August 2015

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Consultations: 361.561.0240 [the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]

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PUBLISHER: Jordan Regas

CULINARY EDITORS: Justin & Kayla Butts

DISTRIBUTION: Kevin Kusenberger

ART DIRECTOR: Julio Studios

SUBMISSIONS: jordan@thebendmag.com

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Kaley Regas

CONTRIBUTORS: Cissy Tabor Christina Boothe Sharla Wilkins Steven Alford

MANAGING EDITOR: Whitney Noble

MARKETING DESIGN: Taco Creative

OPERATIONS MANAGER: Stefanie DeWaters

LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER: Rachel Durrent

THE BEND OFFICE: 309 N. Water Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Candace Reichert Nancy Roberts

PHOTOGRAPHY: Jason Page Renée C. Gage Emily Willis

ADVERTISING: info@thebendmag.com

Phone: 361.792.3606 THEBENDMAG.COM

Copyright © 2015 Gemstone Media, LLC. The Bend: Coastal Life Magazine is published by Gemstone Media, LLC. No portion may be reproduced without express written consent.

Editorial or advertising does not constitute advice, but is rather considered informative. Expressed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ownership.

CONNECT WITH US @ www.thebendmag.com @thebendmag @thebendmag

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CONTENTS AUGUST 2015

DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE BEND

15

Event Calendar Heat Index Q&A with Maureen Charleston Social Hour Coastal Trends

FEATURES PARENTING PANEL

40

A MODERN DAY COWBOY

50

GIVING BACK

32

CUSTOMS & COAST GUARD

Glenoak Therapeutic Riding

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

37

Harbor Playhouse

HOME & GARDEN

69

Open House - Art House

LIVE WELL

77

The Perfect Lunch Box

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FAITH, LOVE EDUC ATI N 361-882-6191 diocesecc.org/schoolfinder [the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

“Parenting is the easiest thing in the

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the world to do.”

- Matt Walsh

YOU ARE DOING JUST FINE As we enter the last days of summer, many parents begin to kick it into high gear. New clothes, new shoes, new book bags and scouring supermarket isles for that rare item on your child’s back-to-school list that you waited too long to purchase. Maybe your firstborn is starting kindergarten or youngest is packing for college. August serves as a keen reminder to all parents of how fast time goes by. We can’t stop it. Our kids will grow up, they will make decisions for themselves, they will move out, and we will worry ourselves sick about them.

My wife and I are parents of a soon-to-be two-year-old. We are far from parenting experts, and have yet to uncover all of the challenges that parents face at the various stages of parenting. We have talked to many seasoned parents, many whom we look up to and consider proven parenting pros, including our own, and discovered that, when it comes to parenting, everyone is different. When it comes to methods, ideologies and opinions on raising children, everyone is unique. There may not be a single, correct way to raise our children. In this month’s issue, we asked some tough questions to a panel of Coastal Bend mommas that all have their own approaches and opinions on parenting issues.

Maybe you relate to one, if not, we would love to hear your responses.

If you have not already seen the new Disney Pixar film Inside Out, I would highly recommend it. As I did my best to hold back the tears at the end of the movie, I realized how important it is to hold on to every precious memory we have with our children. Just like the parents in the film, we are going to sometimes make mistakes. It’s hard to admit to ourselves that we are not perfect; it’s even harder to admit to our children that we are not perfect. However, even in moments of sadness or emotional pain, there can be joy in the loving bond a mother or father has with their child.

Maybe none of us have all the right answers or have unlocked the code to perfect parenting, but as we enter another school year full of new obstacles and heartaches, as loving parents and grandparents, we are doing just fine.

- Jordan Regas Jordan@thebendmag.com

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From VACATION RENTALS to purchasing your, DREAM HOME, Let us handle all your real estate needs.

Our team has over 300 years of combined real estate experience in Rockport. We offer full service property management, listing services and buyer’s representation.

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Revision #: Date: 3/24/2015

Scale:

Landscape Plan: 1

Landscape Design by: Donna Mazzola

Schade

McNamee Landscapes

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1" = 10'

AROUND THE BEND HEAT INDEX. 20 - Q&A. 22 - SOCIAL HOUR. 24 - COASTAL TRENDS. 28

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THINGS 5 To Do In August

1.

CONTEMPORARY MASTERS July 28th - September 15th, 2015 Art Museum of South Texas www.artmuseumofsouthtexas.org

Exclusively from the AMST Vault, this exhibition of 60 works on paper includes three new additions to the Museum’s collection and 22 that have not been previously exhibited at AMST. Artists include Milton Avery, Luis Jimenez, Judy Chicago, Donald Judd, Sol LeWitt, Ed Ruscha and Andy Warhol.

2.

TEXAS WOMEN ANGLERS TOURNAMENT August 21st – 23rd, 2015 Port Aransas Civic Center www.gofishtx.com

The Texas Women Anglers Tournament is a women’s only, family-run fishing tournament held every summer in Port Aransas, Texas. It was founded in the 1980s with the mission to raise funds for the Women’s Shelter of South Texas. On-site registration begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, August 21st at the Port Aransas Civic Center, followed by a captain’s meeting at 8:00 p.m. Fishing will begin at 6:30 a.m. Saturday with lines out of the water by 4:30 p.m. Weigh station opens at 5:00 p.m. and closes at 8:00 p.m.

There will be an awards brunch at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday at the Civic Center.

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Complimentary pack of Hearing Aid Batteries with first visit Complimentary Clean and Checks Complimentary Retest/ Reprogram Complimentary Services on all Types of Hearing Aids

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LIFE IN COLOR August 15th, 2015 American Bank Center www.lifeincolor.com

Life in Color is coming to Corpus Christi’s American Bank Center-Shoreline Boulevard! Billed by its organizers as the “World’s Largest Paint Party,” the tour features performances by EDM DJ’s, joined by artistic performers and the tour’s signature spraying of the audience with paint throughout the show. This very interactive concert has played in massive stadiums all over the world from South America, to Europe, and Asia. Life in Color’s 2015 tour will include United States locations, including Corpus Christi.

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NUECES COUNTY A&M CLUB

FISHING TOURNAMENT August 7th -8th, 2015 Doc’s Seafood & Steaks www.saltyaggies.com

The Nueces County A&M Club will host the 4th Annual Salty Aggie Fishing Tournament on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Doc’s Seafood & Steaks in an effort to raise scholarship funds for Nueces County high school students attending Texas A&M University – College Station. The event is open to the public (amateurs only/no guides) and includes redfish and trout divisions with side pots.

An event social will be held on August 7th that includes food, cash bar, raffle items and music.

Our “Lil’ Angler Program” was new in 2014 and was a huge success! This wonderful event is free, thanks to the cosponsorship of Texas A&M University Prospective Student Center, for kids ages 5–12 and will consist of a Kidfish tournament, crafts, and educational programming to inform your youngster about their local bays and estuaries. This event is a great opportunity to include the whole family in fishing, food, and fun!

5.

1ST FRIDAY ARTWALK

August 7th, 2015 La Retama Park and Chaparral Street www.artwalkcc.com

As usual, there will be art displays, music, and entertainment throughout the Downtown area at local galleries and shops together with the art market in La Retama Park. CrossFit DownTown Corpus and lululemon athletica are teaming up to bring a new experience to ArtWalk. Come shop for the latest lululemon gear at CrossFit DownTown Corpus, learn about CrossFit, or compete in the pull-up or push-up challenge for great prizes! The Downtown Management District is committed to The ArtWalk Event and is working behind the scenes to enhance and expand the event after the August walk.

Expires 8/31/15

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Dr. Paul A. Kennedy, Jr. Dr. Paul A. Kennedy, III

Orthodontist:

Dr. Timothy A. Kuhlman

4 Locations

Oral Surgeon:

Saratoga Office:

Dr. Ronald R. Schlimmer Dr. Jia Woei Wang

6200 Saratoga Blvd., Bldg. 1 Corpus Christi, TX 78414

Pediatric Dentists:

Alameda Office:

Dr. William B. Haley Dr. Maria B. Tiefenbach Dr. Nicole B. Pruitt Dr. Rosanna Puente Dr. Rex Wildey Dr. Jonathan Hanks

3435 S. Alameda, Ste. A Corpus Christi, TX 78411

Calallen Office:

13725 Northwest Blvd., Ste. 270 Corpus Christi, TX 78410

Enclave Office:

5525 S. Staples, Ste. A4 Corpus Christi, TX 78411

General Dentists:

paulkennedydds.com 361-992-9500

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Dr. Richard J. Campbell Dr. Alissa M. Hall Dr. Annie Rothe

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T’S OT A H H W NG TH E TI T ND ?

E U D G O N R A BE

DOROTHY ADKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL AT 2402 ENNIS JOSLIN ROAD OPENS AUGUST 2015

BUDGET: $30.7 MILLION SQUARE FEET: 150,000 STUDENT CAPACITY: 1,000 Architect: Gignac & Associates Builder: Fulton Coastcon Construction Scheduled to open in August, Dorothy Adkins Middle School is almost complete. Architects Gignac & Associates are spending nearly $31 million to build this 150,000 square foot school with a 1,000 student capacity. Built to address the major growth on the Southside due to the Eagle Ford Shale, the city is experiencing some growing pains.

The school is located off Ennis Joslin and Holly. There are about 80 workers

on-site. At times, there have been up to 120. The work began in January and the process and goal has been keeping a very environmentally conscious objective. Energy-efficient in many ways, the building is meant to last and have prolongation. Amenities include a weight room, fine arts areas, multiple science labs, and classrooms built as part of a two-story structure on campus.

MISS ARLENE TROLLEY

THE OUTLETS AT CORPUS CHRISTI BAY No more long trips to San Marcos Outlet mall, as one right in Robstown has broken ground! The mall, located at the intersection of Interstate 69 and Highway 44, is slated to open late this September. The Outlets at Corpus Christi Bay showcases a unique retail opportunity in a booming corner of Texas. There will be roughly 70 store spaces, however, no specific retailers have been revealed yet! This project, projected to cost $90 million and be more than 330,000 square feet, is sure to bring tourists, locals, and JOBS! The Outlets at Corpus Christi Bay represents the best of the outlet industry – a great highway location adjacent to a major regional attraction, a superior and attractive pedestrian-friendly, village-style design, proximity to a strong residential market and high levels of tourism, an eager and excited local population and employment base, and an experienced and professional development team with extensive backgrounds in project development and market penetration. Designed by Adams + Associates Architecture.

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Good golly miss trolly! Er…Miss Arlene, the name of the Trolley that the city of Fulton purchased and has been running since May! This tram, named after the first woman Mayor of Fulton, is transporting visitors and locals to restaurants, hotels and events in the town.

Mayor Jimmy Kendrick had his eyes on this gleaming girl for three years, and finally bought it out of California. With 15 stops, running every hour, tourists and locals alike can enjoy the FREE tour and FREE stops from fishing to eating to sleeping. The amped up street car was funded through the Town of Fulton’s Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT). The idea is to enhance the community and attract more tourists to the area by offering convenient transportation - in turn, bringing visitors and tourists back for decades to come. Examples of those who may find this system desirable include visitors for weddings, special events and conventions, and even families who travel to Fulton in one vehicle and want to take part in different activities. Hop aboard this summer, it’s got A/C!

Located in Portland’s Exclusive Northshore Community...

Southern Charm

5017 Saratoga Suite #105 Corpus Christi. TX 78413 (361)993-3323 www.SouthernCharmCC.com [the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]

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Q&A with

MAUREEN CHARLESTON

Director of Finance and Scheduling, Lead Montessori Teacher at Montessori School of Corpus Christi.

What’s the history behind What makes the organization the Montessori School of of the classrooms unique?

Corpus Christi, and what is its main mission?

MC: The classroom is structured in

such as a way as to be inviting and have a definite sense of order. The order of the class has a purpose. The shelves are in order from left to right, which teaches the basis of how we learn to read. The Practical Life area teaches order, concentration, coordination and independence.

MC: The Montessori School of Corpus Christi was founded in 1984 as a private preschool.

The mission of the Montessori School of Corpus Christi is to provide a unique, high-quality Montessori education that gives children a solid foundation in academics, independence, social skills and self-discipline while instilling in children a desire and love of learning, self, and the environment.

We envision a school in which children love to learn, staff is open to professional growth and parents are closely involved. With a variety of experiences and backgrounds that parents contribute, they are a valued resource. We see the parents, staff, and board members modeling the very behavior they teach: cooperation, courtesy and respect. We see a school where communication is open, honest and kind and all participants are working to their best. Our vision is that of a school that grows in enrollment because of parents’ enthusiastic support.

Here, children are proud of their surroundings. We see them using natural materials, gardening, taking care of animals, and working happily at their academic endeavors.

We see a place where creativity flourishes and the spark of curiosity flames into all kinds of academic projects. We see children learning a second language naturally and appreciating the diversity of thought and the richness of their first language.

We envision a school with a reputation of being the ideal place for gifted students. We also see a school where those who thought they were average will find an 22 the bend magazine

Talk about a “day in the life.”

MC: A typical day in the Montessori Classroom starts with a large group gathering for circle. During this circle we talk about the calendar, weather, job duties, and the plan for the day.

We also have a sharing time for the children to share news from their lives.

After circle we have a group snack time where the children learn about healthy foods and how to serve others. When the children are done with snack they are free to make work choices in the classroom. At this time the children work independently and with the teacher. The children also are offered Spanish, outside time, and gardening. expression for their own talents and discover that they, too, are gifted in some area. We see a school that is so essential that children enjoy being here, and many stay on into their Kindergarten year.

What brought you to this particular school?

MC: I chose the Montessori Philosophy, because I saw an ad in the paper and started doing research to see if I wanted to apply. This led me to discover a whole new way of teaching. It became a part of who I am as a teacher. I love helping the children in my life discover the love of learning. The children become independent learners who love to explore.

How do you think the general public perceives Montessori schools?

MC: The main misconception of Montessori Schools is that the children have too much freedom and not enough structure. Most people think they wander around the classroom with no direction and are allowed to choose whatever they want. In fact, the children make choices on their level. They must have had a lesson presented on that choice. The teacher or guide tracks their progress and gives additional lessons as needed.

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Do you hear from past students and their successes?

MC: I have kept in contact with several of our former students. I get emails from them and their parents all of the time to share about their lives. We have a lot of children that test in to the local gifted and talented schools.

I know that several of the local school Valedictorians and Salutatorians came through our program. The feedback we receive from parents is that Montessori children transition well into traditional environments.

Mon·tes·so·ri ˌmän(t)əˈsôrē/ Noun A system of education for young children that seeks to develop natural interests and activities rather than use for mal teaching methods.

SOCIAL HOUR

2.

1.

3.

1

ARTRAGEOUS

BENEFITTING THE ART MUSEUM OF SOUTH TEXAS Photos by: Rachel Durrent

1. Natalie Flores & Gerald & Elena Flores 2. Stephen McMains, Sara Morgan & Omar Lopez

4.

3. Marina Thomas, Emily Veazey & Tiffany Batchelor 4. Taite Eiermann & Krystal Aeby 5. Madeline Schmidt, James Thaxton, Pam Leshin & Jan Gignac 6. Kathy Haynes & Sharon Sedwick

5.

6.

5.

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1.

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Fun | Funky | Fabulous Here you will be swept up in the elegance of fine home furnishings, enamored with the whimsy of dĂŠcor, and thrilled with all of our new coastal apparel and accessories.

Stop by this renovated, historic building in the heart of Old Town Six Points for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

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Like us on Facebook: Bleu Frog Mercantile

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SOCIAL HOUR

1.

2.

3.

ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS ART AUCTION Photos by: Emily Willis

1.

4.

4.

1. Karen Mella, Ann Rogers & Myra Kline 2. Chance & Hailey Yarbrough, Matthew & Candace Kern 3. Tom & Donna Pazera 4. Larry Reese & Joan Cupic 5. Ashlynn Hess & Ryan Hanna 6. Pat & Patty Rios, Susan & CJWax

6.

5.

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4.

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collection Furniture Accessories Lighting Rugs Art Interior Design Services Design Studio 3636 S. Alameda, Suite H Corpus Christi, Texas 361-851-8052

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GIVING BACK

“Making the lessons and riding fun is key. We just got a PA system installed so the riders can clearly hear the instructor and music can play to create the calming atmosphere we strive for.”

-Thomas

RIDING WITH PURPOSE Glenoak Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. This place is G.R.E.A.T! WORDS: Whitney Noble PHOTOS: Emily Willis

A

t the center, student’s contact with the horses and horsemanship training provide a non-competitive setting for learning and rehabilitating. Read on to see how this leads to new abilities, self-discipline and improved concentration that build self-confidence.

Therapy comes in many forms.

At Glenoak Therapeutic Riding Center, the forms are both mental and physical, and the ‘therapists’ didn’t go to medical school. They are retired show horses. The Center is an accredited organization that provides equine-assisted therapy and rehabilitation for children and adults with physical, mental, emotional and learning disabilities.

Charlene Thomas, HARHA, EAGALA & Equest Certified Instructor, opened the center in 2003. There are currently 4 certified instructors, 12 volunteers, 20 horses, and 85 students a week ranging in age from 2 to 72. The stables are clean, the atmosphere is bright and 32 the bend magazine

serene, and the faces are cheerful. This all leads to fostering the positive energy that makes for such a successful program.

The philosophy at Glenoak is simple: deliver therapeutic riding opportunities in a manner that challenges disabled riders to achieve their maximum potential.

Glenoak’s goal is to help each rider achieve the maximum independence his/her circumstances will allow. The staff is comprised of both instructors and volunteers whose emphasis is on their student’s individual attention and motivation.

Miracles happen every day for handicapped or disabled riders

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at the Riding Center – physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.

The relationship between the students, the certified therapeutic riding instructors, and the special therapy horses is the perfect synergistic relationship. Glenoak’s program is about reaching beyond the confines of people’s disabilities, as physically, equine-assisted therapy takes disabled riders through complex series of movements that use all of the body’s muscles. The horse rhythmically and naturally moves the body in a manner similar to the human gait, improving posture, balance and muscle control. Thomas explains that “About 70% of our horses are forward-moving horses, which means they’re simulating

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Our mission is to provide medical transportation for critically ill or injured persons requiring medical or trauma facilities within our south Texas service area.

As a non-profit, emergency assistance is provided to all persons regardless of their ability to pay.

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the human gait.” Mentally, this form of therapy increases concentration and the rider’s ability to articulate emotions and develop spatial awareness. Emotionally, equine-assisted therapy provides the opportunity for riders to bond with the horse, instructor and volunteers, building trust. It is also effective in calming emotional outbursts and reinforcing appropriate behaviors. Socially, riding nurtures a positive self-image. Disabled riders often experience independence for the first time in their lives.

The benefits are vast and life-long. Riders gain range of motion and muscle tone, improve gross and fine motor skills, balance, posture and coordination, show an increase in concentration, orientation, self-awareness, self-discipline, and become more independent and experience higher self-esteem.

The horses are donated from different horse racing breeders, and Thomas’ son is a Quarterdeck horse trainer who works with these donated horses. Many of them come with some form of complication themselves, such as lameness. With the right training, both horse and human receive the rehabilitation they need. The saddles are also donated and named after the person who donated it. The amount of personalization the center provides is astounding. The full-time staff, volunteers, students, and their families are all like one big family.

And although Glenoak Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. is a for-profit organization, they’ve adopted a program called the Equine Sharing Program, Inc, which is a non-profit that was organized to fulfill the growing need for those individuals who don’t have the financial means to pay. Even though horseback riding may be prescribed by a physician, insurance does not cover it. Leave no student in need behind!

Testimonial Carrie Castor, mother to 7-year-old Vivian with Autism “Vivian was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when

To Volunteer Contact: Charlene Thomas 1514 Glenoak Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361.537.3495

she was 2 years old. As she became a toddler and started walking, I noticed she was very clumsy. During my research I came across several articles on Hippotherapy and how that helps with coordination and spatial awareness - lucky for us, there was a place right here in town! Vivian thrives on routine. The crew at Glenoak is incredibly patient - bless them! – and they understand that when you’ve met a kid with Autism, you’ve met ONE kid with Autism. Each person is different. They’d push her out of her comfort zone a little by switching horses or walkers. They would prepare her for any changes verbally early on and would talk about the change with her. It’s amazing watching her talk herself out of a meltdown if something changes that’s beyond her control. I like to celebrate the small things. Vivian is now 7, and finding Glenoak has been a massive blessing for my family. I love and appreciate the team more than words can express.”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE HARBOR PLAYHOUSE TURNS 90

HARBOR PLAYHOUSE REACHES 90TH YEAR

“We build the sets, we paint them, we get the actors from our community.

We get the people to direct from our community.”

THE LONGEST RUNNING LITTLE THEATER IN TEXAS

WORDS: Sharla Wilkins PHOTO: Rachel Durrent

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IF YOU GO:

“We accomplished a lot of what we wanted, and we still have a laundry list of things we would like to get done.”

Mary Poppins runs through August 16th, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $18 Adult, $16 Military and Seniors, $15 Students with ID, $10 Children 13 and under, $22.50 Premium Seating.

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night runs September 4th-20th.

Carrie the Musical runs October 9th-November 1st A Christmas Carol runs November 20th-December 20th

Rock on M Ranch, Whataburger, the Earl C. Sams Foundation, and many others.

FUN FACTS: The Harbor Playhouse is rumored to be haunted.

“I’ve felt it,” Executive Director Jeff Riddle says. “They’ve captured EVPs [electronic voice phenomenon].”

The Harbor Playhouse contains an underground tunnel with a trap door.

A horror movie was filmed at the Playhouse.

The Harbor Playhouse pays upwards of $100,000 a year in licensing alone.

Production costs nearly $9,000 per show.

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T

he Harbor Playhouse, operating since 1925, has the distinction of being the longest running community theater in Texas, second longest in the country. Ninety years ago, a newspaper ad sought actors to perform in the Corpus Christi Players Club. Housed in a high school on Carancahua, the Players Club morphed into the Corpus Christi Little Theater in 1935. Wynn Seal Middle School then played host to the theater in the late 1940s. It moved into a Quonset hut on Alameda in 1950 and remained there until the Sams Foundation stepped in to provide funds for a new building. The current location at 1802 N. Chaparral was completed in 1976, and the Little Theater, renamed the Harbor Playhouse, moved in.

Six large plays, along with several smaller performances, are showcased throughout the year. This year’s first play, Willy Wonka, “set records,” says

Harbor Playhouse Executive Director Jeff Riddle. “We sold eighty-six percent of the tickets available. A community theater… can only expect to sell forty-five to fifty percent of a single show. To sell eighty-six percent of the entire show was insane; literally unheard of for a community theater.” Their current musical, Mary Poppins, has proven to be a popular attraction as well. “We actually had to put up the event early, because so many people were asking about tickets,” explains Riddle. A month before the show started, 200 tickets had already been sold. This particular performance features much of “the actual Broadway choreography” from the original Broadway musical.

Ticket sales and collections from the concession stand that features movie theater style food as well as fromage plates, beer and wine, help raise funds. However, sponsors are critical to the operation of the Playhouse. Sponsors are listed on the Playhouse’s website and include

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As the Harbor Playhouse is a non-profit organization, the majority of those involved are volunteers.

Over 700 volunteers, including the actors and stagehands, keep the Playhouse running. “Everyone who steps on the stage is a volunteer.

No one is paid to act or anything,” explains Riddle. “Everything we do is in-house. We build the sets, we paint them, we get the actors from our community. We get the people to direct from our community. Everything is from Corpus. Nothing is brought in from out of town.”

Riddle is hopeful for the future of the Playhouse. His dreams for updating include new curtains for the stage.

Plans are drawn up that involve expansion, including balcony seating, new offices, the addition of a donor lounge, a terrace, and more storage.

To volunteer, call 361-882-5500, or email staff@harborplayhouse. com. For actors, specific audition dates for each show are listed on the website, as well as an audition form.

“We’re always looking for people to come and help and do many, many things,” says Riddle. With a variety of volunteer opportunities, and no prior experience required, there is a role for everyone.

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We Asked

M O M S Answered

Parenting: The highest reward, typically

the lowest pay, and likely the most challenging “job� one may ever have. So how do over 205,000 Coastal Bend families tackle the hard stuff?

WORDS: Whitney

Noble

PHOTOS:

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Jason Page thebendmag.com

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“The Professor Mom” JENNIFER POLLACK, PhD

JOB: Assistant Professor of Marine Biology at Texas A&M University - CC SPOUSE: Jeff Pollack CHILDREN: 2, ages 5 and 3 HOME: Corpus Christi, TX SCHOOL: Montessori School of Corpus Christi

What’s the most effective way you’ve found to bond with your kids?

Leah Goff: We have tried several routine and intentional actions. First is bedtime routines. All 3 kids seem to want to discuss the day’s events just before bed. This is when we get to the tough questions about life, pray for friends and family, and have longer conversations in general. Second is parent/child dates, where without these planned outings it is rare that the kids ever get a parent all to themselves. And finally just showing up – to sports, recitals, school events, practices, awards, etc.

Jennifer Pollack: Our weeks are very busy so the best times to bond with our kids are in the mornings, evenings and weekends. My daughter loves to help me cook, so she is often right alongside me in the kitchen. My son loves to be outside, so you can usually find him and my husband in the back yard. On the weekends, we spend a lot of time trying to take it slow. For us, this means convincing the kids to climb into bed with us for long morning snuggles, reading books, and then having a leisurely breakfast. Lately, we have

42 the bend magazine

“The Calm Mom” LEAH GOFF, M.A.CCC/SLP

JOB: Speech Pathologist at

Margot Hopkins Speech Therapy SPOUSE: Che Goff CHILDREN: 3, ages 9, 7 and 4 HOME: Corpus Christi, TX SCHOOL: Grace Presbyterian Preschool and Mireles Elementary School started family movie nights, where my husband pops a big bowl of popcorn and we all crawl under one blanket on the couch.

Shana Hisaw: It’s finding something THEY love doing and doing it with them.

How do you and your spouse enforce that you’re a team in the parenting process?

Jennifer Baker: My husband has been all in since the day we were married. In fact, most days he probably out parents me. I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer while pregnant with my third, and did three rounds of chemotherapy while pregnant, then went to Houston for 6 weeks for radiation therapy after giving birth. Larry, my husband, was able to handle it all by himself with all three girls; with the exception of doing hair. That has always been my area of expertise. We both work to give 110% each day, and if one of us is having an “off” day, the other picks up the slack.

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Kassandra Cadena: Communicate!!

This is the biggest factor in staying involved and on the same page as one another.

Jennifer Pollack: I’m lucky that Jeff (my husband) is very active in the parenting process. I travel frequently for field work and he is completely comfortable handling the kids on his own. We also try to support each other in pursuing quality time to do our own individual things. We’ve found that we are better parents for our kids and better partners for each other when we find time to pursue our own interests (for Jeff it’s typically cycling or surfing and for me it’s typically yoga, running or shopping).

Also, date nights! We try to have date night once a week or at least every other week so that we can find time to talk.

Do you have issues with sibling rivalry or fighting, and how do you help curb that?

Shana Hisaw: Of course! Kids fight non-stop. Sibling rivalry is healthy. Of course you have to put a stop to it if it gets out of hand or they are starting to hurt each other’s feelings. I just remind them all of how important they are to each other and to us.

Leah Goff: Yes, my 3 fight and squabble often! It usually helps to put one to the side and redirect them individually, rather than trying to make a general directive (like “stop fighting” or “be nice”). Also being aware of when kids are getting tired and hungry can help prevent some of the irritability.

Jennifer Baker: We have sibling rivalry, however, we don’t really try to curb it. We think a little competition is good. As long as they aren’t mean to each other, stay supportive and cheer on each other’s accomplishments, competing among themselves will only make them work harder in the long run.

You and your family are so busy, how do you find time to stay involved in their lives?

Jennifer Pollack: We are very highly scheduled. My husband and I are constantly trading calendar reminders back and forth so that we don’t forget swimming lessons, soccer games, or birthday parties. We also try to plan things like our own workouts either early in the morning while the kids are sleeping or in the evenings so that we can maximize our time with the kids before and after preschool.

Shana Hisaw: Evenings are our time – we always try to eat dinner as a family, chat about their day and spend time with them individually.

Jennifer Baker: I don’t think we are busy, I think we are blessed. There are many families that face challenges greater than ours. My parents are only a phone call away and we have a wonderful support system. It definitely takes a village some days, but we keep everything in perspective, ask for help when we need it and just find a way to get it done.

What advice would you give to kids/parents of kids being bullied?

Kassandra Cadena: I try to talk to my daughter that is in school about this! I think it’s very important that kids know about bullying and learn to speak out against it. My advice to parents and kids is to remember that each one of us is uniquely different and we’re all made to be our own original selves.

Judy Thurman,NP

Psychiatric Family Nurse Practitioner

Tips on Parenting

Consistency, consistency, consistency. If the answer to something today is “No.” then the answer tomorrow has to be “No.” Lack of consistency can be very confusing to children.

Be fully present when conversing with your kids. They deserve your FULL attention, whether the context of the conversation be trivial or important.

If you and your partner/spouse are not seeing eye-to-eye on a particular parenting technique, have a calm, private dialogue, and discuss what you want for your family and children. This will help you come to an agreement on the big picture, and then you can go from there.

Never shame your children.

If you have suspicions that your child, no matter how young, may have a mental illness, get a referral to a psychiatrist from your pediatrician as soon as possible for an evaluation.

The longer a mental illness goes undetected and treated, the more the child may likely struggle with disruption, school, and social situations.

Jennifer Pollack: If it’s happening at school, talk to their teachers. In [the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]

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my experience, teachers already know what’s happening in their classrooms and can provide some additional perspective. If it’s happening elsewhere, talk to the parents of the other child. It’s possible they don’t know what is going on and can help diffuse the situation. We’ve also had conversations with our kids to speak up to others if they are saying or doing hurtful things. In the same vein, we are constantly talking to our own kids about the importance of being kind.

We’ve found this to be especially important for our son, who is in the midst of the terrible 2-3’s and is extremely “hands on” (with kids, dogs, cats, roly polys, slugs, you name it).

Our mantra with him lately has been “we don’t hurt things that don’t hurt us.”

Shana Hisaw: Develop a relationship with your kids so they tell you things, and talk to their siblings because they can often tell you what is going on. Talk to the teacher if you think they are being picked on. Be vocal about what is happening and your expectations with the school or teachers.

I always tell my kids that if anything is happening, we will handle it and I will support them.

Jennifer Baker: I think the best defense against a bully is a strong, confident, independent person. We started talking to our girls at a young age that they are in charge of their own actions. We tell them they can’t get “bullied” into some-

“The New Mom” KASSANDRA CADENA

JOB: Dental Assistant at Texas Dental Oasis PARTNER: Sam Cavazos CHILDREN: 2, ages 6 and 10 months HOME: Alice, TX SCHOOL: Schallert Elementary School

44 the bend magazine

thing they don’t want to do and we teach them that they are not defined by what anyone else says about them. If someone calls them fat or ugly or dumb, it doesn’t make it true.

Do you try to teach your kids about healthy eating and exercise? What works best for you?

Leah Goff: We have always been an active family; sports, dancing, swimming, playing outdoors, etc. So we try to set a good example, however are careful not to put too much emphasis on outward appearance, but rather health. We have always offered healthy food at home, but have no problem with treats and “some-times” foods every now and then. Again, trying to teach them that health food is the norm and fast food and desserts are treats.

Jennifer Pollack: Both of our kids are very active. They spend a large portion of their free time on bikes or scooters, playing ball, or swimming. They also know that daddy rides his bike and surfs and that mommy does yoga and goes to the gym. We also talk to the kids about what is in their

“The Do-It-Yourself Mom” JENNIFER BAKER

JOB: Director of Center for Athletic Academic

Services at Texas A&M University – CC SPOUSE: Larry Baker III CHILDREN: 3, ages 9, 7 and 4 HOME: Portland, TX SCHOOL: First Baptist Pre-School and East Cliff Elementary Schoool

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food, like protein in their “growing food” and sugar in their desserts (and why they can’t have too many of those!). We also compost and recycle and talk to the kids about not wasting food as well.

Kassandra Cadena: My boyfriend helps me and my daughter with this. She surprisingly loves her fruits and vegetables! I have always taught her to stay away from sodas and things that could harm her body long-term.

When looking for a child care program, what are your ‘must haves’ or top priority?

the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term frustrations.

Shana Hisaw: It is not always easy if you are stressed out or tired. Everyone wants to discipline by taking away stuff.

I think the most important thing is to let them know what the issue is and what the punishment is, but always give them positive feedback about themselves versus telling them what they did wrong.

Jennifer Baker: Our girls know that we are the parents and when we say “no” or ask them to do something, there isn’t a discussion. We have been steady in this parenting from a young age and sometimes we do have to reinforce our position with time-outs. Consistency is key, as is being on the same page with your spouse.

Jennifer Baker: I think the first thing you have to do is set your budget. There are a lot of “high-priced” facilities that offer the bells and whistles, but it doesn’t mean it’s “better” than any other facility. A priority for us was how the teachers interacted with the girls. Did they get down on their level?

Interact and engage with them? Take your time, look at all the options, and make a decision based on your individual circumstances.

Leah Goff: 1. Safety: look for certification, student/teacher ratios, following fire and weather drill procedures, 2. Curriculum: CE training for teachers, organized activities, daily routines and learning times, fun units, etc., 3. Nurturing Environment: teachers speak kindly, children are encouraged to participate, a standard of behavior is followed, class rules are posted.

Kassandra Cadena: My must have is that the facility looks and feels like a home. The staff has to be friendly and helpful and I want to hear from them how their day went and what they learned.

How do you practice positive discipline?

Jennifer Pollack: I read a lot of books and I have a great group of mom friends who are a wealth of information when it comes to positive discipline. What I’m learning about discipline (so far) is that there is no one-size-fits-all method, but that consistency is so important. Our daughter is extremely sensitive, so she generally will correct her behavior after one time-out or break in her bedroom away from the fun. My son is more strong willed and we sometimes need to repeat the discipline multiple times before he will change his behavior. I will say this—it’s a huge challenge to practice positive discipline, and it’s probably the most exhausting part of parenthood. However, if you believe in it, then 46 the bend magazine

“The Crafty Mom” SHANA HISAW, BA, MS, LPC

JOB: Vice President of Behavioral Services at Corpus Christi Medical Center SPOUSE: Marshall Hisaw CHILDREN: 3, ages 12, 10 and 8 + Foster Child HOME: Padre Island, TX SCHOOL: Seashore Academy

[the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend}

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Expecting | Newborn Children | Family 904.891.7883 info@rcgphotography.com www.rcgphotography.com [the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]

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BACK TO

PROMOTION

SCHOOL s p U n row G for

Del Mar College offers options for those seeking new directions, second careers, or part-time passions.

In today’s dynamic economy, “back-to-school” isn’t just for the younger crowd. Each semester hundreds of Coastal Bend residents who already have college degrees—associate to doctoral degrees—enroll in Del Mar College credit classes. Some are seeking second careers or pursuing a part-time passion. Others want to finish what they started years ago, before life took a different turn.

New Del Mar College instructional programs and facilities are fueling the local industrial and economic boom while offering exciting career and leisure-time options for Coastal Bend residents.

Taelor Campbell, 25, seizes the opportunity through Del Mar College’s dual enrollment initiative to complete her General Education Development high school equivalency certificate while earning 32 credits toward her Industrial Instrumentation degree. A mother of two children under age five, Campbell says she’s already setting an example for her son and daughter to become active, lifelong learners as they see her reach her own educational goals.

Photo by Eddie Seal 48 the bend magazine

[the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend}

Petroleum Processing and Instrumentation Del Mar’s West Campus is adding a Petroleum Processing Pilot Plant to prepare a skilled workforce for the petrochemical industry. Utilizing funds from the City of Corpus Christi Type-A Sales Tax, this fullscale distillation plant will simulate refinery operations with the capacity to prepare 600 graduates each year. Expanding on the College’s successful Processing Technology program, a new two-year degree in Industrial Instrumentation combines classes in electrical circuits, motor controls, flow and measurement calibration, instrument analysis and troubleshooting, for students like Taelor.

Jason French, Director of Government and Public Affairs for Cheniere Energy, Inc., reports that the expansion of the local Cheniere plant announced recently represents one of the largest industrial construction project in U. S. history and will require 4,500 skilled construction craftsmen at its peak.

Once the Cheniere facility is operational, the company will employ some 350-450 full-time professionals. To help prepare this workforce, Cheniere assisted in developing a curriculum and provided $50,000 to the Gregory-Portland Independent School District to offer high school students the basic courses in petroleum processing technology.

Cheniere also provided $250,000 to Del Mar College for its updated process technology lab.

When those students graduate from high school with Del Mar Dual Credit courses completed, they’ll have a head start on the Del Mar Process Technology degree after another aggressive year of classes.

According to French, these students have the potential to earn six-figure incomes early in their careers.

Building and Construction Trades Warren Andrich, President/CEO of the Corpus Christi Association of Realtors, gave a positive outlook for the College’s new construction trades programs. Home values are climbing, and the community has about half the inventory of available housing needed for the economic boom coming to the region.

Currently,WorkforceSolutionsoftheCoastal Bend lists more than 6,000 job openings in

the construction trades such as carpentry, construction equipment operators and welding. Local salaries average $14 to $19 per hour according to Workforce Solutions data.

To meet these needs, Del Mar initiated a new two-year degree program in Construction Technology to prepare professional construction managers for industrial and residential building. Courses in computeraided drafting and green building techniques, along with special classes in mechanical, electrical systems and controls and project scheduling, provide the skills necessary for construction supervisors.

Del Mar also opened a two-year degree to prepare skilled millwrights for industrial maintenance/mechanics operations. Millwrights install and maintain machinery critical to the operation of any industry.

Beyond entry level, millwrights may advance to positions as maintenance supervisors, operations managers, mechanical engineers and machinery foreman.

Cutting-edge Technology Del Mar is a training ground for other burgeoning technological fields, such as Geographic Information Systems.

GIS technology incorporates computer programs and data to create maps that are used to analyze and assess realworld problems.

Students in the GIS program can earn certifications and, in many cases, internships that provide them with the expertise to pursue careers in the field. GIS technology is increasingly useful in business, marketing, marine science, urban development and other professions. In South Texas, GIS is nearly synonymous with agriculture. This year, Del Mar’s GIS students are participating in the integration of agriculture, GIS and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Noncredit classes with open enrollment Thousands more Coastal Bend residents choose noncredit Career and Community Education (CCE) courses each year. Shortterm classes offered at times that fit into busy schedules range from Real Estate Appraisal and Certified Nurse Aide to Substitute Teaching and Basic Computer Skills. CCE courses don’t require formal admission to the College, which means no entrance requirements and no exams.

Top photo: Del Mar College Health Science technologies range from short, noncredit classes in Certified Nurse Assistant and Medical Terminology to certificate programs in Surgical Technology and Pharmacy Technology to associate degrees in Echocardiography and Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Center photo: The simulated courtroom in the Business Administration Department program offers instruction for certificates in Court Reporting as well as associate degrees in Paralegal Studies.

Bottom photo: Leonel Deleon (right) and Travis Ahrens, both studying GIS technology at Del Mar College, search for aphids in a field of sorghum and plot them on a handheld GIS device. Field work is part of their internship with Texas A&M AgriLife Research.

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For more information, visit www.delmar.edu or call 361-698-1200. thebendmag.com

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RAISING A MODERN DAY

Dustin Vaughan clenches a toothpick between his teeth. He looks poised. The kind of poise you might expect from a veteran quarterback, not a guy just entering his second season in the NFL. As Dustin’s family gathers in their Calallen home, they reflect on an emotional day from a year ago - otherwise know as Draft Day. In this very room, they watched Dustin’s future play out as the NFL Commissioner read off the name of each pick. However, Dustin’s name would never get called. A lot has changed for Dustin over the past year, but it hasn’t changed him much. He is still the same boy he was at Calallen High School; the boy with a dream of one day playing quarterback for the Wildcats. The only difference, he is now a Dallas Cowboy. If Jerry Jones, Jason Garrett and the entire coaching staff are betting on Dustin Vaughan as the future quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys organization, the only question Cowboys fans across America should be asking is: Who is Dustin Vaughan?

WORDS: Jordan Regas PHOTOS: Dalton Campbell

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“Winning is important and it still is important, but it doesn’t define who I am. I probably couldn’t have said that at a young age.”

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“My dad would throw a lot of lessons my way about becoming the best man that you can be, having nothing to do with sports.

It was more about just becoming the best person I could be.”

SUPER BOWL XXV

It just so happend that on the morning of Super Bowl XXV, after eight hours of labor with no epidural, Gina Vaughan became a mamma as Dustin entered the world. Later that night, the Giants upset the heavily favorited Bills by only one point after Bill’s kicker Scott Norwood sailed a 47 yard field goal wide right as the final second ticked off the play clock. While most of the nation’s eyes were glued to their television, Scott Vaughan’s were sound asleep.

“It was kind of comical when people came to visit. Gina appeared unfazed by the whole experience. I, on the other hand, was physically and emotionally exhausted,” said Scott. “In hindsight, I think it was partially due to the reality that I was officially a dad and the realization that I was officially clueless.”

Luckily, Scott’s own father later passed along a faith based book titled, “Raising a Modern Day Knight,” by Robert Lewis. It laid a foundation of unconditional love, integrity and manhood that would guide how Scott and Gina raised Dustin and their youngest son, Dillon.

From a very early age, Dustin had a ball in his hands. At the age of four he joined his first recreational basketball team and got a

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lot of playing time, possibly because he was the coach’s son. Gina, not Scott, was a local basketball star and an exceptional athlete at Calallen High School. Playing basketball on mom’s team was no walk in the park. As Dustin got older, she became famous for her pre-game pep talks. “This was not your typical pep talk like, ‘Do your best and have fun.’ said Dustin. “It was more like. ‘Fight till hell freezes over, then fight on the ice.”

THE RIGHT KIND OF PRESSURE

Sports quickly became Dustin’s passion in life. He was very hard on himself. Any tiny mistake would upset him. He wanted to win; he wanted to be the best, even if that meant crying on the mound during a rough game.“Winning is important and it still is important, but it doesn’t define who I am. I probably couldn’t have said that at a young age,” said Dustin.

In anything they did, whether it was sports or their faith, Dustin’s parents pushed for excellence, but at the end of the day, their love for both boys was never based on performance. “We pushed them to do their best with their God given abilities and to show good sportsmanship. If there was ever pressure to do anything, it was with their behavior,” said Scott.

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Scott really excelled at preparing his boys for life. How were they to treat women; their mother; their wives - it was all extremely important to him. “My dad would throw a lot of lessons my way about becoming the best man that you can be, having nothing to do with sports. It was more about just becoming the best person I could be,” said Dustin.

THE QB WHO WORE #22

As a kid, baseball and basketball were king. He didn’t even start playing football until 7th grade. “We didn’t let Dustin or Dillon play football for a while, we wanted the boys to develop a little more and play sports that worked on eye-hand coordination,” said Scott.

By the time Dustin reached high school, he was a full-on athletic machine. Dustin played basketball, baseball and football all four years. Dustin experienced early success in basketball, making the varsity team his freshman year. However, his greatest contribution was on the mound for the Wildcat baseball team that went on to win the State Championship during his junior year in 2008. In fact, football was the only sport Dustin didn’t excel at. He always wanted to play quarterback, but never thought he would get his chance. “I feel like my talents didn’t contribute well at Calallen. The QB was going to run, he was going to be fast. I didn’t match that. I was tall, lanky, I wasn’t very fast. I threw the

ball fairly well, but I wasn’t very refined on my technique because I never really worked on it,” said Dustin.

For most of his football career, Dustin played tight end and a little defensive back. He finally got to see a little time under center as a Junior, splitting time with the starting quarterback who played on both sides of the ball. As a tight end, he wore the number 22 - not a typical number for a position that aims for single digits. When he was finally offered the starting quarterback position his senior year, Dustin decided to stick with it. It was odd, but Dustin wasn’t really a quarterback. Not yet at least.

Dustin always thought he would go on to play baseball or basketball at the collegiate level, football was the last sport he expected to pursue. With only one full year at quarterback in high school, Dustin was barely on the college football radar. Luckily, he was noticed by a few Division II schools, including West Texas A&M. A small university located in Canyon, Texas, just a little South of Amarillo with a population of about 13,000.

There is nothing glamourous about playing D-II football. You don’t play in front of roaring masses, your games aren’t televised and you hardly get attention from scouts. It tested Dustin’s commitment. “We decided as a family that it was

worth it to go play at a Division II school if that’s where the opportunity was. If I loved the position that much, my parents told me to go for it,” said Dustin.

FEELING A BIT UNCOMFORTABLE

Playing quarterback for the West Texas A&M Buffs was the best career decision Dustin ever made. Not only was he in a new offensive system that catered to his abilities as a passer, it gave him time to develop his technique and still compete for the starting job. After redshirting his freshman year, he found himself in a QB battle as a sophomore. Ironically, his first college start came at Cowboys Stadium against Texas A&M Kingsville.

Dustin developed a close bond with the Buffs Offensive Coordinator and Quarter Back’s coach Stephen Lee, who not only challenged him as a player, he challenged him as a person. “We still talk to this day. He was

In Dustin’s senior season alone, he lead the NCAA in passing yards going 447-of–675 for 5,401 yards, 53 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions.

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one of the best coaches I ever had and invested in me, my ability, my skills, my leadership,” said Dustin.

DUSTIN by the Numbers: Height: 6’5”

Arm Length: 33”

Coach Lee would always challenge Dustin with short snippets, like “You can only grow when you’re uncomfortable.” They would stick with him, even after practice. He realized that Coach Lee’s words not only applied to football, they applied to life as a whole. “In the quarterback position, you are always going to be in the spotlight; you are always going to be uncomfortable whether it’s good or bad. You are always going to be faced with decisions you will have to make on the spot that could be detrimental or essential to your team’s success,” said Dustin.

FINDING THE JOY Hands: 8 7/8”

Weight: 235lbs

In spite of the distance, Dustin’s parents never missed a game. What makes this feat even more impressive is that fact that their younger son Dillon, who was already making a big name for himself at Calallen, played on Friday nights, causing Scott and Gina to drive through the night into the wee hours of morning to make it to Canyon in time to watch Dustin.

They were always there to support Dustin in whatever way they could.

“Pre-game speeches turned into pregame texts from mom and dad,” said Dustin.

Almost without fail, Scott will text the words “feel his pleasure” to Dustin before every game. It’s a line out of the film Chariots of Fire, which tells the incredible story of Olympic runner Eric Liddell. Liddell was not only an amazing athlete, he was an athlete with strong Christian convictions who wanted to use his God given abilities to please God.

Shoe: 13

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Something happened to Dustin between his Junior and Senior year at West Texas A&M. It was no longer about winning and losing, about his performance, about his stats. For the first time in his life, he was enjoying the game and found a deeper passion for his position. “I felt this relief, this lack of stress. It allowed me to enjoy it more, it allowed me to create relation-

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ships with my teammates that were deeper,” said Dustin. “There was this sense of peace that came along when I stopped caring about the statistical side of it and really just enjoying what God had given me.”

In the end, the statistics followed. In his senior season alone, he lead the NCAA in passing yards after going 447-of–675 for 5,401 yards with 53 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions; moreover, he was the only quarterback in the entire NCAA to top 5,000 yards passing, and set the all-time Division II record for passing yards. “The increased performance didn’t make me happy and give me joy. What gave me joy was being able to go out on the football field and play with a team, working together for a common goal and being able to bring glory to God at the same time,” said Dustin. While Dustin stopped paying much attention to the statistics, there were plenty of others who stated paying much closer attention, particularly NFL scouts.

MORE THAN SURVIVAL

Dustin was never drafted in the 2014 draft, but before it was over, Dustin had a new home. Shortly after talking with his agent, he got a call from Wade Wilson, his position coach at Dallas, who handed the phone over to Jerry Jones, Steven Jones and Coach Garrett. “They all talked to me and said, ‘we are looking forward to you coming here, we think you are a good player and we would love to have the time to develop you. We are so glad you made the decision to come to Dallas,’” said Dustin.

If he were to make the cut, he would have to prove himself in training camp and preseason. Newly married, the cutting process was incredibly stressful for Dustin and his wife, Courtney. They were both in complete survival mode. “I just wanted to have a job in the NFL,” said Dustin.

The Cowboys were not accustomed to keeping a third string quarterback on the roster, but they wanted Dustin there and the Dallas coaching staff believed in him.

5 Facts

“I think that our purpose in life is to glorify God in whatever we do.

So, do I think that the only way I can glorify God is by being QB for the Dallas Cowboys, no. Do I think that it is the platform that God gave me, absolutely.

And I want to use it to the best of my ability.”

You Should Know: 1. Dustin Vaughan holds the Division II passing record for most passing yards in a single season: 5,401 2. Dustin was runner up for the Harlon Hill award, given to the best Division II college football player.

3. If Tajh Boyd had not been available in the 6th round of the 2014 Draft, Dustin would have gone to the New York Jets (thank goodness he was available!)

4. Like Dustin Vaughan, Tony Romo was an undrafted free agent for the Cowboys.

5. Before last year, the Cowboys had not regularly kept a 3rdstring quarterback active on their 53-man roster.

Dustin beat the odds and was fortunate enough to make the 53-man roster. He traveled with the team to both home and away games. It was primarily a growth year for Dustin, just watching and learning from the older guys until Romo was sidelined with an injury late in the season. Dustin found himself dressed out and one play away from entering the game against Arizona. “It really hit me that at any point and time I could be the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys; I could be out there playing in that situation,” said Dustin. “As third string, you know there are two guys ahead of you, but your mindset has to be: I need to be prepared to play no matter what.”

Dustin pictured with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as a National Football Foundation (NFF) National Scholar-Athlete.

Going into the 2015-2016 season, Dustin no longer feels like he is in survival mode. “It’s more of a mindset of: how do I impact this team, not just on the field, but off it as well. My role on this team is not just survival. How do I find my spe-

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From Left to Right: Courtney and Dustin Vaughan, Scott and Gina Vaughan, Dillon Vaughan.

cific role on this team and have an impact,’” said Dustin.

“I am still interviewing for a job throughout preseason and that job doesn’t necessarily mean they give you the job again next year. You constantly have to earn that spot.”

He knows that Tony Romo is the starting quarterback, that’s the way it is and there is nothing he can do to change that. “The thing I need to concentrate on is just being the best quarterback I can be,” said Dustin. “The best thing I can do is take knowledge from Tony Romo and take knowledge from Brandon Weeden and the coaches.”

One day, when they call on number 10 to run on the field to play quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys – Dustin will be ready.

Hanging up in the Vaughan’s home next to his number 10 Cowboys jersey is an old plaque with a collage of pictures from his senior year as quarterback for the Wildcats. At the bottom of the plaque is a Vince Lombardi quote that reads, “The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur.” Today, Dustin might add that it’s not just the will to win that endures; it’s why you step on the field in the first place. When Dustin enters the huddle, as he starts his cadence and anticipates the snap, he is playing for a purpose bigger than himself.

When that happens, it allows you to focus more on your team, the fans and your community. It means you can still be a good sport, a gentleman, a loving husband and father. First string or third string, win or lose, Dustin wants his performance on and off the field to point somewhere else.

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Dustin says, “I think that our purpose in life is to glorify God in whatever we do. So, do I think that the only way I can glorify God is by being QB for the Dallas Cowboys? No. Do I think that it is the platform that God gave me? Absolutely!

And I want to use it to the best of my ability.”

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HEROES

OF THE COAST WORDS:

Whitney Noble Durrent

PHOTOS: Rachel

Coast Guard + Customs + Border Protection From beneath the water to high above it, they are confidently and covertly protecting our coast. With honor and devotion to their duties, these guardians of our gulf exist to defend and preserve the safety and security of the Coastal Bend. Protecting our waters 24/7, we owe it to our vigilant Customs and Coasties who will stop at nothing to keep the bad guys at bay, literally.

Rick Seymour

Chief Boatswain Mate Executive Petty Officer Coast Guard Station Port Aransas, Texas As Chief, what are your daily duties?

RS: As the Executive Petty Officer of Station Port Aransas I oversee the administration of all personnel, mission planning and execution, and I am the Chairman of the Training Board.

What poses as a challenge to working in this area?

RS: Since I’ve arrived in South Texas, I’ve found that this is a very challenging area of responsibility that Station Port Aransas is responsible for. Station Port Aransas covers from San Antonio Bay to the Land Cut. I have been stationed all over the world and have never had to deal with such a challenging area of responsibility. The coastal bend maritime environment presents lots of challenges; more than 50% of our area of responsibility is less than 3 feet deep, the wind consistently blows 10 to 15 knots, and there are lots of shoals in the area that are always shifting location. This makes the planning and execution of search and rescue missions difficult. To overcome these challenges we work closely with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure we assign the most capable asset to safely complete the mission.

What was your motivation to join the Coast Guard?

RS: I’m originally from Boynton Beach, Florida, and I found my love for the sea at a very young age. My

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parents took me on my maiden voyage at just a few months old, and I had my first boat by the age of 10.

I enjoy fishing, diving, skiing, and pretty much anything that involves water. My family has a long history of serving our country and we take pride in doing so. So as I approached adulthood, I explored my options of which branch of service I would like to serve: my love of the water made my decision easy when choosing the Coast Guard. I’ve been serving in the Coast Guard for the past 11 years and I love what I do.

I’ve been stationed here in South Texas for about a year.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

RS: Unfortunately, my current job position does not allow for me to be on the water conducting the Coast Guard’s missions as much as I used to. However, as the chairman of Station Port Aransas training board, I do train the individuals who are on the water on a daily basis conducting these missions. Through underway training and mentorship, I can share the knowledge and experience I have gained throughout my Coast Guard career with them.

So the most rewarding part of my current job is watching the men and women of Coast Guard Station Port Aransas that we have properly trained to successfully complete a mission. Seeing all of those hundreds of hours of hard work and training paying off when they rescue that person in distress.

U.S Coast Guard

Mobile App Ryan Raska

Boatswain Mate Second Class Coast Guard Station Port Aransas, Texas Give me a rundown of your daily routines.

RR: My daily duties range from coordinating and executing Search and Rescue cases to going out on law enforcement patrols for the most part. But you never know what you’ll encounter when you stand duty.

One second you are catching up on some paperwork and the next thing you know the rescue alarm sounds and you are offshore conducting a rescue case within minutes. Coast Guard’s motto of “SEMPER PARATUS” means “always ready.” We are always ready to answer the call of people in distress at any time.

What is your background?

RR: I’m from Wink, Texas, which is a small town in west Texas where there is no water. When I was a senior in high school, a small Coast Guard brochure somehow stumbled upon my desk in class one day. I took an interest, immediately reading everything on what they do from conducting law enforcement to saving lives and driving fast boats. It wasn’t too long after that I contacted a recruiter out of El Paso and made my preparations to join the Coast Guard. The next thing I knew, I graduated high school and about 3 months later I was off to boot

camp to start my career as a coastguardsman.

Do you have any outrageous incidents you’ve encountered?

RR: The most recent major incident that I was a part of was a medevac of an elderly gentlemen who was about 40 miles offshore fishing with some friends. A wave hit his boat and he lost his balance, fell, and sustained some critical injuries to his back and couldn’t move.

We were notified from our command center to launch an asset to assist, as well as a helo (helicopter) from the air station.

I got on scene and assessed the situation and made the call to transfer him from their boat to ours so we could safely hoist him with the helo. After he was transferred over, the helo conducted the hoist and took the gentleman to the hospital where he recovered from his injuries.

But it just goes to show you how everyone has a specific training in the Coast Guard from either helicopter pilot to boat coxswain, etc. When a call comes in, this is where all the training pays off because everyone is working as a team and gets the mission done safely and efficiently. That is a great thing to see.

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The Coast Guard Mobile App supports their missions by providing the essential services and information most commonly requested by boaters.

The Boating Safety Mobile app was not designed to replace a boater’s marine VHF radio, but was mainly developed to provide additional boating safety resources for mobile device users.

The USCG Boating Safety App features include: Find the latest safety regulations Request a vessel safety check Check your safety equipment File a float plan Provide navigation rules Find the nearest NOAA buoy Report a hazard Report pollution Report suspicious activity Call the closest Coast Guard command center using the Emergency Assistance button (Must have location services enabled) The Coast Guard works to minimize loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and environmental harm. The Coast Guard Mobile App supports their missions by providing the essential services and information most commonly requested by boaters.

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Kathryn Brooke Cumbie Avionics Electrical Technician Third Class Air Station Corpus Christi What are your daily duties on the plane?

What are the best benefits of being in the Coast Guard?

KBC: As an AET, I inspect, service, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair avionics systems in the C­144 on a daily basis.

These systems provide communications, navigation, collision avoidance, target acquisition, and automatic flight controls for the plane. I am also becoming a qualified basic aircrewman; my duties will include radio operations, navigation, and sensor systems operations during flight.

KBC: The benefits are plenty!!! Aside from dental and healthcare, the Coast Guard provides top-notch training at various schools and also will help you to pay for school and training outside of the military.

Most of our stations are in the U.S., but we do have opportunities to be stationed overseas so you get to travel and see things you may have never had the opportunity to before. The Coast Guard is very family focused (the benefits of being in a smaller service branch) and they really do care about you and your family. They will do whatever they can to meet your needs.

What’s the most unique experience you’ve had on the job?

KBC: Every flight is a unique experience.

I had the wonderful opportunity to fly over Big Bend National Park and see the amazing rock formations of all the mesas, towers, and canyons. I was able to fly in the past Air Show event at NAS where we dropped flares and life rafts out of the back of the plane for a SAR demonstration. The last flight I flew on was a night flight during the Strawberry moon, and it was simply breathtaking to sit by the edge of the ramp cargo door and see the pink-colored full moon reflecting up at us as we flew low over the water to drop flares. It sounds silly, but I imagine that’s what it would be like on Aladdin’s magic carpet.

What makes the responsibility of working on the planes so critical?

KCB: With my responsibilities, I know that I am making a difference. My job directly correlates to the safety of the crew on the plane, where with one wrong move you could be accountable for the death of many. It’s a huge responsibility that we take on in aviation, because when a plane breaks in the air, it’s not going to float, it’s going to fall.

Boating Safety Tips

Ensure you have all the proper safety equipment in good working order and know how to properly operate your vessel safely. The Maritime environment is very complex and can be unforgiving. Having the proper safety gear with a bit of boating safety knowledge could save your life one day. The Coast Guard has just developed the app to provide the boating public with loads of boating safety information.

TAKE A BOATING SAFETY COURSE BEFORE HITTING THE WATER. Whether you are a new boater or you need a refresher after a long winter, you can find this course useful. Texas law states that this course be required for anyone born after September 1, 1993, but is recommended for all boaters. You can take this boating safety course through your local Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Power Squadron, and qualified training volunteers. These are a great group of individuals with a lot of maritime knowledge and experience, eager to share it with the community. You can find more information about boating safety courses at the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. https:// tpwd.texas.gov/ TIP FROM COAST GUARD AIR: If your boat flips over, don’t cover it with a blue tarp - it’s

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really hard to spot a blue tarp in blue water from the air!

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR LIFEJACKET: they really are life savers. There are many different types so they can be comfortable while you are doing your outdoor activities. Before heading out, ensure your cell phone battery is charged. In the case of an emergency and your phone is dead or you have no reception, invest in a good waterproof marine radio so you have another means of contacting the Coast Guard for assistance. Channel 16 is the international hailing and distress frequency, and the Coast Guard can be reached on that channel at anytime.

Chris Supervisory Marine Interdiction Agent (SMIA) U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine Corpus Christi Marine Unit What is your main mission?

C: Our mission is to detect, interdict, and prevent people from illegally moving drugs, people, and other contraband toward or across the borders.

My daily duties consist of coordinating and supervising Corpus Christi Marine Unit’s Marine Interdiction Agents (MIAs) and all operations, including vessel patrols. I am also responsible for coordinating joint operations with state, local, and other federal agencies to accomplish a common mission.

Each day must be uniquely different. Tell us about some notable experiences.

C: There are so many unique experiences from day to day. Whether it is interdicting a vessel in our area’s unforgiving offshore environment, spending numerous hours searching the sand dunes for contraband and unlawful people, or processing hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs seized from vessels, there is never a dull day. At times we can be seen searching giant foreign tankers from top to bottom and stem to stern, or conducting vessel document checks both inshore and offshore. Wherever the day or night takes us, it is guaranteed we will be giving it our all to protect our country, its people, and its infrastructure.

What brought you to the here and now?

C: I started my career with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in 1999 and I was stationed in both Florida and Texas.

I was a Boatswain’s Mate and my duties included operating a variety of vessels to conduct search and rescue missions, migrant interdictions, and law enforcement at varying units.

These units included a 110-foot cutter in Miami and three search and rescue stations in Yankeetown, Florida; Pensacola, Florida; and South Padre Island, Texas. When my USCG active duty tour was complete, I joined the USCG reserves and presently, I work on a part-time basis as a USCG reservist in Corpus Christi, Texas. I was hired by U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations shortly after ending my active duty tour, and I worked two years as a CBP Officer at the port of entry in Brownsville, Texas. During this time, I processed pedestrians and inspected vehicles and their cargo before entering the U.S. After spending time on the U.S./Mexico border, I transferred to CBP’s Office of Air and Marine at the Brownsville Marine Unit as an MIA. The Brownsville Marine Unit was unique because the area of responsibility was very close to the U.S./Mexico border in the Gulf of Mexico. I later transferred to the Corpus Christi Marine Unit, where I was an MIA since its opening. In 2011, I was promoted to a Supervisory Marine Interdiction Agent.

* To respect the privacy and safety of our CBP agents their identities have not been disclosed.

John Marine Interdiction Agent (MIA) U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine Corpus Christi Marine Unit As an MIA, what is your main assignment?

What did you do prior to working at CBP?

J: As an MIA, my main duty is to patrol the U.S waterways in various sea and weather conditions to conduct vessel document checks and prevent illegal activity along the U.S water borders. I also work with other federal, state, and local agencies to accomplish common goals.

J: In 2002, I joined the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) as a Boatswain’s Mate and was stationed in South Padre Island, Texas; Port O’Conner, Texas; and Coos Bay, Oregon. I was responsible for ensuring our boats were ready and maintained for operation. In the USCG, I also performed job training and attended various schools where I studied maritime law enforcement, vessel operation training, and search and rescue training.

In 2009, after 7 years of service, I moved back to Texas from Oregon and joined OAM’s Corpus Christi Marine Unit.

How is your career different than most?

J: This profession is very unique in that I get the opportunity to travel to various parts of the country, as needed, to perform at the same level of high standards as I do back in Texas. It is exciting to work with different OAM agents from across the U.S that are like-minded, and trust that we can work well in any type of situation.

What makes this your perfect job?

J: That I get to work on the water. I have always loved the ocean as I grew up, especially during the sunrise and sunset.

* To respect the privacy and safety of our CBP agents their identities have not been disclosed. [the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]

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CELEBRATION SPONSORED BY:

MANDY’S 30TH BIRTHDAY JUNE 6, 2015

FAMILY BEACH HOUSE

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and dessert display. Acrylic trays with the birthday girl’s monogram in palm fashion were used throughout the party for that designer touch.

C

elebrating turning thirty was a grand celebration for Mandy. Her family wanted to throw her a hip and trendy, palm-inspired outdoor party at the family beach house. The family hired Joanne Howell of Oh Goodie Designs + Events to carry out their vision for Mandy’s Palm Beach chic meets Port A casual. Bold black and white stripe cabana curtains draped in the tall palms set the theme with gold lawn flamingos standing tall. Clear acrylic coffee style tables were stationed with gold chairs to make for cocktails and easy eating on the go. Fresh pineapples painted gold were set out to accent the tables for décor. Custom designed party goods such as cocktail napkins, stir sticks and koozies accented the bar

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Neighbors and homeowners were made aware of the event and were all welcomed and invited to the party, enabling using the entire driveway of the beach complex. Bulb lights were strung from the palm tree circle drive and its roundabout stringing lights to four corners of the party.

A dance floor was installed in front of the DJ station, which made for a dance club effect with full light show where guests danced til the early morning hours.

Guests were shuttled to the complex by valet and offered transportation throughout the evening. Upon arrival guests were greeted with waves of passed hors d’oeuvres served on golden trays. Appetizers included mini pulled pork ta-

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Create a

cos, grilled cheese and watermelon with prosciutto. The appetizers were passed all night along with cocktails. After singing Happy Birthday! the pineapple-inspired tiered cake was served from the dessert display, featuring pineapple-flavored cupcakes and piña colada macarons, the champagne bar was opened and flutes were filled up with bubbly and custom designed acrylic stir sticks of pink flamingos stirred up the fun as the party continued into the night.

Event!

Next to the photo backdrop, pink cotton candy was spun for guests with a late night sweet tooth.

The cotton candy and champagne proved to be a sweet hit. The champagne bar was staged with wicker shelving and a wicker peacock chair dressed up with custom made metallic tassels and gold foil print signage. Custom pillows with the birthday girl’s monogram and gold pineapples were set around for that personal touch.

Friends and family is what this evening was all about. A casual evening under the palms, enjoying good food, dancing and fun. It was a chic event for a chic chick!!

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HOME & GARDEN OPEN HOUSE

SCULPTED STRUCTURE CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

Words: Whitney Noble Photos: Jason Page

MUSEUM? HOME? OR BOTH? Sometimes it’s not the structure, it’s what’s in the structure. This home is adorned with some of the most exquisite art of all mediums.

M

ost of the time, a home has its main talking point or centerpiece. But what if the entire house was filled with talking points? Just off Ocean Drive’s beaten path is Stephen McMain’s home on Circle Dr. But there are far more shapes than that in this completely renovated museum/home hybrid.

History, color, texture, and most of all, expression grace the walls and halls with imagination, technical skills, and aesthetics to create a space unlike any other.

McMain bought the home in 2009, just shortly after his art-collecting father, Russell McMain, passed away. Not even on the market for sale, McMain had seen the home and knew it would be the perfect vessel for showcasing his collection - he just had to have it. After months of reaching out to the owners and using his power of persuasion, they did finally sell it to him. The renovations began almost immediately, and the old brick home transformed into a modern, black and white, and art-all-over contemporary space full of inspiration and history.

But it’s not just McMain’s dad who had a passion for the arts and philanthropy. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as McMain’s involvement with the Corpus Christi Art Museum includes co-chairing the Artrageous fundraiser and serving on the Board of Trustees for three years, and serving as Membership Chair and also on the Executive Committee. He’s also been on the K Space Board for years.

Culture seeps from the walls of this exhibit of a property. Passion for protecting history through shadow box glass tables, and gallery archives showcase all sorts of unique artifacts, magazines, books, and memorabilia.

To date, however, McMain’s most notable pieces are his Jesús Moroles sculptures that stand firm and guard the home both inside and out. They pay homage to our famous local granite sculptor who tragically passed away just this past June.

Born in Corpus Christi, Moroles began selling his artwork in

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Master bed: Designed by Max Ernst in 1974, was purchased

by McMain’s dad in the mid ‘90s from an auction. It’s McMain’s favorite piece.

elementary school. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War before setting off to study sculpture in Italy. He sold a piece of his art to study in Pietrasanta where Michelangelo practiced, and even pulled stone from the same quarry as Michelangelo. In 1983, Moroles opened his own studio in Rockport to handle the large granite stone he works with. Over the years, he’s achieved international acclaim as a master sculptor of large scale abstract granite works, receiving many awards for his talents and has stood on multiple boards of many different museums.

Aside from Circle Dr., Moroles’ work can be seen all over the world. “Lapstrake” a 64 ton, 22 foot tall sculpture stands in the E. F. Hutton, CBS Plaza in New York City.

Moroles was one of the very few select artists who were chosen to install a large piece of their work on the Great Wall of China.

His art is also in the American Embassy to Mexico and at the residence of the 43rd President of the United States of America.

But, his largest sculpture resides at the Houston Police Officers Memorial and is an earthen stepped pyramid. His art resides in countries around the world including China, Egypt, France, Italy, Mexico and Switzerland.

A vivid red backsplash adds a dash of spice to one of the 3 kitchens

The Moroles sculpture in front of the Circle Dr. property is reminiscent of an orange-slice smile, greeting you as you come and sending you off as you leave. Perhaps it symbolizes Moroles’ grin beaming down in a nod of approval for carrying on his legacy.

Moroles’ granite pieces are weight defying.

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PROMOTION

BART BRASELTON

2014 Playhouse

BRASELTON HOMES AND CASA FOR A CAUSE TEAM UP TO

B

Play

raselton Homes is looking forward to the unveiling of our latest home- but it just might be the smallest house you’ve ever seen a builder complete!

affordable housing option, with beach chic color schemes and floor plans that maximize space as well as style, so our Playhouse design is always popular with kids and adults alike.

We’ve teamed up with Court Appointed Special This is the second annual raffle for the two organizaAdvocates (CASA) of the Coastal Bend to raise funds tions, who both are proud both of the funds raised and for their mission to “speak up for and find permanent the mission awareness that results from the project. homes for foster children in crisis throughout Nueces, Adam Black, a local first grader, was the winner of the San Patricio, and Aransas Counties.” A BraseltonBuilt playhouse last year and has spent the last year enjoying children’s backyard playhouse it with his siblings. We’re so was built and donated by excited that another child Braselton Homes, and will be will get a chance to spend on display in La Palmera Mall his or her playtime in a minfor the entire month of August. iature of one of our award As our region’s largest builder, winning houses. we think our area’s largest mall is a great partner for this The Braselton Homes project. La Palmera boasts 1.2 family is proud to support million square feet of shopping many local charities, such and dining options, and our as Operation Finally Home, Southlake model home is the Playhouse will be featured in the American Heart Assoinspiration of the playhouse Center Court for the month ciation, Islander Athletics, of August- testament to our and many more, so the community’s support for chilmission of CASA is one that dren in need. La Palmera is also a Green facility, and is important to us. CASA advocates for abused and Braselton is a Green builder, so we know this will be a neglected children in the court system through a group great fit for us. of volunteers who are assigned children and then serve as their voices in court, giving judges and other officials Local supporters can purchase $5 raffle tickets to be help in determining what is best for each child. entered to win the house- with all proceeds benefitting CASA. Tickets may be purchased at the concierge Diana Booth, Outreach Director at CASA of the desk at La Palmera Mall, online at casaofthecoastalCoastal Bend, will choose the winner of the playhouse bend.com, or at any Braselton model home. To find a at the end of the month at a special celebration in the Braselton model home near you, go to Braseltonhomes. mall. com.

Come join us this month in supporting this organizaThe home is a miniature replica of the popular tion, changing lives in the Coastal Bend one child at a Cottage Style homes Braselton builds in its Cottages at time!

Southlake subdivision. The Cottages are our popular

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Bart Braselton is the Executive Vice President of Braselton Homes, the Coastal Bend’s oldest and largest Homebuilder and Neighborhood Developer. Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Bart is the third generation of Braseltons building in the Bay Area. Returning to Corpus Christi after earning a BBA in Finance, as well as a second BBA in Real Estate, from the University of Texas, at Austin, Braselton began working in the family business as a construction superintendent.

Since then, Braselton Homes has won numerous local,state, and national awards, including the Fastest Growing Builders in the U.S., and has grown into one of the Nation’s Largest Homebuilders, earning consistent rankings in the annual lists compiled by both Professional Builder, and Builder Magazine.

Bart, a graduate of Leadership Corpus Christi Class 18, has served on numerous local community and business boards.

Presently, he serves on the Board of the Community Development Corporation, as well as the Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he serves as Chairman of the Coastal Bend GreenBuilt Council, and President of the Board of the Corpus Christi Business and Job Development Corporation.

Braselton and his wife, Michelle, have 5 children, and are active church members at Corpus Christi’s Church Unlimited.

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PROMOTION

DO YOUR AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS NEED TO BE CLEANED?

By Jack Britton

H

ome and business owners frequently think they should have their air ducts cleaned because they see dirt around the vents, dirt elsewhere in the home or family members or employees are complaining of allergies or respiratory problems that seem worse when they are inside. It’s easy to picture all kinds of bad things going on up inside the air ducts where you can’t see. Mold growing, insects and other critters running wild, dirt hanging off the ducts and anything else you can imagine. A little research on the internet will yield many pictures of very nasty ducts. Fortunately, while horror stories do exist, most duct systems are not that bad.

EPA, Dept. of Energy, numerous university studies and our own experience in cleaning ducts have shown that while duct cleaning is never a bad idea, it is often not needed as frequently as you might think or is not necessary at all.

A duct system is supposed to be closed except for a filter at one end and outlets in every room. The filter is supposed to capture any dirt in the air entering the ducts. Most people think the filter is to clean the air for them to breathe but actually the filter’s job is to protect the air conditioning equipment from getting dirty. A little way downstream of the filter you change is a much better filter, the cooling coil. This coil is very wet from all the humidity it has removed from the air and will capture any dirt that gets past the filter and prevent it from reaching the ducts. Dirt on this coil is not a good thing but if everything is working as it is supposed to dirt should not get into the ducts in the first place.

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So if your ducts don’t need cleaning, where is the dirt coming from?

The dirt and respiratory problems are probably being caused by your duct system, but not in a way that can be solved by cleaning.

If you wash your car and then drive through a mud puddle your car will just become dirty again. But if you avoid the puddle your car will stay clean. The same is true of your duct system. Remove the source of the dirt and the ducts will stay clean.

The same research organizations mentioned above have determined that duct leakage is the most common cause of dirt and respiratory problems in homes or businesses. Most duct systems leak 20% to 40% or more of their air before it ever reaches the room it was intended to cool. And the air that leaks out into the attic has to be replaced in the living space. This replacement air can bring dirt, dust, pollen or other contaminates that cause respiratory problems. If the duct leaks are near the ceiling vents dirt can be drawn out of the attic and cause the dirt or staining you see. If the leaks are immediately after your filter, dirt can miss the filter completely and damage yourW air conditioner by clogging your cooling coil.

The way to reduce dirt you see and to reduce respiratory problems is to stop duct leakage by having your duct system sealed. Duct tape doesn’t work and hand sealing with paint on mastic only works if you can get to all of your duct system but that is often difficult or impossible. Fortunately the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory at UC Berkley has developed a process that allows us to easily seal ducts from the inside just like using fix-a-flat can stop leaks in your car tires. But unlike fix-a-flat, this process comes with a 10 year guarantee that your ducts will not leak after sealing. See our ad in this magazine, come by our Fall Home and Garden Show booth #1408 in September or search AeroSeal on the internet before you get your ducts cleaned to make sure you do solve your problems permanently.

For more information:

Aire Serv of the Coastal Bend (361) 727-0086 aireserv.com/the-coastal-bend

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Mary Beecroft (361) 945-5755

Denise Artery (361) 500-9388

Frankie Hicks (361) 549-9901

Mebeecroft@gmail.com

Denise.Artery@ ColdwellBanker.com

Frankie.Hicks@ ColdwellBanker.com

Roberta “Bo” Granberry (361) 774-7263 Brgdesigns@gmail.com

Outstanding Agents.

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For buying & selling in the Coastal Bend, contact one of us!

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Gwyn Richter (361) 548-7442 Gwrichter1@gmail.com

CorpusChristiRockportHomes.com

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SETTING THE STANDARDS HIGHER FOR ORTHOPEDIC CARE With only 2.6% of the hospitals nationwide certiiied by The Joint Commission for Total Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery, you can be connident in receiving a higher standard of care at Doctors Regional Hospital.

The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Disease-Speciiic Care Certiiication in Total Knee and Hip Certiiication

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LIVE WELL THE PERFECT LUNCH BOX

THE PERFECT LUNCH BOX WORDS: Kayla Butts PHOTOS: Rachel Durrent

Packing the perfect lunch is easy with a little knowledge and good planning. This school year, give your kids some bargaining power at the lunch table while also providing a nutritious mid-day boost. These ideas work for adults as well, so don’t hesitate to pack a delicious lunch that saves time, money and calories during the busy work day.

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MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN WRAP INGREDIENTS: ½ whole-wheat wrap 2 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, grilled 5 slices sweet bell pepper 2 tbsp feta cheese ½ cup tomatoes, chopped 1 sprig fresh mint leaves, stemmed DIRECTIONS: Combine ingredients and fold in wrap.

May be prepared up to three days in advance. Stores well wrapped in aluminum foil and refrigerated.

THIS LUNCH CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING:

W

ith the right tips, tricks, and knowledge, packing the perfect and nutritious lunch doesn’t have to be time consuming or a challenge! Start this school year, and give your kid the mid-day boost they deserve and perhaps even some bargaining power in the cafeteria!

Secret: it works for adult’s lunches, too, so let’s not get shy about slippin’ in some spinach!

Looking to pack a healthy lunch that makes your kid the talk of the lunch table? Recent studies find that lunches prepared at home are less nutritious than school lunches, containing more fat, calories, and sugary drinks while providing less protein, vitamin A, fiber, and calcium. Here are tips to help you assemble a nutritious lunch that won’t break the bank.

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KIDS NEED CARBS. Use 100% whole wheat bread, pitas, bagels, and tortillas. Look for at least 3 grams of fiber on the nutrition label to sustain your kiddos until their afterschool snack.

Popcorn, Triscuits, or rice cakes are great alternatives to chips or cheesy crackers, which offer little nutrition to growing bodies.

SWEETS FOR YOUR SWEETIE. For something sweet, choose whole fruit that packs well (like bananas, citrus, apples, grapes, etc.) or canned fruit packed in water. Avoid fruit packed in syrup that has added sugar. Dried fruit can help curb their candy craving.

DON’T LEAVE VEGGIES OUT! Pack some baby carrots, celery sticks, sugar snap peas, or cherry tomatoes. Slice up some squash, cucumber, broccoli, peppers or cauliflower. For dipping, add hummus, salsa, or homemade ranch dip made from greek yogurt to up the yum factor. Top sandwiches with spinach, dark green lettuce, sprouts, cucumbers, tomatoes and a slice of omega-3 rich avocado.

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Food Group

Serving(s)

Grains

1

Protein

3

Dairy

½

Vegetables

2

Fruits

1

SOUP UP SANDWICHES. Spread hummus, pesto, flavored mayo, or guacamole on traditional sandwiches to give them a kick. Toppings of mushrooms, roasted peppers, sautéed onions, sun-ripened tomatoes, Kalamata olives or fresh herbs will have your child craving goodies that are also good for them. Pasta, rice, or a salad make great sandwich alternatives and are a wonderful way to include veggies.

PACK IN PROTEIN. Protein is essential for cell regeneration and tissue growth. Choose high-quality sources of protein, such as beans, poultry, lean cuts of beef and pork, soy, nuts, yogurt, and cheese.

HYDRATE THE HEALTHY WAY. Steer clear of sugary sodas, juice blends, and flavored waters. Make your own flavored water with fresh fruit and herbs.

Kayla Butts MS, RD, LD Visit Kayla’s blog at: http://lightheartednutrition. wordpress.com

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PROMOTION

“We want everyone to have a happy and healthy start to the new school year by remembering a few key ways to keep your loved ones safe,”

Back To School: Staying Safe In a New Routine

B

ack to school means back to a hectic schedule, with early mornings and long days. That also means exposure to new dangers and safety hazards.

It’s important to keep safety in mind when beginning the new school year for your family, reminds Dr. Osbert Blow, Chief Medical Officer/Trauma Services, CHRISTUS Spohn Health System.

“We want everyone to have a happy and healthy start to the new school year by remembering a few key ways to keep your loved ones safe,” Dr. Blow said.

While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTSA), credits school buses as the most safe form of transportation to carry children to and from school, there are a few safety hazards to keep in mind as dozens of children are injured each year getting on or off the bus.

It’s important for parents to remind their children to look both ways before entering or exiting a bus and crossing the street, Dr. Blow added.

This goes hand in hand with pedestrian

80 the bend magazine

Back to School Health Tips: safety, Dr. Blow said. Children under 10 years old should always cross the street with an adult, or if unable, under the supervision of a school crossing guard.

Parents should know their children’s route to school to learn any problem areas. Walk it together and show them the safe way to cross streets.

All too often, the CHRISTUS Spohn Trauma Team sees falls or fractures suffered by children on playground equipment. Dr. Blow recommends children use caution when returning to school playgrounds and avoid wearing chains or jewelry that can become caught on a piece of playground equipment and cause injury.

Another good rule of thumb is to avoid over-filled backpacks. A heavy or filled backpack can add to the likelihood of a fall, Dr. Blow said. Make sure your child’s backpack is no more than 10 percent of their body weight and that the hip and shoulder straps are adjusted for a snug fit.

“These are just a few of the ways we hope parents can help their children have a safe and fun school year this fall,” Dr. Blow added.

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•

Watch for cars on both sides of the streets when exiting or entering a school bus.

•

Know your child’s route to school and walk it with them to spot potential safety hazards.

•

Make sure your children take care on playground equipment to avoid any falls or fractures. Avoid jewelry that can become caught on equipment.

•

Avoid over-filled backpacks to prevent falls.

Check the shoulder and hip straps to ensure a snug fit.

3820 S. Alameda Corpus Christi, TX 361.334.4086

3818 S. Alameda St. 36 路 Corpus Christi, TX Lamar Park Shopping Center

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CUISINE

FARM TO TABLE .83 FOOD DIRECTORY .86

GRILLED FISH TACOS WITH CUCUMBER SLAW, BASIL SALSA, AND WATERMELON GRANITA

The flavors of the Coastal Bend achieve their perfection in the heat of summer. You can pick your produce ripe from the sunbaked land and take your fish fresh from the sundrenched water. Fish tacos are the perfect way to blend these summer flavors.

Pictured Recipe on page 85

Words: Justin & Kayla Butts Photos: Rachel Durrent

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Y

ou can use speckled trout, redfish, or flounder in your tacos, or you can use black drum, which is becoming increasingly popular. Black drum are easy and fun to catch, and you don’t need a boat to find them. We got our black drum filets from Charlie at Morgan Street Seafood, 1602 Morgan Street, Corpus Christi. The drum were caught that very morning and delivered to Charlie. You cannot get fresher fish unless you catch it yourself.

Grilling your fish to perfection is easy with a nonstick fish grilling basket. Your fish basket will fold over your filet on top and on bottom, gently holding the filet together. You can leave the basket on the grill to cook and easily turn the fish. Cuisinart makes an excellent grilling basket for less than $20. You can also grill shrimp, okra, and other delicate or smaller foods that would otherwise fall apart on the grill, or fall through the grate.

Fish tacos are often served with cabbage, but cabbage does not grow in summer in the Coastal Bend. Cucumbers, however, grow to vine-ripened perfection. Our favorite cucumber is the Marketmore variety--an excellent slicing cucumber. We picked red and orange bell peppers to give the slaw bright colors as well as a deeper flavor.

We prefer cherry tomatoes for the pico de gallo. Cherry tomatoes grow better in the brutal heat of August than the larger tomato varieties, and they explode with flavor, a distilled taste of the summer sun. We flavored the pico with basil, which grows into full-flavored bushes in August, rather than cilantro, which does not grow in the summer at all.

Granita is a frozen dessert similar to Italain ice or sorbet, except with granitas the ice crystals are larger and coarser. Granita is popular in Italy, where every little town has their own unique version. We served our granita on a Turkish coffee serving platter, but you can also serve your granita in the hollowed out watermelon rind.

These dishes are perfect for a deck party, or for an easy weeknight meal for the family. We picked the produce for these recipes fresh from the garden, and the fish was caught the same day. When the ingredients are this fresh, you can keep the recipe very simple, and let the flavor of the Coastal Bend shine through.

The tacos are delicious and healthy, and the granita may be the best guilt-free dessert you ever taste—you will not believe how sweet and good they are. Feel free to go back for seconds, again and again, and enjoy these flavors of summer while they last.

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GRILLED FISH TACOS

CUCUMBER SLAW

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 4 corn and flour blend tortillas 1 lb fresh black drum, filet Salt and pepper, to taste ¼ cup olive oil Cucumber slaw, see recipe Basil pico de gallo, see recipe

1 cucumber, grated (Marketmore variety recommended) ¼ sweet bell pepper, grated 1 tbsp rice vinegar 2 tsp sugar 1 large pinch salt

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Let sit for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to develop.

Directions: First prepare cucumber slaw and basil pico de gallo (see recipe) to allow flavors to develop while fish cooks.

Preheat grill. Brush fish with olive oil and season liberally with sea salt and pepper. Place fish in a grill basket. Grill over low direct heat for 3-4 minutes per side. Garnish with slaw and pico de gallo.

WATERMELON GRANITA Serves 12 Prep time: 15 minutes Inactive prep time: 1 hour, 40 minutes Cook time: 2 minutes

Ingredients: ¾ cup water ½ cup sugar 7 cups watermelon, peeled and cubed 4 tbsp lime juice, or juice of 2 limes Small bunch fresh sweet basil (about 6 large leaves)

BASIL PICO DE GALLO Ingredients: 1 cup tomato, diced (sweet cherry tomatoes recommended) 1-2 jalapenos, seeded and minced ½ cup onion, diced (1015 variety recommend) 1 tbsp lime juice 1 clove garlic, minced 1 small bunch basil, chopped

Directions: Combine ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Let rest for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to develop.

Directions: Place 9x13” glass or metal dish in freezer.

Place water and sugar in a small sauce pan over medium-high heat. Simmer while stirring with a whisk until all of sugar is dissolved and liquid reaches a syrup consistency, about 2 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.

Combine watermelon, simple syrup, lime and basil in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Pour watermelon mixture into cooled pan and place in the freezer. Using a whisk, stir mixture every 20 minutes, until desired consistency is reached. Enjoy immediately after serving.

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DINING

THE SCOOP ON OUR CITY’S FOOD SCENE Lamb Chops

Mon-Th: Lunch and Dinner Fri-Sat: Dinner Only BELLINO’S

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CITRUS BISTRO

F

inger food for dinner? Yes please! From Greece to India, Ginger Café is a Mediterranean and South Asian Grill located on 7009 S. Staples. With many Middle Eastern dishes to choose from, their grilled lamb chops are a fan favorite. They’re marinated in a basil, rosemary, and thyme olive oil with a reduced balsamic sauce. Served with a side of Yukon roasted potatoes and grilled fresh veggies, all your food groups are met. An added bonus, they’re gluten free.

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$$ 7009 S Staples, 103, Corpus Christi, TX 78413 (361) 946-9834 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner GRIMALDI’S

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HESTER’S CAFÉ & COFFEE BAR

$ 1902 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78401 (361) 885-0151 Tues-Sat: Breakfast and Lunch HOEGEMEYER’S BBQ

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YARDARM

$$ 4310 Ocean Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 855-8157 Tues-Sat: Dinner Only

PORT ARANSAS BLACK MARLIN BAR & GRILL

$$$ 258 Snapdragon Port Aransas, TX 78373 (361) 749-4653 Mon – Sun: Lunch and Dinner CAFE PHEONIX

108 People St. Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361) 881-8503

T

his refreshing Caribbean-Style cocktail is perfect for getting in the Tavern spirit.

Ingredients: Malibu Rum, Melon Liqueur, cranberry and orange juices.

RUSSO’S COAL FIRED ITALIAN KITCHEN

$$ 6418 S Staples St, Corpus Christi, TX 78413 (361) 986-0620 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

THAI COTTAGE

$ 5830 McArdle Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 993-0777 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner TOWN & COUNTRY CAFÉ

$$ 4650 Corona Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 (361) 808-8881 Mon-Sat: Lunch and Dinner

$ Town & Country Shopping Center, 4228 S Alameda St, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 992-0360 Mon-Sun: Breakfast and Lunch

SALTWATER GRILL

VIETNAM RESTAURANT

SANG’S IMPERIAL CAFE

$$ 2401 Cimarron Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78414 (361) 993-7258 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner TAKENIWA

$$ 5216 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 (361) 356-6888 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

$$$ 701 N Water St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361) 853-2682 Mon-Fri: Lunch and Dinner Sat: Dinner Only

WATER STREET SEAFOOD COMPANY

$$ 309 N Water St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401

VENETIAN HOT PLATE

$$$ 232 Beach St, Port Aransas, TX 78373 (361) 749-7617 Tues-Sat: Dinner Only

ROCKPORT BELLINO’S

$$ 523 S Fulton Beach Rd Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-9003 Thurs-Mon: Lunch and Dinner

$ 229 Beach Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373 (361) 749-9277 Mon-Th: Lunch Only; Fri-Sat: Lunch and Dinner

CHARTROOM

IRIE’S

DAILY GRIND

LISABELLA’S BISTRO

GLOW

PORT “A” PIZZERIA

JJ’S LITTLE BAY CAFÉ

ROOSEVELT’S AT THE TARPON INN

LATITUDE 28˚02’

$ 503 North Alister St, Port Aransas, TX 78373 (361) 749-2310 Tues-Sun: Lunch Only

Harrison’s Landing

Port Aransas, TX (361) 749-7800 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

$$$ 5009 Hwy 361, Port Aransas, TX 78373 (361) 749-4222 Tues-Sat: Dinner Only

$$ 407 E Avenue G, Port Aransas, TX 78373 (361) 749-5226 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

$$$ 200 E Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373 (361) 749-1540 Mon-Sun: Dinner Only SHELLS

$$$ 522 E Avenue G, Port Aransas, TX 78373 (361) 749-7621 Weds-Mon: Lunch and Dinner THE PELICAN CLUB

$$$ 914 Tarpon St, Port Aransas, TX 78373 (361) 749-0580 Weds-Sun: Dinner Only

$$$ 39 Mazatlan Drive Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 790-2450 Tues - Sun: Lunch and Dinner $ 302 S Austin St, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 790-8745 Tues-Sat: Breakfast and Lunch $$ 1815 Broadway St, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-2644 Mon-Sun: Dinner Only $ 302 Highway 35 North, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 205-2713 Mon-Sun: Breakfast and Lunch $$$ 105 N Austin St, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-9009 Mon-Sat: Dinner PANJO’S PIZZA

$$ 2744 Highway 35N, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-1411 Mon-Sat: Lunch and Dinner SHEMPY’S GRILL

$$ 3911 Highway 35 South Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-0019 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

TROUT STREET BAR & GRILL

$$$ 104 West Cotter

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Relaxed Atmosphere. Great Drinks.

Extraordinary Service.

39 Mazatlan Dr., Rockport, TX

chartroomrockport.com | facebook.com/GrogBar

Deana Merrill’s Salon New Year. New Style. New You.

7602 S. Staples Ste. 104 Corpus Christi, TX 361-994-7884

(In the Kings Crossing Shopping Center)

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THE BOILING POT

$$ 201 S Fulton Beach Rd, Fulton, TX 78382 (361) 729-6972 Mon-Th: Dinner Only; Fri-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

PADR E ISLAN D BLACK SHEEP BISTRO

$$$ 15201 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 (361) 949-4819 Mon-Sat: Dinner Only; Sun: Lunch Only BROOKLYN PIE CO.

$$ 15326 S Padre Island Dr Corpus Christi, TX 78418 (361) 949-1100 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner COSTA SURF BAR & GRUB

$$ 15113 S Padre Island Dr #101, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 (361) 945-8303 Mon: Lunch and Dinner Wed-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

DOC’S SEAFOOD AND STEAKS

$

13309 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 (361) 949-6744 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner DRAGONFLY

$$$ 14701 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 (361) 949-2224 Tues-Fri: Lunch and Dinner; Sat: Dinner Only

always in bloom

ISLAND TIME SUSHI BAR & SEAFOOD GRILL

$$ 14225 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 (361) 949-3046 Tues-Sat: Dinner only

SCUTTLEBUTT’S BAR & GRILL

$$ 14254 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 (361) 949-6769 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner SNOOPY’S PIER

$$ 13313 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 (361) 949-8815 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

A Tas te of Central Mexico 6042. s. Padre island Dr. @airline Gulfway Center

Open Tues-ThUrs 11-10 Fri 11-10 Sat 9-10 Sun 9-9 Full Bar

Only the Freshest!

Entirely Homemade!

Truly authentic cuisine of Mexico (361) 334-6081

molerstaurant.com

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Reservations for two.

Photo ©2013 Julie Paisley Photography ©2014 Omni Hotels & Resorts

Turn the wedding of your dreams into a beautiful reality at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel. Let us tend to your every desire, from sensational cuisine to impeccable service. We’ve got all the details covered, so all you’ll have left to do is relax and enjoy your special day.

Hold your wedding at Omni and receive a complimentary honeymoon at select resorts in the U.S. or Mexico.

(361) 887-1600 • omnihotels.com/corpuschristi

90 the bend magazine

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Bigger choices.

Better food.

RenĂŠe C. Gage

New Orleans Muffaletta Corpus Christi

1416 Airline / 361-992-4649 5325 Saratoga / 361-980-8300 Order online: jasonsdeli.com

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And so much more...

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