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6 The Bend
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Contents SEPTEMBER 2016 | The Beauty Issue
Features
Monthly | Departments
Around the Bend 18 Currents 20 Conversation 22 5 Best 24 Giving Back
Destinations 28 Quick Trip 30 Local Discovery
Health
54 Be Well
36 32
7 Most Beautiful Women: Inside & Out
Out & About
AT HOME
02
Fall/Winter 2016
Cuisine
Two Groovy Nuns
76 Farm to Table 79 The Dish 80 The Dining Guide 84 The Drink
Column
South Side Sanctuary GET COZY | INSIDE & OUT
90 Looking Back EXPLORE | LOCAL TINY HOUSE
The Bend: AT HOME 8 The Bend
62 Arts & Culture 64 Celebration 66 Date Book 70 Social Hour
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Discover why over 17 million homeowners trust us. RJ Alfaro, Agent 1702 Us Highway 181, Ste B10 Portland, TX 78374 Bus: 361-643-2277 Fax: 361-643-2270 rjalfaro.com
With your new home comes new responsibilities – like protecting your new investment with the right amount of homeowners insurance. That’s where I can help. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CALL ME TODAY.
PUBLISHER: Jordan Regas ART DIRECTOR: Nillo Studios PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Kaley Regas BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Chris Knapick MANAGING EDITOR: Whitney Noble AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT: Stefanie DeWaters ADVERTISING COORDINATOR: Rosana Sargent
0907507TX.1
State Farm Lloyds, Dallas, TX
VIDEOGRAPHER: Joey Puterbaugh Films CONTRIBUTORS: Justin & Kayla Butts Sharla Wilkins Cissy Tabor Kateri Reyes Jeff King Robert Breedlove Frances Bandas Jo Anne Howell Caroline Randall Freeman
MARKETING DESIGN: Ensemble Group LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER: Rachel Durrent PHOTOGRAPHY: Dustin Ashcraft Jason Page Kateri Reyes Gabe Mancha DISTRIBUTION: Produce Couriers Renée C. Gage Kevin Kusenberger INTERNS: Juan Farias and Frances Bandas EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS: jordan@thebendmag.com
ADVERTISING: chris@thebendmag.com
THE BEND OFFICE: 309 N. Water Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401 Phone: 361.792.3606
SUBSCRIPTIONS: THEBENDMAG.COM
Copyright © 2016 Gemstone Media, LLC. The Bend: Coastal Life Magazine is published by Gemstone Media, LLC. No portion may be reproduced without express written consent. Editorial or advertising does not constitute advice, but is rather considered informative. Expressed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ownership.
On the Cover
Erika Rose is just one of 7 finalists out to raise money for the charity she highly regards, Team 5. Photo by: Dustin Ashcraft
10 The Bend
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Happy Kids Happy Parents
Pediatric Dentistry
paulkennedydds.com
361-992-9500
Saratoga Office:
6200 Saratoga Blvd., Bldg. 1 Corpus Christi, TX 78414
Orthodontics Alameda Office:
3435 S. Alameda, Ste. A Corpus Christi, TX 78411
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Oral Surgery Calallen Office:
13725 Northwest Blvd., Ste. 270 Corpus Christi, TX 78410
Enclave Office:
5525 S. Staples, Ste. A4 Corpus Christi, TX 78411
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August | Meet The Staff
Meet the Staff
Dustin Ashcraft, Feature Photographer
Three Sweet Locations LAMAR PARK
3812 S. Alameda St. Mon-Sat 8-4
SIX POINTS
1714 S. Alameda St. Mon-Fri 7-3
ART MUSEUM 1902 N. Shoreline Blvd. Tue-Fri 11-3 / Sat 10-3
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Dustin Ashcraft is a highly sought after photographer in the Coastal Bend when it comes to fashion and working with top model talent. No one does it quite like Dustin, and Corpus Christi is proud to claim him as their own. A lifelong resident, Dustin loves the “island vibe” and beauty all around the Coastal Bend. Photography has always been a passion. In fact, he is carrying around a camera in almost every picture of him as a kid. When he met his wife 13 years ago, she showed him some modeling portfolio images she took for an agency that sparked his interest. His wife is a huge inspiration and motivator in Dustin’s life. She is always there to pick him up when he doubts himself or his work. Dustin’s parents are his heroes. He strives to be like his dad, who taught in the public school district for 20 years and is well known around King High School. He is grateful for their love and support over the years. Other than his 2014 Volkswagen Jetta, what drives him is all of the ideas he is compelled to express to the world in photographs. For him, success is having a good time making art, and if people pay attention and get any form of happiness or inspiration from it, that is just a bonus. Dustin’s photographs are published in magazines and billboards around the city and he is regularly hired for shoots all over Texas. To top it off, he has photographed celebrities and well-known personalities. Check out Dustin’s exceptional photos in this month’s issue of the 2016 7 Most Beautiful Women: Inside & Out.
CONNECT WITH US @ thebendmag.com @thebendmag on Instagram and Twitter #CBLife
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ROOM IN YOUR HOME? Send us a photo of the place in your home that is your sanctuary. #TBFavRoom
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Located in Portland’s Exclusive Northshore Community...
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September | Letter From The Publisher
Publisher’s Letter “I think every working mom probably feels the same thing: you go through big chunks of time where you’re just thinking, ‘This is impossible – oh, this is impossible.’ And then you just keep going and keep going, and you sort of do the impossible.” – Tina Fey Wake up at 6:30 to the sound of my daughter’s voice. Cuddle time. Breakfast. Kisses goodbye. Stop at the post office to gather the day’s mail. Drive in to work. Put out fires. Work on accounts receivables. Put out fires. Meet with the staff to check on progress of the issue. Tea time with Stefanie. Put out fires. Work on the next event. Graphic design. Put out fires. Come home from work and resume home-life. Prepare dinner. Bath time. Read stories to Gemma, then put her to sleep. Quality time with my husband. Bed. Sound familiar? On some level, this is the model for a working mother’s life. Despite the seemingly unbreakable walls we face each day, we somehow manage to make it all work. I am often referred to as, “The Publisher’s Wife,” and “Gemma’s Mom,”
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14 The Bend
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© 2016 Allstate Insurance Co.
This issue is dedicated to our upcoming event, 7 Most Beautiful Women: Inside & Out. I love this event most of all, because we shine a light on busy women who have perfected the art of making it all work. Not only do many have full-time careers and families, they each have found a charity that has touched their heart so deeply that they devote any spare minute they can squeeze to these worthy causes. You can meet these beautiful women October 6th at the Omni Hotel. Amidst your daily busy lives, carve out some time to celebrate with amazing women in our community, who keep going and going, and do the impossible. -Kaley Regas, Production Director
The opening spread for 7 MBW (as we refer to it in the office) is just striking. The combination of Dustin's photography and Will's design made this a stunning feature. I do have to say though, Cheryl Sanders made this too easy on us. She was a little unsure in front of the camera at first, but the moment we got her to laugh we knew we hit it out of the park. Cheryl has the most radiant laugh I have ever heard. The kind of laugh that warms your soul. I love this spread, and I hope you do too.
If you need home coverage, I can help. If you need home coverage, I can help. I live and work right here in our community. I know what the homes are like I live and work right here in our community. I know in the area. So I can offer advice you can trust to help you get the protection that fits your needs. what the homes are like in the area. So I can offer advice you can or trust to some help you get about the protection insurance need advice protecting If you’re ready to talk home that fits your needs. Favorite Page all that’s important to you, call me today. I’ll make you feel right at home. If you’re ready to talk home insurance or need some Al Armadillo, Agent advice about protecting all that’s important to you, 361-985-7488 call me today. I’ll make you feel right at home. Al Armadillo, Agent 361-985-7488 aarmadillo@allstate.com
and while these are the two roles of which I am most proud, my career with the magazine is near and dear to my heart. This community has become a very important part of my life. I am always looking for ways to highlight the amazing people I meet and the unique places found tucked around the bend. Planning events is one of my passions, and I find this to be an exciting way to bring our people and places together.
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16 The Bend
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Around the Bend SEPTEMBER 2016
CURRENTS 18 CONVERSATION 20 5 BEST 22 GIVING BACK 26
What’s Inside Although many animals have the ability to camouflage themselves to trick predators, we adopted the idea for the Military, spurred by the increasing range and accuracy of firearms in the 19th century. But try it out while birdwatching! You may see more than you expected!
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Around the Bend | Currents
Currents Cruise Ship Ever wondered about taking a cruise? Look no further, because Corpus Christi just may have its very own terminal coming soon. A local bill was recently established tasking lawmakers with the duty of scaling the cruise ship industry and establishing the reasonability of bringing a cruise to the city. Recent critics noted two main flaws: The low lying Harbor Bridge creates an obstruction for large ships, and the nonexistence of a local terminal to dock the ships. In hopes of solving the initial burden, researchers have discovered new facts that may aid in the effort. Although unknown to many prior to the recent rediscovery, Corpus Christi actually has a terminal! It’s the Solomon P. Ortiz International Center. It was created in 2000 when renovations were made. As for the bridge, recent plans may have it moved farther up the channel, providing ample clearance for potential ships.
Mathnasium Learning Center
11th Hour Escape
A new business opens that solves a key need for our youth, math education! Mathnasium Learning Center is located on Corpus Christi’s Southside. It’s offering students support in areas in mathematics ranging from tutoring, homework help, enrichment, and test preparation. Three incredibly bright and smart college students/graduates have been hired to share their passion and knowledge with our community’s children. It’s the first of its kind in the Coastal Bend. Mathnasium meets a high demand of parents hoping to ensure the success and betterment of their children’s future, and the people at Mathnasium are happy to aid in doing so! Thanks to Christian Schomaker, Owner/Director of Mathnasium, the formula is strong. mathnasium.com/corpuschristi
18 The Bend
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Looking for a way to challenge your team, build camaraderie, and have a blast doing it? A team is like a train. It’s hard to imagine it staying on track if it weren’t engineered perfectly. Unlike the train though, we can’t manufacture teams like we manufacture parts. Luckily, we can build them! Come challenge your team at 11th Hour Escape and enhance your skills in areas such as communication, critical thinking, efficient strategizing, attitude development and more. Expect to learn a lot about yourself and your peers. Do YOU accept the escape challenge?
匀琀爀甀最最氀椀渀最 眀椀琀栀 礀漀甀爀 愀琀琀攀洀瀀琀猀 一䔀嘀䔀刀 琀漀 氀漀猀攀 眀攀椀最栀琀㼀
䘀䔀䄀刀 吀䠀䔀 圀攀 䌀愀渀 䠀攀氀瀀℀ 匀䌀䄀䰀䔀 䄀䜀䄀䤀一⸀
䄀搀瘀愀渀挀攀搀 圀攀椀最栀琀 䰀漀猀猀
䌀⸀ 䐀愀氀攀 䔀甀戀愀渀欀Ⰰ 䴀䐀
㔀㤀㈀ 匀愀爀愀琀漀最愀 䈀氀瘀搀⸀Ⰰ 匀吀䔀 䈀
䴀䔀䐀䤀䌀䄀䰀䰀夀 匀唀倀䔀刀嘀䤀匀䔀䐀 簀 㤀㤀─ 匀唀䌀䌀䔀匀匀 刀䄀吀䔀 簀 ─ 匀䄀䘀䔀 倀䄀吀䔀一吀䔀䐀 匀䔀刀伀吀伀一䤀一 匀唀倀倀䰀䔀䴀䔀一吀 簀 吀刀䄀一匀䤀吀䤀伀一䄀䰀 䐀䤀䔀吀䄀刀夀 倀䰀䄀一 ꤀
䴀攀搀椀挀愀氀氀礀 匀甀瀀攀爀瘀椀猀攀搀 簀 㤀㤀─ 匀甀挀挀攀猀猀 刀愀琀攀 倀愀琀攀渀琀攀搀 匀攀爀漀琀漀渀椀渀 匀甀瀀瀀氀攀洀攀渀琀 琀漀 挀甀爀戀 挀愀爀戀漀栀礀搀爀愀琀攀 挀爀愀瘀椀渀最猀 䌀䄀䰀䰀 䰀椀猀愀 刀漀戀攀爀猀漀渀Ⰰ 刀一 吀爀愀渀猀椀琀椀漀渀愀氀 搀椀攀琀愀爀礀 瀀氀愀渀⸀
㌀㘀ⴀ㤀 㘀ⴀ㈀
琀漀 氀攀愀爀渀 洀漀爀攀 匀攀爀漀琀漀渀椀渀 倀氀甀猀 椀猀 愀 猀愀昀攀 愀渀搀 攀昀昀攀挀琀椀瘀攀 洀攀搀椀挀愀氀氀礀 猀甀瀀攀爀瘀椀猀攀搀 眀攀椀最栀琀 氀漀猀猀 瀀爀漀最爀愀洀 愀瘀攀爀愀最椀渀最 愀 氀漀猀猀 漀昀 ㌀㔀 瀀漀甀渀搀猀 椀渀 ㈀ 眀攀攀欀猀℀ 䈀愀猀攀搀 漀渀 戀攀栀愀瘀椀漀爀 ☀ 氀椀昀攀猀琀礀氀攀 洀漀搀椀昀椀挀愀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀最爀愀洀 椀猀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀搀 眀眀眀⸀眀攀椀最栀琀氀漀猀猀挀漀爀瀀甀猀挀栀爀椀猀琀椀⸀挀漀洀 琀漀 栀攀氀瀀 礀漀甀 氀漀猀攀 琀栀攀 眀攀椀最栀琀 ☀ 欀攀攀瀀 椀琀 漀昀昀⸀ 圀栀攀琀栀攀爀 礀漀甀 眀愀渀琀 琀漀 氀漀猀攀 Ⰰ ㈀ Ⰰ ㌀ 瀀漀甀渀搀猀 漀爀 洀漀爀攀Ⰰ 䌀⸀ 䐀愀氀攀 䔀甀戀愀渀欀Ⰰ 䴀䐀 琀栀椀猀 瀀爀漀最爀愀洀 眀椀氀氀 眀漀爀欀 昀漀爀 礀漀甀⸀ 䰀攀琀 甀猀 栀攀氀瀀 礀漀甀 愀挀栀椀攀瘀攀 琀栀攀 栀攀愀氀琀栀礀 氀椀昀攀猀琀礀氀攀 礀漀甀ᤠ瘀攀 愀氀眀愀礀猀 眀愀渀琀攀搀⸀
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䌀愀氀氀 䰀椀猀愀 刀漀戀攀爀猀漀渀Ⰰ 刀一
琀漀 猀挀栀攀搀甀氀攀 礀漀甀爀 䘀刀䔀䔀 挀漀渀猀甀氀琀愀琀椀漀渀
㌀㘀ⴀ㤀 㘀ⴀ㈀
眀眀眀⸀眀攀椀最栀琀氀漀猀猀挀漀爀瀀甀猀挀栀爀椀猀琀椀⸀挀漀洀
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Around the Bend | Person of Interest
www.coastalbenddayofgiving.org Give Online Nov.15 & your donation will DOUBLE! Since November 2009, the Coastal Bend Day of Giving matching gift program, has raised over $7.3 million to help participating nonprofits provide services to those most in need. This year, 24 matching funders have pledged $725,000 in matching grants, allowing 45 nonprofit’s online gifts to double, up to $16,111 each. Join us by donating to your favorite participating nonprofit on November 15.
FIGHT HUNGER SUPPORT CHILDREN IMPROVE HEALTH REDUCE HOMELESSNESS
RIGHT HERE IN THE COASTAL BEND
Conversation with
Meat Master Montalva Jesse Montalva is Corpus Christi's LongHorn Steakhouse's regional winner of the Steak Master Series competition. By: Whitney Noble Photo: Rachel Durrent Congratulations on your new title! Tell us about the LongHorn Steakhouse Steak Master Series competition. Thank you! It’s an honor to have been selected as the regional winner and to have the opportunity to compete in the final championship. We have so many talented culinary professionals in the company, and the competition provided an opportunity to recognize those team members in a unique way. It was a great way to celebrate LongHorn’s commitment to grilling expertise.
tailgating tips? A great piece of grilling advice is to use fresh, never frozen meats. For a delicious, flavorful steak, I suggest boldly seasoning the steak. Try using a blend of seasonings, such as combining kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper, granulated onion powder and granulated garlic powder. Lastly, don’t cut into your steak to check for doneness. That makes the juices run out and will dry out the meat. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak. Aim for 140-150 degrees for a perfect medium steak.
What's the trick for preparing the perfect grill? Heat, smoke, woodchips? You want to make sure to fully clean and prep the grill using a wire-bristled brush and a light coat of canola oil. It’s best to lightly coat the grill with canola oil in order to keep the steak from sticking. You can use a brush, a hand towel and tongs, or a spray bottle to oil the grates. When you’re ready to grill, make sure your grill is very hot – about 500-550 degrees.
What's the craziest or most unusual dish you've ever grilled? Fruit and dessert are two of my favorites. Try grilled pound cake! However, if you’re creative, you can grill just about anything.
With football season upon us, what are your best grilling
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Where do you see yourself in the future? Winning the regional Steak Master Series competition makes me feel like I’ve succeeded. It’s great to know my team is proud of me and supportive. It’s a great step forward in my career.
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5
Around the Bend | 5 Best
Birdwatching Hot Spots Best
Flock to These Local Avian Scenes, Deep in the Nest of Texas. What you need to know... Common birds: Northern Shoveler, Great Blue Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning (not a mistake-it’s spelled mourning, not morning) Dove, American Robin Uncommon birds: Whooping Crane, Masked Duck, Common Crane, Shorttailed Hawk, Ruddy Ground-Dove
Our Coastal Bend, named as the birdiest place in America, has hundreds of species spotted in our area. Join the formation! By: Sharla Wilkins Photo: Rachel Durrent
1
Hazel Bazemore County Park
Take advantage of living near the largest migration location for raptors in North America. Once a year, hawk watchers gather in September to view the migration of thousands of broad-winged hawks. This prime birdwatching destination features a large covered pavilion and trails, as well as picnic tables and BBQ pits. Farm Rd. 624 and County Rd. 69
2
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
The place to tour for a glimpse of the visiting endangered whooping cranes who migrate here for the winter. The birds frequent the marshes and are also visible from one of the many boat tours available in the area. Over 400 other species can also be seen at the refuge. Rockport
3
Leonabelle Turnball Birding Center
Trek down the wooden boardwalk to the raised observation deck to view alligators, birds and fish. The wheelchair accessible viewing area
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has one viewing scope, with another mounted at the top of the deck. Free guided tours are available Wednesdays at 9 am. Port Aransas
4
Celebration of Flight-migration festival held September 23-25 at Hazel Bazemore County Park
Lions/Shelly Park
Nature trails, picnic tables, a playground, and a covered pavilion are all found in this park, located on the Mission River. Land birds frequent this area, attracted to the woodlands that shade the nature trails. Meander on the footbridge over the pond and try and spot a hooded warbler. Refugio
5
What to take: Binoculars with 7x-8x magnification, camera with a zoom lens, notebook and pen
Whooping Cranes
Broad-Winged Hawks
Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary & Wildlife Sanctuary
Home to both migratory and local birds, the waterfront Wildlife Sanctuary houses redheads, among other waterfowl. Down the road, the Cottage Sanctuary contains a variety of habitats including an area of wetlands. The Cottage Sanctuary also features a birding trail, benches, a hawk tower and a drip bird bath. Rockport [the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]
Hooded Warbler
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Around the Bend | Giving Back
A Shelter of Safety Stop the Violence By: Kellie Addison Photos: Courtesy Women’s Shelter of South Texas
At the Women’s Shelter of South Texas, welfare and protection for all family members in need is of utmost significance.
P
eople hear Women’s Shelter of South Texas and may think just women and just shelter. But our agency does so much more.
Our organization was founded by volunteers in 1977 who saw a huge need for battered women and children. Just a year later, with generous grants from the City of Corpus Christi, Nueces County, and other area foundations, the Women’s Shelter had a place to reside. After renovations, it was open that following January as the third battered women’s shelter to open in the state of Texas.The support of our incredible community over the past 38 years has allowed us to provide free services to victims and their families. In 2015, our agency served 2,830 women, men, and 24 The Bend
children across a twelve-county area of South Texas who have been victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. No victim is turned away, and unfortunately, almost half of the clients we serve each year are children. Services include not only shelter, but individual and group counseling, legal advocacy, case management, safety planning, age-appropriate services for children, and information and referral to community resources. It is the mission of the Women’s Shelter of South Texas to prevent and ultimately end domestic violence and sexual assault in South Texas. Our agency addresses this through intervention, but has pivoted to prevention of violence. Empower[the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]
Get Involved Refer: Encourage someone in need to reach out for help. Our services are available 24 hours a day and are free, 361-881-8888 or 800-580-4878. Raise Awareness: Call 361-881-8888 or email P&E@thewomensshelter.org to schedule a presentation for your company or organization. Donate: Help us meet the unique needs of those healing from trauma and abuse, your contribution assists in providing free services for clients and their families. Interested in making a donation or volunteering with our agency? Call 361-884-2900 or visit thewomensshelter.org for more information! Event! October 1: GO PURPLE! for the Safe Families Festival at Del Mar College.
ing the victims through support and education is an integral part of what we do. We’ll also ensure clients have safe transportation to shelter, medical care, housing, job-assistance, legal, law-enforcement and social-services appointments. We understand that ending violence in our community starts with our youth of today. Working with them in age-appropriate ways through topics like respect, bullying, dating violence, and consent will create the social change we need to put an end to violence. Our prevention efforts also include a program for adult offenders of family violence, the Battering Intervention and Prevention Program. We strive to address all aspects of domestic violence and sexual assault. The goal is to end violence in our communities. We do not want to be needed.
361-884-2900 thewomensshelter.org
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26 The Bend
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Destinations SEPTEMBER 2016
The Glen Rose, a type of limestone found in Central Texas, was deposited from about 113-108 million years ago.
QUICK TRIP 32 LOCAL DISCOVERY 34
What’s Inside A swimming hole, by definition, is a place in a river, stream, creek, spring, or similar natural body of water, which is large enough and deep enough for a person to swim in. Common usage usually refers to fresh, moving water and thus not to oceans or lakes.
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Destinations | Quick Trip
History! In the late fall of 1853, three families, Dr. Joseph McKegg and Sarah Pound, John L. and Nannie Moss, and John Lee and Malvina Wallace, put their belongings in wagons and left Mississippi in a desire to settle in Texas. By January that following year, they topped what is now Wallace Mountain and settled. Their chosen spot was only 30 miles west of the capital of Texas, but was still considered part of the frontier, complete with Indians. Who’s Whom? Of the three families, the
Drop in to Dripping Springs Gateway to the Hill Country & Wedding Capital of Texas Sometimes life gets hectic and you need to get away. Whether its work, family drama, or a multitude of others, Dripping Springs is the place to be. With a vast view of the hill country and starry Texas nights, you’ll be sure to forget your worries in no time. By: Whitney Noble Photos: Courtesy Visit Uvalde County
Where to Stay: Homestead at the Dripping Springs is a historic bed and breakfast, welcoming Dripping Springs visitors since it was established in 1854 by John Moss. This charming bed and breakfast, located downtown, is a hop and skip to many local attractions yet still offers the relaxation and privacy on four acres of freedom. The Homestead is a recorded Texas historic landmark with a rich and fascinating history. Updated with all the modern amenities, come and relax on the porch with a cup of coffee, or sip a glass of local wine underneath the shade of a giant oak on the property, the dramatic center to a 19th Century rock corral.
dshomesteadbandb.com/homestead
Where to Taste: This year marks the 9th annual Dripping Springs Taste Wine and Food Festival hosted by the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce. What was once a means of showcasing Texas’ effervescent wine scene has now evolved into a festival chock-full of activities ranging from live music, beer, and spirits,
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to classes, prizes, and cigar smoking. And with over 75 vendors each year, you’re sure to have a blast. Coming September 9th. drippingwithtaste.com
Pounds were newlyweds, who were said to have brought slaves with them, and the Wallaces and Mosses already had children. Mrs. McKegg and Mrs. Moss were sisters, Indians. John Wallace was a nephew of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
Name: This historic site of Homestead Bed and Breakfast in Dripping Springs was established in 1854 by John Moss, whose wife, Nannie, named the city, due to the dripping springs that were located on the property. Location: Dripping Springs falls within the Phillip A. Smith Survey, two miles square stretching beyond Wallace Mountain to the east, past Phillips Cemetery to the south, near the present site of the Hill Country Care nursing home to the west, and near the city limits sign to the north.
How to Explore: Take a stroll down to the Charro Ranch Park and gaze across 64-acres of untapped beauty donated to the City of Dripping Springs by Lucy Reed Hibberd in 2008 after being in her family for roughly a half century. Once there, you’ll have the option to walk trails, reflect at scenic stops, and even explore different species of marked trees! The mission: To create a natural setting for passive activities for the community of Dripping Springs to enjoy nature.
cityofdrippingsprings.com
Where to Play: Pay homage to and play in Hamilton Pool Preserve! Located 3/4 mile upstream from Pedernales River, Hamilton Creek spills spouts over historic limestone outcroppings creating a 50-foot waterfall plunging into the head of a steep box canyon. Created when the dome of an underground river collapsed thousands of years ago, this is a wonderfully relaxing place to swim and explore the area surrounded by rich vegetation.
(512) 854-9383
Which Winery: In the mood for something smooth? Try Driftwood Estate Winery and Vineyard. Producing high quality wines made from Texas grapes, it is
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southern comfort in a cup. Located on a quaint bluff overlooking the vineyard, Driftwood Estate Winery rewards their visitors with a chance to engulf a view and enjoy their award-winning wines.
driftwoodvineyards.com
Where to Shop: Empty your pockets with all the goodies you can handle at Ranch 2 Runway. Boots, hats, jeans, fun top and dresses – this appropriately named store houses crossover Western apparel. Look and feel your best in the Hill Country, as it’s impossible to leave empty handed!
27490 Ranch Rd 12, Dripping Springs
Where to Boogie: Opened in 2013 by Nicholas Dotin and his wife, Gay, Mercer Street Dancehall has all the comfort of a southern home with a large enough floor and speaker system to keep you moving all night long. Buy your tickets ahead of time to ensure you get to see and hear your favorite band. “If ya ain’t on the dance floor…ya better have somebody check yer pulse.”
mercerstreetdancehall.com
Destinations | Local Discovery
Modified division, cars can reach up to 100 mph on a 600 horsepower engine
The Need for Speed Feel the rush of Race Nights at the South Texas Speedway that brings together friends and family. By: Robert Breedlove Photos: Rachel Durrent
Gear heads from all over the Coastal Bend and the rest of Texas gather to test both their mechanical and physical mettle in their weekly ritual out on the quarter mile dirt track of the South Texas Speedway.
J
ust outside the Corpus Christi city limits, the fierce roar and crack of engines can be heard through the dusty Saturday sunset.
machines. But Caitlyn still has many years to hone and master her craft. Ken Holt, a former racer himself, hung up his racing uniform to take on full-time ownership of South Texas Speedway in 2014. “I’ve done it all, just about everything,” Holt reminiscences on the cars he has raced. “I’ve won a few races, nothing really big.”
Pete Arce rubs the grease off his hands. The Banquete native uses these weekends as a way to bond with his son who handles pre-race maintenance. He is racing in the blue and white number 09 in the Limited Late Model class. From a profile view, these cars look like an arrowhead split in half, and they fire off like one. The horsepower cap for the LLMs is 355, and they can reach speeds of up to 50-60 mph on the relatively small track. Arce separates himself from the rest of the pack in that he uses methanol for fuel instead of the standard E-85 ethanol. He says the methanol burns cooler and helps prevent engine burnouts, which occur quite often as these racecar engines are pushed to their limits.
As modest as he is about his racing endeavors, Holt is proud of his work building upon the Speedway and drawing at least 1,000 spectators each week. Nestled behind the grandstands is the Turn 5 Bar, a relatively recent addition built by Holt and his business partner. Naturally, the walls are adorned with racing paraphernalia, and the TVs are always tuned to a motorsport event. There’s a small stage for musicians inside, and outside boasts a larger raised stage. It has a fully stocked bar with a limited beer selection. Both the beer and margaritas are $3 per drink, and every race night there is a special.
Racing is oftentimes a family affair, as it is with brothers Jerry and Darin Leonard. They race in the Modified division, the most powerful of all the classes, where cars can reach up to 100 mph on a 600 horsepower engine. Jerry’s son, Cody, races with them in the upper divisions. Slowly working her way up through the lower divisions is young Caitlyn. The bashful teenager has been racing go-karts since she was nine, dominating the competition. “She’s won damn near all of them,” her father proudly says. Now, in her first year in the Pure Stock class, she is still searching for her first win. It’s quite a jump going from tiny karts running on lawnmower engines to full-fledged racing
CAR CLASSES • GO-KART - Run on lawnmower engines and race on a smaller track on
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the infield. Resemble tiny sprint cars for younger racers. • PURE STOCK - Lightly modified stock cars.
CLASSES START AT 6
SCHEDULE: • Aug. 20
• Sep. 24
• Aug. 27
• Oct. 1 OFF
Holt also acts as sort of a mid-race master of ceremonies, promoting sponsors, future events, and the go-kart class of racers. “These kids are the racers of the future,” he explains.
• Sep. 3 OFF
The last racer crosses the finish line, and the night ends. The spectators and the racing teams line up and head out on Old Brownsville Road. The gate is locked, but it won’t be for too long. The bar opens up at 5 pm on Monday, and Saturday will bring four more different classes to perform their weekly ritual out on the dirt track. Come one, come all, for some downright filthy fun.
• Sep. 17
Intended to be an entry level or stock division for the budget-minded racer. Minimum age of 14. • STREET STOCK - Car
bodies are original factory stock. • LIMITED LATE MODEL - Sleekly-shaped modified body.
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• Sep. 10
• Oct. 8 • Oct. 15
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• MODIFIED - Most powerful of all the classes. Exposed front without a wedge.
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Call 361.232.4717 today for Auto, Home, Life and Business. [the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]
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Groovy Nuns
Sister Miriam and Sister Mary are just a couple of nuns having fun.
By: Frances Bandas Photos: Rachel Durrent
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t’s difficult to notice
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When Sister Mary shows up, my Twitter feed blows up.
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beauty in a mundane occurrence, and can prove especially difficult
online. With the brevity of social media encounters on sites like Facebook and Twitter, substance is often lost to flash and style. But, somewhere in the slew of 140-character communications, lie two nuns looking to bridge the gap between the ordinary and the intimate.
FAVORITE EMOJIS:
Sister Mary likes the sunglasses and the surfer guy emojis, and Sister Miriam likes the eye roll and blowing a kiss emojis.
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Things close to my heart: 1. My daughter’s giggle 2. My grandfather’s record collection 3. My cardiologist right down the road When you list the things you love, home is among
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As any sports fan knows, there’s nothing more agonizing than falling out of the loop during a live television broadcast. Signal is spotty in Sister Miriam and Sister Mary’s home, and there is no cable in the convent. Once, Sr. Miriam recalls, a service outage left the pair forced to venture to Buffalo Wild Wings to catch the Bengals game. Over a plate of onion rings, the sisters shared in tears, laughter, and, most importantly, joy. This celebration of joy through widely shared interests, professional sports being just one, has skyrocketed the two nuns to relative Twitter fame. Sr. Miriam, otherwise known as @ OneGroovyNun, has a Twitter bio that reads: “Lover of Jesus, sports, reading, beauty and coffee,” all of which are shared in prominence on her feed. Sr. Miriam tweets about “whatever’s interesting in the church, whatever’s interesting in the world.” Perhaps most amusingly, her friend Sr. Mary, goes under guise of anonymity through her account. Though Sr. Miriam tries primarily to lead her 16 thousand followers to an “encounter with intimacy,” she admits that, “When Sr. Mary shows up, my Twitter feed blows up.” Sr. Miriam published her first tweet on the day that Pope Francis was elected, but she didn’t realize Sr. Mary’s natural instinct behind the camera until she took a candid photo of her friend, face obscured, watching football in the convent. The joke picked up steam, she explains, when Sr. Mary tipped over her chair in frustration following a Kansas City world series loss. From there, Sr. Miriam’s most notable tweets have included a #PopeBars
rap lyric, a trending hashtag after a photo of Pope Francis gesturing with a microphone went viral, and, of course, a photo of Sr. Mary watching Lady Gaga during the SuperBowl. On multiple occasions, friends, fans, and members of the clergy have tried to pin down Sr. Mary’s identity. Sr. Mary, however, revels in the anonymity, innocently denying such accusations. Mastermind behind the mystery, Sr. Miriam, calls Sr. Mary her “Wilson,” the tactfully obscured sitcom neighbor in Tim Allen’s Home Improvement, and the comic relief in her Twitter feed. When questioned on the reasoning behind the secrecy, Sr. Miriam laughs. “I don’t even know,” she reflects,“I just wanted to protect her identity.” “It’s a fun thing that we do for people to see that we’re normal people,” Sr. Miriam explains of her account. “Obviously we pray every day, and that’s part of our life, and we love it, but we have all these different areas of our life,” just like any other pair of friends. “It shows a different side of sisters that’s not so
serious, or so stern,” Sr. Mary adds. “Because a lot of what people know about religious life is from the movies.” And although these sisters haven’t joined the choir, they sure do have a strong voice, a strong influence, and an inclination for fun. Authentically, quite the Sister Act. Follow on Twitter: Sister Miriam: @OneGroovyNun Sister Mary: @SOLT33
Follow Sister Mary’s account @SOLT33 for volunteer opportunities and information about the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity community. Sr. Mary tweets primarily about mission specific happenings and the Catholic church as a whole. Leave the silliness to Sr. Miriam!
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7 most beautiful
men
Giving Back
is Beautiful
Meet the second annual 7 women who are the Coastal Bend’s most beautiful inside and out. These gorgeous ladies are charitable, dedicated, and dynamic. The women are competing to see who can raise the most money for their most-loved charity. As the adage goes, “pretty is as pretty does,” and our 7 Most Beautiful Women are making our city a more wonderful place for us all. By: Caroline Randall Freeman Photos: Dustin Ashcraft
Clothing and Jewelry: Julian Gold Corpus Christi Hair and Makeup: Josh Salinas and Mireya Medina with Josh & Co. at The Vanity Box Hair Salon Location: Art Museum of South Texas Special Thanks to: TVV MediSpa Photos: Dustin Ashcraft
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O
f life’s two chief prizes, beauty and truth, I found the first in a loving heart and the second in a laborer’s hand.”— Kahlil Gibran
In our 7 finalists, you find both— love for others and devotion to their work. Let us recognize not only their undeniable good looks, but also celebrate their selfless and wholehearted kindness. These 7 outstanding finalists, nominated by their peers, spend their time volunteering for the charities closest to their hearts. They are all that it means to be beautiful both inside and out. Please join us at the Omni Hotel October 6th for a dinner party in honor of them and their fruitful charity work. Now, let us introduce our 2016 7 Most Beautiful Women—Inside and Out!
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CHERYL SANDERS Dean of Student Engagement and Retention at Del Mar College
“Inner beauty is a person’s heart and soul. It is a person’s aura - no matter what their physical appearance all of the energy surrounding them is beautiful. They exude positivity and kindness.”
Charity: Dress for Success Corpus Christi
A
ccess, opportunity, and education. Cheryl Sanders believes these are keys to success. Dress for Success is a charity that provides just that. At Dress for Success, women are given assistance entering or re-entering the workforce. Sanders says, “Looking for a job can be a very stressful and scary experience. Having support during the process is priceless.”
inner beauty is defined by how you treat others. My mother and father always said treat others
Dress for Success is a worldwide, nonprofit organization. Per their website, the organization, “Promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women and empowers them by providing professional attire, and support to be self-sufficient. At Dress for Success Corpus Christi, we empower women by providing assistance in writing résumés, interview preparation, and professional clothing. Dress for Success Corpus Christi continues to provide support and encouragement after our clients find employment.”
the way you wish to be
Sanders began her involvement about two and a half years ago, because she wanted to be involved in a charity that empowered women and strengthened the community. Since then, she’s become a board member but continues to do a bit of everything such as mentorship and working events. Sanders does similar work as the Dean of Student Engagement and Retention at Del Mar College.
beautiful thing, and
Sanders explains, “Dress for Success allows me to share my passion for education and providing opportunities for others to grow and succeed. Education is so vital and comes in so many forms. Access and opportunity are very important to me. Just as Del Mar College provides access to education for anyone, Dress for Success provides access for women who need assistance entering or re-entering the workforce.” The lasting relationships that she’s made with people she may not have had the opportunity to meet is one of the most rewarding parts of volunteering for Sanders. She appreciates the interaction with people in all walks of life. “If I am able to provide anything that gives the women I come in contact with the little push they need to strive toward their goals, I am satisfied. In turn, the community will only be stronger.”
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“In my honest opinion,
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treated. I believe this to be true now more than ever in my adulthood. Empathy, compassion, and persistence are the recipe for success! The ability to remain humble and kind is a we need more beautiful people in this world.”
ANGELIQUE GUAJARDO Administrator at Talen Energy, Nueces Bay Energy Center Charity: The Salvation Army
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ngelique Guajardo calls her family “the Tripod.” As a single mother of two boys, ages 6 and 8, she still makes the time to volunteer with The Salvation Army.
Guajardo’s volunteer work and spirit of altruism began with her parents. “Both of my parents grew up poor. My dad wore the same outfit to elementary school for 2 years. It was so unfortunate, but it helped him become who he wanted to be.” Her father worked hard so his children had a better childhood than he experienced. Now, as a successful business owner who has always helped those around him, he will never forget where he came from. Guajardo explains, “Just because someone is unfortunate now doesn’t mean that’s their destiny. You rise up and keep going.” Guajardo works with many aspects of The Salvation Army. Her time there began on Thanksgiving three years ago when she brought her two boys with her to feed the homeless. Though she was already on the board of another organization, seeing the destitute children come in inspired her to work more with The Salvation Army. Guajardo is involved in several fundraising efforts, and her sons are proactive participants in many of their projects. She wants her children to remember that no matter where they are in their lives, they need to stay grateful for what they have. “Just because your life is up now doesn’t mean you can’t fall down, and vice versa,” she says. She gives an insightful analogy, sharing that their “Tripod” only functions with all three legs: herself and her two boys. No matter what, they succeed together by supporting one another. Similar to her “Tripod,” she uses her time at The Salvation Army to help raise others up. “In order to remain blessed, you MUST bless others. Empathy and the ability to give back are infectious,” Guajardo strongly believes.
DR. ALISSA CHAPMAN Dentist at Kennedy Dental Charity: Paws & Claws
T
he seemingly small gesture of handing someone who is working out in the heat $5 for a cold drink made a big impression on Dr. Alissa Chapman. Witnessing her mother’s frequent acts of kindness without expectation of anything in return inspired Dr. Chapman’s philanthropy.
“I have always been a huge animal lover and wanted to advocate for animals since they have no voice of their own. Paws and Claws is an auxiliary to the Gulf Coast Humane Society (GCHS), which is the largest no-kill shelter in South Texas,” says Dr. Chapman. Paws and Claws raises money for the GCHS and donates a portion of the funds (last year $5,000!) to animal shelters in need. The organization helps GCHS support the needs and hopeful adoption of stray cats and dogs. In the past two years, Paws and Claws has given support to Peewee’s, Fallen Horse Rescue, The Puppy House, and People Assisting Animal Control. During the 7 Most Beautiful Women photo shoot, someone mentioned a stray dog that frequents their yard. Dr. Chapman’s immediate compassion and call to action were evidence of her passion and dedication to improving animal welfare. Dr. Chapman listened, asked key questions, and offered her help in finding the pup a forever home. She is the real deal. It’s a known fact that Corpus Christi has a prominent problem with stray animals. Dr. Chapman expresses, “Volunteering for Paws and Claws is great, because I know I am helping to improve the lives of dogs and cats (and even horses now) that otherwise would be left to wander the streets, be euthanized at animal control, or even starve if left in an unfit environment.” Dr. Chapman is bestowing her two children with the benevolent spirit she saw in her mother. She says, “We are working on the ‘Golden Rule,’ to treat others as they would like to be treated. I also try to teach them to respect all living things. I hope they grow up to be conscientious, caring, active, and productive members of the community.” Dr. Alissa Chapman most certainly has every one of those traits.
“Inner beauty, to me, is having compassion, being kind, and respectful to everyone and everything. I try to put myself in others’ situations, and if someone needs help or advice, do everything I possibly can to assist them. It is doing things for others and expecting nothing in return. I take the greatest pleasure in making other people happy, and that’s what I tell my children, although they still have a hard time grasping at this point, that it should be more rewarding to give than to receive.” 40 The Bend
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“I feel inner beauty comes after experiencing some hard circumstances. After experiencing any kind of struggle or pain (emotional or physical) you see things differently. The layers have been peeled back like an onion, and all that’s left is you and God. Everything is different after that. There is an awareness that shines a light on what’s truly important. It’s God helping you see the beauty in life, in people, showing you how to help them and have faith in them. The meaning of inner beauty is being able to see things clearly. “Do you see what I see? Here, let me show you….”
ANGELICA “ANGIE” FLORES Senior Advisor & Communications Director for State Representative Todd Hunter Charity: Catholic Charities
T
o sit down and have a conversation with Angie Flores is like meeting a Greek Oracle. She’s inspiring, powerful, wise, confident, and basically embodies every other trait someone with great love and a great view on life might have. Listening to her speak about the complexities and joys of moving through life is as good as any counseling session. Flores believes, “If I’m strong it’s because I’m a piece of my mother.” Growing up, Flores experienced the struggles of an immigrant household. Even as her parents navigated a new culture and country, they always gave to others. “That’s something I continue to do today with Catholic Charities. As a Catholic, I am guided by our Catholic teachings to serve the less fortunate by empowering them and building a stronger community.” Catholic Charities’ website states, “Catholic Charities is a multi-program, private, nonprofit social service agency serving the City of Corpus Christi and surrounding counties - Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, [the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]
Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio. The agency reaches out to a population of about 535,000 persons and provides services to approximately 100,000 persons of diverse racial and ethnic characteristics, experiences, occupations, and income.” Flores never takes a holiday. Every Christmas, with Catholic Charities, she purchases presents for the homeless, giftwraps and delivers them. Her job also allows her to work on Diocese Law and fundraising at the statewide level. Flores says, “I’m no expert on particular topics, but I know people who are.” She continues, “Bringing them together in one room to collaborate on specific issues is one way I can contribute to fixing a problem in our community.” As the first Hispanic Chairwoman of the Convention of Visitor’s Bureau and the only woman on Corpus Christi’s Regional Transportation Authority, you can definitely say she took her father’s advice. He always told her and her sister that they could do anything the guys could do, even if it was driving the tractor on their farm. He empowered her and in turn, she hopes to empower others through her work at Catholic Charities. thebendmag.com
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SUSAN GONZALES Co-owner, Event Coordinator, Marketing Director of The Post at Lamar Park, Office Manager for a law practice, Photographer Charity: New Life Refuge Ministries
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o say Susan Gonzales is superb at multi-tasking is an understatement: Mother of two, co-owner of one of Corpus Christi’s favorite restaurants, office manager for a law firm, freelance photographer. Last, but most certainly not least, she’s an active volunteer at New Life Refuge Ministries.
“There is a saying, and I am not sure who said it first, but it says it better than I could: ‘Good looks fade, but a good heart keeps you beautiful forever.’ Inner beauty is genuine and cannot be put on like lipstick, later taken off, just to be applied once again it’s constant through it all, always shining through.”
Human trafficking isn’t easy to talk about. However, New Life Refuge Ministries brings awareness to the very real issue it poses in our city. “Human trafficking is considered taboo, even among the nonprofit world. It’s dark; it’s disturbing; and it’s a brutal reality of life, especially within our community, as we are located closer to the Mexico/USA border where many women, children, and men are trafficked and lost to never be seen again,” explains Gonzales. There is evidence of human trafficking in every single neighborhood in Corpus Christi. New Life Refuge Ministries’ fundraising efforts mainly go toward building a rehabilitation center and sanctuary for female victims. “There may be a cottage for young boys, but at this time, their first focus is for young girls under the age of 18 that do not have any other additional family,” Gonzales adds. She explains, “Ground has broken for their first cottage that they hope will be complete by January 2017. Each cottage will hold 6-8 young girls. From there, they will work toward fundraising to build a multi-purpose house that will hold activities and community outreach programs. Then they will continue to add cottages as fundraising efforts continue.” Gonzales continues her work with New Life Refuge Ministries bringing human trafficking to the forefront, “Showing our citizens that it is real, it is happening, and it is right there, even in your very own neighborhood.” As the mother of two girls, the issue hits close to home. Her girls provide a wealth of inspiration in her life, and Gonzales hopes to inspire their giving hearts by leading them through example. It takes a generous spirit, hard work, and dedication. She says, “For my daughters, there is so much that I want to teach them, and honestly I hope there is never a time that I am not teaching them something to learn from.”
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JOANNA MCCAIN BUSENLEHNER Co-owner and Human Resource Manager for ReadyFlo Systems and Besser Technical Services Charity: HELP (Hammons Education Leadership Program)
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usenlehner and her husband are both life-long Corpus Christians and plan to raise their children in the city. Living and working here, she wants to invest as much as possible in our community. Beginning in 2014, Busenlehner and her company, ReadyFlo Systems, are active volunteers for HELP, where she now serves on the Board of Trustees. Along with HELP, Busenlehner serves the community in many other ways. She is on the Board of Directors for Journey to Damascus, serves for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and volunteers for her daughter’s school. HELP’s motto is, “How can you find the job of your dreams if you don’t even know it exists?” The nonprofit’s goal is to expose at-risk and disabled children and adults to local companies and various jobs. HELP goes where schools can’t go due to legal restraints. Their website explains, “We take our clients ‘where the action is’…we have no prepared lectures, no textbooks, no formal classes, just the experience of a job done well by those who do it best, and who are willing to share their expertise in an on-site setting.” After employing several HELP individuals, Busenlehner feels ReadyFlo is the one that benefitted more than any job could offer. “While we provided the job, it was HELP who provided real growth for us. We implemented a mentoring program. Employees stepped up and began to mentor HELP individuals until they felt comfortable in their new position and could work independently. Whether the individual was special needs or simply someone needing an employer willing to give a second chance, this broke down barriers and erased stereotypes while opening hearts and minds,” she says. Busenlehner firmly believes that, “The truth is, when one holds an authentic desire to heal, desires to be more than their past, and strives to develop a personal relationship with Christ anything is possible.”
“My Papa always said, ‘Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly is to the bone.’ Looks fade. When I am long gone, will those I encountered remember my looks or my good deeds? Will my efforts have revealed a servant’s heart? My prayer is yes.’ To me, this is inner beauty.”
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ERIKA ROSE Mother of 8 children, a cat, & a dog Charity: Team 5
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ose is the mother of 8 children—a role she feels fortunate to be given. “My husband and I have been blessed with eight wonderful, healthy children. We take God's gift of being parents very seriously and know and understand that we have a huge responsibility.”
She believes part of this wonderful opportunity is teaching her children the importance of helping others. Team 5 is a nonprofit that does just that. Founded by her friend, Eric Lender, the team of medical professionals and survival experts go into the most remote of locations to set up free clinics and educate local healthcare workers. Their goal is to provide medicines and donate supplies so these areas are self-sufficient. Like in her daily life, Rose wears many hats at Team 5. She translates, administers medication, and organizes the patients. The Team 5 clinic sees roughly 125 patients daily, many who walk hours to receive medical attention. “The most rewarding thing about being a volunteer is to see how the help provided by this organization changes the lives of children in need and their families,” Rose explains.
“To me, the meaning of ‘inner beauty’ is having peace in your heart. Inner beauty comes from being satisfied at the end of the day, knowing that everything that you did was done with all of your heart, and by always giving your best!”
God’s promises are what Rose and her family put their belief in. She references Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. “We learn from our children, as much as they learn from us; being volunteers for these organizations reminds us, and shows our children of how blessed we are to live in the country we live in, to be healthy, and that in the end is truly more satisfying to give than to receive.” Rose hopes that she can spread the word of Team 5’s great work and show those who want to help that their donations are making an invaluable difference in people’s lives.
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TITLE: 2015 WINNER OF 7 MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMEN Dina Zughni-Esquivel representing Walk with Pride
One Year Later… Some charities in the contest are known around the world, and others are known only in Corpus Christi. They run the gamut from large to small, and the diversity both last year and this year is incredible.
will arrive at Payless and participate in this program are qualified through Nueces County Health and Human Services Department. In addition to new kicks, each child is given a bag filled with school supplies.
Last year, the winner of the first annual 7 Most Beautiful Women was Dina Zughni-Esquivel, representing the smallest charity in the contest, Walk with Pride.
“Also, with the extra funds from the contest, we are able to start expanding our reach to Alice and inviting 150 kids from that area to pick out a nice new pair of shoes for the first day of school,” Zughni-Esquivel says.
Every August, the Corpus Christi Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) holds its annual Walk with Pride program at Payless Shoe Source in La Palmera Mall. For the past 33 years, Association members have generously donated dollars to give away. Back in 1983, when Walk with Pride began, the goal was to collect sufficient dollars to be able to give away 100 pair of shoes– a lofty goal at that time. But thanks to the contest, Zughni-Esquivel was able to raise $10,000! That’s 1,000 pairs of shoes they’re able to give to children and families who are in definite need this year. All the children who
This is an amazing reminder that this isn’t just a glamorous photo shoot, and a memorable event. It truly changes lives. As Zughni-Esquivel reminds, "There is nothing like watching the excitement in a less fortunate child's face as they pick their very own NEW pair of shoes. I see the same children come back year after year.” Rightfully named, watching the kiddos ‘walk with pride’ in their new shoes is rewarding beyond words. It puts a spring in their step, and a spring in ours knowing all the good that these 7 charities will gain from this unconventional “beauty” contest.
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SAVOR T HE EXPERIENCE.
Please join us on Thursday, October 27 for an exclusive Vintners dinner with Rombauer Vineyards at the Republic of Texas Bar & Grill. Executive Chef Danny Rosa has created an amazing four-course meal to complement different varietals of wine from Rombauer Vineyards.
$110 PER PERSON PLUS SALES TAX AND 20% GRATUITY CONTACT ETTA BUTTS TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT AT 361-886-3515.
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OMNIHOTELS.COM/CORPUSC HRISTI 361-886-3515
LO C A L L I S T ’ S B E S T S T E A K • [the O Mlifestyle N I C Omagazine R P U S CofHthe R Icoastal S T I Hbend] OTEL • CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
BEAUTYGUIDE
Carmen Casas, MD
(Board Certified Dermatologist)
CARMEN CASAS, MD Dr. Carmen Casas has over 35 years of experience in Dermatology and Aesthetics. She completed her dermatology residence from the University of Chicago in 1977. Dr. Casas makes it a priority to keep up with trainings and educational seminars, such as the American Academy of Dermatology (ADD) for current and upcoming products and procedures. As a part of her practice, Dr. Casas offers cosmetic skin procedures and skin rejuvenation treatments, including fillers and laser treatments to keep skin looking beautiful and vibrant. Tracey and Stefani, along with all staff, work together to ensure their cosmetic patients are comfortable and educated about the procedure and have a positive experience from beginning to end. Dr. Casas offers patients an integrated office specializing in Dermatology and cosmetics. By combining the “disease” and “desire” aspects of dermatology, their patients are given optimal treatment opportunities. Cosmetic consultations are free and same same-day cosmetic procedures make it convenient for patients. Helping women look at themselves in a more positive way and watching reoccurring patient’s self-esteem grow and confidence boost with each visit is what Dr. Casas and her team love most about their jobs. “The
desire to feel young and attractive will never go away. Fewer people are growing older gracefully, while more are accepting the cosmetic alternatives. Our plan is to continue embracing and educating ourselves on newer and far less invasive treatments than plastic surgery to prevent future aging without going under the knife,” said Dr. Casas.
“Dr. Casas strongly advocates protecting yourself from the sun. Photo aging is the number one destroyer of beauty.”
SERVICES:
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5756 S. STAPLES ST. STE. J1 (361) 994-1001
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BEAUTYGUIDE
Javier Alonso MD, PhD
TVV MEDISPA TVV Medispa is a medical spa with the same atmosphere and luxuries of a day spa. Housed upstairs in the Texas Vein and Vascular building, their expert staff is physician supervised by Dr. Javier Alonso. TVV MediSpa is a high-tech MediSpa, providing medical aesthetics, cosmetic services, and advanced skin care technology. Their signature services include: Hydrafacial, a water based microdermabrasion that is easy on the skin, Coolsculpting, which gets rid of the hard to lose pockets of fat, and JuVa Shape, a radiofrequency laser that reduces the appearance of cellulite.
EXPERT TIP:
NuFACE is an anti-aging skincare device that delivers visible, beautiful results. NuFACE is focused on transforming the way women approach skincare treatments by developing non-invasive, cost effective, in-home, FDA–cleared technologies. This device is clinically proven for improving facial contour, skin tone and wrinkle reduction in as little as five minutes per day. The NuFACE device can also help prolong the results from professional skin care treatments, such as Botox, JuvaShape and chemical peels.- Sarah Spencer, Licensed Aesthetician
They carry Doterra Essential Oils, along with PCA, Obagi, Hydrofacial MD and Rodain & Fields (makers of Proactive). Also, they carry Jane Iredale makeup, the only line approved by the American Cancer Society. TVV Medispa offers an assortment of permanent cosmetic services, with an on staff certified Xtreme Eyelash Extensions technician. Facilities include a complimentary hot shower and sauna session for guests to enjoy with their massage. Experience their comprehensive approach to skincare for yourself. Schedule a complimentary private consultation with their highly trained and experienced medispa staff. They will work to design a customized treatment plan to fit your unique goals and address your specific skincare needs.
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5242 HOLLY ROAD. CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78411 (361) 994-7500 TVVMEDISPA.COM
BEAUTYGUIDE
J. Keith Rose, MD “non-surgical” procedures can improve on some of these problems, only surgical correction can definitively address the entire aging face.
EVALUATION AND CORRECTION OF THE AGING FACE Facial cosmetic surgery produces the most impressive and emotional results anywhere on the body. While other cosmetic surgery procedures on the body can be easily camouflaged by clothing, the face is never hidden. While any cosmetic surgery procedure can improve self-confidence, it is the face that is seen and focused on first in a visual encounter. Rejuvenating an aging face is an impactful experience where a patient can look how they feel. The evaluation of the aging face can be broken down into 3 simple categories; skin, volume, and envelope. The skin is evaluated on external and internal factors. External factors can include environmental damage and current skin-care regime. Internal factors are primarily skin type, tone, and thickness. As we age, our faces naturally lose volume. Our cheeks become flat or sunken, and our lips shrink in size. This results in deepened facial lines and wrinkles around the lips. Combined with sun damage, patients often appear much older than they are. The skin envelope is the overall tightness of the face. As we age our cheeks recede and drop, our jawline sags, and our neck develops loose excess skin and fat often described as a “turkey neck.” While fillers, lasers, and other
A face and neck lift restores and tightens the skin envelope, removes excess fat, recontours the cheeks and jaws that have disappeared over time and improves self-confidence with a more youthful appearance. Other procedures can be combined with the facelift such as eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and fillers (for large volume loss) producing an outcome that looks natural. Dr. Rose has a detailed aesthetic eye that is supported by his remarkable results. Schedule a consult with Dr. Rose today and find out how affordable this can actually be. A younger looking you is just around the corner.
EXPERT TIP:
“It’s never too late to start a skin beauty maintenance program. Zein Obagi skin care product line, if used consistently and correctly, will improve the tone and overall appearance of your skin. Regular use of Botox and Xeomin will prevent wrinkles due to “animation” from the muscles in the forehead and around the eyes. Dermal fillers for small areas of volume loss in the cheeks and lips are very effective provided the whole facial envelope is fairly firm and not sagging. The regular use of these produces will create and maintain a more youthful appearance.”
5025 DEEPWOOD CIRCLE, SUITE B CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78415
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BEAUTYGUIDE
Atelier Salon ATELIER SALON What do you love about your hair? And what would you like to change?
your hair. Ambrose explains, “it’s great because it’s so minimally invasive it doesn’t harm your hair at all.”
These are the questions Atelier Salon asks at the beginning of your appointment. Their goal is to understand what makes you feel best and create a look that complements your beauty.
With in-salon classes, such as Blow-Dry Bootcamp, you will learn to recreate your style at home. They make learning fun while you master techniques the pros use. Did we mention there are wine and snacks?
Atelier Salon, featured in Vogue, Elle, Allure, W, and Marie Claire, provides award-winning services for women and men. The 15 stylists on staff have advanced training in Rome, Paris, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Atlanta.
The stylists at Atelier Salon give you personalized service— from start to finish, the process is about making you look and feel fantastic.
Beyond the incredible cut and color, Atelier’s specialized services include the balayage highlighting method and Laserbeamer Nano hair extensions. Atelier’s premier work, balayage, is a French highlighting technique that began in the ‘70s. Atelier has employed and mastered the method for over 10 years. Ambrose Gonzalez, co-owner, says, “when the hair regrows, there are no harsh highlight lines.” This effortless look is achieved by applying the color freehand to create natural, sun-kissed highlights.
EXPERT TIP:
How to make your blowout last longer: 1. Ask for volume 2. Avoid tight hair ties 3. Avoid too much moisture 4. Dry shampoo is your best friend 5. Avoid touching your hair
If you want longer, thicker hair, Atelier provides hightech hair extensions. The salon uses a Laserbeamer Nano machine that quickly seals the extensions onto
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ATELIER SALON 5017 SARATOGA BLVD SUITE #157 TX 78413 361.225.0072 ATELIERSALONUSA.COM
BEAUTYGUIDE
Halcyon
Med Spa & Wellness Center Halcyon Medspa & Wellness Center offers a relaxing atmosphere of professionalism and unique personal attention. Under the supervision of our Medical Director, our licensed treatment providers maintain strict safety standards to provide you with the comfort and ease of having cosmetic treatments. We strive to provide the highest quality and most advanced technology available; while using the best therapeutic and medical quality aesthetic services and products. Our main focus is on educating our clients on health, beauty and wellness. Let Halcyon assist you in relieving your stress, rejuvenating your skin, and revitalizing your life.
Ashley Wendt
Clinical Manager & Medical Aesthetician Ashley is a licensed state certified Aesthetician in Texas, California, and Wisconsin since 2003. Her expertise includes an extensive knowledge and certifications in Facials, Microdermabrasion, Medical Grade Chemical Peels, IPL & Laser Treatments, Cosmetic Injections, Eyelash Extensions, and numerous pharmaceutical grade skin care products. She prides herself in her ability to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction while educating her to her clients so that they understand their skin and will achieve maximum efficacy. Ashley works closely with the physicians and nursing staff to manage day to day clinical responsibilities of patient care and treatments offered at Halcyon. She is always more than happy to assist you with any questions or concerns regarding the treatments in the office. She continues to expand her knowledge of the latest advances in skincare technology and looks forward to bringing that to all of her clients here in the Coastal Bend.
Dr. Lonnie Schwirtlich, MD
Dr. Schwirtlich graduated from Medical School and ER training in 1980 from Baylor College of Medicine and has been board certified in Emergency Medicine since 1987. Born and raised in Corpus Christi, he’s always enjoyed surfing, boating, fishing, diving, backpacking, camping, endurance sports, and anything involving the beautiful outdoors. When not practicing medicine, you can find Dr. Schwirtlich at his ranch where he’s nurturing a growing olive and pecan orchard. In nearly all other places he’s practiced, he’s served as EMS Director and ER Director. Most recently, Dr. Schwirtlich has gained knowledge and expertise in aesthetic, complementary, and alternative medicine, and at the forefront, always ensuring the personalized care that is promised at Halcyon Med Spa & Wellness Center.
EXPERT TIP:
Topical antioxidants are a must for any skin care regimen. They assist in fighting off those pesky free radicals that cause significant damage to our skin cells. We can all thank them for those lovely age spots & wrinkles. A broad-spectrum sunscreen really only protects us about 50% from harmful UV rays; by adding a topical antioxidant serum you are giving yourself that added prevention and protection. I love our Osmosis Catalyst AC-11 to keep my skin healthy & clear. - Ashley M. Wendt, Medical Aesthetician
Kristy Aleman ACNP-BC Executive Director
Kristy Aleman received her Associates Degree in Nursing in 2004 to begin her nursing career. In 2008 she received her Master’s of Science in Nursing with a concentration in leadership from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. She then went on to further her education and pursued a degree as a nurse practitioner. She graduated with a Master’s of Science in Nursing as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (post graduate degree) from Texas Tech University in 2013. She is certified in Botox, Juvederm., and Voluma.
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1752 SANTA FE ST. CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78404 (361) 452-2637 HALCYONMEDSPA.COM thebendmag.com
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Health SEPTEMBER 2016
BE WELL 54
What’s Inside Corpus Christi is still one of the heaviest cities in America, but one local sister team is trying to educate the masses on how to stay healthy. We have an outstanding future generation of leaders and teachers!
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COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Health | Be Well
• Sponsors include but aren’t limited to: Citgo, HEB, Caller Times, Coastal Bend Community Foundation, Kenedy Foundation, and Subway • Each year iConquer hosts 2 fundraising events, a golf tournament in the fall and a 5K fun run in the spring. This year, their run was expected to reach about 1,200. They were simply blown away when a crowd 4,000 strong came together in a glow run for diabetes.
“It’s amazing the transformation this program has also had on the teens teaching it, just in the way leaders are being formed and teens who used to be shy are willing to get up in front of children and use acting and song to teach kids.”
Putting the I in Conquer September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. But for one special program started by two special girls, iConquer makes every month awareness month. Words & Photos: Kateri Reyes
A
smoker has most likely taken their first puff by 5th grade. The food choices an adult makes are cemented in the lifestyle that was set by age 5. These shocking statistics are what led Dr. Salim Surani, MD, pulmonologist, internist and sleep specialist, to realize his greatest work was not going to be at a patient’s bedside. Instead it would be by reaching a generation long before they become a patient at all. This passion for prevention is what led he and his wife Zehra, a nurse, to pursue methods of early education aimed at elementary-aged children. In 2004, he began to develop a classroom instructional program and video that introduced children to the dangers of smoking. Its success led to a broader scope as smoking was only the tip of the cultural healthcare crisis. What he did not foresee was just how far these educational programs
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would go, or just WHO would be taking the reins. His own daughter, Saherish Surani, was just a 6th grader when her parents presented their fun and educational lesson in smoking prevention to her own class. From that moment on, a spark ignited that set in motion something much bigger than they all imagined. Looking back on that, Saherish, now 17, and little sister, Zoya, 16, they laugh that their original roles were simply handing out pamphlets in class. Now they have reached over 100,000 youth, raised $180,000 through their nonprofit, won countless international awards, travelled the globe, collected unprecedented data, produced 4 DVDs in their own in-home green room, written and produced an inspirational vocal single on CD, and implemented an inspirational instructional program that is ready to take the nation’s schools by storm. The It’s Your Life Foundation aims to serve our culture at the epicenter of the war against obesity, diabetes and smoking, seeking to get ahead of the curve and interrupt the start of bad habits by instead aiming at children just 3 years of age and up to change their lives by simply starting them off in forming GOOD habits. Through their iConquer program, Saherish, Zoya, and a small army of other local teens now present in schools across the Coastal Bend, bringing vegetables to life as they personify characters like “Tina Tomato” and “Zoya Zucchini.” Exposing young children to fruits and vegetables while employing all of their senses: sight and sound through interactive song and dance, right down to tasting samples of healthy whole foods many children so young have never been exposed to. Apple slices tend to be the crowd favorite, but they laugh recalling how cute kids are in encountering new veggies; one memory is of a little boy exclaiming, “Wow I have never seen such a red grape!” over a cherry tomato. Saherish shares how fun it is to watch the transformation in these little ones. Let it be known this is no small endeavor. The Surani’s have set out to prove their methods work by implementing a testing system using iClicker technology, equipping each child with a small remote clicker that they submit answers on in a pre-test of good v. bad food and lifestyle choices and then follow-up tests over the course of the program. “For the sake of science and
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protecting the data, we actually had to prove that the iClicker system itself actually worked on this age group by doing multiple test groups at this young age level to certify the accuracy of just this method of gathering their answers,” said mom, Zehra. For Zoya, the iConquer diabetes program hits close to home, for she was born in the year 2000, which marks the statistical shift where, from that year on, 1 in 3 children will be affected by Type 2 Diabetes. Sadly, among her friends, this has proceeded to hold accurate. She takes this fight very personally and explains, “I know that while I do not have diabetes myself, it’s more than just being lucky, it’s personal responsibility through my eating habits and lifestyle to make sure that my own family predisposition to the disease does not catch up to me.” Teaching this empowerment is what pushes her to constantly find new ways to reach more kids. Together, Saherish and Zoya identified that children with disabilities had not been reached yet, but were at equal risk of diabetes, obesity, and other preventable disease. “We are re-producing our videos to include a sign language interpreter in the corner of the film, and the book(s) we are publishing for children will include braille paper. It will have the look and feel of a regular book but with braille added to specialized pages.” These girls truly think of everything. What began as just a family endeavor has now spread into our CCISD high schools starting with Carroll and now Veteran’s Memorial. It is now a club designed to support iConquer program and provide steady recruits in the form of teens ready to go out to their younger peers and present this powerful message. “It’s amazing the transformation this program has also had on the teens teaching it, just in the way leaders are being formed and teens who used to be shy are willing to get up in front of children and use acting and song to teach kids.” Dr. Surani explained. The goal for the long-term is to make this a national program. Already some of the teens who have graduated high school while serving iConquer have exposed the program to top universities like Harvard and Berkley. Saherish explains, “We are implementing a handbook for iConquer that will literally lay out every process and resource we have thus far utilized, thus making this format duplicable. We already have many of our videos fully downloadable from our website for people to utilize.” What are Saherish and Zoya going to be when they grow up? Who knows, for through their charity work they have certainly sampled a wide variety of careers from film production, journalism, teaching and healthcare, but what we love most about these two, is that they did not wait to “grow up” before deciding to change the world. You can tell by that glimmer in his eye, that Dr. Surani agrees, his greatest work was in raising these amazing daughters. 4455 SPID Suite 21-0, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 (361) 299-5794 itsyourlifefoundation.org
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EMPLOYEE YEARS OF SERVICE
BAY LTD. AND BEYOND How a local company built a culture of family, safety and well-being for an entire community. On the first day of her internship at Bay Ltd., Haley Ross took a tour of the yard and instantly noticed how the work flowed like a wave. There wasn’t a single employee working individually – everything was in unison. Even as an intern, she was given authority to stop work if safety was a concern. In fact, everyone who is a member of the Bay Ltd. family signs a commitment to champion the development of a culture that promotes people caring about people’s safety at work, in the community and at home. “It gets built into you instantly. You are always expected to care and look out for people. They refer to it as the Bay Family.
The sense of unity was instantaneous,” said Ross. “We have bi-weekly safety meetings with all the leadership up front, and there is not a single meeting where they don’t tell us to take it to your people, not just your group or division, but your family and friends and their co-workers as well,” she elaborates. Members of the Bay Ltd. family commit to a list of safety pledges that apply both inside and outside of work. Ross encourages her friends to not text while driving and once intervened when she noticed her neighbor mowing his lawn without shoes or safety glasses. The culture goes beyond safety to a sense of well-being for each other and the entire community. Joining the Bay Ltd. family opened the doors to many opportunities for Ross to get involved in fundraising events and volunteer at local charities.
“Before the support system of the Bay Ltd. family, I would have never run in Beach to Bay, worked at the food bank, or volunteered around Christmas. You really take it home with you at the end of each day. The community and connectivity to people sticks with you,” shared Ross. The Bay Ltd. legacy began over 63 years ago when Mr. Marvin L. Berry founded the family-owned Berry Contracting, Inc. in 1953. A man of integrity and vision, Berry was committed to producing quality construction services that supported the growth and future of South Texas. Through diligence and hard work, the team at Berry Contracting, Inc. saw their operations at the forefront of major cutting-edge construction projects that extended far beyond the Coastal Bend. Since his passing in 1997, Berry’s legacy continues on through the thousands of in-
[the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]
Over 2,000 employees have worked for Bay Ltd. for 5 years or more. “Bay Birthdays” are celebrated every year, but everyone is presented with a watch on their 5th birthday.
5 Years 1,116 Employees
10 Years 570 Employees
15 Years 294 Employees
20 Years 140 Employees
25 Years 81 Employees
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BEYOND ZERO: A CULTURE OF CARING Bay Ltd. places the highest emphasis on the safety and well-being of its employees. Leadership, managers, craftsmen and staff have built a culture of caring and accountability that is the driving force behind their award-winning safety program. As a unit, they work to extend that culture of caring into the lives of every person they encounter daily and believe that caring for the welfare of others makes better workers, better citizens and better people. Bay Ltd. has achieved over 30 million safe man-hours over the course of the past four years without a single lost-time incident. Feats such as this cannot be accomplished alone. For this reason, the Beyond Zero safety culture stresses the importance of each employee’s responsibility for the safety of others and ensuring that everyone return home in better condition, both mentally and physically, than which they came to work.
You really take it home with you at the end of each day. The community and connectivity to people sticks with you,” shared Ross.
dividuals who support Bay Ltd. each day with pride, quality craftsmanship, and a commitment to excellence. As a heavy construction and fabrication contractor, Bay Ltd. specializes in industrial construction, fabrication, offshore construction, crane and heavy haul, civil and highway and oil field mid-stream services to name a few. Guided by the principles of honesty and integrity, Bay Ltd. is a leader in safety performance and continues to enjoy unprecedented growth and an unparalleled record of safety and service that drives their reputation internationally and locally. Today, the Bay Ltd. family consists of around 3,000 qualified craftsmen and supervisors that self-perform all major construction disciplines. Building diversity to service local clients is also a top priority. Bay Ltd. is proud to provide the capabilities to build projects and offer services for major companies at home in Corpus Christi and around the world. “Thanks to important local industrial business relationships and fabricating significant projects for companies around the world, Bay Ltd. is able to keep employees working long-term. Over 2,000 people have been employed with the company for over 5 years,” said Bob Blair, Vice President, who has been a member of the Bay Family since 1996. It’s the employees themselves who are the greatest source of pride for the company, according to President and CEO Edward Martin. According to Martin, when employees stick around for a long time, it pays off in the quality of their work. “We care for our employees, and they care for each other, their families and the community,” said Martin.
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Bay Ltd. is a family-owned company with a family mentality instilled by Berry since day one. Today, Martin and the entire leadership go above and beyond to ensure the health and well-being of every individual in the Bay Family, even having a doctor on staff as the company Wellness Director. Safety is at the forefront of everything they do. It goes beyond statistics to instilling a culture of protection and accountability throughout the entire company. It developed into a mantra known as Beyond Zero. Printed on the back of every business card at Bay Ltd. is their primary belief. “People caring about people’s safety.” That is what Beyond Zero means. It’s a commitment that every employee makes when they come on board, and a promise they keep. “Every employee is a spokesperson for safety,” said Martin. Robin Bevalet first joined Bay Ltd. in 1984 as a pipefitter. At the time, management was very friendly and caring, but safety wasn’t where it needed to be. “We really didn’t know the risks we were taking at the time. Our safety policies have really evolved over the years, starting with our safety rules. Then, we starting working on our safety culture. That is where we have really seen a big difference,” said Bevalet. Employees are more than mere workers to supervisors like Bevalet. They have kids, wives, mothers, brothers and sisters who they go home to every night. “If someone gets hurt at work, the impact is more than us filling out documents or turning it into a statistic. What matters is that person can’t go home to their family. That is the whole philosophy behind what we’re doing,” said Bevalet.
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Bay Ltd. used their Manitowoc 18000 crane to lift the 151,000 lb aluminum roof frame on July 7th for the Texas State Aquarium’s newest exhibit: The Caribbean Jungle opening in 2017.
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS EMPLOYEES HAVE VOLUNTEERED WITH: •• American Heart Association •• Food Bank of Corpus Christi It’s not just supervisors who care about people’s safety. Often employees fix their own mistakes before a supervisor even steps in. Everyone is proud to be a part of the team and proudly wear Bay Ltd. merchandise at work and around the community. Shirts are not given to them. Employees actually want to purchase them at the company store. Moreover, many employees will buy shirts and other Bay Ltd. products to give away during the holidays to friends and relatives. Everyone is proud to be a part of the team and proud of what they accomplish together. Alex Flores is a Multi-Process Shop Welder who has been with the company for nearly a decade. “To work at this type of job, you have to be a family. You have to respect each other and take care of each other. That’s the way it works around here,” said Flores. The experienced welders look out for the new guys coming on board. Flores, who has five sons of his own, mentors and encourages the younger welders. “There are a lot of young people in this trade, and they don’t know how dangerous it is,” reminded Flores. Community involvement is another driving force behind the Bay Family culture. Bay Ltd. is committed to making the community in and around Corpus Christi even more attractive to visitors. Recently, Bay Ltd. utilized their Manitowoc 18000 crane to lift the largest structure that has ever been moved at the Texas State Aquarium. On July 7th of this year, a crew from Bay Ltd. maneuvered the Manitowoc 18000 to lift an aluminum roof frame that will top the structure of the Texas State Aquarium’s newest exhibit: The Caribbean
Jungle. However, it’s not their cranes or construction equipment that makes the biggest impact on the community – it’s the people. The people who make up the Bay Family are constantly giving. The company is even forced to cut off the number of volunteers for certain projects simply because they have too many signed up. “Our people feel like it’s their duty,” said Martin. “They do it because it’s the right thing to do, not because they are tracking hours or getting recognition.” Over the past 5 years, employees alone have donated a total of 1,013 units of blood to the Coastal Bend Blood Center and a total of $258,689.93 to the United Way of the Coastal Bend. It’s hard to find a local charity where members of the Bay Family are not involved. “The measure of a company is going to be what kind of mark they left on a community,” said Martin. For over 63 years, Bay Ltd. has made it their goal to build a culture where people care about each other as if they were family. In return, the Bay Family has gone on to build significant projects around the world. But more importantly, they have built a better community for everyone.
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•• Foster Angels of South Texas •• Habitat for Humanity •• March of Dimes •• Military Warriors Support Foundation •• Nueces County Junior Livestock Show •• Ronald McDonald House •• Toys for Tots •• United Way of the Coastal Bend •• Valero Benefit for Children •• Wesley Community Center •• Women’s Shelter
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Special Promotion
60 The Bend
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Out & About SEPTEMBER 2016
ARTS & CULTURE 62 CELEBRATION 64 DATE BOOK 66 SOCIAL HOUR 70
What’s Inside Interactive museums are popping up all over the nation. These come in the form of hands-on exhibits or by integrating certain types of technology. The main goal is to engage and draw visitors more deeply into the piece they're exploring.
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Out and About | Arts & Culture
The Color of Being/El Color del Ser By: Jordan Regas
An innovative exhibition of pioneering, Texas Modernist artist Dorothy Hood is taking over the Art Museum of South Texas this fall
Dorothy Hood, 1918-2000 Dark Plexus VI, 1994 Oil on canvas, 84 x 72" x 1¼” Collection of the Art Museum of South Texas
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Who Was Dorothy?
The landmark project features 84 paintings, 47 drawings, and 29 collages produced from 1935 to 2000, including 54 works from AMST’s permanent collection and archives (the largest collection of Hood’s work in existence) and additional pieces
Dorothy Hood was born in Bryan, Texas on August 22nd, the only child of Frank and Georgianna Hood who later moved to Houston to raise their daughter. Hood won a scholarship to the Rhode Island School of Design in the early 1930s, then worked as a model in New York to earn money for classes at the Art Student’s League. She went to Mexico on vacation, but ended up staying for over 20 years. Hood was front and center at the cultural, political, a social crossroads of Mexico and Latin America during a period of intense creative ferment. She married the Bolivian
he Art Museum of South Texas (AMST) is rewriting art history with a monumental, innovative exhibition of an underrepresented Texas female artist titled The Color of Being/El Color del Ser: DOROTHY HOOD (1918-2000). The new exhibition aims to reestablish Dorothy Hood as an important modernist painter and integral to the ongoing dialogue of abstraction by artists of the post-war period. From September 30, 2016 through January 8, 2017, the first-ever major retrospective of Hood’s paintings and papers will fill the halls and walls of AMST, giving new life to the breadth of Hood’s career to a generation of art enthusiasts who are unaware of her talent.
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from 65 museums, corporations, foundations, and private collections located across Texas and America.
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composer Jose Maria Velasco Maidana, and after returning to Houston, Hood produced the epic paintings that evoked the psychic void of space, years ahead of NASA. Few women worked in large scale at the time.
Technique and Influences “Through staining and broad applications of paint across primed canvas, Hood created abstract compositions that often ‘open up’ the painted surface and allow the viewer to optically enter a kind of space not unlike familiar images we now see photographed by cameras located in places far beyond Earth,” stated Dr. William G. Otton, Director of AMST in 2004. Hood’s drawings were influenced by surrealism, as well as her lonely youth and her time in Mexico where she lived for a significant portion of her life. Her collages displayed unique depictions of history,
for a conservative art audience in Houston beginning in the 1960s.” Miller went on to comment that Hood’s best years as a painter were in Texas, inspired by the big sky, the pioneer spirit, and “space” in all its manifestations.
The Guest Experience When Hood’s work was received in 2001, AMST saw the relationship to many iconic Texas topics: geology, space, and a rich Latin American palette. Acquiring the work was a milestone for AMST.
TOP: Dorothy Hood, 1918-2000 Untitled, Late 1980s Oil on canvas, 96 x 120¼x 1 1/8" Collection of the Art Museum of South Texas BOTTOM: Early Design Rendering for the Chapman Gallery Educational Interactive Technology from Boston Productions Inc. (BPI), the exhibition design firm for The Color of Being/El Color del Ser: DOROTHY HOOD
“We are thrilled to be able to bring to our South Texas community the incredible work of Dorothy Hood and showcase her entire career via the retrospective exhibition, studio and archives materials, hardcover book, and educational interactives. What is most important about this project is that this kind of multi-layered learning environment has never been done at the Art Museum. And for those who made the acquisition in 2001, as well as the team who have been involved over the past five years, this has been an amazing journey. I know Dorothy Hood will be looking down and beaming with the same pride that we have for this celebration of her life’s work," said Joe Schenk, AMST Director.
Dorothy Hood, 1918-2000 Copper Signal, 1977 Oil on canvas, 109 1/2"x 81" Collection of the Art Museum of South Texas as well as space and dimensions of the mind and psyche of people. Although well known in Texas, unlike many of her contemporaries, her contributions to American art history weren't limited beyond the Lone Star State. Her career spanned the second half of the 20th century across multiple continents. She chose to live in Texas, stating “The spirit of Texas is in my work. We are on Mexican territory here, and Mexico is where my art started. I don’t think I could be anywhere else to do my work.” From the 2003 exhibition catalogue essay by Lauraine Miller stated: “Dorothy Hood was a major regional artist, some say, the best abstract painter of her generation in Texas…It wasn’t easy being a woman making large, abstract canvases
Unlike during Hood’s lifetime, innovative technologies exist today that create new opportunities to reach audiences and allow visitors to explore Hood’s paintings, life, and techniques. For The Color of Being/El Color del Ser: DOROTHY HOOD (1918-2000), AMST has teamed with Boston Productions Incorporated, an industry-leading experience design firm. Exhibit audiences will enjoy immersive experiences that bring Hood’s paintings to life, and allow the audience to come to know the artist and her work through a variety of interactive activities.
Dorothy Hood at the Art Museum of South Texas:
•• The Color of Being/El Color del Ser: DOROTHY HOOD (19182000) is the largest, most expensive project presented in AMST’s history, although Hood’s artwork has been featured previously as part of the Museum’s commitment to Texas artists.
•• Dorothy Hood Drawings was displayed in 1976, toured from the Everson Museum of Art, only four years after AMST opened the doors of the Philip Johnson building. •• In 2003, shortly after AMST acquired the major portion of the artist’s estate, Dorothy Hood: A
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Pioneer Modernist was displayed and included pieces as they were found in the artist’s studio.
•• Hood’s paintings, using the vibrant palette of Latin America, show mature techniques and an eye for color, texture, form, line, and scale.
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Out and About | Celebration
A Rehearsal to Remember
S
itting up above Corpus Christi from on top of the Omni, dinner was served overlooking the beautiful bay. Starting with a cocktail reception, wild quail and Gulf Coast shrimp were served as cocktails stirred and family and friends gathered.
Invitations' to dinner were provided with a thick wood grain paper stock embossed with copper foil. The envelope was lined with a vintage map of the South Texas coast and foil stamped return address. Upon arrival, guests were then welcomed by copper embossed escort cards presented on top of magnificent magnolia and gardenia buds. Their aroma was incredible as guests searched for their name and table number. Once seated, guests' names were presented on handmade coasters of the Texas coast vintage map with hand drawn names in trendy calligraphy for their keepsake. Suede napkins rolled with a leather wrap were placed on copper chargers as well as the menu of the night. Vintage gold linen paired with the over-sized leather chairs of the venue set the scene for a beautiful night.
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Create a
Incredible floral arrangements of ivory roses, hydrangea, protea, artichoke, eucalyptus and magnolia leaves cradled in (you guessed it) copper pots filled the tables along with flickering votive candles.
Event!
As a delicious steak dinner was served, guests enjoyed a memorable video of the couples' lives. Precious moments that ranged from their childhoods to their engagement were displayed on the big screen. Guests were then invited to speak as the wedding party had many loving words for Julianna and Trey. It was a special evening for an even more special day to follow.
Specializing in Event Rentals: • • • • • • • • • •
Tents Tables & Chairs Linens LED Lighting Staging & Dance Floors China*Glassware*Flatware Catering Equipment Custom Props Draping Lounge Furniture
Rental * Design * Décor For all your life Celebrations!
Event Planning: Jo Anne Howell Oh Goodie Designs+Events Venue: The Republic of Texas Omni Bayfront Hotel Floral: Sandra Sauceda of The Blossom Shop Rentals: Butler Signature Events Photography: Russell Selman Video: Pablo Schmitt
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Boutique Showroom! 5826 Wooldridge Rd.
www.ButlerSignatureEvents.com
361.992.9813
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ASHLEY WOODSON BAILEY
CABINET OF CURIOSITIES
CYNTHIA HOLMES LAVIN
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COMMUNITY
Out & About | Date Book
September Mark Your Calendar
Wings over Port A Sept. 16th - 18th
Venture out to Port A for a weekend of fun! Bay boat ride, bonfire and dinner on the Beach on Friday night. Jerry Diaz and Hanna's Reef at Civic Center on Saturday Night. Don't miss this annual fundraiser. Port Aransas, portaparrotheads@yahoo.com, portaransasparrotheads.com
ARTS
Masterpiece in a Day Sept. 24th
BENEFIT
COMMUNITY
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Corpus Christi is hosting its 14th Annual Gala, Casa de Amor. This year’s featured speaker is Tony Parker, point guard for the San Antonio SPURS. Meet and greet with photo op will be available for VIP sponsors. Silent and live auctions prior to presentation. Ortiz International Center, (361) 854-4073, corpuschristirmhc.org
Every Sunday, following the monthly First Friday ArtWalk, locals and visitors alike get together and take in breathtaking views from atop the Harbor Bridge. Enjoy this bird's-eye perspective from one of Corpus Christi's most iconic structures, with uninterrupted aerial views of the USS LEXINGTON, Texas State Aquarium and the Downtown skyline. The event begins at Heritage Park and the walk begins at 8:30 am. Join this Corpus Christi tradition! Heritage Park, (361) 882-2363, marinaarts.com
Casa de Amor Sept. 1st
COMMUNITY Arts Alive! Sept. 3rd – 4th
See Art, Make Art, Learn Art, Buy Art, Talk Art— It’s Arts Alive! There will be plenty of music, art, and dance to observe at the Art Center of Corpus Christi. Food trucks on-site, plus a crowd favorite restaurant, Citrus. This will be an interactive, all-week-end event, through Saturday and Sunday, so bring your friends! Cost per adult will be $5.00, children under twelve FREE! Art Center of Corpus Christi, (361) 884-6406, artcentercc.org
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Harbor Bridge Walk Sept. 4th
FESTIVAL HummerBird Celebration Sept. 15th – 18th
Celebrate the spectacular fall migration of the Ruby-throated hummingbird through the area, first documented by Connie Hagar in 1938 and to expand one's knowledge of birds, and associated wildlife. The celebration is fun, educational and inspiring. There is something for everyone, and it's designed for those who just enjoy birds to the more experienced birder. Rockport-Fulton High School, (361) 729-6445, rockporthummingbird.com
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Downtown is going to become an outdoor arts experience! There will be live artists all over downtown preparing their entries in 1. Visual art 2. Original music, 3. Original spoken word, and 4. Food truck culinary art. The public will determine the People's Choice Award in each category! There will also be additional interactive artistic elements for the day including an Art Parade, where the community is encouraged to dress up and be in a parade! Marina Arts District, (361) 882-2363, marinaarts.com
FAMILY Nature’s Brush Strokes Through Sept. 30th
September is the last month for “Nature’s Brush Strokes” art exhibition featuring 30 outdoor reproductions of original works by area artists, at the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center. Colorful wildflowers and native plants in 30 x 60” vertical format are organically displayed along the Mary Hope Brennecke Nature Trail on two-sided kiosks among mesquite and other native habitat. South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, (361) 852-2100, stxbot.org
The Brazilian Butt Lift People have been talking about the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) for a few years now, but most people are afraid to ask, “Is it real?” and, “If it’s real, what does it do?” The BBL is a common plastic surgical procedure that uses liposuction to improve the curves of the waist and hip. Fat is transferred to the buttock area from other parts of the body and improves the posterior curve. Liposuction is one of the most common plastic surgical procedures performed today and can result in dramatic improvements in the body shape, which in turn can improve self-confidence and self-image. Because the fat is removed with intentions to improve the appearance of the body, the procedure is more appropriately called liposculpture. Significant weight changes after liposculpture can affect the outcome of your surgery, so it’s best to be at or near your goal weight before scheduling the procedure. After deciding on plastic surgery, the next step is to pick your surgeon. It is very important to make sure your surgeon has the necessary training, has completed his/her residency, and is board certified. In plastic surgery, a membership in the American Board of Plastic Surgery confirms that your surgeon has successfully completed residency, passed their board exams, and follow the high ethical and professional standards set by the organization. It is also important to make sure that you have a good rapport and feel comfortable with your plastic surgeon and their office staff.
Dr. Vijay Bindingnavele At The Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Dr. Vijay Bindingnavele, MD, FACS, is a board certified plastic surgeon and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. They put the patient first and strive to provide the best care with the highest standards alongside the latest proven technologies at the best value. Dr. VJ, as he is known by many of his patients, has been performing these procedures in Corpus Christi for the past eight years.
Dr. Vijay Bindingnavele Where Beautiful Results & Experience Meet. 5826 ESPLANADE DRIVE, SUITE 101 CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS 78414 (361) 888-7417 [the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend] DOCTORVIJAY.COM
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Your suite awaits you.
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editor’s pick BENEFIT Avant Garden Gala Sept. 29th Avant Garden Gala is a nontraditional fundraiser to benefit The Art Center of Corpus Christi. Each year Haute Belle Events transforms the galleries into an Avant Garden complete with fine art and a fanciful feast. All proceeds benefit educational and outreach programs at The Art Center of Corpus Christi. Art Center of Corpus Christi, (361) 884-6406, artcentercc.com
FAMILY Parrot Talk Aug. 29th – Dec. 31st
FESTIVAL
Bailando Dance Festival Sept. 29th – Oct. 1st
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 pm, stop by the Tropical Garden to visit the Botanical Garden’s in-house parrots and their trainers. With both informational and interactive portions of the demonstration, you and your little ones are sure to learn to love these colorful creatures. You can even snap a picture with the birds on your way out! South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, (361) 852-2100, stxbot.org
A part of Corpus Christi Concert Ballet's Dance Initiative, this festival is a full weekend event featuring evening dance concerts and master classes in a variety of dance styles. Initiated in September 2000, the Bailando Dance Festival provides the community with culturally diverse works of dance performed by companies from across the state of Texas. Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, (361) 825-3296, ccbailando.com
FESTIVAL Surftoberfest Oct. 1st
Now in its second year, Surftoberfest is Corpus Christi's coastal spin on Oktoberfest! A celebration rich in German culture and full of Gulf Coast fun! Executive Surf Club, (361) 884-7873, facebook.com/surftoberfest
BENEFIT
7 Most Beautiful Women: Inside & Out Oct. 6th Join The Bend Magazine for the second annual 7 Most Beautiful Women: Inside & Out! An evening of celebration and fundraising for 7 charities. Tickets are $35 each and a portion of the proceeds will go to the winning charity. See you there! Omni Corpus Christi Hotel, (361) 792-3606, thebendmag.com
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Out & About | Social Hour
2nd Annual Luau Gala Photos by: DLG Photography
1. Alec Aitken, Tricia Perrone, Bryan Nurenberg, and George Webster 2. Kathy Killebrew, Flavius Killebrew, Frank Pezold and Paula Pezold 3. Drake and Nancy Beauchamp Donavon Frankenreiter, Sallie and Will Ohmstede
1. 2.
4. Barbie Baker and Sonya Buckwalter 5. Rodney Bursiel, Brad lomax and Steve Roegelein 6. Emma Clarkson, Danielle Zimmermann, Chas Downey, and Gail sutton.
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3. 5.
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ⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀ 䈀刀䤀一䜀 吀䠀䤀匀 䄀䐀 䤀一 吀伀 刀䔀䌀䔀䤀嘀䔀 㔀─ 伀䘀䘀 夀伀唀刀 伀刀䐀䔀刀℀
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㐀㤀㌀㠀 匀⸀ 匀琀愀瀀氀攀猀 匀琀⸀ 䌀漀爀瀀甀猀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀椀Ⰰ 吀堀 ㌀㘀⸀㤀㤀㈀⸀㈀㈀ ㈀
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㈀ ㌀ 唀匀 䠀圀夀 㠀 匀琀攀 䄀 倀漀爀琀氀愀渀搀 吀堀 ㌀㘀⸀㘀㐀㌀⸀ 㔀
MAKE THIS SCHOOL YEAR
GREATER THAN LAST YEAR!
A new school year brings a fresh start—and Mathnasium is here to help set the stage for success! Together, we can make this school year greater than last year!
Risk-Free Assessment Math Help and Enrichment
Test Prep
Homework Help
Mathnasium of Corpus Christi
361 444-6746
mathnasium.com/corpuschristi
7426 South Staples St., #203 Corpus Christi, TX 78413
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Cuisine SEPTEMBER 2016
FARM TO TABLE 76 THE DISH 79 DINING GUIDE 80 THE DRINK 84
A special thanks to Shell and Pine for the beautiful table setting, shellandpine.com.
What’s Inside The famous adage, "You eat with your eyes first" is something most chefs take most seriously. The deep purple cabbage, pink juicy chicken, and delicate greens scream "DIG IN!"
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Cuisine | Farm to Table
Easiest Roast Chicken Salad
A
ll men are created equal. It says so in the Declaration of Independence, right in front of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But, nobody said all chickens are created equal. Unfortunately, chickens don’t have an inherent right to be tasty. The way a chicken is raised can make it exquisitely delicious, or bland and quite boring. Conventional chickens are raised in huge warehouses, crammed wall-to-wall by the thousands, in conditions less than sanitary, without ever spending a day in the sunlight. You have probably seen these bird factories on grainy undercover spycam videos. These pitiful birds are fed the cheapest possible ration of GMO corn and soybeans. It is not surprising that the birds are less than spectacular on the table.
By: Justin & Kayla Butts Photos: Rachel Durrent
Pastured chickens, on the other hand, are raised the old-fashioned way in the fields and forests of local farms. You can take a trip to the farm and see them for yourself roaming the pastures (hence, “pastured chickens”) in the fresh air and beaming sunshine. These birds spend their happy days scratching in the green grass for weeds, bugs, and other native forage. The diet and lifestyle of these chickens creates a profound difference in their taste. Extraordinary ingredients make extraordinary meals. That is why the best chefs in America, from Dan Barber to Sean Brock, go to such lengths to find pastured birds for their restaurants. When you start with a high-quality bird, you only need a simple recipe to make it sing.
tom position. Place a broiler pan in the oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Brush skin with olive oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. Once oven is preheated, place chicken breast side up on broiler pan. Cook for 30 minutes. Rotate chicken 180° so that back is facing up and cook an additional 30 minutes. Rotate chicken another 180° so that it is breast side up again. Cook 10-30 minutes, until the temperature of the thigh meat next to the bone registers 175°F - 180°F. Let chicken rest for 10 minutes prior to serving to allow juices to redistribute.
This roasted chicken recipe is as simple as it gets. We like to use leftovers for chicken salad, and we offer two of our favorite recipes here. If you send the little ones to school with this chicken salad on homemade bread, you should also teach them jiu-jitsu, because they will have a fight on their hands if the other kids (and teachers) find out. Please note: If you want any leftovers at all from your roast chicken, we encourage you to cook two birds--and even then, your family may only leave you well-gnawed bones. Declare your independence from mediocre food. You have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of excellent chicken. So find a pastured bird raised in The Bend and maximize your mealtime happiness!
Arrange seeds and pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Broil on low for approximately 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and cool until room temperature. Combine chicken, grapes, pecans, seeds, and herbs in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients and stir until well incorporated. Add yogurt/mayonnaise mixture to chicken mixture and combine well. Enjoy your chicken salad between toasted wheat bread, atop a green salad, or stuffed into a fresh avocado.
Thai Chicken Salad Prep time: 15 minutes
Homemade Chicken Salad with Grapes & Pecans Cook time: 5 minutes Prep time: 25 minutes
Easiest Roast Chicken Recipe Inactive Prep Time: 15 minutes Active Prep Time: 2 minutes Cook Time: Approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes Ingredients: 3-6 lb whole chicken (preferably pastured) 2 tbsp olive oil Sea salt and cracked pepper Directions: Place your oven rack in the second to bot-
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Ingredients: 1/2 cup pecans, chopped 1/8 cup sunflower seeds, shelled White and dark meat of one whole roasted chicken, shredded or cubed One small bunch grapes (about 10-15), halved 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1/8 cup fresh mint, chopped 1 bunch chives (about one ounce), chopped 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 cup mayonnaise (recommend Duke’s brand) 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp fig preserves 2 tsp honey 1 tsp poppy seeds Sea salt and cracked pepper to taste Directions:
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Ingredients: 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/4 cup mayonnaise (recommend Duke’s brand) 2 tsp Sriracha 1 stalk lemongrass (about 2-3” long), with outer covering removed Splash mirin White and dark meat of one whole roasted chicken, shredded or cubed 1/2 cup red cabbage, julienned 1/4 cup fresh basil (preferably Thai), chopped 2 tsp sesame seeds Sea salt and cracked pepper Bean sprouts (optional) Directions: In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, Sriracha, lemongrass, and mirin. Mix well, occasionally bruising the lemongrass with your whisk to release its flavor. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients and stir until incorporated. Remove lemongrass stalk from reserved yogurt mixture, and add to chicken. Stir well. Enjoy on a large leaf of lettuce with a slice of avocado.
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Cuisine | The Dish
What’s in the name? Tony Posada was wearing a life vest emblazoned with the words ‘Body Glove.’ While trying to decide on a restaurant name that was not already taken, ‘Body Glove’ morphed into the Blue Clove, which is a type of bluish coral in the Gulf reef.
Bite into The Blue Clove By: Sharla Wilkins Photos: Rachel Durrent
The Blue Clove is a family run restaurant that caters to everyone.
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Vs on the wall, country music playing in the background, and coastal décor - the friendly, welcoming, laid-back atmosphere at The Blue Clove is intentional. “I want everyone to come. I want everyone to feel invited,” owner Tony Posada explains. Posada, his father, Antonio Posada, his uncle, Isidro Posada, and his uncle’s wife, Ana Flores, all own and operate the restaurant together. Opened earlier this year on the Westside, business is flourishing as knowledge of the restaurant’s delicious seafood and pastries has spread by watering word-of-mouth. This foray into restaurant ownership is fairly new for the family. After immigrating to Texas from Mexico, Antonio Posada held a variety of jobs before being hired at the Corpus Christi Yacht Club as a dishwasher. Learning on the job and working his way up, Posada spent eighteen years with the club, eventually serving as a special events coordinator. His son, Tony, tried his hand at several public service jobs before attending Del Mar College for Culinary Arts, and has been in the restaurant business since. At a time the elder Posada was seeking to strike out on his own, he was approached by an investor to open a restaurant. That partnership failed, so Posada decided to open his own, family-owned establishment, desiring to have a business he could share with his son. With a background in seafood and living so close
to the Gulf, the family decided to focus mostly on coastal fare. The seafood is local, and the dishes are elaborate. “All the recipes come from our experience,” Antonio Posada says. “Inspiration is everywhere,” his son shares. Located in a shopping center owned by other family members, the 88 capacity eatery is housed in a converted Mexican restaurant. “All my family, not just my personal family, my whole family, it’s all restaurant,” Tony Posada explains. The eatery has separate lunch and dinner menus, and offers daily specials. The current most popular lunch dish is the Soft Shell Crab Sandwich, and the Pecan Snapper and Drum Florentine are evening favorites. The Posadas are also happy to customize orders for customers.
Soft Shell Crab Sandwich fried in buttermilk crust and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, avocado, and spicy aioli!
Pastry chef, Isidro Posada, has crafted six different decadent desserts, each made in-house, and can create custom orders with advance notice. Each generous portion is easily shared by two. It’s too early to focus on more than one restaurant, however, Antonio Posada would like to expand with a second location in the future. Something his son could oversee. While not yet ready to run a restaurant on his own, Tony Posada enjoys his time in the kitchen and the creative aspect of preparing a meal. “That’s another thing I love about cooking,” he says, “You can never stop learning.”
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This soft brownie is topped with candied pecans and caramel sauce!
1945 Horne Road Corpus Christi, TX 78416 (361) 855-2927
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Dining Guide Corpus Christi Padre Island Port Aransas Rockport Outdoor dining Live music
$ = Under $10 $$ = Mostly $10 - $20 $$$ = $20 and up The Bend Magazine Dining Guide is a select list of restaurants around the Coastal Bend. Implicitly, the magazine’s editors recommend all of these restaurants and they are not advertisements. Listings are updated monthly and appear based on space availability. Reviews and articles are written by our editors as a service to readers.
Restaurant owners: If you have news about your restaurant or a correction to our listing, we’re all ears! Send an email to editor@thebendmag.com or call (361) 792-3606
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Cuisine | Dining Guide
American 8te $ A shabby chic interior feel with classic comfort dishes that have a simple twist. They have it all breakfast, lunch, and dinner! 1220 Airline #250, (361) 723-0261, Facebook.com/8tecctx Andy’s Country Kitchen $ You will feel right at home just like eat’n in mom’s kitchen. Great southern comfort food that gets back to the basics! 5802 S Staples St, (361) 993-0251, Andyskitchen.com Atomic Omelette& Grill $ Omelettes are just the beginning here! Comfortable atmosphere, with a flavor for casual dining and handmade family recipes. 6313 Wooldridge Rd #10, (361) 334-3942, Atomicomelette.com Citrus Bayfront Bistro $ Enjoy everything homemade, even down to the pie crusts with a gorgeous view of the marina. 100 N Shoreline Blvd, (361) 882-2047, Citrusbistro.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 Liberty Hall Inferno $$ Herbs and vegetables grown on site, your dining experience will be unforgettable! 106 E. Cotter, Port Aransas, TX 78373, (361) 749-4888 MacDaddy's Family Kitchen $$ Serves BBQ, Fried Chicken & Seafood. Big tables for big groups, they'll also deliver! 118 Beach Street Port Aransas, Texas 78373, (361) 749-2271, acdaddysfamilykitchen.com The Grille $ Ensures you’ll always have the variety that is the spice of life! With ingredients sourced from Texas, Burger patties and soups are all made from scratch. 3063 Main St, (361) 775-1000, Facebook.com/thegrillingleside The Groove $$ A little something for every discriminating craving with an eclectic dining experience. Nothing is ever frozen or put in a fryer! 2001 N Hwy 35, (361) 729-3663, Thegrooverockport.com
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The Post $$ Enjoy this pub in a communal setting with dishes that are meant to be shared, all alongside a cocktail or beer of course! 3850 S Alameda, (361)452-0907, Facebook.com/postcc Town & Country Café $ Down-to-earth this diner next door serves the best in homestyle American comfort food for breakfast and lunch. 4228 S Alameda St, (361) 992-0360, Facebook.com/town-country-cafe
Asian Aka Sushi $$ Creative and daring rolls that work well together. The authentic Asian cuisine made with the Chef’s homemade recipe will be sure to surprise you. 415 N Water St, (361) 882-8885 Sang’s Imperial Café $$ Culturally dynamic décor brings an international ambiance to the atmosphere. Their commitment to the healthiest and freshest food shows through from the dishes to the sushi bar. 4650 Corona Dr, (361) 8088881, Facebook.com/imperialcafe TakeNiwa $$$ Sit in Hibachi and watch their talented chefs prepare your dinner. Or dine yourself to juicy steak and full sushi bar, your choice! 5216 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 356-6888, takeniwa.com
Café BonnA-Petit $ Chef Sophie will always make you feel warmly welcomed, just as her gourmet dishes do. And don’t forget to grab a to-go dinner! 4301 S Alameda St, (361) 334-2579, Bonna-petit.com Daily Grind $ A coffee bar with personality, they offer the finest in gourmet, rustic, or straight-up coffee favorites. Hungry? Stick around for their daily quiche specials, scones, and sandwiches. 302 S Austin St, (361) 790-8745, Rockportdailygrind.com Hester’s Café and Coffee Bar $ Looking for a true family experience where love is the number one ingredient, along with the simple but important concept of quality and the healing powers of good food 1902 N. Shoreline Blvd, (361) 885-0151, 1714 S Alameda St, (361) 885-0558, 3812 S Alameda St, (361) 855-1892, Hesterscafe.com
Striving for your
Best Smile Family | Restorative | Cosmetic The experience you can trust!
5756 S. Staples Ste. I, Corpus Christi, TX 78413 | 361.991.7791
Cuisine | Dining Guide
Barbeque Hoegemeyer’s BBQ $$ Smoked freshbarbecue on a strong German heritage background and a satisfaction for something unique. South Texas barbecue that comes from the heart. 711 Concrete St, (361) 884-4227, Hoegemeyers.com
French Bleu Bistro $$$ True playful twists to classic French bistro dishes. The chef’s commitment to the use of fresh, local, peak of the season products is evident in the quality of each dish. 500 N Water St, (361) 887-2121, Bleubistrocc.com Dragonfly $$$ A fine 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, Facebook.com/dragonfly-restaurant Grill
Bar & Grill Brewster Street Ice House $$ Who says that you can’t have 4-Star food in a casual environment? Not the Brewster Street Grill! Bring your kids or stay for concert, they have it all. 1724 N Tancahua, (361) 884-2739, Brewsterstreet.net
Executive Surf Club $$ The perfect casual family dining spot. All the while supplying the most beer on tap in the city. 309 N Water St, (361) 884-7873, Waterstreetmarketcc. com/executive-surf-club FINS Grill and Icehouse $$ For the past 11 years, they've featured fresh seafood, 1/2 lb Angus beef burgers & chicken. Full full bar and you "You Hook 'Em, We Cook 'Em" for the fisherman. 420 West Cotter, Port Aransas 78373, (361) 749-8646, finsgrillandicehouse.com
Stingray’s Taphouse and Grill $$ Anindustrial-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
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The Brewery $$ Brick Oven Pizza, Pub food & Burgers sound good? How about a fresh brewed-in-house beer? 429 Alister Street, Port Aransas, Texas 78373, (361) 749- 2739, portaransasbrewery.com
Italian Authentic New York Pizza $$ True, authentic New York Pizza right in your hands in Corpus Christi, complete with red-checkered tablecloths. 5838 S Staples St, (361) 986-1151, Eatmorepizza.cc Bellino’s $$ Comfortable and welcoming with a trattoria style authentic cuisine. You won’t find these dishes anywhere else in Corpus Christi! 3815 S Alameda St, (361) 814-8998, 523 S. Fulton Beach Rd, (361) 729-9003, Bellinotexas.com Brooklyn Pie Co. $ Enjoy a slice or indulge a whole “pie” of their delicious secret pizza tradition. 15326 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 949-1100, Brooklynpie.com Grimaldi’s Pizzeria $$ Distinctive and authentic pizza baked to perfection in a signature coal burning oven you can see right from your seat, offers a unique crisp flavor. 5488 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 980-8600, Grimaldispizzeria.com House of Rock $ Great pizza and appetizers, cold beer, and live entertainment! Does it get any better? $$ 511 Starr St, (361) 882-7625, Texashouseofrock.ticketfly.com Mamma Mia’s $$$ Warm and cozy mom and pop Italian experience will make you feel like family. Entrees are delicious Italian culture on a plate. 128 N Mesquite St, (361) 8833773, Facebook.com/mamma-mias Mesquite St. Pizza and Pasta Co. $$ Their 60 year old pizza oven brought in straight from Brooklyn New York, makes for the perfect pizza, as well asall the crusts and sauces are made in house. 617 Mesquite St, (361) 882-7499, Eatpizzadowntown.com Panjo’s Pizza & Pasta $ Ditch the pomp and circumstance, and eat the way your Italian Grandma intended. Fuss free and real, classic, and a true local secret! 2744 Highway 35 N, (361) 729-1411
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Russo’s Coal Fired Italian Kitchen $$ Brick-oven-fired Italian entrees and New York style pizza down south. The simplicity of a causal Pizzeria with the freshness of a fine Italian restaurant. 6418 S Staples St, (361) 986-0620, Nypizzeria.com Venetian Hot Plate $$$ Quality cuisine and a quaint, yet energetic atmosphere, giving a real touch of Italy. 232 Beach St, (361) 749-7617, Venetianhotplate.com Bella Luna Downtown $$ 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 Port “A” Pizzeria $$ Bring the kids, as this family-friendly pizzeria offers an all-day buffet, video games and draft beer. Or, order straight off the menu! 407 E Avenue G, (361) 749-5226, Portapizzeria.com,
Mediterranean Ginger Café and Grill $$ Eastern hospitality and authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, there’s so much to love about these Persian, Turkish, Lebanese, and IndoPakistani specialties. 7009 S Staples, 103, (361) 946-9834, Gingercafecc.com
Mexican Molé $$ The vision lies in freshness, tradition and distinction; Mole’ is where true Central Mexican Cuisine can be enjoyed. 6042 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 334-6081, Molerestaurant.com
Per uvian Costa Sur Wok & Ceviche Bar $$ This cevicheria is a true Peruvian party on your palette. The dishes are fresh takes on traditional originals from Peru. 15113 S Padre Island Dr #101, (361) 945-8303, Costasurcc.com
Seafood Black Marlin Bar & Grill $$$ Sit indoors, sit outdoors, see the Gulf Coast from any seat in the house while diving into top-quality coastal cuisine, live music and the best views around. 258 Snapdragon, (361) 749-4653, Blackmarlinbarandgrill.com
SAVING LIVES FIRST FRIDAY’s Pink Links Connects Women with Mammograms
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By: Alexis Mays ne in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, but a $5.00 donation can help save her life. You can visit La Palmera’s concierge center or go online at ffpinklinks.org to become links in the chain that connects women with the most powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer: easy access to mammograms and early detection.
“Your $5 gift will support a free mammogram screening for a mother, a sister, a daughter, a neighbor, a friend,” said Michele Mora-Trevino, executive director of marketing at CHRISTUS Spohn Health System and FIRST FRIDAY member and Pink Links organizer. “What’s important to remember is that every dollar raised stays in the Coastal Bend and provides qualifying women and men with a free mammogram screening.”
FIRST FRIDAY’s Pink Links initiative will support free mammogram screenings for women of South Texas who do not have the resources to pay for a mammogram.
From September through October area retailers at La Palmera Mall, CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Gift Shops and FIRST FRIDAY members are participating in the sale of Pink Links. South Texans can also give online by logging on to ffpinklinks.org. Three different Pink Links are available for purchase: for those fighting breast cancer, in support of those who fight breast cancer and in memory of loved ones. Along with the message, there is a space on each Pink Link to write a name. All Pink Links sold will be collected and connected in a powerful display, which will hang at La Palmera from September through October.
For twenty-two years, this grass roots organization has been raising funds to support their mission—to help save lives by increasing awareness of the importance of early detection, and to provide free screening mammograms for those in need. Together with their medical partner CHRISTUS Spohn, FIRST FRIDAY has underwritten more than 16,000 screening mammograms.
For more information about FIRST FRIDAY’s free mammogram screening program. Call 361-985-5600 or visit us online at firstfridaycc.org
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Cuisine | The Drink
Falling for Fruit By: Karey Lynn Butterworth Photo: Rachel Durrent
Bringing the apple orchard to the mason jar at Glow in Rockport, Texas.
A
utumn is my favorite season, with pumpkin patches, duck season, and apple orchards. Living on the Texas coast makes fall weather a bit harder to come by, but this cocktail helps bring it closer. For autumn recipes, I love combining typically savory herbs like rosemary with sweet flavors like apple. Making rosemary simple syrup is so easy, keeps for weeks, and can be used in iced tea, over ice cream, or autumn fruits and cocktails like this one. For this warming spirit, we suggest using Yellow Rose Outlaw Bourbon. It's a small-batch whiskey made by three friends in Houston, Texas. Aged in American oak barrels, this Texas bourbon is slightly sweet and rich with caramel and vanilla flavor. The apple juice used is very important. We used a pressed apple juice with an uncommon cloudiness. Unfiltered apple juice is healthy and flavorful and contains more antioxidants than the clear variety due to the skin and pulpy bits left in the bottle. This one is made from whole apples, not concentrate, and lends to a stronger, richer apple flavor. An Orchard Cocktail a day keeps the doctor away.
Texas Orchard Cocktail Rosemary Simple Syrup: • 1 cup water • 1 cup white sugar • 1/4 cup rosemary leaves Combine water, sugar, and rosemary leaves in a small pot. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let syrup steep, about 20 minutes. Pour syrup into a sterilized glass jar through a mesh strainer to remove rosemary leaves. Cool. Ingredients: Serving size 1 • 1 tsp rosemary syrup • 20 ml whiskey (Yellow Rose Outlaw Bourbon) • 30 ml unfiltered apple juice (Simply Apple Fresh Pressed Apple Juice) • 30 ml sparkling water • 1 tsp lemon juice Once the syrup is cool, mix with the remaining cocktail ingredients and serve with a few ice cubes. 1815 Broadway St. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-2644
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Distinctive Landscapes Start Here... Wondering where to start is where we love to start!
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Cuisine | Dining Guide 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) 9494819, Blacksheepbistro.net Doc’s Seafood and Steaks $$ Lively and enjoyable selection for surf ‘n’ turf in an open-air setting overlooking the water, plus live music. 13309 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 949-6744, Docseafoodandsteaks.com Glow $$ From a renovated boathouse, offers a 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 $$ Tavern on the Bay at Harrison’s Landing is Corpus Christi’s newest outdoor restaurant & bar located in the heart of the city’s marina, and is the only place in town with a floating bar! 108 Peoples St, (361) 881-8503, Harrisonslanding.net Island Time Sushi Bar and Seafood Grill $$ Stop in for fresh and inventive sushi, seafood, appetizers and desserts! Check out the weekday specials! 14225 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 949-3046, Facebook.com/ islandtimesushi Latitude 28˚02’ $$$ Contemporary dining experience specializing in tasty fresh, local seafood. Eye-catching walls that serve as a gallery space, holding colorful works by local artists. 105 N Austin St, (361) 727-9009, Latituderockport.com Lisabella’s Bistro $$$ Casually coastal elegance yet, familyfriendly setting. Remarkable gourmet twist to the lunch fare, a poolside eatery, and a full bar that goes beyond just ordinary. 5009 Hwy 361, (361) 749-4222, Cinnamonshore.com
Rock & Rolls Sushi Lounge $$ At Rock & Roll, they’re dishing out the most delectable and delicate fish from islands all over the world. Delight in a “sound check” or cold appetizer, an “opening act” or hot appetizer, then “plug in” for some rolls and sashimi! 15121 S Padre Island Dr #101, (361) 949-1110, Rockandrollssushi.com Roosevelt’s at the Tarpon Inn $$ 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 Saltwater Grill $$ Unique family atmosphere with fresh and tasty seafood that will leave you coming back for more. 2401 Cimarron Blvd, (361) 993-7258, Saltwatergrillcc.com Scuttlebutt’s Bar & Grill $$ Extensive menu, makes sure to have something for everyone. Foods made from scratch from the dressings to the burger patties14254 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 949-6769, Scuttlebuttsbarandgrill.com
Seafood & Spaghetti Works $$ A unique dining experience, you’ll find the very best in seafood, steak, Italian dishes, pizza, soups, and desserts all made from scratch. 901 S Alister St, (361) 7495666, Seafoodandspaghetti.com
MADE IN MEXICO, RAISED IN TEXAS
Shells $$ Warm, inviting neighborhood restaurant offers a creative and far ranging menu that reflects a variety of world cuisines. Shakes off the old and tired and gets down to real good food. 522 E Avenue G, (361) 7497621, Eatatshells.com Shempy’s Grill $$ Laid back setting with a variety of delightfully cooked fish will turn anyone into a seafood lover. 3913 Highway 35 S, (361) 727-0019, Facebook.com/Shempys
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OUR UNIQUE TEQUILA HAS THE TASTE AND QUALITY OF BOTH MEXICO AND TEXAS. AT WB LIQUORS, WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN OUR GREAT SELECTION OF LIQUOR, WINE, AND BEER.
O RO RR AR HA CH T ELL C S ST E TE E R ET R G A GE A E E N RN UR OU S S YO R R TY O A O AT U IQU B LLIQ W WB Y!! AY DA OD T TO
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Cuisine | Dining Guide Snoopy’s Pier $$ 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 $$ Roll up your sleeves and take manners to a new level for a great Cajun experience. 201 S Fulton Beach Rd, (361) 729-6972 The Pheonix $$ This international bistro/nouveau American fine-quality cuisine is prepared daily using many ingredients from the Corpus Christi Farmer’s Market creating a constantly eclectic seasonal menu, where guests can choose to sit indoor and outdoor. 337 N Alister St, (361) 749-9277, Facebook.com/The-Phoenix-Restaurant-and-Bar
Trout Street Bar & Grill $$$ Cajun-inspired seafood in an airy environs is a wondrous way to enjoy food and cocktails inside the nautical themed restaurant or on the outdoor deck offering marina views. 104 West Cotter, (361) 749-7800, Tsbag.com
Water Street Oyster Bar $$ Long-standing, well-known Corpus Christi landmark operation serving oysters, sushi rolls & Gulf seafood in a historic, brick-walled space. 309 N Water St, (361) 881-9448, Waterstreetmarketcc.com
Niko’s Steakhouse $$$ Committed to the motto “Great food, Great times, Great experience.” Casual and elegant atmosphere that will exceed any steak lover’s expectations. 5409 Saratoga Blvd, (361) 992-2333, Nikossteakhouse.com
Water Street Seafood Company $$$ Locally owned and operated and voted “Best of the Best” seafood. Fish is fresh never frozen, while sauces and dressings are all made in house from scratch. 309 N Water St, (361) 882-8683, Waterstreetmarketcc.com
Republic of Texas $$$$ One of the top dining destinations. A multi-level steakhouse offers diners beautiful panoramic views of the CC Bay. All the ingredients for the perfect experience! 900 N Shoreline Blvd, (361) 887-1600, Omnihotels.com
Yardarm $$$ 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
Thai Thai Cottage $$ Unique and refreshing, Thai curries meet teriyaki and Chinese dishes in a cozy red cottage. 5830 McArdle Rd, (361) 993-0777, Thai-cottage.com
Vietnamese Steakhouse Katz 21 $$$ Sets the standard for premier fine dining experience. Prime steakhouse specializes in dry-aged prime beef and fresh gulf coast seafood. 5702 Spohn Dr, (361) 884-1221, Katz21.com
Vietnam Restaurant $$$ Local fine dining with an extensive menu and eye catching Vietnamese culture spread throughout the dining area. 701 N Water St, (361) 853-2682, Vietnam-restaurant.com
Furniture, GiFts and accessories
1027 US Hwy 181 Portland,78374 | 361-413-0090 Add us on Facebook -Decor Furniture 88 The Bend
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YOU NEED THE BEST TRAINED AND EQUIPPED HOME INSPECTOR TO SPOT MOISTURE PROBLEMS.
Moisture does more damage each year to homes in the US than everything else combined. What your inspector can’t see can hurt you. At Signature Inspection Services we are trained and equipped to spot expensive potential problems, including moisture problems, from top to bottom, that other inspectors can’t “see”.
Nifty Lift. While other inspection services may be content to use binoculars from across
Infrared Camera spots moisture problems invisible to the naked eye. We are trained on and deploy a state-of-the-art infrared camera on all inspections. We routinely spot moisture intrusion issues around windows, doors, flashing and plumbing using this special camera. The sooner moisture issues are discovered the easier they are to repair.
the street to “inspect” your roof, we deploy our lift to get “up close and personal” with every roof we can’t safely walk. Moisture problems often start at to top and work their way down.
Invisible Moisture Problems with Siding. Any type of home
siding, from stucco to brick, can allow significant structural damage if not properly installed. We have the training and equipment to provide certified stucco and siding inspections that discover hidden problems from moisture. The photos show some of the damage we’ve discovered that was invisible until revealed by our testing and inspection. Left un repaired, moisture problems with siding can, and have, turned beautiful and expensive homes in to “tear-downs”.
Signature inspection Services is ready to help ensure that your home purchase doesn’t come with expensive, undiscovered moisture problems. Call for your moisture scan home inspection or our more in-depth moisture analysis inspection.
INSPECTION SERVICES TREC License # 10330 Call Anytime 361-230-2312 www.signaturehomeinspectors.com [the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]
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History | Looking Back
A Lifetime of Beauty By: Jeff King Photo: Courtesy Yearbook of W.B. Ray High School
Farrah Faucett Foundation Mission Statement: Our mission is to provide funding for cutting edge cancer research, prevention, and to help those struggling with cancer today. Our emphasis is on anal and HPVrelated cancers. It is our compassion for those who suffer from this insidious disease that fuels our deep commitment and fills our hearts.
Farrah Fawcett was voted “Most Beautiful” her sophomore, junior and senior years at W.B. Ray High School.
The Silver Spur, 1965: Yearbook of W.B. Ray High School
E
very once in a while, Hollywood will open her gates to welcome just the right combination of personality and potential, shooting a young, hopeful dreamer into stardom. In 1968, Mary Farrah Leni Fawcett left the University of Texas – with her parents’ blessing – to see how far her good looks and bubbly personality would carry her. Needless to say, Hollywood was very welcoming. Why was Farrah Fawcett an overnight, Hollywood success? Childhood friends of Fawcett would describe her as your girl next door; she was a friendly, fun-loving, and intelligent young woman, gaining her early education at a local Catholic school before entering public school at Hamlin Middle School. As Fawcett entered high school at W.B. Ray High School, it was clear to her classmates that she radiated a sense of beauty that shone beyond her blonde hair and sparkling eyes. Each of her last three years in high school, Fawcett was voted
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as “Most Beautiful.” The beauty that sprung Fawcett into a celebrity was also apparent in her generous contributions and support for domestic abuse shelters for women, a cause for which she became passionate after playing the role of a victim of spousal abuse in a 1984 film. She visited Corpus Christi to help fundraise for the Women’s Shelter of the Corpus Christi Area. During her own battle with anal cancer, Fawcett founded the Farrah Fawcett Foundation to provide funding for cancer research, prevention, and support for those affected by the type of cancer that eventually led to the death of Corpus Christi's selfless darling. Fawcett’s beauty radiated not only because she had the physical qualities of what our society claims to be beautiful, but because Farrah Fawcett exhibited a true angelic elegance that was defined by how she positively impacted those around her, much like the beautiful women celebrated in this issue.
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