Amarillo Magazine | August 2009

Go Co-op with the golden spread farmers market • PAGE 52

AUGUST 2009 • amarillomagonline.com

Visionaries

:

Building Amarillo making the grade:

Back to School Fashions

Grilling 101 kids,inc. growing strong

Bill Gilliland, The Gilliland Group

N

THE LES' MAISONS DEVELOPMENT

Gem Lake Rd.

Mark Davis Dr.

is conveniently located at Gem Lake Road and Mark Davis Drive (One Block West of Avondale and Gem Lake Road). The planned village design of unequalled European architecture will draw you to its gates. Only ďŹ fteen custom homes will occupy this exclusive private location.

Les' Maisons’ appeal also lies in its close proximity to shopping, golf courses, entertainment and the medical district. Lot prices range from $66,000 to estate lots at $88,000.

d Watch for the Date of our Open House in the Amarillo Globe-News SUNDAY HOMES or visit www.rodreynolds.com.

Rod Reynolds, GRI 806-236-2576

We Design We Build

For more information call Carol Potts of Studio Homes, Builder & Development Mgr. 806-584-3844

contents

Features 34

Grilling 101

Everyone’s got an opinion when it comes to barbecue (or barbeque, or BBQ). Before you take on someone else’s grilling doctrine, learn the basics with help from Mike Tiernan.

42 Kids, Inc. Growing Strong

President & CEO Jimmy Lackey and Bus Duggar reflect on the past 64 years of Kids, Inc. and look to the future of the growing sports program.

52 Farmers Market Fresh Recipes

If you’re going to make squash casserole, better get your ingredients from the Golden Spread Farmers Market. And if you need a recipe, they can helps you with that, too.

sections Online Page.................................10 Out & About.................................12 The Way I See It...........................20 Get Involved.................................22 Dress Code...................................24 To Your Health..............................28 Inside..........................................32 Outside........................................34 Special Feature............................42 Inspire.........................................44 Color Me......................................48 Book Nook...................................50 What’s Cooking?...........................52 Events.........................................57 Let’s Eat!.....................................61 History 101.................................66 Spotlight......................................68 Local Exposure.............................70 Retro Rewind...............................72

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cover story

Making the Grade

Back to school shopping isn’t just for students. We’ve taken three AISD folks who are heading back to work this August and given them an updated look for the new school year.

4

37 Visionaries:

Building Amarillo It takes vision to keep a city growing. For Amarillo, it’s taken people like Bill Gilliland, Beth Duke and Rosemartha Cates. Read the story behind some of the most pivotal civic projects past, present, and more importantly, future.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

COVER PHOTO BY GRAY’S STUDIO

editor’s letter

Publisher

Editor

Features Writer

Creative Services Manager

Les Simpson Michele McAffrey 806.345.3256 michele.mcaffrey@amarillo.com Jennie Treadway-Miller 806.345.3223 jennie.miller@amarillo.com Steven Adams

Designers

Jeremy Say Livia Woodburn

Staff Photographer

Kevin Briles

Advertising Director

Mike Distelhorst

Online Sales Director

Cindy Brown

Advertising Sales Manager

Jaime Pipkin

Major/National Accounts Manager

Dewey Shanks

Account

Representatives

Ad Services Manager

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

Sales Assistants

Cindy Ledesma Charla Moore Sarena Twait

Jennifer Thomas 806.345.3226 jennifer.thomas@amarillo.com

To advertise in Amarillo Magazine, please contact Jaime Pipkin at 806.345.3432 or jaime.pipkin@amarillo.com To advertise on amarillomagonline.com, please contact Cindy Brown at 806.345.3373 or cindy.brown@amarillo.com

Production Director Mike O’Connor Circulation Director David Brown Division Controller Mike Clayton

A

marillo has undergone so many changes since I was a kid. At the risk of seeming ancient, I can remember when Soncy was a dirt road where all the high school kids drag raced and got into all sorts of mischief (not me, of course). Sunset Center was still a mall and Western Plaza housed the “Monkey Wards” (those of us with parents over 60 know what I’m talking about), Orange Julius and Alexander’s. People still cruised Polk and visited Cizon’s when they needed an engagement ring.

When I think about the Amarillo of my childhood, I have such fond memories.

It makes me happier still to see how far we’ve come. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the dedication and passion of visionaries like Bill Gilliland, Beth Duke and Rosemartha Cates who tirelessly strive to make our town a better place to live. As I spent time with each of them, I realized how much I’ve taken for granted about my home town. The things we enjoy everyday don’t just happen; they’re here because of people with the vision and drive to make change possible. So, to each of them and to all who have built this city, thank you.

We’ve gotten so much positive feedback about the new Amarillo Magazine.

It’s been especially great to hear from so many men. We’re really having fun with the range of topics we have the opportunity to cover. This month, we learned everything we’d ever need to know about grilling, and then some. My husband is the reigning king of the grill at our house, but after talking with Mike Tiernan, I feel empowered. Who knows, I just might be brave and try my hand at a few hamburgers and hot dogs.

We hope you have as much fun reading this issue as we did putting it together.

Your comments really keep us going (especially during deadline crunch time!), so keep them coming.

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

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

@marillo voices

MEET THE WINNERS OF RESTAURANT ROUNDUP’S TOP CHEF COMPETITION • PAGE 62

MEET THE WINNERS OF RESTAURANT ROUNDUP’S TOP CHEF COMPETITION • PAGE 62

MEET THE WINNERS OF RESTAURANT ROUNDUP’S TOP CHEF COMPETITION • PAGE 62

TRAVEL IN STYLE:

TRAVEL IN STYLE:

Build your vacation wardrobe

Build your vacation wardrobe

THE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE 30-MINUTE WORKOUT

Why�I� Love �this�City

THE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE 30-MINUTE WORKOUT

Why I Love this City

Why�I� Love �this�City

Why I Love this City

I like Amarillo Magazine because it keeps me up to date on what is going on in Amarillo.

Joe Travis Cagle

TRAVEL IN STYLE: Build your vacation wardrobe

THE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE 30-MINUTE WORKOUT

MEET THE WINNERS OF RESTAURANT ROUNDUP’S TOP CHEF COMPETITION • PAGE 62

TRAVEL IN STYLE: Build your vacation wardrobe

THE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE 30-MINUTE WORKOUT

Why�I� Love� Why I Love this�City this City

MEET THE WINNERS OF RESTAURANT ROUNDUP’S TOP CHEF COMPETITION • PAGE 62

MEET THE WINNERS OF RESTAURANT ROUNDUP’S TOP CHEF COMPETITION • PAGE 62

TRAVEL IN STYLE:

TRAVEL IN STYLE:

Build your vacation wardrobe

Build your vacation wardrobe

THE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE 30-MINUTE WORKOUT

THE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE 30-MINUTE WORKOUT

Why�I� Love� this�City

Why�I� Love� this�City

I’m glad you’ve included men’s interests in Amarillo Magazine. It will make it twice as enjoyable.

Dwight Davis Amarillo Magazine’s website is really a great place to learn more about the things in our area. Keep up the good work.

Your magazine is really top notch. I enjoy reading it every month.

Congratulations on three years! I save it and give it to my sister-in-law in Albuquerque to read.

Jean Hasenauer

I have really enjoyed the magazine and look forward to it each month. It keeps us in touch with events, merchandise and people that we might not be aware of.

Keep up the great job!

Barbara Scheller I’m a big magazine fan and I love the new design. Keep up the good work!

Jessi Shores Nice website! A-town needed something like this. Good job!

Josh Owens The new magazine is so much better.

Mary Minnick

I love your magazine! I look forward to it every month. It’s a fun way to keep up with what is happening in Amarillo and the Panhandle. Keep up the good work!

Debbie Stevens We really enjoy the Amarillo Magazine.

The articles are very interesting. Well done and keep up the good work!

Jane Cornejo I feel like I am in Dallas, Fort Worth or another larger city with this wonderful magazine! Keep the good times coming.

The others will get jealous.

Pamela Brookes Great job in capturing the spirit of Amarillo.

Laura Dill I’m extremely impressed with the quality of articles and layout of the magazine. I read it from cover to cover.

Sue C. Davis

What a fun read. Amarillo Magazine has such interesting articles. It’s excellent advertising for Amarillo. Keep up the good work.

I’m exited about browsing the new site!

Justina Owens

Terry Rutar

Sue Atkinson

I enjoy reading the magazine so much.

I have to beat my daughters to the paper to be able to get it before it’s lost in their rooms or backpacks.

Interesting accounts from people who live in Amarillo by choice. I love Amarillo and returned here after retirement. People here and in the whole Panhandle are really nice and so community oriented. We have so much in the way of entertainment and cultural activities. I am especially proud of the Symphony and Amarillo Opera and our Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts.

Stephanie Boles Enjoyed the first magazine after the change. Look forward to more men’s stuff in the future.

Larry F. Butler

Henry Saxe

We want to hear from you! Your feedback helps us know what you want to read. Do you have a favorite section in the magazine? Let us know at amarillomagonline.com.

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

go online

amarillomagonline.com ❰ we ask, you answer ❱ Each month, we’ll ask a question and choose our favorite answer. The winner will receive a $100 gift card to any advertiser in Amarillo Magazine. We’ll also publish a selection of answers on the Voices page. (When you log on, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “We Ask, You Answer.”)

The AM Blog: If you haven’t already, subscribe to our daily blog to keep up with what we’re working on, see behind-the-scenes candid shots from photo shoots, and drop us a line to say hello.

For August, we want to know:

What’s your #1 barbecue rule?

We’ve uploaded a collection of photos from the Kids, Inc. archive. If you used to play, or know someone who did, take a moment to flip through some black and-whites from the good ‘ole days.

We revisit Divet, the a horse res cued by th bused e Amarillo Humane Society la st see how she’s farin year, to g in her n home. (D ew ivet’s pho tograph w featured as in the Ge t Involve section in d March 20 09.)

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

out and about

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Frontiers in Writing The Panhandle Professional Writers and Amarillo College presented this year’s conference on June 5th and 6th with a focus on writing creative nonfiction. The two-day event at Amarillo College offered workshops taught by more than a dozen Panhandle area nonfiction authors. The keynote speaker at the conference banquet was Lee Gutkind, the founding editor of Creative Nonfiction and prize-winning author or editor of more than a dozen books.

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3

1. Ed Harvill, 2. Donna Otto, Celeste Otto Miller and Audrey Cannady Massingill, 3. Amy Lake and Alexis Hulvey, 4. Bill and Dianne Brown, 5. Karl Smith, 6. Randy Palmer, 7. Craig Keel and Lisa French, 8. Mark Williams

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

PHOTos BY Donna Alexander

The Legend is Real

2010 Nissan GT-R

Future Home Of McGavock Nissan 4401 S. Georgia

MCGAVOCK NISSAN

4121 South Georgia, Amarillo, TX (806) 354-3550 • www.mcgavocknissan.com

out and about

Relay for Life

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1

2009 marks the 25th year of the annual Relay for Life event nationwide. The Relay gives participants the chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer and survived and remember loved ones they’ve lost. Amarillo’s Relay was held on June 12th at the Dilla Villa. Relay teams spend the night camped around the track while team members take turns walking or running around the track throughout the night.

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1. San Clay, John Bitting and Mary Benningfield, 2. Josh Collins, Jimmy Nunn, Renea and Kenzie Collins, Arron, Nick and Kelly King, Lauren Davidson, Hannah King and Lili Gilbreth, 3. Marvin and Frances Powell, Brianna Ware, 4. Breanna Van Dell, 5. Indigo Cavazos, 6. Chase Reed and Tyler Tates, 7. Keagan Osburn, 8. Ella and Dickie Shead

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8 Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

PHOTos BY Donna Alexander

out and about

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1

Fisk Building Construction Kick-Off Sperry Van Ness/McCartt and Associates and Newcrest Management LLC hosted a jazz concert and barbecue on June 26th to celebrate the kick-off of construction on the Courtyard by Marriott in the Fisk Building at 724 S. Polk Street. The new Courtyard is expected to open in the summer of 2010. Guests were entertained

by Patrick Swindell and Pizzaz while eating their fill of barbecue catered by Desperado’s.

1. Andrew Beck, Stephen Martin and Jason Kennedy, 2. Tony Tollett and Matt Green, 3. Abby and Courtney Nickles, 4. Bill and Dianne Brown, 5. Jim Simms, Beth Duke and Dr. Brian Eads, 6. Prenis Williams, 7. Alex Gower, 8. Mayor Debra McCartt and Judge Arthur Ware

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6 4 5

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

8 PHOTos BY kevin briles

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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out and about

3

1

Summer Fiesta

2

Amarillo Chamber of Commerce The 2nd annual Summer Fiesta was held on June 25th on the grounds of the Chamber. The event was sponsored by Artic Glacier, Budweiser, Chambers Electric, Coca-Cola, Coors, Glazer’s, Mayfield Paper Company, Miller Lite, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Waster Wranglers and the Chamber to provide people the opportunity to network with local business owners. Over 15 restaurants and vendors provided food and drinks. The band Global Nomads entertained guests with live music throughout the evening.

4

1. B.B. and Melissa Barela, 2. Addison Tinsley, 3. Cody Eslick, 4. Jason Perdue, Brandon and Chastity Massey, 5. Grace Bentley, 6. Steven Guareao, 7. Olivia and John Lopez, Ian Faeam and Joey Garcia, 8. Adolisa Cobos and Eric Schaefer, 9. Lillea Salazar

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6 5 18

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

9 PHOTos BY Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography

Lifestyle Accessories To Complement Your Wild Side!

Texas Mink Fashion Sale 15% off all Texas Mink items plus free monogramming now through August 15th.

352.0321 • Wolflin Village www.littlebrownhouseamarillo.com

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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the way i see it

Jon Mark Beilue

So Easy a Caveman Could Do It I

f I remember my prehistoric history correctly, back in the caveman days, just after a self-conscious cavewoman designed the leopard-lined loin cloth and a lazy caveman invented the wheel, fire came along.

Some paleontologists actually claim a couple of cave kids were playing with matches, but nevertheless, fire did come along. Within minutes, cave dad killed him a saber-toothed tiger, fixed a makeshift grill, shooed the women and family back into the cave, cooked him a tiger steak, patted himself on the back and called it good.

The only thing that’s changed between Summer 2009 and 10,000 B.C. is a dumb cooking apron that says something like, “Mr. Good Lookin’ is Cookin’.”

Men have been grilling essentially nonstop ever since, from the Paleozoic Era to the Enlightenment, from the Victorian Age to the Industrial Revolution, and now through two Depressions. The patio is our domain, and the barbecue grill is our kingdom.

Why is this? Why does the male species gravitate to the outdoor grill like he’s Cajun cook Justin Wilson but the last time he cooked something in the kitchen oven was 1993?

It speaks to the basic male instincts first borne out in those caveman times. There’s redblooded meat. There’s fire.

It’s in the outdoors. There’s a certain element of danger. It’s all there.

And it speaks to the male gathering/bonding of standing around and watching another man toil. You see it when men watch another man work on his car’s engine.

Same thing with outdoor cooking.

Men watch as the male cook lords over

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

the grill. Occasionally, one might utter, “Better flip ‘em,” but otherwise, we just stand around talking sports or women and laughing a lot.

Men take over the grill too because it’s pretty easy. It’s one thing. Meat, cook it. There’s no juggling the timing of the fried potatoes, checking on the hot rolls, boiling the corn on the cob, preparing the salad.

I’ve heard this somewhere before, but it’s so easy, a caveman could do it.

It has to be because I can. No butane grill anymore, strictly charcoal. There’s this wonderful charcoal at the dollar store that lights up in an instant.

After the coals are gray and hot, put the steaks or hamburgers on the grill, wait a while, turn them, check the color, spread on some barbecue sauce, turn them, play with the dog, stare at them, maybe cut into one of them a bit to see if it’s done, turn them some more, and then finally, put them on the big plate and head gloriously into the kitchen.

It must be blind, dumb luck because they always seem to turn out fine even though I have no real method to it. In fact, it’s a rip-roaring cookout success if I don’t have at least one piece fall through the grill and into the charcoal.

The best part is that men like to sit down to a meal like some conquering hero, soaking in the adulation of what a great steak it is like a little boy taking home a report card with good grades.

And we understand that women humor us. We know they’re just grateful to finally have some help in the cooking department and expectations are so low anyway that anything that doesn’t look like smoldering road kill gets at least nodding approval.

As far as cleanup, it’s with a garden hose or leaf blower, and if that doesn’t say “Made for Men,” then what does?

Outdoor grilling, it’s what we do — and it’s been that way for a long time. am

The Rudy

Project

Gear Deal

Get all this gear:

Glasses, helmet, t-shirt, hat back pack & strap for just $220 (Over a $450 value)

806.358.3594 • 7200 W. 45th (45th and Coulter) • Mon. - Fri. 8:30-5:30 and 1st Sat. of the month 9:00-1:00

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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get involved

Habitat For Humanity Cody Hamilton, Volunteer Coordinator and Dixie Robertson, Volunteer

able to work together on projects that make a difference in others’ lives. They are all starting careers, some are married and some are starting families, so they don’t have a lot of free time.

We can work at Habitat for a Saturday morning and/or afternoon and make a huge difference inbuilding the house (which we can see) and a huge difference in a family’s life (which we can’t see, but we pray for.) The staff at Habitat is very helpful in scheduling our group and giving us the support we need. Although several in our group have great construction skills, building a Habitat house is a wonderful opportunity because it also teaches skills that everyone can use in their own home. Also, I love working with power tools and being able to step back and see the work I’ve done.

What motivated you to get involved with your organization?

Cody: That I could help give a family a helping hand up and not

a hand out has always appealed to me.

Tell us about a treasured moment from working with your organization.

Dixie: There are many, but the best ones involve the joy on the

What is the mission of Habitat for Humanity?

Cody: We are dedicated to the elimination

of substandard housing in Amarillo. Our commitment is to perform the essential community service of partnering with families to build and sell affordable homes with no interest to low-income families.

faces of the children at the time of the House Blessing. At the end of each Habitat build, the family, friends and people who’ve worked on the house are invited for a House Blessing ceremony.

After a scripture reading and prayers of blessing, there is an opportunity to tour the finished home. Often the children will very proudly show you their room. It is fun to see the finished house, when maybe all you saw while building was the insulation or siding you helped hang. But the true delight is seeing the radiant faces of the children who are so excited to have a room of their own. The little ones are especially interested in making sure you see every detail of their room. Sometimes they want you to enjoy the paint color they picked out for their room, or check out their closet, but whatever they show you, it is always with a smile of great pride and eyes that sparkle with joy.

What motivated you to get involved with your organization?

Dixie: I believe that when folks are given

What are a few compelling statistics related to your organization?

Cody: Over 300,000 homes have been built worldwide. Habitat

DIXIE ROBERTSON, CLETA RILEY AND ALICE HYDE

the opportunity to own a place they can call “home,” it gives them a sense of security and belonging. When people have that, they are less anxious and can focus their energy on family, work and education, rather than just on making ends meet. The current economic situation really demonstrates just how important it is to have a home. Habitat has worked on that premise for years.

I’m the Director of the Young Adult Ministry at Polk Street United Methodist Church, and our young adults like to be

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

for Humanity International currently operates in over 93 different countries. Between 75-80 homes have been built.

What is your greatest life lesson?

Dixie: “Home” is a powerful place, and Habitat helps makes it possible.

In what specific areas does your organization most need the help of volunteers?

Cody: We always need volunteers to work on the construction

site, in the office, or in the ReStore.

What is your favorite thing about your organization?

Dixie: The people: meeting the family

who will live in the home, serving with people from my church, working with the people who staff the Amarillo affiliate, and building with people from the community.

How Habitat Got it’s Start In 1976, Hunter and Mary Emeny were living outside of San Antonio, Texas. Their friends Bill Lytle, a Presbyterian minister, and his wife, Faith, introduced them to the work of Millard Fuller, a missionary from Zaire. Millard started a program there that took the burden of interest off the cost of buying a house and the community came together to build houses that needy families purchased. The house payments went into a revolving fund to build more houses: a no-interest, no-profit operation, with communities coming together across all kinds of strata to build. Faith and Mary,along with Millard, decided they could make this program a reality in the U.S. The first meeting of the founding board of Habitat for Humanity was in March 1977. The first branch of Habitat was in San Antonio. A few years later, Hunter and Mary moved to Amarillo and the idea for Habitat came with them. Since Habitat was founded as a Christian organization, Mary began her quest for support in Amarillo with local churches.

Dr. John Bridwell at First Christian was the first person to support the idea. Shortly thereafter, First Presbyterian Church donated office space as well as helping construct houses. Amarillo was the 13th affiliate, gaining that status in 1982. Five homes have been built here so far over the life of the project.

your complete Remodeling “Center.”

Cody Hamilton, Volunteer Coordinator

Cody is currently pursuing a degree in marketing at Amarillo College. He has worked with Amarillo Habitat for Humanity as the Volunteer Coordinator since October 2007.

Cody is a member of AC’s College Democrats and Amarillo Young Professionals.

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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dress code

Making the Grade

I

t’s time for back to school shopping, and we’re not talking about your kids. Everyone can use an updated look from time to time and teachers are no exception. Sometimes it’s a change in color to accentuate your best features, other times it’s a more flattering cut for your figure. We took three AISD folks and gave their look a boost for the new school year. We think it makes the grade.

d 8th 7th an Mitzi, h is n a Sp grade at Sam r e teach on Houst

Jill, 5th grade r Science teache at Humphrey’s Highland

John, System

s Ana

lyst

Photos by Pam Lary Photography Makeup by Patti Stapp, First Impression Hair by Beto, The Ugly Press Hairdressing

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

Muy Bonita In any language, this translates to very beautiful. Instead of a busy top with solid pants, the empire cut combined with the full-length pattern adds length to this Spanish teacher’s waist while the color palate compliments her skin tone.

The key is in the dress length, hitting mid-knee, and the easy-care cotton fabric means she can throw it on and go. Fabuloso!

On Mitzi: Michael by Michael Kors dress $119.50; Natasha wooden bracelet $28; Lucky Brand turquoise drop necklace $35; Gianni Bini sandals $49, Dillard’s

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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dress code

Perfect, Technically Speaking We updated the basic jean and untucked cotton shirt by dressing this Systems Analyst in colors that compliment and patterns that flatter. The striped blue shirt brightens his eyes while the argyle vest creates a long, lean torso. In other words, it’s all compatible.

On John: Long sleeved shirt $59.50; vest $49.50; pants $54.50, Express district 3 shoes $54.95, The Buckle

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

Positive Reaction We experimented with cut and shape, and while capris are comfortable, so are these “flip-flop length” dress jeans. Black is a sleeker neutral than khaki and the cut of the light-weight cotton jacket hits this science teacher at just the right spot. The blue top shows off her baby-blues while wedges give the illusion of length.

(Lab goggles are optional.)

On Jill: Eric Jeans black pants $49.99; Stephan & Co. bracelets $9.99, Steinmart Plaid jacket $99; tank $39.50, Talbots Long strand necklace $19.95, New York & Company Lauren by Ralph Lauren “Bethania” espadrilles $98, Dillard’s

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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to your health

Booster Basics:

Understanding immunizations for your child Shannon Herrick, M.D.

T

Spell It Out DtaP diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis IPV inactivated polio Hib Haemophilus influenza type B Pneumococcal Strep pneumonia MMR measles, mumps, and rubella Varicella chicken pox Pertussis whooping cough HPV human papilloma virus

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

here has been much debate lately about the importance of immunizations in this country. Over the last several years, many new vaccines have entered the market and have been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Practice, and the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. Recently, many families have voiced concern over the number of vaccines that children receive as well as the safety of those vaccines.

Currently, two, four, and six month old infants receive the DtaP, IPV, Hepatitis B, Hib, and Pneumococcal vaccines. All of these vaccines are made out of an inactivated “dead” virus or partial components of bacteria. These vaccines will not make the patient sick. The child may develop fever as a side effect of the administration of the vaccine, but he is not getting the actual illness that the vaccine is protecting him against.

In combination, these vaccines protect infants against many diseases including whooping cough, pneumonia, meningitis and ear infections. Patients also receive the Rotavirus vaccine, which is a live virus. This live virus may give the patient a few more symptoms, but will not cause the rotavirus infection. This vaccine protects infants from severe vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration.

At one year of age, a child receives three additional vaccines: MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis A. The MMR and Varicella vaccines are made from live viruses; they can cause a mild rash and fever up to a week after the vaccination is given.

At four years of age, the child receives booster shots of MMR, Varicella, IPV and DtaP vaccines. Several new vaccines have been introduced for the adolescent child. At 11-12 years of age, pediatricians now offer three different vaccines. The DtaP booster protects children from both tetanus infection and whooping cough. This vaccine also protects young infants from pertussis because teenagers are often the carriers of this deadly disease.

Pediatricians now offer a meningococcal vaccine that protects teenagers from getting meningitis in high school and college. The HPV vaccine protects teenage girls and young adult women from contracting the virus that causes genital warts and ultimately cervical cancer.

Vaccinations have reduced the number of infections from vaccine-preventable diseases by more than 90%. The effectiveness of the United States vaccine programhas caused many to forget the severity of these illnesses. These diseases can be deadly.

Many parents are now refusing immunizations due to their concern about the safety of vaccines. There has been a very active debate on whether the MMR vaccine causes autism.

Multiple studies have shown no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. However, due to misinformation, many parents are confused by vaccine safety and are opting to not get their child immunized. As a result, measles, whooping cough, H. influenza meningitis and pneumonia have all reemerged in the United States. Recent outbreaks in California and Minnesota have sickened dozens of unimmunized children. At least one infant has died from a preventable disease.

Parents should gather as much information as possible from credible sources, including their pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics website, to help them make crucial decisions regarding their child’s health. am Sources: The American Academy of Pediatrics www.aap.org and The CDC www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

Shannon Herrick, M.D.

Shannon is a graduate of UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. She is currently a general pediatrician and assistant professor at Texas Tech Health Science Center at Amarillo.

Shannon is married and has two children.

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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to your health

411 Ph

s, PharmD, R

Andrea Morri

rescription. r, you get a p o ct o d e th it comes to you go to about when k ou get sick, in th er ev all you Often, that’s ion. a set of bed medicat ri sc re p g in drug involves k n ta o ti p ri sc re f, and if you king a p en’t aware o ar But part of ta s er m su n s an entirely at most co plane, there’ a n o guidelines th n io at your medic as well. need to take rules for that f o t se t n re diffe

Y

Proper Storage Your pharmacist will give you information on the storage of your medications. Most medications should be stored in a cool, dry environment. Usually the first place we think to store medications is our bathroom cabinets, but that’s actually the worst place for storage due to the warmth and humidity.

Of course, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications should always be out of the reach of children, and the same should hold true for teenagers. We should always remain cautious of leaving unused medications around as an unnecessary temptation for teens and their friends. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America reports that prescription drugs of all kinds are now more popular than most illicit drugs like Ecstasy, cocaine and methamphetamine.

Prescription drugs may be better stored in a locked container like a tackle box and placed in an inconspicuous place. This may seem extreme, but statistics show that more than three in five teens can easily get prescription painkillers from their parents’ or family members’ medicine cabinets.

Disposing of Prescribed Medication

We should always remain cautious of leaving unused medications around as an unnecessary temptation for teens and their friends.

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To flush or not to flush - that is the question. The Office of National Drug Control has provided federal guidelines on the proper disposal of prescription drugs that may assist in decreasing drug abuse, accidental overdose and protect water sources. It is recommended not to flush prescription drugs down the toilet unless the label or patient information specifically instructs you to do so.

Some areas may offer community drug take-back programs or programs that offer household hazardous waste collection events, and “Keep Amarillo Beautiful” does this during their annual recycling event. The City of Amarillo does not have an official program but does offer guidance for household trash.

Additionally, some local pharmacies offer proper drug disposal services for their customers.

The Federal Guidelines recommend: • Take your prescription drugs out of their original containers. By removing the drugs, they are not easily recognized and therefore may not fall into the wrong hands.

• Mix drugs with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter or used coffee grounds.

• Put this mixture into a disposable container with a lid, such as an empty margarine tub, or into a sealable bag.

By placing the mixture in a sealed container, the drugs will not drop out of the trash for a child or pet to find, therefore preventing an accidental overdose.

• Conceal or remove any personal information, including the Rx number, on the empty containers by covering it with a black permanent marker or duct tape or by scratching it off.

• Place the sealed container with the mixture and the empty drug containers in the trash.

Traveling with Prescribed Medication Prescription storage is also a concern when traveling. Storage in a high temperature, like the trunk of a car or airline luggage compartment, can quickly degrade the potency and stability of many medications. When traveling by car, always keep your medications in the car with you out of direct sunlight. Never leave your medications in a hot car while parked. When traveling by airplane, put your medications in a carry-on bag and not in your checked luggage. This helps to maintain a controlled temperature as well as planning for lost luggage.

If you are traveling with a medication that needs to be refrigerated, such as insulin, pack it in an insulated cooler bag with an ice pack. Always call ahead to have a refrigerator added to your hotel room. Carry a thermometer to check the temperature in the cooler and refrigerator. Many hotels will not charge extra for the additional refrigerator when they are aware that it is for medical purposes.

Travelers should also remember: • List all your medications and the names and numbers of your physician(s) and your pharmacist. When traveling abroad, travelers should carry a letter from their physician describing the medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic names of prescribed drugs.

• Make a copy of your prescriptions to take with you. This may help when going through airport security with excess liquids, syringes and specialty healthcare items or devices.

• Have all your prescriptions labeled properly. For example, ask your pharmacist to put Rx labels on inhalers instead of putting the label on the box. This is especially true when traveling abroad.

• Alert the security agents of your situation. It is best to declare your medicines and medical devices up front to avoid any suspensions or embarrassment.

• Bring an extra supply of medications in case your travels are delayed.

• When traveling different time zones, it is a good idea to have a watch set with your

usual time so you can remember when to take any medication.

Other things you should know Prescription drugs are only safe for the person named on the label. The prescription was written with the correct dose for the patient that it is prescribed to and for a specific medical condition.

Pay attention to expiration dates and remember it is never a good idea to take medications after they have expired. By law, your pharmacist should offer counseling regarding your prescribe medications. Do not be in too big of a hurry to take time to listen or feel as though you do not need to know. The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) reports that up to 50% of all prescriptions fail to work because they are used improperly.

Be sure and discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your pharmacist. am

The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) reports that up to 50% of all prescriptions fail to work because they are used improperly.

Andrea Morris, PharmD, RPh

Andrea received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Texas Tech University School of Pharmacy.

She is experienced in infusion therapy including parenteral, enteral, chemotherapy, specialty injectables and IVIG. Andrea has been the Pharmacist in Charge at Valmed Home Health & Pharmacy Solutions since 2007.

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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inside outside

The Extra Bedroom Dilemma…

Add tassel trim for additional drama.

Marjorie Hagan Ellis, ASID

Be bold - choose a saturated color for the walls, trimmed in the same tone for base and crown.

Step down to a softer tone for the ceiling, providing a harmonious transition of color.

BEFORE

Y

ou have a teenager headed for college this fall…

You have a guest bedroom that - well, let’s face it - has only been used by a guest once since you moved into the house ten years ago.

What can be done with this unused bedroom, besides moving things aside each week in order to dust? Consider reclaiming some space for yourself!

Many of us have a room in our home that is not really being used. Just because it is labeled “guest bedroom” on the floor plan doesn’t mean it must be furnished and used as a bedroom.

Let’s imagine what could be done with a typical bedroom space. We’ll transform a child’s bedroom into a warm and inviting space that has multiple uses: a guest bedroom, a study, a small office - all three. The result is a dramatic space that is a small, relaxing retreat.

Marjorie Hagan Ellis, ASID Marjorie has been a registered interior designer for 27 years.

She owns Stephens & Hagan Interior Design with partner Mary Stephens, ASID. They specialize in commercial and residential interior design.

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This multi-colored print with rich accents served as the inspiration for the design. Full-draw draperies add a feeling of luxury and warmth. Transparent sheers filter the light without adding bulk to the window. A contemporary chenille stripe is unexpected.

Time to get rid of that worn neutral carpet. Add depth and interest with a patterned choice in deep tones.

Add an animal print bolster for drama and depth.

Easy-care chenille makes for a cozy spot to rest.

Use a mix of patterns and textures for accent pillows on the daybed.

Round tufted ottoman Use a tray for placing books or drinks, and it serves as a coffee table. The metallic leather is easy to clean and adds subtle sparkle to the room.

Simple table lamp adds a pop of color.

Roomy upholstered daybed with lots of pillows. The size is similar to a twin bed, so the occasional overnight guest will be comfortable. Most of the time, it’s a soft place for reading or your Sunday afternoon nap.

Hand-blown glass lamp is a fun element at the desk area.

End table with shelves Space for books and magazines at the ready.

Table desk with clean design Use your laptop and keep it uncluttered.

Remove the doors from the closet and create a niche for a writing desk.

Add decorative shelving above for additional storage.

Upholstery weight fabrics are soft and durable.

Swivel chair Great for watching TV.

Desk chair, upholstered in fun fabric Paint the frame in a punchy color, like Varsity Blues (see paint strip).

Demilune chest Keep the top drawer available for guest toiletries, the rest for extra storage. Mount a flat screen TV above it.

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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Can’t keep your steaks straight? Mark the meat - rare, medium or well - with this iron brand.

inside outside

by Jennie Treadway-Miller

Charcoal or Gas?

“I

t’s all regional,” says Mike Tiernan, owner and operator of Tiernan Outdoor Products, a division of Tiernan, Inc., who specializes in custom built steel outdoor cookers.

“But the first two questions I ask someone when they come in to buy a cooker are: Do you want charcoal or gas? And what do you want to cook?”

How customers answer helps Mike determine what they need. Because the variety of interests is so vast – how to grill, what to grill, how long to grill, and what about barbecue? – it’s nearly impossible to hand someone a list of instructions and an oven mitt and send him on his way.

“A lot of people just want to cook good hamburgers and steaks, but then there are some who want to cook brisket, turkeys, or something bigger. It depends on how many you’re cooking for and what you want to cook,” he says.

“It really comes down to an age thing.

Younger guys cook brisket on charcoal all

Fire magic

This professional-quality gas grill is quick and convenient, perfect for steaks, chicken, fish and burgers. Cooking with convection heat is predictable, and since firing up the grill takes just minutes, your dinner will be done before you break a sweat.

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

day for a party. The older folks want to cook their steak on a gas grill and be done with it.”

And Mike knows grilling. Since 1981, he’s traveled the cook-off circuit winning one award after another, usually for his barbecued ribs and brisket. The Iowa native moved to Amarillo in 1961 to continue his metal fabrication business, manufacturing grain elevator fans, but it was in 1979 that a friend asked him to build a custom metal cooker. Within a few years, he developed the Son-of-Brisket cooker. One barbecue cook-off in Dallas later, he was hooked.

“I used to do about ten a year, mostly in Texas, but I’ve been all over from California to Florida,” he says. “I have everything at home, but if I have the time, I like cooking with charcoal.”

Not only can budding-barbecue fanatics purchase top of the line metal cookers at Tiernan, they can also pick up the latest in grilling gadgets, everything from silicon basting brushes to meat thermometers, as well as sauces and dry rubs. And if you don’t know what you’re looking for, just ask.

“We get the sauce from various places, since we meet so many people in the same business. I try it before I buy it. Same goes for cookers,” says Mike. “Everybody likes their own thing.

Barbecue is a seasoned product. And what you liked before you may not like now because your tastes have changed.”

And remember, men, it may be your cooker, but it’s her patio.

You might want to consider a built-in island. am

Big Green Egg

This charcoal cooker works as a grill, smoker and oven, and while cooking with charcoal takes a little longer than gas or infrared, the pay-off is a tender, succulent piece of meat. Extra bonus: the BGE’s ceramic outside shell stays cool to the touch while the inside temperature remains controlled.

Say Wh at?

Whether it’s the m eans of s meat via moking a indirect heat, or your bac what you kyard we call eke trying to define ba nd get-together, rbecue (o or BBQ, r or Bar-B -Que) isn barbeque, such a w ’t easy w ide varie ith ty of region cultural al and preferen ces. Inste causing ad of a great d ivide am and your ong you long-tim e grilling keep the bud peace an d agree to dy, even if h e is wron disagree , g about p ulled pork .

Solaire

If it’s speed you want, go infrared. It heats in minutes and cooks your meat twice as fast as other grills. It’s the hottest of the bunch, so don’t walk away from your dinner once it’s cooking.

Because an infrared grill is so efficient, you might not save it for the weekend.

The debate goes on: Republican or Democrat, Chevy or Ford, Dry or Wet - Barbecue, that is. We all fall into one category or another, and chances are, you might have stronger feelings about your barbecue recipe than you do about the last election. Either way, grilling is a topic of heated discussion (pun intended), and you might be better off keeping your opinions to yourself (even if brisket is the best barbecue around).

That said, how do you BBQ? Kansas City Style

Grab your bib, because it gets messy in Kansas City.

They like sauce, and lots of it. Sweet and tangy, the folks in Kansas City enjoy their barbecue sauce dripping off their pork ribs, brisket and burnt ends (and running down to their elbows), served on a platter with fries and baked beans. The meat is usually sliced, not shredded.

Memphis Style

Grabbing a plate of barbecue in Memphis often means your pork ribs are cooked with a dry rub and served with a bowl of tomato-and-molassesbased sauce on the side. If you order a pulled pork sandwich, be prepared to eat your cole slaw as a condiment, not a side dish.

Texas Style Son-of-Brisket

Tiernan’s pride and joy, this hand-made, high-quality steel charcoal cooker can be used with a few wood chips thrown in for smoked flavor. Whether it’s hot dogs for your kid’s birthday party or a 12-hour brisket for a backyard bash, the S.O.B. will accommodate. (If you’re thinking of going professional, start here.)

It starts with brisket, then the sausage and ribs.

From there, the options are endless. The most common sauces are tomato, or ketchup, based, especially along the gulf coast where the southeastern influence is stronger.

South Carolina Style

This region embraces the quadrant of barbecue sauces: mustard, vinegar, heavy tomato, and light tomato, depending on the region you prefer. The term “barbecue” is synonymous with pulled pork, and your side dish options usually include hush puppies or boiled potatoes. The only approved drink is a cold glass of sweet iced tea.

Georgia Style

It’s almost always pork (shoulder or butt), finely chopped or pulled, with a thin vinegar-based sauce and a side of mustard-based potato salad or cole slaw made with mayo. Sweet Vidalia onion rings are a staple, and you’ll almost always get a basket of cornbread.

Your Own Style

Creating your own dry rub or barbecue sauce requires a basic recipe, a little creativity and a process of trial and error. We’ll get you started, courtesy of Tiernan, Inc., and you can do the rest.

Basic Dry Rub 1 cup salt 1 cup paprika 1 cup pepper

Sift ingredients together and mix in a bowl. Experiment with other herbs and spices to give your dry rub originality and personal flavor. Try chili seasoning, cumin, garlic, oregano, and other flavored salts. Remember, heat brings out the flavor, so you have to cook the rub on a piece of meat to really taste what you’ve created.

Basic Barbecue Sauce 2 cups ketchup 1/8 cup brown sugar 1/8 cup Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon vinegar ½ teaspoon liquid smoke ½ teaspoon lemon juice ½ teaspoon orange juice ¼ cup water

Mix all ingredients in a pan and simmer for 20 minutes. Other ingredients to try are honey, molasses, mustard, beer or wine, soy sauce, stocks, hot sauce, soft drinks, coffee or tea, along with a variety of spices like dry mustard, cinnamon, cayenne and ginger.

Special Thanks to Mike Tiernan of Tiernan, Inc.

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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cover story

Visionaries

:

Building Amarillo

by Jennie Treadway-Miller

J

ust when you think something can’t be done, like building a multi-million dollar performing arts center, someone comes along who says, “Yes, it can.” It takes vision to build a city, and it takes the right people to put that vision into motion.

This month we feature people who each saw a need in Amarillo and worked to see it met. Whether it’s an ongoing project to bring downtown back to life, or a thriving business that’s provided a means to give back, there are folks in this city who are keeping it on the upswing.

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

37

visionaries of Plaza 2. “It’s a poor part of the world, but it was a great way to be raised. There were a lot of people who came out of Ross Point School who went on to be remarkably successful.”

Funny he should mention that. Bill Gilliland is probably one of the most successful businessmen this side of the Mississippi, and while success takes vision and an entrepreneurial spirit, it also takes good old-fashioned smarts.

“When I was 15 years old, my dad On the fourth or asked me what I was going to do for work one summer, and I told him I was fifth day of me going help a neighbor bale hay for two being home, I cents a bale. He said, ‘Let me think about started advising it,’” he recalls. “About two days later he Sandra on how she comes back with this old worn out Ford. might manage the He said, ‘Now this is your work truck and you owe me $235 for it. You go get household a little eight cents a bale. Don’t work for the better. She said – and other guy.’” she never raises her “It was at an early age that I learned voice – ‘This is not I didn’t want to work for someone else,” said Bill. “And I paid him back for going to work.’ And I the truck.” said, ‘I know it.’ And The lesson must have stuck, because that was that. short of a brief stint as an accountant for an oil company in Houston, Bill has worked either with family or for himself. When he wasn’t baling hay in the summers, the teenager worked in the oil fields like his father. It was a job that helped pay for his Business Administration and Accounting degree from The University of North Texas in 1960.

He met his wife, Sandra, in college and as soon as they could afford to leave Houston (and that accounting job he hated), the two moved to Amarillo. By December of 1961, Bill had begun working with his uncle, W.J. Helm, who owned Plains Chevrolet, the only Chevy dealer in town and one of the best in the nation.

He quickly caught a vision for what the business could become.

“We started with the basics, selling cars and doing it old school. We eventually bought him out and wound up buying more dealerships in town and in other cities like Denver, Oklahoma City, and Las Vegas,” Bill recalls. “We were the first ones to take the auto retail business public.”

By public, he means the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street. Bill and Sandra got a temporary apartment in the Big Apple to act as home base while traveling the Wall Street “road show.” In two weeks time, the couple went to three countries, 17 PHOTO BY GRAY’S STUDIO cities and held 83 meetings. They’d close a meeting in London at 5 p.m. and catch a plane to be in Philadelphia by 6:30 a.m. the next morning. The schedule was grueling, but it did nothing to The Gilliland Group faze the visionary pioneer from Amarillo.

“I loved every minute of it,” he laughs. “We’d have 20 or 30 ill Gilliland grew up in a town he describes as 30 miles from minutes, or whatever they gave us, to pitch our story. They had to anywhere. The original General Store in Rosston, Texas, was decide whether to buy the stock or not buy the stock. By the time built in 1876 and still sits basically unchanged. He attended a we were through we had it ten times oversold.” two-room school, and when the day was over, he’d go home to a Their company, Cross-Continental Auto Retailers, went public log cabin where he lived with his parents, John and Thelma, and in 1996, but within two years, Bill felt the market was getting his sister Bobbie. Bill was 11 years old when they got electricity. “overcooked” and he sold the whole corporation to retire.

“My family settled there before the Civil War,” says the 71-year“On the fourth or fifth day of me being home, I started advising old entrepreneur from his office work table on the ground floor Sandra on how she might manage the household a little better,”

Bill Gilliland,

B 38

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

cover community projects chaired, financed, or otherwise supported by he lowers his head with a laugh. “She said – and she never raises the Gilliland Group, and the company is quite the family affair. her voice – ‘This is not going to work.’ And I said, ‘I know it.’

Both of their daughters, Robin Weir and Lori D’Atri, have played And that was that.” an active role in developing Bill’s vision for Amarillo: to make this In the last 10 years, Bill sold nearly all the commercial real city a better place to live. estate he had purchased in between handling the auto retail “We have a great life, we travel a lot and play hard, and if you business. At one point, the Gilliand Group owned all the Atmos disengage your brain for too long, it’s hard to get it back,” he says.

Energy real estate, as well as housing a third of the doctors “If you want to do something, just do it. I mean, hell, why not? in town. Now the Group focuses on oil and gas, as well as You have to be afraid. You have to wake up in the morning about philanthropy. half scared to death. If you don’t, you’ll go broke.”

“The opportunity is great for energy right now. I’ve preached to every young person that the opportunity is going to be much greater for them – it’s going to be unbelievable. It’s already changing and it’s going to change even more. We’re not going to run out, but it’s going to be far more expensive to find and develop.”

Since moving to Amarillo, If a city has a good quality it has never occurred to Bill of life, the Arts are always and Sandra to move. While they own a second place involved. No exception. in the Texas Hill Country, We’ve always tried to they consider the Panhandle support those things. When to be home. Their passion most people hear ‘Arts,’ and commitment to this community is strong, and it they think of a painting. shows when you consider Well, art can be a cowboy they’ve had a hand, on some quoting poetry. level, in many of the larger - Bill Gilliland projects and developments in town, specifically, the GlobeNews Center for the Performing Arts.

The idea for the center belonged to the late Carol Emeny, a long time friend of the Gilliland family. (Her grandfather owned the basic patent on barbed wire.) When she approached Bill about chairing the project, he couldn’t say no since it fell right in line with what he and his wife seek to do for this city.

“If a city has a good quality of life, the Arts are always involved.

No exception,” says Bill. “We’ve always tried to support those things. What makes Santa Fe unique? It probably starts with an opera house, and you may not go to the opera but it will certainly affect the atmosphere. When most people hear ‘Arts,’ they think of a painting. Well, art can be a cowboy quoting poetry.”

Bill has always considered Ft. Worth to be the model for Amarillo, saying the two cities think “a lot a like.” They both believe in hard assets like cattle, wheat, oil and gas, and while the folks in Dallas push the paperwork, the model, according to him, remains to be Ft. Worth. All of its major growth has occurred in the last 20 years.

“For a town the size of Amarillo, you have to work on economic development everyday. If you don’t do that, it’ll die,” he says. “Economic development in bigger cities is automatic PHOTO BY GRAY’S STUDIO when you have a big airport nearby. It’s momentum to make the city grow and we don’t have that here.

“We have the best leadership around. They actually work Center City of Amarillo together. You know, in a lot of other cities we couldn’t have gotten that center built,” he continues, “but we had so many fter nearly 30 years with the Globe-News, starting out as people offering to help that we had $21 million dollars raised a copy editor, moving to features and finishing as the city before we even knew exactly what it was going to look like.” editor, Beth Duke took early retirement to begin a new phase The Performing Arts Center is just one on a long list of of her life.

Beth Duke,

A

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine AUGUST

39

visionaries “I’d always had a passion for historical preservation and was looking north from 9th Street. The Paramount sign lights up the already involved with such groups long before I thought about night sky while illuminated store front windows and rows of applying for this job,” says the four-year Director of Center City of parked cars tell the story of a busy, happening downtown. It’s an Amarillo. “When the job opened up, I thought, ‘Well, I’m a native, I image that represents not only what Amarillo used to be, but also married a native, I can promote downtown. I can do it.’ And while what it could be again. it sounds like a cliché, I believe that every job leads to the next “Amarillo was developed like the spokes on a wheel. The one. Through the features department at the paper I learned so downtown area is the oldest part and it just grew from that,” much about Amarillo, and as the city editor, I learned about local she says. “It’s great because downtown is virtually 10 minutes government. I knew I could promote my hometown.” from any neighborhood. We want downtown to be ‘everybody’s Beth’s vision for what downtown could be is closely attached neighborhood’ because it’s where you come for entertainment, to what it used to be. The goal of Center City is not only to to eat, for concerts and where you can see historic architecture. preserve the old buildings but also to give them new life. They We have such a diverse, rich population. Everyone can find may not ever be department stores again, she says, but they can something here.” have a new life as something else.

Their motto - Center City is Everybody’s Neighborhood – A large part of restoring downtown is being able to understand has been celebrated each August through their Block Party Amarillo’s unique architecture. Some of the best buildings in the fundraiser. This year, the event is scheduled for August 15th from downtown area were built in the late 4 p.m. to Midnight, when they’ll rope off five blocks 1920s and early 30s, when Art Deco downtown, set up five stages and feature four was all the rage. The movement was bands on each stage. The goal is simply to In the old days, Amarillo toward a modern, more industrial get people downtown and see what they’ve High School was down look with geometrical shapes in the been missing. here on Polk Street, and design. In this part of the country at “In the old days, Amarillo High School was the time, people still wanted a strong down here on Polk Street, and after it burned down after it burned down southwestern influence, which is how in 1970, it was rebuilt on Fulton and Bell. All of in 1970, it was rebuilt Pueblo Deco was created. a sudden,we had a generation who didn’t come on Fulton and Bell. All “When you’re on the sidewalk level, downtown to school everyday,” says Beth. “Then of a sudden,we had a you might not notice it, but if you the city grew and the shopping district moved look up at the borders and around generation who didn’t west. By the 80s, most of the buildings downtown the windows, you’ll see the mosaic,” were empty. Our job now is to say, ‘Come back come downtown to says Beth. “Like on the White & Kirk downtown and see what you can discover.’” school everyday. Then building, which is now owned by The Block Party is just one tool Center City uses the city grew and the Amarillo National Bank, at 6th and to raise money for downtown revitalization. shopping district moved Polk. It has a geometric pyramid with Another is the Hoof Prints public art project, the yucca blossom. It used to be a an idea born in 2002, and started with just 20 west. By the 80s, most of department store.” fiberglass Quarter Horses sold to local businesses the buildings downtown It’s clear by her animated and painted by renowned Quarter Horse artists. were empty. Our job now descriptions that her interest in The quick response has lead to almost 100 horses, is to say, ‘Come back downtown ,revitalization goes beyond each uniquely painted to reflect the businesses that downtown and see what the 9-to-5. In fact, history was Beth’s bought them, displayed all over Amarillo. minor at Baylor, so her role at Fundraising proceeds go directly to Center City you can discover.’

Center City is the culmination of revitalization projects, such as Façade Grants, - Beth Duke lifelong passions. a partnership program with the City of Amarillo Born and raised in Amarillo, Beth designed to create a great first impression of graduated from Tascosa High School, business fronts downtown. Each recipient of the attended Baylor in Waco, Texas, and returned to her hometown grant has to invest a two-to-one match to receive up to $10,000 in 1976 to start her journalism career with the Globe-News. In the towards its re-facing. same year, she married Ralph Duke, a staff photographer she met As a gift to Amarillo, and another way to bring people the previous year during her internship with the paper. The two downtown, Center City is holding its 15th season of High Noon on just celebrated 32 years of marriage. the Square, a series of free concerts every Wednesday at noon in “A funny thing about Amarillo is that it used to be known as June and July at the Potter County Courthouse. having one of the best lit downtowns. It was known for its neon “We have a five-point plan – it’s that downtown is a place to signs and lighting down Polk Street. Of course we eventually lost live, work, learn, play and worship. We include worship because that due to Reno and Las Vegas, but we’re trying to bring some of we have large churches representing several denominations that that excitement back,” she says. “We did that with the bring over 4,000 people downtown every weekend,” says Beth. “If Paramount sign. That sign was our biggie, and we decided that you have a healthy downtown, that becomes the barometer for we put enough into it that we’d make it part of our brand.” the rest of your city. It’s a huge recruiting tool.”

In her office is a colorful sketch from 1939 of Polk Street A recruiting tool for the immediate future is the long-sought 40

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

cover after acquisition of the Courtyard by Marriott slated for the 10-story Fisk Building on Polk. Not only is it an adaptive reuse of a historical building, it’s also a starting point for acquiring additional hotels, restaurants, shops, and, ultimately, a convention center.

“A convention hotel is the final piece of the puzzle for the Civic Center and all of downtown. We can’t start bidding on events until we have the capabilities to have a headquarters,” says Beth.

Until then, Beth, along with Center City, will forge ahead, project by project, reaching to complete the vision she has for her hometown.

PHOTO BY GRAY’S STUDIO

C

hances are, you don’t need an introduction. The Donut Stop has been a sweet-spot staple in Amarillo for decades - 35 years to be exact. On August 17th, Jim and Rosemartha Cates will blow out the candles on the favored blueberry cake donut and start the 36th year of serving their customers with the same dedication as before.

Shortly after opening the first Donut Stop, Rosemartha opened a “cold store,” meaning that the donuts were baked on Georgia and sold at the new location at 1300 Grand. The business took off, and at one point, there were 10 Donut Stops across town. Now they have “the lucky seven” – six in Amarillo and one in Canyon – after building bigger stores to combine a few smaller ones.

The venture has proven profitable, but while the Cates family enjoys their fair share of traveling, the bulk of their investment goes right back into the city of Amarillo.

“My passion, really, is giving children a good start. My first real step in giving back was with Opportunity School,” she says.

“In 2002, we started donating 10 percent of sales on Saturdays in one month. When my kids were young, I was more limited, but it’s much easier now.”

My passion, really, is Jim and Rosemartha have three giving children a good children, Tyson, who has one son, Parker, start. My first real step 14, Ashton, an architect who lives in San Francisco, and Vanessa, who’s mom in giving back was with to two-year-old “Baby Ashton.” Part of Opportunity School. the reason they never left Amarillo was In 2002, we started because they believed this was the best donating 10 percent of place to raise their family. “Our son Ashton designs our stores, and we let sales on Saturdays in him do whatever he wants,” she says. one month. When my “Whether you like the design or not, kids were young, I was architects just want you to talk about it. more limited, but it’s They want you to notice it.” much easier now.

Plans are currently in the making for a new store at I-40 and Grand. In the meantime, Rosemartha will continue to dedicate her time and money to the vision she has for Amarillo.

“Growing up in Mexico City, where you truly see poverty, you get a better sense of how privileged we are,” she says. “I’d love to open up a food bank in Mexico City one day. That’s a retirement goal for me.”

In Amarillo, Rosemartha serves on the boards of the High Plains Food Bank, the Red Cross, the Eveline Rivers Christmas Project, in addition to being an advocate for Family Support Services, a Rotary Club member, and member of the new Environmental Committee. She, along with her parents, is also working with the Randall County Jail to get a program started designed to help offenders re-enter society.

“You know we’re all going to die, and you don’t know how you’re going to feel until you’re there,” she says. “I just want to make a difference, even saving one child. That’s what matters.” am

Rosemartha Cates, owner of

The Donut Stop

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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special feature

Kids, Inc. Growing Strong

by Jennie Treadway-Miller

W

LEFT: PRESIDENT & CEO JIMMY LACKEY, RIGHT: BUS DUGGAR PHOTO BY JEFF HARBIN, LIFE OF RILEY PHOTOGRAPHY

1945

Kids, Inc. is formed when Bus Duggar picks up 11 boys from Glenwood Elementary School and takes them to the Maverick Club to play basketball. Later that year, softball becomes the first official sport.

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1955 1946 Football is added to the Kids, Inc. program.

1947 Boys basketball is added to the program.

1948 Kids, Inc. goes co-ed as girls softball is added.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

Kids, Inc. spins off from under the wing of the Maverick Club, while boys baseball is included to the program.

1956 Kids, Inc. receives charter from the State of Texas and girls basketball is added.

hen President & CEO Jimmy Lackey sat down to talk about Kids, Inc., he quickly realized that no story, or photo, for that matter, would be complete without the presence of the program’s first coach. One phone call and a quick ten minutes later, Bus Duggar came walking into the office.

“I’m originally from Oklahoma and came out here as a soap salesman. One day I heard a familiar voice on the radio and it was my friend Cecil Hunter playing ‘Stuttering Sam,’ so I went down to the radio station on 4th and Fillmore where Cal Farley’s place was and that’s how I met Cal,” says Bus Duggar, 89. “I went down there quite often and one day Cal says, ‘Hey kid, I want to start a sports program, and I’d like you to help.’”

At 24 years old, Bus was still new to Amarillo and didn’t know who to call or where to go. Cal arranged for him to attend a PTA meeting at Glenwood Elementary School in October 1944 to pitch the idea. Bus returned to the school that December and was given the go-ahead. On the first Monday in January 1945, Bus drove a Bobtail truck to Glenwood, picked up 11 boys and took them to the Maverick Club to play basketball. Kids, Inc. had officially begun.

“When I was at that PTA meeting, I saw a cute little piano player there and didn’t see a ring on her finger, and I know I didn’t have one on mine,” laughs Bus. “That’s one good thing that had to do with Kids, Inc. We were married 60 years, five months and two days before she passed away.”

Freda, Bus’ late wife, was born and raised in Amarillo, and she had

1963

1966

Boys and girls volleyball gets included.

Boys and girls track is added.

1969 Cheerleading starts at Kids, Inc.

1971 Total participation in the Kids, Inc. sports program reaches the 12,000 mark.

cover no interest in living the life of a traveling salesman. After encouraging her husband to change careers, Bus got his bachelors and masters degrees from West Texas State University and went on to have a 26-year teaching career.

In 1982, he retired as the elementary school principal at Cal Farley Boys Ranch, but his involvement with Kids, Inc. remained.

Jimmy Lackey, whom Bus affectionately refers to as the “best director Kids, Inc. has had so far,” grew up a coach’s kid playing whatever sport was in season. Like Bus, the Dumas native acquired both his bachelors and masters degrees in education from West Texas and spent 13 years working for his alma mater. While running the Alumni office, Jimmy got a phone call from a friend who told him about the position opening up at Kids, Inc., and in November 1995, he joined the program.

“When I came here, there were no computers, no infrastructure. Everything was kept on paper and coming from higher education, that was culture shock,” says Jimmy.

“We immediately installed a computer network and got the phone system put in place. We were in a little office, about 3,400 square feet, in downtown Amarillo. We had eight parking spaces.

We had no room to breathe.”

The new president immediately started looking for a new location for the non-profit. He stumbled upon an empty grocery store near 27th and Osage, and two checks later, one from the Wares and one from the Harrington Foundation, and the new Kids,Inc.WareHouse was opened on August 26, 1998.

“By the time it was said and done, we’d raised three quarters of a million dollars,” he says. “We moved into this place and it

was bought and paid for. We owed nothing.”

In the last 64 years, Kids, Inc. has grown from a few ballgames a week to hosting 6,199 games in one year. Created for the sole purpose of giving kids an avenue to play sports, it’s a program that has given over 17,000 football, softball, soccer, and volleyball players - just to name a few- an outlet they might not have had otherwise.

“We deliver forms to 80-plus schools and build the teams based on that so kids grow up playing together. Any kid with shoes, socks and underwear can play. We provide everything, and we don’t turn a kid away based on financial need,” says Jimmy. “These kids learn life lessons, like how to share, how to compromise, how to win and lose, and how to be a part of a team.”

What makes Kids, Inc. unique is that it isn’t singularly focused. Players can choose from 17 different sports, indoor and out, starting as early as four years old all the way to adult leagues. Even with the Bus & Freda Duggar Sportsplex, dedicated in 2003, Jimmy is still looking to expand the program.

“There would be a huge void in Amarillo if Kids, Inc. wasn’t here, and that’s motivation everyday for me to come to work.

I have a goal of working with the city to have more centralized outdoor field locations, which would be nice when there are 15 soccer games going on at once,” he says.

“We have the best staff in town,” he continues, “and now we’re seeing fourth generation players, which is really amazing.

I have nothing on my radar that makes me want to leave.”

“You better not,” adds Bus, with a laugh. “You can quote me on that.” am

2005 1983 1973 1972 T-ball is added.

Outdoor soccer added.

More than 2,500 adults volunteer with Kids, Inc. programs.

1997 Kids, Inc. launches a $500,000 capital campaign to acquire a new facility for its headquarters.

2003 1998 The Kids, Incoporated WareHouse is formally dedicated on October 1.

2000 Recreational indoor soccer is added to the program.

2002 Spring outdoor soccer is added.

Kids, Inc. purchases High Plains Indoor Soccer and renames it the Bus & Freda Duggar Sportplex.

Kids, Inc. celebrates 60 years with a banquet and special recognition of the first 10 inductees into the Kids, Inc. Hall of Fame.

2005 Kids, Inc. includes club basketball and indoor flag football to the program.

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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inspire

A Magical Place Natalie Bright

A

re we there yet?”

“How long can we stay?” I smile at the questions from the back seat.

“It’s just a little further until we can see the canyon,” I reply, turning to glance at my two sons who sit perched on the edge of their seats, straining against the seat belts.

“We’ll eat a quick lunch and hike a few minutes.”

We are headed to a place where my husband and I spent countless hours hiking before the children phase of our lives. I’m ashamed to admit, we had not thought about revisiting it until our boys were school age.

Past the entrance, the black top winds through mesquite trees, native plants, and a velvety carpet of buffalo grass. A glimpse of a red rock canyon appears for several seconds before the road dips again and the ground blocks our view. A sign proclaims, “Caution, Use Low Gear.” As the road plunges out of sight, we top a small crest and the first full view of Palo Duro Canyon overpowers us with an explosion of color.

The mid-morning sun casts a beam of light on the canyon walls. The banded layers of purple, rusty red and gold shine bright in the blaze while the chalky grey layers glisten almost white. Honey mesquite trees, prickly pear, cottonwoods and salt cedars populate the scene along the banks of the river that winds through the bottom of the deep chasm.

The road continues downward coiling into a sharp horseshoe, before descending to the canyon’s floor. My husband pushes a button to open the skylight of our vehicle and we roll down our windows. The musty smell of cedar and the shrill buzz of locusts infuse the car.

As we slowly approach a water crossing, we watch children wading in the shallow run-off waters. They yell “Go fast!” and “Splash us!” My husband obeys their command, and we are serenaded with squeals of delight as we continue on. A camping spot beckons. Within minutes, a fire crackles and pops and a weathered picnic table is transformed into a lively spread of provisions for our meal.

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

While feasting on hotdogs, a large flock of wild turkey emerges from the underbrush to cross the road. Oblivious to our presence, they strut from protective cover and wander around our vehicle. The next invader of our space is a friendly squirrel who perches on a fallen log and twitches his tail. The boys are spellbound.

After a dessert of roasted marshmallows, we douse the charcoals and choose one of the red dirt paths leading from our campsite. Other than an occasional shout from one of the kids when they spot a lizard or horned toad, no other human sounds invade our afternoon.

Feeling refreshed and tired at the same time, we load up and enjoy a leisurely drive through the rest of the park. As we start the steep ride up to the rim, my oldest turns completely around in his seat to catch just one more glimpse. He sighs and asks, “Can we ever come back?”

He says it as though this might be a once in a lifetime place to visit. A spot so magical the odds are we may never see it again. I am surprised that a place only twenty minutes from our home can have this kind of affect on my children.

The pleasant afternoon we spent together made me realize that it’s not about jetting off to an exotic locale. I learned from our boys that magic can be found anytime, anywhere when you meet each new experience with an open heart and a wide-eyed wonder for the possibilities.

“Please, Mom?” “Can we, Mom?” Instead of worrying about when to pack, when to leave, and when to take note of the reasons why not, I simply replied, “Yes, we can. And next time we should make a whole day of it.” am

Natalie Bright

Natalie Bright writes inspirational and children’s stories. She holds a BBA from WTAMU and works as an office manager. Visit her website at www.nataliebright.com.

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

45

inspire

Everything Changes Yvonne Perea

O

ne of the main reasons I wrote “Everything Changes” was because of the death of my grandpa. He was the beloved patriarch of our family. When he died, I had an overwhelming feeling that I was getting older; everything changes whether you want it to or not. It’s a very honest observance of the ever-evolving journey of life.

In the chorus, there is a line that says, “There’s no waiting, in this line that can make you feel old.”

The picture of standing in line, to me, is the fact that you’ve wasted your time here on earth, and then

you suddenly find that you’re old. And who wants to spend their life like that? It’s easy to grow old even at 40, but it’s not easy sometimes to get out of bed, take a walk or find something useful to do with your time.

Living everyday to the fullest takes commitment and effort.

The end of the song includes the line, “I’m leaning towards this pot of gold that I finally found as I grew old; I’m a lucky one.” As I get older, I feel more at ease. I have a solid family, solid friends and I am rich in love. That is my own pot of gold. am

I couldn’t get myself to sleep last night All I did was toss and turn without a fight I followed all my thoughts, to where I think they started from And tried to figure out what I kept stepping on Everything changes, everything moves like a rolling stone All that’s been taken, always makes me feel like i need to go home There is no waitin, in this line that can make you feel old Everything changes, everything unfolds I think sometimes my emptiness is far too bright Showing all the colors of my darker side Lately I’ve been looking down, bent over this murky well Wondering would you break my fall, if I fell I’m leaning towards, this pot of gold, that I slowly found as I grew old, I’m a lucky one……

Yvonne Perea

With a seamless merging of folk, blues and rock, Yvonne’s music captures her audience through her memorable melodies, relevant lyrics and soulful earthy vocals. Her latest album, Everything Changes, will be released soon. Yvonne has performed throughout the USA and has opened for Amrosia, Nickle Creek, Michelle Shocked, Jonatha Brooke and Melissa Ferrick, among others. She’ll perform in Amarillo on Friday, August 28th at Butlers, Saturday and Sunday, August 30th at Joe Taco. For a full schedule, visit yvonneperea.com

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

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august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

47

color me . . .

tangerine orange Knit shirt $44, Talbots

T

angerine is, well, good enough to eat. This bright, funky color brings life to a room, or even to the simplest outfit. It’s bold and daring, which often reflects the person who wears it. Before fall colors tone everything down, enjoy one last burst of color as the summer comes to a close.

Water pail $16.98, Coulter Gardens

Gerber daisy arrangement $10, Bloom by Freemans

Tommy Bahama Relax watch $135, Raffkind’s

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

Life is Good collar $20, Peppermint Garden

Platter $32, Little Brown House Case Stockman knife $49.99, Knifes Plus

Ugly Doll $20, Janey’s

Patagonia rain jacket $150, Top Notch Outfitters

momAgenda $43, JBS Linens

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

49

book nook

History

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl

By Timothy Egan Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006

This New York Times Notable Book gives account of the dust storm that hit the High Plains on August 14, 1935. Timothy Egan, a National Book Award Winner, masterfully chronicles both the economic and natural disasters that sent families into catastrophe.

Those who stayed and survived the “dirty thirties” tell their story of endurance. thirties” tell their story of endurance.

Those who stayed and survived the “dirty disasters that sent families into catastrophe. chronicles both the economic and natural

Fiction

Fiction

The Angel’s Game

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

By Carlos Ruiz Zafón Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.,2009

David Martín makes his living by writing sensationalist novels under a pseudonym while living in an abandoned mansion at the heart of Barcelona. As the survivor of a troubled childhood, he has taken refuge in the world of books and spends his nights writing stories about the city’s underworld. But perhaps his dark imaginings are not as strange as they seem, for in a locked room deep within the house lie photographs and letters hinting at the mysterious death of the previous owner.

50

By Stieg Larsson Vintage Crime/Black Lizard, 2009

Financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist watches his professional life rapidly crumble around him. Prospects appear bleak until an unexpected offer to resurrect his name is extended by an old-school titan of Swedish industry. The catch - and there’s always a catch - is that Blomkvist must first spend a year researching a mysterious disappearance that has remained unsolved for nearly four decades.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

Health & Fitness Cook Yourself Thin: A Delicious Way to Drop a Dress Size

By Lifetime Television Voice, Hyperion Books, 2009

Losing weight doesn’t mean giving up your favorite dishes – it just means modifying the ingredients. Lifetime Television pulled together a cookbook based on their newest show, “Cook Yourself Thin,” featuring Candice Kumai, Harry Eastwood and Allison Fishman.

Indulge in healthy food that won’t leave you craving.

Special Interest

Teens

Back to the Garden: The Story of Woodstock

Evermore

By Alyson Noël St. Martin’s Griffin, 2009

Sixteen year old Ever Bloom sees people’s auras, hears their thoughts and can know someone’s entire life just by touching them.

Branded as a freak, she avoids all contact if possible. That is, until she meets the gorgeous, exotic and wealthy Damen Auguste.

Non-fiction

An Inconvenient Book: Real Solutions to the World’s Biggest Problems

By Pete Fornatale Touchstone, a division of Simon & Schuster, 2009

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock with this look back to the weekend that transformed rock ‘n roll in America. New York City disc jockey Pete Fornatale interviews rock legends, like David Crosby, Roger Daltrey and Joe Cocker, as well as fans who still remember Woodstock as the weekend of their lives.

By Glenn Beck Threshold Editions, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 2007

Travel Off the Beaten Path: Texas, a Guide to Unique Places (8th Edition)

By June Naylor Globe Pequot Press, 2009

Rediscover what our state has to offer in this updated guide to unique places around Texas. Broken up into sections according to regions, each area presents a selection of restaurants, attractions, and little-known places that may be just what a seasoned traveler is looking for.

Young Readers (ages 9-12)

Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Journey to Change the World… One Child at a Time (Young Readers Edition)

Known for his Fox News talk and syndicated radio shows, Glenn Beck offers up matterof-fact solutions to some of the most difficult – and often, annoying – problems we face today. This never-shy, always clever New York Times Best Seller knows just how to keep it interesting.

By Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin Adapted by Sarah Thomson Puffin Books, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, 2009

Based on the New York Times Best Seller by the same name, Greg Mortenson takes readers on a journey through a tiny Pakistani village where he found aid after getting hurt in a mountain climbing excursion. To repay them for their hospitality, Mortenson offers to build them a school. The mission has turned into his life’s work. In this simplified Young Readers Edition, Mortenson’s 12-year-old daughter, Amira, describes her overseas experience alongside her parents. alongside her parents. describes her overseas experience 12-year-old daughter, Amira, Readers Edition, Mortenson’s work. In this simplified Young mission has turned into his life’s build them a school and the

Young Readers (ages 2-5)

The Composer is Dead

By Lemony Snicket Harper Collins, 2009

Look no further than the instruments when solving this murder mystery. The Inspector has questions for each and every one of them, considering the composer is dead. It all seems so well-orchestrated. (Also enjoy an attached CD featuring the music of Nathaniel Stookey performed by the San Francisco Symphony.)

Sponsored by: For more selections, to check availability, or to order online, visit gohastings.com

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

51

what’s cooking?

Go Co-op and Buy Farmers Market Fresh

by Jennie Treadway-Miller

T

here’s nothing like the smell of a freshly baked squash casserole smothered in cheese. Actually, the only thing better is if you either grew the squash yourself or bought it from the Golden Spread Farmers Market.

“The farmers market is a cooperative of Panhandle area farmers, and they have to grow whatever they sell,” says market president Ronnie Kimbrell. “Each farmer is allowed to grow how they see fit, but they can only sell what they actually grow on their farm.”

The Texas-certified Farmers Market began 24 years ago as a coop when a group of farmers got to talking about bringing produce to Amarillo. Ronnie got involved in 1999, a year after he started his own small farm and decided to sell tomatoes in a stall at the market. He went on to add cantaloupe, green beans and black-eyed peas the following year, and by 2000, Ronnie was selected as Vice President of the market.

“I worked at a Whole Foods in Dallas and became interested in organic food there. I wanted the best and dreamt of having my own farm,” he recalls. “I started researching in 1992 and was pretty much self-taught.”

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

Ronnie served as vice president until 2002 when between each farmer and his customers. Today, he suffered a spinal cord injury. His passion for there are more than 4,600 working markets around organic produce and the farmers market remained, the country. and Ronnie went back to farming and back to the “If a farmer wants to participate, they call me market, this time serving as president in 2005. and we come out to inspect their farm to make sure “I’m in charge of promotion, advertising, securing they’re growing what they want to sell,” he explains. the lot space, and answering consumer questions “It’s a $100 membership fee for the year, plus a small via phone and internet,” he says. “I usually go to the stall fee each time they come, so we need to make market on Saturdays.” sure they’re growing enough to make it worthwhile.

The Golden Spread Farmers And we have costs as well, but we’re The farmers market a non-profit and everything we make Market begins on July 1 and will is a cooperative of remain open until the first freeze, goes right back into the market for Panhandle area farmers, next year.” which in years past has been as late as October. It’s open for business at Board membership is volunteerand they have to grow 7 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and based, as is much of the behind-thewhatever they sell.

Saturdays, and closes when each scenes work on market day. Venita farmer sells the remainder of his or her produce. The Carter is just one of the many who started out as a market is currently held in the Sunset Center parking market shopper and decided to start volunteering. lot on Plains Boulevard.

“I started going to the farmers market five years In the height of the season, usually from midago just as a customer,” says the Vega native. “I was July through August, there are anywhere from 20 raised on a farm, so I appreciate that life. My dad was to 25 farmers selling a selection of corn, tomatoes, a wheat farmer and my mom kept a garden. I used sit summer squash, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, in her garden as a child eating cherry tomatoes.” lettuce, potatoes, onions, watermelon, raspberries, It wasn’t long before Venita wanted to do more apples and more. than shop at the farmers market, so she started According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, volunteering, helping two ladies at their stalls sell there has been a growing demand for fresh, organic flowers and produce. After developing a relationship produce nationwide since the early 90s. Farmers with many of the farmers, and getting questions from markets allow consumers access to the freshest customers on what to make with their new groceries, local fruits and veggies from crop to countertop, as Venita decided to compile a cookbook. well as the ability to develop a personal relationship “I nagged farmers for recipes, got some from

Golden Spread Farmers Market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays 7 a.m. to sell-out (usually around noon) 3701 Plains Blvd.

For information about renting a stall, call Ronnie Kimbrell at 383-1366.

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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what’s cooking?

customers, and then added a lot of my own family recipes,” she says. “I worked on it nearly every evening during the winter of 2006. There’s a lot of practical information in there as well, so I’m really proud of it.”

As the youngest of three girls, Venita didn’t grow up cooking but rather taught herself over the years by trial and error. She’s included many of her favorite dishes in the cookbook, namely her Chicken Lasagne, Chile Rellenos and South of the Border Squash Casserole.

South of the Border Squash Casserole 4 medium yellow squash, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 2 Anaheim peppers, roasted and chopped 2 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon salt 1 egg, beaten 1 cup cottage cheese 1½ cups Monterey Jack Cheese, grated ½ cup Parmesan cheese pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sauté squash, onion and butter in a skillet until crisp-tender. Add chilies, flour, salt and pepper; stir. Pour into a baking dish. In a mixing bowl, combine egg and cottage cheese. Mix well and pour over squash mixture. Sprinkle Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheese over top. Bake for 30 minutes.

Raspberry Bavarian Cream Pie

Green Bean Salad

1½ cups crushed graham crackers 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar ¹/3 cup melted butter 2 teaspoons gelatin 6 tablespoons water 1 cup whipping cream

1 lb. cooked green beans 1 cup green peas 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped 1 jar pimentos 2 ears corn, removed from cob 1 cup chopped celery ½ onion, chopped ¾ cup sugar 1¾ cup vinegar ½ cup oil salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix crumbs, 3 tablespoons of the sugar, and butter.

Press mixture firmly and evenly against bottom and sides of pie pan. Bake 10 minutes. Crush raspberries and add 1 cup sugar and let stand for 30 minutes. Soak gelatin in 3 tablespoons of water. Dissolve it into 3 tablespoons of boiling water.

Stir this into the berries. Cool the gelatin.

When it is about to set, whip and fold in 1 cup whipping cream. Pour into crust and chill until served.

Microwave directions: Combine the squash, onion and butter in a microwave safe 2-quart baking dish. Microwave on high for 4 minutes. Follow the above directions, then microwave on high, uncovered for 7-8 minutes.

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“I call myself an advocate of the farmers market,” she says. “I just love it.”

Starting this month, the market website will go live with new and updated information about what produce is on sale each day, information about each farmer and what they sell, as well as information about joining the co-op.

However, you can always stroll down to the Sunset Center on an early morning and check out the market for yourself. Bring a basket and pick up a cookbook while you’re there. am

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

Heat vegetables thoroughly. In another saucepan, mix sugar, vinegar and oil.

Bring to a boil, and pour over the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate 24 hours before serving.

Special thanks to David and Alicia Woodburn for the gracious use of their kitchen.

Venita Carter Favorite dish: Chile Rellenos Recipe requirement: “Garli Garni” is the best ingredient. I bought it at the garlic festival in California.

Gadget must-have: I have my own Good Grips and I love my little scrubby for dishes.

Stress reliever: The true love of my life is going to rock concerts.

Plus, my husband and I like to travel.

Here’s a tip: Always add a turnip to your mashed potatoes. You can’t taste it, it cuts the carbs, and they always turn out light and fluffy.

The Farmers & Friends Cookbook is available for purchase at the Golden Spread Farmers Market for $10 each.

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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Doctor ofAudiology BoardCertifiedinAudiology

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

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events august

FEATURED EVENT

Texas If you haven’t seen “Texas” yet, you only have a couple more weeks to catch it. The annual summertime outdoor musical will end its 2009 season on August 15, closing out 44 years of telling the story of Panhandle settlers in the 1800s.

The elaborate stage sits tucked away against the wall of the Palo Duro Canyon, the second largest canyon in the country, and the show begins with a single horseman atop the ridge carrying the Texas state flag. As he rides away, the stage erupts with more than 60 singers and dancers dressed in authentic western wear – so real that it’s like you’ve stepped back in time.

The special effects only add to the experience, specifically the “lightning” that strikes a tree at the base of the canyon. (You’ve officially been warned.)

“Texas” wouldn’t be complete without a superb meal catered by The Big Texan, and as always, the event is entirely family friendly.

THE DETAILS Pioneer Amphitheatre Palo Duro Canyon 8:30 p.m. (go earlier if you plan to eat) For more information, call 655.2181.

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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August 1

“Texas” 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon.

655.2181 P3 Pedal Pint Night 3 p.m.

575 Pizzeria 2803 Civic Circle.

Event starts at the 575 Pizzeria.

Participants will ride bicycles to the Golden Light Café, then Rumors, and end up at Crush Wine Bar and Deli.

331.3627 Shakespeare in the Park Amarillo Repertory Theatre presents “Much Ado About Nothing” 8 p.m. on the lawn at the Don Harrington Discovery Center 1200 Streit Dr. 206.5915

August 2

“Texas” 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon.

655.2181 10th Annual Bride’s Benefit Show 12:30–4:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza 378.3096

August 3

Music in the Gardens at the Botanical Gardens from 7:30- 8:30 p.m. featuring classical, country, jazz and opera music. 1400 Streit Drive, 352.6513

Family Bingo 10:30 -11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244

August 4

Starlight Theater presents Texas Heritage Night with Southwest Cowboy Poets Association, 7-9 p.m., Sam Houston Park, Line Avenue and Western Street. Admission is free.

378.9391

Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244 “Texas” 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon.

655.2181

August 5

Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244

“Texas” 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon.

655.2181

August 6

“Texas” 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon.

655.2181 Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244

58

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • August 2009

73rd XIT Rodeo and Reunion XIT Rodeo grounds, Dalhart. 244.5646 for more information.

August 7

Amarillo’s Largest Garage Sale 12-5 p.m. in the North and South Exhibit Hall at the Civic Center.

378.3096 Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244 First Friday Art Walk Featuring the sculpture garden. The Galleries at Sunset 5-9 p.m. Admission is free.

353.5700.

“Texas” 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon.

655.2181 The Back to School Blues Festival 7 p.m. at the Civic Center Auditorium 378.3096 Shakespeare in the Park Amarillo Repertory Theatre presents “Much Ado About Nothing” 8 p.m. on the lawn at the Don Harrington Discovery Center 1200 Streit Dr. 206.5915

August 8

Amarillo’s Largest Garage Sale 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. in the North and South Exhibit Hall at the Civic Center.

378.3096

Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244 73rd XIT Rodeo and Reunion XIT Rodeo grounds, Dalhart. 244.5646 for more information.

Shakespeare in the Park Amarillo Repertory Theatre presents “Much Ado About Nothing” 8 p.m. on the lawn at the Don Harrington Discovery Center 1200 Streit Dr. 206.5915 August Lights at the Galleries 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Galleries at Sunset 3701 Plains Blvd. 670.1988 The Back to School Blues Festival 7 p.m. at the Civic Center Auditorium.

378.3096 Amarillo Dillas vs. Coastal Bend Thunder 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400 “Texas” 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon.

655.2181

August 9

Amarillo Dillas vs. Coastal Bend Thunder 6:05 p.m. at the Dilla Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400

“Texas” 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon.

655.2181

August Lights at the Galleries 1 – 5 p.m. The Galleries at Sunset 3701 Plains Blvd. 670.1988

August 10

Music in the Gardens at the Botanical Gardens from 7:30-8:30 p.m. featuring classical, country, jazz and opera music. 1400 Streit Drive. 352.6513

Amarillo Dillas vs. Coastal Bend Thunder 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400 Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

651.2244

Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400 “Musica Variada” Amarillo Opera 7:30 p.m. at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 372-SING “Texas” 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon.

655.2181 Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

651.2244

August 15

Center City Block Party Enjoy six outdoor music stages, local food vendors and a special play area for kids. 4 p.m.- Midnight, located between Tyler and Polk streets and 7th and 10th avenues.

372.6744

August 18

Starlight Theater presents the Back to School Bash with Insufficient Funds, 7-9 p.m., Sam Houston Park, Line Avenue and Western Street. 378.9391

Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

651.2244

August 19

Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

651.2244

August 20

Amarillo Dillas vs. San Angelo Colts 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400

Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Amarillo Zoo Teddy Bear Fair Panhandle Plains Historical August 11 Kids are encouraged to bring their Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

Starlight Theater presents jazz teddy bears to the zoo for “beary” 651.2244 band The Martinis, 7-9 p.m., Sam fun activities. 1-3 p.m. at 2400 N. Houston Park, Line Avenue and “Moonlight and Magnolias” Western Street. Admission is free. Polk, 381.7911 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre, 378.9391 Golden Spread Coin and 2751 Civic Circle. 355.9991 Collectibles Show 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Amarillo Dillas vs. Coastal Bend Third Thursday Amarillo in the Regency Room at the Civic Thunder 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla Museum of Art 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 Center.

378.3096 Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400 p.m. 371.5050 Amarillo Dillas vs. Laredo “Texas” 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Broncos 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla August 21 Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400 Amarillo Dillas vs. San Angelo Canyon. 655.2181 Colts 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla Villa “Texas” 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m. on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400 Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon.

Panhandle Plains Historical 655.2181 Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

Panhandle Plains Historical 651.2244 Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

Panhandle Plains Historical 651.2244 August 12 Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

Amarillo Dillas vs. Laredo 651.2244 “Moonlight and Magnolias” Broncos 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre, Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400 August 16 2751 Civic Circle 355.9991 “Texas” 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon. 655.2181

Kraig Parker/Elvis Memorial Tribute Concert 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Center Auditorium. 378.3096

Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

651.2244

Golden Spread Coin and Collectibles Show 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the Regency Room at the Civic Center. 378.3096

August 13

Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

651.2244

Amarillo Dillas vs. Laredo Broncos 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400

“Texas” 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon. 655.2181 Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

651.2244

August 14

Amarillo Dillas vs. Laredo Broncos 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla

August 17

Music in the Gardens at the Botanical Gardens from 7:30-8:30 p.m. featuring classical, country, jazz and opera music. 1400 Streit Drive. 352.6513

Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

651.2244

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Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

651.2244

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August 22

Route 66 Roller Derby 7 p.m. in the North Exhibit Hall at the Civic Center. 378.3096

Amarillo Dillas vs. San Angelo Colts 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400 “Moonlight and Magnolias” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre, 2751 Civic Circle 355.9991 Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon.

651.2244

August 23

Amarillo Dillas vs. San Angelo Colts 6:05 p.m. at the Dilla Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400 Don Harrington Discovery Center presents MindFest –

© 2009 Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc. Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios have been independently owned and operated since 1931.

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

59

a Gathering of Playful Inventors, 1200 Streit Drive. 355.9547 Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244 “Moonlight and Magnolias” 2:30 p.m.

Amarillo Little Theatre 2751 Civic Circle 355.9991

August 24

Amarillo Dillas vs. RGV White Wings 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400 Music in the Gardens at the Botanical Gardens from 7:30-8:30 p.m. featuring classical, country, jazz and opera music. 1400 Streit Drive.

352.6513 Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244

August 25

Amarillo Dillas vs. RGV White Wings 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400 Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244

August 26

Amarillo Dillas vs. RGV White Wings 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400 Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244

August 27

Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244

August 28

AMoA presents Visual Histories: the Paintings of Chuck Olsen, 2200 S. Van Buren, 371.5050

Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244 “Moonlight and Magnolias” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre, 2751 Civic Circle 355.9991

August 29

“Moonlight and Magnolias” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre, 2751 Civic Circle 355.9991 Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244 WTAMU Football vs. Grand Valley State Kimbrough Stadium 6 p.m.

651.1414

August 30

Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244

August 31

Family Bingo 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 4th Ave. in Canyon. 651.2244 Bayer Senior Select AQHA World Championship 8 a.m. Amarillo National Center, Tri-State Fairgrounds 3301 E. 10th 376.4811

Amarillo Dillas vs. RGV White Wings 7:05 p.m. at the Dilla Villa on 3rd and Grand. 342.0400

FEATURED EVENT

Dillas Baseball

Batter up! Baseball season is in full swing and the Amarillo Dillas have a slew of home games slated for the month of August. Ticket prices range from $4 to $6 and can be purchased on game day at the window or ahead of time or ahead of time at 801 S. Polk St. For more information, call 342.0400 or log on to myamarillodillas.com 60

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august August 2009

let’s eat!

RESTAURANTS • FOOD • SPIRITS

Zen 721 Owner Brian Mason’s long-time relationship with sushi started out of a fascination with Asian-inspired cooking.

He started at Kabuki at just 15 years old and brought the Japanese philosophy – if food looks good, it’s going to taste good – to Zen 721, where the tuna, salmon and sea bass are flown in from Honolulu just one day out of the water. To Brian, sushi is an art form, and he wasn’t bringing it to the restaurant until the fish could be shipped fresh to Amarillo.

Sushi Chef Chris Olivarez trained under the sushi masters at Teppo in Dallas and brings 20 years of experience in the restaurant business to Zen.

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

RESTAURANT KEY Outdoor Dining ☎ Reservations Recommended T Live Music y

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

NEW New to Let’s Eat! UPDATE

Updated entry

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

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let’s eat!

Abuelo’s Mexican Food Embassy The authentic atmosphere and generous portions make for an enjoyable lunch or romantic evening out. If you’re stumped by the delicious menu, try the Enchiladas de Cozumel, three crepes filled with guacamole and topped with bountiful seafood, fresh spinach and roasted peppers. As a rule, always get the queso. 3501 SW 45th 354.8294 abuelos.com $$

^c Acapulco Mexican Restaurant & Bar On warm summer nights, enjoy sitting outside while you enjoy a margarita and a traditional Mexican-style shrimp cocktail. 727 S. Polk 373.8889 acapulcomexicanrestaurant.net $$ c T y Antonio’s Bistro Italiano If it’s authentic Italian food you’re after, drive over to Antonio’s. The tiramisu is made fresh daily, and that’s reason enough to go. Plus you can totally reenact the spaghetti scene from Lady & the Tramp with your sweetheart. 2734 Westhaven Village 331.4996 $$ C ☎ T BL Bistro The intimate, cozy atmosphere creates the ideal date place, not to mention the food is plated perfection. Note: you might want to leave the kids with a sitter. 2203 S Austin 355.7838 blbistro.com $$$

c☎ ^

y

The Back Porch An Amarillo original, this quaint tea room serves up great lunch fare. The Chicken Avocado Sandwich on croissant is the way to go. Get the lunch plate with a cup of cheesy veggie soup and chips. Wash it all down with their excellent flavored tea. 3440 Bell 358.8871 $ Barnaby’s Beanery Visit Barnaby’s on historic Route 66 for classic café food. If you haven’t had their corn bread cheeseburger, you’re missing out. Leave room for homemade fruit cobbler. 3811 SW 6th 358.6998 $

The Big Texan Steak Ranch Everyone knows about the 72-ouncer, but did you know the breakfast buffet is only $8.95? Yes, you read that right. 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 372.7000 bigtexan.com $$ c ☎ ^ T Blue Sky Blue Sky’s burgers and homemade fries are the perfect companions to a Lone Star Beer or an Oreo shake. Be prepared to share the one-size-feeds-a lot cheese fries. 4201 I-40 West 355.8100 $ C T ^ y

Buns Over Texas The burgers are great and made to order. Pile them high with your favorite toppings from their veggie bar. Wet your whistle with some of the best tea in town. 3320 Bell 358.6808 $ Café Marizon Enjoy the quaint café atmosphere in a historic building on Polk. Great home cooked taste with consistently tasty specials of the day. Go early so you can have a piece of the homemade pie or cake.

705 S Polk 374.3058 $ y Calico County An Amarillo favorite for decades, the home cooked taste keeps people going back for more. You can’t beat the petite cinnamon rolls dripping in butter, the squash casserole and the chicken fried chicken.

Be sure to try their excellent waffles as well. 2410 Paramount 358.7664 $ Carolina’s Wood Fired Italian Despite the small interior, Carolina’s is great for a date or even the whole family. Start your meal off right with their first-rate Caesar salad and garlic bread. You can’t go wrong with any of the authentic pasta entrees. 2916 Wolflin Avenue 358.2099 $$ C Country Barn The Country Barn serves up more than the expected steaks and BBQ. Home of the ultra tender

DINING SPOTLIGHT

575 Pizzeria Options are endless at 575, which means you’ll have to go back multiple times just make sure you’ve tried everything.

(FYI: 575 is the temperature at which they cook your pizza.)

From the made-from-scratch dough to toppings galore, you will undoubtedly find a pizza combination that suits your fancy. And if you and your best mate disagree on toppings, no worries - they’ll half it for you. Make sure you give the white sauce pizzas a try – they’re delicious. The beer and wine selections will impress you as well. Be sure to check the chalkboard for specials when you go in. (It’s on the left.) 2803 Civic Circle, 331.3627, www.575pizzeria.com Open Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Enjoy live music from Andy Chase every Tuesday evening. $$ C T 62

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

Bonsmara beef, their steaks are sliced up and cooked fresh daily and served in an authentically western atmosphere. 8200 I-40 West 335.2325 countrybarnsteakhouse.com $$ c Coyote Bluff Café Don’t let the outside fool you. This is seriously good food. The full pound, green chili cheese burger is Southwest divine (add jalapenos for extra zip). Cool off with an ice cold beer. 2417 S Grand 373.4640 coyotebluffcafe.com $ C Crush Wine Bar & Deli Have you always wished for your very own Cheers?

A place where everybody knows your name? Forget the beer and peanuts, Crush Wine Bar & Deli has that beat by a mile. Not sure how to choose from the extensive wine list? No worries, they’ll school you on their favorites, and you can try a smaller pour just to be sure. Also try the excellent tapas, sandwiches and desserts, 701 S Polk 418.2011 crushdeli.com $$ c y David’s Steakhouse The elegant renovations have even carried over to the revamped menu. New and improved is great, but David’s signature marinated filet is outstanding.

For die hard Seafood Galley fans, you can still get their yummy fish and chips. 727 S. Polk 373.8889 davidssteaks.com $$ c ☎ Eat-Rite The food at Eat-Rite isn’t just good for you, it’s delicious as well. Feast on the organic salad bar or choose from a variety of tasty sandwiches. 2441 I-40 West 353.7476 eat-rite.com $ Eddie’s Napolis As one of our favorite spots for outdoor dining, Napoli’s created an oasis away from Amarillo that cannot be missed. Indulge yourself in the garlic rolls while you browse the ample menu. We gently nudge you towards the Amarillo Special or a personalized New York Style Pizza. 700 S Taylor 373.0927 napolisonline.com $$ c ☎ T y El Tejavan Their Ceviche makes for a great starter or a light meal. For authentic taste, try the soft corn tortilla chicken tacos. 3801 I-40 East / 372.5250, 3420 I-40 West / 354.2444 $$ c English Field House Restaurant Visit a piece of Amarillo history at the English Field House. Named for Amarillo’s first air field, the restaurant offers great cooked fresh café food. Take the family for Sunday breakfast. It’s worth the drive.

10610 American Drive 335.2996 $ Golden Light Café The Golden Light has been in business since 1947, all in the same location. For a great burger and fries, this is the place to go. 2908 SW 6th 374.9237 goldenlightcafe.com $$ C T Green Chile Willy’s As the owners say, the way you like it is the way they fix it. Hand cut grilled steaks, excellent burgers and grilled chicken, you name it, they’ve got it.

And you can’t beat the country atmosphere for a relaxing good time. 13651 Interstate 27 622-2200. greenchilewillys.com $$ ^

Hoffbrau Steakhouse Family-owned Hoffbrau’s has been serving Texas-style steaks and beer for three decades. We recommend one of their Gr8 Steaks or something from their Hill Country Favorites list upon your first visit. Guaranteed, you’ll go back again. 7203 I-40 West 358.6595 hoffbrausteaks.com $$ c NEW Jason’s Deli The options at Jason’s are endless - Sandwiches, paninis, wraps, baked potatoes, soups, salads, po’boys… The menu might leave you a little overwhelmed, but take heart. Everything is good.

And there’s even free ice cream at the end. 7406 SW 34th 353-4440 jasonsdeli.com $ ^ Joe Taco Great atmosphere and a variety of southwest favorites make Joe Taco a great place to sit and relax. Especially while enjoying one of their signature margaritas out on the patio. 7312 Wallace Blvd. 331.8226 joetaco.net $$ C ☎ T y K - N Root Beer K - N celebrated their 40th anniversary last year. If you’ve tried their yummy burgers and floats, then you know why they’ve been a success for so many years. The K-N Special, a double meat, double cheese burger melts in your mouth. There’s nothing like the old fashioned icy mug of root beer! 3900 Olsen 355.4391 $ Kabuki Romanza Who says you can’t enjoy fresh sushi aboard a boat in the heart of the Panhandle? Kabuki Romanza serves teppan-style cooking and fresh sliced sushi in a dining area that resembles a boat, surrounded by special effects that add to the tropical feel. 8130 I-40 West 353.4242 kabukiromanza.com $$-$$$ ^ C La Fiesta Grande Authentic taste and a lively atmosphere make La Fiesta a great place to take the whole family. From nachos to barbacoa, there’s something for every taste. 2200 Ross / 374.3689, 7415 SW 45th / 352.1330 lafiestagrande.com $$ C Las Brisas Las Brisas is the perfect place to unwind at the end of a hectic work week. Relax with friends, a great glass of merlot and a juicy steak served on sizzling butter. Heck, who needs to wait for the weekend?

3311 Olsen 331.2800 lasbrisassouthweststeakhouse.com $$ c ☎ y Macaroni Joe’s Macaroni Joe’s isn’t just a place to eat a great meal.

The Tuscan inspired rooms are the ideal place for creating memories. Whether for a first date, the start of a new life together, or celebrating important milestones, Joe’s offers excellent service and an exquisite food and wine menu. They’re at the top of our list. 1619 S Kentucky, Suite 1500 358.8990 macaronijoes.com $$-$$$ ^ ☎ C y Malcom’s Ice Cream & Food Temptations Malcom’s offers the ultimate in classic soda fountain food: burgers, sandwiches, and salads - everything’s good. Be sure you save room for dessert. Better yet, start with a treat. After all, it’s the most important part of the meal at Malcom’s.

2100 Paramount 355.3892 $

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let’s eat!

NEW My Thai NEW Pei Wei It’s hard to find authentic Thai cuisine that Pei Wei is always busy, but it’s certainly worth compares to My Thai. We recommend the angel the wait. Your dining experience isn’t complete noodle with sautéed tomatoes and mushrooms without the lettuce wraps or crab wontons. From for a tasty alternative to fried rice. 2029 S Coulter there, delight your taste buds with the beef ginger 352.9014 $ ^ broccoli. 3350 S. Soncy 352.5632 peiwei.com $$ ^ C

Stockyard Café Experience the western heritage of Amarillo at the Stockyard Café. They serve up excellent steaks that will surely satisfy your beef cravings. Plus, the Stockyard also offers a hearty breakfast every day starting at 6 a.m. 101 S Manhattan 342.9411 $$ C

NEW Nachos Bar & Grill NEW Enjoy the fresh hot sauce and chips while you wait for your food. The wait staff are efficient and friendly, and the home town feel of Nachos makes this a great place to take the kids. 3333 S Coulter 322-1140 $ c

Texas Firehouse Sports Bar & Grill More grill than bar, Texas Firehouse offers everything from a delicious fried green bean appetizer to steaks, all in a family friendly smokefree environment. Watch all your favorite sporting events while you eat. 3333 S Coulter 351.1800 $-$$ C

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

NEW Olive Garden They’ll tell you, “When you’re here, you’re family,” and that’s the absolute truth. A dinner at Olive Garden feels like a meal at your Italian Grandma’s, and the portions couldn’t be more generous. With endless salad and breadsticks, no matter the entrée, you’ll leave full. 4121 I-40 West 355.9973 olivegarden.com $$ c NEW Outback Steakhouse Let’s just start with the Bloomin’ Onion. We could actually end there and be completely satisfied, but what’s a trip to Outback without a Wallaby Darned and Pepper Mill Steak? Speaking of completely satisfied, leave room for the Chocolate Thunder From Down Under. 7101 I-40 West 352-4032 outback.com $$ ^ c Pacific Rim The Pacific Rim offers a variety of Asian Fusion cuisine in a unique setting. One of the best things about this place is the greeting you’ll get from Andy when you walk in. But let’s talk food. Their lettuce wraps are outstanding. In fact, everything is good.

They even offer speedy delivery. 2061 Paramount 353.9179 pacificrimam.com $ C

Pizza Planet For dine-in or take-out, Pizza Planet offers some of the best pizza in town. If you like a good chef salad, this is your place. Be prepared to share; it’s huge.

2400 Paramount 353.6666 $-$$ C

The Plaza The many loyal customers of the Plaza can attest to the great food and affordable prices. The laid NEW Texas Roadhouse back atmosphere is great for a family night out.

This is one place that you don’t have to worry about 2400 3415 Bell 358.4897 $ c your kids leaving a mess. Everyone knows it’s okay to throw your peanut shells on the floor at the Roosters Espresso Café Roadhouse. Bread lovers will rejoice over the rolls, Roosters offers more than just a good Cup of Joe. steak lovers will drool over the meat on display as Stop in and plan on staying for a hot breakfast soon as you walk through the door. Be ready for a pastry or one of their delicious lunch specialties. wait, but the food’s worth it. 2805 I-40 West 352.7427 It’s the perfect place to relax with your friends for texasroadhouse.com $ c ☎ lunch. 3440 Bell 353.7309 $ y Village Bakery & Café Ruby Tequila’s Mexican Kitchen The Village offers a large selection of handmade Ruby’s is Tex-Mex at its best. Fajita burritos, crispy European pastries and breads to complement tacos, stuffed poblanos, and savory meats off the their fresh gourmet style breakfasts, lunches and grill are just a short list of what they offer. Enjoy the dinners. The casual bistro setting makes it perfect vibrant atmosphere with a margarita in hand. 2001 place for a special lunch date. 2606 Wolflin Village S Georgia / 358.7829, 3616 Soncy rubytequilas.com $$ 358.1358 villagebakerycafe.com $ ^ y

c☎ T

y

Sakura Choose from an extensive sushi menu that includes Nigiri style, cut rolls, special rolls, spicy rolls, sushi salads and for the beef lover, Texas sushi. At Sakura, be ready to be entertained by the chefs who prepare your meal at the table. We wholeheartedly recommend the swordfish. 4000 Soncy 358.8148 sakuraamarillo.com $$-$$$ c Scott’s Oyster Bar If you are a fresh oyster connoisseur, Scott’s is the place for you. Even though it’s a little on the small side, the outdoor dining is a great place to hang out and enjoy a great Amarillo evening. 4150 Paramount 354.9110 $$ C y

DINING SPOTLIGHT

Jorge’s If you’re in the mood for fajitas, look no further than Jorge’s Mexican Bar and Grill, specifically their new location at Hillside and Bell. Originally opened in 2004 on 45th, Jorge’s hosts fun family-style dining. The new outdoor patio is a great place to relax and enjoy a night out with friends drinking some of the best margaritas in town.

Portion sizes are generous and prices are reasonable.

Fajitas not your thing? Try the fried avocado with chicken.

6051 S. Bell, 354.2141. Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. $$ y c 64

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

Vince’s Pizza Vince’s calzones are some of the best we’ve had.

He also offers wonderful Greek salads, gyros and a huge family sized pizza. The quirky atmosphere will make you feel like you’re in Little Italy. 2413 S Western 352.2656 $ Wing Stop Wing Stop cooks up some of the best chicken wings around. There’s a flavor for every palate. If you haven’t had their sugared French fries, you just haven’t lived. 45th & Bell / 356.9464, I-40 & Grand / 331.9464 wingstop.com $$ ^ C Ye Old Pancake Station With breakfast this good, you’ll be glad to know that the Pancake Station serves it all day long. They also offer great café style meals. We recommend the huge omelets and fresh pancakes. 2800 Virginia Circle 355.0211 $ Young Sushi The friendly greeting you’ll receive when you walk into Young’s is your first clue that your experience will be a good one. The helpful staff is always willing to offer suggestions regarding the sushi. If sushi’s not your thing, they also offer authentic Thai cuisine. 2800 Virginia Circle 355.0211 $$ C Zen 721 Zen features Asian-American cuisine with a Japanese influence. The cozy atmosphere makes it a great place for a date night. The chef keeps things fresh with new nightly specials and excellent presentation for each dish. It’s a truly unique venue.

616 S Polk 372.1909 zen721.com $$ c ☎ T

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august

history 101 31

1, 1939 KFDA radio station broadcasts its first program as Amarillo’s second radio station. It had a 182 foot tower.

2, 1776 Members of Congress sign their names to the Declaration of Independence before sending it to London eight days later.

17, 1931

Construction on The Paramount Theater started at Ninth and Polk, the site of the old First Baptist Church, and was to be completed in February of 1932 at a cost of $332,000.

18, 1872

The first mail order catalog was issued by A. M. Ward. Ah, the stuff Christmas wish lists were made of.

3, 1936 The First National Bank of Amarillo was the first bank in Texas to install a system of keeping check records called the “Recordak” system.

19, 1934

4, 1958 Billboard Magazine introduces its Top 100, listing the top pop singles in the country.

20, 1920 Professional football is born in Canton, Ohio.

5, 1861 President Lincoln imposes the first federal income tax – to fund the cost of the Civil War, no less.

21, 1959

6, 1911 7, 1932

Lucille Ball is born.

The Lane Ice Cream Company at 409 Pierce Street offered their latest specialty, the ice cream omelette, a generous slice of ice cream surrounded by cake.

Hitler was elected Fuhrer by 95.7 percent of German voters. Let us never forget.

22, 1950

Althea Gibson becomes the first African American to compete in a U.S. national tennis competition.

23, 1937

West Texas State College reported its largest graduating class with 174 degrees received.

8, 1986 The last episode of Knight Rider aired. For David, a singing stint in Germany was the next obvious step.

24, 1938

9, 1995 Jerry Garcia, lead singer of the Grateful Dead, dies.

25, 1935

10, 1981

While playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, Pet Rose set a National League record for his 3,631st hit.

11, 1966

The Chevy Camaro – priced at $2,466 – is introduced.

12, 1851

Isacc Singer patents the sewing machine.

13, 1942

Bambi premieres at the Radio City Music Hall. You can call me flower if you want to.

14, 1935

Reluctantly, Clark Gable signs on to play Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind.

Frankly, Scarlett…

Potter County election results showed 1,839 votes were cast for a repeal of state prohibition laws and 1,538 voted against it.

26, 1920

Women win the right to vote when the 19th Amendment is adopted into the U.S. Constitution. It was about time!

27, 1958

U.S.S.R. launches Sputnik 3 with two dogs aboard.

28, 1932

The Franklin Amarillo Company at 300 E. 10th advertised DeSoto Six cars for $675.

KGNC opened in its new downtown office in the Paramount Building.

29, 2005

15, 1969

Thousands of music lovers drove to Bethel, New York, to participate in Woodstock.

30, 1967

16, 1977

31, 1997

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Elvis Presley dies.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • August 2009

Hawaii becomes the 50th

state. Aloha!

Hurricane Katrina invades the

Gulf Coast.

Thurgood Marshall becomes the first African American Supreme Court Justice.

Princess Diana dies in Paris.

Whispering Pines ANTIQUES

806.373.8131

2727 W.6th Ave. Amarillo whisperingpinecottage.net

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67

spotlight

Alvin Schmidt Texas Ranger

When I get in my car, the first thing I listen to is…

My XM Radio. I go to Channel 6, the oldies of the 60’s, but now that I am getting older, Channel 5, the oldies of the 50’s are more my speed.

My friends and family call me…

Big Al.

My favorite meal to make from scratch is…

A tender chicken fried steak prepared at the Chuck Wagon out in the country under the great Texas sky.

My biggest pet peeve is….

Arrogance.

If I had an open plane ticket to anywhere, I would go to…

Montreat, North Carolina and visit one of the greatest Americans of all, Billy Graham.

After a long, hard day, I love to…

Sit in my recliner and watch Andy Griffith reruns.

One of my favorite childhood toys was…

My 1960 Cushman Super Eagle Motor Scooter (I still have it).

One movie I could watch over and over again is…

At 59 years old, Sergeant Alvin Schmidt sits as the longest commissioned law enforcement officer in the State of Texas. The Haskell native currently serves as a Texas Ranger in the C Company, which covers Armstrong, Potter, Randall, Carson and Donnelly Counties. As the Sheriff’s Association of Texas 2008 Lawman of the Year, Alvin believes there’s no better place to live than Texas, and his office reflects that. Filled to capacity with law enforcement artifacts and books, namely those pertaining to life as a Ranger, Alvin jokingly calls his office “a museum or a junk room,” adding that every piece of the collection holds sentiment. Nestled in a prison-made leather belt and holster, he carries a nickel plated Colt 45 engraved with the Texas flag and an old rugged cross in honor of his father.

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

Rudy.

If I were a character in a book, I would be…

The Lone Ranger.

The greatest piece of advice I’ve ever received is…

From a sign that is on the

door of Roy Acuff’s dressing room, at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. It says, “There ain’t nothing going to happen today that me and the good Lord can’t handle.”

When my children grow up, the one thing I want them to always remember is…

What Anne Frank wrote in her diary while she was hiding from the Nazis: “Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character and goodness.”

You may be surprised to know that I… Am number one in seniority of over 4,000 commissioned law enforcement officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

One habit I wish I could break is…

Procrastination.

My guilty pleasure is…

Having 2nd and 3rd helpings of chicken fried steak.

If I had the time, I would…

Like to clear up some old murder cases.

My favorite bad-for-mefood is…

Besides my wife’s millionaire pie, some more chicken fried steak.

The thing I love the most about living in Canyon is….

Because it is in the Panhandle of Texas, the greatest state on God’s green earth.

Find That Special Something

3,000 sq. ft. of gifts & home decor in a most unique cabin setting.

Lizzie Mae’s Mercantile

I-40 Exit (64) | Soncy, North to Amarillo Blvd. Go West, 1 1/4 mile 806-331-1710 | 10101 Amarillo Blvd. West

“Life is a big Canvas, throw all the paint on it you can.”

Thomas J. Hickman, M.D. • Dudley E. Freeman, M.D. Sarah Bergeron, RNC, WHNP • George Barnett, M.D. Cullen Hopkins, M.D. • Gregory A. May, M.D. 7620 Wallace Blvd. • Amarillo, Tx. 79124 • 806-359-5468

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local exposure Michael Norris/Amarillo Globe-News

Wonderland

Built 50 years ago by Paul and Alethea Roads, Wonderland started originally as Kiddie Land, a three-ride amusement park on a hill in Thompson Park. They were dedicated to creating a familyfriendly environment that catered to thrill-seekers everywhere. With each year, the Roads added more rides, some purchased from other parks, others built specifically for Wonderland. Two generations and over 20 rides later, Wonderland remains a place for the young and the young at heart to spend a hot summer night of fun. If you haven’t been this year, now’s the time to go and experience three new rides: Drop of Fear, Fiesta Swing, and The Hornet.

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • august 2009

august 2009 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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retro rewind I

t’s America’s Favorite Pastime and still one of the best ways to spend a warm summer night with the family. An afternoon or evening at the ballpark is Americana at its best and Amarillo has been an off-and-on home to a baseball team dating back to the 1930s. First known as the Gold Sox, these pictures of our former minor league baseball team will surely bring back memories of great seats behind home plate for many long-time residents and fans.

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • August 2009

Back-To-School Blues?

We’ve Got The Cure!

2010 Chevy Camaro

2009 Chevy Tahoe

Westgate Chevrolet Introducing Amarillo’s New Home fo for Sales & Service!

I-40 & Coulter (across from Westgate Mall) 806-356-5600