Coastal Bend Traveler by Real Hometown Media LLC

traveler FREE

Coas tal Bend

March, 2012 Vol. 1, Issue 7

Stop and Stay A While - Discover the Treasures in the Coastal Bend

Cirque Du Soleil

Dralion

About Us...

At the Coastal Bend Traveler, our mission is to highlight the tremendous amount of attributes, events, attractions and people that make our lives special. Our goal is simple: to encourage tourists to visit and stay a while as well as showcasing to local residents what wonders they may experience in their own backyard. By working closely with local event organizers, Chambers of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureaus, the Coastal Bend Traveler provides up-to-date information on area happenings in each monthly edition as well as around-theclock updates online at www. coastalbendtraveler.com. The Coastal Bend is a unique, special place, and the Traveler tells our story better than anyone. Nicole D. Perez Owner/Publisher

Brenda Poe News/Graphics

Lois Stephens

Refugio’s annual Texas Independence Wine Classic set for March 10-11 in Heritage Park, off Highway 77. Page 6

Reporter

Johnny De La Zerda Jr. Reporter

Aaron M. Lopez Advertising Sales

Larry & Lanette Smallwood Consultants

Ph: 361- 668-NEWS(6397) Fax: 361- 664-3875

www.coastalbendtraveler.com Owned/Operated by Real Hometown Media, LLC

2 - Coastal Bend Traveler - March 2012

also this issue Car Show

Rockport’s Sports & Classic Auto Show set for March 24 at Rockport Beach Park. Page 15

Alice’s Hidden Gem

The South Texas Museum in Alice offers a glimpse into the area’s rich, and at times, controversial, history. Page 12

On the cover...

Dralion will be performed for three nights this month at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi. Page 4

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Cirque Du Soleil presents

Dralion J CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS

4 - Coastal Bend Traveler - March 2012

u TICKETS: www.ticketmaster.com u WHEN: March 9-11 u WHERE: American Bank Center

Story By Lois Stephens

irque Du Soleil began in the 1980s as a small band of colorful characters roaming the streets of BaieSaint-Paul, a small town near Quebec City in Canada. Le Echassiers de BaieSaint-Paul (the Baie-SaintPaul Stiltwalkers), a street theatre group founded by Gilles Ste-Croix, would

stride the streets on stilts, juggling, dancing, breathing fire and playing music. The Cirque Du Soleil, or Circus of the Sun, evolved from that small beginning of 20 people entertaining on the street to a major organization with 5,000 employees including more than 1,300 artists from nearly 50 different coun-

tries. It is estimated more than 100 million spectators have seen one of the Cirque’s shows since the troupe began touring in 1984; and that close to 15 million people will see a show in 2012. This year, the Cirque is presenting 22 different shows around the world; several of them “permanently” resident in places such as Las Vegas, Walt Disney World Resort, Los Angeles and Radio City Music Hall as well as elsewhere in the world. Cirque Du Soleil will present Dralion at 7:30 p.m. March 9, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. March 10 and 1 and 5 p.m. March 11 at the American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com or at any Ticketmaster location. The signature of any Cirque Du Soleil production is the lush pageantry with which it is presented. The audience is initially dazzled by the vivid costuming and scenery; and then enchanted and delighted by the performances. The mission of Cirque du Soleil is “to invoke

the imagination, provoke the senses and evoke the emotions of people around the world,” a mission they have successfully accomplished for nearly 30 years. Dralion premiered in 1999 in Montreal, Canada, and has been performed in front of more than seven million people worldwide in the years since. The production fuses the 3,000 year-old tradition of Chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach of Cirque du Soleil, drawing its inspiration

See CIRQUE, Page 18

March 2012 - Coastal Bend Traveler - 5

A toast to wine and history J REFUGIO, TEXAS

In celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the Battle of Refugio

u Admission: $10 a person, includes wine glass.

u WHERE: Heritage Park/Refugio

he Texas Independence Wine Classic, a familyfriendly event, will be held in celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the Battle of Refugio. The event is Saturday, March 10, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, March 11, from 2 to 6 p.m. The event is held at Heritage Park on U.S. Highway 77 in Refugio. Admission is $10 and includes a wine glass. Wine tasting fees are determined by each winery participating in this year’s event. The classic also features a Mom & Pop Homemade Wine Competition with awards to be given for the best wine. ParticipatingWineries: • Braman Winery • Texas South Wind

xans er Te Wint lways Are A ome! Welc

u WHEN: March 10-11

Vineyard & Winery • Lavaca Bluffs Winery • Darcy’s Vineyard Food types to be available: • Cajun food • Gourmet cheese • Gourmet chocolate • Mexican Food • Bar B Q Entertainment to be provived by: Shakedown Bobby Henson Two Guys 4 Hire Walter Baxter South Texas Historian Portraying: Sally Skull, Sam Houston, Dr. Grant,

A lice

Country Club

664-5702

• 260 County Road 341, Alice

Terr y L. Kreider, General Manager

6 - Coastal Bend Traveler - March 2012

ment of wine and support of local businesses. For more information, call 361-526-5555.

t i s i V e Com

Where South Texas hospitality meets country charm.

The Alice Country Club offers year-round golfing, superior dining facilities & much more. 361

Amon B. King, William Ward, James Power, Judge Rea and others. It is the mission of the Texas Independence Wine Classic to promote Texas heritage through the enjoy-

75th Anniversary Chamber Banquet March 29!

Alice Chamber of Commerce 612 East Main St. • Alice, Texas 78332

664-3454

361

www.alicetxchamber.org

Julie Kirk-Purcell creates an Italian Street Painting

J CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS

Annual Festival of the Arts offers variety March 30 to April 1

he annual nonprofit Corpus Christi Festival of the Arts is the largest free regional celebration of the arts in the United States and features artwork by artists of all kinds from across the country; as well as performances of music, dance, voice and independent cinema screenings in a non-traditional venue. The Festival, which has been in its current format since 2007, historically draws thousands of people to Sherrill Park and the Bayfront to

See FESTIVAL, Page 8

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March 2012 - Coastal Bend Traveler - 7

FESTIVAL, From 7

u WHERE: Sherrill Park and the Bayfront u COST: Free u FMI: Log on to www.ccfestivalarts.org or call 361-883-ARTS

enjoy the arts in all forms. The signature attraction again this year is the internationally recognized artist Julie Kirk-Purcell, who creates an Italian Street Painting in the courtyard of the Art Center of Corpus Christi. This highly popular attraction also includes a student educational workshop for younger students during the week prior to the festival and a workshop for adults and high school students at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 31, with KirkPurcell. Her artwork may be seen on her Web site, www.juliekirk.com. One year, the artist created an anamorphic, or three-dimensional, painting featuring a rock over a canyon. “We had a lot of people take pictures of themselves sitting on the rock in the canyon - it looks very realistic,” said Joye LaBarrett, chairwoman of the Corpus Christi Festival of the Arts. “Julie has won awards and gets commissions from all over the world. Typically they create a 15 by 15-foot painting (for the festival). In 2009 they did, I think, a 24 by 24-foot painting with four artists - a tribute to Texas. A

cowboy was riding, I think a sea dragon, they incorporated mermaids and longhorns - it was wonderful. We were going to take pictures on Monday after the festival but unfortunately, we didn’t get pictures of the whole thing because it ended up raining and messed it up. We learned our lesson that year. Take a picture as soon as it’s finished,” LaBarrett said. Artists and artisans of all types demonstrate their crafts - from painting to sand sculpting to wheel-throwing, hand building, glazing of clay and firing of Raku Pottery. There also will be art for sale at Sherrill Park and the Art Center Courtyard in almost every medium imaginable, from local, regional and national artists. Art lovers can feast their senses on one-of-akind art in such categories as mixed media 2D, mixed media 3D, ceramics, fiber, glass, graphics and print making, jewelry, painting, photography and digital art, sculpture and woodwork. Docent-guided Public Art Tram Tours will wind their way through the public art collection and local architecture of Corpus Christi three times per day during the weekend festival and are available on Thursday and Friday, March 29 and March 30, before the festival for student groups and organizations. Seating space is limited, reservations are required.

8 - Coastal Bend Traveler - March 2012

Sand sculptures are a featured aspect of the festival

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Call 361-883-ARTS for information. Public Art Tram Tours also are available at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. the first Friday morning of each month during the monthly Corpus Christi First/ ARTWALK. The tours are about 50 minutes long and reservations are always recommended. LaBarrett said the tours were originally conducted only during the annual festival, but the Art Center realized that severely limited the people who could enjoy them; so they decided to make them a monthly event. This year, two featured juried exhibits are a part of the gallery shows for the Festival and will hang until April 10 in the Art

Center. The first is “being HUMAN: Artwork expressive in identity of self, a visual commentary relating to art of introspective works.” Well-known Southwest artist and multiple Native American Artist of the Year award recipient Amado Pena Jr. will serve as the juror for the “being HUMAN” exhibit. The other themed juried exhibit for the festival is: “The Unsung Heroine: Artwork as a visual commentary relating to women’s roles and struggles in society.” Independent curator, art educator, film art director and graphic designer Melida Buentello-Olivo will select art entries for this exhibit. The Best of Show in both exhibits will be an-

nounced during the Opening Ceremony and Artists Reception on March 30. Artists interested in showing in either of the exhibits should visit www.ccfestivalarts.org for a prospectus and entry form. LaBarrett said this is “most definitely” a familyfriendly event. “Unfortunately the arts are not being made available in all schools because of budget cuts. So they love it - it’s a chance for them to be exposed to the arts. The KidZone is very, very popular with the children - they get to paint, to make their own t-shirts, HEBuddy will be there and the Half-Price

See FESTIVAL, Page 16

Previous street painting.

13th Annual

s r s e r v e i v R i e R T hrree e Th

SALSA FESTIVAL 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 14 at the Town Square • Two Stages With Live Musical Entertainment

• Food • Arts & Crafts • Children’s Stage

South Texas Marine Center 3832 East Highway 44 Alice, Texas

664-6193

www.southtexasmarine.com

Salsa-Making Competition! For more

information call

361-786-4330 or log on to www.threeriverstx.org Presented by First State Bank

Don’t sit at home another summer.

South Texas Marine Center. February 2012 - Coastal Bend Traveler - 9

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d d to to Conquer Conquer Rough Rough

Alice’s Hidden Gem

J ALICE, TEXAS

The South Texas Museum is located downtown

hen driving through the Hub City, there are several places to spend your time. One of the most treasured pieces of Alice’s heritage is the South Texas Museum. Located at 66 S. Wright St. in downtown Alice, the South Texas Museum offers patrons a chance to connect with their ancestors or learn about some of the remarkable things that have transpired in South Texas. Museum Curator Joyce Ivey said 12 - Coastal Bend Traveler - March 2012

Story & Photos by Johnny De La Zerda Jr. people come into the South Texas Museum for a variety of reasons. “There are all sorts of artifacts here that have significance,” Ivey said. “We have Ballot Box 13, which is the one from the presidential election of Lyndon Johnson where several people voted in the exact same pen, same handwriting, and in alphabetical order. In addition, we have the judge’s bench from the trial of George Parr. There’s just a lot of

history here.” Local history and artifacts are what give the South Texas Museum its down-home charm. Walking in the front doors, patrons are immediately greeted by an array of taxidermy artwork. “Some of these were stuffed a long time ago,” Ivey said. “There’s a longhorn and other animals, including the jack-a-lope.” The South Texas Museum is funded through contributions made

u WHERE: 66 S. Wright Street, Alice u Phone: 361-668-8891. u Hours: MondayFriday, 10 a.m. to noon; 1 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations appreciated. by patrons. “We do not receive any money from any government agency,” Ivey said. “The only way we stay open is if people donate to us; we are always happy to accept donations. We try to keep local history alive here. Without history,

the way of life of those who came before us would be lost.” Some of the prized possessions of the South Texas Museum include an almost complete set of annuals for Alice High School dating back to 1940 (for the locals), a baseball autographed by the great Satchel Paige, and a 100 year-old basket made entirely of seashells. “That basket was actually in my family,” Ivey said. “Can you imagine having to make something like that without the use of electricity? It just goes to show you the determination people had in those days.”

The South Texas Museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. It is also open on

Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information contact Joyce Ivey at 6688891.

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March 2012 - Coastal Bend Traveler - 13

A Taste of Rockport J ROCKPORT, TEXAS

Annual event hosted by Rotary Club

ADMISSION VIP Tickets $85; $1,000 for table of eight. General admission ticket $60. Log on to www.rockportrotary.com for more information.

Story by Brenda Poe

he Rockport Rotary Club is hosting the 11th annual Taste of Rockport “Treasure for the Future” March 22 to benefit the Charles A. Evans Scholarship Foundation. The Taste of Rockport is an annual event that began by the Aransas County Youth League many years ago. In 2007, the Rockport Rotary Club took over operation of the event, said Chairperson of the event and Vice President Terri Whitman. “We took over because we have more manpower to continue to benefit our local students with scholarships,” Whitman said. “And it has really exploded with the amount of support we get within the community. We have raised over $80,000 in scholarships for Aransas County students.” The event is a buffetstyle gathering, featuring local restaurants and their cuisine. “The event just gets more phenomenal each year,” Whitman said. “The area restaurants donate their time, food and services.” There is also a live auc-

tion for items donated, including dinner for eight and much more. “Everyone joins in to make the event special,” Whitman said. “We have a live band - The Rebuilt Carburetors. They are a jazz ensemble and will really add to the event.” There will be a wine tasting at the event, featuring Braman Winery, which will be holding tastings throughout the evening. “We are doing a pirate theme this year,” Whitman said. “Before we took over the event, Rotary was only able to give out $2,000 in scholarships. We are very proud of the money we are able to raise and give to kids.” The VIP reception begins at 6 p.m. There will be a cash bar, provided by L&F Distributors. “People will be able to sample food stations from local restaurants, caterers and chefs,” Whitman said. The Rotary’s Web site boasts “the event as the biggest showcase ever! After you have your fill of food and libations, sit back

14 - Coastal Bend Traveler - March 2012

and take in the music and our fabulous live auction featuring generous culinary packages!” The VIP tickets are $85 each or $1,000 for a table of eight. That sponsorship table gets you all-you-caneat, with a free soda or tea. “The event is then opened to the public from 7 to 9 p.m.,” Whitman said. General admission is $60 each and is an all-youcan-eat ticket. Tickets are being sold at the Rockport Chamber of Commerce or online at www.rockportrotary.com. There will also be a drawing for a chance to win a treasure chest filled with more than $1,500 worth of goodies. “The students are at the time of year when they are filling out the scholarship applications,” Whitman said. “We do a series of interviews with each applicant,” Whitman said. “We choose how much to give to each student depending on their need.” Whitman said the students must show a

drive for success through their in-school aptitude, achievements or extra-curricular accomplishments. Co-chairs for the event are Rose Ann Holzman and Nancy Paulson. “The entire event is managed by Rotarian members who volunteer their time or sponsor tables,” Whitman said. “Everyone gets involved.” Whitman said the event has had as many as 250 to 300 attendees in the past and hopes to continue that success this year at the Fulton Convention Center, on Fulton Beach Road in Fulton Harbor. 2012 Restaurants, Caterers & Chefs Alice Fayes Braman Winery Carolines’ Turtle Bay Cafe Hammerheads HEB Hemingway’s Jama’s The Lunch Box K-Bob’s Kendrick Farms Barbeque L&F Distributors Marco & Co Catering Moon Dog’s Rockport Bakery

Sports & Classic Auto Show J ROCKPORT, TEXAS

he Rockport Sports and Classic Auto Show is set for Saturday, March 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rockport Beach Park. The annual event is a chance for the Corpus Christi MG Car Club to raise money for scholarships for area students. The show takes place at Rockport Beach Park, 212 Seabreeze Drive. It features 14 auto classes with awards for top three cars. There is also a Senior Class (Previous Best of Show), Best of Show and Most Club Participation. The classes include MG, Foreign, Domestic 41-59, Muscle/Domestic 60-2002, Trucks pre 2002, antique pre-1941, Kit Cars/Replicas, Race Cars (Not Street Legal), Corvette 53-82, Corvette 83-2002, Modified, Street Rods, Mustang 64-73, and Mustang 74-2012, The entry fee for autos is $20 preregistration with a t-shirt by March 16 or $20 the day of show. The Corpus Christi MG Car Club has been around for several years and is a non-profit organization dedicated to British cars and car enthusiasts in the Coastal Bend. They sponsor a $500 scholarship for a Del Mar College student each year, host the annual Classic Car Show in Rockport

and are active members of the community. The current Chairman is Kevin Schelling, and the Vice Chair is Gary Leflore. Story by Brenda Poe

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March 2012 - Coastal Bend Traveler - 15

FESTIVAL, From 9

Books Bookworm will be there reading to the children, just a lot of different activities. I believe the Zumba fitness classes will even be there to introduce dance to the children with a fitness twist.” The KidZone is geared for the 12-and-younger art aficionados and features a plethora of art activities for the younger crowd. The festival kicks off from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 30, with an opening ceremony and artists reception at the Art Center. All of the galleries will feature new exhibits and there will be live entertainment and refreshments available. The event is free. The festival officially begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, continuing until 6 p.m.; then followed by “Cinema under the Stars” from 7 to 10 p.m. These outdoor screenings of independent short films will be followed by discussions with the filmmakers. Drinks, live music and outdoor dining are available in Devary’s Courtyard. On Sunday, April 1, the festival will continue with hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Continuous live performances of music, song

and dance may be found during both days of the event. The Chopin Society plays classical music continuously within the Art Gallery and one can even experience live opera. “It’s all free - that’s really the kicker in today’s economy,” LaBarrett said. “Even people who think art is not their cup of tea always find things to enjoy. This is everyone’s opportunity to come out and enjoy what the Coastal Bend has to offer - not everyone that is performing here is from Corpus Christi. It is a weekend of wonderful and artistic entertainment and I hope they’ll come out and enjoy themselves.” As this is an “organic” and highly creative undertaking, the festival events, schedules, participants and activities will be continually updated at www. ccfestivalarts.org through the beginning of the event. The official Festival of the Arts home and office is located in the historic Merriman-Bobys Home in Heritage Park. The facility houses a business office, Salon Gallery, Gift Shop and Artist Studios. Story By Lois Stephens

16 - Coastal Bend Traveler - March 2012

Historical Stop Sign

Bishop, Texas The town of Bishop was established in 1910 by F. Z. Bishop on land he had purchased from the Driscoll Ranch. The townsite was staked on both sides of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico railroad line. F. Z. Bishop, who dreamed of building a model town on the prairie, managed construction of the town. Bishop planned the townsite and designed the business district to have a uniform appearance with brick facades. He began construction of an electric plant and water system, planted 600 palm trees along the streets, and laid three miles of sidewalks in town. A 40-acre city park with a lake, band pavilion and deer park were underway. A frame schoolhouse was built, and opened in September 1910. The town grew quickly and within two years the population had grown to 1,000. The town was incorporated in April 1912; R. R. Hall, business manager for F. Z. Bishop, was elected first mayor. Churches were built. A two story brick school with a raised basement replaced the first school. Although F. Z. Bishop declared bankruptcy in 1916, the town continued to grow and prosper. Oil and gas discoveries in the 1940’s caused petroleum-related industries to supplant agriculture as the chief economic base. F. Z. Bishop was buried in Bishop in 1950. Source: Texas Historical Commission

Museum exhibit features life, work of Chavez Exhibit runs through April 14

he John E. Conner Museum at Texas A&M UniversityKingsville will honor César Chávez with the Humanities Texas traveling exhibit “In His Own Words: The Life and Work of César Chávez.” The exhibit opened Saturday, March 3, and runs through Saturday, April 14. The exhibit features 38 photographs paired with excerpts from his speeches, interviews and writings. The exhibit documents

the full course of Chávez’s career and examines the life experiences and philosophical influences that drove him to dedicate himself to improving the lives of American farm workers. The Pre-Law Society student organization also will honor Chávez during his birthday month with the annual César Chávez March at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 28. The Conner Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. It also is closed all university holidays. Admission to the museum

and the exhibit is free, but donations are accepted. For more information, call 361-593-2810. A true American hero, Chavez was a civil rights, Latino and farm labor leader; a genuinely reli-

gious and spiritual figure; a community organizer and social entrepreneur; a champion of militant nonviolent social change; and a crusader for the environment and consumer rights. (Source/Photo: Cesar Chavez Foundation)

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CIRQUE, From 5 from Eastern philosophy and its never-ending quest for harmony between humans and nature. The two emblematic creatures of the show provided its name, the dragon - symbolizing the East; and the lion, symbolizing the West. The show brings the four elements of the natural order into a human form; each element represented by its own color - air is blue; water, green; fire, red; and earth, ochre. These colors are re-

flected in the costumes and scenery of the world of Dralion. The inspiration for the costumes of Dralion came from China, India and Africa; with more than 16,000 feet of fabric incorporated. Dralion utilizes nearly 1,500 costume pieces; the majority of which are custom-made for each artist. The amazing costuming and scenery, however, pale in comparison to the artistry and precision of the performers.

18 - Coastal Bend Traveler - March 2012

Acts such as an aerial Pas de Deux with a couple suspended high in the air from a long band of blue cloth with which they perform acrobatic feats of strength and flexibility; or the hoop diving, during which ten men simultaneously dive through small wooden hoops; or the trampoline act in which artists dive from high above, using a backdrop both as the diving board and a landing pad; alternately thrill and delight

spectators of all ages. The high energy, yet lyrical and rhythmic music, draws influences from India, Andalusia, Africa and Europe and is performed live for every performance. Dralion was described by one spectator, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It made me feel like a child again. It was the wonder, the pure joy of just sitting back and watching in amazement, while the smile on my face just kept getting bigger and bigger.â&#x20AC;?

EclEctic E vEnts ( e h I n t ht tl ig o p S

Thursday, March 8 - Rockport-Fulton Country Opry - Paws & Taws Convention Center, 402 N. Fulton Beach Road. 402 N. Fulton Beach Road, RockportFulton, Texas, Phone: 800-242-0071 http://www.rockport-fulton.org/. Friday, March 9 - Goliad - Senior Citizen Craft Item and Bake Sale - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 601 W. Pearl, Goliad. Call 361-645-2501. March 9 through June 3 - Corpus Christi - Art Exhibit - “Michael Scott: Buffalo Bulb’s Wild West Show” Artist Michael Scott playfully links the Dutch tulip with the Wild West Show though the technique and style of Old Master portraiture in this kitschy new exhibit. Art Museum of South Texas. http://www.artmuseumofsouthtexas. org/. Saturday, March 10 - Corpus Christi, Second Saturday Singalong Piano Show - Shout out a song and the pianist will do his best to play it. Brewster Street Ice House, 1724 N. Tancahua. http://www.brewsterstreet.net/ Saturday, March 10 - Goliad - Market Days Market Days 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 231 S. Market St., Goliad. Arts, crafts, antiques, food and beverages, jewelry collectibles and more - 200+ vendors.

ec·lec·tic /iklektik/ - Adjective: Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

)

March 10 - Aransas Pass - Spring Break Splash Concert - Texas Country Music Live featuring Lyrical Bynge, Seth Candan, Bart Crow and Cory Morrow. Tickets are $25 at the gate, 200 E. Johnson Ave. E-mail: apcoc@cableone.net. http://www.aransaspass.org/springbreak-splash.cfm.

Wednesday, March 14 - Alice - Kelly Miller Circus - The Alice Chamber of Commerce will host the Kelly Miller Circus from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, under the Big Top at the Jim Wells County Fairgrounds, 3000 S. Johnson in Alice. Call Juan A. Navejar Jr. at 361-6643454 for information. Thursday, March 15 - Cuero - Cuero Country Opry - Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served until 6:45 p.m. Show begins at 7 p.m. VFW Hall, 934 U.S. 183 N., Cuero. March 15 through 17 - George West - Live Oak County Fair & Rodeo, Live Oak County Fairgrounds. Saturday, March 17 - Sinton - Kiwanis Club car show - Rob and Bessie Welder Park, 2 miles north of Sinton on Hwy. 181. Call Betty at 361-364-2381. Saturday, March 17 - Corpus Christi - Metal Shop in Concert - Band in full costume covers metal songs from the ‘70s to ‘90s. Brewster Street Ice House, 1724 N. Tancahua. http://www.brewsterstreet.net/. Tuesday, March 20 - Alice - Annual Kiwanis Pancake Supper - 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 20 at Dubose Intermediate School, 1000 Lantana. For tickets, contact Jack Walker at 361-701-3220 or the Chamber at 361-664-3454. Donation $6.

March 10 and 11 - Robstown Saxet Gun Show - 9 a.m. at the Central Pavilion Arena, Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds. Call Todd at 361-289-2256 or visit www. saxetshows.com.

Friday, March 23 - Beeville - Dance Team, James and Kathy Taylor - Presented by the Beeville Concert Association, admission, 7:30 p.m. Call Coastal Bend College Performing Arts 361-3542303 or visit http://www.coastalbend.edu .

Sunday, March 11 - Rockport-Fulton Whooping Crane Strut - Includes a 10K run and two-mile walk. Begins at 8 a.m. Rockport Beachfront Pavilion. 361-729-2213.

Friday - March 23 - Alice - The annual Men of the Advent Fish Fry will be from 5 to 7 p.m. March 23 at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 200 N. Wright in Alice. Dine in or Dine out, donation $8.

Friday - March 23 - Corpus Christi - Le Freak in Concert - Brewster Street Ice House, 1724 N. Tancahua. 361-884-2739.

Call Jack Walker at 361-701-3220 for information. March 23 and 24 - Victoria - Quilts, Quilts, Quilts -The Quilt Guild of Greater Victoria presents the annual quilt show on March 23 and 24. http://www.quiltguildvictoria.org/. March 23 and 24 - Port Aransas - Redfish Series Tournament - A catch-and-release tournament with artificial lures. Registration is Friday and fishing day is Saturday. Robert’s Point Park. Phone: 210-385-3333 http://www. redfishseries.com/. Saturday, March 24 - Cuero - Keep Cuero Beautiful Spring Garage Sale - It’s time once again for the KCB Spring Garage Sale Extravaganza at the Cuero Park Pavilion. Various sizes of booth spaces to choose from. Contact the Chamber at 275-2112. Saturday, March 31 -Cuero - Retail Merchants Spring Open House - Shop till you drop at participating businesses. Enjoy samples, demonstrations, and discounts. Contact the Chamber at 275-2112. Saturday, March 31 - Cuero - Wellness Center Wildflower 5K - Begins at the Cuero Municipal Park. Jog your way through a wildflower strewn route. March 30 and 31- Ingleside - Round-Up Days Festival - Includes a barbecue cook-off, live music, vendors, carnival and more. Bring a canned food item for admission. Simmons Park Phone: 361/776-2906 http://www.inglesidetxchamber.com/. March 31 - Beeville - Talent Show - Presented by the Beeville Community Chorus, Admission, 7:30 p.m. Call Coastal Bend College Performing Arts at 361-354-2303 or visit http://www.coastalbend.edu. Thursday, April 5 - Victoria - Victoria College - Lyceum - Temple Grandin - Temple Grandin overcame the limitations of autism to become an accomplished and world famous animal scientist. She will speak at 7 p.m. at the VISD Fine Arts Center located at 1002 Sam Houston. For more information, call 361-572-6422.

James Dean

Ranch Developments, Ltd Predevelopment Sales Now Highway 359 - Near Alice 5 to 100 acre lots available!

Rustic Living! Features Two Creeks! Much Wildlife!

Jim Dean, CEO P.O. Box 248, Sandia, TX 78383

(361)

387-1480

jdean642@aol.com