Texas Lifestyle Magazine Winter 2015

T E X AS WINTER 2015

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DAN RATHER

& how he carries home with him

Ski: Big Sky, Montana p. 54 18 Hours in New Orleans p. 51 San Antonio Snow Cones p. 20 Turk’s Ten Years p. 11 Golf | Food | Shop & More...

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Celebrate…

Deep in the Heart of Texas

WEDDINGS | LODGING | SPECIAL EVENTS | CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE | CORPORATE RETREATS 1215 Chappel Lane, Aus�n, Texas 78748 | 512.291.5535 | www.chappellodge.com

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6132 Highway 290 west Austin TX 78735 512-432-5247 nfo@austincustomrustics.com

Custom Rustics Go Against the Grain •Handcrafted and Unique Furniture • Custom Furniture Design and Construction • Cabinetry • Fine Woodworking • Residential and Commercial

We are not your run-of-the-mill furniture store. At Custom Rustics we combine the traditional quality and appeal of southern furniture with a rustic, reclaimed, and industrial aesthetic. We primarily sell locally crafted items, made either in-house or by our team of talented craftsmen. The overwhelming majority of pieces on our floor are handcrafted and entirely one-of-a-kind.

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We Know the Market

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he current real estate market is vibrant, fast paced, and constantly

changing which can make it challenging to find the right home at the right time. Our local and international buyers and sellers appreciate the unparalleled resources and global reach of the Sotheby’s International Realty brand that allows us to connect them together. If you’re looking to call Texas home, let us connect you to the extraordinary.

Lisa Besserer 214.543.2940 lbesserer@briggsfreeman.com

Bonnie Besserer 214.364.2295 bbesserer@briggsfreeman.com

lisaandbonnie.com

D Magazine - Best Realtors ÂŽ 2009 - 2014 D Magazine - Team of Two Top Producers 2012 - 2014

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CONTENTS 9

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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LIVING TEXAS AUSTIN, BOERNE, DALLAS, FORT WORTH, HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, WALBURG

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STYLE WALKING (LIKE A TEXAN) IN A WINTER WONDERLAND

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A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS HAND-PICKED BY THE TEXAS LIFESTYLE TEAM

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ROUGHING IT THE OLD AMERICAN GOLF CLUB

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HOME UNIVERSITY PARK, DALLAS BUCHANAN ARCHITECTURE’S LARCHMONT

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GET OU T. MORNING DEW ON THE GREENS. A DRIVE THAT SPLITS THE FAIRWAY. SHOUTS OF AMAZEMENT ECHOING OFF THE HILLS.

2014 Course of the Year

Rated #1 golf course in the San Antonio/Austin Hill Country region by the Dallas Morning News.

Grownups have playgrounds too.

What’s wrong with playing hooky with the boys and spending the day on a Nicklaus Signature course? Or for that matter paddling

GUADALUPE RIVER

down the Guadalupe River with grandkids. Perhaps inviting a few friends over to share some stories as the sun dips over the Hill Country horizon. Life at Cordillera Ranch never gets old with 8,700 acres of the finest resort-style living as your unspoiled playground.

We invite you to see how life is better out here.

Luxury Hill Country living from the $500’s+ www.CordilleraRanch.com | 888-66-RANCH

Life is better out here.

Golf Club | River Club | Social Club | Spa & Athletic Club | Tennis & Swim Club | Rod & Gun Club | Equestrian Club

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CONTENTS

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ON THE COVER DAN RATHER: JOURNALIST, LEGEND, TEXAN

BY DANIEL RAMIREZ

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FEATURE OF BARRELS, BLOOD & BOOZE: CHIP TATE AND THE BATTLE OF BALCONES

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SIP & SAVOR 2015 FOOD TRENDS 18 HOURS IN NEW ORLEANS

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JET SETTER SKIING IN BIG SKY, MONTANA

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ROAD TRIP FLORIDA’S SCENIC HIGHWAY 30A

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STAGE BOOK OF MORMON

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CALENDAR

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A BETTER TEXAN SKIN DEEP GET YOUR BODY READY FOR SUMMER GET LEAN, FIT AND HEALTHY THIS YEAR

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The Book of Mormon First National Tour. (c) Joan Marcus, 2013

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Michelle P. Lost 15 lbs

T R A N S F O R M AT I O N A L F I T N E S S

Get the body you want. Get the life you deserve.

A 12 week program that specializes in ďŹ nding the right balance of nutrition and exercise to transform your life.

6709 Burnet Lane Austin, TX 78757 www.bodybyframe.com | @bodybyframe

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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

Julie Tereshchuk

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Daniel Ramirez

CREATIVE DIRECTOR STYLE EDITOR

Edith Henry

TRAVEL EDITOR

T

he start of a new year for me is always a time to both reflect back and look forward. As 2015 begins, I look back 24 years to my first year in Texas. We arrived in Austin from England just in time for all the hustle and bustle of the November and December holiday season. By January, things had quieted down and we were finally able to start exploring beyond central Texas, taking our first weekend trips to Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

Over two decades later, I still remember how thrilled I was as I discovered the rich diversity of my new home state.

Now, in 2015, I sincerely hope that you will find a similar thrill and delight as you discover the latest issue of Texas Lifestyle Magazine. Our cover story features a true icon, known not just across Texas but across the United States and beyond.

Award-winning broadcaster Dan Rather has a lifetime of rip-roaring experiences and stories to tell. Rather has walked with some of the greatest statesmen of our time, and I am proud to invite you to read Daniel Ramirez’s insightful and empathetic article about a man who, for decades, had a front row seat to history and a career arc that spanned the glory years of broadcast journalism.

Jason Feinberg

Marika Flatt

ONLINE EDITOR

Elaine Krackau

CONTRIBUTORS

Sandra Antoun, Autumn Rhea Carpenter,

Gregg Cestaro, Samantha Cook, Brittany Copeland, Kayla Elliott, Kelsey Foster, Aaron Garcia, Lynton Gardiner, Mark Greenburg, Amber Groce, Mandy Hernandez, Daniel Holman, Aisha Khan, Mike Kordell, Elaine Krackau, Joan Marcus, Megan McAnelly, Rory Patrick McNeill, Gary Miller, Jessica Newman, Lone Newman, Turk Pipkin, Rita Quinn, Daniel Ramirez, Robert Rodriguez, Sarah-Jayne Smith, Mark Thomas, Britany Walker, Michelle Kuta Zuzek ART & PRODUCTION WEB DESIGN

Hayden Walker

SALES & MARKETING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Within the pages of our winter issue you’ll also learn about fascinating new eateries, boutiques, exhibitions and more. We’ve ventured beyond our major metropolitan cities to bring you the story of the Don Strange Ranch, a thriving business now operated by the fourth generation of the family. If you’re looking for intrigue, then don’t miss our story on Balcones Distilling and the fight over Texas’ newest liquid gold – whisky.

We’ve also included a teasing taste of what’s in store for you at texaslifestylemag. com, so be sure to check out our TLM Web Extras for this not-to-be-missed bonus content.

As I take over the Editor-in-Chief reins with this issue, I thank Amber Groce for her support during our transition and her dedication to Texas Lifestyle Magazine.

Julie Tereshchuk Editor-in-Chief P.S. Let me know what you think about this issue, and don’t forget to mark your calendars for April and our fabulous spring issue!

Mihira Chandrasoma, Billie Biggs,

Lisa Garza, Bonnie Rader ADVERTISING INFORMATION, SUBSCRIPTIONS & JOB INQUIRIES/INTERNSHIPS INFO@TEXASLIFESTYLEMAG.COM

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR JULIE@TEXASLIFESTYLEMAG.COM

Did you just grab the last copy of TLM? LET US KNOW! INFO@TEXASLIFESTYLEMAG.COM

Texas Lifestyle Magazine is Texas-owned and operated, published by TL Publishing, LLC ©

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JG8400-21 American Designed Custom Chronograph Watch the Connor De Phillippi Story at JorgGray.com

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Photo by Turk Pipkin

Photo courtesy of the Nobelity Project.

LIVING TEXAS | AUSTIN

2015 Feed the Peace award-winners Kathryn and Kyle Chandler with Turk and Christy Pipkin.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF NOBELITY:

Inspiring Stories, Inspired Actions

by Turk Pipkin A decade ago, Austin-based filmmaker, screenwriter, author and actor Turk Pipkin began an extraordinary journey. In this exclusive personal essay, he reflects on the impact of a simple idea and how it has become a life-changing reality.

As we celebrate the tenth year of The Nobelity Project’s work in Austin and around the world, it’s fun for us to look back to where it all began. We formed the nonprofit in 2005 to fund a water project and computer lab at a remote school in Kenya where I had planted trees with students. I was in Kenya filming our first feature documentary, Nobelity, which looked at the world’s problems through the eyes of nine Nobel laureates.

Nobelity was followed by two more feature films, One Peace at a Time and Building Hope. The inspiring stories in those films helped us expand our partner projects in various corners of the globe.

Having the advice of brilliant Nobel laureates as our guides has been invaluable in our work. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of former South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu telling me, “The sea is made of drops of water. What you do, where you are, is of significance.”

Enlisting the support of countless people in this country and abroad, we’ve built a hundred classrooms, libraries, computer labs and water projects at rural schools in Kenya, an eyesight clinic in Nepal and a bookmobile in Honduras. In Central Texas, we’ve harnessed the energy of high school students to plant tens of thousands of trees to help reforest Bastrop State Park.

My co-founder (and wife), Christy Pipkin and I are often asked why we do this work. Part of the answer is simply because we’re good at it. We tell great stories that inspire great actions. We help young people understand that local acts have global impacts. And we share a belief that every child in every country is entitled to clean water, nutrition, healthcare and an education.

In our film, One Peace at a Time, Willie Nelson put it a little more simply. “You have to Feed the Peace,” Willie told me. And that’s what we’ve tried to do. Each year at the Four Seasons Austin, we celebrate and support our work with The Feed the Peace Awards Dinner. Willie was the first recipient of that honor which has also gone to Blake Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes, Kris Kristofferson and Ben Harper. The event culminates in an all-star concert that has previously featured great friends like Willie, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, Robert Earl Keen, The Flatlanders and many others. At the end of the evening when our voices all join in song, it’s easy to believe that there is a better way.

The Nobelity Project’s Feed the Peace Awards Dinner is Sunday, February 15 at the Four Seasons Austin. This year’s Feed the Peace honoree is Friday Night Lights Emmy-winning actor Kyle Chandler, along with his wife Kathryn and their daughters, Sydney and Sawyer.

Tickets and more information about the event and the nonprofit’s work can be found at nobelity.org.

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Fine Furniture Lighting Accessories Fine Art

Rugs and Floor Treatments Space Planning Custom Furniture Design Expert Color Advice

Faux Finishes Custom Window Treatments Custom Bedding Upholstery

Complete Interior Design Studio

503 Hwy 281 North Marble Falls, TX 78654 路 (830) 798-0125

www.oneswankyshop.com 路 follow us on

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Photo by Rita Quinn

LIVING TEXAS | AUSTIN

Finding Retail Therapy at FOUND

By Kayla Elliott

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tacey Smith was a therapist in the Dallas area following many years in the retail business. Eventually, after getting burned out with therapy, Smith moved to Austin and began to dream of opening her own retail venture. Her dream store would not only draw on her own love of fashion and interior design, but the experiences that made her shopping heart sing-- her ultimate retail therapy experience.

It took several collaborators, much research on designers and clothing lines, and 18 months until FOUND opened in October 2014. Ironic for a former therapist, Smith focuses on “not taking fashion or yourself too seriously.” She wants people to have quality items that “last multiple seasons, that hang in your closet and that you love.” From DVF to Rachel Zoe, Milly to Trina Turk, FOUND carries dresses, tops, jeans, outerwear, jewelry, bags and a few intimates. The aesthetic at FOUND is whimsical, featuring pieces that are a little more dressed-up than casual and that showcase textures and bright colors.

Smith is a true believer in the “old school way of doing things where you call the customer when new things come in.” FOUND offers customers a true shopping experience. When you come in,

you’ll be invited to take off your shoes, have a glass of champagne and look around. What’s more, the dressing rooms allow customers to make their own playlist and even push a button for champagne delivery. Whether a customer is looking for something fun to throw on for dinner or something for a special night out, Smith wants to be FOUND by everyone. “I take pride in the fact that no one walks out empty-handed. We want you to have something you really love.”

The team at FOUND loves a challenge and works hard to track down that special something you may be tickled pink to find.

While it has been a long process for Smith, she says she caught the entrepreneurial bug and has loved seeing her idea grow into the store. She enjoys getting a positive response from people who tell her, “This is my new favorite place.” Ultimately, she would love to expand. But for now, the savvy Smith wants to continue to perfect what she already has, as well as the relationship FOUND has with customers.

FOUND | 501 OAKLAND AVENUE | FOUNDAUSTIN.COM

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LIVING TEXAS | DALLAS

Photos by Kelsey Foster

THE SILVER SOUL

By Jessica Newman The Silver Soul is a thing of dreams. You know when kids latch on to ideas like creating a bedroom nook so they start rearranging furniture? That is essentially what Molly Sharp did. She dreamt of a traveling space to call her jewelry studio. To say “it works” is an understatement.

An airstream trailer with personality, The Silver Soul has a bohemian air, with its vintage finds and handmade jewelry. It boasts an eccentric interior that sets the tone for shoppers. Sharp’s jewelry collection - also named The Silver Soul - is artfully displayed.

She enjoys estate sale collecting as a side hobby, decorating the space and selling her spectacular finds along with her jewelry.

Inspired by a metalsmithing class in high school, Sharp continued her studies at Stephen F. Austin State University. She then studied lapidary design in Taos, New Mexico, a place where she says she left a part of her soul. Native American heritage has not coincidentally influenced her work in which emblems and turquoise are apparent. Afterwards, she studied goldsmithing in Portland, Oregon, relishing the exotic greenery of the Pacific Northwest.

This native Texan has seen her share of land and has done her share of apprenticeships. From her studies and being a creative-blooded creature, Sharp desired a storefront studio to connect customers to the full design process. When the perfect retail space was not found, the idea of a trailer lingered. She purchased her fixer-upper and immediately got to work, spending two and a half years transforming silver nothing to silver everything.

The Airstream’s home base is Dallas, where Sharp lives. She uses Dallas companies to source her raw materials then designs and makes each item of jewelry herself. Some are carved from wax and cast or cut from sheets of metal and soldered. While she makes more than one of each item, each is one-of-a-kind with what she calls “handmade marks,” evidence of each being crafted by hand. Sharp also enjoys making custom pieces, such as engagement rings. Her work ranges in price from double digits to the hundreds, ensuring everyone can walk away with something.

The designer aims to create heirloom jewelry that people can pass down for generations. She gathers influence for her work from Texas plants and animals, as well as Native American history.

Not to be confused with classic, The Silver Soul’s pieces are not trendy either; they are unique, the kind you have to search high and low for at antique shops or, once in a blue moon, receive from your great aunt.

Molly Sharp is an artist in every sense of the word: she loves to design jewelry, decorate her trailer, and create her own can’t-missit style. When asked what the shopping experience is like at The Silver Soul she humbly replied, “From what I have heard…magical.” See for yourself what is meant by that ambiguous adjective at The Silver Soul.

Visit thesilversoul.com to learn about the trailer’s upcoming locations.

Texas Lifestyle Magazine 13

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“

Still going strong and proudly serving Austinites authentic Tuscan cuisine for the past 14 years.

Thank you Austin!

”

͹ ƵƐƟŶΖƐ WƌĞŵŝĞƌ ƵƚŚĞŶƟĐ dƵƐĐĂŶ ZĞƐƚĂƵƌĂŶƚ

͹ tŽƌůĚͲĐůĂƐƐ tŝŶĞƐ ĂŶĚ DŽŶƚŚůLJ tŝŶĞ ŝŶŶĞƌƐ ͹ ,ŽŵĞŐƌŽǁŶ >ŽĐĂů ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ͹ ^ĞƌǀŝŶŐ ƵƐƟŶ ĨŽƌ ϭϰ LJĞĂƌƐ www.sienaaustin.com 6203 N Capital of Texas Hwy Austin, Texas (512) 349-7667

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Photos by Aaron Garcia

LIVING TEXAS | FORT WORTH

TAKING AIM AT SOMETHING NEW Fort Worth’s Clay Pigeon Food and Drink Hits The Mark

By Brittney Copeland As 2015 begins with the promise of a new year ahead, we’re ready for a culinary surprise. In Fort Worth, a town known for its steak and potatoes, the well-crafted yet unfussy haute American dishes at Clay Pigeon Food and Drink stand out. Chef, owner and Dallas/Fort Worth native Marcus Paslay leans towards a simple, sophisticated and understated angle, setting his restaurant well apart from most.

Paslay’s hobby inspired the unusual name for his fine dining restaurant. “(Shooting clay pigeons) is a hobby of mine, and a buddy of mine and I were shooting sporting clays one day and he said, ‘That’d be a great name for a bar’; and that was about eight years ago. I was thinking ‘Yeah, it would!’ So, it hit grey matter and here we are. That, coupled with (the fact that) all the men in my family’s middle names are Clay. A hobby of mine mixed with an old family name, and here we are.”

Clay Pigeon honors its name primarily by making all dishes inhouse. “You name it, we make it,” Paslay said. They aim for the more target, with the simplicity of the meal allowing the food to speak for itself.

Take the fire-roasted bone marrow, for instance. The smoky, rich flavor of the marrow collaborates nicely with the crunchy, tangy sourdough bread paired for spreading. The simplicity of the marrow, lightly seasoned with only parsley and salt, allows the natural flavor to stand alone, as it should. While it may not be for everyone, bone marrow is growing in popularity among the fine dining community, and the tasteful presentation at Clay Pigeon certainly helps explain the dish’s rise.

For the next course, opt for their pancetta and pear flatbread, which is served with a heavy sprinkling of blue cheese and an abundance of caramelized onion and honey. The sweet and salty components blend seamlessly to create an abounding and greatly satisfying flavor.

The gem of the large plate entrées is the wood grilled duck breast, which sits in a three potato and kale hash with veal demi-glace. The natural, salty tanginess of the duck counters delightfully with the sweetness of the sauce. The chief accomplishment of the dish is, without a doubt, the perfect tenderness with which it meets the knife and fork and is easily transferred to the palate.

If you are of the mind for something simpler, but no less impressive, Clay Pigeon presents “Today’s HouseMade Pasta,” a plate with a name so unimposing that it in no way did justice to the spicy pork ragu pappardelle pasta, tossed in a house made tomato broth with ricotta cheese. Everything, from the broad pappardelle to the thick ricotta cheese, is made in-house in the “from scratch” style for which Paslay’s establishment is gaining popularity. The spicy pork and the smooth cheese is a combination that would generally spark a clash of flavors, but Paslay’s deft combination does exactly the opposite, with each ingredient complimenting the other to allow maximum efficiency of each individual flavor.

Of all the menu items, with their unique twists and precise execution, the pear galette stands alone. The galette is spectacular and easily deemed the best part of any meal at Clay Pigeon. The juicy pears, both subtle and sweet, lie atop a layer of moist, spiced ginger crumble and are topped off with, as one would expect, a house-made ice cream. When the plates are taken, there is sure to be nothing but a few crumbs left of this tasty dessert.

Ultimately, the calming atmosphere, mixed with delicious, simplistic yet sophisticated food provides for an experience that sets Clay Pigeon apart, making it a definitive must-visit in the Dallas/ Fort Worth metroplex.

CLAY PIGEON | 2731 WHITE SETTLEMENT RD | FORT WORTH CLAYPIGEONFD.COM

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Photos by Sarah-Jayne Smith

LIVING TEXAS | HOUSTON

&

MAGPIES

PEACOCKS

Philanthropy in Fashion

By Amber Groce The perfect blend of fashion and philanthropy, Magpies & Peacocks is an organization that redesigns upscale accessories. A nonprofit that helps other nonprofits, the money raised from the sale of Magpie & Peacocks’ collections goes back into community grassroots causes. While the focus of their designhas been on women’s items, that is now changing.

“The Magpies & Peacocks love of all things fashion extends to the men’s department, so the plan was always to add a little something for the guys,” said executive vice president Ahshia Berry.

M&P’s initial venture into menswear came when they partnered with animal welfare nonprofit Houston PetSet for its fi rst “Collars & Cuffs” collection. Over 200 ties were donated by men who supported their mission, explained Berry.

Slowly M&P started curating a collection of vintage pieces to add into their mix of up-cycled designs. Custom works from local designers were also added to create a cohesive but eclectic collection for the dapper man about town.

Just as those creative changes were underway, Berry and Magpies & Peacocks founder Sarah-Jayne Smith met Jamay Fishback, the executive director of Career Gear Houston, a subchapter of the national nonprofit. Founded by Gary Field, Career Gear helps economically disadvantaged men who are rejoining the workforce by providing them with interview-appropriate clothing and training.

“Over a wonderful coffeehouse chat, Jamay told us about the awesome work Career Gear is doing. Magpies & Peacocks decided to jump-start their men’s collection with a portion of the collection’s sales benefitting Career Gear in the Houston area,” Smith said.

In honor of Gary Field and his work, Magpies & Peacocks named their collection of upcycled men’s accessories “Field ReFind.”

VISIT MAGPIESANDPEACOCKS.COM TO SHOP ONLINE.

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LIVING TEXAS | HOUSTON

Photos by Sebastien Boileau

Preservons la Creation photo by Aisha Khan/AMA photography

MONTROSE BISCUIT PAINT WALL Taking Art to the Houston Streets

By Autumn Rhea Carpenter Street art provokes thought and interrupts people’s daily commute with a creative statement. This art takes many forms, including stencils, yarn bombing, stickers, aerosol paintings, mosaic tiling, projections and murals, giving artists a public forum to spread their message and promote their work. For French artist and owner of Eyeful Art Murals and Designs, Sebastien “Mr. D” Boileau, the Biscuit Home store’s wall in Montrose was the ideal canvas.

Biscuit Home co-owner Bailey McCarthy discovered Boileau after viewing one of his well-known works, the Marilyn Monroe painted house occupied by Montrose Proper Art Gallery. After seeing Boileau’s large Dali mural, the store owners commissioned the seasoned artist to create a “happy palette” that mimicked the fabric colors carried in their store. A large-scale dripping and layering technique was used where the first layer was darker and thicker than the second pour. “As simple as it seems, there is a strict discipline to follow,” said Boileau. Once the right flow was established, his assistant completed the project in two days.

mark for everyone from tourists to the mayor,” said Boileau, who plans on releasing a series of canvases based on the colors and techniques used in the Biscuit Wall. “The simplicity and power of colors can convince anyone to stop, look, take a selfie or ponder what art is or is not. This is the true essence of public art.”

“A very picky Houston gallery art director once smiled at me and thanked me when she found out it was our work,” he said. Street art can be as powerful as art hanging in a gallery, and Boileau proves that with his expansive works. Boileau has created more murals in the last 20 years than he can count, and says he is inspired to continue his unique walls by the public’s reaction to his work. “It is such a high that once I finish one, I must plan another wall. This wall and the obvious love for public art is a testament that Houston craves street art. I am simply doing what I love and am humbled that people embrace it.”

BISCUIT HOME WALL | 1435 WESTHEIMER ROAD | HOUSTON BISCUIT-HOME.COM

The public’s reaction to the Biscuit Wall has been remarkable, with the now iconic spot garnering its own Instagram hashtag #biscuitpaintwall. “It has become a photo destination and land-

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LIVING TEXAS | SAN ANTONIO

CHAMOY CITY

There’s S’no Cones Like These Cones

By Julie Tereshchuk

The uniquely-named mobile ice cream parlor and food truck is the brainchild of San Antonio native Ana Fernandez. She’s on a mission (no pun intended, San Antonio!) to bring her signature shaved ice confections to customers. Her locations of choice are public parks where people are already out enjoying themselves. “Even in November, we have long lines,” says Fernandez. “During last summer we had visitors who came almost every day.”

Her top-selling flavor is Piccadilly, made from cherry KoolAid, pickles, pickle brine and chili salt. Running in close second and third spots are the Mangonada (mango sorbet, chamoy, fresh lime and chili salt) and Piccadilly Circus (cotton candy shaved ice with pickles and green chamoy). The ice is made with a Japanese ice shaver which produces the finest, fluffiest snow.

A ll the chamoy is made inhouse. “Chamoy is a condiment which is Asian in origin. It’s well-balanced: sweet, spicy, sour and salty,” explains Fernandez.

“You can dip fruits in it, marinate meats with it and add it to mixed drinks.” And, of course, top a raspa with it.

Fernandez also makes her own shaved ice syrup from chili peppers for the spicy drinks, such as the Komodo Dragon. For the less adventurous, there’s a huge line of traditional classic flavors such as Blue Coconut, Grape, Cherry, etc.

It’s little wonder that Chamoy City Limits was voted “Best Raspa in SA” by WOAI-Channel 4.

Hungry for more than a snow cone? No problem. Fernandez also serves up her award-winning chili--and it’s great, too.

In fact, in 2013 Food and Wine magazine put it top of their nationwide Top 15 Best Chilis list.

A trained artist, with her masters in Fine Arts, Fernandez has always loved to cook. Returning to her hometown in 2009 she opened her first food truck, serving a modified version of a recipe for Texas beef chili she found in the Institute of Texan Cultures. “I wanted to honor my culinary heritage and the ‘chili queens’ who sold food in the plazas downtown,” she says.

Those colorful characters operated from the 1800s until 1941, when the city forced them to move away from the downtown area. Today’s Chamoy City Limits truck is a spin-off from her original Institute of Chili truck.

The Chamoy City Limits truck is out and about year-round — in winter, look for it on weekends, and six days a week during summer months.

FIND DAILY UPDATES ON THE TRUCK’S LOCATION FACEBOOK.COM/CHAMOYCITYLIMITS

CHAMOYCITYLIMITS.COM

Photo by Mark Greenburg, 2014

Could anything be better than a refreshing raspa? Upwards of 21,000 people agree — that’s the number of people who liked Chamoy City Limits’ Facebook page between last March and December. At December’s downtown Tamales at Pearl festival people stood in a 250-footlong line at the truck to get their favorite cone.

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Photography by Lynton Gardiner

LIVING TEXAS | SAN ANTONIO

Tapestry after Night Fishing at Antibes

Tapestry after Three Musicians

SAN ANTONIO MUSEUM OF ART Nelson Rockefeller’s Picassos

By Mike Kordell

December 20th marked the start of the San Antonio Museum of Art’s monumental exhibition, Nelson Rockefeller’s Picassos: Tapestries Commissioned for Kykuit. Originally a private collection commissioned from Pablo Picasso by former New York Governor and Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller, this will be the first time that so many (15 of 18) of the pieces have been shown outside of Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate located in Sleepy Hollow, New York. The exhibit runs through March 8th and is exclusive to the San Antonio Museum of Art, so don’t miss out!

Rockefeller, known best as a successful businessman and politician, was also a philanthropist and devoted fan of modern art.

Picasso, considered one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century, was one of Rockefeller’s favorites. La Guernica, arguably Picasso’s most famous painting, was adapted to tapestry in 1955 by Madame J. de la Baume Dürrbach in Southern France. Woven entirely by hand, the piece took several months to complete. Picasso had refused to sell the painting and Rockefeller, seeing the tapestry for the first time, decided it would do just fine as an addition to his collection instead of the painting. He

commented later, “The subject had been sensitively and brilliantly adapted to the different medium and the result was a stunningly beautiful work of art in its own right.” Over the next 20 years, Rockefeller would go on to commission 17 Picasso pieces from Madame Dürrbach.

Although enormous in scale, the tapestries are much more sturdy and transportable than paintings, thus making them easier to share with the world outside of Kykuit. This exhibit includes Girl with Mandolin, Interior with Girl Drawing and Night Fishing at Antibes.

(The Guernica tapestry was on loan from the Rockefeller family to the museum in 2012.)

Given his philanthropic disposition, one has to wonder if it was Rockefeller’s intent all along for the collection to serve as a way to open the eyes of a broader audience to the power of and appreciation for modern art.

THE SAN ANTONIO MUSEUM OF ART | 200 WEST JONES AVE SAMUSEUM.ORG

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Photo by Daniel Holman

Top photos by Mark Thomas

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

THE DON STRANGE RANCH: NOT JUST FOR CELEBRITIES

By Mike Kordell At Texas Lifestyle, we love celebrating Texas-born and -bred success stories, and Don Strange of Texas is, without question, one such story.

With a history stretching back over 60 years, this family-owned business has grown from a mom and pop store to a nationally-recognized catering company that also operates several massively popular event venues. Today, the company’s flagship venue is the Don Strange Ranch.

In the early 1950s, Edith and Jon Strange took over a small grocery store on the then outskirts of San Antonio. The next five years would see the couple purchase a nearby restaurant, switch their focus to event planning and execution, and aptly rename the business “The Party House.” The venue quickly became the place to hold an event in San Antonio and was the true beginning of the company now named Don Strange of Texas, Inc., or DST. Through the ‘60s and ‘70s, Edith and Joe’s son, Don, took on a more prominent role in the business to great success. By the ‘80s, the company had a non-stop stream of business from far and wide, including hosting parties for President George H.W. Bush at the White House.

1982 saw the purchase of 125 acres of Texas Hill Country property, which is now known as the Don Strange Ranch.

In addition to being a busy event venue, the Don Strange Ranch is also a working longhorn ranch. According to current CEO Brian Strange, it was his father Don’s idea to impart the charm of a working Texas ranch while providing all the comforts and amenities of a full-service facility for just about any occasion. The ranch landed in the national spotlight via US Weekly and People Magazine in 2011 when it hosted the wedding of country superstars Blake Shelton and Texan Miranda Lambert.

In the busy season – which is about 10 months out of the year – DST plans and hosts, on average, 25 events each month. With a “never say never” attitude, the company specializes in delivering on just about any request they receive. From entertainment options like DJs, live bands, skeet shooting and mechanical bulls, if you’re working with Don Strange, it can be arranged.

103 WARING WELFARE ROAD | BOERNE | DONSTRANGE.COM

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Photos by Elaine Krackau

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

WALBURG RESTAURANT A SLICE OF GERMANY THRIVING IN CENTRAL TEXAS

By Elaine Krackau Hy Doering, an immigrant from Walburg, Germany, settled just north of Georgetown and named his new hometown after his birthplace. In 1882, he built the Walburg Mercantile that served as the local grocery and hardware store. Now, many years later, this local landmark is home to The Walburg German Restaurant.

Drawing locals as well as tourists from all over the state, this family-friendly restaurant that is just a 30-minute drive from downtown Austin, offers an authentic German experience. As you enter the historic building, which the owners strive to keep as close to its original form as possible, you’ll see a wall of German steins and various beer glasses to the right and a grand mural of the Bavarian Alps further down to the left. The mural frames the ever-popular Friday to Sunday buffet, which lets diners experience a wide variety of the restaurant’s German (and American) cuisine.

Start your meal with the Gebackener Camembert. This version of fried cheese sticks is taken up a notch using fried brie topped with cranberry sauce. Another staple is the Bratkartoffeln, or German home fries, perfectly roasted, salted and tossed with crispy onion strips. Entrees include various homemade sausage plates like the Hausgemachte Bratwurst and other traditional German fare, including customer favorites Wienerschitzel and Jaegerschnitzel.

If you’re not a fan of German cuisine, the chicken fried steak is hailed as one of the best around. Finish off the meal with their decadent, homemade German Chocolate Cake — what else?

Walburg Restaurant houses a popular biergarten - open weekends in the spring and summer - that can hold upwards of 1,000 people. This converted historic industrial hammermill set under expansive oak trees has an outdoor bar, its own kitchen and menu, and the best live music around. Featuring an extensive list of imported German beers, you’re sure to find one you’ll like. The most popular is the Oktoberfest which is on the menu year round.

There’s even a spacious arcade in the biergarten set to reopen this spring (a kid favorite).

Although they host various musical acts, the restaurant’s featured band, The Walburg Boys, plays every Friday and Saturday night at 7:30. Ronnie Tippelt, who also co-owns the restaurant, is at the helm of this lively band. Born in Munich, Germany, Tippelt plays accordion, sings and — yes, wears lederhosen. He is also considered one of the best yodelers in the United States. It’s true, this band of five musicians will have you out of your seat and on the dance floor, no matter your age.

Visit this Walburg gem and explore a slice of Texas’ old world heritage. The restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and reservations are recommended.

3777 FM 972 WALBURG | WALBURGRESTAURANT.COM

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | FASHION

Walking

[Like a Texan]

In a Winter

Wonderland

By Michelle Kuta Zuzek | Style Editor: Edith Henry Photographer: Gregg Cestaro | Stylist: Sandra Antoun Makeup: Mandy Hernandez | Hair: Lone Newman Models: Britany Walker and Megan McAnelly

In Texas, we say, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes and it’ll change.”

Our winter days take you through the four seasons: cool mornings often mean leaving the house bundledup and then stripping layers throughout the day.

Afternoons are perfectly warm. Then, for an evening on the town, a dress will do, but bring layers — you’ll need them as the sky darkens and the temperature drops.

Texas winter layers aren’t like elsewhere. We have our own thang going on! Think glam: fringe, fur, sequins and boots. It doesn’t get any more Texan than that.

Let’s take a walk in our winter wonderland!

SKIRT: Rare Trends RABBIT FUR: Rare Trends ANTLER NECKLACE: Custom order, Jim Bridges, Austin BUSTIER: La Perla SNAKESKIN PURSE: Stylist’s own NECKLACES: Street vendors in Puerto Vallarta LIZ RUSNACK FEATHER DESIGNS: Etsy

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LONG LEATHER FRINGE DRESS: Rare Trends SHOES: Steve Madden

WHITE LACE BUSTIER: La Perla Boutique VINTAGE LACE SKIRT: Wasteland SUNGLASSES: Kate Spade, Neiman Marcus BOOTS: Elliott Lucca, Neiman Marcus EARRINGS: Kendra Scott

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HAT: Custom-made, Dandy’s of Austin DRESS AND HOLSTER/BELT: Free People BOOTS: Old Gringo, Allens Boots VINTAGE COAT: Wasteland

SKIRT: Rare Trends BUSTIER: La Madeleine, Nordstrom EARRINGS: Eye of the Sparrow Designs NECKLACE: Liz Claiborne, Macy’s SHAWL: Chanel

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Hand-picked by

the Texas Lifestyle team

1 3

2

5

4

6

1. STEPHENSON SATCHEL BAG WITH BUILT-IN IPAD AIR CASE | $79.95 | proporta.com 2.THE NORTH FACE THERMOBALL JACKET IN VINTAGE BLUE | $199 | nordstrom.com 3. PHANTOM 2 VISION+ FLYING CAMERA |$1,299 | dji.com 4. GOVINO GO ANYWHERE 16-OZ REUSABLE BEER GLASS, SET OF 4 | $14.95 | govinowine.com 5. HERO4 GOPRO BLACK | $499 | gopro.com 6. BADGER WHEELS™ COMBO, TWO AXLES AND HANDLE FOR YETI TUNDRA COOLERS | $368 | CoolerExtras.com

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS

7

8

9

10

7. GOSUN SPORT STOVE | $249 | gosunstove.com 8. THE CALLING: A LIFE ROCKED BY MOUNTAINS BY BARRY BLANCHARD |THE TOWER: A CHRONICLE OF CLIMBING AND CONTROVERSY ON CERRO TORRE BY KELLY CORDES |$27.95 each | in local bookstores and Patgonia.com 9. ARCOPÉDICO R66 BOOT IN BLACK EMBOSSED | $179 | Zappos.com 10. TRACKS AIR WIRELESS HEADPHONES IN ICE WHITE (100-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE) | $199.99 | solrepublic.com

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROUGHING IT

Something Old Something New

Old American Golf Club

By Robert Rodriguez

Photo Courtesy Old American Golf Club

The sun was setting behind the wispy cirrus clouds, yet the foursome fi nishing the 10th hole at Old American Golf Club didn’t race to the next tee to get as much golf in before dark as possible.

Rather, they stayed and admired the view with the waning sunlight glistening off Lake Lewisville.

It was an Instagram moment that also made the west-facing back patio at Old American’s carriage house — which is next to No. 10 — a popular hangout for those fi nishing their day with a postround beverage.

The picturesque sunset is just one of the many alluring things about Old American, an award-winning golf course tucked inside a thriving community within North Dallas’ The Colony. Besides its unique layout, the club boasts distinctive nuances and topnotch services that make it an elite golf venue in the metroplex.

Designed by course architect Tripp Davis and former British Open champion Justin Leonard, Old American pays homage to

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROUGHING IT

the “Golden Age” of golf course architecture — the era between 1911 and 1937 when some of the best golf courses in the U.S. were built. The pair crafted Old American with natural contours, hazard styles, native grasses and green shapes inspired by Golden Age courses, yet modernized it to test today’s golfers of all skill levels.

Clearly, Old American is no cookie-cutter golf experience. Rather, it’s a rustic, one-of-a-kind set-up that’s away from it all, yet close enough to the hustle and bustle to be convenient. Not surprisingly, several publications have ranked Old American as the best course in the metroplex and a top-100 layout nationally.

Because of its proximity to the lake, the wind is the course’s best line of defense; because of its proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and challenging but fair 7,127-yard layout, Old American is a regular stop for many area-based PGA Tour pros such as Leonard, Rod Pampling, K.J. Choi and John Senden.

Rates at Old American start at $125 and include a shared cart and all the snacks and non-alcoholic beverages you can handle. Captivating settings, especially at sunset, are complimentary.

Other notable features found at Old American include a steel railroad bridge between holes two and three that once crossed over the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma, a Michigan barn that was deconstructed, shipped and rebuilt at Old American, and a garden behind the carriage house where Old American Grille Chef Nick Baker cultivates produce for his succulent menu items.

OLD AMERICAN GOLF CLUB | 1001 LEBANON ROAD | THE COLONY THEOLDAMERICANGOLFCLUB.COM

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HOME

The Intersection of

History &Innovation Buchanan Architecture’s Larchmont

Photos Courtesy of Buchanan Architecture

By Daniel Ramirez

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HOME

I

f one were to draw a house as quickly as they could, the results would likely be similar, regardless of who held the pencil. And while the sparse, minimalist form is commonplace in drawings, seeing such a shape in the world is rare. Particularly in a storied borough of Dallas, where the contemporary is anything but the norm. This is where stately homes reside and established aesthetics extend from the front door to the sidewalk.

Into this harmonious world, then, arises a curiosity. At a glance, the structure is easily identified as a definitive house, reflecting the rudimentary drawings of every wouldbe artist. But take a step into Larchmont, the University Park home built by Russell Buchanan and the geniuses at Buchanan Architecture, and the facade becomes exactly that, revealing a tribute to the modern.

“We took an iconic house shape and a rectilinear form and juxtaposed them to one another,” says Buchanan. “We wanted to give the sense of warmth and an inviting entry. So, the wood, the lighting at night and the cobblestone walkway are really quite a lovely introduction to the house.

You really wouldn’t notice until you got into the house that it’s very bright and open and contemporary.”

Call it the paradox that works, Larchmont has the minimalism that every modern design seeks, while never being out of place. “It’s certainly playing nice with its neighbors,” Buchanan continues, “but at the same time it does have a little edge to it, just enough bite to it to let you know that it is forward-thinking.”

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The open floor plan was not without challenges. Once established in the basic form, there were preferences and desires voiced by the owners that needed innovative solutions. “They wanted to have a master bedroom on level one and all the rest of the bedrooms on level two,” the architect explains. “They also wanted to have a formal living room and then an informal sitting room.”

To satisfy their desires and maintain a light and open feel, Buchanan found a way not only to add a transition between the requested spaces but to incorporate copious amounts of natural light into the design.

“We used the kitchen as the connection between the more formal area and the more

informal area. We were able to then create a separation between the formal and informal areas. The informal areas also have great visibility and access to a side yard...

We pushed the building to one side of the site and opened up the other side to morning light and an outdoor area.”

Light is the feel and light is ubiquitous throughout, regardless of what room you step into. As with everything designed by Buchanan, this is never without intent.

“On the front, that’s the good light. That’s the light that you want the most.”

But one often sacrifices privacy to incorporate so much light, and with a window that slices through the center of the house’s middle, it would have been a challenge

without a little help from the rest of the design. “Through the ribbon window, when you walk down the street or drive by, you can’t see inside the house. That was extremely effective on the part of the landscape architect, because he literally planted a grove of evergreen yaupon hollies out on the front. Year-round, they are able to entertain and walk around the house and are in complete privacy.”

The effect is breathtaking and an overwhelming success, marrying the iconic with the contemporary, and making Larchmont a nod to the future, while remaining a reminder of the past. “It’s certainly not relying on past history,” Buchanan concludes. “We’re pushing this history forward.”

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ON THE COVER

DAN RATHER

Journalist, Legend, Texan

By Daniel Ramirez

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ON THE COVER

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ON THE COVER

I

t is almost as if nothing else exists. There is only the voice.

Certainly, there are those more ominous or imposing — the deep bass of James Earl Jones or Idris Elba certainly spring to mind. But this voice, it doesn’t intimidate.

It never frightens or even condescends. Instead, there is something deeper, something more foundational that is buried beneath the slightest hint of Southern familiarity, weaving its way through well-worn syllables and melodic words. It isn’t just familiarity which lends the voice its strange mystery. It is something else, some other quality or timbre that rings, quite clearly, of simple and obvious authority. No, it doesn’t have the boom of a police officer or the declarative cadence of a government official.

Instead, it simply says, “Trust me. I will not lead you astray and I have quite a lot to say that you need to hear.”

Unsurprisingly, it is the first thing to notice about Dan Rather.

His voice possesses an incredible power. And, even after decades in the news industry and after stories too numerous to list, it turns out that the voice, as well as the man who wields it, still has a great deal more to say.

Dan Rather began his career in journalism within his home state of Texas. After graduating from Sam Houston State in Huntsville, he took a position as a reporter with the Associated Press before making his way through the ranks in Houston on various newspaper beats, ranging from crime to sports. It wasn’t until shortly after getting hired by the just-launched KHOU-TV, however, that Rather found an audience he would keep and build upon for decades to come. Covering the arrival of Hurricane Carla in Houston, Rather’s brave approach to newspaper reporting gave him an audience for both his charisma and his dogged dedication to the story. Thus began a long and storied career that took the

newsman to all the points of the compass and inside some of the most hallowed halls of power. The hurricane set the tone for a career in the eye of many a storm.

“I’ve been very lucky and mightily blessed that I’ve done more than my share of big stories and situations that reporters pray they get into,” Rather says. From the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, to the Vietnamese front, to the battle lines of the early Gulf War, he made his home wherever the news was being made, and usually on the front lines of global chaos.

“Any time you’re in a war zone and covering combat, if you don’t get nervous, there’s something wrong with you,” Rather adds.

And, while many of the situations his job led him to cover were hazardous, a few instances still bring a sense of wonder to the man. “When we – we being a 60 Minutes team – walked into and out of Afghanistan just after the Soviets invaded in 1980 – I don’t want to be overdramatic about this, but in some ways and some days, danger is my business and one expects there to be danger...

Frankly, if we had known fully how dangerous it was going to be before we went...” he muses, the memory compelling his words to trail off before he reconsiders. “I’d like to think we still would have gone,” he finishes, though the doubt in his voice is very clear.

Regardless of risk, such danger didn’t stop the legend from continuing to pursue stories, wherever they might lead. And, given a moment to further consider another time when his occupational pursuit brought as much anxiety as notoriety, he only has to think back to the 1990s. “When I interviewed Saddam Hussein at Baghdad Palace – this was immediately after he invaded Kuwait and started Gulf War One; I interviewed him later before Gulf War Two – I was alone, by myself, no one with me,” Rather offers as

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yet another definitive moment when professional ambition perhaps outweighed self-preservation, using distinctly Texan tongue to properly assess the situation. “I’d have to say the pucker factor was pretty high on that,” he quips.

If the native Texan fluency seems to come easy to the man, it is comforting to know that he comes by it honestly. A life spent on the airways, waterways and roadways in a quest for the full story could strip a man of his roots. In Rather’s case, nothing could be farther from the truth. “The age-old Texas saying applies to me,” he explains. “I was Texas-born, Texas-bred and, when I die, I’ll be Texas-dead.”

His career might have taken him to battlefronts overseas or, as was the case, to the global home of CBS Networks in New York City, where he still maintains a home for nearly half the year, but Rather’s home state follows him wherever he may roam. And this is precisely the way the man would have it be.

“I grew up in Texas in a time and place – the time being the 1930s and ‘40s; and the place being the Texas coast. I was born in Wharton and grew up on the outskirts of Houston, where one felt a very strong tie to the land. I’ve never lost that. In the nature of my work, I’ve traveled a lot and always found when I travel there’s a certain solace and a certain steadying factor. I’m saying, ‘Who am I? What am I doing here?’ The answer always begins with, ‘Well, I’m a Texan and I’m on the road. I may be 10 or 12,000 miles from home but I know who I am and where I’m from.’ Texas has,a great steadying influence and has for all of my life. Frequently people say, ‘Aren’t you from Texas?’ and my answer has always been, ‘Yes, but I am not just from Texas, I am of Texas,’ and I have a very strong sense of that.”

It is, in the purest sense, the mark of a classic Texan. Decades have rolled by and Rather has been right there in the trenches when the world itself has changed, playing herald with his compelling and inspiring voice, but his roots never fail him, and find him even to this day.

Mind you, the Texas he was born into isn’t the one he surveys today when he looks out upon the Lone Star State. “Texas has changed more than a lot of places, partly because of its still tremendous population growth. But, I would say among the major ways the state has changed is that it is now, while it doesn’t think of itself as such, an urban state.”

But he can’t leave the observation without recognizing something timeless in the state that undoubtedly reflects something timeless in the man. “I’d like to think and I do believe that, in our soul, we’re still frontier-minded,” he observes.

This grounded nature, which applies to more than his origin and spills into his character, serves as a testament to a man who has spent long enough in the public eye to have seen far more changes than most would feel comfortable handling. Journalism, as a profession, has shifted and transformed constantly throughout Rather’s time. The hard-boiled newsman of yesteryear has been supplanted by a new breed of reporter, dedicated to the popularity of what he or she is reporting, rather than the usefulness or importance of the subject matter.

Still, Rather takes pride in his trade, and pride in his title. He is, first and foremost, a journalist. It is and has ever been his voice.

When asked about whether that label still carries the proud sense of purpose it did when his career began, Rather is more animated

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and passionate than the first-time reporters and wannabe bloggers who would seek to supplant him. ”I’m proud to be a journalist, particularly an American journalist. I’ve always been so and remain so now.” He explains, “Quality journalism of integrity matters. It counts. It’s important. It matters to the country.”

“Now, one can argue that there is far less quality journalism of integrity around today than there was previously,” he admits. “But, first of all, I’m not altogether certain that’s true. I work with and among other journalists who are as good or better than anybody I’ve ever worked with. In my own mind, the picture’s a bit mixed.”

And, although he will carry the banner for the prestige that journalism has had in the past and can claim once more, Rather isn’t blind to current trends and a certain deterioration in the trade. As someone who has forever been renowned for asking the toughest questions, either of a subject matter or during an interview, he recognizes a definite shift in the process.

“Those of us in journalism don’t ask enough tough questions and particularly we don’t ask enough tough follow-up questions. It’s

axiomatic in journalism that frequently the best questions, the toughest questions are follow-up questions. I do think that there’s too much fear in American journalism.” This has been a fairly recent development and is a complicated subject which he can “over-talk” — sometimes. “Fear is not an admirable characteristic in anybody. But, certainly for journalists, I do think we’ve lost some of our guts. To mix metaphors, we don’t have the spine we once had of, ‘stand up, look ‘em in the eye, ask the tough question – particularly of people in power – and ask the tough follow-up question.”

Considering his stance on the tough questions, it comes as little surprise that, when asked to elaborate, when the tough follow-up question is asked of Rather himself – with regard to modern news and journalists – he does not shy away. Instead, he weighs and measures the issue at hand and goes head-on with his response.

“Part of this fear is a result of what I call the corporatization, the politicalization and the trivialization of the news; and that’s a result of the consolidation of press power in the hands of increasingly few,” he explains.

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“We’ve reached the point at which about 80 percent of the true national news is in the hands of four very large international conglomerates. Very big business is in bed with very big government, whether that government be Republican or Democrat, for their mutual benefit and not for the benefit of readers, listeners and viewers. I do think this is something to be concerned about, not just for journalists, but for the public at large.”

It’s a bold statement from an even bolder man, but his experience and wisdom is channeled, once again, through that authoritative voice. It isn’t to say that the man is without his stumbles, which he readily admits. His position as one of the most trusted men in America came into question when his pursuit of a story relied on what many regarded as poor information from questionable sources. Rather owned the mistake and retired from the national nightly news spotlight a short time later.

“Look, I’m not perfect. I haven’t done it perfectly. I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes. Journalism is not a craft or profession in which one ever achieves absolute perfection. Though journalism is not a precise science, it’s – on its best days – a kind of crude

art. And we could all, and I include myself in this, use a healthy dose of humility, and also a double helping of gratitude that we work in a country, in a society, among a people dedicated to freedom of the press.’”

It’s as honest and self-effacing as one can expect of any Texan; and it is befitting of a man whose life and journey have brought him so many miles, through so many destinations and through the telling of countless stories. He is still telling those stories in his hard-nosed, ‘ask the tough question’ style.

Rather’s ‘retirement’ didn’t last terribly long, and it didn’t take much to convince a cable network that he and his investigative mind still had plenty left to say. He now enjoys carte blanche to address the deeper issues and the freedom to investigate as far as each story will take him. Every week, he can be found on the AXS network or through the iTunes Music Store, hosting a show that has its own gravitas and bears his name, so synonymous it is with integrity and authority. And his voice – ever humble and ever Texan – is still very much intact and as powerful as ever.

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | FEATURE

OF BARRELS, BLOOD & BOOZE

Chip Tate and the Battle of Balcones

By Daniel Ramirez

The story begins, as many good stories do, with a dream. Chip Tate, a pioneer and explorer in the traditional style that defined all the great early Texans, had a notion to do something other than the breakneck pace of corporate America, something different from the nine to five. It starts in a place called Lynchburg, though not the one famous for whiskey and bourbon. Tate’s tale begins in Virginia, with a childhood fascination.

“My passion had always been cooking and fermentation,” remembers Tate. “I started cooking seriously when I was 12 and baking bread a few years later. I got into brewing when I was 19, so I actually moved to Waco with the intention of starting a brewery.

I got delayed for various personal reasons.”

Those personal reasons included a new bride. Then there was Tate’s devotion to the notion of the American dream. “I was going to come here and just go straight at it and then my first wife said, ‘Let’s wait. Let’s get settled in.’ So, I took what was supposed to be a normal job at Baylor as a coordinator,” Tate explains.

Never one to slack at his work, Tate applied himself to the position, rapidly moving through the ranks of the Waco-based university. “Next thing you know,” he says, “I’m Assistant Dean of Graduate Enrollment Management and Academic Technology.”

No matter how common it has become in our world, the reality of the next chapter in Tate’s life is no less tragic a turn. His marriage ended.

He had, at this point, moved halfway across the country and made a fair attempt at crafting a normal life. As tragedies go, it wasn’t the worst . He had gainful employment at a prestigious university and was continuing to produce results. But Tate couldn’t let go of the dream in his head; and, to that end, he took a leap of faith.

In 2008 he and his team found the space, built the stills and began experimenting with barrels and blends. Balcones Distillery was born. Housed in the ever-affordable industrial warehouse that sits beneath the 17th Street bridge in Waco, built to allow the railroad to pass through and deliver goods to and from the Mrs. Baird’s Bakery and other industries, Balcones took no time at all to arrive in the national spotlight.

In a mere five years, the name grew from the small batch product of a renegade man to the universally respected and most highly sought bottle in the industry. Balcones made hand-crafted “whisky”, a spelling typically reserved for the Scottish and Canadian liquid gold.

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | FEATURE

Baby Blue, the first product that gained acclaim bills itself as a corn whisky. That brings to mind moonshine and mason jars, though the taste is far more refined, as any whisky connoisseur will gladly share--even if they don’t share their bottle. And to categorize Rumble, the product of wildflower honey and fig, as anything other than its own unique creation is somewhat misleading.

But the success of these unique bottles was only a hint at the accolades to come. Balcones Distillery produced what the whisky – and whiskey – world would soon hold in the highest regard, catapulting the distillery, and the man who started it, to a level of popularity that has yet to fade.

The Texas Single Malt Whisky, a curious product, with a handwritten label that, like great wine, bears the date of bottling and the specific proof of that particular batch, took the liquor world by storm.

That product has an awards list that is, in a word, exhaustive.

No matter what the distillery did, their product lived up to the hype; and it is for that reason that Tate and his team caught the eye of a group of investors, looking to get into the liquor business. The interest could not have come at a better time, it seems, since demand had surpassed what the small space and limited resources could produce. It was time for Tate and Balcones to expand, but without the resources and with a stifling demand, all effort went into producing rather than planning the next phase. The investors were welcomed and, by 2013, plans were well underway to make Balcones and Chip Tate even more significant players in the liquor world.

And then the real drama began.

Most of the venom sprung from a heated, madefor-film exchange in which Tate vocally regretted partnering with the investors, delivering his furious opinion with all of the passion he had poured into every drop of booze that came from the distillery.

Accusations followed – including one that involved a veiled physical threat from Tate to a board member. Then came a very public 90-day suspension for Tate in response to the threat.

Like all good dramas, those who knew about Balcones took a side. The whisky still flowed, but the uncertain future cast a dark pallor over each bottle.

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Photo by Dustin Meyer Photography

When the two parties fi nally resolved their differences in court, the presiding authority granted a way for both sides to end their feud amicably. It wouldn’t be worthy of a true drama if it had, however, and both sides still disagree as to who emerged the victor. Tate was bought out of his share of Balcones and agreed to not produce a competitive product until 2016. Balcones was back in business, with Tate’s understudy and a fully functional distillery. The company claims Tate was fi red, while he maintains that he resigned. Poison still rules the ground between them.

Meanwhile, Balcones Distillery is back to the barrels, mixing blends that still bear Tate’s distinctive style, if not his actual involvement.

The absence is not lost on the distillery’s founder, as Tate forlornly mentions, “I miss my barrels.”

But there is a far different kind of showdown on the horizon, before the story is done. It is one that will take place not in a courtroom, but in the court of public opinion and in the glasses and on the tongues of whisky lovers around the world. Tate’s non-compete agreement ends in 2016, and he is already crafting how he can re-create success.

“As proud as I am of everything I’ve done through Balcones, I hope it will prove true that everything coming up will be better than anything that came before,” Tate says. His plans include new endeavors, as well as his favorite old standard. “We are going to try to start a Texas brandy tradition, kick that off briefly and then be back to whisky in the spring of 2016.”

To prepare for that day when his new bottles take to the shelves, Tate gives a bit of counsel, so that all may be ready for that day, armed with proper palates.

“Learning about booze is great,” he says, “and the homework can’t be beat. It’s like anything else. You get into it and try to learn a little bit about it and you get with people that know things about it... So, buy good booze and drink it.”

With a chance to start over, Tate is beginning to take on a more optimistic view of the chapters ahead. As challenging as it all may be, it isn’t exactly unfamiliar territory for the distiller, and there’s reason to hope, now that the drama is behind him.

“There’s lots of things that I’ve been wanting to do for a while that I haven’t had the space to do or the opportunity to do and this will give me that.” You can hear the relief in Tate’s voice, and while there’s a touch of venom still lingering, it fades in the light of the future. “I’m glad to be done with all the mess.”

For all the confl ict and chaos, one can only hope that the fi nal chapters of this Texas drama have a happy ending for all.

Visit texaslifestylemag.com for more information as new chapters are added to this story.

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | SIP & SAVOR

ON TREND

By Amber Groce

With a new year comes new food trends. Chef Mark Schneider, president of Texas Chefs Association and The Department Chair for Culinary Arts with Texas State Technical College Waco, fi lled us in on what to expect on Texas plates in 2015.

Texas Lifestyle: What are the biggest food trends on tap for 2015?

Mark Schneider: I see the biggest trend for food in 2015 is turning back to basic slow-cooked foods and family favorites, then elevating them from the memories of our childhood into the menus of up-and-coming chefs and restaurants. This is following the recent trend of full-utilization of protein products and the inclusion of underutilized products on menus. These are known as the “tail to snout” and “local sourcing” trends.

TLM: How are these trends going to change Texans’ food?

MS: We will be seeing our family favorites on a menu and then identifying with them through a new set of eyes that is being brought out by chefs’ styles. We are already seeing this with versions of deconstructed King Ranch chicken, upscale enchiladas, Dr. Pepper glazes and sauces, and charcuterie boards. Basic Texas desserts are also being transformed, such as double bourbon and fi g pecan pie and sweet cornmeal crust mixed berry cobblers.

TLM: Which chefs in Texas are on the forefront of these trends, the chefs to watch?

MS: Chef Jon Bonnell of Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine in Fort Worth, Chef Larry Delgado of Salt New American Table in McAllen, Chef Chris Shepherd of Underbelly in Houston and Chef Hugo Ortega of Hugo’s, also in Houston.

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | SIP & SAVOR

18 Hours in…NOLA

By Samantha Cook

Making a layover in New Orleans to enjoy great food, street performers and the music of the French Quarter? You’ll be amazed at how much you can laissez les bons temps rouler in NOLA. Let the good times roll!

Le Méridien New Orleans recently debuted after a $29 million renovation (formerly Hotel New Orleans).

You can’t beat the location downtown, near Harrah’s casino, near the river and just blocks away from the fabled French Quarter. The high-rise sits in the epicenter of activity.

The rooms are average size, clean and with a modern feel. You won’t have much time to spend in your room on this layover, so this is a perfect spot. You can park your car when you arrive and not get back in until it’s time to hit the road!

One warning: valet is mandatory and is on the expensive side ($46/night + $5.50 parking tax).

333 POYDRAS STREET | LEMERIDIEN.COM

For this layover, you’ve only got two meals, so use them wisely! (Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t grab a snack at the famous Café du Monde to get beignets and café au lait). The place for dinner is Deanie’s Seafood and the hot spot for breakfast is Brennan’s, both in the French Quarter.

Deanie’s Seafood has a longstanding history and you’ll fi nd a long wait some nights, but the locals will tell you its worth it. Try the clam bisque for starters, then delight in the calamari appetizer, followed by the enormous Seafood Platter to share (fried shrimp, catfi sh, oysters and clams). You can enjoy these with a local beer, like an Abita. Leave room in your dessert pocket for some strawberry cheesecake paired with a hearty cabernet.

Visit them at 841 Iberville Street or deanies.com. Also they have an online seafood market that ships fresh “Wild Louisiana” seafood anywhere in the continental United States, shopdeanies.com.

Also with a long history in the Quarter is the famous Brennan’s. With its signature pink facade and distinctive cuisine inspiring continual praise and loyal patronage, and with Chef Slade Rushing at the helm, this iconic NOLA restaurant recently reopened after a brief closing and restoration.

417 ROYAL STREET | BRENNANSNEWORLEANS.COM

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

Ski Big in Big Sky, Montana

By Marika Flatt

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Photo by Michel Tallichet

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

What Texan wouldn’t want to visit a place called Big Sky? (After all, we love to brag that “everything’s bigger in Texas!”)

been providing comfortable rides for travelers since 1902--to arrive at Big Sky, your destination for fun all year round.

Big Sky, Montana is recognized for having the largest ski resort (in acreage) with the smallest population of skiers. What that means to you is: shorter lift lines, more choices for runs and a generally less-crowded resort. (Bliss: no jockeying for dinner reservations!) Most Texans ski in Colorado or New Mexico, which both have fantastic, albeit crowded ski resorts. This year, why not take the road less traveled? Trust me, it will make all the difference.

Big Sky is known for skiing, of course, but has outdoor fun throughout the year, including Brewfest in July, the Big Moon Rising music fest in August and golf. Not to mention, Big Sky is only 18 miles from the border of Yellowstone National Park, the home of Old Faithful Geyser.

Houston has non-stop flights into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), where you hop on a one-hour Karst Stage, Inc. shutt le- -t he company’s

But, if what you want is open runs for some serious shredding, Big Sky is a totally awesome place for families to hit the slopes. With its 5,800 acres of winter wonderland, your gang will find plenty of greens (15%), blues (24%) and blacks (43% + 18% double diamond) to sufficiently wear them out. Note: Big Sky isn’t the place for those who want to stay up partying throughout the night, because after a day of hitting it hard on the powder, you’ll want to turn in early.

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BIG LODGING With over 800 options, Big Sky has a wide range of accommodations to suit any budget or style. Huntley Lodge, the vision of the late NBC newsman Chet Huntley, is a superb choice for families. The 500-square-feet loft offers three queen beds, a raised seating area facing the mountains and one bath. You’ll love that you have access to a heated pool with hot tub, nightly movies in their theater, and a hearty breakfast buffet included, downstairs in the Huntley dining room, to start your day off with a full tank of fuel.

With Huntley Lodge at the heart of the Mountain Village, you walk out the back door and are just steps away from ski rentals, Mountain Sports School, lifts and a myriad of restaurants.

BIG DINING

“ Big Sky is known for skiing, of course, but has outdoor fun throughout the year.

”

Big Sky boasts over 30 restaurants, so you’re sure to find a dining option for any mood or taste. Right out the back door of the Huntley is Andiamo Italian Grille--embrace the warm and cozy ambiance while you enjoy their Tuscan influence. If you’re looking to carb-up for a day of skiing, try the Crazy Mountain Alfredo, the saucy lasagna or simply graze on appetizers like Crab Arancini or their seasonal bruschetta. Later in the day, these all easily pair with a robust red wine to keep out the freezing temperatures.

Another option for a delicious and cozy dinner is to take a short drive to Lone Mountain Ranch, an all-inclusive guest ranch that epitomizes days gone by. With 18 cabins that guests don’t even feel they need to lock, approximately 45 miles of alpine cross-country skiing, and horse-drawn carriage rides, Lone Mountain Ranch is a throwback to a slower pace. Celebrating 100 years in 2015, the ranch is full at only 65 guests, so you feel the intimacy of the place. The lodge houses a no-frills gourmet restaurant that will have you wanting to return year after year.

Photo by Chris Kamman

Start off with the fried gnocchi appetizer and enjoy a sirloin ribeye steak or the creamy risotto. (Remember, you need to carb-up to ski all day.) Make sure you save room for dessert because the lodge has an impressive selection, including a trio of sorbets that feature Douglas fir, vanilla bean with lime, and blueberry rosemary. You might also choose their chocolate molten lava cake or pumpkin cheesecake.

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The best choice for dining midday is Everett’s 8,800 Mountaintop Restaurant. You can’t beat the view from this beautiful log cabin atop the powdery white mountain. Peel off a few layers of ski gear and settle in for some hot coffee while you peruse the extensive menu. One of the tastiest appetizers I’ve ever experienced is the Morel Mushrooms Vin Riesling. You’ll want to put the sauce on everything you eat. I recommend following that up with the Butternut Squash Ravioli with a sage sauce and beet threads (sweet and savory) or the Alpine Style Grilled Cheese sandwich-- it’s not your mama’s grilled cheese.

If you’re looking for the place for an après ski, walk right off the slopes into Whiskey Jack’s, where you can find an array of local beers on tap and mountain-high nachos. This is also where you can typically find live music during happy hour.

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BIG FUN If you’re taking f irst-time skiers along, Mountain Sports School runs from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and will have your little bunnies zipping down the slopes in no time. They’ll start on the Magic Carpet and move to the beginner lift, Explorer, where they can take one of several green runs down the mountain. The patient instructors will inspire a love of skiing and give them a solid foundation.

GetOutfitted.com is the Texas skier’s solution to all things gear-related. A brilliant Coloradan, Julian Flores, developed this online resource for skiers who would rather rent their gear online and simply have it delivered to their destination with a postage-paid return box to ship it all back when done.

Skiing is where it’s at in Big Sky. Known as “The Biggest Skiing in America,” Big Sky boasts 4,350 feet on four mountains. With daily snowfalls covering the mountains, if you can handle the blistery cold temperatures (average highs in the high 20s during the winter), you’ll “Go Big” in Big Sky. With 22 lifts, you have a monstrous variety of runs to choose from. Most novices start out with Mr. K, then move up from there. With so many slopes, you can’t possibly cover them all in one trip.

When we embarked on this fi rst-ever family ski trip, I began asking friends, via Facebook, if I could borrow ski gear.

And they heartily came to our rescue. However, I put hours into coordinating the gear, going to get it, then sorting it and packing it—all before I heard of GetOutfi tted.com. How thoroughly convenient it is to simply choose your gear (from the bottom layer of long johns, to mid and top layers, and even accessories like gloves and goggles) from the website and look for it at your destination when you arrive? It really doesn’t get easier than that.

When your gang wants to take a break from the skis, Basecamp offers a wide variety of outdoor sporting adventures, like the Nature Zip Line and the Adventure Zip Line — whether it be winter or summer. You can also fi nd tubing, snowshoeing and guided explorations.

You might not think of enjoying a spa while on a ski trip, but the Solace Spa & Salon is housed at Huntley Lodge and can come to any skier’s rescue after pushing those muscles to the limit. The Altitude Adjustment Therapy massage is a brilliant solution to help your body adjust to the mountains.

Even your drive from Big Sky back to the Bozeman airport is fi lled with beauty, riding alongside the narrow Gallatin River where they fi lmed the hit movie, A River Runs Through It with Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. It’s no tale that fl y-fi shing is huge in Montana and done year-round, as skilled fi sherman flock to the area to cast in the frigid waters. So whether you want to fi sh, explore the great outdoors or get your ski on, Big Sky has no limits.

Photo by Chris Kamman

Kids 10 and under ski free when you book with Big Sky Central Reservations.

Visit bigskyresort.com for all your big traveling details. See our Travel Tuesday slideshow for more images and info texaslifestylemag.com/tuesday-travels-go-big-or-gohome-in-big-sky-montana

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For Texans who only use this gear when they go out-of-state to ski (unlike those who live in states where it snows all winter), or who might have growing children who will surely have outgrown that expensive gear by the next ski trip, this service is priceless. Actually, it averages $23/day per person for a basic order.

“It’s mission-critical that your gear be at your resort when you arrive, in the right size,” says Flores. “We have built customer service perks into our system so that you get a confi rmation call from a stylist to plan your order and we make sure we do everything in our power to get your gear to you on time and with a just-right fit.”

Check out GetOutfi tted.com before you start collecting gear from all your friends and then try to fi gure out how to pack everything in your one checked bag.

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROAD TRIP

Life is a Highway: Make Yours 30A in Florida

By Marika Flatt Texans love Florida; and one reason is that it’s a reasonable road trip from the Lone Star State to the Sunshine State. Hop on I-10 and head out from Houston, through Beaumont, across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and hit the northern tip of Florida, where you will find beautiful white sand beaches on the Gulf side. Many Texans are familiar with Destin, but just south of there is one of the most breathtaking areas of our country, the beach communities along the famed 30A Highway.

Photo Courtesy of Newman-Dailey Resort Properties

The Emerald Coast beaches, also known as the South Walton area, are consistently award-winning and put the other southern beaches (Gulfport, Gulf Shores, etc.) to shame with their crystal white sand and clear, blue water. This “happy place” encompasses 16 beach communities, with their slogan: “Where You’d Rather Be.”

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROAD TRIP

STAY

PLAY

Newman-Dailey Resort Properties has been matching tourists with luxury condos since 1985. Their unit #201 in the San Remo community of Santa Rosa Beach is a spectacular choice for two families to share. With its three bedrooms (1K, 2Q ) plus a bunk bed separated by a privacy curtain, three and a half baths, large kitchen/dining/living room and view of the beach, you can’t beat it. You’ll love that the beach is just across the boardwalk and you have a large pool and hot tub just downstairs.

Along the 30A area, cruiser bikes are a must. It’s not only the best and most convenient mode of transportation, it harkens you back to a more easygoing way of life. You’ll find yourself creating lasting memories that will keep you coming back . Bikes from Black Beard’s Bike Rental are included with your Newman-Dailey rental so get out and explore on two wheels.

Each Newman-Dailey stay comes with a gift card good toward seasonal activities and free movie rentals during your stay. In the summer, you can visit a water park, snorkel, parasail and enjoy other water activities that are offered. In the off-season, you have access to bike rentals, two free rounds of mini golf at The Track and free movie rentals (two at a time). www.destinvacation.com

Santa Rosa Beach & Golf Club is the only member-owned golf course and private beach club located on 30A. Nicely laid out and friendly, the course hugs the sugar-white sandy beaches of South Walton. The club spans 85 acres providing the public with access to golf and dining (Vue on 30A). The club boasts an 18 hole, par 72 championship golf course with the only gulf-fronting holes on 30A. Typical golf course attire is required.

EAT

4801 W HWY 30A, SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL 32459 SANTAROSAGOLFANDBEACHCLUB.COM

The Travel Channel has featured Pompano Joe’s in Miramar Beach as the ultimate beach snack shack and it is revered for its fresh and affordable seafood and great view. Treat yourself to the best fish tacos I’ve ever tasted with a local Pompano Pale Ale and enjoy sitting on the patio overlooking the pristine beach.

South Walton is host to four state parks, as well as Point Washington State Forest, filled with trails for exploring. You’ve also got your choice of various beach towns to explore, shopping areas and you’ll want to leave plenty of time for just reading on the beach.

2237 SCENIC GULF HWY, MIRAMAR BEACH, FL 32550 WWW.POMPANO-JOES.COM/DESTIN

La Playa at Gulf Place offers a fusion of Caribbean and Southern cuisine. With a great location on 30A and indoor/ outdoor seating, a kid-friendly menu and an extensive wine list, you can’t go wrong at this beachy cafe. Sit on the patio and enjoy the scene of 30A. 37 TOWN PLACE LOOP, SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL 32439

Voted as having the Best Waterfront Dining by Florida Travel + Life Magazine and most recently as the Best Place to Watch a Sunset by the readers of Destin Magazine, Vue on 30A has a great ocean view with an unpretentious club feel. Their delicious menu designed and prepared by Chef Giovanni Filippone, who you may remember from season five of Hell’s Kitchen, impresses with crab cakes and bacon-wrapped venison.

4801 W HWY 30A, SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL 32439

Grand Boulevard’s newest eatery, Travinia Italian Kitchen, serves deliciously fresh and contemporary American Italian cuisine. With a robust array of your favorite Italian dishes, Travinia features a creative and varied menu and an impressive collection of carefully-chosen wines. Start with the Gnocchi and Sausage and follow that up with the Braised Short Rib Rigatoni for a delightful dinner.

LOCATED AT THE WEST END OF GRAND BOULEVARD. TRAVINIAITALIANKITCHEN.COM

Stinky’s Fish Camp in Dune Allen Beach is one of the trendsetters on the Emerald Coast, known for serving only the freshest ingredients and local seafood. Founded by Chef Jim Richard, Stinky’s has loads of New Orleans influence. Chef Brannon Janca directs the menu, which always incorporates what is fresh and in season. Don’t pass up the Shrimp and Grits, as this entrée is truly southern and is created here to perfection.

5960 W HWY 30A, SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL 32459 Texas Lifestyle Magazine 59

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(512) 345-5220 Fax (512) 345-5323 www.austinriverboats.com P.O. Box 300234, Austin, Tx 78703

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | REVIEWS

The Book of Mormon In conversation with Alexandra Ncube

By Autumn Rhea Carpenter

62 Texas Lifestyle Magazine

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Phyre Hawkins, Mark Evans, Christopher John O’Neill, The Book of Mormon First National Tour. Photo (c) Joan Marcus, 2013

T

he Book of Mormon has been hailed as “the best musical of the century,” leaving no topic untouched, including religion, famine, poverty, sex, war and race. The religious satirical musical and winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical tells the story of two naïve, young Mormon missionaries, Elder Cunningham and Elder Price, who visit a remote village in northern Uganda where a brutal warlord is threatening the locals.

Development of The Book of Mormon, created by four-time Emmy Award-winning Matt Stone and Trey Parker of the animated series South Park and long-running musical comedy Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez, began in 2003. The musical is choreographed

by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw (Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone) and is directed by Nicholaw and Parker. (Editor’s note: The Book of Mormon contains explicit language.)

Alexandra Ncube first appeared in The Book of Mormon in February of 2014. The 23-year-old Arizona State University graduate, one of the youngest cast members of the touring musical theater, plays Nabulungi, a young optimistic Ugandan who hopes for a better life. Ncube tries to bring truth and honesty to the role, and identifies with her character’s optimism and hope for her dreams to come true.

What is your life motto? I have quite a few, but the one that resonates with me most, in this chapter of my life, is to put out the energy you wish to receive. When in doubt, choose kindness, generosity and compassion. It will get you a lot further than acting with any level of negative energy.

Who are your heroes? Anyone who chooses to stay true to him or herself and lift others up while encouraging others to do so as well. From the beauty and eloquence of Maya Angelou, to the tenacity of Dave Grohl, to the bravery of Lady Gaga, to the compassion and strength of my mother, I (can) find a hero in anyone.

There is so much to celebrate.

What is your most treasured possession? My engagement ring. I treasure it most not only because it is a precious stone, but what it symbolizes. It is also a constant reminder of the beautiful person who so generously gave it to me.

When are you happiest? When I’m surrounded by those I love most and really enjoying the human connection without the distractions installed by society. A simple conversation could lead to hours of thoughts all over the spectrum of reality and nonsense.

That is sacred to me… I think there is a lot of power in the human consciousness. A sense of wonder and depth of inquiry for all things in the universe is a quality I really cherish as a human being.

The Book of Mormon runs January 20 – February 8 at Broadway at the Hobby Center. Purchase tickets at the box office.

THE HOBBY CENTER | 800 BAGBY STREET | HOUSTON THEHOBBYCENTER.ORG BOOKOFMORMONTHEMUSICAL.COM

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | CALENDAR

HOUSTON MARATHON

FEB

5

22 TEQUILA DINNER & PAIRING

23 SPURS VS. LAKERS

MODERN ART MUSEUM FORT WORTH

HOUSTON

SAN ANTONIO

JAN

SAN ANTONIO

FEB

FEB

6-17

7

MARDI GRAS

ROCKETBOYS

TEMPLE GRANDIN PARAMOUNT, AUSTIN

FITZGERALD’S HOUSTON

GALVESTON

FEB

13 JW MARRIOTT OPENS

AUSTIN

FEB

FEB

FEB

15

14 A VALENTINE’S EVENING WITH CRAIG HELLA JOHNSON & FRIENDS

NOBELITY PROJECT’S FEED THE PEACE AWARDS DINNER

W HOTEL AUSTIN

FOUR SEASONS AUSTIN

photo by Larry D Moore ©2006

18

15-18 COCKTAIL CONFERENCE

JAN

JAN

JAN

21 OYSTER & PEARLS GALA

SAN ANTONIO

MAR

3-25

HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW & RODEO HOUSTON

MAR

MAR

7

MAVIS STAPLES PARAMOUNT AUSTIN

12

MAR

13

15TH ANNUAL TEXAS FILM AWARDS

LA BOHÉME OPENING NIGHT

AUSTIN

THE DALLAS OPERA DALLAS

MAR

MAR

17-22

19

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14-15 ST. PATRICK’S DAY RIVER PARADE & FESTIVAL SAN ANTONIO

MAR-APR

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SXSW MUSIC

SAVOR

HOUSTON OPEN

AUSTIN

DALLAS

GOLF CLUB OF HOUSTON HUMBLE

16 MACK, JACK & MCCONAUGHEY GALA, LIVE AUCTION, CONCERT AUSTIN

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PROMOTION

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | LONE STAR LIST

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Photo courtesy of Bravo

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | WEB EXTRAS

New Bravo TV Series Travel Tuesdays Every Tuesday, our well-traveled team features a destination, be it domestic, foreign or definitively Texan, that is sure to jump-start your vacation planning. Keep an eye on our online magazine, texaslifestylemag.com, to get the scoop on a fantastic trip. Keep your suitcase packed and your passport handy!

Best New Restaurant is hosted by acclaimed chef and restaurateur Tom Colicchio and takes a look at the food world from a fresh perspective: the restaurant. Colicchio, along with a team of experts, pits 16 of the nation’s hottest new restaurants against each other in a series of challenges. Four Austin restaurants — Barlata, Restaurant Jezebel, Porter Ale House and Swift’s Attic — compete with establishments in New York, Los Angeles and Miami.

The series premieres January 21.

Health & Wellness for the New Year Foodie Fridays Check our online magazine every Friday for the latest, hottest, trendiest and downright best cuisine our state has to offer. From the Gulf Coast to the Panhandle, we’ve found something for every appetite.

We’re ringing in 2015 with a brand new Health and Wellness series at texaslifestylemag.com. As you work to make those resolutions stick, we’ll be there for support, featuring the best products, establishments and inspiring Texans who serve up a good dose of motivation!

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | A BETTER TEXAN

Skin Deep: Fresh in a Flash

by Rory Patrick McNeill

We enter a new year with all the hopes and dreams that come along with fresh beginnings. For most of us, looking and feeling our best is a top priority.

I decided 2015 was the year I would consider my skin the top priority. And I knew just who to turn to — Dr. Gregor y Nikolaidis, founder of Texas’ leading provider of cosmetic treatments, Westlake Dermatology.

Consulting with a professional in an established clinic is crucial if you’re considering cosmetic treatments.

We all know the person who has gone too far and become more a distant version of themselves rather than youthful and glowing. While there are always providers who will agree to anything their patients ask for — however it changes their look — a reputable doctor has the vision and taste to keep you looking like a refreshed and healthy version of yourself.

It took but a few minutes for Dr. Nikolaidis to assess my skin. His suggestions came as a surprise. I’d thought maybe Botox. He was quick to respond that I wasn’t ready. “Better wait five years.” What about f illers? Wait even longer than for Botox. Lasers?

Ding! However, not the kind I’d ever heard of.

Enter Clear + Brilliant, sometimes referred to as “Baby Fraxel.” Using fractional laser technology, Clear + Brilliant is designed to rejuvenate damaged and aging skin with little or no downtime. Unlike traditional lasers, this laser is non-ablative, meaning no damage occurs to the top layers of the skin. All the energy is focused beneath the surface, not only reducing downtime but also boosting long-term rejuvenation. A s the laser passes over the sk in, microscopic laser energy targets the dermal layer, causing heat to be absorbed and new collagen to be created within the skin. As the skin continues healing, old damaged skin cells are replaced with new, healthylooking cells.

Results with Clear + Brilliant are typically evident after the f irst treatment. Wrinkles are noticeably lessened, age spots fade and the skin appears generally rejuvenated.Many patients will go back for four to six treatments. Additional treatments may be needed, depending on a variety of fa ctor s i nc lud i ng a ge, t he amount of sun damage present and the individual’s desire to look more yout h f u l .

P e r s o n a l l y, m y s k i n emerged more radiant and my complex ion clearer with increased volume after just one treatment.

Aging gracefully can be a very tricky path, but knowing there is a plan in place has me wondering w h y I h a d n’t v i s i t e d Westlake Dermatolog y sooner. Now, on to the r e s t o f t he l o n g l i s t o f resolutions.

For locations and to schedule your own consultation visit westlakedermatology.com

Is there pain for the gain? Hardly. Twenty minutes of prickly little lasers skimming my face and I was only left with what resembled a mild sunburn for 24 hours.

Over the next week, my skin felt a tad rough to the touch, a condition unrecognizable to the naked eye.

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | A BETTER TEXAN

PROMOTION

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Shaking off

the winter cobwebs:

Surgical options you can do now to get your body ready for summer

By Mahlon A. Kerr, M.D. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Synergy Plastic Surgery

A

s the winter months begin to fade, most of us look forward to the onset of a warmer spring and summer. Trading sweaters for bikinis can seem daunting when toting around a few extra holiday pounds.

As a board certif ied plastic surgeon, I think that one of the optimal times for plastic surgery patients to have breast augmentation, tummy tucks, liposuction, and mommy makeovers is in the late winter and early spring. I recommend that patients begin this process with a consultation as early in the year as possible so that they can have surgery and be fully recovered by swimsuit season. Most patients will be thrilled to learn that a few easy surg ical procedures can enhance their look for summer and beyond much faster than months of sweat and tears in the gym. I always say that plastic surgery is really best for f ixing things that your trainer can’t — such as loose muscles after pregnancy to loose skin, stubborn fat areas, and breast size and volume. A little time in the operating room can really change both the way you look and how you feel about yourself. This enhancement, both physical and psychological, is really the perfect combination for shaking off those winter cobwebs and getting ready to strap on that f irst swimsuit of the season.

Starting around early February, I notice an increase in the number of new consultations at both our Round Rock and Austin locations. Most patients want to be fully recovered by summer so they can f launt their new physiques, so an early consultation is essential as our schedule gets very busy by spring break and beyond. This is typical for most of the top plastic surgeons in our area, as our specialty is quite seasonal with spikes in patients seeking procedures around holiday months and in the late winter/spring.

One tip to getting more out of your surgical experience is that many procedures, such as a tummy tuck or breast enhancement, can be combined to save time during recovery.

This combination is oftentimes called a “Mommy Makeover.”

By combining procedures, patients only have to recover once, as opposed to two separate times. This lets you really pack results into a typical 1-2 week recovery and jump start the healing process rather than stage the operations over months

or years. Shorter combination surgeries lasting less than six hours are considered to be safe and effective for most healthy patients.

Simpler procedures like breast augmentation are a late winter/spring favorite at Synerg y Plastic Surgery. We do hundreds of breast procedures each year and breast implants top the list in my practice and nationwide as the most common cosmetic surgery procedure. The operation takes less than an hour and most patients can comfortably return to a desk job in only 3-4 days. With new 5th generation silicone implants now available, our results are better than ever giving patients a much more natural look and feel. Our patients love the volume implants add to their breasts, and how they look in that new bikini or summer dress in our warm climate. Breast implants, however, do take time to drop and soften so to get ready for summer I would recommend at least 2-4 months to be swimsuit ready.

Liposuction is a summer body favorite, as well. There is really no better way to quickly erase those winter pounds than a quick hour liposuction to contour problem areas and battle the bulge. During the procedure, we safely remove unwanted fat from targeted areas. The downtime is minimal and, while you will be swollen and a bit sore, returning to work is easily done in a few days. Compression garments need to be worn for a month and it can take several weeks for swelling and bruising to subside. Final results in liposuction take several months so planning ahead is important to be ready for the beach by summer.

It is important to me that my patients understand how committed we are to providing them with a good experience. For those who want that perfect beach body, now is a great time to come and visit us. Together, we can achieve fantastic results that you will be able to enjoy during those hot summer months which are right around the corner.

Visit Dr. Kerr at SynergyPlasticSurgery.com to learn more or call 512.244.1444 to schedule a consultation.

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Board-Certified In Plastic Surgery.

Two Convenient Locations.

One Amazing Value.

Breast Augmentation • Tummy Tuck • Mommy Makeover Rhinoplasty • Facelift • Eyelids • Liposuction • Brazilian Butt Lift Laser • Botox ® • Juvederm ®

Mahlon A. Kerr, M.D. Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon

805 E. 32nd Street, Suite 101 Austin, TX 78705 170 Deepwood Drive, Suite 102 Round Rock, TX 78681

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | A BETTER TEXAN

The Greatest Secret Advantage that You Have, To Get Lean, Fit and Healthy This Year

By Richard Kelley, M.D. How did you fare in 2014? Was it a year of thriving or simply surviving? Was it a year of awakening and renewal, or a hard fought battle just to keep your physical and financial head above water?

Did 2014 rank among your best years, or was it one of your worst?

Did you lose weight or gain it? Did you get fitter…or did you get fatter?

of those you admire. Find out how a friend, neighbor or co-worker lost their weight.

Regardless of your answers to the questions above, one fact remains. That fact is everything! It’s the thing that at one point in time made me believe that I still had a chance to play the guitar as good as, or better than, Jimi Hendrix.

Motivational speaker Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” This quote doesn’t specify whether he was speaking of the average financially, spiritually or physically, but arguably I believe that he would include all of these.

It’s the fact that you and I are still here! We’re still alive!

You and I have been blessed with another day, another week and possibly another year to get it right. You have the opportunity to improve and to get better over the coming weeks, months or coming year.

2015 can and should be your best year ever. You are in the driver’s seat of your life and you can choose the ride you want to take and the road you‘ll travel to get there.

This year, you can fill the tank of your clunker with fuel that weighs you down, or you can fuel the Ferrari that your body will become, with the best nutrition possible, day after day.

Because you’re still here, you get another opportunity to reorganize your schedule so that the gym is once again on your daily priority list…only this year, you’re actually going to go there.

This is the year not to tarry, but rather a year to implement. It is a year that lies before you ready to be shaped and molded into the foundation of a vision for your body that you know also lies in your heart.

You have the capacity to change your physical form this year. You have the ability to lose the weight that you’ve told yourself over and over for so long, couldn’t be lost.

I am convinced that you can be successful this year. Decide today that you are going to learn what it means to eat for health and fitness.

2015 may be the year for you to find a mentor or someone whom you can model their practices, habits and behaviors. Ask questions

There are no accidents when it comes to losing weight. Habits and daily actions are what begat results, where getting leaner, more fit and healthier are concerned.

Keep this in mind this year. If you’re hanging out with folks who identify themselves as ‘foodies,’ then chances are, you’re going to battle with the ramifications and importance that food has to you.

If you and your friends spend a significant number of your days hitting the bars and Happy Hours, your energy level, health and weight will ultimately reflect that lifestyle.

In contrast, by surrounding yourself with those whose goal it is to improve their level of fitness and physical form, chances are you will increase the likelihood of doing the same. Remember, Jim Rohn said ‘the average of the five people.’

Just as reasonably, he could have said, ‘the more the merrier.’

We often reflect the character, characteristics and habits of those with whom we surround ourselves. Hang with four smokers and what are you likely to become?

Your body will reflect the consistency of what you do consistently.

Make 2015 your year, the year you’re going to change.

Why? Because you can.

You’re still alive…and you are still here!

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