West Texas Blues Winter 2014

contentsIN EVERY ISSUE

Letter From the Editor04 issue of inspiration and soul

Blues Foundation News05 blues music awards nominees

Tall City Blues Fest News06 big news announcement

Miss Behavin’s Haven11 winter 2014 menu

Art @ Work18 through the glass ceiling into art

West Texas Blues Recommends28 passion planner

Trailblazer’s Manifesto Words of Wisdom09, 15, 20, 23, 27 & 28

CONTRIBUTING COLUMNS

Blue Notes08 how one man found his blues

Good Eats16 how christine likes her blues-n-bbq

Holistic Health17 the eyes of truth

Salty Dog26 son of a bitch

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Home Away From Home24 a family in Lamesa hosts foreign exchange students and pursues trips around the country to show them what the US is all about

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Midland Community Theatre14 2014 season of enchantment

Cultural Leadership & Diplomacy30 executive certified by online course

IN REVIEW

Midland Wine & Music Festival 07 oct event brings texas wine culture

Lucy09 diamond in the sky

Marathon2Marathon23 run from hustle and bustle

Space Escape Family Science Night magical childhood memories

Dracula29 pickwicks kill the show

COMMUNITY SHOWCASECruising the Square12 snyder, texas

WEST TEXAS BLUES • 3

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!14 hobbs, nm, feb 10

Chocolate Decadence15 midland, feb 13

Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest21 lajitas, feb 13-15

Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering23 alpine, feb 21-22

Shrimp Fest25 odessa, feb 24

Permian Basin Home & Garden Show27 midland, feb 21-23

On the cover: The 1955 Buick Special is owned by Terry Leatherwood and the 1956 Chevy Pickup is owned by Charlie Wilson, both members of Snyder Wheels Car Club. Cover photos provided by Kathy A. Wilson of Snyder.

‘Little Darling’, a red classic that entered the 2013 Snyder Wheels Car Show and Cruise.Photo by Bill Robertson.

27

SIDEBARS

ArtiZen Workshop21 artsy christmas crafts

My Eyes Say What? personal iridology testimonials22

FEATUREJourney of Starting Something New10 the stone wheel of tall city blues festWTB Editor Lisa Grissom shares what she has

learned about starting something new through the eyes of a music festival producer. An easy-to-relate-to letter of enlightenment that has

become Grissom’s manifesto.

DEDICATION

Sealy Flats, San Angelo29

4 • WEST TEXAS BLUES

WINTER 2014

West Texas Blues is a magazine fostering Community, Enthusiasm and Zest for Life. This is a magazine highlighting those things that add vibrancy to our lives while keeping us grounded in what’s real. We reach beyond just music into other areas of adventure, such as art, leisure, nightlife, travel,

entertainment, food and health.

EDITORLisa J. Grissom

ASSISTANT EDITOR/LAYOUT DESIGNERElizabeth McLellan

COVER DESIGN/GRAPHIC DESIGNERTim Kreitz

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSCade Nicholson, Ted Drozdowski, Sam Daulong,

Rebecca Thomas, Amanda Hart, Kienan Goodnight,Marcel ‘Mac’ Broussard, Kristin Maguire

COPY EDITORSMitchell Arnold and Val Abbott

TRAILBLAZER’S MANIFESTOWords of wisdom accumulated by the Editor to share with those who

seek enlightenment and ways to expand their lives can be found scattered throughout each issue of West Texas Blues.

ADVERTISING OFFICE(432) 618-0705

West Texas Blues specifically seeks advertisers that embody the spirit of entrepreneurship and add vibrancy to their community by making thoughtful

products and services available to West Texans.

FACEBOOK/WestTexasBluesMag

PUBLISHERPromising Projects

112 South Loraine, Suite 440Midland, TX 79701

[email protected]

PUBLISHING PARTNERRonn Reeger

To order a direct mail subscription of West Texas Blues, go to westtexasblues.com.

Each issue is distributed the first month of each quarter and will be mailed first-class in a personalized envelope to the address you provide in the online request form. For orders of 10 or more magazines, please call our

office at (432) 618-0705 to make bulk shipping arrangements.

Copyright 2014 by Promising Projects, Inc. and its affiliates. All content contained herein is copyrighted by its original creator and sources have been sighted where

appropriate. All rights reserved.

I felt compelled to write the Feature for this issue. Considering that the first quarter of the year is often a time we think about inspiration, soul and having enough grit to make the most of the year that lies ahead; I felt like I had much to share.

For the first time, I embarked on the task to openly write about my experience in starting Tall City Blues Fest and the jewels of enlightenment that I’ve mined from the process. It was actually a much harder piece to write than what I thought it would be because my heart was brimming over with things I wanted to share. I’ve gained so much knowledge from the process of producing the Fest, which made it difficult to convey everything I wanted to say in a sequenced format that was easy to follow and digest. Three drafts later, with the help of my BFF Amanda Hart and Assistant Editor Elizabeth McLellan, we finally arrived at what was a readable story, which you’ll find on Page 10.

Showcased in this issue is the West Texas community of Snyder and all of its hidden gems. We also highlight Midland Community Theatre’s 2014 Season, as well as a Cultural Leadership and Diplomacy Executive Certificate Program offered online by UTPB in partnership Odessa’s Ellen Noël Art Museum.

Other inspirational and insightful gems you’ll find in this Issue include Home Away From Home, an article about a family in Lamesa that consistently hosts foreign exchange students, Art @ Work that explores the courage to dive into an unorthodox art medium and Holistic Health where we learn what our eyes reveal about us. Lastly, you can catch a glimpse of West Texas events and happenings both in review and in advance.

Live. Love. Learn.

from the editor west texas blues


the blues foundationnewsTuesday, January 21 begins the 30th an-nual International Blues Challenge (IBC) presented by The Blues Foundation in Memphis. This competition brings Blues musicians from all over the world to com-pete for cash, prizes, industry recognition and good ol’ fashioned bragging rights. Held from January 21-25, the IBC is the “world’s largest gathering of Blues acts”. According to the Blues Foundation website, 125 bands and 80 solo/duo acts entered in 2013, and they expect to have at least that many in 2014. Once again, The Blues Foundation encourages youth participation by showcasing groups or single acts that are under the age of 21.

Entering the IBC is not as easy as just signing up or sending in a CD. For mu-sical acts to even be entered into the Challenge, they must be sponsored by a Blues Foundation Affiliated Organization, which means they must win “an open, judged, live music competition” in the US and Canada. Other countries can appoint an act, but are encouraged to hold a competition. But, that’s enough with all the guidelines, let’s talk winnings.

Six prizes are awarded at IBC. In the Band Division: first, second and third place are each awarded a cash prize along with some high profile gigs at well-known music festivals, plus other goodies. In the Solo/Duo Division: first and second place are awarded cash and great gigs. The “Best Guitarist” among the acts competing in the finals Saturday afternoon is also chosen, and the winner receives a custom-built ES-335 guitar, generously donated by Gibson. The “Best Harmonica Player”, sponsored by Lee Oskar Harmoni-cas receives a harp swag package and the “Best Self Produced CD” recipi-ent receives cash and radio promotion.

Source: blues.org

Three Decades ofWho Has the Most Blues?

B.B. KING ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR Bobby Rush Buddy Guy John Németh Kim Wilson Rick Estrin

BAND OF THE YEAR Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials Rick Estrin & the Night Cats Tedeschi Trucks Band The Mannish Boys Trampled Under Foot

PINETOP PERKINS PIANO PLAYER OF THE YEAR Barrellhouse Chuck Dave Keyes Marcia Ball Mike Finnigan Victor Wainwright

CONTEMPORARY BLUES FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Ana Popovic Beth Hart Bettye LaVette Candye Kane Susan Tedeschi

CONTEMPORARY BLUES MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Buddy Guy Gary Clark, Jr. Johnny Sansone Kim Wilson Otis Taylor

ACOUSTIC ARTIST OF THE YEAR Doug MacLeod Guy Davis Harrison Kennedy Little G Weevil Rory Block

ROCK BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR “Gone to Texas” by Mike Zito & the Wheel “Made Up Mind” by Tedeschi Trucks Band “Can’t Get Enough” by The Rides “John The Conquer Root” by Toronzo Cannon “Luther’s Blues” by Walter Trout

For a complete list of all 2014 nominees, go to blues.org.

2014 Blues Music Award Nominees


tall city blues fest news

In early December, Tall City Blues Fest announced Mazda of Midland/Odessa as the 2014 Festival Presenting Sponsor.

“We are absolutely thrilled to make this announcement,” said Tall City Blues Fest Producer Lisa Grissom. “The Presenting Sponsor is ultimately a huge part of making the Fest possible, and being able to collaborate with a company like Mazda of Midland/Odessa and its owner, Chris Robin, is a dream. Chris is extremely innovative, and he can only help make the Fest better.”

According to Chris Robin, “On the flip side, Lisa and her team are extremely good at what they do, assembling one of the best events in all of West Texas. I’ve been plugged into the event from the beginning and have watched it grow from a rocky start to establishing a firm bedrock on which the event can stand for many years. They’ve accomplished stability in just a short three years, and I’m really thrilled to be a part of presenting such a first-class event.”

Tall City Blues Fest 2014, presented by Mazda Midland/Odessa, will be held July 25-27 in downtown Midland, Texas.

About Tall City Blues FestTall City Blues Fest is a multi-stage Blues music festival. In addition to hosting award-winning performers across multiple stages, the Fest also hosts educational workshops, a silent art auction, a midnight spectator jam and an autographed memorabilia raffle. Our Mission is to create a family-friendly experience like none other that generates tourism, offers a culturally diverse attraction in West Texas and contributes positively to the quality of life.

About Mazda of Midland/OdessaMazda Midland/Odessa is comprised of Mazda of Midland and SKY Mazda of Odessa. Mazda of Midland, located on Loop 250 North in Midland, was established in 2002 and opened its doors on a brand new Retail Revolution Facility in 2004 while SKY Mazda of Odessa opened its doors in 2012 at Loop 338 and Hwy 80 in Odessa. Mazda, built by a company whose philosophy is “if it’s not worth driving, it’s not worth building”, features the SKYACTIV technology line designed to boost fuel economy and reduce fuel emissions without compromising driving performance. While Mazda

is gaining market share in West Texas by innovating the emotion of motion, Mazda of Midland and SKY Mazda of Odessa continue to offer a large selection of pre-owned cars and trucks across nearly every make and price point. It is the mission

of Mazda Midland/Odessa to bring ease and integrity to the car buying process while

making the experience of buying a vehicle quick, easy and enjoyable.


inreviewThe state of Texas has had a long founded love affair with winemaking. The art has roots dating all the way back to the early 1600s in the region now comprising much of central and western Texas, which have characteristically low annual rainfall and abundant sunshine — conditions highly sought after for the cultivation of distinct and flavorful wine grapes. While it’s no secret that our state has experienced a resurgence of this beloved nuanced process of crafting home grown grapes into world class wines, Midland had yet to play host to the burgeoning number of wineries leading this reawakening of viticulture in Texas…until recently.

The first ever Midland Wine and Music Festival provided Midlanders an intimate and rewarding encounter with a growing group of talented Texas winemakers. The first weekend of October 2013, Centennial Plaza (downtown Midland) was filled with wine enthusiasts and novices alike. A pair of our usual warm, sunny fall days sharpened the taste buds of many “would be” wine connoisseurs perusing a wide variety of various vintages from eight wineries based throughout Texas and New Mexico.

Each Festival attendee received 10 tastings from a plethora of wines, all for a similar price as a single tour. The Festival provided all of the important elements: music, food, artfully crafted wines and a mutual love of the grape.

Written by Cade Nicholson

West Texas Dust on the Bottle

continued on page 27


blue notesBuddy Guy sang, “The first time I met the blues/People you know I was walking through the woods” on his debut single for Chess Records in 1960. Although the song is built for melodrama, those open-ing lines reflected Guy’s initial exposure to the music around his boyhood home in rural Louisiana.

The first time I met the blues was radi-cally different — on television, about 15 years later, seeing Ray Charles and Ike & Tina Turner on The Midnight Special. The first time I met the blues in the flesh it was Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, who is likely grumbling in his grave right now over the notion of being called a “bluesman,” although the swinging, jazz-inflected ap-proach of T-Bone Walker was certainly the foundation of his art.

But the time I met the blues in a profound way, looked straight into its eyes and had it change my life forever, was in October 1993 when I walked into Junior Kimbrough’s juke joint in Chulahoma, MS and met Junior and the Joint’s next door neighbor, R.L. Burnside. I’d been a hard-core blues fan for a decade by then, and had written a lot about the music. In fact, I was the blues columnist for Tower Records’ “Pulse” and had contributed features about blues artists to the “Boston Globe” and other publications. I had also seen a multitude of artists, from Johnny Shines and Sippie Wallace to, of course, Stevie Ray Vaughan (14 times!), whose music put me under their spell. And I had discovered Robert Palmer’s book “Deep Blues”, which in-spired me so deeply with its colorful writing that I bought every LP mentioned throughout the book, making it my Blues 101.

To flashback somewhat, it was through a lucky meeting with Palmer, who became a dear friend, that I was given the phone number of Fat Possum Records co-founder Matthew Johnson. He offered to take my wife Laurie Hoffma and me to Junior’s place, so we left our Boston home on a Sunday morning, and at 2:30 in the afternoon we arrived at Junior’s, amidst a hand-ful of his neighbors who watched and danced as Junior and R.L. took turns fronting a grooving band that was shaking the shack’s loose wooden walls.

Having seen Junior and R.L. in the Robert Mugge documentary “Deep Blues”, starring Palmer as the leader of its musical expedition through Mem-phis, North Mississippi and the Delta; I could not believe they were right in front of me. I’d met Neil Young, David Bowie, Eddie Van Halen and other rock icons when I was an editor at Musician Magazine, so I’m not intimidated or impressed much by stardom, but there was something so profound in the frankness of Junior and R.L.’s playing that I was transfixed.

At the time, I was performing in a soon-to-be-signed alternative rock band called Vision Thing and moved plenty of air with my Marshall amps, but the heavy volume in the Juke Joint was stunning, sending vibrations through the floor and into my body. The unpredictable melodic lines that Junior played,

the slide that R.L. laid down between bone-crunching riffs, the glorious stasis of their one-chord music … it seemed to set off a chemical reaction in my brain that — in person, at last — illuminated all the connections between their blues, African music, Son House, John Coltrane, Pink Floyd, Brian Eno, Sonny Sharrock and all the other experimental, improvisational and psychedelic music I love. It was all at once like the rush of a windswept bonfire. It was a moment of enlightenment.

After meeting Junior and R.L. at the Juke, and visiting R.L. the next day on the front porch of his home, which reflected his awful poverty, I swore to do everything I could as a journalist, musician and human

to make more people aware of their music and to hopefully put them in a position to get at least some of the financial rewards they so richly deserved. I felt I was putting myself in the service of the gift they had given me. Of course, I had no idea that Laurie and I would actually become friends with them, and that they would add so much more richness to our lives in the following years.

Junior, R.L. and Jessie Mae Hemphill, who I would also soon meet, en-lightened me to the essential truth about blues. The blues is like the grass in the Zen koan — about being able to see the Universe in a single blade. Everything is inside the blues. One just needs to know how to listen to the music. When it’s in the custody of artists with something honest, original and of themselves to offer, one can receive its many insights with an open heart and open mind.

It was seven years before R.L. found out I played guitar. Frankly, I think it’s disrespectful and egotistical to impose one’s own playing on another’s stage without an invitation first. I’ve been to plenty of blues shows where ‘unat-tuned’ players have insisted on throwing monkey wrenches into the musical works. But, one day Kenny Brown, R.L.’s right hand man, played one of my rock group’s CDs in the “Burnside Style” van, and the sound of my playing somehow caught R.L.’s ear. He began encouraging me to play blues, for which I owe him a great deal. It took persistence. R.L. not only opened the door; he had to kick my ass through. I’d tried to play Chicago and Texas blues before, but felt I had nothing real to bring to the game. Character and originality are required to be an artist, and those who bring nothing to the genre are ultimately serving nobody but themselves and tavern owners. Fine for them, but not for me. And not for R.L., Junior, Jessie, Ronnie Earl, Tom Waits, Bonnie Raitt, Colin Linden and the many other creative blues artists I enjoy, value and respect.

The first time I played with R.L., it was on stage at a show in Cambridge, MA. It was an experience that much to my surprise was captured live for the original “House of Blues Radio Hour” (forever preserving that clunker chord I hit). That night, when my knees buckled as we ended the show, I knew

Written by Ted Drozdowski

My Blues Enlightenment

R.L. Burnside and Ted Drozdowski at House of Blues in Cambridge, MA. Photo by Margo Cooper.


I had the good fortune this past fall to be gifted a car. I could choose whatever I wanted, and I chose a 2014 Mazda 3. I’ve been on record many times saying that “it’s my magic car” with quite the girlhood sprite. And it is!

This car is sleek and sexy and for several days, as I contemplated what I wanted, it would not leave the confi nes of my mind. It was omnipresent in its ap-proach gently coaxing me to pay attention, so fi nally I did.

As I’ve been driving the car for the last few months, rewards beyond the materialistic aspects of owning a new car have continued to fl ow. Yes, I love the ease of drivability, the gas mileage, that it has cool, groovy safety features like blind spot monitoring and a rear back-up camera, navigation, an infotainment system, heads-up display, Bluetooth and hands-free phone and audio controls.

I also like its personality with black leather interior accented with red stitching, as well as the way it is ergonomically designed. It just feels good. I’ve come to realize that the reason it feels good is because it epitomizes what can happen when engineering and design collaborate together to make functional beauty.

The thing I love most about the car, though, is the expanse of freedom it’s bestowed upon me. This car makes me feel like I can go anywhere and do anything without limitation. It has restored my joy in driving, an act I had really come to loathe, and has brought a spirit of fun-ness back into my world that I didn’t real-ize was absent. I’ve always had spunk, but somewhere along the way of trying to manage work and life and balance between the two, much of my fun was lost. I had come to mistake spunk for fun.

I named this car Lucy because she embodies all the brilliance and charisma of a diamond, and sometimes when I’m driving her I feel like I’m fl oating in the sky.

something profound had happened again.

With help and gentle guidance from R.L., as well as other friends and ‘inspi-rators’, I’ve been able to negotiate my way deeper into the blues and fi nd a sound and style of expression that is my own. As a part of this endeavor, I’ve also been able to work on building a bridge between the music’s past and present in an effort to share and secure its future, and to help other artists coming along on their way. This mission has led me to quit my day job, leave the north for the south, and taken me across the U.S. and to parts of Europe. On a daily basis, the world of blues continues to enrich my life even as it presents challenges for those of us who realize we are — at the core of our hearts and souls — musicians trying to make our way in the world.

Ted Drozdowski is the leader of Ted Drozdowski’s Scissor-men. He is also a producer whose credits include Peter Par-cek’s 2012 Blues Music Award nominated debut album, a songwriter, blues educator and advocate, and a Keeping the Blues Alive award-winning journalist who lives in Nashville, TN, with his wife Laurie Hoffma and Dolly the Dog.

D. L. TAYLOR’S CONSULTING, INC.

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“Giving is not a one-way street; receiving comes with the territory of giving. Receiving is an honor, not an embarrassment.” — TBM

inreviewWritten by Lisa J. Grissom

The Magic of Lucy


featureI’ve discovered that treasure lies within the process of starting something new. We started Tall City Blues Fest in 2011, and when we began envision-ing the Fest, we knew only a few things. First, we wanted the Fest to be big and nothing like West Texas had ever seen. We also wanted to introduce Blues music into the community and make a culturally enriching event that would bring tourism to the area.

Those were our big picture goals; how we were going to accomplish them, we were not entirely sure. We started by setting about to raise sponsorships. Disappointingly, when we would go talk to people about participating as a sponsor in an event that didn’t exist yet, we were met with great resistance.

Starting something new is akin to attempting to turn a huge stone wheel. It takes enormous effort and energy to get the wheel turning, gain momentum and hit your stride. When we were approaching folks about being a sponsor, it was difficult for them to grasp our vision, and understandably so. What we were creating was an experience. How could we convey what we were trying to do without first doing it? That’s the nature of the beast of starting some-thing new … the chicken and the egg. So, we did the only thing we knew. We kept at it with determination ... insulated by our own naivety.

That’s the thing about a new project; you can’t possibly know all you need to know or what you’ll really be up against until you start. As said by creator of the Passion Planner Angelia Trinidad, “No one can really understand the extent of your passion and the positive potential of it coming true except you. People are quick to get in your way when you’re not moving, but are so much more hesitant once you have momentum on your side. If you do something well with passion, have the courage to show the world. There is an audience out there waiting to embrace you.” [We cover Angelia’s Passion Planner in more detail on page 28.]

We knew that we did events well because we’d been hired for years to produce events for other people. But, being hired to produce an event for someone else and producing our own from the ground-up were like night and day. We had to build a base of supporters, create an interest in what we were doing, develop the programming and put together the event all at the same time.

The truth is that starting something new is hard, regardless of what it is. Starting a business, starting a family, starting to exercise, starting a new treatment, or starting a festival; it doesn’t matter. Starting is just hard. It’s hard because whatever it is, it’s new to us. Part of the joy, though, is in all the things we don’t yet know. There is mystery in that, which keeps us propel-ling forward and the ‘not-knowing’ forces us to exercise our faith, to stretch and grow, to learn what we are really made of and ultimately, it assists us in garnering wisdom.

Wisdom is not acquired cheaply; it is gained because we now know—deeply and intuitively—what we didn’t know before, and that we could not have ‘got it’ any other way. Had we known in advance the financial result we were go-

ing to get after the first year of the Fest, we would not have proceeded, and Tall City Blues Fest would never have been born. In hindsight, that seems like a huge faux pas, but the truth is that on the front end we didn’t know the areas where we were over-spending, nor did we know the components of the Fest that would be well-received while oth-ers not so much. At some point, we were far enough into it that we just had to punt and see what happened.

I recall how crippling it felt to know that we had taxed all of our company’s re-sources working for more than a year on a project that not only did not make us any money, but we came out of it ow-ing people money. We took a risk and failed. We had gambled and lost. The good news was that we now had data. We had a result, albeit an undesir-able one, and we had to choose what we were going to do about it. We could choose to see the failure as final and an indication that the project wouldn’t work, or we could choose to dig deep and see what we could do differently to produce a better result. We chose the latter.

When we start something new, mostly all we have in our toolbox of any value is the experience of others that have gone before us. People can tell us all day long how to do something; what not to do. We can read and research; we can plan and hedge, but it is the trudging through ourselves where all the

vicarious wisdom with which we armed ourselves before we started begins to have meaning.

When we start something new, we are vulnerable. The fear of failure and criti-cism can rip us apart before we even get

started. Somewhere between the polarities of bounding blindly ahead and being paralyzed by fear is the energy to proceed boldly with caution. We are learning our project in the open expanse of vulnerability, and by doing so, we subject ourselves to criticism because we are bold enough to think differently than those around us. The process of starting something new has a way of helping us find out what we’re really made of, and for me, I call that cultivat-ing authenticity. When it comes right down to it, courage is about doing (or trying) our ideas, not being immune to criticism.

Author of “The Gifts of Imperfection” Brené Brown brilliantly captures this idea: “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are. Choosing authenticity means cultivating the courage to be imperfect, to set boundaries and to allow our-selves to be vulnerable; exercising the compassion that comes from know-ing that we are all made of strength and struggle; and nurturing the connec-

Starting Something NewWritten by Lisa J. Grissom the birth of tall city blues fest

I recall how crippling it felt to know that we had taxed all of our company’s resources working for more than a year on a project that not only did not make us any money, but we came out of it owing people money.

Producer Lisa Grissom at Tall City Blues Fest. Photo by AP Torre.


Miss Behavin’s HavenWinter Menu

A fun, fictional place, you won’t find Miss Behavin’s Haven on any street corner, but you can find these yummy recipes on missbehavinshaven.com.

APPETIZERSArtichoke à Cœur Ouvert

Pepper Crusted Roast Beef Tenderloin with Calabrian Aioli

Bayou Sam’s Stuffed Mushrooms

SALADSWinter Tangerine Riesling Vinaigrette©

Blue Cheese DressingGrilled 1015 Baby Spinach Salad With

Tomato VinaigretteLettuce Wedges with Thousand Island Dress-

ing

MAIN DISHESGumbo Vieux Carre©

Jaeger-SchnitzelJaeger-Schnitzel Burgundy Mushroom Sauce

Hill Country Bison PastaItalian Gravy

Acadian Q’d PrawnsAcadian Feux

DESSERTSShoo-fly Pie

Apple Pan DowdySam’s Seafood Grill Bananas Foster

Lemon Sorbet

COCKTAILSHoliday Infused Vodka

Mandarin SqueezePisco Sour

Sazarac

tion and sense of belonging that can only happen when we believe we are enough.”

It’s alluring to think that the gem for which we’re digging throughout our lives is accomplishment. Haven’t you ever looked at someone else’s ac-complishments or their life and thought privately to yourself, “I wish I could do that.” or “I wish I had their creativity…tenacity….drive”? I have. Yet somehow when we accomplish something of our own, it doesn’t feel quite as potent in our own life as it looked in someone else’s. That’s because the result is mostly for everyone else’s benefit, while the process is for ours.

Winning the game is not about the game; it’s about what we do in between the games. Raising our kids isn’t about what kind of adults they turn out to be; it’s about what we do along the way while they are becoming adults. Writing a book isn’t about the book being published; it’s about who we become while we write it. Starting a new project isn’t about how the project turns out; it’s about what we learn by doing it.

All the time, people start projects, launch ideas, write books, adopt or birth babies, raise children, complete their theses, navigate health issues, pay off credit card debt, run for office, negotiate

business deals and start new jobs. Whatever it is, we mostly see the results of their choices. We don’t see the process, and it’s there where all the treasure lies.

This process makes the taste of triumph after a long arduous battle all the more exquisite. I can tell you that working on Tall City Blues Fest turned me inside out, wrung me dry and then dropped me off in a sand dune in the middle of a wind storm to find my way home. Fortunately, I

had a compass. People began to see our vision after two years of producing the Fest, and it is they who have helped us gain the momentum we needed. It takes a village to raise a festival.

Our Advisory Council guided me, challenged me and helped me prune, which reminded me that the Fest has an energy signature all its own. I may be its creator, but it has its own trajectory now, and I am simply steward.

Our Festival Founders have fortified the Fest. Collectively, they are a group of people who are raising their hand and saying, “I want to be a per-manent part of making sure this thing continues to happen no matter what.” They are absolutely the ‘salt’ of the Fest.

And our patrons are stars of the Fest. They are the people who have bought sponsorships and tickets over the last three years and proved that a Blues music festival in West Texas was a worthy idea.

I am now thrilled to say that Tall City Blues Fest is primed and pumped to be an ongoing event in West Texas for many years to come!

As a final thought, I’ll say this: I believe the cost of leaving our ideas untapped, our gifts unexplored and our contributions unfulfilled is a far greater price to pay than the sharp darts of criticism or

the fear of failure. Sacrific-ing living our lives fully for the ‘temporary-ness’ of trying to fit in just seems like a bad in-vestment. When we can sur-render ourselves to the idea that growth is not without its imperfections, we invite the community and collaboration of others and we release our-selves from the hidden shad-ows of our imperfections into the sunlight where we can be free. We break the shackles of living and dying by the good opinion of others, and instead

find freedom to seek our own authenticity. We be-come empowered to leave the prison of our own self-imposed limitations and pre-conceived judg-ments, and instead, choose the silent strength of vulnerability. And, best of all, we leave room in our lives for the miracles to happen.

So, here’s to having the courage to step out there and show the world our ideas in the face of criticism, to cultivating authenticity in ourselves so that we leave the world a better place than it

It takes a villageto raise a festival.

would have been without us in it and to emerging victorious from our own battles so that we have the jewel of wisdom to pay forward. It’s going to be a great 2014!

You can read more about Tall City Blues Fest 2014 on page 6.

Tall City Blues Fest attendees watching a Main Stage performer.Photo by AP Torre.


“Dude, Where’s My Car?” communityshowcase cruising the square in snyder, texas

On May 3 and 4, car enthusiasts from all over West Texas will head to Snyder to show off their ride.This marks the 23rd year that the Snyder Wheels Car Show and Cruise has hosted folks to spend an entire day sharing their love of cars among like kind. Event organizer, Terry Leatherwood of Leather Paint and Body, said that last year there were more than 175 participants in the Car Show, and he expects that number to increase this year.

This small town becomes full of sharp-dressed cars that can participate in two dealership shows held on Friday. Big Country Autoland hosts GM cars for show and Wilson Motors showcases Ford. Last year there were 65 registered cars in the GM show and just under 50 at Wilson Motors. For anyone who is entered into either of the dealership showcases or the Snyder Wheels show, a hamburger supper, hosted at Prosperity Bank, gathers flocks of enthusiasts who just want to talk shop.

The big show starts early Saturday morning. Bill Robertson, owner of a downtown Square business, said people start showing up on the

Square with their cars as early as 7 AM. A handful of “not local car club members” are selected and paid to judge the cars in a multitude of categories. Leatherwood said that approximately 120 trophies are given out every year. For example, one of the awards is a $200 cash prize for “Ladies Choice”. A woman in the Snyder Wheels Car Club chooses her favorite lady-owned vehicle and awards the owner a trophy. Cars of all types can be seen at this show to the likes of a 1918 Roadster, a Ford Fairlane and even some more modern models. Any vehicle an owner wants to show off is accepted to participate.

The Car Show and Cruise is a family-friendly event, so activities such as a Pedal Car Race for kids and adults, a burnout contest for three classes of vehicle and a Hot Wheels race where kids can either bring their own or pick one out of a box for just a dollar are offered. The organizers also bring in a few food vendors selling barbecue, handmade pizza, hamburgers, curly fries and other festival-style foods.

As the event title indicates, there is a Cruise that begins early Saturday evening and even non-show participants can take part. Sonic and Coca-Cola sponsor the Cruise, which is about a two-hour drive through town. Local police and firefighters help block the highway, and just like a parade people line the streets to look at all of the vintage and stylish cars. There are even awards given out, such as for the coolest car or those that look like they’re having the most fun.

The Butcher’s Block

This steak and seafood fine dining establishment is located in the old train depot. Opened in fall of 2012, Owner Troy Botts Jr. and experienced Chef Jere Cervantez wanted to bring “big city dining” to Snyder.

A few people’s reviews:

“Love this restaurant! A refreshing change from the traditional West Texas eateries. The Crab Cakes and Fried Green Tomatoes are fantastic. The Bleu Wedge Salad and Texas Red Fish are also favorites.” — Cat Geiger

“The Bahn Mi Sandwich was incredible! The Jalapeño Creme Soup was excellent!” — Steve Bohannon

The restaurant also has two rooms to accommodate small intimate parties or larger groups, and the staff pride themselves on being equipped to handle the Private Dining Experience. In the lounge, patrons can enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail and relax with friends in comfy furniture.

Classic Interiors

Established in 1988, this well-recommended shop has stood in the same location for 25 years. A prominent and eclectic store, it is choked full of eye candy like prestigious Rocki Gorman sterling and turquoise jewelry, for which they are an exclusive retailer; and Jon Hart luggage, handbags and makeup cases. They also provide residential interior and commercial design services, as well as custom floral design.

Big Apple Deli is a one-of-a-kind sandwich shop that was built into the original lobby of the old Manhattan Hotel on the Square in downtown Snyder. Opening in 2008, owner Bill Robertson built the Deli with repurposed materials such as: using the original hotel ceiling from 1916, taking old pavers off Snyder’s 25th Street to build the base of the bar, acquiring a cooler and glass doors from a local Tiger Mart and using wood from an old church in Scurry County. Nearly every aspect of the restaurant has character and a back story that Robertson loves to tell.

Aside from its eclectic structure, Big Apple Deli is a community-centered business that caters to people of all kinds. The menu is filled with something for everybody, and guests have the option to design their own sandwich if they just can’t make up their mind. Robertson intends for the Deli to be a restaurant that serves beer and

Vintage car showcased at the 2013 Snyder Wheels & Car Show. Photo by Bill Robertson.

Line of Corvette beauties at 2013 Car Show.Photo by Bill Robertson.


wine rather than being a bar that serves food. The Deli also hosts “Live Music @ Lunch” and has a brick patio behind the building where they used old cable spindles for tables.

Manhattan CoffeeHouse

Right next door to the Big Apple Deli and also part of what was previously the Manhattan Hotel, owner Marianne Randals bought the historic

hotel building with the simple intention of creating new living quarters after her home had burned

down. As fate would have it though, in 2007 the street corner doors were

opened to a brand new coffeehouse with local fl air.

The CoffeeHouse serves a variety of drip coffees,

cappuccinos, hot chocolate and even smoothies. A local hotspot, Manhattan CoffeeHouse also houses the Manhattan Market, which is a store stocked with things like vintage rodeo prints; Gretel Underwood coats, vests, scarves and throws; Col. Littleton’s Fine Leather Goods; and Hobo purses. You’ll also fi nd resident artist, Tom Roberts, posted in a corner creating his next masterpiece nearly every day.

Collections: Jewels and Junk

Situated on the northwest corner of the Square in downtown Snyder, Collections Jewels and Junk opened in September 2011 after setting up shop in a historic bank building built in 1907. This classic small town women’s boutique has a vintage feel, while offering both trendy and classic attire. It is an ideal stop for young women embracing their personal style and women looking to enhance their wardrobe. Owner Sherry

Autry offers free shipping, free alterations and gift wrapping with the aim of providing an entire shopping experience saturated with service. She

even serves her homemade chocolate coffee to patrons. According to one out-of-town shopper, Delanie McElroy, Collections: Jewels and Junk is “absolutely amazing inside and out!! The only couture shopping experience that West Texas provides.”

Scurry County Museum

Located on the Western Texas College campus, this Museum is “dedicated to increasing the knowledge and understanding of the history of Scurry County and the surrounding area of the Southern Rolling Plains.” Their permanent exhibit, set up in 1975, was designed to portray the development of Scurry County through the years. In 2008, the Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the Museum a grant that allowed for a renovation of their permanent exhibit, which then re-opened in the Spring of 2009. It features a timeline of changes in Scurry County “from the buffalo hunting days to the oil boom”.

The Museum’s South Gallery rotates exhibits four times a year, and on January 20 “Coming to West Texas” will open, which tells the story of families migrating to Scurry County, how they arrived and what drew them there.

Admission to the Museum is free.

The Belle Opry House

KSUZ internet radio proprietor Suzi Q needed some live music in her life and went after what she loves most:

Texas Red Dirt music. She began showcas-ing acts such as Josh Abbott, Granger Smith, Whiskey Myers, Casey Donahue and the Tejas Brothers at the Belle. Suzi also started renting the venue for non-profi t fundraiser benefi ts, large celebrations, weddings and quinceañeras. The Belle is located in the old Church of Christ build-ing at 1411 25th Street.

Windmill Ranch Preserve

On the outskirts of town, about fi ve miles out, sits a B&B unlike any other. Windmill Ranch Preserve offers guests genuine hospitality and a relaxing atmosphere in a comforting and unique way. Guests can choose a room in The Big House,

which is decorated in a very rustic, simple and natural way offering four rooms with interesting and very distinctive names: The Escapist, The Idealist, The Naturalist and The Starry Night Loft. Couples on their honeymoon or just wanting a private, romantic experience can reserve a stay

in a private cottage, The Love Shack.Another option for the adventurous, outdoorsy types, are the Wild at Heart Tents. Each safari-style tent includes a private bath, with hot and cold water, a fl ushing toilet and a wood-burning stove. The tents are conveniently titled: The ConTENTment, Best InTENTions and The ExisTENTial. And, to top off all the charm of the accommodations, the Preserve offers the “A.M. Ranch Feast”, served 7-9 AM daily. The Feast is a hearty breakfast which comes with freshly-baked muffi ns, biscuits, cereals, fresh fruit, fl apjacks, bacon, home-grown farm fresh eggs and West Texas coffee.

Cupcakes and Cowboys

This unique little shop sells deliciously crafted and made-fresh-daily cupcakes. Just a few of the fl a-vors, which they usually announce on Facebook: Peppermint, Gingerbread, Chocolate Raspberry, Lemon Creme, Wedding Cake, Cherry Almond, Red HOT Velvet, Strawberry Cheesecake, But-terfi nger, Toasted Coconut, Butterscotch Spice, Orange Delight (orange cake with cinnamon sugar pecan swirl), Car-rot Cheesecake, Pumpkin Snicker-doodle, Key Lime and Chocolate Chocolate! If your taste buds aren’t tingling yet, just add in a few of their iced cookies or some popcorn balls. As for the “cowboys” part of their name, you’ll just have to go check it out for yourself. We promise, it’s not what you think.

Pictures provided by businesses showcased.

hotel building with the simple intention of creating new living quarters after her home had burned

down. As fate would

opened to a brand new coffeehouse with local fl air.

The CoffeeHouse serves a variety of drip coffees,

Mary Poppins ( Feb 7- Mar 8)This Disney-movie-classic-turned-stage-musical will be a nostalgic

experience for parents and a high-fl ying sing-a-long for children as they watch Mary transform

the dysfunctional Banks family with her whimsical charm.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Mar 7-30)A hilarious parody of an abridged version of Shakespeare’s many plays including “Romeo and Juliet”, “Hamlet”, “Macbeth” and many more. Three actors give a quick-paced, bizarre rendition of ‘Bill’s’ great works and, at times, include the audience in on the game.

Pippi Longstocking (Apr 4-12)Enjoy the tales and experiences of a mischievous, redheaded little girl who wears her braided pigtails in an odd fashion and confounds adults with her unwitting logic. This Pickwick Players production will be “fun for kids and kids at heart”.

Mom’s Gift (May 9-31)This 2013 McLaren Memorial Comedy Playwriting Competition winner is a “heartwarming and haunting comical production” about the court ordered visit Kat must make with her family. Enjoy a family fi lled with quirky behavior, and make sure to stretch your jaw because the laughter in this show is not likely to quit until the end.

42nd Street (Jul 11-19)This summer the young adults of MCT, the Pickwick Players, perform a musical about a musical set in the height of the Great Depression. Dealing

with the stress of a tyrannical boss isn’t easy, but audiences can easily follow along with the lead character, Peggy Sawyer, as she yearns to fi gure out her dreams of acting while a humorous cast of characters attempt to overcome the tough times of the era.

Urinetown: The Musical (Sept 5-27)A musical that makes fun of musicals… about a drought… and going ‘number one’… MCT has brought us a dark musical comedy that showcases greed, power, lust, a corrupt system and a group of people who won’t stand for having to pay a cost to go to the bathroom. Choked full of raw social commentary.

Leading Ladies (Oct 3-18)Two penniless actors set up a plan to con a dying aristocrat by pretending to be her sister’s children, which they later fi nd out are not sons but daughters. The two cross-dress their way through this ridiculous scam trying to get back on their feet fi nancially.

A Streetcar Named Desire (Oct 24- Nov 15)This Pulitzer Prize winning play written by Tennessee Williams takes the audience on an emotional roller coaster through the goings-on of dysfunctional sisters Blanche and Stella. MCT will showcase the ups and downs of poverty, self-destruction, despair and fi nally, triumph trumping tragedy, which ends the compelling ride of a lifetime.

A Christmas Story: The Musical (Nov 21- Dec 21)A family favorite holiday-movie-turned-musical-production will be MCT’s Christmas show. Watch as Ralphie relates his Christmas experience of “family, friends and the stressfulness of the holidays”, while anticipating getting the most coveted toy of all — a Red Rider B.B. gun.


feb 10 (hobbs)

Presented by The Southwest Symphony, Rhythmic Circus ex-plores rhythm through percussive dance. Their current touring pro-duction, “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now” plays off a wide array of musical genres spanning from funk to salsa. Infusing their unpredictable blend of hard-hitting tap, high-spirited humor and fi nger-snapping tunes, Rhythmic Circus uses everyday items to showcase their rhythmic prowess and utilizes electronic drum triggers to change the sound of their taps. Source: swsymphony.org/schedule.php

feet don’t fail me now!

communityhighlight

Withstanding the tests of time, Midland Community Theatre has remained a West Texas community staple for nearly three quarters of a century. With their 2014 season, they have created an enchanting lineup fi lled with a number of diverse shows including musicals, Shakespeare, childhood favorites and some well-known classics.

Midland Community Theatre’s2014 Season

Wagner Noël Upcoming Events

42nd Street (Jul 11-19)This summer the young adults of MCT, the Pickwick

with the stress of a tyrannical boss isn’t easy, but

SEASON SPECIAL: Les Miserables (Apr 25-26)MCT and the Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale are joining forces to deliver this spell-binding story of heart-wrenching justice, order and tenacity, which will be held at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center.


feb 13 (midland)

Presented by the Aphasia Center of West Texas, this an-nual fundraising event offers indulgence in decadent des-serts, sumptuous savories and unique Valentine gifts. The Aphasia Center is one of eight available centers in the country and provides services to those who suffer from a loss of language after a stroke. To purchase tickets or for more information, go to AphasiaWTx.org or call 432-699-1261.

chocolate decadence

Wagner Noël Upcoming EventsStyx (Jan 14)As Wagner Noël puts it, “Styx continues to conquer the planet, one venue at a time”. This power ballad rock band surfaced in the 70s, shined in the 80s, struggled through the 90s, and sprang back to life in 1996.

Tony Bennett (Jan 22)Musical icon and crooner of love songs, Bennett is in his seventh decade as a recording artist, and is on the verge of releasing yet another album titled “The Classics” on January 28.

Oak Ridge Boys (Jan 24)Enjoy this energetic, charming band who have just celebrated their 40th anniversary of touring together. Guaranteed to give concert goers a one-of-a-kind show, the Oak Ridge Boys “have a rare knack of making the audience feel special”.

Foreigner (Feb 7)Now exceeding 75 million album sales, Foreigner is known as “one of the most popular rock acts in the world”. Join this group rocking out to “Head Games”, while it all “Feels Like the First Time.”

Gordon Lightfoot (Feb 10)You know you’ve made it big when cover versions of your songs are recorded by artists such as Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Barbara Streisand and Johnny Cash. Lightfoot is a legend among legends and “credited for helping define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s”.

Ballet Arkansas (Feb 12)Expanding their pointed toes south into West Texas, this company of delicate but strong dancers comes out of Arkansas to share the beauty of ballet. This evening is a celebration of “the pure artistry of dance”.

HAIR (Feb 24)A group of American teenagers take us back to the 1960s with a new production of Hair, which is said to be “an electric celebration on stage”. The relevant themes and struggles of the Vietnam era will take the audience on a journey that ends in celebration through dance in the aisles and on stage with the performers to the anthem, “Let the Sun Shine In”.

Live On Stage Presents: An Evening with Hal Linden (April 1)Hal Linden was born to entertain. Known for his most famous role in the television police comedy, Barney Miller, Linden revived his career as a musician after his success as a TV actor. He plays the clarinet, and will deliver an award-winning show performing some of America’s greatest songs and Broadway hits with his seven-piece band.

Source: wagnernoel.com

“Birthing something (or someone) new is hard. It will bruise you and bang you up. It is not for the faint of heart and there is no way possible you can be prepared. Ride the ride and you’ll have more fun. ” — TBM

good eats


Written by Sam Daulong

Christine’s Blues and BBQkermit, texas

Locked and loaded with a ‘Best of the Blues’ playlist, I headed west on a low-gray day for Kermit to check out a truly unique place — Christine’s Blues & BBQ. Located at 157 Hwy 302, called Jim Sharp Blvd in town, you’ll miss this place if you’re not looking. It is situated just west of Hwy 18, right next to the Budget Inn.

This is a no-frills, what-you-see-is-what-you-get type place. The sacks of potatoes on the front counter were not there just for show, one bite of Christine’s potato salad, and you know you’ve landed yourself in a serious barbecue joint. I say ‘joint’ with the great-est of admiration; this ain’t no antiseptic, generic establishment. This is the real deal where you know you’re in the midst of someone’s lifeblood.

The grub I ordered was a two-meat brisket and rib plate from a kind-eyed gentleman named Mr. Thomas … actually, his fi rst name is Thomas, but you just can’t help and pay the respect of putting mister in front of his name. It’s that kind of place. You order

at the counter, which is covered in days gone past and stacked with hot to-go orders, soft drinks and such.

Perfectly sided with the meat plate was the slightly sweet potato salad (I don’t even like potato salad, well, not until now), with a ladle of pinto beans, a few dill slices, diced onions and a couple of slices of white bread. Wha-pow! I hit the motherload! Mr. Thomas served up my plate with a slathering of barbecue sauce over the top of the meat, and the pork rib was full with a nice crust and good recess on the bone. The brisket was thickly sliced, well-spiced and perfectly smoked. This meat was so full fl avored that it really didn’t even need sauce. It was more on par with what you would expect out of a barbecue master’s backyard, rather than a restaurant.

I actually mentioned to Mr. Thomas that I could taste a hint of mesquite in the meat, and he just smiled with his eyes, but never confi rmed or denied my observation one way or the oth-er. I did fi nd out that it’s pretty much just him that does the ‘outside thing’ with the business, so he would surely know, but he wasn’t telling on the day I was there. Christine, on the other hand, does mostly the ‘inside stuff’. She opened the place in 2005, and they pretty much run the whole place between the two of them—taking orders, waiting tables and making the plates. The interior walls are covered with album covers, music art and family pictures

scattered about. Positioned past the town of Notrees and before Mentone on Highway 302, I’d say this place meets the criteria of being a diamond in the rough, because it really is a jewel.

In addition to Christine’s meat plates, which they offer with a choice of up to four meats, they also serve sandwiches, family packs and even provide cater-ing. Their hours of operation are Monday - Friday 11 AM - 6:30 PM, Saturday 11 AM - 4 PM, and they’re closed on Sunday.

Sam Daulong is a connoisseur and creator of great food. He is a private pilot who has traveled the world over and can often be found indulging his creativity by crafting a new recipe, enjoying an eclectic cocktail or blowing a few notes on his harmonica. Sam lives in Midland with his wife Sara and their two boys.

Interior wall inside Christine’s Blues and BBQ. Photo by Sam Daulong.

Two meat plate at Christine’s Blues and BBQ. Photo by Sam Daulong.


Keeping an Eye on Your HealthWritten by Dr. Rebecca Thomas, N.D., Ph.D.

holistic health

Iridology is the study of the iris of the eye, as it pertains to the health of a per-son. I’ll admit, I was skeptical of the practice the fi rst time I saw an Iridology demonstration. It was hard for me to fathom that so much information could be revealed in an area as small as the human eye. But, when I saw what a microcosm of data was available there, my skepticism turned to curiosity and my curiosity to amazement and conviction. During the past 20 years, I have made this study my life’s work.

Iridology is respected and taught in many countries of the world and is con-sidered mainstream medicine. First, let me explain how Iridology works. The human brain controls and monitors every body process and every body sys-tem. It is the main computer to the body. The eyes are part of the brain and function as the brain’s computer screen. They are the only part of the brain that we can see from outside of the body. The right eye shows the right side of the body and the left eye, the left side. Consider that we come from two cells: a sperm and an egg, each carrying traits of a separate family line. One genetic line is represented in each eye. 93 percent of people show the left eye as their mother’s genetic line and the right eye, their father’s. Occasion-ally I will have a client tell me that the traits I have described for them from the left eye are from their father’s side rather than their mother’s, and vice versa.

There are lines, or fi bers of nerve tissue, in the iris which record informa-tion in their structure. Straight lines represent a strong, resilient part of the body. Openings such as waves, crater-like shapes (called lacuna), or raised fi bers show varying types of weakness, infl ammation or malfunction. Some of these variations show inherited weaknesses, while others show weak-nesses a person has developed in his or her lifetime from diet, accidents, lifestyle, work, etc.

Eye color is also important to determine potential health factors and risks. Genetically blue eyes are a sign that the person is likely to have respiratory problems and thickened or hardened lymph nodes. Dark, brown-eyed people are more likely to develop blood disorders such as anemia, high cholesterol or diabetes. Golden, brown-eyed people are more likely to suffer with diges-tive problems, gallbladder trouble and constipation. A scattering of golden pigmentation on top of the genetic eye color shows a tendency toward low blood sugar. Brown freckle-like pigments indicate liver insuffi ciency.

This is a lot of information, but it is just the beginning. Look at your own pupil. Is it fl at on one side? Most likely your spine is out of alignment. Is there a white or gray wreath around the pupil? You may have a very acidic stomach.

Iridology is very insightful, and another related study called Sclerology is equally so. Sclerology is the study of the white of the eyes and the red ves-sels there. The red blood vessels indicate health problems and genetic traits. They form shapes much like shorthand. Remember shorthand? Every twist and turn in the vessels indicates information in a very specifi c way. It is pos-

sible to determine whether an infection is viral, bacterial or yeast, whether a mass is more likely to be a cyst or a tumor, or whether the gallbladder is holding thickened bile or functioning well. There is also a specifi c blood ves-sel formation that shows the genetic tendency for a person to have kidney stones. In more than half of pregnant women, past the fourth month, there is a blood vessel sign which shows the gender of the unborn child.

We truly are “fearfully and wonderfully made” as the Bible says. Consider using Iridology and Sclerology to keep an eye on your health.

Dr. Rebecca Thomas is a native West Texan. She is a traditional Naturopath, a certifi ed Iridologist and Sclerologist, holding professional certifi cations from the American Iridology Association and the International Sclerology Institute. Dr. Thomas has worked with thousands of people helping them regain their health and manage problems. She maintains an offi ce in downtown Odessa.


Written by Elizabeth McLellanart@work Enchantment with Glass Fusion

When I ascended the center staircase of ArtiZen Outlet to meet with glass fusion artist Leslie Slaughter, I was greeted with an excited

smile and a friendly welcome. The upper deck of ArtiZen, where Leslie showcases her work as a member, is a spacious room filled with quality pieces of art. The art there was so fantastic and it struck me how each piece communicated so clearly that it had been created by passionate hands, which gave the room an undeniable signature of expression and soul.

ArtiZen Outlet is the brainchild of Nina Noel, and it is more than just an art gallery. It’s a home-base for artists and craftspeople to display their work and be a part of some-thing bigger. ArtiZen is an artist cooperative, which allows for jury-selected artists to rent

a spot where they can prominently display their work for sale. As part of the cooperative mindset, the artists whose work is on display also share in the responsibility of running of the place. According to Leslie, it was friend and fellow ArtiZen Artist, Connie Glinsmann, who told her about ArtiZen’s coop-erative business plan.

“I just jumped right in because it sounded so great,” said Leslie. “Coming aboard has been a great decision for me, and I hope it continues to blossom and grow.”

After the introductory small talk, Leslie and I settled into two armchairs to talk about her inspirations, focus, techniques, her love of glass and the nu-merous ways in which it can be used to create art. Leslie’s face quickly lit up when she began explaining how she grabs opportunities that peak her interest such as her dive into glass fusing. She said matter-of-factly, “I just jumped in, fell in love and haven’t looked back.” In a moment of reflection, she shared that her fascination with glass really began when she was very young. She would sit in church and stare at the stained glass windows or see glass artwork in museums, shops and galleries and get lost in the color.

“Glass really and truly has been a lifelong love of mine,” poured Leslie. “And it was a medium that I really wanted to explore. So, I just did it.” She maintains a ‘nothing to lose’-style attitude, which she epitomized when she told me how she first experienced modeling clay.

“I started sculpting when I found a clump of modeling clay in the street that a child had dropped out of their school backpack. It wasn’t much, it was just a glob of this cheap clay that you could buy at any craft store. I played with it and thought ‘Oh my gosh? This is great!’ So, I bought 50 pounds of it.”

Learning the techniques and applications of a creative medium with the de-sire to produce ‘art’ is a challenge full of wonderful opportunities. Most bur-geoning artists will experience trial and error and mistakes and failure just as Leslie did, but she shared a concept with me that helps her to think positively about the unexpected hiccups. She told me that “there is no such thing as a mistake. There are just happy accidents.”

One ‘mistake’ Leslie experienced that opened a new door for her occurred when she received her first large shipment of sheet glass.

“I ordered two crates full, 1,400 pounds of glass,” she said. “Again, I jumped off, telling myself, ‘I’m going to go do this’. I didn’t want to waste any time. So, I was moving about 350 pounds of glass, because I work out of a little cabana in my backyard, which I turned into my shop. I decided to move some glass from the ga-rage to the shop and I was pushing the crate around on the pave-ment. One of the wheels I had attached got hung, and the whole crate keeled over. 350 pounds of glass smashed into a million pieces. I was so stunned and had no idea what I should do. Shards and pieces of glass were everywhere. I remember sitting on the ground finally thinking, ‘Ok, it’s just glass, I’m going to do something with these pieces. I’m going to find what I can do with this, there’s nothing I can do to fix it, it’s done, it’s broken.’ So, I divided them up by size and color and went to work seeing what I could do with them.”

This ‘happy accident’ just so happened to provide Leslie with an immense supply of glass materials that could be used for a kiln-formed glass design utilizing a technique called stacking.

“It’s the layering you’ll see in a lot of my work. It’s chaotic layers of glass in different color,” Leslie shared. As she was telling me the back story, which led to her delve into the technique, I noticed that she wore a look of awe on her face as if she were still bewildered that an event so shocking as breaking 350 pounds of expensive, newly pur-chased glass sheets into a million pieces led her to a new, adventurous part of her life.

“I probably would not have tried it [the stacking technique] or even begun learning how to create it if I hadn’t broken all that glass. It’s

Slaughter’s backyard cabana turned studio.Photo by Nina Noel.

Leslie Slaughter in her backyard studio. Photo by Nina Noel.

Standing glass piece made by Slaughter.Photo from Glass Creation Gallery.


turned out to be one of the techniques that I love the most. It was a happy accident. That’s the way life is, it’s a choice, but it happens in art especially. There are failures right and left, and you can always learn from them.”

Leslie continued to tell me about how she has progressed through her ‘hap-py accident’ and into teaching a Continuing Education course at Midland College. This past fall she taught Pattern Bars glass fusing, which was an evening class for adults to gain a new skill and learn a new artistic medium. Leslie enjoys seeing her students get excited about the process of making art with glass, and she talked about how encouraging and supportive the students were of each other’s work.

“It’s a real joy to see people be so enthusiastic about making a piece that they love,” Leslie pined.

Leslie’s love of community and sharing interests with fellow artists extends beyond the Midland College classroom. For example, her involvement with ArtiZen Outlet is more than just being a gallery artist who sells her pieces as retail items. Artists who want to share their craft and techniques can set up workshops for people who want to learn a new craft or work in a different medium with which they don’t have any experience. Leslie has hosted a few different glass fusing workshops at ArtiZen where participants made jewelry, plates, Christmas ornaments and Menorahs. She recalled that almost ev-eryone in the workshops had never before made anything with glass, so it became a perfect platform to spark an interest in the community.

“I love the workshop,” said Leslie. “It’s finite and it’s short. The plate-making and jewelry workshop started on a Friday night. The people came in for about an hour and a half. I gave them some infor-mation about the technical stuff and showed them some cutting demonstrations so they were ready to go on Saturday morning. Then they worked all day Saturday. I had lunch for everybody, and we held it here [ArtiZen Outlet]. They left their pieces because they had to be fired twice, once in their flat state, then after cooling you take it out of the kiln and ‘slump’ it, then fire it again to take the shape of whatever you’re making.”

One of Leslie’s desires is that more and more people in the Permian Basin become interested in glass work and art in general. She told me that last May she had been invited to Portland to be a part of Bullseye Glass Co.’s Educator’s Forum. During this part of the conversation I took note of how modest Leslie is because she described the 10 other invited glass artists as university professors, studio directors, gallery artists and here she was “an artist working out of a cabana that looks like a hamburger stand in my backyard”. This week-long educator seminar that Bullseye hosted offered these artists, who may or may not

already teach the craft, the opportunity to learn how to teach and how to teach better.

“We worked in the studio,” said Leslie. “We made projects, and the best of the best in the industry were teaching us, not how to do it because we already had the technical knowledge, but how to teach it. They would tell

us: ‘this is how we do it, and this is how we set up our studio’. They were giving us their curriculums. It was amazing! I learned more than I can even begin to tell you.”

In visiting with Leslie, I learned that glass fusing is an art medium that changes all the time. New tech-niques for manipulating ‘warm glass’, which refers to anything done in a kiln, are continually develop-ing, and having had the opportunity to learn from some of the most talented glass fusion artists in the industry has helped Leslie sustain her interest.

Leslie’s work has also intrigued people outside of the West Texas region. About six years ago a woman from California contacted Leslie after seeing her work on the Glass Creation Gallery website. The woman was interested in an artistic glass structure to serve as a “visual divider that would sit on a table between her living room and dining room”. She requested an impres-sionist, partially abstract, free-standing landscape piece. Leslie needed to create a piece that was not top heavy and had a sturdy base so it would

There is no such thing as a mistake. There are just happy accidents.

One of Slaughter’s uniquely designed plates filled with chaotic colors. Photo from Glass Creation Gallery.


“Success comes by being willing to risk failure.” — TBM

Elizabeth McLellan, Assistant Editor and Layout Designer of West Texas Blues, also serves as Exec Assistant at Promising Projects, Inc. She loves learning something new and enjoys listening to music, traveling, wining and dining, laughing and smiling. Her motto is ‘Live. Love. Learn. And Share’.

not be knocked over easily. She sketched and created three panels of various layered glass to resemble a 3-D landscape of trees and a rolling hillside. She then made the base out of wood, which she painted black and used a router to cut three grooves that ran the length of the glass, making it possible for the woman to switch the panels around and create various styles of the landscape. The whole piece measured between 20 and 30 inches high, and the base was 28 inches wide.

This was Leslie’s first experience with a commissioned project using the glass fusing medium, and when asked what she likes about this part of her artistic endeavors, she replied:

“It feels great when someone puts their confidence, monetarily and emotionally, in me to create a personal piece for them. I love knowing that I am producing something that someone is going to love and enjoy as opposed to just making something that I like.”

When I asked about other commissioned projects, she told me about a friend of hers that had bought a house in Austin in which he wanted a large, glass light fixture to hang in his 31-foot stair tower. A year and a half collaborative effort ensued between Leslie, the homeowner and Tipler’s Lamp Shop, an Austin lighting service store that repairs and creates custom lighting fixtures, chandeliers and sconces. The result was a 10-foot high fixture that contained 24 quarter-inch thick panels of transparent, lay-ered glass. Leslie was proud to say that the owner’s expectations were exceeded.

Being a glass fusion artist has not been without its dangers, though. During the time she was engaged in working on the glass panels for this Austin installation, she had fallen out of her attic while retrieving some holiday decorations. The next morning when she awoke, her body felt like she’d been in a car wreck, but needing to push through on the project, she unwisely chose to ignore her body and go to work polishing one of the panels on a machine called a Horizontal Lap Grinder.

“I lifted a panel up, but not completely because it was heavy, and I was weak,” said Leslie. “A corner hit the spinning grinder plate which then cut off a piece of the glass panel and turned it into a flying frisbee. The corner piece

flew toward me, ricocheted off my belly, hit the wall and smashed into a million pieces. The pieces scattered everywhere, which could have hurt me really bad. I then thought that I must have sliced my stomach in half, but I looked down and just had a little scratch that could’ve been so much worse.”

From this experience, Leslie learned that she has to be highly focused and not allow for any distractions no matter how pressed she feels on a project.

Getting to know Leslie was a real joy, and I became so intrigued by her energy and her work that I even took one of her workshops, which I wrote about on page 21.

In her words: “I think everybody has the ability to be artistic, in some way. I think it enriches your life because making art helps you appreciate what you see around you so much more. You can look at something and appreciate what it took to envision and produce that piece.”

To see Leslie’s work, go to artizenoutlet.com, or her personal website at glass-creationgallery.com.

Slaughter’s commissioned light fixture installation in Austin. Photo provided by Leslie Slaughter.

I am the adventurous girl, always looking for new experiences. This past December, I had the opportunity to learn something new (a favorite hobby of mine) from glass fusion artist, Leslie Slaughter. We featured Leslie in this issue’s Art @ Work column, which you can find on page 18, so as part of better understanding her craft and who she is as an artist, I enrolled in her Christmas ornament making workshop hosted at ArtiZen Outlet in Midland.

Held on a Tuesday evening, Leslie had every seat filled, and I felt an ex-citement flickering through the room because more than half of us had never before worked with glass. Leslie was very hospitable, offering hot tea or water and some chocolate to warm us up on that cold evening. Once everyone had arrived and made their introductions, Leslie began explain-ing the tools, glass pieces and the possibilities. There were three triangle pieces of glass on our workstations that we could use to create Christmas tree ornaments or whatever we’d like, one woman even made a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. We also had the option to make a snowflake with an assortment of different angled diamond pieces.

My mom is a very artsy and creative kindergarten teacher and my younger sister inherited almost all of that skill. I did receive some of the creative instincts though, which I pulled in when I was assessing what I could make with the glass. Instead of stacking the trees together to make a thicker ornament, I decided to overlap the corners to create a little forest. I deco-rated each of them differently with the tiny glass pieces called ‘frit’. I was so engrossed in working on designing my forest that I spent nearly the entire class period working on it, and when I was finished I only had about 15 minutes to throw together the snowflake!

During the workshop, Leslie set our expectations that each piece might not look exactly the same after she fired them in the kiln. I feared that my pieces might come out looking like a toddler made them, but it was still fun to be a part of the workshop and work with glass. When I was able to pick up my ornaments after they had been fired, I had to laugh out loud realizing my silliness. As it turned out, they looked just fine with only some slight color variations and a little bit of warping, which I felt like actually gave my orna-ment a realistic character.


feb 13-15 (lajitas)

This three-day mountain bike riding celebration includes trail-riding in Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park and on the Lajitas Trail System. The trails vary in length and difficulty, and rides are available for families and children. More than 400 riders participated in the 2013 event. Proceeds benefit the Big Bend Trails Alliance, a non profit group that builds and maintains multi-use trails for hikers, cyclists and equestrian riders in the Big Bend region of Texas. For more info go to desertsportstx.com.

chihuahuan desert bike fest

Christmas forest ornament made in Leslie Slaughter’s glass workshop.Photo by Elizabeth McLellan.

art@work sidebar: glass fusion workshop at artizen outletnot be knocked over easily. She sketched and created three panels of various layered glass to resemble a 3-D landscape of trees and a rolling hillside. She then made the base out of wood, which she painted black and used a router to cut three grooves that ran the length of the glass, making it possible for the woman to switch the panels around and create various styles of the landscape. The whole piece measured between 20 and 30 inches high, and the base was 28 inches wide.

This was Leslie’s first experience with a commissioned project using the glass fusing medium, and when asked what she likes about this part of her artistic endeavors, she replied:

“It feels great when someone puts their confidence, monetarily and emotionally, in me to create a personal piece for them. I love knowing that I am producing something that someone is going to love and enjoy as opposed to just making something that I like.”

When I asked about other commissioned projects, she told me about a friend of hers that had bought a house in Austin in which he wanted a large, glass light fixture to hang in his 31-foot stair tower. A year and a half collaborative effort ensued between Leslie, the homeowner and Tipler’s Lamp Shop, an Austin lighting service store that repairs and creates custom lighting fixtures, chandeliers and sconces. The result was a 10-foot high fixture that contained 24 quarter-inch thick panels of transparent, lay-ered glass. Leslie was proud to say that the owner’s expectations were exceeded.

Being a glass fusion artist has not been without its dangers, though. During the time she was engaged in working on the glass panels for this Austin installation, she had fallen out of her attic while retrieving some holiday decorations. The next morning when she awoke, her body felt like she’d been in a car wreck, but needing to push through on the project, she unwisely chose to ignore her body and go to work polishing one of the panels on a machine called a Horizontal Lap Grinder.

“I lifted a panel up, but not completely because it was heavy, and I was weak,” said Leslie. “A corner hit the spinning grinder plate which then cut off a piece of the glass panel and turned it into a flying frisbee. The corner piece

flew toward me, ricocheted off my belly, hit the wall and smashed into a million pieces. The pieces scattered everywhere, which could have hurt me really bad. I then thought that I must have sliced my stomach in half, but I looked down and just had a little scratch that could’ve been so much worse.”

From this experience, Leslie learned that she has to be highly focused and not allow for any distractions no matter how pressed she feels on a project.

Getting to know Leslie was a real joy, and I became so intrigued by her energy and her work that I even took one of her workshops, which I wrote about on page 21.

In her words: “I think everybody has the ability to be artistic, in some way. I think it enriches your life because making art helps you appreciate what you see around you so much more. You can look at something and appreciate what it took to envision and produce that piece.”

To see Leslie’s work, go to artizenoutlet.com, or her personal website at glass-creationgallery.com.

Written by Elizabeth McLellan


Elizabeth: Being a newbie in the world of holistic healing and alternative medicine, I was excited to have an appointment with Midland/Odessa’s own Iridologist Rebecca Thomas. Walking into the office knowing that she would be looking at my eyes, but not knowing the process, I was a little appre-hensive. I wear contacts and on occasion use glasses, so I’ve had plenty of experience with the optometrist’s invasive machines. I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to get an intense burst of air into my eye, which is always less than pleasant.

On the contrary, Dr. Thomas simply had me move my eyes a few different directions so that she could take half a dozen high-resolution photographs of each eye. We then looked at each photo and discussed what could be seen. Being just a general consultation and not an appointment within which I wanted to discuss a specific medical issue, I had no idea what she may see or tell me. Dr. Thomas explained how the eye is like the computer screen to our brain and shows a map of our bodies. She further explained that she could see the genetic qualities inherited from both my mother and father’s side of the family, and the physical qualities that I had developed over time,

Initially, I had planned to run my first ever half-marathon in San Antonio where I could have been treated to a rock’n’roll band at almost every stop along on the way. But, then I was reminded of something closer to home, the Marathon2Marathon, a marathon held in Marathon … Texas.

While the thought of running in downtown San Antonio with 30,000 plus runners didn’t re-ally bother me, the thought of running in the vast open expanse of West Texas with mountains in the background and away from the hustle and bustle of city life appealed to me greatly.

With a starting point north of town on Highway 385, we were presented with fantastic vistas as the course headed south, back to town and to-ward the downtown finish line. Traffic was light on the road, as were people, which allowed me to be lost in my thoughts during the run and enjoy the beautiful scenery: mountains in the distance, rolling prairies on either side of the road and nary a high rise to be seen.

feb 21-22 (alpine)

Lisa: The first thing I learned is that I have a tendency toward low blood sugar, which can be seen in the gold pigmentation found in the iris of my genetically blue eyes. While this wasn’t particularly surprising to me, having concrete information that explained some of my energy lapses helped fill in a few blanks. Fortunately, this is easily correctable by eating a small nibble of some type of protein within 90 minutes of waking every morning.

Interestingly, I also learned that I had a low-grade viral infection, and it was really fascinating to be able to see in my eye which systems the infection was spiraling its way through. She also showed me how my eyes reveal that I have a strong constitution and an inherited ability to heal easily. My eyes also let the cat out of the bag that I am tired and run-down. No surprise there after three very taxing years launching Tall City Blues Fest.

While we were looking at the images she took of my eyes, I noticed that one of my pupils didn’t look exactly round. I learned that this is an indication of a spinal misalignment I have in my cervical neck area. Holy moly! The more we talked, the more fascinated I became and most impressive of all, Dr. Thomas didn’t once try to sell me any pills or herbs or stuff to fix me. She just suggested simple things that I could do to improve my health in the areas my eyes were indicating my body needed attention.

Suffice it to say that I was captivated by the record of both health and genetic detail that is captured in my eyes, and what they can reveal with the help of someone who knows how to read them.

as determined by my lifestyle choices. As if the ability to see all that infor-mation wasn’t enough, iridologists can even gain an understanding of your personality just by patterns and shapes in the iris, which is the colored part of the eye.

There were quite a few discoveries that Dr. Thomas made about me that she would have only known if I had told her.

-- I have a family history of heart weakness on my father’s side of the family.-- I had a head injury a couple years ago.-- I have low blood sugar and am borderline anemic. -- I hold tension in my shoulders.

One thing I really enjoyed about going to this appointment was that Dr. Thomas had no intention of diagnosing me, telling me what I’m doing wrong with my life, what I need to do more or less of or what kinds of medicines I needed to take. She just wanted to inform me of potential conditions she noticed as it pertains to my family history or ways I can im-prove my all-over health because of developed deficiencies.

Recently, we became intrigued with Iridology, the holistic study of the iris of the eye. Both the Editor Lisa and Assistant Editor Elizabeth, scheduled an appointment with Iridology practitioner, Dr. Rebecca Thomas, who also contributed this Issue’s Holistic Health column found on page 17. Here we share our experience and insights unearthed in this fascinating experience.

My Eyes Say What?


“What you resist will persist. Lean into situations that are out of your comfort zone or feel scary. You’ll bust through them that way instead of being paralyzed by them.” — TBM

My First Marathon Experience inreviewInitially, I had planned to run my first ever half-marathon in San Antonio where I could have been treated to a rock’n’roll band at almost every stop along on the way. But, then I was reminded of something closer to home, the Marathon2Marathon, a marathon held in Marathon … Texas.

While the thought of running in downtown San Antonio with 30,000 plus runners didn’t re-ally bother me, the thought of running in the vast open expanse of West Texas with mountains in the background and away from the hustle and bustle of city life appealed to me greatly.

With a starting point north of town on Highway 385, we were presented with fantastic vistas as the course headed south, back to town and to-ward the downtown finish line. Traffic was light on the road, as were people, which allowed me to be lost in my thoughts during the run and enjoy the beautiful scenery: mountains in the distance, rolling prairies on either side of the road and nary a high rise to be seen.

To the uninitiated, the thought of sitting and doing nothing seems unproduc-tive. After finishing the run, though, our afternoon was spent milling around the covered courtyard of the Gage Hotel resting, reading, recuperating and re-energizing our souls without the constant push and pull of the “always connected” world in which we live.

Our evening was spent in the campground at the Marathon Motel gazing upon a beautiful West Texas sunset. Before retiring early, we sat in the quiet darkness of this small West Texas town and gazed at the stars content to let the conversation drift naturally, unaided by the most recent happenings on Facebook or other social media updates.

While being able to complete my first half-marathon was an accomplishment, what I discovered was the bigger achievement was leaving the hustle and bustle of city life behind for a weekend to slow down for a few days and unplug.

feb 21-22 (alpine)

The 28th annual Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering is a two-day event featuring more than 50 performers celebrating the oral tradition of the working cowboy in poetry, stories and music. It is an artistic, western-filled weekend that includes early morning Chuckwagon Breakfasts, free daytime sessions and two-hour evening sessions held in the Marshall Auditorium on the Sul Ross campus. Source: texascowboypoetry.com

texas cowboy poetry gathering

Written by Ronn Reeger

Ronn tending to post-race sore feet.Photo by Lisa Grissom.


communityspotlight

For the past 10 years Steve and Joy Payson of Lamesa, Texas have been opening up their home and hearts to young men and women from around the world. In 2003, a neighbor introduced the Paysons to a foreign exchange student program called Youth For Understanding (yfuusa.org). The Paysons decided they would seize the opportunity, apply to the program as a potential host family and bring a new face into their family (eventually). Interestingly enough, only three days after applying and passing the background check, they welcomed their first student at the dinner table.

I was fortunate enough to be invited into the Payson home to get a first-hand view into what hosting a foreign exchange student is like. Many bright students have resided in the Payson home throughout the years. In August 2013, a young man named Jonathan from Belgium and a young woman named Rise (Ree-sie) from Japan made the trans-continental trip to their host home‚ Lamesa, Texas. When I asked why they chose to come to the US, both Jonathan and Rice said the same thing: they wanted a country where they could speak and become more fluent in English. Choosing which country a student wants to live for a year has a gamble to it though, because students do not get to choose in which part of the country they will live. It was by chance that Jonathan and Rise ended up in Texas.

Jonathan had never been to the US before, and the only image he had in his mind was what “Hollywood” showed him in the movies. He wanted to see for himself what America was really like. Jonathan noted that since arriving, he has seen noticeable differences in the people and culture from living in Belgium. One of Jonathan’s favorite cultural differences is Texas’ sense of religious community. He said that facet is sort of absent in Belgium. The Paysons are church-going Baptists that encourage the students to experience different religions and denominations, if they are interested. Jonathan is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at school and has been going to Sunday services regularly since arriving. He told me that the people he has met at Church are interesting and open-minded. Meeting people of different cultures and beliefs has given these exchange students an opportunity for personal growth and discovery.

Although it has only been four months, Jonathan says he has already changed as a maturing young adult. He has realized who and what is truly important to him. He said after being gone from your home for the length of time that he has, you realize who you miss, who misses you and who your real friends are. Jonathan went on to explain some of the personal struggles he has dealt with and that some days he feels “lost between two cultures”. He continued with acknowledging the feelings of not knowing who you are, where you are or what you want out of life. Jonathan is excited and nervous for all of the changes he feels he will make through his year-long experience in the US. He came here wanting to experience the culture, atmosphere and what America had to offer. He had no idea that his journey would cause for such introspection.

On the contrast, Rise remained mostly quiet but shared a few of her experiences while living in the US. She has found the people in Texas to be a little less friendly than in Japan. In her first semester, Rise has made

Home Away From HomeWritten by Kienan Goodnight

The Payson Family and their current foreign exchange students in Arches National Park, Utah. From left: Steve Payson, Rise Kawamura (Japan), Joy Payson, Jonathan Renaux (Belgium) and Erik Payson. Photo provided by the Payson family.

just two or three friends at school, but Mrs. Payson shared that this is an accomplishment that took some of their previous students even a little longer. Rise misses her school, mom and her dog, especially her dog but is glad she made the decision to come to America. Since being in America, Rise has found the food to be much different than back in Japan. The majority of the food in America is not to her liking, but since the first time Rise tasted Mexican fajitas she wants nothing else for dinner, except for the chocolate chip and coconut cookies that Mr. Payson makes for her.

The Paysons invest more than their home and time into the students living with them. They take the students on trips around the country so they can experience more than just their small town in Texas. In the past, a few of the family trips have been long distances away, such as to Hawaii and Alaska. While talking with the Paysons I could tell that they really have a passion for wanting to give “their children” experiences they may never get otherwise.

Inviting students to live in their home for a year has not always been a walk in the park. Not all students become accustomed to their new home easily, and that can cause issues. One year the Paysons hosted a German student and a Russian student who did not get along from the start. The two became enemies. After trying many different ways to get the students on the same side, the Paysons realized there was nothing they could do to resolve the conflict. Mrs. Payson used a creative analogy to describe how some students do and do not fit well into their home:

“Each student is a puzzle piece and this (house/country/family) is a puzzle box. Sometimes, a puzzle piece just doesn’t fit, and no matter how many different angles you try, you begin to realize that maybe this piece was put into the wrong box. When that happens, we and the organization relocate them to find the right box.”

The Paysons don’t give up easily. They will talk with each student, ask if there is anything they can do to solve the problems to keep the student there, and try to help as best they can even if that help is finding them a new host family. Throughout the 10 years of hosting foreign exchange students, the Paysons have had five relocations due to various reasons, but they took in another student almost every time. When asked if they will continue to host students in their home even with the at-times frustrations, the Paysons said they believe they will because “they are not quite ready to lose the good times”.


feb 24 (odessa)

Presented by the Ellen Noël Art Museum, nearly 1,200 pounds of tasty shrimp, along with all the fixings, will be served in Building G at the Ector County Coliseum as part of this annual West Texas community fundraiser. The evening will feature both silent and live auctions, as well as live music. To sponsor this event and be catered by private waiters, or to purchase general admission tickets, call (432)550-9696.

shrimpfest

Kienan Goodnight graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bach-elor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Sul Ross University in 2011. While he hails from Kerrville, Kienan currently works for the City of Midland as a police officer — a life-long dream. Compassionate and adventurous, he enjoys experiencing new cultures, traveling, hunting and spending as much time as possible with both his bio-logical and fraternal squad family.

just two or three friends at school, but Mrs. Payson shared that this is an accomplishment that took some of their previous students even a little longer. Rise misses her school, mom and her dog, especially her dog but is glad she made the decision to come to America. Since being in America, Rise has found the food to be much different than back in Japan. The majority of the food in America is not to her liking, but since the first time Rise tasted Mexican fajitas she wants nothing else for dinner, except for the chocolate chip and coconut cookies that Mr. Payson makes for her.

The Paysons invest more than their home and time into the students living with them. They take the students on trips around the country so they can experience more than just their small town in Texas. In the past, a few of the family trips have been long distances away, such as to Hawaii and Alaska. While talking with the Paysons I could tell that they really have a passion for wanting to give “their children” experiences they may never get otherwise.

Inviting students to live in their home for a year has not always been a walk in the park. Not all students become accustomed to their new home easily, and that can cause issues. One year the Paysons hosted a German student and a Russian student who did not get along from the start. The two became enemies. After trying many different ways to get the students on the same side, the Paysons realized there was nothing they could do to resolve the conflict. Mrs. Payson used a creative analogy to describe how some students do and do not fit well into their home:

“Each student is a puzzle piece and this (house/country/family) is a puzzle box. Sometimes, a puzzle piece just doesn’t fit, and no matter how many different angles you try, you begin to realize that maybe this piece was put into the wrong box. When that happens, we and the organization relocate them to find the right box.”

The Paysons don’t give up easily. They will talk with each student, ask if there is anything they can do to solve the problems to keep the student there, and try to help as best they can even if that help is finding them a new host family. Throughout the 10 years of hosting foreign exchange students, the Paysons have had five relocations due to various reasons, but they took in another student almost every time. When asked if they will continue to host students in their home even with the at-times frustrations, the Paysons said they believe they will because “they are not quite ready to lose the good times”.


Musical Moments of ClarityWritten by Marcel ‘Mac’ Broussard

the salty dogThe single-wide trail-er wasn’t the oldest thing on the property, but only because the gravel that formed the makeshift driveway was brought in so many years prior. Through the window I could make out the silhouette of what I thought must be a cowboy because of the unmistakable outline of the hat. Being only 10 years old, I remember this was the first time I consciously questioned my mother’s decision making. I wondered privately to myself as I stood on the stoop, “What the hell was she thinking?” She was waiting in the safety of her car parked on that weed-stricken driveway, and I felt the poison of resentment start to flood my body as I stared back at her in bewilderment. I was appalled that she would drop me in such a godforsaken place as this, but I did as was expected and rapped on the vinyl covered door.

Standing on the other side was a man in a frayed cowboy hat whose prime had long since passed, and apparently, any desire to shave or groom himself with it. Still a bit confused by this situa-tion, I glanced over my shoulder begging with my eyes for one last attempt to be rescued, but the man’s arrival in the doorway was the signal for which my mother had been waiting. The car was already in reverse.

He gestured me in, and I surveyed my new sur-roundings. The flower pattern on the couch was in a state of permanent decay, and the ashtray on the end table was brimming over with cigarette butts.

“So, you wanna learn guitar kid?” He spoke with a gruff voice and had a surliness about him, all the while his latest Lucky hung out of the corner of his mouth. He laid the acoustic guitar across my lap, and I stared at it not sure what to do next. He positioned himself directly in front of me with our knees nearly touching. As he sat, his pant leg rose revealing a knife tucked against the inside of his ankle. Noticing my observation, he nodded for my approval to remove it. All I could muster was a

faint “sure” even though I damn sure wasn’t. He laid it out across both his palms where I could plainly see “S.O.B.” engraved over a fleur-de-lis. I summoned enough courage to ask what it meant, and he told me that there was a time in his life that he thought he knew every-

thing. Then the day came when he realized that he didn’t. Seeing the reflection of nostalgia in his eyes, he continued sharing that when he had all of a sudden understood this, he had involuntarily blurted out “Son of a bitch.”

Gesturing back to the guitar with smoke spiraling off the tip of his cigarette, he formed my fingers into a G chord and had me strum. Wow! I was making music. Maybe I had incorrectly assessed this situation after all. Next came a D chord. I thought, “one more and I’d be able to play as many chords as Cheech and Chong.” And then it happened. He had me pluck the low E string, strum, then pluck the A string and strum again. To my horror, I immedi-ately recognized that my first compilation had been a country lick. Ugh! I was a “Led Zeppel in-worship-ping, Rolling Stones-shirt-wearing” kind of kid. I wanted to play rock ‘n’ roll; there was no way this was going to work for me.

As life has a way of making its more matter-of-fact aspects a priority over playing music, I let my incredible rockstar yearning go unfulfilled. Three decades later, my wife gave me a “guitar in a box” as a Christmas present. I have to admit I was pretty excited. It awakened a long dormant desire within me. The guitar came with a basic chord guide book, and I decided that I wouldn’t move on to the next page until I was comfortable with the previous one. I practiced every night, and

soon I had completed the book. Not even once did I have a faint memory of that man and his country guitar lessons until one random evening.

I had been traveling on business and found my-self sitting alone in my hotel room pondering din-ner plans. I decided to venture out and explore the city in search of some good eats. I was staying near the downtown area, and as I walked along the sidewalk, the sights and sounds and smells of the city were bustling together into a concoc-tion of electricity. Car lights lit up the streets and taxis zipped in and out of traffic. Down a few blocks in front of me I could see a tour bus be-ing loaded. As I approached, one cargo door still remained open. The roadie, who wore the t-shirt of a famous rock band, reached for the last guitar case and tossed it into the hold just as I passed. I stopped, stood and stared. There I saw on the last case was a fleur-de-lis with the inscription “S.O.B.” written over it.

The memory of that day in the old man’s trail-er came rushing over me like a torrent rushing

down a riverbed. I stood there, my mouth agape. The movement of the bus starting to pull away snapped me out of my daze just in time to look up. There in the window of the bus was the silhouette of a frayed cowboy hat atop a diminished old man’s body. All of a

sudden, I had a moment of clarity. The country licks that old man had been trying to teach me were the backbone of the music I love, and I’d just been too dumb to know it. Son of a bitch.

Marcel ‘Mac’ Broussard is a Louisiana native where he met his wife of 20 plus years. He has traveled the world, served in the Armed Forces and done every-thing from roofing houses to producing television com-mercials. His first love though is traveling the continent of his imagination to share adventurous tales inspired by his own experiences. His connection with the Blues is a constant in his life whether it be while he is strum-ming a guitar or closing a business deal.

Inspired by a true story, embellished for fun.

inreview


“Choice trumps everything. Not making a choice is making a choice.” — TBM

After a long and exhaust-ing day of work, I be-grudgingly agreed to take my two young children to the Petroleum Mu-seum for one of their free Family Science Nights. I hadn’t been to the Petro-leum Museum since I was a little girl, and pulling up to the Museum at night and in the dark, nothing looked familiar to me. As my luck would have it, there weren’t any parking spaces available either. I admit I wasn’t looking for-ward to fighting through a crowd of pushy, little kids and their parents while

trying to keep up with my own five and six-year-old children.

As we entered the Museum, we were greeted by a volunteer and told to look for Corey Sample, a core sample dressed up with googly eyes, glasses, a bow tie and crazy yellow pipe cleaner hair. Apparently, he was hiding somewhere in the Museum. (By the way, he has his own Facebook page.) Armed with that bit of information, we were off.

There were many more booths than I had ex-pected, and they were set up with hands-on ex-periments and demonstrations for the children, including: balloon rockets, making moon craters, gyroscopes, expanding universe, cloud in a bottle, telescope viewing, marshmallows under pressure and edible moon phases made from Oreo cookies. My young children’s attention was caught by some of the more active booth experi-ments, but mostly they spent their time looking for Corey.

While walking through one of the rooms, my childhood memories of the Museum came flooding back in an in-stant with the smell of the oil derrick room. My terrible mood changed immediately. I was no longer dreading the next hour. Instead, I began look-ing at all the children’s faces full of awe and excitement. At that moment, I recalled how I felt the first time I had gone to the Petroleum Museum, and decided that I would help my own children feel that same sense of imagination that I had as a little girl visit-ing for the first time.

My kids raced through the Museum touching ev-erything the gracious and numerous volunteers would let them put their little hands on. Over and over I got to hear “Mom, look at this.”, “Mom, look at that!” and “Mom, take our picture.”

At the end of the night, we finally found Corey Sample hanging out with some old drill bits. We were some of the last visitors to leave the Mu-seum. My children held my hands as we left, one

talking my ear off about all the fun she had, and the other cry-ing because he wasn’t ready to leave. The evening I had dreaded had transformed into being filled with many magical moments with my kids. I saw awe in my children’s eyes, but more importantly, I witnessed the awakening of their love for science.

The Petroleum Museum will be hosting two more Fam-ily Science Nights: Science Sensation on Feb. 6, and Creature Feature on May 1. You can bet we’ll be there! For

more information about the Petroleum Museum call 432-683-4403 or go online to petroleummu-seum.org.

Space Escape Family Science Nightinreview

Corey Sample modeling his bowtie.Photo by Stacie Hanna.

feb 21-23 (midland)

Sponsored by American Home Improvement and Atmos Energy, the theme of this 14th annual showcase is IMAGINE, and the keynote speaker will be HGTV star Vern Yip. In addition to a plethora of booths to browse, the Permian Basin Master Gardeners will hold training sessions on growing roses, small container gardening and setting up butterfly gardens. Proceeds benefit the Permian Basin Builders Association.

permian basin home & garden showSome of the Permian Basin’s finest food vendors complimented the tasting excellently. I certainly went to the Barn Door’s food truck (see their ad on page 19) for a second helping. Most memorable to me, however, was the Olive Ranch’s unique line of flavor-infused olive and balsamic oils, and pairing them with different flavors of goat cheeses that were offered under the tasting tent. If browsing proved too exhausting, there was plenty of seating beneath the historic courthouse, which provided you the chance to enjoy a full glass of your new favorite wine, or an entire bottle with friends.

The Festival was a great way to enjoy what has become a very popular pastime for many folks. The spectacular feeling provided from great music and really good wine is one incredible combination. I am fortunate to have taken part in yet another event that showcases the ever-changing culture and great activities Midland is beginning to offer. You can be sure that next year’s Wine and Music Festival will be an event not to be missed. Make sure you don’t!

continued from page 7

Written by Amanda Hart

Haley and Hagen Hart at the moon crater station. Photo by Amanda Hart.


inreviewDracula is not my kind of story, so had my son not been part of the cast, I would have missed an excellent play presented by the Pickwick Players of Midland Community Theatre. The set and lighting, with silhouetted figures chanting “Blood is Life”, quickly transported the audience into the eerie and unpredictable world of 19th century vampires and victims. Hearing the first line spoken from out of the darkness on stage left was the first of many sur-prises that kept us engaged and entertained.

I expected scary and dark, but there was so much more. Lucy’s decent into hysteria portrayed by Samantha Shepherd with her truly maniacal laughter was really creepy. Almost as creepy was her lack of emotion as she watched her mother die at the hand of the evil Count. The comic relief provided by Dylan Watson as Lucy’s would-be suitor, Quincy Morris, was a pleasant sur-prise as were the delightfully evil vampire brides (Shannon Murphy, Sydney Hobbs and Madeline Gessel).

The set was an integral to the story. Particularly powerful was Renfeld’s cage-like room, where he was trapped like the bugs in his little box, their fate foreshadowing his inevitable end. I felt both sadness and relief when the reunion he had longed for resulted not in eternal life, but in the release of death. Wake Brown was truly believable as the increasingly insane Renfeld.

Written by Kristin Maguire

west texas bluesrecommends Passion Planner:

After watching a three-minute video, we knew we had to order a pair of Passion Planners. The thought and energy that the creator, Angelia Trinidad, has put behind her Passion Planner really spoke to our hearts, so we decided to back her.

Angelia launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the Passion Planners, which in the end got funded 253 percent of her goal. She created the project because as a recent UCLA graduate, she felt like she “suffered from the feeling of directionless floating. I felt stuck, scared and I had no idea which way I wanted to go next.”

To some extent, we could relate. For us, working at a small business means that we wear many different hats and sometimes have complex schedules that require us to juggle competing priorities. This can make things seem fuzzy and unclear at times, resulting in that same feeling of directionless.

Designed with our passions in mind, the Passion Planner is a handmade, leather planner that opens flat and covers the necessities like calendar appointments,

to-dos and daily inspirations. It also allows space for journaling, short and long term goal planning and even has pages for mind-mapping or to make note of life aspirations. The Passion Planner combines the best of a day-planner, a journal, a goal tracker, a mind-map and a bucket list all in one.

Angelia says she created the Planner for:

• creatives who need a little more structure,• the structured who need a little more creativity,• those who like to journal and reflect on the freedom of blank space,• people who feel overwhelmed with cluttered thoughts• and those of us juggling multiple projects.

Her desire is that the Passion Planner be a useful tool that helps us get clear on our goals and dreams by breaking them down into actionable steps. After all, action is what cures fear!

start focusing on what really matters

Goal setting page that Trinidad filled out herself to determine effectiveness. Photo provided by Angelia Trinidad.

Handmade, leather cover of Passion Planner with logo imprint.Photo provided by Angelia Trinidad.

“Don’t confuse owning something with being steward over it. Our projects, our businesses and even our children are simply opportunities over which we get to be steward for a short time. They all have a unique energy signature, and our job is to develop them, not control them.” — TBM

west texas blues dedication


Sink inYour Teeth

inreviewDracula is not my kind of story, so had my son not been part of the cast, I would have missed an excellent play presented by the Pickwick Players of Midland Community Theatre. The set and lighting, with silhouetted fi gures chanting “Blood is Life”, quickly transported the audience into the eerie and unpredictable world of 19th century vampires and victims. Hearing the fi rst line spoken from out of the darkness on stage left was the fi rst of many sur-prises that kept us engaged and entertained.

I expected scary and dark, but there was so much more. Lucy’s decent into hysteria portrayed by Samantha Shepherd with her truly maniacal laughter was really creepy. Almost as creepy was her lack of emotion as she watched her mother die at the hand of the evil Count. The comic relief provided by Dylan Watson as Lucy’s would-be suitor, Quincy Morris, was a pleasant sur-prise as were the delightfully evil vampire brides (Shannon Murphy, Sydney Hobbs and Madeline Gessel).

The set was an integral to the story. Particularly powerful was Renfeld’s cage-like room, where he was trapped like the bugs in his little box, their fate foreshadowing his inevitable end. I felt both sadness and relief when the reunion he had longed for resulted not in eternal life, but in the release of death. Wake Brown was truly believable as the increasingly insane Renfeld.

Written by Kristin Maguire

This past October, Sealy Flats proprietor Rod Bridgman knew that he would soon have to have heart valve replacement surgery. He’d been born with a weak heart valve, and it was now start-ing to give him trouble. Rod knew that after his surgery he would not be able to keep up the daily pace required for running Sealy Flats, so he and his wife Dennise began exploring options.

First, they considered reverting back to what Sealy was like when it fi rst started, and becoming BYOB again, opening only occassionally for spe-cial events. Ultimately though, they struck a deal with a friend who owns several other businesses in San Angelo. He was to make a fi nancial invest-ment and take over the day-to-day operations of Sealy, which would allow Rod to slow down some and focus primarily on what he loved doing most — handling the live music.

That worked until their new-found partner changed his mind on Dec. 12. He didn’t want to make the investment after all and couldn’t juggle

running Sealy alongside the demands of his other businesses. He notifi ed Rod and Denise at 11 AM, and Sealy was

closed by 1 PM.

“It was a very tough decision to make,” said the Bridgmans. “But without the cash infusion we were expecting, it was the only thing we could do.” By 4 PM, shortly after the news broke, they were already fi elding calls from potential suitors.

After evaluating about 10 different proposals, they decided to lease the premises to an operat-ing group of three families with whom they have a long history. Not only does this group have res-taurant experience, but they are musicians that have played Sealy many times over the years.

The group expects to reopen Sealy Flats in early March, and most likely will be open Wednesday-Saturday, although the exact particulars are still being fi nalized. They are remodeling the inside and will be changing the menu, as well as how food is served.

“It will be more of a casual-style, order-at-the-

counter type place instead of sitting down to be waited on,” said one of members of the new op-erating group.

“We’re very excited to be working with them be-cause they ‘get’ what Sealy is all about,” said the Bridgmans. “They will preserve the things that work best about it, while fi ne-tuning those things that didn’t. We had a great idea all these years, we just had the wrong business model.”

Well, we’re thrilled because West Texas just can’t be without a Sealy Flats — a coveted place to play among blues musicians. The funny thing is, it all started with the vision of a man who every-one thought was crazy, and now West Texas can’t imagine there not being a Sealy Flats. And even more, if the Bridgman’s hadn’t created something of value, there would’t be as many dedicated people trying to resurrect it.

So, to the Bridgmans: in dedication and honor of all your years of hard-work, sweat-equity and having enough grit to survive the day-to-day, we honor you. You did the right thing, and we thank you for that!

west texas blues dedication


communityhighlightCultural Leadership & Diplomacy Executive Online CourseCULTURE

the arts and other manifestations of human intellec-tual achievement regarded collectively• a refined understanding or appreciation of this• the customs, arts, social institutions and achieve-ments of a particular nation, people or social group

LEADERSHIPthe action of leading a group of people or an orga-nization• the state or position of being a leader• the ability to lead skillfully

DIPLOMACYthe profession, activity or skill of managing interna-tional relations• the art of dealing with people in a sensitive and ef-fective way

Instructed by George Jacob, this two-week distance learning program will explore the soft-power of cultural leadership that is a critical tool for building differences. The series will emphasize the vital elements of urbanization, creativity and creating cultural capital within the sustainable growth of civil societies by examining museums around the world as a premise for cultural advocacy. This Executive program is offered by UTPB’s Continuing Education department in collaboration with the Ellen Noël Art Museum of Odessa, and students will receive a certificate of completion.

George Jacob is internationally known for his museum planning and design-build assignments. His design-build portfolio can be seen in 11 countries including Dubai, Singapore, India, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Egypt and across the United States. He is the Founding Director of three museums thus far in his career and is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Ellen Noël Art Museum.

Duration: 2 Weeks (16 Contract hours)Registration Deadline: February 28, 2014Start Date: March 24, 2014End Date: April 4, 2014Registration Fee: $395 (with reference book included)

Contact Information:UTPB Continuing [email protected]

Documents

West Texas Blues Winter 2014