CC Magazine December 2011

CC MAGAZINE

December 2011

STAYING FIT DURING THE HOLIDAYS

BAN THE BAG ITS TIME TO STOP TRASHING CC THE 12 DAY TRIPS OF CHRISTMAS

All I Want for Christmas is a

FREE CC Magazine

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CC MAGAZINE

JEFF CRAFT Publisher

JCRAFT@CCMAGONLINE.COM

DALE RANKIN

Editor in Chief / Co-publisher EDITOR@CCMAGONLINE.COM

JAN PARK-RANKIN

Advertising Director/ Co-publisher ADS@CCMAGONLINE.COM

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Samantha Koepp, Dale Rankin, Georgia Griffin, Ronnie Narmour, Aletha Eyerman-Craft

PHOTOGRAPHY Lenz Photos Courtesy of Tony Martinez & thecrushgirls.com.

Miles Merwin, Jan Rankin, Dale Rankin, Ronnie Narmour, Georgia Griffin, Some Photos Courtesy of The Island Moon Newspaper

From the Publisher...

2011 is just about over and we’re looking forward to a lot of big changes in 2012. By this time next year, we’ll have two new waterparks and Destination Bayfront will be helping drive business downtown. Several new large scale industrial businesses are breaking ground around the bay area, and our local economy should be running strong in a year. As long as I’ve been in Corpus Christi, I’ve felt like we’re just on the edge of really taking off as an economic region, but never more than now. There’s a lot to look forward to, and a few hiccups should be expected, but I’m positive that the CC region is going to really take off next year.

Big Mess We need to address some real quality of life issues, and do it now, so we can attract the workforce needed to build up our economy. In this issue, Mr. Smarty Pants suggests we ban those one time use plastic bags we see roosting in trees and on our beaches. That’s a good place to start. I know a lot of people who spend a lot of time cleaning up litter from our streets and beaches, and right now, they’re losing the battle. Cleaning up is good, but avoiding the mess altogether is better.

It’s Not Them It’s Us Corpus Christi is poised for growth, but it’s been poised for growth for a while now, so let’s not kid ourselves. Maybe it’s us. If Corpus Christi wants to attract the kind of 21st century industry to our area that will really boost our economy and improve the lives of our citizens, we have to ask ourselves and honestly answer, “What do we have to offer?” Over the years we have seen one company after another either turn us down or leave for greener pastures, and we just might be in denial about the reasons. If we want a highly paid workforce, we have to provide an environment that is attractive to educated and creative people. A lot of people are trying to do just that for our city and we need to support them however we can, even if that means turning off the television and showing up at a public meeting once in a while. We have a great opportunity to look at what other cities have done in our position, and choose our path instead of just letting it happen to us.

Big Ideas We’re going to have to make decisions as a city in the next year that will effect how we grow over the next decade, we need to decide what kinds of industry to encourage, and we’re going to have to all become a little more involved in the decision making process if we’re going to succeed. When I first moved to Corpus Christi, I was blown away by the idea that a city could create a free wifi network for everybody. Yes, it was spotty in places, but the idea that there were big ideas being tried had a big role in my decision to live here. We have a lot going for us, and we can build on what we’ve done before. Right now there’s no shortage of big ideas, and a lot of talented people are doing everything they can to make them happen.

Happy Holidays from all of us at CC Magazine, and may we all have a prosperous 2012.

Jeff Craft © Copyright 2011 all rights reserved. CC Publishing, LLC reserves the right to edit, rewrite & refuse editorial materials and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors, omissions, or consequence arising from it. CC magazine shall be held harmless indemnified against any third party claims. CC Publishing, LLC accepts no claims made by agents, contributors or photographers. Opinions expressed by contributing writers or columnists are not necessarily those of CC Publishing, LLC or its affiliates. Advertisers appearing in CC magazine present only the viewpoint of the advertisers. CC magazine is printed in the USA. We assume no responsibility for advertising claims made in this publication. All correspondence to this publication becomes the property of CC magazine. Publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without express permission of the publisher and author(s).

12 The Canvas Billy Keen is a well-known artist from Schertz, TX… and you may well ask why am I interviewing someone who isn’t really what one would call a ‘Coastal Bend’ artist. The coastline hasn’t eroded all the way to Schertz, I promise – we are not all living under water. Nope, the reason I’m interviewing Billy Keen is simple – the man brought Santa Claus to town! Right now, if you head over to the Art Center of Corpus Christi, at 100 Shoreline Boulevard, you will see Santa Claus. I guarantee it.

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RAIN After a successful run on Broadway at the Neil Simon theatre, Rain, a Tribute to the Beatles show is now touring for a year across the country. Luckily for us, one of their stops was Corpus Christi at the Selena Auditorium. Steve Landes, Joey Curatolo, Joe Bithorn and Ralph Castelli make this homage to the Fab Five was nothing short of amazing.

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Inside the Center

11 Art Scene 14 STARS Events Page 15 Live Music tonight 18 Dining Guide 21 Night Life & Club guide 21 Personal Services guide 23 The Lenz

Ban the Bag

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The best way to stop littering would be the death penalty. We know that sounds a bit harsh but hear us out.

The fact is that we would probably only have to execute one litterer and the word would get around pretty quick. Short of that, it may be time to consider some regulations on the plastic bags that blanket the area and hang from every tree.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Pants He Knows Everything There Is To Know About Corpus Christi

mrsmartypants@ccmagonline.com

Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, I recently moved to Corpus Christi, actually to the island, and since moving here I have noticed that there is a lot of trash on the streets and in vacant lots, not just on the island but all over town. What gives? Do people here just throw out more trash or does the city just not pick it up? it’s going to be a little embarysing when people come to visit and we look like a third world country.

Marrisa Townes

Well, Marrisa, you have hit on an age old question that has been the subject of many a beer fueled discussion in The Sparkling City By the Sea. The Chicken and Egg question of whether our residents toss out more than their fair share of refuse or whether our city does a poor job of picking it up is a question better left to bigger minds than Mr. Smarty Pants. It could involve math.

Mr. Smarty Pants first heard the term Free Dumping a couple of decades ago on a visit to Kentucky where the freedom to dump old washing machines, dirty diapers, and empty jugs of moonshine on the hill out behind your house was considered a God Given Right. A check of the Bill of Rights however, showed no such clause and free dumping was the subject of a crackdown that has left poor hapless Kentucky with a sparsity of Free Dumps for some time now.

At last check the shortage has done no damage to their commonwealth and has in fact added greatly to the aesthetic appeal of that very beautiful state.

With that as our benchmark Mr. Smarty Pants is going to go out on a limb and say that the elimination of open dumps on Padre Island - where there are many - would not bring the demise of our city as we know it.

Ban the Bag

He will go further out on a limb and say that given the propensity of our citizenry to dispose of their household waste, empty beer bottles, and most of all their plastic bags wherever and whenever they see fit, they can throw it down a lot faster than our city can pick it up.

Mr. Smarty Pants believes it’s always best to go to the source of a problem for a solution. In this case why don’t we try to eliminate the most common contributor to the trash supply line: the one-time use plastic bag. If you notice as you drive around the Sparkling City By the Sea there is seldom a vacant lot or city block that is not inhabited by swarms of these flying polyethylene wonders to modern non biodegradable efficiency. If you throw them in a landfill they take up to 1000 years to break down. If you set them free on their windblown journey to find a new home they take about a year to disappear after they have affixed themselves to a prickly pear cactus or a palm tree.

What to do?

So what is to be done about this? Mr. Smarty Pants has some suggestions.

In no particular order...

The best way to stop littering would be the death penalty. We know that sounds a bit harsh but hear us out. The fact is that we would probably only have to execute one litterer and the word would get around pretty quick.

In fact, we’re pretty sure that the handing out of the first death sentence for littering would get great attention in newspapers all over the country so everyone would know that if they By God come down here to Texas and mess with it by throwing a butt out their car window that we got some gurney space for them over Huntsville way.

They wave in the breeze like a flock of white geese and next to seagulls are the most ubiquitous species of bird in the Coastal Bend. To see flock of them waving in the soft coastal breeze as the sun sets on the horizon is enough to bring a tear to your eye. But as they are not unique to our area and do not migrate they have not yet caught on with the bird watching crowd.

About thirty percent of the countries in the world have already banned these one-use bags. The most recent nation to do so was Italy where they can’t balance their national checkbook but they have defeated the plastic bag. Just down the coast in Brownsville they put a one dollar bounty on each bag for those who really, really want to use one. Since the tax took effect last January they have collected just under $300,000 which they have used as seed money to get state grants at the rate of $2 in grants for every $1 they raise through the bag fee. They use the money then to hire crews to pick up trash around town. That sounds like a pretty good solution to the problem to Mr. Smarty Pants. Even if the fee is only a quarter, as in many American cities, that still will discourage the use of the bags and provide some money for cleanup.

“Do you have anything you want to say before we whack you out sir?”

“I just want to apologize to my victims, all the people of the Sparkling City By the Sea for my terrible decision to throw my cigarette butt out the car window but I panicked because it was burning a hole in my pants. Let this be a lesson to anyone whose pants are on fire while driving.”

However, given the steady murder rate in our state since we reinstated the death penalty in the 1970s and the fact that there were pickpockets working the crowd in Hyde Park who turned out to watch the hanging of pickpockets, the Death Penalty might not work. It could also have a negative impact on our tourist trade given that nobody really wants to get executed for littering since it could make for a rather embarrassing headstone.

The local chapter of the Coastriders is working to make this happen and here’s hoping they get the support they need at city hall to get it passed.

Plastic bags that find their way into our bays and canals make for a fatal treat for our turtles, as do plastic soda bottles. Something needs to be done and if we can use the source of the problem to get to a solution that sounds like pretty good public policy to us.

Here lies the body of Lesley Moore Executed for throwing his cigarette butt out the door No Less No More.

If the tax doesn’t work then here’s a vote to go back to the Death Penalty. If you Mess With Texas then Texas Will Mess With You Back.

So what else can we do?

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We hope that helps Marrisa

The 12 Day Trips of Christmas

The holiday season is traditionally a time for us to reconnect with our families, eat huge meals and watch football. After about a day of that, you’ll be ready to get out and do something. We made a list, checked it twice, then cut it down to our favorite 12 things to do over the holidays.

Christmas in the Park November 19 through December 31 Cuero, Tx Lighted Driving Tour Cuero Municipal Park 6-10pm; donations accepted.

Over 70 lighted & animated whimsical Christmas scenes that line a path through 30 acres.

La Posada de Kingsville – Parade of Lights

Christmas Past Celebration

December 3

December 7

Kingsville, TX - historical downtown

Corpus Christi, TX

7 p.m.-8 p.m. Free

Heritage Park 6-9 pm, free.

All of historic Kingsville lights up after Thanksgiving and stays Christmassy until new year’s eve.

The parade has lots of floats & music and a visit from Saint Nick. Call (800) 333-5032 more info.

361-275-8178 for more info.

Tropical Christmas Festival December 2-3 Rockport, TX - downtown

Tour nine extraordinary homes in Heritage Park, enjoy festive music, holiday lights & caroling.

Father Christmas will meet & greet with stockings full of treats for the kids. Enjoy arts & crafts, books, baked goods and other handmade items for sale. Everybody knows Corpus Christi is the Most Haunted City in Texas, and Heritage Park is the epicenter of CC’s ectoplasmic community, so look out for ghosts of Christmas Past. Call 361-826-3417 formore info.

Christmas at Centennial House

10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Free

December 3-4

Rockport does it right with a Birding Seminar, Kids Events, Arts & Crafts Sale, Live Entertainment, Special Pet Event, Sidewalk Chalk Art at the Band Shell in Rockport Beach Park, Run for ‘Yar Treasure Beach Hunt, Lighting of Children’s 75’ Christmas Tree, Kids Ornament Workshop, pictures with “Tropical” Santa, Illuminated Land Parade and Fireworks Display.

Corpus Christi, TX Centennial House, 411 N. Upper Broadway Noon - 5 p.m. $5 adults/$1 children 12 and younger

Call (361) 729-2213 for more info.

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The Centennial House was built in 1849, making it the oldest remaining building in the city. The Christmas display features period decorations, a silent auction, and yes, it is probably haunted too.

Call (361) 882-8691 more info.

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Rockport-Fulton Lighted Boat parade December 10 Rockport, TX – Rockport Yacht Club All boats are welcome! Fishing, sailing, power, pontoons, if it floats, decorate it.Light up your boat, load up friends and family and win cool trophies & great prizes After party for parade participants. Skipper meeting at 9 am at the Rockport Yacht Club. Call (361) 463-1193 for more info

Illuminated Parade December 9 Aransas Pass, TX – Aransas Pass Civic Center 6:30 p.m. parade, 7:30 p.m. Christmas play Free 6:30 p.m. Illuminated Christmas Parade, Christmas Tree Forest and Tree Give Away - Watch the parade and the lighting of the tree.

Get your picture taken with Santa and sip hot cocoa while watching the town’s Christmas play at the Aransas Pass Civic Center. aransaspass.org for more info

37th Annual La Posada Lighted Boat Parade December 9 & 110 Corpus Christi, TX Canals on Upper Padre Island 6 p.m.; Free This one is huge! If you have a boat, take it there. If you don’t there are viewing areas all over the Island. Pick up an Island Moon Newspaper for maps. Friday and Saturday routes are different.

Benefits Toys for Tots. Call (361) 774-0177 for more info.

Enchanted Forest Renaissance Faire

White Christmas 2004t

December 10-11 Ingleside, TX - Live Oak Park, 2065 Parkview 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission $3, kids under 3 free Our very own Renaissance Faire, there’s lots of booths and crafts, and of course jousting and people dressed up like musketeers or whatever.

No word on if it is haunted. Call (888) 899-2906 or inglesidetxchamber.com more info.

The Nutcracker presented by the Corpus Christi Ballet December 10,11,17,18 Corpus Christi, TX - Selena Auditorium americanbankcenter.com for times and tickets The Corpus Christi Ballet invites you to begin your Christmas holidays with a sparkling performance showcasing a live orchestra and a full cast of 150 regional dancers in this enchanting production. Group discounts available. www. americanbankcenter.com for more info.

New Year’s Eve with the Spazmatics December 31 Corpus Christi, TX – Brewster Street Ice House $50 Entrance fee includes Champagne toast, midnight buffet, and party favors. Call (361) 884-2739 for more info.

Boar’s Head & Yule Log Festival A celebration of Christmas in music, drama & dance

Corpus Christi, TX - First Christian Church, 3401 Santa Fe St. Three Performances Saturday, January 7, 2011: 3 pm, 5 pm and 7 pm Free, Donations of canned goods accepted.

The Boar’s head Festival is an ancient Renaissance festival, celebrating the Epiphany season.

There’s a live orchestra and a huge cast of performers. The festival was once a tradition in great manor houses in England, but of course we do it better in Texas. Call (361) 854-3044 more info.

We wish you the happiest of holidays and a prosperous new year.

See you in 2012.

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Photos courtesy of The Island Moon Newspaper

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by Samantha Koepp

As the end of the year approaches, it’s often a time for people to reflect on what has happened over the past 12 months. At American Bank Center we’ve had another year full of events. Here are our top 10 events of 2011:

Another Year Full of Events Tour Ever! - December 31 What better Christmas gift to give your kids than to see their favorite animated detectives live!

We look forward to providing you with quality entertainment to fill your calendar for next year!

Here’s a peek at what we have planned so far for 2012:

WWE Monday Night Raw- January 9

10. Riverdance, 9.

Transiberian Orchestra, 8.

Jerry Seinfeld, 7. George Lopez, 6. ZZ Top & Lynyrd Skynyrd, 5. Rock & Worship, 4. Joel Olsten, 3. Cirque du Soleil Alegria, 2. Lady Antebellum and 1. Tim McGraw .

See your favorite RAW Superstars Live!

Fiddler on the RoofJanuary 11 A classic story of a family’s struggle of adhering to tradition performed along to a beautiful soundtrack.

There are still a few more events left in 2011:

Corpus Christi Ballet Presents The Nutcracker December 10 &11, December 17 & 18 See the Christmas classic come to life before your eyes!

23rd Annual Feast of SharingDecember 24 Celebrate the holiday season by volunteering or enjoying a hot meal at the largest free holiday meal open to the city. For more information visit Americanbankcenter.com.

George Lopez- December 30 Here’s your second chance to see George if you missed him in November or to see him again if you just can’t get enough!

Aaron Lewis- January 15 The front man of Staind goes solo and acoustic performing songs from his solo country album, Town Line, as well as Staind hits.

Al Amin Shrine Circus- January 20-22 Watch skillful performances by aerialists, acrobats, clowns, elephants, and much more!

almost too big for the stage! Give your valentine a night worth remembering!

Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes MusicFebruary 21 Tickle Me Elmo was the hottest toy on the market for a reason- kids love Elmo and yours will too when they see him and his friends live!

Jeff Dunham- February 23 The adult version of Sesame Street- you will never think of puppets the same when Jeff’s characters take over!

Cirque du Soleil Dralion- March 9-11 Like Cirque du Soleil show you can expect to be amazed by the elaborate stage and performances.

Dralion tells a story of finding harmony through a balance of humans and nature through exhilarating acrobatics.

We hope to celebrate the holiday season and the new year with you at one of our upcoming events!

Tickets are available at the American Bank Center Box Office Monday through Friday 10AM- 6PM, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster. com or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

American Bank Center is Corpus Christi’s premier event center providing unprecedented guest experiences. For more information, visit us online at www.americanbankcenter.com.

- Monty Python’s Spamalot- February 6 The absurdly comical rendition of King Arthur and his knights’ quest for the Holy Grail.

John Leguizamo- Ghetto KlownFebruary 14 Much more than just stand up but a performance

Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE

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Leslie A. Ratliff,CPA

361-528-3583

205 Green Ave., Taft, TX 78390 Tax Preparations - Individual • Partnership • Corporate • Estate Extensive Bookkeeping Services, Quarterly Payroll Services

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Art Scene

A Few Items Of Note For December

K Space Contemporary 415 D Starr Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401 361.887.6834 KSpaceContemporary.org Hours: Wed-Sat 11a – 5p Free Admission

South Texas Institute for the Arts

Silver Cup Show Art Association of Corpus Christi Reception and Award Ceremony, Thursday, December 8th, 2011, 5:30p to 7p Group Annual Recognition Event STTAA Show

1902 N. Shoreline Blvd Corpus Christi, TX 78401 Tel: 361.825.3500 STIA.org Hours: Tues - Sat 10a to 5p

South Texas Traditional Art Association

Sundays 1p to 5p

Reception and Award Ceremony, Thursday, December 8th, 2011, 5:30p to 7p

Closed Mondays & Holidays

Group Annual Recognition Event

Heads up, Holiday Shoppers!!

December 2nd through 4th

Admission: Adults

$6, Seniors (60 and older) $4

Active Military $4 Students (12+) $2 Free:

Friday 5:30-9 pm (ArtWalk), Saturday 12 to 4pm, and Sunday 2 to 6 pm

- All members - Children under age 12

Main Gallery & Art Star Gift Gallery

- Texas A&M University-CC students

A Little Christmas

The Art of Caring: A Look at Life Through Photography

Small moderately priced works of art by local artists

Photographic exhibit comprised of 7 themes in caring: Children and Family, Love, Wellness, Caregiving and Healing, Aging, Disaster, and Remembering. On display through December 31st, 2011.

4th Annual Ornament Sale Artful original ornaments by local artists

The Art of Work Self-selected works of art by full time Art Department Faculty from Texas A&M University on display through January 15th, 2012.

Hot Spot: TAMUCC Student Art Association Exhibition

Free Day at the Art Museum

Treehouse Art Collective LLC Face Jug Ornament, Day Wheeler - K Space

309 North Water Street, Suite D

December 1st, 2011, from 10am - 5pm Holiday Family Fun Day

Corpus Christi, TX 78401

December 10th, 2011, from 10am - 2pm

361.882.4822

Christmas Around the World

TreehouseArtCC.com

Free to the public, ALL DAY

Hours: Tue-Sat

11a – 8p

Sunday

Noon to 6p

Free Admission Featured Artist: Jerry Bass (multi-media abstract painter) Opening Reception First Friday, December 2nd, 6p to 9p. Works on display through December 30th

Suspension Series, by Ryan Howell - K Space

Rockport Center for the Arts 902 Navigation Circle Rockport, Texas 78382 Tel: 361.729.5519

100 Shoreline Blvd

Festival of the Arts The Merriman-Bobys House 1521 North Chaparral Street Corpus Christi, Texas 78401

Fax: 361.729.3551

CCFestivalArts.org

RockportArtCenter.com

Art Center of Corpus Christi

Check the museum’s website event calendar for Moms& Tots and other events throughout the month.

By Appointment Only

Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10a – 4p

Always Free Admission

Sundays, 1p – 4p

*Something NEW!*

Tel: 361.884.6406

Closed Mondays

Fax: 361.884.8836

Always Free Admission

Festival Of The Arts welcomes you to their new permanent home!

ArtCenterCC.org

Currents & Miniatures

Corpus Christi, TX 78401

Hours: 10a – 4p Everyday except Monday

Saturday, December 3rd, 5p to 7p

Reception and Award Ceremony, Thursday, December 8th, 2011, 5:30p to 7p

All Member Artists: The annual all-member exhibition highlights our family of artists and provides a chance to stand out as a Merit Artist the following year. An invited juror will chose five Merit Artists, and a sixth is selected by popular vote. Workd on display through January 28th, 2012.

Annual Wildlife Photography Competition and Exhibit

Currents Juror: Tracy Saucier, Director, Beeville Art Museum.

Monday CLOSED Admission is always FREE Wildlife In Focus

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Open House Party on First Friday, December 2nd, 6p to 9p Join us for Art, Music & MORE!!

Tango Tea Room Paintings by Georgia Griffin and Photography by Max Strycharske

The

Canvas

Exposing Local Artists…

By Georgia Griffin

Billy Keen tIf you were really lucky, you made it there on Saturday, November 12th and got to have your photo taken. Father Christmas came to town special, just to be there for the kids when the new 2011 portrait was unveiled. But fear not – he’ll still make it down your chimney this year, even if you missed giving him your list at the Art Center. In the meanwhile, take a wander around the Meadows Gallery and see “Visions of Santa” by Billy L. Keen.

Billy has painted a portrait of Santa every year, for 38 years; no time warp or trips to the North Pole required. Santa comes to Billy, in many different guises, with a vaguely different visage each time. There’s the 2001 Santa, with a sadness bone deep in his eye. There’s a somewhat Jerry Garcia sort of Santa, and all sorts of Santas in between. No one race, culture, or era has a lock on Santa and the spirit he imbues. Billy has a bead on the real essence of the Spirit of Santa and what he means to Christmas.

In his current “regular” work Billy has created sculptural elements in the form of frames for what are, relative to the over all dimensions, small landscapes or what have you. The frames are abstract relief sculptures in themselves, but not entirely abstract. Each frame carries some form of Christian/Spiritual symbolism that speaks to the very traditional and strong landscape within it.

As you view the gallery on his website, BillyKeenArt.com, you get his explanation of the meaning in each piece.

With his Santas, though, it goes completely the other way. He displays them with an explanation or description of the piece, of course, but sans the large sculptural symbolic frames. There are traditional, some even ‘old world’ if you will, various types of realist painting, others may be more impressionist or loose, but they’re two dimensional in standard frames or frameless. Yet, not all stay truly two-dimensional… As I told Billy when we met, what fascinated me from the start was that in some of the pieces he has actually painted some sort of sculptural relief surrounding them on the canvas. I asked Billy if he realized that he had been doing that, and if so, was it a deliberate decision to incorporate his regular style into some of the Santas?

“Well, no…. the Alaska piece (1991), it has a piece of walrus tusk that I have scrimshawed on. Others, I didn’t know. I love materials, so there is a tendency, I think, toward the sculptural aspect, but I hadn’t really thought about it on those… That while those were all two-dimensional pieces, I do to try to build that third dimension, maybe sometimes. I hadn’t really thought about that but it really is my other work kind of sneaking in. Unintentionally… art comes from strange places and you can try to avoid things but it sneaks out anyway. So that’s very interesting that you noticed that, I really hadn’t

been aware of that at all.”

Then we got down to brass tacks on the origin of the Santa series, which might be thought of as something to appeal to his children, Billy said, “It was never about my kids.”

“The real story is I’ve always worked – art work – and was in a studio with another guy, and the question came up, ‘the Old Masters, how did they get those skin tones’? It’s late fall and I said ‘well they did this kind of gray-green under-painting, then they glazed over it with rose madder and yada-yada, and he said ‘no’ and I said ‘yeah’, and he said ‘no’ and I said ‘yeah’… and at the time I had a dark red beard and flame red hair, and was pretty cocksure of myself and stuff in 1974, so we argued for a little while, then I said, ‘well, I’ll show you.”

“I had a picture of my dad in the studio, I have no idea why I had my dad’s picture in there, so I just kind of used that as a model, put a beard on it, and I was using acrylics so it went really super fast, and that’s “1974”. If you look at it now you’ll see some green in there and I mean we wasted an afternoon and didn’t make any money and all that stuff… and I ended up with this piece of studio board 18x24 that had Santa on it, and said “Merry Christmas” on it.

It lay around the studio for a little while, then Christmas came up and I thought great, I’ll put this in Brian’s room, the oldest boy (then age 2). Christmas went away, and I put it away.”

“The next year I thought, man, I have two sons, I better do one for Devin.

So, I did one for Devin, and put those away. The next Christmas… it got 12

Christmas time and I was feeling Christmas-y so I thought, well, I’ll do another one of those and so every year since. In the beginning I didn’t frame any of them or anything, I just put them away with the Christmas stuff, they were all on scrap board. Then people we knew started saying ‘can I borrow those for our Christmas party?’ and now they’ve been border to border, north to south; I guess Midland Museum of the Southwest is as far west as they’ve been.”

“I haven’t sold them, haven’t done the prints, the calendar, or the like, because I don’t want to take the fun out of it.”

I said I thought it must be freeing to have one facet of his work set aside from the prospect of sales. Billy confirmed my thought “This is one where I can do anything I want to, and if you don’t like it, that’s okay.”

“People don’t understand the art business is tough period; I think it wouldn’t be fun. It’s getting to be big, though, I mean, there’re 38 of them, so now I’m aiming for 50. If I can live a couple more years, I guess if they’ll give me the crayon I’ll drool and work on a piece.”

I remarked that Willem de Kooning’s last works were made well after the onset of Alzheimer’s. “I like de Kooning. In my regular work, when I talk to people about it, I think I’m Jungian, and I know that a lot of that stuff comes from our subconscious and the process is the thing. Yeah, I think de Kooning’s Alzheimer’s stuff is probably, some of it, more honest than a lot of his other stuff. Just like little kid art is SO honest, until people get a hold of them and say ‘trees don’t grow like that’, and that ruins them, right there. So I think if I can keep doing it, I’ll be ok.”

Every year we experience tension between the tightly controlled and the spontaneous celebrations of Christmas. Ultimately it’s about new creation.

To me, it says, “Art is a gift – share it!”

With that, let me share the statement that goes with the Santa image I chose to feature: 2004 – Beholding and Receiving the Gift Sometimes Santa is just about the paint. Note the contrast between the tightly rendered paintbrush and the loose, painterly depiction of Santa’s face.

13

Events Page 23rd Annual Feast of Sharing

Advocacy 101 Training Learn to Speak Out! Step Forward ! Start Local! Make a Difference! It’s Easy to Be a Voice for Children in YOUR family and community! Attend an Advocacy Workshop!

Hosted by Children’s Defense Fund-Texas December 12, 2011 • 1:00 – 3:30pm Antonio E. Garcia Arts & Education Center • 2011 Agnes • 78405

December 24 Celebrate the holiday season by volunteering or enjoying a hot meal at the largest free holiday meal open to the city. For more information visit Americanbankcenter.com.

DEC 3 Harbor Lights Festival & Boat Parade Bayfront Marina on Shoreline Blvd.

Dec 11 Through Jan 15, 2012 – Faculty members in the Department of Art at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will display their recent works during “The Art of Work” exhibition on view through Sunday, Jan 15, 2012, at the Art Museum of South Texas. . The Art Museum of South Texas, 1902 N. Shoreline Blvd., is affiliated with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. For more information, call 361.825.3504.

2 – 9 p.m.; Free

Ingleside Renaissance Faire

Saturday, Decemb er 10, 2011, 10:00 AM to 5: 00 PM, Live Oa k Park, Ingleside, TX

The Ingleside Re naissance Faire is a two-day even t held the second weekend of Dece mber. The faire consists of ever yth ing and anything that relates to th e 17th centur y including medieva l combat, and jousting. Admiss ion fee is $3 and free for children under three.

Attendees will find food and merchandise vend ors and may even learn how to shoot a bow at the archer y booth s.

Features a Children’s Parade, Santa’s Motorcade, Laser Light Show, Illuminated Boat Parade in Corpus Christi Bay, Food, Family Activities, Arts and Crafts and a Lighting Ceremony of a 75-foot Tree of Lights. 361.985.1555 more info. www. harborlightsfestival.org

Cookies and Milk with Santa December 6, 10am - Noon | Upper Level Join La Palmera for Cookies and Milk with Santa, KEDT story time, arts & crafts, face painting, activities, cookie decorating and more!

Charity Gift Wrapping | Noon - 6:00pm

Located across from Concierge, the following organizations will be providing holiday gift wrapping. Donations encouraged.

Dec. 2-4 American Red Cross Dec. 9-11 Bike for Kids Foundation Dec. 16-18 CASA of the Coastal Bend Dec. 22-23 Big Brothers and Big Sisters

Deckside Dolphin Encounters Friday, December 9th, 12:45 p.m. Would you like to shake “hands” or get a kiss from an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin? Now you can when you sign up for our new Deckside Dolphin Encounter! You can have the opportunity of a lifetime when you feed, play with and touch one of our dolphins at the Texas State Aquarium. Would you like to shake “hands” or get a kiss from an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin?

Now you can when you sign up for our new Deckside Dolphin Encounter! You can have the opportunity of a lifetime when you feed, play with and touch one of our dolphins at the Texas State Aquarium.

Nunsense Through Sunday, Dec 18

The Metropolitan Opera: Faust

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Live, Saturday, December 10, 2011, 11:55

Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m

AM, Century 16 Corpus Christi, Corpus

Auditions for Altar Boyz January 9 & 10 at 7 p.m. www.auroraartstheatre.com

Christi, TX

Live Music Tonight

The Coastal Bend's Most Complete Live Music Calendar Compiled by Ronnie Narmour

Thursday, Dec. 1st Free Beer @ Tarpon Ice House Brown Bag Challenge Art Show @ House of Rock Reckless Kelly/ Pear Ratz @ Brewster Street Ice House John Cortez @ Dr. Rockits

Friday, Dec. 2nd Carol Elliott (6-8) @ Tarpon Ice House Ray T & the City Crew @ Flats Lounge Corpus Christi ArtWalk @ House of Rock Lighter Ray @ Executive Surf Club Spazmatics @ Brewster Street Ice House Collin Roche @ Doc’s Seafood Sonny Boy Terry @ Dr. Rockits

Saturday, Dec. 3rd Emily @ Hooks Bar-B-Q Asleep at the Wheel/ The Trishas @ Brewster Street Norma Jean/ Oh, Sleeper/ Close Your Eyes/ Stray From the Path/ Lower Than Atlantis @ House of Rock Phil Pritchett Band @ Executive Surf Club Another Level @ Dr. Rockits

Sunday, Dec. 4th Open Electric Jam w/ Rockin’ Ricke @ Tarpon Ice House Grimy Styles @ Dr. Rockits

Monday, Dec. 5th Acoustic Night w/ Ty Dietz @ House of Rock Antone Perez Open Jam @ Dr. Rockits

Tuesday, Dec. 6th Open Mic w/ Rev. Matt Martinez @ House of Rock Scarecrow People @ Executive Surf Club Antone & Atomic Blues Band @ Dr. Rockits Clarissa Serna @ Revolution Bar and Grill

Wednesday. Dec. 7th Open Jam w/ Wolf Jaw @ Flats Lounge Beer & Berto Show @ House of Rock Flat Broke @ Dr. Rockits

Thursday, Dec. 8th Free Beer @ Tarpon Ice House Ballabajoomba Poetry Slam @ House of Rock Hunters and Gatherers @ Executive Surf Club Josh Abbott Band/ Ryan Beaver @ Brewster Street Ice House John Cortez @ Dr. Rockits

Friday, Dec. 9th Ray T & the City Crew @ Flats Lounge Girl in a Coma/ Fences/ Electric Touch @ House of Rock Hamilton Loomis @ Executive Surf Club The Groove @ Brewster Street Ice House Grady Champion @ Dr. Rockits

Saturday, Dec. 10th Richard Lockhart Band @ Hooks Bar-B-Q Scott H. Biram/ Bertha @ House of Rock Stewart Mann & Statesboro Revue @ Executive Surf Club Sing-Along Piano Show @ Brewster Street Ice House CC Symphony @ Performing Arts Center TAMUCC Grady Champion @ Dr. Rockits

Sunday, Dec. 11th Open Electric Jam w/ Rockin’ Ricke @ Tarpon Ice House Jimmy Wilden/ Mathew Watkins/ Shattered Sun/ Jokes on You/ Given a Chance @ House of Rock Henry & the Invisibles @ Dr. Rockits

Live Music Tonight Sponsored by

Hours Sun, Tues-Thurs...

Monday, Dec. 12th

11:00AM till 10:00PM

Thrash and Burn Tour 2011 (7 Bands) @ House of Rock Antone Perez Open Jam @ Dr. Rockits

Closed MONDAY Fri-Sat 11:00AM-Midnight

Tuesday, Dec. 13th

Live music Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Open Mic w/ Rev. Matt Martinez @ House of Rock Scarecrow People @ Executive Surf Club Antone & Atomic Blues Band @ Dr. Rockits Clarissa Serna @ Revolution Bar and Grill

Wednesday. Dec. 14th Open Jam w/ Wolf Jaw @ Flats Lounge Forrest Wayne Allen @ Dr. Rockits

Burgers, Seafood, Salads, Sandwiches 520 S Shoreline Corpus Christi, TX 78401 361-726-3533

check us out on Urbanspoon.com check us out on Facebook.com

Thursday, Dec. 15th Free Beer @ Tarpon Ice House Max Bemis/ Sherri Dupree @ House of Rock Fortunate Youth @ Executive Surf Club JB &) the Moonshine Band/ Brian Burke @ Brewster Street Ice House John Cortez @ Dr. Rockits

Friday, Dec. 16th Ray T & the City Crew @ Flats Lounge Nethermedia presents “Toys for Tots” @ House of Rock Another Level @ Brewster Street Ice House

Saturday, Dec. 17th Slaid Cleaves @ Third Coast Theater Junior High Jinx/ Windchester/ This Years Fashion @ House of Rock Metal Shop @ Brewster Street Ice House Chris Watson @ Dr. Rockits

Sunday, Dec. 18th Open Electric Jam w/ Rockin’ Ricke @ Tarpon Ice House Sunglasses & Mushrooms @ Dr. Rockits

Monday, Dec. 19th Acoustic Jam w/ Pake Rossi @ House of Rock Antone Perez Open Jam @ Dr. Rockits

Tuesday, Dec. 20th Open Mic w/ Rev. Matt Martinez @ House of Rock Scarecrow People @ Executive Surf Club Antone & Atomic Blues Band @ Dr. Rockits Clarissa Serna @ Revolution Bar and Grill

Wednesday. Dec. 21st Jared Pena @ House of Rock Open Jam w/ Wolf Jaw @ Flats Lounge Blindfold @ Dr. Rockits

Thursday, Dec. 22nd Free Beer @ Tarpon Ice House Ballabajoomba Poetry Slam @ House of Rock John Cortez @ Dr. Rockits

Friday, Dec. 23rd

Saturday, Dec. 24th

Friday, Dec. 30th

Cody Angel Band @ Hooks Bar-B-Q 7th Annual Tamale Dinner @ House of Rock The Groove @ Dr. Rockits

Ray T & the City Crew @ Flats Lounge Bright Light Social Hour @ House of Rock Five Card Draw @ Brewster Street Ice House Andrew “Jr. Boy” Jones @ Dr. Rockits

Sunday, CHRISTMAS DAY Open Electric Jam w/ Rockin’ Ricke @ Tarpon Ice House 10th Annual Equilize Christmas Show @ House of Rock Steven James & the Shakedown @ Dr. Rockits

Saturday, NEW YEAR’S EVE Richard Lockhart Band @ Hooks Bar-B-Q Spazmatics @ Brewster Street Makeshift New Year’s Dance Party @ House of Rock Ruben V @ Dr. Rockits

Monday, Dec. 26th Acoustic Night w. Ty Dietz @ House of Rock Open Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Dr. Rockits

Tuesday, Dec. 27th Open Mic w/ Rev Matt Martinez @ House of Rock

Wednesday. Dec. 28th HOBO @ House of Rock Open Jam w/ Wolf Jaw @ Flats Lounge Bad Chords @ Dr. Rockits

Thursday, Dec. 29th Free Beer @ Tarpon Ice House Cody Johnson/ Curtis Grimes @ Brewster Street Ice House John Cortez @ Dr. Rockits

The Spazmatics will play Brewster Street on New Year’s Eve

Cody Angel Band @ Hooks Bar-B-Q Ray T & the City Crew @ Flats Lounge If your venue or show isn’t listed, let us know! we’ll get your dates in the next issue.

Justin Storms @ House of Rock Middle of the Road @ Brewster Street Ice House 15 Another Level @ Dr. Rockits

The Coastal Bend’s Most Complete Live Music Listings

Rain A

TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES

After a successful run on Broadway at the Neil Simon theatre, Rain, a Tribute to the Beatles show is now touring for a year across the country. Luckily for us, one of their stops was Corpus Christi at the Selena Auditorium. Steve Landes, Joey Curatolo, Joe Bithorn and Ralph Castelli make this homage to the Fab Five was nothing short of amazing.

First, a word about the Selena Auditorium. I have been to venues all over the country, and for a venue that size to feel so intimate is a rare treat, not just for the audience, but the performers feel it too, and it takes the performance up to another level.

My experience of the Beatles was through the old videos, TV shows, a cartoon about a submarine, and a camp counselor who made us sing “Get Back” around the campfire. Sergeant Pepper was the first cassette tape I ever owned, but it was the one with the Bee Gees and George Burns on it.

Sitting next to me at the show was Mark Hebner, who skipped school with all his friends the day Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band came out so they could listen to it over and over. What a different time! High school students today would just download it to their phone, and listen to the songs during class with earbuds. Call me old fashioned, but the old way sounds much more fun.

The cast’s resemblance to John, Paul, George and Ringo both physically and musically was impressive. It was a lot of fun watching the Beatles develop from a hip shaking boy band to their psychedelic and activist years. The costumes, mannerisms and vocals drew the audience in and had everyone on their feet for a good portion of the show. I would definitely see RAIN again if I get the chance, and I’d recommend it to anyone, even if they’re under 30 and don’t know who the Beatles were.

Coastal Crush Beach Shop Custom Arts & Crafts Hand Made from Items Found on Local Beaches Locally Crafted Hemp & Bead Jewelry Beautiful Gypsy Rose Clothing Offering Art Classes in Oils Commissioned Artwork Available

10338 South Padre Island Drive (Suite E in Gateway Center on Waldron Rd) Corpus Christi, Texas 78418 (361) 822-0031 www.coastalcrushbeachshop.com

Fitness 101: Exercises you can do at home One of my now favorite sites to help in my fitness goals is the www.fitwatch.com site. You don’t have to go to a gym to get a workout, use what you have in your house to get fit.

I found these 10 simple and easy things to do at home that I’m trying:

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he holidays are here again… and yet again I will eat too much, not work out enough and there’s no way I can squeeze into the cute and expensive clothes in my closet. If you’re like me, in your closet, you will have clothes that fit when you are at your perfect size, and clothes that you have for those times when you have overeaten through the holidays!

I’m going to start the New Year off right… eating better, and working out with exercises on a daily basis so that I get fit and healthy for 2012.

My top 10 reasons for getting fit are: 10: Boost my self-confidence. By working out each day, I will not only have a great sense of accomplishment, I will recognize my limits and push past them. The confidence that I get from the workouts will spill over to other areas of my life.

9: Be a good example… Set good health and fitness standards for myself and my family. I’m going to turn off the TV, get outside for a game of soccer or ball.

8: Get into a regular exercise routine to boost my energy. This will carry over in other areas of my life giving me the stamina to enjoy other things. Instead of feeling like I’ve got to take that nap at 2pm, I will have the energy to get out and about, do errands, be productive.

7: Get that “good mood” feeling that comes from exercise. It’s well known that exercise and fitness is great as a mood regulator, and good moods are so much better than bad ones.

6: Get healthy. Eating the right foods and getting exercise helps maintain the immune system. I really am tired of fighting the colds off!

5: Get rid of those minor aches and pains. I know as we get older minor aches and pains are to be expected, but by stretching and exercising they won’t last all day and I’ll feel better.

4: Boost my brain power. Exercise keeps the blood and oxygen flowing to the brain, which helps the brain, function sharper and faster. Let’s face it, got to keep the brain sharp any way we can.

3: Have fun. Exercise doesn’t have to be in the gym. As long as I get out each day for a bit to do something fun, biking, skating or even bounce house with kids, I’m taking that time for fun.

2: Learn something new. I plan on trying something new, I haven’t decided if it’s kayaking or sailing, but both are great outdoor activities to incorporate into my plan.

1: Be good to myself. How much time to you give to others, and forget about yourself? I’m taking 30 minutes each day (who knows, maybe even longer) to devote to myself and the commitment I’m making to get fit and healthy in 2012.

17

1. Walking – The weather is generally nice in Corpus Christi. It’s great in morning to get out and walk the neighborhood for 30 minutes and enjoy the fresh air and scenery. If the occasional bad weather happens by, I can just as easily get a nice 30 minutes of walking in the house. If you happen to have stairs, try going up and down the stairs a few times, that really works out the legs and If you happen to have stairs, try going up and down the stairs a few times, that really works out the legs and gets the blood flowing. If you don’t have stairs, try walking the house for 20-30 minutes, might be a little boring but plug in some music and sing along as you walk to cut back on the boredom.

2. Jumping Jacks – Remember these? I can remember doing Jumping Jacks in gym class as a kid.

Brings back memories of childhood and they are great cardio exercises. Try 20 or so to get started.

3. Pushups – Ok, not my favorite, but does help combat the fatty arm problem. I’ve found that I can stand facing a wall and do pushups against the wall, which avoids the strain on my back. I’ve been doing about 40 at a time.

4. Leg Lifts – These are great for building up strength and muscles in your legs. If you find it hard to do the exercises with your legs straight, try bending them slightly. I try do to about 10 minutes on each leg.

5. Crunches – Yes, we almost all have that spreading belly. To tighten up the stomach muscles I’m trying crunches, taking it a little easy on these for now, I’m up to 30 at one time. I go until I start to feel the muscles stretching.

6. Jogging In Place – This is a fun one for me. I can do this while watching my favorite TV show. It’s low impact for me, and pretty mindless, before I know it my TV show is over and 30 minutes have gone by.

7. Squats – I’m fighting the jiggle and wiggle this year on my legs and rear. Squats, I’m told will help me fight the jiggle & wiggle. I can do about 10 at a time, but am told that any amount will help. You can also try sitting in a chair and standing up, that works pretty well too.

8. Light Weight Lifting – I don’t have weights at the moment in the house, and really not sure I need to buy them. There’s a lot in my house that weights at least 5 lbs. I grab a couple of cans, or if I’m feeling super strong, grab my laundry detergent and use that to do repetitions. I’m currently doing 10 reps per arm to help with the fatty wiggle.

9. Dancing – This is one of those things I like to do in the privacy of my own home. I’m not a great dancer but its fun. I make sure the shades on the windows are pulled, turn on a couple of songs that I enjoy and just have a great time shaking and bouncing around the house. Not only do I get some exercise, I have a great time!

10. Step Exercises – This is one of those things that yeah, I could have gone out and bought the step master thing, but, if you have stairs in your home, just step up and down on the first stair for about 20 times. You will start feeling it in your legs, and remember that is a good feeling!

Dining Guide Tango Tea Room

LOS CABOS Cafe & Cantina Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Yin Yang Fandango & Tango Tea Room Los Cabos Cafe & Cantina in Flour Bluff serves authentic Mexican cuisine made from the freshest ingredients. We have an outdoor patio (smoking allowed) and a full bar.

Live entertainment Thursday through Sunday.

15% discount for seniors and military with proper ID. Kids Eat Free!

939-8300 Phone 939-8302 FAX 9601 S.P.I.D.

With 30+ years of German baking experience and tradition in Germany, owners Juergen & Brigitte Kazenmayer have brought the original tastes, aromas and joys of German breads, pastries, pies and cakes to Corpus Christi, Texas. Committed to maintaining the highest German standard, every product is handmade following age-old German traditions and recipes. There are no short-cuts at JB’s. Every product is made from scratch. We want you to experience the best of Germany in Texas 15137 S.P.I.D. On the Island 361-949-5474 Open Tues - Sat 7 am - 7 pm Sunday 8 am - 6 pm

The Tango Tea Room brings a taste of Austin to Downtown Corpus. Tango serves a variety of Mediterranean and world cuisine, including some of the best vegetarian and vegan fare you can find in Corpus. We also specialize in vegan and gluten-free desserts, cupcakes and muffins. Come on down and get your hippie on!

505 S. Water Street in downtown Corpus Christi.

361-883-9123 Tangofandango.com

Holiday Hours:

10-3 Monday through Thursday 10-9 Friday & Saturday 12-6 Sunday

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Voted Best Full Service Restaurant 2011 Taste of the Island

Intracoastal Waterfront Dining • NEW menu selections Lunch specials starting at $5.99 • Spectacular sunsets • Scenic view of boats, barges and wildlife • Live music Friday & Saturday nights by local artists • Large “sea-level” patio for parties and events

Located on Padre Island Under the JFK Bridge 13309 S. Padre Island Dr. www.docsseafoodandsteaks.com

361.949.6744 Open Daily 11AM

Like us on Facebook

Libations Amusements 18 holes of miniature golf Open 11 am - 2 am Kitchen Closes @ 1 am 2034 State Highway 361 361 749- Taco (8226)

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COFFEE BAR Live Music ● Art Shows

Coffee Waves Port A 1007 State Hwy 361 Port Aransas 361-749-0825 Open 6am-Midnight

Buy One Gelato Get One Free!

Only in Port A

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Dining Guide

Located right inside Isle Mail & More you will find the breakfast, lunch and coffee venue you’ve been looking for. Matilda Blue Cafe opens on 7 November and will be serving bagels, freshly made scones, made to order sandwiches and wraps with a variety of fillings to choose from, gorgeous soups of the day and of course some of the best brewed and gourmet coffees and teas. Stop in and do your postal shipping, stay a while with free WiFi and enjoy the atmosphere at Matilda Blue Cafe.

Offering Military Discounts and phone ahead order pick-up.

Open from 8am Mon-Fri Matilda Blue Cafe (Inside Isle Mail & More) 703-786-7255 14493 S.P.I.D, Ste A Corpus Christi TX 78418

C Bar

C Bar offers organic gourmet coffees, artisan level espresso, fresh-baked pastries, assorted panini sandwiches, frozen fruit smoothies and gelato. In addition to CoffeeWaves’ popular menu, C Bar has a full premium bar featuring microbrewery beer, an extensive wine list and super premium liquor.

Taking advantage of this unique combination, C Bar serves fresh fruit gelato daiquiris and piña coladas and coffee Bailey’s with gelato. C Bar’s signature drink? Martini Floats!

361-749-0704 165 Social Circle in Cinnamon Shore 5009 Hwy 361in Port Aransas

Town & Country Cafe has great breakfast and lunch specials every day, offering great food at a fair price. Town & Country Cafe is a great location for business meetings and client luncheons and there is no charge for the use of the meeting room.

4228 South Alameda Corpus Christi, TX 78412

(361) 992-0360 Locally Owned and Operated

Snoopy’s and Scoopy’s Snoopy’s Pier was literally a product of the Redfish Wars, a battle over commercial fishing rights in Texas. Ernie Buttler realized the Redfish Wars signaled the beginning of the end of the commercial fishing industry in Texas. So Ernie decided to give up trying to catch fish and shrimp and start cooking them instead. In August 1980 Ernie and his wife, Corliss, purchased a small bait stand and burger joint with a fishing pier on the Intracoastal Waterway. Over time, the place was transformed with a lot of hard work and patience into a family-friendly seafood restaurant. Special attention is given to providing local harvested quality seafood at affordable prices.

Scoopy’s was opened by Ernie’s wife and features home made soups, salads and sandwiches using only Texas products. Scoopy’s is proud of their shrimp salad, known by locals as the best in town.

They also have great house made desserts and ice cream by the scoop.

13313 S.P.I.D. · Corpus Christi (361) 949-8815 · snoopyspier.com

Taste The Difference!

The Gourmet Pizza Our famous Padre Pizza dough is handmade daily. Our sauces are created from the freshest tomatoes and seasoned with our own Chef’s blend of natural herbs and spices.

Our lasagna made from scratch daily is the most tasty and delicious you will ever try, and our salad selections are prepared to order using the freshest produce available.

14993 SPID On the Island 949-0787

949-7737 � 15370 SPID- On the Island Located on Padre Island, Island Italian has been serving the community since 1987. A family friendly restaurant, Island Italian also serves beer and wine and is available for private parties of up to 53 people. Flat screen TV and DVD / VHS for meetings. Delivery on Padre Island after 5pm.

Daily Lunch and Dinner Specials.

Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 11am to 9:30pm Saturday 10am to 10pm Sunday 5pm to 9:30pm

Located at Ennis Joslin & Ocean Drive Featuring a buffet seven days a week, twice daily.

Dine-in amenities include Big Screen TVs, Free WiFi, Daily Beer Specials, Texas A&M Sand Dollars accepted.

Military Appreciation on Tuesdays.

Visit pizzastate.com for daily specials and online coupons. College Student and Senior Discounts.

6133 S. Alameda, Corpus Christi Tx 78412 (361) 993-3283

d o o f a e S t a e r G and Burgers All you can eat shrimp Wednesdays are back!

Thursdays Prime Rib with Twice Baked Potato

Libations Amusements 18 Holes of Miniature Golf

Open 11 am - 2 am Kitchen Closes @ 1 am

One Bite & You’re Hooked

2034 State Highway 361

361 749- Taco (8226)

801 Tarpon, Port Aransas, TX 78373 Open 2pm to 2am Every Day! 361-749-1990 NFL Sunday Ticket, Big 10 Network on 6 Big Screens Happy Hour Monday - Friday 3-7pm Live Music, Never a Cover Book your holiday party, birthday or special event now!

In Ace Hardware Strip Center

Personal Services

15201 S.P.I.D Suite 110 On The Island Call for reservations 949-0794 theislandsedgehairsalon.com Roni, Owner/Stylist

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Our goal at The Island’s Edge Hair Salon is to educate our clients.

The focus will be on enhancing, balancing & maintaining a realistic hair lifestyle. Owner / Stylist Roni has 19 years experience as a stylist in elite salons and earned 2nd place in a prestigious national color competition.

Live Music

1023 Hwy 361, Ste A pORT aRANSAS tx 361-749-joes

It’s not the oldest bar in Port Aransas but it IS the coldest. Always entertaining, The Flats is where the “locals” hang out. Pool, darts, juke box and live music on the weekends. It’s never too slow and it’s never too busy; get to know the bartenders by name, and you’ll never wait for a drink! Say hi to owners John and Lynda, and meet some new friends!

Night Life Night Life

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Bart Crow @ Brewster Street

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It Takes Tea To Tango

Real, Satisfying food prepared just for you from fresh ingredients Huge Vegetarian, Vegan & Gluten-Free Friendly Menu Fresh Non-veg stuff too.

Ice Cold Drinks Smoothies Flavored Teas Milkshakes And other cool treats

Tango Tea Room 505 South Water Street 361-883-9123

High Heels for Hope @ Mansion Royal

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Craft Training Center Coastal Bend Employers Need People Trained in the Following Trades IMMEDIATELY!

Welding Pipefitting Instrument Fitting Crane Operations Industrial Painting Scaffold Building Field Safety / Safety Tech The Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend works with local employers to ensure they have the skilled workers they need.

You can have a rewarding, high-paying career and be in high demand for years to come.

Find out how Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend can help you achieve your goals.

Call today or visit www.ctccb.org

Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend 7433 Leopard Street Corpus Christi, TX 78409 (361) 289-1636 Toll Free: (866) 237-5455

Welding Night Classes at Ingleside ISD beginning Spring 2011.

Call CTC for details.

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PARADISE P LIMOUSINES Welcome to Luxury in Paradise!

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Carpet Cleaning

Embroidery/Monograms

The only Limousine Service located on Padre Island Serving Corpus Christi, Padre Island, Port Aransas and Surrounding Areas Available for any and all occasions

SisterChicks

Embroidery-Monograms

The best prices in the area for your Embroidery & Monogram needs No minimums !

Party Rentals to Port A and Corpus Leave the driving to us

Call SisterChicks @ 361-853-3240

King Service Cleaning Window Cleaning Service

(361) 949-1161 (361) 877-LIMO (5466) www.ccparadiselimos.com

Commercial, Residential & New Construction Clean-Up

15201 S. Padre Island Dr. Suite 250 Corpus Christi, TX 78418

Free Estimates 25 percent off for first time customers!

We do windows... inside, outside, screens, sills, paint removal, and up to 4 stories' worth of work.

The Sewing Ladies & Clothing Resale 720 Dallas • Portland 361.643.5512

PRINTING IT’S THAT EASY.

SHWEIKI.COM

FOR FREE QUOTES & SAMPLES CALL (512) 480-0860

make the connection.

JOIN THE CO-OP.

855-NEC-RD4U | www.necretail.com NEC Retail is a division of Nueces Electric Cooperative. You do not have to buy NEC Retail’s products to continue to receive quality distribution services from Nueces Electric Cooperative.