May 2019 Issue

COASTAL BEND LIFE

MODERN COMFORTS BY THE WATER

Located in the lively downtown Marina District, Omni Corpus Christi Hotel offers luxurious guestrooms with spectacular views of the Corpus Christi bay. Situated along 131 miles of Texas coast, there are virtually limitless choices for water sports, including year-round sailing, swimming, snorkeling and some of the world’s best deep-sea fishing.

The EksoGT ™ Robotic Exoskeleton

As part of our commitment to rehabilitation, PAM Rehabilitation Hospital of Corpus Christi uses cutting-edge technology to help patients regain their strength, mobility, confidence, and freedom. The EksoGT™ robotic exoskeleton is the first exoskeleton indicated for stroke and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. The wearable device augments strength to help these patients stand and relearn to walk, improving their step patterns, weight shifting, and posture. PAM Rehabilitation Hospital of Corpus Christi is using the device to mobilize patients earlier in their rehabilitation.

Each year, as many as 15 million individuals su er a stroke and 500,000 experience a spinal cord injury. Early mobilization is especially beneficial for stroke recovery. Gait training with this exoskeleton suit is one of the latest advancements in stroke treatment and neurorehab in general.

Clinical research suggests that including EksoGT gait training during inpatient rehabilitation can improve patients’ gait speed and walking distance. Most patients take an average of 400 steps their first-time training in the device. It is the most clinically used exoskeleton and patients around the world have taken over 100 million steps and counting.

more information on rehabilitation for stroke or spinal cord injury using the EksoGT robotic exoskeleton, contact Barbi Balliet, Director of Rehabilitation, @ 361-500-0623 or bballiet@postacutecorpuschristi.com. A physical therapy evaluation will help determine eligibility to use the exoskeleton in rehabilitation.

We always believed that this property would be spectacular.

“Our commitment to Do More for the communities we serve,” is why we at IBC Bank through Diamond Beach Holdings, LLC, have put our Texas sized heart and efforts into re-imagining and completing Waves Resort.

We are delighted with the results and will continue to improve the property making this a “must-see” destination in Corpus Christi for you and tourists alike.

With our full complement of waterpark entertainment, Waves Resort also offers multiple epicurean dining and libation areas, special event and meeting facilities, driving range, the island’s only permanent outdoor theater and performance stage, a 91-room hotel, and the coastal bend’s first of its kind video gaming lounge and Esports training facility.

On behalf of IBC Bank, our employees and all who’ve helped make this a reality, I invite you to come and enjoy the Coastal hospitality at your local resort and see for yourself what we’ve built for you.

Jennifer Hoff SR. VP, IBC Bank Houston VP, Diamond Beach Holdings, LLC

What's the top perk of living on the Coast?

To be honest, I definitely don’t take full advantage of living so close to the water. However, I live fairly close to Ocean Drive and being able to see the water and rows of palm trees every morning on my drive to work is truly the best way to start the day.

MON-FRI: 10AM - 5:30PM SAT: 10AM - 5PM SUN: CLOSED

Living close to the water provides a calming aesthetic to relax and clear my mind. For writers, these places are gold.

SUBMISSIONS: kylie@thebendmag.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS: thebendmag.com

PUBLISHER: Jordan Regas

ART DIRECTOR: Jarred Schuetze

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Kaley Regas

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Chris Knapick

MANAGING EDITOR: Kylie Cooper

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Daniel Coleman

LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER: Rachel Benavides

COPY EDITOR: Steve Gill

PHOTOGRAPHY: Jason Page Aaron Garcia

CONTRIBUTORS: Justin Butts

Kayla Butts

Julietta Hernandez

Jo Anne Howell

Jacqueline Gonzalez

Jillian Becquet

Jessie Monsivais

Laura Shaver

EDITORIAL

THE BEND OFFICE

309 N. Water Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401 361.792.3606

CONNECT WITH

In the water is where I feel most at peace. I challenge you to find a better feeling than taking a longboard out on a calm, glassy sea at sunrise just to sit and breathe.

The top perk about living near the water are the countless moments you can sit and enjoy the breeze and versatile views.

I think the best part of living in south Texas, where it’s warm all the time, is the fact that everyday is a beach day.

ADVERTISING: chris@thebendmag.com

ADVERTISING: daniel@thebendmag.com

US @thebendmag on Instagram and Facebook #CBLife

On the Cover:

For most Coastal Bend natives, the water is a second home of sorts. There is rich watersport history intertwined within our local culture. We knew when we decided to dedicate our summer issue to the water, we had to have surfing on the cover. After all, it has been said the Coastal Bend is the Texas surfing mecca. So, we sought out some local surfers and headed out to the beach.

(Photo by: Rachel Benavides)

EBB& FLOW

If you’ve lived in the Coastal Bend for a while, you might be immune to the fact that living so close to the water is a rare gift. You might easily forget that a quick day trip to the beach is not a luxury many people across the country enjoy. This is why tens of millons travel to the Coastal Bend every year to get a taste of the wind, sand, water, and waves within our reach. In essence, we are spoiled. We are so spoiled we hardly realize it. Like most people, you probably wish you took advantage of living by the water more often. But life happens, and before you know it, fall is knocking at the door and you can maybe count on one hand the number of times you went fishing or made it to the beach.

Olivier Jallais, who says, “You can be eight or 80 years old, windsurfing is for all ages.”

We hope this year turns out differently. As we dove into our watersports issue (no pun intended), we were grateful to enlist the help of one of our key contributors, Jessie Monsavais, who like the title of the feature on page 32, is someone who was born on the water. Jessie unveils a whole local culture surrounding activities on our local bodies of water. Not only is this community of watersport enthusiasts passionate about getting out on the water, they deeply care about sharing their love of it with others.

For those of us who have never stepped foot on a sailboat or paddled out into the Gulf of Mexico on a longboard, there is no need to panic. It turns out our Coastal Bend waters offer the perfect makeup for beginners to catch their first wave. The water is friendly to all ages according to local windsurfing in-

It’s invigorating and inspiring to watch someone catch a wave; but, we meet another group of people in this issue who are riding waves of their own and are making an impact on Corpus Christi. This year’s Corpus Christi Under 40 class is composed of only 26 local movers and shakers, a large drop from the typical 40 individuals honored in the past. You can read more about why the CCU40 committee decided to revamp the concept for the future on page 42.

So, as you sit down to make plans for the summer, remember to take advantage of our beautiful coast. Put down the tablet and pick up a fishing pole or board of some kind. Unless, of course, you are posting beautiful beach photos on social media to make your friends and family living outside the Coastal Bend jealous.

THREE TAKEAWAYS:

1. Aguas Frescas are the perfect way to cool down this summer and we offer our top five picks on p. 27

2. By the Book is a small, independently owned book store, behind CHRISTUS Spohn Shoreline hospital, owned by a local doctor who opened the store to boost reading levels for all ages See page 78

3. The nets NASA used to rescue astronauts from the water during the first Apollo mission were designed in Corpus Christi by local Billy Pugh. p. 106

– JORDAN REGAS, Publisher

structor,

Kennedy Dental is proud to have served the Coastal Bend for 50 years. Our practices o er both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. At Kennedy Dental Care, your child’s comfort comes first and our unparalleled commitment to the highest level of pediatric dental care has earned the trust of generation after generation in the Coastal Bend.

AROUND THE BEND

Beachy Keen

Just because you're going to the beach doesn't mean you should sacrifice good style. Bring your summer days to the next level with some essential editor's style picks.

BY: JARRED SCHUETZE

1. MEADOW ROSE GOLD NECKLACE IN ABALONE SHELL KENDRA SCOTT .....$130.

2. MAGENTA EVIL EYE FRINGE EARRINGS SHOP LRK .....$18, additional colors available. 3. STRIPED PARASOL 6' ITALIAN BEACH UMBRELLA TARGET .....$125, colors vary. 4. MISA OFELIA DRESS MARKET BOUTIQUE .....$315. 5. RATTAN WOVEN BAG COASTAL CLOSET .....prices and styles vary. 6. S'WELL GRAPHIC WATER BOTTLE GATHERINGS .....$24-$45, colors and sizes vary. 7. SOPHIA WEBSTER LUCITA

WEDGES JULIAN GOLD .....$350

ALEXIS

BKK

FRANCISCO’S

GOLDSMITH JEWELERS

GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

HANLEY

HESTER’S CAFE

JULIAN

MADRE

TALK of the TOWN

Locals, Supporting Local, Supporting Locals

Showcasing work from local artists, while having handy objects for various day-to-day tasks, is pretty much a match made in heaven. That notion is exactly what the brand Made in Corpus Christi has brought to fruition. According to owner Nikki Riojas, the brand was created to really show off the incredible amount of talent produced by creatives in our area.

The concept is simple. They hire local designers to create Corpus-specific icons and logos that reflect their personal aesthetic and interpretation of our city. Then, they curate beautiful lines of goods that are all designed, crafted, and/or created by makers right here in the Coastal Bend. With the help of local manufacturers, screen printers, embroiderers, and craftspeople, Made in Corpus Christi produces many products which, in turn, help build small businesses, keep tax dollars local, and bring pride to our community. The brand, which is currently located inside the boutique shop Thirteen & Market, will constantly be restocked with fresh graphics and items as new designers come on board!

BY: KYLIE COOPER PHOTO BY: JARRED SCHUETZE

"Made in Corpus Christi" items are available in store for purchase.

NOMINATIONS!

Every August, we dedicate our issue to the students of the Coastal Bend. It is a way for The Bend Magazine to highlight some of the amazing things scholars in our area are doing. Do you know a student going above and beyond the everyday tasks of the classroom? We want to know about them! We will open up nominations for this year’s Students Who Shine on May 3rd . You can find the link to nominate on our website! Once the nominations are in, we will scour through and pick the top students to feature in our August issue!

SOCIAL LOVE

Instagram Shoutouts

With this being our Watersports Issue, it would be silly to not pick Instagram shoutouts revolving around the water. You can scroll through the hashtag, #corpuschristi, for hours and find tons of amazing photos featuring the coast, but, we landed on these two. Shoutout to @me_gusta_queso and @lanaemichelle for these awesome shots!

Visiting the Texas State Aquarium opens the door to a diverse world under the ocean. An amazing place where you can come face-to-fin with a vast abundance of life. Explore Coastal estuaries, colorful Caribbean reefs and make new friends at Dolphin Bay. Meet species that live near the shoreline and deep under oil platforms. Hang out with a sloth, touch a stingray and meet a flamingo. Your visit helps save the oceans and supports our turtle and bird rescue programs. You’ll save more than memories.

GREEN for the GREATER GOOD

The Islander Green Team is bettering our environment one eco-friendly initiative at a time

BY: JESSIE MONSIVAIS

PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

On the Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi campus, there is a group of students who gather together each week with one goal in mind: creating a more sustainable campus and community through eco-friendly initiatives.

The Islander Green Team, a student-led organization, is made up of passionate students who find common ground in putting forth efforts all revolving around the betterment of our environment.

“We believe in doing what we can to take care of our Earth, and its resources, by spreading awareness on environmental issues and sharing knowledge for solutions,” says Devika Tijerina, President of Islander Green Team.

The group’s activism, research, partnerships, and service projects have led to sustainable campus changes and more accessible information on being environmentally conscious.

“We believe by working on projects with the community, we can help create a more sustainable future for Corpus and the surrounding areas. We offer compost education, a place for people to bring their food scraps to be composted, free compost for gardening, and garden space for students to grow their fruits, vegetables, and herbs if they don’t have one,” says Tijerina.

Islander Green Team conducts waste audits around campus to see how

items can be recycled better or composted, and they educate others about proper recycling. The Green Team hosts their beach clean-up events at a different beach every semester, and have started marsh cleanups by the bridge next to campus every month. Plus, in addition to the work they are constantly doing on campus, they also span their reach elsewhere in the community.

At the Early Childhood Development Center, they have taught children the importance of recycling and compost, and have helped them create a garden they can nurture and grow on their own! Education truly is one of the key components to spreading awareness in regard to our planet Earth, and the team is currently researching the topic of debris on various local waterfronts.

“It’s important the trash that has found its way to the beach and marshes on campus doesn’t get swept back into the surrounding waters. The debris from our beach cleans get categorized and logged so we can track what percentage of debris is plastic, cigarette butts, glass, etc. We are sampling eight different sites along the Oso to see how wastewater treatment runoff will be affecting the Oso Bay,” Tijerina says.

In the past, Islander Green Team has teamed up with the World Youth Sailing Competition and the Texas Branch of The American Society of Microbiologists to make their events more sustainable by not using plastic, helping with proper waste disposal, composting food waste, and educating the people.

Last Fall, the Green Team spoke about leading a sustainable life at the Corpus Christi Food & Wine Festival. This year, they educated students at the Coastal Bend Regional Science Fair about water quality sampling, and gave a tour of the eco-friendly projects on campus. They participate in Earth Day Bay Day every year, and this year they’ve received invitations to visit elementary, middle, and high schools in the Coastal Bend area to educate students on the topic.

Islander Green Team members are the leaders for a greener and more sustainable life in the Coastal Bend area. “We believe if we can help the community start building more sustainable habits, those will assimilate to the surrounding areas and transfer with them to wherever they go in the world,” says Tijerina. “By this we are creating a green legacy that we can be proud of.”

DR. CHAD ALLEN, DDS

LEGACY

• Dr Chad Allen is a third generation Corpus Christi dentist who has studied all over the world but chooses to call Corpus Christi home.

• His father, Charles Allen, continues to practice at their Saratoga o ce. His continued love for dentistry has no end in sight.

SPECIALIST

• Dr Chad Allen is the specialist of the Allen Dental Group.

• He is a certified specialist in Prosthodontics which includes the complexities of Implants, Veneers and comprehensive rehabilitation.

• Besides his Doctorate of Dental Surgery and Specialty, Dr Allen has a Masters in Oral Biology concerning the TMJ.

• Dr Allen is a Fellow in the International Team for Implantology and has spent time in Geneva and Bern, Switzerland studying implant dentistry.

CARING

• Dr Allen has helped lead several dental mission trips to Mexico and now works with Timons Ministries in Corpus Christi.

• He supports local charities such as New Life Refuge Ministries, Annapolis Christian Academy and City Church.

Aguas Frescas

BY: JULIETA HERNANDEZ PHOTO BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

Our sweet coastal summertimes would be incomplete without indulging on the traditional Mexican beverage, agua fresca. The delightful drink is a light, healthy refresher that brings the best out of fruit in every ice-cold swig. You can trust the best ones to be made by small, locally owned shops in the area: Here are some of our favorites.

1. LA PALETERA’S bright and fruity theme advertises that it’s a go-to for this one. Since they specialize in fruit-based sweet-tooth cravings, the seasonal fruits that go into their agua fresca selection delve into the sweeter side. With two locations in the city, the variety is wide, depending on what fruits are growing best this time of year.

2701 Morgan Ave #200, Corpus Christi, TX 78405

2. LA MICHOACANA on Ayers Street mixes in the authenticity for their flavors, including the fan-favorite cantaloupe. With the amount of fresh fruit and produce inside this market, it only makes sense their fruit beverages stay abundant. While shopping for authentic spices or tamales, hydrate with their selection.

4214 Ayers Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78415

3. JEFE’S MOBILE CAFE can be found around town at various locations and for certain events, and we’re glad we are able to track them down when we do, because their summer flavors for agua frescas have our mouths watering. Paired with the rest of the menu, Jefe’s

two flavors of agua frescas will complete any order. Limon, however, definitely pairs best with their beef tacos. streetfoodfinder.com/jefesmobilecafe

4. THE TRADE CENTER never disappoints: among all the wonderful stands to satisfy our cravings, multiple exist for the sole purpose of getting us the freshest of the aguas frescas in colorful varieties. Cucumber melon can be found here, and if that doesn’t make your shopping more vibrant, opt for the cantaloupe.

2833 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78415

5. TACO BAR STREET on The Island has a way to make us savor the island even more: with their lime and horchata flavors, carried with them on their mobile haven of comfort food. A fresh horchata on the island with a taco in your hand just spells summertime, and we’re grateful that Taco Bar Street gets the vision.

streetfoodfinder.com/tacobarstreet

meet KENDRA KINNISON

Port Royal, G.M. and author behind the Hurricane Harvey recovery book Royal Resilience shares her memories, challenges, and hopes

TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ROYAL RESILIENCE.

Royal Resilience tells the story of Port Royal's journey through Hurricane Harvey, from the decision making in the days just before the storm to the one-year anniversary. It details our crisis management, community service, training program, leadership development, and physical rebuilding.

WHAT WAS THE INITIAL INSPIRATION TO WRITE THE BOOK?

We realized that we had to. It became important to our healing. When we realized that the recovery process would be much harder and much longer than we ever expected, we knew that we'd need to find ways to celebrate the milestones and keep our meaning and purpose in front of us.

WHAT TYPE OF CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE WHEN WRITING THE BOOK?

Two big ones stand out. First, my memories were a mess. I would often remember things out of sequence. And, the emotional heaviness of reliving those days. My keyboard was often covered in tears. I'm still in awe of my team.

THE BOOK'S STRUCTURE IS PRIMARILY DONE THROUGH TIME STAMPS, EMAILS, JOURNAL-LIKE ENTRIES, AND FACEBOOK POSTS. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO FORMAT THE STORY IN THIS WAY?

The documentary style felt like the only way to tell the story in an authentic way. Because communications had been so limited after the storm, we had to find creative ways to get messages out. So we had lots of lengthy emails and videos. Combine that with faulty memories, and it made sense for those "in-the-moment" documents to be the backbone of the book.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE THIS BOOK DOES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND ANYONE WHO READS IT?

I hope it reminds us all that we're stronger than we think. I hope it shows us the incredible power of faith and teamwork. And, I hope folks realize that the recovery process is still on-going. Not only was Port Royal damaged significantly, a third of our employees were displaced. The personal toll is significant. Lots of grace, patience, and love is still needed along our coast.

COVERSATION BY: KYLIE COOPER PHOTO BY: AARON GARCIA

Many Women experience it, let’s start talking about it.

Do you have trouble making it to the bathoom “on time”?

Do you feel “loose” vaginally since childbirth or menopause?

Do you feel dry during intercourse or have trouble reaching orgasm?

Are any of these Symptoms affecting your life or intimate relationship?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone! Many women are experiencing it, they’re just not talking about it. So start talking to someone who can do something about it.

ThermiVa & O-Shot are in office, comfortable treatments that are improving intimate health for many women.

C. Dale Eubank, MD, F.A.C.O.G

Call today to learn more about the benefits of ThermiVa and O-Shot. Lisa Roberson, RN (361) 906-1112

Or visit AdvancedWellnessandRejuvenation.com

5920Saratoga BLVD - Suite 110B

mother’sday

GIFT GUIDE

That special time of year where we honor the strong and beautiful women in our lives is here once again and we’ve teamed up with some amazing local shops to bring you trendy, hot ticket items sure to put a smile on any mother’s face.

1. VINTAGE 14K YELLOW AND WHITE GOLD SMALL HUGGIE DIAMOND EARRINGS ~.85 CTW

A. Kenney Jewelry $1,850 3636 S. Alameda St., Corpus Christi, TX akenneyjewelry.com • 361.452.3059

2 SCENTCHIPS LATERN WITH CHANGEABLE SHADES

Gatherings $29.95

3744 S. Alameda St., Corpus Christi, TX facebook.com/gatheringsgiftbox • 361.225.3744

3. THE WOODHOUSE GIFT CARD The Woodhouse Day Spa

6000 S. Staples St., # 410, Corpus Christi, TX corpuschristi.woodhousespas.com • 361.985.8488

4. KENDRA SCOTT DIDI STATEMENT EARRINGS IN VIVID AZALEA ILLUSION SHELL

City Chix Boutique $110 1102 Railroad Ave, Portland, TX facebook.com/citychixboutique • 361.977.2014

5. BRIGHTON JETSETTER COSMETIC CASE

Four Chicks in the Park $125 3810 S. Alameda St., Corpus Christi, TX fourchicksinthepark.com • 361.854.4446

born onthe water

With summer quickly approaching, our anticipation for Vitamin D, salty seas, and warm sand is reaching its summit. In the Coastal Bend, opportunities to be out on the water are anything but scarce. With consistent breeze, warm temperatures, and multiple inviting bodies of water, you can find all sorts of water sport adventures right in your own backyard. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush or a calm experience, the Coastal Bend has water activities for all ages and experience levels – so get out of the house, grab the board of your liking, and embrace our Coastal Bend water culture!

By: Jessie Monsavais

Photography by: Rachel Benavides Kady Kreis

SURF -ING

1.

•HORACE CALDWELL PIER

easy access with consistent waves, great peaks on either side of the pier, dependent on swell direction

CORPUS CHRISTI

is the surfing mecca of Texas. In the summer season, the southeast sea breeze blows across the Gulf of Mexico, building a choppy surf that fuels prime conditions along the South Texas Coast for novices and surf addicts alike.

Waves in the Gulf slow down early due to the gradual slope of the continental shelf, and begin to feel the bottom early on, which slows them down to generate a forgiving wave. With water temperatures in the summer averaging about 86 degrees, surf here is considerably warmer than waters on the east and west coasts.

Keith Bass, Manager of the Texas Surf Museum, has been surfing since he was 14. “What I like about surfing here is the unpredictability of it. It can be slop one hour, then great surf another. It’s so random – always changing, always breaking in a different spot, dropping in different areas. It’s also generally forgiving with the sandy bottom, but you need to be a good paddler on the big days. If you can surf here, you can surf anywhere,” he shares.

In 2005, Corpus Christi birthed the only surf museum in the state. The Texas Surf Museum explores the history of the pastime, showcasing the unique surfing achievements that have blossomed in Texas and in our local area. A bucketlist attraction for surfers, tourists, and history buffs alike, the museum is home to hundreds of beautiful surfing treasures, an extensive history of surfing pioneers, and educational displays of proper conservation practices to protect and preserve the beaches, bays, and waterways of the Texas Gulf Coast we all know and love.

The non-profit museum plays a vibrant part in the community, providing educational opportunities and encouraging the locals and tourists to experience the fun, accessible, safe, and healthy lifestyle of surfing.

least populated, one ferry ride away

“We love showing people what’s cool about Corpus. Every water sport is available for everyone, if you really want to try. [Surfing is] mentally stimulating, exciting, and an occasional adrenaline rush. It keeps you healthy. I’ve always said the salt preserves you,” Bass says with a laugh, even though he definitely isn’t kidding.

Before 1962, surfboards and shops were not available in the Coastal Bend. Keith shares, “These guys from Galveston went out to California and different places to buy supplies to make surf boards, because there was nowhere in Texas where you could get that kind of stuff. It started a big surfing boom.”

Surfing in Corpus Christi became popular after it flourished in Galveston, bringing much of the lifestyle that exists here today. For 32 years, Wind and Wave has been the premier South Texas surf, skate, and kayak shop. The locally owned family business provides daily and weekly surfboard, stand up paddle board, and kayak rentals, all conveniently located on the way to the beach in Flour Bluff. Nate Floyd, whose family owns it, says, “Corpus has the best proximity to the beach. We tend to have more and better waves throughout the year. We’re kind of like the epicenter of Texas surfing.”

For more Texas surf history, visit the Texas Surf Museum located in the Water Street Market. texassurfmuseum.org

"WHAT I LIKE ABOUT SURFING HERE IS THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF IT. IT CAN BE SLOP ONE HOUR, THEN GREAT SURF ANOTHER."

•PACKERY

CHANNEL

BOB HALL PIER•

the most popular surf spot between newbie and veteran surfers alike

most populated, the pier lends itself to consistent, pretty breaks making for optimal surf conditions

WIND SURFING

BIRD ISLAND BASIN

is the last windsurfing stronghold. Every year, Corpus attracts visitors from up north to this prime location of a calm and shallow Laguna Madre. As one of the Top 3 destinations for windsurfing in North America, Bird Island Basin is internationally recognized for the sport, and is the only windsurfing operation in a National Park. Bird Island Basin offers a unique experience of windsurfing, as well as kayaking, boating, birding, fishing and camping.

Windsurfing is a surface water sport that essentially combines elements from both surfing and sailing, using the wind to propel adventurers forward, as opposed to the waves themselves. It didn’t become the sport we all know today until the 1960s, when a new board designed specifically for windsurfing allowed it to leap into prominence.

Olivier Jallais, instructor at Worldwinds Windsurfing, tells us Bird Island Basin is by far the best location to learn to windsurf because of the minimal water depth and the school. Worldwinds Windsurfing offers appropriate gear and the best classes for beginners. “It can be a little bit harder when the water is deeper and not as smooth. The Laguna here is flat and shallow, so it’s great for beginners, intermediate, and speedsters. You can be 8 or 80 years old. Windsurfing is for all ages,” he adds with a little chuckle.

Worldwinds owner Don Jackson says it’s the best-kept secret in Corpus Christi. “There’s not a better place to teach windsurfing than right here. From a standpoint of safety, you have the flat, shallow, warm water, and you’re in a close and safe environment, bringing you a higher chance of success because the conditions really are just perfect.”

For class times and more information, call (361) 949-7472.

"THERE’S NOT A BETTER PLACE TO TEACH WINDSURFING THAN RIGHT HERE... THE CONDITIONS REALLY ARE JUST PERFECT"

•BIRD ISLAND BASIN

nationally recognized for its optimal windsurfing conditions

•CORPUS CHRISTI BAY

KAYAK -ING

SURFING ISN'T THE ONLY SPORT

central to Corpus Christi. In fact, all around the Coastal Bend, from Rockport and Aransas Pass to Mustang Island, locals and visitors can find kayaking adventures for everyone. Frank Floyd, owner of Wind and Wave, tells us kayaking is user-friendly and an easy way for people to get out on the water, even if they might not have much experience. “You can get boats set up for the family, it’s dog-friendly, and you don’t have to be in perfect shape or condition. Just about anyone can do it; there are kayaks made for just about everyone.”

Areas such as the Laguna Madre, Lighthouse Lakes, and Mustang Island State Park offer warm, shallow waters and unique bird watching. Locals will also attest to fishing from their kayaks for a convenient and peaceful day on the water. “If there’s no surf, then early in the morning before work or something I’ll drop the kayak off the back dock and go paddling and look for some fish, or just go for a paddle and see the birds and get away from everything. I was a surfer first, but I love getting out and paddling and escaping,” Floyd says enthusiastically.

Wind and Wave schedules demo days for prospective kayakers to come out and play with different models and see what each kayak is like. Floyd shares, “Wind and Wave offers a great selection of kayaks that serve the best use for the region. We like to know what you’re going to use it for and get you what fits you and your needs. That’s always been our philosophy.”

For daily forecasts and more information, follow Wind and Wave on Facebook @windandwave.

THE GOLDEN RULES OF KAYAKING:

1. USE THE POWER FROM YOUR TORSO ROTATION FOR ALL YOUR STROKES

2. CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATE PADDLING LOCATION

3. HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE IN CASE OF CAPSIZING

"JUST ABOUT ANYONE CAN DO IT; THERE ARE KAYAKS MADE FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYONE"

FISH -ING

THE GULF COAST

is a definite hot spot for fishing – anglers travel here from all over to drop a line into our green waters. Fishing in Corpus is great year-round, although species of fish to catch vary depending on the time of year. Local fisherman Tom Chrobocinski has been fishing in the Corpus Christi area since 1980.

“There’s such a variety of fishing you can do. You can fish in the surf and catch anything from whiting to sharks. There are all kinds of different species; you never know what you’re going to catch when you’re out in the surf, which is kind of a fun thing,” he says with excitement.

If you don’t have access to a boat, no problem. You can fish from shore, on a pier, or out in the Laguna, where people like to wade fish. Chrobocinski adds, “If you have a boat, it opens up a lot of things, but what a lot of people do now is kayak fishing.” On a popular summer day, boat ramps can get crowded, and one of the advantages of kayak fishing is the ability to launch almost anywhere there’s a shoreline.

"THERE’S SUCH A VARIETY OF FISHING YOU CAN DO. YOU CAN FISH IN THE SURF AND CATCH ANYTHING FROM WHITING TO SHARKS."

TOP BAIT FOR CATCHING REDFISH, TROUT, & FLOUNDER

1. LIVE SHRIMP 2. SKIPJACK 3. SPANISH SARDINES 4. FINGER MULLET

Fishing also requires minimum equipment. Although the option to upgrade your gear is always available, the essentials are few: rod, bait or lure, and a license. You can find everything you need for your fishing needs at Roy’s Bait and Tackle, a locally owned fishing outfitter that has provided fishing products to the community for 40 years.

“I like lures you can fly. I like the sporting aspect of it, of ‘How can I fool this fish?’ Trying to tease the fish and know what’s going to bite that day, and see what I can do to entice them to take the bait, whether it’s change in presentation or a change in the lures … most pretty lures catch fisherman, ugly lures catch fish,” Chrobocinski says.

Fishing really is a sport for all ages, and is a great way to spend time outdoors with friends and family. The variety of ways to fish can seem daunting, but really it allows this to be one of the most convenient ways to get out on the water and really embrace our Coastal Bend culture.

Roy’s Bait and Tackle Outfitters is at 7613 S Padre Island Drive; call (361) 992-2960.

•LAGUNA MADRE

SAIL -ING

WITH CONSISTENT BREEZE ALONE,

competition site for the 2018 Youth Sailing World Championships

Corpus is a world-class sailing location. You don’t have to own a yacht to enjoy the thrills of the Corpus Christi Bay. Every Wednesday night, depending on the weather, the sailing community gathers at the docks; rigging up their boats and fastening their clews to participate in the Corpus Christi Midget Ocean Racing Fleet (CCMORF) Wednesday Night Regatta. Captains are always accepting crew members to help race their boats.

Experienced sailors are an advantage, but inexperienced sailors are welcomed, and serve an essential responsibility as “rail meat” – crew seated on the high side of the boat to counteract excessive heeling on windy days. “If people want to get on the water, there’s a way to get on the water. The primary reason more boats don’t go sailing is they don’t have enough crew, and you can’t sail a boat by yourself, especially from a racing standpoint,” says local boat owner and past Commodore Steve Hastings.

Whether you sail is up to you; the Lawrence St. T-Head offers a great spot for onlookers to watch the local races at the start line. The races start at 6 p.m. and end around 8 p.m.

"THIS IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS TO TEACH THEM A SKILL FOR LIFE: SELF-RELIANCE, TEAMWORK, AND BEING ABLE TO TRUST YOURSELF AND MAKE QUICK DECISIONS WHEN MOTHER NATURE THROWS WILD CARDS AT YOU."

Corpus is home to the third-oldest yacht club in the Gulf Coast. The Corpus Christi Yacht Club is a private club that welcomes members and non-members to enroll their youth (ages 6 – 18) in one-week sessions that provide the opportunity to learn basic sailing techniques. Local sailor Billy Liles says, “This is something to do with your kids to teach them a skill for life: self-reliance, teamwork, and being able to trust yourself and make quick decisions when Mother Nature throws wild cards at you.”

For more information on Learn to Sail, visit ccyc.com. For race times and crew information, visit ccmorf.org.

No matter the activity of your choice, the options for getting out on the water in the Coastal Bend are plentiful, and the ones listed here aren’t all. From surfing and sailing to kitesurfing and even paddle board yoga, there really is no shortage of ways to embrace our proximity to so much water.

CORPUS CHRISTI BAY•

(age

Vela Dental Centers offers family, implant and cosmetic dentistry in Corpus Christi and Kingsville. Our dentists and team are committed to providing you and your family with not just excellent dental services, but excellent customer service. Visit any of our two dental offices for all of your general dentistry needs. Our state-of-the-art offices make use of the latest in dental technologies and techniques. Along with general dental care, our dentists provide quality cosmetic dentistry. We can also conveniently straighten your smile with ClearCorrect or 6 Month Smiles, achieving great results in as little as 6 months! Replacement of missing teeth with dental implants as well as full mouth rehabilitation will help recreate your smile! The use of digital imaging, laser dentistry, and additional advanced technologies helps us provide you the best care available.

Benjamin Vela, DDS, Cameron Egan, DDS and Amber Patel, DDS have happily provided dentistry in Kingsville and Corpus Christi, Texas since 1984.

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Benjamin Vela, DDS

A WHOLE NEW GENERATION

HOW CORPUS CHRISTI UNDER 40 IS ALTERING THE WAY WE HONOR THOSE CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE OF OUR COMMUNITY

BY: KYLIE COOPER PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

Anyone currently between the ages of 23 and 38 falls into the category of millennials, which means it would be fair to say that the majority of our young business professionals are, indeed, part of the much-discussed millennial generation. So, what happens when a prestigious community award – one that honors those under the age of 40 – reaches the year 2019? Well, you make adjustments; you modernize the process; you reassess.

With the exception of a few honorees, this year’s group is entirely made up of millennials. Those who were selected are in good company: There are business owners, nurses, school principals, community organizers, professors, court bailiffs, engineers, and more. While their day-to-day routines look different from one another, the common thread woven through each is their desire to go above the task of their day jobs and actively usher in change to our area.

GENERAT

Each year, the Young Business Professionals organization recognizes a group of individuals, under the age of 40, for making a contribution to a cause bigger than themselves: our community. The first group of honorees was named in 2007; since then, there have been slightly more than 500 people recognized. These are people who, with rather busy schedules already, have also taken it upon themselves to contribute to the community, each in their own way. All those who have been honored have taken matters into their own hands, and have made an impact on various aspects of the Coastal Bend. This year’s class is no different. They are trendsetters and eager individuals. They are humble and do what they do not for a pat on the back or a prestigious award, but for the sake of the community they live in.

A common misconception of Corpus Christi Under 40 (CCU40) over the years has actually been the name itself. The name “40 Under 40” became common parlance somewhere along the line, as the list in previous years has always hovered over the number 40. However, the name has always been CCU40. And, this year, the number of recipients is almost half. This decision was one of the many made in an effort to modernize the process of CCU40, and alter the perception of the award as a whole.

“We knew we had to approach this year differently,” says Christina Hunter, co-chair of this year’s CCU40 committee. “Because this award now, for the most part, is honoring those who fall into the millennial generation, we knew that in order to achieve our goals, we had to switch some things up.”

And she’s right: With an overall committee goal to not only get the most applicants the organization has ever received, but to get the most diverse pool of people industry-wise, reimagining what the community outreach for the award looked like was a must.

“We wanted to reach out to different groups of people that perhaps didn’t know much about this award.” says Sebastian Garzon, co-chair of this year’s CCU40. “There are a lot of people that don’t even know this is a thing. They’re involved in the community – but in their own ways, in their own circles. So we

“WE WANT PEOPLE, WHEN THEY GET THIS RECOGNITION, TO REALLY FEEL LIKE THIS IS AN ESTEEMED AWARD,” HUNTER SAID OF THE NEW ADDITION. “THESE PEOPLE WILL GO DOWN IN TEXAS HISTORY –AND THAT IS PRETTY COOL!”

wanted to make sure we were reaching out to more industries in order to get a more diverse pool of applicants.”

And reach they did. The concept of outreach social mixers, catered to specific industries, was a new way for the organization to reach not only a new generation, but different groups of people who might not otherwise have the chance to be honored by such an award. Three different mixers – Arts & Culture, Energy, and Health – were held at different local establishments, allowing those interested or intrigued by the award to not only come out and learn about it, but to network and meet others in their fields.

Leaning into social media was another must in this year’s process as a whole. “You have to reach the people who now qualify for this award in the way that will be the most effective,” Hunter said in regard to the changing landscape of communication among the millennial generation. “I don’t know about you, but I hardly ever listen to the radio – but I look at Facebook almost daily. And I think it would be safe to say that a lot of the people who now qualify for this award will relate to that. So, how do you reach the millennial generation in the most effective way? You head to social media.”

The committee put a lot of time and thought into how they could use social media to their advantage. They made informational videos with previous year’s honorees and different community leaders and blasted them out to the interwebs. They also used Facebook events as a way to get as many people out to the social mixers as possible.

These efforts put forth by the committee paid off, as the number of applicants more than doubled from last year. The larger collection of applicants and smaller number of honorees (the final number this year is actually 26) means they succeeded in honoring the best of the best.

Another step in the modernization of the process as a whole was how the winners themselves were honored. The committee wanted those selected to truly feel as though they achieved something prestigious. The reduced number of honorees was a start. However, it goes beyond that.

This year’s honorees’ certificates will actually have signatures from the city’s mayor, as well as both State Representatives for the Corpus Christi area. Plus, the honorees’ names will be announced on the House floor for their community efforts. “We want people, when they get this recognition, to really feel like this is an esteemed award,” Hunter said of the new addition. “These people will go down in Texas history –and that is pretty cool!”

A golden ticket to Corpus Christi is another way in which the award is being updated. Numerous local businesses, including House of Rock, Drunken Noodles, and Eleanor’s Coffee Bar + Market, among many others, have partnered with CCU40 to provide the honorees with a thank you. Each recipient will receive a card allowing them several different discounts at various local establishments around town, creating an incentive cycle of sorts. The community to which these people have given so much is now giving back to them by way of this card.

“I think it brings a lot of pride and ownership over the community,” Garzon said when describing the concept of the card as a way to say thank you to the honorees. “You know, these people give themselves to the community, and it kind of is a way for people to feel like the community does appreciate what they are doing for it and, in return, will probably continue to do these things. We want to encourage these people to stay involved and connected and plugged into the Coastal Bend.”

There are other ways in which the committee has modernized CCU40 as a whole – from new aspects of the event to the charity chosen to receive donated proceeds and awareness. This year’s pick is PATCH, whose mission is to help in the revitalization of the Ritz Theatre. However, it was all done with the honorees in mind. With questions like, “How can we make the recipients of this award feel truly honored?” and “How do we reach a whole new generation of individuals?”, this year’s committee was presented with a great task.

With the largest number of applicants to date, the selection committee most certainly had their work cut out for them. However, when all the hard work was said and done, 26 individuals outdid the rest. These 26 individuals are fostering change. These 26 people have taken ownership over their community and are dedicated to leaving it a better place than they found it.

Nevertheless, even with a changing landscape, the importance of the honor remains the same. Though it is slowly changing, a stigma exists among young business professionals that there is nothing here for them. But there are opportunities here – and keeping that young talent here so our city can continue to thrive is crucial. Recognizing and honoring their successes is one of the best ways to do just that.

So, here’s to this year’s honorees of Corpus Christi Under 40. We see you, we appreciate you, and we are so glad you decided to leave your impact on this city.

Pooja Bindingnavele

Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Chief Operational Officer

Amanda Cameron

Evans Elementary/CCISD, Principal

Caitlan Chupe

Collier, Johnson & Woods PC, Shareholder

2019 CC UNDER 40 HONOREES

Nancy Miller

Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi Design Department, Graphic Design Program Coordinator

Kristina Nelson

Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Assistant Professor

Vanessa Nisbet

ION

Lauren Clayton

MDR Advertising, Media Director

JD Davis

Corpus Christi Hooks, Director of Marketing

David Lee Elizondo

US Small Business Administration, Branch Manager

Christina Griffith

Corpus Christi Metro Ministries, Development Director

Justin Hensley

Code 3 Emergency Physicians, Medical Director/Physician

Leo Juarez

James Hardie Building Products, Regional Representatives

Susan Klaus Agape Ranch, Executive Director

Christopher Majka

Texas Eye Care/Texas Precision Surgery Center, Founding Physician/Medical Director/Owner

Cade Mason

Voestalpine, Head of Legal

Daniel Mazoch

Cinnamon Shore/Sea Oats Group, Director of Development

Yasmene McDaniel

Corpus Christi Medical Center, Chief Operating Officer

The Rise School of Corpus Christi, Executive Director

Marisol Ramirez

Waves Resort Corpus Christi Featuring Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Director of Sales and Marketing

Josh Richline

Richline Technical Services, Managing Partner

Chris Ryan

Cheniere Energy, Inc., Senior Project Engineer

Emily Schellinger

CCISD, Teacher/Elementary Teacher of the Year 2018-2019

Kristina Lyndsey Shinn

United States Navy, Federal Police Officer Instructor

Diego Solis

214th District Court, Court Bailiff

Analese Tennyson

CCISD, Assistant Principal

Lea Trevino

Driscoll Children’s Hospital, RN/BSN/ Bereavement Chair

Hector Zertuche

Knightstorm Productions, LLC/KIII-TV, Owner and CEO of Knightstorm Productions, LLC/Marketing Brand Manager for KIII-TV

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Owner of local shop Wildflowers, Terri Moore, is giving it to us straight: she did not wake up like this. With a motto of building a strong foundation, regular maintenance, and embracing the quirks, Moore has most certainly perfected her routine.

a Shot forRevival

Wellness through Vitamin Therapy

BY: JULIETA HERNANDEZ

PHOTO BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

Rcan be easily obtained from the drip of an IV: RevIVe utilizes their vi tamin-based wellness treatments as well as open, honest conversations to educate us on exactly what our bodies need.

“From a wellness perspective, let’s take B12 for instance: B12 is a building block of everyone’s cells. And most of us, in the United States, are semi-deficient in B12,” says Andrea Holly, J.D, R.N, CEO of the operations. With over a decade under her belt in the medical field as a former registered nurse, following this route to wellness has been Holly’s cause behind opening the shop on the island.

“We’re low-energy, not feeling great, and our bodies are having a hard time absorbing it (B12) from processed food sources. So, from an injection standpoint, it’s pure, and it just makes you feel a lot better.” Being able to receive a supplement for something such as B12 (which, like most vitamins, lacks the risk of ever causing an overdose) through a pharmacy or clinic may include the process of assessing blood work, filling prescriptions, etc. With people who are looking to revive, it starts with a simple consultation of: How are you feeling, and how can this help?

IV drips and vitamin injections can become a low-risk way to give your body a direct reload on the tools it needs to fight off certain side effects. RevIVe’s menus include pure vitamin options of B12, Glutathione, Lipo-B and Vitamin C, that can serve different functions for

different problems, and the whole injection process (paired with a light blanket and on-site Netflix) can take from 20 to 45 minutes. The island office even has a kids’ corner to keep your drip time at ease.

The wellness center offers relief to patients who visit in between their outside cancer treatments for high infusions of Vitamin C, which is

“There’s really great studies that say using Vitamin C while getting traditional chemotherapy treatments overall improves the patient’s quality of life, and has been shown to reduce tumors,” Holly says. “The end goal is just feeling better.”

The same goes for one of Holly’s patients who suffers from Lyme disease, which comes with symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, etc. Seeing Holly regularly for an infusion of Vitamin C greatly reduces these symptoms and makes day-to-day life easier. Although it isn’t a cure, the benefit of just feeling OK is worth it. Since Vitamin C is a natural immune booster, the purpose of these visits is to help patients’ bodies gather the tools to help themselves.

For hydrating in the dry, Coastal Bend summers, replacing nutrients and electrolytes as quickly as your body uses them is not as easy for residents of South Texas, and feeling run-down can be a side effect. This is where a different blend of vitamins might be able to save your good time – perhaps blends curated by RevIVe, such as the Refresh, Recovery, and Revival packages. Oh, and since it will be the glorious summertime, don’t forget to ask about their hangover-specialized drip blends.

Contact:

14602 Compass St, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 (833) 248-3747 | reviveinfusion.com

terrie MOORE'S go-to BEAUTY PRODUCTS

BY: TERRIE MOORE

PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

OWNER OF LOCAL SHOP, WILDFLOWERS, DISHES ALL HER BEAUTY TRICKS AND TIPS TO KEEPING YOUR SKIN HEALTHY NO MATTER YOUR AGE

I am a wife, mother of 4, and grandma of 2. Oh, and an office manager for my husband's business and own a small local boutique. Needless to say, if I get lipstick and sunscreen on, it's a great day! They say "it takes a village," and in my case it does. I'm super lazy when it comes to a makeup routine so I have my lash extensions done by Liza, my brows micro bladed by Savannah, and the rest by my dermatologist Dr. Kimberly Finder. TMI, but it's the truth. I don't wake up like this...oh wait, maybe I do? At 54, I've learned that your body is very similar to a home – build a strong foundation, do regular maintenance, and embrace the quirks. I swear by Intense Pulsed Light, Botox, drinking lots of water and a handful of fabulous products that I've used for many, many years (and a few new ones) all recommended by Dr. Finder. My daily routine is super quick and easy. Also, pro tip: I highly recommend everyone have a makeup artist in their family for those fancy

Nia 24 Niacin Rapid Exfoliating Serum

Nia 24 Sun Damage Repair for Décolletage and Hands

Don't forget the skin on your neck and upper chest! That part of your body is exposed to the sun and can show signs of aging very quickly! The IPL treatments on my upper chest area removed the browns and reds and using this, in addition to sun screen, keeps it bright and clear. FYI, they'll tell you the intense pulsed light feels like “little rubber bands snapping on your skin.” It's more like lightning bolts! It's called “intense” for a reason.

Product available online at Dermstore.com$60

Neova DNA Damage Control Silc

Sheer 2.0

This was the first product Dr. Finder recommended 15+ years ago when I walked in for my first visit. It's a must have! I remember being in Dallas, in a snow storm, and realizing I forgot my Clarisonic! The city was basically shut down, no food or room service, but the wonderful make up counter lady at the nearby Saks sympathized with my dilemma and walked one over to my hotel. WALKED IT OVER! She knew the importance of this little machine. We still keep in touch.

Product available at Ulta $99

Elta MD Foaming Facial Cleanser

A gentle enzyme cleanser that doesn't dry my skin or make it oily. It just does its job perfectly: cleans.

Product available online at Dermstore.com $26

Game changer. I initially went to see a dermatologist because of brown patches on my face and décolletage. After a full series of IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments, my skin was bright, clear, and so smooth! Using this keeps it that way. I used to get yearly maintenance treatments but for the past few years, I haven't needed them. This stuff works.

Product available online at Dermstore.com $82

Lifeline Eye Firming Complex

This is the third eye cream my dermatologist has recommended. She is always in the know about new and improved products and this one did not disappoint! I feel my skin has definitely changed through the years and this eye firming complex with peptides from human stem cells works wonders.

Product available online at Dermstore.com $89

This is magic! I never wore sunscreen before because all the ones I tried were oily and heavy. My dermatologist requires and makes you promise to wear sunscreen every day. EVERY DAY. It's actually a requirement to become a patient of hers. She'll be the first to tell you all her hard work and your hard earned money will be wasted if you don't protect your skin from the sun. I, too, prayed to the sun gods as a teenager. Covered in baby oil and hopes of a deep dark tan. Yikes. This tinted sunscreen is the best I have ever used! With an SPF 40 and water resistant for up to 80 minutes, it's a wear anytime, anyplace, any activity kind of base. This is my makeup foundation – no other powders or cover ups.

Product available online at Dermstore.com $45

Be A Back Sleeper

Ok, it's not a product but it is the best advice you'll ever receive. I read an article where dermatologists were saying they can tell what side a woman sleeps on just by looking at her face. Become a back sleeper. Period.

This product is available to anyone and everyone!

Clarisonic Mia Prima Sonic Facial Cleansing System

Visions of Change in Cancer Care

Bridging the gap in the empty space in cancer care

BY: JACQUELINE GONZALEZ

Dr. Ali Maawy grew up in Nairobi, Kenya and studied neuroscience at the University of Texas in Dallas. After attending medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, he completed his general surgery residency at the University of California in San Diego. He completed a fellowship in surgical oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. Today, he works as a general surgeon and surgical oncologist at Surgical Associates of Corpus Christi.

After making the decision to become a surgeon, he completed 5 years of surgery and 2 years of research at the University of California in San Diego. His journey through this program was a soul-searching experience where he discovered an interest in the science behind cancer, the surgery, and of course, the patient population. “many physicians shy away from cancer treatment because of the possible outcomes and associated complications,” says Dr. Maawy, “I wanted to be the person to fill that void as much as possible.”

When the time came for him to choose a job, he knew he wanted to go back to Texas; after a few interviews, the opportunity to work for Surgical Associates in Corpus Christi presented itself. Unsure of what to expect, Dr. Maawy chose to bring his experience and knowledge in surgical oncology to Corpus Christi to help patients navigate a very challenging time in their lives. “Patients are dealing with a mountain of complex information and trying to figure out the best treatment plan can be tricky

without adequate support.” The fact that patients were having to pick up and leave their support systems to go seek cancer care in San Antonio, The Valley, or Houston did not sit well with him.

Dr. Maawy envisions a future with a comprehensive cancer program for Corpus Christi – a place where patients can obtain the proper cancer care and support under one roof to lessen the burden of seeing multiple providers around the city. These changes may take a long time to implement, but Dr. Maawy is intent on making an impact in the community and is hopeful for change to come.

Dr. Maawy specializes in gastrointestinal cancers –everything inside the abdomen, ranging from the esophagus all the way down to the rectum. He has also begun working on uterine and ovarian cancers.

2019 DENTAL PROFILES 2019 DENTAL PROFILES

Looking for a new dentist or orthodontist? You have come to the right place. The Coastal Bend offers locals and visitors plenty of reasons to smile, so make sure you love yours! Take some time to meet eight great dentists in the Coastal Bend.

They all have their own unique background and approach, but what they all have in common is a passion for helping patients and a love for making people smile.

DENTAL PROFILES

Paul A. Kennedy Jr, D.D.S., M.S.

Paul A. Kennedy III, M.S., D.D.S.

KENNEDY DENTAL CARE

Kennedy Dental Care has been a long-standing family-owned pediatric and orthodontic dental practice in the Corpus Christi community that has dedicated its service to multigenerational families for over 50 years. The doctors at Kennedy Dental Care have worked nationally to ensure that all children receive the best oral health care. They want patients to know that it is never too early to take your child, or toddler, for their first dental visit. In fact, prevention is key to great dental health.

The staff notes the importance of the office prevention program for dental caries, which is the most common chronic disease in all children – even surpassing hay fever. This program, along with community outreach, helps educate parents on the severity of the problem and how to reduce the serious effects.

The doctors at Kennedy Dental Care abide by their mission to take the very best care of each and every patient, by providing patients with the same level of care as they would their own children. We feel fortunate to have the responsibility and honor to take care of the oral health of future generations of South Texans. With their extensive, specialized training, the doctors are able to treat children of all ages, including children with special developmental problems and unique health issues, ensuring they obtain optimal oral health.

Kennedy Dental Care is known to be a leader in the Coastal Bend for services provided within their facilities. With three offices throughout Corpus Christi, Kennedy Dental Care serves infants, children, and teens with pediatric dentistry, as well as orthodontics for adults and children. Due to the unpredictability of children, Kennedy Dental Care doctors are available 24 hours a day.

The amazing staff at Kennedy Dental look forward to meeting your family and helping create memorable smiles.

DENTAL PROFILES

Services

It’s been over a year since Dr. Colin Mihalik, a board certified orthodontist, started CC Braces, and it has been an exciting first year with everything he hoped and more! After spending almost 24 years practicing in the U.S. Air Force and nearly 4 years at Star Orthodontics, he loves being able to use his experience to grow CC Braces.

Dr. Mihalik has always stressed the importance of community, customer service, and family. For him, CC Braces is not just about having the most cutting-edge technologies and best methods in orthodontics. It’s about the welcoming atmosphere of CC Braces, sponsoring youth programs, and supporting community events. “For me, CC Braces is more than bringing beautiful smiles and making CC Braces feel like home to our patients” he says, “Giving back to our great community is also on top of my list”.

At CC Braces, our goal is an exceptional quality of service and care from a friendly and skilled staff! Dr. Mihalik and his team of highly experienced Registered Dental Assistants are committed to providing the best orthodontic care and service to transform your smile. We start with a specialized treatment plan, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies to meet patient’s unique needs. From the children in our Incredible Kids Club to teens and adult patients, we strive for an incredible orthodontic experience.

• Provider of Invisalign® and Invisalign Teen®

• Complimentary Smile Exam and Consultation

• Kids Club to monitor younger patient’s growth and development at no charge

• Corpus Christi’s Exclusive Retainerclub.com Provider

Throughout Dr. Mihalik’s first year with CC Braces, the outpouring love, support, and acceptance from the Corpus Christi community has been unparalleled. With a dedicated team and the best patients everywhere, Dr. Mihalik is excited to make CC Braces the go to orthodontic office in Corpus Christi.

Please visit www.ccbraces.com to learn more about Dr. Colin Mihalik.

DENTAL PROFILES

Services

• Pin Hole® Surgical Technique

• Laser Dentistry

• Cosmetic Dentistry

• Family Dentistry

• Invisalign Provider

James Duncan D.D.S

Dr. Duncan went to elementary school in Germany and high school in a small Texas town. He graduated from Corpus Christi State University with a B. S. in Biology and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from one of the nation’s top dental schools, the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. Furthermore, Dr. Duncan completed a fellowship and mastership at the World Clinical Laser Institute. In 2016 when he was certified, he was 1 of approx. 2,800 dentists worldwide offering Pin Hole ® surgical technique for gum rejuvenation. Dr. Duncan’s expertise in cosmetic dentistry, with an emphasis in laser dentistry, allows him to perform many procedures, some without the need for a drill or anesthesia.

With personable, experienced staff, an inviting waiting area, and advanced technology, the whole experience at Duncan Dental is designed to provide a more relaxed atmosphere. As a general practitioner, Dr. Duncan’s work is very diverse, allowing him to provide a wide variety of treatments to his community. Dr. Duncan loves the challenge of dentistry and providing the best experience to patients. He thrives on staying up-to-date with the latest technological advances in dentistry and is excited to see what the future holds.

Dr. Duncan is an active member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Nueces Valley District Dental Society, and Corpus Christi Dental Study Club. He enjoys lecturing and training other dentists in laser technology as well as giving back through dental missions.

DENTAL PROFILES

Kenneth Gonzales D.D.S., P.L.L.C.

KENNETH GONZALES, D.D.S.

Dr. Gonzales graduated from Texas A&M, College Station with a B.S. in Biology, and then proceeded to receive a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center Dental School, San Antonio, the #1 dental school in the nation at the time. He continues to further his education in cosmetic dentistry, adhesion dentistry, dental implants and implant crowns, Invisalign®, and CEREC technology, TMJ treatment, laser dentistry, and obstructive sleep apnea treatment with oral appliances.

He has a highly qualified, friendly, and caring staff who understands and follows the doctor’s attitude of genuine appreciation and care for all patients. The entire team continue their dental education along with Dr. Gonzales, on the advancements of dentistry to benefit the patients, and themselves as health care providers. They strive to always make give the patient the premium experience of high quality, service, and convenience. One of the ways they accomplish this is with CEREC technology, which makes it possible to provide a dental crown in one visit, if the patient meets the criteria. Dr. Gonzales’s office is one of the few dental offices in Corpus Christi that utilizes CBCT(3-D X-ray) technology for a more accurate placement of dental implants, and to aid in the diagnosis of other conditions of the mouth and jaws.

Services

• CEREC Technology (one visit crowns)

• Cosmetic Dentistry & Family Dentistry

• Dental Implants & Crowns

• Invisalign® (clear braces)

• TMJ Treatment

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea Appliances

Dr. Gonzales has held several positions of leadership with The Nueces Valley District Dental Society, the local component of the Texas Dental Association, and with the Corpus Christi Dental Study Club, as well as a member of CERECdoctors.com, an advance learning academy. As a family man, Dr. Gonzales has a son who is now attending Texas A&M College Station is following his father on a path to become a dentist as well. Dr. Gonzales enjoys travelling when possible, and exercising and weight training with his wife Wendy, who is a registered nurse.

The future for Dr. Gonzales is bright! Patients enjoy their practice location and its proximity to the growing South Side, with comforting office décor and art work, in a ‘state of the art’ facility where science fiction meets science fact. The happiness Dr. Gonzales sees and hears in his patients upon seeing their new smile is what drives him and his team. With every new smile is a chance for a new journey.

DENTAL PROFILES

Chad Allen D.D.S., M.S.

ALLEN DENTAL GROUP

Baylor College of Dentistry

Dr. Chad Allen’s extensive background in dentistry ranges from roofless shacks in Mexico to high rise dental practices in Dallas. After completing his dental schooling at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Dr. Allen was selected to the specialty program for prosthodontics. He was fortunate enough to learn from an international array of specialists including time spent in Switzerland studying dental implants at dental schools in Bern and Geneva.

Dr. Allen has mentored many pre-dental students here in the Coastal Bend. All of these experiences combine to give him a wide range of skills and knowledge to serve patients.

The staff at Allen Dental Group truly seeks to connect with people in a way that makes them more comfortable. While dental offices tend to make patients feel stressed, the highly skilled and considerate staff at Allen Dental Group is empathetic and sensitive to patient’s needs. Their goal is to treat patients like family. They have all the technology and ability to handle the most complex cases, but it’s their heart for each patient that makes all the difference.

Dr. Allen enjoys getting to know each patient and seeks to earn their trust. He truly enjoys spending time with each patient. He is humbled and amazed by all the people he has met and had the privilege to serve over the years.

Dr. Allen is active in his church, with his children’s school, and is honored to serve our country’s veterans through the VA. Allen Dentists have served South Texas since 1947. Being a third generation dentist, Dr. Allen hopes to continue the line of Allen dentists, possibly bringing on a 4th in the future. Whatever the future holds, Allen Dental Group will always be known for its tradition of excellence, artistry, and personal care in the Coastal Bend.

DENTAL PROFILES

Alexander Lobaina D.D.S., M.A.G.D

Loma Linda University

Dr. Lobaina received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Loma Linda University in Southern California. After obtaining his degree, he left for Washington State to begin practicing dentistry. Shortly after, he moved to Texas, where he could be closer to his family and he opened up his own practice. In his relentless pursuit of furthering his education, in 2015, he was awarded a Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry, which is the highest honor from the Texas Academy of General Dentistry!

Dr. Lobaina takes pride in his well trained staff, who are committed to providing the best dental care while maintaining a safe and friendly environment. They firmly believe in treating their patients as they would like to be treated themselves and that integrity is an essential part of maintaining a successful business. When you go to Dr. Lobaina for dental care, you can be sure their upmost priority is helping you in the pursuit of your best smile!

There is a very family-friendly atmosphere at the office of Dr. Lobaina. He says one of his most cherished parts of the job is meeting a patient’s family and caring for each of them. Providing the dental care his patients need is number one on his list of to-do’s, but building relationships with his patients is a reward all in itself.

The Nueces Valley District Dental Society, the Corpus Christi Dental Study Club, the American Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry, are all local dental chapters Dr. Lobaina is involved with. While he has a heart for helping those in Corpus, one of his favorite activities takes place a little further away from home! He has been privileged to care for under-served populations in both Nicaragua and Peru on different dental mission trips and plans on doing more of these in the future.

Dr. Lobaina and his staff strive to provide the highest level of dental care for each of their patients. In order to do this, they will always focus on personalized service, keep up to date with current technology, and follow the industry’s best practices. Special last words from Dr. Lobaina? Don’t forget to change your toothbrush! After being sick from a cold, sore throat, or the flu, your toothbrush bristles can hide away germs and this can lead to infection!

DENTAL PROFILES

Benjamin Vela, D.D.S.

VELA DENTAL CENTERS

St. Mary’s University

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

“We’re always striving to be on the forefront of dentistry through advances in technology and techniques” says Dr. Benjamin Vela. As a Corpus Christi native with degrees from St. Mary’s University and UT Health Science Center Dental School – San Antonio, his goal is to bring top notch dentistry and dental procedures to the Coastal Bend. Dr. Vela has practiced in Corpus since 2006 and, as the owner of Vela Dental Centers, has grown the practice to three dental centers by focusing on the patients’ needs, establishing great relationships, and providing consistently excellent results. He is passionate about helping patients love their smile again.

Dr. Vela has consistently continued his advanced education with a multi-disciplinary approach, having attended courses in orthodontics, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, practice management, and surgery. At the forefront of innovation, he is always attempting to provide the most up-to-date dentistry available while maintaining consistent throughout the process. He has received his Fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantology and continues to pursue further designations. Using his extensive experience and knowledge base, his all inclusive office offers a range of services, from simple cleanings and fillings, to full mouth rehabilitation and cosmetics.

In the professional community, he plays an active role in both the American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Vela has received recognition locally and state-wide as an excellent provider, nominated as AGD Texas New Dentist of the Year 2012 and 2014 HealthCare Heroes recipient. In 2018, he was nominated for the prestigious Dentist of the Year award by the Texas Association of General Dentistry.

Dr. Vela is married to Carla and they have three children. They are supporters of Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Triumph Over Kid Cancer along with other local and national organizations in the fight against childhood cancer.

DENTAL PROFILES

Roxanne G. Robertson D.D.S., M.S. STAR ORTHODONTICS

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Valedictorian, Accumulative

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Dr. Robertson was born and raised in Three Rivers, Texas and has lived her entire life in the Coastal Bend. She loves her community and is passionate about serving the families of Corpus Christi and the surrounding area.

When she opened Star Orthodontics, her vision was to build an orthodontic practice that focused on providing excellent patient care and outstanding customer service. Everything about Star Orthodontics is designed with the patient experience in mind – from the extended operating hours (open Saturdays!), cutting edge technology used to diagnose and treat, onsite in-house lab, flexible payment options, the spacious and comfortable office décor, and the many entertainment amenities offered to patients and their families when they visit. Dr. Robertson and her highly trained team are committed to providing quality orthodontic care to every patient and promise to make it a friendly, fun experience along the way.

The team at Star Orthodontics has changed over 26,000 lives by creating healthy, beautiful smiles. Ask any one of them and they’ll tell you their favorite part of the job is the lasting relationships and treasured friendships they create with patients and their families…and that is something to smile about!

Pastel Rendering by Deborah Males

HOME & GARDEN

BOHÈME la isla

ISLAND HOME EXPRESSES INDIVIDUALITY THROUGH BOHEMIAN DECOR

As guests enter the gorgeous Island home of Sarisa Munoz, they are greeted with an eclectic display of bohemian and rustic décor. Her style emphasizes a carefree and colorful vibe that allows her to showcase her unique personality, while embracing an arrangement with no set requirements.

Originally from Oklahoma, Sarisa and her husband were looking for waterfront property. The 4-bedroom, 4-bath home was a perfect fit for the laid-back Island vibe they were looking for.

Sarisa, who operates the Instagram account @the_indigo_leopard_home, obtains many of her décor items from adoring fans around the world. A cherished buffalo painting from Stockholm, Sweden, sits along the curved staircase and blends in beautifully with the rich shades of the walls. Adjacent to the buffalo painting, two black and white sketches by European artist Tove Dalsryd are ensconced in wooden frames, one of them bearing the likeness of Sarisa and her husband. The woven, beaded detail of the Justina Blakeney macramé chandelier hanging over the staircase adds the perfect touch.

While there are no rules or standards for bohemian décor, Sarisa sticks to using combinations of warm earthy colors like deep browns and greens, with accents of jewel tones like fuchsia, electric blue, and rich orange. The combinations of these colors make the style unique and allows her to keep her décor options open. With a mix-and-match aesthetic, Sarisa opts for crochet, macramé, and woven textures as signature embellishments.

Bohemian vibes tend to have certain similarities, but no two rooms are ever completely alike. There is a place for combinations of objects, colors, and patterns from different areas of the world anywhere in the home. “The best thing about Bohemian décor,” says Sarisa, “is that anything goes!” One of her favorite thrift store finds is a wooden peacock headboard. At the time, she had no use for a headboard, but the $0.99 price tag was too good a deal to pass up. After cutting off the legs, she converted it into a fireplace screen that has now become one of the focal points in her living area. A wooden cabinet with ornate detail adorns the living room and is one of Sarisa’s favorite pieces. Although bohemian style is usually filled with saturated colors, the light contrast of the white shade combined with the intricate detail of the cabinet doors adds a chic vintage touch to the living room. Chunky gold mirrors and mosaic candle holders add a bit of glamour to the equation.

Ambient lighting unifies boho vibes, adding an ideal finishing touch to an already calm and welcoming vibe. Sarisa uses jeweled lamps, pendant lighting, table lamps, and tall candle holders displaying jewel-toned candles to provide vintage lighting that sets the mood.

Sometimes, a girl just has to take matters into her own hands when faced with a décor dilemma.

She was less than pleased with the runner on the staircase, but was having difficulty finding a replacement with a fun print. Sarisa let her creativity take the wheel and turned to Wayfair, where she came across a carpet with the perfect print. Since the staircase has a challenging curve, she ordered five 3x5 carpets, and with the help of a handyman and her husband, removed the existing carpet, measured, and fitted the new carpet, totally transforming the staircase and giving it the wow factor it was missing.

Two large brown peacock chairs also received a makeover: To give them a pop of color, she turned to bold paint shades. For the chair outside, she used a can of outdoor waterproof spray in an electric blue shade called “Hello, Handsome,” a name befitting the burst of color that greets guests as they approach the front door. For the second chair, located in the living room, she used the same bold shade of fuchsia used on the wall underneath the staircase. The sunlight from the window allows the bold and bright personality of the fuchsia shade to pop.

The floor in the master bedroom also received a bold and creative makeover. The concrete floor was painted an inviting shade of electric blue, then topped with a Moroccan stencil design in white, giving the floor a unique look. The design of the floor provides the perfect contrast to the boho bedroom décor, giving an exotic feel to the room.

The bathrooms exude the same exotic vibes, from the freestanding bathtub to the strategically placed indoor plants and bright rug. The light from the mosaic candles given to her by an Instagram follower to display, and the paper blinds on the windows, allow for just the right amount of lighting for optimal relaxation.

No Padre Island home is complete without a designated spot for outdoor entertaining. The outdoor cooking area, covered by a Palapa and complete with a grill and swimming pool, is a fantastic spot to gather with friends or simply enjoy an evening with family underneath the beautiful Coastal Bend sunset.

With summer almost upon us, spring only lasts about 3 hours so it’s not worth mentioning, we can finally put away the winter clothes, dust off the flip flops, and get out and enjoy the great South Texas climate! The Coastal Bend has a lot to offer for outdoor activities, and of course Braselton Homes has you covered when lounging in your yard, covered patio, or pool is in the mix. We also just so happen to have your summer time music needs covered, as well!

The beach and the bays are the usual “go to” for most of us, providing the active outdoor enthusiast the opportunity to windsurf/surf, kayak, sail, scuba dive/snorkel, swim, camp and of course, fish. But you can also enjoy the outdoors “close to home” if your home is a Braselton Home. At Braselton Homes we offer neighborhoods near walking/biking trails, parks and lakes. And, in your home you will have a “drop zone” to keep all your outdoor gear stored out of the way, but ready.

Having mentioned all of these great activities, sometimes it’s even better to slow down and relax at home, you could enjoy the sound of the family playing in the pool at home and, maybe the best of all, the smell of the BBQ pit promising a feast. Add in an your beverage of choice, and the makings of a great weekend full of relaxation are yours to enjoy. At Braselton, we offer big backyards with plenty of room for a pool, the kid’s playset, and outdoor games. Take in a game of horseshoes in

your backyard paradise, on those lazy relaxing summer weekends with family and friends. Staying home can be the better option!

And, while you are enjoying the summer, you can also do good, and help people who need help the most. At Braselton, we believe we should give back to the community that has been so good to us, over the last 7 decades. So, with the introduction of Braselton Homes Radio, we made it simple to support local charities and ministries. For each download of the Braselton Homes Radio App, you not only get to listen to Classic Rock with a Coastal Flavor, at no cost, but you also get to help find good work in the Corpus Christi Area. So, while you are listening to good music, relaxing at the beach, or in your backyard, you can also use the link in the App to donate even more, to one of the many charities listed. To get the Braselton Radio App, just search “Braselton Homes Radio” in the Apple store or Google Play.

And, if you need a better backyard, you can visit any one of our 7 fully furnished Model Homes, found in the most Desirable Neighborhoods in the Corpus Christi Bay Area; for a map, and more information, visit us at Braeltonhomes.com. And, there’s always good music playing in the Model Homes... Classic Coastal Rock.

See you in the neighborhood, Bart Braselton

BART BRASELTON

Bart Braselton is the Executive Vice President of Braselton Homes, the Coastal Bend’s oldest and largest Homebuilder and Neighborhood Developer. Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Bart is the third generation of The Braselton family building in the Bay Area. Returning to Corpus Christi after earning a BBA in Finance, as well as a second degree in Real Estate, from the University of Texas, at Austin, Braselton began working in the family business as a construction superintendent. Since then, Braselton Homes has won numerous local, state, and national awards, including the Energy Star Leadership in Housing Award, as well as the Environments for Living Diamond Award for Energy Efficiency. And, the company has grown into one of the Nation’ s Largest Homebuilders, earning consistent rankings in the annual lists compiled by both Professional Builder, as well as Builder Magazine. Bart, a graduate of Leadership Corpus Christi Class 18, has served on numerous local community and business boards, including the Coastal Bend Green Built Initiative, Bay Area Smart Growth, and the Police Foundation. Presently, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Community Development Corporation, the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, the Builders Association and the Corpus Christi Business and Job Development Corporation. Braselton and his wife, Michelle, have 2 young children at home, and are active, with Braselton Homes, in community and church organizations throughout the city, including the American Heart Association, the ECF Community Center, and the Food Bank.

GARDEN

is on the horizon and that calls for a celebration!

While most people’s instinct might be to go out and enjoy a nice Sunday brunch, we’re opting for a cozier route. This year, celebrate all the wonderful things your mom has done by bringing her breakfast in bed!

There is no need to prepare a five course meal (although, if you want a mountain of pancakes with all the breakfast sides, we aren’t here to stop you). Instead, stock up on her favorite pastries and fruits! This allows for an headache-free set up and can even be purchased the day before. Just make sure to toast up those croissants before plating. Plus, the greatest part about this idea is that it is the thought that counts!

Find a tray around your house and fill it with goodies that will put a smile on mom’s face. Flowers are a sure way to brighten up your set up. Find out what her favorite flowers are and place them in a vase on the tray. An added bonus? Flowers double as both beautiful décor and a gift! Then, whip up your mom’s favorite morning cocktail. We went for the classic mimosa with pineapple juice and a couple of berries dropped in.

Opt for a cozy Mother’s Day set up with breakfast in bed

BY: KYLIE COOPER

STYLED BY: JOANNE HOWELL

PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

Use various sized plates to hold your different food items. This helps with keeping everything tidy and also adds an extra stylistic element to your set up as a whole. Finish it off with a little gift that will warm your mothers heart – like this quaint box filled with inspirational quotes on beautiful graphic papers.

However you choose to celebrate mom on this special day, do it in style (and with local goods)!

Select decor items are available for purchase at Thirteen & Market

Pastries from Bien Mérité

Mother’s Day

South Texas Since 1947

CORPUS CHRISTI PAIN MEDICINE,

Gabriel Lopez, M.D.

Gabriel Lopez, M.D.

Gabriel Lopez, M.D.

Board

Board Certified in Pain Medicine

Fellowship Trained in Pain Medicine

Rudy Garza, M.D.

Rudy Garza, M.D.

Are you suffering from Chronic Pain?

Are you suffering from Chronic Pain?

Dr. Lopez may be able to help.

Dr. Lopez may be able to help.

Board Eligible in Pain Medicine Fellowship Trained in Pain Medicine

Board Eligible in Pain Medicine

Fellowship Trained in Pain Medicine

• Treatment options include injections that reduce or alleviate pain and/or a variety of pain relieving medications

• Treatment options include injections that reduce or alleviate pain and/or a variety of pain relieving medications

* Treating all types of chronic pain

* Treating all types of chronic pain

* Most insurances accepted

* Most insurances accepted

• Treating all types of chronic pain including, but not limited to back, neck, joint, muscle, leg, arm, hip, knee, pelvic, abdominal, headache, shingles and diabetic pain.

• Treating all types of chronic pain including, but not limited to back, neck, joint, muscle, leg, arm, hip, knee, pelvic, abdominal, headache, shingles and diabetic pain.

* Both Drs. are fluent in Spanish

* Both Drs. are fluent in Spanish

SPID Corpus Christi, TX 78415

• Accepting new patients by self or physician referral depending on insurance.

• Accepting new patients by self or physician referral depending on insurance.

TX 78415

Located bet ween Kostor yz & Weber)

Located bet ween Kostor yz & Weber) www.ccpainmed.com | “Se Habla Español”

• Accepting Medicare, Spohn, Humana, BCBS, Humana Gold, Cigna, Tricare, Aetna, United Health Care, BCBS Blue Advantage, Workers Comp insurance and Christus Health Silver.

• Accepting Medicare, Spohn, Humana, BCBS, Humana Gold, Cigna, Tricare, Aetna, United Health Care, BCBS Blue Advantage, Workers Comp insurance and Christus Health Silver.

Specializing in Interventional Pain | Fellowship Trained in Pain Medicine

Specializing in Interventional Pain | Fellowship Trained in Pain Medicine

Board Certified in Pain Medicine by the American

Board Certified in Pain Medicine by the American Board of Anesthesiology 3825 SPID Corpus Christi, Tx 78415 (Located between Kostoryz & Weber) 361.225.0089 • www.ccpainmed.com • “Se Habla Español”

PLAYING by the BOOKS

A locally owned and independent bookstore accessible to all in our community

BY: LAURA SHAVER

PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

Nestled behind CHRISTUS Spohn Shoreline Hospital on Ayers Street is a cozy indie bookstore that offers a broad selection of books for children and adults, as well as hallmark gifts and knick-knacks, including some for those in the medical profession, and medical supplies. Owner Dr. Jimie Owsley, trauma-critical care surgeon for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, opened the store in 2016 to boost reading levels for all ages and to serve the community in which she is privileged to live.

By the Book isn’t only a little spot to browse through titles and find a comfy spot to read to yourself or to little ones: it also hosts numerous community activities, including readings by local authors and book signings, board game tournaments, and CPR and First Aid classes. The bookstore also accepts reservations for school field trips and children’s birthday parties that can include sing-alongs, board games, live music, puppet shows, and face paintings.

By the Book is proud to continue to remain accessible to the public for all ages and all reading levels, offering hundreds of books in genres such as fiction, non-fiction, autobiography, medical, world history, math, English, finance, legal, children’s literature, and much more.

Dr. Owsley, who also owns a private practice clinic for surgical consultants, is a highly esteemed medical professional. She has received numerous military awards for her service abroad as a medical specialist and general surgeon, including the Army Service Ribbon, Unit National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, Global War on Terrorism Service, and the Bronze Star. After completing her medical doctorate degree and earning a master’s degree in pathology from Chicago Medical School, Dr. Owsley served at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Benning, Georgia, before deployment to Iraq.

Back home in Texas after her son was born, she was advised by a speech pathologist to read, read, and read some more to her young son who showed hearing loss at birth. By reading ten books to him each day, she was able to assist him in overcoming speech delays. Throughout this time, the family collected hundreds of books, and Dr. Owsley found a passion to help others improve their reading skills.

In January of this year, By the Book began a new initiative to boost children’s literacy levels in the Coastal Bend area by giving away one free book every day to a child, as well as a parent or teacher, so they can freely access a book of interest. One book is given away every day through the bookstore’s Facebook page. Supporters are shown a picture of the book of the day and encouraged to come by to pick up the copy – first to come is the only to receive!

Recently, several local artists came together and painted a Harry Potter mural along an exterior wall of the bookstore, bringing the vibrant colors found inside to the exterior of the store, as well. The inspiration came, in part, from Dr. Owsley’s daughter’s love for the series of fantasy books, and from the newly opened Coffee Muggle, a Harry Potter-themed coffee shop located just around the corner from By the Book.

The bright colors outside help to beckon Harry Potter fans and other avid readers into the store, where any curious customer will find a local beacon run by both passionate readers and passionate leaders.

Contact:

702 Ayers St, Corpus Christi, TX 78404

@bythebookbookstore bythebookbookstore.com

SHADES of WHITE, ROSE GOLD,&BLUSH

A grand coming of age celebration

BY: JOANNE HOWELL PHOTOS BY: LILLIAN JEAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Coastal chic took on a whole new meaning for Roselyn’s debutante party. Guests were instructed to wear an all-white ensemble for the occasion. Each attendee’s wardrobe fit with the aesthetic of the décor as the color palette was strictly shades of white, rose gold, and blush. Oversized balloon installations were artfully placed at the entrance to greet guests in both a fun and elegant way.

The outdoor celebration was enjoyed as the sun set and a light coastal breeze made its way across the venue. Guests enjoyed delicious appetizers all throughout the evening as well as homemade gelato served from a fun cart. Custom desserts were also stationed around for guests to enjoy at their leisure. Consciously curated molded chocolates, cupcakes, monogrammed cake pops and more were just as delicious as they were beautiful!

The white bamboo lounge areas were stationed in front of the stage as live music by country music star, Curtis Grimes, played the night away. An exciting electric dance mix was also played by a DJ played to finish the night off with a bang. Dancing on the custom monogrammed dance floor was where the party was at.

Coordination:

JoAnne Howell, Oh Goodie Designs + Events

Venue: Palmilla Beach, Port Aransas

Floral: Sandra Sauceda

WE AT AMERICAN BANK HAVE GREATLY APPRECIATED THE FANTASTIC SERVICE & OUTSTANDING FOOD ASSOCIATED WITH WATER STREET EVENTS. WHETHER IT’S A SMALL, INTIMATE GATHERING OR LARGE COMPANY EVENT, YOUR TEAM HAS GONE ABOVE & BEYOND TO MEET & EXCEED OUR EXPECTATIONS. WE CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON BEING SERVED OUTSTANDING FOOD WITH IMPECCABLE SERVICE AT A REASONABLE PRICE. AS A LOCAL CORPUS CHRISTI HEADQUARTERED BANK, AMERICAN BANK PREFERS TO WORK WITH HIGH QUALITY LOCAL FIRMS LIKE WATER STREET.

-AMERICAN BANK

EVENTS TO KNOW

FESTIVAL

Buc Days Carnival May 2nd - 12th

Live music, pirate acts, amusements, and over 50 rides for all ages – it is that time of year once again! Bring the whole family out and enjoy tons of activities such as a petting zoo, pony rides, live music, entertainment, games, crafts, food vendors, and so much more. Don’t miss either of the two parades (May 4th and 11th) which are time honored traditions here in the Coastal Bend!

Downtown Corpus Christi

COMMUNITY

WES Spring Gift Market May 11th

The second annual WES:CC Spring Gift Market is the perfect way to get out and celebrate all things local. The gift market, which just so happens to be right before Mother’s Day, will feature 25 different women and locally owned businesses filled with all sorts of goods. Bring the whole family and get a little retail therapy done.

BUS, 702 N. Chaparral St.

ENTERTAINMENT

New Kids on the Block: The MixTape Tour May 13th

Catch New Kids On The Block at the American Bank Center! The band will be making a stop in Corpus Christi on their “The MixTape Tour” and will be bringing all your favorite '80s and '90s hits along with them. The tour also features Salt-N-Pepa, Debbie Gibson, Tiffany, and Naughty By Nature. It’s safe to say this event will most certainly get you in your nostalgic feels. Tickets online at Ticketmaster.

American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline

FESTIVAL

44th Annual Beach to Bay Relay

Marathon May 18th

From the beach to the bay, this is one of the largest relay marathons in the country! The annual six-person relay running event celebrates Armed Forces Day and honors the men and women serving and protecting our country. All proceeds from Beach to Bay go to local charities right here in the Coastal Bend. Plus, after you finish the race, there is a fun celebration for the whole family.

beachtobayrelay.com

FESTIVAL

Taste of Asia May 18th

Interested in learning about various Asian nation's customs and history? Join the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures and Education Center for Korean Day in celebration of the culture! Taste cuisine, participate in activities, and spend the day learning about cultures around the world.

Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures and Education Center, 1809 N. Chaparral St.

FESTIVAL

Rockport Festival of Wine & Food 2019 May 25th - 26th

The annual Rockport Festival of Wine & Food is an event you don’t want to miss! This year’s festival will feature over 100 varieties of wines, food demonstrations, vendor booths, local artists, live music, and more. The event helps raise funds for the Texas Maritime Museum as well as providing fun for the whole family!

Texas Maritime Museum, 1202 Navigation

CATTLE BARON'S: COASTAL COUTURE

Pham

1. Taylor Creel, Kayla McMains, Alexa Gignac, Laurie Mintz, Juliana Carlisle, and Jennifer Butler 2. Drew Creel, Kayla McMains, and Caitlin Shook 3. Galen Hoffstadt, Lori Dellinger, and Lynn Allison 4. Brenda Leal-Flores, and Cindie Deleon 5. Lauren Warren, Natalie Forbes, and Jarrett Atherton 6. Sofie Pacurar, Nick Gignac, and Pearl

7. Elham Azali, Natasa Davis, Stephanie Fernandez, and Fidel Fernandez

PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

PREGNANCY CENTER

COASTAL BEND BANQUET

1. Bryan & Jordan Parker 2. Christopher & Tressa Majka 3. Dara & Zach Frandsen 4. Colby & Sarah Wiltes

5. Dara & Zach Frandsen 6. Anthony & Ashleigh Gurrola 7. Georgianna Henderson and Beth Sprinkle

ANNAPOLIS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY WARRIOR GALA

1. Rob & Jan George, Dr Chad & Amy Allen 2. Travis Lockyer, Ryan & Monica Sawyer 3. Caleb & Sarah Derrick

4. Chris & Christina Clark 5. Kimberly & Jim DeVisser 6. Kent & Jana Oliver, and Shelby & Weston Hawkins 7. Rose Mary Garza, Andrew Lopez, Dr Mary Jane Garza, Christina Cisneros, and Ricardo Guzman

PHOTOS

KENT ULLBERG:

CELEBRATING THE WILD AND WONDERFUL

ON VIEW

MAY 18 – AUGUST 18, 2019

IMAGES LEFT TO RIGHT (DETAILS OF): Kent Ullberg (American, b. 1945), Great Arch, 2000, bronze, 12 in. x 17 in. x 17 in., collection of Veerle and Kent Ullberg; Kent Ullberg, (American, b. 1945), Waiting for Sockeye, 1994, bronze, 32 in. x 48 in. x 20 in., from the Corpus Christi Art Connection Gallery

CUISINE

In the midst of downtown’s evolution, comes another new local spot. Lucy’s Snackbar has opened their doors on Chaparral Street and will be serving up wine, beer, coffee beverages, and whole other slew of goods!

HANDMADE MEMORIES

a nostalgic trip back to nonna's kitchen, with three courses of pasta perfection

KAYLA BUTTS PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

ome of my fondest childhood memories around the age of 7 or 8, were spent in my grandmother’s kitchen, making concoctions of flour, water, and eggs. Hours were spent exacting the precise ratio of wet and dry ingredients to get the perfect sticky (but not too sticky) consistency. I took even greater care choosing the flavorings, my nose discriminating between the full, dusty bottle of marjoram and the sweet, woody smell of French toast.

I shook salt out of the mushroom-shaped shaker into my favorite Pyrex bowl – the one with the olive green flowers. I imagined myself in Nonna’s kitchen, a wood-burning fireplace for an oven and a broom handle for a rolling pin. The ceiling of her Italian villa was hidden behind drying peppers and copper pots. Her walls reverberated her musings on panna cotta and pan sauces. She revealed to me the secrets of navigating life while rolling out the perfect pasta.

My Nan always seemed to come home as I was rolling out my own dough, sometimes with a commemorative action figure glass or a sweaty, pasty palm. She’d saunter in after a long day selling eyeglasses, shed her handbag and low heel pumps, then come to an abrupt halt when her eyes set upon the all-purpose floured patina of her once harvest gold countertops. Picking up a dripping egg shell from the floor she scolded me back to my room, or wherever, anywhere other than her kitchen.

As most children of single, working moms, my adolescence was a blur of strawberry toaster strudels and hot pocket wrappers, except for the occasional home cooked meal. Mom determinedly bustled around the 7’x4’ galley kitchen ladling gravy onto fried pork chops and skewering boiled potatoes to check for doneness. My recurring assignment was to nuke the veggies. One seemingly ordinary evening, with my teen angst and belligerence at an all-time high, I drifted back to Nonna’s kitchen, smelling of freshly baked bread and fennel. I imagined her skillfully peeling the skins from blanched tomatoes for her signature puttanesca. Carelessly wrapping the dish of frozen peas with aluminum foil instead of plastic wrap, I daydream of culinary magic as it should be done, Nonna’s way, and press the start button.

A few moments later, amidst yelping and cursing and failed attempts at extinguishing the flames, I was unceremoniously ushered out of the kitchen by my own mother, presumably to start amassing my meager savings toward a new microwave. “Nonna would never have microwaved her precious heirloom eggplants,” I angrily thought.

Now, stirring to the hum of the stainless steel vent hood, my two girls and I make our own memories in the kitchen. We make oddly-shaped pancakes, cookies with scorched edges, and over-mixed blueberry muffins. There is no earthen fireplace oven. There is no Tuscan hillside dotted with tomato plants. There is no all-knowing Nonna. There are the occasional disasters. But sometimes, there is magic. On this day, there is perfect pasta. And always, there is the tradition of us, together, in the kitchen.

Pasta Dough

Serves 8

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 3-5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup semola flour*

2 cups 00 flour*

1 tsp kosher salt

2 whole eggs, plus 3 egg yolks

2 tbsp olive oil

1/3 - 1/2 cup water

*All-purpose flour is a perfectly acceptable substitute for these Italian flours.

Directions:

In the bowl of your standing mixer, whisk together flours and salt. Fit your standing mixer with the dough hook and stir in eggs (reserve egg whites to use for the ravioli, or another use), olive oil, and 1/3 cup water on medium-low speed (if dough remains dry and crumbly, add an additional 1 tbsp of water at a time, until a soft dough forms). Mix for 3 minutes until dough is smooth. Let dough rest at room temperature for least 20 minutes.

Using a pasta machine or rolling pin, roll pasta out into 1/16” thick sheets. Lay pasta on floured parchment paper and cut as desired. Once cut, hang to dry or use immediately. Cooking time will vary depending on the freshness of the pasta.

– If using a pasta machine, roll out dough on the thickest setting at least 6 times, adding flour to the surface of the dough and your hands if it starts to stick. Cut the dough into manageable lengths using a sharp knife or pizza cutter once it starts to stretch. Note: this job is easier with a second pair of hands. Continue to pass the dough through the pasta machine, folding it in half lengthwise, each time adjusting the side knob to a thinner setting until you reach desired thickness. (All the pasta in recipes call for thinnest pasta machine setting).

– If rolling with a pin, flour a large work surface well. Cut dough into four pieces and roll each out until desired thickness (1/16” for these recipes) is reached. Once you feel that you’ve got the dough thin enough, you’ll likely need to roll it out once more.

For squid ink pasta: Substitute 1 tbsp olive oil for 1 tbsp cuttlefish ink. Whisk eggs, ink, and olive oil together before adding to dry ingredients.

Hand-Rolled Pasta with My Favorite Marinara

Serves 6

Prep time: 45 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

Pasta dough

2 tbsp olive oil

½ medium onion, diced

2 carrots, peeled and diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp red pepper flakes

Splash of dry, red wine

26 oz crushed canned tomatoes

½ cup fresh basil, chopped

Directions:

Put 4 quarts of salted water over high heat in a large pot. Roll out pasta dough using a pasta machine or rolling pin to 1/16” thickness. Cut dough into 1”x2” rectangles using a pizza or pasta cutter. Pinch the dough in the center to create bowties, or starting at a long corner, roll the pasta in on itself, making a tubular shape. Have fun experimenting with shapes and boil your favorites for 2-3 minutes.

In a large, deep-sided pan heat olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add carrots and onion, cooking for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic, salt, pepper, and red wine. Cook an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until wine mostly cooks out. Add tomatoes and cook to boiling, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow sauce to cool slightly. Add sauce and basil to a food processor or blender and blend until large chunks have been broken down.

Spoon sauce over prepared pasta and serve with parmesan shavings.

Portobello Mushroom Ravioli

Serves 4

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 7 minutes

Ingredients:

Prepared pasta dough

Filling:

1 portobello mushroom, chopped

¼ cup ricotta cheese

1/8 cup mascarpone cheese

½ cup shredded parmigiana reggiano

2 tsp packed, fresh mint

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

Sauce:

1 ½ cup heavy cream

2 tbsp butter

¼ cup parmigiana reggiano

¼ cup mascarpone cheese

Garnish with ¼ cup fresh mint

Directions:

In a food processor, combine filling ingredients. Pulse mixture, scraping down the sides, until a smooth paste is formed.

Put 4 quarts of salted water over high heat in a large pot. Roll out pasta dough using a pasta machine or rolling pin to 1/16” thickness. On one sheet of pasta, spoon 1 tbsp filling, leaving

a ½” - ¾” border on all sides. Once the sheet is filled, brush a thin layer of egg white on the exposed dough surrounding each tablespoon of filling.

Cover filling with a second sheet of pasta, pressing gently to adhere the pasta around the filling, taking care to remove any air bubbles. Using a knife or pasta cutter, cut out ravioli to desired size. Boil ravioli for 1-2 minutes, until al dente, or as desired.

In a sauce pan, combine ingredients for sauce over low heat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce begins to thicken. Add pasta to sauce and garnish with mint.

Squid Ink Fettucine with Seared Scallops

Serves 4

Cook time: 60 minutes

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 pint cherry tomatoes

Squid ink pasta dough

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp olive oil

2 lbs sea scallops

½ cup dry white wine

Juice of 1 lemon

½ tsp salt

8 large leaves fresh basil, chiffonade

Directions:

Cut tomatoes in half and place evenly spaced out on a baking sheet. Cook at 200°F for 60 minutes.

While tomatoes cook, put 4 quarts of salted water over high heat in a large pot. Roll out pasta dough using a pasta machine or rolling pin to 1/16” thickness. Using a pasta roller or pasta machine, cut dough into fettucine. Hang fettucine on a clean plastic hanger or pasta rack to prevent from sticking to one another. Once water is boiling, cook pasta for 2 minutes, or until desired doneness is reached. Strain and set aside.

In a large sauté pan, melt butter in olive oil over medium-high heat. Once fat is hot, sear scallops for about 1 ½ minutes on each side. Transfer scallops to a clean plate. Reduce heat to medium low and immediately add white wine. Cook for 2 minutes, add lemon juice and salt. Cook for an additional 3 minutes and add in prepared pasta.

Serve pasta topped with scallops, dehydrated tomatoes, and basil chiffonade.

NONE OF DOWNTOWN’S NEWEST FIXTURES IS WHAT SNACK BAR DREAMS ARE MADE OF

BY: LAURA SHAVER PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

estled along Chaparral, in Corpus Christi’s ever-evolving downtown district, Lucy’s Snackbar has opened its doors. Right next door to the Texas Surf Museum, Lucy’s boasts a soothing color palette of neutrals and forest green, with unique vintage and industrial touches spread throughout. The spot, which is conveniently located for downtown goers and inhabitants, will serve as a new way for locals to get their mornings started or wind their evenings down.

Lucy’s offers coffee and a small, but eclectic breakfast menu, as well as experimental lunch and dinner menus, gratifying snacks, and beer and wine on tap. Food options include buckwheat waffles, breakfast and lunch grain bowls – featuring a variety of lean protein and fresh, roasted vegetables – and hearty snacks, such as biscuits with butter and prosciutto. And, there are always pastries on hand.

“It’s the perfect space for people to come by in the morning and grab what they need for the day, or come by in the evening and head back to their apartments with refreshments in hand,” says co-owner Jessica Gignac.

Of course, downtown residents and visitors alike are welcome to come in and hang out. Co-owners and siblings Jessica Gignac and Justin Ganain, who are also co-owners of Eleanor’s Coffee Bar + Market and The Goldfish, recently opened Lucy’s doors to bring another new space to Corpus Christi, and more specifically, the downtown area. Using a load of reclaimed wood and various lost-and-found treasures, Jessica and Justin decorated the cozy space with a contemporary feel, catering to downtown residents. A few bistro tables will line the walkway just outside the front door, so customers can also sit outside and enjoy themselves.

Lucy’s Snackbar includes a retail space with packaged meals and snacks, as well as beer and wine to go. Included in the mix are various knickknacks for sale – mostly kitchen and small home goods.

“We just love the downtown area, and we love working with the people and businesses all around us,” Gignac says. “We heard over and over that the residents here needed a little snack bar where they could get a good breakfast or a good drink after work, and we are happy to provide that.”

As the number of new businesses in the downtown area continues to grow, Lucy’s Snackbar is a much welcomed addition. Whether you plan on making it your new go-to coffee spot or simply need a new corkscrew for your home, Lucy’s Snackbar is here and ready to serve.

DINING GUIDE

AMERICAN

8TE $

A shabby chic interior that features classic comfort dishes with a modern twist! Serving brunch, lunch, and dinner. 1220 Airline Rd. #250, (361) 723-0261, facebook.com/8tecctx

ANDY’S COUNTRY KITCHEN $

You will feel right at home just like eat’n in mom’s kitchen. Great southern comfort food that gets back to the basics! 5802 S Staples St, (361) 993-0251, Andyskitchen.com

ATOMIC OMELETTE & GRILL $

Omelettes are just the beginning here! Comfortable atmosphere with a flavor for casual dining and handmade family recipes. 6313 Wooldridge Rd #10, (361) 334-3942, Atomicomelette.com

CITRUS BAYFRONT BISTRO $

Enjoy casual homestyle dishes with everything homemade, even down to the pie crusts, and all with a gorgeous view of the marina. 100 N Shoreline Blvd, (361) 882-2047, Citrusbistro.com

HAMLIN FOUNTAIN & GIFTS $

With bold purpose and flavor craving taste buds, they set forth a new twist on local fare and many culinary delights from islands around the globe. 3801 Staples St, (361) 853-7303, hamlinfg.com

HOEGEMEYER’S BBQ $$

Smoked fresh barbeque on a strong German heritage background and a satisfaction for something unique. South Texas barbeque that comes from the heart. 711 Concrete St, (361) 884-4227, Hoegemeyers.com

IRIE’S ISLAND FOOD $

With bold purpose and flavor craving taste buds, they set forth a new twist on local fare and many culinary delights from islands around the globe. 503 N Alister St, (361) 749-2310, Iriesislandfood.com

PADRE ISLAND BURGER COMPANY $$

Burgers, burgers, and burgers! Build it yourself or choose from their handcrafted menu. 11878 TX-361, (361) 949-3490, Padreislandburgercompany.com

POETS FAMILY RESTAURANT $

A hidden gem among life-long locals, Poets is a family style restaurant serving up a wide array of delicious home cooking. You’ll be greeted with smiling faces, laughs, and of course their complimentary chips and salsa. 4825 Saratoga Blvd, (361) 993-2170

SURFSIDE SANDWICH SHOPPE $

Dine inside or outside on the patio, and enjoy their large assortment of sandwiches and sides or have a nice cold beverage. Don’t forget the homemade desserts! 15113 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 949-0505, surfsidesandwichshoppe.com

THE BLUE CLOVE $$

CORPUS CHRISTI PADRE ISLAND

PORT ARANSAS

Indulge in the art of food with The Blue Cove. Family owned and served with love, this quaint little place will soon become your go-to spot for a weekend bite. 1945 Horne Rd, (361) 8552927, facebook.com/TheBlueClove

THE GLASS PAVILION $$$

Casual hotel eatery offering simple American mains and views of the sea. Did we mention they also offer a breakfast buffet? Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! 2nd Floor Omni Corpus Christi Hotel, 900 N Shoreline Blvd, (361) 887-1600, Omnihotels.com

THE POST $$

Enjoy this popular gastro-pub with delicious dishes that are meant to be shared, along side a beer or cocktail of course! 3850 S Alameda, (361) 452-0907, thepostlamarpark.com

TOWN & COUNTRY CAFÉ $

This down-to-earth diner serves the best in homestyle American comfort food for breakfast and lunch. 4228 S Alameda St, (361) 9920360, Facebook.com/town-country-cafe

ASIAN

AKA SUSHI $$

Creative and daring rolls that work well together. The authentic Asian cuisine is made by a masterful chef with scratch recipes that will blow your mind. 415 Water St, (361) 882-885, Facebook.com/akasushidowntowncc

SANG’S IMPERIAL CAFÉ $$

Culturally dynamic décor brings an international ambiance to the atmosphere. Their commitment to the freshest food shows through from the dishes to the sushi bar. 4650 Corona Dr, (361) 808-8881, Facebook.com/imperialcafe

VIETNAM RESTAURANT $$$

Local fine dining restaurawith an extensive menu and eye catching Vietnamese culture spread throughout the dining area. 701 N Water St, (361) 853-2682, Vietnam-restaurant.com

Z COUNTER $

It is all about combining fusion concepts with the authentic flavors of famous street dishes from Asia, including Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, China and more. 51220 Airline Rd #155, (361) 991-1115, z-counter.com

BAR&GRILL

BOATHOUSE BAR & GRILL $$

The best thing about the Boathouse Bar & Grill is that there’s something for everyone; a mouthwatering menu, full bars with HDTVs, all on waterfront patio dining. 15241 Leeward Dr, (361) 589-9601, Boathousepadreisland.com

ROCKPORT OUTDOOR SEATING

LIVE MUSIC

BREWSTER STREET ICE HOUSE $$

Who says that you can’t have 4-star food in a casual environment? Not the Brewster Street Grill! Bring your kids or stay for a concert, they have it all. 1724 N Tancahua, (361) 884-2739, Brewsterstreet.net

EXECUTIVE SURF CLUB $

The most beloved casual dive dining spot serving up the best in burgers, beer and live music. Make sure to stop by on Tuesday nights for $2 Pints! 1724 N Tancahua, (361) 884-2739, Brewsterstreet.net

FINS GRILL AND ICEHOUSE $$

For years they’ve featured fresh seafood, 1/2 lb. Angus beef burgers and delicious chicken dishes plus a full bar. They’re also home to the “You Hook ‘Em, We Cook ‘Em” service for all the fisherman out there. 420 West Cotter, (361) 749-8646, Finsgrillandicehouse.com

STINGRAY’S TAPHOUSE AND GRILL $$

An industrial-chic elite sports bar that provides you ‘raving fans’ a unique dining and entertaining experience, right around the corner from the beach! 401 Beach St, (361)749-2287, Stingraystaphouse.com

CAFÉ

GREEN LIGHT COFFEE SOUTHSIDE $

A true triple threat, GLC Southside features a coffee shop, full bar, and delicious bakery in a trendy, casual atmosphere perfect for gathering with friends. 3819 S Alameda St., (361) 225-4663, fillingoodbakery.com

HESTERS CAFE $

This legendary local cafe and coffee bar serves up invintive breakfast and lunch dishes with a focus on fresh, quality ingredients. 3812 S Alameda St, (361) 855-1892, hesterscafe.com

JB’S GERMAN BAKERY $

Committed to maintaining the highest German standard, every product is handmade following age-old German traditions and recipes. 15137 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 949-5474, Jbsgermanbakery.com

SUGARBAKERS $

Made from scratch French and European cuisine with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The perfect spot for a simple breakfast or lunch with the family. 2766 Santa Fe St, (361) 884-9541, sugarbakerscc.com

FRENCH

DRAGONFLY $$$

A multitude of international backgrounds to the cuisine prepared entirely from scratch daily by the owner and culinary artist. The menu is full of unforgettable flavor profiles to satisfy any craving. 14701 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 949-2224

ITALIAN

BELLA LUNA DOWNTOWN $$

Authentic gourmet Italian cuisine always made fresh to order in the heart of The Marina Arts District. 429 Schatzell St, (361) 887-4777, Bellalunadowntown.com

BELLINO’S $$

Comfortable and welcoming with a trattoria style authentic cuisine. You won’t find these dishes anywhere else in Corpus Christi! 3815 S Alameda St, (361) 814-8998, 523 S. Fulton Beach Rd, (361) 729-9003, Bellinostexas.com

HOUSE OF ROCK $

Top notch pizza and appetizers, cold beer, cocktails, and live entertainment! Does it get any better? 511 Starr St, (361) 882-7625, Texashouseofrock.ticketfly.com

PADRE PIZZERIA $

For over 15 years, their famous Padre pizza dough is handmade, hand-tossed and prepared daily. 14493 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 949-0787, Padrepizzeria.com

PORT “A” PIZZERIA $$

Bring the kids, as this family-friendly pizzeria offers an all-day buffet, video games and draft beer. Or, order straight off the menu! 407 E Avenue G, (361) 749-5226,

TRATTORIA TADDEI $

The chef’s recipes and experience, all with a genuine Italian flavor, from his home region’s traditional cuisine passed from generation to generation over many centuries. 920 Louisiana Ave, (361) 884-4400, Trattoriataddei.com

VENETIAN HOT PLATE $$$

Quality cuisine and a quaint, yet energetic atmosphere, giving a real touch of Italy. 232 Beach St, (361) 749-7617, Venetianhotplate.com

MEXICAN

HI-HO RESTAURANT $

One of the oldest, and most cherished taquerias in town, Hi-Ho’s is undoubtedly the go-to place for breakfast tacos. 3703 Morgan Ave, (361) 888-4992

LA PLAYA BY THE BAY $$

A vibrant, bi-level Tex-Mex eatery and full service bar in a contemporary, colorful space with large outdoor seating right in the heart of downtown Corpus Christi. And that view! 227 N Water St, (361) 885-7702

RESTAURANT SAN JUAN $

A down-to-earth, colorful hacienda-themed atmosphere with an extensive Mexican menu, including whole fish, fajitas, and breakfast! 410 Cut-Off Rd, (361) 749-6521

ROSITA’S TACO SHOP $

This family-owned-and-operated taco shop in Rockport serves up some of the most delicious tacos and Mexican dishes in the Coastal Bend. 402 E Market St, (361) 790-8513

SONNY’S BARBACOA $

This quaint taco shop is the place to go if you’re searching for barbacoa. Using only

prime cuts of meat to assure the freshest, a best tasting tacos around, Sonny’s Barbacoa is no joke. 4066 S. Port Ave, (361) 808-7711

SEAFOOD

BLACK MARLIN BAR & GRILL $$$

Sit indoors, sit outdoors, see the Gulf Coast from any seat in the house while diving into top-quality coastal cuisine, live music and the best views around. 258 Snapdragon, (361) 749-4653, Blackmarlinbarandgrill.com

COSTA SUR WOK & CEVICHE BAR $$

This cevicheria is a true Peruvian party on your palette. The dishes are exciting, fresh takes on traditional dishes from South America. Perfect for ending a long beach day.

15113 S Padre Island Dr #101, (361) 945-8303, Costasurcc.com

GLOW $$

From a renovated boathouse, they offer simply-cooked bistro fare using the best local seafood and produce. Bright, relaxed atmosphere with white-washed ship lap wood walls and a full bar. 1815 Broadway St, (361) 727-2644, Glowrockport.com

HARRISON’S LANDING $$

Local waterfront treasure serving up the best in casual dining, relaxed happy hour, and leisure shopping experiences. 108 Peoples St, (361) 881-8503, harrisonslanding.net

LANCE'S BLACK SHEEP BISTRO $$

A unique, trendy atmosphere that transcends age and style with a menu full of foods rich, colorful, and full of flavor. 15201 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 949-4819, Blacksheepbistro.net

LATITUDE 28˚02’ $$$

Contemporary dining experience specializing in tasty fresh, local seafood. Eye-catching walls that serve as a gallery space, holding colorful works by local artists. 105 N Austin St, (361) 727-9009, Latituderockport.com

LISABELLA’S BISTRO $$$

Casual coastal elegance with a family-friendly setting. The menu boasts a remarkable gourmet twist to your favorite fare, and a full bar that goes beyond just ordinary. 5009 Hwy 361, (361) 749-4222, Cinnamonshore.com

RED FISH WILLIES WATERFRONT GRILL $$

Enjoy a casual laid back evening of fine dining, there is something for all seafood lovers at Willie’s. With a vast menu and award-winning dishes, you won’t be disappointed. 322 Huff St., 361.758.9991, redfishwillies.com

ROCK & ROLLS SUSHI LOUNGE $$

At Rock & Rolls, they’re dishing out the most delectable and delicate fish from islands all over the world. Delight in a cold appetizer then “plug in” for some rolls and sashimi! 15121 S Padre Island Dr #101, (361) 949-1110, Rockandrollssushi.com

ROOSEVELT’S AT THE TARPON INN $$$

Gourmet dining at its finest in a beautiful Louisiana style home that sets the perfect tone for a taste of luxury. Historic background gives a unique sense of its famous visitors. 200 E Cotter Ave, (361)749-1540, Rooseveltsatthetarponinn.com

SCUTTLEBUTT’S BAR & GRILL $$

Extensive menu makes sure to have something for everyone. Food made from scratch from the dressings to the burger patties. Make sure to stop by during happy hour for drink specials. 14254 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 949-6769, Scuttlebuttsbarandgrill.com

SNOOPY’S PIER $

Outdoor dining experience and local harvested quality with an on-site fish house and shrimp breading facility that enables the freshness. 13313 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 949-8815, Snoopyspier.com

THE BOILING POT $$

Roll up your sleeves and take manners to a new level for a great Cajun experience. 201 S Fulton Beach Rd, (361) 729-6972

WATER STREET OYSTER BAR $$

Long-standing and beloved Corpus Christi landmark serving up oysters, sushi rolls and fresh Gulf seafood in a historic, brick building in the heart of downtown. 309 N Water St, (361) 881-9448, waterstreetmarketcc.com

YARDARM $$$

Savory seafood dishes with great bay view seating. Family owned gives off a special ambiance in the atmosphere as well as the entrees. 4310 Ocean Dr, (361) 855-8157

STEAKHOUSE

KATZ 21 $$$

Sets the standard for premier fine dining experience. Prime steakhouse specializes in dryaged prime beef and fresh gulf coast seafood. 5702 Spohn Dr, (361) 884-1221, Katz21.com

NIKOS STEAKHOUSE $$

Committed to the motto “Great Food, Great Times. Great Experience.” Casual and elegant atmosphere that will truly exceed any steak lover’s expectiations. 5409 Saratoga Blvd, (361) 992-2333, nikossteakhouse.com

REPUBLIC OF TEXAS $$$

One of the most exclusive dining destinations in the Coastal Bend. A multi-level steakhouse offers beautiful panoramic views of the bay and exceptional dishes. 900 N Shoreline Blvd, (361) 887-1600, omnihotels.com

THAI

BKK THAI KITCHEN + BAR $$

BKK is brining a modern twist to the traditional Thai dishes. Their menu is filled with tasty items you are sure to love. 3850 S Alameda, Ste. 27, (361) 334-0857, bkkthaikitchenbar.com

THAI COTTAGE $$

Unique and refreshing, Thai curries meet teriyaki and Chinese dishes in a cozy red cottage. 5830 McArdle Rd, (361) 993-0777, Thai-cottage.com

THAI SPICE $$$

Family owned and operated for over 12 years, this restaurant is an intimate fixture providing curries, noodles & other traditional Thai dishes in a upscale relaxed atmosphere. 523 N Water St, (361) 883-8884

STRONGRockport

Find Your Dish

The city motto of "Rockport Strong" came about after Rockport was devastated by Hurricane Harvey over a year ago. The beloved Coastal Bend community continues to grow stronger each day, at a very impressive rate. Hotel and condominium rental occupancy is expected to be back to 73% capacity by this summer and 95% of businesses are open, including many incredible local restaurants.

The Rockport Fulton area is known for its fresh seafood, featuring a variety of seafood dishes for guests to enjoy. Each local eatery offers their own unique flavor and twist to the dining scene. But, seafood is only the beginning when it comes to dining in this beautiful coastal town. Grab a cup of coffee and fuel up at Daily Grind or get lunch at a nearby deli while shopping along Austin Street! Visitors can enjoy watching the sun set over the Aransas Bay while sipping down a cold margarita at one of Rockport’s many outdoor patio bars. From formal to fun, Rockport offers the perfect mix of dining options that are sure to satisfy any palate.

Congratulations to John Jackson and The Rockport Group at Morgan Stanley

Founded by John Jackson, Wealth Advisor and Michael Farah, Financial Advisor, The Rockport Group at Morgan Stanley is committed to helping clients fulfill their unique vision for themselves and their families.

Recently, the team experienced two milestone events that deserve recognition. John Jackson was named to Forbes Magazine’s 2019 list of America’s Best-in-State Advisors.

In addition, the team expanded its already considerable capabilities with the addition of Bill Wilson III, a Financial Advisor with more than twelve years of commercial and private banking experience.

Please join us in wishing John continued success and congratulating him for not only his accomplishment, but his team’s dedication to its clients and community.

The Rockport Group at Morgan Stanley 2902 Traylor Blvd., Suite 100 Rockport, TX 78382 www.morganstanleyfa.com/ therockportgroup 361-729-2201

Source: Forbes.com (Feb. 2019). America s Best-In-State Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention,

(L to R): Michael Farah, Financial Advisor; Pat Johnson, Senior Registered Associate; John P. Jackson, Wealth Advisor; Bill T. Wilson, III, Financial Advisor

a well deserved Decadence

A new French bakery in town is sure to satisfy your next sweet tooth

BY: JACQUELINE GONZALEZ PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

Bien Mérité

is the latest venture to join the Coastal Bend’s quickly growing community of local businesses. Michelle Fraedrick originally operated Matcha Konomi, where she specialized in premium quality Japanese Matcha. During this time, she paired with Ghrawoi Chocolate Company to learn the intricacies of incorporating Matcha into chocolate. When Ghrawoi closed, Michelle was offered their chocolate-making equipment, and together with co-owner Alhasan Alafghani, the idea of creating a small retail store to sell chocolates came to be. After much thought and collaboration, they opted to expand to a French-style bakery, which allowed them to add more menu items and get a little more creative.

Bien Mérité, which translates to “well-deserved,” provides an environment where people can enjoy a well-deserved moment to relax outside of their daily schedules. “I want customers to feel like they’ve left Corpus Christi and entered a little café in Paris,” says Michelle.

The small, quaint feminine aesthetic of the bakery transports visitors to Europe. The white ice cream table and chair sets provide a fun and stylish seating area, while the gorgeous flower wall is perfect for the obligatory selfie. The menu, which consists of a va-

riety of palate-pleasing éclairs, madeleines, macarons, croissants, chocolates, and coffee, allows guests to spend une journée à Paris.

The ultimate goal is that Bien Mérité will be a well-known community place. “People are happy to have something different from a hipster coffee shop. Everyone comes together in small groups, and you see that they recognize other customers, making it a really fun place to go.”

Michelle credits Bien Mérité’s success to the collaborative efforts of her team. Rebekah Mills and Adrianna Kamosa launched the entire campaign on social media outlets and continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes to share a taste of Paris with the community. Melanie Jackson and William Gonzalez are the masterminds behind the delicious, fresh-made pastries, while Sadie Lopez serves up delicious coffee for all.

Michelle enjoys being a part of the revitalization of the Six Points area and envisions a community in which people can spend time walking to a variety of local businesses. She hopes Bien Mérité will serve its purpose to provide high-quality items, bringing more traffic to the area and hopefully, more businesses. Until then, Paris is just around the corner.

BEST-SELLERS

Chocolates: Turkish Rose Dark Chocolate, Chili Lime, Cardamom, Coffee, and Caramel.

Croissants: Raspberry Pistachio, Almond, Dark Chocolate

Beverage: Beauty Latte made with collagen and a house-made vanilla syrup

Contact: 1316 S Staples St. (361) 903-0688 | @bienmerite

LOOKING BACK

Billy Pugh’s Astronaut Rescue Net

BY: JILLIAN BECQUET PHOTO COURTESY OF: CORPUS CHRISTI PUBLIC LIBRARIES

In the 1950s, Billy Pugh saw the dangerous methods of transferring personnel on and off drilling platforms when he worked offshore. After tragedy struck during one of these transfers, Pugh shared his invention of a cone-shaped net with a metal ring for standing, which would allow for safe personnel transfers. He founded the Billy Pugh Company to produce them in Corpus Christi, and their use boomed in the oil and gas industry, drawing national attention.

At the height of the Space Race, America put enormous resources into exploration and putting a man on the moon. But they didn’t just want to get the astronauts there; they had to get them back to Earth

safely. Once the Apollo capsules were bobbing in the ocean, NASA needed a product that could assist the Navy with hoisting astronauts easily into a helicopter. NASA approached Billy Pugh in the early 1960s to design a water recovery system for the astronauts, and the X-872 Helicopter Rescue net was born.

Called simply a Billy Pugh net in news media, these yellow nets are clearly visible in Apollo rescue footage as astronauts are hoisted into Navy helicopters. Rescue nets from the Apollo missions are currently in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, and on display at the Corpus Christi Museum.

Billy Pugh shows off the net designed to rescue astronauts in Corpus Christi, March 9, 1968.