Amarillo Magazine | September 2017

amarillomagonline.com SEPTEMBER 2017

INSIDE: ANN CROUCH’S LEGACY WHAT IS THE AEOLIANSKINNER OPUS 1024?

THE 2017-2018 ARTS SEASON SCHEDULE

A LOOK AT THE ARTS IN AMARILLO $1.95 US AMARILLO MAGAZINE

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CONTENTS

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43 FEATURES ON THE COVER

17 A Look at the Arts in Amarillo We’ve dedicated this issue to highlighting the wonderful arts entities that call Amarillo home.

Some may be part of your life already. Others may be brand new. But all are worth giving a try this season, because all contribute to what makes Amarillo great.

By Jason Boyett

ARTWORK BY ANN CROUCH, COURTESY OF THE GALLERIES AT SUNSET CENTER

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SECTIONS 34

Let’s buy the tortilla machine!

Victor Leal share’s his family’s inspiring story.

37

Jam Good Homemade jam can take every-day dishes to the next level.

43

Life-Changing Cinnamon Rolls Dianna Donathan, owner of The Windy Cow Cafe, shares her delectable fromscratch cinnamon roll recipe.

Contributors/Online........ 6 Out & About.................... 8 The Way I See It.............14 Inspire........................... 34 What’s Cooking?........... 37 Events........................... 97 Let’s Eat!.......................103 Retro Rewind................ 110 20 Questions.................112

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E D I TO R ’ S L E T T E R

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Contributing Writers Jason Boyett Sherri Franklin Jennie Treadway-Miller

Contributing Mason Dudley Photographers Chance Gilmore Shannon Richardson Gunnar Widowski

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

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his month, we feature the city’s thriving arts entities, with a view toward what you can expect for the 2017-2018 season. With the diverse schedule of events in store – everything from architecture exhibits to Gershwin’s hits – there’s surely something to engage an enthralled audience.

We also pay tribute to Ann Crouch, owner of The Galleries at Sunset Center. Eight months after Ann’s sudden passing, it’s still hard to believe that she isn’t nestled in her corner gallery at Sunset, painting and always available to talk about art or encourage another artist in pursuing their craft.

We were able to spend time with Ann when we produced our September 2014 Arts Issue, which featured the galleries. We wanted to show locals the extreme level of talent and diversity of the artists at Sunset – that it’s more than just a place to get your daily walk in. If you’ve ever attended a First Friday Art Walk at Sunset, then you know what I mean. Ann facilitated our all-day photo shoots throughout the galleries, and I found her to be a fascinating, humble and generous woman. Her passing is a grievous loss to the art community in Amarillo, but I trust her legacy will live on in a city that she loved.

I hope that the remainder of our arts overview will get you excited about what’s in store in the coming months, and encourage you to get out and support the passionate group of people that strive to create beauty, expand our horizons, and give us a much-needed escape from our busy day-to-day existence.

We had the privilege of working with two new contributors this month for our popular “What’s Cooking?” features. We introduce JaNeen Eudy, Bushland High School’s volleyball coach. I discovered JaNeen’s scrumptious jam last year at the Community Market downtown. I didn’t meet her then, but snagged an apricot jam (my favorite) to eat on my toast for breakfast. But JaNeen thinks jam is an underappreciated condiment that should be savored beyond breakfast, a concept I’d never considered. Discover her unique recipes on page 37.

We also feature Dianna Donathan, owner of The Windy Cow Cafe in Wildorado.

I’ve been curious about The Windy Cow since we discovered them this spring while working on the Spring-Summer issue of Dine Amarillo. I’m a pie lover, and Dianna’s homemade baked goods have been beckoning me ever since. I called to Dianna in hopes she had a from-scratch cinnamon roll recipe, a task I have never attempted. (But now I intend to!) And I got lucky – not only does she bake the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had, she shared the sweetest love story along with her recipe. Read about her life-changing rolls on page 43.

As always thanks for reading,

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CO N T R I B U TO R S

JASON BOYETT Jason wrote “A Look at the Arts in Amarillo” on page 17. He is a journalist, copywriter, ghostwriter, and the author of more than a dozen books. His most recent is “12 World Religions: The Beliefs, Rituals, and Traditions of Humanity’s Most Influential Faiths”, published by Zephyros Press. Learn more at jasonboyett.com.

SHANNON RICHARDSON Shannon photographed “Jam Good” on page 37, “Life-Changing Cinnamon Rolls” on page 43, “Let’s Eat!” on page 103, and “20 Questions” on page 112. He has been photographing commercial/ advertising work for more than 20 years. See Shannon’s work at shannonrichardson.com and route66americanicon.com.

MASON DUDLEY Mason photographed some of the events in “Out & About,” beginning on page 8. An Amarillo native, he has had an interest in photography since his high school days, and especially enjoys capturing images of nature.

ANDY CHASE CUNDIFF Andy, a local artist, singer and songwriter, has called Amarillo home for more than 20 years, and plays at a variety of venues around the Panhandle. See his artwork every month with Jon Mark Beilue’s column (page 14). Contact Andy at 376-7918.

CHANCE GILMORE Chance photographed some of the events in “Out & About,” beginning on page 8. Chance continues to pursue his interest in a variety of genres such as product, architecture and portrait photography.

GUNNAR WIDOWSKI Gunnar photographed some of the events in “Out & About,” beginning on page 8. He is a professional photographer and filmmaker born and raised in Amarillo. See Gunnar’s work at gunnarwidowski.com.

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Watch our Facebook page throughout the month of September for a chance to win tickets to some of the city’s best arts events!

We post photos of Amarillo’s best events – and the people who enjoy them – every week in our “Out & About” section. Watch for updates on our Facebook page!

Register to win Submit your name and contact information to amarillomagonline.com/contest this month for a chance to win a $100 gift card to United.

Last month’s winner was Jana Meyer.

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OUT & ABOUT

All Things Artful Art Festival On July 8 the All Things Artful Art Festival was hosted by Amarillo Art Institute. The fundraiser included local art, live and silent auctions, a student exhibition, and bluegrass music from Boxcar Bandits.

PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Kamryn Savage and Weston Pierce

Jeff and Tammy Perkins

Tabitha Flores and and Barret Hoffman

Mimi and Hernan Miranda

Rick and Judy Beecher

Maverick’s Amazing Race On July 15 Maverick’s Amazing Race was held in downtown Amarillo. Teams competed in mental and physical challenges in the scavenger-hunt-like race. Proceeds benefited Boys & Girls Clubs of Amarillo.

PHOTOS BY CHANCE GILMORE

Tiffany and Kirk Martin

Madison Stubbs and Carol Coleson

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Monique Betancourt and Yadira Patino

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

Kateland Pierce and Vallerie Spanel

Sabrina Hernandez and Mary Jane Underwood

Crafts & Drafts Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum hosted Crafts & Drafts on July 15. The event included live music and activities and food themed around beer.

PHOTOS BY GUNNAR WIDOWSKI

Kennedy Hill and Clint Brakebill

Bobbie and Mark Allen

Haley and Justin Amaro

Sandy and Ron Watts

Anna Bretzke and Nathaniel Griffen

WOWW Wine Tasting On July 18 Window on a Wider World hosted its annual wine tasting at the Amarillo Botanical Gardens. The fundraiser featured wine and craft beer and live music from Chuck Alexander.

PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Karisa Bybee, Sadra Daniels and Lyndee Wynne

Anica Herrera and Roxanne Sanchez

Tish Thomason and Melody Alexander

Delores Thompson and Allison Roberts

Letha Weick and Donna Bruegel

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OUT & ABOUT

Texas Municipal League Banquet The Texas Municipal League Banquet was held on July 20 at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex. The banquet was the league’s quarterly gathering, which was hosted by the city of Dalhart.

PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Charity and Clinton Hale

Layla and Marvin Dickson

James and Jacy Faulkner

Stephanie and Joseph Price

Nelwyn Ward and Frances Hibbs

Discover AfterDark: “Game Night” On July 21 Don Harrington Discovery Center hosted Discover AfterDark: “Game Night”. Guests enjoyed cocktails and innovative science experiments.

PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Lindsay and Curtis Crump

Misty and Bruce Williams

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James and Allison Lis

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

Mary-Lynn Cameron and Jamie Burrows

Trey and Abbey Wilkinson

Tunes & Trucks The Venue hosted Tunes & Trucks on July 21. The event featured live music from Mason Jar & The Shine Brothers, and food trucks from Cowboy Gelato, Urbana, and Radical Ice. A portion of the proceeds benefited Martha’s Home.

PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Dan and Jeana Ball

Ronnie and Lori Enns

Erica and Blake Barton

G and Laura Wright

Erin and Jimmy Gray

Pints for Pups 2017 Long Wooden Spoon hosted Pints for Pups 2017 on July 22. The fundraiser included live music, craft beer, food trucks, and raffles, and benefited Amarillo-Panhandle Humane Society.

PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Brendon and Julie Buckles

Whitney Nolan and Ryan Woods

Patrick and Kayla Parsons

Nell Williams and Mary Ramirez

Megan Randolph and Jason Duba

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OUT & ABOUT

Friends of PASO Friends of PASO held its annual membership drive and party on July 22. The 2017 honoree was Kevin Locke.

PHOTOS BY CHANCE GILMORE

Will Dooley, Gerald Carter and Kevin Locke

Darrell Kent and Britney Blasingame

Jason Haugen and Michael Timcisko

Jason Joe and Scott Edwards

Floyd and Sharon Anthony

Ragin’ Cajun Golf Tournament The Ragin’ Cajun Golf Tournament was held on July 29 at Palo Duro Creek Golf Course. The annual tournament raised funds for Special Olympics Texas.

PHOTOS BY CHANCE GILMORE

Shaun Holtman, Sam Mendez and Doug Walker

David Wilson and Fernando Noriega

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Robert Dominguez and Angela Brice

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

Justin Cates, Will Ashcraft and Erik Schrader

Matt Rainey and Chance Beasley

Original Harley Party On July 29 the Original Harley Party was held in downtown Amarillo. Hosted by Family Support Services, the 23rd annual party included a reverse drawing for a 2017 Road King S or $15,000 cash.

PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Kevin Thomas and Kayla Cochran

Roxanne and Tony Day

Braden Stukey and Chelsea Messick

Jack and Aaron Ware

Davonica Lucero and Reyes Calbert

Women of Distinction The Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains hosted its annual Women of Distinction luncheon on Aug. 3. This year’s honorees were Brandi Reed, Carol Lovelady, Cindy Smith and Poppy McCarty.

PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Efrain Duarte, Briley Dockery and Kaeleigh Price

Brandi Reed and Shelly Chavira

Alice Hyde and Mary Bearden

DJ Stubben and Thuraya Lohony

Robin Allen and Ashley Eustace

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T H E W AY I S E E I T

Jon Mark Beilue

Goodbye dear, football season is here

E

very year as late August finally – and I mean, finally – arrives and bleeds into September, the same question overcomes me: What in the world did I do with my weekends for nearly the last nine months?

The answer is I’m not really sure, but I must have done something.

Let’s see, Friday nights I went out to dinner with my wife.

Saturdays, I ran in the morning with the same aging guys I have for years, but as for the rest of the day, I can’t say for sure what filled it.

Sunday, there was church, but then, I don’t know, probably looked at my phone or something the rest of the afternoon.

But now, I don’t have that problem. Now, I have something constructive, something meaningful, something impactful, something life-altering.

I have football.

I have somehow made it through the off-season. Annually, it’s like the swallows of San Juan Capistrano, who leave 6,000 miles for winter only to return five months later, that’s the way it is for me and football.

Let me breathe in the air of the approaching fall and the first kickoffs. Let me plan my road trip schedules and make sure the oil is changed. Let me loosen my fingers and gear up for the first critical comments to be posted on my favorite fan message boards.

By now, you’re probably thinking, “Oh brother, just another Neanderthal one-dimensional male who yells at the TV for hours with Cheetos dust on his fingers and salsa on his football jersey,” to which I say, no, not totally.

For the record, the last football jersey I wore was the last game of my high school career in 1975. There’s something a little weird about adult men putting on their favorite team’s jersey at a game or simply to watch them on TV. I don’t care if it’s your lucky jersey or not. Find another good luck charm. Anyone wearing a jersey who is over the age of, say, 30, is a little odd. It’s almost as bad as going to the horse races and wearing jockey silks. Leave the jerseys for the kids.

I don’t yell much and cheer very little. It probably comes from a lifetime of the no-cheering-in-the-pressbox golden rule from my sportswriting days. Now, I may let loose with a “Yeah!” every once in a while, but even then, I feel like I’m betraying the former brotherhood.

As for the rest, I’m probably guilty, though I have become more

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aware of lingering Cheetos stains. But I make no apology about it. It is what it is – this lifelong addiction to football.

It could be worse. To rationalize this to my wife, I turn it into a worst case either/or scenario: “Honey, would you rather I be some meth- and porn-addicted loser who verbally abuses you while squandering our money and any semblance of a future, or would you rather I hog the TV and watch Alabama-LSU tonight?”

That answer is simple. I did some quick figuring as to how many hours a week I devote to football.

The answer is somewhere between zero – which would be if I were in a coma – and 23 – which is if I weren’t.

That did take me back a bit. That’s nearly a complete day out of one week.

That seems a little wasteful, but I take a measure of comfort in the thought that millions are doing the same thing.

I started breaking it down. I’ve been doing high school football on the radio on Fridays for way too long, so until the FCC does the area a favor and bans me, that’s three hours.

On Saturdays, that’s roughly six. That’s two games or so, though that can be limited by driving to Lubbock for Texas Tech home games.

On Sundays, maybe eight hours or so, which is all or good portions of three games. On Mondays and Thursdays, three hours apiece.

People used to ask me if I missed football when I left the sports department, to which I say I actually see more games than ever. As sports editor, I was in the office all the time, trying to put out a section.

By the time we completed our 100-plus-page high school football monstrosity by Aug. 20 or so – the male sportswriter equivalent of giving birth – no one wanted to think about football for two weeks.

Since leaving, I annually start crossing out days on the calendar starting each July 4.

Look, all I Jon Mark Beilue is an know is it could AGN Media columnist. be worse. At least He can be reached at I no longer play jon.beilue@amarillo.com or 345.3318. in any Fantasy Football leagues.

It’s important to have balance in your life.

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BY JASON BOYETT

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

A LOOK AT THE ARTS IN AMARILLO

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hat makes a city great? That’s a question without a bad answer. Ask it of Amarillo locals and you’ll hear replies about the people who live here, the dry climate and cost of living, or the relative ease in getting from one side of town to the other.

(Well, most years.)

Ask it of visitors and they’ll talk about the attractions. Amarillo has plenty of these, from Palo Duro Canyon to Cadillac Ranch to the vestiges of western heritage reflected in our rodeos, ranches, and certain kitschy interstate restaurants.

But one draw that appeals to both residents and travelers is a city’s culture. And for a city of 200,000-plus in the middle of the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo has way more culture – from the performing arts to the visual arts – than anyone might expect. A world-class performing arts center. A symphony that’s approaching its 100th birthday. A nationally recognized community theater program.

An opera with an outsized budget for a city this size. A church with an organ that has literally captured the attention of some of the world’s

greatest musicians.

Here in Amarillo, the cultural opportunities that arrive with the fall and spring performance seasons are easy to take for granted, because they’re so familiar. From the Lone Star Ballet’s annual Nutcracker to the Georgia O’Keeffe watercolors at Amarillo Museum of Art, they’re simply pieces of a much larger cultural quilt.

But the truth is, they’re each very, very special. That’s why we’ve dedicated this issue to highlighting the arts in Amarillo.

We’ll start by paying tribute to Ann Crouch, the late entrepreneur and artist whose vision single-handedly gave birth to The Galleries at Sunset Center and its popular First Friday Art Walk, both of which have become central to the local culture.

After that we’ll profile Amarillo’s major arts institutions and detail their coming performance and exhibit seasons.

Some of these organizations may be part of your life already. Others may be brand new. But all are worth giving a try this season, because all contribute to what makes Amarillo great.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GALLERIES AT SUNSET CENTER

PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

SAINT ANN OF AMARILLO

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hen Ann Crouch unexpectedly passed away on Jan. 5, 2017, the 84-year-old artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist left behind a legacy that will likely resonate across the city’s art scene for years to come.

Following her death, West Texas A&M University art professor Marcus Melton, in a Facebook post, proclaimed her “the patron saint” of art in Amarillo. He was not alone in his tribute.

“Her contributions to fine arts and education were definitely a gift to Amarillo,” says David Corbin, who owns Art Gecko Studio and Gallery at The Galleries at Sunset Center. “It was a gift not just for the artists but for the whole community.”

An accomplished painter, Crouch and her husband, C.W., built a number of successful business ventures in Amarillo. They founded Texas Carpet before operating Crouch Petroleum and related oil and gas entities in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado – with Ann serving as the company’s private pilot. C.W. Crouch eventually converted his successful petroleum interests into real estate, developing commercial properties throughout the Panhandle. After C.W. passed away in 2001, Ann continued to manage the family’s estate and business ventures.

One of those was the Sunset Center Shopping Mall near Plains and Western. It had been one of the state’s first shopping malls when it opened in 1960, but the city’s changing retail environment eventually left the space almost entirely empty. After her husband’s death, Crouch had begun renovating it to attract new tenants. That’s when her friend, Hunter Ingalls, the late WTAMU art professor, asked her if a few of his college students could use empty space at Sunset for an art studio.

Crouch loved the idea and said yes. One thing led to another. Other artists began to request studio space, and Crouch eventually abandoned her retail dreams for Sunset Center and turned it into an art haven.

Offering very affordable rates, she developed and rented out studio space to more than 100 local artists across dozens of galleries, including the non-profit Amarillo Art Institute, the collaborative Panhandle Art Center, and Crouch’s own Sunset Art Gallery.

Artist Janette Dickerson, who shares the Sunset art gallery Sunny Side Up with Karen Herpich and Barry Bogue, knew Ann for more than 40 years. More than a decade ago, the two friends were both at a Lone Star Pastel Society meeting when Dickerson got a sense that Crouch was up to something. “We were talking about people needing places to paint, and I knew she must have something in mind from the questions she was asking us at the time,” Dickerson says. “She came up with the idea of the Panhandle Art Center at the east end of Sunset Center, a place where people had the chance to hang their art and show it. We just grew from there.”

In addition to the educational space provided by the Amarillo Art Institute and the opportunity to display art at the Panhandle Art Center, Sunset’s brightly-lit mall space transformed the veritable center of the Amarillo art community. By the time of Ann’s death, around 2,000 people were flocking to the galleries every month for the First Friday Art Walk. These popular events gave countless local artists their first chance to display and even sell their work to the public. “[Ann] gave artists in this area an opportunity to have places to work and become more noticed,” says Mary Jane Whitehurst, who first met Crouch in the 1970s when both were taking a drawing class at Amarillo College. Whitehurst currently operates Color Wheel Creatives at Sunset Center, where she teaches painting. Before that, she managed Crouch’s Sunset Gallery for several years. She says her friend’s generosity extended beyond providing studio and gallery space. “She was supportive of the artists at Sunset Center in any capacity. She bought a lot of artwork. I watched her buy work from an artist who displayed in her gallery, who was having a difficult time selling paintings. She also bought from artists that she took classes from along the way. She had a huge collection of really fine art.”

Whitehurst says her friend began drawing as a child, impressing

friends by sketching the pin-up girls from military aircraft nose art for classmates – particularly the boys – in her grade school. After getting married and helping her husband in business, she brought her sketchbook along as she and C.W. traveled to various ranches and oil fields. “She would go out there with him and sketch all kinds of things,” says Whitehurst. “When I met her, she was doing very realistic paintings.

Then at some point she started doing more abstracts. I watched her do that and grow. In the process, she met so many artists along the way.

She knew so many people.”

Those artists were often acclaimed painters and sculptors from across the U.S. and around the world. Crouch displayed their work in her gallery, and often brought them in to teach and interact with the artists working at Sunset. David Corbin says that was one of her most significant gifts to the art community. “She put so much time into local artists and her other artists she brought in,” he says. “It was helpful for some of the other artists [at Sunset] to see that work and grow from it. New artists may need a little motivational push.” Crouch gave them that motivation by exposing them to the techniques of some of the best working artists in the United States.

“People learn in lots of ways besides reading or listening to lectures,” says Dickerson. “With visual art, if you watch somebody do something, you’re going to learn pretty quickly. Seeing what other people do, a lot of times you’ll think, ‘Oh, I can do that.’” Crouch’s willingness to bring in established artists to show painting or sculpting techniques gave Sunset’s artists opportunities that otherwise would have required travel to art meccas like Santa Fe, Scottsdale or Denver. “It was an amazing contribution to people.”

Corbin says Crouch’s advocacy and generosity gave dozens of artists the initial push they needed to grow in their craft, find an audience, and build careers. That’s why losing her so suddenly in January sent such shockwaves through the community, from the artists working in Sunset Center to others throughout the city. A quick burst of uncertainty about the Crouch estate and whether Sunset Center would survive caused a few artists to depart in the weeks and months following her death.

“Everyone handles their grieving differently,” says Whitehurst. “In the beginning, right after Ann died, there was a lot of dissent and that came from grieving people.” Whitehurst says those who have remained at Sunset are still hopeful about its future. “There’s a lot more positivity growing now. I think it’s going to be a little time and we’ll all be back on our feet.”

Crouch’s Sunset Art Gallery is temporarily closed. The complex Crouch estate – The Galleries at Sunset Center is just one of multiple real estate holdings – is currently in the court-supervised probate process. Whitehurst speculates that her friend would have made it clear to attorneys that she wanted Sunset to be a legacy that outlasted her. She hopes it will remain open, perhaps managed by a foundation, after the estate probates.

Dickerson feels the same way. “I choose to be an optimist,” she says.

“Lawyers and wills – it takes time. But if they follow her wishes, this place ought to continue to grow and hopefully become a big stop on Route 66 or I-40. She really wanted this to become a place on the map.

We already have people who stop in here several times a week, people from all sorts of places.”

After her death, Crouch’s CPA, Ashley Ware, became the temporary emergency administrator of Crouch’s business entities. He says he can’t predict when the probate process will end. What he does say is that Ann was “a very giving person” who wanted Amarillo to become another Santa Fe, “a place for art and local artists to show their art to people.”

At Sunset Center, Ann Crouch definitely accomplished that for dozens of artists. Right now, the future of her creation is unclear, like a blank canvas waiting to be painted. In the meantime, the art community of Amarillo has pinned their hopes on Saint Ann to make sure her creative, generous impact far outlasts her 84 years of life.

SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE AND THE ALT ACADEMY

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resh off a production season that brought rollicking favorites like “The Full Monty” and “Anything Goes” to Amarillo audiences, Allen Shankles of the Amarillo Little Theatre is already excited about the 2017-2018 season.

After opening in August with the romantic “Constellations” in its more experimental Adventure Space theater, ALT is sure to please patrons this month with the debut of “Mary Poppins”, a Broadway hit that closed in 2013 after a string of more than 2,600 performances.

Based on both the 1964 Disney musical and the children’s books by P.L. Travers, the production promises to delight audiences from the very start. “It’s got flying and magic effects, so it’s going to be a lot of fun,” says Shankles, who is directing the musical. “I’m hoping “Mary Poppins” ends up being a huge success for us.”

The box office for “Mary Poppins”opens to the public on Sept. 11, for weekend performances Sept. 21 to Oct. 8.

That family musical will be followed by an eclectic mix of seven ALT productions plus three ALT Academy productions, including a Christmas musical called “Plaid Tidings”, the comic romp “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940”, and the return of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” – a hilarious musical ALT first produced more than a decade ago.

In the past, Shankles has stated that ALT has become one of the nation’s most successful community theaters because it balances the theater aspect with the community aspect. He and his board work hard

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to build each season around two very different production categories: the acclaimed dramas that capture the attention of actors and theater lovers, and the popular, box office-busting hits that bring in the entire community. He says ticket sales were down 15 percent last season, which tells him the slate of shows didn’t quite hit the right balance. He hopes to turn that around this season and is relying on crowd-pleasers like “Mary Poppins” to do it.

Another potential audience favorite will bring the season to a close next May, as ALT debuts the Broadway version of “Sister Act”, featuring music by multiple Tony Award- and Oscar-winning legend Alan Menken. “It’s a great show,” says Jason Crespin, a frequent ALT performer and the director of the theater’s acclaimed ALT Academy.

“When I saw it in Denver, I immediately came back and wanted to get the script. It’s exciting.” The creators of the stage adaptation were denied the rights to classic musical numbers used in the movie, but Crespin says Menken’s all-new tunes capture that spirit. “People may come in hoping for [those songs], but they’ll be pleasantly surprised with the new music. It’s fantastic.”

Attentive audiences this season may notice a trend that has been increasing in recent years, as academy performers and alumni have been filling several of the prominent roles for children and young adults. Guided by Crespin, the ALT Academy turns 25 years old this season. It began offering theater, dance and vocal classes in 1992 and has since gained national attention for its successes, regularly

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE

winning National Youth Arts Awards for its productions and individual performances. Crespin himself is a product of the academy, as are a number of ALT’s adult regulars.

Others have gone on to bigger and better things outside Amarillo.

One of Crespin’s academy classmates, Patrick Andrews, is a working actor who has shared the stage with legends like Nathan Lane and Brian Dennehy. A few years ago, alumni Erica Swindell was cast as a performer and musician in the Broadway and touring productions of the hit musical “Once”, and is currently traveling the country as a backup singer for Don Henley.

Like Andrews and Swindell, says Crespin, “being a part of ALT and the academy changed my life.” He says kids who love singing and dancing don’t always find a place at school, especially in a youth culture that tends to value athletic performances more highly than artistic performances.

ALT Academy offers a supportive outlet for those kids. “This is a positive environment. The academy is a safe haven where kids can come and not be bullied and not feel that they’re strange for busting out in song,” he says with a laugh. In fact, Crespin says he loves nothing more than seeing kids discover themselves at the academy and then leave Amarillo to pursue their dreams.

This fall, those dreams will be brewing among the hundreds of children and adults who attend classes there every week. If they aren’t

dreaming of a Broadway career, then at least they’ll imagine themselves participating in one of the academy’s three annual shows. Last year’s musical production of “Beauty and the Beast” was one of its most successful to date, and Crespin hopes to make the 25th anniversary year just as successful.

Amarillo Little Theatre has been part of the local arts community since it was established in 1927. The academy didn’t arrive until 65 years later, but Shankles says it has become central to ALT’s success, providing a steady stream of performers – students who grow up and continue to audition for roles – and supporters, in the form of the friends and family members who get hooked on theater when they watch their children pursue dreams on stage.

“We’re creating the love of performing and the love of fine arts,” Crespin says. “[Academy students] might not grow up and star on Broadway or become professionals in the theater, but they’re going to be audience members and board members or community volunteers.”

Even if those students leave Amarillo, he says, “They’ll contribute to those [outside] arts entities because of their love for ALT. We’re basically training our next audiences and patrons.”

Learn more about Amarillo Little Theatre at amarillolittletheatre.org.

Browse ALT Academy classes and schedules at amarillolittletheatre. org/alt-academy.

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AMARILLO MUSEUM OF ART

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t Amarillo Museum of Art, curator Alex Gregory knows the precise place his museum occupies in the local artsand-culture scene. “We are the only visual arts museum that’s strictly devoted entirely to the visual arts,” he says. While Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum boasts an extensive art collection among its many treasures, AMoA remains the only dedicated visual art museum in the entire Panhandle.

The weight of that responsibility informs every aspect of Gregory’s work.

“We rely a lot on our community returning to the museum to see something new,” he says. “A lot of museums have a permanent collections space where nothing changes. I don’t think that is the direction we can go because we expect return visitation from our members and the community.”

Regardless, the permanent collection of the museum, which opened in 1972, is filled with surprises. It features four watercolors by Georgia O’Keeffe related to her time in Amarillo and the Panhandle. It holds several paintings by American modernist John Marin. Other works include a large construction from Louise Nevelson and photos from Dorothea Lange. For some visitors, among the most unexpected holdings are the Middle East textiles, Japanese wood block prints, and ancient Buddhist and Hindu sculptures displayed in the museum’s Price Gallery of Asian Art. That variety is purposeful on the part of Gregory and the museum. “I believe keeping the exhibitions diverse and bringing diverse materials – in terms of showing photography, drawings, paintings, sculpture, and all that – is important,” he says.

The museum’s commitment to visual diversity is on display right now as part of its “AMoA Biennial 600” exhibit, which this year is devoted to architecture. Containing works selected by show juror Rand Elliot, a celebrated Oklahoma City architect, the unique exhibit began this past summer and will remain open through Oct. 1.

Gregory says architecture is one of the most interesting areas of focus in the history of the Biennial exhibit. “An exhibition on architecture is kind of difficult because how are you going to represent that? You can’t build the actual building,” he explains. Instead, the show relies upon photography, renderings, and philosophical statements and writing from the featured architects. “It’s really an exhibition of ideas. When [people] come visit, I hope that they take time to read what the artists and architects were thinking about, based on the images.” By themselves, the images alone don’t necessarily reflect the full idea or overall architectural approach.

He admits the focus on architecture brings with it an immediate challenge: Not all patrons will immediately equate architecture with more conventional forms of art. But aesthetics are just as important to building design as they are to painting,

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sculpture or photography. “Architecture is functional, but at the same time, you’re setting this object out in the landscape. That becomes an art object on the land,” Gregory says. “Architects think a lot about that and the object – the context of its place and its time and what its function is.” These are all ideas and challenges that traditional artists face as well.

“Certainly for the better architects, you’re thinking about aesthetics and creativity,” says Gregory. “Great architectural buildings are [art] objects in themselves.”

Following the Biennial exhibition is another themed show.

AMoA and Panhandle PBS are both associated with Amarillo College. This month, PBS premieres “The Vietnam War”, a 10part, 18-hour documentary series by filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. The museum is collaborating with the longawaited PBS film by offering its own perspective on Vietnam and the war. “What I wanted to do was showcase another aspect of Vietnam,” Gregory says. He hoped to avoid a more predictable approach, like showing art from the period or war documentary photographs.

Instead, he turned his attention to the work of two contemporary Vietnamese artists working in the area. AnhThuy Nguyen, a multimedia artist, and Du Chau, who primarily works in porcelain, both are based in Dallas but were born in Vietnam. While Chau arrived as a refugee in the early 1980s, Nguyen came to the United States later for educational reasons.

“They offer two different perspectives on that experience, and what it means to be Vietnamese and American following the war,” says Gregory.

Also part of the Vietnam exhibit are the photographs of Lawrence D’Attilio, a fine art photographer who once studied with Ansel Adams. A frequent visitor to Vietnam – particularly the northern part of the country – his works document how quickly the developing economy has brought changes to its cultural heritage. “These are beautiful images of where Vietnam is currently, amidst this change and culture and economy,” says Gregory.

Larry Collins is another artist featured in the Vietnam show. “He was a combat artist and soldier in Vietnam,” Gregory explains. Collins made a number of illustrations and took photographs during the war, then continued as an artist upon returning to civilian life. “We’re going to show some of the paintings he did based on his experiences in Vietnam, getting the soldier’s side of the story, in a sense. The Vietnam experience certainly impacted him.”

These unique perspectives on Vietnam and the war will be on display at Amarillo Museum of Art from Oct. 20 through the end of the year.

Discover more about Amarillo Museum of Art, its collections and upcoming exhibitions, at amarilloart.org.

blank studio design + architecture: Matthew Trzebiatowski and Samuel Martin “Phoenix 2065” Phoenix, Arizona, USA (2065)

Miró Rivera Architects “Yarauvi – View Interior”, 2017 Digital Renderings

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMOA

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David Pershall (left) and Eric Barry (right) in “Lucia di Lammermoor”

“Les Misérables”

“The Threepenny Opera”

“Madame Butterfly”

AMARILLO OPERA

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ince its 1988 founding by Amarillo College vocal professor Mila Gibson, Amarillo Opera has developed into one of the true gems of the Amarillo arts community. Within the opera world, it’s known as a Level 3 opera company, a designation that includes all organizations with budgets between one and three million dollars.

“We are the smallest community in the United States to have an opera company with a budget that size,” says General Director/CEO David O’Dell. That budget category puts Amarillo at the same level as opera companies in much larger cities like Nashville, New Orleans, Indianapolis and Fort Worth.

The wide-ranging area it serves also makes Amarillo Opera stand out. “Our mission is to produce live opera in the Texas Panhandle and to give opportunities to local artists,” O’Dell says. “In my time, ‘local’ has grown to include a huge geographical area, because we are the only opera company between Santa Fe and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and between Denver and Dallas.”

That’s a broad definition of “local,” but it befits the city’s expansive regional significance. “From the very beginning, the Panhandle has always had the attitude that no one’s going to provide anything for us,” O’Dell says. “If we’re going to have anything that’s significant culturally, we’re going to have to do it ourselves.” That pioneer spirit has carried over into Amarillo’s arts scene. “That’s why we have a symphony and a

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ballet and a professional opera company. We’re here because there was a generation before us that valued the arts in the region and knew that if they didn’t support it financially, it simply wouldn’t exist.”

But financial support is only half of what keeps an opera company afloat. Talent is also crucial, and O’Dell says the local talent pool is outstanding – and continually improving. “It’s exceptional, and bolstered by increasingly strong programs at Amarillo College and WT,” he says. He lists prominent local instructors like Suzanne Ramo, director of the Opera Workshop at West Texas A&M University and a veteran of the San Francisco Opera, as well as Robert Hanson, director of the School of Music at WT and the executive director of the National Opera Association.

Then there’s one of the Panhandle’s shining stars, world-class soprano Mary Jane Johnson, who now teaches at Amarillo College following an international career that spanned from the Metropolitan Opera stage in New York to televised appearances alongside Luciano Pavarotti.

“They are tremendous teachers and draw a big pool of talent to the region in general,” says O’Dell of these opera professionals and local instructors. They also provide living examples of what’s possible for aspiring singers living in Amarillo or the smaller towns of the Panhandle. “We try to draft promising artists and give them small roles in hopes that we are building careers. Our hopes are that those artists

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMARILLO OPERA

will then leave Amarillo and enter apprentice programs in Santa Fe, or go off into major careers in the arts.” After that success, O’Dell hopes to see them return again to their hometown, where they would continue to work with developing artists – perpetuating a cycle of talent, mentoring and success.

That cycle will be front and center this season at Amarillo Opera, which kicks off at the Globe-News Center Oct. 6 and 7 with Giuseppe Verdi’s classic “La Traviata”. “One of the great things about this production is it will be a mostly Texas cast,” says O’Dell. It stars awardwinning tenor Eric Barry as Alfredo. A native of Sundown, Texas, near Lubbock, Barry is in the early part of what promises to be a long and successful professional career. He has recorded seven commercial opera albums and performs all across the United States (his time in Amarillo includes another October show for Friends of Aeolian-Skinner – see page 30).

Joining Barry among the “La Traviata” leads is WT’s Suzanne Ramo as Violetta. “She had considerable success on tour with the San Francisco Opera and other performances,” says O’Dell of Ramo. “We’re thrilled to give her an opportunity to step back on stage in this role.” Violetta is a performance with which Ramo is intimately familiar. In early 2006, she appeared as Violetta during the opera’s first-ever show at the brand-new Globe-News Center. Rounding out the cast is baritone David Pershall, another Texas native, as Giorgio Germont. Pershall is yet another rising opera star, fresh off a 2015 debut at the Metropolitan Opera and appearances at Carnegie Hall and Austria’s Vienna State Opera.

“There’s this constant flux of Texans coming back to the region to work with our artists,” says O’Dell. “Our artists understand they have a real shot at major careers.”

February brings the opera’s staging of “Joshua’s Boots” in collaboration with the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. “It’s sort of the perfect story for us,” O’Dell says of the relatively new show, which correlates with Black

History Month. It tells of a young African-American man who flees the late-19th century South after the lynching of his father, then heads west to become a cowboy. The opera first presented “Joshua’s Boots” in 2012.

It features young singers and will include two school performances on Feb. 2 as well as a public staging on Feb. 3.

April 5 to 7 brings a familiar and beloved musical to the Globe-News Center: “Man of La Mancha”. It stars East Texas native Ron Raines, a seasoned performer from the Metropolitan Opera who recently finished out the Broadway revival of “Annie” in the role of Daddy Warbucks.

(Audiences may also recognize Raines from appearances as the dastardly Alan Spaulding during the final 14 seasons of soap opera “The Guiding Light”.) “He’s a really consummate artist and a fabulous colleague and mentor to young singers. I’ve been after Ron for eight years to come back to Texas and perform with us. “Man of La Mancha” is an ideal role for him and one he’s sung many times. He’s a natural heir to the legacy that Richard Kiley launched when he opened the show on Broadway,” says O’Dell. “It’ll be a really tremendous performance.”

The final show of the season is the opera’s now-annual “Musica Variada” on May 12. Billed as a “festival of food and song,” it highlights young Latino/Hispanic performers from WT and Amarillo College.

“These are kids who have performed with the company throughout the season. They do a first half of Spanish and Latino/Hispanic songs and popular music,” says O’Dell. The second half of the show features mariachi music. The concert admission includes Latino and Mexican cuisine courtesy of food stations located throughout the Globe-News Center lobby.

From up-and-coming local singers to professionals accustomed the international stage, Amarillo Opera continues its quest to, in the words of its director, “give opportunities to artists from this big region.”

Learn more about Amarillo Opera and purchase tickets for this season’s performances at amarilloopera.org.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMARILLO SYMPHONY

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AMARILLO SYMPHONY

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o me, it’s the only art form that still gives me goose bumps,” says Corey Cowart, the Amarillo Symphony’s executive director. “When you have 80-plus professional musicians all on the stage at the same time trying to express an artistic idea, it’s one of those rare instances of communal effervescence.”

Cowart is summing up what he loves most about attending the Amarillo Symphony’s monthly concerts. The organization is the oldest continually operating arts entity in Amarillo and begins its 93rd season with “Gershwin Rhapsodies” on Sept. 22 and 23 at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts.

“We’re fortunate to have a fantastic history and longevity, being here as long as we have been,” he says about the symphony, which first began as a 12-piece ensemble in 1924. Today, the orchestra has a $1.3-million budget and features 85 professional musicians, guided by Music Director and Conductor Jacomo Rafael Bairos.

This marks Bairos’ fifth year at the symphony’s helm, the product of a two-year search that drew more than 200 applicants from 15 different countries. Cowart says Bairos has brought a fresh perspective and exuberance that has ended up stretching many members of the orchestra – and that’s a good thing. “He has a joy and passion for the classics, as well as exploring things that are new and different. That back-and-forth of standards as well as new works has pushed and grown the organization.”

Bairos has been instrumental in commissioning new work for the symphony as well as re-introducing classical music standards that haven’t been performed in Amarillo for years. The individual instrumentalists appreciate this. “It can get very stale to come in and play the same thing for the 80th time,” says Cowart. “The ability to do something a little new or fresh helps add a spark of extra energy. It’s been positive from the performers’ standpoint.”

That commitment also attracts high-profile guest artists – the most impressive of which will be on-hand at the season opener this month. Pianist Aaron Diehl joins the symphony as it performs Gershwin’s familiar “Rhapsody in Blue” and “Second Rhapsody”, as well as composer Paul Hindemith’s “Kammermusik No. 1” and “Symphonic Metamorphosis”.

The 31-year-old Diehl is a rising star of the contemporary jazz scene, having spent the summer performing at the nation’s top jazz festivals. “He’s currently one of the most sought-after jazz musicians,” says Cowart of the Harlem-based pianist and composer. The weekend before he comes to Amarillo, Diehl performs with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, which is led by Wynton Marsalis. After Amarillo, he’ll perform a series of concerts across Europe.

When planning this year’s season opener last fall, Cowart and Bairos were brainstorming guest artists that could bring a unique energy to the performance of Gershwin hits. They

had just watched Diehl perform Gershwin with the New York Philharmonic. “We said, ‘We need to find someone like Aaron Diehl,’” remembers Cowart. That thought eventually inspired the duo to approach Diehl himself, and it paid off. A fortuitous change in management allowed Diehl to add Amarillo to his schedule – this show represents his first under a new management company.

But Cowart believes the real star of the show will be Hindemith’s music. “People will come to hear Gershwin and the “Rhapsody in Blue” and Aaron, but they’ll leave talking about the Hindemith. “Symphonic Metamorphosis” is a piece they may not be familiar with, but it’s amazing,” he says.

Following that concert, the symphony returns Oct. 20 and 21 with a sure-to-be-popular celebration of patriotic American music featuring John Philip Sousa marches and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture”.

The next month brings a performance of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 3” (“Eroica”) on Nov. 17 and 18. If September’s Gershwin show was all about the guest artist, November will highlight the orchestra. Cowart says “Eroica” is one of Beethoven’s most significant and recognizable symphonies and “shows off the musicians in our orchestra.” It will be preceded in the concert by “Symphony No. 2” by Pulitzer Prize-winning contemporary American composer Kevin Puts, the composer-inresidence for the Fort Worth Symphony. “Very few people may know Kevin’s music – they’ll be there for the Beethoven – but they’ll get this amazing treat on the front half of the concert,” Cowart predicts. “It is gorgeous.”

After the traditional Holiday Pops concert on Dec. 16, another highlight of the season arrives Jan. 19 and 20. “For our Mozart concert, we’re able to feature the musicians of the orchestra stepping in front of the stage,” Cowart says. The show includes Mozart’s “Symphony No. 40” as well as “Sinfonia Concertante”, a classic which features solos for violin and viola. “We have our principle second violin Michelle Skinner and our principal viola Yael Hyken performing “Sinfonia Concertante”,” explains the symphony’s director. “It wins the prize for the most beautiful music that Mozart left us … with the most boring title possible.”

He says Amarilloans whose experience with the symphony may be limited to past Fourth of July celebrations should give it a shot this fall. “Orchestra is fortunate in that we are one of the more easily accessible art forms, even if you know nothing about it,” Cowart says. “If you truly know about a piece you can listen on one level, or if you want, just let the music wash over you like in a bathtub. Very rarely is there any form of dialogue or story or anything that you need to know. You’re able to sit in the audience and absorb whatever you want to absorb.”

Interact personally with the city’s oldest continuous arts organization by purchasing season or single-performance tickets via amarillosymphony.org.

SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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CHAMBER MUSIC AMARILLO

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hile many culturally attuned locals are aware of the Amarillo Little Theatre or the Amarillo Symphony, they may be less familiar with a lower-profile arts organization like Chamber Music Amarillo. In fact, some may wonder what “chamber music” is in the first place.

Artistic director David Palmer, who founded the organization 19 years ago, recognizes this and is quick to explain exactly what makes chamber music special. “By definition, ‘chamber music’ is a few musicians coming together to play a piece of music in a small setting,” he says.

That small setting is the Fibonacci Space (3306 SW Sixth Ave.), where most of Chamber Music Amarillo’s events take place. It seats around 125 people in a unique setting in Amarillo’s historic Sixth Street district. “They’re in relatively close proximity to the musicians,” Palmer says of audience members. This allows them more than the opportunity to hear great music, but also “to really see it and to feel the vibrations from the instruments.” He says patrons have remarked about how much depth is added to a familiar piece of music when you can watch it being played so closely, watching a string or saxophone quartet interact with each other, with their instruments, and with the music just a few feet away.

Chamber Music board member Jessica Mallard says that’s what

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she loves about the medium. Even though both feature classical music, there’s a profound difference between hearing a symphony orchestra in a concert hall and listening to music in a chamber setting. “I would compare it to watching a movie with 500 people versus watching it with four people,” says Mallard, a communications professor and the Dean of the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities at WTAMU. “It’s a different experience. You’re experiencing it more with [the musicians] rather than just viewing it from a distance.”

The smaller venue allows non-musical interaction between the audience and musicians as well. Most concerts include catered hors d’oeuvres and a pre-concert question-and-answer session with the musicians. Typically led by Jenny Inzerillo of High Plains Public Radio, these conversations are often as entertaining as they are educational, as musicians share insights about their careers, the composers, and the musical works they’re about to perform. “The people that do participate begin to see and learn about the human elements of composers and music in general,” says Palmer.

The coming 2017-2018 season begins with a Beethoven Violin Cycle on Sept. 9, featuring Palmer on piano with the Harrington String Quartet’s Rossitza Jekova-Goza on violin. This will be followed a week later (Sept. 16) with a performance by the Caelus

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHAMBER MUSIC AMARILLO

Piano Quartet, which is led by accomplished local pianist J.T. Hassell, who began gaining national recognition a few years ago as a student at Ascension Academy. Since graduating, Hassell has studied at the celebrated Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. “He is a really, really tremendous young, talented pianist,” Palmer says.

Other musicians with local ties will be featured on Oct. 14, with several WTAMU faculty members performing in addition to the award-winning Marisol Saxophone Quartet, a nationally acclaimed group formed in 2013 by Texas Tech students. The new year will bring a larger concert on Jan. 6, featuring The Amarillo Virtuosi, a chamber orchestra that will perform Stravinsky’s “Dumbarton Oaks” and a reduction of Mahler’s “Symphony No. 4 in G Major”. “This is more of a ‘chamber orchestra’ style of genre,” says Palmer. “It’s not the Amarillo Symphony in terms of size.

It’s fewer musicians. But we try to make sure the audience can be very close to the experience.” This larger event takes place at the Amarillo Botanical Gardens (1400 Streit Drive) in a space that accommodates around 200. “I think it will be a very special evening,” says Palmer.

But Chamber Music Amarillo is known for more than just its classical concerts. The organization’s Jazz on 6th series kicks off on Sept. 29 with the Jim Laughlin Jazz Trio. Laughlin is a tenured music professor at Amarillo College and president of the Amarillo Jazz Society. Additional performers include The Martinis on Feb. 16 and the nuevo tango music

of the Texas-based Austin Piazolla Quintet on April 13.

Palmer says Chamber Music Amarillo tries to balance its concerts with nationally recognized musicians while also drawing from the deep well of West Texas talent – including the robust music programs at Amarillo College and West Texas A&M University. “There is a strong, well-developed resource of fine musicians in our region,” he says. “We’re very fortunate to have that in a smaller community compared to what you see nationally. Across all the mediums – whether visual or performance – it’s remarkable to see how the arts are so well developed in our region.

It is an important part of our mission and the reason we do partner with several of the artists and the community.”

At WT, Jessica Mallard says one reason she got involved with Chamber Music Amarillo was because so many of her fellow faculty members had been performing in its various concerts. “We have a lot of talent here,” she says. “Many of our musicians are as talented as the guest artists that come in.” She says local musicians bring structure and consistency to Chamber Music Amarillo, while the national performers bring variety and opportunity. “We mix in guest artists so the musicians themselves get to work with these new artists, and our patrons get to hear amazing people that they may not otherwise get to hear play,” she says.

Learn more about Chamber Music Amarillo and purchase tickets for this season’s performances at cmama.org.

SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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The Chenaults, duo organists

Maestro Hector Olivera, concert organist

Emmanuel Lopez and Denise Parr-Scanlin, cello-piano duo

Eric Barry, tenor

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FRIENDS OF AEOLIAN-SKINNER

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FRIENDS OF AEOLIAN-SKINNER OPUS 1024

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mong the arts entities and opportunities in Amarillo, none may be more mysterious than one based at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Even dedicated music fans may be forgiven for asking Who are these “Friends of Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1024”? Also: Who is Aeolian Skinner anyway?

Aeolian Skinner is not a who, but a what. An increasingly rare, internationally significant what.

The Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1024 is the pipe organ that dominates the dramatic stone-and-glass interior of the nave at St. Andrew’s. It’s not just any pipe organ, either, but one of the most significant pipe organ installations in the 21st century.

Its story begins with a local tragedy. In 1996, the 50-year-old sanctuary and parish hall of St. Andrew’s burned to the ground in an accidental fire. The church community began the rebuilding process almost immediately, and the new nave was custom-designed to house a massive 6,173-pipe organ purchased from the University of Texas.

That organ had been produced by Boston’s renowned AeolianSkinner company. Designed by G. Donald Harrison – AeolianSkinner’s most famous designer – it was one of the largest organs built before World War II, and had once been considered the crown jewel of the music program at the University of Texas. But it had been retired by the university in 1981 and sat unplayed in an old recital hall on campus.

In the music world, the now-defunct Aeolian-Skinner company was known for having produced the “Rolls-Royce” of American organs. Upon examining the mothballed U.T. organ, an AeolianSkinner expert proclaimed it an exquisite piece of pipe organ history and one of the finest church organs in the nation.

With the help of a private donor, the church bought the organ at a pittance from U.T. It took several years to be transported, rebuilt and installed in the church’s new sanctuary. While the new sanctuary opened in 2002, the organ’s installation wasn’t finished until the summer of 2005. Today, the combination of the now-priceless vintage organ and the world-class acoustics of the nave have given St. Andrew’s and its Aeolian-Skinner a worldwide reputation.

“A lot of churches use carpet and deadening properties so the sound system works,” explains organist and composer Rick Land, who is the interim chairman of the Friends of Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1024 board. These sacred spaces are designed to deaden “live” sound because they otherwise enhance audio using microphones, amplifiers and electrical instruments. But like the great cathedrals of Europe, St. Andrew’s was designed to naturally amplify live sound – especially the sound of its new organ. “It has live acoustics,” Land says. “The architect made it a live room, and organists love this room.

An organ needs a good space. This is the spectacular sound of a pipe organ in a really, really good space.”

The thousands of pipes used to produce the organ’s tones allow the single instrument to approach the depth of a full-sized orchestra when played by a capable musician. That’s one reason Mozart once called the pipe organ – which is a wind instrument that also uses foot pedals and a keyboard – the “king of instruments.”

“It’s an individual art form,” says Land, who himself is a professional organist and, with Russ Tapp, is part of the organ and keyboard duo RnR Fusion. “Every organ is different. There are no

two that sound alike on this planet.”

Immediately recognizing the unique quality of the Aeolian-Skinner in the new sanctuary, Margaret Lacy, the church’s now-retired director of music ministries, helped assemble the non-profit organization Friends of Aeolian-Skinner (FASO) to promote the organ. Since then, FASO has brought internationally known organists and other musicians to perform in the space, with the incomparable organ a central draw.

Before coming to Amarillo, Land lived for more than two decades in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He says the Metroplex may have only one organ that compares to this one. “There is an incredible concert organ at the Meyerson Symphony Center that is world-class,” he says.

That organ is housed in a concert hall designed by world-famous architect I.M. Pei. “I can easily say this organ in Amarillo is on the same level, but our space is not as large.” That makes the experience of the Aeolian-Skinner organ at St. Andrew’s a major attraction – not just for music fans but for some of the best organ players in the world.

Those musicians will be on display in the coming months during FASO’s four Sunday-evening concerts for the 2017-2018 season, its 12th overall.

A former child prodigy on the pipe organ, internationally acclaimed concert organist Hector Olivera will open the season on Sept. 10. Land says the maestro is known as much for his skills as an entertainer as for his prodigious talent on the organ. “He’s phenomenal, very diverse and plays everything,” says Land, who first encountered Olivera several years ago in Dallas. He says a performer like Olivera will provide an excellent introduction to the organ’s capabilities for those who have never heard it. “He’s a real crowd-pleaser.”

The next concert, on Oct. 8, features vocalist Eric Barry, a native of Sundown, Texas, and alumni of West Texas A&M University. The first tenor soloist who has ever performed in FASO’s history, Barry has been featured in his own PBS documentary and his recordings have aired on NPR and the BBC. The tenor will be accompanied by local pianist and organist Jim Gardner, the long-time director of music ministries at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and music director of the Amarillo Little Theatre.

Other local musicians are featured during the season’s third concert, with Harrington String Quartet cellist Emmanuel Lopez and WT pianist Denise Parr-Scanlin performing. The final concert of the season features The Chenaults on April 22, 2018. This husband-andwife duo debuted in Amarillo during the 2012-2013 FASO concert season, and even recorded their most recent album on the church’s Aeolian-Skinner. Elizabeth and Raymond Chenault are known around the world for their four-hands-and-four-feet organ duets. “They are very much in demand and were begging to come back,” says Land.

He says the diversity and quality of these artists reflect the growing international status of the St. Andrew’s pipe organ. “I don’t know of another concert series quite like this anywhere,” Land says. “We really have an international reputation. We have lots of artists who call us and want to perform in Amarillo. I can’t stress enough how unusual this is – it would be unusual even in a city the size of Dallas.”

Learn more about the Friends of Aeolian Skinner organization, the organ itself, and the upcoming concert series at fasoamarillo.org.

SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF LONE STAR BALLET

LONE STAR BALLET

O

utsiders who view Amarillo as only a dusty, windy Panhandle outpost have clearly never encountered the elegance on display with every Lone Star Ballet performance. Since its founding in 1975 by the late dance icon Neil Hess, the ballet has become one of the most highly regarded companies in the state.

Lone Star Ballet’s artistic director says much of this is due to a base of local performers, who have learned the art of dance and grown up within the broader LSB educational system. “We have a tremendous amount of talent in Amarillo and a tremendous amount of talent at Lone Star Ballet,” Vicki McLean says. Visitors to the region are often surprised that a city the size of Amarillo has a strong symphony, opera and ballet, McLean says. But that’s because they don’t always see beyond the stereotypes. The arts are just as much a part of Amarillo culture as its western heritage.

“We don’t ever say ‘You can’t come in, you’re in jeans and cowboy boots,’” she says about ballet performances. “We say, ‘Come in. I think you’re going to find something you love.’”

Audiences have discovered a love of dance and an appreciation for local dancers for more than four decades now at Lone Star Ballet – and that appreciation is not just limited to Amarillo. Performers have started here and moved on to major dance companies from New York City to San Francisco. They have appeared on Broadway stages and at Radio City Music Hall.

Just like Amarillo Little Theatre trains its future performers in an academy setting, the Lone Star Ballet teaches students the art form in dance academies located in Amarillo, Borger, Dumas, Hereford,

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Panhandle and Plainview. “All of our dancers are area dancers,” says McLean. Lone Star’s Academy offers classes for all ages, starting with children as young as preschoolers. “We take them from their beginning steps. Some of them want to be professional dancers or some want to teach. Some of them want to do it because they love to dance. All of them learn how to take it to each next level. They start as beginners and move up.”

The ballet’s most experienced dancers reach a point where the “next level” requires joining the professional company – and that means performing at a high level in front of crowds. “Our professional company is a combination of some of the professional dancers who have been working with me for several years, plus some of the dancers from WT,” explains McLean. She says that final step is a crucial milestone in a dancer’s education. “It is very important that they have the opportunities to perform on stage.

That is a major part of learning. You can take dance lessons but as you get older and decide you really want to be a dancer, you have to learn how to be a professional. They love their classes but they really love that stage.”

While the ballet season usually includes at least one performance from a touring company, the 2017-2018 season is entirely local.

Other than the traditional guest dancers for the leading roles in “The Nutcracker,” all other performers are from the Panhandle – and that’s a part of Lone Star’s mission. “People like to see local talent, people that they know on the stage,” McLean says. “Our whole mission is to take dance to as many people as possible.”

That philosophy has resulted in the plans for this season, which McLean describes as “an exceedingly full year for us.” It begins with a repeat of the ballet’s original production of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” on Oct. 27 and 28. “It’s our annual Halloween scary show,” says McLean of the ballet, which the company first staged in 2012. It tells the classic Washington Irving short story of the haunted Ichabod Crane, using dynamic computer-generated backgrounds to provide many of the spooky elements of the tale. “It’s great fun with the Headless Horseman and the whole business,” she says.

That production will be followed by “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 8, 9 and 10. Considered one of the state’s premier Nutcracker ballets, this year’s performance features the return of Nutcracker veterans – and married couple – Carlos Miguel Guerra and Jennifer Carlynn Kronenberg. The acclaimed husband-and-wife duo recently concluded lengthy tenures as principals of the Miami City Ballet. “They were the original Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier when we did the new Nutcracker in 2007. This will be our 10th anniversary, and they are coming back to do their part of the show,” says McLean In February, the ballet continues its tradition of staging a romantic production with the brand-new “Lone Star Legends and Love Stories” on Feb. 9 and 10. An update to a production in 2011, this original show conveys five love stories important to the history of Texas. These romances involve Panhandle pioneers Charles and Molly Goodnight, Comanche captive Cynthia Ann Parker and Chief Peta Nocona, the colorful Frenchy McCormick and Mickey McCormick of Old Tascosa, Alamo survivor Susanna Dickinson and Almeron Dickinson, and Emily

West and Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna. “She was an indentured servant who came in from the east and became involved with Sam Houston,” McLean says of the mixed-race West. “She allowed herself to be captured by Santa Anna and became a spy for Sam Houston in the Santa Anna camp. It was because of her that they were able to take him down in the Battle of San Jacinto.” As Texas legends go, West was the inspiration for the classic Western song “The Yellow Rose of Texas.”

“These couples not only had a wonderful love story [with each other], but they had a love story with the state of Texas,” says McLean.

“They were instrumental in Texas becoming a state. They built this part of the country.”

Lone Star Ballet’s final performance of the season is another original production, George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris”, on April 20 and 21. According to McLean, “it’s all the wonderful Gershwin music and a wonderful love story about people who looked for something new in their lives after the war. Paris gave them the opportunity to do that.”

She hopes the original productions and local performers continue to draw veteran ballet audiences as well as younger – and perhaps newer – patrons of the arts. “We have a lot of young people in the ballet who also perform in the [Amarillo] Opera and at Amarillo Little Theatre,” McLean says. “I would love to see these young people come and support their peers. There’s a rapport between audience and performer that is very special – a live performance where there is somebody looking back at you from the stage. Everyone should experience that excitement.”

Learn more about the Lone Star Ballet and purchase tickets for this season’s performances at lonestarballet.org.

SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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INSPIRE

Let’s buy the tortilla machine!

By Victor Leal

“So … we can take this $750.00 and put a down payment on a house or ... we can use it to buy a tortilla machine and start a business ... the choice is yours, Mama.” – Jesse Leal My dad, Hector Jesus Leal, grew up in abject poverty in a small South Texas town called Mercedes. His Spanish-speaking friends called him Chuy, and those who spoke English affectionately called him Jesse.

At a young age, he helped his mother provide for his younger siblings by leaving home and doing migrant work. Among other things, he picked tomatoes in Jacksonville and cotton in the Panhandle. He began this life of work at the ripe old age of 11.

His early travels brought him to Muleshoe. In 1955 he married a pretty girl name Irma Anzaldua, and moved her there. He was working at Barrett Produce at the time, and the newlyweds had planned on finishing out the season and moving back home to the Rio Grande Valley.

They wound up staying a little longer than they had planned.

Two things happened: My mother was deeply touched by the love and hospitality of the wonderful folks of West Texas, and she also saw a glaring need.

In 1957 my eldest brother, Hector, was an active 2-year-old toddler, and Mom was pregnant with my sister, Alma. They lived in a small one-room – not one bedroom but one room – apartment and struggled for more than two years to save $750.00, what they considered to be a small fortune.

Irma’s father, Elias Victor Anzaldua, had provided for his family in Mercedes with a small tortilla factory named El Arco Iris or The Rainbow. He delivered fresh, warm, stone-ground corn tortillas around their neighborhood every morning in his Model T Ford. It was during the Great Depression and half of his product he gave away, because so many of his customers couldn’t afford to pay. My grandmother on my father’s side was one of his free accounts. They were a large family of eight and my grandfather, Justino Leal, suffered from alcoholism and struggled to keep steady employment.

My mom grew up helping in the small family business, and when she arrived in Muleshoe, she quickly recognized a need for fresh tortillas, menudo and barbacoa. In those days the Bracero Program, a federal guest worker program to supply labor, was in full swing and no one

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was making Mexican food or fresh tortillas or catering to the Braceros’ needs. While she lacked any formal education, she was a savvy economist, seeing a demand with no corresponding supply. It is hard to imagine, in this day and age when we have Mexican food on every corner, but back then tortillas were an oddity in the Panhandle.

Part of the contract between the Braceros and farmers required the farmers to bring the Braceros to town one day a week – usually Saturday or Sunday – so they could do their shopping and entertaining.

After shopping on Main Street, the Braceros would walk a short distance to our little place on the east side of town to meet friends, eat, and visit with Mom and Dad. After the farmers had done their shopping and entertaining (there was a bowling alley in Muleshoe at the time), they would drive to our cafe and wait in their pickups outside while the men finished eating.

Dad knew most of the farmers since he managed “The Association” (the local Bracero program), when he first arrived in Muleshoe in 1954.

He had an incredible gift of hospitality and would take plates of food to the farmers who were waiting outside. It was the first taste they had ever had of tortillas, pollo en salsa or barbacoa.

The following week the farmers would peek inside and nervously ask Dad for another plate. My dad would reply, “Sure ... but come inside and eat in here. Don’t sit outside in your truck.”

Leal’s became one of the first truly integrated cafes in Texas, and my parents helped introduce Mexican food to a brand-new audience.

It was a small and humble start and my parents were a bridge between two communities.

My five siblings, Hector, Alma, Laura, Sergio, Abel and I grew up working alongside my parents and small staff, in all areas of our restaurant and tortilla factory, learning to serve from our hearts in a manner that dignified everyone. Our parents instilled in us a servant’s heart.

Today, in our six restaurant locations we consider it an honor and privilege to serve around 20,000 wonderful guests. Our staff now numbers more than 300, and we make tons of ground corn into fresh

tortillas every day, and offer our chips and hot sauce in several grocery and retail stores around the area.

As we serve, we are trusted by our guests with some of the most significant and meaningful times of their lives. They celebrate their birthdays and anniversaries, and the accomplishments of their children with us. We cater weddings and provide food for funerals.

They invite us into their lives, and we strive to continue to earn their respect and trust.

It’s easy sometimes to see any business, large or small, and overlook the tremendous sacrifices, risk, hard work and daily challenges they meet. I enjoy visiting with entrepreneurs from all walks to learn their fascinating stories. Every one of them has a story of their struggles and often failure a time or two.

In fact, our story, though it is unique, is in some sense your story, too. It’s the great American Dream of being able to risk it all and be willing to sacrifice short-term comfort for long-term success. We live in a great state and country where we can still flourish as we were meant to by the God who created us – if we are willing to work to achieve the desires He has placed in our hearts.

In a tiny apartment in Muleshoe, my dad placed a small fortune on a bare dinner table and asked my pregnant mother a question that would change the course of their lives and the lives of many others: “Mama ... we have worked very hard to save $750.00. With the baby on the way, we desperately need a bigger house. We can use this money for a down payment on one, or we can risk it all and buy a tortilla machine and go into business.”

My mom had been encouraging my dad to talk to Mr. Garcia, the gentleman who had built my grandfather’s tortilla machine in Mercedes.

When Dad paused, all she remembers hearing is or. Without batting an eye she exclaimed,” Let’s buy a tortilla machine!”

Victor Leal Victor is the owner of the Leal’s restaurants in Amarillo and Muleshoe. He has been married to his wife, Debbie, for 30 years, and the couple has two sons, Roman and Noah. Victor is an avid reader, and enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, fly-fishing, running and cycling.

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Jam Good

W H AT ’ S C O O K I N G ?

J

aNeen Eudy believes it’s time to elevate jam beyond the breakfast table. “There are so many different things you can do with it besides putting it on a buttered biscuit,” she says. A state championship-winning volleyball coach at Bushland High School, Eudy also owns Jam! That’s Good!, a beloved vendor at the Amarillo Community Market. She says jam is an always-available ingredient that can take dishes to the next level.

“It’s a really fast, already-prepared condiment that can be sweet or savory,” she says. Her skillet-cooked salmon

uses blackberry jam sauce to create a delicious glaze. To accompany chicken wings, she adds sauteed garlic, Sriracha sauce, and rice wine vinegar to jalapeño-plum jam, then cooks it down to create a thick, sweet-spicy combination. And her cherry crumble is an easy dessert bar Eudy has been making for years. “Sometimes I take it to my volleyball girls as a snack after practice or on the bus,” she says. “It’s great with whatever your favorite flavor of jam is.”

PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON RECIPES COURTESY OF JANEEN EUDY, JAM! THAT’S GOOD! SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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Blackberry Glazed Salmon 2 (4- to 6-ounce) portions salmon 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 1 clove garlic, minced ½ cup fresh blackberries ½ cup blackberry jam 1/3 cup red wine Heat olive oil in skillet on medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add garlic, salt and pepper. Saute until fragrant, being careful not to burn. Add fresh blackberries and blackberry jam. Whisk until jam forms smooth sauce. Whisk in wine. Let sauce cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Place salmon portions into saucepan and spoon sauce over top of fish. Continue cooking, spooning additional sauce over fish until it is cooked through (8 to 10 minutes). Sauce should thicken by this point and make a nice glaze. Remove fish from pan and top with spoonful of glaze and a few berries. Serve immediately.

Makes 2 servings

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Jalapeño Plum Wings 1 ½ pounds chicken wings 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 1 clove garlic, minced ½ cup jalapeño plum jam 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce (more or less to taste) Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray.

To prepare wings, toss in 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread in single layer on baking sheet. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking time, until wings are golden brown. Meanwhile, heat remaining olive oil in sauce pan.

Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 45 seconds to 1 minute. Add jam, vinegar and Sriracha, and simmer 3 to 5 minutes. Mixture will reduce and slightly thicken. In a bowl, toss wings with glaze until evenly coated. Return to baking sheet in single layer, spooning any remaining glaze over wings. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes. Serve warm.

Makes 2 to 3 servings

SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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Cherry Jam Bars 2 cups cherry jam (or any real fruit jam flavor) 1 cup sugar 3 cups flour ¼ teaspoon salt 1 ½ cups butter, beaten Heat oven to 375 degrees. Beat butter until fluffy. Add sugar and beat until smooth. Add flour and salt and beat until crumbly. Spray jelly roll pan with nonstick spray. Using approximately 2/3 of dough, press into bottom of pan and slightly up sides. Spread jam on top of dough, covering generously. Using remainder of dough, crumble over top of jam. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown on top. Let cool, and then cut into squares.

Makes 24 servings

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MEET THE COOK

JaNeen Eudy of Jam! That’s Good!

J

aNeen Eudy is entering her 41st year in teaching and coaching, fresh off leading Bushland High School to a Class 4A state volleyball championship. The win was Eudy’s second since she joined the program in 2013. But before entering her career in Texas high school gyms, Eudy grew up in California farm country.

“My grandparents farmed in California,” she says. “I was raised around fresh fruits and vegetables. My grandmother and my mom always cooked with that kind of freshness. Those things were normal to me.”

Eudy’s grandmother was known for making jam, and taught JaNeen how to make it when she was young. “She said you need to learn how to be patient,” Eudy says, referring to the lengthy period of stirring that’s an essential part of the jam-making process. “For about seven minutes, you have to stand there and stir. I can solve a lot of lineup problems or classroom problems like that, just standing there stirring.”

She’s had plenty of opportunities to stir her way into those solutions lately. JaNeen and her husband, Gary, have been married for 45 years, and are the parents of two grown daughters who live with their families in the Metroplex area.

With a little spare time outside of the volleyball season, the couple turned their empty nest into a successful jam-making enterprise called Jam! That’s Good!

Eudy credits Deana and Richard Zaccardo, the owners of Belmar Bakery, for insisting that she begin selling her products. “I made [jams and jellies] on and off while my kids were growing up, and started making more when I came to Amarillo,” she says. “I gave some to Deana and she came back and said, ‘Have you ever thought about selling this?’” Eudy relented and gave her friend a few jars to sell at the bakery. “Two weeks later she brings me a check for about $300. That’s how I got started. They’ve been an incredible help and great business mentors.”

Through all the changes life brings, you can count on us.

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7620 Wallace Blvd. Amarillo, Tx. 79124 • 806-359-5468

SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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This unique Make-A-Wish® event features local restaurants & cook teams competing for the best burger in the panhandle! The evening will also include a silent & live auction accompanied by stories of local wishes coming true in the Amarillo area.

Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are now available. Please contact Alba Austin at aaustin@ntx.wish.org or 806-358-9943 for more information.

Together, we’ll ensure every eligible child can count on the one true wish they need!

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Sep 2017

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7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Cornerstone Ranch Event Center 1901 S Cement Road Amarillo, Texas 79124

North Texas

W H AT ’ S C O O K I N G ?

Life-Changing Cinnamon Rolls

T

here’s a story behind the delectable cinnamon rolls served

by Dianna Donathan at The Windy Cow Cafe and Dessert Bar in Wildorado, and it’s a good one. Decades ago, Dianna took a home economics class during her freshman year at Vega High School. The class was learning to bake a simple Daisy Braid bread recipe. “It was a sweet dough you could do so many things with,” remembers Dianna. “We were putting a pecan-and-brown-sugar topping on it.” While the bread was cooking, a junior football player named Kenny Donathan passed by in the hallway. The aroma caught his attention.

“I can still see him poking his head through the door, saying, ‘What am I smelling?’”

That aroma changed Dianna’s life. The freshman baker and junior athlete got to know each other, started dating, married, had three kids and are now grandparents. And the Daisy Braid recipe that first brought them together is at the heart of the from-scratch cinnamon rolls Dianna serves most weekends at her cafe. In this issue, she shares how to make them. While her recipe may not necessarily result in a lifelong romance, the results will definitely make your heart pitter-patter.

PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON RECIPE COURTESY OF DIANNA DONATHAN, THE WINDY COW CAFE AND DESSERT BAR

SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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Cool Rise Sweet Dough 5 cups all-purpose flour 2 packages yeast ½ cup sugar 1 ½ teaspoons salt 2 sticks butter, room temperature 1 ½ cups very hot water 2 eggs, room temperature Cooking oil Cinnamon Sugar or brown sugar Half-and-half Powdered sugar Combine 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Stir to blend and add butter or margarine. Add water to mixture. Beat for 2 minutes, scraping sides to blend. Add eggs and 1 cup flour. Beat 1 minute, scraping sides of bowl.

Stir in remaining flour and pour onto floured board. Divide dough into

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2 batches. Knead each for 5 to 10 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap. Let rise 15 to 20 minutes, and then punch down. Roll dough into a rectangle by rolling from the middle to the outside corners, then roll along the edges to even it out. Spread room-temperature butter over dough, covering completely. Combine sugar or brown sugar with cinnamon in bowl. Sprinkle dough with sugar mixture. Don’t skimp on the good stuff!

Start rolling the widest side of dough evenly until the rectangle is a long roll. Squish in ends to make even cuts. Cut 1 ¾-inch wide sections using dental floss or thread. Put rolls in greased pan (round or square), leaving space to rise. Let rise and bake at 375 degrees for about 10 to 12 minutes, depending on size of rolls. Meanwhile, make frosting for rolls. Combine half-and-half with powdered sugar to make thin icing (not runny). After baking, let rolls cool for 5 minutes. Frost with powdered sugar icing. Make sure to cover rolls completely, as it will keep rolls moist longer.

Makes 50 rolls

Cut 1 ¾-inch wide sections.

Put rolls in greased pan, leaving space to rise.

Make sure frosting is thin enough to spread but not runny.

SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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After rolls have cooled for 5 minutes, cover with frosting.

Spread icing evenly over rolls so they will remain moist longer.

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MEET THE COOK

Dianna Donathan of The Windy Cow Cafe and Dessert Bar

F

or years, Wildorado residents and travelers along I-40 would visit Jesse’s Cafe for its down-home cooking and wonderful pies. Dianna Donathan’s first job was working as a waitress at Jesse’s. Her grandmother, a local chicken farmer, even provided eggs to the iconic restaurant. But eventually the owners sold the business, and the building that once housed Jesse’s saw a lengthy string of unsuccessful ventures in its wake.

A few years ago, Donathan learned the old roadside cafe was headed for the auction block. “It was just sitting there,” she says. “I hated to see that happen.”

By that time, Donathan had raised three daughters and was passionate about cooking and baking from scratch. Several years earlier, she had co-owned a coffee shop in Wimberley, Texas, where she baked and sold cinnamon rolls, muffins, puff pastries, and more. Her husband, Kenny – who works as a construction manager in the wind and solar industries – had entered a season that often took him away from home. Their daughters were grown.

Donathan decided the time was right to resurrect the old cafe.

Naming the new venture The Windy Cow Cafe and Dessert Bar after the turbines and feedlots that dominated the Wildorado landscape – “one of my granddaughters came up with it,” she says – Donathan opened her doors two-and-a-half years ago and hasn’t looked back since. She maintains a steady clientele of local farmers, ranchers, utility and wind-farm workers, and hungry tourists traveling I-40.

All are drawn to what Donathan describes as a simple recipe for success: “What has

kept us going, by far, is the good food,” she says. From the chicken-fried steak and catfish to the old-fashioned cherry pies she bakes, everything at The Windy Cow is made from scratch. She uses fresh squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, and jalapeños grown in a garden.

She serves hand-pressed, charbroiled hamburgers on locally made Snowhite buns.

She hand-cuts fries and prepares two kinds of tartar sauce to accompany her hand-breaded catfish. And she’s picky about presentation.

“It takes effort to make sure everything is consistent, because it’s not something we pull out of a bag or out of the freezer,” she says.

That effort extends to the weekend cinnamon rolls she shares in this issue.

Donathan says her most loyal customers seem to be around retirement age or older – including a few who’ll regularly drive 20 minutes from Amarillo or 30 minutes from Hereford to dine at a throwback, smalltown cafe. “That generation grew up with good food,” she says. “That’s why people pull off the road to eat here. They just don’t want to stop at a chain restaurant.”

But a scratch cafe with a touch of Wildorado history? That’s totally worth the drive.

Dreamy florals, stunning couples… it’s what we love to do.

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SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

FACES of

AMARILLO 2017

No one understands the local market better than the professionals that do business in Amarillo every day. Whether you’re new to town, or you simply find yourself in need of a new product or service, who should you call?

Flip through our Faces of Amarillo profiles, and meet the individuals behind the companies that make Amarillo a great place to live. From medical care to financial advice, these are the folks you can turn to when you need help.

FACES of

AMARILLO 2017

THE FACE OF

PERSONALIZATION

Accent Embroidery Personalized gifts are always thoughtful, which is why Accent Embroidery continues to provide customers with one-of-a-kind pieces that can’t be found elsewhere. Patrons can peruse the gift shop for something special or bring in a garment, bag or accessory that needs a final, personal touch.

But personalization doesn’t stop there.

Accent Embroidery can personalize caps and jerseys for an entire baseball team or create personalized banners or promotional 50

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products for local businesses.

“We do logos, monograms and specialty items, whether it’s for a large corporation, a team order, or one item,” says owner Rhonda Fletcher. “We treat each project with precision and attention to detail.

“We built our business on excellent customer service,” she continues. “We love working with people – whether they want 100 items, 10 or just one.”

FACES of

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THE FACE OF

CREDIT UNION BANKING

Amarillo Community Federal Credit Union No one has your back like family. The staff and management at Amarillo Community FCU feel that way about the community. When you’re a member of Amarillo Community FCU, you can count on them to look out for you and your family. And, when you visit a branch, you’ll be

Main Office | 6100 I-40 West | 358.7561 BNSF Branch | 1619 Pecos St. Grand Branch | 2410 N. Grand St. Ross Branch | 2323 Ross-Osage Tyson Branch FM Road | 1912 and Hwy. 66E Western Branch | 6030 S. Western St. Pampa Branch | 900 N. Hobart St., Pampa | acfcu.org greeted with a smile and provided financial services that can help you for life. To start a different way of banking, visit any Amarillo Community FCU location today.

Amarillo Community Federal Credit Union has seven locations to serve their 35,000 members.

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PEDIATRIC CARE

Amarillo Children’s Clinic The doctors at Amarillo Children’s Clinic have devoted their careers to caring for children.

Opened in 1998, Dr. Shari Medford joined the practice in 2000, while Dr. Rebecca Scott arrived in 2005. Together with four nurse practitioners, they tend to regular well visits and urgent calls in the middle of the night.

“We’re always on call,” says Practice Administrator Kelly White. “They are the most caring doctors I’ve ever worked with, and I’ve been doing this for 30 years.”

Dr. Medford completed her undergraduate work at Hendrix College in Arkansas and completed 52

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17 Care Circle | 468.6277 amarillochildrensclinic.com

medical school at the University of Arkansas. She went on to finish her postdoctoral work at the University of Oklahoma and completed a fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, and the University of Tennessee.

Born and raised in Amarillo, Dr. Scott completed her undergraduate degree at Baylor University and went on to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

She’s held the position of chief resident at Baylor College of Medicine, as well as one of the Top Ten Women at Baylor University.

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EYE CARE

Amarillo Family Eyecare

2921 I-40 West, Suite 300 | 322.3937 | amarillofamilyeyecare.com At Amarillo Family Eyecare, patients are greeted by name and given quality care from start to finish.

“Even as AFE grows, our values remain the same. We want to provide the best medical care and customer service possible,” says Dr. Mackenzie Weir.

“We strive to be different from other offices, where patients can feel like just a number.”

With the addition of Dr. William R. Chafin this year, the physicians have a combined 41 years of optometric experience. Their focus is on maintaining a small-town atmosphere within a big-city practice.

“Our services are performed thoroughly,” says Dr. Weir. “We do not want our patients to feel shuttled in and out of our office. Our schedule is purposefully designed to accommodate our desire to listen, understand concerns, and educate our patients.

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PEDIATRIC DENTAL CARE

Amarillo Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

2455 I-40 West | 350.5437 | 3501 Soncy Road, Suite 129 | 376.4770 | amarillopediatricdentistry.com

At Amarillo Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, every child receives expert dental care in a safe, supportive environment, which is essential for establishing lifelong comfort in the dentist’s chair. Parents are always welcomed back to watch or hold their child’s hand. According to Dr. Shane Moore, good communication is everything.

“You don’t send your child back to the pediatrician when they’re 2 for their immunizations, and we don’t expect that here. We want parents to know what’s going on. We stress 54

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parent involvement,” he says. “We are specifically prepared and expertly trained. Our doctors go to a lengthy two- to three-year residency to train to be a pediatric dentist. We have the only board trained diplomat pediatric dentists in Amarillo.”

Amarillo Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is the onestop-shop dental home for the entirety of childhood.

“We want to meet them when they’re 1,” says Dr. Moore, “and take care of them for the next 18 years.”

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ORTHODONTICS

Amarillo Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

2455 I-40 West | 350.5437 | 3501 Soncy Road, Suite 129 | 376.4770 | amarillopediatricdentistry.com

Chief Orthodontist Dr. Mike Ross knows that getting braces isn’t only about achieving a picture-perfect smile.

It’s about developing a relationship with each patient and changing their lives for the better.

“I’m a firm believer that it’s a lot more than straight teeth.

When it comes to health care providers, if you think about it, a healthy kid sees his or her pediatrician once or twice a year.

Pediatric dentists see them once or twice a year. But we see them six to 10 times a year,” he says. “The orthodontist has the greatest opportunity to have an impact on their lives.

We interact, we have fun. It’s about building their confidence and increasing their quality of life.”

The staff does everything to make the orthodontist’s office a fun hangout, a place they don’t mind coming frequently.

“I love what I do and I’m all about giving patients the best possible experience,” says Dr. Ross. “”We have kids who come in and are super shy, but by the end they’re talking loud and proud. Kids blossom here.”

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BANKING

Amarillo National Bank 410 S. Taylor St. | 378.8000 | anb.com Amarillo National Bank has spent more than 125 years making both customer and community service top priorities. That’s how it goes when a banking institution is in it for the long haul.

“We really focus on the customer,” says Executive Vice President William Ware. “We are literally 100- percent family-owned, so there are no outside shareholders, no outside companies, no one telling us what to do. It sets us apart. We’re truly not concerned with profits.

We’re all about how long a customer can bank with us. We know our community. Our focus is on them and their future.”

Customer service isn’t just lip service. It involves being physically present – either in person or on the other end of the phone – to help a customer when a need arises. When a company is rooted in its community, person56

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to-person connections are key.

Likewise, serving the customer means offering reassurance that the institution is going to be there when times are good and when times are bad.

“Once you’ve seen enough hard times you learn how to prepare for the next downturn or recession. We’re used to these cycles. We set aside capital so we’re prepared for the long haul,” says Ware. “We stick with our customers.”

Giving back to the community is the company’s second most important virtue next to customer service, which is why Amarillo National Bank supports charities, families and businesses to keep Amarillo growing.

“What’s great is knowing we can help,” says Ware. “We can give back to improve the future of our community. That’s what keeps us really proud of our business.”

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MORTGAGE LOANS ANB Mortgage

2401 Coulter St. | 358.3008 | anb.com

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When it comes to buying a home, choosing a mortgage lender can be a complicated and stressful process. So many options, so many complications. At ANB Mortgage, the process is simple and personalized.

“The main reason is that we’re local,” says Debbie Bigelow, Mortgage Loan Department manager. “There are some big companies who are online lenders, but I’m telling you, when it’s time to get the loan closed, they don’t understand the market.”

Local underwriting means all decisions are made in Amarillo.

When issues arise, they’re handled quickly and efficiently.

“We have really good lenders. We’re known for being honest and telling the truth,” says Bigelow. “There are people who don’t always give you the bottom line, but if we can’t approve your loan, we’ll tell you that early in the process.”

ANB Mortgage offers competitive loan programs, interest rates, and fees, and one-on-one customer service. There’s no sitting on hold for hours or being transferred to someone outside the state. It all happens in town and down the street.

“On conventional loans, we offer local servicing, which means that loan stays with us for the life of the loan,” says Bigelow. “If you take out a 15- or 30-year mortgage that’s serviced by Amarillo National Bank, no one else manages the loan after it’s closed.”

As software continues to improve, a streamlined online application process will soon be available. Even still, ANB Mortgage is right around the corner for the customer who wants a face-to-face conversation.

“Being here every day means we understand the market,” says Bigelow. “We understand it. We know how to answer questions.”

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JEWELRY

Barnes Jewelry 100 Westgate Parkway West 355.9874 | barnesjewelry.com

Manager Don Adams returned home to Amarillo in 2014 after more than 20 years working in the diamond business. There was only one jewelry store in town that maintained his preferred level of standard and ethics, Barnes Jewelry, which has more than 60 years of history in the Texas Panhandle. The staff’s exceptional eye for detail, service, quality and pricing have kept Barnes Jewelry at the top among its competition.

“Their alignment was important to me,” says Adams. “I knew as far as their pricing structure was considered, it was fair. Barnes Jewelry actually passes savings on to the customer. It all goes back to ethics and integrity.”

From proper store lighting to having coffee and refreshments available to patrons, the goal is to create a casual, welcoming environment for people to browse the 6,000-square-foot showroom. There’s an area for kids to play, plus a seating area. There are no pushy salespeople vying to strike a deal. The attitude is simple – come in, look around, and if they don’t have what you’re looking for, the staff at Barnes Jewelry can order it.

“We can go through any vendor, so if we don’t have something, we can find it,” he says.

“Everything that comes in goes through our gemologist for quality control. Everything goes under the microscope.”

With jewelers on premises, including a master jeweler and a 3D printer, custom pieces are easy to accommodate.

“We like to create memories. We love to celebrate those important moments in people’s lives,” Adams says. “Birthday, anniversary, graduation, or just because. We love the giftgiving moment.”

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COLLEGE PREPARATORY EDUCATION

Ascension Academy

9301 Ascension Parkway | 342.0515 ascensionacademy.org

Ascension Academy’s students engage in a rich program that cultivates creativity and builds intellectual capacity through academics and fine arts, as well as athletics and real-world experience in global citizenship.

Ascension Academy serves sixth through 12th grade students in a challenging yet nurturing environment designed to equip them with the skills needed to excel in any post-secondary program in the nation.

Katy Engler, director of admission and marketing, explains, “We are building a foundation suited for each

student’s unique talents so that they will be successful in college and beyond. We see these results more and more with many of our graduates completing their undergraduate work early and some with graduate work underway.”

At Ascension Academy, it’s about creating a comprehensive launching pad to the future. With 100 percent of the 2017 graduates receiving scholarships and attending top schools of choice, Ascension is where students discover their full potential.

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FURNITURE Buzula Furniture

Buzula Furniture opened in 2009 to sell affordable, quality furniture to the businesses and people of the Tri-State area. With more than 70 years combined experience, Buster and Paula are confident that they and their team know how to meet their customer’s needs. So confident that Buster can finally take a breather.

“I’ve never had this luxury,” he laughs. I’ve never been in a situation where I felt like I could be gone more than a few days. It’s a good feeling to know you have incredible people

716 I-40 West | 374.5077 buzulafurniture.com who can run your company the way you want it run.”

Store Manager Jimmy Sims and Warehouse Manager Justin Melton have been with Buster and Paula for more than 13 years, while Office Manager Crystal Garcia and Sales Manager Sarah Montano have been with Buzula for seven. All four managers bring creativity and intelligence to the store, and work in sync to provide excellent customer service to each client.

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CLUB MEMBERSHIP Canyon Country Club

19501 Chaparral Road | 499.3397 | canyontexasgolf.com Opened in 1906, Canyon Country Club was originally a fishing club, eventually evolving into a golf course. Now, the picturesque nine-hole golf course, swimming pool, bar, and restaurant is one of the best-kept secrets in the Panhandle, full of wildlife like deer and turkeys. Under new leadership, the invitation is open for new memberships.

“I want to invite everyone out to join our family,” says Johnny Vaughn, general manager. “All of our memberships are family memberships – we have several to choose from. We are semi-private, so we also welcome green-fee play, where visitors can take advantage of our midweek green fees and play 18 holes with a cart at a great, low price. We are working on improving our course and trimming trees to make it even more beautiful.”

All memberships include unlimited golf, Friday night member scrambles, and access to the swimming pool. The course is also open to corporate events.

“This is a wonderful club,” says Vaughn. “Come out, have a drink, or just enjoy the view in a lovely, peaceful setting.”

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TEXAS BARBECUE

Crazy Larry’s Fine Texas Bar-B-Que 4315 Teckla Blvd. | 359.3176 | crazylarrysbbq.com | acfcu.org Larry and Jennifer McDowell opened Crazy Larry’s in January 1999. You’ll find robust barbecue flavor and a passion to serve the best Frito pie in town.

“We use hickory wood and put love into everything we do, and that’s the truth,” says Larry. “My wife’s parents started a barbecue business in 1958, and I decided I wanted to be like them. We got the family recipes and fine-tuned them to make them our own.”

Crazy Larry’s is homegrown and dedicated to its purpose. Nearly 19 years in the same location means the place has strong roots and a faithful following.

“We produce what I call fine Texas barbecue. We make our own barbecue sauce. It’s way different from anywhere else, and we make your Frito pie any way you want,” says Larry. “The coolest thing is that my wife and I get to work together every day.”

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LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION Custom Gardens

925 TX-335 Loop | 354.9693 | customgardensofamarillo.com

Landscape architect and Custom Gardens owner Brooke Furrh has been making Amarillo beautiful for 16 years, and the company slogan – Dream, Design, Live – is at the center of every project.

“We have three landscape architects and three licensed irrigators, plus our own crews who install the project and supervise to make sure it’s done right,” says Furrh. “Plus, we have the maintenance department to make sure things develop as they should. Anyone can replace a piece of grass, but we want to create outdoor living spaces where people can gather with friends and family to enjoy it.”

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Planting the wrong plant in the wrong place is a common mistake in the Panhandle, so knowing what grows well in the area to create an inviting space, along with installing water-saving technology, makes landscape architecture a worthwhile investment.

“One of the best compliments I’ve gotten from a customer was from a blended family. They were both widowed and what brought their families together was an outdoor living space in the backyard,” he says. “When you create the right space for people to unplug and talk to each other, it actually happens.”

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AFFORDABLE FASHION Dotsy’s Boutique

2493 I-40 West | 418.6195 | shopdotsys.com Kristin Babbitt started designing jewelry nine years ago, and held onto hope that one day she could open a boutique in Amarillo for women who want to wear trendy, yet affordable clothing. July 2017 marked three years since opening Dotsy’s Boutique in Wolflin Square.

“It’s been an incredible blessing ever since,” she says.

Kristin’s love for fashion and design stems from her childhood, so she puts a lifetime of passion into the items she sells at the shop. All ladies will find something they love, because she keeps items in stock from size small to 3X. There’s also a selection of accessories and trinkets that make for perfect gifts for any occasion.

“I’m always looking to what’s on trend,” she says, “and we strive to keep this a fun environment. We do parties and events throughout the year. I want women to leave feeling good and not break the bank to buy something.”

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MARKETING

Double U Marketing 1608 S. Washington St. | 353.2911 doubleumarketing.com

With professional experience in advertising, journalism, and politics under her belt, Wendi Swope opened Double U Marketing in 2009, focusing primarily on video production. As the company grew, so did its capacity to serve clients and their advertising, branding and marketing needs.

“We’re a locally owned, full-service agency that represents companies of all sizes,” says Swope. “We’re not a ‘turn and burn’ agency. We like to partner with our clients to help them meet their short- and long-term goals. We’re relationship-based so we strive to cultivate strong relationships with clients and vendors.”

Double U Marketing offers companies the luxury of having a full marketing department at their disposal, without having the corresponding overhead. Whether a business owner needs help with a full rebranding campaign, comprehensive media placement, promotion coordination, or a smaller social media campaign, Double U Marketing has the team and the combined expertise to serve each client.

“We’ve worked extremely hard to build an amazing creative and strategic team,” says Swope.

“We have the best of the best in-house, and we all truly love what we do.”

When it comes to local advertising, sometimes it helps to have an expert assess the market and discern where attention, energy and money is best spent.

“We aren’t working for anyone other than the client,” Swope explains. “We don’t have an agenda trying to sell one product. We come in, consider every medium, and determine the most effective way to move forward.”

Double U Marketing represents a broad range of businesses from industries such as health care, tourism, agriculture, education, construction and finance. The company also provides political advertising and consulting services throughout the region.

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FREE-STANDING EMERGENCY CARE

ER Now 70

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2101 Coulter St. | 350.7744 yourernow.com

(L-R) Dr. Yagnesh Desai, Dr. Carl Paetzold, Dr. Gerad Troutman, Dr. Jose Cabrero, Dr. Patrick Kirkland, Dr. Tom Basye, and Dr. Matt Turney

Prior to medical school, Dr. Carl Paetzold worked as a paramedic in Amarillo, an experience that helped shape his career path. After 18 years in busy hospital emergency rooms, he and six other board certified emergency physicians decided to open a free-standing emergency room, with the primary goal of serving each patient with the attention he or she deserves.

“In any traditional ER, you realize there are a lot of people who aren’t served well. The sickest get helped first, appropriately, while the less sick are forced to wait. I always knew that was an issue.

But the longer I worked in the ER, I found that I wasn’t as satisfied with how I was able to practice medicine in that setting,” he says.

In the traditional ER, Dr. Paetzold had been conditioned to begin each exam with an apology for the wait time, a habit he still has occasionally. And it’s a gesture that usually gets a laugh

because the wait time at ER Now is next to zero.

“We say the wait is three minutes because that’s about how long it takes to fill out the paperwork,” he laughs.

Dr. Paetzold was born and raised in Hereford and attended medical school at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He completed his emergency medicine training at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In addition to being a co-founder of ER Now, he is also the chief operating officer over both locations.

“I love caring for the community I grew up in,” he says. “It’s rewarding when people have heard my last name. They’ve been here long enough to know me. Here, when they describe the wheat harvest, well, that’s what I grew up in, so I can have a little bond with the patient.”

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INSURANCE

Farmers Insurance – Leslie Massey

2700 S. Western St., Suite 700 | 352.7388 farmersagent.com/mmassey When it comes to home, auto, life and business insurance, Leslie Massey and her team at Farmers Insurance take pride in helping clients understand their coverage options so they can choose what is right for them. Friendliness and customer service are high priorities.

“We focus on service and put the needs of our customers first,” says Massey. “We talk about coverage more than price and recommend products that protect the assets of our customers. We go the extra mile to call in claims and give that personal touch to help our clients through a stressful time.”

Since opening in 2009, Leslie Massey’s Farmers Insurance office has grown to be the largest Farmers Insurance agency in the Panhandle. That’s because outstanding customer service goes a long way to keeping assets protected and ensuring customer satisfaction.

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HEATING AND AIR

Gary’s Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. 2505 SW 27th Ave. | 318.1337 | garys.com

Gary’s Heating and Air is approaching its 40th year of keeping the Panhandle cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Paula Ward, co-owner and Gary’s wife, says a few key business decisions have kept them in business.

“Gary believes that you should treat people the way you want to be treated,” she starts. “We only hire drug-free employees that clear criminal background checks, and we have a 100-percent guarantee on products and service. That sets us apart from

everyone else.”

Be it highly trained technicians who attend mandatory training each week or their “Fixed Right or it’s Free” policy, the Wards maintain that customer service is paramount in every scenario. Gary’s Heating and Air won the 2017 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics from the Better Business Bureau.

“A lot of companies just come and go,” she says, “but we care about ethics and making our customers happy.”

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FOOTWEAR

George’s Shoes George Maalouf started in the shoe business at Colbert’s of Amarillo, and after 16 years he opened his own place. Today, George’s Shoes has been in the same location for 29 years, which means he’s served nearly five generations of customers.

“The kids I used to put on my lap all have grandkids now,” he laughs.

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2804 Civic Circle | 358.1854

peruse brand-name ladies’ shoes, bags and accessories at fair prices. Sizes range from 5 to 11 and come in every style and season. Customer service is paramount. Attention is given to everyone who walks in, and you can’t beat the convenience.

“Park at the door and walk in,” says Maalouf. “We’ll give you the best service in the country.”

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GLASS

Glass Doctor

2515 Britain Drive | 358.7684 | glassdoctor.com

In 1986 Wayne and Edythe Robinson opened Wayne’s Quality Auto Glass, and 20 years later, bought into the Glass Doctor franchise. Today, with their daughter, Brandy, and her husband, Neil Hall, Glass Doctor has grown to include home and business glass services.

“We’re a locally owned business and are always looking for ways to better serve our customers. We want to provide

quality service for their home, car and business,” says Brandy.

Whether it’s a frameless shower in your home, replacing a cracked windshield in your car, or providing 24/7 emergency glass service for your business, Glass Doctor offers a wide range of specialty glass services. Glass Doctor is a one-stop glass shop. Friendly and experienced, Glass Doctor will fix your panes. Call today for a free estimate.

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TRAVEL-FOCUSED RETAIL

Global Luggage & Gifts Gary and Barbara Metcalf opened Global Luggage & Gifts two years ago, when they realized Amarillo lacked a travel-focused retail company dedicated to those on the move. With a combined 50 years of customer service experience, the Metcalfs provide a one-stop destination for luggage and travel accessories, as well as an array of gifts and games, and monthly classes designed to help travelers enjoy their trips.

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5710 SW 45th Ave. | 803.9179 globalluggageandgifts.com

couple of timely tips on things they need to know before they leave,” says Barbara. “The class also has customers who are well-traveled but want to know how to pack lighter. I have a carry-on that I use to teach them how to pack in a particular way.”

At Global Luggage customers will find travel pieces in all shapes and sizes, with anti-theft technology and slash-proof fabric, and accessories for those who travel weekly for work or once a year for pleasure.

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ROOFING

J Ferg Pros

7617 Canyon Drive | 331.3374 | jfergpros.com

In 2006 JR Ferguson opened the construction-based business with hardworking, highly trained people dedicated to the design and installation of projects that leave their customers satisfied.

“I started a business because it’s the constant growth, expansion and challenge of always improving. Regardless of how good you get, you can always get better,” says Ferguson. “What makes J Ferg so special is I’ve got 200 people who work here. We have so many honest, loyal people. We’re in

the service business. We’ve been fortunate to hire the best people and keep them.”

Whether a homeowner needs a new roof, windows or insulation, J Ferg Pros has a specialized team to do the work.

“All of our people go through the highest level of training. We want them to be the best versions of themselves,” he says. “With that comes a large amount of product knowledge and commitment to the job. That ensures you’re providing the best service.”

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CYCLING AND ALL-SEASON SPORTS

Hills Sport Shop

4021 Mockingbird Lane | 355.7224 hillssport.com

Voted Best Bicycle Shop for more than a decade, Hills Sport Shop opened in the 1960s and has been catering to cycling and outdoor enthusiasts ever since.

“Customer service is the knowledge that our employees have on parts, service and merchandise,” says Sales Manager Trisha Hill. “They’re well-educated about it, so when a customer has questions, we can take care of all their needs with cycling, skiing and footwear.”

Because the outdoor life is both their profession and their passion, providing customers with what they need at Hills Sport Shop is easy.

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on what kind of cycling you’re going to do,” says Hill, “whether it is mountain biking in Palo Duro Canyon or riding around your neighborhood.”

Quality footwear for all seasons is a year-long specialty at Hills Sport. Running, hiking, water play and more – the shop carries all the best brands at fair prices.

“We’re familiar with what customers are looking for, which is part of customer service. We try to do it all,” says Hill. “We also have a fleet of mountain bike rentals starting at $35 a day.”

Whether buying a child’s first bike or upgrading before the next 24 Hours in the Canyon, Hills Sport Shop is the one-stop-shop for equipment and repair.

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VETERINARY CARE

Hope Veterinary Clinic, PA 10850 I-40 West | 353.5566 hopevetclinic.org

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Hope Veterinary Clinic is a small animal practice owned and operated by Dr. David Faulkner and his wife and office manager, Sarah. Together they foster the human-animal bond by putting both the pet’s and family’s needs first.

“I think it’s important to recognize the human-companion bond in today’s society. Studies have shown that more families have a pet than don’t. It speaks volumes about where animals are fitting into our lives,” says Sarah. “Along those lines, it’s important for people to be comfortable with their veterinarian and clinic, and as far as Dr. Faulkner is concerned, it’s reassuring to people that he has 37 years of experience. He’s an excellent diagnostician and communicates well with clients.”

The staff at Hope Veterinary Clinic shares a vision for providing exceptional care with empathy and expertise.

“We are fortunate to have a large, dedicated staff, and we take great pains to keep the clinic clean and organized so the animals are

always comfortable,” says Sarah. “This is important, because animals are leaving their homes and creature comforts. We do our best to do the best for each pet.”

Keeping up with the newest technology and equipment is also a priority at Hope Veterinary Clinic. In keeping with caring for each pet’s specific needs, Dr. Faulkner is constantly studying new ways to treat diseases and conditions through early diagnostic and preemptive care. Likewise, Dr. Faulkner is supportive of the proposition to bring a veterinary school to the Panhandle, not only to grow the profession, but to also have access to specialists and the latest in veterinary medicine.

“If the school comes to pass, it would elevate everyone’s game.

We’d have specialists in every field, not just companion animals but the equine and bovine industries,” Sarah says.

Hope Veterinary Clinic is equipped to care for cats, dogs and various “pocket pets,” such as guinea pigs and hamsters.

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AUTO BODY REPAIR Moss Body Shop Moss Body Shop has been an Amarillo fixture in auto body repair for decades, so when Robert Drury bought the business last year, he saw no reason to change a thing.

“It’s about customer service. That’s the cornerstone of why Moss has been successful for more than 40 years,” says Drury. “Don Moss was one of my best friends. I modeled my own business after 82

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3000 SW 26th Ave. | 355.9208 mossbodyshopamarillo.com him. When he called and said he wanted to retire, he wanted to give me first shot at owning his business. We care about our customers and getting their car right.”

In the company’s history are many happy customers, so Drury has every intention of keeping Moss Body Shop running just as it always has – with customer satisfaction and quality repairs as its highest priority.

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Drury Body Shop

3220 Commerce St. | 358.8134 | drurybodyshop.com

Robert Drury opened his own body shop in 2000, after 12 years as a technician at various body shops in Amarillo.

Now that Drury also owns Moss Body Shop, he knows that customer service and quality repairs are what it takes to keep the body shops in an upward swing.

“I started sweeping floors in a body shop after high school and worked my way up,” says Drury. “I’ve known Don Moss most of my career in the body shop business. He said to me,

‘Do quality work and provide great customer service. That’s how you grow your business.’ Well, I thought, he’s been in business a long time so I’m going to listen to him.’”

At Drury Body Shop, estimates are free and walk-ins are welcome. Whether the vehicle has hail damage or needs collision repair or glass replacement, Drury Body Shop handles each customer’s needs with the utmost care, satisfaction guaranteed.

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FINANCIAL SECURITY

Modern Woodmen of America - Kenny Jackson, FICF, Regional Director 6601 I-40 West, Suite 3 | 352.4770 | modernwoodmen.org Modern Woodmen of America is one of the country’s largest fraternal financial services organizations in terms of assets. Since 1883 its representatives have helped member families fulfill their financial goals and make an impact in communities.

Modern Woodmen assists clientele in planning their financial security through life insurance, annuity and investment* products. Modern Woodmen’s culture is based on courtesy, professionalism and personalized service.

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In 2016 Modern Woodmen paid more than $870 million in life insurance and annuity benefits to members and their families, and its family-oriented activities and programs were supported by $21 million in fraternal expenditures nationwide.

Modern Woodmen’s regional office, located in Amarillo, currently has 22 advisors serving the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, southwest Kansas and eastern New Mexico. * Securities offered through MWA Financial Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen of America

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ANTIQUES ON ROUTE 66 The Nat Antiques on Route 66 2705 SW Sixth Ave. | 367.8908 | thenatroute66.com The Nat is an historical landmark in the Texas Panhandle, so when Kasey Tam bought the space in 2012 and opened it for 20,000 square feet of antique and collectibles shopping, she knew the significance of the Route 66 space was important to locals and passersby.

“We’re the largest selection of antiques within the Panhandle area. We have at least 120 dealers, so we draw a lot of people because they can shop a crazy amount of vendors under one roof,” she says. “The biggest bonus is that it’s

housed in a famous, antique building.”

Though the swimming pool has long since been drained and covered, tourists still come

by The Nat to see the original stage where Louis Armstrong played and the dance floor that hosted handfuls of first dates. Whether reminiscing or looking for an antique armoire, a walk around The Nat is always welcome.

The space is clean, organized, and lovingly supported by a community that celebrates nostalgia and one-of-a-kind design.

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HEARING HEALTH CARE

Ormson Hearing Health Care Dr. Kerry Ormson has been providing comprehensive hearing care and amplification services to the Panhandle for nearly 40 years. He and his team have a deep passion for improving people’s lives through quality care and advanced technology.

Impaired hearing affects more than a missed word or two. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to irritability and anger, fatigue, tension and depression. Those who live 86

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5501 SW Ninth Ave. | 468.4343 ormsonhearing.com

with untreated hearing loss tend to avoid social situations and struggle to maintain job performance. Relationships can suffer. At Ormson Hearing Health Care, it is the top priority to restore quality of life through improved hearing.

Ormson Hearing Health Care carries a full selection of hearing aids and assistive devices, including new and cosmetically appealing styles, all designed to meet the specific needs of each patient.

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HOPE

Panhandle Community Services There are approximately 68,000 people in poverty in the Texas Panhandle. Panhandle Community Services will assist at least 1 out of every 10 of these individuals every year.

As one of the largest non-profits in the Texas Panhandle, Panhandle Community Services has a specific mission: to bring families out of poverty. The vision of the organization is that low-income people have the power to live independent of government assistance.

The agency’s work is accomplished through its 13 service centers located throughout the area, which provide temporary

1309 SW Eighth Ave. 372.2531 | pcsvcs.org

assistance coupled with developmental programs to bring families out of poverty. Primary services include safe and affordable housing, weatherization, rural public transportation, utility assistance, a retired senior volunteer program, and family development services.

“You don’t get an individual out of poverty. You get a family out of poverty,” says Mary Twitty, family services director.

To learn how you can be a part of the fight against poverty in the Texas Panhandle, visit Panhandle Community Services at pcsvcs.org.

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BODY INK

Sugar Daddy’s Tattoo Sugar Daddy’s Tattoo opened 15 years ago with a vision to design quality tattoos in a fun, friendly environment. So far, so good. With award-winning artists on staff, and both male and female artists and piercers to reassure nervous clients, Sugar Daddy’s is the place for new ink, cover-ups, and body modifications.

“We believe that we can make this a fun, professional environment,” says owner and artist Scott Stinnett. “Having female artists and piercers makes 88

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2623 Paramount Blvd., Suite 4 | 372.1704 guys and girls feel more comfortable.”

Whatever the style – new school, traditional, or a one-of-a-kind piece – Sugar Daddy’s can accommodate anything a customer wants.

“I like the challenge of starting from scratch, but I can draw from a photo they bring in for reference,” says Stinnett. “I’ll take whatever comes in that’s reasonable. We are friendly to those who come in. We can laugh and have a good time. I’ll do my best with any category you give me.”

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HOMESCHOOLING

Tandem Academy/Classical Conversations/Heartland Enrichment Academy/PCHEA Each year more families are choosing to homeschool their children, but with that challenge comes uncertainty that every need will be tended to. Fortunately, many options exist in the Amarillo area.

Tandem Academy (tandemacademy.com) has an Amarillo facility where Christian teachers and tutors provide courses for students PK through 12th grade in a hybrid program. Classical Conversations (amarillofoundations@gmail.com) provides weekly guidance in many locations and grade levels through

parent and tutor-led classes. Heartland Enrichment Academy (heartlandenrichment.com) offers enrichment classes for students in first through eighth grade.

There are also homeschool support groups for this area.

Panhandle Christian Home Educators Association, or PCHEA (pchea.org), provides resources and connections for the homeschool community using their website, private forums, and events. On a larger scale, the Texas Home School Coalition (thsc. org) promotes homeschooling and parental rights in Texas.

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MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH TREATS

Texas Goody’s Popcorn & Treats Texas Goody’s Popcorn & Treats started with an idea for making carnival-style popcorn available year-round, but better.

More creative, no pre-packaged mixes, a flavor for every palate.

Dawn Doss took what she was already making in her home kitchen for friends and family members and turned it into treats that everyone can enjoy.

“We’re serious about everything we make. We set ourselves apart that way,” she says. “The biggest part of our business is our retail stores, the second is events, and the third is fundraisers, which we developed for local stores. We’re always in a constant 90

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7701 I-40 West | 358.2676 goodysworldfamouspopcorn.com

state of improvement in our business. We want to offer people what they wish they could find.”

Customers can visit the Amarillo location and two stores in Lubbock. Doss credits the expansion to the company’s successful events and fundraisers.

Flavors of popcorn range from s’mores and birthday cake to bacon cheddar and spicy buffalo. Customers can mix and match to create their own flavor experience. In addition to popcorn, Texas Goody’s is home to old-fashioned, melt-in-your-mouth Cinn-ful Rolls, Dawn’s own hand-rolled recipe.

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LAW

Underwood Law

500 S. Taylor St., Suite 233 | 376.5613 | uwlaw.com

Headquartered in Amarillo, Underwood Law has more than 45 lawyers across Texas dedicated to helping clients stay in front of whatever issues arise – including school districts and their employees. Being proactive is at the forefront of Underwood Law’s everyday focus.

“We represent more than 100 school districts and help clients as they remain leaders in their industry, providing the best education possible for their

students,” says Alan Rhodes, president. “School districts are often the largest employer in a town or community, so there are employment issues and they’re subject to the Sunshine Law. And in our practice, public education is a place where constitutional issues, such as free speech and religion, apply.”

The practice celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012 and remains steadfast in being client-focused with integrity and responsibility.

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(L-R) Amy Boggs, manager; Tonya Rice, owner; Michelle Garza, sales associate; Joan Douthit, sales associate

THE FACE OF

HOME DECOR

The Urban Giraffe

4000 SW 51st Ave. | 418.8962 | theurbangiraffe.com

Offering Amarillo and the surrounding area quality and unique home decor was the waking dream of Tonya Rice. The Urban Giraffe was designed to furnish and decorate home styles from farmhouse to contemporary.

The staff warmly welcomes clientele to browse trendy and traditional furnishings and lighting, expanding stylish decor from the front door to the garden and patio.

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Given Rice’s love of variety and depth of inventory, she finds happiness in the ability to assist customers in their personal vision of style and comfort. Rice leads her associates in helping each customer realize their own “happy place” by exploring every possible option.

She invites shoppers to visit The Urban Giraffe and experience their own unique decor dream.

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WINDOWS Window Genie

358.7685 | amarillo.windowgenie.com Window Genie came about when Glass Doctor owners Brandy and Neil Hall decided to expand their business to meet their customers’ needs. “We had several calls from our customers wondering if we cleaned windows, so we decided we needed to make it happen,” says Brandy.

Window Genie offers window cleaning and tinting, pressure washing, and gutter cleaning. Homeowners can feel confident that their property will be sparkling clean and well taken care of when Window Genie comes to visit.

“We specialize in residential and light commercial, such as storefronts and boutiques. We also love tackling hard water stains that the Amarillo water leaves behind,” says Brandy.

Window Genie’s three-step cleaning process ensures there are no streaks. Want to lower utility bills? Window film is energy efficient while providing extra privacy and reducing glare. Estimates are fast and free, and friendly service is always a phone call away.

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PERSONAL INJURY LAW

Wood Law Firm

1222 S. Fillmore St. | 372.9663 | woodlawfirm-tx.com

Wood Law Firm represents clients whose lives have been disrupted by the negligence of others. While money can never fully compensate losses caused by another, financial justice is the best method to remedy those harmed.

Channy and Leslie believe that the civil jury trial system is the best way to hold wrongdoers accountable to injury victims. For that reason, Channy and Leslie are graduates of Gerry Spense’s Trial Lawyers College.

“We are local lawyers, helping local people” says 94

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Channy. “We spend personal time with each of our clients, getting to know them so we can understand how their lives have been adversely impacted.

This personal interaction facilitates the effective presentation of their case.”

Channy Wood has been board certified in personal injury trial law since 1999 and listed as a Texas Super Lawyer since 2005. He is a firm believer that a jury trial is the only place where every person stands on equal footing. Initial consultations are always free.

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YOGA

The Yoga Mat

1942 Civic Circle | 322.3663 | theyogamatamarillo.com Donna Murrah started practicing yoga in 2000, and after surviving breast cancer in 2008, she connected with the meditation and calming effects even more. Born and raised in Amarillo, she returned home in 2012 and bought The Yoga Mat two years later.

Today, it’s the only yoga studio in town that’s open to the public.

“It’s not a place to come exercise,” says Murrah. “It’s a place to come practice combining mind, body and spirit. We have beginners to very advanced. It’s a place for anybody, whether you’ve had yoga experience or not.”

From prenatal and chair yoga to heated power, there’s a class for everyone. Teachers take extra care to provide step-bystep instructions so no one gets lost and every next move is carefully held.

“You can’t experience what yoga can do for you with just one class. Yoga is a de-ager,” says Murrah. “I’d say if you do it daily for two weeks, you’ll find it.”

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

For information about our 2017-18 season, please visit cmama.org or call 806.236.3545

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September

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAL FARLEY’S BOYS RANCH

EVENTS

2017 Boys Ranch Rodeo + AdventureFest

T

he 73rd annual Boys Ranch Rodeo + AdventureFest kicks off on Sept. 2 at Cal Farley’s arena.

The rodeo gives the residents at Cal Farley’s a chance to show off their rodeo skills in categories like bronc riding and mutton busting.

Tickets to the rodeo also include a barbecue lunch and the accompanying AdventureFest, a family-friendly festival that features mid-way style food vendors and hands-on activities.

For tickets and more information, call 806.687.3722 or visit calfarley.org.

Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch US 385, 36 miles northwest of Amarillo 687.3722

Sept. 2 10 a.m. AdventureFest 12 pm. Lunch 2:30 p.m. Rodeo

VIEW AN UPDATED LISTING OF EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH AT AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM. To have an event listed on the calendar, email details to michele.mcaffrey@amarillo.com or fax a press release to 806.345.3282.

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Arts Season Calendar 2017-2018 Amarillo Little Theatre Main Stage, 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991, amarillolittletheatre.org 2017 “Mary Poppins” Sept. 21-23, 28-30, and Oct. 5-7, 8 p.m.

Sept. 24, Oct. 1, and Oct. 8, 2:30 p.m.

“Plaid Tidings” Dec. 7-9, 14-16, 8 p.m.

Dec. 10 and 17, 2:30 p.m.

2018 “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” Jan. 18-20 and 25-27, 8 p.m.

Jan. 21 and 28, 2:30 p.m.

“The Savannah Sipping Society” March 1-3 and 8-10, 8 p.m.

March 4 and 11, 2:30 p.m.

“Sister Act” May 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19, 8 p.m.

May 6, 13 and 20, 2:30 p.m.

ALT Adventure Space 2751 Civic Circle 2017 “Outside Mullingar” Nov. 9-11 and 16-18, 8 p.m.

Nov. 12 and 19, 2:30 p.m.

2018 “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”

Feb. 8-10 and 15-17, 8 p.m.

Feb. 11 and 18, 2:30 p.m.

“No Man’s Land” April 5-7 and 12-14, 8 p.m.

April 8 and 15, 2:30 p.m.

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2018 “Joshua’s Boots” Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m.

“Man of La Mancha” April 5-7, 7:30 p.m.

Amarillo Museum of Art

“Musica Variada” May 12, 7:30 p.m.

2200 S. Van Buren St., 371.5050, amarilloart.org

Amarillo Symphony

2017 “AMoA Biennial 600: Architecture” Open through Oct. 1

301 S. Polk St., Suite 700, 376.8782, amarillosymphony.org All performances at Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.

“12x12 Exhibition and Silent Auction” Oct. 12, 7 p.m.

“A Shared Experience”; “Paintings and Photography of Larry R. Collins”; “The Soul of Vietnam: A Portrait of the North” Open Oct. 20 through Dec. 30.

2018 “AMoA Open” Open Jan. 6 through 13.

“Achievement in Art: The Collection of Mike and Dalia Engler” Open Jan. 28 through March 25.

“Amarillo College/West Texas A&M University Student/ Faculty Exhibition” Open March 30 through April 15.

“Texas Panhandle Student Art Show” Open April 27 to May 11.

Amarillo Opera 2223 S. Van Buren St., 372.7464, amarilloopera.org All performances at Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St. 2017 “La Traviata” Oct. 6-7, 7:30 p.m.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

2017 “Gershwin Rhapsodies” Guest artist: Aaron Diehl, piano Conductor: Jacomo Rafael Bairos Sept. 22-23, 7:30 p.m.

“An American Celebration” Guest conductor: Michael Rossi Oct. 20-21, 7:30 p.m.

“Bethoven’s Eroica” Conductor: Jacomo Rafael Bairos Nov. 17-18, 7:30 p.m.

“Happy Holiday Pops” Dec. 16, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

2018 “Mostly Mozart” Guest artists: Michelle Skinner, violin; Yael Hyken, viola Conductor: Jacomo Rafael Bairos Jan. 19-20, 7:30 p.m.

“Ravishing Rachmaninoff” Guest artist: Natasha Paremski, piano Conductor: Jacomo Rafael Bairos Feb. 23-24, 7:30 p.m.

“La Mer” Guest artist: Alexi Kenney, violin Conductor: Jacomo Rafael Bairos March 23-24, 7:30 p.m.

“Mahler Symphony No. 1” Guest artists: Amarillo Master Chorale Conductor: Jacomo Rafael Bairos April 27-28, 7:30 p.m.

Amarillo Youth Choirs 203 SW Eighth Ave., 372.1100, amayouthchoirs.org 2017 Fall Concert Oct. 24, 7 p.m.

Paramount Baptist Church, 3800 S. Western St. “Songs of the Season” Dec. 19, 7 p.m.

Paramount Baptist Church, 3800 S. Western St. 2018 Spring Concert May 1, 7 p.m.

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

Cerulean Gallery 2762 Duniven Circle, 231.0615, theceruleangallery.com 2017 “Divergence” Oct. 6-Dec. 21 Opening Reception: Oct. 6, 6-8:30 p.m., benefiting PanhandlePlains Historical Museum 2018 “Floor to Ceiling” Jan. 12-Feb. 21 Opening Reception: Jan. 12, 6-8:30 p.m., benefiting The Amarillo Symphony “Quintessential Amarillo” March 2-April 4 Opening Reception: March 2, 6-8:30 p.m., benefiting Mission Amarillo Untitled Exhibition April 20-June 8 Opening Reception: April 20, 6-8:30 p.m., benefiting Make-AWish Foundation “Textiles” Aug. 8-Oct. 10 Opening Reception: Aug. 10, 6-8:30 p.m., benefiting Amarillo Little Theatre

Chamber Music Amarillo 3306 SW Sixth Ave., 236.3545, cmama.org 2017 Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Sonatas 10, 3 and 7 ” Featuring Violinist Rossitza Jekova-Goza and pianist David Palmer Sept. 9, 8 p.m.

Fibonacci Space, 3306 SW Sixth Ave. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor” and Johannes Sebastian Brahms’ “Piano Quartet in G Minor” FEATURING j.t. Hassell and Caelus Piano Quartet Sept. 16, 8 p.m.

Fibonacci Space, 3306 SW Sixth Ave. Mirasol Saxophone Quartet Oct. 14, 8 p.m.

Fibonacci Space, 3306 SW Sixth Ave. 2018 “Concerto Extraordinaire” Jan. 6, 8 p.m.

Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1200 Streit Drive Franz Joseph Haydn’s “Piano Trio No. 40 in F-Sharp Minor”, Manuel de Falla’s “Suite Populaire Espagnole” and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Trio in A Minor” Featuring violinist Will Fedkenheuer, of Austin’s Miro Quartet, Harrington String Quartet’s Emmanuel Lopez, and Amarillo College piano professor Diego Caetano.

March 3, 8 p.m.

Fibonacci Space, 3306 SW Sixth Ave. Works by Samuel Jones, Aaron Copland, George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein April 21, 8 p.m.

Fibonacci Space, 3306 SW Sixth Ave.

Jazz on 6th Fibonacci Space, 3306 SW Sixth Ave. 2017 Jim Laughlin Jazz Quartet Sept. 29, 8 p.m.

2018 The Martinis Feb. 16, 8 p.m.

Austin Piazzolla Quintet April 13, 8 p.m.

Civic Amarillo Broadway Spotlight Series Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096, panhandletickets.com 2017 “Stomp” Nov. 14-15, 7:30 p.m.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical” Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.

2018 “The Wizard of Oz” Feb. 14-15, 7:30 p.m.

“Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story Live On Stage” March 7-8, 7:30 p.m.

“Chicago” April 30-May 1

Friends of AeolianSkinner Opus 1024 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church 1601 S. Georgia St., 376.6316, ext. 105 2017 Maestro Hector Olivera, concert organist Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m.

Eric Barry, tenor Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m.

2018 “Rainforest” Jan. 27, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

2018 Monica Czausz, concert organist Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m.

The Chenaults, duo organists April 22, 7:30 p.m.

“Lone Star Legends and Love Stories” Feb. 9-10, 8 p.m.

“An American in Paris” April 20, 8 p.m.

April 21, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

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

2017 Sept. 1 Oct. 6 Nov. 3 Dec. 1

West Texas A&M University Theatre Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex, WTAMU campus, Canyon, 651.2804, wtamu.edu/bit 2017 “Luna Gale” Sept. 14-16 and 21-23, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 24, 2:30 p.m.

Happy State Bank Studio Theatre

2018 Jan. 5 Feb. 2 March 2 April 6 May 4 June 1 July 6 Aug. 3 Sept. 7 Oct. 5 Nov. 2

“Little Women” Oct. 12-14 and 19-21, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 22, 2:30 p.m.

Branding Iron Theatre “Much Ado Abut Nothing” Nov. 9-11 and 16-18, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 12 and 19, 2:30 p.m.

Happy State Bank Studio Theatre

Lone Star Ballet 3218 Hobbs Road, 372.2463, lonestarballet.org All performances at Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St. (unless noted)

2018 “A Flea in Her Ear” Feb. 8-10 and 15-17, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 18, 2:30 p.m.

Branding Iron Theatre “9 to 5” April 19-21 and 26-28, 7:30 p.m.

April 29, 2:30 p.m.

Branding Iron Theatre

2017 “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” Oct. 27-28, 8 p.m.

“The Nutcracker” Dec. 8, 8 p.m.

Dec. 9, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Dec. 10, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

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

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Sept. 16

Sept. 28

Sept. 22

Walk to End Alzheimer’s 9 a.m.

Sam Houston Park, 4101 Line Ave., 372.8693

Dinner in the Garden 5:30-10 p.m.

Annual fundraiser for Medical Center League House. Event will include pre-dinner appetizers, beer and wine, dinner catered by Chef Delvin Wilson, live music from The Prairie Dogs Band, an inspirational speaker and live auction. Medical Center League House, 7000 Amarillo Blvd. West, 358.3759

Kansas 40th Anniversary Tour 8-10 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

BENEFITS & FUNDRAISERS

Ninth Annual Crime Stoppers Car Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

JazZoo 7 p.m. Adults-only fundraiser will include live jazz performances, food and drinks. Funds will benefit the renovation of the Children’s Zoo at the Amarillo Zoo. Amarillo Zoo, 700 Comanchero Trail, 381.7911

Sept. 3

Sept. 22

Second Annual Dueling Pianos 7-11 p.m. Hosted by Amarillo Hockey Association and Amarillo Bulls Hockey. Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 680.9477

SAC Golf for Groceries 10 a.m.

Four-man scramble. Comanche Trail Golf Complex, 4200 S. Grand St., 282.3735

Sept. 2

2017-2018 Season at 806.355.9991 or visit our website www.amarillolittletheatre.org

Sept. 7-8

by Nick Payne

Aug. 17-27, 2017

Original music by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman; Book by Julian Fellowes New songs and additional lyrics

by Anthony Drewe, George Stiles

Sept. 21-30 and Oct. 1-8, 2017

Book by Stuart Ross

Nov. 9-19, 2017

Dec. 7-17, 2017

by John Bishop

Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro Music by Jimmy Roberts

Jan. 18-28, 2018

Feb. 8-18, 2018

Friends of Fogelberg VIII 7:30 p.m.

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

Sept. 9 Fifth Annual CASA Charity Shoot 8 a.m. Amarillo Gun Club, 4521 S. Osage St., 373.2272 Up in the Air for Family Care Balloon Glow 4-9 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Family Care Foundation. John Stiff Memorial Park, 4800 Bell St., 622.9473 Tri-State Fair & Rodeo Gala 7 p.m.

All monies raised through the auction benefit the Amarillo Tri-State Exposition Scholarship Endowment.

Tri-State Fairgrounds Amarillo National Center, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

Sept. 9-10 25th Annual Street Toyota Senior Charity Classic Open play after 2 p.m. Ross Rogers Golf Complex, 722 NW 24th, 378.3086

Sept. 14

by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten

by Harold Pinter

March 1-11, 2018

April 5-15, 2018

(Plays and Dates are subject to availability) May 3-20, 2018 100

Fourth Annual Emilie Yarbrough Love Anchors Suicide Awareness and Prevention Golf Scramble 9 a.m.

Ross Rogers Golf Complex, 722 NW 24th, 378.3086

22nd Annual Good Times Celebration Barbecue Cook-off 5-8 p.m. 100 cooking teams will prepare eight tons of meat for a crowd expected to exceed 6,000.

Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, 1000 S. Polk St., 342.2007

Sept. 15 25th Birthday Bash 6-10 p.m. Event will include live music, cocktails, dinner, silent auction and dancing.

Funds raised will benefit Wildcat Buff Nature Center. Starlight Canyon, 100 Brentwood Road, 352.6007

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

APD Benefit Fundraiser 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096 Horns & Heels Gala 6 p.m.

Advo Companies, Inc., 5241 S. Washington St., 342.0600

Sept. 23 Komen Greater Amarillo Race for the Cure Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. Survivor breakfast begins at 7 a.m. 5K competitive run begins at 8 a.m. Survivor photo and parade at 8:45 a.m. 5K run/walk and 1-mile run/walk begin at 9:15 a.m. Fourth Avenue and Polk Street in downtown Amarillo, 698.1900 7 Star Therapeutic Riding Center’s “Shoot for the Stars” Sporting Clays Classic 2-10 p.m. River Breaks Ranch, 7802 Durrett Drive, 355.4773 Wing Wars 5-8 p.m. Entertainment provided by Cooder Graw. Proceeds will benefit Amarillo Montessori Academy. Ferguson Enterprises, 5823 Canyon Drive, 353.3871

Sept. 24 Ninth Annual P3: People, Pints, Pedals Pub Crawl 1-7 p.m. Pub crawl on bikes for people (21 years or older) at all skill levels. Although the event is free, a donation of at least $15 is requested. Proceeds will benefit One Chair at a Time. 575 Pizzeria, 2803 Civic Circle, 331.3627

Sept. 26 Jubliee 6-9 p.m. Annual fundraiser will include food, silent auction, and guest speaker Candace Payne.

Proceeds will benefit Special Delivery Adoption Agency. Special Delivery Adoption Agency, 1601 S. Monroe St., 367.6755

Una Gran Cena 6-9 p.m. Annual fundraiser for Amarillo Wesley Community center. Polk Street United Methodist Church, 1401 S. Polk St., 372.7960 Delicious Wishes Burger Bash 7-10 p.m. Benefiting Make-A-Wish.

Cornerstone Ranch Event Center, 1901 Cement Road, 358.9943

Sept. 29 Turn Center Golf Scramble 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Pre-registration deadline is Sept. 15. Hosted by Golden Spread Electric Cooperative.

Comanche Trail Golf Complex, 4200 S. Grand St., 282.3735

Sept. 30 AFD Traditions: Past, Present, Future 6-9 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096 The Great Epilepsy Steakout 6:30-10 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

MUSIC Sept. 1 Adler & Hearne with Mitchell Evan 5-10 p.m. Part of the HPPR Living Room Concerts series. Chalice Abbey, 2717 Stanley St., 367.9088 Flatland Calvary 6 p.m. Starlight Ranch, 1415 Sunrise Drive, 372.6000 Reckless Kelly 8 p.m. Midnight Rodeo, 4400 S. Georgia St., 358.7083

Sept. 2 Yellow City Sounds Music Festival: Music that Changed the World 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Hosted by Panhandle PBS and Amarillo College.

Festival lineup will include The Band of Heathens, Zac Wilkerson Music, hONEyhoUSe, The Deltaz, Insufficient Funds, Maggie Burt and The Dustjackets, plus a jam session featuring Ray Wilson, Tennessee Tuckness, Mike Fuller, Andy Chase Cundiff, Tyler Horning, Wendy Clay, and Eddie Esler. Memorial Park, 2501 S. Washington St., 371.5000

Tommy Gallagher Band 10 p.m. The Golden Light Cantina, 2906 SW Sixth Ave., 374.9237

SPECIAL EVENTS

Sept. 5

Boys Ranch Rodeo + AdvertureFest 10 a.m., AdventureFest; 12 p.m., barbecue lunch; 2:30 p.m., rodeo. Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, US 385, 36 miles northwest of Amarillo, 687.3722

Itasca with Dylan Aycock 9 p.m. The 806, 2812 SW Sixth Ave., 322.1806

Sept. 7 Chancy Bernson 9 p.m. The Golden Light Cantina, 2906 SW Sixth Ave., 374.9237

Sept. 8 William Clark Green 8 p.m. Midnight Rodeo, 4400 S. Georgia St., 358.7083

Sept. 9 The RagTown Chiefs 9 p.m. Whiskey River, 4001 SW 51st Ave., 367.6163

Sept. 14 Amarillo Summer Showcase and Jam 2 p.m. Hosted by Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest. Fifth Season Inn Amarillo, 6801 I-40 West, 358.7881

Sept. 2

Cal Farley’s Annual Alumni Meeting 5:30-11:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Sept. 3

Sept. 7

Sundance Head 8 p.m. Midnight Rodeo, 4400 S. Georgia St., 358.7083

Sept. 16

Sept. 8

Shotgun Rider 8 p.m. Midnight Rodeo, 4400 S. Georgia St., 358.7083

Sept. 19

AC General Assembly 11:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Cloudship 9 p.m. The 806, 2812 SW Sixth Ave., 322.1806

Sept. 9

David Ramirez 8:30 p.m. Hoot’s Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road, 358.9560

Sept. 27 Snailmate 8 p.m. The 806, 2812 SW Sixth Ave., 322.1806

Sept. 29 Jack Ingram 10 p.m. Hoot’s Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road, 358.9560

NATURE Sept. 9 Teddy Bear Clinic 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Bring your favorite stuffed animal, or adopt one from the gift shop, to get a checkup with the zoo staff. Amarillo Zoo, 700 Comanchero Trail, 381.7911

Sept. 10 Grandparents Day 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Bring Grandma, Grandpa – or both – out to the zoo for free admission, plus a cup of their favorite ice cream. Amarillo Zoo, 700 Comanchero Trail, 381.7911

Giuseppe Verdi

La Traviata MAINSTAGE SEASON

OCTOBER 6-7, 2017

Nitro Circus Live 6-8 p.m. Event will feature 30 extreme athletes in freestyle motocross and BMX, plus daredevil performances and stunts. Route 66 Motor Speedway, 4101 Texas 335 Loop, 335.3478

RSVP Appreciation Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Hosted by Panhandle Community Services. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Sept. 23

ExpEriEncE SomEthing DiffErEnt

Community Emergency Preparedness Conference 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex North Exhibit Hall, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096 Master of Disguise Mystery Dinner 6 p.m.

Hosted by Amarillo Escape and Mystery.

Guests are encouraged to wear some sort of disguise. Dinner will be buffet-style.

BYOB. Wolflin House, 11925 S. Western St., 414.2382

Sept. 10 Messiah’s House Launch Weekend 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Sept. 13 Amarillo Bulls Season Ticket Holder Pick-up Party 6:30-8:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Adolphus Hailstork

Joshua’s Boots

FAMILY CHAMBER OPERA SERIES

FEBRUARY 3, 2018

Dale Wasserman Joe Darion • Mitch Leigh

Man of La Mancha starring Ron Raines as Don Quixote

MAINSTAGE SEASON

APRIL 5-7, 2018

Musica Variada

A CELEBRATION OF LATINO HISPANIC MUSIC & FOOD FAMILY CHAMBER OPERA SERIES

MAY 12, 2018

Sept. 14 Constitution Day 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Sponsored in part by West Texas A&M University, will feature activities for children grades 3 to 7. Students will also have the opportunity to hear a lively debate by WTAMU professors. PanhandlePlains Historical Museum, 2503 Fourth Ave., Canyon, 651.2244

TICKETS START AT $20 806.372.7464 • amarilloopera.org

SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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Sept. 14-16 Man Camp Adventure 6 p.m. Hosted

by Master’s Arrow Ministries. Activities will include sporting clay shooting on a 10-station course (bring your own gun), team roping demonstration, horse races, Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex dinners, and worship and revival meetings.

River Breaks Ranch, 7802 Durrett Drive, 374.0357

Sept. 15-23 Tri-State Fair & Rodeo 8 a.m.-12 a.m.

Annual fair includes games, food booths, concerts, free shows, animal exhibits and a rodeo. Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

Sept. 16 Tri-State Fair & Rodeo Parade 10-11 a.m.

The 2017 parade theme will be “Fair Time – Fun Time.” There will be a new route this year. Downtown Amarillo, 376.7767

SPORTS & RECREATION Sept. 1-2 Adequan Select AQHA World Championship 8 a.m. Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767 WTAMU Volleyball vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State 1 p.m. The Box, Canyon, 651.4400 WTAMU Women’s Soccer vs. Adams State 7 p.m. The Pitch, Canyon, 651.4400

WTAMU Volleyball vs. Cameron 12 p.m.

The Box, Canyon, 651.4400 WTAMU Men’s Soccer vs. Oklahoma Christian 1 p.m. The Pitch, Canyon, 651.4400 WTAMU Buffs vs. UT Permian Basin 3 p.m. Kimbrough Stadium, Canyon, 651.4400

Sept. 17 Amarillo Bulls vs. Lone Star Brahmas 7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Sept. 19 WTAMU Volleyball vs. UT Permian Basin 7 p.m. The Box, Canyon, 651.4400

Sept. 21 WTAMU Men’s Soccer vs. Texas A&M International 7 p.m. The Pitch, Canyon, 651.4400

Sept. 22 WTAMU Women’s Soccer vs. Texas Woman’s 7 p.m. The Pitch, Canyon, 651.4400

Sept. 23 WTAMU Men’s Soccer vs. St. Mary’s 1 p.m.

The Pitch, Canyon, 651.4400

Sept. 24 WTAMU Women’s Soccer vs. Texas A&M-Commerce 1 p.m. The Pitch, Canyon, 651.4400

Sept. 2

Sept. 30

WTAMU Volleyball vs. Adams State 1 p.m.

The Box, Canyon, 651.4400

WTAMU Buffs vs. Eastern New Mexico 6 p.m. Kimbrough Stadium, Canyon, 651.4400

WTAMU Volleyball vs. St. Mary’s 7:30 p.m. The Box, Canyon, 651.4400

Sept. 3 WTAMU Women’s Soccer vs. Fort Lewis 1 p.m. The Pitch, Canyon, 651.4400

Sept. 9 WTAMU Buffs vs. Colorado State-Pueblo 6 p.m. Kimbrough Stadium, Canyon, 651.4400

Sept. 10 Amarillo Bulls vs. Odessa Jackalopes 7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Sept. 14 WTAMU Men’s Soccer vs. Midwestern State 7 p.m. The Pitch, Canyon, 651.4400

Sept. 15 WTAMU Volleyball vs. Midwestern State 12 p.m. The Box, Canyon, 651.4400 Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

Sept. 16

WTAMU Volleyball vs. Colorado StatePueblo 7:30 p.m. The Box, Canyon, 651.4400

WTAMU Buffs vs. Auzusa Pacific 6 p.m.

Kimbrough Stadium, Canyon, 651.4400

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WTAMU Volleyball vs. Nebraska-Kearney 6 p.m. The Box, Canyon, 651.4400

TRADE SHOWS Sept. 9 The Ruffles and Rust Expo 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex South Exhibit Hall, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Sept. 14-17 Panhandle Kennel Club of Texas, Inc. Dog Show 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Sept. 16 Barbizon Model Search 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Amarillo Civic Center Complex Regency Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Sept. 30 Tri-State Reptile Expo 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

D LE EP TA’RST EMAETN! T

Restaurants • Food • Spirits

The Family Soul Food Restaurant

I

f you’ve noticed the increase in traffic at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Georgia Street, it’s because diners know that Miss Vicky is back in business. The previous proprietor of Miss Vicky’s Soul Food, Vicky Tharpe is ready to serve her heirloom, family recipes at her newest venture, The Family Soul Food Restaurant.

Loosen your belt to feast on generous portions of soul food favorites like chicken-fried chicken, barbecue, fried pork chops, catfish or cheesy meatloaf. Each entree is served with a choice of three sides, with options like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, collard greens, or fried okra. Check the board when you walk in for daily specials and dessert options. The restaurant also offers an extended menu for dinner.

2601 SW Sixth Ave., 463.4686 Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

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

PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

RESTAURANT KEY y Outdoor Dining ☎ Reservations Recommended T Live Music 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.

SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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AMARILLO 575 Pizzeria Toppings runneth over at 575 Pizzeria, not to mention the specials that rotate every month. (Check the board when you walk in.) 575 is family-owned and family-friendly, so it’s a great Friday night dinner choice. 2803 Civic Circle/ 7320 Hillside Road, 322.5575, 575pizzeria.com $$ C T ^ The 806 Coffee + Lounge In addition to its vast organic, fair trade coffee and tea offerings, The 806 caters to local vegetarians and vegans with its “foodie” menu. The limited (but tasty) menu includes omelets, bagels, sandwiches, and nachos along with made-from-scratch desserts, a few which are also gluten free. Don’t miss brunch served on Saturdays and Sundays.

Regulars go for coffee that packs a punch and the healthy eats. 2812 SW Sixth Ave., 322.1806, the806.com $ y T Abuelo’s 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 W. 45th Ave., 354.8294, abuelos.com $$ c ^ ☎ Acapulco Mexican Restaurant & Bar When the weather’s nice, enjoy sitting on Polk Street while you sip a margarita and sample a traditional Mexican-style shrimp cocktail. 727 S. Polk St., 373.8889, acapulcomexicanrestaurant.net $$ c Ty

Asian Buffet You’ll find a large sushi bar, a gleaming Mongolian grill, and plenty of Asian entrees, sides, and desserts at the city’s newest buffet restaurant. If buffets don’t suit you, order off the menu, or take your order to-go. Outstanding service and cleanliness set this establishment apart.

3347 Bell St., 803.9588 $ Aspen Creek Grill One of only nine locations nationwide, Aspen Creek’s Amarillo restaurant offers its signature made-from-scratch food in a family-friendly atmosphere. Step into the mountain-lodge inspired decor and you can expect to be greeted warmly by the friendly staff, receive excellent service, and over-sized portions on everything from appetizers to entrees to dessert. The Happy Hour at Aspen – one of the most affordable in town – is a welcome break after a challenging work day.

4110 I-40 West, 398.2776, aspencreekgrill.com $-$$ c ^

104

B L Bistro The intimate, cozy atmosphere creates the ideal date place, not to mention the food is plated perfection. Note: You might want to leave the kids with a sitter.

2203 S. Austin St., 355.7838, blbistro.com $$$ c ☎ y

Coyote Bluff Cafe Don’t let the outside fool you. This is seriously good food. The full pound, green chile cheeseburger is Southwest divine (add jalapeños for extra zip). Cool off with an ice cold beer. 2417 S. Grand St., 373.4640, coyotebluffcafe.com $ C ^

Bagel Place Whether for breakfast or lunch, the Bagel Place offers a wide variety of 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, a generous salad, or a tasty bowl of soup.

3301 Bell St., 353.5985 $ y

Crazy Larry’s Fine Texas BBQ A visit to Larry’s isn’t complete without an order of Frito pie – make it a “moose” with the works. The authentic Texas-style barbecue is finger-licking good, and everything on the menu is delivered with some of the friendliest service in town.

The prices are reasonable, too.

4315 Teckla Blvd., 359.3176, crazylarrysbbq.com $ ^

The Big Texan Steak Ranch Everyone knows about the 72-ouncer, but did you know the breakfast buffet is only $14? Every morning from 7-11 a.m. you can pile your plate high with pancakes, sausage and skillet potatoes.

Top it off with a trip to the Omelet Bar before leaving completely satisfied.

7701 I-40 East, 372.7000, bigtexan.com $$ c T ^ y

Crush Wine Bar & Deli Crush’s excellent tapas, sandwiches, entrees and desserts are a big enough draw. Add an extensive and impressive wine list, one of the few covered patios in town, and excellent service, and you’ve got one of the city’s premier hang-out spots. The Saturday morning brunch is hard to beat, too. 701 S. Polk St., 418.2011, crushdeli.com $$ C y ^ T

Braceros Mexican Grill & Cantina Traditional Mexican food, a colorful bar area and live music keep this Route 66 eatery hopping every day of the week. 2822 SW Sixth Ave., 220.2395 $$

Daniel’s Drive-In Located on old Route 66, Daniel’s offers old-fashioned drive-in fare. Fresh-cooked burgers, tots, onion rings and plenty of soda fountain drinks make this the ideal spot for a sunny-day lunch or afternoon snack. 2911 Amarillo Blvd. East, 383.0066 $

y

c

Buns Over Texas If you’ve ever been to Buns, then you know “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 wet your whistle with the refreshing ice tea.

3440 Bell St., 358.6808, bunsovertexas.com $ Cafe Marizon Cafe Marizon serves up great, homecooked taste with consistently delicious specials of the day. Go early so you can have a piece of the homemade pie or cake. 6151 Hillside Road, 352.2046 $ y C Cattleman’s Cafe For a hearty meal to start the day, Cattleman’s is the place to go. Order the Cowboy Breakfast to curb those early morning hunger pangs. Customers keep going back for the enchiladas or traditional chicken-fried steak.

3801 Amarillo Blvd. East, 383.4818 $ c NEW Chill Wellness Bar Fill up on Ezekiel Bread toast topped with spreads, fruit or vegetables, protein-dense Greek yogurt topped with fruit, açaí bowls, hearty salads, freshpressed juice, and smoothies at this small dine-in or take-out storefront. Chill’s location on busy Hillside Road makes it the perfect place to grab a healthy treat.

6200 Hillside Road, Suite 100, 655.7100 $

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

Delvin’s Restaurant & Catering Head to Delvin’s and fill up on some of the city’s finest comfort food. Long-time chef Delvin Wilson opened his small eatery in 2015, and it’s quickly become a favorite lunch and brunch stop. Sample a three-meat combination barbecue plate, or traditional American favorites like fried chicken, soul food, and fresh fried catfish.

Finish with the homemade buttermilk pie.

1300 N. Hughes St., 803.9111 $ Doug’s Hickory Pit Bar-B-Que For a quick, tasty meal, stop at Doug’s and try the chopped beef sandwich.

The menu is reasonably priced and the barbecue sauce is tasty.

3313 S. Georgia St., 352.8471 $ y Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Dickey’s serves its original slow-smoked meats alongside homestyle sides like macaroni-and-cheese and jalapeño beans, fresh rolls, and plenty of ice tea.

Founded in Dallas in 1941, the national franchise also gives back – its foundation, Barbecue, Boots & Badges, benefits law enforcement and firefighters in the local community. 6015 Hillside Road, Suite 100, 322.0127, dickeys.com $$ Dyer’s Bar-B-Que If you’re a meat lover, Dyer’s is the place for you. The family-style, all-you-can-eat lunch special is hard to beat. On Fridays

and Saturdays, eat your fill of premium smoked prime rib. 1619 S. Kentucky St., Suite E526, 358.7104, dyersbbq.com $$ c El Bracero Mexican Grill Home-cooked flavor and excellent service make El Bracero Home-cooked flavor and excellent service make El Bracero a popular stop for authentic Mexican food.

You’ll find a full menu of Mexican favorites like fajitas, carne asada, and enchiladas that keep local patrons satisfied.

2116 S. Grand St., 373.4788 $$ y c El Manantial For truly authentic Mexican food, this is the spot. A little off the beaten path, a visit to El Manantial is worth a visit. Start with light-as-air corn chips and salsa.

Every entree is cooked-fresh delicious, especially the barbacoa, seafood and homemade chile relleno. We can’t say enough about every scrumptious bite.

3823 Amarillo Blvd. East, 383.1852 $ C El Puente Customer favorites at El Puente include the over-stuffed burritos, menudo and traditional barbacoa. The casual eatery is open early for its daily breakfast, serves lunch and dinner every day, and late-night diners every Friday night from midnight to 1 a.m. 4027 Amarillo Blvd. East, 383.4314 $ Embers Steak House Embers offers an array of cuisine from hamburgers and steaks to buffalo, lamb and seafood. We have our eye on the gourmet burger menu. You’ll savor your meal at lunch or dinner, seven days a week. 2721 Virginia Circle, 350.3303, amarilloembers.com $$-$$$ c ☎ y English Field House Restaurant Visit a piece of Amarillo history at the English Field House. Named for the city’s first airfield, the restaurant offers great, cooked-fresh cafe food. Take the family for Sunday breakfast. It’s worth the drive.

10610 American Drive, 335.2996 $ NEW The Family Soul Food Restaurant You’ll find plenty of mouthwatering options at The Family Soul Food Restaurant. Feast on traditional family recipes like chicken-fried chicken, fried ribs, catfish, or cheesy meatloaf with all the sides, topped off by a slice of sweet cornbread. Save room for the rotating dessert menu. 2601 SW Sixth Ave., 463.4686 Five Guys Burgers and Fries Order a la carte from the simple menu at this fast-casual eatery, choosing from burgers made to order with your choice of toppings (try one “all the way”), sandwiches, hot dogs, fries, and milkshakes. 2313 Georgia St., Suite 37, 398.0582, gofiveguys.com $

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Options are endless at Fuzzy’s with everything from a variety of Baja-style tacos to enchilada plates, over-sized salads, tamales, and breakfast all day, every day. Party on the patio in this casual eatery that originated in the Fort Worth area. 7408 SW 34th Ave., 352.8226, fuzzystacoshop.com $ C Frank’s Bakery Transport yourself to Europe at the only boulangerie in Amarillo. No matter what you choose, you can’t miss with French specialties like fresh baguette sandwiches, quiche, feuillete (a puff pastry filled with chicken, bechamel, and mushrooms), crepes, and croissants – if you can break away from the divine pastry case to order an entree. We’re big fans.

1923 S. Western St., 352.8089 $ y Furrbie’s You’ll find old-fashioned grilled onion burgers and an array of sandwiches, salads, seafood and ice cream treats at Furrbie’s. 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 fruity-flavored ice treats or ice cream.

210 SW Sixth Ave., 220.0841 $ Girasol Cafe & Bakery If you’ve missed having an artisan bakery in Amarillo, you’re in luck. Head over to Garisol Cafe and enjoy fresh baked goods along with a rotating menu of salads, soups, sandwiches and entrees – many with a Latin influence. Check the bakery’s Facebook page for daily featured items.

3201 S. Coulter St., 322.0023 $ Gloria’s Restaurant Gloria’s menu consists of seafood, Mexican, Tex-Mex dishes and Salvadoran food. The lightly spiced tamales are handmade, steamed in banana leaves and filled with chicken, potatoes, sweet pepper and tomatoes. The sopa siete mares, a broth-based soup made with shrimp, scallops, halibut, perch and vegetables, is full of flavor.

1300 S. Grand St., 373.2722 $ Gooney’s You won’t get bored with Gooney’s menu. This downtown eatery and lounge cooks up pretty much every Asian dish you can think of – egg rolls, lettuce wraps, the always-reliable Charlie’s Special, chow mein, curry wings, even hot-off-the-grill rib-eyes and steak kabobs.

705 S. Polk St., 367.9585 $ y c Grills Gon’ Wild At Grills Gon’ Wild, you can expect a good time. You’ll find fresh food, made to order, with aged hand-cut steaks and daily specials like chicken alfredo, baby back ribs, or fish tacos. Open early for breakfast, lunch and dinner, there’s

plenty of options to keep you going back for more. 5120 Canyon Drive, 418.6001, grillsgonwild.com $ The Handle Bar & Grill Open at 7 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the breakfast crowd, The Handle Bar serves Texas-style comfort food – the handmade burgers are a customer favorite. Dine outside on historic Route 66 or cool off inside while savoring an ice-cold beer. 3514 SW Sixth Ave., 803.9538 $ C y Henk’s Pit Bar-B-Que If you’re a local on a quick lunch break or a tourist driving through, stop at Henk’s.

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

1508 S. Grand St., 372.9011 $ Henk’s Pit Bar-B-Que If you’re a local on a quick lunch break or a tourist driving through, stop at Henk’s.

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

1508 S. Grand St., 372.9011 $ NEW The Hobo House Texas Diner Open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m., The Hobo House features American classics on its limited menu. Choose from appetizers, sandwiches, salads and burgers. The Bad Moon Burger caught our eye: it’s a half-pound beef patty smothered in blue, cream and Monterrey Jack cheeses, topped with caramelized onions. Grab the napkins! 7200 W. McCormick Road, 622.9814 $

Amarillo Globe-News amarillo.com Best of Amarillo

Hummer’s Sports Cafe 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 Blvd., Suite B2, 353.0723, hummerssportscafe.com $$ y c ^ I Don’t Know Sports Bar and Grill This Sixth Street grill has a little bit of everything. Chicken-fried steak, catfish, burgers, steaks, sandwiches, wraps, breakfast – there’s a lot for hungry diners to choose from. Enjoy fresh, homestyle meals, extra-friendly service and a casual, laid-back atmosphere while you watch your favorite sports on the flat screen TVs that line the dining room. On your first visit, try the pizza fries, a sinfully delicious combination of french fries loaded with pepperoni, jalapeño bacon, marinara, and mozzarella cheese. 1301 SW Sixth Ave., 331.7985, idksportsbar.com $ y c ^ Ichiban Noodle Bar & Asian Cuisine With the inner workings of its kitchen on display, Ichiban makes you feel like you’re

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right in the middle of a bustling noodle bar on a street in Asia. Endless choices of cold noodles and hot dishes make your dinner decision a tough one.

3309 Wimberly Road, 355.5031 $ 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. Select a chef special such as chicken tandoori or chicken tikka masala or try a little of everything on the lunch buffet. Finish up with the to-die-for rice pudding. Don’t leave without sipping the mango lassi. 5713 SW 34th Ave., 335.3600, indian-oven.com $$ It’s a Punjabi Affair If you were among the many Indian food fans that despaired when Amarillo Hut closed its doors, brood no more.

Punjabi Affair serves Indian-style street food, available for dining in or to take out. Savor classics like flat bread, butter chicken and samosa, and a few you might not be accustomed to like lamb curry, or marinated and fried tilapia. You’ll also find options for vegans and vegetarians.

The menu will change with the seasons in order to offer fresh local ingredients.

4201 S. Bushland Blvd., 414.2114, itsapunjabiaffair.com $ y Jacobo’s Cafe The shrimp tostadas with pico de gallo, cucumber, avocado and rice, and Don Jacobo Burger, two half-pound patties with ham and asadero cheese, caught our eye at Jacobo’s Cafe. But if you’re in the mood for breakfast, the Belgian waffle or breakfast burrito will surely satisfy.

3701 Olsen Blvd., Suite L, 418.8850 $ c Jerry’s Cafe Craving breakfast food? Jerry’s Cafe has the solution. You can’t miss with anything off Jerry’s lengthy breakfast menu, served all day every day. Tex-Mex options fill up the rest of the menu with favorites like chile relleno, fajitas, and barbacoa.

1601 S. Grand St., 374.4335 $

while enjoying a signature margarita.

Soak in the sun on the patio when the weather is nice. 7312 Wallace Blvd., 331.8226, joetaco.net $$ c T y ^ Kabuki Romanza Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar Who says you can’t enjoy fresh sushi aboard a boat in the heart of the Panhandle? Kabuki Romanza serves teppan-style cooking and fresh-sliced sushi in a dining area that resembles a boat, surrounded by special effects that add to the tropical feel. 8130 I-40 West, 358.7799, kabukiromanza.com $$-$$$

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Kathy’s Kitchen This is the simple, Texas Panhandle homestyle food locals crave. Grab the napkins and tackle the brisket burger, a hamburger patty topped with brisket and smothered in barbecue sauce, cheese, and two stuffed jalapeños. Generous portions, daily specials, and low prices will keep you going back for more.

4517 Highway 136, 383.2513 $ NEW La Pasadita Locals love the barbacoa, handmade flautas, menudo, and burritos at this small walk-up eatery.

2730 NE 16th Ave., 381.2309 $ Leal’s Mexican Restaurant Leal’s serves dishes that blend the traditional flavors of Mexico with a few twists that will delight you. Try excellent, non-traditional items such as salmon or roasted tomatillo enchiladas along with delicious desserts. Let’s not forget about the fresh-squeezed lime margaritas, some of the best around. 1619 S. Kentucky St., 359.5959, myleals.com $$ c T 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. 935 E. FM 1151, 622.9827 $$ C

NEW Jimmy’s Egg Fast, friendly service, a bright and cheerful environment, and plenty of breakfast and lunch items from which to choose will keep you going back to Jimmy’s Egg. Order any menu item beginning at 6 a.m. and customize your entree to your liking. Catering, dine-in, and easy online to-go ordering make your visit an easy one. 2225 S. Georgia St., 418.6752, jimmysegg.com $

Lupita’s Lupita’s comes from a long line of restaurants in Amarillo, all springing from the original Tortilleria Lupita. Find fresh fare, such as chile rellenos or a green chile Puerco torta, a basket brimming with pork, lettuce, tomato, onion and avocado.

4013 SE 10th Ave., 372.3537/ 3221 S. Western St., 350.7638/2403 Hardin Drive, 350.7637/3309 Bell St., 350.7297/316 SW Sixth Ave., 350.7705 $cT

Joe Taco Great atmosphere and a variety of Southwest favorites make Joe Taco a great place to sit and relax, especially

Macaroni Joe’s Macaroni Joe’s isn’t just a place to eat a great meal. The Tuscan-inspired rooms are the perfect place for creating memories.

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

Whether for a first date, the start of a new life together, or celebrating important milestones, the restaurant offers excellent service and an exquisite food and wine menu. It’s at the top of our list.

1619 S. Kentucky St., Suite D1500, 358.8990, macaronijoes.com $$-$$$ c y

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Malcolm’s Ice Cream & Food Temptations Malcolm’s offers the ultimate in classic soda-fountain food: burgers, sandwiches and salads – everything’s good. Be sure you save room for dessert. Better yet, start with a treat. After all, it’s the most important part of the meal at Malcolm’s.

2100 Paramount Blvd., 355.3892 $ Metropolitan-A Speakeasy Start your day with a coffee and pastry at Metropolitan. If a midday lunch with colleagues is in order, impress them with Metropolitan’s twist on classic favorites like a BLT. Or celebrate the end of a productive workday with a classy cocktail, savory small plate, or scrumptious homemade dessert. The menu changes frequently so check the club’s Facebook page for updates and special menu offerings. 9181 Town Square Blvd., Suite 1201, 242.0117 $$ c T y Mr. Fish Another quirky dive has popped up on Sixth Street. The former owner of nowclosed Pattaya Restaurant takes another approach with a small fish-and-chips joint.

A rotating menu of Asian specialties, including sushi, will supplement the affordable fish and fries offerings.

2806 SW Sixth Ave., 803.9434 $ y My Thai It’s hard to find authentic Thai cuisine that compares to My Thai. We recommend the angel noodle with sauteed tomatoes and mushrooms for a tasty alternative to fried rice. 2029 S. Coulter St., 355.9541, mythaiamarillo.com $ ^ Napoli’s Fine Italian Restaurant Napoli’s has created an oasis in downtown Amarillo. Indulge yourself with the housebaked bread while you browse the ample menu. Try the hearty lasagna or one of the over-sized calzones while enjoying live music on the spacious patio.

700 S. Taylor St., 220.2588, napolisofamarillo.com $$ c T y ^ Nu-Castle Diner Patrons gather at Nu-Castle for classic American cooking. The small, downtown breakfast and lunch spot stays crowded with regulars. You can’t go wrong with a chicken-fried steak breakfast or a Dusty Burger. 518 E. 10th Ave., 371.8540 $ OHMS Cafe & Bar Set in downtown Amarillo, OHMS serves a buffet-style lunch then switches to wait service in the evenings. The chef

features specials each week that range from seafood and smoked duck to beef tenderloin. Start with daily Happy Hour and give the Bar Burger a try. (It’s not on the menu, but it might be the best burger in town.) Excellent cuisine and service make this a delightful place to linger.

619 S. Tyler St., 373.3233, ohmscafe.com $$$ ☎ c y The Original Stockyard Cafe This cozy cafe has been located inside the Amarillo Livestock Auction building for decades. Fill up on home-style favorites like biscuits and gravy, chicken-fried steak, fried catfish, burgers, and zesty enchiladas. Finish with the homemade cobbler. 100 S. Manhattan St., 373.7999, amarillostockyardscafe.com $ 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 it goes fast.

10816 SE Third Ave., 335.1032 $$ c Paco’s Tacos Mexican Restaurant Located at I-40 and Paramount, Paco’s Tacos is open seven days a week and serves breakfast all day, every day. With daily lunch specials and affordable dinner plates, it’s hard to beat the value at Paco’s. 2028 Paramount Blvd., 680.3918 $ Palio’s Pizza Cafe Palio’s has all your Italian food cravings covered. From generous subs and pasta dishes to fresh-made pizza, the cafe promises “real” food with madefrom-scratch dough, fresh produce and all-natural ingredients. There are even gluten-free options for celiac sufferers.

3562 S. Soncy Road, Suite 301, 398.7256, paliospizzacafe.com $$ c Pescaraz Italian Restaurant Come ready to linger when you visit Pescaraz. From the charming decor and cozy bar area to the array of entrees, soups, salads and impressive wine list, you’ll want to take time to savor every bite. Enjoy excellent service and live music in the evenings. 3415-K Bell St., 350.5430, pescaraz.com $$ c T ^ y Poblano’s Grill Poblano’s Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a focus on Tex-Mex fare. Try the sizzling fajitas, smothered chile relleno, stuffed avocado – breaded, fried and topped with your choice of meat – or opt for American favorites like a made-to-order rib-eye and chicken-fried steak. You’ll enjoy a bustling, friendly atmosphere when you dine in, or call ahead and take your order to-go.

900 S. Tyler St., 803.9235/ 400 E. Hastings Ave. $-$$ T c y UPDATE

Public House You’ll want to take your time to enjoy the ambience and upscale Southern comfort food at Public House. Savor the house favorite, a generous portion of meatloaf comprised of ground duck, pork and beef with mashed potatoes, a house-made pimiento grilled cheese sandwich, or enticing nightly specials.

3333 S. Coulter St., Suite A, 398.7777, publichouseamarillo.com $$-$$$ c ☎ Rain Premier Sushi Bar & Lounge Rain lights up Polk Street with its sleek, energetic ambience and exceptional menu of contemporary Asian cuisine. Grab the gang for an evening of flavor and fun.

817 S. Polk St., 331.1155, rainamarillo.com $$ c y NEW Recreo Botanas Y Tragos This family-owned restaurant awakens the senses with its enticing mesquite-fired food, local art displayed throughout the restaurant, and weekly live music. Enjoy handmade corn tortillas, authentic flavor and excellent service.

3500 East Amarillo Blvd., 350.7830 $CT

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

6723 S. Western St., 358.8550, spicymikes.mymobisite.us $ Sushi Express With more than 150 types of sushi – cut, fried, baked, rolled, nigiri, and sashimi – you can spend each visit to Sushi Express finding your new favorite style. Sit at the bar and relax after the end of a long day, while you watch the chefs create beautiful cuisine. 7402 SW 34th Ave., 584.7905 $-$$ C Tacos Garcia At Tacos Garcia, 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 going back time after time. Try the Swiss enchiladas or the chile relleno lampriados. You won’t be disappointed.

1100 Ross St., 371.0411, tacosgarcia.com $$ c y ☎

Roosters Restaurant and Catering 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 friends for lunch.

3440 S. Bell St., Unit 110, 353.7309, silver-fork.com $ y

Taste Dessert Bar You’ll find big city vibes and small-town charm at Taste Dessert Bar. With its cozy, chic decor, small savory plates, handcrafted cocktails, full wine and beer list, and variety of from-scratch desserts, we guarantee you’ll want to linger at Taste. 1909 Georgia St., 398.2000, tastedessert.com $-$$ c T y

Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q Rudy’s serves up the same original recipes 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 you’ll need lots of napkins. 3751 I-40 West, 677.7452, rudysbbq.com $$

Thai Palace With more than 100 entrees available, your first visit to Thai Palace might feel somewhat overwhelming. Rather than settling for boring chicken fried rice, mix things up and opt for something from the curry menu. With red, green, yellow, Panang, or Masaman, there’s a flavor for every palate. 4723 S. Western St., 331.6011 $

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 Blvd., 354.9110 $$ y C

Torchy’s Tacos Feast on Torchy’s breakfast and savory tacos, many with the eatery’s signature use of pickled ingredients, making for a spicy, zesty twang of flavor in every bite. Start with the queso and a Happy Hour special and linger in Torchy’s hip atmosphere as the perfect end to a workday or for day-time weekend relaxation with friends. 3562 Soncy Road, Suite 101, 398.1111, torchystacos.com $cy

Scratch Made Bakery & Cafe Conveniently located in downtown Amarillo, Scratch Made has the solution for your sugar cravings. This small bakery features cupcakes, along with a variety of from-scratch cookies, pastries, pies and cakes. On Saturdays, make reservations for brunch and feast on some of the best biscuits and gravy in town.

118 SW Sixth Ave., 731.4477 $

Tyler’s Barbeque Going back to the basics, Tyler’s Barbeque combines a straightforward menu with a relaxed atmosphere. We suggest the mouth-watering Man-Sized Double Meat Sandwich or the tasty Frito pie. 2014 Paramount Blvd., 331.2271, tylersbarbeque.com $ ^ y

PROFFITT’S L AWN & LEISURE

7611 S. Coulter St. • 354-8676 www.proffittslawn.com

FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1970

SEPTEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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Urbana Coffee Works Southwest Amarillo can get its caffeine fix a little closer to home with the opening of Urbana Coffee Works. Hang out with a fresh brew and breakfast pastry, or enjoy lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily with hearty, hot sandwiches, tapas, soups and salads, and desserts like gelato or cupcakes. In the evening, listen to live music while you sip. 5215 S. Coulter St., Suite 100, 803.9022, urbanacoffeeworks.com $ T

The possibilities are stunning.

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Get our steaks and beef jerky at any

6700 W. McCormick Road 6103 Hillside | AMARILLO 108

edesmeats.com

806.622.0205

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

Vince’s Pizza Vince’s calzones are some of the best we’ve had. The pizzeria also offers huge Greek salads, Giro and an even larger family-sized pizza. Enjoy the quirky atmosphere or get your food to go at the convenient drive-up. 2413 S. Western St., 352.2656 $ Virdinski’s Rub Shack The folks at Virdinski’s clearly know their way around a kitchen. You’ll find impressive steaks, chicken-fried steaks, generous salads, seafood, catfish, outstanding burgers and owner Chris Virden’s award-winning hickory smoked barbecue with all the fixings. The presentation – downhome comfort food meets gourmet styling – makes an impression as well.

We recommend saving room for the homemade banana pudding. We’re big fans. 3701 Olsen Blvd., Suite B, 318.3382, virdinskisrubshack.com $$ C The Windy Cow Cafe and Dessert Bar This family-owned cafe is located in Wildorado, less than a 15-minute drive from west Amarillo. Fill up on all-youcan-eat catfish on Friday and Saturday, from-scratch comfort food, and delicious homemade pie, cake, cookies, brownies and more. 709 I-40 West, 426.3001 $ Wonder Womenz Bakery If you have a sweet tooth, this small drive-up bakery could turn into a serious habit. The rotating dessert menu offers a dazzling variety of cookies, cupcakes, cheesecakes (whole or by the slice), sweet crepes, pies, turnovers and fudge.

And the treats don’t stop there. Savory entrees, soup, quiche, brunch, and handheld breakfast items fill the menu, along with coffee and tea. Check the Wonder Womenz Facebook page for daily specials and flash sales.

909 S. Madison St., 477.0199 $ y YCSF Craft YCSF Craft serves its popular gourmet eats for lunch and dinner. The diverse but limited menu boasts burgers, tacos, and daily specials, and features craft beer and a well-rounded wine list.

2916 Wolflin Ave., 353.9273 $-$$ C

Youngblood’s Cafe Experience the Western heritage of Amarillo at Youngblood’s Cafe. The Cafe serves up excellent chicken-fried steaks to satisfy your craving for beef.

Plus, Youngblood’s also offers a hearty breakfast every day starting at 6 a.m.

620 SW 16th Ave., 342.9411, youngbloodscafe.com $$ C Zombiez Bar & Grill Locals rave about the homestyle offerings at Zombiez Bar & Grill. Fill up on daily specials, burgers, chicken-fried steak or chicken-fried chicken. Dine-in, takeout and delivery are available.

711 SW 10th Ave., 331.7305 $ c T y

CANYON Aloha Kitchen Aloha Kitchen’s slogan is certainly compelling: “So good it’ll make you forget your name.” And so are the daily specials. Choose from Kalua Pork (slowcooked with Hawaiian spices), Flying Hawaiian (wok chicken), or Loco Moco (a burger patty served over rice with a fried egg), or from daily offerings like burgers, burritos or smoothies. A variety of Hawaiian canned and iced beverages will help you cool off on a hot day.

700 23rd St., 290.1129, alohakitchentx.com $ Best Thai Open seven days a week, there’s always something on the menu at Best Thai to satisfy your cravings for good Thai food, such as the vegetarian Curry Joe with yellow curry and steamed rice. Check out the Canyon’s Favorites menu; the pineapple fried rice and Charlie Special are full of flavor. 210 23rd St., 655.7299 $ Buffalo’s Cafe You’ll leave your hunger behind when you visit Buffalo’s. Offering hearty eats with choices such as hamburgers, Tangled Texas Twists, and Smoky Mountain Nachalos, or The Big Round Up, a quarter rack of slow-roasted baby back ribs, traditional style or boneless buffalo wings, blackened shrimp and all the fixings. 2811 Fourth Ave., 655.4400, buffalos.com $ c Chop Chop Japanese Steakhouse Chop Chop’s Canyon location offers the same tasty food, with online ordering, takeout and delivery options.

2201 Fourth Ave., 457.0700, chopchoprice.com $ El Patio Mexican Restaurante Sometimes the only thing that will satisfy pesky hunger pangs is great Tex-Mex and that’s exactly what you’ll find at El Patio. The comfortable atmosphere and exceptional service add up to a perfectly

satisfying meal. 1410 Hereford Highway, 655.4300 $ Fat-Boys BBQ Fat Boys 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 it with sweet barbecue sauce and add a few homemade sides.

Your taste buds will thank you.

104 N. 23rd St., 655.7363 $ Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner Feldman’s fun, casual atmosphere and model trains that run a course along the ceiling make it a great place for the whole family. Try the made-fresh burgers or the Tortugas chicken, satisfaction guaranteed.

2100 N. Second Ave., 655.2711, feldmansdiner.com $ c y Hil’s Burgers This burger joint’s menu is pretty snazzy.

The Philly cheese steak sandwich pairs perfectly with a side of sizzling, thinly sliced onion rings, but you can’t go wrong with the chicken-fried steak sandwich topped with chili, either. 1302 23rd St., 656.0810 $ Imperial Taproom Imperial Taproom has quickly made fans in Canyon. Featuring fresh, in-season ingredients and an extensive craft beer and wine list, Imperial provides a hip,

industrial-chic vibe to linger and enjoy your meal. Feast on entrees with an upscale presentation that are pleasantly easy on your pocketbook. 410 15th St., Suite 100, 452.8004, imperialtaproom.com $$ C ☎ The King and I of Canyon Craving fresh sushi? The King and I will surely satisfy. Try the customer favorite, the Canyon Roll, and savor every scrumptious slice of crab, tempura shrimp, avocado, cucumber and cream cheese topped with red tuna, white tuna, shrimp and eel. If you still have an appetite, order the fried bananas covered with powdered sugar and strawberries. 104 15th St., 655.2491 $$ C KJ’s Cafe Located a few blocks south of the WTAMU campus, KJ’s serves early breakfast and lunch until 2 p.m. Classic, simple fare awaits, with customer favorites like breakfast burritos, Frito pie, hamburgers and house-made chips, and fried apple pie. 1202 S. 23rd St., 654.3397 $ Pepitos Mexican Restaurante Choose your favorite Tex-Mex entree from the extensive menu, with traditional items like chile relleno, chimichangas, or sizzling fajitas. Enjoy the complementary chips and salsa while you wait. 408 23rd St., 655.4736 $

Pony Express Burritos Based on the build-your-own burrito concept, Pony Express offers 14-inch burritos or bowls, tacos, quesadillas and a variety of fresh salsa flavors from mild to spicy, including its infamous ghost pepper. 2808 Fourth Ave., Suite C, 557.4166 $

Sayakomarn’s Restaurant Sayakomarn’s offers a variety of traditional Thai dishes with daily lunch specials that won’t empty your wallet.

Be sure to try their boba tea made with tapioca balls and shaken into fruit-flavored or milk tea. It’s yummy. 421 16th St., 655.2698, sayakomarns.com $ c

Ranch House Cafe The Ranch House Cafe has a small-town, family atmosphere. The Cafe offers breakfast all day, every day, and lunch, dinner and made-from-scratch desserts, as well as specials seven days a week.

810 23rd St., 655.8785, theranchhousecafe.com $

Sharky’s Burrito Company Sharky’s newest location joins a few other Amarillo favorites inside WT’s JBK food court. Expect the same excellent food and service. 2501 Fourth Ave., JBK Food Court, 651.2885 $

Ribs N More Ribs N More’s claim to fame is its boneless ribs. But don’t stop there. The savory smoked meat loaf is noteworthy, especially when paired with the juicy and flavorful firehouse corn. 1205 23rd St., Suite 6A, 452.8227 $ Rockin’ Zebra Soda Shoppe Located on the square, the Rockin’ Zebra Soda Shoppe offers classic soda shop fare like French dips, pulled pork sandwiches, or a grilled cheese sandwich. Cool off with a specialty drink or ice cream sundae.

404 15th St., 655.3381 $ y

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

2301 12th Ave., 510.7703 $ C Thai Kitchen The generous menu will keep you coming back for more at Thai Kitchen. Choose from affordable Thai classics – soup, salads, noodles, pork, seafood and more.

The small eatery is open for lunch and dinner six days a week. 713 23rd St., 655.4741 $

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RETRO REWIND

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he Tri-State Fair, which opens Sept. 15, has been an Amarillo fixture since it was first organized in 1923. But it wasn’t the only such exposition in the city’s history. In 1912, city representatives began discussing a Panhandle-wide fair to be hosted in Amarillo.

R.B. Masterson served as president of the organizing committee, with H.A. Nobles as vice president and general manager. The next fall, in 2013, the Panhandle State Fair opened its gates with a parade, livestock exhibitions, and even a

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

tightrope walker and trapeze artist. The Fair took place at Glenwood Park, an early amusement park east of Llano Cemetery (now home to Glenwood Apartments). This 1916 photo from the Fair includes representatives of the local cattle industry, and part of the livestock being shown that year. Due to America’s involvement in World War I, the Fair shut down after 1917. It reorganized and reopened six years later as the Tri-State Fair, which brought in visitors from 35 counties across the region.

IMAGE FROM AMARILLO PUBLIC LIBRARY ARCHIVES

Panhandle State Fair

DISHED UP

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20 QUESTIONS WITH

David Hudson PRESIDENT OF XCEL ENERGY TEXAS AND NEW MEXICO (SPS)

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • SEPTEMBER 2017

PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

What is the best advice you received when you were beginning your career? When I started engineering school, I was terrified I wouldn’t succeed. My mother told me to look around at everyone else, and know that I could do as well as them, or better. If I worked very hard and took it seriously, I would succeed. I also think back to when I played offensive lineman in junior high. I missed a critical block on a fourth down play, and the quarterback was sacked. Back on the sideline, the coach asked why I missed it. I started with some lame excuse and he shook me. He said “Hudson, you always have an excuse!” After that day, I promised myself I would not make excuses, but own up to my performance. I have practiced these principles for more than 33 years at SPS and Xcel Energy. How do you use social media to grow your network?

I use social media to keep up with friends and family. I use it for entertainment, not business. I purposely avoid politics. How do you maintain balance? In this day and age, when information and business demands move at the speed of light, it is not easy. I keep up with business using technology, but come evening time, I put it down and focus on personal matters. What has been your wisest investment?

Without question, formal education is the wisest investment to make in oneself. An engineering degree is great. But going to WT and receiving an MBA broadened my understanding of complicated business matters. How has your past work experience shaped you into a leader? I have worked on many complicated business projects in a litigious regulatory environment. I have learned how to justify a position and sell it to sophisticated customers, attorneys and consultants. What is the best part about your job? Working with outstanding coworkers. Xcel Energy’s employees try very hard to do the best for our customers and investors. We run a multi-billion dollar business out of the Amarillo regional headquarters. Electrical service is an important part of the communities Xcel Energy serves. How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and private life? Besides my parents’ love, I had coaches and professors who saw potential in me. One of my best mentors was Jerry Diller at SPS. I learned a lot from him, including the positive recognition of leadership traits. Which overused word or phrase makes you cringe? ‘Hook’em Horns.’ I’m a Red Raider and I have two sons who are UT engineering graduates. During football season they tend to be extremely arrogant. Well, not last year. What is your business philosophy? I tend to want to know the facts. I want to hear others’ views before making a decision.

I’m not afraid of making a bold decision, and I’m not too proud to change my mind.

Which quality do you most value in an employee? Dedication. Employees who work hard to develop themselves and produce a great product are inspiring to me.

What personality trait has most helped you succeed? Being ethical and accountable.

However, I think working hard to get it right is the most important trait. Who is your favorite author? I do not have one. Two books I highly recommend are “Empire of the Summer Moon”, which is about Quanah Parker and his Comanche ancestors on the High Plains. The other is “The Worst Hard Time” about the Dust Bowl in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. I could relate to the locations and how tough people had to be to live decades ago in this region. How can Amarillo improve its business environment? I think improving the quality of life is critical. We need hardworking younger citizens to want to stay here. This is why I supported the downtown catalyst projects. This investment will create more value than cost. As downtown rejuvenates itself, this will greatly increase tax base and revenues. I want to attract good talent to run the electrical system from Amarillo for many decades to come. Most important tech tool: Good grief. Who came up with this question? Clearly the microprocessor is the most widespread tool that has created many technological advancements. I do not know about Siri, though. She does not understand my West Texas accent. She sent me down the wrong highway in Denver recently. Best time management tool: Prioritize and delegate. Some of my direct reports will not like seeing this answer! I can’t live without my: family. My favorite thing about Amarillo is: The people in this region are outstanding. Most unusual job or task: Most people are surprised when they learn I am a TASO high school football referee. The players are awesome. The coaches are OK. The parents and fans need to take a chill pill and celebrate life. Attending a sporting event is a celebration of life with your community; it is not life and death.

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