What’s New Downtown?

By Etta Luiz

Change is good, yes?  While Chaparral Street is undergoing a major facelift, some businesses DownTown are giving themselves a mani/pedi and a facial too.  Take a look around at some of the fresh new faces…  as well as some old favorites with a new look.

Twisted Murphy’s (formerly known as Lizardo’s) at 218 N Chaparral recently painted over the iconic storefront lizard and updated the interior.  They’ve added pizza to their menu and continue to show movies in their back patio, weather permitting.

Cheers has moved from their Chaparral Street location around the corner to become The New Cheers (where everyone knows your name) at 419 Starr Street.  The new venue is larger, newer, and everyone will still know your name.

When the Cheers location became available, DTown Market owner David Soto and his partner, Sharo Solis, jumped on the opportunity to establish a new downtown sports bar.  They’ve replaced walls, floors, and light fixtures; they’ve torn out and replaced the bathrooms, and they’ve really changed the look.  Still to come are lots of 50” and 60” TVs, an internet juke box, pool tables, and karaoke.  Watch for the grand opening of Pinky’s Sports Bar around the first of May at 510 N Chaparral Street.  Owner David says customers expect cleanliness and great customer service.  He intends to provide all that and extra cold beer too.

A newcomer to Downtown is La Stanza Downtown Event Center.  Brandon Gonzalez, owner of Fright Night Haunted House, is the new owner of 615 N Mesquite Street.  While there hasn’t been much activity to the façade of the building yet, we’re assured that the interior has undergone a complete makeover.  This will be downtown’s newest event venue, with the ground floor level available for functions of 50-200 people, such as Sweet 16’s, Weddings, and meetings.  The second floor will house Fright Night Haunted House, which will be open September-November, plus during ArtWalk and other big downtown events.  Word on the street has it that there will also be a pizzeria somewhere on the property.  Watch for new developments and a grand opening.

On a larger scale, we’d like to welcome the new Holiday Inn Corpus Christi Downtown Marina (formerly the Omni Marina Hotel) at 707 N Shoreline Blvd.  Immediately after taking ownership, renovations began in the first phase of updating the 300+ rooms.  We can’t wait to see the new rooms!  Welcome Holiday Inn!

Chaparral Street Project Update

By Etta Luiz

There’s an old saying that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.  That certainly rings true for what’s happening on Chaparral Street these days.  I spend a lot of time on the street, ready to lend an ear to anyone who thinks I need to listen, so I definitely hear some trash talk, but I also get positive feedback that I treasure.

For some people, the biggest surprise in the Chaparral Street Project is the simple fact that it’s actually happening.  After fighting over it and getting snagged politically for years, progress is finally being made.  There were those who said it would NEVER happen.  Then one day about two months ago, the equipment arrived.  That got some attention!

It started shortly after the first of the year.  The intersection of Chaparral and Schatzell Streets was the first to close.  Within a few weeks, a set of overgrown Tonka trucks had dug, scraped, lifted, laid, and leveled a new surface over new water lines, wastewater lines, and manholes.  The street closures caused a bit of unforeseen havoc during the Friday night ArtWalk (THE single most heavily-trafficked night in any given month), but that was soon remedied and everyone survived and got home safely.

The next day, Saturday, March 2, after literally working literally around-the-clock to complete the phase, Raytec called it a wrap and opened the Chaparral/Schatzell intersection to traffic.  The finishing pavers were withheld in order to expedite the return to (sorta) normal traffic, but they’ll be installed later in the project to coincide with placing the pavers in the other two intersections.

On Sunday, March 3, barricades went up along the 2-block section of Chaparral between William and Schatzell Streets.  The following day, the Tonka trucks were back, with a fleet of Mack trucks, to begin scraping up the pot-holed asphalt.  We learned, interestingly, that all those truckloads of old asphalt will be re-purposed as fill in other projects.  Like!

To date, it’s been a wild two weeks of rumbling, honking, beeping, drilling, jack-hammering, and detours.  Yes, I, too, have been forced to take a detour and to stop at flashing red lights every day.  But…  I’ll never have to dodge the big pothole in front of Porky’s – never,ever, EVER agaian!  It’s truly a small price to pay.

Construction crews removed the asphalt layer, followed by the layer of concrete beneath it – which was also sent off to be re-purposed.  Under that layer, they uncovered hundreds of old railroad ties that had once formed the foundation for the horse-drawn trolley system that ran down the center of Chaparral Street.  It would be interesting to know how long ago that trolley stopped running.  Most of the ties were remarkably well preserved, and they, too, will be re-purposed.

The old sewer and water pipes (age unknown) were not so well preserved.  They were found to be badly corroded, leaving only a small diameter for flow. Surely it was only a matter of time before someone along that street would have had a very unpleasant experience.  But now new PVC pipes have been installed and Downtown will work like new again.

For now, Chaparral Street is closed from Schatzell to (and including) William.  William and Lawrence Streets, between Mesquite and Water Streets are temporarily two-way, so you can still get close to your destination.  Sure, it can be a little confusing if it’s your first visit to the construction zone, but it’s pretty much a no-brainer.  Worst case…  go around the block and follow the detour signs.

The project is scheduled for completion sometime around September or October, weather permitting.  Reytec Construction has gone above and beyond to meet schedules and to accommodate businesses during the process, including working around-the-clock at times.  I watched today as they swept dirt and debris from the crosswalks, which tells me they’re doing everything possible to keep the streets pedestrian friendly and safe during this process.  Businesses, restaurants, and the clubs are still open and welcome your visit.

Some said it would never happen.  Well, guess what!  It’s happening and it’s going to be beautiful.  So whenever someone starts talking trash about this fabulous downtown improvement, I just tell them “You may think it’s a mess, but we think it’s beautiful because it’s the solution to a problem that’s older than most of us.  It’s been broken for many, many years, and this is how we fix it.”

Just sayin’ 

Follow Chaparral Street progress at www.facebook.com/ettaluiz.

Email:  ellaluiz@gmail.com

APRIL

Autism Awareness Exhibit and Film Screening

During the month of April, the Art Center will host an exhibit of student artwork in conjunction with the Autism Spectrum Resource Center.  During the same period, Mariella Perez, with the South Texas Underground Film Festival, will conduct a filmmaking project with the students.  “Doing the filmmaking workshop is a great way to teach these awesome kiddos another way to communicate.  Any art form is a great way to express yourself and to connect on another level.  This is why the exhibit and screening are important.”  The film’s screening will be held on April 27.

Earth Day – Bay Day

Artwork previously submitted to the Earth Day – Bay Day poster competition will be exhibited in the gallery during the month of April.  The winning artwork by Agnes Hamilton will be displayed, and will be used in branding the Earth Day – Bay Day event on April 13.

Sellathon:  New Beginnings

This is an open show and will be available for viewing all month.

Portfolio Review Day – April 27, noon-4pm

South Texas area college art professors will be present to review and critique high school students’ portfolios.  This is a great experience for students who are interested in moving forward in the arts, and gives them an opportunity to mingle with art professors and school representatives.

MAY

Coming Home

New!  The new “Coming Home” series of shows will highlight former Corpus Christi artists who have relocated outside of Corpus Christi.  “Coming Home” revisits the work of artists who have moved on but have maintained roots in our art community and whose work might be remembered by our arts community.

The first featured artist is Mary H. Chriss.  Though she’s now part of the UP Collective Gallery in Austin, her mixed media art on canvas, surfboards, and skateboards reveals those strong connections to Corpus Christi surf and sand.

http://www.upcollective.org/tag/austin.

Coronation Robes

All during the month of May, the stunning jeweled gowns and trains worn during the 2012 Coronation of Las Donas de la Corte will be displayed in the Meadows Gallery.  Each year, the gowns are designed and hand-stitched around a unique theme.  Drawings from the robes, as well as accessories, will be displayed in the Lockett Gallery.

Who?                       CASA of the Coastal Bend

What?                     2^nd Annual CASA Superhero Run

Where?                                    Heritage Park – 1581 N Chaparral Street

When?                    May 4^th, 8am

Why?

CASA of the Coastal Bend is picking up speed again in 2013!  Though this will be our 8th annual CASA 5K, we would like to announce our 2nd Annual CASA Superhero Run . The race against child abuse can be a long battle, so we are calling on all of our partners in the community to join us as Superheroes for children.  Every child needs a hero; abused and neglected children need Superheroes.  Whether you don a cape to help protect a child’s rights, the mask of justice to advocate for a child’s best interest, or use your super power of speaking up for a child, you too can become a Superhero by supporting CASA of the Coastal Bend.

The goal of the Superhero Run is to raise awareness of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the great work that our volunteer advocates do, as well as to recruit more volunteer advocates and to raise funds to support our mission of a CASA for every child.  All proceeds from our race will directly benefit CASA of the Coastal Bend in our efforts to recruit and train CASA volunteers to give a voice to abused and neglected children in court and the foster care system.

Our 2013 CASA Superhero 5K Run, which will include a special kids 1K, will consist of a variety of family friendly activities. With the help of our volunteers and community partners, our goal is to have more than 500 individuals from our community participating in the festivities on the morning of May 4, 2013.  We would love for you to join us for this exciting event; and, more importantly, we want you to have the opportunity to take part in something that makes a difference for our community, makes a difference for families, and definitely makes a difference for children in our area.

For more information on how to become a sponsor or to register call 361 884-2272 or visit us on line at http://coastalbendcasa.wordpress.com/

Wig Run and Wig

By Omar Lopez & Michelle Smythe

April is a big month for FUN as K Space Contemporary presents two exciting events that help K Space to further its mission of bringing contemporary art to Corpus Christi: the city’s first annual 5K Wig Run and K Space’s Annual Fundraiser, Wig Out.

New this year is the Corpus Christi’s first annual 5K Wig Run set for 6:30 p.m., April 5, starting at the Corpus Christi Water Gardens.  Wig Run will occur during ArtWalk.  This 5K fun run/walk will begin at the Water Gardens; proceed down Shoreline through the Lawrence St. T-Head; and end at the Water Gardens.  All runners must wear a wig, a crazy hat, fantastic headgear or whatever else one might want to sport for fun running or walking.  Wig Run will conclude with an after-party at K Space Contemporary sponsored by Andrews Distributing. A $100 cash prize will be awarded to the Best Wig running.

Wig Run entry fees are $10 for ages 17 and under, or $25 for ages 18 and up through April 4th.  Race Day Entry is $35.  To register for the Wig Run visit:  http://kspacecontemporary.org/events/wig-run/.

The following week, K Space will host its annual fundraiser, Wig Out, at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 13, at K Space.  This year’s theme is “Cirque du Wig: Get Your Freak Wig On!”   K Space Contemporary will be transformed into an underground circus lounge that will include Cirque du Soleil-style performers, live body paintings, the PEEP SHOW art exhibition, and delicious food.   Contortionists, light dancers, hula hoop tricksters from Youga Yoga will perform.  Of course, fabulous contemporary art will be on display to enjoy and purchase from the “Portfolio” exhibition.

Guests will also experience the artistic talent of Mark Bueno who will be transforming models into walking canvases.   Mark Bueno lived in Corpus Christi, TX, for 20 years prior to moving to Denver in 2004 where he maintains “Mark Bueno Studios.”  Bueno’s artwork includes paintings, drawings, sculpture and wood work, in addition to body art.  Bueno will be painting live models that will be part of the scene at Wig Out as living, breathing works of art.    Bueno will also have several works of art available for sale at the event.  (See image)

Tickets to WigOut are $75 each and can be purchased online at:

http://kspacecontemporary.org/events/wigout/

K Space Contemporary, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is the only art space in South Texas that focuses on and showcases contemporary art.  Proceeds from Wig Out and Wig Run will fund our summer youth day-camps “Summer Art Adventures”, and “Keep Corpus Christi Colorful”, a program in which K-Space designs and paints murals for the downtown area.

K Space is seeking sponsorships for both Wig Out and Wig Run.  To review sponsorship levels and marketing opportunities visit http://kspacecontemporary.org/events/. For more information call K Space Contemporary at 361-887-6834.

BUC DAYS RODEO WEEK – 2013

MUTTON BUSTIN MANIA

Saturday, April 13, 2013

PRCA Rodeo Mutton Bustin Registration & Drawing

Former Memorial Coliseum Site (Shoreline at Kinney St.)

10am-12noon registration, 1pm drawing

Must be present to win!

Mutton Bustin Mania

Former Memorial Coliseum Site (Shoreline at Kinney St.)

10am-12noon Rides are limited.

Donate $25 and your child can ride a live sheep that day!

Must be over 5 years old and under 55 pounds.

Whataburger Jalapeño Eating Contest

Former Memorial Coliseum Site (Shoreline at Kinney St.)

12pm registration, 12:30pm Start

Compete to win FREE Whataburger for a Year!

WILD WEST WEEKEND                                        

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Ranch Rodeo

Richard M Borchard Pavilion Arena

Slack 8am, 2pm performance

Wild Cow Milking and More!

General Admission $18, Limited VIP Seating $50

Tickets for sale at the RMB Fairgounds Box Office and at www.rmbfairgrounds.com

PRCA RODEO

Wednesday/Thursday April 17-18, 2013

Buc Days Miller Lite PRCA Rodeo Slack

American Bank Center Arena

Free to the public

4/17 – 10am: Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling & Team Roping

4/18 – 9am: Barrel Racing 

Thursday-Sunday, April 18-21, 2013

Buc Days Miller Lite PRCA Rodeo

Presented by Coastal Bend Chevy Dealers

American Bank Center Arena

$10, $15 and $30 tickets available www.ticketmaster.com

4/18-4/20 – 7:30pm performance

4/21 – 2:00pm performance 

RODEO TAILGATING BBQ

Thursday-Saturday, April 18-20, 2013

Buc Days Coors Light Tail Gate BBQ

presented by H-E-B

Outside the American Bank Center Arena

Tailgating just got easier!  Have a Corporate BBQ Party!

For More Information, call 361-882-3242 

Buccaneer Days Festival & Stripes Carnival

Avast!  Here Comes Pirate Fun!   April 25 – May 5, 2013 

4/25:  DOLLAR NIGHT!  OPENING NIGHT!

$1 Gate, $1 Buc Days Stripes Carnival Rides
Does not include Power rides.
Free Admission for children under 36” tall

4/27:  BUC DAYS IBC BANK JUNIOR PARADE

11AM

4/29, 4/30, 5/1:  CALLER TIMES NIGHTS!

First 500 through the gate on these 3 nights, get a
Buc Days tote bag courtesy of the Caller Times!

5/2:  ANOTHER DOLLAR NIGHT!

$1 Gate, $1 Buc Days Stripes Carnival Rides
Does not include Power rides.
Free Admission for children under 36” tall 

5/3:  PIRATE ART WALK

The monthly Downtown Corpus Christi event, ArtWalk becomes a Pirate ArtWalk this night.  “Walk” on down to the Buc Days Festival this night and continue the fun with live music on the Buc Days stage.  Dress as a pirate and get $2 off Adult gate admission with coupon distributed at ArtWalk events beginning in March.

5/4:  BUC DAYS TOYOTA ILLUMINATED NIGHT PARADE

8PM

GROUND HOURS:
OPEN SATURDAY & SUNDAYS

(12pm until between 10pm & midnight)
OPEN WEEKDAYS (5pm until 10pm) 

GATE ADMISSION (4/26-5/1, 5/3-5/5)

Adult (18 years and older)- $5.00

Senior Citizen (ages 65 & over) – $3.00

Children (over 36″ tall and younger than 18 yrs of age) – $3.00

Children (under 36″ tall) – FREE
Carnival rides and Festival food/beverage are not included in the Festival Gate Tickets 

Buc Days Stripes Carnival Ride Prices:

$1 per token for CHILD & ADULT over 36″ (excluding Power ride); Note: Rides require multiple tokens

All-You-Can-Ride Wristbands (excluding Power ride) is to be used any one day of the event. $25 at the Gate includes your Gate Admission.

Please know that Children under 36″ can only ride a very few number of rides (e.g. Ferris wheel) and a limited number of rides for children between 36″ and 42″ tall. These rides must be accompanied by a Paid Adult.

Buc Days Stripes Carnival Advance Purchase Ticketing

Advance Sale Stripes Carnival All-You-Can-Ride Carnival Wristbands Vouchers available for just $20.00.

This price includes your Gate Admission! A $5.00 savings!
Wristband Voucher to be on sale at area Stripes Stores 3/29/13 – 4/25/13. 

LOCATION: Shoreline Blvd. at Kinney Street on the Corpus Christi Bayfront

Not quite ready to run a marathon?

There’s nothing like a little teamwork to make “impossible” a reality.  Whether you run marathons on a regular basis, or call it quits after a couple miles, the Beach to Bay Marathon is a great way to earn that marathon survivor t-shirt.

Six-person relay teams cover the 26.2 mile course from the start on the island (Ellif Road & Access Road 5) to the finish at McCaughan Park on the bayfront.  Covering beach to pavement, each of the six legs is roughly 4.4 miles long.

Beach to Bay has been held on the third Saturday of May (Armed Forces Day) since 1976.  The well-organized event is a fundraiser that benefits some 75 local charities and organizations, and draws 2600 teams/16,000+ runners.

Register online at www.beachtobayrelay.com.  Packet pick-up will be at the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach on Friday, May 17, 9am-8pm

Participants will find complimentary pizza, soft drinks, and a welcome adult beverage at the finish line.

By Etta Luiz 

Sometimes something catches your eye and when you walk away, you can’t get it out of your head.  You can’t stop thinking about it and you mentally retrace your steps, wishing you’d acted on it when you were there.  The more you think about it, the more you realize you won’t be content until you own it.  That’s about what happened to Nicole Barraz, owner of Nicole’s Unique Boutique, located at 417 Schatzell Street.

Walking from her downtown office job to lunch one day, she peeked in the window of an empty storefront.  The space needed some TLD, but it was love at first sight and she knew it would be the perfect home for her (then) part-time jewelry business.  She knew, too, that she and her husband had the passion and the skills to give the space the love and repairs it needed, even if her family thought she was a little crazy.

Their sweat equity paid off, and they came out loving their new space.  Nicole’s Unique Boutique opened in August 2012 with a fun and colorful inventory of jewelry, clothing, sandals, and handbags.  As the name suggests, her merchandise is unique.  If you want something different, Nicole’s is the place to go.  Her handmade pieces are all one of a kind;  she never makes the same piece twice.

Nicole carries a fabulous selection of unique necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  (Etta Luiz loves all the compliments she receives on the silver winged heart she purchased there.)  Best of all, the prices are very reasonable.  Because she can operate on a slimmer profit margin than department stores, she doesn’t mark up her merchandise the way the bigger stores do.  Whether your style is trendy, flashy, or classy, you’ll find so many things to choose from, and everything is cute, cute, CUTE!

You’ll also find some great handbags, sandals, belts, dresses, and sportswear too.  And it’s not all size 0!  There’s a Plus Sizes section too!

The Little Girls’ Corner has adorable tutus, tiaras, wings, and boas for the little princess or angel on your list.  There are lots of fun things for playing dress-up.  Day of the Dead skeleton figures, ceramic sugar skulls, and jewelry make an attractive and colorful year-round display of these popular items.

Around the first of the year, Nicole’s expanded when the space next door became available, more than doubling the size of the shop.  Nicole’s now provides salon services by appointment.  Tina Elizondo (formerly of MasterCuts at La Palmera) offers hair salon services and foot massages are provided by licensed massage therapist Tiffany Rabke, RMT.  Call 361-227-8960 to make an appointment for a 20-mnute foot massage using aromatic lotions – just $10!

Most ArtWalk nights, you’ll find a live band in front of Nicole’s.  But don’t wait for ArtWalk to pay her a visit and check out all the cute merchandise she has to offer.  Be sure to give her a warm “Welcome to the Neighborhood!”