Amarillo Magazine | February 2020

FEBRUARY 2020

amarillomagonline.com

Reimagined

$5.95 US AMARILLO MAGAZINE

UPC (A) General Company: GateHouse Media

The Salon by Lora Brown’s stylish updates for spring

100 Westgate Parkway, Amarillo 806-355-9874 | www.barnesjewelry.com

CONTENTS 6 CONTRIBUTORS/ONLINE 8 OUT & ABOUT 14 ANDY’S WORLD 16 REALITY CHECK HOME 18 FEBRUARY BLOOMS COVER STORY 22 THE BOB REIMAGINED

The Salon by Lora Brown inspires with a variety of short and longer bob hairstyles, shot on location at Route 66 Vintage Autohaus.

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FEATURE 32 THE ART OF RENEWAL

How Amarillo is revitalizing its neighborhoods through the power of art

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MODEL: NANCY ALLEN HAIR BY LORA BROWN PHOTO BY CRAIG STIDHAM, COURTESY OF LORA BROWN

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32 36 MOONDOGGY’S PIZZA AND PUB

WHAT’S COOKING? 36 A BARISTA’S GUIDE TO BETTER BREWING 43 LET’S EAT! 63 EVENTS 66 PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVE 68 20 QUESTIONS

43 EMILY M. BELL, HIGH PLAINS FOOD BANK

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ON THE COVER

PHOTO BY CRAIG STIDHAM, COURTESY OF LORA BROWN MODEL: CARLY STEWART

FEBRUARY 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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Editor’s Letter

Regional Director of Specialty Products/Editor Michele McAffrey 806.345.3256 mmcaffrey@amarillo.com Regional Designer Kayla Morris Contributing Designer Darren Hendricks Contributing Writers Jonathan Baker Jason Boyett Andy Chase Cundiff Rick Treon

Contributing Photographers Shannon Richardson

General Manager/Advertising Director Belinda Mills Account Representatives Arien Canales Sharon Denny Jaime Pipkin Chris Saldana To advertise in Amarillo Magazine or on amarillomagonline.com, please contact Belinda Mills at 345.3373.

Regional Executive Editor Jill Nevels-Haun Regional Distribution Director David Morel Regional Accounting Manager Sheryl Rycerz

600 S. Tyler St., Suite 2300, Amarillo, TX 79101 806.376.4488 • amarillomagonline.com Amarillo Magazine is a monthly publication of AGN Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent. Letters to the Editor are welcome but may be edited due to space limitations.

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T

The very best thing about producing Amarillo Magazine is the opportunity to create a beautiful publication with the city’s most talented people. This month, we’re thrilled to publish a gorgeous fashion shoot conceived of and directed by the talented crew at The Salon by Lora Brown.

Anyone who knows Lora can attest that there is nothing mediocre about anything Lora touches.

She’s all in for excellence or nothing at all. We love her passion for helping women look their best, and also her passion for being the best at what she does.

It shows in this month’s cover story, “The Bob Reimagined” (see page 22). If you’re in the mood for a change, we hope you’ll find inspiration in the styles created by the salon. The bob is back and it works on all types of hair and any age woman. We think all of the models look simply stunning.

Growing and caring for plants one of my favorite hobbies. It reminds me of my dad and I’ve been filling my house and office with more and more pretty green things. In the past year, I’ve turned into a bit of a crazy plant lady and keep adding to my collection of “plant babies.” It gives me such joy.

One thing I haven’t had success with in the past is orchids. It’s been years since I murdered my last one and I haven’t had the courage to try again.

Until I met the experts at Avant Garden and saw their shop full of gorgeous orchids. They share all of their orchid-growing tips with us this month (see page 18), and I left their shop motivated. Even better, one of my favorite things, a vintage container of my mother’s is now filled with beautiful orchids, and it’s my mission to keep them alive for years to come.

We also spent a fascinating and fun hour with the crew at Palace Coffee in their downtown location. We learned everything there is to know about brewing a better cup of coffee at home. From roasting coffee beans, to grind size, to varying brewing methods and equipment, the baristas walked us through four different options for home-brewing beginning on page 36.

It’s a privilege to spend time with the area’s inspiring business owners, one that we don’t take lightly. They make Amarillo a better place to live, and their influence in our pages also enhances Amarillo Magazine. We’re grateful for them and your readership.

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Contributors

JONATHAN BAKER

JASON BOYETT

DARREN HENDRICKS

Jonathan’s copywriting has appeared in Esquire, Men’s Journal, and Popular Mechanics, and he reports on the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles for High Plains Public Radio. In his spare time, he writes crime novels.

Jason has written more than a dozen books and is the host and creator of “Hey Amarillo,” a local interview podcast.

Visit heyamarillo.com and jasonboyett.com.

Darren is a graphic designer who has worked with newspaper, publication, website and advertising clients around the country for more than 20 years. He lives in McPherson, Kansas, with his family. See his work at dviso.com.

Writer

Writer

Designer

SHANNON RICHARDSON Photographer

Shannon has been photographing commercial/advertising work for more than 20 years.

See Shannon’s work at shannonrichardson.com and route66americanicon.com.

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AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM • FEBRUARY 2020

Mardi Gras Party February 15, 2020 7pm-11pm - Amarillo Civic Center Music by Noah Jenda International Cuisine by West Texas Chefs Table Casino by Palo Duro Ambucs Mobile & Live Auctions Mardi Gras Store

Tickets: $60 Tables of 8: $450 For information or to purchase tickets, tables, and sponsorships, call 806.342.2503.

Proceeds support the mission of Family Support Services.

Out & About

1.

North Side Toy Drive

The annual North Side Toy Drive was held on Dec. 20, at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex. The black tie affair included casino games and dinner.

2.

PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

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1. Tiana and Terry Evens 2. Sarah Trujillo and Chad Blount 3. Jerome and Keisha Gainer 4. Adrian and Vette Meander 5. Dianne and David McKenzie 6. Freda Powell and Elton Bradley II 7. Sheila Woods and Robert Woods Jr. 8. Allison Roberts and Deetress Peoples

8.

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7.

THE YEAR 2020: BROUGHT TO YOU

BY BROOME OPTICAL Let 2020 be the year you rediscover perfect vision.

We’re Broome Optical and 20/20 is what we do.

FEBRUARY 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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Out & About

“AMoA Open” Reception

The Amarillo Museum of Art hosted its annual “AMoA Open” Reception on Jan. 4. The Open showcased the work of artists of all ages and skill levels.

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PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

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1. Tony, Amber and Charlotte Longwell 2. Bill and Susie White 3. Angela Workman and Yvonne Bryant 4. Emilie, Mandy, Attie and Kate Gregory 5. Tim Edsall and Sage Kinsey 6. Angelina Marie and Lytton St. Stephen 7. Weston Boyd and Kenna Benegas 8. Chuck Rives and Susan Thompson

8.

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THE PANHANDLE’S PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTIC SPECIALISTS

APDO WOLFLIN 2300 WOLFLIN AVE. WOLFLIN SQUARE 806.350.5437

APDO WEST 3501 SONCY SUITE 129 806.376.4770

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Out & About

Barrio Art Show

The Barrio Art Show was held on Jan. 16-18, at the Wesley Community Center. The show featured artwork that depicted the history of the Amarillo Barrio neighborhood.

PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

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5.

1. Jesse and AJ Rios 2. Tina and Eddy Sauer 3. Araceli and Oscar Ordunez 4. Dulce Villela, Gabby Morales, and Delilah and Nanci Rodriguez 5. Stefanie and Raul Rodarte-Suto 6. Adan and Lucero Terrazas 7. Jennifer Gallardo and Maria Del Real 8. Katherine Pledger and John Early

6.

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FEBRUARY 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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Andy’s World

A Friend to All Musicians

T

here is never a more palpable change of generations, of eras, than happens in the arts community. We are more influenced by the arts, I think, than we ever stop to realize.

Randy Tupin, who passed on Jan. 7, 2020, was an extraordinary man. For decades he was a strong benefactor to so many charities, so many causes, and so many of us who desire, through the arts, to inspire to our fellow human beings.

Randy was possibly best known for Randy’s Music Mart, the little store that fired our imaginations, served as a meeting place for our tribe, and provided instruments, lessons, repair, credit and support for anyone who wanted to play music. His business partner, Kurt Etling, once told me simply, “Randy and I wanted to start a store for musicians or anybody who wanted to become one.”

Randy Tupin might be best known as a monster piano and keyboard player who could light up a crowd with his licks, jamming with the A-list players in a multitude of bands for many years.

It could be that Randy Tupin was best known for the people he loved and took care of. That group would include myself.

In the seventies, when I was just a green studio cat in New Mexico, I played rhythm guitar and did the vocals on some records for the 14 Carrot label, mastered by some people in Amarillo that I didn’t know. I found out later that it was the people at Billy’s Band Aid, of which Randy was a part. Randy Tupin had already became a part of my professional life. I was 19.

More than a decade later, when I moved to Amarillo, I had won a video contest in which part of the prize was a guitar from Randy’s.

I went to meet Randy and told him that I had a bunch of guitars already, and didn’t really need another one. I asked if I could instead borrow some of his rental equipment for P.A. because I was “P.A. poor.”

Randy took me to his storeroom and said, “Here is a room full of rental P.A. stuff. Just put together what you need and bring it up front to the desk so we can keep it together for you. If you will, just come get it when you need it, and bring it back when you don’t.” He let me use one of his P.A. units for nearly a year and never charged me a dime.

The “prize” wound up being worth a lot more than a guitar to me, and it also helped establish my name in Amarillo as a musician. I played at Hoffbrau Steaks with that equipment, played Polk and Sixth Streets with it, and actually kicked off live music at the Golden Light with that equipment. Every time I told that story to another musician, they had a similar one about Randy. He treated others like he wanted to be treated.

Buddy Squyres, also a longtime musician, production guru, and beloved Amarillo personality reiterates this. “Randy was known for helping new and struggling musicians get the equipment and

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instruments they needed to get the best start possible. He also worked with charities and nonprofits on projects. Randy was the first guy I would call when I put together projects for KACV, Amarillo’s public TV station. If there was a budget, he treated you like a topnotch client, then he made sure his crew was paid and expenses were covered, then he would give the profit back to the charity. Randy was the most generous guy I know.”

For literally decades, every show I played locally, even regionally, any bigger than a restaurant gig, Randy had something to do with helping. Everywhere you went with a sound stage, especially a fundraising event, there was back line or P.A., or both, provided by Randy’s. He never said no.

When I joined First Presbyterian Church, I immediately was drafted to the worship team, playing guitar or a different instrument each Sunday. This involves rehearsal time with the team, and that means missing Sunday School class. Since I probably need Sunday School class worse than your average Joe, I decided that I would attend a weekly Bible study, also offered by First Pres. The first time I walked into class, my great friend Randy Tupin was there, smiling that Randy smile, and saying, “Hi, Andy Chase! Good to see you!” That was the day I consciously realized that Randy and I had been friends for 30 years, not counting the boost he had given me in my recording career a full decade before that. Before he passed, I visited with Randy. He was his cheerful self, even knowing he was on his way out. Our mutual great friend, Chuck Alexander, puts it like this: “What words do you say, or write, about a guy you have known since you were 11 years old, a guy who was there when you got your first real guitars, a guy who, with his employees, helped you any time you needed musical equipment, who let you in his family, who shared with you in a Bible study? A brother! What do you say?”

All we can say is farewell for now, Randy.

Much love.

ANDY CHASE CUNDIFF Andy is a local artist, singer and songwriter, and has called Amarillo home for more than 20 years. He plays at a variety of live music venues throughout the Panhandle. Contact Andy at 376-7918.

Please Join Us!

Hope Choice Pregnancy Centers & Mentoring Programs Annual Banquet The Host Committee, Board of Directors, and Staff of Hope Choice Pregnancy Centers & Mentoring Programs request the pleasure of your company, as our guests, for dinner on

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

6:30pm

Doors open at 6:00pm

Amarillo Civic Center, Heritage Room "Like

arrows in the hand of a warrior , so are the children of one's youth."

Psalm 127:4

Please RSVP at hopechoice.com, at 806-354-2288, or by scanning the the QR code

Reality Check

Need more time in the day? Go on a device diet

A

s we enter the 2020s, mobile phones increasingly dominate our daily lives. Some of us older folks still use them to make calls, but more often we are sending and receiving texts, emails, Facebook messages and Snapchats.

Or we’re looking at photos and videos on Instagram and YouTube.

And Facebook. And Snapchat.

Or we’re watching full movies and television series on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Apple TV+, or Disney+.

Or we’re catching live sports on several of the above, plus ESPN, NFL Network, or one of many other apps I’m not hip enough to know about.

Some call it an addiction, or even an epidemic. I don’t know if I believe all of that, though I will admit that kids who can operate a cellphone better than I do may have a different experience by the time they’re in their thirties.

I decided that I needed to limit my time on these devices and apps.

And I feel like I’ve been more productive as a result.

The Internet is littered – ironically – with articles and blog posts about how to limit one’s time on social media and consuming visual entertainment. But I never paid much attention, sure I was not frittering away all my time on my “device.”

Then Apple, perhaps to help combat this wasting of hours, introduced the Screen Time feature on its iPhones.

I still didn’t pay much attention, until I started trying to balance more plates. And as my commitments grew, my free time shrunk.

Or did it?

When looking ahead at how I could get everything done and still sleep, I thought about the entertainment hours I could cut.

I could not stop reading new books. In fact, I needed to make time to read more.

Cutting television and movie viewing was the first logical choice.

But how much time would that really save me every day?

The report was not flattering. I had, on average, three hours of visual entertainment I could cut. And as I dug deeper, a bigger problem emerged: social networking.

All the time mindlessly scrolling through social media was adding up. Adding up, on some days, to more than four hours on my phone consuming memes and status updates and reading pointless arguments.

The truth was stunning. On some days, I was spending an entire workday on my phone getting nothing done. There is a section on the Screen Time app for “productivity,” but it was the smallest bar on the graph. By far.

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As a first step to limiting my time on social media and television/ movies, I borrowed a trick from my struggles with overeating.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Keeping my phone in a different area while working helped immediately. If the phone wasn’t in my pocket, constantly buzzing and asking to be checked, I didn’t.

Of course, the distractions offered by the phone are also available on the Internet via my laptop. (If I used a tablet, the same would apply.)

And when I began finding my browser open to Twitter or Facebook or Amazon Prime, I realized I’d have to take it a step further.

It took a few minutes, but I eventually figured out how to turn off the internet on the Wi-Fi for my computer. (Yes, it is possible.)

Without instant access to the Internet or my cellphone’s data, I was cut off from the distractions.

I could turn the wireless capability back on and retrieve my phone from its hiding place, obviously. But trying it out, even for a few hours, was liberating. In those three hours, I could write or edit or do whatever work needed to be done noticeably faster.

Next up was creating a schedule. I considered going eight straight hours cut off from the digital world, but two things occurred to me.

First, my cellphone is the best way to reach me for emergencies. The thought of an eight-hour delay from getting such news was unsettling.

Also, I’ve gone eight hours straight with no breaks, and it’s not conducive to producing quality work, no matter what field you’re in.

So I now take a 15-minute break in the morning and the afternoon, and a longer lunch around midday, with no more than three hours between them.

And its only during these breaks that I check social media on my phone or computer. I try to adhere to this schedule even on the weekends, with moderate success.

I indulge a bit in the evenings, but I now find it easier to reach for a book – even if it’s on the Kindle app on my phone – rather than the endless scroll of social media.

By the time you read this, it’ll have been about three months since I went on my device diet. I highly recommend it to anyone who feels like they need more hours in the day.

RICK TREON Rick is an award-winning suspense novelist and former managing editor of the Amarillo Globe-News. His debut novel, “Deep Background,” is available in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook on Amazon.com. Learn more at ricktreon.com.

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@JANEYS2500 FEBRUARY 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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Home

February

Blooms C

PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

ut flowers are the most common gift on Valentine’s Day, and almost everyone loves to receive a bouquet of roses. But roses don’t last. They’ll be gone by March. If giving flowers serves as a reminder of one’s love, then why give flowers you’ll have to throw out in a few days’ time?

The experts at Avant Garden, a locally owned flower shop in Wolflin Square, recommend giving orchids as a Valentine gift. “I love them because they’re timeless and elegant,” says Avant Garden designer and event planner Sharayah Loftin. She’s kept an orchid at her home for three years now. “Once you learn how to properly take care of them, they keep coming back and can live for a very long time.”

Exotic and graceful, orchids have a reputation for being a bit finicky. Loftin says that reputation is undeserved. “Like with any plant, you just have to know how to take care of it. A lot of people just don’t have the information to take care of them.”

So we asked her to provide that information. Here are Loftin’s tips to ensure a long-lasting relationship with your colorful orchid.

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Supplies

Kiwi vine or curly willow, sharp knife, clippers, scissors, clear container, sheet moss, river rocks, adhesive strips

Potting Though orchids are often sold in an opaque container, Loftin recommends repotting them in a clear vase. The ability to see moisture and condensation offers a significant advantage when it comes to watering (keep reading). Use fast-draining soil that offers plenty of drainage. A moss-based soil will retain more water and allow you to wait longer between waterings. Bark-based soils drain quickly and will need to be watered more frequently.

Begin with a layer of river rocks to aid with drainage.

Wrap orchid with sheet moss to secure inside container.

Fill in with extra pieces of moss to steady the orchid.

FEBRUARY 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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Use adhesive strips to attach the stem to an anchoring branch; conceal with sheet moss.

Clip vines and place in container where it pleases your eye.

Join together with adhesive strips; conceal with sheet moss.

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Placement Your orchid should be kept indoors at room temperature (60 to 75 degrees is optimal). “The main thing is putting your orchid in a place where it’s going to thrive and not moving it around too much,” Loftin says. “Plants don’t really like to be shuttled around, so wherever you put it, if it’s happy, just leave it there and let it have its life cycle.”

Choose a warm window that offers plenty of indirect sunlight, like a south- or east-facing window. Too little light will impact its flowering, but too much can cause its leaves to scorch. Most of all, avoid locations near air vents or drafty windows. “Plants just don’t like that,” she says.

Watering Overwatering leads to root rot and is the fastest way to kill an orchid. Loftin recommends an initial watering of three ounces, then let the soil dry out for a few days before watering again. Always check the soil to see if it needs moisture. If it’s not potted in a glass container, stick a long toothpick into the soil about an inch deep, then remove it. If the toothpick comes up dry, it’s time to water.

Orchids prefer humidity, so in especially dry climates like ours, she also recommends misting it every day. Distilled water works best to avoid leaving a hard-water film on the container, plant or soil.

Maintenance Orchids can live for years, but will experience a dormant period of six to nine months after the initial bloom. Be patient, and don’t let this cycle worry you. After a year or two, orchids may need to be repotted with fresh soil to provide them a new batch of nutrients. Loftin suggests fertilizing on a regular basis (weekly or monthly depending on the type of orchid) with a balanced 20-20-20 house plant fertilizer.

After a bloom has dried, prune the stem by cutting the old flower spike near the base of the stem. “Rarely will an orchid bloom from the same stem,” she says.

Also, don’t be alarmed by the growth of an orchid’s root system. “They have a really interesting root system and the roots like to come out of the ground or the vase,” Loftin says. “Orchids really love that. It’s how they absorb a lot of the oxygen. People see that and they want to clip the root off or tuck it back in.” Don’t touch those aerial roots. Just leave them alone and let your orchid do its thing.

FEBRUARY 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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Simple, understated classic

MODEL: CARLY STEWART

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Cover Story

Reimagined T

he Salon by Lora Brown inspires with a variety of short and longer bob hairstyles, shot on location at Route 66 Vintage Autohaus. Whether you have straight or wavy hair, thick or thin, the bob is the perfect update for spring.

HAIRSTYLES BY THE SALON BY LORA BROWN MAKEUP BY KIM WOOD PHOTOS BY CRAIG STIDHAM, COURTESY OF LORA BROWN SPECIAL THANKS TO ROUTE 66 VINTAGE AUTOHAUS FOR THE PHOTO SHOOT LOCATION

FEBRUARY 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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MODEL: NANCY ALLEN HAIR BY LORA BROWN

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Wearable texture shows some muscle

MODEL: MOLLY DAVIS HAIR BY SARAH LYONS CLOTHING COURTESY OF VAUGHAN’S

FEBRUARY 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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All dressed up and ready to cruise ...

MODEL: MADISON ANTONUCCI HAIR BY RAYLYNN CRUZ

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MODEL: KRISTI ARAGON HAIR BY SANDRA TORRES CLOTHING COURTESY OF DOTSY’S BOUTIQUE

FEBRUARY 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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MODEL: MADISON ANTONUCCI HAIR BY RAYLYNN CRUZ

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MODEL: NANCY ALLEN HAIR BY LORA BROWN JEWELRY BY GRAHAM BROTHERS JEWELRY

Plenty of girl power to hit the road in style

FEBRUARY 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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Doing Amarillo in Style: Lora Brown

By Jonathan Baker

ora Brown has been doing hair for going on 35 years – since she was 17, starting with a cosmetology course she took at Amarillo High School. After honing her craft around town, she opened her own salon 22 years ago. “I always knew I wanted to own my own business,” she says. “My father was an attorney, and my mother used to own Dutch Girl Cleaners in town; I come from a family of business owners.”

Over the years, Lora’s business has become known as one of the premium salons in West Texas. She has brought world-renowned hair experts to the Panhandle, offering her stylists the chance to benefit from world-class training. Most recently, Brown brought in famed stylist Adam Livermore, who represents the Oribe Hair Care Education Team.

“Oribe himself is a famous hairdresser. As a matter of fact, he passed away last year,” explains Brown. “He was a hairdresser from Cuba, and owned his own salon, and his main focus was iconic stars. We went to visit him in Florida, at a hair show, and he was flying to Texas the next day to do Mariah Carey’s hair! He was one of the first hairdressers who traveled and styled the big one-name models like Naomi [Campbell]. Then he started his own hair-care company, a luxury line. The Oribe representatives had to come here to give their approval to put his products in my salon.”

Once Lora Brown’s salon was approved to sell Oribe – it’s the only such salon in Amarillo, in fact – Brown began periodically requesting educators for her salon. “This will be the fourth time that I’ve had an educator come in,” she explains. And Adam Livermore’s credentials are definitely impressive. Livermore has showcased his skills on runways in Paris, Milan, and New York, and his hairstyles have graced the pages of Vanity Fair. He has styled the hair of numerous fashion and celebrity icons, including Tilda Swinton, Molly Sims, Jake Gyllenhaal, Meg Ryan and Cher. “The team at The Salon by Lora Brown is incredible,” says Livermore. “Their level of passion for style and creativity is off the charts.

They’re bringing an A-list vibe and experience to Amarillo, and it’s so cool! It was really exciting to watch them work on the Amarillo Magazine feature.”

For the photo shoot, Lora’s stylists first created vision boards of three different looks on one model. They then connected with other local businesses for clothing and jewelry. Lora and her team prepped and researched for four months.

In the past, Lora’s team has remained in the salon for training, but this year Brown chose a special off-site location for the training and photo shoot: Route 66 Vintage Autohaus, co-owned by her husband, Lloyd. “I’ve always loved cars; I drive a Camaro SS1 and I just wanted to do something a little different. I allowed my stylists to plan their own looks, and I solicited their thoughts on the classic bob. Then, I moved my cutting chairs and equipment and set everything up in the front room [of the Route 66 Autohaus], to have our cutting class there. I decided on Route 66 due to its ‘cool’ factor. It’s important to me to promote education for my team in a new way, so they can express themselves as individuals. Route 66 was just the right venue.”

Brown considers the teaching aspect of her salon to be one of its most important aspects. “Education is a must for us. It’s like fuel for your car – without it you don’t get very far. You have to fuel your passion to stay in front of the race.”

Plus, Brown makes sure to support local businesses in every way she can. “I love to cross-market in Amarillo because it’s all about local businesses supporting other local businesses. We’ve always brought in clothing and jewelry from local boutiques and Graham Brothers.”

When it comes to her overarching goal for her business, Lora Brown is clear: “Having grown up here, I’m trying to promote the talent in Amarillo. Our city is full of surprises and we love to celebrate that.”

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Polished and feminine with all the right curves

MODEL: NANCY ALLEN HAIR BY LORA BROWN

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The Art of Renewal How Amarillo is revitalizing its neighborhoods through the power of art

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By Jonathan Baker

ver the past year or so, you might have heard locals talking about old neighborhoods in new ways. There’s a revival in the works, a renewed sense of urgency in North Heights and the Barrio. And much of that energy can be traced to a few events: art shows, to be more precise, celebrating the history and vitality of these all-too-often forgotten neighborhoods, places where history tends to be maintained orally rather than being written down. Through the power of art, Amarillo is coming to know its past again. But those memories look different than they had before – they’re now filtered through canvases and cameras, through ideas and imagery rather than brick and mortar. And the passionate citizens behind these art shows say they’re just getting started.

Saving history

In the summer of 2018 Jason Boyett, host of the “Hey Amarillo” podcast (and a writer for this magazine), received a call from Melynn Huntley, a talented local artist who also happens to be the election administrator for Potter County. Huntley had noticed a number of buildings that had fallen into disrepair in one of the city’s most historic

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neighborhoods, and she had an idea for a way to help the North Heights hold on to its history.

During that initial conversation, Huntley told Boyett that she believed Amarillo was moving in a good direction with the North Heights neighborhood plan. At that time, a similar neighborhood plan was in the works for the Barrio neighborhood, and Huntley had recently had some discussions with people living in North Heights who feared they might lose those historical buildings – and the stories that went along with them.

“There were buildings that had been the homes of some of the community’s leaders back in the 1920s and 1930s,” says Boyett. “[Those buildings] had been hotels where Louie Armstrong and Duke Ellington stayed, places that had legit stories, and now they had become these rundown houses. Ownership had passed to other people, there was a lot of blight in that neighborhood, and we were losing the buildings.”

One major issue: There were few written accounts of the neighborhood’s past; much of the history of the North Heights neighborhood had been passed down through stories told by families and residents. “We were losing the stories themselves,” recalls Boyett.

PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

Feature

PROVIDED PHOTOS

“And so Melynn’s idea was that we – we meaning the city – although it was spurred by Melynn as a citizen, that we host an art contest to celebrate that neighborhood, and that imparted a chance to tell a story of those buildings through art.” Melynn says that she, too, recalls hearing about places where Duke Ellington and Count Basie once stayed, homes whose rich history had faded. It was these very stories that spurred her to create the art show.

Boyett – long a champion of the city’s forgotten history and citizens – thought it was a fantastic idea. He helped Huntley gather a team, soon garnering the support of a number of the storied neighborhood’s most important citizens. “We worked with a few residents like Alphonso Vaughn, people who were connected to that neighborhood, who knew its history,” remembers Boyett. “Some of the elders of the African-American population there, they put together a list of locations they thought were significant.

And then we did some research on what made those locations special, what were the stories we were trying to hold onto.”

One of the most important early backers of the idea was Mildred Darton, president of the North Heights Advisory Association. Darton is beloved in North Heights, for her blend of outspoken good humor and deep passion for the neighborhood. “I loved the idea,” Darton says. “In this neighborhood, it’s hard to get people excited about anything.

They’ve been beaten down so much. But people seemed excited about this.”

Soon, the team behind the burgeoning art-show concept published a list of culturally valuable North Heights locations. “You know,” says Boyett, “just a paragraph of their histories and why we chose them.” They then disseminated those histories within Amarillo’s art community, asking local artists to create pieces inspired by the stories. They received around 20 entries, and immediately set to work planning a show to be held within the North Heights community. That show occurred in January 2019 at the United Citizens Forum on Hayden Street, and it was a smashing success – proving that Amarilloans had been itching for a chance to celebrate the rich heritage of a neighborhood that had been all too often shunted to the side or forgotten altogether.

That North Heights show featured a healthy portion of work from local students, as well as pieces from prominent local artists. Mayor Ginger Nelson, a well-regarded artist in the Amarillo community, even contributed a painting. “We put all the paintings up for sale,” says Boyett, “and we gave awards. Two or three hundred people came out to look at the art at that first reception. Those same people bought their favorite paintings, and the event raised a significant amount of money for the North Heights community. [Plus], it helped tell the story for that community, and it introduced that neighborhood to people who weren’t super familiar with the neighborhood. We were actually bringing people to the North Heights to learn about its history, people who maybe didn’t know any of that.”

When that first show was finished, a lot of positive things ARTWORK FROM THE NORTH HEIGHTS ART SHOW

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BALLET FOLKLORICO FROM GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY

started to happen. A movement began. “After that initial show,” says Boyett, “we did a second showing of the pieces at Sunset Center. It was one of their biggest First Fridays of the year – it was super successful.”

Mildred Darton says she saw a change in the neighborhood after those two art shows. People seemed to have a bit more hope, more pride. It was a little thing, but it was noticeable.

What’s more, the success of those North Heights shows led to another idea.

Barrio Rising

The North Heights art initiative had succeeded beyond the wildest dreams of Melynn Huntley and the other organizers, bringing a good deal of much-needed attention to the historic neighborhood. Now, Huntley started to think: What’s next?

Jason Boyett recalls the excited conversations that followed. “So we thought, well, the Barrio is working on their neighborhood plan. That’s another community that meets a lot of the same criteria as the North Heights: They have a lot of strong history, they have some families that have lived all their lives there, they have some buildings that are reflective of that history – and at the same time, we’re losing some of those stories.”

And those conditions led to the idea for last month’s art show in the Barrio. Just like with the North Heights, the team – now aided by some of the Barrio’s most well-respected leaders – compiled a list of important locations in the neighborhood, focusing – as Huntley puts it – on businesses and people that have been part of that community, and telling their stories.

Likely because of momentum from the North Heights venture, the Barrio show received more than double the response of the earlier show, amassing 55 submissions from across the city. The showcase proved another rousing win for Amarillo’s art community – and for another neighborhood that, while steeped in history and tradition, is often left out of the city’s larger conversation.

The show – a three-day event – was held Jan. 16-18, at the Wesley Community Center. Once again, the event proved a major success.

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Teresa Kenedy, president of the Barrio Neighborhood Planning Committee, was a vital member of the planning team for the show; she says the committee worked closely together to plan the exhibition.

“We added new ideas, such as a historical site bus tour of 10 sites. The committee also produced a colorful art show booklet with photos of the art pieces, plus a history of each artist and a short story of their art work. We had the Wesley Community Center after-school children design their own artwork to sell on Jan. 18, and a Caprock High School art student did a live painting on Jan 18.” The proceeds from the show benefited the 10th Avenue Lighting Project, which includes ADA accessible sidewalks, trees, bus stop benches, and decorative lighting from Garfield to Ross Streets.

Kenedy believes the importance of the art shows can’t be underestimated. “It’s essential to share these stories with current and future generations in order to see the pride, hard work, and resourcefulness from our past and present residents and leaders, and the history of these historical sites.”

Shawn Kennedy, an art teacher at Caprock High School, says his students loved learning about the Barrio by creating pieces for the show. “I think it’s vital for my students to get involved on the civic level to learn how they can contribute,” says Kennedy. “The Barrio Arts Project is an excellent way for my students to learn more about the history, people and places in their neighborhood. It’s also a good experience for them to showcase their work in local venues alongside other professional artists and acquire some skills in the business aspect of art-making. Even better, 50% of the students’ profits from work sold at the show went back into the Barrio community, to assist with revitalization.”

“What I’m interested in,” says Boyett, “is the history part of it. Being in a position where I write about the significance of those locations has allowed me to learn a lot more about the people who live there, and their histories. For me, that’s been hard work. And it’s also been the most fulfilling part of it, telling a story of Amarillo that doesn’t always get told. We think about Amarillo and we hear about [Henry] Sanborn (Amarillo’s founder), and [Joseph] Glidden (Sanborn’s partner), and

JASON BOYETT AND MELYNN HUNTLEY

ARTWORK FROM THE RECENT BARRIO ART SHOW

about Stanley [Marsh 3], and about some of these prominent ranching families, that established the city. But specifically with the Barrio, we don’t always hear about the Mexican immigrants that the railroad companies brought in – and these were some of the first residents of Amarillo! They were literally building the paths to get into and out of the city. So people came to Amarillo because of a largely Hispanic population that was laying railroad tracks, and that [Barrio] culture is as central to who this city is, as the ranching and agriculture.”

The team behind the Barrio show grew excited as they began to identify important restaurants and other sites within the square mile that makes up the Barrio. This research has proven an integral part of fostering the creative process. “We say, look this is why [this place] is significant to the city,” says Boyett. “We give people that information to stir something creative, whether it’s a painting or a photograph. You know, it’s really been interesting, there are places that I’ve never heard about, stories I’ve never heard about – and I feel like I’m really tuned into Amarillo’s history.”

Shawn Kennedy raves about the shows, insisting the exhibitions create new ways for students to explore the city – and perhaps encourage them to plant permanent roots after graduation. “We have unique leadership at City Hall that is actively pursuing ways to better the Yellow City through the Arts,” he says. “With projects like North Heights and the Barrio Arts Project, I would hope we would continue to investigate and proliferate the history of other important areas in Amarillo through art shows. There are so many different ways to interpret history and celebrate our past, when you explore them creatively. People who feel connected to where they live are more likely to volunteer, give back, and contribute to build a better community.”

Both Huntley and Boyett were particularly enthralled by one particular area of Barrio history that has largely been forgotten – but has now been resurrected through the power of art. “We used to have a big park,” says Boyett, “near where T-Anchor Lake is, that before 1920 was a really popular destination. There was a horse track, there were boat rentals – and all this stuff right in the middle of the Barrio …

Glenwood Electric Park is [another] one of the coolest stories; it was on the edge of the Barrio, over near Llano cemetery.”

“In the early twentieth century,” adds Huntley, “that was the place everybody in the Panhandle went for amusement, for entertainment, because it was the one place that had electric lights. At that time, none of the homes had electricity. So, there was this big carousel, and a roller coaster, and a racetrack … it attracted people from all over the city. And it was just out in the middle of nowhere!” Huntley laughs when recalling an advertisement for the park from those early days.

The ad read simply: Something to do. “That was all they had to say!” says Huntley. “That it was something to do!”

Today, no sign remains of the Glenwood Electric Park. “There’s nothing out there,” laments Boyett. “There’s an apartment building on top of [where it was], and nobody knows about it. So there are things like this, big parts of the city we don’t know about. We kind of lost that history.” Indeed, the park only existed for about nine years. But it, too, lives on in the art produced for the Barrio show.

What’s Next?

As goodwill continues to circulate through the Barrio in the wake of last month’s show, planners have set their sights on a number of potential neighborhoods that could use some attention.

“Quietly,” says Boyett, “we’ve been talking about the San Jacinto neighborhood being the next one, that’s also one with a neighborhood plan in the works. You know, being able to talk about the history of Route 66 passing through there, and some of those buildings, there’s such great architecture in that area, so we don’t have any concrete plans, but when we do another one I’d imagine that would be it. There’s also been talk of doing one in the Eastridge area.”

Huntley adds that there has been talk of doing a show for virtually every historic neighborhood in the city. Whatever the team decides, there’s no question that the work so far has had a huge impact, stirring conversation and romantic notions, and shining a new light on some of the city’s most valuable – and most neglected – locations.

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What’s Cooking

A BARISTA’S GUIDE TO BETTER BREWING

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sk any barista. Better yet, ask any serious coffee drinker. They’ll readily tell you the old standby automatic-drip coffee machines are not, in fact, the best way to brew coffee. Sure, they’re convenient and familiar – they’re how many adults grew up drinking coffee – but they offer too little control over variables like water temperature, flow and heat. As a result, these methods fail to bring out the unique flavors of a coffee bean. And don’t even get a true connoisseur started on the problems associated with ubiquitous disposable-cup brewing machines.

To learn a few barista-recommended ways to brew coffee at home, we spoke to Robert Auth, director of retail at Palace Coffee. Alongside Palace owner and founder Patrick Burns, Auth walked us through the process of using four different methods to prepare a cup of the Ethiopia Aricha coffee sold at Palace. Throughout the process, Auth used an Acaia Pearl Digital Scale to track all brew times, weights and volumes.

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MEDIUM-FINE GRIND

FELLOW GOOSENECK POUR-OVER KETTLE

PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

MEDIUM GRIND

ACAIA PEARL DIGITAL SCALE COURSE GRIND

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CHEMEX “This is a good option for anyone who likes more delicate coffees,” Auth says of this threecup glass container, which gives the pour-over process a bit of a science-experiment vibe.

“With the cone filter, you’re able to extract a little bit more of the brighter side of coffee.”

The Chemex was invented in 1941 by a German chemist, explains Patrick Burns. “He wanted to use his chemistry knowledge of glass to create a perfect brewer. The triplebonded filter allows more flavors to disperse.

You start to taste the intricacies of the coffee itself.” Burns says Chemex is ideal for lighter roast and single-origin coffees, especially “sweeter or more floral coffees,” as he describes them. This produces a cleaner cup because the water flows directly to the coffee grounds without hindrance.

Using a gooseneck pour-over kettle made

by Fellow – which gives Auth full control over the water’s flow rate – he heats the water to around 200 degrees. As Auth prepares, Patrick Burns explains the importance of water temperature. “Temperature changes the solubility of the coffee. Lighter-roast coffee wants a higher temperature water.”

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Time to brew: 3 minutes, 45 seconds Ingredients: 17 grams of coffee, 272 milliliters of water (17:1 ratio) Grind size: Medium-fine (“This was ground on a 12 using our Guatemalan grinder, but grind size is hard to translate,” Auth says. “All grinders are different depending on where they’re manufactured.”)

Instructions: First, rinse the filter (1). Any time Auth uses a filter, he rinses it first to remove any dust buildup or stale paper flavors, which can impact the coffee’s taste. “This also serves to heat up the vessel itself. Being glass, it’s easy to heat it up. It primes it for brewing,” Auth says.

Initially pour 54 milliliters of water for the coffee “bloom” – the discharge of carbon dioxide, which initiates the brewing process. Let that sit for around 35 seconds. “I also give a gentle top stir with a swizzle spoon to add some turbulence (2), to make sure everything is evenly saturated,” says Auth.

Then add a little more water to reach 108 milliliters. “I pour moving in a circle around the brew bed, then back to the middle. This agitates the brew bed in the most even way possible,” he says.

The method of adding water in phases is known as pulse-pouring. “You’re setting it up in stages and letting the coffee extract,” he says.

Another pour should bring the volume to 162 milliliters (3). “Let that sit awhile,” Auth says. “This is when the aroma really begins to hit. With this Ethiopian coffee, it’s really fruity – almost floral.

Strawberry comes through a lot.”

Then add more water to reach 216 milliliters. The next pour is the last, up to 272 milliliters. “With the Chemex, particularly, it requires a bit more attention, thought and concentration,” Auth says.

After the last of the water has been added, give one more gentle top stir (4), then just let it drip.

“At the end of the brewing process I give it a gentle swirl. It extracts in states, so this mixes it all together,” he says.

Auth has a six-cup Chemex at home and tends to use it to prepare coffee on weekends, when he has more time available.

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Time to brew: 3 minutes, 30 seconds

AEROPRESS Requiring a little less care, this method travels much better than a Chemex and, for many coffee aficionados, is one of the most convenient ways to prepare high-quality coffee. The AeroPress device is relatively new, invented in 2005 by Alan Adler, inventor of the Aerobie flying disc. “It’s the only coffee product the company makes,” says Burns. “He wanted to use his knowledge of molded plastics to make a fast, compact coffee technique.”

Auth loves the versatility of this three-piece method and says this is the one he is most likely to use on a busy weekday morning. “It’s very versatile,” he says. “The hard plastic is less likely to break than the glass Chemex, and it’s more of a set-up-and-go type deal.”

Being a full-immersion brew – the coffee steeps like a tea – it also doesn’t require a careful flow rate or specialty kettle. As a result, the taste is a little less delicate than Chemex and the coffee a little cloudier, with more coffee solubles in the finished product.

Ingredients: 18 grams of coffee, 240 milliliters of water (13:1 ratio) Grind size: Medium-fine (ground on a 12 setting) Instructions: An AeroPress requires a specialty filter, and as with Chemex, rinse the filter or filters first (1). “My preference is to use two filters to keep as much of the natural oil out of the cup, so it’s a cleaner cup,” says Auth. By letting the heated water drip through the filter, you also warm up the vessel. “If you brew into a really cold vessel, it might shock the coffee and cause it not to retain the heat as long,” he says.

Upon adding the coffee to the filter, level out the grounds before brewing (2). Start your timer, then pour the water onto it. “Pour really hard and heavy in the first stage, before it starts the bloom cycle (3),” Auth says. He begins by pouring 85 milliliters to initiate the brewing process.

AeroPress ships with a branded stir “paddle,” which Auth uses to give a gentle stir and evenly saturate the grounds (4).

After a few seconds, he adds the rest of the water up to 240 milliliters. After this, “there’s really no technique,” he says. “Just add all the water and let it steep. Put the plunger on top, then pull back a little to make an even seal. Then, let it brew (5).”

The seal creates a vacuum for the immersion brew. After two minutes have passed, push the plunger down to complete the brewing process (6). “If there’s too much resistance, your coffee grounds may be too fine,” Auth says. “If it’s too easy, your coffee is too coarse. Shoot to plunge for around 15 seconds, as slowly and consistently as possible with an even amount of pressure.

When you hear a light hissing sound, that’s the release of the pressure and the end of your brewing process.”

Auth says this is one of his favorite brew methods. “The cleaning process is easy. It’s easy to store if you’re traveling. It’s quicker in contrast to the Chemex – I don’t have to stand here and watch the entire time. Just fill it, cap it and walk away,” he says. “If you’re at home you can continue your morning routine [while it brews].”

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STAGG POUR-OVER DRIPPER On a spectrum, with the delicate extraction of a Chemex brewer on one side and the convenience of an AeroPress on the other side, a pour-over dripper lies right in the middle. The Stagg dripper, produced

by Fellow, is a flatbed brewer that creates a clean-tasting cup of coffee by slowly pouring water over a bed of coffee grounds, which is then collected directly in a carafe or cup.

Though the method results in coffee not quite as clear and crisp as a Chemex, “it’s still clean and easy to detect the flavor notes,” says Auth.

“You get a little bit more robust flavor.” While the Chemex might be ideal for coffee with fruitier tasting notes, the Stagg is ideal for coffee with more chocolate or nutty flavors like Palace’s Columbia or Monarch blend.

“This one is a little easier if you’re more into traditional coffees,” says Auth. Also, the insulated body of the dripper helps retain heat better.

Time to brew: 3 minutes, 40 seconds Ingredients: 29 grams of coffee, 470 milliliters of water (16:1 ratio) Grind size: Medium (ground on a 14 setting)

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Instructions: Set the dripper on a coffee mug or decanter large enough to handle the volume of liquid. The rubber gasket will help prevent slippage.

The Stagg uses specialty paper filters. Rinse the filter to remove any impurities and preheat the collecting vessel, then rinse the vessel. “When you pour, make sure to let the water creep its way up the paper filter, washing out any impurities you don’t want to taste (1),” says Auth.

A funnel is provided with the Stagg, so set it directly on top of the filter to allow the coffee grounds to land directly on the bottom of the filter, as evenly as possible (2). Be careful to keep the brew bed even, preventing the grounds from building up too much in one spot. This may result in uneven extraction.

To start the brewing process, pour the first 60 milliliters of preheated water for around 40 seconds (3). “Make a circle motion, going back toward the middle to fill it up,” Auth directs. Like the Chemex, the Stagg requires pulse-pouring. “The flow rate for introducing the water is more important for this method. You don’t want to add too much water all at once and brew too quickly. You don’t want to go too slow either. This requires more attention than the AeroPress.”

After the bloom, pour again to 150 milliliters, working in a circle as you control the flow rate. Let that amount of water sit for around 15 seconds.

“With these kinds of filters, the coffee does like to get stuck in the little folds, so pour gently over the folds to disrupt that process,” Auth says.

Pour again to 250 milliliters and let it sit for 15 seconds. At 1:50 on your timer, pour again to 350 milliliters. The filter will begin filling up. “That’s OK,” Auth explains. “Just don’t let it go over the top, or the water will rush down the side of the brewing device. If that does happen, your grind size might be too fine because the water isn’t passing through as quickly as it should.”

Use a gentle top stir to make sure everything is evenly saturated and make sure the brew bed remains as flat as possible (4). Once you pour the rest of the water, you should finish up around 3 minutes and 40 seconds.

CLEVER DRIPPER Like the AeroPress or a traditional French press, the Clever Dripper produces an immersion brew which allows the coffee to extract all at once rather than relying on water to flow through grounds. Made by Prima Coffee Equipment, this plastic brewer relies on a standard No. 4 coffee filter, available at most grocery stores.

Notably, Palace proprietor Burns says this is the method he prefers at home. “It’s like a French press in that it just sits there,” he says.

“Just put your coffee in there, and two or three minutes later let it drip into your cup. It’s super simple.”

The Clever works similarly to the Stagg, but has a plunger mechanism at the bottom.

When activated, the plunger opens up and allows the water to flow through into a decanter or mug. It works similarly to the AeroPress but without creating a vacuum.

Time to brew: 3 minutes, 15 seconds Ingredients: 18 grams of coffee, 288 milliliters of water (16:1 ratio) Grind size: Coarse (ground on a 16 setting) Instructions: Like with every brew method, rinse the filter – including the sides – with hot water (1). To begin, Auth recommends pouring “hard and heavy” in an oval shape, adding all the water with a single pour.

Using a swizzle spoon, perform a gentle top stir to help with extraction (2). After letting the water sit with the coffee grounds for around two minutes, start the extraction process by setting the Clever on a mug or decanter (3). The water built up at the bottom will release first but it will continue to extract as the coffee drains into the vessel.

“It extracts for a little longer than a minute,” Auth says. The fact that pulse-pouring isn’t necessary with the Clever is one of its distinct at-home advantages. “Just like the AeroPress, this is a good method for brewing in the morning if you don’t have time to really sit and watch it. It’s very convenient. It’s really easy to use.”

Burns says it offers a very consistent method of preparing coffee. “You might be able to get a better cup using Chemex, because you have more control over variability,” he says. “But you can also make a worse cup with Chemex by not paying attention or getting distracted as you add the water. I like consistency.”

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Coffee isn’t “strong” or “weak”

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hile most who grew up drinking coffee from an automatic-drip coffee machine might use words like “strong” or “weak” to describe the flavor of coffee, that’s not something you’ll hear often from the baristas at Palace. Instead, they speak of brew ratios, the delicacy or cleanness of a cup, or its tasting notes.

To an expert, “strong coffee” is simply a statement on the grounds-to-water brew ratio. Dark-roasted coffee means the beans have been roasted long enough to produce a smoky, bitter flavor – a taste familiar to those who grew up on Folger’s but less interesting to those seeking the distinct, occasionally fruity flavors of coffee beans.

In fact, more accurate coffee adjectives might be sweetness or bitterness. “Anytime we’re brewing coffee or espresso, it’s a balance between sweetness or bitterness in the cup. That’s the language we use to describe its taste or its body. How acidic is it?” explains Auth.

For that reason, Palace categorizes the coffee it roasts by color-coded styles: Adventurous, Delicate, Approachable or Vibrant.

“Our coffees are constantly changing due to the green coffees that are coming in, so we have a color-coded category system to differentiate between all the single-origin coffees and our Monarch blend,” he says. “It helps guests have an easier time navigating which coffees they want.”

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Let’s Eat!

Restaurants • Food • Spirits

Moondoggy’s Pizza and Pub

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ith two convenient locations, great daily Happy Hour specials, fun interactive events, live music, and solid cuisine, Moondoggy’s has become one of the city’s most popular hangouts.

Locals love The Alpha Dog, a classic with pepperoni, Italian sausage, hamburger, onions, green peppers and black olives. But there’s more than pizza on the menu at Moondoggy’s. We recommend the Moondoggy meatballs, savory chicken wings, and Pasta Your Way. (Choose the rich and creamy alfredo sauce!)

Enjoy Happy Hour specials every Tuesday through Friday from 2-7 p.m., and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Moondoggy’s also offers live music on the weekends (Friday or Saturday evening). Check the pub’s Facebook pages for events and updates.

626 S. Polk St., 350.1400 3723 SW 58th St., 367.7538 moondoggys-pizza-and-pub.business.site

PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

Open Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

PRICING GUIDE $ most entrees less than $10 $$ most entrees $11 to $20 $$$ most entrees more than $21 NEW New to Let’s Eat! UPDATE

Updated entry

THE LET’S EAT! GUIDE IS A READER SERVICE COMPILED BY THE AMARILLO MAGAZINE EDITORIAL STAFF. THE MAGAZINE DOES NOT ACCEPT ADVERTISING OR OTHER COMPENSATION IN EXCHANGE FOR A LISTING. THE GUIDE IS UPDATED REGULARLY. TO CORRECT A LISTING OR RECOMMEND A RESTAURANT FOR CONSIDERATION, CONTACT MICHELE MCAFFREY AT MMCAFFREY@AMARILLO.COM.

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Amarillo 1887 SOCIAL HOUSE

Located inside Embassy Suites Downtown, 1887 is open for lunch and dinner. Start your meal with something from the small bites menu, and move on to a hearty steak. Relax in the spacious lobby with an after-dinner drink. 550 S. Buchanan St., 803.5500 $$

ABUELO’S

The authentic atmosphere and generous portions make for an enjoyable lunch or fun evening out. If you’re stumped by all the choices, try the Enchiladas de Cozumel, three crepes filled with guacamole and topped with bountiful seafood, fresh spinach and roasted peppers. As a rule, always get the queso. 3501 W. 45th Ave., 354.8294, abuelos.com $$

ASIAN BUFFET

You’ll find a large sushi bar, a gleaming Mongolian grill, and plenty of Asian entrees, sides, and desserts at this busy buffet restaurant. If buffets don’t suit you, order off the menu, or take your order to-go.

Outstanding service and cleanliness set this establishment apart. 3347 Bell St., 803.9588 $

BELMAR BAKERY & CAFE

Open since 1965, Belmar is an Amarillo tradition. Loyal customers abound and each one has a favorite treat they return for again and again (we’re big fans of the thumb print cookies). The cafe offers a cozy place to meet for early morning coffee and pastries or tasty lunch with friends. 3325 Bell St., 355.0141, belmarbakery.com $

BLUE SKY TEXAS

Blue Sky’s burgers and homemade fries are the perfect companions to a Lone Star Beer or an Oreo shake. Be prepared to share the one-size-feeds-a-lot cheese fries. 4201 I-40 West, 355.8100 / 5060 S. Coulter St., 322.3888, blueskytexas.com $$

BOMB CITY KITCHEN

Specializing in meal-prep orders (Keto Diet also available), Bomb City also offers items from its storefront, along with desserts, whole or by the slice, and coffee drinks.

Order meals to pick up or stop by for breakfast and lunch items from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner from 3-7 p.m.

5120 S. Western St., 418.6749 $$

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BRACEROS MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA

Traditional Mexican food, a colorful bar area and live music keep this Route 66 eatery hopping every day of the week.

2822 SW Sixth Ave., 220.2395 $$

BUFFALO WILD WINGS GRILL & BAR

You can’t go wrong with Buffalo’s hot wings, especially on a Tuesday night.

Keep busy with the interactive games and every televised sport under the sun. 5416 S. Coulter St., 359.4386/ 9511 I-40 East, 335.2204, buffalowildwings.com $$

BURGERFI

BurgerFi features craft beef and veggie burgers, made-from-scratch fries and onion rings served with house-made sauces, and hot dogs – all with a commitment to hormone and antibiotic-free meats and fresh ingredients. You’ll also find shakes and custards, and a well-rounded local craft beer and wine list. 4413 S. Soncy Road, 576.0712, burgerfi.com $

BUTTERLOVE BISCUITS

Eye-popping big biscuits are the draw at Butterlove Biscuits. And we’re not exaggerating – these things are gigantic.

Comfort all of your cravings with savory and sweet biscuits, grab-and-go biscuits, waffles, and perfect brunch-inspired cocktails. 3440 S. Bell, Suite 130, 418.8966, butterlove.com $$

CAFE MARIZON

Cafe Marizon serves up great, homecooked taste with consistently delicious specials of the day. Go early so you can have a piece of the homemade pie or cake. 6151 Hillside Road, 352.2046, cafemarizon.com $$

CASK & CORK

You’re in for a treat when you visit Cask & Cork. Ingeniously crafted menu items, which range from flatbread pizza and pasta to rib-eyes, quail and seafood to sandwiches and salads, will make choosing only one item a challenge.

5461 McKenna Square, Suite 101, 410.1113, caskncorkamarillo.com $$

CHILI’S GRILL & BAR

Start with the bottomless chips and salsa while you ponder the rest of the menu.

There are countless go-to meals at Chili’s, namely the fajitas (with guacamole, please), as well as the Big Mouth Bites

with sauteed onions and Ranch dressing.

5016 S. Coulter St., 353.2992/ 3810 I-40 West, 359.5000, chilis.com $$

CITY CAFE

Tucked in the basement of the Amarillo Police Department, this cafe is open to all. A full breakfast and lunch menu keeps downtown visitors going back for more.

Start your day with a breakfast burrito, sandwich, omelet or pancakes.

200 SE Third Ave., 378.6104 $

COPPER FIRE GRILL

Experience fine dining at Copper Fire Grill. Innovative cuisine with a focus on prime cuts of beef, lamb, quail and fresh fish, complemented by locally sourced produce, gives discriminating diners plenty of options. Begin your evening in Copper Fire’s cozy bar area before experiencing a memorable evening in the dining room.

2800 Civic Circle, Suite 500, 803.9432, copperfiregrill806.com $$

CRAZY LARRY’S FINE TEXAS BBQ

A visit to Larry’s isn’t complete without an order of Frito pie – make it a “moose” with the works. The authentic Texasstyle barbecue is finger-licking good, and everything on the menu is delivered with some of the friendliest service in town.

The prices are reasonable, too.

4315 Teckla Blvd., 359.3176, crazylarrysbbq.com $$

CRUSH WINE BAR & GRILL

Crush’s excellent tapas, sandwiches, entrees and desserts are a big enough draw. Add an extensive and impressive wine list, a rooftop and street-side patio, and excellent service, and you’ve got one of the city’s premier hang-out spots. The Saturday brunch is hard to beat, too. 627 S. Polk St., 418.2011, crushamarillo.com $$

DAVID’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Locals rave about David’s fresh, flavorful Mexican food. Feast on traditional favorites like street tacos, tamales, burritos, and fajitas. Keep up with the tantalizing specials of the day on the restaurant’s Facebook and Instagram profiles. 400 E. Hastings Ave., 418.6333 $

DICKEY’S BARBECUE PIT

Dickey’s serves its original slow-smoked meats alongside home-style sides like macaroni-and-cheese and jalapeño beans, fresh rolls, and plenty of ice tea. Founded

in Dallas in 1941, the national franchise also gives back – its foundation, Barbecue, Boots & Badges, benefits law enforcement and firefighters in the local community. 6015 Hillside Road, Suite 100, 322.0127, dickeys.com $$

DONA JUANITA RESTAURANT

If you’re in the mood for traditional Mexican dishes, give Dona Juanita’s a try. The guacamole is made fresh daily and the ceviche is some of the best in Amarillo. 2208 Amarillo Blvd. East, 220.2610 $

THE DRUNKEN OYSTER

Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.9 p.m., The Drunken Oyster features Louisiana-style cuisine in a unique and sophisticated setting. Fill up on fresh oysters, crawfish etouffee, gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys, and plenty of shrimp entrees.

Craft cocktails and an excellent wine list ensure you’ll stay awhile.

7606 SW 45th Ave., Suite 100, 418.6668 $$

THE EATERY ON ROUTE 66

A glance at the baked goods and lunch items on The Eatery’s Facebook page will get your mouth watering. Choose from a rotating menu of soups, salads and sandwiches Monday through Saturday, with weekly specials and half-price desserts on Tuesdays.

3208 SW Sixth Ave., 322.0828 $

EL BURRITO RICO

Feast on affordable Mexican-style food at this locally owned walkup shop. Begin your adventure with fresh-made guacamole and chips, and fill up on plentiful options like burritos tacos, taquitos, and chile rellenos. 4404 River Road, 383.4545 $

EL MANANTIAL RESTAURANT

For truly authentic Mexican food, this is the spot. A little off the beaten path, El Manantial is worth a visit. Start with light-as-air corn chips and salsa. Every entree is cooked-fresh delicious, especially the barbacoa, seafood and homemade chile relleno. We can’t say enough about every scrumptious bite. 3823 Amarillo Blvd. East, 383.1852 $

ENGLISH FIELD HOUSE RESTAURANT

Visit a piece of Amarillo history at the English Field House, which sits just south of Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport.

Named for the city’s first airfield, the restaurant offers great, cooked-fresh cafe food. Take the family for Sunday breakfast. It’s worth the drive. 10610 American Drive, 335.2996 $

FAB FOODS

Fab Foods serves straightforward, homestyle meals with busy families in mind. Dine-in, call ahead, take-and-bake, delivery and catering are available for breakfast and lunch. And choose from a rotating daily menu of sandwiches, wraps, salads, hot entrees, and desserts. With those kinds of options, you’re guaranteed to please the whole family – no matter how large. 5901 S. Bell St., 398.3663 $

FAVS

Conveniently located close to downtown, FAVs (which stands for Fruits And Veggies) offers salads, smoothies, soups and snacks chockfull of fresh vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts – perfect for grab-and-go early morning fuel or a midday lunch. The healthconscious diner will also appreciate protein shakes, fresh muffins, juice and more. 706 SW 16th Ave., 803.9171 $

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FIRE SLICE PIZZERIA

You know you’re in for a good time at Fire Slice when you see the menu. Choose from pizza specialties, such as “Tommy Boy” and “Hot Momma,” or build your own. Each pizza is made fresh in a custom-built pizza oven. Try savory Italian brunch items on Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 11 a.m.

7306 SW 34th Ave., Space 10, 331.2232, fireslice.com $$

FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES

Order a la carte from the simple menu at this fast-casual eatery, choosing from burgers made to order with your choice of toppings (try one “all the way”), sandwiches, hot dogs, fries, and milkshakes.

2313 Georgia St., Suite 37, 398.0582, fiveguys.com $

FUDDRUCKERS

This fast-casual chain bills itself as making the “world’s greatest hamburger.”

Fuddruckers lets diners choose the size of their burger, how they’d like it cooked, and which toppings they’d prefer. The Amarillo location also has a full bar and an in-house bakery with fresh cookies and pastries.

8158 I-40 West, 358.3450, fuddruckers.com $

GEORGIA STREET TAPHOUSE

Whether in the dining room or inside the spacious bar area, there are plenty of big screens to keep you entertained at Taphouse. Sample typical pub fare and enjoy daily drink specials inside or on the covered patio. 2001 S. Georgia St., 803.7000 $$

GOLDEN LOTUS RESTAURANT

This Chinese, Lao and Thai eatery isn’t just loved for its food and great prices; the staff is friendly and hospitable. In addition to traditional dishes such as pad thai, sesame chicken and chow mein, Golden Lotus also serves dishes that require customers to branch out. The papaya salad, clams in black bean sauce, or mango catfish are just a few of the out-of-the-ordinary menu items that will surely impress. 2417 Amarillo Blvd. East, 331.7824 $

GRANDMA’S COCINA

With simple American-style food, TexMex entrees and sides, a hearty breakfast menu, flavored tea, and fresh-squeezed cherry limeades, Grandma’s Cocina can be your new one-stop drive-thru for comfort 46

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food Panhandle style. 3609 SW 45th Ave., 398.9999, grandmascocinaamarillo.com $

GRILLS GON’ WILD

At Grills Gon’ Wild, you can expect a good time. You’ll find fresh food, made to order, with aged hand-cut steaks and daily specials like chicken alfredo, baby back ribs, or fish tacos. Open early for breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner, there’s plenty of options to keep you going back for more.

5120 Canyon Drive, 418.6001, grillsgonwild.com $

THE HOBO HOUSE TEXAS DINER

Open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m., The Hobo House features American classics on its limited menu. Choose from appetizers, sandwiches, salads and burgers. The Bad Moon Burger caught our eye: it’s a half-pound beef patty smothered in blue, cream and Monterrey Jack cheeses, topped with caramelized onions. Where’s the napkins?

7200 W. McCormick Road, 622.9814 $

HOFFBRAU STEAK & GRILL HOUSE

Family-owned Hoffbrau has been serving Texas-style steaks and beer for three decades. We recommend one of the Gr8 Steaks or something from the Hill Country Favorites list upon your first visit. Guaranteed, you’ll go back again.

7203 I-40 West, 358.6595, hoffbrausteakandgrill.com $$

HOUSE DIVIDED

Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Sunday, House Divided splits its interior into a dedicated bar area and separate dining room (hence the name). But you’ll see a “divided” theme in its menu as well, with popular Texas college rivalries set on opposing pages. The diverse menu is full of plenty of pub grub, steaks, Texas-style entrees, pizza, Italian and Mexican food, salads, sandwiches and burgers to make a return trip a necessity. 7609 Hillside Road, 350.4377 $$

ICHIBAN NOODLE BAR & ASIAN CUISINE

With the inner workings of its kitchen on display, Ichiban makes you feel like you’re right in the middle of a bustling noodle bar on a street in Asia. Endless choices of cold noodles and hot dishes make your dinner decision a tough one. 3309 Wimberly Road, 355.5031 $

INDIAN OVEN

The moment you enter Indian Oven, you’ll be enveloped by the fragrances of cardamom, ginger, anise, garlic and chili wafting from the kitchen. Start your meal with a generous portion of naan as you work your way through the extensive menu. Select a chef special such as chicken tandoori or chicken tikka masala or try a little of everything on the lunch buffet.

Finish up with the to-die-for rice pudding.

Don’t leave without sipping the mango lassi. 2406 Paramount Blvd., 335.3600, indianovenamarillo.com $$

JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS

Jersey Mike’s brings a taste of the Jersey Shore to the Panhandle. The franchise stands behind its high-quality, premium meats, cheeses and fresh-baked bread.

Try a cold sub like the Famous Roast Beef and Provolone, a hot sandwich like Jersey Mike’s Famous Philly, or make any sub into a wrap or salad for a low-carb option. Order in-store or online and pick it up for a quick and tasty meal. 2311 Georgia St., 731.0731, jerseymikes.com $

JIMMY’S EGG

Fast, friendly service, a bright and cheerful dining area, and plenty of breakfast and lunch items from which to choose will keep you going back to Jimmy’s Egg. Order any menu item beginning at 6 a.m. and customize your entree to your liking.

Catering, dine-in, and easy online to-go ordering make your visit an easy one.

2225 S. Georgia St., 418.6752, jimmysegg.com $

JOE TACO

Great atmosphere and a variety of Southwest favorites make Joe Taco a great place to sit and relax, especially while enjoying a signature margarita. Soak in the sun on the patio when the weather is nice.

7312 Wallace Blvd., 331.8226, joetaco.net $$

KABUKI ROMANZA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR

Who says you can’t enjoy fresh sushi aboard a boat in the heart of the Panhandle? Kabuki Romanza serves teppan-style cooking and fresh-sliced sushi in a dining area that resembles a boat, surrounded by special effects that add to the tropical feel.

8130 I-40 West, 358.7799, kabukiromanza.com $$

KATHY’S KITCHEN

This is the simple, Texas Panhandle homestyle food locals crave. Grab the napkins and tackle the brisket burger, a hamburger patty topped with brisket and smothered in barbecue sauce, cheese, and two stuffed jalapeños. Generous portions, daily specials, and low prices will keep you going back for more. 4517 Highway 136, 383.2513 $

LA BELLA PIZZA

With an expanded dining area and bar, the Olsen Boulevard location of La Bella Pizza gives diners more options than takeout.

Fill up on Sicilian-style pizza, subs, burgers, calzones, pasta, gyros – the list goes on and on – the hefty menu even includes seafood.

3801 Olsen Blvd., Suite 9, 352.5050, ilovelabellapizza.com $

LA FUENTE TORTERIA

Served on fresh bolillo bread, La Fuente’s hearty tortas are filled with everything you might expect to find in a burrito. Choose from ham and cheese, pork shoulder, sausage and asada beef. You’ll also find traditional tacos, burritos, tamales, and menudo (only on weekends).

511 S. Grand St., 444.6761 $

LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE

Stand-outs on LongHorn’s extensive menu include Grilled White Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms, the hearty LongHorn Gourmet burger, a variety of steaks, and the lighter Spinach Feta Chicken. Choose a side with every meal, and finish with the towering Mountain Top Cheesecake. 8200 I-40 West, 358.0640, longhornsteakhouse.com $$

LUPITA’S

Lupita’s comes from a long line of restaurants in Amarillo, all springing from the original Tortilleria Lupita. Find fresh fare, such as chile rellenos or a green chile Puerco torta, a basket brimming with pork, lettuce, tomato, onion and avocado. 4013 SE 10th Ave., 372.3537/ 3221 S. Western St., 350.7638/ 2403 Hardin Drive, 350.7637/ 3309 Bell St., 350.7297 $

MACARONI JOE’S

Macaroni Joe’s isn’t just a place to eat a great meal. The Tuscan-inspired rooms are the perfect place for creating memories.

Whether for a first date, the start of a new life together, or celebrating important milestones, the restaurant offers excellent service and an exquisite food and wine menu. It’s at the top of our list.

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1619 S. Kentucky St., Suite D1500, 358.8990, macaronijoes.com $$-$$$

METROPOLITAN-A SPEAKEASY

lunch until 2 p.m. Feast on Tex-Mex items like carne guisada, stuffed avocados, tacos, and burritos. Dine-in, carry-out and drive-up ordering are available. 4206 SW 45th Ave., 358.8226 $

Start your day with a coffee and pastry at Metropolitan. If a midday lunch with colleagues is in order, impress them with Metropolitan’s twist on classic favorites like a BLT. Or celebrate the end of a productive workday with a classy cocktail, savory small plate, or scrumptious homemade dessert. The menu changes frequently so check the club’s Facebook page for updates and special menu offerings. 9181 Town Square Blvd., Suite 1201, 242.0117, metroofamarillo.com $$

PACIFIC RIM

MOONDOGGY’S PIZZA AND PUB

This unassuming little eatery might not capture one’s attention, but it’s worth a visit to Pancho’s. The casual restaurant caters to Mexican and Tex-Mex enthusiasts with authentic offerings like caldo de res (beef soup). 4601 River Road, 381.0105 $

Great daily Happy Hour specials, fun interactive events, live music, and solid cuisine make Moondoggy’s one of downtown’s most popular hangouts.

In addition to the specialty pizzas, we recommend the Moondoggy meatballs, and Pasta Your Way. (Choose the rich and creamy alfredo sauce!) 626 S. Polk St., 350.1400/3723 SW 58th St., 367.7538, moondoggys-pizza-and-pub.business.site $$

NORTH HEIGHTS DISCOUNT & CAFE

Part convenience store and part neighborhood eatery, North Heights Discount & Cafe serves made-to-order soul food every day but Sunday. Portions are huge at Discount, but can you ever have too much smoky ribs, fried catfish, french fries, or mac-and-cheese? We don’t think so. 1621 NW 18th Ave., 418.6751 $

OHMS CAFE & BAR

Set in downtown Amarillo, OHMS serves a buffet-style lunch then switches to wait service in the evenings. The chef features specials each week that range from seafood and smoked duck to beef tenderloin. Start with daily Happy Hour and give the Bar Burger a try. (It’s not on the menu, but it might be the best burger in town.) Excellent cuisine and service make this a delightful place to linger. 619 S. Tyler St., 373.3233, ohmscafe.com $$-$$$

OSCAR’S LIL MESKUN PLACE

Family-owned Oscar’s serves its signature breakfast burritos and other breakfast items for early risers beginning at 6:30 a.m., and

Pacific Rim offers a variety of Asian-Fusion cuisine in a unique setting. One of the best things about this place is the greeting you’ll get from Andy, the owner.

But let’s talk food. The lettuce wraps are outstanding. In fact, everything is good. Pacific Rim even offers speedy delivery. 2061 Paramount Blvd., 353.9179, pacificrimam.com $

PANCHO VILLA RESTAURANT

PRIME CHOPHOUSE & LOUNGE

Prime Chophouse is situated in Town Square Village, and features a gorgeously appointed dining room and bar. Choose from prime cuts of steak and pork and plenty of seafood options. Sides are served a la carte in family-style or individual-sized portions. Tranquil decor and topnotch dining ensure an enchanting evening.

9181 Time Square Blvd., Suite 1311, 433.8933 $$

RAIN PREMIER SUSHI BAR & LOUNGE

Rain lights up Polk Street with its sleek, energetic ambience and exceptional menu of contemporary Asian cuisine. Grab the gang for an evening of flavor and fun.

817 S. Polk St., 331.1155, rainamarillo.com $$

ROOSTERS RESTAURANT AND CATERING

Roosters offers more than just a good cup of Joe. Stop in and plan on staying for a hot breakfast pastry or one of the delicious lunch specialties. It’s the perfect place to relax with friends for lunch. 3440 S. Bell St., Unit 110, 353.7309, silver-fork.com $

SCOTT’S OYSTER BAR

If you are a fresh oyster connoisseur, Scott’s is the place for you. Even though it’s a little on the small side, the quick service and excellent seafood make it

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one of our favorite places to hang out.

4150 Paramount Blvd., 354.9110 $$

SHI LEE’S BARBECUE & SOUL FOOD CAFE

You’ll find classic barbecue along with fried chicken wings, catfish, pork chops and a featured soul food meal of the day at Shi Lee’s. Meat lovers can feast on platters piled high with ribs, sausage and brisket, with plenty of sides to fill up even the hungriest diner. 1213 SW Third Ave., 220.0032 $

SUSHI HOUSE

You’ll see Thai, Lao and Japanese influences on Sushi House’s ample menu. Start with one of the many sushi offerings or choose an appetizer like marinated short ribs. Feast on filling teppanyaki entrees (the fillet mignon and scallops caught our eye), or choose a traditional Thai favorite like fried rice. With most menu items priced at less than $10 each, it’s the perfect place to grab a tasty lunch or dinner. 2630 Wolflin Ave., 803.9470 $

TAQUERIA RIVERA

This unassuming little place is easy to miss.

But don’t let the exterior fool you. The chorizo is well worth going a bit off the beaten path. 2602 SE Third Ave., 803.9485 $

THAI ARAWAN

You’ll get your fill of fresh, authentic Thai cuisine at Thai Arawan. We recommend the angel noodle and the chicken fried rice. Consistently good flavor and friendly service make this one of our favorites.

2834 Wolflin Ave., 463.7167, thaiarawan.com $$

TOOM’S RESTAURANT

You’ll find a variety of authentic Thai, Lao and Chinese food at Toom’s. Choices abound – from sticky and fried rice or noodles to classic larb, beef jerky and chicken wings. You’ll find fresh, affordable meals for lunch or dinner.

3416 NE 24th Ave., 381.2568 $

TYLER’S BARBEQUE

Going back to the basics, Tyler’s Barbeque combines a straightforward menu with a relaxed atmosphere. We suggest the mouth-watering Man-Sized Double Meat Sandwich or the tasty Frito pie.

2014 Paramount Blvd., 331.2271, tylersbarbeque.com $$

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YCSF CRAFT

YCSF Craft serves its popular gourmet eats for lunch and dinner. The diverse but limited menu boasts burgers, tacos, and daily specials, and features craft beer and a well-rounded wine list. 2916 Wolflin Ave., 353.9273 $

YOUNG SUSHI “ROCKS!”

The friendly greeting you receive when you walk into Young’s is your first clue your experience will be a good one. The helpful staff is always willing to offer suggestions regarding the sushi. If sushi’s not your thing, try the authentic Thai cuisine. 202 SW 10th Ave., 371.7200 $$

Canyon BARREL & PIE

The cuisine is seasonally driven at Barrel & Pie; the menu will change to accommodate demand and to keep items fresh and interesting. With a focus on small plates, artisan pizza, and whiskey and craft cocktails, you’re in for a treat. Make time to linger at Barrel & Pie. 1512 Fifth Ave., Suite 101, 591.1144, barrelandpie.com $$

BEAR’S BURGERS & DAWGS Choosing from the simple offerings is an easy task at Bear’s. Other than handmade burgers, hot dogs and fries, a few comfort food items like Frito pie and loaded baked potatoes round out the menu. Ice cold beer will help you wash it all down.

2001-A N. Second Ave., 452.8033 $

BEST THAI

Open seven days a week, there’s always something on the menu at Best Thai to satisfy your cravings for good Thai food, such as the vegetarian Curry Joe with yellow curry and steamed rice. Check out the Canyon’s Favorites menu; the pineapple fried rice and Charlie Special are full of flavor. 210 23rd St., 655.7299 $

BUFF’S

Buff ’s specializes in home-style comfort food and more-than-generous portions.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, you’ll find plenty of crave-appeasing items all day long. 2201 Fourth Ave., 655.2833 $

EL PATIO MEXICAN RESTAURANTE

Sometimes the only thing that will satisfy pesky hunger pangs is great Tex-Mex and

that’s exactly what you’ll find at El Patio. The comfortable atmosphere and exceptional service add up to a perfectly satisfying meal.

1410 Hereford Highway, 655.4300 $

FAMILY SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT

You’ll find plenty of mouth-watering options at The Family Soul Food Restaurant. Feast on traditional family recipes like chickenfried chicken, fried ribs, catfish, or cheesy meatloaf with all the sides, topped off by a slice of sweet cornbread. Save room for the rotating dessert menu. 1205 23rd St., 463.4686 $

FAT-BOYS BBQ

Fat Boys has been dishing up delicious Texas-style barbeque since 1988, so it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing.

The meat has the perfect amount of smoky flavor. Top it with sweet barbecue sauce and add a few homemade sides. Your taste buds will thank you. 104 N. 23rd St., 655.7363 $

FELDMAN’S WRONG WAY DINER

Feldman’s fun, casual atmosphere and model trains that run a course along the ceiling make it a great place for the whole family. Try the made-fresh burgers or the Tortugas chicken, satisfaction guaranteed. 2100 N. Second Ave., 655.2711, feldmansdiner.com $

HIL’S BURGERS

This burger joint’s menu is pretty snazzy.

The Philly cheese steak sandwich pairs perfectly with a side of sizzling, thinly sliced onion rings, but you can’t go wrong with the chicken-fried steak sandwich topped with chili, either. 1302 23rd St., 656.0810 $ NEW

HUDSPETH HOUSE COFFEE SHOP

Open on weekdays from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., the historic bed & breakfast’s new coffee shop serves homemade baked goods, breakfast items, quiche, sandwiches and soup. Enjoy afternoon tea in the house’s quaint dining area. 1905 Fourth Ave., 655.9800 $

JOE TACO

One of Amarillo’s most beloved Tex-Mex restaurants has made its way to Canyon.

Located on the bustling square, the new location offers the same Tex-Mex favorites and energetic vibe as its Medical Center

location. Enjoy lunch and dinner seven days a week. 502 15th St., 452.8226, joetaco.net $$

THE KING AND I

Craving fresh sushi? The King and I will surely satisfy. Try the customer favorite, the Canyon Roll, and savor every scrumptious slice of crab, tempura shrimp, avocado, cucumber and cream cheese topped with red tuna, white tuna, shrimp and eel. If you still have an appetite, order the fried bananas covered with powdered sugar and strawberries. 104 15th St., 655.2491 $$

PEPITOS MEXICAN RESTAURANTE

Choose your favorite Tex-Mex entree from the extensive menu, with traditional items like chile relleno, chimichangas, or sizzling fajitas. Enjoy the complementary chips and salsa while you wait.

408 23rd St., 655.4736 $

PONY EXPRESS BURRITOS

Based on the build-your-own burrito concept, Pony Express offers 14-inch burritos or bowls, tacos, quesadillas and a variety of fresh salsa flavors from mild to spicy, including its infamous ghost pepper.

2808 Fourth Ave., Suite C, 557.4166 $

RANCH HOUSE CAFE

The Ranch House Cafe has a small-town, family atmosphere. The Cafe offers breakfast all day, every day, and lunch, dinner and madefrom-scratch desserts, as well as specials seven days a week.

810 23rd St., 655.8785, theranchhousecafe.com $

SAYAKOMARN’S RESTAURANT

Sayakomarn’s offers a variety of traditional Thai dishes with daily lunch specials that won’t empty your wallet. Be sure to try their boba tea made with tapioca balls and shaken into fruit-flavored or milk tea. It’s yummy. 421 16th St., 655.2698, sayakomarns.com $$

SHARKY’S BURRITO COMPANY

Sharky’s newest location joins a few other Amarillo favorites inside WT’s JBK food court. Expect the same excellent food and service.

2501 Fourth Ave., JBK Food Court, 651.2885 $

TAQUERIA EL TAPATIO MEXICAN RESTAURANT

El Tapatio’s second location in Canyon serves up the same authentic Mexican food at affordable prices. The carne el pastor is a customer favorite. 2301 12th Ave., 510.7703 $

THAI KITCHEN

The generous menu will keep you coming back for more at Thai Kitchen. Choose from affordable Thai classics – soup, salads, noodles, pork, seafood and more. The small eatery is open for lunch and dinner six days a week. 713 23rd St., 655.4741 $

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TOP DENTISTS 2020

TOP DENTISTS

Full Smile Dental, David Richburg, D.D.S. Year established/Years in practice: Three Accreditations and certifications: Doctor of Dental Surgery Specialty: General Dentistry Staff size: Seven Memberships and clinical associations: Academy of General Dentistry; Panhandle District Dental Society; Texas Dental Association; Amarillo Seattle Study Club How do you set your practice apart from others? We strive to make dentistry as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Our staff works very hard to make every patient feel welcome and relaxed. Because the practice of dentistry is constantly evolving and changing, the members of our dental team are always looking at ways we can better serve our patients.

2808 Fourth Ave., Suite B, Canyon • 557.4085 fullsmiledental.com

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What do you find most rewarding about working in Amarillo? Having grown up in the Panhandle, working in Amarillo has always been important to me. Practicing here over the past few years has made me see how much I love what I do. I am thankful that the communities of Amarillo and Canyon trust me with their dental care.

How will your practice change in coming years? Our practice will continue to expand and serve the community in which it was established. We will continue to evolve with dentistry and implement new technology that helps us better serve our patients.

Community involvement: Volunteer at Texas Mission of Mercy Amarillo Mobile Dental Clinic; AOMS Halloween Trunk or Treat; member of Amarillo Church of Christ.

TOP DENTISTS

AOMS Pediatric Dentistry Lorra Cantu Linsey, D.D.S.

Years in practice: 20 Accreditations & Certifications: AAHC accredited facility; BLS, ACLS and PALS certified.

Specialty: Pediatric Dentistry Staff size: 25 Memberships and clinical associations: ADA; TDA; Panhandle District Dental Society; AAPD; Seattle Study Club; TAPD How do you set your practice apart from others? We truly care about each and every patient! We work closely with other specialists and dentists regarding patient care.

What do you find most rewarding about working in Amarillo? This community is so thankful and kind. We have a close-knit and amazing work family.

How will your practice change in coming years?

We will continue to grow to serve more towns in the Panhandle and give more people access to care.

Community involvement: Board member, The Bridge; PTA in my daughter’s school; active in church; participated in Bright Smiles Program; Rotary Club mentorship program.

Tianne Yarbrough, D.D.S.

Years in practice: Two Accreditations and certifications: AAHC accredited facility; BLS, ACLS and PALS certified.

Specialty: General Dentistry Memberships and clinical associations: Seattle Study Club; TDA; ADA; Panhandle Dental Society How do you set your practice apart from others? We are a patient-oriented dental practice that strives to provide exceptional service to families of children of all ages. Our staff is well educated in and continues to stay abreast of the best technology and dental procedures. We are a great work family.

What do you find most rewarding about working in Amarillo?

I was born and raised in Amarillo. I am now colleagues of many of the dentists who were my mentors growing up. I am lucky enough to get to care for and treat the children of my best friends.

How will your practice change in coming years? We are continuing to grow in such a way that we can provide care across the Panhandle, especially to many of the under-served areas of New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma.

Community involvement: Junior League of Amarillo

5051 S. Soncy Road • 803.9452 aomspediatricdentistry.com

TOP DENTISTS • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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TOP DENTISTS

AOMS Pediatric Dentistry, Kristin Swanson, D.D.S. Year established/Years in practice: Two Accreditations and certifications: AAHC accredited facility; BLS, ACLS and PALS certified Specialty: General Dentistry Staff size: 25 Memberships and clinical associations: ADA; TDA; PDDS; Seattle Study Club How do you set your practice apart from others? Our state-of-the-art facility and equipment. Themed rooms and fun, colorful ambiance. Friendly staff that loves their jobs and their patients.

5051 S. Soncy Road • 803.9452 aomspediatricdentistry.com

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TOP DENTISTS • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

What do you find most rewarding about working in Amarillo? Small community, few pediatric offices in surrounding towns. We are able to help kids establish a consistent dental routine.

How will your practice change in coming years? A lot of expansion – multiple locations in Amarillo.

Community involvement: Kids Inc. coach, AACAL and Rotary Club mentorship programs, Trunk or Treat, Tri-State Fair Parade, and other community outreach programs through AOMS.

TOP DENTISTS

AOMS Pediatric Dentistry, Michelle Ruiz, D.D.S. Year established/Years in practice: 25 years; 18 years in private practice Specialty: General Dentistry Staff size: 25 How do you set your practice apart from others? I attempt to set my practice apart from others by interacting with the patients in a positive, endearing, and friendly manner in order to decrease their anxieties and apprehensions.

What do you find most rewarding about working in Amarillo? I am not a native of Amarillo, but my parents are. In fact, my family goes as far back as they can in this part of the country. The Goodnights settled this area, and I am descended from them on my mother’s side. I have a heart to take care of

the dental needs of the citizens of Amarillo and the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. It is rewarding to decrease patients’ pain and infections, improve their dental health, and build their confidence by giving them a fantastic smile.

How will your practice change in coming years? The future of my office lies in my partnership with AOMS Pediatrics. I am confident that AOMS is heading toward even brighter and better things with the expansion of this entity, allowing multiple doctors to take care of the needs of many ages of patients and concerns and desires for optimal dental health of the communities we are serving.

Community involvement: I am involved in my church, Family Worship Center.

5051 S. Soncy Road • 803.9452 aomspediatricdentistry.com

TOP DENTISTS • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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TOP DENTISTS

Advanced Dentistry of Amarillo, Dr. Trey Miller Year established/Years in practice: Our business started at our current location in 1991 as the Esler Dental Group. In 2018, Dr. Clinton Esler transferred the responsibility of running the practice to Dr. Trey Miller, while staying on as an associate. The name was changed to Advanced Dentistry of Amarillo, but the service and level of dedication to our patients have remained the same.

Education: Texas Tech University; attended the Honors College and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry in only three years. The University of Texas School of Dentistry in Houston; received the highest award given in dental training at UT in the field of operative dentistry. Dr. Miller received his Fellowship training at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), specializing in the latest developments in cosmetic, neuromuscular, TMJ, and sleep dentistry.

Accreditations and certifications: Fellow: Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies (LVI); Level II Oral Conscious Sedation Certification; Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and BLS Certified Specialty: Cosmetic Dentistry including full mouth reconstruction, TMJ/TMD (jaw joint dysfunction) treatment, and airway/sleep dentistry Staff size: Two dentists and three support staff Memberships and clinical associations: Clinical Instructor/Supervising Dentist: Amarillo College Dental Hygiene Program; Las Vegas Institute Continuum Member; International Association of Physiologic Aesthetics; Academy of General Dentistry; Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry; American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine; American Academy of Implant Dentistry; American Dental Association; Texas Dental Association; Panhandle District Dental Society Why did you choose your area of practice? I chose to specialize in the areas of cosmetic and TMJ/TMD dentistry because of the drastic positive differences these particular areas of dentistry can make in people’s lives.

How do you set your practice apart from others? Dr. Miller has completed abundant training in advanced cosmetic and neuromuscular (TMJ) treatment modalities, making him the most up-to-date physiologic neuromuscular dentist within 300 miles. We also set ourselves apart by using one of the best dental labs in the country for not only cosmetic work, but also for all of our restorations.

How will your practice change in coming years? Our practice will continue to evolve as new and updated methods of care become available. We evaluate and begin using new and better cosmetic dental materials as soon as they come out.

Community involvement: TMOM: Texas Mission of Mercy; Special Olympics Special Smiles Program; Give Kids a Smile; Hillside Christian Church

6834 Plum Creek Drive • 358.8021 amarillosmiles.com

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TOP DENTISTS • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

TOP DENTISTS

Amarillo Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Year established/Years in practice: APDO was established 21 years ago.

Education: Our team of dental specialists have completed an extremely competitive residency beyond general dental school. This certification level is now the gold standard, identifying only the highest level of expertise.

Accreditations and certifications: Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry; Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontics; Board Certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Staff size: 65 How do you set your practice apart from others? APDO is a unique practice in many ways. First, we offer board certified specialists in pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery and anesthesiology all under one roof, creating a true onestop shop for dental care. We also strive to create a fun and memorable visit for everyone who walks in our doors. From

our loving staff to our bright offices, we provide a positive experience so kids are excited about taking care of their teeth.

APDO also involves parents every step of the way, inviting them to sit chair-side. We even have a sensory room to help accommodate our patients with special needs.

How will your practice change in coming years? At APDO, we are continually trying to enhance our services to better serve our patients. We recently opened our new building in Wolflin Square and are in the process of expanding to Lubbock to better serve our friends to the south.

Community involvement: APDO loves supporting the Amarillo community. We are heavily involved in Special Olympics, as Dr. Ross serves as the organization’s clinic director. We also partner with the Discovery Center to provide the Roaming Education Vehicle that travels across the region teaching kids about science. APDO works with Amarillo Crime Stoppers to provide free kid ID cards to local parents.

2300 Wolflin Ave., 381.3113 • 3501 Soncy Road, Suite 129, 381.3171 amarillopediatricdentistry.com

TOP DENTISTS • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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TOP DENTISTS

Orthodontics of Amarillo, Dr. Steve Astuto Year established/Years in practice: 1985; 35 years Education: Dental School, Creighton University; Orthodontic residency, St. Louis University; Cleft Palate Fellowship, St. Louis University Accreditations and Certifications: Omicron Kappa Upsilon; Honorary Dental Society; Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics (Currently the only Orthodontist in this area with voluntary re-certification.)

Specialty: Orthodontics Staff size: 13 staff members Memberships and clinical associations: American Association of Orthodontics; Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics; International College of Dentists; American College of Dentists; Honorable Order of Good Fellow of the Texas Dental Association; Texas Dental Association; reviewer, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners; PastPresident, Panhandle District Dental Society; Past-President, Texas Association of Orthodontics; member, Texas Dental Association; American Academy of Craniofacial Pain Why did you choose your area of practice?

Dr. J.W. Barnett brought me into this area after my orthodontic residency. Amarillo has good people and a great opportunity for growth.

How do you set your practice apart from others? I have treated more than 15,000 patients. We are blessed to offer exceptional orthodontic treatment with results that surpass most orthodontics offices.

What do you find most rewarding about being a dentist?

Changing smiles and changing lives. Taking children that won’t smile for example, that later become a cheerleader.

How will your practice change in coming years? A push toward non-compliant therapy. Putting more control into the hands of the orthodontist and requiring less from the patient to get an exceptional orthodontic smile.

What is your most memorable moment in dentistry?

Being the President of the Texas Association of Orthodontics.

Community involvement: Active in my church, Texas Mission of Mercy, Kairos Prison Ministry, Coffee Memorial Blood Center Blood Donor (232 times); numerous dental mission trips in foreign countries.

7901 SW 45th Ave. • 359.1683 amazingortho.com

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TOP DENTISTS • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

TOP DENTISTS

RHN Medical & Dental Group, Laura Murguia, D.D.S.; Ji Won Kang, D.D.S.; Daniel Nash, D.D.S. Year established: February 2007 Accreditations and certifications: Doctor of Dental Surgery Specialty: General Dentistry Staff size: Three dentists, two hygienists, and six assistants Memberships and clinical associations: Member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association.

How do you set your practice apart from others? Downto-earth approach for patient care and treatment planning.

Incorporating patients’ concerns and expectations into each phase of the collaborative journey toward oral health. Taking time to ensure our patients understand and are comfortable

with their treatments.

What do you find most rewarding about working in Amarillo? Working with vibrant and diverse patients from across the Panhandle. Providing care for our hometown area.

Having a wide network of specialty providers that function in a collegial manner to address multi-disciplinary cases.

How will your practice change in coming years? Continued integration of more efficient and effective treatment options for our patients. Development of increased skill sets to treat oral health conditions and produce desired patient outcomes.

Community involvement: Volunteering through Heal the City, health fairs, church missions, and homeless outreach.

3113 Ross St. • 374.7341 rhnmd.com

TOP DENTISTS • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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ARTWORK COURTESY OF TPBA

Events | February 2020

T

he 19th annual TPBA Home Improvement show will be held on Feb. 29 and March 1, at the Amarillo Civic Center North Exhibit Hall. The show is presented by TPBA’s Community Outreach Committee, and will include 60-plus vendors showcasing the latest trends and styles for home and garden.

Activities for the two-day show will include exhibitors, expert remodeling advice, financial tools, a Trivia Treasure Hunt, and the chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree from an exhibitor.

Amarillo Civic Center Complex North Exhibit Hall 401 S. Buchanan St. 376.3096 tpba.org

Feb. 29 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

March 1 12-4 p.m.

VIEW AN UPDATED LISTING OF EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH AT AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM. To have an event listed on the calendar, email details to mmcaffrey@amarillo.com.

FEBRUARY 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

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Arts & Entertainment

FEB. 6

AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS “ROCK OF AGES” 7:30 p.m. Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle, 355.9991

FEB. 6-8

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY THEATRE PRESENTS “EVERYBODY”

7:30 p.m. Branding Iron Theatre, WTAMU campus, Canyon, 651.2804

FEB. 7-8

AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS “ROCK OF AGES”

8 p.m. Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle, 355.9991

FEB. 8

DARCI LYNNE & FRIENDS

7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

STEEP CANYON RANGERS

7:30 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FEB. 9

AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS “ROCK OF AGES” 2:30 p.m. Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle, 355.9991

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY THEATRE PRESENTS “EVERYBODY”

2:30 p.m. Branding Iron Theatre, WTAMU campus, Canyon, 651.2804

FEB. 13

AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS “ROCK OF AGES” 7:30 p.m. Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle, 355.9991

FEB. 13-15

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY THEATRE PRESENTS “EVERYBODY”

7:30 p.m. Branding Iron Theatre, WTAMU campus, Canyon, 651.2804

FEB. 14-15

AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS “ROCK OF AGES”

8 p.m. Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle, 355.9991

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AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM • FEBRUARY 2020

FEB. 15

LONE STAR BALLET PRESENTS “RIDERS OF THE PLAINS”

8 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FEB. 16

AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS “ROCK OF AGES” 2:30 p.m. Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle, 355.9991

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY THEATRE PRESENTS “EVERYBODY”

FEB. 28 TESLA

8 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St., 376.3096

FEB. 28-29

AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS “PETER AND THE STARCATCHER” 8 p.m. Main Stage, 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

FEB. 29

LJ PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS MARISELA

2:30 p.m. Branding Iron Theatre, WTAMU campus, Canyon, 651.2804

8 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FRIENDS OF AEOLIAN-SKINNER OPUS 1024 PRESENT KERON JACKSON

Benefits & Fundraisers

7:30 p.m. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1601 S. Georgia St., 376.6316, ext. 105

FEB. 6

FEB. 18-19

5:30-8:30 p.m. Hosted by the Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, featuring guest speaker Joe Longoria, founder and owner of Casa Rica Tortillas.

Embassy Suites Amarillo Downtown, 550 S. Buchanan St., 379.8800

CIVIC AMARILLO BROADWAY SPOTLIGHT SERIES PRESENTS “BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROL KING MUSICAL” 7:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FEB. 20

“SOUND FOR YOUR SOUL”

2020 AHCC ANNUAL BANQUET

FEB. 7

BEEROLOGY: SCIENCE ON TAP

7-10 p.m. Adults-only event. Don Harrington Discovery Center, 1200 Streit Drive, 355.9547

7:30 p.m. Presented by the Amarillo Opera in partnership with AMoA. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FEB. 10

FEB. 21-22

5:30-7:30 p.m. Featuring Weston Richburg. Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive, 352.6513

AMARILLO SYMPHONY PRESENTS “SCHEHERAZADE AND THE SOUNDS OF THE MIDDLE EAST”

THE HEART OF BUCKNER

FEB. 11

7:30 p.m. Jacamo Rafael Bairos, conductor; guest artist: Amir ElSaffar. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

MARCH FOR BABIES KICKOFF LUNCHEON

FEB. 25

FEB. 15

WOWW PRESENTS GUY FORSYTH

10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FEB. 27

WOWW PRESENTS GUY FORSYTH

6 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS “PETER AND THE STARCATCHER”

7:30 p.m. Main Stage, 2019 Civic Circle, 355.9991

11:30 a.m.- 1p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES MARDI GRAS PARTY

7-11 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FEB. 18

CARENET PREGNANCY CENTER BANQUET 6-9:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Room and North Exhibit Hall, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FEB. 20

BOY SCOUTS GOOD SCOUT LUNCHEON 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FEB. 25

ROOTS AND WINGS BANQUET

6-8:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FEB. 27

LEADING WITH IMPACT LUNCHEON

11 a.m.- p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St., 376.3096

FEB. 29

SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL BANQUET

Special Events

FEB. 1

BARRIO WELLNESS CLINIC

9 a.m.-12 p.m. Sanborn Elementary School, 700 S. Mirror St., 437.6592

FEB. 7

NIGHT TO SHINE

6-9 p.m. Prom night for people with special needs.

Hosted by The Loft Church. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 376.3096

FEB. 8

BECOMING AGENTS OF CHANGE CONFERENCE & DISABILITY RESOURCE FAIR

5-10:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 376.3096

9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Harrington Academic Hall, WTAMU Amarillo Center, 720 S. Tyler St., 651.8200

Music

FEB. 9

FEB. 4

PANHANDLE SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE CEREMONY

8 p.m. Leftwoods, 2511 SW Sixth Ave., 367.9840

2-4 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St., 376.3096

FEB. 5

FEB. 11

HOLD Z

SHAKE THE BABY TIL THE LOVE COMES OUT

JORDAN WORLD CIRCUS

9 p.m. The 806, 2812 SW Sixth Ave., 322.1806

4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tri-State Fairgrounds Amarillo National Center, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

FEB. 7

FEB. 13

6 p.m. Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road, 356.7548

4-7 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

BLACK FLAG

THE ROUGH & TUMBLE WITH PIPER & CARSON

WOWW CHAMBER AFTER HOURS

7-10 p.m. Chalice Abbey, 2717 Stanley St., 576.2480

FEB. 19

FEB. 13

7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

IN SEARCH OF SOLACE WITH CALL IT HOME

BREAKFAST WITH WOWW

9 p.m. Leftwoods, 2511 SW Sixth Ave., 367.9840

FEB. 21

FEB. 20

6-11 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 376.3096

JOHN BLACK

9:30 p.m. The 806, 2812 SW Sixth Ave., 322.1806

FEB. 28

HILARY MARIE

7 p.m. Moondoggy’s Pizza & Pub, 3723 SW 58th St., 367.7538

CASINO ROYALE WITH BBB

FEB. 21-23

THE BEAUTY POP-UP

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Regency Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 376.3096

POLICEMAN’S BALL

7-11 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St., 376.3096

Sports & Recreation

FEB. 1

MONSTER KICKER TRUCK NATIONALS

1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tri-State Fairgrounds Amarillo National Center, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

AMARILLO BULLS VS. CORPUS CHRISTI ICERAYS

7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FEB. 7-8

AMARILLO BULLS VS. TOPEKA PILOTS

7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FEB. 8

ORIGINAL TEAM ROPING

9 a.m. Tri-State Fairgrounds Amarillo National Center, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

PANHANDLE TEAM PENNING & SORTING 9 a.m. Tri-State Fairgrounds Bill Cody Arena, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

FEB. 21-22

AMARILLO BULLS VS. SHREVEPORT MUDBUGS

7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FEB. 22-23

PANHANDLE CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION

8 a.m. Tri-State Fairgrounds Bill Cody Arena, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

FEB. 28-29

AMARILLO BULLS VS. TOPEKA PILOTS

7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

FEB. 29

PANHANDLE GOLDEN SPREAD QUARTER HORSE SHOW 8 a.m. Tri-State Fairgrounds Amarillo National Center, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

FEB. 29

TPBA HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOW

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex North Exhibit Hall, 401 S. Buchanan St., 376.3096

FEBRUARY 2020 • AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM

65

Panhandle Perspective

Amarillo It was never meant to be, so maybe it really isn’t more than just a dream, a passing wind.

A nightmare even, at least to some.

But when we wake in a new world, the memory of it sometimes drifts across fleeting thoughts in warm and golden bands of light, a yen for something unrealized but entirely within the realm of possibility.

And so, like the wandering Quahadi, testing the limits of invisible barriers, we sometimes return, imagining there may be just enough if the rains come and the western breeze bears no grudge.

WES REEVES An occasional contributor to Amarillo Magazine, Wes is a lifelong resident of the Texas Panhandle, and has lived in Amarillo 28 years. He enjoys sharing his perspective of West Texas culture through poetry and photography.

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20 Questions

EMILY M. BELL What is the best advice you received when you were beginning your career? Someone who knew me best advised me to choose a career where the end result of my work would be making a difference in someone else’s life. He knew the personal fulfillment that comes from helping others would be the driver for me in the long run. Boy, was Dad right! How do you use social media to grow your network? I grow my network by connecting with friends of friends and those we are doing business with, as a starting point. Our donors are also strong advocates, willing to share High Plains Food Bank with their friends on social media. How do you maintain balance? I recognize there’s no such thing as balance between work and personal life and I fight against that reality with every fiber of my being. But seriously, I try to prioritize what really matters. I have experienced supportive workplaces that allow me to be present for my family and choose how active I can be in extra community activities, given various seasons of life. Having a supportive husband has helped me tremendously to balance work and family life as well. What has been your wisest investment? Time spent in relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, my family, church family and personal friends has and always will be the highest and best use of my time. The most impactful thing I can do in this life is to love my husband well and invest quality time pouring into our girls. How has your past work experience shaped you into a leader? Through past experiences, I have learned to be more assertive, take greater risks, and stand on the decisions I make with confidence. I have learned that a wise and fearless approach to new developments is the only way to forge ahead into the future.

What matters most to me as I go through life is the way I treat the people around me. What is the best part about your job? Development at High Plains Food Bank is rewarding from start to finish. While it is difficult to see so much need in the Texas Panhandle, it is fulfilling to make food provision a reality for our most vulnerable community members. I have the most fun when I’m engaging with our donors who invest generously into our mission. How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and private life? At times when I have lacked perspective and struggled to see solutions, my mentors have provided the wisdom I needed to stand firm and press on. I am extremely grateful for those who have invested in me. Which living person do you most admire and why? My sister for her faithful service as a high school teacher in our community. Teaching is as much a ministry as it is a profession. Which over-used word or phrase makes you cringe? “Work smarter, not harder.” Whatever! Smart people work hard. The two go hand-in-hand in the workplace.

What is your business philosophy? Prioritize your customers and serve with excellence.

Which quality do you most value in an employee? Sincerity and transparency are at the top of my list, along with loyalty, tenacity and humor! What personality trait has most helped you succeed? Diligence, all the way. Being chipper and zany helps, too. Who is your favorite author? The Apostle Paul, Dr. Seuss and Jane Austen, for obvious reasons. What did you learn from your best boss? To worry less and stand on my own two feet more.

Your worst? Not be overbearing. How can Amarillo improve its business environment?

I have seen a lot of good from a variety of industries through the lens of banking and food banking. Amarillo businesses will do well to stay current with technology platforms, along with including or expanding continuing education and health and wellness programs for their team members. Most important tech tool: Besides my smartphone? Web-based storage. Hello, Dropbox! Best time management tool: A mindset to prioritize important projects and a personal plan to deal with distractions. I can’t live without my: morning coffee and family. My favorite thing about Amarillo is: The people and the pace. We live in one of the most caring places you can find! The kindness of our community softens the abrasiveness of the wind. Most unusual job or task: During my college years, I worked at a T-shirt printing company in Waco, Texas. The wildest part was trying to satisfy a plethora of different sorority and fraternity leaders with their designs and final products. We had some true mess-ups and a lot of laughs.

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AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM • FEBRUARY 2020

PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, HIGH PLAINS FOOD BANK

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