Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine Business July/Aug 2018 by Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine

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HEART AND SOUL ROLLINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; TIDE BOIL CO.

C L L T S R U H Y E L L U G E L B A P P O T S N U JULY.AUGUST 2018 I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

The Reserve at Dancing Elk is Under New Management

Yvette Terrell-Johnson New Venue Coordinator/Sales & Marketing 361-946-4812 | YvetteJ.DancingElk@gmail.com Chef Angela M. Gomez | 361-229-3338 ChefGomez75@yahoo.com

313 County Road 351 | Mathis, TX 78368 | Conveniently Located Off Interstate 37 www.thereserveatdancingelk.com

@ thereserveatdancingelk I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

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when you land, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re home WHY ... COMMUTE? WAIT IN LINE? GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC?

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CONTENTS JULY.AUGUST 2018

BUSINESS COACH 08 Employment Out-Law FEATURES 10 Be Prepared 12 Spring Cleaning 14 The Gorgeous Greens 16 The Best Fit 18 Gearing Up 20 Overcoming Procrastination BBB SPOTLIGHT 24 All In the Family EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION 48 Hurricane Harvey: One Year Later REAL ESTATE 50 Choose Wisely ENERGY 52 Make Life Simple TASTE 54 Something Special NONPROFIT 56 All In 58 Let the Sun Shine In

LOCAL EATS

ROLLIN’ TIDE BOIL CO.

Providing both delicious food and unforgettable beach experiences, Rollin’ Tide goes above and beyond traditional catering.

COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTO BY: TWINS MEDIA

26 COVER STORY

GULLEY-HURST LLC

From refusing to quit to playing a major role in Hurricane Harvey relief, business owners Phil Hurst and Dr. Bryan Gulley are unstoppable.

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34 LOCAL

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT UNIQUEHR

A leader in the PEO industry since 1993, this United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce member-business works with the chamber to support our military in the Coastal Bend.

WANT A CHEAPER ELECTRIC BILL?

Why Choose us: Our customers come first. The Stellar Energy Solutions and Hudson Energy support team is made up of people who understand the industry and care deeply about helping you in every way. We are here for you.  Dynamic Pricing: We have several clear advantages over other suppliers, including market experience and purchasing power, which add up to more value for your business.

 Environmentally Sound: We see the big picture. As an industry leader, it's our responsibility to explore green energy product options and offer affordable ways for companies to reduce their environmental impact.

 Energy Advisors: Our team of industry specialists will work with you to create an energy solution that meets all of your company's needs from budget to roll-out and support.

 Fully Integrated Partnership: Stellar Energy Solutions partners with Hudson Energy because our business values align. There is a mutual trust in our white glove approach to serving your business needs.

361.884.8973 | www.stellarnrgsolutions.com

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

MEET THE STAFF JULY. AUGUST 2018

ADRIAN GARZA

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES adrian@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com 361.548.1044

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES Adrian Garza

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Holly Lewis

EDITOR Erin O’Brien

ART DIRECTOR Elisa Giordano

HOLLY LEWIS

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS holly@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com 479.935.0868

ERIN O’BRIEN

EDITOR erin.editorial@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA Morgan Bartel

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mandy Ashcraft Colton Bartel Dr. Coral Dworazyk Carey Linda Jordan Samantha Koepp-Stemplinger Connie Laughlin Kathleen Naderer Sylvia Slezak Kelly Trevino Sarona Winfrey Dayna Mazzei Worchel

PHOTOGRAPHY Dustin Ashcraft Darklab Photography Twins Media

ELISA GIORDANO ART DIRECTOR thatgirl@elisagiordano.com 210.716.5320

www.inspirecoastalbendmag.com For advertising information, please call 361.548.1044 or email adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com. For editorial comments and suggestions, please call 479.935.0868 or email holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com.

MORGAN BARTEL SOCIAL MEDIA morgan@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com 620.417.5392

PELICAN

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BUSINESS COACH

EMPLOYMENT OUT-LAW Who handles your human resources?

CONNIE LAUGHLIN is a business consultant for UniqueHR. For more information, you may contact her at 361-8526392, 800-824-8367 or conniel@uniquehr.com.

EVERY ACTION AN EMPLOYER TAKES NEEDS CAREFUL ATTENTION.

By: CONNIE LAUGHLIN

IF YOU OWN A BUSINESS and you’re overseeing your employee administration, this is for you. Recently, a local business owner told me he was planning to hire an assistant to help with his “employee stuff,” including payroll. I’m pretty sure he planned to pay somewhere around $10 per hour. For about the same amount of money, or less, he could sign an agreement with a highly accredited professional employer organization (PEO). He could hire an experienced employee who’s a certified professional in human resources (HR), but it would be cost prohibitive! Would you think it’s more prudent to hire a PEO that has hundreds of years of combined experience and highly trained and certified professionals to handle every aspect of duties pertaining to worksite employees? Or should he hire someone with general clerical duties (aka office experience)? We live in a world where simple job offers and termination letters could be turned into claims of discrimination or violations of employment laws. While it’s true that, in Texas, employees are at-will, merely having “atwill” status does not protect the employer from a claim by a disgruntled employee. Every action an employer takes, from written documents to disciplinary actions or termination, needs careful attention. Wage and hour lawsuits are among the fastest-growing employment claims in the federal court system today. Employers might need assistance in properly classifying their employees as “exempt” or “non-exempt” for overtime purposes. It doesn’t cut it to say an employee is exempt if the company pays the employee on a salary basis; it’s based on their duties and responsibilities. You might need professional help to set policy on the time spent working before and after the workday. It doesn’t matter if the employee was told not to work; it’s whether the company allowed the employee to work overtime hours. Review your break time and lunch breaks, too. If your employees are catching up on work during their lunch break, they must be paid. If that time results in a workweek over 40 hours, the employee must be compensated with overtime. The list goes on – child labor laws, vacations and paid time off policies, etc. It’s imperative to have a qualified person assisting you with payday laws, employee policies, proper disciplinary plans of action and setting these standards via a legally compliant and frequently updated employee handbook. You are well served to seek guidance on how to properly and effectively manage employee administration.

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OUTSOURCING HR A quality PEO offers a bundled HR solution that every business owner should investigate periodically to see if they’re a fit. It sounds like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? The fact of the matter is many business leaders don’t know how PEO services can provide effective and efficient HR support, or how their level of cost containment (the predictable cost for worksite employees) could be very beneficial to their bottom line. With a PEO, you’re not going it alone. Once you’re on board, you are part of a large pool of client companies. Claims could be dissipated amongst all clients, therefore protecting you from the rising costs of workers’ compensation insurance. In addition, being under this umbrella of client companies could help overcome the problem of substantial increases in health insurance. We live in one of the most litigious communities in our country, and a lot of employers in Corpus Christi are still operating like their grandpappy did 60 years ago. Protect your assets, ensure your employees are working in a safe environment and make sure you’re operating efficiently so your focus is on revenue production. If the cost for worksite employees could be made a predictable cost, wouldn’t it be a wise decision to mitigate some of that risk by partnering with a PEO? Every employer needs what certified PEO pros bring to a business, including: 

Contained employee cost

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Reduced employee liability

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Streamlined operations, driving financial gain

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Specialized and compliant procedures and policies

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Certified HR guidance

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Safety and risk management strategies

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Efficient payroll administration

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Cost-effective benefits

If you’ve chosen against services of a PEO, it’s wise to hire a certified professional in HR. Even though you won’t have the benefits of contained cost and mitigated risk, you will have a pro on board. Salary for a certified HR generalist runs approximately $40,000 annually (www.payscale.com). If you’re looking into the benefits of using a PEO, visit the National Association of PEO’s website at www. napeo.org for a list of qualified PEOs in your area, along with their credentials and certifications.

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FEATURE

Hurricane preparedness efforts at the Port of Corpus Christi

he Port of Corpus Christi and its facilities are nestled along the Texas Gulf Coast. Thus, having a detailed hurricane readiness plan that provides guidance and standard operating procedures for staff and support personnel is of great importance. This plan encompasses direction to the Port’s employees prior to, during and following a tropical storm or hurricane in the general Corpus Christi vicinity. The safety and welfare of the staff is always top priority; therefore, these types of inclement weather conditions will likely require a temporary halt of normal day-to-day operations, while

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alternative emergency and contingency operations are put into effect. The division of responsibilities amongst the various departments is predetermined according to this plan, and assures that each department will be involved in the readiness phase of the plan as determined and coordinated by the chief executive officer, the director of Port security and the manager of safety and emergency management. The resumption of normal operations following a storm will be contingent upon the severity of damage to the ship channel and Port facilities and equipment. All of the staff will be prepared to assist in the post-storm recovery effort and resurgence of vessel

SPECIAL TO INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE STAFF IS ALWAYS TOP PRIORITY.

traffic. The Port has adopted the National Incident Management System. Accordingly, the Port has established an incident management team to manage designated emergency periods. In addition to protecting the Port’s employees and public infrastructure, the Port also recognizes its important role in coordinating the numerous stakeholder groups associated with the Port of Corpus Christi. Stakeholders include contractors, tenants, customers, community organizations, regulatory agencies and other local, state and federal governmental officials. These various entities have like-type hurricane plans. The Port coordinates with these entities prior to hurricane season. Each year, the Port participates in various community outreach activities, including the regional Coastal Bend Hurricane Conference held in Robstown. This year’s conference had over 1,100 participants representing the full range of local, state and federal governmental responders and policy makers, voluntary organizations, health care professionals, private businesses and industry representatives. The Port also sponsors an annual industry meeting, along with Nueces County, to bring together the county’s top 25 employers to discuss local initiatives ensuring the regions workforce is prepared to aid in an eventual rapid recovery following a hurricane event. The seriousness that the Port and its community partners take in preparing our community was never more evident than when Hurricane Harvey made landfall in the Coastal Bend on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, severely impacting the Port of Corpus Christi and the surrounding Coastal Bend communities.

P.LANGE/BIGSTOCK.COM

BE PREPARED

The Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds up to 135 mph caused significant shoaling to the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and Intracoastal Waterway; damaged or destroyed more than 100 critical aids to navigation (AToN) around the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and Inland Waterway; and severely damaged public and private facilities and supporting infrastructure around the Port of Corpus Christi. The immediate and ongoing impacts to the Port’s operations, business revenues and daily economic output were felt by the seven counties included in the Port’s Foreign Trade Zone No. 122: Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio. The economic impact of the storm attributed to the channel closure and restrictions is estimated to be over $2 billion. The Corpus Christi Ship Channel was closed for a record six days, the longest closure in the Port’s 91-year history, effectively shutting down transportation access to one of the nation’s largest energy, manufacturing and refining centers. The Corpus Christi Ship Channel reopened on Aug. 31, with a 43-foot draft restriction, one-way vessel movement, daylight-only conditions and a required two pilots per vessel. On Sept. 28, the U.S. Coast Guard lifted all restrictions except one-way vessel traffic from Harbor Island to Ingleside. Upon reopening, the Port of Corpus Christi was the largest refining center in operation on the Texas Gulf Coast. The Port continues to identify projects to help rehabilitate, repair or increase resiliency to critical infrastructure at the Port of Corpus Christi, its stakeholders and the surrounding disaster affected counties, support long-term sustainability of our fragile coastal ecosystem and ensure the nation continues its path toward global energy dominance. For the Port’s efforts during Hurricane Harvey, the South Texas Energy and Economic Roundtable, the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration presented awards to Port staff for their commitment to the community and their heroic and decisive actions to save lives.

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When national disasters strike, people often feel as if they have little to no control of the outcome. By collaborating with our regional emergency management partners in disaster preparedness initiatives, the Port adds yet another layer of security and resiliency that benefits our entire community, including our employees, contractors, industry partners and local residents.” – Sean Strawbridge, chief executive officer of Port of Corpus Christi Authority

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FEATURE

SPRING CLEANING

Small businesses can’t hide from cyber criminals. Here’s how you can protect your digital infrastructure from cyber threats. By: KELLY TREVINO

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IT IS TEMPTING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO BELIEVE THEY ARE IRRELEVANT TO CYBER TERRORISTS, BUT THIS IS A BIG MISTAKE.”

but Rosenthal says encryption solutions are lagging, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. Every business should take steps to protect its digital infrastructure, because it is the heartbeat that keeps everything running. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers these tips:  Establish security practices and policies to protect sensitive information.  Educate employees about cyber threats, and hold them accountable.

Small business owners need to know they can’t fly under the radar. While they may not be the direct targets of cyber criminals, hyper-connected systems mean they can still get tangled in a web of cybercrime. According to Rosenthal, small business owners face challenges finding the right defense against cybercrimes. Security products designed for large businesses can be too complex to understand and manage, while those designed for individual users are not sophisticated enough. Anti-virus software is relatively easy to find and use,

 Require employees to use strong passwords, and to change them often.

REQUIRE EMPLOYEES TO USE STRONG PASSWORDS AND TO CHANGE THEM OFTEN.

 Make backup copies of important business data and information.  Control physical access to computers and network components. More details of the SBA cyber security tips are on the SBA website at www.sba.gov. Better Business Bureau and the National Cyber Security Alliance also urge everyone to perform “spring cleaning” on their personal computers and mobile devices.

KELLY TREVINO is the regional director for the Corpus Christi/Victoria area of Better Business Bureau serving the heart of Texas. Trevino is available for media interviews and speaking engagements. You can reach her at 361-945-7352 or ktrevino@corpuschristi.bbb.org.

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yber criminals are growing bolder by the day. We constantly see headlines about attacks on banks, energy utilities, schools and local election systems. With all this talk of disruption on a large scale, small business owners may think cyber threats are an issue for governments and large corporations. Paul Rosenthal writes in ITProPortal, “It is tempting for small businesses to believe they are irrelevant to the new-scale cyber terrorists. But this is a big mistake.”

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FEATURE

THE GORGEOUS GREENS All about emerald, one of today’s most admired and highly prized gems By: COLTON BARTEL

o, we’re not talking about a golf course, or even someone’s eyes, but instead, something far more rare and cherished. It’s been a symbol of Egyptian royalty, luck and prosperity. Cleopatra coveted it, and conquistadors traded it. What is it? Emerald! Nearly 2,400 years ago in the Egyptian desert, these green beauties caught the eye of those in “high places.” Since then, emeralds have remained part of what is now referred to as the “big three”: emerald, ruby and sapphire. In the 16th century, Spanish explorers traveling through what is now Brazil found themselves surrounded by natives adorned with emeralds and quickly took them back to Europe, introducing the wealthy and affluent to the “new” gem. Today, emeralds continue to be admired and highly prized. It is not uncommon for emeralds to command thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars – sometimes close to the price of diamond. So if I want to buy an emerald, what do I look for and what should I expect to see? Great questions! I’m glad you asked! Emeralds, first and foremost, must be green. Not a light, minty color, but a noticeable green. There is still debate in the industry as to how light a stone can be and still be called emerald, but to be on the safe side, look for a stone that has a well-defined green color and doesn’t look washed out. With that being said, you also don’t want a stone so dark that you have to

argue that you see green in what could easily be mistaken as black. In most cases, emeralds will have a little bit of either a yellow or blue tint, and this is perfectly acceptable – but the truer the green, the better. Second, you’ll want to look at the clarity of the stone. Emeralds are notorious for having an excessive amount of inclusions. It is common practice for stones to be “oiled” as soon as they are finished cutting in order to mask some of the surface-reaching fractures, so keep this in mind while shopping. The majority of the population believes that emeralds are really soft and that’s why they tend to be fragile. Emeralds actually have good hardness, but because of the high numbers of inclusions in most stones, they are susceptible to chipping or breaking. With proper care, emeralds can and do last for generations. One thing about emerald’s inclusions that is fascinating is that they can have what are called two-phase and three-phase inclusions. Simply put, they are inclusions within the stone that can contain liquid, bubbles and/or crystals that can move when the stone is tilted! Though these are not unique to emerald, emerald is one of very few stones that can display these unusual features. Lastly, I’m sure one could assume I would bring up either carat weight or cutting, but more important is to make sure the stone is natural. Buying from a trusted source is your greatest protection in this area, but it is still good advice to ask for visual evidence that the stone is natural. A well-educated

GIA

NATHAN RENFRO GIA

jeweler or gemologist will easily be able to point out what defines a natural stone versus a synthetic. The most common process by which synthetic stones are made is the hydrothermal growth process. This method of producing synthetic stones very closely mimics the natural growth of emeralds. Using heat and some pressure within a mineral solution, growers dip “seed plates” that contain emerald material into a “bath.” The seed plate attracts like material to its surface and grows outward, similarly to how you can grow salt or sugar crystals with a string in a water solution. In this type of production, the emerald grows at a somewhat controlled rate, but still gains inclusions along the way, most of which are very close to those found in natural stones. The trained eye and a good education can, luckily, discern the difference between natural and synthetic, as well as show their customers the reasoning for their conclusions. Thankfully, in the United States, trade laws require disclosure of all synthetic or “lab grown” gemstones. But unfortunately, not everyone in the industry has the education and experience to identify and separate all of them. Just as with any jewelry purchase, make sure to purchase from a trusted and reputable source to avoid any cause for concern later. In doing so, you can rest assured that you will have a beautiful piece of jewelry that can be enjoyed for generations to come.

COLTON BARTEL, G.G., A.J.P., is a G.I.A. graduate gemologist and jewelry designer for Susann’s Custom Jewelers. For questions or to set up an appointment, please contact Susann’s Custom Jewelers at 361-991-7565 or online at www.susanns-jewelers.com. Susann’s is located at 4226 S. Alameda in the Town and Country shopping center in Corpus Christi.

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FEATURE

THE BEST FIT

Partnering with a staffing firm brings short- and long-term cost solutions to managers and business owners. By: LINDA JORDAN

percent of their salary just in hiring costs – and this does not include if the employee leaves within a month and the manager has to find someone else. Even for positions that do not require any previous experience, it can cost the company 10 to 18 percent of the employee’s annual salary if they do not work out. Having a staffing firm ensures that the owner will not have to worry about finding the perfect employee, and allows them to focus on the job at hand, not on finding a replacement. When managers and business owners make the ultimate decision to partner with a staffing firm, they receive customized recruiting fit entirely to their precise hiring needs. Even their invoicing will be specific to their company. With these unique recruiting efforts, managers and owners are ensured that their needs are filled quickly and correctly.

HAVING A STAFFING FIRM ALLOWS BUSINESS OWNERS TO FOCUS ON THE JOB AT HAND.

L.K. Jordan & Associates has offices in Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. We offer both temporary and professional placement assistance. Call 361-814-9700 to be directed to a staffing specialist in any of those areas, or visit our website at www.lkjordan.com.

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VITAM/BIGSTOCK.COM

anagers and company owners must make smart decisions that help them reduce costs while maximizing profits across the board. These decisions can vary from choosing the most cost-effective office supplies to changing the benefits offered. Personnel costs can be one of the biggest expenses for businesses in today’s market. Hiring a staffing firm can alleviate some of these costs while making it easier for companies to find quality employees. There are a number of short-term cost solutions that come from hiring a staffing firm. Because staffing firms are essentially comprehensive human resources departments, business owners are not faced with the immense expense of having to provide everything the firm does. The firm handles the application, screening, interviews, drug testing (if requested or necessary), job-specific testing, background checks, benefits and payroll. Companies that choose to use a staffing firm are avoiding paying for all of these overhead costs and, instead, are paying for the staffing firm to take it on themselves. Not only will experts be handling these areas, but managers will not have to worry about their current employees taking on too many tasks other than their specific positions. Finding the correct employee is not always easy. High turnover rates hurt company moral, can be extremely expensive and waste a lot of time, not to mention one of the best longterm cost solutions. Staffing firms often carry a guarantee: If the employee does not fit well, the manager always has the option of asking for a different candidate until completely satisfied. For mid-level employees, it can cost up to 40

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FEATURE

GEARING UP

ummer may be winding down, but La Palmera is gearing up for backto-school shoppers – and more great events. As has become tradition, many plan their shopping around Texas’ tax-free weekend. This year’s event, Aug. 10-12, allows shoppers to purchase certain categories of back-to-school items tax-free, including clothing, shoes and some accessories. And it shapes up to be a busy weekend once again, as saving money continues to be one of the driving factors for consumers. According to last year’s back-to-school consumer survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), many shoppers are in search of the best deals and promotions being offered with 40 percent. This indicates consumers wait to start back-to-school shopping until they see advertisements or sale prices in stores. Nearly 90 percent

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By: SARONA WINFREY

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIME IN GENERAL IS ONE OF OUR BUSIEST TIMES OF YEAR.”

also say promotions influence the items they purchase and how much they spend. And despite the popularity of online shopping, an overwhelming majority of shoppers – 89 percent – said they prefer back-to-school shopping in a mall or shopping center, with 46 percent citing the ability to physically see, touch or try on merchandise as the No. 1 reason for doing so. Many also prefer the con-

MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES/BIGSTOCK.COM

Back-to-school is easy at La Palmera.

venience of in-store, one-stop shopping (35 percent) and avoiding shipping costs (34 percent). “Back-to-school time in general, and the Texas sales tax holiday weekend specifically, is one of our busiest times of year,” said Fred Walters, La Palmera vice president and general manager. “Many families now plan ahead for that weekend in an effort to save money, particularly those buying for more than one student. Coming to a mall like La Palmera makes it more convenient when you’re buying so many different types of items potentially for more than one person.” Select La Palmera retailers will have extended hours during the tax-free weekend, which once again includes most basic school supplies, as well as backpacks, clothing, shoes and many accessories priced under $100 used by elementary and secondary students. Shoppers will also find special deals at many stores whose merchandise does not qualify for tax-free status. More information on the sales tax holiday and approved list of items can be found on the State of Texas comptroller website at https://comptroller. texas.gov/taxes/publications/98-490. Officers from the Corpus Christi Police Department will be onsite to assist with traffic control as needed, making it easier for customers to navigate their way in and out of parking areas. An adjacent covered parking garage is available, as well as valet parking, which is located at the mall’s front entrance by P.F. Chang’s and Grimaldi’s for only $5. And while the back-to-school activities traditionally focus on elementary and secondary-level students, many are preparing for their education beyond high school. Since May 2013, La Palmera has partnered with Coastal Compass, a not-for-profit educational and career resource center providing free assistance to high school students and adults, including information on college enrollment, General Education Development (GED) diplomas and certification sources, as well as literacy classes, and connecting them to the appropriate resources. On Saturday, Aug. 3, Coastal Compass will host an education fair from 1 to 5 p.m. throughout the mall. This one-day event will provide guests an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming school year and beyond by visiting with colleges, universities, skills training centers, schools, after-school programs, community organizations and more. Since opening at La Palmera, Coastal Compass has assisted thousands of individuals and hosted numerous events. Located on the McArdle side of La Palmera, the 847-square-foot center is an initiative of Citizens for Educational Excellence, a local non-profit education organization working to improve education in the area. “We are proud to continue partnering with Coastal Compass,” Walters said. “They provide an amazing service to Coastal Bend students and residents without charge, and we are pleased to assist them in that effort.”

For more information on Coastal Compass, go to www.coastalcompass.org, or call 361-906-0703. And to learn more about La Palmera, go to www.lapalmera.com, or call 361-991-3755.

Bar, Wine, Beer & Spirits 4238 S. Alameda Town & Country Shopping Center Corpus Christi

M-F 5pm - Midnight Saturday 4pm - Midnight Sunday 11:30am - 6pm I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

FEATURE

OVERCOMING PROCRASTINATION

Here are some tips on how to stop procrastinating and start prioritizing. By: SYLVIA SLEZAK

Procrastinating is: • Coping • What causes harm in the delay • An intentional behavior • Something you do as opposed to something done to you • Identifying a relatively loose time-frame to get something done • Intentionally avoiding a task when it needs to be done • Putting off a task until another time or until it is completely forgotten Prioritizing is: • Managing • Arranging, itemizing or working things out • An intentional behavior • Something you do as opposed to something done to you • Deciding the order in which you will give it your time or attention • Identifying and bringing to the top of your list what is important to you • Moving a project to another time slot because something else is more important

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HOW TO PRIORITIZE? Prioritizing tasks does not mean you can choose to do important tasks and avoid doing unimportant tasks. It simply means deciding the order in which you will do things, not whether or not you will do those things.

WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE REAL ISSUE, IT’S ALL ABOUT TIME.

Try answering these questions to prioritize what would come next: • What can be done later? • What will move my life forward? • What can only be done if I do it now? • What will have the most impact? • What doesn’t ever have to be done? Check these answers against your priorities: • It needed to be done, but couldn’t be done later. • It is part of what I do that moves my life forward. • Of all the tasks I can do right this moment, this is the most important. Once you have planned and prioritized a task, follow your schedule and do things when you originally decided to do them. As unexpected events happen, stay flexible, allow yourself plenty of time to complete tasks before they are due and adjust your plan and priorities. Following these organization tips can help you feel more confident in your overall success at home, in school and at work. • Think in terms of priorities, not emotions or desires - What you want may be different from what you need. - Manage your schedule according to what fits your needs, not your emotions. • Be aware - When you face choices or consider what you need to do, be aware of your decision.

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hen it comes down to the real issue, it’s all about time. The one thing that everyone and everything on this planet has is the same amount of time: 24 hours in a day. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, how poor or rich, who you are, where you live, what species you belong to. All of us only have 24 hours in a day. It’s up to us to use it wisely. Most of us would have to confess that we feel too busy. We have so many things to do that we spend inordinate amounts of time either running from task to task, absorbed in an activity that really doesn’t matter, agonizing over what to do next or sitting paralyzed in a zombie state while playing games or being entertained. Procrastinating somehow connotes that it is something you need to do, yet are failing to do. There is an element of negativity attached that doesn’t belong. Not all postponement is procrastination. Just because you put it off doesn’t mean you are harming yourself. Putting things off with planning and organization is successful prioritization. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Knowing the difference between procrastination and prioritization is the key to productivity, and the antidote to guilt and insanity.

- Are you prioritizing or procrastinating? - What are the consequences of your decision? • Track your to-do list - Prioritization requires awareness and follow-through. - Set due dates/times and reminders. • Be strong - Prioritization requires a steady hand. - Set your priorities and keep to it. - Don’t let little things get in the way. - Re-prioritize them. • Focus on your goals - Remind yourself that your short-term decisions will impact your long-term goals. NOT EASY, BUT WORTH IT The bottom line is that if you can’t prioritize, you can’t manage. If you don’t manage deadlines, deadlines will manage you. Are you allowing circumstances to dictate what happens to you so that you can give an excuse to do what you want to do anyway? These are life skills we’re talking about. It doesn’t matter what type of job, profession, services, tech or vocation you have – you must be at the helm and in control. No excuses! Some people are able to prioritize and manage their to-do lists better than others. That doesn’t make them better than anyone else or you. It only makes them better at prioritization and follow-through. Don’t complain, and don’t make excuses – learn from them instead. It will enhance your own strengths, which other people don’t have. If you’re creative, if you’re thoughtful, if you’re laser-focused on the big things or whatever you are, also be in control of the little things. Here’s a quote that reshaped my approach to life: “If you first make the time to do what you have to, then you’ll have time to do what you want to.”

SYLVIA SLEZAK is the director of marketing and social media at CityOf.com. For more information, visit us online at www.cityof.com to find local premier businesses, restaurants, events, attractions and more. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

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BBB SPOTLIGHT

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ALL IN THE FAMILY Crocker Moving & Storage Co.: a family tradition of quality service By: KELLY TREVINO Photo by: DARKLAB PHOTOGRAPHY

rocker Moving & Storage Co. provides relocation services for households and offices, short- and long-term storage and file management services. Located in Corpus Christi, the 108-year-old moving company is a family tradition. The company slogan, “A Family Tradition of Quality Service,” is echoed throughout the four generations of experience and service to the Coastal Bend area. The family business got its start in 1910 when President Andy Crocker’s great-grandfather, M.L. Crocker, moved to Corpus Christi and purchased a livery stable. All four generations of the Crocker family grew up locally and were students with the Corpus Christi Independent School District. Andy spent his summers as a teenager working at the family company before attending the University of Texas at Austin. After spending five years going to school and working in Austin, Andy returned to Corpus Christi and the family business in 1981. “I always wanted to be part of this company,” Andy said. Now he and his brother, Matt Crocker, are fourth-generation owners and operators of Crocker Moving & Storage Co. Currently employing nine staff members, Crocker Moving & Storage Co. believes their team members are the company’s most valuable assets. “Retaining loyal em-

“

RETAINING LOYAL EMPLOYEES FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME WITH VERY LITTLE TURNOVER IS WHAT MAKES US SUCCESSFUL.” ployees for long periods of time with very little turnover is what makes us successful,” Andy said. By promoting a safe working environment and providing well-trained and caring team members, they can offer both convenience and confidence to their customers. Crocker Moving & Storage Co. gives free estimates with written proposals, only uses their own employ-

ees during a move and offers a direct point of contact throughout the moving experience. In addition to their accreditation with Better Business Bureau (BBB), Crocker Moving & Storage Co. was the first in Corpus Christi and one of only 42 companies in Texas to hold the Pinnacle Movers status, a program administered by the Southwest Movers Association. To become a Pinnacle mover, a company must pass a rigorous certification process, as well as meet and maintain certain required criteria. These established criteria ensure a high level of service and consumer protection that goes above industry standards. Andy believes their experience, commitment and professional performance are the key reasons people continue to choose Crocker Moving & Storage Co. They are rewarded with a high volume of repeat business in a highly competitive industry. By offering local and in-state moving services, professional load and unload services, record storage and furniture storage, Crocker Moving & Storage Co. serves a diverse customer base. Their customers are homeowners and renters, as well as companies relocating their business. As passionate community supporters, both owners have and continue to serve on numerous nonprofit boards, including Goodwill Industries of South Texas and Mission for Mercy. In addition to their local leadership, Crocker Moving & Storage Co. supports several local organizations with in-kind moving services. The experienced customer service provider strives to continually improve their community, as well as their services. Over the next five years, Andy hopes the company will be even more effective in providing customer care and supporting their employees with more efficient equipment and technology. As a proud accredited business with BBB serving the heart of Texas, Crocker Moving & Storage Co. uses the BBB brand to help establish trust between their business and consumers. “BBB provides credibility behind any marketing we use,” Andy said. “Having a good BBB rating speaks volumes about our performance as a professional.”

COVER STORY

HERE TO HELP Gulley-Hurst LLC: a success story of two local guys who had faith even in the most difficult circumstances By: Dayna Mazzei Worchel Photos by: Twins Media

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orpus Christi business owners Phil Hurst and Dr. Bryan Gulley are two self-described “stubborn and hard-headed” guys who were determined to make their Gulley-Hurst Type IV landfill business a success, no matter how hard they had to fight. That stubborn nature has served them well through the roughly 15 years of the permitting process to make their landfill a reality, along with obstacles thrown their way by other municipalities and competitors who didn’t want to see it happen, says Gulley, who also works as an oral surgeon in Corpus Christi. “We were told that two local guys can’t do this. But we were too dumb to quit,” Gulley says with a chuckle. It’s a good thing they didn’t take the advice from the naysayers. Their Type IV landfill, which means it holds brush and construction debris, has played a huge part in the recovery of the Coastal Bend from Hurricane Harvey, which devastated communities such as Rockport, Ingleside, Aransas Pass and Port Aransas. The hurricane roared ashore on Aug. 25, 2017, with the eye of the storm passing over Rockport. “As demonstrated by Hurricane Harvey, it was needed,” Gulley says. “It’s perfectly designed for all hurricane debris, which can go in our landfill.” When Gulley-Hurst began accepting trash from the public in June 2012, it was the third landfill in the Coastal Bend area and the first and only Type IV landfill. The other two, one operated by the City of Corpus Christi and one

in Robstown, are Type I landfills, which means they accept household garbage and are constructed with special disposal requirements, Gulley says. A Type IV landfill does not accept household garbage. The closest other Type IV landfills to Corpus Christi are located in Edinburg or San Antonio, Gulley says. The venture began when Hurst, who has owned several businesses in Corpus Christi, purchased the property at 1435 County Road 26, between Old Brownsville Road and Greenwood Drive in 1999, and began excavation with the idea of creating a landfill. He brought Gulley in as a partner when they began the permitting process with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in 2005. The landfill received its permit in 2009. Gulley then purchased the 580 acres surrounding the 200-acre landfill. He says the landfill has a life expectancy of 40 years, and, combined with the acreage next to it, that could expand to 80 to 100 years. Other governmental entities in the area fought the pair and its landfill like crazy, says Hurst. “We were here to hold the rates down. We came in as an independent at a cheaper price to help local people. We held our rate down to the same as it was before Hurricane Harvey.” Hurst adds that the landfill accepts construction debris and brush from the City of Corpus Christi. Gulley agrees, adding that they didn’t raise prices and the landfill is still accepting debris from the hurricane. “We will accept it for a long time

Every penny we made, we put back into the company, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re unstoppable now.â&#x20AC;?

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We were two local guys who got an idea and set out to make it work despite all of the battles.”

to come – probably for the next two years as buildings in those areas continue to be torn down.” He continues to say that the landfill really felt the after effects of the hurricane beginning in the middle of September in 2017, as people in the coastal towns began cleaning up from the storm. During peak times, the landfill put 21,000 cubic yards of trash each day in its space. But equipment used in landfills had grown scarce in those days after Hurricane Harvey and Hurricanes Maria and Irma, which devastated Puerto Rico, Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “We went as far as France and Canada to get that equipment,” Gulley says. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and other private operators from Ingleside, Rockport and Aransas Pass brought the landfill a lot of debris in the days after Hurricane Harvey, and those areas cleaned up fast, he says. Much of that debris consisted of old oak trees and material from destroyed or torn-down buildings. “This was a big hurricane,” Gulley adds. “It hit the smaller towns. If it had hit 20 miles to the south, the damage would have been much, much greater.” The secret to the landfill’s success was its rapid turnaround as the Hurricane Harvey cleanup was happening. “We did a really good job,” Gulley says. His partner agrees. “We’ve been here for the city and the surrounding area. We are here to help,” Hurst says, adding that the two of them have been stubborn. “We put everything we had into it, seven days a week,” Hurst says. “Every penny we made, we put back into the company, and we’re unstoppable now.” Hurricane Harvey was not the first major hurricane the pair experienced. Hurst and Gulley became friends in 1970 when they lived in a mobile home park in Corpus Christi. Hurricane Celia came ashore at Port Aransas, damaging much of Corpus Christi and wiping out the mobile home park that year on Aug. 3. Gulley and Hurst, along with Mike Hurst,

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the brother of Phil Hurst, had spent that summer going fishing and doing activities together. The three attended Tuloso-Midway High School. Mike Hurst now works as the business manager for the landfill. The three have been involved in other business ventures together, and have stayed in touch over the years. Philip Hurst’s son, Philip Jordan Hurst, 32, works as the site manager

of the landfill. Their never-say-die attitude is a good testimony for having faith in the most difficult circumstances. “We were two local guys who got an idea and set out to make it work despite all of the battles,” Gulley says. “We were told that only a municipality or a huge corporation could do this.” Gulley and Hurst proved them all wrong.

For more information, visit www.gulleyhurst.com. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

PROUDLY SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY Spotlight on UniqueHR and the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to support the military in the Coastal Bend

PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNIQUEHR

SPECIAL TO INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

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Garry Bradford with UniqueHR on the left

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The United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce has a long-standing tradition of support for our local military installations and the active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families that call our community home. Corpus Christi has been the proud home of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (NASCC) since 1941 and the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) since 1961.

WE ADVOCATE FOR SOUTH TEXAS ON CAPITOL HILL, IN THE PENTAGON AND IN AUSTIN.

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Since then, the chamber has worked to ensure Corpus Christi is the best place for the Army and Navy to conduct their critical national security missions. We accomplish this by advocating on their behalf in Washington, D.C., and fostering a military-friendly community for them to thrive in. We work to continue the tradition by participating in events like the Wings Over South Texas Air Show featuring the Blue Angels and our own Salute to the Military, an opportunity to publicly recognize the collaborative efforts made by community business leaders, elected officials and military leaders as we work together to strengthen the military environment in South Texas. This year’s Salute to the Military, presented by Walmart, will take place July 26 at the Ortiz Center. The chamber provides the aviator wings for all Winging Ceremonies at NASCC, a tradition that dates back to the early years of Training Air Wing Four, including the wings given to former President George H.W. Bush, and awards an annual Military Legacy Scholarship to an active duty military personnel member, their spouse or dependent from the Coastal Bend region. A crucial aspect of the chamber’s efforts to support our military and ensure the economic prosperity of the Coastal Bend region is through the work of the South Texas Military Facilities Task Force. The task force, chaired by Wes Hoskins, president and CEO of First Community Bank, and directed by Joe Guzman, is a chamber mission comprised of a group of community leaders who advocate on behalf of our area military facilities to protect, preserve and expand the military missions of NASCC, CCAD, Coast Guard Sector 6 and Naval Air Station Kingsville (NASK). Why is this so important? It is estimated that the military provides approximately 9,000 direct

jobs in the Coastal Bend with an economic impact of $5 billion, and a disposable personal income in the area of $2 billion. If Congress authorizes a Base Re-alignment and Closure (BRAC), and any of our bases were slated for closure, the job loss and economic impact would be devastating to our local economy. Task force victories include:  Securing a $30 million appropriation for Texas Military Communities during the 85th Texas State Legislature  Securing $6 million for base improvement projects for NASCC and CCAD  The appointment of Garry Bradford, CEO of UniqueHR, to the Governor’s Texas Military Preparedness Commission  Successfully advocating for $85 million in new construction funding for CCAD  Successfully including language in the National Defense Authorization Act regarding encroachment of wind turbines and other structures on military bases  Passing SB 277, which discourages wind farm development within 25 miles of aviation training facilities In 2018, we plan to continue the task force’s mission by advocating for South Texas on Capitol Hill, in the Pentagon and in Austin. We will continue to seek out new missions for CCAD and NASCC, help foster a military-friendly atmosphere in South Texas and help act as a liaison between base leadership and the community. Many United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce members recognize the importance of supporting military personnel and missions in the Coastal Bend. One example is UniqueHR – a visible supporter of military and veterans in this community. UniqueHR was founded in 1977 and has been active in the professional employer organization (PEO) industry since 1993, providing staffing services in the greater Corpus Christi area, and providing human resource, payroll, risk management and benefits administration services to businesses throughout Texas, California and Nevada.

UniqueHR staff

Garry Bradford, CEO, and Greg Maisel, VP of sales, currently serve on the executive committee of the South Texas Military Facilities Task Force. In 2017, Bradford was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, holding one of only 12 seats; he annually attends the Association of United States Army (AUSA) conference to keep current on Army affairs; and he often travels to the Army Material Command in Huntsville, Ala., to remind everyone of the critical national security assets that reside in South Texas. Bradford and Maisel work with base commanders and regularly lobby in Washington, D.C., on their behalf. UniqueHR is a proud sponsor of the chamber’s annual Salute to the Military luncheon. “The Naval Air Station and Army Depot are the largest employers in our region, directly and indirectly providing more than 13,000 jobs and $5 billion in revenue,” Bradford says. “Unique is about jobs and the people who work in those jobs. We help people find jobs. We make sure their paychecks are on time and accurate; their families are offered the health benefits they need; they work in a safe environment; they are treated fairly with human resource issues and in compliance with local, state and federal employment regulations. People are the No. 1 asset of any company (or military, for that matter). Companies trust us with these responsibilities, so they can focus on their core business.” With the support of member businesses such as UniqueHR and community leaders like Bradford and Maisel, the chamber will continue to find ways to support the Corpus Christi military in all its endeavors. “We want the active-duty men and women of our armed forces to make the most of their Corpus Christi experience, and, if they are separating from their branch, to consider making Corpus Christi their home to start a new career or business,” says Cleofas Rodriguez Jr., president and CEO of the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. 

“

PEOPLE ARE THE NO. 1 ASSET OF ANY COMPANY – OR MILITARY.”

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2018 SALUTE TO THE MILITARY SPONSORS Presenting: Walmart Gold: Mike Shaw Kia/Mike Shaw Toyota Military Table Sponsor: UniqueHR Silver: First Community Bank; American Bank; AG/CM Inc.; Flint Hills Resources; Security Service Federal Credit Union; and Spectra at the Ortiz Center Bronze: AEP Texas; Corpus Christi International Airport; Radiology Associates LLP; R.H. Shackelford; Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; and Whataburger Inc. Veterans Table Sponsors: Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson and Sames Ford Multimedia Sponsor: Turner Ramirez Architects 2017 Salute to the Military event

Military Legacy Scholarship Founding Sponsor: Whataburger Inc.

About the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce

Military Legacy Scholarship Sustaining Partners: IBC Bank and Olivarri & Associates

The United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce is the premier organization working to advance economic prosperity for all business while preserving our region’s diverse cultures. The chamber proudly represents the needs of 1,100 memberbusinesses while working to unite Corpus Christi to be the best place to live and work. United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce members and volunteers represent a cross-section of all types and sizes of business in our community. For more information on becoming a member of the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, please contact Efrain Franco Jr. at 361881-1800 or efrain@unitedcorpuschristichamber.com.

Valet Sponsor: Jack “Gary” Alspaugh Insurance Agency *Sponsor list accurate at time of print

For information on UniqueHR, visit www.uniquehr.com or call 361-852-6392. To learn more about the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, South Texas Military Facilities Task Force or Salute to the Military, please visit www.unitedcorpuschristichamber.com.

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Local Eats

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SEAFOOD

Rollinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tide Boil Co. brings the party to you. By: KATHLEEN NADERER | Photos by: TWINS MEDIA

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IN JUNE 2016, Kassie Smith and Shawn Taylor debuted Rollin’ Tide Boil Co. Their business goes beyond catering a delicious, traditional, low-country shrimp boil – it eliminates the decision between staying on the beach to watch the sunset and enjoying a quality meal at a good restaurant. “The main goal of Rollin’ Tide Boil Co. is to enhance the beach experience for our guests,” Smith said. In addition to offering mouthwatering food, Smith and Taylor provide everything necessary for a private, three-hour event on the beach. Guests don’t have to worry about lifting a finger. All they need to bring is a cooler filled with their favorite beverages! The traditional shrimp boil consists of fresh jumbo gulf shrimp, red new potatoes, farm fresh corn on the cob, sweet vidalia onions and spicy sausage cooked to perfection with Taylor’s made-from-scratch “Texas-Cajun” seasoning and served with homemade cocktail sauce. Taylor’s traveling inspired him to blend spices from different regions to create his own unique twist on traditional Cajun seasoning, resulting in a sweet, mild heat that is not overpowering, but instead offers a robust depth of flavor. “There are seasoning shakers on the tables so guests can add more if they crave a spicier, intense heat,” Taylor said. “That way we cater to everybody’s taste buds.” In fact, Taylor’s seasoning blend is such a hit that guests began asking to buy it. He now sells it at the shrimp boils, local farmers’ markets and online. This seafood feast can be upgraded to include snow crab legs. However, Rollin’ Tide Boil Co. does not offer crawfish. The company purchases as much local produce as possible, so all their seafood is freshly caught from the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, no dinner is complete without dessert. Each guest can choose between traditional S’mores and Smith’s signature key lime S’mores. This crisp, citrusy concoction was created because Taylor doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth and wanted a “non-chocolate” option. Smith worked to perfect the recipe for the key lime pie filling

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“

Our guests know that our heart and soul is in everything we do.”

after tasting an amazing key lime pie in the Virgin Islands. Besides the meal, Rollin’ Tide Boil Co. provides all the supplies and entertainment necessary for a beach bonfire. Whether it’s a family reunion, a birthday celebration, a business event, a bachelor/ bachelorette party or any other occasion, they can create a custom event filled with memories for their guests to cherish. “When you see the tiki torches and colorful Adirondack chairs, that’s us,” Smith said. “It’s an eye-catcher.” Guests can listen to favorite tunes on the bluetooth outdoor mega speaker or opt for a live

performance by a local musician while they eat dinner, relax with their toes in the sand, sit around the bonfire and take a dip in the ocean. Games such as corn hole, rope ladder and beach volleyball are also available and fun for all ages. Rollin’ Tide Boil Co. can even arrange for a performance by a local fire/LED dancer, as well as an appearance by the mobile Highlander Cigar Lounge, which serves Cuban-style, hand-rolled cigars. “The beautiful thing about what we do, whether you have kids or not, is that everyone gets their own space,” Smith explained. “For instance, kids can sit down I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

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for five minutes and eat their food, then be off playing in the water, running around the bonfire and enjoying the beach. It’s not like eating dinner at a restaurant; people are up and moving around, dancing, singing along to music.” These human interactions are what truly makes a Rollin’ Tide Boil Co. event memorable. Just a glance through their online reviews illustrates how much people appreciate the work Smith and Taylor do to create an atmosphere where friends and family can connect with each other and with the natural beauty of the Texas Coast. “At each dinner, our guests know that our heart and soul is in everything we do,” Taylor said. “Our passion is creating these ‘Kodak moments’ for people.” Although the beaches of the Coastal Bend are the most popular locations, Rollin’ Tide Boil Co. is happy to live up to their motto of “We Roll Our Pot to Your Spot!” and can provide their services at private venues throughout Port Aransas and Corpus Christi. Originally, this business consisted solely of Smith and Taylor, who are more than just business partners. Just a few months after opening Rollin’ Tide Boil Co., they became engaged. The two ran themselves ragged during their first and second years, but as their business has continued to grow, they have expanded to 10 employees for the summer. Their palpable, dynamic energy has led to an impressive amount of success despite neither having a background in the food industry. Smith had decided to switch from studying nursing to business when Taylor, whose own résumé includes construction and land surveying, suggested she try opening a business instead. “I told her that the only advice I could give her was this: The best way to learn about business is to own one yourself,” Taylor said. Along the way, they have dealt with their fair share of struggles. Learning to navigate a new industry is challenging to begin with, then Hurricane Harvey disrupted their local business last year and their second location in the Virgin Islands is still recovering from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Throughout it all, however, they have been able to rely on each other for encouragement and support. “We could not have done this without being a team,” Taylor said.

Book your own private seafood dinner with Rollin’ Tide Boil Co., perfect for any and every occasion! For pricing and availability, call 256-846-5005 or email rollintideboils@gmail.com. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

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EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION

HURRICANE HARVEY: ONE YEAR LATER A Special Feature Coming Soon: Expressions of Inspiration, September/October 2018

THE $125 BILLION TROPICAL STORM tied with Hurricane Katrina as the most costly on record in the United States hit the Coastal Bend in late August 2017, causing catastrophic wind and water damage to all parts of the area and region, as well as island groups in its path. We will tell the story of destruction, loss, devastation and recovery; what steps are being taken to salvage business in the Coastal Bend; and how our communities and public officials have so eagerly worked to rebuild and manage our area more effectively as we face yet another volatile hurricane season.

CHANTAL DUBOIS

The feature will include input from our state representatives, local business leaders and those who have been directly impacted by what is now known to be the second most destructive storm in U.S. history.

JUDY SMITH, LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER, MY COASTAL HOME

STATE REPRESENTATIVE TODD A. HUNTER

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REAL ESTATE

CHOOSE WISELY

By: DR. CORAL DWORAZYK CAREY

LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/BIGSTOCK.COM

Some important questions to ask when searching for a REALTOR

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imes are changing! No longer are real estate sales agents or REALTORS solely “door-openers.” In our current market, REALTORS act more in the capacity of a trusted real estate advisor, consultant and negotiator. Anyone can unlock doors, but not every agent has the knowledge and experience to employ the power of the REALTOR – only data available and guide consumers through a successful transaction. As REALTORS become less like salespeople and more like advisors, it’s important to choose your REALTOR wisely. Buying or selling a home is the largest financial transaction that most people will ever experience, so I hope you will find these “interview questions” helpful in making your selection. How long have you been in real estate? Is this your fulltime job? Like all professions, years of experience is still no perfect indication of skill or the best fit for you, but it may help you to get a feel for the professional you are considering. Newer agents can be extremely driven and very effective since they are fresh out of training and licensing, so do not immediately discount a newer agent. Newer agents may also have more time to dedicate to your needs (since they are less likely to be working with multiple clients at once). However, more established agents may be more capable of driving a competitive offer and negotiation due to their experience, and may also have established contacts with contractors or other related professionals, should you need them. Beware of part-timers. Like everything, those engaged in a profession on a part-time basis may not keep up with current legal and contract changes. There are many excellent part-time agents in our community, but make sure they are keeping up with our constantly changing industry and market.

NO MATTER WHO YOU SELECT, BE SURE TO DISCUSS YOUR COMMUNICATION NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS. How many transactions do you complete each year? If an agent “has been in real estate for 15 years,” but only completes one to two transactions per year, they are unlikely to offer you the same experience as an agent that completes transactions on a more regular basis. Keep in mind that commercial agents and many farmand ranch-focused agents will complete far fewer than general residential sales agents, and that is the norm for that specialty. What is your specialty? If you want to buy a golf course, would you think it wise to hire an agent who primarily completes residential home transactions? Probably not. Some agents also focus more on investment properties, multiplexes or geographical areas (i.e. Calallen, the Island, etc.). Spend some time discussing what your prospective agent knows best to make sure they meet your needs and expectations. Do you work alone or with a team? If your agent is out of town for a weekend, do they have someone who can help you continue your search or your transaction? Make sure your agent has a plan for a backup, as we are all unavailable at times. If you are considering a team-orientated agent, you may want to ask them how many different people they will be working with throughout their transaction. Some agents rely on associates to complete different parts of each transaction. If you are not comfortable with that type of arrangement and only want to work with one person, you may want to ask your prospective agent if they are willing to make an exception or consider

another representative. Do you represent buyers, sellers or a combination of both? Some agents focus on working with sellers only, and some prefer only buyer clients. Most have a healthy mix of both. What do you consider a reasonable amount of communication about our transaction? How will you keep me informed about the progress of my transaction? The biggest complaint that I hear from clients about other agents is related to this topic. There will be times that you, the client, will be stressed during the transaction. It’s a big deal to buy or sell a property, and I am more worried with people who don’t show some level of concern at some point. How will your agent respond to you and your needs? Do they expect to talk daily? Weekly? Bi-weekly? Do they call? Text? Email? What works best with you? No matter who you select, make sure that you discuss your communication needs and expectations. Are you willing to work nights and weekends? As REALTORS, we expect (or should expect) to work when you aren’t. If you can only see homes after work and on weekends, make sure that you hire an agent who has the same availability. However, please do keep in mind that agents are people and have family obligations also. Most of the time, clients and agents can mesh their schedules very easily with advanced planning. Do you have any current or former clients I could contact as a reference? Yes, you can ask for references! Most buyers and sellers find their agent as a referral to begin with, but if you do not, don’t be shy about asking an agent for a couple of his or her recent clients’ contact information. Please do allow the agent to contact the references first to give them notice and expect your call.

CORAL DWORACZYK CAREY, M.S., PH.D., REALTOR, is a professional REALTOR with South Coast Real Estate LLC. For more information, please feel free to contact her at coral@southcoasttexas.com or 979-229-2836.

ENERGY

MAKE LIFE SIMPLE Need to look for lower energy rates? Here’s how Stellar Energy Solutions can help. SPECIAL TO INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

 Arm yourself with information on 1) the fixed or variable rate offered, 2) the term or

length of contract and 3) other services and related charges.  Begin shopping before the end date of your contract.  Compare the unit rate or price per kWh on plans available.  Determine how the fixed price may vary according to amount of electricity consumed by reviewing the Electricity Facts Label (EFL).

WE SORT THROUGH THE RED TAPE AND PUT THE BEST UTILITY PRICES IN YOUR HANDS

 Establish whether or not the TDSP charges are included in the fixed price being offered. Dave McHam, a business development manager in the energy industry, explains that, “an electricity contract is unlike any other con-

For any and all of your pricing needs, please contact Stellar Energy Solutions at admin@stellarnrgsolutions.com.

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ummer officially begins June 21. However, that hasn’t stopped temperatures from already soaring in South Texas. Sadly, that is not the only thing rising. Take a good look at your most current electricity bill. High heat means high costs to stay cool for individuals at home, small and large businesses and certainly nonprofit organizations. A little shopping may be the solution. Consumers today are quite savvy about energy and know that shopping for lower energy rates is necessary to keep costs down. In today’s world of DIY (Do It Yourself), consider these basic elements as you shop:

tract that you will ever sign.” He uses the analogy of filling your car with gas. “You don’t wait to get gas when the light comes on in your car, reminding you to get gas because then, you have to pay whatever price the next available gas station is charging,” he says. “Rather, you see that the needle is at the halfway point, and you start looking at the stations with the best price. If a customer has less than two years on their contract, they are at the equivalent of half a tank and need to talk to Stellar Energy Solutions about topping off their tank. Stellar Energy Solutions will use fluctuations in the market to ensure they are getting the best possible rate.” McHam’s confidence in Stellar Energy Solutions is well-founded. Their tenacity and commitment to integrity, choice and service has earned Stellar Energy Solutions the Affinity Program for Electricity with both the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce and the Alice Chamber of Commerce. “The use of brokers is an effective strategy, and businesses should seek well-qualified brokers to represent them in the marketplace,” says Tim Clark, president of Stellar Energy Solutions. “While Texas does not regulate brokers, many firms, including ours, have strived to establish standards for the industry applying those core values of integrity, choice and service.” So, make life simple. Let Stellar Energy Solutions do your shopping (for electricity) for you!

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TASTE

SOMETHING SPECIAL Peanut butter cup Pop-Tarts By: MANDY ASHCRAFT Photo by: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT

INGREDIENTS Filling: 1 cup creamy peanut butter 3 tablespoons powdered sugar 2 tablespoons butter 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Dough: 3 1/2 cups flour 2 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks), very cold 1/2 cup ice water

Back-to-school means back-to-school snacks! There’s something special about recreating a classic in your own oven. This recipe for peanut butter cup Pop-Tarts makes approximately 12.

Toppings (all optional, as desired): Mini Reese’s peanut butter cups Chocolate sprinkles Chocolate chips, melted Chocolate frosting

INSTRUCTIONS 1/ Whip all ingredients for filling together until very smooth, and set aside.

2/ In the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl,

add flour, sugar and cocoa powder, and salt. Stir. Add butter 1/2 teaspoon at a time (cut the sticks into small cubes). Mixture will appear crumbly. Drizzle in ice water until a dough forms. Fold and press until the dough is smooth and workable. Remove the ball of dough, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3/ Place chilled dough on a lightly floured countertop.

Use a rolling pin to flatten until it’s as thin as a piecrust, approximately 1/8.”

4/ Using a pizza cutter, a knife or a cookie cutter, cut rectangles in the dough. Ensure that you have an even number, as half will be the bottoms and half will be the tops of your Pop-Tarts. Keep re-rolling the scraps and flattening to cut more rectangles until the dough is used up. You should have about a dozen depending on the size you cut.

butter filling into the center and smooth it out, leaving a border to seal the filling in. On the border, use a small brush or paper towel to wet the entire border around the filling with water. Immediately stick the rectangle tops on and press. Seal by pressing the edges with a fork.

5/ Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

ing rack.

6/ Place half of the rectangles on lined bak-

ing sheets two inches apart. Spoon peanut

7/ Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on a bak8/ Once Pop-Tarts have completely cooled, add desired toppings.

For more information, visit www.mandyashcraft.com.

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Saratoga Services Sand, Select Fill, & Dirt Products Mike Hurst or Phil Hurst LOCATED AT: 7001 County Rd. 37, Corpus Christi | (361) 851-8500 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 270664, Corpus Christi, TX 78415

5301 Everhart Rd., Ste. C, Corpus Christi 361-855-7777 www.printscharmingroyaltees.com facebook.com/printscharmingroyaltees I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

tal. I like to think of myself as Switzerland, and I’m in a helicopter looking at the big picture.

NONPROFIT

One CASA shares her experiences and why she’s on a mission to help the kids of the Coastal Bend.

Tricia Herte, in the middle in the Wonder Woman costume, with the Allstate agents who volunteered at the 13th Annual CASA Superhero 5K on May 5, 2018

By: SAMANTHA KOEPP-STEMPLINGER

veryone has a potential to help in some way, according to local Allstate agent Tricia Herte. Professionally, Herte is in the business of helping others by ensuring her clients are prepared for the unexpected in order to protect their family’s future. She has also lent a helping hand or two in the community while volunteering with what was then the Women’s Shelter, along with the Ronald McDonald House. However, it was her conversations with several of her clients about their involvement with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) that made her feel she could be helping more. Fast-forward a year-and-a-half later: “More” is in an understatement for what Herte has brought into the lives of the four children she has served and CASA overall. Here, Herte shares her experience with the program and why she has made it her mission to be all in. WHEN DID YOU FIRST BECOME INVOLVED WITH CASA? Tricia Herte: I stopped by and met Diana (CASA of the Coastal Bend communications director). There happened to be a training class starting in a couple of weeks, which was in December of 2016, so I signed up, and there were 10 of us in the class. DURING TRAINING, WHAT DID YOU LEARN THAT CHANGED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE ROLE OF A CASA? Herte: The scenarios you have to go through in training for practice can be a little challenging because you definitely have to park your personal feelings at the door as much as you can. You look at what the best interest of the child is and take your personal opinions out of that and not be judgmen-

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Tricia Herte and Ruby Hernandez at their swear-in ceremony, where they took the CASA Oath

Tricia Herte is in Captain America costume. Standing next to her is CASA board member, Phyllis Stephenson, and in front is Tricia’s CoCASA, Ruby Hernandez.

“

I DON’T WANT TO JUST SHOW UP. I WANT TO BE PRESENT AND GIVE EVERYTHING I CAN.”

WAS REUNIFICATION WITH THE PARENTS A POSSIBILITY? Herte: Their parents were court ordered to complete drug court and participate in counseling services, but they were not doing what they needed to do. The day of court, when we were to go to trial for termination of parental rights, they actually relinquished their parental rights prior to the hearing. It was a hard conversation to have with the boys. We met with them, their grandmother and their attorney about not seeing mom and dad. There were lots of tears. Since then, they have been adopted by their grandmother. WHAT DO YOU FEEL WAS YOUR BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION TO THAT CASE? Herte: When the parental rights were terminated, CPS had permanent managing conservatorship of the boys until the grandmother was able to go through the right process to get a financial stipend that would be allowed with a kinship adoption. That is important because it is a huge responsibility. With these boys being so little, it is going to be a long-term financial responsibility. Their grandmother had previously gained custody of their sister and had not known how to access available funding. We went through extra steps to make sure she had those extra funds for the boys. We still are in contact as friends of the family, and hope to always be a part of their lives. BEFORE THE CLOSING OF YOUR FIRST CASE, YOU WERE APPOINTED TO ANOTHER CASE THAT YOU ARE STILL APPOINTED TO. HOW HAS THIS CASE BEEN DIFFERENT FROM YOUR FIRST CASE? Herte: Every case is going to be different. When the case closed with the boys, I had 168 contact logs (interactions with people on the case) during 16 months. On my current case, during the past six months, I have almost 80 contact logs. With the new case, both mom and child got lost in the system, which is why it is so important that there is a CASA on these cases. As a CASA, you have the power to make sure things happen.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CASA

ALL IN

WHAT WERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FIRST CASE TO WHICH YOU WERE APPOINTED? Herte: I chose to work with another CASA I met in training, who selected a case of a group of brothers. They had been removed from their parents due to substance abuse, and were already placed with their grandmother when we came on to the case.

WHEN YOU MENTION, “BOTH MOM AND CHILD GOT LOST IN THE SYSTEM,” WHAT ARE YOU REFERRING TO? Herte: She did everything the court and CPS asked of her months prior to me being appointed, but the case wasn’t moving forward. There was something wrong, and no one was getting to the heart of the matter. Mom had asked for help in the past, but wasn’t getting the support she needed. She was allowed unsupervised visits on the weekends, but then had a two-hour supervised visit during the week, so there was no consistency for the both of them with the child going back-and-forth between the foster home and mom. So we pushed and pushed and pushed, and made sure that there was therapy for mom and child. Mom needed some help with parenting skills and learning how to redirect her child when she had meltdowns.

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WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE CASE? Herte: The child is back with her mother while CPS and CASA are still monitoring. There has been significant improvement with their relationship since CASA and the therapist have been involved on a regular basis. We have provided tools to help mom set expectations and limits. It has helped. They have both made tremendous progress. WHAT EXPERIENCES/TRAITS OF YOURS DO YOU FEEL HAVE HELPED YOU ADVOCATE FOR THE CHILDREN YOU HAVE SERVED? Herte: I personally haven’t had that type of trauma, but I feel like I can empathize well and relate very well with whomever I talk to whether they are 4 or 100. As a person that doesn’t have children, I have pulled some sort of weird reservoir of patience out of the blue that has come to me, and it seems to have worked out. Children are resilient, but they are all affected differently. Just remember: Every child is different. It is very important to stand by your word. If I said I was going to do something, I made sure it happened.

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YOUR ADVOCACY WORK WITH THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES YOU HAVE SERVED IS ADMIRABLE ON ITS OWN, BUT YOU ALSO VOLUNTEER AT CASA FUNCTIONS AND FUNDRAISE THROUGH ALLSTATE. WHY ARE YOU SO PASSIONATE ABOUT CASA? Herte: My personality is all in. I do not want to just show up; I want to be present and give everything I can. I have a cheerleader mentality. I am super high-energy. In regards to fundraising, Allstate has a foundation where, for every agent that volunteers at a nonprofit organization, the foundation will give $1,000 per agent. For the recent CASA Superhero 5K, I got as many agents as I could to be involved, and it should be at least $15,000 that CASA will receive. I am also recruiting them (Allstate agents) to be advocates, and have at least three interested. We need to help our kids. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE INTERESTED IN BECOMING INVOLVED WITH CASA? Herte: If you are interested in becoming an advocate, go to an info session held every Wednesday at noon. There are a lot of hats to wear, but it is so rewarding if you do decide to take the plunge.

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www.northshoretx.com I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

NONPROFIT

LET THE SUN SHINE IN

HELP celebrates 10 years of helping Coastal Bend kids find the job of their dreams. SPECIAL TO INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

THE GOAL OF HELP IS TO EXPECT THE BEST OF ITSELF AND OTHERS.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HELP

et the Sun Shine In is the main theme of HELP’s annual fundraiser this year: HELP Hits the High Notes 6, also known as HELP does Hair! We intend to hearken back 50 years to the opening of “Hair: The Musical” in 1968. Unfortunately, the musical was cloaked in the permissive counterculture of the ‘60s with its long locks, pot, LSD and the rest, and was not accepted for its real meaning. But it had a great notion behind it – one based on peace, love, harmony and understanding. It was just too beautiful to live at the time. In the song, “Starry, Starry Night,” based on the immortal work by van Gogh, love was just too beautiful to exist in the world he lived in. “They were not listening. They’re not listening still. Perhaps they never will.” Perhaps here and now, we can demand that we let the sun shine in – 50 years later! HELP, or Hammons Education Leadership Programs Inc., is proud to announce its 10th anniversary of helping kids find the job of their dreams here in the Coastal Bend. Our mission is to show young people the real world of work in as many careers as possible, so they may choose the job of their dreams. We have taken close to 3,500 at-risk, disabled and career-challenged Texans on more than 250 visits to over 100 area businesses. Many of these students have found positions because of these trips. Many students are currently employed who may not have been working without HELP’s efforts – which were funded by the community, not the government. We could not have done it without your HELP. “Thank you” will never be enough.

MISSION HELP’s mission is simple: taking at-risk kids to potential career sites, “carving” job opportunities for the disabled and trying to develop employer-employee relations whenever and wherever we can. It’s all about the jobs! We provide educational services to at-risk children through programs aimed at dropout prevention, enhancing vocational skills, counseling, mentoring and intervention services. HELP uses this funding to continue developing linkages with employers and professional organizations for the purpose of assisting in the professional growth of youth, as well as by developing the necessary soft skills to ensure career success (interviewing, résumés, etc.). GOAL The goal of HELP is to expect the best of itself and others, and to do all it can to support the attainment of these goals. We believe in:    

Corporate social responsibility Unequivocal excellence in all aspects Honesty and integrity Doing well by doing good

HISTORY Founded in 2008, we have experienced exponential growth due to tapping eternal question of “What now?” after high school. If you can’t answer, “What's the point of being in high school,” then what is the point? The point is to prepare for jobs and careers – nothing more or less. We have taken over 4,000 students and others on well over 250 trips to more than 100 local businesses to show them “What’s next? Is this the job of your dreams?” PROGRAMS Besides these ongoing elements, we pursue other aspects of working with at-risk students. Each month, HELP accepts students from a number of referring agencies such as the Juvenile Justice Center, the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitation Services (DARS) agency of the State of Texas, as well as those referred to us by local educational outlets and even some who are self-reportedly looking for the job of their dreams. FUTURE It is our intention to continue to help young (and not so young) folks improve their employment options, regardless of the need. Whether it is assisting individuals with disabilities or so-called second-chancers who need extra HELP finding meaningful work, or helping challenged children learn how to become meaningful parts of the workforce and functioning participants in the economy, HELP will continue to be there to offer its assistance. At HELP, we formally celebrated our 10-year anniversary on May 23 at the Art Center. We took students on trips to various places every other day that week. Not a bad way to celebrate!

For more information, contact RIDGE HAMMONS, Ph.D., executive director for HELP, at 361-815-6122 or ridge.hammons@hotmail.com. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

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