Discover 361 June 2024

COASTAL LIVING IN 361 • JUNE 2024

It’s summertime, and living is easy along the coast here in the Crossroads.

It may be unbearably hot outside, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

In this coastal living edition of Discover 361, we show readers all this region has to offer when it comes to the water.

Take a trip with us to Port Aransas, the fishing capital of Texas, where there’s so much do to do, from flavorful dining options to boutique shopping to, of course, fishing.

Ladies can dress their best for with fashions from Palm Tree Boutique in Victoria, which offers refreshing looks for every occasion.

We get an inside look of a 70-foot luxury yacht that offers one family a home on the water and escape from the daily grind.

Get to know a ecologist at Padre Island National Seashore who has made it his mission in life to protect the earth’s wildlife.

Feel the need for speed with a company that rents Jet Skis, giving the young at heart the times of their lives on local waterways. We also take a look at rentals for paddle boards, which are a great option for those looking for a more relaxing experience.

No guide to coastal fun would be complete with out a mention of seafood. Beacon 44, an off the beaten path restaurant and seafood seller that has been around for decades, is sure to get your mouth watering with their locally sourced delicacies.

Finally, meet Adysen Malek, a Crossroads teen who is just beginning her music career as a singer-songwriter. Already she is dazzling local audiences with her amazing voice and songs.

We hope you’ll enjoy this edition as much as we did in compiling it.

Jon Wilcox Local Editor

GENERAL MANAGER

Clarice Touhey

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER

Kyle Motal

LOCAL EDITOR

Jon Wilcox

DESIGNER

Kimberley Bailey

WRITERS

Chase Cofield

Kyle R. Cotton

Christopher Green

Madison O'Hara

Jon Wilcox

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Chase Cofield

Kyle R. Cotton

Madison O'Hara

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Chase Cofield

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOGRAPHY BY Beacon 44

Padre Island National Seashore ON THE COVER

Adysen Malek

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Chase Cofield

© 2024, M. ROBERTS MEDIA

101 W. Goodwin Ave., Suite 1200 Victoria, TX 77901 info@discover361.com 361-575-1451

PADRE ISLAND National Seashore ecologist preserves and protects nature

MADISON O’HARA | MOHARA@VICAD.COM

Living things are life for Mark Ford. “Aldo Leopold stated that some can live without wild things, and some cannot. I am one who cannot,” Ford, chief of the Science and Resource Management Division of Padre Island National Seashore, said.

Ford has had a deep rooted love for nature since he was young. Being an Eagle Scout as a boy led him to being outdoors. He reveled in nature from camping and backpacking to fishing and canoeing. This passion led him to his undergraduate studies and eventually his Ph.D. in ecology.

“Conversation of wild places has been an integral part of my life for a

long time. There are many worldwide who share this passion,” Ford said.

Ford’s passion and dedication to conservationist efforts led him to working for US Fish and Wildlife, US Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Park Service as well as several universities. Ford has worked for the National Park Service for 15 years now, and it wasn't until 2023 that he came to work at Padre Island’s National Seashore. The focus of his jobs was always restoration and conservation of habitat, fisheries, wetlands, forests and prairies, but National Seashore Park gave Ford the opportunity to work on

the conservation of the country’s natural resources.

“There are many challenges at Padre Island National Seashore, but also an amazing staff with a wide range of expertise working together on conservation of this unique place,” Ford said.

One of the unique challenges the National Seashore has are rising sea levels. Ford said the sea level rising in the Gulf of Mexico can be more dramatic due to the geography and the contours of the ocean bottom of the Gulf.

“We have to take these changes into account in all of our planning as they are occurring in real time,” he said. “We are seeing the impacts.”

Padre Island’s National Seashore Park is over 130,000 acres and home to hundreds of plant and animal species, 23 of which are protected species of concern.

“This is a major site for many kinds of migrating birds, especially waterfowl who spend part of the winter here. The largest wintering population of redhead ducks in North America is at Padre Island National Seashore. We have many wetland species in the interior freshwater wetlands of the island such as red eared slider turtles. We have all sizes of mammals from kangaroo rats to coyotes, feral hogs, white tailed deer and exotic nilgai which is an introduced Asian antelope,” Ford said.

Padre Island National Seashore is less than 30 minutes away from Corpus Christi. That’s why it’s amazing the park has the longest stretch of an undeveloped barrier island beach, over 65 miles long, in the U.S. This means that there is very little human development. Little human development shows the beach in its natural state, which is wild with marine debris washing up on shore.

The National Park Service mission is to preserve, protect and manage the National Park System for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. This is according to the Organic Act of 1916.

“Human development would diminish both the natural functions of the landscape and the animals that live there, as well as the natural beauty,” Ford commented.

The National Seashore is not just a beach. Featured at the park is also a prairie which is home to a distinct collection of plants to the region and is

a habitat for animals. Prairies are now a very rare habitat type in the U.S. due to human development.

Most prairies are gone due to development by humans.

What might be surprising to learn is that Padre Island is a fire dependent plant community.

“Fires in grasslands, the dominant plant community type, are essential for maintaining a balance of species,” Ford said. Not only does the fire maintain balance among plant species, but it also helps to create a fertilizer from the plant biomass that benefits the plant community.

Laguna Madre is not only one of six hypersaline lagoons but is actually considered the largest lagoon in the world.

Hypersaline, Ford said, means “the salt content of the water is greater than that of the oceans, including the Gulf of Mexico. Oceans tend to have roughly 35 parts per thousand of salt in the water. The laguna is closer to 60 parts per thousand. This is because of the geography, being long and narrow with very little openings for water exchange with the Gulf of Mexico.” The moon also has very little tidal effect on the lagoon.

At Padre Island National Seashore are a multitude of sand dunes that protect the grasslands from getting destroyed by storm tides. The dunes themselves are actually quite active and more or less stay in place.

The dunes “do move significantly towards and away from the Gulf, both through daily influences such as wind but also from episodic influences such as storms,” Ford said. “We have beach growth outward towards the Gulf in many places, while it is eroding in others.”

Ford’s division is working with multiple researchers at TAMUU and the Colorado School of Mines on a number of studies about the processes behind sand dunes.

As chief of the Science and Resource Management Division of Padre Island National Seashore, Ford said his division has over 25 projects that they are working on to conserve, restore and manage the natural resources available at the National Seashore.

“Our division manages, with the exception of sea turtles, all of the resources at the seashore. We also

protect and manage the cultural resources of the park such as the Novillo Line Camp,” Ford said.

Padre Island’s National Seashore has event opportunities for those looking to get involved in the park as a volunteer and contribute to their conservation efforts in cleanups or plantings for restoration projects. One event the park hosts is a public turtle hatchling release in the summertime.

“Unlike other areas where sea turtle nests are left in place after they are laid, the nests at Padre Island National Seashore are excavated and taken to an incubation facility where they hatch after about six-eight weeks. On days where four or five or more nests are hatching at the same time, the National Seashore may host a public hatchling release. The events typically attract anywhere from 1,500 - 2,000 people and begin at sunrise,” Ford said.

Ford said his conservationist group is important.

“Not only is it the mission of the National Park Service to conserve natural resources, but it's important to the health of the planet. The land, the plants and the animals that live there exist in an intricate web that provides many services to us, including but not limited to clean water, clean air and the food we eat,” Ford said.

IF YOU GO:

For more information, visit nps.gov

Located at 20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, the Padre Island National Seashore is about two hours south of Victoria.

Fun water on the

Jet Skis, paddle boards offer unique marine experiences

STORY BY CHRISTOPHER GREEN | CGREEN@VICAD.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHASE COFIELD | CCOFIELD@VICAD.COM

It’s always a great time to ride a Jet Ski.

“I love a morning ride but then I love a late sunset cruise, so there's not a bad time to be on the ocean. There truly is not as long as weather is permissible then any time is a great time,” Shandy Williams, owner of Gettin Salty Watersports, said.

As summer nears, the thought of cooling down on a hot day will be on the minds of many. Tourist destinations in the region will surely become hot spots for people looking to enjoy a time out with family or friends.

Port Aransas is widely known as a tourist hotspot in the Gulf Coast region with no shortage of activities for people to enjoy. From camping on the beach to swimming in the ocean to visiting a local seafood restaurant there are plenty of options to choose from.

A popular recreational activity in a place like Port Aransas is riding Jet Skis on the open water and feeling the saltwater splashing up from the waves. For someone who doesn’t own a Jet Ski, there is still a way to ride fast on the

water and that is through Gettin Salty Watersports, a Jet Ski rental company that first opened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Williams and her husband first started the business during the pandemic when they noticed people were frequently asking them if they could rent out their personal Jet Skis. This gave Williams and her husband the idea to start the only Jet Ski rental company in Port Aransas.

The idea quickly took off, and what started with four Jet Skis is now a fleet of 22. Williams said one of the best times to go out on a Jet Ski is right after a rainstorm, early in the morning or before the sunsets.

“It really depends on time. It depends on what someone’s skill levels are. One of my favorite times to ride is right after a good rain storm. The water is like glass. There's just a renewing spirit on the ocean when that happens, and it's very peaceful and calm,” Williams said.

Williams has found both she and her

customers tend to enjoy a connection with nature when they are out on the Jet Skis. The ride is peaceful and even with the help of one of Gettin Salty’s guides people enjoy the serenity of being on the water.

There is even the thrill of getting to see dolphins that Williams said always come around when they are out on the Jet Skis.

“There’s never been a time that we've been out on the Jet Skis and we haven't seen the dolphins beside us or going underneath us," Williams said. “We don't quite know the science behind it. It could possibly be the vibrations and dolphins are very social creatures. So they are drawn to the Jet Skis and it’s a great way for people to connect with nature while enjoying the thrill of a Jet Ski.”

Some of the most amazing customers that Gettin Salty has ever had were two deaf men from Germany who were traveling in the area of Port Aransas and really wanted to ride a Jet Ski. Before, the two men had never got the chance because nobody would work with them, but Williams wanted them to have the amazing experience of riding a Jet Ski.

Williams and her guide worked closely with the two men and now they come every year to ride Jet Skis at Gettin Salty. This past summer was their fourth year riding at Gettin Salty.

PADDLIN’ AROUND WITH PADDLE BOARDS

Port Aransas isn’t the only tourist destination in the Gulf Coast region. Port O’ Connor is slowly starting to attract more people to the area. One of the best ways to get the full Port O’ Connor experience is to go out for a day of saltwater fishing or to relax and ride on a paddle board.

Kim Goulden grew up with a love of the water, especially the open ocean. She now works as a fishing guide in Port O’ Connor and even offers boat and paddle board rentals. The boats and paddle boards can be rented, and people have the option to go out on their own or take a guided tour with Goulden.

“It’s a lot of fun to explore maybe find some backwater and just start exploring it,” Goulden said. “I think that's what people really enjoy is the independence of it, to be able to go where you want and to do that

how you want is appealing, and the paddleboards are really a lot of the same thing.”

A big part of Goulden’s passion for offering the rentals and guided trips is being able to connect people with different backgrounds to each other and showing them how they can connect with nature.

“Fishing is one of those things that connects people and gives them a common interest,” Goulden said. “We meet people from all over who are young, old, men, women, kids and adults, and it’s great to be able to give them an unforgettable experience.”

One of the highlights of the rentals, whether it be paddle boards or boats, is it gives people the chance to go out and explore new areas. Goulden said she can take people out to areas along the Port O’ Connor waterways via boat and then they can begin their exploration from there.

GETTIN SALTY WATERPSORTS

815 Trout St Slip 7 #1908, Port Aransas, 361-748-7258

Gettin Salty Waterpsorts books rentals through appointment on their website

KIM GOULDEN

361-827-5473

Kim Goulden takes reservations through her website at Kim Goulden Fishing

Smooth Sailing

Family makes memories on 70-foot luxury yacht

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY

CHASE COFIELD | CCOFIELD@VICAD.COM

For Mark Hicks, Port Aransas is more than a vacation destination for him and his family. Through repeat visits, the city has become a home away from home. His love for Port Aransas has eventually manifested itself through a 70-foot yacht.

Named “Cutter Bill,” the 2011 70’ Viking is an extensively equipped yacht stacked with bells and whistles. Adorned with the flag of Hick’s alma mater, University of North Texas, it comes with four bedrooms and five bathrooms. It’s equipped with Twin MTU 16V2000 M94 2600 HP engines and a Seakeeper Gyro Stablilizer. The salon area inside comes with a Dewberry Style, custom salon sofa, TV cabinet and granite countertops. The yacht has two bedrooms with bunk beds, one of which is next to the engine room, and two master bedrooms. In the hallways of the yacht, photos of the Hicks family are displayed featuring memories they’ve made in Port Aransas.

Hicks grew up visiting Port Aransas from Denton with his father during

his formative years. His father, a pilot, would fly to Port Aransas to compete in Kingfish Tournaments. Hicks now lives in Ponder, working at his lightning protection company. Like with his father, he tries to pass down new memories with his daughters.

“I just love coming here,” Hicks said. “Every time we come here, it's something new.”

His love for the city was renewed in his adulthood when he and his wife visited for a wedding 10 years ago. They bought a house on the pier and have frequently visited ever since especially during holidays like Thanksgiving and Chrismas.

Hicks knew he wanted to purchase a yacht and narrowed down the make and model he wanted. He first made eyes on his yacht during a boat show in Miami. He purchased the boat and brought it back to Port Aransas in December.

Since the purchase, Hicks and family | CONT.

have made good use of the yacht so far. Hicks describes his first time sailing on the yacht as “fantastic.”

He and his family will sail out 170 miles into the ocean for days at a time typically doing activities like fishing.

For Hick’s daughters, Charlie, 14, and Hudson, 12, they enjoy making lifelong memories with their father.

“Because we come down here a lot, we always end up making memories every trip,” Hudson Hicks said. “That's something that you're going to cherish forever.”

Life for the family is different in Port Aransas than it is in Ponder, but they’ve come to welcome those differences. In Ponder, they stress about school and work but, in Port Aransas they live a stress free life and can escape to the ocean 24/7.

“Ponder always had a more homey vibe to it,” Hudson said. “Port Aransas has grown to be kind of an equal to it.”

“I prefer here honestly, because I feel more at home here, " Charlie Hicks said. “Because I know that I can just ask my dad to go out on the boat anytime I want to.”

Both daughters both aspire to revisit the city as adults and share new memories with their family like their dad did with them.

“His dad took him here and so I think it's important for me to take my future family down here,” Hudson said.

For Hicks, he just enjoys the simple pleasures of spending time with his family which is what keeps him coming back to Port Aransas.

“I think this place brings us closer.”

SEA to TABLE

Beacon 44 is go-to destination for Port O’Connor seafood

STORY BY CHRISTOPHER GREEN | CGREEN@VICAD.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BEACON 44

Driving into Port O' Connor can be a peaceful and serene experience.

The smell of saltwater in the air and the sound of waves crashing on the beach are sure to offer an enjoyable experience.

Many people may go to Port O’ Connor for the beach, but many also go to grab a bite of delicious locally sourced seafood. There is one place that stands out among the stilted houses and boats as a go-to destination for hungry travelers and locals. That place is Beacon 44 Seafood Market.

The market is owned by Mary Jo Walker, who takes a lot of pride in being able to offer fresh seafood to the community of Port O’ Connor and those who may just be visiting.

Walker began working at a young age in Port O' Connor. Her first job was at the age of 12 when she picked crab meat in a little blue house next to Beacon 44 Seafood Market. In 1980,

Joyce and Dan Raby built the current location of Beacon 44, and Walker continued working side by side with them.

After 35 years, Walker took over the business, and said after being lifelong friends with the owners she felt it was the right fit in her life.

"I worked for them when I was little, and while I was growing up, and I married a shrimper, so it just seemed like the right fit," Walker said. "I wasn't going to open a seafood market somewhere else, and this was a great opportunity to keep the business alive and thriving."

Beacon 44 sells a wide array of fresh caught seafood sourced from local shrimpers and fisheries in Mexico that are shipped fresh to the location within 24 hours. Over decades of business, Beacon 44 had become known for

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their stuffed crab, stuffed jalapeno and stuffed shrimp. When the original owners were still at the helm, they would set their own crab traps.

Walker would even set traps and then collect them and begin the process of cleaning and cooking them. Even though Walker no longer sets her own crab traps she still gets fresh crab meat sourced locally such as soft shell crabs when they are in season. She also gets locally caught flounder, shrimp and stone crab. Beacon 44 also brings in fresh caught crab from Mexico, which is delivered to Walker a day after it is caught.

Beacon 44 offers customers the option to buy fresh fish and cook it themselves, or they can choose from one of the many options of cooked foods that the seafood market offers. The fresh cooked food is then frozen, so people can take it home and cook it in the oven or choose from one of the breaded options for deep frying. Walker said she has even kept the same recipes as the original owners.

"A lot of my customers have been coming here for decades and as long as they know the recipe hasn't changed they will keep coming back," Walker said.

Walker said she believes it is important for people to buy locally and support small, local businesses.

"I think in seafood, and pretty much anything, I think the public needs to really focus on buying as much local product as they can," Walker said. "Definitely try to support your local shrimpers and seek out farmers, ranchers, just try to try to keep that local."

IF YOU GO:

BEACON 44 SEAFOOD MARKET

1412 Adams Ave, Port O'Connor

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Tuesday.

Mary Jo Walker prepares food at Beacon 44 Seafood Market.

Coastal Chic

STORY BY JON WILCOX JWILCOX@VICAD.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHASE COFIELD CCOFIELD@VICAD.COM

Ally Prasek wears a white front-tied embroidered Liverpool top with Dear John Hampton green shorts, a light blue NikiBiki and brown Liverpool slides.

Corinne

wears a Liverpool

Sherri Kyle wears a P.Cill linen blend midi dress, Julie Voss jewelry and navy slides.

Copeland

stripe tan/white button down with taupe Dear John Hampton shorts.

Corinne Copeland rocks a VOY Green/Blue skirt set paired with bone strappy heels.

Ally Prasek lounges by the pool wearing a Gretchen Scott pleated navy top with white Dear John Hampton shorts and platform navy sandals.

Summer fashion trends at Victoria’s Palm Tree Boutique

Sometimes you just got to get away from it all.

Whether you’re planning an eventful trip to the coast or a simple day off, there’s no reason not to look your best.

Here in South Texas, the climate isn’t always our friend. Oppressive humidity and blazing heat are the norm, but picking the right outfit can make all the difference.

Dressing for warm weather means striking a balance between comfortable and chic while creating cute outfits that look and feel effortless.

These outfits selected by Palm Tree Boutique, 6322 N. Navarro St., are perfect for any coastal setting or summer event, like an upcoming vacation or quick weekend getaway for shopping and dining with the girls.

Palm Tree is a “non-big-box store” that specializes in unique high-quality clothing for women in Victoria and surrounding counties.

Understanding and connecting with the women who shop at Palm Tree Boutique is probably the shop’s biggest “secret weapon,” Kay Dowdy, store manager, said.

“We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and fashion consulting you just can’t get when you shop at larger stores,” Dowdy said.

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Leslie Crews has on a soft green short set, Julie Voss jewelry with beige Chinese Laundry strappy sandals.

| CONT. FROM PG. 26

Palm Tree has served women at all stages of their lives, including ladies starting a new job, recovering from an illness or even mourning a loved one. One-onone interactions are one of the shop’s specialties, and its personable staff are always there to provide smart and caring wardrobe advice.

“The greatest gift we could ever have is to be there for those moments,” Dowdy said.

Sizes range from extra XS to 3X and are sure to compliment every woman’s figure.

Palm Tree also hosts private events where women can reserve a space for a ladies night out. Light snacks and beverages are provided, so women can shop and sip on cocktails in a relaxing environment.

Sherri Kyle has on an olive ruffle neck Gretchen Scott tunic paired with Just Black USA white jeans, a Julie Voss Pearl necklace and orange slides.

Corinne Copland is wearing a cobalt blue woven She + Sky button up dress.

Ally Prasek is wearing a sleeveless woven top paired with white cropped Spanx pants, silver BudhaGirls and clear Chinese Laundry sandals.

Prasek wears a coral Liverpool racer back Maxi dress paired with pink cork heels and BudhaGirls.

If you go : THE PALM TREE BOUTIQUE

6322 N. Navarro St., Victoria

Open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit thepalmtreeboutique.com or call 361-576-3611.

Ally

Corinne Copland in a Tencel long sleeve denim dress with strappy brown heels.

Leslie Crews in a Montezuma navy Gretchen Scott dress with white sandals and navy BudhaGirls.

City by the sea

A day in Port Aransas

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY

MADISON O’HARA | MOHARA@VICAD.COM

People migrate from all over the state to the Gulf Coast to enjoy a day at the beach. Otherwise known as the Fishing Capital of Texas, Port Aransas has plenty to offer besides a day at the beach. While the beach is a highlight of the town, there are a multitude of shops, restaurants and fun activities for travelers and families alike to enjoy.

COFFEE

Start your day off in Port Aransas at Barefoot Beans located at 345 N. Alister Suite E1 in The Shops at Old Town. Barefoot Coffee is a local coffee shop that specializes in fair trade coffee and tea from Ethiopia, Guatemala and Costa Rica with beans locally roasted every week.

SHOPPING

There are plenty of shops to choose from in Port Aransas, but if you’re looking for something different, check out ROAM on 108 E White Ave. The boutique prides itself on offering unique gifts that aren’t just T-shirts that say “Port Aransas” on them. Inside the boutique also are pieces of art created by local artists.

If you are looking for T-shirts that say “Port Aransas,” then head down to the Palace where customers can pick a shirt and have a design of their choosing printed on it. At Palace, you can also take home a hermit crab or get a henna tattoo to remember your trip with.

Third Coast Beach, located at 101 E. Avenue G, is the store for all your beach needs. The store is locally owned and was established in 2008. They sell name brands like Salt Life and OluKai. They have plenty of bathing suits in stock, as well, and any other beach necessities you might need.

FISHING

At Horace Caldwell Pier, you can pay $3 per person or $4 per pole and catch a great view of Dune Beach while fishing. The 1,240-foot-long pier is open 24 hours a day and is lighted for night fishing. Please note the pier accepts cash only.

For an adventure further out on the water, be sure to visit Deep Sea Headquarters at 440 W. Cotter Road. They have various different excursions

from five hour trips to 12 hour trips. The price of the trips include all of your bait, fishing rod and tackle. They offer a cash-only service to clean your fish after you catch it.

LUNCH

Take your freshly caught and freshly cleaned catch down to Virginia's on the Bay where you can get your fish blackened, grilled or fried with two sides for $15 a person. If you don’t have your own fish to cook, try their catch of the day. This summer black drum, oysters, and flounder are in season. Other popular items on the menu are blue crab and coconut shrimp. Virginia’s on the Bay is located at 815 Trout St.

RENTAL

Don’t want to get your car dirty? Travel in style with a six-person golf cart you can rent at Island Outfitters located at 525 Cut Off Road. The company offers an unlimited fuel package and carts with built-in bluetooth speakers. Along with golf carts, you can rent Tommy Bahama beach chairs and Yeti coolers for the day.

At Island Surf Rentals you can rent paddle boards, boogie boards, skimboards, surf boards, kayaks and beach bikes for your day trip down to the beach. Island Surf Rentals is located at 130 E. Ave. G.

BEACH

The only free parking available at the beach is located at I.B. Magee Beach Park between Horace Caldwell Pier and the South Jetties located between mile markers 52-58. Parking elsewhere along the beach requires a 2024 beach permit. Golf cart rentals come with beach permits on them, but if you don’t have one on your vehicle, you can purchase them at the Port Aransas Welcome Center, Family Center IGA, Port Aransas City Hall, Port A Local Co, Ace Hardware, Islander, and participating convenience stores.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

Escape the heat with a trip to The University of Texas Marine Science Institute located at 750 Channel View Drive. The Institute is free to visit from Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m., they offer free tours of the

If you go

BAREFOOT BEANS

COFFEE AND TEA

Mon. - Sun. 6 A.M. - 4 P.M. 345 N. Alister Street, 200 W Avenue G

For more information visit barefootbeans.com

ROAM

BOUTIQUE STYLE CLOTHING

Tues.-Thurs. 10 A.M. - 5 P.M., Fri.- Sat.10 A.M.- 6 P.M., Sun. 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. 108 E White Ave

For more information call (361) 416-0732

PALACE

GIFT SHOP

Mon. - Sun. 8 A.M. - 10 P.M. 415 S Alister St.

For more information call (361) 749-2444

THIRD COAST BEACH

NAME BRAND BEACHWEAR

Mon. - Fri. 9 A.M. - 7 P.M., Sat. 9 A.M. - 8 P.M., Sun. 9 A.M. - 7 P.M. 101 E Avenue G

For more information call (361) 749-5500

HORACE CALDWELL PIER

FISHING PIER

Pier open 24/7, pier attendants available from 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. Port Aransas Beach Rd

Admission - $3 per person & $4 per pole,65 & older & military $1 per person & $1 per pole, 12 & under free

For more information call (361) 749-5333

Wetlands Education Center. The Marine Science Institute has aquariums, interactive learning activities and a boardwalk located in the wetlands for bird watching opportunities.

Another nature filled activity is the Dolphin Adventure Tour offered by The Scarlet Lady. For an hour and a half you can catch sightings of wild dolphins, sea birds and iconic landmarks in Port Aransas. The boat departs from 440 W. Cotter Ave.

DINNER

Enjoy a relaxing evening and have dinner at Lisabellas located at 5009 Hwy 361 inside Cinnamon Shores. With craft cocktails and wines, outdoor games like cornhole, a stage for live music and fresh seafood, Lisabellas is a great place for casual fine dining. One of their featured items is Mermaid Soup which is

If you go

DEEP SEA HEADQUARTERS

BOAT FISHING EXCURSIONS

Sun.- Tues. & Thurs. - Fri. 6 A.M. - 9 P.M.,Wed. & Sat. 5 A.M. - 9 P.M. 440 W Cotter Ave

Admission prices vary by tour

For more information visit deepseaheadquarters.com

VIRGINIA’S ON THE BAY

LAND & SEA RESTAURANT

Mon.- Sun. 11 A.M. - 10 P.M. 815 Trout St.

For more information visit virginiasonthebay.com ISLAND OUTFITTERS

GOLF CART AND BEACH

GEAR RENTALS

Mon. - Sun. 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. 525 Cut Off Road For more information visit islandoutfitterstx.com

a lobster coconut broth with curry spices and shrimp.

DESSERT

Finish your day with an old fashioned dessert at Desserted Island Ice Cream. The bright hot pink store is located at 100 E White Ave. and sells 16 flavors of Blue Bell ice cream, apple pie, milkshakes, floats, banana splits and their world famous warm brownie sundae.

Feel like a kid in a candy store at Winton’s Island Candy located at 601 S. Alister St. They have a little bit of everything from saltwater taffy to gummies to chocolate covered nuts. Try their walnut carmel. The recipe is over 28 years old and is their No. 1 selling desert.

Please note that both of these stores are cash only.

ISLAND SURF RENTALS

WATER GEAR RENTALS

Mon. - Sun. 9 A.M. - 6 P.M.

130 E Avenue G

For more information visit islandsurfrentals.com

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MARINE SCIENCE

WETLAND AND ESTUARY CENTER

Tue.- Sat. 10 A.M. - 4 P.M.

750 Channel View Dr

Admission - Free

For more information visit utmsi.utexas.edu

THE SCARLET LADY

DOLPHIN BOAT TOURS

Mon. - Sun. 6 A.M. - 8:30 P.M.

440 W. Cotter Ave

Admission - Prices vary by tour

For more information visit scarletladydolphincruise.com

LISABELLAS

SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Tues. - Sat. 5:30 P.M. - 9 P.M. 5009 TX-361

For more information visit lisabellas.com DESSERTED ISLAND

Sun. - Fri. 11 A.M. - 9 P.M., Sat. 10:30 A.M. - 10 P.M. 100 E White Ave

For more information visit (361) 332-9300 WINTON’S ISLAND CANDY CANDY STORE

Mon.- Sun. 9 A.M. - 6 P.M.

601 S. Alister St.

For more information visit wintonscandies.com

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHASE

COFIELD

Ever since she was 8 years old, Adysen Malek, 17, has always used her imagination to come up with songwriting ideas.

“I'd be writing songs in the car and fiddling around with music,” Malek said.

Malek, a local singer-songwriter, performed at the Rear Window in Ganado in April, opening for Nashvillebased country singer Jeffrey East.

At The Rear Window in Ganado, local talent is not only encouraged but celebrated.

The venue first opened their doors in 2010 with a concert featuring East. Fourteen years later, East returned to the very same venue, and Malek performed before he took the stage.

Malek first gained interest in music when she and her family would visit the VTX Art Walk in downtown Victoria. By being exposed to the instruments and music played at the Art Walk, Malek fell in love with music. She started taking lessons from Enny’s Music School and her talent blossomed from there.

Malek’s father, Bowen Malek fondly recalls the moment he first discovered his daughter’s penchant for singing. Adysen had told her mother she signed up for a talent show thrown by Theatre Victoria. She then demonstrated her talent to her parents for the first time.

“She busts out singing Hallelujah in our living room, and I cried,” Bowen Malek said. “I was like, ‘Where did this come from?’ She was on pitch and sounded wonderful.”

Since that talent show, Malek has gone on to play gigs all over the Crossroads and even has performed the national anthem before a Houston Astros game at Minute Maid Park.

Like many other musicians, Malek deals with nerves before a gig, but the nerves go away once she starts performing.

“Once I was on stage, I was always pretty calm because it's one of my

A lot of the songs MEAN SOMETHING TO ME. They're kind of WHAT MY SOUL IS

- Adysen Malek

favorite places to be.”

In many of her previous gigs, Malek performs a mix of original songs and covers of iconic songs like “Jolene” and “Blue Bayou.” For her opening set at The Rear Window, she played 100% original songs she wrote herself. One of her favorite aspects of songwriting is being able to reflect on different moments in her life.

“My favorite aspect is definitely being able to create moments that I would experience in my life and be able to look back on that,” Malek said. “A lot of the songs mean something to me. They're kind of what my soul is.”

In one song per instance, she reminisces about being in math class at the San Antonio School for the Performing Arts and missing her family.

After she graduates high school, Malek will be attending the School of Music at Belmont University in Nashville to chase her dream of becoming a singer-songwriter. She dreams of one day performing at The Grand Ole Opry and being a part of the Country Music Association. With Malek’s lofty ambitions, she still credits her parents for supporting her journey as a musician.

“My dad went from knowing nothing about music, to being the person that sets up my sound everywhere we go. My mom helped set up a lot of my gigs and emails,” Malek said. “I’m really grateful for them.”

| CONT. FROM PG. 39

CREATIVE MINDS MEET ABOUT TOWN

STORY

AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KYLE R. COTTON | KCOTTON@VICAD.COM

Over the years, the Victoria Art Walk has become a mustattend event for artists and the community.

However, in recent months, Jupiter Horizons Gallery has been holding quarterly community collective creative meet-ups a couple of weeks before each Art Walk.

These meet-ups have created a space for artists of all mediums to come together, not just to share their work, but also to learn from each other, bounce ideas, and plan collaborations. It's a hub of inspiration and growth.

Some share their work through their sketchbooks, and others share their recent accomplishments that have enhanced their profile or gotten them closer to completing a project goal.

“Any kind of creative medium people use is welcomed. This is for everybody,” said Karrissa Winters, co-owner of Jupiter Horizons Gallery. “What’s so cool is seeing these people coming together, having more opportunities and seeing really cool projects.”

One of the projects noted that came out of it is the Art Battle that was held at the May Victoria Art Walk, in which artists are given a theme and have to create their piece live at the art walk in a given timeframe, Winters said.

“You see people have these ideas, and you are not only able to find talent here for the ideas but also execute the ideas. Because they may be good at one form of art, but maybe something else isn’t their forte,” she said. “It’s about making that kind of space for people to come together and have those opportunities. I’ve seen movie ideas. I’ve seen song ideas and collaborative performances come out of this.”

There is going to be a movement of creativity spurred through this networking environment, Winters said.

Anyone interested in the meet-ups or simply has a creative idea they want to explore and collaborate on is encouraged to reach out to Winters and her Jupiter Horizons Gallery coowner Claire Santellana through the gallery, Crossroads Art House, the Viva Texas Film Festival, or other avenues, and they will get them set up, she said.

Alexis Salinas

Mike Michael

Sana Saif

Karissa Winters

Juan Effigy

Emily Lopez

Lynn Garcia

Claire Santellana

Catt Wolf

UPCOMING

Calendar of Events

JUNE | THROUGH | JULY

PORT ARANSAS

FAMILY BEACH WALK

June 7 − 9-11 a.m.

Meet at the Horace Caldwell Pier

Join Master Naturalist Julie Findley to see what wonderful treasures wash up on the beach.

FIRST FRIDAY

June 7 − 5:30 p.m.

104 N. Alister St.

On the first Friday of every month, The Port Aransas Art Center holds a reception with great artists, live music, and refreshments! Join other art enthusiasts at 104 N. Alister for an evening of great fun.

BELT SANDER RACES

June 8 − 3 p.m.

The Gaff, 323 Beach St. Belt sander racing is a longstanding tradition in Port Aransas. Head on over the The Gaff, the “Birthplace of Texas Belt Sander Racing”, to watch competitors race their power tools down the wooder track.

LADIES' POWDER PUFF FISHING TOURNAMENT

June 14-15

900 Tarpon St.

The largest ALL WOMEN'S fishing tournament on the Texas coast!

BEACH 'N JEEPS

June 14-16

Bring your Jeep to Mile Marker 34 for a day of fun in the sun with fellow Jeepers!

FIRST FRIDAY

July 5 − 5:30 p.m.

104 N. Alister St.

On the first Friday of every month, The Port Aransas Art Center holds a reception with great artists, live music, and refreshments! Join other art enthusiasts at 104 N. Alister for an evening of great fun.

88TH DEEP SEA ROUNDUP

July 11-14

Port Aransas Boatmen's Association

BILLFISH PACHANGA

July 18-20

Virginia's on the Bay 815 Trout St.

The Billfish Pachanga is an exciting Port Aransas fishing tournament targeting blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish.

PORT LAVACA

STAR SPANGLED BAY BASH

July 3 − 4 p.m.

Bayfront Peninsula Park

PORT O’CONNOR

JULY 4TH FIREWORKS DISPLAY

July 6 − At dark or about 9 p.m.

King Fisher Beach

The 32nd Port O’Connor Fireworks show.

ROCKPORT

LAC ATTACK KAYAK FISHING TOURNAMENT 2024

June 1 − 5:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and sunrise Saturday

All public Texas inshore coastal waters. Offshore waters, including jetties, are considered out of bounds.

Love to Kayak? Love to Fish? Then this tournament is for you so register today.

ROCKPORT DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET

June 8 − 9 a.m.-noon

Rockport Festival Ground

1500 E Laurel St.

A great place to buy local produce as well as jams, jellies, & pickled produce. There will often be fresh-baked bread, local honey, eggs, and locally raised beef, hen fruit and goat soap.

JULY 4 BOAT PARADE

July 4 − Noon

Little Bay at Rockport Beach

ROCKPORT ART FESTIVAL

July 6 − 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and July 7 − 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Rockport Festival Grounds, 1500 E. Laurel Artists from across the nation showcasing their masterpieces in a variety of mediums and styles at this juried fine-arts event

ROCKPORT DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET

July 13 − 9 a.m.-noon

Rockport Festival Ground,1500 E Laurel St.

A great place to buy local produce as well as jams, jellies, & pickled produce. There will often be fresh-baked bread, local honey, eggs, and locally raised beef, hen fruit and goat soap.

ROCKIN' ROCKPORT REGATTA

July 27-28

Rockport Yacht Club, 722 Navigation Circle

Over 60 youth sailors are expected to compete on three regatta courses located in Rockport Harbor and Aransas Bay.

CONNECT 361

1477CarlRamertDrive| P. O.Box736 Yoakum,Tx77995 361-293-5656|361-293-5657(Fax) info@thielecooper.com