October 2019 Issue by The Bend Magazine

COASTAL BEND LIFE

Treating your cancer journey locally means you can still make trips to the park.

With all the new innovations and treatment options available to you, one of the most powerful is actually your normal routine. By caring for cancer right here at CHRISTUS Spohn, you’ll not only have access to nationally accredited facilities and a personalized care plan – you’ll also have your friends, family, and neighbors in your corner. You’ll get the emotional and spiritual lift you need, along with the powerful and personalized care you deserve.

Treat your cancer where your life is. 361.737.0600 | ChristusSpohn.org/CancerCenter

century young banking

Robert Justus Kleberg’s founding commitment to “help those who showed the spirit of cooperation in community building” continues to withstand the test of time. We are the next generation of homegrown bankers dedicated to supporting the future growth of South Texas. We put people first, nuturing a collaborative Can Do approach to managing your financial needs, and support every customer relationship with exceptional technology for a banking experience that never grows old.

Supporting South Texas for Over a Century.

Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer

From Rockport to Kingsville, the entire Coastal Bend is increasing breast cancer awareness and supporting those ﬁghting this deadly disease. People are pinking out at work, school or home by wearing oﬃcial Coastal Bend Day of Pink t-shirts. It’s an easy and impactful way to participate in the all-over pink party!

Show your support and wear PINK on Friday, October 18th.

O cial T-shirts Available at all Radiology Associates locations! Proceeds from the T-shirt sales will beneﬁt the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation “Breast Friends” program.

What woman in history embodies who you aspire to be?

Grace Coddington. She lives and works in such an unapologetic way that is so inspiring to me and this line of work – always making sure her vision comes to life, no matter the odds. Her creative genius is otherworldly and she helped pioneer a new era when it came to viewing both fashion and editorial work as an artform.

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER: Jordan Regas

VICE PRESIDENT & EVENTS DIRECTOR: Kaley Regas

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Chris Knapick

ART DIRECTOR: Jarred Schuetze

MANAGING EDITOR: Kylie Cooper

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Daniel Coleman

LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER: Rachel Benavides

COPY EDITOR: Steve Gill

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Jason Page

Aaron Garcia Lillian Reitz

Margaret Hamilton, who led the creation of the software for the Apollo II mission! Her passion and leadership skills, although they remain lowkey and unnoticed, pushed forward one of humanity’s greatest feats.

SUBMISSIONS: kylie@thebendmag.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS: thebendmag.com

On the Cover:

CONTRIBUTORS:

Justin & Kayla Butts

Julieta Hernandez Jacqueline Gonzalez Jillian Becquet

Jessie Monsivais

Laura Shaver

Emma Comery JoAnne Howell

Corrie Ten Boom, she acted selflessly, going against what the world was telling her. She accomplished many amazing things during her lifetime - the attribute I admire the most is her faith and love for others. Corrie saw a value within others that was worth risking her life for.

Isabella Bird! She was a female explorer, author, and photographer in the 19th century. She defied gender stigmas by solo traveling around the world and writing about her adventures. She was also the first women elected to be in the Royal Geographical Society.

Jane Austen. Cliché, perhaps, but nonetheless true. I want to write stories that speak important truths about the world we live in and, at the same, time offer momentary escape from it.

EDITORIAL

THE BEND OFFICE

309 N. Water Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401 361.792.3606

ADVERTISING: chris@thebendmag.com

ADVERTISING: daniel@thebendmag.com

This issue is dedicated to women – every shape, size, and color. No matter your specific idea of what a woman should be like, we hope this issue serves as a recognition of all women and the countless roles they play. We see you, we appreciate you, and we are endlessly motivated by you. Our cover star this month is the incomparable Rosaura Bailey – a woman who has provided us with an immense amount of inspiration and continues to be the change she wishes to see in the world. (photo by: Jason Page)

COASTAL BEND SINUS

POWER WOMAN the of a

Parting ways with “7 Most Beautiful Women: Inside and Out” was not easy. It was our first formal event for The Bend Magazine, and collectively over the course of 4 years had raised over $120,000 for charity. Yet, while the event was an overall success, my gut told me it was time to move on. Much like Brunch on the Bay, the idea for HER: Honoring, Empowering, and Raising Women of the Coastal Bend, hit me like a ton of bricks. You know when you get an idea, and you know it is pure gold but you also know it will require a ton of time and energy? You can’t wait to dive in and begin bringing said idea to life, but in the same breath you kind of want to stuff it away where no one will see in fear of it being too overwhelming. HER was like that.

Lucky for me, I have an incredible team always ready to take the plunge with me. The concept of HER began to develop in May of this year, only four short months away from the expected party date and issue release. After careful consideration, we moved forward. There was so much good that came from 7MBW that we wanted to take with us, but also some we wanted to leave behind. We wanted HER to embody every one of these powerful words we had chosen, Honor, Empower, Raising, from the beginning of the experience to the end, for all women involved, not just the 6 women who were chosen to be honored. We wanted HER to create community. We wanted HER to create a resource for women to unite in sisterhood.

I got the incredible opportunity to pour through 70+ nominations for this year’s HER event. It was an indescribable experience to peek into the lives of so many women doing so much good for the Coastal Bend – we are lucky to be surrounded by

THREE TAKEAWAYS:

the company that we are. I hope you get the chance to feel that too, as you navigate through the stories of the six women we are so lucky to honor this year beginning on page 36. Our Managing Editor, Kylie Cooper, beautifully articulates what we set out to do with HER, and I’m so excited to see this concept take off and become its own.

The Bend is ever evolving, always looking to better ourselves –through our editorial, our events, and the people who pour their hearts into every avenue of this company. So, with admiration and joy, we present to you our new and improved Women’s Issue. I hope you enjoy reading the stories of these six fearless, powerful women, and I hope you made it to our first annual HER party. If ever you think of a way to help us better ourselves, be it magazine or event, we’d love to hear from you!

1. Mary Ann Cavazos Beckett is the first Latina to lead the Corpus Christi Caller-Times newsroom in the paper’s 136-year existence. After being with the paper for 15 years and working her way up, she is proud to be in a role where her success is measured more so by helping others succeed, rather than her own achievements pg. 32

2. The 1915 Farm is the Costal Bend’s only sustainable meat subscription box service. Catherine and Tanner Klemcke left their industry careers and moved to Meyersville, Texas in order to do their part in raising the bar for relationships between farmers, animals, and consumers. pg. 54

3. The Coastal Bend’s newest distillery, Aerodrome Distilling, is offering a new experience for locals and visitors alike. Nathan Bitz, a retired Naval Aviator, has created a space inspired by his time in service for guests to enjoy locally made gin, vodka, rum, bourbon, and rye. pg. 104

– KALEY REGAS, Vice President kaley@thebendmag.com

Blocks from Ocean Drive | 3850 S Alameda | Corpus Christi, TX

we are proud to be home for the best of south texas

winners of the 2019 “the local’s list” from THE BEND magazine

ALEXIS HUNTER INTERIORS

ANN TAYLOR LOFT

BKK THAI KITCHEN + BAR

CHICO’S

FOUR CHICKS IN THE PARK FRANCISCO’S SALON

GOLDSMITH JEWELERS

GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

HANLEY • WOOD

HESTER’S CAFE

JULIAN GOLD

MADRE MEXICAN FISH HOUSE (open summer/fall 2019)

PILAR FASHION & FOLK ART

TALBOTS THE POST

AROUND THE BEND

COUTURE CASUAL

BY: JARRED SCHUETZE PHOTOS BY: AARON GARCIA

FEATURING PIECES FROM NICK PEREZ'S – NIC Ó LABEL SS20 & RESORT COLLECTIONS

EARRINGS BY: DAISY HOLSENBECK ON LOCATION AT: FRESCO CAFE & GREENLIGHT COFFEE (UPTOWN)

TALK of the TOWN

While it might be October, South Texas heat lingers a little longer than we’d care for it to. There are several ways to accommodate said heat: floppy sun hat, large amounts of SPF, a hydrating facial spray, etc. But, perhaps one of the best ways to beat the heat (and one of the more fun ways) is to enjoy an ice-cold beer, dressed to the nines. Pull up to The Barn Drive Thru Beer & Keg Haus any day of the week – except Monday – and asked for a fully dressed beer. Our recommendation would be a Modelo, Dos Equis, or Corona, but you can ask for your drink of choice. Your brew will come prepped with toppings such as lemons, limes, pickles, beer salt, and chile powder. The best part? You don’t even have to leave your car – you can literally drive through the barn. If you’re looking to hang out for a bit while you enjoy your libation, you can take a seat on the patio, where you’ll find picnic tables and the occasional barbeque cookout! This beloved South Texas tradition (we’ve tried to order a “dressed beer” from a bar in San Francisco…they gave us a beer with a napkin wrapped around it), is a key component in waiting out these last few weeks of summer heat.

BY: KYLIE COOPER PHOTO BY: AARON GARCIA

DO YOU GET THE WEEKLY DROP?

Wake up every Friday morning with The Bend Magazine. Through our weekly e-newsletter, we keep you connected to all things Coastal Bend related. From weekend events and local tid-bits we’ve found interesting that week to first looks inside each new issue and exclusive chances to purchase tickets to our events, there are so many reasons to dive into this newsletter every Friday. Head to thebendmag. com to receive the Weekly Drop in your inbox today!

SOCIAL LOVE

Instagram Shoutouts

With our issue being dedicated to the women of the Coastal Bend, we felt it fit to dedicate our social media shoutouts to local women photographers. There is so much creative talent in our community and we love seeing how others view our city and the people that make it up. Shoutout to Brooke Boatman (@brookeboatmanphotography) and Meagan Benavides (@meaganbenavidesphoto) for these beautiful photos!

CulturallyCONSCIOUS

MUSIC, ART, CUISINE, AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT

BY: JESSIE MONSIVAIS

BY: LILLIAN REITZ

Arts education has proven, time and time again, to be an extraordinarily valuable aspect to a child’s overall schooling experience. With funding for such programming being less than ideal, a local organization was formed. Not only to help raise money for local arts education, but also to bring mindfulness to others about our local culture here in the Coastal Bend – one that has a heavy emphasis on the arts.

That organization is Enrich Local, and they’ve set out to promote cultural awareness in the local community through music, art and cuisine. Leading the local and influential organization are Kirby and Adrian Tello.

“We wanted to focus our energy on creating something that gave back to the community,” says Kirby. “There are already so many great nonprofit organizations here, though, and we didn’t want our cause to get lost in the saturation. So, we formed Enrich Local as a 501 (c)(3), with the ability to work with multiple beneficiaries that support our mission and already have established programs in place.”

Partnering with organizations such as Corpus Christi Concert Ballet, The Ritz Revival, and Chicas Rock has allowed the outcome of Enrich Local to help promote exactly what they set out to do in the first place: bring the local community to the forefront of people’s consciousness, and help other organizations in the process.

The non-profit organization stands as a tool to organize the Corpus Christi Hot Tamale Festival, which raises proceeds for different charitable endeavors every year, mainly focusing on youth and local programs that stress the importance of arts education.

The CC Hot Tamale Festival is one of the flagships through which Enrich Local accomplishes that goal. Proceeds from this year’s 5th annual festival will benefit The Art Museum of South Texas (AMST) Youth Program Initiative: The Garcia Outreach Center. AMST Educators offer off-site programming throughout the year at the Antonio E. Garcia Arts and Education Center, which is similar to the programming offered at the museum.

“Both Adrian and I recognize the impact that music and arts education had on our overall scholastic success, which is how Enrich Local’s primary goal became fostering cultural South Texas experiences by celebrating and encouraging the unique local art scene within our youth,” says Kirby in response to the decision of choosing AMST as this year’s beneficiary.

On November 23, the 5th Annual Corpus Christi Hot Tamale Festival will once again line Peoples Street with vendors. The air will be filled with the scents of family recipes as locals get the chance to taste the best tamales in town, along with other street fare from Corpus’ finest food trucks. The festival also includes arts and crafts, musical acts, a tamale eating contest, a best tamale contest, and plenty of local shopping.

“It’s THE thing we do. Anyone that does CC Hot Tamale Fest is doing what Enrich Local is,” says Adrian. “It takes the whole team to make it work as a nonprofit. We all live in the community, we all work in the community, and we are all young professionals from many different backgrounds who want to be a part of an organization that adds another thing to do in our city.”

Adrian emphasizes the importance on representing the area, as well. Tamale vendors rely on the holiday season to make a large portion of their yearly budget. Enrich Local makes a point of selecting local tamale vendors, promoting them before the festival, and ensuring that it’s the best possible experience for the vendors, as well as the guests. “It’s great for exposure and it’s perfect timing, because it's right around the holidays when families start busting out the masa.”

Creating an event like the festival has allowed Enrich Local to raise money and help other nonprofits in the area by truly showcasing some of the most beautiful aspects of Corpus Christi’s culture. Through music, arts, makers, vendors, and of course, food, the festival does exactly what the organization’s name would suggest: Enriching the local culture we know and love, and ensuring the appreciation of it.

Contact: enrichlocal.org | cchottamalefest.com | @cchottamalefest

PHOTO

BY: JULIETA HERNANDEZ PHOTO BY: AARON GARCIA

burger, they’ve got your back… and buns on it.

1645 Airline Rd.

P.O.E.T.S. RESTAURANT

If a half-pounder of angus beef isn’t enough to fill your dreams, the homemade jalapeño buns at P.O.E.T.S. will really put some color in your cheeks. This family restaurant will remind you why hotter burgers go a little better with a fun ambience, and margaritas.

4825 Saratoga Blvd.

NUEVO CAFE

You’d recognize that green paint anywhere. Nuevo Cafe offers up a casual dining vibe that can be elevated with the addition of a little

spice. Their homemade jalapeño buns are delicious on any sandwich of

SMALL PLANET

For a bigger kick than usual at the local Small Planet, the South American Lomito is served hot and proud on a jalapeño cheddar bun. The delicatessen and bakery on Saratoga does not play around with their homemade buns, and the jalapeño cheddar is no exception.

5625 Saratoga Blvd.

GORDO’S AMERICAN EATS

It’s always a good morning when you’ve got breakfast on a homemade jalapeño bun, according to Gordo’s heated twist on the morning time cult classic. You really can't pick a better start to your day than with a jalapeño bun on this breakfast staple.

4506 Baldwin Blvd.

MaryAnn Cavazos Beckett Meet

TALKING WITH THE NEW EDITOR OF THE CORPUS CHRISTI CALLER-TIMES

COVERSATION BY: KYLIE COOPER

PHOTO BY: LILLIAN REITZ

FIRST, TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR JOURNALISM JOURNEY. HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN THIS INDUSTRY?

My love of reading and curiosity about the world around me led to jour nalism. I was the kid in class excited when the teacher offered extra credit for reading more books. Essays? Loved them. The library – with its endless possibilities lined up in neat rows on every shelf – seemed like heaven to me. Books were then (and now) a way to find answers to questions and make discoveries about people and places. I’ve found that the love of reading instilled in me as a child has led me to so many opportunities, including journalism. That’s why when an academic ad visor at Del Mar College asked me if I’d thought about joining The Fog horn, the student publication, I took the leap. I ultimately landed in a place where I can do what I love, and am grateful for the chance to help better our community through our reporting.

SO, HOW DID YOU GET TO THE POSITION YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN WITH THE CORPUS CHRISTI CALLER-TIMES?

Hard work, mentors, and luck. I began my career at the Caller-Times about 15 years ago. From news clerk, I was promoted to reporter and spent several years covering various beats including entertainment, government, breaking news, and the justice system. One of the biggest transitions was from reporter to joining our team of editors. Along the way, I realized there is great joy and satisfaction in being in a role where your success is tied not to measuring your own achievements, but in how well you are able to help others succeed and feel fulfilled.

AS THE FIRST LATINA EDITOR THE NEWSPAPER HAS EVER SEEN IN ITS 136-YEAR EXISTENCE, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BECOME A PART OF THE PAPER'S STORY IN SUCH A HISTORIC WAY?

Being the first Latina to lead our newsroom is a source of a pride to me, but not something that I focus too much on, especially since we’re living in a time where the Hispanic population in the Corpus Christi area is so prevalent now. I’d point to more significant milestones in our local and state history like Senior U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle, the first woman to serve as a court-at-law judge in Nueces County and first Hispanic woman appointed to a federal judgeship in Texas. There was also Linda Reyna Yáñez, who in 1993 became the first and only Hispanic woman to sit on a Texas appellate bench at the time. And just last year, Barbara Canales made history as the first woman elected to the Nueces County judge seat. Milestones like this – in the private and public sector – pave the way for a bright future for our society, our justice system and our nation’s blessed and hard-won democracy.

So. Many. Things. We’re seeing more and more digital subscribers who are finding that what we do is valuable. Right now we’re also in the midst of incorporating our live studio in what our multimedia journalists are doing with storytelling. The goal is to have a more open, interactive conversation on social media on key topics. Our drone team is continuing to capture aerial video of the area, which has helped us show South Texas to South Texans in ways they, and we, couldn’t see before. We’re also excited about being chosen as one of only 10 newsrooms in the U.S. and Canada to receive training from Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc. (IRE) through the Data in Local Newsrooms Training Program. These efforts, along with many others, are reasons to be optimistic. For those who already subscribe: Thank you. And for others who want to help support local journalism, which can’t exist without support: Check out our special offers and deals at. Caller.com/subscribe

By: Kylie Cooper

HER

a sweltering South Texas Thursday afternoon, nothing sounds better than an ice-cold margarita with a perfectly salted rim. I’ve just sat down with six different women, at a tan and green wooden table inside local bar The Gold Fish, to meet one another – some of us for the first time. After a brief warm-up of “usual suspect” topics, like how hot it is outside and how happy we are tomorrow is finally Friday, we dive into an open dialogue about what it means to be a woman in 2019. In a time where a record number of women are running for presidential nominations; a time where 127 women serve in Congress (which yes, is history-making), making up roughly 24% of all seats; and a time where the pop-culture queen of the moment, Ariana Grande, has proclaimed God as most certainly being a woman, it has become more clear than ever that the power a woman holds within herself is unstoppable, unbeatable, and unfathomable.

Jordan Anderson, Rosaura Bailey, Alyssa Barrera-Mason, Cecy Trevino de Oliveira, Nikki Riojas, Dr. Jacqueline Phillips, and I have spent about three hours together, sitting around this tan and green table, now littered with a copious amount of empty cocktail glasses. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried.

Although it can be hard to focus on the seemingly impossible triumphs for women (even in just the past year) and easy to stress the large amount of progress that undoubtedly still remains, glass ceilings around the nation, across the world, and even right here in the Coastal Bend are being shattered left and right. And as I take a moment to reflect and look around the table, I realize this is one of those triumphs. Each of these women has her own story to tell –her own path, featuring complex roads intertwining with one another, to have brought her here to this table at this moment.

You can call it fate – the fact that we have all been brought together for this instant in time to take place – but it’s undeniably more than that. It’s taken years of hard work and

Photos by: Jason Page

determination; miracle juggling acts to make sure their families, children, personal lives, and work lives all have a place in their day; selfless moments of choosing to put everyone other than themselves first; tears and screams in the face of adversity and questions of whether or not it was all worth it. But if you ask any one of these six women if indeed it was all worth it, the answer, every single time, will be yes.

That’s the thing about a strong-willed, resilient woman with an end goal. It’s never easy – “it” being whatever passion, objective, project, or dream she has worked so hard to fulfill – but the outcome will always outweigh the steps it took to get there. And that’s how the concept of HER was born. With women like them, women like you, in mind. When society so often would rather see you fail, you didn’t. You chose to walk the road less traveled and push through every single “no,” and for that very reason, you’ve helped craft a better world for everyone in it. The thing about these women is that they haven’t allowed the world’s perceived notions of what a woman should be or look like shape what their idea of womanhood is. When I ask each of them what it means to them to be a woman, their answers hover around a similar concept. Being a woman means taking

on various roles – ones that are not necessarily exclusive, but can coexist. They have not allowed the idea that, because you are a woman, you must fit into only one box – career woman, mother, entrepreneur, etc. – rather, they can exist as all of those things, and not only take on each of those roles, but do a damn good job.

So, with this feature, we are honoring those who are making an impact, empowering those who are leading the way, and raising up those who continuously put others before themselves for the greater good. Perhaps you’ll see yourself in one of these six women, or be inspired by them to continue your own uphill battle. Whatever the case, let this serve as a recognition to every woman in the Coastal Bend changing the landscape and enhancing our community. You must continue, you must keep fighting, for the change we want to see in the world has only just begun.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING:

Alexa Gignac, Julian Gold Corpus Christi - Wardrobe. Meagan Mann & Riley Shaw, The Beauty Box - Hair Styling. Savannah Moore, Bloom Beauty Studio - Makeup

known Jordan Anderson for about two years. First, I was an admirer from afar. We didn’t know each other, but I would recognize her fabulous hair and contagious smile anywhere. Over time, in major part due to our affiliation with the Art Museum of South Texas (for which she is the Board Chair), she became more than just a head of luscious blonde locks. Jordan is the kind of woman you want on your team; the kind of person you want rooting for you. She possesses a certain sense of positivity and optimism that even I, a serial and chronic optimist, aspire to obtain.

After graduating from SMU, moving to Austin, and then realizing there was very little she could do with her Political Science degree, she decided to go to law school. It was there she met her husband. They eventually moved back to Corpus Christi and planted themselves firmly into the community. Jordan went to work for Anderson, Lehrman, Barre & Maraist, LLP and hit the ground running.

Sometime after, Jordan and her husband had their first baby. Her job usually required long hours and a lot of travel. “It just got hard, you know? Pumping in the airport bathroom gets old after a while,” she says with a laugh. So, after about a year of working with the firm post-baby, she decided it was time to make a change.

At the time, her dad was looking to get back into the title business. In 2009, at the height of the financial crisis, Jordan and her dad got into the real estate business and opened Bay Area Title. It seemed like an insane move, but she describes the timing as eerily perfect, and to this day, it remains one of the career moves she is most proud of.

“I wanted to still flex this law muscle I had worked so hard on, but I also wanted to be home at 5:15 on a Wednesday night and have that be okay,” she says. Bay Area Title opened its doors just before her second baby was born; she came back to work that following year. Jordan began to take on a leadership role she had yet to really experience. “I had to hire and fire. I learned a lot and cried a lot. I thought I couldn’t do it, or that I wasn’t good enough,” she says about those early days. “But, we ended up building this incredible thing.”

We flow into the topic of female leadership and how important it is for women to be in positions of power. She admits she was initially scared and overwhelmed. How could you not be? But the thing about Jordan is that her personality is so centered around lifting others up, she molded her version of leadership perfectly. “At the end of the day, the better you do, the better I do, and then the better we all do together. I think that is an important thing to remember when it comes to leadership.”

I was recently lucky enough to witness Jordan in her natural habit. At a ribbon cutting for Stewart Tittle Company — although Jordan’s name was on the wall behind them — the celebration was everyone’s. The women on her team gathered around one another to honor the milestone taking place. It was empowering to watch as a group of hard-working women celebrate their hard work. And, true to form, when the time came to cut the ribbon, Jordan passed the oversized scissors to the woman standing next to her.

Jordan goes on to inform me that her industry is actually predominantly made up of women. The people on the ground making money are almost all female. “Most of these women never even went to college,” she explains. “They started as a receptionist at a title company and have worked their way up. I mean, they are forces to be reckoned with, these women.” This, and the fact her current team is almost completely made up by women, gives this empowering precedent to the company that she is proud not only to be a part of, but to lead.

Exactly a year ago, as of October 1, Bay Area Title was bought by Stewart Title Company. A move like this was unexpected. “My dad and I weren’t out for world domination,” she says. “As long as we felt good about what we were doing and continuing to give our staff opportunities, then we considered ourselves doing good.” But when a company comes and tells you they love what you’re doing, and that they want it and you to lead it, a sense of validation is provided whether you knew you needed it or not. But, she had requirements.

During the negotiation process, she remembers being firm that the life she had created for herself here was not something she was going to give up. But they didn’t want her to; they were there because they wanted exactly what she was doing with the company. Now, Jordan is the Division President of Stewart Title, and after a long, rigorous, and sometimes challenging career journey, she feels content, with both her career and her personal life. “I feel like we just have a really good thing going. I mean, I don’t want to say we have an easy life, because life is never easy per se, but there is this element of peace we have.”

Things she has learned over the years, throughout her career and being a mother? That you don’t always have to say yes to things – if people want to remember you, they are going to remember you. You can’t always do it all, and that is just a fact, but you can curate a support system around yourself that makes it a hell of a lot easier. Being a woman in a leadership role means showing her daughter that she too can be a leader one day, in whatever capacity; and showing her son that no matter who he interacts with in this life, everyone’s voice doesn’t only matter, but is vital. And, at the end of the day, no matter what your brain tries to trick you into thinking at 3 AM, everything is going to be okay.

Jordan Anderson

osaura Bailey drinks a gallon of water a day. This facet of her life might seem simple or ordinary, but it serves as a testament to who she is at her core. You see, when there is something Rosaura wants to get done, she does it. There are no excuses, and hydration is no exception.

While she holds a rather prestigious leadership role, her presence is calming. She speaks slowly and eloquently. Getting a chance to sit down and have an in-depth conversation with her turned out to be a huge blessing in disguise. Even as I sit and transcribe our interview, I find myself nodding my head up and down as if I am sitting in a church vigorously connecting with the sermon.

After climbing her way up the professional ranks in the banking industry, her career journey presented her with an opportunity to sit on the board for the March of Dimes, which eventually led to her accepting a position with the non-profit. After a few position changes, we find Rosaura with the current title of National Director of Learning and Development with March of Dimes. I know, it’s impressive.

When I ask her what the most fulfilling part of her job is, she responds with an answer that has more to do with a value rather than an accomplishment. “The boldness of this organization inspires me,” she says. “There are people and organizations working to make really bold and aggressive movements and address key issues in society that we desperately need to overcome. That is what I am fulfilled by, the fact that we don’t apologize for what we are doing or fear judgment from people who might not agree with what we are doing.”

Another topic of conversation we stay on for a while during our time together is the idea that motherhood and having a career have been put into two separate boxes by society; that you can be one, but not both.

“It’s interesting, you know, because I feel like men don’t get asked questions like this,” she says as we both laugh semi-ironically. “I don’t think you have to choose or compromise any one facet of your life just because you want to have a career or want to start a family or whatever it is you want to do. You don’t have to choose, you can just be and do.” She relates this ideology to the fact that she can play Frozen Barbies with her daughter in the playroom and also hold an important conference meeting in the board room, without having to lack in one or the other.

Similar to her commitment to that gallon of water, she is fiercely committed to contributing as much effort as

possible to creating a better tomorrow. Rosaura looks at pretty much every aspect of life – be it her career, motherhood, the boards she serves on, etc. – the same. Simply put, and in the most un-cliché way possible, she lives and breathes the concept of being the change you want to see in the world. As a Latina in a leadership position, she understands just how important it is to diversify her surroundings. She explains this in a way of really looking at diversity from the viewpoint of inclusion.

“If you’re sitting at a table for a meeting, and everyone around that table looks the same as you, what are you taking away from that? What is anyone learning from that? It’s not necessarily just about your ethnic background, but about the entire story that makes up who you are, that is what you are bringing to the table when you have a diverse group of people.”

She goes on to describe how inclusion takes on an innately positive connotation. While having differences from others might sometimes feel negative, it’s more about looking at people’s differences as a learning experience and not an accusatory one. That’s something she holds with her when it comes to the various boards on which she has served over the past years – the American Red Cross, Metro Ministries, YWCA, and PATCH, to name a few. “It’s about being different than the person sitting next to you in order to bring an idea or perspective to the table that no other one person can have, because they aren’t you.”

Rosaura’s everyday uniform is red lipstick, pearls, a nice blouse, and pajama bottoms. Everything for her job is done over the computer, and she is either on a conference call or leading a training for a staff of about 700 people. All day, every day. When she isn’t helping to mold the minds of those she leads, she is busy helping to implement programs and initiatives in the area to help push our community to its fullest potential.

Corpus Christi Under 40 is one of those programs she helped put into existence – a program that has recognized hundreds of community leaders over the years since its inception.

Career woman, incredible mother, humanitarian, loving wife, and community leader aside, I ask Rosaura what she is most proud of at the end of the day. The answer brings me to tears. “Just being okay with who I am and not letting anyone make me feel like that isn’t enough or that I need to be more or different. Yeah, that is what I am most proud of; just being who I am.”

concept of empowering women is deeply rooted in Cecy Trevino de Oliveira’s

DNA. The idea of lifting others up, and doing it in a way that she remains completely behind the scenes, is standard for her. When I sit with Cecy and begin to dive into the story that makes her, her, it becomes more clear than ever that creating a space for young girls to feel safe, loved, and important has always been a core value to her being.

If you’ve heard of Chicas Rock, the local organization dedicated to building girls’ self-esteem through music creation, then you’ll better understand just how vital this idea is to Cecy.

Even when I ask if, at the end of the day, she looks at herself and what she has done with Chicas Rock and feels proud, she is hesitant to say yes. Because, “it’s more than that,” she says. “It isn’t that I am proud of myself or not, really; but more about them making me want to be a better person every single day. The girls inspire me to make better choices or be a better me because they look up to me, and I want to live my best life for them.”

The importance of feeling the freedom to openly express yourself has always been an impression in Cecy’s life. Most people might think of her as shy or reserved, but the stage is where she feels as though she can play and let her emotions flow out. That’s how the vehicle of music became a cornerstone in her life. She giggles as she states that Joan Jett helped to provide her dream. “To see a woman playing music the way she did, that changed everything for me. It’s hard to dream something you can’t see, right? So, when you see a woman doing this thing you think you can do, it becomes possible to you.”

That’s how the backbone of Chicas Rock was formed. With a small idea to create a movement for girls, Cecy in turn created a voice for young girls in the Coastal Bend – a voice that many would have trouble finding without this community. The girls who make up the family created here are not only taught how to play the guitar rather impeccably, but also to truly understand that dreams are achievable no matter the fears or doubts you might have. “I think it is our

job as mentors to teach that idea to the new generations,” Cecy says. We’re veering towards the end of our conversation now, and the reoccurring theme in every point we’ve hit throughout the time we have just spent together, has been the idea that we truly are better together.

“I mean, together, we are really powerful,” she says after I ask why it is important to create spaces like Chicas Rock and why seeing strong female leadership is a crucial idea to implement in our world. “You know, women are so often taught to compete with each other, but when you start to see that switch in someone’s way of thinking, and you then are able to look at a group of women and work together, that is a really powerful feeling.” That is exactly what she wishes to teach to the girls who walk through the doors at Chicas Rock.

It’s been about eight years since the first class was held, and though that was a different time, in a different building, both the method and the means to Chicas Rock has remained the same throughout the years.

After our interview, I am positive that you could ask anyone who knows Cecy and they would describe her just the way I am about to: She is the embodiment of strength and the personification of the concept that you can achieve anything if you work hard enough. Because that is exactly what she did and continues to do every single day. When she moved to the United States from Tamaulipas, Mexico in the early 2000s, she knew she was going to have to work twice as hard as everyone else.

“I am a Mexican girl in the United States trying to make music and not speaking the language. I am proud of breaking through all of that. Because I wasn’t just a woman but, a Mexican woman, and so I had to prove myself to other people,” she says as she remembers that pivotal turning point in her life. “And obviously things have changed a little since then and we have made so much progress, but I always want to be a part of that change and progress. I want to help open doors for everyone.”

So, she did. And, because of that, there are countless young women who have a piece of Cecy Trevino de Oliveira in their heart and who will, time after time, think about Cecy when they think about the woman they have grown into.

RISING STAR

Cecy Trevino de Oliveira

Alyssa Barrera Mason

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

rom the moment you start a conversation with Alyssa Barrera-Mason, no matter the context, it becomes crystal clear just how much she loves Corpus Christi. She is extremely smart, generous, kind, and a self-proclaimed girlygirl through and through – never missing the opportunity to sport pink, sparkles, or some kind of animal print.

This city means everything to her. She talks about it like a mother would talk about her child – exceptionally proud of every ounce of growth. Whether you believe in cosmic destiny or not, there is no doubt this woman was born to take on the role she has. Alyssa is a third-generation Corpus Christi native, and moving after graduating wasn’t ever something that crossed her mind. So, as opposed to leaving and taking her insanely bright mind elsewhere, she knew she had to stay in the city that had already given her so much.

“At some point in time, I started recognizing that everything I have ever benefited from was accessible to me because someone else had done it first,” she says when I ask her to recall the starting point of her career – we’re only about a minute and 30 seconds into our interview at this point and her eyes have begun to water. “So, I was like, ‘Okay, I need to take all that I was given, maximize it, and figure out how I can do that for others in this city.’ Because, to me, that is the ultimate purpose of life: continuing that cycle.”

She tells me a story of her time spent waitressing at the Republic of Texas while still in school. Everyone she waited on would comment on Corpus being so beautiful, but that it hadn’t met its full potential yet. After graduating with her degree in Business, she decided to attend grad school, where she met one of her biggest role models and mentors – Toby Futrell. A previous City Manager of Austin, Futrell would end up being one of Alyssa’s greatest inspirations.

It all clicked for her. Realizing she could make a career out of helping and contributing and building a community allowed her to realize exactly what she wanted to do. Alyssa went to intern for the City of Corpus Christi, working in the City Manager’s office. “I got to see this big picture of how a city worked. Every project I worked on was an opportunity to help someone else, and that was important to me,” she says.

She went through various positions and promotions throughout her time there, which allowed her to make connections and relationships with other organizations in the city, like the Downtown Management District (DMD). When the director of the DMD decided to leave

the position, he planted the idea of Alyssa applying for the job. “I just remember thinking, ‘That’s a really big job,’” she says. But she applied, and after seven years of working for the city, Alyssa became the youngest Director in the DMD’s history, at just 29 years old.

I ask her about that phone call, the one that would go on to change her life, and she tells me she remembers being extremely excited, a little shocked, and most definitely scared. “But it was something I cared so passionately about. I knew it was where I belonged.”

She stepped into her new role and didn’t look back, not even for a second. She knew the progress that needed to be made; she understood that a city is a business and things have to make sense financially and economically; and more than anything else, she realized that being a leader means holding space for progress – being someone who believed in something – and that change would only come from that space.

One of the things I came to admire most about Alyssa through our time spent together was this philosophy that she lives and works by. This idea that because previous generations didn’t have the same opportunities she did, she must look at her purpose of using those opportunities and continuing to break barriers, for those who came before her and for those to come. “I mean, I am a 31-yearold Hispanic woman with a master’s degree, leading an organization. Really not that long ago there was a time where that was unheard of,” she says. “So now, it’s my turn to take this and make it a normal thing so that the next generation can focus on whatever new barrier needs to be broken then.”

Almost two years later is where we find ourselves today, sitting across one another eating bagels as we discuss how it feels for her to be the youngest director (it feels pretty damn good, by the way), how projects like helping to initiate the first set of small-scale incentives for downtown businesses and turning Chaparral into a two-way street are things that make her smile, and how learning the ends and outs of a city’s operation is something that truly excites her.

What became evident to Alyssa, all those years ago with a waiting tray in one hand and a patron’s cocktail in the other, was that the condition of both downtown and our whole city is directly tied to the amount of pride people have in the community. Alyssa knew that change and progress would take place only if there was someone behind it who not only cared, but was ready to take charge. And luckily for us, she did just that.

could say Nikki Riojas started the most epic girl gang the Costal Bend has ever seen. She has essentially created an empire of strong women through the Women’s Entrepreneur Society of Corpus Christi (WES-CC), which has evolved into a network and resource consisting of more than 160 businesses owned by local women.

WES-CC, at its core, was born out of the desire to create a community. The Coastal Bend isn’t Nikki’s hometown. Omaha, Nebraska is, and when she and her husband made a move to Louisiana,Nikki found herself in a new city with no familiar shoulders to lean on. It wasn’t until she found a local women’s group that she began making friends and connections. “It was hard. I had never lived anywhere else, and it is a huge transition to move to a place where you don’t have any friends or family,” she says as she begins her origin story for WES-CC – a story she has told me bits and pieces of on a few occasions, this time with a raspy tone and an almost non-existent voice. Before our interview, we had a whole conversation of how she had, of course, lost her voice today of all days.

So when she and her husband picked up and moved to Corpus Christi, she knew what she had to do, and this time, she wasn’t going to wait. Through some Instagram research, she found a group of women who were all just virtual friends, and decided to change that. The first hangout consisted of eight women. The next one doubled, and it continued to grow every meeting after that.

On a rather cold, extremely rainy night in December 2017, the first official WES-CC market event was held. It was their smallest event to date, consisting of 15 or so local women. “The most interesting part of the night was that women business owners would come in and ask how to join our secret girl gang,” she says with a laugh. It was then that a little light bulb atop Nikki’s head clicked on. “It became very apparent other women in this town needed a resource like this. So, I thought, ‘Let’s do it.’”

When I asked Nikki about that beginning stage, she said something along the lines of, “None of us had ever done something like this before, but we knew we could do it.”

That sentence stuck with me. The fact that Nikki (along with the other board members at the time) wasn’t going to stop what she was doing simply because she’d never done it before, is a lesson we all would like to think we have learned, but don’t always implement into our lives.

Although Nikki already owned her own local business, Thirteen & Market, and had motherhood duties for two beautiful babies to tend to, she decided to completely throw herself into WES-CC. In turn, she helped create a space for women to come and feel known. “It didn’t even matter if you came to the meetings to talk about business-related things. We were able to get together and truly just be. Turns out, that was something a lot of women were missing and really needed. And I know that if they are successful in what they are doing, and the person sitting next to them is also successful in what they are doing, it is going to elevate all of us, together. We are better together,” she says.

You see, that’s the thing about Nikki. She won’t take this credit, but when she sees potential, it is almost as if she plants a metaphorical seed right then and there, and allows the avenues she has created to serve as the consistent water, support, and resources said seed needs in order to grow. That similar notion is what led her to create Made in Corpus Christi, a newer brand completely rooted in this community’s potential. By partnering with local creatives, Made in Corpus Christi puts out Coastal Bend branded products that the entire city goes nuts over.

Nikki is a leader – a naturally born one at that. She is the take-charge, make it happen at all costs type of woman. Even when life throws the unthinkable at her –like when her baby girl, Alia, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of seven months, just one week out from the first ever WES-CC market event – she has faced the world with a smile on her face and a burning passion in her heart. Because, truly, at the end of the day, that’s the biggest thing that will stick with you about Nikki Riojas: She is selfless. The kind of selfless that knows a community’s potential is much bigger than herself, and creating opportunities for that potential to flow abundantly is greater than any one thing she could achieve on her own.

Riojas COMMUNITY VISIONARY

Nikki

Dr. Jacqueline Phillips MEDICAL

HERO

hile some might first think of her as a physician, teacher, mentor, mother, or wife, the first word that comes to mind when I think about Dr. Jacqueline Phillips is firecracker. She was the first to arrive on our 9-hour shoot day and the last to leave. The previous day, she had just been voted in as the Chief Medical Officer for the Amistad Community Health Center.

One of the most inspiring things about Jacqueline is that she wholeheartedly has manifested her own reality. As she begins to tell me how she landed in Corpus, it becomes very clear that she is exactly where she is because it is exactly what she wanted out of her life. Corpus was on the list of places she could go for rotations after residency. She’d never heard of it before, but because she knew you could be at the beach in the winter time, she decided the Coastal Bend would be her next stop.

“I remember driving over the bridge to The Island one day and seeing those houses, you know the ones,” she says. “And I thought to myself, ‘When you grow up, you’re going to move down here permanently, buy a house in this neighborhood, and have your career here, come hell or high water.’” She was 23 that day on the bridge, and five years later, she had gotten a job as a Hospitalist in town and bought a house in that very neighborhood.

Throughout her time as a Hospitalist at the Corpus Christi Medical Center (CCMC), she got involved with the residency program, eventually becoming the Director of Academic Education. However, at the end of the day, she didn’t feel fulfilled with the work she was doing as a Hospitalist. “I was tired of discharging people,” she says in regard to that phase of her career. “I needed my patients to feel like they had a home to come to when they came to see me.”

After asking around, she found herself in the lobby of the Amistad Community Health Center, a place she knew nothing about. But she asked for a job and took a leap of faith in order to feel as though what she was doing made a difference. She has served as a Primary Care Physician at Amistad ever since. Working for a place like Amistad was important to Jacqueline because it allowed her to care for her patients in a way she had previously not been able to. The center is a non-profit, faith-based medical clinic that provides healthcare for the underserved of Corpus Christi. There are countless stories from patients, past and present, that all revolve around the care and love Jacqueline provided them, and how she truly saved their lives. However, moving from a steady income to work for a non-profit is more of a leap of faith than a career move. When I ask Jacqueline why it was so important to her to make such a bold move, she says, “I really needed to be

happy. You work so hard to be a physician, and when you work that hard, you want to be happy with what you are doing. I had fun and it was exciting and I still work for CCMC, but I wanted to take things up a notch and tackle another beast.” So when she walked into the front doors at Amistad in 2015, she knew she had finally made it home.

Since then, Jacqueline has had her hand in numerous programs and initiatives at the center. Some of the things she is most proud of include engaging her residency program at CCMC with Amistad to help teach how important it is to price medications and understanding that not everyone has the ability to purchase what medicine you might ask them to; collaborating with St. Luke’s in Houston to set up an echo program that allows the center to cure patients with Hepatitis-C (which she says is a “pretty freaking cool thing to be able to do for people”); and implementing a newer initiative that will target patients’ social determinants of health.

We begin to talk about what it looks like to be a female physician. During her first medical school interview in 2003, she was told she would be better off as a teacher or starting a family. Turns out, she would go on to be not just a physician, but also a teacher, and also have a family. She goes on to tell me how there weren’t a lot of female physicians here when she first started and how the idea of what a female physician can achieve gets misconstrued.

“I had a resident pay me a compliment once,” she says as she gives me an example of these misconstruitees. “The compliment was something along the lines of, ‘I feel like I can be smart, and be a doctor, but I can also dress cute and be beautiful.’ I hadn’t ever realized it before because I have always just been myself and dressed and presented myself in a way that I wanted to, but me doing that became something so important to these young women. It allowed them to know they didn’t have to be just one thing and fit into one box, they could be whoever they wanted to be.”

Thankfully, her second medical school interview went completely differently than that first one. She was told she would be a wonderful doctor and a much-needed addition to the field, and, as they say, the rest is history. She’s never taken no as an answer. She’s worked her way through a mentality that society has tried to place on her, not just as a physician, but as a woman, that you can’t have it all. But you can and she fought for that. The outcome? A true medical hero in the form of Dr. Jacqueline Phillips.

HER FINALISTS

Ashley Arevalo

PERIOD CORPUS CHRISTI

Angie Baker

COASTAL BEND WELLNESS FOUNDATION, MOSAIC PROJECT

Marjorie Boudreaux

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SOUTH TEXAS

Michelle Braselton

BRASELTON HOMES

Aislynn Campbell

GROW LOCAL SOUTH TEXAS

Brenda Crawley

OPERATION HOMEFRONT SCOUTING BSA

Brianna Salinas Davis

NUECES CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Tiara Followell ROAM

Michelle Fraedrick MATCHA KONOMI BIEN MÉRITÉ

Crystal Garcia

REVOLVE ONE PODCAST

Amber Lopez

CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI FIRE DEPARTMENT

Sierra Lopez

BAY AREA HOSPITAL

Karen Nicholson

HAMLIN FOUNTAIN, GIFTS & BAKERY

Elizabeth Owens

FINS, TORTUGA SALTWATER GRILL

DEEP SEA HEADQUARTERS

PORT ARANSAS CITY COUNCIL

Brittanny Perrigue

TEXAS RIO GRANDE LEGAL AID, INC

Genarose Raichert

CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI POLICE DEPARTMENT

Maria Rodriguez

THE COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL + DRUG ABUSE

Michelle Smythe

K SPACE CONTEMPORARY

Natalie Trevino THE ROUGHIAN

Jennifer Vela TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM

Rehabilitation and Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior.

At Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, our specially-trained, interdisciplinary team works with Alzheimer’s patients and their families to help them maintain their abilities and independence for as long as possible.

We create individualized treatment plans with patients and family members, offering:

• Physical Therapy - Focuses on improving balance, muscle strength and mobility; fall prevention

• Speech-Language Pathology - Focuses on cognitive and communication skills; swallowing difficulties

• Occupational Therapy - Focuses on daily living activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting

• Neuropsychology Counseling - Helps patients and family members adjust to emotional and physical changes

• Home Evaluations - Identifies necessary modifications to provide a safe home environment

• Family/Caregiver Education - Teaches caregivers about disease process and how to best help

• Community Resources - Provides patients and caregivers with educational resources, including respite care

Fall Prevention for Older Adults

By: Vince Dionio

Falls are the leading cause of injuries for people 65 and older. Once a person experiences a fall, it can limit mobility and independence, which can decrease the ability to perform everyday tasks.

With falls being the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in older adults, it’s important to not only understand the common reasons for falls, but also to know the typical injuries resulting from falls and how rehabilitation services can help.

Common causes of falls may include:

• A decline in physical ﬁtness

• Impaired vision

• Medications

• Chronic diseases

• Surgical procedures

• Environmental hazards - A majority of falls in the elderly population occur in or around the home and are attributed to poor lighting, clutter, loose carpets, slick ﬂoors and lack of safety equipment.

Injuries such as joint sprains, dislocations of the shoulder and hip, and fractured bones are typical injuries caused by falls. Back, spinal cord, and head injuries can also be caused by falls.

Even if a fall doesn’t result in an injury, it can still cause fear in an individual and hinder the individual’s independence. Rehabilitation can be beneﬁcial for someone who has experienced a fall. Rehabilitation services can help a person regain strength, alleviate pain, and recover other abilities that are essential to overall well-being and independence. In addition, physical therapy plays a key role in helping to prevent future falls by improving movement, balance,

and agility. At Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, LiteGait® technology helps patients safely improve balance, gait and functional independence without the risk of falling.

To help prevent falls at home, consider the following home modiﬁcation tips:

• Keep rooms free from clutter

• Install handrails, raised toilet seats, grab bars and shower mats

• Light up dark areas of the home

• Remove or tape down any loose carpets or electrical wires

• Ensure telephones can be easily reached from the ﬂoor

• Replace chairs that are too low to the ground or di cult to get out of

• Install night lights throughout the home, especially in bathrooms and stairwells

In addition to home modiﬁcations, a change in wardrobe also can help in preventing falls. Wear sensible, non-slip footwear and avoid wearing loose clothing. Make sure to also talk with your family and care providers about your falling risks.

Vince Dionio is a physical therapist at Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital. The hospital provides specialized rehabilitative care to patients recovering from disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses, or chronic medical conditions.

For more information, visit CCRH.ernesthealth.com, call 361-906-3700 or visit the hospital at 5726 Esplanade Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas.

By: Emma Comery Photos By: Juan Jose

is a beautiful, rural blip on the map. A half hour outside of Victoria, it’s a surprising choice for an outgoing couple in their early thirties to call “home.” But as I drive down Fox Crossing Road and hang a right onto 1915 Farm, it becomes instantly obvious why Catherine and Tanner Klemcke decided to move out of Corpus Christi and start “a quieter life” in the country. The farm is stunning.

Wearing muck boots, shorts, and tees, the Klemckes welcome me with warm smiles amid a flurry of excited dogs, clucking chickens, and one sneaky little cat who twines around my ankles. The entire scene is a far cry from their previous lives as city folk building careers in oil and pharma. So, how did two millennials with practically no experience in farming end up starting the Coastal Bend’s only sustainable meat subscription box service?

“We saw a listing for 57 acres and a free house, and we jumped on it,” says Catherine. Turns out that house was free for a reason, and the Klemckes found themselves completely renovating a dilapidated farm house first built in 1915 (hence the farm’s name). Talk about DIY.

“Everyone thought we were crazy,” Tanner says wryly. “Our moms cried.”

Looking at the 1915 farmhouse today, it’s hard to imagine it ever lacked basic amenities like interior walls, insulation, heat, and a sink. From the cedar porch

posts, to the custom live edge breakfast bar, to the turquoise longhorn skull hanging in the guest bedroom, this fixer upper dream home would give Chip and Jo Gaines a run for their money.

With no experience beyond Catherine’s two years of 4H in high school, the Klemckes decided to raise a few pigs, cows, and chickens for their own consumption. Raising one’s food has a way of making a person rethink the relationship between farmer and animal, consumer and consumed, and it wasn’t long before Tanner and Catherine were spending date nights binge-watching food documentaries. “The first time I saw Food, Inc,” recalls Catherine, “I didn’t think it was real. I thought it was biased.” The film, which examines the role of large corporations in our nation’s dietary habits, features hard-to-watch footage of animal life inside commercial processing plants. The film, and their subsequent research, made a big impact on Catherine and Tanner. “While some of the stuff in the documentary was stretched,” Catherine says, “there was way more truth to it than I expected. We thought, ‘Is this really how we’ve been eating our whole lives? How is that okay?’”

“It’s not,” Tanner emphasizes firmly. “It’s not okay.”

The other thing that is “not okay” (to put it lightly) for the Klemckes is how deceptive meat labels can be. On their website, Catherine distills much of their research to help educate their customers. While it’s true that organic chickens cannot be

given antibiotics starting their second day of life, injecting an egg with antibiotics does not disqualify the resulting chick from being labeled “organic.” And while “cagefree” animals aren’t confined to cages, it doesn’t mean they’ve ever actually been outside. A fenced-off hole cut in the side of a 60,000-chicken barn apparently constitutes “access” to the outdoors. “So many people make the hard decision to eat healthier, knowing it comes at a higher financial cost, because they think they’re getting a better product. But they’re not,” says Catherine.

Furthermore, Tanner points out, “We’re in an age where restrictions on the public’s interaction with conventional farming is at an all time low. It’s illegal to drive down to a feedlot and take pictures of it. They don’t want that story to be told.”

This increasing interest in American food systems eventually led Catherine and Tanner to quit their jobs and start their own meat-selling business on the cornerstones of animal welfare, environmental responsibility, customer health, and brand transparency. Their animals have never seen the inside of a barn or a cage. Contained only by wide-stretching electric fences, they roam across the Texas grass. “Every day,” says Catherine, “we strive to put the best quality product on people’s tables we can without taking any shortcuts. Our chickens are raised on pasture, our beef is grass-finished, so it has more omega-3s, and our pigs are fed on pasture and Non-GMO grain. Our animals have never eaten food with chemicals in it. So you’re getting a healthier product.”

Today, 1915 Farm runs at full capacity. They operate in beef, pork, and poultry, offering traditional and craft cuts like the Tri-Tip Steak, Denver Steak, and Flat-Iron Steak, which can be hard to find outside of small butcher shops or big cities with large local meat markets. Once a week they ship meat (complete with recipe suggestions) all across Texas and even out-of-state, though 60 percent of their business comes from Corpus. Their quickly-growing customer base spans the full range of ages, neighborhoods, and socioeconomic levels. “It means a lot to us that our customers are from all socioeconomic levels,” says Tanner, “because it means people are budgeting to buy our product. We don’t take that lightly.”

1915 Farm strives to recreate what Catherine calls “that early-farmer feel from the 1900s” when folks could walk down the street to their local butcher and be told exactly where their meat came from, what it ate, and how it was taken care of. “What’s been most important to us,” says Tanner, “is the ability to interact directly with our customers. To be not only a brand, but a face.”

But how does a business based two hours away from its biggest delivery hub forge and maintain strong connections with its customers? “We are on social media and email all the time,” explains Catherine, who spends a substantial chunk of her workday creating the farm’s marketing and communication content. “The beauty of social media is that it fosters connections. So even though people aren’t physically here, it feels like they are.” A quick scroll through 1915

Farm’s Instagram page demonstrates exactly how effective that transparency has been. Between gorgeous day-in-the-life style photos and videos of everything from baby chicks to Catherine teasing Tanner for his boyhood Harry Potter obsession, 1915 Farm has amassed well over 10,000 followers. Their biggest Instagram stars include a sassy donkey named Biscuit, their pet shorthaired pointer/guard dog Piper, and a handicapped chicken they didn’t have the heart to take to the processor. “The broiler chicken who lived,” Tanner jokes, making Catherine laugh.

As a small farm, the Klemckes don’t maintain particularly large numbers of livestock, but the animals they do have are certainly happy. A drove of about forty breeder pigs alternate digging a wallow in the mud, napping atop one another, and running across their spacious outdoor pen in what appears to be a game of swine tag.

We walk a ways through the property to another pig pen so large it could probably classify as a pasture, where Catherine introduces me to their breeder sows, six hefty yet adorable Gloucestershire Old Spots bearing names worthy of cane-toting octogenarians. “Gretta, Henrietta, Agnes, Matilda, Mabel, Gypsy” she rattles off as the giant mamas thunder forward to greet us with a dozen and a half tiny piglets trotting behind. It’s like a scene from Babe times 18.

1915 Farm raises hearty, fattier hog breeds that were bred out of production in the ‘50s when pork started making the push to become the next white meat. Well-suited to life outdoors, these pigs produce meat that boasts the color and marbling of a premium beef steak. “The flavor is outstanding,” Tanner promises, then quickly reassures Gretta that he isn’t going to eat her. “We don’t process the breeder sows; we gave them names.”

Unlike with the pigs, the Klemckes don’t have an on-site breeding program for their cattle – that would require far more than their 57 acres. Instead, they buy calves at 10 to 12 months from Catherine’s brother and grass feed them until they’re 24 to 28 months.

1915’s size also prevents them from processing animals on-site. So they leave the butchering to the pros and outsource to small, USDA-inspected facilities. As America shifted from small family farming to more centralized commercial farming, many small processors were put out of business. It can be a challenge to find reputable processors that will not only give farmers 100 percent of their meat back and package that meat nicely, but also take good care of the animals. That’s why Tanner doesn’t mind driving up to two-and-a-half hours to a good processor.

That first trip to the processor five years ago wasn’t easy, though. It’s hard to watch someone butcher an animal you’ve spent so much time and energy raising, especially when you’ve spent a lifetime looking at animals as pets, and meat on your plate as something else entirely. But Catherine and Tanner have a practical yet empathetic perspective on their food. “Animals are going to be raised for meat,” Tanner says pragmatically. “You can either give them a really good life, let them run around, or you can buy your meat from a factory farm. Every animal we raise on our farm takes one away from a factory farm.”

And they make darn sure every day on 1915 Farm is a happy day for their animals. In fact, they cap the number of broiler chickens they raise at a time based on how many a butcher can process in a day (about 350) because they don’t want their chickens waiting in cages to be processed over two days. “They have one bad day here,” Tanner says.

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For Catherine and Tanner, though, “every day is a good day.” On the rare occasion they start to feel isolated out in the country, Catherine says they just walk outside and hang out with the dogs or Biscuit the donkey.

“We’re not disillusioned,” says Tanner. “We’re not going to take away significant market share from [big commercial producers], but the more people that get on board with [sustainable farming] and the more farms that raise animals this way, there’s a possibility to grow grassroots pockets of interest.”

Without missing a beat, Catherine sums it all up perfectly, “Every animal we impact also impacts a family.”

Design Concepts Salon-Boutique-Spa has a combined experience level of 80 plus years in the beauty and fashion industry. We are on the cutting edge of new trends, fads and classic styles. We are able to see the trends and fads of fashion before they ever hit mainstream by working Fashion Week and immersing in education. Corpus Christi is growing and we love keeping it a part of the beauty map.

Most of our guests have been coming to our salon for 15 plus years and we welcome everyone to our Spa-Boutique-Salon. No one is a stranger and there is beauty in all faces. We believe that our sta deserve to make a career in the salon industry, not just a job. We educate our sta to all be top-notch at their craft. There is no “I” in Team. We all succeed together. The salon is a place for our sta to plant roots and keep growing and building there clientele. We include a retirement program for our sta that keeps them earning more and more and allows them to stay in one place so clients are not having to chase them all over town. We have a system that works and allows us to handpick all of our sta and then pour as much education into them to take them to the top. All this translates into the ﬁnest experience you can ﬁnd in Corpus Christi. Deidra has been a Redken Educator since 1998 has traveled the world teaching Cutting, Coloring, working Fashion Week and specializing in Blondes and Color Correction. She has been the owner of Design Concepts since 1999 and loves that her roots are planted deep in Corpus Christi.

Local vintage dealer, Katy Jones-Gulsby, is an eclectic maximalist through and through. Except for when it comes to her skincare routine, minimal is key. From embracing her age to the products that have saved her life, learn all about this beauty’s tips.

be the

PULSE

LOCAL PROFESSIONALS STRIVING TO TRANSFORM HEALTH IN THE COASTAL BEND COMMUNITY

BY: ALEXIS MAYS

brand-new group has passion in their hearts to revolutionize health in the Coastal Bend.

C.C. PULSE are local, young professionals who promote heart health through various activities and events, in order to help influence citizens toward a healthy lifestyle. Each C.C. PULSE member is an ambassador of the American Heart Association, sharing their personal connections of how heart disease and stroke have touched their lives – and is dedicated to helping others to live healthier lives.

“C.C. PULSE is about community transformation,” says Katharine Guerra, Corporate Development Director of the AHA. As she explains, the group works “within the community, in partnership with other non-profits and community minded organizations, to apply the very best practices for collective impact that will benefit the whole of the Coastal Bend.”

The C.C. PULSE initiative was the brain child of Guerra, and it launched this year to empower a younger demographic to combat heart disease, which is the leading cause of death nationwide. Heart attacks were once thought of as a disease that primarily targeted an older population. However, findings and research show that it is occurring in younger people, and is especially happening to women. That’s why C.C. PULSE is for those ages 21 to 40 years old.

The group lives out its mission in several different ways. There are fitness- and nutrition-centered activities, such as nature walks, cycling, boxing, yoga, and more. Plus, members are committed to spreading information about heart disease and stroke, and their associated effects on our community. The group is also focused on hosting social events, which will help raise awareness and funds at the same time. The fundraising efforts of C.C. PULSE will help support the AHA’s research, education, and advocacy efforts.

C.C. PULSE members will also have an opportunity to participate in the group’s mission selection process. Inaugural members will select a Focused Mission in Action that the group targets, such as childhood obesity, congenital discoveries, and more. Guerra knows the impact that the motivated, energetic group can make. “C.C. PULSE members will be acting as advocates of the American Heart Association: identifying the city’s needs, creating conversation, taking action,

and making a lifelong impact not only for themselves, but the entire community.”

The ripple effect that those behind C.C. PULSE are poised to make will promote a better quality of life for Coastal Bend residents, because a robust lifestyle can prevent sickness and disease later in life. And it will all be done through the engaging and unique events and efforts of its members.

“These mutually reinforcing activities will build trust, and create a backbone of support for generations to come,” Guerra says.

Their endeavors will make a big impression in the Coastal Bend, and the best part is that you can be part of this movement: The AHA is accepting new members for C.C. PULSE.

Contact:

361-445-3201 | Katharine.Guerra@heart.org | ccpulse.org

HEART DISEASE FACTS aha.org

• Cardiovascular disease was listed as the underlying cause of death for approximately 1 of every 3 deaths in 2016.

• Cardiovascular diseases claim more lives each year than all forms of cancer and Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease, combined.

• 121.5 million American adults had some form of cardiovascular disease between 2013 and 2016.

• Between 2014 and 2015, direct and indirect costs of cardiovascular diseases and stroke totaled $351.2 billion. By the year 2035, total direct medical costs of cardiovascular disease are projected to increase to $749 billion.

• Stroke is the #5 killer of all Americans.

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.

JONES-GULSBY'S

PRODUCTS katy

go-to BEAUTY

LOCAL VINTAGE DEALER LETS US IN ON ALL HER FAVORITE SELFCARE PRODUCTS. I’m a vintage dealer, wife, and mother of one. Our lifestyle is pretty hectic in this season of life and this more than anything has forced me to make very specific, thoughtful choices when it comes to self-care. I look for products and experiences that fit into my crazy schedule and really create results that are tangible. So much of beauty marketing for women is just noise; soundbites and marketing campaigns targeting every insecurity. The older I get, the more that turns me off, and I find myself looking for companies that create a culture of research and results.

BY: KATY JONES-GULSBY PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

Despite being very much an eclectic maximalist in almost every other aspect of my life, my beauty routine is fairly minimal. I wear minimal makeup and, because of that, want my skin to be at its best. I try really hard not to buy into this myth that women need to constantly be striving for youth when it comes to their looks; I’ve earned these smile lines and crow’s feet! I want glowing, healthy skin, but I don’t agree that it needs to look airbrushed to be beautiful. I handle beautiful old things all day long in my career, and I try to take that reverence for age and imperfections and apply it to myself and those around me. I just want to look like the best version of me, at whatever age I happen to be.

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2%

BHA

Liquid Exfoliant

I’ve been using Paula’s Choice products for years, and I love that the brand is getting a lot of beauty influencer exposure recently. My mother is an OG Paula Begoun fan, from back when she was writing her cult fave Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me books. She turned me on to the products when I was in college, and I’ve been using a variety of them for years. I love that they cite the peer-reviewed research they use to create their products, as well as a full and detailed ingredient list front and center. This is my ultimate holy grail product, and the hype around it on the beauty blogs is so well deserved. Nothing in my skincare regimen has better results and I can’t rave about it enough, especially if you are dealing with any form of acne, enlarged pores, or uneven skin-tone.

Product available at paulaschoice.com, $29.50

Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster

My second-fave product from this brand. It helps with uneven skin tone and texture, especially from acne scars and discoloration. It’s super creamy and can be used alone, or added to my moisturizer, which is nice and convenient.

Product available at paulaschoice.com, $36

Thayer’s Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Rose Petal Facial Toner

I am lucky my skin isn’t very sensitive, but one thing that does make it really unhappy is alcohol-based toners. I am a Thayer’s devotee – I’ve tried fancier brands, but nothing feels the same or gives that clean, toned feeling like the witch hazel toner. I love the rose petal scent; it smells like the best rose water.

Product available at Target, $9.29

Sunday Riley’s Luna Oil

Traditional retinol treatments are usually too strong for my skin, so I love this retinoid oil. It’s super gentle and feels amazing. The retinol promotes elasticity and makes my skin glow; the blue tansy and chamomile help with redness and uneven tone and texture. This is another product that I avoided and really didn’t want to like – mostly because it felt like too extravagant a purchase – but it really is amazing. Sephora does a really great combo package of this and the Good Genes with smaller sizes for $85, which is a great way to get these products without the huge price tags.

Product available at Sephora, $105

Sunday Lactic Acid Treatment

A total splurge, but it’s so worth it. I’d heard the hype about this for ages and avoided it at all costs because I was terrified I would love it; who needs a $100 face cream? I was in total denial. And then Sephora sent me a sample and I was caught hook, line, sinker. Now it’s a necessity and I get the hype: it plumps the skin, smooths fine wrinkles and makes my skin feel bright and smooth. Combined with the BHA treatment (I alternate them morning and night), it’s been a savior for my skin.

Product available at Sephora, $105

Oh my gosh, can I wax poetic about these little things for a minute? How do I love thee, let me count the ways. I’ve seen various beauty bloggers mention pimple patches on their blogs, and this seemed to be the one everyone loved. I can’t live without it and the cost is amazing. The minute you feel a pimple coming on, slap one of these on it overnight and the hydrocolloid patch will literally draw out all of the nastiness. Nothing, I repeat nothing, I have tried over the years has been as effective as this.

Product available at Ulta, $6

Temporary Tint

My hair has been every color of the rainbow over the years, but I always seem to come back to pink! This spray is such a great way to play with color on blond hair without making a huge commitment. You spray it in the shower and can build it in brightness and intensity. It washes out over time or more quickly with a clarifying shampoo. I love the subtle, cotton-candy shade.

Product available at Target, $12

TVV MEDISPA

CoolSculpting University Graduates

Preferred Level in Zeltiq® Crystal Rewards CoolScultiping Program

Alma Laser Certiﬁed

Platinum Level with Allergen Aesthetics

TVV Medispa is a physician supervised, full service, health and wellness medical spa. ey o er a unique spa experience by providing medical services while keeping the atmosphere of a luxurious day spa. Dr. Javier Alonso heads the team and has a sta of caring, experienced, and personable experts.

e TVV Medispa sta is committed to providing their patients with the best care possible. ey want to help their patients feel as beautiful as possible and do so through their up-to-date training in advanced skincare technology. ey customize treatments for each customer in order to t their personal and unique needs and goals.

ey are the only practice in town that has two Coolsculpting machines. is means they are able to treat two areas of the body at the same time-which saves the patient time. ey are also quali ed to treat all nine areas of the body that are FDA approved.

Procedures and services the medispa specializes in include: Coolsculpting, painless hair removal, tattoo removal, skin tightening, Photofacial, skin rejuvenation, Botox, Juvederm, and many more. Each of their services has the option to be customized to the patient as they strive for only the best results.

At TVV Medispa, you will experience luxury services such as a ozone sauna and massages. eir hope is to make each patient feel as beautiful as possible and receive a true pampering treatment. TVV MediSpa where your con dence is transformed!

FEATURED SERVICE

Take yourself further – Freeze and eliminate treated fat cells with the CoolSculpting treatment.

Eliminate treated fat cells for good! FDA approved to treat all nine body areas the CoolSculpting treatment is an innovative, nonsurgical way to contour your body by safely and effectively freezing stubborn fat away. Many of us have stubborn fat despite diet and exercise. CoolSculpting effectively targets fat cells underneath the skin without damage to the skin or surrounding tissues. Treated fat cells are frozen and then die. In the weeks that follow, the body naturally processes and eliminates these dead fat cells. Take yourself further with Coolsculpting!

ADVANCED WELLNESS & WEIGHTLOSS

DALE EUBANK, MD, FACOG Board Certiﬁed OB/GYN

Dr. Eubank is a board certi ed OB/GYN who has been practicing in Corpus Christi since 1983. He received his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and attended medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas. While attending medical school he was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He completed his residency in OB/GYN at Parkland Memorial Hospital where he served as chief resident. In 1999 he founded Advanced Research Associates, for the purpose of conducting clinical research in order to bring new and improved treatments and medications to women. Since its inception he has participated in over one hundred clinical trials resulting in several publications in medical journals.

In 2000 Dr. Eubank stopped practicing obstetrics to focus his practice on treating women a er the child bearing years and as they transition through menopause. He is an expert in the elds of hormone optimization for men and women, sexual and bladder health and medical weight loss.

Dr. Eubank founded Advanced Wellness and Weight Loss. He and his wellness sta are constantly focused on ful lling their mission to help patients, “look, better, feel better and live better.” He nds it rewarding to help women feel comfortable about discussing issues they previously thought were an inevitable part of aging. He is happy to o er safe and e ective non-surgical treatments for decreased sexual health and desire, weight gain, bladder issues, decreased energy and vitality.

FEATURED SERVICE

Women frequently begin to experience vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse, decreased libido, vaginal laxity, decreased sensitivity and bladder problems after childbirth and during the menopausal years. Thermi-O is a novel combination treatment for these symptoms utilizing both radio frequency (ThermiVa) and platelet rich plasma (O-Shot) to restore moisture, normalize bladder function and restore the pleasure of intimacy. ThermiVa utilizes a handheld device that generates radiofrequency energy and is applied to the tissues of the vagina and triggers the production of collagen as well as promotes healthy circulation. The O-Shot involves the skillful injection of platelet-rich plasma that contains growth factors into the tissues of the vagina. These treatments can rejuvenate the sensitive tissues of the vagina, increase ability to reach orgasm as well as improve urinary incontinence and urgency. ThermiVa and O-Shot can be paired into a single in-ofﬁce visit for total vaginal rejuvenation with no pain and no downtime.

HALCYON MED SPA

Heather Lenhart Orr, FNP-C: Nationally Certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in Aesthetic Medicine

When it comes to aesthetic services, a trustworthy and highly trained team of professionals is your best resource. Halcyon Med Spa was founded in 2015 and continues today under the leadership of Dr. Lonnie Schwirtlich MD, and Angelica Jackson MPAS PA-C. Under the supervision of Dr. Schwirtlich, our team follows strict safety standards. All medical services are performed by our Allergan Master Injectors, PA Angelica Jackson and FNP Heather Orr.

Recognizing a need in Corpus Christi for modern aesthetic services in a refined setting, the small business experienced a rebirth in 2018. We recently celebrated our Fab First Year in our new home on S. Staples, a luxurious retreat where we cater to your concerns with everything from Botox, Ultherapy, HydraFacial, ZO Skin Health and a range of dermal filler services. We also feature small-label, independent products you can’t find anywhere else, and will soon be expanding our offerings to include exciting new CBD therapies.

Our staff specializes in the latest procedures and technology to achieve results that enhance your natural beauty. Our non-medical providers are experienced, licensed aestheticians with a passion for helping people.

What makes Halcyon different? A friendly, well-trained staff is just part of the package. The equipment required for procedures like body contouring, intimate female rejuvenation, and tattoo color removal are sophisticated machines that require professional calibration and servicing. Ongoing staff training and properly maintained equipment produces reliable results, requires fewer treatments and improves patient comfort.

Our clinical environment enables our providers to deliver what we promise: medical-quality aesthetic services to help you look better not different. Our goal is to highlight your best features to show off what you love best about yourself.

FEATURED SERVICE

Ultherapy is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment to lift and tighten the skin. Ultherapy relies on ultrasound energy to deliver its collagen-boosting treatment. It also incorporates conventional ultrasound imaging, which allows us to see the layers of tissue being treated.

Ultherapy will help keep skin on the face, neck and chest looking more elastic and youthful. Precisely targeted ultrasound waves kickstart dormant collagen in the dermis, which in turn tightens and lifts skin and underlying tissues. A healthy diet and Ultherapy every 12-18 months will help you reach your rejuvenation goals. Ultherapy works slowly over time for results that last.

Lonnie Schwirtlich, MD: Doctorate in Medicine, Specializing in Emergency Medicine, from Baylor College of Medicine and Board Certified in Emergency Medicine

Angelica Jackson, MPAS PA-C: Board Certified Dermatology Physician Assistant, specializing in Aesthetic Medicine

1908 State Highway 361, Port Aransas, TX 78373 Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00 – 4:00

I called The Castor Collection last year for help in decorating a condominium my wife and I own in Port Aransas that had been damaged by Hurricane Harvey. I had the good fortune of speaking with Judy Buchanan. My initial goal was to obtain help with window treatments but after working with Judy for a short time, my wife and I realized how talented she was, and we expanded her role. The result was a condominium we feel is just exceptional. Judy had the best eye for color I have ever seen and in a coastal condominium that made a world of difference. She also has a great sense of placement. I think, though, that the best thing about Judy was her perspective. She never tried to impose her vision for our condominium on us. Instead, she solely wanted to help us achieve our vision. If we asked her what she thought she would tell us, but the rest of the time she was only concerned about what we wanted. If my wife and I have any other decorating projects in the future, Judy will be the ﬁrst person we’ll call.

- John Skogland

Judy Buchanan

HOME & GARDEN

eclecticism ARTISTIC

INTERMINGLING STYLES ENLIVEN THIS HOME’S PERSONALITY

BY: JAQUELINE GONZALEZ

PHOTOS BY: JASON PAGE

An eclectic approach to home decor can be challenging, but Tom Brookshire nails the unique aesthetic in his home located in Bessar Park.

Guests are greeted with a walkway of concrete adobe bricks, flanked by a perfectly manicured lawn. The curved entryway gives an artistic vibe to the front yard, and the electric blue door spotlights the architecture, making it the perfect companion to the neutral shades of the home. The 30-foot palm trees bring coastal vibes to the sleek, modern front view of the home.

Brookshire’s living room takes a unique approach in his choice of art and furniture: he displays contemporary, eye-catching brown Barcelona chairs opposite a light blue lounge chair. A lime-green Natuzzi couch joins in the color block vibes of the living room furniture, echoing the splash of color from the entry.

The dark brown wood floors add a nice contrast to the entryway, but also provide a sleek, masculine backdrop for the bright shades of the decor pieces. Although he removed the original carpeting in the living room to modernize the area, the entryway and den floors remain the same. The ornate design in shades of blue and red is similar to the floors in the Corpus Christi Cathedral and offers a vintage Corpus Christi vibe.

Brookshire initially collaborated on the newly renovated kitchen’s design with the architect, Jennifer Lee of Ōckerlee Design. Then, designer and contractor Debbie Stanford of Deb’s Interiors came on board and made modifications and selections, bringing the entire project to a finish. The talents of both architect and designer brought Tom’s visions to fruition, creating a perfect kitchen space. The gray-on-white aesthetic of the kitchen, complete with quartz countertop, adds a muted backdrop for colorful dishes purchased from the annual Soup or Salad fundraiser held by the Art Center. Each bowl is designed by a different artist and gives a unique contrast to his solid white dishware. The beautiful view of the backyard’s saltwater swimming pool and lush tropical greenery adds the finishing touch.

The den and TV room is every book lover’s dream, and an excellent place to relax after a long day. A large bookshelf with ample space for a plethora of books and art pieces covers an entire wall, from top to bottom. Herman Miller chairs add a masculine touch, while the open floor plan of the area has a welcoming vibe as a recreational area for guests. An antique table, spray painted black and topped with black marble, mimics the masculine vibes of the Herman Miller chairs.

Art adds the ideal pop of personality to any home. Brookshire displays some of his favorites, includ ing a small black dog made by local Greg Reuter – one of his first pieces – that is strategically placed

BROOKSHIRE DISPLAYS SOME OF HIS FAVORITES, INCLUDING A SMALL BLACK DOG MADE BY GREG REUTER – ONE OF HIS FIRST PIECES – THAT IS STRATEGICALLY PLACED ON THE WINDOWSILL IN THE LIVING ROOM, FACING THE MAILBOX AS THE DOG “WATCHES THE MAILMAN.”

A CHAIR MADE BY BROOKSHIRE’S GREAT-GRANDFATHER IN THE 1860S, ADORNED WITH INTRICATE NEEDLEPOINT CHAIR CUSHIONS MADE BY HIS MOTHER, PROVIDES A TOUCH OF NOSTALGIA.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW L OCATION

5017 S ARATOGA C ORPUS C HRISTI , TX 361-692-2177

14330 SPID, N ORTH P ADRE I SLAND , TX 361-949-2266

1812 S TATE H WY 361 S UITE A P ORT A RANSAS , TX 361-749-2266

615 B USINESS H WY 35 S OUTH R OCKPORT , TX 361-729-2266

ALTHOUGH THE HOME IS FILLED WITH ARTISTIC DECOR AND UNIQUE RENOVATIONS, THERE’S A COMMITMENT THAT INHABITS EACH ROOM, CREATING A COHESIVE BLEND IN AN OTHERWISE EASILY MISUNDERSTOOD STYLE.

on the windowsill in the living room, facing the mailbox as the dog “watches the mailman.” Art from local artists including Clint Stone, Barbara Reilly, Ricardo Rios, Jerry Herring, Debra Mailes, David Bates, and Mary Baxter adorn the home. Each piece has a symbolic meaning, including a painting of a food truck belonging to the father of Joe Peña, the artist, and head of the painting department at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. Tom adds his own version of an art piece in his home office: a basket filled with rolled-up blueprints from the family ranch and a few maps.

Along with the artwork found in each room, family heirlooms are always a great addition, and allow the designer to make the home their own. A chair made by Brookshire’s great-grandfather in the 1860s, adorned with intricate needlepoint chair cushions made by his mother, provides a touch of nostalgia. A man shaped out of woven straw, kept from Brookshire’s childhood, sits next to the fireplace in the living room. Although time has warped the shape of the strawman, the vintage touch makes it a unique addition. A tall and gorgeous lamp featuring a purple glass design was a gift from his father to his mother, and Tom proudly displays it in his den. A steel hard hat worn by his grandfather in the 1940s adds a hard-working, yet nostalgic, feel to his home office.

Tom’s decorating talents do not stop with his decor prowess. In order to maximize space, he added 300 square feet to his house, allowing for a walk-in closet. He also rearranged the bedroom space, and the guest bathroom was turned into a washroom to remove the washing equipment from the garage to a more economical space.

Although the home is filled with artistic decor and unique renovations, there’s a commitment that inhabits each room, creating a cohesive blend in an otherwise easily misunderstood style.

soaked in

sunflowers

HOW TO GROW A SUNFLOWER HEDGEROW IN THE COASTAL BEND

BY: JUSTIN BUTTS PHOTO BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

There are hundreds of varieties of sunflowers in the United States. Among those, the “silverleaf” sunflower is endemic to South Texas, which means it grows well here, but nowhere else. It is our own private sunflower!

The silverleaf variety grows up to 20 feet tall on thick, trunk-like stalks covered with golden blooms. These flowers make the ideal native hedgerow.

A LIVING FENCE TO PROTECT THE GARDEN

A hedgerow of silverleaf sunflowers shields the garden from the relentless Gulf winds, which dry out the soil and cause moisture to quickly evaporate. Dry soil blows away in the wind, but a sunflower hedgerow conserves water and holds the soil in place.

Silverleaf sunflowers grow in the summer, when gardens most need their protection. The deep roots absorb water and prevent soil erosion in big rainstorms. The hedgerow fades in late fall but comes back all on its own, thick, lush, and beautiful, the next spring.

In the fall, you can also weave the sturdy stalks into trellises for winter peas, or burn the stalks to make potassium-rich ash to use as a soil amendment.

Sunflowers attract birds, butterflies, and bees to your landscape. Much of our fall honey in The Bend comes from the pollen of sunflowers. While attracting garden helpers, this living fence grows so dense that it prevents deer from sneaking into the garden to feast on plants. And best of all, sunflowers bring their golden blooms in late summer, when there is not much color in the garden.

GATHER IN OCTOBER, PLANT IN MARCH

Silverleaf sunflowers are easy to grow, but you must collect the seeds now, during the fall, from mature flowers. Because the silverleaf variety is endemic to South Texas, seeds are difficult to find commercially, so you must collect them in the wild.

Harvest the seeds by cutting mature flower heads from their stalks, just as the blooms wither. There are many small seeds on each flower head. To keep the seeds through the winter, store the flower heads in a zip-lock bag in the freezer.

In early March, plant these frozen flower heads into well-tilled, welldrained soil. To plant, simply cast the seeds or flower heads on the ground and stamp them into the soil. Water every few days until the seeds sprout.

You don’t need to thin these hardy sunflowers; they thin themselves as they mature. You can plant a living fence or a small thicket of flowers, whatever is best suited to your landscape. Once the sunflowers are two to three feet tall, mow around the edge to create the shape or footprint you prefer.

Silverleaf sunflowers are a useful, beautiful, and age-old companion to the garden. These gorgeous flowers will happily make themselves at home in your landscape!

Distinctive Landscapes Start Here...

ANTIQUE ACCENTS

DECADES OF DETAIL

LOCATION: HISTORIC HOME IN HERITAGE PARK

Historic accents are a way to preserve the past when it comes to home decor. The delicate details add character to today’s high tech world and allow home dwellers and guests alike a chance to be transported to a different time. A pre-Pinterest aesthetic is refreshing and is most certainly still suitable for today’s living.

Texture, color, and craftsman style enhance the clean lines and modern edge of today’s decorating. Incorporating these details into a modern living space should not be overlooked and your eye should see a contradictory balance between the modern world and yesterday.

Balance and proportion are of utmost importance when it comes to interior decorating. Mixing modern and antique design aesthetics is a great way to achieve this. By adding depth and contrast through antique items throughout your modern space, you’ll end up with a refreshing result that brings personality to the forefront!

BY: JO ANNE HOWELL PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

that

for

family, and your budget. That’s why we created the Family Friendly Flooring Sale Save on stylish,

Stainmaster® carpet, stainresistant Stainmaster® PetProtect™ carpet, and allergenreducing Stainmaster® LiveWell™ carpet. Floors that handle more of what your family can dish out, for less. Just another reason friends send friends to Flooring America.

Kennedy Dental Care

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.

OUT & ABOUT

ARTS & CULTURE 84 CELEBRATION 88 DATEBOOK 90 SOCIAL HOUR 94

Often times, the people behind the scenes of storytelling have rather interesting stories of their own. That is certainly the case when it comes to the three creatives behind the local micro-documentary series, OBSRV.

Watch &OBSRV

THE MINI-DOCUSERIES ABOUT THE STORY NEXT DOOR

BY: JULIETA HERNANDEZ PHOTOS COURTESY OF: OBSRV MEDIA

hen you look closer, everybody has a story. Seeking out and telling those stories is how they come to light; and, usually, the people who find those stories have a story of their own.

Miguel Diaz of Sofa Couch Media, Eric Alaniz of CC Visuals, and Carlos Tamez-Mendez of CTM Productions: visionary dudes that make the dream team. All experienced documenters, the crew came together when Diaz reached out to commercial photographer, Tamez-Mendez, and aesthetic photographer, Alaniz, to find a way to tell stories about the community a little differently.

“That’s what OBSRV. is doing: lifting the envelope on each individual and really just allowing us to view inside their lives, temporarily,” Diaz said. “I’ve always wanted to do a mini documentary series just like this, but I never had the right type of team or people that came across in my life that could actually pull it together.”

The guys at OBSRV. Media come with mics, cameras, and questions. The storytelling series of narratives that wouldn’t otherwise get told serves as an interactive give-and-take between our community and the

people in it. The stories are told by the guys who couldn’t do it alone, so they pushed their talents together to put forward a new type of story-telling media for the Coastal Bend area to live through.

“Anyone can take a camera and point it at someone, and ask what their story is. But we kind of wanted to give it more life,” Alaniz said. “I think as a collective, we work well together, we bounce ideas off each other, and it just makes everything come together magically.”

Back To Life Photography is Alaniz’s photo project child. Beginning with wedding and concert photography to create his own style of capturing lively, dramatic moments out of both real life and fantasy, Alaniz and his eye for the shutter made a perfect addition to the vision of OBSRV as a whole.

At CTM Productions, Tamez-Mendez highlights brands, people, and the things they do with the focus adjusted just right. With his history of professional photography and video work, Tamez-Mendez has worked with business owners in the area to find the special part of what they offer, and make it glow.

Gear up for a great school year with Mathnasium Does your child have the skills and confidence they need to succeed this school year? Mathnasium makes the difference. We’re the authority in math education, with over 1,000 learning centers worldwide. Our expert instructors teach each child individually, using customized learning plans to help them start off strong and achieve their academic goals for the entire school year and beyond!

“Not only are we providing a platform for individuals, but within ourselves, we’re able to ‘flex’ our skills that we have, but can’t always showcase in our own professional edits that we’ll do for our clients,” Diaz said. “With the level of creativity and expertise that each of us bring, we’re able to put together a pretty good production.”

The mini docuseries is about bringing everyone up to the top, and displaying everyone’s talents. The docuseries has told all the stories we wouldn’t have had a deeper perspective on, if video journalism didn’t thrive on a deeper perspective. The founder of the Menstrual Movement, the owner of Chicas Rock, and a girl who breathes fire: all different stories, different passions, long interviews and overnight edits.

“Showcasing individuals and their passion for what they do, giving back to the community in a digital format, I think that helps both us and them,” Tamez-Mendez said. “For instance, we did Marcus, the Bird Man. That one got a lot of views, a lot of shares, and I’d like to think that’s helping out his business, Feathered Friends.”

With a prospective future of growth and expansion, the team of three has hopes for the collaboration as well as their own personal visual endeavors. To learn about the passions, reasons, and talents people hold in the community, check out the past docuseries episodes on their Facebook or YouTube page, OBSRV.

Contact:

OBSRV on Youtube and Facebook

A South Texas Destination

BEACH DAYS, SUNFLOWERS, AND WHATABURGER – THE MAKING OF AMY AND TRAVIS’ BIG DAY

BY: JOANNE HOWELL PHOTOS BY: LONE OAK STUDIOS

When committing to a destination wedding, there are plenty of details to be worked out! Amy and Travis knew they wanted Cinnamon Shore Port Aransas to be the backdrop for their wedding day, as this spot had become a beloved family tradition for holidays, summer travels, and special occasions. While the couple resides in Houston, Texas, they have fond memories in the Coastal Bend and knew it would make for the perfect addition to their special day.

Family and friends gathered and enjoyed a classic Port A beach day in preparation for the wedding. As this place had come to form so many special memories for Amy and Travis, they wanted their guests to have their own little piece of that in celebration of their love.

The ceremony scene was set on the Great Lawn where a simple arch was prepared with garlands of sunflowers, greenery, and pops of pink roses. We then moved to the lawn for appetizers and a casual Tex-Mex feast paired with everyone’s favorite Mexican Lagers.

The party continued well into the night as everyone danced their hearts out. Late-night snacks from Whataburger were served to close out the evening on a tasty and familiar note.

EVENT DETAILS:

Planning + Design: Oh Goodie Design + Events

Floral: Sandra Sauceda

ISave Your Natural Tooth!

Has your dentist told you that you need root canal treatment?

If so, you’re not alone. Millions of teeth are treated and saved each year with root canal, or endodontic, treatment. Watch our videos at southtexasendo.com to learn more!

nside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, and helps to grow the root of your tooth during development. In a fully developed tooth, the tooth can survive without the pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it. Contrary to jokes about the matter, modern endodontic treatment is very similar to having a routine filling and usually can be completed in one or two appointments, depending on the condition of your tooth and your personal circumstances. You can expect a comfortable experience during and after your appointment. We also provide nitrous, oral and IV sedation for the anxious patient.

If you are given a choice between root canal treatment or tooth extraction, always choose root canal treatment. Dentistry has yet to produce a denture, bridge or implant that looks, feels and functions as well as a natural tooth. Never choose extraction because you think it will be quicker! Endodontic treatments generally require one to two visits lasting less than an hour each. An extraction requires one visit, but the denture, bridge or implant will require several additional visits with your dentist. Never choose extraction because you think it will be cheaper! When a natural tooth is extracted, it must be replaced with an artificial tooth to prevent other teeth from shifting, and to prevent future dental problems. The cost of a denture, bridge or implant, plus the extraction, often is higher than the cost of an endodontic procedure that would save the tooth for years to come. Most dental insurance plans cover endodontic treatment.

Call South Texas Endodontics:

Saving the natural tooth with root canal treatment has many advantages such as:

• Efficient chewing

• Protects other teeth from excessive wear or strain

• Natural appearance

• Normal biting force and sensation so you can continue to eat your favorite foods

• Limits the need for costlier, ongoing dental work

We want you to have the best experience possible in saving your natural teeth. Dr. Anthony, Dr. King (Board Certified) and Staff are here to answer your questions. If you have any questions about root canal procedures, you can visit our website at southtexasendo.com or call us at 361-992-7871.

We want you to have the best experience possible in saving your natural teeth. Dr. Anthony, Dr. King (Board Certified), Dr. Robles (Board Certified) and staff are here to answer your questions. If you have any questions about root canal procedures, you can visit our webstie at southtexasendo.com or call us at 361-992-7871.

EVENTS TO KNOW

FESTIVAL

Corpus Culture Fall Fest

October 12th

Culture Exchange of Corpus Christi, a local group that meets bi-weekly to share all things culture, travel, and language, are putting on another event, Corpus Culture Fall Fest! Hosted by the International Student Exchange of Corpus Christi, Culture Fall Fest will take place at BUS and feature booths, vendors, and interactive activities from local culture groups and display a representation of cultures from all around the world. For more information, visit Corpus Christi Culture Fall Fest on Facebook. BUS, 702 N. Chaparral St.

ARTS

59th Annual Texas Jazz Festival

October 18th – 20th

Looking for the perfect way to spend a day with the whole family? Look no further than the annual Texas Jazz Festival! Located in Heritage Park, this festival will have various stages of live music, tons of incredible food, market vendors for you to shop, craft beer, and so much more! The event is free for all to enjoy and will last all weekend long!

Heritage Park, 17599 Fife Ln.

FESTIVAL

Surftoberfest

October 5th

The Texas Surf Museum is proud to present the 5th Annual Surftoberfest – an all-day, family-friendly, beer-filled festival that is rich in German and Texas surf culture! The museum puts a coastal spin on Oktoberfest to bring you a unique event experience. This event serves as the main fundraiser for Texas Surf Museum, a 501(c)(3) organization. The event will feature live music, local brews, pop-up art shows, costume contests, kids activities, and more!

Water Street Market, 309 N. Water Street

BENEFIT

Moonlight in the Tropics

October 11th

Join the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center for their annual fundraising event, Moonlight in the Tropics! This event serves as one of the Botanical Gardens' main fundraising opportunities for their programming and education and will feature a fun evening of tropical beverages, food, a patio party, silent auction, and other fun activities.

Ortiz Center, 402 Harbor Dr.

October 11th – November 2nd

If you’re looking to get a little spooky this season, head over to the USS Lexington for their annual haunted house! Experience a haunting like no other aboard the 2nd and 3rd decks of a WWII era aircraft carrier as you venture into spaces never before opened to the public. With the help of Castle of Terror Productions, this is one Spooktacular you won’t want to miss!

USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, 2914 N. Shoreline Blvd.

BENEFIT

2019 Coastal Bend Heart Walk

October 5th

Getting some cardio in, while supporting a good cause, is always a good idea! Join the American Heart Association – Corpus Christi for their annual, family-friendly 5K event! In an effort to promote healthy lifestyles and raise funds towards cardiovascular research and educational programming for the local chapter, this event will serve as a great way to get active and involved! For more information, visit coastalbendheartwalk.org.

Whataburger Field, 734 E. Port Ave

Braselton Homes has always been a family owned and operated business. From the founding three generations ago, our family has made it a priority to bring quality, affordable, beautiful homes to the families of Corpus Christi.

As the kids are settling back into school, we remember that when we design our neighborhoods, we are thinking of families and their children in the process. Neighborhoods such as Royal Oaks are designed within walking distance to local schools. This is a back-to-basics mentality, trying to give busy families back that priceless commodity – time with each other – and give our neighborhoods a sense of community, as families gather at the local school, parks, or bike trails.

Our focus on family doesn’t just encompass our day jobs. This month, as The Bend Magazine focuses on local ladies who are beautiful inside and out, we are proud of our own family member Michelle Braselton, my wife. Besides spending her time chasing after our twins, Michelle dedicates her time to many worthy causes in our community that support our local families.

She and I served as chairs for the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball several years ago, raising hundreds of thousands of dol-

lars for life saving research. Michelle has also been a member of the organization’s Circle of Red for years as well. She serves on the board of the Food Bank of Corpus Christi as well as volunteering time at the ECF Community Center and supporting Fish for Life Ministries, New Life Refuge Ministries, and the Salvation Army.

Michelle is perhaps best known for “clowning around” as a Clown who Cares, visiting kids at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. Our family mission is always supporting families, helping them to realize the American Dream and have a beautiful home to return to each day, and we thank Michelle for her tireless efforts to support local families in so many other ways as well.

From our family to yours, we’re so proud of our heritage of making the Coastal Bend more and more beautiful, one family and one family home at a time.

See you in the neighborhood, 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.

BART BRASELTON

Casa de Amor Gala

1. Lesley Lomax, Laura Berry, Tony Alcoser, and Janet Luhan 2. Dr. Mary Jane Garza, Gargi Bhowal, and Sujan Behari Roy

3. Trey and Karen Andrews 4. Larken Southerland, Sally Wallace, and Peggy Ahuja

5. Scott Clanton, Melanie Nixson, and Julie Johnson 6. Jared Camacho and Miranda Trevino

7. Yvonne Neves & Christina Hoover Bonner 8. Blanche Candelaria Morris and Greg Ybarra 9. Courtney Greenup and Chris Greenup

PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

WEICHERT WORKS… SERVING ALL OF THE COASTAL BEND

CASINO NIGHT

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

1. Allison Cruger and Travis Cruger 2. Brooke Falcon and Marisol Ramirez 3. Dr. Chad Allen and Amy Allen

4. Evan Dundas, Sarah Dundas, Debbie Srisathit, and Steven Davidson

Ed Cantu, Craig Shaw, Rachel Palumbo

6. Vick and Mellisa Valentine 7. Arthur Haas, Sara Morgan, and Michael Morgan

Brenda Kleven and Joseph Lizotte

PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

Edith Rojas, D.D.S.

Dr. Edith Rojas is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, she is credentialed with the medical sta at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. Her professional a liations include the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association. Her passion is to provide the best quality dental care to infants, children, and adolescents including special needs children.

CUISINE

A pre-prohibition distilling technique with a modern twist. That’s what you’ll find when you visit the newest distillery in the Coastal Bend, Aerodrome Distillery. We sat down with the owner to find out what to expect when stopping by.

Ceviche &Crostinis

THERE IS AN APP(ETIZER) FOR THAT!

BY: JUSTIN & KAYLA BUTTS

PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

Appetizers have traditionally been served to whet one’s appetite for the main course that follows. But modern appetizers have become mini-meals unto themselves – small dishes fit for occasions when a full meal is too much, but a smaller bite is just right.

There are plenty of occasions perfect for appetizers: bringing a dish to a tailgate party, having neighbors over to watch a primary debate, awaiting the arrival of friends before a night on the town, and many more. The appetizer must match the moment to lift the mood of the group.

A good host should always consider the tastes of her guests when planning the apps for your affair.

Pear and Roquefort crostini with honey is much more fitting for a night of debate, discussion, and cheering on candidates. The tanginess of the cheese blends with the soft sweetness of the pear and honey, with the crisp crostini providing a nice texture. Politics can drive people apart, but this dish will bring them back together.

And what better way to entertain friends before a night on the town than ceviche shooters in cucumber shot glasses? We love freshly caught speckled trout, with its gorgeous color and texture, for this dish – but any fresh local fish, from snapper to flounder, works just as well. If possible, use a Marketmore variety cu cumber from a local farmer. This cuke is hefty enough to make a good vessel, and so delicious that you can be sure all your shot glasses will be eaten.

The perfect appetizer can elevate any get-together into a real celebration. Plus, a thoughtful dish shows people that you care about them. Just remember, no matter what the occasion or moment, there is an APP(etizer) for that!

Makes 12

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

COOK TIME: 4 hour

INGREDIENTS:

5 cucumbers, peeled

1 lb speckled trout filets, cut into 1/2” dice

1 lb gulf shrimp, peeled and deveined, cut into 1/2” dice

1 shallot, minced

2 avocado, diced into 1/2” pieces

3 roma tomatoes, diced into 1/2” pieces

1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped

1-2 jalapenos, seeded and minced

1 tsp salt

6 limes

2 oranges

DIRECTIONS:

Chop 1 cucumber into small pieces and set aside. Cut the other four cucumbers into 3rds of approximately equal length. Cut off the ends of each cucumber, making a flat surface on which the cucumber will stand upright. On one side of each piece, hollow out the cucumber ¾ of the way down leaving the other end intact. To do so, use a paring knife to cut out a small cylinder in the middle of the cucumber around the seeds and scoop out the flesh with a small spoon, taking care not to disturb the outer integrity of the cucumber vessel you’ve created. Set aside in the refrigerator.

In a large bowl, combine: trout, shrimp, shallot, avocado, tomato, cilantro, and jalapeno. Season the mixture with salt, mixing well. Squeeze the juice of the limes and oranges over the mixture. Cover and let marinade for approximately four hours, until seafood is white and opaque. Drain mixture and serve in prepared cucumber cups. are toasted.

Remove from the oven and top with a drizzle of honey and fresh thyme leaves. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Pear and Roquefort Crostini with Honey

Makes about 16

PREP TIME: 7 minutes

COOK TIME: 8 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 baguette, sliced into 3/4” segments

Olive oil

2 pears, sliced thinly

6 ounces high-quality blue cheese

1/4 cup local honey

1 bunch fresh thyme

DIRECTIONS:

Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Place baking sheet on the second highest rack of the oven and broil on high for 3 minutes, until bread begins to toast.

Remove from the oven and top with 2 pieces sliced pear and several blue cheese crumbles. Broil a second time for about 5 minutes, until cheese begins to melt and edges of the baguette are toasted.

Remove from the oven and top with a drizzle of honey and fresh thyme leaves. Serve warm or at room temperature.

When Tradition Meets Modern

A PRE-PROHIBITION DISTILLING TECHNIQUE WITH A CONTEMPORARY TWIST

BY: JESSIE MONSIVAIS PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

There’s nothing quite like locally crafted alcohol. Taking a sip of something you know was crafted right here in the Coastal Bend adds a certain element to your experience that just hits the right spot. We have various breweries and a couple of distilleries, and that number is increasing. The Coastal Bend is adding Aerodrome Distillery to the list. With an overarching aviation theme, that presents mid-century modern design elements with a rustic touch, Aerodrome will feature handcrafted, small-batch vodka, gin, single-barrel bourbon, and rum.

Owner, world-traveler, and Naval Aviator for the past 25 years, Nathan Bitz is the man behind the business. Soon to be retired, he shares how this idea came to fruition: “I would joke when I retired, I’d have a still (short for distillery) somewhere. The question was always, ‘How big?’ My friends gave me the advice to start out as big as I could possibly go from the beginning, because my demand would instantly outpace my supply.”

Located at 401 Aviation Drive in Flour Bluff, Aerodrome Distilling transcends any typical liquor tasting experience. “Past the décor, the design mirrors my distilling philosophy,” says Bitz. “There’s this tension I want to display between tradition and modern. My distilling techniques are similar to pre-prohibition days, but all the equipment is modern, state of the art.”

The distillery will offer tours and tastings, and eventually Bitz hopes to provide week-long distilling courses where patrons can make their

own batch of bourbon. Along with the distillery, Aerodrome will be set up as a full bar, offering mixed drinks that patrons can enjoy at the vintage airplane wing bar top. Bitz says his end goal is to be able to make all the classic cocktails with in-house ingredients.

“I’m going to focus on all the classics; the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Boulevardier, McCrory, Daiquiri, Gin and Tonic, and of course my own special margarita – what makes it unique is one thing: simplicity,” he says. “They’ve stood the test of time because they are balanced and straightforward. That is the key to making the best cocktails.”

Patrons can look forward to sipping on house-made vodka and gin, 4-year old Venezuelan rum bottled at Navy strength, a 5-year-old and 14-year-old straight bourbon, and 5-year straight rye.

Aerodrome’s gin highlights global flavor profiles of three Naval fleet concentration areas – areas within the Fleet where the highest amounts of Navy units are. Nathan says he wants to go global and capture the essence of the individual fleets. He shared his experience of walking through the spice markets in Dubai, and hopes to capture moments like that in the bottle. “Gin is like the Wild West, there’s only one law –you have to add juniper. You can tell a great story with gin, and that’s what I intend to do.”

The Third Fleet, located on the West Coast and Hawaii, holds botanical flavor profiles with notes of rosemary, purple sage, and cilantro. The Fifth Fleet, located in the Middle East, will be heavy on spices from

that region, and the Seventh Fleet, located in Asia, includes a mix of different spices you’d find in Japan and Korea: shishito pepper, Buddha’s hand, kaffir lime, and cherry blossom.

“The global flavor profile of each one will be very different from the others, and different from what you can find on the shelf. There will be nothing else on the shelf that will be even close,” Bitz says confidently.

From Texas grains, water, and wild yeast in the area, Aerodrome’s bourbon will be full of Texas terroir.

“With my bourbon, I want to capture the terroir of Corpus Christi,” says Bitz. “My belief as the distiller is that I should have as little influence on the prod uct as possible. I want the water, the grain, and the barrel to speak.”

Everything Aerodrome offers is single-barrel, cask strength. Each barrel produces different taste profiles and carries an individual flavor from the spirit; there will be no proofing water added at all. “I want a unique and flavorful spirit. I’m focused on quality rather than quantity. I want a small amount of prod uct at very high quality,” Bitz says passionately.

Built to be military friendly, Nathan says, Aerodrome will offer a hefty military discount, along with free tastings to first responders, public servants, and military.

Aerodrome promises to be family-friendly, too, with a huge playset out on the half-acre of land alongside soft grass, picnic tables, and a fire pit. All of these elements combined come together to create a new and unique drinking experience for locals and visitors alike.

Contact:

401 Aviation Dr. | aerodistilling.com 831.241.1987

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

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

EATS EPICUREA RESTAURANT + BAR $

Eats Epicurea takes a creative approach with inventive coastal cuisine and unique spins on Texas favorites all while overlooking the on-site Schlitterbahn Waterpark. 14353 Commodore Dr, (361) 589-4230

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, enjoy the Gulf Coast while diving into top-quality coastal cuisine, live music, craft cocktails and some of 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

Artesano

FRESH FOOD WITH DEEP MEXICAN INFLUENCES AT THE COASTAL BEND’S NEWEST SPOT

BY: LAURA SHAVER PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

Before opening Shoreline Sandwiches six years ago, business partners Kristoffer Busk and AJ Brooks told the Corpus Christi Caller Times, “We want to change the way people eat in this town.” They brought in homemade sandwiches that are worth their value and require big bites. Since, Shoreline Sandwiches has expanded into three locations around town.

The duo set out to do the same thing for the city of Corpus Christi with much-beloved Mexican food in their newest local dive, Artesano. The name comes from the term “artisan,” which means

Brooks grew up in the kitchen of his grandmother, who ran a catering service in the Valley for 40 years. He recalls cooking with his tios and tias, who came from different regions of Mexico, and delighting in the cultural influences of each and every taste.

It is the authentic taste of Mexico that Artesano offers. “You can find a Mexican restaurant on every corner here, serving mostly TexMex,” says Brooks. “They are all successful, but they all cater to the

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can enjoy the best food,” says Brooks. “I wanted to bring that type of casual, chill space here, just like you can also find around San Antonio and Austin.”

Beginning later this fall, Artesano plans to open the patio and offer an inviting space simply decorated with Mexican pottery and strung white lights, perhaps with a local live band, for Corpus Christians to come and sit for a while and enjoy good, authentic Mexican food.

And the flavors available for an encounter will entice a repeat experience. On the menu are pork carnitas tacos, with pork smoked for 16 hours and packed with bacon fat, adding a powerful richness of flavor. The meat is cut into squares and pan-fried for that traditional crust on the outside.

For an appetizer, 16-inch from-scratch flour tortillas are covered with cheese and peppers and onions and can be topped with a choice of proteins. Also, as a homage to local traditions combined with cultural flavors, chicken wings basked in chamoy are available, and they retain that same, sweet heat that taste buds expect from the Mexican sauce.

“I just love Mexican food,” says Busk, “and we want to deliver great food from varying regions of Mexico that is new and fresh, with great attention to detail.”

Artesano’s seafood and ceviche offerings rotate – sometimes two to three times a week – depending on the fresh-never-frozen local catch. The fish tacos, a staple for many in our city by the sea, are

battered with Topo Chico Agua Mineral – a crispy, light, and innovative delight.

Needless to say, Artesano will serve as a welcome addition to the rich Mexican cuisine culture here in the Coastal Bend. With unique dishes and bold flavors on the menu, there is little doubt this will become one of your new local favorites.

Contact:

4601 Corona Dr. - Located inside the YWCA Building 361.461.0191 | artesanocctx@gmail.com

LOOKING BACK

Move Along, Corpus Christi

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

As cities grow, so does the need for a way to travel through them. In the 1880s, residents caught a ride on a 10-seat mule-drawn coach to cross town, then steam-powered (then electric) streetcars ran through downtown. In 1925, residents looking to catch rides on public transportation began to look for buses. By 1931, the streetcars were gone and Central Power and Light company was advertising their new bus route, but soon they focused on power.

The new owners started the Nueces Transportation Company with just 13 buses. With restrictions on automobile use as part of the war effort, the number increased to 105 buses by 1945, providing 18.3 million rides annually. While car ownership rose after the war, the City of Corpus Christi knew many citizens depended on the buses to travel through town. They purchased the failing Nueces Transporta-

tion Company in 1966. As the city grew, it was more challenging for the city to run the transit system. This led to the need for a dedicated group to oversee and improve it, so voters approved a sales tax increase to fund a new Regional Transit Authority.

Now called the Regional Transportation Authority, buses are still Corpus Christi’s main source of public transportation. Times have changed, with bus routes now available on an app and buses equipped with wheelchair ramps and bike racks. Check out bus routes that run near you—it’s easier to see what’s going on in town when you’re not behind a steering wheel.

Students and the driver stand next to a Nueces Transportation Bus on the Del Mar College route in the 1950s.