Amarillo Magazine | August 2020

PLUS: BACK-TO-SCHOOL GUIDE • WT ENTERPRISE CENTER GROWTH ACADEMY • SUMMER VEGGIES

AUGUST 2020

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AMARILLO’S 101 ELITE MEN

CONTENTS 5 CONTRIBUTORS 6 ANDY’S WORLD 8 CHIP’S CORNER FEATURES 10 STANDING STRONG

How 101 Elite Men is building a thriving Black community through mentoring.

16 GROWING LOCAL

The WT Enterprise Center has entirely transformed its incubation program as of this summer.

18 COVID-19 BACK-TO-SCHOOL GUIDE

16 10

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WHAT’S COOKING? 22 COOL VEGGIES FOR HOT SUMMERS 27 LET’S EAT! 33 EVENTS 36 PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVE

ON THE COVER

BACK ROW (L-R): TARENZO CLEMONS, RJ SOLEYJACKS AND DUSTIN MCCREE FRONT ROW (L-R): BRANDON SMITH, CURTIS JOHNSON AND LAWRENCE GONZALES PHOTO BY ANGELINA MARIE

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Editor’s Letter

Regional Director of Specialty Products/Editor Michele McAffrey 806.345.3256 mmcaffrey@amarillo.com Regional Designer Kayla Morris Contributing Writers Jonathan Baker Jason Boyett Chip Chandler Andy Chase Cundiff

Contributing Photographers Angelina Marie Shannon Richardson

General Manager/Advertising Director Belinda Mills Account Representatives Sharon Denny Jaime Pipkin To advertise in Amarillo Magazine or on amarillomagonline.com, please contact Belinda Mills at 345.3373.

Regional Executive Editor Jill Nevels-Haun Regional Distribution Director David Morel Regional Accounting Manager Sheryl Rycerz

600 S. Tyler St., Suite 2300, Amarillo, TX 79101 806.376.4488 • amarillomagonline.com Amarillo Magazine is a monthly publication of AGN Media. 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.

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It’s nearly August as I write this, and we’re still navigating the unsettling path carved for us by COVID-19. When our leadership directed us to work from home and practice self-isolation in March, I never dreamed we’d continue to be faced with such uncertainty almost five months later.

There’s no denying that these are challenging and frustrating times. But we strive to keep our focus as we move forward and realize that we’ll have good days and bad. We’re mindful that we have much for which to be grateful.

Over the past few months, we’ve been as creative as possible in our approach to publishing the magazine without potentially exposing ourselves or others to the coronavirus. That has meant more contributed photos and less in-person photo shoots, or more illustrations in lieu of our usual colorful photography.

This month was the first cover shoot since March, and the rare occasion that I chose not to attend, leaving the photography (with safe social distancing) to our trusted photographer, Angelina Marie, knowing that it would be in good hands.

I hated not meeting the members of the 101 Elite Men of Amarillo and through the planning stages over the phone, realize that I missed out on a wonderful and uplifting experience.

Our August issue focuses on the important mentoring work of the 101 Elite Men, who aim to change the next generation of Black youth through accountability, relationship, and caring. The group has already accomplished much in its infancy; we can’t wait to see how they transform some of the city’s young people as they walk with them from elementary age through college.

As we all attempt to return to some sense of normalcy, we also wanted to include vital information from a few of the city’s school districts regarding school this fall. You’ll find our Back-to-School Guide on page 18.

The WT Enterprise Center has recently launched its new Growth Academy, which helps area entrepreneurs build and sustain the businesses of their dreams.

The work that WTEC has accomplished since its inception has changed the outlook for many small local businesses, helping them grow beyond the city’s borders. The Center has grown and pivoted with the ever-changing market, an ability that is even more important during the chaos wrought by the pandemic.

Finally, local veggie experts Justin and Cara Young share recipes using local produce, just as summer vegetables reach their peak. We can’t wait to try these refreshing and healthy summer dishes for ourselves.

Contributors

SHANNON RICHARDSON

JONATHAN BAKER

JASON BOYETT

CHIP CHANDLER

Jonathan’s copywriting has appeared in Esquire, Men’s Journal, and Popular Mechanics. In his spare time, he writes crime novels.

Jason has written more than a dozen books and is the host and creator of “Hey Amarillo,” a local interview podcast.

Visit heyamarillo.com and jasonboyett.com.

Chip is a senior communications specialist at WTAMU. A Canadian High School graduate and awardwinning journalist, he has covered arts and entertainment in Amarillo since 1998. He is a member of the national GALECA critics group, has seen every Best Picture Oscar winner and watches way too much television.

Writer

Writer

Writer

Photographer

Shannon has been photographing commercial/advertising work for more than 30 years.

See Shannon’s work at shannonrichardson.com and route66americanicon.com.

ANGELINA MARIE Photographer

Angelina Marie has been a commercial, editorial and portrait photographer based in Amarillo for the past 10 years. She is the founder of the Amarillo Women’s Collaborative which promotes local, women-owned businesses in the Panhandle area. See her work at shorteareddog.com or on Instagram.

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AUGUST 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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Andy’s World

Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer

Y

ou know the expression. It’s been in the back of your mind as long as you can remember. Your parents or even grandparents probably used it. “The Dog Days of Summer.” Those days that evoke the imagery of a bunch of dogs lazing around in the sun, doing nothing because of the sweltering heat. Not smart enough to find some shade. Just panting, waiting for a cool change. Of any kind.

I wrote a song a few years ago called “Dog Days of Summer.” Turned out so well in the recording studio that I named the whole album after it. It was summertime.

Verse two goes like this: “Feeling all salty like I’m starting to shrink, sweat down in my eyes but it’s too hot to blink – if you ain’t got no money you ain’t getting no drink, I ain’t going nowhere, guess I’ll sit here and stink ...”

Well, it was a blues song, so I took a lot of liberty with the King’s English. Too, I don’t think I have ever really been too hot to blink, but could quite possibly have been hot enough to stink.

So where did we get this expression? Was it one of those cowboy, hillbilly, down-home, buffalo-roaming, over-yonderisms from early Americana?

It actually has some pretty fascinating origins. The gears that brought it from way back then to just now may be as mysterious and interesting as anything else about it, but that’s a story for another time, maybe.

Somewhere in antiquity, when the Greeks and Romans started naming and renaming the stars and constellations in their own languages, the star Canis Majoris (“The Big Dog”) was cataloged by Claudius Ptolemy, the famous scientist, mathematician, and cataloger of heavenly bodies. Ptolemy probably personally called the star “Sothis,” the Greek name. This was in the second century A.D., but the star had already been well-known to the Egyptians for thousands of years. “Sopdet” was its Egyptian name, after a goddess. Everything in Egypt, as you know, was connected with a deity.

Ramses II, the infamous and obnoxious pharaoh of dynastic Egypt liked to take credit for Egypt’s prosperity (and everyone else’s), said that the “Dog Star” was a prophecy of his birth. The Dog Days in ancient Egypt coincided with the annual flooding of the Nile. This was celebrated as the event of the year, every year, in Egypt, and Ramses wanted to be associated with the blessed event. Of course, when you’re a god, you can say just about what you want. Nobody even looks at you funny until it starts raining frogs. (Bible scholars, it’s just a joke. It did seem a lot like the same guy though, don’t you agree?)

Later, the Romans called her “Sirius” which means “the Scorcher.”

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They actually believed that when Sirius appeared, it worked with the sun to intensify the summer heat here on earth. Inaccurate, but understandable. Seems like it to this day.

You can see The Big Dog on Orion’s leash. The belt of Orion points almost straight to Sirius, so some civilizations figured that it was Orion’s dog.

The appearance of Sirius, Sopdet, Sothis, or whatever you wish to call this star, appears on the horizon at the onset of what at least seem to be the hottest days of the year, hence all the name calling. Generally, here in North America, the days are July 3 to Aug. 11, at least according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Just as a disclaimer, I don’t know how many of those old farmers have spent a summer (or any other season) in Amarillo. I also don’t think those temperature readings jive with the “hottest days” statement. I think someone needs to call Doppler Dave or Allan Gwyn.

The Big Dog is also the brightest in the summer sky. It appears at sunrise, and you can’t miss it. It’s the one that says to me, “Don’t you wish you were in Red River right now?”

So now that we know where the phrase, “Dog Days of Summer” comes from, what can we do to protect ourselves from them?

1. Don’t lie around with the dogs, especially in the direct sun.

2. Bring aforementioned dogs indoors, even if they are “outdoor” dogs.

3. Bring the kids in, too. At least at regular intervals. Consider their protests your Good Parenting Seal of Approval.

4. Stay hydrated! Drink more water than you think is necessary, because your body loses water at alarming rates when it gets hot.

5. Keep a call list of people that may be at risk. Elderly, home bound, etc. that you know and love.

6. Get an inflatable pool from Wal-Mart. You know you want one.

You will be a hero to your kids, and if you get the big one, you can at least put your feet in.

As I write this, today’s high was 108 degrees, the hottest it has been in Amarillo, literally for years. Today’s high in Los Angeles was 95, and New York City was 82.

Bunch of amateurs.

ANDY CHASE CUNDIFF Andy is a local artist, singer and songwriter, and has called Amarillo home for more than 20 years. He plays at a variety of live music venues throughout the Panhandle. Contact Andy at 376-7918.

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Chip’s Corner

W

hether they’ll be back in classrooms is still up in the (COVID-tainted) air at press time, but August does mean it’s time for students to return to school, whether virtually or in person.

To celebrate, fire up your streamer of choice and check out these favorite school-set flicks.

“AKEELAH AND THE BEE” Maybe it’s my inner nerd, but there’s almost nothing more inspirational than a spelling bee champion, particularly one played by the sparkling Keke Palmer in one of her earliest roles. (Cinemax)

“ELECTION” Pick Flick! When this film first arrived in 1999, it was easy to see Matthew Broderick’s Mr. McAllister as the flawed but relatable hero of the story.

Watch again, though: Reese Witherspoon’s Tracy Flick is the hero, I tell you. Not only is she exceptionally intelligent and prepared (though she certainly knows it), she’s a survivor. Of course she was totally misunderstood. (Rentable)

“RUSHMORE” “An American dreamer who refuses to allow reality to

limit his aspirations:” That’s how critic Dave Kehr describes Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) in an essay accompanying the Criterion Collection release of this Wes Anderson film. That’s why this melancholy coming-of-age drama still feels so relevant: We all dream, but reality still bites. (IMDB-TV)

“FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH” If nothing else, “Fast Times”

is worth discovering or rewatching for the breakthrough performances of its passel of stars: Phoebe Cates, Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold – even Nicolas Cage and Anthony Edwards. But besides the thrill of discovery (and not only of the stars, but also of the talents of director Amy Heckerling and screenwriter Cameron Crowe), “Fast Times” is still sensationally, if filthily, hilarious nearly 40 years after its release. (Starz)

saw Lindsay Lohan being, you know, normal. Wear pink when you watch it, even if it’s not Wednesday. (Showtime)

“CLUELESS” Amy Heckerling’s iconic ‘90s-style remake of Jane Austen’s

“Emma” turns 25 this year, which gives me all kinds of feelings. Fortunately, it still holds up beautifully, particularly when you remember that the privileged girl at its center grows up and learns to see past the tip of her own perfect nose.

(Netflix)

“THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER” Ideally cast with Logan

Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, this celebration of high-school outsiders has a fervent following, and for good reason. It’s not as traumatic as the book, but the core friendship is still as powerful and appealing. We should all have such good friends. (Netflix)

“GREASE” OK, sure, Stockard Channing and Jeff Conaway looked about as

much like high schoolers as I do, but this musical is still the word on fluffy high school nostalgia. (Its sexual politics do leave something to be desired, it must be said.) (Rentable)

“AMERICAN GRAFFITI” For a slightly more clear-eyed blast of nostalgia,

wanting to run away from it all? (Rentable)

George Lucas’ breakthrough film is hard to beat. Set just before the 1960s became THE SIXTIES with the assassination of President Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., not to mention the ever-escalating Vietnam War, “Graffiti” is a sweetly sighing look at days gone by in a format that’s oft been repeated, but rarely so well. (HBO Max)

“THE BREAKFAST CLUB” On the flip side of “Ferris” is another John

“DAZED AND CONFUSED” Here’s one film that more than lives up to

“FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF” What’s more relatable in 2020 than

Hughes film, only this time, the main characters can’t escape school no matter how hard they try. It’s perhaps the ultimate ‘80s high school film, and though it hasn’t aged as well as you’d hope, defiant teens never go out of style. (Starz)

“THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN” Writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig’s

coming-of-age drama is woefully underrated, so if you haven’t seen it, I’m not surprised. Check it out for a wonderfully authentic, funny and touching look at an awkwardly lovable outsider (Hailee Steinfeld, rarely better). (Netflix)

“FOOTLOOSE” What’s high school without a kick-butt dance? Nothing,

that’s what, no matter what the Rev. John Lithgow has to say about it. (Please avoid the remake. It’s old school or nothing.) (Amazon Prime)

“DEAD POETS SOCIETY” Yeah, he’s exciting and all, but Professor

“Graffiti’s” example. Also set on the last day of school, Richard Linklater’s mildly shambolic ensemble drama is the ultimate hangout movie. You just want to kick back and chill with virtually every character (well, all but Ben Affleck’s O’Bannion – what a jerk). (Starz)

Votes for Women, Step in Time

Aug. 18 marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. In celebration, stream these films about powerful women.

“NINE TO FIVE” Still charming, still painfully relevant, this ode to sisterhood is as eternally appealing as its theme song. (Starz)

Keating is actually a pretty terrible teacher. He doesn’t make his students rotely conjugate Latin verbs, but he doesn’t really teach them to think critically, not with any real rigor. He just gets them to be enthusiastic. But still, it’s hard not to love Keating as much as his students do. “Oh captain, my captain” indeed. (Rentable)

“SELMA” Ava DuVernay’s dramatization of the 1965 march from Selma to

“MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS” Rationally, I know that this feel-good drama

“NORMA RAE” Sally Field’s sensational (of course) as this working-class

is also objectively not a great film, but I’m a lifelong band geek and I will brook no argument against it. Every kid deserves to have a teacher as inspirational as Mr. Holland; I’m fortunate enough to have had a couple. (HBO Max)

“MEAN GIRLS” You go, Glen Coco! Still sensationally quotable (though

not aging perfectly), this razor-sharp comedy does capture the brutal battle for survival that high school often can be. It may also be the last time any of us ever

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Montgomery, Alabama, may focus largely on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo), but it doesn’t lose sight of the fact that it was women like Annie Lee Cooper (Oprah Winfrey) who powered the revolution. (Rentable) heroine, who doggedly fights against big business in order to unionize her textile factory. (Hulu)

“DOLORES” Cesar Chavez got the glory and the notoriety, but his labor

organizer ally Dolores Huerta was the one who first coined the phrase “Sí se puede.” And that only scratches the surface of this icon’s amazing life, as seen in this remarkable documentary. (Prime Video)

Janey’s Picks

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Cover Story

STANDING STRONG

By Jonathan Baker

How 101 Elite Men is changing a generation through mentoring

PHOTO BY ANGELIA MARIE BACK ROW (L-R): RJ SOLEYJACKS, DAMIEN MILLER, IDARIUS RAY, MARCUS FIGARO, BRANDON SMITH, KYLOR WILLIAMS, COREY GOUDEAU, TARENZO CLEMONS AND CURTIS JOHNSON FRONT ROW (L-R): JAMES JOHNSON, DUSTIN MCCREE, LAWRENCE GONZALES, DANIEL CLAY, JERMEL LOMACK AND JAHCOBY FIELDS

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O

ne Amarillo group has taken upon itself the mission of raising up strong, purposeful Black men through mentoring programs. 101 Elite Men is a thoughtful and compassionate civic-minded organization, and the tireless work of the group’s mentors affects our community in all kinds of positive ways, big and small.

A SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL IDEA As Curtis Johnson – the president and founder of 101 Elite Men – explains, the organization’s mission is to mentor young Black men and to create partnerships throughout the community – “for a brotherhood of African American men to come together and unify through numbers and through like-mindedness.”

“The idea,” adds Keith Grays, one of the group’s mentors, “was to have an organization for specifically African American men to come together, a support group for African American men, kind of a brother’s keeper mentality – and also to be able to go in and take another generation of young men and women, starting with our elementary schools, by way of mentoring.

A lot of our membership are schoolteachers and educators and AISD school administrators.”

Grays himself has been mentoring for about 30 years on a personal level – so he’s a vital addition to the 101 Elite Men effort. “For our mission statement,” he says, “we played on the acronym VIP, and that means vision, integrity and purpose.” There’s no prerequisite to become a mentor, but Grays says many of the group’s members are professionals of one stripe or another. “A lot of these guys are wonderfully employed ... They’re all family oriented, just a neat group of men.”

Johnson continues: “Some of us grew up without fathers. Some of us experienced certain things that others can relate to or have experienced. So with the

understanding that love is sprinkled on top of all of the things that our experiences have, we’re able to go out from our brotherhood to actually give a quality of selfless service to our community.”

STRONG FOUNDATIONS And that selfless service means building strong foundations among area Black youth. “Just something to stand on,” says Johnson. “It gives us that thing to hold ourselves accountable to: integrity and being present, setting a new standard and a new narrative for our culture. As African American men, we’ve been absent for too long. And so with that, other people have filled in the narrative, what we stand for, what we do, what we look like, how we sound. And we just decided to change that narrative.”

The foundation of the program starts with mentoring; the group’s leaders go into local schools and start to build relationships. In fact, the group’s first mentoring project began after members heard reports that Hamlet Elementary students “had a vast majority of minority students at their campus and their state test scores were showing an F rating.” As Keith Grays remembers, “We immediately thought ‘We don’t have to look any further, here’s our first project.’”

“We mentor in four different elementary schools throughout the entire school year,” adds Johnson.

“We’ve been working with Mesa Verde, Margaret Wills, Carver and Hamlet.” That mentorship, often, looks a lot like simply having fun. “[We went] in and decorated over 300 cookies throughout the holidays, sang Christmas carols. Just being present and effective through a strategized way of making sure that we aren’t just popping in and out. We’re able to strategize and work throughout each other’s schedules to show our faces, be there, be present, and hold ourselves accountable to help out the next generation.” And the

101 ELITE MEN: MISSION STATEMENT Purpose: To further the individual welfare of members. To create and maintain high standards in the life of each man.

Goal: To unify a community by starting with the men who choose to lead their community by example.

Reason: To come together and know the members of the community on a personal, emotional and business level, and to help each other grow into who we want to be.

Core Values: Vision, Integrity, Purpose

AUGUST 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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healing in the schools has been a long time coming.

During Black history Month, recalls Johnson, “We were there all four weeks in each elementary school.

It was awesome to experience that.”

Beyond elementary, the organization has plans to move into the middle and high schools. “We already do some of that,” says Grays. “When we do the outreach with the other kids, we’re starting to see different family groups say, ‘OK, they’ve got older brothers and sisters.’ And we will have initiated them through third and fourth grade to know the plan for our success, which is good grades, good character, family values, and a desire for higher education.” In the future, to help accomplish these goals, 101 Elite Men is also planning to institute a scholarship program for high school students, to allow them to attend college.

This month, 101 Elite Men is looking to launch their website – a one-stop site that will provide information on the group’s history and mission, as well as mentoring and various volunteer opportunities.

“We just want to have resources,” says Johnson.

“We’ll have upcoming events. We would just want to be present and be that help. Also, we have school upcoming, again. Not really knowing how that’s going to look, but we want to be there to support the kids that are coming back into school, to start our mentorship program up.”

NORTHWEST GIFTS TO CHILDREN PROGRAM PROVIDED PHOTOS

HELPING HANDS Beyond mentoring, 101 Elite Men has also volunteered tirelessly within the community.

“A lot of times our culture isn’t present,” explains Johnson. “So if something is going on in the community that we can be involved in and support it, it helps to bridge the gap.”

“We have some major projects,” says Grays. “[Like we did] with Susan G. Komen and the Race for the Cure. We played a very vital part in that, our first year out of the shoot. We also have done a 101 Elite Men family night out with the Amarillo Bulls, our hockey team. Just community outreach.”

The organization has also done work with the Amarillo Coalition for the Homeless, through the “Amarillo Brown Bag Runs” program, giving bags of food to the homeless and feeding the residents of tent city. And later this year, the 101 Elite Men are looking forward to the Northside Toy Drive. “We love that,” says Johnson, “and we hold it near and dear to us, to help out with that organization and be there to support it.”

THE GROUP HELPED DELIVER FOOD AT A BROWN BAG GIVEAWAY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

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Of the toy drive, Grays says, “We had over four or five thousand toys last year that we unloaded from the trucks and placed into a high school gymnasium.

And we helped to oversee the disbursement of those toys to the community and had probably over, I would say 2,000 people that came through there.”

The Elite Men have also worked with Northwest Texas Hospital as part of their “Northwest Gifts to Children” program – giving out toys and gifts to the children there on Christmas Day. And the group has a project coming up, partnering with the Amarillo Area Breast Health Coalition to help with a big event at the Civic Center. In October, the 101 Elite Men will participate in their second annual “Real Men Wear Pink” event for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, working toward breast cancer awareness. “That’s definitely something we look forward to,” says Johnson.

Due to the 101 Elite Men’s tireless efforts, the word is spreading – and the group is gaining some powerful supporters. As Grays recalls, “We had someone come to us within the last five or six months and say, ‘I want you guys to come by my office and visit with me.’

And Curtis and I go there to visit with the gentleman, and he says, ‘I want you to know how proud I am of what you’re doing in Amarillo. And I want to make a donation.’ I thought the guy was going to write a check for $500. He wrote us an $11,000 check.”

Donations like that serve to make the operation run all the more smoothly. Johnson notes that 8% of the Amarillo population is African American – and it’s his goal to have a relationship with all 8%.

THE GROUP PARTICIPATED IN CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-A-LONGS AT LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

TRYING TIMES Regarding the national conversation around Black Lives Matter, the group’s philosophy is steady and calm: 101 Elite Men is not a political organization; these men are focused on the long game, on changing lives from within over a period of years. “We had a mission before these issues have ever come into social society,” says Johnson. “We realized years ago that this was an issue, way before the news, or anybody else, publicized it. So we had already laid the groundwork, and we already had our mission standing and moving forward. Now, because of these latest tragedies, it seems relevant, but we were relevant beforehand. We realized that it takes us, as men, to be the head and not the tail. It takes us taking charge and helping our community before someone else tells us we have to do such.”

Keith Grays explains that one vital difference

JUNETEENTH 2020

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH

HERE AND LEFT: 101 ELITE MEN DELIVERED WATER AND EASTER LILIES DURING THE QUARANTINE.

between the Black Lives Matter movement and the work of 101 Elite Men is that the latter is proactive, not reactive.

“Black Lives Matter can be a political movement, and we’re not a politically affiliated organization. We are Black men every day. We’re not Black Lives Matter when there’s a brutal murder. That’s not who we are. We have a daily mission as African American men, not just when something goes wrong.”

For so many difficult reasons, Grays believes there was a deep need for a group like this in Amarillo – and in the Texas Panhandle at large. And the success of the movement was particularly palpable at this year’s Juneteenth celebration. “These guys just pulled off one of the most successful, if not the most successful Juneteenth in North Amarillo. [These mentors] were the brain children, I should say, behind getting the black and the white clergy to come in and march together in the parade.”

This Juneteenth “was absolutely a breakthrough,” recalls Grays. The community had been grappling with the horror of the George Floyd killing, but in the end, the 101 Elite Men came back to the simple idea that virtue and integrity were the way forward. “This is what we do, regardless. It’s our emancipation proclamation. And we do this annually.’”

At that Juneteenth celebration, the organization had

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the city manager and members of the Amarillo City Council speak to the gathering, along with members of the Amarillo Police Department and the Amarillo Fire Department. “They came out in droves and walked with us as a community,” recalls Grays. “It was about freedom to come together and have a dialogue. And it turned out to be one of the biggest and most successful Juneteenth [celebrations] in the history of Amarillo’s Juneteenth.”

IRON SHARPENING IRON Parents of young Black men who think their child would be a good fit for the mentorship program should get in touch, says Johnson. “Reach out to a member,” he says, “or go to our website or our Facebook page. We’re all willing to sit down and talk to anyone that’s interested in the organization, or just needs some information about what’s going on in our community.” In the end, says Johnson, it’s all about growth and community. “A big thing that we want to do as 101 Elite Men is enrich our culture and enrich our community. Enrichment through us, as Black men. So it’s actually just an ironsharpening-iron concept. We get to lean on each other.

The mentors are us. We are all in one. We don’t have any separate entities, us as the men. We are everything.

We’re the selfless service. We are the mentors. We are the partnerships in our community.”

LOS BARRIOS STEP UP TO SUCCESS

REAL MEN WEAR PINK

CURTIS JOHNSON: AN ALABAMAN BECOMES AN AMARILLOAN Curtis Johnson is the founder and president of 101 Elite Men; he started the organization early last year, and this year the group obtained official nonprofit status. Johnson took the idea from a 101 Elite Men organization he belonged to at his alma mater, Troy University in Alabama, a group that helped to transition low-to-moderate income students from high school to college. When Johnson arrived in Amarillo three years ago, someone mentioned to him that Amarillo was in need of a similar organization. And his wheels started to turn.

“I was like, ‘Is that a nationally accredited organization?’” he recalls. “So I went and Googled it. And it wasn’t. It was actually just back home at Troy University. So that’s what kind of prompted me to start looking into it again, researching it, and it brought to the surface an idea that I was doing back home that I felt very positive about. And so I called a guy that came up with the idea back home, and I was like, ‘Hey, is this nationally accredited? Is this a nonprofit organization?’ He said no, it was just something that we were doing here.’ And I was like, ‘Well, if we start something here [in Amarillo], a mentorship and partnership program throughout our community for African American men, I think it would be vital.’” After that Johnson, was off and running.

Besides being an alum of Troy University (where he was also a cheerleader) Johnson is a five-year veteran of the U.S. Navy. He says he believes God sent him to Amarillo.

“I had never heard of Amarillo, Texas, in my life!” he says with a laugh. “And so, when I was told about the area, my ex was active duty Navy, we met in the military, and she was stationed here. And through that, I got here. And God has produced and provided ever since.”

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PROVIDED PHOTOS

Feature

GROWING LOCAL

By Jason Boyett

A

t the very beginning, Gary Sage was a Dalhart farmer who wanted to change the oil in his irrigation equipment without making a mess. He tinkered in his garage until he developed a vacuum system that solved that spillage problem. In fact, it actually made the process easier and faster. His peers took notice, and began hiring Sage to manufacture similar systems for their farms.

Today, the Amarillo-based Sage Oil Vac is an international business with multiple products, a global client base and distributors in Europe and Australia. A significant rung in the growth process for the family-run company came courtesy of Sage’s relationship with the WT Enterprise Center. One of the center’s first clients, Sage Oil Vac relocated from Dalhart to the Amarillo headquarters of the WTEC in 2001. That’s when Gary Sage decided to operate the business full time.

The company took off.

“They were a true testament of what incubation can do for a business,” says Kyla Frye, executive director of the Enterprise Center.

“They started on a farm in Dalhart and now they export to companies all over the world.” She says Gary Sage’s decision to rely on the Enterprise Center to help “incubate” his growing business gave him the support systems and resources necessary to take Sage Oil Vac to the next level.

Sage had invented the product. He could sell it. He could improve it.

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But managing a business was something he didn’t quite feel equipped to do. That’s why he decided to partner with the Enterprise Center.

Frye has been with the Enterprise Center for eight years and its director since 2018. She and her colleagues believe there are other million-dollar businesses in this area right now, poised for incredible Sage-style growth. That’s why WTEC has recently retooled its business incubation services in order to propel those companies forward.

“Incubation is the main program the Enterprise Center has run the last 19 years,” she says. “It’s been a process of business coaching, mentorship and training.” The incubation process is an ideal way to help start-ups, new businesses and small businesses take their next step toward success. Like Sage, that step might be deciding to run a business full time. Others might be looking to expand into new markets or develop new products.

“Every entrepreneur is at a different stage in their journey, from new businesses to existing businesses to second-stage businesses” that have expanded past the start-up phase but haven’t yet reached their potential, Frye says. “We wanted to find a program that worked across the board for all those different stages and industries, but also provided very specific benchmarks toward growth.”

Don’t let jargon like “benchmarks” or “second-stage businesses” trip

you up. What the Enterprise Center wants to do is position business owners to be more successful and make more money. “We want to help entrepreneurs set up their business so it works without them.

They don’t have to be the ones behind the cash register or drafting projects. If they want to take off for their son’s football game or take a vacation, they don’t have to worry about the business,” Frye says.

In order to create a business that functions without them, these growth-minded business owners have to be working on the business instead of in the business.

This requires a type of strategic thinking that isn’t always natural for a problem-solver or salesperson. It’s especially difficult for an operator who may have inherited a business from a family member.

They may be aware that there are aspects of business they don’t understand, but sometimes they don’t even know enough to identify what those things are.

“We see a lot of entrepreneurs who are really good at one aspect [of what they do],” Frye explains. They might be really good at selling a product, for example. But they’re less skilled at developing or creating products. Or they feel completely ill-equipped for the management side of things. “Everyone is really good at one section of it. So how do we teach them the other two sections? Or how do we teach them to hire people who excel at the other two sections, to make sure that business is going to grow?”

That teaching process is at the core of business incubation, but the business world has changed dramatically since the Enterprise Center launched the program in 2001. That’s why this hub for innovation has committed to innovation of its own. The WTEC has entirely transformed its incubation program as of this summer.

The new incubation program is now known as Growth Academy.

It’s an 18-week, cohort-based program led by certified coaches at the WTEC and mentors from within Amarillo’s business community.

As envisioned, it builds additional structure and community onto an already successful program.

“In the past, [an incubation client] would set growth goals with your coach. And when you both feel you’ve reached those goals, you graduate,” Frye explains. “Which was fine in a lot of ways, but this program really defines that more into a timeline we were seeing consistently over the past couple of years. Originally, incubation could take anywhere from three to five years. Now, we have condensed that into an 18-week program.”

The cohort model introduces a networking element that was missing from the program’s previous incarnation. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey, but some of the training for the approximately half-dozen Growth Academy participants will occur in community, along with roundtable sessions and other events. While the coaching and business assessments will be tailored to each particular company, the structure is designed to limit isolation and foster relationships.

“It’s not just an individual journey anymore. They’re going through it as a group,” says Frye, who serves as one of the program’s coaches.

“Our first cohort that’s going through this together loves that aspect of it. They can lean on each other and say, ‘These are the challenges we’re experiencing. How are you guys handling that? What do you appreciate about this?’”

Growth Academy trainings will include sessions on finances, leadership, strategic planning and more. They’ll even dig into details like defining job functions through position descriptions, or setting policies and procedures for employees. “Many small businesses don’t even have budgets in place,” Frye explains. “We’ll be focusing on

the small details that a new entrepreneur or someone inheriting a business from family might never have thought about.”

“Growth” is an apt name for the Enterprise Center’s new academy, because it reflects a commitment to meaningful change across the coaching and support program. The old WTEC incubation model was already working. Sage Oil Vac is proof. So are newer businesses like Altura Engineering & Design, which began with an idea in 2013 and now has more than 45 employees spread across an entire floor of the FirstBank Southwest Tower.

But Frye and company know that stagnation rarely breeds success – especially in a business climate that has seen dramatic shifts since 2001. “Entrepreneurship is different now. The entrepreneurship industry is constantly evolving,” she says. “As a support organization for that industry, if we’re not evolving and learning to pivot and be innovative in the services that we’re offering, we can’t meet them where they are in the process. We can’t provide the value they’re seeking.”

The Enterprise Center is here to help “ entrepreneurs, period. It doesn’t matter their gender, race or stage of life. We’re here to help build the companies of their dreams.

– Kyla Frye, WTEC Director

”

To prove her point, she says we need to look no further than the ways small businesses have pivoted their operations since the coronavirus arrived in the Texas Panhandle. “Limitation breeds innovation,” says Frye. “We saw that come out full-force during COVID. People were being really innovative in the products they were offering, trying to make things different, adding things. Several [businesses] quickly put in place apps or websites to purchase their products, or shifted how they were interacting with customers on social media. The coolest part for me was seeing entrepreneurs adapt to the hand they were dealt, to make sure they could keep providing their customers with the products they loved.”

Amarillo people have long been supportive of local businesses, and the past few months of Black Lives Matter protests have focused attention on businesses owned by people of color. Research shows that entrepreneurs of color are underrepresented in the business world, and often have access to fewer resources or financial capital.

“That’s always been part of the conversation at the Enterprise Center, but we definitely could do a better job of reaching that market,” Frye says. She and her colleagues have been talking to representatives of the St. Anthony’s Legacy and Redevelopment Corporation, which is working with the North Heights Association to revitalize the historic St. Anthony’s Hospital property and use it, in part, for entrepreneurial activity.

“The Enterprise Center is here to help entrepreneurs, period,” Frye says. “It doesn’t matter their gender, race or stage of life. We’re here to help build the companies of their dreams.”

Applications are open for this fall’s Growth Academy cohort through Aug. 15 via wtenterprisecenter.com. Once the new cohort has been established, the next cohort plans to begin in January.

AUGUST 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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Feature

Covid-19 Back-To-School Guide

W

By Jonathan Baker

e’re living in unprecedented times. As our children prepare to return to school – in whatever form it may take – we thought it would be helpful to provide a one-stop resource for all of your back-to-school questions. Things are changing rapidly, day by day, and we can’t know what the future holds – or even what the policies will be a month from now. But we can arm you with the best knowledge we have, with help from some experts at Amarillo and Canyon ISD.

What measures are in place to keep my kids safe at school?

“We’re working on some protocols so that we can keep kids at a lower risk of getting the infection,” says Patricia Miranda, AISD’s program director of student health services. Those protocols will include hand sanitizing stations and functional sinks to encourage frequent hand-washing. “We’re going to encourage supervised hand-washing,” says Miranda, “twenty seconds, at least twice a day, to help reduce the risk of infection. And definitely after using the restroom and before eating. Students, teachers and staff will also be encouraged to wear masks and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or a covered elbow if tissue is not available.” Both school districts say they will be cleaning and disinfecting common surfaces, including door handles, tables, desks, supplies, laptops, and tables. CISD insists that it will discourage staff from using other workers’ phones and desks.

Will social distancing be required at schools?

Miranda says that within her own nurse’s offices, she will have tape or signs on the floor indicating where students should stand to keep them safely distanced. “We’re also working on having a well room and a sick room,” she says, “so that we can keep those kids separate from the kids that are coming in just for daily medical procedures or medications, or coming in for a Band-Aid or something. And then those that are presenting with fever or other possible signs and symptoms of COVID or other health issues, like the flu, then we can go ahead and keep them separated from the well kids.”

Meanwhile, Canyon ISD plans to implement staggered work hours and increase physical space between employees.

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Will I be able to visit my child at school?

“There is a possibility that there’s going to be restrictions as far as visitors in our schools” says Patricia Miranda. “So if parents had the choice before of coming in to eat lunch with their kids that might not be a choice they’ll have this year. We’re hoping the parents understand why, because we’re trying to do everything we can to keep kids safe, and the staff as well, not just the students.”

My child has a disability. What steps are being taken to keep her safe?

Both school districts have a large number of students with disabilities, some of whom are confined to wheelchairs or are nonverbal.

“I have three registered nurses assigned to [a] school, taking care of those students,” says Miranda. “They’re in a classroom, and so we’re working on a protocol on how to not crosscontaminate and to keep that nurse in that particular room all day long, so that they’re performing procedures around the clock. We’ll make sure they’re using the personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfecting before they move on to the next student.”

I’m worried my child will be bullied for wearing a mask.

What can I do?

“Unfortunately” says Tracey Morman, “sometimes we have to deal with that. We just talk to our students and just say, that’s a choice.

I hope that students feel comfortable enough that if they need to wear a mask because of their family situation or because of their situation, that they feel comfortable enough to do that. Our staff is equipped to handle that.

I feel like we handle bullying well, but I know parents don’t always agree.“

My child has asthma, and I’m worried about them being exposed to COVID at school.

What can I do?

“The only thing we can do,” says Miranda, “is offer a lot of guidance and recommendations, and just work with [those parents]. We don’t want to offer false reassurance; we just want to offer information. If parents still feel that they’re not comfortable with sending their child to school, they can definitely opt to receive remote learning. And so we can continue working with those parents and offer them information that’ll help them hopefully feel comfortable enough someday to bring their kids to school.”

How can I make sure my child wears a mask at school?

Tracey Morman suggests that, as you go out in public with your kids, you talk about masks and COVID, and you don’t make it a scary thing. “Talk about how [a mask] can protect you, how it can protect other people.

It’s a protective thing. Just like when we go out in the cold, we wear a coat as a protective thing because we can get frostbite from the cold. We always want to put it on the positive side and not on the negative side.”

As of now, says Patricia Miranda, teachers and staff at AISD are required to wear masks, “and we’re going to strongly encourage our parents to provide a mask for their students. Of course, taking into consideration that if they have a breathing problem or a disability and they’re not able to wear a mask, that’s definitely something we can work with, with the parents. For firstgraders, kindergarten kids, pre-K, it’ll be hard, but we’re going to have to get creative and figure out how we can at least encourage them to wear one, so that we’re keeping everyone safe. Because based on research, those droplets of nuclei hopefully will be contained [by a mask] and won’t travel as far. In combination with the social distancing, based on research, it’ll definitely help minimize the risk of exposure.”

Will schools be doing temperature checks?

All nurse’s offices, of course, have the capacity to check a child’s temperature – and will be doing so frequently. With that said, nurse Patricia Miranda says, “We can’t really get stuck on the idea of checking temperatures because everybody has different body temperatures. In the morning, my temperature might be a little bit more during the day depending on the weather, depending on the clothing, also depending on medical factors … There are kids that are immunocompromised or have other health issues that might register a higher temperature. So that’s when the nursing assessment comes in, and we look at everything and not just the temperature … And another thing we have to remember is that, if a child is hurting the day before school and has a little bit of a leg pain or a little headache, and the parent administers Tylenol or Motrin and then they come into school, they’re going to register at a normal temperature but then they spike later in the day. So we can’t get so stuck on just the temperature. We’ve got to look at everything.”

How can I set my child’s mind at ease about returning to school?

It’s no secret that this is a fraught time, so it’s important to approach the subject with calmness and equanimity. Tracey Morman, director of counseling and college and career readiness for AISD, notes that, with the constant changing of plans, it’s important to draw good boundaries around what your kids see and hear. “We want to try to be open and honest with our kids,” she says, “but sometimes we want to have the difficult conversations away from our kids, because sometimes we forget what our kids hear. Our kids hear our frustration with, ‘What is the plan?’ or ‘Somebody hasn’t told us what the plan is,’ or ‘The safety precautions going back to school aren’t what we think need to happen.’ Sometimes we need to keep those frustrations or those fears to ourselves because kids internalize those. We just need to say, ‘Hey, you know what? We’re going to go back to school. We’re going to do our best, and these are the decisions we’re going to make.’ Or, ‘We’re going to stay at home, and we’re going to do virtual learning, and we’re going to make the best of it. This is what it’s going to look like for our family.’ Kids are resilient. They will bounce back.”

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How can I subtly make sure my children are doing well?

Morman notes that, as parents, we always want to know how our child’s day went at school. But as kids reach the adolescent years, they have a tendency to close up or be more taciturn. “You have a high school kid, they’re going to go, ‘Fine, it was good.’

So you should be asking, ‘What was good about it? What was the best part? What was something that you learned today?’ Those types of questions that aren’t yes or no questions. ‘What was the worst part? What do you wish had gone better in your class today? What did you see today? What did you eat for lunch today? Who did you sit by at lunch today?’ Those types of questions. You start seeing patterns that way.”

In addition, Morman says it’s important to remember that all of her counselors are always available. “If you start seeing things that concern you, we have student-family advocates. They can provide mental health resources. We have DialCare, that’s free telehealth counseling ... We really believe that mental health is important for all of our students. We’re going to be focusing on social and emotional learning this year not only for our students, but for our staff, because we know that you can’t learn math, you can’t learn reading and English, if you’re not mentally able to learn that stuff.”

What’s the most important thing to remember as students return to school amid the pandemic?

“We’re all in it together,” says Miranda. “[Hopefully] parents will be very understanding of all the changes the district might have to make in order to make sure we keep our students safe.

And we’ll hopefully reduce the risk of exposure to this virus. So we’re just asking for parents to work with us, to be patient.”

“I think the most important thing” says Tracey Morman, “is you’ve got to do what’s best for your family. What I’ve had to tell my counselors is, I think our motto right now is ‘flexibility and change.’ We just have to be flexible, because everything’s changing on a daily basis.”

What’s being done to ensure the students use good hygiene?

This is a strange new time, but to be fair, teaching hygiene in school is nothing new. It’s just super-charged now. “In elementary school,” says Morman, “even before this, my counselors would go in and do hygiene lessons all the time in our classes. Even in fifth grade we had hygiene kits that we would give kids. In sixth grade when puberty’s hitting, we would definitely do hygiene lessons and talk about the importance of washing more frequently and doing things like that. In kindergarten, we would always do hand washing lessons and talk about why we washed our hands. Those are things that we will just continue to reinforce as we go back to school. I think that, again, it’s all about the way that you reinforce that. You just want to teach them the importance of hygiene versus making it a scary thing.”

Help! I’m having trouble deciding whether to let my child go to school or have them do distance learning.

Morman agrees that this is not a decision to be taken lightly. She confides that her own high-school age son didn’t thrive in a virtual learning atmosphere, so he’ll be going back to school this year. “He needs that face-to-face,” she says. “He needs that teacher interaction. He needs his teammates, his peers.

Whether they’re sitting six feet apart or not, he needs that.”

Morman says there are pros and cons to making either choice. “Some people are going to do much better in a virtual setting, and that’s what’s best for their family. We definitely want to make sure you have all of the information whenever you’re making that decision for your student and for your family. You have to have broadband internet. We want to make sure that you have that capability, that you have the discipline, the structure in your home to be able to do it because the state’s also told us that you’re going to have to log in every day. You’re going to have to show progress every day. It’s not like it was in the spring where [the student is saying], ‘Hey, I might get all my work done on a Friday.’”

Parents who are concerned about sending their kids to school are free to visit with one of AISD’s school nurses, says Miranda. “We can offer some recommendations, and [tell them about] things that we’ll be implementing in school to hopefully give them some peace of mind.”

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My child will be doing distance learning this fall. How can I make sure they stay focused and don’t feel isolated?

Both school districts are currently building their plans for what on-campus and virtual school will look like this fall. By all accounts, the distance learning this fall will look very different from the spring.

“Requirements for virtual school are significantly more demanding on students’ daily participation and completion of work at home, as compared to this past spring,” says Canyon ISD. At AISD, says Morman, “we’re trying to make sure that our families understand that it’s not going to be like it was at the end of the year, because new learning is going to be occurring. We really need for there to be an adult present to help with that learning. We’re looking at some different platforms on how to provide that learning for students. Some of our courses may still require you to come to school to provide the lab because, for example, if you’re in welding, you still may have to come do a portion of that course at school. We may set up times for you to do that, but you still may have to come to school to complete that course. Then there are courses you won’t have an opportunity to take because there’s not an option for you to take that course virtually.

If you choose the virtual option, you may be limited on some of your electives or different things.”

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STOCK PHOTO

What’s Cooking?

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Cool Veggies

for Hot Summers A

s the proprietors of a full acre of gardens at the High Plains Food Bank, married couple Justin and Cara Young know their veggies. This summer, they and their staff have been overseeing 220 different varieties of plants in the urban garden, experimenting with drought tolerances, heat tolerances, different flavors and more. All that gardening – along with some pigs, chickens and ducks – keeps them outside during the hottest part of the summer.

So when it’s time to eat, the Youngs don’t necessarily want to spend time in a hot kitchen. That desire is what drives the recipes in this issue, which rely on locally grown cucumbers and tomatoes. “We work outside in the heat,” Justin says. “We love these [dishes] because they’re served chilled. We can prep them in advance and then sit down to something cool.”

They also know that tomatoes and cucumbers are readily available in Texas Panhandle gardens this time of year. “Those are two of the best choices [for local gardening] because they produce so much, so quickly.

Depending on the type of tomato you choose, you can get really early productions – early fruit off them,” he explains. “You don’t harvest one time and then it’s done and you’ve got to replant. They keep giving.”

RECIPES COURTESY OF JUSTIN AND CARA YOUNG, THE GARDEN AT HIGH PLAINS FOOD BANK

AUGUST 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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The Recipes Tomato Salad 2 cups heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges 1 cup multicolored cherry tomatoes, cut in half 2 cups fresh baby spinach ½ cup sliced red onion Dressing: 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar 1 garlic clove, minced ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon fresh basil, chopped ¼ teaspoon fresh oregano ¼ teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped ¼ teaspoon fresh thyme ¼ teaspoon pepper 1/8 teaspoon sage, chopped Place tomatoes, spinach and onion in large bowl. Whisk ingredients for dressing. If needed, substitute dried herbs to taste.

Combine dressing and salad and toss. Refrigerate for 2 hours, and serve cold.

Makes 6 servings

Summer Cucumber Noodles 3 cucumbers, cored and sliced thin 1 ½ tablespoons Red Boat fish sauce 1 tablespoon sesame seed oil (not toasted) Juice of 1 lime 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds Peel and slice cucumbers and place in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and toss to combine. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.

Makes 4 servings

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Meet the Cooks: Justin and Cara Young of The Garden at High Plains Food Bank

T

hanks to its annual drives, most locals imagine canned goods when they think of the High Plains Food Bank, which partners with 190 agencies to alleviate hunger across the top 29 counties in the Texas Panhandle. The public at large doesn’t always think of fresh produce or gardening in context of the organization.

But Justin and Cara Young are changing that, one harvest at a time.

This married couple has been on staff at HPFB for the past nine years. He serves as the Director of Nutrition Education. Cara’s title is “Gardens & Community Partnerships.” Both of them are dedicated to helping food insecure families eat healthy, nutritious food – and the one-acre urban garden the couple oversees is a big part of that.

“Cara’s the dreamer and the visionary,” Justin explains. He says his role is to worry about the practical duties, putting in the effort to accomplish her vision.

“The No. 1 mission of the Food Bank is to meet the immediate need of hunger,” Justin says. “That’s always the priority. Beyond that, the Food Bank is interested in the betterment of the person as a whole. Gardening can provide a little bit of self-sufficiency as you learn to produce your own food or supplement your budget.”

Under Justin and Cara’s leadership, the Food Bank’s garden serves as an outdoor classroom, helping students, apartment residents and homeowners learn to grow fresh, healthy food.

The potential harvest is only part of the benefit. “People who are coming out of poverty have also been through some traumatic things,” Justin says. “There’s healing that happens through gardening. There are a lot of therapeutic benefits.

Sometimes people just need a win.

They need to do something that succeeds, and planting a garden that succeeds can give you that win.”

The Youngs also use the garden to teach nutrition. “We want to teach people how to grow food and eat it in ways that are healthy and that they enjoy,” he says. “Most of nutrition education is just cooking education.

It’s teaching people how to use pure, simple, healthy ingredients using fresh produce. It couples really nicely with our garden programs.”

A former middle school science teacher, Justin’s green thumb is largely self-taught, though he does draw heavily on a teacher’s willingness to learn and experiment. Cara brings a more formal education to her job. Before HPFB, she was working as a floral designer with a degree in biology.

Justin estimates that each of them spends 20 to 25 hours a week working in the Food Bank’s garden. The rest of their time is spent on administrative duties and program development on behalf of the Food Bank’s clientele. “Our goal is for people to succeed and better their lives,” Justin says. “It’s really difficult to do that when you feel bad, when your diet’s not right and you’re not 100%. People need to be 100% to get themselves back on their feet.”

AUGUST 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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Safe. Trusted. Ready.

Keeping our patients safe from infection is our top priority, we have enhanced cleaning processes, so you can be reassured we have taken all the necessary precautions for your visit.

Our medical teams offer quality, advanced care while focusing on the smaller details that help save lives, like strict hygiene protocol, proper hand washing and enhanced cleaning processes.

Our highly skilled medical teams will be providing your care in an all mask facility.

Please don’t delay seeking medical care, your health depends on it.

If you’re having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

We also offer real-time wait times at

NWTHS.COM/ER ER Wait Time is an average provided for informational purposes only.

Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Northwest Texas Healthcare System.

The system shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. 200110-8214 6/20

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AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM • AUGUST 2020

Let’s Eat! PRICING GUIDE $ most entrees less than $10 $$ most entrees $11 to $20 $$$ most entrees more than $21

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 MMCAFFREY@AMARILLO.COM.

Amarillo 575 PIZZERIA

Toppings runneth over at 575 Pizzeria, not to mention the specials that rotate every month. (Check the board when you walk in.) 575 is family-owned and family-friendly, so it’s a great Friday night dinner choice.

2803 Civic Circle/7710 Hillside Road, Suite 700322.5575, 575pizzeria.com $$

THE 806 COFFEE + LOUNGE

In addition to its vast organic, fair trade coffee and tea offerings, The 806 caters to local vegetarians and vegans with its “foodie” menu. The limited (but tasty) menu includes omelets, bagels, sandwiches, and nachos along with made-from-scratch desserts, a few which are also gluten-free.

Don’t miss brunch served on Saturdays and Sundays. Regulars go for coffee that packs a punch and the healthy eats.

2812 SW Sixth Ave., 322.1806, the806.com $

ALDACO’S TACOS

Located on historic Sixth Street you’ll find this small, authentic Mexican restaurant.

The wait staff is friendly so it’s easy to have fun at Aldaco’s, especially on live music nights. Try not to fill up on the homemade chips and salsa so you can enjoy the rest of the delicious food. 3623 SW Sixth Ave., 374.4945 $$

ASPEN CREEK GRILL

One of only nine locations nationwide, Aspen Creek’s Amarillo restaurant offers its signature made-from-scratch food in a family-friendly atmosphere. Step into the mountain-lodge inspired decor and you can expect to be greeted warmly by the friendly staff, receive excellent service, and over-sized portions on everything from appetizers to entrees to dessert. The Happy Hour at Aspen – one of the most affordable in town – is a welcome break after a challenging work day. 4110 I-40 West, 398.2776, aspencreekgrill.com $$

BAR 3

Located at Preston West Golf Course, this hidden gem serves a limited bar menu for lunch and dinner. Savor comfort food like smoked pulled pork sandwiches, pork shank, and hearty hamburgers, made fresh to order. Wash it down with an ice-cold beer or let the staff help you choose something from the drink menu.

9101 S. Coulter St., 353.7003 $

THE BIG TEXAN STEAK RANCH & BREWERY

Everyone knows about the 72-ouncer, but did you know the breakfast buffet is only $14? Every morning from 7-11 a.m. you can pile your plate high with pancakes, sausage and skillet potatoes. Top it off with a trip to the Omelet Bar before leaving completely satisfied. 7701 I-40 East, 372.6000, bigtexan.com $$

CALICO COUNTY RESTAURANT

An Amarillo favorite for decades, the homecooked 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 the excellent waffles, too. 2410 Paramount Blvd., 358.7664, calicocountyrestaurant.com $$

CITY CAFÉ AND ESPRESSO Tucked in the basement of the Amarillo Police Department, this cafe is open to all. A full breakfast and lunch menu keeps downtown visitors going back for more.

Start your day with a breakfast burrito, sandwich, or omelet, or feast on hearty burgers, Tex-Mex or sandwiches for lunch.

200 SE Third Ave., 378.6104 $

CRUSH WINE BAR & GRILL

Crush’s excellent tapas, sandwiches, entrees and desserts are a big enough draw. Add an extensive and impressive wine list, a rooftop and street-side patio, and excellent service, and you’ve got one of the city’s premier hang-out spots. The Saturday brunch is

hard to beat, too. 627 S. Polk St., 418.2011, crushamarillo.com $$

DANIEL’S DRIVE IN

Located on old Route 66, Daniel’s offers old-fashioned drive-in fare. Fresh-cooked burgers, tots, onion rings and plenty of soda fountain drinks make this the ideal spot for a sunny-day lunch or afternoon snack.

2911 Amarillo Blvd. East, 383.0066 $

DICKEY’S BARBECUE PIT

Dickey’s serves its original slow-smoked meats alongside home-style sides like macaroni-and-cheese and jalapeño beans, fresh rolls, and plenty of ice tea. Founded in Dallas in 1941, the national franchise also gives back – its foundation, Barbecue, Boots & Badges, benefits law enforcement and firefighters in the local community.

6015 Hillside Road, Suite 100, 322.0127, dickeys.com $$ NEW

EL PALETON

Fresh ingredients and traditional Mexican snacks await you at El Paleton.

Colorful and delicious, El Paleton creates handmade favorites like strawberries and cream, paleta, manzana loca, elote and more. Warning: You’ve just met your newest addiction. 818 Martin Road, 418.6155, elpaletontx.com $

ENGLISH FIELD HOUSE RESTAURANT

Visit a piece of Amarillo history at the English Field House, which sits just south of Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport.

Named for the city’s first airfield, the restaurant offers great, cooked-fresh cafe food. Take the family for Sunday breakfast.

It’s worth the drive. 10610 American Drive, 335.2996, englishfieldhouse.com $

FIRE SLICE PIZZERIA

You know you’re in for a good time at Fire Slice when you see the menu. Choose from pizza specialties, such as “Tommy Boy” and “Hot Momma,” or build your own. Each pizza is made fresh in a custom-built pizza oven. Try savory Italian brunch items on

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Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 11 a.m.

7306 SW 34th Ave., Space 10, 331.2232, fireslice.com $$

return trip a necessity. 7609 Hillside Road, 350.4377, housedividedamarillo.com $$

FRANK’S BAKERY

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. Select a chef special such as chicken tandoori or chicken tikka masala or try a little of everything on the lunch buffet.

Finish up with the to-die-for rice pudding.

Don’t leave without sipping the mango lassi.

2406 Paramount Blvd., 335.3600, indian-oven.com $$

Transport yourself to Europe at the only boulangerie in Amarillo. No matter what you choose, you can’t miss with French specialties like fresh baguette sandwiches, quiche, feuillete (a puff pastry filled with chicken, bechamel, and mushrooms), crepes, and croissants – if you can break away from the divine pastry case to order an entree. We’re big fans.

1923 S. Western St., 352.8089 $

GIRASOL CAFE & BAKERY

If you’ve missed having an artisan bakery in Amarillo, you’re in luck. Head over to Girasol Cafe and enjoy fresh baked goods along with a rotating menu of salads, soups, sandwiches and entrees – many with a Latin influence. Check the bakery’s Facebook page for daily featured items.

3201 S. Coulter St., 322.0023 $

GOLDEN LOTUS RESTAURANT

This Chinese, Lao and Thai eatery isn’t just loved for its food and great prices; the staff is friendly and hospitable. In addition to traditional dishes such as pad thai, sesame chicken and chow mein, Golden Lotus also serves dishes that require customers to branch out. The papaya salad, clams in black bean sauce, or mango catfish are just a few of the out-of-the-ordinary menu items that will surely impress. 2417 Amarillo Blvd. East, 331.7824 $

HENK’S PIT BAR-B-QUE

If you’re a local on a quick lunch break or a tourist driving through, stop at Henk’s.

The barbecue is savory and sweet, and the jalapeño cheese sausage makes for a tasty snack. And for you early birds, Henk’s also serves a satisfying breakfast.

1508 S. Grand St., 372.9011 $$

HOUSE DIVIDED RESTAURANT & SPORTS GRILL

Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Sunday, House Divided splits its interior into a dedicated bar area and separate dining room (hence the name). But you’ll see a “divided” theme in its menu as well, with popular Texas college rivalries set on opposing pages. The diverse menu is full of plenty of pub grub, steaks, Texas-style entrees, pizza, Italian and Mexican food, salads, sandwiches and burgers to make a 28

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INDIAN OVEN

JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS

Jersey Mike’s brings a taste of the Jersey Shore to the Panhandle. The franchise stands behind its high-quality, premium meats, cheeses and fresh-baked bread.

Try a cold sub like the Famous Roast Beef and Provolone, a hot sandwich like Jersey Mike’s Famous Philly, or make any sub into a wrap or salad for a low-carb option. Order in-store or online and pick it up for a quick and tasty meal. 2311 Georgia St., 731.0731, jerseymikes.com $ UPDATE

JOE TACO

Great atmosphere and a variety of Southwest favorites make Joe Taco a great place to sit and relax, especially while enjoying a signature margarita. Soak in the sun on the patio when the weather is nice.

7312 Wallace Blvd./600 S. Buchanan St., 350.8226, joetaco.net $$

K-N ROOT BEER DRIVE-IN

If you’ve tried K-N’s yummy burgers and floats, then you know why it’s been a success for more than 40 years. The K-N Special, a double-meat, double-cheese burger, melts in your mouth. You can’t beat the old-fashioned, icy mug of homemade root beer. 3900 Olsen Blvd., 355.4391, knrootbeer.com $

LA CAMPANA

La Campana offers flavorful, inexpensive Tex-Mex with options that will please the entire family and the salsa is made fresh daily. We suggest the manchacas and huevos rancheros served with beef sauce.

Don’t overlook the papas frijoles covered with cheese. 2220 Canyon Drive, 373.4486 $

LAZY GATOR

Get your Cajun fix at The Lazy Gator. The menu is brimming with pasta, seafood, fresh

oysters, frog legs, burgers, po’ boys, and plenty of drink specials to wash it all down.

We’re ready to tackle the peel-and-eat shrimp and creamy creole alfredo.

6103 Hillside Road, Suite 200, 418.6768 $$

LY’S CAFE

If you’ve never tried Laotian food, head over Ly’s Cafe and fill up on authentic, fresh and delicious food. Handmade sausage, beef jerky, duck – add the essential sticky rice and a hot tea for a classic meal. The friendly staff will help you choose from the ample menu if you’re stumped. 5615 Amarillo Blvd.

East, 383.1569 $

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, the restaurant offers excellent service and an exquisite food and wine menu. It’s at the top of our list. 1619 S. Kentucky St., Suite D1500, 358.8990, macaronijoes.com $$-$$$

METROPOLITAN-A SPEAKEASY

Start your day with a coffee and pastry at Metropolitan. If a midday lunch with colleagues is in order, impress them with Metropolitan’s twist on classic favorites like a BLT. Or celebrate the end of a productive workday with a classy cocktail, savory small plate, or scrumptious homemade dessert. The menu changes frequently so check the club’s Facebook page for updates and special menu offerings. 9181 Town Square Blvd., Suite 1201, 242.0117, metroofamarillo.com $$

MR. FISH

Another quirky dive has popped up on Sixth Street. The former owner of now-closed Pattaya Restaurant takes another approach with a small fish-and-chips joint. A rotating menu of Asian specialties, including sushi, will supplement the affordable fish and fries offerings. 2806 SW Sixth Ave., 803.9434 $

NAPOLI’S FINE ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Napoli’s has created an oasis in downtown Amarillo. Indulge yourself with the housebaked bread while you browse the ample menu. Try the hearty lasagna or one of the over-sized calzones while enjoying live music on the spacious patio.

700 S. Taylor St., 220.2588, napolisofamarillo.com $$

OLIVE GARDEN ITALIAN KITCHEN

Olive Garden will tell you, “When you’re here, you’re family,” and that’s the truth. The portions couldn’t be more generous. With endless salad and breadsticks, no matter the entree, you’ll leave satisfied. 4121 I-40 West, 355.9973, olivegarden.com $$

PALIO’S PIZZA CAFE

Palio’s has all your Italian food cravings covered. From generous subs and pasta dishes to fresh-made pizza, the cafe promises “real” food with made-fromscratch dough, fresh produce and all-natural ingredients. There are even gluten-free options for celiac sufferers.

3562 S. Soncy Road, Suite 301, 398.7256, paliospizzacafe.com $$

PHO 84

Serving traditional Vietnamese food, Pho 84 offers spring rolls, dumplings, and a variety of Asian fusion cuisine. Expect quality food and service when you visit the small, cozy eatery. 5713 SW 34th Ave., 437.1626 $

cheese. The endless combinations will keep you going back for more.

1612 S. Georgia St., 359.7330 $

SPICY MIKE’S BAR-B-Q HAVEN

Diners won’t leave Mike’s hungry; they’ll leave licking their fingers. With chopped brisket sandwiches, tender pork ribs and more, Mike’s is a meat lover’s paradise.

6723 S. Western St., 358.8550, spicymikes.mymobisite.us $

TAQUERIA EL COMAL

This little shop’s homemade gorditas are always a delight. The building is easy to pass by, so slow down and keep your eyes peeled; you don’t want to miss out on this treasure. 1210 Amarillo Blvd. East, 373.7090 $

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 Ave., Suite 1100, 373.9995, amarillotasteofthai.com $

TEXAS CHICKEN WOK

You’ll find plenty of affordable lunch and dinner options at Texas Chicken Wok. The presentation of each entree speaks more to gourmet than low-budget, with a dazzling array of fresh-cut vegetables adorning every dish. 3205 I-40 East, 318.3952, ordertexaschickenwok.com $

TUMBLEWEED FARM BAKERY

This Keto-friendly bakery offers more than just sweet treats. With a full lunch and early dinner menu (the shop closes at 7 p.m.) enjoy gluten-free, low-carb entrees, sandwiches, and salads. 4137 SW 34th Ave., 223.6523, tumbleweedbakery.com $

TYLER’S BARBEQUE

Going back to the basics, Tyler’s Barbeque combines a straightforward menu with a relaxed atmosphere. We suggest the mouth-watering Man-Sized Double Meat Sandwich or the tasty Frito pie.

3301 Olsen Blvd., 331.2271, tylersbarbeque.com $$

RANCHO VIEJO RESTAURANT

Breakfast is served all day at Rancho Viejo, and with free coffee. Choose from plenty “of Tex-Mex entrees priced under $10.

1915 I-40 East, 517.2170, ranchoviejoamarillo.com $

ROCKET BREWS

Think of Rocket Brews as snack central; you’ll find everything from cucumber micheladas to shredded beef jerky and custom snack trays. A bevy of colors and flavors make a return visit a must. 1506 Amarillo Blvd. East, 350.7830 $

SAIGON RESTAURANT

If you’re in the mood for authentic Vietnamese cuisine, this is the place to dine.

Even the pickiest eater can find something they like at Saigon. The extensive menu, which consists of traditional Vietnamese favorites such as pho, spring rolls and Korean barbecue ribs, is vegan-friendly, too.

2909 I-40 West, 373.3456 $

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

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Congratulations, B O WDEN!

Bowden Jones Jr., EVP/Chief Consumer Officer of FBSW, was named a 2020 Emerging Leader in Banking by the Texas Bankers Association.

"As a banker, he does exactly what he does when addressing community needs: He defines the reality to be achieved, inspires others to follow, gives them clear guidance, training, and expectations, and then leads them to success."

- ANDY MARSHALL, CEO AND PRESIDENT OF FBSW

FBSW.COM

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AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM • AUGUST 2020

WILD BILL’S

Wild Bill’s offers American food and friendly service. The green chile cheese burger with hand-cut, seasoned fries is our favorite.

Enjoy billiards, darts and arcade games while you wait, or after you dine. 3811 SW Sixth Ave., 372.4500, wildbillsbarandgrill.com $

YE OLDE PANCAKE STATION

With breakfast this good, you’ll be glad to know the Pancake Station serves it all day long. The restaurant also offers great dinerstyle entrees for lunch. We recommend the over-sized omelets, fresh pancakes, and southern fried chicken. 2800 Virginia Circle, 355.0211, pancakestation.com $

YOUNGBLOOD’S CAFE

Experience the Western heritage of Amarillo at Youngblood’s Cafe. The Cafe serves up excellent chicken-fried steaks to satisfy your craving for beef. Plus, Youngblood’s also offers a hearty breakfast every day starting at 6 a.m. 620 SW 16th Ave., 342.9411, youngbloodscafe.com $$

Canyon BACK 40 GRILL

With daily specials and live music, Back 40 Grill is set on livening up the square in Canyon. American food favorites like burgers and fries, nachos, and chicken fry fill the menu. No matter your choice, you’re in for a rocking good time at Back 40. 1512 Fifth Ave, Suite 101, 557.3700, theback40grill.com $$

BEAR’S BURGERS & DAWGS

Choosing from the simple offerings is an easy task at Bear’s. Other than handmade burgers, hot dogs and fries, a few comfort food items like Frito pie and loaded baked potatoes round out the menu.

Ice cold beer will help you wash it all down. 2001-A N. Second Ave., 452.8033 $

BUFF’S

Buff ’s specializes in home-style comfort food and more-thangenerous portions. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, you’ll find plenty of crave-appeasing items all day long. 2201 Fourth Ave., 655.2833 $

EL PATIO MEXICAN RESTAURANTE

Sometimes the only thing that will satisfy pesky hunger pangs is great Tex-Mex and that’s exactly what you’ll find at El Patio. The comfortable atmosphere and exceptional service add up to a perfectly satisfying meal. 1410 Hereford Highway, 655.4300 $

FAMILY SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT

You’ll find plenty of mouth-watering options at The Family Soul Food Restaurant. Feast on traditional family recipes like chickenfried chicken, fried ribs, catfish, or cheesy meatloaf with all the sides, topped off by a slice of sweet cornbread. Save room for the rotating dessert menu. 1205 23rd St., 463.4686 $

FELDMAN’S WRONG WAY DINER

Feldman’s fun, casual atmosphere and model trains that run a course along the ceiling make it a great place for the whole family.

Try the made-fresh burgers or the Tortugas chicken, satisfaction guaranteed. 2100 N. Second Ave., 655.2700, feldmansdiner.com $

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HIL’S BURGERS

This burger joint’s menu is pretty snazzy.

The Philly cheese steak sandwich pairs perfectly with a side of sizzling, thinly sliced onion rings, but you can’t go wrong with the chicken-fried steak sandwich topped with chili, either. 1302 23rd St., 656.0810 $

JOE TACO

One of Amarillo’s most beloved Tex-Mex restaurants has made its way to Canyon.

Located on the bustling square, the new location offers the same Tex-Mex favorites and energetic vibe as its Medical Center location. Enjoy lunch and dinner seven days a week. 502 15th St., 452.8226, joetaco.net $$

THE KING AND I

Craving fresh sushi? The King and I will surely satisfy. Try the customer favorite, the Canyon Roll, and savor every scrumptious slice of crab, tempura shrimp, avocado, cucumber and cream cheese topped with red tuna, white tuna, shrimp and eel. If you still have an appetite, order the fried bananas covered with powdered sugar and strawberries. 104 15th St., 655.2491 $$

ROCKIN’ ZEBRA SODA SHOPPE

Located on the square, the Rockin’ Zebra Soda Shoppe offers classic soda shop fare like French dips, pulled pork sandwiches, or a grilled cheese sandwich. Cool off with a specialty drink or ice cream sundae.

404 15th St., 655.3381 $

SAYAKOMARN’S RESTAURANT

Sayakomarn’s offers a variety of traditional Thai dishes with daily lunch specials that won’t empty your wallet. Be sure to try their boba tea made with tapioca balls and shaken into fruit-flavored or milk tea. It’s yummy. 421 16th St., 655.2698, sayakomarns.com $$

TAQUERIA EL TAPATIO MEXICAN RESTAURANT

El Tapatio’s second location in Canyon serves up the same authentic Mexican food at affordable prices. The carne el pastor is a customer favorite.

2301 12th Ave., 510.7703 $

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AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM • AUGUST 2020

Events | August 2020

PROVIDED ARTWORK

Watch our Facebook page for a chance to win a pair of tickets to opening night, Aug. 20.

O

A Night of Artists and Chefs

riginally scheduled for late April into early May, A Night of Artists and Chefs will take place this month, with allowances for COVD-19 safety protocols. Event planners promise an art-filled evening with fine food and wine as part of a celebration of the art and food culture in Amarillo.

A team of renowned local artists will transform the 5,000-square-foot Horizons West Event Center into a large-scale art installation that evokes a downtown alley at night. Three of Amarillo’s finest chefs will create a tasting menu that matches the room’s theme and colors using seasonal local ingredients. Four award-winning Texas wineries have carefully paired some of their best wines with the four-course meal.

Limited to 50 guests each night, table configurations will allow for a minimum distance of 3 feet between guests. The event will be part of the new TV series, “A Night of Artists and Chefs,” and guests will have the opportunity to participate in short interviews filmed throughout the evening.

Aug. 20-22 and Aug-27-29, 7 p.m.

Horizons West Event Center 3701 Plains Blvd.

Purchase tickets at artistschefs.com.

VIEW AN UPDATED LISTING OF EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH AT AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM. To have an event listed on the calendar, email details to mmcaffrey@amarillo.com.

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Events | August 2020 Arts & Entertainment

AUG. 2

SOLO AND ENSEMBLE RECITAL

6:30-8 p.m. Hosted by JAMS String Quartet. Sam Houston Park, 4101 Line Ave.

AUG. 7

As of press time, our August calendar was up to date. It is subject to change due to COVID-19 restrictions.

golf tournament, live entertainment, free and games, a shoe drive for Mission Amarillo, and coat drive for Eveline Rivers Coat Project and Sunshine Cottage. 706 W. 16th Ave., 803.9171

AUG. 14

TOP OF TEXAS CHAPTER BANQUET

5-10 p.m. Hosted by RMEF Texas. Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK

5 p.m. Barnes Jewelry, 100 Westgate Parkway, 355.9874

AUG. 15

“AMERICA’S HORSE IN ART” OPENING RECEPTION

6:30-8:30 p.m. The exhibition will be open through Oct. 17, 2020. American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, 2601 I-40 East, 376.5181

AUG. 22

BEST OF THE SOUTHWEST SHOW AND RECEPTION

6-9 p.m. Funds will benefit Amarillo Art Institute.

3701 Plains Blvd., Suite 117, 354.8802

AUG. 15

SECOND ANNUAL SPORTING CLAYS SHOOTOUT

7 a.m. Benefiting Brothers-Sisters of Our Military Adventures. Cactus Gun Club, 9999 Brickplant Road, 231.1707

Benefits & Fundraisers

AUG. 1

SHOOT FOR OUR HEROES

1-9 p.m. River Breaks Ranch, 7802 Durrett Drive, 683.6842

AUG. 3

PANHANDLE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION GOLF SCRAMBLE 1 p.m. Comanche Trail Golf Complex, 4200 S. Grand St., 378.4281

AUG. 6-9

THE PARC’S AREA-WIDE SCAVENGER HUNT

Register at theparc.net/events.

AUG. 7-8

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 18TH ANNUAL SPORTING CLAYS CLASSIC

8 a.m. Target practice shooting and games. Hosted

by Golden Spread Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Camp Don Harrington, 15427 FM Highway 1541, 358.6500

AUG. 8

FAVS FEST 2020 “BETTER TOGETHER”

8 a.m.- 8 p.m. Event will include 5K, black party, disc

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AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM • AUGUST 2020

KIDS FIGHT AGAINST CANCER GOLF SCRAMBLE

12:30 p.m. Comanche Trail Golf Complex, 4200 S. Grand St., 378.4281

AUG. 28

AMARILLO BY MORNING LIONS CLUB 2 p.m. Comanche Trail Golf Complex, 4200 S. Grand St., 378.4281

AMARILLO YOUNG LIFE CLAY SHOOT 5 p.m. Amarillo Gun Club, 4521 S. Osage St., 940.224.9855

AUG. 29

LONE STAR LIONS CLUB

8 a.m. Comanche Trail Golf Complex, 4200 S. Grand St., 378.4281

Music

MARIO AGUILAR

9 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

AUG. 23

SEVENTH ANNUAL ELKS SPORTING CLAY SHOOT

TUESDAYS IN AUGUST

8 a.m. Amarillo Gun Club, 4521 S. Osage St., 231.1937

STARLIGHT THEATER

BOMB CITY BASSFEST

AUG. 6

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Event will include a car show, with funds benefiting CASA of Amarillo and Family Support Services. 806 Autoworks, 7527 Canyon Drive, 418.6850

7-9 p.m. Sam Houston Park, 4101 Line Ave., 368.3036

MUSIC IN THE GARDENS: VELVET FUNK 6:30 p.m. Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive, 352.6513

AUG. 21

AUG. 7

1 p.m. Comanche Trail Golf Complex, 4200 S. Grand St., 378.4281

9 p.m. Leftwoods, 2511 SW Sixth Ave., 367.9840

MISSION 2540 TOURNAMENT

AUG. 22

BRANDY LEE LEARD MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

7:45 a.m. Comanche Trail Golf Complex, 4200 S. Grand St., 378.4281

HEAL THE CITY TOURNAMENT 8 a.m. Ross Rogers Golf Complex, 722 NW 24th Ave., 378.3086

RUMBLE ON THE RANGE 2020

9 a.m.-10 p.m. Funds will benefit The Rainbow Room and Amarillo Elks Lodge. Location TBA. 236.6784

CHAD CARRIER

AUG. 13

MUSIC IN THE GARDENS: MOONDOG 6:30 p.m. Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive, 352.6513

AUG. 15

THE BAND MONARCH

8 p.m. Smokey Joe’s on Route 66, 2903 SW Sixth Ae., 331.6698

AUG. 19

POLLY O’KEARY AND THE RHYTHM METHOD

10 p.m. Leftwoods, 2511 SW Sixth Ave., 367.9840

AUG. 21

WEDNESDAY 13

9 p.m. Hoot’s Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road, 356.7548

AUG. 22

BROKEN ECHO

9 p.m. Rounder Club, 2801 Virginia Circle, 352.3317

AUG. 28

THE BAND MONARCH

7 p.m. Teddy Jack’s Armadillo Grill, 5080 S. Coulter St., 322.0113

AUG. 29

JORDAN ROBERT KIRK WITH TRAVIS ROBERTS 9 p.m. The Golden Light Cantina, 2906 SW Sixth Ave., 374.9237

Special Events

SATURDAYS IN AUGUST AMARILLO COMMUNITY MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 1000 S. Polk St., 335.6360

CRAFTERSHIP MARKET

2 p.m. SALT Spices & Specialties, 2625 Wolflin Ave., 350.7440

AUG. 1

AMA-CON CONVENTION

PARENT’S NIGHT OUT

5-9 p.m. Warford Activity Center, 1330 NW 18th Ave., 803.9785

AUG. 8

INSANE INFLATABLE 5K

8 a.m.-12 p.m. John Stiff Memorial Park, 4800 Bell St.

AUG. 13

RICHARD MILBURN ACADEMY GRADUATION

1 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

AUG. 14

STARLIGHT CINEMA

8:45 p.m. John Stiff Memorial Park, 4800 Bell St., 378.3036

AUG. 15

PARENT’S NIGHT OUT

5-9 p.m. Warford Activity Center, 1330 NW 18th Ave., 803.9785

AUG. 15-16

CELEBRATION TALENT COMPETITION

7 a.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

AUG. 20-22

A NIGHT OF ARTISTS AND CHEFS

11 a.m-9 p.m. Hosted by Friends of the Amarillo Public Library. Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

7 p.m. Event will feature local artists and and a tasting menu from local chefs. Horizon West Event Space, 3701 Plains Blvd. Purchase tickets at artistschefs.com.

AUG. 2

AUG. 27

AMA-CON CONVENTION

12-6 p.m. Hosted by Friends of the Amarillo Public Library. Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

WOMEN OF DISTINCTION AWARDS

Sports & Recreation

AUG. 1

PANHANDLE TEAM PENNING & SORTING 9 a.m. Tri-State Fairgrounds Bill Cody Arena, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

AUG. 1-2

LADIES CITY CHAMPIONSHIP 8 a.m. Ross Rogers Golf Complex, 722 NW 24th Ave., 378.3086

PANHANDLE CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION

8 a.m. Tri-State Fairgrounds Bill Cody Arena, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

SOD SQUAD VS. TULSA

7:05 p.m. Hodgetown Ballpark, 715 S. Buchanan St., 803.7762

AUG. 8-16

WEST TEXAS CUTTING HORSE FUTURITY 8 a.m. Tri-State Fairgrounds Amarillo National Center, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

AUG. 15

PANTEX PLANT CHAMPIONSHIP 8 a.m. Ross Rogers Golf Complex, 722 NW 24th Ave., 378.3086

AUG. 18-19

BNSF GOLF TOURNAMENT

9 a.m. Ross Rogers Golf Complex, 722 NW 24th Ave., 378.3086

AUG. 20-21

PHILLIPS 66 PANHANDLE CLASSIC

AUG. 6

7:30 -10 p.m. Hosted by Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains. Honoring Jackie Bolden, Laura Street, Katie Nofsker, Stephanie Steelman, Mayor Ginger Nelson, Stephanie Price, Ny Lynn Nichols, and David Kemp. Tascosa Drive-In, 1999 Dumas Drive

8 a.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

AUG. 27-29

8 a.m. Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

AUG. 7

7 p.m. Event will feature local artists and a tasting menu from local chefs. Horizon West Event Space, 3701 Plains Blvd. Purchase tickets at artistschefs.com.

AUG. 29-30

AISD TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

APD POLICE ACADEMY GRADUATION

12-2 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

A NIGHT OF ARTISTS AND CHEFS

8 a.m. Ross Rogers Golf Complex, 722 NW 24th Ave., 378.3086

AUG. 21-22

STOCK HORSE OF TEXAS SHOW

WILEY HICKS JR. MEMORIAL ROPING

7:30 a.m. Tri-State Fairgrounds Amarillo National Center, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

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Panhandle Perspective

Collective Cowgirl

K

asey Robinson-Tam, owner of From 6th Collective and The Nat Antiques, shares this month’s Panhandle Perspective, shot at the iconic Cadillac Ranch.

Chosen for its proximity to Tam’s newest venture, From 6th Collective, the photo of a cowgirl atop a pink Cadillac reflects the area’s Western heritage and the underlying color for her brand. The vintage Western cowgirl theme is a nod to the historical ranches in our state that have a strong matriarchal history.

PHOTO BY JOANNA ROBERTSON, COURTESY OF FROM 6TH COLLECTIVE MODEL: BROOKE LEDWIG HAIR AND MAKEUP BY MOSAIC BEAUTY STUDIOS

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www.BarnesJewelry.com 100 Westgate Parkway 806-355-9874 www.BarnesJewelry.com www.BarnesJewelry.com 100100 Westgate Parkway Westgate Parkway 806-355-9874 806-355-9874

THE FO R E VER MAR K B L ACK L AB EL COLLEC TIO N

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