Holiday Cookie Jar Challenge. Unable to find candied orange peels in local stores, Rebecca spent four hours making her own. True to the English recipe, all of the ingredients were measured by weight. “I thought that entering the contest would help me connect with other people and would be a way to get involved with what’s going on in town,” says Rebecca. Rebecca plans on using her contest winnings, a $100 gift card from United, to help defray the costs of the school’s Thanksgiving dinner for students.

photos by Shannon Richardson

Fruity Holiday Biscuits F i rst P l ace

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies S ec o n d P l ace

Dress Shop Cookies

Pecan Tarts

T h i r d P l ace

December 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ Amarillo Magazine

what’s cooking?

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

Fruity Holiday Biscuits

BreAnn Land

Rebecca Cosart “When I lived in England, I learned that biscuits are the equivalent of our cookies. I had to learn to use metric measurements or convert recipes from metric to customary measures for baking. This recipe was well worth the effort.”

1 cup sugar 1 cup crunchy peanut butter 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla ¼ cup butterscotch pieces Mix ingredients and bake for 12 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes one dozen cookies.

1 cup flour Pinch of salt ½ teaspoon allspice ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 stick of butter, softened Scant ½ cup ultra fine sugar, plus extra for sprinkling 1 egg, separated ½ cup currants 1 ounce candied peel, chopped Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease two large baking sheets. Sift together the flour, pinch of salt and spices, and set aside. Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk, and then stir in the flour mixture, currants and candied peel. Turn the mixture out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Roll out to approximately ¼ inch thick and cut out 3-inch rounds with a fluted edge cookie cutter. Lift onto the baking sheets. Use the trimmings to make more cookies. Bake for 8-10 minutes then remove from oven, brush lightly with the lightly beaten egg white, and sprinkle with a little more sugar. Bake for 3 to 4 minutes more until they are pale gold in color. Leave to cool then store in an air-tight tin.

Pecan Tarts

Dress Shop Cookies

Judy McLain-Staniswalis

Joan C. Cresap

Filling: ¾ cup light brown sugar 1 egg 1 tablespoon melted butter 1 teaspoon vanilla Pinch of salt 1 cup chopped pecans

3-3 ounce packages cream cheese, softened 3 sticks margarine (do not use butter) 3 cups sugar 3 cups flour (do not sift) ¾ cup chopped pecans 2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix all ingredients together and set aside. Crust: 11/3 cups butter 1-8 ounce cream cheese Pinch of salt 22/3 cups flour Mix together and divide into balls. Chill two hours. Press dough into small muffin tins and spoon filling into pastry. Bake at 375 for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from tin while still warm.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

Cream together softened cream cheese and margarine. Add sugar one cup at a time, mixing well. Add flour, chopped pecans and vanilla. Chill overnight. Drop by teaspoons on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 12 minutes, just until edges begin to brown.

Maple White Chocolate Pancake Cookies

Best Christmas Fruit Cookies

Hint of Mint Cookies

Mexican Chocolate Snaps

December 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ Amarillo Magazine

what’s cooking?

Best Christmas Fruit Cookies Bonnie Flesher 1 cup brown sugar ½ cup butter 4 eggs, well beaten Cream sugar and butter together, and then add eggs. Add in order: 3 tablespoons water 3 teaspoons baking soda 3 cups flour 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon cloves 1 teaspoon allspice ¾ box golden raisins ¾ pound candied pineapple, finely chopped ¾ pound candied cherries, finely chopped 3 to 6 cups chopped pecans 1/3 cup apricot or peach brandy Mix well. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 15-17 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 7 to 8 dozen cookies.

Nicole Smith 1 cup shortening ½ cup butter, at room temperature 2 cups packed brown sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon maple flavoring 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 cups white chocolate chips ½ cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening, butter and brown sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg. Beat in maple and vanilla flavorings. Combine the flour and baking soda in a separate bowl and gradually add to creamed mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper. Bake for 8 to10 minutes. Cool for at least two minutes before moving to wire racks to cool completely. Frosting: ¼ cup butter, softened 2 cups confectioners’ sugar ½ teaspoon maple flavoring 2-4 tablespoons milk (start with 2) Pecan halves Cream butter and sugar together. Add maple flavoring and 2 tablespoons of milk. If frosting seems too thick, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach desired consistency. Frost cooled cookies and top with a pecan half.

Mexican Chocolate Snaps

Hint of Mint Cookies

Betty J. Davenport

Susie Wheeler

½ stick of butter, softened 2 eggs 3 tablespoons water 1-18.3 ounce package fudge brownie mix 2-8.5 ounce packages Jiffy yellow cornbread mix ½ cup sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper ½ cup of nuts ½ cup of mini chocolate chips

1 cup sugar ½ cup butter or margarine 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled 1 cup all purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together the butter and sugar, and then add the eggs and water. In a separate bowl, sift the brownie and cornbread mixes together. Stir in the cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Add the butter mixture to the mixed dry ingredients and stir until combined. Finally, stir in the nuts and chocolate chips. Chill for one hour. Roll dough into one-inch balls and roll in sugar. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for approximately 10 minutes. Cookies will have a nice crackle pattern on the top when ready. Cool on cookie sheet one minute before moving to cooling rack. Makes approximately 7 ½ dozen cookies.

Maple White Chocolate Pancake Cookies

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

Peppermint Frosting: 2 ½ cups powdered sugar ¼ cup margarine 3 tablespoons milk ½ teaspoon peppermint extract Melted chocolate: ¼ cup margarine 2 tablespoons corn syrup 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine sugar, butter, vanilla, egg and chocolate in a bowl. Stir in flour and salt. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls (about 2 inches apart) onto ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten each cookie with greased bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Bake until set, about 8 minutes. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet and cool completely. Mix together the ingredients for the Peppermint Frosting and spread over each cookie. Melt together the chocolate, margarine and corn syrup and drizzle on top.

Super Cookies

Fall Harvest Oatmeal Cookies

Blueberry Almond White Chocolate Chip Cookie

Abby’s Chocolate Coffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

what’s cooking?

Fall Harvest Oatmeal Cookies

Super Cookies

Ashlyn Puga

Katy Goldsmith

¾ cup canned pumpkin 2 tablespoons shortening 1 cup brown sugar ½ cup sugar 1 egg ¼ cup water 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups old-fashioned uncooked oats 1 cup flour 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon cinnamon ½ cup dried cranberries 1 cup pecans 6 ounces white chocolate chips ½ cup coconut

2 sticks of margarine 1 cup sugar 1 cup brown sugar 2 eggs, beaten 2 tablespoons vanilla 2 ½ cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 2/3 cup wheat germ 1 cup Angel Flake coconut 1 cup chopped pecans 1-12 ounce package chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together canned pumpkin, shortening, sugars, egg, vanilla and water until creamy. In a separate bowl, mix uncooked oats, flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture and stir. Fold in cranberries, pecans, white chocolate chips and coconut. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly. Bake for 12 to15 minutes or until lightly browned.

With an electric mixer, cream together the margarine, sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, salt, baking soda, wheat germ and Angel Flake coconut. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix by hand, and then fold in pecans and chocolate chunks. Bake at 325 degrees on a foil-covered cookie sheet for about 15 minutes (about 15 cookies per sheet). Makes 80 cookies. These are best when eaten with a cup of milk.

Abby’s Chocolate Coffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

Blueberry Almond White Chocolate Chip Cookie

Abigail Smalligan

Jonathan Smith

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon baking soda ¾ cup brown sugar ¾ cup white sugar 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 2 large eggs, at room temperature 6 tablespoons Hershey’s chocolate syrup 2 teaspoons instant coffee 1 cup chocolate chips

½ cup butter, softened ½ cup sugar ½ cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 ½ cups flour ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 cup dried blueberries ½ cup slivered almonds ¾ cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together flour, salt and baking soda in a small bowl and set aside. In a mixing bowl, mix together the two sugars and the vanilla. Add the butter and then the eggs. Add the chocolate syrup and the instant coffee. With the mixer on low, slowly pour in the flour mixture. Add the chocolate chips. Form the dough into balls and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in blueberries, baking chips and almonds. Drop by tablespoonfuls two inches apart onto baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire rack. Yields about 2 ½ dozen.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

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December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

events December

Featured Event

Buff Basketball The Buff’s ended last year’s season in the Lone Star Conference semifinals with a final record of 16-13, extending the consecutive winning seasons to 24 years. This season begins Coach Rick Cooper’s 18th year at WT. He ranks as the school’s winningest men’s basketball coach with a Buffalo Basketball overall record of 327-166. Nine lettermen are returning from the 2009-2010 season including high scorer Ladarius Hall, along with starters Jacquiese Holocombe and Joe Mincey. Additionally, the team is welcoming six incoming transfers, all juniors, into the mix. Coach Cooper and his men began practicing on October 15 to prepare for the season that kicked off on November 12 against Emporia State University in Bartleville, Okla. Additionally, women’s basketball head coach, Krista Gerlich, and her team began their season on November 6 for the Dallas Diesel Exhibition in Canyon.

Catch the Buffs and Lady Buffs home games at First United Bank Center in Canyon. December 2

Buff Basketball vs. Cameron University 8 p.m. Lady Buff Basketball vs. Cameron University 6 p.m.

photo by Bert Entwistle

December 4

Buff Basketball vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State University 6 p.m. Lady Buff Basketball vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State University 4 p.m.

December 9

Buff Basketball vs. Rhema Bible 7 p.m.

December 15

Buff Basketball vs. University of Texas of the Permian Basin 7 p.m

December 18

Buff Basketball vs. University of Central Oklahoma 6 p.m. Lady Buff Basketball vs. University of Central Oklahoma 4 p.m.

December 20

Buff Basketball vs. Northeastern State University 8 p.m. Lady Buff Basketball vs. Northeastern State University 6 p.m

To have an event listed on the calendar, email details to michele.mcaffrey@amarillo.com or fax a press release to 806.345.3282. View an updated listing of events throughout December at amarillomagonline.com

December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

Arts & Entertainment December 2

“Is He Dead?” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991 Amarillo Symphony Kinderkonzerts 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

After

Satisfied Before Customers throughout the Panhandle K

the ceiling,” Karyn said. “The aryn Richards of Borger crew was good about answering says that Big State our questions throughout the Remodeling took her 1950sprocess, and the project stayed era kitchen with pink Formica countertops and turned the area on schedule.” into an upscale, sleek space, Karyn picked Big State after finding nooks and crannies to include extra features. “This was visiting with them during a home show at the Civic Center a complete remodel, and we and receiving a recommendation depended on Steve heavily for from a friend in Borger, who design,” Karyn said. also had Big State remodel a kitchen. Karyn particularly Steve Buckner, Kitchen and praised Big State for its “great” Bath Division Manager at follow-up. “There are always Big State, changed out a desk little things at the end of a area to additional countertops project that get overlooked,” and cabinets, plus added an she said. “Steve had us make a appliance “garage” that stores list and then they came back to a coffeepot, toaster and other correct these things.” items. “This used space that would have been blocked off,” For a professional and easyKaryn said. “We also didn’t to-live-with approach to think the kitchen was wide enough for an island, but he put remodeling your kitchen and bath, call 358-7419 to visit with one in at one end.” Steve at Big State Remodeling at 2800 Hobbs Road. The remodel gutted the space from floor to ceiling. “We had an artificial skylight there and they sheetrocked and textured it, which kept the openness of

806.358.7419 | 888.771.6303 2800 Hobbs Rd | amaRillo www.BigStateRemodeling.com

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

December 3

December 11

The Nutcracker 3 and 8 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 “Is He Dead?” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

December 12

“Is He Dead?” 2:30 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

First Friday Art Walk 5-9 p.m. The Galleries at Sunset 3701 Plains Blvd., 353.5700

The Nutcracker 2 and 6 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

“Is He Dead?” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

December 16

Amarillo Symphony Kinderkonzerts 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 4

All-Region Orchestra Concert 5:30-7 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 AMoA Christmas Workshop 10-11:30 a.m. Annual workshop includes hands-on art activities, music, refreshments and a photo with Santa Claus. Reservations required for children ages 4 to 10. Amarillo Museum of Art 2200 S. Van Buren, 371.5050

Third Thursday 6:30-9 p.m. Amarillo Museum of Art 2200 S. Van Buren, 371.5050 Eastridge Multi-Cultural Festival 6-7:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 “It’s a Wonderful Life” 7 p.m. Presented by Paramount Baptist Church, the musical is a two-act Broadway-style play based on the classic film. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 17

“Is He Dead?” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

“It’s a Wonderful Life” 7 p.m. Presented by Paramount Baptist Church, the musical is a two-act Broadway-style play based on the classic film. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 7

December 18

Tascosa Pops 2010 Concert 6-9:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 Amarillo Youth Choirs Songs of the Season 7-9 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 9

“Is He Dead?” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

December 10

The Nutcracker 8 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 “Is He Dead?” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

“It’s a Wonderful Life” 2 and 7 p.m. Presented by Paramount Baptist Church, the musical is a two-act Broadway-style play based on the classic film. GlobeNews Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 19

Benefits & Fundraisers December 4 and 5

SPCA Holiday Photo Time 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Have your pet’s photo taken with Santa Claus. A portion of every photo package sold supports the SPCA and animals without homes. PetSmart 2800 Soncy, 351.1171

December 11 and 12

SPCA Holiday Photo Time 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Have your pet’s photo taken with Santa Claus. A portion of every photo package sold supports the SPCA and animals without homes. PetSmart 2800 Soncy, 351.1171

December 18 and 19

SPCA Holiday Photo Time 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Have your pet’s photo taken with Santa Claus. A portion of every photo package sold supports the SPCA and animals without homes. Petsmart 2800 Soncy, 351.1171

Classes & Seminars December 1

Coping with Grief During the Holidays 7 p.m. Second annual holiday program. All families are invited to attend. Memory Gardens Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel I-27 and McCormick Rd. 372.3233

December 2

Coping with Grief During the Holiday 7 p.m. Second annual holiday program. All families are invited to attend. Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors 8310 Coulter, 372.3233

December 8

How to be an Outstanding Communicator 8:30-4 p.m. Presented by Padgatt-Thompson Seminars Hampton Inn & Suites 6901 I-40 West, 800.349.1935

December 9

CPA Seminar 8-5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 11

“Jingle Jam” with Your Family 10 a.m. Ages newborn to 5 years. Learn fun ideas for making music with your family and friends during the holidays with singing, playing simple instruments, dancing, musical story time, drumming, and, of course, jingle bells. At the studio inside First Presbyterian Church 1100 S. Harrison, 358.7460

December 14

Managing Multiple Priorities, Projects and Deadlines 8:30-4 p.m. Presented by Fred Pryor Seminars Hampton Inn & Suites 6901 I-40 West, 800.349.1935

Exhibitions Dalia Ramanauskas: Playing Reality Open through January 2. Amarillo Museum of Art 2200 S. Van Buren, 371.5050 Leo Jensen: Total Pop Art Open through January 2. Amarillo Museum of Art 2200 S. Van Buren, 371.5050 Ten in ’10 Open through January 30. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244

December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

Barcana

Sitting Buffaloes: 100 Years of WT Chairs Open through March 2011. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244

Christmas Trees

Opening the Cabinet Doors: Clothing and Accessories from the American Indian Collection Open through May 2011. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244

Pre-lit and folds up 10 & 25 Year warranties Many models to choose from

A l so a

People and Places of the Panhandle Open through May 2011. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, Hazelwood Lecture Hall 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244 Not Just for Show: Saddles from the Permanent Collection Open through October 2011. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244

ll your lighting need s

Coulter Gardens & Nursery

4200 COULTER 806.359.7432 Mon. - Sat. 9:30 - 5:30 Closed Sunday

From Hell Week to Homecoming: Campus Life at WT, 1953-1971 Ongoing exhibit at Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244 Hunters of the Sky Ongoing exhibit at Don Harrington Discovery Center 1200 Streit Drive, 355.9547 Amazing Bodies! Ongoing exhibit at Don Harrington Discovery Center 1200 Streit Drive, 355.9547 Space Lounge Ongoing exhibit at Don Harrington Discovery Center 1200 Streit Drive, 355.9547 Planetary Landscapes Ongoing exhibit at Don Harrington Discovery Center 1200 Streit Drive, 355.9547

Music Andy Chase Cundiff 7 p.m. every Tuesday night. 575 Pizzeria 2803 Civic Circle, 331.3627 Andy Chase Cundiff 7 p.m. every Wednesday night. Blue Sky 4201 I-40 West, 355.8100 D.J. Gemini 8 p.m. every Wednesday night. Butler’s Martini Lounge 703 S. Polk, 376.8180

December 3

The Band of Heathens 9 p.m. Golden Light Cantina 2908 W. 6th, 374.9237 K.C. and Steven 7:30 p.m. D’Vine Wine 2600 Wolflin Village, 467.9463

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

Zona Jones 10 p.m. Midnight Rodeo 4400 S. Georgia, 358.7083

December 4

Susan Gibson 10 p.m. Golden Light Cantina 2908 W. 6th, 374.9237 Josh Weathers Band 10:30 p.m. Hoot’s Pub 2424 Hobbs, 358.9560 Beatwood Rockers 7:30 p.m. D’Vine Wine 2600 Wolflin Village, 467.9463

December 10

Turnpike Troubadors 10:30 p.m. Hoot’s Pub 2424 Hobbs, 358.9560 Ginger 7:30 p.m. D’Vine Wine 2600 Wolflin Village, 467.9463 Agave Posse 9 p.m. Golden Light Cantina 2908 W. 6th, 374.9237 Rick Trevino 10 p.m. Midnight Rodeo 4400 S. Georgia, 358.7083

December 11

The Flying Elbows 10:30 p.m. Hoot’s Pub 2424 Hobbs, 358.9560 Mike Fuller 7:30 p.m. D’Vine Wine 2600 Wolflin Village, 467.9463

December 17

Tejas Brothers 11 p.m. Golden Light Cantina 2908 W. 6th, 374.9237 Andy Chase 7:30 p.m. D’Vine Wine 2600 Wolflin Village, 467.9463 Tejas Brothers 9 p.m. Golden Light Cantina 2908 W. 6th, 374.9237 Josh Abbott Band 10 p.m. Midnight Rodeo 4400 S. Georgia, 358.7083

December 18

Yvonne Perea 7:30 p.m. D’Vine Wine 2600 Wolflin Village, 467.9463 Josh Thompson 10 p.m. Midnight Rodeo 4400 S. Georgia, 358.7083

December 26

Pants Mandolin 10:30 p.m. Hoot’s Pub 2424 Hobbs, 358.9560

December 29

Casey Donahew 10 p.m. Midnight Rodeo 4400 S. Georgia, 358.7083

Nature

Christmas in the Gardens 6-9 p.m. Open December 4-11. Stroll through the Gardens and enjoy holiday lights, caroling and warm beverages. Amarillo Botanical Gardens 1400 Streit Dr., 352.6513

Special Events December 3

Center City Electric Light Parade 6-8 p.m. Annual event hosted by Center City. Parade begins in downtown Amarillo at 11th and Polk. The parade route continues north to 5th and Polk and finishes at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts for the Christmas tree lighting and a visit from Santa Claus. 372.6744 Christmas Open House 6-9 p.m. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244

December 4

Christmas Open House 2-6 p.m. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244

December 5

Amarillo Globe-News Empty Stocking Fund Concert 4-6 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Service 3 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 6

Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Women’s Christmas Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Amarillo Club Main Dining Room, Chase Tower 600 S. Tyler, 31st floor, 373.7800

December 11

Amarillo College Graduation 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 Breakfast with Santa 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Activities include Science of Ice demonstrations, North Pole activities, Space Theater Holiday Light Show and breakfast. Admission price includes a 4x6 portrait with Santa. Don Harrington Discovery Center 1200 Streit Drive, 355.9547

December 12

Barbershop Christmas 2:30-4 p.m. Admission is free. Blackburn-Shaw will be accepting canned food and nonperishable food items to donate to the High Plains Food Bank. Golden Spread Chorus will perform and refreshments will be provided after the concert. Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors 8310 Coulter, 372.3233

December 17

WTAMU Graduation 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. First United Bank Center Canyon, 651.4400

Sports and Recreation December 2

December 9

Buff Basketball vs. Rhema Bible 7 p.m. First United Bank Center Canyon, 651.4400

December 10

Alpaca Show 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Glen McMennamy and Cody Arenas at the Tri-State Fairgrounds 3301 E. 10th, 376.7767

December 11

Alpaca Show 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Glen McMennamy and Cody Arenas at the Tri-State Fairgrounds 3301 E. 10th, 376.7767

December 12

Buff Basketball vs. Cameron University 8 p.m. First United Bank Center Canyon, 651.4400

Alpaca Show 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Glen McMennamy and Cody Arenas at the Tri-State Fairgrounds 3301 E. 10th, 376.7767

Lady Buff Basketball vs. Cameron University 6 p.m. First United Bank Center Canyon, 651.4400

Amarillo Venom Open Tryouts 12:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center North Exhibit Hall 401 S. Buchanan, 350.7277

December 3

December 14

CBT Productions Christmas Cash Race 6-8 p.m. Amarillo National Center and the Cody Arena at the Tri-State Fairgrounds 3301 E. 10th, 376.7767

December 4

CBT Productions Christmas Cash Race 12-9 p.m. Amarillo National Center and the Cody Arena at the Tri-State Fairgrounds 3301 E. 10th, 376.7767 Buff Basketball vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State University 6 p.m. First United Bank Center Canyon, 651.4400 Lady Buff Basketball vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State University 4 p.m. First United Bank Center Canyon, 651.4400

December 5

CBT Productions Christmas Cash Race 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Amarillo National Center and the Cody Arena at the Tri-State Fairgrounds 3301 E. 10th, 376.7767 News Channel 10 “Plaza NaviDena” 2-5 p.m. Rex Baxter Building at the Tri-State Fair Grounds 3301 E. 10th, 376.7767

December 7

Potter County 4H 7-9 p.m. Amarillo National Center and the Cody Arena at the Tri-State Fairgrounds 3301 E. 10th, 376.7767

Lady Buff Basketball vs. Northeastern State University 6 p.m. First United Bank Center Canyon, 651.4400

December 21

Potter County 4H 7-9 p.m. Amarillo National Center and the Cody Arena at the Tri-State Fairgrounds 3301 E. 10th, 376.7767

December 28

Potter County 4H 7-9 p.m. Amarillo National Center and the Cody Arena at the Tri-State Fairgrounds 3301 E. 10th, 376.7767

December 29

Amarillo Bulls vs. Wichita Falls Wildcats 7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

Trade Shows December 1

Farm and Ranch Show 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

Potter County 4H 7-9 p.m. Amarillo National Center and the Cody Arena at the Tri-State Fairgrounds 3301 E. 10th, 376.7767

December 2

December 15

Collectibles Auction 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

Buff Basketball vs. University of Texas of the Permian Basin 7 p.m. First United Bank Center Canyon, 651.4400

December 17

Amarillo Bulls vs. Texas Tornado 7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 18

Panhandle Team Penning and Sorting 9 a.m. Cody Arena at the Tri-State Fairgrounds 3301 E. 10th, 376.7767 Buff Basketball vs. University of Central Oklahoma 6 p.m. First United Bank Center Canyon, 651.4400 Lady Buff Basketball vs. University of Central Oklahoma 4 p.m. First United Bank Center Canyon, 651.4400

December 20

Buff Basketball vs. Northeastern State University 8 p.m. First United Bank Center Canyon, 651.4400

Farm and Ranch Show 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 4

Design Your Future 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Regency Room 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 11

Texas Gun and Knife Show 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center South Exhibit Hall 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 12

Texas Gun and Knife Show 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center South Exhibit Hall 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 17

Scholastic Book Fair 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Regency Room 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 18

Scholastic Book Fair 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Regency Room 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

3690 S. SONCY (BET WEEN 34Th & 45Th) | 467-9800 | MON-Fri: 9:30-5:30 | SAT: 10:00-5:00

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

month or let’s eat! RESTAURANTS info • FOOD • SPIRITS

let’s eat! photo by Shannon Richardson

Pescaraz Italian Restaurant Whether you’re looking for a relaxing lunch or a cozy, romantic dinner, Pescaraz Italian Restaurant delivers. Tonya Price opened Pescaraz in July, fulfilling a dream of owning her own place. She’s poured her heart and soul into every detail including the quaint décor that mimics an Italian casa and an impressive bar area where, on select nights, live music is featured. At Pescaraz, the menu consists of recipes from family and friends perfected with months of collaboration with Sysco Foods. Everything is made fresh to order, right down to the sauce. One of their popular signature dishes, the Chef’s Creation, is a tasty medley of chicken breast, shrimp, eggplant, spinach, cheese and tomatoes served on penne pasta topped with lemon butter sauce. Pescaraz Italian Restaurant 3415-K Bell, 350.5430 Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

PRICING GUIDE $ most entrees under $10 $$ most entrees $11 to $20 $$$ most entrees over $21

RESTAURANT KEY Outdoor Dining ☎ Reservations Recommended T Live Music y

c Full Bar C Beer and/or Wine only ^ Best of Amarillo Winner

NEW New to Let’s Eat! UPDATE

Updated entry

The Let’s Eat! Guide is a reader service compiled by the Amarillo Magazine editorial staff. The magazine does not accept advertising or other compensation in exchange for a listing. The guide is updated regularly. To correct a listing or recommend a restaurant for consideration, contact Michele McAffrey at michele.mcaffrey@amarillo.com.

December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

Spend more time with family

...not in the kitchen.

575 Pizzeria Toppings runneth over at 575 Pizzeria, not to mention the specials that rotate every month. (Check the board when you walk in.) It’s family-owned and family-friendly, so it’s a great Friday night dinner choice. 2803 Civic Circle, 331.3627, 575pizzeria.com $$ C T ^ Abuelo’s Mexican Food Embassy The authentic atmosphere and generous portions make for an enjoyable lunch or romantic evening out. If you’re stumped by all the choices, try the Enchiladas de Cozumel, three crepes filled with guacamole and topped with bountiful seafood, fresh spinach and roasted peppers. As a rule, always get the queso. 3501 SW 45th, 354.8294, abuelos.com $$ c ^ Acapulco Mexican Restaurant & Bar When the weather’s nice, enjoy sitting on Polk St. while you enjoy a margarita and a traditional Mexican-style shrimp cocktail. 727 S. Polk, 373.8889, acapulcomexicanrestaurant.net $$ c T y Amarillo Legends Amarillo Legends serves up comfort food at its finest. Loosen your belt for old-fashioned favorites like chicken-fried steak, patty melts, pot roast and bacon wrapped copped sirloin. Generous portions and affordable prices will keep you coming back for more. Plus, breakfast is served all day long, and kids eat free everyday. 2909 I-40 West, 322.3663 $ c B L Bistro The intimate, cozy atmosphere creates the ideal date place, not to mention the food is plated perfection. Note: you might want to leave the kids with a sitter. 2203 S. Austin, 355.7838, blbistro.com $$$ c ☎ y ^

Praters Take n’ Bake Entrees and side dishes made fresh for you.

Turducken Cajun Fried Turkeys Smoked Turkey’s Broccoli & Rice Casserole Sweet Potato Casserole Homestyle Dressing & More!

2626 ParamounT amarillo, Tx

806.354.9898 76

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

The Bagel Place Whether for breakfast or lunch, the Bagel Place offers a wide variety of flavored cream cheese and bagel flavors. Zip through the convenient drive through for a great lazy morning take-home breakfast. For lunch, try their bagel sandwiches made with Boars Head cheese and meat. 3301 Bell, 353.5985 $ y Baker Brothers American Grill Even a half order of a Baker Brothers sandwich or salad yields a generous portion, and your bank book will appreciate the low price. Next time you drop in try the Taos salad, chockfull full of roasted chicken and a spicy mixture of black beans, corn and diced tomatoes. Be sure to pour on the BBQ sauce with the Ranch. Only then is the salad complete. 3300 S. Soncy, 352.6135 / 1901 S. Georgia, 352.9000, bakerbrosdeli.com $ y

Bangkok Tokyo This casual, quaint place is often packed, so try it for an early dinner or a late lunch. Try the Crispy Chicken with Basil or the Bangkok Tokyo Fried Rice. Neither disappoints. 2413 S. Western, 353.4777 $$ Barnaby’s Beanery Visit Barnaby’s on historic Route 66 for classic café food. If you haven’t had their corn bread cheeseburger, you’re missing out. Leave room for their homemade fruit cobbler. 3811 SW 6th, 358.6998 $ Belmar Bakery Open since 1965, Belmar Bakery is an Amarillo tradition. Loyal customers abound, and each one has a favorite treat they return for again and again (we’re big fans of the thumb print cookies). The café offers a cozy place to meet for early morning coffee and pastries or tasty lunch with friends. 3325 Bell, 355.0141 $ ^ Biti Pies Biti Pies are miniature versions of traditional pies everyone loves. They are just the right size for one person and possibly a friend - that is if you feel like sharing. Don’t miss out on this bite-sized treat that is melt-in-your-mouth good. 604 S. Maryland, 367.6413, bitipies.com $ Buffalo Wild Wings You can’t go wrong with Buffalo’s hot wings, especially on a Tuesday night. Keep busy with their interactive games and every televised sport under the sun. 5416 S. Coulter, 359.4386, buffalowildwings.com $$ c ^ Cactus Bar and Grill When you’re hungry, the larger-thanusual portions at Cactus Bar and Grill satisfy like nothing else. They serve made-from-scratch American dishes, barbeque and burgers in a friendly down-home atmosphere. When you visit, try the chicken-fried ribeye. 1900 SE 34th, 322.0970 $$ c Café Marizon Enjoy the quaint café atmosphere in an historic building on Polk. Café Marizon serves up great home-cooked taste with consistently tasty specials of the day. Go early so you can have a piece of the homemade pies and cake. 705 S. Polk, 374.3058 $ y Calico County An Amarillo favorite for decades, the home-cooked taste keeps people going back for more. You can’t beat the petite cinnamon rolls dripping in butter, the squash casserole and the chicken-fried chicken. Be sure to try their excellent waffles as well. 2410 Paramount, 358.7664, calicocountyamarillo.com $

NEW Celia’s Cocina Celia’s serves some of the best authentic Mexican food in Amarillo. They are well known for their delicious chile rellenos, enchiladas and guacamole. Much of the food is prepared by Celia herself and it’s sure to satisfy. 2917 W 6th, 491.5632 $$ Country Barn The Country Barn serves up more than the expected steaks and BBQ. Home of the ultra tender Bonsmara beef, their steaks are sliced up, cooked fresh daily and served in an authentically western atmosphere. Yee haw! 8200 I-40 West, 335.2325, countrybarnsteakhouse.com $$ c Crazy Larry’s BBQ A visit to Larry’s isn’t complete without an order of Frito Pie – make it a “moose” with the works. Their authentic Texasstyle BBQ is finger-licking good, and everything on the menu is delivered by some of the friendliest service in town. The prices are reasonable too. 4315 Teckla, 359.3176 $ Crush Wine Bar & Deli Have you always wished for your very own Cheers? A place where everybody knows your name? Forget the beer and peanuts, Crush Wine Bar & Deli has that beat by a mile. Not sure how to choose from the extensive wine list? No worries, they’ll school you on their favorites and you can try a smaller pour just to be sure. Give the excellent tapas, sandwiches and desserts a try as well. 701 S. Polk, 418.2011, crushdeli.com $$

Cy^

Dale’s Grand Burger Looking for a quick stop to grab a tasty lunch? Then try locally-owned and operated Dale’s Grand Burger. You can’t miss with their famous Grandburger and homemade onion rings.1900 Bell, 358.8228 $ y Doug’s For a quick and tasty meal, stop at Doug’s and try the chopped beef sandwich. The menu is reasonably priced and their barbecue sauce is fantastic. 3313 S. Georgia, 352.8471 $ Dyer’s Bar-B-Que If you’re a meat lover, Dyers is the place for you. Their all-you-can-eat lunch special is hard to beat. Wash it all down with sweet tea and finish up with a heaping bowl of hot fruit cobbler. 1619 S. Kentucky, 358.7104 $$ ^ Eddie’s Napoli’s Napoli’s has created an oasis in Amarillo that cannot be missed. Indulge yourself in the homemade bread while you browse the ample menu. We gently nudge you towards the Amarillo Special or a personalized New York Style Pizza. 700 S. Taylor, 373.0927,

napolisonline.com $$ c ☎ T y ^ El Bracero Mexican Restaurant For ten years, El Bracero has provided hungry patrons with delicious meals and great traditional Mexican food. The Nachos con Carne appetizer and a Michelada are a must. If you have big eaters to feed, try the Parrillada. 3303 Bell 355.0889 / 2116 S. Grand 373.4788 $ c T El Tejavan Authentic Mexican food is definitely on the menu at El Tejavan. We love their homemade guacamole served up thick with onions and cilantro. Their Ceviche makes for a great starter or a light meal. For authentic taste, try the soft corn tortilla chicken tacos. The recipes at El Tejavan have been passed down for generations, so everything’s good. 3801 I-40 East, 372.5250 / 3420 I-40 West, 354.2444 $$ c T

I LOST 32 lbs

& 38.75 IncheS! Before beginning the MRC program I was extremely tired and depressed. The weight came off fast and after a couple of weeks my cravings were gone! I loved the support from the staff and the program is very affordable for the results you get. Now that I am at my goal weight I feel sexy and my clothes fit great! I want to thank everyone at MRC for the help and support. You CAN do this if you put forth the effort! -Kelli Wood

Before

After

HrocpGs!

English Field House Restaurant Visit a piece of Amarillo history at the English Field House. Named for Amarillo’s first airfield, the restaurant offers great cooked-fresh café food. Take the family for Sunday breakfast. It’s worth the drive. 10610 American Drive, 335.2996 $

2600 Paramount, Ste. B-3 Amarillo, Texas *Individual results may vary

806.356.6066

Famous Dave’s If you live in a house that’s divided over which barbecue style is best, make peace at Famous Dave’s. Not only can you choose the type of meat, but you can choose your sauce as well. They truly have something for everyone. 8518 I-40 West, 358.3283, famousdaves.com $$, c Fatcat Fish & Grill From seafood and Cole slaw, to cheeseburgers and steaks, Fatcat Fish & Grill offers fresh-cooked food at a reasonable price. 1309 N. Fillmore, 373.3581 $ Fernando’s Restaurant & Cantina Family-owned and operated, Fernando’s serves up classic Tex-Mex with a twist. They offer a self-serve salsa bar that caters to the tastes of even the most delicate diner. From spicy to mild, zesty to sweet, there’s something for everyone, even cucumber and chipotle salsa. 2028 Paramount Blvd., 356.0342 $ c Fire Slice Brick Oven Pizzeria You’ll know you’re in for a good time at Fire Slice when you see the menu. Choose from pizza specialties like “Tommy Boy” and “Hot Momma” or build your own. Each pizza is made fresh in their custom-built pizza oven. 4706 SW 34th, space 10 (behind Chop Chop) 331.2232, fireslice.com $$ C

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December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

Furrbie’s From their old-fashioned grilled onion burgers and their array of sandwiches, to salads, seafood and ice cream treats, Furrbie’s has something for everyone. Hotdog enthusiasts will love their famous Nathan’s Hot Dogs, the originals from Coney Island, New York made with 100 percent Kosher American Beef. Looking to cool off? Choose from seven fruity-flavored ice treats. 210 SW 6th, 220.0841 $ Hummer’s Sports Café Hang out with friends, Cheers style, and eat your fill of their great appetizers. Start off with a platter of raw oysters and a bucket of beer. We highly recommend the steak. 2600 Paramount, 353.0723 $$ c

Moonwater will be open for

Holiday Shopping every Friday and Saturday until Christmas!

(1½ Miles We

st of Soncy)

Amarillo Blvd.

over Cross

RV Park I-40

806-236-1799 on amarillo blvd. 1½ miles west of soncy, take turn around at indian hill road 78

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

Soncy

New Inventory Arriving

Joe Taco Great atmosphere and a variety of southwest favorites make Joe Taco a great place to sit and relax. Especially while enjoying one of their signature margaritas. 7312 Wallace Blvd., 331.8226, joetaco.net $$ c T ☎ y $$

Golden Light Café As the oldest operating restaurant in Amarillo, the Golden Light has been in business since 1947, all in the same location. For a great burger and fries, this is the place to go. 2908 SW 6th, 374.9237, goldenlightcafe.com $ C

Jorge’s Tacos Garcia At Jorge’s, serving authentic Mexican food is a family affair. In the same location since 1999, the Veloz family serves up traditional favorites that keep their loyal customers coming back time after time. Try the Swiss enchiladas or the Chile Relleno Lampriados. You won’t be disappointed.1100 Ross, 372.0411, tacosgarcia.com $$ c

Green Chile Willy’s As the owners say, the way you like it is the way they fix it. Hand-cut grilled steaks, excellent burgers and grilled chicken; you name it, they’ve got it. And you can’t beat the country atmosphere for a relaxing good time. 13651 I-27, 622.2200, greenchilewillys.com $$ ^

Kabob Restaurant Take a break from your everyday routine and give Kabob Restaurant a try. It’s anything but ordinary. Choose from a variety of traditional Middle Eastern entrees like beef or chicken kabobs, meatball stew (our favorite) and stuffed grape leaves. It’s all delicious. 4925 S. Western, 331.6771 $

Jason’s Deli The options at Jason’s are endless sandwiches, paninis, wraps, baked potatoes, soups, salads, po’boys… The menu might leave you a little overwhelmed, but take heart. Everything is good. And there’s even free ice cream at the end. 7406 SW 34th, 353.4440, jasonsdeli.com $ ^

Hayashi Japanese Restaurant Hayashi offers a fun atmosphere for a night out with friends or family. Cook tables allow diners to watch their chef in action or sit back and relax in the Tatami room with low tables and floor seating. The cuisine is Japanese-style with a sushi bar. 3401 I-40 West, 790.9316 c $$ Hoffbrau Steakhouse Family-owned Hoffbrau has been serving Texas-style steaks and beer for three decades. We recommend one of their Gr8 Steaks or something from their Hill Country Favorites list upon your first visit. Guaranteed, you’ll go back again. 7203 I-40 West, 358.6595, hoffbrausteaks.com $$ c Indian Oven The moment you enter Indian Oven, you’ll be enveloped by the fragrances of cardamom, ginger, anise, garlic and chili wafting from the kitchen. Start your meal with a generous portion of Naan as you work your way through the extensive menu. Feast on chef specials like Chicken Tandoori and Chicken Tikka Masala or try a little of everything on their generous buffet. Finish up with their to-die-for rice pudding. Don’t leave without sipping the Mango Lassi. 11000 I-40 East, 335.3600 $$

Kabuki Romanza Who says you can’t enjoy fresh sushi aboard a boat in the heart of the Panhandle? Kabuki Romanza serves teppan-style cooking and fresh sliced sushi in a dining area that resembles a boat, surrounded by special effects that add to the tropical feel. 8130 I-40 West, 353.4242, kabukiromanza.com $$ – $$$

C^ The King & I Feast on authentic Thai food at The King & I. They specialize in soups and stir-fry dishes and offer an extensive all you can eat buffet for both lunch and dinner. If you’re ordering off the menu, we recommend the Cashew Chicken. 2300 Bell, 355.1016 $ Kolache Café If you like authentic beirox, you’ll be delighted with the Kolache Café. And it doesn’t stop there. Choose from a variety of meat and fruit fillings for a filling breakfast, lunch or dinner. Everything on the menu is baked fresh daily and so affordable that you can grab a dozen kolaches to go for a quick and tasty meal. 2207 S. Western, Suite B1-90, 322.3279 $ y

La Fiesta Grande Authentic taste and a lively atmosphere make La Fiesta a great place to take the whole family. From nachos to barbacoa, there’s something for every taste. 2200 Ross, 374.3689 / 7415 SW 45th, 352.1330, lafiestagrande.com $$ C

Nachos Bar & Grill Enjoy the fresh hot sauce and chips while you wait for your food. The wait staff is efficient and friendly and the hometown feel of Nachos makes this a great place to take the kids. 3333 S. Coulter, 322.1140 $ c

Leal’s Leal’s serves dishes that blend the traditional flavors of Mexico with a few new twists that will delight you. Try excellent non-traditional items like quail and salmon along with new sauce combinations and desserts. Let’s not forget about their fresh-squeezed lime margaritas, some of the best margaritas anywhere. 1619 S. Kentucky, 359.5959, lealsmexicanfoods.com $$ c T ^

OHMS Café & Bar Set in downtown Amarillo, OHMS serves lunch buffet style and dinner in style. The chefs feature specials each week that range from seafood to smoked duck to grilled beef tenderloin. Excellent cuisine and service make this a delightful place to linger. 619 S. Tyler, 373.3233, ohmscafe.com $$$ ☎ T c ^

Lone Star Bar & Grill Visit Lone Star Bar & Grill for classic American grill-style food including savory steaks, burgers, chicken sandwiches and more, all at an affordable price. You’ll also enjoy downhome friendly service. Their guarantee: no hot beer and no small steaks. FM 1151, 622.9827 $$ c Macaroni Joe’s Macaroni Joe’s isn’t just a place to eat a great meal. The Tuscan inspired rooms are the perfect place for creating memories. Whether for a first date, the start of a new life together or celebrating important milestones, Joe’s offers excellent service and an exquisite food and wine menu. They’re at the top of our list. 1619 S. Kentucky, Suite 1500, 358.8990, macaronijoes.com $$ $$$ c y

☎^

Marty’s Stop by for Marty’s expansive Sunday brunch, and you’ll leave satisfied and ready for an afternoon nap. Their madeto-order omelets are definitely worth the trip. If you’re not in the mood for traditional breakfast fare, try the prime rib and Canyon Rose chicken. 2740 Westhaven Village, 353.3523 ^ T Mexico Lindo Restaurant Mexico Lindo has a friendly staff that delivers excellent service with a smile. Their appetizing food comes at reasonable prices and they offer several popular menu items like the gordita plate, crispy rellenos and enchiladas. 4515 S. Georgia, 355.1851 $ C NEW Mulligans Sports Pub Mulligans offers an energetic atmosphere, covering every sports game and team imaginable on more than 15 screens so you don’t miss an important play. They also offer live music and daily drink specials. From their great old-fashioned finger foods to the ice-cold beer, Mulligans has options for everyone’s taste buds. 2511 Paramount Blvd. 367.8428 $

Olive Garden They’ll tell you, “When you’re here, you’re family,” and that’s the absolute truth. A dinner at Olive Garden feels like a meal at your Italian Grandma’s, and the portions couldn’t be more generous. With endless salad and breadsticks, no matter the entrée you’ll leave full. 4121 I-40 West, 355.9973, olivegarden.com $$ ^ c

Live, Laugh, Love this Christmas season in your new home.

The Colonies at Hillside Hillside & Coulter 352-4584

Remington

On the Border Become a part of the revolution at On the Border. The fajita revolution, that is. Made to order, they’ll knock your socks off. Of course, good Mexican food is even better with a cold beer. Go ahead, indulge. 2401 Soncy, 468.9800 $$ c Oscar’s Burritos Oscar’s Burritos doesn’t take up a lot of space, but what they lack in room they make up with big taste. With everything homemade and fresh, their authentic cuisine is sure to satisfy any craving. Stop by their drive through and pick up one of their famous brisket specialty burritos or come in and enjoy a delicious stuffed avocado. 4206 SW 45th, 350.4400 $ Outback Steakhouse Let’s just start with the Bloomin’ Onion. We could actually end there and be completely satisfied, but what’s a trip to Outback without a Wallaby Darned and Pepper Mill Steak? Speaking of completely satisfied, leave room for the Chocolate Thunder From Down Under. 7101 I-40 West, 352.4032, outback.com $$ c ^ Outlaws Looking for a steak lover’s paradise? Drive over to Outlaws Supper Club and you’ll discover just that. With a casual environment, you’ll find some of the finest steaks in Texas. We recommend the prime rib with tasty calf-fries but get there early because they go fast. 10816 SE 3rd Ave, 335.1032 $$ c

Apartment Homes Soncy & Tarter 358-6190

Winchester

Apartment Homes S.W. 9th & Bell 354-3400

Newport

Apartment Homes 45th & Bell 358-7785

Case & Associates To view more of our beautiful communities, visit us online at caseusa.com. December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

ADMIT ONE • FREE TICKET

Empty Stocking Fund Christmas Concert

Pancake Station With breakfast this good, you’ll be glad to know that the Pancake Station serves it all day long. They also offer great café style meals. We recommend the huge omelets and fresh pancakes. 2800 Virginia Circle, 355.0211 $ ^ Pattaya Searching for great Thai food and attentive service? Look no further than Pattaya. Begin with their tasty Crabby Cheese Rolls, then move on to the sticky rice with Pattaya’s special sauce. Be sure to end your meal with their delicious homemade coconut ice cream. 6204 Hillside, 354.8292 $ Pei Wei Pei Wei is always busy, but it’s certainly worth the wait. Your dining experience isn’t complete without the lettuce wraps. From there, delight your taste buds with the beef ginger broccoli. 3350 Soncy, 352.5632, peiwei.com $$ C ^

Sunday, December 5, 2010 • 3:00pm Globe-News Center This year featuring: • Amarillo College Community Band • Freedom Singers & Les Chanteurs, Tascosa High School Donations accepted to benefit the Empty Stocking Fund

A Decorator’s Delight Give and Receive Original Artwork this Christmas

Panhandle

Center Hippie Chick by Devery Burch Tuesday - Saturday 10 to 5 | Also Open 5 to 9 for First Friday Art Walk 3701 Plains Blvd. | Suite 135 | 806.351.2322 | Farthest southeast corner of Sunset Center

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

Pescaraz Italian Restaurant Come ready to linger when you visit Pescaraz. From the charming décor and impressive bar area to the array of entrees, soups, salads and impressive wine list, you’ll want to take time to savor every bite. Enjoy excellent service and live music in the evenings. 3415-K Bell, 350.5430 $$ c T Pho Van When we say Pho Van is the place in town to find authentic Vietnamese food, we mean it. You’ll find spring rolls, Pho (noodles in Vietnamese), and delectable pork chops in this small hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Owner, Em, stands by his wife’s garlic chicken wings, promising you won’t find their equal anywhere. 5625 Amarillo Blvd. East, 383.6552 $ The Plaza A long-time Amarillo favorite, the many loyal customers of the Plaza attest to the great food and affordable prices. Eat your fill of the fresh chips and hot sauce and enjoy the laid back atmosphere. Perfect for a family night out, they offer enough variety to suit the pickiest eaters. 3415 Bell, 358.4897 $ c The Potato Factory Too Come hungry to The Potato Factory where you can fill up fast on huge baked potatoes loaded with a variety toppings from veggies to chili. They’ve also got some of the best chili dogs and Frito pie in town. 2808 SW 34th, 463.7783 $ Red Lobster Seafood is a real treat in the Texas Panhandle and Red Lobster is an old stand-by when you have a hankering for shrimp. Our favorite? The scampi swimming in delicious garlic butter complemented by their tasty garlic cheese biscuits. 3311 I-40 West, 353.9596 $$ Red Robin We recommend one hand for a gourmet burger and the other for the bottomless fries and onion rings. (And plenty of napkins.) You’ll leave happy if you finished with a raspberry shake. They are creamy goodness. If your family needs room to spread out, Red Robin is perfect for large gatherings. 8720 I-40 West, 359.9800, redrobin.com $$ c ^

Rio Grande Grill With food this good, it’s a shame they’re not open on weekends. Their breakfast burritos will give you enough fuel to last until lunch. If lunch suits you better, the nachos supreme taste like grandma made them from scratch. We are big fans. 909 S. Madison, 372.2950 $ Robinson’s BBQ Robinson’s has mastered the art of BBQ. We especially love their BBQ sandwiches. But don’t limit yourself to just a sandwich - they also serve tasty Frito pies. If you’re in time for breakfast, try their excellent breakfast burritos. 5920 Hillside, 358.2194 $ Roosters Espresso Café Roosters offers more than just a good Cup of Joe. Stop in and plan on staying for a hot breakfast pastry or one of their delicious lunch specialties. It’s the perfect place to relax with your friends for lunch. 3440 Bell, 353.7309 $ y Rosa’s Café & Tortilla Factory Perfect for take-out or a quick, satisfying meal, Rosa’s offers Tex Mex favorites and a fun, upbeat atmosphere. You can’t beat their homemade tortillas, made fresh everyday. 4312 SW 45th, 351.1194, rosascafe.com ^ Ruby Tequila’s Mexican Kitchen Ruby’s is Tex-Mex at its finest. Fajita burritos, crispy tacos, stuffed poblanos and savory meats off the grill are just a short list of what they offer. Every Wednesday evening, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere with a margarita in hand. 2001 S. Georgia, 358.7829 / 3616 Soncy, 463.7829, rubytequilas.com $$ T y

c^ Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q Rudy’s serves up the same original recipes that they’ve used since 1989: brisket, ribs, turkey, pork loin and sausage slow-smoked over an oak fire, seasoned with their own secret dry spice blend and topped with their famous “Sause.” Plenty of sides and delicious desserts ensure that you’ll need lots of napkins. 3751 I-40 West, 677.7452, rudys.com $$ Sakura Choose from an extensive sushi menu that includes Nigiri style, cut rolls, special rolls, spicy rolls, sushi salads and for the beef lover, Texas sushi. At Sakura, be ready to be entertained by the chefs who prepare your meal at the table. We wholeheartedly recommend the swordfish. 4000 Soncy, 358.8148, sakuraamarillo.com $$ – $$$ c

Saltgrass Steak House Certified Angus Beef + Sidewinders = mouthwatering taste. Saltgrass has plenty of steaks to choose from and you can pair it up with juicy gulf shrimp or try the Seafood Fondeaux with Shiner Bock Beer Bread. Take our advice: save room for the Two-Fork Cheesecake. It’s a piece of heaven that melts in your mouth. 8300 I-40 West, 351.0349 saltgrass.com c $$ ^ Sharky’s Burrito Company Think of Sharky’s as a burrito assembly line, a place where you call the shots and load a tortilla (flavored or not) with all your favorite toppings. Start with the meat and work your way through a plethora of options including beans, rice, veggies and cheese. The endless combinations will keep you going back for more. 1612 S. Georgia, 359.7330 $ Smokey Joe’s A welcoming bar and grill located in the historic antique district on Route 66, Smokey Joe’s is one of Amarillo’s best-kept secrets. With an outside patio and live music on the weekends, this is the place to be. When you visit, ask for the Legendary Spink. You won’t regret it. 2903 6th, 331.6698 $$ c y T Stockyard Café Experience the western heritage of Amarillo at the Stockyard Café. They serve up excellent steaks that will surely satisfy your beef cravings. Plus, the Stockyard also offers a hearty breakfast every day starting at 6 a.m. 101 S. Manhattan, 342.9411 $$ C T.G.I. Friday’s T.G.I. Friday’s new, right portion, right price menu fills you up even when your wallet’s a little on the light side. Try any of the Jack Daniels glazed steaks, ribs, chicken or shrimp for a juicy, flavorful treat. 3100 I-40 West, 468.8000, tgifridays.com $ – $$ c

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Taqueria El Tapatio Taqueria El Tapatio serves up authentic Mexican flavor in every dish they offer. It’s just plain good food. The generous portions and affordable prices are easy on your pocketbook too. 3410 S. Coulter, 331.6248 $ C NEW Taste of Thai Taste of Thai serves traditional Thai cuisine and a variety of chef specials for lunch and dinner. Enjoy fresh-cooked taste and friendly service. 1900 SE 34th, 373.9995 $

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December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

Texas Firehouse Sports Bar & Grill More grill than bar, Texas Firehouse offers everything from a delicious fried green bean appetizer to steaks, all in a family friendly smokefree environment. Watch all your favorite sporting events while you eat. 3333 S. Coulter, 351.1800 C $ $$ Texas Roadhouse This is one place that you don’t have to worry about your kids leaving a mess. Everyone does; it’s okay to throw your peanut shells on the floor at the Roadhouse. Bread lovers will rejoice over the rolls and steak lovers will drool over the meat on display as soon as you walk through the door. Be ready for a wait, but the food’s worth it. 2805 I-40 West, 352.7427, texasroadhouse.com ☎ c $ ^ Thai Arawan You’ll get your fill of fresh, authentic Thai cuisine at Thai Arawan. We recommend the angel noodle and the chickenfried rice. Consistently good flavor and friendly service make this one of our favorites. 2834 Wolflin, 463.7167 $$

Tyler’s Barbecue Going back to the basics, Tyler’s Barbecue combines a straightforward menu with a relaxed atmosphere. We suggest the mouth-watering Man-Sized Double Meat Sandwich. But don’t forget to save room for their delicious cobbler before you leave. 2014 Paramount, 331.2271, tylersbarbecue.com $ ^ Village Bakery & Café The Village offers a large selection of handmade European pastries and breads to complement their fresh gourmet-style breakfasts, lunches and dinners. The casual bistro setting makes it the perfect place for a special lunch date. 2606 Wolflin Village, 358.1358, villagebakerycafe. com $ ^ y Vince’s Pizza Vince’s calzones are some of the best we’ve had. He also offers wonderful Greek salads, Giro and a huge family-sized pizza. The quirky atmosphere will make you feel like you’re in Little Italy. 2413 S. Western, 352.2656 $

Western Bowl The next time you’re looking for dinner and some fun with the family, swing by Western Bowl. They strike up five different bowling specials throughout the week. After you’ve worked up an appetite from all the bowling, head to the restaurant for some old-fashioned American food like a patty-melt or a B.L.T. 5120 Canyon Drive, 352.2737, $ c Wheels, Chicken & Waffles You’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time to a quaint oldfashioned diner when you visit Wheels. The inside is covered with vintage car memorabilia and wheels galore. We love the southern fried chicken with waffles. The mix of savory and sweet is delicious. Save room for dessert when you dine because you won’t want to miss the waffle cheesecake. It’s a big Belgian waffle piled high with cheesecake filling, whipped cream and both chocolate and caramel syrup. 2710 10th, 342.5400 $

Wild Bill’s Decorated like a classic gas station, Wild Bill’s offers American food and friendly service. Bring the whole family since there’s plenty of seating inside and out. The Green Chili Cheese Burger with hand-cut seasoned fries is our personal favorite. 3514 6th, 372.4500 $ y

Willie’s Bayou Grill You’ll be blown away by the aroma of Cajun spices as soon as you step into Willie’s. Have fun with your meal when you choose Peel-um & Eat-um Shrimp, fried alligator or oysters (either baked or on the half shell). Their po’boy sandwiches are sure to fill up the hungriest belly. And of course, classic dishes like Shrimp Creole and Crawfish Etouffee won’t disappoint. 3819 I-40 West, 242.3474, williesbayougrill.com $ y

Wing Stop Wing Stop cooks up some of the best chicken wings around. There’s a flavor for every palate. If you haven’t had their sugared French fries, you just haven’t lived. 6000 SW 45th, 356.9464 / 3300 E Interstate 40 # P, 331.9464, wingstop.com $$ C ^ Young Sushi Rocks The friendly greeting you’ll receive when you walk into Young’s is your first clue that your experience will be a good one. The helpful staff is always willing to offer suggestions regarding the sushi. If sushi’s not your thing, they also offer authentic Thai cuisine. 202 SW 10th, 371.7200 $$ C ^

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

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December 2010 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

December

photo courtesy of Amarillo Public Library

retro rewind

Braving the Cold

After the oil boom in the mid-1920s, Amarillo seized the opportunity for economic growth by building some of its landmark structures, such as the Fisk Building at 8th and Polk. Soon the downtown area became the hotspot for shopping and business, a trend that went on for decades. On this winter day in the late 1950s, a bout with snow didn’t keep folks at home. Just hop the mounds of powder in the median and you were on your way to a show at the Paramount.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

Sunset Art Gallery of Amarillo "Friendliest Gallery in Texas"

Featured Artist: Nelda Sheets First Friday Artwalk December 3, 2010 5-9 p.m. Cathey Delisle James Roybal Cecy Turner Pat Dagnon Guido Frick Ramon Kelley Charles Bunnell

Sculptors L' Deane Trueblood Bev Steigerwald Painters Anita Louise West Richard Alan Nichols Benjamin Kelley Bonnie Williams Jim Ward

Jim Gilmore Don Webster V. Noe Bud Heiss Wes Hyde Rick Howell Carl J. Smith

Fine Art and Sculptures 3701 Plains Blvd. #122 Amarillo, Texas (806)353-5700 (806) 352-2706 www.sunsetartgalleryofamarillo.com ***Voted Best Gallery in Amarillo! - Thank You Art Lovers***

spotlight

Skylar Brannon

Amarillo High School Senior, PALs Leader, United Way Youth Council Member

rom early on, Skylar Brannon had a big heart. She watched her parents, Cal and Kathy, volunteer their time for various causes, and there was always a lesson to be learned in helping the less fortunate. “In elementary school I would see PALs come eat lunch with other kids, and I always looked up to them,” says Skylar, who participates in the Peer Assistance and Leadership program. “So now I tutor and mentor kids in AISD.” This year the 18-year-old got involved with the United Way Youth Council and has had a hand in raising more than $13,000 to date for the organization through events at her school. At the end of the year, she and her fellow council members will help allocate where those funds go in Panhandle communities. Skylar is currently deciding between Baylor and the University of Texas at Austin, where she plans to study sociology and psychology and make a career out of helping those in need. “I really encourage people to take tours of United Way’s program providers,” she says. “It’s good to see where the money goes.” am

Q&A My favorite meal to make from scratch is...pizza rolls out of my Betty Crocker Cooking with Kid’s Cookbook. Sadly, these are the only things I’ve ever made from scratch but they’re pretty tasty. My mama is a great cook, so I generally leave the cooking up to her. One movie I could watch over and over again is... “P.S. I Love You” with Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler. I think the storyline is so sweet and the setting in Ireland is beautiful. I don’t think I’ve watched it once without crying. “figers.” This was the name I gave to a red backpack full of hundreds of animal figurines. I would entertain myself with them for hours in the sandbox or my room. They helped develop my imagination and love for animals.

The greatest piece of advice I’ve ever received is... “Play from your heart.” My daddy always used to tell me to play with passion and to go with my first instinct when I played sports. I think this has great applications in more than just athletics. I believe in doing everything I do with all of my heart, having passion for the things I’m involved in and going with my instinct, doing things the way I believe they should be done. I don’t think growth comes without passion and instinct, and I’m really glad my dad gave me such great advice.

For the full story, log on to amarillomagonline.com 86

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • December 2010

The thing I love the most about living in Amarillo is…. the sense of community. I am always truly amazed how the people of Amarillo will pull together to help someone in the community who is in need.

photo by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography

One of my favorite childhood toys were my...

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