13 minute read
Holiday Happenings
La Palmera: still the place for holiday fun
BY: SARONA WINFREY
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Hard to believe, but the holidays are just around the corner. Although things will
obviously look a little different this year due to COVID-19 concerns, Santa Claus will be making his annual visit to La Palmera with a special event – complete with social distancing – to celebrate his arrival on Thursday, Nov. 19.
La Palmera’s traditional holiday event, featuring Santa’s Magical Illuminated Parade, presented by Apollo Towing, will be replaced with Santa’s Arrival Drive and Wave Parade. Instead of spectators sitting and watching the parade roll by, it will be the spectators who drive their vehicle by parade participants stationed all along the front of the mall.
Santa’s Arrival Drive and Wave Parade route will be open from 7-9 p.m. featuring musical performances, entertainment, holiday characters and, of course, Santa himself. Details will be posted on the “Holiday Happenings” page at lapalmera.com.
“La Palmera has hosted Santa’s arrival here in Corpus Christi for more than a decade,” said Amanda Sanchez, La Palmera general manager. “It’s unfortunate we can’t host our regular parade and indoor activities because it’s become a tradition for thousands in our community, but we feel as if we have come up with a fun and safe alternative for Santa’s arrival – and photos – this year.”
“Safe” Santa visits will be available Friday, Nov. 20, through Thursday, Dec. 24. For in-person visits in Center Court, there will be a life-size plexiglass holiday photo frame separating Santa and his guests, which will be incorporated into the keepsake photos.
Guests will also have the option of virtual visits with Santa, which can be recorded as a keepsake. Virtual Santa visits are Monday through Thursday from 8-11 a.m. with in-person visits those days from noon until closing. Each Friday through Sunday, Santa will be in Center Court only for in-person visits during mall hours.
All Santa visits, both in-person or virtual, are reservation-only this year, so there will be no walk-ups. Guests can go to the “Holiday Happenings” page at lapalmera.com for more information and reservations.
Although La Palmera regularly holds multiple Pet Night events, the mall is forgoing the designated evenings this year, instead allowing guests to use the online reservation system to book pet photos at any available time. Only dogs and cats are permitted, and all animals must remain on a leash or in a carrier at all times.
And while the holiday season means beloved traditions at La Palmera, it also means the start of the biggest shopping season of the year. Guests will find popular stores such as Buckle, Bath & Body Works, francesca’s, H&M, Kendra Scott, MAC, Michael Kors, Oakley and Vans, “La Palmera has hosted Santa’s arrival here in Corpus Christi for more than a decade.”
as well as seasonal favorites including Calendar Club and Holiday Hills.
This year, shoppers will also find new options for holiday shopping including the new Lush, the socially and environmentally conscious retailer known for its all-natural hair, face and body products, and fashion-forward jewelry specialist Lovisa, featuring on-trend fashion jewelry at ready-to-wear prices.
“We’re very excited about the new retail and dining options, including a new Paramount Jewelers slated to open in time for the holidays,” Sanchez said.
For those who can’t decide what gifts to buy, a La Palmera gift card is the perfect choice. Available at Concierge in denominations from $10 to $500, the cards are good at most La Palmera stores and food locations.
La Palmera events, including times and dates, are subject to change. For more information on La Palmera, go online to www.lapalmera.com, follow us on Facebook or call 361-991-3755.
COMMUNITY- DRIVEN PROFESSIONALISM
By: JACQUELINE GONZALEZ Photos by: TWINS MEDIA
After a rough upbringing, local business professional, Jay Wise, thrives on making a significant impact on the community through dedication to nonprofits and advocacy for youth.
LOCAL LEADERS WHO CARE DEEPLY ABOUT HELPING THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO INFLUENCE THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE WILL HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT. JOSEPH “JAY” WISE, LOCAL BUSINESS LEADER, HAS FOUGHT THROUGH ADVERSITY TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL AND CONTINUES TO WORK HARD TO ENSURE THAT HE PAYS IT FORWARD AND GIVES BACK TO HIS COMMUNITY. CURRENTLY, HE IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF A SUCCESSFUL FINANCIAL FIRM THAT HE HAS BEEN EMPLOYED WITH FOR THE LAST 34 YEARS, BUT THE ROAD TO SUCCESS WAS NOT WITHOUT ITS BUMPS.
As a young boy growing up in Houston, Jay found himself on the wrong side of the tracks due to poor decision-making. He didn’t put much effort into school because he wasn’t too concerned about education. So, when it came time for graduation and students had to visit the school counselor for guidance, Jay was turned away due to his previous behavior.
At that time, the words hurt, but as Jay looks back, he realizes that the counselor was right to reject him at that moment, because it propelled him into making some life changes. He began thinking about his future and asked God to give him another chance to do the right thing. God answered by guiding Jay to enlist in the Marine Corps, which marked the moment his life would change for the better.
Jay entered the Marine Corps with the idea that being a grunt was all brawn and no brain, which he was O.K. with, but he quickly learned otherwise, as “they teach you that the mental component is primary and the physical component is an afterthought because you win through your brain, not through your body.”
His path to change began when he was placed in a technical arena after scoring high in technology on a test. During this time, he moved up in rank quickly; he was offered a position as an officer, but those four years brought Jay a new appreciation for education, so instead, he pursued a college degree. He graduated with honors from Del Mar College and then transferred to the University of Houston, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Soon after, he began acquiring skills at a firm he went to work for and won many JAY HANDLES WHAT LIFE BRINGS EVERY DAY THROUGH AN INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE THAT HE CAME UP WITH AS A TEENAGER. AT THE END OF EACH DAY, HE ASKS HIMSELF, “JAY, DID YOU DO THE VERY BEST YOU COULD DO?” NO MATTER HOW THE CHIPS MAY FALL, IF THE ANSWER IS YES, HE’S SATISFIED AND VOWS TO TRY AGAIN THE NEXT DAY.
awards, which led to being offered the position of project manager in New York. However, he had no desire to move to the East Coast, so instead, he came to the Coastal Bend, where he would begin working for the successful financial firm, Merrill Lynch. This position was perfect for Jay due to his background in computer science, but also because “I’m surrounded by the best technology in the world,” says Jay, “and I get to interact with people, which I love.”
In addition to helping his clients achieve their financial goals, Jay also enjoys giving back to his community, especially in any capacity where he can help youth. Over the years, he’s become involved with nonprofits that attempt to help end hunger, educate, thank the military and help the community and society stay safe.
“I’ve had periods in my life where I was truly starving, and I’ll do anything to help prevent that for others,” says Jay, so he worked with Catholic Charities and Metro Ministries to achieve this goal. His newfound appreciation for education led him to serve as president of the Del Mar College Foundational Board to help our youth have the opportunity to advance in society.
In an effort to give thanks to the military for helping shape him into the successful and educated person he is today, he donates his time as chairman of the board for the USO. He’s also a firm believer in safety, so he served as president of the Police Foundation. Jay also serves as board chairman of the Museum of Science and History and Corpus Christi International Airport. He serves on the board for the Corpus Christi Symphony, the Botanical Gardens and the Texas A&M Islander Foundation. He also served as past president of the USS Lexington and continues to serve on the board.
Along with success come obstacles, and Jay understands that they are endless and they’re daily. However, he agrees that we should thrive on them and allow them to help us grow. “Opportunity is challenge, and challenge is opportunity,” Jay says.
He strongly feels that if people are not failing throughout numerous attempts, then there is room for more effort. He states that the key to persevering through the struggles is that “It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down. What matters is how many times you get back up.”
As Jay reflects on his life, he remembers a photo from Beach to Bay that sparked a debate between family members on whether the man in the photo was Jay. The photo features runners at the base of the JFK, running ahead, but only one of them is looking back at the camera. There was a debate on whether this man was Jay, but his grandmother dispelled the argument by stating, “that’s not him; Jay never looks back.” This quote is spot on, because rather than looking back for more than reflection, he has a strong focus on his future and that of our community.
Jay loves his job and his participation as a community servant. He hopes to continue to be a role model within the community and to continue engaging in the nonprofit world to try to help those who are less fortunate and those trying to find their way in the world.
During his downtime, Jay thrives on any physical activity. His favorite by far is swimming, but he also loves to run and go horseback riding with his wife, Conni. In addition to physical activities, Jay loves to read and stay well informed about what is going on in the world, especially in the community that he loves.
Jay’s fantastic work ethic, down-to-earth personality and dedication to our community and the well-being of others makes him a fantastic asset to Coastal Bend, and we’re sure to continue seeing great things from him in the future.
artin Ortiz, CEO and owner of Lone Star TRS, LLC, was 22 years old when he entered the construction business. Although he had no assets or liabilities, he had experience in the industry, a plan to build his own business and a determination to succeed – which was enough to get his loan application approved during the 1980s.
Since then, Ortiz has dedicated his career to learning the ins and outs of construction. In fact, his knowledge of environmental restoration work, remediation and the insurance claims system has given him and his team members one of the best reputations in the Coastal Bend.
“I’ve always had a passion for construction, and nothing compares to the thrill of making sure a job is done and done right,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed every single bit of it!”
Over the years, Ortiz gained a solid network of insurance adjusters and agents, as well as an understanding of insurance policies. He and his team coordinate with insurance carriers on behalf of their clients to successfully navigate claims so homeowners get the best possible outcomes.
Ortiz understands the importance of diversifying and expanding his business to cover all aspects of construction. In addition to handling large and small damage restoration projects, Lone Star TRS truly does it all: commercial and residential construction, roofing, facility maintenance and cleaning, foundation, remodeling and design, flooring and more. You may know some of their developments, like the Barcelona Estates or El Pascador de Mar condominiums. With his partners, Anthony Allbritain and Martin Quezada, Ortiz kept his business thriving during the turbulent times of the Great Recession. Although their original company, Texas Remediation Services, had to regroup as Lone Star TRS, quality service that customers can rely on has always served as the heart of Ortiz’s business.
He credits the ethical, down-to-earth nature of his partners, his staff of seven and himself for this success. He further praises his network of contractors as the best in the Coastal Bend – people he’s known for a long time who have proven quality craftsmanship and personal integrity.
However, hardship has struck the Lone Star TRS family in several other forms. Quezada unfortunately passed away in 2017, Allbritain left the company when he moved to Austin and Ortiz himself suffered a heart attack just a year ago.
Fortunately, the Lone Star TRS team banded together to support each other and keep the business running smoothly each time. One of the key players in keeping this family owned and operated business fully functional during difficult times is Ortiz’s stepson, Jason DeLeon.
For help with all your residential and construction needs, contact Lone Star TRS at 361-992-9448 or lonestartrs@gmail.com, or go online to lonestartrs.com. Lone Star TRS is located at 3728 WOW Road, Ste. B.
DeLeon joined the family business in 2015. Like Ortiz, he shared a passion for construction from a young age, joining the Innovation Academy at Moody High School, where he took architecture and engineering classes, and later pursuing an engineering degree at TAMUCC.
DeLeon began his career as a laborer working on demolitions and remodels, driving the dump trailer, picking up debris, cleaning the job sites and completing other necessary tasks. Along with learning key skills for construction, remodeling and restoration, he developed important leadership qualities. “It’s important to stay grounded, humble and honest,” DeLeon said.
By 2017, DeLeon became a project manager. He coordinated with contractors and other managers on several major projects, such as the 5th floor NICU at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. Lone Star TRS has had a working relationship with Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
The company specializes in commercial operations, especially in a hospital setting, and has completed many other projects at the hospital over the years, including complete remodels of the NICU, 5th Floor, Health Center and Orthopedic amongst others. Their most recent project replaced the two main curtain walls on the glass towers.
Lone Star TRS also donates money, time and resources to many other local organizations like Robert Driscoll Middle School, the Wellness Foundation’s “Back to School” program, Toys for Tots, Driscoll Children’s Hospital’s Singer Songwriter Fundraiser and Bokenkamp Children’s Shelter by Upbring. “We’ll always be a company that stands by our community in times of need,” Ortiz said.
When Ortiz was unable to work for six weeks after his heart attack, DeLeon stepped up and shouldered the responsibility of managing Lone Star TRS. Ortiz hopes to retire in five to six years, but knows his business will be in good hands and will continue to grow in a way that benefits the community he loves.
DeLeon has recently completed the interview process that will make him the owner of the second ServiceMaster Restore franchise serving Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas. This new company will complement Lone Star TRS by offering remediation, cleanup and damage removal so that Lone Star TRS can focus on the rebuild.
Although the companies are separate entities, they will share a warehouse and greatly benefit from the combined knowledge and leadership of Ortiz and DeLeon.
