Brick & Elm | March/April 2023

THE HOME ISSUE

A RARE LOOK INSIDE AMARILLO’S FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT HOUSE

A tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Sterling Kinney House, the most famous home in Amarillo

PHOTO BY ANGELINA MARIE

PHOTO BY ADAM BAKER

PHOTO BY ADAM BAKER

PUBLISHERS

Michele McAffrey mm@brickandelm.com

Jason Boyett jb@brickandelm.com

DESIGNER

Kayla Morris km@brickandelm.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Katt Massey katt@brickandelm.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Adam Baker

Angelina Marie

Venice Mincey

Shannon Richardson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

PUBLISHERS

Jon Mark Beilue

Michele McAffrey mm@brickandelm.com

Chip Chandler

Andy Chase Cundiff

My father, Mike Boyett, was a longtime Amarillo architect who passed away in 2021 after a journey with cancer. He’d been an admirer of Frank Lloyd Wright all his life. He knew the legendary architect had designed a home in Amarillo, but somehow Dad never got a chance to see it. So with his 73rd birthday approaching and a round of radiation behind him, I asked Robin Gilliland if she’d give Dad a private tour. Graciously, she agreed. Dad was spellbound in the home, pointing out details and describing Wright’s techniques. My dad’s journey came to an end a few months later. It was a difficult year in so many ways, but I will never forget how we got to spend his last birthday together in such a special place. From an intensely personal standpoint and also as a resident of Amarillo, I’m so grateful for Robin’s generosity. Her willingness to renovate, care for and share this local treasure is such a gift. We are honored to introduce you to the Sterling Kinney home in this issue. It’s one of my all-time favorite places in the city.

Jason Boyett jb@brickandelm.com

Lauren Diestelkamp

Ruthie Landelius

Patrick Miller

Wes Reeves

DESIGNER

Karen Welch

Kayla Morris km@brickandelm.com

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hen I look back over the past few months, it feels like ages since I last wrote an editor’s note, and then at other times the weeks have flown by. In the middle of January, it seemed my days of typing up my last-minute thoughts prior to printing a magazine were over. And then … a miracle.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Print subscription: $34.99/year

Angelina Marie

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: mm@brickandelm.com

Scott Thomas

Shannon Richardson

806.414.5235

Mason Dudley

Gray Gillman

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Chip Chandler

Andy Chase Cundiff

Wes Reeves

My longtime writing partner Jason Boyett became my new business partner and Brick & Elm was born. This “hyper-local” magazine was created in meetings at our respective homes, and it’s the compilation of everything we’ve ever hoped a Panhandle-focused publication could be. The community outpouring for our new project has been overwhelming in the best way. My friends and local businesses have sent streams of encouraging messages of support. Now I truly know what it means to say my cup overflows

This is the first of many fantastic Amarillo-centric issues created by a true dream team—Jason and the incomparable Kayla Morris. I’m thrilled beyond measure to share Brick & Elm with you. Thanks for reading.

TWhere are so many things to enjoy in this issue, but one feature gave me particular delight. Jason had heard about Hamlet’s Tiger Flight Golf Club earlier this year and we immediately knew we had to share the story in our pages. Jon Mark Beilue tackled the writing assignment, with Adam Baker slated for photography. On a chilly February morning, we met Hamlet Principal R.J. Soleyjacks, volunteer Justin Thompson and their young golf enthusiasts in the park outside the elementary school. Inside, Jon Mark corralled a few budding golfers for interviews, while Justin began a lesson outside with the remaining students. Watching the children’s enthusiasm, Justin’s patience with them, and the camaraderie between R.J. and Justin was a tremendous encouragement. After I’d taken the kiddos inside to warm up, Adam, R.J. and Justin packed up the golf and camera gear together. I watched through a window as the three men chatted for a while and couldn’t help feeling emotional as I stood there alone, in silence. I knew I was watching agents of change, three young men from vastly different backgrounds who would influence the lives of kids in need—one, through his passion for golf, one through his passion for at-risk children, and one through his talent for telling a story through photos. I’ll never forget it.

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All the best parts of my career began in the Amarillo College Journalism Department. There, in the mid1990s, I learned to write fast. I learned to edit. I learned desktop publishing, design and photography. But what I learned most of all is that I really liked magazines. I ended

AMARILLO’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Amarillo Little Theatre is wrapping up its 95th season, but there are still opportunities to see great live theatre right here in Amarillo!

In March, ALT Academy will produce the musical Cinderella. This classic is one you don’t want to miss! Experience it at the Allen Shankles Mainstage, March 24-April 2.

In April, ALT will present The Father at the ALT Adventure Space. The play was the winner of the 2014 Molière Award, France’s most prestigious honor for a new work of theater. In a darkly humorous and deeply poignant translation by Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller’s The Father is a tragi-comic mystery, a sobering and realistic family story, and an unsentimental, emotionally intense look at the world through the eyes of a man experiencing dementia. The Father runs April 13-23.

ALT closes its season with Beautiful: A Carol King Musical. ALT is thrilled to have the first opportunity to present this beautiful musical regionally. This jukebox musical tells the story of the early life and music career of Carol King, and will close out the season at the Allen Shankles Mainstage, May 4-21.

Don’t miss ALT’s annual fundraiser Gala on April 29, 2023, at The Derrick Event Center. This year’s Gala will be themed A Beautiful Gala in conjunction with Beautiful: A Carol King Musical. Dress in ’60s and ’70s glam attire and dance the night away with live entertainment by Love Session. All proceeds from the event will benefit Amarillo Little Theatre.

For more information about A Beautiful Gala, as well as ticket availability for upcoming productions, visit amarillolittletheatre.org

KAYLA MORRIS

Kayla has been designing professionally for local businesses and nonprofits for more than 10 years. Kayla was raised in the Panhandle and graduated with a design degree from West Texas A&M University. When not designing she loves spending time outdoors with family and friends.

SHANNON RICHARDSON

Shannon has been a commercial/advertising photographer for almost 35 years. His work can be seen at shannonrichardson.com.

ADAM BAKER

Born and raised in Amarillo, Adam graduated from the University of North Texas School of Fine arts in 2009, and spent the following decade as a commercial photographer in the Metroplex. After the pandemic brought him home to Amarillo in 2020, he began offering tintype photography via Perry’s Tintypes. See his work on Instagram at @perrys_tintype_studio and @adam_baker_photography.

VENICE MINCEY

Venice is a natural light photographer, specializing in senior, family and child photography. Her passion is photographing high school seniors, especially those who might not have the opportunity to have professional photos taken. Venice has been taking photos for more than 20 years. See her work at veniceminceyphotography.com.

KAREN WELCH

Karen is the senior content producer for Panhandle PBS. She joined the station after spending 28 years in print journalism—26 of them at the Amarillo Globe-News. She is the winner of a Regional Emmy Award and more than a dozen individual or team reporting awards. Karen is a local, born and raised in Amarillo, and earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from West Texas A&M University.

JON MARK BEILUE

Jon Mark worked at the Amarillo Globe-News from 1981 until his retirement in 2018. He spent 17 of those years as sports editor, and the last 12 as the newspaper’s general columnist. Beilue received 16 statewide and national awards for his work. He has written five books—two are collections of his columns, and the other three are on Amarillo lawyers Wales Madden and Robert Templeton, and Canyon girls basketball coach Joe Lombard. Beilue is a native of Groom and graduate of Texas Tech University. He and wife Sandy have two adult sons.

ANGELINA MARIE

Angelina has been a photographer in the Amarillo area for 13 years, specializing in architectural, stylized commercial, and fine art photography. She puts her audio engineering degree to use as editor of the Hey Amarillo podcast. Angelina is co-director of Make Space, a new Amarillo nonprofit focused on helping creatives become successful artists through education and resources. She’s also an avid cat lover. See her work at shorteareddog.com or find her on Instagram.

WES

REEVES

Wes was raised in Wellington and has lived in Amarillo since the early 90s. He serves as chairman of the Potter County Historical Commission and as a member of the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission board of directors. Through his writing, poetry, storytelling and community involvement he seeks to engage people of all ages in appreciating the diversity and richness of the Texas Panhandle experience, past and present.

Spring is busting out all over in March and April, with an abundance of arts productions, fundraisers, parties, concerts and much more. This is only a taste of what’s to come; make sure to subscribe to the Brickly and Flavorillo newsletters for up-todate offerings.

March

AMARILLO SYMPHONY: The orchestra plans to return to the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., in a big way with choral masterpiece Carmina Burana on March 24 and 25. Other arts highlights for the month will include Amarillo Little Theatre’s ongoing performances of historical drama These Shining Lives from March 2 to 5 on the Allen Shankles Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle; an exhibition by visiting artist Charles Irvin from March 2 to 31 at West Texas A&M University’s Dord Fitz Formal Gallery; the WT Symphony Orchestra on March 4 and WT Concert Band on March 5 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall; Chamber Music Amarillo’s performance of Dvorak’s Piano Quintet on March 11 in the Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive; ALT Academy’s bright and shiny production of Cinderella from March 24 to April 2 on the ALT Mainstage; WT Theatre’s feminist drama Bull in a China Shop from March 29 to April 1 in the Happy State Bank Studio Theatre; and Amarillo Museum of Art’s eagerly anticipated 20x20 art show and sale on March 30 at the museum, 2200 S. Van Buren St.

CODY JASPER: The Amarillo-born rocker is making big moves around the country and across the pond in England, but he’ll return home March 4 for a show at The Golden Light Cantina, 2908 SW Sixth Ave. Other musical highlights on the books include a rap-heavy Amarillo Spring Break Bash on March 4 at Grandeza Events, 10695 N. U.S. Highway 287; Red Dirt star Bart Crow on March 4 at Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road; Mexican stars Grupo Bronco on March 11 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St.; and young Texas Country star Grant Gilbert on March 18 at The Golden Light.

LET’S CELEBRATE: A whole slew of favorite characters from Toy Story 4, Frozen, Aladdin, The Lion King and many more lace up their skates for the return of Disney on Ice from March 16 to 19 in the Civic Center Complex Coliseum. Other events to add to your calendar include an open trail day March 4 at the in-the-works Cross Bar recreation area northwest of the city; the annual Make-a-Wish Car Show on March 4 and 5 in the Civic Center Complex; the return of the beloved Harlem Globetrotters on March 8 in the Civic Center Coliseum; the Amarillo Bombers vs. the New Mexico Runners on March 10 in the Civic Center Coliseum; and the Amarillo Wranglers vs. the El Paso Rhinos on March 18 and 19 and the Shreveport Mudbugs on March 24 and 25, both in the Civic Center Coliseum.

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4: Never did a hunt for vengeance over a murdered dog become such a lucrative endeavor. Keanu Reeves is back again March 24 as the titular hitman, this time facing off against top killers from around the world. Other films to put on your radar include boxing sequel Creed III on March 3; action-adventure film 65, sports comedy Champions, family comedy Mordecai and horror sequel Scream VI on March 10; comic-book sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods on March 17; comedy-drama The Lost King on March 24; drama A Good Person and fantasy Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves on March 31.

April

RIGOLETTO: Amarillo Opera’s not fooling: They really are staging Verdi’s beloved classic on April 1 in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. Other must-see arts events include Broadway Spotlight Series’ touring production of the musical Anastasia on April 3 and 4 in the Civic Center Complex Auditorium; playwright and actress Anna Deveare Smith for the WT Distinguished Lecture Series at 7 p.m. April 4 in Legacy Hall in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center; beloved Borger-native pianist John Bayless’ return performance at 7:30 p.m. April 11 in the Amarillo College Concert Hall Theatre; Amarillo Little Theatre’s The Father from April 13 to 23 in the ALT Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle; Lore podcast host Aaron Mahnke, also for WT’s Distinguished Lecture Series, at 6 p.m. April 13 in the Derrick Room at Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, 2503 Fourth Ave. in Canyon; Lone Star Ballet’s new production of Alice in Wonderland on April 14 and 15 in the Globe-News Center; Amarillo Symphony’s take on Rachmaninoff’s Second and more on April 21 and 22 in the Globe-News Center; the Amarillo Youth Symphony Orchestra on April 23 in the Globe-News Center; the WT Choir spring concert on April 25 and WT Jazz concert on April 27, both in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall; WT Opera’s production of La Navarraise from April 27 to 29 in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall; and WT Dance’s Portraits of Dance from April 28 to 30 in the Branding Iron Theatre.

YELLOW CITY COMIC CON: A host of genre actors and voice actors are on the bill for this annual celebration of all things pop-culture, set for April 21 to 23 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex. Start working on your best cosplay look and make room for new collectibles on your shelves. Other major events in April will include motivational speaker Elizabeth Smart at the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health’s Power of the Purse luncheon on April 13 in the Civic Center Complex Heritage Ballroom; and Martha’s Home’s Second Chance Prom on April 15, also in the Civic Center Heritage Ballroom. The Amarillo Sod Poodles return to action with a series against the Corpus Christi Hooks from April 11 to 16 and the Frisco RoughRiders from April 25 to 30 in Hodgetown, 715 S. Buchanan St. Plus, the Amarillo Wranglers take on the Odessa Jackalopes on April 8 and 9 and the Wichita Falls Warriors on April 15 and 16 in the Civic Center Coliseum.

BLUE OCTOBER: The alt-rockers spin back to town for an April 5 show in the

Visit brickandelm.com for Chip’s expanded event coverage and movie reviews. Better yet, subscribe to our email newsletters for breaking entertainment news every week!

CHIP CHANDLER

Chip is the city’s arts and entertainment expert, having covered area events since 1998. Stay up to date on local happenings with Chip’s Can’t Miss picks in every issue.

miss

WITH CHIP CHANDLER

Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. Other area concerts are still being added to the schedule, but look for those hirsute rockers ZZ Top in an April 23 return to the Civic Center Complex Auditorium and the 51st annual Bob Wills Day celebrations April 28 to 30 in Turkey.

ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET:

Beloved author Judy Blume’s classic novel finally comes to the big screen in an adaptation starring Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and newcover Abby Ryder Fortson on April 28. Other big releases are scheduled to include drama On a Wing and a Prayer on April 5; thriller The Pope’s Exorcist, animated The Super Mario Bros. Movie and comedy Paint on April 7; sports drama Sweetwater and comedic horror film Renfield on April 14; and horror film Evil Dead Rise, actioner Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant and horror drama Beau Is Afraid on April 21.

Did you know Broome Optical is locally owned, and has been since 1929? We know this community. We live in this community. We’ve been serving this community for 94 years. Come see the local eyecare difference.

THE BIG CHEESE

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HEART OF CASA

The family-friendly annual mac-and-cheese cook-off was held on Jan. 19 in the Rex Baxter Building on the Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds. Proceeds from the event benefited The Hope & Healing Place. (Provided Photos)

Amarillo Area CASA hosted its fundraiser on Feb. 3 in the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center. The gallery event and auction featured art created by local foster children. (Provided Photos)

Burrowing Owl RECOMMENDS

A Man Called Ove

By Fredrik Backman

Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon—the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. But, behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So, when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations.

BRICK & ELM EDITORS PICK

My wife, Aimee, suggested this to me for months before I finally read it. I shouldn’t have waited so long. Backman creates such great characters. This book is charming and memorable and bittersweet in the best kind of ways.

—Jason Boyett

It’s been awhile since I’ve connected so strongly with a book. I was drawn into the story from the first paragraph, and fell in love with each character. It’s a novel that you can’t help staying up all night to finish, but one you’ll also cry about when it’s over.

—Michele McAffrey

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AMARILLO SYMPHONY BALL

The Amarillo Symphony held its 68th annual ball on Feb. 4 at the Embassy Suites Downtown Amarillo. Themed “Kyoto in Bloom,” the Guild fundraiser served to present this year’s Symphony Belles and Beaux. (Provided Photos)

ANNUAL HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BANQUET

The annual HCC Banquet was held on Feb. 10 at the Amarillo Club. Themed “The Future Is In Our Hands,” the banquet celebrated community volunteers and featured keynote speaker Jacob Moreno, with Altura Engineering and Design. (Provided Photos courtesy of AM de Amarillo)

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CHAMBER MUSIC AMARILLO

As part of its ongoing 25th Anniversary celebration, Chamber Music Amarillo featured Handel: Great Keyboard Suites on Feb. 11. The intimate concert featured Nathan

Photos)

MARDI GRAS PARTY 2023

Fryml, Choong-ha Nam, Jim Rauscher, and Sarah Rushing. (Provided

Family Support Services hosted its annual Mardi Gras Party on Feb. 11 at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex. This year’s celebration included a casino, auction, and live music by Cameron James Smith and The Band Monarch. (Provided Photos)

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE

For several years, Lanitra Barringer led a local organization called College Success Initiative, known for its college bus tour, which introduced local high school students to Texas colleges, including historically black colleges and universities. Barringer was a first-generation college student herself and knew the value of establishing goals beyond high school graduation.

In the process, however, Barringer realized that a college dream can only go so far without parental support. True generational change begins at home. “That’s the missing piece,” she says. “You have to get the parents on the same page.”

A long-time educator with Amarillo Independent School District, Barringer knew it was time to shift her focus. So in 2018, she transformed the successful bus tour concept into a new organization called Youth Success Project (YSP), focusing on the entire family. Today, the organization uses one-on-one mentoring and monthly meals to engage entire family units in college preparatory experiences. Community leaders teach participants about the value of college or technical degrees. Men and women in the business world act as examples of entrepreneurship. Military veterans walk with high school graduates through the enlistment process.

Regardless of the direction, YSP wants to show families and students the value of taking the next step after high school. “Our vision is to formulate a path for families to find long-term financial stability,” Barringer says. “That might be college, but it might be learning a trade or looking at entrepreneurship. When you can see change with whoever is head of the family, it can be a domino effect.”

In other words, a high school student is most likely to think about attending Amarillo College, West Texas A&M University, or getting vocational training if a parent is driving the bus. “When you change

the narrative as a family, parents lead and students follow,” she says. Currently, YSP is serving 17 participating families, including students from all four Amarillo ISD high schools as well as Canyon High School. The program is open to students throughout the Amarillo and Canyon communities.

Volunteers are essential to the program. “We have 22 volunteers and they are all professionals leading by example,” Barringer says. YSP is always looking for minority male mentors, as well as local businesses and organizations willing to donate a monthly meal, which takes place at Hillside Amarillo North Grand Campus.

To learn more about the organization, get involved as a volunteer or participate as a family, visit youthsuccessproject.org

PROVIDED PHOTOS

ADOPT-A-PET

AMARILLO SPCA

806-622-0555

11901 S. COULTER

AMARILLOSPCA@GMAIL.COM

The Amarillo SPCA is a nonprofit animal shelter serving our community since 1988. We are not affiliated with the national SPCA and receive no funding from them or any other federal or state organization. We rely on our community to keep our doors open through donations of goods, cash and volunteer time. We currently care for about 100 dogs and puppies and 40 cats and kittens. We are a no-kill shelter. Our costs for animal food, veterinary services, facility upkeep and monthly bills continue to grow.

SPCA WISH LIST

• High-quality dry dog and puppy food

• High-quality dry cat and kitten food (Purina One preferred)

• Adult cat and kitten soft canned food

• Paper towels

• Trash bags (large 52-gallon and tall kitchen)

• Dawn dishwashing liquid

• Laundry detergent

• Bleach

• Clorox wipes

• Latex gloves for cleaning

• Odo-Ban disinfectant

MUTTFEST 2023

It’s the 29th year of the SPCA’s largest fundraiser, Muttfest, to be held on Sunday, May 21 at Starlight Ranch from 12-5 p.m. The family-fun day for dogs and their families will be full of pet-related vendors, food, a silent auction, contests and more!

MILO MR. MORRIS

BSA Hospital received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group. This national distinction celebrates BSA Hospital’s achievements in protecting hospital patients from preventable harm and errors.

Apollo MedFlight has launched a new air ambulance base in Dalhart, increasing rapid response emergency transport services to residents throughout the region.

For the tenth year in a row, Xcel Energy has been honored as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine. The Minneapolis-based utility ranked first in social responsibility and quality of management, placing second overall among the most admired gas and electric companies in the country.

Canyon Rim Consulting, LLC, a technology services consulting firm, announced that it joined the Oracle NetSuite Solution Provider Program. With NetSuite, Canyon Rim will help its customers take advantage of cloud ERP systems to gain the visibility and control needed to adapt and thrive.

For the second consecutive year, the City of Amarillo Vital Statistics Team has earned the Exemplary Five Star Award of 2022 from the State of Texas.The award marks the third time the city has received such state designation, and the first in back-to-back years.

Krystal Haase, PharmD, has been named regional dean of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy on the Amarillo campus. Haase has served as a faculty member for 23 years, division head of adult medicine for more than nine years and program director for various residency programs in Amarillo.

Julie Lamm and Tom Butler recently joined American Land Title. Lamm is a Senior Commercial and Residential Escrow Officer and Vice President and Butler is an Escrow Officer and assistant to Lamm. Together, the pair have 25 years of experience in the title and escrow industry.

The West Texas A&M University Police Department announced recent promotions of Kyle Hawbaker to assistant chief and Brandon Johnson to lieutenant at UPD. Krystal Czesnowski is the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Clery Compliance Officer. Nancy Hampton was named director of the University’s Office of Civil Rights and Title IX.

Angela Allen, West Texas A&M University’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, was presented the Atlanta-based Not Alone Foundation’s Diamond Awards’ Excellence in Education Leadership, Diversity | Equity | Inclusion, Humanitarian & Community Engagement for 2023. She and other winners were honored Jan. 21.

West Texas A&M University’s Agronomy Club was named Best in Nation at the President’s Trophy competition at the Students of Agronomy, Soils and Environmental Sciences national meeting in Baltimore.

The Paul & Virginia Engler College of Business at West Texas A&M University was named No. 20 in the nation for its online MBA program by The Princeton Review

Walmart recently provided grants to local agencies helping children, The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center and Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch. Checks were presented on Jan. 20.

Northwest Texas Healthcare System announced Steven Bond, PhD, LPC, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Northwest Texas Healthcare System Behavioral Health. Dr. Bond has been a leader in behavioral health and psychiatric care settings for more than 20 years.

Adriana Alderete, high school Spanish teacher at San Jacinto Christian Academy in Amarillo; Karissa Huffman, Spanish teacher at Groom High School; Abbie Reyes, Spanish teacher at West Plains High School in Canyon Independent School District; and Sylvia Weis, Spanish teacher at Bonham Middle School in Amarillo ISD were recipients of the 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award for the region’s best multilingual instructors by West Texas A&M University and the Panhandle Language Teachers Association.

Chad Blount has joined Lagrone Blackburn Shaw as its new Managing Partner. Blount has 30-plus years in the funeral and cemetery profession.

Intelligent.com ranked Amarillo College in the No. 1 spot on its list of the “Best Community Colleges in Texas” in 2023.

Scott Sandel joined Amarillo College as its new head women’s volleyball coach. With a 35-year career, Sandel has coached at the club, high school, and collegiate levels and has 10 NCAA postseason appearances. Meagan Ellis will serve as Sandel’s assistant coach. Katelynn Kenyon joined AC as Alumni Coordinator.

Development Officer Mark Clark joined the AC Foundation following three years as the music teacher for Gruver schools.

Meredith Soleyjacks was named 2022-23 Heritage Hills Teacher of the Year.

Carmella Nodine of Navigation Financial Group of Amarillo, LLC, earned Certified Financial Planner status.

The City of Canyon and the Canyon Economic Development Corp. announced the hiring of Stephanie Tucker as the new Executive Director of the CEDC. Tucker was most recently the General Manager and Vice President of Marketing at IVRS Wellness Center.

Blaine Johnson joined TTU School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo as an assistant professor of food animal medicine and surgery. Johnson’s focus is to educate veterinary students on the scientific principles and practical herd management. He also will teach students the foundational knowledge needed for diagnosing and treating the most common diseases and surgical conditions specifically in food animal production.

Trista Mills will serve as an assistant professor of general veterinary practice at TTU School of Veterinary Medicine. Mills will help teach the school’s signature program in clinical and professional skills.

Amarillo National Bank provided a $3 million gift to WTAMU’s OneWest campaign, establishing the Amarillo National Bank School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, and the Ware University Distinguished Professor endowment.

Theresa Brown joined TTU School of Veterinary Medicine as an assistant professor of general veterinary practice. She will help instruct veterinary students in the art and science of general veterinary practice.

Surgery expert Robin Carlson joined TTU School of Veterinary Medicine as a professor. Carlson has been in veterinary medicine for 25 years.

World-renowned equine expert James Brown joined the TTU School of Veterinary Medicine as an associate professor of equine surgery. Before joining Texas Tech, Brown spent 15 years at Virginia Tech as a clinical associate professor of equine surgery at the Marion du Pont Scott Equine Medical Center.

Amarillo National Bank provided a gift of $250,000 for scholarship support to the TTU School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo, which will provide students with affordable world-class education and more opportunities.

Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle announced the addition of Kelly James as Development Director. James spent more than 30 years in Amarillo media as a news anchor/ reporter for several TV and radio stations.

Randy Darnell, recently announced his retirement as Canyon ISD Board of Trustee. Darnell began his service on the CISD Board of Trustees in February 2005.

We want to hear from you! To highlight your business, promotions, awards and ribbon-cuttings in this section, email a press release or your business brief to mm@brickandelm.com.

CROSS POINTE AUTO

START WITH BBB WHEN HIRING A CONTRACTOR

BY JANNA KIEHL

Are you thinking about remodeling your home or making minor repairs? Are you in the market to build a new home? BBB is here to help.

Be prepared! Doing research and learning about your options goes a long way. You’ll be entering into a long-term relationship with the company you choose, and you will likely invest more time and money than you do on other projects around your home.

Start your search at BBB.org and look for BBB Accredited Businesses. Contracting companies—such as roofing companies, remodelers, siding and window companies, handyman services, HVAC companies and plumbing companies—are BBB’s most called-on industries. Be sure to check company ratings, reviews and complaint details. Talk with several contractors about your specific project and get details about pricing and the time needed to complete the project.

Consider how the company responded to their customer reviews and complaints in addition to their rating and accredited business status.

BBB Accredited Businesses meet BBB’s Standards for Trust Code of Business Practices. They have agreed to represent their products and services honestly, clearly disclose all policies, guarantees and procedures, honor promises, and have agreed to resolve any disputes that may come up.

Here’s how to check out a company before you buy or sign:

ü Track Record: It’s fast, easy and free. Start with trust. Start with BBB. Look up company reports at BBB.org or call 806-379-6222 Know a company’s business before you pay or sign anything.

ü Licensing: Verify with your city building safety or code enforcement department that the contractor is properly registered, bonded and insured.

ü Building Permits: Unpermitted work can void insurance coverage and violate zoning and building codes. Be leery of the contractor who asks you to obtain permits. A competent contractor will get all the necessary permits before starting work on your project.

ü Compare Costs: Obtain bids from several companies. Review the bids, compare similar services, and remember the lowest bid is not always the best deal. The company’s ability to complete your job and the working relationship is also important. There’s much more to the overall business transaction than price alone. Comparing bids and seeking a positive and professional relationship is crucial.

ü Written Contract: Do not permit work to start without a signed, written contract that includes start and completion dates, exact costs, specific work to be done, and warranty information. Be sure to read the fine print carefully.

ü Payment & Deposit: Never pay for the entire project upfront. In some cases—large jobs for example—a contractor may ask for one-third of the price as a down payment. Pay this one-third after the first day of work. Make payments during the project contingent

upon completion of a defined amount of work (typically another one-third). Do not make the final payment or sign an affidavit of final release until you are satisfied with the work, all required inspections have been completed, and you have proof subcontractors and suppliers have been paid. Pay by credit card or check for proof of payment.

ü Check all financing options: Shop around before agreeing to financing directly from the contractor or someone they suggest. For example, after a rush to sign papers, you may later find out you agreed to a home equity loan with a high rate, points and fees. Secure financing on your own by shopping around and comparing loan terms.

ü Door-to-Door: Use caution with companies who are going door-to-door or claiming to be doing work for your neighbors. Amarillo requires registration for door-to-door solicitation. Don’t believe the “leftover materials” pitch.

ü High Pressure Tactics: Don’t fall prey to high-pressure tactics. A legitimate company will be available when you’re ready to buy and they will be more than willing to allow you time to research. If they don’t, let that be a warning sign.

ü Criminal History: Vet anyone you allow onto your property to see if they have a criminal history.

JANNA KIEHL

Janna is the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Better Business Bureau of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle.

WHAT’S IN A ( BAND ) NAME?

Whether it was a “one-night stand” band, a “month on the road” band, or a “brothers for life” band, all had at least a few things in common. First, they all had names, and musicians have spent many a long day, night or both trying to come up with a catchy handle for the next “combo.” Sometimes it just falls into place. Sometimes it’s all-out war. I’ve seen bands break up, over the name, before they played one single gig. This is outrageously funny to me, but it’s a true story.

Growing up playing in bands myself, I noticed that many of the bands I heard on the radio had names from the animal kingdom. The Beatles, The Crickets, The Byrds, The Turtles, The Eagles, Country Joe and the Fish, and yes, even The Animals. That was back in the days when you could still find an animal that wasn’t already taken. I mean the cool ones. Those days are long gone. There may be a band called the Three-Toed Sloths, but have you heard of them?

There you go.

I also always had a fondness for what was once called “soul” and “funk.” Back in those days, rhythm-and-blues had a different sound than today. Bands with names like the Chi-Lites, The Commodores, and the Stylistics. Bands with names that sounded silky smooth and harmonious, like the music that they played. Those names were like magic to me, a young musician who, rhapsodizing at the mic all about love, had yet to hold hands with a girl.

Some bands opted, intentionally or otherwise, for names related to food. You may remember bands like Strawberry Alarm Clock, Moby Grape, Vanilla Fudge, Electric Prunes, The Raspberries, The Cranberries, Tangerine Dream, and Smashing Pumpkins.

I’m laughing as I write this. And getting hungry.

Then there were the geographically-named bands, who, from the ’60s on, seemed to stake out their personal territory. Chicago, Kansas, Boston, shoot, even America! I always wondered where that would stop, but then along came Europe and Asia, so now I’m waiting to see if there will be a band named Earth. Probably already is. I am just too lazy to research it.

A certain category of band names defies classification. I’m thinking of oddball, memorable names like Psychedelic Furs, Souxsie and the Banshees, Flaming Lips, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Limp Bizkit, Mott The Hoople, Procul Harem, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, and Velvet Underground.

The Amarillo music scene is no stranger to colorful band names.

I just had a talk with my longtime friend and musical virtuoso Chuck Alexander. Chuck’s current band, Insufficient Funds, is not only a knockout bunch of people, but in possession of a monster band name. I think of that name as a tribute to the road bands we have all been in over years past, living on foil-wrapped burritos, playing sometimes for gas money, praying equally to get to the next gig, and for that last check to clear. Chuck’s former band associations include names like Strawdogs, Sixpoint, and the beloved KRAKT. Chuck and I have been known to play together occasionally in a band called Slim Jim and the Heavy Duties. It didn’t take long for us to come up with that one. Jimmy Doche weighs a buck 40 on a good day, and the rest of us are, as they say, “big old boys.”

Amarillo’s other great band names, in my opinion, include The Blue Johnnies, Underground Press, The Flying Elbows, The Dancing Baptists, and of course, the Naked Floydadians.

My first band with an actual bass player and a drummer was called Blueberry Orchestra. This was for a single high school talent show performance. We had exactly one song in our repertoire: Heart of Gold by Neil Young. We played the hound out of it. Still owe Neil 13 cents for that royalty, I guess. My friends, The Fireballs (Sugar Shack, Bottle of Wine, and others), started the very same way, with a single cover song (Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis) at their high school talent show in Raton, New Mexico. They won the show, got asked up for an encore, and repeated the same song. George Tomsco told me, “It was the only song we knew!” For the record, that song gave them their name.

As I continued on my long, strange trip, I played in bands like The Fretmeisters, The Space Gauchos, The Peach Orchard Boars, The Dust Bowl Daredevils, and my beloved 66 Nomads, among others. Some were road bands, some were garage bands, some were just noisemakers.

But we all had that spark, and we all spent time coming up with a name to fit that time we shared.

ANDY CHASE CUNDIFF

Andy is an artist, singersongwriter, music producer and musician. In every issue, his column explores the parts of his life that don’t always make it into his songs, accompanied by his own illustration.

“I’vewitnessedthoseone-nightstands,musthaveplayedinathousand bands,butI’mjustheretonight,tomorrowI’llbegone...”—JacksonBrowne

Public education is under attack. No, not by the dedicated individuals who serve in myriad roles on a public school campus each day. Their primary focus is to ensure students develop critical thinking skills in order to become lifelong learners who positively contribute to our American way of life. Public education is under attack by those who are entrusted to make decisions with taxpayers’ dollars.

At a private school’s parent empowerment event on Jan. 31, 2023, Governor Greg Abbott signaled his support for education savings accounts. These would allow public taxpayers’ dollars to be utilized by a parent who elects to send their children to a private school. According to the Texas Tribune, Governor Abbott said, “That will give all parents the ability to choose the best education option for their child … The bottom line is this: This is really about freedom.” If this were about freedom, then school voucher advocates like Governor Abbott would encourage parents to utilize the existing mechanism for school choice: a transfer. I feel like a broken record here, but once again, the actual wording of Article 7, Section 1 in the Texas constitution states:

“A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools.”

Redirecting Texas taxpayers’ dollars sure does not seem like it falls in accordance with the Texas Constitution. Nonetheless, Texas Senate Bill 176, if approved, would achieve a victory for proponents of school vouchers.

While it may be true that Texas spends more for public education than ever before, Texas is still woefully behind in prioritizing our education system, which provides universal education to all students regardless of background or ability. According to Raise Your Hand Texas, “Texas is currently $4,000 behind the national average in per-pupil spending, and the basic allotment for our spending has not increased since 2019.”

Our class sizes are increasing. Demands on teachers have increased. Our property taxes have increased. But our Governor’s solution is to diminish the amount of money available to support our public school system in favor of subsidizing private school education.

His priority could be abolishing the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test and replacing it with locallyapproved formative assessments. But his focus seems to be on placing arbitrary ratings on schools to cast a negative light on the system best designed to train students in an inclusive manner. He could also use the revenue surplus from the sales tax collection base to finance the public education system, but certain elected officials seem to support rerouting these funds to subsidize private school education.

At this point, you might think I’m opposed to private school education. I am not. My only issue is the funding mechanism. It seems counterproductive to use taxpayers’ dollars to support private schools when the vast majority of Texas students are learning in a public school system. Public schools remain the most inclusive setting for students of all backgrounds. We need more funding—not less—to support our Emergent Bilingual students or those with disabilities. Your tax dollars provide resources to help certified teachers, specialists, paraprofessionals, and administrators ensure quality instruction. A funding decrease will have unintended consequences that hurt students’ education. Why should our students receive less when we are striving to prepare them for a world which demands more?

Parents have a choice and they frequently choose transfers within the public school system. Our stakeholders are always welcome to visit our public schools, volunteer, or serve as members of our Site Based Decision Making (SBDM) committees. When you serve in those roles, you quickly discover we are not teaching revisionist history. We are teaching complex thinking strategies, helping prepare students for learning beyond their current grade level. We can always debate the best ways to assess learning. But you will get absolutely nowhere with educators if your solution is to take away money from the kids we are entrusted to serve every day.

WITH PATRICK MILLER

PATRICK MILLER

A passionate local educator, Past President and current executive officer of Amarillo Branch NAACP, Patrick writes in every issue about education, faith and forward momentum.

YOUR SECOND MOUNTAI

YOUR SECOND MOUNTAI

A T O U R M O N T H L Y L E A D E R S H I P L U N C H ,

E L E V A T E A M A R I L L O M E M B E R S T A K E T I M E O U T

O F T H E I R D A Y T O P A U S E , D I G D E E P , A N D S H A R E I N

A T O U R M O N T H L Y L E A D E R S H I P L

O N E A N O T H E R ' S C H A L L E N G E S A N D A M B I T I O N S

E L E V A T E A M A R I L L O M E M B E R S T A

M A U R I C E T H O M A S , P R E S I D E N T O F F O R W A R D 4 8 I N M I L W A U K E E ,

O F T H E I R D A Y T O P A U S E , D I G D E E

W I S C O N S I N , J O I N E D T H E C O N V E R S A T I O N T O T A L K A B O U T W H Y

O N E A N O T H E R ' S C H A L L E N G E S A N

R E L A T I O N S H I P S M A T T E R M O R E T H A N T I T L E S M A U R I C E S Y M B O L I Z E D H I S

M A U R I C E T H O M A S , P R E S I D E N T O

J O U R N E Y B O T H P R O F E S S I O N A L L Y A N D P E R S O N A L L Y A S A T A L E O F T W O

W I S C O N S I N , J O I N E D T H E C O N V E R

M O U N T A I N S . T H E F I R S T , A M O U N T A I N O F

R E L A T I O N S H I P S M A T T E R M O R E T

A C H I E V E M E N T , F I L L E D W I T H A C C O L A D E S , N U M B E R S

J O U R N E Y B O T H P R O F E S S I O N A L L Y

M E T , A N D M O N E Y E A R N E D T H E S E C O N D , A M O U N T A I N

M O U N T A I N S T H E F I R S T , A M O U N T A I N O F

O F C O N N E C T I O N , W H E R E T H E U S E O F Y O U R T I M E

A C H I E V E M E N T , F I L L E D W I T H A C C O L A D E S , N U M B E R S

B E C O M E S I N F I N I T E L Y M O R E V A L U A B L E T H A N T H E

M E T , A N D M O N E Y E A R N E D . T H E S E C O N D , A M O U N T A I N

O U T W A R D S U C C E S S E S O F T H E F I R S T M O U N T A I N

O U R M O N T H L Y L E A D E R S H I P L U N C H E S A R E C R E A T I N G

O F C O N N E C T I O N , W H E R E T H E U S E O F Y O U R T I M E

B E C O M E S I N F I N I T E L Y M O R E V A L U A B L E T H A N T H E

A G E N E R A T I O N O F C O N N E C T E D L E A D E R S

O U T W A R D S U C C E S

J O I N U S .

A F T E R L E A D E R S H I P L U N C H , M A U R I C E S P O K

L A T E S T P R O G R A M , F O R W A R D , I N P A R T N E R S

O U T P O S T F O R W A R D I S A N E X C L U S I V E P R O G

H I G H E S T A C H I E V E R S U N D E R T H E A G E O F 4 0

L E A R N F R O M T R A N S F O R M A T I O N A L L E A D E R S

O N L E A R N I N G E X P E R I E N C E S T H A T W I L L E Q U

T H E M W I T H T H E S K I L L S A N D K N O W L E D G E

V A T E A M A R I L L O O R G / F O R W A R D

T H E Y N E E D T O D E F I N E T H E R E G I O N ’ S F U T U R

A P P L Y , N O M I N A T E , O R L E A R N M O R E A T :

E L E V A T E A M A R I L L O . O R G / F O R W A R D

MENTAL HEALTH FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Everything is a coping skill. Deep breaths before a stressful interaction, “time outs,” even avoiding conversations by staring at our phones—these are all coping skills. Some we learn from our therapist or teacher. Some we see on TikTok.

Certain coping skills are better than others. But instead of labeling them “good” or “bad,” what if we looked at the need those coping skills are trying to meet? What if we created family routines and rituals so we could grow and learn together? How might this impact the mental health of our families? I’m a licensed therapist who often treats families, and these are questions I have asked myself—not just professionally, but personally.

Here are a few activities and coping skills that are appropriate and encouraged for the whole family:

BELLY BREATHING

All ages (Infants can be held or laid on caregiver’s tummy during exercise.)

Lay down on your back or sit comfortably in a chair. Place one hand on your stomach and one on your chest. Focus on expanding your stomach with air on your inhale and push it all out through your exhale. Repeat several times to increase a deeper sense of relaxation and calm. This is an excellent practice before bed or after overwhelming stress or upset. It can be a great way to start your family’s day.

CREATING WORRY STONES

Ages 4-plus

Grab some oven-bake clay in a variety of colors. Each family member chooses a color or two that they associate with happiness, calm or relaxation. Roll your clay into a small ball, allowing the colors to merge together. Flatten your ball out and place your thumbprint in the center. Following the directions on the package, bake your creations and allow them to cool. Now everyone has a small reminder to pause in those moments of overwhelm, stress or sadness. Take a breath and remind yourself that you are safe.

MOOD CHECK-IN

Ages 3-plus

Create a board that includes each family member’s name—pets included, if you’d like—and decorate with colors and stickers. Craft a variety of paper emojis and make sure each family member has one complete set (sad, happy, excited, tired, worried, etc.). Every morning, each family member places an emoji next to their name to indicate how they’re feeling. Update your emoji after you get home for the

day. Take a moment to check in and see where every member of your family ranks. Is someone having a particularly good day? A really rough one? Take time at dinner or before bed to share the best and worst things from each person’s day. Talk about something you learned, or something you would like to try tomorrow.

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE FAMILY COMMUNICATION

• Use “I” statements: “I felt (insert emotion) when (particular behavior happened).” For instance, “I felt ignored when you wouldn’t put your phone down while I was talking.”

• Validate feelings. Emotions are not always factual but they are always valid. What we feel might not always seem reality-based. We can have big emotions and exaggerated responses, but there is a reason that we are feeling this way.

• Be aware of body language. If one family member sits and another stands during an argument, consider leveling the playing field. Have both sit down. A simple shift in physicality can lower the temperature of a disagreement.

• Seek to understand. Even with little ones. Being fully present in a conversation is not an easy thing to do—trust me, I do it for a living—however, the more we practice being fully engaged with our loved ones, our understanding of each other will deepen.

By taking these approaches, we remind ourselves and each other that we are all on the same team and play an important role.

Communicating effectively and sharing our feelings can leave us feeling vulnerable and exposed. It can be hard to open up at first, especially on hard days. But by establishing space for every member to feel safe, heard and accepted—regardless of mood—we open lines of communication and give each other permission to simply be who we are.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health symptoms that interfere with daily life, please seek out help from a doctor or licensed mental health professional.

LAUREN DIESTELKAMP

Lauren is a licensed professional counselor at Family Support Services. She specializes in helping individuals, children, teens and adults heal from trauma. Lauren approaches her work from a trauma-informed lens and brings an eclectic balance of creativity and evidence-based therapeutic techniques. She has a passion for giving a voice to the voiceless and taking an active role in ending the stigma surrounding mental illness and domestic violence, as well as suicide. Lauren is a volunteer with the local LOSS team, is a nationally certified counselor, and is a member in good standing with the American Counseling Association.

A SELF CARE, RIGHT HERE

marillo and Canyon residents are known for prioritizing local restaurants over chains, and shopping local boutiques and businesses when possible. But then we don’t think twice about getting our soap or body scrub from the grocery aisle or the bigbox store. However, local artisans offer a surprising number of handcrafted beauty products. Here are a few of our favorites to keep your money local and support a hometown business.

BEAKERGOLD JOINT CREME $18

Made with natural ingredients to soothe achy joints

LEMONAID BODY BUTTER $20

Helps soothe dry, irritated skin; excellent for eczema and psoriasis

Shop at beakergold.com.

THE SOAP BOX

LAVENDER BODY SCRUB $10

Free of colors or dyes, sugar scrubs are made with all-natural ingredients and made fresh to order

LAVENDER LIP BALM $5

Made in small batches to ensure freshness; all-natural ingredients

LAVENDER SOAP $8

Hand-cut, all-natural soap with the finest oils and butters blended in a traditional, old-fashioned cold process. Small flecks of lavender are mixed in for gentle exfoliation.

Shop at thesoapboxstore.square.site.

retail therapy

CREEK HOUSE HONEY FARM

HONEY FOOT BAR $20

Packed with carrier oils, essential oils, beeswax, propolis and magnesium, this bar is also anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal

FACE WASH $17.50

Safe for all skin types, it contains carrier oils, essential oils and propolis

LAVENDER-CITRUS DEODORANT $11

Aluminum-free alternative to anti-perspirant

Shop at creekhousehoneyfarm.com.

NUTRIFY

ROSEMARY HAIR TONIC $22

Essential oils in aloe vera that strengthen and revitalize

GLOW SERUM $27

All-natural seed and fruit oil serum

Shop at nutrifyskin.com.

Watch our socials for a chance to win these skincare sets!

Fresh Air

There’s a lot to love about the Texas Panhandle in the spring. Birds chirping. Days lengthening. A little green to replace the brown. The fresh air of an occasional thunderstorm.

But it’s also allergy season, and wind season, and the start of wildfire season. When our big skies fill with smoke and pollen, staying indoors may be one of the only options. Unfortunately, our indoor air quality isn’t always better. When pet dander, dust mites and other air pollutants get inside the house, they might just circulate forever.

That’s why air purification is something Amarillo’s HVAC professionals have added to their list of client problems to solve. We spoke to a couple of local experts: Dustin Burnam, co-owner of Gary’s Heating & Air Conditioning, and Dalton Randall, comfort advisor at Scottco. Here are their suggestions for improving the air quality in your home.

ELECTRONIC AIR CLEANERS WORK

Stand-alone, store-bought air purifiers have limits. They can capture some particles that travel through a room, but you almost need to have one in every room of your home to really make a difference.

Electronic air cleaners are a better option. These are installed in the filter rack of a traditional HVAC system and connected to a power supply. They then use ionization to capture microscopic airborne particles. Gary’s installs a product called the Clean Air Defense System AirRanger. Scottco prefers the AccuClean Whole-Home Air Cleaner, which is produced by American Standard. Both require professional installation but filter air to remove from 97 to 99 percent of air pollutants.

UV LIGHT IS AN EFFECTIVE ADD-ON

Both Burnam and Randall recommend combining an air cleaner with an ultraviolet light within the HVAC system. These can be placed within the supply ductwork of a central HVAC system to reduce mold, bacteria and viruses, sanitizing the air before it’s returned into the home. “They take care of any germs, bacteria and odors. They can neutralize smells going through the house,” Randall says.

UV light doesn’t have any impact on dust, however, so it’s generally installed to work in tandem with an air cleaner.

HIGH-END FILTERS AREN’T THE ANSWER

Every homeowner has been to the big-box home improvement store and had to choose between countless levels of air filters. The expensive, allergy-preventing filters are better, right? Not so fast, say the experts. Burnam says the allergen-protection filters can

sometimes be so thick they restrict air flow. They might capture a lot of microscopic particles, but the lack of air passing through might also cause mechanical strain. “Those have such high restrictions, we see them burn up motors and lead to thousand-dollar repairs,” Burnam says.

Randall says high-end filters are great for HVAC systems that were designed for their use—like in a hospital or medical setting with plenty of air returns. Most homes aren’t built that way. For homeowners who don’t use an electronic air cleaner, Burnam recommends a mid-range filter. Not the cheapest one, but not the most expensive one, either. “The biggest thing a homeowner can do is change out filters on a consistent basis,” says Scottco’s Randall.

DISTILLED WATER ALWAYS BEATS TAP WATER

Homes in the Texas Panhandle can be dry—especially during the cold months—and many residents use tabletop or in-room humidifiers. These cool-mist humidifiers help, to a degree, but not if you’re filling them with local tap water. “Tap water has lots of minerals, and humidifiers turn it into a vapor so you’re actually putting minerals into the air,” Burnam says. That can clog filters and actually make the air quality worse.

At least locally, distilled water is a must for these products to be effective, and bulk quantities of distilled water can be expensive. Whole-house humidifiers are another solution—one most HVAC companies can install—but can be even more expensive.

That’s the bad news. The good news? Better breathing is possible during a Texas Panhandle springtime. And with a few HVAC modifications, the air inside your home can be fresher than the outside air.

The Sterling Kinney House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

The back face of the Sterling Kinney home is its most dramatic. This private view—only visible from the creek side of the property—shows the interplay between circular forms, horizontal lines and the home’s 15-degree batter slope.

UNBELIEVABLY RARE

BY JASON BOYETT

TThe winter afternoon sun streams through enormous, west-facing windows into the living room of the most famous home in Amarillo. Snow melts off the roof, splashing onto a terrace that surrounds a circular flower pool. The curve offsets the hard angles and lines of the structure, but matches the bend of the dry creek bed a short distance away. The horizontal lines of the flat roof echo the tops of the mesas rising above this hidden local treasure.

Despite its reputation among architecture enthusiasts outside the Panhandle—visitors from as far away as Japan have traveled here just for a glimpse at the exterior—this 2,000-square-foot home is one few locals have ever seen, much less entered.

The four-bedroom, open-concept home is located on several acres northwest of Amarillo. The trees and landscape hide most of it from public view.

It’s one of only three Frank Lloyd Wright-designed houses in Texas. Robin Gilliland is the second owner, having purchased the home in 2004 from the Kinney family. Dorothy Ann Kinney, an estate tax attorney, and her husband, Sterling, commissioned the design from Wright in 1957. The legendary architect passed away in 1959 and the Kinney House was completed to his specifications in 1961.

The Kinneys raised their three children there, and Dorothy Ann lived in the home until her late 2003 death at the age of 83.

“I have been a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright forever,” Gilliland says. She stands in the dining room next to a long table made of blonde Philippine mahogany. The architect designed the custom table to fit the space. “Actually,” she jokes, “I’ve got a Frank Lloyd Wright book I stole from the Amarillo library in fifth grade.”

She displays the book in the living room without much remorse. For what it’s worth, Gilliland’s mother, Sandra, made her daughter pay back the library long ago, and Robin eventually served as president of the Amarillo Library Advisory Board.

PHOTOS BY ANGELINA MARIE

RETURN TO GLORY

When Dorothy Ann Kinney passed away 20 years ago, local architect Mason Rogers learned the house would soon be for sale. He contacted Amarillo designer Reese Beddingfield, who alerted Gilliland. She decided to buy it. “I got into a bidding war with a family from London. They wanted to own a piece of Wright,” Gilliland says. But she convinced the estate that it should go to someone local— someone who would take great care of the home, its legacy, and the land it sat on.

The Kinney family sold it to Gilliland, who then partnered with Beddingfield, Rogers and a team of local craftsmen to restore the aging home to its former glory. She and Beddingfield made a pilgrimage to Taliesin West in Arizona to get advice from the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. From scraping red paint off the concrete floors to removing decades of nicotine stains from the abundant wood surfaces, the ambitious restoration project took a full year.

“Reese and I were out here every single day. It was a mess,” she says. Despite the significance of the home and Wright’s exacting detail, all the repairs were handled by locals. “There were so many Frank Lloyd Wright fans,” among the tradespeople who worked on it, Gililland says, including concrete masons, roofers and bricklayers. “There’s no socioeconomic division whatsoever,” she says. Gilliland tells of workers bringing their children out to see the home, some of whom wrote school reports on it.

“You’d have to be a terrible craftsman to walk up to this house and not care at all,” Rogers adds.

PANTHEON OF DESIGN

When the repairs were complete, Gilliland moved into the home. She doesn’t live there full time—she keeps a residence in Amarillo— but regularly spends weekends on the property and uses the home often for entertaining, fundraising and other events.

Mason Rogers, now the owner of Playa Design Studio, says Gilliland’s relationship to the home is significant. “There are so few

of these houses that are owned by a private estate and still have life in them,” he says. In fact, when Gilliland first contacted the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, they were concerned she would be tearing the home down. Due to Frank Lloyd Wright’s distinctive design, the maintenance of his homes can be expensive. “They’re a little calloused at the ‘home office’ because they’re hard to keep up,” Rogers adds. “If a museum or a university doesn’t acquire [a Wright-designed structure], then the odds of keeping it up are pretty low.”

Hardly anyone still lives in one, and other than architecture students, art historians, and Airbnb customers willing to pay for it, few people get to see them.

“But this one—the fact that we can all stand here and not have bought a ticket, we can talk to the owner and walk into the bathroom and open cabinet doors—that’s an unbelievably rare experience,” says Rogers.

He’s standing in the living room, admiring the unobstructed pasture view through a unique glass corner window. Rogers and his Playa colleague Mike Ritter point out details—like how short ceilings give way to higher lines as you move further inside the home, pushing a visitor toward communal spaces. “This is not a high ceiling, but it feels luxurious once you come out from under that canopy,” Rogers says.

Wright completed 532 structures in his lifetime and is arguably the world’s most famous architect. “You’re talking about the pantheon of design,” Rogers says. “Not just in Texas or the United States, but globally. He’s so popular, the only architect anyone has ever heard of is Frank Lloyd Wright.”

During the first part of the 20th century, Wright’s prairie-style domestic designs helped give birth to the popular mid-century modern design aesthetic. His approach evolved further into what he called the Usonian style, characterized by flat roofs, passive solar heating and natural lighting. The Sterling Kinney House in Amarillo is a Usonian design. “It was contrary to all the things the other architects in the world were doing. It was uniquely American in the

“Batter” is an architectural term for the slope of a wall or structure, and the Kinney House has multiple elements pitched at a 15-degree angle from vertical, including walls and cabinetry edges. Von Lintel says the lean may be a response to the angles of nearby mesas. On the home’s exterior, the cantilevered edges of the eaves follow the 15-degree angle but at a slight stairstep.

design,” Rogers says. “The fact that somebody in Amarillo decided to [commission a Wright-designed home] is mind-boggling.”

Gilliland smiles. “I learn something new every time I come out here,” she says.

TRUE ARTISTRY

Dr. Amy Von Lintel is a professor of art history at West Texas A&M University. The author of several books about the impact of the Texas Panhandle within the art world, she’s working on a manuscript about the aesthetics of this region, with an entire chapter dedicated to the Sterling Kinney House.

“The kind of house he built is experiential, so you’re discovering it as part of the journey,” she explains about the architect. Von Lintel contrasts the home with the more traditional homes Wright’s designs began to push against. “Most houses, you walk in and your mind knows the [floor] plan. But this house, you walk in and so many things start to unfold: light and shade, high and low, different materials. It’s a discovery journey.”

But the Wright-admiring public has been relatively slow to discover the Kinney house. It’s on the radar of Wright enthusiasts—every so often, Gilliland or her neighbors will encounter gawkers driving up the road looking for the home, many from out of state—but it still gets less attention than his other Usonian homes. “The man wrote prolifically, but he never wrote about this house because it was being built as he was declining,” Von Lintel says. “So it kind of fell off the radar [for Wright scholars].”

To complicate things, Wright also designed another structure known as the Kinney House. Located in Wisconsin, that one was completed in 1953 for an attorney named Patrick Kinney. He was unrelated to the Kinney family in Amarillo, and the earlier Kinney home gained a higher profile than the local one. (For instance, the Sterling Kinney home isn’t listed among example sites at franklloydwright.org.)

It doesn’t help that Gilliland’s home is hard to find, tucked away in the middle of the Panhandle. But maybe that’s part of the appeal. Von Lintel says Wright never wanted his homes to be built on a standard city lot, but wanted them to be in conversation with the natural setting. That’s why so many of them—like this one—have been built on the outskirts of cities.

And that’s why the rugged Panhandle setting is perfect.

Though Wright was immersed in the construction of the Guggenheim Museum in New York City when he died, he did send one of his architects to Amarillo from Taliesen to oversee construction and site placement. This ensured a mesa behind the property was the focus of the living room and entry. Gilliland shares how she once invited a New York architect inside the home, and he told her sitting in the dining room was like sitting “inside a masterpiece” like Monet’s Water Lilies

From the floor-to-ceiling windows to the painstaking woodwork, there’s something to see in every direction. “There’s not a bad seat” in the dining room, she says, or in the entire home.

Wright’s Usonian style was known for its use of horizontal lines, and Rogers says the Amarillo location of this American masterpiece makes perfect sense to him.

“We’re familiar with the bold, horizontal line,” he says. Ours is a city that loves its wide open spaces and epic sunsets. Downtown skyscrapers are vertical. Urban density is vertical. Trees are vertical. We don’t have too many of those things.

What we have are horizons in every direction. Our world is horizontal.

“That’s something people in Amarillo can wrap their heads around. It fits our eye. It all came together here,” he says. “Amarillo was ripe for a piece like this.”

Keep reading for an exclusive tour of the home and its extraordinary details. >>>>>>

MASON ROGERS AND MIKE RITTER OF PLAYA DESIGN GROUP

The L-shaped home is divided into two wings: one for adults and one for children, with the living room, dining room and kitchen in the middle. The living room is centered around a circular fireplace, which “is always the heart of a Frank Lloyd Wright home,” says Mike Ritter of Playa. A custom, Wright-designed couch follows that curve. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide expansive views to the west. “He’s embracing the setting sun,” Rogers says of Wright. “You’re looking down the creek. For someplace like Amarillo, this is an amazing view.”

Red-stained slab concrete floors are designed to reduce noise and divide the home into a four-by-four grid.

Wright’s homes are known for an early embrace of open-concept living, with the small dining room open to the kitchen and living areas, providing a view of the terrace. The table is original. The patterned shapes of the windows, formed by the bricks, add visual interest. Art historian Amy Von Lintel says the stair-step sides of the windows reflect the angles of the mesas outside the home, and may also recall the stepped pyramids at Teotihuacan in Mexico. Wright often expressed his interest in primitive American architecture.

Gilliland admits she moved the bed from its original, Wright-intended location, putting it instead next to the wall of windows. Nature, she says, is a better headboard. “I look at the stars, deer, a covey of quail,” she says. Closet storage fills an entire wall. Lacking a door jamb, the push-to-open door hardware and piano hinges keep the lines clean. “There’s nothing to disrupt your eye,” she says.

This scale folds down from a cabinet door in the main bath. A classic Wright built-in, it still shows Kinney family footprints.

ROBIN GILLILAND

The furthest bedroom in the children’s wing, this room serves as something of a second owner’s suite. It’s the full width of the house, and surprisingly, Wright continued the stair-step window motif even in its closet (see inset below). “He wanted you to be able to see completely through the house,” Gilliland says.

The built-in desk (left) was a custom design by Wright. After Gilliland bought the home, Sotheby’s contacted her to see if she would be willing to sell the desk and other original furniture pieces. She turned down the famous auction house.

The art above the headboard is by a Chinese artist who was getting his PhD in architecture at the University of Texas. Gilliland saw his work, loved the piece, and after buying it, told him it would go in a Frank Lloyd Wright house. “I never do that,” she says, but the artist was ecstatic. “The following [of Wright’s work] is just incredible.”

With brick on one side and board-andbatten wood walls on the other, this long hallway opens into the bedrooms in the children’s wing and features cabinet storage for the full length. “He called this the gallery,” Gilliland says of the architect. The cabinet tops are designed to serve as shelves for art and photography. “He didn’t want your [art] collections hanging on his beautiful work.” Below, the front edge of the shelves in this office, located in the “adult” wing of the house, are pitched at the same 15-degree angle from vertical—a product of Frank Lloyd Wright’s careful attention to detail. The drawers at lower right echo the stairstep design of the small windows and eaves.

Who was Frank Lloyd Wright?

Widely considered one of the most important figures in American architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright is known for his innovative building designs, including the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, as well as private residences like Fallingwater in Pennsylvania and Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona. An active architect for 70 years, Wright has been called “the greatest American architect of all time” by the American Institute of Architects.

The Sterling and Dorothy Ann Kinney residence in Amarillo was one of his last residential designs. It’s one of only four Frank Lloyd Wright-designed projects completed in Texas, along with a home in Houston and a home and theater in Dallas.

The Kinneys were both attorneys who practiced for decades in Amarillo. Dorothy Ann had become a fan of Wright’s career and the couple hired him to build a modest, 2,00-square-foot home for their three daughters.

ART HOUSE

BY JASON BOYETT

Seven years ago, a local couple moved from a quaint 1926 cottage in the Wolflin neighborhood to a townhome in Bryan Place, a tidy cul-de-sac just east of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The 29 units in this cloistered community are tucked between the historic Bivins property to the north and Interstate 40 frontage to the south.

“It’s hidden in plain sight,” they say. “So many people tell us they’ve driven past it a thousand times but have never been [beyond the entrance].”

Avid travelers, the couple has been together nearly 30 years. They decided to downsize from their former home into this two-bedroom, three-bath townhouse. “We loved our house in Wolflin but we felt we wanted something more lock-and-leave,” they say. With retirement on the horizon, they’d be less inclined to worry about things like yard maintenance.

The close-knit Bryan Place community was developed by Franklin Jeffers, a longtime Amarillo real estate broker who had been a driving force for assembling land for the 1968 construction of the FirstBank Southwest Tower downtown. Following that project, Jeffers worked with Betty Bivins Childers in the 1970s to develop some open land on the south side of the family estate. According to the couple, Bivins sold Jeffers the land after he agreed to build luxury townhomes rather than retail spaces.

“The intent was townhomes for couples whose kids were grown, so they didn’t need a four- or five-bedroom house anymore,” says one of the owners.

The property still plays that role—at least four residents over the age of 90 still live within the development. In fact, Franklin Jeffers’ widow, Rena, lived in one of the townhomes for the last 40 years of her life before she died in 2021 at the age of 96. Franklin passed away in 1999.

The couple loves the relationships they’ve encountered at Bryan Place. “It’s like what it was in the 1950s,” they say. “You know your neighbors. If someone’s sick, you take them some food. During the pandemic, we all kind of stuck together and took care of each other.”

The townhouse is filled with art, most of which they’ve collected from their travels to places like Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Miguel de Allende, a colonial-style village located in Mexico’s central highlands.

Beyond the art, their home is filled with other attention-getting elements courtesy of the previous owner, Jeanette Barnhill Case of Turkey, Texas. Her son, Ross, was a designer in Palm Springs, California, and readied the home for her when she moved to Amarillo from the family’s ranch near Turkey. “He pretty much gutted the thing,” they say of Case, the designer.

Case installed the black metal stair rails, shipped to the home from Europe. The fireplace mantel and the mirror above it came from an 18th-century chateau in France. The couple doesn’t know many details of the French chateau, but the provenance of the art is much more certain. “[With] most of our art, we know the artist,” they say. “That’s something that’s important to us.”

PHOTOS BY ADAM BAKER

Only a few of the Bryan Place townhomes boast the high living room ceilings shown here. Surrounding the fireplace are the remains of a doorway from a French chateau, which the previous owner had cut down into a mantel. The ornate mirror above it came from the same chateau.

The turquoise-colored artwork in the corner of the living room is by Brazilian artist Hamilton Aguiar, known for his landscapes as well as a series of sensual pieces that seem to shift and bend with the light. Part painting and part sculpture, the artist has traced fine, hypnotic, dimensional waves into the oil-and-resin surface of the work. The couple encountered the piece at a gallery in Vail, Colorado.

The wire mesh figure by sculptor Eric Boyer was the first piece the couple bought together in Santa Fe. “It was not only the sculpture but the shadow it creates that attracted us,” they explain.

The large, vibrant contemporary painting across from the fireplace is by artist Christian Price Frazer, who is represented by Cerulean Gallery. Cerulean owner Caroline Crockett Kneese lived in Amarillo a few years ago and recommended the piece to the couple. “When we moved here, there was this huge wall and we’ve never had a huge painting. Caroline brought this over for us to look at and we loved it. We wanted this [living area] to be formal but we also wanted to modernize it a little bit,” they say.

Kneese was especially involved in helping to arrange and mount the art collection within the restrictions of the home’s formal, pictureframe wall molding. They consulted Kneese for placement throughout the townhome, but the living room proved a particular challenge.

The impressionistic painting above the baby grand piano is by San Francisco artist Daniel Bayless, who grew up in Borger in the 1970s. It portrays the inside of the Duomo in Milan. The interior of the iconic cathedral was closed when the couple visited the Italian city a few years ago. “We got to see the outside but not the inside, so this is our inside view,” they say. The sheet music on the couple’s piano once belonged to Sybil B. Harrington. Like the fireplace mantel, the stair railings in the townhouse originated from a chateau in France. Years before the couple moved in, the home’s designer cut out the bottom wall of the staircase in order to install the rails.

The downstairs owners’ suite felt cavernous compared to the small bedroom of their previous home. “We had this bed at our other house and, as soon as we bought it, I thought, ‘This is a huge mistake. This is way too big,’” one of the owners says. The tall headboard proved to be the perfect size for the townhouse. Like the kitchen, the colors of the built-in bookshelves were there already—and just happened to match the furniture. “This headboard was meant to be here.”

As it turns out, the couples’ beloved French bulldog, Chloe, was meant to be there, too. She quickly made herself at home in the new space.

Immediately right of the home’s entry, the galleystyle kitchen and breakfast nook is lit by westfacing windows that open onto a fenced courtyard. The couple loved the colorful cabinets when they bought the townhouse. The vibrant hue originated with Palm Springs designer Ross Case. “The color of our kitchen cabinets were way before our time,” they say. “That’s what they were doing in California at the time, but not here, and now it’s what you see in all the [design] magazines.”

While the couple spend much of their time in the bright sunlight of the breakfast nook, they keep the formal dining room set according to the season.

“We reset it seasonally for a fresh look,” they say. The captivating bird’s nest at each place setting, paired with Juliska dinnerware, is an element they’ve enjoyed for several years and look forward to bringing out as the weather warms.

The most prominent art in this powder bath is courtesy of Amarillo artist Frederica Dodson Anderson. “We’ve admired her work for years and asked her to paint that for us specifically for our powder bathroom,” the homeowners say. “We are drawn to her abstract design and the cobalt blue with contrasting gold leaf.”

This mirrored hutch in the entry hall greets guests with one of the couples’ favorite vignettes. “The painting is by a Santa Fe artist we stumbled upon at her open house. We loved the colors and geometric patterns in the painting,” they say.

Paintings line the entryway from the front door into the living room. Highlights include this arresting Nancy Walker portrait. In a perfectly small-world Amarillo connection, the tattooed inspiration for the painting— local nurse Lindsay London—just happens to be the fiance of this feature’s photographer, Adam Baker.

BIG SWI NG

BY JON MARK BEILUE

The Juneteenth celebration this past summer at Bones Hooks Park included the usual array of vendors, food and drink, with children mingling to play and adults stopping to talk.

New Hamlet Elementary Principal R.J. Soleyjacks was there as part of 101 Elite Men, a service group. While helping set up tents and handing out food, Soleyjacks had his antennae up to network with community leaders and businesses to bring some of their expertise and company footprint to Hamlet.

Justin Thompson of Canyon was there at the urging of his wife, Monica. She had a booth at Juneteenth with a marketing initiative. Monica thought it would be good if Justin could bring their two children to the event after daughter Ella’s time at Amarillo High’s Sandie Stepper camp.

“That’s how I got up there,” he says. “I wasn’t really planning on going. Our kids are at the right age to be a tremendous distraction if you happen to be in an adult conversation.”

Soon enough, Thompson got into one of those conversations with Soleyjacks, courtesy of middleman Adrian Jackson and his wife, Telita. Jackson and Thompson had worked at Boys Ranch. Jackson was also in 101 Elite Men with Soleyjacks.

Thompson is an avid collector of vintage golf clubs, and had an urge to grow the game in Amarillo. Soleyjacks aims to expose Hamlet students to other experiences, the kind they would not normally receive on their own.

Jackson believed the two could help each other when he made the introductions. In a way, time stood still for the 30 minutes or so as they talked.

“It really clicked on what he wanted to do,” Soleyjacks says. “He wanted to be more involved and hands-on. We’re both dreamers and we started dreaming together.”

Thompson says the conversation at Bones Hooks may have changed the course of his life. Three months later, he quit his job at Boys Ranch, where he held a number of roles for seven years, from fundraising to writing grant proposals to managing planned giving accounts.

“I always have a ton of ideas but I never really know how I’m going to get them done,” Thompson says. “I just know there are opportunities out there. It is rare when you have what you think is a good idea and you’re introduced to someone who can make it happen because they are thinking about the same thing separately.

“But that’s what happened. When R.J. mentioned starting a golf club at Hamlet, the light bulb just went off. How perfect would it be to give golf opportunities to kids by using one of my passions? It’s not often those things mesh.”

THE “A-HA” MOMENT

Soleyjacks doesn’t have to squint too hard at some of the 300 students at Hamlet to see a glimpse of himself more than 25 years ago. He, too, could have fallen through the cracks, especially as he got older.

“I was on the other side once,” he says. “I was getting into trouble as a young man and put on probation for a felony. I was close to losing everything.”

Getting into sports helped stop the slide. Soleyjacks was a standout running back at Highland Park, playing on the best Hornets team in school history—one that went three rounds deep into the 3A playoffs in 2003.

Soleyjacks then played two years at West Texas A&M University. He quit football, but also quit his initial major field of study—business. He was encouraged to be an after-school tutor in the Amarillo ISD. He

PRINCIPAL R.J. SOLEYJACKS, A FEW MEMBERS OF HAMLET’S TIGER FLIGHT GOLF CLUB, AND VOLUNTEER JUSTIN THOMPSON

How a visionary principal and a vintage club collector brought golf to Hamlet Elementary

worked at Will Rogers Elementary, a school just off Amarillo Boulevard with mostly students from low-income families.

“I ended up running into a group of kids who gave me a feeling of running for a touchdown back in high school and hearing everyone screaming,” he says. “It was helping kids and feeling that accomplishment.”

Soleyjacks changed his major, and graduated in 2011 from WT with a degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis on early childhood education. Not high school, not middle school, but young elementary-age children seemed to be his calling.

He taught second grade, third grade and fifth grade at Tradewinds Elementary, and then was a language arts and social studies teacher at Oakdale Elementary. All the while, he was working on his master’s in educational leadership from WT.

That led to three years as an assistant principal on the Bowie Sixth Grade campus, and then a year at Mesa Verde Elementary, also as an assistant principal. At Mesa Verde, he immersed himself in the Somali community. He joined some local boards and learned about different cultures.

“I also got to see how an administrator can influence kids,” Soleyjacks says. “I really got to see leadership skills beyond the Xs and Os of a classroom.”

That led to his first principal position in the fall of 2020 at Bivins Elementary. Prior to that, the school had been shut down because of the COVID pandemic. Soleyjacks did volunteer work during the break, and became connected with the community in different ways.

“That first year at Bivins was really an ‘ah-ha moment’ for me,” he says. “I saw what a school could do with a community partnership.”

Central Church of Christ partnered with Bivins, donating about $20,000 in each of his two years there. That left Soleyjacks almost dumbfounded as well as motivated.

“I began to learn more about school funding, and taking a deeper dive into budgets and seeing what was possible,” he says. “I wanted to get out into the community. If a relationship like this was possible for Bivins, why not a relationship like this for other schools?”

BIG OPPORTUNITIES

Soleyjacks sees challenges as opportunities, and the bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity. He couldn’t help but look at Hamlet, located at 703 N. Sycamore St. with Wonderland Park at Thompson Park not far away.

Hamlet is all the challenge any principal could possibly want.

More than 92 percent of students from grades K through fifth are “economically disadvantaged.” The average family income, Soleyjacks says, is $17,000 annually, which is far below the poverty line for a household of four. The 79107 zip code of the Hamlet attendance zone has the highest crime rate percentage in Amarillo.

Hamlet’s demographics are 55.4 percent African-American,

21.8 percent Hispanic, 11.9 percent White, 7.7 percent Asian, and 3.2 percent of two or more races. Hamlet also had the lowest STAAR tests scores in the district.

“I know from experience that mentorship and different experiences can change a person’s trajectory,” Soleyjacks says. “When I saw Hamlet’s numbers and how they performed [in testing], I wanted to be there. I talked to my boss last spring and said that if there is an opening ever at Hamlet, I’d like to be that person.”

The opening came in May. Soleyjacks became that person.

MANY OLD CLUBS, ONE NEW IDEA

Justin Thompson lives in the Belmar subdivision. It’s 10 miles from Hamlet and, in one sense, a whole world away. He grew up in Canyon, graduating in 2006. He graduated from Abilene Christian and earned a master’s from WT. After working as an environmental consultant in the Permian Basin oil fields, Thompson moved to Amarillo about 10 years ago.

In addition to daughter Ella, 6, Thompson and Monica have a son, Weston, 3. No life is without challenges, but his is relatively comfortable.

When Thompson was in elementary school in Canyon, his father Brad would often take him to play a round of golf. He’d let his young son putt a few every now and then.

“I had an interest but it was always on the side,” Thompson says. “Football and basketball were my focus. Golf wasn’t cool enough for me. But one thing stood out about golf. When Dad and I were on the course, it was our time. He turned his cell phone off.”

Three years ago during the pandemic, Thompson began collecting golf clubs. He was especially interested in old vintage clubs with hickory and persimmon shafts, and often played with them. One club predated 1900. Mostly purchased online, his collection soon began overtaking his garage. At one point, he counted 500 clubs.

“It was truly kind of a sickness,” he says. “It just kind of exploded, and some may have considered it hoarding.”

Through a garage sale and by hook or crook, Thompson winnowed his 500 golf clubs to a little more than 100 that spanned four decades. Ever the idea man, Thompson tried to figure out what to do with the remaining clubs.

“How can I best use these?” he says. “I’ll never have enough time to play with every set I have. What can I do that is beneficial to other people?”

Thompson considered a summer golf camp. Being a self-described “non-realist,” he envisioned every child at the end of camp getting fitted for modern clubs. “I didn’t know how we would do that,” he says. “I’d just figure it out.”

A month later, Soleyjacks and Thompson met for the first time at Juneteenth. The conversation moved at a rapid pace. Two months later, the Hamlet Tiger Flight Golf Club was born.

PHOTOS BY ADAM BAKER

COMING HOME ON CLOUD 9

By August 2022, Thompson was attending Hamlet’s back-to-school event. At Hamlet, this event brings a potpourri of activities—school supply teams, city services for vaccinations, community businesses recruited by Soleyjacks. There was the smell of brisket in the air. A DJ played music.

Thompson had a table of his own, promoting what he and Soleyjacks were calling the Hamlet Tiger Flight Golf Club. He wore Plus 4 golf attire with loud plaid knickers and high socks. He put on the brightest blue shirt in his closet.

“I made sure people noticed me,” Thompson says. “I stuck out like a sore thumb. It was pretty epic.”

Actually, before Thompson set up, adults came up to him, saying they’d heard from Soleyjacks what he wanted to do and offered help. What he wanted to do this night was excite a few students into signing up. He hoped to get five or six interested. That would be a realistic number.

Thirty-five signed up.

“I came home on Cloud 9,” Thompson says. “I could not even explain to Monica the feeling I had. I get a lot of grief because I’m not a real emotional person, but this was just amazing. I was this stranger, but all of a sudden, people just loved me.”

Soleyjacks’ plan was to use Hamlet’s RTI hour (Response to Intervention) for golf students. Those who had signed up within each class—and who met grade and good citizenship requirements— could participate.

The first meeting of the golf club came on Sept. 20, and Thompson has been at Hamlet from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday since. Third-graders meet first, and then fourth-graders, followed by fifth. Then, as Thompson says, the fun really begins with kindergarten and first grade.

Of the 35 participants, 10 are girls. Five of the 35 are left-handed, including fourth-grader Bella Hser. She was sold on the golf concept during the back-to-school night.

“Mr. Justin asked me if I wanted to join and I said yes,” Hser says. “I wanted to experience what golf felt like because I never played golf in my life—only soccer and volleyball.”

There’s an expanse of grassy playground at the bottom of the hill adjacent to Hamlet. That transitions to city-owned Hamlet Park. Every Tuesday, that becomes Thompson’s classroom.

First, Thompson established space requirements, because there’s nothing like getting knocked in the head with a club on a backswing.

Then, using clubs from the 1950s through the 1980s, Thompson and his students worked on grip, stance and basic swing. Spinning and falling down after a swing may seem natural, but that’s something to avoid. Putting requires a more delicate approach.

As for balls, Thompson settled on the little golf Wiffle balls. The thought of 10 neophyte golfers whacking at real golf balls felt a little like playing catch with a loaded grenade—what could go wrong?

“He’s a good teacher,” says Logan Vian, a fourth-grader. “He’s good at explaining things to us.”

Vian thought golf just might be for him when he tried miniature golf at Wonderland Park last summer. At the tricky hole with the Chinese tower, Vian’s brother lost his ball. But Logan got a hole-in-one.

“Mr. Justin, if you miss the ball or barely hit it, he says, ‘Try it again, you can do it,’” Hser says. “The first day, I could not even swing it.”

Four months later?

“I’m really good,” she says. “I really am.”

A BIGGER WORLD

On cold days, the students hit foam balls in a classroom, discuss which clubs can hit what distance, and learn to keep score on a scorecard.

At some point, Thompson wants to take the students to nearby Ross Rogers to get comfortable with the surroundings, the clubhouse, basic golf etiquette, and let them play a hole or two with real golf balls. Beyond that, he dreams of expanding the Hamlet golf club into other schools. Waving his magic wand, Thompson would one day have an indoor golf facility anchored in north Amarillo for students and the community.

But for now, he’s simply planting seeds and changing trajectories, trying to bring exposure to a game that, unfairly or not, is still seen as an expensive country club pursuit. Golf is just one area of a bigger world out there that Soleyjacks wants Hamlet students to begin to experience.

“Kids can be exposed to the world and changed in different ways by things they would not normally run into,” says Soleyjacks, who first tried golf at WT and now looks to play when he can. “This helps them begin to see that they can be part of many things the world has to offer. When these students get to be young adults, they can look

across the street and see Ross Rogers Golf Course and know that it’s not foreign to them.

“There are golf scholarships all over the country, and many schools can’t fill them. What an opportunity this could be. This is about kids getting exposed to the world.”

Soleyjacks and Thompson last June had a meeting of two idea men. It’s obvious nine months later that each one benefited from the enthusiasm and understanding of the other. One in particular stepped outside his comfort zone.

“Without Justin showing up every week, this program would have no feet to stand on,” Soleyjacks says. “It would still be just a dream, an idea, something to hold on to.”

Each Tuesday has caused Thompson to pivot in his career. He made a difficult decision to quit his job at Boys Ranch to focus on the golf club and to look for ways to help his special needs sister, Hali, and others like her.

“It’s really changed the way I look at people,” he says. “Having a sister with special needs, I had to learn early in life that it’s not about me, but how can I help and serve others? Even then, you can get focused on what you’re doing and stop paying attention to others and I had fallen into that spot. These kids have reenergized my desire to be out there and pour into them what they need to be successful.”.

He’s taken back by how trusting these students are to a stranger, their thirst for learning an unfamiliar sport, their knack for learning basic skills.

“They’ve never been on a golf course before. Some may have played putt-putt, but that’s it,” Thompson says. “Their ability to just listen, watch and recreate is pretty incredible to the point now they are upset when they don’t put a good swing on it.”

Golf could be a symbol, a time together, to teach young students more than a sport, and that breaking out of boxes is a good thing.

“I was super blessed to grow up like I did. One of the biggest things my parents did was never look at what was, but what could be and challenged us to do the same,” Thompson says. “I always look at how can we make our community better and see things in a different way. I want this generation of kids to grow up thinking they can take risks and it can work out. Even if it doesn’t, they can be resilient enough to try something different or go back to the drawing board. Golf teaches you that on every shot.”

elevate your plate

WITH RUTHIE LANDELIUS

f there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years of cooking, it’s that saving the best for last isn’t always a great idea. As a kid, I was told to eat everything on my plate before I could have dessert. That always irritated me. It taught me that if I was “good” or did the “right thing,” I’d be rewarded. All the while, the dessert would be taunting me from across the kitchen asking, “Well, are you good enough to have me?” As I grew into the awesome adult that I am, I learned that I AM GOOD ENOUGH! I deserve to have dessert first. You deserve it, too.

WHY DESSERT FIRST IS A GREAT IDEA

Here’s an idea: We should normalize putting dessert in the appetizer section of all menus worldwide. Wouldn’t that be fabulous?

Throughout the history of food, dessert has been that one thing we all look forward to after a gorgeous dinner. But, oftentimes, we don’t have room for it after our savory feast. But enjoying yourself is one of the most beautiful parts of dining in, out, and with friends. Why deprive yourself of a small slice of the good things in life? I have found that when I choose what I truly want right now (and I say that with my best Veruca Salt impression), I get my pleasure fix and I tend to eat a healthier savory meal. If I’m out with friends or family, we order and share the dessert, which ends up being just enough to satisfy. Then we order our meal. I have found that I order less food with this approach.

WHAT IF DESSERT ISN’T YOUR THANG?

For whatever reason, some don’t enjoy sweets or indulgent desserts. I’m not really sure we can ever be friends. (I’m kidding!)

One of my favorite cookbooks is Anthony Bourdain’s Appetites: A Cookbook. When I first opened this gem, I immediately flipped to the back to check out the dessert section. But there wasn’t one. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Was Anthony playing a cruel joke on me? Actually, it turns out there was a dessert section: just one page that read “F— dessert.” Although he didn’t really mean those words, he wrote that if he had to live without one course, it would be dessert. Blasphemy, Anthony! I had to step away and process the words I’d read.

After calming myself, I understood where Anthony was coming from. If he didn’t have a bite of chocolate or something sugary, his go-to was a cheese course. “Not just any cheese will do. What I want after a good meal is that king of cheeses: Stilton. And I would like some good Port with that.” I’ll meet you halfway, oh, wise one. But, in homage to you, I’ll at least have that cheese course before dinner.

MY FAVORITE DESSERTS FOR THE SEASON:

Since we’re so close to the end of the winter season, let’s snuggle into warm desserts that scream “cozy!”

Chocolate Fondue: Whip up a batch to share at home using pretzel sticks, large marshmallows, halved strawberries, pineapple, or your favorite cookie.

Cobbler or Bread Pudding: The beauty of these is that they make plenty for leftovers. Heck, yeah!

Bubbly Fruit Crumble: Blackberries, blueberries, or a mixture of both—whatever your poison—with a healthy scoop of ice cream on top will deliver every time.

Chocolate Pecan Skillet Cookie: Do I even need to explain this one to you? What are you waiting for? Google it and make it tonight!

Small Sweet Bites: Any dessert that’s small enough to pop right in your mouth when your sweet tooth comes knockin’. Mini frozen

cheesecakes or lemon bars are a few ideas you can create and store for later indulgences.

So, the next time you’re out for dinner and find yourself debating whether to order dessert first or save it for last, just remember— you not only get to enjoy your sweet treat while it’s still fresh and delicious, but you also set yourself up for an excellent overall dining experience.

WATERMELON FETA DESSERT

I love making this dessert every single time because I get to play with shapes and composition. Spending a little time on plating gets you excited to eat your creation. Give it a try!

1 small seedless watermelon (rind removed), cut into 1-inch thick slices

1 package of feta, block form Cinnamon for dusting

¼ cup powdered sugar

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (you will only use enough for drizzle)

1/4 cup chopped red onion*

1 set round cookie cutter tins

Using the cookie-cutter tins, carefully cut the flesh from the watermelon slices into various rounds. Then, arrange the rounds on a large platter in an asymmetrical composition. You can lay the more stable pieces on their sides, standing upright to add aesthetic.

Slice the feta block into various size squares. Place each square on top of or around the watermelon rounds.

Mix the powdered sugar into the condensed milk. Using a teaspoon, drizzle the condensed milk over the watermelon and feta, ending with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

*For a salad option, you can top with chopped red onion. Makes 4 servings

RUTHIE LANDELIUS

Ruthie owns Black Fig Food catering and is proprietor of the online cooking platform Elevated Plant Plate. Learn more at blackfigfoodprograms.com and blackfigfood.com.

PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

Duck, Duck, Eggs

You’ve got to get after it to crack one open,” Josh Fuller is saying. “The shells are extremely hard. It’s not a one-handed crack.”

The long-time OHMS chef is talking about duck eggs. Compared to traditional chicken eggs, duck eggs contain less water and more fat and protein. They offer more omega-3 fatty acids and more Vitamin A due to the larger yolk. This gives duck eggs a richer flavor than chicken eggs, and aficionados insist using duck eggs for baking makes baked goods fluffier and more moist.

A duck egg can also be around 50 percent larger than a chicken egg, so recipes require fewer of them. That makes it tricky, Fuller says, because “you have to measure by ounces.” The liquid volume of a large, raw chicken egg is typically around 2 fluid ounces. A duck egg might be 3 ounces or more. “They’re like dinosaur eggs,” he adds.

Despite requiring a few calculations, Fuller says the delicious result is worth it. “I really like it. The taste is just really rich,” he says. He uses local eggs from The Egg Shop (see page 65).

For Brick & Elm, Fuller substituted duck eggs as ingredients in a few OHMS favorites, including the restaurant’s beloved Fried Egg Salad, pad thai with a sunny-side-up duck egg, and a dark chocolate pudding that sets up easily with the richness of a duck egg.

CHEF JOSH FULLER

Pad Thai Sauce

1 tablespoon peanut oil

1 tablespoon lemongrass, minced

2 tablespoons Thai green chiles, minced

1 tablespoon shallots, minced

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

2 Kaffir lime leaves

1/3 cup lime juice

1/3 cup tamarind paste

1 teaspoon paprika

1 cup palm sugar

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1/3 cup fish sauce

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons water

In a wok over high heat, stir-fry lemongrass, chiles, shallots, garlic and lime leaves. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and set aside.

Duck Pad Thai

Assembly

4 boneless duck breasts

4 duck eggs

1 pound fresh pad thai noodles

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

¼ cup chopped peanuts

¼ cup green onions, sliced

3 cups bean sprouts

Lime wedges

Peanut oil

Season duck breast with salt and pepper. Cook skin side down on medium heat in a nonstick pan for 6 to 7 minutes. Turn over and cook until medium at 140 degrees internal temperature. Remove from pan and let rest. In the same pan, cook duck eggs sunny side up and set aside. In a wok over high heat, stir-fry noodles and bean sprouts for 1 minute. Add sauce and cook until noodles have softened; add more water if necessary. Divide among 4 plates. Thinly slice duck breast. Top noodles with duck, fried egg, cilantro, peanuts and onions. Serve with lime wedges.

Makes 4 servings

Crispy Duck Egg Salad

Dressing

4 pieces bacon, chopped

1 shallot, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon sugar

Cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Drain and return grease to pan. Saute garlic and shallot in bacon grease and olive oil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add sugar and vinegar. Set aside.

Eggs

5 duck eggs

½ cup flour

1 cup panko

¼ cup finely shredded Parmesan

Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Place 4 eggs in boiling water and boil for 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from pan and shock in ice water. Peel and set aside. Whisk remaining egg. Combine panko and Parmesan. Roll egg first in flour, then egg wash and, finally, panko/cheese mixture. Fry in oil for 2 minutes at 375 degrees.

Assembly

8 ounces arugula

8 asparagus spears, sliced Parmesan for garnishing

Warm the dressing. Combine with arugula and asparagus. Separate greens/dressing mixture onto 4 plates. Top with fried egg, bacon and Parmesan. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings

2 cups whole milk

½ cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

⅓ cup heavy cream

1 duck egg

2 duck egg yolks

5 ounces dark chocolate

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons butter

Dark Chocolate Pudding

In a medium saucepan, bring milk to a boil. Remove from heat. In a medium bowl, whisk cornstarch, sugar, eggs, yolks, cocoa powder and heavy cream until smooth. Add mixture to milk and slowly bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Add chocolate, butter and vanilla. Stir until incorporated. Transfer to four serving dishes and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve with salted caramel whipped cream. Makes 4 servings

The Egg Shop

Since 2013, Herrick and Bonnie Allen have been selling farm-fresh, free-range chicken and duck eggs to local residents as The Egg Shop (facebook.com/theeggshopamarillo). Their operation is small, with around 75 chickens and 25 ducks on their property south of Amarillo. Regular vendors at summer events like the Canyon Farmers’ Market, the Allens typically sell out their supply of eggs by 8 a.m. on market days—and duck eggs tend to go first.

“My passion with [selling] duck eggs is that most of the kids who can’t eat chicken eggs can eat duck eggs,” Bonnie says. She’s referring to egg protein, a common allergen. This protein isn’t identical between chicken and duck eggs, so some people may have an allergic response to one type of egg and not the other. “There are lots of kids and adults who can’t eat chicken eggs, so I [always] make sure they get some,” she adds.

She loves the taste of duck eggs, apart from one preparation style: “The only thing you can’t do with duck eggs is make hard-boiled eggs,” Bonnie says. “They’re really rubbery.”

Ducks lay fewer eggs during cold weather but production tends to increase as the weather gets warmer. “The warm weather makes you happy,” she says.

REALTORS ®

Like the rest of the country, Amarillo’s housing market has gone through a turbulent couple of years. Buying a home is always a big step for anyone. But with uncertainty within the market— related to everything from inventory to interest rates—it’s critical to partner with a professional who can help navigate the buying or selling process. Amarillo has no shortage of knowledgeable, experienced real estate professionals. We are thrilled to highlight a few of them in the following pages.

Charli Rae Gause Lyons Realty

How long have you been serving the local market? I have started my ninth year serving the Amarillo area real estate market. This year, I will be taking my test to become a licensed broker. I believe education is important, especially in real estate. In addition to my license, I hold two certifications: Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) and Senior Real Estate Specialist® (SRES).

What do you love most about what you do? A large portion of my transactions have involved estates, relocation and divorce. Each of these situations can be full of emotions and legal issues that need to be resolved. That can be stressful on every side. I understand that, and love being able to offer experience and solutions to help navigate through some of the hardest times of my client’s lives.

In a competitive market, how do you stand out? Along with my real estate experience, I have a design degree and a professional background in marketing and design. This truly helps my clients. When listing their home, I set up a marketing game plan, and keep many services in-house when other agents might have to hire those out. For both sellers and buyers, my design skills help them see potential and possibilities in a home.

What single piece of advice would you give to local buyers? Stay patient and be adaptive and open to possibilities. The “perfect” house doesn’t exist, but the one that offers the best fit for you is surely out there. Always consider how you and your family will be able to live and function in a home. Take in the big picture rather than worrying about small updates or a fresh coat of paint.

What advice would you give to sellers? Be realistic and price accordingly. So many times, we see sellers price too high, overinflating their home’s value or trying to leave room for buyers to negotiate. Today’s buyers are savvy. If a property is overpriced, they’ll avoid it. Often, when sellers start making price reductions over time, the house becomes stale and buyers wonder if something might be wrong with the property. If sellers don’t price according to market trends, they end up netting a LOT less at the closing table. They typically end up staying on the market longer. At the end of the day, any property is only worth what buyers are willing to pay. That is the true market value.

What are some challenges facing the local market this year?

Definitely a housing shortage. This is something we have faced for several years, but the pandemic years really brought light to the issue. Supply-chain issues amplified the shortage by slowing down construction on homes that were being built. This area has great need for more apartments for rentals and more homes under the $200,000 threshold.

What excites you about the real estate market in 2023? Hopefully, a shift to a more normal market. I think the market in Amarillo will continue to remain strong, but it’s definitely transitioning into a healthier market. We should see home values remaining pretty steady and more inventory coming to the market.

Leslie Cunningham Keller Williams Realty

How did you first become interested in the real estate world? With degrees in Banking and Finance and Managerial Finance—including a strong emphasis on real estate—I was eager to enter the industry after graduating from Ole Miss in 1986. However, the economy was not what I expected, and opportunities in commercial real estate and mortgage lending were scarce. I moved instead into the technology industry, then spent a brief time pursuing residential home building, which segued into real estate. Though varied, everything I’ve done has prepared me for what I do today.

How long have you been serving the local market? For the past 35 years, I have served the Amarillo community in various ways, with attentiveness to the needs of my clients. For the last nine years, I’ve focused on residential real estate with seven years as an agent and two years as a licensed broker.

What do you love most about what you do? This career makes my heart happy. I understand that a house is not just an investment, but a place where memories are made, families are raised, and lives are lived. One of the best parts of creating a listing is being able to tell the story of a home, so that prospective buyers can imagine how it will fit the way they want to live. In a competitive market, how do you stand out? I genuinely care for my clients and want the best for them. I believe in an old-school approach to real estate, and I’m always present and involved in every step of the process. I even make it a point to inspect the homes I show, ensuring they’re ready before each viewing. Communication is key, and I excel at keeping my clients informed and engaged with the help of my dedicated team. I am fully committed to fulfilling my fiduciary responsibilities.

What single piece of advice would you give to local buyers? Several weeks before you’re ready to make a purchase, I recommend finding an agent through referrals. Start early. The right agent will help with preapproval and neighborhood research, while helping define a client’s needs and priorities. My advice: “Marry the house, date the rate.” Refinancing is an easy option, and interest rates may fluctuate.

What advice would you give to sellers? Sellers should be aware that the market is shifting towards buyers, and it’s crucial to prepare their home for sale. A clean, tidy and well-maintained home will sell faster and for a better price. Deferred maintenance can be costly, so it’s better to address any issues before listing.

What are some challenges facing the local market this year? Our area’s biggest challenge is inventory. We need more homes because Amarillo is poised for success due to our city and economic leaders.

What excites you about the real estate market in 2023? Amarillo is a fabulous place to live, work and raise a family. The initiatives of AISD, CISD, Amarillo College, WTAMU and Texas Tech to prepare the workforce is very exciting. I believe the Panhandle is about to shine and explode. It’s an exciting time to be a part of this community, and I’m honored to help people make it their home.

806.236.7466 | LESLIECUNNINGHAM.COM

Amarillo’s Parkview Realty, LLC

How did you first become interested in the real estate world? It actually started at a very young age. I grew up in the Bivins area and was surrounded by unique homes that had so much character. I guess my love for architecture eventually grounded me in the business of selling it. My love for the process of building is fulfilled through our general contracting business.

How long have you been serving the local market? I’m beginning my 14th year as an agent.

What do you love most about what you do? The relationships I build with the people I work with on a daily basis. This is a business with a lot of moving pieces, and most of those moving pieces are very relationship-based. I love helping my clients meet their goals, whether they are buying, selling or investing. In a competitive market, how do you stand out? With a good reputation and work ethic. My focus has always been on my clients and what’s best for them throughout the process. That’s also how I earn referrals and have repeat clients.

What single piece of advice would you give to local buyers? If you want to build financial wealth, investing in real estate is one of the best investments you can make. I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact it has had for my clients over the span of my career.

What advice would you give to sellers? With so many factors that go into an assessment/valuation of your home or property— such as local market conditions, condition of the home, location, and financial goals, to name a few—do your homework when picking a Realtor. Make sure your assessment of them includes their knowledge of those conditions. They should also have a personalized strategy for getting your home or property sold.

What are some challenges facing the local market this year? The daily ebbs and flows of the market can affect the buying power for anyone looking to purchase real estate. Also, for those buyers, we are still dealing with limited options of inventory.

What excites you about the real estate market in 2023? I’ve started the year off with several new clients, and I look forward to getting to know them better and helping them reach and exceed their real estate goals.

Shelby Massey Capitol Peak Realty

How did you first become interested in the real estate world? My first introduction to real estate happened when I interned with Rockrose Development. While most of my internship involved weed-eating, picking up trash, and other tasks, I must say Matt Griffith and Tracy Byers made it a point to always explain real estate and development projects they were working on. That is really what piqued my interest in real estate.

How long have you been serving the local market? I have been selling real estate for more than 10 years in the Amarillo and Dallas markets. I originally got my start working in a boutique brokerage in Dallas, which mainly focused on homes. When my family moved back to Amarillo in 2018, I transitioned my focus to commercial real estate. I obtained my broker’s license in 2021, which led me to open Capitol Peak Realty.

What do you love most about what you do? I love that not all deals are the same. I like problem-solving and working with the involved parties to come up with a solution to get the deal done. I love that I can be a good steward of the community. I enjoy connecting with people within it and creating meaningful relationships, and the real estate world allows me to do that.

In a competitive market, how do you stand out? I think, just like any business, you need the ability to be creative and innovative within your industry, while also providing your customers the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. I also find it very important to listen to your customers and talk with them—not over them—and always be present.

What single piece of advice would you give to local buyers? Amarillo is the next Texas city to be put on the map, and now is the time to invest and capitalize on the growth ahead. I am excited about the future of this great city.

What advice would you give sellers? The most important thing is setting expectations, for sellers because transactions in the commercial market can tend to take longer and have more moving parts than in the residential market, where the clients are more custom.

What are some challenges facing the local market this year? We will see a bit of a correction in the real estate market due to higher interest rates and a slowdown in the economy. The good and the bad about the Amarillo market is that we don’t see the big swings like some other cities in Texas.

What excites you about the real estate market in 2023? Our population has grown, and we are now over 200k people, which means that companies that may have skipped over Amarillo will now stop and look at us as a location to expand their businesses. Also, the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation has done an amazing job of bringing large companies to our community. Businesses like Cacique, Amazon, Producers Owned Beef, Bell Textron CVMR, and Albers Air are going to provide great employment opportunities in Amarillo. With this growth, we should see a good uptick in both residential and commercial real estate needs.

806.513.7299 | CAPITOLPEAKREALTY.COM

Marie Bean Wieck Realty

How did you first become interested in the real estate world? About 7 years ago, my current broker was helping us sell our home and suggested I consider getting my license as she thought I was a good fit for the industry. I’m thankful every day that she spoke those words of encouragement to me.

How long have you been serving the local market? I’ve been in real estate for 6 ½ years and in the Amarillo market for 4 ½ years.

What do you love most about what you do? I love helping people. The obvious ways are buying and selling homes, but I love the relationships built throughout the process. Sometimes I get to help clients find a job or the right school or daycare for their family and those opportunities bring me so much joy.

In a competitive market, how do you stand out? Follow up and follow through! I work very hard to communicate and educate through the process.

What single piece of advice would you give to local buyers? Don’t let interest rates scare you out of the market; this shift is giving buyers opportunities we haven’t seen in a few years.

What advice would you give to sellers? More than ever, pricing your home right from the start is key!

What are some challenges facing the local market this year? Low inventory—a balanced market is around 5 to 6 months of inventory, and we currently have less than 2 months. Rising interest rates continue to be a challenge and have impacted affordability for buyers.

What excites you about the real estate market in 2023? Though inventory is still low, it is encouraging that we have nearly double the number of homes available compared to a year ago. I’m excited to see where opportunities emerge in an everchanging market.

Michelle and Andy Justus Wieck Realty

How did you first become interested in the real estate world? We were hooked after we bought our first home. Home ownership was lifechanging and we fell in love with the process. Buying a home is one of the single biggest decisions of your life, and we love helping our clients walk through the process.

How long have you been serving the local market? Michelle originally got her license in 2005. She started selling, and then convinced me to get my license in 2015. It’s the best decision we’ve made. We make a great team because we love working together.

What do you love most about what you do? Building relationships is the most satisfying part of our job. Our clients become like family, and we love helping them make life-changing moves. In real estate, we find that we wear many different “hats.” From counseling and coaching to motivating, it is a journey we find can be much more personal than just a business transaction.

In a competitive market, how do you stand out? We work hard, we are available and we consider our jobs part of our ministry. Helping the community and growing Amarillo is our mission.

What single piece of advice would you give local buyers? Get approved with a great lender as soon as possible. In doing so, it allows us to fine-tune the process and know exactly what to look for.

What single piece of advice would you give to sellers? Give yourself time to get your home market-ready. Identify needed repairs and start clearing out what you don’t need. If your home is clean and organized, you have a head start on 25 percent of other homes on the market. Buyers do love updates, but if that isn’t feasible, then getting your home clean and decluttered will be the next best way to attract buyers.

What are some challenges facing the market this year? Interest rates are up and inventory is low. We probably won’t see rates go as low as during the pandemic again. Even though they are getting higher, we are hopeful they will start to even out. Let’s remember, though, they aren’t nearly as high as we’ve seen them go in the past.

What excites you about the real estate market in 2023? Amarillo’s housing market won’t see the decline we are seeing nationally.

The Amarillo and Canyon area will continue to see positive growth. Thankfully, our region tends to be shielded from the drastic rise and fall of some of the larger markets. We are always hopeful that our area will continue to grow and produce more opportunities.

806.673.9271 | 806.584.6295 WIECKREALTY.COM

How did you first become interested in the real estate world?

The Gaut name has been synonymous with commercial real estate in Amarillo for more than 124 years. J & Jeff Gaut represent two generations of the Gaut name, along with owners Ben Whittenburg and Aaron Emerson, agents Cathy Derr, Kristen Chilicote, Sheril Blackburn, Bo Wulfman, Gabe Irving, Miles Bonifield, and office manager, Nancy Marston. Our property management team is headed by Director of Property Management Jennifer Webber.

How long have you been serving the local market? Since 1899, the Gaut name has been the leader in the Amarillo commercial real estate market.

What do you love most about what you do? We do our best to create a relaxed environment that is enjoyable for our agents and clients. It is possible to produce good results and have a good time doing it! The team’s business philosophy is to take care of our clients, all the time. We customize our service to fit each of our client’s unique goals, which keeps our work exciting.

In a competitive market, how do you stand out? Our agents. Each of them are an expert in their specific specialty. Our company’s history and our large number of listings separate us from the competition. Currently, we have 232 exclusive listings, closed 327 deals in 2022, and closed more than 1,600 deals in the past five years.

What single piece of advice would you give to local buyers? Do your homework. Buying or leasing a property is a significant investment. Hire a professional that knows the market and all the nuances of getting a deal done and completed properly. We have devoted a lot of time over the years helping clients out of situations that could have been avoided had they had property representation early on.

What advice would you give to sellers? Hire a qualified professional. Make sure you are hiring an agent who is competent in the type and geographic area of the property you are buying or leasing. The cost of the right agent will likely be offset by your broker getting the most the market will bear for your property. Do it right up front.

What are some challenges facing the local market this year? Interest rates are a big topic in 2023. While the rapid increase hit the market hard, it appears to be leveling off with the market beginning to absorb the higher rates. High inflation is an ongoing issue, especially in the retail market. It is yet to be seen what lasting effect it will have on our market. We believe it’s a good time to live in Amarillo—it doesn’t take much to swing the pendulum in the right direction.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

As new businesses and residents come to the area and new developments spring up, home improvement has become more than just a category of retailer (or a genre of cable TV programming). Existing homeowners are looking to improve their spaces—inside and out. Whether you’re making repairs or simply pursuing an upgrade, this special advertising section highlights the professionals who can help, from landscaping to furniture to foundation.

The Pergola Shop

What is your specialty or service? We specialize in custom-built pergolas and pavilions, along with custom outdoor kitchens and fireplaces. We are continually looking for new and creative ways to give our customers a one-of-a-kind outdoor space. Not only do we offer traditional pergolas with slatted roofs, but we also offer pavilions with pitched roofs and pergolas with louvered roof systems, which allow you to customize the amount of shade. Also, we just recently added industrial-style pergolas with metal I-beams.

How long have you been serving this industry? The Pergola Shop is owned by Brice Stater, of Stater Construction. Brice has been in the construction industry for 43 years. Stater Construction began in 2006, and The Pergola Shop was born not long after. In the spring of 2021, we opened The Pergola Shop’s first showroom, giving us the opportunity to display our work for those considering a new outdoor space.

What do you love most about what you do? We love exceeding people’s expectations! It brings us great joy to hear our customers say that the end result is better than they imagined.

In a competitive market, how do you stand out? First, the distinctive look of our custom pergolas sets them apart. We use a dovetail joint when constructing them. This not only allows for a sturdier structure, but also a more seamless and elevated look without any bulky metal hardware.

Second, as a construction company, we give our customers a completely turnkey experience. We also have an in-house designer to work with customers in the beginning phase to ensure no details are overlooked. Third, our array of patio add-ons—grills and outdoor kitchen components, patio heaters, furniture, sun shades and more—help customers create the outdoor area they’ve always dreamed about.

What excites you about the local market in 2023? We just moved to a new location off I-27, which gives us more space to display our highquality work. Our new showroom includes a large workshop where our craftsmen stay busy cutting and staining lumber. This allows for a much cleaner installation experience on a job site. The move also provided us with a large outdoor space where customers can see samples of all the pergola options we build. Our stunning indoor showroom houses our grill and outdoor kitchen selections.

How are you responding to current industry challenges? There are two perspectives regarding the possible upcoming recession: You can hunker down or be aggressive. We chose the latter. We will find creative ways to continue offering the same high-quality work without compromising our customers’ budgets. That’s a promise.

What’s one thing you wish local homeowners understood better? We want homeowners to understand that quality matters. We refuse to cut corners or compromise quality, and we don’t believe customers should have to do this, either. We also want customers to understand that wordof-mouth is the best advertising! If you have had a good experience with us or any other industry professional, tell your friends. It matters! 14301

Ohm Restoration

What is your specialty or service? Ohm Restoration specializes in residential and commercial restoration: roofing, solar, siding, gutters, and more. We handle everything from new roofing installations to roof repairs and full replacements. We know a roof is a long-term commitment, so we do everything we can to help customers make the right decision for their home.

How long have you been serving this industry?

Personally, I have been in this industry for six years, and have been serving the Amarillo area since 2019. We also serve other communities in the Texas Panhandle and New Mexico.

What do you love most about what you do? Working with people is one thing I love about my position. I get to make a positive impact on their lives and have fun in the process! Making a decision about your home’s roof can be daunting. There are so many factors to consider, like materials, color, style or warranties. It’s a big decision and the information overload can be stressful. I like working to meet a homeowner’s specific needs while giving them guidance to find the best possible solution for their home. Working across the Texas Panhandle and into New Mexico, I’ve enjoyed meeting people from so many different communities.

In a competitive market, how do you stand out?

We stand out by not only offering roofing systems with the longest warranties, but also offering energy independence through solar installation. We are blessed with abundant clean and renewable energy from the Texas Panhandle sunshine, and solar panel installation helps homeowners harness that energy. From gutters, siding and windows to residential solar panels, our comprehensive approach sets us apart from a lot of other roofing companies.

What excites you about the local market in 2023? The occasional storms, of course, make Amarillo a desirable market for any roofing company. That’s why there’s a lot of competition here. But I am most excited about introducing Amarillo to the solar market. Being able to offer our customers—including commercial property owners—the opportunity to own their energy instead of renting it is a big leap forward in this market. Due to tree cover and shade, solar isn’t appropriate for every home, but our trained technicians can assess every property for viability for solar power.

Landscape Contractors

experience the wonders of all four seasons in Amarillo, but

Debbi Trubkin

AVP/Home Equity Loan Officer Amarillo National Bank

What role do you play in the local real estate market? My role is to help customers realize their home is their biggest piggy bank! Building equity in a home is a huge accomplishment, and we help customers access the equity they already have established in their home. Enabling our customers to access this cash through a home equity loan can open so many doors of possibility for their future

How long have you been serving this community? I was born and raised in the Panhandle of Texas, but I have been a part of the Amarillo community for the past 11 years. I have been working at Amarillo National Bank for 17 years.

What do you love most about what you do? There is a great feeling of accomplishment when you work hand-in-hand with people to achieve something that will improve their lives. Home equity loans allow people to improve their homes, pay for college tuition, start business ventures and consolidate debt—just to name a few options. It is a partnership with them, and that is a great honor.

In a competitive banking market, how do you stand out?

Customer service is our top priority at ANB. We make sure our customers understand their options and feel confident in their choices. We are more than just a bank; we build relationships with our customers that last beyond the term of their loan.

What excites you about real estate in 2023? I’m excited by the potential for people to take advantage of increased home values without having to sell. Many customers do not want to sell their current home, but have a need for the equity they have established over the years. This year has the possibility of creating a good environment for people to capitalize on that equity.

How are you responding to current market/industry challenges? We are offering competitive rates and have updated loan products available. We are constantly evolving with the times and changes going on around us to make sure our customers have options and are well taken care of.

What advice do you have for home loan applicants? Ask a lot of questions! It can be a daunting task to self-educate on purchasing or refinancing a home. We are happy to visit with our customers at any point in the process. We want every customer to feel confident about the path to buying or refinancing.

806.356.1433 | ANB.COM

Tascosa Brick and Fireplace

What is your specialty or service? Tascosa Brick Inc. and Fireplace is in business to serve the Panhandle area with commercial and residential building supplies, which include bricks, stones and pavers from companies throughout the United States. We have a variety of bricks for commercial and residential uses, including unique reclaimed brick recycled from other projects. Our inventory also includes man-made and natural stones in a variety of styles. We also sell fireplaces and offer high quality grills and smokers— including Primo Ceramic Grills.

How long have you been serving this industry?

Tascosa Brick Inc has been in business since 1984.

What do you love most about what you do? The customer interaction. Seeing gorgeous homes and extraordinary buildings being built with the products we provided is a joy and satisfaction that is priceless.

In a competitive market, how do you stand out? We focus on excellent customer service and providing the best quality products in Amarillo. Many of our clients have relied on us for years. Building those kinds of lasting relationships is always fulfilling.

What excites you about the local market in 2023? The market is exploding and, despite some of the things you’ll hear from other regions of the country, the construction industry remains strong in the Panhandle area. We are excited for the expansion of Amarillo and the progress that’s happening throughout the city.

How are you responding to current industry challenges? Our perspective is to always do our best with the things we can control—like serving our customers and providing the best materials in the industry. Some things are out of our control, and we put those challenges and concerns in God’s hands. Regardless, we always strive to have a positive attitude.

What’s one thing you wish local homeowners understood better? Not every product that is purchased is going to be the same. Quality matters, and choosing the right materials can have a long-term impact on your home or building. This is what makes brick and stone unique. 311 N. TYLER ST. 806.374.1481 TASCOSABRICKINC.COM

RANDI AND BRAD RAY, OWNERS

La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Decor

What is your specialty or service? We offer a variety of home furnishings products that include custom upholstery, occasional tables, dining, bedroom, home office and accessories. However, soft seating (stationary and motion upholstery) is what we specialize in.

How long have you been serving this industry? Personally, I’ve been in this industry 11 years in a professional capacity but have grown up around it my entire life. Our store in Amarillo has been serving the area since 1997. Of course, La-Z-Boy has been around for generations after first designing and building a wood-slat reclining chair in 1927.

What do you love most about what you do? Getting to help people make their home a personal place of comfort. Home is where we go to get comfortable, and we offer products that allow people to find that ultimate comfort while being proud of the rooms they create.

In a competitive market, how do you stand out? We offer an exceptional product and a brand that people recognize. We also offer a variety of contemporary styles, fabrics, leather and colors that can help people make the product their own. And if anyone needs a little help nailing down exactly what they want, we offer free in-home design services.

What excites you about the local market in 2023? We’re lucky to live in a place like Amarillo that, for the most part, isn’t affected by the overall macroeconomics like other markets. So while the media talks about recessions and economic slowdowns in 2023, we know the steady beat of the Amarillo economy will continue to benefit us and other local businesses. So all-in-all, it’s the people of Amarillo—and the local economy they have created—that makes us excited for this year.

How are you responding to current industry challenges? Fortunately, lead times on products have improved drastically from what they were two years ago. However, they are still longer than what they were pre-COVID, so to help combat this, we do everything we can to keep customers updated and aware of the status of their order. We have plenty of inventory, but we are still continuing to order more to help keep products flowing and the showroom floor fresh.

What’s one thing you wish local homeowners understood better? La-Z-Boy’s products are beautiful, modern, and in step with today’s trends. We’re not simply a “recliner store.” You’ll find the look you want at remarkable value. At times, customers seek products based on cost alone, but if you think about the amount of time you actually spend using, resting, lounging, napping, etc. on your furniture, quality and comfort should be at the forefront of these decisions. And we’re looking to offer the best value we can to help achieve this.

OWNER JOEY HAWKINS

Legacy Supportworks

What is your specialty or service? We are dedicated foundation repair, concrete repair, concrete leveling, and concrete sealing experts. We use an innovative repair system to provide highquality concrete restoration solutions for all types of sinking, settling, and cracked driveways, sidewalks, slabs, stairs, and more.

How long have you been serving this industry? Legacy Supportworks has been in the industry for eight years. We have helped thousands of West Texas homeowners with repair solutions.

What do you love most about what you do? We enjoy taking the time to get to know our customers. We educate home and business owners about the best solution for their problem. Our excellent service and high-quality work will stand the test of time. We are locally owned and operated, and enjoy being out in the community and building relationships.

In a competitive market, how do you stand out? We’re a company with purpose, and that purpose is to redefine what it means to work with a contractor. We are here to show customers it can be different. We want to “wow” our customers from beginning to end. Our employees are fully trained and certified to carry out the job needed.

In addition, we use galvanized steel that won’t bend, rust or break. It is what sets us apart from our competitors because we don’t have call-backs later.

What excites you about the local market in 2023?

We see our work as more than just fixing a problem. We see it as improving homes. Improving homes means improving neighborhoods and, in turn, improving our community. We’re excited about new opportunities to better our city in 2023.

How are you responding to current industry challenges? Everyone has been hit with price increases but we continue to do our best to keep our prices down. When we give a quote, we stand by it— you won’t see hidden charges or spiked prices at the last minute.

What’s one thing you wish local homeowners understood better? If you start to see signs of foundation problems, seek help quickly. The longer you wait, the worse and more expensive the problem will be. Foundation problems won’t get better with time, but they’ll get better with us. We offer free estimates and financing.

APRIL 1, 7:30 PM

PERFORMED IN ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

MI GENTE O

ne of the city’s most popular food trucks now brings a new dining concept to downtown Amarillo.

Mi Gente Latin Cravings has been a fixture at local events since Chef Paul Leal moved here from the Metroplex in 2020. This spring, he and his wife, Amber, have given the food truck a more permanent home at the corner of Eighth and Buchanan, right across from Hodgetown.

The Leals converted a former auto shop into indoor dining, with the Mi Gente trailer parked outside and operating as the kitchen. Lunch and dinner customers will order inside, Amber says, and servers will bring the food from the trailer into the dining area.

Paul was working as a chef at the swanky Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse in Dallas when the pandemic hit. With his job furloughed, the couple returned to Amarillo to be closer to Amber’s family. The local scene reminded them of Fort Worth a few years ago, with art, food and culture beginning to collide in interesting ways. Understanding that Amarillo was on the cusp of something great, they also saw an opening for Paul’s skills. That led to the food truck.

Mi Gente is known for its fusion of Latin flavors. Paul has worked alongside and learned from fellow chefs who hail from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Honduras and other cultures. That eclectic mindset flavors his menu. “Who doesn’t like Latin food, right?” he says. “Most of the places I worked in Dallas have been high-end, fancy places. I like to take what I like—as far as comfort and honest food—and add a little bit of fancy to it.”

Highlights include the Steak Fajita Eggroll, Chimi Steak Fries and incredibly flavorful Cuban Sanguish, a hot-pressed Cubano alternative, which combines roasted pork shoulder with ham and swiss cheese.

The name Mi Gente (“my people”) comes from Paul’s grandfather, who used to refer to his employees that way. “It’s not a title here. Everybody’s my people. Everybody’s mi gente. I honor him in bringing that phrase here,” he says.

800 S. Buchanan St. 806.576.5467

facebook.com/migentecravings

PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY WITH US!

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

Open call for pop-up vendors and food trucks

806-680-5326

chaliceabbeyevents@gmail.com

575 PIZZERIA

Owned by an Amarillo native, the two local 575 locations (plus a food truck) serve the best pizza in the city. Locals rave about the incomparably thin crust, the way the thin-sliced pepperoni crisps up in the oven, and the fresh ingredients. Their easy to-go ordering includes craft beer and wine by the bottle. 2803 Civic Circle/ 7710 Hillside Road, Suite 700/1204 N. Western St., 806.322.5575, 575pizzeria.com $$

80/20 MEAL PREP

Healthy meals to go. Build your own meal using already prepped foods, or choose from a flexible menu of options based on diet needs, whether vegan, trying to manage diabetes, or wanting enough protein to add muscle. Gourmet meals and meal-prep using highquality, whole food ingredients. 2511 S. Georgia St., 806.282.5434 eightytwentymeals.com $

ALDACO’S

TACOS

Look, if your name rhymes with “taco,” then it’s pretty much just fate. Tucked away on Sixth street in one of those iconic, recognizable old Toot-n-Totum buildings, this is the spot for affordable, authentic tacos and tamales. 3623 SW Sixth Ave., 806.374.4945 $$

BANGKOK RESTAURANT

In a city known for its Thai food, Bangkok is truly authentic—and a legit Amarillo Boulevard dive. Take it from patrons with experience: If they say it’s “spicy,” they mean it. Get ready, and make sure you’ve got plenty of water. 5901 Amarillo Blvd. East, 806.383.9008 $

BELMAR BAKERY

This family-owned bakery is known across the city for its cookies and cakes, but the restaurant side has a passionate clientele of its own. Grab an enormous breakfast burrito with Roasters coffee. For lunch, try the soup or a panini. Belmar also has great box lunches and party trays. 3325 Bell St., 806.355.0141, belmarbakery.com $

BOMB CITY KITCHEN

This meal-prep service opened in 2018 in Western Business Park serving two things: prepared meals to take home and coffee. The food is healthy, high-protein and low-carb, with a willingness to swap ingredients by request. Think breakfast (bagels, scones, cinnamon rolls, breakfast burritos) and lunch. Closes at 3 p.m. 4132 Business Park Drive., 806.677.92419, bombcitykitchen.com $$

CAFE BLVD. RESTAURANT

Quietly, this little cafe on the Boulevard had built a reputation as one of the best and most authentic Vietnamese spots in the city. It’s under new management as of 2022, with a new menu, served in a clean, upscale environment. 5316 Amarillo Blvd. East, 806.803.0081 $

Open Thursday-Saturday, 11:00-5:30

This is not a comprehensive list of local restaurants. From issue to issue, we will try to include a wide variety of dining options based on the space available. If you notice an error, please email mm@brickandelm.com.

$ $$ $$$

Most entrees under $10

Most entrees $11 to $20

Most entrees over $21

2717 Stanley in Amarillo | chaliceabbey.org

CARNICERIA Y TAQUERIA LA POPULAR

You can’t go wrong at an eatery tucked into the back of a familyowned supermarket. Do your shopping, then hit the counter for a lunch of barbacoa tacos and tamales. On the way back, grab traditional Mexican sweetbreads like conchas and marranitos.

1505 SE Third Ave., 806.374.6451 $

CLEAN JUICE AMARILLO

This national chain started with smoothies in 2014. Less than a decade later, it sells healthy sandwiches, wraps, toasts, salads, acai bowls, fresh and cold-pressed juices and more across the U.S.— including Amarillo. The bright and fun environment matches up with the fresh ingredients. 5215 S. Coulter St., Suite 100, 806.803.2108, cleanjuice.com $$

CRACKIN’ CRAB

With locations in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Amarillo—not exactly obvious seafood destinations—this growing seafood boil chain brings Cajun flavor to the southwest. The house oysters are spicy and the servers are friendly. Locals recommend ordering the bread to soak up all the butter and delicious seasonings. 3350 Soncy Road, 806.437.1555, crackincrab.com $$

THE DRUNKEN OYSTER

The opulent, moody atmosphere of the Drunken Oyster feels like you’ve stepped out of the Panhandle and into the heart of the bayou. The Louisiana-style cuisine never disappoints, from the fresh oysters to the jambalaya and crawfish étouffée. It’s also a great spot for live music. 7606 SW 45th Ave., Suite 100, 806.418.6668, drunkenoysteramarillo.com $$

EL BRACERO MEXICAN GRILL

This family-owned restaurant has multiple locations but this one on Grand is the original and legendary for authentic Mexican comida. Appropriately, it’s painted red on the outside and green on the inside. We recommend the carne asada or spicy green chile enchiladas. 2116 S. Grand St., 806.373.4788 $$

EL PATRON TEX-MEX RESTAURANT

Don’t let the I-40 location fool you: This is a local Tex-Mex place with a friendly hometown attitude. Locals love the full bar, daily lunch specials from 11 to 3, and the amazing salsa verde. Brick & Elm staff tip: Try the stuffed avocado. 3401 I-40 West, 806.418.6934, elpatronrestauranttx.com $

FIREHOUSE SUBS

You probably think you know all the submarine sandwich places, but Firehouse does things a little differently. To start, the subs are steamed before serving, releasing a rush of flavors. Founded by firemen, this chain sets aside a portion of every purchase to donate to local first responders, helping provide life-saving equipment. 1901 S. Georgia St., 806.418.6651/3450 S. Soncy Road, 806.398.0056, firehousesubs.com $

FRUTILANDIA

EVENT VENUE THE SHOP EVENT VENUE

AMARILLO’S MOST

• COMMERCIAL JBL SOUND SYSTEM

SE 58TH AVE., 79118 MAR/APR 2023

• KITCHEN AREA AND CATERING ROOM INCLUDED

• TABLES AND CHAIRS INCLUDED WITH RENTAL

• SEATING FOR UP TO 250 PEOPLE

• FOUR OVERHEAD GARAGE DOORS

• 13 - FOOT PROJECTION SCREEN Find us on Facebook and message or call for details 806.336.1705

RENTALS

GIRASOL CAFE & BAKERY

We are huge fans of Girasol, where the weekly specials are always creative, filling and delicious. The Saturday brunch never disappoints either, especially in the new outdoor dining area on a sunny morning. Girasol is lunch-only, so grab some baked goods or bread when you leave. 3201 S. Coulter St., 806.322.0023 $

GOONEY’S

The recent growth of downtown restaurants hasn’t stopped Gooney’s from thriving. This mainstay on Polk has been around for years in the setting of an old department store. The inventive pan-Asian food is amazing—locals love the kimchi fries and wontons—but get ready to wait a while for your meal. Full bar. 705 S. Polk St., 806.367.9585 $

GREEN CHILE WILLY’S GRILL

This iconic location on I-27, tucked away between Amarillo and Canyon, is worth the short drive if you’re a fan of chicken-fried steak, country music, and a homespun family restaurant feel. The green-chile gravy is amazing, as are the hand-cut grilled steaks, burgers, and grilled chicken. 13651 I-27, 806.622.2200, greenchilewillys.com $$

HOOK & REEL

This Cajun/Creole seafood franchise offers mix-and-match seafood boils, allowing customers to pair a favorite catch (think crab legs, lobster tail or crawfish) with their favorite sauces, spices and add-ons. The breaded-and-fried baskets are also made to please, including fresh flounder, catfish, oysters and more. 5807 SW 45th Ave., Suite 205, 806.803.3133, hookreel.com $$

HUD’S

Drive past any of the Hud’s locations (now there’s a food truck, too!) before 10 a.m. and you’re likely to see a drive-thru line that sometimes extends into the street. Customers are either clamoring for its famous limeades or breakfast burritos. Later in the day, the burgers and chicken nuggets are amazing, too. 7311 Amarillo Blvd. West, 806.351.1499/4411 Bell St., 806.331.4837/2821 Wolflin Ave., 806.641.2955, hudsama.com $

ICHIBAN NOODLE BAR & ASIAN CUISINE

If you want ramen in Amarillo, look no further. Ichiban is so wonderful and … so rarely open. Watch your food and noodles being prepared thanks to the open kitchen. Stop by for lunch. It shuts down midafternoon but re-opens in time for dinner. Most days. Closed on weekends. 3309 Wimberly Road, 806.355.5031 $

JACOBO’S CAFE

This cute, diner-style storefront on Olsen serves down-home meals with a focus on Mexican food. The pancakes and breakfast burritos are super-popular, as are the spicy chilaquiles. Family-owned, fair prices and always worth a visit. 3701 Olsen Blvd., Suite L, 806.418.8850, jacoboscafe.com $

JORGE’S TACOS GARCIA

Tacos Garcia is consistently one of the highest-ranking Tex-Mex stops in the city, whether you’re into the family-friendly atmosphere or the full bar. (The house batch margaritas are legendary.) 1100 Ross St., 806.371.0411, tacosgarcia806.com $$

KABUKI ROMANZA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR

The first true Japanese steakhouse in Amarillo—vintage Amarilloans remember it from way before the move to the boatshaped dining room on I-40—Kabuki always pleases. If you like flamboyant fried-rice prep interrupted by rain and light shows, this is your spot. Dinner only, with 2 p.m. openings on weekends. 8130 I-40 West, 806.358.7799, kabukiromanza.com $$

LANDSHARK BURGERS

The FM 1151 location south of town isn’t particularly convenient for Amarillo residents. But this takeout-only shack is worth the bite. The big cheeseburgers are amazing, as is the busted-egg sandwich. (For a side, get the cheese curds.) Then grab a cherry-lime or Mexican Coke and enjoy it on the nice, sunny patio. 1505 E. FM 1151, 806.335.5644 $

LAS BRISAS SOUTHWEST STEAKHOUSE

Located at the Embassy Suites between Hodgetown and the Globe-News Center, this southwest steakhouse provides an excellent, high-end addition to the downtown dining

scene. The premium, all-natural Angus steaks are central to the menu, of course, but the salads and seafood are also worth a try.

550 S. Buchanan St., 806.437.1483, lbfinedining.com, $$$

LONE STAR BAR & GRILL

“No small steaks, no hot beer” is the motto of this Texas-style hideaway on the road out to Lake Tanglewood, and its steaks and burgers never disappoint. In fact, the steaks are quietly some of the best in the Panhandle. Plus: Pool tables! Avoid the big chain steakhouses and try this one, in business for more than 30 years. 935 E. FM 1151, 806.622.9827 $$

MARIA’S COCINA MEXICANA

This little hole-in-the-wall on 10th is close to downtown in the heart of the Barrio. There’s not a ton of parking, but if you can find a place you’ll enjoy authentic Mexican dishes like fresh tamales, menudo, chile verde, and traditional enchiladas. Warning: Maria means it when she says her hot sauce is hot. 1316 SE 10th Ave., 806.373.8841 $

MI GENTE

With a food-truck kitchen and a brick-andmortar dining area across from Hodgetown, the Latin-inspired menu of Mi Gente (“my people”) offers a unique indoor/outdoor experience. Chef Paul Leal arrived in Amarillo from a high-end Metroplex restaurant career in 2020. His savory, fusion-style dishes like the Cuban Sanguish and Steak Fajita Eggroll have attracted a dedicated clientele.

800 S. Buchanan St., 806.576.5467 $$

NORTH HEIGHTS DISCOUNT & CAFE

If you’ve ever thought twice about dining inside a convenience store, this will change your mind. This place serves some of the best soul food in the city. It’s known for huge portions—the nachos probably weigh three pounds—as well as its ribs, pork chops, fried catfish and breakfast items. 1621 NW 18th Ave., 806.418.6751 $

PACIFIC RIM

This longtime establishment on Paramount is one of our favorites, thanks to its excellent Asian-Fusion cuisine and huge portions. We love the build-your-own stir fry options and speedy delivery. Pay attention to the menu’s spiciness levels, though. Level 5 (“Hurting”) is no joke. 2061 Paramount Blvd., 806.353.9179, pacificrimam.com $

PONDASETA BREWING CO.

Already popular for its craft beer, a new mobile trailer enables the brewery to serve a food truck-style menu. The focus is pub-style food like burgers, sandwiches and mac-andcheese bites. Kids meals are available. The adults will want the charcuterie adventure board, with hummus, cheese, meat and crackers. 7500 SW 45th Ave., 806.418.6282, pondaseta.com $$

ROCKET BREWS

Seemingly made for Instagram, this Boulevard location quietly built a loyal clientele. Then it got featured in Season 14 of the Texas Bucket List. Head there for to-go micheladas and daiquiris with Jalisco-style snack trays and bowls. Locally owned by Palo Duro grads. 1506 Amarillo Blvd. East, 806.350.7830, rocketbrews.com $

ROSA’S CAFÉ & TORTILLA FACTORY

Owned by the same company that owns Taco Villa, locals can be forgiven for loving this regional Tex-Mex chain. The portions are

big and the prices affordable. Patrons love the convenient drive-thru, the queso, the free salsa bar (inside dining only) and the homemade tortillas. It gets really busy on Taco Tuesday. 4312 SW 45th Ave., 806.351.1194/ 3820 I-40 West, 806.352.8227/ 6007 S. Soncy Road, 806.803.9145, rosascafe.com $

SAM’S SOUTHERN EATERY

This Louisiana-based chain has been around for more than a decade, but the Amarillo location is brand-new. The portions are big and the prices are low for shrimp or crawfish po’boys, catfish, crab, seafood platters, shrimp and more. Our city may not be known for seafood, but Sam’s is. 4317 Teckla Ave., 806.437.1349, samssouthernamarillo.com $$

SCOTT’S OYSTER BAR

There are dives and then there are places like Scott’s Oyster Bar, a legit, shacketyshack hidden in a mostly residential area off Paramount. This tiny place has been here forever, though the interior and menu have changed slightly since Scott sold it a few years ago. Fresh oysters, tasty shrimp creole and classic Amarillo hospitality. 4150 Paramount Blvd., 806.354.9110 $$

SIX CAR PUB & BREWERY

One of the best things to hit downtown since the Sod Poodles, this Polk Street restaurant is known for its craft beers, amazing outdoor patio and rooftop, and its trendy vibe. The Nashville chicken sandwich is one of the best in the city. Like IPAs? Make Good Choices.

625 S. Polk St., 806.576.3396, sixcarpub.com $$

TOOM’S RESTAURANT

Experts know that a lot of “Thai” food actually has origins in Laos, and that fusion is on display at Toom’s, one of our favorite spots on the northeast side. The family owners are super friendly, the space is incredibly clean, and the authentic flavors pop. Get the sticky rice and beef jerky. 3416 NE 24th Ave., 806.381.2568 $

YOUNGBLOOD’S CAFE

An Amarillo classic, where you can grab a hearty breakfast starting every day at 6 a.m. or wait a few hours to try its illustrious chicken-fried steaks. Our favorite thing at Youngblood’s? It’s gotta be the free banana pudding for dessert (while supplies last).

620 SW 16th Ave., 806.342.9411, youngbloodscafe.com $$

BY KAREN WELCH, PANHANDLE PBS

Those three activities and more make up our first stop, the Milburn-Price Culture Museum

Ten years ago, if you had stopped in Vega, you might’ve taken the old hardware store at 1005 Coke St. as a bus stop. But it was a bus hub in name only, when a made-for-TV movie, “What Matters Most,” was filmed in town.

That sign came down when, with community support, nonprofit leader Greg Conn rehabilitated the building to house the MilburnPrice. You’ll get your first impression of how hands-on the museum is when you walk in the door and are invited to print your own Route 66 postcard by turning the wheel of that printing press from before the turn of the 20th century. Items inside tell the story of Vega and Oldham County, featuring both the Old West and the heyday of Route 66.

Experience vintage scales, sewing machines and the workings of two finely crafted, early 1900s bolt and screw display cabinets. Military displays honor native sons gone to war. You’ll see a horsedrawn wagon and buggies. Conn will open up the hood on a Model T to show the original, still-operating engine, and encourage you to check out the interior of a 1951 Hudson Commodore Six Coupe and the sleek lines of a 1955 Willys Custom Aero. Plus, art and photographs are plentiful.

On the grounds, you can actually walk inside the open end of a wind turbine blade recently donated and delivered to the Milburn-Price. It will give you an appreciation for the immensity of the many turbine towers dotting the Texas Panhandle.

The collection has grown so much over the museum’s brief years that it expanded to an adjacent building on the property. Even the display cases are interesting. Some were used at the Alamo as far back as the 1930s. Don’t miss the walls covered with push-pinned maps and photos of travelers from all across the globe. The museum can see hundreds of visitors a month during the regular tourist season. Conn and museum volunteers will hang back if you want to look on your own, but we recommend hearing the details from them.

Hours are curtailed during the winter months, so check the museum’s Facebook page to see if it is open. Admission is free. Other stops on this Texas Panhandle Road Trip:

• We can’t quite close the book on the Milburn-Price, but you’ll leave the museum to take part in that Route 66 ride. Conn takes tourists out in a Humvee, something he says foreign travelers especially enjoy. He’ll take your photo behind the wheel, too.

• The museum grounds also contain some of the town’s colorful murals and public art, such as a climbable dinosaur, a depiction of Billy the Kid, and what’s billed as the “largest branding iron in Texas”—all great photo ops. Cruise some of Vega’s main drags to spot other murals and displays, including green aliens in a rusted pickup truck.

• On U.S. Highway 385, south of the Oldham County Courthouse, you’ll see the Magnolia Service Station built in the 1920s to serve Route 66 travelers. The station was restored in the early 2000s, with help from a $50,000 cost-sharing grant from the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. It reopened in 2004 as a visitor center. The Oldham County Chamber of Commerce has placed many historical photographs of the station and its owners, gas station artifacts and other items inside.

• Just behind the Magnolia Station a large-scale arrow pierces the ground to commemorate legendary Comanche Chief Quanah Parker. Few details are there, but the arrow is part of the Quanah Parker Trail, and more info is available at quanahparkertrail.com

Vega hosts several community events a year. Conn recommends visiting anytime. But on the second Friday and Saturday in August, the Oldham County Roundup gets in full swing. The weekend offers a barbecue cook-off, parade and activities such as bingo, cornhole and softball tournaments, and evening dances. The Milburn-Price and Magnolia Station are open for viewing as part of the festivities. Check with the Oldham County Chamber for information.

Where in the 806 can you crank the wheel of an 1896 printing press, ride along the grooves of Old Route 66 and get a rare, inside look at wind energy in the Texas Panhandle?

This Welcome to Vega mural can be found on U.S. Highway 385 near the Oldham County Courthouse, where Route 66 ran through the city.

This revolving bolt case dates to 1903 and is original to the hardware store at 1005 Coke St. in Vega, Texas, where the Milburn-Price Culture Museum now operates.

Panhandle PBS Senior Producer Karen Welch talks with Milburn-Price Culture Museum operator Greg Conn about display cases once in the Alamo at San Antonio.

The now-restored Magnolia Service Station in Vega, built in the 1920s, served travelers on old Route 66.

Milburn-Price museum operator Greg Conn claims that this branding iron commemorating the historical XIT Ranch is the largest in the world “until someone proves me wrong.” It’s part of the public art that can be found in Vega.

A BETHANY FIELDS

marillo native Bethany Fields is quickly gaining national recognition for her contemporary pastels, most of which are inspired by the local landscape, from Palo Duro Canyon to the stark beauty of the High Plains.

Fields says the delicate nuance of the medium first attracted her to pastels years ago. “Soft pastel is pure pigment—not chalk—and requires a deft hand and keen eye,” she explains. “I love the tactile quality and immediacy of pastel. It’s very forgiving and allows for a beautiful painterly effect. Depending on your application, it can be either transparent or opaque and allows the artist freedom and range.”

Committed to educating artists about pastels—which can sometimes be misunderstood or under-appreciated— Fields regularly hosts and teaches workshops around the country. She has exhibited her art at the Salmagundi Club and the National Arts Club in New York City, as well as the prestigious Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio. Her pastels have been featured in Plein Air magazine and Pastel Journal, and in 2020 Fields was named “Editor’s Choice to Watch” for Southwest Art Magazine. See more of her work at bethanyfields.com.

Presented by

Igrew up with Amarillo TV stations. Sitting on the floor flipping between channels 4, 7 and 10, close enough to the screen to go blind and nobody stopped me. My Dad probably weighed the risks and decided it was better to have my brother and me close to the knob since our Zenith Chromacolor set had no remote control.

We were obsessive ProNews viewers and knew all the names of the Channel 7 anchors. We were weird kids. I thought Bill Tell Zortman was a great name, and Len Slesick sounded like one word to me, “lenslesick.” On Channel 10 (and later on 4) there was Roy McCoy, who seemingly invented tornadoes and frontal boundaries.

Tuggie Tuckness had a kiddie show on KFDA and I watched it every weekday morning. One time Tuggie came to Wellington, where I lived, and I just couldn’t believe I was seeing him in person.

When I was a little kid idolizing Tuggie and Roy McCoy, broadcast TV had only been in Amarillo and the Panhandle for about 20 years, which seems pretty amazing to me now. As of this spring, Channel 4 and Channel 10 have been on the air for 70 years. (Please don’t do the math on my age.)

Only a handful of TV stations operated in the U.S. just after World War II. But as new stations began to proliferate, things got a bit chaotic. The FCC put a four-year freeze on new licenses in 1948 to sort it all out, and in 1952 began issuing licenses in new TV markets. Most markets across the nation were only allocated two commercial channels on the preferred VHF band (channels 2-13). But Amarillo, way out here with nothing much around us, was lucky. We got three VHF channels 4, 7 and 10.

The Amarillo Globe-News company, with its three newspaper flags and the NBC-affiliated KGNC radio (K-Globe-NewsCompany), was the media giant of the Panhandle in those days and primed to pounce once the FCC acted. The publishing company formed a TV subsidiary to launch KGNC-TV on Channel 4 and built a 167-foot tower north of town that was the tallest TV transmitter in Texas. Hot on KGNC’s heels was radio station KFDA, which entered the TV competition as a CBS affiliate on Channel 10. The race was on, and by March 1953 both stations were preparing to go on the air.

Bad weather delayed the completion of KFDA’s tower and KGNC (which became today’s KAMR) was first out of the gate. On March 18, 1953—a Wednesday afternoon—moving images and sound emanating from a studio at Ninth and Harrison downtown began to flicker across area TV screens at 4:15 p.m., propelled through blustery Panhandle skies with help from an antenna atop the First National Bank Building at Eighth and Tyler. Dr. Smythe H. Lindsay, rector at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, led a brief service of dedication, perhaps an effort to forestall the devil’s plans for this new medium, which in short time would serve up a gyrating Elvis Presley and other bad influences.

That afternoon, on Polk Street, crowds gathered anywhere TVs were sold and watched the dawning of a new medium as if they were witnessing a second sun rising in the sky.

Saturday, April 4, brought KFDA’s moment in the glow of this new star. News reports the next morning didn’t mention prayers or blessings, but noted that Gen. Ernest O. Thompson was present and spoke on the air. And there were congratulatory telegrams from Gov. Allan Shivers and Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, among others. The report included the amazing fact that KFDA’s signal had reached a “tele-viewer” in Gould, Oklahoma, 125 miles distant.

Over on Channel 7 there was nothing but static in the spring of ’53. Competing interests had curried the FCC’s favor, but it wasn’t until 1957 that a winner was declared and KVII (K-7, get it?) staked its future on the VHF dial as an ABC affiliate.

About 30 years after TV came to town, a new wave of stations began to proliferate. That staticky and unused UHF dial began to matter when KCITChannel 14 joined the lineup in 1982, first as the independent KJTV, then becoming a charter Fox affiliate in 1986. Channel 2, the PBS-affiliated KACV, joined the VHF dial in 1988. KEYU-Channel 31, now Telemundo, inaugurated Spanish-language TV when it signed on as a Univision affiliate in 2004.

Volumes could be written on what has taken place across the past seven decades of broadcast television in the Panhandle. It’s a history full of largerthan-life characters who were both stars on the small screen and someone you might bump into eating Sunday dinner at Furr’s. TV remains competitive and vital in Amarillo 70 years after its birth and my eyesight apparently wasn’t overly diminished by sitting two feet from the screen in my formative years.

GUY LONERAGAN BVSC, PHD

DEAN AND PROFESSOR, TEXAS TECH SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

The best advice I ever heard is: When we were in the early stages of developing the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine, I visited a relatively new veterinary school in Australia that seemed to hold some pointers for us. This school was the second public program to be established in the Australian state of New South Wales. One of their founders told me to embrace being the second public veterinary school in Texas. This seemingly off-handed advice was the most liberating advice we received. It meant we didn’t have to replicate what the first school was doing all across Texas. We could focus on a narrow purpose. And that is what we did. Our purpose is simple: serve the needs of rural and regional communities.

My three most recommended books are: The Dead Hand: The Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race and Its Dangerous Legacy, by David Hoffman; Wittgenstein’s Poker: The Story of a Ten-Minute Argument Between Two Great Philosophers, by David Edmonds and John Eidinow; The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown.

To me, success means: From my professional perspective, success means a thriving school in which we find fulfillment, deeply embrace a sense of place, and work hand-in-hand with our community. Like so many of us, personal success for me revolves around family.

People who know me might be surprised that I: enjoy cycling. Years ago, I completed a century ride at the Hotter’N Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls.

My biggest pet peeve is: people snapping chewing gum. In most places, it is easy enough to move away, but it is my absolute pet peeve when someone is snapping gum next to me on a plane.

Everyone in Amarillo needs to experience: Australia. (My accent doesn’t come through in print, but I’m originally from there.)

If I could change any one local thing it would be: dedicated bike trails to connect areas and neighborhoods all across Amarillo. We have a great climate for cycling and dedicated trails—distinct from bike lanes on roads—are very successful in other cities. These would be a great way to leisurely explore all of what Amarillo has to offer.

This city is amazing at: investing in itself and its people. Amarillo is like no other community in Texas, and likely like no other community in the country. In this sense, Amarillo punches above its weight. The only limit on Amarillo is how big and broad it dares to vision.

My favorite place in Amarillo is: Holy cow, it is hard to narrow down to one place. From The Drunken Oyster, Crush, La Campana, Strata and Palace for coffee, to places like Verdure, Hodgetown, Dong Phuong Oriental Market and the Palo Duro Canyon, Amarillo just has so much to offer.

But if I had to land on one, I would say the School of Veterinary Medicine. It represents what is so good about Amarillo. The School proudly calls Amarillo home because so many from our community, local foundations, and the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation saw what it could do for Amarillo for generations to come. This is a testament to what can be done when we work together.

A local organization I love right now: The Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, the Amarillo animal shelter (part of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare), and Heal The City do so much good. They are all different, but play such an important role in Amarillo and the Panhandle.

PHOTO BY VENICE MINCEY

WHERE TRUE BEGINS

Alexis had her first child at a hospital in Dallas during COVID. So when she moved back home and chose to deliver at Northwest, she thought it would be very similar. It wasn’t. “The nurses and staff were amazing, and my experience was so different and even more special. Every detail from my epidural to rooming in with my baby made me feel like I was the only patient they had. As a nurse myself, I know what to expect for care, but this was truly a special surprise that made the birth of my second child memorable.”

The Childbirth Center at NWTHS offers expectant mothers a warm environment, skilled care team and a wide range of specialized services. We provide a family-centered approach with:

• 24-hour anesthesia

• Couplet care to foster that immediate special bond

• A newborn nursery

• A Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

For more information, visit nwths.com/baby.

To request a tour, call 806-351-7610.

“My experience at Northwest was an unexpected surprise!”

Alexis and her family, before the birth of her second child.