Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine Business Sept/Oct 2018 by Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine

HIDDEN GEM SOUTH TEXAS ICEHOUSE BAR & GRILL COASTAL BEND BUSINESS

MAGAZINE

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS CB TO DC

DR. MATHEW ALEXANDER Renaissance Man SEPT.OCT 2018 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

The Reserve at Dancing Elk is Under New Management

Yvette Terrell-Johnson New Venue Coordinator/Sales & Marketing 361-946-4812 | YvetteJ.DancingElk@gmail.com Chef Angela M. Gomez | 361-229-3338 ChefGomez75@yahoo.com

313 County Road 351 | Mathis, TX 78368 | Conveniently Located Off Interstate 37 www.thereserveatdancingelk.com

@ thereserveatdancingelk 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

when you land, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re home WHY ... COMMUTE? WAIT IN LINE? GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC?

SOUTHWEST | UNITED | AMERICAN | WWW.FLYCCIA.COM I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

CONTENTS SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER 2018

BUSINESS COACH 10 Do Your Homework FEATURES 12 Maximize Your Options 14 Fall Into Fashion 16 Businesses Beware ENERGY 36 Insight in Action TASTE 38 Bases Covered TRAVEL 40 Don’t Be Trippin’ EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION 42 Coastal Bend Strong NONPROFIT 46 Sense of Community 48 Anything is Possible 50 Change the Experience 52 Lasting Legacy

30 UNITED CHAMBER CORPUS CHRISTI CB TO DC

The UCCCC and member-business, ZJZ Hospitality, head to Washington, D.C., to advocate for Coastal Bend business.

18 COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTO BY: TWINS MEDIA

COVER STORY

PROFILE

From The Reserve at Dancing Elk Ranch to South Texas Brain and Spine Center, this man of many talents contributes his time in many meaningful ways.

Laidback, classy and “Texas proud,” the Southside’s neighborhood bar and grill is a place where everybody knows your name – and your drink order.

DR. MATHEW ALEXANDER

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

SOUTH TEXAS ICEHOUSE BAR & GRILL

WANT A CHEAPER ELECTRIC BILL?

Why Choose us: Our customers come first. The Stellar Energy Solutions and Hudson Energy support team is made up of people who understand the industry and care deeply about helping you in every way. We are here for you.  Dynamic Pricing: We have several clear advantages over other suppliers, including market experience and purchasing power, which add up to more value for your business.

 Environmentally Sound: We see the big picture. As an industry leader, it's our responsibility to explore green energy product options and offer affordable ways for companies to reduce their environmental impact.

 Energy Advisors: Our team of industry specialists will work with you to create an energy solution that meets all of your company's needs from budget to roll-out and support.

 Fully Integrated Partnership: Stellar Energy Solutions partners with Hudson Energy because our business values align. There is a mutual trust in our white glove approach to serving your business needs.

361.884.8973 | www.stellarnrgsolutions.com

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

MEET THE STAFF SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER 2018

ADRIAN GARZA

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES adrian@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com 361.548.1044

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES Adrian Garza

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Holly Lewis

EDITOR Erin O’Brien

ART DIRECTOR HOLLY LEWIS

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS holly@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com 479.935.0868

ERIN O’BRIEN

EDITOR erin.editorial@gmail.com

Elisa Giordano

SOCIAL MEDIA Morgan Bartel

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mandy Ashcraft Kim Bridger-Hunt Jessica Dusek Linda Jordan Samantha Koepp-Stemplinger Connie Laughlin Susan Lawson Kathleen Naderer Madeline Skrobarczyk Kelly Trevino Leticia Wilson Sarona Winfrey

PHOTOGRAPHY Dustin Ashcraft TWINS Media

ELISA GIORDANO ART DIRECTOR thatgirl@elisagiordano.com 210.716.5320

www.inspirecoastalbendmag.com For advertising information, please call 361.548.1044 or email adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com. For editorial comments and suggestions, please call 479.935.0868 or email holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com.

MORGAN BARTEL SOCIAL MEDIA morgan@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com 620.417.5392

PELICAN

MEDIA GROUP

Your One Stop Destination Venue for Live Music & Sports Entertainment on the South Side Like us On Facebook for daily specials and events

✪✪✪

LIVE MUSIC TUESDAY, FRIDAY, & SATURDAY

HAPPY HOUR

3-7PM: $3.50 TITO’S & JACK DANIELS, $2.50 DOMESTIC DRAFTS MONDAY $3 PINT NIGHT, 21 BEERS ON TAP TUESDAY $3.50 CALL DRINKS WEDNESDAY $3.50 PREMIUM WHISKEY

THURSDAY $3.50 TEXAS LIQUORS & $3.50 TEXAS DRAFTS FRIDAY $4 CROWN & EFFEN FLAVORED VODKAS *UNTIL 11PM, $3.50 FIREBALL ALL NIGHT SATURDAY $3.50 TITO’S & JACK DANIELS

SUNDAY, $2.50 WELL, $2.50 DOMESTIC DRAFTS

6601 Everhart Road • Corpus Christi, TX 78413 • 361.814.2010 Monday-Sunday 3pm - 2am www.southtexasicehouse.com

BEST BURGE IN TO R KITCHE WN ‘TIL MI N OPEN DNIGH T

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

BUSINESS COACH

DO YOUR HOMEWORK How to keep performance high

By: CONNIE LAUGHLIN

Pinpoint problem areas now Solving business pitfalls, keeping performance high and money in the bank relies on identifying problems before they start to gnaw at the bottom line. Without a doubt, every area of your operation needs to be evaluated: financial processes, business ops, human resource (HR) policies and procedures, time accounting and payroll administration, various risk management strategies and safety programs. Look for competent ways to streamline your business with best practices. Need more time? CONNIE LAUGHLIN is a business consultant for UniqueHR. For more information, contact Laughlin at 361-8526392, 800-824-8367 or conniel@uniquehr.com.

One of your biggest challenges today is time! There’s never enough of it, especially if you’re trying to cover all of the bases by yourself. It’s great to see so many avid sportsmen in our community; however, who’s minding the store while you’re out in the field or on the bay? Entrepreneurs are also dedicated to their children’s sports events and family time, and they know the strain it puts on them, handling daily business activities while on the run to a soccer game. Being an active member of our community means being away from your business during normal business hours participating in trade associations and nonprofit events and meetings. It’s part of giving back – part of being an integral member of society. You’ve earned the privilege to manage your hours the way you see fit. However, it’s imperative to ensure appropriate processes, procedures and policies are in place to protect your bottom line while you’re gone.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO FULLY DEVELOP HR INITIATIVES.

An efficient use of your resources is finding talented professionals to assist in areas where you, the business leader, lack sufficient knowledge or don’t have the time to dedicate. Have you examined your outsourcing options? If you do your due diligence and pick a cream-of-the-crop outsourcing partner, you’re eliminating a lot of risk in that one step. Additionally, you’re bringing a level of professionalism into your organization via your outsourced partner that could take you a considerable amount of time to achieve, and then you’d need the expertise for management. You might even find you’re saving money going this route, too! It’s important to spend time fully developing HR initiatives. Create time efficient payroll admin, appropriate and legal employee rules and regs, safety and risk management strategies, and review your benefit offerings. Outsourced HR providers (uniquehr.com) can handle all of these things for you, and you’ll know it’s done right! Various business mentors can review your accounting, shipping, stocking, purchasing and accounts receivable models looking for cost savings and more efficiency. Oh yes – don’t forget your emergency preparedness plan of action. Look at Score (score.org), where you can find local business mentors, as well as Del Mar’s Small Business Small Business Development Center (delmar.edu/sbdc). Each department must be fully optimized and well-trained. If you’re not experiencing poor performance now, ensure you don’t, because personnel issues and a lack of sound planning can be a nightmare. Do your homework, and get on with business.

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

FREEDOMTUMZ/BIGSTOCK.COM

Bring in the pros

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

FEATURE

MAXIMIZE YOUR OPTIONS How using a recruiter can give you, and your job hunt, an extra boost

inding a new job can be exhausting. It takes time, energy and a lot of dedication to sift through company websites and job descriptions. This is exactly why working with a recruiter can be the best choice when you are serious about finding a new job. Using a recruiter or staffing professional is a fantastic way to maximize your options for finding your next professional role. There are a few things that are important to understand prior to contacting a search consultant in order to get the best results. Knowing your niche is key â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it is

essential to find firms or recruiters who are actively placing people in your industry or profession. These recruiters will have connections with executives, and know about available positions before they could even become open to the public. Asking colleagues or peers who have changed roles recently is a great way to find successful recruiters. Online searches on LinkedIn, Glassdoor and Google are another way to gather some data and options. Ultimately, the key is to find professionals who work with companies that would be interested in your background. Understanding how recruiters get paid

ONLINE SEARCHES ON LINKEDIN, GLASSDOOR AND GOOGLE ARE ANOTHER WAY TO GATHER SOME DATA AND OPTIONS.

is essential before setting your expectations. Corporate clients pay recruiters a fee to help identify and hire additional staff. These recruiters can either be internal or external, like a third-party company, to fill difficult-to-fill roles or specialty positions. Recruiting fees are normally seen as a necessary business expense â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they have no bearing on the salary for the actual position you are aiming to get. Many recruiters are happy to see candidates get higher offers, as it can translate into higher commissions. Ultimately, they want to see you get placed in a position in which you will be successful. Once you have identified a recruiter or search firm that you believe would be a good fit for you, be active in the process of looking. Ideally, you will build a relationship prior to needing to make an immediate move; this way, time is on your side. Skilled search consultants can work through their lists and setup interviews before jobs are even posted, giving you the upper hand. A partnership with a trusted search professional, like the ones here at L.K. Jordan & Associates, can give you and your job hunt an extra boost. Recruiters are able to open doors and expand career prospects that may not have been accessible otherwise.

L.K. Jordan & Associates has offices in Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. We offer both temporary and professional placement assistance. Call 361-814-9700 to be directed to a staffing specialist in any of those areas, or visit our website at www.lkjordan.com.

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

REDPIXEL.PL/BIGSTOCK.COM

By: LINDA JORDAN

Every business is different. We get that. That’s why we provide unique investment levels, designed to help you right where you are. Don’t just take our word for it.

Research Shows... Consumers are 63% more likely to buy from a business that is a Chamber member. Companies enjoy a 49% increase in consumer favorability rating for being a member of the Chamber.

Membership is valuable & affordable, with investment starting at less than $42 per month

Consumers are 73% more likely to be highly aware of a business if it is a member of the Chamber, and 68% more likely to think positively of its local reputation. 7/10 consumers believe that being actively involved in the Chamber is an effective strategy for enhancing a business’ reputation and for demonstrating that it uses good business practices. Source: Shapiro Group, Atlanta, GA

The United Corpus Christi Chamber is your... PARTNER IN PROMOTION

Increase your visibility, get the word out, gain access to cost-effective and often free advertising for your business.

CONNECTION BUILDER

United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce 602 N. Staples Street, St. 150 Corpus Christi, TX 78401

Looking for leads, networking and business showcase opportunities? You’ve come to the right place.

(361) 881-1800

BUSINESS ADVOCATE

For more information on Chamber membership contact Efrain Franco,

We are your voice on issues that affect business and we maintain direct contact with leaders in all levels of government. When you need change, we make change happen.

efrain@unitedcorpuschristichamber.com

WWW.UNITEDCORPUSCHRISTICHAMBER.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

La Palmera shares some of this year’s most popular fall runway trends, and how you can sport these looks in the Coastal Bend. By: SARONA WINFREY

Animal Instinct

Women Rock Menswear

The ’80s are Back

Every animal in the kingdom is in this year, from tiger and zebra stripes to cheetah and leopard spots. Although heavier coats dominated the runway, look for this trend in more versatile items, including an animal-print clutch purse, a pair of shoes or sandals or even a sheer animal print blouse, perfect with black jeans or a pencil black skirt. Ferocious!

Plaid. Tweed. Houndstooth. It’s all in this fall with head-to-toe looks, including tailored skirt suits, trousers, dresses and jumpsuits. Don’t be afraid to mix-andmatch materials and even different colors of plaid. Be creative and look for lighter-weight fabrics. Wear a feminine blouse with trousers, or pick up a stylish felt fedora, also in this fall. Mad for plaid!

That’s right: The decade of excess is back, complete with big shoulders, neon colors, soft black leather, ruching details and acid wash jeans. If you can’t find vintage leftovers in the back of the closet, pick up some Ts in bold neon for a pop of color, a ruched jersey tank dress, acid-wash denim in shorts or a skirt or a leather skirt or jacket for a night out. Glam it up!

Floral and Flowing Floral print, appliqué or hand-painted fabrics – the look is flowing or fitted, Victorian or Bohemian, opaque or sheer silk. It’s all a go for fall. You’ll likely find a variety of billowy blouses, skirts and floor-length maxi dresses with touches of embroidery or crochet accents. Short or long, paired with sneakers or even cowboy boots for a trendy touch. Flower power!

Something Shiny The future is now with colored plastic pieces, futuristic foils and iridescent fabrics in the spotlight. Look for shimmery tops and tanks to be paired casually with shorts, or more formally under a jacket or even a brightly colored plastic raincoat. Shine on!

Use Your Head Hats are a hit. Look for felt fedoras, slim berets, embellished stocking caps, wide-brimmed floppy hats and even black leather caps to adorn hat racks this fall. Heads up!

Other trends to look for include fringe on blouses, jackets and purses; layered and oversized outwear, including puffy jackets; and the color red. La Palmera has an amazing lineup of retailers ready to assist with these and more fall looks, including Dillard’s, J.C. Penney, Macy’s department stores, Michael Kors, H&M, francesca’s, Forever 21, Express, White House | Black Market, Buckle, Tilly’s and Papaya for fashion. La Palmera also has MAC Cosmetics or Ulta Beauty for makeup; Aldo for footwear; and Kendra Scott for trendy jewelry. And don’t forget: Coming soon are Dave and Buster’s and Hollister, both scheduled to open at La Palmera before the holiday season.

For information on La Palmera, go to www.lapalmera.com, follow us on Facebook or call 361-991-3755.

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

HELENA_MOZHJER /BIGSTOCK.COM, TARZHANOVA/BIGSTOCK.COM, GORAN JAKUS/BIGSTOCK.COM

FALL INTO FASHION

WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL. The change in seasons not only means a change in weather, it also signals a change in fashion. Seasonal styles and trends can be fun, but they can also be impractical depending on where you live – like South Texas. Although the Coastal Bend generally sees more moderate temperatures in fall and winter, some runway items will never be practical. What’s a fashionista to do? La Palmera merchants know all about seasonal style with ways to wear the hottest looks without having a heat stroke. Following are some of this year’s most popular fall runway trends, according to the fashion experts including Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire and W Magazine, and some ways you might be able to sport these looks in Corpus Christi.

ART THE BUILDER . COM VISIT ART THE BUILDER.COM TO SEE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES OFFERED BY ART RAMIREZ

@ art the builder

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

FEATURE to your computer that can acquire your usernames, passwords and even sensitive personal information, such as your credit card number. HOW TO AVOID THIS SCAM Verify the secure Square URL. Many phishing scams direct you to a non-secure site and then prompt you to enter your login and password or other personal details. Always double-check that you are on the official Square website, and that you have a secure connection before you login. How can you tell? Your browser should say “https:// squareup.com/login,” and the locked Square Inc. icon should populate next to this Web address.



Be on the lookout for red flags. Typos and grammatical errors, as well as unfamiliar email addresses and scare tactics, are all signs of a phishing scam.



BUSINESSES BEWARE

Protect your personal information. Never share your credit card numbers, Social Security number or even address or phone number with strangers, especially if they have contacted you unsolicited.

BBB shares some ways you can avoid the Square phishing scam. By: KELLY TREVINO

any small businesses accept payments through Square. For a small fee on each transaction, Square can turn a smart phone or iPad into a payment station. But scammers are taking advantage of the service’s popularity by sending phishing emails that appear to be official correspondence. HOW THE SCAM WORKS You get an email that appears to be

from Square. There are several different versions, but they all use the Square logo and seem legitimate. In one common version, the message claims that you accepted a payment and provides credit card details. In another, a client has allegedly requested a refund and funds are being removed from your account. Both messages urge you to click a link and “view full payment/refund details” or “deposit now.” Whatever you do, don’t click the links. They can download malware

SCAMMERS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SERVICE’S POPULARITY BY SENDING PHISHING EMAILS THAT APPEAR TO BE OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

TO LEARN MORE Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Federal Trade Commission recently announced a new initiative to combat scams aimed at small businesses. This detailed report covers all aspects of scams targeting businesses and how to prevent you or your business from getting conned. This can be found at www.bbb.org/ smallbusiness. To find out more about how phishing scams work and how to avoid them, at BBB.org/phishingscam. And if you are a Square user who has been targeted by a phishing scam, help others avoid the same problem by reporting your experience on the BBB Scam Tracker.

KELLY TREVINO is the regional director for the Corpus Christi/Victoria area of Better Business Bureau serving the heart of Texas. Trevino is available for media interviews and speaking engagements. You can reach her at 361-945-7352 or ktrevino@corpuschristi.bbb.org.

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

MAXXYUSTAS/BIGSTOCK.COM, SIMVECTOR/BIGSTOCK.COM



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

COVER STORY

MAN OF MANY TALENTS A surgeon by day and entrepreneur by night, DR. MATHEW ALEXANDER offers Coastal Bend residents both high-caliber health care and a hunter’s dream – and much more. By: JESSICA DUSEK Photos by: TWINS MEDIA

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

DR. MATHEW ALEXANDER, OWNER AND LEAD NEUROSURGEON OF SOUTH TEXAS BRAIN AND SPINE CENTER, KEEPS HIMSELF QUITE BUSY: SURGEON BY DAY AND ENTREPRENEUR BY NIGHT. In 2008, he founded a treasured exotic wildlife reserve, Dancing Elk Alexander Ranch, which houses 52 species of exotic wildlife to local varieties like whitetail in South Texas. “It’s a beautiful piece of Texas pie – has rolling hills and meandering streams, which is rare in South Texas,” explains Alexander of the landscape and terrain. Located between Corpus Christi and San Antonio, Alexander stumbled upon the stunning piece of property about 40 miles outside of Corpus. His sincere appreciation for nature, combined with a wild-hare idea, led him to the property that fit the needs for his vision. Landscapes with trees, rolling hills and water sources made it necessary for the unique operation. Having a familiar feeling while onsite, it felt right. “It reminded me of Kentucky,” he says of his early years growing up close to nature and wildlife. Alexander’s day job is a bit more meticulous as a brain surgeon. His practice is known for providing specialized treatment to CHRISTUS Spohn and Bay Area Regional Hospital patients in Corpus Christi. He and his colleagues bring specialized care to the Coastal Bend

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

and raise the caliber of brain and spinal surgery. He is able to do outpatient minimal spinal surgery through a 1-inch incision to complex deformity and scoliosis correction. He also performs brain surgery from tumor to Parkinsonism disease with deep brain stimulation. The group has four neurosurgeons and provides Level II trauma coverage for the region. There is a satellite office in Victoria due to a lack of neurosurgery in that area. Alexander has leadership roles ranging from chairman of surgery and chief of neurosurgery to vice president for CHRISTUS Spohn physician relations, all of which are unpaid positions that help facilitate great health care. Originally from Louisville, Ky., Alexander watched his father, also a general surgeon by training, treat patients with precision and care. As a kid and young adult, he would go to the O.R. regularly, interacting with staff and patients, and feeling comfortable in the hospital environment. As the doctor gene was prevalent in his family, his sister became a neurologist, and his brother is a cardiologist. His mother told him he had the hands and the brains to be a neurosurgeon, and his brother had the big heart to be a cardiologist. When taking a rest from his keen eyesight, Alexander’s night job entails being the visionary behind the reserve. The 1,500-acre wildlife reserve houses exotic animals ranging from zebras, ostriches and black buck to Gem buck, Centurion orcs and Addax. He also raises beautiful whitetail deer for hunting and breeding. Starting his operation nearly 10 years ago, he adds new additions to the property, piece by piece. Now equipped with their main event hall, The Reserve at Dancing Elk Ranch has a 14,000-square-foot indoor great hall, a covered outdoor pavilion and an adjacent outdoor grill patio. Offering guided hunting tours, The Reserve strives to provide patrons with a high-end experience. As the or-

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

THE 1,500ACRE WILDLIFE RESERVE HOUSES EXOTIC ANIMALS RANGING FROM ZEBRAS, OSTRICHES AND BLACK BUCK TO GEM BUCK, CENTURION ORCS AND ADDAX.

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

To learn more about The Reserve at Dancing Elk Ranch, please visit www. thereserveatdancingelk.com.

THE RESERVE STRIVES TO PROVIDE PATRONS WITH A HIGH-END EXPERIENCE. 26

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

ganization doesn’t provide leasing on the hunting side, they specialize in personalized guided trips, memorable for those traveling to have a rustic and exotic Texas hunting experience. “Most hunters are very happy because it is a high-class ranch. We have Wi-Fi and do longrange shooting,” Alexander describes. The experience could be described as traveling to several different countries with an array of exotic species. “Most people have a great time,” he shares enthusiastically. A hunter’s dream, The Reserve at Dancing Elk Ranch pulls in patrons from Texas and neighboring southern states such as Tennessee, Alabama and the Carolinas. The Reserve offers amenities to various party sizes and occasions. Their event hall houses 700 guests at any given time. Known for their rustic elegance, the larger of the event halls offers a bar lined with backlit onyx, antler chandelier and spacious balcony overlooking the rest of the event center. Providing a high-end western feel, they also offer buffet-style lunches and dinner, with on- and offsite staff of five to 25 people. Onsite chef, Angela Gomez, and event coordinator, Yvette Johnson, help coordinate and make events go smoothly. Nonprofit events and business conferences are also held on the property, as well as reunions and retreats. An outdoor covered patio and barbecue are also convenient for overnight guests staying in the onsite lodges and cottages.

KEEPING UP WITH PROJECTS Of course, for Alexander, he continues to keep himself busy with new projects, finding solutions for local needs. He recently opened a day care and developmental center called Brain Storm Childcare, after finding that day care wasn’t available for a lot of hospital workers during late hours. His goal is help provide CHRISTUS Spohn workers, as well as the public, with day care services right next to the hospital downtown from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Utilizing his venue, he stays active in supporting nonprofits hosting local benefits. He is sponsoring Stop the Traffic, a 5K walk being organized by Hugo Martinez, which is set for Oct. 20, 2018, at Cole Park. He is also in the process of organizing a “Honey Badger” fundraiser dinner for human trafficking at The Reserve in honor of former friend and anesthesia CRNA, Shane Johnson, who recently passed away. Alexander contributes his time in a variety of meaningful ways.

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

PROFILE

TEXAS PROUD

SOUTH TEXAS ICEHOUSE BAR & GRILL: WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME â&#x20AC;&#x201C; AND YOUR FAVORITE ORDER By: Kathleen Naderer Photos by: TWINS Media

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

T DAILY HAPPY HOUR, 3-7 P.M. $3.50 Tito’s and Jack Daniels $2.50 Well

$2.50 Domestic Draft (21 beers on tap)

$2.75 Domestic Bottle $3.75 Import Bottle

DAILY SPECIALS Monday: $3 Pint Night Tuesday: $3.50 Call Wednesday: $3.50 Whiskey Thursday: $3.50 Texas Liquors and $3.50 Texas Draft Friday: $4 Crown and Effen Flavored Vodkas (until 11 p.m.), and $3.50 Fireball (all night) Saturday: $3.50 Tito’s Vodkas and Jack Daniels Whiskey Sunday: $2.50 Well and $2.50 Domestic Draft 30

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

ucked toward the back of a small shopping center on Everhart Road, the South Texas Icehouse Bar & Grill is a hidden gem of Corpus Christi’s Southside. Christine Johnson, the day manager at the establishment, jokes that the bar and grill is reminiscent of the hit television show, “Cheers.” “We have lots of regulars – people who have been coming here for years now,” she explained. “And we have staff members who have been here for just as long. Over time, we’ve become like a family.” Johnson started working at South Texas Icehouse back when it was still the Martini Bar. She’s witnessed firsthand how the bar has grown and evolved over the past 17 years. She was even part of the transition team when owner Phil Hurst purchased the property and began transforming it in 2011. When Hurst took ownership of the bar and grill, he wanted the newly renamed South Texas Icehouse to become the best bar and live music venue in the area. He and his staff strive to create a welcoming atmosphere that is laidback, yet classy, while also giving a respectful nod to their Texas roots. A “Texas proud” theme visibly runs throughout the bar, from the soft glow of the neon advertisements for their Texas-made beers and liquors, to the very design of the business’s logo, which pays tribute to the Texas Rangers. In fact, 13 of the 21 beers on tap at the bar are proudly made in Texas, including beers from local breweries such as Lazy Beach. Besides the daily drink specials, customers often find themselves becoming regulars because of the high-quality food served at South Texas Icehouse. Hurst knew he wasn’t going to serve typical pub grub. Instead, he had an all-new kitchen, complete with charbroilers and a pizza oven, installed. “Everything’s fresh and handmade in our kitchens,” Hurst said. “We don’t buy anything frozen.” So whether you’re in the mood for mouthwatering appetizers, freshly made pizza or a signature burger, they have something to satisfy every taste. Many regulars say they have the best wings in town. In fact, one loyal group comes in for dinner every day! If you’re overwhelmed by the menu, never fear. The staff all have recommendations they are happy to share. Hurst is a fan of the quesadillas and nachos, while Johnson’s go-to is the philly cheesesteak. Niko Alexander, the general manager, suggests their specialty Brunch Burger. And if none of these catch your eye, then Alex Chavarria, assistant manager and bartender, is happy to help you choose a meal that you’ll love, as well as something from their vast drink selection. South Texas Icehouse is designed to be a place to relax, catch up with friends, listen to live music or enjoy a drink and a meal away from the rowdier crowds downtown. View your favorite Texas sports teams, especially during football season, on the numerous televisions and four large projection screens throughout the bar and grill. Play pool, shuffleboard or Golden Tee Golf. Listen to classics, as well as today’s hits, on the jukebox. Catch a live show by popular Texas musicians, or discover a new favorite band. Although the venue is particularly popular on the weekends thanks to the amazing country and rock concerts, South Texas Icehouse offers plenty of other activities for its patrons’ entertainment on weeknights. On Mondays, join Geeks Who Drink for a pub quiz night to test your knowledge at trivia. South Texas Icehouse is also the only venue in the city that projects a PowerPoint with the questions, adding a different element to their quiz night. If you enjoy the local music scene, don’t miss John Eric and Johnny Kiser’s acoustic performances on Tuesdays. Or test your hand-eye coordination as you play with the dart league on Thursdays. Additionally, sections of the South Texas Icehouse can be reserved for

private events, including office parties, high-school reunions and more. A thick curtain acts as a room divider, capable of splitting the establishment into smaller, cozier areas during weeknights or for smaller events. However, once the curtain is pushed back, the enormous stage, as well as a second bar, are revealed. “People are often surprised by the sheer size of South Texas Icehouse,” Alexander said. “Since we’re in the back of the shopping center and the outside of the building seems a little small, they assume it’s a small place. But we actually have 7,700 square feet.” Can’t get enough of South Texas Icehouse? You can now listen to South Texas Icehouse Radio with DJ Eric James Medina, playing 24/7 with limited commercials. This free music station is available for streaming online or by downloading their phone app.

Visit South Texas Icehouse for yourself at 6601 Everhart Road, Ste. D5, open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. For more information, call 361-814-2010 or visit www.southtexasicehouse.com.

“

EVERYTHING’S FRESH AND HANDMADE IN OUR KITCHENS. WE DON’T BUY ANYTHING FROZEN.” I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNITED CHAMBER CORPUS CHRISTI

UNITED CHAMBER CORPUS CHRISTI

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

A VOICE FOR BUSINESS The UCCCC and member-business, Z JZ Hospitality, are set to advocate for the Coastal Bend at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DC Fly-In Advocacy Trip. By: MADELINE SKROBARCZYK

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

“

Showing up in numbers sends a powerful message.”

CB to DC The United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce (UCCCC) is proud to announce this year’s DC Fly-In Advocacy Trip: CB to DC, Oct. 2 to 4, 2018. CB to DC is a critically important part of what the UCCCC does on behalf of our community. During the trip, we will meet with legislators and administration officials to tell the story of the Coastal Bend and advocate for policies that benefit our region. Many member-businesses recognize the importance of this opportunity to sit down with legislators and key officials in the administration and express the priorities of our region with a unified voice. One of those members is ZJZ Hospitality. ZJZ Hospitality Inc. is a premier hotel management and development company founded under the vision and principles of owner and CEO Deven Bhakta. The company’s current portfolio includes 11 owned/ managed properties and one managed hotel in South Texas. Properties include an Embassy Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Courtyard Marriott, Home2 Suites, Best Western Plus Executive Residency, Studio 6 and The Place Hotel in Port Aransas.

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

One of the key ways in which ZJZ Hospitality invests in its culture is by encouraging community involvement. Company executives make it a priority to remain active in the hotels’ communities, and get their staff involved in events and efforts of local organizations, including those of the UCCCC. “In this unpredictable economic and political climate, it is crucial that we go to Washington and tell the story of the Coastal Bend,” said Bhakta, CEO and President of ZJZ Hospitality and UCCCC chairman. “Showing up in numbers sends a powerful message. If we do not tell our story and express the needs of our business community ... who will?” Throughout the duration of the CB to DC Advocacy Trip, the participating delegation of Coastal Bend elected officials and business leaders will focus on priorities listed on the chamber’s federal legislative agenda.

Federal Legislative Agenda First and foremost on our agenda is protecting our South Texas military facilities. The chamber works constantly to advocate for funding, staffing and operations for the strategic missions of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi Army Depot, Naval Air Station Kingsville and U.S. Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi. The impact of these bases generate $5.3 billion in economic impact in the Coastal Bend, and it is our priority to protect that, as well as remind the folks Washington, D.C., of the strategic military importance of these facilities to our national defense. Additionally, we place high priority on the Port of Corpus Christi’s Ship Channel Improvement Project, which requires federal funding to complete the remaining navigation features of the project, including the deepening and widening of the channel and widening the barge shelves. The project is estimated to add nearly $35 billion annually in additional goods value exports, reduce the ballooning trade deficit and provide over $100 million in annual transportation cost savings by using larger supertankers. New to this year’s agenda is a section on international trade and commerce. The chamber is committed to supporting international trade efforts, which will help level the playing field by increasing competition, making it easier for small businesses to sell their goods and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to expand operations at home and abroad. We strongly support modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement to reflect the needs of American workers and boost the export of U.S. goods and services. Currently, 382,000 Texas jobs depend on trade with Mexico, and, in 2016, Texas exported $93 billion in goods and services to Mexico and $20 billion to Canada. The president’s proposed tariffs are also of con-

For additional information regarding the 2018 CB to DC Advocacy Trip and the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to advance economic prosperity for businesses in the Coastal Bend, please contact Ginny Cross, vice president of government and community relations, at 361-8811800 or ginny@ unitedcorpuschristichamber.com. You may also visit www. unitedcorpuschristichamber.com. And to learn more about UCCCC member ZJZ Hospitality Inc., please visit www. zjzhospitality.com.

cern to our local economy. According to U.S. Census data, Texas accounted for more than $8.3 billion in steel and aluminum imports last year, which is more than double any other state. These steel and aluminum imports are crucial for the construction and maintenance of drilling wells, pipelines and other infrastructure that are the backbone of our oil and gas industry. The construction of significant portions of this infrastructure depends on certain types of steel for which there is no U.S. manufacturer, and industry experts estimate that new tariffs will dramatically increase the cost of completing wells in shale formations and building more LNG production lines. In addition to the new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, the tariffs set to go into effect on roughly $50 billion worth of foreign goods beginning this summer, and China’s retaliatory tariffs, also threaten the economy of Texas. In 2017, Texas exported more than $8 billion of tariff eligible goods to China, the most of any state. About $1 billion of this was agricultural products, including 46 percent of all U.S. cotton exported to China, 25 percent of exported sorghum, 13.2 percent of exported beef and veal and 3.3 percent of exported wheat. If 25-percent tariffs are levied on these agricultural products, Texas farmers will be significantly impacted. While we recognize that certain Chinese practices with respect of technology transfer, intellectual property and market access must change, these issues can be addressed in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The chamber opposes any barriers that would prevent our members from staying competitive in a global economy, and result in a net loss for the economic health of region. Our federal legislative agenda is not limited to these highlighted issues. We also have a strong support for transportation infrastructure, the energy industry, regulatory reform, higher education, immigration reform, DACA, health insurance reform, access to capital for small businesses, affordable housing and Harvey recovery funding.

Windstorm Insurance Reform The chamber’s advocacy efforts are not limited to Washington, D.C. We are very active at the state level, and our primary concern is the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) and the impact their policies have on businesses and homeowners of the Coastal Bend region. On July 31, the TWIA board voted for a 10-percent rate increase effective in January 2019. Obviously, this is devastating to the people who are still struggling to recover from Harvey and are still negotiating their claims with TWIA. The Texas commissioner of insurance has the final say on the rate increase, and it is incumbent on TWIA to prove the need for the increase. The chamber is currently strategizing how to combat the rate increase, and we are looking at possible legislation during the next session to further reform TWIA. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Bar, Wine, Beer & Spirits 4238 S. Alameda Town & Country Shopping Center Corpus Christi

M-F 5pm - Midnight Saturday 4pm - Midnight Sunday 11:30am - 6pm 36

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

FOR

LOVE CHICKEN

™

CORPUS CHRISTI LOCATIONS: 3140 GOLLIHAR • 2901 AYERS • 735 LUM • 5149 WEBER • 3502 LEOPARD • 4901 GREENWOOD

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

ENERGY

INSIGHT IN ACTION

Externships provide hands-on learning experiences to participating students, teachers and staff.

or the second summer in a row, Stellar Energy Solutions has participated in the Rio Grande Valley Externship Program for high-school teachers. The externship program provides great insight to career and technology education (CTE) teachers, who, in turn, incorporate their learnings into Careers in Action curriculum. These externship opportunities for teachers of secondary students are hands-on experiences that reveal the kinds of skills needed for productive employment in the current labor market. The lasting impact of this experiential learning is critical to a community that is “working to improve the skills of the Rio Grande Valley’s workforce,” according to Jill Williams, educational contractor for RGV LEAD (Linking Economic and Academic Development). “The great thing is all teachers of core subject areas – language arts, math, science and social studies – may

access the lesson plans at the RGVLEAD.COM website,” Williams says. Educators who participate in the program certainly have an opportunity to connect theory and practice, and bring an understanding of the workplace policies into the classroom. But while teachers get a sense of what their future job seekers will need to know to be successful in the business world, these educators and their students are not the only benefactors. Another, albeit subtle, byproduct of the program is a re-energized staff for the business partner. Ricardo Villanueva says he really enjoyed Mr. Cerda’s perspective about his students and the challenges they face as they make decisions about college and careers. This program is especially helpful to those students who may not go to college, but instead, begin their immediate journey into a career after high school. Villanueva was excited to share the “work environment at Stellar Energy Solutions, where enjoying the work you do day-to-day is a way of life,” he says. “Here, importance is given to encourage each other and each other’s families. If you don’t do that, the numbers won’t be there.” Ricardo says it is a lesson he wishes he had learned when he was younger, and he is so thankful for his job at Stellar. Another employee, Irene Middleton, gushed at the weekly meeting following the externship program about “catching the vision” of the company. She was excited to share her work, the products and the accomplishments of her employer with the “externs,” telling them, “It is not a job – it’s a joy.” In short, the experience was a catalyst to “step up our game” at the office. Now that is quite an energizer, to say the least. According to President Tim Clark, “Stellar Energy Solutions is proud to serve the Rio Grande Valley and partner with Workforce Solutions and the RGV LEAD, a nonprofit organization.”

Pictured above from right to left are Rafael Cerda, U.S. history/ government/economics teacher in Edcouch Elsa ISD; Rick Villanueva, business development consultant; Laura Anguiano, biology/chemistry/physics teacher in Edcouch Elsa ISD; and Irene Middleton, business development consultant for Stellar Energy Solutions in the Rio Grande Valley.

For any and all your pricing needs, please contact Stellar Energy Solutions at admin@stellarnrgsolutions.com.

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF STELLAR ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Special to INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

Home > Auto > Windstorm

Flood > Landlord > Commercial

We LOVE working with personal clients, investors, and Real Estate Professionals!

CLIENTS: We treat you like our own family by shopping to find you the best policy at the best price and standing by you when you need us most!

INVESTORS: We want to make it easy to get insurance on your investment property... really easy!

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS: We want to partner with you and help grow your business!

www.revgroupusa.com

(800) 730-6247 Facebook @therevgroup A Veteran owned and operated independent insurance agency revolutionizing the way your insurance business is done I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

TASTE

Bases Covered Maple Nutella banana bread muffins

Over-ripe bananas on the counter? Undying love of Nutella? Hungry? These muffins have you covered. Recipe makes 12. By: MANDY ASHCRAFT Photo by: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT

INGREDIENTS: 3 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed 6 tablespoons margarine, melted 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (1 individual-size snack portion) 1 5.3-ounce container vanilla flavored coconut milk yogurt 2 teaspoons maple extract 2 cups flour 3/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 to 3/4 cup Nutella or preferred hazelnut spread INSTRUCTIONS: 1/ Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with paper liners. 2/ Add mashed bananas, melted margarine, applesauce, yogurt and maple extract to a large bowl or to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix until smooth. 3/ Add sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt to wet mixture and stir. Add flour last, mixing until just combined. 4/ Spoon batter into paper liners. 5/ Use a spoon to add Nutella to the top of each uncooked muffin. Use a toothpick or a chopstick to swirl Nutella into batter. For more information, visit www.mandyashcraft.com.

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

6/ Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 23 minutes.

INTERSTATE ALL BATTERY CENTER CORPUS CHRISTI CELL PHONE BATTERIES  Autom

otive  Cell Pho nes  Cameras   Laptop Alarm Systems  s  Solar  Fla Wheel Chair shlights  Watc h / Key Fob 4903 Ambassador Row Corpus Christi, Texas 361.854.5000

InterstateBatteriesCorpus.com Store Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am – 6pm, Sat 8:30am – 2:30pm, Sun Closed

Facebook.com/interstatebatteriescorpus Instagram@interstatebatteries_cc

INSURANCE CLAIM SPECIALISTS • • • • • •

Residential Homes Commercial Buildings Apartments and Condos Churches and Schools Retail Centers Warehouses

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

YOUR LOCAL ROOFING FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED COMPANY

ROOFING (ALL TYPES)

• • • • •

Shingles - Composition Asphalt Metal Roofing Flat & Steep Slope Modified Bitumen Stone Covered Steel Commercial and Residential

SIDING

WINDOWS

3837 South Padre Island Drive, Corpus Christi, TX www.GalvanBuilders.com

361-857-4341

FENCING & MORE

LICENSED & INSURED GENERAL CONTRACTOR TRUSTWORTHY & RELIABLE PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION

TRAVEL

DON’T BE TRIPPIN’ CCIA calculates the true costs of driving to other airports.

t’s not a new phenomenon. There is a percentage of the traveling population in the Coastal Bend that consistently chooses to drive to airports in San Antonio or Houston to catch their flights. According to data collected from the U.S. Department of Transportation, as many as 40 percent of air travelers who live within a 45-mile radius of Corpus Christi International Airport (CCIA) book their travel out of San Antonio or Houston. Here’s what that means in terms of numbers. CCIA Enplanements

Leakage to other Airports

330,000 annually 220,000 annually

MORE ON LEAKAGE Currently, there are about 330,000 people flying out of CCIA each year. Each one is an enplanement, which is simply a way to measure the volume of passengers. There are another 220,000 people driving to other cities and getting on airplanes at other airports. This is known in the industry as leakage. Leakage represents lost opportunity. Leakage holds CCIA back from growing air service. When 40 percent of local travelers are leaking, the 59th largest city in the nation based on population is ranked No. 155 in the nation in terms of enplanements. Leakers are road-trip warriors. They don’t mind loading up their cars five to seven hours before their flights leave, driving for three to four hours, paying for gas and additional meals on the road, parking at the airport, waiting in

long lines at the ticket counter and at the TSA checkpoint and then driving another three to four hours when it’s time to return home. Often, they do all of this to save $200 on airfare. It’s no secret that airfare out of the larger HUBS can sometimes be cheaper than CCIA. No one can argue with the desire for lower fares. The CCIA staff routinely tracks airfare to the 20 most popular destinations out of Corpus Christi. These cities include Denver, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Orlando. Typically, the average difference when compared to same airline fares out of San Antonio is $30 to $40. The fares are often very competitive, and, at times, are within a few dollars of SAT. But even when the difference is $200 or even $300, are you really saving money by choosing the road trip to the big city? TRIP CALCULATOR There is a gadget on the CCIA website that can help travelers compare the real costs of travel. The calculator is built to compare CCIA with San Antonio and Houston. When shopping for airfare out of the various cities, travelers need only enter the published airfare for their desired trip, the number of days they are traveling and the zip code they are starting from. Hitting the “calculate” button will reveal the true costs when using comparable parking at the various airports, and using the government mileage reimbursement rate of .54 a mile for the driving. While the calculator can’t take every scenario into account, it can really give

By: KIM BRIDGER-HUNT

travelers a better understanding of what the trip will actually cost. What you see below is an example of published airfares offered to Denver from Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Houston. These are Southwest Airlines fares offered 21 days out for travel in September 2018.

Consider this: If just half of the people who drive to San Antonio and Houston airports decided to FlyCCIA instead, imagine how different our community would look to the airlines that serve Corpus Christi. When the airlines are assessing how the Corpus Christi market is performing, they are looking at CCIA enplanements, the load factors on the flights (how many seats are sold) and how much revenue is generated by the service. This is how they determine how much demand there is in the market. This is how they decide how much service is warranted in the community. A new airline would evaluate the current levels of service and usage, historic trends in the market, demand to new destinations and would factor in what’s happening in the local economy when considering whether to initiate new service. The more demand there is, the higher the revenue and load factors on the existing flights, and the better our chances of getting expanded service. If you are planning to fly away this fall, please consider using your hometown airport. And remember that the best way to get more air service is to show the airlines demand for it. Demand translates to you, your neighbors, your family and your business committing to FlyCCIA!

KIM BRIDGER-HUNT is the marketing manager at Corpus Christi International Airport. She can be reached at kimb@cctexas.com.

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

EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION

COASTAL BEND STRONG Hurricane Harvey, one year later: reflecting on the impact of the storm and the perspectives of those who stepped up to help our community By: JESSICA DUSEK

Eye of the storm On Wednesday, news sources indicated that the storm was initially expected to hit Corpus Christi. However, Texas would be the beginning of the storms ripple effect, as it later headed across the Gulf Coast, toward the North Eastern United States. “It was a weather disaster year. It all hit,” explains Hunter as Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico not long after. On Wednesday, the development of the storm escalated quickly, taking many people by surprise. “At the time the public knew it was a Category 2 – by Thursday evening,

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

PHOTO BY DEBBIE NOBLE

t’s been just over a year since Hurricane Harvey came roaring into our Coastal Bend, dumping gallons of rain and devastating homes and businesses alike. It was not prejudiced toward any particular walk of life. It just wrecked whatever was in its path, and left us all picking up the pieces ... still. We share with you perspectives from those on the front lines of our community, and we are reminded of the impact that was then, is now and will be for years to come. “It was something we were prepared for, and something we weren’t,” explains State Rep. Todd Hunter. In 2017, the massive $125 billion tropical storm devastated parts of the greater Coastal Bend communities. The storm brought with it 130-mile-an-hour winds, storm surges and menacing tornados within the hurricane, resulting in collapsed buildings, mangled sewage and energy infrastructure. “What was interesting about Harvey is how it developed and what happened right after – government dysfunction, and seeing the strength of the people,” Hunter recalls.

there was an indication it could be a Category 4,” Hunter describes. As uncertainty increased, parents pulled their kids out of school, while others hit the road to neighboring cities. “You could feel the build-up – but still unknown,” Hunter describes. Learning of the potential severity, Hunter didn’t want to take any chances. “I said to my family and office – you better get out.” That evening, he staked out in his home. The power in his neighborhood went down at 5 p.m., and didn’t come on until the following Wednesday. Aggravating the aftermath of the storm conditions, the Texas heat created more issues for those without power. “You could feel the summer humidity – bugs everywhere. That’s just August,” Hunter describes. To add insult to injury, power lines were

State Representative Todd Hunter

2. Communication: Keep in touch with family and friends, and have a hurricane plan in place. Get a backup radio. Cell phone lines and towers can go out in storms, too! 3. Digital backup and storage: For businesses, have your files and data backed up on a portable thumb drive, or exported to a secure iCloud storage location. Most equipment has potential to be lost in the case of a flood or looting onsite. 4. Board up: Board up your home and business windows. Make sure each are labeled correctly; you don’t want to spend extra time trying to figure out small details while needing to evacuate.

5. Batteries and backup generator: The lights may go out, and you don’t want to be stuck in the dark on a hot South Texas evening! 6. Gas and transportation: Always have a full tank of gas or a charged electric vehicle with a storm coming in. Long lines can cause gas stations to run out of gas at the last minute. Ingleside, located North East of Corpus Christi on the top of the interior of the Gulf Coast, has a population of just over 10,000 residents. Losing a few local hotels and 20 percent of the businesses, the small, yet strong, town is also recovering and rebuilding. Having their annual plan in place, they met every July to formulate safety precautions for hurricane season. Jane Gimler, Ingleside president and CEO of the chamber of commerce, quickly expanded her role during the tremendous storm and aftermath: holding her community together. During the week of Hurricane Harvey, Gimler says there was little concern. “They wanted me to do communications,” she explains. Deciding to close the chamber, Gimler had to act fast, boarding up the chamber and getting people to safety to brace for the storm. At 4 p.m. on Thursday, she was told by local officials to either leave or show up on Monday. “I was in shock. I had not even bought water; I told my fiancé to buy water.” (Gimler’s fiancé stayed in Houston.) “I stayed up until 1 a.m. boarding up my house in Portland. The fire department had everything under control. They sent out press releases to get information out to the public. The

Jane Gimler, CEO of the Ingleside Chamber of Commerce

PHOTO BY TWINS MEDIA

1. Food, water and supplies: Have enough dry food and water to cook outside for several days from a backup propane charcoal barbecue pit. If the power goes out, you may need to have a campout in your backyard.

PHOTO BY DEBBIE NOBLE

down, and cell reception wasn’t accessible in some areas. “We could get messages on the cell phone. Couldn’t access the television because the power was down. You could see people in other houses with lights, too. Pitch-black outside.” After getting up a few hours later, “It looked like a pile of disaster. Fences down, roofs gone, trees every place. Power lines down, some structures down.” Hunter jumped into his car and went down to meet with emergency management members. With no cell service or Internet in Port Aransas, emergency teams waited for bulldozers to clear the roads into Port Aransas. “Port Aransas looked like a giant broom came in a swept it. Rockport-Fulton looked like a bomb went off,” describes Hunter of the disaster areas. The question presents itself: What will the government do differently to set aside funds and better prepare for these disasters with supplies and help in the future? According to Hunter, this will be a priority item for Texas, in January 2019. In preparation for hurricane season, the proper precautions are essential for one’s mental, emotional and physical well-being. Some helpful precautions include:

first relief truck that came through brought cleaning supplies, fruit and canned goods. But there wasn’t enough food to go around. With the help of social media, Gimler was able to utilize Facebook. Distraught at the thought of not being able to help feed her entire community in a crisis, she turned to Facebook, broadcasting a message to get help. She wrote, “If I have ever done you a favor – this is the time I need my favor paid back.” Coming together Gimler’s message caused people to step up. They set up a drive-by with food and tables in front of the chamber of commerce. “That Tuesday, we got a pick-up truck, 18-wheeler and case of water.” A gal had come out of Tyler, Texas, with a

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

Kendra Kinnison, General Manager of Port Royal Ocean Resort

Judy Smith, Local Business Owner, My Coastal Home

“

IT’S BEEN A DIFFICULT JOURNEY. WE’VE LEARNED A LOT. WE’VE BECOME STRONGER.”

horse trailer, bread and food. Posting the needs and status each day, her 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. emotional exhaustion had been worth it. Kids from the local churches came out and volunteered. It was something so devastating, and so heartwarming. Local support from neighboring organizations included San Patricio Economic Development’s donation of $5,000, and the 10,000 donation from L&F. As the small, yet mighty, community

of Ingleside still continues to rebuild, “It was a community thing,” Gimler describes boldly. “Our little community was hit, and we still struggled. We pulled ourselves together.” My Coastal Home was one of the local businesses able to get back up and running quickly. Owner Judy Smith had three locations affected by Hurricane Harvey: Port Aransas, Rockport and North Padre Island. She experienced 100 percent loss at her Port Aransas store, and 30 percent at her Rockport store. Also holding seven warehouses of furniture and store inventory, they lost everything in their warehouses. It was a mixture of insurance help, their financial strength and mental strength that gave her the bearings to rebuild and reopen. “Like everybody, you’re underinsured, not realizing how much stuff you have until you start running those inventory reports,” Smith says. Her computers and files were gone in the devastation, while their stores were flooded and covered in sewage water. They had work and cleanup of their own to do. “We never missed a beat – kept moving forward,” Smith says. They were ready to do business by Black Friday. “Our vendors were so good,” Smith explains. “We said, ‘We’ve lost everything; send what you have!’” With local hotels and condos directly affected at the Port Royal, Aransas Princess, Sand Castle and the Dunes, Smith’s business was local and had the capacity to help them rebuild. Rebuilding took a combination of insurance and personal funds for homeowners. “Some homes are still two to three years away from moving back into their Coastal Bend homes,” says Smith of the expected timelines. For some clients out of town, Smith went down to their homes to take photos to help part-time residents plan their new furnishings, and helped address if they would need a contractor. “In the back of your mind, you don’t want to go through that mess again,” Smith says. This eye-opening reality has helped business owners like Smith embrace precautions for future hurricanes from a business stance, yet also sheds some silver lining. “People are shopping local,” notes Smith of the many forced to make a fresh new start. “I think the only thing is, it is just stuff. If you think of areas like Puerto Rico, people lost their lives.” Her advice for those businesses still down and out: “People say, ‘You lost a lot of money.’ And I say did. But the only way to overcome that is to make more of it. If you just work harder, it will be there. It’s a matter of just doing it.” Just a few miles down the road back toward Corpus Christi, Port Royal prepared with their selected staff of five people to stay onsite and weather the storm. Since 1985, the South Texas vacation destination has sat independently on several acres in between Corpus

Christi and Port Aransas. Royal faced nearly $60 million in damages from Hurricane Harvey. The reconstruction process has given the staff a “spirit of resilience,” explains General Manager Kendra Kinnison. “Certainly it’s been a difficult journey. We’ve learned a lot. We’ve become stronger.” Their geographical location and concrete structure spared much of the resort. With a hurricane plan in place each year, managers and staff made the decision to shut down on Wednesday, and evacuated their residents and guests on Thursday. The storm made landfall on Friday afternoon and into Saturday evening. “I think we were well-equipped,” Kinnison explains. “It wasn’t the most fun, but [we] never felt we were in fear for our life.” Working with a company to help make preparations, Port Royal was without power and water for about a month. “I didn’t leave at all,” Kinnison explains. Working with a construction management company and safety company, they started their rebuild process after assessing the damages. “By Sunday/Monday, we were in motion to minimize the damage,” Kinnison describes. “We took it step-by-step – getting stabilized, working through the insurance process. The day of the hurricane was not nearly as challenging as what happens afterwards.” As their hotel endured substantial damage and 30 percent of their employees were directly affected, Port Royal Resort’s management gave their employees sixweek leave and the option to keep working by helping surrounding communities affected by Harvey. Launching Port Royal University, community service became their focus. With staff contributing above 17,000 hours of community service, they continued to help with cleanup from September through February. Their effort, Port Royal Strong, has helped them turn a catastrophe into a documented guide for other communities going through similar devastation and rebuilding phases after a hurricane. “This is a great example that good can come from any situation,” notes Kinnison of the aftermath. “Everything happens in phases. Some things are better than before, and other thing are catching up.” Port Royal reopened their doors in April and May to house school groups participating in band competitions. They continued to house guests through the reconstruction, with the lobby temporarily down and one-third of the rooms getting operational again. “It’s bumpy – it’s hard,” Kinnison describes. The costs continue, as dehumidifiers are put in place to save the portions that weren’t damaged. They’ve added new air-conditioning units, which are now state-of-the-art and available for guests to enjoy. “When bad things do happen and we embrace the good that does happen, we can make it through.” With that, Kinnison concludes, “Hopefully we provided a roadmap for other companies to consider.”

To learn more about the hurricane, and the Port Royal Strong initiative, visit www.portroyalstrong.com.

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

WE GO WHERE YOU GO!

Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine on-the-go digital issues

STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY! MEDICAL

DIGITAL ISSUES

BUSINESS

EVENTS

VISIT WWW.INSPIRECOASTALBENDMAG.COM FOR UP-TO-DATE ARTICLES IN YOUR FAVORITE SECTIONS, PHOTOS, EVENTS AND MORE! CONTACT US ABOUT ONLINE MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES

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

NONPROFIT

SENSE OF COMMUNITY

The Friends of the Corpus Christi Public Libraries: promoting knowledge, literacy and learning By: SUSAN LAWSON

The Corpus Christi Public Libraries (CCPL) have such a friend in a nonprofit organization, The Friends of the Corpus Christi Public Libraries. The Friends support the library’s pursuit of their mission to improve literacy, enhance knowledge and create a sense of community by making information easily accessible to the public. The Friends were founded over 60 years ago with the objective of promoting the interest and welfare of CCPL. The Friends also volunteer for library projects, support library causes and promote public awareness and community involvement in library activities. In the past two years, over $200,000 has been raised through donations, grants, membership dues and other fundraising events. Funds are used to support literacy and cultural programs for all ages, and to acquire equipment and materials that the library might otherwise be unable to afford from city funding alone. “The Friends know the importance of an educated community; therefore, they support fun learning opportunities such as STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, art and math) programs provided by CCPL,” said Laura Garcia, library director.

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

Every summer for the past 50 years, the Friends have provided funding for CCPL summer reading activities. Continuing to read during the summer months is important to prevent the “summer slide,” which adds up to weaken skills. When children do not read over the summer, they fall behind. By the end of the fifth grade, children in need are nearly three grades behind their peers in reading skills. In 2017, 3,778 children registered for the summer reading program. From June 5 to Aug. 19, the library provided 386 programs, which were attended by 12,493 children and their families. For over 15 years, the Friends funded the Annual Children’s Book Festival, and, since 2017, continue to support its replacement, Celebrate: Books, Art and Music Festival. Previously, the festival focused primarily on activities for preschool children. In 2017, however, the festival introduced activities for all ages and incorporated art and music into the one-day event, hosted during the month of April at La Retama Central Library. In 2015, public school and public library librarians of the region founded the Teen Bookfest by the Bay organization to give teens of the Corpus Christi

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CORPUS CHRISTI PUBLIC LIBRARIES

A FRIEND IS LOYAL THROUGH GOOD TIMES AND BAD, WHILE PROVIDING THE SUPPORT TO HELP OTHERS PURSUE AND ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.

R C C

A P

L R

A F D PO LYE LAY C S R OU BO ALE TCAR S T OK ND D LE AR S TS S

While we cook you a delicious dinner, relax with your toes in the sand around your own 3-hour Bonfire in our comfortable Adirondack Chairs, complete with Tiki Torches and a dessert of Traditional S'mores and Kassie's Signature Key Lime S'mores.

A T

The Original On-Site Provider of Low-Country Shrimp Boils & Bonfires in the Coastal Bend

Read our reviews from past guests on Facebook, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. Over 115 reviews and every single one gave us a Perfect 5-Star Rating!

.co

B P RO PR UBL CHU B O IC R CA USIN GRA ATI ES TA E MS ON LO SS DE GS C SI AR GN DS

b ic ur ima asi d s e bo ge o sig dy th f n of rou buil is wo gh din g rk .”

www.facebook.com/RollinTideBoils

(361) 416-0416 RollinTideBoils@gmail.com

The membership application can be found at www.cclibraries.com/index. php/friends-of-the-library. Donations are generally tax-deductible. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated, and can be made by going to the membership link or by check, made out to Friends of the Corpus Christi Public Libraries, and mailed to the Friends office at 805 Comanche in Corpus Christi, Texas (zip code: 78401).

“We Roll Our Pot to Your Spot!”

t el hat is gir ag l io @ rd el an is o.c ag “G th ra om ior an e ph

Bay area the opportunity to meet and interact with popular young adult authors from across the nation, learn about writing/publishing processes and experience other book festival activities like their counterparts in other regions of the state. The Friends supported this initiative from the onset by providing funds to cover author costs, and currently providing funds to cover the American Bank Center venue costs. Through grant funds, the Friends are supporting a new literacy initiative at the McDonald Public Library, which houses the Corpus Christi Literacy Council (CCLC). The initiative seeks to revamp the outdated literacy lab, which will also be used by library staff to provide the public with financial literacy and digital literacy classes. The grant will introduce the Career High School Online program, which will give individuals the ability to gain a high school diploma. The grant will also give CCLC the opportunity to become a HiSET Testing Center. The HiSET exam is a five-part test states use in the process of issuing a high school equivalency credential. Join us in being a Friend to Corpus Christi Public Libraries. Your membership donation will be put to good use. Annual individual membership dues for adults start as low as $25, while children can join for only $5.

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

NONPROFIT

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE Love Tennis & Education: helping Coastal Bend students better themselves both on and off the tennis court Special to INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

If you would like to join Love Tennis & Education, to learn more about the program or to donate, please contact Ronald Elizondo at 361-548-5619.

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

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOVE TENNIS & EDUCATION

aving fun while learning a new sport is what most everyone would enjoy if given the opportunity. Now all students needing mentoring and help with studying and learning a sport – while having fun – can do that right here in the Coastal Bend, thanks to Love Tennis & Education. Throughout the community, tennis is offered to any student who has the desire to better themselves both on and off the tennis court. Giving back to the community is the reason the founder of Love Tennis & Education, Ronald Elizondo, started this organization – and with a life story that would make anyone understand his life mission. At the age of 17, Elizondo was sitting in jail for robbery of a local Corpus Christi tennis center. Today, some 28 years later, Elizondo is running Love Tennis & Education. “I want to help inner-city youth because that was me years ago,” he says, “and I want them to become productive citizens in our community. With the sport of tennis and education, anything is possible.” Elizondo was discovered by his mentor, Dr. Shelby Torrance, the tennis director of Al Kruse Tennis Center. He later went on to be mentored by Susan Torrance, the daughter of Dr. Shelby Torrance and, later, the new director of the same tennis center. At the age of 12, Elizondo started hanging out at the tennis center and started to learn tennis. However, living in a gang-infested neighborhood by the tennis center, Elizondo was still in trouble and ended up in jail for eight months. It was then that he started to imagine himself as a mentor, and to help all the youth in the community through the sport of tennis. Love Tennis & Education is a nonprofit organization with a mission statement that reads: “To set the foundation for a successful life with love and commitment for kids through tennis and education.” All students from elementary school to high school are encouraged to join. There is no charge to the students. Advanced tennis players will be allowed to participate in youth tournament in both the Coastal Bend and out of town. Education study programs and tutoring are also available.

Because protecting your precious assets is our #1 priority

• Complete Smart Home System • Smart Phone Control • Fire & Carbon Monoxide Monitoring • 24/7 Professional Texas-based Monitoring • Free Installation • Free Move Program • Lifetime Warranty

FREE SKYBELL

with your Customized System Control • Access Visibility

Call to schedule your in-home consultation today

(870)

514-5004

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

NONPROFIT

CHANGE THE EXPERIENCE Turn bogeys into eagles for children in crisis at the Caddies for Kiddos Golf Tournament for CASA of the Coastal Bend. By: SAMANTHA KOEPP-STEMPLINGER

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

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CASA

o matter how your golf swing tracks, you are certain to hit a hole-in-one for children in foster care by participating in the Caddies for Kiddos Golf Tournament for CASA of the Coastal Bend on Friday, Sept. 28. Held at NorthShore Country Club in Portland, the four-person team tournament will play an 18-hole course to begin at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start. Lingering in foster care, moving from one placement to another several times within a year, prescribed a list of medications to mask behavioral outbursts that stem from trying to cope with trauma, losing a sense of self through loss of family connections and overall not knowing what is going to happen one day to the next has become par for the course for many children in foster care right here in the Coastal Bend. If this sounds extreme, that’s because it is. There is no one yelling “fore!” to these children who become victims of abuse and neglect. Most of the time, it is those adults who should be protecting them who are causing them the most harm. As a result, many get stuck in the system that is overpopulated with children who become a name on stacks of paperwork and get overlooked, pushed aside and often forgotten. Your support through this event can help change the experience in foster care and the outcome for these children from being detrimental double bogeys to uplifting, soaring eagles with proceeds going toward the recruitment and in-depth professional training of CASA volunteers. These advocates focus on ensuring children’s needs are met in a timely manner, while keeping their best interest at the forefront in

helping find them their forever home. Event sponsors to date include GM AutoNation Chevrolet, Pepsi-Cola, Everest Water; GSM Insurors; Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union; Driscoll Children’s Hospital, The Brandt Companies LLC, NuStar Energy, L.P. and Che-

niere Energy. Prior to the shotgun start, Bad Boyz Tailgaterz will fire up the grill and serve barbecued sausage wraps. Following the tournament, lunch will be served in the Club House. Team members will each receive a goody bag, beverage tickets and

the option to purchase a maximum of three mulligans at $20 each. Games will be available at assigned holes for an additional fee and prizes will be given to the Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive. During lunch, prior to announcement of the tournament prize winners, a live auction will offer opportunities to bid on a variety of trips and overnight accommodations, including a Leakey, Texas, cabin stay; a weekend home rental on North Padre Island; a Corpus Christi Bay fishing trip for two; a Concan, Texas, house stay; and a Hill Coun-

try whitetail deer hunt overnight stay. Join the fun, and help the kiddos! Sponsorship opportunities and team entries are still available. Contact Development Director Bert Quintanilla for more information at bert@coastalbendcasa.org or 361-537-8151. Every child has a chance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s you.

MOST OF THE TIME, IT IS THOSE ADULTS WHO SHOULD BE PROTECTING THEM WHO ARE CAUSING THEM THE MOST HARM.

Learn more about CASA and the rewards that come along with serving as the voice of a child. Attend a brief, non-committal, 45-minute information session to hear about the roles and requirements of a CASA volunteer. Information sessions are held at the CASA office every Wednesday at noon. For more information, visit www.coastalbendcasa.org or call 361-884-2272. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

NONPROFIT

LASTING LEGACY The Junior League of Corpus Christi celebrates 75 years of service to the Coastal Bend community. By: LETICIA WILSON

involved in World War II, the JLCC focused on assisting with the war effort through support of an ambulance fund, Hospital Camp and the Red Cross. The first literacy program sponsored by JLCC, Books Bring Adventure, was presented in the ‘40s in conjunction with an Edwin Strawbridge dance-play. In the 1950s, the JLCC focused primarily on culture and arts, and saw a huge success with the Marinotte Program, presenting puppet shows to schools, hospitals and recreation centers citywide. The organization also developed a partnership with the American Cancer Society for a cancer-dressing program. Additionally,

over $50,000 was sponsored to construct the Parent-Child Guidance Center at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. As community needs changed, so did the JLCC. Many locals will remember that Bayfest, a communitywide event celebrating our beautiful Corpus Christi Bay, started as a JLCC fundraiser, and members were involved to the very end. JLCC was also an integral partner in supporting the building of the Texas State Aquarium, contributing to the first installment pledge of $37,500 in 1985-86. In the 1990s, Corpus Christi saw JLCC create a city beautification program called Graffiti

LITERACY HAS BEEN A PASSION OF THE JLCC FROM THE BEGINNING, AND IT STILL IS TODAY. 54

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

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JLCC

ounded in 1944, the Junior League of Corpus Christi Inc. (JLCC) is committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. This year marks the beginning of the JLCC’s 75th year of service to the Coastal Bend, and the impact and influence of this organization of women is seen in their legacy of projects. The early years of the JLCC were dedicated to providing milk and graham crackers to undernourished children. As the country became

Wipeout, along with Opportunity Knocks, a program that supported nonprofits, organizations and schools with short-term immediate assistance. The much-anticipated SkatePark was installed at Cole Park, and is still used by the community today. The 2000s also saw the creation of Kids in the Kitchen, a program with a commitment to teaching children and their parents the importance of healthy eating habits and involving them in the fight against childhood obesity. Cinderella’s Closet, another project started by the JLCC, began providing formal wear to young ladies who could not otherwise afford to attend their prom. Literacy has been a passion of the JLCC from the beginning, and it still is today. To commemorate the 75th anniversary, JLCC members will be building and installing 75 Little Free Libraries around the Coastal Bend, making books more accessible with the long-term goal of instilling a love of reading. Each Little Free Library will be built and installed in spring 2019, and official charter signage and registration are included. The community is encouraged to participate through the purchase or pledge of a library. Partnership details can be found on the JLCC homepage (www.jlcc.org). People are an organization’s most valuable resource. Last year, 118 JLCC volunteers spent 2,643 hours hosting 900 children who had the opportunity to explore 40 working trucks at JLCC’s first annual Touch-A-Truck event, and more than 510 children benefited from the Evans Elementary playground makeover and a new buddy bench installation. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, 92 JLCC members spent over 420 hours in Rockport, Port Aransas and Portland chopping down trees, tearing out sheet rock and removing debris from fences in the areas hit hardest by the storm.

continued



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

JLCC is thrilled to be gearing up for our community impact programming for 2018-19:  Christmas Tree Forest – Literacy: Christmas trees decorated based on children’s picture books  R.O.C.K.E.T.S: Raising Our Children’s Knowledge by Educating Through Science  Wave of Red: Community rebuilding efforts in the post-Hurricane Harvey era 

Helping Hands: “Done in a Day” projects

The real lasting legacy JLCC offers the Coastal Bend is through the training of volunteers. Women learn leadership and develop many skills like the art of negotiating, organizational development and strategic planning. These women spread into the community and share those talents. JLCC members are employed in a variety of careers from education to trade, some owning local businesses. Many serve other nonprofits and our local governments through volunteerism, and serve as board and committee members. To support our community impact programming, we are looking forward to our upcoming fundraisers:  

Pitchin’ Clays – Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018 A Night In Texas – Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018

The Junior League of Corpus Christi Inc. is a member of the Association of Junior League International, an organization of transformational female leaders who set bold goals, open their circles, disrupt convention and change the conversation from the betterment of civil society. Today, there are 140,000 women in 291 Leagues across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. For more information, contact Leticia Wilson, vice president of communications for the Junior League of Corpus Christi, at 937-623-4783 or communicationsvp@jlcc.org.

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

Saratoga Services Sand, Select Fill, & Dirt Products Mike Hurst or Phil Hurst LOCATED AT: 7001 County Rd. 37, Corpus Christi | (361) 851-8500 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 270664, Corpus Christi, TX 78415

5301 Everhart Rd., Ste. C, Corpus Christi 361-855-7777 www.printscharmingroyaltees.com facebook.com/printscharmingroyaltees 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