Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine Business July/Aug 2019

COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE

EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION

BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY

THE CATTERY

THE

REAL MVP

KEN SCHROM JULY/AUG 2019

FAMILY LEGACY

LOVE OF LEARNING

GALVAN BUILDERS CONSTRUCTION

AMAZING CHILD MUSIC AND ENRICHMENT STUDIO

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when you land, you’re home WHY ...

COMMUTE? WAIT IN LINE? GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC?

SOUTHWEST | UNITED | AMERICAN | WWW.FLYCCIA.COM 2

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COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITY Delivering on our word, year after year.

The Port of Corpus Christi works every day to ensure economic prosperity, job growth and environmental sustainability in our waters—while maintaining deep ties to the people and organizations in our community.

Thank you for letting us deliver on these promises, so that together, we can keep the Coastal Bend thriving.

connect with us: portofcc.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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THE TEAM STELLAR seeks success both personally and professionally. When it comes to electricity, we will find the most cost-effective solutions that are custom tailored to our customers’ needs. This will allow our clients to free up time, money and give them the ability to work on their own definitions of success.

-TIM CLARK, PRESIDENT

Quality Service + Competitive Pricing Why Choose us: Our customers come first. The Stellar Energy Solutions team is made up of people who understand the industry and care deeply about helping you in every way. We are here to save you time.

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 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 our clients to reduce their environmental impact.

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

 Fully Integrated Partnership: Stellar Energy Solutions partners with the best electrical providers in the business. There is a mutual trust in our white glove approach to serving your business and residential needs.

361.884.8973 | www.stellarnrgsolutions.com

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CONTENTS JULY.AUGUST 2019

18 COVER STORY KEN SCHROM Set to retire at the end of the year, the president of the Corpus Christi Hooks has been invaluable to the team with his expertise, experience and love of the game.

24 PROFILE GALVAN BUILDERS CONSTRUCTION Focusing on high-quality work and customer satisfaction, the Galvan family continues to build an outstanding family legacy, one house at a time.

30 PROFILE AMAZING CHILD MUSIC AND ENRICHMENT STUDIO Through Kindermusik and enrichment classes, along with a joyful atmosphere, Waynette Jarrell and her team help instill in children a lifelong love of learning.

BUSINESS COACH 10 Who’s Guilty?

FEATURE 12 Surviving Back-to-School 14 Rule the School 16 Making the Magic Happen ENERGY 36 Stellar Service TASTE 38 Cool Down

COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: TWINS MEDIA

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EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION 40 The Cattery’s Catalyst NONPROFIT 44 Building Tomorow, Today 46 A Year of Giving 48 See Something, Say Something, Do something

OBSERVING.

Save more than memories

CONSERVING. A visit to the Texas State Aquarium is a chance to connect with nature…and protect nature. Explore coral reefs, sunken shipwrecks, and jungles, meet dolphins, otters, and sea turtles, see the stunning behaviors of dolphins and birds during daily presentations, and even touch a live stingray and shark. And your experience here isn’t just a vacation, it’s a contribution to conservation. That’s because your visit helps support environmental education programs, scientific research, beach cleanups, and the rescue of sick and injured birds and sea turtles.

At the Texas State Aquarium, you’ll save more than memories. #SaveMoreThanMemories 2710 Nort h Sh oreli n e B l v d, Cor pu s C h r i s t i , Tex a s / 1 . 8 0 0 . 4 7 7 . GU L F / t ex r iLum org I Na SsPsI tRat E ea C Oq Aua S TA B E. N DMAG.COM 5

MEET THE STAFF COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE

BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY

JULY. AUGUST 2019 PUBLISHER & SALES

ADRIAN GARZA PUBLISHER & SALES adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 361.548.1044

Adrian Garza

PUBLISHER & OPERATIONS Holly Lewis

EDITOR Erin O’Brien

ART DIRECTOR Elisa Giordano

SOCIAL MEDIA Morgan Bartel

HOLLY LEWIS PUBLISHER & OPERATIONS holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 479.935.0868

ERIN O'BRIEN EDITOR erin.editorial@gmail.com

ELISA GIORDANO ART DIRECTOR elisa@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 210.716.5320

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mandy Ashcraft Marshall Fey Emily Gaines Jacqueline Gonzalez Dr. Ridge Hammons Samantha Koepp-Stemplinger Connie Laughlin Kathleen Naderer Rachel Rodriguez Laura Sandoval Bridget Trevino Sarona Winfrey

PHOTOGRAPHY Dustin Ashcraft TWINS Media

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

MEDIA GROUP

Copyright 2019 © Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the expressed written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

SUMMERTIME – A TIME TO RELAX AND PLAY! It seems like it should be, but are you one of those people who, like me, finds “relaxing” a bit stressful? It’s strange to use “relaxing” and “stress” in the same sentence. After all, the words contradict one another. Perhaps this is true, according to Webster. Unfortunately, according to Lewis, “relaxation” defines an anxious state where the things I need to accomplish and complete are sitting stagnant on the shelf, virtually screaming at me, “You’re not done yet!”

Words like “guilt-ridden,” “lazy” and “unproductive” come to mind, mixed together with the fear of letting down those who count on me. This is what I experience at just the thought of relaxing. It is nuts – completely nuts! How did I become this ridiculous workaholic who is so self-absorbed that I can’t even fathom the idea of anything functioning properly without me? Is this really what I have come to be?

I recently started listening to motivational videos on YouTube in lieu of music while I get my days started. In one of the videos, Denzel Washington was giving the commencement address at a college graduation. His words that struck me most were, “Movement does not equal progress.” This made me question myself, and those words have been resonating in my head ever since.

I am on the “go,” I am out and about all the time, I am doing, doing, doing – but am I going anywhere? Through all of this movement, is there truly progress? My answer, I am ashamed to say, is “no.” (Now that’s a hard pill to swallow.) I guess it is time to regroup in a big way.

To begin my journey to break the pattern, I turned to Google. Through this research, I discovered that I had forgotten the old adage of working smarter, not harder. I also stumbled upon some items to consider that were particularly beneficial to small business owners: Am I considering my own needs when I take time off, and more so, do I ever permit myself to just switch it off? Well, no and no.

I don’t recharge. I don’t progress. I know this can be catastrophic not only to me personally, but to my business. So here I go: I am pulling the emergency brake!

Let’s start again, from the beginning. Summertime – a time to relax and play! Let’s all work smart, play hard and put the stress and guilt up on the shelf!

Holly Lewis, Publisher holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com

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BUSINESS COACH

What’s at risk?

One unprecedented suit, claim or judgment can put your assets in harm’s way. Surprisingly, the little things you may not have even thought about can be financial landmines.

Landmines include employees and managers who are not trained appropriately; use of unsuitable language/inappropriate words in want ads or old employee handbooks; a lack of safety training; faulty equipment; negligent I-9 documentation; and messy terminations.

If your Is aren’t dotted and your Ts aren’t crossed, get everything in order immediately. When appropriate HR practices are not in place, you’ll find employee morale is down, along with your production.

The shotgun approach to running a business By: CONNIE LAUGHLIN

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see many leaders caught up in the act of balancing meetings with their CPAs, attorneys, insurance agents, bankers and vendors – meanwhile, goals to increase profitability aren’t given 100-percent attention because they’re too involved in administrative duties and handling management tasks without the appropriate support. Thus, ineffective leadership and chaos are created within their organization, and time is taken away from revenue-generating activities.

There’s never enough time to address all the items on your to-do list, let alone resolve the issues. As a business owner, how do you know each important aspect, initiative and department in your company is being run efficiently and appropriately? Are you operating in compliance with employment laws?

What is shotgun management?

Shotgun management is a poor business practice. There’s no focus when you’re trying to cover the entire business, rather than rifling in on specific targets with strategic initiatives. Often, business owners feel they have no options due to lack of operating capital, education, time and/or support.

If you and your employees aren’t highly trained, certified and attending ongoing coursework in employment law, human resources (HR), risk management and safety protocol, how do you know you’re on top of it?

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Outsourcing – is that an option?

Outsourcing your HR support, safety support program and employment risk management through a packaged service option at a professional employer organization (PEO) can be valid option. It’s much tidier than hiring multiple professionals whose salaries could add up to a lot more than you’d pay for the HR package through a reputable PEO. Additionally, the PEO has shared liability, so they’ve got your back, whereas unfortunately, some employees don’t. You’ll find you now have more control over your liability, employee costs and experience ratings. The PEO’s HR “bundle” includes payroll administration, workers’ compensation insurance, safety program, HR and optional benefits.

If you elect to look into a PEO relationship, first check them out at the National Association of PEOs website: www.NAPEO. com. Due diligence says look for those who maintain the highest level of certifications and audited financials. *Resources: www.payscale.com; www.napeo.com

CONNIE LAUGHLIN is a business consultant in the professional employer organization (PEO) industry. For more information on outsourcing human resources, payroll, workers’ compensation insurance, safety training and, optionally, benefits, contact Laughlin at 361-876-5588 or conniejlaughlin@gmail.com.

LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

WHO’S GUILTY?

What about hiring pros?

Can you afford them? The certified professional in human resources (PHR) salary range is around $50,688 to $92,620. If you’re contemplating hiring a PHR, keep in mind that you must be able to fully trust this individual to implement best practices.

Make sure no one impedes their implementation strategies.

What would you do if a workers’ compensation insurer were going to continue to pay a claim you believed to be fraudulent?

Is your safety manual and training up-to-date? The median salary is $55,088 to $141,475 for a risk manager, and $41,568 to $100,821 for a safety manager.

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FEATURE

SURVIVING BACK-TO-SCHOOL How to protect your money and your identity from scammers

By: EMILY GAINES

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uly marks the official beginning of back-to-school season. If you or your child is headed back to school or off to college, it may be an overwhelming time. School supplies need to be purchased, budgets need to be organized and safety needs to be protected.

It may be hard to believe, but children and young adults are often targets of identity theft, due to the fact that they have no credit history or questionable past banking transactions. A child’s identity can be stolen through their Social Security Number (SSN) or their Social Insurance Number (SIN), and you may not know for years.

Back-to-school season presents a variety of opportunities for scammers. Whether it’s through online purchase scams or identity theft, scammers are waiting to strike. Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving the heart of Texas is here for you with tips on protecting your money and identity during this hectic time.

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Make a list. While this may sound simple, having a list of everything you need to buy for the school year can help you avoid getting off track or getting tricked into buying something you don’t need. Find out if your school provides a list of needed school supplies. If no list is provided, take time to sit down and make your own.

Shop at home. It is always possible you have leftover supplies from the previous year and can save yourself money by crossing items off your list before you even leave the house.

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Research bigger items. This is especially important for students leaving for college and moving into dorms. Items like laptops, mini fridges and microwaves will come with different types of warranties and/or optional insurance. Research different brands and customer reviews to be sure you’re choosing the right items for your specific needs.

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Look for sales. Shop around. Compare prices between different retailers, and look for coupons. Large items can be costly, and small items can add up quickly. If there are no sales or coupons advertised, you can ask if the retailer offers student discounts.

They may ask to see a student ID or for a valid .edu email address.

Finding the best deals possible can save you a good amount of money once all the shopping is done.

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Shop in bulk. Sometimes teachers ask parents to buy items like tissues or crayons for an entire class. Buying in bulk can cut down on cost in situations like these. Bulk items can also save

money for college students who need cleaning supplies for their dorm rooms.

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Know return policies, and save receipts. Before you purchase something, especially a large item, know the retailer’s return-and-exchange policy in case the item doesn’t work out. And be sure to save receipts to prove that you purchased the item.

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Shop safely online. Online shopping can provide convenience and sometimes deals that retailers don’t offer in-store. However, online-purchase scams were the second riskiest scams of 2018, and nearly 300 were reported to BBB across Texas within the first six months of 2019, with one victim claiming a loss of $7,000.

When shopping online, always look for the lock icon next to the URL, and the “s” in “https.” Both of these things mean you’re shopping on a secure site. It is also a good idea to always pay with a credit card when shopping online, to be sure you can have your money refunded if something goes wrong.

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Protect yourself or your child from identity theft. Scammers may use large purchases or other excuses as a reason to ask for you or your child for a SSN or SIN. If someone asks for this information, ask plenty of questions. Never give personal information to someone unless you are completely certain of what it is going to be used for, and how it is going to be stored and protected.

Asking for this information may throw off a scammer, who likely will not be able to give you solid answers.

For more information, visit www.bbb.org/backtoschool. From everyone at Better Business Bureau serving the heart of Texas, good luck in the upcoming school year!

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SHOPPING KING LOUIE/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

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1801 E. Main Street Alice, Texas 361-396-0835 Like us on Facebook

COME ON IN AND MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME Unique gifts, stylish clothing for men and women, accessories, full line of firearms.

Texas License to Carry class on the 2nd & 4th Saturday of every month.

Melissa Popham Owner

Andy Joslin Owner

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FEATURE

RULE THE SCHOOL

This tax-free holiday, La Palmera is your one-stop shop for back-to-school.

By: SARONA WINFREY

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hile it seems as though summer just got underway, the start of school is just around the corner and La Palmera is already gearing up for back-to-school shoppers.

For the past two years, surveys conducted by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) consistently show that nearly 90 percent of back-to-school shoppers do some or all of their buying at brick-and-mortar stores, including malls, with that number jumping to 95 percent when including shoppers who purchase online from retailers that also have stores.

The top reason for shopping in person remains the ability to touch, feel and try on the merchandise before buying, with the No. 2 reason being the ability to find better deals and promotions. For Texas shoppers, that includes the state’s tax-free weekend. This year’s event, Aug. 9 to 11, allows shoppers to purchase certain categories of back-to-school items tax-free, including clothing, shoes and some accessories.

“Back-to-school time is busy in general, but we definitely see a bump in traffic on the Texas sales tax holiday weekend,” said Fred Walters, La Palmera vice president and general manager. “Coming to a center like La Palmera makes it more convenient when you’re buying so many different types of items potentially for more than one person, and the tax savings can certainly add up to benefit our shoppers.”

Select La Palmera retailers will have extended hours during the taxfree 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: 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 China Bistro and Grimaldi’s Pizzeria for only $5.

And while many prefer malls for the convenience of in-store, one-stop shopping, a majority also say the opportunity to engage in other activities while shopping attracts them to places like La Palmera. In fact, according to an ICSC survey released in April 2019, 61 percent cite entertainment opportunities as a reason to hit brick-and-mortar locations, and 53 percent say dining is a primary driver for them shopping at brickand-mortar destinations.

“La Palmera sees a surge of shoppers leading up to the new school year, and that generally means our dining locations are busier, as well,” Walters said. “Many like the convenience of getting a good meal quickly in our La Palmera Cafés food court, while others plan to make a sit-down noon or evening meal part of their shopping day.

“We have such a great variety of dining options with LongHorn Steakhouse, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Chili’s Grill & Bar, and now we also are able to offer an entertainment element with the addition of Dave & Buster’s, which remains very popular here at La Palmera.”

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. 2, Coastal Compass will host Destination Education from 1 to 5 p.m. throughout the mall. This one-day education fair 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 nonprofit education organization working to improve education in the area.

COMING TO A CENTER LIKE LA PALMERA MAKES IT MORE CONVENIENT WHEN YOU’RE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING.”

For more information on Coastal Compass, go to www.coastalcompass.org or call 361-906-0703.

For more information on La Palmera, go to www.lapalmera.com or call 361-991-3755.

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Every business is different. We get that.

That’s why we provide unique investment levels, designed to help you right where you are.

Don’t just take our word for it.

Research Shows...

Consumers are 63% more likely to buy from a business that is a Chamber member.

Companies enjoy a 49% increase in consumer favorability rating for being a member of the Chamber.

Membership is valuable & affordable, with investment starting at less than $42 per month

Consumers are 73% more likely to be highly aware of a business if it is a member of the Chamber, and 68% more likely to think positively of its local reputation.

7/10 consumers believe that being actively involved in the Chamber is an effective strategy for enhancing a business’ reputation and for demonstrating that it uses good business practices.

Source: Shapiro Group, Atlanta, GA

The United Corpus Christi Chamber is your...

PARTNER IN PROMOTION

Increase your visibility, get the word out, gain access to cost-effective and often free advertising for your business.

CONNECTION BUILDER

United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce 602 N. Staples Street, St. 150 Corpus Christi, TX 78401

Looking for leads, networking and business showcase opportunities? You’ve come to the right place.

(361) 881-1800

BUSINESS ADVOCATE

For more information on Chamber membership contact Efrain Franco,

We are your voice on issues that affect business and we maintain direct contact with leaders in all levels of government. When you need change, we make change happen.

efrain@unitedcorpuschristichamber.com

WWW.UNITEDCORPUSCHRISTICHAMBER.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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FEATURE

MAKING THE MAGIC HAPPEN

The Bay Jewel Event Center offers solutions for some of the biggest event-planning challenges.

By: LAURA SANDOVAL and BRIDGET TREVINO

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1. Budget The dreaded “B” word! This is one of the most stressful parts of event planning. Plan and be realistic with your budget from the beginning, and the stress will melt away. Know what you want to spend overall on invitations, decor, F&B, after parties or your honeymoon. Little things add up! If you do not know where to begin, do some research.

According to the Brides 2018 Wedding Survey, the average cost of a wedding in the United States jumped to $44,000 last year. Good thing we are in Corpus Christi and do not have to compete with big-city prices or venues that book up two years in advance.

For corporate event planners, budget is their biggest concern (82 percent), followed by new ideas (62 percent) and return on investment (eventmb.com). If you have family who are involved in wedding planning and willing to contribute, ask what is important to them and who is going to pay for what. If you are planning a company party or conference, budgets will be given per person or overall. Let us know, and we can customize a package or send you to a vendor that fits your style and budget.

There can be additional fees that may include sales tax, service fees, gratuities or travel fees.

Every event is different, and each budget should

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be, as well. Asking “How much does it cost?” requires a lot of information, from the day of the week, length of event, how many people and what services you want offered. The Bay Jewel can help guide you and provide resolutions with cost-saving options.

advance. The less time you give your venue, caterer or other partners, the less likely that you will be able to have your event exactly as you planned at a fair price. The longer you wait, you may be able to get a discount, but certain items and services may already be booked.

2. Time (no one likes to be rushed!)

Don’t get us wrong! We can make an event happen in 24 hours, if needed (we have before). There never seems to be enough time in the day to workout and spend time with your family, let alone plan a full-service event for 150 people to enjoy. Feeding, drinking and decorating 20 tables of guests, plus the logistics of coordinating many vendors, takes time, patience and diligence.

We recommend planning between six and nine months in advance for social events and date selection, but do book up to two years in

3. Décor ideas Decorations can make an event look overthe-top or be so minimal that you do not even notice the efforts. Décor can easily add up, especially when creating Pinterest boards and all the wonderful inspiration you find online these days. The Bay Jewel can offer selections in-house or put in you in touch with the right professional who suits your style and budget.

We allow you to hang décor from our ceiling, shoot off confetti cannons (requires additional cleanup, but who doesn’t love confetti?), bring in pets or offer any other ideas that

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BAY JEWEL

lanning an event can be stressful and time-consuming, but the experienced team at The Bay Jewel Event Center will change that. We strategize behind the scenes to make perfection look easy, but the truth is that it takes hours of planning, creative problem solving and skill to make that happen every day, every event.

At The Bay Jewel, we are committed to giving our guests expert service to make their experience with us elegant, timeless and affordable.

We’ve gathered some challenges our clients have faced when planning for their special occasion and offered the following solutions.

make your event exceptional. We even had people sprinkle fake snow off the roof last year at one of our events!

Every event deserves a little customization to show a couples’ personality or company logo. It is so easy these days to print stickers, T-shirts or even glassware at the bar. These can also be favors or takeaways for your attendees. At The Bay Jewel, we love giving modern twists to traditional ideas with our customized lights, personalized hand-rolled cigars by Highlander Tobacco Company or the ability to create a tailored gobo on your dancefloor.

It is even more fun to find a way to incorporate a favorite thing or food item in a unique and unexpected way. A little personalization goes a long way while branding your event for all to remember.

Home > Auto > Windstorm

4. Communicating changes The key to any relationship is communication. When planning an event, you create relationships with your vendors and guests you have known forever or just met that day. When your guest count changes, so do your catering, floorplan, bar packages, decor and more. Updating each vendor takes time and organization.

Most of the packages at The Bay Jewel offer an event coordinator who will go above and beyond to make sure all details are triple-checked, leaving you to your day job, family or that glass of wine you have been thinking about all week. The Bay Jewel has tools and resources to organize your vendors and seating charts.

We are happy to let you take the reins, or you can leave it up to us so you can be a guest at your own event.

The Bay Jewel Event Center is Corpus Christi’s newest event venue, open now just over one year. Our team is dedicated to making your event flawless. We have much experience to plan, produce, execute and offer solutions. We will also assist your team of professionals while providing a beautiful, centrally located venue that is walk-able to most hotels and attractions downtown.

Located in on 624 N. Mesquite St. with 13,000 square feet of event space, our venue is elegant and timeless. The Diamond Ballroom’s stunning design, original brick pillars, grand chandeliers and a built-in bar area provides seating for up to 250 people and many options for larger parties.

Our grand staircase leads up to the Pearl Mezzanine with window seating that’s perfect for cocktail hour, mixers or a ceremony. Two additional event rooms – the Ruby Room downstairs and the Emerald Room upstairs – are ideal for smaller events and budgets.

Two private guest suites upstairs offer ample space to get ready for you and your “I Do Crew” or a green room to get ready for your big gig. With an elevator, catering kitchen and restrooms on both levels, it is just what you need to host your next event.

More new things are in the works!

Come see for yourself and visit us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Wedding Wire and now cityof.com. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are always welcome!

Flood > Landlord > Commercial

We LOVE working with personal clients, investors, and Real Estate Professionals!

CLIENTS: We treat you like our own family by shopping to find you the best policy at the best price and standing by you when you need us most!

INVESTORS: We want to make it easy to get insurance on your investment property... really easy!

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS: We want to partner with you and help grow your business!

www.revgroupusa.com

(800) 730-6247 Facebook @therevgroup

The Bay Jewel Event Center is located at 624 N. Mesquite St. in Corpus Christi, Texas. For more information, visit us online at www. thebayjewel.com, email thebayjeweleventcenter@gmail.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram at @bayjewel.

A Veteran owned and operated independent insurance agency revolutionizing the way your insurance business is done

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COVER STORY

For Love

of the game

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Ken Schrom’s deep-rooted commitment has propelled the Corpus Christi Hooks to several successful seasons.

By: Jacqueline Gonzalez Photos by: TWINS Media

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After 16 incredible years

"

THE WAY THE CITY HAS EMBRACED US HAS BEEN SPECIAL, AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET."

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as the president of the Corpus Christi Hooks, Ken Schrom is set to retire at the end of this year. During his tenure with the Hooks, Schrom has seen many wonderful nights at the ballpark and made several lasting friendships and memories.

Schrom, a native of Idaho, played professionally for 13 years, eight of which were in the Major Leagues as a pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians. His hard work and dedication to the game earned him the title of Pitcher of the Year for the Minnesota Twins in 1983, and, in 1986, Schrom earned a spot with the American League All-Star Team after winning Cleveland’s opening-day game, as the starter, with a 10-2 lead in the first half against Baltimore.

After retiring from the Major Leagues, he began working with an influential and innovative minor league franchise, the El Paso Diablos. When the Round Rock Express came on board, the teams played each other for two years and became friendly rivals.

Here, he met Reid and Reese Ryan, children of hall-of-famer, Nolan Ryan.

The Ryan family decided to bring a team to Corpus Christi and invited Schrom to be a part of the process.

Schrom joined the Hooks in 2003, after serving as vice president and director of marketing and sales for the El Paso Diablos. His natural leadership and motivational aura has brought success in droves for the Corpus Christi Hooks franchise.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STATS: WIN-LOSS RECORD: 51-51 EARNED RUN AVERAGE: 4.81

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SCHROM'S EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE HAVE PROVEN INVALUABLE FOR THE HOOKS. 22

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“We’re in our 15th season, and the fact that the league has voted us the Franchise of the Year on two different occasions is a real feather in our cap,” Schrom says.

“We’ve shown the rest of the league the things we’ve done here.”

The franchise has been named the Double-A and Texas League Franchise of the Year, and Schrom was named Texas League Executive of the Year in 2005 and inducted into the Texas League Hall of Fame in 2016.

A true leader understands that behind every successful story comes a bit of struggle, including those that are out of their control. However, Schrom views these struggles as a platform from which to propel forward. The Minor League franchise is a training ground for preparing the players for the next level of their careers: the big leagues. The goal is for the players to do well; however, it becomes a challenge because a player’s significant

improvement signals a change in teams.

Schrom recalls having players like Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer and Alex Bregman, stating that, “It’s great to have them, but we don’t get to keep them long. They do so well, and when the Astros call for them – it’s the nature of the game.” This is especially tough on the fans who have watched these players grow in their career and are loyal to the team.

Weather plays a significant role in outdoor sports and can also present a big challenge. Schrom names rain-outs as his biggest weather-related challenge.

“People think you can just play a double-header when there is a rain-out,” Schrom says. “However, when you do that, there is no way to add extra dates to the roster to make up the lost revenue if you lose a game.”

Regardless of the challenges, his high standards and understanding of what peo-

ple value keep Schrom moving forward with improvements for the ballpark. He understands his responsibility to give back to the community and continues to strive for greatness.

Over the last few years, Schrom has worked tirelessly to take the ballpark to the next level. The ballpark has undergone dramatic changes, including a fan-friendly concourse bar designed to take care of fans post-game.

The bar stays open for a while after the game so fans can stick around and enjoy the beautiful late-night scenery of the Harbor Bridge lights, serving as a backdrop for the city, as they enjoy each other’s company in the cool, evening breeze.

The creation of the new Harbor Bridge will be another change that will impact the stadium, but the access to the gorgeous view will remain the same and build on the high standing success of the ballpark.

The addition of the Cotton Club provided a wonderful upgrade for the season ticket holders’ suite level, doubling the size. Although it was quite the financial undertaking, the turnout has been successful, and the fans are reveling in the upgrades. Schrom understands that things evolve with these changing times and “keeping up with the Joneses” is a must.

Other changes, including an upgrade of the scoreboard and addition of a new retail store on the main concourse, are just a few of the extras he has up his sleeve.

Schrom’s expertise, along with his impressive experience, has proven to be an invaluable asset for the Hooks, and the innumerable fan base is proof. As he looks back, Schrom recalls how much the community has embraced the Hooks since their inception.

“The way the city has embraced us has been special, and it is something that I will never forget.” The people he has met during his journey with the Hooks, along with the lifelong friendships, have been great, and “just something you cannot measure.”

After retirement, Schrom and his wife are relocating to the Dallas/Fort Worth area to be closer to their four grandchildren, all under the age of 3. Between indulging in family time, rest and improving his hand at golf, Schrom is looking forward to well-deserved permanent vacation time.

For more information, visit www.milb.com/ corpus-christi, the official site for the Corpus Christi Hooks.

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PROFILE

Galvan Builders Construction values high-quality work and detail to ensure customer satisfaction.

By: Jacqueline Gonzalez / Photos by: TWINS Media 24

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BUILDING A BUSINESS ONE HOUSE AT A TIME

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G

alvan Builders Construction consists of the highest-quality workmanship in South Texas.

Together, David Galvan Jr., his father, David Galvan Sr., and his brother, Jacob Roosevelt Galvan, have generations of expertise and strive to provide long-lasting, high-quality work, while offering superb customer service to each client. The three gentlemen understand the importance of working together in support of the family name and legacy, and they have a sizeable clientele to prove it.

“

WE STRIVE TO ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING AT ALL COST FOR OUR CUSTOMERS, EVEN WHEN IT ISN’T EASY.”

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David Sr.’s father, Alberto Galvan, known to many in the Coastal Bend as “el Rey de Carpinteros” and “el Maestro,” moved from Laredo to Corpus Christi in the 1950s and initially started out doing foundation/concrete work. Soon after, he found his passion in framing. Alberto began building homes, leading to the inception of his very own construction company.

Upon this newfound passion in framing, he began teaching the intricacies of the trade to his four sons at very young ages. His sons still work in the industry doing framing and carpentry today here in the Coastal Bend, following in their dad’s footsteps.

At the age of 18 years old, David Sr. branched out with his own construction company and followed in the framing and remodeling business.

Business started out great, although in the 1980s, business began to slow down. So he made the decision to move to California, where construction business was booming.

California is where David Sr. really learned more on the trade because California was much stricter on the way of building due to the earthquakes to which California was susceptible. While in California, he worked on many 12,000-plus-square-foot framing jobs in cities all over California and the Catalina Islands.

Everything he learned from his father, he passed on to his two sons, David Jr. and Jacob, and they quickly learned the trade, as well. David Sr. moved back to Corpus Christi, Texas, after a short while in California, to be back home back with family. Looking back, David Sr. credits his newfound knowledge from the different jobs worked in California to the growth of his company upon returning to Corpus Christi.

“It’s different from Corpus Christi,” says David Sr. of construction in California. “I learned to use larger, heavier beams to protect homes from

earthquakes, whereas in Corpus Christi, structures are built to prepare for hurricanes.” Working with these different materials gave him a whole new arsenal of knowledge and expertise to bring to clients in the Coastal Bend.

Jacob began working during the summers with his father and found out he had an incredible talent working with his hands. He attempted working in other fields, including customer service at Home Depot, but he felt a magnetic pull back to building and working with his hands.

Jacob’s work ethic is often compared to that of a bull – just like his grandfather, often taking two jobs at a time. “You have to work at a nice and steady pace, but you have to do quality work to make your customer happy.” While Jacob works

with the building and constructing part of the company with his father, David Jr. has taken over the business aspect and has since helped the company expand into many other aspects of construction, specifically roofing.

David Jr. was not always with the company; originally, he managed big-box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s, where he acquired knowledge and leadership skills to help run a successful business. After Harvey, which devastated a large portion of the Coastal Bend, David Jr. presented an offer of partnership to his father because he felt that he could grow and expand the company to a whole new level. Their excellent work and leadership traits have made them well-known within the Coastal Bend and surrounding areas, and the

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company has since expanded from framing and building to roofing, fencing, windows, doors and much more.

Customer satisfaction always remains at the forefront when doing any project; however, this can be a challenging task at times. “We strive to always do the right thing at all cost for our customers, even when it isn’t easy.” Jacob follows up by stating that when these challenges present themselves, taking a few steps back to reevaluate and figure out how you’re going to get back on track is the best way to handle these situations. With the mentality that no problem is insurmountable and no goal is out of reach, the Galvan family continues to grow and succeed.

While growing and expanding their family business, the true success for the Galvan family stems from their strong bond and having God at the center of their lives. With every bit of success, they realize this would have not been possible without the foundation and teachings they have learned through the years.

They also know that their faith, tenacity and success have allowed them to continue to help many homeowners and builders in the Coastal Bend and surrounding areas. Galvan Builders is forever grateful for all the blessings and opportunities they have received through the years, and they take great pride in giving back to the community.

“

YOU HAVE TO WORK AT A NICE AND STEADY PACE, BUT YOU HAVE TO DO QUALITY WORK TO MAKE OUR CUSTOMER HAPPY.”

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GALVAN BUILDERS HAS SEEN MUCH SUCCESS IN THE COASTAL BEND, AND CONTINUES TO BRANCH OUT IN OTHER CITIES, INCLUDING ROCKPORT, BEEVILLE, FREER, SINTON, ALICE, VICTORIA AND AUSTIN.

To learn more about services or to request a quote, visit www.galvanbuilders.com.

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PROFILE

FOUNDATIONS for the

FUTURE Kindermusik and enrichment classes at Amazing Child Music and Enrichment Studio help children develop a love of learning.

By: KATHLEEN NADERER Photos by: TWINS Media

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THE MEDICAL ARTS BUILDING AT 1001 LOUISIANA AVE. CONTAINS MANY OFFICES DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE COASTAL BEND. The most recent addition, located in Suite 202, is the aptly named Amazing Child Music and Enrichment Studio, which opened this January.

Amazing Child Music and Enrichment Studio is the brainchild of Waynette Jarrell, who is also co-owner of Pediatric Therapy Associates and director of occupational therapy. She chose her new studio’s name deliberately.

“People think you have to do huge things to be amazing, and I disagree with that,” Jarrell explained.

“I think ‘amazing’ is showing an act of kindness, being authentic, striving to be the best that you can be.

And every person, no matter what their challenges are in life, has that ‘amazing’ within themselves.”

Her studio offers children unique opportunities to explore and celebrate their creativity, build confidence and self-esteem, develop solid foundational skills and spark a love of learning that will last a lifetime. Classes are designed to be inclusive of all children, both with and without disabilities, as well as the entire family. “Every child is amazing,” Jarrell said, “so we created a space that celebrates that!”

All are welcome at her studio, from children as young as 1 month up to 18 years. Jarrell and her team of experienced educators help guide the children as they develop and refine skills at their own pace.

There is a wide variety of programs to choose from, including Kindermusik, the world’s leading provider for music-based education. Its programs not only teach children musical skills, but also enhance cognitive, creative, language, physical, sensory and social-emotional development.

Jarrell experienced the benefits of a Kindermusik class firsthand with her daughter, Hannah. When Hannah was 3 years old, Jarrell signed them up for a class at Del Mar, and the experience continued to resonate with her two decades later.

“As a working mom, I was always looking for op-

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portunities to have one-on-one time with my daughter,” she said. “Kindermusik was a great way to bond and connect with her.”

Jarrell is an occupational therapist and not a trained vocalist, so becoming certified in Kindermusik forced her outside of her comfort zone. With the help of vocal coach Kelly Hansen, she mastered the curriculum. Her 32 years of experience in occupational therapy, combined with her Kindermusik knowledge, have allowed her to create a safe and nurturing space for all children, including those who may have challenges with motor skills or sensory environments.

“I want every child and every parent to feel like we are walking this journey together,” Jarrell said. “No one’s going to be excluded here.

We’re going to make it work so that it’s a joyful experience for everyone.”

In addition to Kindermusik, her studio offers many other enrichment classes like Ready Set Move, Kangaroo Play and Grow, study skills, yoga and cooking. These classes enhance motor skills such as handwriting, improve balance and coordination, promote focus and organizational abilities, cultivate stress-management skills and so much more. They are also wonderful ways to celebrate the connections between family members and the connections between children, as they learn from interactions and form friendships.

“By creating a fun learning experience,” Jarrell said, “we’re hoping that children not only enrich their skills and have a stronger foundation, but just enjoy learning in general.”

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“

EVERY CHILD IS AMAZING, SO WE CREATED A SPACE THAT CELEBRATES THAT!”

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Amazing Child Music and Enrichment Studio is more than just a job to Jarrell; it’s her vocation. Many events led her down this path in life, and she is grateful for every one of them.

Born in Louisiana, but raised in Port Neches, Texas, Jarrell attended Lamar University to study physical therapy.

During her time there, however, she began to realize that physical therapy was not quite what she had envisioned. So she applied and was accepted into the occupational therapy program at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

After graduating in 1986, Jarrell moved to Corpus Christi for her first job at Ada Wilson Children’s Hospital.

While living here, she met and married her husband, Maury, who was in flight school at the time. He was later stationed in Jacksonville, Fla., but after his squadron was decommissioned, he was transferred back to Corpus Christi to become a flight instructor at the base.

“Luck brought us back here,” she said with a laugh.

After the birth of their daughter in 1992, Jarrell joined Pediatric Therapy Associates. But the concept of her studio was always in the back of her mind.

She compared it to a seed that was planted long ago, waiting for the right time to bloom.

As a young mother and business owner, she had her hands full and was cautious about plunging herself and her family into such a huge endeavor. Although she had encouragement and support from her family and friends, Jarrell had to overcome her own self-doubt and fear of failure.

“When I turned 50, I became fearless,” Jarrell said. She knew the families of her patients wanted activities for children outside of therapy, and saw a need for more children’s enrichment activities in her community.

Many people look forward to slowing down at 55, but Jarrell doesn’t feel like her work is done. She may not know what the future holds, but she won’t allow fear to keep her from achieving her dream of bringing hope and joy to the children and families of the Coastal Bend.

If you’re looking for a fun way to bond with your own amazing child, visit www.amazingchildmusicstudio.com to register for Kindermusik or enrichment classes.

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ENERGY

STELLAR SERVICE

Meet the Stellar Employee of the Month, Jessica Arroyo, recognized for excellence in client relations.

D

id you know that since 2002, Texas has been a deregulated state? Don’t worry – we didn’t, either! As summer rapidly approaches and your energy bills increase, supply and demand are just two of the many factors that drive the volatile price of energy in South Texas.

With over 129 different electricity companies to choose from, each one offering several plans and competitive rates, your power to choose the best electricity provider is critical. Equally important are the knowledge and expertise it takes to carefully analyze the market and make the best decision for your business or home.

We admit, this process can become challenging and is often time-consuming. So why not turn to a local expert? Why not choose a veteran-owned, service-focused, expert energy broker? Let Stellar Energy and our power experts help you save your hard-earned money and, more importantly, your time!

Stellar Energy Solutions is proud to introduce Jessica Arroyo. Originally from Dixon, Calif., Arroyo moved to Texas in 2014, in search of new and exciting opportunities for herself and her son, Aaron. She certainly found that at Stellar.

Arroyo brings several years of experience in marketing and com-

“

JESSICA’S GENUINE PASSION FOR HELPING HER CLIENTS IS WHAT MAKES HER SO SUCCESSFUL.”

munications, and, as a business development manager with Stellar, she gets to express her love and passion for taking care of people.

Arroyo is a part of Coastal Conservation and deeply involved in and around the community.

Corpus Christi may not be her hometown, but it is her home. In her own words, “There is no better place to raise my child. Texas itself is peaceful and proud ... there really is no place like it. The best part of living here is that I don’t work to live – I live to work, and I genuinely love what I do! I am so excited for where Stellar Energy is headed, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this growth, success and commitment to serve the community.”

Stellar Energy president, Tim Clark, is equally excited for Arroyo’s future with the team. “Jessica is everyone’s best friend – she’s never met a stranger. Her genuine passion for wanting to help her clients is what makes her so successful.”

So be on the lookout for the Stellar Energy team all over the city! As they continue to grow, their hope is to become the community’s most trusted energy broker. Be sure to let the wonderful people at Stellar Energy save you time and money.

Stellar Energy Solutions: veteran owned – community driven.

For more information, visit Stellar Energy Solutions online at www.stellarnrgsolutions.com.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF STELLAR ENERGY SOLUTIONS

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TASTE

COOL DOWN Blueberries and cream cold brew By: MANDY ASHCRAFT Photo by: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT It’s that special time of year in South Texas when you want to chug iced drinks and also bathe in them, and this is exactly the kind of thing you’ve been looking for to help you cool down.

The creamy sweetness of the blueberry syrup swirled into rich coffee with milk is so refreshing you’ll almost forget it’s over 100 degrees outside. The flavors of coffee combined with the homemade syrup are reminiscent of chocolate-covered blueberries, and the recipe is easily made non-dairy so that anyone and everyone can enjoy.

INGREDIENTS: 1/3 cup coffee grounds 1 1/2 cups, plus 1/4 cup water (separated) 1/4 cup blueberries 1/4 cup granulated sugar Milk or non-dairy substitute of choice Whipped cream or non-dairy substitute of choice Fresh blueberries Ice INSTRUCTIONS: Prepare the cold brew coffee by pouring 1 1/2 cups of cold water over the coffee grounds in a pitcher or jar.

Refrigerate overnight, or for at least 12 hours. Strain out coffee grounds. If you prefer or are short on time, there are store-bought cold brew options.

Recipe makes 2 large drinks.

For more information, visit www.mandyashcraft.com.

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EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION

THE CATTERY’S CATALYST How a dream became reality

S

amantha Person has always been drawn to animals. As a little girl, she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. However, working at Oso Creek Animal Hospital during high school convinced her that she didn’t have the stomach for surgery.

Thinking that her dream of helping animals was over, Samantha pursued other studies and career possibilities before settling on a corporate training job. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. “I loved that job and the people that I worked with, but I just didn’t feel fulfilled,” she said.

Her job also required frequent travel, which meant she missed time with her loved ones, particularly Scott Person. Samantha and Scott had met in 1997, and she recalled his endless support as she sought her true calling.

During a dinner conversation in 2007, they talked about what they would do if they won the lottery and money was not an object. Her response: Create a cage-free animal shelter, designed especially for cats. “Shelters across the country have focused primarily on dogs,” she explained. “I wanted to bring a spotlight to cats.”

At the time, Samantha had no idea that such facilities existed. After some research, she learned about a cage-free shelter in Atlanta run by two employees with community volunteers. She told herself, “If they can do it, then I can do it,” and set a goal of opening her shelter within a year. Her strength and determination transformed her dream into reality.

Her mother had been a wonderful role model for Samantha, teaching her the value of hard work and perseverance in the face of disadvantag-

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By: KATHLEEN NADERER / Photos by: TWINS MEDIA

es. Her mother was a single parent with a hearing impairment and tight finances; nevertheless, she put herself through college and gave Samantha the best life possible.

With the inspiration and encouragement of her family and friends, Samantha began the challenging process of creating a nonprofit. Although she didn’t have funding or community contacts at the time, she was able to kick-start the grassroots organization with her personal savings.

As others learned of her unique shelter idea, community support grew. “It was like every time we needed something, someone would show up,” she said with a smile. Thus, The Cattery was born.

October marks the 12-year anniversary of The Cattery, as well as Samantha and Scott’s wedding. The couple married just two weeks before her shelter opened its doors. “I wouldn’t have done any of this without my husband believing in me,” Samantha said.

In 2008, she was invited to join the Animal Care Board. During her first month on the board, she realized that despite The Cattery adopting out 128 cats to loving homes the previous year, the Coastal Bend had still had to euthanize 300 cats in that month alone due to overpopulation.

Shocked by this high number, Samantha researched the best way to fix this problem. She concluded that the best way to combat pet overpopulation is offering affordable or no-cost spay/ neuter programs. Although fixing an animal is the most effective way to reduce overpopulation, some pet owners cannot afford the cost.

Securing funds for such a massive undertaking was challenging, but The Cattery proudly introduced the first

“ WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE WHO HAS PETS LOVES THEIR PETS, REGARDLESS OF INCOME.”

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low-cost mobile clinic to Corpus Christi in January 2012. Other shelter and rescue organizations soon recognized the significant impact of this program and followed suit.

“We believe that everyone who has pets loves their pets, regardless of income,” Samantha said. “Taking care of a pet may look different between families, but that doesn’t diminish their love for that pet.”

The first six months of the mobile clinic were extremely stressful. Not only did they struggle to spread the word about their new services, but Samantha was also diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) that May. She persevered, however, and now The Cattery’s mobile clinic spays/neuters approximately 90 cats and dogs a week. That’s close to 30,000 animals throughout the Coastal Bend since 2012!

Because The Cattery is both a no-kill shelter and a nonprofit, two of the biggest challenges they face are space and funding.

As heartbreaking as it is, they can’t always help as many cats or people as they wish they could.

There are many ways to help support The Cattery. They depend heavily on individuals for both monetary and physical donations. Supporters can donate in person or online via The Cattery website, make purchases at their nonprofit thrift stores, Retail Therapy and Vintage Vibe (formerly Betty’s Trash to Treasures), or participate in their fundraisers. There is also a donation jar at the mobile clinic.

“Even though somebody might be getting reduced or free spay/neuter, they still put money in the donation jar because they want to help somebody else, too,” Samantha said.

Every day, Samantha is grateful that she can follow her passion, make a difference in the community and help the animals she loves. Currently, The Cattery has 112 cats at the shelter with an additional 80 in foster care and about 14 adoptions each week.

She believes The Cattery has a bright future ahead. They will soon move locations, and the new shelter will have even more space for the felines. They also hope to set up a new stationary clinic in Corpus Christi while maintaining their mobile clinic to serve surrounding areas.

Visit www.thecatterycc.org or like their Facebook page for more information and updates about The Cattery as they continue to care for the cats of the Coastal Bend.

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DISCOVER THE ISLAND GALLERY FOR YOUR OFFICE, HOME, AND FAVORITE SPACES

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NONPROFIT

BUILDING TOMORROW, TODAY Through the WINDOWS and PIPELINES programs, HELP HELPS area youth find the job of their dreams.

H

ELP has a simple mission and purpose: to provide encouragement and hands-on career investigation to area youth, focusing on the at-risk, disadvantaged and disabled – and to HELP them attain a job that can become a career through investing time in visits and handson experiences.

HELP provides career experiences through a series of visits to real-world worksites in area refineries, hospitals, manufacturers and many other job-rich settings in the Coastal Bend. The students experience skilled trades such as welding, electrical work, painting, plumbing, instrumentation and many other jobs currently in high demand.

We take at-risk, disabled and challenged youth to “where the action is,” but in this case, we also take them to jobsites they have selected as likely places to pursue a career in their already chosen field. This is PIPELINES, which joins WINDOWS as one of HELP’s main efforts. The 10-year-old WINDOWS project lets kids explore fields on our trademarked Window on the World, now located on 21 campuses in eight districts.

Like all of HELP’s programs, the PIPELINES program is based on the premise that hands-on experience is the best teacher.

PIPELINES takes this one step further: Already “experienced” potential employees visit jobsites that are actively looking for workers. This way, we only have students who are seriously interested in a jobsite going there.

Also as part of PIPELINES, high-school students can add their name to a database

that employers may search to locate potential employees interested in their business who have visited through HELP’s efforts.

Through HELP’s Window on the World, the Texas Three Step program and now PIPELINES, students view a variety of careers at their own pace, attend speaker meetings to further solidify their interest, investigate the career on HELP’s website and visit that jobsite in the hopes of finding the job of their dreams. The PIPELINES program accounts for the employer’s hiring needs, taking already career-committed students to look at jobsites with an eye to applying and working there in the very near future.

For us, a “hole-in-one” is a student graduating with a diploma in one hand and a job contract in the other! HELP is transitioning to a Web-based platform of career presentation, which will allow us to better track career interests. Moving forward, instead of a donated computer housing career-based videos (Window on the World), these dramatic, informative videos depicting field trips HELP has taken to local jobsites will be available to students by school subscription.

The underlying premise remains the same: Assist students in gaining hands-on experience in as many careers as possible (WINDOWS), and help them find the job of their dreams right here in the Coastal Bend (PIPELINES).

At last count, HELP has taken almost 4,500 total clients on more than 250 trips to well over 125 destinations. Our most recent data indicates that 94 percent of our students return to school or are working in a local-area job.

For more information, contact Dr. Ridge Hammons at 361-815-6122.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF HELP

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NONPROFIT

A YEAR OF GIVING Islander student-athletes impact the local community by participating in a full academic year of community service initiatives.

By: RACHEL RODRIGUEZ and MARSHALL FEY

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lected more than 40 pounds of goods and delivered them to the house on Nov. 13. While there, they did Thanksgiving arts and crafts with the children, making hand turkeys and festive hats.

During the winter break before classes officially began, the Boys & Girls Club of Corpus Christi received a helping hand from Islanders women’s basketball at their Jr. NBA Skills Challenge in January. The ladies served as referees and scorers for the challenge, which featured children ages 7 to 13.

“It was so fun seeing kids at the Boys & Girls Club play the sport I love,” said Giana Wright, a sophomore women’s basketball player for the Islanders. “They had such great energy and enthusiasm, and I felt lucky to be a part of that.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ISLANDERS

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or Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi student-athletes, sometimes the greatest victories happen outside the court or off the field of competition. The Islanders participate in numerous community service initiatives each year, and the impact this service has on the community and the student-athletes provides lasting effects. This year, Islander student-athletes participated in over 1,500 hours of community service initiatives across a range of charitable organizations, schools and community events.

The Islanders campaign began in October as several student-athletes gave back to the community by taking part in the Rotary Club Day of Service. They spent the morning beautifying Travis Elementary School through landscaping, gardening and cleanup.

As Halloween approached, the Islanders made a visit to the Ronald McDonald House of Corpus Christi. The student-athletes dressed up in costume and handed out candy at the house and played games with the residents.

As the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s (SAAC) Southland Gives Back initiative this year, Islander student-athletes devoted time each month to visit with children and their families at the house.

“Volunteering at Ronald McDonald House has been such a great experience thus far,” said Abbie Flax, SAAC president and women’s soccer senior. “The kids and families of the house can be going through such hard and scary times, so it is a great feeling to be able to put a smile on their faces, even if it’s only for an hour or two.

This is such a special organization, and we hope to stay involved as much as possible.”

Those efforts continued throughout October and November as Islander student-athletes held a Wishlist Drive, gathering household, kitchen, office and non-perishable food items for the organization. The group col-

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SPENDING TIME WITH THESE KIDS AND SEEING EVERYTHING THEY GO THROUGH WHILE STILL KEEPING A SMILE ON THEIR FACE REALLY OPENED MY EYES.”

Islander student-athletes supported local education when they volunteered for the “Read to Achieve” program at Gloria Hicks Elementary and visited Kaffie Middle School to speak to students about the importance of strong academic performance and share personal stories of struggle and triumph.

Members of the Islanders golf and baseball teams volunteered their time at the 37th annual Harbor Lights Festival in December, assisting with event setup and breakdown, parade management and manning the children’s activity and fun zones.

The Islanders’ commitment to the Ronald McDonald House continued during the spring semester with events each month. A Pop Tab Drive held throughout the semester resulted in 55 pounds of pop tabs to benefit the house. At the beginning of April, student-athletes from several teams lent their services to the organization’s biggest event of the year: the Men Who Cook fundraiser.

“The Men Who Cook fundraiser was one of the most fun volunteer experiences I have had,” said Perry Francois, junior men’s basketball student-athlete. “The people there were so great and made me feel so welcome, like a part of the Ronald McDonald House family. I would do it again in a heartbeat!”

To cap off the year, the women’s basketball and women’s golf teams joined forces to serve as huggers and high-fivers at the South Texas Special Olympics Spring Games. The women’s soccer team was on hand to help the South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind’s Beeping Eggstravaganza. They held an Easter egg hunt and played basketball and other games with the children, all of which were specially designed for those who are blind.

“It was incredible to see the kids’ faces brighten up when they would make a basket or pick up an Easter egg,” said Megan Dodd, sophomore women’s soccer player. “Spending time with these kids and seeing everything they go through while still keeping a smile on their face really opened my eyes.”

For more information on how you can support Islanders student-athletes by attending a game next season, please visit www.goislanders.com or call 361-825-BALL (2255).

To schedule appearances and service projects with Islander student-athletes, please contact Scholastic and Life Skills Coordinator Rachel Rodriguez at 361-825-2782 or rachel. rodriguez@tamucc.edu.

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NONPROFIT

SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING, DO SOMETHING

Make a difference in the lives of the children of our community with CASA of the Coastal Bend.

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proach to the next school year and added to the bucket of your childhood memories.

Of course, your recollection of the summer break that first came to mind may not fit the description above. Maybe instead of running toward the chance to be out of school, you were hiding to avoid what waited for you during your time at home. Instead of stressing out about what you were going to do with your friends, you were worrying about how you were going to feed yourself or your siblings.

Or instead of complaining about being bored, you were fearful of upsetting your parents and the con-

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nvision yourself back in your school days at whatever age first comes to mind. Now think back to when the last school bell rang, officially welcoming the onset of summer and handing you your freedom from waking up early and procrastinating on class assignments for the next few months.

Perhaps you did have obligations such as summer school, trading class work for on-the-job work or tagging along with one of your parents to work.

Even if your time off didn’t result in a fun family trip or exciting adventures with friends, your memories of that summer probably shaped your ap-

SAMES Back to School Supply Drive 2018

sequences you would face.

The fun experiences associated with summer do not fill everyone’s childhoods. While school is out, incidences of child abuse and neglect increase. With children at home all day, there are more needs their guardians must accommodate, such as childcare, more meals and activities. Children may be left to “figure it out” on their own at a much younger age, being forced to take care of themselves and their siblings.

Or trying to meet the additional financial needs may build to an unbearable amount of pressure for parents, resulting in frustrations being taken out on the child. Often, the child is not around other adults on a regular basis, as they would be while attending school, which means the abuse and neglect may go unnoticed.

As a community, we can be vigilant by simply looking beyond what only concerns us and seeing the children around us. When you come across a situation that feels unsettling to you, pick up your phone (1-800-252-5400) or go to your computer (www.txabusehotline.org), and make a report. It can be anonymous, and, if an investigation takes place with no harm to the child found, you can know you did your part.

If you are thinking, I don’t want to inconvenience a family based on a hunch, consider if it were your child.

You would do anything to make sure they were protected. Why sec-

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CASA OF THE COASTAL BEND

By: SAMANTHA KOEPP-STEMPLINGER

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in-depth, professional training, volunteers learn about Child Protective Services, the foster care system, family dynamics, community resources and serving the role as a CASA for youth in crisis.

Once appointed to serve as a CASA for a specific child or sibling group, the volunteer gathers fact-based information from all parties involved in the child’s life, as well as from the child, to present to the judge in helping determine what is in the best interest of the child. In addition to speaking up for the child in court, the CASA also spends time with the child as a positive role model, offering them a source of consistency through support while also creating positive childhood memories.

While there has not been an increase of children in foster care from Aransas, Nueces or San Patricio Counties during 2017 (1,176 children) to 2018 (1,166 children), there has been a decline in the number of CASA volunteers in the Coastal Bend program. Currently, there are 130 volunteers serving 315 foster youth. While there has been a fluctuation throughout the years, the number of children served in 2018 was only slighter higher than the number of children served in 2008.

The goal for the next Pre-Service Training that starts July 16 is for 15 individuals to become CASA volunteers. In order to do this, your help is needed with connecting the organization with potential volunteers.

Please consider sharing opportunities for CASA to give presentations to your faith group, workplace, civic groups, homeowners’ association and/or group of friends. You can also invite others to attend a 45-minute, non-committal information session held at the CASA office (2602 Prescott) every Wednesday at 12 p.m. For more information, contact Diana at 361-884-2272 or diana@coastalbendcasa.org, or visit our Facebook page (@coastalbendcasa).

Challenge your coworkers and invite your clients to help give foster youth a successful start to the school year by hosting a school-supply drive at your office during July.

Your organization’s generosity will be shared with the community through radio, social media and the CASA website.

SAMES Ford is hosting a back-to-school supply drive for CASA on July 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CASA representatives will be onsite, along with businesses offering giveaways. Live interviews will be offered to business representatives who deliver donations during the event.

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CASA Volunteer Tricia Herte with CASA child at a private event held for CASA at the Harbor Playhouse in May 2019

Cookie Burkhalter sworn in as CASA volunteer by Judge Timothy McCoy on May 30, 2019

ond-guess that concern when it is someone else’s child? You may say, “Well it is not my child, so I do not know what is happening in their life.” Ask yourself: Are you with your child all the time? If not, you try to be aware of what is going on in their lives, and when something seems out of the ordinary, you investigate, right?

When a child’s parents are not invested in their well-being (either purposively or due to being overwhelmed with trying to meet their basic needs) or are causing harm to the child’s physical or mental self, that is when an outside entity needs to step in. But this entity needs to know there is a need to investigate. Even if it is just a hunch, it could be the difference between a child enduring pain versus healing from pain.

While saying something can change a child’s life, doing something will certainly help build a child’s future. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a nonprofit organization in the Coastal Bend that gives everyday people an opportunity to truly impact the trajectory of a child and their family’s life. Through

For more information, visit CASA of the Coastal Bend online at www.coastalbendcasa.org.

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