I have been wanting to have the blog have its own domain name for a while, and this seemed like as good a time as any.

So, if you found this site, head on over to LifeInBCS.com for more interesting reading and restaurant reviews and stuff.

Same guy writing it, just an easier name to remember…Life In BCS!

See you there.

I think I roller skated faster when Abba songs came on.

Later, in college, I met a girl (who later became my wife) who liked Abba. I like to imagine her in roller skates with disco lights, boogying around a skating rink.

So, I’m sure you have heard of the Broadway play that was made using Abba songs, right? If you haven’t, well…there was a Broadway musical made using Abba songs. Then later a movie. The movie was pretty huge and the musical was a massive hit. In fact, it’s in it’s twelfth year. That’s a long time. In fact, it’s currently number 11 on the Wiki list of longest running plays. Before you hit that link, can you guess which one is number one? (I guessed Cats, but I was wrong).

Well, MSC OPAS is bringing Mamma Mia! to College Station on February 22-24. Cool. I am taking my wife. We are excited! We haven’t seen the movie so it will be new to us.

Truth is, we have never been to Rudder Theater to see any plays, so this is exciting.

I was told that they will be unveiling the events for the coming 39th season on Thursday, April 28th at 6:30pm via a 30-minute TV program on KBTX. Cool.

MSC OPAS stands for Memorial Student Center Opera and Performing Arts Society – OPAS is a committee within TAMU’s Memorial Student Center. It is unique because the board of directors in comprised of community leaders and TAMU students.

When OPAS was founded, there was an opera every season. As the years passed, opera companies stopped touring as much and became extremely expensive when they did tour. The organization’s name was shortened to just MSC OPAS about ten years ago when it became apparent that including an opera every season was not possible.

I asked them what the biggest show they ever did was.  They said it was when they presented the world premiere of the Bolshoi Grigorovich Ballet Company performing The Nutcracker, Nov 23-Dec 1, 1990. 21,000+ tickets were sold. This was a huge international story that resulted in OPAS being mentioned in The New York Times’ Arts Section. OPAS has also had sold out performances featuring Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Emmanuel Ax, RENT, RIVERDANCE and a week of LES MISERABLES.

Their first show was classical guitarist Christopher Parkening on November 3, 1973.

I was told that parking is convenient and FREE (nice) and right across the street. Awesome.

So, the Mamma Mia! story goes like this:

An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna is about to let go of Sophie, the spirited daughter she’s raised alone. For Sophie’s wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends—practical and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya – from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos. But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own.

On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna’s past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities.

Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA’s songs from “Dancing Queen” and “S.O.S.” to “Money, Money, Money” and “Take a Chance on Me,” MAMMA MIA! is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found.

© JOAN MARCUS FOR THE NATIONAL TOUR OF MAMMA MIA!

Produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal, the creative team responsible for bringing MAMMA MIA! to theatrical life includes some of the most gifted and celebrated talents of musical theatre and opera. With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson and directed by Phyllida Lloyd. MAMMA MIA! has choreography by Anthony Van Laast, production design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.

More info about Mamma Mia! and the North American Tour here.

And here is a link to the Crew that are coming.

So, get your tickets soon. Should be a great show. I’ll let you know what I think of Mamma Mia!, the Rudder Theatre and the experience as a whole. Here’s the Wiki page in case you want to learn more before you go.

Here’s an exerpt from The Eagle:

It’s hard enough for a child to lose one parent, but the loss can seem almost insurmountable when both a mother and father pass away in rapid succession.

That’s the fate that befell four College Station brothers — all under the age of 15 — who lost their mother, Kim Flowers, in October and whose father, Nolan Flowers, died earlier this month.

Kim was just 34, and the cause of her death has not been determined. Nolan, who was 42, suffered a fatal heart attack.

Kim Flowers’ mother, Susan Solich, says the boys are coping, but she worries about the long-term effects of the loss.

“The tragedy is four little boys losing their parents,” the grandmother said.

But the double blow has been softened somewhat by the outpouring of support for the four Flowers children — 14-year-old Brandon, 12-year-old Justin, 9-year-old Tyler and 6-year-old Conner.

You may have also heard about the benefit BBQ that happened a couple of weeks ago at the Kroger on Rock Prairie, where they raise $36,000. This is pretty amazing. Well, there is another opportunity to donate to the family, as well as enjoy some live local music.

Lifechurch is hosting a benefit tonight (Friday, February 11, 2011) to benefit the Flowers family. There are 6 musical performers ranging from a bells choir to a metal band, and everywhere in between. The performers are the PGM Choir, Elmo Weedon, Etched In Stone, Brothers In Arms, Behold The Great Throne and a Special Guest.

Local chefs (including Chef Denise from The Lemon Wedge and Chef Shawn from St. Joseph’s) will be donating chili for a chili cookoff. Come and taste and vote. Here’s an article we wrote about The Lemon Wedge.

Starbucks will have a barrista serving up yumminess and there will be other concessions and band merchandise. Most or all proceeds will go to the Flowers family.

Project Yogurt (which is just around the corner from LifeChurch) is donating 30% of their sales during the concert. Try the chocolate. It’s really really good. So is the cheesecake.

There will be a silent auction as well.

This will be a great time to hang out with friends, enjoy some great music, and know that you are helping a family cope with loss.

Cover charge is $5. Doors open at 6pm. Bands will be playing all night…probably through midnight.

Chili will be served until it’s gone. Same with Starbucks. I believe the way it’s going to work is that coffee is free, but you can donate for it if you want. Chili tasting is free as well, and I believe you will need to “purchase” a ballot to vote…something like that.

LifeChurch is in the Tejas Center on Villa Maria and Texas Avenue…behind the JoAnn Fabrics…right next to the Theater Company.

I was told the kids were really looking forward to the concert. I am too.

The purpose of the event is to raise money for Bottlebrush, which is a slum in Durban, South Africa.

For more information visit the facebook event.

Bottlebrush is a slum located in Durban, South Africa. It is the biggest slum area in Durban and 50% of children there suffer from HIV. The concert consists of dancers and musicians performing throughout the night! T-shirts will be sold for $10. This event is free.

All proceeds from the benefit concert will go directly to the Bottlebrush area to help pay for meals, medical assistance, community center renovations, etc.

We’re going to be a part of something so amazing… helping those in need of course! The weather won’t cancel this!

Coffee, Tea, & Hot Chocolate will be sold for $1 a cup, and bottlebrush Tshirts are $10! Any money you give tonight goes straight to the kids in Bottlebrush.

I asked Connie Templin (who has put this benefit concert together) some questions and she graciously answered:

Why Bottlebrush?
Africa was the first place besides the U.S. I had ever been, and Bottlebrush was the first real life “ghetto” or “slum” I had ever spent time in. Bottlebrush spoke to my heart after spending days with barefoot kids, no running water, shacks that served as houses, and glass covered roads. Of all the nationalities represented in Africa this summer, Americans were the minority. I knew I wanted to share this to everyone I could to raise awareness.

What was your experience at Bottlebrush?
My experience was nothing short of eye opening. I grew up so privileged and to see kids without the simple necessities I take for granted, it really broke my heart. It made me appreciate so many simple things in life.

Why Dance?
Dance has been in my life since I was 2. I always danced in a Christian dance studio, and I’ve always been taught to use my talents for the Lord and ministry. It’s so powerful! Dance can illustrate so much and if someone watches a dance and says ” I didn’t get it, until I saw that dance”…. that’s when I know it makes a difference. When I was in Africa we used Dance, Music, and Theatre to reach out to the kids and it only seemed fitting to do it here too.

Is there something “extra” special we should expect? A new dance move or choreography?
We have a couple of special things going on tonight. We have one piece of choreography that illustrates a struggle, and is kind of deep. Most dances for a benefit might not have something so dark, but I wanted it to be realistic. Not everyone in Bottlebrush is singing praises to Jesus just yet, a lot of them have burdens and I wanted it to be represented. I am also using a lot of visual aids. Three of the main pieces have the words being played on the screen with some professional photos that were donated by local photographers. The songs we dance to have such powerful words and I wanted them to be tangible. I’ve haven’t seen a lot of dances with visual aids at the same time, so I think it’s pretty special.

What are some of the songs that will be danced to?
The piece that represents carrying burdens is called “Heavy in Your Arms” and the first line says, ” I was a heavy heart to carry, my beloved was weighed down.” I saw first hand and prayed for mothers that were broken, this song represents them. It’s also personal for me and the other dancers. We are dancing through our own struggles while we portray burdens in general. Pretty deep. The 3 main pieces we’re doing are all by Brooke Fraser, who is an avid mission worker. “Orphans, Kingdoms” “Albertine” and “Flags” are the songs we are using. I suggest looking up the words to Flags if you have time, it’s like poetry. The final line, of the final song tonight states, ” I know the last shall be first.” Which is what our prayer is for Bottlebrush. [check out a youtube video of Flags with lyrics]

Who are the musical performers?
The musical performers are all my friends from random areas of my life! 2 girls, Liza Linney and Michelle Prichard, I know from 5th grade and they moved here to attend TAMU are singing tonight, each of which are amazing and are trying to pursue music. Wesley Taylor, Aubrey Hunt, and Rylee Owens are “Young Life” pals and they play around the BCS area on a normal basis. I know Wesley from High School and the other two girls attend Life Church. Will Agnor is our opener tonight, he is one of my friend’s that I acquired through his wife and he isn’t performing he’s “singing to Jesus with his eyes closed.” The John Family, drove all the way from Colorado to be here and they are natives of South Africa! Pastor Dennis started the feeding program in Bottlebrush, and he’s the one that raised awareness about Bottlebrush to Y.W.A.M. His children will be singing tonight as well.

Map for Lifechurch | Map of Bottlebrush, South Africa

Doors open at 6:00, hope to see you there!!

As if there wasn’t enough to love our hometown Aggies for – this one takes the cake, in my opinion!  THE BIG EVENT!

If you don’t know what it is, here’s how the official site describes it:

The Big Event is the largest, one-day, student-run service project in the nation where students of Texas A&M University come together to say “Thank You” to the residents of Bryan and College Station. For the past 28 years Aggie students have participated in this annual event to show their appreciation to the surrounding community by completing service projects such as yard work, window washing, and painting for community members. Although The Big Event has become the largest one-day, student-run service project in the nation, our message and our mission remains the same – to simply say “Thank You.”

This is the coolest thing ever!  A bunch of energetic TAMU students coming to your house to lighten the load and take care of some things you just can’t seem to get around to -  and all just to say “thank you”!  Only in Aggieland.

We’ve only done this once since we moved to the Bryan College Station area 5 years ago.  The first two years, we didn’t know about it!  How is that possible?  Then, last year, we didn’t get registered in time.  Don’t let this happen to you.

I couldn’t find a deadline for this year on their website.  I think this is because they can only take a limited number of applications, so it’s first come – first served.  They started taking applications on January 12th.  You can even register online now, so it’s super easy!  Edit: OK, a reader pointed out that the deadline is on the application (thanks Kathryn!).  Here’s what it says:

Due to limited resources, we will only be able to accept the first 1,500 jobs submitted before February 18, 2011.

When they came to our house in ’09, we had them do some wall-paper removal, painting and some yard work.  The Big Event Committee sent out about 20 students to our house.  In typical Aggie spirit, they had incredible attitudes and great work ethics.  Those guys got the job done and then some.  A couple of the guys decided that the “sink hole” we had going behind our backdoor needed to be filled in and leveled out.  I guess we had some engineering students because they did a fantastic job!

So here they were, a bunch of guys and gals in a narrow hallway peeling 1980′s wall-paper, jamming out to some tunes and having a great time.  My kids wandered through and chatted with these very kind and gracious students.  The painters (no pictures of them – boo) were in two bedrooms dealing with paint fumes and puke moss green paint (just a little bit of “painter’s remorse” here).  They did a great job with high ceilings, ladders, painter’s tape and kids running under-foot.

The students who worked the front shrubbery beds went over and above, as well!  They made our poorly landscaped house actually have some curb-appeal!

We were told that it was not necessary to feed our volunteers but we provided sandwiches and chips and drinks for them anyway because we were so thankful!  Then we got to sit around our living room with these kind, brilliant and enthusiastic young people and chat while they ate!

There’s lots of things they can help you with but they are not allowed to use any power tools. The things they can do are cleaning, painting, raking and other yard work, moving dirt and trimming trees.  This year, we will be getting some much needed help with our yard. My grandmother always used to say “many hands make light work”. We’re so thankful to these generous students for helping lighten the load around our casa!

The Bryan College Station area is very blessed, indeed!  God bless you, Aggies!

leigh

What’s Kobe Beef? [wiki]

The Wagyu cattle that produce this highly prized meat were introduced into Japan in the second century as work animals, used in rice cultivation. As beef consumption became more prominent in society, farmers began hiring workers to massage the animals’ backsides to improve meat quality. The mountainous topography of the islands of Japan resulted in small regions of isolated breeding, yielding herds that developed and maintained qualities in their meat that differ significantly from all other breeds of cattle. Herd isolation and distinctive feeding techniques which resulted from the limited land availability have led to distinguishing features that make the meat both superior in marbling and in the ratios of unsaturated versus saturated fats.

I think it was my dad who first told me about the idea that Kobe cows are fed beer, but apparently, that is not correct. That’s kind of a bummer that it’s not true. My 8yo daughter was pretty fascinated that they fed the cows beer. I’ll break the news to her later.

She is actually becoming a burger connoisseur. She thought this burger was pretty fantastic…and it really was. So tasty and tender.

So, where did I get the Kobe burger from a truck? From Chef Tai.

Chef Tai is (I believe) the first Gourmet Food Truck in College Station. There are several taco trucks and ice cream trucks, but this is different.

Chef Tai (full name is Taisung Lee) hails from the Veritas Restaurant, and all of the menu items they offer from the truck are amazing. Everything is $8. We have had the Kobe Burger, the Burrito and the Tacos. We got the Short Ribs in the Burrito and I tried all three versions in the taco.

Choices:
Korean BBQ Short Rib
Pulled Pork with Sweet Chili BBQ
Caramelized Brussels Sprout & Tofu (VEGETARIAN)

These Brussel Sprouts were really tasty…and you can tell they are fresh. Consider tasting Chef Tai’s Brussel Sprouts. Really.

Where can you find him? You can go to Chef Tai’s website, get on his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter. Here’s what his website says for this week:

So, check it out, looks like Madden’s is going to start-up a Mobile Food Cart as well. I am hoping more restaurants get on this train. Austin has several…check out this website of some of Austin’s Food Carts.

This is a great article in the Austin Chronicle about starting up a Mobile Food Vendor Business.

Looks like there is some talk about changing the laws around town. As of the end of 2010, there was still a law stating that food vendors could only sell for 21 days in the year, and could not sell for more than 3 consecutive days. I’m researching on if that is still in effect. Also, it states that the cart cannot be parked closer than 300 feet from another restaurant and 100 feet from any Northgate Restaurants.

I think that if I was to start my own Mobile Food Cart, I would make it a Puertorican Cart. Bacalaitos, Tostones, Ropa Vieja, Rice and Beans, Mofongo, Empanadas, Pernil Sandwiches, Arroz con Gandules, Pasteles and maybe Cuban Grilled Sandwiches.

That sounds pretty good. I think that to make it as a Mobile Food Vendor, you’d have to offer a “different” kind of food than just tacos or BBQ. Just my thought anyway. An Indian food one would be great. Fuegos Tortilla Grill should do it too.

Wanting to start a Food Vendor Truck?

I spoke to Lauren Amelia Hovde ’06, Staff Planner (979-764-3570) at Planing and Development Services who is proposing changes to the Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance to the City Council on February 24th, and she sent me this:

The comments we have received from stakeholders have been most helpful in its development.  The Planning and Zoning Commission will hear and take action on this ordinance on February 3 at 7:00 pm in Council Chambers.  This proposed ordinance will then be taken to the City Council on February 24 at 7:00 pm in Council Chambers.  Both meetings will be a public hearing, and you are welcomed and encouraged to come speak at both or either.  Council Chambers is located on the southern end of City Hall at 1101 Texas Avenue, generally located across from Texas A&M.  I have attached the revised ordinance as proposed by Staff that will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. [Download the Proposed Revised Ordinance -Feb2Draft]

But I digress…  So I’ve only been to the Wedge (yes, I’m a regular now, I can call it that) for lunch so far.  The first thing I noticed was how easy it was to find as the front of the restaurant is painted a lovely, lemony yellow.  Maybe someday they’ll get an artist to paint some trailing ivy or something along the sides.  I think that would look nice. Unfortunately, they had a little trouble with construction last year but the road is fully open now!  Yay!

The inside is as fresh and cheerful as the name Lemon Wedge itself.  On my first visit, I sat by the window (this was at the request of my dear friend, who accompanied me, who has “seating issues” – as we like to call it) and was a very nice sunny spot in which to relax and enjoy lunch.  My second visit (sans “seating issues” – different friend) was mid-way to the back in what the maitre d’ called the “hiding from the paparazzi” table.  Large shuttered doors divided the area from the surrounding tables.  It was cozy and quiet.  Very nice.

On to the food! So far, I’ve tried the Whistler (a toasted brie sandwich with asparagus and Canadian bacon on ciabatta) which was recommended by the waiter.  It was light yet satisfying and really delicious. It came with homemade potato chips! Who does that? No Lays bags laying around this kitchen.

I’ve also had the Green Chicken.  The “green” is pesto.  I LOVE pesto!  It was served with tender crisp veggies and corn pudding.  This was a comforting meal to me.  I could eat like this every day.

Each time I went, we were served a small plate of fresh baked bread with butter while we perused the menu.  The first time was pumpkin and the next was banana nut.  So delicious!

As much as I try to stay away from desserts I couldn’t resist the Chocolate Chess pie.  My friend and I shared it to reduce the guilt.  It was served with fresh whipped cream, caramel sauce and a strawberry.  I’m pretty sure it had a pecan shortbread crust but my mouth was too full to ask the server about that.  It was gorgeous.  Next time I’m trying the Mississippi Mud pie.  I’m sure the “non-chocolate” pies are absolutely amazing but, well, I’m just one of those chocolate addicts you read about.  I admit it.  You’re welcome to comment on their other pies for me!

Scrumptious food. Delightful, quiet atmosphere.  Attentive and courteous waitstaff.  An amazing Chef.  You can read about Chef Denise here. Definitely one of my new favorites in town!

I really want to go back for Breakfast and Dinner!

leigh

Wonderful staff. Wonderful food. Wonderful atmosphere. Just a wonderful place.

If you’ve never experienced a Chuy’s…you’re gonna love it. Promise.

Check it out. I have some new info for you. Wait, first, let me tell you what I ate. I took my family. Chicken Pancho’s…those are nachos…super tasty.

I had a Dos X (because it’s kinda the only beer I like). My wife had a Mojito, and it was really really good.

A couple of the kids each had a burger, and you know what? It was excellent. They told us it is always fresh meat…not frozen. Super good.

Oh, ask for the Creamy Jalapeno dip when they bring the chips out. You’ll see.

I had the Fajitas and my wife had the Veggie plate. I don’t know what it was called, but it had an enchilada and a Chile Relleno. Their Relleno is excellent. The Fajitas were awesome.

OK, so the manager told me a “secret”. Since this is Chuy’s 24th restaurant, they hid 24 maroon army men around the place.  They’ve also done this in other stores with something of local significance. We found one of the army men in the hubcap room, and my daughter found a couple more on the way to the bathroom. Fun.

Check out the decor. He told me they hung over 1200 fish in the restaurant. And take a close look at those fish…some of them are very special.

Being in the hubcap room, we tried to count the hubcaps…we didn’t get very far, but I’m pretty sure there are about 400.

Oh, and I don’t know if you read my earlier post about the silverware stickers? Well, I was the first to write a message and stick my sticker on a hubcap. They got a picture of me doing it. My kids wrote a couple too.

Their shirts are pretty fantastic too. We saw a maroon one that said, “Home of the 12th Nacho”. That’s funny. I’m sure we”ll see those around town on Maroon Out days.

All in all, it was a really great experience.

Oh, and I got a “yes” on the dog wall. Bring in a picture of your dog in a frame and get a free appetizer. I’m sure if you cat people dress up your cat as a dog…maybe.

Go eat.

—

jorge goyco
goycodesign.com

Check it out…Yes! Red Mango is a self serve Frozen Yogurt shop, but it’s also a Smoothie shop. They even offer Granola so you can make your own Parfait…that’s a whole meal.

So, here’s how you make a Parfait: Choose a flavor, scoop in some granola, squirt some more frozen yogurt, scoop some fruit in there, more yogurt, more granola and fruit, top it off with some more yogurt. It’s pretty amazing. You will be very pleased with the granola they use. You can tell they tasted a few before they chose this one.

On to smoothies. We tried a banana-strawberry smoothie, and it was truly wonderful. We are definitely going back for more of that.

Of course, they also have the self serve Frozen Yogurts. These guys do “Tart” really well. They have a Mandarine Orange and a Key Lime Pie that you just have to taste. They told me they have over 20 flavors, probably close to 30. They switch them out every day. They even have a “Mojito” flavor that was pretty tasty.

That’s where the facebook page comes in. Go like the Red Mango Facebook page and get daily anouncements and flavor updates.

They also told me there are some pretty amazing specials they are going to announce on their Facebook page coming up here pretty soon…like discounts, contests and give-aways. The manager told me about a scavenger hunt that’s in the works.

By the way, this place has some of the best staff around. Really nice people working there. I have never felt like I was just a customer. They always treat me like they want me to come back. I was in there one day and overheard the manager treating someone to a discount just because they had just moved into “The Lofts” (the apartment complex above the Red Mango store). That’s customer appreciation.

Oh, and another thing: Red Mango (like many places in town) offer fund raising oportunities. Like for example, you have a fund raising opportunity, they set some hours during the day, your charity gets a percentage of the sales. Red Mango gives 20% of the sales. That’s a pretty high percentage. And they told me they do it during Prime Time hours…that’s just nice.

These guys seem to be positioning themselves to be here for a long time, so go make them your favorite!

Red Mango is located across the street from Wolf Pen Creek Park, and kinda next to the Ice Skating Rink. They are in the stores under the “Loft” apartments.

614 Holleman Dr. Ste. 1150

College Station, TX

I’ll post about my experience. I love Chuy’s.