Texas Lifestyle Magazine Spring 2016

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SPRING 2016

TELENOVELA's

Eva

Longoria Actress & Philanthropist

Fit for Spring p. 34 Tiger Woods’ Bluejack National p. 32 Inside a Tiny House on Wheels p. 41 Jet Setter: He Said, She Said: Mountains vs. Beach p. 52 Road Trip: Downtown High-Rise, Hip Hotel & B&B Charmer p. 58

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CONTENTS Spring 2016 6

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Meet the Writers

8

LIVING TEXAS

Austin 8 Corpus Christi 23

Dallas 10

Fort Worth 12 Houston 13

San Antonio 16

Cover photo courtesy of NBCUniversal

26

STYLE

Men that Give Back 26 Vent Blotique 30

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A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS

32

ROUGHING IT

Tiger Woods’ Bluejack National

36

HABITAT

Architecting Transparency in West Lake Hills 36 Celebrity Movers 40 A Tiny House on Wheels 41

44

ON THE COVER

Eva Longoria By Daniel Ramirez

50

SIP & SAVOR

Shopping With the Chef 50 Building Community at 44 Farms 51

52

JET SETTER

He Says, She Says: Skiing Utah vs. Sanibel Beaches

58

ROAD TRIP

Travel Trifecta: Austin, Georgetown, San Antonio

62

REVIEWS

Raising Voices: Houston Grand Opera 62 Enchiladas: Aztec to Tex-Mex 64 Cameran Nelson's Good Thing Going 66

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A BETTER TEXAN

HealthCorps’ Michelle Bouchard 70 Mercy Ships’ Don Stephens 72

texaslifestylemagazine.com

44

On the Cover

32 52

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From the

Editors Desk

As we shine the light on philanthropy and giving in Texas and beyond, it's appropriate to go behind the stories that fill our newly redesigned Spring issue.

Read on to learn about some of our generous-natured, talented contributing writers and what makes their hearts sing.

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EDI TOR IA L TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Julie Tereshchuk

CREATIVE DIRECTOR TRAVEL EDITOR STYLE EDITOR

Joshua Banks

Marika Flatt

Edith Henry Nick Bailey

ASSOCIATE EDITOR CONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF julie@texaslifestylemag.com

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PUBLISHERS Shawn K. Lively and Doug Flatt

ONLINE EDITOR

Julie Tereshchuk

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Daniel Ramirez

Tracy Autem, Nancy Miller Barton, Monique Beeley, Julie

Bonnin, Aidan Bradley, Sarah Bradley, Lee Cohen, Samantha Cook, Leeza Dennis, Sarah Doliver, Casey Dunn, Geoffrey Hammond, Hannah M. Hepfer, Corey Kopishke, Elaine Krackau, Ian Matteson, Adam Moroz, Simon Murray, Bill Orcutt, Holly Paulson, Simon Pauly, Joey T Photography, Caroline Pullen, Alyssa Ramirez, Jacob Fakheri Reyne, Margaret Richards, Jason Risner, Gabi De la Rosa, Agapito Sanchez, Karen Sacher & Co., Lydia Saldaña, Shelley Seale, E.A. Shumate, Amanda Smith, Taggart Sorensen, Rudy Ximenez, David Zacek

Julie Bonnin (Houston) is privileged to

take part in Freedom Bus Ministry that offers a change of clothes and other essentials to women who have just been released from prison.

ART & PRODUCTION WEB DESIGN

Sundaram Design

SALES & MARKETING Shawn Lively

Lydia Saldaña (Fort Worth) volunteers

for Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County, serves on the board of Selah Bamberger Ranch and on the PR committee for Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center.

ADVERTISING, JOBS & INTERNSHIPS INFO@TEXASLIFESTYLEMAG.COM

SUBSCRIPTIONS SUBSCRIPTIONS@TEXASLIFESTYLEMAG.COM

To Shelley Seale (Austin), giving means using whatever abundance, good fortune and talents we have to help lift up others; everyone needs a little help at some point in their lives.

Gabi De la Rosa (Houston) says, "Giving

of your expertise, insight and time can be just as valuable as writing a check and often more appreciated."

6 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR EDITOR@TEXASLIFESTYLEMAG.COM

Did you just grab the last copy of TLM? LET US KNOW! INFO@TEXASLIFESTYLEMAG.COM

Texas Lifestyle Magazine is Texas-owned and operated, published by TL Publishing, LLC ©

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LIVING TEXAS | AUSTIN

Fashion Gem Deep in the Heart of

Austin Photography by Sarah Doliver

≠

Story by Julie Tereshchuk

Behind the tall oak doors of one of Congress Avenue's hidden gems sits a treasure trove of designer-made clothes and fashion accessories.

Like so many in the Capitol city, the owner and creative force behind the store is a transplant—although the story of how Csilla Somogyi made it to Austin is as colorful as the fabrics that fill the workroom in the back of the lofty-ceilinged boutique that bears her name.

Born in Hungary, Somogyi spent several years of her childhood living in North Africa, where her adventurous father was working as an agricultural engineer. The family returned to Hungary, where the foursome spent their summers traveling around Europe—despite the Cold War-era travel restrictions. Before long, Somogyi's father got another overseas post and the family found themselves in Mexico.

When Somogyi's older sister applied to the University of Texas at Austin, she became a role model for the future fashion designer.

Fast forward, and the younger Somogyi landed a spot at New York's prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology.

As she launched her eye-catching handmade collections of dresses and tops, Somogyi grew her customer base by showing at trunk shows, fashion shows and special events, often sponsored by the Bacardi brands, at upscale New York City venues. In 2010, she had a store in trendy Tribeca, New York City's fashionista central.

However, with her sister settled in Austin, along with her parents, New York began to pall and Somogyi opted to head south to Texas.

In March 2012—just in time for the annual hipster invasion known at SXSW—CsillaWear opened on Congress Avenue.

Four years later, she's going strong. As downtown booms, she gets more footfall at the corner of 5th and Congress than she did in Tribeca.

504 CONGRESS AVE CSILLAWEAR.COM

8 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

LIVING TEXAS | DALLAS

PaneVino Wood Fired Osteria: New to Addison Walk

By E.A. Shumate

“Osteria” is defined as a spot serving simple food and wine with a short menu emphasizing Italian specialities of pasta, grilled meat or fish. PaneVino Wood Fired Osteria, a new eatery in North Dallas, is brimming with flavorful options of all these and more.

Topping the robust and varied menu (created by long-time Dallasarea Executive Chef Javier Perez) are three types of crostini, served four pieces to an order. Whether opting for prosciutto piled atop fig chutney and gorgonzola, the shaved rib eye on carmelized onions and gorgonzola, or a generous helping of delightfully light lump crab and tiny shrimp topped with a slice of avocado, slice of jalapeno and, for a special flavor kick, a drop of sriracha sauce, the crostini choices offer a perfect start to your meal. Or, a nice accompaniment to a glass of wine at happy hour. For either, make sure to consult Sommelier Noah Partridge about wine pairings.

The soup and salad menu is full of farm-fresh produce and cheeses, as well as tasty extras like dried cranberries, candied walnuts, spicy pistachios, cream, dressings and toast. One notable highlight is the absence of the run-of-the-mill, often too-hard croutons usually served on a caesar salad. PaneVino’s generous portion features homemade polenta croutons that lend a surprising touch of warm corn flavor, complementing the cold crispness of the fresh, lightly dressed romaine.

Especially worth a mention among PaneVino's pasta dishes are the hearty potato gnocchi, plump and rich in texture, tossed in a tomato cream sauce and topped with prosciutto, fresh basil and parmesan.

Another notable choice is the generous order of five large tortellini, prepared skillfully al dente, stuffed with ground pork and veal, served in a mushroom butter broth and topped with fresh thyme and shaved parmesan.

Dessert options include chocolate, fruity and nutty selections. The light and tartly sweet citronella cake is expertly paired with the smooth Frost Bitten Ice Riesling from Yakima Valley, Washington.

This is the third restaurant from the owners of Crudo Wood Fired Taverna (Frisco) and PaneVino Wood Fired Taverna (Allen). A second Crudo location joins the group soon in Dallas.

5000 BELTLINE ROAD | # 300 | ADDISON OSTERIA-PANEVINO.COM

10 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

Photography courtesy of PaneVino Osteria

Diners favoring seafood will find no shortage on this menu. The three large North American caramelized sea scallops served atop creamy mushroom risotto and featuring sliced portabello mushroom are firm and moist. For those wanting a delicious “turf ” dish, the pepper crusted flat iron steak with truffle pommes frites and brandy demi-glaze will not disappoint. In fact, the demi-glaze is so incredibly flavorful, it’s a shame to let any of it go to waste. Save at least a bite of the substantive foccacia bread from the start of the meal for soaking up any remaining demi-glaze.

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LIVING TEXAS | FORT WORTH

The Museum that Brought Culture to Cow Town

By E.A. Shumate

In 1892, a group of 25 philanthropically-minded women living in a Texas cattle town were inspired by trips abroad to bring some culture to their own city. Little could they have dreamed that, 100-plus years later, their brainchild, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, would be considered one of the world’s most beautiful art museums.

“They decided their city needed exposure to the same kind of culture those living in Europe and other parts of the world enjoyed. The city was already building a public library, so the women began collecting artwork to start a museum,” said Dustin Van Orne, Media Relations Manager at The Modern.

The museum made its first acquisition in 1904 and, by 1909, had amassed 45 pieces, enough to open the museum’s first exhibit.

“It’s the foresight of those women that we have to thank today, not only for creating one of the first museums west of the Mississippi River, but

also for cultivating the legacy that became our wonderful Fort Worth arts district,” added Van Orne.

Today, The Modern maintains a permanent collection of roughly 2,500 post-war (1940s to present day) pieces.

The Modern relocated to its current home in December 2004, a structure designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando.

(Visitors can see sketches of Ando’s designs on the lobby wall just outside the museum gift shop.) The structure incorporates wood, glass, metal and concrete to form large modular spaces divided into five long, flat-roofed pavilions sitting on a 1.5 acre pond, giving the sense of nature being brought into the building.

The water provides dramatic, and now iconic, reflections of the building, day or night, that are visible from many areas of the museum, including the lobby, the café and the lawn.

3200 DARELL ST | FORT WORTH THEMODERN.ORG

(April 17-September 18, 2016) This major traveling exhibit is a career retrospective of one of the most important living American artists and showcases Stella’s work from the mid-1950s to the present.

Gobba, zoppa e collotorto, Frank Stella, Gobba, zoppa e collotorto, 1985. Oil, urethane enamel, fluorescent alkyd, acrylic, and printing ink on etched magnesium and aluminum. 137 x 120 1/8 x 34 3/8 in. (348 x 305 x 87.5 cm). The Art Institute of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Frank G. Logan Purchase Prize Fund; Ada Turnbull Hertle Endowment 1986.93. © 2015 Frank Stella/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

12 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

Museum photo courtesy of David Woo

Frank Stella Retrospective

LIVING TEXAS | HOUSTON

PIZZITOLA’S BAR-B-CUE

In this era of boutique barbecue and multi-fusion cuisine, is there still a place to go for the kind of down-home cooking that features decades-old recipes and feisty waitresses serving up a little sass with the sauce?

Yes, and in Houston, one of the most hallowed of those places is Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cue, an historic restaurant where delicious barbecue has been prepared on the same wood-burning pits since the 1930s.

All photography by Julie Bonnin

The original owners, John and Leila Davis, were African-American, and served up an East Texas style 'cue cooked on pits stoked with hickory wood. Throughout the decades, when many Texas restaurants denied or restricted service to people of color, the Davis’ turned the tables at what was then called Shepherd Drive Barbecue. Hungry white customers were served out of a back entrance, and seated at picnic tables outside, according to current owner Jerry Pizzitola.

The original, wood-stoked brick pits, which can no longer be built in commercial establishments due to modern fire codes, are grandfathered in at Pizzitola’s, which serves slow-cooked barbecued pork ribs, brisket and chicken, accompanied by a piquant sauce. Also on the menu are a coarsely ground hand-made sausage that’s been made by the same Czech family for many years, desserts such as

Historic open pits serve East Texas-style 'cue

By Julie Bonnin

banana pudding and coconut cream pie, based on Pizzitola’s mother’s recipes, and an array of side dishes that include grilled vegetables as well as traditional potato salad, coleslaw and beans.

Pizzitola made the rounds of some of the best barbecue joints with his dad as a child, and purchased the restaurant from the Davis family in the 1980s after assuring them he would change very little about the way they prepared food.

Filled with memorabilia from both the Davis and Pizzitola families now, the longtime establishment, located off Interstate 10 west of downtown, is an equal opportunity kind of place. Loyal clientele include blue collar workers, oil company executives, well-known musicians and professional baseball players. Pizzitola’s is also a favorite of chefs from other restaurants, says manager Tim Taylor.

“We are a unique spot putting out a unique product,” he says. “A lot of people who know food make the trek here for it. There's something of a historical significance to this. And we are challenged everyday with honoring the history."

1703 SHEPHERD | HOUSTON PIZZITOLAS.COM

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 13

LIVING TEXAS | HOUSTON

For years, resettlement groups in big cities like Houston have helped refugees from other countries establish new lives in the U.S. They often arrive with language barriers, past traumas related to war and poverty, and other major challenges, so assimilating is rarely easy.

PLANT IT FORWARD

Refugees grow local foods, community

By Julie Bonnin

Now, a Houston nonprofit called Plant It Forward has found a way to help these new arrivals carve out a place of their own in the urban landscape. The nonprofit brings together refugees with an agricultural background with Houston’s local foods movement — leading to more economic independence for the farmers, a bounty of healthy organic produce available to local buyers, and community-building for everyone involved.

As an added benefit, the effort also inadvertently combats Houston’s urban sprawl — with farm fresh plots of land co-existing in the shadow of rumbling freeways, or sprucing up a neighborhood where business parks, aging apartment complexes and strip centers are more the norm.

Sarment Louamba, a genial man whose winter harvest included baby turnips, radishes, sorrel, carrots and other organic treats, lived in the Congo-Brazzaville region of Africa before arriving in America four years ago. Louamba was relieved to learn he could put his farming skills to work in the U.S. through Plant It Forward. He is one of 10 farmers working four farms for Plant It Forward, said Theresa O’Donnell, a businesswoman who started the nonprofit.

The farmers go through training and are coached on how to sell at farmers markets; through CSA’s, the subscription-based produce delivery networks that account for most of their income; and to some of the best-known restaurants in this increasingly food-centric town.

O’Donnell, with no background in either farming or refugees, was looking for a community outreach program for Bridgeway Software, a company she founded with her brother, when she began learning about the difficulties of refugee assimilation and the growing number of refugees in Houston. Slowly, and with synchronicity, Plant It Forward came together.

14 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

4030 WILLOWBEND | HOUSTON PLANT-IT-FORWARD.ORG

All photography by Julie Bonnin

It’s bigger than local food, bigger than transforming land into farms. It really is about creating community well-being. We have a vision of a farm in every neighborhood.

“Plant it Forward is bigger than an opportunity for refugees,” she says. “It’s bigger than local food, bigger than transforming land into farms. It really is about creating community well-being. We have a vision of a farm in every neighborhood.”

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LIVING TEXAS | SAN ANTONIO

Spending the day at a theme park with our children

is something many of us take for granted. Most kids can hop onto a roller coaster, shoot down water slides or take a beating in bumper cars with just their own fears to overcome. But for those with special needs, this typical childhood experience is often out of reach.

Now, Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, the world’s first and only theme park of its kind, is changing that.

In 2005, San Antonio resident Gordon Hartman sold his successful homebuilding business to establish The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation to support local programs that serve those with cognitive and physical disabilities—people just like his daughter, Morgan, now 22 years old.

Five years later, they opened Morgan’s Wonderland, a theme park designed for special-needs individuals of all ages. The 25acre park is completely wheelchair accessible with more than 25 attractions including rides, playgrounds, gardens, a sensory village, an 8-acre catch-and-release fishing lake, special-event center, 575-seat amphitheater, and a picnic area. The Whirling Wonder, a 5 1/2 story Ferris wheel, is the newest attraction, which made its debut this spring.

“Morgan’s Wonderland is a special place where anyone can have fun, but it was created with special-needs individuals in mind,” says Hartman, CEO of the foundation, who notes it is also open to the general public. “It’s really just like any other theme park except for the added benefit of a culture and environment that assures 100% enjoyment by everyone.”

16 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

By Elaine Krackau

And they’re expanding. Morgan’s Wonderland officials recently broke ground on a multi-million-dollar project set to debut in 2017.

A tropically-themed paradise, Morgan’s Inspiration Island will be the world’s first ultra-accessible splash park where guests of all abilities can enjoy the water together.

“We decided to call our new attraction Morgan’s Inspiration Island because Morgan truly has been the catalyst for every project we’ve pursued to help the special-needs community,” Hartman noted.

“Morgan’s Inspiration Island—like Morgan’s Wonderland—will concentrate on inclusion and inspire guests with special needs to do things previously thought to be impossible,” says Gordon’s wife, Maggie Hartman. “Those without disabilities and those with, including individuals in wheelchairs and guests with hearing and visual impairments, will be able to play alongside each other and gain a greater understanding of each other.”

Now in its seventh season, Morgan’s Wonderland has welcomed more than 600,000 guests from all over the world, proving that this south Texas gem is truly a place where everyone can play.

Admission for those with special needs is free; admission fees for the general public are nominal.

5223 DAVID EDWARDS DR | SAN ANTONIO MORGANSWONDERLAND.COM

All photography courtesy Morgan’s Wonderland

Fun for All Abilities

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

By Lydia Saldaña

All photography courtesy TPWD

Urban fishing program delivers the catch close to home

The best thing about fishing, especially for first-timers, is the catching part.

And the fishing experts at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) are doing everything they can to make that happen at locations close to urban neighborhoods across the state.

never do by ourselves,” said Gatlin. “Cities can provide park locations close to neighborhoods, and Texas Parks and Wildlife has the equipment and resources to bring the fish to us. We’ve been involved in the program since 2006, and we’ve seen participation increase every year.”

“You might say we’re stacking the deck,” said Dave Terre, chief of research and management for TPWD’s Inland Fisheries Division. “Fishing is a whole lot more fun when you’re catching, and we’re hoping more families will get involved in the sport if there are opportunities close by. So, we’re stocking ponds and lakes across the state with catchable-sized catfish and rainbow trout that increase the odds of a successful fishing outing.”

The program began as a pilot project to determine the best way to involve new families in fishing. That initial pilot was successful, and the program took off after funding was provided from the Toyota Texas Bass Classic to take the program statewide. The annual fishing tournament benefits Texas Parks and Wildlife conservation and outreach efforts aimed at involving more people in the outdoors.

The program is called “Neighborhood Fishin” and thanks to partners and sponsors, it is now available at 18 lakes in 11 major metro areas across the state. TPWD fisheries trucks stop by each of the participating lakes to stock fish every couple of weeks, increasing the chance of a tug at the end of a line.

“This program would not be possible without our local partners and sponsors like Toyota,” said Terre. “About 100,000 people a year participate statewide, and about 50,000 of those are new to fishing.”

Richard Gatlin is assistant manager of the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department. An avid angler himself, he’s very pleased with the partnership that has brought fishing opportunities to two city parks; Miller’s Pond in southwest San Antonio, and Southside Lions in the southeastern part of the city. San Antonio is one of many Texas municipalities across the state that has partnered with TPWD to bring the program to local residents.

The program provides fishing opportunities all year long, with rainbow trout stocked during the cooler months and channel catfish the rest of the year. Last year, more than 40,000 trout and 110,000 catfish were stocked.

“When you’re ready to fish, there’s something to catch,” said Gatlin. “And the best part of the whole deal is that they are skillet-sized. They are ready to go from the lake or pond to the frying pan.”

NEIGHBORHOODFISHIN.ORG

“Providing these kinds of fishing opportunities is something we could

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 17

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

Texas-Size Adventures

By Shelley Seale

So, you’re an adrenaline junkie? Merely driving in rush hour traffic isn’t enough of a death-defying act for you? Well, you’re in luck. In keeping with its love of all things bigger and better in Texas, here are our picks for a few unique, daring experiences on hand for all you daredevils out there.

Austin Biplane (Austin) (1) You may have flown out of Austin Bergstrom Airport countless times, but that’s nothing like the rush you’ll have going on a thrill ride in this old-fashioned, bi-wing, opencockpit plane. Pilot and co-owner Rob Whiteside purchased the sleek, red 2012 replica biplane in May of 2015, giving passengers the opportunity to channel Amelia Earhart or Charles Lindbergh as they don bomber jackets and leather helmets before climbing aboard the Red Baron-style plane.

The excitement begins as you taxi down the runway, when suddenly the song “Danger Zone” from Top Gun breaks into your headphones. As the plane lifts off, you can feel every breeze, every wind bump; hold your hand out past the windshield and the force whips it back. Three GoPro cameras capture everything. Sharp turns and rolls make for an exciting ride. Whiteside even offers an aerobatic flight that includes barrel rolls and full loops.

4321 EMMA BROWNING AVE | AUSTIN AUSTINBIPLANE.COM

Skyline Trapeze (Dallas) (2) If you ever dreamed of running away to join the circus, Skyline Trapeze is the place for you. In fact, their motto is “Unleash your inner circus.” Here is the place where you can learn basic aerial and trapeze skills that will have you performing a flying catch in your very first class. The two-hour class is limited to 10 people, to make sure everyone gets individual attention and plenty of time on the trapeze.

After a ground introduction, safety briefing and practice at grabbing the bar and dropping into the net, you’ll start learning the tricks that you once watched in awe as acrobats performed them above your head. Skyline Trapeze also offers classes in aerial silks, juggling, and partner balancing; and plans to add trampoline, slackline and other classes.

15505 WRIGHT BROTHERS DR | ADDISON SKYLINETRAPEZE.COM

18 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

Stunt Ranch (Austin) (3) You’ve watched movies enough to have seen plenty of action scenes involving car chases, gunfights and actors jumping or falling out of buildings. At Austin’s Stunt Ranch, anyone can have the experience of being a Hollywood stunt double. The private, fourhour classes with award-winning director and Hollywood special effects coordinator Steve Wolf lets participants discover what it's like to free fall three stories and jump from a burning car.

The hands-on introduction to pyrotechnics, rappelling and taking bullets (blanks, of course) gives the ultimate insight into how mechanics, kinetics, optics, heat, computers, and safety techniques are used to create special effects in the movies. You can also have a party or event on the ranch’s 22 acres, and Wolf offers a stunt camp for youth ages 8-15.

13317 FITZHUGH ROAD | AUSTIN STUNTRANCH.COM

Richard Petty Driving Experience (Fort Worth) (4) For speed junkies, there may be nothing like the thrill of a high-powered race car.

Richard Petty, a retired NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time championship winner, opened his own driving experience to give the average person the same taste of speed on the racetrack. Your hands are on the wheel, your foot is on the gas and 600 horsepower is under the hood to take you from eight to 50 laps around the Texas Motor Speedway, at speeds up to 160 miles per hour.

Rather let someone else do the driving?

No problem! You can also ride-along shotgun from the passenger seat for three laps around the track. Friends and family can come along to cheer you on from the pit road, along the 1.5 mile quadoval track.

3545 LONE STAR CIR | FORT WORTH DRIVEPETTY.COM

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 19

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

Benefitting the Wild Things and Wild Places of Texas

By Lydia Saldaña

Artist Billy Hassell draws on his love of nature to support conservation

Fort Worth artist Billy Hassell has spent his career capturing creatures on his sketchpad and bringing them vividly to life in his brightly colored paintings and lithographs. He has shared his talent to benefit organizations that help conserve the wild places that are his muse. And now he's working on a limited edition lithograph series that will benefit conservation efforts supported by Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

The series of five lithographs will celebrate iconic landscapes and wildlife of Texas. He finished the first edition in late 2015 after spending time at Powderhorn Ranch, a spectacular land acquisition that will one day become a state park. The area is home to a great variety of birds and native grasses and is one of the last remaining tracts of unspoiled coastal prairie left in Texas.

“Powderhorn Ranch was as much a learning opportunity as it was a source of inspiration,” said Hassell. “I learned a lot about the amazing variety of wildlife that live there and the resulting lithograph was pretty ambitious in terms of how many different kinds of birds and other information I tried to squeeze into one print.”

A lithograph is not a print of an original work of art but is an original artwork in its own right. All the colors and drawn images that collectively create the final composition are burned onto separate plates and are printed one at a time, one plate for each color. The resulting lithograph is a richly detailed depiction of the subject.

“For the setting, I chose what I consider to be one of the ranch’s most distinctive features – tall grasses at the edge of water looking out over a mosaic of grassy islands as far as the eye can see,” explained Hassell. “I included as many birds of concern as I could fit in the frame. I’m pleased to be part of this project because it’s important to support efforts to conserve our precious natural heritage.”

“Billy Hassell brings an artist’s eye to the wild things and wild places that are so precious to Texas,” said Kelly R. Thompson, chair of Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s board of trustees.

“We hope these beautiful lithographs will inspire Texans to support the campaign.”

Galleries carrying the Keeping it Wild lithographs include the Conduit Gallery in Dallas, William Campbell Contemporary Art in Fort Worth and William Reaves/Sarah Foltz Fine Art in Houston.

TPWF.ORG

20 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

All photography courtesy TPWF

Proceeds will benefit "Keeping it Wild: The Campaign for Texas," the largest fundraising initiative ever undertaken by Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. The campaign aims to raise more than $100 million for strategic conservation priorities by 2018. (More than $70 million has been raised to date.)

Women Communicators of Austin (WCA) is pleased to announce Meredith Walker, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Amy Poehler's Smart Girls, as our keynote speaker for the 43rd Annual Banner Brunch. Each year, WCA honors outstanding Central Texas professionals in all areas of communications and awards the Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarships to local undergraduate communications students during the popular spring celebration.

Saturday, April 16 · 10:30 AM–1:30 PM Hotel Van Zandt 605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701 Tickets and Tables available now www.BannerBrunch.com

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LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

Texas 4000

By Simon Murray

When he was going off to school at the University of Texas, during a time when everyone was excited at the prospect of being college-bound, Joseph’s friend was becoming more reserved. Joseph soon learned why.

His friend’s mom had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. She spent the better part of the next year fighting for her life.

Save the Date

(June 4, 2016) The Texas 4000 ATLAS Ride is a 700+ person cycling event from Cedar Park to Lampasas where supporters can ride the first 25, 50 or 70 miles with the Texas 4000 team as they start their 70-day journey.

In her honor, Joseph applied to the Texas 4000: an Austin nonprofit that hosts the longest annual charity bike ride in the world and that has raised $7 million since its founding.

himself, wanted a route he could travel from one point to another.

Twelve years later, there are now three routes: through the Sierras, the Rockies, and the Ozarks. Teams typically consist of around 80 riders.

Before embarking from Austin en route to Anchorage, Alaska, the riders— made up of UT students—enter an 18-month leadership program, where they are trained in team building, communication skills, fundraising, and, last but not least, the long distances of endurance cycling.

Every team member also raises $4,500 and volunteers over 50 hours in the community. All the proceeds go to grants for cancer research and support initiatives, and to the Texas 4000 program. At its core, the organization is also intent on fostering tomorrow’s leaders. "We really believe that we are creating the next generation of cancer fighters and philanthropists," explained David Chayer, Executive Director of Texas 4000.

Joseph grew up cycling with his father, primarily mountain biking. Last year, a girl on his team had never ridden a bike before. She had lost her father to cancer and jumped at the chance to ride in his honor. "She learned how to ride on a clip-in bike,” explained Joseph.

That girl is now an accomplished cyclist. Such stories are only the tip of the iceberg for the organization, which was founded in 2004 by UT students Chris and Mandy Condit. Chris Condit, a cancer survivor

22 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

A senior at UT, Joseph is also serving as a mentor to the team of riders currently training for 2017. "[Texas 4000] forces you to step outside your perfect college bubble and realize that people have it harder in life and you need to be there for them," he said.

TEXAS4000.ORG

All photography courtesy Texas 4000

Over the course of just 70 days, the ride would take 4,000 plus miles; or about the same length as the Amazon River, the second longest river in the world. But the courage it took to peddle that many miles by bike paled in comparison to what Levi Joseph’s best friend’s mother had gone through.

LIVING TEXAS | STATEWIDE

The

Texas State Aquarium Fishing for Fun

By Alyssa Ramirez

Dubbed “The Official Aquarium of Texas” by the Texas

Legislature, the Coastal Bend aquarium has ushered over 10 million visitors through its doors since it opened in 1990. Although the aquarium lost hundreds of fish in April of last year because of a chemical mix-up in the water, it has rebounded, restocked and all involved are excited about the future.

All photography courtesy Texas State Aquarium

New in 2015, the "Saving Sharks" exhibit helps visitors understand why shark populations are declining and how to help save them.

Visitors are also able to track great white sharks in real time, stand inside a steel shark cage and learn about shark biology. It features a live touch area where visitors can see and feel several shark species.

Along with getting schooled on sharks, visitors can also see otters, dolphins, sea turtles, birds, hundreds of species of fish, and more.

There are interactive talks, demonstrations and wonderful educational and entertaining shows for visitors of all ages.

The aquarium, a federally-permitted animal rehabilitation facility, also has a lot going on behind the scenes with the "Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Program." The program’s goal is to ensure that ill and injured animals have the opportunity to return to their

natural habitat after rehabilitation and works to provide comprehensive medical care to thousands of animals each year.

No two visits to the Aquarium are the same, as exhibits and shows are always changing or expanding. Summer visitors will be able to enjoy the newest exhibit, "Tentacles," slated to open in May. It will bring the world of jellyfish, octopus, squid, and cuttlefish to the aquarium with 10 live exhibits as well as a jellyfish nursery, which will focus on the sustainability of the species.

“I’ve been coming to the Aquarium since it opened and now that I have kids, I love bringing them and seeing their excitement as they experience everything. We love watching all the shows, especially the dolphins,” said Corpus Christi native Jessica Kemp.

Plan to spend your day at the Texas State Aquarium while soaking in the great coastal air, interacting with animals, running through the splash pad and having a tasty meal. Your family will come away with a renewed sense of wonder at Texas aquatic life.

2710 N. SHORELINE BLVD | CORPUS CHRISTI TEXASSTATEAQUARIUM.ORG

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 23

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PURCHASE IN STORES

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | STYLE

Giving is always in fashion

PHOTOGRAPHER: Adam Moroz, adammoroz.com

STYLIST: Edith Henry, edithhenry.com

ASSISTANT: Caroline Pullen Shot on location at Brazos Hall, Austin

Handsomely showcasing some of this spring's trends are men (including the cute canine) who give of their time and talent to support charities in central Texas.

BILL | JACKET & T-SHIRT:

Keepers, Austin, JEANS & SHOES: His own

A.J.

| SPORTS COAT: Dillard's, Hill Country Galleria, Bee Cave, T-SHIRT: Keepers, Austin JEANS: Co-Star, Austin, SHOES & BELT:

,

His own

26 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

KAXAN | BOWTIE: Dillard's, Hill Country Galleria, Bee Cave, HAT: His own

EDWARD

| SHIRT: Dillard's, Hill Country Galleria, Bee Cave, BRACELET: Dillard's, Hill Country Galleria, Bee Cave

Witnessing the total destruction that metastatic breast cancer can cause, it is our mission to provide support and comfort to women suffering from breast cancer.

Bill Bastas

Founder/Executive Director The Smile Never Fades thesmileneverfades.com

BILL | JACKET, SHIRT,

PANTS, BELT: Keepers, Austin, HAT & SHOES: His own

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 27

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | STYLE

I give my time and money to the Austin Sunshine Camp (a program of YMBL) because of their commitment to Austin's underprivileged youth through academic enrichment and outdoor experiences.

A.J. Bingham

Board Member Young Men’s Business League austinymbl.org

A.J. | SHIRT, T-SHIRT, JEANS, WATCH & BOOTS: Co Star, Austin

28 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | STYLE

Kaxan and I give our time because we want to enhance the well-being of those in need.

Edward Flores & Kaxan Therapy Team Divine Canines divinecanines.org

EDWARD | SHIRT, JACKET, SCARF, PANTS, SOCKS, SNEAKERS: Stag, Austin KAXAN | SCARF: Dillard's, Hill Country Galleria, Bee Cave

GLASSES: Stylist's own Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 29

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | STYLE

Get Blown Away at Vent Blotique

By Hannah M. Hepfer

Busy women in Central Texas can now get their tresses pampered for less with the arrival of Vent Blotique, a chain of affordable blowout salons. First launched in 2015 in Cedar Park, the salon was created by the same group who developed Sports Clips — a successful franchise that provides haircuts for men and boys in a sports-themed environment.

“We wanted to branch out and develop something for the ladies, as well,” says Christy Logan, Project Coordinator for Vent Blotique.

They decided on a concept that already existed — a salon that focuses primarily on hair blowouts for women, but for less time and money.

“Blowout salons began in larger cities and we wanted to bring them to middle America,” says Logan.

Similar salons charge between $45-50 for a blowout and the average price at Vent Blotique is around $25, says Logan. The service time is also cut from 40-60 minutes to 30 minutes.

“Our original focus was on the millennial and our biggest research finding was that the one thing no one has enough of is time,” she says. “And, of course, these days, everyone is expected to be selfieready all the time.”

The focus on efficiency and lower prices is proving popular. Waco and Round Rock locations opened last year and plans are in the works to go nationwide in 2017. The new sites will likely be in shopping centers, like the first three.“Ease of accessibility was a priority for us [in choosing locations],” says Logan.

The best-selling service is the premium option, which includes a shampoo, condition and a choice of three distinct looks: “sleek and smooth” (straight style), “bombshell” (formal style with movement and polish) and “beachy” (wavy and tousled).

“We get a lot of women who come in on their lunch break for a blowout and leave feeling beautiful,” says Logan. “Who doesn’t need that?”

VENTBLOTIQUE.COM

30 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

All photography courtesy Vent Blotique

The salons feature a communal floor plan with a “TryBar” at the front of the salon where clients can try the latest and greatest in styling tools and products before purchasing. Repeat clients can sign up for a monthly membership and patrons can book online.

They don’t just cater to those looking for glossy blowouts, either.

The “Curly Girl” service is available for those with curly hair who want to eliminate frizz.

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Handpicked by the Texas Lifestyle Team

On this page, we’re honoring the color green — whether it’s for St. Patrick’s Day, for the color of money (this is our giving issue!) or the fresh growth of springtime.

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1. PHOENICIAN GLASS TUMBLER | It’s a glass like no other, perfect for everyday or a dinner party! In Phoenician glass blowing, artisans add substances to the molten glass, with the resulting reaction creating a range of vivid, swirling colors. | $29 | tenthousandvillages.com | 2. WALLAROO’S CASUAL TRAVELER | This sea green hat is cute and casual, with an adjustable brim that’s perfect for Texas spring walks. Protect yourself from the sun in style. | $40 | wallaroohats.com | 3. ARCOPEDICO’S FLOWER FLATS | We love the airy lightness and the leather-lined cushioned insole of this adorable flat. It’s just the perfect spring shoe for day or night. | $135 | zappos.com | 4. ORVIS HORIZONS LEATHER TOTE | This is the fashion statement for spring. Its generous size and soft goatskin leather make this lightweight tote bag ideal for daily use or travel. Monogram or not, your choice. | $295 | orvis.com | 5. PERSONAL ORGANIZER TOILETRY BAG | The hinged design and a built-in hook allows you to hang this bag anywhere, while the side-zip storage pockets let you quickly access a travel toothbrush, medicine or cosmetics. | $49 | llbean.com | 6. SLIPINS ZIPPERED MINI | This long sleeve swim suit is incredibly flattering and provides 60+ SPF protection. It’s the perfect excuse for a weekend road trip| $118 | slipins.com

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 31

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROUGHING IT

BLUEJACK NATIONAL

First Tiger Woods-Designed Course in United States

By Shelley Seale

32 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

“This course will define a new Tiger Woods.”

Residential summaRy

PHASE

171

172

153 154

12

156

157

185

184

186

187

188

179

216

192

191

193

181

196 222

fRuit stand

197

163

135

105

125

molly couRt

122

ASE

ASE

89

Rd.

88 86

49

80

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65

ell

24

lily Bean Rd.

(w.w.t.P.)

32

46

22

44

Homestead lot #1

43 42

lake

27

35

34

45 20 21

23

Ridg

35

Homestead lot #3

national

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Homestead lot #2

Bluejack coffee 10

13

31

40

41

25

9

24

26

36

33

(futuRe develoPment)

14 23

37 38

22

39

8

main entRance

Homestead lot #4

Homestead lot #5

62

5

20

19

18

4

national Blvd.

1 3

2

1A

1B

(5) laRgeR lots, tyP.

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6

16

21

lake

(futuRe 12 develoPment) 7

15 (futuRe develoPment)

11

17

71 91 105 75 30 86 65 140 51

gReeteR’s BaRn

63

29

34 63

47

Bluejack

tHe foRt 30

cottages 25

28

36

feRR

48

17

PHASE 1B

66

18

fm 1486

PaRk aRea

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67

29

19

PHASE 1A

lengtH

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64 68

l Rd.

37

70

26 tRai

31 38

50

51

69

ly

1

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aw

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32

15 16

2

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(futuRe 61 develoPment) 62

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PaR

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68

PHA

lengtH

28 27

33 39

.

71

11

40 52

49

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ReseRve aRea (Receiving / staging)

67

69

PHA

total

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41 55

58

60 50

13

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constRuction Road/entRy

cottages, tyP. 66

70 57

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cottages

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56

11

65

71 56

51

10

6

Blvd.

7523

15

community tRail, tyP.

78

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72

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36

total

57 Rd.

72

1

n

in

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

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wateR Plant 77

76

74

8

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73

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sPa

79

80

81

84

75

54 53

natio

538 379 203 506 329 492

s BaR

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5 4 3 4 4 4

jack

36 4 5 3

13 14 15 16 17 18

17

85

lake

tHe PlaygRounds

tHe Place

memBeR suites

18

82 83

87 86

1

19

Ridg e

2

43

74

96

(futuRe develoPment)

88

dining, BaR, study fitness / lockeR Room tHe PoRcH and PRo sHoP

3

jack Blue

e

4

44

sayd

75

out 10 11 12

5

20

45

PaRk ReseRve aRea 58 76

453 556 223 468 622 452 158 361 493

6

21

46

59 77

4 5 3 4 5 4 3 4 4

22

47

60 78

23

48

61 79

7

83

84

85

8

9

10

87 81

95

91 90

89

n

94

92

PRactice gRounds

10

90 s BaR

estate lots, tyP.

233 234

golf maintenance

93

1

15

91 jack

232

215

214

213

212

82

way

9

(23) sunday Homes

117

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

211

8

14

95

92

118

cH y BRan sand

93 119

golf scoRecaRd

210

18

97

120

1A

PH

231

207 208 209

96 123

230

206 lake

7

94

1B

PH

develoPment)

50’ BuffeR 229

205

tigeR woods design golf couRse

16

11

98

124

121 500’ no commeRcial develoPment BuffeR, tyP.

228

204

lake

99

5

227

203 5

104 103 102 101

(futuRe

234 total

386

500’ no commeRcial develoPment BuffeR, tyP.

226

202 6

100

127 126

23

total Residential units

225

201

164

133 132

131 130 129 128

3.0ac. Typical Lot Size 3 to 4 Dwellings per Compound Main House and Smaller Cottages around Central Courtyard

96

(1.50 ac. - 12) (1.00 ac. - 125) (0.75 ac. - 31) (0.50 ac. - 66)

200

2 4

134

50’ BuffeR

estate lots, tyP.

224

199

106

community tRail, tyP.

Homestead Lots

223

198

17

Varying Lot Size (see counts at right)

221

13

107

136

Estate Lots

28

220

162

160

4 Bedroom Residences at 2,800sf each Arranged in Enclaves near Clubhouse and Open Space Amenities Shared Driveways with Access to Individual 2-Car Garages

195

3

151

159

currenT # of uniTs

800sf Suites for Club Guests Part of Central/Core Clubhouse Amenity

3 and 4 Bedroom Residences at 1,800 - 2,200sf each In Clusters of 4-5 Units with Shared Covered Parking Arranged in Enclaves around Clubhouse and Open Space Amenities

community tRail, tyP. 219

lake

161

158

jeRky sHack

DescripTion

Member Suites

Cottages

Sunday Homes 217 218

190

189

180

oRcHaRd

108

137

178

194

150

(futuRe develoPment)

155

177

182

165

149

147

110 109

183

166

148

146

lake

111

139

estate lots, tyP.

144 145

113

138

167

152

112 140

143

116

115

114

142

176

(futuRe develoPment)

168 141

175

174

173

169

PHASE

170

Blake fisHing dock

1A

1B

Type

Blake lake

community tRail, tyP.

100 yeaR floodway BoundaRy

714

*ScorecArd meASurementS from bAck tee.

Bluejack Nat ional M ast er Pl an 1 Acre

ScAle: 1” = 300’-0” 300

0

150

300

600

This plan graphic represenTs a concepT masTer plan anD is subjecT

Mon tgom ery, Te xas

1 /4 Acre

A pr i l 15, 2015

To poTenTial changes, aDjusTmenTs, anD refinemenTs.

President Bush opened course play with Bluejack land developer Michael Abbott in a special seven-hole preview round. Former PGA Champion Dave Stockton and his son, Dave, Jr., gave a clinic on the driving range. The full front nine holes opened at Bluejack in early January, and the full world-class course opens this spring.

“This course will define a new Tiger Woods,” Abbott said. “When people see this course and what has been created, they will not only think of the golfer with 80 victories, but a skillful architect as well.”

Located on 755 acres of gently rolling countryside within the Piney Woods, Bluejack also includes 386 private residential units. The golf club is limited to 550 memberships, available by invitation and application only, and will offer luxury lifestyle amenities including a spa, a wellness center and The Porch, a casual clubhouse with dining options.

It's not all about golf at Bluejack. The property includes tennis courts, 35 acres of fishing lakes and seven miles of hiking, biking and running trails. There are also plans for a bowling alley, movie theater, game

room, zipline and ropes courses, archery range and fishing dock.

Through his company, Tiger Woods Design, Woods accentuates the beauty and drama of Bluejack’s natural terrain, using his vision and vast experience as a professional player to create a course capable of challenging the game’s best players. Golfers have to think and make decisions through their rounds, and successfully challenging hazards will reward players with preferred angles of play for their next shot.

Green contours have been kept simple to allow for fast speeds, and the areas around the greens are maintained for optimal shot options and creativity from the chipping areas. In addition to the 18-hole course, there's also a course for short-game practice.

Despite its challenge for accomplished golfers, Bluejack National will also be fair and accessible to golfers at every level. “The turf will be maintained at a single height of fairway cut, the undergrowth will be cleared and the forest floor will be covered with pine straw, making it easy to find and play wayward shots,” said Woods.

“Bluejack National has one of the best natural settings for golf I have seen,” Woods added. “With its changes in elevation, the beautiful pines and hardwoods, Bluejack National is reminiscent of the pinelands of Georgia and the Carolinas. The opportunity is here to create a golf course unlike any other in the Houston area, and our goal is for it to be among the best in the nation.”

4430 SOUTH FM 1486 | MONTGOMERY BLUEJACKNATIONAL.COM

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 33

All photography courtesy of Bluejack National. Tiger Woods photography by Holly Paulson; course photography by Aidan Bradley.

Want to play a spectacular, brand new golf course designed by none other than Tiger Woods himself ? Texans are in luck. Bluejack National, the first U.S. course designed by Woods, opened in November 2015 in Montgomery, about 45 minutes from downtown Houston. Dozens of eager golfers got their introductory playing test, including the first player to challenge the course, former President George W. Bush.

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | FITNESS

Curated by Samantha Cook and Leeza Dennis

Spring into Your Fittest Self It’s not about resolutions anymore; it’s about getting outdoors during the most beautiful season in Texas and spring cleaning your soul to be your best self. Here are a few products we love to help on your journey to getting fit.

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1. PLAYSENSE | Ready to turn up the power on your workout? This roller bottle is applied to the upper lip and allows you to perform to your fullest potential, improving endurance and speed. Available in men’s and women’s. | $45 | xsenselabs.com | 2. AUTO IQ PRO COMPACT SYSTEM | Kickstart your healthy eating with this Nutri Ninja blender built for nutrient and vitamin extraction. Not only can you throw in your fruits and veggies, but there’s also a coffee and spice grinder all-in-one attachment. | $160 | ninjakitchen.com | 3. BISTRO MD | You want to eat healthy but you don’t have the time or desire to prepare meals? Then you’ll enjoy these portioned breakfast, lunch and dinner meals that require no time or thought, but pack a tasty punch and aid long-lasting weight loss. | prices vary | bistromd.com | 4. KLEAN ATHLETE’S FOUNDATION BUNDLE | Looking for more than a multivitamin? Klean provides a safe and effective foundation to live healthy and train smart, while also integrating seamlessly into your daily regimen. | prices vary | kleanathlete.com | 5. OMEGA JUICING SYSTEM | Juicing with fruits and vegetables has proven to be a good way to ward off pounds and, more importantly, chronic disease. With this Omega juicer, you can make juice without a big machine or big mess. | $400 | omegajuicers.com | 6. SLIPINS LEGGINGS & MATCHING CROP TOP | Workout leggings in bold colors are the trend. These leggings are made of silky soft and non-see-through material. Pair the leggings with the crop top for a look that will inspire your workout and turn heads, too. | $98 | slipins.com

34 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

Architecting Transparency in West Lake Hills

Project Architects: Specht Harpman

By Julie Tereshchuk

36 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HABITAT

It's a spectacular site: a dense grouping of trees in front

and a steep ravine in back. Charged with renovating and expanding the West Lake Hills home, Specht Architects made protecting this natural backdrop a priority. The goal: to preserve all of the large live oaks while creating a sense of transparency and allowing the landscape to flow through the living spaces.

The original small French-style house from the 1970s had what architects like to call “good bones,” so Specht Architects' strategy was to preserve as much of the structure as possible, while introducing a new design language. New masonry walls extend the house and weave carefully between the trees, creating interior and exterior public rooms on the lower level, while supporting a floating box of private spaces above.

The ground floor of the house is formed by a series of brick walls that start as landscape elements in the yard, extend through the house, and continue out the other side. Areas between these walls are filled with large glass panels, and these elements form the main living spaces. The interior living spaces are painted in a dark color, which recedes, allowing the landscape outside to have even more presence.

Supported by these brick walls is the white stucco-clad second level, which houses the bedrooms and other more private spaces. This level is supported by the walls below and appears to hover over the

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 37

Photography by Casey Dunn and Taggart Sorensen

Now 5,500 square feet, this single-family residence incorporates modern design hallmarks—large glass panes, ribbon windows— and makes use of basic, inexpensive construction techniques. Preservation of the trees, upgrading the building envelope and installing green roofs showcase both environmental and aesthetic priorities.

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HABITAT landscape. The rooms within are highly individualized, with very distinct color schemes and furniture.

Specht Architects incorporated a portion of the existing house into the project—it now acts as the kitchen/dining and library/office areas.

The original house had relatively low ceilings so, in the new main living areas, they excavated down to increase the ceiling heights and connected the new and original parts of the house with a dramatic staircase.

Photography by Casey Dunn and Taggart Sorensen

SPECHTARCHITECTS.COM

38 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

Luxury.Logistics. residential relocation / designer services

Specializing in

temperature controlled warehouse-receiving, storage, delivery, fine art & furniture installation, custom crating & packing, nationwide moving solutions

www.WhiteGloveDelivery.com

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HABITAT

Moving the White Glove Way

By Margaret Richards

Now imagine you're moving a valuable art collection, some pricey antiques or have a Texas-sized house full of furniture that needs to go into storage.

Enter White Glove Storage and Delivery. Known for their ultracareful service to celebs, philanthropists and notables, they can also move those of us with more modest households. And yes, the movers really do wear white gloves when handling fragile or upholstered items. They're also trained to hang fine art and handle rare antiques.

With locations in Austin (the original), Dallas and Houston, they pride themselves on having the expertise for any kind of move, residential or commercial. Interior designers with complex installations are big fans.

As Houston owner Leonard Ledford says, it really can be any kind of move. "There's a new story every day," says the West Texan, who graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and worked for Dell, Inc. before opening White Glove Houston in 2014.

"Just when you think you’ve seen it all, come rugs so big they were delivered in their own 18-wheeler," recalls Ledford. There have been the clients who shipped hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of furniture to his warehouse with no prior notice. Then, there was the job where they signed non-disclosures and arrived on move day

40 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

to find their client was one of the most recognized faces in sports.

"Our trucks have literally been coast to coast, each with a load that tells its own story and has a special memory to our crew."

The biggest job to date? The installation of offices and apartments at Houston's new luxury River Oaks District. Ledford's team received and inspected thousands of pounds of furniture for an installation that took three weeks.

Their coolest job so far was for a New Orleans artist, says Ledford.

The American Folk Art Museum in New York City selected two of the artist's works for their permanent collection. "We drove to his residence in the historic New Orleans neighborhood of Treme."

There, they picked up two 9 feet by 7 feet pictures. "Being behind the scenes in one of the most fantastic museums in the country was really special."

And, in a state that prides itself on having the biggest of everything, one of their more challenging jobs involved driving a 2,000-pound marble table from Houston to Dallas. Once in Dallas, they were to install it in the client’s backyard. "Our guys carried it through new Bermuda sod, a fence and onto the back patio," says Ledford. "Carrying marble is a fragile task when it's 100 pounds. We love a challenge!"

WHITEGLOVEDELIVERY.COM

Photo courtesy of Karen Sacher & Co., (inset) Photo courtesy of White Glove Moving

Research last year confirmed what we've known for years. Moving is more stressful than a relationship breakup, divorce or even a new job.

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HABITAT

The Tiny

House That Can

Photography by Sarah Doliver Story by Margaret Richards

At just 120 square feet, Lori Kline's entire home is smaller than some closets. Built in summer 2015 (with some help from her dad), and despite its petite size, Kline's mi casa has the mod cons we take for granted: lights, microwave, shower, outlets for a hairdryer, Wi-Fi, TV (she actually watches Netflix and Hulu on her computer), indoor plumbing. And more.

Kline's careful planning means her 120-square-foot home includes a panini press, a portable induction cooktop and a NuWave oven, allowing her to produce everything from lasagna and meatloaf to cupcakes. Both the oven and the cooktop are stored out of sight when not in use.

With her 400-watt solar system, Kline can live on or off-grid. The Michigan native reckons she's saving upward of $20,000 a year compared to the condo she owned before her Tiny House on Wheels.

(THOW's are part of a growing nationwide movement that advocates living more simply. The category comprises "small" homes, 400 to 1,000 square feet, and "tiny" homes, under 400 square feet.)

As the house is built on a fully titled and licensed travel trailer, custom built for Kline, she could take it out on the road. For now, she's parked in an RV park east of Austin. She's got itchy feet, however. As much as she loves her THOW, it's on the market, and she's got her sights set on life on the open road in a vintage travel trailer.

While you may not want to go to the extremes Kline has (she "sold her entire life on Craigslist" to prepare for THOW living), if you're interested in tips on decluttering and downsizing, then check out her online courses. She has an impressive list of credentials: Certified Professional Organizer, Bachelor of Science in Personal Finance, Master of Science in Training and Organizational Development, Associate Member of the eLearning Guild and more. "I've always been an organizer, planner and builder," she says. "I built this tiny home because I was tired of all my stuff. Who needs five beach towels?"

LIVINGTINY.NET

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 41

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ON THE COVER

44 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ON THE COVER Waco-based Daniel Ramirez is Associate Editor of Texas Lifestyle Magazine. His past celebrity cover stories include Robert Duvall, Michael Strahan, Angie Harmon, Mark Cuban and Dan Rather.

Eva

Longoria

On Course for World Domination

By Daniel Ramirez

It’s 8:30 a.m. on a Monday, and Eva Longoria has already

“When I think about home, I think about Texas."

been at it for two hours. Her voice has a happy lilt and she has her infectious laughter at the ready. While most of the nation reaches for the snooze button once more, she’s been answering calls, planning her day and continuing steadily on her course toward world domination. Or, her version of it.

At first, saying that about Eva Longoria – a celebrity who hardly needs any introduction, and star of the new television show, “Telenovela” – might sound like an exaggeration. But, consider all the Corpus Christi native has managed to accomplish in a mere few decades.

She has moved from pageant podium to daytime soaps; risen to primetime fame on multiple occasions; made the transition to the silver screen; conquered the runway and countless red carpets; authored a cookbook; founded and maintained two charities; been a spokesperson for political and social activism; released both a clothing and a bedding line; and, in her spare time, she earned a master’s degree from California State. World domination doesn’t seem like quite the stretch for someone who seems powered by something inexplicable.

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 45

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ON THE COVER

“Every time I do speaking engagements I see and hear young people saying, ‘I want to be famous like you.’

I tell them, ‘You should invent a cure for cancer.

Then, you’ll be really famous.’”

“I drink a lot of coffee,” Longoria humorously explains. Her disarming candor immediately steers her to elaborate. “Well, I say I drink a lot of coffee, but I always forget where I put my cup down, so then I have to go and make a new one. Then, I forget where I put my cup down, so I have to make a new one.” It’s a very human moment, filled with honest laughter. Nearly everyone can empathize with the search for lattes lost, but it is far more than coffee alone that fuels Longoria’s drive.

“I have a lot of passions. My mind is diverse and I have a lot of different muscles that I want to use,” she explains. With Longoria’s talent and audience, there is no shortage of new requests for time and effort amid the already cramped demands of her schedule. Yet, it hardly slows her down. She confesses, “I am the ‘Yes, we can,’ ’Yes, we are,’ ‘Yes, we’re going to,’ type, as opposed to ‘Oh, I don’t know if that’s going to work.’”

Dispelling the notion that she manages her many endeavors alone, she is quick to give credit to those who make this breakneck pursuit possible. “I have an amazing team,” she says. And, where Eva Longoria’s concerned, that team has to bend space and time to make it all come together. She explains, “I have an ‘I have to do it all’ mentality and there are only 24 hours in one day. I think we waste more time than you think.”

Since her star turn in the television phenomenon “Desperate Housewives,” Longoria hasn’t wasted too many hours.

She has lent both her fame and her name to two charitable endeavors. Eva’s Heroes is a nonprofit organization that sheds light on the struggles of special needs children and young adults in Texas. It is a plight that is incredibly close to Longoria’s heart, and formed much of the woman she is today.

“When I was young, we benefitted from a lot of community programs because I have an older sister with special needs,” Longoria reveals.

Her inspiration, care and concern are obvious. Born out of necessity and nurtured by family, they were profoundly formative, from the earliest age. “We would always be at the Boys and Girls Club. We’d always be at the Salvation Army. We’d always be volunteering at the Special Olympics. I knew the word ‘volunteerism’ very early on in my life.”

Photographed by Faye Sade

Longoria's family, moved by the generosity extended to them, made it a priority to render aid to others in the community who were in need. The lesson held fast, and shaped how she sees charity. “From an early age, it made complete sense,” she explains. “These charities are run on people who are donating time, money or energy. I thought that if we don’t volunteer, there will be no programs for my sister.”

At November's fourth annual dinner celebrating the mission of the Eva Longoria Foundation, Longoria accepted a $100,000 contribution to her foundation from event sponsor Target. The event was held at Beso, Longoria's Hollywood Boulevard restaurant."

46 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

She’s carried that lesson with her, she explains, making sure that she is doing everything she can to give back, even if it’s in a small way. “The system doesn't work without people giving back.”

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ON THE COVER But, as she admits, her passions are many, and her own personal experiences as a Latina in the United States inspired her to establish a foundation to meet the needs of others who might want to follow her path, but find themselves without the resources or inspiration to do so. The Eva Longoria Foundation seeks to provide inspiration, motivation and any necessary support to Latinas who want to pursue higher education. As a role model for many young women, she leverages her own fame to drive the message home.

Photo Club at Eva's Heroes. The monthly activities program is designed for individuals with intellectual special needs ages 16 and up.

Not content to merely provide lip service, Longoria and her foundation maintain a concentration on the area where their help can make the most impact. “You have to be very laser-focused to make sustainable, impactful change,” she explains. For every STEM graduate that comes out of college, there are three jobs waiting for them, she says. For every other degree, there are five people competing for the same job. "If you look at the future workforce of America and what we’re going to need, it’s going to be in STEM fields.”

She's fully aware of her position and the volume that it lends to her voice, but she vehemently contends that one need not be a television star or magazine cover model to help make a better future come true.

To begin, Longoria has a critical step for any and all who are compelled to make a positive difference in the world. “First, you have to debunk the myth that you have to be rich and famous to be a philanthropist or to make a difference,” she says. “Some of the strongest, biggest, loudest foundations today in the United States came from a frustrated mom, spouse or wife. Somebody who saw an injustice, who saw an inequality, and said ‘That’s not fair, that’s not right and I’m going to do something about it.’”

The Eva Longoria Foundation's STEM education programs have helped more than 2,600 Latinas develop technology skills, including coding and robotics.

Photographed by Faye Sade

The message rings loud and clear, reflecting the thesis she authored at California State for her Master’s – a degree she earned while still maintaining a high-profile television career. Her thesis has formed the basis of her second philanthropic venture, focusing on how the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can provide an obvious path to success for women and, specifically, women of Latin descent. Longoria sees a need and a way for that need to be met, and little will stand in her way. “The disparities are great,” she explains, “and I want to know how I can make a dent in improving the educational outcomes for Latinas.”

Photographed by Larry Servin

“Every time I do speaking engagements,” Longoria says, “I hear and see young people saying, ‘I want to be famous like you.’ I tell them, ‘You should invent a cure for cancer. Then, you’ll be really famous.’ ‘You should figure out how we can get back into space, that would make you really famous.’ ‘You should figure out how to solve global warming. That will make you famous.’”

To get started, she provides critical insight, from a well-informed perspective.

“I tell people to start in their community. Start with your neighbor.

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 47

Photo courtesy NBCUniversal

48 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ON THE COVER What are their needs? And it’s as simple as a kind gesture. You don’t have to create a charity." There are already thousands of charities in the United States, Longoria points out.

"Seek out the current resources in your community and figure out where you want to donate your time and energy and how you want to do that. There are so many different ways you can participate in the world of charitable giving or philanthropy, by either creating awareness or raising funds."

Peering into the future of charities and philanthropic endeavors, Longoria even embraces a horizon where her efforts are no longer needed. As with all great leaders and many of the best innovators, she would ideally like to work herself out of a job. “That is the dream – where foundations and charities are not needed,” she says.

It is a very hopeful outlook, from an even more hopeful place, but rooted in a practical knowledge of the system.

Having run a foundation since 2010, and Eva’s Heroes for over a decade, her perspective is both well-informed and attainable. “Foundations and charities are meant to catch people who fall through the cracks that our public sector does not address or somehow doesn’t really touch. So, I do dream of the day when my foundation is not needed to level the playing field for Hispanics in education, specifically women in education.”

to be in Mexico, you need to grow; but, grow where you’re planted, because you could be planted anywhere.”

And, although she’s a self-professed gypsy, there is one source of power, of rootedness, that Longoria confesses she cannot, nor does she wish to, disavow.

“When I think about home, I think about Texas,” she says. “I can be anywhere in the world and people ask, ‘Where are you from?’ I say, ‘Texas,’ and they immediately know what that means. That makes me so proud and happy because I do consider Texas to be the place where I grew; and that’s where I was surrounded by this amazing and interesting culture and history that I navigated through.”

One might say that the Lone Star State is where her quest for world domination began, and so it seeps into all of her plans and designs. But, rather than conquering the world with might, fame and power, Eva Longoria is winning the world over with optimism, new ideas, charity and lots and lots of coffee – and perhaps just a little bend of space and time. With the dedication, energy and moxie she possesses, there are few, if any, people better suited to the task.

EVASHEROES.ORG EVALONGORIAFOUNDATION.ORG

One might wonder what keeps her grounded, when and if her down time arrives. “I tell everybody I could live anywhere in the world, because home is where I am. Home is where my mind and heart is. If I’m in Mexico City with my fiancé, I feel at home,” she insists. “My home is in my heart, and I get to take the essence of all of me, everywhere I go.”

So, no matter where she goes, she carries that grounded nature with her.

“My aunt told me a long time ago, ‘Grow where you’re planted.’ If you’re going to be in L.A., you need to grow. If you want

Photo courtesy NBCUniversal

With all of her involvements, from a hit show that is breaking ground by employing an all-Hispanic cast to a recent engagement, it’s easy to see that Longoria is bending the laws of space and time to fit 48 hours into a standard day. She switches hats, jets from coast to coast and maintains the same energy level throughout.

For the 2016 Golden Globe Awards, Eva Longoria donned a white, sleeveless, open-back gown featuring colorful floral designs embroidered on the hips and a gold bowtie waist belt. The stunning dress, from Georges Hobeika’s Couture collection, was a red carpet favorite.

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 49

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | SIP & SAVOR

With Executive Chef Deborah Landfear at the culinary helm, the Hyatt Regency Houston Galleria is leading the charge to ensure a stay at the beautifully appointed hotel is second to none, but also that their dining experience is a foodie’s paradise.

Urban Star Restaurant, Market and Lounge features a seasonal menu with Texas-sourced ingredients. Chef Landfear works with local farmers, bakers and vendors that produce local jam, honey and even tequila. She also visits the local section of Brothers Produce, one of the largest wholesale produce companies in Texas.

Chef Landfear on a buying trip to Brothers Produce, one of the largest produce wholesalers in Texas.

Urban Star Restaurant, Market and Lounge

Brothers Produce is a foodie’s dream come true; a very big and very cold warehouse stacked from floor to ceiling with the freshest produce available that will satisfy even the most discerning chef or grocer.

Full of activity and people wearing yellow hardhats, driving pallet movers who all have the same goal – to get the produce where it needs to go in the quickest time possible. Edible flowers, carrots of every color and size imaginable, and greenhouse-grown heirloom tomatoes are just the tiniest fraction of what is available at Brothers.

“Local for us is within 90 miles of Houston, but if the supply isn’t available there, then we stay within Texas,” said Mark Decker, Local Produce Specialist at Brothers Produce.

Local Fair Worthy of Lone Star State Diners

By Gabi De la Rosa

Huge heads of cauliflower and dinosaur kale from Houston, hydroponic lettuce and mushrooms from just outside San Antonio, and citrus from the Rio Grande Valley are some of the items Landfear picked out that would end up in her kitchen.

“This is my idea of fun – I’d rather shop for really beautiful pencil asparagus than shop for clothes,” said Landfear.

Urban Star Bar, the Hyatt’s watering hole has also embraced the Texas sourced theme and features everything from local beer to whiskey and tequila. Landfear works with Beverage Manager Ashleigh Wilson on collaborations that are both fun and unique, such as a soup flight that pairs with a Texas whiskey flight.

Hyatt Regency Galleria has worked carefully to epitomize Texas culture; even the name of their restaurant pays homage to the iconic Lone Star in the Texas state flag. A look at Landfear’s menu shows how much she has embraced Texas-sourced food, proving that despite the well-known moniker on the masthead, staying true to the state’s roots delivers a bigger and better experience.

2626 SAGE ROAD | HOUSTON HOUSTONGALLERIA.REGENCY.HYATT.COM

50 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

Photography by Gabi De la Rosa (top) and Joey T Photography (below)

Landfear’s menu features rotating specials from ingredients she finds on her buying trips. “The Hyatt has been doing little things for years like making sure all their hotels use cage-free eggs and antibiotic-free chicken, but they have also empowered chefs at a local level to bring in and cook the food they love,” said Landfear.

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | SIP & SAVOR

44 Farms

Reaching Out to the Local Community

By Simon Murray

It all started with a tract of land, as most farms do.

When Robert “Bob” McClaren’s great grandfather arrived in Milam County from Tennessee, the family settled on the Little River in what is now the town of Marlow. It was a place “where the rich lands of the river bottom appealed to the elder McClaren and his son who followed the long furrow of the years and later held many of its acres in his own name,” as written in The Cameron Daily Herald on September 16, 1941.

It would take years of saving and scraping by, but Bob’s great grandfather, Sherwood W. McClaren, was a hard worker deeply committed to his craft, as well as to the surrounding communities.

In 1909, the very first cattle was emblazoned with the "44" brand.

Three years later, the McClaren Bridge was built—connecting Marlow with the neighboring town of Cameron. Over the years, after many floods and river overflows, Sherwood—now an established rancher with a modest farm—repeatedly donated funds to the county to keep the bridge in good repair.

All photography courtesy 44 Farms

It was a literal bridge, connecting communities; and a figurative one as well. It was an extension of the McClaren goodwill which continues on through Bob and 44 Farms today. "[Giving back] is a big part of who we are, what we are, and what we've been trying to build," said Bob. His grandfather’s first few acres swelled into thousands. For over a century, 44 Farms primarily produced crops. But that all changed when Bob revived the family business, buying back land—and then

some—in 2005. (Bob’s father had always told him: "Son, you can't make a livin' in agriculture, so don't even think about it.")

Today, 44 Farms is one of the largest Black Angus operations in the world, spread out across 2,300 acres in the heart of Texas.

But Bob has never forgotten where he comes from. With the same ethos that built the McClaren Bridge, Bob, through 44 Farms, has created the Cameron Future Foundation, with the goal of positioning Cameron as a destination for youth sports. Milam County lost its single largest employer in 2009. The closing of a large aluminum smelting plant and the subsequent loss of 1,000 jobs devastated the local economy: something Bob hopes to revive, in part, through the construction of fields and facilities that will fuel tourism.

44 Farms also partners with universities to pay it forward for future generations to continue Texas’ rich agricultural heritage. Currently, 44 Farms partners with Texas A&M and Foodways Texas to help future businessmen and agricultural engineers advance the industry in a myriad of ways, including serving the community through business and food.

"A big part of what they were all about as a family, way back when, was really helping those that worked with them and being involved with the community,” said Bob of his great grandparents. A little over 100 years later, that tract of land is still owned by the same family, cultivated and attended to by the giving spirit that settled it.

44FARMS.COM 44STEAKS.COM

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All photography courtesy Ski Utah

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

52 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

It’s got Southern charm, the laid-back Gulf beach vibe that Florida is known for and even a tropical island feel. Sanibel Island, just off the coast of Fort Myers, is one of Florida’s seashells to discover.

From Texas, you can fly direct to Fort Lauderdale on Southwest Airlines; however it’s about a 2 ½ hour drive to the island (but about $200 per ticket or less) or you can fly into Fort Myers which is about a half-hour drive.

Because you’ll spend the better part of a day getting there, definitely plan to stay longer than three nights. We spent five, and were able to really experience what the island offers.

Your Island Escape:

Sanibel Island, Florida

High season runs November through April because so many snowbirds come down to enjoy long-term rentals on the beach. The island offers a wide range of rental options (homes, villas, cottages) but we recommend a two-bedroom, two-bath condo at Sanibel Siesta.

It’s about 20 yards off the beach and the condos are fully equipped, clean and spacious. A king bed in one room, two singles in another, and a foldout sofa in the living room was ideal for our party of five.

There are grills and a pool in the courtyard, and the condos have a

By Marika Flatt

Heart-Racing High Altitude Adventure:

Utah’s Wasatch Mountains

By Doug Flatt

If lazing on the beach isn’t your idea of recharging

your batteries, try the polar opposite with a winter venture through Utah’s Wasatch Mountain Range, just a stone’s throw from Salt Lake City. With direct flights on Delta from every major metro city in Texas, Utah skiing is conveniently accessible.

Ski Utah offers a unique program that gives the advanced to expert skier the opportunity to ski six resorts in the Wasatch Range in one day.

The Interconnect Tour allows skiers access to beautiful backcountry led by 25-year veteran guide Deb Lovci, who was named "Best Skiing Guide" in Outside Magazine's 2015 Best of Travel guide.

Your 26-mile skiing experience starts at Deer Valley, continues to Park City, then to Solitude Mountain Resort, on to Brighton and back to Solitude for lunch. Carb-loading at the Round House at Solitude is a must to tackle what lies ahead on the Interconnect. The Himalayan and Wasatch-inspired cuisine includes mountain-sized portions of shepherd’s pie, lamb curry and chicken makhani.

After lunch, take a lift to the top of Solitude, cross over the ropes and traverse a ridge, aptly named Highway to Heaven.

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 53

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

fleet of bikes for rent. Sanibel Island is one of those beach towns where you really should just park your car and leave it for the entire stay and get around on two wheels. The paved bike paths run throughout the island for a smooth and flat ride. (1) You can spend your days on the beach (you’ll find some of the world’s most epic shelling on Sanibel Island) and there are many beaches to enjoy from one end of the island to the other (2). Here are a few activities we recommend: Enjoy the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Take the 90-minute tram ride provided by Tarpon Bay Explorers for an ubereducational look at the bird life that takes refuge in the mangrove forest. Don’t expect to see a lot of other wildlife, but you’ll earn a degree in birding. The refuge, which covers the entire back portion of Sanibel Island, is an example that other countries visit to emulate.

In the refuge, where “people are not the priority,” you’ll find wildlife categorized in three areas: endangered, threatened, and animals of special concern.

Captiva Cruises on Captiva Island (just across the bridge from Sanibel) offers a Dolphin Watching Cruise out of the harbor. This

For a Texan who was breathing sea level air just a few days before ascending to above 10,000 feet, this traverse was tough (3). Physical fitness is as important as skiing ability for the tour.

After skiing the famous Grizzly Gulch at Alta (4), cross over to Snowbird for the sixth and final resort of the day. If you can ski groomed black trails, you won’t have a problem with this backcountry.

Celebrating a frosty beverage with your fellow backcountry adventurers is a perfect ending to an unforgettable day. When you cover 36,000 vertical feet in one day, there are plenty of stories to share!

Hauling ski gear with you all the way to the mountains can be daunting and expensive. Ski Butler will completely change the way you think about ski rentals. Instead of waiting in long lines at rental shops, Ski Butler comes to you. Have a problem with your gear once you start skiing? They'll meet you at your resort and make any adjustments you need on the spot. Ski Butler supplied our group with Rossignol Soul 7’s, all-mountain, extremely versatile skis that perform beautifully on groomers as well as backcountry powder.

54 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

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3

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER

5 Skiing is the first outdoor activity that most folks think of when planning a Utah trip. However, for the traveler looking for adventurous and relaxing activities off the beaten path, the Wasatch Range offers many options: • Have you always been an alpine skier and want to try something new? The Nordic Skiing Center at Solitude Mountain Resort offers a heart-pounding alternative to downhill. Be patient, it’s more difficult than it looks!

SKISOLITUDE.COM • Try the latest craze at the home of the first USA Cycling Fat Bike Championship (6). The multi-use groomed trail at the top of Hidden Lake covers six miles and tops out around 8,800 feet with about 700 feet in elevation gain.

POWDERMOUNTAIN.COM • If you’re looking for a one-of-kind experience to soothe those sore muscles, The Homestead Crater is a geothermal mineral water spring that stays at a steady 95 degrees (7). It’s hidden within a 55foot, beehive-shaped limestone rock.

HOMESTEADRESORT.COM

• Cat skiing at Powder Mountain is a powder skier’s dream. With 7,000 acres of skiable terrain, this is one of the largest ski resorts in the US. Powder Mountain is also plugged in with local artists and offers a weekend summit series, allowing visitors to experience the unique local culture.

POWDERMOUNTAIN.COM

• The Solitude Yurt experience includes snowshoeing through a moonlit tree line to a mountain yurt (8). Once there, our group of night hikers enjoyed a chef's creation of clam chowder, salmon, asparagus and a popcorn-infused custard with a hardened caramel crunch.

SKISOLITUDE.COM SKIUTAH.COM

56 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | JET SETTER 90-minute boat ride is likely to treat you to an up close and personal experience with dolphins enjoying their natural habitat. We were thrilled to have a group of dolphins swim and jump alongside our boat for nearly 10 minutes!

Take a bike ride to the historic lighthouse on the end of the island.

From Sanibel Siesta, it’s just a few miles down the bike path for a gorgeous view of the Gulf of Mexico, some of the best photo opps and a feel for the history of Sanibel (5). (The lighthouse has been there since 1884 when the whole area was a nature preserve.)

Get in a round of golf at The Dunes golf course. You’ll find a real Florida Everglades scene on this course (not many sand dunes, but lots of water). Keep a lookout for alligators and friendly snakes who want to partner on the links.

Tired of cooking in your condo? There are many dining choices up and down the island. The Bubble Room on Captiva Island is full of eye candy, with their golden age of Hollywood theme (think black and white photos of movie stars and vintage toys). Other local eateries include The Island Cow, The Lazy Flamingo and The Lighthouse Café.

FORTMYERSSANIBEL.COM

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROAD TRIP

Travel Trifecta: Austin’s Westin Downtown

San Antonio’s Hotel Emma

Georgetown’s San Gabriel House

58 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROAD TRIP

Texas has a wide variety of escapes and spring is a great time to hit the road for a weekend of wildflowers, wine trails, festivals, concerts or just rambling. No matter your style, there’s a property waiting for you.

Bustling City Nightlife: Westin Austin Downtown The hotel opened July 2015 and has been making waves in downtown Austin ever since. A 1953 Gibson guitar is the central inspiration piece for the hotel’s design reflected in guest rooms’ artwork, hallway carpet and eye-catching details of the lobby, bar and restaurant.

The hotel doesn’t just cater to music lovers; they love runners, too, offering towels and bottled water by the front door. And, there's a running concierge on Saturdays who leads a group run around Lady Bird Lake while giving a city tour. For forgetful guests, the Westin also offers a loaner program—New Balance shoes and workout clothes for as little as $5 per rental.

This downtown hotel's rooftop pool and bar are stellar, with striking views and a design of vines going up the outside wall watching over the cacti below.

The Westin's large and thoughtfully designed conference space has meeting rooms named after iconic Austin clubs and musicians, such as the Continental Club, Saxon Pub, Broken Spoke and Ray Benson.

Stella San Jac, their restaurant at walk-in street level, was named a Top 10 best restaurant in Austin by USA Today. The chef is innovative and prepares dishes with his own unique twist. You’ll savor each course from appetizer, to salad, to entrée, to dessert, all paired nicely with their extensive wine list or cocktail creations.

Photography courtesy (Westin Downtown) Westin Austin Downtown, (Hotel Emma) Jason Risner, (San Gabriel House) Rudy Ximenez

WESTINAUSTINDOWNTOWN.COM

Upcycled Hipster Hideaway: Hotel Emma, San Antonio Opening its doors November 2015, Hotel Emma in San Antonio’s old Pearl Brewery mixed-use redevelopment has made a big impression.

The brewery initially opened in 1894 and was a formidable force to be reckoned with for Texas beer drinkers until its shuttering in 2001, just as the craft beer scene was firing up. Now, this repurposed industrial space really stands out in the SA tourist scene, attracting folks from hip metro areas across the country and internationally.

As you walk into the reception area, the throwback tile and antique desk immediately give you a feel for what’s in store. The expansive lobby is designed for relaxing…or working. (The hotel welcomes

Spring 2016 | texaslifestylemagazine.com 59

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | ROAD TRIP locals to the wooden workspaces and free Wi-Fi.) The lobby, once the engine room of Pearl Brewery, features one of the original engines as its centerpiece.

Just off the lobby is every book lover's fantasy, a two-story library boasting floor-to-ceiling shelves and a collection that covers every genre imaginable. Next to the library, the Sternewirth Bar is expansive and features upcycled bottling machines and label-makers as grandiose chandeliers.

The bar is named for the Sternewirth Privilege, which entitled employees of 19th century breweries to free beer during the workday.

Prohibition killed the tradition, except at Pearl Brewery, where workers frequented the taproom until the 1990s. The signature Three Emmas cocktail pays homage to the three ladies in the original brewmaster's life.

Hotel Emma features 146 rooms, including 11 suites, and sets itself apart with burlap walls, retro “ice boxes” and a real artisanal feel.

While you’re there, try their casual restaurant, Supper, and enjoy a light meal such as hummus on grilled ciabatta with avocado and pesto or a heartier roasted chicken or grilled beef. And you’ll surely want to pair your meal with a craft beer.

THEHOTELEMMA.COM

Quaint Small Town B&B: San Gabriel House, Georgetown Dee and Neil Rapp, innkeepers of San Gabriel House Bed & Breakfast, bought the home 10 years ago with the intention of creating a comfortable B&B highlighting the history of the 1914 house that sits across from Southwestern University. The inn is a popular spot for everyone from retirees researching the Georgetown community to parents of college students. (Note that guests need to be 12 or older.)

The inn features five large bedrooms on the second floor of the main house, all with king beds and private baths and one queen suite in the carriage house out back. You’ll love the old hardwood floors and the library on the inn's second floor with its 50-year-old book collection.

Guests come from all over the world (there’s no minimum stay) and are treated to a delicious two-course breakfast such as grilled grapefruit followed by an omelet with a side of asparagus.

It’s common for families to rent out multiple rooms together, couples to enjoy all five rooms upstairs with the common library sitting space or groups to rent the entire property, in which case, there’s no age minimum.

SANGABRIELHOUSE.COM

60 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | REVIEWS

Raising Voices at Houston Grand Opera

By Gabi De la Rosa

Thanks to Armenian-born Mane Galoyan, I was able to see firsthand what an evening at the opera is truly about. We spoke in her dressing room as she was having her makeup done in preparation for a stage rehearsal for the March debut of Rusalka. With big eyes and an easy smile, 22-year-old Galoyan is a newcomer to the Houston Grand Opera.

She arrived in Houston six months ago from Armenia and is happy to have the opportunity to do what she loves despite the rigor of the work.

A typical day for a studio artist like Galoyan begins at 10 a.m. with backto-back language classes. Most performers learn two or three languages to help their diction when singing. After the classes, performers have several sessions of vocal coaching, some general and some specific to their upcoming operas. Afternoons are spent on additional vocal coaching, but are sometimes punctuated by costume fittings or classes in other areas such as acting, technique and even stress management and finance!

Evenings usually consist of choreography and stage movement. As a performance gets closer, rehearsals move onstage with the orchestra. A performer’s day is finally over around 10:30 p.m.

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“The life of an opera singer is very specific. You have to sleep and eat well; you can’t party all the time or drink very much. It is hard sometimes, but I don’t complain because it is worth it. I love singing and I love to be in the studio,” said Galoyan.

As she finished her makeup and got into costume, I moved into the theater to watch the rehearsal already in progress. I was surprised to see so many people watching intently and taking notes. “There are about 50 people backstage right now working. It is hard to get all the little details right and to rehearse everything,” said David Feheley, Technical and Production Director of the Houston Grand Opera.

Everything that takes place on stage during a performance is magical.

The small glittering details coupled with the performers and orchestra make going to the opera a break from our everyday reality. However, next time I'll think about the costume designers, wig dressers and makeup artists, the set designers, orchestra musicians and performers like Galoyan.

“I still get nervous when I go onstage,” said Galoyan with a giggle. “If you don’t get nervous, it is not good. I have to think about my character and give everything I have to the audience.”

510 PRESTON STREET | HOUSTON HOUSTONGRANDOPERA.ORG

Mane Galoyan portrait by Simon Pauly. All other photography by Gabi De la Rosa.

World-class music, powerful operatic voices, beautiful costumes, cinematic lighting and set design are what the Houston Grand Opera has become known for. Audiences are enchanted by the performances which are put on seemingly with ease, but few think about what goes on behind the scenes; the dedication of the performers, the hundreds of people and countless hours it takes to bring an opera to life.

www.thepines.org

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | REVIEWS

Enchiladas: Aztec to Tex-Mex A one-of-a-kind cookbook

By Sarah Bradley

Stand by: you're about to have your mental image of enchiladas changed forever! It turns out, there are dozens of ways to create this Texas favorite. So, let's wave goodbye to that lowly stereotype of beef or chicken wrapped in a tortilla a n d s m o t h e re d i n cheese as we delve into the 100-plus recipes in Enchiladas: Aztec to Tex-Mex. What started as a friendly dinner between San Antonio restaurateur Cappy L aw t o n a n d fo o d writer Chris Waters Dunn resulted in this award-winning book.

Lawton, owner of San Antonio’s La Fonda on Main, one of the country’s oldest Mexican restaurants, explained Enchiladas: Aztec to Tex-Mex is more than a cookbook.

"It is a book of the history of enchiladas, which are one of the most historic Mexican dishes.” Whether you're in a home or a restaurant in Mexico, Lawton said, you’ll invariably be served enchiladas. They’re truly the national food of Mexico.

Three years in the making, and with a wealth of historical and culinary information, along with entertaining anecdotes and expert cooking

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advice packed into its pages, Enchiladas: Aztec to Tex-Mex was shortlisted as "2016 Best Latin American Cuisine Book in the USA" in the Gour mand World Cookbook Awards, one of the most prestigious awards for cookbooks in the United States.

“Neither of us had ever written a book before, so it was great fun getting to do something different,” Lawton said. “But it was especially exciting to have it be successful.”

Along with providing us with delicious recipes and mouthwatering photos of enchiladas, the firsttime authors looked for a way to make a further difference in their local community.

With every purchase made from the book’s website, a portion of the proceeds are donated to a San Antonio nonprofit called Lighthouse for the Blind, an organization which supports the visually impaired. With a longtime family friend of Lawton's overseeing Lighthouse for the Blind, and with several mutual friends that are sight impaired, it was an easy choice for the pair.

ENCHILADASBOOK.COM

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | REVIEWS

Open-Faced Shrimp Enchiladas (excerpted from Enchiladas: Aztec to Tex-Mex) Yields 6 enchiladas / Serves 6

This is a good hot weather recipe, a great first course for spring brunches and light meals.

* Remove the shrimp from pan. Season with salt and guajillo chile powder to taste, place on a warm plate, and loosely cover with foil.

INGREDIENTS

Assemble the enchiladas:

For the vinaigrette: * 5 guajillo chiles, cleaned, destemmed, deseeded, and dry roasted * 2–3 chipotles en adobo * Zest of 1 orange * 3⁄4 cup (178 ml) rice wine vinegar * 1 tablespoon (10 grams) fresh ginger, peeled and grated * 1 1⁄2 teaspoons (1 gram) fresh oregano or 1⁄2 teaspoon (1 gram) dried Mexican oregano * 1⁄2 teaspoon (1 gram) ground allspice * 1⁄2 medium white onion, peeled, small dice, rinsed in a sieve, and patted dry * 2 tablespoons (26 grams) sugar * 1 1⁄4 cups (296 ml) vegetable oil * Kosher salt to taste

For the shrimp:

* Have the salad components ready and at hand. * Toss the romaine lettuce with just enough vinaigrette to coat. * Warm the tortillas on a dry comal, iron griddle, or skillet until soft and pliable. * Place the tortillas on individual serving plates, 1 per serving. * Top with the dressed romaine lettuce and shrimp, 4 per serving. * Garnish with the cherry tomatoes, 4 halves per plate, and microgreens to taste. * Drizzle a little more vinaigrette over the top just before serving.

Note: To make the ground guajillo chile powder: clean, destem, deseed, and dry roast a guajillo chile until crisp and grind to a powder in a spice grinder.

Note: Microgreens are tiny vegetable greens that are harvested when a plant is very young—less than 2 weeks old and 2–3 inches in height. They add both flavor and visual interest to a dish.

* 24 medium shrimp (1 1⁄4–1 1⁄2 pounds, 567–680 grams, before preparing) * 2 tablespoons (30 ml) avocado oil or other vegetable oil * Kosher salt to taste * Guajillo chile powder to taste (see note)

For the assembly: * 24 inner leaves from hearts of romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and torn into bite-size pieces * 6 fresh white corn tortillas * 12 cherry tomatoes, halved * Cilantro microgreens (or substitute arugula, radish, or other spicy microgreens, see note)

DIRECTIONS

Start with the vinaigrette: * Soak the prepared guajillo chiles in hot water until soft, about 15 minutes. * Place in a blender along with the chipotles en adobo, orange zest, and vinegar, and pulse until the chiles and zest are finely minced. * Add the ginger, oregano, allspice, onion, and sugar. * With the blender running, slowly add the vegetable oil until emulsified. * Add salt to taste. Whisk or shake well before using.

Prepare the shrimp: * Peel and devein the shrimp. * Place the avocado oil in large pan over medium-high heat. * When the oil is hot, add shrimp and cook, frequently stirring or tossing, until just opaque, about 2 minutes. Be careful not to overcook.

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | REVIEWS

Cameran Nelson Has Got a Good Thing Going

By Leeza Dennis

Country Wordsmith Weaves Magic Into New Album Country music finds a new star in the up-and-coming Cameran Nelson. He’s a relatively new arrival to the scene, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that after listening to his sophomore album, Good Thing Going.

The Texas native released his debut record, Happy to Beer, in 2013 and continues with this new 12-track record that includes the catchy Shotgun and The Little That We’re Livin’ On, the poignant You Can Still Wear White and Lady’s Man, plus several other great tunes.

Nelson is a great lyricist, clever with his words, and excels at storytelling via song. This is perhaps best seen in the title song Good Thing Going. At first glance, you might assume that this song is about things going well in your life, but Nelson shows off his talent by playing on the phrase.

“When the song kicks in, it paints a picture of a lot of beautiful things, good things, but at the same time you’re watching the best thing that’s ever happened to you drop out of the picture,” said Nelson.

The album cover is a solemn image of Nelson standing before a flowing river and a broken bridge with bursts of bright sunlight at his back. The photo was taken in Blanco, Nelson’s hometown.

It’s a very small community with a population just over 1,700, and unfortunately it was devastated in the floods of May 2015.

“It destroyed my hometown. The flood wiped out a good thing for us, our community.”

By contrast, also featured on this album is Beer Lease, a fun and upbeat song with the one and only Kevin Fowler. When Nelson was writing this song, there was only one singer in his mind who could possibly sing it. The collaboration is a must hear as Fowler’s jaunty voice intertwines with Nelson’s lyrics about good ole’ country fun.

It’s sure to get you on your feet.

“We put our heart and soul into this record,” said Nelson. “It’s not a record that I had the intention of people listening to just one time.

We put so many layers into it, that the more you listen to it, the more you’ll catch.”

Catch Nelson live this spring, touring around Texas, ending in Waco May 20th.

CAMERANNELSON.COM

66 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2016

Photo courtesy of Cameran Nelson

These are just two of several gems on the album that's available on both iTunes and Amazon. You can also exclusively stream it from theboot.com. It’s a well-crafted record, and obviously made with love.

PROMOTION

T

here is little that Texas loves more than products who have a Texas pedigree. If a business is born here and operates here, and delivers good service or a great product, it will quickly find champions from all across the Lone Star State.

Texas Pride isn’t reserved just for the size of our state. Rather, it diffuses into the whole of our being, steeped in both embellished story and genuine tradition. We love our outlaws, here.

Renegades with a “can-do” attitude aren’t in short supply within our state border, and when they shoot straight and make quick work of their appointed task, their shadow and legend grows.

It should then come as no surprise that for the past few years, a Texas company with a profound history has begun to make noise in the world of refreshment. Moonshine Sweet Tea has a Texas history as long as most of the state’s tall tales. Refining and perfecting a Sweet Tea recipe – no small feat in a state that prides itself on the drink – since 1946, Moonshine Sweet Tea started out being brewed under cover of night, with a bolder flavor than any competitor. Naturally, the covert production and daring flavor of the tea produced gave it the appropriate name – Moonshine.

Now having evolved to include multiple flavors and an artisanal concentrate that allows people to choose their own strength of tea, it’s clear that Moonshine is on the rise. Not only does their business ethic reflect the renegade spirit of the state it’s from, but the tea itself is produced simply and purely, with 100% pure cane sugar, rather than the dreaded high fructose corn syrup that has regrettably become such a part of the beverage world.

Moonshine is produced with more natural ingredients. It is simply fair-trade, organic black tea, cane sugar and clean water, all combined in a secret process that dates back to the 40s, when the darkness of night kept the family secret.

These days, those secrets are still held by founder Joele Porter, passed down from his great grandfather, Leo Cobb Porter. But the result is the same as it ever was. Whether it’s Mint & Honey, Mango, Sweet Peach, Unsweet or the incomparable Original, Moonshine Sweet Teas are natural, impossibly good, a testament to their heritage and distinctly, unapologetically Texan.

It's safe to say we finally found the best sweet tea in Texas. And we can all show a little Texas Pride by drinking in a little every chance we get.

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | WEB EXTRAS

#Foodie Friday It's not all about eating and sipping at the Fort Worth Wine + Food Festival, although there's that aplenty at this four-day extravaganza, which boasts a bursting roster of talented chefs, food artisans, farmers, craft brewers and distillers. With event proceeds, the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation awards financial aid to talented students tackling their culinary schooling.

#TravelTuesday Georgetown is one of the few places in the United States where red poppies grow naturally every spring, making its Red Poppy Festival a must-see. Whether attending a fun-packed festival weekend or on an overnight stop, the city has tons to explore.

Head to the online magazine for a #TravelTuesday feature on all the shopping, dining, art galleries and more in this historic charmer.

Keeping You Cooking Cook smarter, not harder. That's the enticing offer from an Austin newcomer delivering chefinspired meal kits to your door.

Ingredients (organic wherever possible) are carefully handpicked each week. With chefs developing flavorful recipes based on peakseason fresh produce and other high-quality foods available from local vendors, Gourmet By Numbers is playing its part in supporting Texas farmers.

68 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Winter 2016

Find these stories and more at texaslifestylemagazine.com

Everyday Heroes Are All Around Us From a $100 monthly recognition grant to a $1,000 annual grant, the Houston’s Unsung Greats awards allow everyday people who make a positive impact on the community to continue their great work or contribute to the charity of their choice. Find out how you can nominate someone with a heart of gold for a HUG.

Furry Tale Sets Tails Wagging In between crafting their popular skincare products, the folks at McKinney-based Farmhouse Fresh are helping pooches across the country sleep in comfort.

Proceeds from the sale of Is It True They Call You the Dog Bed Fairy?—an endearing 18-page picture book featuring shelter dogs—are bringing dog beds to a waiting list of shelters.

Over $1.5 Million Raised Keels & Wheels is an annual, w e e k e n d - l o n g, n a t i o n a l l y acclaimed classic car and vintage wooden boat show at the Lakewood Yacht Club in beautiful Seabrook. Founded in 1995, today Keels & Wheels welcomes 200 cars and 100 boats, and has raised more than $1.5 million for local charities, while drawing thousands of participants and spectators from across the U.S. and Europe.

TEXAS LIFESTYLE | A BETTER TEXAN

Who I Am:

Michelle Bouchard As told to Amanda Smith

Thirteen years and close to 1.5 million teenagers impacted across the U.S. is a large feat for any company. HealthCorps, founded by Dr. Oz, has made its lasting impact within Texas and around the nation by placing college graduates in impoverished area high schools as coordinators to help fight childhood obesity.

At the helm of this ambitious enterprise is Texan Michelle Bouchard, a Liberty native. Bouchard's had a well-deserved rise to president and she recently talked with us about what makes her so passionate about both HealthCorps and her home state.

I was in Liberty – the second oldest city in Texas – until I was 13. Then, I had a pretty crazy 38-year journey back to Houston that included high school in Appalachia, four years at Wellesley College, a 10-year stint off-Broadway and a clandestine gig as a corporate spy. I also had a run for New York City council on the ticket with Michael Bloomberg (9/11 happened during the campaign) and three years as vice president of finance for an island in the middle of the Hudson River. You cannot make this stuff up!

Coming back to Texas was my poetic full circle.

I'm writing a book about the unorthodox trajectory most women follow in their careers and their long return to their authentic selves. I finally understand why Time Out New York once called me “the sparkling Texan comedienne.” You can take the girl outta Texas but…

A life-long belief that food is pharmacy, a 36-year friendship with our founder, and patriotism manifested as the need to ensure the future of young Americans all led me to HealthCorps.

We're contributing to cultural shifts, as well as individual lives. In Sharpstown, our coordinator co-created Apollo Market, a student-run, on-campus grocery store, showing families in need that healthy food is within their reach.

In Dallas, 25 Aramark school food service personnel participated in our training to better understand the relationship between nutrition, physical activity, mental strength and learning.

Being home means being near my steel magnolias – my 70-year-old aunt, 76-year-old mother and my 96-yearold grandmother. And Lupe Tortilla!

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TEXAS LIFESTYLE | A BETTER TEXAN

Hope Floats Mercy Ships offers healing, help and hugs to millions around the globe

By Nancy Miller Barton

A meeting between a father with a special needs son and Mother Teresa changed not only the father’s world but also the lives of millions. A bold statement, but this is no tall Texas tale.

Don Stephens doesn’t offer much detail about that day in Calcutta in 1977 except to say, “It brought me face-to-face” with three important questions. “Why was I born?” and “What was I doing about it?” Both questions that many wonder about. The third question was very personal: “Where was there pain in my life?”

Fast forward. This is the tale of East Texan Don Stephens who faced those questions and, with the help of his wife Deyon and their four children, went on to found a nonprofit with global impact.

Congo, Ghana, Liberia and Madagascar are among the 70 countries Mercy Ships has visited in 35 years.

Mercy Ships was born the year after the encounter with Mother Teresa and currently operates the hospital ship Africa Mercy.

Asked to describe his nonprofit in one sentence, Stephens, who calls both Tyler and life on-board home, replied, “Picture the best hospital in your area and put it on board a ship in the poorest ports in the world, staffed with the highest quality professionals, all following the 2000-year-old model of Jesus.”

Congo, Ghana, Liberia and Madagascar are among the 70 countries Mercy Ships has visited in 35 years. That translates to $1.2 billion dollars of medical care to 2.54 million people.

The stories from Mercy Ships make you grin while tears brim.

The ship docks for about 10 months in a country. People, most with zero access to healthcare, walk, canoe, or take trains and ferries to the ship that’s filled with hope. Many have large facial tumors, others misshapen limbs, or are in need of dental care or eye surgery. Some health issues are caused by malnutrition.

For 10 years, the Stephens raised their children aboard this healing environment.

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Currently, Stephens is overseeing the construction of another hospital ship that “will serve the forgotten poor for the next 50 years,” expanding Mercy Ship’s reach to additional countries.

As for the questions Stephens asked when he met Mother Teresa, where was the pain in his life? “John Paul’s disability,” he says. His son with special needs will be 40 this fall and attends an Adult Activity Center in Tyler. That pain turned into healing for so many: for John Paul and for literally millions of the now not-forgotten poor.

MERCYSHIPS.ORG

Photography courtesy Mercy Ships

The ship runs, port to stern, with volunteers. Doctors, nurses, dentists, seamen, cooks and teachers board the ship from 45 different countries. Mercy Ship’s headquarters is in Garden Valley, just outside Tyler. “Not because of the ocean-front property,” Stephens jokes, but because of access to two intercontinental airports, “strong family values, and big Texas hearts!”

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CHECK OUT.

Cast your cares away along the spring-fed Panther creek.

A kaleidoscope of colors out your back window from the towering Cypress trees.

Unplug and reconnect with family at the new sports park.

The perfect place to catch a break.

Out here, when your energy runs low, you just plug into

GUADALUPE RIVER

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