Inspire Coastal Bend Business Apr/May 2015 by Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine

RY SA ER E NIV SU AN IS

COASTAL BEND BUSINESS

MAGAZINE

REX GABRIEL RENAISSANCE MAN

BREAKING RECORDS AND CHANGING LIVES

ELITE FEET OF CORPUS CHRISTI

INSPIRED STYLE FEATURING KATY KISER SEA, SAND AND SCIENCE SEACAMP AT THE AQUARIUM

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FOUR GENERATIONS OF FAMILY BUSINESS

TOM CARLISLE

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AND CARLISLE INSURANCE APRIL.MAY 2015

PG.

20 I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

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ALL IN A DAY’S WORK CHOOSING COLORS AND FABRICS. MEASURING FOR SIZE AND SCALE.

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CONTENTS APRIL.MAY2015

BUSINESS COACH 10

Mind the Red Flags

FEATURE 12 14 16 18

You Only Live Once (YOLO) Spring Has Sprung at La Palmera Soak It In! The Dangers of Identity Theft

MONEY MATTERS 42 44

Cover Your Craft Be Prepared

TASTE 46 48 50

Savoring the Moment Support the Draft Gear Up for Grilling Season

TRAVEL 52 Weather or Not! COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT

20 26 TOM CARLISLE REX GABRIEL PRESSMASTER/BIGSTOCK.COM

AND CARLISLE INSURANCE

At the helm of the company his grandfather founded in 1925, the company president is proud to put his family’s values of honesty, integrity and hard work into action every day at the oldest locally owned agency in South Texas.

The popular radio host and Renaissance man celebrates 25 years of rocking the Coastal Bend with his hilarious morning show on C101.

32 ELITE FEET OF

CORPUS CHRISTI

Corpus Christi is officially on the running map thanks to Coach Eddie Ortiz and his young athletes, who have enjoyed considerable national success and even shattered several records in just five short years.

INSPIRED STYLE 54

Katy Kiser

ENTERTAINMENT 64

Livin’ It Live!

NONPROFIT 68

Kitten Season

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

COASTAL BEND BUSINESS

THESE LAST SIX YEARS HAVE BEEN QUITE A RIDE! OUR MISSION IS TO PRESENT INNOVATIVE BUSINESS AND MEDICAL EDITORIAL CONTENT TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, and to provide in-depth profiles to promote the accomplishments of local business and medical leaders and entrepreneurs for their contributions to local economic growth and development. Reflecting on this, I find myself humbled by the support and the amazing relationships I’ve been afforded by this great community. In November 2008, walking away from a rewarding career to venture into this chance opportunity I was given was not something I took lightly. Nor did I grow up thinking, “One day I will publish a magazine.” Sometimes certain things happen due to circumstances. For me, I had no idea that six years later, our success with this print source of media – practically the most challenging advertising medium there is – would be of such great impact to this community. Just over a year ago, I took a leap of faith. Thanks to the full support of my wife and partner, Tracy, I stepped out on my own, rebranding the publication, Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine. Since day one of my 25 years in Corpus Christi, I have had a vested interest in the Coastal Bend community. I made a commitment six years ago to provide a publication featuring local business and medical stories. Creating Inspire has allowed me to stand true to that commitment and to continue doing what I love to do. I am blessed to have built so many invaluable relationships, and I look forward to the many days and issues ahead of sharing the inspiration and triumphs of our local community. Our Sparkling City. Our Coastal Bend! Thank you for your support, and be inspired!

MAGAZINE

APRIL.MAY 2015 PUBLISHER

ADRIAN GARZA EDITOR Allison Alvarado

ART DIRECTOR Liv Madison

SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Holly Duvall

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mandy Ashcraft Kristen Bily Andrea Bolt Tracy Bracy Kim Bridger Kaitlin Calk Michael Fox Alisha Hovland Connie Laughlin Art Ramirez Sarah Tindall Sierra Washington Sarona Winfrey

PHOTOGRAPHY Dustin Ashcraft Paul Marshall

Adrian Garza PUBLISHER

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Brittanie Robertson

www.inspirecoastalbendmag.com For advertising information, please call 361.548.1044 or email adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com. For editorial comments and suggestions, please email adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com.

7957 Wolverine Corpus Christi, Texas 78414 Phone: 361.548.1044

ADRIAN GARZA

HOLLY DUVALL

PUBLISHER

SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR

adrian@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com

holly@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com

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BRITTANIE ROBERTSON ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

brittanie@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com

15 Turn good

intentions into greater actions. I’m here to help you plan for the future so you can continue all the good you do in your life.

Annie J. Castro, CLU®, LUTCF Agent New York Life Insurance Company 4466 S. Staples, Suite A Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 (361) 986-1321 ajcastro@ft.newyorklife.com www.anniejcastro.com Registered Representative offering investments through NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC), A Licensed Insurance Agency.

Life Insurance. Retirement. Investments.

KEEP

GOOD

GOING

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BUSINESS COACH

MIND THE RED FLAGS Female abuse and the workplace By: CONNIE LAUGHLIN

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Approximately 24 percent of workplace violence is related to personal relationships.

CONNIE LAUGHLIN is a business consultant for UniqueHR. For more information on outsourcing human resource, payroll, workers’ compensation insurance, safety training and (optionally) benefits, contact her at 361852-6392 or conniel@ uniquehr.com. *Sources available upon request.

not just a criminal justice issue, and support voluntary implementation of WPV prevention programs. Even without a specific threat, all employees should report any behavior they have witnessed that they regard potentially threatening or violent or which could endanger the health or safety of an employee when the behavior has been carried out on a company-controlled site or is connected to company employment or company business. Employees are responsible for making this report regardless of the relationship between the individual who initiated the threatening behavior and the person or persons being threatened. If a woman is being stalked or afraid of domestic violence, she must seek a network of support and contact not only the police, but friends, family and workplace management. Everyone needs a safe place to seek shelter and most definitely a plan of action no matter where they might be if they find themselves in a “situation.” Let’s come together to help one another. If you own a business, you owe it to your employees to provide documented company policy that plainly indicates what constitutes WPV and how to handle any situation. Management must show commitment to provide excellent communication, confidentiality and teamwork, complete with protocols in place to protect one another. For additional information, contact the City of Corpus Christi Crime Prevention Division at 361-886-2568.

IMAGESBAVARIA/BIGSTOCK.COM

ever assume an abused woman caused the mistreatment. In most cases, the smallest most innocent actions can cause someone who’s short an oar to spin out of control. People don’t just snap; there are usually red flags lining the path to violence. Abusers can be the highly regarded and soft-spoken professional or the guy in front of you in the grocery checkout line. They’re masters of hiding their abusive behavior until you’re already deep into a relationship. Smart women can find themselves in abusive relationships. It could happen to you, your daughter, your sister, your mother or an employee. And this violence can happen at your workplace. Abusers know where their targets are when they’re at work. It’s a fact that 12.7 percent of all female violent crimes were committed while the victim was working or on duty. And about half of all workplace crimes go unreported. Approximately 24 percent of workplace violence (WPV) is related to personal relationships. If you hear or sense something is wrong or out of the norm with an employee, it’s a necessity to document these incidents. Signs of potential workplace violence could be things such as an employee’s acquaintance drives by frequently, drops in or places frequent and/or unwarranted phone calls. Or your employee herself may show signs of stress or abuse. Investigations show that approximately 50 percent of abused women are harassed at work. Let’s try to prevent this violence and protect one another. Sadly, employers don’t look into WPV strategic initiatives and are unequipped to handle potential situations. It is the employer’s responsibility to maintain a safe workplace free of violence in general. OSHA has guidelines for late-night retail, but companies not under OSHA jurisdiction may not be aware of this information. Potential sources of information valuable to businesses include police department crime prevention units, Web-based violence prevention and security sites and insurance companies. Even unions have pushed for identification of workplace violence as an occupational issue,

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FEATURE

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE {YOLO} How you can start living your dream today

I’m certain that everyone, at one time or another, has heard the expression, “You only live once.” Whether used as an expression to give oneself validation for daring actions or for pursuing extraordinary dreams, its common use has reached many. In recent years, the coined phrase has even had a rebirth, per se: It is now abbreviated and infamously known to the younger generation as YOLO. Regardless of its transformation, effect and/or purpose, this phrase is a powerful combination of four words that can be life-changing if people allow it to be. YOU: You are the only person who can change your life. You have so much more potential than you think you do. ONLY: Exclusivity. You are the only one – the only chance. Only you can make it happen.

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LIVE: To be alive. Live or die. Live life with no regrets. ONCE: One time. It’s once in a lifetime – not more than once. We live in a world where normalcy and conformity are embraced. Generation after generation, the cycle of life and its meritocracy tends to repeat itself. If people go skydiving, they are considered crazy. If people quit their well-paid job to start their own company, they are considered irresponsible. If you only live once, why don’t you try to conquer and accomplish as many things as possible? Why don’t you strive to be the best at what you do? Why go through life doing the same routine day in and day out, over and over again? You have so much potential in you that you could change not only your, but many people around you. How great would it be to live your dreams, all the while inspiring others to live theirs, as well? Among the biggest misconceptions about what stand between you, your goals and your dreams are the lack of

THE RECIPE IS SIMPLE: TAKE ACTION, DO WHAT YOU LOVE, WORK AS HARD AS YOU CAN AND HELP OTHERS.

money, resources and/or connections. Tell that to astronaut Jose M. Hernandez, who picked cotton with his family as a young boy in the fields of California and didn’t speak English until the age of 12. Tell that to media mogul Oprah Winfrey, who was born into poverty and discriminated against her entire life. Tell that to entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria, who sold Christmas cards as a child to help support the family after his parents divorced when he was 2, and who lived out of his car when he launched Paul Mitchell Systems. In reality only you stand in the way of reaching your goals and living your dreams. The recipe is simple: Take action, do what you love, work as hard as you can and help others. You only live once, so stop living an average life. Start living your dreams today! For more information, contact Art Ramirez at 361-813-6520, art@ roconstructiongroup.com or www. facebook.com/artthebuilder.

PHOTOCREO MICHAL BEDNAREK/BIGSTOCK.COM

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www.RubenBonillaInsurance.com I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

FEATURE

SPRING HAS SPRUNG AT LA PALMERA Mother’s Day and spring fashion for fun in the sun

pring has arrived, and with more than 130 shops and eateries, the La Palmera Shopping District is gearing up for all the season has to offer. Shoppers will find the latest trends and seasonal gear for all ages from a variety of stores including Dillard’s, Macy’s, J.C. Penney, White House | Black Market, Coach, Pandora, Oakley, Zales, MAC Cosmetics, ULTA, New York & Company, Soma Intimates, Aéropostale and American Eagle, all located at La Palmera. The 1-million-square-foot mall also offers a variety of great dining options like Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, P.F. Chang’s and LongHorn Steakhouse. Conveniently located across from La Palmera is The Shops at La Palmera, featuring national retailers such as Jared The Galleria of Jewelry, Dick’s Sporting Goods, DSW and HomeGoods. And while shoppers are picking up something new for themselves, many will also find something for mom. Mother’s Day is May 10, meaning kids of all ages will be shopping for just the right gift. Pick up some sweets for mom at Bourbon Street Candy Co., and find just the right card at Hallmark, unique fashion and accessories at Francesca’s or Aldo, fine jewelry from Reed’s Jewelers, Gordon’s, Zales or Kay Jewelers and even something special for the mom-tobe at Motherhood Maternity. “Mother’s Day definitely brings out the shoppers,” said Fred Walters, general manager of La Palmera and The Shops at La Palmera. “It’s great having so many gift options available at both La Palmera and The Shops at La Palmera. But for those who can’t decide, a La Palmera Shopping District gift card is always a good option so mom can choose exactly what she wants.” In honor of Mother’s Day, the Corpus Christi Rose Society will hold their annual Mother’s Day Rose Sale on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Center Court with dozens of beautiful roses for sale. And all moms who valet park on Mother’s Day, May 10, will receive a complimentary rose.

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MOTHER’S DAY DEFINITELY BRINGS OUT THE SHOPPERS.”

La Palmera will also host other spring events, including the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, from April 28 through May 3. In town for Corpus Christi’s annual Buc Days parade on May 2, the Clydesdales will be located in the parking area between J.C. Penney and Firestone off Staples Street with the stables open to guests during regular mall hours. There will be a beer sampling event on April 29 (ages 21 and over), as well as a parade that day at 5:30 p.m. and again on May 3 at 2 p.m. And check out the Braselton Homes-built lemonade stand on display at La Palmera from April 1 through May 9. The stand will be raffled off to a lucky Lemonade Day Corpus Christi registrant in honor of National Lemonade Day, which encourages entrepreneurship in America’s youth. Organized locally by the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce Foundation and presented by Kleberg Bank, Lemonade Day Corpus Christi encourages teaching entrepreneurial skills and thinking to children by teaching them to build, own and operate their own business: a lemonade stand. The raffle winner will be announced Saturday, May 2, and will, with the help and training of the Corpus Christi Chamber, operate their new lemonade stand at La Palmera on Saturday, May 9. Visit corpuschristi.lemonadeday.org for more information on registering to win the stand and participate in Lemonade Day 2015.

For information on the many programs and events at La Palmera, go to www.lapalmera.com, follow us on Facebook or call 361-991-3755.

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SUBBOTINA ANNA/BIGSTOCK.COM

By: SARONA WINFREY

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FEATURE

SOAK IT IN

Texas State Aquarium’s SeaCamp is all about the sea, sand and science. By: ANDREA BOLT

mal care staff and actually spend the night at the aquarium, while younger campers will have the opportunity to discover animals and their habitats firsthand while exploring the aquarium. Age groups range from the “SeaSquirts,” ages 4 to 5, all the way up to the “Aquanauts,” teens entering the 10th and 11th grades. SeaCamp at the Texas State Aquarium begins the first week of June and runs through mid-August. Costs vary, and Texas State Aquarium members qualify for discounted registration. Due to the generosity of the NavyArmy Community Credit Union, partial scholarships are available to those campers who apply and meet certain requirements.

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KIDS GET TO EXPLORE STEM-RELATED ACTIVITIES IN DYNAMIC, UNEXPECTED WAYS AT SEACAMP.”

The Texas State Aquarium is located at 2710 N. Shoreline Blvd. in Corpus Christi, Texas. For more information about SeaCamp and the Texas State Aquarium, please visit www.texastateaquarium.org, or call 361-881-1200.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM

AT THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM’S SEACAMP, kids get the opportunity to “soak in” the summer at a creative camp unlike any they have ever experienced. With fun-filled, hands-on activities like tracking live sharks and talking with real ocean scientists, they receive the opportunity to learn about aquarium- and ocean-related subjects that will enable them to connect with nature in a way like never before. What sets the aquarium’s summer camp apart is the mission: Our camps and camp environments are designed to support inclusive and collaborative learning, to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) exploration and discovery and to empower campers to reach their full potential. Each year, the aquarium‘s education department dreams up new and engaging topics for SeaCamp’s multiple weeks with themes. For 2015, the themes are sharks, bioinspiration and oceanography. During “shark week,” children will remotely track live sharks and also learn all about shark biology and the varying species that diversify the often misunderstood animals. Bioinspiration week will be characterized by understanding how biological systems, processes and elements are studied and then used to draw analogies to be applied to human design and a multitude of industrial challenges. The segment on oceanography will include studying marine organisms and ecosystem dynamics, ocean currents, waves, geology of the sea floor and more. “Kids get to explore STEM-related activities in such dynamic, unexpected ways at SeaCamp,” explained Kristin Evans, Texas State Aquarium dean of curriculum and instruction. “Plus, they’ll get to work with equipment like microscopes, hand lenses, GPS, iPads and more to help them build upon science process skills. They’ll hypothesize, test, retest and really get a hands-on feel for what it means to use nature as a classroom and just become good citizens of the earth.” Older campers will get to go “behind the scenes” with aquarium ani-

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FEATURE

THE DANGERS OF IDENTITY THEFT

Better Business Bureau warns that the problem poses a serious threat to both businesses and consumers. By: TRACY BRACY

Protect your business identifying information. Guard your employer identification number (EIN) and tax identification number (TIN) the way you would your own Social Security number. Don’t give them out unless required, and shred old documents with business ID information in them.

Protect and monitor your state business registration information. Regularly review your information with the Secretary of State to make sure your information hasn’t been changed or updated without authorization.

Protect your business bank accounts. Review your commercial banking agreements to learn about your protections and reporting requirements. Consider using a two-person authorization or other arrangements with your bank to protect against fraudulent wire transactions. Beware of phishing scams, and monitor your bank account frequently.

BEWARE OF PHISHING SCAMS, AND MONITOR YOUR BANK ACCOUNT FREQUENTLY.

Protect and monitor your business credit file. Regularly review your business credit reports with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Keep personal and business finances separate, and consider placing a credit security freeze on your personal credit file to make it harder for thieves to open new credit accounts in your name.

Protect your business computers and networks. Restrict use of your business computers to only business activities, install anti-virus software and keep it updated and secure your company’s wireless network.

For more information about ways to prevent business identity theft and resources for dealing with the problem if it happens to your company, visit www.businessidtheft.org, a website operated by the Identity Theft Protection Association and the National Association of Secretaries of State.

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FLYNT/BIGSTOCK.COM

WITH THE RECENT NEWS STORIES about retailers having their records compromised by hackers, Americans have been focused on the dangers of identity theft. Tax-related identity theft was the most common form of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2014, while the number of complaints from consumers about criminals impersonating IRS officials was nearly 24 times more than in 2013, according to FTC statistics. Identity theft isn’t just something that happens to consumers, however. Increasingly, criminals are targeting businesses for ID theft, and Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin is warning businesses to be on guard for signs of having their name stolen. Criminals look for ways to steal the identity of a legitimate business by gaining access to its bank accounts, credit cards and other sensitive company information. The criminals can then secure lines of credit with banks and retailers at the expense of the victim. BBB has the following advice to protect your company against identity theft:

Protect and monitor your business credit card, supplier and trade accounts. Keep an inventory of accounts and key contact information. Review and reconcile account statements as soon as they are received, and immediately alert your credit card company if you find fraudulent activity.

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COVER STORY

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Family Affair

Having enjoyed a 40-year career at the 90-year-old agency his grandfather built, Tom Carlisle is proud to lead an exceptional team at Carlisle Insurance, the oldest locally owned agency in South Texas. By: Sarah Tindall Photos by: Dustin Ashcraft

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“

I take pride in carrying on my dad’s tradition and kind-hearted contributions to the community.”

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hen you ask Tom Carlisle what makes him proud to be the president of Carlisle Insurance Agency Inc., he’ll give a humble smile the size of Texas and say,“Since 1925 … that says it all.”As a third-generation Carlisle, Tom takes pride in knowing that it’s a rare opportunity in today’s corporate America to still be locally owned. Carlisle Insurance is the oldest locally owned agency in South Texas, and it has doubled in size and revenue within the last five years. But to understand why an Alice-raised boy has pride as fierce as a lion and why he is where he is today, one must go back to the beginning: 90 years ago. The values of honesty, integrity and hard work in the Carlisle family run just as deep as the oil wells in the booming little town of Alice, Texas, to which John L. Carlisle moved his family in the early 1920s to work at Alice Bank & Trust. While employed at the bank, John opened Carlisle Insurance and referred his banking clients to the insurance agency so the company could write the homeowner policies. According to Tom, his grandfather had a knack for banking, so it made perfect sense to put Tom’s dad, Cecil Carlisle, in charge of the insurance business after he graduated from Texas A&M University in 1943. “Cecil Carlisle was a leader and led by example,” Tom explains. “He always dressed sharp and believed that your image is very important as a business owner. My dad was tremendously generous throughout his successful career and always gave back to the community.” Cecil was born a talented leader, and as mayor of Alice, he was the first South Texas mayor to close a contract with Corpus Christi to shift the rural community from relying on well water to surface water from Lake Corpus Christi. Tom has fond memories of growing up during the oil boom in Alice with his siblings and 14 cousins. “My father was a visionary, and that made him very successful,” Tom says. “At the time that Alice was booming, he began to purchase smaller insurance agencies in the area. His first purchase was San Diego Insurance Agency in San Diego, Texas. My father also purchased an agency in Premont that is still operating today, and later merged the Bishop, Texas agency he purchased with a new office that he opened in Kingsville.” After high school, Tom attended Texas A&I – Kingsville and then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin. In 1975, Tom began his lifelong career in insurance at the family

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My customers are a part of my life. They are family. To see them succeed and grow is rewarding.”

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CLOCKWISE: Cecil Carlisle officially broke ground for the new building in Alice, Texas with gold shovels in 1977. Left to right: Johnny Rivera, vice-president of the agency, Mayor of Alice Ren Reid, Cecil Carlisle, Chuck Carlisle and Tom Carlisle. Cecil Carlisle, standing next to a photo of his father and founder of Carlisle Insurance Agency, John Carlisle. Left to right: Tom, Cecil (“Mr. C”), Chuck and Michael Carlisle on May 4, 2001, Mr. C’s 80th birthday.

business. Tom recalls his start at the agency: “Our agency had outgrown the office, so my dad cleared out the receptionist area and put two desks facing each other. My brother, Chuck, and I had to sit out there with our desks touching and share a phone.” His brother, who had returned to work for the agency just a few years before Tom, quickly took him under his wing. “I remember my first week, when Chuck grabbed me and said, ‘Let’s go solicit some insurance today,’” Tom says. “I give my brother full credit for teaching me how to sell insurance.” In just the few years after starting his career, Tom witnessed many important milestones at the agency. In 1978, his father completed the construction of

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the new Alice office at 1802 East Main St. that is still in operation today. The following year, Carlisle Insurance was honored as the top life insurance-producing agency in the United States for The Hartford, and Tom was asked to join the Harford National Council. “I was truly honored because only 12 agencies in the U.S. were chosen, and our agency was the only property and casualty agency chosen,” Tom says. “I remember telling the president of The Hartford as we stood on the top floor of The Hartford Tower overlooking the snowy landscape of Connecticut, ‘If my grandfather could see me now, he’d never believe it!’” Tom continued to build on his father and grandfather’s vision when he opened the Corpus Christi office in 1998. “I got my first major Corpus Christi client, the Port of Corpus Christi, in 1997 and saw the opportunity to grow the agency,” he recalls. “We took most of the ninth floor in the Prosperity Bank building and started major renovations. Scot Oshman and I opened for business with a couple of fold up tables and a lot of dust.” In his ninth year as president of Carlisle Insurance and a total of 40 years at the agency, Tom says he still goes to work every day because there is never one day the same and he enjoys the challenge of interpreting the policies for his clients to make sure they are purchasing the broadest coverage available. “My customers are a part of my life … they are family,” Tom says. “Many people have been my customer for over 30 years, and it truly fulfils me to help them work through their challenges. To see my customers succeed and grow is rewarding. I take pride in carrying on my dad’s tradition and kind-hearted contributions to the community. He taught me that our success comes from the community; therefore, it is essential to give back to the community and the local charities that our customers are passionate about.” The future of Carlisle Insurance is as strong as it’s ever been, and Tom gives credit to the fourth generation of Carlisles coming up in the business and the entire team working at the agency. “I believe it’s because we continue to invest in young professionals that are aggressive and knowledgeable to keep our agency ahead of the curve,” he says. “There is great opportunity to expand in South Texas right now, and I’m enjoying my role in mentoring the next generation to take it to the next level.” Tom says the agency’s biggest asset is the staff, which he also refers to as his family. “Even our current vice president and stockholder, Jerry Bravenec, has been with us since the early ‘80s and has built our Public Entity Division, which now includes over 60 school districts in South Texas,” Tom adds. The agency has welcomed several fourth-generation family members to join in on the success, including Peter Matl in 2002, Chuck’s son-in-law; Chase Carlisle in 2008, Tom’s son; Daniel Carlisle in 2010, Chuck’s son; and Juliana Carlisle in 2011, Tom’s daughter. Carlisle Insurance currently has offices in Corpus Christi, Alice, Kingsville and Premont and has clients that span throughout 12 states. The agency also opened a new office location in San Antonio in March. For more information about Carlisle Insurance or to schedule an appointment to meet with an expert team member, visit www.carlisleins.com, call 361-884-2775 or email takepride@carlisleins.com. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

PROFILE

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A PERSONAL TOUCH REX GABRIEL: ROCKING THE RADIO AT C101 FOR 25 YEARS BY: SARAH TINDALL PHOTOS BY: PAUL MARSHALL

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EVERYBODY KNOWS REX GABRIEL.

THE POPULAR RADIO HOST HAS CHATTED WITH HIS LISTENERS FOR 25 YEARS FROM HIS MICROPHONE DOWN AT THE C101 STUDIOS – AND HIS NO-HOLDS BARRED, LET-IT-ALL-HANG-OUT SHOW MAKES THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY SPENT THEIR MORNINGS HAVING A CUP OF COFFEE WITH REX INSTEAD OF DRIVING TO WORK EVERY DAY. BUT WHAT THEY MAY NOT KNOW, GABRIEL SAYS, IS THAT THE SHOW IS JUST A PIECE OF HIS VERY FULL LIFE. “I’M HAPPIEST WHEN I’M BUILDING SOMETHING,” THE SELF-PROCLAIMED RENAISSANCE MAN ADMITS. PROJECTS CAN BE LARGE, LIKE THE “BAIT SHACK” THEMED PARTY ROOM HE BUILT IN HIS BACKYARD, TO DETAILED AND MINUSCULE, LIKE THE SCULPTURES HE MAKES OF HIS FAVORITE ANIMATED MOVIE CHARACTERS. Then there’s the fishing. Gabriel loves spending time out on the water, catching fish or just enjoying the great Texas outdoors. He can also be found riding his motorcycle, doing long-distance bicycle rides or even moonlighting as a model with his girlfriend when he’s not sitting in the box – all of which, he says, adds up to an interesting show. “People keep listening because I wear my heart on my sleeve,” he says. “If I’m in love, I’m telling them

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about this amazing person in my life. If I just suffered a breakup, I tell them about the heartache. If I caught an awesome fish the day before, it’s time to brag about it on show the next day. That personal touch keeps folks coming back every day; they feel like we’re friends and we’re just having a conversation.” Gabriel’s talent was recognized early. He was born in Houston, but moved to San Antonio at a young age when his parents temporarily split up. “Even back then,” he says, “my mom would say that Mrs. Dunn, the choir teacher, would say, ‘This boy needs to be onstage!’” As he grew, he learned to tap into his talent. “I always played guitar and wrote songs,” he says. “It started when I drove around with my dad as a kid, and he’d replace the lyrics of the songs with the dirtiest things you can imagine. It stuck, because I started to go to comedy clubs with my guitar, replacing lyrics to popular songs with their dirty and hilarious counterparts, and quickly became a guitar comic.” The songs were about bad relationships and other pitfalls, and Gabriel’s career skyrocketed. “Almost immediately I was hired to open for comedian Ron White,” he says. “I also opened for George Lopez, Carlos Mencia and the cast of people who have become really big in the comedy world who were coming through San Antonio.” Radio was the logical next stop. Gabriel was approached by a station doing a live broadcast at the Funny Bone in San Antonio, who told him he was made for radio because he was such a talented storyteller. He was invited to come out for a week and do the morning show, and he ended up with a contract by the end of it. “It was instant; I immediately loved doing it,” Gabriel says. “I’ve never done anything but comedy and morning radio as a career with any kind of passion, and that’s what’s kept me at it for the last 25 years. I love to turn on a microphone and be able to tell a story. It’s important to tell a story well, and that’s what I’ve managed to do every day.” Gabriel spent two years on KISS radio in San Antonio before management came in one day, announced they had changed the format to oldies

“I LOVE TO TURN ON A MICROPHONE AND BE ABLE TO TELL A STORY.”

and fired everyone. “I remember thinking, ‘I love this; where the hell am I going to work?’” he laughs. Then the call came: Tim Parker, who he had worked with in San Antonio, was doing the morning radio on C101 in Corpus Christi. He called and asked if Gabriel wanted to move to Corpus and be on his morning show, and the rest, as they say, is history. “I hopped on my motorcycle and headed down here, did the interview and have now been doing the show for 25 years,” he says. As Gabriel has lived an increasingly full life over the years, the show has evolved, as well. “The stories have gotten better and more interesting as life has gotten more interesting,” he says. “Interesting life equals interesting radio show.” And it’s also given him the opportunity to talk on air to some of the most interesting celebrities and entertainers – which he says requires the special skills of really listening to the people and engaging them in conversation instead of just asking the same formulaic questions. “The ones you don’t expect are always the most fascinating,” he muses. “Marilyn Manson was really interesting to talk to. And Slipknot are the nicest, most welcoming people ever.” To celebrate his golden anniversary, C101 has big things planned for this spring – a 25th anniversary celebration of sorts. The station is planning to give away premium memorabilia such as stickers, T-shirts and coffee mugs featuring a special 25th anniversary logo. Gabriel wants to thank all of his fans for helping him survive and thrive here for the last 25 years, which is definitely something to celebrate in the entertainment industry.

For more information about Rex Gabriel and his show, check out www.c101.com, “like” him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rexgabriel or catch the show every morning on FM 101.3. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

“IT’S IMPORTANT TO TELL A STORY WELL, AND THAT’S WHAT I’VE MANAGED TO DO EVERY DAY.”

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

PROFILE

IN JUST FIVE SHORT YEARS, Elite Feet of Corpus Christi has successfully brought national attention to our city’s young athletes – and under the guidance of Coach Eddie Ortiz, these runners don’t show any sign of slowing down. By: Sarah Tindall Photos by: Paul Marshall

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Eddie Ortiz was just doing his job as a physical education teacher at Montclair Elementary, timing his students as they ran a mile in class. It seemed like just another day on the job, but what happened on the track was life-changing for him and for several of his students. “I told the kids that I’d buy McDonald’s for anyone who broke seven minutes, 30 seconds,” Ortiz says. “I had two girls who did a seven-minute mile. They were in third through fifth grade at the time, and I couldn’t believe it. These were kids who had never really participated in sports at a very competitive level, much less run on track teams. I realized there was a ton of potential in those kids and decided to do something about it.” He decided to organize a Beach to Bay relay team for the May 2011 event, but the school wouldn’t

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sanction it. So he registered them himself – and Elite Feet was born. The kids did so well and had so much fun that Ortiz decided to continue to coach them through the summer track season. What happened that summer was amazing. Ortiz had 12 kids, both boys and girls ranging in age from 10 to 13, qualify for the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF) Games in Waco that summer. There had never been a team of kids this age come from Corpus Christi to these games before. The kids did well, placing in all of their age groups, and several qualified for and competed in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Cross Country Nationals that fall in Orlando, something else that a team this age from Corpus Christi had never done before. The following year, in 2012, the word was out, and Ortiz’s program really took off. He had three Beach to Bay teams, all finishing first in their age groups, and they set two course records. Summer track was another record-breaking season with 70 TAAF state qualifiers. The TAAF event took place in Corpus Christi, and the Elite Feet kids were the only ones from the city to compete in the event in their age groups. They did well, with two athletes qualifying for nationals. That fall, Elite Feet took two full complete teams of eight to the AAU competition in Rock Hill, S.C. – a total of 22 kids. By 2013, in just two short years, Elite Feet jumped to 100 kids in the program, with 13 Beach to Bay teams, nine of which won in their division and three that set course records. Eighty kids qualified for TAAF through the summer track meets, where two went home state champions and two relay teams medaled bronze. That fall, 80 Elite Feet athletes went to Cross Country Nationals, 20 of whom were Academic All American (with an A average in school). Ortiz’s senior girls placed third in the USATF cross-country nationals in San Antonio. In 2014, the Elite Feet kids branched out and started to compete in new competitions, including Indoor Nationals in Houston, Texas. Of the 24 athletes who went to the competition, all finished in the top three or better. Corpus Christi was officially on the map for its running program. In spring of 2014, Elite Feet registered 16 Beach to Bay teams, 12 of which won overall. There were 24 AAU Academic All Americans last year, and at the AAU cross-country nationals in Lawrence, Kan., last fall, an the 11/12 girls Elite Feet team was second in the nation, and all 16 athletes who competed achieved AAU All-American honors. And then, in February 2015, Ciara Martinez stunned the nation by smashing the world record in the 15K in Dallas. She was one of the original girls to whom Ortiz offered McDonald’s five years ago, and, with Elite Feet coaching and a whole lot of hard work, at 12, Martinez is the world record holder in her age group. “Coach O,” as the kids call Ortiz, is proud of the strides his athletes have made in the last five years. “Many of the kids I started with came from low economic backgrounds,” he says. “I coached for free and paid for all their registrations. As the program grew, I started to charge a fee every month, and we accepted any kid who wanted to participate. We had homeschoolers who wanted to lose weight who we taught to eat right and who just loved running. The focus has always been on proper technique, not running the kids to death. The kids start at six miles a week, and by the time they are in the elites, they are running 15 to 20 miles a week. We work on breathing, heart rate and form.” Coaching comes naturally to Ortiz, who is an athlete himself. In high school at Tuloso-Midway, Ortiz was on the swim team, the soccer team, the cross-country team and the baseball team. In college at the University of Texas-Permian Basin, he competed on the swimming, cross-country and track teams. “We won the conference in swimming my senior year, and I was a 12 time All-American in swimming, set four school records in track and qualified for Team USA in Sprint Triathalon,” he says. After getting his bachelor’s degree in communication and his master’s degree in education-

“The focus has always been on proper technique, not running the kids to death.”

al leadership, Ortiz was offered a job at Carroll High School as the swim coach and assistant cross country and track coach while coaching physical education. That led him later to Montclair, and to that life-changing day on the track timing his students in the mile. Now his Elite Feet athletes are “convincingly winning high school track meets,” Ortiz says, and he’s looking forward to more record breaking in 2015. “As a team, we workout on Sundays at the Corpus Christi Athletic Club, one of our big sponsors. We run on the track, swim, work on our abs and core strength, even use the spin room. During the week, we spend one day at a local track and the other days running at local parks. We take kids from six to 18, and now they have to try out to make the team.” Ortiz’s ultimate goal is to get these kids college scholarships. Of the 10 kids he sent to college last year, all of them were recruited to run for their schools, and all of them received some kind of scholarship. This is huge for Ortiz, who knows this is a life-changing opportunity for his kids. Ortiz thanks his sponsors for their contributions to the success of his program. These include: Smoothie King // Armadillo Sport Chiropractic Bay Area Bike & Tri // Fleet Feet Takeaway Gourmet // Roy’s Machine & Fabrication This March and April, Elite Feet is focusing on training kids for the Beach to Bay Marathon, and then in May, it will focus on signing kids up for summer track. This summer, practice will be in the mornings from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. with meets on Saturdays.

For more information or to sign up with Elite Feet, go to www.elitefeetofcc.org, like them on Facebook at Elite Feet of Corpus Christi or call 361-877-6865. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

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COVER YOUR CRAFT When someone or something damages your vessel, boat insurance is there to help you get your craft sea-ready again. By: ALISHA HOVLAND

our assets deserve to be protected. Along the Texas Coast, people know that the ocean can be dangerous and unpredictable, making comprehensive boat insurance even more important. It is vital to fully understand your needs and the needs of your belongings when looking for the policy to protect your vessel. With summer approaching, now is the perfect time to plan to keep your boat safe all season long. The simplest purpose of boat insurance is to help you cover damages that may happen to your boat whether it is in storage, in the harbor or out on the water. Most basic policies cover your boat in the event of your vessel capsizing, catching fire, sustaining damage in a storm, getting stolen, colliding, exploding or becoming stranded. These damages are common,

For more information on boat insurance, visit Carlisle Insurance online at www.carlisleins.com.

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and if you do not properly protect your vessel, you will likely have to cover all of the costs on your own. If someone or something damages your boat, your boat insurance will be there to help get your boat sea-ready again. A thorough insurance policy also protects you in legal matters that may come up. If you have friends on your boat and one of them is injured, who will cover the costs? Boat liability coverage provides you with legal protection if someone is injured by your boat, if your boat damages someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property or if other accidents occur that result from your ownership of the boat. Boat liability can help cover other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medical expenses up to the limit of your policy if your boat injures them. In addition, your relatives and other occupants of your boat can be protected under your boat insurance policy. If you buy a new boat, you need to buy additional coverage for that vessel. Newly acquired watercraft coverage will let you add new boats to your existing policy, and it is often put in place when the new watercraft replaces another boat. Most policies include coverage for your boat trailer, but it is important to know how much coverage you have to use to cover damages to your trailer. Speak with your insurance representative to understand the coverage policy you have and what accessories or supplies are included in the policy. Some boat insurance policies differ depending on your watercraft use. You need to know whether your boat is insured for inland or coastal navigation. Most policies written for coastal boating limit coverage to a certain number of miles from the coast. Make sure you are aware of the limitations and navigational limits. You need to know how many operators are covered and how to get coverage for your family if they wish to operate your watercraft. Carlisle Insurance has insured boats for more than 70 years, and understands nothing beats the free feeling of being out on the open water in your own boat. When looking for boat insurance, the most important thing to do is recognize how you plan to utilize your watercraft and find the coverage plan that best suits your needs. Talk to your insurance representative to learn more about what type of plan you need for your boat.

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MONEY MATTERS

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MONEY MATTERS

BE PREPARED

Don’t rely solely on Uncle Sam’s help for retirement.

Special to Inspire Coastal Bend

wenty years ago, retirement was a time to look forward to and savor. But today, we live in uncertain times. So for most working adults, retirement has become very complex, requiring years of planning, a well-thought-out strategy and a phase to be put off as much as possible.

WE’RE LIVING MORE YEARS IN RETIREMENT

Why? Company-sponsored pensions have all but become extinct. Thanks to medical advances and healthier lifestyles, people are living longer. In the early 20th century, life expectancy was 47.3 years, as opposed to today’s life span of nearly 79 years.1 According to data from the Social Security Administration, a man who lives to 65 will live on average to age 84, while women of the same age should live to age 86.2 Or course, this is good news; but we need to be prepared for it.

THE TRUTH ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY

If you believe that Social Security will be there to support you, think again. For retirees in 2013, if you retire at the full age of 66, your maximum monthly benefit is $2,5333 – not enough for many of you to live comfortably. While there are no easy solutions, life insurance can guarantee4 the protection of your loved ones and also supplement your retirement savings5 if the death benefit is no longer needed.

LEAVING A LEGACY

The primary purpose of life insurance is to deliver death benefit protection, which can provide a generally tax-free legacy to your loved ones. But permanent life insurance also carries “living” benefits. Your policy earns cash value that accumulates tax deferred. This means you do not pay taxes on any of the accumulation within the policy. Additionally, you can access that money generally tax-free through policy loans.5 This cash value can be used to fund college expenses, a small business loan or any other anticipated or unexpected event. In addition to the death benefit protection, the cash value of permanent life insurance can also be used to supplement your retirement income. As such, it can be a vital piece of the complex puzzle of retirement planning.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2011,” Donna L. Hoyert, Ph.D., and Jiaquan Xu, M.D., Oct. 10, 2012. 2 http://www.ssa.gov/planners/lifeexpectancy.htm. 3 U.S. Social Security Administration, “Maximum Social Security Retirement Benefit,” March 9, 2012. 4 Guarantees backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuer. 5 Loans against your policy accrue interest and decrease the death benefit and cash value by the amount of the outstanding loan and interest. 1

This educational third-party article is provided as a courtesy by Annie J. Castro, CLU, LUTCF, an agent with New York Life Insurance Company. To learn more about the information or topics discussed, please contact Castro at 361-986-1321 or ajcastro@ft.newyorklife.com.

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TASTE

SAVORING THE MOMENT Patrick Bluso, director of food and beverage for SAVOR at SMG-managed American Bank Center, talks growth and bringing great cuisine to the Coastal Bend. By: KRISTEN BILY

SAVOR is the food and beverage division of SMG. For those not familiar with SAVOR, can you tell us a little bit about you? From black-tie dinners and business conventions to cultural attractions and entertainment and sports events, SAVOR … caters delicious local cuisine that is freshly prepared and the perfect choice for the ambiance and needs of every client. As part of SMG, the global leader in public facilities management, SAVOR … has been providing food and beverage services since 1983. A hallmark of SAVOR … is our emphasis on flexibility as the means to be responsive to specific facility needs, special requests and culinary trends. By creating a seamless experience for our clients and menu selections acclaimed

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for excellence, SAVOR … is committed to making food and beverage services an important revenue source for your facility. How would you describe the cuisine that is featured here at the American Bank Center? “Fresh, simple, modern” is our philosophy, and our goal is to deliver this concept to all of our guests. What is a guiding principle for you and the staff of SAVOR? We have created goals that we must adhere to be a success: Drive best-in-class service, deliver exceptional quality, attract, develop and retain talented leaders and food and beverage safety. We keep this in mind no matter the event that we are working. When handling food and beverage for the entire venue, your team is handling everything from backstage catering, large luncheons, suites, weddings and concession – sometimes all in one day! How do you make sure that each event is handled with care and the SAVOR team executes a fantastic event? Our event schedule is exceptionally diverse. The key element we instill is communication

with all parties involved, teamwork and follow-up. We strive to be a proactive partner with our building tenants and clients. Process improvement is an ongoing trend for our success, and we embrace it. Are you excited to see the growth of the American Bank Center and the role that SAVOR plays in this growth? I absolutely am. Our partnership with American Bank Center will continue to grow, and we are looking forward to offering creative menu offerings and local flavor to the facility. There have been some new food vendors added to the American Bank Center; who are they? We celebrate and highlight local flavors that are right here in the Coastal Bend. The Dogfather, who operates exclusively at American Bank Center, serves New York-style hot dogs and sausages and gives great variety. Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and Chick-fil-A are both locally owned restaurant operators. Completely Nuts is a local business owned by a Corpus Christi local

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMERICAN BANK CENTER

WHEN ATTENDING your favorite concert, show or sporting event, the experience is one to be treasured. Whether enjoying “Sesame Street,” watching an exciting game of hockey or seeing your favorite artist live along with thousands of other fans, it is that experience that stays with us. SMG-managed American Bank Center is committed to giving patrons the best experience possible, and the food and beverage department known as SAVOR shares that vision of excellence. Since the partnership began in February 2013, SAVOR has grown with the American Bank Center, dedicated to a cuisine that embraces the Coastal Bend. When one thinks of a national food service, the initial thought is that the cuisine provided will be the same no matter which location you visit. This is not that case for SAVOR, which is the food and beverage division of the SMG facilities. SMG is the international public facility manager of event venues, and each of the 120 facilities served by SAVOR worldwide reflects their individual communities instead of following a one-size-fits-all approach to cuisine. Patrick Bluso, director of food and beverage of SAVOR at SMG-managed American Bank Center, recently sat down to discuss SAVOR’s growth within the American Bank Center, staying local and what the future holds for SAVOR.

who got her start at the Trade Center. Snoball Wizard is also a local family working all the sporting locations in the city. What is one big misconception about SAVOR that you would like to lay to rest? One of the largest misconceptions is that we are a large food and beverage company with no ties to the community. Some of the management team may not have been raised here, but our philosophy is that we are 100 percent committed to the community and our team. Our goal is to create a “wow” factor every day, every event and for every guest. We will only accomplish this goal by having thoughtful and thorough preparation, paying attention to detail and making sure to have an efficient execution.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMERICAN BANK CENTER

SAVOR not only incorporates local cuisine; they also get involved in the community, as well. How is SAVOR reaching out to the Coastal Bend? One thing we are very proud of is our partnership with local nonprofits in the area that can raise money for their organizations. Nonprofit groups have the opportunity to work concessions during events at which they are able to display signage and collect a portion of sales. Local organizations that have teamed up with SAVOR include the USO Fundraising Group, Del Mar College Master Chorus and the Del Mar College Respiratory Therapy Program. Volunteers receive training through an operations orientation offered by SAVOR. Organizations can make $200 to $300 per event. The future is only looking brighter for SMG-managed American Bank Center. What is your goal for SAVOR, and where do you see SAVOR in the coming years? At SAVOR … we strive for what we call the “wow” factor. To have patrons exclaim that the food was better than they ever expected means a lot to us. To earn this reputation for our facility, we focus on presentation, exceptional quality, fresh authentic flavors, flexibility and creative concepts. At American Bank Center, we carefully consider demographics, trends, pricing, integrity, food safety, ethnic and regional choices and client service. When these factors are kept in balance, the result is a product offering that clients and patrons alike consider a valuable amenity that drives business.

“

AT SAVOR, WE STRIVE FOR WHAT WE CALL THE ‘WOW’ FACTOR.”

SMG-managed American Bank Center is Corpus Christi’s premier event center providing unprecedented guest experiences. For more information, visit us online at www.americanbankcenter.com and www.facebook.com/americanbankcenter, or follow us on Twitter (@AmericanBankCtr) and Instagram (@AmericanBankCenter).

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TASTE

SUPPORT THE DRAFT

A glance into draft beer philosophy

onsumers look for quality, which has been the driving inspiration for the tap wall at Scuttlebutt’s Bar and Grill since day one. Originally fitted for 20 draft beers, we pushed the envelope by adding an additional eight taps despite the space constraints of our bar’s 72-square-foot walk-in cooler. Keg and Case stack on Kegs as we organize for convenience 15-and-a-half gallons at a time. Needless to say, “keg tetris,” as we lovingly call it, is a necessity, and we’ve gotten pretty good at it. You won’t find domestic beers up there (except for Lonestar – it is the National Beer of Texas, after all). Instead our philosophy is to offer what we consider the best styles in craft beers available. Arguably, some have grown to be staples. Who doesn’t love a good Hefeweizen, blonde, triple or porter – sometimes all on the same day? The India Pale Ale seems to have entranced our crowd. Hop heads abound on this side of Corpus Christi, and something about that floral nose and hoppy bitter IPA bite has an effect on us. Is it love? We’re not here to judge. If that’s not your style, we don’t mind. Try instead a Scotch ale, a Red, a Brown, an Amber, Belgian Wit, Shandy, Stout, Pale Ale or Extra Special Bitter; we’ve had them all. The hybrids are often the most interesting. Breweries start experimenting with White and Red IPAs and Black Hefeweizens, and sparks start flying from our eyes.

We love beers brewed with coffee, chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, ginger, grapefruit, orange peel, coriander or aged in oak barrels. We crave strong malt backbones and debilitating hops. We brave bold brews and revel in the robust. If you’re shy to venture too far from comfort, don’t worry: We still have all your favorite domestics in bottles. Compared to our northern neighbors, Corpus Christi is in the very early stages of developing microbrews and local breweries, but that doesn’t keep us from staying true to Texas. With selections from Blanco, Fredericksburg, New Braunfels and of course, Shiner, we like to represent. Some of our best sellers are from Real Ale, Pedernales and Guadalupe Brewing Companies, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. We also thrive on some of the best from California, Oregon, Colorado and the East Coast. Stone, Deschutes, New Belgium, Odell’s and Harpoon are loved by us, and they frequent our establishment often. We’re always on the lookout for new breweries to the area and always willing to try new things. We get giddy for limited editions and rarities; we strive to offer something no one else has. It’s with pride we hand you our beer menu. Still, some stand in disbelief when we tell them that their favorite light beer is not on tap here. We get asked all the time, “What kind of bar doesn’t have domestics on draft?” Answer: the kind that wins Best of the Best Beer Selection in Corpus Christi.

WE’RE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR NEW BREWERIES TO THE AREA AND ALWAYS WILLING TO TRY NEW THINGS.

Michael Fox is a self-proclaimed beer connoisseur, an avid clown enthusiast and the bar manager at Scuttlebutt’s Bar and Grill. For more information, call 361-949-6769 or go online to www.scuttlebuttsbarandgrill.com.

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TASTE

INGREDIENTS:

GEAR UP FOR GRILLING SEASON

Dry rub: 2 teaspoons chili powder 2 teaspoons brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon oregano 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 pound flank steak Chimichurri: 1 cup fresh parsley 1/3 cup fresh oregano 1/3 cup fresh basil 1/3 cup chopped green onion 3 cloves garlic 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1/4 cup olive oil 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper

INSTRUCTIONS: 1/ Heat your grill to high and oil the grates. 2/ Combine ingredients for dry rub in a bowl. Lay steak flat and drizzle with olive oil, using your fingers or a brush to spread oil evenly. Flip steak and do the same. Rub half of the dry rub into one side of the steak, massaging it in with your fingers, and the same for the other side. Set aside. For more information, visit www.mandyashcraft.com.

Grilled flank steak with chimichurri sauce: a great way to add some flavor to your table all summer long By: MANDY ASHCRAFT // Photo by: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GRILLING SEASON in South Texas, and the perfect time of year for this simple Argentinian-inspired dish to add color and flavor to your table. Flank steak, which can be easily interchanged with skirt steak, is an inexpensive cut of beef with great flavor, but this dry rub will work great with whatever protein you desire. Chimichurri is a sauce that can be made with a variety of fresh herbs, and this one is predominately parsley, basil and green onion. The citrusy freshness of the sauce, combined with the sweet-hot grilled flavor of the beef will surely satisfy on a beautiful summer night.

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3/ Place all of the ingredients for the chimichurri sauce into a food processor or blender. Process until you have a thick sauce. You want it to have texture, not to be a smooth, creamy sauce. Set sauce aside. 4/ Place your steak on the hot grill for approximately 5 minutes per side, depending on desired doneness. 5/ Serve steak sliced, topped with chimichurri sauce.

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TRAVEL

Getting in touch with your patient side when traveling by air

f you fly often, you know the trials and tribulations of air travel as we know it today. There was a time not too long ago that a canceled flight was not that big a deal. The passengers who were stranded by the canceled flight would not be stranded for long. There would be another flight an hour-and-a-half later, and there would be plenty of empty seats.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED

Empty seats on most commercial flights these days are hard to come by. How many times in the past few years have you been walking onto a Southwest flight listening to a flight attendant say, “Folks, this is a full flight; please take the

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

By: KIM BRIDGER

THE AIRLINES CAREFULLY CONTROL CAPACITY AT THE AIRPORTS THEY SERVE.

first available seat that you find”? Maybe you’ve heard an American or United flight attendant give you a similar warning about your carry-on luggage. After all, they’ll be happy to store it for you when all the overhead bins are full. It’s no accident. The airlines carefully control capacity at the airports they serve. If they can closely match capacity (the number of seats they offer) with demand (the number of you wanting to go somewhere), they are maximizing the use of each airplane they fly. And this tightened capacity is one of the factors that makes bad weather days so difficult to maneuver.

CASE AND POINT

In late February and early March, when Dal-

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WEATHER OR NOT!

las was getting hit repeatedly by severe winter weather, customers at Corpus Christi International Airport (CCIA) were feeling the crunch. There were several days when practically every flight to and from DFW was canceled. In the midst of this winter weather chaos came several days of heavy fog in the Coastal Bend. The fog led to delays and more cancellations, this time due to adverse weather here at home. I overheard a customer in the CCIA terminal saying, “This is third day I’ve been here trying to get out. And it doesn’t look like I will get out today.” A friend of mine got stranded in Dallas and decided to rent a car and drive back to her home north of Omaha. There’s not one thing to envy about that situation. But it is pretty clear that she got home earlier by driving than she would have if she had flown. Here’s where we do the reality check. We may be willing to take risks in our 401(K) or while playing blackjack in Vegas. But do any of us want the airlines to take risks flying when things are just too treacherous out there? The answer is universally no. As aggravating as it can be to experience these weather-related hurdles, there is very little that customers or airports can do about it when it happens. There are just a few things we know for certain about traveling these days. We know that most flights we get on will be full. We know that if we want more legroom or need to check bags on most airlines, we will pay fees for that. We know that there are things we will have to do when we go through TSA screening that we didn’t have to do prior to 9/11. And we also know that if severe weather strikes in a region we are headed to or through or in our airline’s major hub city, our flights may be delayed or canceled. Being armed with this information and accepting the realities of air travel these days does not make the journey any less frustrating at times. But at least we know that the airlines are taking care of business and taking care of us, too. Wishing you safe travels this spring and summer! If you need to get away, remember that flying out of your hometown airport helps to create the kind of demand that will help us grow our air service in the future. Shop around! Compare prices! And don’t forget to include the cost of your time, gas and added headaches when planning that long drive to other airports to catch your flight. The next time you are looking at airfare from multiple airports, plug your numbers in to the Trip Calculator on the CCIA website at flyccia. com. You just might discover that CCIA is the best deal around. Kim Bridger is the marketing manager at CCIA. For more information, you may contact her at kimb@cctexas.com.

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Communication Manager/Media Relations for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System

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Words to live by: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

My philosophy: You don’t have anything unless you have your word. Of all the things that can be stolen from you – your possessions, your youth, your health, your rights – what no one can ever take from you is your freedom to choose what you will believe in, and your ability to keep your word.

Why I love doing what I do: Often while at work at CHRISTUS Spohn, I look around and am amazed at the amount of compassion, intelligence and excellence on display. We’re passionate about transforming the health of our communities. I feel blessed to be part of such an enormously important time in health care.

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Hair and Makeup: ATELIER SALON Photography: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT Wardrobe: COASTAL CLOSET Location: HOME OF MR. HECTOR AND DR. LYNAE CANALES

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ENTERTAINMENT

Concrete Street Amphitheater: a piece of Corpus Christi history By: SIERRA WASHINGTON

and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice. Yes, twice. Last, but not least, one of the biggest Texas country music festivals of the year is set to go down this May at Concrete Street Amphitheater: Bash at the Beach. Known for its country music festivals, every year, Concrete Street consistently brings some of the greatest Texas country artists who

CONCRETE STREET AMPHITHEATER THRIVES ON THE SUPPORT OF ITS LOCAL FANS AND SPONSORS. bring fans from all over the state. As a follow-up to their first country festival of the year, Spring Break on the Coast, the lineup for Bash at the Beach this year features Josh Abbott Band, Kyle Park, Jack Ingram, Jon Wolfe and Tyler & The Tribe. Concrete Street Amphitheater has a wide array of tickets, food, contests and more available during their shows. Concert attendees can purchase VIP tickets that include amenities such as discounted drinks, catered food, VIP parking and more. During the show, attendees are free to walk around the park and check out all of the old pieces of Corpus Christi history that help make this city what it is today. When you attend a show at Concrete Street Amphitheater, you are looking at a piece of Corpus Christi history, and a stage (or two) where dozens of talented acts have put on shows for thousands of people. Concrete Street Amphitheater is definitely a piece of Corpus Christi history that is here to stay and will continue to bring in talented acts for years to come.

For more information on Concrete Street Amphitheater, visit www.concretestreet.net.

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LIVIN’ IT LIVE!

TUCKED AWAY amongst all of the hustle and bustle of downtown Corpus Christi in the heart of the SEA District, you’ll find Concrete Street Amphitheater, a premier South Texas music venue that thrives on the support of its local fans and sponsors. The Main Stage is complemented by the Pavilion Stage, which increases the diversity of shows that come to the venue, as well as the ability to have multi-stage festivals year-round. With a performing alumnus of artists such as Smashing Pumpkins, Fall Out Boy, Joan Jett, Steve Aoki and many others, Concrete Street never disappoints on bringing many big-name acts to Corpus Christi. This year should be no different from any other for Concrete Street, with the next shows coming up featuring Breaking Benjamin, ZZ Top and Bash at the Beach, which is quickly becoming one of the signature annual Texas country music festivals. First up on the spring lineup is Breaking Benjamin, which will be heading to Concrete Street on April 19. With support from British band Young Guns, this alternative-rock band has a dedicated following with hits such as “So Cold” and “Diary of Jane.” The band is coming off of a four-year hiatus after facing legal troubles and losing two members, but is planning to come back better than ever. The opening band, Young Guns, is an alternative-rock band from England that is set to debut their third studio record this June. Next up is set to be one of the biggest shows in Concrete Street Amphitheater history: ZZ Top. On May 3, these rockers from Houston will be ready to rock Corpus Christi. They are known for their many popular hits, including “La Grange” and “Sharp Dressed Man.” (Younger crowds may even recall playing along to La Grange on the video game, Guitar Hero.) ZZ Top is going to be joined by Jeff Beck, an English guitarist who has several Grammys

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NONPROFIT

KITTEN SEASON

here is no doubt about it: Kittens are adorable. They are tiny and fuzzy, and their little meows are like music to many. Now imagine these little fuzzballs being born by the hundreds (possibly by the thousands) all across the United States, within the span of just a few months. While this may sound like the fever-dream of a cat fanatic, unfortunately it is a nightmarish reality called “kitten season,” and it is way too much of a cute thing. According to the Humane Society of the United States, kitten season is actually three seasons in one, starting in spring, peaking in late spring or early summer and ending in fall. During this time of year, animal shelters and rescue groups become inundated with unwanted litters that need around-the-clock care. This problem will not fix itself, and even with assistance from the public, it will not be righted overnight. However, with your help, we will be headed in the right direction.

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

One way you can help is to get your cat spayed or neutered, and to inform your feline-loving friends about the benefits of getting their cats fixed. Unaltered cats, driven by hormones, will try their very hardest to find a mate. A female cat can become pregnant at just 5 months old, and an average cat has one to eight kittens per litter and two to three litters per year. Preventing one female cat from reproducing may not seem like much, but when you take into consideration how many subsequent kittens her offspring could have in their lifetimes, the long-term benefits become clear. Cost can be a major factor in the decision to get your cat fixed, and there are many low-cost sterilization options right here in the Coastal Bend. The Cattery MASH clinic, People Assisting Animal Control (PAAC) and Corpus Christi Animal Care and Control Services all offer low-cost or even free sterilization. During kitten season, the Gulf Coast Humane Society (GCHS) and other area

AN AVERAGE CAT HAS ONE TO EIGHT KITTENS PER LITTER AND TWO TO THREE LITTERS PER YEAR.

shelters and rescues receive several phone calls a day about bringing in a litter of kittens that were found with no mother in sight. Due to limited space and a lack of readily available caregivers, we are forced to turn away these kittens. We know they have almost no chance of surviving if left to fend for themselves, and it breaks our hearts, but due to that lack of resources, there is nothing we can do. One of the biggest ways the public can help save these kittens is to become a foster for GCHS or another shelter in your area. At GCHS, “bottle baby” and “mush baby” fosters are provided with all necessary food, supplies and veterinary care until they are ready to be sterilized and put out into our adoption area. Inexperienced fosters are provided with training, and all fosters are able to contact our foster care coordinator directly with any questions or to arrange for emergency care. The best solution for the madness that is kitten season is to have all cats, including strays and feral cats, sterilized. This is a massive undertaking, and it would take years for something of that magnitude to become a reality. In the meantime, all we can do is try to help the blameless fur babies that are born this time of year. Fostering young or newborn kittens is no easy task, but without these compassionate people, countless kittens would die every year. It requires a lot of time, some sleepless nights and hard work, but it is well worth the effort. As difficult as this particular kind of fostering can be, seeing the little-fuzz balls learn how to walk and play, and eventually find their forever home, is an incredible experience. To learn more about the foster care program at the Gulf Coast Humane Society, visit www.gchscc. org or call 361-225-0845.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GULF COAST HUMANE SOCIETY

Too much of a cute thing: The Gulf Coast Humane Society and other area shelters need your help in the coming months. By: KAITLIN CALK

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

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$2,500 SOMBRERO (Platinum) Sponsor • Table for 8 reserved/premium seating • Name of company displayed on your table • Recognition of name/logo in program • Name of company mentioned by Emcee during event • Banner prominently displayed • Buﬀet and 2 drink tickets per person

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SPONSORSHIPS, VENDOR TABLES, AND INDIVIDUAL TICKETS AVAILABLE

For more information, please call: Deborah A. Garza, Office Manager, Westside Business Association (361) 881-8105 * wbaster@gmail.com * www.wba-cc.org

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By becoming a foster parent through MCH Family Outreach, you can offer hope by walking beside a child who needs assurance in the midst of the unknown. If you have room in your heart and your home, call our Corpus Christi office today.

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