Amarillo Magazine | November 2017 by Amarillo Magazine

amarillomagonline.com NOVEMBER 2017

PAYING DIVIDENDS

Multi-generational family businesses vital to Amarillo economy

$1.95 US AMARILLO MAGAZINE

BRIAN AND CHRIS BRUCKNER

AMARILLOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GREATEST SPORTS FAN

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AMARILLO GLOBE-NEWS

BEST 2017 OF AMARILLO

TWO LOCATIONS: GEORGIA & SONCY ROASTERS.BIZ

CONTENTS

20 FEATURES ON THE COVER

28 Paying Dividends

SECTIONS 20

Beyond Boughs of Holly Panache manager Kendra Clark and interior designer Nikki Frazier graciously invited us into one of the homes they styled for Christmas, walking us through its distinctive look.

The Art of Giving: Meals Made to Share Few things illustrate a giving spirit like meeting a basic need for friends, family or strangers.

Multi-generational family businesses vital to Amarillo economy By Jason Boyett PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

45 Amarillo’s Greatest Sports Fan Chances are, if you have been to a youth sporting event in the past few decades, you will have noticed a few things: parents and grandparents in the stands, lots of cheering, and a man on the sidelines whose name is Patrick Harris. 2

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

Contributors/Online........4 Out & About.................... 8 The Way I See It.............18 Home............................20 What’s Cooking?...........49 Events........................... 55 Let’s Eat!........................ 59 Retro Rewind................126 20 Questions................128

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E D I TO R ’ S L E T T E R

Publisher

Les Simpson

Director of Specialty Michele McAffrey Products/Editor 806.345.3256 michele.mcaffrey@amarillo.com

Designer

Kayla Morris

Contributing Writers Jason Boyett Marley Hoggatt Erin Matthews Jennie Treadway-Miller Contributing Mason Dudley Photographers Chance Gilmore Shannon Richardson Gunnar Widowski Shaie Williams Contributing Darren Hendricks Graphic Designer

VP of Sales

Major/National Accounts Manager

Cindy Brown

Dewey Shanks

Inside Sales Manager Cindy Ledesma

Account Katherine Bibby Representatives Eric Bravo Natasha Cartwright Sharon Denny Trish Faris Jaime Pipkin Kristy Sigafoos Shanelle Webster

Executive Administrative Assistant

Sarena Poor

Sales Assistant Jessica Lunde To advertise in Amarillo Magazine or on amarillomagonline.com, please contact Cindy Brown at 806.345.3373 or cindy.brown@amarillo.com.

West Texas Controller

Mike Clayton

900 S. Harrison St., 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.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

t’s a little unbelievable that 2017 is already drawing to a close. We always find ourselves wondering where the time went. It feels like it was just summer but we’re already nearly through the fall season and looking toward snow, freezing temperatures, and the Christmas holiday. Gathering a group of high-level business owners is always a challenge. Many entrepreneurs travel extensively, especially when the scope of their business is spread across several states. Our cover story this month took weeks of scheduling and rescheduling before we found ourselves at a final photo shoot date. Once we did, the time we spent with some of the city’s most successful, longstanding family-owned businesses was something I will not forget. Gracious, authoritative, humble, confident, friendly, capable – these are the characteristics that spring to mind when thinking about these families. We were treated to an inside look at how they have remained successful over the long haul, given a tour through facilities, and a glimpse into the skills required to run a family business. “Paying Dividends” is one of the longest features we’ve published, but I encourage you to take the time to read every word – there is a wealth of wisdom in its pages. The talented team at Panache allowed us inside one of its client’s homes, and you’ll see the stunning results of their work in “Beyond Boughs of Holly” on page 20. Stunning might not be enough praise for the Christmas decor throughout the home – glamorous comes a little closer. But in the middle of all the holiday sparkle, the dazzling interior still made us feel welcome and cozy. Every tree and garland is truly a work of art. We love to combine the talents of our contributors in features, especially as the end of the year approaches – it’s kind of a recap of sorts, a way to remember all the creative people that have graced our pages throughout the year. We asked a few of our regular “What’s Cooking?” contributors to share their go-to meals that they like to deliver to a friend in need. “The Art of Giving” (see page 49) contains hearty meals made to share – everything from comforting chicken noodle soup to belly warming shepherd’s pie. As the hectic holiday season draws near, keep these recipes on hand for a loved one or friend in need of a loving touch. Finally, we share our first Philanthropic Giving Guide with you this month. If you’ve ever heard about one of the many local nonprofits in Amarillo, but didn’t know what they actually do – who they help, how they operate – then this special section is sure to open your eyes. Inside, you’ll find detailed profiles for each agency, and ways you can help them continue to do good for the city’s people in need. In this season of thanks, I’d like to take a moment to thank you for supporting Amarillo Magazine. We have a blast producing every issue, and telling the stories of Amarillo people. I’m grateful to our readers, advertisers, social media followers, and talented contributors for allowing us to experience our city anew every month. As always thanks for reading,

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CO N T R I B U TO R S JASON BOYETT

SHANNON RICHARDSON

ERIN MATTHEWS

ANDY CHASE CUNDIFF

Jason wrote “Paying Dividends” on page 28. He is a journalist, copywriter, ghostwriter, and the author of more than a dozen books. Learn more at jasonboyett.com.

Shannon photographed “Beyond Boughs of Holly” on page 20, “Paying Dividends” on page 28, “Let’s Eat!” on page 59, and “20 Questions” on page 128. See Shannon’s work at shannonrichardson.com and route66americanicon.com.

Erin wrote “Amarillo’s Greatest Sports Fan” on page 45. She is a curriculum specialist for AISD. She lives with her husband, David, and their two daughters, McCall (14) and Grace (11).

Andy, a local artist, singer and songwriter, has called Amarillo home for more than 20 years. See his artwork every month with Jon Mark Beilue’s column (page 18). Contact Andy at 376-7918.

MASON DUDLEY

CHANCE GILMORE

GUNNAR WIDOWSKI

SHAIE WILLIAMS

Mason photographed some of the events in “Out & About,” beginning on page 8. An Amarillo native, he has had an interest in photography since his high school days, and especially enjoys capturing images of nature.

Chance photographed some of the events in “Out & About,” beginning on page 8. He pursues his interest in photography in a variety of genres.

Gunnar photographed some of the events in “Out & About,” beginning on page 8. He is a professional photographer and filmmaker born and raised in Amarillo. See Gunnar’s work at gunnarwidowski.com.

Shaie photographed some of the events in “Out & About,” beginning on page 8. His work ranges from editorial to portraiture. See Shaie’s work at williamspics. smugmug.com.

amarillomagonline.com ONLINE

EXCLUSIVES

View historic photos from the families we feature in our cover story, “Paying Dividends.”

We post photos of Amarillo’s best events – and the people who enjoy them – every week in our Out & About section. Watch for updates on our Facebook page!

Register to win Submit your name and contact information to amarillomagonline.com/contest this month for a chance to win a $100 gift card to United. Last month’s winner was Brenda Hernandez. CONNECT

Join the conversation on Facebook, and stay up to date with our latest online features.

Get Amarillo Magazine on your iPad! Keep Amarillo Magazine on hand by downloading the Amarillo Globe-News iPad app. Browse the magazine at your leisure and enjoy visually pleasing features all month, every month (subscription required).

Subscribe Email michele.mcaffrey@amarillo.com to receive Amarillo Magazine by mail. 6

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

OUT & ABOUT

Ninth Annual Crime Stoppers Car Show The Ninth Annual Crime Stoppers Car Show was held on Sept. 2 at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex. The annual event benefited Amarillo Crime Stoppers and Student Crime Stoppers. PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Russ and Lyndi Renfroe

Renee and Penny Deaver

Debbie and Richard Holmes

Coury and Mindy Hampton

John and Sharon Murdock

Second Annual Dueling Pianos Amarillo Hockey Association and Amarillo Bulls Hockey hosted the Second Annual Dueling Pianos on Sept. 3. The fundraiser included a sing-along and dancing to live music. PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Lisa and Kenny Ruiz

Tiffany and Chris Wright

Lacy and Derek Hahn

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

Amy Henderson and Tracy Patrick

Mike Flores and Dee Reimer

RSVP Appreciation Luncheon Panhandle Community Services hosted the RSVP Appreciation Luncheon on Sept. 7 at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex. The annual luncheon honored the volunteer work of those ages 55 and older. PHOTOS BY SHAIE WILLIAMS

Sarah Torres, Nicole Bounsing, Juretta James and Margaret Johnston

Carolyn and Ron Stiles

Donna Gillespie and Freda Jones

Betty Hopper and Jane Twing

CM and Leslie Sims, and Fred Hatchett

Up in the Air for Family Care Balloon Glow On Sept. 9 Up in the Air for Family Care Balloon Glow was held at John Stiff Memorial Park. The eighth annual event included live bands and food and merchandise vendors. Proceeds benefited the Family Care Foundation. PHOTOS BY GUNNAR WIDOWSKI

Wyatt, Jennie and Wes Landry

Monique Lucio and Lucia Villegas

Emma and Brittany Martinez

Chantelle Thompson and Chloe Bernard

India Holder and Kylie Bartosiewicz

NOVEMBER 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ Amarillo Magazine

OUT & ABOUT

22nd Annual Good Times Celebration Barbecue Cook-off On Sept. 14 the 22nd Annual Good Times Celebration Barbecue Cook-off was held in downtown Amarillo. Hosted by the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, the cook-off included 100 cooking teams that prepared eight tons of meat for a crowd that exceeded 6,000. PHOTOS BY CHANCE GILMORE

Drew Rowell, Jeremy Knowles and Sarah Lookingbill

Helly Sedeno and Scotty Vasquez

Jessie Rodriguez and Alyssa Pawlak

Brittany Edwards and Taylor Northrup

Cheyenne Heredia and Larissa Benson

25th Birthday Bash Wildcat Buff Nature Center hosted its 25th Birthday Bash on Sept. 15 at Starlight Canyon. The event included live music, cocktails, dinner, a silent auction and dancing. PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Nate and Liz Green, and David Tinsley

Callahan Clinton and Katelyn Donovan

Bruce Back and Mary Rusk

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

Shelly and William Kearns

Amy Taylor and Barbara Jensen

JazZoo The Amarillo Zoo hosted JazZoo on Sept. 16. The adults-only fundraiser included live jazz performances, food and drinks. Funds benefited the renovation of the Children’s Zoo at the Amarillo Zoo. PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

JD Escobedo and Rebecca Campbell

Deana Zaccardo and Angela Powell

Reina Garcia and Darin Comer

Katie Price and Terry Price

Kelly and Cindy Venable

Beyond the Gray Colorful Closets Amarillo held the Beyond the Gray fundraiser on Sept. 21 at Happy State Bank. The event included a Colorful Happy Hour and Kids Style Show. PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Lindsey Wing, Meaghan Collier, Andy Justus and Keely Brown

Jacob and Angelina Ramsay

Jody and Gary Purser

Phyllis Garrison, Sharon Baker and Lana Dempsey

Trina Frost, Lanitra Barringer and Tamikka Williams

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

OUT & ABOUT

APD Benefit Fundraiser On Sept. 22 the APD Benefit Fundraiser was held at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex. The annual event benefited a fund to assist APD employees and their families facing a serious and/or life-threatening illness. PHOTOS BY SHAIE WILLIAMS

Harmon, Jason and Dash Gibson, and Cpl. Clay Hegwood

Michael Johnson and Jason Adams

Remington Rucker and Jeremy Ortegon

Derrick Clark and Neil Jensen

April Swearingen, Fred Dahle and Amber Moulden

Horns & Heels Gala The Horns & Heels Gala was held on Sept. 22. The annual fundraiser benefited Advo Companies, Inc. PHOTOS BY CHANCE GILMORE

Kris Barnings, and Joe and Jennifer Graham

Taylor Becker and Ethan Douglass

Kristin Woolsey and Rhiana Galland

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

Shelby Snyder and Kristin Le

Ronda Smith and Erica Tutor

Komen West Texas Race for the Cure 2017 Komen West Texas held its annual Race for the Cure on Sept. 23 in downtown Amarillo. The race included a survivor breakfast, 5K competitive run, survivor parade, and 5K run/ walk and 1-mile run/walk. PHOTOS BY CHANCE GILMORE

Abbey Burklow, Misty Auwen and Kera Johnson

Matt and Haley Smith

Diandra Elliott and Kaitlyn Howard

Tyler and Jordan Morin

Shelby Skaggs and Chelsea Toney

Wing Wars Wing Wars was held on Sept. 23 at Ferguson Enterprises. The annual fundraiser benefited Amarillo Montessori Academy and featured all-you-could-eat wings and entertainment by Cooder Graw. PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

J Paul and MacKenzie Dodson

Rick Jasso and Michelle Karber

Amy and John Slaton

Steve and Holly Parrish

Cheryl Foard and Bobby Fox NOVEMBER 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ Amarillo Magazine

OUT & ABOUT

Dinner in the Garden Medical Center League House hosted Dinner in the Garden on Sept. 28. The annual fundraiser featured a catered meal by Chef Delvin Wilson. PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Patty Payne and Randy Prock

Keralee and Tad Clay

Greg and Sharlane Billman

Mike Good and Cari Roach

Susie O’Brien and Charlie Sellers

Una Gran Cena On Sept. 28 Amarillo Wesley Community Center hosted the annual Una Gran Cena celebration at Polk Street United Methodist Church. The fundraiser featured key note speaker Dr. Elsa Diego-Medrano, Assistant Professor of Education at West Texas A&M University. PHOTOS BY CHANCE GILMORE

Dana West, Christina Ritter and Denise Blanchard

Sandy Rascon and Lucinda Frausto

Nancy and George Biffle

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

Valerie Delafuente and Jeremy Herrera

Sharon and Floyd Anthony

Delicious Wishes Burger Bash Make-A-Wish North Texas hosted its Delicious Wishes Burger Bash on Sept. 28 at the Cornerstone Ranch Event Center. The fundraiser featured local restaurants and cook teams that competed for best burger bragging rights. PHOTOS BY SHAIE WILLIAMS

Victoria Yates, Courtney Schrader, Clayton Heetland and Emmy Pitzer

Dana Brandon, and Angie and Daniel Hamilton

Meredith Avery and Craig Vaughn

Curtis and Staci McGill, and Cassidy Larsen

Ruby Luster, Dianna Donathan and Rachel Meyers

WTAMU Communication Hall of Fame Banquet West Texas A&M University held its annual Communication Hall of Fame Banquet on Sept. 29. This year’s honorees were Craig Gualtiere, Lou Ann Seabourn, and Randy Ray. The 2017 Rising Star awards were presented to Eva Harder and Shay Ward. PHOTOS BY CHANCE GILMORE

Troy Reich and Vanessa Dirksmeyer

Wilson and Heather Lemieux

James Hadnot and Angelo Pontello

Paula Schlegel and Noah Franken

Craig Gaultiere and Dan Morgan

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

OUT & ABOUT

Wonderful Women Brunch Martha’s Home hosted a Wonderful Women Brunch on Sept. 30. Held at The Venue, the brunch featured food by Chef Bud Anderson, a fashion show, and beauty vendors. PHOTOS BY CHANCE GILMORE

Lyndsey Davis, Canion Cavazos, Kenzie Newton and Caroline Preston

Gina Doss and Misty Howard

Kali Harrison and Kayla Cochran

Sheryl Anderson and Arbnore Haliti

Sallye Barnes, Lindsey Murphy and Jenny Morgan

Ninth Annual P3: People, Pints, Pedals Pub Crawl On Oct. 1, 575 Pizzeria held the Ninth Annual P3: People, Pints, Pedals Pub Crawl. The crawl benefited One Chair at a Time. PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Chase and Ashley Hill

Tony and Jessica Kirkwood

James Bentley and Brigitte Artho

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

Lance and Danielle Williams

Angela Cowan and Colin Radant

Mission Amarillo Banquet & Auction The Mission Amarillo Banquet & Auction was held on Oct. 3 at Polk St. United Methodist Church. The annual fundraiser featured family-friendly games and a silent auction. PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Carrie and Jeff Irwin

Robbie and Reagan Ashlock

Eric and Lindsay Gomez

Denise and Hank Blanchard

Brandy and David Bishop

Lips 2017 Lips 2017 was held on Oct. 5 at the Embassy Suites Amarillo Downtown. This year’s theme was “Cheers to 25 Years.” Funds raised benefited Opportunity School. PHOTOS BY MASON DUDLEY

Alyssa Heck and Elaine Lee

Courtney and Ryan Evans

Janet Laughter and Ashley Laughter

Lana Hillary and Tymesha Sutton

Johnny Harris and Audra Hinojos

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

T H E W AY I S E E I T

Jon Mark Beilue

There’s power in the nap – at least for some

t is 3:34 p.m. on a Thursday as I type this sentence, and all I know for sure is that I’m tired. I can feel saliva forming in the corner of my mouth. I’ve got that vacant stare at the computer screen and my mind is drifting. I could use a nap except I don’t take naps, though I wish I did. We have it in reverse in this country. Little pre-school kids are required to take naps while adults go blasting through the day like we don’t need no stinkin’ break. It should be the opposite. What I wouldn’t give for some kind of alarm to go off at work at 1:30 p.m. Then all us worker bees would head to the photography studio where there are no windows, and in a darkened room, lie down on our pallets while a supervisor sits in a rocking chair in the middle and sews or reads a book with a book light and shushes us for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the little urchins at day care get a nice sugar fix about that time to carry them through the rest of the day, where they promptly collapse for the night at 7:30 p.m., and they and nap-strengthened mom and dad are much the better for it. There are extreme benefits for taking a nap, or at least that’s what I’ve been told. I wouldn’t know. According to the Sleep Foundation, a 20- to 30-minute nap helps short-term alertness, enhances performance, and reduces mistakes and accidents. It has a psychological benefit too – a reward to yourself for a little mini-vacation. A NASA study showed a 40-minute nap improved alertness in military pilots by 35 percent. Even a 10-minute mini-catnap can better cognitive performance. Napping gets a bit of a stigma, that it’s for the lazy or those with no ambition. That’s not entirely true as I’m lazy and have no ambition and I don’t take naps. Plus there’s been some famous nappers who were bigtime achievers in history. Napolean took naps in battle. Winston Churchill enjoyed two hours of solid napping per day without clothes, though he was likely sleeping one off. John Kennedy took a one- to two-hour nap daily with drapes drawn. History has shown, however, that “nap” probably included a female visitor from time to time. Lyndon Johnson, Kennedy’s successor, would change into pajamas for a 30-minute nap at 3:30 p.m. Thomas Edison, it was said, “didn’t

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

sleep very much, but napped a lot.” Eventually, he had to turn out the light bulb he invented to do so. My dad, a farmer, took at least a 20-minute nap every day. He’d come home for lunch, and then lie down in his overalls on the floor of the living room for at least 20 minutes. No pillow, nothing soft under him. It looked uncomfortable, but he was as still as a stone. If someone walked into our living room, they’d see these legs protruding from behind the couch and scream of foul play. As a kid, when I was driving a tractor, I was as quiet as a church mouse during his naps, praying he would go into a deep REM sleep and not wake up until 5:30 p.m. and save me an afternoon of hot tractor torture. But without fail, he’d be up in 20 minutes or so and charge headlong into work until sunset. I can’t do that. I’m not a napper unless it was forced upon me. It may have stemmed from more than 20 years ago. It was a Sunday afternoon, and I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up, there was my youngest son, Chad, about 3, and another little friend just standing there silently staring at me like I was some kind of zoo creature. What was I doing – snoring, picking my nose, drooling? It was unnerving. “You kids go play,” I said, wiping my mouth and feeling of my nostrils. On those rare times when I fall asleep for even 15 minutes, I wake up in a blind panic. It takes a few seconds to get oriented – what day is it? What did I miss? Where should I be? I don’t know if it’s a Type A personality thing or not. People talk about Sunday naps like it’s yet another glorious religious experience of the day and I know not what they talk about. My wife can nod off in mid-conversation like I’ve been dropped in a cell phone call. That’s not all bad, mind you, but it does speak to how easily some can fall asleep. I can’t – at least Jon Mark Beilue is an not on my own. AGN Media columnist. Now maybe if it He can be reached at were required, I jon.beilue@amarillo.com or 345.3318. could realize one of the real benefits of a power nap – staying up until 10 p.m.

Thanks, Amarillo, for voting us Best Skinny Beer AMARILLO GLOBE-NEWS

BEST 2017 OF AMARILLO

HOME

Beyond Boughs of Holly N

o season is more dependent on beloved traditions than Christmas. Passed down from one generation to the next, they keep the holiday season filled with comfort and familiarity. That’s what makes traditions so wonderful: They never change. But in some instances – especially with Christmas decorations – a lack of change from year to year can become a little bit boring. Christmas should never be boring. Lately, Amarillo families have begun turning to local boutiques and designers to update their traditional Christmas decorations. Silver and gold replace red and green. Luxurious ribbons replace childhood ornaments. Handmade crafts give way to Hollywood styling. These are Christmas decorations for grown-ups. At Panache, manager Kendra Clark and interior designer Nikki Frazier graciously invited us into into a local home they styled for Christmas, walking us through its distinctive look. PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

he most traditional tree in the home is located in the dining room, and features red and green ornamentation in addition to gold. “The dining room is the most formal space, so it’s a little different,” Frazier says. Every year, the customer hires Panache not just to style the home but also to wrap gifts. “We custom gift-wrap to match each tree,” says Clark. “It creates a unified look if the presents coordinate rather than crazy, different colors under a designer tree.”

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

azzling simplicity reigns on this mantle and console table. “We really try to go big in a few focal points,” says Frazier. “In the past, moms and grandmas had knick-knacks on every little table. Every room would have something, but we’re not seeing that as much anymore.” The unique faux-fur stockings belonged to the homeowner. “We want people to have a personal touch in all of their decorations,” Clark says.

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

his gorgeous garland helps transition between decor in the upstairs bedrooms and the downstairs dining and living areas. “Not everything has to match, but it’s good to have one common theme,” says Frazier. The flocked greenery and glamorous gold highlights extend throughout the house. “They entertain a lot,” Clark says of the client. “They wanted over-the-top, designer Christmas decorations.”

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

his spectacular silver tree is located in an office area. “Traditionally, you just have a Christmas tree in the family room for the family to enjoy,” says Clark. “But as people entertain, they want Christmas throughout the house. We specialize in making the whole house festive rather than just one tree.”

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

his eye-catching table display features the homeowner’s own nativity set. “In a lot of the homes we work in, we use decor they already have collected, like a meaningful nativity,” Clark says. The fall family photo matches the rest of the decor on purpose. She says clients can make their homes more festive by temporarily changing out traditional family photos with more seasonal ones.

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

he least ostentatious tree in the home is this one, located in a preteen daughter’s bedroom. “It’s like a white Charlie Brown-looking tree with fewer ornaments,” Clark says. “It was custom-designed to match very simple, light and airy decor.”

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

his black-and-gold tree in the room of a teenage daughter is far more flamboyant. “Her room’s design is very glam, very Hollywood. There’s already lots of gold in there. It made sense to do more on that tree just because it fit the style of the room and the family,” says Clark.

Often, she and Frazier rely on ribbons – like these black-and-white striped patterns – to set a tree apart. “Big, wide, velvet or luxury-patterned ribbons really make the difference in the styling. It makes it feel full. That’s a designer touch not many people think to add.”

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

The Ware Family

The Lee Family

Eddie Bradley, Daniel Bradley, and Becky Dodson

Brian and Chris Bruckner

The Borchardt Family

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

[

COVER

STORY]

PAYING DIVIDENDS Multi-generational family businesses vital to Amarillo economy By Jason Boyett PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

“A

marillo is special,” Richard Ware says from his office at Amarillo National Bank. Representing the fourth among five generations of family leadership at the bank, he’s given some thought to why family businesses do so well in the Texas Panhandle. “We call it the ‘circle the wagons’ mentality. People just feel like we have to take care of our own businesses.” The city is geographically isolated. The weather can be fickle and harsh. The economy has seen its share of booms and busts. Surviving those challenges requires grit, determination, and an unrelenting work ethic. “It makes you tougher. That leads businesses to be successful,” Ware says. “They are able to expand and take the business model and those qualities and be successful in other markets.

The people here just do the right things.” That combination of durability, support and hard work has fostered a vibrant local business community, especially for family-owned businesses. Some of the most prominent ones are multi-generational, having started small before expanding as the company reigns are passed on to children and grandchildren – and sometimes even further. In this issue, we look at some of Amarillo’s most successful multi-generational businesses. While they represent a broad range of industries – a legendary steakhouse, an amusement park, truck and car dealerships – many of their challenges and driving principles remain the same. Amarillo is special, and so are these families.

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

ON DOING BUSINESS IN AMARILLO:

in it for the long-haul. We “haveWe’re no plans to ever change what

we’re doing if it would affect the business of the customers. We’ll grow a little as the economy grows. We might look to the South Plains in West Texas but we have no plans of selling or leaving this area. We love Amarillo and are excited about the future of Amarillo.

”

– Richard Ware

(L-R) Tol, Pat, Richard, Benj and William Ware

AMARILLO NATIONAL BANK

mong family businesses, Amarillo National Bank is a true statistical outlier. More than two-thirds of family businesses don’t make the transition in ownership from the first generation to the second. Among those that do, half of them don’t survive into the third generation. ANB has reached its fifth generation. Guided by the Ware family, it’s the largest, 100-percent family-owned bank in the nation – and celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. Chairman and President Richard Ware represents the fourth generation of the family, and worked for decades alongside his brother, Bill, who passed away in 2012. Their sons are now the fifth generation of Wares at the historic bank’s helm. The bank started on Polk Street in 1892, under a different name, with local cattleman Benjamin Taliaferro (B.T.) Ware as its vice president. Amarillo was only five years old at the time, and B.T. was one of the town’s earliest business leaders. Though ranching operations took him to Fort Worth in 1899, B.T. returned to the Panhandle a year later. He started a bank in Channing, then repurchased his former bank and merged the two institutions into the newly designated Amarillo National Bank. He headed the bank as president for the next three decades.

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During that time, ANB helped Panhandle families capitalize on oil and gas discoveries and survive the Dust Bowl and Great Depression. B.T.’s sons, including Charles Ware, led the bank through World War II and a period of prosperity as Route 66 and the Air Force base put Amarillo on the map. B.T.’s grandson, B.T. “Tol” Ware II, was an only child. That kept the family small as the bank entered its third generation. Under his leadership, ANB build the first drive-up banking facility in Texas, the bank’s 16-story downtown headquarters, and introduced the state’s first ATM. Tol’s sons, Richard and Bill, joined ANB in the 1980s. Together they built the gleaming Plaza Two and the bank’s drive-up branches, leading Amarillo National Bank into the modern banking era. Tol passed away in 2014, at 95 years old. Today, Richard’s sons, William and Pat, are now executive vice presidents at ANB. Their brother, Benj, is a bank officer. Bill’s son, Tol, is assistant vice president. “I had a feeling I would be a banker,” William deadpans. “Growing up, that’s all we talked about. I really didn’t think there were any other jobs out there. I thought everybody just did family business.” Despite that upbringing, he says his father “downplayed” the uniqueness of the family-owned bank. “We didn’t really know what

ON GENERATIONAL CHALLENGES:

It’s extremely hard to come up in a family “business and work under your father or

grandfather. They have high expectations. My biggest challenge is wanting to have more responsibility and do things on my own, with my dad still actively involved. He still wants to be in charge and we butt heads a little.

” – William Ware

The lobby at ANB’s Plaza One

Dad did the majority of our lives. We knew he was a banker and it had run in our family. We knew [the bank] was old, but we just thought it was normal.” Richard grew up the same way, and says the “constant bank talk” at the family’s Sunday lunch gave him a better financial education than a college degree. In fact, the young Ware ran an underground bank at Wolflin Elementary School for kids who forgot their lunch money. “I loaned a quarter and they had to pay back 30 cents,” he remembers, laughing. “The principal made me stop. I got punished for usury.” Despite that youthful exuberance, he still had to pay his dues at the real bank. “I worked in every department. Our family has always done it [that way],” Richard says. From the maintenance shed to loan review, “it’s a real advantage to know what the day-to-day job of each person is. Employees will respect you more and you’re a better manager.” William, Pat, and Benj are triplets. Like their father, the three boys began working in the bank the summer after they turned 15. “We started in the maintenance department cleaning handrails and striping parking lots,” William says. “We got promoted to the coin vault at age 16, wrapping pennies.” Until college, the boys worked

every job that didn’t require a college degree. Even after earning degrees, a job in the family business wasn’t automatic. After college, William and Pat both spent a year working for Frost Bank, which is owned by a financial holding company traded on the New York Stock Exchange. “We realized real quick that we were ready to work for a business that didn’t have outside stockholders. We were ready to come home,” William says. Back in Amarillo, they had to reapply at ANB – “That was an eye opener,” William says – then had to work their way into a lending position. “We did every position you needed to become a lender,” he says. “Every generation has had to earn their stripes. Nothing was handed to us.” William’s father, Richard, says that kind of hard work and longterm thinking is crucial for a bank that doesn’t answer to outside shareholders – especially in the volatile financial industry. ANB has literally seen hundreds of its competitors change hands, sell out, or disappear during its 125 years of operation. “Owning all the stock changes your focus to the long-term and there’s nobody pushing to sell out,” he says. “The owner has to be in the store. Absentee management doesn’t work over the generations. We’ve been very fortunate in that our families believed, for five generations, that NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

Bruckner’s large service area

you’ve got to spend 50 hours a week on banking.” That longevity has made ANB a stabilizing and influential force in Amarillo’s business community, financing much of its development and expansion – including the growth of the family businesses mentioned here. While publicly held institutions worry about earnings and shareholder returns, the Wares keep close tabs on Amarillo’s economy. “Community banking has to be truly connected to the community,” William says. “We learned that our community is as good as its businesses, and if you give back, it’ll make it a better community and support those businesses.” That reach extends beyond the business world. When oil prices were rising in the 1970s and ’80s, major oil companies including T. Boone Pickens’s Mesa Petroleum headquartered in Amarillo, dominating its economy. Those behemoths provided an overwhelming percentage of support of the city’s charities and nonprofits – until they left. “They’re no longer here, and there was a vacuum that needed to be filled,” explains Richard. “We recognized how fortunate we were to inherit the bank. Our bank started doing very well and we all felt an obligation to give back. So much had already been given to us.” Guided by the Ware family, ANB’s 550-plus employees donate more than ten thousand hours of community service to civic organizations every year. The bank itself gave $1.9 million to local

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charities and schools in 2016. ANB may be unique among most family-owned businesses, but Richard and William both say they’ve experienced the usual generational challenges. “My biggest challenge is wanting to have more responsibility and do things on my own, with my dad still actively involved,” William says. “He still wants to be in charge and we butt heads a little.” Richard says it was the same way with his own father. “My father and I were strong-willed and often had differing opinions. We’d get into heated discussions in meetings,” he says. Bill was usually in the same meetings, and would get up, leave the room, and come back wearing a referee shirt. Ever the peacemaker, he kept it in his office for such an occasion. “History repeats itself,” Richard says. “In every business.” But making sure ANB remains strong so history can repeat itself for the next generation is a burden all the family members bear. “We’re in it for the long haul,” William says of the bank founded by his great-great-grandfather. “Taking care of other people’s money is a tremendous responsibility. It’s not just being a banker – it’s running a business that’s been around 125 years and making it last another 125 years. We were handed a wonderful bank in a wonderful community. It’s our job to make it better than we found it.”

BRUCKNER’S

long I-40, on the eastern edge of Amarillo, the Bruckner’s corporate office hides an enormous ON HANDLING repair shop. Inside it, huge cabover Mack trucks and smaller Hino and Isuzu trucks are being serviced. As Brian and Chris Bruckner walk through the facility, dressed in crisp shirts and ties, they greet employees by name: A receptionist. A parts salesman. A crew of young mechanics. The two brothers know the ins and outs of their company, but they also know the people who make it work. That’s something they learned from their father, Ben Bruckner, Jr., who passed away in 2012, and their late grandfather, B.M. “Bennie” Bruckner, the founder of the family business. “He was one of those guys that would walk in a room and everyone saw him as larger than life,” Chris says about their grandfather. “He loved people and striking up a conversation and understanding their business to see if he could help.” As a young man in the 1920s, the elder Bruckner gained a reputation as something of a mechanical genius. He worked at Amarillo’s old power plant on Third Avenue and repaired vehicles on the side. “It was whatever people brought in,” Brian says. “Cars or trucks or tractors. People always heard ‘Bennie Bruckner can fix that.’” The Depression hit Amarillo, and Bruckner lost his job around the age of 30. Needing a way to support his family of four, he turned his hobby into a business. He opened Bruckner’s Garage in 1932. His wife, Willa Mae, kept the books. A young cousin, Jess Pearce, joined him in the shop. Ambitious and a born salesman, Bruckner soon supplemented the repair work by becoming a dealer for irrigation motors and small truck lines. Then, after World War II, he had the opportunity to become the licensed Mack Trucks dealer for Amarillo. Pierce took over the shop while Bennie sold trucks. “He saw that the shop would always be a small repair shop, but as a dealer he thought he could build a bigger business than as an independent garage,” Brian says. “He was always looking at ways to market and grow.” After getting a business degree, Bennie’s son joined the company. In the 1960s, the father and son opened a satellite location in Lubbock. They bought former Mack-owned stores in larger cities, like Fort Worth, and then began acquiring dealerships in neighboring

states, like New Mexico and Oklahoma, from owners who were ready to retire and didn’t have a successor. DISAGREEMENTS: Today, Bruckner’s operates 19 dealerships, three parts-and-service locations, and four partsonly stores across six states. Their trucking customers put hundreds of thousands of miles on a vehicle every year, so repair and maintenance are central components of the business. Bruckner’s also – Brian Bruckner sells parts and trailers, owns a full-service leasing company, and operates a Dallas subsidiary that sells snowplows, trash collection trucks, and other refuse vehicles to municipalities. Bennie Bruckner died in 1999 at the age of 95. His son, Ben, Jr., passed away at 82 as Chairman of the Board. By that time, the two elder Bruckners had left day-to-day operations in the capable hands of the third generation. Today, Brian is CEO and president of the family business and Chris is executive vice president. Both had several years managing other Bruckner’s dealerships, but a decade before his death, Ben asked Brian to return to Amarillo to take on responsibilities in the corporate office. Chris followed a few years later. The brothers enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside their dad during his twilight years – despite his refusal to retire. “That’s not the Bruckner way,” Brian says with a laugh. “He didn’t have hobbies,” Chris says. “We told him to retire and enjoy [life] but he didn’t want anything to do with that. He loved being around people and checking on things. He’d go to the stores and meet with customers.” Though Ben’s death was an emotionally difficult time for the family, it was softened by the fact that much of the transition of authority had already taken place. “In family businesses, you lose your dad but you also lose the leader of your company,” Brian says. “Fortunately for us, my dad planned the transition really well.” Despite his constant presence in the office, Ben hadn’t attempted to hang on to the operational responsibilities. “He was available to give advice and was a part of decisions, but he had confidence in us that we’d run with the ball.” Just like their father, the boys had grown up in the business and were already familiar with every aspect of it. “Even when Chris and I were young, that’s where we worked when we weren’t at school,”

Most of the time it works. We don’t always “agree about everything. But we respect each other a lot and have confidence that if we come up with something we don’t agree on, we’ll figure it out. We’ve got confidence in each other’s abilities.

”

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Brian says. “Our grandfather wanted us to work here. When we were 12, he’d pick us up and take us to the shop and put us to work.” They swept floors. They hoed weeds. They organized salvage parts. Neither of them ever really considered doing anything else. With 870 employees spread from Colorado to Louisiana, the business Brian and Chris inherited has grown far beyond what their grandfather, Bennie, may have imagined. But his personality and passion still informs their work and permeates the Bruckner’s culture. Back in the 1960s, Bennie implemented a profit-sharing plan for his employees. At the time, it was a relatively uncommon compensation structure. “We focused on taking care of people and worked hard to build relationships. If you hire great people and take care of them, they’ll take good care of your customers,” Brian says. “We’ve tried to instill that with all of our folks.” Admittedly, expansion has required some concessions. “Back in the early days, with two to four stores, Dad could go around and know everybody and call them by name. He could ask about

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their kids,” Chris says. The brothers may be on a first-name basis with the Amarillo workforce, but they’re not quite capable of remembering the names of the 800 additional employees. “But it’s important to keep that [family-oriented] culture. As Brian and I travel to a store, we go around and see everybody and make them feel a part of the family. People appreciate it.” Both of the third-generation Bruckners have kids in college now, but say they’ve been careful not to put expectations on the potential fourth generation of Bruckner family members. “My kids are hard-working and passionate about a lot of stuff,” Brian says. “Chris’s are, too. But if they don’t get up everyday and think about trucks and truck customers, then they’re not going to be successful in this business.” Chris chimes in. “If they want to go do something else, more power to them. But if they have a passion for it and want to join, we’d love to have them.” He and his brother are walking advertisements for that passion, which is evident as they discuss the still-growing family enterprise. “It’s what we love and what we talk about,” Chris says. “Trucks are fun.”

ON MAKING SURE THE FAMILY BUSINESS SURVIVES:

you get bigger, you have to evolve “andAschange your organizational structure

without changing your culture. That’s the biggest challenge. We work hard to create a strong business culture of how we treat our customers. Our culture is a big part of what our company is. As long as we’re able to keep that culture and retain quality in our organization, we can adapt to fit the scale of the business we’re trying to do.

”

– Brian Bruckner

Chris and Brian walk through the shop at Bruckner’s.

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Alex, Jordan, Madison, Danny, Diane, Tina, Bobby, Patrick and Tyler Lee

ON HANDLING DISAGREEMENTS:

are opposites. That’s what makes it work. If we were making the same decisions “andWeagreeing all the time, then one of us isn’t needed. It’s as simple as that. There have

been things I would never, never do but Bob doesn’t hesitate. I would never have started a brewery. I wanted to, but was too scared. Bob said ‘Why not?’

”

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– Danny Lee

THE BIG TEXAN STEAK RANCH AND BREWERY

or travelers along Interstate 40, The Big Texan Steak Ranch and ON GENERATIONAL Brewery is a destination they anticipate across hours of open highway. Whether they actually stop here or not, they’ve been seeing the iconic “Free 72-ounce steak” signs for miles – from as far away as Winslow, Arizona, to the west and Russellville, Arkansas, to the east. But for brothers Bobby and Danny Lee, The Big Texan was just the place they went after school. They would do their homework in the bookkeeper’s office or be put to work bussing tables or peeling calf fries. If they misbehaved, they’d be assigned the worst job in the restaurant. “We got put at the pot sink next to the homeless guy scrubbing pots and pans,” says Bobby, who is two years older and a couple inches taller than his brother. “Lesson learned.” Though now co-owners of a world-famous business built by their father, R.J. “Bob” Lee, neither of the men thought it would become a career. “We always felt this was just a stepping stone, a way for getting money for gas and dates,” Danny says. “You ended up resenting it after awhile. Then you move away and start recognizing, like any kid does, how good it was back at home.” In the mid-20th century, Bob and Mary Ann Lee made Amarillo the home for their large, Catholic family of 10. Bob fell in love with the area’s old-west history. Seeing an opportunity to serve the travelers streaming through town on Route 66, the entrepreneur opened the Big Texan Western Style Cafeteria in 1960. It later became The Big Texan Steak House, the enormous cowboy standing next to its sign a landmark on the Mother Road. “He was a Yankee and wasn’t going to put together a real cowboy place that was true to nature,” Bobby says today, sitting in the balcony of the restaurant’s prominent location along I-40. “But he was smart enough to sit back and listen to what the people wanted. He put the biggest table we had right in front of the grill so all the customers could watch, and reserved it for the cowboys coming in from the stockyards. He’d sell nickel beer and just watch these guys

trying to outdo each other.” Eating competitions among those cowboys led to the Big CHALLENGES: Texan’s legendary 72-ounce steak challenge, and Bob Lee’s willingness to “give people what they want” defined what the Big Texan became. Always looking for new opportunities, Lee bought property in east Amarillo with plans to open a beer store outside the city limits. Then, in 1968, Interstate 40 brought traffic to a standstill on Route 66 – right through that property. “We were so broke,” Bobby says. “Nobody would lend him money. We were – Bobby Lee in real bad financial shape.” Using salvaged building materials from the pre-fab barracks at Pantex Village, the family built a new version of The Big Texan on the interstate, moved the big sign, and reopened the restaurant. Then Bob Lee died in 1990. “When my father passed away it was a shock. It was horrible, horrible news,” says Danny, whose eyes still get teary at the subject. At the time, he worked in Dallas in the electronics industry. Meanwhile, Bobby was marketing health clubs in the Metroplex. Upon Lee’s death, Bobby returned to Amarillo to help his mother with the family business. Danny came to Amarillo a few years later to join his brother. The two bought the business from the family and now co-own The Big Texan Steak Ranch and Brewery outright. Bobby handles the marketing. Danny handles the operations. “He keeps us off the obituaries, and I keep us on the front page,” Bobby explains with a grin. Is running a business as brothers ever challenging? “Always,” answers Bobby. “I was going to say ‘never,’” Danny says. They make it work. Bobby’s wife, Tina, manages retail merchandise for the restaurant. Their two college-age sons help with graphic design from the Metroplex. Danny met his wife, Diane, when she was a waitress at The Big Texan and he was working in the kitchen. Today, their grown twin sons, 26-year-olds Jordan and Alex, are the kitchen manager and procurement manager, respectively.

of us had any intentions of getting “intoNeither this business. The faster we could get away

from the Big Texan, the better off we would be. My sports career took me all over – Mexico City, Portland, Denver, Dallas. The further I got away from here, when people asked where I was from, I’d say Amarillo and they’d say, ‘That’s the place with the big steakhouse.’ Maybe my dad wasn’t such a dumbass after all.

”

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The dining room at The Big Texan

Their daughter, Madison, has done everything from waiting tables to working in the gift shop. Today, the family-run steakhouse is more popular than it’s ever been, a fixture on cable network food and travel shows. Almost a third of its business comes from international tourists. The yellow building itself is bursting at the seams. “We’re a 57-year-old restaurant and over the past five or six years we’ve seen our biggest increase in business,” says Bobby. Parking has become an issue. Wait times for its massive 500-person dining room have lengthened. “It’s a great problem, but we’ve got to take care of our Mother Ship.” Both men refer to the restaurant that way. It’s the hub that helps fund the rest of the empire, from the gift shop to the brewery to the 54-unit Big Texan Motel to new ventures like Starlight Ranch, an indoor/outdoor event venue opening this summer for family reunions, wedding receptions, and concerts. Bigger plans are on the table for a 200-acre development a little to the west – a yearround waterpark, hotel, and revamped restaurant. All of it will retain what the brothers refer to as the “unique ugliness” that customers love about this tourist destination. They don’t deny its showiness. Bobby compares it to the Hawaiian

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A portrait of R.J. Lee hangs in the dining room.

stereotype of hula girls wearing grass skirts. Danny equates it with the Empire State Building in New York City, which tourists flock to but locals ignore. The Big Texan is the Times Square of Amarillo. “We only see Amarilloans when someone’s in from out of town, because that’s what they’ve heard about,” Danny says. “Is it true Texas? Absolutely not,” Bobby admits. “But it’s as true Texas as the world believes it is. That’s what the spirit of the Big Texan is. People come in ready to have fun and see what Texas is all about.” Danny pulls up a TripAdvisor review from that morning, something he does daily. “It’s been 35 years, but it did not disappoint,” he reads. That gratifies him. Both brothers feel a responsibility to serve patrons who first visited their dad’s place in the 1970s, people who first came with a grandparent and are now bringing their own grandkids to the steakhouse. “This whole place is based on people being excited about getting here,” Bobby says. “Our job is making sure that expectation isn’t just met, but exceeded. Our staff is ready to give them the best Texas experience we can.” That’s definitely something they learned from their father.

WONDERLAND AMUSEMENT PARK

Wonderland. But he quickly lmost any child who discovered that, as with many grew up in Amarillo small family businesses, carries with him or ON GENERATIONAL CHALLENGES: “managing” was a broad her memories related to description. The Wonderland Wonderland Park. The first organizational chart was loop of the Texas Tornado. nothing like what he’d The thrill of hurtling backward experienced in the military. on the Himalaya. Even the “The organizational chart constant bell-tinkling of the was me, all the way from boat ride near the entrance. making decisions to cleaning This historic amusement bathrooms and picking up park has been a fixture of trash,” he says. local childhoods and summers – Paul Borchardt Borchardt and his in-laws for decades. It may seem carefully navigated some of humble compared to parks the more challenging aspects like those in the Six Flags familiar to anyone in a family family, but it still sees more business. The Roads were entrepreneurs and as the founding than 200,000 visitors a year. It’s well-known within the American generation, had grown used to making decisions. Borchardt was amusement park industry. And unlike the big parks elsewhere in young and ambitious, seeking to establish his own authority. Texas, Wonderland is family-owned. Eventually, the give-and-take relationship evolved as Borchardt The first incarnation of Wonderland started in 1951, when Paul proved himself – and his business sense – to the family. With good and Alethea Roads erected rides in an undeveloped section of communication and a lot of mutual trust, they eventually named him Thompson Park, which they’d purchased from the city. Called Kiddie president and general manager of the company. Paula became vice Land, it had precisely three rides: a circular boat ride, a small roller president, taking over the bookkeeping and other responsibilities. coaster called the Lil’ Dipper, and a car ride that Roads built himself. Wonderland began to flourish. A staff that was once comprised A fabricator at Amarillo’s Air Force base, Roads worked full-time at of just a few family members grew into the dozens. Groundbreaking the base while running the park on summer nights and weekends. rides like the Fantastic Journey and Texas Tornado were added. And Eventually, Kiddie Land became profitable enough for Roads a new generation of the family – Paul and Paula Borchardt’s four to make it his full-time job. He maintained the park and rides, daughters – began their careers at Wonderland. and Alethea handled everything else, from bookkeeping to selling “My wife made sure they had the exposure to playing games and tickets to managing employees. Kiddie Land grew, adding rides sports [that other kids had], but they grew up out here,” Paul says of until, in 1969, the Roads decided to upgrade the name. That’s his girls. “They worked here even when they were in junior high.” when Wonderland Park was born, named after Lewis Carroll’s One of those daughters, Rebecca Parker, is still with the fantasy world. company. As a teenager, she worked in the food stands, Wonderland was a family affair from the beginning. Alethea’s administered games, and operated rides. Eventually, she began parents, Robert and Ruth Mikesell, moved to Amarillo during those overseeing and training other young employees. “My parents needed early years after they retired. Robert helped install and operate me,” she says. “That’s how I felt in high school. Being out here was the boats. Ruth managed the Wonderland golf course into her late fun, but I felt like they needed someone trustworthy to run eighties. The Roads’ two children, Paula and Danny, grew up at the the games.” park. Danny passed away in 1963. Rebecca earned a Master of Business Administration degree, got That left Paula, the couple’s only child, and in 1969, she married, became a CPA, and returned to Amarillo to raise her family convinced her new husband, Paul Borchardt, to move to Amarillo in the mid-1990s. Now Wonderland’s controller, her job entails and join her parents in running the business. The couple had met watching over the finances of a year-round company that only makes at Oklahoma University and Borchardt, an officer in the Navy, had money during the three summer months when Wonderland is open. been headed toward a full-time Naval career. Rebecca’s husband, Randy, works for a drug company. But their “I came in as a manager,” he says today of his first years at

The biggest challenge is the sense of “responsibility you have when you take over.

You never realize that a family business is a 24/7 job. Everyone is looking at you. Everyone depends on your decisions.

”

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ON MAKING THE TRANSITION TO THE NEXT GENERATION:

their kid and you don’t know more “thanIt istheynotdo.easy.It isYou’re kind of hard to get some ideas across.

Dad has talked about giving me more responsibility and him taking less. I know that when he does, he’ll be there to encourage me just like Grandmother and Grandfather were there to encourage him. Once he gives me more authority, he’ll be behind me a hundred percent.

”

– Rebecca Parker

two daughters – 18-year-old Sabrina and 12-year-old Rachel – have already been introduced to the family business. “Sabrina helps me count money and make deposits. She works in the gate or games or whatever I ask,” Rebecca says. As for Rachel, “she told me she wants to be in charge of the park. I told her she’s going to have to start working to see what it takes,” her mom says. According to the family patriarch, being in charge requires a 24-7 commitment and a willingness to carry a sizeable family burden. “Everyone is looking at you,” Paul Borchardt says. “Everyone depends on your decisions. It takes awhile to learn that you can’t ever really leave it behind. It’s all on your shoulders at all times.” Wonderland has grown far beyond Kiddie Land, and that growth continues. This past summer, once it opened to the public, the park’s staff swelled to 150 people. Until then, a full-time staff of 20 had been working throughout the off-season, painting, refurbishing and maintaining rides. The Borchardts and the rest of the family know it’s important that their park continues to “wow” their patrons from one year to

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Sabrina, Rachel, and Rebecca Parker, and Paula and Paul Borchardt

the next. “We always want people to see something different along with their favorite rides,” he says. “There are always plans [for the future]. We’re out of space.” A newly extended contract with the city of Amarillo leases the land to Wonderland through 2040. This March, the city council agreed to add nearly half an acre to the park’s western boundary – enough space for two new rides. Until that expansion occurs, Paul and Paula Borchardt and Rebecca Parker continue to pour everything into the legacy the Roads created. The hard work and passion that fuels them are traits they learned from the park’s founders. Paul Roads died in 2003. Alethea remained involved in Wonderland’s operations well into her nineties, until she passed away this past summer at the age of 100. Both saw their dream turn into an iconic Amarillo destination, and the couple was honored with a Lifetime Service Award from the industry-leading International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. They left Wonderland in the capable hands of the two generations that followed them.

AUTOINC

his own dealership in 1975. That downtown driver would became Bradley Lincoln-Mercury. be forgiven for missing Eventually, Eddie followed in the AutoInc headquarters. Garner’s footsteps and become Located in a small building on ON MAKING SURE THE FAMILY the area’s Oldsmobile dealer. He Fillmore, it’s tucked between sevenBUSINESS SURVIVES: acquired Royal Imports a few years story office buildings and hulking later, and in 1983 moved those parking garages. But it’s safe to franchises to the Autoplex on I-27. say that many of the vehicles The business kept growing. parked in those garages, and “Then we bought our first Dodge passing down Fillmore, were sold store here, then we ended up by AutoInc dealerships. buying a store in Lubbock in 1985,” Whether they see the building or Eddie says. “We’ve since acquired not, the drivers themselves may not more stores and are still growing.” even realize that AutoInc sold them After high school, Eddie and their car. – Eddie Bradley Janie’s son, Daniel, began working Headed by Amarilloan Eddie as a car salesman for one of the Bradley and his son, Daniel, organization’s Lubbock dealerships. AutoInc oversees a growing empire Daniel was a natural. “He did so of West Texas car dealerships. well selling cars,” Eddie says. Locally, these include Texas Dodge, “He’s great with people and moved into different spots and different Autoplex BMW, Amarillo Hyundai, All Star Dodge Chrysler Jeep, and responsibilities.” After stints as general manager of two of the local All Star Family Ford between here and Canyon. dealerships, Daniel moved into the corporate office on Fillmore as But that’s not all. Further down the interstate, there’s a Dodge, vice president. “At that point, I felt like he needed to come down Chrysler, and Jeep franchise in Plainview, two dealerships in here and see what it’s like from the perspective of managing several Lubbock, and two more in Slaton. AutoInc owns dealerships in stores,” his father says. Midland, Odessa, San Angelo, and Abilene, as well. These cover Janie’s sister and Daniel’s aunt, Becky Dodson, is also a vice 10 automobile franchises across 14 different retail locations, with a president at AutoInc. workforce of 600 employees. According to Eddie, the ability to work so closely with his family Eddie Bradley originally wanted to go into engineering. “I’ve is one of the most rewarding things about his industry. “The retail always liked machines, and cars certainly fall into that,” he says. automobile business – franchised new car stores – is still one of the “I enjoyed cars as much as most young guys.” While attending last family-owned, big retail businesses in the country. Most of the Southern Methodist University, Bradley met his future wife, Janie rest have been taken over by big-box stores,” he says. Lumber yards, Garner. After marrying and finishing college, the couple moved to appliance retailers, and grocery stores always were family-owned Amarillo, where Janie’s father, C.R. “Bob” Garner, owned Garner businesses until the last couple of decades. Now they’ve been Motors, an Oldsmobile and Cadillac dealer. Eddie worked briefly as replaced by huge corporations. “We’ve been very fortunate. All these a stockbroker before Garner offered him a job selling cars. other retail operations have been gobbled up but our business is still “I worked there in several different positions for a few years,” intact,” Eddie says. Eddie says. Garner passed away in 1972 and Bradley worked for The one exception is AutoNation, a growing public company. his father-in-law’s successor until given the opportunity to buy

At some point, we’ll have to assess our “organization and organizational strengths and whether expanding will stretch it too far. We like being in Texas. Here, we can keep things under control.

”

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

Eddie Bradley, Daniel Bradley, and Becky Dodson

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

out competing against Otherwise the car business each other.” remains privately held – but Daniel Bradley now has it’s no longer the mom-andON DOING BUSINESS 20-plus years in the business pop Chevy dealerships of the and works closely with past. “Most of the operators IN AMARILLO: AutoInc Chief Operations own multiple stores like Officer Kevan Wilson, who we do,” he says. That’s has been with the company because low profit margins since his late teens. Eddie’s require a high sales volume trust in their experience and product diversity. has given him the freedom “The old days where your to loosen the reigns. He grandparents always realizes transfer of power bought Chevrolets or Fords, may be hard for some family those days are over now,” businesses, but it hasn’t been he says. “People’s brand a struggle within his family. loyalties have pretty “I have totally enjoyed, in much disappeared.” the summer, when my wife That’s why AutoInc’s and I will leave and nothing franchises range from misses a beat while I’m gone. Chevrolet to Nissan to Kia. – Eddie Bradley The three of us have worked And there’s much more to together long enough that if the business than just selling anything comes up, the three cars. From parts and service of us have the same solution to financing and insurance, to the problem. Our thinking is so much alike.” “there are so many opportunities for vertical integration Eddie also recognizes his own limitations. “These in the car business,” Eddie explains. New technologies younger guys have done a better job than I would have done. like ride-sharing services or driverless cars may eventually How to run a store today is not the way it was when I did impact car sales, but Bradley is still hopeful. “Even if the car it,” he says. Thinking of his father-in-law, Bob Garner, Eddie drives itself, you’ve got to buy it somewhere, somebody has says he’s grateful for how the family business gave him a to service it, and somebody has to have the parts,” he says. career. “I’m certainly appreciative of the opportunities that “Individual transportation is still going to be important for a have been made available to me because of the business he long time.” was in, and the opportunity he gave me to get involved.” Bradley says one of the key’s to AutoInc’s success is its Whether his own responsibilities in the family business commitment to this region. “We get opportunities to buy a stay the same or not, Eddie Bradley sees AutoInc continuing place in Georgia or California, but we’re not interested in to expand – up to a point. “We will continue to want to that. We like being in Texas,” he says. Finding single-point grow. It will depend upon our comfort and ability to closely dealerships – for instance, becoming the one Dodge dealer manage what we have,” he says. “The last thing we want in an isolated market – is especially helpful. “If you’re to do is go on some crazy buying spree and end up with going to buy a Dodge in Amarillo, you’ll pretty much buy operations that are not successful. We want to keep what we it from us. In big markets like Dallas/Fort Worth, all the have working well.” Dodge or Chevrolet dealers are beating each other’s brains

proud that this community “hasI’mfostered and supported several

multigenerational businesses. I’m constantly surprised, when I learn about some business, to find out really how large some of them are. In our case, it’s not obvious because all but two of our dealerships have different names.

”

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

F E AT U R E

Patrick Harris in 1976 (left), and in 2017 at Tascosa High School (right). From Left: Makenna Hall, Patrick Harris, McCall Matthews, and CC Ramirez

Amarillo’s Greatest Sports Fan By Erin Matthews

hances are, if you have been to a youth sporting event in the past few decades, you will have noticed a few things: Brightly colored shirts sporting the team colors and logo, parents and grandparents in the stands, lots of cheering, drinks waiting for thirsty athletes, and a man on the sidelines whose name is Patrick Harris. On a cool fall afternoon, I walked into the cafeteria at Tascosa High School around 3:15 p.m. It was raining heavily and my shoes created a muddy mess on the tile. The custodians were tidying up, wiping down tables, and getting ready for the student body to return the following day. I was greeted with a warm smile and a wave and spotted John Smith, the Principal of Tascosa. I explained to him that I was there to interview another employee, and he promptly directed me to a bench where Patrick Harris sat. Harris had just finished his day working the cash register in the cafeteria. He sat holding a tattered Tascosa High School yearbook from 1976 and several old photos dating back to 1984. I asked where he would feel most comfortable talking, and he directed me to the library, where we settled in on that rainy day to visit about his favorite topic: sports. I wanted to know more about him and how he ended up being such a visible fixture at youth sporting events. He took a deep breath and humbly began telling his story.

He told me how he moved to Amarillo from Hackensack, New Jersey, in 1971. He, his dad, and his four brothers – he was the middle child – packed up a vehicle on their way to Albuquerque, New Mexico, after his mother passed away. Harris was 12 when his mother died, and he reminisced sadly as he described the “green coroner’s truck” that drove his mother away that day in 1968. It was difficult after she died, he said, because his dad worked a lot to try to raise his boys, and they didn’t have a lot of supervision. Wanting the best for his children, his dad loaded up an old Dodge and a U-Haul and headed toward New Mexico to live with Harris’s aunts and uncles, who had lived there since the ’50s. “We took everything but the TV and encyclopedias,” he said. “It took us three days and two breakdowns before we made it to Amarillo.” Also having aunts and uncles in the Texas Panhandle, the Harris boys made a stop before moving on to New Mexico. Turns out they never left. That December was tough and the Harris family didn’t have much of a Christmas. They stayed with Harris’s maternal grandparents, and before long they settled in. Soon after, Harris enrolled in Carver Elementary School. Amarillo became home. Harris wasn’t involved in sports as he continued his education at Sam Houston Jr. High and NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

Harris with John Smith, Principal of Tascosa High School

Harris with the 1982 Avondale softball team

Tascosa High School, but that was about to change. “I graduated in 1976 and just spent time riding my bicycle when I wasn’t working. One afternoon I didn’t have much to do, so I went to check things out at San Jacinto Park,” said Harris. “Amarillo Parks and Recreation was set up and kids were all over the place. I just asked them if I could help out, and they let me.” Harris kept showing up at the park whenever he could, “just helping with the kids.” One Saturday afternoon, a boy stopped Harris in the neighborhood and asked if he would take him to the park, so he did. “I heard a lot of noise, and what I saw was unbelievable.” Harris described the scene with a serene smile on his face as he recalled the tee-ball and softball games taking place that day. “I was amazed at all the parents just sitting around cheering on their kids,” he said. “I hadn’t ever seen anything like it, and I just wanted to be a part of it.” Harris found himself riding his bike a couple of years later to Avondale Park, where a friend was umpiring a softball game. His friend solicited his help that day, and the rest, as they say, is history. In 1982 Harris became an assistant coach for a group of fourth-grade girls and their Avondale softball team. “I was just being there for the kids and the parents,” Harris said. “I started off by just passing out lollipops to the team who won, and I did that for years.” The kids and parents began noticing Harris, and most began accepting him as a permanent fixture at games around town. “I helped coach mostly girls softball and boys football for the kids who went to Avondale,” he said. Harris has been attending youth sporting events for the past 42 years. In fact, he is a regular at so many games, that it seems everywhere a game is being played, he is there. I remember seeing Harris 30-plus years ago at Paramount Park, when I was in elementary

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

school playing softball. He stood behind the backstop with a bag of Dum Dums, waiting for the winning team to collect their reward. He purchased the lollipops out of his own pocket, did it on his own time, and showed up every Saturday to offer support and a smile. As a kid, I don’t recall ever wondering why he was there, I just knew he always was. I hadn’t seen him in more than two decades. Fast forward 25 years, and I’m sitting in the stands, cheering on McCall, my daughter, at her first Kids Inc. volleyball game. A man with a familiar gait strolled through the gym, and I immediately recognized him, standing on the sidelines, moving from game to game, just watching and cheering. My mother leaned into me and said, “That guy used to be at all of your and your brother’s games when you were little.” I smiled with remembrance, giving it little thought. But then I began to pay closer attention when I saw him each weekend at the games. I noticed that about every third athlete or parent that walked by cheerfully greeted him with a hearty, “Hey, Patrick!” and he always replied with a delighted, “Hey, there. How ya doin’?” I casually asked a few parents next to me who he was, but they all shrugged their shoulders and gave a nonchalant, “I’m not sure, but I always see him” response. A few years went by, along with many more Kids Inc. games, and then our family was a part of the club volleyball scene, and spending a large majority of our free time at the Amarillo Netplex youth sports complex. And not surprisingly, Harris was there, too. Smiling, walking around, cheering, high-fiving. I couldn’t help but notice that he seemed to know many of the kids and people always spoke to him, but it was always in passing. He cheered for each kid and each team and never showed favoritism. Jess Evers, owner and director of JET Volleyball,

Harris and the sixth-grade Avondale football team

has become accustomed to seeing Harris at every game. “I see many parents and grandparents that come out and support [the kids] every day,” she told me. “Patrick has become a permanent fixture at Netplex, and our athletes know he is there to support them.” I couldn’t contain my curiosity any longer. So recently, at a Tascosa High volleyball game, I sat next to Harris and asked him if he’d grant me an interview. We set an appointment for that rainy fall day and spent the next hour talking about his love of sports and his amazement at how, through sports, Amarillo pours inspiration and encouragement into the lives of young people. When I asked why he did it, he just simply said, “I like to help [the] best I can. To me, it shows that Amarillo is a good place to live for these kids.” Now that Netplex is a part of the community, Harris is able to pack his weekends full of volleyball games. I couldn’t help but ask which sport he preferred, though he had already told me he had attended literally thousands of games over the years. He wrapped his fingers

around each other, bowed his head a bit, smiled and said, “To be honest, it’s volleyball.” I’d say that’s putting it mildly. “[Harris] is by far our biggest fan at JET Volleyball … and is an energetic, competitive, selfless man who attends every tournament simply to enjoy the environment of athletics,” said Evers. I would agree. After 42 years of frequenting Amarillo’s parks and gymnasiums, you would be hard-pressed to find another person who has supported youth sports nearly as much. Though these days he sticks mainly to volleyball and basketball, you may see him at other venues. I encourage you, the next time you are cheering on a game, to shake hands with Patrick Harris. Chances are, he’ll be there, and guaranteed – he’ll be clapping and cheering as loudly as anyone else in the stands.

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W H AT ’ S C O O K I N G ?

The Art of Giving: Meals Made to Share

or centuries, the idea of generosity has been intimately connected to hospitality. The table is central to family life and essential to the larger idea of community. That’s why the Panhandle has such a strong tradition of food-based generosity – one family preparing a meal for another during a time of sickness, hospitalization, childbirth, or any other time of need. Few things illustrate a giving spirit like meeting a basic need for friends, family or strangers. The holiday season puts this on our minds more than any other time of the year, as our focus turns to meal preparation and simple acts of kindness. So we asked a few of our favorite local cooks to contribute dishes that are appropriate to bring someone in need. Maybe it’s a person who is lonely, or busy, or grieving. Or a friend who could use a nutritious, healthy meal. Regardless, the idea fills us with appreciation for the people of the Panhandle. As we give thanks this month, we’re grateful for a community where this kind of sharing is a way of life.

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

Chicken & Wine From the kitchen of McKay Anderson

4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts 4 teaspoons flour 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon corn oil 1 teaspoon salt ½ pound sliced mushrooms 1 onion, chopped ¼ pound bacon, chopped 2 tablespoons parsley 1 small garlic clove 1/3 bottle dry red wine 4 tablespoons water In large saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter; add corn oil. Place chicken breasts in butter/oil mixture. Sprinkle flour on both sides to dust but not coat. Cook thoroughly; remove chicken. Add salt, mushrooms, onion, garlic, bacon and remaining butter. Cook completely and add chicken. Add wine and water, bring to boil, and cover and simmer 1 hour and 15 minutes. Before serving, garnish with parsley. Makes 4 servings

“I like to deliver with some fruit and an easy salad – don’t forget the dressing; assume they have nothing in their cupboard. My other rule of thumb is to never deliver without dessert, even if it’s something from a box or that you pick up at a bakery. If time allows, whip up some muffins or banana bread for the next morning, too. Remember, it’s not how fancy it is, it’s the gesture that counts.” – McKay Anderson

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

Chicken Enchilada Soup From the kitchen of Kristi Aragon

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (Try the version with sweet onion. You can also use Rotel if you like it spicy.) 1 (10-ounce) package frozen whole kernel corn ½ cup chopped onion ½ cup chopped yellow, green or red bell pepper 1 (10-ounce) can enchilada sauce (red or green) 1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup 1 ½ cups milk 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese (4 ounces) 2 chicken breasts, trimmed, seasoned with salt and pepper In 3 ½- to 5-quart slow cooker, combine drained beans, tomatoes and corn. Sautee onion and bell peppers, then place on top of mixture. Add chicken breasts. In large bowl, whisk together enchilada sauce and soup. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Pour sauce mixture over ingredients in cooker. Cover; cook on low heat for 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Remove chicken and cut or shred into bite-size pieces. Return chicken to soup along with salt and pepper, or other spices to taste. Top with pepper jack cheese and serve. Can also be topped with avocado, sour cream, or crushed tortilla chips. Note: If soup is too thick, add a little more milk after it’s cooked. Makes 6 servings

“This recipe is user-friendly and very comforting to bring to a friend, especially this time of year when the weather is cooling down.” – Kristi Aragon

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

Simple Bolognese Sauce From the kitchen of Monika Barbee

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil ½ yellow onion, finely chopped 1 carrot, finely chopped 1 stalk celery with leaves, finely chopped 1 cup Italian parsley, finely chopped 1 green bell pepper 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 pound lean ground beef 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano 1 tablespoon fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried 1 ½ teaspoons salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 1 cup red wine 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes 3 tablespoons tomato paste ¼ cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon sugar Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, parsley, bell pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften, about 8 minutes. Add ground beef and red pepper flakes and saute, stirring frequently and breaking up meat, until brown, about 10 minutes. Add oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Add wine and stir to scrape up any browned bits from bottom of pan. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring until combined. Bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and sugar. If desired, you can also add some water to thin out the sauce slightly. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve over pasta with Parmesan cheese. Makes 6 servings

“I like to double the recipe, and then place it in an oven at 250 degrees for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Then I freeze it in 3-cup containers and use it to make lasagna, ziti, or serve it over raviolis. For lasagna I use grilled zucchini slices in place of the noodles. I also make layered ravioli lasagna with cooked ravioli in place of lasagna noodles. You can also add a layer of uncooked fresh spinach into the lasagna. “With sauce prepared beforehand, when I want to bring a dish to someone I simply defrost a container of sauce and add noodles and layers of cheese to create a new dish.” – Monika Barbee

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

Chicken Soup with Homemade Noodles From the kitchen of T and Andy Price

1 whole chicken, cut up (We prefer Mary’s free-range.) 6 to 8 carrots 2 large onions 4 cloves garlic 6 to 8 ribs celery 1 cup white wine 2 to 3 bay leaves 1 tablespoon herbs de Provence, or other dried herbs Salt and pepper Homemade noodles, cooked rice or pasta Cook chicken and make broth. Place chicken in large soup pot; barely cover with distilled or filtered water. Add 2 carrots, 1 onion, and 2 ribs celery – all cut in large pieces – 1 smashed clove garlic, wine, bay leaves, herbs, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring all to boil and turn down to very low simmer until chicken is soft, about 1 to 1 ½ hours. Remove chicken to large bowl and shred meat; cover and set aside in refrigerator. Return bones and skin to pot and continue to simmer for another 45 minutes. Strain broth, discarding bones and vegetables. Dice remaining carrots, onion, garlic, and celery. Bring broth to boil, add vegetables, and reduce to simmer until tender. Add chicken and prepared noodles, pasta or rice. Adjust salt and pepper. Homemade Noodles 4 eggs 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt On pastry board or counter, make a well in center of flour; add eggs and salt. Slowly mix together with hands, and knead until dough becomes smooth and pliable, adding flour to board as necessary. Let dough rest for a few minutes before rolling it out. When you’re ready, roll dough out on floured surface as thin as possible. The noodles will plump up quite a bit when they cook. Cut into about ¼-inch wide noodles. To cook noodles, boil in salted water for around 2 minutes. They cook fast, so don’t let them go too long. Makes 6 to 8 servings

“This recipe is agreeable with almost any dietary restriction and truly is an immune booster. “To round out the meal, add fresh salad greens with a lemon vinaigrette and sliced baguette. “I deliver the soup in a 6-quart, sealed container (foodservice pieces are great and affordable) and download into their soup pot to reheat on the stovetop. Or you can ladle into large canning jars and leave the jars with the recipient.” – T Price

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

Shepherd’s Pie From the kitchen of Livia Woodburn

Filling: 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 pounds ground lamb or beef 1 large carrot, grated 1 large onion, grated 4 cloves garlic, grated 1 small bag frozen peas 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 to 3 tablespoons tomato paste 1 cup red wine (can substitute Guinness beer) 1 cup chicken stock Mash: 1 ½ pounds golden potatoes ¼ cup heavy cream 3 ½ tablespoons butter Salt and pepper 2 egg yolks ¼ to ½ cup Parmesan cheese Heat oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil in large pan until hot. Season ground lamb or beef and fry in oil over moderate to high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir onions and carrot into mince then grate garlic in as well. Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato puree, and herbs and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in red wine and reduce until almost completely evaporated. Add chicken stock, bring to boil, and simmer until sauce has thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste. Meanwhile, cook potatoes in boiling, salted water until tender. Drain potatoes then return to hot pan over low heat to dry out briefly. Pass through potato ricer then beat in egg yolks, milk and butter, followed by about 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan. Check seasoning. Add peas to meat mixture and combine. Spoon meat mixture into bottom of large ovenproof dish. Using large spoon, layer mashed potato generously on top of lamb mixture, starting from outside and working into middle. Top with remaining Parmesan and seasoning. Fluff mashed potatoes with fork to make rough peaks. Bake in oven for approximately 20 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown. Makes 6 servings

“This dish is easy to deliver, as you can assemble it and let the recipient of your meal bake it.” – Livia Woodburn

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

November

AGN FILE PHOTOS

EVENTS

Twenty-second WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo

or the 22nd year, the WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo kicks off in downtown Amarillo during the second week of November. Held annually at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex, the rodeo gives real working ranch cowboys and ranching teams the opportunity to compete for the world championship title. The festivities will begin on Nov. 8 with a kickoff celebration and introduction to the 2017 WCRR teams, then continue each evening at 7 p.m. from Nov. 9-11 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 12. A WRCA Jr. Youth Cow Horse Championship will also be held each afternoon. With divisions for juniors (kids 12 years old and younger) and seniors (kids 13 to 17 years old), young competitors will complete a five-minute, two-part run that includes reigning and cow work. The WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo will also include daily WRCA Trade Shows, which will feature cowboy gear, ranch equipment, and a heritage show Nov. 8-11 Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum 401 S. Buchanan St. 378.3096 wrca.org VIEW AN UPDATED LISTING OF EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH AT AMARILLOMAGONLINE.COM. To have an event listed on the calendar, email details to michele.mcaffrey@amarillo.com or fax a press release to 806.345.3282.

NOVEMBER 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ amarillomagonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ Amarillo Magazine

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Nov. 19

Nov. 5

Nov. 2

Amarillo Little Theatre presents “Outside Mullingar” 2:30 p.m. Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle, 355.9991

37th Annual Christmas Roundup 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex South Exhibit Hall, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Guest Artist and Poetry Reading 7-8 p.m. Featuring award-winning poet and Guggenheim Fellow Denise Duhamel. FAH Recital Hall, WTAMU Campus, Canyon, 651.2486 “Decades Rewind” 7:30 p.m. Concert will celebrate the hits of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 3 First Friday Art Walk 5-9 p.m. The Galleries at Sunset, 3701 Plains Blvd., 353.5700 Tim Hawkins Live 7:30 p.m. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 9-11 West Texas A&M University Theatre presents “Much Ado About Nothing” 7:30 p.m. Happy State Bank Studio Theatre, WTAMU campus, Canyon, 651.2804 Amarillo Little Theatre presents “Outside Mullingar” 8 p.m. Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle, 355.9991

Nov. 12 Amarillo Little Theatre presents “Outside Mullingar” 2:30 p.m. Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle, 355.9991 West Texas A&M University Theatre presents “Much Ado About Nothing” 2:30 p.m. Happy State Bank Studio Theatre, WTAMU campus, Canyon, 651.2804

Nov. 14-15 Broadway Spotlight Series presents “Stomp” 7:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 16-18 West Texas A&M University Theatre presents “Much Ado About Nothing” 7:30 p.m. Happy State Bank Studio Theatre, WTAMU campus, Canyon, 651.2804 Amarillo Little Theatre presents “Outside Mullingar” 8 p.m. Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle, 355.9991

Nov. 17-18 Amarillo Symphony presents Beethoven’s “Eroica” 7:30 p.m. Conductor: Jacomo Rafael Bairos. GlobeNews Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

West Texas A&M University Theatre presents “Much Ado About Nothing” 2:30 p.m. Happy State Bank Studio Theatre, WTAMU campus, Canyon, 651.2804

BENEFITS & FUNDRAISERS

Nov. 8 Music is Monumental 12-1:30 p.m. Hosted by The Amarillo Symphony Guild. Fundraising lunch will feature performances by area music students. The Loft at Polk Street United Methodist Church, 1401 S. Polk St., 681.8724

The Nutcracker Ball “Waltz of the Flowers” 6-11:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 19 Amarillo’s Original Toy Run 11 a.m. Benefiting Salvation Army. Parade will depart Tripp’s Harley-Davidson and escort to Advo Companies on South Washington Street. Tripp’s Harley-Davidson, 6040 I-40 West, 352.2021

MUSIC

Nov. 2

Nov. 9

Books to Broadway Gala 6-10 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Friends of the Amarillo Public Library for support of education programs at the Amarillo Public Library. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Friends of Ceta Dinner 6:30 p.m. Fundraiser for Ceta Canyon. Polk Street United Methodist Church, 1401 S. Polk St., 488.2268

Nov. 1-2

Nov. 10-11

Nov. 2

Second Annual Veteran’s Day Tournament 6:30 p.m. Dinner and live and silent auctions on Friday, with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Proceeds will benefit Life & Liberty Outdoors. Amarillo Country Club, 4800 Bushland Blvd., 355.3371

Midnight Opera with Deathbelles 8 p.m. The Golden Light Cantina, 2906 SW Sixth Ave., 374.9237

Nov. 3

Nov. 11

Wild Boomer 7 p.m. Zombiez Bar & Grill, 711 SW 10th Ave., 331.7305

Nov. 3 37th Annual Christmas Roundup 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cocktails and Shopping event, 5-8 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex South Exhibit Hall, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096 Mentoring Matters 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Featuring Darrin Smith, two-time Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion. Proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. Embassy Suites Downtown, 550 S. Buchanan St., 351.2210

Nov. 3-4 Great Scott! A Murder Mystery Mayhem 6-9 p.m. Join PPHM for dinner with a little deception. Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, 2503 Fourth Ave., Canyon, 651.2242

Nov. 4 37th Annual Christmas Roundup 10 a.m.6 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex South Exhibit Hall, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096 YC3: Extra Life 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Twelve-hour gaming marathon where attendees raise money by fundraising during the show. Proceeds will benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 367.8566

Ruffles and Rust Expo 9 a.m. Christmas Pop-Up Shop. Proceeds will benefit SJCA. San Jacinto Christian Academy, 501 S. Carolina St., 372.2285

Hangman 10 p.m. Whiskey River, 4001 SW 51st Ave., 367.6163

Nov. 4 Tennessee Tuckness 6 p.m. Pescaraz Italian Restaurant, 3415-K Bell St., 350.5430

Nov. 16

Nov. 9

Sixth Annual Wine Down and Dessert Wars 6-10 p.m. Evening will include wine and dessert tasting and live music. Patrons can sample wines from select wineries across the Texas Panhandle and taste desserts from Amarillo bakeries. Tri-State Fairgrounds Rex Baxter Building, 3301 SE 10th Ave., 376.7767

Nov. 17 Third Annual WTAMU Foundation Sporting Clay Shoot 7 p.m. Calcutta and auctions. J Brex Company, 619 S. Tyler St., 651.2663

Freedom Fund Banquet 7-10:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 18

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

Mike Fuller 6 p.m. Pescaraz Italian Restaurant, 3415-K Bell St., 350.5430

Turnabout 2017 Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; show begins at 8 p.m. This year’s theme will be “PASO a Go-Go”, and performers will lip-sync to award-winning songs, dressed as some of the world’s biggest stars. Funds raised will benefit Panhandle AIDS Support Organization’s clients. The Bowery Warehouse, 100 S. Lincoln St., 372.1050

Coats for Kids Masquerade Gala 7 p.m.12 a.m. Prime rib dinner from 7-8 p.m. Dress in costume. In This Moment, 707 S. Polk St., 433.0873

One on One 7 p.m. Art show fundraiser will benefit Panhandle Adult Rebuilding Center. The Derrick Event Center, 814 S. Taylor St., 367.8024

Denim Heart Tour 9 p.m. Leftwoods, 2511 SW Sixth Ave., 367.9840

Third Annual WTAMU Foundation Sporting Clay Shoot 9 a.m. Sporting clay competition with 100 targets and lunch after the competition. River Breaks Ranch, 7802 Durrett Drive, 651.2663

Strange Saints 9 p.m. Broken Spoke Lounge, 3101 SW Sixth Ave., 373.9149 Tommy Gallagher Band 10 p.m. Whiskey River, 4001 SW 51st Ave., 367.6163

Grant Gilbert 9:30 p.m. Hoot’s Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road, 356.7548

Nov. 10 Tennessee Tuckness 6 p.m. Pescaraz Italian Restaurant, 3415-K Bell St., 350.5430 High Plains Public Radio Living Room Concert 7 p.m. Chalice Abbey, 2717 Stanley St., 576.2480 Leddit Ride 10 p.m. Whiskey River, 4001 SW 51st Ave., 367.6163

Nov. 11 Mike Fuller 6 p.m. Pescaraz Italian Restaurant, 3415-K Bell St., 350.5430

Nov. 13 The Snoozy Moon 9 p.m. The 806, 2812 SW Sixth Ave., 322.1806

Crosswind 10 p.m. Whiskey River, 4001 SW 51st Ave., 367.6163

SPECIAL EVENTS

Nov. 15

Nov. 2

An Evening with Funk You 8 p.m. Leftwoods, 2511 SW Sixth Ave., 367.9840

Chamber After Hours 5-7 p.m. FirstCapital Bank of Texas, 3900 S. Soncy Road, 373.7800

Nov. 16 Szlachetka Live with Granville Automatic 1 p.m. High Plains Public Radio, 104 SW Sixth Ave., Suite B4, 367.9088 Yvonne Perea 6 p.m. Pescaraz Italian Restaurant, 3415-K Bell St., 350.5430

Nov. 17 Mike Fuller 6 p.m. Pescaraz Italian Restaurant, 3415-K Bell St., 350.5430 Mr. Scary 10 p.m. Whiskey River, 4001 SW 51st Ave., 367.6163

Nov. 18 The Damn Quails 9 p.m. Hoot’s Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road, 356.7548 Ryan Wilcox & The Sunday Shakes 10 p.m. The Golden Light Cantina, 2906 SW Sixth Ave., 374.9237 Trouble No More 10 p.m. Whiskey River, 4001 SW 51st Ave., 367.6163

Nov. 19

Nov. 3 Artistry in Wood 5 p.m. Golden Spread Woodcarvers Club will show works. Amarillo Art Institute, 3701 Plains Blvd., Suite 117, 557.8650

Nov. 5 Golden Spread Council of the Boys Scouts of America 30th Anniversary Celebration 2 p.m. Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, 4100 S. Coulter St., 358.6500

Nov. 11 Veteran’s Day at the Zoo 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission for all military personnel (active and retired) and their immediate family. Amarillo Zoo, 700 Comanchero Trail, 381.7911 Armistice Day 11 a.m. Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, 2503 Fourth Ave., Canyon, 651.2242

Nov. 16

Sarah Peacock 7 p.m. Cowboy Gelato Smokehouse, 6103 S. Coulter St., Suite 200, 376.5286

National Philanthropy Day Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 24

Nov. 18

Yvonne Perea 6 p.m. Pescaraz Italian Restaurant, 3415-K Bell St., 350.5430

Country Swing Dance Lesson & Open Dance 7:30 p.m. City Studios, 3701 Plains Blvd., Suite 25, 282.6573

Nov. 25 Mike Fuller 6 p.m. Pescaraz Italian Restaurant, 3415-K Bell St., 350.5430

Nov. 28 Keychain 7 p.m. Leftwoods, 2511 SW Sixth Ave., 367.9840

Nov. 30 Tennessee Tuckness 6 p.m. Pescaraz Italian Restaurant, 3415-K Bell St., 350.5430 Josh Ward Band 9 p.m. Hoot’s Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road, 356.7548

NATURE Nov. 25 Pumpkin Smash 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Watch as the animals play and interact with pumpkins. Enrichment activities will take place throughout the day. Amarillo Zoo, 700 Comanchero Trail, 381.7911

Nov. 19 Washington Avenue Christian Church Family Thanksgiving Dinner 6:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 21 Amarillo Community Prayer Breakfast 6-8 a.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex North Exhibit Hall, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

SPORTS & RECREATION Nov. 2-3 Amarillo Bulls vs. Lone Star Brahmas 7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 3 First Annual Bomb City Classic Practice 11 a.m.-8 p.m. R/C Superdome, 3701 Plains Blvd., Suite 16, 355.2921

Nov. 4 First Annual Bomb City Classic Track opens at 7 a.m.; qualifiers start at 9 a.m. R/C Superdome, 3701 Plains Blvd., Suite 16, 355.2921 NCAA South Central Cross Country Regionals 9:30 a.m. The Range, Canyon, 651.4400 Special Olympics 2017 Bowling Competition 12:15 p.m. Western Bowl, 5120 Canyon Drive, 374.7171 Lady Buffs Basketball vs. Wayland Baptist (Exhibition) 2 p.m. First United Bank Center, Canyon, 651.4400 WTAMU Buffs Basketball vs. Nebraska Christian (Exhibition) 4 p.m. First United Bank Center, Canyon, 651.4400

Nov. 5 First Annual Bomb City Classic 8 a.m. R/C Superdome, 3701 Plains Blvd., Suite 16, 355.2921

Nov. 9-11

WTAMU Buffs Basketball vs. Southwestern Christian 5 p.m. First United Bank Center, Canyon, 651.4400

Nov. 25 Panhandle National Wrestling 9 a.m.9 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096 Lady Buffs Basketball vs. Colorado StatePueblo 2:30 p.m. First United Bank Center, Canyon, 651.4400 WTAMU Buffs Basketball vs. Langston 5 p.m. First United Bank Center, Canyon, 651.4400

TRADE SHOWS Nov. 4 Golden Spread Gem and Mineral Show 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Regency Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 5

WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo 7:30 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Golden Spread Gem and Mineral Show 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Regency Room, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 10

Nov. 9

WTAMU Buffs Basketball Alumni Game 5 p.m. First United Bank Center, Canyon, 651.4400

WRCA Trade Shows 1-8 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

WTAMU Buffs Basketball vs. Western State 6 p.m. First United Bank Center, Canyon, 651.4400

Nov. 10-11

Nov. 11 WTAMU Buffs vs. Western New Mexico 1 p.m. Kimbrough Memorial Stadium, Canyon, 651.4400

Nov. 12 WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo 2 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 16 Lady Buffs Basketball vs. University of Science and Arts 5:30 p.m. First United Bank Center, Canyon, 651.4400

Nov. 17-18

WRCA Trade Shows 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 12 WRCA Trade Shows 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 28-29 Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show 9 a.m.5 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 30 Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show 9 a.m.4 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Amarillo Bulls vs. Topeka RoadRunners 7 p.m. Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St., 378.3096

Nov. 24 Lady Buffs Basketball vs. Texas A&MInternational 2:30 p.m. First United Bank Center, Canyon, 651.4400

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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

D LE EP TA’RST EMAETN! T

Restaurants • Food • Spirits

Cask & Cork

ask & Cork offers a refreshing change for Amarillo diners. Part restaurant, part bar, part scenic retreat, C&C hits the mark on atmosphere, service and cuisine. Chef Brayden Lacey delivers upscale American cuisine on his ample menu. Choose from seasonal offerings, small plates, daily specials and a variety of beef, pork and seafood entrees. Each dish is accented with local produce and meats when possible. Whether you choose to relax in one of the two indoor bars or the stunning covered rooftop patio bar, you’ll be rewarded with excellent service and a creative array of craft cocktails and beer, along with a handsome wine list. Cheers!

5461 McKenna Square, Suite 101, 410.1113, caskncorkamarillo.com Open Tuesday through Thursday, 5-11 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m.-12 a.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-12 a.m. and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

PRICING GUIDE $ most entrees under $10 $$ most entrees $11 to $20 $$$ most entrees over $21

PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

RESTAURANT KEY y Outdoor Dining ☎ Reservations Recommended T Live Music c Full Bar C Beer and/or Wine only ^ Best of Amarillo Winner

Shown: Filet mignon with crab meat in a chipotle hollandaise sauce, with roasted red potatoes and squash

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 MICHELE.MCAFFREY@AMARILLO.COM.

NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

AMARILLO

set this establishment apart. 3347 Bell St., 803.9588 $

575 Pizzeria Toppings runneth over at 575 Pizzeria, not to mention the specials that rotate every month. (Check the board when you walk in.) 575 is family-owned and family-friendly, so it’s a great Friday night dinner choice. 2803 Civic Circle/ 7320 Hillside Road, 322.5575, 575pizzeria.com $$ C T ^

Atomic Sports Grill & Entertainment Center Get your fill of typical sports bar fare at the city’s newest sports/entertainment venture. Fried food, burgers and pizza dominate the menu, with a few salad options thrown in for good measure. Burn off all the calories with enough billiards, video games, dancing, and laser tag to fill an evening out with friends. 2523 Britain Drive, 355.2100, atomicsportsgrill.com $ c

7 Grill & Bar Seven is the magic number at 7 Grill & Bar. The lunch menu consists of $7 entrees, from burgers and sandwiches to pasta and seafood. It’s the ideal place to meet friends and root for your favorite team. 3130 S. Soncy Road, 358.2222, 7grillandbar.com $ c T y The 806 Coffee + Lounge In addition to its vast organic, fair trade coffee and tea offerings, The 806 caters to local vegetarians and vegans with its “foodie” menu. The limited (but tasty) menu includes omelets, bagels, sandwiches, and nachos along with made-from-scratch desserts, a few which are also gluten free. Don’t miss brunch served on Saturdays and Sundays. Regulars go for coffee that packs a punch and the healthy eats. 2812 SW Sixth Ave., 322.1806, the806.com $ y T 1000 Degrees Neapolitan Pizza This fast-casual restaurant keeps the budget-minded diner in mind. Much like a Subway chain, 1000 Degrees offers build-your-own pizzas with your choice of six sauces, seven cheeses, 20 vegetable options, and nine meats, as well as classic fired-fresh Neapolitan-style pizzas and salads. 2207 S. Western St., 803.9436, 1000degreespizza.com $ 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 $$ c ^ y NEW American Made Coffee House American Made’s menu includes fresh sandwiches, gourmet coffee, and sweets from The Crave Factory. Stop by for speedy and friendly service before you begin the workday. 6402 River Road, 236.0005 $ 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

Bagel Place Whether for breakfast or lunch, the Bagel Place offers a wide variety of cream cheese and bagel flavors. Zip through the convenient drive-thru for a great, lazy morning take-home breakfast. For lunch, try the bagel sandwiches made with Boars Head cheese and meat, a generous salad, or a tasty bowl of soup. 3301 Bell St., 353.5985 $ y Bangkok Tokyo This casual, quaint place is often packed, so visit for an early dinner or a late lunch. Try the crispy chicken with basil or the Bangkok Tokyo fried rice. Neither disappoints. 2413 S. Western St., 353.4777 $$ Belmar Bakery & Cafe Open since 1965, Belmar is an Amarillo tradition. Loyal customers abound and each one has a favorite treat they return for again and again (we’re big fans of the thumb print cookies). The cafe offers a cozy place to meet for early morning coffee and pastries or tasty lunch with friends. 3325 Bell St., 355.0141, belmarbakery.com $ Benjamin’s Donuts & Bakery Family owned and operated, Benjamin’s serves doughnuts, pastries, kolaches, breakfast sandwiches and burritos. Go early for the best assortment of filled, cake and glazed donuts – we love the green tea glazed and red velvet cake doughnuts. 7003 Bell St., 353.1100/1800 Western St., 803.1133, benjamindonutsbakery.letseat.at $ Biti Pies Biti Pies are miniature versions of traditional pies everyone loves. It’s just the right size for one person and possibly a friend – that is if you feel like sharing. Don’t miss out on this bite-sized treat that is melt-in-your-mouth good. 604 S. Maryland St., 367.9903, bitipies.com $ Braceros Mexican Grill & Cantina Traditional Mexican food, a colorful bar area and live music keep this Route 66 eatery hopping every day of the week. 2822 SW Sixth Ave., 220.2395 $$ y c

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

NEW BurgerFi BurgerFi features craft beef and veggie burgers, made-from-scratch fries and onion rings served with housemade sauces, and hot dogs – all with a commitment to hormone and antibioticfree 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 $ C 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 $ y C 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 $-$$ c y Cheddars Scratch Kitchen There’s a reason there is always a crowd at Cheddars. You’ll find outstanding American-style food at prices that won’t break your budget, which makes it the perfect place to bring the whole family. Treat yourself to a basket of buttery, honey-kissed croissants with your meal, and no matter what you order, you’ll discover that everything’s good. 3901 I-40 West, 358.2111, cheddars.com $-$$ c Chipotle Mexican Grill What began as a small gourmet burrito shop in Denver in 1993 has grown into a chain with more than 500 locations. Known for its efforts to use naturally raised meat and organic ingredients, the much-anticipated Amarillo location offers the same high-quality burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, salad and chips. We’re crazy about the bowls – chock full of rice, black beans, corn, and your choice of meat – it’s a fast, filling and delicious lunch or dinner option. 2414 S. Georgia St., Suite 200, 576.0764, chipotle.com $ y 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, copperfiregrill.com $$-$$$ c y ☎ Crush Wine Bar & Deli Crush’s excellent tapas, sandwiches, entrees and desserts are a big enough draw. Add an extensive and impressive wine list, one of the few covered patios in town, and excellent service, and you’ve

got one of the city’s premier hang-out spots. The Saturday morning brunch is hard to beat, too. 701 S. Polk St., 418.2011, crushdeli.com $$ C y ^ T Dale’s Grand Burger Looking for a quick stop to grab a tasty lunch? Then try locally owned and operated Dale’s Grand Burger. You can’t miss with the famous Grand Burger and homemade onion rings. 1900 Bell St., 358.8228 $ y Daniel’s Drive-In Located on old Route 66, Daniel’s offers old-fashioned drive-in fare. Fresh-cooked burgers, tots, onion rings and plenty of soda fountain drinks make this the ideal spot for a sunny-day lunch or afternoon snack. 2911 Amarillo Blvd. East, 383.0066 $ Delvin’s Restaurant & Catering Head to Delvin’s and fill up on some of the city’s finest comfort food. Long-time chef Delvin Wilson opened his small eatery in 2015, and it’s quickly become a favorite lunch and brunch stop. Sample a three-meat combination barbecue plate, or traditional American favorites like fried chicken, soul food, and fresh fried catfish. Finish with the homemade buttermilk pie. 1300 N. Hughes St., 803.9111 $ Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Dickey’s serves its original slow-smoked meats alongside homestyle sides like macaroni-and-cheese and jalapeño beans, fresh rolls, and plenty of ice tea. Founded in Dallas in 1941, the national franchise also gives back – its foundation, Barbecue, Boots & Badges, benefits law enforcement and firefighters in the local community. 6015 Hillside Road, Suite 100, 322.0127, dickeys.com $$ Dyer’s Bar-B-Que If you’re a meat lover, Dyer’s is the place for you. The family-style, all-you-can-eat lunch special is hard to beat. On Fridays and Saturdays, eat your fill of premium smoked prime rib. 1619 S. Kentucky St., Suite E526, 358.7104, dyersbbq.com $$ c El Bracero Mexican Grill Home-cooked flavor and excellent service make El Bracero Home-cooked flavor and excellent service make El Bracero a popular stop for authentic Mexican food. You’ll find a full menu of Mexican favorites like fajitas, carne asada, and enchiladas that keep local patrons satisfied. 2116 S. Grand St., 373.4788 $$ y c El Manantial For truly authentic Mexican food, this is the spot. A little off the beaten path, El Manantial is worth a visit. Start with lightas-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 $ C El Tejavan We love El Tejavan’s homemade guacamole, served up thick with onions and cilantro. The ceviche makes for a great starter or a light meal. For authentic taste, try the soft corn tortilla chicken tacos. The recipes at El Tejavan have been passed down for generations, so everything’s good. 3801 I-40 East, 372.5250/3420 I-40 West, 354.2444, eltejavan.com $$ c T English Field House Restaurant Visit a piece of Amarillo history at the English Field House. 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 $ Evocation Coffee You’ll find a thoughtful, simple menu at Evocation Coffee. Pour-over coffees and espresso dominate, but you’ll also find tea, cold press juices, fresh in-house waffles with a variety of spreads, and thick-sliced toast drizzled with sweetened condensed milk. Visit Evocation for expertly roasted and brewed coffee and a snack. Hang out because of the peaceful, modern vibe. 3300 S. Coulter St., Suite 5, 418.8968, evocationcoffee.com $ Fab Foods Fab Foods serves straightforward, homestyle meals with busy families in mind. Dine-in, call ahead, take-andbake, 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 $

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Fire Slice Back Alley 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 $$ c T Frank’s Bakery Transport yourself to Europe at the only boulangerie in Amarillo. No matter what you choose, you can’t miss with French specialties like fresh baguette sandwiches, quiche, feuillete (a puff pastry filled with chicken, bechamel, and mushrooms), crepes, and croissants – if you can break away from the divine pastry case to order an entree. We’re big fans. 1923 S. Western St., 352.8089 $ y FrutiLandia Find a colorful snack or light lunch just around the corner from bustling downtown Amarillo. Stop into FrutiLandia for fresh fruit cups, gazpacho, shrimp cocktail, ceviche, or flavorful elote en vaso (corn in a cup). The large portions and fresh ingredients are sure to keep you going back for more. 1010 SE 10th Ave. $ y Furrbie’s You’ll find old-fashioned grilled onion burgers and an array of sandwiches, salads, seafood and ice cream treats at Furrbie’s. Hot dog enthusiasts will love the famous Nathan’s Hot Dogs, the originals from Coney Island, New York, made with 100-percent kosher American beef. Looking to cool off? Choose from fruity-flavored ice

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treats or ice cream. 210 SW Sixth Ave., 220.0841 $ Gerb’s Wurst Bar For traditional German entrees with a Texas twist, head over to Gerb’s Wurst Bar. Open for dinner nightly, the bar/ eatery offers its German sausage in quarter-pound portions plated, in goulash, in a wrap, or on a bun. Enjoy a full bar and live music while you dine. 7145 S. Bell St., 398.9991 $ c T Girasol Cafe & Bakery If you’ve missed having an artisan bakery in Amarillo, you’re in luck. Head over to Garisol Cafe and enjoy fresh baked goods along with a rotating menu of salads, soups, sandwiches and entrees – many with a Latin influence. Check the bakery’s Facebook page for daily featured items. 3201 S. Coulter St., 322.0023 $ Gloria’s Restaurant Gloria’s menu consists of seafood, Mexican, Tex-Mex dishes and Salvadoran food. The lightly spiced tamales are handmade, steamed in banana leaves and filled with chicken, potatoes, sweet peppers and tomatoes. The sopa siete mares, a broth-based soup made with shrimp, scallops, halibut, perch and vegetables, is full of flavor. 1300 S. Grand St., 373.2722 $ The Golden Light Cafe As the oldest operating restaurant in Amarillo, The Golden Light has been in business since 1946, all in the same location. For a great burger and fries, this is the place to go. 2908 SW Sixth Ave., 374.9237, goldenlightcafe.com $ c T

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 Handle Bar & Grill Open at 7 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the breakfast crowd, The Handle Bar serves Texas-style comfort food – the handmade burgers are a customer favorite. Dine outside on historic Route 66 or cool off inside while savoring an ice-cold beer. 3514 SW Sixth Ave., 803.9538 $ C y Henk’s Pit Bar-B-Que If you’re a local on a quick lunch break or a tourist driving through, stop at Henk’s. The barbecue is savory and sweet, and the jalapeño cheese sausage makes for a tasty snack. And for you early birds, Henk’s also serves a satisfying breakfast. 1508 S. Grand St., 372.9011 $

The Hickory Pit BBQ The Hickory Pit’s specialty is its smoked beef brisket, prepared every Friday along with its mouth-watering ribs. Also enjoy ham, pulled pork, sausage, Frito pie, and burritos. Feed the whole family with meat by the pound, takeout sides, and cobbler. 501 S. McMasters St., 331.6492, hickorypitamarillo.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 Steaks 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, hoffbrausteaks.com $$ c Hummer’s Sports Cafe Hang out with friends and eat your fill of Hummer’s great appetizers. Start off with a platter of raw oysters and a bucket of beer. We highly recommend the steak. 2600 Paramount Blvd., Suite B2, 353.0723, hummerssportscafe.com $$ c y ^ I Don’t Know Sports Bar and Grill This Sixth Street grill has a little bit of everything. Chicken-fried steak, catfish, burgers, steaks, sandwiches, wraps, breakfast – there’s a lot for hungry diners to choose from. Enjoy fresh, homestyle meals, extra-friendly service and a casual, laid-back atmosphere while you watch your favorite sports on the flat screen TVs that line the dining room. On your first visit, try the pizza fries, a sinfully delicious combination of french fries loaded with pepperoni, jalapeño bacon, marinara, and mozzarella cheese. 1301 SW Sixth Ave., 331.7985, idksportsbar.com $ y c ^ 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

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

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. 5713 SW 34th Ave., 335.3600, indian-oven.com $$ It’s a Punjabi Affair If you were among the many Indian food fans that despaired when Amarillo Hut closed its doors, brood no more. Punjabi Affair serves Indian-style street food, available for dining in or to take out. Savor classics like flat bread, butter chicken and samosa, and a few you might not be accustomed to like lamb curry, or marinated and fried tilapia. You’ll also find options for vegans and vegetarians. The menu will change with the seasons in order to offer fresh local ingredients. 4201 S. Bushland Blvd., 414.2114, itsapunjabiaffair.com $ y Jerry’s Cafe Craving breakfast food? Jerry’s Cafe has the solution. You can’t miss with anything off Jerry’s lengthy breakfast menu, served all day every day. Tex-Mex options fill up the rest of the menu with favorites like chile relleno, fajitas and barbacoa. 1601 S. Grand St., 374.4335 $ Jimmy’s Egg Fast, friendly service, a bright and cheerful dining area, and plenty of breakfast and lunch items from which to choose will keep you going back to Jimmy’s Egg. Order any menu item beginning at 6 a.m. and customize your entree to your liking. Catering, dine-in, and easy online to-go ordering make your visit an easy one. 2225 S. Georgia St., 418.6752, jimmysegg.com $ Joe Daddy’s If you’re in need of some comforting, we suggest drowning your sorrows in Joe Daddy’s homestyle fare. The hot dog fries, ribs or homemade Nanner Puddin’ could be your new best friends. For a weekend brunch, you can’t turn down the chicken and waffles. 2108 Paramount Blvd., 353.1227, joedaddys.net y T c $$ Jorge’s Mexican Bar & Grill In the mood for fajitas? Look no further than Jorge’s. Portion sizes are generous and prices are reasonable. 6051 S. Bell St., 354.2241, jorgesmexican.com $$ c T Judy’s Place Head over to Judy’s and fill up on morethan-generous portions of comfort food, such as extra-large breakfast burritos, chicken-fried steak smothered in gravy, fried okra, and all-you-can-eat biscuits and gravy. There’s even a convenient drivethru when you’re eating on the run. 2700 S. Grand St., 372.8911 $

K-N Root Beer Drive-In If you’ve tried K-N’s yummy burgers and floats, then you know why it’s been a success for more than 40 years. The K-N Special, a double-meat, double-cheese burger, melts in your mouth. You can’t beat the old-fashioned, icy mug of homemade root beer. 3900 Olsen Blvd., 355.4391 $ y 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, labellapizzas.com $ C La Frontera La Frontera has served the Amarillo community for more than 30 years, offering the true taste of authentic, traditional Mexican food. With a cozy atmosphere, great service, friendly staff and delicious food, what else could you ask for? 1401 S. Arthur St., 372.4593 $ T Lone Star Bar & Grill Visit Lone Star Bar & Grill for classic, American grill-style food including savory steaks, burgers, chicken sandwiches and more, all at an affordable price. You’ll also enjoy down-home, friendly service. Lone Star’s guarantee: no hot beer and no small steaks. 935 E. FM 1151, 622.9827 $$ C 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., 350.7297/316 SW Sixth Ave., 350.7705 $

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

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Malcolm’s Ice Cream & Food Temptations Malcolm’s offers the ultimate in classic soda-fountain food: burgers, sandwiches and salads – everything’s good. Be sure you save room for dessert. Better yet, start with a treat. After all, it’s the most important part of the meal at Malcolm’s. 2100 Paramount Blvd., 355.3892 $ Maria’s Cocina Mexicana Find all your favorite Mexican dishes at Maria’s. We’re taken with the fresh tamales, but there’s plenty to choose from. In-the-know diners eat at Maria’s for the menudo, chile verde, and traditional enchiladas. 1316 SE 10th Ave., 373.8841 $

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 $$$ ☎ c y The Original Stockyard Cafe This cozy cafe has been located inside the Amarillo Livestock Auction building for decades. Fill up on home-style favorites like biscuits and gravy, chicken-fried steak, fried catfish, burgers, and zesty enchiladas. Finish with the homemade cobbler. 100 S. Manhattan St., 373.7999, amarillostockyardscafe.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 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. 4602 SW 45th Ave. $

Mimi’s Restaurant Authentic Mexican food – not Tex-Mex – is what you’ll find when you dine at Mimi’s Restaurant. Ignore the humble building – this place is a hidden gem. Mimi’s serves up fresh, affordable dishes like huevos rancheros, barbacoa and horchatas. 1400 Ross St., 373.3484 $

Outback Steakhouse Let’s just start with the Bloomin’ Onion. We could actually end there and be completely satisfied, but what’s a trip to Outback without a Victoria’s Filet Mignon and Bacon Bourbon Salmon? Speaking of completely satisfied, leave room for the Chocolate Thunder from Down Under. 7101 I-40 West, 352.4032, outback.com $$ c

Mulligans Sports Pub Chase away the munchies with Mulligans’ new menu, served daily until 1:30 a.m. Share a round of appetizers or fill up on entrees from the grill. The Fast Break Philly, Quarterback Quesadillas, or Fast Break French Dip will surely leave you satisfied while you cheer on your favorite team. 2511 Paramount Blvd., Suite B1, 367.8428, mulligansamarillo.com $ c

Palio’s Pizza Cafe Palio’s has all your Italian food cravings covered. From generous subs and pasta dishes to fresh-made pizza, the cafe promises “real” food with madefrom-scratch dough, fresh produce and all-natural ingredients. There are even gluten-free options for celiac sufferers. 3562 S. Soncy Road, Suite 301, 398.7256, paliospizzacafe.com $$ c

Napoli’s Fine Italian Restaurant Napoli’s has created an oasis in downtown Amarillo. Indulge yourself with the housebaked bread while you browse the ample menu. Try the hearty lasagna or one of the over-sized calzones while enjoying live music on the spacious patio. 700 S. Taylor St., 220.2588, napolisofamarillo.com $$ c T y ^

Pan-Handlers Cafe Kick your lunch experience up a notch at Pan-Handlers. Settled in the basement of Amarillo National Bank Plaza One, this family-run restaurant supports the community by using farm-fresh produce. With a list of daily specials ranging from Mexican to seafood and cleverly concocted sandwiches (try the ANBLT on ciabatta bread), your dining experience will be anything but bland and boring. 410 S. Taylor St., 352.2590, thepanhandlers.com $ C

Nu-Castle Diner Patrons gather at Nu-Castle for classic American cooking. The small, downtown breakfast and lunch spot stays crowded with regulars. You can’t go wrong with a chicken-fried steak breakfast or a Dusty Burger. 518 E. 10th Ave., 371.8540 $ 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

Pizza Planet For dine-in or takeout, Pizza Planet offers some of the best pizza in town. If you like a good chef salad, this is your place. Be prepared to share – it’s huge. 2400 Paramount Blvd., 353.6666/ 6801 Bell St., Suite 100, 352.6666, pizzaplanet.com/335 E. Hastings Ave., 381.2333, amarillopizzaplanet.com $-$$ C ^

HappyThanksgiving! 6103 Hillside Road • 806.352.4242 6700 W. McCormick Road • 806.622.0205

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Poblano’s Grill Poblano’s Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a focus on Tex-Mex fare. Try the sizzling fajitas, smothered chile relleno, stuffed avocado – breaded, fried and topped with your choice of meat – or opt for American favorites like a made-to-order rib-eye and chicken-fried steak. You’ll enjoy a bustling, friendly atmosphere when you dine in, or call ahead and take your order to-go. 900 S. Tyler St., 803.9235/ 400 E. Hastings Ave. $-$$ T c y The Potato Factory Come hungry to The Potato Factory, where you can fill up fast on huge baked potatoes loaded with a variety of toppings, from veggies to chili. The restaurant also has some of the best chili dogs and Frito pie in town. 2808 SW 34th Ave., 463.7783/ 114 SW Sixth Ave., 322.7783, thepotatofactory.net $ Public House You’ll want to take your time to enjoy the ambience and upscale Southern comfort food at Public House. Savor the house favorite, a generous portion of meatloaf comprised of ground duck, pork and beef with mashed potatoes, a house-made pimiento grilled cheese sandwich, or enticing nightly specials. 3333 S. Coulter St., Suite A, 398.7777, publichouseamarillo.com $$-$$$ c ☎ Rain Premier Sushi Bar & Lounge Rain lights up Polk Street with its sleek, energetic ambience and exceptional menu of contemporary Asian cuisine. Grab the gang for an evening of flavor and fun. 817 S. Polk St., 331.1155, rainamarillo.com $$ c y Red River Steakhouse Experience the flavor of Texas at Red River Steakhouse. With plenty of beef on the menu – customer favorites are the prime rib, barbecue ribs, and hand-cut steaks – and rustic windmill-themed decor, the well-known steakhouse promises quality and quantity in every meal. 4332 SW 45th Ave., 367.9732, redriversteakhouse.com $$ c RibCrib BBQ & Grill RibCrib has your hankering for smoky barbecue covered. Choose from chicken, pork and beef on the Crib’s extensive menu, with a variety of sauces as well. Visit early for Happy Hour and stay to enjoy the Pigman, a half-pound sandwich heaped with slow-smoked brisket, pulled pork and sausage, then covered in sauce, pickles and onions. Quench your thirst with a glass of refreshing lemonade. 5050 S. Coulter St., 803.9360, ribcrib.com $$ c y

Rise ‘N’ Shine Donuts In addition to its glazed, cake or filled doughnuts and fresh pastries, start the day off right at Rise ‘N’ Shine Donuts with a savory kolache or croissant breakfast sandwich. 3605 SW 45th Ave., 398.9622 $ 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 $ y Saigon Restaurant If you’re in the mood for authentic Vietnamese cuisine, this is the place to dine. Even the pickiest eater can find something they like at Saigon. The extensive menu, which consists of traditional Vietnamese favorites such as pho, spring rolls and Korean barbecue ribs, is vegan-friendly, too. 2909 I-40 West, 373.3456 $ NEW Sam’s Persian Restaurant Newly opened on Paramount, Sam’s features Persian specialties like kabob kaboodeh, seasoned beef that is shaped onto a shish and char-grilled, saffron chicken, and lamb complimented with colorful grilled vegetables, naan and rice. You’re in for a flavorful treat at Sam’s. 2522 Paramount Blvd., 350.7400 $-$$ Scratch Made Bakery & Cafe Conveniently located in downtown Amarillo, Scratch Made has the solution for your sugar cravings. This small bakery features cupcakes, along with a variety of from-scratch cookies, pastries, pies and cakes. Feast on some of the best biscuits and gravy in town during the weekday and Saturday brunch, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 118 SW Sixth Ave., 731.4477 $ Smokey Joe’s Texas Cafe A welcoming bar and grill located in the historic antique district on Route 66, Smokey Joe’s is one of Amarillo’s bestkept secrets. With an outdoor patio and live music on the weekends, this is the place to be. 2903 SW Sixth Ave., 331.6698 $$ c y T Super Bowl Noodle In a sea of Asian restaurants, this popular eatery stands out from the rest. It stays busy thanks to its super-sized noodle bowls (hence, the name) and authentic Thai and Lao food. Try the beef or chicken larb, pho, or classic pad thai. 810 Columbia St., 418.8580 $ 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

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

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 $C Taste Dessert Bar You’ll find big city vibes and small-town charm at Taste Dessert Bar. With its cozy, chic decor, small savory plates, handcrafted cocktails, full wine and beer list, and variety of from-scratch desserts, we guarantee you’ll want to linger at Taste. 1909 Georgia St., 398.2000, tastedessert.com $-$$ c T y NEW Teddy Jack’s Armadillo Grill Teddy Jack’s is known for its Texasstyle comfort food featuring gourmet burgers, brick-oven pizza, and Tex-Mex. But the ample menu doesn’t stop there – fill up on Italian entrees, seafood and wraps and sandwiches. There’s plenty of items to make you go back for more. 5080 S. Coulter St., 322.0113, teddyjacks.com $-$$ c Texas Firehouse Sports Bar & Grill Texas Firehouse offers everything from a delicious, fried green bean appetizer to steaks to pizza, all in a family-friendly, smoke-free environment. Watch all your favorite sporting events while you eat. 3333 S. Coulter St., Suite D1, 351.1800, txfirehouse.com $-$$ c ^ Thai Arawan You’ll get your fill of fresh, authentic Thai cuisine at Thai Arawan. We recommend the angel noodle and the chicken fried rice. Consistently good flavor and friendly service make this one of our favorites. 2834 Wolflin Ave., 463.7167, thaiarawan.com $$ NEW Tower Café Stop in to the Tower Café and grab an early morning coffee, hot breakfast sandwich or pastry, or fill up on fresh fruit, salads and sandwiches at lunch. The cafe stays open until 5 p.m. for those late-afternoon coffee and sweets cravings. 600 S. Tyler St., 373.4361 $ 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 $ ^ y Urbana Coffee Works Southwest Amarillo can get its caffeine fix a little closer to home with the opening of Urbana Coffee Works. Hang out with a fresh brew and breakfast pastry, or enjoy lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily with

hearty, hot sandwiches, tapas, soups and salads, and desserts like gelato or cupcakes. In the evening, listen to live music while you sip. 5215 S. Coulter St., Suite 100, 803.9022, urbanacoffeeworks.com $ T Vince’s Pizza Vince’s calzones are some of the best we’ve had. The pizzeria also offers huge Greek salads, Giro and an even larger family-sized pizza. Enjoy the quirky atmosphere or get your food to go at the convenient drive-up. 2413 S. Western St., 352.2656 $ Wild Bill’s Wild Bill’s offers American food and friendly service. The green chile cheese burger with hand-cut, seasoned fries is our favorite. Enjoy billiards, darts and arcade games while you wait, or after you dine. 3811 SW Sixth Ave., 372.4500 $ y

CT The Windy Cow Cafe and Dessert Bar This family-owned cafe is located in Wildorado, less than a 15-minute drive from west Amarillo. Fill up on all-youcan-eat catfish on Friday and Saturday, from-scratch comfort food, and delicious homemade pie, cake, cookies, brownies and more. 709 I-40 West, 426.3001 $ 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 $-$$ C Ye Olde Pancake Station With breakfast this good, you’ll be glad to know the Pancake Station serves it all day long. The restaurant also offers great diner-style entrees for lunch. We recommend the over-sized omelets, fresh pancakes, and southern fried chicken. 2800 Virginia Circle, 355.0211, pancakestation.com $ ^ Young Sushi “Rocks!” The friendly greeting you receive when you walk into Young’s is your first clue your experience will be a good one. The helpful staff is always willing to offer suggestions regarding the sushi. If sushi’s not your thing, try the authentic Thai cuisine. 202 SW 10th Ave., 371.7200 $$

C^ Zombiez Bar & Grill Locals rave about the homestyle offerings at Zombiez Bar & Grill. Fill up on daily specials, burgers, chicken-fried steak or chicken-fried chicken. Dine-in, takeout and delivery are available. 711 SW 10th Ave., 331.7305 $ c T y

CANYON Aloha Kitchen Aloha Kitchen’s slogan is certainly compelling: “So good it’ll make you forget your name.” And so are the daily specials. Choose from Kalua Pork (slowcooked with Hawaiian spices), Flying Hawaiian (wok chicken), or Loco Moco (a burger patty served over rice with a fried egg), or from daily offerings like burgers, burritos or smoothies. A variety of Hawaiian canned and iced beverages will help you cool off on a hot day. 700 23rd St., 290.1129, alohakitchentx.com $ Buffalo’s Cafe You’ll leave your hunger behind when you visit Buffalo’s. Offering hearty eats with choices such as hamburgers, Tangled Texas Twists, and Smoky Mountain Nachalos, or The Big Round Up, a quarter rack of slow-roasted baby back ribs, traditional style or boneless buffalo wings, blackened shrimp and all the fixings. 2811 Fourth Ave., 655.4400, buffalos.com $ c 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 $ c y 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 $ Imperial Taproom Imperial Taproom has quickly made fans in Canyon. Featuring fresh, in-season ingredients and an extensive craft beer and wine list, Imperial provides a hip, industrial-chic vibe to linger and enjoy your meal. Feast on entrees with an upscale presentation that are pleasantly easy on your pocketbook. 410 15th St., Suite 100, 452.8004, imperialtaproom.com C $$ ☎

The King and I of Canyon 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 $$ C

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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 $ 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 made-from-scratch desserts, as well as specials seven days a week. 810 23rd St., 655.8785, theranchhousecafe.com $ Ribs N More Ribs N More’s claim to fame is its boneless ribs. But don’t stop there. The savory smoked meat loaf is noteworthy, especially when paired with the juicy and flavorful firehouse corn. 1205 23rd St., Suite 6A, 452.8227 $ Rockin’ Zebra Soda Shoppe Located on the square, the Rockin’ Zebra Soda Shoppe offers classic soda shop fare like French dips, pulled pork sandwiches, or a grilled cheese sandwich. Cool off with a specialty drink or ice cream sundae. 404 15th St., 655.3381 $ y 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 $ c 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. $ C 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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806.355.5633 3408 Olsen Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79109 NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Get Your Summer Heat on at La Fiesta Grande

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items, beef enchiladas with red sauce, is

a couple of ways you can warm up your

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LAWYER PROFILES

2017

L AW YER PROF ILES 2017

Mullin Hoard & Brown, LLP

tarted in March 1990, Mullin Hoard & Brown, LLP, focuses on litigation and business transactions between three offices in Amarillo, Lubbock and Dallas. While the scope of its practice extends across the country, from Wall Street to California, representing local clients and maintaining community relationships are top priorities. Mullin Hoard & Brown got an early start in the 1990s representing the FDIC in connection with bank closings, which led to greater opportunities in professional and director and officer liability litigation all over the country. The firm’s record of success in these areas is excellent. This is the part of the firm’s practice that partner Steve Hoard characterizes as “brain surgery” – it is highly specialized and most often involves extremely high stakes. “From a business philosophy standpoint, however,” says Hoard, “we are eager to undertake legal matters for local businesses and

LAWYER PROFILES 2017 • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

individuals, as well. In the local community, you represent clients in a variety of different types of legal matters, even smaller ones, because personal relationships matter, and you certainly want the clients to call you when they have a greater need.” The firm’s legal expertise extends from all types of litigation, including contract disputes, debtor/creditor issues, employment matters, and family law to banking, business formation, real estate, estate planning, and oil and gas. Hoard says that he is particularly pleased with the recent addition to the firm of partners Mitch Carthel and Shawn Twing, who have added expertise in the areas of agricultural law and employment law, respectively. Mullin Hoard & Brown, LLP 500 S. Taylor St., Suite 800 • 372.5050 mullinhoard.com

L AW YER PROF ILES 2017

Packard, Hood, Johnson & Bradley, LLP

ith five attorneys and a small team of support staff, the law firm of Packard, Hood, Johnson & Bradley offers clients decades of legal experience with a distinctive small-firm feel. PHJB covers a broad range of legal practice areas, with an extensive record of achievements in civil and commercial litigation, premises and construction liability, and insurance defense on behalf of individuals and businesses. An accomplished litigator, partner Mark L. Packard has practiced law in Amarillo since 1984 and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has gained a reputation as one of the Panhandle’s most capable mediators, and has mediated more than 1,100 cases in Amarillo and the surrounding area. Partner Thomas E. Hood is board certified in estate planning and probate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, bringing decades of expertise to estate plans, wills, and trusts, and resolving problem estates and trusts. Hood, Packard and attorney Joni Paul work together on will contests, probate and trust litigation.

LAWYER PROFILES 2017 • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

David Bradley offers extensive experience in family law and, according to Paul, “does a little bit of everything.” Dee Johnson is a trial lawyer who began practicing in Amarillo in 1993, and primarily specializes in insurance defense. She is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. According to Paul, who specializes in construction law and commercial litigation, the streamlined nature of PHJB’s practice allows clients to benefit from wide-ranging areas of practice and expertise without the impersonality of a large, corporate firm. “Our firm is fairly small,” says Paul. “I think for the caliber of practitioners we have, our general environment is pretty laid-back. All of our people are very easy to get along with.” The firm’s attorneys are all involved in a variety of school activities, nonprofit organizations, and other service to the Amarillo community. Packard, Hood, Johnson & Bradley, LLP 301 S. Polk St., Suite 375 • 374.3300

806-374-3300 packardlawďŹ rm.com

301 S. Polk St. | Suite 375 | Amarillo, TX 79101

L AW YER PROF ILES 2017

Amarillo Elder Law - Attorney Eric J. Pullen

n 2004, Amarillo attorney Eric Pullen began focusing on the legal needs of the elderly and people with disabilities after a brief career handling business mergers and acquisitions. “That type of transactional law felt soulless,” he says. In elder law, Pullen discovered much more personal fulfillment. “The elderly can be marginalized in our society,” he says. “They get lost. So often, you see individuals placed in rehab or long-term care or assisted living, and that’s the end of it.” He values the wealth of knowledge shared by members of the Greatest Generation. “They lived through times and experiences I don’t think I could have managed,” he says. “But now they’re facing decisions they may not be equipped to handle. They may be getting bad information or are being taken advantage of.” Pullen assists these individuals and their families with legal matters including wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, guardianship, nursing home resident rights, and Medicaid eligibility. “For most of my elderly clients, their overriding concern is not being

LAWYER PROFILES 2017 • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

a burden on their kids, and wanting to leave them something,” he says. Amarillo Elder Law helps clients accomplish these goals. “We hold the family’s hands and structure a plan that everyone can be comfortable with – one that takes very prudent steps to protect these individuals.” Memories of his grandparents fuel that passion. “I strive to be the kind of person that I hope would have been there for them,” says Pullen. “Whether we’re dealing with a 50-dollar estate or a sevenfigure estate, we’re still dealing with a human being who wants freedom and wants to keep their dignity intact. We do our best to protect them.” Eric Pullen has been recognized as among the top ten Texas Elder Law Attorneys by the American Institute of Legal Counsel. Amarillo Elder Law - Attorney Eric J. Pullen 2903 S. Georgia St. • 355.8147 amaelderlaw.com

Attorney Eric Pullen 2903 S. Georgia St.

AMARILLOELDERLAW PULLEN LAW PLLC

Amarillo, TX 79109 Telephone: 806-355-8147 FAX: 806-355-8140 www.amaelderlaw.com

Our firm focuses on legal issues and related personal and business matters of importance to those advancing in age and their families. Whether your interest in our services is a desire for prudent estate planning, or necessitated by an urgent need for counsel and legal assistance, our firm offers comprehensive solutions in the following areas:

WILLS – TRUSTS – GUARDIANSHIP – PROBATE – MEDICAID LONG-TERM CARE MEMBER: NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ELDER LAW ATTORNEYS The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

L AW YER PROF ILES 2017

Quackenbush Law Firm

s a child of the ’60s and ’70s, Jesse Quackenbush grew up keenly aware of societal injustice and political turmoil. His first passion was filmmaking, but as his interest in politics and history grew, he realized a career in law would be a natural next step. Fortunately, Quackenbush has been able to pair the two passions in a meaningful way. Today, he practices criminal law while working on side projects as a filmmaker and director. “My focus on civil and criminal trial work was derived from my simple observation that becoming a trial lawyer would allow me to have the quickest, most direct impact, not only helping people in need, but also changing how the system treated those without a voice,” he says. “Practicing law, to me, has always been a privilege. I take my obligations seriously and strive to treat all of my clients as I would treat a member of my own family. This level of professional service is rare among lawyers.” In 2008, Quackenbush wrote and directed the independent film “The Last Word,” which recounted the arrest, conviction and

LAWYER PROFILES 2017 • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

execution of a 17-year-old boy accused of assaulting and murdering a nun. In the future, Quackenbush hopes to direct another feature film with a lasting message. “Filmmaking wields more power to address injustices than doing trial work. Instead of an audience of 12 jurors, you can capture the minds of millions,” he says. “I’m planning to take a few directing courses in Los Angeles early next year, and I have three films currently in development.” Still, practicing law in the Texas Panhandle continues to be the way Quackenbush strives to fight for those who need it. When he isn’t in the courtroom or developing scripts, he enjoys spending time with his five children, and raising chickens, turkeys, goats and an alpaca. Quackenbush Law Firm 801 S. Fillmore St., Suite 460 • 374.4024 quakenbushlawfirm.com

AUTO ACCIDENTS • MEDICAL MALPRACTICE • CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Helping families through tragedies for 29 years.

Jesse Quackenbush T R I A L L AW Y E R

SERVING TEXAS & NEW MEXICO

806.374.4024 801 S. Fillmore St., Suite 460, Amarillo TX | Chat Live Online 24/7

www.quackenbushlawfirm.com

L AW YER PROF ILES 2017

Robinson Law

“I

’m your personal family attorney,” says Cristal Robinson of Robinson Law. “Once you become my client, you get my cell phone number, and if you have an issue you can text me or call me.” That kind of personal accessibility helps Robinson stand out from other practitioners in Amarillo’s legal community. She says her clients appreciate her responsiveness, because legal problems don’t always happen during normal business hours. “Sometimes you have a legal issue – or maybe something happens and you don’t know if it’s a legal issue. Sometimes you’re worried and you just really need to talk to someone. I’m available for my clients to say, ‘This is what’s happening with my life right now,’” she explains. In a number of cases, Robinson’s availability allows clients to make better-informed decisions and may even minimize unnecessary meetings. “If there’s a question I can answer over the phone in a few minutes, then my clients can avoid having to come in for a one-hour meeting,” she says. “That’s much more convenient, especially for business or taxation questions.”

LAWYER PROFILES 2017 • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

In addition to business law, Robinson and her staff serve clients in Amarillo and throughout the Panhandle in practice areas including bankruptcy, family law, criminal law, wills and probate, and civil litigation. One of the most technologically advanced firms in the city, Robinson Law is known for being completely paperless. “My clients have secure digital access to everything that’s in their files,” says Robinson. “Being paperless, I can look at files when I’m not at my office. I could be in court or on my way to another county for a courthouse issue, but everything is still accessible.” Potential clients can even schedule appointments using a booking portal on the Robinson Law website. “We strive to provide the highest-quality legal services through technology and personal service,” Robinson says. Robinson Law 2700 S. Western St., Suite 900 • 350.5297 806law.com

Attorney Cristal Robinson, MCA

Committed - Diligent - Responsive Robinson Law helps individuals and businesses with legal matters in the following areas:

• BANKRUPTCY

• FAMILY

• WILLS AND PROBATE

• BUSINESS AND TAXATION

• CRIMINAL

• DRIVER’S LICENSE MATTERS

The team at Robinson Law proudly serves clients in Potter and Randall Counties and the surrounding 24 counties of the Texas Panhandle.

806.350.LAWS (5297) attorney@806law.com | www.806law.com Payment Plans Available. We are a debt relief agency. We help people ﬁle for bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code.

L AW YER PROF ILES 2017

Sprouse Shrader Smith

anting to serve clients on their terms, the late Harlow L. Sprouse and three other Amarillo lawyers left one of the city’s largest firms in 1990 to start their own practice. Today, that firm has grown to become Sprouse Shrader Smith, with 40 attorneys across three offices in Amarillo, Austin and Victoria, Texas. “In Amarillo’s legal community, we may still be considered a younger firm, but we’ve grown very quickly,” says attorney John Massouh, firm president. In fact, Sprouse Shrader Smith has added six new attorneys in recent months. “That speaks to our expertise and reputation,” says Massouh. Now one of the foremost law firms in the Texas Panhandle, Sprouse Shrader Smith offers a broad spectrum of legal services, from agriculture and agribusiness law to oil and gas, financial services, labor and employment, estate planning, family law, and tax law. “About the only thing we don’t handle is criminal law,” Massouh says. “We’re a full-service law firm that provides many different types of representation. Our clients range from individuals

LAWYER PROFILES 2017 • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

to large organizations.” In a diverse local legal community that includes many solo practitioners and smaller firms, Massouh says a large, multidisciplinary practice like Sprouse Shrader Smith plays a vital role. “For any client that walks in the door, we can assist with any need that may arise,” he says. “We have a breadth of knowledge that makes us a ‘one-stop shop’ for all kinds of legal issues, whether those are employment issues, litigation, taxes, or whatever a client requires.” Despite its growth, Sprouse Shrader Smith has never lost sight of its founding members’ original purpose, which was to provide efficient, ethical legal services in a safe and respectful environment. “Our goal is still the same,” says Massouh. “It’s to give good legal counsel to our clients and be a good member of the community.” Sprouse Shrader Smith 701 S. Taylor St., Suite 500 • 468.3300 sprouselaw.com

growing

Trees have shown us through time the advantages of working together. A tree on its own, is at the mercy of wind and weather; but together many neighboring trees through their root systems, create an eco-system that moderates extreme temperatures, stores water for each other, generates much needed humidity and in this protected environment – they sustain and grow. Sprouse Shrader Smith has developed an “eco-system” of more than 40 highly-qualified attorneys who work together for the good of our clients and the communities we serve. From Ag Law to Wealth Management and everything in between… Amarillo | Austin | Victoria

SprouseLaw.com

Sprouse Shrader Smith pllc We Know Law

L AW YER PROF ILES 2017

Stockard, Johnston, Brown & Netardus, P.C.

he four attorneys in the law firm of Stockard, Johnston, Brown & Netardus serve a wide variety of clients, from individuals and families to locally owned businesses and much larger institutions. The firm began in 2012 when solo practitioner Jarrett Johnston teamed up with Dusty Stockard and J. Daren Brown, who had been working in larger firms. Attorney Kenneth Netardus joined the partnership about a year later. With offices in Amarillo and Borger, the four Texas natives wanted to combine the expertise of a larger firm with the agility of a small practice. “With a large number of partners, a larger firm might have several different visions of how to serve clients,” says Netardus. “We have the ability to move quickly in our planning and organization. Our leanness allows us to quickly adjust to better meet their needs.” The four partners and six supporting staff members at Stockard, Johnston, Brown & Netardus serve clients throughout the Texas Panhandle as well as New Mexico and Oklahoma. “Between the four of us, we have a wealth of experience dealing with legal issues,” Netardus says. “We have all handled a wide variety of cases, but

LAWYER PROFILES 2017 • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

to keep from getting too spread out, we limit our focus to a few primary areas.” All four partners are considered leaders in those specialties. Dusty Stockard’s practice focuses on civil litigation, with substantial expertise in oil and gas law and condemnation. Daren Brown focuses on personal injury and general civil/commercial litigation. Jarrett Johnston specializes in criminal law and family law, and Kenneth Netardus concentrates on agricultural law, oil and gas, business law and commercial litigation. Active in the community and supporters of the arts, the law firm of Stockard, Johnston, Brown & Netardus is enthusiastic about serving Amarillo and helping meet clients’ goals. “We’re dedicated to offering the finest legal representation and best client service – in and out of the courtroom,” says Netardus. Stockard, Johnston, Brown & Netardus, P.C. 1800 S. Washington St., Suite 307 • 372.2202 sjblawfirm.com

L AW YER PROF ILES 2017

Underwood Law

or more than a century, Underwood Law has represented the people of Texas with integrity. With 13 of its 50 lawyers to be included in the 2018 edition of the Best Lawyers in America, the firm acknowledges and embraces its responsibility to the community, and its people, to represent them with expertise and the highest commitment. Underwood Law focuses on problem solving, specifically matters that seems insoluble. “We handle big, sophisticated stuff. We represented Stan Kroenke, the owner of the LA Rams and Denver Nuggets, in late 2015 and early 2016 when he bought the Waggoner Ranch. It’s the largest ranch under a single fence. Governor Perry said nobody can close this transaction, but we did,” says Alan Rhodes, president. “To the general reader who says, ‘I have a difficult problem to be solved,’ you need to call Underwood.” By and large, Underwood represents school districts, and their employees stay ahead of whatever issues arise, be it construction projects or constitutional concerns.

LAWYER PROFILES 2017 • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

“Public education is intriguing because it involves constitutional issues, such as free speech. You may not think constitutional issues aren’t relevant, but it is,” says Rhodes. “We represent more than 100 school districts and help clients as they remain leaders in their industry, providing the best education possible for their students. School districts are often the largest employer in a town or community.” In addition to settling more than $2 billion in bond issues for school districts, cities, and counties, Underwood Law aided in the expansion of the dairy industry into West Texas and southwest Kansas by helping 25 Dutch families as they moved to and invested in the area from 2000 to 2008. “We return our calls promptly,” says Rhodes. “We’re accessible when a lot of lawyers aren’t.” Underwood Law 500 S. Taylor St., Suite 233 • 376.5613 ulaw.com

Integrity in All Things

Our timeless values and standards will be the benchmark by which we measure our success.

The best way to build and to maintain trust is to conduct our business according to the highest standards of integrity.

Responsibility

Commited to Excellence

With our long-standing traditions, we are proud to be a respected legal provider in the community and the state.

Amarillo

Fort Worth

Lubbock

Pampa

Plano

806.376.5613

817.885.7529

806.793.1711

806.669.6851

972.926.5300

w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / U n d e r w o o d L aw

L AW YER PROF ILES 2017

The Warner Law Firm

ichael A. Warner has been righting wrongs in the Texas Panhandle since 1990. Mr. Warner is licensed to practice law in both state and federal courts, and practices in the areas of civil and criminal trial litigation. The Warner Law Firm started the Amarillo office in December of 1998. The firm’s practice areas include personal injury, criminal law, family law, labor and employment law, and workers’ compensation litigation. The Warner Law Firm has been involved in high-profile cases, most recently representing 29 former NFL football players in the concussion litigation regarding CTE injuries. The firm has

LAWYER PROFILES 2017 • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

represented more than 130 homeowners as a result of the hail storms occurring since May of 2013. The firm represents the accused in both state and federal courts. The Warner Law Firm has just completed a one-year remodel project, making it one of the most beautiful offices in Amarillo and located in the Taylor Building in the thriving downtown area. The office is located at the corner of Polk Street and SE 11th Ave. The Warner Law Firm 101 SE 11th Ave., Suite 301 • 372.2595 thewarnerlawfirm.com

101 SE 11th St., Suite 301 â&#x20AC;¢ Amarillo, TX 79101 806.372.2595 www.thewarnerlawfirm.com

L AW YER PROF ILES 2017

Wood Law Firm, LLP

rial lawyers Channy F. Wood and Leslie Lowe are dedicated to obtaining justice for individuals, children and families who have been harmed by the negligence and carelessness of others. “Many times, the people who hire our law firm are the victims of catastrophic injuries resulting from neglect, indifference, malice, or simple greed,” says Wood, a board certified personal injury trial lawyer. The two attorneys and three support staff in this small firm believe the hard-working “little guy” deserves someone to work equally hard on their behalf. “For the people we represent, we cannot change something bad that happened in the past. What we can do is try to change and improve the future for them,” explains Wood. “We hold the responsible party responsible for what they’ve done – and help the families get on with their lives.” While financial damages can never fully make someone whole for injuries or losses, Wood and Lowe believe they are one of society’s

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best ways to hold wrongdoers accountable. Punitive damages in appropriate cases can prevent corporations from valuing profits above the safety, health and welfare of the public. A sixth-generation Texan who worked in the oil fields before attending law school, Wood knows the average person does not have the resources to pay hourly legal fees. That is why Wood Law Firm only gets paid when its clients receive a recovery. “I think that’s the purest form of compensation,” says Wood. “If we can’t bring some value to the people we represent, we shouldn’t get paid.” For that reason, Wood and Lowe only take cases with merit. “We won’t hire on to any cases that aren’t viable under the law,” says Wood. “We’re not going to invest our time and money into a case we can’t win on the facts and win under the law.” Wood Law Firm, LLP 610 SW 11th Ave. • 372.9663 woodlawfirm-tx.com

Northwest is the LEADING Trauma Center for the Panhandle, with advanced cardiac care and specialty stroke services, along with dedicated pediatric emergency care.

1501 S. Coulter • Amarillo, TX 79106 • 806-354-1000 • nwths.com/erteam For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Northwest Texas Healthcare System. The system shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.

170007

Our team makes a difference in women’s health.

7620 Wallace Blvd. Amarillo, Tx. 79124 806-359-5468 Back Row: Gregory May, MD; Cullen Hopkins, MD; George Barnett, MD; Dudley Freeman, MD; Jamie Wilkerson, MD; Front Row: Haylee Devries, PA-C; Sarah Bergeron, WHNP; Brenna Payne, WHNP

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ye a r - e n d

GIVING GUIDE

ne of the most impressive characteristics of the city of Amarillo and the people of the Panhandle is the spirit of generosity we all share. From donating time as volunteers to providing financial support for charitable organizations, Amarilloans have never been shy about getting involved. What’s behind that generosity? The answer is complex, but one significant aspect is our city’s isolation. Located hours from large cities like Dallas or Denver, the people of Amarillo have long understood that, well, we’re pretty much on our own. If we want high-level arts institutions, we’re

going to have to establish and support them ourselves. If we want to take care of our poorest, hungriest, or sickest residents, the responsibility is ours. We give because we have a heart for giving, but we also give out of necessity. That independent spirit of generosity always seems to expand as the holidays approach. This issue’s Giving Guide introduces you to a few local nonprofit organizations that are doing wonderful things in Amarillo. They could use your endof-year financial support. They could use your volunteer hours. Let’s be honest: They would really love a combination of both.

Amarillo Area Foundation

he history of the Amarillo Area Foundation dates back to 1957, when civic leaders began working to fund and establish Amarillo’s medical center. Sixty years later, the Foundation’s total assets rank it among the top 50 percent of national community foundations in the United States. While the Amarillo Area Foundation distributes funds in a variety of ways – including grants to nonprofits and scholarships for area college students – it is far more than a fundraising or grant-making entity. AAF works to strengthen nonprofit organizations and foster giving opportunities throughout the Panhandle, all for the purpose of improving quality of life for local residents. “It’s so much more than just the grant side,” explains Katharyn Wiegand, vice president of community investment at AAF. “We can help donors support whatever their passion is, and wherever it is in the Panhandle.” With the help of AAF, donors can establish a scholarship fund, a donor-advised fund, a specific field-of-interest fund and more. “A lot of times donors just don’t know how to start.” For instance, individuals or companies that wish to launch a philanthropic foundation may be hesitant to do so because of the paperwork and legal requirements. The Amarillo Area Foundation allows those donors to accomplish their goals efficiently and effectively without the administrative headaches. “We handle all the back office for donors and give them access to a really strong investment portfolio,” Wiegand says. Beyond fund creation, individuals that want to donate can become Foundation Members with an annual gift of $250. Corporate Memberships begin at $500 a year, and offer a vast number of opportunities to support nonprofit needs in the Panhandle. “The generosity of local residents helped sustain AAF for the past six decades,” says Wiegand. “Your support can help Panhandle communities for the next 60 years and beyond.”

> How to Help • Become a Foundation Member • Apply for grants or scholarships • Find more information about becoming a donor 90

YEAR-END GIVING GUIDE • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Amarillo Area Foundation 801 S. Fillmore St., Suite 700 | 376.4521 amarilloareafoundation.org

Amarillo Children’s Home To restore the identity of children so they can realize their great value and be a blessing to others.

n March 1, 1924, Dr. R. Thomsen and a group of likeminded community leaders opened the first campus of the Presbyterian Home for Children. Today, that organization is known as Amarillo Children’s Home, but it still pursues its mission of caring for foster children in the Panhandle. Tucked away in the Wolflin neighborhood, Amarillo Children’s Home houses more than 40 kids, who come from an array of desperate, dangerous situations. The tree-filled campus holds seven cottages, in which a married couple serves as house parents full-time, aided by an assistant house parent. House parents work with younger kids to learn basic skills and develop trust and healthy relationships with others. Older kids are able to gain more personal freedom in the Transitional Living Concepts (TLC) Cottage. “We have a 100-percent graduation rate for kids who go through our TLC program, and every one of the seven graduating seniors from 2017 are enrolled in higher education in the Amarillo area,” says ACH President Darrin Murphy. None of this vital work could be possible without the volunteers and donors that support Amarillo Children’s Home every day. Amarillo Children’s Home could not exist without the generous support of the Amarillo community. “Seventy-five percent of our income comes from the Amarillo community. People oftentimes don’t realize that about us. We are highly dependent on Amarillo and have been for 93 years,” says Murphy. “The kids we have are incredible, with incredible stories that they are turning around. They go to Amarillo public schools, they work in the community, and we are highly involved in the community. The financial commitment that [donors] make to Amarillo Children’s Home is a commitment they make to help us build into kid’s lives. It’s not just housing; it’s about restoration and redemption of kids and their stories.”

> How to Help • • • •

Donate Attend an event Pray Volunteer

Amarillo Children’s Home 3400 Bowie St. | 352.5771 amarillochildrenshome.org

YEAR-END GIVING GUIDE • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Amarillo Zoological Society

he Amarillo Zoological Society is a 501(c)3 friends group of the Amarillo Zoo, and has long prided itself on supporting the development and improvement of the beloved Amarillo Zoo. Started in 2007, its mission is to “promote the development, improvements, and awareness of the Amarillo Zoo and its mission.” Run by a board of directors, AZS works to support the continued growth and expansion of new zoo exhibits and programs. Over the past 10 years, the society has been invaluable in raising funds and support for two major projects at the zoo. The first is the Cindy and Michael Terk Herpetarium. Opened in 2009, the building houses 26 exhibits, featuring native and exotic reptiles and amphibians found throughout the world. It also worked to build the Bill and Alice O’Brien Education Center, a 3,670-square-foot educational building opened in 2013. In light of the zoo’s continued commitment to education, the next Amarillo Zoological Society project is the expansion and renovation of the children’s zoo. “There are several areas of the zoo that are old and in need of updates, but the children’s zoo area is where we are going to focus on first,” says Curator Rhonda Votino. The multi-phase plan will begin in early 2018. A brand-new walk-through barn will become the showpiece of the new children’s zoo area, housing species native to the Panhandle. Other improvements are planned, as well. The children’s zoo will include a large parrot exhibit, and the expansion of an Australian-themed area. As a piece of Amarillo history and a popular tourist attraction, the Amarillo Zoo is truly a gem in the Panhandle. The Amarillo Zoological Society’s work to preserve and improve it is an invaluable service to the community. The society welcomes contributions and volunteers, and is currently accepting applications and nominations to fill vacant board slots.

> How to Help • • • • •

Donate Volunteer Become a board member Attend an event Become a partner

• Exhibit-naming opportunities • Sponsor an event 92

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Amarillo Zoological Society PO Box 8581 | 381.7911 amarillozoo.org

America: Celebrate Honor & Serve “Our debt to the heroic men and women in the service of our community and country can never be repaid. They have earned our gratitude, respect and support.”

merica: Celebrate Honor & Serve is a nonprofit organization located in Amarillo, Texas. Its mission is to lead the proactive public and community in support of our military, veterans, law enforcement, fire, first responders, their families, and the families of our Fallen Heroes in our community and across the Texas Panhandle. “As citizens, we have the privilege and patriotic responsibility to honor those who serve, defend our freedom, and protect our country and community,” says Jack Barnes, USN Retired, and member of the Board of Directors. America: CHS’s secondary mission is to educate the next generation regarding the important lessons of service, patriotism, and respect for our flag and great country. America: CHS spotlights freedom and the American flag every day, encouraging the general public to participate in special events honoring those who serve and wear the uniform across this community. Patriot volunteers are welcome to join the America: Celebrate Honor & Serve – Red, White and Blue Team No. 1 at events throughout the year. For more information on local events, visit america-chs.com. Join the America: Celebrate Honor & Serve – Red, White and Blue Team today!

> How to Help

America: Celebrate Honor & Serve P O Box 15565 | Amarillo, Texas 79105 681.1418 america-chs.com

• Financial support from generous citizens is genuinely appreciated.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Texas Panhandle

n 1961, a group of committed civic leaders saw a need to support the children of Amarillo, and formed a coalition to start the first Big Brothers Big Sisters organization in the Panhandle. From the initial seven child/volunteer matches, the organization has grown to serve more than 300 children in Amarillo, Canyon, Perryton, Spearman and Gruver. Big Brothers Big Sisters is always looking for people eager to positively impact a child and improve the community at the same time. And right now is no different. Big Brothers are in high demand. For a few hours, a couple times a month, you can give a child the invaluable gift of your friendship. By simply changing their perspective of what the world can offer, you can literally start changing their lives. And sometimes it’s as simple as playing video games, going to a museum, or just hanging out together. BBBS strives for matches that are not only safe and well suited to each child’s needs, but also harmonious and built to last. A volunteer application can be found on the agency’s website, www.panhandlebigs.org. The entire matching process, from the initial screening to the final pairing – and beyond – is made possible by community financial support. As Emily Nance, Executive Director, states, “We don’t charge a fee to parents or volunteers, so we rely on donors to continue our mission to make a positive impact on children’s lives.” By donating to Big Brothers Big Sisters, you are joining its mission of positively affecting children in the community. Every day, BBBS works tirelessly to change the perspectives of children and give them an opportunity to achieve great things. But without donations, Big Brothers Big Sisters couldn’t offer its mentoring services.

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Donate Volunteer Become a Big Brother or Big Sister Attend an event

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Texas Panhandle 2110 S. Western St. | 351.2210 panhandlebigs.org

Boys & Girls Clubs of Amarillo

or more than 80 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Amarillo has been a place where youth ages 5 to 18 could find friends, activities, mentors, and opportunities in a safe, welcoming environment. “What I love most about the club is when you see those kids come through the door and the smiles on their faces because they know there’s someone who’s going to accept them exactly as they are and where they come from,” says CEO Dr. Kimber Daniel. Five core programs keep kids engaged at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Amarillo: character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, sports and fitness, and recreation and the arts. The activities that fall under each of those categories are numerous, which means there’s something for everyone’s area of interest and skill. “We focus on these things: academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character and leadership. They may go to the computer lab. We have a cooking club, and a community garden with chickens and goats. We have a photography club and a dance studio in collaboration with the Lone Star Dance Academy. We have wrestling, basketball, track, soccer,” says Dr. Daniel. Last year the Boys & Girls Clubs of Amarillo lost a quarter of a million dollars in funding, which translated to the closing of two sites. While those participants were transferred to the main club on Lincoln Street, it meant activity rearrangements and inconveniences that no one wants to undergo. In addition to grants and donors, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Amarillo relies on community support to continue providing quality and safe programs to kids in the area. “When those kids come in and hug you every day and tell you how their day went at school, you have no idea what that feeling is,” says Dr. Daniel. “It’s the best part of my day.”

> How to Help • • • •

Donate Become a member Volunteer Become a curriculum teacher

Boys & Girls Clubs of Amarillo 1923 S. Lincoln St. | 372.8393 maverickclub.org

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Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle

atholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle has a long history with the area, seeking to serve those most in need of help. They have changed and grown alongside Amarillo – most recently, the organization took the name Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle in 2012. One of the shining stars of CCTXP is the Food Project, a program that assists individuals and families living on a low or fixed income. Executive Director Jeff Gulde points to this as one of the agency’s most recognizable programs. “Over 600 clients are able to come into our grocery store each month and pick out the food that they actually want to eat,” he says. The Emergency Youth Shelter houses up to 24 children ages 5 to 17. This partnership with CPS is, as Gulde explains, “a way to bridge the gap from Point A to a better, more positive Point B.” Children placed by CPS are able to stay at the shelter up to 90 days, and are provided with a caring, homelike environment, as well as all the essentials they may need. CCTXP also contracts with probation departments and mental health authorities, and provides beds for runaway or homeless youth. The Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle Citizenship and Immigration Program is the only nonprofit citizenship and immigration service provider in the Texas Panhandle. In the Refugee Resettlement Division, CCTXP’s case workers, all of whom are former refugees, work with the organization to help new arrivals to America. Refugee clients attend ESL classes and training on societal and employment skills necessary to succeed and become self-sufficient in their new country. Another program of CCTXP, Amarillo Interpreting and Translation Service, provides these services both internally and externally, offering help with more than 20 languages. “We have a few ways to help – financially is always a great way, and they can donate through our website, www.cctxp.org, or volunteer. We love donations of food and toiletries; the food usually goes to our Hunger Project and toiletries go to our youth shelter and our resettlement clients,” says Gulde.

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Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle 2801 Duniven Circle | 376.4571 cctxp.org

Center City of Amarillo

tarted in 1991, Center City of Amarillo seeks to revitalize the downtown area by hosting events, such as High Noon on the Square, and offering grants to local businesses to increase curb appeal. The overarching goal is to create a stronger downtown through historic preservation and economic revitalization. Executive Director Beth Duke says Center City wants to make downtown “everybody’s neighborhood.” “We work closely with the City of Amarillo, but we have to raise the majority of our own support. We have members and donors from all over because they know a thriving downtown is important for attracting visitors and new businesses,” she says. “I’ve talked to recruiters from different companies, and when someone is looking for job, they want to see the downtown. If it’s thriving, there’s opportunity there.” Officially, the boundaries of Center City of Amarillo are the railroad tracks to the north and east, I-40 to the south, and Washington/Adams to the west. Center City also manages the Amarillo Community Market and the Amarillo Cultural District of the Texas Commission on the Arts. Center City is a Texas Main Street City. Center City relies on volunteers since there are only two full-time staff members. Volunteers are vital to the success of every event the organization hosts and supports. Financial donations are always welcome. “People can join Center City at any level. The money goes to underwrite special events. Even though there’s free admission, there’s always costs involved. We also have a big investment in our downtown banner program, and some of the money goes to help supplement facade grants. We’ve given more than a million dollars in facade grants,” says Duke. “We’re always happy to accept donations from those who want to see a vibrant downtown.”

> How to Help • Donate • Become a member • Attend an event

Center City of Amarillo 1000 S. Polk St. | 372.6744 centercity.org YEAR-END GIVING GUIDE • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Ceta Canyon Camp & Retreat Center

he beautiful scenery of Ceta Canyon Camp & Retreat Center has had a life-changing influence on many of its visitors. Through hosting summer camps, church retreats, leadership retreats and more, Ceta Canyon impacts the lives of more than 9,000 people on an annual basis. Ceta Canyon sits on 436 acres, with a beautiful pond and large waterfall. According to Executive Director Mike Wentz, “We started a new strategic plan in 2012 and one of the things we wanted to expand was our outreach.” Ceta Canyon hosts more than 1,400 students each year, and works with local schools to help them achieve their TEKS requirements through outdoor education on site. Thanks to the great community support, the board and staff recently raised more than $420,000 for its new Nature/Outdoor Learning Center with a primary focus on enhancing the outdoor education programs with area schools. Groundbreaking for the new facility will begin in the coming months. Other organizations can also take advantage of the facility and campgrounds. “We collaborate with the Wesley Community Center to bring out elementary age kids for a day camp. These campers were able to attend camp thanks to our scholarship funds.” Ceta Canyon’s programs can’t succeed without support from donors and volunteers. Yearly fundraising dinners bring in much of the annual giving budget, which goes to camp scholarships and to underwrite the already low-cost programs that run year round. Volunteers come in to maintain structures, clean up the campgrounds, paint, and maintain trails. More than just another place to go, Ceta Canyon offers an experience unlike any other. With something for everybody, it’s a true retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern living. “The cool thing about coming down to camp is how peaceful it is,” says Wentz. “You might have the birds or the sound of the waterfall, but it is quiet and without distractions. I really believe this is God’s oasis in the Panhandle.”

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Donate Volunteer Attend an event Become a mentor

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Ceta Canyon 37201 FM1721 | Happy, Texas | 488.2268 cetacanyon.org

College Success Initiative

any of Amarillo’s young people have the drive and discipline to succeed in college. But because they grow up in poverty, they don’t see college as an opportunity – or even an option. The College Success Initiative grew out of a desire to promote college education among these students. Over the past few years, guided by Executive Director Lanitra Barringer, CSI has taken dozens of students on an annual Spring Break bus tour, visiting large state universities like the University of Texas at Austin and Southern Methodist University, in addition to Texas Southern University and Wiley College, historically black colleges. “Sometimes they just need to see the campus and know there are options outside of Amarillo,” Barringer says. Involvement extends beyond those college tours. CSI offers mentorship, monthly college preparatory sessions, community service opportunities and career “Success Shops” at Palo Duro High School and the Amarillo Area Center for Advanced Learning (AACAL). For 2017 and 2018, the organization has expanded beyond the bus tour to include more frequent college tours – and thus more interaction with students on-campus. “We found that many of the college students were offcampus when visiting during Spring Break,” says Barringer. Campus tours and tailgating trips to football games at West Texas A&M University and Texas Tech have given young CSI participants – who range from sixth graders to high school seniors – an opportunity to interact with those students in a university environment. Beyond the tours, qualifying students will have the opportunity next year to participate in a summer educational tour to Washington, D.C., where they will visit colleges and museums in the nation’s capital. Community donations help cover the majority of the expenses of these tours, from hotel stays to transportation and meals. “And we are always looking for volunteers to help,” says Barringer. Volunteer roles include assisting with college prep or mentoring new college students.

> How to Help • Become a mentor • Volunteer • Donate

College Success Initiative 322.2553 collegesuccessama.org YEAR-END GIVING GUIDE • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Faith City Mission

aith City Mission began in 1951 as a shelter and dining outreach for Amarillo’s homeless population. In the 66 years since, it has expanded into a full-service organization for men and women who find themselves in crisis situations. “We’re more than just a soup kitchen,” says PR Administrator Madison Bass. Faith City offers a variety of benevolence and recovery programs. Two of its largest are Hope for Men and Hope for Women, which support men and women struggling from drug and alcohol addiction. These 12-month discipleship programs walk with participants through the recovery process while meeting basic needs like food, shelter and clothing. “We help them get their GED if they need to, find a job, go to school, or transition back into the world after they finish the program,” says Bass. A residential program known as “Rez” assists single women and/or mothers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. “We take in them and their children, and provide counseling and financial classes to help them be independent and not end up back on the streets,” she says. Currently Faith City’s Rez program supports nine women and 10 children. Faith City also offers a work program for men who have full-time jobs but nowhere to live, a “missionite” program that provides shelter and on-the-job training for men with special needs or disabilities, and daily emergency food service. “We provide around 80,000 meals a year,” says Bass. That’s breakfast, lunch and dinner, served every Monday through Saturday. “We take the people who don’t have anything or anywhere to go and make sure they leave Faith City with something tangible,” says Bass. Most of all, she explains, “We don’t want to be a temporary fix for the homeless. We want to help make their lives successful.”

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Donate Serve guests in the dining room Help with chapel services Sort donations

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Faith City Mission 401 SE Second Ave. | 373.6402 faithcity.org

Family Care Foundation

ince its inception 20 years ago, Executive Director Tamara Tucker has been advocating for those in the community with crucial health care needs, from the uninsured and underinsured to individuals on Medicare and young people in the school system who fall into a gap. With no red tape and no staff, Tucker, along with a board of directors and provider partners in the Panhandle, is dedicated to helping anyone that needs it. “We work with case managers at the hospitals and counselors at schools who refer people to us,” she says. “People can also just email and explain what they need.” The needs go wide and far. The scope of coverage includes anything from inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient procedures to prescription glasses and hearing aids. Dental services are common needs, as well as assistance equipment such as walkers and in-shower stools. Tucker’s professional health care background gave her a keen view of how many people go without supplies they need because costs are high and insurance companies can create challenges. At the Family Care Foundation, the staff goes straight to the source, be it a doctor’s office or a medical equipment company and asks, “What’s your cash price?” “I write checks every Friday,” she says. “There’s no other hoops, especially with the school kids. These counselors know they can call me if someone needs to see a doctor today. I can make that call and it’s a done deal.” The most efficient and helpful way to support the Family Care Foundation is through a financial donation. Since the price of treatment, services or equipment is always bottom line, Tucker knows how to stretch a dollar. “What does $100 do? We can buy two walkers with $100. We can buy multiple prescriptions and a nebulizer for a student with $100. I can get four eye exams for $100,” she says. “We have some great partners in town because the medical community knows the need.”

> How to Help • Donate • Become a sponsor • Attend an event

Family Care Foundation P O Box 15203 | 622.9473 familycarefdn.org

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Family Support Services

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Donate Become a volunteer advocate Become a special event volunteer Help promote the agency

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he goal of Family Support Services is to help underserved populations, such as veterans, sexual assault/domestic violence survivors, at-risk families and children, and those with language barriers, with services including counseling, crisis prevention and intervention, advocacy, and education. “We serve 25,000 people a year and offer many services that aren’t provided by anyone else,” says Chief Development Officer Joette Campbell. “We’re trying to fill niches and make sure essential services are available to all who need them.” On any given day, Family Support Services receives phone calls from someone who’s in a domestic abuse situation and needs shelter or counseling, a veteran who needs assistance with housing, job training or PTSD, or Northwest Texas Hospital or The Bridge to provide advocacy for a sexual assault victim. Most services are provided at no cost. Licensed professional counselors and social workers provide services on a sliding scale to make high-quality counseling affordable and accessible. “We served more than 1,600 counseling clients in fiscal 2017,” says Amy Hord, Director of Behavioral Health & Wellness. “We are reaching out to people who are vulnerable to enrich their lives and to keep them safe and healthy. We have a real commitment to to a healthy, stable, violence-free community.” Open since 2014, the Veteran Resource Center at FSS exists to help veterans, dependents, and surviving spouses with whatever needs arise, as well as to be a touchstone for those who benefit from the camaraderie of being with fellow veterans. When it comes to education and prevention, the focus is on breaking cycles of physical abuse, substance abuse, and emotional abuse by teaching effective communication skills. Chief Executive Officer Jim Womack says the education division was the smallest part of the organization five years ago, but now it’s the largest. “We’ve learned that if you can reach children and parents who are at risk early on, the children are much more likely to avoid peer pressure, substance abuse, and unhealthy relationships later in life. We partner with local schools, churches, and other agencies to help make people’s lives better” he says. While state and federal grants, United Way, and fees cover most services, Family Support Services depends on the community to help fill in the gaps in funding. “We can’t provide our broad scope of services without the community’s support,” says Womack. “We don’t want to let anyone fall through the cracks.”

Family Support Services 1001 S. Polk St. | 342.2500 fss-ama.org

Heal the City

eal the City Free Clinic has come a long way since Dr. Alan Keister enlisted his medical colleagues to begin seeing patients in 2014. Back then, the organization operated out of Generation Next Church and a small house on Tennessee Street. It treated around a thousand patients that first year, many of whom lined up around the block to see a doctor or receive medication. Now that the organization has moved into the former Midtown YMCA – which it is in the process of remodeling – Heal the City projects that it will have treated 7,000 patients by the end of 2017. “We’re in the middle of a capital campaign to finish out the building so we can fully fund our programs and serve patients in a bigger way,” says Chelsea Stevens, Heal the City’s clinical director. With a goal of $5.4 million, the campaign launched in August and has raised more than $2 million to date. Once completed, the 20,000-square-foot facility will include a fully stocked pharmacy, 14 private exam rooms, triage spaces, and a laboratory on the south end. The north side of the building will transform into a community wellness center with a jogging track and space for health education and cooking classes. Heal the City takes a holistic approach to wellness. Providing free exams and insulin for diabetic patients is only part of their journey to better health. “When I write the prescription for their diabetic medications, I’m going to write a prescription for them to come and exercise in the wellness center,” says Keister. In addition to its Monday-evening clinic, October saw Heal the City open a midweek program, Shalom, for patients with chronic illnesses. “Patients with illnesses like diabetes or high blood pressure can schedule appointments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with a nurse practitioner,” says Stevens. “We’re now a four-day clinic.”

> How to Help • Donate • Volunteer

Heal the City 609 S. Carolina St. | 231.0364 healthecityamarillo.com

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Kids, Incorporated Amarillo

enerations of Amarillo children and their parents – thousands every year – have played or coached youth sports through Kids, Incorporated. Founded in 1945 by Cal Farley and C.C. “Bus” Dugger, Kids, Incorporated is an independent nonprofit organization and one of the nation’s largest comprehensive youth sports programs. And while countless local residents have volunteered as Kids, Incorporated coaches, many don’t think of making financial contributions to the organization. “Donations from individuals or businesses are so important to us,” says President and CEO Jimmy R. Lackey. “Around 18 percent of our budget comes from donors and special events.” Participants pay fees to join Kids, Incorporated basketball, soccer, indoor soccer, volleyball, football, track, softball, tennis and cheerleading teams. But not every family in Amarillo can afford those fees. “One out of every 12 kids needs some form of financial assistance,” Lackey says. “We do it discreetly, so they’re not ever treated differently. Coaches, players or other parents don’t know about it. But gifts from the community provide that margin of difference so we never have to turn a kiddo away.” Lackey himself benefited from a 50-year friendship with a youth sports coach in Dumas, and constantly hears from local adults about the profound influence a Kids, Incorporated coach had on their childhood. “Our seasons are pretty short, but over that four-to-six weeks you can make an enormous impact on a kid,” he says. “Some children just don’t have that kind of adult mentor in their lives. We receive a number of gifts from individuals who do it to honor someone who coached them 30 years ago.” In addition to youth sports scholarships, donations to Kids, Incorporated allow for the purchase of new equipment and help youth sports stay affordable for all children. “Those private contributions keep us from having to increase fees,” says Lackey.

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Donate at supportkidsinc.org Join the monthly draft giving program Become a Kids, Incorporated coach Become a sports official

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Kids, Incorporated 2201 SE 27th Ave. | 376.5936 kidsinc.org

Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health

aunched in 2007 in the name of the former first lady, the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center operates several campuses across the state, with its founding office in Amarillo. The organization’s goal is to empower women and improve women’s health. “It’s not just about women’s health, but more specifically about sex and gender medicine,” says Senior Director Angela Knapp Eggers. Sex and gender medicine focuses on the distinct ways men and women present differently in medical situations – and should be treated differently. For instance, osteoporosis is considered a disease impacting elderly women. “Men are seldom screened for osteoporosis, but men are more likely to die from an osteoporotic hip fracture,” says Eggers. She points to a sleep aid that was tested on men only to apply the same dosage suggestion to men and women. “After 20 years on the market, the FDA realized women were waking up after getting the prescribed sleep from the drug – but they still had 40 to 45 percent of the drug in their system,” says Eggers. “Moms were sleep-driving their children to school.” She says 80 percent of medications withdrawn from the market for adversely effecting women were never tested on women in the first place. From heart and brain disease to ACL tears, men and women respond differently to disease presentation and disease treatment. The Institute uses research and community outreach to pursue its educational mission. “We have given $2.5 million back to TTUHSC in research and programming to improve medical practices in the Panhandle area,” says Eggers. The organization works to educate practicing health care providers as well as medical students. “As they go through their practices on a daily basis, they will better understand the differences within sex and gender medicine.”

> How to Help • • • •

Donate Attend an event Volunteer Become a research partner

Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health 1400 Wallace Blvd., Suite 101 | 414.9941 laurabushinstitute.org YEAR-END GIVING GUIDE • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Lone Star Ballet

ince the late Neil Hess founded Lone Star Ballet in 1975, the company has become one of the most highly respected arts organizations in the state. According to LSB Artistic Director Vicki McLean, this is due to a combination of local talent and local support. “We have a tremendous amount of talent in Amarillo and a tremendous amount of talent at Lone Star Ballet,” she says. “Our whole mission is to take dance to as many people as possible.” To accomplish that mission, the ballet – which is the resident company of the Amarillo Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts – schedules a full season of performances every season. The 2017-2018 season begins in October with an original production of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, followed by the company’s acclaimed annual performance of “The Nutcracker” in December, and the new “Lone Star Legends and Love Stories” in February. The season concludes in April with an original production of George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris”. In addition to public performances, Lone Star Ballet prioritizes dance education throughout the Panhandle, training its future performers at academies in Amarillo, Borger, Dumas, Dalhart, Hereford, Panhandle and Plainview. Classes in ballet, tap, jazz, modern dance, and hip hop are open to all ages (3 and up) and all abilities. “Every step of the way is a learning experience for them,” says McLean. “It’s especially important that we provide opportunities to perform on stage. They love classes, but they really love the stage. That is a major part of learning.” McLean says gifts to the ballet help the organization continue to stage original productions and give dancers the chance to perform. “It helps us with scholarships and outreach opportunities,” she says. “Exposure to the arts can change lives, and your gifts help us make more high-quality productions and youth programs available to the widest possible audience.”

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Donate Volunteer Attend a production Join The Guild

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Lone Star Ballet 3218 Hobbs Road | 372.2463 lonestarballet.org

Medical Center League House

> How to Help • • • • • • •

Donate Host a pantry party Help with the scrapbook project Order a brick for the prayer garden Adopt a family Attend an event Be a Blessing Sponsor

or the past seven years, the League House has offered a clean room and safe place to stay for anyone undergoing medical treatment, their family members, and those in town for funeral services. Whatever the need, the League House strives to be a place of comfort in time of need. “When we first opened the house we weren’t sure what to expect or who exactly we’d be serving, but the first family we checked in had a son who was tragically ill and they didn’t know from day to day what was going to happen,” says President and Executive Director Amber Glawe. “One day they thought they were going to lose him, then he’d have a miraculous recovery, and then he’d go downhill again. Your heart just goes out to these families because they’re devastated by what’s happened.” The League House functions like a hotel. It’s safe, secure, and close to the medical community. Hospitality is key, which means doing whatever can be done to ensure comfort and a good night’s rest. Whether someone is in town to visit a relative in a nursing home or is in Amarillo for regular cancer treatment, all that’s required is medical affiliation. Reservations are helpful, but just as medical emergencies arise without warning, walk-ins are fine as long as there’s room. The nightly rate is $45 with no additional taxes or fees. “We’re an independent 501(c)3. The Junior League provides volunteers each year, but our staff is paid. We have five full-time people and five or six part-time. Our No. 1 priority is taking care of our guests during their medical crisis. Financial support is important for our existence,” says Glawe. “Helping us financially helps us help families who can’t afford $45 a night. You can bring us a load from Sam’s if you want. We always need toiletries. Whatever you use in a hotel, we use here.” The League House has an emergency stock of soups, cereals, snacks, milk, coffee, tea, and hot cocoa, as well as accommodations to support those who offer to bring dinner in for guests. Office and cleaning supplies are also welcomed donations. Families are welcome to bring food for their stay and to store it in the kitchen. “The biggest thing is to spread the word. We hear of so many families who are spending their last dollar on a hotel room because they didn’t know about us,” says Glawe. “As Amarillo citizens, we don’t need the League House, but there are people in outlying towns that do.”

Medical Center League House 7000 Amarillo Blvd. West | 358.3759 leaguehouse.org

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Opportunity School

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Donate Volunteer Help with maintenance and upkeep Provide office supplies Become a guest reader Work in the office Become a board member

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n 2019 Opportunity School will celebrate 50 years of providing affordable, high-quality early childhood education with its unique, two-generational approach to working with children and their families. While the needs of families have changed over time, as well as the tools to help them, the goal of meeting families where they are and helping children grow and develop has been consistent each year. “I’ve looked at the research. I’ve looked at the data. There’s a case for our community and society to do more good things early,” says Executive Director Jill Goodrich. “I’m a mom of four kids, and I’ve become a better mom since coming to Opportunity School.” The two-generational approach means supporting parents as their child’s best teacher and advocate and nurturing that most influential relationship. It goes far beyond teaching colors and letters in the classroom, because while those things are essential, so are teaching developmental social and emotional skills, teaching young children how to resolve conflicts, and showing them how to be helpful. “We want to equip families so both the parent and child will be more successful,” says Goodrich. Over the years, Opportunity School has seen more children with significant kinds of behavior issues, such as sensory integration challenges and developmental delays. Speech therapy has been integrated onsite and various specialists come to campus each week to work with individual students. Studies have shown that the more adverse effects a child has in his life – divorce or separation, abuse or neglect, an incarcerated family member – the greater impact it has on their growth, health, and ability to self-regulate big emotions. This is why focusing on the whole child, in partnership with the parent, is of the utmost importance. More than 50 percent of funding comes from local donors, which is essential to keep programs funded and the facility equipped with educational materials. However, volunteers are always welcome to have lunch with the kids, read to them, and to speak about life experiences. Handymen are welcome to tend to facility projects, and donation of office supplies is always appreciated.

Opportunity School 1100 S. Harrison St. | 373.4245 1525 N. Grand St. | 381.0551 opportunityschool.com

Panhandle AIDS Support Organization

“W

e provide services to individuals who are HIV-positive or have a diagnosis of AIDS,” says Michael Timcisko, the executive director of Panhandle AIDS Support Organization (PASO) These services are wide-ranging. PASO provides financial assistance for doctor’s visits, laboratory testing, and HIV medications. It helps with emergency housing or utility assistance, and helps its clients purchase supplemental, nutritious food. It also offers transportation to and from medical treatments. According to Timcisko, thousands of local residents have turned to PASO since it opened its doors in 1987. The organization currently serves around 300 individual clients. When someone in Amarillo or the surrounding area is first identified as HIV-positive or diagnosed with AIDS, PASO steps in to walk with them through their treatment options. “We can guide an individual to the types of physicians and clinicians that they may need,” Timcisko says. “We are also a training site for clinicians. One of our missions is to make sure that the doctors, dentists, and mental health providers we utilize are educated and updated on the most recent treatment recommendations.” PASO also offers support groups and therapeutic counseling. “They need emotional support to be able to discuss their diagnosis with their loved one, partners, spouses, immediate family members and even children,” he says. “Our goal is to provide the tools so individuals with HIV or AIDS can live out a comfortable, long, healthy life.” In addition to state and federal grants, funding for PASO comes from private foundations and local contributions. Its highly anticipated annual fundraiser, Turnabout, takes place Nov. 11. “It’s been going on since the early 1990s,” says Timcisko of the event. Though some supporters refer to Turnabout as a drag show, he says it’s much more than that. “It’s a fun, entertaining cabaretstyle show where boys are girls and girls are boys.”

> How to Help • Donate • Become a Friend of PASO • Attend an event

Panhnadle AIDS Support Organization 1501 SW 10th Ave. | 372.1050 panhandlepaso.org

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Panhandle Community Services

anhandle Community Services is one of the largest nonprofit, community-based organizations in the Panhandle, providing services to approximately 22 percent of the low income families in the Panhandle. The core mission of Panhandle Community Services is to bring low income families out of poverty. Its vision is for low income families and individuals to have the power to live independently of government assistance. With that mission and vision, PCS provides a number of programs and services designed to bridge the gap between poverty and self-sufficiency. The primary programs are quality and safe housing, transportation, utility assistance, health care enrollment and education, a senior volunteer program, housing weatherization, and family development. One way Panhandle Community Services raises funds for its programs is by hosting its annual fundraiser, the Festival of Trees. All monies raised will help PCS to continue its mission of working with community partners to change lives and lead change for low-income people. Kick off the magic of the Christmas season at the third annual Festival of Trees event. The fun-filled evening will include dinner and drinks, followed by a live auction of hand-decorated Christmas trees. Each tree will be decorated by local volunteers or organizations. Tickets for the Festival of Trees Auction and Dinner will be $20 per person, and can be purchased by visiting www.cbg.ticketleap.com/festival-oftrees or by contacting LaRue Johnson at PCS.

> How to Help • Come to the live auction and bid on a decorated Christmas tree for your family, friends or business. • Sign up to decorate a tree on behalf of yourself, business, organization or group. PCS will provide all trees free of charge. You contribute the decorations and talent! • Sponsor a tree and PCS will decorate it for you. 110

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Panhandle Community Services 1309 SW Eighth Ave. | 372.2531 pcsvcs.org

Refugee Services of Texas

> How to Help • • • • • • •

Donate Volunteer Attend an event Teach English as a Second Language classes Host a Cultural Orientation class Transport clients Office assistance

he challenge of adjusting to a new country and culture can seem insurmountable to a refugee recently arrived in Amarillo. Fortunately, Refugee Services of Texas assists in the transition, and serves those who come seeking a better life. Established in 2005, RST Amarillo is affiliated with Church World Service and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service to provide resettlement services and ongoing support to displaced persons. RST provides services to hundreds of refugees, asylees, survivors of human trafficking, and related vulnerable populations from more than 30 different countries of origin each year through its various service centers, including the Amarillo location. RST works in partnership with many entities, including faith-based communities, social service groups, and businesses in the Amarillo area. It works to provide its clients with necessities such as employment, housing, education, and referrals to assist them with establishing self-sufficient lives. Aaron Rippenkroeger, CEO of RST states, “We provide ongoing support to assist newcomers to the Amarillo area in building lives in peace and dignity.” Without a strong volunteer base, RST would be unable to help the many clients who resettle in the Panhandle each year. “Volunteers are the ‘Open Hearts’ and lifeline for our refugee families as they seek fresh starts, helping with everything from setting up their apartments prior to arrival and greeting them at Rick Husband International, all the way through enrolling children in their new schools,” says Natalie Lowe, Amarillo area director. This work would also not be possible without the generous financial support of Panhandle donors. Financial donations can be made via the website at www.rstx.org/donate, or items and gift cards can be dropped off at the office. Whether big or small, each donation, volunteer hour, or event helps guide RST clients toward a new and vibrant life in Amarillo.

Refugee Services of Texas 1101 Fritch Highway | 381.0099 rstx.org/amarillo

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Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo

hen a child becomes ill, it can be devastating for a family, both emotionally and financially. Stress increases for families when faced with prolonged medical treatment. The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo seeks to alleviate some of the burden so that families can concentrate on the well-being of their child. RMHC of Amarillo serves around 250 families in the House, and 500 families in the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Northwest Texas Healthcare System each year. The House serves families from outside the Amarillo city limits who have an ill child ages birth to 21. The Family Room serves families of pediatric patients at NWTHS. Both locations provide comfort, care and support for families while keeping them close to their child. The House has private guest rooms and bathrooms for 12 families, with a large kitchen where volunteers can prepare meals for families. Families can also prepare their own food, which helps make the House feel like home. There are play areas for patients and their siblings, cozy living and dining areas, and even laundry rooms with donated supplies. In fact, donations of household and personal items are always welcome and appreciated by the families. Very often families find themselves in Amarillo on short notice in emergency situations. The Family Room at NWTHS has many of the same amenities as the House. Toiletries and laundry supplies help families get through until they can go back home and pack a suitcase. Monetary donations are always needed and can be made in person, by phone, mail and online at rmhcofamarillo.org. On average, families stay at the House 15 days. The House asks families to contribute $20 per night for their stay, but no one is ever turned away for the inability to pay. Thanks to generous gifts of time, money and supplies from volunteers and donors, families of ill children in Amarillo don’t ever have to feel unaided and alone.

> How to Help • • • •

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Donate Cook a meal Become a house, group or room volunteer Attend an event

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Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo 1501 Streit Drive | 358.8177 rmhcofamarillo.org

Snack Pak 4 Kids

ounded in 2010, Snack Pak 4 Kids has grown from providing 10 local students in Amarillo with food over the weekend to serving more than 7,000 kids across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. Food insecurity is difficult to detect, but it touches every single community in the nation, including Amarillo’s. In fact, SP4K serves all 55 AISD campuses. “The way we know a kid is hungry is not based on where they live or what their parents do. It’s by behavior,” says SP4K founder Dyron Howell. “On Monday mornings, a kid who’s hungry or food insecure will eat their breakfast and want to eat their neighbor’s breakfast. They’ll do the same at lunch. They ask, ‘Are you gonna eat that?’” Kids can’t learn if they’re hungry. That’s why SP4K provides students with reliable, nutritious, quality food over the weekend so they are engaged in the classroom on Monday mornings and ready to learn. The organization relies on educators to let them know who needs help and, with Snack Paks in hand, they find a discreet way to get them to kids. Teachers can pick up on this pattern and offer students a solution in their backpack or locker on Fridays. At SP4K, every kid is treated with dignity and respect. After surveying area teachers who participate in the program, 71 percent said they saw an improvement in student’s academic performance and 95 percent want the program back next year. To end weekend hunger, SP4K partners with food corporations, local businesses, and thousands of volunteers to buy, pack and deliver shelf-stable food and drink items to kids in elementary, middle and high schools in 43 school districts. Each Snack Pak provides more than 50 grams of protein and is made up of brand-new, brand-name food items. Onehundred percent of donations go directly to buying food. “We need people to do what they’re good at,” says Howell. “If you’re good at donating money, that’s what we need. If you’re good at volunteering, that’s what we need. If you’re good at telling our story, that’s what we need.”

> How to Help • • • • • •

Donate Pack bags for backpacks Pick up empty totes Deliver totes Assemble packs Work in The Garden 4 Kids

Snack Pak 4 Kids 2406 SW Third Ave. | 337.5252 sp4k.org

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Texas Panhandle Independent Futures Foundation

“W

hat happens to physically disabled adults who are still mentally alert and want to live on their own?” asks Ken Kelley, the president of the Texas Panhandle Independent Futures Foundation. Disabled children grow up in the homes of parents and grandparents and rely on their care. Upon reaching retirement age, older disabled adults benefit from government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. But the 47 years between the ages of 18 and 65 can prove frustrating for the more than 1,500 disabled adults living in the Texas Panhandle. Kelley, a local business owner, and his wife, Jennifer, founded TPIFF to give these adults the opportunity to live on their own. Currently, six tenants live in a converted duplex that belongs to the organization. TPIFF pays for their transportation as well as round-the-clock access to care and physical therapy. But otherwise, these beneficiaries fully integrate into their community and are learning to live independent lives. Some are even attending college. “Otherwise, you’d have a 25-year-old or a 40-year-old forced to live in an assisted living community,” Kelley explains. “They may have physical disabilities, but their brainpower is fine. They don’t want to be tucked away among elderly people. They want to live their own lives.” With just one group home, TPIFF is limited in the number of clients it serves and wants to expand that number by adding another home. Developer and builder Perry Williams worked closely with TPIFF to remake its first home into a handicapaccessible communal living environment in the Hillside Terrace neighborhood. Donations toward another home will allow even more adults to experience the normalcy and community they desire. “We have a waiting list right now,” Kelley says. “With your support, we can help them live meaningful, independent lives.”

> How to Help • Donate • Attend an event 114

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Texas Panhandle Independent Futures Foundation PO Box 1233 | 679.5152 tpiff.org

United Way of Amarillo & Canyon

nited Way of Amarillo & Canyon lives out its motto – Living United and Giving Together – by supporting programs in the community that are proven to be successful. “United Way supports programs, not agencies. We’re purchasing an outcome when we’re funding our program providers. We want these dollars to achieve a specific mission,” says Executive Director Katie Noffsker. “We fight for education, income stability, and health. We know what the needs are, we look at the partners, then we measure them together and invest in those programs. At the end of three years we look to see if those dollars have been effective. You’re solving problems when you give to United Way, specific problems that are rooted in poverty.” United Way of Amarillo & Canyon uses both financial donations and volunteers to keep the mission moving forward because it isn’t the staff that decides where funding goes. Volunteers help raise the money and volunteers decide where the money is allocated. They review the programs and tour organizations and listen to what’s happening in the community. The decision-making process is a challenging one, and it’s the board of directors that makes the final voting decision based on the volunteer committee’s recommendations. “It’s so simple when you think about it,” says Noffsker, “but when you look at the complexity of taking millions of dollars and allocating them across different programs, the sheer number of volunteers we need is over 400 to achieve our mission.” With cuts being made to many programs in the community, the need for financial donations is high. According to Noffsker, 98 cents of every dollar stays in the community. Of the remaining two cents, one cent each goes to the United Way headquarters and the United Way of Texas. “Dollars don’t regenerate on their own,” she says. “Only if people give. We ask for people to keep being generous.”

> How to Help • • • •

Donate Plan your giving Become a Loaned Executive Become a Council Member

United Way of Amarillo & Canyon 2207 Line Ave. | 376.6359 unitedwayama.org

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A World for Children

very eight minutes a child is abused or neglected in Texas, according to Child Protective Services. Founded in 1997, A World for Children has a mission to make a better world for children. Since then, they have served almost 12,000 abused and neglected children across Texas. The Amarillo-area office was established in 2006, and serves around 50 children in foster care in our community at any given time. Area Director Tanya Park explains, “I love being able to help children get through a difficult situation by placing them with a loving, caring foster family, while their own family takes the steps needed to fix whatever problem they were facing. None of these precious kids deserve to endure what they endure. They didn’t ask for it.” A World for Children works with CPS to help place children in need into loving, faith-based foster homes. Staff works with families to ensure that the unique needs of the kids can be met, and trains them to help them recover from trauma. Families can call a staff person at any time to help them provide the best care possible. “A World for Children foster parents are the heart of our world. Each family is hand-picked by God to serve his special children,” says Executive Director Sharon Willis. Financial donations are critically needed. “Children come into our world with nothing but the clothes on their backs and the scars of abuse. So many times they are removed from school or during the middle of the night,” says Park. “They have no tangible possessions. In order to just survive the next day, there are certain items the children simply must have. The cost of immediate minimum needs is not covered.”

> How to Help • • • • 116

Donate Become a foster parent Volunteer Attend an event

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A World for Children 3416 Olsen Blvd., Suite B | 358.9117 awfc.org

Amarillo Angels

A > How to Help • Commit to provide a monthly Love Box for a local foster family. • Participate in special events and activities. • Sign your business up for an Engaged Culture Day. • Host an event for children in foster care. • Volunteer your gifts and talents. • Donate: Angel Ambassadors, corporate sponsorships, individual donations

long-time educator in the Canyon Independent School District and administrator at Region 16, Gwen Hicks founded Amarillo Angels in early 2017 out of a desire to support children and families in the foster care system. “We want to come alongside these children to hopefully change the trajectory of their life,” she says. That trajectory is often a negative one. Eighty percent of the current prison population spent time in foster care. Around half of girls in foster care will have a child by the age of 19. And 50 percent of new foster families stop fostering within the first year. At the same time, every change in placement can become an educational and emotional setback for a child. Amarillo Angels helps its volunteers build relationships with foster families, mentor foster children, and support them through what Hicks calls “intentional giving” – providing games, household supplies, clothing, and other gifts to foster a pathway of hope for children and their families.

Amarillo Angels 2200 Fourth Ave., No. 141, Canyon 570.2010 amarilloangels.org

Amarillo Area Adult Literacy Council

> How to Help • Donate • Attend an event • Volunteer

any students gain basic skills in reading and writing before they graduate from high school. For those who aren’t so fortunate, the Amarillo Area Adult Literacy Council exists to help them develop those skills and work toward a better future. AAALC uses volunteers to provide free and confidential literacy services to functionally illiterate adults. These worthwhile services come at no cost to students. “Any materials we use for our students are free to our students”, says Terri Wilson, executive director. “We ask donors to sponsor a student for $40 a semester to help cover book costs.” With nearly 120 students a year going through classes, AAALC stays busy, with a need for new volunteer tutors. Wilson elaborates, “I had a 52-year-old grandmother come in the other day, and she wants help so she can read to her grandkids. We get so many different people; it’s not a one-size-fits-all program.”

Amarillo Area Adult Literacy Council Amarillo College Washington Street Campus P.O. Box 447 | Amarillo, TX 79178 | 371.5084 YEAR-END GIVING GUIDE • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Amarillo Area CASA

> How to Help • • • •

ASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. “A lot of people may have heard of CASA but aren’t sure what we do,” says Lara Escobar, executive director of the Amarillo chapter of this national organization. “We are a volunteer organization, and our job is to train and support volunteers to be a voice for kids in court when those kids have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.” In child welfare cases, judges appoint CASA volunteers to make sure a child’s best interests are always represented. Amarillo Area CASA has been active since 1994, and its 115 volunteers walk alongside 350 to 450 children every year. Escobar says being a CASA does not require legal experience. “Our volunteers get intense training, but they’re always paired with supervisors so you’re never working alone,” she says. “These kids have been through so much. They need someone to help carry their burdens.”

Volunteer: be a CASA Donate Attend an event Join the Light of Hope Auxiliary

Amarillo Area CASA 112 W. Eighth Ave., Suite 101 373.2272 pleasebeacasa.org

Amarillo Habitat for Humanity

> How to Help • • • • 118

Donate: money or goods/services Shop: ReStore is open Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Volunteer: on job sites, at ReStore, on committees Share: our mission and ways to plug in

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marillo Habitat for Humanity is currently building its 110th and 111th homes in its thirty-six year history. Since 1981, it has turned qualifying families into homeowners via 25- to 30-year, interest free, mortgage loans. Executive Director Alason Moorhead wants to dispel the myth that Habitat provides free housing. “Our families have a mortgage just like any other homeowner. Applying and working through our program is a tedious, long-term process,” she says. “We are serving those who want the stability of permanent housing, but are not able to qualify for traditional mortgage loans.” With the average rent in Potter County at approximately $760 a month, Habitat’s program has historically been able to provide quality home ownership at around $400 to $600 a month. The next home in line to begin construction is for a hard-working, single mother of two who hasn’t been able to qualify for a traditional mortgage. “She was once homeless,” says Moorhead. “You can only imagine what a blessing this program is for her and her family.” In addition to financial gifts, Amarillo Habitat seeks donations of furniture, building materials and more at its ReStore near 34th Avenue and Western Street. “Purchases made at the ReStore support our mission of building homes, communities and hope,” says Moorhead.

Amarillo Habitat for Humanity 2700 S. Wilson St. | 383.3456 amarillohabitat.org

Amarillo-Panhandle Humane Society

> How to Help • Donate • Volunteer • Transport animals

• Attend an event • Help with adoption events

ith nearly 1,300 stray or homeless cats and dogs brought into the shelter each month, the AmarilloPanhandle Humane Society (APHS) is there for animals in need. The APHS also works with the public to educate about the benefits of spaying and neutering their pets, and provides avenues of low-cost spay and neuter for the community. “We take in 13,000 animals a year. That is well above the norm for a community this size,” says Larry Milam, APHS executive director. Located at the Amarillo Management & Welfare shelter, the APHS does not take or place any animals from the public. Its role is to facilitate the adoption or rescue of animals in danger of euthanasia. “APHS is introducing a comprehensive plan to reduce the chronic animal over-population in Amarillo. The cornerstone of the plan is a reduced-cost spay/neuter clinic that is available to Panhandle residents,” says Milam. “We hope many people will become charter members of Panhandle Pets Alive! by making a donation with the words “Pets Alive” on the contribution. All charter members will be enshrined in the clinic.”

Amarillo-Panhandle Humane Society 3501 S. Osage St. | 373.1716 amarillohumane.org

The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center Mission: To Provide a Child’s Path to Healing and Justice. “She showed true bravery, and it was at the end of her story that she looked at me eyes brimming with tears and a genuine smile, because she had the courage to tell and someone had listened.”

U > How to Help • Be a hero today by donating: online at www.bridgecac. org or by text: KIDS1 [space] Donation Amount [space] Your Name to 56512. Mail your donation to 804 Quail Creek Drive, Amarillo, Texas, 79124. • Learn the signs of abuse. Attend or request a free training, by calling 372-2873. • Be a part of the solution. If you suspect abuse, you are required by law to report it. Report by calling local law enforcement, the statewide hotline: 1-800-252-5400 or on-line: www.txabusehotline.org.

pon referral from an investigative agency, The Bridge conducts digitally recorded, fact-finding interviews of children, ages 2 to 17, who have been victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or a witness to a violent crime. Throughout the investigative process, child victims and their non-offending family members receive crisis intervention support and counseling referrals. All services provided by The Bridge are 100-percent free. One in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be abused by the age of 18. You can make an impact on those numbers. Hold yourself accountable for knowing the signs, report when you suspect abuse, and support the causes you believe in. It takes all of us working together to make a difference.

The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center 804 Quail Creek Drive | 372.2873 bridgecac.org YEAR-END GIVING GUIDE • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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CareNet

C > How to Help • • • •

Donate Become a mentor Become a prayer partner Attend an event

areNet is a pro-life Christian organization where all services are free and confidential. With no government funding of any kind, CareNet is supported entirely by individuals, churches and businesses. Committed to ministering to those facing an unplanned pregnancy, CareNet offers clients with education and support throughout the pregnancy, as well as afterwards. CareNet currently serves 1,400 people each month. “This year, 252 pregnant women initially intended to abort, and 246 had a change of heart and chose life for their babies,” says Executive Director Candy Gibbs. “CareNet also provides mentoring groups, which are classes and presentations designed to teach character, values and leadership. We believe that lives and hearts are priceless, and we will have more than 60,000 student interactions in 2017 through our Mentoring Programs.” Currently, CareNet is in need of Pregnancy Center volunteers and Mentoring Program speakers. Additionally, CareNet welcomes donations of diapers and formula, as well as committed prayer partners.

CareNet P O Box 50342 | 354.2288 thehopechoice.com

Dove Creek Ranch

> How to Help • • • • 120

Donate Volunteer Sponsor a horse Adopt a horse

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broken heart led to a mission of hope and healing for Laurie Higgins-Kerley, founder of Dove Creek Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, six miles southwest of Canyon. After the death of her husband, Bob, in 2008, Higgins-Kerley sought solace in working with her horses, and felt a calling to return the love they had given her by establishing a way to help horses who were in need of care. Officially founded in 2012, DCER has re-homed 75 percent of the horses received, while maintaining the other 25 percent that are not adoptable. Some are abused, others are neglected, and some are owner surrenders, but all are given the same level of compassionate care. The aid of donors is invaluable for the mission of rehabilitation and rehoming. As Higgins-Kerley shares, “We love what we do, and with our Volunteer Program being an integral part in the rehabilitation of our horses, a wonderful, compassionate, and cohesive community is growing.”

Dove Creek Ranch 16201 Gordon Cummings Road | 322.5622 dovecreekequinerescue.org

Hands On Amarillo

s Community Development Director for Amarillo National Bank, Lizzie Mason kept hearing from employees who wanted to serve but had no idea where to start. She also knew local organizations struggled to connect with volunteers. To bridge that gap, she founded Hands On Amarillo in 2014. This web-based organization matches local agencies with interested volunteers. “We’re a nonprofit based on the idea of helping other nonprofits,” she says. Potential volunteers register at handsonamarillo.org, indicate their areas of expertise, and then browse through opportunities and agencies that match those interests. At the same time, organizations establish profiles at the site, where they post specific needs, coordinate volunteers, and even track volunteer hours – an important service related to certain grants and funding opportunities. Hands On Amarillo now includes close to a thousand individuals volunteering across more than 90 local organizations, including Amarillo Meals on Wheels, Snack Pak 4 Kids, and High Plains Food Bank.

> How to Help • Donate • Register • Attend an event

Hands On Amarillo P O Box 2783 | 378.8168 handsonamarillo.org

High Plains Food Bank

“H

igh Plains Food Bank helps solve two problems,” says Communications and Marketing Manager Emily Bell. “Those two problems are waste and hunger.” Wholesalers, supermarket chains, and even restaurants donate unused perishable foods to the food bank. HPFB accepts these products – as well as other purchased donations – and distributes them to 180 feeding agencies across the Texas Panhandle. These include the churches, senior centers, soup kitchens and emergency food pantries that serve the 1 in 7 Panhandle residents who are food insecure. “In other words, they may not know where their next meal is coming from,” says Bell. “For every dollar donated, we can provide five meals’ worth of food. We collect the food, store it, and then our partners access it to feed people in need.” HPFB also operates nine mobile pantries, a dozen Kids Cafe sites in Amarillo, an urban farm at 815 Ross St., and 15 community satellite gardens.

> How to Help • Donate • Become a product recovery volunteer

• Work in The Garden at High Plains Food Bank • Attend an event

High Plains Food Bank 815 Ross St. | 374.8562 hpfb.org YEAR-END GIVING GUIDE • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Komen West Texas

arlier this year, the Komen offices in Amarillo and Lubbock joined forces to better serve people in West Texas and to expand into the Midland-Odessa area. Today, people in 62 counties are served through free screenings and access to treatment. “Right now financial need is greater than volunteer need, but in certain situations volunteers can drive revenue,” says Executive Director Jana Hunter. Last year the organization as a whole set a bold goal to reduce breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026. Currently, about 40,000 people die of breast cancer every year, including 102 in West Texas communities. The goal will be met by designating more dollars to research, making sure everyone has access to the care they need, and more people supporting the cause. “Awareness is one thing. There’s pink everywhere. But the only way we’re going to beat this disease is if everyone is more than pink,” says Hunter. “Knowing about breast cancer is one thing. Being more than pink is doing something about it: donating, participating and volunteering.

> How to Help • Donate • Fundraise • Attend an event

Komen West Texas 698.1900 komenwesttexas.org

Make-A-Wish North Texas

orn premature, 5-year-old Ava’s gastrointestinal disorder required a dozen surgeries and left her on a feeding tube. The North Texas chapter of Make-A-Wish helped fulfill Ava’s wish: to spend time with her favorite musician, Willie Nelson, before a recent concert in Lubbock. “The biggest misconception is that we only grant wishes to kids who are terminally ill,” clarifies Alba Austin, development officer at the Amarillo office of Make-A-Wish North Texas. “That’s not always the case. We grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. That can be cancer, a heart issue, a neurological issue – but most of our children go on to live long, fulfilling lives.” Each regional office of the national organization raises funds to grant local wishes. Amarillo’s office covers the top 26 counties of the Panhandle. “Any money we raise here is used to grant 20 to 25 wishes every year,” she says. “We’re part of a national organization, but local giving stays local.”

> How to Help • Refer a child • Donate airline miles • Fundraise 122

• Become a sponsor • Volunteer

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Make-A-Wish North Texas 1600 S. Coulter St., Suite 100 | 358.9943 ntx.wish.org

Mission 2540

> How to Help

ounded by Brooks Boyett in 2004, Mission 2540 is a ministry that focuses on families in low-income apartment communities. “We’re named after Matthew 25:40, where Jesus talks about serving ‘the least of these,’” says Boyett. The organization maintains a presence at six different affordable housing communities in Amarillo, offering resident assistance, mentoring, and after-school and summer activities for kids. “Our goal is to feed, clothe and love our neighbors in need,” says Boyett. “They need to know God loves them and has a plan for them, and that someone believes in them.” Along with weekly outreach events in local apartment communities and a benevolence program for residents, Mission 2540 provides school supplies to around 150 children each August. The organization currently seeks volunteers as well as financial donations to help with its annual Christmas outreach. “Every year, we provide Christmas gifts to as many as 150 children from needy families,” Boyett says.

• • • •

Donate Volunteer (weekly or monthly) Provide Christmas gifts for a child or family. Attend an event. (The annual banquet takes place Thursday, Nov. 30.) • For more information, email brooks@mission2540.org.

Mission 2540 P O Box 20771 | 681.6334 mission2540.org

Mission Amarillo

> How to Help • • • •

Donate Volunteer Become a mentor Become a sponsor

ission Amarillo exists to improve the lives of people in poverty in the Amarillo area. “Loving our neighbor, equipping for life – that is our mini-mission statement and sums up our programming,” says Executive Director Jeff Parsons. Mission Amarillo’s shoe closet provides free new shoes to students in Amarillo and surrounding communities. An affordable back-to-school store and Christmas store also help families in need. Providing shoes is an immediate need, but the Parent Child Home Program, Driven and Be-Loved mentoring programs fill long-term needs by helping clients pursue a better future. “We always need mentors; we always need shoes. Helping with our affordable back-to-school and Christmas stores is another easy way to help. Becoming a mentor is more involved; it depends on the program, but this is anywhere from a weekly commitment to a bimonthly commitment,” Parsons explains. “It takes a long-term commitment; with generational, systemic poverty, changes don’t happen overnight.”

Mission Amarillo 3508 Line Ave. | 553.0408 missionamarillo.org YEAR-END GIVING GUIDE • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Sharing Hope Ministry

> How to Help • Provide financial support • Volunteer • Teach

• Mentor • Help with fundraisers • Join a prayer team

haring Hope MInistry began in 1999 with sending the Life Recovery Bible to more than 138,000 women in 49 states. Today, the ministry focuses on Patsy’s Place, a Christcentered transitional home for women who’ve been released from prison or jail. The residency program includes financial classes, help with job placement, mentorship, and other opportunities to help women live a healthy, productive life. “We’ve added the Center for Advancement,” says Stevi Larson, special projects coordinator. “It’s going to expand our educational space so we can reach more women in the Panhandle. Those who can’t live at Patsy’s Place can still come to the center. We offer educational classes, a 12-person computer lab, a food pantry, and a clothing closet. We only require proof that they were incarcerated.” Barriers to receiving help primarily include the struggle with negative emotions regarding their situation, but at Sharing Hope Ministry, women are surrounded by loving volunteers that want them to succeed. “We tell them that this isn’t the end. This is another step in their journey to living a productive life,” says Larson. “Who they were isn’t who they have to be when they’re released.”

Sharing Hope Ministry 2300 SW Seventh Ave. | 358.7803 sharinghopeministry.org

Special Delivery Infant Adoption Agency

s an advocate for infants in Amarillo, Special Delivery Infant Adoption Agency has placed more than 100 children into loving adoptive homes since its formation in 2006. “One of the things we are so proud of is that we are a unique agency,” says Executive Director Cindy Gilliland. “We do not accept state funding, and we only work with infant adoptions.” An expectant mother caseworker works with each prospective birth mother to ensure that the process is smooth and thoughtful, with intense care taken to help her make the best decision for herself and the child. Adopting couples are given guidance through each step, with emotional and spiritual support to guide them. “Financial donations help us keep our fees low for families, while serving more birth parents and assisting with their needs,” says Gilliland. “We can also use volunteer help with our events, and we always need help with raising community awareness.”

> How to Help • Donate • Volunteer • Attend an event 124

• Pray • Help with office duties

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Special Delivery Infant Adoption Agency 1601 S. Monroe St. | 367.6755 | specialdeliveryadoptions.org

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Large Selection of Styles & Designs

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NOVEMBER 2017 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

RETRO REWIND

n 1942, the U.S. military activated an air base east of downtown Amarillo to train mechanics and engineers to service the B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft used in World War II. While that base closed after the war, it reopened in 1951 as the Amarillo Air Force Base. It serviced the B-52 Stratofortress and, at its peak, employed more than 15,000 people, bringing an enormous local economic and population boom to Amarillo in the 1950s and early 1960s. This photo was taken at the Armistice Day opening of the base on Nov. 10, 1951. It depicts 126

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

the base’s 589th Air Force Band leading a review of troops following Lt. General Robert W. Harper’s dedication speech. Around 40,000 local residents attended the parade and toured the air base that day. Though the base closed in 1968, it was located next to the Amarillo Air Terminal, which eventually became Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport. The original 13,500-foot-long Air Force runway was transformed into the airport’s primary commercial runway, making it one of the longest in the country used for that purpose.

IMAGE FROM AMARILLO PUBLIC LIBRARY ARCHIVES

Amarillo Air Base

Y0109_NTXSPUBAD18_CMS Accepted

Medicare Open Enrollment Is October 15 – December 7

It’s time to enroll IN A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN

Prominence Health Plan has options for you Wherever you live in Cooke, Deaf Smith, Fannin, Gray, Grayson, Moore, Potter and Randall counties, Prominence Health Plan Medicare Advantage HMO plan options offer more benefits than Original Medicare, a strong tradition of customer service excellence and $0 or low monthly premiums! Attend a free seminar to learn more about our Medicare Advantage HMO plan options. Our local representatives offer personal service and information about Medicare and Medicare Advantage in a way that is easy to understand.

For a full listing of seminars visit ProminenceMedicare.com/ntx18 or call us at 844-407-0070 (TTY: 711) 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week.

Prominence Health plan is an HMO with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Prominence Health Plan depends on contract renewal. A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of people with special needs at sales meetings call 844-407-0070 (TTY: 711). You must continue to pay your part B premiums. ATTENTION: Language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-855-969-5882 (TTY/TDD: 711). | ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüistica. Llame al 1-855-969-5882 (TTY/TDD: 711). | CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-855-969-5882 (TTY/TDD: 711). | Prominence Health Plan complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. | Prominence Health Plan cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. Prominence Health Plan tuân thủ luật dân quyền hiện hành của Liên bang và không phân biệt đối xử dựa trên chủng tộc, màu da, nguồn gốc quốc gia, độ tuổi, khuyết tật, hoặc giới tính.

20 QUESTIONS

WITH

Rick Matchett VICE PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER, AMARILLO BULLS

128

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • NOVEMBER 2017

PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

What is the best advice you received when you were beginning your career? You have two ears and one mouth, so listen more and talk less. How do you use social media to grow your network? We use it to inform our fans of changes with the team and charity events that our players are helping with. Plus, we use the different platforms to let everyone know exciting information about upcoming games and promotions. How do you maintain balance? I pray each morning, try to take it one day at a time, and try to stay on task. In this business a lot of different things can happen that can disrupt your day so you have to stay calm, work through it, and enjoy what you do. What has been your wisest investment? My marriage and time as a father. It continues to be very rewarding. How has your past work experience shaped you into a leader? I’ve worked for large and small companies, which gives me different outlooks of how to accomplish large and small tasks. There’s not a job I ask my staff to do that I haven’t done at some time in my career, whether it’s a menial or in-depth task, which are both important to the success of any organization. What is the best part about your job? Knowing every day that our organization is helping young men build a stronger, more positive character – a respect for other people. We also have the opportunity to help them fulfill their dream of playing hockey in college, and receiving a great education at the next level. How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and private life? It has given me a chance to learn and grow as a person and as a businessman. I’ve had some amazing mentors in the past, and I still have several today that I’m trying to learn from. Which living person do you most admire and why? My mom, who is now 85 years young. I lost my father when I was 14 and she lost her husband 43 years ago. She went from a mother of two and housewife to a working mother providing for me and my sister. She was a great role model, and kept my sister and I grounded in our faith. I’m thankful every day for what she did in my life. I also admire my wife, who keeps me inspired and on the right track with her love and care. She taught school full time and together we raised two wonderful kids that are now adults. Which over-used word or phrase makes you cringe? I would say “think outside the box.” I think it’s way over used. What is your business philosophy? Treat others the way you want to be treated, or better stated in the Bible as the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Which quality do you most value in an employee? I have more than one: honesty, integrity and work ethic. What personality trait has most helped you succeed? Optimism. I always believe that things can get better. Who is your favorite author? J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Sue Grafton to name a few. What did you learn from your best boss? That you need to thank your employees for their hard work and always thank your customers for their business! It’s amazing how a simple ‘thank you’ can go a long way. Your worst? How not to treat your employees if you want them to come back to work. Negative reinforcement without positive words never works. How can Amarillo improve its business environment? We need everyone to support local businesses as much as possible. It helps all of us when we buy from our friends in Amarillo. Most important tech tool: my iPhone. Best time management tool: Outlook calendar. I can’t live without my: wife, kids and the Amarillo Bulls! My favorite thing about Amarillo is: the people! We have the most caring and giving people in the world. Most unusual job or task: I was a radio disk jockey at one time, and wanted to be the next Casey Kasem.

THANK YOU!

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