Texas Lifestyle Fall 2015 by Texas Lifestyle Magazine

FALL 2015

MICHAEL STRAHAN NFL Hall of Famer turned TV Star

F1 Roars at Circuit of The Americas p. 10 Smokin’ at Tim Love’s Fort Worth Smokehouse p. 14 The Golf & Gridiron Combo p. 32 Kicking in Kilgore p. 46 Celebrating 90 at the Grand Ole Opry p. 50 Jet Setter: San Diego Family Fun p. 56 Road Trips to San Antonio + Granbury p. 60

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CONTENTS 8 LIVING TEXAS AUSTIN, DALLAS, FORT WORTH, GALVESTON, GEORGETOWN, HOUSTON, NEW BRAUNFELS, SAN ANTONIO

52 SIP & SAVOR GLUTEN FREE CUPCAKES BBQ U WITH STEVEN RAICHLEN 56 JET SETTER GOLDEN IN CALI A MAP OF FUN IN SAN DIEGO

24 STYLE THE ROAR OF THE CROWD MOBILE FASHION

60 ROAD TRIP TEXAS TWO-STEP: GRANBURY AND SAN ANTONIO

30 A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS

64 REVIEWS MANHATTAN’S JOHN HICKEY RACING WITH ALEXANDER ROSSI RED COMBINES THE LEGACY OF COACH BURYL BATY

32 ROUGHING IT FAIRWAYS & FOOTBALL 34 HABITAT A DESIGN EYE AT COTA IT’S A (GREAT) DOG’S LIFE

72 A BETTER TEXAN QUI’S DEANA SAUKAM

40 ON THE COVER MICHAEL STRAHAN BY DANIEL RAMIREZ 46 FEATURES THE KILGORE RANGERETTES HAPPY 90TH, OPRY!

Photo by Jerry Pinkus

6 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Letter from the editor Texans are proud, loyal and passionate. No wonder that crowds of us love nothing better than to cheer on our favorite high school, college or pro football teams this time of year. Who better then to grace our Roar of the Crowd, one-year anniversary, cover than Houston-bred Michael Strahan, who has taken the skill and charisma he thrilled NFL fans with during his storied Hall of Fame gridiron career into his new life as a TV presenter. Such is the strength of Strahan’s personality, he has not only easily transitioned into the traditional television sports commentator role, he’s also become a huge hit with mainstream audiences as co-host of the syndicated morning talk show Live! with Kelly and Michael. And now, another great sporting event has roared into Texas: the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. Texans have embraced it as our own, joining the international crowds that flock to the purpose-built track at Circuit of The Americas, southeast of Austin. Read on for our insider guide to the races, the design team and who is tipped as the next American star of F1. With gatherings, grilling and tailgating on our minds, we (literally) go inside Chef Tim Love’s Fort Worth Woodshed Smokehouse. We also revel in grill superstar Steven Raichlen’s BBQ U at the beautiful Broadmoor resort. Our travels take us to San Diego, and we share a unique treasure map-inspired journey by our jet-setting Travel Editor Marika Flatt.

PUBLISHERS Shawn K Lively and Doug Flatt EDI TOR I A L T E A M EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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Crafted Concoctions Old Meets New at The Townsend By Jennifer Simonson

Sitting in the leather-covered swivel chair staring out the13-foot bay window as the sun reflects off the Paramount Theatre marquee, you could almost imagine it was 1875, the year the historic TownsendThompson building on Congress Avenue opened. The low, warm light of the 1880s-style chandeliers, the bookshelves lined with lovingly bound, aged books and deep indigo walls add to the illusion. The tattooed girl at the 32-foot long bar and the punk music playing in the background quickly brings you back to 2015. If you think The Townsend is just the latest in Austin’s love affair with craft cocktail bars (East Side ShowRoom, Midnight Cowboy and Weather Up come to mind), think again. This is a space dedicated not only to the art of crafting an exceptional cocktail, but also to food, art, and what every respectable Austinite loves even more than a Lone Star tall boy, music. At the back of The Townsend is a top-of-the-line live music space. Acoustician Scott Samson designed the room with 17-foot ceilings and acoustically adjustable features to produce exceptionally high quality sound. The live music venue can hold 120 people standing and will offer everything from singer-songwriter to full bands to stand-up comedians. Investor and former Go-Go’s bassist Kathy Valentine will help direct the music program. Her band, The Bluebonnets, christened the space playing the bar’s early summer opening gala. The bar will also feature a rotating artist showcase. The first installation was video and photography artists Teresa Hubbard and Alexander Birchler. The main draw though, we have to admit, are the cocktails. Justin

8 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

Elliott, former Qui bar manager, created the menu, which includes new signature drinks and old-fashion classics. The expertly crafted concoctions are made with premium liquors and fresh ingredients. An instant favorite is the Lamplight, made of Old Grand-Dad bourbon, Drambuie, lemon and Chinese five-spice. “The five-spice with the bourbon makes it light, refreshing and dangerously drinkable,” said The Townsend CEO and former entertainment lawyer Steven Weisburd. The Townsend has also started a cocktail royalty program in which rotating guest bartenders create their own cocktails. The bartender will receive 1% royalties from each of their cocktails ordered. “We respect the craftsmanship. The royalty program was spurred by the desire to treat people who craft things as they should be treated, as artists,” Weisburd said. Every aspect of The Townsend is dedicated to handcrafted artistry. To say they paid attention to detail is an understatement. Look closely at those old books lining the walls and you will notice they are encyclopedias from the 1870s; notice that the three-arched mirrors in the performance space follow the lines of the three-arched windows upstairs, and what you can’t quite put your finger on is that the upward lighting was designed to give off the warm glow of a candlelit room. Have a few Old-Fashioneds at the Townsend and you might just feel like you are old-fashioned. Until you Uber home. 718 CONGRESS | AUSTIN THETOWNSENDAUSTIN.COM

Photos by SJ Reid Photography

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The Winning Formula for

F1 By Mike Kordell

Temperatures usually taper off in Central Texas as summer fades and fall begins, but since 2012, the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix has kept things hot in Austin through the end of October – and we’re settling into our grid positions for another go in 2015. Along with the fastest and most expensive road course cars in the world, the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas brings with it a whole host of fan attractions, including celebrity and driver meet and greets, art exhibits, high profile concerts, exclusive parties, and a significant economic impact. F1 has long had a massive following the world over, and the draw of this high octane motorsport is taking hold in the U.S. as fans have the opportunity to get closer to the action. In Texas, we’re lucky to have it in our very own backyard. Circuit of The Americas (shortened to COTA) opened its gates to F1 fans for the first time in November 2012, with an estimated crowd of 117,429 in attendance (capacity for the venue is 120,000, which gives you a feel for the level of excitement around the inaugural race). COTA has the distinction of being the only purpose-built F1 track in the U.S. and is one of only a handful of tracks that runs counterclockwise.

10 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

In terms of design, COTA has received largely positive reviews from racers and spectators alike. The starting grid for the 3.427-mile track looks directly uphill to turn one, one of the most exciting points in the race whether you’re behind the wheel or watching from the crowd. A hard left-hand turn coming out of the track’s fastest straightaway sets the stage for a thrill ride – especially at the start of the race – and the width of the track going into the turn (and, indeed, many of the turns) lets drivers get a bit more aggressive in attempts to overtake. It’s no surprise that fans congregate at turn one, either on the large grassy knolls or in the huge grandstands that sit atop the hill. It should be noted that, while F1 may be the biggest single draw, it’s not the only event that takes place at COTA. The facility is also home to the Austin360 Amphitheater, a 14,000-seat venue that’s played host to everyone from Rush and Kanye West to Dave Chappelle, Maroon 5, and Lil Wayne. When Austin360 won’t suffice, in terms of capacity, ad-hoc stages have been constructed at different locations around the track. This could be the case for F1 2015, as Elton John and his full band are set to close out the weekend of racing and entertain what we can only guess will be a record-breaking crowd.

Photography by Circuit of The Americas

LIVING TEXAS | AUSTIN

In its three years as a world-class F1 facility, COTA has become a favorite for racers like team Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who has dominated, taking first in 2012 and 2014. At the mid-point of the 2015 season, it looks as though Hamilton could be in a good position to take home his third win in Central Texas, having racked up five first place finishes in the first 10 races (with another three going to Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg). The 2015 F1 schedule sees the addition of the Mexican Grand Prix, bringing the sport back to Mexico City after a 23-year absence. Some in the racing community have speculated that adding another race in the region will detract from the footprint of Circuit of The Americas, as Mexican F1 fans that have come to Austin for the last three years now have less reason to make the trek. That said, if we’ve learned anything about F1 fans, it’s that they’re intensely loyal, and we expect that those avid folks will simply see this as an opportunity to take in one more race. There’s an inherent thrill in watching aerodynamic, space-age vehicles fly around the track at speeds over 180 mph; and the choreography of a two-second pit stop is nothing less than beautiful.

9201 CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS BLVD | AUSTIN CIRCUITOFTHEAMERICAS.COM

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 11

High Five

5 Reasons To Love Dallas’ Highland Hotel

By Samantha Cook

Location The Highland sits on the corner of Central Expressway (also known as 75) and Mockingbird, right across the highway from SMU and with easy access to downtown and uptown Dallas.

Spacious rooms Our corner room with a king bed was large enough for two extra seating areas.

Poolside Looking for some quiet time after a busy day seeing the sights or attending a conference? The outdoor pool on the second floor offers a relaxing adults-only area. Did someone say cocktail?

Spa and fitness center Make time to visit Exhale Spa, connected to The Highland, which has fitness classes on the bottom floor and massage rooms on the second floor. Try the Swedish Fusion massage (one hour, $135), combining therapeutic massage with relaxation.

Texas steak At Knife, Highland’s restaurant, James Beard-nominated and “Top Chef ” contestant John Tesar has created a menu featuring all-natural born and raised Texas meats. It’s a great choice for lunch or dinner. Our lunch favorite: the cheese and red onion Ozersky Burger with fried avocado slices. 5300 E MOCKINGBIRD LANE | DALLAS THEHIGHLANDDALLAS.COM

12 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

Photos courtesy Highland Hotel

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LIVING TEXAS | FORT WORTH

Where There’s Smoke, Tim Love’s Woodshed Smokehouse: A New Take on Texas BBQ By Lydia Saldaña

Texans love their barbecue. Brisket, ribs, chicken, sausage – we simply adore eating meat. Fort Worth has always been a carnivore’s delight – there’s a good reason it’s called Cowtown. Tim Love, one of the city’s highest profile chefs has staked his reputation on all manners of meat, from the high-end steaks and exotic wild game at Lonesome Dove Western Bistro to the over-the-top burgers at The Love Shack. And now, nestled alongside the Trinity River just south of downtown, there’s Love’s Woodshed Smokehouse, an homage to all things grilled, smoked and slow-cooked. With my hungry husband, brother and nephew in tow, we checked out the smokehouse action on a Saturday afternoon. The lovely day and patio bar invited a cold beer (20+ on tap), which we sipped as we enjoyed live music, a regular feature on weekends. We were seated for lunch at an inside table, though the open-air walls provide a picnic-like feel, and started with the camp bread and pit master fat for dipping. You’ve got to love the fact that Love has figured out how to market and monetize pit fat! It was bursting with smoky flavor. Our entrees included smoked game hen tacos, beef and pork ribs, lamb brisket, Mexican corn and potato salad.

agreed that it was some of the best ‘cue we’ve ever had. But, perhaps the most memorable part was after we had tabbed out. My brother, always an inquisitive sort, poked around the wood boxes piled high with mesquite, hickory, pecan and oak, and then peered into the screen door of the smokehouse. Executive Chef Austin Wright invited us in and we were thrilled by the smoky backstage tour of the heart and soul of the restaurant. Several smokers were at work and we learned what makes that Mexican corn so delicious (soak them in milk first). We were entranced at the attention to detail that goes into every dish. “Tim wants everything on the menu to be hit by smoke,” explained Wright. “We make sure everything that ends up on the plate is true to that vision.” Love also envisions that the pet-friendly Woodshed Smokehouse will become a gathering place for the community. As we left, we noticed several bikers fresh off the Trinity Trail and families with children and pooches in line at the door. It seems he has succeeded, and deliciously so. 3201 RIVERFRONT DRIVE | FORT WORTH WOODSHEDSMOKEHOUSE.COM

Photos by Bill Orcutt

Everything we sampled was a smoke-infused riff on “traditional” barbecue. There’s even a section of the menu called “New Q” featuring such things as ramen noodles with bone broth, pork and beef rib meat, topped with a quail egg. We devoured our meal and

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LIVING TEXAS | FORT WORTH

Trinity Rising By Lydia Saldaña

Late last year, Fort Worth officials broke ground on three new bridges they hope will become downtown focal points in the future. The bridges are being built over dry land, which will eventually be inundated when a new 1.5-mile channel for the Trinity River is dug for flood control purposes. The redirected water will create a 33-acre lake and an 800-acre island where waterfront development is planned. While some skeptics have scoffed at the wisdom of building bridges in advance of development, others see it as a bold, visionary move. Officials say they are building the bridges now at about half the cost it would be to build them over water once the channel is dug. It’s all part of a massively ambitious project called Trinity River Vision that will add new recreational amenities along 88 miles of the river and will create a waterfront development that promises millions of dollars in economic impact.

The location also supports kayak and stand-up paddling vendors with a beach that’s open seven days a week. The Trinity River Vision project will also enhance the amenities at Gateway Park, one of the largest urban parks in North Texas. The Trinity River Vision project has been decades in the making and is a partnership of the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, the Tarrant Regional Water District and Streams and Valleys, a nonprofit dedicated to saving, sharing and celebrating the Trinity River. Funding comes from a mosaic of sources, including federal dollars from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state dollars from Texas Department of Transportation, along with local dollars. The $65.5 million dollar bridge project now underway is but one piece of a project that’s slated to cost $910 million before it is said and done. TRINITYRIVERVISION.ORG

“Austin and San Antonio are prime examples of what happens when a community makes an investment in a river,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, a longtime proponent of the project. “We believe that this project will be a big benefit for our city while connecting our citizens to the Trinity River.” While the waterfront development called Panther Island may be years away, many of the projects designed to make the Trinity River more accessible are well underway. Miles and miles of bike paths along the Trinity are now used by thousands of cyclists and joggers and there are plans to eventually connect every neighborhood in the city to the river. Panther Island Pavilion, a waterfront music venue, draws people to special events throughout the year, including the summer Rockin’ the River concert series. Many in the audience plunge into the river to enjoy the music from inner tubes. The stage is on the river, in the shadow of downtown Fort Worth, and the After Party Band keeps playing right up to the nightly fireworks show. Come November, the tubing scene is replaced by an outdoor ice rink, through January.

Photos courtesy of Trinity River Vision

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 15

LIVING TEXAS | HOUSTON

Jus’ Mac Me Happy! By Paxton Kelly

No matter how old I get, macaroni and cheese will always be a favorite. It was the dish I ate with my parents on lazy rainy nights and the meal I’d eat in college when my budget got tight. (Which, let’s face it, happened often.) Nowadays, on nights when I don’t feel like cooking or emptying my now-healthy bank account, Houston’s Jus’ Mac is where you’ll find me.

enjoy a sugar fix at the end of their carbo load. There’s a decent selection of wines and over 30 craft beers on tap; many are local brews like Sympathy for the Lager from Karbach Brewing Co. and Forbidden Lavender by No Label Brewing Co.

Owners Patrick and Kimberly Alvarez opened their pasta paradise in 2010 on Yale Street in the Heights and expanded to trendy Montrose in 2013. I’d been to a similar restaurant in Manhattan a few years back, loving the unique concept, and was thrilled to hear the idea made its way down South. This New American restaurant, specializing in cheesy dishes, transforms a classic comfort food into delicious medleys of taste and flavor. The menu divides mac and cheese lovers into two camps: Radical and Conservative. Now, I’m always up for a basic bowl of soft shell macaroni drenched in liquid cheddar, but I couldn’t wrench my eyes away from the Radical section on my first Jus’ Mac visit. With options like The Hangover, made with hash browns and fried eggs topped with pico de gallo and habanero sauce, and the Pit Master, mixed with brisket and topped with Colby Jack and BBQ sauce, it was hard not to embrace my inner radical. However, if you’re in the mood to stay on the straight and narrow, the All American, made with a blend of American cheeses finished with breadcrumbs, is an excellent choice. For a small price, you can also add an assortment of proteins and veggies to liven up any selection; from bacon bits to pickled jalapenos. You even get to choose between regular, whole grain or low carb pasta. Your options are endless! While I waited for my personal-size Half-Baked dish, a perfect option for fellow baked potato lovers, I chowed down on mouth-watering fried mac balls with bacon. Perfectly crispy on the outside and soft, oozing with cheesy goodness, on the inside. Now, don’t let the name fool you. Jus’ Mac is much more than macaroni and cheese. Their specialty paninis, like the Spinato, and wedge salads accommodate all types of foodies. Sweet treats like cookies and Texas sheet cake are also offered for those who

16 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

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LIVING TEXAS | SAN ANTONIO

Artpace: Bringing Art to San Antonio By Sara D’Spain

Most Texans have heard of Pace Picante sauce, but very few know that in 1995 Linda Pace started a new legacy. Although Pace died in 2007, her belief that art should be free to everyone lives on in a downtown San Antonio studio known as Artpace. Artpace is not a traditional art museum. Rather, it’s art in action. Four times a year, three artists are selected - one international, one national, and one Texan - to take residency at Artpace. There, they create art in a studio all their own for two months. At the end, their work goes on exhibit for the next two months. To date, some 200 artists, working with every medium imaginable, have lived and shown their work at Artpace. In true Pace family spirit, community involvement is a priority at Artpace, which annually sponsors events and educational programs for kids from kindergarten through college. Even the artists in residence are encouraged to find a way to involve the community with their art, and often interact with students visiting for other programs at Artpace. Every October, Artpace, along with its sponsors, holds Chalk It Up, a street festival with Artpace artists creating murals along Houston Street. This hip event brings the community together to create public art and raise awareness of Artpace’s educational programs. In addition to street murals, other Chalk It Up activities include Guerilla Haiku, a photo booth, live music, and displays of Artpace alumni artwork. Chalk It Up 2015 is October 10.

18 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

The 2014 Chalk It Up brought in 22,500 visitors, and joining in on the fun were 46 organizations such as schools and nonprofits. Another event you won’t want to miss is the Rooftop Jazz Series, open to Artpace members. For this unique night, Trinity University’s KRTU radio station selects a jazz band to perform on the roof of the Artpace building, overlooking downtown. Video artist Chris Jackson of KRTU improvises his own video art to the jazz music that plays on a screen behind the band. There’s beer from Rooftop Jazz Series sponsor Blue Moon, and for the November 20th show, the Hippie Mommas’ food truck will be street-side for dinner. Home for Artpace is an 18,000-square foot building renovated by the award-winning San Antonio firm Lake/Flato Architects. The 1920’s building was once a Hudson automobile dealership and sits a convenient block away from the River Walk.

445 NORTH MAIN AVENUE | SAN ANTONIO ARTPACE.ORG

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

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Dickens on the Strand

With a nod to the ghost of Dickens past and an eye towards the future, Galveston’s world famous Victorian holiday festival returns to Galveston Island December 4-6. The annual holiday street festival, based on 19th-century Victorian London, features parades, non-stop entertainment on six stages, strolling carolers, roving musicians, bagpipers, jugglers and a host of other entertainers. Costumed vendors peddle their wares from street stalls and rolling carts laden with holiday food and drink, Victorian-inspired crafts, clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations and gift items. There’s a multitude of fun throughout the weekend such as the crowd favorite Whimsical Whisker Revue, a facial hair contest for the bearded; the Dickens Victorian Bed Races; Victorian Costume Contest; Civil War living history encampments and daily parades through Galveston’s National Historic Landmark Strand District. Friday evening, December 4, sees a lively start to the 42nd anniversary of the festival with Fezziwig’s Beer Hall, featuring specialty acts, hearty brews and new friends. Find Fezziwig’s at 22nd and Strand in front of the Windsor Castle Stage. With its parades, petting zoos, history encampments and more, there’s plenty on hand for younger attendees. Looking for a deal? Anyone wearing a Victorian costume gets halfprice admission!—JT STRAND NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK DISTRICT | GALVESTON

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20 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

Sprechen Sie Fun? By Judy Maggio

Wurstfest started as a sausage festival in 1961 and drew a crowd of about 2,000 visitors. Today, it’s grown into a massive celebration attracting thousands of visitors every day during its run. One key to the festival’s success is keeping the community’s German heritage front and center. Hundreds of booths offer merchandise, clothing, packaged food and more. This year, with the addition of the Stelzenplatz, a new marketplace just along the Comal, there’s room for even more funloving sausage seekers.

In some families, Wurstfest is more than a festival, it’s a tradition. For more than a quarter century, Robert and Kathy Hadlock have made the annual trek from Austin to New Braunfels. “We’ve never missed a year. Wurstfest 1988 was our first date,” says Kathy Hadlock. “It included beer, bratwurst and our first dance …of course, it was the chicken dance!” If you have legs for the chicken dance or just want to sit back and soak in an oompah band, the entertainment is never-ending. A fifth music stage was added this year in the biergarten, offering another venue where you can enjoy one of the 40-plus national and international live music acts. As the festival organizers like to say, “music truly is the heartbeat of the festival.”

boasts 30 craft beers from small breweries all over Texas and the rest of the country. The Hadlocks say it’s the combination of beer, food and fun that brings them back year after year. And now, as their grown daughters plus boyfriends join them on the annual pilgrimage, they—like many other families—are passing the torch (or bier stein) to the next generation. 120 LANDA ST | NEW BRAUNFELS WURSTFEST.COM

For college students and baby boomers alike, the variety of beer is another big attraction. To keep up with the demand for craft beer, Wurstfest has included another bar. This one

Photos courtesy of Wurstfest

You don’t have to fly across the ocean for a true German experience. Just head down the autobahn (um, highway) to New Braunfels for Wurstfest! Every fall, this celebration of German culture takes over Landa Park, near the headwaters of the Comal River. Wurstfest is 10 fun-filled days of authentic German food and beer along with great Alpine and Bavarian-style entertainment. This year’s fest kicks off November 6.

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 21

Photos courtesy Stephanie Meyers

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

Classic Cars for a Cause By Alanis King

The economy was in the tank, phone lines quiet. With the weight of the 2008 market crash pressing on her business, insurance agent Stephanie Myers had to make a move. Thus, a search for new marketing opportunities took Myers straight into the culture with appreciation for the very horsepower and high speeds that rely on her insurance help: the classic car market. Now hosting around nine car shows per year between Fly-In or DriveIns, Cruise-Ins and an Annual Classic Car & Plane Show, Myers has found more than just business success. With car enthusiasts competing for best classic ride and locals attending in droves, fundraisers at her shows benefit organizations ranging from charities to the Commemorative Air Force. After seven years, a move originally meant to advance Myers’ professional life makes her feel “like a little kid” at each show.

manual transmission, Myers calls the shows’ growth “overwhelming.” In the first of Myers’ smaller, quarterly events (dubbed “Cruise-Ins”) in 2009, she recalls 22 cars entering. Heading into her December 5 Cruise-In — featuring an annual Christmas toy drive for military families in need — Myers expects far more. “We always push the envelope,” Myers said. “There’s anywhere from 80 to 120 cars, and at a certain point, cars will just drive in and drive out because there’s no parking left.” With counts increasing and cars overflowing lots, Myers’ fundraising efforts now focus mainly on Help Our Wounded and other veteranassistance programs — a “real passion” that stems from family roots. But no matter the turnout or funds raised, Myers has her own measure of success.

She first got involved as a volunteer, then ended up taking the fundraising position for a show that cancelled on short notice in 2012. Determined to not let her own efforts toward the event go to waste, Myers took charge.

“I always tell people that [any money raised] is better than zero,” Myers said. “Giving something to a charity is better than giving them nothing.”

“I decided to go up to the Georgetown [Municipal] Airport and just do my own show,” Myers said. “I knew we could get cars there, and I knew that people would come — I just knew it would work.”

Whether cruising, flying or driving in, Myers’ participants turned into family and fundraisers into sustainable finances for military families — a “very gratifying” feeling for Myers and all involved.

Confident attitude in hand, Myers now takes the wheel for each large-scale show. Comparing her journey to a new driver mastering a

22 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | STYLE

Roar of the Crowd PHOTOGRAPHER: SARAH DOLIVER, SARAHDOLIVER.COM STYLING: EDITH HENRY, EDITHHENRY.COM MAKEUP/HAIR: KELSEY JAMES, KELSEYJAMES.COM MODELS: LILY MEKEEL, THE DRAGONFLY AGENCY, DALLAS; AARON WILLINGHAM ASSISTANT: MATTHEW CAMERON ALDINI DRESS: VERY J, BEEHIVE, AUSTIN SWEATER: CRISTINA GAVIOLI COLLECTION, YOUNG & FABULOUS, HILL COUNTRY GALLERIA BELT: RALPH LAUREN, NORDSTROMS, BARTON CREEK SQUARE, AUSTIN SHOES & NECKLACE: STYLIST’S OWN

24 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | STYLE

JACKET: THE KOOPLES SPORT, NORDSTROMS, BARTON CREEK SQUARE, AUSTIN BLOUSE: WAYF, NORDSTROMS, BARTON CREEK SQUARE, AUSTIN SKIRT: MILLY, NORDSTROMS, BARTON CREEK SQUARE, AUSTIN SUNGLASSES: BEEHIVE, AUSTIN SHOES: STYLIST’S OWN

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 25

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | STYLE

DRESS: MARC BY MARC JACOBS, NORDSTROMS, BARTON CREEK SQUARE, AUSTIN BRACELET: NORDSTROMS, BARTON CREEK SQUARE, AUSTIN HAT: DICK’S, HILL COUNTRY GALLERIA, BEE CAVES SOCKS, SHOES: STYLIST’S OWN

26 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | STYLE

SKIRT: RARE TRENDS, AUSTIN T-SHIRT: ZELLA, NORDSTROMS, BARTON CREEK SQUARE, AUSTIN SNEAKERS: MICHAEL KORS, NORDSTROMS, BARTON CREEK SQUARE, AUSTIN HOODIE & NECKLACE: STYLIST’S OWN

JACKET, PANTS: RARE TRENDS, AUSTIN TSHIRT: MICHAEL STARS, YOUNG & FABULOUS HAT: COLLECTIONEIGHTEEN, NORDSTROMS, BARTON CREEK SQUARE, AUSTIN SHOES: STYLISTS OWN

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 27

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | STYLE

Shop HAUTE Wheels on the Move

By Lea DelBosque

Years before they met, study abroad trips to Paris fostered the independent spirit in both Kelly Aguilar and Abby Elstad. Being alone in a city of two million people will do that for you.

When their paths finally crossed stateside, the adventuresome pair discovered they’d both learned a lot from their travels, including how much they enjoyed the change of scene a new culture brings. That lesson proved to be the catalyst for an even bigger venture. The two friends were chatting about the future over lunch one day at a Dallas food truck. The conversation soon turned to their mutual loves: travel and fashion. Why not combine what was so dear to both of them while leveraging their retail industry expertise? Inspired by their surroundings, the idea for a mobile fashion store—Shop Haute Wheels—was born. The game plan was simple. The truck would keep the spirit of traveling alive for the two newly minted business partners as they moved around to different locations in the Dallas area, providing clothing for both the office and evening/dinner attire. Step inside the boutique road show and you’ll find a wide variety of clothing and accessory lines. The fashionable owners reflect their own chic taste in the merchandise, while also showing they’ve got a great eye for the newest trends and know how to curate a dynamite look. Without breaking the bank. The handpicked clothing, jewelry, handbags and accessories are all priced under $100. It’s a unique shopping experience. You’ll find Shop Haute Wheels in food truck yards. What better way to spend a lunch break or day off than eating your favorite comfort foods and indulging in some retail therapy? Elstad and Aguilar also take the truck to neighborhoods for house parties. There’s no fee for this fun service; move over Tupperware, there’s a new kind of party in D-town!

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It’s fall in Texas. So chances are, you’ll be headed to a ballgame, then on to a postgame celebration. Try these simple tips from Abby Elstad and Kelly Aguilar on how to make one outfit carry you through the day and into evening. •

Use accessories: scarves, bracelets, a necklace or ring

•

Add a pop of color

•

Tie your hair up in a top knot or braid

•

Change into wedges to move from day to night

•

Use a belt to add evening sophistication to your daytime look

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS Handpicked by the Texas Lifestyle Team

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30 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

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Photo Courtesy of Golf Club of Houston

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROUGHING IT

Fairways& Football Outstanding golf options for college football fans

Golf Club of Houston

By Robert A. Rodriguez

Now that college football season is underway, that doesn’t mean the clubs have to go away – far from it. Many Texas colleges and universities have superb golf just minutes from the stadium. So, pack the clubs alongside the portable grills and other tailgate goodies, and tee it up at these courses before the big game.

Brazos Valley Who knew that the mighty Brazos River would be a fertile ground for not one, but two college football juggernauts? In Waco, Baylor fans arriving early to see their nationally ranked Bears can tee it up at Twin Rivers Golf Club, a Peter Jacobsen/Jim Hardy design that is home to the school’s golf teams. Down Highway 6 in the Bryan/College Station area, the Aggie faithful are coming in droves to not only see how Texas A&M fares in the Southeastern Conference, but also to check out the revamped Kyle Field. For golf in and around Aggieland, our pick is Traditions Club. While Traditions is private, there are ways for the public to play there – most notably, staying in the Cottages just steps from the clubhouse. And next year, Traditions Club visitors can stay at the Stella Hotel, a stylish and modern hotel that will offer exceptional amenities. Dallas-Fort Worth The Metroplex is home to three major college football teams – North Texas, Southern Methodist and Texas Christian – and will be the site of many high-profile games, thanks mostly to

32 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

Photo Courtesy of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Austin The capital city is known for so many things that sometimes its excellent golf scene gets overlooked. That’s hard to fathom, especially with the likes of Barton Creek, Grey Rock and Wolfdancer in the area. Tee times will be a premium on game day weekends at those courses and at the University of Texas Golf Club, a private club where big money donors and the powerhouse Longhorn golf teams play.

TCU’s expected national championship run. Thankfully, there is no dearth of exceptional golf options in DFW. Those headed to Denton to see the North Texas Mean Green should play Old American Golf Club, on the shores of Lake Lewisville. Close to the SMU campus are two municipal courses – Tenison Park and Stevens Park – while those in Fort Worth wanting to mix fairways with football should make a tee time at either Texas Star in Euless or Tierra Verde in Arlington. El Paso The desert setting makes trips to El Paso – and specifically to the Sun Bowl to see the UTEP Miners play – a treat. It also makes golf in far West Texas feel like Arizona golf, with desert scrub lining most fairways. The top course in El Paso is Butterfield Trail, a Tom Fazio design near the airport that ranks among the best layouts in Texas. Another attractive golf option is Painted Dunes Desert, which sports 27 holes designed by Ken Dye and Jeff Brauer.

Photo Courtesy of TPC San Antonio

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROUGHING IT

Houston Both the Houston Cougars and Rice Owls should generate a lot of excitement this season. Golfwise, the buzz in the Houston area usually centers on Memorial Park, a splendid layout in the heart of town that features a running trail forming its perimeter and Beck’s Prime restaurant right of the 10th fairway. Further away from the U of H and Rice campuses – but worth the drive – is The Golf Club of Houston, site of the PGA Tour’s Shell Houston Open. Everyone likes to play where the pros play.

Texas Hill Country Both San Antonio and San Marcos are home to two upstart FBS teams (University of Texas-San Antonio and Texas State) who also are developing a heated rivalry along the Interstate 35 corridor. What both alumni bases can agree upon, though, is that the Hill Country boasts the best golf courses in Texas. San Antonio has plenty of options within the city limits such as La Cantera (featured in our Road Trip article), TPC San Antonio and Brackenridge Park, and some noteworthy outlying layouts like The Bandit and Plum Creek, which are also near San Marcos. And, if you happen to score an invite to the highly acclaimed Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, jump on it. The Jack Nicklaus Signature layout in Boerne boasts one of the most beautiful par 3s in the state.

Photo Courtesy of Cordillera Ranch

Lubbock Perhaps just as electric as the Texas Tech Red Raider offense is the golf experience on the Rawls Course. Designed by noted architect Tom Doak, the Rawls Course mimics land south and east of town, where the Great Plains suddenly begin falling into the valleys and canyons that lead to the Caprock region. The course has been a great recruiting tool for the Red Raider golf teams, and is a must-play whenever in Lubbock.

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 33

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HABITAT

By Design

COTA

Photo Courtesy of Mir贸 Rivera Architects

By Julie Tereshchuk

34 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

Photo Courtesy of Paul Finkel, Piston Design

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HABITAT

Bordered by the track on three sides, the 27-acre Grand Plaza defines the experience for most visitors to the Circuit of The Americas (COTA). As visitors enter, they find the monumental reflecting pool. Along the plaza’s northeast edge, there’s a trellis-covered promenade and when they reach the Great Lawn, the sights and sounds of the race surround them. At the start and finish lines, the Main Grandstand provides seating for over 9,000 spectators on three levels.

Behind all this design lies the combined creative force of New York transplants Juan Miró and Miguel Rivera, the founders of Austinbased Miró Rivera Architects. This internationally recognized firm regularly works on both commercial and residential projects, giving them the opportunity for a singular transfer between the two worlds. “We are very comfortable, and greatly enjoy, changing scale, and try not to specialize in only one building type,” said Rivera. Attention to detail, vital in a residential setting yet rare in the much larger scale of commercial endeavors, informs all their work. And there’s cohesion in their innovative use of materials. The steel

Photo Courtesy of Paul Finkel, Piston Design

Carved into the site, the 14,000-capacity Austin360 Amphitheater is the largest outdoor stage in Central Texas. Above the stage, a canopy of red steel tubes sweeps up and over the iconic Observation Tower to form a memorable backdrop.

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 35

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HABITAT

trellis found in the concession areas at COTA was tested, albeit on a smaller scale, in residential projects, including the Miró Rivera residence. (Miró is married to Rivera’s sister, Rosa.) Look carefully at the home’s mailbox and you’ll see comparable concepts used in the design of COTA’s Observation Tower. The louvered wall, the exposed tension steel structure and the fabric structure designed for a residential boat dock at Lake Austin have great similarities to the Main Grandstand at COTA. “We love to use glass as a medium to connect people to the outdoor surroundings,” explained Miró. “The use of glass in elevated parts of COTA gives spectators the impression of floating above all the activity and heightens their experience entirely.” They created a similar effect with glass railings in the cantilevered balconies at their Deck House and Residence 104. After first building a glass floor at the Lakeshore Residence, “the experience served us very well when we designed the striking glass floor at the top of the Observation Tower,” explained Rivera. Their top priority is problem-solving, he said. “We approach each project without preconceived notions about how the building should perform or what it should look like; each individual work results from the careful consideration of the unique requirements of the client, site and program.” MIRORIVERA.COM

Photo Courtesy of Miró Rivera Architects

36 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HABITAT

It’s a (Great) Dog’s Life

America’s love affair with their pets continues with the launch of Fidelio’s custom dog beds. Now that special pooch in your life will not only sleep soundly, but also snooze in beautiful comfort on these handcrafted canine cribs. Two longtime entrepreneurs are behind the Texas-based company, which offers one-of-a-kind, solid wood dog beds to match the design aesthetics of your home. Steve Haynes, who has owned dog-training consultancy Fidelio Dog Works since 2000, combines his knowledge of all things canine with Steve Hill’s furniture expertise. Hill, the founder of HillHaus Woodworks, has designed and built quality custommade furniture (for bipeds) since 2009. Each dog bed is handcrafted at Hill’s Westlake studio from a variety of wood ranging from the traditional, including maple, walnut and cherry, to more environmentally sustainable wood harvested in an ecologically sensitive manner. The bed design features modern lines, bespoke furniture-quality joinery and pet-safe finishes. The final lavish touch is a goose down-filled feather pillow. Sweet dreams, puppy! —Margaret Richards FIDELIOART.COM

38 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ON THE COVER

40 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ON THE COVER

Michael Strahan The Inimitable

By Daniel Ramirez

Consider it a tale of two empires.

One is a sweaty field of play in nearly constant motion, the soundtrack composed from the notes of violent collisions, barked commands and the unmistakable grunts of an effort, fully given. From high school sandlots to college campuses, the din grows louder, always with the same tone and timbre. It’s any football field in Texas during the fall, when the most dreaded word is, “again,” and dreams reach higher than the endless blue skies, sparking thoughts of playing on Friday, Saturday or, for the dedicated few, Sunday. The other is a city that genuinely never sleeps, scored by Tony-award winning musical productions, the ever-present din of car horns and the constant shuffle of thousands upon thousands of feet, hastily getting from one place to another, lattes or folded slices in hand. It’s the crowded streets of New York City, where the least welcome thing is an outsider and the most dreaded word is “tourist.” And there are few who don’t know what happens if you “can make it there.” What do the busy football fields of Texas high schools and the bustling streets of New York City have in common? Who could possibly unite such diverse kingdoms? The answer is a man named Michael Strahan. If you’ve paid attention to either the National Football League or the top morning talk shows over the past 15 years, you will recognize Michael Strahan. His winsome charm has graced the television screen, alongside morning television star, Kelly Ripa as part of “Live! With Kelly and Michael,” from where he has branched out to be a regular co-host on “Good Morning America” and become quite the household name.

And, while the a.m. coffee set might consider him with a fond regard and a warm chuckle, former NFL offenses and offensive coordinators likely replace that fondness with dread and the chuckle with a grimace. It is on the football field that he first made his mark. Strahan gave nightmares to Cowboys and Texans fans alike as a fixture of the New York Giants defensive unit, where his talent and skill earned him enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In both realms, whether football or entertainment, Strahan is widely known, respected and perhaps, in the long memories of a few Dallas Cowboys, feared. He is the pride of New York, where he played his entire professional career and where his hit show is set and filmed. But the story of this master of two domains did not begin in the Empire State, much as they might have a valid claim to the man. His journey to stardom began in Houston, where he played for Westbury High School. Already well on his way to becoming the monolithic presence he would become, he spent his senior year at Westbury, transferring in, a child of military parents. It was there that he garnered enough attention from local college, Texas Southern University, to be awarded a scholarship and make impressions for the next four years that got him noticed by NFL scouts across the nation. And, although New York landed him, his time in Texas – his home base when his parents weren’t stationed abroad and the launching point for his football career – was more than enough to make him a native son of the Lone Star State.

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 41

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ON THE COVER

Strahan and Kelly Ripa co-host “Live! With Kelly and Michael.”

42 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

Photo courtesy of St.Jude Children’s

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ON THE COVER

“Everybody knows, in my opinion, if you’re talking about football, the biggest state is Texas,” Strahan explains. For him, the reason football in the state has such a reputation is that Texas deserves it. He attributes the notoriety of the sport in his home state to “the support and the fans and the ‘high school Friday Night Lights’ feel...” “If you’re a star in Texas, you’re pretty much a star everywhere,” Strahan concludes, and it is this sentiment that is likely responsible for preparing the football phenomenon, not only for the jump to the professional level, but for a successful life well beyond. Now done with a routine that dictated athletic regimens and readiness, he’s made some adjustments to accommodate for a less sports-centric routine. “Everybody says, ‘football season is here,’” Strahan begins. “I texted Eli Manning [quarterback for the New York Giants and a former teammate] and said, ‘Hey, let’s play some golf,’ and he said, ‘my golf season is over – I’ve got camp starting.’ Man, my life is great. I don’t even know when training camp is. I don’t miss getting beat up. That part they can keep, every day of the week.” Of course, the game is rarely far from Strahan. With a regular spot on “Fox NFL Sunday,” he still offers plenty of commentary and reflection. “I do look forward to watching games,” he emphasizes. “I’m a fan just like everyone else.”

With regular golf plans and a chance to watch NFL teams play instead of preparing to wreak havoc upon them, you might think that Strahan’s schedule is wide open, full of leisure and the retirement life that a man of his accomplishments has made possible. Doing so, however, would discount that other part of Strahan’s life, the role as half of the dynamic daytime duo, “Live! With Kelly and Michael.” It is in this role that Strahan has shown incredible talent and range. Set in the Big Apple, the show captured the local enthusiasm for Strahan’s notoriety, but also discovered hidden depths of talent in that impossible-to-ignore smile and natural charisma. And thanks to the city and what it taught him, he has thrived in a role that demands his time and attention, daily. “This is the greatest city,” he says, musing on the confluence of events that have brought him here, “the one place to be – in my opinion – in the world. Being a player here, it’s a little more intense as far as the media scrutiny.” Emerging from a run through the gauntlet that the increased attention of New York City’s millions, all who consider themselves ‘expert’ football critics, Strahan learned how to manage a crowd and his image. It made for an easy transition from the field to the screen, since he was media-tested for over a decade. “If you can handle all of that here,” he jokes, evoking the classic Frank Sinatra verse, “you can handle anything.”

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 43

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ON THE COVER

Strahan’s history in sports and time in the public eye proved to be quite the asset in the football-obsessed market that is New York City, and reaps benefits that he could have foreseen, but perhaps not counted on. “Being here, now, on the TV side, it’s cool because all of those fathers and sons who would say, ‘Hey, you played great football,’ they love me and now they love Kelly Ripa, too.” His new career has opened even more eyes and still more avenues, and Strahan recently added “movie star” to the list of things that he is known for. Having maintained an athletic fitness regimen despite being out of professional sports, he lent his physique – and his dancing prowess – to “Magic Mike XXL.” Strahan happily explains that, despite how busy others might see his life, he looks with a different lens. “I read something the other day that made me realize that my life probably isn’t busy enough,” he explains. “It said you have the same 24 hours in your day as Gandhi and Albert Einstein and Mother Teresa, and all of these people who made such big changes.” There is, of course, the matter of how he manages to keep his physique without NFL trainers and nutritionists to guide him and opposing offensive linemen to motivate him. Strahan reveals a far more relatable routine and rationale. “I work out five days a week. I try to eat 80/20. 80% of the time, I try to eat clean – vegetables or chicken or fish or something like that,” he reveals. But, when it comes to the remainder of his diet, he’s honest about where he finds the rest of his calories. “I will have ice cream,” he says. “20% of the time, I’ll throw some dessert in there. I have a weakness for chocolate.” He doesn’t want the world to “remember him when.” Strahan explains, “I lost about 15 to 20 pounds toward the last three years of my career. I didn’t want to be a guy that somebody looked at and said, ‘He looks like he gave up on life.’ I want to look like I still care.” It is still about Strahan continuing to express his work ethic and maximize his exposure, all while silencing critics, albeit less forcefully. He’s created a very admirable image, as a result. It is an image he is now lending to designers and, through them, to fashion-conscious men across the country, as he launches his new clothing line for J.C. Penney. “In September, I had a suit line come out,” Strahan mentions, almost in passing. “We opened at 240 J.C. Penney stores with suits, ties, sport coats, bowties, suspenders and you name it – the full gamut.”

need only ask him what to send as a care package from the Lone Star State or who he’ll be rooting for when college football season gets going. “Barbecue. I miss it. I like ribs, brisket, love barbecue chicken – only drumsticks – and some good potato salad,” he requests. “You give me that, and some good cornbread, and you can call it a day.”

And if all of this weren’t enough, he has a book out. “It’s called ‘Wake Up Happy,’” he says. “It’s not stiff stories from football. It’s stories from my life and how to take the different things that are thrown at you, good things and bad, and use those things to be the tools that help you advance and make your life the way you want your life to be.”

As for his hopes for the coming year on the gridiron, his fandom never gets north of the Red River. “My son goes to UT and I would love to see that team do something, that way he could get excited about it,” he says with a pride that could surely only be born in Texas. “They’re on that comeback trail,” Strahan adds. “So, hopefully this is the year they click.”

Strahan seems to have figured out the key to these matters, though he never sounds like a braggart, nor does he claim that his answers or his path are the way for everyone. “My life,” he says, “has truly been a life people look at as a charmed life, with all these things that have happened, but there’ve been a lot of failures along the way.” He is, as ever, a man in constant motion. But, if you were ever to doubt that he is a well-adjusted Texan, instead of a New Yorker, you

44 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

Fans across Texas can celebrate that Strahan has passed his Texas roots down to his son and has a regular reason to visit his Lone Star State. Fingers crossed, he can also catch some Friday Night Lights this season.

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | FEATURE

The Kilgore Rangerettes A Texas Tradition Alive & Kicking

Photo by Kristopher Dobbins

By Shelley Seale

The Rangerettes prepare to enter the field to perform at the Cotton Bowl in January 2015. The Rangerettes have performed at the Cotton Bowl every year since 1951.

It was September 12, 1940. At the halftime of a college football game in the sleepy little town of Kilgore in East Texas — population less than 7,000 at that time — three dozen young women decked out with white hats and red, white and blue uniforms took the field to entertain the crowds with a dance routine. On that day, the Kilgore Rangerettes made history and changed the future of football halftime entertainment across the country.

Blair, who started as assistant director in 1986 and was with the organization when it celebrated its 50th anniversary, marvels at how quickly the years flew by. “I think about how little has really changed. Some things have, of course — the dance style has certainly changed, and the intensity and difficulty — but a lot of the traditions of the Rangerettes have not really changed. In the entire 75-year history, so much has stayed the same.”

Known as the “Sweethearts of the Gridiron,” the Rangerettes tradition is still alive and high-kicking today. Celebrating their 75th anniversary this year, the team pioneered the field of dancing drill teams now seen across the nation. The Rangerettes have only had three directors in three-quarters of a century: Gussie Nell Davis (1940-1979), Deana Bolton Covin (1979-1993), and Dana Blair (1993-present).

A Rangerette herself from 1981-1983, Blair became director in 1993 when Mrs. Covin retired. “The fact that we’ve only had three directors in that time period is amazing,” she says. “So to me, the longevity of the organization is a really wonderful thing to celebrate; especially in a little bitty town in East Texas. It’s something that girls still want to be part of today. That’s something I’m very proud of.”

46 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

Photo by Jon Vashey, Kilgore College

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | FEATURE

Rangerette officers perform their halftime routine during a performance at a Kilgore College football home game versus Blinn College in October, 2014.

That tradition is a big part of how the Rangerettes came about. In 1939, Kilgore College Dean Dr. B.E. Masters, decided that the college needed an organization that would attract young women and keep people in their seats during football game halftimes. His goal of equalizing the male/female student ratio was executed by the Rangerettes’ first director, Gussie Nell Davis, who thought that a dancing drill team was the answer. The first group of its kind in the world, the Rangerettes brought “show business” to the football gridiron during the 1940 football season. “It changed halftime shows and football pageantry forever,” Blair says. Even the uniform, which was created in 1940, has changed very little. “The skirts got a little shorter, and that’s about it.” As Blair mentioned, the Rangerettes is still very much a relevant organization that young college girls want to be part of. Most years, 80 to 100 women try out for the 36 Rangerette spots. For the 201516 school year, 96 people showed up for the tryouts in July. Each candidate must learn and perform one field high-kick routine, one field jazz routine, and several studio style combinations at the tryouts. The Rangerette directors choose all new freshmen Rangerettes with assistance from the returning sophomore class. Outside judges are also brought in to assist in evaluating hopefuls during tryouts. Once a student secures a position on the team in her freshman year, she does not have to try out again for the sophomore year; her spot on the team is secure for the two-year term.

There is a saying in the organization: “Once a Rangerette, always a Rangerette.” History bears this out; many members stay active with the team as alumni for years, even decades, after their time in the Rangerette spotlight is over. In fact, the formal alumni organization was founded in 1979 and called Rangerettes Forever. “People do stay involved and stay connected,” Blair says. As an example, she mentions Joanne Hankins of the 1943 team, who now works at the Rangerette Residence, the hall where team members live. “She is kind of like a grandmother to the girls, always full of old stories. She’s still as involved as you can be, also working at our camps during the summer.” Another alumna, Wilda Andrews (Team of 1945), has also worked at every summer camp since it started in the early 1990s. “These ladies were Rangerettes in the ‘40s and they’re still involved, they’re still participating. All the decades are represented in the Rangerettes Forever. It’s really a cool thing.” This passing on of the tradition is a big part of what Blair attributes to the longevity of the Kilgore Rangerettes, along with the high standards that the organization has always maintained. “The sophomore Rangerettes teach the freshmen and then they can’t wait to teach the next incoming Rangerettes. It’s just passed down over the years. It kind of gets in your blood and you just want to stay part of it.”

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 47

Photo by O. Rufus Lovett, Kilgore College

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | FEATURE

The Rangerettes pose at Kilgore’s Crim House in November 2015.

The high level of exposure the team receives is also a major aspect. The Rangerettes are the world’s best-known collegiate drill team, traveling from coast-to-coast and border-to-border in the United States and on several world tours. They have graced magazine covers and are often on television, including the yearly Cotton Bowl since 1951, and have been an invited feature performer at several Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades. The opportunity to perform around the world is one of the most appealing aspects to both Blair and her Rangerettes. In fact, one of her fondest memories during her nearly 30-year career there is when she took the team to Singapore in 1997 to perform as part of the Chinese New Year extravaganza. “Groups were there from all over the world,” she recalls. “They were in fabulous costumes, doing all these unique and amazing dances that were representing their countries. I remember thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, we just have on our simple red-white-and-blue uniforms. We’re going to go out there and just high kick; we don’t have any props…’ I honestly thought they were not going to be impressed with what we do. But our girls did their routine and the crowd went crazy. All these people from around the world, they loved it. They gave a standing ovation. I remember being so taken aback, and it was a moment when I realized how special this group really is, and how the simplicity of what we do is enough.” “It’s an iconic Texas organization, and it’s All-American,” Blair says. RANGERETTE.COM

48 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

anniversary

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Kilgore Rangerettes, Los Angeles filmmaker and East Texas native Chip Hale created a Rangerette documentary film. A former Rangerette manager originally from Overton, Hale is uniquely qualified to lead the efforts on the project, simply titled Sweethearts of the Gridiron: An American Story. The film was released in June 2015 and is 87 minutes long. Details at imdb.com/title/tt2714732/.

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | FEATURE

HAPPY

90 O O

GRAND By Julie Tereshchuk

From Texas to Tahiti, everyone knows the Grand Ole Opry as the show that made country music famous. It began on the night of November 28, 1925, when an announcer on Nashville radio station WSM introduced fiddle player Uncle Jimmy Thompson as the first performer on a new show called “The WSM Barn Dance.” Now, 90 years later, the show is still going strong as The Grand Ole Opry. Along the way, it has launched countless country music careers and led the way for Nashville to become known as Music City. Early Opry performers such as Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Ernest Tubb, and Bill Monroe became musical foundations for the Opry during its years in residence at the historic Ryman Auditorium, later welcoming to the stage artists who would become entertainment icons in their own right including Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Bill Anderson. The Opry said goodbye to the Ryman Auditorium in 1974 to take up residence at the newly built Grand Ole Opry House. A six-foot circle of hardwood from the Ryman was placed center stage at the Opry House to keep its original roots alive. Today, the magic continues. We spoke to three Texas musicians who are proud to be a part of the iconic Opry family and to have graced country’s most famous stage. OPRY.COM

50 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

PRY!

anniversary

The Grand Ole Opry is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year by looking to the future of country music with a new compilation series. Opry 9.0, Vol 1: Discoveries from the Circle features live Opry performances from newcomers Chase Bryant, JT Hodges and Drake White. The series shines a light on those who the Opry believes will help shape the show’s next 90 years.

Photo by Eryn Brooke, GypsySun

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | FEATURE

Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers have been dazzling audiences for 60 years. And it all began in their hometown of Abilene, when Larry was six, Steve was four, and Rudy was two. Since then, the trio has gone on to make appearances everywhere from dusty Texas stages to the White House, from Broadway to Grammy Awards to the top of the country charts.

As the Opry turns 90, the Gatlin Brothers are celebrating their own 60th with an anniversary tour that runs through November. “If someone said, ‘Kid, you have one more performance to give before you’re outta here. Where do you want to give it?’ I would simply say, ‘Saturday night, 9:30 PM, on 650 WSM, the Legend on the Grand Ole Opry. Any questions?’”—Larry Gatlin GATLINBROTHERS.COM

Photo by Chris Hicky

The brothers, who first began entertaining audiences in churches and then with guest appearances on the Slim Willet radio and TV shows in Abilene, were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1976.

Growing up in a musical family in Fort Worth, and spending most of his free time at his dad’s studio gave JT Hodges a unique foundation for music appreciation. The studio was the family’s second home and Hodges witnessed numerous artists and producers, including heavyweights like T Bone Burnett, Michael Bolton and Delbert McClinton, all who left lasting impressions on him. At age 7, he was singing and writing his own lyrics. Hodges made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry in November 2011.

After logging thousands of miles with his band, playing 130+ dates a year in front of loyal rowdy crowds at far-flung, latenight clubs and concert halls all over Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Nebraska and beyond, rising Austin-based artist Bart Crow made his Opry debut in August. Hailing from Maypearl, Texas, Crow’s music is a self-described tangle of roots: blues, country and down-home rock ‘n’ roll branded with his unique imprint. His lyrics are written in the tradition of legendary Texas troubadours such as Townes Van Zandt and Steve Earle. “Honestly, I believe I am still in shock at being invited to play the Grand Ole Opry. It’s the shrine of country music and every song I was raised on, from both of my grandfathers to my own dad. To think of standing on the very hallowed circle of wood where so many legends and heroes who blurred the boundaries of music performed is overwhelming. It’s a great honor and a dream I never imagined possible.”—Bart Crow BARTCROWMUSIC.COM

“Every time I’m on that stage, it always feels like the first time. Knowing I’ve been able to sing a few of my stories in a place that has so many of its own is truly an honor. God bless the Grand Ole Opry and Texas!”—JT Hodges JTHODGES.COM

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 51

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | SIP & SAVOR

CUPCAKES with Character Gluten-Free but not Flavor-Free:

By Hannah M. Hepfer

Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop, Austin

Sprinkles Cupcakes, Houston

Reverie Bakeshop, Richardson

Austin-based Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop opened in 2008, but it wasn’t until 2011 that they debuted a gluten-free cupcake.“It took a long time to find a gluten-free flour that we liked,” says Olivia O’Neal, who co-owns the bakery with her husband, Steve.

Credited with starting the “couture cupcake” trend, Sprinkles Cupcakes already had a loyal following. But by 2010, their fans were calling for a gluten-free cupcake, to the tune of hundreds of emails and in-store requests.

Nancy Castillo and Racene Mendoza immediately bonded over their mutual interest in all things baked goods when they met in 2008. By 2013, the friends had opened Reverie Bakeshop with the help of a Kickstarter campaign.

Purveyors of alternative flours approached Sugar Mama’s when they heard that the popular bakery was in the market for a glutenfree flour. The eventual winner was Auntie’s, whose gluten-free flour mix allows O’Neal to swap out regular flour cup-for-cup in her recipes. The bakery offers a different gluten-free cupcake six days a week, along with seasonal ones, like Blueberry Peach Cobbler in the summer and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip in the fall. 1905 S 1ST ST | AUSTIN 2406 MANOR RD, SUITE B | AUSTIN SUGARMAMASBAKESHOP.COM

Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop

52 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

“We’d hear from moms whose kids were at birthday parties and couldn’t have a cupcake because they were gluten-intolerant and had to go without,” says Nicole Schwartz, VP of Marketing. After a four-month process, they eventually landed on a gluten-free mix that includes garbanzo bean flour, potato starch, sweet sorghum flour and fava bean flour. If you’re in Houston and need an after hours cupcake fix, stop by the Highland Village location and visit their “Cupcake ATM” – available for your cupcake needs, 24 hours a day.

All of the bakeshop’s desserts have been vegan since the start, but now about half are gluten-free, too. They offer 23 cupcake flavors, all of which can be made gluten-free. “We’re always thinking of new flavors,” says Mendoza. “We meet with our pastry team once a week to brainstorm.’” They’ve created innovative flavors, like Matcha green tea and lavender with bee-free honey, from customer suggestions. 1930 N COIT RD | RICHARDSON REVERIEBAKESHOP.COM

HIGHLAND VILLAGE 4014 WESTHEIMER RD | HOUSTON SPRINKLES.COM

Red Velvet, by Sprinkles

The “Elvis” from Reverie Bakeshop in Richardson.

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | SIP & SAVOR

The smoking technique, which can take eight-plus hours to execute, is the perfect companion to an essential part of modern football game day culture: pre-game tailgating. However, it can take many years to find the perfect combination of charcoal type, fire temperature, recipes, smoking technique and smoker type. One way to shorten the learning curve is to attend BBQ University, as I did recently, at the beautiful Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

BBQ U

Raise your Barbeque IQ at

Text and Photos By Doug Flatt

The use of smoke to prepare food has been around since Neanderthal times, and the basic premise of applying smoke at low temperatures for an extended period of time hasn’t changed that much since those caveman days. However, the creativity and technology surrounding this technique has evolved as much as man himself.

54 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

Barbeque University (a.k.a. BBQ U) was three days of in-class instruction combined with hands-on recipe preparation and barbecuing, led by master griller and subject matter expert Steven Raichlen. He’s the author of The Barbeque Bible, a must-have for all aspiring grill masters. Each BBQ U has a theme and this year’s was Project Smoke. Every day Raichlen paired up students to prepare eight to 10 predetermined recipes which ranged from smoked plank trout to Tulsa Torpedo to double-smoked stuffed potatoes. In addition to those recipes, Raichlen created another three to four on the fly, with students having the freedom to add their own twist under Raichlen’s tutelage. We had two “classrooms.” Indoors, we cooked in a TV studiostyle kitchen. Outdoors, we found ourselves on an expansive patio overlooking Cheyenne Mountain equipped with over a dozen smokers and grills, ranging from barrel smokers and Big Green Eggs to electric smokers and traditional propane grills. The class focused on smoking, but the other methods of live fire cooking were included as well, namely direct, indirect, rotisserie and roasting on embers.

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | SIP & SAVOR

We smoked ribs, brisket (of course), tenderloin, salmon, pork belly, bacon, lamb and chicken. We also used a smoking gun to cold smoke ice cream, cheesecake and bloody marys. Raichlen is a master of adapting on the fly and is always creating in the kitchen. Many times through the course he would say, “There is no mistake in the kitchen, only new recipes to be discovered.” One of those new recipes I discovered was smoked peanut butter. Using a traditional Texas smoker, I smoked hazelnuts, peanut butter and bacon together. I can guarantee you’ve never tasted peanut butter like it. Continue your BBQ education by catching Raichlen on his new show on PBS, Project Smoke. Whether you’ve already achieved BBQ greatness or are a novice, BBQ U has something for all BBQ aficionados. Go fire up your grill and create something new today. STEVENRAICHLEN.COM BARBECUEBIBLE.COM BROADMOOR.COM 1. Colorado’s Broadmoor Hotel with Cheyenne Mountain in the background | 2. Cedar plank smoked trout prepared on a Big Green Egg cooker | 3. Grilled shrimp kebabs | 4. Grilled Chicken on wood 5. Grill master Steven Raichlen demonstrating the proper use of a barrel smoker | 6. Grills galore 7. Grilled corn at the BBQ U presentation table | 8. Smoked ice cream | 9. Grilled lamb

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 55

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

n i n e d l Go

Cali

e whole family

Diego area for th ap of fun in the San

By Marika Flat

California is known as The Golden State and San Diego is known for its year-round weather perfection. Your family will be golden on this southern Cali vacay. There’s so much to see and do that you’ll need to schedule in some beach time just to relax. Take this fun-in-the-sun journey with us.

Photos courtesy of Hotel del Coronado, Flagship Cruises, Puesto, Chandler’s Restaurant

56 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

as a whole fish) and the Sangria Braised Beef Short Ribs over house-made pasta. CAFE-21.COM

Hotel del Coronado, which opened its doors in 1888, is an iconic San Diego beachfront hotel with its red-shingled roof and storybook architecture. Standing tall as a beacon of grandeur harkening to days gone by, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back into a 1940s movie scene. (For movie buffs, the Marilyn Monroe movie “Some Like it Hot” was filmed at “The Del,” as locals call it.) Over the years, celebrities, presidents and many boldface names have visited. A great choice for families is The Del’s “Blue Dolphin” suite. You’ll have a king room adjoining a living room with a separate kids bedroom featuring a bunk bed that sleeps 3-4 (double on bottom, single on top and a trundle below). Kids will love the Xbox game unit, board games and bean bags in the suite.

Paradise Point Resort & Spa sits on Vacation Road (who wouldn’t want to visit a place with such a name) nestled inside the beautiful and popular Mission Bay. With its lush tropical landscaping and bayside bungalow suites (a king room and bath separated from a living room and mini kitchen), you simply walk out your door into the sand of the beach and bay. You’ll love the relaxed feel of this family resort, being waterside and enjoying amenities such as five pools. Other highlights are beachfront fire pits for s’mores grilling, an 18-hole putting green for kids of all ages, a marina for various water activities (including their Surf Academy), and live music on Sunday Fun Days. PARADISEPOINT.COM

Tidal (at Paradise Point)is a casual and delicious restaurant sitting right beside the marina and offers glorious outdoor seating (complete with heat lamps when it turns chilly). Kids will love their own threecourse menu. Adults, try the mussels or burrata appetizers, paired with California wines, then move on to one of their many fresh seafood selections. PARADISEPOINT.COM/TIDAL-SD.PHP

HOTELDEL.COM

Texans will revel in the outdoor seating at ENO Pizzeria & Wine Bar (at Hotel del Coronado), which looks out over The Del courtyard and beach scene. Try the artisanal meatballs, the cheese plate or a gourmet pizza, such as the Margherita and the Carne. The stone high-top tables are inscribed with wine varietals – as if you needed more inspiration to pair a delicious glass with your pie. A highlight of the family vacation in San Diego is a Jet Boat Tour with Flagship Cruises, a 30-minute speedboat ride through the harbor. It’s not a boat tour – it’s a high-energy thrill ride to the tune of loud rock music, spinning and zipping around other boats. And there’s a great view of U.S. Navy ships!

Located in Balboa Park, the world famous 100-acre San Diego Zoo, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2016, is home to over 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies. Take the double-decker bus tour to see sections of the large park that you might not reach on foot, such as the elephants: the smallest weighs in at 6,600 pounds and the largest is a whopping 12,000-pounder! Wear comfortable walking shoes and go early since the animals are mostly out in the morning.

FLAGSHIPSD.COM SANDIEGOZOO.ORG

Just blocks away from the Flagship boat ride, in the heart of San Diego’s über-hip Gaslamp District, Café 21 is a stand-out farm-to-table eatery. They offer many delicious starters, such as the Mixed Fries (avocado, portobello and eggplant, flash fried and served with dipping sauces); the Stuffed Flatbread is a must, packed with beef short ribs and served with a delectable dill aioli. We also recommend the sea bass (which is presented

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 57

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

At Oceana Coastal Kitchen, (at Catamaran Resort Hotel) step into this Polynesianinspired hotel lobby, then out onto their lush “backyard” on the beach. We found this to be one of the most scenic settings in the San Diego area, right on the beach of Mission Bay. In this relaxed yet posh bayside café, we’d have been right at home in flip-flops or heels. The seafood risotto is a winner! CATAMARANRESORT.COM

A privately owned (by Gary and Mary West) boutique hotel with just 86 rooms, including 36 suites, West Inn & Suites is a clean and functional property for families wanting to visit LEGOLAND (about a mile away) and the beaches of Carlsbad. The West family is “all about quality,” and it shows in the small hotel, with family perks such as complimentary breakfast buffet, Wi-Fi, fitness center, a shuttle within the area, and—the kids’ favorite—milk and cookies every evening. And, did someone say pop-up beach party—a shuttle van packed with everything you need for a day at the beach (beach chairs, boogie boards, sand toys, towels, etc.) and then shuttling you to and from a Carlsbad beach of your choice? Just another family-friendly perk at West. WESTINNANDSUITES.COM

Got a LEGO fan in the family? (Who doesn’t?) LEGO bricks everywhere you look, LEGOLAND is primarily designed for kids 8 and under, with most of the rides and entertainment geared towards younger kids, including the waterpark. As a parent, it’s really fun to share in your child’s imaginative exuberance at this unique theme park. Highlights of the park include Miniland USA (where you can see mini replicas of the country’s major cities), the Star Wars exhibits and the waterpark’s lazy river. CALIFORNIA.LEGOLAND.COM

Very close to LEGOLAND and West Inn, you’ll find the small but impactful Museum of Making Music. Opened in 2000, the museum is designed to highlight musical instruments; however, you get a real feel for the types of music that were popular in various decades since the early 1900s. It’s quite educational (don’t tell the kids) with its emphasis on music appreciation. Finish up trying out some of the instruments. MUSEUMOFMAKINGMUSIC.ORG

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

A more upscale dining experience than you might expect at a typical bistro, Bistro West (at West Inn) really impresses, from environment to service. The house-made rolls, served with butter, were possibly the best in Southern California; the service was impeccable; the sommelier introduced us to a new favorite wine, a Frank Family chardonnay; and the dinner was superb. Go with one of their specialties, the filet mignon beef stroganoff, and end with the delectable peanut butter cheesecake. BISTROWEST.COM

The epitome of a surf town, you’ll love the hang-loose vibe of Oceanside. Start by visiting the California Surf Museum to brush up on your shredding history. Then, take a walk out on Oceanside Pier, where you can watch surfers in action and see fishermen with their catch. Rent bikes from Wheel Fun Rentals—beach cruisers, 2-person or family surrey bikes —and ride along the harbor drive. With your appetite hanging loose, enjoy lunch at Hello Betty, where you can chill with a local craft beer, guacamole and chips and traditional fish tacos in a relaxed beach grill. SURFMUSEUM.ORG HELLOBETTYOCEANSIDE.COM

Recently rebranded to showcase their “Live like a Local” slogan, Cape Rey Carlsbad is situated just across the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway, aka “the 101”) from the beach. This Hilton resort is great for families who want to soak up some beach time and enjoy Carlsbad, but spend some time at the hotel, too. Their Kids Room will keep younger ones entertained from noon to 8 p.m. The hotel’s large pool features live music on Thursday and Friday nights: the perfect spot to enjoy a cold San Diego-area beer such as Mother Earth IPA or a Grapefruit Sculpin from Ballast Point.

ocean breeze. Pair dinner with a robust red vino and don’t forget a chocolate dessert. CHANDLERSCARLSBAD.COM

About a 30-minute drive from Carlsbad, you’ll find the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (safari is Swahili for journey). The park is inland so it can be much hotter than the typical ocean breeze temps that San Diego is known for. The park is more spread out than the zoo so you’ll walk farther to see less. However, the Africa Tram is a 30-minute ride showcasing their African safari animals and is the highlight of the visit. The park has an expansive breeding program and returns animals to their native habitats. SDZSAFARIPARK.ORG

Paddleboard, sea bike or kayak at Carlsbad’s popular saltwater lagoon at the Watercraft Lagoon Experience. Calm waters and a protected area make it great for families. The Cape Rey hotel shuttle can take you to and from the lagoon. SUP (stand-up paddleboard) all over the bay. CARLSBADLAGOON.COM

After hearing a lot about La Jolla, we were glad to have an excuse to eat at Puesto Re s t a u r a n t . M i x , match and enjoy three of Puesto’s unique tacos, such as chicken al pastor, carnitas or zucchini and cactus. Their claim to fame is the crispy cheese inside their tortillas. Start out with a local craft beer, like the AleSmith Tony Gwynn, and the fresh house-made guacamole. EATPUESTO.COM

CAPEREY.COM

Chandler’s (at Cape Rey) chef, who has cooked for three presidents, has designed a menu that will please the young to old. Kids will love the shells and cheese spiked with chunky ham while the adults will enjoy the variety of fresh seafood choices, including sea bass and shrimp. Sit outside and enjoy the

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 59

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROAD TRIP

TEXAS Two-Step Put a little gravel in your travel to visit two very different Texas locales By Marika Flatt

Photos courtesy of La Cantera

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROAD TRIP

Luxe La Cantera The luxury resort, La Cantera, has existed on the rolling hill country outskirts of San Antonio (next to Fiesta Texas at the intersection of 1604 and I-10) since 1999. However, the 550-acre La Cantera became part of the Destination Resorts portfolio in late 2014, was completely shut down for an expansive renovation, reopened in April 2015 and is slowly gearing up for its big reveal by the spring of 2016. What’s completely refreshed as of fall 2015 are its pools, restaurants and bars and the two 18-hole championship golf courses. What’s still to come are the room refreshes, the destination spa (which is slated to be completed by February 2016 and includes treehouses!), the outdoor spaces such as their Esparza Lawn, and the large ballroom. So let’s focus on why you should go now. La Cantera Hill Country Resort sits atop one of the highest points of San Antonio so the views from the adult-only infinity pool and the new City View Terrace are breathtaking. Their Plaza San Saba (the entire resort was fashioned after the famous King Ranch estate home) boasts a large family pool with two bar areas. Just beyond, you’ll find the adult infinity pool (with its relaxing cabanas) while on the other side of the family pool is a kids’ pool with two water slides. We love that the lounge chairs at the family pool have little blue flags you can raise when you need something. Dining at the resort is casual (no need to wear anything dressier than shorts and flip flops), yet excellent. Start the day with a hearty breakfast at SweetFire Kitchen (we recommend the eggs benedict or an omelet); enjoy a savory Tex-Mex lunch at the poolside Primero Cantina (think tacos al pastor or the seasonal veggie gorditas) and end the day with dinner back at SweetFire Kitchen where you can enjoy a starter of their unique deviled eggs (flash fried), then move on to a flatbread or a filet mignon with a side of grits and Andouille sausage. Wrap up dinner with a cheesecake, paired with a bold cabernet. After dinner, rest a spell at the recently added City View Terrace where you can grab a rocking chair, sit with a cold beverage and, between 9 and 9:30 p.m., enjoy fireworks from Fiesta Texas. Stay tuned to our #TravelTuesday series in our online magazine to hear more in the spring of 2016 on their room refreshes and spa experience.

A Golf Twosome at La Cantera By Pete Frank

Playing at the Palmer Golf Course at La Cantera resort in San Antonio, with its pristine undulating terrain and challenging holes, makes for a great round. By February 2016, when all the renovations are planned to be complete, it will be one of the country’s premier golf resorts. The Palmer course has received numerous accolades nationally, including honors from Golf Advisor in 2014 ranking it the number two course in Texas. Designed by Arnold Palmer, the course is just under 7,000 yards in length, with elevated tee boxes and blind shots, surprise bunkers and fast-paced, but true, greens. Hole 12 offers the best views of the Hill Country and the 18th challenges golfers with an incredible 230-plus yard second shot to reach the green at the bottom of a valley. This course is a fun challenge on true mountain terrain. In addition to the Palmer course, La Cantera has a second resort course that is also enjoyable and challenging, with a backdrop of Six Flags Fiesta Texas on a number of holes. The course mixes up the holes with water hazards in the middle of the fairway and beautiful greens surrounding the bunkers. The La Cantera courses will force you to play each hole with precision; some holes you can be aggressive and play the blind shots to your advantage and other times you’re better off playing it safe.

LACANTERARESORT.COM

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROAD TRIP

Photo courtesy of Hilton

Granbury Getaway By Heather Ammons

Granbury sits southwest of Fort Worth and packs a punch when it comes to history and quaintness. Most of the attractions, dining and fun are directly connected to Pearl Street and the “Best Town Square” in Texas (voted so year after year). The city is surrounded by the Brazos River and Lake Granbury, which gives it a laid-back charm. The Hilton Garden Inn, located directly on Lake Granbury and with easy access to Granbury’s City Beach only yards away, received the 2015 TripAdvisor Traveler Award as an outstanding destination. Christina’s Boutique Bistro is a one-stop shopping and dining treat. Some of our favorite selections at this cozy café include: A Taste of Christina’s platter (the Bistro Hot Dip shines), Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad, Quiche Lorraine, Ham and Swiss Panini and Cream Cheese Dips. After you’ve had your fill of shopping, visit Waterside Sports at City Beach to rent a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard. It’s a fun way to experience the lake alongside boats and jet skis. Winding down for the evening should begin with a trip to D’Vine Wine. Owner Diane Hedges can help you with a tasting or to create your own private label for your bottle of wine. Their Texas Rio Red won bronze at the San Antonio Wine Festival and their Lone Star Onyx is the People’s Choice at the Granbury Wine Walk. Dinner at Farina’s Winery & Café is where you go to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine. We recommend the Spinach Artichoke Dip to start, Southern Italian Chicken Marsala or Chicken Alfredo for your main course. And don’t leave without a dessert. Throwback to one of the very few Texas drive-in theatres still around at the Brazos Drive-In, where you can enjoy a double feature on the weekends ($20/vehicle). Snuggle up with a date or enjoy family time. VISITGRANBURY.COM

62 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2015

Photo by Shad Ramsey

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CONCENTRATE Crafted with the perfect combination of hand-picked black tea leaves, 100% pure cane sugar and clean ﬁltered water—Moonshine is the original Texas Sweet Tea. And with Moonshine’s convenient concentrate form, you can prepare a full pitcher of fresh, readymade Moonshine sweet tea in about 30 SECONDS. Just add water, stir and enjoy. Look for Moonshine Sweet Tea in your local grocery store or restaurant!

www.moonshinesweettea.com www.facebook.com/moonshinesweettea • Brewed in Texas

Photo by Michael Lavine

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | REVIEWS

Up Close with

John Benjamin Hickey By Julie Tereshchuk

Tony Award-winning actor John Benjamin Hickey is having a busy fall. The Plano native and Texas State alum has two new movies out and stars in a play at the Lincoln Center in New York. He’s also back as Frank Winter in the second series of “Manhattan,” WGN America’s hit TV drama. Texas Lifestyle Magazine: How did it feel to hear the series had renewed?

TLM: What does it mean that your character is “loosely based” on Seth Neddermeyer?

Hickey: It felt great. “Manhattan” is about the lives of the people who worked on the most top-secret military project in American history: to create the world’s first atomic weapon. All the drama, intrigue and danger are just endlessly fascinating.

JBH: The most fascinating thing about our show is that all the main characters are fictional. They are based on many of the men (like Neddermeyer) and women who lived and worked there, while the real icons of the time, Oppenheimer, General Groves, etc., exist on the periphery of our stories. I think Sam Shaw, the creator of “Manhattan,” wanted to explore how much that moment in time created the very modern, dangerous world we live in today. The characters he created are all keenly aware of how high the stakes are, and what a morally complicated mission it is to build the bomb.

TLM: What’s harder: working on a new series or coming back for another season? JBH: The first season of any show is always the most difficult because everyone, from the actors to the writers to the crew, are all learning exactly what the show is, together. It’s exciting, but very challenging. But the writers have exceeded all my expectations and have come up with a truly thrilling second season. It’s all about the race to the finish line that ends in the test at the Trinity site. We were filming on the 70th anniversary, so there was an amazing sense of history.

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | REVIEWS

TLM: Do you make it back to Texas very often?

Photo by Michael Lavine

JBH: Yes, all the time to see my family (who are all still in Plano) and to eat at Mi Cocina (Dallas’ best Tex-Mex). I hope my family reads this, so they can see what order I put that in. Sometimes I think they wonder. TLM: Tell us about your latest movies. JBH: Big Stone Gap has a great ensemble cast, including Whoopi Goldberg, Ashley Judd, Patrick Wilson, Jane Krakowski, Jenna Elfman, etc. I also play Cate Blanchett’s husband in Truth, starring Cate and Robert Redford. It is about the Bush National Guard story that caused Dan Rather’s retirement. Redford plays Rather. I guess I should call my agents now, and thank them for this busy fall.

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 65

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | REVIEWS

America’s Formula 1 Hope By Leah Fisher Nyfeler

The slender young man with movie star good looks and a serene demeanor may be the best American motorsports star you’ve never heard of. Yet, Alexander Rossi is poised to follow in the footsteps of U.S. legends Phil Hill and Mario Andretti. But those American F1 glory days have been in racing’s rearview mirror for some years now. Though only 24 years old, Rossi is no newcomer. His father, Pieter Rossi, also a racecar driver, introduced Alexander to karting when he was 10. By the time the Californian was 16, Rossi had relocated to Europe to pursue his passion of becoming an F1 driver. At 18, he joined the Caterham F1 team as a test driver, going on to be a reserve driver with Caterham (then Marussia), ready at a moment’s notice to step in for the team’s principal drivers. With a sharp eye for what’s needed to succeed, Rossi has been working the long game in his bid to capture an F1 driver’s seat. He started this season with a renewed focus on the GP2 Series, the official support race of F1, driving for the well-known Spanish outfit Racing Engineering. This course has been a recipe for success for many of F1’s most successful drivers, including Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. “GP2 has always been the premier feeder series into Formula One,”

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Rossi explained. “If you look at the F1 grid, more than half the drivers have come out of GP2.” Rossi was the only American racing in GP2, and performed well. (GP2 has a similar schedule structure, point system, and set of car requirements as F1. With the exception of three events, the GP2 races are held at F1 circuits, providing drivers with valuable experience.) Then, in mid September, came the announcement that Rossi would drive for Manor Marussia in five of the remaining seven F1 races this season. At the time of writing, Rossi had taken the wheel in the Singapore and Japanese races. Due to his GP2 commitments, he will miss the Russian grand prix, next taking to the F1 circuit in Austin, at the United States Grand Prix. An American driver in F1 ends the long drought since Scott Speed raced for Toro Rosso in 2007. Mario Andretti, the track ambassador for COTA and last American to win a Grand Prix (1978), has royal status among F1 fans at his home circuit. One can only imagine the reaction to a drought-ending U.S. driver at Austin’s own Circuit of The Americas. Alexander Rossi is ready to find out what that’s like. GP2SERIES.COM

Photo courtesy Team Rossi Motorsports

Alexander Rossi

Photo courtesy Wisconsin Historical Society

Red Combines The story of the little engine that did, and the people behind it. By Nancy Miller Barton

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | REVIEWS

What weighs six pounds, is black and white and red all over? A new coffee table book on none other than red combines (think farm equipment). The book, by Austin photographer and author Lee Klancher and his team, is out this fall. Red Combines 1915-2015: The Authoritative Guide to International Harvester and Case IH Combines and Harvesting Equipment is a seriously intriguing read. “I like to say the combine allowed the Internet to exist,” says Klancher, who is the book’s lead author and photo editor. A bold statement, but as you read through his 384-page book you realize that’s not a reach. For those who need a refresher, the combine harvester is a piece of equipment that can cut, thresh, clean and bag grain in one pass. It was invented to harvest wheat but is now called on to harvest many crops. The combine was first horse-drawn, later pulled by tractor, and finally self-propelled. The invention meant productivity and volume, freeing people to do other things, like “create new technologies.” As Klancher points out in the book’s introduction, “the rotary combine was an idea that sprang from the farm … separating grain required massive amounts of time. As the industrial revolution came on, people … focused on finding more efficient ways to perform routine tasks.” Perhaps more directly put, he writes, some folks had incentive to innovate, namely, “the men and women who grew up laying on the ground, fixing broken manure spreader chains in 20-below-zero weather and thinking, ‘Darn it, there has to be a better way.’” Red Combines paints a picture of farm life. As recently as the 1930s, farmers were harvesting corn by hand. On average, a farmer could husk about 300 ears of corn in an hour. Not productive when you’re feeding a growing nation. Vintage advertisements in the book help tell the story. A World War II poster reads, “All Harvester Products are War Products.” During wartime, “most agricultural manufacturers were kept busy building war machines,” Klancher explains. “The government controlled steel allocation … one of the few products ag companies were allowed to build was combines.” Looking to the future, American farmers today comprise 0.6% of the population. Compare that to 12% in the ‘50s. “Yet, this tiny number of people feeds our nation,” notes Klancher, “and significant parts of the world.” Red Combines—a six-pound book for good reason. It’s a substantial story. OCTANEPRESS.COM

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 67

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | REVIEWS

A Builder of Men The Legacy of Coach Buryl Baty

Photos courtesy Robert Gaines Baty

By Mayson Shelton

Football, and sports in general, have possibly contributed more to the fight against bigotry than any other single movement or entity. Buryl Baty was one of the early leaders in fighting this battle. Champion of the Barrio: The Legacy of Coach Buryl Baty (Texas A&M University Press) is an historical account of this phenomenon written by his son, Robert Gaines Baty of Dallas. Buryl Baty, an Aggie quarterback, WWII veteran and high school coach, was a true pioneer for equality, long before it was commonplace to take on that role. Champion of the Barrio is also an inspiring account of a coach’s opportunity, and responsibility, to be a builder of character and good men – instilling those around him with timeless values. Powerful mentors fueled Buryl Baty’s passion for football, while his character was molded by experience. The discipline taught by both the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and the U.S. military forced him to become a man firm in his beliefs. The change in this man is clearly visible over the time-span of the story, as is the deep impression he made on those he left behind. This stimulating story does not flinch from addressing racism, a common occurrence during the 1950s. Taking the position as head coach of a small high school team in El Paso, Baty instilled a sense of respect for himself and his team at a school filled with poor workingclass Mexican-Americans.

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“In an inspiring fashion, Coach Baty set about the business of building boys into productive citizens and, simultaneously, into a winning team,” says Gaines. “The football field was a perfect place to prove that his Hispanic players were equal to the Anglos across the line of scrimmage.” Baty’s demand on the kids he coached encouraged them to push past the sticks and stones of name-calling because they realized they were capable of being successful, as Baty turned unruly boys into confident young men. His investment into their lives during a critical time benefitted them for more than just the football season. His influence turned them into men who could hold their heads high. Gaines Baty illustrates the life of his father through anecdotes and interviews. The love he has for a man he hardly knew is clear as he reveals the, dare I say, heroic actions of the coach in each chronological chapter. Champion of the Barrio is the account of the life of an amazing man and his great influence on the lives of many talented young men. At the early age of 30, as he drove home from a scouting event, Baty was killed in a car accident. Initially crushing the community he built, Coach Baty’s legacy lives on, through the men he built up, his son, and the legacy he left in Texas. CHAMPIONOFTHEBARRIO.COM

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | LONE STAR LIST | PROMOTION

Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History

Closer to the Ground

by Dave Wallace

by Dylan Tomine

$50.00

$17.95

INSIGHTEDITIONS.COM

PATAGONIA.COM

Filled with never-before-seen photographs and concept art from the Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. archives, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History delivers the last word on one of the most popular franchises of all time.

Dylan Tomine writes about a father learning to share his love of nature with his kids. This book encourages us to think about our relationship with nature, but in an accessible way.

How Machines Work: Zoo Break!

Tiny Buddhas 365 Tiny Love Challenges

by David Macaulay

by Lori Deschene

$19.99

DK.COM

TINYBUDDHA.COM

How Machines Work: Zoo Break! is an interactive book, packed with engaging, hands-on activities, that shows kids how simple machines work. Gear them up for scientific greatness!

From the founder of the popular online community Tiny Buddha. com, Tiny Buddhaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 365 Tiny Love Challenges is a simple guide to help readers pursue happy, connected lives and bring greater love into the world.

The Total Dog Manual

Racing Forward: Faith, Love & Triumph Over Loss

by by David Meyer

by Mica Mosbacher

$27.00

$24.95

AMAZON.COM

For 15 years, Adopt-a-Pet.com has brought companions into the lives of thousands and now the editors at Adopt-a-Pet.com present a comprehensive guide to understanding your furry friend.

Mosbacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s candid and inspiring story illustrates that it is possible to keep moving after paralyzing grief and even reclaim joy, but only if we keep moving forward.

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 69

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | WEB EXTRAS

Photo by Julie Tereshchuk.

Photo by Korey Sharon Mollerus

Find these stories and more at texaslifestylemag.com

#TravelTuesday

October is Texas Wine Month and, as the national accolades and media attention continue to pour in, we help celebrate by taking you on a tour of some of the best wineries the Lone Star State has to offer.

“The Kilgore Rangerettes are fan favorites at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. But did you know there’s fun to be had going behind the scenes of the parade on the day prior? Check out our online tips to seeing New York like a New Yorker.”

Photo courtesy Robert Mondavi.

Lights, Camera, Truck!

#FoodieFriday

It was a first for San Antonio’s Cruising Kitchen. Over the years, they’ve earned their chops on custom food trucks—and they’re the best in the nation if you need a rolling kitchen. Read what happened when photographer Korey Howell knocked on their door.

Tailgating in Texas? Then you’ll need the scrumptious recipes from Food Network chef Alex Guarnaschelli. Head over to the online magazine to find crowd-pleasing dishes that incorporate wine, like Oven-Baked Woodbridge Wine Chicken Wings, guaranteed to make any tailgate party a win!

Fall For Film

Elton John

This is the time of year to reconnect with your inner film buff. Film festivals abound across Texas and we guide you through one of the best, The Houston Cinema Arts Festival. We’ll also give you a short sneak peek at some of the other fall film festivals around the state. Popcorn, anyone?

Fans went wild when news of Elton John closing out the 2015 F1 United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin was announced. That’s right – Sir Elton John and His Band perform a post-race concert on Oct 25th. You can find a full concert wrap-up online later this fall.

Photo by Andrew Potter

Photo courtesy of Austin Theatre Alliance

Photo by Korey Howell Photography

Vin de Texas

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | A BETTER TEXAN

Who I Am:

Deana Saukam Known for her unerringly creative style and social media savvy that have helped propel Austin’s qui and East Side King restaurants well beyond the ken and acclaim of Central Texas foodies, the invariably happy, fun-loving Deana Saukam takes on a new role when she appears as a speaker at October’s Texas Conference for Women. Here, she discusses the many varied influences that shape her and her career. I was born in Houston and moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas, where I double majored in fashion design and human ecology. My family is Cambodian, and one of my dreams is for Cambodian food to break into the food scene in America.

Photo by Sarah Doliver

As a partner at qui, I work very closely with Paul and our team on our creative vision. I mostly work with our restaurants, but am also working on a book and a TV show. My style comes from my favorite designers (Stella McCartney, Alexander Wang, Mara Hoffman, just to name a few), the places I travel and my friends. This summer, I was in Paris and Stockholm and was amazed by what everyone was wearing. Hong Kong also has a great fashion scene. I love mixing patterns, prints, textures, and am not afraid to wear bright colors. I love an oversized caftan with a fun print all day everyday.

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I love to travel and I travel often for work events such as Feast Portland, Aspen Food and Wine Classic and pop-up dinners and events all around the world, such as in Milan, Italy and Bergen, Norway. We recently opened an East Side King pop-up in Singapore as part of the World Street Food Congress and that was really crazy. My favorite destinations so far are Iceland, the Maldives and Hong Kong. My favorite things to do in Austin are: eat (our culinary scene is really amazing), drink (Champagne, rosé, margaritas and cold pressed juices), and come home to such a fun city after traveling to hang with friends. Living a full life motivates me. I turn to my family, friends and our cats and dog for help and advice on a daily, if not hourly, basis. In my previous life I think I was a noodle, because I really love noodles and I could eat some form of them everyday! QUIAUSTIN.COM TXCONFERENCEFORWOMEN.ORG

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