INSPIRECOASTALBENDMAG.COM 1 COASTAL BEND BUSINESS MAGAZINE 28 PG. HIDDEN GEM VINO MIO SOCIAL CLUB AND WINE BAR WORLD-CLASS EVENTS SOLOMON P. ORTIZ INTERNATIONAL CENTER FAMILY AFFAIR SUSANN’S DIAMOND JEWELERS HEARTS AND HOPS AT LA PALMERA INSPIRED STYLE FEATURING ERIN WILDER NEW YEAR, NEW BUSINESS! HOW TO REJUVENATE YOUR BUSINESS IN 2016 GIVING A HOOT WILDLIFE REHABILITATION AT THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM EDUCATION AND TRANSPARENCY AND SOUTH TEXAS MONEY MANAGEMENT JEANIE WYATT
Transcript
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 1
COASTAL BEND BUSINESS MAGAZINE
28PG.
HIDDEN GEMVINO MIO
SOCIAL CLUBAND WINE BAR
WORLD-CLASS EVENTSSOLOMON P. ORTIZ
INTERNATIONALCENTER
FAMILY AFFAIRSUSANN’SDIAMONDJEWELERS
HEARTS ANDHOPS AT
LA PALMERA
INSPIRED STYLEFEATURING
ERIN WILDER
NEW YEAR,NEW BUSINESS!
HOW TOREJUVENATE
YOUR BUSINESSIN 2016
GIVING A HOOTWILDLIFE
REHABILITATIONAT THE
TEXAS STATEAQUARIUM
EDUCATIONAND
TRANSPARENCY
ANDSOUTH TEXAS
MONEYMANAGEMENT
JEANIE WYATT
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
CORPUS CHRISTI’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FORD DEALERSHIP
www.samesford.net | 361-851-7600 | 4721 Ayers St. 78415
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
CORPUS CHRISTI’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FORD DEALERSHIP
www.samesford.net | 361-851-7600 | 4721 Ayers St. 78415
2 I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 3
4 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
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 5
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.
6 I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M
Smoothie Kingo: 361.991.5464
Smoothie King Starter PackJump start to the New You!
18 Ullberg Studios20 Hearts and Hops22 Spring-Cleaning Your Gutters24 New Year, New Business!
ENERGY &TECHNOLOGY
46 Simple Steps48 Here to Help
MONEY MATTERS
52 Protect Your Property
REAL ESTATE
56 A Grade Above the Rest58 The Role of the Realtor
TRAVEL
62 Book it!
TASTE
66 Bring the Magic
ENTERTAINMENT
70 Enhancing the Experience
INSPIRED STYLE
74 Erin Wilder
NONPROFIT
82 Putting the Fun in Fundraiser84 Giving a Hoot
28 SOUTH TEXAS MONEY MANAGEMENTFounder and CEO Jeanie Wyatt brings over 30 years of financial experience to this award-winning organization, which has a proven track record of educating and cultivating trust with clients across the Lone Star State.
32 VINO MIO SOCIAL CLUBAND WINE BARThe Breeling family caters to non-wine drinkers and wine connoisseurs alike with high-quality wines in an eclectic setting at Corpus Christi’s first and only winery.
36 SUSANN’S DIAMONDJEWELERSWith 75 years of combined experience in the jewelry industry, the Bartel family boasts not only industry expertise, but also exceptional customer service and a genuine love of the business.
40 SOLOMON P. ORTIZINTERNATIONAL CENTERWith stellar attention to detail and accommodating options, the dedicated staff at this world-class events center helps clients step outside the box.
28
COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: PAUL MARSHALL
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
DON’T DO IT – OUTSOURCE IT!Promote your overall company productivity by letting the pros do what they do best.
By: CONNIE LAUGHLIN
IT’S COMMON PRACTICE for businesses to outsource their accounting to a CPA, as everyone knows the importance of this professional service. What most employers don’t realize is their largest asset isn’t their capital or money – it’s their employees. Therefore, many important employer initiatives and procedures go overlooked, because no one’s adequately trained or prepared to handle these nu-merous processes. Professional services are needed, whether you have 10 employ-ees or more than 100. And that service provider is called a professional employer organization (PEO).
Today’s human resource outsourcing solutions offer businesses the best protec-tion from costly legal entanglements, and they guarantee you’re on the right track. And it just feels good to know your company is in the best hands letting pros do what they do best.
YOU CAN’T DO IT ALL IN-HOUSE!The essential goal of business owners and their workforce is to be financially pro-
ductive, not to waste time on things that don’t generate revenue. It’s hard enough to keep pace with effective strategies to increase net profit, so why would any busi-ness decide to keep HR in-house when it’s so much more effective to outsource it? Outsourcing reduces liability, keeps overhead predict-ably low and promotes the overall productivity of a company.
Fortune 500 companies with hu-man resource expertise in-house implement a full scope of HR ini-tiatives to maximize employee pro-ductivity, avoid costly problems and ultimately increase and protect profits. Smaller companies, without that expertise, are at a competitive disadvantage. Today, we’re lucky to see PEOs have evolved to become a perfect fit, providing all these valu-able tools.
If you’re outsourcing your HR, you’re not going it alone, as the PEO has shared liability and provides the best risk management protection. Plus, they provide professional HR expertise at a fraction of the cost to do it in-house.
EVALUATE, THEN UTILIZE.Long-lasting successful relation-
ships require a bit of vetting. This is when your due diligence is im-
portant; be sure to select the best PEO for your business. The small amount of time spent now will take a lot off your plate in the long run.
Prior to signing up with a PEO, fully understand their communi-cation style and, if possible, take the time to meet the various peo-ple you’ll be working with. How easy are they to reach, and how quick will they be to respond to your needs? Where are they lo-cated? Are they customer service oriented?
What are their levels of educa-tion and experience, and do they have the necessary licensing? Also, look to see if they’re affiliated with industry associations such as ESAC (it’s like FDIC, for banks). These are all very important. And let’s not for-get to check references.
Cash is king. It’s obviously not in your best interest to overpay for anyone’s service. Service providers that overcharge are not showing concern for your well-being, unless you’re guaranteed a significant ROI from the relationship. Know exactly what you’re paying for.
The more employees you have on staff, the more duties and risk you have to manage. If you aren’t high-ly certified in HR, safety and the multiple areas of risk management, how do you know your manager is really on top of it? So, don’t do it! Outsource it!
CREATE WEALTH.If you’re seeking success, study
all available business model options and processes, and always be run-ning the numbers! And outsource key functions to highly accredited and seasoned pros.
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
“THE PLANS OF THE DILIGENT
LEAD SURELY TO ABUNDANCE, BUT EVERYONE WHO IS
HASTY COMES ONLY TO POVERTY.” – PROVERBS 21:5
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 17
We have the largest selection of Circle E Candles in Corpus Christiand we gift wrap for FREE! We carry all factory scents.
We have a wide variety of A/C filters, standard and specialty
• Residential and Business• Ceiling & wall grills and registers• Standard and custom sizes• Polystrand
HEARTS AND HOPSAt La Palmera, it’s time for Valentine’s Day, plus a party to welcome the Easter Bunny. By: SARONA WINFREY
FEATURE
For more information on La Palmera, go online to www.lapalmera.com, visit us on Facebook or call 361-991-3755.
Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, falls on a Sunday this year, meaning restaurants will be especially busy on Friday and Saturday nights. Whatever your taste, you’ll find a variety of tasty date night choices including P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, LongHorn Steakhouse, Grimal-di’s Pizzeria and Chili’s Grill & Bar at La Palmera, all of which will have dinner specials. And for added con-venience, valet parking is available at the mall’s main entrance between P.F.
Chang’s and Grimaldi’s. Guests using the valet on Valentine’s Day will also receive a complimentary rose.
Be sure to stop by Hallmark for the perfect Valentine’s Day card or keep-sake. If your sweetheart is partial to sweets, head to Bourbon Street Candy Co. for an amazing assortment of choc-olate treats, including gourmet choco-lates and freshly dipped strawberries, guaranteed to please.
Perhaps you need something even more special for that special someone. You’ll find a number of fine jewelers including Gordon’s Jewelers, Kay Jew-elers, Pandora, Reeds Jewelers, Salem’s Jewelers and Zales at La Palmera, as well as Jared The Galleria of Jewelry and Victoria’s Jewels at The Shops at La Palmera.
Treating your special someone to a shopping spree is also a great idea. You can’t go wrong with a La Palmera gift card, which can be redeemed at the more than 100 stores and dining loca-tions throughout the mall. Available
in amounts from $10 to $500, the cards may be purchased at the mall’s con-cierge or online at lapalmera.com.
If you’re still in need of suggestions, La Palmera’s “Cupid Concierge” can help. Available Feb. 8 through 14 on La Palmera’s social media platforms, including Facebook (facebook.com/lapalmeracc), Twitter (@lapalmera-mall) and Instagram (lapalmeracc), Cupid Concierge will answer gift questions as well as provide helpful gift suggestions.
And no sooner have the candy hearts been consumed, it will be time for the Easter Bunny to hop into La Palmera. Easter is March 27 this year, and the Easter Bunny will be available Wednes-day, Feb. 17, through Saturday, March 26, for photos in Center Court each day during mall hours.
La Palmera will also host a special party on Wednesday, Feb. 17, to wel-come the Easter Bunny. Guests are en-couraged to wear their favorite bunny slippers and pajamas for the Easter Bunny PJ Party from 6 to 8 p.m. in Cen-ter Court. The event is free and open to guests of all ages, and it includes arts and crafts, face painting, story time, a balloon artist and refreshments. The Easter Bunny will meet and greet par-ty guests to kick off the event and then hop back to his traditional garden spot in Center Court for traditional photos with guests.
Pet lovers can also take their favor-ite canine or kitty for photos on one of four “Pet Night with the Easter Bunny” events. Pet Night events are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 23, and March 1, 8 and 15, from 5 to 8 p.m., with a por-tion of the photo proceeds benefiting local animal organizations. Only dogs and cats are permitted, and all animals must remain on a leash or in a carrier at all times.
IF YOU’RE STILL IN
NEEDOF GIFT
SUGGESTIONS, LA
PALMERA’S “CUPID
CONCIERGE” CAN HELP.
WHATEVER YOUR HEART’S DESIRE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY – DINNER, CHOCOLATES OR SOMETHING SHINY IN A LITTLE BOX – LA PALMERA HAS WHAT YOU WANT FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE.
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 21
5510 Williams Drive | Corpus Christi, Texas | 361.991.8383 | [email protected]
22 I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M
DAI
SY D
AISY
/BIG
STO
CK.C
OM
With clean gutters, you don’t have to worry about April showers.
By: SYLVIA SLEZAK S
FEATURE
pring is right around the corner, and that means there are many projects around the home demanding your attention. One thing that often goes overlooked is your gutters. The problem is that many home-owners wait to get their gutters cleaned until they notice a problem, or so much
debris has collected that the gutter is tearing from the roof. Unfortunately, this is like waiting to lower your cholesterol until you have a heart attack.
Gutters are mainly responsible for carrying the rainwater from large surfaces such as roofs to the area through which it can be drained out. Usually they protect the walls, basement, windows and flooring from getting damaged due to overflowing rainwater.
Gutter cleaning is an integral part of maintain-ing your home for an amount that is much cheaper than having to pay for considerable water dam-age in and around your home. Let’s take a closer look at all the reasons you absolutely can’t ignore your gutters and the importance of gutter cleaning
throughout the year. Like your homeowners’ in-surance, regular cleaning of your gutters can help protect your home.
Importance of gutter cleaning: Prevent water damage to your home Cut down on growth and spread of mold and mildew Avoid nesting areas for termites, birds, mosquitoes and other insects Prevent destruction of expensive landscaping Maintain the value and beauty of your home
When gutters become clogged and fail to do their job of properly draining water from the structure, there are many effects that can ultimately lead to very costly home repairs. Here are just a few prob-lems that may arise as a result of unkempt gutters:
1/ Falling or sagging rain gutters• Debris and water will collect and clog the gutters.
SPRING-CLEANING YOUR GUTTERS
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 23
Sylvia Slezak is the director of marketing and social mediaat CityOf.com. For more information, visit us online at
www.cityof.com or give us a call at 361-883-4440.
• Weight and pressure ofrainwater will cause thegutter to fall off.
• A gallon of rainwater weighsabout 8 pounds.
2/ Foundation damage• Constant water leakage onto
the foundation will lead to damage.
• Foundation crack leads towater leakage in the home.
3/ Mold• Water leaks into the home
due to cracked foundation.• Water not having enough time
to evaporate causes mold and mildew to grow.
• Mold is extremely hazardousto your health, and it spreads like wildfire.
• Once mold gets in, drywalland possibly studs have tobe replaced.
4/ Pests• Moist places are a haven for
several types of pests such as mosquitoes, ants and termites.
• Mosquitoes use standing waterto lay their eggs, which can lead to bigger problems.
Hire a professional or DIY?There are two options. One op-
tion is to hire a professional gut-ter cleaning company to clean out and inspect your gutters. They do this for a living, day in and day out, they know the risks and they know the best and safest way to de-clog your gutters. Your other option is to do it yourself. But be-fore you take on the task of a DIY project, here are five reasons you might consider gutter cleaning yourself dangerous:
1. Ladder safety 2. Going solo 3. Insects/mold spores 4. Power lines 5. Damage to your home
How often to cleanyour gutters
Having gutter cleaning per-formed at least each season would be ideal. However, your gutters need to be cleaned at least one time a year, or you are vir-tually asking for a flooded lawn and foundation damage.
• Winter: last of leaves dropping from trees and ice storms placing branches in your gutters
• Spring: the potential for pollen and limbs making their way into your gutters
• Summer: strong winds linked to thunderstorms blowing debris into your gutters
• Fall: leaves falling from every tree in your area finding them-selves in your gutters
A little upkeep goes a long way when it comes to gutters. You will have a clean system that will also save you time and money in the future! Visit www.CityOf.com/CorpusChristi/gutters to take advantage of the top-grade services offered by Premier busi-nesses found in Corpus Christi.
GUTTER CLEANINGIS AN INTEGRAL PART OF MAINTAINING YOURHOME.
24 I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M
DIE
GO
CER
VO/B
IGST
OCK
.CO
M
NEW YEAR, NEW BUSINESS!The Better Business Bureau offers New Year’s resolutions to help rejuvenate your business in 2016.
By: KELLY TREVINO
FEATURE
REMEMBER TO KEEP
PROMOTIONS AND
MARKETING EFFORTS FRESH.
For more important business advice, visit our website at bbb.org/central-
texas under the “For Businesses” section, or our independent blog,
watchyourbuck.com.
Kelly Trevino is the regional director for the Corpus Christi office ofBetter Business Bureau serving Central, Coastal and SouthwestTexas and the Permian Basin.
She is available for media interviews and speaking engagements.
You can reach her by phone at361-945-7352 or via email at
t’s 2016, and we all have our own personal New Year’s resolutions. Whether your resolution is to join a gym, eat healthier or take more vacations, your Better Busi-ness Bureau (BBB) encourag-
es businesses to make resolutions that build on successful strategies to reju-venate your business. Here are some of the top resolutions to incorporate into your business’s plan for 2016:
Learn how to delegate, and do more of it. Small business owners wear many hats, and this can cause business owners to become overwhelmed. To avoid burnout, create a comprehensive list of tasks, and determine what tasks can be delegated to increase your own productivity. Set aside time for your own personal recharge or refresh, too. Your business will thank you.
Continue marketing, and incor-porate promotions. To grow your business in 2016, remember to keep promotions and marketing efforts fresh. Take the time to create a month-ly marketing and promotions sched-ule that incorporates special offerings, advertising or special events and stick to it. If marketing isn’t your area of expertise, consider hiring a marketing expert, whether on a contract basis or a fulltime staff position.
Join a new business organization or networking group. Speaking with industry colleagues can give you new ideas and create connections to posi-tion you as an industry leader.
Set realistic goals. What does suc-cess look like for your business? Do you have an annual revenue goal? Do you want to grow your customer base
by 25 percent in 2016? Are you look-ing to expand your service area? In 2016, set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-based) goals and plan what strategies you need to employ to achieve your goals. Smart short-term goals can be the key to long-term success.
Make customer service a priori-ty. Providing great customer service and asking for feedback is a great way to showcase the way you do business. Many consumers use customer reviews as a research tool when looking for products and services.
Build your online presence. If you don’t have a website, get one! There are many online and budget-friendly solutions to building a simple, effective website. If you have a website, be sure to update your hours of operations and contact information, and to review your privacy policies. Using social me-dia to interact with your customers and provide contact information is another great way to market your business.I
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 25㌀㘀⸀㜀㐀㤀⸀㌀㜀㘀 簀 倀伀刀吀ⴀ刀伀夀䄀䰀⸀䌀伀䴀 簀 㘀㌀㜀 匀吀䄀吀䔀 䠀䤀䜀䠀圀䄀夀 ㌀㘀 ∠ 倀伀刀吀 䄀刀䄀一匀䄀匀Ⰰ 吀䔀堀䄀匀 㜀㠀㌀㜀㌀
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I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 27
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
COVERSTORY
28 I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M
CULTIVATING
TRUSTSouth Texas Money Management’s secret to guiding investorstoward true diversification
By: Jessica DusekPhotos by: Paul Marshall
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 29
30 I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M
“Helping clients fund their retirement, children’s education and special life events is what motivates me every day.”
Wyatt directs her clients’ investments with a “customized” approach. Managing upwards of $500K accounts, her firm appeals to clients who wish to maximize their retirement and savings portfolios. Her unique business model begins with making sure the client understands the in-vestment process, through education and transparency.
A long history of working with clients has taught her the importance of an educational ap-proach. “We want clients to know what they own, what they made and what they paid,” she says. “When someone hires us, they are giving us the discretion to manage their money. We don’t take that trust lightly.” Whether saving for a child’s education or a dream retirement, Wyatt and her team of professionals create an individual investment strategy and diversified portfolio for each client. Wyatt believes because her clients are knowledgeable about their in-vestments, they are more patient investors, and patient investors tend to be more successful.
Unlike many other money management firms in Texas, STMM does not typically invest in funds, partnerships or similar kinds of products. “We recommend individual stocks and bonds in separately managed accounts,” Wyatt explains. “The beauty of this approach is that it pro-vides the client a lower-cost solution and also allows for complete transparency. It is impossible to know everything you own and the fees built in when working with funds.”
Wyatt has found that educating her clients not only gets them excited about investing, but also cultivates trust, which is crucial in the up-and-down world of the stock market. “When I saw how impactful it was on our clients, I found a passion,” Wyatt explains. “Helping clients fund their retirement, children’s education and special life events is what motivates me every day.”
Her vision for STMM was guided by a strong commitment to Texas. The Austin native grew her company strategically, starting in San Antonio and then expanding into Dallas, Aus-tin, Houston and, most recently, Corpus Christi. “Our growth would not have been possible without an outstanding group of professionals who invested in our strategy and put our clients first,” Wy-att explains. Not only is the firm employee-owned, the majority of the partners and key staff are women. “It is rare in this industry, and I feel gives us a compet-itive edge,” Wyatt says.
Wyatt guides the firm with the help of a very strong investment team, which includes Dr. Jim Kee, presi-dent and chief economist, and Leah Bennett, co-chief investment officer. Other key players on the team in-clude Christian Ledoux, director of equity research, and Hutch Bryant, director of fixed income. With a discipline of being strategically diversified at all times, this deep bench of investment professionals provides the research and direction for their clients’ invest-ment portfolios, which may include 50 to 60 highly researched individual stocks. “This strategy provides exposure to both growth and value investment styles, domestic and international companies, all market capitalizations and no big sector bets,” Kee explains.
In support of their desire to have informed clients, STMM is eager to share their wealth of research and knowledge. Kee writes an outstanding weekly blog on the status of the economy
There is always going to be volatility in the investment markets, but having a portfolio that is properly diversified will help dampen that volatility. This is the philosophy that guides South Texas Money Management’s (STMM’s) Jeanie Wyatt, CFA. Wyatt is both the founder and CEO of the organization. Established in 2000, STMM now serves all the major Texas markets and represents more than 1,700 clients with 60 employees. “We received our SEC Registration on Christmas Eve 15 years ago,” recalls Wyatt fondly of her venture’s beginning. She brings with her over 30 years of financial experience beginning with her career start at Corpus Christi National Bank.
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 31
To learn more about South Texas Money Management, please contact Mary Hime or Donna Patterson at 361-904-0551.
Wyatt has found that educating her clients cultivates trust, which is crucial in the up-and-down world of the stock market.
covering international and domestic issues of the day. Clients also have access to quarterly market updates and webcasts, as well as invitations to individual market outlook luncheons.
Wyatt is pleased to return to Corpus Christi, where she got her start in banking. The office here is the newest location for the firm. It opened just over two years ago and is served by two seasoned investment advisors, Mary Hime and Donna Patterson. Wyatt en-courages her employees to be involved in the communities where they live. Hime and Patterson are active in the Rotary Club, Ex-ecutive Women International, the Rockport Arts Center and the Rockport-Fulton Humane Society, among other things.
The firm has received numerous national accolades in its 15 years. Among several in 2015, Wyatt was named one of the Top 100 Women Advisors by Barron’s Magazine. The firm was named one of the Top 100 Fee-Only Wealth Managers by CNBC and one of the Top 100 Wealth Managers by Forbes Magazine. In addition, STMM was included in the Financial Times Top 300 RIAs list and the Top 10 Women-Owned RIAs list for 2015 by wealthmanagement.com. For criteria and other information on these awards, please visit http://stmmltd.publishpath.com/current-communication.
Dr. Breeling’s premium wines start with high-quality crushed grape juice imported from different regions around the world. He and his other son, Larry, hand-craft their own reci-pes into excellent, smooth, quality wines. Sev-eral vats consist of the favorite traditional red and white varietals (e.g., Riesling, Merlot, Shi-raz, etc.), but many contain a unique blend of fruit-infused flavor. These sweet tastes, such as the Watermelon White Merlot, are loved by both non-wine drinkers and wine connoisseurs alike.
“We do not have any televisions, because we wanted people to engage in conversation,” says General Manager Jimmy Breeling, who devel-oped the venue’s concept. Tucked in the middle of the Carmel Village shopping center, Jimmy brought his vision to life for his father nearly two years ago when the venue opened. What was once CiCi’s Pizza has now transformed into an eclectic setting that brings wine, food and music together. Swanky couches and lounge chairs line the 2-500-square-foot social room. Most noticeable, however, is a massive glass
terrarium filled with driftwood, which is home to seven tree frogs and four lizards. Yes, living reptiles and amphibians.
“A lot of people start drinking flavored wines first because they are good,” Dr. Breeling says. “Most people do not have a palette for wine when they start. Then they graduate up to the strongest wines like the Shiraz and Malbecs.”
The Breeling family has crafted more than 35 different vegan recipes for purchase. Patrons can sample a glass for around $7.5 or take home a bottle for $26. A patron favorite known as “Lovely Maiden” is a German Riesling-based wine blended with a special mix of herbs and dried then roasted spring flowers fermented with the wine,
These intricate concoctions clearly did not ferment overnight. Breeling discovered his hob-by back in 1972 during his first winemaking experience at home. Before he went to medical school, he worked as a research biochemist. His mother-in-law decided to purchase a winemak-ing set as a gift. “She thought it would be right
up my alley, so she bought me all the equipment to make wine,” he says. “I like sweets. I had the bottles and the measuring devices, everything I needed to make a batch of wine except grapes. So I just went ahead and tried, and I found out I liked doing it. It was fun.”
Still a practicing family physician, Breeling heads to Vino Mio almost every day to make wine and unwind from a long day at work. “I really don’t like dry wine very much,” he says. “That’s why I went to the flavored wines. I can drink it, but I really like flavored wines like peach chardonnay or tropical Rieslings and Liebfrau-milch. I like things that have more than just a va-rietal grape like Malbec, Chardonnay, etc.”
The doctor has tweaked his vintning process to help reduce headaches that sometimes occur after drinking wine even in small quantities. He says many of the wines made in the Unit-ed States includes malolactic bacteria instead of yeast, so the taste remains consistent over batches of wine. This bacteria, however, releas-es bioamines, small amounts of which can trig-
Dr. Charles Breeling might consider himself a winemaker and a merchant. At Vino Mio Social Club and Wine Bar, he crafts his own wine and serves a growing trend of wine drinkers. These days, more and more people label themselves as wine connoisseurs, enthusiasts, winos or sometimes as self-proclaimed wine snobs. In fact, wine consumption has increased in the United States every year since 2000. Breeling realized this trend and decided to turn his hobby into the first winery in Corpus Christi, serving most of his varietals not only by the bottle, but by the glass.
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The Breeling family has crafted more than 40 different vegan recipes for purchase.
ger headaches. Breeling opts to use only yeast in the wine, which reduces the chances of a dreadful headache. So does this mean no hangovers? Not quite. “If people drink enough, they are going to get a hangover,” he says, chuckling.
Wine isn’t the only item made from scratch at Vino Mio. The social club serves a full menu of tasty meals to pair perfectly with the wine. Head Chef Faye Mikulec prepares each dish – from pastas to pizzas to baked brie – by gathering organic ingredients picked up from the local farmer’s market. Staff can easily accommodate outside catering, food to go or com-pany parties held at the venue.
On most nights, patrons will discover unique tunes typically not found
on the radio, as well as carefully selected live music. “We try to do our best to bring new music in and new names people have not heard before,” Jimmy says. “We are a completely different thing than Corpus Christi has ever had. Every time I hear someone come in for the first time, they are like, ‘I can’t believe this is here. It’s like a hidden gem.’”
It’s true. No other venue in the area can say they serve homemade wine paired with local cheeses while patrons gather with friends to listen to independent bands.
Vino Mio Social Club and Wine Bar is located at 4102 S. Staples St. More information can be found on their Facebook page.
vint·ner vintnər/
noun
1. A wine merchant2. A winemaker
PROFILE
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Industry Experts
THE FAMILY OF GRADUATE GEMOLOGISTS AT SUSANN’S DIAMOND JEWELERS DAZZLES CUSTOMERS WITH
GEMSTONES AND EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE.
BY: STEPHANIE KUSYPHOTOS BY: PAUL MARSHALL
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Yes, there are radiant rubies, elegant emeralds and stunning sap-phires waiting inside, along with a large display of dazzling di-amonds sure to please any customer. Yet there’s so much more. When patrons enter the store, a familiar face will always greet them. Family owned and operated, the Bartels take pride in pro-viding exceptional customer service.
The family of five loves being a part of their customers’ spe-cial events. From helping arrange proposals to helping pick out a unique anniversary gift, the Bartels each have their own mem-orable story. These experiences build trust with their clients, an important factor when it comes to buying fine quality jewelry. They travel all over the country to deliver items to clients and maintain strong relationships with the industry’s most promi-nent vendors.
It’s a wonder they landed in the Sparkling City by the Sea back in 2012. The sun and sand lured the family here from Kan-sas after they searched more than three years for a location to set up shop. They have truly made this store a home away from home, and they want customers to feel the same way.
The family boasts 75 years of experience in the jewelry indus-try between all of them. Both Audie Bartel and his son, Colton, hold Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist degrees, which is the training authority in the American jewel-ry industry. They know everything about diamonds, diamond grading and gemstones. They specialize in diamonds, bridal, colored stones, custom design and jewelry repair.
Some customers seem surprised when they learn all repairs are done in-house. “It’s a level of trust I think we have here also,” Colton Bartel says. “We actually like to show them their piece under the camera and explain what the issue is and why it needs to be fixed, so they can see exactly what we’re talking about.”
I experienced this all firsthand during the interview with this lively family. The family fully supports playing dress-up when it comes to jewelry and immediately adorned my fingers and neck-line with rare gemstones, allowing me to see the jewels dazzling color and lustrous beauty for myself. I learned that you should gaze at jewelry in a mirror to see how it appears to others and step outside to see how it appears in natural light because both display different gem qualities. A rare alexandrite ring exhibited
SUSANN’S DIAMOND JEWELERS ISN’T YOUR TYPICAL JEWELRY STORE.
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 39
For questions or to set up an appointment, please contact Susann’s Diamond Jewelers via phone at 361-991-7565, via Web atwww.susanns-jewelers.com or in person at 4254 S. Alameda in the Town and Country shopping center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
“WE THINK ALL OFOUR CUSTOMERS DESERVE THE BEST.”
emerald green, red and purple-blue col-ors depending on the light source. While I felt like a queen (they literally had me try on a crown), they say this experience is typical for those interested in trying on multiple pieces of jewelry.
“We have a passion for it,” Karla Bar-tel says. “It’s not something you can train. We enjoy what we do, and we want our customers to enjoy it as much as we do. We want them to try every-thing on. We don’t want them to pick through a looking glass.”
This for sure isn’t a run-of-the-mill jewelry store. At one point, the Bartels displayed two 10-karat diamonds, each costing more than seven figures. Unfor-tunately those sold, so I wasn’t able to try them on. “We think everybody de-serves the best,” Audie Bartel says. “It may not be as big as they want to buy, but it’s the best they can buy at that time and can be proud to wear it.”
Susann’s Diamond Jewelers intends to give back to the community, as well, with their new initiative. They’ve de-veloped a new partnership with New Life Refuge Ministries, a local charitable organization created to bring awareness and help individuals affected by the hu-man sex-trade industry.
Susann’s Diamond Jewelers devel-oped the “Courage Coin” pendant, which is a necklace featuring a gold or rhodium plated penny. The penny represents the lives saved by New Life Refuge Ministries. Similar to the pen-ny, these individuals have been tossed aside, forgotten and considered not worth the effort. The store takes pen-nies that faced a difficult journey and gives them a bright and shiny future. On a necklace and always close to the heart, the pennies will never be forgot-ten again, and can be proud of what they have become. Susann’s Diamond Jew-elers will donate half of the profits for each “Courage Coin” pendant directly to New Life Refuge Ministries to help provide bright and shiny new futures for these young ladies.
The family loves to meet people and get to know their customers. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry for a special occasion, Susann’s Diamond Jewelers makes sure your pur-chase sparkles for lifetimes to come.
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PROFILE
The Congressman Solomon P. OrtizInternational Center: Corpus Christi’s premier event
center hosting world-class events
By: Jessica DusekPhotos by: Paul Marshall
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What was at one time a cotton warehouse and is adorned with the original industrial features, the center, established in September 2000, was appropriately named after Congressman Ortiz, drawing on its rich history in business port in-dustry of Corpus Christi. “This is a unique venue in being an old warehouse,” explains Ali Choe, events and marketing manager, noting the unique pallet with concrete walls and black trusses.
Lighting and draping contribute significantly to the transformation of any event. The indus-
trial ambiance captures a backdrop for outside events, highlighting the lit-up Harbor Bridge to set the tone. A Port Corpus Christi property pro-fessionally managed by the Spectra by Comcast Spectacor, the once “cotton warehouse” provides a floor-to-ceiling view of the ship channel with banquet and meeting rooms to host high-end and colorful events to weekly rotary meetings.
The Ortiz Center accommodates guests by
offering in-house resources. “We are a full-ser-vice caterer,” Fox explains. “We do home-style, traditional and upscale boutique menus.” Fox, previously the senior manager of marketing and events for cast dining at the Disneyland Resorts, draws on his 16 years of experience. He oversees a tightly knit team of nine employees to keep op-erations running smoothly, including two full-time sales managers, a fulltime event manager and culinary and operations staff.
Within the last two years, the Ortiz Center has upgraded renovations with brand-new carpet, sparkling new stemware and a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi system, featured in all conference rooms and the banquet/ballroom. Incorporating features such as full audio-visual access to the venue, this brings in a wide variety of clients for the Ortiz Center. The vibrant venue accommodates anywhere from 10 to 850 people. Specialty events are generally held Thursday through Sunday. “I don’t know what it is about Thursday for Corpus Christi [clients], but they love events on Thursdays,” explains Fox of the Corpus culture. Business and communi-ty-based organizations such as the rotary events book throughout the week, hosting meetings and trainings to nonprofit fundraisers, as well as trade-shows and weddings on weekend openings.
In 2015, they featured the Ready or Not Foun-dation fashion show, bringing in New York style models and designers. The center also hosted the Annual Art Museum Gala event last Novem-ber, with 500 people in attendance, featuring the Mavericks playing in the background. Museum staff were able to add a personal touch, pulling in the mobile walls to accommodate the artistic design, as though actually walking through a section of the museum.
Hosting a variety of events, last year, they featured Moonlight in the Garden, a fundraising event normally held in at the Botanical Gardens. The event needed to conduct a last-minute move due to excessive rain and winds. The Ortiz Cen-ter helped guide the event into production, host-
o what do lemongrass cilantro waffles, red Thai curry and vibrant purple bows have in common? They’re the makings of an event to remember. A world-class venue, the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center features ambiance, world-class menu selections and attentive staff for a successful and memorable event. “It is literally a one-stop shop; anything you need to make an event successful – we provide everything,” explains Neil Fox, general manager. Relationships with their 20-plus venders and dedicated staff contribute to the events’ successes.
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Book your next event! For more information, visit the website at www.ortizcenter.com.
ing 900 guests from outside gardens to the waterfront venue.“We did an immediate change that night at midnight
to reset the room and dancefloor for a wedding the follow-ing night!” Fox describes. They had a slim 36 hours to make the impossible, possible. With the help of the Gardens staff and volunteers, Butler Signature Events and Razzle Dazzle weddings, the event coordinators could execute a successful last-minute change of venue.
But oh, that menu!Led by Executive Chef Merci and her sous chef, Alicia, the
culinary team is one of its greatest features. Merci, a Del Mar Culinary graduate, was awarded Junior Texas Chef of year in 2006, and the Texas Chef of the Year in 2009. Along with their core menu, Merci began featuring new internationally inspired
food selections, adding to the delightful filet minion and lobster tail options.
“More recently, we have been able to help clients to step outside the box,” Fox explains. “We are doing a variety of small plates and action stations. Culi-nary-wise, we are not a typ-ical venue. We want to work
with our client – do a mix-and-mingle with live-action stations to get people to engage with people.” Highlighting the social interaction, they focus on “small plates.”
Currently, they are looking to do a fire-and-ice wing bar with tossed to order wings. “The ice bar is an ice display with all your different condiments,” Fox says, adding that the “In-teractive S’mores bar” is where build guests build their own s’mores, with a small flame to toast marshmallows, chocolate and gram crackers.
Savory features also include Thai red curry-braised short ribs on a lemongrass cilantro waffle with coconut peanut brittle and mint lime microgreen. “We do Southern hospitality stations, with barbecue brisket. Including green beans and cornbread,” Choe says. They also pull in their Third Coast Tacos Station, in which they cook to order miniature tacos with mango Pico de Gallo. “The Spud Bar gives you the option of doing Yukon Gold or Sweet Potato Mash where the guest gets to top it with whatever their heart desires,” says Fox of the new additions.
Giving backDevelopments for 2016 are guiding the Ortiz Center, full
force. The center is quadrupling their Wi-Fi bandwidth and working closely with the Port on significant audio and visual upgrades alongside adding energy-efficient lighting. “This not only improves [the venue] on a sustainability front, but allows us to do lighting schemes in the ballroom, Fox explains. Pro-viding discounts for non-profit events, they have totaled more than $200,000 in table sponsorships and discounts offering 50 percent off room rate, and 25 percent off of AV equipment. “When we provide those opportunities,” Fox says, “it allows them to direct those funds back to their programs, which is why we do it.”M
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SIMPLE STEPSCoreRecon offers five tips for protecting your business against ransomware attacks.
By: JOHN MARTINEZ
ENERGY & TECHNOLOGY
very day as I look out my of-fice window at the beautiful water gleaming across the Cor-pus Christi Bay, I glance at my computer screen to see that I get emails that fill up my inbox asking me questions concerning
ransomware attacks, which is also known as the “CryptoWall” virus. So here are my thoughts on this so-called hijacking virus. (I hope you’re sitting down for this.)
Many security experts and law enforce-ment agencies predict that cyber crime will become a serious threat to small business-es and health care over the next few years. Large corporations and health care facilities may be more attractive targets in terms of financial resources, but they usually have better Internet security than smaller com-panies. However, use of “ransomware” in cyber attacks is something every business owner must be aware of and protect against.
Ransomware is a form of computer virus that encrypts the victim’s files and data. Cyber criminals demand fees to release files they have made inaccessible, and refusal to comply can have serious consequences. Surveys indicate that ransomware incidents increased by as much as 500 percent be-tween 2013 and 2015. Attacks come in var-ious forms, with emails and fake software
updates being particularly common. Small businesses are a popular target for cyber criminals; following these steps can help reduce the risks of becoming a victim.
1. Educate staff about the risks. All staff who use IT equipment or access
the Internet must understand the potential risks of ransomware. The company can help reduce those risks by offering basic information and training on the hazards of opening email attachments and visiting po-tentially harmful websites. Allowing staff to use company IT equipment to access so-cial media accounts and private emails can open the door to cyber criminals.
2. Back up data regularly.All modern businesses rely on data and
information, and it’s essential to back this up as regularly as possible. If the worst happens and systems are infected with ransomware, recovery is far easier if you have a daily backup process. Backing up to external hard drives or independent Cloud storage systems is a proven method of mitigating cyber crime.
3. Install software protections. The value of firewall and antivirus soft-
ware should never be underestimated. As the name suggests, a firewall acts as a bar-
rier between your IT equipment and the outside world. It filters the data being sent and received, and blocks anything that breaches pre-defined rules. Antivirus software safeguards computers from malware, viruses and other malicious programs. It’s important that software protections are updated regularly, as cyber criminals are constantly developing ways to bypass and defeat them.
4. Plan for an attack.A business has a far better chance
of recovering from a ransomware incident if plans are in place to deal with such attacks. Customers may have to be advised if the business can’t fulfill orders, and expert help may be needed to remove malicious code from systems. A plan and con-tact details should be printed and stored in a secure location rather than kept in digital form.
5. Arrange cyber insurance.Insurance against cyber crime has
been available for some years now, but few businesses have seen the need to buy cover. It’s increasingly likely that financial losses will result from hacking or some other form of cyber attack rather than a break-in, so all businesses should consider this form of insurance. A good policy can cover the costs of investigation and remediation of a range of crimes, in-cluding data theft and extortion.
Ransomware attacks can be dev-astating for a small business, but simple steps can dramatically re-duce the threat. Business owners and employees must understand the risks of using the Internet and take reasonable precautions to avoid cy-ber crime.
ETHE
VALUEOF
FIREWALL AND
ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
SHOULD NEVER BE UNDERES-TIMATED.
John Martinez is the CEO of CoreRecon. For more information, call 800-955-2596 or visit www.corerecon.com.
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HERE TO HELPWhy the “other guys” are cutting your battery life short
By: RYAN GARCIA
IT’S VERY COMMON that many of our customers are getting misled by what many call the “smart tester.” Here at Interstate All Battery Center-Corpus Christi, we have trained our team to properly test your automotive batteries for the most accurate results. These are the steps we take to properly test your battery:
We have trained our team to properly test yourautomotive batteries for the most accurate results.
ENERGY & TECHNOLOGY
For more information on Interstate Batteries-Corpus Christi, email [email protected], call 361-854-5000,send a fax to 361-854-5415 or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/interstatebatteriescorpus.
Come in today to get your free battery evaluation. Whether you’re going on a trip, you’re just not sure how old your battery is or you just want to learn the process, we are here to help.
Inspect the battery for cracks or any damage that may occur and remove the battery caps.
If your battery isn’t sealed, check the battery cells to make sure the water levels are even.
A proper test requires measuring each battery cell in order to determine the state of the battery.
(Note: One hour of charging may not solve your problem.)
We use our SB5 battery tester to simulate the turning of your key in the ignition. This tester will determine the voltage and the cranking amps that your battery is putting out.
STEP 1: STEP 2: STEP 3:
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 49
4903 Ambassador Row, Corpus Christi Texas 361.854.5000InterstateBatteriesCorpus.com Store Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am – 6pm, Sat 8:30am – 2:30pm, Sun Closed
Automotive Cell Phones Cameras Alarm Systems Wheel Chair Laptops Solar Flashlights Watch / Key Fob
INTERSTATE ALL BATTERY CENTER - CORPUS CHRISTI
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For more information, visit Carlisle Insurance online at www.carlisleins.com.
MONEY MATTERS
FLOATER POLICIES ARE DESIGNED TO
REIMBURSE YOU IF VALUABLE PROPERTY IS
LOST, DAMAGED OR DESTROYED.
In many cases, standard homeowners’ policies will cover a small number of valuables, but are not likely to provide enough protection to cover you for each item lost. In addition, a majority of renters’ insurance policies do not have coverage for valuables. When it comes to protecting your personal belongings, it is important to know what options you have when it comes to coverage.
When it comes to valuables, there are two options to ensure everything is covered. The simplest option is to raise the limit of liability. This will help cover more belongings than a standard homeowners’ insurance policy, but it limits the amount you can claim for an individual piece. In this case, you have an overall limit you cannot go over, and
once it is reached, you cannot claim ad-ditional losses.
The second option is to individually “schedule” pieces through floater pol-icies. Floater insurance is an addition to your current policy that adds pro-tection for personal property that is deemed to be easily movable. Floater policies are designed to reimburse you if valuable property is lost, damaged or destroyed. Floater policies are designed to only cover specific items named or “scheduled” in the policy.
Jewelry floaters are one of the most common types of floater policies. In most cases, jewelry floaters will ei-ther give reimbursement for a claim or pay to replace the lost, damaged or destroyed piece. Jewelry is given more consideration than other personal property considered for floater policies, and in many cases, any jewelry piece valued at more than $1,000 will require an appraisal. Costs of appraisal vary depending on your region and choice of appraiser.
Floater policies often provide broad-er protection that can cover accidental losses. Accidental losses can include
forgetting an item somewhere or drop-ping it down a drain or a vent. Acci-dental losses can happen to anyone, and knowing items are covered allows you to take pride in the protection of your belongings.
Jewelry floaters are designed to make sure that any personal items of value will be reimbursed by your insurance company in the event of loss, theft, damage or destruction. It is extremely important to know exact-ly what is and is not covered by your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy, especially when it comes to the belongings that matter the most to you. With floater policies, you know exact-ly what your coverage is, and you can be confident in the coverage provided by your insurance agency. Before you schedule an item on your floater policy, talk with your insurance representative so you know what your premiums will be and how it will work with your cur-rent homeowners’ insurance plan.
PROTECT YOUR PROPERTYFloater insurance and the importance of knowing what is and is not covered by your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy By: CHASE CARLISLE
If a theft occurs at your home, it is important to know which valuables are covered under your homeowners’ or renters’insurance policy.
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 53
SPECIAL INSURANCE PROGRAMSCOMMERCIAL INSURANCEEMPLOYEE BENEFITSPERSONAL INSURANCE
CARLISLEINS.COM
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LIVE MUSIC LINE-UPCheck us out on Facebook for more upcoming events
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A GRADE ABOVE THE RESTAt Vertex Roofing, they understand the importance of what you hold beneath your roof.
By: VERONICA TOWNS
REAL ESTATE
here is no place like home. Your home is your safe haven and your comfort zone. This is where you come to rest your head – to seek relief from a long day at work. Under your roof, memories will be made. Laughter will be had. Dreams will be realized. Vertex Roofing understands that. And they also understand all there is to know about roofs.
Locally owned and operated in Corpus Christi, Vertex Roofing’s mission leans heavily on job safety and customer satisfaction, as they use only the best materials
available in the industry. Longtime friends and co-owners, Robert Jasso and Edwin Green, worked hard to build this
company from the ground up. They believe in hard work, and they believe in giving superb value and extraordinary service at a great price. They also believe in giving back to this com-munity. They love this city and are excited to see it flourish.
This is why over the 2015 holiday season, Jasso and Green embarked on a project that they hoped would enhance the lives of someone in need. The project: donating a new roof to a local family. And this is just the beginning for them. They intend to repeat this extraordinary gift each and every year.
With combined experience of over 25 years, Vertex Roofers are experts in both residential and commercial roofing. If you are having an issue with your roof, call Vertex. To help alle-viate your worry without taking time out of your busy schedule, they will send a roofing technician directly to your home to inspect your roof and come up with a comprehensive
WITH COMBINED EXPERIENCE OF OVER 25 YEARS, VERTEX ROOFERS ARE EXPERTS IN BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL ROOFING.
solution from replace-ments to repairs. Wheth-er you want a new or an asphalt shingle roof, they provide free estimates and are fully insured.
Roofing problems can severely damage the amount of revenue your business is able to take in. That is why Vertex will send a commercial roof specialist to your property to inspect the problem and offer solu-tions that will not impair day-to-day operations. They offer complete re-placements and can take care of minor repairs. Their contractor will pro-
vide you with a free estimate and a step-by-step process so you know exactly what to expect.
If your roof starts leaking or significant damage has occurred, you may not be able to wait. That is why they offer 24/7 emergency repairs to make your house safe once again. Vertex also offers labor warranties.
Jasso and Green have worked extremely hard, done extensive re-search and recruited the best possible team of contractors and roofers to bring you the best service and the highest-quality materials at the most reasonable prices. Vertex Roofing is a company that understands the importance of what you hold beneath your roof. They take pride in being a grade above the rest.
For more information on Vertex Roofing,visit the company online at www.thevertexroof.com.
SERVICES VERTEX OFFERSEvery roof is different, which is why at Vertex, they listen carefully to exactly what you are looking for in a new roof. Contact them for:
Residential, commercial and industrial roof installation and servicesTotal roof replacementRepairs and maintenance24/7 emergency repairsShingle and Modified TorchdownVarieties of Spanish tile and slate and Standing Seam and R-panel Duro-LastWaterproofingSkylight installationChimney capsInsurance claims
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REAL ESTATE
And, from a distance, it can be difficult to see and under-stand the day-to-day actions and importance of a profes-sional broker or agent. Real estate agents are appointed the task of assisting their clients (a “client” being a buyer or who is contractually represented by the agent) with what is usually one the more financially and emotionally signif-icant transaction of their lives. This is not a task that a pro-fessional and dedicated agent will take lightly.
Because real estate brokers and agents are licensed and regulated by the State of Texas and the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), an agent’s minimal requirements are governed by these agencies. At the barest of minimums, agents are required to place their clients’ interest above all
others, including their own, so long as the clients do not ask their agent to violate any legal or ethical standards of fairness and honestly. This includes working with title companies and lenders (if utilized) to ensure that a trans-action is completed legally (especially considering the laws related to property condition and disclosure) and in totali-ty (ensuring that the property ownership does successfully transfer between parties, without unknown liens or other potential future liabilities).
By law, agents are also required to inform their clients of any material information about the property or the transaction that is discovered and to answer any of their clients’ questions. Agents are also required to present all
REAL ESTATE AGENTS AND REALTORS ARE OFTEN PERCEIVED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BE MERE“DOOR OPENERS” FOR POTENTIAL BUYERS.
THE ROLE OF THE REALTORWhat do agents really do all day? By: CORAL DWORACZYK
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Coral Dworaczyk, M.S., realtor, is a real estate agent with Better Homes and Gardens Bradfield Properties in Corpus Christi, Texas. For more information on real estate in the Coastal Bend,
please contact her at [email protected] or on her cell at 979-229-2836.You may also visit Dworaczyk’s website at www.realestatebycoral.com.
offers or counteroffers to or from the client un-less the client directs otherwise.
In addition to the required standards set forth by TREC, a fulltime agent’s day is filled with a multitude of other tasks related to building a solid business. Several hours of each day are typically devoted to managing active clients. These clients may include those with a property for sale, buyers seeking a new property and transactions under contract. This time usually involves a lot of phone calls, emails and texts to line up show-ings (for the agent’s active listing and for buyers) or report feedback from showings, present and ne-gotiate offers, answer or find answers for property questions, research neigh-borhoods and comparable properties to ensure clients are buying or selling for a fair value, evaluate proper-ty taxes and insurance and prepare market reports for buyers and sellers to con-firm they are asking the best price supported by market activity.
Agents also work hard daily to coordinate the ef-forts of all the parties in-volved in a transaction, including other agents, lenders, various inspectors, contractors (for any nec-essary repairs or updates), appraisers, surveyors, in-surance agents, residential home warranty represen-tatives and the good folks over at the title companies. And then there are always signs to be placed, lockbox-es to be installed, social me-dia accounts and websites to be updated and a multitude of other marketing opportunities to explore or employ.
Although the activities directly related to the successful conclusion of transactions under con-tract are often a daily priority, agents must also prospect for future business to generate a con-sistent stream of business and income to support themselves and their families. The marketing of current listings not yet under contract is something
that is often overlooked by the general public. Some believe that an agent lists a home and
markets it by putting a sign in the yard and en-tering the information onto the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). It is true that some agents stop at that point; however, dedicated agents go far be-yond these tasks. Many agents employ the use of professional photographers and many different online and traditional marketing tools to pres-ent their listings to the widest pool of qualified
buyers. Agents must also employ a wide variety of strategies to generate busi-ness from new homebuyers and sellers, ranging from personally paid advertising to reaching out to friends and family.
Some of these responsi-bilities are the less glamor-ous part of an agent’s career, but pursuing future busi-ness is undoubtedly one of the most crucial, and often one of the most time con-suming of an agent time. Keep in mind: Agents are typically independent con-tractors (not employees of their brokerage), and they must continually “shake the bushes” for future business just like other small busi-ness owners.
Due to the importance of always working in the cli-ent’s best interest, it is also very necessary for agents to dedicate themselves to professional development. Although TREC requires mandatory continuing education, many changes occur throughout a single year, so it is necessary for the dedicated agent to do
go above and beyond the minimum to stay up-to-date with the changes and advancements in our industry.
Dedicated agents play a much larger role than simply showing homes – although that is often the most fun part of our day! When considering your next real estate transaction, make sure to keep in mind the importance of a well-qualified realtor and everything he or she can do to help you get to the closing table!
AGENTSWORK HARD
DAILYTO COORDINATE THE EFFORTS OF ALL THE PARTIES
INVOLVED IN A TRANSACTION.
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BOOK IT!How you can enjoy an all-inclusive luxury resort experience on a shoestring
By: KIM BRIDGER
TRAVEL
To get in touch with Corpus Christi International Airport, contact Kim Bridger, marketing manager, at [email protected].
magine yourself on a Caribbean island with a fruity drink in your hand and your toes in the sand. The only thing between you and the turquoise water is a palm tree that is in no way an ob-stacle. Add to the picture an endless swimming pool full of swim-up bars
and a float with your name on it. It’s hard to imagine any-thing more relaxing until you think of what a trip like that would cost.
If you are bombarded on so-cial media with special deals to all-inclusive resorts, you know that the pictures make it tough to look away. It goes something like this: $499 for five nights at all-inclusive luxury resort in Cabo San Lucas. We can all imagine, even if only for a minute, what it would be like to click the “book now” button. After all, the average price for two at these island all-inclusives is about $500 per night.
These deals are often promoted by companies that are selling much more than a five-night stay in Cabo, Cancun or Punta Cana, Dominican Re-public. They are targeting people who can afford vacations and, typically, people who can also af-ford to purchase timeshares. If you’ve ever been exposed to a timeshare selling experience, you
probably have a general idea of how they work. But this ar-ticle is not about timeshares. This is not an endorsement of the companies that offer these trips. But if you’re willing to spend a little money on a luxu-rious resort experience and you don’t mind the fact that there are a few strings attached, you might be glad you did.
All of this is prefaced with the fact that any time you purchase a vacation experience, you do your homework first. Re-search the resort and the company that owns the property. Read the reviews that are posted online. Make sure that the company that is pro-
moting the special rate is legitimate. And realize that they do have requirements for people who get approved for these deals. In most cases, they want proof that you are married and that you and your spouse live at the same address. They want to know what you do for a living, what your household income is and that you have a major credit card. They also want to screen out people who work for airlines or travel agencies who already get discount travel privileges.
When you book, you are notified that you will be required to attend a 90-minute tour of the property. They will schedule this for you after you purchase the trip. And they also tell you that if you buy the package and take the vacation, but fail to attend the tour or meet any of the other requirements, your credit card can be charged the full retail price for your stay.
While the timeshare sales folks can be high pressure, there is no obligation to buy anything. Once a reservation is made and paid for, it can be cancelled or changed until 14 days out. After that, no changes and likely no refunds are avail-able. Each company is probably a little differ-ent on the specifics, but this is certainly a time when you would want to read and understand the fine print. Some companies include free transportation from the airport to your resort. But if you decline the timeshare, don’t count on your transportation back to the airport be-ing covered. And then there’s airfare. In most cases, you are on your own to book and pay for your air travel.
When it comes time to book your next trip to an island or anywhere in the world, keep in mind that Corpus Christi International Air-port (CCIA) is close to home and easy to ma-neuver. While airfare from different airports can vary, CCIA is often a reasonable choice when you factor in the costs associated with driving long distances, meals on the road, ho-tel rooms and paying more for parking. The best way to assure more choice in the future is to use the air service that is currently avail-able at CCIA. If you’ve ever taken one of these trips that included a great financial deal and a timeshare requirement, share your experience with us on Facebook.
IANY TIME YOU
PURCHASE A VACATION
EXPERIENCE, YOU SHOULD DO YOUR
HOMEWORK FIRST.
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TASTE
Cookie butter cups: a delicious way to show you care this Valentine’s DayBy: MANDY ASHCRAFT // Photo by: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT
Bring the Magic
COOKIE BUTTER was previously only found in Trader Joe’s stores, like a rare and beautiful creature you had to leave town to witness for yourself, until H-E-B harnessed its magic and made it easily obtainable (and quite affordable) to us right here in the Coastal Bend. Reminiscent of sweet gingerbread with a slight cookie crunch, it’s a peanut butter-like product that really has to be tasted to be understood.
With Valentine’s Day usually consist-ing of 50 percent love and flowers and 50 percent sugar, making your own cookie butter-filled chocolates is a delicious way to show you care. It’s very simple and re-quires no baking skill. Fun for kids to do!
Note: This recipe makes 24 bite-sized chocolates.
INGREDIENTS:1 1/2 cups cookie butter1/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted sothere are no lumps1 1/2 teaspoons butter, softened12 ounces chocolate chips(or six 2-ounce chocolate coating/bark cubes)24 mini muffin liners or candy cups(assorted colors easily found at craft stores)1 mini muffin pan
INSTRUCTIONS:1/ To a small bowl, add cookie butter, powdered sugar and butter. Whisk together until well com-bined. Set aside.
2/ Place liners into muffin pan.
3/ Add chocolate chips or chocolate cubes to a microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 1 minute and
stir. Continue to microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is smooth and pourable (will vary by microwave).
4/ Spoon a small amount of chocolate into the bottom of each liner. Lift the pan and bang it on the counter several times to get all of the air bub-bles out and allow the chocolate to level out.
5/ Use a 1/2-teaspoon measuring spoon to add cookie butter mixture to the center of each cup. It doesn’t have to be perfect; just try to spoon it into the center. Distribute the cookie butter evenly.
6/ Spoon remaining melted chocolate over the top of each one, again pounding the pan against the count-er to level the chocolate and remove air bubbles.
7/ Place the entire pan in the refrigerator for 1 hour to harden.
For more information,visit http://mandyashcraft.com.
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 67
Full Service Shipping and Packing
Fine Stationery and Imprintables
Invitations for All Special Occasions
Personalized Gifts and Fine Chocolates
Wide Assortment of Gift Wrap and Custom Party Supplies
Member of Associated General Contractors (AGC) Member of Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) A+ Rated by BBB Actively involved in the community (Habitat for Humanity, WBA, LCC)
1608 S. Brownlee Blvd. Corpus Christi, TX (361) 887-0599
www.pinnacleroofingsystems.com
Commercial and residential roofing
Master Contractors of Duro-Last “The World’s Best Roof”
Fully insured - General Liability & Workers Comp
FREE ESTIMATES
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Tickets are available atthe American Bank Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster
outlets including select H-E-B and Walmart
locations, Ticketmaster.com or by phone at
1-800-745-3000.Additional fees may apply.
THIS YEAR has already become an exciting year for SMG-managed American Bank Center. Starting with WWE in January, and finishing the month with Rodney Carrington and Lil Wayne, there has been a variety of shows com-ing to our Sparkling City by the Bay. February also brought the rock icons, Def Leppard, who brought a sold-out crowd to the American Bank Center Arena.
Each year, SMG-managed American Bank Center looks to enhance the fan experience and that also means to bring in something that ev-eryone would love! Spring brings music, com-edy and something the entire family can enjoy.
Feb. 23 and 24 Sesame Street Live: “Make A New Friend”American Bank Center Selena Auditorium
Come join Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird, along with the entire Sesame Street family for “Make a New Friend” with music that will have your entire family dancing in the aisles! Sesame Street Live “Make a New Friend” of-fers a fun-filled, interactive learning experi-ence, including up-close and furry interactions on the audience floor.
Like television’s Sesame Street, each Sesame Street Live production features timeless tunes
and lessons for all ages. The universal appeal of each Broadway-quality musical production continues long after preschool. Adults will ap-preciate the high-tech stagecraft, cleverly writ-ten script and music they’ll recognize and en-joy sharing with children, such as “Count Me In” and fun new parodies of “Hot and Cold” and “Moves Like Jagger.”
March 23 (8:30 p.m.)Stars Scholarship Fund Presents TrainAmerican Bank Center Arena
Train has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide and 30 million tracks worldwide, with numerous platinum/gold citations on their mantle, three Grammy Awards, two Bill-board Music Awards and dozens of other hon-ors and nominations.
This year alone, Train has wowed audienc-es everywhere from iHeartRadio Fest in Las Vegas to Radio City Music Hall in New York City and appeared on “The TODAY Show” twice, “America’s Got Talent,” “The Talk,” “The Meredith Viera Show” and VH1’s “Big Morning Buzz.” The former soared to the Top 15 of Triple A and Adult Top 40 radio in only a month, joining the band’s successful arsenal of other radio-embraced singles throughout their two-decade career.
Floor seats are reserved for Stars Extrava-ganza sponsors and will not be available for purchase by the public. To become a sponsor of the Stars Extravaganza in Corpus Christi or for more information on the Stars Scholarship Fund, please visit their website at www.Stars-Scholarship.org.
April 3 (7 p.m.)Lewis BlackAmerican Bank Center Selena Auditorium
Lewis Black comes to the American Bank Center Selena Auditorium on Sunday, April 3,
ENTERTAINMENT
From country to comedy, the American Bank Center brings something for everyone in 2016. By: KRISTEN BILY
ENHANCINGTHE EXPERIENCE
I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 71
WE WILL HELP YOU PROTECT YOUR MOST
VALUABLE ASSETS.Call us to find out about windstorm included policies and
all your commercial or personal insurance needs.
PERSONAL | COMMERCIAL | LIFE/HEALTH
Serving Texas from 8 locations.
THEINSURANCEEXPERTSIN THETEXASGULFCOAST
GARY MOORE JR., CEO
MAIN LOCATION:500 N. Water Street, Ste. 702 / Corpus Christi, TX 78401
361-991-9000 / www.moore-ins.net
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)and Tumblr (@American Bank Center).
at 7 p.m. Black is one of the most prolific and popular performers work-ing today. He executes a brilliant trifecta as standup comedian, actor and author. He is one of few performers to sell out multiple renowned the-atres, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City Center and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Black’s live performances provide a cathartic release of anger and dis-illusionment for his audience. Lewis yells so they don’t have to. A pas-sionate performer who is more pissed-off optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon, Black is the rare comic who can cause an audience to laugh themselves into incontinence while making compelling points about the absurdity of our world.
April 14 through 17Rodeo Corpus ChristiAmerican Bank Center Arena
Attention, all rodeo fans! Rodeo Corpus Christi comes to the American Bank Center Arena on April 14 through 17! Staying true to the official sport of Texas, Corpus Christi hosts one of America’s top 50 ProRodeos every April. The top-ranked athletes in each event compete in Rodeo Cor-pus Christi for the title of champion. In an action-packed two hours, fans enjoy extreme competition, bull fighting entertainment and the fan-fa-vorite Mutton Bustin’ Buc Days produces this event for all ages to enjoy.
Tickets go on sale on March 12, 2016, at 8 a.m.
April 21 through 24Disney on Ice: “100 Years of Magic”American Bank Center Arena
Audiences will be a part of the magic of Disney as Mouse-ter of Cer-emonies Mickey Mouse leads a parade of more than 50 beloved char-acters starring Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy, and featuring an ensemble of Disney princesses including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel, Snow White and Tiana. The wintry wonderland of Disney’s “Frozen” also comes to life with Anna, Elsa and the hilarious Olaf, as they discover that true love is the greatest magic of all.
The legacy of Disney is displayed through 14 classic and modern stories in this epic production that features an international team of award-win-ning figure skaters, high-energy choreography and a breathtaking set.
April 29Got Faith Music Festival 2016American Bank Center Arena
The 2016 Got Faith Music Festival comes to the American Bank Cen-ter Arena on April 29. This lineup will Feature Newsboys, Tenth Avenue North, Hawk Nelson, I am They, Audio Adrenaline, Ryan Stevenson, OBB and Kairy Marquez. They are bringing South Texas the ultimate Christian music experience, with the some of the most popular CCM art-ists of all time. Join us for a special night, perfect for the entire family.
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“WHERE FRAMING IS AN ART”
5503 SOUTH STAPLES ST. CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78411
361.991.4967FAX: 361.991.2361
TOLL FREE: 866.991.4967
WWW.THEFRAMEUPCC.COM
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INSPIREDSTYLE
Erin WilderExecutive Director
American Heart Association, – Southwest Affiliate
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INSPIREDSTYLE
PHOTOS BY PAUL MARSHALLON LOCATION AT THE 500 SHORELINE BUILDING, CORPUS CHRISTI
WARDROBE PROVIDED BY SHANNON’S DISTINCTIVE FASHIONS
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Why I love what I do:I love doing what I do in the community both professionally and personally because it brings me great joy to do my part to try and make even the slightest difference in people’s lives. Working for the American Heart Association, I have the opportunity to work with so many passionate individ-uals who want to be lifesavers! Spreading awareness and raising funds to fight heart disease makes for a brighter future and saves lives! I enjoy volunteering because it allows me to give back to the community in so many ways. Seeing a child smile, forming lifelong friendships and knowing that every small or large thing I partake in has an impact on others – all of this makes me feel forever gratified.
My philosophy:Dance like no one is watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like no one is listening and live like it’s heaven on earth.
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wor
ds t
o l i
ve by:
“In the end,it doesn’t matter how
many breaths you take, buthow many moments took
your breath away.” – Anonymous
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5 T H A N N U A L
1K 3K 5K OBSTACLE RUNR E G I S T E R AT J L C C . O R G
Adult 5K Run$45 $55 $60
All participants will receive a souvenir t-shirt (register by March 9th), running bib, medal, and post race refreshments.
AWARDS will be given to the best costumes (team and individual), and the top 3 best times from all registration categories.
Kids 1K &3K Run$25 $30
Aug 1st March 1stMarch 21st
Aug 1stMarch 21st
- Feb 29th - March 20th- April 2nd
- March 20th- April 2nd
APRIL2ND2016
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5 T H A N N U A L
1K 3K 5K OBSTACLE RUNR E G I S T E R AT J L C C . O R G
Adult 5K Run$45 $55 $60
All participants will receive a souvenir t-shirt (register by March 9th), running bib, medal, and post race refreshments.
AWARDS will be given to the best costumes (team and individual), and the top 3 best times from all registration categories.
Thursday, May 19thAmerican Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Tables $1000 Individual Tickets $125Sponsorship opportunities are available.
SEA Office 361-886-1100For more info about SEA, www.seatexas.com
FOOD, DRINKS, AUCTIONS, RAFFLES & FUN!
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PUTTING THE FUN IN FUNDRAISER
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NONPROFIT
he Gulf Coast Humane Society (GCHS) was founded 70 years ago by a group of animal lovers, with Frances and Harvey Weil leading the cause. From its incep-tion, the men and women of the society acted as humane officers for Nueces and the surrounding counties. In Cor-
pus Christi, the society members worked closely with the police officers assigned to humane du-ties and the City Pound. We have expanded and changed in many ways since then, with the hu-mane treatment of the homeless dogs and cats of the Coastal Bend being our constant mission.
For 50 years, we operated out of what is now the PALS Animal Shelter. That all changed in April 1998 when Tom and Cora Kee-ler very generously donated the state-of-the-art facility that we operate from now. This building is double the size of our old home, which allows us to help more animals and offer expanded ed-ucation and services to the public.
As a no-kill, nonprofit organization, we de-pend solely on donations to care for the over 500
orphaned animals under our roof. Thus, with-out the kindness of the Keelers, the acquisition of this beautiful building would never have been possible. The annual golf tournament is our way of expressing our gratitude to the Kee-lers, and the fact that it is a fantastic time is just icing on the cake.
The 18th Annual Tom Keeler Memorial Golf Tournament is taking place at the Corpus Christi Country Club on March 18. There are many spon-sorship opportunities to be had for you or your
business, ranging in price in or-der to give large and small busi-nesses a chance to participate.
As a tournament partner ($5,000), you will receive a ban-ner onsite, inclusion as a tour-nament partner on radio and television and your logo will be on commemorative promotional items. You will also receive rec-
ognition on a hole and a golf cart, and this fee also includes the entry of two four-player teams. For a minimum sponsorship of $200, you will re-ceive recognition on a hole; this is a great way to get your business’ name out there. These are just
If you have any questions about how you can participate in the next Tom Keeler Memorial Golf Tournament, feel free to contact our fundraising coordinator, Denice Eliades, at
a few of the sponsorship opportunities avail-able (for the full list, please visit our website).
On top of a round of 18 holes, there will also be a delicious brunch, drinks and amazing door prizes. Not only does participating in this tour-nament get your business’ name out there; it is obviously quite a bit of fun.
As stated before, GCHS is a not-for-prof-it, no-kill shelter. All of the hundreds of ani-mals currently in our care will stay here, safe and sound, until they find loving, responsible homes. As you can imagine, the cost of feeding and providing proper veterinary care for all of these animals is very costly. While we hold fundraisers throughout the year, the golf tour-nament is one of our biggest sources of income.
All of our animals are spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated and microchipped. We also send all of our dogs home with their first six months’ supply of heartworm prevention, and we provide heartworm treatment to all heart-worm-positive dogs upon adoption at no extra cost to their new family.
We strive to not only place our animals into exceptional homes, but also to educate the people in our community through our Humane Educa-tion Program. Our educational tours and presen-tations are focused on responsible pet ownership, including pet safety, proper care and treatment of animals, overpopulation and compassion for animals and one another. The program explains how our shelter operates, including volunteer opportunities and service project ideas.
All of this, in addition to the care provided to the animals while they are here, is made pos-sible in a large way by the funds raised during the Tom Keeler Memorial Golf Tournament. We believe that this is the biggest benefit for our golf tournament sponsors: the knowledge that their company’s participation is feeding the dogs, cats, puppies and kittens of GCHS.
WE STRIVE TO NOT ONLY PLACE OUR
ANIMALS INTO EXCEPTIONAL HOMES,
BUT ALSO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE IN OUR
COMMUNITY.
The Gulf Coast Humane Society hosts the 18th Annual Tom Keeler Memorial Golf Tournament in an effort to improve the quality of life for the over 500 orphaned animals in its care. By: KAITLIN CALK
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New locatioN!2330 airline Rd. #D, corpus christi, tX 78414
361-993-0025
FreewiFi
openNoon-10pm7 daysa week
over
40Flavors!
sNo-ballsaRe Notjust FoRsummeR!
CONGRESSMAN SOLOMON P. ORTIZ INTERNATIONAL CENTERCORPUS CHRISTI, TX
“The Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a 77 year old organization, hosts all its events at the Ortiz Center. It is such a unique venue to host our events, with an amazing view of the Port, where we always find attentive staff and reliable service. We are happy to have a partner like Spectra!”
Teresa Rodriguez Bartlett, President & CEO, CCHCC
ortizcenter.com
GREAT FOR ■ Meetings + Training Seminars
■ Luncheons + Banquets
■ Galas + Special Events
■ Trade Shows
■ Job Fairs
With 10 rooms that can accommodate groups of 10 to 850.
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GIVING A HOOTThe Texas State Aquarium’s Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital helps give local ill and injured wildlife a second chance.By: ANDREA BOLT
“
NONPROFIT
he tiny owl twists his tufted head around 180 degrees to inspect his surroundings, much to the delight of the small gathering of children “oohing” and “ahhing” over him at the Downtown Corpus Christi Farmers’ Market. Many ask about his diminutive size or how closely his coloration resembles the bark of a tree, both of which are markers of the Eastern screech owl species; more ask about his left eye, which is completely blind.
This owl’s name is Norman, and he is one of many animal ambassa-
dors that have come to have a forever home at the Texas State Aquarium through our Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital. Raptors like him, as well as a variety of shorebirds like pelicans, laughing gulls, spoonbills and more, make their way to Second Chances either via staff pickup or a Good Samaritan. At the hospital, staffers are able to treat inju-ries like fractured wings and other bones, pest or parasite issues, marine debris entanglement-related injuries and a host of others. Once the animal is healthy and deemed releasable, the aquarium returns the animal to its natural habitat. In the event the animal is not releasable due to a perma-nent disability, the aquarium works to find a proper long-term facility for the animal.
Sometimes that facility is the aquarium, itself. Along with Norman, our Wild Flight bird and mammal trainers care for two hawks, a turkey vul-ture, a crested caracara, two herons and three ducks that have been rescued
and rehabilitated through Second Chances, and there are a number of other rehabilitated ani-mals throughout the aquarium. If it is deter-mined that a non-releasable Second Chances patient will go to another facility, the Second Chances staff does a thorough background check on the facility, ensuring the highest care standards are met before then deciding on how to transport the animal to its new home.
Started in 1995, Second Chances has been re-sponsible for rehabilitating and releasing more than 1,000 ill and injured birds, marine mam-mals and sea turtles back into the wild. Today, Second Chances staffs a fulltime veterinarian,
T
WE’RE VERY PROUD OF THIS PROGRAM AND WHAT WE DO HERE.”
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Deana Merri l l ’ sSalon
361.994.78847602 S. Staples St. #104Corpus Christi, TX 78413
PureologyBrazilian BlowoutRedken Haircolor
Fine Gifts& More
The Texas State Aquarium’s Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital is located at 4230 Rincon Road in Corpus Christi, Texas. For more information, call 361-881-1210 or visit www.texasstateaquarium.org, or email
along with a small fulltime staff and a multitude of dedicated volunteers.
Pending the condition of the animal when it arrives, aquarium staff stabilizes it, evaluates its condition and provides comprehensive medical
treatment. Services range from simply provid-ing a safe, temporary refuge for an exhausted migratory shorebird to acute medical care for an ill dolphin.
Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Man-ager Laura Martinelli says the hospital’s surgical suite, featuring state-of-the-art X-ray equipment, helps the team take in, treat and care for patients that similar hospitals may not be able to help.
“Seeing birds on the brink of death and then being able to not only see them recover, but to have a hand in it, is an amazing thing,” Marti-nelli says. “To be able to bring them back from that, then to actually release them back into the wild is incredible. We’re very proud of this pro-gram and what we do here.”
Martinelli explains that volunteers help staffers medicate and treat birds, clean kennels, prepare daily diets, keep detailed records and do the huge amounts of laundry Second Chances requires to ensure patients receive the best care possible.
“The wildlife rehabilitation done through Second Chances is one of the most tangible ways we practice conservation and live out the mission of the Texas State Aquarium,” Martinel-li says.
