CCMAGAZINE

STEVE TREVINOTHERE'S A NEW KIND OF MEXICAN IN TOWN

AND HE'S AMERICAN, AND PROUD OF ITFREENone but ourselves can

Our Minds

OCTOBER 2012

RIGS TO REEFSJOHN PRINE Live Music Review

ITS TIME TO CLEAN UP CCISDMARCUS SORENSON

© Copyright 2012 all rights reserved. CC Publishing, LLC reserves the right to edit, rewrite & refuse editorial materials and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors, omissions, or consequence arising from it. CC magazine shall be held

CC Publishing, LLC accepts no claims made by agents, contributors or photographers. Opinions expressed by contributing writers or columnists are not necessarily those of CC Publishing, LLC

publication becomes the property of CC magazine. Publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without express permission of the publisher and author(s).

Ronnie Narmour, Aletha Eyerman, Brent Rourke, John McKenna

JEFF CRAFTPublisher

JCRAFT@CCMAGONLINE.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

October is my favorite month! There's Halloween, Cool Weather, Halloween...

The fall crops are starting to come in and the farmer's markets are starting to

all the trick-­or-­treat candy.

STARS

Mike Stephans. Samantha Koepp introduces Chef Stephans

your dishes look and taste as good as his.

CC, You really don't have any idea how lucky you are

tasted like ketchup.

Centerplate,

Its beautifully plated, delicious food that you would be happy to get at a restaurant, and they'll serve 800 of them without a hitch

Taking out the Trash

Cleaning up CCISD

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Ronnie Narmour

13Adopt-­A-­Beach

Under warm, sunny skies on Saturday, September 22nd, 396 volunteers descended on the GLO’s Adopt-­A-­Beach Clean-­up local meeting site next to the campgrounds near Bob Hall Pier. Active and enthusiastic groups signed in at 8:30 A.M. and prepared to participate in this biannual event.

16The Canvas

Debbie Cannatella is just one of those people with whom you feel instantly comfortable chatting… I spent a delightful afternoon with her and came away pondering a chance to conquer watercolor media, her love of it is that contagious.

22Marcus Sorenson

meetings act, board members accepting gifts from contractors, violations of state contracting laws and attacks on teachers to impose a political agenda all must stop. Marcus Sorenson is running to end those practices and restore the integrity of CCISD Board of Education and help put it back on the path of our children’s education being the highest priority.

06 Inside the Center

07 Smarty Pants

10 Live Music Review

15 Art Scene

18 Dining Guide

21 The Lenz

Comedian Steve Trevino was born in Gregory -­ Portland, Texas and got started in standup comedy at a young age

in Corpus Christi at the Harbor Playhouse opening for Carlos Mencia at the age of nineteen. Soon after, Steve was

the Three Amigos Comedy Tour, featuring Mencia, Pablo Francisco, and the late Freddy Soto, just one of the greats to whom Steve has been compared, a likeness that Steve wears as a badge of honor.

Grandpa Joe's Son08

1613

22

CINSIDE THE enter

Enriching Menus & Enriching Communities

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Ask Mr. Smarty PantsHe Knows Everything There Is To Know About Corpus Christi

mrsmartypants@ccmagonline.com

Dear Mr. Smarty Pants,

I recently moved to Corpus Christi from Austin and have been looking all over town for the best places to see live music. I have found several but I am curious about why so few local bands play original music. It seems like there is plenty of stuff around here to write about but all I hear are warmed over Country songs and Jimmy Buffet.

What gives?

Mike Mueck

Dear Mike,

Well, Mike to steal a line from L. Frank Baum you ain’t in Austin anymore. When Mr. Smarty Pants can get away on a Tuesday afternoon he likes to drive up to Austin and drop in at the Continental Club for Hippy Hour with Toni Price to channel his Inner Hippy. There was a time several decades ago when Corpus Christi and Austin were about the same when it came to live music venues, bands, and songwriters. Our now departed friend Sam Neely was known to hold court over at the Hip Hugger on Staples and between there, Cooper’s Alley, the Ritz Theatre, Inza’s Lonesome Coyote Saloon, and Kody’s out on The Island Corpus was a happening place when it came to live music. But somewhere along the way our town lost its Live Music Mojo. The Muse caught the bus out of town and never came back.

But your timing is right on Mike. Mr. Smarty Pants selected your letter from the thousands of letters this time because he was wondering the same thing we he went to see John Prine last weekend. You may have even been in the audience because it seems about 90% of the crowed were transplanted

Austinites and the other 10% were from The Island. It only made us think about the lack of original material springing forth from our local musicians.

I mean it ain’t like we don’t have any material. We

right down the road, we got the oil patch, we got surfers, we got pawn shops, we got plenty of broken hearts and broken down Fords, heck we even got a blues bar right across the street from a functioning bus station and how many towns can say that? It’s not like we’re Des Moines or Bumstuck Egypt or some milquetoast place that has no songwriting material. The fact is that there’s material everywhere.

I still need materialMany years ago when Steve Earle used to walk his

way around San Antonio he married this big ole girl

with a face only a mother could love because she had a car that ran. About a week after he got married we ran into him about three o’clock one morning in Mi Tierra with a girl who was not a big girl and may or

of the woman he had just married. When she went to the restroom we asked him, “Hey Steve is that your wife?”

“Oh heck no,” he said, “she not my wife…I’m married but I still need material.”

So my point here is that surely we have some

to write about even if it means they have to do some slipping around. Mr. Smarty Pants used to be

called, but somewhere along the way those guys

they write about is each other. You know, one guy singing about driving around in his pickup listening to some other guy on his stereo. It’s just marketing for the brain dead;; the idea is that if the other guy has a bunch of fans and I put him in my song then all his fans will start listening to me. And then if they throw in something about a dog, beer, tight jeans, and then rhyme “margarita” with “seniorita” they can get it on the radio and all their dreams will come true. Mr. Smarty Pants is gonna have to call calf rope on that one.

We say it’s an affront to our dignity that the best song written about Corpus Christi is by a guy who lives in the Hill Country. If Robert Earl can write a song about Corpus Christi Bay then why can’t somebody who actually lives in it write one too? It ain’t right. Ain’t right at all, no sir.

Shrimp boat’s rustedMy shrimp boat’s rusted, my best friend got

in a pickup truck where he met a seniorita in

maybe he met a bitch in the ditch. Aw dang, Mr. Smarty Pants is no songwriter.

But it’s a sorry fellow who decries a problem and doesn’t do anything about it, so here goes. There is only one fulltime music writer in our burg and he writes for CC Magazine and the

Island Moon Newspaper. Somewhere in this issue he wrote a concert review about the John Prine / Alejandro Escovedo concert.

He's putting together a collection of original music by local songwriters that he’s the going to peddle to the tourists at the highest price he can get away with. The fellow’s name is Ronnie Narmour and he’s looking for songs.

So here’s a challenge to all you guys who get tanked up on Wild Turkey and start singing songs you scribbled on a bar napkin to your friends. Put

it over to Ronnie so he can use it. If it’s any good, or maybe even if it isn’t, he can put it on his CD and maybe all your dreams will come true;; or at least you

can become a professional musician and you too can make dozens of dollars per year.

something stupid so you have something to write about;; and what, I ask friends, could be more better than that?

Ronnie is at ronnienarmour@gmail.com and he’s waiting to hear from you. We know there’s a Billy Joe Shaver out there somewhere just looking to get started. And don’t give him any lame stuff about Japanese cars or the love of an old dog. We got all of those we need. Give him something with all the

our dignity is at stake. Mr. Smarty Pants is counting on you.

My shrimp boat’s rusted, my best friend got busted,

the dog that I trusted ran off to Mexico

Coastal Bend Music Compilation

Buster Jiggs @ The Back Porch

HOBO @ Tarpon Ice House

07

08

Back in 1998, I met Steve Trevino when he was waiting tables at El Chico restaurant on SPID in Corpus. Needless to say, there was

never a dull moment during lunch when Steve was waiting on your table. His personality was addictive, always upbeat, a big smile on his face, engaging and of course, just plain funny. His career at the restaurant was short lived, as he persuaded me over the course of a few months to give him a job in the radio business. And let me tell you, it was one of the best hiring decisions I have ever made. For me, my relationship with Steve Trevino has been quite a journey. I am honored to be one of Steve’s mentors, have been involved in his career from the start, have been welcomed into his gigantic, wonderful family, spent countless hours on the road with him, and most of all, Steve is one of my best friends. Steve is one of the most talented and hard working comedians in standup comedy today.

Comedian Steve Trevino was born in Gregory -­ Portland, Texas and got started in standup comedy at a young age performing for his family during backyard barbecues, school functions, and had his

the Harbor Playhouse opening for Carlos Mencia at the age of nineteen. Soon after, Steve was off to Dallas with stars in his eyes in pursuit of his career. It

the Three Amigos Comedy Tour, featuring Mencia, Pablo Francisco, and the late Freddy Soto, just one of the greats to whom Steve has been compared, a likeness that Steve wears as a badge of honor. He now resides in Hollywood, California living his lifelong dream of being a standup comedian.

Since moving to California, Steve has been on the road for over a decade, headlining at comedy clubs

across the country. When he’s in Los Angeles, you can catch him at the Hollywood Improv, The Comedy Store, and The Laugh Factory. Steve was also a writer and acted in several episodes of season one of Mind of Mencia. One of Steve’s biggest gigs was The Doghouse Comedy Jam in San Francisco with Dave Attel, Jamie Foxx, and Dave Chappel. He has traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan to entertain the troops, a

cause he whole heartedly supports. Steve’s credits include The Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Comedy.TV, Latin Nation, Comedy Central, and Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, just to name a few.

This month, his credits will also include Grandpa

premieres on Showtime, Thursday, October 4th at 10pm. Filmed at the California Theatre in San Bernardino, this hour long comedy special is truly a career game changer for Steve, and a testament to the time he’s spent developing material and building a fan base on the road. Steve’s supporters showed up in full force to attend the taping. Friday’s rush-­hour

Comedy Producer and Director Scott Montoya said, “Steve killed it and it’s always great to see someone get a well-­deserved shot, but more importantly, to deliver on that shot.”

It was important to Steve that he accurately

Steve Trevino is proud to be Mexican, but more importantly, he’s proud to be a Texan and an American. “I didn't want it to be a bunch of jokes relying on ethnic punch lines and premises," says Trevino. "Instead, the show is a mix of personal stories and my perspective on life as I have known it. I want to give a voice to people like me. My hope for this special is to show America that there is a new kind of Mexican in town and he's American, and damn proud of it.”

Jason T. Davis, a Pop Culture blogger with ireadculture.com, explains how Steve strays away from the Latino stereotypes inside his comedy routine, “Trevino, a stand-­up comic from South Texas,

STEVE TREVINO: GRANDPA JOE'S SON by John McKenna

Grandpa Joe's Son

By John McKenna

Steve will return to the Harbor

Playhouse where it all began

November 9th and 10th

Celebrating wife Renae's birthday in Vegas while performing at Brad Garrett's Comedy Club at the

MGM (2012)

Harbor Playhouse performing for his hometown fans.

hour comedy special, Grandpa Joe’s Son, premiering on Showtime, October 4th, 2012 at 10pm.

Steve Trevino: "Grandpa Joe's Son" was produced and directed by Scott Montoya and produced by Neal Marshall. Produced in its entirety by LOL Comedy Inc. 2012, for the Showtime Network as part of the 4th annual LOL Comedy Festival, at the California Theatre in San Bernardino.

The large photos are from the 4th annual LOL Comedy Festival, © LOL Comedy Inc. 2012.

Photos by Angela Daves Haley.

veers away from predictable ethnic references to instead focus on blue-­collar, observational humor about life as a member of the working class. Infused with an energy only a guy from Texas could generate, Trevino tells stories of growing up as a kid in a small town, his closeted gay uncle, his new engagement and his dog.”

Showtime, in the Grandpa Joe’s Son comedy special press release distributed to the national media and entertainment industry on September 5,

one-­hour stand-­up special is a comical testimony of

his years growing up in the heart of Texas and a result of the decade he spent touring with Carlos Mencia. Unabashedly reliving stories of rebelling from his strict, but loving parents, his road rage and regrets from childhood, this special is a laugh-­out-­loud peek into the human psyche. Though Trevino may seem as American as any Texan can be -­ his distinctive stories

a Hispanic upbringing in Corpus Christi to living his dream in Hollywood make for a comedy brand that is all his own.”

So there you have it. It’s not a story about “overnight success.” It’s a

story about living the dream, passion, hard work, the dedication and love that he has had since childhood for standup comedy. He is a humble, gracious, and caring man who truly loves his family, friends and

comedy special on Showtime is something that we will all be proud of, born from his blue-­collar Mexican American roots right here in South Texas. He is on the road over the next couple of months touring the country in support of the upcoming Showtime special, and will be here in Corpus Christi on November 9th and 10th, where it all began, at the

Steve Trevino

Steve Trevino and John McKenna backstage at the

performance, opening for Carlos Mencia (1998)Performing for the Wounded Warriors at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio (2011)

Steve will return to the Harbor

Playhouse where it all began

November 9th and 10th

10

John Prine, of Nashville, TN graced us with a

performance at Selena Auditorium on Saturday,

September 22nd. Alejandro Escovedo, from

Austin, opened the show with a short eight song

set. Prine was on a Texas tour that included stops in

Corpus, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Midland and San

Antonio.

John Prine is in a songwriter’s class only shared by

the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, John Lennon and

perhaps Rodney Crowell, Steve Goodman and Guy

Clark. He has an eloquent way of making the ordinary

special. In word, Prine takes everyday situations and

creates story lines as vivid as a Norman Rockwell

painting. Dylan said of Prine, “(Prine’s) stuff is pure

Proustian existentialism. Midwestern mind trips to the

nth degree. And he writes beautiful songs. I remember

All that stuff about "Sam Stone," the soldier junkie

daddy, and "Donald and Lydia," where people make

love from ten miles away. Nobody but Prine could

write like that."

In the course of two hours, Prine touched on every

aspect of his 40 year recording career, playing songs

from all of his 20 albums. The only cover he did was

Blaze Foley’s touching Clay Pigeons. Prine’s stories are

drawn from his experiences as a mailman, a soldier

in the Vietnam era and a traveling troubadour. They

are sometimes funny, sometimes tragic but always

colorfully touching and brilliant.

All that stuff about "Sam Stone," the soldier junkie daddy, and "Donald and Lydia," where people make love from ten miles away. Nobody but Prine could write like that.

~Bob Dylan

He was accompanied on stage by a most impressive

Jason Wilber on guitars and mandolin and David

Jacque on bass. They ran through the Prine

songbook, dishing out hits like Spanish Pipedream,

Humidity Built the Snowman, Grandpa Was a

Carpenter, Angel From Montgomery, Souvenirs,

Your Flag Decal, Sam Stone and Paradise like it was

Thanksgiving dinner. The crowd ate it up. I must

admit that there were a few teary-­eyed moments

here and there. At one point, a few people in the

audience failed to restrain themselves and shouted

out requests to which Prine retorted, “I know them

all.” Indeed.

My only complaint on the whole

wonderful evening was I would

have liked to have heard San

Antonio native Alejandro Escovedo

play a little longer. His band

featured the phenomenal Billy White on guitar and

was more of an unplugged, folky version and not

the highly produced band with strings and back-­up

singers, than I’ve seen in the past. All of the songs

Escovedo performed were new (Sally Was a Cop, The Bottom of the World, Anchor, Always a Friend) and

his short set did not yield any of his old faves. I’m

assuming he molded this show to accommodate Prine

fans. It was good but not even close to representative

of what he’s capable of.

The of the crowd at Selena Auditorium was pretty

much all middle aged Austin and San Antonio ex-­pats

or close proximity. I noticed a particularly large

contingency from Port Aransas and a particularly

small contingency from Padre Island at this show.

The lobby bar was jammin at halftime as were the

smoker’s tables on the patio. The acoustics

at Selena Auditorium make the venue seem

intimate, there's nowhere in the house where

you don't feel like you're right there with the

performers.

& John Prine

Alejandro Escovedo

Live Music Review

Alejandro Escovedo

By Ronnie Narmour

Live Music TonightThe Coastal Bend's Most Complete Live Music Calendar

Compiled by Ronnie Narmour

Alejandro Escovedo 11

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Dog Friendly Full Bar520 S Shoreline

Corpus Christi, TX 78401361-‐726-‐3533

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Live Music TonightThe Coastal Bend's Most Complete Live Music Calendar

Compiled by Ronnie Narmour

If your venue or show isn’t listed, let us know! we’ll get your dates in the next issue. Send your dates to

Ronnie Narmour at ronnienarmour@gmail.com

If your venue or show isn’t listed, let us know! we’ll get your dates in the next issue. Send your dates to

Ronnie Narmour at ronnienarmour@gmail.com

Friday, October 26

After Dark Burlesque Revue @ House of RockGary Moeller @ Coffee Waves Ray T & the City Crew @ The Flats LoungeBrian Winfrey @ Island ItalianMike Williams & Rocky Arnold @ Hemingway’s RockportReno & the Groovegetters @ Dr. Rockits Flat Broke @ Executive Surf ClubFive Card Draw @ Brewster StreetThe Cult @ Concrete Street

Saturday, October 27

Halloween Bash w/ Cruise Control @ Back PorchZombie Prom @ House of RockThe Forefront @ Coffee WavesRuben Limas@ Island ItalianMike Williams & Rocky Arnold @ Hemingway’s RockportShelly King @ Dr. Rockits The Groove @ Executive Surf Club

Sunday, October 28

Ballabajoomba Poetry Slam @ House of RockHenry & the Invisibles @ Dr. Rockits

Monday, October 29

The Sword/ Eagle Claw/ Gypsyhawk @ House of RockOpen Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Doctor Rockits

Tuesday, October 30

Justin Estes Band @ Dr. RockitsAttila/ Make Me Famous/ Ice Nine Kills/ Adestria @ House of Rock

Wednesday, October 31

HOBO @ House of RockOpen Mic w/ Wolfjaw @ Flat’s LoungeWillford @ Dr. Rockits Country Star Contest @ Executive Surf Club

Saturday, October 20

DilloFest @ House of RockSpark in the Dark @ Coffee Waves Mike Williams & Rocky Arnold @ Hemingway’s RockportThe Groove @ Dr. Rockits Scarecrow People @ Executive Surf Club Metal Shop @ Brewster Street

Sunday, October 21

Acoustic Open Mic @ Neptune’s RetreatHold Fast Fables @ Dr. Rockits Teenage Bottlerocket/ Smoke or Fire/ Masked Intruders/ Spanish Reds @ House of Rock

Monday, October 22

Collin Roche @ House of RockOpen Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Doctor Rockits

Tuesday, October 23

Justin Estes Band @ Dr. RocketsOpen Mic w/ Rev Matt Martinez @ House of RockTheory of a Deadman/ Adelita’s Way/ Charm City Devils @ Brewster Street

Wednesday, October 24

Open Mic w/ Wolfjaw @ Flat’s LoungeAmerican Aquarium/ Albert Simpson @ House of RockCountry Star Contest @ Executive Surf Club

Thursday, October 25

John Eric @ Island ItalianLocal Licks @ House of RockAntone & the All Stars @ Dr. Rockits Casey Donahew Band/ Matt Stell @ Brewster Street

Friday, October 26

Jerry Diaz & Hanna’s Reef @ Back Porch

Wednesday, October 3

Mr. Mo’s Blues Jam @ Tarpon Ice HouseOpen Mic w/ Wolfjaw @ Flat’s LoungeArt Barrera @ House of RockParty of Three @ Dr. RockitsCountry Star Contest @ Executive Surf Club

Thursday, October 4

Free Beer Band @ Tarpon Ice HouseRev Horton Heat/ Supersuckers/ Not in the Face/ Pinata Protest/ Switchblade Jesus @ House of RockJohn Eric @ Island ItalianJohn Cortez @ Dr. Rockits Turnpike Troubadours/ American Aquarium @ Brewster Street

Friday, October 5

Clay McClinton @ Back PorchZiegfest 2012: Party of Three/ Neal Edwards/ Whiskey D/ Jesse Dayton @ Whataburger FieldD&S @ House of RockEarl Gard @ Coffee Waves Brian Winfrey @ Island ItalianJustin Estes Band @ Dr. Rockits Cruise Control @ Executive Surf Club Spazmatics @ Brewster Street Ray T & the City Crew @ The Flats Lounge

Saturday, October 6

Larry Joe Taylor @ Back PorchMax Stalling @ Third Coast TheaterZiegfest 2012: RESZ/ Jesse Dayton/ Ian Moore/ Black Joe Lewis/ Shooter Jennings/ Bob Schneider/ Pat Green @ Whataburger FieldThe Heroin/ Surlee @ House of Rock|David & Barbara Brown @ Coffee WavesRuben Limas@ Island ItalianAnother Level @ Dr. Rockits Latin Talk @ Executive Surf Club

Sunday, October 7

Open Electric Jam w/ Rockin’ Ricke @ Tarpon Ice HouseAcoustic Open Mic @ Neptune’s RetreatWeak Day Boys @ Dr. Rockits

Monday, October 8

Collin Roche @ House of RockOpen Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Doctor Rockits

Tuesday, October 9

Justin Estes Band @ Dr. Rockets|Open Mic w/ Rev Matt Martinez @ House of Rock

Wednesday, October 10

Mr. Mo’s Blues Jam @ Tarpon Ice HouseGRAVY @ House of RockOpen Mic w/ Wolfjaw @ Flat’s LoungeBad Chords @ Dr. Rockits Country Star Contest @ Executive Surf Club

Thursday, October 11

John Eric @ Island ItalianOn Blast Stand-­up Comedy Show @ House of RockAntone & the All Stars @ Dr. RockitsNeal Edwards/ Reckless Abandon @ Executive Surf Club JB & the Moonshine Band @ Brewster Street

Friday, October 12

Ruben V @ Back Porch

Friday, October 12

Buster Jiggs/ Neal Edwards @ House of RockRosewood @ Sunset Sounds-­ Roberts Point ParkGary Moeller @ Coffee Waves Brian Winfrey @ Island ItalianMike Williams & Rocky Arnold @ Hemingway’s RockportJohn Cortez @ Dr. RockitsTrysum @ Executive Surf ClubRay T & the City Crew @ The Flats LoungeGarage Band Classic @ Brewster StreetQueensryche/ Dokken/ Accept/ Michael Schenker Group @ Concrete Street

Saturday, October 13

Thomas Michael Riley @ Back PorchThe Toasters/ Eskapetones/ Avenue Rockers/ Soviet Spies/ Husdson Falcons @ House of RockKen Barnett @ Coffee Waves Ruben Limas@ Island ItalianMike Williams & Rocky Arnold @ Hemingway’s RockportGrant Ewing @ Dr. Rockits Ben Tapia @ Executive Surf Club2nd Saturday Sing-­Along Piano Show @ Brewster Street

Sunday, October 14

King Conquer/ Thick as Blood/ Hardside/ Delusions/ Leaders @ House of RockAcoustic Open Mic @ Neptune’s RetreatWillford @ Dr. Rockits

Monday, October 15

Collin Roche @ House of RockOpen Jam w/ Antone Perez @ Doctor RockitsStevie Start @ Scuttlebutt’s

Tuesday, October 16

Justin Estes Band @ Dr. RocketsOpen Mic w/ Rev Matt Martinez @ House of RockNonpoint & Taproot/ Black Oxygen @ Brewster Street

Wednesday, October 17

Mr. Mo’s Blues Jam @ Tarpon Ice HouseOpen Mic w/ Wolfjaw @ Flat’s LoungeBuffaloes Rome @ Dr. RockitsCountry Star Contest @ Executive Surf ClubFor Today/ Impending Doom/ The Chariot/ Texas in July @ House of Rock

Thursday, October 18

John Eric @ Island ItalianDeadstring Brothers @ House of RockJohn Cortez @ Dr. Rockits Wade Bowen @ Brewster Street Texas Aloha Boys @ Scuttlebutt’s

Friday, October 19

TBA @ Back PorchUnwritten Law/ Reely Rotnz/ Johnny 5 @ House of RockEarl Gard @ Coffee Waves Brian Winfrey @ Island ItalianMike Williams & Rocky Arnold @ Hemingway’s RockportMatt Hole & Hot Rod Gang @ Dr. Rockits Lyrical Bynge @ Executive Surf Club Blake Sparx @ Scuttlebutt’s Ray T & the City Crew @ The Flats Lounge

Saturday, October 20

Dust Devils 10th Annual Coastal Bender@ Back Porch

10

Every WEDNESDAY 500 to 700 pm

D O W N T O W NC O R P U S C H R I S T I

W E D N E S D A YE V E R Y W E E K

EAT LOCAL! & BUY LOCAL!

505 South Water Street At The Village Shopping Center ( Tango Tea Room)

Market Manager Aislynn Campbell (361) 548-­3373

Adopt-A-Beach Volunteers Clear 153 tons of trash From Texas Beaches

By Brent Rourk

North Padre Island -­ Under warm, sunny skies on Saturday, September 22nd, 396 volunteers descended on the GLO’s Adopt-­A-­Beach Clean-­up local meeting site next to the campgrounds near Bob Hall Pier. Active and enthusiastic groups signed in at 8:30 A.M. and prepared to participate in this biannual event.

Padre Island Kiwanis members, working together like clockwork, signed in the volunteers, gave them instructions and areas to clean, and then provided them with water, gloves, and sheets to track the amount and type of garbage they bagged.

Cheerful groups then headed to their designated areas for two to three hours. Full bags were left at the blue trash cans and later picked up by the city.

Though the beaches were relatively clean this fall due to more frequent cleanings by various groups, there was nevertheless garbage from shoreline to dune line. The gorgeous Gulf waters continually bring local unwanted debris from afar and sadly some beach users leave their garbage strewn across our sandy beaches.

Debris included plastic bottles, plastic bottle lids, wrappers, glass bottles, cans, string, rope, paper,

chopped wood, plastic eating utensils and more.

The students from the Seashore Middle Academy Builders’ Club ran across an abandoned pit with a smoldering log. Also in the pit were bottles, foil wrapped food, and a dozen metal cans, many with sharp edges.

Several schools participated in this fall’s clean-­up, lending hope that tomorrow’s adults will respect and expect clean shorelines and will teach that to their children.

Every WEDNESDAY 500 to 700 pm

EAT LOCAL! & BUY LOCAL!Volunteers getting water, gloves, and bags

Photos by B. Rourk

Adopt-­A-­Beach Fall Clean-­up. The volunteers removed 153 tons of trash from 29 sites along 186 miles of Texas coast.

“The turnout this year was amazing,” said Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. “We have expanded our social media efforts reaching out through Facebook and other online media to reach people who really care about the Texas coast and who want to help keep it clean, and it seems to be working.”

odd items among the usual cigarette butts, plastic caps and lids, including a mixture of car parts, an

a dollar bill and a vial of blood. A few items from Mexico were reported including soda and detergent bottles and also a “Bievenidos a Mexico” sign found at the Padre Island National Seashore.

Since 1986, more than 439,000 Adopt-­A-­Beach volunteers have picked up more than 8,400 tons of trash from Texas beaches, some of it originating from as far away as Asia. Volunteers record data on the trash to learn more about the causes of marine debris and to help mitigate pollution along Texas’ 367 miles of coastline.

The next coast-­wide clean-­up will be the Spring Adopt-­A-­Beach effort scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 2013.

program is an all-­volunteer effort to remove trash from Texas’ shores. Coastal clean-­ups are held three times each year and the program’s success is due to the hard work of volunteers, including local coordinators who work many unpaid hours publicizing the clean-­ups in coastal communities.

Adopt-A-Beach Volunteers Clear 153 tons of trash From Texas Beaches

After cleaning the beach for 5 miles volunteers returned to the meeting site, recorded and submitted their tracking forms, played with some of the free surprises from the sponsors, and enjoyed a lunch prepared by the Kiwanis Club.

This was the 26th Annual Fall Adopt-­A-­Beach

For more information about beach clean-­ups view their website at http://www.glo.texas.gov/adopt-­a-­beach/.

A big thanks to all of the people who sponsor and volunteer to make this event the success it is. One of the most treasured qualities we can demonstrate is to be a good steward of our Earth and what better place to begin than our own backyard.

Statewide, more than 9,316 volunteers pitched

26th Annual Fall Cleanup Draws 9,316 Volunteers Statewide

A Few Items Of Note For September

THE

K Space Contemporary

415 D Starr Street

Corpus Christi, TX 78401 361.887.6834

KSpaceContemporary.org

Hours: Wed-­Sat 11a – 5p

Free Admission

September Spectacular Salon

First Friday ArtWALK

October 5th, 5:30-­9pm

Art Star Gallery: Stephen Gambill

Hot Spot Upstairs: Images de Bon Temps Jim Caldwell and Robert CockrellStunning photographs of the people and places of New Orleans

Main Gallery

6th Annual Juried ShowWorks on Display Through October 19thCurator of Moudy Gallery and Forth Worth Contemporary Arts at Texas Christian University, Christina Rees is a self-­professed art lover and pot-­stirrer. She has worked as a

former owner-­director of Road Agent, a contemporary art gallery in Dallas.

Art Center of Corpus Christi

100 Shoreline Blvd

Corpus Christi, TX 78401

Tel: 361.884.6406

Fax: 361.884.8836

ArtCenterCC.org

Hours: 10a – 4p

Everyday except Monday

Monday CLOSED

Admission is always FREE

BRA-­VO! Breast Cancer Auction

Cocktail Reception, Book Sales and Art AuctionOctober 4th, 5:30-­8:30pmWorks on display October 2nd – 4thExhibit features underwire works of art created by local celebrities, artists, individuals and businesses. Coffee table books featuring bras from the last two events will be. In addition there will be a silent auction of this year’s bras.

First Friday ArtWALK

October 5th, 5:30-­9pm

Tables of artists and artisan vendors in and around the Courtyard, every First Friday!!

Dimension XL Juried Exhibition

Award Ceremony & Reception October 11th, 5-­7pmWorks on display October 9th through 28thAnnual national juried exhibition of artworks in all media.

Rebecca Johnson Solo Exhibition

2011 Dimensions’ BEST of SHOW WinnerReception October 11th, 5-­7pmWorks on display October 9th through 28th

Carroll High School Students’ Breast Cancer Awareness Exhibit

Works on display throughout OctoberThis is their 4th annual exhibit at the Art Center of works created by CHS students, to express their concerns and views on this devastating disease that impacts many families.

EAT

HAPPY

TangoTea Room505 South Water Street

361-­883-­9123

Huge Vegetarian,

Vegan & Gluten-­Free

Friendly Menu

Fresh Non-­veg

stuff too.

Bohemian atmosphere

Free WiFi

Downtown

Farmers market

Every Wednesday 5pm

Bizarre Bazaar Every 3rd

Saturday

Poetry Slam / open mic

every 2nd

Saturday

Rockport Center for the Arts

902 Navigation Circle

Rockport, Texas 78382

Tel: 361.729.5519

RockportArtCenter.com

Hours: Tues – Sat, 10a – 4p

Sundays, 1p – 4p

Closed Mondays

Always Free Admission

Tami Bone

Gallery Talk & Reception on Saturday, September 20th at

4:30pm

Tami Bone’s narrative works pull from her South Texas childhood, calling forth early yearnings, hopes, fears and dreams.

Ewoud de Groot

Gallery Talk & Reception on Saturday,

September 20th at 4:30pm

Ewoud lives and works in Egmond aan Zee, a coastal village in the north of the Netherlands. His work has been featured in the Art Center's Shorelines exhibitions, as well as the Leigh Yawkey Woodson's prestigious Birds In Art exhibition, which the Art Center will host in Fall 2013.

UPCOMING!

2012 Rockport Film Festival

November 1-­3, 2012The 6th Annual Rockport Film Festival (RFF) celebrates the best of independent cinema on the Texas Coast with a 3-­day event that highlighting talent from Texas and beyond.

Tango Tea Room

505 S Water Street, Suite 545Corpus Christi, TX 78401 361.883.9123TangoFandango.comHours: Mon -­ Thurs. 10a -­ 7pFri & Sat 10a -­ 9pSunday Noon -­ 6p

First Friday ArtWALK

October 5th, 5:30 -­ 9pm

Featured Artist: Angela Schwengler

Atelier International Art Gallery

505 S Water Street, Suite 519Corpus Christi, TX 78401956.605-­1221

AIArtGallery.comHours: Mon -­ Fri 10a -­ 5pSaturday 10a -­ 2pSunday By AppointmentCheck out the new gallery in town!

First Friday ArtWALK August31st, 5:30-­9pm

Calaca Art ExhibitionThe Calaca Art Exhibition is in celebration of the Dia de los Muertos holiday in November. Local South Texas artist and gallery co-­owner Reynaldo Santiago’s work will be included in this exhibition.

upcoming issue of CC Magazine.

A Few Items Of Note For SeptemberA Few Items Of Note For SeptemberA Few Items Of Note For SeptemberA Few Items Of Note For September

ArtArtArtArtArtArt SceneTHE Wicked Wednesday

Halloween Party!!

October 24th,5:30 – 8:30pmTickets will be sold at the door – $13Over 21 ONLY – Costumes Encouraged!

Wine, cheese and punch will be served. Artwork will be for sale. We will have Live Jazz Music, a 50/50 Ticket Drawing, Costume and Door Prizes! The Treasure Marshall Dance Group will perform a Halloween dance. Palmist Jill Grossman will be doing readings for a $3 donation to the Art Center.

Treehouse Art Collective LLC

309 North Water Street, Suite D

Corpus Christi, TX 78401

361.882.4822

TreehouseArtCC.com

Hours:

Tue-­Sat 11a – 8p

Sunday Noon to 6p

Free Admission

The World through our Artist Eyes

A collective of 6 core artists, and a varying group of associate artists, who exhibit and sell their artwork in all manner of media.

First Friday ArtWALKOctober 5th, 5:30 – 9pmFeatured artist this month is abstract painter, Jerry Bass

Art Museum of South

Texas

1902 N. Shoreline BlvdCorpus Christi, TX 78401 Tel: 361.825.3500STIA.orgTues -­ Sat 10a to 5pSundays 1p to 5pClosed Mondays & HolidaysAdmission:Adults $8Seniors (60 and older) $6Active Military $6Students (13+) $4All members, Children 12 and under, Texas A&M University-­CC students Free Admission

Free Admission every First Friday in honor of ArtWALK!

East/ West: Visually SpeakingSeptember 14th to November 25th, 2012

A Chinese Contemporary art exhibit organized by Dr. Lee Gray, the Curator of Exhibitions at the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum, University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The exhibition features a wide array of paintings, sculpture, photography and works on paper showing how Chinese artists have adapted Eastern ideas and art forms to create new styles of art using references to stylistic history in Western art. In each of the two-­ and three-­dimensional works exhibited, there is an obvious merging of Eastern and Western visual languages. While in some works the reference to Western culture seems adoring, others appear as parodies to the West and its cultural symbols and values. Each participating artist presents a multifaceted view of

its place on the world stage.

Check the museum’s website event calendar for other events throughout the month.

K Space Contemporary

415 D Starr Street

Corpus Christi, TX 78401 361.887.6834

KSpaceContemporary.org

Hours: Wed-­Sat 11a – 5p

Free Admission

September Spectacular Salon

First Friday ArtWALK

October 5th, 5:30-­9pm

Art Star Gallery: Stephen Gambill

Hot Spot Upstairs: Images de Bon Temps Jim Caldwell and Robert CockrellStunning photographs of the people and places of New Orleans

Main Gallery

6th Annual Juried ShowWorks on Display Through October 19thCurator of Moudy Gallery and Forth Worth Contemporary Arts at Texas Christian University, Christina Rees is a self-­professed art lover and pot-­stirrer. She has worked as a

former owner-­director of Road Agent, a contemporary art gallery in Dallas.

Art Center of Corpus Christi

100 Shoreline Blvd

Corpus Christi, TX 78401

Tel: 361.884.6406

Fax: 361.884.8836

ArtCenterCC.org

Hours: 10a – 4p

Everyday except Monday

Monday CLOSED

Admission is always FREE

BRA-­VO! Breast Cancer Auction

Cocktail Reception, Book Sales and Art AuctionOctober 4th, 5:30-­8:30pmWorks on display October 2nd – 4thExhibit features underwire works of art created by local celebrities, artists, individuals and businesses. Coffee table books featuring bras from the last two events will be. In addition there will be a silent auction of this year’s bras.

First Friday ArtWALK

October 5th, 5:30-­9pm

Tables of artists and artisan vendors in and around the Courtyard, every First Friday!!

Dimension XL Juried Exhibition

Award Ceremony & Reception October 11th, 5-­7pmWorks on display October 9th through 28thAnnual national juried exhibition of artworks in all media.

Rebecca Johnson Solo Exhibition

2011 Dimensions’ BEST of SHOW WinnerReception October 11th, 5-­7pmWorks on display October 9th through 28th

Carroll High School Students’ Breast Cancer Awareness Exhibit

Works on display throughout OctoberThis is their 4th annual exhibit at the Art Center of works created by CHS students, to express their concerns and views on this devastating disease that impacts many families. 13

Steel Life Becky Johnson

Jerry Bass

Exposing Local Artists…By Georgia Griffin

Debbie Cannatella… watercolor in a new light

CanvasThe

Debbie Cannatella is just one of those people with whom you feel instantly comfortable chatting… I spent a delightful afternoon with her and came away pondering a chance to conquer watercolor media, her love of it is that contagious.

“I’m originally from south Louisiana. Baton Rouge for me, New Orleans for my husband (Fernando Figueroa) and we moved here about two and a half years ago. I’ve been painting really since high school. I fell in love with watercolor in high school. I had a great high school art teacher, and I guess I fell in love with it before I found out it was supposedly the hardest medium to work in.

“It was before the fear sets in, and I’ve been painting in it since then. I love it. I painted part time for about 20-­25 years because I had a job. I was a senior highway and bridge designer, in the engineering world. I’ve been full-­time 7 years now.

“I am fortunate in that I spent 25 years as a single parent, raised my daughters and had grandchildren. Then I got remarried and now have this whole different life, where my husband brings home enough money to support us. I can paint, and all he’s concerned with is that I’m happy.

“From Louisiana we moved to Chicago for a couple of years, and then Tyler (TX) for a couple of years, and now we’re here. We love it here. He loves it out at Del Mar. There’re a lot of good things going on there, and we’ve enjoyed the people we’ve met here so far. Fernando is the provost over at Del Mar College.

“I got on the internet when I found out we were coming, and looked up the watercolor societies,

because watercolor’s my thing. I joined the Watercolor Society of South Texas, and then I found out you had to be a member of the Art Center in order to belong to the WSST because the meetings are at the Art Center. So, I joined the Art Center;; I’m working with the exhibition committee at the Art Center. I visited a couple of the other ones and I think now I belong to the South Texas Art League also. But you know, I’m membership poor, because I’m [also] a member of the National Watercolor Society, the American Watercolor Society, and the Louisiana Watercolor Society, so you know every January you’re sending dues out to everybody.

“I’m a signature member of the Louisiana Watercolor Society, so I do like to periodically put a piece in there. I will participate in exhibitions so long as I can pack up my car and drive there. I had a solo exhibition in Baton Rouge last fall, or I guess it was the year before, maybe? Yes, the year before. And I’m a member of the Artists of Texas and we have a show up at a gallery in Dallas every year, so I’ll take my work up there, but I don’t ship it out much.

“I’m at the Treehouse [Art Collective LLC] gallery. Most of my work hangs there. There’s a Watercolor Society show at the Art Center every year, and I try to get into that. There’s not a great deal available here. I did a show recently, a 4-­person show in Port A, at their Art Center. They’ve just started doing a 4-­person show every month I think. I was involved in the South Texas Art League;; they have 3 shows a year, one at Del Mar, one at the Art Center, and one at the Museum. Usually I try to get in those, but lately I haven’t been getting into a lot of exhibitions.

“To be honest with you I’ve had a LOT of commissions – which is great, because I’m selling everything that I’m painting right now, but I don’t have enough time to paint for myself. I’m thinking about petitioning for a solo exhibition at the Art Center next year, which means I have to paint a series, and I have

teaching again.

“When I was in Chicago, I was primarily a gallery artist. There were art leagues and galleries up there that I was involved with, and I’ve never been really a street fair artist that would go and do shows for First Fridays downtown. But moving to Texas, I moved

There were no galleries to show in, and I started thinking well maybe I should do the street fair circuit,

16

Debbie Cannatella… watercolor in a new light

but I really don’t want to do that. In fact, I

17

Dining GuideDining GuideDining Guide

The Tango Tea Room brings a taste of Austin to Downtown Corpus. Tango serves a variety of Mediterranean and world cuisine, including some of the best vegetarian and

specialize in vegan and gluten-­free desserts,

get your hippie on!

in downtown Corpus Christi. 361-­883-­9123

Tangofandango.com

Hours:10-­7 Monday through Thursday

10-­9 Friday & Saturday

12-­6 Sunday

TangoTea Room

Taste The Difference!

The Gourmet Pizza

Our famous Padre Pizza dough is handmade daily. Our sauces are created

from the freshest tomatoes and seasoned with our own Chef’s blend of natural

herbs and spices. Our lasagna made from scratch daily is the most tasty and delicious you will ever try, and our salad selections are prepared to order using the freshest

produce available.

14993 SPIDOn the Island 949-­0787

Located on Padre Island, Island Italian has been serving the community since 1987. A family friendly restaurant, Island Italian also serves beer and wine and is available for private parties of up to 53 people. Flat screen TV and DVD / VHS for meetings. Delivery on Padre Island after 5pm.Daily Lunch and Dinner Specials.

Hours of Operation:Monday -­ Thursday 11am to 9:30pm

Saturday 10am to 10pmSunday 5pm to 9:30pm

18 Holes of

LibationsAmusements

Miniature Golf

361 749-­ Taco (8226) 2034 State Highway 361

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Open 11 am -­ 2 amKitchen Closes @ 1 am

Wednesdays All you can Eat Fried Shrimp

Thursdays Prime RIbWith Twice Baked Potato

1919

Town & Country Cafe has great breakfast

and lunch specials every day, offering great

food at a fair price. Town & Country Cafe is

a great location for business meetings and

client luncheons and there is no charge for

the use of the meeting room.

4228 South Alameda

Corpus Christi, TX 78412

(361) 992-­0360

Locally Owned and Operated

Dining GuideDining GuideDining Guide

Snoopy’s and Scoopy’s

Snoopy’s Pier was literally a product of the

13313 S.P.I.D. Corpus Christi

(361) 949-­8815 snoopyspier.com

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18 holes of miniature golfOpen 11 am -­ 2 am

Kitchen Closes @ 1 am2034 State Highway 361361 749-­ Taco (8226)

Discover More at METROSCHOOLS.NET

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LenzTHE

STARS Banquet & Blake Shelton Concert @ American Bank Center

21

"I am not a politician. I do not stand to make any

CCISD has a long history of excellence in education. From great teachers and superior facilities, to a rich history of community involvement, high performance has been the cornerstone of our education system. However, the past several years has seen a shift in concentration from the importance of educating our children to focusing on who gets the contracts that might serve the narrow economic interests of a few.

open meetings act, board members accepting gifts from contractors, violations of state contracting laws and attacks on teachers to impose a political agenda all must stop. Marcus Sorenson is running to end those practices and restore the integrity of CCISD Board of Education and help put it back on the path of our children’s education being the highest priority.

Problem SolvingIt wasn’t until becoming a father of

children in CCISD that Marcus became aware of some very disturbing practices of some current members of the CCISD school board. The last two

questionable decisions that have been detrimental to our children’s education. The many questionable practices have been well documented by the Corpus

Christi Caller Times and other media outlets. With CCISD being the second largest employer in Corpus Christi, and responsible for the education of over 30,000 students per year, there is no room for questionable ethics. Our children deserve to have ethical and honest leaders making decisions for their future.

Last year an amendment was brought to the board to prevent open dialogue of issues unless it was

like something you might not care about. Some arcane point of procedure. But when you stop and think about it, the amendment was saying that no issue could be discussed in open session without a unanimous vote. So any controversial discussions, like "hey isn't this contractor your cousin?" would happen behind closed doors.

This amendment was brought after one current school board member was arguing for full disclosure

to awarding CCISD contracts. A majority of the current board, when faced with the idea of disclosing their relationships with businesses bidding on CCISD contracts, essentially tried to silence the rest of the board.

After several school board meetings, this amendment was brought to the table and passed

and many other concerned citizens of Corpus Christi

to demand the CCISD school board table the

this practice from being implemented into the CCISD bylaws. With a majority vote, this would have been detrimental to any opposing views or beliefs and would have limited the freedom of board members to protest the often questionable ethical practices of other members.

Unfortunately, this is only one small example of the need for better leadership by our CCISD school board.

Safety Last year, there was a debate about losing our

crossing guards. Anyone who has ever driven in the city of Corpus Christi knows how terrifying the prospect of crossing a busy city street can be to an adult, let alone a young child. With many of our school campuses located on busy roads, there is a clear need for crossing guards to help our children get to and from school every day.

The crossing guard program is currently being

city proposed to stop the funding of this program. The total cost of the crossing guard program was projected to be $300,000 per year. This would have represented only 0.000375% of the combined operating budget of the City of Corpus Christi and CCISD school board.

Even with that extremely small percentage, we still almost lost this service. How can we honestly say that the safety of our children is our top priority when we

to insure our children can get to school and home safely? How much is the life of one child worth? If crossing guards save only one child every 10 years, the money would be well spent.The role of CCISD school board should be the loudest and strongest advocates for our children.

Supporting TeachersThere has been a concerted effort from several

current CCISD school board members to denigrate teachers and exclude educational professionals from the decision making process.

Problem:One current school board member argued for

statements with vendors prior to awarding CCISD contracts

Solved!An amendment was brought to the board to

prevent open discussion of any issue unless it was agreed by unanimous vote

Cleaning House at CCISD

22

Practices that exclude teaching professionals from

giving input are what have caused us to spend

hundreds of billions of dollars every year nationally

to educate our youth while our educational

performance has continued to decline."

"When elected, I will work very diligently with our

teachers and administrators trying to restore and

improve educational outcomes... not to advance a

political agenda. I will involve teachers and parents

in policy making. I will ensure every dollar spent on

education is being used to its maximum potential on

education. I will ensure that the CCISD Board and

administration follows the highest ethical practices."

CCISD should operate on hard educational data, with a trustworthy board exhibiting good ethical

with the goal of achieving the highest and best outcomes for our children, not the best deal for some well-­connected contractor.

"This upcoming November election represents

much more than who will make future decisions on

education. It doesn’t just represent the future of my

two children and 35,000 other children in the district.

When Elected I promise to do the following:

1. Always to act with the highest ethical standards.

2. Vote for contractors that bring the best value for our tax dollars and avoid even the

interest.

3. Support programs that improve the quality of our children’s education and insures every child has the opportunity to succeed in life.

4. Keep constituents informed of the performance and needs of our schools.

5. Insure that every tax dollar is well spent for the education and welfare of our children.

6. guards for the safety of our children.

7. Insure that resources are evenly distributed to allow every child an equal chance at a good education.

8. Protect teachers from political and economic attacks that threaten the education of our children and the stability of our schools.

9. I will raise the code of ethics standards for CCISD and I challenge all local political groups

motives and intentions of any politician who objects to this new standard

10.

"We need to operate on hard educational

responsible with tax dollars with the goal of

achieving the highest and best outcomes for our

children, not the best deal for some contractor"

It also represents what we want our future to be.

Education can change our community and ultimately

our entire world. Through education, we can break

the vicious cycle of poverty. Through education,

we can combat the gang problem which has grown

rampant in community over the past several years."

"So many people have become disenchanted with

politics due to all of the nonsense we have seen

locally and nationally over the past several years. I

don’t know how often I hear the statement “All

politicians are crooks!” I don’t know how many times

I have heard that statement coming out of my own

mouth. Well the truth is, this is my fault. This is your

fault. This is all of our faults for allowing the election

of people with questionable pasts and unethical

practices."

quality people to represent us. If you have voted for

people in the past who have made poor decisions

vote for them again. If you

have not fully supported

quality candidates in the

past, it is time band together

to start supporting them

and get them elected. We

have already seen countless

dollars being allocated the

wrong way and our teachers

having their hands tied

behind their backs. How many children have already

slipped through the cracks? The truth is, it is time for

all of us to stand up and say Enough is enough!”