JANUARY 2020
BRAZOS VALLEY BUSINESS NEW YEAR, NEW YOU Annual Business Directory Brazos Runners Club Economic Outlook Conference Free Fitness Classes 2 INSITE JANUARY 2020 TEXAS A&M REC SPORTS IS NOW OFFERING YOUTH LEARN-TO-SWIM CLASSES!
Let certified Rec Sports instructors prepare your child for fun and safety in the water with our Youth Learn-to-Swim classes!
This program follows the American Red Cross format of levels and instruction.
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*Visit recsports.tamu.edu for specific class times and descriptions of each level. Register in person at the Student Recreation Center Member Services desk. Call 979.845.7826 for more information.
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RELLIS 50 MEN WHO CAN COOK
SOUTHSIDE SOCIAL CLUB FEBRUARY 18 & 19 7:30 PM Rudder Auditorium
MARCH 17 & 18 7:30 PM Rudder Auditorium
Sponsored By
BRAZOS RUNNERS CLUB
Community of Opportunity In the Same Boat MARCH 31 B/CS Chamber of Commerce Brazos Runners Club & APRIL 1 2020 Economic Outlook Conference By Shelbi LeMeilleur 7:30 PM Page 6 Page 15 Rudder Auditorium 2020 Forecast Get Fit for Free What’s Coming to Bryan College Station Century Square’s Fitness Programs Sponsored By Compiled by Shelbi LeMeilleur TOM AND MARY KIRK By Katie James (McGregor, Texas) Page 8 Page 16 Grocery Gains Community Fun Brookshire Brothers Comes to Town By Katie James 13th Annual 50 Men Who Can Cook Page 10 By Willie Blevins Page 17 Southside Social Club APRIL A Space to Gather, Connect, and Play Brazos Reads 20 & 22 By Dawn Husted By Shelbi LeMeilleur 7:30 PM Page 11 Page 18 A Long History Your Source How RELLIS Impacts the Brazos Valley 2020 Brazos Valley Business Directory By Willie Blevins Special Advertising Section Page 14 Page 19 GET TICKETS INSITE Magazine is published monthly by Integ, David publisher is prohibited. For Integdoes.com, contact Kyle DeWitt. MSC Box Office • 979-845-1234 Anderton, President & CEO,123 E. Wm. J. Bryan Pkwy., Bryan, Bryan Operations Manager: Molly Barton; Production Manager: MSCOPAS.org Texas 77803. (979) 823-5567 InsiteBrazosValley.com; email: Tim Huschka; Office Manager: Wendy Seward; Sales & Customer [email protected] Volume 35, Number 8. Service: Bailey Ashcraft; Candi Burling; Lilly Chilek; Rose Robinson; Publisher: Kyle DeWitt; Editor: Shelbi LeMeilleur; Editorial Sylvianne Velasquez-Misztal; Barbara Wyss. Production: Stephen Assistant: Katie James; Account Executive: Dave Marsh; Beatty; Norris Carnes; Tonya Chitwood; Don Coburn; Mark Eaton; Arnel Editorial Intern: Willie Blevins. INSITE Magazine is a division Estuaria; Dennis Leach; Brandon Prouse; Mike Seward; Martin Tapia; of Integ. Reproduction of any part without written permission of the Kelli Weber; Stephen Woodruff.
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statement fulfillment Graphic printing Engagement Web Design Portals integ From the President/CEO Dear INSITE Readers, delivers. A new decade is upon us here in 2020. I’m wondering if we will be bringing back the roaring 20s. I hope it will be an era of change and growth. Today’s technology is expanding rapidly and helping us to achieve our core work more efficiently. INSITE Magazine is a perfect example of producing a quality product with less steps needed because of technological advances. You are holding a magazine that looks and feels better due to advances in digital and commercial printing. I often listen to TED Talks when I exercise on the treadmill and recently listened to a talk on “a funny look at the unintended consequences of technology.” He said future technology comes with two things: promises and unintended consequences. A great example of this is social media. It was supposed to bring us together in new and great ways, but the consequences are that our kids are less connected and experience cyberbullying. Our human interactions are fading away and allowing us to say and do things that would not be said in person. The promise of artificial intelligence and robotics is a positive by-product of technological advances. In the business environment, this technology will have great impacts on efficiencies and production outputs. The consequences are that less human employment is needed and the Visit our website at disparagement of the haves and have-nots is greatly expanded. integdoes.com Technology is great in areas like self-driven cars and health care advances. My hope is that in the new 20s we can become healthy, happy humans Serving the Brazos Valley! who use technology to gain time in our lives to take walks with loved ones and smell the roses. 123 E. Wm. J. Bryan Pkwy. | Bryan, TX 77803 | 979.823.5567 God Bless! — David Anderton click www.insitebrazosvalley.com 5 COMMUNITY OF OPPORTUNITY B/CS Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Conference
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN The 2020 Economic Outlook Conference is open to the public. Advance registration is $85 per person for B/CS Chamber of Commerce members; tickets are $100 per person for non- members. Reserved tables of eight are available for $750, 10 for $950, and 12 for $1,150. Seating is limited. To reserve space, visit bcschamber.org, call Jordan at (979) 260-5200, or email [email protected].
Conference Schedule 7 a.m. | Coffee with Elected Officials 7:30 a.m. | Registration 8 a.m. | Welcoming Remarks Glen Brewer, President & CEO B/CS Chamber of Commerce Karl Mooney, College Station Mayor 8:20 a.m. | Session I Katherine Kleeman, Licensee/Franchise Owner-Brenham, Bryan & Conroe, Spherion Staffing Services Kelly Templin, Director, Texas A&M University RELLIS David Reynolds, Director, Bryan CTE Program 9:15 a.m. | Break 9:30 a.m. | Session II Joey Dunn, Deputy City Manager, City of Bryan Natalie Ruiz, Director of Economic Development, City of College Station Brazos County 10:45 a.m. | Break 11 a.m. | Session III Matt Prochaska, President/CEO, Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation Those looking for a glimpse into the economic forecast for 2020 and beyond may join the Kindra Fry, President/CEO, Exerience BCS Bryan College Station Chamber of Commerce when it gathers area experts at the annual Dan Rudge, Executve Director, Bryan College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization Economic Outlook Conference in January. Through speakers and panels, the local business Chad Wootton, Associate Vice President – External Affairs, landscape will be discussed as the Brazos Valley responds to growth. Texas A&M University Office of the Provost The conference is on Jan. 29 beginning with an informal coffee meet-and-greet 12 p.m. | Lunch with elected officials. The conference opens at 7:30 a.m. with registration and 12:30 p.m. | Keynote Speakers breakfast. The conference ends at 2 p.m. following the keynote speakers. Dr. James Gaines, Chief Economist for the Texas Real Estate Center, Texas A&M University *Schedule as of Dec. 17; subject to change
6 INSITE JANUARY 2020 2020 Economic Outlook Conference — Speaker Previews
Dr. James Gaines Katherine Kleeman Kelly Templin David Reynolds Chief Economist, Real Estate Professional Recruiter, Director of the RELLIS Campus, Director of Career and Technical Center at Texas A&M University Spherion Staffing Services Texas A&M University System Development, Bryan ISD The 2020 Economic Outlook Katherine Kleemann and Kelly Templin graduated David Reynolds has been Conference is Jim Gaines’ 11th her husband have been from Texas A&M University the director of Career and appearance at the conference. co-owners of the Spherion with a bachelor’s degree in Technical Development Dr. Gaines has been involved Environmental Design in with professional economic School District for the past practices such as real estate Staffing Services franchise degree in Urban and Regional atseven the Bryanyears. Independent research, urban economics, office in Bryan since 2008. 1987 and then a master’s and project risk assessment for Spheriontheir main has job offices is to create in Bryan, being named director of and Technical Education more than 35 years. Brenham,long-lasting and matches Conroe, between and Planningthe RELLIS in research1991. Before and Bryan ISD’s Career For 16 years, Dr. Gaines individuals seeking careers academic site, located in the workforce’s growing worked as a real estate and employers looking for College Station, Templin acted divisiondemand worksfor employees to fulfill with consultant at KPMG and Arthur as city manager for the city prior technical experience Anderson. Dr. Gaines has taught of Seabrook for two years by providing students as an assistant professor of proficient teams. and then city manager for with hands-on learning CollegeBy remaining Station Chamber an active of the city of College Station opportunities. Kent State University and the memberCommerce of andthe Bryanserving as the for four years. From 1991 to In late October of realUniversity estate ofand South finance Carolina at both immediate past-president of 1994, Templin also worked and performed the role of as director of Planning & president of the Rice Center, Human Resource Managers, Economic Development for 2019,open housethe Bryan for its school new associated with Rice University. theKleemann Brazos isValley still heavily Society of the city of Seabrook. districtCareer and had Technical its official As the chief economist As director of one of the Education Complex. This at Texas A&M University’s and its economic dialogues. most innovative research new facility allows CTE Real Estate Center, Dr. involvedKleemann in the primarily Brazos Valley students to have access Gaines continuously offers to new technologies and the Economic Outlook at Spherion and will surely sites to emerge from Brazos equipment that will make Conference’s attendees not managesprovide entrepreneurs, the staffing portion Valley,of environmental Templin has agencies witnessed their learning experience only an inside glimpse at businesses, and prospective firsthandcoming to howRELLIS the cansurge much more valuable. the trends in the real estate employees at the Economic potentially positively impact market, but also his own Outlook Conference with credible predictions for what insight on how excellent the market will look like in the economy of Brazos Valley. the upcoming year. one’s business. staffing can easily propel
click www.insitebrazosvalley.com 7 2020 FORECAST What’s Coming to Bryan College Station Compiled by SHELBI LEMEILLEUR
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the SDRC for approval. A new building City Center have garnered development HAPPY Iis booming. New buildings are popping interest that will be explored heavily upt’s everywhere; no secret that a seemingly Bryan College never-ending Station in 2020. The city of College Station list of restaurants and retail look to make for the Boys and Girls Club, as well as a anticipates business, restaurant, completeThe potential renovation for more for the retail Chick-fil-A and on entertainment, and retail opportunities W YEA to look into a crystal ball and tell you the Briarcrest,restaurants sit is onwide this open. list. Shopping E R future, but we are able to offer you a little N their mark in B/CS. We may not be able more businesses to open their doors. incomplex this area will in also 2020 be and completed beyond. in The FY20, first from and College Station in 2020. centersThe Chatham in Bryan Northview offer opportunity Shopping Retailfor phasefurther of encouraging a regional baseball/softball growth in the our family bitCity of of insight Bryan as to what’s coming to Bryan Center off highway 21 is currently under Midtown area. construction. The SDRC has approved the Providence Park, located just north of to under construction and will be opening in Academy Sports + Outdoors, continues to yours! Manythe near development future. This projects includes in a Bryan new Family are Road as well. develop with both businesses and retail ColonyCity of ParkCollege Shopping Station Center on Boonville locating there. This will be an area of and Ricky’s Neighborhood Market. Commercial development continues on industry and retail development in 2020. Dollar,As rumors Saenz Cleaners, abound toBryan what Animal may or Clinic, may the south side of town, including new The University Drive corridor not be coming to town, many projects businesses and restaurants in the Tower will continue seeing additional retail Point and Jones Crossing areas as well development in 2020. At Chimney Hill, Site Development Review Committee, as three new car dealerships (Mercedes, the Republic Steakhouse and Primrose inbut Bryan construction have been has approved not yet started. by the Path are open and Drury Inn & Suites has been announced. Starbucks is BMW, and Hyundai). Anticipated under construction and a retail center Theseshopping projects center. include a new C&J’s BBQ developmentsand SMOOSH Custom include Ice Walk Cream Ons Cookies.Bistreaux consisting of approximately 15,000 location and Chick-fil-A at Rudder Landing & Bar, Costa Vida, I Heart Mac & Cheese, square feet is expected to be completed still in planning stages or submitted to summer 2020. i Your Friend in the Car Business Only 15 Miles North of Bryan on Highway 6! Further out on the horizon are projects With the completion of Lakeway Drive, 8 INSITE JANUARY 2020 AllenSamuelsHearne.com • 877-371-3227 • 4556 S. State Hwy 6, Hearne, TX 77859 Midtown Business Park and Midtown Since 1962, Allen Samuels has been Your Friend in the Car Business throughout Texas. Here in Hearne we aim to live up to that name! Come By, Let’s Be Friends.
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AllenSamuelsHearne.com • 877-371-3227 • 4556 S. State Hwy 6, clickHearne, www.insitebrazosvalley.com TX 77859 9 GROCERY GAINS Brookshire Brothers Comes to Town By KATIE JAMES
R TO L: CLAY OLIVER – BROOKSHIRE BROTHERS CFO, CHANCELLOR JOHN SHARP – TEXAS A&M SYSTEM, JOHN ALSTON – PRESIDENT AND CEO BROOKSHIRE BROTHERS
new grocery store is coming to College A Station, and it promises to be like high-quality, value-driven grocery, paper opportunities to not only college students “OWNgoods, brands,and health our and private beauty labels, products,” have expectations.but high school We’re kids givingfrom the a number College of says Alvis. “Young people tend to be brand Station area.” nofrom other. the westLocated campus in front of Texas of Park A&M West agnostic: they will buy what’s a good value, Apartments on George Bush Drive across so it doesn’t have to be nationally known.” trappings of a big grocery store, the set to open in September and will feature Besides just providing all the University,a grocery store, the new gas Brookshirestation, pharmacy, Brothers is will also feature an outdoor concert and concert venue all in one. storeIn andan effort a pharmacy to alleviate within traffic walking on George 40,000venue and square seating foot area, Brookshire making Brothers it a The new store is a partnership with Bush Drive, Texas A&M wanted a grocery space for the community to gather. The the Texas A&M System, built on Texas area can be used for live entertainment, A&M land, and planned closely with the distancereducing fromtravel campus. time for The on-campus new Brookshire system to meet the needs of the Texas Brothersstudents andwill offeringprovide aboth convenient of these option things, for watching sporting events or other A&M community. Designed like Kyle Field for students without cars. event space for organizations to use, or and other iconic Texas A&M buildings, “It is a priority of the Texas A&M “The venue will also have a coffee the store is designed to look like it is part System to have a pharmacy with things programsshop, beer on thetap, TVs. and wine by the glass,” of campus. “Our president and CEO is an A&M close to campus,” says Alvis. “Students the outdoor spaces are open for eating, grad, and we have a number of employee likecan transferimmunization, their prescriptions flu shots, and from testing their saysstudying, Alvis. visiting, “When thereor playing is not outdoor a concert, yard owners that are Aggies, so Aggie tradition games like cornhole. Up on the second and a love of all things A&M runs deep small communities where lots of students in the company,” says Sally Alvis, senior homecome from.”pharmacy. We have a big presence in you can have a private meeting. There is director of marketing and public relations floorlots of there seating is a and community plugs for room phones where and back to the community through their computers plus couches and comfy chairs to have the opportunity to serve students, Brookshire Brothers plans on giving forfaculty, Brookshire staff, and Brothers. the rapidly “We growing are honored can buy a brown bag stuffed with hygiene population around west campus.” Brownproducts, Bags staples of Hope for program:a meal, or for school- $10 you onowned a mezzanine grocery storethat overlooks with 115 retailthe store.” Along with all the regular grocery store related supplies that are donated to food locationsBrookshire stretching Brothers from is the an employee-Texas hill country to Lake Charles, Louisiana. will boast ready-to-eat, take-and-bake, will also provide a number of jobs to the Though they have stores all over Central staples,and grab-and-go the new Brookshireoptions, plus Brothers an array of pantriesarea by hiring and other locally. organizations. They Texas and a pharmacy in downtown Aggie souvenirs and merchandise. Online “Often in small communities, we are shopping is also an option, with both in College Station. For more information, curbside pickup and delivery. Bryan,visit brookshirebrothers.com this will be their first grocery. i store a young person’s first job,” says Alvis. 10 INSITE JANUARY 2020 “We instill in them work ethic and high SOUTHSIDE SOCIAL CLUB A Space to Gather, Connect, and Play By DAWN HUSTED
he desire for local, outdoor Not only can the public enjoy pre- T scheduled events at The Yard, but you can College Station. People are always ‘We just want [The also reserve the space for private events, entertainment has spread in Bryan such as birthday parties, graduation parents crave open areas where they can celebrations, and other festive affairs. searchingbring their for children new places to enjoy to socialize, an evening and of Yard] to be a space fun with their friends. Observing the need in the spring of 2019, Jesse Durden opened Before sunset, the smell of comfort food The Yard. He launched Southside Social for people to gather, fromlocal artistBlake’s Dallas Steaks Shipp Sandwich plays aShop guitar and and Club in May 2019 to bring life into the all- Donut Darlin’ food trucks fill the air, and inclusive, green space. connect, and play’ sings Texas music in the background. While where families could come together and adultsFour, kick socialize soccer during balls, andTrucks sit in and bean Tunes, bag disconnectWhat Durden from thehad busyness in mind was of life. a place “He — Cara McQueen children play life-size versions of Connect wanted the yard to be pretty bare — in Friday night is like at The Yard. the fact that you’ll notice we don’t have a patio on the side. Fans and misters chill chairs strewn about the field. This is what a lot of playground equipment or anything the heat on hot Texas days. Locals and for people to gather, connect, and play,” like that, because he wanted kids to get visitors can take part in gatherings Cara“We says. just “Those want [The— gather, Yard] connect, to be a space back to where we once were, where we geared toward children and adults, such and play — are our big three that are so had to use our imagination and encourage as Toddler Tuesday, Yoga at The Yard, or important to us.” Southside Shopping Sunday. Food Truck The happenings of the Southside Social manager at Southside Social Club. Friday has metamorphosed into Trucks freeEvery play,” week says SouthsideCara McQueen, Social the Club general and Tunes, a Friday evening get-together southsidesocialclubcs.com/happenings manages events that happen at The Yard, for anyone wanting to eat delicious food Clubfor more are heldinformation weekly atabout The upcomingYard. Visit and listen to live music. events. i an open field with a large, breezy covered click www.insitebrazosvalley.com 11 Your Local BCS Resource For Handmade, Quality Furnishings Since 1998
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979-690-2917 | 14761 FM 2154 (Wellborn Rd.) | Collegeclick www.insitebrazosvalley.com Station 13 A LONG HISTORY How RELLIS Impacts the Brazos Valley By WILLIE BLEVINS
ELLIS has recently become the most different colleges, and identify the different Radvanced technology and research facility partnerships, RELLIS is sure to have both With its relatively new industry different colleges. acronym for the six core values of Texas A&M financial“RELLIS aid also agreements allows students made with and the their introducedUniversity — to respect,the Brazos excellence, Valley. RELLIS leadership, is an short-termbusiness as and a whole. long-term benefits to both families to lower the cost of a college the Brazos Valley area and the research education since enrollment at RELLIS is works hard to demonstrate these same much more affordable and approximately loyalty, integrity, and selfless service — and “I am confident that RELLIS will site’s new research practices combined with changecome and the view economy our campus. of Brazos Some County,” of them than those enrolled in degree plans at values with every step it takes. With the says Templin. “We have had many agencies costsuniversities $2,200 like to $3,400 the University less per semesterof Houston or Texas State University,” says Dr. Jordan. its already long history in the Bryan College will definitely do research here and some Station area, RELLIS’s connection to Brazos of them will definitely send people here simulation suites equipped with new and Valley is not new at all. thoughbut the industriesit is difficult on to campus guess how are hiringmany of advancedWith classrooms, technology, laboratories, RELLIS allows and STEM theThe war, RELLIS the site site was was deactivated initially the and Bryan used [thepeople agencies] which will will of be course here permanently, help the students to get an incredible hands-on Armyto house Air Texas Field A&Min World freshmen. War II, Theand siteafter are best prepared for their future careers. and also used as a jet-pilot training site. economysort of academic in Brazos alliance County.” between all ten education“In our inmaster their plan,respective we plan fields on so they was then reactivated for the Korean War regionalWithin universities its campus, in RELLIS the Texas forms A&M a building four more academic buildings it was chartered to Texas A&M in 1962. that, along with our current academic After the Korean War, the site sat idle until College District. complex building, will form our academic ownership of the site and then gave it to UniversityDr. Nancy System Jordan, along provost with of thethe RELLIS Blinn center,” says Dr. Jordan. theIn Texas 1988, A&M Texas University A&M received System. full Academic Alliance since August 2019, says Although many people may have just RELLIS made in such a relatively short discovered RELLIS through their 2019 open shown by the academic departments at amountWith ofthe time, incredible it can seem amount like of RELLIS progress house, RELLIS has been a leading research sheRELLIS has sincebeen amazedshe has started. at the sort of innovation just erupted straight out of the ground. The academic alliance provides students “The transformation of this campus “RELLIS has been a research and at RELLIS, who are possibly taking courses has been phenomenal, and we have a very facility in Brazos Valley for a long time. from more than one of the 11 colleges busy year ahead of us,” says Templin. 1962, but it has recently been renamed available, with a much more integrated From far away, RELLIS can just testingand transformed location for into 57 something years, open more,” since seem like an incredibly complex and says Kelly Templin, director at RELLIS for student academic portal in place at RELLIS, intense concept but with just a hint of the past two years. “It is the rebirth of a andstudents smooth can experience. now look at With courses the acrossnew understanding the impact this site will research campus with a heavy emphasis all 11 colleges, easily send transcripts have on all the industries it touches, one on academics.” between colleges, look at grades across all can’t help but feel excited too. i 14 INSITE JANUARY 2020 IN THE SAME BOAT Brazos Runners Club By SHELBI LEMEILLEUR
ast. Slow. Far. Short. Solo. Group. perfect pairing to get a running group off FCatharsis. Exercise. Hobby. Lifestyle. fastest run. Tempo is a harder run — a Everyone has a different approach to social aspect of the club, and found a place You’llmoderate be huffing pace for and three puffing; to seven it’s themiles. theto meet ground each quickly. week, whileBlackwell Grau handled came up the sees it as a common thread to build a with the workouts and routes. conversational pace.” running,community but that the anyoneBrazos Runners— no matter Club your Training [on Saturdays] is done at a running style — can be a part of. “When we started the club, we wanted Additionally, BRC has marathon and husband, Patrick Redmill, discovered a home base,” explains Blackwell. After half-marathonand Half Marathon training and offersplans. aBRC 16-week is the a runningIn 2015, group Monika in AustinBlackwell called and Ship her making a call to Harvey Washbangers, the officialtraining running program. group Many of membersthe BCS Full also of Fools. They were going to Austin home base was established, and Blackwell participate in other prominent marathons nearly every other weekend and the emphasizes how thankful they are to the around the country — and even the world! shared activity led them to start running staff at Harvey Washbangers for being so with the group whenever they visited. accommodatingnight and Saturday to the morning group. before BRC meets their However, anyone can join the group for Through Ship of Fools, Monika and atruns, Harvey and enjoyWashbangers food and every beer afterwardsWednesday runsMembership before deciding for BRC if they is $30 want per to year. join. Patrick met Jim Grau, who was also from College Station. The trio agreed Saturday runs with brunch at Torchy’s onTacos Wednesdays. and other localThe group restaurants. ends their “Harvey “Try us on for size,” encourages current similar to Ship of Fools. It wasn’t long BRCThe President group is Kristi really Holstead. designed “Find for anyone out if that Bryan College Station needed a club it’s the right fit for you before joining.” WashbangersAnyone in thejust community made sense canbecause join it’s diverse in experience, pace, distance, and beforerecall where the Brazos they gotRunners their Clubstart. took off, central to B/CS and has a big patio.” whoage — is butinterested most importantly, in running. openBRC isand with the apt nickname “Boat of Fools” to options available: Monday practice at inclusive to everyone who wants to run. BRCthe A&M on their Consolidated runs. There Middle are three School Additionally, the group setting offers a push“I wantedme ... to thehave camaraderie,” people you can says train BRC sense of family and comradeship. Founder Blackwell. “I wanted people to Saturday workouts. Some members only More information can be found at track,go to one Wednesday workout tempoa week, workouts, a combination and brazosrunnersclub.com or through with,see you.” recover from races, and [if you show of all three, or sporadically whenever up] once in a blue moon ... still be happy to they can. Facebook page. group and Grau’s knowledge of running “Track workouts are short, but hard,” updates on the Brazos Runners Club andBlackwell’s meticulous passion spreadsheets for an all-inclusivewas the says Grau. “Track is designed for speed. i “We may not be the same pace,” says click www.insitebrazosvalley.com 15 Blackwell, “but we’re all in the same boat.” GET FIT FOR FREE Century Square’s Fitness Programs By KATIE JAMES
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIDWAY
“It’s not intimidating like a gym, and it’s we’re going to go,’” says Tyson. “They’ve Tgoals, and Century Square in College a really cool alternative to an everyday canceled only once or twice because it Stationhe new has year just themeans thing. new Home fitness to retail, workout,” says Tyson. “If it’s not your cup of was unsafe.” restaurants, hotels, and apartments, tea, you can always try something else. … the shopping center on University Drive The instructors always want new people to across from Texas A&M University’s come, and they’re really welcoming.” varietyThese of fitness retail and programs restaurants provide that both call Every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. aCentury sense of Square community home. and benefit the throughout the week. Staples like Yoga Lululemon hosts Yoga on the Green, an Tyson hopes having free, fun events campuson the Green, also hosts Lululemon free fitness Run Club, programs and makes Century Square a welcoming place Fit4Mom Stroller Strides are accompanied on the green space in front of Poppy. It’s to be. by unique pop-up classes on a variety of hour-longfree, open yogato the class public, for andany doesfitness not level “If people go to brunch before yoga require regular attendance to enjoy. In the case of inclement weather, Lululemon fitnessserve multiple trends. audiences,” says Marketing opens up their store to host. or Mo’s happy hour, that benefits [the “We strive to have diverse offerings that “Yoga’s so wide-ranging, so it’s not restaurants],”just getting people says onTyson. the property“It’s nice toand to come out and have fun. … Especially if limiting to anybody, and you see a wide seeknowing people that patronizing we have a those neat placeplaces in or Associateyou’re making Amanda those Tyson. 2020 “Weresolutions, want people and range attending too,” says Tyson. “Every College Station.” Saturday, we see the event attendance go In the past, Century Square has over, come out to the Green. You can come youwith want your to friends. start those It could fitness jumpstart goals alland inspire those resolutions.” up.they More can stillpeople go theare nextfiguring week.” out about it hosted events like a pop-up Pure Barre One of the programs continuing into andLululemon realizing if also they hosts can’t a go Run one Club week, that class,Tyson a says kickboxing they receive class, quite and a a Burgers few offers the new year is Fit4Mom Stroller Strides, a meets Tuesdays at 6 p.m. They meet at andfor classes Barbells on event the Green, hosted and by theyHopdoddy. decide novel workout that incorporates strollers the Lululemon store and end at Mo’s which to accept on a monthly basis. These into the regimen. The free, hour-long Irish Pub where they hang out and enjoy one-off classes ensure there is always class on the Green is open to anyone, special happy hour deals. If weather will something new going on at the Green. including dads and other family members, be an issue, about 24 hours before the and the group goes out to lunch together program they will make the call to cancel pipeline that we’re excited about,” says afterwards. They meet on the third or reschedule it. Tyson.“We “Stay do have updated a couple on ourthings Facebook in the and “The run club is very ‘let’s embrace website, and we’ll post when new things The next class is on Jan. 22. the elements: put on a hoodie, and do come.” i Wednesday of every month at 9:30 a.m. 16 INSITE JANUARY 2020 COMMUNITY FUN 13th Annual 50 Men Who Can Cook By WILLIE BLEVINS
ADAM SNIDOW AND BRETT LAWLER FROM CC ROY RODRIGUEZ AND JOSHUA ZEHNDER FROM CREATIONS POSED FOR THE CAMERA BEFORE PECAN TRAIL INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL JUMPED FOR SERVING UP SOME TASTY “SLOPPY JOES”; JOY AS THEY PREPARED THEIR “BOWSER’S BULGOGI” PHOTO BY MARK SYKES PHOTOGRAPHY APPETIZER; PHOTO BY MARK SYKES PHOTOGRAPHY
of the College Station ISD Education the accomplishments of the wonderful Theld by the College Station ISD educators and students in the community Educationhe 50 Men Foundation, Who Can is Cook one fundraiser,of the many since 1999. The main way the Education enjoyable events hosted in College Station. Foundationthey made pies since and 2009. let people “One year, throw BB&T Foundation is able to award teachers Although just one of many fundraisers Bankthem threwand last a ‘throw-a-pie’year, CC Creations booth dressed where and students with supplies, grants, and held by the Education Foundation, the up as lunch ladies with a makeshift scholarships is with the numerous events cafeteria booth.” they hold. main fundraiser. This event is both unique and If you are looking for ways to support 13th annual 50 Men Who Can Cook is their incredibly entertaining, but it also and aid the Education Foundation, provides a great time for the community withThe the event’s foundation name, either 50 Men through Who Can to come together. Cook,community comes or from education, the 50 men,that hostall affiliated their “The ticket includes access to the attendingneeds of College the 50 StationMen Who students Can Cook growing, own booths with their chosen dish. People all you can eat, silent auction, adult fundraiserthe need for is support just one and of many. assistance With the in the community can come, walk around, beverages, our ‘mystery booth,’ and more,” from the community is also growing. and taste the men’s food. The dishes vary You can also partner with the Education vote for the best booth, so the guys really Foundation by making an annual gift that stateslike the Benden. competitive “All of element.” the attendees get to supports all programs throughout the frommake appetizers/salads, 900 two-ounce samples entrees, of theirdesserts, dish The Education Foundation heavily andfor the soups/chilis, competition. and each booth has to anticipates the future of this beloved donate matching contributions, gifts, As of recent years, many men in the year; sponsor a specific event or program; competition decide to go full out with the Education Foundation is that the 50 services; or volunteer for the Education themes, costumes, and decorations for event. “What is most important to us at realFoundation estate, stocks/bonds,at one of their orevents products/ at any of their booths. and that there is no talking head at the their schools. Men Who Can Cook event feels very casual at this event, mostly from the creative The College Station ISD Education booth“We themes. have made One manyof our great Kids memoriesClub staff event,” states Benden. p.m.50 Tickets Men Who can Canbe purchased Cook is Feb. online 7 at the built an entire pirate ship for their booth and has been working to support, Brazosat givetokids.csisd.org County Expo from, and 6:30 for to more 9:30 Foundationprovide resources, is a nonprofit and acknowledge organization information, call (979) 694-5615. i click www.insitebrazosvalley.com 17 before,” says Teresa Benden, director House Plans by AccuPlan Design SOCIAL GRACES BRAZOS Creative Design of Home & Remodel Plans READS Office • Retail By SHELBI LEMEILLEUR Build-out Plans r hite t & nteri r Desi ner InsiteBrazosValley.com (979) 778-8406 “You see, we are here, as far as I can tell, to help each other; our brothers, our sisters, our friends, our enemies. That is to help each other and not hurt each other.” – Stevie Ray Vaughan
2020 Blood on the Cotton
A Historical Interpretation of Texas Blues Music