CC Publishing - July 2012 by Publication Printer

CC MAGAZINE

JULY 2012

CC BAY & CANALS IN DEEP TROUBLE

CITYWIDE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM UNDER EPA INVESTIGATION

MR. SMARTY PANTS

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND PICKS A FIGHT WITH CC SPARKLING TRASH HEAP BY THE SEA?

The best things in life are

FREE but you can keep 'em for the birds & bees

CITY LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN AGAINST LITTER & ILLEGAL DUMPING

CC MAGAZINE

JEFF CRAFT Publisher

JCRAFT@CCMAGONLINE.COM

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Samantha Koepp, Dale Rankin, Georgia Grifﬁn, Ronnie Narmour, Aletha Eyerman, Susan Giesing

PHOTOGRAPHY Miles Merwin, Jan Rankin, Dale Rankin, Ronnie Narmour, Georgia Grifﬁn, Jeff Dolan, Jace Tunnell

CONTACT CC @ 361.443.2137

From the Publisher... This issue is all about cleaning up CC. Dale Rankin reports that the city's wastewater treatment system is under EPA investigation, and the Padre Island wastewater treatment facility has been releasing large amounts of bacteria into the Island's canal system. Meanwhile, there are warning signs at some downtown parks saying to stay out of the water due to dangerous levels of bacteria. Admitting there's a problem is the first step to fixing it, so I'm proud of CC's city government for facing the problem with the bay. I know it can't be an easy thing to face, our bay, our beautiful darling bay, the one we drive by every morning and afternoon, because its just nicer to go that way, our bay is sick, and its our fault. Its time to clean up our act. I don't think I can commit to using the sewage system any less, but I will do what I can to pick up garbage. If enough people care, it doesn't even have to be most people, but if enough people care enough to embarrass and shame anyone who flicks a cigarette out the car window or leaves a diaper in a parking lot, then it might just catch on. Susan Geising went for a drive and came back with a rant about illegal dumping. You have to admit its a problem, I know I used to notice the trash more when I first moved to CC, now I guess I just got used to it. Angela Gonzalez never gets used to it, her its her job to make the trash disappear from our streets. Mr. Smarty Pants gives South Padre Island a couple of new slogans. Who do they think they are anyway? "There's only one Padre Island?" Them sounds like fightin words to me. We've got a new photographer this month, Jeff Dolan of Rockport contributed all the Lenz photos. Miles Merwin gave us the cover photo, Corpus Christi Bay, smooth and healthy on the surface, but full of sewage underneath. Not so different from the rest of us I suppose.

Jeff Craft

361.949.7700 505 S Water St Suite 545 Corpus Christi, Tx 78401

ADVERTISING JEFF CRAFT 361.443.2137 JAN RANKIN 361.949.7700

P.S. CC7D is this month-

Corpus Christi 7 Day Film Project Anyone who cares to try has 7 days to make a 4-8 minute short film. After the films are turned in the public is invited to a screening where there are jury and audience awards for the best films. The CC7D Kickoff Event July 11, 2012 – The Kickoff is where teams register, pay and receive the three essential elements that must appear in their film. At the end of this event, the clock begins to run for the Official 7-Day Filming Period. This year, The CC7D Kickoff Event is on July 11, 2012 at THE VENUE at House of Rock (511 Starr St. in downtown Corpus Christi) beginning at 6:30 PM. It is free and open to all.

Carpet Cleaning

The CC7D Wrap Party – July 18, 2012 – The Wrap Party is where teams turn in their completed (hopefully) ﬁlms. It begins at 6:30, but ﬁlms are due exactly 168 hours (7 days) after the end of the kickoff event. This year, The CC7D Wrap Party is on July 18, 2012 at THE VENUE at House of Rock (511 Starr St. in downtown Corpus Christi) beginning at 6:30 PM. It is free and open to all.

© Copyright 2012 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).

Something in the Water The way Corpus Christi treats the wastewater that is released into local waterways is currently under investigation by Region 6 of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, And Two Downtown Parks recorded unsafe levels of bacteria after rains last month.

Sparkling Trash Heap Have you ever noticed when driving around Corpus or when walking on the shoreline, the amount of trash that is being dumped daily in our fair city? I for one, am tired of my fellow residents thinking that our city walkways and streets are their own personal dumping ground for things they could as just have easily taken to the landfill.

The Canvas

Inside the Center

Mr. Smarty Pants

12 Live Music tonight 13 Art Scene 16 Dining Guide 19 The Lenz

ORLY?

Center INSIDE THE

Do you and your fiancé have what it takes to be the Last Couple Standing?

by Samantha Koepp

During the 2012 Summer Wedding Fair, ten engaged couples will have the opportunity to test the dynamics of their relationships while competing against one another in three wedding themed elimination challenges for a chance to be the Last Couple Standing and win a wedding package worth over $11,000. American Bank Center, Centerplate and Wedding Fair Events along with Tejas Broadcasting, Men’s Wearhouse, Razzle Dazzle, M&J Photography, Pro Logic Sound, VIP Limousine, Janet’s Cakes, and the Blossom Shop Florist present the Last Couple Standing contest. Last Couple Standing will take place at the 2012 The Last Couple Standing will receive a wedding package that consists Summer Wedding Fair of gift certiﬁcates and discounts that will save them thousands of dollars on July 22, 2012 from in wedding costs. The wedding package consists of: 12:00 pm- 5:00pm. American Bank Center/Ballroom/Venue $3500.00 Engaged couples can Centerplate/Catering $1000.00 register for a chance to participate in the Last Men’s Wearhouse/Tuxedos for Wedding Party up to $1800.00

Marriage can be one of the best and most challenging experiences in life. Ironically enough planning a wedding can test your relationship to the extreme with the stress of trying to make one day perfect in the eyes of not only you and your signiﬁcant others but everyone else in your lives. The path leading to that special day will reveal what balance exists between a couple while attempting to be practical, patient and ﬁnancially responsible all in the name of love.

Razzle Dazzle/Decorating package

$1400.00

M&J Photography/Photography package

$1295.00

Wedding Fair/Honeymoon accommodation pkg

$600.00

Pro Logic Sound & Lights DJ services/sound/lights

$600.00

VIP Limousine/2 hour limo service

$600.00

Janet’s Cakes/Wedding Cake

$500.00

Blossom Shop Florist/Bridal Bouquet

$250.00

Couple Standing by submitting their proposal story, in 100 words or less, to Americanbankcenter@ cctexas.com. A panel of judges will choose ﬁve couples who will participate in the Last Couple Standing. Entries must be received by July 13th at 5:00pm and the ﬁnalists will be announced on July 18, 2012. Two additional couples will be chosen through radio contests on The Beach 96.5. Couples attending the Wedding Fair will also have a chance to register that day, from which three couples will be selected to participate. Those interested in registering the day of the wedding fair are encouraged to arrive when doors open at 12:00pm. For more information on the 2012 Summer Wedding Fair visit www.weddingfairevents.com. Admission to the event is only $11.00 at the door. For more information on The Last Couple Standing contest held on The Beach 96.5 visit www.thebeach965fm.com For more information on upcoming events, visit www.AmericanBankCenter.com. American Bank Center is Corpus Christi’s premier event center. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @ AmericanBankCtr.

For complete rules on the contest visit Americanbankcenter.com 06

Ask Mr. Smarty Pants He Knows Everything There Is To Know About Corpus Christi mrsmartypants@ccmagonline.com

Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, Last weekend I drove to San Antonio and on my way back I saw this sign at the intersection or highways 77 and 37. As you can see it is put up by people in South Padre and says THERE’S ONLY ONE SOUTH PADRE AND IT’S NOT NORTH. What gives? James Thompson Island

or a serape that smelled like a wet dog, then making the drive might have been worth it. But who wants to drive all the way down there just to go to the beach when we got plenty of beaches around here? Maybe our sign should say COME TO SOUTH PADRE. NO TOURIST BEHEADINGS IN OVER TWO WEEKS. They probably wouldn’t like that too much buy hey, it’s true ain’t it?

Dear James, Mr. Smarty Pants’ first reaction is that those folks in South Padre have a firm grasp of the obvious. You can’t argue with them; North Padre is certainly not South Padre. What that proves is up for grabs though. Mr. Smarty Pants often passes the time by reading road signs and rewriting them for his own amusement according to what they actually mean. You know like the ones that say “If You’ve Been Exposed to Asbestos Call Dewey, Fleecem, and Howe,” when what it really means is “Wanna Get Your Hands on Somebody Else’s Money, Call Dewey, Feelem, and Howe.” When Mr. Smarty Pants reads There’s Only One South Padre And It’s Not North, he thinks Too Many People Are Stopping In North Padre Instead Of Driving To South Padre – Please Stop.

The road not taken His first question is why anyone these days would want to drive all the way down there to South Padre when you can’t go to Mexico anymore? That was the whole reason for the extra driving. The prices are higher, there’s the extra gas, the extra time for the kids in the backseat to ask if we’re there yet. Mr. Smarty Pants suggests we put up our own sign next to the South Padre sign: WHY SPEND THE EXTRA $80 IN GAS AND SIX MORE HOURS IN THE CAR TO DRIVE TO SOUTH PADRE AND BACK WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY AT NORTH PADRE? Granted they already have a Schlitterbahn park down there but there will be one here soon enough, and the new Hurricane Alley water park downtown is up and running now. Besides if they are driving from San Antonio or Austin they already passed Schlitterbahn on the way down. Back when you could go to Mexico and get those little puppets with sombreros, or switchblade knives,

“Have any tourisst been beheaded down there in the last two weeks?” “No, only cartel members.” “Well, then what’s the problem with the sign?” Truth is the ultimate defense. The only problem with that plan is that we would have to change it every time some tourist wandered across the border and had their head removed. Maybe it could be like one of those Accident sign outside of industrial plants. You know, NO BEHEADINGS IN _ DAYS then we could just change the number after each beheading.

Say what!? The sign can do some good though. Mr. Smarty Pants lives on The Island and a couple of times per year he is approached by a tourist who has found his way to North Padre but thought he was in South Padre because he followed the signs to South Padre Island Drive. We Islanders then have the unpleasant task of explaining to him that to get to South Padre he must drive North on South Padre Island Drive. Imagine his chagrin after he’s asked the third person for directions and received the same answer three times and has figured out he now has a three hour drive ahead of him to get to where he thought he already was in the first place. Maybe the South Padre signs can stop that. So really James, Mr. Smarty Pants doesn’t mind the South Padre sign so much because really it is a Sign of the Times. If South Padre has to put up signs in our backyard then they must be feeling some pain. I say let’s have some fun with it. SOUTH PADRE, IT’S NOT JUST FOR DRUG RUNNERS ANYMORE!

Something in the Water

Citywide Wastewater Treatment System Under EPA investigation

By Dale Rankin

The way Corpus Christi treats the wastewater that is released into local waterways is currently under investigation by Region 6 of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

is roughly 1.9 per 100. No figures are available for levels as high as those found in the discharge from the Whitecap plant. The water samples are taken monthly by the City of Corpus Christi and results provided to TCEQ. The monthly self-reports do not detail exact release dates or duration of the release, only the dates the test were done and the levels at that time are provided.

According to the Austin office of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality the EPA office is looking into the entire system in the city. â&#x20AC;&#x153;EPA Region 6 is currently conducting a comprehensive compliance and enforcement review on the City of Corpus Christi and they will be reviewing and/or addressing these violations. This EPA investigation is broader than just Whitecap Waste Water Treatment Plant,â&#x20AC;? a TCEQ spokesperson said. A request for details on fines and other action taken against the plant by EPA was not answered by press time.

City engineers told the City Council in their June 12 meeting that to avoid future releases that exceed approved levels a new Ultraviolet treatment system is needed at the Whitecap plant at a minimum cost of $3 million. However, TCEQ told us the current filtering system is adequate if properly maintained and operated. Regulators have been sampling water released from storm water drains around the city to test for traces of fecal coliform bacteria or other elements that may be traced to leaking sewer lines. The EPA has made no public statements about the investigation and inquiries to their Washington office were not answered by press time.

According to TCEQ records the Whitecap Wastewater Treatment facility on the Island has exceeded maximum allowable standards for levels of the bacteria Enterococcus twenty- seven times since 2008 with the highest concentration being more than 27,000% over the state limits. The maximum level of the bacteria allowed under state standards is 35 parts per 100 milliliters of water. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) the last test taken of the discharge at the Whitecap plant on March 31 of this year was 9208 parts of Enterococcus per 100 milliliters of water, more than 263 times the level considered safe by TCEQ standards. TCEQ said the risk of contracting gastroenteritis from swimming in the canals when Enterococci is at the level of 35 parts per 100 milliliters of water is roughly 19 per 1000.

According to TCEQ the primary source of enterococcus bacteria are from the digestive tracts and fecal material from warm blooded animals, including humans. In some cases natural populations of birds and mammals can be significant contributors to the measured concentrations in water. Faulty septic tanks, leaks from municipal sewer systems, and problems with the disinfection process of a treatment plant discharge are other possible sources of enterococcus. Enterococcus can sometimes persist for long periods in natural waters (whether oxygen is relatively low or not), but high concentrations are generally related to external sources.

TCEQ said the risk of contracting gastroenteritis from swimming in water when Enterococci are at the level of 35 parts per 100 milliliters of water 08

Cole & Ropes Parks Report Unsafe levels of Bacteria

Enterococcus Levels in discharge from Whitecap Wastewater Treatment Plant Monitoring Date

Measure (Parts per 100 ml}

1/31/2010

% Over Limit

290

226%

4/30/2010

361

306%

9/30/2010

2,420

2,619%

11/30/2010

2,420

2,619%

12/31/2010

1,987

2,133%

529

494%

1/31/2011

2/28/2011

1,670

1,776%

7/31/2011

4,352

4,790%

24,196

27,087%

27,23

2,960%

9,208

10,246%

8/31/2011

2/29/2012 3/31/2012

Corpus Christi, Emerald, and McGee Beaches Still Safe

By Jeff Craft

Tests of the water at Ropes Park and parts of Cole Park exceeded the level considered acceptable by the EPA and TCEQ. Corpus Christi has posted warning signs in an effort to keep people from swimming in water that may cause disease. After it rains, the levels of bacteria in these areas are much higher and when there has been no rain for a while, the areas become safer to swim in.

Rain Rain washes everything down the storm drains, from stinky dumpster sludge to animal droppings to styrofoam cups.

The maximum average level of enterococcus bacteria considered to be safe is 35 parts per 100 milliliters of water.

Some areas of the city are served by old sewer pipes that were made of clay and over time have broken and cracked, allowing cross-contamination of the sewer and storm drain systems. Large amounts of rain water entering the sewer overload the system, allowing untreated sewage to mix with the water in the storm drain system.

Is it Safe to Swim in the Bay?

Most places that people actually swim or wade in the bay meet safety standards, Corpus Christi Beach, Emerald Beach and McGee Beach are all well within safe levels. Rainfall may cause spikes in bacteria levels. If you see a warning sign, go somewhere else.

What is Enterococcus?

Enterococcus itself does not generally cause disease, and it occurs in very high concentrations in the digestive tracts and feces of warm blooded animals. It is used as an indicator of the potential presence There is always some risk of conof pathogens from human or animal origin. Beach Watch # most common Min waterborne Max disease BeachisSSMD Watch # Max SSMD tracting SSMD disease%whenGeometric swimming in Min The Location Location Water entering Conc. the bay from a storm drain large scale Conc. Station ID Samples* Conc. Conc.by a variety Station Exceed IDnatural waters. ExceedBased on Samples* Mean Exceed gastroenteritis, which is caused outlet at Cole Park - Photo Courtesy of studies by the EPA, the guideline in of different microbial organisms. NUE025 University Beach 298 1 2460 NUE025 39 coastal University 13.1% Beach 14 1 Tunnell of2460 39 & the Coastal Bend Bays waters is set as an 298 average of Jace In 2004, Enterococcus took the place of Estuaries Program 35 enterococcus per 100 milliliters. NUE026 Poenisch Park 353 coliform as 1 the new federal 4905 standard NUE02696 Poenisch 27.3% Park 353 33 1 4905 96 those fecal This criterion is based on a long term s are for water quality1at public salt water beaches of35.4% aPark number criterion NUE027 Ropes Park #1 99 8500 NUE02735 average Ropes #1of samples. 54 99 The single-sample 1 8500thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recommended 35 TCEQ. and E. coli at fresh water beaches[10] . It is by EPA is 104 enterococcus per 100 milliliters. The Texas Surface Water Quality NUE028 believed Ropes Park #2 401 9500 Ropes 36.3% Park #2 401 57 1 9500 145 of the to provide a higher correlation than1 fecal coliform with NUE028 many of 145Standards are also a geometric mean criterion of 35 enterococcus per 100 mile are the human pathogens often found in city sewage. and35.4% aPark single #3 sample criterion of 1041enterococcus per 100 milliliters. NUE029 Ropes Park #3 399 1 6950 NUE029 141liliters Ropes 399 54 6950 141 The estimated risk of contracting gastroenteritis from swimming when enterococcus Elevated concentrations of Enterococcus indicate that there is potenNUE030 Cole Park #1 84 1 14400 NUE03024 is atCole Park 84 1 of 104) 14400 these28.6% levels#1 (average of31 35, single sample is roughly 19 per24 1000. avoid tially an increased risk of waterborne disease that might be contracted Estimated risk decreases below these criteria and slowly increases as enterococBeach Watch # Min Max Beach SSMD Watch SSMD % Geometric #141 tment NUE031 by ingesting Cole Park #2waters during 396 swimming 1 6550 NUE031 141 Cole 35.6% Park #2 396 43 1 6550 surface or similar water recreation. Location Location cus concentrations these million. Station ID Samples* Conc. Conc.rise above Station Exceed IDcriteria. Exceed Samples* Mean NUE032 Cole Park #3 377 1 7560 NUE032 123 Cole 32.6% Park #3 377 39 1 7560 123 operly

Current TMDL Sampling Locations

NUE033 Beach Watch

drains NUE034 Station ID ments NUE035 public NUE025 office

NUE036 NUE026 NUE037 NUE027 from

luding NUE050 NUE028 be sigNUE038 septic NUE029 ection NUE039 NUE030 of enNUE040 atural NUE031 s are

NUE041 NUE032

SSMD % Exceed 13.1% 27.3% 35.4% 36.3% 35.4% 28.6%

Min 35.6% Conc.

Enterococci Levels382 at Testing Sites in Corpus Christi University 13.1% Beach 298 14124 Cole ParkNUE025 #4 382 University 1 Beach13320298 NUE033 124 1 Cole 32.5% Park2460 #4 NUE025 50 39 1 13320 # Min Max Beach SSMD Watch SSMD % Geometric # Location LocationSafeCole Park #5 83 Poenisch 1 Park Conc. 5665353 NUE034 19 Cole Park 22.9% #5 EPA 21 83 96 Samples* Conc. Station Exceed ID 1Meets Exceed Samples* Mean NUE026 4905 NUE026 or exceeds Guidelines Corpus Christi Beach

Cole Park #6 NUE035 NUE027 329 University Beach 298 Ropes 1 1Park #1 6130 2460 99 NUE025 72 39 1 McGee #1 Park 298 1 4550 NUE026 NUE036 96 46 Poenisch NUE028 353 Ropes 1 Park #2 4905 401 1 McGee #2 293 1 1660 NUE027 NUE037 35 40 Ropes Park #1 99 1 8500 NUE029 Ropes Park #3 399 1 EmeraldPark Beach 182 1 4880 NUE050 32 Ropes #2 401 1 9500 NUE028 145 McGee Beach Emerald Beach

Cole Park (4 locations)

Cole Park 21.9% #6 329 22 8500 University 13.1% Beach NUE027 298 14 35 McGee 15.4% #1 Park 298 15 Poenisch 27.3% 353 33 9500 NUE028 145 McGee 13.7% #2 293 12 Ropes 35.4% Park #1 54 99

6950 NUE029 141

Emerald 17.6% Beach 182 24 Ropes 36.3% Park #2 401 57 NUE030 Cole Park #1 84 1 14400 NUE03024 CCB-Coastal 276 1 855 NUE038 15 CCB-Coastal 5.4% 276 16 Ropes Park #3 399 1 6950 NUE029 141 Ropes 35.4% Park #3 399 54 NUE031 Cole Park #2 396 1 6550 NUE031 141 CCB-Breakers 276 1 430 NUE030 NUE039 24 15 CCB-Breakers 5.4%#1 276 12 Cole Park #1 84 1 14400 Cole 28.6% Park 31 84 NUE032 277 Cole Park 7560 NUE032 CCB-Gulfspray 1 #3 6550 525 377 NUE040141 17 1 Cole CCB-Gulfspray 6.1% 277 11 123 Cole Park #2 396 1 NUE031 35.6% Park #2 396 43 13320 CCB-Gulden 273 Cole Park 1 #4 7560 800 382 NUE041123 12 1 Cole CCB-Gulden 4.4% 273 10 124 Cole ParkNUE033 #3 377 1 NUE032 32.6% Park #3 NUE033 377 39 Ropes Park

Poenisch Park

University Beach

A map showing sampling locations on the Corpus Christi Bayfront

Min MaxSafeSSMD Not 1 does27.3% 5665EPA Guidelines 19 Conc. Conc. Exceed Poenisch Park 353 33 not meet

32.6%

132.5%

SSMD %

22.9% 1Exceed

1 6130 Ropes 35.4% Park #1 1 2460

54 9972 39

121.9% 13.1%

1 4550 1 4905 Ropes 36.3% Park #2

46 401 5796

15.4% 127.3%

1 8500 Ropes 35.4% Park #3

399 5435

135.4%

1660

1 4880 1 9500 Cole 28.6% Park #1 1 855 1 6950

Cole 35.6% Park #2 1 430

1 14400 Cole 32.6% Park #3 1 525 1 6550

Cole 32.5% Park7560 #4 1 800 1

13.7%

32 145 31 84 15 141

24 377 39 17 141

1 6.1%

396 43 15

382 50123 12

Data excerpted from a presentation by Brien Nicolau of the Center for

17.6% 36.3% 5.4% 35.4%

1 5.4%

28.6%

35.6%

132.6% 4.4%

NUE034 Cole Park 83 1 Coleon 5665 NUE034 19 Cole Park 22.9% #5 21 83124location NUE033 Cole Park #4 382 1of#5 13320 NUE033 124location 32.5% Park #4 382 50 1 all 13320 * Number of samples represents average all Studies, samples taken at*that Number a given represents day. Coastal the average samples taken at that Courtesy of Brien Nicolau, the Center for Coastal TAMUCC Studies atofTAMUCC 09 of samples NUE034 Cole Park #5 1 #6 5665329 NUE034 19 1 Cole Park 22.9% #5 21 83 72 1 Park 5665 NUE035 83 Cole Park 6130 NUE035 Cole 21.9% #6 329 22 19

132.5% on a given 122.9%

NUE035

Cole Park #6 NUE036

329 McGee #1 1

6130 298 NUE035 72 1 Cole Park 21.9% #6 4550

329 22 46 NUE036

1 McGee 15.4% #1 6130

298 15 72

121.9%

NUE036

McGee #1 NUE037

298 McGee #2 1

4550 293 NUE036 46 1 McGee15.4% #11660

298 15 40 NUE037

1 McGee 13.7% #2 4550

293 12 46

115.4%

Sparkling Trash Heap? Such a Beautiful City, Shame About All the Trash

Rain washes litter through the storm drain system, into the bay and pollutes the beaches like the one shown here at Cole Park.

By Susan Giesing I really enjoy the outdoors and like to take walks and bike rides around the shoreline. I’m constantly angered at the amount of garbage that I see on my adventures outdoors. It’s dangerous to our coastal wildlife and it’s ruining our city.

Photo Courtesy of the Center for Coastal Studies at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Residential customers disposing of household refuse may use the disposal service free of charge during normal business hours by simply presenting a valid picture identification showing an address within the city limits of Corpus Christi. If you do not have a picture identification showing an address within the city limits or if you are not carrying picture identification at the time of your visit, you may be asked for a current utility bill. There is a SMALL fee to turn in tires. ($1.75 for car tires, $2.75 for truck tires)

In a recent walk along the shore line area near Holly and Oakview road, I found: 1. Tires – tires were everywhere, in the water, on the side of the road, on the shoreline 2. Furniture – couches, beds and even a bookcase were just thrown off to the side, and sometimes barely off to the side. Right next to the sign that says “ No Dumping Allowed” , some brilliant person marked out “ Allowed” on the sign, and there lays a full bed set on the ground.

This weekend, make it a family outing. Kids love going to the dump. Go down to the shoreline. I’m going, I challenge each and every one of you to do the same. There’s also a lot of organizations that hold litter clean up events, Pride Corpus Christi is a great place to start, visit pridecc.com or like Pride Corpus Christi on Facebook to find an event you can join.

3. Plastic bottles, cans , even empty containers of food just left on the ground. Really? Is this what our city is proud of? If we are the Sparkling City, then have some pride in it.

We contacted Angela Gonzalez, CC's Clean City Coordinator and asked where to find out more about how to help clean up:

We have a landfill. USE it. The Citizens Collection Center at the J.C. Elliott Transfer Station is located at 7001 Ayers Street (just south of Saratoga). Operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

In Addition to Pride, there’s Keep Texas Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful. All of my clean ups coincide with their national and state events. OH! Also, there are TONS of apps- the don’t mess with Texas app where you can take photo or someone throwing a cig out the window and they will get a letter in the mail. And our My Waste app- which allows you to download calendars for garbage, recycling and brush. And of course the CC mobile app where you can report illegal dumping. 10

It's easy to volunteer your time to help clean up Corpus Christi. Step 1. Give Angela Gonzalez your email address. Step 2. Wait a few minutes. Step 3. Look! Its a cleanup event, or handing out reusable grocery bags at a parade, or volunteers are needed at the next glass recycling event, or... well, you get the idea. Seriously, if you want to help make Corpus Christi cleaner, Angela is the first person you should talk to. And if you need to tell someone about an illegal dump site or somebody dumping tires in the bay Angela will come down on them like an avenging angel of civic responsibility. Angela has personally picked up more cigarette butts and drinking straws than you can imagine, so I pity anyone she catches throwing one out the car window. She made these useful cards with contact info for just about anyone you need in city government, and since they look nice, we put one below.

Angela Gonzalez, Clean City Coordinator 361-826-3673 angelamr@cctexas.com

The Coastal Bend's Most Complete Live Music Calendar

Compiled by Ronnie Narmour

Tuesday, July 3 Tiffany Tuesday @ Tarpon Ice House Antone & the All Stars @ Doctor Rockits Open Mic w/ Rev. Matt Martinez @ House of Rock Corey Smith/ Rich O’Toole @ Brewster Street

Wednesday, July 4 Cruise Control @ Back Porch Transisordale/ Mama Tried/ Cassette Tape @ The Gaff Mr. Mo’s Blues Jam @ Tarpon Ice House Albert Simson @ Vernon’s Brightly Feathered Ones @ House of Rock Hilda Lamas @ The Sea Wall Lil Egos @ Dr. Rockits

Thursday, July 5 Six Market Boulevard @ Back Porch Free Beer Band @ Tarpon Ice House Antone & the All Stars @ Dr. Rockits Roger Creager/ Rob Baird @ Brewster Street Scream of Prayer Tour (8 Bands) @ House of Rock

Friday, July 6 Tejas Brothers @ Back Porch Ray T & the City Crew @ Flats Lounge Spazmatics @ Brewster Street Bar Nutz @ House of Rock Hilda Lamas @ The Sea Wall Lil Ego’s @ The Texan Reno & the Groovebusters @ Dr. Rockits The Groove @ Executive Surf Club

Saturday, July 7 Larry Joe Taylor @ Back Porch Beneﬁt for Lee Guerra Pratt @ Flats Lounge Mike McClure @ Third Coast Theater JB & the Moonshine Band @ Brewster Street Trisum @ The Sea Wall Forty Pound Dog @ The Texan Another Level @ Dr. Rockits Reely Rotnz @ Executive Surf Club

Sunday, July 8 Open Electric Jam w/ Rockin’ Ricke @ Tarpon Ice House Battle of the Bands @ House of Rock Mike Guerra & John Lopez @ The Sea Wall Johnny 5 & Beer Gnomes @ The Texan

Monday, July 9 Open Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Doctor Rockits Acoustic Monday w/ Neal Edwards @ House of Rock

Tuesday, July 10 Tiffany Tuesday @ Tarpon Ice House Open Mic w/ Rev. Matt Martinez @ House of Rock Billy Kiesel Band @ The Texan

Wednesday, July 11 Mr. Mo’s Blues Jam @ Tarpon Ice House Open Mic @ Executive Surf Club Texas Moon @ Vernon’s Willford @ House of Rock Bad Chords @ Dr. Rockits If your venue or show isn’t listed, let us know! we’ll get your dates in the next issue. Send your dates to Ronnie Narmour at ronnienarmour@gmail.com

E TH

Live Music Tonight

Sponsored by

Thursday, July 12 Uncle Lucius @ Back Porch Free Beer Band @ Tarpon Ice House Antone & the All Stars @ Dr. Rockits Stoney LaRue @ Brewster Street Sons of Fathers @ Cole Park Amphitheater Paciﬁc Dub & Katastro/ Flatbroke @ House of Rock

Hours Sun, Tues-Thurs... 11:00AM till 10:00PM

415 D

Closed MONDAY

Corpus

Fri-Sat 11:00AM-Midnight

Friday, July 13

Live music Friday, Saturday, Sunday

blacktopGYPSY @ Back Porch Ray T & the City Crew @ Flats Lounge Latin Gypsy Combo @ Sunset SoundsRoberts Point Park Another Level @ Brewster Street Rosie Flores @ Dr. Rockits Hilda Lamas @ The Sea Wall Friends & Lovers Art Show @ House of Rock Sarus @ The Texan Trysum @ Executive Surf Club

361.8

KSpac Hours

Free A

Burgers, Seafood, Salads, Sandwiches Dog Friendly ● Full Bar 520 S Shoreline Corpus Christi, TX 78401 361-726-3533

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

Saturday, July 14

July 6

Max Stalling @ Back Porch Lyrical Binge @ Flats Lounge 2nd Saturday Sing-Along Piano Show @ Brewster Street Public Zoo presents Gulf Wars @ House of Rock Proﬁle @ The Sea Wall Brightly Feathered Ones/ Civilians @ The Texan Backbone Child @ Dr. Rockits Vallejo/ The Most @ Executive Surf Club

Main G

Sunday, July 15

Corpus

Water

A natio water. Arnold O’Malle

100 S

Tel: 3

Open Electric Jam w/ Rockin’ Ricke @ Tarpon Ice House Mike Guerra & John Lopez @ The Sea Wall Mike Dillon Band @ Dr. Rockits

Fax: 3

Saturday, July 21 Surlee & Conqueror @The Texan Shelly King @ Doctor Rockits Flatbroke @ Executive Surf Club Hellzapoppin’ Sideshow Revue @ Theo’s Billiards

Monday, July 16 Sublime/ Rome/ Cypress Hill/ Pepper @ Concrete Street Open Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Doctor Rockits Acoustic Monday w/ Neal Edwards @ House of Rock

Sunday, July 22 Open Electric Jam w/ Rockin’ Ricke @ Tarpon Ice House Ballabajoomba Poetry Slam @ House of Rock Mike Guerra & John Lopez @ The Sea Wall

Wednesday, July 18 Mr. Mo’s Blues Jam @ Tarpon Ice House D & S @ Doctor Rockits

Monday, July 23

Thursday, July 19

Open Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Doctor Rockits Acoustic Monday w/ Neal Edwards @ House of Rock

Free Beer Band @ Tarpon Ice House Antone & the All Stars @ Dr. Rockits Toadies/ Helmet/ Ume @ Brewster Street John Cortez Band @ House of Rock

Tuesday, July 24

Friday, July 20

Tiffany Tuesday @ Tarpon Ice House Open Mic w/ Rev. Matt Martinez @ House of Rock Counterparts @ The Texan

Daniel de La Rocha & Liars Den @ Back Porch Ray T & the City Crew @ Flats Lounge Klocks @ Brewster Street Fortunate Youth/ Tatanka/ High Bred Roots @ House of Rock Hilda Lamas @ The Sea Wall Pluto’s Orbit @ The Texan The Groove @ Doctor Rockits Another Level @ Executive Surf Club

Wednesday, July 25 Mr. Mo’s Blues Jam @ Tarpon Ice House 40 oz. to Freedom @ Brewster Street Ice House Open Mic @ Executive Surf Club HOBO @ House of Rock Steven James & Shakedown @ Doctor Rockits

Saturday, July 21 Two Tons of Steel @ Back Porch Lyrical Binge @ Flats Lounge Metal Shop @ Brewster Street Burlesque Revue @ House of Rock Destiny @ The Sea Wall

Thursday, July 26 Aqua Vox @ Back Porch Free Beer Band @ Tarpon Ice House Antone & the All Stars @ Dr. Rockits

Thursday, July 26 Curtis Grimes/ Brian Burke @ Brewster Street Chop Tops/ Danny B. Harvey/ Strikers/ Radio Threat @ House of Rock Mike Guerra & John Lopez @ The Sea Wall

Friday, July 27 W. C. Clark @ Back Porch Local Licks @ House of Rock The Daze @ The Sea Wall Beach Stone Rise @ The Texan Bushbullit @ Executive Surf Club Ray T & the City Crew @ The Flats Lounge

ArtCen Hours

Everyd

Monda

Admis

The In

July 12

The m Reynal 29th.

Saturday, July 28 Gary P. Nunn @ Back Porch Goodnight Avenue @ Flats Lounge 7th Anniversary Pary w/ Ampliﬁed Heat/ The 71’s/ Tin Can Phone/ Leopold @ House of Rock Another Level @ The Sea Wall Switchblade Jesus @ The Texan Scarecrow People @ Executive Surf Club

Sunday, July 29 Open Electric Jam w/ Rockin’ Ricke @ Tarpon Ice House Mike Guerra & John Lopez @ The Sea Wall

Monday, July 30 Open Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Doctor Rockits Acoustic Monday w/ Neal Edwards @ House of Rock

Tuesday, July 31 Tiffany Tuesday @ Tarpon Ice House

First F

July 6

Tables Courty

Other works Leiser.

Art Scene A Few Items Of Note For July

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

©Jennifer Arnold First Friday ArtWALK July 6th, 2012, 5:30-9pm (ArtWALK) Main Gallery

A national juried show of artworks based on the theme of water. Jury Panel: Gerald Lopez, Day Wheeler, Jennifer Arnold, David Phillips, V. Michelle Smythe, and Ryan O’Malley. Show hangs through August 25th.

Art Center of Corpus Christi

11a – 8p

Sunday, July 8th, 2012, 10a –5p $6

Sunday

Noon to 6p

Kids 12 & under - $1 both days

Free Admission

The 43rd Annual Rockport Art Festival -- July 4th Weekend on Festival Grounds next to Rockport Beach Park and the Art Center!

Featured Artists: Victoria Vos & Dixie Lee First Friday, July 6th, 2012, 5:30p to 9p

Since 1969, this Annual Art Festival has made Rockport the best place to be on July 4th weekend. Located right on Aransas Bay and showcasing high-quality artists, live music, a kids’ activity tent and more, the Rockport Art Festival is always great summer fun on the Texas Coast.

Art Museum of South Texas

Festival of the Arts The Merriman-Bobys House

Corpus Christi, TX 78401

1521 North Chaparral Street

Tel: 361.825.3500

Corpus Christi, Texas 78401

Fax: 361.825.3520

By Appointment Only

STIA.org

Always Free Admission

Hours:

First Friday, ArtWALK

CCFestivalArts.org

July 6th, 2012, 6p to 9p

Sundays 1p to 5p

Featured Artist: Tony Armadillo

Tel: 361.884.6406

Closed Mondays & Holidays

Fax: 361.884.8836 ArtCenterCC.org

Monday CLOSED

Everyday except Monday Admission is always FREE The Independents’ Show July 12th, 2012, 5-7pm The most diverse exhibit of the year – all media. Juror Reynaldo Isaac Santiago. Exhibit hangs through July 29th.

Yin Yang Fandango & Tango Tea Room 505 S Water Street, Suite 545

15th National Exhibition of American Society of Marine Artists

Corpus Christi, TX 78401 361.883.9123

June 30th August 26th, 2012

Hours:

This 15th annual juried exhibition features 100 artists who work in oil, watercolor, pastel, scratchboard, pencil, sculpture and scrimshaw. Although it dates back to the Egyptians and Greeks, marine art as we know it today arose in the Netherlands during the 17th century. Marine art then came to America with the immigration of European artists. As the young nation grew and the wonders of continent were revealed, “outsiders” with broader interests began to demand more from marine art. Thus the parameters expanded to include members of the Hudson River School, such as Thomas Cole, Thomas Moran, Frederic Church, and Albert Bierstadt. This show includes images of all kinds of sea-going vessels, seacoasts and the activities that occur around the water.

TangoFandango.com Mon - Tue 10a - 7p Fri & Sat

10a - 9p

Sunday

Noon - 6p

First Friday ArtWALK July 6th, 2012, 5:30-9pm Featured Artist: Abbie Nau Enjoy the work of a different featured artist every month!

Atelier International Art Gallery 505 S Water Street, Suite 519 Corpus Christi, TX 78401 956.605-1221

Heat/ d@

Check the museum’s website event calendar for other events throughout the month.

Rockport Center for the Arts 902 Navigation Circle

f Club

Saturday, July 7th, 2012, 10a – 6p $7

Tue-Sat

Corpus Christi, TX 78401

kers/

Hours:

100 Shoreline Blvd

Hours: 10a – 4p

ctor

2-Day VIP Pass for $10

Tues - Sat 10a to 5p

ewster

Sea

2012 Rockport Art Festival

TreehouseArtCC.com

1902 N. Shoreline Blvd

Watered Down: the ebb & the ﬂow

Valet parking | Open bar | Appetizers and Dinner | Live Music | Live, Silent, Big Board and Special Artist Auctions. THE party to hit on 4th of July Weekend!

361.882.4822

A collective of 6 core artists, and a varying group of associate artists, who exhibit and sell their artwork ©Victoria Vos, hand painted porcelain in all manner of media.

309 North Water Street, Suite D Corpus Christi, TX 78401

The World through our Artist Eyes

wiches

Sea

Treehouse Art Collective LLC

Rockport, Texas 78382 Tel: 361.729.5519 ©Lisa Olsen, Start of the Race First Friday ArtWALK July 6th, 2012, 5:30-9pm Tables of artists and artisan vendors in and around the Courtyard, every First Friday!! Other galleries within the Art Center will feature the works of Corpus Christi Artists, Teri Ruiz and Liliane Leiser.

Fax: 361.729.3551 RockportArtCenter.com Hours: Tues – Sat, 10a – 4p Sundays, 1p – 4p Closed Mondays Always Free Admission Art Auction & Party Thursday, July 5th, 2012, 5-6:30p The Biggest Big-Tent Party in South Texas!!

AIArtGallery.com Hours: Mon - Fri

10a - 5p

Saturday

10a - 2p

Sunday

By Appointment

First Friday ArtWALK July 6th, 2012, 5:30-9pm Featured Artist: Ingrid De Mecheleer. Held over for a second month, AI continues Belgian artist Ingrid de Mecheleer’s art photography exhibit, entitled Being Human. In addition to continuing the June exhibit “Being Human” by Belgium photographer, Ingrid De Mecheleer and also offering the “AI July Art Sale” of works by several local and international artists.

The

Canvas Exposing Local Artists…

By Georgia Griffin

Chris Knioum has gone back to her first love. Artwork took a backseat to work and childrearing…

One of the more popular annual events at the Art Center is The Independents Show. Often billed as the most diverse show of the year, it is the show that includes all the members of the Art Center who choose not to be affiliated with any of the local artists’ groups, like the South Texas Art League, or the Watercolor Society of South Texas, etc. The Independents follow their own individual rhythms, and organizing events for this non-conformist cluster of art-folk can seem rather like herding cats. Consequently, not only is pulling it together a team effort with several hard working volunteers involved, including yours truly from time to time, it takes two people to lead the team. Last year I profiled Lisa Olsen, Chair of the Independents – now I am profiling Chris Knioum, her Co-Chair, and an artist with a deft hand painting nature.

“Every now and then I’d do something. Mostly I didn’t. Before I went back to school I did a little bit because I was at home taking care of a little one. You always feel that pull, that you’d really like to do that, or “gee that would make a great painting” – you feel like part of you is missing and when you get back to it you’re like “Ah, there I am!” So yeah, I did a little bit then, but when I finally retired and could really paint it’s like I was in a box. I couldn’t loosen up. I couldn’t paint the way I wanted to, and it was a struggle. I was like “OK, I only have a short amount of time in my life to do this!

“I got my degree in Art and English Secondary Education. My parents had told me you can’t make a living being an artist, which is what I really wanted to do. I believed them, so I went into education… though I never taught an art class because I only taught for about five months. I was teaching up at Wynn Seale and it was kind of a remedial school, junior high, and I didn’t have the guts to do that. So, I quit and went back to school. I got a Master’s in Psychology and I loved that.

“Then I took a class from Lynn Dickey, she’s an Art Center person, and she does impressionistic work. Realist-slash-impressionistic, and she helped me to break out of that. To be more loose and free, and she really opened my eyes to color. I was in a limited palette, and she just really busted that wide open. “When I was fairly young and still single or just dating, I would take some classes. I took some with Dick Turner and Antonio Garcia, who else? I don’t know… but every now and then I’d kinda jump into it, and then jump back out again.

“I was a counselor for about 26 years, and then I retired from that. It was really great. I loved the work, though I’m glad I’m out of it now ‘cause it’s time to do something else. It was really interesting. Every day was different. I worked with criminal offenders and man they can come up with more things…”

“The one who I learned most from about color mixing and all that stuff is Dick Turner while he lived here; eventually he moved to Austin, and then he passed away. He did super realism. I learned a lot from the way he handled color.

Showing and the community… “I’d like to do more with the Art Center. I like the atmosphere there and I like the people who are working there. K Space seems interesting but I think I’m not contemporary enough for that probably. “One little gallery I hope gets attention is Atelier (a new gallery in the Water Street Village at 505 South Water Street). I ran into the lady who is managing it at the Y, Elizabeth (Figueroa). She was talking about it, so I found out where it was and I liked the stuff. They have good stuff in there. The guy who is going to jury our show (Reynaldo Santiago) opened it with her so that should be interesting. I want to do that, though – I want to get more involved. “I’d kind of like to see someplace else – I’ve lived in the same city since I was two years old. I’d rather go somewhere, since I’ve spent so much time here. We do a lot of volunteer work at the church and art center so we’d 14

have to kind of make space to do things, but we’re gonna get out some with our trailer. We both love the outdoors. “We just visited some friends in the Mojave Desert and it was hot but then it cooled off, it was pleasant, I thought “Whoa!” We had so much energy. Here we would have been wilting by 1 o’clock. They used to say they were going to come back here – they were going to move to San Antonio, but now they say “no,

we’re not going back.” Now I understand why! It was not bad. San Antonio is a neat town, though. It’s an artistic town, with lots of things going on, and I think they have a fiesta every week. “It frustrates me, when you look at what San Antonio has done – they had a muddy little river, and now look at it. We have a beautiful bay front, and we fight over everything we try to do. People own buildings downtown that they don’t use, and they won’t come down on the price so nobody can buy ‘em. It’s crazy. “Even if you go to a place like Victoria, it seems more cosmopolitan; it seems like things come there quicker than they come to Corpus. I always wonder why. Rockport really capitalized on their being a ‘village’, and I really like their art center. “When they put in the Bayfront Development I think it will help the Art Center, I think it will help the South Texas [Art Museum]. I think a lot of people will start paying attention to the area and things will start moving. I think so.” Check out Chris Knioum’s artwork in person, along with hundreds of other artists’ works, at The Independents Show! The Award Ceremony & Reception will be Thursday, July 12th from 5p to 7p, but the show will be up in time for First Friday on July 6th.

Dining Guide Tango Tea Room Taste The Difference! The Gourmet Pizza

949-7737 � 15370 SPID- On the Island

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

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.

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

Hours:

10-7 Monday through Thursday

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

10-9 Friday & Saturday 12-6 Sunday Farmers Market every Wednesday 5pm

d o o f a e S t a e r G and Burgers Wednesdays Prime Rib with Twice Baked Potato

Libations Amusements 18 Holes of Miniature Golf

One Bite e r ’ Open 11 am - 2 am u o Y & Kitchen Closes @ 1 am 2034 State Highway 361 Hooked

361 749- Taco (8226)

G�i��

Dining Guide

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

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

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

Discover More at METROSCHOOLS.NET

THE

Lenz

Rockport Music Festival

Photos by Jeff Dolan

EAT HAPPY Huge Vegetarian,

Vegan & Gluten-Free Friendly Menu Fresh Non-veg stuff too. Bohemian atmosphere Free WiFi

Downtown Farmers market Every Wednesday 5pm Bizarre Bazaar Every 3rd Saturday Open Mic 2nd Saturday Bizarre Bazaar 3rd Saturday

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

THE

Lenz

Rockport Food & Wine Festival

Photos by Jeff Dolan

Willie Nelson & Family American Bank Center, July 6 Willie Nelson’s career has made him a country Music Legend. In 1960, he signed a publishing contract with Pamper Music which allowed him to join Ray Price’s band as a bassist. During that time, he wrote songs that would become country standards, including “Funny How Time Slips Away”, “Hello Walls”, “Pretty Paper”, and “Crazy”. In 1962, he recorded his first album, And Then I Wrote. Due to this success, Nelson signed in 1964 with RCA Victor and joined the Grand Ole Opry the following year. Over the span of his career Nelson has recorded and toured with an eclectic group of musicians ranging from country greats Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash to contemporary artists such as John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Phish. Nelson is set to visit Corpus Christi on the heels of his resurrected Fourth of July Picnic in Fort Worth. Nelson’s first Fourth of July Picnic took place in Dripping Springs TX in 1973. Jamey Johnson is considered one of the brightest stars in country music. “My dream already came true,” says the Alabama native who has rocketed to Nashville stardom. “All I ever wanted was to get to just ride around and sing country music. It’s cool when things happen along the way, because those are things I never thought I could achieve. But whatever happens, I’ll just keep on doing what I do. I wake up every day and go play some more country music.” Mercury Records issued Jamey’s album That Lonesome Song in the summer of 2008, and the collection was universally hailed as a masterwork. The disc led to invitations from Willie Nelson to play Farm Aid and to appear on Letterman and Leno. In April 2009, the album earned Jamey a Gold Record. The set’s “In Color” was named the Song of the Year by both the ACM and the CMA. During 2009 and 2010, Jamey collected five Grammy Award nominations.

call for tickets 361.561.HOOK

cchooks.com

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