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October 2012
Public Servants: Get your
Spotlight: Attorney Gabriel Vasquez
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Do you ever wonder when you go into those big copy stores if they really understand what you need? Do you get frustrated trying to figure out their machines, knowing it might take a while to get any help, if at all? Do you know where to get a duplicate key made or passport pictures? Do you have a valuable keepsake or piece of art that needs extra care to pack and ship? Have you ever wished you had a magic wand to take care of all these things? If so, you need to meet Gayle Thomas, owner and operator of Postal Annex+. Whether you like to do the job yourself or prefer full-service instead, she is ready to provide you with friendly, professional and speedy service. She will greet you with a smile and by the time you leave, you will want to shake her hand and thank her for everything she does.
shipping for virtually all types of items. Postal Annex+ can ship packages, documents, baubles and beads or arrange the shipping of a grandfather clock, fine artwork, antiques, auto parts, large containers of equipment or a house full of furniture. No job is too unique for Postal Annex+. In addition, Postal Annex+ offers private mailbox rental, office supplies, packaging supplies, moving supplies, fax services, notary services, postage stamps, key cutting, passport processing, shredding, greeting cards, assorted gift items, stationery, rubber stamps and much more, in a convenient, service-oriented environment.
“We thrive because our clients value our excellent customer service!”
Postal Annex+, Inc. was founded in 1985, with three stores. The Postal Annex+ brand is now one of the nation’s largest franchise networks of retail shipping and business service centers. It provides services to small and large business owners, in-home office users and individual consumers. Mrs. Thomas became interested in becoming a Postal Annex+ franchise owner after she experienced their services, as a customer, while residing in El Paso, Texas. Following deep thought and exploration she discovered the corporation was family oriented, with hours of operation that are well-suited for a wife and mother. Since she always enjoyed retail management and serving people, this type of business was a perfect fit. On August 28, 2012, armed with her Business Management degree from the University of Phoenix and vast retail management experience, she opened her own Postal Annex+ and hopes to become an instant success.
Mrs. Thomas is committed to deliver top-quality customer service and products and is no slacker when it comes to hard work. Her passion is to make every patron feel welcomed and fully-served, so she can take pride when she hears them say, “I am glad I chose to come to Postal Annex+”, upon their departure. Mrs. Thomas is married, with two teenage sons and a dog, Chewy. She enjoys skiing, scuba diving and has a heartfelt love for animals. She is a member of the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce and dedicated to contributing to her community. Mrs. Thomas prospers from the strengths of a family owned business, enjoys helping others and looks forward to branching out her business in the future, locally and in areas surrounding Corpus Christi.
Postal Annex+ is unparalleled to any competitor. Postal Annex+ saves consumers and business owners a great deal of time, travel and money by offering a diverse range of supplies and services under one roof. Mrs. Thomas says, “No job is too small or too large for me to handle.” Postal Annex+ is a full-service copy and print shop, providing high volume production with individual quality service. If you need high-speed copying in black and white or color and finishing services such as binding, collating, folding, laminating and stapling, visit Postal Annex+.
Postal Annex+ is located at 6537 S. Staples, in the Huntington Square Shopping Center (next to Blockbusters), in Corpus Christi, Texas. Regular store hours are Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and holiday hours in November and December are Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you want convenient, personal, friendly service do not hesitate to call Postal Annex+ at (361) 992-9323 or visit Mrs. Thomas at her store.
Postal Annex+ is a UPS Authorized Shipping Outlet and FedEx Authorized Ship Center and provides safe and secure packing and
PostalAnnex+ also has an informative, easy to use website at www.postalannex.com/location/12004
To advertise with ON! Magazine call or email Sandra E. Castillo, Publisher 361-633-7293 contact@onmagazine.co Droxine Bruce, Director of Sales 361-945-1323 droxine@onmagazine.co
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Cover/Inside Page Photographer Liana Gonzales, Dulce Diva
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Gilbert Cantu, Aaron Ybarra
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The Law Office of
Gabriel Vasquez
A
By Lakendra Lewis
Attorney Gabriel Vasquez loves it when a nervous client walks into his office for the first time and he is able to set his client’s fears at ease. Whether they are facing eviction or in need of help involving an accident, Vasquez, who practices in the area of criminal law, family law and personal injury, will sit down with them and figure out the best course of action. “My job is to help [clients] analyze their case and give them options,” Vasquez said. “When we lay that out, I think they’re more comfortable. And when they leave, they leave feeling better.” Vasquez has always had a knack for putting others at ease. It’s a gift the 39-yearold honed while working 15 years as a former training manager in the restaurant industry, first for McDonald’s, then for rival hamburger giant, Wendy’s. Now a licensed attorney of two years, Vasquez has opened his own law office located at 809 South Port Ave. His practice is a one-man operation located in the upstairs of an office building that houses several other independent attorneys. In his “in” basket, Vasquez is currently handling various criminal cases, family law cases and general litigation cases. “I like what I do and that I’m responsible for my own workload,” Vasquez smiled from behind his desk. “The biggest thing right now is word of mouth, and people are spreading my name.” The leap from serving up fast food to practicing law has been one of faith for Vasquez, who has made it his mission to use his past experience in work and in life to serve others. The middle of three children born to working-class parents in Corpus Christi, Vasquez moved to Port Lavaca as a teen. While attending community college, Vasquez began working in the fast food industry, where he was eventually promoted and left school to work fulltime. With a new home, a new vehicle and a lucrative career in the restaurant field, Vasquez seemed to be living the American Dream. But within him was a desire to pick up his studies where he’d left off. Using the credits he’d acquired while attending community college 15 years earlier, Vasquez left the restaurant field to go back to school, completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin in two years. Vasquez then attended law school at Texas Southern University in Houston, graduating with honors. “I have a very idealistic view in that I just want to help
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people,” Vasquez said of his decision to study law. “Working paycheck to paycheck, I know how hard it is. I am here for the working-class, and I want to help regular people.” In 2010, Vasquez returned to Corpus Christi, where he went to work for the Bourlon Law Firm as a law clerk while awaiting the results of his Texas Bar Exam. Upon receiving his state license to practice law, Vasquez was promoted to an associate attorney with the firm. He worked there for another year, handling family law, criminal law, insurance defense and general litigation cases before deciding to branch out on his own. “I was fortunate,” Vasquez said. “A lot of firms practice one basic type of law, but with [Bourlon], I learned a lot of different areas.” Vasquez’s favorite area of law is criminal defense, a field he was introduced to while working as a college intern with the Harris County District Attorney’s office in Houston. “I like the idea that everybody deserves a fair day in court,” Vasquez said. “I think what [defense lawyers] do holds the state accountable and makes the due process fair.” Vasquez is a member of the Corpus Christi Bar Association. He also is registered in Nueces County as a court-appointed attorney and does occasional pro bono work.
“Working paycheck to paycheck, I know how hard it is. I am here for the working-class, and I want to help regular people.”
Clear your criminal record. Expungements starting at $500 (plus filing fees and costs). Call to see if you qualify. Offer good through December 31, 2012
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Thanks to a project named FIRST FRIDAY many women do not have to choose between caring for their families and caring for their health. FIRST FRIDAY is a regional organization formed in 1994 in Corpus Christi, by a group of local women who wanted a way to honor and remember their friends and loved ones who have had breast cancer. They do this by offering free screening mammograms to women without insurance or who have a co-pay they can’t afford. “Many local women are going without breast cancer screenings,” says Peggy May, Secretary of FIRST FRIDAY, a charitable effort that makes no-charge mammograms available in the Coastal Bend area. “Women either do not have insurance, or their insurance has high deductibles and copays so that they cannot afford screenings,” Peggy says. “Sometimes, it’s just not a priority. Women put feeding and caring for their families first.” With FIRST FRIDAY there’s help. FIRST FRIDAY, in partnership with CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, provides no-charge breast cancer screenings for as many as 1,200 women per year who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford them. The organization of 50 women generates revenue and publicity through several events, and health fairs. This year’s fund-raising event is BRAvo!, which includes a display and auction of incredibly decorated bras. At the auction, a new book, BRAvo! The Art of the Bra, will be sold—it pictures all of the bras from this years’ entries along with bras from the event in 2009. The books will sell for $25.00 and all profits will benefit FIRST FRIDAY. FIRST FRIDAY also sponsors an annual prayer service that is held on the second Friday in January at the First United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. The ecumenical service honors breast cancer survivors and commemorates those who have lost their lives to breast cancer.
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Free screening mammograms from FIRST FRIDAY are available at all CHRISTUS Spohn hospitals in Alice, Beeville, Corpus Christi and Kingsville. “Early detection saves lives,” Peggy says. “Often women are fearful of the unknown. They won’t pursue mammograms because of the fear that something might be wrong. However, knowledge is always better than uncertainty, especially when that knowledge can save your life.” If you live in the Coastal Bend and need a mammogram and can’t afford it, call FIRST FRIDAY at 361.985.5600 or 800.582.7327.
Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines According to the American Cancer Society women should • Have yearly mammograms starting at age 40 • Clinical breast exams about every 3 years during women’s 20s and 30s, then yearly into the 40s • Breast self-exams are an option for women starting in their 20s. Women should know their breasts and tell their physician of any changes they notice. A small number of women should be screened additionally with MRI due to family history or other factors.
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JUDGE MISSY MEDARY 3 4 7 th D I S T R I C T C O U RT
FOR CORPUS CHRISTI CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 5
POLITICAL AD PAID FOR BY THE RUDY GARZA JR. CAMPAIGN. TREASURER WAYNE LUNDQUIST, PO BOX 4525,CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78469-4525
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Served the community as a Municipal Court Judge for nine years. Endorsed by Corpus Christi Police Officers’ Association GPAC. Endorsed by the Nueces County Combined Law Enforcement Officers’ Association.
Former Assistant District Attorney who prosecuted violent criminals to make our community a safer place to live. Received Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service on behalf of Crime Victims from the Coalition of Crime Victim’s
Please vote for Judge Missy Medary.
VOTE
Standing in the forefront of justice & safety in a lifetime commitment for our youth, seniors & veterans.
The Heart and Future of Our Community
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ELECT
ROBERT “BOBBY” CISNEROS for CONSTABLE-PRECINCT 1 e d by tholice e s r o d “En Christi P n” io Corpusrs Associat Office Still a Crime Stopper!
US Navy Veteran CCPD- 28 years Chief Deputy- Pct. 1- 8 years B.S. Criminal Justice- CCSU Corpus Christi Police Officers Assoc. Knights of Columbus / 4th Degree American Legion Post 364 Political Advertisement Paid by the Robert Cisneros Campaign - Larry Elizondo Jr., Treasurer RobertBobbyCisneros.com 361.904.3652
Pol. Ad paid for by Friends of Alex Garcia, Jr. for County Tax Assessor Collector. Thanks for your support. -Alex
“Our 13th Court of Appeals covers 20 counties... yet we share common hopes and expectations for our legal system... and for the Justices who must rule fairly and impartially on the cases that affect our lives, our livelihoods and our future.”
for Justice 13th Court of Appeals Place 2
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RE-ELECT
EARLY VOTE: OCT 22 – NOV 2 ELECTION DAY: NOVEMBER 6
www.SenatorHinojosa.com Political advertisement paid for by Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa Campaign. Dr. Bill Bieker, treasurer. 612 W. Nolana, Ste 410, McAllen, Texas 78504
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