April 2024

A SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

Kleberg banK was established in 1905 with a simple founding purpose:

“to help those who showed the spirit of COOPERATION in COMMUNITY BUILDING. ”

in that same spirit, we applaud our friends at the bend magazine for their decade-long commitment to community building. wishing you many more years of success!

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Magnificent

32

34

38

Local

60

62

Justin

66

PUBLISHER

Chris Knapick chris@thebendmag.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kylie Cooper kylie@thebendmag.com

ART DIRECTOR

Jarred Schuetze jarred@thebendmag.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Alexa Rodriguez alexa@thebendmag.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Kent Cooper kent@thebendmag.com

COPY EDITOR

Steve Gill

EDITORIAL INTERN

Kellie Heron

PHOTOGRAPHY

Dustin Ashcraft

Rachel Benavides

Deux Boheme

Aaron Garcia

Laurie Lyng Imagery

Matthew Meza

Charlie Neuenschwander

Brynn Osborn

Jason Page

Shoocha Photography

Lillian Reitz

Benjamin Zaragosa

READER SERVICES

The Bend Magazine

402 Peoples St. 4C, Corpus Christi, TX 78401

Phone: 361.792.0521 thebendmag.com

BACK ISSUES

Back issues are $4.95 + P&H each. For back issue availability and order information, go to the-bend-shop.myshopify.com/ collections/past-issues

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Your views and opinions are welcome.

To submit story ideas and letters to the editor include your full name and contact information in an email to kylie@thebendmag.com.

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kent@thebendmag.com

POSTMASTER:

CONTRIBUTORS

Kellie Addison

Luis Arjona

Jillian Becquet

Justin Butts

Kayla Butts

Kirby Conda

Jessie Chrobocinski

Stefanie DeWaters

Sam Ferris

Jacqueline Gonzalez

Cecile Gottlich

Jo Anne Howell

Mark Gregory Lopez

Jacob McClain

Vanessa Perez

Andy Purvis

Sara Yonker

PRESIDENT

Jordan Regas jordan@hilltopmediagroup.com

VICE PRESIDENT

Kaley Regas kaley@hilltopmediagroup.com

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Meagan Matthews meagan@hilltopmediagroup.com

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Lisa Munson accounting@thebendmag.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS

The Bend is available by an annual subscription for $19.95 (12 issues)

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Print Is Permanent

I was a nervous wreck the night 10 years ago we sent the first issue of The Bend off to print. I remember lying in bed thinking through the entire issue — wondering what people would think, wondering if there was a huge mistake we missed, wondering if I would ever be able to sleep the week we sent an issue off to print.

It was the first issue of this new magazine we were introducing to the Coastal Bend, and we had already passed our print deadline. I was less than three months into this new venture and the fun of launching a new business was quickly fading. I wasn’t sure what people would think when this new magazine suddenly showed up in thousands of mailboxes. It was a moment of true vulnerability. There was no turning back at this point.

All of the work and planning and time and money invested had come down to this first issue. It was at the press and once it was printed, bound and labeled, it would be shipped to the

post office and delivered to mailboxes. I couldn’t go back and make changes later; it was out in the world to stay. In fact, some of you reading this today might still have the first issue of The Bend in your home.

That’s the unique thing about print — it is permanent. Unlike a social media post or web article that can later be edited or taken down, print doesn’t go away. You have to live with whatever mistakes you make and own whatever you say. Over the last decade, we have made some mistakes we had to swallow. One memory I’ll never forget from our early years was getting a discreet, anonymous envelope in the mail. Inside the envelope was a set of clippings from the issue that month, with red ink highlighting mistakes we made. Stories like this are no fun, but they come with the territory.

We live in a very digital world, and over the decade The Bend’s brand footprint has evolved to include a variety of digital publishing platforms, but our print magazine is still the flagship product to this day. It takes a lot of work and preparation to create a single issue. On page 48, we share exactly how many days it takes to make one issue of the magazine from start to finish. It’s not an easy process and it’s not something we take lightly, because once it’s out in the community, it’s there to stay.

From issue #1 to issue #120, we are not simply making a post that will pop up in someone’s feed or an article, to be read today and lost in the abyss of the Internet tomorrow. We are capturing a moment in history and making it permanent with a publication that could stick around someone’s home for a year, or 10. It could be an article someone hangs in their store or that their kids or grandkids read years from now.

I can’t claim to know the entirety of the influence The Bend has had on the Coastal Bend over the past decade, but I do have confidence in saying that due to the 3,000+ stories we have published over the years, we have had a permanent effect on our beloved Coastal Bend community. As

OWNER AND PRESIDENT jordan@hilltopmediagroup.com

The Friends We’ve Made Along the Way

In the months leading up to sending this special edition to print, our editorial team has flipped through every single issue The Bend has published — several times. Way too many hot pink Post-It notes filled with ideas, reminders and notes have been scattered across my desk for weeks. Many meetings, collaborative brainstorms, light bulb moments and pivots take place for each issue before it ultimately ends up in your hands. But this one, the 10th anniversary issue, felt a bit different.

This issue in its entirety acts as a retrospective of The Bend’s decade-long history. I have to commend Art Director Jarred Schuetze, Managing Editor Alexa Rodriguez and Vice President Kaley Regas for the time and effort put into creating this special anniversary issue — a true labor of love. So, dear reader, I ask you to humor us for a moment as we take you on a guided tour of our archives.

In “People of The Bend,” beginning on page 19, we follow up with individuals whose stories have been told on these pages and look back at Bend event attendees throughout the years. On page 31, “The Lookbook” reminisces on the beautiful imagery of past fashion, home and art editorials. The “Cuisine” department this month (pg. 59) includes an homage to The Bend’s first food-themed issue, an anniversary cocktail curated by local mixologist Jacob McClain and

reflections from longtime food contributors Justin and Kayla Butts. Finally, starting on page 69, the “Looking Back” department shares The Bend’s origin story in our founders’ own words, sentiments from featured subjects over the years and a message from another longtime contributor, Jillian Becquet, on just how much history can be made in 10 short years.

In addition, this month’s feature (pg. 43) looks back at The Bend’s very first issue, provides a closer look at the talented folks with whom I get the pleasure of putting this magazine together each month and shares thoughts from legacy advertisers and tributes from contributors through the years — and more.

As I made what seemed like my millionth pass through the issue to write this letter, it became very clear that, despite this anniversary including a celebration of ourselves, at the end of the day, it’s still about you — all of you. It’s about the readers who have continuously picked up copies of The Bend and local businesses who have supported it, allowing us to continue putting issue after issue out; the dreamers and changemakers who have allowed us to share their stories; the visionaries who have championed the Coastal Bend and continuously worked to evolve our region with missions similar to our own; the endlessly talented individuals who have contributed to these pages the last decade. This issue is about all of you.

Making it 10 years as a small business is no easy feat — especially for a local print magazine. On behalf of the current Bend team, I’d like to sincerely thank every writer, photographer, illustrator, editor, designer, stylist and staff member whose contributions to this magazine over the years — big or small — have resulted in a decade centered around sharing the Coastal Bend’s good news.

More than beautifully articulated stories and photographs that relay the true beauty of the Coastal Bend, my hope for this publication is and always will be so much more than a tangible product you can’t wait to get your hands on each month (although I hope that sentiment rings true). My hope is that The Bend — for the last 10 years and the next 10 and the next 10 after that — provides you with inspiration for a lifestyle, a mindset, where you feel proud of the city you live in and never tire of discovering all the little things that make our slice of the South Texas coast so unique.

I’d like to dedicate this issue to the people of The Bend, everyone we’ve worked with and every person’s story we’ve told. You really are the friends we’ve made along the way.

KYLIE COOPER, EDITOR IN CHIEF kylie@thebendmag.com

photography

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PEOPLE BEND of the

PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AT THE HEART OF THIS PUBLICATION. IN THIS SPECIAL EDITION DEPARTMENT, WE FOLLOW UP WITH INDIVIDUALS WHOSE STORIES HAVE BEEN TOLD ON THESE PAGES AND LOOK BACK AT BEND EVENT ATTENDEES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

PG. 20 PERSONS OF INTEREST

PG. 22

GIVING BACK

Following up With a Few Former People of Interest

Each issue of The Bend includes a Person of Interest section in which we chat with prominent local individuals doing, well … interesting things! From small business owners and government officials to creatives and nonprofit directors, we followed up with several previously featured Person of Interest subjects to see how different their worlds look now.

historic achievement for our city. These initiatives underscore our commitment to efficient governance and sustainable urban development, positioning us for continued growth and prosperity.

Other transformative projects such as the Whitecap Preserve, Lake Padre development and the catalytic Homewood Suites have reshaped our cityscape. The latter, located downtown on Chaparral, will be only the second new construction hotel in decades, solidifying it as a vibrant main street. Whitecap Preserve and Lake Padre represent a combined investment of $1.5 billion over the next decade, while Homewood Suites has an estimated investment of $33 million, further invigorating our city’s economy and job market.

We’ve also made significant strides to enhance law enforcement capabilities. Notably, the city’s first police training academy is under construction. Additionally, for the first time in decades, we achieved full staffing for our Corpus Christi Fire Department, marking a significant milestone in our city’s progress. We also proudly welcomed our new Fire Chief, Brandon Wade, ushering in a fresh era of progress for Corpus Christi.”

To read the full interviews and learn more about what former people of interest are doing now, head to thebendmag.com

“The most incredible update since the January 2023 article is my debut album was released in May 2023. I have listeners in the United Kingdom, Australia and Europe. I’m worldwide! Also, two of my first live performances of the album were in Dallas and New York City. Through that experience, I realized I needed to trust myself playing piano on my live shows. That was the biggest takeaway from the album release: Trust yourself.

My students have been more thrilled than ever to know their teacher was in a magazine. I can’t count on both hands how many times they asked me for my autograph. Young people, especially young musicians, are needed in our community — so when I’m old, I hope they remember their music journey, how it all began and keep that shirt I signed a long time ago.”

photography by DEUX BOHEME, SHOOCHA PHOTOGRAPHY, LILLIAN REITZ AND DUSTIN ASHCRAFT

was less. As a testament to what can be achieved, the Food Bank has since been recognized as an emergency first responder in our communities.

With such a distinctive role and responsibility to the people we serve, the need for a larger facility was crucial. In 2021, we launched a capital campaign to raise $30 million for a state-of-theart building that would better serve the Coastal Bend area. Twenty-one months later, I am proud to say that we cut the ribbon at the grand opening of a beautiful and efficient 108,000-square-foot warehouse and administration building. Pallet storage capacity went from 560 in the old building to 4,567. We are no longer faced with leasing outside storage, and will never face the difficult decisions that limited space brings. The new facility will better meet the community's needs while allowing for new growth and serving opportunities. From a numbers perspective, in 2015, we distributed 8.1 million pounds of food. Post-pandemic, the demand for food increased considerably, and in 2023, we distributed over 13 million pounds. That’s over one million pounds a month!”

First interviewed September 2022

“Since the 2022 article ran, we’ve successfully hosted significant national and international sports events, including the American Cornhole League National and the International Table Tennis Federation’s Pan American Cup. Collectively, these two events yielded a direct spend, estimated economic impact of approximately $1.24 million. In addition to these achievements, Corpus Christi FC initiated the construction of a 5,000-seat soccer stadium, accompanied by six adjacent artificial turf fields. This facility will not only be accessible to the community but will also serve as the venue for future sports tournaments.

Lastly, we are proud to announce the inception of the Coastal Bend Sports Hall of Fame and Awards Show. This distinguished event aims to pay tribute to sports legends from the Coastal Bend region while acknowledging the achievements of high school athletes and community members, both on and off the field.”

Alyssa Barrera Mason

Downtown Management

District Executive Director

First interviewed March 2018

“Since the March 2018 article, downtown revitalization has progressed significantly. There’s been over $100 million invested downtown on many private businesses and public improvement projects. I am amazed at the resources that our community has invested and the team we have built to facilitate the revitalization work, as well as the wonderful people that have dedicated time and energy in making this vision of a vibrant downtown into a reality.

I’ve also done a lot of maturing and my leadership style has evolved significantly. When you’re young and ambitious, you feel like you have a lot to prove. Over time, that need has given way to a realization that I am in a position to support and empower others. Additionally, I became a Certified Economic Developer, a designation held by 1,200 economic developers across the country. This designation gives me a great deal of confidence that I am using best practices and am at the forefront of innovative local economic development. We’re doing what matters for our creatives, entrepreneurs and young people who will be our future.

We’ve turned a corner and shifted the paradigm of how people feel about Corpus Christi. Downtown looks completely different from 2018: from the sparkling lights on Chaparral to the iconic mural collection to the bustling streets every First Friday — there is a way to go, but we have brought downtown alive again, and it really is a beautiful sight. ”

Re-living our Favorite Events

THE LOCAL'S LIST PARTY

The grand finale of The Local’s List season, The Local’s List Party spotlights the champions of the annual readers’ choice poll. With category winners for dining, entertainment, health, beauty, services and shopping serving as the event’s main attraction, The Local’s List Party truly showcases the best of what the Coastal Bend offers. The first event was held in 2016, and yearly celebrations continue to this day.

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Re-living our Favorite Events

BRUNCH ON THE BAY

The first Brunch on the Bay event was hosted at the Art Center of Corpus Christi in 2015. Though the concept grew and evolved over the years, the focus remained the same: the ultimate Coastal Bend brunch experience. Local restaurants served up their best brunch food and drink items and competed for the coveted “Best of Brunch” awards. The one-of-a-kind event included fun activities for the whole family and live entertainment. The last Brunch on the Bay event was held in 2019. But who knows … maybe it will be back one day.

Re-living our Favorite Events

7MBW / HER

The 7 Most Beautiful Women Inside & Out event in 2015 was the first signature event the magazine hosted. A celebration of the individuals honored in the cover feature by the same name, the evening spotlighted each woman’s influence on the community and raised funds for causes dear to their hearts. As the annual Women’s Issue evolved into HER in 2019, so did the event. The HER event in its current iteration serves as an award ceremony for each year’s honorees and, with past Women’s Issue honorees invited to attend, provides an empowering evening filled with our city’s most inspiring female leaders in one room.

SReconnectingwith Philanthropic Organizations

Eight local nonprofits share their organization’s updates since first being featured in The Bend

By Kirby Conda

ince its founding, The Bend has felt passionate about spotlighting local organizations and nonprofits focused on helping those in our Coastal Bend community. Even before the “Giving Back” section was a regular part of the magazine, showcasing philanthropic endeavors throughout these pages was always, and still is, a major part of our ethos. As “Giving Back” became a recurring section in 2016, we consistently had the pleasure of deep-diving into some of the organizations making waves in the community. For this anniversary issue, look back at where some of these causes were when we first met them and what they have been up to since we last shared their story.

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities South Texas (RMHCSTX) is “Keeping children near the care they need so families can get better together.” RMHCSTX is part of a brand of global charities that provides families of seriously ill or injured children a place to stay at little to no cost. What truly makes RMHCSTX special is that it creates a home-like environment so each family feels supported while undergoing major medical experiences, with the hope that providing basic needs like shelter and food will alleviate some stress. The House provides 25 private guest rooms, a communal kitchen, a living area, laundry services, a family pantry and home-cooked meals provided by its Share-A-Meal program.

Since its first feature in 2015, one of its new and notable programs is called “Pantry Partners.” The Partners adopt a month ($2,500) to provide the House food and wishlist items for 25 families. This program allows families to have healthy grab-and-go options while they're running to and from medical appointments. Pantry Partners, like all RMHCSTX programs, helps families focus on what really matters: helping their sick child heal.

Want to learn about more charitable organizations and philanthropic efforts in the Coastal Bend? Head to thebendmag.com issue archives to view the December 2021 Giving issue.

The Traveling Library

Planting seeds of faith, love and hope for cures one smile at a time is the guiding principle of Brooke’s Blossoming Hope for Childhood Cancer. For Jessica Hester, spreading messages of hope after the death of her daughter became her driving force in starting a childhood cancer foundation. Since the foundation’s story was published in 2015, Brooke’s Blossoming Hope for Childhood Cancer has helped children across 50 countries. Its global impact continues to grow as its members strive to help every single child battling this disease.

At the Purple Door, previously the Women’s Shelter of South Texas, welfare and protection for all family members in need are of utmost significance. And while people may think the organization is just for women, the agency serves everyone. When we last met with the nonprofit in 2016, it had served 2,830 women, men and children across a 12-county area of South Texas who had been victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Since then, the shelter has rebranded under the name Purple Door. As a part of building awareness and increasing funding opportunities, the Purple Door

recently opened Purple Door Resale, where community members can donate items. All proceeds benefit The Purple Door’s mission to empower those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault to move to a safe and healthy environment.

Paws and Claws is a local non-profit providing a better life for Coastal Bend dogs and cats. An auxiliary for the Gulf Coast Humane Society, Paws and Claws shares the mission to provide the best care possible for all the animals under its roof. Since 1945, it has worked to promote responsible pet parenting and the humane treatment of animals. Over the years, Paws and Claws of the Coastal Bend has “continued supporting and celebrating local grassroots rescue organizations through the annual Fur Ball event,” said Caitlin Shook, a volunteer for the organization. “Since [the first article in] 2017, we've raised over $400,000 of desperately needed funds for spay and neutering campaigns, fostering, pet adoption and transport of neglected and abused animals of the Coastal Bend.”

Special Hearts in the Arts is a nonprofit organization that promotes art, music, dance and theater for people with special needs. It is a place where individuals with special needs explore fine arts through classes led by trained professionals, culminating in live performances for the community. The organization’s leader, Sherri Davis, described the overwhelming desire for a program like this back in 2018 when we first shared its story. “We didn’t realize how much of a need it was,” she said. Davis wanted to create this program because of her love for her then-42-year-old nephew with Down Syndrome. The program has since grown from 17 participants to 60. A new program launching this spring, “Special Hearts Remarkables,” will feature superheroes who perform skits for hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

Read, lead and succeed is the mantra of The Traveling Library. This organization hopes to instill a love of reading and foster growth for success in the Coastal Bend while increasing literacy. Since its October 2021 story, The Traveling Library has grown in size and influence. Founder Abigail Trevino has secured community partnerships with groups such as Esperanza de Tejas, Harte Research Institute and the Port of Corpus Christi to further spread her mission to bring literature to underserved populations in our community. The Traveling Library now has 2,000 books and a 16-foot mobile library that continues to combat illiteracy in middle to upper-grade area students.

100 Women of the Coastal Bend has been slowly growing since its beginnings in 2022. With the goal of cultivating 100 members to donate $100 every quarter and award local charities $10,000 four times a year, founders Kristen Collins and Lauren Mims created a sisterhood that now has a 200+ member waitlist. “We want to continue having a larger impact,” Collins said. “But we want to continue to grow slowly so we can find the space to do so.” Currently, the group has 150 members and has awarded over $127,000* to eight charities in the past two years. *Figure includes matching grant funds.

Coastal Bend Fairy Godmothers made its mark on the community through a shared experience of not being able to attend formal events due to financial reasons. Dedicated to providing free prom dress, menswear and accessory loans to school-aged individuals, Teresa Hunter and Kacie Stanford, the women behind the nonprofit, have made it their mission to help students live out their formal dance dreams. After being featured just one year ago, the Coastal Bend Fairy Godmothers have been hard at work making dreams come true for a new class of students hoping to attend prom this spring.

"Being a contributing writer for The Bend has introduced me to so many new businesses and new people in the community. It's enriched my life so much being able to uncover the drive behind so many creators and business owners and people who care so much about the Coastal Bend and making it a great place to live. Writing their stories is an honor for which I am incredibly grateful."

– Kirby Conda (reflecting on years of contributing as a Senior Writer)

Coastal Bend Fairy Godmothers

Ronald McDonald House Charities

Special Hearts in the Arts

the best mixologist |

Green at THE POST the best pastry chef | Hester Rodriguez at HESTER’S

the best personal shopper | Alexa Gignac at JULIAN GOLD

the

the best wardrobe stylist | Alexa Gignac at JULIAN GOLD

HESTER’S

PARK

TALBOTS

THE

YOLA

LOOKBOOK The

HOME DESIGN, ART AND FASHION ARE THREE TOPICS THAT HAVE ALWAYS RESULTED IN BEAUTIFUL IMAGERY. FOR THIS ANNIVERSARY EDITION DEPARTMENT, THE FOLLOWING PAGES ARE FILLED WITH A FEW OF OUR FAVORITES,–ALL FEATURING LOCAL MAKERS AND CREATIVES–FROM THE LAST DECADE.

PG. 32 MOST BEAUTIFUL HOMES

PG. 34 ART GALLERY

PG. 38

Showcasing the Most Beautiful Coastal Bend Homes

We've had the great honor of being invited into some of the Coastal Bend's most beautiful homes for the Open House section. Here are just a few of the stunning abodes we've featured.

Photography by Jason Page

On Display: Beautiful Works from Artist Issue Alumni

An annual cover feature since 2015, the Artist Issue spotlights local creatives contributing beautiful work to our community.

1. Millicent Alvarado 2. Meg Aubrey 3. Gilbert Cantu 4. Noe Perez 5. Alexandria Canchola 6. Ben Wright 7. Franceska Alvarado 8. Sandra Gonzalez 1.

9. Angalee DeForest 10. Georgia Griffin 11. Cat Huss 12. Ricardo Ruiz 13. Katarina Janečková Walshe 14. John Olvey 15. Robin Hazard

Showcasing Local Fashion Memories

Over the last decade, we've partnered with local boutiques, stylists and models to showcase Coastal Bend fashion. Here are several favorites from the years.

A retrospective of Volume I Issue I, a closer look at the people behind The Bend, sentiments from legacy clients and contributors through the years, Bend-centric trivia and more all in celebration of

A Decade of

LOCAL STORIES 1

FROM THE EDITORS , DESIGNERS , WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS OF THE BEND

VOLUME 01 ISSUE 01 A Look Back on

Inside the first issue of The Bend , readers heard from Reid Ryan, co-founder of the Corpus Christi Hooks, on bringing professional baseball to Whataburger Field. A Portland family shared their struggles and triumphs in autism awareness and advocacy for their children. “Rodeo Royalty” Sissy Winn shared the inception of her rodeo career and Shannon’s Distinctive Fashions’ owner gave tips and trends for summer dressing. Fast forward 10 years and these local people and organizations have found continued success. Here’s where they are today.

Hooked ON THE FUTURE

When Reid Ryan, son of famed Houston Astros and Texas Rangers player Nolan Ryan, set his sights on Corpus Christi, it wasn’t just happenstance. Between the hospitality and general baseball knowledge of the Coastal Bend community, Ryan determined that “Corpus is a real baseball town,” and that has proven true over the last 10 years. Throughout his tenure, he sought to secure the future of the Hooks franchise in Corpus Christi and to ensure the club would remain an Astros affiliate for the long haul, which is exactly what he managed to accomplish in selling the club to the Astros.

Ten years later, the Corpus Christi Hooks have managed to consistently be a vehicle for players to improve their skills and get used to playing a larger volume of games in regular and playoff seasons. In fact, six of the nine players on the Astros' starting roster of Game 1 of the 2022 World Series were former Hooks players, including Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman. The Hooks provide a space for baseball fanatics to follow players in their journey to the big leagues, and at the same time give locals and tourists an opportunity for family fun at the ballpark — with the best fireworks show in town after every Friday night game.

The first issue of The Bend was published in April 2014, with a quintessentially coastal photo of a sand sculpture by artist Fred Mallett gracing the cover, and an ambitious mission to encapsulate Coastal Bend life with its stories.

A Lifetime of Autism

AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY

“There are all these hopes and dreams that you have for your kids, all of the ignorant stuff you think of like wanting them to be the valedictorian, the star athlete or just great at all these things. But then, your focus changes — I just want them to talk,” said Katie French in 2014. French is a mother of three, and after her experience with an autism diagnosis for her two sons when they were toddlers, she became committed to autism awareness and advocacy.

In our first issue, the French family discussed the surprise diagnosis and their family’s uphill journey to get their sons the support they needed to thrive. Katie and her husband Chris French managed to get their local elementary school to implement the Applied Behavior Analysis program in 2005, allowing their kids to lower their ratings on the autism spectrum scale and learn in a traditional Gregory-Portland ISD school setting with other kids their age.

Today, their middle son Rig is 24 years old, and has owned and operated Mr. Rigaroo’s Shaved Ice since 2016. His connection with the Portland community has grown over the years, especially his connection with T.M. Clark Elementary, which he attended. Through pop-ups at Portland community events, Mr. Rigaroo’s gives a percentage of its profits back to local schools. Perhaps the most notable achievement is Rig’s partnership with Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, a shop out of Dallas whose sole purpose is to employ individuals with special needs. The brand now offers a special blue autism awareness ice cream with Rig’s face on it. The ice cream debuted at the Portland H-E-B and is available year-round in Portland and at H-E-B Plus, but flies off the shelves because of Rig’s popularity within the community.

“I’m never going to tell my kids that they can’t do something,” Katie said. It is with that mantra that Katie and Chris French empower their kids to embrace their gifts and chase opportunities that allow them to give back to the community.

RODEO Royalty

When Sissy Winn was only 5 years old, she was introduced to the rodeo world and hasn’t looked back. In her feature from the April 2014 issue, Winn was just 16 and spoke about her rodeo aspirations and thoughts about “giving going pro a try.” Try she did, and 10 years later — after getting a bachelor’s from Texas A&M University-College Station, becoming a Women’s Professional Rodeo Association member in 2017 and competing around the country — she’s made rodeo her full-time career, and a successful one at that.

Summer Trend Forecasting WITH SHANNON

Winn stated that making rodeo a career would require a few well-performing horses and a lot of weekends away. Keeping horses healthy and highperforming is a full-time job in itself, in addition to the time it takes to hone a skill. Today, Winn competes as a professional barrel racer with her horses Scoop and King, and travels the country with her parents as her managers and built-in support system.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1. Entered first NFR ranked 7th in the world and finished ranked 13th.

2. Texas Circuit year-end champion and qualified for the NFR Open in July 2023.

3. Won the Bozeman (Montana) Stampede, the Jerome (Idaho) County Fair - Rodeo, the Livingston (Montana) Round-Up and the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo (Mercedes, Texas).

4. Finished second at Cascade (Montana) Pro Rodeo.

BARTKOWIAK

Shannon Bartkowiak, owner of Shannon’s Distinctive Fashions, knows a thing or two about owning a clothing boutique. After purchasing the dress shop where she grew up working in 2002, Bartkowiak made it her own and continues to operate the store today. Inside the first issue, Bartkowiak styled a fashion piece focused on summer attire. Regardless of how much trends change over time, one thing remains a constant necessity in the South Texas summer heat: breathability. “With our warm summers, it’s important that a fabric can breathe well — if you put it on and it feels good, you are going to want to wear it more often,” she said when asked about summer fashion trends 10 years later. Bartkowiak predicts a focus on flowy linen pants and shorts and easy cotton dresses and skirts this summer season. She also expects a return to solid, muted tones and tailored fits.

COVERAGE Coastal Bend

GEOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING, WE'VE PHOTOGRAPHED COVERS ALL OVER THE COASTAL BEND : HERE'S A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT SOME OF OUR MOST MEMORABLE COVERS

August 2022

Gone Fishin'

Taken off the Laguna Madre

October 2018

Camping on the Coast

Taken on Mustang Island

"This was the earliest photoshoot we've ever executed. Kylie Cooper and I drove out to the island at around 4 a.m. to set up this camping scene, in pitch darkness, before the sun came up." -

Jarred Schuetze

"This was the first and only cover we’ve executed with a drone. Vice President Kaley Regas had a clear vision of the final product and local photographer Laurie Lyng instantly came to my mind. With the help of her DJI Mavic 3 drone and friends from Dirty 3rd Fishing, the perfect photo was captured."

-

Kylie Cooper

November 2023

Classic Recipes

Taken at Vianney Rodriguez's Cocina in Driscoll, Texas

"The November 2023 cover shoot is one of my all-time favorites. Our team consisted of Jason Page, Kayla Butts, Vianney Rodriguez and 20/20 Vintage. We spent the day in Vianney's test kitchen, listening to records, cooking food and styling each frame. The room was filled with a collaborative spirit, laughter and delicious aromas.” - KC

"Being a Bend contributor has been such a highlight in my career. I am honored to be a small part of the publication as a Spaces and Entertaining stylist and writer. For years, I styled the Spaces section solo, and now I am lucky enough to share the section with several amazing contributors. I’m fortunate to showcase a variety of businesses that make the Coastal Bend beautiful and stylish. I appreciate readers for following along and am honored to be a part of it all.”

– Jo Anne Howell (reflecting on years of contributing on Spaces and Entertaining)

April 2014

Grains of Hope

Taken on Mustang Island

May 2016

Summer Road Trips

Taken at Way-Out-Weber

February 2020

Where to Eat Now

Taken at Latitude 28°02'

"Jordan's and my original vision for the first cover of The Bend was to photograph a puzzle piece sand sculpture on the beach. The idea was to speak to our Coastal Bend location and the issue's feature on autism awareness. The photos didn't come out the way we wanted, so we Photoshopped an image from the previous year's Texas SandFest for the cover. Looking back at the final result, I'm glad our team's Photoshop skills have improved since then." – Kaley Regas

"This was a crazy hot shoot day; the biggest challenge was how fast the ice would melt. We can't thank the Lelo's Island Bar team enough for crafting several beautiful cocktails offsite and for keeping them photo-ready despite the heat." – JS

November 2020

World Eats

Taken at Dokyo Dauntaun

May 2023

Summer Guide

Taken at Sunflower Beach Resort

July 2020

The Local's List

Taken at a residence on Ocean Dr.

"Attending this photoshoot was the first time I’d walked inside a restaurant since the pandemic began in March of that year. The drink featured on the cover is called the Geisha and includes a smoke bubble. We probably used that bubble gun over 50 times to get the smoke just right for the image." - KC

"Shooting in a backyard with natural light posed some fun challenges–mainly trying to perfectly time the sun and shadow angles to execute the shot, all while wiping condensation off glasses, re-twisting garnishes and fighting off pesky flies trying to photobomb the cover shoot ." - JS

May 2022

Drink Like a Local

Taken in our Art Director's backyard

"I moved to Corpus in 2012 and didn't know a soul, restaurant, or even where Staples street was. I started working for The Bend in March 2014 until May 2017. I went to almost every photoshoot there was. Every place I stepped in, every dish we photographed, every person we interviewed - I just wanted to tell the world about them. And at the same time, I was learning about my homewhere I lived, worked and went to school. Every piece really made me love where I chose to live."

– Stefanie DeWaters (reflecting back on her time as Audience Development Director)

PEOPLE Behind The Bend

NICE TO MEET YOU, WE’RE ( A PORTION OF ) THE BEND . WHEN IT COMES TO PUTTING TOGETHER A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, IT REALLY DOES TAKE A VILLAGE. THOUGH MANY, MANY OTHER TALENTED INDIVIDUALS WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS WORLD OF OURS GO ’ROUND, HERE ARE A HANDFUL OF KEY PLAYERS.

time. When starting the magazine, his true passion was telling stories, but he quickly realized owning and managing a magazine would require much more than writing. In 2018, Jordan and Kaley purchased the Oklahoma City lifestyle publication 405 Magazine and founded a parent company for both publications, Hilltop Media Group.

Today, Jordan serves as the president of Hilltop Media Group. In this role, he provides high-level leadership, sets strategic direction, tackles big-picture problems with creative solutions, works on sales strategies with the market publishers and ensures the company’s culture stays intact. Even 10 years later, Jordan’s favorite part of the job remains the same: the people. For him, one of the greatest things about owning a company is getting to do work you love with people you love and admire.

accounting and events departments of the company since its inception — and has a collection of business cards to prove it. Ka ley has always been referred to as the “cover queen” and for good reason. She understands the phenomenal importance of the nanosecond first impression a publication’s cover has on its readers. Curating each month’s cover — especially this month’s special anniversary cover — alongside the market art directors and editors will always be one of the best parts of her job.

2019, when Jordan stepped away from the publisher role during the acquisition of 405 Magazine and asked Chris to take the reins.

In her current role as Hilltop Media Group’s vice president, Kaley has many responsibilities in both the Corpus Christi and Oklahoma City markets consisting of directly overseeing The Bend and 405 Magazine’s publishers, upholding brand standards, integrating new processes, working directly with the company’s CFO and putting out fires wherever they pop up.

Turn to page 70 to hear more from the Regases and learn The

As the publisher of The Bend , Chris focuses on leading and managing the magazine’s staff, meeting revenue and profitability goals, maintaining and growing key accounts, serving as the public face of the magazine through community outreach and developing custom publication clients. Working with a team deeply committed to influencing our Coastal Bend community for the better brings him immense joy, and he loves hearing from locals about how The Bend has helped them to feel proud of where they live. More than anything, working for The Bend all these years has shown him how something as small as a local lifestyle magazine communicating a positive message can build momentum that fuels positive growth.

Bend’s origin story in their own words.

still proudly holds.

As The Bend’s editor-in-chief, she leads the editorial team to ensure the execution and quality of print and digital content. This includes collaborating with the leadership, editorial and freelance teams, planning the editorial calendar, slating stories for each issue and the website, lots of writing and editing, maintaining The Bend’s presence in the community and just about any other task thrown her way. For Kylie, much like the other writers-at-heart team members, people will always be the best part of her job; both those she works with and those whose stories the publication shares. She feels lucky to work with some of the most talented, creative and smart people around. But sharing the stories of the local leaders, dreamers, doers and changemakers and seeing the good that can come from giving a platform to others will always be her “why.”

Kent Cooper

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

art director in 2019, a role he still holds. Jarred’s responsibilities as The Bend’s art director include laying out and desiging each month’s issue cover to cover, collaborating with the editorial team to provide art direction for each photoshoot, designing ads and internal collateral and more.

As a born and raised Corpus Christian, Jarred always hated the uninspired groan of “there’s nothing to do here,” and has been drawn from its beginning to The Bend’s mission of highlighting the good. Today, if he had to pick one thing he enjoys most about his job, it would be working with the creative people on the team and putting their minds and talents together to achieve a truly beautiful product. A full-day photoshoot is something he cherishes — no matter how many problems or pivots have to be made along the way.

as one of the Coastal Bend’s biggest advocates, she saw The Bend’s intent on elevating its community through local stories in a way she had never seen elsewhere and was inspired. From eloquent words and captivating photography to consistent community engagement, she knew it was how she wanted to make a living.

Alexa’s role as the managing editor can be described as keeping plates spinning. She manages the production cycle for the print publication, manages the digital presence of the brand across varying platforms, collaborates with the editorial team to ensure art direction is communicated to contributors, edits and writes stories for print and digital … the list goes on. She loves the ever-changing nature of this creative field and enjoys how it keeps her on her toes. However, meeting local visionaries, telling their stories and connecting them to the broader populace is her favorite part of the job.

The most recent addition to The Bend’s full-time staff, Kent Cooper joined the team in June 2023. Having been in media sales for the majority of his career and always admiring The Bend’s work, Kent actually came out of retirement last summer and accepted the position of account executive. He viewed The Bend as a fantastic, locally focused publication he’d be proud to represent in the community.

In the account executive role, Kent’s days are spent out in the community connecting with business owners, developing, implementing and managing advertising campaigns through print and digital mediums with clients and facilitating event sponsorships. He loves the relationships he’s formed with his clients and working with the best businesspeople in the area. When it comes to what Kent enjoys most about his job, he credits The Bend’s team as a whole — a group of upbeat, creative and professional individuals he feels proud to work alongside.

NUMBERS GAME

A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN 10 YEARS — HUNDREDS OF CONTRIBUTORS FILLING THE PUBLICATION, THOUSANDS OF STORIES TOLD, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LOCAL’S LIST VOTES CAST AND OVER ONE MILLION COPIES PRINTED.

Here’s a glance at a few of The Bend’s statistics from the last decade

50

Days it takes for a single issue to be put together from start to finish

27.6K

Highest number of accounts reached on a single Instagram post

13.4K

Number of homes

The Bend gets mailed to each month

131

Number of in-house publications printed

1,808,996

The total number of magazine copies printed

6 Months it takes to execute a year's Local's List from start to finish

156 Pages inside the largest print issue of The Bend (NOV 2022)

4 Office locations

The Bend Magazine has called home

11,743

The total number of pageviews the most-viewed article (Where to Eat Now - February 2023 Cover Feature) has racked up

51 Coastal Bend artists featured in our annual Artist Issues (2016-2023)

3,077 Published stories over the past decade

4,959 Guests who've attended Bend events through the years

11 Duration, in hours, of the longest photoshoot in Bend history (HER 2020)

135

Local contributors who have worked with The Bend over the years

8

Editorial covers that didn't meet our standards and required re-shooting

1.2K

Highest number of likes on a single Instagram post

281

Recipes created by Kayla Butts for the Farm to Table department

187

Personal items the editorial team has brought from home to aid in styling feature photoshoots

931,331

The total number of Local's List votes cast from 2016 to 2023

THE BEND Backing Up

THE BEND WOULDN'T EXIST WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR ADVERTISERS. WE'RE GRATEFUL TO EVERY BUSINESS–- BIG AND SMALL–- THAT HAS BELIEVED IN AND ALIGNED WITH OUR MISSION OF IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITY FOR THE BETTER. THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING US WITH YOUR BRANDS AND ALLOWING THE BEND TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR IDEAL CUSTOMERS.

Less than a week after my first ad ran, I received my first call from a potential client looking for my services. She had started looking through the yellow pages but couldn't narrow it down to who to call first. When she saw my ad in The Bend, the sale was practically closed. It added a sense of credibility and professionalism that I have never been able to find anywhere else in advertising.

Advertising in The Bend establishes credibility like nothing else. As it was for me, your brand in The Bend may be the one thing you need to stand out from your competition.

BEGAN

2014

Buddy Walker Fine Home Furnishings \\ Carmen Casas \\ Budget Blinds

Texas State Aquarium \\ Halo Flight \\ Butler Signature Rentals

Hogan Homes \\ CSA - Hurricane Alley - Brewster Street Icehouse

Braselton Homes \\ Kennedy Dental \\ Dr Stegeman – The Better Weigh

Susan Castor Collection \\ TVV Medi Spa - Oceana Luxe \\ Key Allegro

McNamee Landscaping \\ Radiology Associates \\ Doucet Med Spa

Christus Spohn \\ Omni Hotels \\ Atelier Salon

OVER 60 PERCENT OF OUR CURRENT ADVERTISERS HAVE BEEN ADVERTISING WITH US FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS

BEGAN

2015 DID YOU KNOW

Corpus Christi Pain Medicine \\ Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra

Courtyard/Gaslight Square \\ 1st Community Bank \\ Hamlin Pharmacy

Coastline Properties \\ Coldwell Banker Pacesetter \\ Nothing Bundt Cakes

Allen Dental Group \\ Halcyon Med Spa \\ Ingraham Orthodontist

Waterstreet Restaurants \\ Rose Cosmetic Surgery

“

Bend has been an invaluable asset to our real estate business over the years. For many reasons, we’ve continued our proud partnership with The Bend since 2015. Through their engaging articles, The Bend has consistently amplified our visibility. Our business has been introduced to a wider audience, and we've forged meaningful connections with fellow entrepreneurs, professionals, and potential clients. The magazine fosters a sense of community and is more than just a publication; it's a hub for connection, collaboration and celebration. We've found kindred spirits and likeminded businesses through their events and features. The Bend has been our trusted partner, guiding us through a decade of growth, inspiration and shared success. We look forward to many more years of collaboration and community-building!”

DID YOU KNOW THE FIRST EVER SIGNED ADVERTISING CONTRACT FOR THE BEND MAGAZINE WAS BUDGET BLINDS, WHICH IS STILL AN ADVERTISER TO THIS DAY.

DID YOU KNOW OVER 72 PERCENT OF OUR READERS PURCHASE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FROM ADVERTISEMENTS THEY SEE IN THE BEND MAGAZINE.

“The Bend continually projects the image of professionalism that is very important to me in my business. I am happy to have been a part of it for 10 years.

Through the years we've advertised in The Bend, we have seen amazing growth within our MediSpa. It is an excellent resource for branding your business. As long as our community continues to grow and flourish, we will certainly continue advertising with The Bend Magazine because it is the Premier Lifestyle Magazine in the Coastal Bend.

OCEANA LUXE MEDSPA

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS FOR YEARS OF CONTINUED SUPPORT

HOW BIG A BEND FAN ARE YOU? ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW TO FIND OUT!

1. How many covers have featured food or drink as the focus?

A ) 22

B ) 20

C ) 25

D ) 18

2. What was the name of the annual women’s issue and event before HER?

A ) Outstanding Women in Leadership

B ) 7 Most Beautiful Women

Inside & Out

C ) Empowering Women of the Coastal Bend

D

) Women of Inspiration

3. Which of these country singers was featured in a past cover image?

A ) Kyle Park

B ) Stoney LaRue

C ) Roger Creager

D ) Wade Bowen

4. How many landmarks did the “Historical Landmarks of the Coastal Bend” feature from 2021 include?

A ) 15 B ) 10

C ) 12

D ) 20

5. What is the name of the editorial section found on the final page of the magazine?

A ) Last Words

B ) Parting Thoughts

C ) Looking Back

D ) One More Thing

6. Which of these animals did the four pet-themed cover stories published since 2017 NOT feature?

A ) Turtle

B ) Pig

C ) Chameleon

D ) Monkey

7. Which of the following is NOT a monthly editorial section in the magazine?

A ) Dining Out

B ) Person of Interest

C ) Social Hour

D ) Open House

8. What does the center of the magazine’s spine say each month?

A ) The Essential Coastal Bend Lifestyle Magazine

B ) The Coastal Bend’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine

C ) Inspired Lifestyles of the Coastal Bend

D ) The Coastal Bend’s Lifestyle Magazine

9. What is the name of the Friday morning e-newsletter?

A ) The Bendsider

B ) The Friday File

C ) Weekly Roundup

D ) Weekly Drop

10. The months of December and January were combined into one issue until what year?

A ) 2018

B ) 2016

C ) 2017

D ) 2019

11. What was the first advertised name of the annual readers’ choice poll before it became The Local’s List?

A ) Best of the Coastal Bend

B ) The Local’s Choice

C ) The B-List

D ) Best of Bend

12. What is the cost of a 12-month subscription to The Bend Magazine?

A ) $14.95

B ) $19.95

C ) $12.95

D ) $24.95

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW OUR COVERS? OF THE EIGHT COVERS TO THE RIGHT, TWO WERE NEVER RELEASED IN PRINT. CAN YOU SPOT THEM?

HIDDEN Images

HOW MANY OF THESE THINGS CAN YOU FIND HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT?

1. Peacock 2 . Wine Cork 3. Chrysanthemum 4. Ornament 5. Chopsticks 6. Beta Fish 7. Crown 8. Star 9. Crane 10. Fishing Boat 11. Olive 12. Swimming Pool 13. Wind Turbine 14. Whataburger 15. Fountain 16. Molcajete

Satisfy your appetite for something NEW.

COASTAL CUISINE AND HANDCRAFTED COCKTAILS

Located in the lively downtown Marina District, Omni Corpus Christi Hotel is proud to announce the upcoming grand opening of Switchgrass Landing, our newest restaurant and Caller & Critic, a Social Lounge. Nestled in the heart of Corpus Christi, our restaurant promises a tribute to coastal cuisine at its finest. From a delectable fusion of flavors to tantalizing creations that push the boundaries of culinary creativity, every bite at Switchgrass Landing is a journey of taste and texture. Whether you’re enjoying handcrafted cocktails expertly crafted by our talented mixologists, indulging in delectable small bites, or simply soaking in the lively atmosphere, Caller & Critic, a Social Lounge invites you to connect, unwind, and create unforgettable memories. We look forward to welcoming you soon at our grand opening.

• 3-D Imaging Technology

• CEREC Technology (one visit crowns)

• Dental Implants & Crowns

• Cosmetic Dentistry

• Family Dentistry

• SureSmile® Aligners (Clear Braces)

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea Appliances

• TMJ Treatment

• Infant Frenectomy

Leading the Way in Modern Healthcare

Our mission is to provide the coastal bend with the highest quality medical care that allows our patients to live their best lives. Our comprehensive approach addresses how you feel, how you look, and where you are at your stage in life. We pride ourselves in providing a custom, individualized treatment plan for all of our patients depending on their specific needs.

Services Include:

•

CUISINE

TO CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK STORIES, THIS DEPARTMENT INCLUDES AN ANNIVERSARY COCKTAIL CRAFTED BY JACOB MCCLAIN, AN HOMAGE TO THE BEND’S FIRST-EVER FOOD ISSUE AND A RETROSPECTIVE FROM LONGTIME FOOD CONTRIBUTORS JUSTIN AND KAYLA BUTTS.

PG. 60 THE DISH

PG. 62 FARM TO TABLE

PG. 66 THE DRINK

An Ode to Seafood of the Coastal Bend

Our readers love hearing stories from the culinary world. Maybe it’s because camaraderie around the table transcends other kinds and giving readers insight into the “why” behind local establishments provides a personal connection that keeps people returning. As Corpus is a coastal city, it’s no surprise the first food issue of The Bend — in May of 2014 — focused on seafood. That cover feature told the stories of local favorites like Glow Rockport (now Gabriela’s), Yardarm Restaurant, Roosevelt’s at the Tarpon Inn and Morgan St. Seafood. Though we could dedicate countless features to just seafood, for now, here is a list of musttry seafood dishes in the Coastal Bend in hopes of inspiring your next culinary adventure or reminding you of local mainstays.

Dokyo Tower DOKYO DAUNTAUN

The Dokyo Tower at Dokyo Dauntaun is an elevated take on an ahi tower with sushi rice, spicy tuna, avocado and seasoned blue crab with three special sauces and topped with tempura crunch. Order it alongside a theatrical craft cocktail and the Red Dragon sushi roll.

Ceviche Fusion

COSTA SUR WOK & CEVICHE BAR

The seafood fare at Costa Sur is unlike anything else in the Coastal Bend. Don’t go here without trying the Ceviche Fusion, which takes the typical lime marinade and adds coconut milk and mango for sweetness alongside the tender, fresh fish of choice topped with bright pickled red onions.

By Alexa Rodriguez Photography by Rachel Benavides

May 2014 was The Bend's first ever seafood issue –the cover featured a French-inspired fried oyster from GLOW in Rockport.

A look back at The Bend’s first cuisine cover feature and a roundup of local seafood mainstays

Wild Gulf Oysters

WATER STREET

OYSTER BAR

A round-up of seafood dishes wouldn’t be complete without the oyster varieties from Water Street. From raw to wood-fired and Rockefeller presentations, oyster lovers, meet your match.

Fish ’n Chips

SNOOPY’S PIER

The Fish ’n Chips at this openair, waterfront restaurant is a Padre Island staple. Flaky fish is tossed in beer batter for a light-as-air, crisp finish. A squeeze of lemon and a dunk in housemade tartar sauce provide the finishing touch.

Cajun Snapper

BLUE CLOVE BAR & GRILL

The Blue Clove specializes in seafood and sauce pairings, and the Cajun Snapper is one of the best. Sauteed snapper is topped with jumbo shrimp, baby scallops, mushrooms, capers and a cajun cream sauce for a spicy, savory and flavor-packed bite.

Fried Shrimp

BLACK DIAMOND

OYSTER BAR

Ordering fried shrimp at any local establishment is a no-brainer, but especially at Black Diamond Oyster Bar. The quaint outdoor seafood bar serves up cornmealbattered gulf shrimp that are fried to golden perfection and are best enjoyed with housemade tartar and cocktail sauces.

Water Street Restaurants

First interviewed in May 2014, For the first food issue of The Bend

“Since the May 2014 article, we have survived a hurricane, a pandemic, a snowpocalypse and have been able to conduct two major kitchen remodels to our legacy brands, Water Street Oyster Bar and Executive Surf Club—and rolled out a Mediterranean restaurant, a scratch bakery and a Tex-Mex dinner house. I still have so much confidence in the potential of our city and look forward to the continued growth down here.”

Wild Prawn

WILD PRAWN

Wild Prawn is one of Rockport’s best-kept secrets, where Chef Le infuses Vietnamese flavors into seafood. The restaurant’s namesake dish takes deep-fried shrimp tossed in a creamy chile sauce to perfectly encapsulate the essence of the establishment.

3809 AIRLINE ROAD, SUITE A VMARTCC.COM

FRESH FOOD COURT SELECTIONS

DAILY FRESH MEAT & PRODUCE

JFrom our Farm to Your Table

Justin and Kayla Butts reminisce over 10 years of shared recipes

By Justin & Kayla Butts Photos by Rachel Benavides

ordan and Kaley Regas had a vision: They wanted to create a magazine that captures the energy, the vibes and the flavors of the Coastal Bend. We fell in love with the first issue of The Bend and have written in every issue since. Our mission has always been to develop recipes that are local, simple, healthy and delicious.

The food on these pages was grown on our farm in Rockport: Cherokee White Eagle corn; Red Kuri and Blue Hokkaido squash; Galeux d’ Eysines pumpkins; Dragon’s Tongue beans; Bull’s Blood beets; on and on, hundreds of varieties of heirloom vegetables. We planted each one from seed, picked them at the peak of ripeness and put them to work on these pages.

We raised cattle, hogs, chicken, duck, rabbit and turkey for these recipes. We hunted deer in our forests, fished our windswept waters and foraged the prickly landscape for our ingredients. We showcased the excellent products of local farmers and fishermen.

Our partner on every page has been the indomitable Rachel Benavides. Rachel is lovely; her photography is gorgeous; and with skill and tenacity, she transformed our food into art.

Every month for the last 10 years, our kitchen has become a photoshoot set. It is a magical place — you can see our ingredients coming to life in the photographs; you can see the pots and pans and plates that clutter our kitchen; you can see the flowers, freshly picked from our gardens, decorating the scene. You can see our creations plated and adorned to perfection.

What you cannot see, though, is the laughter, the hugs, the prayers; the children running around the table (and growing taller each year); the joy that went into every photograph.

You can’t see the love we have for you, dear reader, but we hope you can feel it. Most of all, we hope you can taste it.

Jordan and Kaley have a beautiful vision, and you’re holding it in your hands. Their vision now belongs to all of us and it keeps getting better and better.

We are turning the page on 10 years of precious memories and we can’t wait to see what comes next. Thank you for cooking alongside us, all this time.

June 2014 BAKED SNAPPER

September 2015 PULLED PORK SANDWICHES

November 2016 HOLIDAY PIES

The Farm to Table section was first added to the magazine in June 2014, and the recipe to launch the section was for a baked snapper. The fish used in the photos was from Morgan Street Seafood. A relatively quick meal, the recipe takes just under an hour to complete.

March 2017

GRILLED OYSTERS

Some flavors are too good to cover up — they just need a little help to unlock their secrets. And oysters … they have wonderful secrets. This recipe focused on a grilled preparation and included the makings of garlic butter and kale slaw to pair.

Paired with a homemade barbecue sauce inspired by Kayla’s grandmother’s recipe and freshly baked sweet potato chips, this pulled pork sandwich recipe is perfect for any South Texas backyard gathering.

In the first of many holiday-centric dessert Farm to Table recipes, the November 2016 section included a buttermilk brulee pie, an apple pie and a pecan date pie. Each recipe displayed a range of subtle flavors balanced by their natural sweetness.

November 2018

GULF SHRIMP TACOS

The shrimp used in the images for this delicious recipe and as the November 2018 issue’s cover photo were from Mom’s Bait Shop in Rockport. As Kayla noted in her original recipe introduction, fresh shrimp is one of the best perks of living in the Coastal Bend.

May 2019

PASTA 3 WAYS

Inspired by memories in her grandmother’s kitchen as a child, Kayla’s May 2019 Farm to Table section shared the recipes of not one but three homemade pasta varieties: hand-rolled pasta with her all-time favorite marinara sauce, portobello mushroom ravioli and squid ink fettuccine with seared scallops.

Served with a white wine butter sauce and carrots and topped with thyme, this braised rabbit recipe packs in all the flavors. Even the pickiest of eaters will find joy in this comfort meal.

SUMMER SALADS

Summertime temperatures call for refreshing ingredients and less time spent over a sweltering stove. This Farm to Table section featured a variety of salads focused on crisp greens and seasonal fruits and veggies.

— buttermilk French toast topped with brown butter banana slices and toasted pecans, paired with a raspberry fizz cocktail, makes the perfect menu to celebrate such a special day.

April 2023 VEGAN DINNERS

Those in search of vegan-friendly meals that don’t skip on the flavor will want to revisit this gem from April 2023. The recipes for cauliflower alfredo and grilled barbecue tofu are quick and easy to make, as well as healthy and delicious.

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Three Cheers for 10 YEARS

An inspiring anniversary? We’ll drink to that

By Kylie Cooper Photo by Deux Boheme

Several months back, our team asked mixologist Jacob McClain — a veteran of the local craft cocktail scene and the mastermind behind The Mariner’s innovative cocktails — to conjure up a drink to help us commemorate the 10th anniversary issue. He took on the task enthusiastically, and to help him get started, he asked us to answer one simple question: What inspires your team and publication?

The first and most obvious answer was “all things local.” As a hyper-local lifestyle magazine, we knew a local spirit had to be at the center of this special anniversary cocktail. The concept of honoring the classics, the greats, those who paved the way before us, while also making room to spotlight the next generation of change makers, brought us to the idea of a (hopefully) delightful mix of old and new. Since we’re always striving for visual excellence and feeling passionate about sharing the good news

in our area, the drink also needed to be aesthetically appealing and refreshing. And for the name, as a publication and brand deeply rooted in the Coastal Bend, we’re always inspired by the area we geographically cover.

From there, McClain created what he’s dubbed the “Bluff to Bay” signature cocktail. “The spirit is Aerodrome Distilling’s Agave Tequilana Blanco,” McClain said. “That’s where the word ‘bluff’ in the cocktail’s name come from, as Aerodrome is based in Flour Bluff. The ‘bay’ portion of the name is in regard to The Mariner, which is where this cocktail took shape.”

To add a brightness and zestiness, McClain paired the tequilana with fresh apple and lemon juice. Bitter Truth’s allspice dram and Canton Ginger Liqueur add an alluring depth of flavor while local honey from Beeville helps to balance everything out. A few dashes of aromatic bitters add a bit of color and blend the flavors, and to really pack a visually appealing punch, a small amount of hibiscus-pomegranate grenadine sinks to the bottom by pouring it to the inside edge of the glass, so the heavier liquid submerges and creates distinct color separation. An edible flower, mint and a dehydrated lemon are McClain’s version of a cherry on top.

MAKE IT YOURSELF

1.5oz Aerodrome

Tequilana Silver

0.25oz Canton Ginger Liqueur

0.25oz Bitter Truth

Allspice Dram

1oz Fresh Honeycrisp Apple Juice

0.75oz Fresh Lemon Juice

0.5oz Beeville Honey Syrup

2-3 Dashes Aromatic Bitters

0.25oz HibiscusPomegranate Grenadine

The result is a fun and inviting cocktail — featuring local ingredients and reminiscent of summertime in South Texas, easily sipped beachside or over good conversation — in honor of The Bend’s 10th anniversary. Make the drink at home or order it at The Mariner through the month of April, and toast to 10 years of The Bend along with us.

Tips From the Mixologist:

To make the honey-based syrup, heat the honey and add approximately 1/3 of its volume of spring water to the heated honey while stirring.

Shake all the ingredients together with ice and strain the contents, once diluted, over ice into a 12oz glass.

For a further balance of flavors, add more grenadine to taste (1/4 oz is plenty).

LOOKING BACK

IN THIS SPECIAL EDITION DEPARTMENT, WE LOOK BACK AT THE BEND'S ORIGIN STORY, SHARE SENTIMENTS FROM FEATURED SUBJECTS OVER THE YEARS AND LONGTIME CONTRIBUTING WRITER JILLIAN BECQUET SHARES HER THOUGHTS ON JUST HOW MUCH HISTORY CAN BE MADE IN 10 SHORT YEARS.

PG. 70 ORIGIN STORY

Looking Back at The Bend’s Origin Story

In honor of The Bend’s 10th anniversary, founders and owners Kaley and Jordan Regas look back at the publication’s beginnings, the challenges of starting a small print publication business and how they knew betting on The Bend was worth a shot.

Portrait by Charlie Neuenschwander

How did you initially come up with the idea for The Bend?

Jordan Regas: I worked for a small, local magazine while I was still in college. I was an English major with an emphasis on Creative Writing and that experience showed me the positive impact a local lifestyle publication could have on a community. When we moved to Corpus Christi in 2013, it was obvious there was a need to highlight the amazing businesses, places and people. I wanted to bring the kind of city magazines Dallas, Austin and Houston had to Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend.

Kaley had grown up here, but I was a very new resident, and I wanted readers to see and experience all of the great things I was realizing about this region. One of the first people I pitched my vision to was Kaley’s aunt, Sharon Kollaja. Sharon had been a lifetime resident of the region and a longtime entrepreneur. Once I had her on board and willing to help with the first issue, I knew we had a shot.

How did you ultimately decide on the name of the publication?

JR: It truly came down to wanting a name that sounded unique. I didn’t want people to search for it online and our website ending up at the bottom of the page. I had bounced around a lot of names in my head — some were really bad and cheesy. I sketched dozens of logos with different names that I felt encompassed our beautiful region. For a while, I was sold on starting small and focusing strictly on the South Side of Corpus. Thankfully, Kaley pushed for something broader, and The Bend felt like a name our entire community could be proud of.

In January 2019, Jordan and Kaley's first two children, Gemma and Tatum, ages 5 and 1, were featured on the cover of "50 Local Must Do's" making for a sweet, forever memory for the magazine owners.

Take us back to 2014. What did your life look like at the time?

Kaley Regas: January 2014 was as thrilling as it was terrifying. At the time, I was only 21 and Jordan was 26. We were absolutely, blissfully ignorant of the challenges that lay ahead. We had a precious three-month-old, Gemma, at home when Jordan left his job and together we decided to create The Bend I think being so young was actually an advantage for us, though. We were determined to build something that would create an engaged audience and a thriving advertising base, and also sustain our family. We packed our calendar that year with every community event we could, and told everyone who would listen about the magazine. The feedback from our first issue was amazing. People could not believe that such a beautiful magazine about the Coastal Bend was showing up in their mailbox. I can’t tell you how many times we were warned that we would quickly run out of things to talk about — 10 years and 120 issues later, that could not be further from the truth.

Paint a picture of those first few months in business. What did the office look like? How many people were on the team? How many different hats were you both wearing?

KR: Believe it or not, The Bend began in a tiny, windowless office at 5262 S. Staples St. Jordan and I shared a desk, and I can’t tell you how excited we were the day we were able to afford an office with a window. At that point, Jordan and I were both working in tandem on almost every role. We were both selling, creating editorial content, attending photoshoots and working as A/R A/P [accounting] support.

While at times it felt like we were at it all alone, that was far from the truth. We quickly built a band of incredible freelancers. One thing our audience has always marveled at is the photos. Jordan was at Coffee Waves one day and randomly picked up a business card off a table; that business card belonged to none other than Rachel Benavides. Rachel has been pivotal to the gorgeous aesthetics of the magazine since day one. Around the same time, I was searching for the right fit for a monthly recipe. I can still remember the first conversation I had with Kayla and Justin Butts. I had no idea at the time how important their family would be to me and The Bend.

Other major players in all of this would be our parents. Not only were they a rocksolid support system, but they all had a hand in making The Bend. My mom served as my target audience filter, helped with content ideas and introduced us to people in town who would allow us to tell their stories. She and my dad still hand out magazines to anyone they meet and are always trying to steer business our way. Jordan’s dad played an integral part in the logistics of the business. From helping us establish our LLC to filing our taxes, we could always count on him to step in and help. Jordan’s mom edited every page of the magazine for years. We truly wouldn’t be where we are today without each one of them.

What were the challenges you faced in starting this business from the ground up?

KR: So many; but I would say the greatest opposition was selling ads in something that the community had never before seen. The doubt already seeded in most minds combined with the fact that what Jordan and I wanted to bring was a certain caliber of magazine that hadn’t yet been produced in Corpus Christi — we ran into many walls. I still remember my first sale. I was dropping my daughter off for the day at my parents so I could go to work, and that’s when destiny stepped in. She was scheduled to have motorized blinds installed in their new home by none other than Pam Morin, owner of Budget Blinds. In between supervising the installation, she took the time to review our media kit and hear my pitch. She signed an annual contract on the spot. I cried tears of joy as I drove across the causeway to our office. Our first ad!

How has creating/working for The Bend affected you?

JR: Wow! This could probably be an entire magazine feature by itself. I could go on and on about so many things, like the lessons I have learned and the relationships that I have built over the years, but at the end of the day it comes down to realizing what God can do when you step out in faith.

KR: Working for The Bend has changed the way I view where we live entirely. The whole purpose of our job is to find the good in our city. My grandmother always encouraged me to look at the world with rose-tinted glasses. Working for The Bend forces you to do just that. There is so much magic in the Coastal Bend. Thank you, everyone, for providing the opportunity for us to share it with you month after month.

"I can’t tell you how many times we were warned that we would quickly run out of things to talk about — 10 years and 120 issues later, that could not be further from the truth."

Local CommunityBend Meaningfulopportunity APPRECIATE

Warm Wishes, Best Regards

One of the best feelings after a story is published is hearing from featured subjects about how the article made them feel, how it helped advance their dreams or how it inspired them to keep going. Those sentiments are a part of what fuels our team’s passion each month.

We compiled hundreds of emails, social media comments and thank-you cards from featured subjects over the last 10 years and ran them through a word cloud generator. The results produced a visual representation of what we aim to achieve by telling your stories: the concepts of opportunity, community, authenticity, inspiration and meaningful representations of life in the Coastal Bend.

Ricardo

español

Decades of Change

A decade is just a slice (though influential) of our history

By Jillian Becquet Photo Credit Corpus Christi Public Libraries, La Retama Special Collections & Archives

Ten years doesn’t seem like such a long time when looking at history, but Corpus Christi has had several decades of enormous change that each shaped the city we know today.

In the decade before Corpus Christi’s incorporation in 1852, it went from a small settlement named Kinney’s Trading Post to housing about half of the U.S. Army during the fight over the Nueces Strip (between Nueces and Rio Grande rivers) to an incorporated city and seat of Nueces County.

In the decade following the Hurricane of 1919, leaders were convinced bouncing back would require investment in a longdiscussed deepwater port. After years of advocacy, the Port of Corpus Christi opened in 1926, spurring population growth

to double that of the ’20s, and the growth of industries led to modern office buildings built uptown that still stand today.

In the decade that brought the 20th century to a close, Corpus Christi’s tourism industry and quality of life grew with places locals and visitors still love today. The 1990 opening of the Texas State Aquarium and the expansion of the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History in the same year, along with the arrival of the USS Lexington in 1992, forever changed the landscape of learning for our city.

Time will tell how history will view the changes we’ve watched over the last 10 years, and the next—and The Bend’s archives will continue growing to tell the story of 2014 and beyond in the Coastal Bend.

"Writing 'Looking Back' has reminded me every month about the people who came before me and all that they worked to build to make the city I know today. It strengthens my respect for those today who are creating our city's future."

– Jillian Becquet (reflecting on years of contributing to the Looking Back section)

A bayfront view of a growing city, c. 1940s, with newly constructed seawall, T-heads and L-head.

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