NSIDE Coastal Bend Aug/Sept 2012 by NSIDE Corpus Christi

AUGUST.SEPTEMBER 2012

A FAMILY AFFAIR

JAMES GONZALES

The ‘Sno Ball’ Effect SOPHIA HERNANDEZ

TWO FOR THE SHOW

RICK GOMEZ and CASS GABRIEL

STYLE & SUBSTANCE FEATURING SUSAN K. GONZALES N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

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W E L F I T U S O I IF Y ORPUS CHR C YOU’D BE HOME BY NOW! You make a lot of CHOICES when you travel. One choice should be easy. Corpus Christi International Airport offers: • Service from 3 Major Airlines • Free Wi-Fi • Convenient and Affordable Parking • No Long Lines • No Hassles

WHY DRIVE YOURSELF CRAZY

driving to another city, wasting time, gas and money while investing in someone else’s airport? Book your flight today! And be HOME when you land. corpuschristiairport.com N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

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

Ruben Bonilla Insurance Agency

2727 Morgan Ave, Ste 300 Corpus Christi, Texas 78405

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361.881.1033

www.RubenBonillaInsurance.com

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co-publisher’s note NSIDE Coastal Bend Business

As we enter our fourth year at NSIDE Coastal Bend magazine, I want to use this space to sincerely thank all of the people who have supported our publication and its mission. It’s because of you that the magazine has been able to thrive in a down economy. Fortunately, we’ve been able to give back at the same time. We take pride in being able to donate to local nonprofit organizations every month, and that would not be possible without the help of those who attend our networking mixers. Since the publication’s inception, we have been able to consistently offer a free publication to the Coastal Bend community. In order for us to continue doing this, we must rely on advertising. After all, our advertisers have kept the magazine thriving from the start. It’s no secret that in the advertising world, there are multiple ways of reaching your target audience. However, no matter what medium you choose to go with, none of those advertising platforms can offer your business the benefits that NSIDE Coastal Bend magazine can. So when you decide to “get NSIDE,” what do you get in return? The answer is simple: added value. What is added value, you might ask? It’s everything we do to supplement and enhance your advertisement. An ad in our magazine can do wonders to brand the name and logo of your business, but with limited space, it can be difficult to inform people what kind of services or products your company can provide for them. This is where we come in. When you choose to advertise in our magazine, we can give you the opportunity to contribute content. This not only educates our readers on what your company is all about, it also generates business for you when we lead them back to you. We also do our part to ensure your company establishes a strong presence in the community. We do this through our monthly networking mixers. Although there are several mixers and socials held in the Coastal Bend year-round, NSIDE mixers truly are unique. The accomplished individuals we honor all have their own professional contacts within their social circles. Attending these events not only gives you the chance to network your business, it also gives you the chance to break into those circles that would otherwise be closed off. And last but not least, when you advertise with us, the potential for even more exposure is obtainable. We achieve this through multi-market reach. The NSIDE Publications triangle currently consists of three markets: the Coastal Bend, Austin and San Antonio. If you own a company that has multiple locations within any of these markets, we can get you the reach you’re looking for. OK, as a business owner, you may be reading this and thinking, ‘Why should I spend any money on advertising? I do pretty well by relying on word of mouth.’ Yes, it’s true that referrals are effective for acquiring new business, but they have their limits. Word-of-mouth referrals are great at first, but they typically don’t extend beyond your own social network. When you decide to get NSIDE, the network we have worked so hard to build over the years at NSIDE Coastal Bend magazine could potentially be at your disposal. On that note, I will leave you with a promise. When you choose to advertise with us, I will talk about you when you’re not around and I will send people to find you. I will make sure your company gets what it deserves. I will make a name for you in Corpus Christi by marketing your services every day. This is the commitment I make to all of our clients when they decide to get NSIDE. Call me today to find out how you can take advantage of the added value that comes along with our ads. Make the decision to let NSIDE Coastal Bend magazine work for you.

Adrian Garza

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P U August/September B L I C A T I2012 ONS publisher / Eliot Garza

eliot@nsidesa.com

co-publisher / corpus christi / adrian Garza

adrian@getnside.com

co-publisher / san antonio / Janis Maxymof

janis@getnside.com

co-publisher / austin / angela strickland

angela@getnside.com

staff executive editor

contributing writers

Erin O’Brien

Doug Allison Mandy Ashcraft Bart Braselton Kim Bridger Lori Garza Kara Hahn Adam Hinojosa Amanda Howeth Chris Hudson Samantha Koepp Juan de Lascurain Connie Laughlin Kristi Pena Adolfo Pesquera Tara Schultz Sharon Schweitzer Rebekah Sillman Sarah Tindall Sarona Winfrey

creative director Elisa Giordano

graphic designer Cristina Villa Hazar

executive assistant Natalie Barton

Administrative assistant/ account executive Amanda Howeth

photography Dustin Ashcraft

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

PUBLIC ATIONS

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

nsidethisissue august/september 2012 cover story 24

Rick Gomez and Cass Gabriel

Having both grown up in real estate, these young entrepreneurs at heart have taken the local real estate market by storm at Gomez Gabriel Real Estate.

profiles 28

James Gonzales

With his passion for the bar business and a lot of hard work, this family man established popular entertainment destination and gamer’s paradise, Izzy’s Bar & Patio, from the ground up.

Sophia Hernandez

Nearly 60 flavors, four decades and three generations after its inception, Sno Ball continues to delight Coastal Bend residents thanks to the commitment to quality and unwavering family support of this dedicated entrepreneur.

departments

cover story | Rick Gomez and Cass Gabriel

12 34 36 38 40 42 46 48 50 52

Feature Etiquette Travel Shop Wine Dine Real Estate Drive Español Style & Substance

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nside staff eliot garza

nside publications / publisher C: 210.373.2599 E: eliot@nsidesa.com

erin oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;brien

nside PUBLICATIONS executive EDITOR E: erin@getnside.com

elisa giordano nside publications creative director C: 646.280.8785 E: elisa@getnside.com

cristina villa hazar nside PUBLICATIONS graphic designer E: cristina@getnside.com

natalie barton nside coastal bend executive assistant C: 361.228.1443 E: natalie@getnside.com

amanda howeth

nside coastal bend administrative assistant/ account executive C: 361.549.0237 E: amanda@getnside.com

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CORPUS CHRISTI 4639 Corona, Ste. 1., Corpus Christi, TX 78411 Phone 361.855.5627 Fax 361.851.2234

CORPUS CHRISTI Medical Openings: Registered Nurses for travel and local assignments Licensed Vocational nurses for travel and local assignments Certified medical assistants General Positions: Diesel Mechanics • Automated Drafters and Blue Prints • Fire and Alarm Technicians Accountants • Compliance Officers • Administrative positions Skilled and Unskilled labor positions

www.advtemp.com N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

Coastal Bend advisory board

Wayne Lytle is general manager for Lithia Dodge, a Dodge automobile dealership located in Corpus Christi. Lytle is a longtime resident of the Coastal Bend region who has more than 23 years of experience in the automobile business. Prior to becoming the general manager for Lithia Dodge in December 2005, Lytle worked as the truck sales manager for John Creveling, owner of Creveling Dodge. Lytle’s current responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of the dealership’s sales, service, parts, body shop and office operations. He also holds a position on the board of directors for the Texas Dodge Dealers Advertising Association.

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Ruben Bonilla is the owner of Ruben Bonilla Insurance Agency with Farmers Insurance Group. In 2005, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas - Austin. Since opening his business doors in 2007, Bonilla has grown his business by selling home, auto, commercial and life insurance products to the Corpus Christi community and surrounding areas. In addition, he is on the Corpus Christi Literacy Council, and he is a board member for the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and he volunteers as a mentor for the Big Brother/ Big Sister organization. The Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce recognized Bonilla in 2008 by awarding him with the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for his accomplishments in growing his business and helping contribute to developing the Corpus Christi community. Bonilla’s goal is to make sure that his clients and their families are taken care of in the event that life throws them a curve ball by providing friendly and informative customer service.

Carol A. Scott, APR, PRSA fellow, is a principal in Kailo Communications Studio. She has worked as a sole practitioner and small agency owner since 1995 following positions with the American Heart Association and the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority. She is past president of the Texas Public Relations Association (TPRA) and past chairman of the Public Relations Foundation of Texas. In 2004, she was named the recipient of Golden Spur award, TPRA’s highest individual honor. She was inducted into the Public Relations Society of America’s College of Fellows in 2005. She is also a past chair of the Universal Accreditation Board for Public Relations that oversees the accreditation process. She is president of the Corpus Christi Independent School District Board of Trustees and serves as a board member for the Corpus Christi Education Foundation, the Corpus Christi Ballet and the Coastal Bend Diabetes Initiative. Scott has served as chair and co-chair for numerous organizations. Scott is a graduate of Texas A&M University – Kingsville. She and her husband, Mark, are active members of Parkway Presbyterian Church and the Coastal Bend community, and they have two children: Christopher and Alexandra.

Jim Salamenta is the general manager of the SMG-managed American Bank Center. Originally from Newington, Conn., he attended Western Connecticut State University in Danbury and began his career at the O’Neill Center in Connecticut in 1994 with OGDEN Entertainment. Salamenta moved to Corpus Christi in July 2006 to oversee all aspects of the Operations Department at American Bank Center. In May 2010, he was promoted to general manager of Corpus Christi’s premier event center, where he actively seeks opportunities to boost the venue’s convention center and concert bookings. During his 17 years of experience, Salamenta has worked with the world’s biggest event promoters, producers and artists at a total of four buildings around the nation. He continues to build American Bank Center’s reputation as the entertainment mecca in Corpus Christi. At the helm of the most architecturally pleasing venue in South Texas, Salamenta sees great potential in Corpus Christi, a city he calls a “diamond in the rough.”

John Valls holds a BBA in Marketing from Sam Houston State University and an MBA from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. He is a principal with Valls Consulting Group (VCG), a business development and public affairs consultancy. VCG specializes in business development and public affairs for various clients in a wide array of industries, as well as provides marketing and advertising services. Valls has served as an adjunct professor at Del Mar College, the University of the Incarnate Word and Park University NAS, instructing in the areas of marketing and management. He has served his community on several boards, including the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross - Coastal Bend Chapter, the Del Mar College Foundation and the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority. On a statewide level, he serves on the Texas Transit Association Board of Directors, and nationally, he serves as chairman of AAPA’s Public Relations Committee. Valls is a past chair of the Leadership Corpus Christi Alumni Association and Board of Governors. In 2008, he was honored as the Leadership Corpus Christi Alumni of the Year.

Trey McCampbell is the chief administrative officer of American Bank and chairman of the board for the Board of Regents for Del Mar College. McCampbell’s family has deep roots in the Coastal Bend, and he has been involved in community and business affairs for more than 30 years. He graduated from Del Mar College with an A.A. degree and from Texas A&I University Corpus Christi with his BBA. He later received his MBA from Corpus Christi State University. He is a certified public accountant. McCampbell currently serves on the boards of the Art Museum of South Texas, South Texas Public Broadcasting and the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center. He has previously served on the boards of the CCSU Alumni Association, the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra, the Creative Arts Center, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, the Workforce Development Corporation and the Harbor Playhouse. McCampbell has been instrumental in several community initiatives, including Destination Bayfront and Vision 2000. He is an active member of Leadership Corpus Christi as a graduate of Class XI, general chair of Class XXI and 2005 honoree of the Leadership Corpus Christi Outstanding Alumnus Award. He was also selected as the 2003 Caller Times Person of the Year and as one of Del Mar College’s 75 Distinguished Alumni in 2010.

Bart Braselton is the executive vice president of Braselton Homes, the Coastal Bend’s oldest and largest homebuilder and neighborhood developer. Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Braselton is the third generation of Braseltons building in the Bay area. Returning to Corpus Christi after earning a BBA in Finance, as well as a BBA in Real Estate, from the University of Texas - Austin, Braselton began working in the family business as a construction superintendent. Braselton Homes has since grown into one of the nation’s “top 200” builders, earning consistent rankings in the annual list compiled by Builder Magazine. Braselton, a graduate of Leadership Corpus Christi Class 18, has served on many local community and business committees and boards, including positions with the Food Bank of Corpus Christi, Bayfest, the American Heart Association, the Builders Association of Corpus Christi and the CCISD Boundary Committee. Most recently, Braselton began serving as the vice president of the Board for the Citizens in Support of the Corpus Christi Police Department, a foundation envisioned by the police chief to support the men and women of the CCPD. Braselton and his wife, Michelle, are active church members at Corpus Christi’s Bay Area Fellowship.

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www.SQLC.org N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

NSIDE feature

Instead of providing every detail of the products you sell on your website, highlight your services with short, strong sentences.

it can have a negative effect on how consumers perceive your business. Purchase a digital camera to produce much better photos than what you can take with a phone. A good model will cost around $100.

Tips for Building Trust Online

Make a solid impression and keep customers coming back by following a few simple steps for creating a trustworthy message on your website. By: [Kristi Pena]

As consumers become savvier with their pre-purchase habits, it is important for all businesses to make a solid impression online. Trust has to be earned before a consumer orders something from a website. BBB recommends the following steps to create a trustworthy message on your website: Have a contact page At some point, your customers

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will want to, or need to, contact you, which is why you should always have your contact information easily accessible and visible. A contact page can also be a great way to receive feedback from your customers.

ing every detail about the products you sell on your website, highlight your services with short, strong sentences. Make sure someone in your office proofreads for typos and grammatical errors before publishing.

Keep your writing strong and concise Many consumers do not want to read long blocks of writing when they visit a website. Instead of provid-

Include high-quality pictures Pictures are a great way to show the quality of work you perform, but if they are fuzzy, pixilated or too small,

Embed videos to add a personal touch Use video to demonstrate how your products work, give a tour of your store or provide customer testimonials. Consumers visiting your website will feel like they have met you and your employees before they ever visit your store. The same digital camera you take pictures with most likely has a video option that can work well in most settings. Promote secure purchasing According to a recent study from Internet security group KikScore, 60 percent of consumers who did not go through with an online purchase did so because they were not sure if the website they were on was secure. If your business accepts or collects payment through your website, make sure to highlight it is a secured transaction. Display a security seal or create a button or graphic explaining that clicking on it will take the customer to a secured checkout page.

Kristi Pena is the regional PR manager for BBB serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin. For more tips on promoting the trustworthiness of your business, visit www.centraltx.bbb.org/advantagesof-accreditation.

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NSIDE feature

got wax? Biz Wax: The business of adventure surfing By: [CONNIE LAUGHLIN]

Sex Wax is a popular brand of surfboard wax. In case you aren’t from a coastal area, waxing your board keeps you from slipping off. There are many different types of wax to choose from. Wax is a formulation of natural and/or synthetic wax. And not only surfboards need to be waxed. I’ve heard if you kayak, waxing your paddle increases the grip. Would you like your wax to smell like coconuts or chewing gum? Would you like it to be made from organic ingredients? Select your board wax dependant on the temperature of the water and climate. For example, the warmer the weather, the harder your wax needs to be. Various types of boards need wax applied differently. For example, you wax long boards from nose to tail. You never want your board too heavy with wax. Clean it periodically and apply new. If your wax has been on a while and is starting to smooth out, use your wax comb to make cross patterns for extra traction. Are you eagerly awaiting your next surfing adventure? There’s nothing like getting geared

the merchandising of cars, music and clothes. Remember the movie, “The Endless Summer”? Quiksilver is a brand name that’s been around for a very long time. Everyone wants to know what’s under the feet of all the pro surfers. Iconic surfers not only made themselves legends and made millions in endorsements, they taught the right stuff to those new to the sport or the art of surfing. I spent a lot of weekends on the beach with my daughter when she was young. We had our own little spot where we’d meet our friends and all the kids surfed. Sometimes there would be just two cars, sometimes 10, and it was fun and crazy. We never knew who would show up. One of my friends, Valerie Lindsay, heard that Robert “Wingnut” Weaver and another worldclass surfer “dude” were at Pat Magee’s Surf Shop in Port Aransas. Off she went so her 10-year-old son, Tyler, could meet him. As luck would have it, the surf shop told her to go back to the beach, as the guys had heard the surf was “up.” Lindsay

Surfing has affected the merchandising of cars, music and clothes. up and ready to go. Your adrenaline level jumps when you think about it. Hold on … you need to review your gear checklist first: leash, wax comb, wax/tar remover, sunscreen and oh yeah – cool board shorts. And let’s not forget the other accessories: board bag, board rack and ding repair kit. Surfers often travel to exotic places to enjoy the rush of dropping into a glassy wave and flying along the wave face. Choosing the right board design and the right surf locale, and then having Mother Nature on your side is awesome. The end reward is exhilarating, but there are many paths to be traveled before you’re ready to do aerials and tube riding. Early on, you’ll be eating it a lot more than walking the board. Hone your surfing skills first, and then learn what board and fin design works for you and all the other things that go into it. Welcome to the marketing of this sport, where board shorts sell for $150. Surfing has affected

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found them. Tyler not only got the autograph, he got to surf with his heroes. No matter what your passion is in life, whether business or pleasure, stay stoked, stay out of rip currents and always have fun.

Large companies with HR expertise in-house implement a full scope of HR initiatives to maximize employee productivity, avoid costly problems and ultimately, increase and protect profits. Connie Laughlin, a business consultant for South Texas, provides smaller companies lacking that expertise with the same advantage to keep costs predictable and the employer protected. For more information, contact Laughlin at conniel@uniquehr.com. In loving memory of Tyler Monroe Lindsay (19842009)

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NSIDE feature

Each aspect contributes immensely to the overall feel of the event.

Customization is Key When it comes to planning the perfect meeting, event or social gathering, the devil really is in the details. By: [Rebekah Sillman]

There are many aspects of an event to consider. I am fortunate to get to see more than 400 meetings, events and social gatherings each year. As I think about what is trending now, each aspect can really make a statement. Here are a few aspects to consider and truly pay attention to in order to show

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off the personality of the event. Décor makes the first impression of any event. You want each of your guests to be blown away at first sight. A big piece of the puzzle is lighting. This can change the complete look of a room and create a remarkable ambiance. It is very often overlooked

in the planning process or cut when budgets get tight. Personally, I have seen it make and break events. Other great options include linen, plants/ flowers, signage and layout. Each aspect contributes immensely to the overall feel of the event. The devil really is in the details. Communicating to your guests the flow of an event is vital. Whether it is a meeting agenda or a menu card at a wedding stating the toasts, dinner and cutting of the cake, it is helpful to let people know what is expected of them. If it is a social event, your emcee should be able to manage the crowd. Communicating the various activities and keeping the mood and party going are the emcee’s responsibilities, so choose your emcee wisely. Food and beverage is one of the simplest ways to communicate a theme. A big trend in beverage is specialty drinks. They can have fun names to reiterate the event’s concept. Another aspect to think about is the color of the drink if it is for a wedding. Food can carry it a step further. One event we are looking forward to hosting is a wedding in July. The bride and groom have chosen a menu to showcase their love of travel and want guests to sample the cuisine of their favorite hot spots. Dinner will range from Brazilian kabobs and New Orleans beignets to Italian peach Bellinis and maple butter cornbread. Guests will get to enjoy the adventure right along with the bride and groom! Today’s trends in special events are so diverse that each event can truly say so much about you. As you work to create it, make sure you choose to work with a venue that is happy to customize items for you.

Rebekah Sillman is the general manager for the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center. You may contact her at rebekah@pocca.com or 361-8856229, or visit www.facebook.com/theortizcenter.

CoRPuS CHRiSTiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S fiRST And only eXCluSive SAlon. HAiR, nAilS, wAXing, lASeR & AnTi-Aging SAlon.

Salon Palomo 2033 Airline Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78412 across the street from the Corpus Christi Athletic Club

361.855.8841

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 9am-7pm N S I D E C O A S T A L B E N D 17 www.salonpalomo.com

NSIDE feature

TRANSFORMING IDEAS INTO REALITY Ideas Week Corpus Christi: A game changer for the Coastal Bend By: [Lori Garza]

Every action starts as an idea. The difference between success and indifference is what you do with that idea. It is easier to do nothing than it is to take a risk and try something new. This is the reality of life and the key to the society in which we live. How do we as a community ensure that we are promoting action instead of inaction and success instead of indifference? It takes a game changer to create a culture that is supportive of business, culture and education, and that embraces differences of opinion. Today, we are in the middle of this culture shift. Look around the Coastal Bend, and you will see new businesses, exciting events and people seeking to make our community better, one day at a time. Now is the time to spring into action, create

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your community and enjoy what it is starting to become. Ideas Week is based on the philosophy that every person can be an idea catalyst who can change our community. Ideas Week Corpus Christi is about highlighting ideas, innovation, research and creativity here in the Coastal Bend. The purpose of Ideas Week is to take a different approach to community development by highlighting the events, organizations and research happening in the Coastal Bend. Ideas Week events will comprise a blend of idea sharing, action implementation and inspiration. Ideas Week will incorporate everything from exercise and entertainment to development and infrastructure. Prepare for the future of the Coastal Bend. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

your idea? Ideas Week Corpus Christi is proudly presented by Young Business Professionals of the Coastal Bend, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation. Young Business Professionals of the Coastal Bend is developing the next generation of leaders through the education, service, recruitment and retention of young talent. It is a member-driven nonproďŹ t organization that is rapidly growing in our community.

For more information on Ideas Week schedules or sponsorship, visit www.ideasweekcc.org.

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NSIDE feature

Antiques and Oil Put Corpus Christi on the Map

PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow” and the 2012 South Texas Oilfield Expo put the Sparkling City by the Bay in the national spotlight.

South Texas Oilfield Expo The South Texas Oilfield Expo will make its debut in Corpus Christi, featuring more than 1,200 exhibitors from all over the country and more than 10,000 attendees. The expo was started on the heels of the success of the Eagle Ford Shale basin that continues to propel the growth of the oil and gas industry in South Texas. Oil and gas professionals will have the opportunity to learn about the newest advancements in technology in their booming industry.

By: [Samantha Koepp]

The spotlight is focused on our Sparkling City by the Bay with American Bank Center hosting two events that will bring national exposure and significant economic impact over the next couple of months. PBS’s traveling antique appraisal show, “Antiques Roadshow,” visited on Aug. 4, and the 2012 South Texas Oilfield Expo will be held Sept. 19 and 20. PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow” Famous for revealing the value of heirlooms and garage sale bargain buys, PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow” is in its 17th year of traveling across the nation and offering free appraisal services from specialists from leading auction houses and independent dealers. The event is for ticket holders only. Applications were collected online, and through a random drawing, ticket holders were selected and announced in early May 2012. Approximately 50 of the appraisals from Corpus Christi were filmed and will be featured on three “Antiques Roadshow” episodes. “Antiques Roadshow” will air the Corpus Christi segment in 2013 as one-hour shows aired for three weeks in a row. These will be three different shows taken from the three-hour taped segment from their visit in August. Each week, 20 minutes into the show, a unique place in Corpus Christi will be featured for five minutes. Over the course of the three weeks, our city will receive national exposure to more than 10 million viewers each week.

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Based on exhibitor and attendee registrations, the economic impact of the event is expected to be approximately $30 million for Corpus Christi. Expenditures in hotel room bookings and restaurant dining by visitors to our city significantly contribute to the anticipated boost in the local economy. There is a Public Attendance Policy in place that allows members of the community who are 18 years or older to attend if they are seeking prospective employment and/or have an interest in technologies within the oil and gas industry. Those interested in attending the expo can register online at www.southtexasoilfieldexpo. com.

American Bank Center is Corpus Christi’s premier event center. For more information on upcoming events, visit www.americanbankcenter.com, look for us on Facebook and MySpace or follow us on Twitter (@AmericanBankCtr).

Be Here - enjoy your Life! Sip, Savor, Taste - Downtown CC

Havana - Upscale Bar and Ultra Lounge

Bleu Bistro and Azur Bar

500 N. Water Street, Corpus Christi, TX

- Happy Hour from 4-7:30pm - VIP Booths with Bottle Service Available - Walk-in Humidor with Premium Cigars - Tapas Menu Served until 8pm - Friday’s – International Night with Live Music - Saturday’s – House DJ - Hours: 4pm - 10pm, Monday through Wednesday 4pm - 2am Thursday, Friday, Saturday - Additional Services: Full Service Catering, Private Parties

For Reservations and for Booking Special Events Contact Marcus at marcusrsoliz@msn.com or call Havana at 361.882.5552 or Bleu Bistro at 361.887.2121.

- French-American Cuisine and Fine Cocktails - Relaxed – upscale dining atmosphere - Prime Steaks and Seafood - Extensive Wine List - Specialty Cocktails - Additional Services: Full Service Catering, Private Parties, Private Room, Outdoor Covered Patio Seating - Hours: 5pm - 10pm, Monday through Thursday 5pm - 12pm, Friday and Saturday

For Reservations and for Booking Special Events Contact Marcus at marcusrsoliz@msn.com or call Havana at 361.882.5552 or Bleu Bistro at 361.887.2121.

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NSIDE feature

‘A Steal at $1,995!’ Beware of jewelry sales gimmicks and consult a qualified jewelry appraiser in order to understand the truth about value and appraisals. By: [Adam Hinojosa]

People love bargain deals, especially when it comes to jewelry. How else do you explain the crowds of people who flock to jewelry chain stores on Black Friday to take advantage of the “five-carat diamond tennis bracelet – regularly $3,000 – on sale for $499 one day only!” sales? For years, jewelry retailers have used these kinds of gimmicks to attract customers to their retail shops. But where did this idea come from? It started back in the 1980s with the first major spike in gold value. At that time, the gold index surpassed $800 per ounce, reaching record-high values for that period. As such, jewelers (rightfully so) increased the price of their jewelry stock to reflect the replacement cost of merchandise at the then record-high price of gold. But just as suddenly as the gold index skyrocketed, it crashed back down to $200 to $300 per ounce. Instead of adjusting the jewelry prices back down accordingly, jewelry retailers put their items on sale, claiming a piece that retailed for $5,000, for example, could be purchased on sale for only $1,995. This created a monster of a sales gimmick that has yet to be slain. In order to satisfy consumers’ need to get a “bargain” deal, many retail jewelers mark up the “retail price” of their merchandise so they can offer it “on sale” anywhere from 30 to 70 percent off. To give you a simplistic analogy, consider this: Gold and diamonds are precious commodities that are also used as a currency exchange in parts of the world. Using currency as an example, if you have a $100 bill, would you let me buy it from you for $50? Of course not! So why is it reasonable for a jewelry retailer to sell something supposedly valued at $5,000 for only $1,995? The answer is that it isn’t reasonable – that

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jewelry retailer would go out of business quickly! The reality in this example is that the sale price of $1,995 is the real retail value, and if you do some research, you’ll find an item of comparable quality, weight, design, etc., selling for similar prices among jewelry competitors, whether the item is advertised as on sale or not. Because of this retail gimmick, most jewelry appraisals are also inaccurate. After all, how can a jewelry retailer advertise a piece of jewelry valued at $5,000 if the appraisal didn’t match? Consumers don’t seem to mind because they believe an overvalued appraisal will give them an additional buffer should they ever need to make a claim, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Jewelry appraisals are supposed to give the owner a current replacement value for insurance purposes. The current replacement value is determined through market research of sales of comparable jewelry, the cost of making a reproduction or a replica of the jewelry, consideration of additional premium for designer names and additional consideration for taxes and inflation. Having an overvalued appraisal for your jewelry

will only cost you more in the long run. The higher the appraised value, the higher your insurance premiums will be. And should you ever lose your piece of jewelry, your insurance company will not necessarily give you the amount on your appraisal; it will research the current replacement cost of your jewelry among competitive jewelry retailers and pay accordingly. The improper appraised value will almost never be paid because competing jewelry retailers will offer a replacement piece for a similar price to what you paid, if not lower. It is extremely important to get an accurate appraisal for your jewelry from a qualified jewelry appraiser and to update your appraisals every one or two years. A qualified jewelry appraiser should be able to properly identify and grade any stones in your jewelry, identify and measure the precious metal content and be knowledgeable on how to research current market and replacement values for any jewelry piece. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact us at FJO Studio. We’re here to help you!

Adam Hinojosa is the executive VP/GM of Fine Jewelry Office Studio, located at One Shoreline Plaza, 800 N. Shoreline Blvd., Ste. 340 (South Tower), Corpus Christi, Texas 78401. For more information, call 361-500-4433 (store) or 361-726-2800 (cell). You may also visit www.fjostudio.com or www.facebook. com/fjostudio.

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Entrepreneurs

at heart

“Marketing makes a difference” at Gomez Gabriel Real Estate, where young businessmen Rick Gomez and Cass Gabriel continue to take the Coastal Bend real estate market by storm. By: [sarah tindall] Photography: [dustin ashcraft]

ick Gomez has always known he wanted to work in real estate. He grew up watching his grandmother, who has been managing her rental properties for the past 50 years, and says he always enjoyed it. So he started in the business in his early 20s by buying properties and renting them out, and then he began to flip houses by buying and renovating them before selling them again. Soon enough, it became apparent to him that he could maximize his profits doing this if he were a realtor – thereby cutting out the middleman. “I wanted to run my own show,” he says. In 2003, he began as a real estate investor in earnest, and then became a realtor six years ago. After working as a realtor and continuing to buy and sell property for a couple of years, he decided it was time to manage the whole process himself and get his broker’s license. He managed his own company, Gomez Properties, for a year-and-a-half, and then he met Cass Gabriel in 2010. “I met him one day, met him for coffee the next day to explore our options and we formed Gomez Gabriel on the third day,” Gomez says. “We just knew that we shared a vision for what we wanted a real estate company to be.” Gabriel says he grew up in real estate, as well. “My family owns a local real estate appraisal company, and my grandmother was a real estate agent. After college at the University of Texas, I stayed in Austin for another 13 years and owned a RE/MAX office there until I decided I had enough and was ready to come home to all my brothers and sisters and parents back here in Corpus Christi.” Now the two manage 16 realtors and, though young, are taking the local real estate market by storm. In the past few months, they have opened another office on the island, as well as one in Austin. “Our formula for success is skills plus relationships,” Gomez

says. He knows many real estate offices are very competitive, but he and Gabriel insist that their realtors work as a team. Sharing successful strategies, learning from each other and building on past success and knowledge gives Gomez Gabriel the competitive edge. The next piece of the puzzle is a conscious decision to maximize technology to its fullest potential. “I was pretty young when I started, and I noticed that companies were not using websites to their full potential,” Gomez says. “Our slogan at Gomez Gabriel is ‘marketing makes a difference.’ Most real estate companies use three marketing points to sell a house. Now we use an 80-plus-point marketing program. “Each of our listings has its own website. We use a professional photographer to shoot the photos of the house to publish; a ‘text for info’ feature gives potential buyers information

“We knew that we shared a vision for what we wanted a real estate company to be.” about a house immediately; customers can take a ‘gliding tour’ through a house instead of the more static virtual tour; and [there are] even elevated shots on the webpage so you can view the house from above and see the neighborhood, among others.” Gomez and Gabriel add that Facebook alone has been responsible for 10 to 20 percent of their sales so far this year. Real estate sales is not the only venture this pair is working, N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

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though. They also own Rent Corpus Management, a company that manages 50 to 75 rental properties. Their customers are everyone from folks who had to move out of state or out of the country for a time, to people who didn’t want to sell their property at a loss and decided to rent it out until the market recovered from the recession, to landowners with multiple properties who don’t want to manage them personally. Gomez and Gabriel also each have investment properties of their own and personal real estate sales. “I know we need to stabilize,” Gomez says, “but right now we are in pure growth mode. We’re young and have the time, and I just don’t see us stopping the growth right now. We’re entrepreneurs at heart, and we like to open businesses and manage companies.” The end plan is clear, though: Gomez and Gabriel want to be No. 1 in terms of sales in Corpus Christi. Gabriel is also very busy in the development of downtown Corpus Christi. He serves on the board of the Downtown Management District and can be considered a pioneer in getting downtown Corpus Christi’s redevelopment going. He has sold and is currently selling several of the historic buildings in the downtown area, and they will be developed into mixed-use retail and residential. “You won’t be able to recognize downtown in two years,” he says. “This is the last place in America with such a beautiful coastal view that is not devel-

“Our formula for success is skills plus relationships.” oped. All of the right players are in place, and development is being pushed.” Gabriel’s time in Austin is put to good use here, as he helped that city grow and develop its historic buildings, and now he feels it is his hometown’s time to shine. “I saw a huge opportunity to do something different than what many realtors were doing in Corpus Christi,” Gabriel says. “Real estate companies were just putting a sign in a seller’s yard and putting the house in the MLS listing, and that was the extent of their marketing.” Gomez agrees, saying that the pair is committed to aggressively seeking buyers for their clients, and that marketing is the keystone to their success. The goal in the end for Gomez Gabriel is to be the preeminent real estate company in Corpus Christi, and the two are committed to the attainment of such a lofty goal.

“Every day my job is to help somebody find their dream house,” Gabriel says. “The buyer is happy, the seller is happy and we get paid, so I am happy. I love my job!” Although the two couldn’t be more dissimilar (Gomez wears a suit to work each day and is quiet and soft-spoken, while Gabriel shows up for work in shorts and flip-flops and refers to his personality as a “pit bull”), the men say they are always on the same page in the business and work amazingly well together. Both are excited about what is to come next for the firm, and they say this is a bright new day for the city they both love so much.

For more information, go to www.gomezgabriel.com, call 361-992-7253 or email info@gomezgabriel.com. N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

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from the ★

ground up ★

Having caught the entrepreneurial bug early on, James Gonzales has his friends, his family and his own dedication to thank for the success of popular bar and gamer’s paradise, Izzy’s Bar & Patio. By: [Adolfo Pesquera] Photography: [dustin ashcraft]

zzy’s Bar & Patio, a gamer’s paradise, is James Gonzales’ idea of hard work, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I own a bar,” Gonzales said in a tone of understatement. What Gonzales has is an entertainment destination that has been so popular since it opened last October he already has imitators. “A purest form of flattery is when people copy you. It’s a concept people were ready for,” said Robert Wiggins, an oilfield worker in the Eagle Ford Shale who also happens to be a minority co-owner. Gonzales introduced Giant Jenga and Giant Connect 4 to Corpus Christi, making the bar’s patio a popular outdoor venue. Izzy’s is a place where people dress casually and anticipate a physically active evening that need not have a thing to do with knowing dance steps. He calls it an action bar. There is an indoor arcade wellstocked with vintage games like Donkey Kong, Pac-Man and Skee-Ball. And with big-screen televisions onsite, no one misses a sporting event here. Izzy’s, ironically named after a famous Prohibition Era liquor agent, serves more than 50 beer and ale brands. It is the second bar Gonzales has owned. Now 36 years old, he has been in the business half his life. “I started at 18 as a door guy in the summertime at Bobarubas,” he said, referring to a once popular come-asyou-are beach bar in town. It was 1994 and Gonzales would soon be entering college, something he wasn’t too

interested in. He took basic courses at Delmar College, mainly to please his parents. But that didn’t last. Gonzales had wanted to be in business of some sort ever since he spent his summers as a boy working in his maternal grandfather, Ray Garcia’s, produce company, the Garcia Banana Co. “I learned a lot from watching him,” Gonzales said. By his late teens, Gonzales was learning the nightclub business. “I got hooked at an early age to the nightlife and that business,” he said. “I just kind of gravitated there. It was easy to get lost in it.” In 1996, he moved to Tom Foolery’s Chill & Grill and soon became the manager. That was where Wiggins, a high school friend, first joined Gonzales as an after-hours working stiff. “We started working the front door at Tom Foolery’s together,” Wiggins recalled, adding he made all of $6 an hour in those days. Gonzales left Tom Foolery’s in 2000 to take a nightclub management job in San Antonio, but he and Wiggins kept in touch. Gonzales found he didn’t care for San Antonio and jumped up to Austin eight months later to be managing partner of The Drink, a 10,000-square-foot mega-bar on popular 6th Street. “It was your typical college town bar,” he said. “Game-day weekends, we were full, busting at the seams.” While he was in Austin, Gonzales met his future wife, Susan, who was a student at Texas State University in San Marcos. Gonzales was looking to

take the next step and open his own place, but he was at a crossroads. “We found out we were having a baby,” he said. “I could either stay in Austin and try to do something and

spend three times the money, or come to Corpus.” Launching a business in his hometown would cost much less and have a higher chance of success, he thought. >>

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“I got hooked to the nightlife and that business at an early age. I just kind of gravitated there. It was easy to get lost in it.” ★★★★★

So in 2006, with a pregnant wife by his side, Gonzales went back to his roots with his savings from the Austin venture. A year later, he opened The Reserve. It was the first bar concept he built from the ground up. But to get it going, he had to sell a percentage of his interest to bring in a partner, and he had to borrow from his parents. He sold his interest in The Reserve in October 2011, but by then, Gonzales was already well on his way to opening Izzy’s. Getting Izzy’s ready was a family affair. Steven

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Gonzales, his father, helped build the patio deck, the bar top and other fixtures. “Everybody that knew James and wanted him to be successful helped,” the elder Gonzales said. A retired school educator, Gonzales has nothing but pride for what his son has accomplished with his staff of 23. “They work hard to be successful,” he said. “They treat people right. They work long hours.” He also enjoys hanging out there. A former principal in the Corpus Christi School District, Gonzales said, “It’s kind of

interesting seeing your former students at a bar.” When his son, James, was looking to get a new place opened, he found an interested investor in Wiggins, who had left the bar business to become a fluids engineer in the oilfields. A friend of his was in the oil trade in Pennsylvania, but had trouble finding anyone he could trust who was willing to brave those cold northeastern winters. Wiggins accepted an invitation and mastered a very profitable skill. “I was making $700 a day,” Wiggins said. He put away money in the bank. And while on vacation in Texas, he found work in the Eagle Ford Shale. His savings account grew. While Wiggins was committed to the oil industry, he had an interest in investing in something he loved. “I had always thought about opening a bar,” he said. He found an easy way to do both: Take a percentage in his buddy’s place. Wiggins drops by Izzy’s a couple of times a week “to check on things,” he said. “It’s very successful. I was pleasantly surprised at how successful it’s been.” Friends, family and his own driving ambition got Gonzales this far. But he is especially fond of his grandparents and has memorialized their influence through the name of his umbrella corporation: GonMad Beverage Concepts. It is a composition that borrows from his grandfather’s Garcia Banana Company, and his paternal grandparents’ business in Texarkana, GonMad Antiques. “I try to tie all my businesses to the family history,” he said. “For example, The Reserve logo was a Circle R. That was the cattle brand at my grandfather’s ranch.”

Izzy’s Bar & Patio is located at 4535 S. Padre Island Drive, Ste. 2. For more information, contact James Gonzales at 361-334-5030. You may also look for Izzy’s on Facebook at www.facebook.com/izzys.bar.

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four decades of Dedication

After 40 years of providing the Coastal Bend with endless amounts of icy treats, Sno Ball owner Sophia Hernandez continues to build her legacy. 32

By: [Amanda Howeth] Photography: [dustin ashcraft] N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

“This is what I always wanted to do ... more than anything else.”

ophia Hernandez takes pride in her work. She has dedicated herself to the success of her Sno Ball business for the past 40 years. And it’s that solid commitment to quality that continues to motivate and inspire her family to maintain that success today. Her impeccable work ethic did not happen by accident. Her determination to succeed emerged from several obstacles she had to overcome in her early life. The eldest of five children, Sophia was born in 1936 on a small ranch in Falfurrias, Texas. According to her son, R.G. Hernandez, her father struggled with a gambling habit and was not able to adequately provide for his family during her childhood. At the tender age of 12, Sophia began working small jobs in order to bring in some money to sup-

port her family. “She would iron and wash clothes for the local people, and that’s how she would make her living,” R.G. said. In addition to helping her mother care for her siblings, Sophia managed to attend school while working to make ends meet. It was during this time she met her future husband, Ramon Hernandez, at a local festival. She began attending high school a few years late, and it took her a bit longer to get through classes than others her age, but she made it through. She graduated from Falfurrias High School in 1957 at 21 years old. Two years later, Ramon graduated from high school and joined the Marine Corps. However, his time in the military would be brief, as he was medically discharged from service after suffering a leg injury. The couple married shortly afterward and started their family, and in 1959, they moved to Corpus Christi to make their mark. They found opportunity in the Coastal Bend. Ramon found work as a local beer distributor, and Sophia began investing her time toward attaining an education and a career in the medical field. After putting herself through college, Sophia became a certified medical assistant, making her one of the very first Hispanic women in the Coastal Bend to earn the distinction. In 1971, Ramon and Sophia purchased a small tortilla factory located on Baldwin Boulevard. The couple ran their business as a grocery store for a year until they decided to take on something new. “My dad said, ‘No. We need to find a new niche. We need to find something that’s going to blow the town away,’” said Jennifer Hernandez, Sophia’s daughter. That’s when Sno Ball was born. Sophia did her research and made a plan. She had the Sno Ball machine shipped to Texas from Louisiana. That’s when she began combining different extracts to invent her own syrup flavors at home in her kitchen. “It was basically like a laboratory,” R.G. said. “Whatever she concocted in it was good … She’s a very good cook.” Sophia knew how to work the machine and how to create her syrups, but what she didn’t know was how to market her family’s new small business. As fate would have it, she didn’t have to.

About a month after the shop opened, on a particularly hot summer day, a huge fire broke out at nearby Austin Elementary School. The emergency lured in several concerned onlookers and first responders. After he saw what was happening, Ramon decided to take the shop’s machines outside. Soon afterward, Sno Ball rose to popularity and became a household name. After 30 years working in their respective fields, Ramon and Sophia decided to retire in 1985 so they could dedicate themselves to their business full-time. Despite all the adversity she and her husband had to face and all the obstacles that came their way, Sophia says she always knew one thing: “I wanted to be somebody.” In 2002, Ramon was diagnosed with cancer; he passed away from his illness in 2004. While her husband was undergoing treatment, Sophia suffered a mild stroke that affected her ability to retain her short-term memory. However, this hasn’t stopped her from carrying on as usual. “She’s always been extremely tenacious,” R.G. said. “If there was something she wanted to do, she would find a way to figure it out.” Nearly 60 flavors, four decades and three generations later, Sophia is still building her legacy. With unwavering support from her family, Sophia spends her time running her second store on Everhart. Her eldest daughter, Tammy, runs the original store, and her grandchildren help out where they’re needed. Relying solely on word of mouth, long lines still weave all the way out the doors and down the sidewalks of both locations. It is evidence that the store is just as popular today as the day it opened for business. Parts of her memory may be gone now, but Sophia’s desire to continue working and stay active is still strong. “It was what I always wanted to do … more than anything else.”

Sno Ball No. 1 is located at 5522 Everhart Road, No. C1, and Sno Ball No. 2 is located at 3830 Baldwin Blvd. For more information, call location No. 1 at 361-854-9420 or location No. 2 at 361-883-0226.

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NSIDE etiquette

From the Playground to the Boardroom More prevalent than ever, bullying in the workplace affects surprising numbers of professionals around the globe. By: [Sharon Schweitzer]

Korey Howell Photography

“There is no character howsoever good and fine, but it can be destroyed by ridicule, howsoever poor and witless.” – Mark Twain

Sharon Schweitzer, J.D., is an international etiquette expert and the founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide. For more information, visit www.protocolww. com, www.facebook.com/ protocolww or www.twitter. com/austinprotocol. You may also email sharon@ protocolww.com.

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It is not just happening on the playground and in high schools. We see it on Twitter and on the evening news. Bullying in the workplace is reaching surprising proportions around the country and across the globe. Half of the companies surveyed by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) have reported incidents of bullying in their own organizations – situations that have led to decreased morale, increased stress and depression and decreased trust among co-workers. Employees who have not personally been bullied, but have directly observed a co-worker being bullied, report negativity toward the employer. Workplace bullying has organizational costs, reducing employee productivity and eroding company loyalty – which in turn, leads to higher turnover. It has a direct impact on a company’s bottom line. To address bullying head-on, we must first understand more about it. Here are some surprising facts on the subject: 1. According to the Workplace Bullying Institute’s (www.workplacebullying. org) 2010 surveys, 35 percent of U.S. workers have been bullied. There are more female bullies than males, most often bullying other women in their workplace. In fact, same-sex bullying accounts for the majority of cases – which are four times more prevalent than cases of illegal harassment (based on race, age, gender, religion or national origin). 2. Worldwide, the numbers are even worse. In May 2011, online career website Monster.com conducted a poll that asked, “Have you ever been bullied at work?” Monster received 16,517 responses from 53 countries, showing that almost two thirds of respondents had been bullied to the point of physical abuse, tears or a negative effect on workplace performance. As a group, Europeans reported the worst numbers, with

83 percent having been bullied, versus 63 percent in the United States and 55 percent in Asia. 3. Workplace bullying is also known as “equal opportunity harassment,” as opposed to illegal harassment. While repeated mistreatment, work sabotage, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation and humiliation are extraordinarily unprofessional, there are currently no laws that ban this behavior. Legislation has been proposed. Workplace bullying falls into the same challenging gray category as gossiping or spreading rumors, withholding information and taking credit for someone else’s work. It is a question of ethics and morals instead of law. 4. Workplace bullying may be a oneon-one problem; or just like in high school, it may be a group acting together to attack a target. This group “mobbing” is often the worst-case scenario, as threats, gossip, social ostracizing or purposeful workload imbalance is much harder to deal with if the bullying target is outnumbered. Given its prevalence, how do thoughtful executives and HR team members ensure that workplace bullying is not part of their work environment? Here are some tips that may help identify bullying problems as they arise, or even before they begin: 1. Human resources: During the hiring process, consider explaining corporate culture to potential candidates. Be sure to hire applicants who will thrive in the setting. Be clear in the interview. Be direct and offer such feedback as “Please do not accept this offer if you are not into teamwork and cubicles.” 2. Executive leadership: At the executive level, ask the tough questions: Does our work environment create a culture that encourages supervisors to engage in bullying behavior? Be cautious of an overemphasis on hard out-

comes above all other measures of performance; a primary daily focus to meet short-term, measurable objectives; values and encouragement of assertiveness or competitiveness above other skills; and supervisors prioritizing personal friendships within the workplace. 3. Corporate culture: The U.S. workforce has become more diverse with talent. More diversity has a tendency to increase interpersonal conflict with some individuals. Cultures of collaboration, creativity and fast thinking create competition – which is certainly not a problem on its own. However, if this describes your company, keep a close eye on your teams. It is the aggressive behavior that crosses the line into abusive conduct that is the challenge. 4. Corporate-wide prevention: Nathanael Fast, in his article in the Harvard Business Journal, suggests the following strategies for reducing workplace bullying: Include high expectations of interpersonal skills and leadership experience for managers; provide management training and mentors; keep managers focused on core values; avoid unrealistic expectations on supervisors; and engage in company-wide education about the psychological consequences of power. So many of us have a hard time understanding why bullying continues to occur beyond childhood and into seemingly professional work environments. Keep in mind that 40 percent of those bullied do not tell their employers – and of those who do, 62 percent report that they have been ignored. Twitter is filled with reports of board members and executives forced out of appointments and positions due to bullying allegations. Think about your career and the success you have achieved. Remember to be civil in the workplace and to keep an eye out for damaging behavior around you.

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NSIDE travel

CCIA! AKA, CRP

Acronyms: Navigating the airport and aviation lingo By: [Kim Bridger]

If you take a close look at an airline boarding pass, you’ll notice Corpus Christi referred to as CRP. CRP is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designation for the Corpus Christi International Airport (CCIA). If you take the FAA out of the picture for a moment, you might recognize CCIA as a fairly acceptable acronym for the airport. The question is, at what point in the evolution of humans as communicators did we begin to speak in letters instead of words? Like joining the military, working at an airport gets you on the fast track to something I call acronymania. The FAA approved the AIP so that CRP could expand the FIS and the QTA for the RACs. The QTA will be paid for with the CFC. Huh? Let’s try that again speaking in words instead of letters: The Federal Aviation Administration approved the Airport Improvement Plan so that Corpus Christi International Airport could expand the Federal Inspection Services facility and the Quick Turn-Around for the Rental Car Companies. The Quick Turn-Around facility will be paid for with the Customer Facility Charge. I will admit that the sentence full of acronyms is shorter and doesn’t take as much time to finish. But imagine walking into a building where your new co-

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workers have an acronym for just about everything. The FBO (fixed-based operator) will service airport GA (general aviation) while the PSOs (public safety officers) keep their eyes on the AOA (aircraft operational area). The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) designates the SIDA (security identification display area) based in part on the ASP (airport security plan). As if that wasn’t enough, the FIDS (flight information display system) is visible around the terminal so that WNCO (Southwest Airlines), UA (United Airlines) and AA (American Airlines) can keep customers informed on flight schedules. Based on CRP’s (Corpus Christi International Airport’s) O&D (origins and destinations) study, LAS (Las Vegas) is the most popular destination among Coastal Bend residents. I have nothing against airport and aviation professionals trying to make life a little easier. If they can save time by speaking in tongue and in all caps, who am I to try to change that? Over time, I have learned the lingo, so I can participate in conversations and follow just about any topic that comes up. I am living proof that a civilian can survive a bout of acronymania without much in the way of side effects. We know people in the military have been liv-

ing and learning their own lingo for as far back as the history books will take us. The affliction runs rampant in the DOD (Department of Defense) and shows no signs of dying off. The truth is that acronyms are common at all levels of government. From the DOT (Department of Transportation) to the CCPD (Corpus Christi Police Department), we use these acronyms to help expedite communication and get things done so we can get on with the next thing. It’s no different than the now common computer and texting language our kids have taught us. We now LOL (laugh out loud) when we see TMI (too much information) on our PDAs (personal data assistants). We live in a state of acronymania. If you’ve never seen that word before, please don’t go jumping off the deep end and accusing me of creating my own language. If people can speak in letters, I can make up a new word every now and then.

Kim Bridger is the PR and marketing coordinator for Corpus Christi International Airport. You may contact her at kimb@cctexas.com.

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NSIDE shop

Another Sizzling Summer for La Palmera

With the number of shoppers and new tenants on the rise, the super-regional mall is hotter than ever. By: [Sarona Winfrey]

Texas summers are always hot and not just in terms of heat and humidity. While the Corpus Christi area annually draws tourists for outdoor and leisure activities, a sizable number also look for a way to stay cool while indulging in another favorite pastime: shopping. And this year has been another busy one for super-regional mall La Palmera. “Summer in general is always an incredibly busy time for us, and 2012 is no exception,” said La Palmera General Manager Fred Walters. “Although folks enjoy finding things to do outdoors, being able to shop, eat and be entertained in climatecontrolled comfort is always a plus. We have more than 100 retailers and numerous dining options, including several new ones added just this year, so it’s easy to find enjoyable ways to pass the time.” And as summer draws to a close, marking the end of vacation for students, La Palmera will get yet another boost as a result of back-to-school shopping during the annual Texas sales tax-free weekend. During this year’s designated weekend, Friday, Aug. 17, through Sunday, Aug. 19, La Palmera will once again see crowds second only to those who start holiday shopping on Black Friday weekend. “We always see increased traffic on tax-free weekend. Over time, the state has expanded the list of exempted items, so it’s even more helpful to a shopper’s bottom line. Being able to save on both local and state sales taxes can really add up for many families, particularly those buying for more than one child.” Tax-free items once again include most basic school supplies, as well as backpacks, clothing, shoes and many accessories under $100 used by elementary and secondary students. A complete list of eligible items is available on the Texas Comptroller’s Window on State Government site at www. window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_490/

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tx98_490.html. The list will also be available at www.lapalmera.com, along with information on extended hours for the tax-free weekend. Shoppers will find more to choose from with several new stores now open, including White House Black Market (3,453 sf ), the popular women’s clothier, located between Express and Gymboree; Soma Intimates (2,313 sf ), specializing in women’s lingerie, adjacent to Kay Jewelers; 2b (4,885 sf ), featuring contemporary women’s fashion, located next to PacSun; and Traffic Shoes (1,105 sf ), offering trendsetting shoes for men and women, located on the main level between Aeropostale and Finish Line. “Traffic and sales remain strong at La Palmera, and having that strong position in the Coastal Bend retail market means we can attract the top retail and dining options. Additionally, the recent acquisition of the former Staples Center adjacent to La Palmera will allow us to continue expanding the quality shopping experience as the center transforms into The Shops at La Palmera.” Trademark Property Company and joint venture partner Institutional Mall Investors LLC (IMI) acquired the Staples Center, which is located directly across from La Palmera, on April 11. IMI and Trademark together acquired La Palmera in 2008. The 15.53-acre Staples Center, built in the 1980s, and the 3.81-acre Mount Vernon Center, built in the 1940s, will undergo rebranding, along with a major redesign and renovation, scheduled to begin in late 2012 with completion slated for 2013. The redeveloped center, to be named The Shops at La Palmera, will total approximately 200,000 square feet. The new design of the property will complement the design of La Palmera, which underwent a

two-year $50 million renovation after the property was purchased in 2008. Details are forthcoming for the redesign of The Shops at La Palmera, which will incorporate sustainable building practices. Trademark will lease and manage the new center.

Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, La Palmera is a 1-million-square-foot super-regional mall with more than 100 retail and restaurant tenants, including Dillard’s, JC Penney, Macy’s, P.F. Chang’s and Coach. Acquired in July 2008 by IMI and Trademark Property, La Palmera is the first mall to be awarded LEED® Silver for Core and Shell 2.0 established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Following a $50 million renovation, the mall features a new outdoor main entrance, a 600-seat food court with a 4,500-gallon feature aquarium and a children’s ocean-themed play area. For more information on La Palmera, go to www.lapalmera.com. For more information on The Shops at La Palmera, go to www.theshopsatlapalmera.com or call 361-991-3755.

THE LEADERS IN GOLD BUYING

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NSIDE wine

Champagne 101 A toast to champagne, the king of wines and the wine of kings By: [doug allison]

Bubbly, bubbly, bubbly. Perhaps you fancy yourself the purist, or maybe you’re a fan of champagne cocktails. In either event, let’s just agree that a little bubbly can soothe the soul. Champagne is heavenly, and this short writing is simply a frolic aimed at enjoying some of the rich history and pleasures of the king of wines (and wine of kings). “Come quickly – I am tasting the stars!” exclaimed Dom Pierre Perignon, the now famous French monk from Hautvillers (1638 – 1715). These words spoken by the Dom are associated with the story that it was Perignon who “invented” champagne in the mid-tolate 17th century. 1 Yet, another French version taking credit for the invention of champagne traces its origin to as early as 1531 and the monks of Saint-Hilaire. Of course, the English also take credit for the invention of champagne while highlighting their claim that any earlier French encounters with the effervescent wines were not reproducible and then deemed undesirable. I say the French have won this debate since every

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connoisseur of champagne concedes that it is not really champagne unless it is produced in the Champagne region of France – and since it is this Champagne region of France (not any region in England) that presently has 980 million bottles of champagne stored below ground. Here are some of the basics of champagne that you need to know. We can call this “Champagne 101,” and there will be a test at the end of this article. Champagne always comes from the Champagne region of France. If you are enjoying a fine bottle of bubbly from South Africa, Australia or even the good old United States (California), it’s sparkling wine – not champagne. Champagne is made from two or three types of grapes: red Pinot Noir (yes, a red grape); white Chardonnay; and red Pinot Meunier (added to enhance the aroma). If the champagne is made from only Chardonnay grapes, it is called Blanc de Blancs. Grapes are handpicked since a damaged grape adversely affects the color of the champagne, and the pressing of the

grapes should be done promptly after the harvest to assure freshness. The first pressing of the grapes is called the “cuvee.” The second pressing of the grapes is called the “premier taille.” Some may allow for a third pressing of the grapes, but this is not looked upon favorably since the grape’s juices become darker in color. You have likely seen the word “cuvee” on a bottle of champagne; this is the vineyard’s way of letting you know that the champagne was made from grape juices of a first press (the highest-quality grape juices). Then, the magic of the champagne-making process is what distinguishes the finest of champagnes: the blending of the different grapes’ juices, the initial fermentation in the vat, add sugar, add old wine, add yeast and then a second fermentation of three to seven years in bottles stored in caves (and the bottles are turned daily during years four, five, six and seven), degorgement,2 corking – and then finally, the bottle of champagne is ready to be enjoyed. As a general rule, it is true that the longer the

Generally, the longer the champagne ages in the underground caves, the better it tastes.

champagne ages in the underground caves, the better it tastes. Countless hours of dedicated efforts have perfected these processes over centuries of time, and all to give you Moet et Chandon; Dom Perignon; Armand de Brignac “Ace of Spades”; Veuve Clicquot; Bollinger; Louis Roederer “Cristal”; and others. So where do the bubbles come from? A little science easily answers this question. Yeast ferments sugars to form carbon dioxide gas. The tiny bubbles in champagne are carbon dioxide gas, and a bottle of champagne has approximately 50 million tiny bubbles in it. Insist on enjoying your champagne from a proper flute, since the shape of the flute enhances the aromas while managing the release of the tiny bubbles. Also, know that an authentic champagne flute has a little drop of glass at the bottom of the flute to make the tiny bubbles rise from the drop of glass – and that a preferred flute has thin glass to allow the champagne to cool the glass (not the other way around). At the Bleu Bistro and Havana, we boast a remark-

able champagne list. The Cattier family produces Armand de Brignac, the “Ace of Spades” champagne enjoyed so publicly by hip-hop artist Jay-Z. We also proudly serve Dom Perignon (a vintage-only prestige cuvee) and my personal favorite. The bistro and Havana also serve Gosset Brut Grand Reserve (produced by Gosset house, which was founded in 1584), Louis Roederer “Cristal” Brut (originally created in 1867 for Alexander II of Russia), Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label 3 (a dry, crisp champagne), Bollinger (007’s choice )4 and others. We serve these selections by the bottle, and others are available by the glass. A house favorite by the glass is Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rose champagne, and the Sofia Blanc de Blancs and Mumm Napa Cuvee M (both sparkling wines) are perfect aperitifs. And yes, please feel free to enjoy a champagne cocktail. The French 75 is our most popular champagne cocktail. You can also challenge our bartenders to make a Bleu Champagne, Bleu Rox’s Martini or Bleu Tahoe. (No, none of these champagne cocktails are Bleu Bistro’s creations, but rather, are known around the world among a list of more than 200 champagne cocktails that have been mixed and perfected for so many years.) Now, here’s your quiz question, and best of luck to a passing score in “Champagne 101.” What amount of pressure is behind a champagne cork? You are correct: The answer to this question is not contained in the article. Please come enjoy the Azur bar within Bleu Bistro and allow one of our bartenders to brave the release of 88 pounds of pressure (psi) behind the cork of a champagne bottle of your choosing. As Mark Twain said, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right.” It’s OK to indulge. Please gently pop a cork.

For more information on the Havana Club, call 361-8825552.

1 Nobody wants to be the one to debunk a good story, but the truth is the truth. It was not Dom Perignon who invented or discovered champagne. You know Perignon as the “inventor” of champagne since Moet et Chandon (the world’s largest champagne house) purchased the rights to the name of Dom Perignon, and promotes Dom Perignon and his abbey (Hautvillers Abbey) as the “birthplace of champagne.” As previously noted, others were already fancying their bubbling wines long before Perignon came along. However, please know that Perignon was extremely influential in further developing and evolving champagne. Perignon was the person who came up with the idea that harvesting later in time would lead to a more elegant wine, he invented the horizontal champagne press and he implemented the important practice of pressing the grapes at a location near to the vineyard (for freshness). He also founded the practice of using only light force in pressing the grapes (again, improving quality). All of these important contributions are traceable to Perignon, and these practices are still followed today. 2 Disgorgement is the process of allowing the liquid (with its accumulated residue) in the neck of the bottle to freeze, removing the cap and then removing the frozen residue. This disgorgement takes place during the second fermentation. 3 Every champagne house has its stories. One of the more interesting stories about Veuve Clicquot has to do with a group of Finnish divers who, in 2010, found 46 bottles of Veuve Clicquot aboard an1830s shipwreck in the Baltic Sea off the coast of the Aland Islands. Touted as the world’s oldest champagne, one of these bottles was auctioned to raise money for charity and commanded a price in excess of $40,000. These recovered bottles are marveled at given their rich history of being the wine of Madame Clicquot herself (the woman who ruled the famous house in the 19th century). 4 Yes, every house has its stories. And famous people say things that become famous. Lily Bollinger’s (of the champagne house of Bollinger) famous quote is a classic: “I only drink champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty.”

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NSIDE dine

Eat Fish. Really, it’s OK With Us.

At the Texas State Aquarium, we continue our responsibility to maintain the health of the ocean and the continued availability of its resources with the “Sensational Sustainable Seafood” program. By: [Tara Schultz & Kara Hahn]

While it might be counterintuitive to some to think that the Texas State Aquarium would encourage the consumption of seafood, it is in fact one of our many conservation and educational messages. We’ll even show you how to cook it. However, let me be clear: We do have some guidelines we ask you to follow. Fishing has a long tradition in human society, and many coastal cultures depend on resources from the ocean for nourishment. Seafood can be a healthy alternative to other food choices. But as the fishing industry uses more sophisticated equipment and the demand for seafood grows, fishing pressure grows, even expanding to places never fished before. Unfortunately, some fishing practices and poor (or no) management have drastically reduced fish populations around the world, some to the verge of collapse. The Atlantic cod fishery is a sad example. Once a staple of local menus and an essential part of the northeast regional economy, cod numbers crashed in the early 1990s, forcing Canada to close the fishery in 1992. Scientists now question whether that cod population will ever recover, although it has made steps in the right direction recently. The cod fishing practices were not “sustainable” – more fish were being harvested than were being produced. Eventually, no population can survive those dynamics. However, there is good news. There are wellmanaged fish populations and healthy stocks; the term “sustainable fisheries” is becoming more familiar as the public learns more about the issues; seafood markets and restaurants are providing information on where and how their seafood is harvested; and governments worldwide are in-

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creasingly designating marine reserves, or marine protected areas, which show promise as comprehensive management tools to support fish populations. Since 2009, the Texas State Aquarium’s “Sensational Sustainable Seafood” program has treated thousands to sumptuous sustainable seafood. Each month, local foodies gather for a unique experience, to socialize and to sample the fare generously donated and prepared by area chefs. “Sensational Sustainable Seafood” programs include information on how to make wise choices and take positive action to help sustain fisheries. Additionally, guest chefs do not prepare any seafood that is listed as a “red” (avoid) species by the “Seafood Watch” program. As in all of our programs, we hope to engage you in understanding our relationship with the ocean and our responsibility to maintain its health and the continued availability of its resources. What you can do There is a wealth of information available to help you learn about sustainable fisheries. Download one of the many pocket guides available on the Web to carry with you. Ask your grocer or waiter about the seafood being offered. • Seafood Watch www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/ seafoodwatch.aspx • Celebrate Seafood www.neaq.org • Right Bite www.sheddaquarium.org/Right_Bite.html

Problems with fishing Overfishing, or harvesting more fish than are being replaced, is just one threat to healthy fish populations. Here are some others: Aquaculture, or “fish farming”: Many farmed fish are raised in net pens, with large numbers concentrated in a small area. These fish produce large volumes of waste, which can pollute the surrounding water. Diseases from the penned fish can spread to wild populations, and “escapees” compete for resources with native populations. Other marine species are farm-raised using different methods: Tilapia, catfish, oysters, clams and mussels are considered good choices. Bycatch is unwanted or unintentional catch. Bycatch includes fish that are too small for legal harvest, fish that have no market value, seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals. Some fishing practices produce more bycatch than others. U.S. shrimp fishermen are required to use turtle excluder devices, or TEDs, to reduce catching sea turtles by mistake. Fishing gear: Continuous fishing with bottom trawlers can cause serious damage to the ocean floor. Nets that are miles long can result in enormous amounts of bycatch. “Sensational Sustainable Seafood” is held at the Texas State Aquarium on the second Tuesday of every month. Visit www.texasstateaquarium.org for more information, or call 361-653-2654 to reserve your seat.

For more information on this article, please contact mermaid@txstateaq.org.

Discover More at METROSCHOOLS.NET

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NSIDE dine

Something for Everyone Treat yourself and your family to a delicious roasted edamame salad, a delight for connoisseurs of both health food and fast food.

Fuzzy green pods of immature soybeans are known as edamame, and they have been part of Japanese cuisine for thousands of years. Their low-carb, lowcalorie, high-protein factors raise the eyebrows of healthy eaters, but their flavor is appealing to even fast-food connoisseurs. School is back in session, so this is a quick side-dish option for a weeknight meal between soccer practice and homework. No kids? Then the only things slowing you down in getting this from the page to your plate are the school zones.

For more information, email mandyashcraft314@gmail.com. You may also visit www.mandyashcraft.com for more healthy recipe ideas.

Ingredients: 2 cups shelled edamame, fresh or frozen 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions 1 clove garlic, minced 1/3 cup crumbled feta 1/2 cup sweet corn kernels

1 cup chopped tomato 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 1 Â˝ tbsp olive oil 3/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper Garnish: chopped basil leaves

Directions:

1/ Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking pan with foil. 2/ In a mixing bowl, add edamame, onions, garlic, corn, salt and pepper. Add olive oil and mix to coat well. Pour onto baking dish. Place on middle rack of oven for 1 to 15 minutes to roast. Edamame should begin to brown.

3/ Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. 4/ When cooled, pour into a serving bowl and toss with chopped tomato, red wine vinegar and feta cheese. Can be served room temperature, or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for a cold salad. 5/ To serve, sprinkle with freshly chopped basil leaves.

By: [Mandy Ashcraft] Photography: [dustin ashcraft]

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SFR, ALHS

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4622 Valor Dr - MLS# 174291 www.4622Valor.com 4 bdrm / 2.5 bth / 2 grg / 2,208 sqft

930 Carmel Pkwy - MLS# 203004 www.930Carmel.com 4 bdrm / 3 bth / 2 grg / 1,730 sqft

4322 Congressional Dr - MLS# 200849 www.4322Congressional.com 4 bdrm / 2.5 bth / 2 grg / 2,609 sqft

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962 Delaine Dr - MLS# 202853 www.962Delaine.com 3 bdrm / 3 bth / 2 grg / 1,761 sqft

3330 Shallow Creek Dr - MLS# 201999 www.3330ShallowCreek.com 3 bdrm / 2 bth / 2 grg / 1,468 sqft

4901 Goldeneye Dr - MLS# 202559 www.4901Goldeneye.com 3 bdrm / 2 bth / 2 grg / 1,603 sqft

GILBERT GALAN

JACOB BOCANEGRA

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3709 Waterloo - MLS# 175216 www.3709WaterlooDr.com 3 bdrm / 2 bth / 1 grg / 1,705 sqft

211 Chase - MLS# 175922 www.211Chase.com 3 bdrm / 2 bth / 2 grg / 1,401 sqft

521 Sheridan Dr - MLS# 200839 www.521Sheridan.com 3 bdrm / 1 bth / 2 grg / 1,268 sqft

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NATASHA MOTELY www.NatashaMotely.com

361-960-2958

361-688-8512

DIANE FUENTES

ALICIA TREVINO

SHANON QUARANTA

DEBBIE CARTIER

ANGELA MCDONOUGH

ASHLEY STVAN

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NSIDE real estate Now that you have outgrown your present home, what house do you buy next: a new home or a used home? With all that today’s new homes have to offer, I think the choice is very obvious. While a new home has too many advantages to list when compared to a used home, the reasons I typically see my customers selecting a new home fall into one of the five following general categories: 1. That “new car” smell 2. The “get what you want” syndrome 3. Energy efficiency and the “green revolution” 4. Technology 5. Warranty

1. That “new car” smell

Let’s face it: A new home is … well, new. It looks new, and it feels new. No one else has lived in it or messed it up. It’s just … new. And newness counts. In our model homes, I often hear my customers say that after comparing a Braselton home to a used home and realizing all they must do to update and upgrade that used home, a new home just makes more sense.

2. The “get what you want” syndrome

Out With the Old, in With the New? When looking for your next home, weigh your options and discover all of the luxuries and conveniences today’s new homes have to offer. By: [Bart Braselton]

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We often hear our customers say, “since I am spending a lot of my hard-earned money on this home, it just makes sense for me to get what I want.” With a new home, you can do just that. You can decorate your home to your liking and pick your flooring (tile, laminate, wood), your countertops (granite, quartz, soapstone) and your colors (maybe seafoam green and coral are a little too 1988). Furthermore, with a new home, you can get the design and layout you desire; you don’t have to settle for the trends and designs of the homes of the past. Homes built in the 1950s (or even the 1980s) don’t include the features we see our buyers consistently selecting today: open floor plans, three-car garages, big master bathrooms, island kitchens and big closets with lots of storage. And finally, with a new home, you can pick the layout that best fits your lifestyle. Do you want a one-story or a two-story home, three or four bedrooms, a home office, an exercise room or a pool-sized backyard? All of these features, and more, are available to you when you build your new home.

3. Energy efficiency and the “green revolution”

Over the last few years, there really has been a “green revolution.” Today, we are building homes that can save a homebuyer more than 50 percent on utility bills and furthermore make a much smaller carbon footprint than ever. Our Braselton eco-homes are built to the rigorous ENERGY STAR Version 3 standards, which allows us to build you a 3,000-square-foot home that has the energy bills of an older 1,500-square-foot home. In fact, our eco-homes are so efficient that we can even guarantee the air conditioning bill. How does an $85-per-month AC bill for a 3,100-squarefoot home sound to you? Additionally, we can add high-tech, super high-efficiency products like tank-less water heaters, spray foam insulation and solar panels to our eco-homes, creating the greenest, most energy-efficient homes in South Texas. I am truly amazed at what energy savings we are now able to offer. I urge you to come out to one of our model homes and see

all of this for yourself.

4. Technology

In today’s new homes, we homebuilders can build into our homes all of the technology you have come to expect in every other aspect of modern life. So at Braselton, we decided to add the technology to control all of the main functions of the home (audio, video, Internet, communication, comfort control and security) from any smart phone or iPad. We call this home the Smart Home™, and it’s available today. With a Smart Home, you can check your security system status from vacation or be alerted when your kids are home from school (and from your iPhone, look at them via your security cameras and then even unlock the front door for them), or simply use your iPad to turn up the volume of your favorite song that is playing on your home’s audio system … while you are cooking at your backyard grill. It’s pretty incredible, and by far one of the most exciting home breakthroughs in years. For more information and a full demonstration of all a Smart Home can do, visit us at our Rancho Vista model home or at our model in the NorthShore Country Club in Portland.

5. Warranty

Unlike used homes, new homes come with warranties (and therefore, peace of mind) on the products in the home and often on the home itself. At Braselton Homes, we offer the best warranties available in the Corpus Christi Bay area. Not only do we give

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you warranties on your appliances, air conditioner and water heater, but you also receive manufacturer warranties on your flooring, countertops, cabinets, paint, siding and roofing. Additionally, we offer a written one-year builder’s warranty, as well as a 10-year major structural warranty. And we have a full-time warranty department, fully staffed, to take care of our customers after the sale. In total, it’s pretty hard to beat the value that new home warranties offer. So, as you make your home-buying decision, be sure to make your own comparisons between new and used homes. Our beautiful city has a vast assortment of homes to view and tour, and I urge you to check into both home types. Braselton Homes has five fully furnished model homes, priced from the $110s to more than $500,000, for you to see in Corpus Christi and Portland. And we are opening a sixth model soon, as well as a seventh by the end

of the year. For virtual tours of all our models, or to schedule a walking tour, feel free to visit us at www.braseltonhomes.com. We are open 24/7/365. So I will end with this thought: While there are many used homes for you to see, there is also a new home available that fits your lifestyle and price range, and that offers you all of the distinct advantages a used home can’t. And with a new home, think of all the extra time you will have – because you won’t have to spend your days and nights inspecting and re-inspecting the house’s roof, air conditioner, plumbing, foundation, etc. And you won’t have to worry about remodeling. With a new home, you can get what you want the first time. Just come on out and see our city’s new homes. To see all the new Braselton homes we have available, just scan the QR code on this page, or go to www.braseltonhomes.com and click the green “Search Homes” button near the top of the page. If you need

a home quickly, slide to the right and click the “Move in Ready” button for a listing of homes that are finished and waiting for you. See you in the neighborhood!

Bart Braselton is the executive vice president of Braselton Homes, the Coastal Bend’s oldest and largest homebuilder and neighborhood developer. Winning many local, state and national awards, Braselton Homes is consistently ranked in the nation’s top 200 builders by Builder Magazine. Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Braselton is the third generation of Braseltons building in the Bay Area. You can view Braselton Homes online at www.braseltonhomes. com or on Facebook. N S I D E C O A S TA L B E N D

NSIDE drive

An Ultimate Driving Machine The diesel engine is truly reinvented in the BMW X5d, the fastest and most fuel-efficient diesel-powered automobile in its class. By: [Chris Hudson] Sitting at a red light in Alice, Texas, I notice a clanking sound. I recognize that it is not coming from my car as the smell hits me. It burns the nose a little and sounds like two ball-pin hammers alternately banging on a thick sheet of steel. As the red light turns green, the racket rises and a cloud of black smoke rolls over my hood. I have been smogged. The monstrosity rolls down the road while I take a left. It doesn’t seem possible that the emissions hog that just cleared all the mosquitoes off the road uses the same fuel as I do. Diesel, the same fuel that the quiet and smooth BMW X5d I am currently driving, is burning. The more miles I drive, the more I understand why Ward’s AutoWorld elected BMW’s diesel engine one of the world’s 10 best engines. It accelerates effortlessly and leaves piles of power under the pedal, ready for the pressure of the driver’s right foot. The vehicle has established itself

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as the fastest and most fuel-efficient diesel-powered automobile in its class. The engine displaces 3.0 liters in its aluminum inline 6-cylinder turbocharged powerplant. It produces 265 horsepower and a staggering 425 lb-ft of torque. The engine commands the power of an 8-cylinder while achieving the efficiency of a 4-cylinder petrol engine. If sailing by gas stations is something you enjoy, the X5d is for you. A single tank of gas will get you as far as 580 miles, a massive distance, while leaving only a small environmental footprint. BMW accomplishes this feat by grouping emission-reducing measures within a movement they call Efficient Dynamics. They have included a diesel particulates filter to trap black smoke particles. The filter is retained in an oxidation catalyst close to the engine. A separate catalyst further down the line supplies a urea injection (aka, Diesel Exhaust Fluid) that starts a chemi-

cal reaction, which leads to clean emissions. Simply put, it changes the nitric oxides (bad) into nitrogen and water vapor (good), thus creating the engine that has been voted “International Engine of the Year” in back-to-back years. On the road, it didn’t take long to notice the stability and agility of the X5d. The all-wheel drive (AWD) system is simply incredible. The system utilizes a multi-disc clutch that is capable of sending 100 percent of the torque to any given wheel at any time. Essentially, the torque sharing between rear and front wheels has no bounds; it is infinitely variable. BMW

AWD is included in all of the X vehicles, from the soon-to-be-released X1 to the hard-to-get X6. Coupled with the near perfect 50/50 weight ratio, BMW has a right to call the X5d an “ultimate driving machine.” Using more than 90 years of experience, BMW has developed what is considered one of the safest vehicles on the road. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) called the first generation X5 the “safest vehicle ever tested.” The IIHS continued its praise of the new generation X5 by honoring it as a “Top Safety Pick.” BMW’s engineers have made safety a top priority in the design and structure of the vehicle. They are not satisfied with exceptional crash test ratings. They want more. BMW engineers include active safety systems in each vehicle. These state-of-the-art technologies go one step further by following a simple principle: The best way to keep the driver and passengers safe in an accident is to avoid it completely. With a Bluetooth link, I place a call to my bride on my smart phone using BMW’s iDrive. Her “hello” is crisp and clear. I hear my kids in the background and tell them I will be home soon. When we disconnect, the sound system continues playing Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” from iTunes, and I set the cruise control. The navigation screen gives me a panoramic view of the horizon, and I enjoy watching it approach my house even though I know exactly where I am. The seat holds me tight as the suspension absorbs the speed bumps as I near my driveway. Two button pushes and a door handle later, I step out of my driving partner of the last two hours and feel satisfied. The comfort access feature has allowed me to keep the key deep in my pocket, and a fingertip locks the door. Halfway to the door, I hear the scream of a 4-year-old inside arguing with his sister. I stop, turn and look at the BMW and then back at the front door. Decisions …

For more information, contact Chris Hudson of BMW of Corpus Christi at 361-991-5555 (phone), 361-6542557 (fax) or chris.hudson@bmwofcc.com.

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NSIDE espaÑol

NO TE DES POR VENCIDO Por: [Juan de Lascurain]

Cuando llegue a México mucha gente me decía que me regresara a Los Angeles, que porqué me quería quedar aquí, que qué iba a hacer. La verdad no sabía exactamente como se iban a dar las cosas, lo único que sabía era que tenía que seguir mi corazón como lo había hecho toda mi vida. Los primeros seis meses fueron difíciles, no tenía donde vivir. Viví un mes en un hostal a un lado de el zócalo, me costaba $9 dólares la noche.

gente le daba miedo que López Obrador fuera a ganar. La verdad es que yo no conozco a ninguno personalmente así que es difícil presentar una opinión, solo Dios sabe a quién pone y a quién quita. Y nuestra confianza debe de estar en Dios y no en quien quedó de Presidente. Lo que si sé es que México es un país lleno de talento, oportunidades y riqueza. La gente siempre va a hablar mal de la persona por la que no votaron, así es esto de la vida. Se que estamos entrando en una nueva era, se siente en el aire, las cosas si están cambiando, pero se tienen que ver con el espíritu y no con la carne. Los visionarios pueden ver las oportunidades en medio de las condiciones mas difíciles. Una frase que me encanta dice así ¨Si puedes ver lo invisible, puedes lograr lo imposible.¨ Todo comienza en tus pensamientos, todo comienza dentro de ti, si unimos nuestros pensamientos y comenzamos a ver lo invisible. El México que todo mundo anhela y quiere. Sé que

“Se que estamos entrando en una nueva era, se siente en el aire, las cosas si están cambiando, pero se tienen que ver con el espíritu y no con la carne.”

El mes pasado cumplí mas de un año de vivir en el DF, desde entonces muchas cosas buenas me han sucedido. Lo que traté de hacer en Estados Unidos por cinco años he podido

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hacer aquí en un año. La marca de Dream Big va hacía arriba, ya tengo tres licencias y mis productos salen al mercado en tiendas como Office Max, Palacio de Hierro y Wal-Mart.

La gente me decía que no me subiera en los taxis de la calle, que eran muy peligrosos. Como no me alcanzaba para pagar taxis de sitio, no me quedaba otra más que agarrar los de la calle y en más de un año que me he subido a esos taxis me han tocado las personas mas bondadosas y buenas. No se porqué la gente siempre se enfoca en lo negativo, siempre basan todas sus opiniones en algo que escucharon o algo que ni siquiera saben de donde vienen. Ayer se llevaron acabo las elecciones y fue la primera vez que tuve la oportunidad de ir a votar. La gente dice que de los tres candidatos no se hace uno y a mucha

lo imposible puede suceder. La violencia puede cesar, la pobreza puede disminuir y podemos llegar a ser un país de primera potencia. El material esta ahí, solo depende de nosotros convertir eso que es invisible en algo tangible. Te invitó a que sigas tus sueños, no te des por vencido, comienza a ver lo ivisible para que puedas convertir tus sueños en realidad.

Para más información sobre Juan de Lascurain, envíe correo electrónico a delascurain@mail.com o siga @dreambigworld en Twitter.

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Susan K. Gonzales

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“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” – Angela Schwindt

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What I like about my job:

For most everyone I know, they dread going to the office every day, but that isn’t the case for me at all. I am blessed to work in an environment with a group of people that are all so different as individuals, but combined, compose one of the greatest teams I’ve ever been a part of. My responsibilities are stressful and demanding, but I can turn to anyone in my office, and before I even need to ask for help, there they are, offering their time and efforts. The only way that I can be away from my family is to work with what I consider a second family.

What I like about Izzy’s:

I love that Izzy’s possesses everything that defines a neighborhood bar: local, fun, relaxed and appeals to a wide variety of patrons. I love walking in and seeing people just off work in their business professional attire, drinking and having a great time with some college students right off the beach or refinery workers still in their coveralls. It’s developed into a local hangout for many, and almost reminds me of the sitcom, “Cheers,” where everyone knows your name.

words to live by:

My grandmother must have told me this no less than a thousand times throughout my life: “Remember who you are and where you come from.” Pride is a powerful trait, and too much can cause more harm than good, but everyone must possess some pride in themselves, as it drives us to be the very best version of ourselves that is presented to the rest of the world.

I’ve always said that I wanted to show my daughters, Silvia (5) and Olivia (2), that as a woman in this world, you can have it all. You can have your degree and career, and be a mother without sacrificing any of your values or principles. But they remind me every day of what is truly important in life, and sometimes, it isn’t responding to an email right away – it’s something as simple as cruising around town in the car with awful pop music blaring, singing all the wrong words. (We do this often! Taylor Swift and Ace of Base are some of our favorites.)

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