Santa’s Wonderland Launches Cool New Site

I know it’s not the Christmas season yet, but I wanted to write abouta new website just launched by a local attraction that’s been here for over 12 years. It’s pretty much a landmark…especially if you drive by at night during the season.

Santa’sWonderland is that place on HWY 6 on the way to Navasota with all the lights and the Old West looking town. You’re sure to have seen it if you drive by during the Christmas Season. It’s a beautiful site. It’s the most lights I’ve ever seen in one place. They actually made “walls” of lights. Pretty cool. Well, if you haven’t been, you should check it out this year. It’s not open yet, but they will be selling advance tickets pretty soon. They are opening on November 20th.

They asked me to help them work on their website…both the Santa’s Wonderland and the Santa’s Town website. The artwork was created by a Santa’s Wonderland family memeber. It’s really a beautiful site. There’s snow falling, flickering lanterns, photos and all the information you need to learn about Santa’s Wonderland.

They’re scheduling live music, they have a mechanical bull, a petting zoo, and of course, hayrides and vehicle tours through the lights.

They told me they added a bunch more lights this year, and have added some LED lights and worked out some of the parking issues as well.

They have shops, a cafe and so much for the whole family. They even play various Christmas Movies at Santa’s Town. Check out the Santa’s Wonderland website for more information.

We’re still updating some of the pages on the site, so check back for more information. I’ll be writing another post once they schedule the live music events for the season, so stay tuned.

Oh, and Merry Christmas!

8 Course Event with Veritas at The Republic

I just found out about an 8 course event going on at The Republic on July 16th at The Republic. It’s an 8 course dinner at The Republic Steakhouse where Chef Wade Barkman from The Republic will prepare 6 courses and Chef Tai Lee of Veritas will prepare the remaining 2.

Join their Facebook group for more information.

Here is a list of the courses that will be presented:

Hors d’ Oeuvres
Madison Farms Lemon Boy Bisque
Roasted Heirloom Tomato Oil, Crème Fraiche,
Basil Chiffonade

Amuse Bouche
House Smoked Salmon
Texas Goat Cheese Blini, Fresh Dill Clotted Cream,
Lemon Zest

First Course
Pan Roasted Diver Scallops
Honey Crème Fraiche, White Truffle Oil, Sweet Carrot
Puree, English Pea Relish, Shaved Asparagus

Second Course
Smoked & Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Green Chile Bacon Grits, Sauteed Malabar Spinach,
Jack Daniels Red Eye Gravy

Intermezzo
Bourbon Soaked Bing Cherry Sorbet

Third Course
Coriander Crusted Sea Bass
Sauteed Baby Spinach, House Smoked Bacon,
Red Chile Bacon Buerre Blanc

Fourth Course
New Zealand Lamb Chops
Romesco, Herbed Demi Cloud of Shallot Butter,
Baby Carrots

Fifth Course
Dulce de Leche Pots de Crème
Pecan Shortbread, Grandma’s Cookies

Wade Barkman- Executive Chef/Owner- The Republic
Tai Lee- Executive Chef- Veritas Wine & Bistro

Here’s their phone number so you can call and reserve: 979-260-4120

Also, Thursday Nights has blown up at The Republic, you should check it out. Go have a drink and listen to some great musicians having a great time. Guitars, voices and a trombone…sounds pretty good.

What to do In Bryan/College Station on July 4th, 2009

So, July 4th is upon us again. It’s hot, no sign of the heat lessening, and everything seems to be outside of the 4th, so be careful, wear sunscreen, drink lots of water, you know, all that safety stuff.

As far as fireworks, there’s a burn ban in effect, so you’ll have to ask the fireworks merchants what the restrictions are.

So, we haven’t decided what we’re going to do, but there are plenty of things to do this year. I’ve done a bit of research and found some great, fun sounding activities for Independence day. Some of you might actually be in the same place as me this weekend.

I’ll start with the Tried and True events that happen every year:

George Bush Library

For the tenth year, the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum will host the College Station Lions Club’s annual Fourth of July Celebration, “I Love America.” This is the 49th year for this community event. The Museum will open at 9:30 a.m. and extend their hours until 8:30 p.m. Admission to the Museum on the Fourth of July is free for everyone all day. Historical characters will be mingling with the crowd to pose for photographs and answer questions about their distinguished careers. Live entertainment, concessions, and games for the children will all begin at 5:30 p.m. The evening will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display and concert by the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra. People are encouraged to come early and bring their lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets. Please no glass containers!

Parking is available to the public at the West Campus Parking Garage on the Texas A&M University campus. Shuttles will begin running at 4:30 p.m. from the garage to the Museum. Handicapped parking is available in Lot 41 in front of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum entrance.

For more information, please call (979) 691-4068.

Washington on the Brazos

Celebrate America’s independence on the site where Texas declared her independence!  Enjoy a full day of festivities on Tuesday, July 4th at the “Birthplace of Texas,” Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.  Admission to the Park is free, and activities will be held from 10:00a.m. until 10:00p.m.

Children can participate in period games from the late 1800’s beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Free Blue Bell ice cream and free Coca-Cola drinks will be served at 7:00p.m. At 8:00p.m. relax with a picnic and listen to the Houston Symphonic Band perform patriotic favorites. The highlight of the celebration begins at approximately 9:15p.m. when HEB presents Fireworks-on-the-Brazos – an enormous fireworks extravaganza that can be viewed from all locations within the 293 acre park.

Visitors can tour historic sites within the park during the day, including Barrington Living History Farm, Independence Hall, and the Star of the Republic Museum.  Regular admission/tour fees apply. Call 936-878-2214 for tour hours and fees.

Food vendors will offer a variety of food choices on-site.  Visitors may wish to bring picnics, blankets or lawn chairs, and flashlights.  State park rules apply; alcohol prohibited.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is located halfway between Brenham and Navasota on State Hwy. 105, approximately one hour northwest of Houston.  Directions and more information are available by calling 936-878-2214.

Family Movie Opening this week: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs…Opening Wednesday the 1st of July…here are more movie times. Looks like it’s in 3D. We watched Bolt in 3D And it was pretty cool. Toy Story 3 is gonna be 3D. Up is still playing…if you haven’t watched Up, go watch that. I cried within the first 30 minutes…great movie. We didn’t watch it in 3D, but I heard it was really fantastic in 3D.

Here are some other things that might interest you:

Soggy Bottom ATV Ranch

Independence Day, Picnic at the Lake [more]
* Come hang out, listen to music and enjoy all the activities, celebrating the birth of our proud nation.
* 4 on 4 Water Volleyball Tournament, Prizes to be given.
* Washers Tournament
* Free hot dogs and sodas while supplies last.
* Bring your fireworks and let’s have a blast!
* Regular park hours, gates will open at 8 AM on Thursday and close Sunday at dark.
* Normal Park Rates Apply
* Mud Races

Live Music:

Stafford Downtown Bryan: Reverend J Goodin and Bulletproof Brown – 9pm

Other Events:

Aquablast at the Bryan Aquatic Center. Celebrating their 25th Birthday from 1-7pm $3 admission.  For more information call 979-209-5222

Triumph Homeschool Community: 4th of July Picnic! Cornerstone Acres, 5105 Wallis Road beginning 6:30 p.m. [more]

Traditions Club House: Food and Fun. Live music by Elmo Weedon (Traditions memebers only)

JJ’s Snow Cones: Don’t forget to stop by to get an ice cold yummy snow cone.

5th of July

Texas World Speedway: Fireworks, Miata Ride Along, Vintage Indy Car races, Burn out contest, 5K Fun Run. Check it out.

Have fun!

Looking for Something to do Tonight?

OK, so I know you can’t trust what I say about my own music…I wouldn’t…but you might like it. I am playing at The Stafford on Main Street in Downtown Bryan tonight at 9pm, then my friend Promise (who has a much better voice than mine) is playing at 10pm, then I’m going back on and playing another hour. By that time you should know if you like what I do or not.

I would say my style is somewhere between Ben Folds Five, Death Cab, and some guy playing guitar in a coffee shop open mic night.

I suggest bringing rubber bands or peanuts and passing the time trying to hit me in the face. I won’t mind. I’ll take it as a compliment.

Have you ever watched the Rocky Horror Picture Show? Not just watch it, but you know, participate? Water guns, yelling at the screen, umbrellas…all that stuff. How great would that be if we started something like that right here in Bryan/College Station.

I will most definitely volunteer as the target.

I used to DJ at raves and would throw out those little “high bounce balls” into the crowd, and would actually end up getting hit quite a few times throughout the night. Cheeks, eye, head…lots of head shots…and a few had REALLY good aim (if you know what I mean).

So, $5 cover, $2 wells all night, music…maybe some laughs.

My lyrics range from my obsessive (teetering on stalker) type love songs, to bodily function songs to story songs with strange morals. You’ll see.

Promise will be performing original songs as well, and she’s worth paying $5 to experience.

My friend John Dukes will be playing hand percussion for me…he’s never actually heard any of my songs, but he’s really good.

Oh, and I’m bringing my hat collection.

And if you can’t make it out tonight, I’ll be playing at the Stafford later this month and next month too.

Throw a Chicken in to Frito’s Mouth

You know, the Frito of Frito and Alli on Morning Candy…Candy 95. So I needed to make a basketball game for a client and I decided to mess with it a bit. Here it is, it’s called “Chicken Frito“.

I sent it to Alli, Frito might like it, we’ll see. Maybe they’ll mention it and call me or something.

You can play more of my games at GoycoDesign.com

jorge