inspire coastal bend business dec 2015/jan 2016

I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 1

COASTAL BEND BUSINESS MAGAZINE

HOPE FOR THE

HOLIDAYSCOURT

APPOINTED SPECIAL

ADVOCATES

INSPIREDSTYLE

FEATURINGDR. SARAH

MEDINA

A GRASSROOTS APPROACH

STATE REP.

TODDHUNTER

28PG.

RAISING STANDARDS

LEENA KLAKER,CULINARY

EXTRAORDINAIRE

WHIMSICAL WONDERLANDBLEU FROG MERCANTILE

BACK TO BASICSNIKO’S STEAKHOUSE

READY. SET. LET GO.LESLIE GREEN, CLUTTER QUEEN

HASSLE-FREE HOLIDAYS AT

LA PALMERANEW YEAR’S (FINANCIAL) RESOLUTIONS

3 MYTHS ABOUT CLOUD COMPUTING DEBUNKED

2 I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M*Based on 2014 Total New Retail Sales from Ford Motor Co. Sales Report

THANK YOU FOR MAKING SAMES FORD #1IN CORPUS CHRISTI!

www.samesford.net | 361-851-7600 | 4721 Ayers St. 78415

Bring this ad to the Sames Ford dealership - 4721 AYERS ST. and you will receive a FREE YETI HOPPERwith the purchase of a New F-Series Truck

I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 1*Based on 2014 Total New Retail Sales from Ford Motor Co. Sales Report

THANK YOU FOR MAKING SAMES FORD #1IN CORPUS CHRISTI!

www.samesford.net | 361-851-7600 | 4721 Ayers St. 78415

Bring this ad to the Sames Ford dealership - 4721 AYERS ST. and you will receive a FREE YETI HOPPERwith the purchase of a New F-Series Truck

2 I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M


With over 650,000 shoppers per month, La

Palmera offers a one-of-a-kind

shopping destination to promote your business.

Want more ways to hit the target?

Affordable temporary and long-term leasing

opportunities available!

Visit palmediacc.com to view our unique

advertising and leasing opportunities found

nowhere else in the Coastal Bend.

REACH YOUR AUDIENCE, GROW YOUR SALES.

Make Palmedia part of your marketing plan and win against your competition.

361-986-7915 | PALMEDIACC.COM


With over 650,000 shoppers per month, La

Palmera offers a one-of-a-kind

shopping destination to promote your business.

Want more ways to hit the target?

Affordable temporary and long-term leasing

opportunities available!

Visit palmediacc.com to view our unique

advertising and leasing opportunities found

nowhere else in the Coastal Bend.

REACH YOUR AUDIENCE, GROW YOUR SALES.

Make Palmedia part of your marketing plan and win against your competition.

361-986-7915 | PALMEDIACC.COM

361-884-8973www.stellarnrgsolutions.com

WANT A CHEAPER ELECTRIC BILL?The money we save you is worth investigating.

• Commercial & residential rates

• We shop multiple electricity providers, and provide a comprehensive quote for you, usually within 24 hours.

• We will find cost effective solutions custom tailored to your unique business needs, leaving you free to work on your core business objectives.


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CONTENTSDECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016

BUSINESS COACH

16 Focus

FEATURES

18 Ullberg Studios20 Christmas Colors22 Communication is Key24 A Leader in Education and Conservation26 Hassle-Free Holidays

MONEY MATTERS

50 Dangerous Decorations?52 Stay in Control54 Financial Focus

ENERGY &TECHNOLOGY

56 Do You Have Your Head in the Cloud?

REAL ESTATE

62 Mortgage Basics

TASTE

68 Call in the Culinary!70 All Things Sweet and Spiced

ENTERTAINMENT

72 Something for Everyone

INSPIRED STYLE

74 Dr. Sarah Medina

NONPROFIT

78 Holiday Hope80 Amazing Opportunities

28 STATE REP. TODD HUNTERCurrently serving his eighth term in the Texas House of Representatives, this proud South Texan maintains a grassroots approach to politics.

34 NIKO’S STEAKHOUSECelebrating 10 years of bringing the best of the best to Corpus Christi, Niko Sissamis shares his family’s incredible story of hard work, success and living the American dream.

38 BLEU FROG MERCANTILEAfter 10 years in operation, honesty, integrity and superior customer service still serve as hallmarks of this treasure trove of one-of-a-kind Texas finds.

42 LESLIE GREENFor the Clutter Queen, helping clients declutter and destress by providing them with a motivational plan of action is both a way of life and a labor of love.

28

COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: PAUL MARSHALL

MEET THE STAFF


DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016

PUBLISHERADRIAN GARZA

EDITORAllison Alvarado

ART DIRECTORLiv Madison

DIRECTOR OF MARKETINGAND PRODUCTIONHolly Duvall

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSMandy AshcraftColton BartelKristen BilyKaitlin CalkChase CarlisleJessica DusekCoral DworaczykRichard E. Glover Jr.Christopher HeggSamantha Koepp-StemplingerStephanie KusyConnie LaughlinKelly TrevinoSarona WinfreyJeanie Wyatt

PHOTOGRAPHYDustin AshcraftPaul Marshall

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVESMorgan BartelBrittanie Robertson

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATORMorgan Bartel

PAUL MARSHALLMEDIA SOLUTIONS AND

[email protected]

361.737.4087

Copyright © Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction withoutthe expressed written permission ofthe publisher is prohibited.

www.inspirecoastalbendmag.com

For advertising information,please call 361.548.1044 or [email protected].

For editorial comments andsuggestions, please [email protected].

7957 WolverineCorpus Christi, Texas 78414 Phone: 361.548.1044

Team Inspire

ADRIAN [email protected]

HOLLY DUVALLDIRECTOR OF MARKETING

AND [email protected]

479.935.0868

MORGAN BARTELSOCIAL MEDIA [email protected]

620.417.5392

BRITTANIE ROBERTSONSENIOR ACCOUNT [email protected]

361.425.6483

Wishing you a safeand joyful holiday season.May your days be blessed

with glad tidings and cheer.Farewell 2015, welcome 2016!

Merry Christmasand Happy New Year,

Adrian and Team


Ruben BonillaInsurance Agency

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

361.881.10332727 Morgan Ave, Ste 300Corpus Christi, Texas 78405

www.RubenBonillaInsurance.com


Specializing in New Construction and Renovations

There is an Art to building your dream home, let’s do it together!

ART RAMIREZPresident/Builder

R.O. Construction Group (361) 813-6520www.roconstructiongroup.com www.facebook.com/artthebuilder


Specializing in New Construction and Renovations

There is an Art to building your dream home, let’s do it together!

ART RAMIREZPresident/Builder

R.O. Construction Group (361) 813-6520www.roconstructiongroup.com www.facebook.com/artthebuilder

[email protected]

(361) 854-7121802 N. Carancahua, Suite 2100

Frost Bank PlazaCorpus Christi, TX

TRIAL LAWBUSINESSLITIGATIONPERSONALINJURYMASS TORTSCONSUMER


shop. dine. be merry.

lapalmera.com5488 S. Padre Island Drive • Corpus Christi

More than 130 of the finest names in style, services and cuisine for everyone on your list including: Dillard’s • Macy’s • JCPenney

DSW • HomeGoods • P.F. Chang’s China Bistro • Forever 21 • Soma Intimates • LongHorn Steakhouse • Dick’s Sporting Goods

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria • Michael Kors • Tilly’s • Victoria’s Secret • White House | Black Market • Aldo • MAC Cosmetics • Buckle

Pandora • T.J. Maxx • Chipotle Mexican Grill


Great Food. Great Times. Great Experience.

Sun-Thurs 11am-1am Fri & Sat 11am-2am

5409 Saratoga Blvd., Corpus Christinikossteakhouse.com361.992.2333

Happy Hour 4-7pm 7 Days a Week

FOCUSFive ways to improve your business for 2016 By: CONNIE LAUGHLIN

FOCUSThere are two main objec-

tives if you’re in business. One is to continually improve your service or product; and the second, that’s equally import-ant, is to continually perfect your methods to earn the most net profit or gain. The strategy for sustainable revenue pro-duction is the lifeblood of your business, and it mandates equal time and attention.

For you to truly find suc-cess in both areas, you must narrow your focus of under-takings to only these two ob-jectives. The less you have on your plate, the more attentive you’ll be to goal obtainment.

To gain more focus, you must first simplify all business processes. It’s written that we spend less than 25 percent or our workday doing what we went into business to do. That means we are spending 75 per-cent of our time doing other things. So, you see the neces-sity of driving our focus to just our key priorities.

Well define your strategies, and, of course, don’t forget contingency plans to ensure long-term sustainability. Every periodical these days features articles on time management. But you’ll find there’s no bet-ter time management strategy than to eliminate the majority of duties that keep you from doing your most important job: making financial success!

OUTSOURCEEvery business finds

there’s plenty of labor in-volved in keeping up with worksite employee law compliance, employee ad-ministrative duties, liability issues and risk management strategies, paying taxes and performing audits and so forth. Don’t waste any more of your precious time with it – outsource all of it!

Farm out administrative stuff to professionals who are bonded, licensed, high-ly trained and certified so you’re absolutely sure your business is in the right hands from a risk management standpoint. For example, you wouldn’t want to handle a tax audit on your own, so your best choice would be to hire bonded pros with fa-miliar references that you’ve personally verified.

Contract out things that you didn’t go into business to do. If you own a service shop, you shouldn’t be working in the office all day to oversee or run tax reports, handle payroll administra-tion and create personnel policies. Don’t do it or over-see that it’s done, because either way, it’s still on your to-do list.

CONTROLStreamlining all your

processes keeps your fo-cus on your main objective, and today, that’s how to make more with less. Tailor a business plan that allows you to successfully navigate periods of dire recession to developing great wealth during the upturns. It takes wise judgment in spending and planning to accomplish this, so you see why you’ve got to get tight grip on where your time is spent.

It takes a calculative and creative thinker to be contin-ually reviewing options and looking for hidden oppor-tunities. Have total control – not the micro-managing type, but overall organiza-tion knowing the absolute best business plan is in place for economic growth and risk management. A business owner must make certain the long list of hu-man resource and risk man-agement requirements and needs are met. Being unedu-cated is no excuse.

Your strategic processes always need financial ac-counting and organizational control through every stage, from conception to execu-tion. Ensure your vision is well understood by employ-ees who will carry forward your mission.

UTILIZEBuild on the strengths

of your business creat-ing a unique experience that only your group can provide clientele. What can set you apart from the others?

A keen eye on customer service is mandatory! En-sure your employees are trained on how to proac-tively engage with clients. There are a multitude of outstretched hands for every dollar; assure your clientele are ecstatic!

There are hundreds of training courses compa-nies should be utilizing for improving personnel skill sets. The course ma-terial ranges from how to effectively handle email to OSHA training for blue-collar environ-ments. Every business leader should have ongo-ing training programs in place; it doesn’t matter if you have two employees or 200. Employees are an asset; take care of them.

CONNIE LAUGHLIN is a business consul-tant for UniqueHR. For more information on outsourcing your human resources to a PEO, you may contact her at 361-852-6392 or [email protected].

BUSINESS COACH

SCRUTINIZECould your business use a minor facelift? Don’t let outdated furnishings and shabby décor be the face of your business. Inex-

pensive exterior facades, interior paint, furnishings and flooring might be a good idea.Is it time for a professional to review all your HR needs, from legal posters and employee handbooks to benefits and employ-

ee performance reviews? Safety assessments can uncover areas that need immediate attention. Specialized tax auditors can find overpayments. Are you covered appropriately with your various insurance programs? While weighing your options, make sure you’re working with the best in their field of expertise for a low and contained cost.

Before the year ends, find your focus!


Great Food. Great Times. Great Experience.

Sun-Thurs 11am-1am Fri & Sat 11am-2am

5409 Saratoga Blvd., Corpus Christinikossteakhouse.com361.992.2333

Happy Hour 4-7pm 7 Days a Week


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FEATURE

Ullberg Studios (formerly CC Art Connection at Lamar Park) is now located on Yorktown Boulevard. It Exclusively Features Kent Ullberg Sculptures.

Born and raised in Sweden, Kent Ullberg studied at the Swedish University College of Art in Stockholm and worked at museums in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Africa and Denver, Colo. After living in Botswana, Africa, for seven years, he became an American citizen and now resides in Corpus Christi, Texas. He also maintains a stu-dio in Loveland, Colo. He is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading wildlife sculptors and creator of pub-lic monuments, 18 of which are here in the Coastal Bend.

His Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and his Omaha, Neb., installa-tions are the largest bronze wildlife compositions ever done, spanning several city blocks. Both earned him the coveted Henry Hering Medal Award from the National Sculpture Society, NYC. His most recent monumental installation is “Snow-Mastodon,” a life-size (19-foot-high) bronze mast-

odon placed outside the Denver Museum of Nature and Science this last Sep-tember. He is a Full Aca-demician of the National Academy in New York City, and he has received the highest professional recog-nitions from many presti-gious art organizations.

Ullberg states his per-sonal philosophy about his work: “An artist needs to reflect his environment and the concerns of his time. Ar-tistic images from nature, in this day of ecology and con-servation, are very much a statement of our time.”

EVERY SCULPTURE FEATURED IS A COLLECTIBLE

KENT ULLBERG

For further information, please visit Kent Ullberg’s website at www.kentullberg.net, or look for Ullberg on Facebook.

Scent of Vixen

Foothold

Angle ofRepose

Bright Blue

Catchingthe Wind

I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 195337 Yorktown Blvd. | Ste. 2C | Corpus Christi, TX 78413 | 361.851.1600 | www.kentullberg.net

Ullberg Studios, Inc.

“I would do this even if it were illegal.”Gallery Hours: M-F 9:30am-5pm(also available by appointment)

Email: [email protected]

EQUIPOISEStainless Steel13 ½” x 10 ½” x 5”

- Kent Ullberg


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FEATURE

Sweaters and sapphires for the holiday season By: COLTON BARTEL

CHRISTMAS COLORSIT’S THAT TIME of year again: time to wrap

your presents and your house in bright colors that brings smiles to everyone who sees them. It’s also that time of year you would normally break out that “awesome” Christmas sweater worthy of a national championship in the ugly category. If you or your significant other wants to be colorful this year, without turning red with embarrassment, try dressing up with colored stone jewelry!

Everyone has some knowledge about dia-monds and can appreciate them, but few know how much variety there is in the world of col-ored stones. Though there are literally hundreds of different kinds of colored stones to pick from, three stones really stand out from the rest. Em-erald, ruby and sapphire are known as the “big three.” Most everyone has at least heard of these stones, but one in particular, sapphire, offers a lot more than most would think.

Sapphires are generally thought of as being blue. The amazing thing about sapphire is, they come in every color except red. Why not red, you ask? Because they refuse to wear embarrassing sweaters! Just kidding. The only reason they don’t occur in red is simply that “red sapphires” are actually rubies. Ruby and sapphire are a ma-terial known as corundum, and this material can be found in many countries in a wide variety of colors, including one that changes colors.

If you decide to venture into the colored stones, sapphires are a great place to start. Be-sides the benefit of having practically every color to pick from, sapphires are very durable. Only diamond ranks above corundum on the hardness scale, making ruby and sapphire per-fect for use in jewelry and everyday wear.

Shopping for rubies and sapphires really can be a lot of fun, but there are some things to watch for. The first thing to look for is obviously the color you want. Independent jewelers will usually have a larger variety of colors than chain or box stores because independent stores have the ability to choose who they get stones from and where.

While looking at the color of a stone, pay close attention to how even the color is through-out the stone. In some stones the color can be very uneven and actually look almost striped or tie-dyed, which is normally not an attractive

thing to see in a stone. Also look for how bright the stone appears and how pure the color looks. There are a lot of stones available out there that are a really pretty color, but so dark you need a light behind them to see the color; others may be the color you want, but have a hint of brown or grey to them that makes them look a little dingy

or dirty. A well-educated jeweler or gemologist will be able to help you with your selection and will also have comparison stones to visually show you the differences.

Once you know what color you want, it’s time to decide on shape. The most common shape you will see in any colored stone is oval. The nice thing is that since sapphire and ruby have always been in high demand, many dif-ferent shapes are available for most colors. One thing to keep in mind: Generally, nicer stones will be cut in more saleable shapes, so if you want a really nice stone, chances are you will be buying an oval or round stone. Don’t get too down, though, because custom cutting of col-ored stones is always a possibility.

Other than size, the last thing and probably one of the most important things to look for is the clarity of the stone and what the inclusions say about it. Almost all sapphires and rubies have at least one type of inclusion in them; how-ever, they don’t have near the effect on the stones like they do in diamonds. Some inclusions are actually beneficial in determining if a stone has had a type of treatment or if it is even natural.

While on the topic, there are a lot of synthetic rubies and sapphires out there. There are actually few stones that come close to the amount of syn-thetic production as corundum. The great news is, they are fairly easy to differentiate synthetic stones from natural, so don’t let that scare you.

Sapphires and rubies are the perfect stones to start with if you want to dress yourself up with some more color. With such a wide variety of colors and availability, there really are endless possibilities with what can be done with these beautiful and durable stones. The next time you go to reach for that “beautiful” sweater, close the closet door and go visit your jeweler. Maybe this year, you’ll be red with excitement instead!

Colton Bartel is a G.I.A. graduate gemologist and jewelry designer for Susann’s Custom

Jewelers. For questions or to set up an appointment, please contact Susann’s Custom Jewelers via phone at 361-991-7565, via Web

at www.susanns-jewelers.com or in person at 4254 S. Alameda in the Town and Country

shopping center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

SAPPHIRES AND RUBIES ARE THE PERFECT STONES TO

START WITH IF YOU WANT TO DRESS YOURSELF UP WITH

SOME MORE COLOR.


5510 Williams Drive | Corpus Christi, Texas | 361.991.8383 | [email protected]


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Kelly Trevino is the regional director for the Corpus Christi office of Better Business Bureau serving Central, Coastal andSouthwest Texas and the Permian Basin. She is available for media interviews and speaking engagements.

You can reach her at 361-945-7352 or [email protected].

FEATURE

BLACK FRIDAY and the holiday season are quickly approaching, which means many businesses will start advertising seasonal sales, discounts and specials to attract customers. According to the Nation-al Retail Federation, Black Friday is still the biggest day for holiday shoppers, and it continues to attract the biggest crowds. Last year, 86.9 million consumers shopped in stores and online on Black Friday.

As part of the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB’s) standards for trust, BBB accredited businesses are required to advertise honestly and fol-low BBB’s code of advertising. BBB’s code of advertising serves as a guide for businesses to ensure your advertising is fair and truthful and so that customers can have a satisfying shopping experience.

It’s also important for your business to advertise any special of-fers, like one-time-only coupons, and hours of operation since many businesses may be closed on Black Friday. Communication is key, so be sure to regularly update your customers on your website or social media sites of special offers and business hours.

When you prepare advertising for holiday sales on Black Friday weekend, BBB advises you to keep these sales terms in mind:

Comparative price, value and savings claims: Advertisers may offer a price reduction or saving by comparing their selling

price with their former selling price, the current selling price of identical merchandise or the cur-rent selling price of comparable merchandise sold by the advertis-er or by others in the market area. Sales: The word, “sale,” should be used only when there is a significant reduction from the advertiser’s usual price. The “sale” must be for a limited time. If it exceeds 30 days, an advertis-er should be able to substantiate that the offering is a valid reduc-tion and has not become the reg-ular price.

Lowest price: Because pric-es fluctuate rapidly, sellers have a difficult time comparing their lowest price with all competitors. If advertisers claim to have the lowest price, they should have evidence to verify their claim. “Up to” savings: Savings or price reduction claims covering a group of items with a range of savings should state both the minimum and maximum savings without undue or misleading dis-plays of the maximum. Free: The word, “free,” may be used in advertising when a business is offering an uncondi-tional gift. If getting the free item requires a purchase:

• The advertiser must disclose this condition clearly and togeth-er with the “free” item.

• The normal price of the merchan-dise or service to be purchased must not have been increased or its quantity or quality reduced.

• The “free” offer must be tem-porary; if it isn’t temporary, it becomes a continuous combina-tion offer.

How to prepare your business for Black Friday and the holiday shopping season

By: KELLY TREVINO

COMMUNICATIONIS KEY


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FEATURE

The Texas State Aquarium supports research throughout the Gulf of Mexico.

By: RICHARD E. GLOVER JR.

A LEADER IN EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION

THE AQUARIUM ESTABLISHED THE WCCR FUND TO FURTHER ITS MISSION OF CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE.

and Research (WCCR) Fund to further its mission of connecting people with nature and inspiring conservation of the Gulf of Mexico. Each year, the aquarium awards funding to programs that focus on habitat restoration, wildlife management, conservation and wild-life rehabilitation in the Gulf of Mexico that focus on species in the aquarium’s living col-lection or habitats that support those species.

Much like the aquarium’s Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Program, support of important research through its WCCR Fund is one more way the aquarium tangibly acts as conservation and education leader not only on its premises, but throughout Texas’ Coastal Bend and the Gulf of Mexico – a re-sponsibility the aquarium’s leadership and staff take very seriously.

The aquarium recently announced its 2015 WCCR Fund recipients. According to the aquarium’s vice president of education and conservation, Leslie Peart, “The aquarium is pleased to support this select group of sci-entists and conservation managers who aim to save important Gulf species and habitats of concern. We look forward to sharing their methods and results with visiting families and school groups through special exhibits and learning programs throughout the year.”

The following are the aquarium’s 2015 WCCR Fund recipients with a brief de-scription of their projects:

Sharks with Spectators III – Real-time, Glob-al Tracking of Texas’ Marine Apex Predators for Science, Education and ResearchTexas A&M University – Corpus Christi – Harte Research Institute / Greg Stunz and Matt AjemianBuilding upon the work Dr. Stunz’s team completed with WCCR funds in 2013 and 2014, project scientists will tag and track large sharks. Information concerning the animals’ current locations and past movements will be sent to the Coastal Bend and global com-munity, allowing for outreach and education opportunities and better understanding of declining shark populations. The shark tag-ging and tracking work Stunz and his team have done with OCEARCH are featured in the aquarium’s “Saving Sharks” exhibit that opened in October 2015.

Waters for Wildlife: Monitoring the Use of Freshwater Ponds by Wintering Whoop-ing CranesSan Antonio Bay Partnership / Kiersten StanzelThis project will monitor the use of freshwater ponds by wintering whooping cranes in order to understand their use of freshwater ponds during periods of drought and assist in their

In 2013, the Texas State Aquarium established the Wildlife Care, Conservation


For more information, visit the Texas State Aquariumonline at www.texasstateaquarium.org.

recovery from endangered species status. This project is a follow-up to a project that received 2013 WCCR funding for creation of a human-made pond for whooping cranes.

Genetic Composition of Immature Kemp’s Ridley Turtles in theGulf of MexicoUSGS Southeast Ecological Science Center / Margaret LamontThis project will examine genetic composition of immature Kemp’s Rid-ley assemblages in the Gulf of Mexico and develop a library of genetic information to link wild-caught and head-started turtles. This library can be used to fill the knowledge gaps about immature Kemp’s Ridley that continue to hamper the recovery of the species.

Improving Oso Creek/Bay, Corpus Christi Bay and Petronila Creek Water QualityTexas State University – Meadows Center / Meredith MillerThis project will utilize the South Texas Regional Stream Team to work on improving water quality and riparian/aquatic habitats in Oso Creek, Oso Bay, Corpus Christi Bay and Petronila Creek, all of which are on Texas’ 303(d) list of impaired water bodies for not meeting contact recreation water quality standards. The South Texas Regional Stream Team is a motivated group of citizen scientists who were trained to collect water quality data and remove trash from the bays and creeks. They will also engage the community in stewardship activities, includ-ing quarterly trash cleanups and the Texas Stream Team Monofilament Finders Project.

Optimizing Coral Fragmentation Technique for PropagationUniversity of Texas at Austin / Mikhail MatzThis project will focus on optimizing a fragmentation technique to prop-agate coral stock for reef restoration. It is a follow-up to a study funded by WCCR in 2014 examining biological indicators that could be used to evaluate the risk of infectious outbreak at the Flower Garden Banks, as well as other Caribbean reefs.

Mapping Spotted Trout Spawning Habitat in Mission Aransas NERRUniversity of Texas Marine Science Institute / Brad ErismanThis project will feature cooperative research with recreational anglers to map spawning habitat of spotted trout in Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve and how they overlap with seagrass beds, artificial reefs and oil/gas platforms, navigation channels, managed ar-eas and important recreational areas. Such information would be bene-ficial to the management of the fishery, regional ecosystem monitoring programs and recreational anglers looking to maximize fishing oppor-tunities and experiences.

Migrating Monarch Butterflies’ Use of Offshore Oil PlatformsUniversity of Texas Marine Science Institute / Tracy VillarealThis project will develop an app for use by citizen scientists to assess the use of offshore structures and vessels by migrating Monarch butterflies.


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FEATURE

Tips to make your season the best ever

By: SARONA WINFREY

THE HOLIDAYS are a time of joy for many, with parties to plan and attend, and oh so many gifts to buy; others, however, can only take a deep breath and prepare for the stress sure to overtake them. The good news is a little organization and pre-planning can help keep your world running smoothly through the holidays.

La Palmera and The Shops at La Palmera offer more than 130 retail and dining options, meaning you’ll likely find nearly every item on your gift list. So, do some pre-planning to make the most of your time and money.

Make a gift list, and stick with it. That way, you’re less likely to make impulse buys and blow your budget.

Know where you’re going. Be-fore you leave your house, organize your list to know what you need and where you plan to shop for it.

Plan your stops. Go online to lapalmera.com to our directory and find where your favorite stores are located and group your stops by proximity before you arrive.

Who has the best deals? You can find sales and promotions info on our website at lapalmera.com, or on our Facebook page. Our concierge staff can also help you find items you may be looking for.

Now that you have a game plan, what other things might make your shopping easier?

Coupon clutter. Don’t just stuff all those coupons in your bag; you’ll likely forget what you have. Go through and pull the ones that match items on your gift list and keep them with the list. That way, they’re top of mind and ready to use when you get to the register.

Know where to park. At La Palmera, you’ll find plenty of free parking, including a covered garage between Dillard’s and Macy’s, as well as valet parking conveniently located at the mall’s main entrance. And our security team is always hap-

py to escort you to your car; just stop by security or the concierge to make your request.

Need help getting around?If you need assistance getting some-one around the mall, stop by the concierge for stroller and wheelchair rental.

Will I have enough time? La Palmera has extended holiday hours through Dec. 31. Go to lapalmera.com for a complete schedule.

Have a holiday party to attend – or to host? The La Palmera Shop-ping District can help.

Look your best. You’ll find a va-riety of stores, including Francesca’s, DSW and Charming Charlie for the perfect outfit, shoes and accessories for her, as well as a number of salons and specialty stores, such as ULTA and MAC for the perfect hair and makeup. Guys can also find the right look at Express Men, as well as Dil-lard’s, JCPenney and Macy’s.

Host with the most. In addition to the three department stores, we also have HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx where you’re sure to find just the right holiday décor and entertain-ment pieces. Many of our restaurants also offer catering to make your party complete.

HASSLE-FREE HOLIDAYS

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For more information on La Palmera andThe Shops at La Palmera, including hours,a directory and map, as well as directions, go

online to www.lapalmera.com, find us onFacebook or call 361-991-5718.

Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions and holiday shopping dilemmas we hear from our guests:

When’s the best time to see Santa? Santa will be available for visits and photos in Center Court during mall hours through Dec. 24. Weekends and evenings are generally the busiest, of course, so if you are able to bring your child during the day, particularly in the morning hours, your wait time might be less. Lines also tend to get longer the closer we get to Christmas, so don’t wait until the last minute.

Need ideas for an office gift exchange. The Beef Jerky Outlet and Bourbon Street Candy Company have some incredibly tasty treats, or perhaps candles and decora-tive items at Hallmark.

What about kids? You’ll find a variety of clothing and shoe stores just for kids, as well as Toys R Us Express, Build-A-Bear and GameStop for popular gifts.

What about foodies? How about a night out at LongHorn Steakhouse, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria or Chili’s Grill & Bar, or even a gift card from these restaurants and other dining spots found in the La Palmera Cafes Food Court?

Just don’t know or can’t decide what to buy. Pick up a La Palmera gift card. Available at the concierge or online at lapalmera.com in increments from $10 to $500, the cards are good at most La Palmera and The Shops at La Palmera retail and dining locations.


COVERSTORY

How blending in has allowedSTATE REP. TODD HUNTER

to stand out

By: STEPHANIE KUSYPhotos by: PAUL MARSHALL

MANIN

BLACK



“I MADE A DECISION TO GO HOME AND PRACTICE LAW AND RAISE THE KIDS. YOU CAN ALWAYS RUN FOR OFFICE, BUT YOU CAN’T ALWAYS BE HOME.”

YOU WON’T EVER find State Rep. Todd Hunter dressed in a flashy suit. It is a rare occasion to see him in a suit at all. Typically, Hunter wears black from head to toe – and, according to him, for very good reason.

“To me, the color black does not make you stand out,” Hunter says. “It makes you part of the crowd. It makes you blend in. My view is to be part of the grassroots part of the community.”

Though recorded in 1971, Johnny Cash’s “Man in Black,” which reflects themes of poverty, injustice, abuse, corruption and general opposition of the status quo, epitomizes many of the beliefs Hunter embodies today. His grassroots approach to politics has garnered much support and respect from the community he serves.

The 2015 legislative session proved successful for Hunter and those living in the Coastal Bend. His biggest accomplishment centered on windstorm reform, an issue he’s advocated for the past decade. Hunter says because of the bill that passed this year, residents of the Coastal Bend can expect an increase in private insurers offering windstorm coverage, a de-crease in rates and an improved funding structure for response to major hurricane damage.

“It has taken us 12 years to fix the law, change the law and improve the law,” Hunter says. “It is not going to be an overnight accomplishment. Over the next year-and-a-half to


two years, you will start seeing changes where it is affordable and it is not discriminatory anymore.”

Hunter also authored and co-authored a series of bills related to seawater desalination projects. The bills will allow for treating seawater and streamlin-ing regulatory processes with environmental protec-tions in mind. Currently, many desalination plants exist in Texas, but none to make drinkable water from the ocean.

The Texas State Aquarium benefited from the leg-islative session, as well. Hunter advocated for the $9 million funding boost the aquarium received from the state to build a new 65,000-square-foot exhibit known as “Caribbean Journey.”

Hunter took a closer look at human rights issues in 2015, too. January is National Human Traffick-ing Awareness Month, and Hunter intends to create stricter laws in Texas. As a joint-author of yet anoth-er bill, HB 10 created new laws to make it easier to prosecute human trafficking and forced prostitution, as well as providing additional resources to victims.

“We started with a good, impactful law,” he says. “Over the next year to year-and-a-half, we will work to improve the law. My goal is to get rid of [human trafficking] in the state of Texas and to make sure we have laws where you cannot do that in Texas.”

Hunter is not a Texas native, but he got here as fast as he could. Born in Bartlesville, Okla., in 1953, he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas in 1975. Studying law at Southern Method-ist University brought him to Texas. He established roots in Corpus Christi in 1978 and has practiced law here ever since. He is currently the senior partner of Hunter, Barker and Fancher, P.C.

Hunter has a long history at the Capitol, which has earned him respect from other representatives. He was first elected to public office in 1988, but retired from public service in 1997 so he could help raise his three young children with his wife, Alexis. “I made a deci-sion to go home and practice law and raise the kids,” he says. “You can always run for office, but you can’t always be home. When they got older, I ran again.”

His three children, Todd Jr., Michael and Christi-na, all returned to the Coastal Bend after graduating from college to pursue esteemed careers in law, in-surance and architecture. Hunter’s wife owns Alexis Hunter Interiors, a unique furniture and accessories store in town.

In 2014, Hunter was elected to serve his eighth term in the Texas House of Representatives. He represents District 32, encompassing part of Nueces County. He shows no signs of slowing down, either. “I got too many things in the hopper,” he says. “The job isn’t done.” Hunter says he will seek reelection in 2016.

While he intends to expand upon the issues men-tioned from the previous legislative session, Hunter will promote the Coastal Bend in a set of hearings to explore the possibility of expanding the cruise ship industry to South Texas. “Sometimes if you don’t stand up for your community or make sure your community is known, they forget you,” he says. “The bigger cities should not get everything.”

“THE EDUCATION I GET IS FROM PEOPLE IN GENERAL. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS IMPACT ME.”


For more information, you can obtain Representative Hunter’s contactinformation at www.house.state.tx.us.

Hunter surprisingly doesn’t have a mentor he’s always admired. “The education I get is from people in general,” he says. “I have never really had one person. My family and friends impact me. I have always been in grassroots retail politics where you get to know your community.”

A united, supportive community gives him the strength to get things done during legislative sessions. “Trabajando juntos hacemos las cosas,” he says, sounding as if he’s fluent in Spanish. “Working together we get things done,” he then says smiling proud of his South Texas heritage.

When not at the Capitol, Hunter enjoys leisurely driving around the Coastal Bend and taking in the sights and sounds of his city. An avid walker, he participates in several 5Ks around the area. Rarely front and center, he makes numerous appearances at events, often dressed in black. If you didn’t recognize his face, he probably looks like just another member of the community, listening to others share feedback about what’s happening in and around the city. And that’s the way he would like to keep it.

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Great Food,Great Experience

Niko’s Steakhouse:bringing the best of the best to Corpus Christi


PROFILE



Great Food,Great Experience


and it’s highly unlikely you would be able to identify the owner. He may be tucked away in the kitchen donning a chef’s hat while perfecting a fam-ily recipe. He may be behind the bar whipping up a tasty margarita for pa-trons. Either way, Niko Sissamis pre-fers the hands-on approach when it comes to managing restaurants. Many residents may know that for three generations, this Greek family has founded a string of more than a dozen successful eateries in Corpus Christi. What they may not know, though, is the rags-to-riches story behind it.

Niko’s Steakhouse will celebrate 10 years of business soon, but the real story takes us way back before World War II when Niko’s grandfather im-migrated from a poor village named Spoa located on island of Karpathos in Greece. He left his wife and three chil-dren behind in search of a better way of life in the United States. Once the war started, though, he lost communi-cation with his family back home.

Niko’s father, the oldest of three, stepped up to support the family and dropped out of school after seventh grade. After several years, they finally heard from their father; he was alive and well working in New York and would soon make his way down to Tex-as. When Niko’s father, Paul, turned 18, he set out to journey across the At-lantic Ocean to find work and earn a better income for his family. However, he quickly encountered issues.

“When he first got to Athens, they wouldn’t let him board the ship be-cause he didn’t have any shoes,” Niko says of his father, who was too poor to own a pair. “So he had to go back to the island, literally borrow a pair of shoes and wait a month for the next ship traveling to America.”

This time, he boarded the ship, sailed across the ocean and docked at Ellis Island in New York. He was 18 and did not speak English. With

no money, he sought out the Greek community and found work at a restaurant washing dishes. With his first paycheck, he bought a pair of shoes, cleaned up the pair he borrowed and shipped them back to his family member in Greece.

For nearly a decade in New York City, Paul was promoted from wash-ing dishes, to learning how to cook, to waiting tables, to managing. In the meantime, Paul’s father had already set-tled in Corpus Christi and opened a diner known as Hasty Tasty with his brother-in-law. The diner became popular and yielded enough money for the rest of the family to leave Greece and come to the United States. They soon opened a second location.

Back in the 1950s, Leopard Street was called High-way 9, similar to what SPID is today. Niko’s grand-father, better known as Papa Louie, spotted the pos-sibility for growth. The family sold both diners and

opened up a top-of-the-line steakhouse in 1957 called the Astor, which still operates today. “At the time, that was the main drag, so it was a popular restau-rant,” Niko says. “Way ahead of its time.”

By then, Niko’s father, Paul, was married with children. The family worked hard seven days a week.

Niko and his six sib-lings all worked in the restaurant from a young age, first refill-ing drinks, then grad-ually learning the ins and outs of the busi-ness. “From a young age, I loved the restau-rant business,” Niko recalls. “I remember being 4 or 5 years old in the kitchen asking to help.”

Niko knew at a young age he wanted to open a restaurant. His father, however, insisted he go to col-lege first. “My father was such an outgoing, pleas-ant, hardworking man,” he says. “He lived his life through us. He gave us everything he didn’t get growing up.”

Step inside Niko’s Steakhouse,

“I REALLY WANTEDTO GO BACK TOTHE BASICS OF

WHAT MADE MY FATHER, UNCLE AND

GRANDFATHERSUCH A SUCCESS.”


After graduating from college, Niko opened a restau-rant in Calallen, as well as the Ol’ Steakhouse Compa-ny on Alameda with his brother. After years of running those restaurants together, Niko knew he wanted to try something different and open a much larger steak-house. In March 2006, Niko’s Steakhouse opened. “I really wanted to go back to the basics of what made my father, uncle and grandfather such a success,” Niko says. “I went back to the original New York family reci-pes. I wanted to use my family’s vision in today’s date.”

The causal, yet elegant dining experience will exceed any steak lover’s expectations. Patrons can smell the mesquite wood burning outside before they enter the restaurant. The wood brings out the flavor in the steaks, chicken, grilled seafood and wild game, which contrib-utes to one of the many reasons the restaurant has ac-quired several Best of the Best awards over the years.

“You will see me bartending one day and cooking the next,” Niko says. “I’m in the kitchen a lot. You will see me managing and talking to tables.” Detail oriented with an entrepreneurial spirit, Niko still gives all the credit to God and his family for getting him where he is today.

“They were very brilliant people for being immi-grants,” he says proudly. “They had no schooling, but they saw America as the land of opportunity. They made it here, but they weren’t given anything. They worked. They sacrificed to give us a good life. In the mix of all this, they made sure we went to school and to church.”

The Greek community is small, but prevalent in Cor-pus Christi. The majority maintain their Greek culture,

but embrace American traditions. “I’ve never met a Greek that wasn’t hardworking,” Niko says. “They hand down traditions to their kids in addition to teaching them to work hard. They all come to church Sunday. It’s a beautiful culture.”

The majority of Greek families regularly attend the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Sundays. Niko, like his father, is currently serving as the president. He also has a hand in the renowned Greek Festival, which takes place in November. He has all of these commit-ments, yet he remains devoted to his family: his wife, Shermane, and son, Paul, who was named after Niko’s father. Niko hopes to instill the same beliefs he was taught and never forget his Greek heritage.

Fun, Funky Fabulous

All-in-one store BLEU FROG MERCANTILE is redefining what it means to be a local mercantile.


and

PROFILE



Dusty Durrill, a visionary with scores of public improvement projects, has a reputation for reinventing and transforming rundown areas around Corpus Christi. The family com-pany, Durrill Properties, renovated underused areas like Gaslight Square and Concrete Street Amphitheater.

Durrill also renovated the dilapidat-ed Six Points area when he purchased the long-standing 60-year-old Cage’s Hardware store and converted it into the antique and gift store now known as Bleu Frog Mercantile. He hired women in the community with retail experience to turn his dreams into reality. The transformation brought Six Points back to life.

“He really wanted to have an old-fashioned goods store – a place where you can get a little bit of everything,” says Becky Gain, Bleu Frog business manager. “He wanted it to be eclec-tic. He wanted to carry antiques. It was a real mom-and-pop kind of store.”

The mercantile celebrated 10 years of busi-ness earlier this year, and it shows no signs up slowing down. In an effort to keep up with changing trends, Bleu Frog completely trans-formed the layout of their store in early 2015 by adding a trendy boutique with collections for men, women and children.

They also added fashionable furniture like the Park Hill Collection, featured on HGTV’s show, “The Fixer Upper,” which brings to-gether nostalgic reproductions and old-fash-ioned country charm. They have always car-ried local brands like Fredericksburg Farms

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FROG MERCANTILE HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. WALL ART, LAMPS, THROW PILLOWS AND LINENS ARE

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SITUATED IN THE HEART OF OLD TOWN SIX POINTS, THE RENOVATED

BUILDING STILL MAINTAINS ITS HISTORICAL TOUCH AND UPHOLDS

A STORY ALL ITS OWN.


Bleu Frog Mercantile is located in the Six Points shopping center at 1710 S. Alameda. They are open Monday through Saturdayfrom 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can find them online at www.bleufrogmercantile.com or on Facebook.

and Dinah Bowman, but they have recently added top-of-the-line fashions such as Johnny West, Double Zero and Kate Spade.

“We had a tremendous re-sponse,” Gain says. “People loved the boutique. They loved the clothes. We have now become more of an on-trend store in addi-tion to being a mercantile.” It has become so popular that the com-pany has contemplated growing the brand.

One component that has not changed though is the desire to carry on the traditions of honesty, integrity and superior customer service. Staff will do whatever they can to keep customers happy. Gain, who has been with the com-

pany since the beginning, says she maintains a deep-rooted devotion to seeing Bleu Frog succeed. “It’s a family – a very close-knit family when you work here. I love that. We really care about each other and work as a team. There’s a lot of camaraderie. It’s a whole lot of fun. There’s something about that that you can’t find in most places.”

Ironically, Gain never intended to manage the store. “I had worked in retail before, and I swore I would not work in retail again,” she says. “But a friend begged me to help her out and get the computers up and running. And 10 years later, here I am. Dusty is the most amazing man in the entire world, and work-ing for him has been an honor.”

Mosey on down to Bleu Frog Mercantile for some one-of-a-kind Texas finds. Show off your state pride with decorating accents like unique metal Longhorn coolers, nostalgic wooden signs and the ever-popular Texas Home T-shirt.

Now is the time to find the per-fect holiday gifts for friends and loved ones. Bleu Frog is gleefully prepared and already in the holi-day spirit. Twelve Christmas trees deck the store with holiday cheer and décor galore. “We’re really like a little mall all in one,” Gain says. “You can find whatever you need all in one spot.”

“WE REALLY CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER AND WORK AS A TEAM. IT’S A WHOLE LOT OF FUN.”


By: JESSICA DUSEKPhotos by: PAUL MARSHALL

PROFILE

CLEANING THERAPY?

Yes,Please!

The CLUTTER QUEENsheds light on a declutteredstate of mind.


CLEANING THERAPY?


Yet, for Clutter Queen Leslie Green, it’s a way of life. “I love helping people” declares Green, on her labor of love. The New York/New Jersey native destresses her clients by helping them with their organizational needs. Her clientele ranges from doctors, to business owners, to seniors. In fact, she has even been hired by parents to help teach their children the “necessity” of decluttering.

“I don’t know where to start,” is a common statement Green hears from an overwhelmed customer. In some cases, the emotional experience can take over. “They shut off because they don’t know where to begin. When we start the process, I notice about an hour later, they are more relaxed with their facial expressions – smiling and anxious.”

In applying practical and functional solutions, Green explains, “I change behavior and put products in place to help them organize daily tasks. I am constantly scoping the market for the latest products for all kinds of products. I try to shop locally to save money [for the client].”

TACTICAL APPROACHESShe addresses her clients with a type of Declutter 101, at best.

Yet, like any student, her client needs to show up ready to learn and participate. “It’s a learned behavior,” Green describes. One tool she implements is a “rotating system” to keep them on task. She emphasizes labels and categories, with a cradle-to-grave approach. In one filing system, she creates the following folders:

READY. SET. LET GO. “They realize they called me for a reason because they are over-

whelmed,” explains Green of her clients. She tells them, “I’m here to help you. I’m not going to tell you what to get rid of; you are. I remind them that there is a reason they called me and this stuff is causing stress in their life.” She continues, “They are looking for a buddy; they are looking to be motivated and get that motivational level up.” This may appear seemingly simple and straightforward, but to the average multifunctional entrepreneur, it can be a revela-tion to existing organizational structure.

Green’s approach allows her to weave in a therapeutic process for the otherwise perceived seasonal cleaning experience. “Most of the time, the client will have multiple areas that are giving them a problem.” Yet, she places the client in control of the organization pro-cess. “They will show me the areas that are stressing them out, and immediately I will give them a plan of action. I will ask them what

WE ALL NEED A LITTLE DECLUTTER IN OUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES.

1. “Take Action”2. “Bills to be paid”3. Next drawer “Hold for 30 days”4. The last drawer will always be “To be filed”


“I’M HERE TO HELP YOU. I’M NOT GOING TO

TELL YOU WHAT TO GETRID OF; YOU ARE.”

For more information, visit the Clutter Queen at www.cluttertalk.net. The Clutter Queen is on “Home Advisor,”and you can find her on LinkedIn or Facebook under “Clutter Queen.” Page “likes” are welcome!

their goals are, their wishes – and how they want to transform that space.”

Resourceful, Green reuses existing items, when appropriate. “I try to use what they have. I try to repurpose things. But a lot of times, I also find new things they need.” She found her niche when she began her career as a paralegal. “I ran a one-man office; I worked for lawyers that went to court for litigation. I was responsible for the office.” She credits her mother: “My mom was an organized person. I used to love when school would start because I would sit there and orga-nize my three-ring binders. It’s just my person-ality for everything to look pristine. Everything has a place.

“I also walk [clients] through the process of setting the product up and using it. An example would be a desktop organizer: It’s a drawer system. It consists of three drawers. They are only 2 inches deep. We label the drawers with specific categories. I call it my paper-vacuum, placing paperwork in long-term filing or discarding in the trash.”

Whether a new filing system or organizing a space, Green helps transform overwhelming roadblocks to fluid functionality. Clients clearing out a space personally or professionally struggle with the same challenges. “Emotional attach-ments to things keep my clients from cleaning out the clutter,” Green explains. Yet, attachments to material items can be half the battle; she also encounters a “Do I have enough?” issue.

Her approach is genuine. “Another way I get people to release things: I don’t judge them. I remind them that they are in control. My goal is to make them realize that they need to make these decisions – not me. But that I will help them through.” It’s a matter of support and under-standing for her clients. She has ingeniously de-veloped a way to commemorate treasured items while discarding them. “We take pictures and create a photo album of items that aren’t used.”

Green reminds clients they actually have enough, and helps aid the process of letting go. This is especially helpful to clients who are chil-dren. Telling them that something is going away can be devastating, yet teaching them to share and donate their toys or clothes to those in need has proven effective for Green’s work. She in-sightfully explains that for all customers, wheth-er children or adults, “It helps give them back the quality of life because these things can take over. That is a common thread.”

Offering a multitude of consulting services, Green helps down-size seniors and organizes moving sales, estate sales and garage sales. She has even donated her services to support charity auctions – a unique gift idea that’s appropriate for the upcoming holiday season.


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How to avoid letting a Christmas tree fire extinguish your holiday spirit By: CHASE CARLISLE

MONEY MATTERS

he holidays are al-most here! For many families, this time of the year is spent with loved ones decorat-ing the house with

lights, candles and Christmas trees. While this practice is extremely common, there are some unexpected dangers as-sociated with these decorations, which, if planned for, can be prevented. Christmas tree fires may not be very common, but the damage they cause can often be severe. It is important that you know about the dangers associated with holiday decora-tion fires and how your person-al insurance policy can cover you in the case of an emergency.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, be-tween 2009 and 2013, the U.S. Fire Department responded to an average of 210 house fires a year started by issues with Christmas trees. On average, one of every 31 reported home fires that began with a Christ-mas tree resulted in a death, as opposed to the one death per 144 that reported house fires in typical situations. As the statis-tics show, these fires are partic-ularly dangerous, but they can be prevented with adequate preparation.

One of the best ways to help prevent Christmas tree fires be-gins the moment you decide to purchase one. Buying a healthy, green tree and maintaining proper care can be crucial to your safety. Before you leave the lot with a natural tree, make sure to cut off at least two inch-es from the bottom at a 45-de-gree angle, as this will help it absorb water. Dry trees are much more flammable, so make sure there is always water in the tree stand, and remember to water the tree frequently. If you suspect your tree is drying out, it is important to discard it right away. A dead Christmas tree isn’t worth putting your family in danger.

Other ways that Christmas trees can be a fire hazard is due to their placement in your home. The National Fire Protection As-sociation reports that two out of every five Christmas tree fires start in the living room, family room or den. It’s important to ensure that your tree is a safe distance from any type of heat source. One in every six of these fires started because the Christ-mas tree was too close to a heat source. Make sure your tree is at least three feet from any fireplace, radiator, space heater, candles or heat vents.

Another cause for fires has to do with the types of decorations applied to Christmas trees. When decorating your tree, be sure to use only non-flammable decorations. Whether you put up a live tree or a synthetic al-ternative, electrical problems are the cause of three out of ten tree fires. It is important to never connect more than three strands of mini light sets and never connect more than 50 bulbs for the larger screw-in light sets. Make sure to inspect the light strings for frayed wires or other defects before you ap-ply them, and remember not to leave them on unattended.

Sometimes, taking all nec-essary precautions won’t help you avoid accidents. In these cases, it is important to know what type of homeowner’s cov-erage you have. While personal home insurance plans can vary, most policies insure anywhere from 50 to 70 percent of the building coverage. No matter what your current policy is, it is important to speak with your representative to know what you are covered for and how you can better protect yourself and your home. Don’t let some-thing like a Christmas tree fire extinguish your holiday spirit.

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The importance of owning individual bonds By: JEANIE WYATT

MONEY MATTERS

STAY IN CONTROLerhaps the most important invest-ment decision individuals will make is what portion of their portfolio is to be invested in relatively risky stocks versus relatively safe bonds. In this ar-ticle, I want to briefly discuss bonds, the important role they play in your

portfolio and why owning individual bonds is superior to owning bond funds.

Briefly, a bond is an IOU. When you buy a bond, you are loaning money, and when you is-sue a bond (usually companies or government entities), you are borrowing money. Bonds are typically issued in multiples of $1,000 and pay interest (i.e. “coupons”) semi-annually. The ini-tial principal or amount loaned is repaid when the bond matures, which can range from over-night to 30 years and longer.

Unlike common stocks, bonds do not rep-resent an ownership stake. But bondholders stand in front of stockholders in the event of bankruptcy and liquidation of assets, and bond coupon payments are more certain than stock dividend payments, which can be suspended. Because of this, bonds are generally considered to be safer than stocks.

In fact, bonds can be a great hedge or coun-terbalance to the riskier stock portion of your portfolio, but you have to choose the right kinds of bonds. In general, bonds face two kinds of risks. The first is default or credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer won’t repay the loan or principal at maturity.

And the second is interest rate risk, which oc-curs when interest rates in the economy rise. That means that nobody will buy existing bonds at face or “par” value because they can now earn higher rates by buying newly issued bonds. So the price of existing bonds has to fall in order for a buyer (lender) to earn the same yield as offered by new bonds. The yield rises when the price falls because the buyer now pays a lower price, but receives the unchanged interest or coupon payments. That’s what people mean when they say that bond prices and interest rates move inversely.

Unfortunately, these two risks – default risk and interest rate risk – are very difficult to control if you own a bond fund instead of owning individual bonds. In a bond fund, in-vestor funds are pooled together to buy bonds. If interest rates then rise and bond prices fall, other investors will often pull their money out of these bond funds, which have to sell bonds to meet these redemptions at the new, lower prices. That creates a capital loss for those re-maining in the fund.

But if you own individual bonds, you can hold them to maturity and get repaid the full principal, even if interest rates do rise. By controlling when the bonds are sold, you can avoid taking a capital loss when interest rates

rise. And often, this forced selling means that the bond fund sells its highest quality bonds first, because they often are easier to sell than a less liquid, lower-quality bond. That means that those investors left in the fund now own lower quality bonds, which have a higher risk of default.

The point is that by investing in a bond fund instead of individual bonds, you can end up with increased exposure to credit risk and inter-est rate risk that is completely out of your con-trol. Plus, bond funds have also made the head-lines recently by investing in increasingly riskier assets, like derivative securities and even stocks. For example, Puerto Rico recently defaulted on its bonds, which was the largest municipal bond default in U.S. history. When problems in Puer-to Rico first surfaced, it was revealed that more than 70 percent of municipal bond funds owned Puerto Rican bonds.

My message to you is simple: With bond in-vesting as in stock investing, own individual bonds in a separately managed account in your name, not an opaque bond fund that pools your funds with those of other investors.

P

South Texas Money Management Ltd. is an independent registered investment advisor with $2.7 billion in assets under management. It has five locations around the state. The newest office is in Corpus (located at 921 N. Chaparral, Ste. 112).

You may reach this office at 361-904-0551 or www.stmmltd.com. Jeanie Wyatt, CFA, is the CEO and CIO of the firm.

BONDS ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BESAFER THAN STOCKS.


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FINANCIAL FOCUSTime for some New Year’s (financial) resolutions

Special to INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

MONEY MATTERS

This article was contributed by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. For more information, contact your local financial adviser, Barbara Ellis, at 361-992-9618 or visit www.edwardjones.com.

he countdown to 2016 has begun. If you’re like many people, you might be mulling over some New Year’s resolutions, such as hitting the gym more, learning a new language or taking a cooking class. All are worthy goals, but why not add some financial

resolutions, as well? For example …

Pay yourself first. Even if you aren’t living “paycheck to paycheck,” you probably don’t have much trouble spending your money – be-cause there’s always something that you or a family member needs, always a repair required for your home or your car, always one more bill to pay. But if you are going to achieve your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retire-ment, you need to invest consistently. So before

you pay everyone else, pay yourself first by having some money automatical-ly moved from your checking or savings account each month into an investment.

Take advantage of your opportu-nities. If you have a 401(K) or similar plan at work, take full advantage of it. Contribute as much as you can afford

– or at least enough to earn your employer’s match, if one is offered – and choose the mix of investments that give you the potential to achieve the growth you need at a level of risk with which you are comfortable.

Focus on the long term. In the short term, you might be excused for not wanting to invest. The headlines are typically scary, the financial markets are frequently volatile and the future

often looks murky. Yet, if you can look past the uncertainties of today and keep your focus on tomorrow, you will find it easier to follow a dis-ciplined investment strategy that gives you the opportunity to meet your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement.

Don’t be driven by fear. When the market is down, investors tend to react with fear. Specifi-cally, they rush to sell their investments, afraid that if they don’t “cut their losses,” they might sustain even bigger ones. If you can get past this feeling, you may find that a down market can offer you the chance to buy quality investments at good prices.

Forget about the “hot stocks.” You’ll hear friends, coworkers and talking heads on televi-sion tout today’s “hot stocks.” But by the time you might hear about them, they may have

cooled off – and, in any case, they might not be appropriate for your needs. Forget about “getting rich quick in the market” – it probably won’t happen. True investment success requires patience and persistence.

Cut down on your debts. It’s easy to pile up debts, but a lot harder to get rid of them. Yet, if you can reduce your debt load even moderately, you’ll free up money you could use to invest. So look for ways to conserve, cut back and consoli-date – it will be worth the effort.

Making these resolutions – and sticking to them – can help you as you work toward achiev-ing your financial goals.

T

A DOWN MARKET CAN OFFER YOU THE CHANCE TO BUY QUALITY INVESTMENTS AT GOOD PRICES.


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DO YOU HAVE YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUD?Three common myths about Cloud computing debunked By: CHRISTOPHER HEGG

he “Cloud” has become a ma-jor buzzword of our times, but is it really all just a lot of hype? Most certainly not, as you’ll find out by dispelling some of the common myths around Cloud computing.

In fact, most people use Cloud comput-ing on a daily basis already. Whether it’s writing documents in the Web-based Goo-gle Docs, sending and receiving emails or synchronizing your files with Microsoft OneDrive, all of these activities are types of Cloud computing.

However, there are some common con-cerns that need to be laid to rest, particu-larly in the case of businesses thinking of migrating to the Cloud.

1/ Data stored online is not secure

One of the most common concerns re-garding Cloud computing is a lack of se-curity, and high-profile cases, such as the

2014 celebrity photo hacks, haven’t exact-ly helped the Cloud’s reputation for poor security. However, the reality is somewhat different. Storing your data only on local hardware resources is actually less secure than almost any reputable Cloud storage facility. After all, Cloud storage systems have enterprise-grade security systems in place and huge teams of people dedicat-ed solely to maintaining them. Since data stored on the Cloud is often stored in mul-tiple physical locations, it’s also less likely to be lost due to a hardware failure.

2/ The Cloud is expensive

While it is true that some software-as-a-service solutions work out a lot more expensive than one-off purchases for soft-ware installed locally, the Cloud is usually cheaper due to its scalability. In fact, the lower cost of Cloud computing is one of the primary reasons that many businesses are migrating many of their IT operations

to the Cloud. Because it is scalable in nature, you only pay for the re-sources you actually need, and there are many free Cloud services, as well, such as Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. Cloud com-puting reduces the need for buying and maintaining expensive local computing resources.

3/ Users have less control

The Cloud is flexible and scal-able, and it is a complete myth, al-beit a common one, that migrating to the Cloud leaves you with much less control over your computing resources. The only requirement is to have an adequately fast and reli-able Internet connection, but other than that, you will normally have complete control and unrestrict-ed access to your data and remote software and hardware resources. For the most part, Cloud comput-ing is more flexible than using an in-house server, since you’ll always have access to the latest technolo-gy. Most importantly, you’ll be able to use your Cloud resources from absolutely anywhere where you have Internet access.

Final words

Like it or not, Cloud computing is here to stay, and more than half of all businesses around the world now consider it a critical part of their operations. With the integration of Microsoft OneDrive in newer ver-sions of Windows, Cloud computing has become even more important for home users, as well. In other words, the Cloud is certainly not just a fad; it’s a concept dating all the way back in the ‘60s that has since become tru-ly mainstream.

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MANY DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES PLAY INTO QUALIFYING AND FINDING THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR EACH HOMEBUYER.

REAL ESTATE

MORTGAGE BASICSA quick look at the most common loan programs

By: CORAL DWORACZYK

n our area, there are a wide variety of loans and mortgage programs avail-able. Many different circumstances play into qualifying and finding the right program for each homebuyer. All borrowers should always consult their mortgage professional for the most up-to-date information and ad-vice, but here is a quick look at the most common government and tradi-tional loans utilized in our region.

FHA LOANSFHA loans are guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration (hence the

name), which relieves some of the risk of possible non-payment from the actual lender. The most basic and most commonly utilized FHA loan program is known as a 203(b), which can be used on a single-family home, a duplex, a triplex or a fourplex. The maximum mortgage limit for an FHA loan on a single-family home is current-ly $271,050 in our area (limits are higher for multi-family properties).

This loan is popular for many first-time home buy-ers because it only requires a down payment of 3.5 percent of the price of the property. Al-

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though the borrower must meet loan-approval and minimum credit score requirements (a 640 score is usually required, but some lenders are able to qualify borrowers with scores of less than 600 in some circumstances), bankruptcy is not an immediate disqualification.

The FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation loan program has also gained popularity in recent years. This program allows buyers to finance both the pur-chase of the home and the cost of desired reno-vations through a single mortgage. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), this program can be used to:

Make structural alterations Modernize or improve a home’s function or appearance Remedy health and safety hazards Repair plumbing Install or repair water wells or septic systems Replace or update flooring Make landscaping improvements Increase accessibility for handicapped persons Make energy conservation improvements

The cost of the rehabilitation must be at least $5,000, but the total value of the property must still stay below the FHA mortgage limit. This value is determined by the lesser of either the cost of the home plus the cost of rehabilitation work, or as being 110 percent of the appraised value after rehabilitation.

VA LOANSVA loans are programs guaranteed by the Vet-

erans Administration (VA). This program was created by President Roosevelt in 1944 as a way to honor our country’s veterans and/or their spouses. The greatest benefit of this loan program is that is does not require any down payment.

To be eligible for a VA loan, borrowers must have a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA. This requirement may have been fulfilled if the borrower has served 90 consecutive days of active service during wartime, 181 consec-utive days of active service during peacetime or more than six years in the National Guard or Reserves, or if the borrower is the spouse of a service member who has died in the line of duty or as a result of a service-related dis-ability. Borrowers must also still qualify based on credit score and other financial criteria. The maximum loan limit on a single-family home is currently $417,000 in our area.

CONVENTIONAL LOANSConventional loans are any creditor agree-

ment that is not financed by the FHA or the VA. There are two types of conventional loans:

1. Conforming loans2. Non-conforming loans

Conforming loans meet the requirements as outlined by the government-sponsored enti-ties commonly known as Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC). Loans that do not meet these requirements are non-conforming. Non-conforming loans may be deemed so by exceeding the conforming loan limit, involving a borrower with lack of credit history or who is credit challenged or involving non-traditional terms or collateral backing the loan.

Although conventional loans may allow from some lending flexibility and have lower fees and interest rates, they may also require a higher down payment compared to the pre-viously discussed FHA or VA loans. The re-quired down payment is often 5 to 20 percent in most cases.

USDA RURALDEVELOPMENT LOANS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) now has several programs available to home-buyers. In the Coastal Bend, the USDA Rural Development loan program has been gaining popularity because it does not require any down payment. However, this loan is only available for properties located in designated rural areas. Homes in Corpus Christi, Rob-stown, Portland and Port Aransas do not qual-ify. However, most of our other communities and townships in Nueces and San Patricio Counties do qualify for this program.

Borrowers applying for the USDA Rural Loan must also meet many specific income guidelines to qualify for this loan. It is highly suggested that potential borrowers visit with their lender or consult the USDA Income and Property Eligi-bility website for additional information.

These are only a few of the most common and traditional residential loan programs uti-lized or inquired upon in the Coastal Bend. Please note that there are many other options and programs available, depending on the property to be acquired and the borrower’s specific financial portfolio. As always, consult your mortgage or real estate professional when considering a new loan program or refinancing an existing mortgage.


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CALL IN THE CULINARY!Leena Klaker: pursuing dreams and heightening local restaurant standards

By: JESSICA DUSEKPhotos by: PAUL MARSHALL

TASTE


For more information, email [email protected].

Dreams do come trueLeena Klaker, co-owner of Culinary Advisors, forges her path and life-

long dream to become a research and development chef – and Corpus Christi’s Aka Sushi gets a food-facelift. Her consulting business was a bi-product of her final project in menu and food consulting with business partner, Sean Kim. The two “accidentally” teamed up, and created their consulting business, breaking ground with Aka Sushi.

Focusing on “authentic Japanese flavors,” Aka is a great first client for Klaker and Kim to evaluate, from graphic design to menu selection. “We do all restaurant consulting, improving overall standards,” Klaker says. “We look at current dishes and what is performing and what is profit-able.” Yet, Klaker’s passion for food comes with a healthy spin.

An a-ha momentKlaker’s restaurant management back-

ground has caused her to identify what drives the business and why. In evaluating Aka’s menu and sales, she could review which items sold most and how that im-pacted the customer and business. “It’s re-ally looking at what the flavor profiles are, and which ones benefit the bottom line, that will be crucial to any business.” She looks at the quality of the food, or as she describes, the “science aspect.” She con-tinues, “Having the commitment to fresh food coming in daily – less packaged food improves the flavor and quality – it’s night and day.”

With national laws in place for food reg-ulation, Klaker’s standard of nutrition will reflect on her clients’ final product. She walks the staff through the food prepara-tion process. “I think we are going to see in the very near future that restaurants are going to have to put nutritional value on the menu. Understanding the science and flavor background makes the food taste better and more nutritionally sound. In the last five years, the city started doing a push to get out and get healthy. We are battling childhood obesity and food quali-ty and availability issues. I think that is the great issue of our time.”

Klaker’s goal is to improve that. Mov-ing her way up management in the restau-rant industry, she reflects on her various lenses. “Most of my experience was in service and bar,” explains Klaker of her years leading up to her attendance at the Culinary Institute of America.

Klaker’s introduction to the restaurant industry started with a hostess position

at Kiko’s Mexican Restaurant in Corpus Christi while in high school; six years later, in 2000, she returned to Corpus to pursue a career as a bar manager with Water Street Oyster Bar. In 2007, she transitioned to Olive Garden and oversaw culinary operations as their culinary manager, and

then overall restaurant operations as she worked up to general manager. Balancing a demanding schedule on the operational side of the restau-

rant industry, her interests peaked in food science, specifically the creation of textures and flavors. Her interest in improving accessibility to quality ingredients helps heighten those standards.

In September, she earned the Presidential Scholarship and she spoke as valedictorian at the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio. She will continue her education in Hyde Park, N.Y.

It was a heartfelt conversation with her mother that helped open her to the possibility of pursuing her long-time dream that began in her teens. Yet at 35, with her husband and family in place, Klaker’s decision to go back to school was no easy feat. “I have a very supportive husband,” Klak-er says endearingly. The schedule changes would lead her to move from Corpus Christi to San Antonio to pursue her education, with her husband and kids visiting on the weekends. Her tenacity kept her working fulltime while acquiring her education.

In December 2015, the business partners will continue their education at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. Both Corpus natives combined their skills and talents to create their market niche. Klaker’s passion for food science and nutrition complimented Kim’s business and hospitality focus. Klaker’s next steps entail a focus on menu, recipe and flavor development. The science-based curriculum will add to her chef training, beyond tantalizing flavors and textures. Working with special-ized equipment in a culinary laboratory setting will add to the art form. She will finish a Bachelor of Applied Science and Culinary Sciences, with a projected graduation date in December 2016.

Bringing it homeKlaker, who later plans to get her Master’s in Nutrition, would like to

ultimately work for major restaurant brands nationwide. Upon finishing her education, it comes down to children’s nutrition. “I would like to make an impact in that field – how to improve nutrition through greater accessibility and affordability of fresh, organic and sustainably raised food and less processed foods.”

On raising the food vibration in Corpus, she recommends getting out and discovering your local food sources. “I would encourage everyone getting out at our local farmers’ markets, both the Saturday market on Everhart and the Downtown Farmers’ Market on Wednesday. The food is fresh, local and available to you – same time, same place.”

“UNDERSTANDING THE SCIENCE AND FLAVOR BACKGROUND MAKES THE FOOD TASTE BETTER AND MORE NUTRITIONALLY SOUND.”


TASTE

Celebrate the season by treating yourself to Southern Living Magazine’s famoushummingbird Bundt cake with lemon mascarpone glaze.

By: MANDY ASHCRAFT // Photo by: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT

All Things Sweet and Spiced

‘TIS THE SEASON for all things sweet and perfectly spiced. A hummingbird cake is a tra-ditional Southern cinnamon spice cake with the added moisture and flavor of pineapple and banana. Southern Living Magazine first

ran the recipe in 1978, and to this day, it has been the most requested recipe in the history of the magazine (which is a good indication of deliciousness).

A bonus? It’s simple to make. A glaze is op-

tional, but a creamy lemon mascarpone drizzle is never a bad choice. Helpful tip: Make the cake ahead of time (store in a sealed container to keep moist), and whip up the glaze right before serv-ing or taking to a party.


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INGREDIENTS:

CAKE:1 1/4 cups chopped pecans3 cups flour1 teaspoon baking soda1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon1/2 teaspoon salt3 eggs4 large, mashed, veryripe bananas1 8-ounce can crushed pineap-ple (do not drain liquid)3/4 cup vegetable oil2 teaspoons vanilla extract

GLAZE:1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, softened (cream cheeseworks, too)2 cups powdered sugar, sifted1 teaspoon vanilla extract3 tablespoons milkZest of 1 lemon

INSTRUCTIONS:

1/ Preheat oven to 350 de-grees. Grease a standard size (14-cup) Bundt pan.

2/ In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add eggs, crushed pineapple with liquid, vegetable oil and vanilla extract, and stir until just combined. Don’t over-mix; leave it lumpy.

3/ Fold in 1 cup chopped pe-cans. Reserve the other 1/4 cup for decoration.

4/ Bake uncovered for approx-imately 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

5/ Allow cake to cool in pan for 15 minutes, and then remove and allow to cool completely.

6/ To prepare glaze: Add all ingredients to a stand mixer or a large bowl, and stir rapidly until you have a smooth, creamy consistency. It’s important to sift your powdered sugar through a sifter or a mesh strainer first, so that your glaze isn’t lumpy.

7/ Pour glaze directly onto cake, and sprinkle with reserved pecan pieces. Glaze must be refrigerated, so once glazed, the cake should not be stored at room temperature.


SOMETHING FOR EVERYONEAmerican Bank Center welcomes a rockin’ 2016. By: KRISTEN BILY

ENTERTAINMENT

Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016WWE Live American Bank Center Arena

Join the American Bank Center for an exciting night as WWE Live takes over the arena! Corpus Christi has the best WWE fans around, and they will not be disappointed as WWE comes to kick off 2016. WWE has come full circle for all fans not just for the young generation. Some of the awe-some entertainment includes the hit show, “Total Divas,” which is already coming to its fifth season in early 2016 on the E! Network, and Sin Cara, who is known worldwide for his high-flying style and awe-inspiring ac-robatics. Don’t miss the WWE world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, WWE tag team champions New Day, WWE Divas and so many more! Tickets start at just $15, so be sure to bring the family to see the best entertainment for everyone!

Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016The Original Harlem Globetrotters American Bank Center Arena

Celebrate 90 years with the Harlem Globetrotters! Come see a star-stud-ded roster will have fans on the edge of their seats to witness the ball-han-dling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that thrills fans of all ages. The Globetrotters will tip off their historic 90th year of smiles, sportsmanship and service in fall 2015. Once you see the Harlem Globetrotters live, you will never see basketball the same again! A fun mix of acrobatics, hilarious comedy and America’s favorite sport of basketball all tied into one event is something that you will definitely not want to miss!

Friday, Feb. 5, 2016Def Leppard, Styx, Tesla American Bank Center Arena

Def Leppard (Joe Elliott on vocals, Vivian Campbell on guitar, Phil Collen on guitar, Rick “Sav” Savage on bass and Rick Allen on drums) continues to be one of the most important forces in rock music. With 100 million records sold worldwide and two prestigious Diamond Awards to their credit, the group’s spectacular live shows, filled with powerful me-lodic rock anthems, continue to sell out venues worldwide. For the past 30 years, the band’s epic live shows and arsenal of hits have become synon-ymous with their name, leading Def Leppard to be heralded as an institu-tion in both the music and touring industry.

Def Leppard recently debut their new track, “Dangerous,” the second off their long-awaited new studio album that was released on Oct. 30, 2015, via Billboard.com. “Dangerous” follows their current No. 1 classic

rock single, “Let’s Go,” which is climbing the rock and active rock radio charts. The new album was recorded earlier in 2015 at front man Joe El-liott’s studio in Dublin, Ireland. The album will feature 14 tracks in total. This self-titled album release will mark their first new collection of materi-al in seven years and Def Leppard’s 11th official studio release.

Def Leppard’s influential career includes numerous hit singles and groundbreaking multi-platinum albums – including two of the best-sell-ing albums of all time, “Pyromania” and “Hysteria,” capturing the group’s legendary tracks, bringing together classic Leppard hits such as “Rock of Ages,” Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Foolin.” The upcoming tour follows on the heels of the band’s unforgettable 2014 co-headlining tour with KISS. Get ready Corpus Christi – this will be a very memorable experience!

Sunday, April 3, 2016Lewis Black Presents: The Naked Truth TourAmerican Bank Center Selena Auditorium

Lewis Black comes to the American Bank Center Selena Auditorium on Sunday, April 3, at 7 p.m. Lewis is one of the most prolific and popu-lar performers working today. He executes a brilliant trifecta as stand-up comedian, actor and author. Receiving critical acclaim, he performs over 200 nights a year to sold-out audiences throughout Europe, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. He is one of few performers to sell out mul-tiple, renowned theatres, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City Center and the MGM Grand in Las Ve-gas. In August 2007, he was the first stand-up comedian to ever perform in concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

Lewis’ live performances provide a cathartic release of anger and dis-illusionment for his audience. Lewis yells so they don’t have to. He is a passionate performer who is more pissed-off optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon. Lewis is the rare comic who can cause an audience to laugh themselves into incontinence while making compelling points about the absurdity of our world. Whether he is talking about the world of social media or technology, you will be sure to be laughing while he is ranting!

SMG-managed American Bank Center is Corpus Christi’s premier event center. Follow us online at www.americanbankcenter.com, www.facebook.com/americanbankcenter or www.twitter.com/americanbankctr, and on Instagram (@americanbankcenter), on Tumblr (@American Bank Center) and now on Periscope (@AmericanBankCenter).

AS WE CAN ALREADY SEE THE NEW YEAR headed our way, you start to look at your new goals and new plans for the year to come. Why not plan on attending one of the many new shows coming to the American Bank Center? From wrestling with the family, to comedy, to music that will take you back to the good old days, the American Bank Center is preparing for the New Year with a great lineup of fantastic shows for the Coastal Bend. From comedy to music, we are sure to have a little something for everyone. Take a look at all of the great events headed to the American Bank Center and start off the New Year with some exciting fun!

Here’s where you can purchase tickets: The American Bank Center box office

Ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster outlets Select H-E-B and Walmart locations

By phone at 1-800-745-3000

*Additional fees may apply.


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5503 SOUTH STAPLES ST. CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78411

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INSPIREDSTYLE

Sarah MedinaPHOTOS BY PAUL MARSHALLON LOCATION AT VINO MIO SOCIAL CLUBHAIR & MAKEUP BY DEANA MERRILL’S SALONWARDROBE PROVIDED BY SHANNON’S DISTINCTIVE FASHIONS

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LOCAL DENTIST IN PORTLAND Sarah MedinaDR.



Why I love doing what I do:Being a dentist, I get to meet new people every day. Sometimes I help ease their pain and discomfort. Sometimes I help boost their self-confidence by improving their smile. What I enjoy most, though, is getting to know my patients and their families. I enjoy connecting with people, and that connection helps make dental appointments a little less stressful. Let’s face it: Most people hate going to the dentist. I get it. When my patients leave with a smile on their face (numb or not), that makes my day. I have been extremely blessed with the family that I have and with the team I have at my office. My dream team has the same vision I have: providing gentle dentistry with a heart. I re-ally enjoy making people smile and doing so with the gentlest touch possible. At the end of the day, my career allows me to also spend valuable time with my family. I couldn’t ask for more.

My philosophy:Do everything with so much love in your heart that you wouldn’t want to do it any other way.


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HOLIDAY HOPESpreading seasonal cheer to children in need

By: SAMANTHA KOEPP-STEMPLINGER

NONPROFIT

he holidays are a time for families to come together and celebrate their traditions. Most of us have a general idea of whom we will be with and what we will be doing year after year; it is our “Forever

Christmas.” While it can be stressful for us with shopping, cooking and prepar-ing to have patience for visiting with extended family, for the most part, we look forward to the break from work and school while spending time with our loved ones.

However, for the children in fos-ter care who do not have even have a “Forever Home,” it is understandably an un-enjoyable time for them. Many do not know where they will be, much less if they will see their family. What should be a time of happiness for these children is instead a reminder of being separated from all they know and love.

Those who want to share their hol-iday cheer with the foster children in our community can do so through con-

tributing to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Coastal Bend, a local organization that trains volun-teers to advocate for the best interests of children in the foster care system and be a constant for these children during their time in care.

Not only do CASAs speak up for these children in court, they spend time with the children, so they get to know what their needs are and, more than anything, be friends for these children who feel like they have nothing and no one who cares for them. These children most likely have not experienced the holidays like most of us have, even be-fore their time in foster care, so having a CASA can give a child the opportunity to experience a happy, joyful Christmas by knowing there is at least one person who will be there for them during this stressful time.

Every year, CASA receives donated items from individuals and business-es for CASA volunteers to give to fos-ter children. This year, SAMES Ford, a

business that has been a continuous sup-porter of CASA throughout the years, is hosting the first Santa Cause CASA Toy Drive for Children in Foster Care on Saturday, Dec. 19. The toy drive will be held at the dealership at the Henry Ford Road entrance from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is asked to donate unwrapped new items for newborns to 18-year-olds. Santa will be onsite to take pictures and thank those who drop off donations. Those interested in providing gifts for specific children can contact Diana at CASA at 361-884-2272 or [email protected].

Volunteers are needed year-round to be CASAs. There are more than 700 children in the foster care system in the Coastal Bend, and only 330 of those children have a CASA to advocate for their best interests. For more information on becoming a CASA, visit www.coastalbendcasa.org or call

361-884-2272. The next day training (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) begins Dec. 8, and the next evening training (5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) begins Jan. 18.

HAVING A CASA CAN

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T


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he Gulf Coast Humane Society (GCHS) has been given an amazing opportunity – one that could make a huge difference in the lives of the hundreds of animals residing in our facility.

As you may know, the GCHS is a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter that houses and finds forever homes for hundreds of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. As a nonprofit organiza-tion, we depend solely on donations to keep our doors open and our animals well cared for. In May, a generous donor named Gene Bouligny agreed to donate $100,000 to the GCHS under one condition: that we raise that same amount on our own by Dec. 31.

This money would make tremendous changes happen at the GCHS. Not only would the money go to the daily care of the hundreds of animals under our roof, it would also help pay for heartworm treatments (the medicine alone is $175 per treatment), wheelchairs for

paralyzed animals and treatment for other medical conditions.

Funds raised during this challenge will also help us make major renovations to our facility – changes that will dramatically raise the stan-dard of living for the animals here. One of the most exciting changes will be installing bigger and better cat cages so that our many felines will

have more room to stretch out. Most of our cats are allowed to roam freely in their designated rooms during our operating hours, but for the 15 hours that we are closed, these kitties are con-fined to their cages that only have room for their litter box, food and water and a blanket.

Another wonderful opportunity this mon-ey will give us will be renovating our transi-tion area. When we pull animals from Corpus Christi Animal Care and Control (CCACC), they are housed in this area first before going into adoption in order to prevent the possible spread of disease.

These animals have already been through quite a journey; they were either saved from the streets by the CCACC or surrendered by their family to Animal Control and have been examined and placed in a kennel there. By the time these animals get to GCHS, they are al-ready shaken up by all of the change, only to go through even more change by being in an entirely different facility. These renovations will help to make the beginning of their stay more comfortable and less stressful.

Smaller improvements will include purchas-ing a new van, renovating our front office, re-pairing kennel doors in our back kennels and getting new Kuranda beds for our dogs.

We only have until Dec. 31 to raise the re-maining $25,000 toward that $100,000, but we remain hopeful! We have had several successful fundraisers, including our Pawfest and Furball, but we still have quite a way to go.

If you would like to donate to the GCHS, now is the perfect time. You are welcome to donate in person at our facility, over the phone at 361-225-0845, on our website at www.gchscc.org or on our GoFundMe account at www.gofundme.com/gulfcoasthumane. You are also welcome to mail us your donation! We are extremely grate-ful to Bouligny for giving us this challenge, and we know that with help from our community, we can make it happen!

The Gulf Coast Humane Society is in the final stretch to meet the fundraising goal for theCause for the Paws $100K Challenge. By: KAITLIN CALK

T

The Gulf Coast Humane Society is located at 3118 Cabaniss Parkway in Corpus Christi,

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Bilbo is waiting for his forever home at the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

THIS MONEY WOULD MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE HUNDREDS OF ANIMALS RESIDING IN OUR FACILITY.


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