Amarillo Magazine | March 2011

Special Advertising Section: Spring Home Improvement 2011

amarillomagonline.com March 2011

George Quintanilla, Q-Design

Trade Secrets

How three men turned their pastimes into successful professions

Precious Metals

Take advantage of mix-and-match pieces from local boutiques by choosing accessories that look expensive, but won’t break the piggy bank.

Lighten Up

Do you find yourself clearing the decks and putting away clutter? It’s a sure sign that spring fever has set in.

A Son’s Legacy

An Amarillo couple carry on their late son’s legacy by rescuing victims of child trafficking.

Norbert Cannon, Amarillo Native

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contents

On the cover 33 Trade Secrets

With the instincts and talents they were born with, along with a little elbow grease, a metal worker, a stained glass artist and a carpenter were able to build flourishing businesses and fulfilling lives.

cover photo by Shannon Richardson

Features

23 Precious Metals

Take advantage of mix-and-match pieces from local boutiques by choosing accessories that look expensive, but won’t break the piggy bank.

29 Lighten Up

Do you find yourself clearing the decks and putting away clutter? It’s a sure sign that spring fever has set in.

42 A Son’s Legacy

An Amarillo couple carry on their late son’s legacy by rescuing victims of child trafficking.

48 Pub Grub

There’s a bit of Irish in all of us, or at least there is on St. Patrick’s Day. Raise your pint glass to the patron saint while raising your party guests’ spirits with gourmet-inspired pub dishes.

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

sections Contributors..............................8 Online Page............................12 Out & About...........................14 The Way I See It....................18 Dress Code..............................23 Home.........................................29 Special Feature.....................42

Inspire........................................44 What’s Cooking?..................48 Events........................................57 Let’s Eat!....................................63 Retro Rewind.........................70 Spotlight..................................72

contributors

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

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

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

Andy and T Price Andy and T own Real Food Company. The couple has been creating and serving their “made-from-scratch food with a wholesome flare” for more than 10 years.

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

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Publisher

Les Simpson

Editor

Michele McAffrey 806.345.3256 michele.mcaffrey@amarillo.com

Feature Writer

Drew Belle Zerby 806.345.3223 drew.zerby@amarillo.com

Steven Adams

Creative Services Manager

Designer

Darren Hendricks

Graphic Artists

Brian Bussey John Earl Tyler Mitchell

VP Advertising/ Revenue Development

Mike Distelhorst

Classified Sales Manager

Cindy Brown

Retail Sales Manager

Jaime Pipkin

Online Sales Manager

Kendra Barrett

Major/National Accounts Manager

Dewey Shanks

Account

Representatives

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

Sales Assistants

Yolanda Navarette Sarena Poor Leasa Salazar

Patrick Ayala

Online Production Manager Programmer

Tosh Lyons

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

Production Director Division Controller

Mike O’Connor Mike Clayton

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

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

editor’s letter

A

s I go about the business of mapping out an issue, there’s always a measure of comfort I get from making sure we’re on top of the details. We start every day with a plan and a view toward the week and the upcoming months. When we begin working on an issue, we have at least a broad idea of how we’ll approach a feature, but it never ceases to amaze me how things seemingly fall into place each and every time.

Everyone has a story to tell if you simply take the time to listen. And we enjoy telling the stories of everyday folks in Amarillo, so it’s a treat when I can go along on an interview. Something that fascinated me as we talked with A chilly day at Q-Design the hardworking men we profile in our cover story, “Trade Secrets,” was not only how energetic and driven they were (none of them see retirement in their future) but how they take numbers, whether they are equations, measurements or dimensions, and create beautiful things. George in particular entertained us with stories of his dreams about mathematical equations and how they affected his creations. All of them were so full of ideas and creative ability that you could almost hear the gears turning in their minds. They left me pondering the relationship of problem solving to their mental acuity and thinking I might need to take up Sudoku as a new hobby!

We are honored to tell you Ron and Nan Deal’s story as well. We’ve interviewed Ron before and he’s written articles for us about the challenges stepfamilies face. I already thought the world of him since I have a stepfamily myself and his books have been a great encouragement to me. The Deals recently became involved with Touch A Life Foundation, rescuing children trapped in slavery in Ghana. Their journey, the loss of their son and their work with orphans a world away, is both heartbreaking and uplifting. To date, the time we spent with them was one of the most life-changing experiences I’ve ever had. I’m grateful that they trusted us to deliver their story to our readers. Ron and Nan: You are truly humble and inspiring and I thank you.

As always thanks for reading,

online page

amarillomagonline.com Cover Story Extended Photo Gallery

Take a look at more photos from the cover story “Trade Secrets.”

photo courtesy of TOUCH A LIFE FOUNDATION

Online Exclusive: Touch A Life Foundation

Pam Cope, co-founder of Touch A Life Foundation and author of “Jantsen’s Gift,” shares her experiences rescuing trafficked children and working with Ron and Nan Deal’s organization, Connor’s Song.

Correction: In the February issue on page 12, we incorrectly listed Katie Wright as the Businesswoman of the Year. The 2010 winner was Amy Henderson of Amarillo National Bank. We apologize for the error.

Register to win

Submit your name and contact information to amarillomagonline.com/ contact this month for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Dillard’s.

The winner of last month’s gift card giveaway was Karen Light.

Our thoughts…

Check out our blog where Michele and Drew Belle give you the inside scoop on stories, photo shoots and more.

We’re social!

Follow us (@amarillomag) on Twitter and like our Amarillo Magazine page on Facebook.

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

Contests, giveaways and more!

Visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ amarillomagazine for weekly prizes and giveaways.

Starting March 10, tell us your silliest superstitions for a chance to receive a $50 gift certificate from 575 Pizzeria.

The lucky winner will be announced on St. Patrick’s Day.

We want you!

Want to break into the journalism industry? Then become a part of the AM team and gain invaluable experiences that can help jumpstart your career. Summer and fall internships for college students are available.

For more information, visit amarillomagonline.com/internships.

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March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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out & about

1

High Plains Weddings Show High Plains Weddings hosted its 28th annual Spring Bridal Show on January 9 at the Amarillo Civic Center. Guests had the opportunity to consult with wedding-related businesses and services, such as photographers, florists and caterers to help plan their weddings. A silent auction, which benefited the High Plains Marriage and Family Coalition, was also held.

2

1. Lowery Wilson, Kristin Funderburg, Celeste Ramirez and Sara McNeer, 2. Leann Kreig and Mason Harlow, 3. Maribel Moreno, Jazmin Saenz, Jennifer Gillespie, Hope Valerio and Jordan Gillespie, 4. Gwen Peterson, Danita Kamp, Chemika Peterson and Melissa Jordan, 5. Jimmy, Jimmy C. and Rene Ann Chavedo photos by Donna Alexander

3

4

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Banquet The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held its 24th annual banquet on January 13. Nearly 600 people attended the banquet at the Amarillo Civic Center. The banquet, which was catered by Rosa’s Café, announced the Chamber’s new board members, including its 2011 chairman, Annette Asencio, chair elect, Roland Romo, and executive director, Dora Chavarria.

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2

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3

1. Ernesto Guzman, Mary Faulkner and Mike Perez, 2. Sandra and Julio Tudon, 3. Jaime Cismeros, Araceli Morales and Keith Penn, 4. Tiffani Garza, Michael Contreras and Krystal Miller, 5. Kenny Brown, Joe Marquez, Chris Hiestand and Rob Leivo, 6. Domingo Diaz and Elisa Rodriguez photos by Donna Alexander

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

...

Making Homes Beautiful Call Marci for a consultation.

806-236-1799

Home of Lane & Christine Cox March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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out & about

1

Man and Woman of the Year Luncheon More than 630 people attended the Man and Woman of the Year Luncheon on January 26 at the Amarillo Civic Center. Eddie Melin and Myrna Raffkind were named Man and Woman of the Year by the Amarillo-Globe News. The luncheon, catered by Becky McKinley and Dining by Design, was the highest-attended Man and Woman of the Year event to date. “American Idol” top-12 finalist Lacey Brown, Amarillo City Manager Jarrett Atkinson and missionary Jim Allen received Globe-News Headliner Awards.

2

5

1. Bonnie Sanders, and Diane and Perry Gilmore, 2. Woman of the Year, Myrna Raffkind, 3. Ed Nichols, Judy Stark and Brian Kocsis, 4. Lisa and Jim Allen, 5. Man of the Year, Eddie Melin

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Photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography

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4

Khiva Shriners Ball

1

Around 225 people attended the Khiva Shriners’ Potentate’s Ball on January 29 at the Khiva Shrine Center. Family, friends and Khiva nobility celebrated the incoming Potentate, Glenn Pate, at the annual event.

The 2011 board members, appointed officers and past potentates were also introduced.

1. Nelson and Korinne Naylor, 2. Yvonne Bryant, and Pete and Jackie Harland, 3. Elaine Garcia and Marco Castillo, 4. Fred Heket and Nelda White, 5. Benny and Maxine Watson, and Debby and Dub Nichols photos by Donna Alexander

3

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

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March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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the way i see it

Jon Mark Beilue

The month of March? It blows L

eave it to Rodgers and Hammerstein to make even the most miserable feature sound romantic and enthralling: “All the sounds of the earth are like music, “All the sounds of the earth are like music, “The breeze is so busy it don’t miss a tree, “And Ol’ Weepin’ Yeller is laughing at me.”

In case you’re not up on your famous musicals, that’s “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” from “Oklahoma!” It’s a good bet those famous New York composers wrote this from the relative calm of an office in Manhattan and not actually on an Oklahoma morning when the wind was already whipping at 20 mph and scheduled to reach 50 mph by mid-afternoon.

Brace yourself: March is coming. It’s supposed to be that month that comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. That is, unless it’s in the Great Plains where it comes in like a stampeding herd of elephants and goes out like a crocodile with PMS. When it comes to weather, March is the worst. It’s the Sybil of months. For 31 days, the month can’t make up its mind if it’s still bonechilling winter, or if spring is about to burst forth, or if thunderstorms will provide needed moisture, or if the bright sun makes everyone feel rejuvenated.

Usually, it all comes in one day – in the middle of spring break. But one thing is guaranteed: The wind is gonna blow. Boy, is it ever. Always has, always will. Despite the best sports playoff going – March Madness – the month is to be endured, and that’s because of the wind.

“All the sounds of the earth are like music, “All the sounds of the earth are like music, “The gale is so strong it rips my car door, “And papers fly in dated from 1984.”

My first disdain for March winds came in high school while running track and praying for at least one calm day in a week of wind for the meet. Was one still day out of seven too much to ask? It was. I can remember in the early dark hours of Saturday hearing the winds already blowing through the air vents. I would stick the pillow over my head and know the day and my 800 and 1600 runs would be miserable.

Practice does not make for tolerance. People say, well, you’re from the Panhandle, you ought to be used to the wind. Really? Do you ever get used to being miserable? People from International Falls, Minnesota are no strangers to cold, but they would probably still prefer a day in Palm Springs.

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

It is my considerable opinion based on experience that nothing affects weather enjoyment like wind. Thirty degrees and calm is invigorating.

Sixty degrees and 35 mph wind is brutal.

Winds in March can go from a nuisance (see Sunday-Saturday) to the tragic (see Panhandle grass fires, circa 2006). Some people call the wind Mariah, but what we call it in March can’t make its way into a family magazine, especially one that comes out on Sunday.

I know Chicago is called the Windy City but my understanding is that’s from its history of politicians. Amarillo could and should lay claim to that title. Based on at least three different lists I’ve uncovered, Amarillo is No. 3 among the nation’s windiest cities. (Just in case you’re ever on “Jeopardy!” and this comes up, nine of the top 14 windiest cities are in, of all places, Massachusetts.

Go figure).

Amarillo’s average wind speed is 13.3 mph. That’s for the entire year.

It blows that hard in March in the shower. It’s stronger than Lubbock’s 12.4, and Chicago’s overblown – or underblown – hype that comes in at 10.3.

I could bore you with reasons why it’s so windy in March, that the sun angles climb and the earth’s heating surfaces increase which results in warm air pockets from the surface rising vigorously, but you wouldn’t care and I don’t know what I’m talking about.

All I know is March, well, it blows. Every part of the country has its weather quirks – humidity, rain, heat, snow, cold. Ours is wind. And so we just deal with it, and maybe make it into verse. Realistic verse.

“All the sounds of the earth are like music, “All the sounds of the earth are Jon Mark Beilue is a like music, columnist for the Amarillo Globe-News.

“I can’t find the He can be reached at might to stand tall jon.beilue@amarillo.com and upright, or 345.3318.

“As I pass an airplane on a Southwest-bound flight.” am

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March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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CHICOS.COM WHAT MAKES YOU SO CHICO’S? Let us know at facebook.com/ lovechicos

Still too young to settle down.

Precious Met als dress code

T

hese may be penny-pinching times, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your style. Take advantage of mix-and-match pieces from local boutiques by choosing accessories that look expensive, but won’t break the piggy bank. Cash in your coins and invest in eye-catching jewelry to freshen up your wardrobe.

photos by Shannon Richardson

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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dress code

Clockwise from left: Black and silver chain necklace and earring set $25, CATZ Uneek Boteek Shannon Price unakite on silk necklace $42, Nest Braid-look cuff $15, CATZ Uneek Boteek Druzy agate rings $32 each; druzy agate necklace $60, Nest

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

Clockwise from top: Gold and silver cuff $26; MX Signature Collection drop earrings $20, Ruby’s Accessories, Gifts & More Two’s Company necklace $22, Lilly Finch Key pendant $52, Top Notch Outfitters Inverted triangle-style necklace $26, Panache Mint bracelets $30, Ruby’s Accessories, Gifts & More Gold and crystal long chain $38, Top Notch Outfitters

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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dress code

Clockwise from left: Gold chain with green stone $37.50, Panache Sweet Romance necklace $48, Top Notch Outfitters Copper flower ring $15, Nest Tiger’s eye pendant $24, Divine Rags Sweet Romance bracelet $58, Top Notch Outfitters Two’s Company earrings $15, Lilly Finch

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

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Amarillo Magazine ••amarillomagonline.com amarillomagonline.com• March • March 2011 2011

home

Lighten Up Before

Take a cue from nature Marjorie Hagan Ellis, ASID, RID

Cerused Oak – What is it?

This popular wood treatment is achieved by applying pigment to the open pores of wood grain. The process partners well with oak’s prominent graining. After this antique table was stripped of its former dark finish, the grain was accentuated with a light color. The surface remains closer to the wood’s natural pigment.

I love the results and I’ll repurpose this dining table as a console for now.

D

o you find yourself clearing the decks and putting away clutter?

It’s a sure sign that spring fever has set in!

It’s fun to give a seasonal presence to your home. Look to nature for inspiration where you’ll find interesting texture and color combinations. Incorporate a few changes for impact this spring. photos by Shannon Richardson

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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home

Traditional, Updated

Metal Wanna-be(s) Avigon recycled paper with metallic glazes Reed Brothers, Duralee Furniture transparent wood stains and metal leafing Highland Court metallic threads in honeycomb matelassé fabric

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

Nubby Sisal, Soft Wool Masland muted, neutralpattern wool carpet Blackstone Carpet largescale, woven patterns in sisal carpet Schumacher indoor/outdoor “faux sisal” fabric

Consider:

Farrow & Ball flat paint pigments Osborne & Little natural travertine, cobblestone and marble wallpapers with metallic highlights Lee Jofa wood bead tassel trim Manuel Canovas wide striped print on linen

Color

Mushroom, camel, dove grey, straw, soft pewter, warm alabaster, quartz, driftwood, graphite

Texture

Burlap, crisp linen, raffia, cerused oak, embossed velvet, metallic, parchment, raw silk, reclaimed wood, embroidery, patterned grass cloth, bamboo

Ideas . . .

• Paint or wallpaper accentuates the back wall of a bookcase

• Revamp the powder bath • Apply wallpaper to an occasional table • Swap out neutral textures for dark lampshades

• Use large-scale accessories, natural materials Think upholstery: Add slipcovers and accent pillows, reupholster an accent chair in a textural fabric Refinish: Lighten up a vintage table (the one collecting dust in the attic), revamp cabinet doors or an old bookshelf Exchange: Use a shapely, upholstered headboard in place of dark wood, replace a bright accent rug with a muted Oriental Refresh: Add draperies to windows, metallic prints or crisp, textured sheers with interesting trims Update: Invest in one new piece of furniture with an unusual finish, texture or color

Natural Fibers Brunschwig & Fils cotton matelassé with botanical pattern Osborne & Little metallic leaf printed linen Duralee “whisker” braid trim Gaston y Daniela basket weave motif – large or small scale in linen

Contrast –Texture

Faux Bois and Company Nobilis cerused oakpattern wallpapers Brunschwig & Fils embossed velvet Chivasso woven linen sheer Cowtan & Tout natural cotton tiebacks

Kirk Brummel cotton needlepoint velvet Schumacher botanical print on heavy linen ground Phillip-Jeffries natural cork wall covering FUA Window Coverings woven grass window shades Unique Carpets thick wool yarn carpet

Marjorie Hagan Ellis, ASID, RID Marjorie is a registered interior designer who has been practicing her art for 28 years. She and Mary Stephens opened Stephens & Hagan Interior Design in the spring of 1997. They specialize in commercial and residential interior design, creating beautiful and functional interiors.

All shown available by special order, Stephens & Hagan Interior Design Cerusing on the table by Marshall Brazille, Brazille Painting, Inc.

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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Cover Story

Trade Secrets

How three men turned their pastimes into successful professions

by Drew Belle Zerby photos by Shannon Richardson

The Panhandle sky isn’t the limit for these master craftsmen.

They’ve left their artistic imprint throughout Amarillo and the United States.

With the instincts and talents they were born with, along with a little elbow grease, a metal worker, a stained glass artist and a carpenter were each able to build flourishing businesses and fulfilling lives.

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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Metal Man At the age of 16, George Quintanilla and his brother, Miguel, left their home country of Guatemala in hopes of starting anew in America. With two backpacks filled with one change

of clothes each and $53 dollars between them, they embarked on a journey that unbeknownst to them, would bring them to Amarillo, where nearly 20 years later George would start his own business.

“I had never heard of Amarillo and [my cousin] brought back one of those real estate magazines,” says the Q-Design owner. “We started going through it and were like ‘What? You can have a house for $35,000?’ The very next week I put my clothes in the car and left [Los Angeles].”

Before moving to Amarillo in 1994, George lived in L.A. and attended high school while working for a printing shop. He picked up English and took summer math classes for fun. It took six months for George to get on his feet, but it would take much longer for him to feel secure. “[My brother and I] worked hard, even at $3.25 an hour and in three years we bought a house,” he says. “For the first two years, I didn’t even own a pair of shoes that I bought. Everything was hand-me-downs. I wore anything from 8 ½ to 12, whatever [my cousins] had.”

He recalls his first shoe purchase with pride: a pair of black and red Air Jordans. And with those $109, top-of-the-line Nikes, George decided he would never allow himself to be without again.

“Boy that was like the top of the mountain,” he exclaims. “I will do anything to stay above ground. Now I do everything. There is nothing I cannot do.”

Before starting his own business, George tried his hand in an array of professions, from a life support technician at Baptist St. Anthony’s to a certified jeweler at Zales. But it was metal that finally satisfied his hunger.

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

“

Someone showed me how to weld, I learned in 15 minutes, and then my imagination just flew wild.

”

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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“Someone showed me how to weld, I learned in 15 minutes, and then my imagination just flew wild,” he said. “What I like the best is how easy it is for me to work with. It’s so hard for some people to work with but with the proper tools, it’s easy.”

What began as a hobby transformed into a career. About six years ago, George began working in a shed behind his home while still working at BSA. Three years later, he quit his job at the hospital and bought the building on the corner of Harrison and 10th Streets. At his shop, George constructs everything from custom beds, tables and skylight guards to pergolas, decks and doors.

His passion for building developed during his childhood.

“Legos were my favorite toy,” he says. “I just always liked to build. Like the Pergolas, it’s just like playing with Lincoln Logs, except much larger.”

George is not simply a builder. He’s an iron worker and a designer. He’s trilingual and currently teaching himself Italian and Russian. He’s a lover of mathematics and geometrics. He formulates equations in his sleep and solves them when he awakes. He imagines fanciful structures in his mind and makes them become a reality. He is ultimately a visionary.

When asked what he can build, George reaches for his card, holds it up and recites Qdesignwork’s motto: “If you can dream it, we can build it.”

“Most of the time, there are no plans,” he simply states.

“It’s all in my head; I can see it. I can take a mental picture and know it’s going to look good and just do it. I have dreams and I just make it.”

Whether your dream is a canopy bed inspired by Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage, a spinning rocket ship or a 23-foot metal gazebo, George can make it come to life. His pieces are special in that they are usually one-of-a-kind, but not flawless.

“I’m not a perfectionist, at all,” he asserts. “It will look very imperfect and that’s fine with me because it gives it character.

It shows that it was handmade. You get something so perfect it looks like a machine made it so you might as well make it with a machine.”

But George is like a machine, whether he knows it or not.

He is a multi-tasker and multi-faceted. He never stops and he never plans to. Staying busy means he is always reaching for more, whether it is striving for success or just keeping himself from watching mindless television shows (give him “World’s Toughest Fixes” over “Friends” any day). He realizes it’s an unfeasible task to absorb every facet of life, but he’s still going to give it a shot.

“I have to learn all the time,” he says. “My goal is to know everything but it’s just flat out impossible. I could never get there so I have to continue learning.”

If George is not building, he is most likely taking a class at Amarillo College, working on obtaining his pilot’s license or traveling with his wife, Theresa. He hopes to travel to Russia, Kiev and Kuala Lumpur, but most of all, Dubai.

“I can’t really stay focused on one thing,” he says as he scrolls through images of his projects on his computer. “I have to do a million things at one time. I have too many eggs in different baskets and I think that’s just best.”

George’s desire to succeed has not dwindled over the course of 24 years. If anything, it has grown stronger. He will not allow the past to repeat itself.

“I think when you don’t have anything,” he says, pausing as he rests his face in the palm of his hand, “you have a bit better drive than when you’re born with a silver spoon.”

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“

I started drawing before I can even remember when I was three or four years old.

”

G Glass Act

Arvis Stewart may not have started out in an unfamiliar country with $3 to his name, but he certainly wasn’t born with a silver spoon, either.

Arvis, owner of Stewart Stained Glass, was born in a shack to cotton sharecroppers in Turkey, Texas. When he was eight years old, he and his family moved to Amarillo where he attended Amarillo High School and Amarillo College. Arvis continued his education at Texas Tech University as an Architecture major, but changed it to Advertising, Art and Design after becoming intrigued by his fellow students who made pottery. But it wasn’t during high school or college that Arvis discovered his aptitude for the Arts.

That came much earlier.

“I started drawing before I can even remember when I was three or four years old. I had Crayolas and my mother didn’t mind if I drew on the walls because we were out on a farm,” he recalls with a chuckle. “I would make model airplanes. My weakness is working with things. It’s not a real good way to make a living.”

Arvis enjoys woodworking and sculpting, but it’s drawing that’s closest to his heart.

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“There’s a knack to drawing,” he says. “It’s a knack of how to see and how to block out everything and look at everything in twodimensions. Most people can learn to draw; very few people have the knack to become real good at it.”

But Arvis certainly did. His knack carried him all the way to New York City, where he found success as an illustrator. He and his first wife, along with two suitcases and 10 boxes, hopped on a bus and found themselves in a city “that smelled of garbage.” After staying in a hotel for a week, they settled in an artists’ community on Mulberry Street in Little Italy. An agent at Kirchoff/Wohlberg, Inc. discovered Arvis six months later and he began dipping his brush into everything from children’s books and textbooks to maps and furniture. Prominent publishing companies, such as Houghton Mifflin, Little Brown and Scholastic, commissioned Arvis’ art and he found himself illustrating

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

for famous works like John Steinbeck’s “The Black Pearl” and Washington Irving’s “Ichabod Crane.”

“I’m really old-fashioned,” he laughs. “I love illustration although it’s becoming extinct. I’m probably a dinosaur but I just love classical illustration and classical stories.”

But Arvis grew tired of living in the bustling Big Apple and he and his wife migrated upstate to the hamlet of Port Jervis, where they began a family.

“When you live in New York you get the idea everything revolves around New York City,” he says. “There’s so much going on.”

He lived in New York 17 years before returning to Amarillo where he purchased a home downtown, next door to his future second wife, Mary. Instead of solely sticking to illustrating, Arvis decided to try his hand at making stained glass.

“It’s not rocket science,” he humbly says. “It’s real easy. If you can make things, you can make stained glass.

High Plains Baptist Hospital commissioned Arvis to design two small windows for its chapel in the surgical waiting room. A year later, his designs were still lying on the contractor’s desk so Arvis offered to make the stained glass windows as well, even with no experience.

That was in 1980. Now Arvis’ work can be seen all over the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. The sun gleams through his windows at First Presbyterian and First Baptist and the sun dances off his chandeliers at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

“I like the way [glass] changes,” he expresses. “I like the different times of day, how the light comes through, like magic.”

Arvis’ artwork is heavily inspired by old world and modern designs.

“Oriental art is the biggest influence,” he says. “I like the organic lines and the flow but I have developed a real liking for deco, especially with the stained glass.”

For several years Arvis taught art classes at First Baptist Church’s Family Life Center and hosted classes at his workshop for Victory Church, covering a myriad of mediums, from drawing and paper mache to sculpting and stained glass. But the classes eventually became too difficult to continue.

“It’s hard to get enough people at the same place, every week,” he says. “And then you’ve got all this equipment and need a place to put their projects. It’s hard to arrange everything. Teaching is hard work.”

Up until two years ago, Arvis juggled two trades, but when Kirchoff/ Wohlberg split up its illustration, writing and design departments because of the poor economy, he decided he was going to put a pause on illustrating and is now fully devoted to making and repairing stained glass.

“I was doing both for such a long time and sometimes they’re in conflict,” he sighs. “I had deadlines on both ends and it was kind of nice not to have that conflict. I just became enchanted with the illustration business, but it’s gone mostly to computers,” he says as he flips through frame after frame of his art in his workshop. “Which is fine, it’s just not me and I think they all kind of look alike. They’re all very pretty though,” he politely adds. He recalls a time when he mailed illustrations to his agent instead of converting them to TIFS and sending them with the click of a button. But Arvis isn’t completely opposed to the World Wide Web. He has his own Facebook page and intends to scan his illustrations and upload them to his future website.

Arvis plans on staying in the stained glass business as long as he can. Retiring is not in his future, he says. If he is not toiling away in his artist’s alcove behind his home, he is most likely visiting his two daughters in Austin and writing children’s stories at his cabin in the New Mexico mountains, a recent hobby of his.

“My drive is to do a good job, to not cut corners,” he affirms as he nods his head. “Sometimes it happens you do something you’re really proud of, sometimes it doesn’t. But always do a confident job.

Somewhere down the line, someone’s going to have to repair something you did and they’re gonna say ‘They did a slocky job, look at this.’”

O

Out of the Woodworks With only an air compressor, nail gun and miter box, Kerry Morgan began his woodworking business out of his pickup, beating on doors day after day searching for a means to make a living.

“It took me three years to drive my first nail in Amarillo,” Kerry says, rocking back and forth in his chair. “Amarillo was all tied up and I had to work in Borger, Dumas and Pampa framing houses.”

That was in 1977. Now, Kerry is the owner of Morgan Trim, Inc. in Canyon.

Kerry’s love for building began with his father, “a phenomenal mechanic who could fix anything.” But his love for woodwork really came to the surface while taking Industrial Arts Education at Caprock High School.

“Wood was a medium I felt comfortable with,” he says. “I was always intrigued with it and I always wanted to learn more.”

Kerry graduated from Caprock in 1970 and received a scholarship to play baseball for West Texas State University. After two years, WT dismissed the baseball program and Kerry found himself trying to fill the void. With his remaining scholarship money, he took various courses to discover his calling, but nothing struck a chord, until he joined the band Young Country. Thirty-five years later he’s still with the group, strumming on his banjo and playing harmonica and pedal steel guitar.

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As Kerry pursued his other hobby, woodworking, he knew he’d never fit in well with a corporate structure. When a contractor he worked for went bankrupt, he paid Kerry in tools which gave him the opportunity he’d been waiting for. That’s when he tossed his new tools in the back of his red Chevy pickup and became his own boss.

“I took what I perceived to be my hobby and made that my

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profession. And since that day, I’ve never dreaded going to work, not once. A lot of times I just can’t wait to get here. It’s a continual challenge… That’s what keeps me going. Why be the 90 percent of people that don’t want to go to work? Why not find something you love and be the 10 percent that just can’t wait to get there?”

Kerry has had several opportunities to leave Amarillo, but his roots here run deep. He’s worked all over the United States, from Albuquerque and Dallas to Baltimore and Orlando, but he didn’t want to leave his band and uproot his four children, Holly, Amanda, Kendra and Jase. And five years ago, Kerry married his second wife, Casey.

“It would be too hard to move all my equipment,” he teases. “It’s comfortable here. This is home. With other places, you go see them and have a great time, but you can’t wait to get back.”

It’s not just Amarillo Kerry can’t wait to return to – it’s his job. Kerry is the epitome of a workaholic. Laboring 10 to12 hours a day, six, sometimes seven days a week, he only allows himself the luxury of a quiet Sunday afternoon. But even then, he’s outlining the upcoming week in his head.

Kerry relies heavily on design and drafting software, such as CAD and Alphacam, to make his visions possible. He spends three hours or even three days manipulating the software to create complex designs, such as a circular bookcase encased in a round room, until it matches the blueprints in his mind.

“The computers and software we use have really been that avenue for me to be able to take my hands from a chisel and a hammer or a saw and take something and fashion it into something else,” he explains.

Kerry is entirely self-taught. The only books he read on millwork were the 40-year-old instruction manuals that came with his machines.

He learned how to use computer software in the early 1990s and attended seminars at Amarillo College to learn how to become a businessman.

“A lot of times when you’re learning and still trying to make a living, it takes a lot of time,” he says. “I started learning how to be a businessman, which was a really, really long process. Tradesmen and businessmen usually aren’t the same. And I had to start wearing that other hat.”

Kerry isn’t quite sure where his drive comes from. His father, of course, contributed to that force, but Kerry has never been the type of person to give up.

“I just refused to lose. I refused to quit,” he exclaims. “And there have been some times that I had no idea when I could make a payment.

I just had no idea how I was going to keep on surviving. Keep working is all you can do, you do something, you do anything. If you stay at it, you can be successful. The bottom line is you have to be honest and you have to put out a good product. That’s the foundation of any business. If you do that and are persistent, you have a better chance of surviving.”

While Kerry is proud of his accomplishments, he’s not one to brag.

He nonchalantly mentions he won an award for building a futuristic counter for a car company in Amarillo, but he can’t even recall the name of the award or the company. That’s not what’s important to him.

Neither is the money.

“If you’re in it for the money, you don’t care about your people, you don’t care about the things that count,” he claims. “All you’re caring about is the buck. I care about letting Morgan Trim evolve and be successful and everybody who works for me to have a piece of that success. That’s what it’s all about. It’s not just about one person or me.

It’s about the community here.”

Kerry plans on being a part of that community for a long time.

“Retiring would be a chore for me because if I retire from this business, I’ll be doing something else,” he says. “When I die, I want to die on my feet, if that’s God’s wish, doing what I like to do.

“There’s no better way.” am

“

I took what I perceived to be my hobby and made that my profession.

And since that day, I’ve never dreaded going to work , not once.

”

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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special feature

Son’s Legacy A

by Drew Belle Zerby photo by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

Connor Deal

R

on Deal and his wife Nan are wearing Connor’s Song T-shirts, bearing a sketch by their late son, Connor. Around Nan’s neck are three necklaces: A silver heart inscribed with Connor’s name and the words “You are always in my heart” dangles on a silver chain; the other two pendants reside next to each other on a brown, leather cord, one engraved with the Hebrew word “Selah” and the other with the continent of Africa, a red stone pinpointing the location of Ghana.

Two years ago Ron and Nan Deal’s 12-year-old son, Connor, passed away and the couple was left searching for a way to honor their child and find a way to use money donated to his memorial fund. What makes them an extraordinary couple is that, over time, they’ve transformed their grief into a cause that would carry on their son’s legacy.

Connor was a nurturing child, full of energy and creative ideas. He loved children and was a passionate artist and writer who dreamed of becoming the next George Lucas.

“A baseball scholarship in his name?” Nan shakes her head. “It’s not him. It had to be about him.” Ron and Nan

never did find a legacy for Connor; “It found us,” Ron professes.

It wasn’t until the one-year anniversary of Connor’s death when Nan received Pam Cope’s memoir, “Jantsen’s Gift,” from the author herself, that a bigger, unforeseen plan was set into motion. Two weeks later, Pam called Nan and the two spoke for four hours, feeling an instant connection, Nan says.

Pam and Randy Cope, founders of Touch A Life Foundation, an organization dedicated to rescuing victims of child trafficking, had also suffered the death of a child. They were also given money to start their son, Jantsen’s, memorial fund and they too were at a loss as to what to do with it until a woman suggested putting it toward building an orphanage in Vietnam.

This past August, Nan found herself at her darkest hour, drowning in her grief when Pam rang her up, and the pieces of this painful puzzle began forming a picture.

“Pam said to me ‘It’s time for you to go to Ghana’ and I said, “You’ve got to be kidding me! I’m not going to Ghana. I am so broken right now and you want me to go be a missionary and help children?” she tells me, pain etched on her face. “It just kind of came full circle.”

In November, Nan traveled to Ghana for two weeks and she, Pam and the rest of the team took boats onto Lake Volta where children

are sold into slavery and forced to dive into crocodile-and-eel-infested waters to detangle fishing nets and repair boats.

The island in the middle of Lake Volta, what Nan describes as “National Geographic territory,” is where the women and female children are enslaved, indentured to lives of domesticity and sexual abuse. When one of the members of the group took off her shirt with the name of her daughter on it, Hope, and put it on a naked girl, it struck deep in Nan’s heart.

“Amidst these dirty, filthy, naked children there’s this one little girl with a shirt that says ‘Hope’ and I believe there is hope there,” she affirms.

Nan and the group rescued two brothers that day, Godsway Jr., 6, and Gideon, 8, who had previously been returned to their families then promptly sold back into slavery. They took the two boys back to camp where Nan passed out gifts: Connor’s Song backpacks filled with art supplies and the T-shirts that bear his name.

Before Nan returned to the United States, the Wolflin Elementary tutor realized she had found her calling. The children cried out to her, “God sent Ma Pam. God sent Ma Nan to rescue me,” and she told them, “God sent Ma Pam to save me out of my dark waters too and they got it.

It was an instant shared suffering.”

Since January, the Deals and the Amarillo chapter of Touch A Life have been organizing a 5K in honor of Connor. The proceeds will

“This is what these kids need.

They’ve come out of horrific conditions.”

Nan and Pam with children from the Village of Hope orphanage in Ghana

The Honor Connor Fun Run Takes place March 5. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m. at Bonham Middle School.

The 5K begins at 9 a.m. and the 1 Mile begins at 10 a.m. Proceeds will benefit Touch A Life Foundation.

For more information, visit www.RonDeal.org/go/ConnorsSong, www.touchalifekids.com or www.facebook.com/ConnorsSong.

benefit Touch A Life and go toward building an orphanage and the Connor Deal Creative Arts Center in Gomoa Fetteh, Ghana. The Deals dream of displaying Connor’s art on the walls of the center and housing a Lego’s table, puppet stage, and book and computer centers.

“This is what these kids need,” Nan stresses.

“They’ve come out of horrific conditions.

They’ve watched children die going down into the water. They’ve been given one meal a day and they’ve been beaten. They work 20 hours a day with a pair of underwear on and their parents sold them for $20. They’ve been through a lot.”

In July, Nan, Ron, their two sons, Joel Braden and Brennan, along with a group that includes three doctors, will travel to Ghana where they intend to set up health screenings for the orphans. They will also bring over a pair of special shoes to accommodate Joel, a young boy stricken with cleft feet.

“We have this suspicion that lots of other parents who have lost children don’t know what to do,” Ron offers. “Our invitation to other grieving parents would be to throw themselves into something that has meaning and connects them to their child and to find that legacy.

It certainly doesn’t mean traveling around the globe to do that. But if anybody wants to go to Ghana, they can get in touch with us.” am March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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inspire

The Wood Wouldn’t Burn Susan Gibson

T

ypically, I get inspired by stories that I can relate to, stories that I can picture myself in.

In the case of the song, “The Wood Wouldn’t Burn,” it was quite the opposite.

In 2006, I was playing at Cicada Fest, a little folk festival up in Ontario, Canada put on by my friend and fellow songwriter, Roger Marin. One evening, we were all over at Roger’s house and I spotted this old guitar leaning up against his couch. Roger has some beautiful guitars, but this one was in really bad shape. It had obviously been in a fire. The finish on it was blistered and peeling, the neck was warped and there were a couple tuning pegs that were missing.

When I asked Roger about it, he said he used to have a fan who would come to every show, go up to Roger and say, “Roger, man, I love your music. I have this great, old Gibson guitar that you would sound awesome on!”

Roger told me he thought the guy was just being gracious. Musicians often get the “my

uncle has a pristine Les Paul under his bed” banter from fans and it’s just a part of the conversation that connects musicians to their audiences.

Some time went by and Roger didn’t see the man at his shows. Then one evening, a woman went up to Roger, handed him a burned-up Gibson guitar and told him, “You know, my husband was a huge fan of your music and he always wanted to hear you play this guitar. He died last year and now I’m getting his belongings where they belong.”

As I said in the beginning, I can’t imagine being this woman who was honoring her husband’s wish by letting go of the souvenirs of his life after he was gone. I know how tightly I would cling to the artifacts of a long marriage. This song is my attempt at telling a story that I almost can’t imagine. All of it is true, except I found out later that I might have gotten the year wrong on the guitar (it was 1963-66 instead of ’52). When I went back and played Cicada Fest in 2009, I got to perform this song on that very guitar. am

Susan Gibson

Susan, an established singer/ songwriter/musician, wrote the hit song “Wide Open Spaces.” Check out Susan’s schedule and new CD, TightRope, at susangibson.com.

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“The Wood Wouldn’t Burn” My old man had a dying wish Bought it with his bones and flesh That you should have this old guitar We pulled it out of the fire He always liked the way you played He knew the sacrifice you made To leave your family for the lonely road And send the money that you made back home

It was a 1952 Gibson FlatTop Blisters on the neck and ashes on the headstock Held together with some rusty wire The wood wouldn’t burn in the fire No, that wood wouldn’t burn in the fire

My old man didn’t play that much He let the strings get rusty when he lost his touch So down in the basement it went With the baby books and Christmas ornaments The fire started on the ground floor Took my husband and my son before It crept down the basement stairs Then I guess it just ran out of air

It was a 1952 Gibson FlatTop Blisters on the neck and ashes on the headstock Held together with some rusty wire The wood wouldn’t burn in the fire No, that wood wouldn’t burn in the fire

He was a regular at all of your shows He knew your daddy and he watched you grow Into the man that you are today How I wish that he could hear you play So sing about him in your sad, sad songs Play your hot licks and let him sing along And when the crowd wants a little more, Bring him out for an encore

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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inspire

My Life in Bread April Brownlee

I

hope my life reads like a story. A profound, awesome, fun, chock-full-of-laughterand-beauty-and-grace-and-moments-thattake-your-breath-away story. And when I think about how I want my story to be told, I often wonder what things my children will remember when they’re grown. What memories will they take with them and keep in their pockets for all those times when they’re sad, lonely, stressed or just looking for the warm embrace of days gone by?

I remember amazing, larger-than-life birthdays and holidays. So much so, I find myself trying to recreate them for my kids. I remember long, family vacation road trips.

I saw America from the back seat of my parents’ car. And now I want to show my children. I want to create a childhood woven together by traditions and memories.

When I think back, I also remember the food: Lots of home-cooked goodness, recipes passed down. My mamaw’s light-asair doughnuts were a painstaking work of art. And her rolls were indescribable. I can see myself sitting at the kitchen table waiting for those rolls one night. We had rolls for dinner that evening. Just rolls. We didn’t need anything to complicate the perfection baked in that pan. Except maybe a little honey.

My mamaw, my mom, my dad, my grandma, they all had something I don’t – patience in the kitchen... the kind of patience spent simmering a pot of deliciousness all afternoon or laboriously working out a made-fromscratch pie crust. I like to cook. What I don’t like is slaving over a tedious recipe for hours only to spend another

46

Baking my own bread has been easier and more fun than I ever thought possible.”

hour cleaning the mess I made. My knife skills are horrendous and I have absolutely no technique. I don’t know how to properly plate. I overdress salads and I tend to believe more is more. Fortunately, I have managed to amass an array of good sources for quick and easy recipes that are also healthy (mostly) and delicious (usually).

And while I’m pleased with the meals I turn out, I’ve never really been able to master the whole baking thing. Sure, I try to keep some sort of homemade cookie around at all times. And yes, I make cupcakes from scratch for school parties in order to accommodate my allergic-to-milk middle child. That’s about as far into the world of baking as I’ve been willing to venture. I have never made a homemade pie crust. And I don’t recall ever making bread that wasn’t a quick bread or didn’t come from a frozen loaf of dough.

That is until, a few weeks ago, I stumbled

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

upon a cookbook, thought it might be fun to try and decided to take a chance on it. “Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day” has been life-changing. It arrived on my doorstep one Friday night and suddenly, on any given day, I’m covered in flour, my house smells delicious and there’s a loaf of fresh-baked-something-orother sitting on the counter.

It’s completely changed my perspective on baking bread. The French word for bread is “pain.” Though it’s pronounced “pan,” I’ve always thought it an appropriate word, as hours of kneading and rolling can be pretty painful. But this book has introduced me to a whole new world that is anything but. I’ve learned so much about bread; it’s been a real tour through history. I’ve come to appreciate the hard, crusty outer texture of a boule and all the rustic charm that

comes with it. And best of all, there’s no labor involved. I dump a few ingredients in a bowl, give it a whirl in a stand mixer, let it rise and two hours later, I have enough dough for four loaves of bread – plenty for my family for the week.

I can make ciabatta, foccacia, soft, white, sandwich bread or even slightly sweet challah (pronounced HAH-lah, with a very throaty sound, according to a good friend who recently clued me in) in a matter of minutes and without a single second of kneading. By far, the most difficult recipe I’ve attempted is babka and even it was minimally difficult. Before this, I wouldn’t have even known what challah or babka was, unless you count that one “Seinfeld” episode.

Baking my own bread has been easier and more fun than I ever thought possible.

It takes longer to clean the flecks of flour off the countertops than it does to actually make the breads. I don’t have to worry about whether it contains some form of milk. There are no chemicals I can’t pronounce and no questionable forms of sugar. And I feel like we’re all getting a taste of France.

I suspect, if I tried, I could tell someone who didn’t know that the perfect loaf of boule sitting on my counter is the product of a generations-old recipe my very French grandmother brought with her from the old country. However, neither of my grandmothers are French and I don’t know where the “old country” is. What I do know is I never really thought my kids might look back on their childhood and remember me for my bread.

But now, I think, they just might. And I’m writing a new chapter of our story with each loaf. am

We’re everywhere!

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and at the AM blog.

New Look! Start at amarillomagonline.com

See behind-the-scenes photos, read web exclusives and get the scoop about upcoming issues.

April Brownlee April is a fundraising professional, freelance writer and mother of three. In her spare time, she’s a wanna-be foodie, though she will admit to having served Cap’n Crunch for dinner once or twice.

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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what’s cooking?

Pub Grub T

here’s a bit of Irish in all of us, or at least there is on St. Patrick’s Day. Raise your pint glass to the patron saint while raising your party guests’ spirits with these gourmet-inspired pub dishes. Here’s to the luck of the Irish in 2011!

recipe card photos by Shannon Richardson recipes provided by T and Andy Price, Real Food Company

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Mini Reubens

Bangers and Mash

Guinness and Cheddar Spread

Irish Beef Hand Pies

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

49

what’s cooking?

Bangers and Mash

Mini Reubens

½ bottle Guinness or other dark beer 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 5 - 6 sausages (we used Johnsonville brats) 1 tablespoon olive oil 4 large russet potatoes 1 stick butter, melted ½ cup milk, warm Salt and pepper to taste Parsley, chopped (for garnish)

1 loaf cocktail rye or pumpernickel 1 ½ pounds corned beef, sliced ¾ pound Swiss cheese, sliced and quartered 1 cup sauerkraut 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Heat oil in sauté pan over medium heat and brown sausages. Add about ½ cup water and cover until water evaporates. Repeat this process about three times; each time the pan juices will get darker. Remove sausages from pan and add beer and mustard; cook a couple of minutes. Return sausages to sauce and let sit covered until ready to serve. Meanwhile, peel and cut potatoes into even chunks; boil in salted water until tender. Drain and put through a ricer.

Fold in melted butter, warm milk and salt and pepper, adding more milk if needed. Serve sausages and pan sauce over the potatoes. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Dressing: 1/3 cup mayo 2 tablespoons ketchup 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish Mix dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. For each sandwich, spread about a teaspoon of dressing on each piece of bread (you will have some bread left over), then a square of Swiss cheese on each piece of bread. Top with corned beef and sauerkraut. Finish with another slice of bread.

Brush both sides of bread with butter and warm on a griddle until hot and golden brown.

Makes 18 sandwiches

Makes four to six servings

Irish Beef Hand Pies

Guinness and Cheddar Spread

1 box puff pastry, defrosted 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ pound ground beef ½ medium onion, finely diced 1 small carrot, finely diced 1 small potato, finely diced ½ cup frozen green peas 2 tablespoons ketchup 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ½ bottle Guinness or other dark beer Salt and pepper to taste 1 egg, beaten with a little water

1 pound extra sharp cheddar, cubed 1 bottle Guinness Stout 4 - 5 green onions, chopped (reserve green tops for garnish) 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat oil in medium sauté pan over medium heat. Cook onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add meat and sauté until brown. Add salt and pepper, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire and beer.

Simmer covered, about 20 minutes, until meat is tender. Meanwhile, bring water to boil in medium pot. Add 1 tablespoon salt to water. Cook potatoes and carrots until tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and add to meat mixture along with frozen peas.

Unfold both sheets of puff pastry on lightly-floured surface. Brush entire surface with egg wash. Using the creases where the dough has been folded as your guide (you will have three long sections on each sheet), place a generous ¼ cup filling on the lower half of the dough in each of the three sections. Fold top half of dough over and press well between each section. Cut between each pie and crimp with a fork all around each pie. Repeat with second sheet. Brush tops of pies with egg wash and cut two or three slits on top of each pie. Place on parchmentcovered baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

Makes six pies

50

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

In a food processor, process all ingredients, except onion greens, until smooth, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Serve with pretzels, rye toasts or crackers.

Best Kept Secret in Amarillo

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2010

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

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

51

SPRING 2011 Home Improvement

Amarillo Steamway “The cleanest clean you’ve ever seen”

A

marillo Steamway gives “familyowned” real meaning. Started in 1968

by Howard and Carol Richey, the business is operated by the Richey’s daughter, Melody, and her husband, Eddie Willis.

Eddie began working at Amarillo Steamway in 1982. Eddie and Melody purchased the company from her parents in 1997. “We are three generations of family going on three generations of customers,” Melody says.

Known as Amarillo’s Premiere Floorcare Company, Amarillo Steamway can clean most any surface in your house. Melody likes to use her dad’s motto of “The cleanest clean you’ve ever seen” when describing the company’s proficiency.

“We have the experience and knowledge to clean any textile surface,” Eddie says. “I remember one instance when we were called

52 SPR I NG 2011 H OME I MPROVEMENT •

in to assess, clean and save a million dollars worth of carpet.”

Every job is treated with the same standard of quality and service. In fact, Eddie is a Master Textile Cleaner certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). And that expertise includes custom rug cleaning, wools, silks and Orientals, and tile and stone cleaning.

“Any natural stone in your home can be cleaned,” Melody says.

“We can restore stone surfaces to their original beauty and show you simple methods to keep them that way,” Melody says. “We also put sealers on stone, tile floors and countertops. A sealer helps resist soil and stains on grout and stone.”

Amarillo Steamway also cleans draperies and upholstery, giving new life to wool, cotton, SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

silk, leather, synthetic fabrics and gold inlay.

“We have cleaned exotic items like bear rugs with heads, animal skins and even animal mounts,” says Melody. The company also provides fire and water damage restoration.

Amarillo Steamway is a step ahead with the latest technology, training and equipment.

“It’s a continual effort to keep up with changes in fibers, techniques and cleaning agents. All our carpet technicians have been to certification school, have a great work ethic and provide a high standard of service.”

Amarillo Steamway 2700 West Amarillo Blvd.

Amarillo, TX 79106 806.373.4592 amarillosteamway.com

SPRING 2011 Home Improvement

Buzula Furniture

A fresh idea in home furnishings

B

uzula Furniture was created in early 2009 after the old Warehouse Solutions closed in 2006 due to owner, Buster Foster’s, health issues. Buster and his wife, Paula, began to sell furniture to distributors, retailers and promoters out of a small office in 2009.

“But after the prompting of many old customers, advice from local business executives and prayer for God’s will, we decided to open again to the public,” says Buster. “Things just started falling into place.

“We were blessed to get our current building at a price we could afford. Everything came together in a hurry. By August 2010 we had the store cleaned, offices built, staff in place and 1 million dollars of inventory.”

With a simple, yet effective approach to furniture sales, Buzula has found its unique Amarillo niche.

“We sell furniture at lower prices than anyone else.

Price is all we do!

“We have eliminated the overhead other retail stores have. Plus, we are distributors to many retail stores, other distributors and the United States government,” Buster says.

Buzula was built on the principle of friendliness.

“Out motto is to serve people with such kindness that they leave our company feeling like we made their day better,” he explains. “It works!

Friendliness is what people want.”

Drawing customers from Lubbock, Dallas, Albuquerque and Oklahoma, Buzula is a locallyowned company made up of people who live, work, bank and spend money here in Amarillo.

“Being a country boy has taught me that any business that does not believe that farming and ranching are important to this area doesn’t last long,” Buster says. “Our area is diverse and our people are hard-working and honest.

“Our prices are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. It’s a fresh idea. Customers don’t want to feel rushed or pressured into buying that day if they are not ready.”

Buzula Furniture has 30,000 square feet of warehouse space and a 40,000 square foot showroom floor packed with furniture that is ready to be taken home today.

Buzula Furniture 716 I-40 West Amarillo, TX 79102 806.374.5077 buzula4cost.net

Buster and Paula Foster

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

•

SP RING 2 0 1 1 H OME I MPROVEMENT

53

SPRING 2011 Home Improvement

BEFORE

Krause Landscape Contractors, Inc. Creating unique outdoor areas for Amarillo homes and commercial properties

C

elebrating 35 years! Krause Landscape Contractors have experience in landscape and irrigation design, installation, construction and maintenance, as well as landscape lighting and swimming pools.

Krause has won several state and national awards for landscape design, installation and maintenance. The company has twice been voted one of Amarillo’s Top Ten Small Businesses by the Chamber of Commerce and has been voted the Best of Amarillo eight times. With Randy Hartman as recently named General Manager, Krause Landscape is equipped for any home improvement project on your horizon.

Krause Landscape Contractors, Inc. 13201 Indian Hill Rd. 806.373.4591 krauselandscape.com (#LI0007904)

54 SPR I NG 2011 H OME I MPROVEMENT •

10 Steps to a Spring Spruce-Up for Your Home 1. Call the “Best of Amarillo”: Krause was voted Best of Amarillo eight times.

2. Winter Waste: Clean up leaf litter, trash and dead plant material.

3. Out With the Old, In With the New: Replace dead trees and shrubs with new trees and shrubs.

4. Definitely Drip!: Convert your beds to drip irrigation to save water and money.

5. Don’t Forget to Make Your Bed: Adding flower beds to your landscape gives your home a splash of color, while providing a functional accent to your yard.

6. Mulch it Over: New beds need mulch and your older ones need to be top-dressed in areas where the mulch is less than one inch deep.

7. Feed the Need: Your lawn, trees and shrubs need to be fertilized to ensure hardy growth. Also, it is a good idea to apply chemicals to prevent and control pests and diseases in your lawn.

8. Illuminate Your Life: Low-voltage landscape lighting is an economically efficient way to provide elegance and safety to your home.

9. Special Feature: The addition of a patio, shade structure, water feature, pool or other special feature will increase the function and appeal of your landscape, while providing areas for entertainment, leisure or other activities.

10. ENJOY!

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SPRING 2011 Home Improvement

Out-Back Pool & Spa “Where Dreams Come True for Less”

R

oger and Rena Mayfield launched Out-Back Pool & Spa in 2000. With 17 years of experience in swimming pool construction, Roger was ready to pioneer a business with a uniquely hands-on approach and an unlimited amount of options. In the 10 years since opening, Out-Back Pool & Spa has grown by leaps and bounds.

“We have only offered swimming pool construction for the last 10 years, but we are in the process of getting a retail store ready to open this spring,” Roger says.

The new store will include a water analysis lab where free water analyses will be offered to all Out-Back customers. “We will also offer a full line of pool and spa chemicals, parts and supplies,” he says.

Started on the belief that quality goods and services should be offered at an

affordable price, Out-Back Pool & Spa guarantees more options for less.

“We don’t just target the high-end customer,” Roger says. “We offer a product to fit most family budgets. With the options available today, building a pool is a lot like building a home. A family can build an affordable pool or a high-end pool. The options are endless.”

Out-Back Pool & Spa operates with the knowledge that no two pools are the same.

“We custom design to our customers’ dreams and visions,” he says. “We want to build a lasting relationship with our customers.”

Roger encourages customers to think through the entire pool-building process.

“For instance, if you are building a home with a pool in mind, you should include an equipment room in your home design. We

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

•

want to help you save money and protect your equipment.”

Out-Back Pool & Spa offers in-ground gunite swimming pools and/or spas, vinyllined swimming pools, renovations, naturalrock waterfalls, grottos, masonry water features, outdoor kitchens and fire pits.

Out-Back Pool & Spa 8910 SW 34th, Suite 7 Amarillo, TX 79124 806.379.7665 outbackpoolandspa.com

SP RING 2 0 1 1 H OME I MPROVEMENT

55

SPRING 2011 Home Improvement

Proffitt’s Lawn & Leisure

A family business dedicated to the lawn and leisure needs of Amarillo

S

tarted in 1946, Proffitt’s Lawn & Leisure is a family-owned and operated fixture in the Amarillo community. Darrel and Frances Brogdon bought the business in 1970 and passed it on to their children and grandchildren. Their grandson, David Brogdon, began working at Proffitt’s when he was in high school.

“We have 19 employees right now,” David calculates. “My dad works here, my mom works here; I have three aunts and two cousins that work here. It’s a real family business.”

That family business has been dedicated to the lawn and leisure needs of Amarillo for more than 60 years. They have perfected the art of providing top-quality lawn mowers, chain saws, weed eaters, blowers, generators or anything classified as outdoor power equipment.

“We have good, quality equipment that will

56 SPR I NG 2011 H OME I MPROVEMENT •

help the customer get the job done right in a shorter amount of time,” he says.

Some of their top sellers are zero-turn riding lawnmowers, which save a homeowner half their time in lawn care. Proffitt’s walkbehind mowers are almost all self-propelled, also making mowing easier, more enjoyable and much faster.

“Most recently, we have quite a few electric products, even lawn mowers,” says David. “These are really easy for people who don’t want to deal with gas and oil.”

The staff at Proffitt’s Lawn & Leisure is equipped to assist their customers in selecting the right product. “They are knowledgeable, they use the products themselves and they’re here to satisfy the customer. They are factory trained,” he says.

In fact, superior customer care was the SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

thing that piqued Brogdon’s interest when he decided to go into the family business.

“I think what sets us apart is we care about our customers because they are our neighbors. That really drives us to take care of them better and listen to their needs,” he promises. Proffitt’s Lawn & Leisure services what they sell; if it breaks, they fix it.

“We sell the best products you can buy, but they are competitive on pricing,” David says.

“We also offer financing for new products.”

Visit Proffitt’s today to choose from some of their top brands, including Honda, Stihl and Toro.

Proffitt’s Lawn and Leisure 7611 S. Coulter 806.354.TORO (8676) proffittslawn.com

events March

Featured Event

Lady Buff Softball Last year, the Lady Buffs marked their best season in West Texas A&M’s softball program history. Under the leadership of Coach Kevin Blaskowski, who was named Lone Star Conference South Division Coach of the Year in 2010, the Lady Buffs took home their first Lone Star Conference South Division Championship as well as advanced to the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament and Regional Championship. Finishing the season with a 45-18 record, the team scored more than 400 runs and ranked 24th in the nation.

This season, the Lady Buffs find themselves entering new territory, so to speak. The team will now play on Lady Buff Yard at the University’s new sports complex.

The facility, completed in December, houses one of the premier Division II softball complexes in the nation, according to Blaskowski.

photo courtesy of WTAMU ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS DEPT.

Five seniors will lead the Lady Buffs this season, including Daktronics All-South Central Region First Team selection, Kaitlyn Witte, All-LSC Honorable Mention, Christie Russell and All-LSC First Team selection, Kasey Henderson. The Lady Buffs’ first All-American, Kim LeCompte, will return as a junior. The team will host three tournaments, including the Lady Buff Invite on March 4 and 5.

Lady Buff Yard West Texas A&M University Canyon 651.4400 gobuffsgo.com Lady Buffs vs. Washburn University, March 4 and 5 vs. Eastern New Mexico University, March 4 and 5 vs. Adams State College, March 16 vs. Texas Woman’s University, March 25 and 26 vs. Lubbock Christian University, March 29 Meghan Slattery, sophomore outfielder To have an event listed on the calendar, e-mail details to michele.mcaffrey@amarillo.com or fax a press release to 806.345.3282.

View an updated listing of events throughout March at amarillomagonline.com

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

57

Arts & Entertainment March 3

“The Mousetrap” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

March 4

“The Mousetrap” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

March 5

Lone Star Ballet’s “Peter and the Wolf” 8 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 “The Mousetrap” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991 “Praise on Purpose” 6:30 p.m. Gospel music concert. Temple of Praise Community Church 1900 Amarillo Blvd., 383.5345

Shouldn’t blowing out the candles be about the wish versus the battle for air?

People with asthma know what it is to struggle for each breath, worrying about how they will get through the day – or the night. In time, fear and frustration begin to limit even the most basic activities, leading to poorer overall health and even depression.

The good news is that treatment programs today can provide relief and renewal – and enough wind to blow out all the candles in one breath. Now that is a wish come true!

March 10

6842 Plum Creek Drive Amarillo, Texas 79124

58

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

March 26

An American in Paris hears…

Paizzzolla, Schoenfield and Gershwin 8 p.m. Presented by Chamber Music Amarillo. Fibonacci Building 3306 SW 6th, 236.3545

March 30

Broadway Series “Legally Blonde” 7:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 31

Benefits and Fundraisers

WTAMU Theatre “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” 7:30 p.m. Branding Iron Theatre, Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex, Canyon, 651.2804

March 5

March 11

March 6

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

Amarillo Symphony “The Spirit of Man” 11 a.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

Constantine Saadeh, M.D., FACP, FACR

Third Thursday 6:30-9 p.m. Amarillo Museum of Art 2200 S. Van Buren, 371.5050

“The Mousetrap” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

March 12

To find out more, contact Allergy A.R.T.S. at (806) 353-7000 or visit our Web site at www.allergyarts.com

March 17

Broadway Series “Legally Blonde” 7:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

“The Mousetrap” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

With increased awareness, proper diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment program, you can overcome asthma’s assaults and take control of your health and well being. Welcome back to the good life!

SLAMarillo Monthly Slam, 9 p.m. the 806 coffee + lounge 2812 SW 6th, 322.1806

First Thursday Art Showing the 806 coffee + lounge 2812 SW 6th, 322.1806

Amarillo Symphony “The Spirit of Man” 8 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

It’s Time to Feel Better!

March 16

“The Mousetrap” 8 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

March 13

“The Mousetrap” 2:30 p.m. Amarillo Little Theatre 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

Make-A-Wish Car Show 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Amarillo Civic Center, 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

Make-A-Wish Car Show 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Amarillo Civic Center, 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 8

Amarillo College 2011 Distinguished Lecture Series 7:30 p.m. Featuring Bill Nye the Science Guy. General admission is $15 ($5 for AC students) or $50 for a private reception from 6-7 p.m. at the Discovery Center. The $50 ticket includes reserved seating at the lecture. Proceeds from the event are used for scholarships at Amarillo College. Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 Presbyterian Home for Children Banquet 7-9 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room, 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 10

In The Pink Luncheon 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 24

Hope Fest Banquet 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Sharing Hope Ministries. Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 25

TTUHSC Power of the Purse Luncheon 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 31

Carenet Pregnancy Centers of Amarillo and Canyon Banquet 6:30-9 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

Classes and Seminars March 3

Exploring the Plants of the Conservatory 1-3 p.m. Class taught by Greg Lusk and Bob Hatton. Includes a brief lecture and a guided exploration of the conservatory. Amarillo Botanical Gardens 1400 Streit Drive, 352.6513

March 5

Exploring the Plants of the Conservatory 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Class taught by Greg Lusk and Bob Hatton.

Includes a brief lecture and a guided exploration of the conservatory.

Amarillo Botanical Gardens 1400 Streit Drive, 352.6513

March 22

Stress Management for Everyone Who Ever Feels Overwhelmed 7-8 p.m.

Presented by the Health Ministry and Parish Nurse Program of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Includes information about stress and basic tools and behavioral changes people can make that will give them more influence over their environment. Westminster Presbyterian Church 2525 Wimberly, 359.4781

March 24

Pruning Simplified 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Class taught by Bob Hatton. Learn the basic tools, techniques and timing for pruning your plants. Class includes demonstrations and hands-on training, a must for beginning gardeners and any gardener wary of a pruner.

Amarillo Botanical Gardens 1400 Streit Drive, 352.6513

March 26

Pruning Simplified 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Class taught by Bob Hatton. Learn the basic tools, techniques and timing for pruning your plants. Class includes demonstrations and hands-on training, a must for beginning gardeners and any gardener wary of a pruner.

Amarillo Botanical Gardens 1400 Streit Drive, 352.6513

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.

March 28

Introducing: The Davis Autism Approach 6:30-8 p.m. $5 per person.

Registration required. Holiday Inn Express 2806 Wolflin, 331.4099

Exhibitions Achievements in Art 2011: The Collector: Treasures from the Texas Panhandle Open through March 20.

Amarillo Museum of Art 2200 S. Van Buren, 371.5050 Paint-by-Number Event Open through April. Residents of every age in the Texas Panhandle are invited to work on the world’s largest indoor paint-by-numbers art project during museum hours: Thursday-Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1-5 p.m. AMoA Alliance will supply brushes and paint.

Each numbered section is a $5 donation to the AMoA Alliance. All proceeds benefit the Alliance Education Fund Amarillo Museum of Art 2200 S. Van Buren, 371.5050 Amarillo College, West Texas A&M and Faculty Show Opens March 25 through April 10. Amarillo Museum of Art 2200 S. Van Buren, 371.5050 Panhandle Plains Invitational Open through March 26. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, Foran Gallery 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244 Made to Fit: Amarillo Little Theatre and the Texas Panhandle Open March 26 through November. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, Textile Gallery 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244

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

Family Dinner...

Make it New Call today to schedule your complimentary consultation

Opening the Cabinet Doors: Clothing and Accessories from the American Indian Collection Open through October. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244 People and Places of the Panhandle Open through May. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, Hazelwood Lecture Hall 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244

Dessie Davis & Kathie Sarchet • 806.463.7878 decoratingpros@yahoo.com A Full-Service Interior Design Company

Painting • Lighting • Blinds • Furniture

ASID Allied Members

Each franchise is independently owned & operated.

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

59

Not Just for Show: Saddles from the Permanent Collection Open through October. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244 From Hell Week to Homecoming: Campus Life at WT, 1953-1971 Ongoing exhibit at Panhandle Plains Historical Museum 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244 Hunters of the Sky Ongoing exhibit at Don Harrington Discovery Center 1200 Streit Drive, 355.9547 Amazing Bodies! Ongoing exhibit at Don Harrington Discovery Center 1200 Streit Drive, 355.9547 Space Lounge Ongoing exhibit at Don Harrington Discovery Center 1200 Streit Drive, 355.9547

March 8

10 Years - Saving Abel - Red Line Chemistry 7 pm Midnight Rodeo 4400 S. Georgia 358.7083

March 9

Open Mic Night 9 p.m. the 806 coffee + lounge 2812 SW 6th, 322.1806 Damon Moon and the Whispering Drifters 9 p.m. the 806 coffee + lounge 2812 SW 6th, 322.1806

March 10

Run On Sentences 9 p.m. the 806 coffee + lounge 2812 SW 6th, 322.1806

Planetary Landscapes Ongoing exhibit at Don Harrington Discovery Center 1200 Streit Drive, 355.9547

March 11

The T-Rex Experience Open through April. State-of-the-art exhibit featuring robotic dinosaurs.

Don Harrington Discovery Center 1200 Streit Drive, 355.9547

March 12

Music Andy Chase Cundiff 7 p.m. every Tuesday night. 575 Pizzeria 2803 Civic Circle, 331.3627 Andy Chase Cundiff 7 p.m. every Wednesday night. Blue Sky 4201 I-40 West, 355.8100

AFK 8 p.m. Cattle Call Too 4000 I-40 West, 463.7900

John David Kent and the Dumb Angels 9 p.m. Golden Light Cantina 2908 W. 6th, 374.9237 Michael Van 9 p.m. Butler’s Martini Lounge 703 S. Polk, 376.8180 Chip Murray and Texas Underground 9 p.m. Hoot’s Pub 2424 Hobbs, 358.9560

March 13

Aloud-Galaxies-Thrifty Astronaut 9 p.m. the 806 coffee + lounge 2812 SW 6th, 322.1806

March 22

The Shivas 9 p.m. the 806 coffee + lounge 2812 SW 6th, 322.1806

March 25

The Fairlanes 8 p.m. Cattle Call Too 4000 I-40 West, 463.7900 Susan Gibson TightRope CD Release Party 7 p.m. Hosted by High Plains Public Radio Living Room Concert Series. HPPR Performance Studio 101 W. 5th, 367.9088

March 27

Bakersfield Twang 8 p.m. Amarillo Area Singles Dance Club, VFW Club 1401 SW 8th, 373.5591

Nature Snake Feeding 3 p.m. every Saturday in March. Wildcat Bluff Nature Center 2301 N. Soncy, 352.6007

March 1

Lunch with the Longhorns 1:30 p.m. Biscuits, Gravy, Omelet, T-Bone and Brisket, the park longhorns, are fed daily in the longhorn pasture by the Headquarters Building. Watch the park interpreter as she gives them their daily ration and learn about these magnificent, massive animals.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park 11450 Park Rd. 5, 488.2227

March 15

Hurts to Laugh 9 p.m. the 806 coffee + lounge 2812 SW 6th, 322.1806

March 17

Dry County Drifters 6 p.m. Golden Light Cantina 2908 W. 6th, 374.9237

Family Nature Hike 10-11 a.m.

Take a leisurely hike on the halfmile Pioneer Nature Trail. The trail is suitable for young children. No pets, please. Meet at the overflow parking lot across from Pioneer Amphitheater. Weather permitting.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park 11450 Park Rd. 5, 488.2227

March 4

March 18

March 17

D.J. Gemini 8 p.m. every Wednesday night. Butler’s Martini Lounge 703 S. Polk, 376.8180

March 1

Ray Wilson 8 p.m. Cattle Call Too 4000 I-40 West, 463.7900

March 15

iji 9 p.m. the 806 coffee + lounge 2812 SW 6th, 322.1806

Average Joes 8 p.m. Cattle Call Too 4000 I-40 West, 463.7900

The Shane Rogers Band 8 p.m.

Golden Light Cantina 2908 W. 6th, 374.9237

Courage for the Lion 9 p.m. the 806 coffee + lounge 2812 SW 6th, 322.1806

March 5

March 21

D.S. Yancy 9 p.m. the 806 coffee + lounge 2812 SW 6th, 322.1806

60

The Wide Open Band 9 p.m.

Hoot’s Pub 2424 Hobbs, 358.9560

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

Kelly McRae-Lauris Vidal 9 p.m. the 806 coffee + lounge 2812 SW 6th, 322.1806

Family Nature Hike 3-4 p.m. Walk the Paseo del Rio Trail with the park interpreter and learn about the beautiful canyon. This is an easy trail for families with small children.

Weather permitting; no pets, please. Palo Duro Canyon State Park 11450 Park Rd. 5, 488.2227

March 18

Canyon Wildlife 3-4 p.m. Come to the Lone Star Interpretive Theater and learn about the animals that make their home in the park. Weather permitting; no pets, please. Accessible for the mobility impaired. Palo Duro Canyon State Park 11450 Park Rd. 5, 488.2227

March 19

Bird Walks and Talks 8:30-10 a.m. Learn about the birds that make Palo Duro Canyon their home. Meet at the parking lot of the Palo Duro Trading Post.

Weather permitting. Bring binoculars.

No pets, please. Palo Duro Canyon State Park 11450 Park Rd. 5, 488.2227 Native American History Day 2-3 p.m.

Come to the Lone Star Interpretive Theater and learn about the prehistoric and historic Native Americans who inhabited the canyon. A demonstration will be part of the presentation. Weather permitting; no pets, please. Accessible for the mobility impaired. Palo Duro Canyon State Park 11450 Park Rd. 5, 488.2227

March 26

Evening Hike 6-7:30 p.m. Meet in the Juniper day use area for an evening hike. Group size limited to 30. Weather permitting; no pets, please. Reservations required. Deadline, March 24. Palo Duro Canyon State Park 11450 Park Rd. 5, 488.2227

Special Events March 12

Real Housewives of the Wild Frontier 2 p.m. Lecture presented by Dr. Evelyn Montgomery describes the lifestyle of frontier women on the Panhandle Plains. Sponsored in part by the Goodnight Lecture Series in conjunction with Women’s History Month. Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, Hazlewood Lecture Hall 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, 651.2244

March 15

World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions 7:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 16

World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions 7:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 18

America Supports You Texas presents “A Broadway Salute to the Troops” with the Amarillo Symphony 7 p.m.

Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 19

America Supports You Texas presents “A Broadway Salute to the Troops” with the Amarillo Symphony 7 p.m.

Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts 500 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 25

Amarillo’s Largest Garage Sale 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center North and South Exhibit Halls 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 26

Amarillo’s Largest Garage Sale 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center North and South Exhibit Halls 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 Amarillo’s Largest Baby Shower 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

Sports & Recreation March 4

Lady Buffs Softball Invitational vs.

Washburn University 11 a.m. Sports Complex, Canyon, 651.4400 Lady Buffs Softball Invitational vs.

Eastern New Mexico University 4 p.m.

Sports Complex, Canyon, 651.4400 Buffs Baseball vs. Cameron University 6 p.m. Sports Complex, Canyon, 651.4400

March 5

Buff’s Baseball vs. Cameron University 1 p.m. Sports Complex, Canyon, 651.4400 Lady Buffs Softball Invitational vs.

Washburn University 1:30 p.m. Sports Complex, Canyon, 651.4400 Lady Buffs Softball Invitational vs.

Eastern New Mexico University 4 p.m.

Sports Complex, Canyon, 651.4400 Kicker Arena Cross 7:30 p.m.

Presented by Cycle City Promotions.

Amarillo National Center 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

Remodel Gives Kitchen More Space

B

ob and Jackie Shuman had a goal for their kitchen remodel: To get the most room from a small area in their Amarillo home. The Shumans say that Big State Remodeling met the challenge with great ideas and craftsmanship. “We are very satisfied with the whole job,” says Jackie. “Steve (Buckner) came up with the idea of moving the dishwasher to the other side of the room and that gave me space to make my existing cabinets larger.

I have two lazy-susan cabinets.”

we were trying to get the most room out of it.”

The couple selected Big State to do the work after they looked at examples in Big State’s showroom.

“Steve was nice and helpful,” Jackie said. “They also completed the remodel two weeks early. The crew was very good, very nice and very careful not to traipse dirt though the house.”

The best compliment to a company is the customer’s willingness to hire them again.

Steve Buckner, Kitchen and Bath “We are getting ready to remodel Division Manager at Big State, a bathroom and we will use Big worked closely with the Shumans. State again,” Jackie said.

The kitchen remodel included For a professional and easy-tonew chestnut cabinets, granite countertops, lighting over the sink live-with remodeling of your kitchen and bath, call Steve at area and tile backsplash. “I have a lot more countertop space with 358-7419 at Big State Remodeling the way it is set up now,” Jackie at 2800 Hobbs Road. said. “We have a small kitchen and

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

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

61

Congratulations!

March 11

Amarillo Bulls vs. New Mexico Mustangs 7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 12

Amarillo Bulls vs. Topeka Road Runners 7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 13

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Amarillo Bulls vs. Topeka Road Runners 6 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 16

Lady Buffs Softball vs. Adams State College 12 p.m. Sports Complex, Canyon, 651.4400

March 18

Amarillo Venom vs. Wyoming Calvary 7:05 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 Buffs Baseball vs. University of the Incarnate Word 6 p.m. Sports Complex, Canyon, 651.4400

March 19

Amarillo Bulls vs. Corpus Christi Ice Rays 7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 Buffs Baseball vs. University of the Incarnate Word 1 p.m. Sports Complex, Canyon, 651.4400

March 20

Amarillo Bulls vs. Corpus Christi Ice Rays 6 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 22

Buffs Baseball vs. Wayland Baptist University 5 p.m. Sports Complex, Canyon, 651.4400

March 25

Lady Buffs Softball vs. Texas Woman’s University 4 p.m. Sports Complex, Canyon, 651.4400

March 26

Lady Buffs Softball vs. Texas Woman’s University 12 p.m. Sports Complex, Canyon, 651.4400 Amarillo Bulls vs. Texas Tornado 7 p.m.

Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

WTAMU Western Semi-finals 9 a.m.-4 p.m. WTAMU Horse Center Canyon, 651.4400

March 27

WTAMU Western Semi-finals 9 a.m.-4 p.m. WTAMU Horse Center Canyon, 651.4400

March 28

Lady Buffs Softball vs. Lubbock Christian University 4 p.m. Sports Complex, Canyon, 651.4400

Trade Shows March 11

The Peddler Show 3-8 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center North Exhibit Hall 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 12

The Peddler Show 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Amarillo Civic Center North Exhibit Hall 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 13

The Peddler Show 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Amarillo Civic Center North Exhibit Hall 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 18

Western Antiques and Collectibles 12-6 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center North Exhibit Hall 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 19

Western Antiques and Collectibles 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center North Exhibit Hall 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 Texas Gun and Knife Show 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center South Exhibit Hall 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 20

Western Antiques and Collectibles 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center North Exhibit Hall 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096 Texas Gun and Knife Show 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center South Exhibit Hall 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

March 26

Amarillo Cat Fanciers Cat Show 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Regency Room 401 S. Buchanan, 378.3096

month or let’s eat!

RESTAURANTS info • FOOD • SPIRITS

let’s eat!

Green Chile Willy’s

Need a little kick in your step? Then take a trip down I-27 to Green Chile Willy’s where every dish is served with a big kick: the signature green chile sauce. Since its opening in 2007, Green Chile Willy’s has been voted Best Chicken-Fried Steak the past three years, and co-owner Margaret Glasscock hopes to take that title again this year.

What began as an opportunity to fill an empty space with a mom-and-pop joint has escalated into a bustling family business that spans three generations. Built by co-owner Willy Douglass and decorated by Glasscock, Green Chile Willy’s is a scene straight out of the Old West, from the cowboy hats hung around the dining area to the longhorns cascading over the entrance.

At Green Chile Willy’s, it’s all about comfort and comfort food. Be sure to try one of the chile hatch specialties, such as the Green Chile Cheeseburger or Chile Willy’s Jack K.C. Strip. And don’t forget to BYOB!

photo by Shannon Richardson

13651 I-27, 622.2200, www.greenchilewillys.com Open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.–9p.m.

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

RESTAURANT KEY Outdoor Dining ☎ Reservations Recommended T Live Music y

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

NEW New to Let’s Eat! UPDATE

Updated entry

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

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

63

Amarillo

575 Pizzeria Toppings runneth over at 575 Pizzeria, not to mention the specials that rotate every month. (Check the board when you walk in.) It’s family-owned and familyfriendly, so it’s a great Friday night dinner choice. 2803 Civic Circle, 331.3627, 575pizzeria.com $$ C T ^ Acapulco Mexican Restaurant & Bar When the weather’s nice, enjoy sitting on Polk St. while you enjoy a margarita and a traditional Mexican-style shrimp cocktail. 727 S. Polk, 373.8889, acapulcomexicanrestaurant.net $$ c T y Abuelo’s Mexican Food Embassy The authentic atmosphere and generous portions make for an enjoyable lunch or romantic evening out.

If you’re stumped by all the choices, try the Enchiladas de Cozumel, three crepes filled with guacamole and topped with bountiful seafood, fresh spinach and roasted peppers. As a rule, always get the queso.

3501 SW 45th, 354.8294, abuelos.com $$ c ^ Applebee’s We love the new smaller portion size options at Applebees, like the Sliders, a bite-size selection of easy to eat sammies each with a side of fries. Finish off your meal with Dessert Shooters, the just-enough dessert for every sweet tooth. 5630 Amarillo Blvd. West / 677.7470, 2810 Soncy / 351.2810, applebees.com $ c

EVERY FLOOR IS A

Work Of Art

The Bagel Place Whether for breakfast or lunch, the Bagel Place offers a wide variety of flavored cream cheese and bagel flavors. Zip through the convenient drive-thru for a great lazy morning take-home breakfast. For lunch, try the bagel sandwiches made with Boars Head cheese and meat. 3301 Bell, 353.5985 $ y Bangkok Restaurant When you’re looking for authentic Thai, Bangkok delivers. Start with the sticky rice, move on to the cucumber salad and finish with the Chicken Larb. Your kids will love watching the big fish tanks while you wait for your table. Warning: Spicy means spicy. Bangkok means business. 5901 Amarillo Blvd. East, 383.9008 $ BBQ Barn The BBQ Barn is a great little hole-in-the-wall barbecue joint. With excellent barbecued beef sandwiches and tasty frito pie, it’s the perfect place for a quick lunch or dinner. 3319 Bell, 352.9715 $ Beef O’Brady’s There’s something for every member of the family at Beef’s. Enjoy the game while you eat. If you’ve never eaten fried Oreos, it’s worth every calorie.

7306 SW 34th, 358.0997, beefobradys.com $ C

Custom Hardwood Floors FREE Estimates! • Professional Installation Available!

Showroom Hours | Monday - Friday: 8 am - 5:30 pm • Saturday: 10 am - 2 pm

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376-4792 | 4320 Lake Front Lane • 45th & Coulter

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 ☎ ^ Buffalo Wild Wings You can’t go wrong with Buffalo’s hot wings, especially on a Tuesday night. Keep busy with the interactive games and every televised sport under the sun.

5416 S. Coulter, 359.4386, buffalowildwings.com $$

c^

Buns Over Texas If you’ve ever been to Buns, then you know that “Your buns are up” means dinner’s ready. The made-to-order burgers will fill you up fast. Pair one with some of the best cheese fries around, and you’ll definitely need a nap. Wet your whistle with refreshing iced tea.

3440 Bell, 358.6808 $ 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 the excellent waffles as well. 2410 Paramount, 358.7664, calicocountyamarillo.com $ Cancun Spice At Cancun Spice, you can find an array of Mexican, Salvadoran and American dishes, from burritos and curtido to hamburgers and chicken-fried steak.

Cancun Spice uses fresh ingredients, including homemade tortillas made daily. Stop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner.114 SE 9th Avenue, 372.4227 $ y

C

Cattle Call Enjoy Texas style barbecue beef, sausage and chicken at Cattle Call. For something different, try the stuffed baked potato. It’s delicious. So are the onion rings. 2203 Paramount, 331.1227 / 4111 Wolflin, cattlecall.com $ C ^ Chili’s Start with the bottomless chips and salsa while you ponder the rest of the menu. There are countless go-to meals at Chili’s, namely the Mushroom Jack Fajitas (with guacamole, please), as well as the Big Mouth Bites with sautéed onions and Ranch dressing.

5016 S. Coulter, 353.2992 / 3810 I-40 West, 359.5000, chilis.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 ^ Cricket’s Casual Dining Cricket’s is owned by Deborah and Gary Hodges who have been serving Amarillo since 1987. Stop in and try appetizers such as beer battered onion rings or hotzzarella cheese sticks. Follow with any of the traditional American favorites like gourmet burgers, hot dogs or a delicious entrée. 3301 Olsen, 358.3812 cricketscasualdining.com $ C Doug’s For a quick and tasty meal, stop at Doug’s and try the chopped beef sandwich. The menu is reasonably priced and the barbecue sauce is fantastic. 3313 S. Georgia, 352.8471 $

Dyer’s Bar-B-Que If you’re a meat lover, Dyer’s is the place for you. The all-you-can-eat lunch special is hard to beat. Wash it all down with sweet tea and finish up with a heaping bowl of hot fruit cobbler.

1619 S. Kentucky, 358.7104 $$ ^ El Manantial If seafood is what you crave, try El Manantial’s camarones a la diabla, shrimp simmered in red sauce, oranges and cucumber slices served with white rice and salad. And for something refreshing, wash it down with rice water (also known as horchata).

3823 Amarillo Blvd. East, 383.1852 $ C NEW El Patron When you’re looking for friendly service and flavorful Mexican cuisine at a reasonable price, you can’t beat El Patron. Prepare yourself for its morethan-generous portions, such as the restaurant’s namesake, which includes a 10-ounce Ribeye steak, two enchiladas, rice, beans, lettuce, tomato and sliced avocados. Just looking to unwind? Then enjoy El Patron’s 99 cent draft beer and margaritas on the rocks during Happy Hour. 5807 SW 45th Avenue, 352-2570 $c El Tejavan Authentic Mexican food is definitely on the menu at El Tejavan. We love the homemade guacamole served up thick with onions and cilantro. The Ceviche makes for a great starter or a light meal.

For authentic taste, try the soft corn tortilla chicken tacos. The recipes at El Tejavan have been passed down for generations, so everything’s good.

3801 I-40 East, 372.5250 / 3420 I-40 West, 354.2444 $$ c T El Torito Restaurant Sink your teeth into authentic Mexican food at El Torito. Start with the variety of salsas made fresh daily and then move on to the guacamole and the handmade tamales. The chicken and sour cream enchiladas are a customer favorite.

3301 I-40 West, 220.2415 c $$ NEW Embers Steakhouse A brand new steakhouse has come to town. Embers, which opened at the end of January, offers an array of cuisine from hamburgers and steaks to mahi mahi and swordfish. We have our eye on the goat cheese and apple wood smoked bacon burger. Enjoy the extensive wine list and food pairing suggestions while relaxing on the patio.

Give Embers a warm, Amarillo welcome by stopping by for lunch or dinner, seven days a week. 2721 Virginia Circle, 350.3303 $$ - $$$ c y

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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English Field House Restaurant Visit a piece of Amarillo history at the English Field House. Named for Amarillo’s first airfield, the restaurant offers great, cooked-fresh café food.

Take the family for Sunday breakfast. It’s worth the drive. 10610 American Drive, 335.2996 $ Famous Dave’s If you live in a house that’s divided over which barbecue style is best, make peace at Famous Dave’s. Not only can you choose the type of meat, but you can choose your sauce as well. Dave’s truly has something for everyone.

8518 I-40 West, 358.3283, famousdaves.com $$, c Fire Slice Brick Oven Pizzeria You’ll know you’re in for a good time at Fire Slice when you see the menu.

Choose from pizza specialties like “Tommy Boy” and “Hot Momma” or build your own. Each pizza is made fresh in a custom-built pizza oven. 4706 34th, space 10 (behind Chop Chop) 331.2232, fireslice.com $$ C Furrbie’s From the old-fashioned grilled onion burgers and array of sandwiches, to salads, seafood and ice cream treats, Furrbie’s has something for everyone.

Hot dog enthusiasts will love the famous Nathan’s Hot Dogs, the originals from Coney Island, New York made with 100 percent Kosher American Beef.

Looking to cool off? Choose from seven fruity-flavored ice treats. 210 6th, 220.0841 $ Golden Light Café As the oldest operating restaurant in Amarillo, the Golden Light has been in business since 1947, all in the same location. For a great burger and fries, this is the place to go. 2908 6th, 374.9237, goldenlightcafe.com $CT^ Hoagies Deli Hoagies made a name for themselves with a delicious Philly steak sandwich.

Now the deli has a new location and newly expanded menu. Fill up at lunch or dinner with a warm Panini or a generously portioned Colossal Spud.

2207 S. Western, 353.5952, hoagiesdeli.com $ Hoffbrau Steakhouse Family-owned Hoffbrau has been serving Texas-style steaks and beer for three decades. We recommend one of the Gr8 Steaks or something from the Hill Country Favorites list upon your first visit. Guaranteed, you’ll go back again.

7203 I-40 West, 358.6595, hoffbrausteaks.com $$ c

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

Hummer’s Sports Café Hang out with friends and eat your fill of Hummer’s great appetizers. Start off with a platter of raw oysters and a bucket of beer. We highly recommend the steak. 2600 Paramount, 353.0723 $$

cy^

Indian Oven The moment you enter Indian Oven, you’ll be enveloped by the fragrances of cardamom, ginger, anise, garlic and chili wafting from the kitchen. Start your meal with a generous portion of Naan as you work your way through the extensive menu. Feast on chef specials like Chicken Tandoori and Chicken Tikka Masala or try a little of everything on the generous buffet. Finish up with the todie-for rice pudding. Don’t leave without sipping the Mango Lassi.

11000 I-40 East, 335.3600 $$ Jake’s Bar & Grill Jake’s Bar & Grill offers an upscale, yet casual, atmosphere and the menu has anything from burgers and sandwiches to steak and seafood. The restaurant boasts a pleasant bar area as well as a wine room and delicious cuisine. It’s the perfect setting for an evening out at a reasonable price. Try the Apricot Chipotle Pork Chop or something simpler such as flat bread pizza. You won’t be disappointed. 3130 Soncy, Suite 100, 358.2222 $$ c 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 $ ^ Jorge’s Mexican Bar & Grill In the mood for fajitas? Look no further than Jorge’s Mexican Bar and Grill, specifically the new location at Hillside and Bell. Portion sizes are generous and prices are reasonable. 6051 S. Bell, 354.2141 $$ c y ^ Jorge’s Tacos Garcia At Jorge’s, serving authentic Mexican food is a family affair. In the same location since 1999, the Veloz family serves up traditional favorites that keep loyal customers coming back time after time. Try the Swiss enchiladas or the Chile Relleno Lampriados. You won’t be disappointed.1100 Ross, 372.0411, tacosgarcia.com $$ c The King & I Feast on authentic Thai food at The King & I. The restaurant specializes in soups and stir-fry dishes and offers an extensive all-you-can-eat buffet for both lunch and dinner. If you’re ordering off the menu, we recommend the Cashew Chicken. 2300 Bell, 355.1016 $

La Campana La Campana offers tasty, inexpensive Tex-Mex with options that will please the entire family and the salsa is made fresh daily. We suggest the Manchacas and Huevos Rancheros served with beef sauce and don’t overlook the Papas Frijoles covered with cheese.

2220 Canyon Dr., 373.4486 $ C Logan’s Roadhouse Visit Logan’s Roadhouse for everything from quick lunches, take-out options and party platters to mouth-watering, hand-cut steaks and a variety of entrees for health-conscious diners like Mesquite Wood-Grilled Salmon or a Health Nut Grilled-Chicken Salad.

Everything’s made with the freshest ingredients and served in a casual, upbeat atmosphere. 8310 I-40 West, 467.8015 $$ c Lone Star Bar & Grill Visit Lone Star Bar & Grill for classic American grill-style food including savory steaks, burgers, chicken sandwiches and more, all at an affordable price. You’ll also enjoy down-home friendly service. Lone Star’s guarantee: No hot beer and no small steaks. FM 1151, 622.9827 $$ c Marty’s Stop by for Marty’s expansive Sunday brunch, and you’ll leave satisfied and ready for an afternoon nap. The madeto-order omelets are definitely worth the trip. If you’re not in the mood for traditional breakfast fare, try the prime rib and Canyon Rose chicken.

2740 Westhaven Village, 353.3523 ^ T NEW Menchies If you’ve been longing for a Filipino feast, then long no more.

Menchie’s, Amarillo’s sole Filipino restaurant, is open for business. For meat lovers, try the Lechon (roasted pig) or Paksiw Na Lechon. But all you vegetarians don’t fret; Menchie’s has more than one healthy dish for you.

Mix it up and give the Tortang Talong (Eggplant Omelet) a shot. If you’re up early enough, stop by for Menchie’s Filipino Breakfast. 3700 SW 6th, 373.4992 $

Mulligans Sports Pub Mulligans offers an energetic atmosphere, covering every sports game and team imaginable on more than 15 screens so you don’t miss an important play. The Pub also offers live music and daily drink specials. From the great old-fashioned finger foods, to the ice-cold beer, Mulligans has options for everyone’s taste buds. 2511 Paramount, 367.8428 $ 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 ^ Olive Garden Olive Garden will tell you, “When you’re here, you’re family,” and that’s the absolute truth. Dinner 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

OVERWEIGHT?

LOSE

30 POUNDS

UP TO

BEFORE

Mexico Lindo Restaurant Mexico Lindo has a friendly staff that delivers excellent service with a smile. The appetizing food comes at reasonable prices and the restaurant offers several popular items like the gordita plate, crispy rellenos and enchiladas. 4515 S. Georgia, 355.1851 $C

AFTER

Kolache Café If you like authentic beirox, you’ll be delighted with the Kolache Café. And it doesn’t stop there. Choose from a variety of meat and fruit fillings for a filling breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Everything on the menu is baked fresh daily and so affordable that you can grab a dozen kolaches to go for a quick and tasty meal. 2207 S. Western, Suite B1-90, 322.3279 $ y

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TAKE LIFE BY THE BARS.

On the Border Become a part of the revolution at On the Border. The fajita revolution, that is. Made to order fajitas will knock your socks off. Of course, good Mexican food is even better with a cold beer. Go ahead, indulge. 2401 Soncy, 468.9800 $$ c Outlaws Supper Club Looking for a steak lover’s paradise?

Drive over to Outlaws Supper Club and you’ll discover just that. With a casual environment, you’ll find some of the finest steaks in Texas. We recommend the prime rib with tasty calf-fries but get there early because they go fast.

10816 SE 3rd Ave, 335.1032 $$ c Pancake Station With breakfast this good, you’ll be glad to know that the Pancake Station serves it all day long. The restaurant also offers great café-style meals. We recommend the huge omelets and fresh pancakes.

2800 Virginia Circle, 355.0211 $ ^

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March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

67

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 A long-time Amarillo favorite, the many loyal customers of the Plaza attest to the great food and affordable prices.

Eat your fill of fresh chips and hot sauce and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.

Perfect for a family night out, the menu offers enough variety to suit the pickiest eaters. 3415 Bell, 358.4897 $ c The Potato Factory Too Come hungry to The Potato Factory where you can fill up fast on huge baked potatoes loaded with a variety of toppings from veggies to chili. The resturant also has some of the best chili dogs and Frito pie in town.

2808 SW 34th, 463.7783 $ Robinson’s BBQ Robinson’s has mastered the art of barbecue. We especially love the barbecue sandwiches. But don’t limit yourself to just a sandwich; try the tasty Frito pies. If you’re in time for breakfast, try the excellent breakfast burritos.

5920 Hillside, 358.2194 $ Roosters Espresso Café Roosters offers more than just a good Cup of Joe. Stop in and plan on staying for a hot breakfast pastry or one of the delicious lunch specialties. It’s the perfect place to relax with your friends for lunch. 3440 Bell, 353.7309 $ y Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q Rudy’s serves up the same original recipes that they’ve used since 1989: brisket, ribs, turkey, pork loin and sausage slow-smoked over an oak fire, seasoned with a secret dry-spice blend and topped with “Sause.” Plenty of sides and delicious desserts ensure that you’ll need lots of napkins. 3751 I-40 West, 677.7452, rudys.com $$ Saffron You can experience the rich culture of the Middle East right here in Amarillo.

Saffron’s menu consists of traditional Greek, Persian and Mediterranean dishes. The dining area is small and simple but this really adds to the authenticity. Leave room for the Baklava.

1511 S. Nelson, 367.8899, $ 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 quick service and excellent seafood make it one of our favorite places to hang out.

4150 Paramount, 354.9110 $$ y C

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

Sharky’s Burrito Company Think of Sharky’s as a burrito assembly line, a place where you call the shots and load a tortilla (flavored or not) with all your favorite toppings. Start with the meat and work your way through a plethora of options including beans, rice, veggies and cheese. The endless combinations will keep you going back for more. 1612 S. Georgia, 359.7330 $ Stockyard Café Experience the western heritage of Amarillo at the Stockyard Café. The Café serves up excellent steaks that will surely satisfy your craving for beef.

Plus, the Stockyard also offers a hearty breakfast every day starting at 6 a.m.

101 S. Manhattan, 342.9411 $$ C Taqueria El Tapatio Taqueria El Tapatio serves up authentic Mexican flavor in every dish. It’s just plain good food. The generous portions and affordable prices are easy on your pocketbook, too. 3410 S. Coulter, 331.6248 $ C Taste of Thai Taste of Thai serves traditional Thai cuisine and a variety of chef specials for lunch and dinner. Enjoy fresh-cooked taste and friendly service. 1900 SE 34th, 373.9995 $ Texas Chicken Wok Texas Chicken Wok offers fast service with even lower prices. The always-fresh vegetables compliment one of our favorite dishes, the house stir-fry. No matter what you choose, the restaurant delivers an experience that seasons anyone’s taste buds. 2406 Paramount, 351.2600 $ 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 smoke-free environment.

Watch all your favorite sporting events while you eat. 3333 S. Coulter, 351.1800 C $ $$ Thai Arawan You’ll get your fill of fresh, authentic Thai cuisine at Thai Arawan. We recommend the Angel Noodle and the ChickenFried Rice. Consistently good flavor and friendly service make this one of our favorites. 2834 Wolflin, 463.7167 $$ Thai Orchid Thai Orchid serves possibly the best summer rolls in town: fresh, crispy, and perfectly proportioned. Try the Pad Kee Mao and you won’t be disappointed.

And for those brave souls who like their food on the spicy side, you can’t go wrong with the Jalapeno Fried-Rice or Spicy Chicken. 3701 Olsen, 468.7011 $

Tsunami Tsunami offers traditional Japanese steakhouse fare at affordable prices.

Start out with Southwestern Egg Rolls then fill up on the Salmon Teppan Meal or Teppanyaki Steak. We guarantee you won’t leave hungry. 1108 Bell, 352.2688 $

Wild Bill’s Decorated like a classic gas station, Wild Bill’s offers American food and friendly service. Bring the whole family since there’s plenty of seating inside and out.

The Green Chili Cheese Burger with hand-cut seasoned fries is our personal favorite. 3514 6th, 372.4500 $ y C

Village Bakery & Café The Village offers a large selection of handmade European pastries and breads to complement fresh, gourmetstyle breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

The casual bistro setting makes it the perfect place for a special lunch date. 2606 Wolflin Village, 358.1358, villagebakerycafe.com $ ^ y

Wing Stop Wing Stop cooks up some of the best chicken wings around. There’s a flavor for every palate. And if you haven’t had sugared French fries, you just haven’t lived. 6000 SW 45th, 356.9464 / 3300 I-40 East, Suite P, 331.9464, wingstop.com $$ C ^

Wheels, Chicken & Waffles You’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time to a quaint old-fashioned diner when you visit Wheels. The inside is covered with vintage car memorabilia and wheels galore. We love the southernfried chicken with waffles. The mix of savory and sweet is delicious. Save room for dessert when you dine because you won’t want to miss the waffle cheesecake. It’s a big Belgian waffle piled high with cheesecake filling, whipped cream and both chocolate and caramel syrup. 2710 10th, 342.5400 $

Zest Eat & Drinkery The chef at Zest Eat & Drinkery puts a delightful twist on classic dishes. The menu has everything from duck and lamb, to steaks and seafood. With an array of food options and full bar with daily drink specials, Zest presents a lively atmosphere and upscale dining. Plus, you’ll enjoy an affordable yet excellent wine list. 4000 I-40 West 352.1498 $$

c☎

Canyon

Ranch House Café The Ranch House Café has a small-town, home-cooked family atmosphere. The Café offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and take-out as well as specials seven days a week. On a budget? You can order one hotcake, an egg and your choice of bacon or sausage for only $3.10.

810 23rd, Canyon 655.8785 $

Fat Boy’s BBQ Fat Boy’s has been dishing up delicious Texas-style barbeque since 1988 so it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing. The meat has the perfect amount of smoky flavor. Top that off with sweet barbeque sauce and a few homemade sides and your taste buds will thank you.

104 23rd, 655.7363 $

Rock N Roll Soda Shoppe Located on the square in downtown Canyon, the Rock N Roll Soda Shoppe offers classic soda shoppe fare along with Southwestern treats. The Chick-aDilla, a chicken fajita quesadilla served with hot sauce and guacamole, is particularly good along with any of the specialty drinks. A visit isn’t complete without a Trash Can Lid Sundae Sampler, a smaller portion of all the sundae flavors served up on a trash can lid.

404 15th, 655.3381 $ y

Buffalo’s Southwest Café Buffalo’s offers traditional Southwestern fare with hardy ingredients like corn, black beans and chili meat in a number of the specialties. Everything’s tasty but we recommend starting with the famous hot wings. 2811 4th, 655.4400 buffaloscafe.com $ c

Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner Step into Feldman’s and you might wonder where you are, Gilligan’s Island, a model train shop or an eatery. As soon as you catch a whiff of the classic American food, you’ll know. The fun, casual atmosphere and model trains that run a course along the ceiling make Feldman’s a great place for the whole family. Try the made-fresh burgers or the Tortuga chicken, satisfaction guaranteed. 1701 5th, 655.2700 $

Something Different Grill The Something Different Grill has made a great name for itself in Canyon. The menu offers a variety ranging from sandwiches and burgers to pasta and Asian noodle bowls. The service is quick but you can forget fast-food taste.

Everything tastes like home-cooked goodness. 210 23rd, Canyon 655.6565 $

taste of the city SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Kabuki Romanza

Kabuki Romanza would like to introduce wine dinners at Kabuki, an evening filled with exquisite dining and perfectly balanced wines to compliment. We hope you will join us in the exploration of fine wine and exquisite cuisine at future wine dinners. Each wine dinner will feature a unique dining experience balanced with tantalizing wines, perfect for any occasion. Call Carey or Venita at 353.4242, ext. 6 for more information. Open seven days a week.

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

8130 I-40 West, Amarillo, 353.4242

March 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

69

March

photo courtesy of Amarillo Public Library

retro rewind

Some of the book drive participants are seen above surrounding a truck from the Amarillo Army Field, including W.B. Stinson, Scoutmaster of Troop 4 (middle left); Ruth Delzell, head librarian at the Amarillo Public Library (behind Stinson); W.J. Hiatt, Scout executive, (leaning against fender) and Commissioner Jerry Ratcliff, (next to Hiatt).

Helping the Community

The Amarillo Boy Scouts have been assisting the community of Amarillo for more than half a century. On March 14, 1943, nearly 400 Scouts collected more than two thousand books for the Victory Book Drive. The Boy Scouts donated the books to the two USO Centers in town, the Service Men’s Civic Center, as well as the Red Cross hospital and three libraries at the Army Air Field.

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

spotlight

Brian Kelleher

Restaurateur, family man, radio show co-host, Notre Dame Alumnus

B

rian Kelleher has been cheering on the Irish for as long as he can remember.

“I was a fifth-generation Notre Dame student and that Irish background keeps the Irish flowing in our family,” says the owner of 575 Pizzeria. “We take pride in it.”

Brian’s parents moved here from Toledo, Ohio in the late 1970s. But he never intended to stay. “I tried to move away when I got out of high school as fast as I could, convinced I would never return to Amarillo. But here I am. And I love it.”

Since opening 575 Pizzeria five years ago, Brian works to stay involved with the community.

In addition to putting on P3 Pedal Pint Night, he co-hosts the radio show “My Passion is Football” and offers beer and wine tastings at 575.

“I want people to interact with [575],” he says.

“I want them to be part of the restaurant and not just customers coming in spending money, going home.”

Brian and his wife of five years, Amanda, have two daughters, Deaven and Callie. am

Q&A My favorite most-quotable movie is…“Star Wars.” Hands down, best movie ever made.

I’m secretly addicted to the TV series…

“MythBusters.” I don’t watch much TV, except for sports, but if I stumble across a Discovery Channel marathon, there will be several hours of absolutely no productivity.

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

Hank Rearden from “Atlas Shrugged.” In the face of economic uncertainty and everpressing regulations directed specifically at entrepreneurs like him, he continued to fight to protect everything he’d built. His tenacity in business is unparalleled in literature and I look to him as a role model in building my own.

You may be surprised to know that I… obsess to a degree over The New York Times crossword puzzle (on my iPhone app).

For the full story, log on to amarillomagonline.com 72

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • March 2011

My celebrity crush is… Kirsten Dunst. My wife teases me quite a bit when “Bring It On” or “Spider-Man” is on TV.

photo by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography

The most famous or interesting person I’ve ever met is… Lou Holtz. I’ve been a huge fan of his since attending his first home game as a Notre Dame coach in 1986.

MPG Rated*

MPGenius.

Highlander. ®

Options shown. *2011 EPA-estimated highway mileage for Highlander 4-cylinder 2WD. Actual mileage will vary. MPGenius® is a registered trademark of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. ©2010 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

www.street-toyota.com t tt t 45th & Soncy • 355-9846 1-800-6STREET

2011 CadillaC SRX

CHEVROLET

CADILLAC

I-40 & Coulter • 806-356-5600 • www.westgatechevy.com