Ivy Davis nuzzles her pet Ivan, a green cheek conure parrot, at Helen’s Garden in League City. The 3-year-old parrot is on Davis’ shoulder most of the time when they’re home. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
More than pretty
Countdown comeback
Members of the band The Countdown 5, from left, John Balzer, Steve Long, Tommy Murphy, Mack Hayes and Tommy Williams sit together during a reunion at Moody Gardens in Galveston. The Countdown 5 is releasing an international album 50 years later. Photo by Kelsey Walling
Record label remasters and revives music from local 1960s band
‘I truly love creating’
Frederick B. Richardson Sr. stands in front of some of his paintings in his home in Texas City. Richardson enjoys using acrylics, pencil and pastels for his art. Photo by Kelsey Walling
Inspired by his mother and teachers, retired preacher pursues his art
Each piece of art displayed in the rooms of Frederick B. Richardson Sr.’s Texas City home tells a different story through creations he has painted from thoughts and ideas in his mind. [Read more…]
‘Vintage girl in a modern world’
Two-piece suit: Goodwill, $9.99; cami: Value Village, $2; shoes: Steve Madden, $59.99; earrings: Burlington, $6.99; outfit total: $78.97. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds
How thrifting became a way of life for a former La Marque resident
Ashley Judge has loved fashion for as long as she can remember. [Read more…]
‘Secret to a great boil’
Brad Carroll pours crawfish into a cooler. Carroll and his wife, Dionne, frequently host crawfish boils at their house in Dickinson. Photo by Kelsey Walling
Dickinson couple brings New Orleans-inspired crawfish recipe to Texas
Shortly after Brad and Dionne Carroll moved to Dickinson in 2005 — after Hurricane Katrina devastated their hometown of New Orleans — the search was on for places to eat that reminded them of home. [Read more…]
The FFA way
Texas City High School sophomore Javonne Pool will be exhibiting his heifers at this year’s Galveston County Fair & Rodeo in Hitchcock. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Longtime farming program teaches leadership and life lessons
Several students from the Texas City Independent School District’s Future Farmers of America program will be in competition at this year’s Galveston County Fair & Rodeo. [Read more…]
‘Divine inspiration’
From wood shop classes in middle and high school, to his grandfather and uncle who were carpenters by trade, working with wood isn’t new to Norman Bloom III. It wasn’t until last year, though, after the death of his grandmother, that he began building and creating pieces for friends and family. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds
Loss of beloved grandmother propels island artist
Norman “Snooze” Bloom III has always loved working with his hands and creating things with wood or other materials. [Read more…]
Top tier
Brittany Garcia, left, owner of Bake Me a Dream, and Anabel Villarreal add white chocolate coral, starfish and shells to a five-tiered, coastal-themed cake at the Texas City bakery. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds
When it comes to sweet creations, these coastal bakers take the cake
With the rising popularity of reality TV shows such as “Cake Boss” and more recently “Texas Cake House,” it’s clear that bakers everywhere have elevated their craft beyond plain vanilla. And bakers of the upper Texas coast are proving they can hold their own in an industry in which cake designs are getting bolder and ever more sophisticated. Coast Monthly sits downs with three area cake makers who prove you can have your art and eat it, too. [Read more…]