July 2014

JULY 2014, ISSUE 4

Home

Health

Fashion

P.52

P.22

P.16

Decisive Design

one family’s jour- Brighten up your ney with MCADD summer selection

W

Look Inside! p.48

COAST APPEAL The curb is overrated.

Welcome to the neighborhood! p.24

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FEATURED CONTENT Message in a Bottle Bart Braselton P.6

Events

MANAGING EDITOR: Carol Pate

Coastal Trend The Bay Window P.16

Health Stroller Strides P.20 Meet the Neighbors P.24

Bartel Chronicles P.22

Crafting in the Coastal Bend P.35

Person of Interest Terry Sweeney P.40

Home Realtors Worth Knowing P.44 Ornate Drive P.48

MARKETING & EVENTS: Stefanie DeWaters PHOTOGRAPHY: Rachel Durrent Michael Diamante Jason Page Photography DLG Photography Bellezza Photography CONTRIBUTORS: Sara Yonker Cissy Tabor Fares Sabawi Justin Butts Kayla Butts Rachel Ramey DISTRIBUTION: Kevin Kusenberger 361.792.3606 OFFICE: 5262 S. Staples. St. Ste.300 Corpus Christi, TX 78411 PHONE: 361.792.3606 SUBMISSIONS: editor@thebendmag.com

Decisive Design P.52

Cuisine The Dish P.66

CONNECT WITH US @thebendmag //

ART DIRECTOR: Julio Studios OPERATIONS: Kaley Regas

Social Hour P.10

The Bend Magazine //

PUBLISHER: Jordan Regas

ADVERTISING: info@thebendmag.com Copyright Š 2014 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.

@thebendmag WWW.THEBENDMAG.COM

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MESSAGE

THE BEND IS GROWING

O

ur area is growing at an incredible pace! Wherever you look, you can see the traffic on the streets and in the stores. In fact, The Corpus Christi Bay Area has been growing at nearly twice the average rate of other cities in the U.S.; we’ve added almost 6,000 people, and over 5,000 jobs in the last year alone! Other statistics and nationally published lists demonstrate our incredible growth, as well:

Bart Braselton of Braselton Homes

“We have been blessed with an estimated $19 billion of new investments in the Coastal Bend. The Corpus Christi Bay Area has become an international destination.”

• Forbes Magazine listed Corpus Chris ti as #4 on its list of The Best U.S. Cities for Jobs in 2013.

• Forbes also named our city as the 9th best in the country, of 146 cities, for the housing market recovery.

• And, the IHS Global Insight report to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, ranked Corpus Christi as #13, of 363 cities, in Gross Metro product and #13 for job growth.

One of the first businesses that are impacted by this kind of explosive growth is homebuilding. When people arrive in the Coastal Bend, they must find a place to live. Over the last 3 years, apartments have filled and the number of New Home Building Permits in Corpus Christi nearly doubled!

What does the immediate future hold? So far, it appears that the answer is continued growth. We have been blessed with an estimated $19 billion of new investments in the Coastal Bend. The Corpus Christi Bay Area has become an international destination. Companies from China, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France have all either started, or are about to start, projects in the Corpus Christi Area. And…there is another $19 billion of additional businesses looking to invest in The Bend. (Just a few years ago, the total value of all

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structures in Nueces County was… you guessed it, $19 billion.) This brings thousands of new jobs and people to the area.

To address this growth, the City of Corpus Christi embarked upon PLAN CC 2035, a community based comprehensive plan that will shape the Master Plan of the future of our city. Additionally, the city is looking into the annexation of the Chapman Ranch area – the future of the South Side.

Few cities have the chance we now do; with PLAN CC 2035 and the annexation of Chapman Ranch we can literally plan and build a new Corpus Christi. Most cities grow in concentric circles around their downtown core, but not Corpus Christi.

Because of our unique geography and drainage infrastructure required to build a city, the edge of town is, and has been the Oso Creek. Once we cross the creek into the Chapman Ranch area, we can create a new city, any city we want, as that area will be the center of Corpus Christi in 20 years.

At Braselton Homes, we have also been blessed with growth, increasing our sales by over 250% in the last 3 years. We are the Bay Area’s largest and oldest Homebuilder and Neighborhood Developer.

To serve the Coastal Bend’s growth, Braselton Homes now has six fully furnished Model Homes spread across the Corpus Christi Bay Area, with two more under construction.

From the South Side to the Northwest; from Portland and soon to the Island, we are growing to provide the housing that our city demands.

See you in the Neighborhood!

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EVENTS

Calendar

79TH ANNUAL DEEP SEA ROUNDUP

July 10th-13th, Port Aransas Civic Center www.deepsearoundup.com

The 79th Annual Deep Sea Roundup filled with great food, fun and the best fishing in Texas! This is the longest running fishing tournament on the Texas Gulf Coast.

It includes the Offshore Division, Bay-Surf Division, Junior Division, Fly Fishing Division, the free Piggy Perch contest for the little guys and gals. On- site registration begins Thursday, July 10th from 2:00 to 10:00pm.

SOUTH TEXAS SUMMER POLKA FEST

July 26th, Doors @ 11am Moravian Hall, Kostoryz Rd. www.chssouthtexas.org

Enjoy live music, Czech food, kolaches and a raffle.

Continuous music and dancing goes from noon to 6:00pm, with performances by the Leo Majek Orchestra and The Red Ravens in traditional Czech “battle dance.”

MUSEUM UNVEILED

July 26th, 6:30pm Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History www.ccmuseum.com

The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History is hosting its first Museum Unveiled. The event will begin with a small reception and then groups will break off for a behind the scenes tour. The tour will include time in our collections, which are not generally opened to the public. A limited number of tickets are available.

Advanced tickets are required and can be purchased for $20 by calling the museum at 361.826.4667.

BAY JAMMIN CONCERT SERIES ON THE BAYFRONT

Thursdays 7:30-9:30pm Cole Park Amphitheater

Bring your lawn chairs or blankets for entertainment under the stars and right by the Corpus Christi Bay! The series presents performances by local and Texas bands from a variety of genre. Free family fun and open to the public.

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MUSEUM LIVE!

17TH ANNUAL BLUE WAVE OWNERS TOURNAMENT

Every Saturday and Sunday, 12:00-5:00pm CC Science and History Museum SCIENCE ON TAP

July 29th, 7:00-9:00pm CC Science and History Museum

ART ART WALK

HOPE DEVLIN’S KIDS TOURNAMENT

July 4th, 5:00-6:00pm Robert’s Point Park Pavilion

July 25th, 4:00-8:00pm Robert’s Point Park Pavilion

July 25th-26th, 5:00-11:00pm Bluff’s Landing Marina & Lodge STRINGERS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

July 4th 5:30-9:30pm Downtown Corpus Christi

July 25th-26th, 6:00am-2:30pm Marker 37, Next to Snoopy’s

SUMMER ART CAMP – SCULPTURE & DRAWING

SPORTS

July 21st – 25th, 9:00am-3:30pm K Space Contemporary

H.A.R.D FREEDOM BOUT – ROLLER DERBY

DEL MAR COLLEGE’S PERMANENT COLLECTION EXHIBIT

June 9th- August 15th, 9am4pm M-TH, 9am-12pm F Fine Arts Center Del Mar College East

MUSIC/ ENTERTAINMENT MAYOR’S BIG BANG FIREWORKS SHOW

July 4th, 4:00-10:30pm Corpus Christi Bayfront – Off USS Lexington

LEGALLY BLONDE - THE MUSICAL

July 11th – August 17th Friday and Saturday Evenings at 7:30pm Harbor Play House

Use Words Only When Necessary

3RD ANNUAL PESCADO SHOOTOUT FISHING TOURNAMENT

editorial

FISHING:

portraits

5-8 Yrs & 9-12 Yrs June 9 - Aug. 22, 9 am - 4pm, M- F CC Museum of Science and History (361) 826-4667

events

www.BellezzaPhotography.com

July 18th, 6:30pm Old Concrete Street Amphitheater

PHOTOGRAPHY

BUGS TO BALLISTICS: 2014 SUMMER SCIENCE CAMP

CHEVELLE LIVE

weddings

EDUCATION

July 5th, 7:00pm American Bank Center CC FURY VS. MIAMI INFERNO

A LIVE SIMULCAST EVENT

July 12th, 7:00-10:00pm American Bank Center

AT YORKTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH

A two day conference where experienced leaders express their unique perspectives on leadership and share practical ways to grow as a leader.

THE HOTTEST 5K HILL RUN

July 12th, 7:30-9:30am West Guth Park

LOCAL MARKET DAYS DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET

With Speakers: Tyler Perry (Filmmaker, Actor, and Philanthropist), Jeffery Immelt (President and CEO of GE), Carly Fiorina (Former CEO of Hewlett-Packer), Louie Giglio (Pastor of Passion City Church), Bill Hybels (Pastor of Willow Creek Church), and so many more!

5-7pm every Wednesday Yin Yang Fandango and Tango Team Room

MORE INFO AND REGISTRATION AT

SOUTHSIDE FARMERS MARKET

YORKTOWN.CC/SUMMIT

9am every Saturday Parking lot of 5800 Everhart, Corpus Christi

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EVENTS

SOCIAL HOUR

Did we catch you around the bend?

Summer Fest

It was the perfect way to bring in the summer! We enjoyed live music, great food and quality time with friends. Water Street Oyster Bar celebrated its 30th anniversary and six new members were inducted into the South Texas Walk of Fame!

Location: Water Street Market Photos: DLG Photography

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EVENTS

Rockport Festival of Wine & Food The wine was flowing and so was the fun in Rockport, TX, home to this great local wine festival supporting the Texas Maritime Museum. Sorry if you missed out!

Location: Texas Maritime Museum Photos: Rachel Durrent

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Discover why over 17 million homeowners trust us.

Michael Duren Morgan, Agent 5515-B Saratoga Blvd Corpus Christi, TX 78413 Bus: 361-992-3636 michael.morgan.b4j0@statefarm.com

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

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With your new home comes new responsibilities – like protecting your new investment with the right amount of homeowners insurance. That’s where I can help.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CALL ME TODAY.

State Farm Lloyds, Dallas, TX

THE ENDLESS SUMMER DEBUTANT PARTY PARTY DATE: January 4, 2014 LOCATION OF PARTY: Executive Surf Club Corpus Christi, Texas: The venue was chosen based on the theme of the event. The Arnold, Bass and Pedrotti families chose the Endless Summer movie theme to celebrate their girls’ love of surfing. Having grown up on the Texas coast the families have enjoyed surfing together and travelling coastal areas with their children surfing. Executive Surf Club was very gracious and willing to allow a complete clear out of their venue. It could not have been possible without the patient staff of Brad Lomax allowing us to completely clear out the venue, rearrange and bring in rentals . The raw and exposed feel of the Surf Club was a match made in heaven for Event Stylist JoAnne Wuneburger of Oh Goodie Designs + Events. Incorporating the “Surf Club” feel and nostalgia was a specific request of her clients, the host families. Oh Goodie

guests upon arrival; a refreshing orange and pineapple sunset in a glass. Food stations included beef tenderloin and all the trimmings plus a sushi chef making rolls upon guests’ request . Midnight snacks included all the kids’ favorites including Surf Club chips, queso and nuggets. To warm the guests up from the cold evening air was a full service Cowabunga Cocoa Bar with all the fixings and gold glittered donuts on skewers to help send the guests on their way home.

Designs + Events brought to life the club scene vibe for the younger generation while keeping the classic feel of the downtown jewel for all guests to enjoy.

Guests received by invitation a glossy graphic poster inserted into a custom wrapped tube filled with hand cut confetti and gold glitter. The custom print of our designed party logo was Catey, Lexi and Christina on the beach with their surfboards in their ball gowns in search of the perfect wave. Oh Goodie Designs + Events works exclusively with Harper Gray Designs of San Antonio providing sophisticated and on trend graphics for every event.

An assortment of desserts were made by Water Street Catering, including mini key lime pies and chocolate mousse shots.

Orange and pink glittered French macarons were served along with cupcakes by Lolly Cakes. Oh Goodie Designs had custom fondant cupcake toppers and fun party picks to name the flavors of cupcakes made to coordinate with the décor in fun shapes such as surf boards and glittered black and white striped disks.

FOOD: WATER STREET SEAFOOD CO. H’ors d’oerves were passed as guests arrived. They enjoyed pecan crusted oysters as well as other Water Street favorites. “The Endless Summer” signature drink was poured for

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Photos: Dustin Ashcraft

FLORIST: Oh Goodie Designs worked closely with The Blossom Shop for the floral. The entrance was studded with potted palms and the patio fountain was filled with beautiful and bright pink carnations, anenomies, orange roses and gold sprayed chrysanthemums. Glass vases filled with chunky gold glitter and monochromatic carnations topped bar tables as well as beautiful and chic arrangements of palm leaves and tulips in gold vases. Patio dining tables were dressed with overflowing compote style arrangements dusted with gold glitter. The bars showcased tall cylinder vases stuffed with pink carnations and gold glitter.

Windows and wall cutouts were dressed with carnation garlands hung vertically. The floral was breathtaking and made the event sophisticated and chic.

DÉCOR RENTALS: All of the linens were custom selected and ordered by event stylist, Oh Goodie Designs, as well as the conception, design and special details of our day. So many details to be seen such as the surf board dessert table display, a custom made surf board gave height to the dessert stands, a custom made surf board displayed the menu for the evening, custom made tassel garlands hung from the large fishing lure above the bar and fun and festive handmade fringe lanterns in gold metallic, pink and orange hung over the bar tables. Custom designed napkins and acrylic trays were used to serve drinks and appetizers by the catering staff. Favors included custom koozies, party sunglasses and temporary tattoos in the event logo.

All table, dance floor, lounge seating and chivari chair rentals came from Butler Signature Events.

Oh Goodie Designs worked closely with the team at Butler to ensure a professional and top notch event.

Draping off areas in the venue was a large part of the install and the team at Butler did that perfectly.

LIGHTING: The event was not complete without fabulous lighting by Dance til Dawn Entertainment, from the custom designed and installed lighted pillars at the valet entrance to the lights over the dance floor. The bar was custom lit from the glass shelves to the bar counter giving the venue that nightclub feel. The lights were permanently installed and remain today giving the Executive Surf Club that downtown vibe. The lounge area brought to life the exposed brick wall with a custom designed light feature displaying “The Endless Summer� party logo. Bulb lighting hung vertically alternating with the carnation garlands giving a fresh approach to event lighting.

The Pictures Band from Austin kept the party hopping until we had to pull the plug! Every guest enjoyed dancing that night. The band was amazing and kept the party guests on their dancing feet until the last note.

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COASTAL TREND

Bay Style

Make a statement around the Coastal Bend with The Bay Window’s summer style.

Downtown Rockport, TX

Photos: Jason Page Photography

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Ky Nesloney and Jillian Thomas are dressed for a ladies night out in the Coastal Bend. Whether you prefer The Bay Window’s flowing black and white maxi dress or a little black dress, you’ll be turning some heads as soon as you walk in.

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Kevin Lynch joins the girls in The Bay Window’s Southern Tide line. Sporting a summertime button down, Kevin compliments the girls in their bright mix and match polos and shorts.

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Add some color to your closet as The Bay Window takes vibrant to a whole new level.

Stand out with cool mint or bright coral dresses, topped off with the perfect touch of gold accessories.

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HEALTH “It was time to get up and stop feeling sorry for myself. I had always lived by that motto, and I had somehow forgotten it.”

Moms in Motion

Words: Sara Yonker | Photos: Rachel Durrent

Patty Diaz de Leon never considered herself lazy or prone to making excuses. But when pregnancy forced her on bedrest and motherhood unexpectedly started early with a premature delivery, exercise fell by the wayside.

The 35-year-old who ran competitively, even early in her pregnancy, was now out of shape and overwhelmed with caring for the demands of her tiny daughter and on medication for high blood pressure.

That all changed when she joined Stroller Strides. The fitness group is aimed at moms excercising with children in tow, meeting weekdays in different locations around town.

During her first class, Diaz de Leon was inspired by another mom jogging along with a double stroller while far into her third

“I feel like Stroller Strides has given me back my identity,” she said. “It has increased my physical and emotional strength. I can now teach my daughter by example. I can show her that she can be a mom and stay true to herself at the same time.”

trimester of pregnancy.

“I suddenly felt this feeling I hadn’t felt in a long time,” she said. “It was time to get up and stop feeling sorry for myself. I had always lived by that motto, and I had somehow forgotten it.”

That outcome is Stroller Strides owner and fitness instructor Jennifer Rock’s goal. Rock, who bought the franchise in 2013, had a similar story. Like Diaz de Leon, Rock found it difficult to exercise after the birth of her son Mikai, now 3 years old. When she joined Stroller Strides and later took over ownership, she found a way to

She couldn’t run as fast as some of the mothers in the beginning, but being around other sleep-deprived moms telling similar stories of toddler tantrums and childrearing dilemnas motivated her. She’s since lost 15 pounds, ran in the Beach to Bay relay marathon and, through it all, felt like herself again.

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help mothers stay fit and give them a sense of community.

The workouts she designs incorporate walking, jogging, and other forms of cardiovascular activity, such as a series of burpees, jumping squats, high jumps and agility training. Each burst of activity is interspersed with strength conditioning.

“I try to include excercises that will benefit us as mothers,” she said. “We do bicep curls. Now our strong arms can easily carry our babies.”

“Each workout is divided into levels so that it can

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Jennifer Rock and her two children relax after a tough workout.

be challenging and achievable, both for a mom recovering from a C-section who has never excercised before and a fitness queen whose youngest child is 2 years old,” she said. Also, she regularly customizes excercises for members of the class who are pregnant. Rock exercised along with the class until the day before she had her daughter Milana, who was born in October 2013.

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Now, many class members have seen her daughter almost daily since she was 2 weeks old.

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Member and co-instructor Sarah Middleton, who joined four months after her daughter was born, is now expecting a second child. Having fellow mothers who will see both her children grow up, and watching other children grow up alongside them, is a gift, she said.

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The women of Stroller Strides feel a real sense of communtity as they come together to accomplish their fitness goals. thebendmag.com

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HEALTH initial moments, “He came out so alert. He didn’t even really cry.” It was a magical moment to see my son. Then my husband said, “His blood sugars aren’t remaining stable so we have to make sure he drinks this bottle. It’s a glucose drink that’s basically pure sugar.”

THE BARTEL CHRONICLES

Our son was born with a rare life threatening genetic disorder called MCADD, Medium Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency. It is a type of fatty oxidation disorder that prevents his body from converting fat into energy for the body. London’s body cannot use fat for energy. Our bodies rely on fat when we don’t eat for a stretch of time – like when we miss a meal or when we sleep. Once the energy he gets from his food intake is used up he begins using his glucose. Although glucose is a good source of energy, there is a limited supply in the human body. When his glucose is tapped out of his body, he goes into metabolic crisis. A few symptoms of metabolic crisis are extreme sleepiness, behavioral changes, irritable mood and poor appetite. Metabolic crisis can be brought upon our little guy with a simple infection and illness. When he gets sick, his body needs extra energy for fight the illness. London’s blood sugars can plummet rapidly. If we don’t seek medical treatment in these crucial moments he can develop breathing problems, seizures, coma and even in some cases death. His main source of energy is the food he eats. London cannot go long periods of time without food.

For the first 6 months of his life, we fed him every 2 hours around the clock. Then, eventually, we were able to add in cornstarch to his evening bottle, allowing him to sleep 6-8 hours. Cornstarch is a slow releasing carbohydrate that allows his body to go longer periods of time without eating.

After discovering a life threating disorder in her son, Morgan Bartel hopes to share her family’s journey with MCADD (Medium Chain AcylCoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency)

Photos: Rachel Durrent

T

he birth of a child is a miraculous thing. The process of becoming a first time parent is filled with so many emotions. When I found out my husband and I were expecting a baby boy, I was over the moon.

I dreamed of all the things we would do with him. I just knew he was going to be perfect in every single way. From the beginning of my pregnancy, I prayed for a healthy baby. The moment came to be induced to welcome our sweet little guy into the world. My labor and delivery was anything but ideal. I went through 30+ hours of labor before my body stopped

responding to my epidural. To my surprise I began feeling every little pain on only one side of my body.

When a C-section was brought up, I had no option to stay awake or be put under. I HAD to be put under. It seemed awful to me. I didn’t get to hear my child’s first cry and I didn’t get to experience that instant excitement of his first minutes of life. Once I came to, my husband brought him to the side of my bed. He was perfect, just as I had imagined he would be. London Crowne Bartel was born on March 13, 2013 weighing in at 8 pounds 11 ounces and 21 inches long.

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It wasn’t until he was a year old that he was allowed to go 8 hours at night. During the day when he is your typical active toddler, we feed every 4-5 hours. Eventually, he may be able to go 10-12 hours between feedings. Some people with MCADD have to follow a specific diet, however London has few limitations. He eats anything we do but we do not allow him to eat avocado or coconut. These specific foods have a type of fat that even with the help of medication it cannot break down effectively. Twice a day we give him a medication called Levocarnitine. It’s a natural supplement that helps the body cells make more energy.

The biggest thing it does though is helps his little body get rid of harmful wastes.

Since London’s disorder was caught shortly

after birth he will live a healthy life with no issues in terms of his development.

MCADD happens when two people come together that are carriers. In order to be a carrier each parent will have a singular non-working MCADD gene. Even when these two parents get together there is only a 25% chance that the child will be affected by the disorder. This is an extremely rare disorder. Roughly 1 in every 15,000 babies in the US is born with MCADD. What’s even crazier is that only about 1 in every 70 are carriers. My husband and I had no idea we were even carriers!

This disorder is a major part of our lives. No matter what we are doing, we have to always have MCADD in the back of our mind.

MCADD is toughest in the first few years. This is what we have heard from other parents with MCADD children. The older an affected person gets, the easier MCADD is to manage. London has a bright future, this is something I have no doubt of. If he wants to become an athlete he will have to monitor his body.

If he uses up too much energy from his food then he just needs to “refuel” with a starchy food and drink more fluids. Even if he doesn’t feel hungry this action is substantial. Heat can also play a major factor in his health. Since the body requires extra energy to cool down we always have to have drinks on us. We have found many ways to keep our little man cool so we can prevent this from happening.

London is now 15 months old and is thriving. Since his diagnosis he has been hospitalized 4 times for croup, an ear infection, refusal to eat and not being able to keep food down. This is where his disorder rears its ugly head. Most children can tough it out at home.

London has to be admitted with a drip of D-10 glucose to keep his

sugars elevated until he is able to hold food down on his own.

Our longest stay was around two weeks. We carry emergency protocol letters with us at all times just in case something happens.

An emergency protocol letter is a tool used to communicate with the ER staff the importance of immediate treatment. This simple piece of paper is so monumental to our family. We have one in every vehicle, in our wallets, in the diaper bag, at home and with all our relatives. Who knew a sheet of paper could be so important?

This disorder is a big deal, yet it’s detected by the tiniest thing; a drop of blood. MCADD is first found via the newborn screening test (the heel prick test). This test is done shortly after birth and alerts medical professionals if there is anything that requires further testing. It took a few weeks before we had our actual diagnosis confirming London’s MCADD. A scary fact is that many parents opt out of doing this small test. I’ve never been much of an advocate for anything. Now I preach the importance of newborn screening and have made it a mission in my life to raise awareness of this little known disorder.

We lived in the Oklahoma panhandle when London was born.

The nearest children’s hospital was 5 hours away. The weather is very intense, sometimes reaching 110+ degrees of dry heat. We’ve since relocated to Corpus Christi.

We live a mere 10 minutes away from Driscoll Children’s Hospital, offering us major peace of mind. Although they do not have a geneticist who treats patients with ongoing care of metabolic conditions, we can trust that in times of crisis, the hospital will be prompt and efficient. This move to the area keeps getting better and better. We thought we loved Corpus Christi before, but now we know this is our forever home!

Did You know?

•

1 in every 15,000 babies in the United States is born with MCADD

•

Roughly 1 in every 70 Caucasians are carriers for MCADD

•

There is no cure for MCADD

•

MCADD is treated by monitoring fasting times

Follow their Story: bartelchronicles.com facebook.com/bartelchronicles

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MEET YOUR

NEIGHBORS PHOTOS: RACHEL DURRENT

IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU’RE NORTH, SOUTH, EAST OR WEST.

IT’S ALL GOOD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD! thebendmag.com

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Photos: Tina Alexandra

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“I love how the city has grown on the South Side. It feels like a small community within a large city!�

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The Goff Family Tell us the story about how you found your home/neighborhood? What “sold” you?

My husband and I met at Carroll High School, both graduated from TA&MCC, then married and moved away for 7 years. In the summer of 2005, we moved back to CC while expecting our first child. We found ourselves looking for a family friendly neighborhood on the South Side. Knowing the potential for growth south of Yorktown Blvd lead us to consider many subdivisions on this side of town. We were right! The South Side is booming 9 years later.

What is your favorite neighborhood memory?

We live on a cul de sac in Kings Crossing, and shortly after we moved in there was a block party.

We met many of our neighbors and most are still on our block 9 years later. We have close friends, babysitters, kids’ playmates, and great neighbors all on our one block.

What makes your area unique?

Everyday of the year, from early morning till after dark, you can find walkers, joggers, runners, bikers and strollers throughout our neighborhood.

When my kids were babies, we loaded up the stroller and set out on walks, now they walk to the park or ride bikes. My husband jogs, and has probably been down every street many times in our subdivision. This neighborhood is very friendly to those who like to exercise and play outdoors!

Are there any hidden gems that most outsiders don’t know about your neighborhood or surrounding area?

There are a lot of green spaces in Kings Crossing.

Like many neighborhoods in Austin and San Antonio, this subdivision was built with parks, creeks, ponds, and of course the old golf course (which for now is a beautiful green belt).

If a new family were considering a home in your area, what words of encouragement would you pass on?

Great schools, quiet streets, wonderful people, and perfect for raising kids and playing outdoors.

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5 “Top” Nearby destinations: Breakfast @ King Donuts, Hair cuts @ King’s Barber shop, Lunch @ Cancun Girls Night @ Crazy Picasso Buying something to grill for dinner @ Staples Street Meat Market

South Side

The Sebring Family Tell us the story about how you found your home/neighborhood?

What “sold” you?

Moving to Portland was a no brainer for us, when we moved to South Texas. At the time I had accepted a teaching position with G-P ISD and Russell’s job was downtown. We wanted an area that would allow us to have a short commute, but at the same time allow us easy access to the things we love about south Texas.

What is your favorite neighborhood memory?

Best neighborhood memory..... To say that I would have to choose just one favorite neighborhood memory would not give our little area justice. We live on a quiet cul-de-sac in Northshore and our family has utilized the fact that we can have family picnics under our Mesquite trees on cool spring days and work in our yard together as we watch cars drive by and neighbors walking their dogs. I would have to say we are very spoiled that we get to live in such a friendly small town where our family can thrive.

What makes your area unique?

Living in Portland brings opportunities that most communities just don’t have. We are minutes from downtown Corpus Christi, feet away from a water view and have easy access to numerous fishing spots. The fishing is definitely Russell’s favorite amenity about our area. You could say we are a fishing family. Plus, living in Portland has given us a huge sense of security. We have the best neighbors and we always look out for one another.

Are there any hidden gems that most outsiders don’t know about your neighborhood or surrounding area? I know most people from around our area know about Sunset Lake, but I am always amazed every time I go there for a quick run or an evening walk with our kids. It’s kinda off the beaten path because it can be tricky on which road to turn on. You feel that you aren’t really in town and it’s a place that you can get some peace and quiet or just some downtime away from a busy day. The views of downtown are breathtaking and being in nature is so relaxing! And the best part... it is only 5 minutes from our house.

If a new family were considering a home in your area, what words of encouragement would you pass on?

This is a good one, because I love to brag about our town. We have met several new families who have moved into our neighborhood or Portland in general, and we always say, “You will love it here, because the people are just the best!” I truly believe that makes our town very special, because in the eight years we have lived here, we have made lifelong friendships that will never be forgotten.

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5 “Top”

Nearby destinations:

Best little giftshop Attic . I can hop in for a quick gift and find anything from a circle E candle to a sassy necklace or a new baby gift!

Bell-Whittington Library My kids and I love stopping here for storytime with Mr. Kippy and Ms. Dorothy on Tuesday or Thursday mornings.

Late afternoon walks on Broadway Blvd.

On hot days a visit to the Portland Community Pool will seal the deal on cooling us off! who can beat being a walk away from a great shopping center

Portland

“Living in Portland has given us a huge sense of security.”

”

“Wayne and I knew we wanted to live and raise our family in Aransas Pass.� thebendmag.com

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5 “Top”

Nearby destinations:

Our family loves Mexican food. Pepitos is our favorite. our Kids love to go to the Aquatic Park in Aransas Pass.

LOVE THE CONVENIENCE OF A NEARBY HEB AND WALMART. our area has greatSporting activities for the kids in the communiTY AND THERE IS A Golf Course close by​.

We love being close to the watER AND Rockport Beach

Aransas Pass

The Bennett Family Tell us the story about how you found your home/neighborhood?

What “sold” you?

Wayne and I knew we wanted to live and raise our family in Aransas Pass. We both work for the school district and one of our beliefs is to live in the town where you work in order to show full support of the community. When we started looking to purchase our first home, we heard there was a new subdivision being developed. We checked into it and knew that is where we wanted to live! Our home was one of the very first completed in our neighborhood.

What is your favorite neighborhood memory?

Our fondest neighborhood memories come from simply getting to watch our children enjoy spending time with their friends in a fun and safe environment. Our house is the local hangout spot where the kids come to play and relax. We are known as the “Kool Aide” house.

What makes your area unique?

Annually in June, the largest shrimp festival is held right around the corner called the “Shrimporee”. During this festival, there are athletic competitions, a parade, beauty pageant, shrimp eating contest, sexy leg contest, carnival rides, arts and craft vendors, live bands, beer and every kind of shrimp you want to eat. This is the biggest local fundraiser for the non-profit organizations.

Are there any hidden gems that most outsiders don’t know about your neighborhood or surrounding area?

In the day when the shrimp industry was booming, Aransas Pass, Texas was known as the “Shrimp Capital” of the world. For many years Conn Brown Harbor was packed with shrimp boats, but when the shrimping industry took a downward spiral so did Conn Brown Harbor. Slowly, but surely, Conn Brown Harbor is making a comeback. There is a huge boat storage, restaurant, boat ramp, fishing piers and a Tiki Bar. If a new family were considering a home in your area, what words of encouragement would you pass on?

For anyone looking to move into the area, I would recommend being friendly and just going with the flow. You will be fine! Aransas Pass is a small town, but it’s great!

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“We live in a great beach town where you feel like you are always on vacation.�

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The Waters Family Tell us the story about how you found your home/neighborhood?

What “sold” you?

We live in a quaint neighborhood in Port Aransas made up of 4 cul de sacs. Our home is located in a central location of the town, so we have easy access to the schools, stores, beach and restaurants.

Our property backs up to the nature preserve and we have spectacular views of the ships that pass throughout the Corpus Christi ship channel. Our neighborhood is safe and the kids are able to ride their bikes and walk to the park and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

What is your favorite neighborhood memory?

Our neighborhood is the place to be for Halloween in Port Aransas.

Hundreds of trick or treaters come to our neighborhood and the neighbors go all out for this holiday. We always have a house full of people enjoying food and treats while enjoying the costumes and passing out tons of candy. We also have great get togethers with our neighbors with lots of food, fun and laughter.

What makes your area unique?

We live in a great beach town where you feel like you are always on vacation. We have many impromptu houseguests that come to visit and hang out at the beach and relax. There are many opportunities to go boating, fishing, surfing, shopping and enjoying the great art exhibits in town along with all of the great restaurants.

Are there any hidden gems that most outsiders don’t know about There are beautiful nature trails, nature preserve and birding centers nearby that draw thousands of visitors from all over the country to enjoy the wonderful sites. There is a great Farley Boat Museum in town with lots of great history about the town. There are several Farley Boats throughout the town that are decorated with beautiful flowers which serve as a reminder of the great fishing history of the town. Another hidden gem of the town is the ARK, which rescues and rehabilitates injured wild life and animals and allow them to return back to their natural habitats If a new family were considering a home in your area, what words of encouragement would you pass on?

Family friendly neighborhood with great people and a laid back island feel. The locals look out for each other and are welcoming to the many visitors that come to town. The schools are great with dedicated teachers and staff. Port Aransas offers many fun activities that are great for families.

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5 “Top”

Nearby destinations : The Beach IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER Palmilla Beach and Golf Resort - THE BLACK MARLIN GRILL IS FANTASTIC The Board House is a local hotspot La Playa and Lisabella’s - amazing food with an incredible view Roberts Point Park

Port Aransas

Our fruit looks better, tastes better,

Add a cup of mixed fruit, or your favorite fruit, to your meal today!

Corpus Christi 1416 Airline / 361-992-4649 5325 Saratoga / 361-980-8300

jasonsdeli.com

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And so much more...

CRAF TIN G WHEN IT COMES TO CRAFTSMANSHIP

MEDIUM IS EVERYTHING WORDS: FARES SABAWI // PHOTOS: RACHEL DURRENT

WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE WHEN YOU WANT TO MAKE A STATEMENT? DO YOU CHOOSE GRANITE, A TOUGH STONE THAT CAN STAND THE TEST OF TIME? DO YOU USE GLASS, WHICH IS AS BEAUTIFUL AS IT IS FRAGILE, OR DO YOU WORK WITH WOOD WHICH CAN BE RECYCLED INTO A DIFFERENT PIECE DOWN THE ROAD? ARTISANS AND CRAFTSMEN ANSWER THAT QUESTION EVERYDAY WITH THE ARTWORK THEY CHOOSE TO MAKE. REGARDLESS OF MEDIUM, THESE CRAFTERS HAVE FOUND SUCCESS IN THE DIRECTION THEY CHOSE TO GO IN. THEY CAN ALL BE FOUND RIGHT HERE IN THE COASTAL BEND.

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CR TIN RON BLUE CARPENTER

Ron Blue completed his first woodwork when he was eight years old. He made a box that he still has to this day. The hobby has stuck ever since.

the community.

As he grew up, he acquired a

Blue makes boats and furniture with recycled wood, which he prefers over new wood because of the way it looks, even when it costs more.

“Business is almost too good.

I can hardly take a day off,” he said.

Made in Rockport, TX degree in Art Metals for jewelry

“IT MAY LOOK LIKE THIS TODAY BUT WE CAN MAKE IT LOOK LIKE SOMETHING ELSE TOMORROW”

and a vocational education degree, but he never stopped working with wood.

“Old wood is worth more sometimes,” he said. “I just like the way it looks, and it takes finish so much nicer.”

“When I wanted to get away from jewelry making, I did wood working,” he said.

Blue made jewelry and taught jewelry making for most of his career, but when he moved to Rockport in 2002, he decided it was time to switch mediums. He turned his hobby of woodworking into a profession by opening Artisan’s Waterfront Workshop five years ago, a move that was well received by

He doesn’t just make pieces from scratch. Blue also allows people to bring in their own furniture so he can remodel it for them. For Blue, the beauty of it is completely changing the furniture’s appearance.

“I think of it as a fluid thing,” he

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said. “It may look like this today but we can make it look like something else tomorrow.”

Blue’s favorite pieces are produced when he gets the freedom to make what he wants.

“I make something that I interpret in my head, knowing that when the right person would come along that loved it, they would buy it.”

Most of the furniture has an old touch to match the “beach house” environment of Rockport.

“I build furniture that has beach connotations,” he said.

“That’s what people really love, roughed up distressed furniture with pretty faded colors on it. I love the colors and designs.

RAF NG “I LOVE THE DIFFICULTY OF IT, IT’S SOMETHING DIFFICULT TO LEARN AND BECOME GOOD AT”

BRAD PEARCE GLASS BLOWER

Made in Corpus Christi, TX

Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Brad was home one night watching a special on the Channel 3 news about a local glass blower in Rockport named Steve Russell - he had to know more. The next day, he got Steve’s contact information from the news station and was out blowing glass that afternoon. That was about twelve years ago and Brad hasn’t stopped since.

“Glass blowing is a pretty special medium,” says Brad, “It requires a lot of focus and time. It’s a team effort. It’s not the makings of one person – it’s a collective.”

Sometimes people will ask Brad how long it takes to make the average glass vessel and his typical response is “about ten years and an hour and a half.” In a time of mass production, glorifying quantity over quality, Brad is one craftsman taking the path less traveled.

He was determined to learn more. He moved to Taus, New Mexico where he worked as an intern for two years. Afterwards, he continued to pursue his education at the Cleveland Institute of Art where he received his BFA in Glass.

“I love the difficulty of it, it’s something difficult to learn and become good at,” says Brad. “I love the process, the process is as

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interesting, if not more interesting, than the product itself.”

Glass blowing is a unique process requiring more than one pair of hands.

It is a constantly flowing liquid material, molding at a temperature of 2,100 degrees. This is why Brad thinks of himself as a craftsman opposed to an artist.

“It is the way you have to make the material. There is a certain process that you must follow in order for the glass to do what you want it to do,” says Brad.

After making his way around the country, pursuing his passion and craft, Brad’s journey has come full circle. He recently opened the doors to his new glass studio, The Texas Project (TXP Glass), on 1421 N. Mesquite St. After years of working for other glass blowers, Brad is ready to bring his knowledge and expertise back to his hometown. He is eager to help anyone interested in learning the trade and welcomes visitors to stop by the studio anytime.

See some of Brad’s work featured in the Texas Contemporary Glass Showcase at the Art Museum of South Texas.

CRA TIN SHERI HARGROVE PORT A GLASS Made in Port Aransas, TX

Sheri Hargrove has always had a thing for ceramics, but after a surgery left her on the mend, she began to focus on glass making.

“A door closes and a window opens,” she said. “My husband said I’ve got to find something to do with my time.”

Hargrove found glass making after taking a few classes and began working in a studio in Corpus Christi.

Shortly after, Hargrove would open a shop in Port Aransas as a seasonal venture before deciding to open Port A Glass full-time.

Hargrove holds classes and demonstrations throughout the year and also relies on her consistent customer base.

glass dolphins because I was so touched with what I’d seen,” Hargrove said.

That’s not the only cause Hargrove donates her time, effort and art too, though. She focuses on giving back to her community in Port Aransas as well.

“If somebody gets sick or injured, I use my art for fundraising,” she said.” Whatever we can do to give back to this awesome community, I’m all about.”

“IF SOMEBODY GETS SICK OR INJURED, I USE MY ART FOR FUNDRAISING”

“I’m so lucky to have a following of repeat customers,” she said.

The beachy environment of Port Aransas is the perfect inspiration for Hargrove’s work.

“I get inspired everyday from my environment,” she said.

“There’s lots of blues and golds and coral colors in the studio.”

For Hargrove, art isn’t only about making a living, it’s also about being able to raise awareness with charitable causes. For example, after watching The Cove and learning about the atrocities dolphins face, Hargrove flew to Japan to help out with the cause. Upon returning, she made art to reflect the trip.

“When I came back I made five

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AF NG JESUS MOROLES

“I COULD DO WHAT I DO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, SO I THOUGHT I’D BE CLOSE TO MY FAMILY”

When Jesus Moroles was finishing up his Fine Arts degree from University of North Texas, he decided to enroll in a sculpting class, where he got a B. For most people, a B would constitute a commendable effort, but Moroles couldn’t accept the outcome.

“I thought, ‘Oh my God I don’t want to be bad at something,’ so I took it again,” he said.

Those classes guided him into his long and illustrious career in stone carving. Moroles had made sculptures with all different types of stone, but granite is what stood out to him most. It wasn’t because

the stone was easy to work with. In fact, the first time he tried working with granite, his chisel broke in half. It was the challenge that consumed him.

“It was the first time I realized I was oblivious to everything around me,” he said. “I realized there was some kind of connection there. It’s a relentless material…and I fell in love with how difficult it is.”

After graduating, Moroles spent a year mastering his craft in Italy. He had hoped to join a program taught by an idol of his, but it was the isolation of a private studio he found instead.

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GRANITE SCULPTOR Made in Rockport, TX

“I got a private studio and ended up staying there the whole time,” he said. “I liked that I wouldn’t be in a big factory with a bunch of artists watching what everybody was doing.”

Moroles would return to Dallas for a few years and then open up his own factory in Rockport. The Corpus Christi native returned to South Texas to stay near his parents.

“I could do what I do anywhere in the world, so I thought I’d be close to my family,” Moroles said.

Perhaps his most impactful sculpture is located in Houston, where Moroles

carved a pyramid out of the Earth and added Texas Pink Granite. Moroles said it’s the first pyramid carved into the ground.

“When they asked me to do it, they asked me to do something timeless. I’m particularly fond of that piece.”

Moroles has work on display in Shanghai, New York City and all over the world, but when it comes to his favorite work, it will always be his daughter.

“I have a 26-year-old daughter who is the love of my life,” he said. “She’s got my eye.”

Q&A

Terry Sweeney Corpus Christi Downtown Managment District

I

t hasn’t taken long for new DMD Executive Director Terry Sweeney to start improving downtown.

With a plan in place and the community behind him, there is no time like the present for Downtown Corpus Christi.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HOPES OF ATTRACTING NEW DEVELOPERS TO DOWNTOWN?

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND BEFORE JOINING THE CCDMD EARLIER THIS YEAR? For the past twenty years, I worked at Indianapolis Downtown Incorporated. I started there six months after it was created. I started first in their management services where I did all of their safety and security programs, then worked on some parking programs.

But my background was in Real Estate, so I transitioned to a series of positions in the real estate development area, most recently as Vice President of Real Estate Development.

I worked to retain and recruit businesses, recruit developers and to develop business support programs.

HOW HAS YOUR BACKGROUND SHAPED YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW A SUSTAINABLE, URBAN COMMUNITY FUNCTIONS? In 1994, when we actually started Indianapolis Downtown Inc., there were more people moving out of downtown than in; businesses, retail and residents alike. Now, that trend has reversed and they really have a bustling residential market.

From about the year 2000 to 2012 about 5,000 residential units were developed. It was a good mix of housing that covered the entire continuum from very expensive condominiums or homes to affordable housing as well. In addition, all types were developed: loft space, new construction, rehabilitation of old, historic homes, apartments, and condominiums, really everything you could think of in an urban environment.

The first thing is to build a more effective, visible and proactive DMD Organization. This is an internal thing, but we are working on understanding what we need to be doing, getting organized , aligning ourselves better and finding out where we have holes so we can better understand what we have and what we might need in the future.

Also, to create a clean safe and beautiful district - this is what I call the blocking and tackling.

It has been a downtown that looks neglected, so we need to get people to care and do things that make people feel safe. So we developed a cleaning and safety partnership. We hosted a cleanup week; we are finishing up painting every curb in Downtown. We are putting the lipstick on. That is 90 blocks where we will have painted every curb. We are seeing people change their perceptions of how they view downtown and how they act. We also doubled our cleaning team, we are taking a look at how to maintain a clean downtown, building face to

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building face. Essentially we will function as the safety net. We have to have a higher level of cleanliness, we are asking that people will adopt standards and conduct themselves as good shopkeepers, but if for some reason there is a hardship and they can’t do that, we will be the safety net because at the end of the day we just need to have a clean downtown. The mantra we are taking is ‘Do more, do it better, and do it now.’ So, we are not asking people necessary just to help, we are saying ‘Hey! Here’s issue, how can you partner with us? We are getting it done with a sense of urgency.’”

The other thing we did to create a more effective organization was holding a board retreat, where we created a strategic plan and then invited the public to an open house to take a look at the work we did in the morning. There were six priorities we developed: 1. Create a Clean, Safe and Beautiful District.

2. Develop and Improve Downtown.

3. Market and Promote the district, the businesses and the DMD Organization.

Q&A

4.Build a More Effective, Visible and Proactive DMD Organization.

5. Make an Accessible District With Multi Modal Mobility.

6. Create, Manage and Build DMD (Organization) Events and Promote and Support District Events.

HOW ARE YOU WORKING TO LESSEN THE HURT OF CONSTRUCTION ON EXISTING BUSINESSES? There are construction projects happening Downtown and infrastructure projects – those are important for the future, but they also have some adverse effects on existing businesses.

So, we have to do what I call construction litigation. We have to work with city and state to address operation issues that result from these construction projects. We have been working with the city to try and promote the businesses and working with the contractor because it is hurting businesses downstream.

HOW ARE YOU ORGANIZING EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF DOWNTOWN CORPUS CHRISTI?

hold others accountable” WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES TO DOWNTOWN LIVING? Right now there is actually a number of opportunities for people to live down town.

Whether it’s Bay Vista or Nueces Lofts, I think our Downtown environment offers residents a number of things. For one, it’s the urban lifestyle where you don’t have to be married to your car. The bayfront is at your fingernts along with bars and nightlife.

You have a great set of parks in the Downtown area. There is great cultural programing from Kspace Contemporary to the Ritz and the Corpus Christi First Weekend events. If you live and work in the downtown area, it’s actually a very green way of living because your footprint is pretty small if you walk to work.

Essentially, we have to be proactive to our own board. We want to be district focused, but we want to act outside our district because the success or failure is larger than this footprint.

So we have to work together with other folks. We all play in the same sandbox. We have to work in concert to maximize our limited resources. We have already started to do some of those things, but we will increase their sophistication as we move forward. There needs to be more assigned rolls and accountability for execution.

Right now, everyone is doing their own thing and no one is trying to coordinate and measure the effectiveness. You are doing a lot of activity without generating a lot of results. So we are working towards being a collaborator and convener. We are going to be accountable and

THE COSMO AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT? “The Cosmopolitan will be complete by June of next year.

I am hoping that is the first wave of investment and that its success will generate future investment. We first have to create a foundation that will make people want to invest in or locate a business Downtown.

Once we get our first priority of cleanliness and safety to a certain level, then people will invest. The Goody-Clancy plan will also be important, because before people invest, they want to know where the community is headed. I think our organization also plays a key role by continuing to be the caretakers of downtown, which will make people feel more comfortable with investment. Then we have to work to package market information to tell a compelling story so that people can see the opportunities and understand the dynamics.”

For more information about the CCDMD and how you can get involved, visit: www.cctexasdmd.com

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or Call 361.882.2363

HOME Ornate Drive p. 48

Realtors Worth Knowing

Decisive Design p. 52

A Special Advertising Section

The housing market in the Coastal Bend is on the rise, and if you are looking to buy or sell a home, you need to meet the right Realtor. These Realtors are passionate about their work and even more passionate about you! Read on to get to know these exceptional women.

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Monique Ahlers REALTOR®

S P EC I A L AD V E R T I S EMENT

Home || In the Know

Q. As a first time home buyer, what is the first thing I need to do?

A. Speak with a Mortgage Lender, you may even speak to whomever you currently bank with. Your REALTOR® may even suggest a Lender that his/her past clients have had great success with.

Q. What is the best neighborhood for me to purchase a home?

A. I suggest that you drive around your areas of interest on a weekend or evening and see what feels good to you, and take notes on what you see as a positive or a negative as you tour.

Q. What are the interest rates right now?

A. I always suggest asking this question of change to your Lender of choice. Interest rates can vary day to day and person to person, based on credit rating and type of loan, among other things.

Q. I want to sell my home and my neighbor told me they got X amount for their property. Can I get that much too?

A. Every home is different. The condition, age, square footage and style of a home can vary. I can offer a free CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) that will help to compare “apples to apples” and show you what you might expect to sell your home for in the current market.

Q. Do you like being a REALTOR®?

A. Each of my clients bring with them their own specific needs and desires. I am very grateful for each of my clients and being part of such an important transaction is not something I take lightly. In the business of Real Estate, there is always something new to learn, as things are ever changing. I pride myself in keeping up with those changes which in turn helps my clients succeed in their real estate transactions. Yes, I absolutely LOVE being a REALTOR®.

Monique Ahlers, REALTOR® ePRO® Coldwell Banker Pacesetter Steel REALTORS®

Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operatated.

PACESETTER STEEL REALTORS® thebendmag.com

44Portland, TX 78374 | Cell: 361.813.5025 coldwellbanker.com | 1702 US HWY 181, Suite A2

S P EC I A L AD V E R T I S EMENT

Villa Costa Real Estate Group

Agents: From left to right

They say that three heads are better than one. Well, the same could be said of real estate professionals. With Villa Costa Real Estate Group you get just that, three equally dedicated real estate agents there to provide you with the care and customer service you deserve throughout the buying, selling or leasing process. Working as a team sets them apart – it allows them to provide their clients with an unparalleled level of service, with attention to every detail and anticipation of every need. As a division of Bates Commercial, LLC, Villa Costa is a boutique style agency specializing in the entire customer experience.

They live by the motto, “You should love where you live,” because they believe the buying/selling process should be both enjoyable and rewarding. They seek to form that special bond with their clients, helping them to turn a house into a home. Villa Costa assists clients with finding favorable financing, staging their homes, and setting the right price for a profitable sale. If you are hoping to find a real estate group that exceeds your expectations, then you should get to know these agents.

Amy Brown

__________________________________

Jessica Bates

jessica@villacostagroup.com 361.385.0075 __________________________________ amy@villacostgroup.com 361.779.0177 __________________________________

Becca Spenst

becca@villacostagroup.com 361.834.6555

thebendmag.com

45 villacostagroup.com | 1728 Santa Fe Street, Corpus Christi, Texas 78404 | Office: 361.385.0075

S P EC I A L AD V E R T I S EMENT

Kristen Gilstrap In this fast paced and competitive Real Estate market, you need an agent that can be in two or three places at the same time. With Kristen Gilstrap, that is exactly what you get. If you are looking for an efficient way to sell or buy a home, then you should get to know Kristen and her team of real estate agents and professionals. Utilizing three showing agents, a buying agent and a dedicated support staff, there is never a delay or missed opportunity. For Kristen, Real Estate is a career and a lifestyle. She is passionate about customer satisfaction and will not take on a listing where she doesn’t believe she can deliver the asking price. With excellent negotiating skills, attention to detail and a network of quality title companies and lenders at her service, she is well prepared to get the job done. While working with Kristen, you can conveniently sign all documents online or on a mobile device.

Statistics: •

Baxter Brook’s Top Agent in 2013

•

Top 25 agents in Corpus Christi in 2013

•

Average period for listings on market around 55 days.

•

98% success rate getting her sellers the desired net amount.

www.kristengilstrap.com Kristen@baxterbrooksrealty.com Office: 361.792.0222 Cell: 361.425.4451

thebendmag.com

46 Corpus Christi, TX 78411 | Cell: 361.425.4451 www.kristengilstrap.com | 5262 S Staples, Suite 150,

Coastal Trend: Teal & Orange

Bringing you the latest coastal trends!

The Bay Window is not one but two stores in Rockport, Texas.

The Bay Window-Home has everything you need to make your home beautiful, carrying the perfect bedding, furniture and home accents with colors that make your home shine!

705 HW 35N Rockport, TX 78382

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-

Ornate Drive If Corpus Christi is the Sparkling City by the Sea, then 3246 Ocean Drive is One of Its Brightest Gems Cruising down Ocean Drive while watching the sun rise over Corpus Christi Bay is one thing, but waking up to a dazzling 360 degree view of the bay accented by the downtown skyline is a different experience all together. The stunning view is only the beginning of the many wonderful features this Mediterrian Mecca offers its homeowner.

This fabulous waterfront estate rests along the prestigious Ocean Drive, boasting the most stunning views of the Corpus Christi skyline & Corpus Christi Bay throughout every inch of the home! Guests are first greeted by the Egyptian wrought iron railing and luxurious marble steps that welcome you to this truly unique dwelling. The grand foyer, with its twenty-two foot ceilings leave plenty of space for your eyes to wander.

Exquisite imports from around the world deck the home from top to bottom, including Turkish marble floors, inlaid mother of pearl ceilings and Bohemian crystal chandeliers. Wall of windows, open floor plan, and an incredible amount of luxurious living space, wet bars & easy access to the outdoors make this a dream home for entertaining. Other amenities include: elevator, upstairs master suite with separate office/exercise room/ nursery, spacious bath & private balcony. Several bedrooms are downstairs.

Exterior features include beautiful circular heated pool and hot tub, tiled patios, balconies, decks for fishing, stunning bird/dolphin watching, and lest we forget viewing beautiful Coastal Bend sunrises over the bay.

1.

2.

4.

5.

3.

1. Bohemian crystal chandeliers 2. Egyptian wrought iron railings 3. Exquisite imports from around the world 4. Turkish marble floors 5. Gorgeous poolside views For more information contact Zoe Gottlich: 361.813.9460

www.gotzoe.com

D DECISIVE DESIGN

Decorating requires knowledge of where to hang a painting, place a vase, position furniture, or which color to paint the walls and which fabric to choose for upholstering, as well as purchasing accessories such as lamps, mirrors, rugs, decorative items and all of these decisions must work together to create an appealing space.

Interior decorator Cindy Schrom makes all these decisions and more for her clients. Working out of Chic to Chic Furniture in Corpus Christi, Cindy, she attracts clients in the store and by word of mouth.

Between the two, she has established a great clientele for her business: CStaging & Interiors. For Cindy, clients come in all categories. She has designed for offices, banks, The Texas State Aquarium and Whataburger Field!

Words: Cissy Tabor // Photo: Rachel Durrent

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Commercial Decorating:

Before

• Waiting to enter a courtroom could be a scary experience but bright and cheery surroundings may relieve some anxiety. Cindy decorated the waiting room of the Nueces County courtroom, making it an uplifting cheerful environment. (See Before and After Photos) • Redecorating bathrooms for a local insurance company and bank, Cindy transformed drab to pizzazz!

Strategically arranged accessories coupled with textured wall set up a professional but stylish setting.

(See Before and After Photos) Before

• The splash area at Texas State Aquarium needed some flare. Cindy quickly sized up the area choosing paint colors and one suggestion for the men and women’s bathroom entrance made an eye-catching difference.

The Aquarium hired a muralist and Cindy suggested painting dolphins on the bathroom entry way to direct patrons.

• The Cotton Club at Whataburger Field got a facelift from Cindy with a few changes to the décor: reupholstered chairs, a large collection of baseball players’ photos arranged in a commanding pattern along the wall and fresh bold paint colors.

Residential Redesign

steps in to make crucial decisions.

Her instinctual and purposeful advice is creative and practical, resulting in attractive surroundings.

“There are a lot of options within interior decorating that you can do to your home to update the look without changing your entire décor,” Cindy explains. One client didn’t want to change any furniture. “We just wiped out all the outdated accessories, changed the pillows and they felt like they had a whole new space,” Cindy says.

Buying or suggesting certain home furnishings for clients is pure enjoyment for Cindy. “I’ll shop anywhere to find the right piece for a client’s home,” explains Cindy. Most items come from Chic to Chic, but she enjoys shopping at Dallas Market as well as local stores, online and out of town.

Some clients may just need reassurance of their decorating choices, but many people don’t have a knack for creating lovely spaces in their homes. “I often get a call from a homeowner who wants me to walk through their home and give them suggestions on how to improve it,” says Cindy.

Sometimes people admit they’ve made mistakes with decorating their home because nothing seems to fit. “Clients will say, “I spent all this time and all this money and I don’t like it,” explains Cindy. One client bought everything for her bedroom: bedspread, lamps, paint, end tables and decided she didn’t like the look. An interior decorator can ease their dilemma.

Whether it’s updating home furnishings, or rearranging furniture, Cindy

Cindy’s approach is direct. She interthebendmag.com

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views each new client. “First I sit down with them and ask questions: What do you like about this room? What do you want to change? What do you use this room for and what made you call me for help?” Last but not least, she asks, “What is your budget?”

A lovely room of windows overlooking the bay was underutilized and rarely enjoyed by a couple that Cindy was working with. She rearranged existing furniture and recommended upholstery changes for the sofa. She proposed splitting the room in half, with seating for adults on one side and plans for creating a sitting area with a game table for grandchildren on the far side of the room. Cindy redesigned the client’s outdated three piece bookcase into two separate pieces, placing one in each corner of the room, giving it a contemporary look. “That’s an example of how redesign can really change a look,” explains Cindy.

HOME Redesigning comes naturally for this decisive decorator. Cindy was asked to help a client incorporate a rooster design into a kitchen but when she surveyed the area under construction she used the opportunity to resolve an unseen problem. “The clients had drawn a floor plan for their kitchen. I realized their floor plan was not going to work for the amount of space they had,” says Cindy. She designed banquette seating with storage and overhead lighted cabinets, complementing the area and providing more space. As for the rooster, Cindy created a back splash above the sink area outlining a colorful square-tiled rooster.

Cindy extends interior decorating to the exterior. One client, trying to sell her home, needed help with the front entrance.

Big improvements were created with little labor and expense. Cindy suggested painting the inserts of the front door with a lighter color, purchasing a rug for the doorstep and moving two of the client’s chairs to either side of the doorway. The curb appeal increased greatly.

Home Décor

their Northshore home in 2004. Married to an ex professional baseball pitcher and present Hooks CEO might give one the idea the Schroms’ home is filled with baseball memorabilia, but that’s reserved for Ken’s office at Whataburger Field. The Schrom’s home has a few photos of Ken in his Big League heyday but is filled mostly with tasteful and unique furnishings. “I’m changing stuff all the time, changing accessories, pillows, upholstery, rugs,” says Cindy.

She loves purchasing unique items she finds that may be used for a potential client or in her own home. Recently she sold the pool table in their upstairs area to create space for her decorating purchases. New items often pop up in places around their home. A six foot cowhide covered bench sits near the wall of windows in their dining room, which Ken recently noticed. “If I asked beforehand about the bench, Ken would say we don’t need it but if it’s in our home, he always loves it,” says Cindy.

“Loving it” is Cindy’s goal for her clients.

“I get so excited when it all comes together and my client is happy,” says Cindy.

Cindy and husband, Ken Schrom built

YO U R PA R T N E R

FOR THE FUTURE Join our growing list of industry and community partners working with us to meet workforce training needs and enhance economic development!

DEL MAR COLLEGE Corporate Services provides customized training for large and small businesses connected to industry.

•

Chief of Naval Air Training at Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi

•

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•

City of Corpus Christi

•

Corpus Christi Type A Board

•

Port Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas

•

Corpus Christi International Airport

(361) 698-2407

•

And you?

www.delmar.edu

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S P EC I A L AD V E R T I S EMENT

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 many local, state, and national awards including the Energy Star Leadership in Housing Award, and the Environments for Living Diamond Award for Energy Efficiency, 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, including the Coastal Bend GreenBuilt Initiative, the Community Development Corporation, the American Heart Association, Bay Area Smart Growth, the Citizens in Support of the Corpus Christi Police Department, the Corpus Christi Country Club, and the Food Bank. And, in 2013, Bart was appointed to the Corpus Christi Business and Job Development Corporation’s Board of Directors, by the Corpus Christi City Council.

Braselton and his wife, Michelle, have five children, and are active church members at Corpus Christi’s Bay Area Fellowship.

Green Building in the Bend The word “Green” is used quite often these days, applied to a myriad of products and services. Clearly, all things “Green” are very popular with consumers.

in the Corpus Christi area as “Green” and energy efficient.

For a home to be certified as a CBGB Green home, a Homebuilder must build his home to meet the exacting standards of the CBGB program and employ a Certified Energy Rater to test, inspect, and verify the home’s construction.

“Green” is also popular in Home Building, but not all homebuyers know the meaning or the significance, of a Green Home. So, what exactly is Green Building?

To insure all the aspects of Green Construction are included in a home, the CBGB has broken down Green Building into seven major focus areas.

Those seven areas of the CBGB are:

The term Green Building refers to all the processes, products, and procedures used in Homebuilding; they are environmentally friendly, sustainable, and energy efficient. In the Corpus Christi Area, the dominant Green Building Program is the Coastal Bend GreenBuilt Initiative (CBGB).

• Site Conditions • Materials and Resources Efficiency • Energy Efficiency (and Alternative Energy Sources) • Water Efficiency • Indoor Air Quality (a Healthy Home) • Homeowner Education • Impact Statement

Nationally affiliated with the oldest Green Building Organization in the country, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), CBGB has certified hundreds of homes

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Braselton Homes is a founding member of the CBGB, and we build all our homes, regardless of price, as Certified Green Homes. With the addition of two other Green programs, Braselton Homes has also created the Eco-Home. We have become the biggest builder of Green Homes in the Coastal Bend.

For more information on Green Building, you can visit www.BraseltonHomes.com and click the “Green $aves” tab.

You can also go to the Builders Association of Corpus Christi’s website, www.BACCTexas.org, and click the “Green Building” tab on the home page.

If you want to do what you can to protect the environment and save money on your utility bills, you will want to experience a Green Home. Come on out, we have six model homes for you to see.

Fulton Mansion Facelift

After countless years of abuse from turbulent storms, the Fulton Mansion continues to stand regally overlooking Aransas Bay. Words & Photos: Rachel Ramey

HOME

L

ocated on what might be considered one of the most tranquil and breathtaking spots in Rockport, the Fulton Mansion has earned its hard won restoration efforts, now taking place throughout the home’s interior and exterior. The iconic former home of George W. Fulton was completed in 1877 and according to site manager Marsha Hendrix, it is currently the #1 place to visit in Rockport with a recorded 25,000 people visiting annually. Having been a significant part of Rockport culture as a standout landmark in the small coastal town, the unique ‘French Second Empire’ architectural style is one rarely seen in this area, lending to its overall appeal.

Hendrix, who has worked at the mansion for the past 10 years, admitted that there were significant structural issues threatening the historic site, some severe enough that there were worries about how long the home could remain standing.

The issues, compounding themselves for years, affected not only the ability to safely allow for tours but also posed a hazard to employees. According the Hendrix, buckets were placed strategically around leaks to catch incoming water.

Basement flooding coupled with the roof leaks left the work environment compromised in both safety and comfort.

Aside from the water issues, the overall integrity of the structure was compromised with damage to the foundation and some of the homes support beams. Rust, termites, weathering, and age were all contributing factors for the necessary repairs.

A 3.4 million dollar restoration

beams and strapping were put into place along with repairs to the shell-crete walls (a mix of concrete with shell aggregate according to information provided by the site manager).

project is in full swing and began last summer. However, with the major overhaul of key areas within the building, the project has now run longer than what was originally planned.

Another major component of the project will be replacing the existing plexiglass windows with new windows that are storm and UV resistant.

According to information provided by Hendrix, the funds being used for the project include state bond funds totaling 1.9 million, in addition to 1.5 million being raised through the efforts of the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, along with generous donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations.

A number of windows are so hazed, they are difficult to see out of. The tower room or the “growlery” as Hendrix called it, is the uppermost room in the home that at one time was what she described as this era’s “man cave,” a private abode for the man of the home to retreat to in times of stress or ill temper. With the incredible bayviews from the tower room vantage point, new windows will only add to the experience for visitors once these changes have taken place.

As the structure undergoes the desperately needed preservation efforts, guests are still able to participate in a more hands on learning experience at the visitor’s center located behind the Fulton Mansion. Not only are there artifacts and photos, there are also interactive modules that children and adults both can utilize – including a photo activity, a bridge construction recalling one of the many careers of George W. Fulton, and a mannequin that tests your abilities to dress it in the correct layers of women’s clothing for the era.

Upon completion, visitors will once again be invited to tour and explore the grand home of the namesake of Fulton, Texas, George W. Fulton. In the meantime, take advantage of the family friendly activities at the Education and History Center located behind the Fulton Mansion and open Tuesday through Sunday.

While tours are not currently offered in the former Fulton home, once the project reaches completion there will be areas within the mansion open that were recently not part of the tour.

Those involved with the restoration include San Antonio based general contractor JC Stoddard Construction and John Volz, project architect with Volz, O’ Connell, and Hutson, Inc. of Austin.

The basement, which has been closed to the public since the early 80’s, will be incorporated into the home tour upon the mansion re-opening, which will allow for viewing of the former kitchen, larder, and other utility areas. Leaks, mold, and water issues previously prevented this area from being utilized due to the health concerns.

New stainless steel support

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Preservation Efforts Address: 1. Foundation repair 2. New mechanical systems 3. Roof repair 4. Repairs and replacement of Minton encaustic tile 5. Repairs to interior finishes, including plaster, windows, and trim

Interiorscapes

Pam Morin 361-808-7400

SUMMER SALES EVENT !

Bringing Green Indoors

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Visit our Design Guide today!

www.greenthingscc.com thebendmag.com

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Words: Justin & Kayla Butts Photos: Rachel Durrent

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FARM TO TABLE

T

re-create a perfect Greek salad using supermarket olives, produce and feta, but the salad turned out bland and boring.

Grocery store ingredients simply can’t compare with the real thing in Greece.

We ate in tiny cafes with grandmothers braising lamb in the kitchen, at sidewalk carts with mustachioed men grilling gyros, and at seaside resorts with boats unloading fresh fish and octopus at the end of the dock.

We decided to do what the Greeks do and use only fresh, seasonal, local ingredients; this is the secret to the best salad. All of the produce in this recipe can be found in your garden or from farmers at the Southside or Downtown Farmer’s Markets.

wo summers ago, Kayla and I traveled across Greece on a food adventure. We journeyed by train, bus, and boat from Athens all the way to the Mediterranean island of Cephalonia.

In one small picturesque Greek town, we had lunch at an open air café and dinner at the café across the narrow street, the only other restaurant in town.

The chefs had a friendly rivalry about who served a better salad. Both chefs had gardens out back where they grew their own tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and herbs. Both chefs grew and cured their own olives, and they gave long discourses describing their superior methods. One of the chefs pointed to a distant rocky hill where the goats grazed that made his feta cheese.

We have never enjoyed better salads.

Both chefs won their competition, or really, we were the winners for having tasted them.

We can’t grow olives in the Coastal Bend, but we can grow peppers. You can pickle hot or sweet peppers to create a variety of sweet and tangy flavors to suit anyone’s taste. Grapefruit and avocadoes grow in your neighborhood or can be brought up fresh from the Valley.

The olive oil and feta are produced not far away at the Texas Olive Ranch and Pure Luck Dairy.

The many layers of flavor in this recipe balance perfectly on the plate. This dish simply radiates with flavor and freshness and health. Our summer salad doesn’t include Greek olives, because they don’t grow in the Coastal Bend, but this salad is better off without them.

When we made it home, we tried to

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SUMMER SALAD OF THE BEND Prep time: 20 to 25 mins Serves 6 to 8 Ingredients: Quick-Pickled Peppers 6-10 banana peppers, thinly sliced ¼ distilled white vinegar

½ sweet onion, sliced paper thin ½ cup fresh basil chiffonade 6 oz goat cheese, crumbled (Recommend: Pure Luck Chevre) Grapefruit Vinaigrette

1 tbsp white wine vinegar

2 tbsp grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed

¼ cup water

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp white sugar

8 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (Recommend: Texas Olive Ranch)

¼ tsp sea salt Salad 2 lbs vine-ripened tomatoes, cut into chunks 1 cucumber, roughly chopped

2 tbsp sweet onion, grated ¼ cup packed fresh basil ¼ tsp sea salt black pepper, to taste

2 avocado, roughly chopped

DIRECTIONS

NUTRITION

1. Peppers: Begin quick-pickling the banana peppers by combining the first six ingredients in a small bowl and letting sit for a half-hour.

Facts (Serving size: 1 cup)

Sodium

206 mg

2. Salad: Combine tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, onion and basil in a large bowl.

Carbohydrate

18 g

3. Vinaigrette: Place ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse until completely combined (or, whisk by hand).

Protein

4. Pour dressing over tomato mixture and toss to combine. Top with pickled peppers and goat cheese.

Serve.

Think Shrimp.

Think Fish.

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Order Online www.ShrimpTX.com or call 866.905.9056 Riviera Reds Seafood Delivers Nationwide!

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Oh, and don’t forget to send seafood to Aunt Mary in Iowa…

Product of USA thebendmag.com

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Calories

317 cal

Fat Sat fat

26 g 6g

trans fat

0g

Fiber

7g

Sugar

10 g 7g

Cuisine

THE DISH

DINING GUIDE Check out these great places to dine

Chef Kaharim Becerra is bringing

around the Coastal Bend or let us

fresh ideas to a growing Port Aransas

know your favorite at thebendmag.

culinary scene.

com!

Coffee Waves Chicken Chipotle Wrap The newest addition to Coffee Wave’s menu! Savory chicken with a chipotle rub, chipotle gouda cheese and a creamy chipotle aioli all wrapped with lettuce in a spinach wrap that will blow you away! All Paninis and wraps are made with all natural, filler-free Boar’s Head products.

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13313 S Padre Island Dr Corpus Christi, TX 78418

CUISINE

Hoegemeyer’s

711 Concrete St. Corpus Christi, TX 78401

Po’ Boy Sammich

$$$ 5702 Spohn Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361) 884-1221 Mon-Th: Lunch and Dinner Fri-Sat: Dinner Only

Thai Cottage $ 5830 McArdle Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 993-0777 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

The Po’boy comes loaded with three meats - brisket, chopped brisket, and sausage - on an 8” hoagie bun complete with all you care to eat sides.

Russos Coal Fired Italian Kitchen

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

Grimaldis

$$ 5488 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 (361) 980-8600 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

Sang’s Imperial Café

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

Saltwater Grill

CORPUS CHRISTi Vietnam Restaurant

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

Bleu Bistro

$$$ 500 N Water St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361) 887-2121 Mon-Th: Lunch and Dinner Fri-Sat: Dinner Only

Aka Sushi

$$ 415 N Water St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361) 882-8885 Mon-Fri: Lunch and Dinner

Sat: Dinner Only

Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361) 883-3773 Tues-Sat: Dinner Only

Bellinos

$$ 3815 S Alameda St, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 (361) 814-8998 Tues-Sat: Lunch and Dinner

Republic of Texas

$$$$ 900 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361) 887-1600 Mon-Sun: Dinner Only

Citrus Bistro

$ 100 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361) 882-2047 Mon- Fri: Lunch Only

Water Street Seafood Company $$ 309 N Water St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361) 882-8683 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

Niko’s Steakhouse $$ 5409 Saratoga Boulevard, Corpus Christi, TX 78413 (361) 992-2333 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

Yardarm

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

Mamma Mia’s

$$$ 128 N Mesquite St,

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

Mesquite Grill $ 224 N Mesquite St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361) 884-8870 Mon-Fri: Lunch and Dinner; Sat: Dinner Only BonnA-Petit

$ 4301 S Alameda St, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 299-5127 Mon-Sat: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Hoegemeyer’s BBQ

$ 711 Concrete Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361) 884-4227 Mon-Fri: Lunch Only

TakeNiwa

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

PORT ARANSAS

Venetian Hot Plate

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

Lisabella’s Bistro

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

Café Pheonix

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

Roosevelt’s at the Tarpon Inn

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

Irie’s

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

Seafood & spaghetti works

$$ 901 South Alister St, Port Aransas, TX 78373 (361) 749-5666 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

ROCKPORT Glow $$ 1815 Broadway St, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-2644 Mon-Sun: Dinner Only The Boiling Pot

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

Shempy’s Grill $$ 3911 Highway 35 S Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-0019 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner Latitude 28˚02’

$$$ 105 N Austin St, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-9009 Mon-Sun: 5pm until last table

PADRE ISLAND

Dragonfly

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

Black Sheep Bistro

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

Scuttlebutts

$$ 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

Doc’s Seafood and Steaks

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

portland pep’s

$ 1807 US 181, Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-1361 Mon-Sun: Lunch and Dinner

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THE DISH Black Marlin Bar & Grill at The Palmilla Beach Resort and Golf Club Chef Kaharim Becerra Brings a Focus on Fresh, Local Ingredients to Port A’s Newest Getaway Port Aransas is on the rise, literally. The newest spot for Costal Bend foodies offers a gorgeous view of the Gulf Coast landscape and Corpus Christi Bay from The Black Marlin’s third story, outdoor bar. The breathtaking rolling dunes that golf enthusiasts already well know are joined by a new set of exquisite tastes.

The Black Marlin is true to its Port Aransas location, sporting a sleek, laid back coastal ambiance. But the contemporary food Executive Chef Kaharim Becerra prepares is creating a new twist on our coastal cuisine. Chef Becerra is committed to fresh, sustainable ingredients, so the menu will be ever changing in order to take advantage of local producers. Becerra’s commitment to freshness is so strong that he makes the pasta by hand.

“I plan to have an evolving menu because I focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and those change with the seasons and as we learn of new producers,” said Chef Becerra.

“We are currently featuring grass-fed beef and lamb, crab, tuna, calamari, salmon, shrimp, snapper and pasta dishes, so there will be a great variety – something for everyone. We also offer small plates, sandwiches, salads and desserts.”

Current dinner entrees include a Grass Fed Petit Filet Mignon with a delicate wild mushroom glaze, Braised Lamb Shank with artichokes, fennel, pancetta, and Seville roasted tomatoes, and Chef-favorite, Panseared Gulf Snapper & Black Garlic Shavings.

Add to the entrees deliciously simple small plates, soups, sandwiches and salads filled with luxurious ingredients, and every choice on the menu delivers something special.

“Life is as good as the things we eat and enjoy with our loved ones.” says Chef Kaharim. “I like to get creative as I cook – that makes it a great joy for me. I’m very excited to be in Port Aransas, and am looking forward to introducing the culinary influences of different

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cultures and pairing those techniques with the fresh ingredients and traditional dishes of the Texas Gulf Coast to create new dining experiences.”

Chef Becerra’s eclectic culinary style draws from his home in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, where he explains food has evolved from what the Spaniards brought to the new world from the Mediterranean influence to Asian. His experience includes seven years at the Grand America Hotel, the only AAA Five Diamond hotel in Salt Lake City, experience at another Five Diamond luxury resort in Montana and, most recently, as Executive Chef at Frida Bistro in Salt Lake City.

The Black Marlin Bar & Grill is located at 258 Snapdragon in the Palmilla Beach Resort. The Black Marlin serves lunch from 11am to 3pm seven days a week, with dinner served from 5 to 9pm on Friday and Saturday. The bar is open until 9pm Sunday to Thursday. For more information visit www.BlackMarlinPortA.com

An Immersive Experience There’s just so much to see and do in and out of the water. Check out our interactive exhibits, play in our H-E-B Splash Park – you can even reach out and touch a stingray or shark! Don’t go to the beach and miss out on all the wildlife; it’s all here at the Texas State Aquarium. Bring your family and come soak it all in today!

texasstateaquarium.org #SoakItIn

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THE

LIST Cast Your Vote For The Best of 2014...

Restaurants // Events // Professionals // Shops // Nightlife & More...

Let us introduce The “B” List. We don’t believe the phrase receives its rightful due. “B” represents the best, brightest, blazing, beautiful, bold and bountiful around the Coastal Bend, so let us know what makes the list.

Vote now!

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