NSIDE Coastal Bend April/May 2014 by NSIDE Corpus Christi

NSIDE Coastal Bend Business

APRIL-MAY 2014

th Anniversary Issue

EMPOWERMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT

JEREMY GARZA

AHEAD OF THE GAME

CC TIRE & SUSPENSION

BIG IDEAS

DADDIO’Z BURGERS

DRIVING FORCE

GIRALDO ELITE FÚTBOL

Long Family Commitment to South Texas Personal Commitment to My Customers Call us today and find out how much you can save! Farmers offers Auto, Home, Commercial and Life Insurance.

Ruben Bonilla Insurance Agency

2727 Morgan Ave, Ste 300 Corpus Christi, Texas 78405

361.881.1033

www.RubenBonillaInsurance.com

COME ON IN: THE SENIOR LIVING IS FINE!

Find yourself

in deep with some

At Mirador, you’ll live and play with a wonderful variety of individuals who probably share one if not more of your interests, or interests you didn’t even know you had yet. But we’re more than a place with a lot going on. Mirador is the area’s exclusive provider of Masterpiece Living,® a proven, nationally acclaimed methodology for personal growth and fitness at any age. Across the country, Masterpiece Living is helping people empower themselves to live even richer, fuller lives. Dip your toe in—call Mirador today at 361-248-5659.

www.SQLC.org

Fishing for fun? Join us for a nibble at our Find Out Friday Event! April 18 and May 16 at 11:30 a.m. | RSVP at 361-248-5659 5857 Timbergate Drive | Corpus Christi, TX 78414 | www.MiradorRetirement.com/FindOutFriday

MIX FORMAL WITH FUNKY

SEXY WITH SERENE

COZY WITH CHIC

NSIDE Coastal Bend Business

P U B LApril/May I C A2014 TIONS

BE FEARLESS WITH COLOR MAKE PATTERNS YOUR FRIENDS

CEO/NSIDE MEDIA PRODUCTIONS ELIOT GARZA

TRUST YOUR EYE

PUBLISHER ADRIAN GARZA

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

IF YOU LOVE IT, IT WORKS

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Erin O’Brien

DESIGN MANAGER Cristina Villa Hazar

PROJECT MANAGER Michael Mancha

MARKETING DIRECTOR Angel Amaya

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Elena Flores

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Michelle Cadena, Jessica Salinas, Betsy Zamarron

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mandy Ashcraft, Kristin Bily, Sierra Bowling, Kim Bridger, Kaitlin Calk, Tim Clark, Nicola Hanlon, Lisa Hinojosa, Connie Laughlin, Jeff Lawson, Amie Daniel Lee, Jody Joseph Marmel, Terry J. Schade, Sarah Tindall, Gabriel Vasquez, Sarona Winfrey

PHOTOGRAPHY Dustin Ashcraft

CORPUS CHRISTI 4325 SOUTH PADRE ISLAND DRIVE 361.854.2391

THE NEW ECLECTICISM ONLY AT

www.getnside.com For advertising information, please call 361.548.1044 or email adrian@getnside.com. SM

For editorial comments and suggestions, please email adrian@getnside.com.

PUBLIC ATIONS

18402 U.S. Highway 281 N, Ste. 201 San Antonio, Texas 78259 Phone: 210.298.1761

DECEMBER 2013-JANUARY 2014

NSIDETHISISSUE APRIL/MAY 2014

COVER STORY

JEREMY GARZA This youthful president and CEO works to make Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union the No. 1 credit union in South Texas by taking care of his employees.

PLANE TAKING OFF, BRIAN KINNEY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY DUSTIN ASHCRAFT

PROFILES

DEPARTMENTS

08 10 40 44 46 52 56 62

DADDIO’Z BURGERS

Known for both his big ideas and his big heart, Erik Martinez brings fresh, homemade and delicious food to Corpus Christi at this highly successful new burger joint.

No job is too big or too small at this family business thanks to Kellie Purselley and her team, who always keep both quality and the customer in mind.

The sky’s the limit for Sammy and Sebastian Giraldo, the brothers who have trained some of the top soccer players in Texas and risen to the forefront of related research development after only two years in operation.

CC TIRE & SUSPENSION

Business Coach Feature Travel Energy Dine Legal Style & Substance Nonprofit

GIRALDO ELITE FÚTBOL

NSIDE COASTAL BEND STAFF ERIN O’BRIEN

NSIDE PUBLICATIONS EXECUTIVE EDITOR E: erin@getnside.com

CRISTINA VILLA HAZAR NSIDE PUBLICATIONS DESIGN MANAGER E: cristina@getnside.com

MICHAEL MANCHA NSIDE PUBLICATIONS PROJECT MANAGER E: michael@getnside.com

ELENA FLORES

NSIDE COASTAL BEND EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT C: 361.793.6767 E: elena@getnside.com

JESSICA SALINAS NSIDE COASTAL BEND ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE C: 361.425.4114 E: jessica@getnside.com

BETSY ZAMARRON NSIDE COASTAL BEND ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE C: 361.510.0634 E: betsy@getnside.com

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361-986-7915 | PALMEDIACC.COM

NSIDE BUSINESS COACH ger useful. Finances need attention now more than ever – don’t leave your ass-ets hanging out there for someone to take a big bite. If you don’t have a strong human resource and risk management background, you could be done on both sides pretty quick. To some businesspeople, this could be an opportunity. Is opportunity knocking at your door and you’re so busy with back office stuff that you can’t hear it? Today you may find yourself using more time to strategize and streamline your operation. Many business people are not managing, but actually

HIGH PERFORMANCE The importance of creative thinking and out-of-the-box strategies for business success By: [CONNIE LAUGHLIN]

It’s time to fine-tune your business. It’s a given that keeping performance high and money in the bank relies on pinpointing problems before they start to gnaw at the bottom line. Without a doubt, every area needs to be evaluated – business processes, human resource policies, payroll administration, risk management and safety programs. Training in each department must be fully optimized for efficient and profitable business. Everyone seems to have the attitude that you need to tighten your belt and trim the headcount. But before you do anything, analyze your company from the inside out. If you’re not experiencing poor performance now, ensure you don’t. Poor performance can be found in any area of your company, and business leaders need the skills and vision to know what to look for and what to do lawfully and strategically. Successful leaders’ key advantage is bringing in the best talent to assist with growth of revenue through their experience, professionalism and

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leadership. An efficient use of time is finding talented people to assist in areas where you, the business leader, lack sufficient knowledge or don’t have the time to adequately manage the area. Do you know how to find and retain these key employees? Most companies that go out of business attribute it to a bad business plan. Strategy doesn’t stop in the first year. Every single day, CEOs and small business owners need to be thinking about business administration and out-of-the-box strategies. Many companies have found themselves in a hole, and they’re still digging. Stop it! Find solutions, build a ladder one rung at a time, pull yourself out of the mess and get on a path of success. Find sound advisors or you’re likely to find yourself sliding back down into the hole you dug. Highly successful mentors with instinctual vision are a saving grace. Now more than ever, creative thinking needs to happen. Salespeople must use consultative sales techniques and be highly regarded in their communities, as the old methods are no lon-

doing the work themselves because they had to let people go or don’t want to hire additional staff – so who’s effectively managing exposure to the liabilities associated with employees (workers’ compensation insurance administration, payroll taxes, safety programs and compliance with federal and state regulations)? There are a multitude of areas where you need protection. I don’t care if you have one employee or 100. Beware of compliance issues such as sexual harassment and other EEO stuff that could empty your nest egg and fill someone else’s. Likewise, workers’ compensation insurance administration can be tricky even in white-collar companies. Keep in mind: Significant trips and falls in the office could mean a huge increase in the experience modifier rating, resulting in higher costs for you. You need a really good risk management program regardless of your industry. Try to find a way to provide yourself with a predictable cost for your worksite employees and reduce your liability. One alternative is to work with a professional employer organization (PEO). With a PEO, you are not going it alone. No longer do you have to worry if you are an incident or two away from skyrocketing costs. You need to be focused on high performance – not the same old worries of the rising costs of everything. Keep rising costs at bay, do your homework and get on with business.

For more information on the most highly accredited locally headquartered PEO, call or email consultant Connie Laughlin at 361-852-6392 or at conniel@uniquehr.com, or visit www.uniquehr.com.

COFFEE CUP AND BUSINESS STRATEGY, PESHKOVA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

STRATEGY DOESN’T STOP IN THE FIRST YEAR.

NSIDE FEATURE

A BAD HIRE CAN COST YOU AS MUCH AS 2.5 TIMES THE PERSON’S ANNUAL SALARY IN RECRUITING, REPLACEMENT AND ON-BOARDING EXPENSES.

How staffing companies can give you an edge and level the playing field in your industry By: [JEFF LAWSON] A staffing expert can be a big asset to your small business. Creating a great team is hard work, but with a proven, trusted staffing partner by your side, it doesn’t have to be. Small businesses may view staffing services as a luxury only larger companies can afford. However, the truth is that staffing services not only are affordable, but also can give you an edge when it comes to hiring and level the playing field in your industry.

ACCESS TO BETTER TALENT

Here are some reasons working with a staffing company can be a big advantage:

Your budget may not be big enough to accommodate generous benefits and compensation packages, but most staffing partners can help you fill in the gaps. The best staffing companies know what top candidates expect in terms of both salary and perks, and they use their size and scale to offer benefits at more affordable rates than you may be able to secure.

COST SAVINGS

While you may not realize it, hiring talent through a staffing company is typically less costly – in terms of both time and money – than conducting an internal search. That’s because staffing companies take ownership of all screening, interviewing and on-boarding responsibilities, reducing the amount of resources you need to dedicate to the hiring process. Plus, by working with a staffing company, you avoid the expenses associated with advertising for jobs – a process that can add up quickly.

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Staffing agencies give you access to a large network of workers, including both active job seekers and passive candidates you may not be able to reach on your own. Staffing companies are experts at what they do, and they know how to match talent with opportunity in order to ensure an optimal fit.

CONSULTATIVE EXPERTISE

Great staffing companies offer more than just access to talent; they offer access to thought leadership, best practices and process improvements that can help your small business grow. To learn more about the benefits of working with a staffing partner, or to find out how a recruiting firm can make your business’ workforce even more exceptional, visit the Adecco Staffing branch office in Corpus Christi.

INCREASED BUYING POWER

ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY

For small businesses, running your business is your priority, not running a recruiting campaign. But conducting an internal search can distract you from more important matters. Every interview you

Contact Adecco Staffing Branch Manager Jeff Lawson at 361-814-2342 to learn more about how Adecco can recruit top talent for your company and about the current positions available.

ABOUT ADECCO STAFFING As the nation’s leading provider of workforce solutions, Adecco Staffing sources top talent for businesses in Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas by fulfilling positions such as clerical, accounting, customer service, human resources, skills and trade/light industrial, medical and sales and marketing.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, MANGOSTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

BIG ADVANTAGES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

conduct, every job posting you place and every call you make to potential candidates drains time and energy that could be put to better use elsewhere. Plus, when you find a candidate who fits your needs, you typically have to train them in order to get them up to speed. But with a staffing partner, you don’t have to worry about these distractions.

NSIDE FEATURE

THE MOST BLING FOR YOUR BUCK

Looking to invest in a diamond? Here are some steps to take to ensure you have a more enjoyable experience in the shopping and buying process. By: [TERRY J. SCHADE]

FIRST, YOU CANNOT COMPARISON SHOP DIAMONDS The diamond grading language developed in the 1950s by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is universally accepted; however, the internal methods, standards and skill levels of the different diamond grading labs vary a great deal. Additionally, labs must be entirely unbiased and have no interest in the diamonds they are grading. Many consumers become caught up in making sure they purchase a certified diamond, but they fail to find out who certified the diamond. Among the many large chain stores that offer official-looking certifications with every large diamond they sell, did you know that the grading lab is sometimes owned or associated with the selling store? Remember, for a lab to be reputable, it must be unbiased. Consumers tend to shop by comparing diamond

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grades and prices. The Internet has made this even easier; we can sit at the desk or on the couch and compare diamond after diamond. It seems like a great strategy to get the best deal, right? Wrong! Remember, all grading labs are not created equal; therefore, grading is not equal. On an almost weekly basis, I see clients with jewelry purchases from an online store or maybe even another brick-and-mortar shop. It always starts the same way: They tell me what a fantastic deal they received and that they have come to verify this amazing purchase. I tell you, it almost always ends the same way: They did not get ripped off, and they did not get an amazing deal. They got exactly what they paid for – only the seller most likely lured them in with a fancy certified diamond certificate (which overstated the diamond clarity/color). The certificate these clients show me might have a clarity grade of VS or greater and a color grade of F or better, but when examined by our graduate jeweler gemologist, trained by the GIA, the diamond grade is SI2 and I in color. The moral of this story: No matter what a fancy certificate says, the diamond is what it is and fancy papers don’t affect the retail value. As a seller of diamonds for more than 30 years, our store can only recommend two diamond grading labs: the GIA and the American Gem Society (AGS). The unbiased quality of their work is unmatched. They are the most respected names in the diamond grading business.

INSTEAD OF FOCUSING YOUR SHOPPING ON THE DIAMOND, FOCUS YOUR SHOPPING ON THE JEWELER.

SHOP FOR A JEWELER, THEN SHOP FOR A DIAMOND So now that you have educated yourself on diamonds (researched and found out everything you needed to know), if you are an average consumer, you will probably go from store to store, compare prices, write down the grades and maybe even do some more research, just to be sure. My advice to anyone considering a significant jewelry purchase is simple: Keep educating yourself, but instead of focusing your shopping on the diamond, focus your shopping on the jeweler. A reputable and trustworthy jeweler will relieve some of the stress involved with such a significant purchase. Once you have chosen a jeweler, feel free to shop as many diamonds (from that one store) as you would like – they can compare many stones side-by-side and explain the exact differences. They can explain why one diamond is more expensive than another.

COUPLE LOOKING AT DIAMOND RINGS, DOTSHOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Buying a diamond can be a daunting task, and it often requires a significant investment. This diamond probably represents a very special time in your life, such as an engagement or anniversary. So we have a considerable monetary investment and one of the most important events in our lives – a recipe for stress. It is very important to educate yourself on the subject before you venture out and begin your shopping. I want to give you a few pointers to make this a much more enjoyable experience and ensure you get the most bling for your buck.

A reputable jeweler will explain the differences in the grading labs and why you simply cannot compare a given grade to diamond prices. A trustworthy jeweler will usually bend over backwards to find the diamond that is perfect for you and fits your budget. And maybe most important of all: A reputable jeweler will be there for you long after the sale. You will want that ring cleaned, won’t you? Maybe you will have questions about how to maintain the beauty of your new ring. Or maybe will need a prong fixed or a ring sized. Does the jeweler you chose do all repair and maintenance work onsite, or are they going to send it off to a third party? If the latter is the case, you might be without your jewelry for weeks at a time.

HOW TO SHOP FOR A JEWELER Before I explain what to look for in a jeweler, I hope we can agree that it is important for consumers to educate themselves on the diamond grading basics (the four Cs). It will not only help you get a better deal, but also help your communication with your jewelry professional. There is a vast amount of information available on the Internet and from local jewelers on the four Cs. So how do you shop for a jeweler? I am going to give you a few basic questions to ask yourself when you are choosing your jeweler:

1. How long have they been in business? You want a long-lasting business to ensure longterm support of your purchase. 2. Do they have a graduate gemologist on staff? Just as you don’t get medical advice from the corner store, you shouldn’t make a significant diamond investment with someone who isn’t properly educated. 3. Check with your local chamber of commerce or BBB. Ask your family, friends or coworkers. You may even ask the jeweler for references. 4. Do they do all repairs and maintenance on location, or is jewelry sent off to a third party? I recommend a full-service jeweler that can complete all repairs onsite. 5. What are the jeweler’s professional affiliations? Are they part of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC)? The JVC is an independent, nonprofit organization set up to ensure ethical business practices in the jewelry industry.

Lastly, some jewelers will claim they are certified by the GIA. I assure you this is not the case and that any reputable, trustworthy jeweler understands this. The GIA only certifies diamonds. They do not certify businesses or people.

The Schade family founded Casa de Oro Jewelers in 1979, and the business remains locally owned and operated. Terry Schade is a vice president and owner. For more information on this topic or other jewelryrelated questions, you may contact Schade at 361991-7054 or terry@casadeoro.net, or visit www.casadeorojewelers.com.

361.994.5015 5638 SARATOGA BLVD. STE. 112-A CORPUS CHRISTI TX 78414 (Kohl’s Shopping Center) A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4 / N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

THE BEST GULF COAST FEDERAL CREDIT UNION IS WELL ON ITS WAY TO BECOMING THE NO. 1 CREDIT UNION IN SOUTH TEXAS THANKS TO PRESIDENT AND CEO JEREMY GARZA AND HIS FOCUS ON EMPOWERING HIS EMPLOYEES. By: SARAH TINDALL Photography: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT

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“I WANT GULF COAST FEDERAL CREDIT UNION TO BE THE BEST PLACE TO WORK IN CORPUS CHRISTI.”

A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4 / N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

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want Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union to be the best place to work in Corpus Christi,” says Jeremy Garza, president and CEO. In the six months since Garza took over as CEO, workplace training programs have been instituted, new management positions have been created, workplace communication and cohesion protocols have been instituted and employee satisfaction is at an all-time high. Garza brings a breath of fresh air to the organization, which has long focused on member satisfaction. His philosophy is that happy employees provide the best quality of service to members, so focusing on professional development and empowering his staff will make great strides in improving the experience for members. As an employee himself who rose in the ranks of the credit union, Garza conceived this vision of the company from firsthand experience in the day-to-day trenches of the business. His story is a realization of the American Dream. He began at Gulf Coast 10 years ago, working as a part-time employee. His first department was the collections department, which is a great way to learn the business, but also trial by fire. “I took the job even though it was part-time and tough work because Gary [Rapier, Garza’s predecessor as CEO] took the time to meet with me and tell me that if I started there and learned the business, I’d move up in year,” Garza says. He was making little over minimum wage, but he knew that if he did his time and kept an open mind to learn as much as possible, he would be

rewarded. “I took a chance, but I trusted Gary and gave it a shot,” he admits. The result was worth the wait; he loved working at the credit union’s small branch downtown under the tutelage of Raul Trevino, who Garza says was a great trainer. “He was explaining loans and accounts, and I was learning collections,” he explains. “I felt like they were actually teaching me stuff.” Months later, a fulltime position in collections came up and Garza was tapped for the job. “Working in those heavier accounts, I then realized Gulf Coast and credit unions in general have the best product in the world,” he says. “We help people and work with them the whole time they are with us. When people have financial difficulty – and everybody has that at some point – we work with them. It is important to us to work with the community and our members to help them weather life’s challenges.” His next step was a position as a loan officer at Gulf Coast’s Alice branch. The job meant a long commute to and from work every day, but Garza was eager to learn about the other side of the business, so he again took a leap of faith and took the spot. “The branch was growing quickly, and I enjoyed getting to know the community there and their needs,” Garza says. “I realized the loan volume there was large, and Gulf Coast was growing a lot at that time.” After he spent nine or 10 months in the position, Gulf Coast decided that the Alice branch was stable and secure and hired a permanent branch manager from A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4 / N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

Alice. Garza returned to Corpus Christi as a loan officer, and it was then that Garza says Rapier taught him how to best evaluate and help members to best suit their needs. “South Texas as a whole has low credit scores,” he says. “We are sixth in the nation for low credit, but Gary taught me you should never judge somebody by their credit score. Instead, we look at job stability and whether something happened in a person’s life that made them unable to pay something and other underlying factors that lead to a low score. We also focus on educating our members – maybe they can’t afford a particular car they want, but we help them investigate what they can afford and help them on their way to ownership. We help them analyze wants versus needs. Gary really taught me how to work with and help people, and I was extremely happy as a loan officer.” His next move was tough. A vice president of collections position opened up, but he was not sure he wanted to go back to that. As a loan officer, he spent his days making people happy – giving them their first car loan or giving an unsecured Christmas loan to a family. But he talked about it with Rapier, who mentioned that the promotion would give him more learning opportunity to get involved in

which is necessary when dealing with the kind of growth Gulf Coast is experiencing, followed by communication to ensure the highest-quality communication among employees and with members themselves. Garza’s next move was to create a position of vice president of compliance/training and to promote Richard Warnack, a Gulf Coast employee for 28 years, to the position. “He’s done a phenomenal job,” Garza says. “Employees feel empowered because for you to be happy in your job, you need to know what your job is, and this program is making that happen.” Some employees have completed the three-month program, and their feedback has been overwhelming approval. One employee said she learned more in three weeks of training than she had learned in a year at her job. In the spirit of communication and camaraderie, Garza also instituted a report that goes out to all employees to keep them in the loop on what management is doing. They are also given full details of audits and reports so they understand why management does what it does – the reasoning behind their decisions. “We’ve had more all-staff meetings in the first six months of me as president than we did in the past

ership of their departments. Garza also instituted events throughout the year, like an annual Christmas party, an annual celebration for employees who have been with the company for five or more years and a program to recognize employees quarterly as “showing exemplary attitude” (or “SEA”). These all are ways to boost morale and recognize employees who are going above and beyond their duties. Another way Garza has striven to motivate his managers and employees is participation in and support of local nonprofits. The Alice employees have committed to the American Cancer Association’s Relay For Life, and in Corpus Christi, every Friday is Blue Jean Day to raise money for Driscoll Children’s Hospital’s annual telethon. Garza himself serves on the board of directors and the finance committee for Communities In Schools, the logistics committee for Heart Walk and the executive committee for Heart Ball for the American Heart Association; on the development management program advisory committee for Del Mar College’s business administration department; and on the program review committee and golf fundraising committee for the It’s Your Life Foundation. He is also currently working on bringing the

GARZA’S PHILOSOPHY IS THAT HAPPY EMPLOYEES PROVIDE THE BEST QUALITY OF SERVICE TO MEMBERS. the nuts and bolts of the company’s financials, and that it would be a good steppingstone in his career. Garza took the job and the marketing department, as well. “I learned about our new products and services, as well as a lot of info about the back end of the credit union – how to manage a company and make it succeed and grow,” he says. “I trusted my heart and my boss and allowed myself to grow.” And all of that work paid off. His next position in the company was president and CEO – a great feat at such a young age. He has brought a youthful energy to the management of the company that has pulsed through every level of employee. He quickly made his goal clear: to make Gulf Coast the No. 1 credit union in South Texas by taking care of his employees. He began helping employees reach their goals by making them the best they could be at their jobs – by giving them the training they needed to be as effective as possible. Trainers were brought in to talk about topics such as member service, and employees received two days of training to get them excited about their main priority: helping members. Next came training in time management,

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two years,” Garza says, all in the name of keeping everyone informed and participating in the process. “When you empower people by giving them information and letting them make decisions, you’re getting the employees more engaged. They understand that they’re part of something now.” Even his senior managers meet weekly at a conference table Garza installed in his office, and each must mention one positive thing that happened the week before, keeping the group focused on the positive and moving forward. He gives credit to those senior managers for their leadership in growing Gulf Coast and making the changes easier for the staff. They are: •D ebbie McGee, vice president and branch coordinator • Jack Powers, vice president of lending •R ichard Warnack, vice president of compliance and training • Karen Scholz, CFO Garza also insists they are given free reign in their departments to hire staff and make decisions without his input, empowering them to take own-

First Tee Program to Corpus Christi with Joe Adame and other business leaders. Helping local college students is also a priority. Gulf Coast is working on a program to provide financial education classes to them covering everything from how to save for a car and how to establish good credit (or even repair bad credit) to how to save up to buy a house. Garza is even investing in technology that will be beneficial to his members. Gulf Coast is the first in the state to offer an app called Ask Auto, which lets members scan the VIN number on a car they’re buying so that Gulf Coast can start the loan process immediately. It’s a bright new day for Gulf Coast, which is experiencing record-breaking growth in members, commitment to their local community and employee satisfaction. Garza is looking forward to it.

For more information about Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union or to become a member, please call 1-800-8815991 or visit www.ccgcfcu.com.

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CC Tire & Suspension: a true one-stop shop that remains ahead of the game thanks to Kellie Purselley and her team By: Jody Joseph Marmel Photography: Dustin Ashcraft

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IF YOU TOLD KELLIE PURSELLEY FIVE YEARS AGO THAT SHE WOULD BE THE OWNER OF CC TIRE & SUSPENSION, MOST LIKELY, SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BELIEVED YOU. With a background in accounting, Purselley was working in the accounting department for the corporate office of Tiremax of North America in 2010. The opportunity became available for her to franchise the Corpus Christi location in that same year. With her entrepreneurial spirit, she gave the situation a great deal of thought because she knew nothing about tires “other than they were black, round and rolled.” Today, her expertise on tires and suspension has grown exponentially due to the team she hired to work with her when she made the decision on Sept. 15, 2011, to make the Corpus Christi Tiremax her store. As Purselley resided in New Waverly, Texas, at the time, her son, Kyle, moved to Corpus Christi to be alongside the manager she hired to run the store. At the age of 20, Kyle was her “eyes and ears when I couldn’t be.” The manager who worked with Kyle left the company shortly thereafter. At the time, the

company employed a part-time college student, Chase Hathorn, who was going to graduate from A&M and had planned to move back to his hometown. However, he was aware that Purselley could really utilize his skills and knowledge to make the company successful. “Although I traveled from New Waverly to Corpus Christi on the weekends, I started realizing that when I wasn’t there, things were not operating optimally,” Purselley says. “I then decided to move to Corpus to run the store myself with the needed help of Chase and Kyle. Chase sat me down one morning and told me that he would stay and help me, but I would have to agree to listen to him and his ideas. That is when Chase and Kyle collaborated to form the idea to start doing four-wheel drive. We all agreed that if it wasn’t successful and it didn’t work, we would shut our doors and we would go home.” They would see where they were by the end of February. By the end of February, they were so busy that Purselley had to call all of the radio stations and stop the advertisements and pull all of the ads. “We couldn’t keep up with the work that we had,” she says. “The main problem that we had was that we couldn’t find employees to help us.” As a result, Purselley, Kyle and Chase were putting in very long hours, staying until midnight almost every night A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4 / N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

AT CC TIRE & SUSPENSION, NO JOB IS TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL. and coming back in at 8 a.m. every morning, six days a week. They built the business on superior customer service. A small, privately run business encourages a customer-centric environment, and that is exactly what CC Tire & Suspension has come to be known for. They started losing their buying power due to Tiremax having financial issues, which, in fact, may have been a blessing in disguise. In August, Purselley received a call from the owner of Tiremax, who asked her if she wanted “out” of her franchise agreement. Her response: “heck yes.” But she would lose the Tiremax name. “By this time, I had built an awesome business,” she says. “The four-wheel drive side was booming, and my numbers had increased by 100 percent since I first took over the store.” Tiremax of North America LLC has since filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, and in

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September 2012, Purselley changed the name to CC Tire & Suspension. Shortly after Tiremax filed bankruptcy, Purselley had an opportunity she could not pass up. Another store was on the table, and being a business-savvy woman, she took the chance. “It was close to my hometown, and it already had employees,” she says. “The owner of the building worked with me, and we were opened for business the very next day – on Oct. 4, 2012.” Chase moved to Livingston, and he is now the manager of this store. He has since turned the store around, and business is booming. While Purselley is the sole owner of CC Tire & Suspension Inc., her husband of 16 years, Duane Purselley, supports her 100 percent and will do whatever he can to help her. The Purselleys have eight children and three grandchildren. The Purselleys strive on family. “When we say that our company

is family owned and operated, we truly mean that,” Purselley says. “I treat my employees like my family. All of my employees have been with me for years.” Her son, Kyle, is the manager of the Corpus Christi store. “Kyle has the knowledge and the personality to stand right beside me and be the face of CC Tire & Suspension, but he also has the skills to install and service almost everything he sells.” Customers know him by name and rely on both his managerial and mechanical skills. He was raised around fourwheel drives. “This is not just a job to me,” Kyle says. “I enjoy what I do.” And Purselley loves working with her son. “We make the perfect team.” Purselley gives credit to her “working” family. Jorge, the main mechanic in Corpus, has been with her since December 2011; Alfonso works in the front office and in sales, but he is also a tech. He has been with CC Tire & Suspension since November

2011. Jerry is a tech who has been with Purselley for a couple of years; Jenny de la Mora is the office manager. And Kyle is the manager of the Corpus location, as well as the main sales guy. “If you want to know something about four-wheel drive, he is the one to go to and has been with me since 2011.” By looking at the history of both the Corpus and Livingston stores, it is obvious that CC Tire & Suspension has a long-standing line of employees. “These guys are what make this company stand apart from everyone else. Without them, we would not be where we are today.” CC Tire & Suspension is truly a one-stop shop for customers. They do tires, wheels, alignments, leveling kits, lift kits, brakes and all front-end and suspension work. The lifts they install have a lifetime warranty on them. “We stand behind every product that we install.” As the business is family owned and operated without the corporate feel, Purselley explains, “If we get busy and we are working on a customer’s vehicle, we stay until it is finished. We do not lock our door and go home at 6 p.m. Customers appreciate that. If we are there after hours and somebody is in a bind and we can help them, we do what we can. We typically stay every night during the week later than normal because we promise our customers we will finish their vehicles.” Excellent customer service yields customer loyalty, and that is CC Tire & Suspension’s goal: to

CC TIRE & SUSPENSION 1660 South Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi, Texas 78416 361-855-0000

CC TIRE LIVINGSTON 209 Highway 59 Loop South Livingston, Texas 77351 936-327-8001

be the go-to shop for your vehicle’s needs with a promise that they will not close at 6 p.m. and that you will get your vehicle as promised. Purselley and her crew are true to their word. A rare breed in this day and age, at CC Tire & Suspension, they are reliable, they perform quality work and they are dependable. Nothing beats top quality and excellent customer service! Recently, the CC Tire & Suspension team decided to have the showroom repainted so they could start branding the CC Tire & Suspension and start moving away from Tiremax. Their 10,000-squarefoot building is utilized well for both vehicles and customers. They offer a separate waiting room with a flat-screen television with cable, putting the cus-

tomers’ comforts high on their priority list. The nine-bay shop allows them to have top-ofthe-line equipment. They just added a new “wheel studio” to their website, which allows customers the opportunity to see what a particular wheel will look like on their vehicle and to decide between certain wheels. Staying ahead of the game and keeping their promises are two sure deals customers will get when doing business with CC Tire & Suspension, along with quality work, fair prices and reliable service. With the clean and friendly environment provided by CC Tire & Suspension, this is a sure one-stop shop for all off-road, wheel and tire and suspension needs. Purselley’s goals include being known as the No. 1 four-wheel drive shop in the Coastal Bend area. “Once I have mastered that and I have all the key employees in place, I will entertain the idea of opening another store,” she says. “Right now, I have my hands full with the two locations.” Most importantly, at CC Tire & Suspension, no job is too big or too small. Their inviting atmosphere and end results are proof that they can do all jobs and keep their customers smiling for a long time.

For more information, visit www.cctire.net or look for the company on Instagram (@CC_TS). A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4 / N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

Fresh, Homemade and Delicious Daddio’z Burgers is anything but your standard fastfood restaurant thanks to the business savvy, the big ideas and the big heart of Erik Martinez. By: SARAH TINDALL Photography: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT

addio’z Burgers is not a fast-food chain. Daddio’z Burgers does not serve you frozen meat heated up on a grill and slapped on a commercial bun that tastes like sawdust. Corpus Christi, there’s a new burger in town that will remind you that food is supposed to taste fresh and delicious, even at a burger joint. Erik Martinez opened the doors to Daddio’z Burgers just a few short weeks ago, but diners are already lining up to get one of his fresh, madeto-order creations. The menu is extensive, and it includes everything from traditional burgers and made-from-scratch onion rings and fries to salads and shrimp tacos at the location at 5614 McArdle, ideally situated across from La Palmera mall. “Good food takes time,” he says, “and if you have the time, we have the food.” Martinez, who prides himself on being a regular guy, has been on quite a journey to make his dream come true and open Daddio’z. “Looks can be deceiving; people look at me and see a big tough guy, but when it comes to helping people out, really I’ve got a big heart and want to bring good into the city,” he says. “If you see somebody that you can obviously help, I’m going to do it. I’m really passionate about it. We’ve been sponsoring kids, sports teams, etc. I’m keen to that.”

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The dream began when Martinez, who is an aircraft mechanic by trade and still works fulltime, took over a burger joint on the city’s west side to help out a relative. He turned the finances around in a few short months and made the business profitable again. “I’ve been blessed to where every job I’ve had, I’ve advanced. I catch on real quick,” he says. “When this opportunity arose, I felt that I could help my family member and bail him out and at the same time see what I could do with this.” So, in February 2013, he stepped in and changed the business model, doing business with as many local suppliers as possible and looking for fresh meat, fresh buns and fresh produce. The goal was to offer folks something besides the dollar menu. “I remember my grandmother’s burger and fries; they were the best,” Martinez says. “I wanted to recreate that – give people something fresh and homemade and delicious. We went from one to 13 employees in a matter of months. They told me that the most we could sell out of that small building was a limited amount of burgers a day, but we doubled that. We got 1,000 Facebook likes in a month. We put flat-screen TVs and music outside. The response was overwhelming.” Then the relative saw his success and decided to take the business back. “I had put everything into this,” Martinez says. “I was humiliated, but turned

ELIEVER IN B IG B A M A "I RWARD." O F IT G IN Y PA

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it into determination. Everything was taken from me, but I decided that I would never give up. So I started looking for another location.” Martinez saw the location on McArdle Road and knew it was perfect, but trying to convince the owner to lease it to him was another story. “I went from Flour Bluff all the way to Old Robstown Road every day to try to catch the owner. Finally, after plenty of voicemails and text messages, I got to talk to him about it.” The place was very successful as Johnny’s Good Eats for years, but then Johnny got sick and passed away and the landlord was leery of any tenant that wasn’t an established brand. “I told him my business plan and my projections, and he gave me the green light,” Martinez says. “He said, ‘Something’s telling me that you’ll be here for the long run.’ It was so exciting, and I couldn’t stop thanking him.” With the Shops at La Palmera going in across the street, one of the landlord’s conditions was that he fix up the place like it was brand-new – not in stages as Martinez had wanted to do as profit allowed, but all at once. Martinez had to refocus his business plan and find a way to renovate. He didn’t want to lose creative control or share profits on something he built himself, so finding investors was not a viable option. He said a prayer that he could find a way to do it, and then, with the help of his mom, his uncles and his wife, he scraped together the funds he needed to do a complete renovation. Like all renovation projects, the cost was more than he

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expected, but now the space looks like a new building inside and out. And business is booming. Like the previous restaurant, Daddio’z has large flat-screen TVs outside with picnic benches and good tunes on the radio. The food is fresh (the first thing Martinez did during the renovation was remove the freezer and replace it with refrigerators) and as local as possible. The shrimp is big and comes from our Texas coast, the produce and meat are delivered every day and even most of the buns are made at a local bakery. “A lot of people mistake this for a fast-food joint, but here, you have to wait because the buns are put on the grill and the meal is made just for you,” Martinez says. “We use old-school handwritten tickets so that you get exactly what you want on your food. It’s like a gourmet restaurant.” The menu includes local black drum and even pico de gallo with pineapple in it. “Right away when people try the seafood, they know it’s fresh.” Next on the agenda is to serve beer and to host bike nights and other fun events like concerts on the stage Martinez built expressly for the purpose of hosting local bands, performances and even benefits. “The atmosphere here is chill – a place in the hot spot of Corpus where you can enjoy the weather, some live music and 24/7 tunes and television while you have a brew,” he explains. And it’s all with the goal in mind to make good on his commitment to serve his community and secure a legacy that will carry on to his children. Active and retired military, police officers, teachers, students, firefighters and even people

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with a CHL are given a 10 percent discount on their food. Daddio’z even hosted fundraisers in February for the girls killed in a drive-by shooting tragedy, the child who died in a freak accident at her home, the child who got run over by an automobile and even the victims of a house fire in Corpus Christi, raising more than $1,000 for each of them. “I’m a big believer in paying it forward,” Martinez says with a smile. “I want to be known as the big local guy with big ideas and a big heart.” And he says he learned it from his family. “My grandfather and my uncles are my role models. I grew up watching them work hard and be successful and respected in their community, and they are good men. My family supported me in this project and helped to make it happen, so I get my commitment to supporting my community from them.” It’s been a bright beginning for Daddio’z, and Martinez looks forward to great things to come. The overwhelming support he’s received from the

community through his Facebook page is proof that even though customers wait to get his food, they’re happy to do so because they know they’re getting local food made right. “My thing is, when you spend your money here, it stays here,” Martinez concludes. “If the Lord blesses me with success, I don’t want to ever forget where I came from. That’s how I treat my employees, too; if they give 110 percent, then I want them to grow with me. When it’s all said and done, I try to make the atmosphere here fun and inviting so customers want to come here. I want my employees to know the customers’ names and even their kids’ names. Businesses like this are gone. It’s the public’s responsibility to get stuff like this back.” And Martinez is doing it, one meal at a time.

Daddio’z Burgers is located at 5614 McArdle Road in Corpus Christi, Texas. For more information, call 361334-VATO (8286) or look for them on Facebook.

❚ Whether buying an existing home or building a new one, the process is a full time job, from financing, appraisals, to arranging title services. YOU want an experienced professional on your side. ❚ Roxanne will personally guarantee her success and yours. Her question to you,”How may I serve you on your next purchase or sale of your home?”

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NSIDE FEATURE

CELEBRATING TEXAS HERITAGE

Real cowboys get down and dirty to kick-off Buc Days 2014, which has expanded the party at the RMB Regional Fairgrounds in Robstown.

When you think of the buccaneer days in Corpus Christi, Texas, your mouth begins to water as you remember the smell of barbecue lingering down scenic Ocean Drive as you stroll through vendor booths until the country concert and the PRCA rodeo begin that evening. Kids’ laughter and screams of thrill in the background remind you of your younger years when you hopped on ride after ride at the carnival. The traditional Buc Days event, which has celebrated the heritage of South Texas since 1938, has recently expanded to offer a taste of this staple event to folks in the outlying communities by hosting their ranch rodeo at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds (RMB Regional Fairgrounds) in Robstown, Texas. The Buc Days Ranch Rodeo is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2014, at 7 p.m., and it is sponsored by Andrews Distributors, John Deere Robstown Hardware Co. and Lone Star Country Store. As Buc Days organizers broaden their horizons to find more ways to raise money for their scholarship program, they have no doubt that the RMB Regional Fairgrounds is the perfect place for expansion. “The Buc Days Commission is very excited about this new event that will bring additional groups of people in to see what we are all about,” said Barry Box, Buc Days president. “We are proud to host this special event at the RMB Regional Fairgrounds and are pleased with the staff and the facility; they are very enjoyable to work with.” The Buc Days team of volunteers will transform

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THE TRADITIONAL BUC DAYS EVENT HAS CELEBRATED THE HERITAGE OF SOUTH TEXAS SINCE 1938. the RMB Regional Fairgrounds’ indoor arena into a rodeo extravaganza with thousands of pounds of dirt for the event this spring. The ranch rodeo will feature real cowboys and cowgirls who “live and breathe” the work of cowboys. This second annual event will host approximately 150 contestants from around the state who are competing to qualify to participate in the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo next February. Calf Branding, Wild Cow Milking, Double Muggin’ and Steer Loading are just a few of the categories scheduled for the evening. Bring the children for their chance to participate in the excitement with the Mutton Bustin’ and Calf Scramble. Children at least 5 years of age and weighing under 55 pounds may participate in the Mutton Bustin’ by registering at 5:30 p.m. on April 12 for free. The older kids will also have a chance to participate in the Calf Scramble by registering at 5:30 p.m. on April 12 for free.

The Buc Days fun doesn’t end there. On April 18 and 19, Buc Days will host their Fifth Annual Bad to the Bone Team Roping event at the RMB Fairgrounds’ equestrian center. And the Buc Days festivities in downtown Corpus Christi will take place this year from April 24 through 27. Tickets are now on sale for the Second Annual Buc Days Ranch Rodeo on April 12. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. VIP tickets are also available for $50 each, and parking is free at the RMB Regional Fairgrounds. You may purchase tickets at the RMB Regional Fairgrounds box office or on the Buc Days website. And cowboys and cowgirls who would like to participate in the competition at the ranch rodeo should visit the Lone Star Country Store in Calallen to register.

For more information about the Second Annual Buc Days Ranch Rodeo or Buc Days 2014, visit www.bucdays.com. And for more information about events and box office hours at the RMB Regional Fairgrounds, visit www.rmbfairgrounds.com. Amie Lee is the director of marketing and group sales for Global Spectrum, which manages the RMB Regional Fairgrounds, as well as more than 115 pubic assembly facilities around the world. For more information, visit www.global-spectrum.com.

COWBOY HAT/BOOTS, OLIVIER LE QUEINEC/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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NSIDE FEATURE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE By: [SARONA WINFREY]

With thousands of shoppers each and every day, La Palmera is always busy. But shoppers are not the only guests frequenting the 1-million-squarefoot regional mall. On any given day, you will likely see residents of Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas taking part in a variety of community activities. Over the years, La Palmera has hosted dozens of events designed to engage visitors in everything from health and wellness and family activities to fundraisers for local charities. “La Palmera is committed to being an active part of the community,” said La Palmera General Manager Fred Walters. “Not only do we partner with community groups on a regular basis, we also have

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developed a few successful programs of our own. It’s rewarding to see such interest from the community and the level of participation increasing each year by guests of all ages.” One of La Palmera’s most popular programs is the Tide Turners Kids Club, a free program with nearly 2,500 members. Designed for children ages 5 and under, the club hosts a free two-hour event on the first Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon, featuring story time, arts and crafts and other special activities. Health and fitness is the focus for two other free programs: Wave Walkers and Stroller Moms. Developed for adults who regularly enjoy early morning

walks at the mall, Wave Walkers provides a monthly gathering for its members featuring bingo and refreshments the last Tuesday of each month from 8 to 10 a.m. Stroller Strides is a similar concept, providing a social environment for moms and their little ones to get out and be active. (For more information on Stroller Strides, call 361-739-8309 or visit www.corpuschristi.fit4mom.com.) The mall also hosts a variety of other community events throughout the year, including the yearly arrival of Santa Claus to Corpus Christi and free concerts. La Palmera also gives back to the community in other ways through its Make a Difference program,

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The year-round schedule of events at La Palmera ties the mall to the Coastal Bend community.

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“LA PALMERA IS COMMITTED TO BEING AN ACTIVE PART OF THE COMMUNITY.”

which collectively represents the mall’s events and awareness campaigns to help humanitarian efforts in the local community and beyond. The program reflects the mission of parent company Trademark Property to be extraordinary stewards, enhance communities and enrich lives. One of the earliest efforts established at La Palmera is Change for Charity. Each month, money tossed into the Center Court fountain is collected and presented to a pre-determined community organization. Since January 2010, more than $40,000 has been given to dozens of local nonprofits. Local charities also benefit from other La Palmera initiatives, including “pet nights” with the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus, where pet owners bring their dog or cat on designated evenings with a portion of the photo proceeds going to selected animal charities. La Palmera also partners with a number of local charities to provide holiday gift-wrapping services to mall customers in exchange for donations. In addition to programs created by La Palmera, the mall is a highly sought-after venue for outside community events and fundraisers, including the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon, the St. Jude Radiothon and the Corpus Christi Rose Society Rose Sale each year before Mother’s Day. The mall was also the site for the Texas A&M CC’s Corpus Christi Idol tryouts earlier this year. In addition to its physical advantages, the mall can also help spread the word about community events through its social media network, including hundreds of followers on Twitter and more than 25,000 Facebook fans, as well as provide assistance with marketing and publicity efforts. “Working with and finding ways to help local organizations is part of what makes La Palmera so successful,” Walters said. “We are more than just a place to shop; we are part of the community.”

For information on the many programs and events at La Palmera or to contact the mall regarding a new event, go to www.lapalmera.com or call 361-9913755.

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THE SKY’S

THE LIMIT Using a winning combination of academics, business acumen and training, Sammy and Sebastian Giraldo give a competitive edge to some of the most talented soccer players in Texas at Giraldo Elite Fútbol. By: SARAH TINDALL Photography: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT

MEET SAMMY AND SEBASTIAN GIRALDO, THE DYNAMIC DUO BEHIND THE COASTAL BEND’S RECENT SURGE IN SOCCER SUCCESS ACROSS TEXAS. The brothers are the driving force behind Giraldo Elite Fútbol (GEF), the state-of-the-art training program they began here two years ago to mold individual players and teams into champions able to compete in the highest levels of the sport. The secret to their success is simple, but revolutionary: a combination of academics, business acumen and training. The secret to their success, according to the Giraldos, is science. Sebastian is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Texas in Austin specializing in elite soccer development in the sport management program. According to him, being at the forefront of developing research that indicates how best to train a player is an important competitive edge that enables GEF to maximize players’ potential. “The last decade of research discovered specific indicators possessed by players who get to the elite level of the game,” he says. “For example, players that are creative, quick decision-makers have the advantage over players who have been drilled to death. We train our players to be decision-makers by empowering them in training to make their own decisions.”

Sebastian’s example is to look at players who come from Latin America or even Spain or Italy; these players grew up playing “street soccer,” so they are very intuitive players. They can think quickly and creatively on the field, which makes them dynamic players who can react in an instant and solve problems presented in a game. Sebastian says, “We take that street free play model and emulate it in a controlled environment during a lot of our training.” And it’s working. In the two years that GEF has been training local players, two of players have made the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi soccer team and a girls’ U14 team went from having a winless, losing season to winning a state championship last year. Out of the players sent to the Olympic Development Program pool from South Texas in 2013, a whopping 20 were trained by GEF. “Corpus Christi used to average one to three players being selected for the Olympic Development pool every year, and the first year we were training, we sent five and the second, 20,” Sammy says. “We now pretty much have players in each age group that have been identified as some of the best players in Texas.” And their influence extends to the national level, as well: Five GEF players were selected to attend a prestigious U.S. Soccer National Training Center. “Corpus Christi used to never send anyone to the National Training Centers, but this year, we sent seven players and five of them were ours,” Sammy says. “Scouts and recruiters never even used to come down here to look at players because they said our programs were subpar and our players not good

enough to bother with. The problem was not the lack of talent down here; we have just as much talent as anywhere else. The problem was that we didn’t have professional trainers and proper development programs down here. Our coaches were dads or people who played, but had not been involved in professional training, so our talented kids were unable to compete with the players from other cities receiving elite training.” “All of our trainers are licensed and have received professional training and certification, which sets us apart,” Sebastian adds. “The rigors of getting licenses has changed in the last two years alone, and soccer trainers are among the most highly educated trainers in the country. It takes years of education and application to properly apply academic research in a training setting.” The GEF training program works like this: Individuals or teams sign up for training sessions, which take place at various fields and facilities around the Coastal Bend, including Gregory/Portland, Rockport and Calallen, as well as several in Corpus Christi. Individuals are placed in small training groups of two to four players, and the focus is on each player’s development. The recommendation is that players begin training at 5 years old because before that, they are too young and may develop negative experiences that can affect their long-term development. “The ideal window for players to tap into the creativity necessary for the sport is between 6 and 10 years old, and the window for easiest acquisition of technical skills is 7 to 14 years old,” Sebastian says, “so most of our players fall in those age groups.” A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4 / N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

“We’re trying to change the culture of what it means to get a player to the highest level of the game,” Sammy adds. “People are used to canceling practice because it’s sprinkling or cold, but we don’t stop. Our players play in the cold, just like they do in Dallas or Austin or Houston. And it’s a good thing – the weather at the state championships was in the 20s.” And all of that dedication is getting noticed. Players are traveling hundreds of miles to train

“WE’RE TRYING TO CHANGE THE CULTURE OF WHAT IT MEANS TO GET A PLAYER TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF THE GAME.” with GEF, and on some occasions, even from out of state. There are now 15 trainers at GEF training hundreds of kids – a far cry from two years ago when the brothers started with just a handful of players. This is great for the brothers, who grew up in Corpus Christi and decided to take a gamble and move back to their hometown to bring the knowledge and expertise they had learned back to the players

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here. Sebastian was recruited by two professional teams, but he decided to continue in school to go on to get his Ph.D. He jumped at the unexpected opportunity to come back here and train the talent he knew could be developed. The other secret to GEF’s success has been the company’s ability to use social media and outreach to get the word out about the program. “We’re extremely active in social media – doing things differently no matter how you look at it,” Sammy says. “Innovation, flexibility and creativity are at the core of what we do. Social media is important in our growth, allowing our players to get involved, as well as get our message out there.” Sammy attributes their success in reaching players from Houston and even out of state to this. Sammy is also a South Texas ODP staff coach, and Sebastian is a blogger for soccerthought.com, the official blog for the South Texas Youth Soccer Association, which also improves the group’s reach and allows GEF to educate as many locals as possible about the importance of elite training and development. As a result of hard work, dedication and impressive results, the sky is the limit for GEF. The hardest part of their success, according to Sammy, is ensuring that the company grows in such a way that the quality of the training is not compromised.

“Making sure we have the top trainers in our area through trainer development and education is the No. 1 thing we can do to control the quality of our growth,” he says. “We’ve had an underserved community here in the Coastal Bend for a long time, and we want to continue to reach out to our community to grow soccer and grow our business. We are a familyowned operation, but we have the Austin mentality: Everybody has to help each other if we want to help Corpus Christi grow. My brother and I have been training for over 13 years each. This is where our careers are taking us now, and we’re ecstatic about the future. This is what we love, and that’s what is driving us and giving us opportunities to be successful.”

For more information about Giraldo Elite Fútbol or to find out about upcoming summer camp and training sessions, go to www.giraldoelitefutbol.com or call 361-442-1923. Note: While NSIDE Coastal Bend officially adheres to AP style, certain exceptions were made in the editing of this article.

WE’VE GOT A LOAN FOR THAT! WHY GO ANYWHERE ELSE?

VISIT ONE OF OUR 3 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS: STAPLES 4677 S. Staples St. Corpus Christi, TX 78411 Phone: 361.980.8203 RODD FIELD 2633 Rodd Field Road Corpus Christi, TX 78414 Phone: 361.980.8203 ALICE 1909 E Main St Alice, TX 78332 Phone: 361.664.8331

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NSIDE FEATURE

Nicola Hanlon

THAT LITTLE EXTRA SOMETHING Adding the “wow” factor: Ethan Allen offers some stellar – and simple – tips for accessorizing your home. By: [NICOLA HANLON]

Accessorizing your home can be the most fun part of designing your home, but sometimes, when it comes to adding all those little touches that really make the room, it can be a little daunting. At Ethan Allen, I, along with my fellow designers, strive to make sure you have the complete look, from concept to floor plan to finishing accessory. This might seem an obvious statement, but your house really is a reflection of you, and when care-

N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D / A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4

fully chosen, the right accessories can give your home a completely fresh new look. Lamps, rugs and candles in bold hues will add a hit of color without being too drastic. A hot-pink throw pillow is easier to live with than an entirely pink wall! Think practically, too; perhaps a chandelier adorning your hallway or a beautiful mercury glass lamp on the entry table can add the “wow” factor. To start in any particular room, it needs a main

focal point – the spot where the eyes are first drawn before exploring the rest of the room. Many rooms have a natural focal point like a fireplace or a window with a beautiful view. If you happen to have a room that lacks such a natural focal point, don’t worry: You can easily create one through the proper use of accessories. For example, if you determine your fireplace is the focal point, prop up a beautiful piece of artwork there – or even two pieces. It works wonderfully when the pieces differ in size and layers. From a practical standpoint, they can also easily be moved around without any fuss to fit in with another room, should you want to “change things up” later. Keep the adjacent walls free of other art so as not to distract from what you want to be the main attraction. Pattern is another way to create a focal point in your room. Use a bold and strikingly different pattern to draw attention to an ottoman or chair. With more than 2,000 fabrics, at Ethan Allen, we have something for every taste. From a focal point you have determined, you can then tackle the rest of the space. Placing the largest of your accessories first will make it easier for you to effectively balance the color and weight in the room. Another key advantage

PHOTOS BY NICOLA HANLON, INTERIOR DESIGN CONSULTANT

Interior Design Consultant

TRY TO INCORPORATE SOME NATURE IN YOUR ROOM. of placing your largest accessories first is that you will reduce the risk of over-accessorizing the room and creating a cluttered effect. Speaking of the dreaded clutter, try to remove it completely and simply by making a feature of storage with boxes or baskets. It just makes for a more relaxing environment and a quick “tidy up” spot if guests come around unexpectedly. Check out our Canton cubes for a great-looking storage solution. Hang or place your mirrors in such a way that they reflect something beautiful. Placing mirrors behind your decorative accessories and collectables will double their impact. Do not place a mirror at the end of a long hallway, as it will only serve

to make the hall look even longer. Instead, position it on the side to create width. Try grouping five (or more, depending on the space) smaller mirrors together in an otherwise dull hallway to create the illusion of space. Another tip is to vary the height of objects in a grouping. It’s simply more visually appealing than using accessories that are all the same height. The phrase, “group of three, let it be; group of four, add some more,” has always stayed with me as far as grouping accents goes. This tends to work well, but I also find that keeping the same color family makes the grouping seem more thought out and put together. By using a color at least three times in a room, you will accomplish the following: • You will make the color choice look intentional rather than accidental. • It will help you balance out your room’s color scheme. • It will help create harmony and rhythm in the room.

Try to incorporate some nature in your room. Whether it is a simple neutral flower arrangement or a sculptured wood piece, it undoubtedly adds texture and tactile appeal. I always like to bring a little of the outdoors indoors. Of course, at Ethan Allen, we offer comprehensive and collaborative design solutions that will complement you as an individual and love your home with “that little extra something.” So it all boils down to this: Don’t let the idea of accessorizing intimidate you. Choose objects and art that you love. Put them together in a way that enhances the furniture and focal points of your room. Edit, edit, edit – then sit back, relax and enjoy.

For more information on any aspect of your design needs or projects, please call 361-854-2391 or visit the Ethan Allen design center team on South Padre Island Drive. A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4 / N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

NSIDE FEATURE

April brings music, comedy and a pro rodeo to the American Bank Center.

By: [KRISTEN BILY ]

The American Bank Center Selena Auditorium and Arena will definitely be host to a diverse audience through the month of April as great acts come to the stage, redefining a sound, capturing the fans and making us laugh.

APRIL 14 CELTIC WOMAN

AMERICAN BANK CENTER SELENA AUDITORIUM Celtic Woman: The Emerald Tour will perform live on Monday, April 14. Celtic Woman is a global music phenomenon that truly showcases the Celtic heritage through five Irish female musicians who

perform the perfect blend of Irish anthems, pop standards and original music by Emmy-nominated music producer, David Downes. Formed in 2004, this group brought together the Irish sound, mixed with live music and a stage production that captured audiences all over the world. With the ability to turn traditional Celtic tunes into modern-day songs, Celtic Woman appealed to a broader audience, opening up a genre that at first seemed so specific. In 2014, Celtic Woman launched the Emerald Tour, a 75-date North American concert tour that showcases a new design and show, while performing all of the Celtic favorites that fans have come to love over the years.

AMERICAN BANK CENTER SELENA AUDITORIUM George Lopez brings his hilarious comedy to the Selena Auditorium on April 19. Lopez has continued to sell out shows all over the country and is gearing up for his tour in 2014. He has successfully made himself a household name with comedy and film, and this year, with two movies and a new comedy series that aired in March, he has shown that he has no plans of slowing down any time soon. Catch Lopez for one night on April 19, and get ready for a great night of comedy.

APRIL 24 THROUGH 27 BUC DAYS PRO RODEO

AMERICAN BANK CENTER ARENA Enjoy four days of fun and excitement for the entire family when Buc Days Pro Rodeo comes back to the American Bank Center Arena. This rodeo ranks in the top 50 rodeos in the United States and consistently attracts the top professional cowboys, cowgirls and rodeo stock to the American Bank Center Arena. These four days of fun will bring great entertainment to the Coastal Bend while also giving back. Proceeds from Buc Days have benefited the Buccaneer Commission Scholarship Fund, which awards college scholarships annually to area youth.

SMG-managed American Bank Center is Corpus Christiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier event center providing unprecedented guest experiences. For more information, visit www.americanbankcenter.com or www.facebook.com/americanbankcenter, or follow the center on Twitter (@AmericanBankCtr) or Instagram (@AmericanBankCenter).

N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D / A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4

MICROPHONE, PABLO INONES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

DIVERSITY IN ENTERTAINMENT

APRIL 19 GEORGE LOPEZ

NSIDE TRAVEL

When you fly CCIA, you rarely have to rely on the power of positive thinking to enjoy a pleasant experience. By: [KIM BRIDGER] I had a philosophy professor in college (at the University of North Texas in Denton) who once said the funniest thing during a lecture. It was funny to me perhaps because he was wearing a Mickey Mouse tie. It might have been his gestures or what I considered an absence of logic in his thinking. Whatever the reason, I laughed and later shared it with my family. The professor said that when you are driving to DFW Airport and you intellectually know the parking lot will be full, all you have to do is think about an empty spot and there will be one there when you arrive. I contemplated that for a while and thought about how great it would be if it would work at the mall or on my college campus, where parking was an absolute nightmare. My mother later told me that the point was that there is a certain power

N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D / A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4

to positive thinking. I think she was trying to put a positive spin on all of the money she and my dad had spent on that philosophy class. At Corpus Christi International Airport (CCIA), we’re fortunate to rarely have to depend on the power of positive thinking to guarantee a parking space. The airport parking lot is ample, with 1,448 spaces and three different levels of parking, and it is located just a short walk from the terminal. But things have changed a bit in recent weeks. And change is often good! Republic Parking has taken over management of the CCIA parking lot. Starting last summer, the company moved in with some new ideas and a promise to upgrade the equipment that, admittedly, had seen better days. In February, the company purchased and installed a new system of entrance

gates, signage, ticket spitters, exit upgrades and accounting and monitoring equipment. And the new equipment came at a very good time. CCIA – and its parking lot – is experiencing a surge in customers that began last fall and is forecasted to continue into the summer. Better equipment translates to a better experience for our customers who rely on the parking lot when they travel. So when it comes time to take a trip, consider your options and remember that when you fly CCIA, you are investing in your hometown airport. The more we use what we have here, the more we stand to gain in the future. The economy in the Coastal Bend is changing and growing in ways we haven’t seen in a very long time. Airports experience highs and lows that typically mirror what is happening economically in the region. All signs point to a strong 2014 at CCIA.

If you’d like to keep up with what’s happening at CCIA, go to our website, www.flyccia.com, and sign up for our newsletter. Fly CCIA! Go to a happy place.

TRAVELER, SEAN LOCKE PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

JUST PARK IT – AND RELAX

THE CCIA PARKING LOT IS AMPLE, WITH 1,448 SPACES AND THREE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PARKING.

NSIDE TRAVEL

THE WAIT IS OVER

Embassy Suites Corpus Christi debuts a new face and turns heads. By: [LISA HINOJOSA]

At long last, the Embassy Suites unveiled its 20-month multi-million-dollar renovation to Corpus Christi, and the city turned out in full force. On the eve of Valentine’s Day, the full-service hotel opened its doors and welcomed local politicos, community leaders, industry partners and any and all interested parties. In a nod to the impending sweetheart holiday, the hotel regaled itself in every shade and tint of pink available. Pomp and circumstance abounded as the brandnew water walls were illuminated in vibrant hot pink, which enhanced the neon red-violet lights shooting from the ground floor to the third-floor ceiling. Servers outfited in bubblegum-pink bowties were positioned at every stop. The ballroom was decked with fucshia linens and silver piping. The stage was clearly set for a momentous occasion. And the city did not disappoint. More than 200 people turned out for the event, and the festivi-

N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D / A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4

ties endured an hour past end time. Attendees indulged in chocolate-covered strawberry shooters filled with Ciroq and Grand Marnier. An elaborate cheese display showcasing cubes, logs and wheels had tongues wagging all night. Bars in the atrium and in the Sparkling City Ballroom cocktailed the throngs on beer, wine and the signature Z-tinis. Attendees reminisced about their past experiences at the hotel, and virtually all agreed that they could not wait to make new memories at the beautiful, renovated hotel. “The support from the community was absolutely amazing,” said Deven Bhakta, CEO and president of ZJZ Hospitality Inc., the management company behind the extensive renovation. After acquiring the hotel in late 2011, ZJZ Hospitality Inc. finalized design plans and toiled through 20 months of gutting and restoring the entire hotel, top to bottom, inside out. It was a labor of love punctuated by unexpected challenges, blistering developments and pounds of sweat. For one thing, the company had to customize furniture to fit a room size that is very unique, Bhakta said of the spacious and modular two-room suites. And that was just one element of hundreds. “We adapted electical and plumbing to become more energy efficient and ‘green,’ but at the same time, we were working with a 30-year-old building, so we first had to diagnose and then repair any aches and pains owed to the age,” Bhakta said. “In concept, everything sounded fantastic, but we learned quickly that concept does not translate into reality without a fair amount of challenges. There were times that I felt like we were on the Titanic, but you have to keep your mood light, so I

instead analogized the project to the comedy, ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation.’ We had hiccups emerge at every twist and turn, but I knew, eventually, we would arrive at Wally World.” The light at the end of the tunnel could not have been brighter or more appreciated. During the event, Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend presented ZJZ Hospitality Inc. with a special award for Local Employer of Excellence. The Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Corpus Christi Black Chamber of Commerce all showed up in full force. Mayor Pro Tempore Chad Magill made a heartfelt speech praising the project and the end result. And ZJZ Hospitality Inc. celebrated the finale with glasses raised and gazes lifted, dreaming of the next project to come.

Embassy Suites Corpus Christi is located at 4337 South Padre Island Drive. For more information, contact Lisa Hinojosa at 361-653-4656 or lisa@zjzhospitality.com.

EMBASSY SUITES CORPUS CHRISTI

www.ccembassy.com www.facebook.com/ccembassy

ZJZ HOSPITALITY INC.

www.linkedin.com/company/zjz-hospitality-inc www.facebook.com/zjzhospitality

NSIDE ENERGY

CLEANER AND GREENER

Considering the current electricity market competition in Texas By: [TIM CLARK]

N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D / A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4

responding to emergencies and power outages. The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) continues to regulate the delivery of electricity to ensure the safety and reliability of your electric service. With electric competition, retail electric providers (REPs) sell electricity to you and provide functions such as customer service and billing. REPs compete for your business by offering lower prices, renewable energy options, added customer service benefits and other incentives. Generally, there are two types of REPs: ➊ Affiliate retail electric providers ➋ Competitive retail electric providers

BEFORE DEREGULATION, ELECTRIC UTILITIES WERE IN CHARGE OF THE GENERATION, TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY.

• Information on how to contact each REP for such information

offer prices even lower than the “price to beat,” and you may switch providers at any time. You may obtain information on the “price to beat” by contacting your affiliate REP and asking for a copy of its Electricity Facts Label, or you may visit the PUC’s Electric Choice website at www.powertochoose.org and enter your zip code in the “compare offers” section. The Electricity Facts Label provides standardized information on electric service, including details on prices, contract terms, sources of generation and emissions. The Power Scorecard has been designed to help you evaluate the environmental quality differences among competing REPs by providing environmental ratings of the electricity supply sources each REP uses to serve its customers. The Power Scorecard also provides limited information on the price of the choices available in each retail service area. Detailed information on price and other terms of service should be obtained from the REP.

• Links to the Public Utility Commission of Texas website (www.powertochoose.com), a place where consumers may obtain extensive information on how retail choice works in Texas

For more information on Texas Choice, please visit www.citizen.org.

The affiliate REP was part of the original electric company that generated and sold electricity in your area. Now the affiliate REP only sells electricity and provides customer service. The competitive REPs are new and competing with other REPs for your business. You can choose a competitive REP at any time. However, if you are not ready to choose a competitive REP, your electric service will continue to be provided by the affiliate REP. This company offers a standard rate for electric service called the “price to beat,” which is set by the PUC. Competitive REPs may

THE POWER SCORECARD PROVIDES:

WOMAN HOLDING ELECTRICITY CABLE, SERGEY NIVENS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Consumers in Texas should shop for electricity the way they shop for cars or clothes: The price matters, but so does the quality and the source of power. The Power Scorecard is designed to help consumers understand the environmental quality differences among the electricity service choices offered in the new retail competitive market. With competition, you, the consumer, have the opportunity to choose cleaner, greener electricity from among the new choices competition offers. The following explains how competition works. Other parts of the Power Scorecard provide information on the environmental quality differences in electricity choices offered in Texas (see “ratings” at http://powerscorecard.org/allprod.cfm?state_cd= TX&territory_id=19). In the past, one company (a local utility) provided all of the parts of your electric service (generation, transmission, distribution and retail sales). This means the local utility supplied the power, read your electric meter, fixed any electric line problems and determined what the sources of electric generation would be. Because electricity consumers had no option to switch companies, utilities were able to install any facilities they felt necessary with little input from residents and consumers. Before deregulation, electric utilities were in charge of the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. They operated as a regulated monopoly and had the sole rights to sell electricity in a particular region. On Jan. 1, 2002, Texas opened its electric system to retail competition. With competition, these parts are separated. The actual delivery of electricity across poles and wires to your home or business is called transmission and distribution. These services are provided to you by the local wires company, which is responsible for maintaining the poles and wires and

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NSIDE DINE

FAN FAVORITE With both great food and the right ambience for a number of outings and occasions, Restaurant 361 at Port Royal Ocean Resort remains one of the best-kept secrets in Port Aransas. By: [SIERRA BOWLING]

N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D / A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4

One of the best-kept secrets in Port Aransas, Texas, is Restaurant 361 at Port Royal Ocean Resort. The restaurant is located on the third floor, overlooking beautiful views of the lavish lagoon pools and the Gulf of Mexico. Both the setting and the Texas island cuisine are perfect for a plethora of occasions. With darts, shuffleboard and multiple high-definition flat-screen TVs, Restaurant 361 is perfect for a family outing or rooting for your favorite team. The ambiance of the restaurant also proves to be a top-notch date night spot. Every week, Restaurant 361 hosts a Sunday champagne brunch complete with a decadent spread including the Port Royal Signature Smoked Salmon. A brunch favorite is Charlotte’s personalized omelets cooked right before your eyes. The kids love the Texas-shaped Belgian waffles, and everyone enjoys the dessert table. And of course, you can’t walk away from the brunch without a mimosa or two. Special brunches and dinners are given on holidays every year. Soon, Restaurant 361 will host an Easter and Mother’s Day brunch with impressive menus with items like Stuffed Pork Loin in a Balsamic Reduction, Tarragon Tilapia with a Trio of Peppers, Beef Medallion with Au Poivre Sauce, Prime Rib with Au Jus and Creamy Horseradish and more. Another special night at Restaurant 361 is “allyou-can-eat shrimp” every Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. You can’t come to the Texas Coast without experiencing some of the best shrimp in the area. The crisp breaded shrimp is paired with coleslaw, corn on the cob and fries. With never-ending portions, you will definitely leave satisfied. Restaurant 361 is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with unique and exciting items on each menu. Two “fan favorites” include the Mahi-mahi Fish Tacos and the Ocean Tasting Plate. The mahimahi is a light, but delicious option topped with

RESTAURANT 361 IS OPEN FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER, WITH UNIQUE AND EXCITING ITEMS ON EACH MENU. mango pico and infused with island flavors. If you’re not sure what to try, the Ocean Tasting Plate is a great option, as it has a vast assortment of seafood items. The plate includes sautéed mahi-mahi, scallops, shrimp and mussels covered in lemon beurre blanc with a side of vegetables. All items are crafted to perfection by Executive Chef Chris Gomez, whose culinary career began in his hometown of Miami. During his time in culinary school, he worked alongside Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay at Taste of the NFL. After turning down an offer from the popular reality TV series, “Hell’s Kitchen,” he worked his way up to chef at the No. 1 hotel restaurant in the world: the Marriott Eden Roc. He later became the sous chef of the Westin Diplomat, cooking for a number of celebrities including President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. Restaurant 361 is open to the public. To make a reservation, please call 361-749-2477.

For more information on Port Royal Ocean Resort or Restaurant 361, go to www.port-royal.com or www. facebook.com/portroyal, or call 888-974-0905.

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N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D / A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4

NSIDE DINE

FRESH FRUIT FUN

Strawberry mango fruit snacks: a perfect on-the-go spring snack for all ages

Spring is sweet, colorful and full of fun … and so are these natural fruit snacks that are perfect for all ages. Enjoy the warm Texas sun with fresh fruit in a convenient on-the-go bite in any shape you like! See the variation following the recipe to customize your flavors, and see how creative you can get in the kitchen.

INGREDIENTS: • 1 cup diced strawberries • 1 cup sliced mango • 1 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice • 5 packets unflavored gelatin • 1 tablespoon honey • Cookie cutter in a fun shape

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add orange juice to a medium pot. Add diced mangoes and strawberries, and bring to a boil. 2. Reduce heat and simmer on medium until fruit is soft.

N SS II D D EE CC O OA A SS TTA A LL B B EE N ND D // AA PP RR II LL -- M M AAYY 22 00 11 44 N

3. Pour pot into food processor or blender. Add honey and blend to mix. 4. Allow mixture to sit in food processor or blender for 5 minutes before adding 5 packets of unflavored gelatin. Blend until smooth. 5. Pour mixture onto a rimmed baking sheet, size dependent on desired thickness of the fruit snacks. 6. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours until firm. Use a cookie cutter (or knife) to cut individual fruit snacks. Recipe variation: Use 2 cups of any desired fruit(s) and 1 cup of any fruit juice; the rest of the directions are the same! You can also adjust honey to your taste for even sweeter – or less sweet – snacks. The possibilities are endless.

For more information, visit www.mandyashcraft.com.

PHOTO BY DUSTIN ASHCRAFT

By: [MANDY ASHCRAFT]

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NSIDE LEGAL of the parties. Occasional introductions as husband and wife are not sufficient to establish the element of holding out. Proving a reputation for being married requires evidence that the couple consistently

COMMON-LAW MARRIAGE IN TEXAS How to know if your common-law marriage is legally recognized By: [GABRIEL VASQUEZ]

A frequent misconception of law I have experienced as a Texas attorney has to do with common-law marriages. Many people believe there is a certain timeframe that people have to live together (six months and even up to seven years) in order to establish a common-law marriage, or what Texas calls an “informal marriage.” The fact is, under Texas law, there is no designated time period that a couple must live with each other to establish a common-law marriage. An informal or common-law marriage can be established in one of two ways. First, a couple can sign a Declaration and Registration of Informal Marriage and file it with the county clerk. Secondly, a common-law marriage can exist in Texas if the parties: ➊ Agreed to be married ➋ Lived together in Texas as husband and wife after that agreement ➌ Represented to others that they were married The party seeking to establish the existence of

N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D / A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4

the marriage bears the burden of proving all three elements and that all three elements were concurrent. To establish an agreement to be married, the evidence must show the parties intended to have a present, immediate and permanent marital relationship and that they did, in fact, agree to be husband and wife. A proponent may prove an agreement to be married by direct or circumstantial evidence. For instance, the exchange and acceptance of rings may be evidence that there was an agreement to be married. The testimony of one of the parties to the marriage constitutes some direct evidence that the parties agreed to be married. The cohabitation element, or living together as husband and wife, is generally the least contested issue. Again, there is no bright-line test to determine the length of time a couple must cohabitate to satisfy this requirement. “Representing to others” that a man and woman are married is synonymous with “holding out to the public” that the couple is married. “Holding out” may be established by the conduct and actions

conducted themselves as husband and wife in the public eye or that the community viewed them as married. If they commonly introduce each other as spouses and neither party objects, that may be evidence of holding out to the public the couple is married. Courts may also consider marital status on tax returns or other financial transactions for evidence that a couple held themselves out to the public as married. Another misconception I have encountered with common-law marriages is that a divorce is not needed when a couple separates. This is not always the case. Keep in mind that when all three elements of common-law marriage are established or a declaration is signed, a couple has all of the rights and privileges of spouses in a regular marriage. Thus, a common-law couple that has accumulated a lot of assets and debt should consider a formal divorce so that the community estate can be appropriately divided. However, if a couple separates and neither party takes action within two years, there is a rebuttal presumption that the parties did not enter into an agreement to be married. Whether a common-law marriage exists might not always be clear-cut. If you are in doubt, you should consult with an attorney regarding your personal circumstances to determine if your actions may be construed as a common-law marriage and/or whether you may need to formalize the dissolution of your union with a Petition for Divorce.

For more information, contact Gabriel Vasquez at gabriel@gvasquezlawfirm. com or 361-885-7950.

COUPLE HOLDING HANDS, ROCK AND WASP/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

IN TEXAS, THERE IS NO DESIGNATED TIME PERIOD THAT A COUPLE MUST LIVE TOGETHER TO ESTABLISH A COMMON-LAW MARRIAGE.

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CC TIRE & SUSPENSION 361-855-0000 1660 SPID & Greenwood Corpus Christi, Texas 78416 Originally known as Tiremax

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By becoming a foster parent through MCH Family Outreach, you can offer hope by walking beside a child who needs assurance in the midst of the unknown. If you have room in your heart and your home, call our Corpus Christi office today.

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LAURA HARRIS ALLSTATE AGENCY (361) 985-2875

OFFICES LOCATED IN:

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Family and Cosmetic Dentistry • Warm caring doctors and team members • Comfortable, relaxing environment with beautiful decor and artwork. • Dental implant crowns, veneers, porcelain crowns, white fillings, gum treatment, Zoom teeth whitening • Modern,up-to-date, high-tech equipment Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8am-5pm / Friday: 8am-Noon Payment Plans, most insurance accepted.

“Committed to Excellence” KENNETH GONZALES, D.D.S., P.L.L.C. 361-992-2421

7426 S. Staples St., Ste. 101 • Corpus Christi,TX 78413 www.gonzalessmiles.com

PRISCILLA DOMINGUEZ WIFE, MOTHER AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER

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N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D / A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4

Substance A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4 / N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

ABOUT ME I was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, but have lived most of my life in Corpus Christi. I have an amazing husband and three beautiful children who are the very reason I live and breathe. I’ve been an elementary school teacher for over 14 years and cannot imagine doing anything else. I love working with kids and learning from them every day. There is no greater profession in my opinion.

MY PHILOSOPHY Actions speak louder than words. Your actions define you. We are all human; we all make mistakes. Learn from them and don’t repeat them. Forgive and be kind. Kindness matters.

N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D / A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4

QUOTE TO LIVE BY:

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” – C. S. LEWI S

A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4 / N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

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5433 S. STAPLES ST. CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78411

361.991.2559

TELL A SECRET, cause a scene, flirt with disaster, buy something frivolous,

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NSIDE NONPROFIT

Kendall Crawford with her three dogs: Beans, Denver and Eisley

GIVING A VOICE TO THE VOICELESS

Kendall Crawford: living a dream of a different sort at the Gulf Coast Humane Society By: [KAITLIN CALK] Imagine for a moment that you are making a living doing exactly what you wanted to do as a child. If everyone were able to accomplish their childhood dreams, the world would be full of astronauts, princesses and rock stars. What this world would be short on are people who give a voice to the voiceless and help those who need it the most. Let’s face it: The vast majority of children do not dream of spending all of their time giving to others while putting their own needs and wants on the back burner. One woman in Corpus Christi not only dreamed of doing this as a child, but has worked hard to accomplish this dream. While most teenage girls were spending their summer vacations at the beach or at the movies, Kendall Crawford spent most of hers selflessly helping others. “I’ve grown up volunteering for numerous orga-

N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D / A P R I L - M AY 2 0 1 4

nizations such as the San Antonio Food Bank and missions in and around San Antonio,” Crawford says. “I started coordinating and participating in events and fundraisers with Invisible Children, an organization centered around raising awareness about inhumane atrocities in Northern Uganda, ending the longest-running war in Africa and rehabilitating child soldiers. My heart will always belong to those who do not have a voice, whether they are innocent children or innocent animals.” At just 25 years old, with 12 years of experience already, Crawford is the outreach manager at the Gulf Coast Humane Society (GCHS). Her job has many different aspects, including designing and maintaining the website, organizing events, managing the volunteer program, adoption counseling and educating our community about responsible

pet guardianship for the outreach services department. One of the most important parts of GCHS is the volunteer program, and her first job as outreach manager was to revamp it. “Our volunteer program has always been an essential part of the Gulf Coast Humane Society, with opportunities to walk and socialize our animals and assist with events,” Crawford says. “We have more chances for our volunteers to get their hands dirty now. They can help in the kennels or even out in the community. Just recently, we gathered a group of volunteers, staff and board members to assist a lowincome neighborhood with medical treatment for 17 dogs! It was a great way to give back to the community that has given so much to us. We’re excited to continue with these community projects, as well as continuing to care for the animals of GCHS.”

Crawford manages the outreach services department, the purpose of which is to reach out to our community, offering education and help to those in need such as the aforementioned low-income neighborhood. This department is all about

“MY HEART BELONGS TO THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE A VOICE, WHETHER THEY ARE INNOCENT CHILDREN OR INNOCENT ANIMALS.”

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change for the better, and she is confident that change is possible. “I hope to change common misconceptions about shelter animals through education, volunteering and community involvement in order to increase the number of shelter animals adopted yearly in our area,” Crawford says. “Our long-term goals are to reduce the number of stray cats and dogs on our city streets by educating on responsible pet guardianship, the importance of spaying or neutering your pets and caring for the thousands of animals that walk through our door and into our hearts until they find their permanent homes.” While Crawford spends her days (and most nights) doing all of these important jobs, her favorite part of this balancing act is fundraising and organizing events. “My job is my classroom, and I’m constantly learning how to do new things,” she says. “Just like most nonprofits, we rely on private donations alone to keep our doors open. It’s important to me to get the community excited about helping the animals of the Coastal Bend, either by volunteering or participating in one of our fundraisers. To watch a community come together to help those who cannot help themselves is one of the most rewarding experiences one can have.” Crawford is living her dream of helping others. While she and others in her field rarely come into the spotlight, their role in this world is undeniably essential. Without their tireless work, those without a voice would remain voiceless, and those who feel hopeless would remain in the darkness. Her most recent project is the 16th Annual Tom Keeler Memorial Golf Tournament. This tradition is an essential fundraiser for GCHS, and the money raised goes directly to the care of the animals at the shelter.

For more information about the volunteer program, email Kendall Crawford at outreach.manager@gchscc.org or call the Gulf Coast Humane Society at 361225-0845.

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