March 2021 Issue

MAJOR GROWTH

Bring Creativity to Life

Surround yourself with opportunities to express your creativity. Develop your artistic talents. Join a purpose-driven university with more than 85 areas of study, and more than $130 million in scholarships and aid awarded each year. We’re ready to help you find your purpose today. APPLY TODAY AT TAMUCC.EDU

HOME SWEET LOAN

Kleberg Bank Mortgage is key to making your dreams of homeownership a reality.

top priority: customer service

We know you have many options, so we strive to make a difference by providing the excellent service you deserve.

communication: key to success

We lead the process with clear and consistent communication to ensure a stress free process from application to funding.

quick turn times

With an in-house team of experienced professionals, you’ll enjoy rapid responses from the approval process to funding.

home financing options

We offer conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, home improvement, and construction loans.

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Contact a mortgage professional at (361) 850-6800 or apply online at KlebergBank.com.

SCAN QR CODE TO LEARN MORE.

Victoria Gutierrez NMLS#1182000

Leigh Fowler NMLS#1307268

Carlos Reyna NMLS #1968315

Greg Knupp NMLS #1416595

T h e Pl a n t Pr of e ssi o n al s !

PRESIDENT

Jordan Regas

VICE PRESIDENT

Kaley Regas

PUBLISHER

Chris Knapick

ART DIRECTOR

Jarred Schuetze

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Kylie Cooper

ACCOUNT

EXECUTIVE

Gloria Stauber

COPY EDITOR

Steve Gill

SENIOR WRITER

Kirby Conda Tello

LEAD

PHOTOGRAPHER

Rachel Benavides

PHOTOGRAPHY

Jason Page

Lillian Reitz

Aaron Garcia

CONTRIBUTORS

Justin Butts

Kayla Butts

Jillian Becquet

Jo Anne Howell

Jacqueline Gonzalez

Julieta Hernandez

Jessie Chrobocinski

Alexis Harborth

Katy Jones-Gulsby

Terrie Moore

Monica Benavides

Luis Arjona

Monique Dennis

Josh Maxwell

Q: If you could only have one type of plant to fill your entire garden, what would it be?

JS: I would choose the bougainvillea. It's a super low maintenence plant once established. It requires little water which is great for water conservation and it comes in a myriad of gorgeous colors, which would make my garden a colorful, Mediterranean oasis.

LR: It’s so hard to choose just one plant to fill a garden! I suppose if I had to choose, I think I’d opt for a bit more whimsy in my life with the Allium Amaryllidaceous, also known as the Ornamental Onion – a beautiful and large purple bulb flower that looks like it popped straight out of a Dr. Seuss book.

BEHIND THE COVER:

The agave, often referred to as the Century Plant, can be compared to architectural beauty. The linear nature and intricate details of the plant creates a masterpiece. Luckily for us, Agave grows rather nicely here in the Coastal Bend, and can withstand drought and heat quite well. A popular choice for landscaping in our area, we felt showcasing its beauty on this month’s cover was only fitting.

JC: Spinach because it is bountiful, a beautiful rich green, and boosts muscle power (like Popeye!).

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• Tighter Skin

• Reduced Pore Size

• Improved Tone & Texture

• More versatile treatments to address your unique concerns

• Most comfortable and sophisticated RF Micro-needling experience

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Sharing the Bend’s Bounty

About a year ago, my husband Carlos and I caught the backyard gardening bug. It was around the same time we all started baking sourdough bread and tie-dyeing shirts. Ah, quarantine. We bought a bag of garden soil for vegetables and herbs and had a fairly modest goal: Inspired by Carlos’s dad, we wanted to grow a few herbs for cooking and cocktails. But our goal, seemingly easily obtainable, never quite came to fruition. The soil never made it out of the bag … and the bag never made it out of our garage.

When I told Carlos about this issue’s focus, he immediately said, “This is great! Maybe it will inspire us to actually plant something.” It reminded me of that lone soil bag still sitting in our garage, and how even the smallest aspirations can sometimes still feel daunting. Our desired bounty was lacking in abundance.

As we inch toward the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 truly tightening its grip on our community and our world, the idea of abundance has perhaps been altered. Metaphors relating to growth in the Coastal Bend are endless, but I think the growth we’ve all experienced this past year personally –internally – is something worth reflecting

on. Growth isn’t always physical or tangible, and it comes in many forms. Living this past year amid a pandemic has forced us all to grow in various ways, for ourselves and our community to continue to thrive.

You see, looking at growth and abundance as a mindset is an entirely different thing. It forces us to reevaluate what our idea of a bountiful life looks like. While that certainly looks different for everyone, the desire to reflect that mindset back out into our local community is a top priority for us here at The Bend Magazine. When looking at it this way, we can begin to ask ourselves what can be pulled from our own bounties and given to those around us.

This is seen quite literally in one aspect of our cover feature this month, “Coastal Flora,” written by Senior Writer Kirby Conda Tello. Alongside beginner gardening tips; the top plants to grow in our area; the artistry of landscape architecture; community gardens; and more, you’ll find stories rooted in the idea of giving back. Through organized groups such as Corpus Christi Mutual Aid, Keepers of the Garden, and Grow Local South Texas, locals are pulling from their actual bounties and providing fellow community members resources they otherwise might not have access to. In this case, the more hands in the garden, the better.

The month of March brings a new season along with it. Springtime inspires us to blossom in our own rights. I hope this issue encourages you to perhaps start that gardening project you’ve always dreamed of (or in the Coopers’ case, took one tiny, baby step toward), to get involved with an organization focusing on food sovereignty, or to simply buy that one houseplant you’ve had your eye on but are too nervous to bring home in fear of letting it down. More than anything else, I hope it encourages you to look at your own bounty, whatever that looks like, and be grateful for the abundance it provides you.

Kylie Cooper, Editorial Director kylie@thebendmag.com

THREE TAKEAWAYS

AND

MUSE Bistro is the newest restaurant to open up in downtown Corpus Christi. With a gorgeous environment, delicious bites, and undeniable vibes, we’re excited to see how this local establishment brings more life to the area. Pg. 96

A FLAGSHIP FOR THE ARTS La Cueva Art Gallery & Gathering is the official “flagship” of the city of Portland’s Arts and Entertainment District. Owners Gaye and Gil Cuevas are excited to bring residents a new way to enjoy art and culture in the area. Pg. 42

ONE WAY TO FLOAT YOUR BOAT

BEAUTIFUL BRUNCHES

TASTY TAPAS

AROUND THE BEND

photography by AARON GARCIA

AARON GARCIA

Shot on location at Gill Garden Center

SOL Boutique

Dress available at Betty and June

A GREEN THUMB

When it comes to gardening, a green thumb is merely a myth. There are no inherent talents and no divine gift for growing plants . Your success isn’t measured by how grand the garden is or how exotic the plants are. If the garden brings you joy, then your goal has been accomplished. Here are a few of our favorite ways to enhance your gardening experience.

BY: JARRED SCHUETZE

1. The Old Farmer's Almanac 2021 Half Price Books 2. Agave Plant Turner's Gardenland 3. Pea Gravel Bay Area Landscape Nursery

5. Foxtail Palm Tree Padre Palms & Landscapes 6. Bougainvillea Plant Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co. 8. Weathered Concrete Birdbath Lowe's 9. Assorted Ceramic Planters Bloomers Nursery & Landscape 10. Hibiscus Plant

shopping local

Take a picture and tag us (@thebendmag) #bestbendlife to be featured.

The Bend Shop

Have you heard? We recently launched The Bend Shop - the retail side of The Bend Magazine. Through this, we'll offer a wide array of distinctive gifts that reflect the talent, innovation, and creativity of our community. In addition to our featured makers, we’ll also have Bend-branded items for sale. Like our signature coffee roast! In collaboration with Driftwood Coffee Company, Coast’d & Roast’d is a light blend with Guatemalan and Mexican origins. Tasting notes of chocolate, strawberries, and honey come through with every sip! Purchase yours today at thebendmag.com

@miramayraart

@cclemishire

Becoming Texas Master Naturalists

VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP IMPROVE AND SAFEGUARD OUR IRREPLACEABLE ENVIRONMENT

BY: MONIQUE DENNIS PHOTO BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

clean environment is essential for healthy living. According to DoSomething, “Pollution is one of the biggest global killers, affecting over 100 million people.”

To aid the environment against mass pollution, the Texas Master Naturalist program has developed a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the state of Texas. This nonprofit organization takes volunteers who love their planet and train them to become “Master Naturalists” by teaching specialized knowledge of different ecosystems, species, habitats, and environmental demands.

Sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, this organization has become a vital, vibrant part of the community. The Texas Master Naturalist program works with communities and organizations across the state to implement youth outreach programs and help operate parks, nature centers, and natural areas. They also lead local natural resource conservation efforts, and help private landowners gain a broader scientific understanding of the ecology and management of their own natural resources.

“Being a part of the South Texas Master Naturalists helped me fall in love with the Coastal Bend and appreciate my hometown of Corpus Christi for the first time ever,” says Membership Director Michelle Alvarez. “I do what I do as a Master Naturalist to inspire others to connect with our natural spaces and see the important role each of us plays within our local ecosystem.”

Alvarez speaks of the love and appreciation she has developed for the beaches, parks, animals, and other wildlife within our community after joining the program. Alvarez said the organization hosts beach and park cleanups locally at well-known areas such as Blucher Park, Oso Bay Wetlands, and the South Padre National Seashore.

“The birds and the bay are just as much Coastal Bend residents as you and me,” says Alvarez, when I ask her how important it is for this program and chapter to stay active.

She also spoke on the importance for active members of the community to make conscious efforts to be more aware of the natural resources around them, and about how the organization produces more members of society who seek to service our ecosystem. Alvarez said they are always looking for new, passionate members to join the program. New prospects are all trained with the knowledge they need – so if you would like to reach out to the organization for more information, you can do so on their website at txmn.org or their FB page, Texas Master Naturalists Program.

CONTACT: txmn.tamu.edu

writer recommendations

Hidden Gem Nurseries

BY: KYLIE COOPER PHOTO BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING TO HAVE THE BEST LAWN ON THE BLOCK OR SIMPLY LOVE SURROUNDING YOURSELF AND YOUR HOME WITH GREENERY, THERE’S CERTAINLY A NURSERY TO HELP SATISFY YOUR GREEN THUMB NEEDS. OUR AREA HAS A PLETHORA OF OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO FINDING THE PERFECT HOUSEPLANTS OR LANDSCAPE INSPIRATION, HOWEVER, WE’RE TAKING A LOOK AT SOME OF THE MORE HIDDEN GEM NURSERIES IN THE COASTAL BEND.

PADRE PALMS AND LANDSCAPE

This local spot is here to help you achieve your wildest plant dreams. Their selection of plants is perfect for both indoor and outdoor plant needs. As the name would suggest, the nursery certainly specializes in palms and you can actually purchase them full-grown! We recommend setting aside an hour or so to wander through their expansive greenhouse or chat with one of their helpful staff members about the best plants for your space. 10015 SPID.

BANDA’S NURSERY AND FLOWER SHOP

Located on the corner of Ayers and 17th street, this quaint, family owned and operated nursery is a definite hidden gem. Upon arrival, you’re usually greeted by a shop cat or two and one of the lovely Banda women. With an excellent selection in the greenhouse and a floral arrangement service in-house, Banda’s serves as the perfect one-stop shop for all your flora needs. 1917 AYERS ST.

GET GROWING

One of the coolest aspects to this nursery is that it’s actually on the go! Get Growing is a local mobile nursery offering their plants in a fun and unique way. The mobile nursery was born from the idea of offering quality plants and friendly gardening advice to the area in a more accessible way. You can find their excellent selection of plants at local farmers markets and popup events around the Coastal Bend. Check their social media pages to see where they’ll be next! @GETGROWINGCCTX

BLOOMERS NURSERY & LANDSCAPE

This unique, tropical garden center located in Rockport, Texas will assist you in creating your ideal garden space. Offering bedding plants, tropical shrubbery, design services, and more, this full-service nursery has it all. Bloomers wants you to know that life is a garden, and you most definitely should dig it. 114 W 4TH ST

OSO GROWERS, INC.

If you’re looking to immerse yourself into rows and rows of flowers, Oso Growers is your spot. This wholesale nursery features varieties of beautiful buds such as bougainvillea, canna lilies, birds of paradise, wave petunias, and more. Whether you’re looking to get lost in a gorgeous selection of flowers or seek advice on what grows and sells best in the area, the Oso Growers family is here to help. 1525 RAMFIELD RD.

Mayor Paulette Guajardo

A CONVERSATION WITH CORPUS CHRISTI’S NEW MAYOR ON CAMPAIGN PROMISES, WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP, COVID-19, AND MORE

CONVERSATION BY: KYLIE COOPER PHOTOS BY: LILLIAN REITZ

KC: What initially inspired you to enter the mayoral race?

PG: Corpus Christi is my hometown, and as a two-term councilwoman, I saw the need for leadership with a long-term vision for our city.

I joined the race because I knew we needed a full-time mayor who would make the long-term commitment required to build real solutions for the many issues confronting our community.

KC: Why do you feel you won against an incumbent?

PG: At the heart of our campaign was a group of volunteers committed to our city’s progress. I believe we won because we put constituents at the center of our campaign. We took every phone call, answered every email, and talked to as many residents as possible while trying to keep everyone safe during a pandemic.

I think our vision for moving the city forward, prioritizing the concerns we heard from voters, and assuring them that I would be on the job full-time connected with people and was the change they wanted to see in our city.

KC: What changes do you think the voting public wanted to see?

PG: I think the public wanted to see full-time leadership with a long-term vision for our city. I believe public service means bringing more people to the table, including stakeholders and the public, to ensure that everyone is fully informed.

KC: How do you feel about being only the fourth woman elected as mayor?

PG: In the long history of our city, we have had 58 mayors, and only four of them were women. I want to be a role model for girls. I also want to see more leadership positions at City Hall held by women and more elected officials that are women in the future.

Having women in leadership roles is very important because women in these roles change perceptions about who can lead and what qualities are necessary to have a leadership position. Women in leadership positions break down barriers every day and show the world what women can achieve.

KC: Your platform ran on various campaign promises, including finding resolutions to our water supply, infrastructure issues, and public safety challenges; as well as wanting to see growth in our economy and tax base. How do you plan on accomplishing these goals?

PG: I am already working on all these issues. Our City Council and I will lead the vision and oversight with our City Manager and the more than 3,000 city employees on each of these critical initiatives.

We are developing a short- and longterm water supply plan, improving our streets, roads, drainage, and creating a more significant public safety program.

I focused on building our economy by assisting small businesses by creating the Small Business Pandemic Relief Program in partnership with the Port of Corpus Christi. Early in the pandemic, the city also partnered with LiftFund Inc. to approve a $2 million loan program for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. We knew that providing a loan program to keep our small businesses going was essential for our local economy.

City Council is also building a more significant partnership with the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation to bring state and federal redevelopment grants and working directly with Governor Greg Abbott. We also need to understand that rebuilding our streets, creating a strategic plan for our water supply, redeveloping downtown and our airport are all critical parts in moving our economy forward.

KC: How does being a native of Corpus Christi influence your perspective and guide your decision making?

PG: This is my home, and I understand how we need to embrace our history and learn from it to move progress forward. Being a native of Corpus Christi also helps me appreciate our local challenges, and gives me a better framework on which to build.

KC: How do you plan on addressing COVID-19 and how do you think the pandemic will affect public health going forward?

PG: I work on public health every day. Since I took office, I have worked directly with our Health Director Annette Rodriguez, County Judge Barbara Canales, City Council members, and City Manager Peter Zanoni on getting vaccines to seniors and our most vulnerable populations.

To date, the City-County Health District has administered tens of thousands of vaccines. That is a large number considering the supply we have been provided, but I know we must do more to protect our residents.

In the first three weeks of my administration, I spearheaded the Saving Our Seniors (SOS) Homebound Program. This program brings coronavirus vaccines to the doorsteps of our most vulnerable populations. With the help of our Corpus Christi Fire Department, firefighters can inoculate our most susceptible people weekly.

We also cannot take our eyes off testing; we must continue to provide easy access to testing to contain this virus. I am grateful for our community's support in coming together to provide free testing clinics and how efficient our Health District has been getting results back to people quickly. Knowledge is power, and if you know you have the virus, you can make decisions that will protect those around you.

I recently attended the opening of a mobile testing site at Love Chrysler with my dear friend Marion Luna Brem. This site provided free rapid testing that delivered results in 15 minutes with a 96% success rate. Testing such as this, combined with the City-County Health District, can provide us with the information we need to control the pandemic.

On a personal level, I wear a mask, wash my hands, and have been giving out a lot more fist-bumps. I do work to keep my family, City staff, and my constituents safe. Looking to the future, I know that building sustainable programs to bolster our public health and safety is critical.

KC:"Full-time leadership" has and continues to be a big component of your platform. Why do you feel our city needs that and what does that actually look like?

PG: I have hit the ground running as a full-time mayor. My top priority in the first few weeks has been securing vaccinations for our city. As I mentioned, I worked to develop SOS Homebound Program, creating an inner-city vaccination site at the American Bank Center, and working with our state and federal government to secure more vaccines for our area.

At the same time, we must provide oversight to our $1 billion budget and city projects. For example, I have been involved in the Everhart Street Project and can report that the project is almost complete, on time and on budget. Prioritizing public safety, finding a short- andlong-term solution for our water supply, and growing our economy is always at the top of my mind.

The only way we can achieve these things is through full-time leadership. It takes a massive number of hours, working seven days a week, to make this happen.

KC: Where do you see Corpus Christi's greatest potential for growth?

PG: Our greatest growth potential is citywide. We have small businesses, our downtown, the Port of Corpus Christi, large employers, a robust university, a strong community college system, and technical programs that are all key elements to our city’s growth.

We can also do more to improve our tourism sector, creating Corpus Christi as a premier destination with our gorgeous Bayfront and world-class beaches. The young professionals in our community also inspire me. They are the future of this city, and they are opening small businesses, taking on leadership roles, and making Corpus Christi the city they

want for their future. I am committed to also working with them to see the city’s full potential.

KC: What keeps you up at night?

PG: I stay awake at night thinking about how I can make sure every senior, disabled person, and everyone who qualifies for the vaccine can get one. Personally, my parents are in their 80s, and I know what it feels like to worry about the risks they are facing during the pandemic. It is important to me that we continue to work to create access to the vaccine for our senior citizens, veterans, and most vulnerable populations.

KC: What are a few of your favorite local businesses?

PG: There are so many great local businesses in Corpus Christi. I love Made in Corpus Christi, Whataburger #1, because we are the birthplace of Whataburger, and my fellow Flour Bluff Hornet owns Treasure Island Miniature Golf and Games on the island.

We also have fantastic downtown businesses where new local shops are opening. Along with Alyssa Barrera-Mason, Executive Director of the Downtown

BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH

The national healthcare accrediting agency, Joint Commission, recognizes Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospitals’ ability to rehabilitate patients with a range of brain conditions and injuries. CCRH is the only nationally recognized facility accredited in South Texas for patients and families.

Our goal for patients in our Brain Injury Rehabilitation program is to enable each patient the ability to attain his or her highest level of mobility and independence, self care, communication, cognition and psychological adjustment following a brain injury or illness.

If you, your patients or loved ones need a comprehensive approach to regaining functional mobility and independence, contact Corpus Christi Rehabilitation.

Hospital’s referral line at (361) 906-3700 For more information about Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, please visit

COASTAL FLORA

by KIRBY CONDA TELLO photography by RACHEL BENAVIDES

The topic of gardening is a dichotomy of beauty and nourishment. Within these pages, you’ll discover the best plants to grow in our area, local organizers using gardening as community outreach, the artistry of landscaping, and more.

BEGINNER'S GARDEN

STEPS TO ACHIEVE A BOUNTIFUL GARDEN

FEED YOUR SOIL

COMPOSTING 101

Let’s face it: gardening can seem daunting even for seasoned growers at times. It encompasses a combination of desire, determination, skill-level, and just downright know-how. And while there is a certain finesse to gardening, there is no reason to feel overwhelmed by starting your own harvesting haven so long as your quest to turn a brown thumb green is one to which you are willing to commit.

We sat down with our resident Farm to Table and Gardening expert, Justin Butts, to see just how accessible backyard gardening is for a newbie.

For a beginner gardener, what is your initial piece of advice?

1 Purchase the highest quality organic compost to start your garden.

2

After that, make your own compost from kitchen scraps and raked leaves.

3

Add plenty of organic pastured poultry manure and homemade wood ash (for potassium) from native trees.

4

Soil grows the plants, not the gardener. Never skimp on soil health.

marigolds repel tomato pests while shading the soil at the feet of the tomatoes.

Flowers make wonderful companions to vegetables – flowers repel and confuse pests while adding beauty and fragrance to the garden. Plant nasturtiums with squash, Queen Anne’s lace with carrots, and cosmos with cabbage and broccoli.

How should a garden be taken care of properly in each of the varying seasons?

At the end of a season, remove the remaining plants to the compost pile, then plant a cover crop over the entire garden. Hairy vetch (plant in December) and black-eyed peas (plant during summer) are ideal cover crops for the Coastal Bend. They are nitrogen-fixers, which means they fertilize the soil as they grow. Once the vetch or peas flower, mow them or till them into the soil, then plant your next garden.

The most important element in gardening is soil health. In fact, soil health is roughly 90 percent of gardening, while everything else makes up the other 10 percent. Many beginner gardeners get caught up in the myriad details of botany. Instead, focus on the essentials: 1) Build robust soil health. 2) Locate the garden in full sun. 3) Plant according to the season. 4) Water only as needed. Find out what to plant in each season (we are in Hardiness Zone 9b) and then plant at the beginning of the season. Finally, water deeply and as infrequently as possible, when the top 6” of soil mostly, but not completely, dries out.

Talk to us about companion planting. If you're creating a garden for harvesting is it okay to have florals next to produce?

Yes! Grow plenty of flowers with your vegetables. Always plant two, three, or more different plants together that help strengthen each other. For example, if you want tomatoes, don’t just plant tomatoes; surround each tomato plant with four collard green plants and a dozen marigolds. Collards and

What materials do you need to start a garden? Is there a soil you recommend?

The only tools needed to garden are a short, D-handle shovel, a soil knife, and a water hose. You might need a wheelbarrow to move compost to your garden, but if you build your compost piles close by, that isn’t as crucial.

The only materials required for the garden are compost; fertilizer (pastured poultry manure); homemade wood ash; and rakedup leaves to use as mulch. Then all you need are seeds or transplants. That’s it. Sunshine and the soil will do the work for you!

If you want to take a break from gardening between seasons or longer, cover the garden with a thick layer (ideally, 12 inches) of native leaf mulch. The mulch will protect and feed the soil and prevent weeds until you are ready to garden again. Then, simply make a space in the mulch, plant your transplants, and push the mulch right back into place. What is the best way to get your family and kids involved?

The best way to get your family involved is to let them taste success. Many beginners think of gardening as a ton of work, or they get caught up in the process. But gardening is really about healthy, delicious ingredients that come to life in your kitchen! Once the vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers from the garden begin coming into the house each day, the process becomes less about work and more about eating well and enjoyment. Kids will love gardening if you let them do the work. Pro tip: Let kids plant radishes from seeds. In just three weeks, they will harvest their own plantings, and you will be amazed at how happy they are to eat their own creations.

SPRING

Black-Eyed Peas ( S: 4”, H: 36” )

Easy to grow even in poor soil. Can take heat of summer. Requires no fertilizer, it actually fertilizes the soil by growing! To plant, prepare wide bed with well-tilled, well-drained soil. Draw parallel lines across width of bed, four inches apart and one inch deep. Sprinkle black-eyed pea seeds down each line and gently rake them into the soil. Harvest when pods are fully formed and purple.

Squash ( S: Varies by variety, H: Up to 30" )

Plant by seed or transplant. Best grown with “Three Sisters” technique. Summer (bush) best varieties are Black Beauty Zucchini, Lemon Squash, Grey Zucchini, and Scallopini. Winter (vining) best varieties are Red Kuri, Butternut, Delicata, and Thai Rai Kaw Tok. Plant nasturtiums near squash to repel squash bugs.

Corn ( S: 10” to 12” )

Corn is heavy feeder: Heavily compost soil, plus extra pastured poultry manure and homemade wood ash. Corn is selfpollinated, or wind pollinated. Corn is ripe when pinching a kernel yields milky to clear juice. Best sweet corn varieties: Silver Queen, Incredible, and Peaches and Cream. Best field corn varieties are Oaxacan Green and Cherokee White Eagle.

Tomatoes ( S: Varies by variety, H: Up to 6' )

Grow vine (indeterminant) in garden, and bush (determinant) in pots. Plant varieties that mature quickly (Early Girl, any Cherry varieties, Juliette). Look for VFN on plant label: means the plant is resistant to verticillium wilt, fusarium, and nematodes, which are diseases/pest. Surround each tomato plant with four collard greens or a dozen marigolds to repel pests.

MODERATE

( S: 36", H: 36" )

Plant one transplant or three seeds in one hole, one inch deep. Create large vine presence, up to 15’ long depending on spacing. Much can happen to hurt watermelons in 120 days to maturity. A heavy rain can cause them to split. Once they ripen, deer, raccoons, and rats eat them. Best to grow small varieties, which take only 70 to 90 days to maturity.

WINTER

Radishes ( S: 2”, H: 8” )

Prepare wide bed with well-tilled soil. To plant, use wooden end of a garden rake to draw parallel lines across the width of the bed two inches apart and 1/8" deep. Sprinkle radish seeds generously down each line then rake them into the soil. Mature in 18 to 30 days. Harvest when root shows one inch across. Plant in between kale, broccoli, or cabbage to repel pests.

( S: 15”, H: 20” to 30” )

Best varieties are: Siberian, Red Russian, Blue Curled Scotch, and Nero di Toscana. If planting by seed, thin to 15” spacing and eat thinnings. If planting transplants, plant dill and coriander nearby to repel pests. Once mature (about 60 days), harvest up to 2/3 of leaves, then allow to regrow. Will supply leaves until warm weather, when it bolts and

( S: 15”, H: 30” )

Transplants only. Plant in 2-1-2 pattern: two broccoli transplants side-by-side 7" off-center in a row. Move 15" down and plant a single broccoli transplant in the center of the row, then move another 15" down and plant two more broccoli transplants side-by-side. In the open spaces plant dill or cilantro to repel pests. Cut head when mature, then continue to harvest florets until plant goes to seed.

Carrots ( S: 2”, H: 24” )

Prepare wide bed of well-tilled, well-drained soil. In a cup of clean, fine sand, mix equal parts carrot and radish seeds. Hand broadcast the sand/seed mixture evenly across bed, then gently rake to cover the seeds. Carrots require three weeks to sprout, but radishes mature in 20 to 30 days. Pulling radishes gives carrots room to grow. Pull when tops show an inch or more across.

Cabbage ( S: Varies by variety H:)

Plant in Oct, transplants only. “Early” mature quickly (60 to 70 days), have small heads, and split at the first sign of summer heat. “Late” take 100 days or more to mature, have large heads (15 pounds), and can take some spring heat. Cabbage is a heavy feeder, add extra compost when planting. Side dress each plant with six cups pastured poultry manure and two cups homemade wood ash.

S: SPACING, H: HEIGHT

Watermelons

THE RISE OF INDOOR GARDENING

A CONVERSATION WITH BOTANICO OWNER, GABRIEL VEGA

Gabriel Vega’s mission has always involved getting people to invest in their communities. That phrase tends to refer to buying property, supporting local businesses, or boosting the local economy in purely financial ways – and after Vega’s first child was born, he too was eager to make real estate investments to give back to the community. Of similar importance, though, Vega knew another way to enrich the Coastal Bend was to draw on his passion for sustainable gardening.

In the early stages, Vega realized his neighborhood would be exponentially better off if more people started growing some form of food at home. His own home setup was a little more advanced, and having a background in indoor hydroponics, Vega envisioned opening a gardening store that specialized in hydroponic, organic, and various other forms of efficient gardening; however, he knew he first needed to rally his community around creating healthier lifestyles. Vega was finally able to see his dream realized. As the first garden store of its kind, BotaniCo was founded to increase the awareness of the importance of having locally grown, nutrient-dense food available throughout the community year-round.

“I would like to see more people involved in their gardening spaces at home,” says Vega. BotaniCo has gardening solutions for

all skill levels, and welcomes the opportunity to educate those who are interested in investing more into their gardens. “Whether they have big outdoor areas or an indoor area with limited space, we at BotaniCo can help find the right products and knowledge to create an enjoyable hobby, as well as aiding the avid backyard food forester.”

Following the success of BotaniCo, a friend recommended Vega to KIII-TV News as the gardening expert for some of their on-air segments. By then, Vega had a growing follower base who subscribed to his particular form of indoor gardening, which sweetened the deal for Channel 3.

“I met with the producer at the time and showed him some of our living displays that we’d been growing under 100 percent artificial light,” says Vega. “It was an indoor greenhouse, 4' x 4' and 7 feet tall, where we had an ebb and flow hydroponic system, growing nine different kinds of tomatoes that were days away from being harvested.” The producer was highly impressed by Vega’s scientific expertise and passion for gardening and asked him to share his knowledge with the Channel 3 News viewers.

Since then, Vega has been known as the South Texas Gardener and has had the honor of bringing hydroponic and sustainable gardening to a wider audience, as well as sharing all sorts of fun gardening hacks for the community to enjoy.

SOUTH TEXAS BOTANICAL GARDENS

South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center has been one of Corpus Christi’s most sought–after attractions since 1983. Through the years, it has grown from a small botanical society that was housed on a one-acre cottage garden to its permanent location on Staples Street where the 182-acre property is abundantly fulfilling its mission of providing education of plants and the environment as it relates to personal and community knowledge, well-being, and scientific understanding. The South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center offers a blend of floral gardens, natural wetlands, and native habitat, with a resident exotic parrot collection and resident reptile exhibit.

A great year-round resource is its “What’s Blooming” blog featured on its website. Each week one of its expert botanists closely examines different plants and offers tools and advice for those considering growing these plants at home. However, if you’re interested in a more hands-on learning experience, the Botanical Gardens offers classes and workshops featuring a wide variety of tropical and native plants.

THE ARTISTRY OF GARDENING

GILL GARDEN CENTER + LANDSCAPE CO. AND THEIR CREATIVE PROCESS

Landscape design is part technical analysis and part creative concepts. And for homeowners or businesses that are looking to add character to their outdoor space, there is no better way to do that than to embrace nature.

An art form by tradition, landscaping encompasses an in-depth analysis of each environment and the natural variables that can change that environment over time. Designing an outdoor living space that is aesthetically appealing means digging beneath the surface so that the design can be well-maintained and sustainable throughout changing weather conditions. In south Texas, while we experience more like three seasons instead of four, there are special considerations that need to be accounted for when choosing the type of plants to accompany each design.

That is where the experts come in! Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co. has been transforming outdoor spaces for 43 years. Take it from them, there is certainly an art to this science. Throughout the years, Gill has skillfully created an architectural process that is applied to each of their full-scale landscape installations. James Gill, co-owner, has a background in landscape architecture with advanced horticultural knowledge, and years of hands-on experience and is a Texas Master Certified Nursery Professional. Each professional landscape architect on the Gill team is highly educated, with a passion for helping the people of the coastal bend achieve functional and beautiful spaces for outdoor living.

Generally, there are a handful of basic principles for foundational landscape design, the first being unity. All the elements of a landscape design should be part of the same theme - trees, bushes, flowers, and grass should complement one another. This goes hand in hand with balance. Balance can usually be achieved in symmetry by mirroring a design on both sides of a property and highlighting a center point.

A well-maintained lawn often has an element of simplicity to it as well. Even those with a lot of foliage can appear “clean” so long as the color palette is kept simple. Considering the coastal climate, however, it is important to look beyond color schemes and seek plants that are native to this area and its weather patterns. To create a flow of continuity in a design, clearly defined lines allow for a smooth transition from areas of density - lots of hearty greenery or hedges - to places with more delicate flora or even a garden area for growing vegetables.

Allowing a design the freedom to explore these different contrasts is truly where a space goes from a lawn to a landscape–a place to gather, entertain, or just to quietly enjoy any day of the week. Installing the right trees and plants into an outdoor space is equally important as the art installed on a home’s interior. Each elicits an emotional response that should make you at home.

Gill Landscape Co. believes that while landscapes should be beautiful, they first need to be functional. And whether you hire Gill's team of experts or are embarking on a DIY project, Gill offers a plethora of gardening knowledge that will elevate landscape and garden in a unique and tailored way that reflects your style and personality.

CORPUS CHRISTI MUTUAL AID

FOOD SOVEREIGNTY PROGRAM

In a true bootstrapped fashion, Corpus Christi Mutual Aid was created with a single email address, Google phone number, and a presence on social media. At the time, there was a staggering number of Corpus Christi residents struggling to keep jobs and make ends meet, let alone stay vigilant in the pursuit of the health and well-being of themselves and their families during a pandemic. Although the government on city, state, and federal levels was scrambling to provide assistance, Beatriz Alvarado, CC Mutual Aid co-founder, saw the opportunity to get local aid to residents more quickly by reactivating the networks of care that responded to past crises like Hurricane Harvey and the 2016 tap water ban.

“During the early stages of quarantine, a diverse network of about 40 Corpus Christi residents began coordinating resources through a group chat,” says Alvarado. The group initially received a high volume of requests for aid, so a smaller team of seven administrators formed to process these requests, recruit volunteers, fundraise, and help develop long-term programs – one being the Food Sovereignty Program.

After one of CC Mutual Aid’s members was chosen as a grant recipient for The Mutual Aid Project for Youth or #Map4Youth, a temporary grassroots initiative launched by @prisonculture in which selected youth are awarded $2,000 to make a difference in their community, the organization formed a partnership with Tevin Gray from Keepers Of The Garden and master composter Melissa Zamora to help educate locals about gardening.

The program started with 60 participants who were provided with a grocery box modification, which included all the essentials needed to grow indigenous plants and herbs. With the help of Keepers, participants learned how to make meals and keep food on the table for their families. For household essentials that cannot be grown in a garden, CC Mutual Aid enlists a group of volunteer shoppers and delivery drivers to curate the modified grocery boxes and bring them to families in need. The initial 60 participants were “beta testers” for the program – asked to document their gardening process, either from home or at a nearby community garden, and share their progress.

“Our food sovereignty program stems from our team’s desire to evolve our grocery program into one that helps our community survive not only COVID-19 but also the next crisis,” explains Alvarado.

Since the start of the grocery program in March of 2020, CC Mutual Aid has delivered close to 300 grocery boxes with the help of about 40 shoppers and delivery drivers, supporting a total of 325 families with groceries and baby supplies.

For several months in 2020, CC Mutual Aid was the only entity offering cash assistance ($40 per week) to residents who did not meet the eligibility requirements stipulated by nonprofit and government institutions, added Alvarado. Since then, however, the program has been scaled down to a peer-to-peer system. As of Jan. 2021, CC Mutual Aid operates four programs: Food Sovereignty Program, Grocery Program, Peer-to-Peer Financial Solidarity, and Virtual Tutoring (English and Spanish).

With the help of their partners, CC Mutual Aid will continue to support and monitor the growing projects of the testers who received a garden kit. “We want to learn which projects first-time growers have the most success with in order to make our food sovereignty program accessible to anyone,” says Alvarado. The organization is already processing the next round of 10 boxes, just in time for spring planting.

KEEPERS OF THE GARDEN

URBAN COMMUNITY GARDEN

Tevin Gray is the outdoor enthusiast-turned-educator who owns and runs Keepers of the Garden. While Keepers is a new venture founded by Gray, the garden itself was operated for many years by Grow Local South Texas – and many community members poured heart and soul into the land that was formerly known as The Learning Garden, Gray included. Seeing how many people had invested in this space over time made the realization especially grim: It likely would have seen its end at the beginning stages of the pandemic … had Gray not stepped in to save it. Gray started Keepers Of The Garden during that uncertain period of March 2020 by opening his first business, taking over The Learning Garden’s lease with the city.

“I felt the urge and dedication not only to the land but what it provides,” says Gray. And his devotion for this local community garden goes well beyond seed and soil.

With a background working in restaurants and with different chefs all over Corpus Christi, Gray’s passion for cooking has been a constant in his life. It was when he started to grow food, however, that he realized the importance of honoring each process – growing and cooking – as its own, and the way they ultimately become intertwined. Thinking about food and its roots sparked a creative current in Gray, which led him to where he is today: teaching the community how to grow food and cook the food you grow.

“Outside the garden, I also work as an enrichment teacher at Corpus Christi Montessori School teaching outdoor education/nature enrichment,” explains Gray. Part classroom instruction, part extracurricular workshops, students learn basic survival skills like growing, foraging, and cooking plant-based foods, as well as how to build a fire and gardening 101.

“When you see students pull a radish out of the ground for the first time –and you see the look on their face – that satisfaction of growing your own food, harvesting, and then cooking and eating it … that feeling is worth holding on to and worth spreading to as many as possible,” says Gray.

The garden serves as the epicenter for outdoor youth and community-wide education and provides nutrient-rich foods to the surrounding community. Sitting on roughly two acres, the garden provides plenty of space for proper distancing and a plethora of learning opportunities for schools, families, neighbors, and anyone who wants to learn sustainable life skills.

“One of my favorite programs is our collaboration with CC-Montessori school and the weekly visits from our students,” Gray says. “They spend an entire day in the garden, beginning with school lessons from their teachers and ending with hands-on life skill development.”

Gray underscores the importance of involving children at this age level, to allow them to create a sense of ownership and desire for healthy living. For that reason, the name “Keepers Of The Garden” seemed fit. Whomever participates in the space is seen as a "keeper" of the garden.

Gray plans to continue supporting the community through his work with Keepers, and hopes to see more families and friends visiting the garden and becoming involved in various ways. He recently created a website for Keepers where community supporters can find seeds, plants, and workshops. And while every day hasn’t been a cakewalk starting a new business during a pandemic, Gray said there’s no stopping what momentum they have going.

GROW LOCAL SOUTH TEXAS

READS & SEEDS

During the past year, the Garden of Grace has been an outdoor sanctuary, providing growers with a little daily ritual of tending to the garden, watering, weeding, harvesting, and keeping everything alive.

“The garden provides a green space in the middle of the city–a place for neighbors to gather and get outside, and the opportunity to grow their own healthy food–something that most apartment dwellers don’t have.” Amanda Horne, Garden of Grace Member

The growers at Garden of Grace also created a Reads & Seeds Little Library that provides the community with free seed packets and books on gardening.

GROWTH & EVOLUTION

GROW LOCAL'S MARKET MOMENTUM

Behind Grow Local’s branding and social media marketing is Julia Dixon. Having recently moved back to Corpus Christi from years spent in Austin, Dixon set her sights on using her creativity, media smarts, and love for community to join the movement of revitalizing Downtown Corpus Christi. It was through unexpected connections that Dixon fell on the radar of Grow Local’s Executive Director, David Nuss. “To my luck, and with my experience in managing events and markets, the Market Manager position for the Grow Local Farmers’ Market was a great fit,” explains Dixon.

What makes Dixon’s role more enriching is her ability to select vendors for the market that not only have great produce to sell, but are also able to educate the community about gardening and growing their own food. “Each vendor has so much knowledge and skill when it comes to their product and craft,” says Dixon. “It really is the perfect recipe to not only know where you are purchasing your food, and from whom, but understanding and learning about the process and that business' personal journey. It really does make buying those products all the more fulfilling.”

Dixon is a strong believer in supporting local growers every chance she gets. For her, it goes beyond supporting the local economy and lies deeply in stimulating the growth of the community’s culture in a way that is health-centric.

The market also encourages people tending to their homegrown gardens to consider selling their harvest from time to time. Giving any and every entrepreneur the opportunity to participate in an affordable and accessible market is extremely important, Dixon says. Whether you’re just starting out or gardening as a hobby, there is a place for everyone to come and share their stories, experiences, and knowledge with the community.

Alongside spreading the good word about the market, Dixon is excited for a new monthly program called Grow Local Artist of the Month. “Each month we are asking a local artist to design one of our A-frame signs. From there, we will feature them on our social media pages, in our weekly newsletter, and give them an opportunity to sell their artwork at the last market of that month.” This program will intersect local food production, art, healthy living, and outdoor activities, which is the true heart and soul of Grow Local Farmers' Market.

Dixon sees the growth and evolution of the harvesting community through a lens of optimism and creativity. For the future, she hopes to build on Grow Local’s current momentum by offering even more opportunities where gardening, art, and everything local have a place to grow.

A GROWING COMMUNITY

GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY GARDENS

THE GARDEN OF GRACE, FIRST UNITED METHODIST

Grow Local South Texas • 900 S. Shoreline Blvd.

YEAR-ROUND COMMUNITY GARDEN | FREE PERSONAL PLOTS

AVAILABLE BY APPLICATION | FLORAL/VEGETATION

KEEPERS OF THE GARDEN

Tom Graham Park • 3808 Up River Road

YEAR-ROUND COMMUNITY LEARNING GARDEN | EDUCATIONBASED WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS | PRIMARILY VEGETATION

ISLANDER GREEN COMMUNITY GARDEN

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christ • 6300 Ocean Drive

YEAR-ROUND COMMUNITY GARDEN | PERSONAL OR ORGANIZATIONAL USE | FREE PERSONAL PLOTS AVAILABLE BY APPLICATION PROVIDES SEED PACKETS AND DOWNLOADABLE HOW-TO INSTRUCTIONS | FLORAL/VEGETATION

THE GARCIA CENTER COMMUNITY GARDEN

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Affiliate • 2021 Agnes Street

YEAR-ROUND COMMUNITY LEARNING GARDEN | FOCUS ON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS ORGANIZATIONS ENCOURAGED TO VOLUNTEER AS A GROUP | SERVICE HOURS CAN BE VERIFIED | DONATION NEEDS: SEEDS, COMPOST, AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT | VEGETATION

EDGE GARDEN AT LINDALE PARK City Church • 3133 Swantner Street

YEAR-ROUND COMMUNITY GARDEN | FREE PERSONAL PLOTS AVAILABLE BY RESERVATION | FLORAL/VEGETATION

AQUARIUS PARK & COMMUNITY GARDEN

The Island Community Garden • 15002 Aquarius Street

YEAR-ROUND COMMUNITY GARDEN | INDIVIDUAL PLOTS AVAILABLE DONATIONS ACCEPTED FOR VARIOUS APPROVED PROJECTS INCLUDING IMPROVEMENT OF COMMUNITY GARDENS | FLORAL/VEGETATION

ARANSAS COUNTY COMMUNITY GARDEN 801 S. Live Oak Street

YEAR-ROUND COMMUNITY GARDEN | RAISED BEDS AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES | GOOD FOR BEGINNERS PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES | SEASONAL PLANTING AND SOLARIZING | FLORAL/VEGETATION

RAINBOW VEGETABLE GARDEN

Nueces County Keach Family Library • 1000 Terry Shamsie Blvd.

YEAR-ROUND COMMUNITY LEARNING GARDEN | ORGANIZED BY DRISCOLL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL WIC PROGRAM | FOCUS ON EARLY-LEARNING, UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES | VOLUNTEERING AND DONATION OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE | VEGETATION

MASTERS OF THE GARDEN

Becoming a Master Gardener:

Master Gardeners are members of the local community who take an active interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, and gardens. They are enthusiastic, willing to learn and to help others, and able to communicate with diverse groups of people. What really sets Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture. In exchange for their training, persons who become Master Gardeners contribute time as volunteers, working through their Extension office to provide horticultural-related information to their communities. The program offers a minimum of 50 hours of instruction that covers topics including lawn care, ornamental trees and shrubs, insect, disease, and weed management; soils and plant nutrition, vegetable gardening; home fruit production; garden flowers; and water conservation; plus 50 hours of volunteer service. Participants become certified Master Gardeners after they have completed the training course and fulfilled their volunteer commitment.

A FLAGSHIP FOR THE ARTS

HOW LA CUEVA IS ANCHORING PORTLAND’S

ART AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

Photos by: Lillian Reitz

By: Luis Arjona

La Cueva Art Gallery & Gathering is the first step the city of Portland, Texas, is taking to evolve its urban fabric by developing an Arts and Entertainment District. Owners Gaye and Gil Cuevas are establishing the "flagship" addition to the new district with the first multi-artist gallery in the area.

The idea stemmed from the desire to showcase Gil Cuevas's artwork. After researching the current art scene in Corpus Christi and the surrounding area, the rules to abide by were not in tune with the Cuevas's desires. "I didn't want to give my husband's artwork away to people. And I didn't want anyone else to be in control of it other than him," Gaye says. After unsuccessful attempts to find the right space to obtain their goals, the Cuevas family decided to open their own. The old platitude of "if you want something done right, do it yourself" strikes a poignant chord here.

With aspirations to create their own gallery, the Cuevas family began talking to Portland's Mayor, Cathy Skurow, and city manager, Randy Wright.

"They were incredibly helpful and explained the future the city hopes to develop,” Gaye says. She showed tremendous gratitude for their help and underscored her appreciation for their support. "They were so kind and so helpful that this project would not have become a reality without them."

The city is producing more opportunities by creating more space for shops in the district, increasing walkability, and adding open-air markets. With the advent of mixed-use zoning, Portland is taking steps toward more modern urban planning with hopes of engaging and attracting people.

With La Cueva being the catalyst for the Arts and Entertainment District, Gaye aims to give back to the city she and her family have called home since 2004. "My desire was to create this [as] a cultural destination, and we want local artists to show their work here as well." La Cueva is always open for local artists to find a home.

The gallery, which opened its doors to the public in December 2020, already has terrific work on display. Alongside Gil Cuevas's beautiful paintings are work done by world-renowned Chicano artist and Robstown native Adan Hernandez, for whom the Cuevas family has vast amounts of appreciation and respect.

Hernandez's career as a Chicano artist promoted his culture. It garnered international attention after director Taylor Hackford commissioned Hernandez to create the paintings for character Cruz Candelaria in the film Blood In, Blood Out. Most notably, the beautiful mural at the end of the film can still be seen today. The film catapulted Hernandez into the Chicano art movement's forefront, making his work valuable pieces for collectors – notably including Richard Anthony "Cheech" Marin.

Hernandez and Gil Cuevas were friends in high school while attending Edgewood High School in San Antonio. Their work being housed in the same gallery can be seen as a representation of that friendship. Though no longer in the same city, their work symbolizes their influence on one another throughout life.

The configuration of the gallery space is impressive. In fact, noticing its renovation, I was informed that La Cueva

feet of beautiful, historic interiors and an open-air deck with a grandfather Texas oak cascading cool breezes down on the festivities, day or night. Brad Brown is the resident musician playing live music on Sundays and the occasional Saturday. The gallery also houses a superb restaurant. With sunnier days ahead of us, the outdoor patio paired with the delicious food prepared by the Cuevas family will make for an excellent outing.

The duality of the space allows more agency to host private events. With two private dining and meeting rooms, La Cueva can serve as a venue for intimate weddings or personal celebrations, and provide first-class facilities for any occasion. I had the privilege of eating lunch while touring the facility, and the food was utterly delicious. The crème de la crème was a chocolate mousse made from scratch. La Cueva's kitchen aims to provide the highest quality of food for its visitors. Everything from the menu is prepared from scratch; they even have ac-

cess to their own garden for fresh herbs and vegetables.

Learning about the Cuevas family and how they manifested their goals was thoroughly inspiring, and left me invigorated and excited for the Coastal Bend's future. Seeing an opportunity to create a space that works for them to showcase Gil Cuevas's work opens a new opportunity for local artists to bring their talents to the forefront.

The Cuevas family is full of surprises and enjoy keeping busy, from running a law firm to a gallery and maintaining a garden for their restaurant while putting sweat equity into their newest venture. The city of Portland has great plans in store. If La Cueva is an example of what is to come, the efforts and care Skurow and Wright are pouring into the new Arts and Entertainment District will help the results be nothing short of incredible.

605 RAILROAD AVENUE PORTLAND, TX 78374

Milestones of Life

MEET A DOULA READY TO HELP BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER DELIVERY

BY: ALEXIS HARBORTH

arah Bethel has an unpredictable schedule – it comes with the territory when you’re helping expectant mothers give birth. But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I talk to all of my clients about an on-call period, which starts two weeks before their expected due date till the baby arrives,” she says. “Sometimes we have lead time, when contractions are starting to come on; sometimes I get a call in the middle of the night. It’s my absolute favorite thing to get that call that it’s time to have the baby.”

Bethel, a Portland native, is the mother of two children. After the birth of her younger, she was introduced to the world of birth workers. “I was seeking postpartum support after my second and learned a lot about doulas. Within six weeks into my postpartum, I started diving into becoming a doula. I felt a calling to it immediately, and saw a need for it in our community, too.”

A doula is a person with formal training who supports an individual through significant health occurrences, such as pregnancy and delivery.“There’s a range of doula specialties,” Bethel explains. “Most commonly, you’ll hear a doula being referred to specifically for pregnancy and labor support, but there are also postpartum doulas, those who specialize in fertility or in high-risk pregnancies, and more. There is quite a variety.”

It’s these milestones of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum life that inspired the name of Bethel’s business. “I decided to name the company Milestone Doulas because I wanted to create a foundation; regardless of what stage of the journey you are in, you have someone who can be there along the way. Whether someone is ready to start trying, is already pregnant, ready to give birth, working on a second child – whatever it is, there is always an opportunity for you to have support.”

Milestone Doulas, which began in 2018, offers doula labor services, postpartum services, breastfeeding support and counseling, labor and birth photography, and

a more positive childbirth experience. (Source: American Pregnancy Association)

education. Bethel offers a continuum of doula care surrounding birth to ensure women can get everything in one place.

“Having that consistency or care –that consistency of trust – is important,” she says.

Coastal Bend moms can take comfort in knowing that the continuum hasn’t stopped during the pandemic. While COVID-19 has altered many aspects of life, you can still access all of Bethel’s services. She has both virtual and safe in-person services for antepartum and postpartum sessions, and noted that area hospitals have permitted doulas in the delivery room.

Bethel is trained in many soothing and comforting tactics during labor and delivery, from focusing and breathing exercises to massage. Doulas are helpful to control any external factors possible to create a comfortable environment and birthing experience.

“I don’t think there’s ever a time where it’s too early or too late,” she says. “From before you’re pregnant to even if you’re 38 weeks or more and ready to pop, please still give me a call.” Bethel encouraged reaching out to talk with her; you can learn more during a free consultation, which can be done long before that visit to the delivery room or afterward.

“While the laboring and birthing experience [is important], I want to encourage families also to spend just as much time on the postpartum experience. Just as much of a plan is needed for postpartum.”

For Bethel, being a doula is much more than a profession – it’s a calling. “It is such a joy to support people while they are going through a very exciting time and growing their families.”

CONTACT:

Doula facts: Studies have shown that having a doula decreases the length of labor by 25%. Doulas often use the power of touch and massage during labor, something that physicians found to help stimulate the production of natural oxytocin. The presence of doulas led to women reporting

Savannah Moore’s BEAUTY ROUTINE

A LOOK INSIDE THIS LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR AND INFLUENCER’S NEVER-FAIL SKINCARE ROUTINE

BY: SAVANNAH MOORE

o say I've been into makeup and beauty since I was a child may be an understatement – just ask my dad, who let me polish his nails pink when I was five. Immediately after high school, I studied at Paul Mitchell School of Austin. I knew I wanted to focus on makeup application, which led to cosmetic tattooing. While my makeup routine may seem intense to some, it's my morning meditation, my zen time.

I'm fearless when it comes to trying new products … and that may have been what led to my skin retaliating with constant breakouts. Taking my mom's advice, I put my money into skincare instead of skin cover-up. Regular visits to Gabby the Esthetician have changed my life. Having great skin means I can have fun with makeup applications – go big and glamorous and not look at makeup simply as a way to cover up. Makeup is a form of expression, and we should never be afraid of expressing ourselves!

ZO SKIN HEALTH GENTLE CLEANSER

This one product has made a huge difference in the look and feel of my skin, and has helped with breakouts. I don't wash my face in the mornings, so this is the first step of my evening routine.

Available at Halcyon Med Spa

ZO SKIN HEALTH EXFOLIATING POLISH

I use this exfoliating cream twice a month. It polishes skin to restore a smoother texture and healthy glow, removes dead skin cells, and prevents clogged pores. Goodbye, pimples.

Available at Halcyon Med Spa

ZO SKIN HEALTH COMPLEXION CLEARING MASQUE

Love, love this masque! It's a natural claybased formula that purifies pores and absorbs excess oil that can lead to future breakouts. This baby is on my face weekly, keeping my pores almost nonexistent. Hello, beautiful skin.

Available at Halcyon Med Spa

PHOTO BY: LILLIAN REITZ

Don't ever discount the quality of drug store products. This moisturizer keeps my skin soft and prevents dryness, all while being very lightweight. This is the

You're never too young to use an eye cream! This one cools, hydrates, and brightens the look of under-eye dark circles – no one will ever know how hard

This, my friends, is the real secret to great skin. Protection from the sun's damaging rays is like money in the bank – money you won't need to spend on getting rid of wrinkles. Use it every day. Every day. This tinted formula means I can dash out the door in just a few

Available at Halcyon Med Spa

LEMONADE STAND COSMETICS

LEMON CAKE LIP BALM

You never know who you're going to kiss! This goes on my lips every morning and every night to keep them moisturized and soft. It's vegan, cruelty-free, and

Available at Lemonade Stand Cosmetics

KISS EVER EZ LASHES #01

I like big lashes and I cannot lie. Technically not a skincare product, but you'll be amazed how dramatic lashes can improve your face … and your mood. Try a pair and get sassy.

Available at CVS

HOME & GARDEN

SLEEK & MODERN NEUTRALS

LIGHT AND AIRY AMBIENCE WITH A

Lauren to encompass a modern look while

giving her the freedom to evolve seamlessly between seasons and to change up different elements in the home without making any drastic alterations.

As she purchased main furniture items, she acknowledged that “this palette made it easier to have the option to buy new accent pillows or rugs without having to repaint the walls or buy a new couch.” Once she had this theme in place, she began building upon it to bring each room to life.

Don’t be fooled by the softness of the neutral shades; this color scheme takes on a new personality in every room. Lauren loves to cook and bake, so her favorite room is the kitchen, where she spends the majority of her time. Personalizing it with feminine touches was next on her list, and the most eyecatching piece in the kitchen is a handmade

runner rug purchased from Turkey. The juxtaposition of pinks and grays on the rug not only matches her base color scheme, but an eye-catching pop that completes the area. Lauren also has a pink Kitchen-Aid hand mixer she uses as an element of décor. The large kitchen island gives her plenty of space for cooking, but she also loves it as an area to hang out with her children and have snacks throughout the day. The fresh hydrangeas on the countertop are the perfect finishing touch which allows Lauren to claim this space as her own.

The warmth of the neutrals carries into the dining area with its small breakfast nook. The wooden table and matching chairs featuring black metal legs and crossback make a perfect combination with the matte black buffet table against the wall, offering

Drew enjoys woodworking, and actually built the white wooden bed frame in the master bedroom and the outdoor dining table himself.

hints of a more rustic and industrial vibe. The Becquets also have a more formal dining area, which is ideal for larger family gatherings, although those have been put on hold.

living room is another one of Lauren’s favorite elements. When they built the home, it was an inlet of a wall, but she and Drew hired someone to execute her vision of a shiplap wall, shelves, and cabinetry with an opening in the middle for the TV. Within two weeks, she had her gorgeous entertainment center and eye-catching piece in the living room.

showcases unique personality. The open room features a raw edge wooden desk sitting atop a real cowhide rug, and is illuminated by natural sunlight. Toward the back are shelves that allow him to display awards from work and family photos. In addition, the stark white wall is perfect for Drew to hang hunting trophies.

the Becquet home is filled with warmth, comfort, and an inviting ambience.

Integrating fresh and faux greenery adds an outdoor charm and brightness while making a beautiful statement.

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•

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GROWING UP

Full sun. Plant tomato transplants only in rich, well-composted, welldrained soil (biggest transplants you can find). Space transplants 24” beneath cattle panel trellis. Bury transplants 2/3 of the way into ground. Add two cups homemade wood ash and two cups of crushed oyster shells at bottom of the hole, plus around the base of plant. Dust the leaves of the plants with horticultural corn meal (from a local feed store) to prevent fungal diseases. Mulch with at least 8” of native leaf mulch.

PROFILING

The key to tomato flavor is healthy soil – there are no shortcuts. Humus-rich, well-composted soil containing plenty of homemade wood ash produces the best-tasting tomatoes. Smaller tomato varieties (cherry and grape) are easier to grow and tend to pack a lot more flavor than larger varieties. “Juliette” is a hybrid roma/grape variety that is easy to grow, with amazing flavor. Heirloom varieties taste best of all, but are the hardest to grow in the Coastal Bend.

The Coastal Bend’s Favorite Vegetable

HELPFUL TIPS ON GROWING PERFECT TOMATOES IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

BY: JUSTIN BUTTS

PHOTO BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

omatoes are native to the Andes Mountains of Peru. They were unknown outside the New World until Cortez arrived in Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, in 1519.

The word tomato comes from the word xitomatl in the language of the Aztecs, who prepared a fiery hot sauce from tomatoes and peppers for their corn tacos. Cortez sent Aztec tomato plants home to Spain. The produce traveled rapidly along sea-trade routes and the Silk Road, and soon became one of most popular vegetables in the world.

Tomatoes are the favorite garden vegetable in the Coastal Bend, but their plants are also among the hardest to grow. Many beginners quit gardening in frustration because they have such trouble with tomatoes. Fear not –these tips will help you grow tomatoes like a pro!

The tomato season in the Coastal Bend is short. Frost kills tomatoes, so wait till after the last average frost date of Feb. 14 to plant them. And while tomatoes love heat, our intense summers can quickly overwhelm them. They can tolerate hundred-plus degree temps during the day, but it is nights that shut down tomato plants: For the plants to set fruit, the night-time soil temperature must stay between 55 and 70 degrees. If the soil remains too hot at night, your plants will stop producing tomatoes. That can happen in June if you’re not careful!

To keep your soil temperature cool, it is essential to mulch your tomato plants thickly (at least 8 inches) with native leaf mulch, such as raked-up oak leaves. No other mulch works as well. Native leaf mulch keeps the soil nice and cool, even when the nights are muggy and hot.

Water the soil at the base of your tomato plants in the evening. Less moisture will be lost to evaporation, while evening watering cools the soil from the heat of the day. By August, tomato plants shut down in the heat, but tomato season returns from September through December.

LOCAL RECS

The beauty of tomatoes is their versatility. Nothing beats a freshly-picked tomato with a little salt and cracked pepper (and olive oil and balsamic vinegar, if you’re extra like me). Fresh tomatoes are perfect chopped in salads, atop pasta, tacos, or scrambled eggs, or blitzed into a refreshing gazpacho. If you’re one of the lucky few backyard gardeners that grows enough tomatoes to approach tomato fatigue, can any extras by stewing and blanching to remove the skins. Canned tomatoes are great for a last minute salsa, marinara, or bisque.

- Kayla Butts, @kaylabuttsmsrd

FUN FACTS

Tomatoes are in the nightshade family along with potatoes, eggplant, peppers, and mandrake. According to folklore, eating a mandrake caused a flash of intense ecstasy that ended in sudden, agonizing death. Early American colonists believed that tomatoes, like the mandrake, were deadly poisonous. Colonists called tomatoes "wolf peaches" and burned or cut down all the wild-growing tomato vines on their farms; they did not become popular in America until the 1800s, when Thomas Jefferson promoted them from the White House.

THE GREAT GREENHOUSE EFFECT

STYLED BY:

JO ANNE HOWELL

PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

After months of staying cozy indoors, spring weather calls for outdoor entertaining, and nothing says spring like a garden party. Think budding florals, flowing champagne, and great conversation with friends.

One of the finest aspects to al fresco gatherings is that when it comes to setting a scene, most of the work is already done for you! Be it your backyard or a local greenhouse, like the one at The Gardens Path, nature’s

HOSTING A FAB GARDEN PARTY

• Establish your vibe and run with it. With the desire to have a more vintage aesthetic, a collection of antique quilts were used as tablecloths. This made for the perfect foundation to add in other vintage plates, serving pieces, and accessories.

• Keep your food selection seasonal. For the perfect springtime meal, I suggest a tossed spring salad, finger sandwiches, and a spread consisting of fruits, cheeses, crackers, and other small bites.

•

beauty takes care of your decoration needs. Focus your creative attention on setting the perfect table for your guests and allow the scenery to shine.

q get the look

Pull inspiration from your surroundings. Take notes on the florals and greenery your party will be immersed in and incorporate them into your table setting.

• Don’t forget the booze! Get creative with your serving displays. To stay on theme, painted vintage feed buckets strung from the front entrance made for an innovative way to welcome guests and keep things chilled.

Picture-Perfect Moments

CELEBRATING POSH & POSY’S NEW LOCATION

BY: JOSH MAXWELL PHOTOS BY: AARON GARCIA

t is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Whether it be a selfie, family photo, or a group shot, pictures capture some of life's greatest moments. Luckily for the Coastal Bend, no one understands that better than Therese Martinez.

Thanks to their love of DIY projects, interior decorating, and creativity in itself, Martinez and her mother Elizabeth Martinez are the proud owners of Posh & Posy, which found its first brick and mortar location just over a year ago.

As many locally owned businesses have discovered this past year, COVID-19 hasn't made being an entrepreneur easy in any way. Martinez signed her lease around the same time the pandemic started, in early January 2020. “We didn't open until about three or four days before Christmas. We had this space for a whole year before we were able to officially open it, and we’re still not fully open yet,” Martinez says.

Martinez is a crafter in more ways than one, and has developed a three-stage plan to take her business to the next level. “Our third phase will be a multi-use space, perfect for a DIY workshop or small shower,” she explained.

Despite struggling in the beginning, Martinez was able to spend more time coming up with new ideas that her clients might want to see. One of these ideas included customized photo rooms clients can book for a myriad of photo opportunities.

“We knew we wanted to eventually open up a series of photo rooms that allow people to come in and pay by the person, and just be creative and have fun,” Martinez says. “Everybody loves taking pictures, and are constantly looking for new spots or spaces to post on Instagram.”

Customer satisfaction is a top priority to Martinez when creating the ideal photoset for her clients. Her creativity comes to life in every detail seen in each setup. In addition to a perfectly curated backgrounds, props and other fun items are available to take your photos to the next level.

Posh & Posy’s photo walls feature unique and seasonal themes. All you have to do is reserve your time slot, bring a camera, and get ready to strike a pose!

“We try to have balloons and confetti on the floor, or other things that might make good Boomerangs. This season, we want to try to bring in light animals such as bunnies or chicks to take photos with the kids,” Martinez says. She also makes bouquets and decorative balloon arrangements, and has a wide assortment of backdrop rentals available for clients to use at their own events. Knowing how stressful this past year has been for everyone, Martinez strives to be as accommodating to her clients as possible.

“I'm really big on customer service, especially right now. I feel you have to go the extra mile for your client. If we have to give you a special appointment, or get here early or stay late, we will always do the best for our clients,” she says proudly.

While Posh & Posy has grown in the past year, Martinez has emphasized that this is only the beginning for her brand. She also values the immense amount of support she has received from family, friends, and Coastal Bend residents alike.

3744 S. Alameda St.

Corpus Christi, TX 78411

Phone: 361-225-3744

Facebook: Gatherings/giftbox

Instagram: gatherings_giftbox

“2020 has been a wild year of change, learning and lots of growth, but it's actually been a great year for us,” Martinez said in an Instagram post discussing how grateful she is for the positive outcomes of her hard work.

If you're ever in need of a backdrop, decorative balloons, or just a fun place to take pictures, Posh & Posy will have you covered. This ebullient and hardworking business is dedicated to giving you exactly what you need to capture your greatest memories.

CONTACT:

4343 South Alameda poshandposy.com • @poshandposy

APPLE BLUE CLOVER

Andean Blue Clover, Apple, Oak Moss

THE NEW LOUISE by Consuela

Kennedy Dental Care

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

One Way to Float Your Boat

IF YOU’VE GOT THE URGE TO HIT THE WATER, CONSIDER CORPUS CHRISTI PARTY BOAT

BY: JESSIE CHROBOCINSKI PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

here's no better way to enjoy the warmer seasons in the Coastal Bend than out on a boat. If you don't have a boat of your own, renting one is now feasible and affordable. Corpus Christi Party Boat is here to provide locals and visitors with party boat rentals for watersports or a 16-mile cruise through North Padre Island's Ski Canals. Home to a beautiful saltwater coast and delicious waterfront restaurants, North Padre Island is a must-visit destination for those looking to enjoy the South Texas coast.

Owners Bill and Maria are excited to offer locals and visitors access and the opportunity to enjoy the refreshing coastal waters. Corpus Christi Party Boat provides guests with an entire boat, fuel for it, and a captain, leaving you to handle the enjoyment. Some things to bring along include food and beverages (alcohol is allowed, but glass containers are prohibited); sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, towels, and music.

The large double-decker pontoon is very popular. It seats up to 16 people, including the captain. Fitted with two slides, a lily pad, an extra-large cooler with ice, beer pong, cornhole games, and other activities, plus a premium Bluetooth stereo, the Happy Hour Boat is great for parties and family outings.

"We think it's going to be super popular down here because we have all this water to enjoy," Maria says. "Not everybody has access to a boat, or even knows [the Ski Canals] exist."

The Pura Vida Jetski Boat Rental is great for larger groups, too. Easy to board, the 24-foot boat can accommodate a crew looking for adventure. Wake and surfboards are included, plus an experienced instructor at no additional charge. Rear-facing seating and

a high-end Bluetooth Wet Sounds audio system keep the good vibes flowing.

"We wanted to start this business to offer wake surfing and wakeboarding and the watersports kind of thing," Bill says. The boats can be rented for three to six hours or a full day. The convenience carries over with the pick-up location too. Located at Marker 37 Marina, morning rental departures leave the dock between 8-9 am, while the afternoon cruise departs between 1-2 pm. Each rental includes a boat captain, life jackets, lines, and waterboards for all sizes and ages.

"It's very kid-friendly," Maria says, as her own family enjoys cruises in the area in the evenings.

Corpus Christi Party Boat offers rental add-ons, including stand-up paddle boarding and tubing. Although rentals allow for bringing your own food and drinks, their partnerships with restaurants such as Pier 37, Snoopy's, and Dock's allow for catering menu items waterside.

A party boat rental on North Padre Island is the ultimate bucket list item for any water-lover; a perfect way to soak up the sun and enjoy a good time with your closest friends.

Under the Sea

BY: JO ANNE HOWELL

PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

Location: Texas State Aquarium

Swimmingly Sweet. No birthday party is complete without sweets! A fun dessert display was created to showcase both birthday cakes and cupcakes with sea creatures as toppers. A backdrop was made of meticulously cut crepe papers to add a finishing touch.

parting words

A joint birthday party always means double the fun! The inherent magic and awe within the Texas State Aquarium made the celebration even more exciting. From peeping through the overlook to exploring each exhibition after the party, this location was a treat. Speaking of treats, the on-theme party favors were a hit. Custom candy aquariums were created as a thank you to guests. In addition, fish tanks with beta fish, used as table pieces, doubled as a fun take-home surprise!

Setting the Scene

For this nautcal-themed birthday, utilizing the Texas State Aquarium as the venue was a no brainer. The Caribbean Journey exhibition provided the perfect backdrop and color palette. Playing off nature’s hues, a dreamy blue and green color scheme was set, with pops of pink and purple throughout.

Aquatic Activities. When it comes to children’s birthday parties, activities are key! This is a fun way to add interactive elements to your theme. Arts and crafts are always a hit. Coffee filter and streamer jellyfish, under the sea slime, and sensory bottles were just a few ways these kiddos kept busy.

My name is Terry Schade and I am a long time local business owner that understands your insurance needs.

My experience includes not only being a US Army Veteran, but also 20+ years in customer service. I am the current President Nominee for the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi and the President-elect for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Corpus Christi. I am a Leadership Corpus Christi Alum (Class XLV) and remain active in the Corpus Christi Mustangs and the Bucaraders Organization. I love our little community and strive to do my part every day to make it a desirable place to live.

We offer auto, home, and renters insurance and being a business owner for many years gives me the experience needed to help with commercial insurance needs as well. We also have the capability to help with financial services to include life insurance. I have the life experience necessary to explain why life insurance is so important!

My wife and I love Corpus Christi, my child attends London ISD and I look forward to helping you protect your future!

- Terry Schade

Final

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PERSONAL INJURY

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WIGINGTON

RUMLEY DUNN & BLAIR ATTORNEYS AT LAW

eff and David founded their law firm 19 years ago and have devoted their practice to helping people injured or killed in serious accidents. Many of their cases created positive change and made the products that we all use safer. Examples include 15 passenger vans that rolled over, door latches on trucks that opened during accidents, vehicle seat backs that collapsed in rear end collisions, oxygen containers that caused fires, vehicles that rolled out of park, and various oil and gas drilling products that were unreasonably dangerous.

Based on this work, Jeff and David have received national and statewide recognition. This includes appearances in media publications such as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Bloomberg News, CBS News, 60 Minutes, The Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, and the San Antonio Express News.

David and Jeff are both Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law for almost two decades. This certification is awarded through the State Bar of Texas and requires significant trial experience as well as a written examination. There are more than 75,000 licensed attorneys in Texas. Only 1383 Texas lawyers are Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. Jeff is licensed in Texas and Oklahoma, and David is licensed in Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. Both handle cases across the United States in other jurisdictions.

Over the years Jeff and David have tried cases that have resulted in multiple nine figure verdicts that have been recognized as some of the largest in the country.

The firm’s verdicts include:

• $225,000,000.00 -Alaniz v. Ford Motor Company, Cause No. DC-01195 in the 229th Judicial District Court of Duval County, Texas.

• $173,720,000.00-Ivy Gonzalez et al. v Southcross Energy Partners, LLP, Cause No. DC-16-139 in the 229th Judicial District Court of Duval County, Texas.

• $124,546,732.89 –Caraveo v. Chavins, et al., Cause No. 2005-8265 in the 327th Judicial District Court of El Paso County, Texas.

• $124,496,993.97 – Jesse Rivera, Individually and as Next Friend for Jesse Rivera, Jr., et al. v. Gloria Cordova, Audi AG, and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Cause No. 2013-CI-00118 in the 408th Judicial District Court of Bexar County, Texas.

Jeff and David have both practiced for their entire careers in Corpus Christi where they raise their families and contribute to multiple charitable causes in the Coastal Bend. The firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Jourdanton. They welcome referrals from other attorneys locally, statewide, and nationally.

123 N. CARRIZO STREET, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78401 361.885.7500 | FAX: 361.885.0487 | WWW.WIGRUM.COM

MINESH J. PATEL

inesh J. Patel is president and principal attorney of The Patel Law Firm, a personal injury law firm headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas. Originally from North Texas, Mr. Patel attended The University of Texas at Austin, graduating with honors. After completing law school at South Texas College of Law in Houston, Mr. Patel began his legal career, accepting an offer to practice at what is now the largest personal injury law firm in Texas. In 2017, Mr. Patel opened his own law firm. His legal practice has continued to predominantly focus on personal injury and personal injury litigation. He has assembled a talented roster of attorneys and paralegals who work closely with the clients they represent. The law firm has represented injury victims in a wide array of cases, including commercial trucking accidents, workplace accidents, oilfield accidents, insurance disputes, and premise liability accidents, successfully litigating against a number of Fortune 100 and 500 Companies, including some of the largest companies in the United States. When asked about what makes his firm different from the countless injury law firms in the state, “It sounds corny, but we try to make personal injury, personal. Too many law firms are like a department store these days. The same cookie cutter representation for each person, no personalization. Well, every case isn’t the same, every client isn’t the same- we recognize this and embrace it. We don’t take every case, we do not blast the airways with advertisements, we are not a volume law firm. But if we do take your case, we know your matter, we pay attention, and we pursue your matter as if it were our own. Our goal with every client, is to not only represent them, but to develop a relationship that lasts a lifetime.”

Over the course of his career, Mr. Patel and his staff have secured millions of dollars in compensation for clients across the state of Texas. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Rue Ratings’ Best Attorneys in America, and has been recognized as 40 best under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers Association.

PORTER, ROGERS, DAHLMAN & GORDON, P.C. BUSINESS INSTINCTS – LEGAL SOLUTIONS

ince our beginning over 50 years ago, Porter, Rogers, Dahlman & Gordon, P.C., has been recognized as a premier and trusted law firm by our clients and the legal community. Our long-term presence as a firm stands as a testament to our commitment to provide exceptional representation to our clients and serve as trusted attorneys who are highly skilled professionals, each of whom bring a unique blend of experience and talent to their work. Our offices are conveniently located in Corpus Christi and San Antonio and operate as a single cohesive team to support our clients throughout Texas. Porter, Rogers, Dahlman & Gordon, P.C., prides itself on being a full-service, one-stop business solutions law firm and are ready to represent our clients from standard to complex cases in practice areas of Litigation, Oil and Gas, Business and Corporate, Insurance, Construction, Health, Labor and Employment, Real Estate, Estate Planning and Probate. We stand ready to help new clients launch the business of their dreams and provide committed support to our established clients in growing their businesses.

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CHARLES W. GORDON IV

TONYA BEANE WEBBER

JOE W. CHRISTINA JR.

MADISON HAGOPIAN

DONALD L. JONES

SHANNON STOKES-RUSSEK

DANIEL M. GONZALES THE LAW OFFICE OF DANIEL M GONZALES PLLC

r. Gonzales says that getting to know his clients is not only his favorite part of being a lawyer but it’s also one of the most important parts of his practice. “I spend quality time with each one of my clients. I enjoy getting to know my clients on a personal level because I love hearing about their lives but also because I also believe that learning about my clients is fundamental to my ability to represent them.”

Mr. Gonzales goes on to say, “We are all unique. We all have complicated lives, relationships, stories, and pain. As your lawyer, I am doing you a disservice if I don’t make an effort to understand your unique story so that I can best explain it to a jury of your peers. For this reason, I have a personal relationship with each one of my clients. My clients can reach me directly at any time.”

Mr. Gonzales has recently recovered substantial awards for his clients including a minor child who was attacked and bitten

by another child at a daycare, a customer at a spa who was burned with chemicals, a customer at a grocery store who was hit with loose shopping carts, dog bite victims, and victims in multiple motor vehicle collisions.

Mr. Gonzales represents injury victims that have been injured because another person or company was negligent, or worse, because they were reckless, careless, and needlessly endangered the public. Mr. Gonzales will fight to get you full justice for your injuries. You can reach Mr. Gonzales anytime for a free consultation about your case.

Q: Why personal injury?

A: My clients. My clients, their families, their lives, their struggles, their pain and suffering, and their frustration with an insurance system stacked against them are the driving forces behind my practice and passion for personal injury law. Unfortunately, we

cannot turn back time to before the injury occurred as all of my clients would prefer. We only have one path forward under our justice system and that is to make negligent parties and their insurers pay for the harm they caused.

Q: Why Corpus Christi?

A: Corpus is my home. I grew up here. I love this city. I spent a number of years practicing law in Austin after law school, but as soon as my wife and I started our family in 2016, we moved here to Corpus. We love going to the beach, the seawall, and Cole Park. We look forward to raising our family here and giving back to our community.

6262 WEBER RD STE 216, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78413

361.881.4806

DANIELGONZALES.COM

BRANSCOMB LAW

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

PICTURED: JAMES CLANCY, COMMERCIAL LITIGATION | MARCO LONGORIA, TAX | OMAR LEAL, WILLS | SCOTT SHERMAN, WILLS CASEY RICKARD, TAX | SCOTT TAYLOR, OIL, GAS & ENERGY | AMANDA TORRES, CIVIL LITIGATION

nique among South Texas law firms, Branscomb Law has assembled a team of recognized experts to provide solutions that high net worth individuals and business owners need in the areas of: Tax; Estate Planning and Probate; Oil, Gas, and Energy; Real Estate; Water; Banking; Labor and Employment; Corporate; Mergers and Acquisitions; Personal Injury Litigation, Business Litigation, and Fiduciary Litigation.

In addition to The Bend:

15 Branscomb attorneys are listed as Super Lawyers or Rising Stars by Super Lawyers.

12 Branscomb attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers in America.

11 Branscomb attorneys are rated “AV Preeminent Peer Rated” by Martindale-Hubbell.

9 Branscomb attorneys are Board Certified by The State Bar of Texas.

Branscomb Law has all the lawyers that clients need to help them form their business, capitalize it, grow it, defend it, and sell it. Or, if the client’s heirs will carry on the business, Branscomb Law can help devise an estate plan to pass that business on to those heirs.

Please schedule a consultation to discuss how the team at Branscomb Law can help you.

ED BAKER

BAKER & BAKER ATTORNEYS AT LAW

rom Wichita Falls, Texas to Kent State (BBA) to Golden Gate University (MBA) to Georgetown University Law School (J.D), Ed Baker covered some ground before choosing to make Corpus Christi his home. Along the way, he served four years in the Army leaving the service as a Captain in Military Intelligence.

He met his wife Brenda in 1976 in school and married two years later. After law school, they traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and picked Corpus Christi to settle down and begin their practice.

After years of divorces, bankruptcies, and foreclosures, Ed finally found an area of law that gave him a sense of satisfaction. Today, he is a nationally and state Certified Private Professional Guardian, responsible for over 30 elderly or infirm individual wards and nearly 100 additional guardianship cases.

Much of his time now is spent helping clients obtain Medicaid benefits for long-term medical care. With average nursing home costs rising, getting Medicaid to pay the bill without losing your home, your car, or your life savings is an extremely useful service.

5350 S STAPLES ST # 203

361.985.2226 • BAKERSELDERLAW.COM

BRENDA BAKER

BAKER & BAKER ATTORNEYS AT LAW

orn and raised in Quincy, Illinois, Brenda Baker received her B.A. in philosophy from the University of Denver and her J.D. from Georgetown University before choosing Corpus Christi to raise her two children and build a law practice with her husband of 40 years. Probate, wills, trusts, and guardianships keep her actively engaged in elder law practice. She is a former president of the Corpus Christi Bar Association, and she serves as Alumni interviewer for students seeking admission to Georgetown.

5350 S STAPLES ST # 203

361.985.2226 • BAKERSELDERLAW.COM

STEPHEN C. MCMAINS

ATTORNEY AT LAW

tephen is a Corpus Christi native, moving back to the Coastal Bend shortly after law school in 2002. Since moving back, he has been continuously involved in the community. In 2018 he married his dream girl and fellow rock star lawyer, Kayla McMains.

He is professionally licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and has been certified since 2020 as a credentialed mediator by the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association. He currently is Of Counsel to the Law Offices of Arnold Gonzalez, Jr. His practice primarily consists of administrative law, business law, federal crimes, litigation, mediation, and real estate law.

Stephen represents individuals, small businesses, and large companies in a variety of matters taking a results-oriented approach. He understands the need for quick and pragmatic solutions to problems. Whether it is in the court room or the negotiating room he is there to help.

5337 YORKTOWN BLVD SUITE 5-3

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78413

361.887.9900 | SCM.LAW

TIFFANY RANGEL FADER

ATTORNEY AT LAW

iffany Rangel Fader is a solo practitioner raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. Her love for the Coastal Bend and its community brought her back to practice law right after her graduation from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Her commitment to the community has led her to serve on the Corpus Christi Bar Board of Directors as a part of the Executive Committee, and for New Life Refuge Ministries as the Director of Legal.

Tiffany’s practice consists of adoptions, guardianships, real estate, estate planning and probate. She enjoys helping families ensure that their loved ones are taken care of in all of these areas of life. Her favorite area of law to practice is helping parents give children a forever home through adoptions. Her office is located on the south side of Corpus to be accessible to her clients. She considers it an honor to serve families and provide dedication and quality service to all of her clients.

5337 YORKTOWN BLVD SUITE 5-3, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78413

361.887.9900 | RANGELFADERLAW.COM

CHRISTOPHER A. GARZA ATTORNEY AT LAW

hristopher A. Garza is an associate attorney working alongside Gregory Gowan and Luis Elizondo of Gowan Elizondo, LLP. Christopher grew up in Corpus Christi and graduated from Mary Carroll High School. He then earned his Business Degree at Texas Christian University and his Law Degree from The Texas Tech School of Law. Christopher is a trial advocate and is dedicated to representing clients injured in trucking, auto, dangerous premises, and work-related accidents. Christopher has worked diligently over the past year to continue representing clients and ensuring justice in person and virtually.

“I am honored to be recognized as one of the top attorneys in the Coastal Bend for the second year in a row. As an attorney who was born and raised in Corpus Christi, it has always been my goal to be respected in my community for the representation I provide to my clients at home and across the state. I look forward to representing and helping clients in the Coastal Bend for many years to come.”

361.463.0747 | ItalianCowboyFoods.com 2615 Highway 35 North, Rockport, TX 78382

@ItalianCowboyTX

This month, take a wine journey with us to Piedmont, Italy, home to some of the best wines in the world! We stock over 50 Barolos, Barbarescos and other world-class Piedmontese wines, cheeses and pantry provisions!

WinningDinners

TRIED AND TRUE CLASSIC RECIPES FOR PASTA BOLOGNESE, ROAST BEEF WITH VEGETABLES, AND GROUND BEEF TACOS

BY: JUSTIN & KAYLA BUTTS

PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

emember when you were the one asking the question? Now, when someone says, “What’s for dinner?” everyone looks at you!

If you are in need of recipe ideas to optimize your refrigerator staples, we’ve got you covered with some tried-and-true favorites. Sure, we love to experiment with exotic recipes from red hot curries to freaky-deaky bean burgers. But we find ourselves coming back, again and again, to these comfort food classics.

Pot roast is old-fashioned goodness at its best. There is a reason this dish stands the test of time: It is simple, healthy, wholesome, and delicious. This dish feeds dinner to a hungry family with enough leftovers for roast beef sandwiches the next day.

This one-pot-wonder allows you to use up all the aging root vegetables in the bottom of your crisper. The key to this dish is sourcing your grass-fed beef roast from a local farm. Using highquality ingredients means you can let the slow cooker do the work for you.

While you are at the farmer’s market getting your beef roast from Turkey Hollow Farm, pick up a few pounds of grass-fed ground beef and pastured ground pork as well. These versatile packages will solve the dinner question over many nights of the week.

Pasta Bolognese is a traditional Italian meat sauce (we use ground pork or Italian sausage) simmered in cream. If the long simmer time is too daunting for your hungry brood, have no fear. Just like the roast beef recipe, this sauce can be finished in a slow cooker while you run errands, work out, or take the dog for a nice walk. The leftovers of this pasta dish are even better the next day.

Tacos are so tasty, they got their own day of the week! This taco recipe was passed down from my grandmother, who learned it growing up in Edinburg in the 1940s.

Nan’s classic recipe is so good, we can’t find a way to improve it. Every time we add or subtract an ingredient, it’s not the same, so we are sticking with Nan’s original. For toppings, we use anything and everything still surviving in our crisper drawer, plus whatever cheeses are on hand.

We are always looking for new dishes and clever twists on familiar favorites. But the classics are classic for a reason. These dishes are dinner winners, every time.

Next time someone asks, “What’s for dinner?” you’ll be ready with an answer: Something delicious!

Ground Beef Tacos

Serves 4

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

COOK TIME: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1/4 large yellow onion, minced

2 tbsp garlic, minced

1 lb grass-fed ground beef

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

4 oz tomato sauce

Salt and pepper, to taste

8 6-inch corn tortillas

Optional toppings: shredded monterrey jack cheese, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, dollops of sour cream, chopped cilantro, shredded lettuce, sliced onion, or spoonfuls of pico de gallo

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add onion and sauté for 3 minutes, until fragrant and turning translucent. Add garlic and stirring frequently, cook an additional 30 seconds. Add remaining ingredients and continue to cook, breaking beef into smaller morsels, until no pink remains.

Lightly char tortillas (about 1-2 minutes on each side) in a dry cast iron skillet over medium-low heat. Serve filling in a warm tortilla with desired topping(s).

RECIPE

Beef Roast with Vegetables

Serves 6

PREP TIME: 12 minutes

COOK TIME: 4 hours, 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

2 tbsp olive oil

4-6 lbs chuck or shoulder roast

Salt and pepper

½ cup red wine

2 tsp thyme

4 sprigs rosemary

1 cup beef broth

3 oz tomato paste

1/2 head cabbage, cut into 1/8ths

2 tbsp garlic, minced

2 medium sweet onions, cut into 1/8ths

6 oz baby carrots

1 lb red potatoes, quartered

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 300°F. Drizzle oil into a large Dutch oven placed over medium heat. Pat roast dry with paper towels and season liberally with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, sear roast on each side until golden brown (about 5 minutes per side). In a medium bowl, combine wine, thyme, rosemary, broth, and tomato paste, stirring to combine. Pour over roast and cover with a lid. Cook in the preheated oven for 2 hours.

Surround roast with vegetables and season them with additional salt and pepper. Return to the oven for an additional 2 hours, or until vegetables and roast are both fork tender. Serve roast with vegetables, drizzled

RECIPE

RECIPE

Pasta Bolognese

Serves 6

PREP TIME: 5 minutes

COOK TIME: 3 hours, 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

3 tbsp olive oil

1 medium sweet onion

1 stalk celery

2 large carrots

4 cloves garlic

1 lb ground pork or Italian sausage

1/8 tsp fresh nutmeg, grated

Salt and red pepper, to taste

1 cup dry white wine

1 cup cream

1 cup chicken stock

28 oz crushed tomato

1/2 cup parmigiana reggiano, grated

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

Drizzle olive oil into a large cast iron pan over medium heat. While oil heats up, pulse vegetables in a food processor for 20-30 seconds, until finely chopped. Add vegetables to hot oil and sauté for 5 minutes, until fragrant and starting to brown.

Add pork, nutmeg, salt and pepper to vegetable mixture. Cook pork, stirring occasionally and breaking apart with the cooking spoon, until almost no pink remains (about 10 minutes). Add wine and cook an additional 2-3 minutes, until the wine has mostly evaporated. Stir cream, stock, and crushed tomato into meat mixture, reducing to the second lowest heat setting. Cook for about 3 hours, stirring to prevent sticking, until sauce is thick and concentrated. In a separate pot, cook pasta in salted water until al dente.

To serve, ladle Bolognese generously over prepared pasta and top with parm reg and chopped parsley. Note: If thinner sauce is desired, add pasta water in 1/4 cup increments until preferred consistency is reached.

Noe Bazan

Admitting Diagnosis: Critical Illness Myopathy

Length of Stay: 10 Days

Discharge Location: Home with PAM Outpatient Services

In mid-September Mr. Bazan started experiencing symptoms related to COVID -19 and he was admitted into an Acute Care Hospital in Corpus Christi. He was intubated and placed on a mechanical ventilator with no improvement. He was then transferred to San Antonio to receive ECMO treatment and transferred to Post Acute LTACH in Corpus Christi in early November. When he arrived at PAM Bayfront LTACH he was very weak and needed extensive respiratory management. He later transitioned into PAM Rehabilitation hospital of Corpus Christi for more aggressive therapy services and medical management. In just 10 days he regained enough strength and endurance to transition home with outpatient therapy services. Mr. Bazan is currently receiving outpatient therapy services with Post Acute medical and has made tremendous gains toward regaining his independence.

“At Post Acute Medical it was a life changing experience for me. They made me feel very comfortable and the staff was phenomenal.”

-Noe Bazan

Writer Top Picks: Chrysanthemum Shot: A hearty kick of cayenne, ginger, lemon, and turmeric to revitalize and spike your senses. Black Dahlia Juice: Activated black charcoal, red apple, ginger, lemon, and cayenne make this beautiful, dark antioxidant drink both sweet and tangy.

Cold-Pressed Conquest

AN ORGANIC JUICE BAR’S ROAD TO LONGEVITY

BY: JULIETA HERNANDEZ PHOTO BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

hen power couple Mike Hutchins and Frances Lopez chose the fresh-squeezed route in their new juicing business, the rest just came naturally. The devout vegan and organic lifestyle the two practice not only keeps them amped up and energized, but also inspires them to invite the Coastal Bend community into their juicing journey for whatever health goals seem the tastiest. The knowledgeable Hutchins and Lopez are eager to help newcomers in their health journeys to find what works for them.

“Work harder on yourself than you do on your job,” Hutchins emphasizes, enthusiastic about creating an easier road to health for the community. “All areas of your life will improve if you work harder on yourself first.”

Since September of last year, the Sacred Juice Bar has been open every day for the city’s juice needs. From daily juices to custom cleanse packages, the Sacred team works to keep their drinks fresh and cold, using state-of-the-art temperature regulators and efficient timing for their organic produce. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple also brought cleanse packages to traveling nurses after their normal business hours to help keep them going strong.

The ingredients of each juice and their respective benefits line the wall of the juice bar, detailing how different minerals and essential nutrients uplift your body in various ways. With emphasis on your body’s energy, metabolism, and immune support, the organic juices at Sacred Juice Bar aren’t just curated for taste.

However, a lot of trial and error does go into the taste factor, which means a lot of recipe testing to create the ideal bottle. “We do taste test every batch to make sure it’s what

it should be,” says Lopez. This is why the Black Dahlia can taste delicious while also delivering a charcoal cleanse to your body, or how the Morning Glory can give you a luscious vitamin C boost to get your day going.

Sacred Juice Bar has also created a line of Mylks, ranging from cashew-based to almond-based, and giving us the Tree of Life: a complex and delicious beverage so chock-full of ingredients that it can be labeled as a meal replacement.

Currently, Sacred Juice Bar is the only 100 percent organic cold-pressed service in Corpus Christi, and its owners are enthusiastic about the city coming to use their service.

“This is to be used by the citizens of this community; I want them to utilize this for themselves,” Hutchins says. “Living healthy is not complicated. The peasant’s food is the king's diet.”

Hutchins and Lopez have plans to grow and open more locations for their organic juice bar in the city to bring the cold-pressed lifestyle to all areas, giving everyone easy accessibility to get closer to their health goals.

CONTACT:

4200 S. Alameda St

@sacredjuicebar • @sacredjuicebar

WHERE TO EAT

AMERICAN

8TE $ •

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

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

CRUZY'S $ •

Tacos take on a whole new meaning at new local favorite, Cruzy’s. Each taco features carefully chosen ingredients to create dishes you won’t find anywhere else. 7042 S. Staples #108, (361) 452-2081, cruzys.com

HAMLIN FOUNTAIN & GIFTS $ •

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

HOEGEMEYER’S BBQ $$ •

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

IRIE’S ISLAND FOOD $ •

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

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, (210) 418-4819, blacksheepbistro.net

PADRE ISLAND BURGER CO $$ ••

Burgers, burgers, and burgers! Build it yourself or choose from their handcrafted menu. 11878 TX-361, padreislandburgercompany.com

POETS FAMILY RESTAURANT $ •

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

SURFSIDE SANDWICH SHOPPE $ ••

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

THE BLUE CLOVE $$ •

Indulge in the art of food with The Blue Cove. Family owned and served with love, this quaint little place will soon become your go-to spot for a weekend bite. 5884 Everhart Rd, (361) 334-0202, theblueclove.com

THE GLASS PAVILION $$$ ••

Casual hotel eatery offering simple American mains and views of the sea. Did we mention they also offer a breakfast buffet? Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! 2nd Floor Omni Corpus Christi Hotel, 900 N Shoreline Blvd, (361) 886-3510, omnihotels.com

THE POST AT LAMAR PARK $$ ••

Enjoy this popular gastro-pub with delicious dishes that are meant to be shared, along side a beer or cocktail of course! 411 Doddridge St #102, (361) 452-0907, thepostlamarpark.com

TOWN & COUNTRY CAFÉ $ •

This down-to-earth diner serves the best in homestyle American comfort food for breakfast and lunch. 4228 S Alameda St, (361) 992-0360,

ASIAN

AKA SUSHI $$ •

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

DOKYO DAUNTAUN $$ ••

One of the Coastal Bend’s highly regarded restaurants, Dokyo Dauntaun takes an innovative and artistic approach to fine dining. From mouthwatering dishes to creative cocktails, Dokyo never disappoints. 424 N. Chaparral St, (361) 462-2620, dokyodauntaun.com

NINJA RAMEN & THAI $ •

Japanese ramen featuring the most delicious broth is just one aspect of Ninja Ramen & Thai’s delicious cuisine. This family-owned-and-operated spot

features a great menu and excellent service. 2033 Airline Rd #E5, (361) 4522622, ninjaramenandthai.com

ROCK & ROLLS SUSHI LOUNGE $$ •

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

SANG’S IMPERIAL CAFÉ $$ •

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

VIETNAM RESTAURANT $$$ •

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

Z COUNTER $ •

It is all about combining fusion concepts with the authentic flavors of famous street dishes from Asia, including Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, China and more. 1220 Airline Rd #155, (361) 991-1115, z-counter.com

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 a concert, they have it all. 1724 N Tancahua, 5550 Holly Rd brewsterstreet.net

EXECUTIVE SURF CLUB $ ••

The most beloved casual dive dining spot serving up the best in burgers, beer and live music. Make sure to stop by on Tuesday nights for $2 Pints! 306 N Chapparal St, (361) 884-7873, waterstmarketcc.com

FINS $$ •••

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

FULTON IRISH PUB $

For a seaside bar where you can raise a glass and sing, the Fulton Irish Pub is unmatched. This source for flavors of Ireland creates meals with locallysourced, fresh ingredients and won’t disappoint. 301 N Fulton Beach Rd, (361) 450-5115, fultonsirishpubandgrill.com

CAFÉ

CORAL BEAN CAFE $ •

This Southside staple will be your new go-to spot for caffeinated beverages and light breakfast and lunch fare. The high quality beverages and espresso will impress even the connoisseurs. 7426 S Staples, (361) 334-0194

HESTERS CAFE $ ••

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

JB’S GERMAN BAKERY $ •••

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

SUGARBAKERS $ •

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

EUROPEAN

BIEN MÉRITÉ $ •

This female run bakery serves up sensational french inspired pastries, cakes, croissants, and more. Satisfy your cravings at this quaint, and beautifully appointed eatery. 1316 S Staples St, (361) 334-0241, bienmerite.com

DRAGONFLY $$$ •

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

ERINI'S GYROS & MORE $

Authentic Greek food in the form of gyros, homemade pita, lamb-stuffed pita, and more can be found here. Dine in or sit outside at one of their picnic benches for a delicious bite. 4360 S Alameda St, (361) 334-2150, eirinisgyros.com

ITALIAN

B&J'S PIZZA - BREWPUB $$ •

This popular neighborhood spot makes all our pizza and beer dreams come true. Their classic hand-tossed dough will have you hooked on these top-notch pies. Delicious wings, subs, and more can also be found here. 6662 S Staples, (361). 985-6474, bandjspizza.com

BELLINO $$ ••

Comfortable and welcoming with a trattoria style authentic cuisine. You won’t find these delectable dishes anywhere else in Corpus Christi! Perfect spot for your next date night! 3815 S Alameda St, (361) 814-8998, bellinostexas.com

HOUSE OF ROCK $ •

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

LUCIANO'S $$ •

The chef’s recipes and experience, all with a genuine Italian flavor, crafted from traditional practices passed down through generations. 1821 S Alameda St, (361) 882-3191, lucianositalian.com

PADRE PIZZERIA $ •

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

VENETIAN HOT PLATE $$$ ••

Quality cuisine and a quaint, yet energetic atmosphere, giving a real touch of Italy. 232 Beach St, (361) 7497617, venetianhotplate.com

MEXICAN

HI-HO RESTAURANT $ •

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

LA PLAYA BY THE BAY $$ ••

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

RESTAURANT SAN JUAN $

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

ROSITA’S TACO SHOP $ •

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

SONNY’S BARBACOA $ •

This quaint taco shop is the place to go if you’re searching for barbacoa. Using only prime cuts of meat to assure the freshest, a best tasting tacos around, Sonny’s Barbacoa is no joke. 4066 S. Port Ave, (361) 808-7711

TO-CE-CHI $ •

A genuine and authentic Mexican dining experience is the only thing on the menu at this local spot. To-Ce-Chi brings a refreshing take on authentic Central Mexican cuisine with dishes like El Zarape and Sopes. 4028 Weber Rd, (361) 334-3432

YOLA COCINA MEXICANA $$ ••

Taking it back to the neighborhoods in Mexico City, this chic and timeless dining spot serves up authentic Mexican cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 3818 S Alameda, (361) 334-0020

MIDDLE EASTERN

GINGER CAFE $$ •

The menu at Ginger Cafe takes you all around the world, to India, Greece, Turkey, Iran and more. While some dishes remain authentic, others combine flavors from multiple countries to offer you an entire continent on a plate. 7009 S Staples St. (361) 946-9834, gingercafeandgrill.com

KUZINA LEBANESE GRILL $ •

Featuring delightful and traditional Lebanese cuisine, this local gem transports you across oceans to a Lebanese seaside café. Scoop up some tabbouleh with pita, top the falafel with hummus, and enjoy! 3801 Saratoga Blvd #113, kuzinagrill.com

MIDDLE EASTERN MARKET + DELI $ •

Both a bodega and deli, Middle Eastern Market has a something for everyone. From daily deli specials to an expansive selection of spices and more, this spot is a must! 5405 Everhart Rd, (361) 854-9445

SUFI KABOB $ •

Sufi Kabob’s menu features the entire expanse of the Middle East region right at your fingertips. From Pakistani and Persian to Indian and even Halal, this menu offers casual eats for every palate. 7150 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 356-6715

SEAFOOD

BLACK MARLIN BAR & GRILL $$ ••

Sit indoors, sit outdoors, enjoy the Gulf Coast while diving into top-quality coastal cuisine, live music, craft cocktails and some of the best views around. 258 Snapdragon, (361) 7494653, blackmarlinbarandgrill.com

COSTA SUR $$ ••

This cevicheria is a true Peruvian party on your palette. The dishes are exciting, fresh takes on traditional dishes from South America. Perfect for ending a long beach day. 15113 S Padre Island Dr #101, (361) 945-8303 costasurcc.com

GLOW $$ ••

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

HARRISON’S LANDING $$ •••

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

ISLAND TIME SUSHI BAR + GRILL $ •

A notable Island favorite, Island Time Sushi Bar serves up fresh and colorful sushi rolls and a variety delectable seafood dishes. With excellent cocktail options, this spot offers it all. 14225 S Padre Island Dr, (361) 949-3046

LATITUDE 28˚02’ $$$ •

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

LISABELLA’S BISTRO $$$ •

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

ROOSEVELT’S $$$ •

Gourmet dining at its finest in a beautiful Louisiana style home that sets the perfect tone for a taste of luxury. Historic background gives a unique sense of its famous visitors.

200 E Cotter Ave, (361) 749-1540, rooseveltsatthetarponinn.com

SCUTTLEBUTT’S BAR & GRILL $$ •

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

SNOOPY’S PIER $ •••

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

WATER STREET OYSTER BAR $$ ••

Long-standing and beloved Corpus Christi landmark serving up oysters, sushi rolls and fresh Gulf seafood in a historic, brick building in the heart of downtown. 309 N Water St, (361) 8819448, waterstreetmarketcc.com

YARDARM $$$ •••

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

STEAKHOUSE

KATZ 21 $$$ ••

Sets the standard for premier fine dining experience. Prime steakhouse specializes in dry-aged prime beef and fresh gulf coast seafood. 5702 Spohn Dr, (361) 884-1221, katz21.com

NIKOS STEAKHOUSE $$ •

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

REPUBLIC OF TEXAS $$$ ••

One of the most exclusive dining destinations in the Coastal Bend. A multi-level steakhouse offers beautiful panoramic views of the bay and exceptional dishes. 900 N Shoreline Blvd, (361) 886-3515, omnihotels.com

THAI

BKK THAI KITCHEN + BAR $$ ••

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

THAI COTTAGE $$ ••

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

THAI SPICE $$$ •

Family owned and operated for over 12 years, this restaurant is an intimate fixture providing curries, noodles & other traditional Thai dishes in a upscale relaxed atmosphere.

523 N Water St, (361) 883-8884

Beautiful Brunches & Tasty Tapas

MUSE BISTRO SERVES DELICIOUS SATISFACTION

BY: LUIS ARJONA PHOTOS BY: RACHEL BENAVIDES

anifest, Utilize, Sacrifice, and Excel are the four pillars on which MUSE Bistro is built. The new dining option in town serves delicious brunch and excellent tapas to pair with unique cocktails from their bar. After spending a couple of years in Corpus Christi, longtime friends Monet Love and Michelle Joseph noticed that the downtown area lacked a proper brunch spot. Their joint venture couples a laid-back atmosphere with house music, elegant décor, and a great menu.

The physical location of the bistro is grounded in Corpus Christi, on Starr Street. However, the atmosphere created by Joseph and Love can transport its patrons, making them feel as if they are visiting a posh restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Speaking in terms of aesthetics and design, the branding and image of MUSE Bistro are intentional and well-curated.

Love, Joseph, and I discussed how the restaurant is doing since its official opening in December of 2020. Inspired by the culmination of heritages and culture in Houston, Love and Joseph curated the menu with Creole- and Hispanic-inspired dishes. From Huevos Rancheros to Dirty Rice Empanadas, the food looks incredible.

Muse Bistro is open Thursday through Sunday with brunch and tapas hours. The recent addition of patio seating allows for even more fun to be had. Stay up to date with menu additions and small events by visiting their social media.

The bistro has been establishing itself as a great brunch spot thanks to its staples, including one for which Love has a particular affinity: "My favorite is the Chicken n Waffles any way I can get it!" Most notable is a local favorite, the Chicken N Waffle Kabob, consisting of mini-waffles stacked between succulent portions of lightly fried chicken tossed in Cajun seasoning, all held by the friction of a skewer and accompanied with honey butter syrup and whipped cream. Just thinking of the dish has me drooling as I finish this sentence.

Joseph also says guests cannot get enough of another best-seller, the Papa Bravas. "People love the garlic aioli. I've even had people suggest to me that we should package the aioli and sell that separately. So we're still thinking about that."

MUSE Bistro is a brunch spot; however, after 5 p.m., the location converts to a tapas bar focusing on "a chill weekend vibe" for guests. The menu then boasts delicious tapas such as the Shrimp Ajo, a sauteed Cajun shrimp dish tossed with a Spanish garlic sauce, that’s a perfect treat after a long week.

The bar serves an array of cocktails. Current beverages attaining the spotlight are The Muse and The Bayside, both delicious fruit-based drinks with some kick. Other options include brunch favorites mimosas and bellinis, plus delicious nightcaps such as their signature old fashioned.

Although the new kid on the block, MUSE Bistro is slowly solidifying its identity in Downtown Corpus Christi. In addition to providing a casual and relaxing atmosphere, Love and Joseph want to serve quality. "That's important to us. Whatever we push out and provide, we want to make sure it's high quality," Love says. So whether you want to have a delicious brunch with the family or an evening out with friends, MUSE Bistro is here to serve the Coastal Bend.

looking back

Milkmen on Parade

BY: JILLIAN BECQUET PHOTO BY: DOC MCGREGOR, CORPUS CHRISTI PUBLIC LIBRARIES

You don’t have to go back very far to come across memories of a uniformed milkman delivering glass milk bottles to each house. A community fixture, Borden’s business was booming in the 1930s when this photo was taken. The Borden name was on cheese, ice cream, and milk as the largest distributor of fluid milk in the nation. It was a staple at local soda fountains and drive-ins, with large signs bearing the company’s name displayed across town.

Corpus Christi’s earliest history with Gail Borden, founder of Borden Dairy, came in 1852 when the city’s founder, Col. Kinney, held the Lone Star Fair to attract people to his new town. The 2,000 attendees filled the

exhibition hall with agricultural and handmade goods, and prizes were awarded to the best. Borden’s prize came not for a dairy product – he wouldn’t invent the commercial method for producing condensed milk until later – but for a meat biscuit that also won awards at London’s Great Exhibition in 1851.

While Borden’s meat biscuit didn’t catch on, his contributions to the dairy industry cemented his place in history, and in the memories of generations of people across the country who have enjoyed Borden milk and ice cream, or waved to the milkmen on parade.

Borden’s employees pose with their car decorated for a parade, c. 1935.

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