Images Victoria, TX: 2010

2010 | IMAGESVICTORIA.COM ®

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VICTORIA, TEXAS

Check out the animals in the Texas Zoo

MAKING A SCENE

Time for Tee

Impressive cultural events are center stage

Excellent courses keep golfers on the links

SPONSORED BY THE VICTORIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2010 EDITION | VOLUME 2 ®

VICTORIA, TEXAS

CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S 10 THE GREAT OUTDOORS Victoria’s many parks and lakes invite residents to get out and play.

14 MAKING A SCENE Community boasts impressive line-up of lively cultural and arts events.

18 HOME SHOPPING Plenty of retail choices make it easy to find great deals.

20 SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT Victoria’s colleges and universities stay ahead of the curve.

28 HIGH ON THE HOG Mumphord’s Bar-B-Q Place has been cooking strong for 10 years.

44 PLAY BALL! Public, private ball complexes create hubs of athletic activity.

45 BACH AND BEYOND Annual music festival honors classical composers and more.

47 GOOD THINGS, SMALL PACKAGES New schools showcase smaller learning communities.

24 TIME FOR TEE Public, private golf courses keep locals, visitors, on the links.

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ON THE COVER Photo by J. Kyle Keener The historic Victoria County Courthouse

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VICTORIA , TEX AS MANAGING EDITOR KIM MADLOM COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, JESSY YANCEY STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DANNY BONVISSUTO, JOE MORRIS, AMY STUMPFL DATA MANAGER CHANDRA BRADSHAW REGIONAL SALES MANAGER CHARLES FITZGIBBON INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER BLAKE PETIT SALES SUPPORT MANAGER CINDY HALL SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN McCORD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, J. KYLE KEENER PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT MANAGER ANNE WHITLOW CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS MELISSA BRACEWELL, KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS LEAD DESIGNER JANINE MARYLAND GRAPHIC DESIGN ERICA HINES, JESSICA MANNER, MARCUS SNYDER WEB IMPLEMENTATION DIRECTOR ANDY HARTLEY WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR FRANCO SCARAMUZZA WEB CONTENT MANAGER JOHN HOOD WEB PROJECT MANAGER YAMEL RUIZ WEB DESIGN LEAD LEIGH GUARIN WEB PRODUCTION JENNIFER GRAVES COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN ALISON HUNTER AD TRAFFIC MARCIA MILLAR, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY

VICTORIA BUSINESS

CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER

34 A Powerful Move Power company’s move to beef up local presence bodes well for region.

V.P./SALES HERB HARPER V.P./SALES TODD POTTER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS V.P./CUSTOM PUBLISHING KIM NEWSOM

38 Biz Briefs 40 Chamber Report

MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS BILL McMEEKIN MANAGING EDITOR/TRAVEL SUSAN CHAPPELL PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS

41 Economic Profile

PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS

D E PA R TM E NT S

RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY SIMPSON DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR YANCEY TURTURICE IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE SALES SUPPORT RACHAEL GOLDSBERRY SALES/MARKETING COORDINATOR RACHEL MATHEIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/SALES SUPPORT KRISTY DUNCAN OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP

CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

Images Victoria is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Victoria Chamber of Commerce 3404 N. Ben Wilson • Victoria, TX 77901 Phone: (361) 573-5277 • Fax: (361) 573-5911 www.victoriachamber.org VISIT IMAGES VICTORIA ONLINE AT IMAGESVICTORIA.COM ©Copyright 2009 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

Member

8 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Victoria’s culture

29 Portfolio: people, places and events that define Victoria

42 Health & Wellness 48 Community Profile: facts, stats and important numbers to know

Inside: Victoria Convention and Visitors Bureau Special Section

This magazine is printed entirely or in part on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

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Where past and present are perfect neighbors.

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imagesvictoria.com THE DEFINITIVE RELOCATION RESOURCE

What’s On Online nl

PICTURE PERFECT We’ve added even more of our prize-winning photography to the online gallery. To see these photos, click on Photo Gallery.

RELOCATION Considering a move to this community? We can help. Use our Relocation Tools to discover tips, including how to make your move green, advice about moving pets and help with booking movers.

VIDEOS In our Interactive section, watch quick videos by our editors and photographers featuring people, places and events.

FACTS & STATS Go online to learn even more about: • Schools • Health care • Utilities • Parks • Taxes

LOCAL FLAVOR From the simple to the sublime, the delicious offerings here are guaranteed to satisfy every appetite.

ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE Images gives readers a taste of what makes Victoria tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.”

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– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

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Saturdays in the Park

Courthouse Revival Between February and December in 1892, architect J. Riley Gordon’s Romanesque Revival-style courthouse was constructed in Victoria. Riley didn’t get to celebrate his accomplishment, however, because he was fired as the architect for failing to live up to the contractual requirement that he be present every day of construction.

Even so, the quality of his work still stands today.

The courthouse is still the centerpiece of downtown.

People dancing, people laughing, a man selling ice cream – that’s how the hit Chicago song goes. The third Saturday of the month from March through May and again from October through December is a lot like that in Riverside Park in Victoria.

Market Days features more than 150 vendors selling arts and crafts, jewelry, pottery, metal work and a variety of food.

Children’s activities and live entertainment are also popular attractions.

Held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the special events area of the park, Market Days draws more than 100 Texas artisans each Saturday.

Historic Lunches Frank Napoleon Fossati created a proud legacy in Victoria, along with some classic deli fare.

Fossati’s Delicatessen has been in the soup-andssandwich business for more than a century, and it’s been in the same building in Victoria since 1895. b The menu features chicken salad and apple crisp, as well dishes traced to the family’s Italian heritage. a The oldest deli in Texas and one of the oldest rrestaurants in the country, Fossati’s is listed on tthe National Register of Historic Places.

Turning the Pages Together Victoria Rea Reads, a program sponsored by the Victoria Public Library, invites citiz citizens to share the experience of reading the same book at the same time.

The library also has programs for kids including a book club for tweens and parents, Toddler Time and Story Time. For teens, tw the library has created an advisory board and a competitive game li based o on the “Survivor” television series.

Meanwhile, the library offers arts and crafts opportunities, exhibits, Meanwh genealogy programs and computer instruction. pro

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Almanac

Fast Facts

This Gift Roared With Possibilities In 1957, an area businessman gave Mayor W.R. McCright an African lioness. That’s when the mayor decided his city needed a zoo.

By 1962, the zoo added a monkey island, snake house, large bird area and more. In the first nine days of its opening, the guest book was signed by visitors from 107 cities, 19 states and Germany, demonstrating its value as a tourist attraction.

The zoo opened as The Texas Zoo in 1976. Proclaimed The National Zoo of Texas, the facility is home to 200 animals and draws approximately 60,000 visitors annually.

Victoria At A Glance POPULATION (2008 ESTIMATE) Victoria: 62,246 Victoria County: 86,291 LOCATION Victoria is in southeast Texas, 30 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico. Victoria is 90 miles from Corpus Christi; 110 miles from San Antonio; 120 miles from Houston; and 125 miles from Austin.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Victoria Chamber of Commerce 3404 N. Ben Wilson St. Victoria, TX 77901 Phone: (361) 573-5277 Fax: (361) 573-5911 www.victoriachamber.org

BEGINNINGS Victoria was formally founded by Don Martin De Leon in 1824 and served briefly as the capital of the Republic of the Rio Grande. Victoria is named for General Guadalupe Victoria, the first president of independent Mexico.

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Take a virtual tour of Victoria, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesvictoria.com.

Q Victoria was the site of Aloe Army Air Field until 1945 and Foster Air Force Base until 1958.

Q Victoria’s 562-acre Riverside Park is home to the Texas Zoo, which houses more than 200 species of animals and plants that are indigenous to Texas.

Q Former Major League Baseball players Doug Drabek and Ron Gant are from the Victoria area, as is ex-professional wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Q The city is home to the University of Houston-Victoria and The Victoria College, a community college.

Additionally, more than 60 colleges and universities are located within a 125-mile radius.

To San Antonio t

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Q The Victoria Community Center, at 68,000 square feet, is the largest enclosed convention/ exhibit facility in the Golden Crescent region of southwest Texas.

Q Canoeing and kayaking are popular here, thanks to the new VicotriaRiverside Park Paddling Trail on the Guadalupe River.

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The

Great

Outdoors GET OUT AND STAY OUT AT VICTORIA’S PARKS AND LAKES

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STORY BY DANNY BONVISSUTO

ANTONY BOSHIER

U

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nlike other parts of the country, where outdoor spaces see a significant drop in attendance during the winter months, Victoria’s warm climate keeps parks and lakes alive with activity most of the year.

If you’re looking to wet a hook, Coleto Creek Park and Reservoir, located midway between Victoria and Goliad, is a 3,100-acre freshwater lake stocked with everything from catfish to crappie.

“Unlike most of the manmade lakes in our region, the water at Coleto tends to stay very clear,” says Wilfred Korth, chief ranger of the property. “This is unusual for south Texas, but most of the land around our lake is used for ranching, not agricultural production.

Our shorelines are sandy, which is unusual, too. Most have black soil.”

Don’t have a boat? Don’t worry.

Try the lighted fishing pier.

In the heat of the summer season – there were 50 days over 100 degrees last summer, according to Korth – water recreation is at its peak, including water skiing, jet skiing and swimming in the lake or in the marked-off area near the shore. There are even some who parasail, taking advantage of the lake’s long and narrow shape.

Off the water, there are plenty of Boaters enjoy sunset on Coleto Creek Reservoir.

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PHOTO BY ANTONY BOSHIER

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J. KYLE KEENER

Victoria’s warm climate keeps parks and lakes alive with activity most of the year.

other resources, including a six-mile mountain bike trail, a one-mile hiking trail, a campground with sites for tent and trailer camping, two shelters for company picnics, family reunions and parties, a large picnic area with tables and barbecue grills, playgrounds and sand volleyball courts. Coleto Creek Park is also a great place for bird watching.

“We’re on the path of most of the birds heading towards south Texas and Mexico,” Korth says. “And bald eagles nest around the lake in the wintertime.”

Thirty five miles east of Victoria in Edna, Lake Texana has 125 miles of shoreline up the Navidad River Valley and waters stocked with everything

from Florida bass to bream. And just two miles south of Victoria’s city limits, Saxet Lakes is a 95-acre park with fishing, swimming, barbecue pits and boat ramps.

Need more space? Riverside Park has 562 acres of “everything anyone would want to do outdoors,” says Doug Cochran, director of parks and recreation in Victoria. Bordered by four and a half miles of the Guadalupe River, Riverside Park boasts 200 picnic areas, many event pavilions, a duck pond, a lake for fishing, boating and swimming, nature trails for hiking and biking, and playgrounds. There’s also a paddling trail for canoes and kayaks that runs

along the edge of the park.

How about some golf? There’s a 27-hole course and an 18-hole disc golf course, too.

“Some groups that lease property from us have a horsemen’s club, so you can also catch a rodeo every now and then,” Cochran says. “You can also attend a little league game at our historic baseball stadium, which dates back to the 1950s when it was used for a farm team for the Dodgers.”

For flower fanatics, Riverside Park has the memorial rose garden, which features over 1,000 rose bushes representing over 100 varieties, a water fountain, gazebo and walkways.

Above: Gloria Blackman paddles out for an evening trip on the Guadalupe River in Riverside Park, which is part of the Texas Paddling Trail System. Left: Young cyclists enjoy a ride on the city’s hike and bike trail.

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Making a

Scene COMMUNITY BOASTS IMPRESSIVE LINE-UP OF LIVELY CULTURAL AND ARTS EVENTS

STORY BY AMY STUMPFL

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renowned literary publication, a top-notch musical festival and a vibrant visual arts scene contribute to a thriving cultural climate for residents of Victoria.

American Book Review found a home at the University of Houston-Victoria in 2006, and helped spark a community literary renaissance.

“What’s unique about Victoria is that the community is so much a part of the literary scene, and so supportive,” says Jeffrey R. Di Leo, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and ABR editor and publisher.

The enthusiasm for literature has earned praise, including from R.M. Berry, chair of the English department at Florida State, who participated in the ABR reading series.

“One night I was hosted at a small gathering with about 30 people from the community. They were all patrons of the arts,” he recalls. “The next day I gave a reading for a packed house. It was just amazing to me ... all these people from the community and they all had read my work and wanted to discuss it with me.”

In addition to the innovative fiction of Berry, ABR Reading Series speakers offer expertise in an amazing array of genres including novels (Dagoberto Gilb, Lance Olsen, Ana Castillo), short fiction (Antonya Nelson, Justin Cronin,

Tom Williams), memoir (Farnoosh Moshiri), literary criticism and theory (Marjorie Perloff , Raymond Federman), biography (Kim Herzinger), poetry (Mark Doty, Angela Ball, Chitra Divakaruni), historical non-fiction (David Oshinski) humor (Michael Martone, George Singleton), translation (John O’Brien) and Cultural Studies (Ruben Martinez, Andrei Codrescu).

Authors and educators who visit Victoria like what they

What’s Online e Learn more about the Victoria Art League from member and art teacher Ellie Poirrier in our quick online video at imagesvictoria.com.

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The American Book Review is published in Victoria. The Victoria Art League nurtures creativity in all age groups.

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PHOTOS BY ANTONY BOSHIER

see. Four ABR speakers have joined the faculty at UH-V, and Di Leo says that number could go higher.

“I would say 80 percent of those who visit want a job here,” he says. “At first blush, people think they are two hours from the epicenters of cultural life available in Houston and Austin. When they get here they discover a literary appreciation, the ballet, the symphony, the Bach Festival, etc.

They feel the artistic energy and they want to be a part of it.”

The Victoria Art League plays a key role in the local arts scene, fostering artistic development and promoting interest throughout the area. “We offer programs and classes for all levels, along with invitational art shows twice a year,” says Neldene Matusevich, who founded the volunteer organization in 1966. “People here have always been supportive of the arts and generous with their time and talent.”

That generosity carries over to the performing arts – from music and dance to live theater. Theatre Victoria has been entertaining enthusiastic audiences since 1977. Likewise, the Victoria Symphony Orchestra recently celebrated its 36th season. Along with its popular Masters Series, the symphony teams up with Victoria Ballet Theatre to present a variety of family-friendly events. And each June, the Victoria Bach Festival celebrates the music of classical composers.

“Victoria has been gifted with a surplus of imagination since its earliest days,” says Nina Di Leo, managing director for Victoria Bach Festival, and the spouse of Jeffrey Di Leo. “Victorians’ love of creativity contributes to the city’s business success and can be seen most clearly in its great arts groups. A tremendous talent from nonprofessional artists feeds the professional groups and makes Victoria a fun and vibrant place to live.”

The strength of the current arts organizations evolved from years of investment in the arts. From the earliest years of the Hauschild Opera House, the Frels movie theaters, the Nave Museum and the Fine Arts Association, to the recently opened the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, Victorians have invested in nurturing artists and offering arts experiences for all.

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Home

Shopping SHOPPERS GET THEIR MONEY’S WORTH IN VICTORIA

STORY BY DANNY BONVISSUTO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTONY BOSHIER

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he days of having to make shopping pilgrimages to Dallas or Houston are over. Victoria is now the shopping hub for the surrounding seven-county region and business is booming.

From diamonds to denim, Victoria Mall, a major shopping destination in Victoria, has something for every size and style. Anchored by JC Penney, Dillard’s, Best Buy, Bealls and Sears, it also has a movie theater, food court and specialty shops including Gap, Gap Kids, Old Navy, American Eagle, Waldenbooks, Tuesday Morning, Bath & Body Works, Champs and Shoe Dept.

Victoria also has a small but mighty sector of locally owned stores. Torin Bales Fine Jewelry has been in business in Victoria for 16 years. Owner Torin Bales recently moved his store to a new, 7,000-square-foot location on “the Loop” and saw sales jump by 22 percent in 2009. That’s a pretty good uptick anytime, but it’s particularly remarkable on the back end of a national recession.

“Texas has been somewhat sheltered from the recession, and smaller towns like Victoria have been sheltered even more,” Bales says. “The other retailers that I talk to around town all are experiencing positive sales.”

Other reasons for the strong retail sales include interesting,

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locally owned stores and superior customer service.

“We have a lot of unique specialty stores here in Victoria, and the neat thing about shopping here is that you get much more personal service than you might get in a big city. The level of service is just a lot better here, according to my experience,” Bales says. “Plus, once the city reached a certain population, we started getting the national-name stores and restaurants, which helps keep people here. When our town offers the same stores as Houston, for example, people from the small, outlying towns are more likely to come to Victoria; they prefer shopping in a smaller city, and there’s no traffic to deal with and no crime to fear,” he adds.

Besides the Victoria Mall and big-box retailers such as Home Depot, Academy Sports & Outdoors and Target, some of the best-known shopping destinations in town are Torin Bales Fine Jewelry, Hall Electric and Melvin’s Menswear, where incidentally, the owners know what size Bales wears and what styles he likes.

“People come through town from Houston, Austin, Corpus Christi and San Antonio, traveling on business and the like. They see our store and stop to shop here,” Bales says. “In that regard, Victoria is a shopping hub for this whole area.”

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Schools of Thought VICTORIA’S COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE

STORY BY DANNY BONVISSUTO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTONY BOSHIER

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igher education is a high priority in south Texas: In addition to University of Houston-Victoria and The Victoria College, there are more than 60 colleges and universities within a 125-mile radius of Victoria. Not only does this create a thriving college vibe, it also creates an identity of learning with a keen focus on the future.

Though UHV and The Victoria College are adjacent to one another, and share some facilities, including a library, they are both doing different but equally important work in the area.

In August 2009, Governor Rick Perry signed a bill that authorized UHV to VIC TO RIA

expand from an upper level institution – accepting juniors, seniors and graduate students only – to include freshmen and sophomores.

UHV was originally created as an upper division institution as part of a “fad or trend in the 70s,” says Tim Hudson, president of the university.

“The idea was that community college students would have the opportunity to transfer. Across the U.S., the model was abandoned in the late 80s, to the extent that there were only four left; of these four, two were in Texas and we were one.”

Through a tremendous amount of community support, the legislation was

changed and new doors have opened.

“Becoming a four-year institution allows us to recruit students from far and wide,” says Hudson says. “We’re very attractive in that Victoria offers a high quality of life, reasonable cost of living and is only two hours away from major metropolitan areas. A lot of students want to be far enough from home to create an independent life, but not too far in case they need to return for an event … or to get their clothes washed.”

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population over the last five years.

“Downward expansion resets the horizon for what we can be for our students and community.”

Hudson says. “It allows us to create a destination university in Victoria.”

Exciting changes also abound right next door at The Victoria College, an open access institution serving Victoria and 8 surrounding counties since 1925. With a focus on workforce development and training for the local industries, their new Health Science Center – an addition to their existing science building on the main campus

which opened in January 2009 – is keeping them on the cutting edge of technology.

“This is a state-of-the-art allied health facility,” says Jennifer Yancey, vice president of college advancement and external affairs. “We have sophisticated simulation rooms that are like walking into a hospital room.

The walls are lined with hospital beds with mannequins in them controlled by instructors watching through one-way glass in an adjacent room.”

The college currently graduates about 150 one-year certificate

applicants per year in vocational nursing and about 60 associate nurses who then become registered nurses.

They are also planning a physical therapy assistant program, which will begin in 2010, then launching an occupational therapy technician program soon after.

“The expansion of the science facility, funds from taxpayers and donations have allowed us to install modern, high-tech equipment,” Yancey says. “Our students are learning on equipment they will use in the work force.”

Above: The Health Sciences Center on the campus of The Victoria College opened in 2009. Right: The University Center on the campus of the University of Houston-Victoria.

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Time for

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Tee PUBLIC, PRIVATE GOLF COURSES KEEP LOCALS, VISITORS, ON THE LINKS

STORY BY JOE MORRIS

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ith regional tournaments and a growing number of players making it a destination, Victoria’s well-deserved reputation as a golfer’s paradise is on the upswing.

The city boasts three high-quality courses: Riverside Golf Course, a public facility with 27 holes; Colony Creek Country Club, a semi-private facility with 18 holes; and the private Victoria Country Club, whose 18-hole course plays host to PGA and other tournament events every year.

The park-style, wooded course at Riverside also sees its share of tournament action, hosting the Wildgame Tournament every March as well as the Labor Day Invitational. As a city-owned facility, it offers varying levels of difficulty and stays busy pretty much year-round, says Kevin Stewart, park services manager.

“I can tell you that it gets used constantly because we have a hole up by our office and there are constantly people outside our window putting up to that green or teeing off,” Stewart says. “We get people on the course from all over, many of whom stay at the nearby RV park. A lot of people who are traveling through to their winter homes stop as well, so it really is popular year-round.”

Colony Creek’s tees aren’t idle very often, either. The course was built in 1985 and designed by Dick Watson, and winds through the Colony Creek subdivision. It can be played on days that the club is open to its members,

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and the facility also offers a clubhouse, restaurant and other amenities.

Then there’s the Victoria Country Club, which in addition to hosting its own events also rolls out the red carpet for the PGA-affiliated Texas State University Junior Boys, the Texas State University Women’s Intercollegiate and the Adams Golf Pro Tour events, as well as well-known amateur competitions such as the Memorial Day Match Play Invitational and Tax Time Invitational.

The course began as a nine-hole layout in 1924, and its current configuration was designed by Joe Finger. It offers back tees from 6,900 feet down to 6,300 feet, and has two sets of women’s tees as well, says Joe Mitchell Jr., assistant golf pro.

The club improved its greens in 2006 and

there are plans in the works to add a lake on No. 11 that will run between the holes on either side, as well as adding some tees to make the tour events that come through run more smoothly.

“We’re working to lengthen the course to over 7,000 feet to make it more challenging,” Mitchell says.

Taken together or separately, the courses in Victoria offer a major boost to the local economy, and the word’s definitely gotten out.

“Our course is a good place for events, and the colleges really like to come here,” Mitchell says. “And when people are here they sometimes play at the other courses in town, so everybody gets some business. We’ve really got a lot of variety here for golfers, so it’s a pretty good place to visit.”

Golfing Victoria Riverside Golf Course 302 Mccright Drive (361) 578-7762 Colony Creek Country Club 301 Colony Creek (361) 576-0020 www.colonycreek.net Victoria Country Club 14 Spring Creek Road (361) 575-6161 www.victoriacc.com

PHOTOS BY ANTONY BOSHIER

Riverside, left, and Victoria Country Club, right, are two of the nicest courses in south Texas.

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Local Flavor

High on the Hog MUMPHORD’S BAR-B-Q PLACE MAINTAINS A SLOW-SMOKED TRADITION

Y

ou won’t ever see Ricky and Keith Mumphord cooking barbecue meats in a rotisserie.

The two brothers who own Mumphord’s Bar-B-Q Place on E. Juan Linn are up early every morning to slow-cook meats on outside pits that are heated with wood and charcoal.

“We cook barbecue the old fashioned way, with shovels and coal,” Ricky Mumphord says. “Everyone else I know cooks barbecue in rotisseries, which means that gas actually cooks the meat. You can’t get the smoky flavor we offer by cooking with a machine.

We cook brisket with smoke at specific temperatures, thereby allowing our

customers to taste the real deal.”

Ricky says when the restaurant first opened in February 2000, he would be up at 3 a.m. preparing the meat. Now that he has become an expert at what he does, he starts the cooking process each day at the more reasonable hour of 7 a.m.

“My family has been having yearly reunions every June 19 for the past 105 years, and there has always been plenty of barbecue served at every gathering,” Mumphord says. “My uncle’s father taught Keith and I how to barbecue at one of the reunions, and then we wanted to open our own restaurant ever since we were high school kids.

Now in February 2010, we celebrate

10 years in the business.”

The Mumphord brothers serve kindness with their food. When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005 and New Orleans residents were transported to the area, the Mumphords provided free barbecue meals twice a week for more than two months to 150 destitute people who were living at a local hotel.

“Those people were really at a lost point in their lives, so Keith and I provided them with a couple of meals each week,” Ricky says. “Those people loved our brisket, chicken, pork roasts, potato salad and baked beans, and we loved preparing it for them.”

– Kevin Litwin

Ricky Mumphord and his brother, Keith, draw big crowds to their barbecue restaurant.

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PHOTOS BY ANTONY BOSHIER

VIC TO RIA

J. KYLE KEENER

Welcome to

South Texas Visit Victoria and be prepared to discover that much more converges here than the three highways most commonly credited for our status as the South Texas Crossroads.

Music, dance and theater come alive on our stages, thanks to a host of talented, dedicated performing artists in Victoria Ballet Theatre, the Victoria Symphony and Theatre Victoria.

Our rich heritage, which traces back to the first settlement in Texas, is beautifully showcased at places such as the Museum of the Coastal Bend, Historic Hiller House and the Royston Nave Museum, and at historic sites such as Memorial Square. History and architecture buffs will also

delight in the carefully preserved homes that line the streets of Old Victoria.

A calendar full of cultural and arts celebrations, including events like the Bach Festival, Jazz Fest, Noche en Old Victoria and the Victoria Czech Heritage Festival, awaits you.

And our family-focused attractions, such as The Texas Zoo and the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Golden Crescent, have the power to inspire a child’s sense of wonder no matter your age.

This is truly a place where past and present are perfect neighbors – friendly neighbors welcoming you to stay and explore.

Clockwise from Left: Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts; Victoria Symphony performance of Smetana’s String Quartet No. 1; Victoria Symphony’s Downtown Rhythms

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Where Past and Present Are Perfect Neighbors

Arts & Culture Music, dance and theatre come alive on stage

Victoria Symphony Discover the magic of classical music through a performance of the Victoria Symphony, a 36-year-old organization that has grown to include approximately 65 musicians from Victoria and surrounding cities and regularly features guest artists from around the world. Its season runs from September through April with inspirational programs that include a four-concert Family Series and a five-concert Master Series. These memorable performances are held in the Victoria College Auditorium, as well as at other venues throughout town. Downtown Rhythms is one of the symphony’s most popular events. Billed as an evening of food, families and fun, it includes a free concert, performances by school ensembles and activities for children.

Theatre Victoria Watch as new life is brought to old tales while age and wisdom are infused into new ones during performances at Theatre Victoria, the resident company of the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts. Last year, more than 39,000 people attended its productions and events. The 2010 season features productions such as Side by Side by Sondheim and Neil Simon’s comedy, The Dinner Party.

Victoria Ballet Theatre Spectacular sets and costumes set the tone for the delightful dance interpretations of Victoria Ballet Theatre.

The annual production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker is a highlight, and the organization promises an entire Storybook Season for 2009-10 with local performances at Victoria College and the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts. Spring Gala in March will showcase The Sleeping Beauty Act III, Aurora’s Wedding, and the children’s ballet, The Button, which is based on the Frog and Toad books.

Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts Operated by Theatre Victoria, the resident company, the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts represents Victoria’s commitment to the arts. The Welder Center is named for a local rancher, businessman and philanthropist. The 476-seat theater hosts theatrical and musical performances.

Tickets and Info: Victoria Symphony 2112 N. Navarro (361) 576-4500 www.victoriasymphony.com

Victoria Ballet Theatre 2508 Mockingbird (361) 575-2313 www.victoriaballet.org

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Theatre Victoria 214 N. Main St. (361) 570-TKTS www.theatrevictoria.org

Visual Inspiration Museums, galleries showcase works of art Getting There Bridge Street Gallery/ Victoria Art League 905 S. Bridge (361) 572-0825 www.victoriaartleague.org McNamara-O’Connor Historical and Fine Arts Museum 502 N. Liberty (361) 575-8227 www.victoriaregionalmuseum.com Royston Nave Museum 306 W. Commercial (361) 575-8227 www.victoriaregionalmuseum.com Museum of the Coastal Bend Corner of East Red River and Ben Jordan (361) 582-2511 www.museumofthecoastalbend.org

Art League Bridge Street Gallery See the creative yield of local visual artists at the Bridge Street Gallery, home of the Victoria Art League.

Founded in 1966, the league supports art education, creativity, art appreciation and exhibition of visual arts. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

McNamara-O’Connor Historical and Fine Arts Museum Investigate the social, economic and cultural lifestyle of middle class South Texans at the turn of the century at the McNamara-O’Connor Historical and Fine Arts Museum. Built in 1876 as the residence of Victoria businessman William J. McNamara, the house is open year round from 1 to 5 p.m.

Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Royston Nave Museum View the permanent collection of Royston Nave paintings as well as rotating exhibits of visual arts at the Royston Nave Museum. The museum is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Museum of the Coastal Bend Explore the region’s heritage at the Museum of the Coastal Bend.

Permanent exhibits detail the Coastal Bend’s rich history, showcasing regionally relevant collections focused on colonialism, the maritime industry, the local ranching industry and more. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Admission is $3.50 for adults; $2 for children; and $2.50 for seniors.

J. KYLE KEENER

Above: Royston Nave Museum Right: Exhibit at Museum of the Coastal Bend; The Victoria Art League Center JEFF ADKINS

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Where Past and Present Are Perfect Neighbors

Rich in History and Charm Home of the original Six Flags Over Texas, museums and beautiful architecture Seeking a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped Texas? Make Victoria your first stop. As the only county where all six flags over Texas have flown and as the state’s second oldest incorporated city, we are a logical starting point for exploring the region’s history. Founded in 1824 by Don Martin DeLeon and named for the first president of Mexico, Victoria offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy impressive historic architecture including our beautiful 1892 Romanesque Revival-style courthouse; St. Mary’s Catholic Church, circa 1898, one of the most beautiful neo-Gothic structures in Texas; the 1895 O’Connor-Proctor Building and many more historic structures.

J. KYLE KEENER

Victoria Historic Homes Tour Put on your walking shoes. Thanks to the 30 years of work by Victoria Preservation Inc., more than 100 historically significant structures await your examination and appreciation. By the end of the Civil War, Victoria’s splendid architecture made it one of the most beautiful cities in the state, and visitors can still see some of the best examples of that golden era today. The Victoria Historic Homes Tour endures as one of the city’s most popular attractions in April of each year. Self-guided and guided walking and driving tours also are available yearround. Printed guides are available at Victoria Preservation Inc., or the Victoria Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Hiller House Just north of the original town site of Victoria near Evergreen Cemetery, you can peer into the windows of life as an early settler at the historic Hiller House, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

German immigrants Friedrich and Margaretha Beck Hiller built the house after arriving in Texas in 1852 and making the challenging journey from the old port of Indianola to put down roots here. A living history re-enactment, held the second Sunday in October, portrays the family’s story and educates people about the area’s German culture. The home, located at 3003 N. Vine St., is the headquarters of Keep Victoria Beautiful. w w w.visitvictoriatexas.com

Festivals & Events Top: Jazz Fest. Above: Kolaches are Czech Fest treats.

The Victoria Bach Festival is a premier musical event.

Jazz Fest Enjoy all that jazz each October during the Jazz Fest, a celebration presented by the Victoria Fine Arts Association. Music fills local venues; school jazz bands compete; and a concert draws big-name regional performers. For more information, see www.victoriajazzitup.com.

Noche en Old Victoria Energy fills the air each May during Noche en Old Victoria, a celebration of Hispanic culture that features live music, traditional dance performances, a car show,

a kiddie carnival, scores of vendors and contests including best-dressed chihuahua and a jalapeno-eating face-off. See www.victoriachamber.org for more information.

Victoria Bach Festival An entire week of innovative and engaging musical experiences unfold during the Victoria Bach Festival, held each June. Named a Texas Treasure

by National Public Radio, the festival is a mix of intimate concerts by outstanding soloists and chamber groups; blockbuster oratorio and symphonic performances; and fun, informal family and outdoor concerts. w w w.visitvictoriatexas.com

For more information, see www.victoriabachfestival.org.

Czech Heritage Festival Enjoy the sounds, sights and tastes each September during the Czech Heritage Festival. It begins with a Czech-English Mass celebrated at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral.

Then, attendees may enjoy traditional Czech music, foods, childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s games, cultural demonstrations, exhibits, the popular Homemade Beer and Wine Show, and much more. Admission is $6 and is free for those younger than 15. Learn more at www.victoriaczechs.org.

Where Past and Present Are Perfect Neighbors

Just Kidding Around

Children’s Discovery Museum of the Golden Crescent A day at the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Golden Crescent packs in so much adventure that your kids won’t even realize it’s educational, too. Even those who are just kids at heart are likely to learn something at this interactive museum, which is located at 204 N. Main St. in downtown Victoria. Permanent exhibits include Triple B Ranch, El Mercado, Enchanted Theatre, Art Palooza, and Discovery Clinic.

The museum welcomes individual visitors and school groups throughout the region and is open Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m. The museum extends its hours during the summer, winter and spring school breaks. Admission is $3 per person, with children younger than age 2 and museum members admitted free. For more information, see www.cdmgoldencrescent.com.

The Texas Zoo Located in Riverside Park, The Texas Zoo is a wildly popular attraction for families and a great place to learn about the state’s biodiversity. The Texas House and Senate passed a resolution in 1984 that made the zoo the National Zoo of Texas. Visitors can see more than 150 animals native to the state including the alligators of the Texas marshes and the sleepyeyed pelicans of the windy coast. The animals live in natural settings situated across 6 acres and within the Texas Animal Kingdom building.

Expect to see 23 species of mammals, including two rare species of cats, margays and jaguarundis. And when it comes to the greatest diversity of bird species in the U.S., Texas rules the roost with 540. So, it’s no surprise the zoo has 23 species of them to welcome you. The Texas Zoo is located at 110 Memorial Drive and is open every day 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the winter. The cost of admission is $6, with children age 12 and younger admitted for $4, toddlers age 2 and younger admitted free. Seniors receive a discounted admission of $3.50. See www.texaszoo.org for more information.

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Discover Victoria 2010 Schedule of Events Thru January 24 Texas Mid Century Modernists From the collection of Carl R. McQueary Nave Museum Thru January 30 Wings Over Victoria WWII in photography and memories Museum of the Coastal Bend

March 26 – May 9 Brad Braune, artist Nave Museum

October Texas Kickin’ Bullride Victoria Community Center

March 27 Polo Match Fundraiser To benefit Victoria Regional Museum Association McFaddin Ranch

October Jazz Fest

January 12-30 A Photographic Journal of Foster Field Bob Roberts, artist Museum of the Coastal Bend

April 10-11 Victoria Preservation’s Historic Homes Tour

January 15 Harlem Gospel Choir Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts

April 24 Victoria Symphony Master Series 5 The Victoria College Auditorium

January 30 Victoria Symphony Master Series 3 Featuring Texas Sweetheart Kelly Willis Victoria College Auditorium February 5 – March 14 A World of Glass Susan Plum, artist Nave Museum February 11 Murder Mystery Theatre Featuring an excerpt from Gary Hall’s book, Murder and Malice Museum of the Coastal Bend February 13 Black History Festival Victoria Community Center

April 22 Victoria Symphony’s Downtown Rhythms

April 30 – May 2 & 6-8 The Dinner Party Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts May Noche en Old Victoria Riverside Park May 21 – July 3 Traffic Report Photography by Maurice Roberts Nave Museum June 7-12 Victoria Bach Festival Various locations July 16 – August 29 John Palmer and Chris Silkwood Nave Museum

February 13-15 & 19-21 Side by Side by Sondheim Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts

July 23-25 & 29-31 Summer Performance – TBA Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts

February 27 Victoria Symphony Master Series 4 The Victoria College Auditorium

September 3 – October 10 Bronze Rave at the Nave Kerry Cannon, artist Nave Museum

March 4 – January 31 Where Texas History Began Museum of the Coastal Bend March 6 Victoria Ballet Theatre’s Spring Gala Aurora’s Wedding Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts March 25 & 26 Always Patsy Cline Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts

September 18 Victoria Symphony Master Series 1 The Victoria College Auditorium September 24-26 & 30-October 2 Fall Play (TBA) Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts September 26 Czech Heritage Festival The Victoria Community Center

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October 7 Victoria Symphony Party in the Park October 14 Victoria Symphony Symphonic Spooktakular The Victoria College Auditorium October 16 Victoria Symphony Master Series Concert 2 The Victoria College Auditorium October 16-17 Victoria Garden Tours October 22 – November 28 A Celebration Dia de los Muertos 2010 Nave Museum October 29-30 Victoria Preservation’s Annual Cemetery Tour November 12-14 & 18-20 Winter Play (TBA) Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts December 2 Victoria Bach Festival’s Conspirare Christmas at the Carillon Concert December 10 – January 16 All That I Can’t Leave Behind Lea Barton, artist Nave Museum December The Nutcracker Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts This special section is published for Victoria Convention and Visitor’s Bureau by Journal Communications Inc.

CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

For more information, contact: Victoria Convention and Visitor’s Bureau 3404 North Ben Wilson • Victoria, TX 77901 Phone: (361)582-4285, www.visitvictoriatexas.com ©Copyright 2009 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080.

All rights reserved. No portion of this special advertising section may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

Portfolio

Paved With Good Intentions VICTORIA REGIONAL AIRPORT EXPANDS TO MEET GROWING REGIONAL DEMAND

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flight planning room, lounge, pilot supplies and even a snooze room.

Victoria Regional Airport began its history in 1941 as Victoria Field and then in 1942 became Foster Air Force

Base, an advanced flying school for World War II fighter pilots. The base ultimately closed and in 1976 the property was renamed Victoria Regional Airport.

TODD BENNETT

ictoria Regional Airport serves the skies throughout southeast Texas, but the long-standing airfield made recent news on the ground.

In September 2009, the Victoria County Commissioners Court voted to improve the concrete apron outside 16 hangar units.

“We did improvements to the pavement, the ramp area and taxiways in 2009, and this was an extension of that,” says Faye Turner, interim airport manager.

Brannan Paving Company of Victoria was awarded the concreteapron contract of $295,871, which was funded through a Federal Aviation Administration grant program. Up until the repaving, private airplane owners had to endure a very bumpy ride between the runway and the airport’s storage hangars.

The repaving project came at a good time because the airport has been getting busier in recent years. It now has four runways and one helipad, and Continental Airlines offers connection flights to and from Victoria Regional four times from Sunday to Friday as well as twice on Saturday.

Also on the airport grounds is Sky Restaurant, which offers steaks, chicken and pasta dishes. However, the restaurant has become almost legendary for its seafood offerings of jumbo gulf shrimp, fresh oysters, sea scallops, king crab legs, stone crab claws, crawfish, red snapper, tilapia, catfish, flounder and yellowfin tuna.

Victoria Regional Airport is centrally located between the cities of Houston, San Antonio and Corpus Christi, and it offers free parking and on-site rental car service from Avis and Enterprise. It also has a small terminal that caters to private pilots, with amenities such as a conference room,

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Portfolio

Mix Business With Pleasure T

he next time you host a large business function, perhaps you should consider booking the Victoria Community Center. And by the way, if you are planning a wedding or anniversary celebration, think about reserving the center as well.

The VCC is the largest enclosed convention/exhibit facility in the Golden Crescent region of southeast Texas. The spacious complex on East North Street measures 68,000 square feet and can be used for everything from small luncheons to company meetings to trade shows that require large amounts of display space.

Victoria is an ideal spot for such a center because the city is the largest in the central coastal region, and it serves as the commercial center for several surrounding counties that are part of the Victoria Metropolitan Statistical Area. As a result, the center can be a popular gathering place for individuals and groups who actually live within

a one-hour radius of Victoria.

But if you plan to book the Victoria Community Center, be sure to call ahead for reservations well in advance.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because the public can book specific reservation dates up to 12 months in advance. As for open dates on the calendar, the VCC business office will consider those reservations on a first-come, first-served basis.

Several individual sections of the Victoria Community Center can be booked for specific events, and rental rates vary depending on what portion of the building will be used. For example, a large conference room can be reserved for $80 a day, while the entire outdoor grounds of the building can be secured for $450 a day.

The most impressive portion of the VCC to rent is the dome, which can be used to accommodate large wedding receptions or corporate gatherings. The dome is priced at $750 a day, while an adjoining annex goes for $550 daily.

Careers Are Just More Fun Here!

Apply Today!

1309 E. Red River Victoria, TX 77901 www.startek.com/careers

ANTONY BOSHIER

(361) 570-9300

Victoria Community Center is a multifaceted events facility.

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I M AG E S V I C T O R I A . C O M

VIC TO RIA

Right Distance to Everywhere

I

t could very well be location, location, imagination for any company thinking about moving its business to Victoria.

The city boasts an ideal geographical location, only 30 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico and within a two-hour drive of the large metropolitan cities of Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are the right distance to everywhere,â&#x20AC;? says Randy Vivian, president and CEO of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

That right distance makes Victoria attractive to any companies looking to relocate, especially those interested in doing business from southeast Texas.

First of all, Victoria is known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;The South Texas Crossroadsâ&#x20AC;? due to its convenient location at the intersection of U.S. highways 59, 77 and 87.

This prime locale for trucking firms and other distribution companies combines with well-developed rail and port infrastructure, plus Victoria Regional Airport also makes the community ideal for industries that rely on efficient transportation avenues.

Victoria is also home to a strategically located industrial complex called Lone Tree Business Park. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The coast is right here, and access to major metropolitan areas is right here,â&#x20AC;? Vivian says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Industry is beginning to recognize that Victoria is in a really unique location.â&#x20AC;?

The city is already a regional hub for a seven-county area, and it serves as a retail trade center for more than 220,000 people. It is home a variety of big-name national stores and popular restaurants.

Victoria is also a hub for health care, with two excellent hospitals within the city limits. In addition, the city provides access to higher education.

And last but certainly not least, relocating businesses might also be attracted to quality of life options in Victoria that can include abundant recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing and hunting.

VIC TO RIA

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Rockport Beach

Day-Tripping Along the Coast F

eel like taking a beautiful drive, and not too far from Victoria?

A number of attractive southeast Texas communities are located within a short drive of Victoria, with many of the cities scenically situated along the Gulf of Mexico. For example, within 40 miles of Victoria is Rockport, which proudly proclaims itself as having Texas’ only Blue Wave Beach.

A Blue Wave Beach is officially labeled as one that is exceptionally clean and managed responsibly, and has a focus on the protection of human health and the environment. Amenities at Rockport Beach include a water ski loop, free boat launch, fishing piers, windsurfing launch area and a spacious children’s playground.

Meanwhile, also close to Victoria is Port Lavaca, home to the largest and deepest bay that Texas has to offer.

It offers activities such as blue water offshore fishing as well as drift fishing and kayak fishing in the back bays and estuaries.

VIC TO RIA

The city of Palacios is home to a beautiful bay and other water-related recreation options. The city markets itself as an ideal place to visit whether you enjoy fishing, sailing, boating or just relaxing at the beach.

In Port O’Connor, the municipality that celebrated its 100th birthday in 2009 is especially known for sport fishing. Several charter boats are available for anglers who crave a day of intense fishing on the Gulf of Mexico.

A place that calls itself “saltwater heaven” is Aransas Pass, where a wide variety of fish always seem to be biting.

And fishing is especially enjoyable because the bay areas seem to always have refreshing cool breezes.

And in the city of Freeport, its beach that spans 3.5 miles is known as one of the best places in Texas for sunbathing. The city also prides itself in providing a clean, litter-free beach that both residents and visitors can appreciate.

– Stories by Kevin Litwin

www.victoriapubliclibrary.org

STAFF PHOTO

Portfolio

VICTORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY

302 N. Main (361) 485-3302

“Serving with Excellence!”

I M AG E S V I C T O R I A . C O M

33

A

Powerful

Move

POWER PLANT EXPANSION WILL BOOST LOCAL ECONOMY THROUGH CONSTRUCTION, NEW JOBS

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Business

STORY BY JOE MORRIS

T

hey do things big in Texas, and the Coleto Creek Power Stationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s planned expansion is no exception.

Following final state approval, International Power will build Coleto Creek 2, a 650-megawatt electric generating unit at the facility. The $1.5 billion unit will provide electricity for south Texas, producing enough power every hour for an estimated 500,000 homes, according to International Power. It will join the complexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing unit, a 632-megawatt producer.

The coal-fueled plant will utilize environmentally advanced pollution-control technology to reduce emissions, making it more eco-friendly than many of its conventional coal-using brethren. Its environmental impact also will be strictly regulated, as the state has set emissions for key pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, mercury and other matter at extremely low levels. The plant also will be built to be carbon-capture ready, so that eventually it can be retrofitted with equipment that will further reduce carbon-dioxide emissions.

If all goes according to plan, the new unit will come online by late 2014 or early 2015, but even now its economic impact is being felt throughout the region as International Power prepares to hire construction workers, and begins to look at staffing needs down the road when

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I M AG E S V I C T O R I A . C O M

35

ANTONY BOSHIER

Business

Robert L. Stevens is plant manager for International Power’s Coleto Creek facility.

the unit is up and running.

“We’re still in the permitting process, but we should have all that done by spring 2010,” says Mike Fields, director of business development for International Power. “We’ll be selecting a contractor for the work by the beginning of 2010, and hopefully be under construction by later in the year.”

Projects like this have immediate and long-term impact due to their sheer size. The five-year construction period will see more than 1,000 craft workers employed at the site, which represents one of the largest and most ambitious ever for International Power. And once the facility is up and running, it will need about 72 direct and indirect workers just for the new unit, a number that could increase as both units are updated and reconfigured with new technology, Fields says.

“We’ll be working closely with our partner in the project, South Texas Electric Cooperative, VIC TO RIA

which is headquartered nearby in Nursery,” Fields says. “They’ll be helping us with our staffing needs as the project moves along.”

The STEC supplies wholesale power to eight member cooperatives, providing electricity to more than 170,000 households in 65 counties throughout south Texas. International Power provides more than 33,000 megawatts of electric and thermal energy in 20 countries around the world. While they are very diverse entities, the partnership with International Power has been beneficial to both it and the cooperative, Fields says, as it has allowed for a strong local presence to establish good working relations as this major project has moved forward.

“We’ve had wonderful support from the local communities, and we think that will continue once people can really see something start to happen with construction,” Fields says.

“Everyone is really getting enthused about the project.”

What’s s e Online Learn more about the business climate in this region of southern Texas in our quick online video at imagesvictoria.com.

I M AG E S V I C T O R I A . C O M

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Business

Biz Briefs BUSINESSES – BOTH LARGE AND SMALL – THAT HELP DEFINE VICTORIA’S ECONOMIC CLIMATE

Scorecard BUSINESS AT A GLANCE

$942,915 Retail Sales

$15,404 Retail Sales Per Capita

$87,247 Hotel/Food

5,063 Total Firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

JUNG TILE Biz: tile, flooring, countertops Buzz: Anthony Jung founded Jung Tile more than 25 years ago with the goal of offering the Crossroads area a broad selection of the finest ceramic and porcelain tile available. The company also offers hardwood flooring, laminate, carpet, Cambria quartz countertops, granite and other natural stone solid surfaces. www.jungtile.com 38

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VICTORIA BLUE PRINT CO. Biz: blue prints Buzz: Since 1949, Victoria Blue Print Co. has been meeting the printing and repro-graphics needs of a broad range of clients throughout the Victoria area. By expanding services to meet clients’ changing needs and taking advantage of developing technology, Victoria Blue Print serves businesses in the fields of engineering, architecture, manufacturing, construction and more. www.victoriablueprint.com VIC TO RIA

CHESNICK FURNITURE Biz: custom built furniture Buzz: Chesnick has been producing quality architectural millwork since 1987. From product design to detail shop drawings, the firm is familiar with all varieties of unique millwork projects. Chesnickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work for commercial offices produces fine furnishings. www.chesnick.com

VIC TO RIA

TEXAS GLASS & TINTING Biz: commercial and residential glass Buzz: Texas Glass & Tinting offers glass replacement for commercial and residential customers, serving needs ranging from a $2 window pane to a million dollar glazing subcontract.

Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a new shower door, bathroom mirror or car windshield, Texas Glass and Tinting can help. www.texas-glass.com

WOODHOUSE DAY SPA Biz: spa Buzz: The Woodhouse Day Spa welcomes guests to a peaceful environment. Guests are invited to relax in a quiet room and choose from a menu of more than 70 treatments including facials, hydrotherapy massages, hand treatments, foot treatments and waxing services. www.woodhousespas.com

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Business | Chamber Report

Victoria Chamber of Commerce staff

Focused on Growth V

ictoria has much to recommend it, and the business community is intent on spreading the word.

With more than 850 members, the Victoria Chamber of Commerce is spearheading that ongoing effort.

The organization sponsors a steady stream of networking events and educational seminars that connect members of the business community to each other and also allow business owners the opportunity to act as ambassadors for the city itself.

“More than anything else we try to make sure the business community knows what’s going on because that’s the only way that you have a city that’s working towards successful economic development,” says Randy Vivian, president and chief executive officer.

The chamber also raises funds to provide about $26,000 in scholarships to be awarded to regional colleges and universities, something that’s important to the area’s future.

“We want to help our area students, and we want them to be able to go to school near home,” Vivian says. “We were very involved in the expansion of the University of Houston – Victoria from a two-year to a four-year institution.

We went to Austin to testify before the 40

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legislature on the bills that would allow this to happen, and we really kept that legislation in the forefront as much as we could. Now we have a four-year school here, which is wonderful for the community in many different ways.”

Building on that success will mean involvement in other major initiatives to further grow Victoria. But a busy organization is a successful one, so you’ll hear no complaints from Vivian and his staff.

“An engaged community is one that’s moving forward, and the same goes for our chamber,” he says. ‘We work with the members so they understand the issues that are facing us when it comes to economic development.”

To that end, the chamber is working with the university’s small business development corporation to create a roster of entrepreneurial and smallbusiness programs.

Tourism is also an important facet of economic development. The chamber supports the work of the Convention and Visitors Bureau in promoting Victoria’s recreational, cultural and historic assets. The chamber successfully spearheaded a substantial funding increase for the CVB in 2009-10 – Joe Morris VIC TO RIA

Business | Economic Profile

VICTORIA ECONOMIC OVERVIEW Industry has found a home in the mid-Texas Gulf Coast city of Victoria. A vibrant, diverse economy ensures that Victoria will be well positioned for dynamic growth throughout the 21st century.

The Victoria region provides business and industry the transportation infrastructure, higher education, burgeoning retail trade sector and a divergent, hard-working labor force needed to succeed and prosper.

TRANSPORTATION TAXES

1.5%

Victoria Regional Airport 609 Foster Field Dr., No. F Victoria Texas 77904 (361) 578-2704

INDUSTRIAL SITES Industrial Sites www.victoriaedc.com

City Sales and Use Tax

.5% County Sales Tax

6.25% State Sales Tax

8.25% Total Sales Tax

ECONOMIC RESOURCES Victoria Chamber of Commerce 3404 N. Ben Wilson St. Victoria Texas 77901 (361) 573-5277 www.victoriachamber.org

MORE EO ONLINE imagesvictoria.com More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS Company

No. of Employees

Victoria ISD

2,100

Formosa Plastic

1,500

Citizen’s Medical Center

1,382

The Inteplast Group

1,200

DeTar Healthcare System

1,014

Victoria Economic Development Corporation 700 N. Main St., No. 104 Victoria Texas 77901 (361) 575-0241 www.victoriaedc.com

Dow-Seadrift Operations

700

Calhoun ISD

654

Victoria County

620

City of Victoria

609

Invista

600

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

H.E.B.

579

Alcoa

550

Kasper Wireworks

490

University of Houston-Victoria

456

Berry Plastics

455

Victoria College

432

Cuero ISD

423

Walmart Supercenter

410

Cuero Community Hospital

400

Spherion

400

Victoria County Clerk’s Office 115 N. Bridge St., No. 103 Victoria Texas 77902 (361) 575-1478 www.victoriacountytx.org Victoria City Hall 105 W. Juan Linn Victoria Texas 77901 (361) 485-3000 www.victoriatx.org

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I M AG E S V I C T O R I A . C O M

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Health & Wellness

Quality Care: A Double Dose HOSPITALS ADD AND EXPAND HEALTH-CARE SERVICES TO BENEFIT COMMUNITY

F

rom heart problems to hay fever, Victoria’s health-care community has got you covered.

The city boasts two major providers, DeTar Healthcare System and Citizens Medical Center. Each has its specialty areas, and combined they make Victoria an excellent place to be if you’re under the weather.

“Innovative surgical procedures, high-tech diagnostics and custom rehabilitation programs at DeTar Hospital Navarro ensure that we have the advanced cardiac services you need to get you better and back to what matters,” says Judith Barefield, director of marketing for DeTar, which operates two hospitals here.

“Our board-certified interventional cardiologists are committed to

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I M AG E S V I C T O R I A . C O M

providing care 24/7. That dedication helps us consistently achieve treatment times exceeding national standards, and it makes a difference in the quality of the program we provide.”

DeTar also achieved accreditation as a stroke center in 2008, which involved evaluating the entire operation and educating all staff members on identification and treatment of stroke symptoms. It even meant a little outreach.

“Our stroke team worked with the elementary school across the street, teaching them the ‘FAST – face-arms-speed-time’ system to recognize a stroke and get help,” Barefield says. “Some nurses have even reported seeing the students outside holding up their arms and pointing to their watches!”

Going forward, the hospital plans to build on these programs as it rolls out new measures to keep the community healthy. Barefield says.

“Our goal is to provide quality care; we’re a strong facility, and we’re committed to healthcare advancements in our community.”

Across town Citizens Medical Center works hard to live up to its motto of providing quality medical services at reasonable prices.

For the past three years, Thomson Reuters has recognized Citizens as one of the 100 Top Hospitals in the country for quality care, safety, patient satisfaction, and affordability. In 2009 the same organization awarded Citizens the Everest Award, which was given to 23 of the nation’s hospitals, including

VIC TO RIA

DeTar Healthcare and Citizens Medical Center serve Victoria.

Duke University Hospital and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, for showing the most rapid five-year rate of improvement in clinical outcomes, patient safety, patient satisfaction, length of stay, and financial stability.

“The medical staff and employees here work so hard to treat each patient like they would want to be treated,” said Shannon Spree, Citizens marketing coordinator. “We are proud that our hard work brings positive national attention to the Victoria medical community.”

VIC TO RIA

Much of Citizens Medical Center’s success is due to its thriving cardiac program. Citizens has been recognized as the Heart Hospital since the first open heart surgery was performed here in 1971. The hospital maintains its leadership in cardiac care by investing in technology such as the new digital cardiac catheterization lab and CT equipment. “We also employ a group of board certified interventional cardiologists to ensure that our patients receive the best possible care available in the area, 24 hours a day,” said Spree.

Other areas of cardiac leadership

include the area’s only accredited Chest Pain Center and a successful cardiac rehabilitation program at Citizens HealthPlex.

Citizens’ investment in its patients now extends to the north side of town.

In 2009 Citizens Imaging Center opened to give patients there convenient access to Citizens Medical Center’s imaging and laboratory services. This $9 million building houses CT, MRI, and digital x-ray equipment as well as a laboratory and physician’s offices.

A drive-thru pharmacy will be added in the future.

– Joe Morris

I M AG E S V I C T O R I A . C O M

43

Sports & Recreation

PHOTO BY IAN CURCIO

Play Ball!

PUBLIC, PRIVATE BALL COMPLEXES CREATE HUBS OF ATHLETIC ACTIVITY

B

atters are up all over the place in Victoria, where public and private ball fields ensure plenty of room for players of all ages and skill levels.

The city operates four adult softball fields and a stadium complex, as well as two Pony League, seven Little League and five girl’s softball fields, says Kevin Stewart, park services manager. The 2,000-seat stadium and several fields where the University of Houston-Victoria and other teams play are in Riverside Park, while an additional four adult fields are nearby. And the new Victoria Youth Sports Complex, which opened in early 2008, holds seven baseball and five softball fields, all designed for youth league and tournament play.

“It has two championship fields, one for girls and one for Little League, and it has a modified version of stadium seating, so we can get a lot of people in there,” Stewart says.

“We opened up with the city leagues in there, and hosted the [Amateur Softball Association] state championship there during the summer. We’re also going to put on a college tournament for more exposure, because we hope to bring in those events as well.”

A tournament can have as many as 72 teams, so once the fans and other attendees are factored in these events

mean a lot of tourism revenue for the city.

“Each of those teams will book between six and eight hotel rooms, and of course they eat, so it really does help our local economy,” Stewart says. “It’ll be awesome if we can get more of those in here.”

A massive new complex on the grounds of St. Joseph High School also sees plenty of action, catching some of the city’s overflow as well as hosting teams and events on its own.

The O’Connor Athletic Complex sits on more than 11 acres of land and contains two football and soccer fields as well as four softball fields. Since it opened in 2007 it has been a beehive of activity and continues to pull in events, says Bill McCardle, president.

“It’s a first-class facility,” McCardle says, ‘We play our lower-level football games there, and the other Catholic schools in town use it for their home field as well. In the winter we play a lot of soccer, with the girls and boys each having their own field. The University of Houston-Victoria is beginning a soccer program in 2010, and we look to host them as well.”

“We always have a lot going on, and when we have things like the Catholic school league’s tournament it’s just packed.

We have really had great success, and think that we’re going to see even more in the future.”

– Joe Morris

City of Victoria’s Softball Complex offers adults and children a great place to play.

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I M AG E S V I C T O R I A . C O M

VIC TO RIA

Arts & Culture

Bach and Beyond FESTIVAL HONORS CLASSICAL COMPOSERS AND MORE

I

f your idea of classical music is limited to somber hymns and the occasional public radio broadcast, it’s time you tried the Victoria Bach Festival. Held each June, the VBF has earned a solid reputation not only for its commitment to artistic excellence, but also for its engaging and accessible approach to the classics.

“Festival week includes a great mix of offerings, including everything from small ensembles to major symphonic and choral performances,” says Nina Di Leo, VBF’s managing director. “There are fun, interactive family programs, open rehearsals and pre-concert chats.

Best of all, many events are free.”

For example, the 2009 Festival included a Family Drum Circle.

Featuring rhythm therapists Judy and David Hillendahl, this unique musical program invited people of all ages to experience percussion instruments from around the world.

“This is the kind of thing that people don’t normally associate with a classical music festival, but we had a great crosssection of the community in that room making music and having fun together,” she says. “We expected maybe 50 people to show up at the Victoria Public Library that day – we ended up with 190.”

Grammy-nominated conductor Craig Hella Johnson, who is widely respected around the country as a choral

conductor and musician, leads the VBF. He is supported by Creative Team members Joey Martin and Michelle Schumann. The combined artistry and imagination of these leaders makes for engaging and eclectic programming.

“We love and respect the classics,” says Di Leo. “The symphonies and choral music we perform are some of the greatest music ever written, and it’s a thrill to hear it live. But the creativity of our artists also allows for a lot inventiveness and originality – our harpsichord plays a lot of Bach, but it has also played pieces

by Eric Clapton and Sting.”

Another successful initiative is the New Young Artists program, which offers young musicians the opportunity to perform in formal and informal concert settings, and introduces local children to these developing performers.

The Festival has a long history in Victoria and celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2010. Its longevity is due in large part to the combined efforts of hundreds of community members who give gifts of time, money, and hospitality to support the event and performers.

“Live music affects listeners and players on physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual levels,” Di Leo says. “During the week of the Festival, you can get it all.”

See www.victoriabachfestival.org for more information. – Amy Stumpfl

“Primer baseball, Texas style”

Texas Collegiate League Season starts Summer 2010 All games start at 7:05 p.m. at Riverside Stadium General admission tickets only $6 for adults and $3 for kids

2008 Bach Festival with conductor Craig Hella Johnson

Fun and games in between innings College baseball wooden bat summer league Purchase tickets online at www.victoriagenerals.com or by calling (361) 485-9522

VIC TO RIA

I M AG E S V I C T O R I A . C O M

45

Education

Good Things, Small Packages NEW SCHOOLS SHOWCASE SMALLER LEARNING COMMUNITIES

A

s construction begins on the last two of seven major projects, you’d think the Victoria Independent School System would slow down a bit.

Think again.

A voter-approved, $159 million bond issue in 2007 underwrote a comprehensive building program that has built or is building two elementary, one middle and two high schools, as well as a natatorium and auditorium at the Memorial High School campus.

A big reason for the program’s success has been the degree to which school officials tapped into what the community wanted for the system, which serves around 13,700 students, says Bob Moore, superintendent.

“We were told by parents and students alike that the schools were too large,” Moore says. “So a theme of our campaign for the bond election was that we would create smaller learning communities, so teachers would have the potential to develop better relationships with the students, and the students could also build better relationships with each other.”

The new elementary schools hold between 450 and 500 students, the middle schools between 700 and 750 students, and the new high schools are designed for between 1,800 and 2,000 students.

Another key component of the overall plan is the Memorial High conversion into a magnet-type facility for VISD students as well as those at

private schools, the home schooled and students in surrounding districts.

The school will serve as an advanced learning and early-college center, with students shuttling in and out for two-hour periods each day. That, coupled with the natatorium and 1,500-seat auditorium, is really generating some excitement.

“The fine-arts auditorium will also be available for community use, and there’s not another facility in Victoria with that seating capacity,” Moore says.

“It will have the equipment to be able to stage first-class touring plays, things like that, and the natatorium also will be the first of its kind in the area. It will be a big draw for the city and the area to have those kinds of facilities.”

When the last ribbon is cut in

August 2010, the VISD will consist of 26 buildings; two high schools, four middle schools and 17 elementary schools, as well as the advanced learning center and other facilities.

And because of prudent financial management, an additional $10 million in interest was earned on the original bond issue, money that has also been plowed back into the system.

“Everything has gone as smoothly as you could imagine,” Moore says.

“The bond issue passed 2-1, which was a strong signal of support from our community. We’ve really connected with what they want, and our task now is to stay connected and make sure that we continue to meet the needs of the people that are supporting the VISP.” – Joe Morris

A bond issue approved by voters is building new schools in Victoria.

VIC TO RIA

I M AG E S V I C T O R I A . C O M

47

Community Profile

VICTORIA COMMUNITY OVERVIEW Nestled beside the meandering Guadalupe River, Victoria is a splendid blend of the past, the present and the future. Proud old homes, some dating back to the pre-Civil War era, line the streets in the city’s historic sections. And for a community of its size, Victoria boasts an extraordinary number of cultural activities.

From Theatre Victoria to the ballet to the Symphony.

EDUCATIONAL OVERVIEW Victoria Independent School District is the primary provider of public education through grade 12. Victoria County has a total of 30 public schools and seven private schools.

Museum of the Coastal Bend 2200 E. Red River St. Victoria, Texas (361) 582-2511 McNamara House 502 N. Liberty St. Victoria, Texas (361) 575-8227

MEDICAL SERVICES OVERVIEW

ARTS AND CULTURE CLIMATE OVERVIEW Victoria enjoys warm temperatures year-round.

Nave Museum 306 E. Commercial St. Victoria Texas 77902 (361) 575-8227

Victoria is served by two major health-care systems – the DeTar Healthcare System and Citizens Medical Center.

43 F January Low Temperature

62 F

MORE EO ONLINE

January High Temperature

imagesvictoria.com

77 F July Low Temperature

More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

93 F July High Temperature

THIS SECTION IS SPONSORED BY

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advertisers

48

Computer Command Corporation www.computercommand.com

Hampton Inn www.victoria.hamptoninn.com

The Dow Chemical Company www.dow.com

Detar Healthcare System www.detar.com

Oak Room Steakhouse & Grill

The Victoria College www.victoriacollege.edu

Farmers Insurance – Dwayne Moore www.dwaynemooreinsurance.com

South Texas Plastic Surgery – Brian F. Burns MD www.drburns.com

First Victoria www.firstvictoria.com

St. Joseph High School www.stjvictoria.com

University of Houston – Victoria www.victoriahighered.com

Frost Insurance www.frostinsurance.com

StarTek www.startek.com

Victoria Chamber www.victoriachamber.org

Gulf Bend Center www.gulfbend.org

TDECU www.tdecu.org

Victoria Convention & Visitors Bureau www.victoriatexasinfo.com

I M AG E S V I C T O R I A . C O M

Torin Bales Fine Jewelry www.torinbales.com

Victoria Generals Victoria Public Library www.victoriapubliclibrary.org Wells Fargo www.wellsfargo.com Woolson Real Estate Company Inc. www.woolson.com

VIC TO RIA

Ad Index 3 1 CO M P U T E R CO M M A N D CO R P O R ATI O N

2 6 T D EC U 3 9 T H E D OW

C 2 D E TA R H E A LT H C A R E SYS T E M 6 FA R M E R S I N S U R A N C E – DWAY N E M O O R E 32 FI R S T V I C TO R IA 4 FROS T I N S U R A N C E 43 GULF BEND CENTER C 3 H A M P TO N I N N

C H E M I C A L CO M PA N Y 4 0 T H E V I C TO R I A CO L L EG E 1 TO R I N B A L E S FI N E J E W E L RY 7 U N I V E R S IT Y O F H O U S TO N – V I C TO R I A A1 V I C TO R I A CO N V E N TI O N & V I S ITO R S B U R E AU

32 OA K RO O M S T E A K H O U S E & GRILL C4 SOUTH TEX AS P L A S TI C S U RG ERY – B R I A N F. B U R N S M D 4 6 S T. J OS E P H H I G H S C H O O L 3 0 S TA RT E K

4 5 V I C TO R I A G E N E R A L S 3 3 V I C TO R I A P U B LI C LI B R A RY 3 6 W E L L S FA RG O 2 WO O L S O N R E A L E S TAT E CO M PA N Y I N C .

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