Jerry Dugan's (jerrydugan) Blog

The FamilyLife Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway is in Corpus Christi

Jerry Dugan — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:56:43 -0700

This weekend is the start of the 3-day event from FamilyLife, Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway. I am excited to see this come together again in Corpus Christi. We have over 150 people coming in from outside of Corpus Christi to experience our waterfront community. http://www.familylife.com/groups/corpuschristi

The Peddler Show in Corpus Christi - Feb. 18-20

Jerry Dugan — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 06:47:04 -0800

Friday February 18 - Sunday February 20, 2011 Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds The Peddler Show offers shoppers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience that can't be duplicated. Whether your style is trendy or traditional, classic or contemporary, you're sure to find that perfect gift at The Peddler Show! Whether you're looking for personalized designs, creative gifts or unique jewelry, the Peddler Show has it all! It’s the perfect street of shops-customized just for you! Don't miss the shopping experience designed to be as individual and unique as you are! Admission : $5 Adults $3 Seniors 65+ Children Under 12 FREE One Admission Good ALL WEEKEND! Click here for a discount coupon. Buy one adult admission and get another for free. Hours :Friday 3pm-8pm Saturday 9am-6pm Sunday 11am-4pm

The Coastal Bend Blood Center

Jerry Dugan — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 23:58:47 -0800

The Coastal Bend Blood Center is literally the lifeblood that our hospitals cannot do without providing whole blood for hospitals within a 10-county area and serving over 1/2 a million Coastal Bend residents. Self-contained bloodmobiles make donating blood convenient for donors and account for approximately 85% of the Blood Center’s total annual draw. Bloodmobiles operate seven days a week in order to ensure that hospital and patient needs are met. So, whether you find one of their blood drives on their website's calendar or stop by their facility, give the gift of life when you get the chance. http://www.coastalbendbloodcenter.org

The Del Mar College Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Jerry Dugan — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:16:37 -0800

The Del Mar College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is the premiere service provider to small businesses in the Coastal Bend Region working with hundreds of entrepreneurs every year. Through various outreach efforts, the SBDC is continuously developing and refining consulting resources and training workshops to meet the needs of the ever changing local small business community. If you are a start-up or an existing business, you have the opportunity to expand your knowledge through free one-on-one consulting with your own business counselor. Our consultants can help you write a business plan, create sales projections, understand financial statements, or even develop new marketing strategies. The SBDC offers over 80 seminars per year at the center and also has numerous online training seminars as well. These highly effective seminars are designed to help entrepreneurs at every stage of business growth. For more information about the Del Mar College Small Business Development Center, click here. The center is located on 3209 S. Staples Corpus Christi, TX 78411 and you can also call them at (361) 698-1021.

A Video about Corpus Christi

Jerry Dugan — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:09:26 -0800

Thank you, Mark Scott (San Jacinto Title in Corpus Christi), for this video link. Take a minute to watch the Regional Economic Development Corporation's (EDC) new video. It is a great way to share with you what a wonderful city Corpus Christi is. Check it out at: http://www.ccredc.com/videos/EDC2010%20web.mov Do note that it is a big file, but most definitely worth the effort. The EDC encourages everyone to use it where possible.

February -Get a Membership to the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

Jerry Dugan — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:19:57 -0800

A family looking for great entertainment and education value in Corpus Christi needs to look no further than purchasing a family membership for 2011 with the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History and making that purchase in February. Why February? Well, when someone gets a membership in February, they also receive a free pass in February to the Botanical Gardens and the Asian Cultures Museum and Educational Center. Folks buying their membership in February also receive 50% off admission to the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington Museum for the month of February as well. The value in February alone is phenomenal! Bringing a family to the museum twice pays for itself. I brought my kids to the museum for summer activities 2-3 times a week during the summer, and had my membership pay for itself many times over. Some of the things you'll find at the museum include: Replicas of the Columbus ships Shipwreck artifacts from the La Belle expedition A kids' discovery zone, a hands-on learning play area Scavenger hunts for families Hands on learning activities for kids on weekends and throughout the summer Evening lecture series for adults, and more!

Le Garage - Corpus Christi's Biggest Fashion Sale Under One Roof

Jerry Dugan — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:05:18 -0800

Multiple local shops and boutiques are coming together for a 2-day fashion sale event where shoppers can find clothing, accessories, gifts, and home items up to 75% off what they would normally pay in-store. Free valet parking is available, and wine tasting on Friday from 3pm to 7pm is sponsored by Martin Ulisse. Participating stores include Auvil's Sweet Nothings, Baby & Belly + Hopscotch, Coastal Closet, Cathy's Boutique and Gifts, Follow Your Heart Boutique, and more. The event will be held this Friday, February 11th from 11am - 7pm, and Saturday, February 12th from 10am to 4pm, at 622 Power St. at Tancahua (The Entertainment District across from Concrete Street Amphitheater.) There is a $3 donation cover at the door which benefits Women's Shelter of South Texas. Important note: cash is preferred because no checks will be accepted and no ATMs will be available.

Rekindle the Romance Rose Giveaway

Jerry Dugan — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:27:36 -0800

A group of local volunteers partnered with Mardel Christian Bookstore in Corpus Christi to launch a "Rekindling the Romance" rose giveaway. These volunteers will hand out roses to married and engaged couples who enter the store between 3pm and 7pm on Saturday, February 12, the Saturday before Valentine's Day.The roses will come with no strings attached, but will also come with a notecard where people can write a special note to their spouses and also enter in a drawing for a free registration to the upcoming Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway coming to Corpus Christi March 18-20. The free registration grand prize will also include a one-night stay at the Omni Bayfront Hotel. The purpose is to encourage folks to take a moment to invest in their marriages and remember that it's not about the gifts they're giving but the person they are giving them to.

The USS Lexington, a floating museum in Corpus Christi.

Jerry Dugan — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 23:40:31 -0800

The USS Lexington is a decommissioned aircraft carrier dating back to World War II, nicknamed the Blue Ghost by the Japanese, that now serves as a living piece of history in Corpus Christi Bay (off North Beach). Bring the whole family for a completely interactive experience The new Virtual Battle Stations are a truly interactive experience that will thrust you into the chaos and grit that was WWII. The flight simulator launches you into real combat, the Mega Theater turns your seat into a cockpit and the control room. Your family can walk the flight deck, take charge of the bridge, and view sickbay and the galley below. Around every corner and down every tunnel, an adventure unfolds. The sights and sounds are so real and so intense you become part of the story the moment you climb aboard the U.S.S. Lexington. The U.S.S. Lexington is open daily at 9am with all areas except flight and hangar decks air conditioned, and is also available for private functions as well as overnight youth campouts.

Have you received a call from 503-707-0303

Jerry Dugan — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:29:45 -0800

Since yesterday, I received multiple calls from this number, 503-707-0303, on my cell phone. I tend to let out-of-state numbers go to voicemail, because in my experience out-of-state calls have been telemarketers trying to sell me a higher placement on Google searches. The caller never leaves a message. The one time I answered, the caller hung up. (Probably because the caller thought I was my voicemail greeting. I have been told by my clients and other agents that they can't tell the difference between by voicemail greeting and the real me. I don't know if that is a compliment or not.) A search on Google revealed that there is some sort of scam happening, someone soliciting credit card numbers from those who have answered. Here is one website that I found regarding this number. http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-503-707-0303. There seems to be quite a few Realtors on this website talking about this number. I hope this helps protect you. I have a feeling there is more to this than just someone trying to sucker people out of credit card information. Have you heard of something else regarding this number? Is there somewhere else I should report this, or further action I should take?

Baseball is in the air.

Jerry Dugan — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:37:12 -0800

I love baseball. In fact, I played it since I was 7-years old, and got as far as a Red Shirt in college. My son plays in Padre Little League as a catcher, and he makes me proud! Our Double A Texas League baseball team, the Corpus Christi Hooks, begin their 2011 schedule in a couple of months as well. In the meantime, Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi will stay busy with its most ambitious slate of amateur games ever, including the First Kleberg Bank College Classic February 25-27 and sixth-ranked Texas vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday, April 5 at 6 o'clock. No. 9 UConn, Indiana, Oregon State and the host Islanders comprise the Kleberg Bank College Classic field. Tournament tickets and packages and tickets for Longhorns-Islanders go on sale Friday, February 4 at the Whataburger Field Box Office and cchooks.com To purchase tickets via phone, call 361-561-HOOK.

We're Gonna Get What?! Snow? In Corpus Christi?

Jerry Dugan — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:00:07 -0800

It's not often our weather forecaster shows a map of Corpus Christi covered in blue (snow) for his 3-day forecast, but he did it last night. I was amazed. My wife is setting out the hot chocolate for Wednesday night, and I may even get to use the fireplace in our home this week. Yes, we have fireplaces in our homes in Corpus Christi, but it serves mostly for decorative and taxation purposes (a fireplace adds value therefore homes with a fireplace get taxed more than comparable homes without one.) I know that folks in other parts of the U.S. are cursing their snow shovels right now. I hear your pain. We usually have folks fishing on Christmas day wearing shorts, or playing golf. If it makes you feel better, I firmly belief that we should adopt the mosquito as the city's bird. Those things are bloodsuckers! Check out the forecast. (Should open in a new window. Sorry, no embed code was available.)

Arctic Blast Coming to Corpus Christi...Maybe.

Jerry Dugan — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 01:43:58 -0800

We are expecting some cold weather to come our way this week by Wednesday morning, and our weather forecasters are calling it an "arctic blast". It's not often that we see predicted lows below freezing, but it happens once in a while. Believe it or not we even receive snow on occassion, about once every 30 years. (See attached photo from 2004.) Time for me to dust off the parka from my days in Germany. I hope I can still fit into it, I weighed about 40 lbs less back then.

Turns Out That Corpus Christi WAS a Good City to Ride Out the Recession

Jerry Dugan — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 06:35:42 -0800

Corpus Christi is recovering from the recession at a faster pace than the rest of Texas as seen by four months of job growth and sales inching us back to pre-recession levels according to Sara Foley of the Corpus Chirsti Caller Times. Local economist, Jim Lee of Texas A& M Corpus Christi, states that while our economy is still down it appears to have bottomed out. It is also important to note that effects of the recession were not fully felt in Corpus Christi until May 2009, much later than most of the U.S. In a recent report from the Economic Development office, a recent spike in permits signals a shift in local businesses making the move from consolidation and regrouping to business growth. Even though number of home sales dropped in 2010 compared to 2009, property values held steady.

Sleeping Beauty coming to the Corpus Christi Ballet

Jerry Dugan — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 01:49:18 -0800

Corpus Christi Ballet will present the most beloved of all the classical ballets, "Sleeping Beauty", the famous fairy tale ballet of the sleeping princess who was cursed by an evil fairy and doomed to sleep for 100 years. The sets create an atmosphere of fairy tale magic that brings the audience into a mystical world where spells are cast and fairy tale characters dance to Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music. The performance will be held April 9 & 10, 2011 in the American Bank Center Selena Auditorium of Downtown Corpus Christi. For more information, call the Ballet Office at 361-882-4588, or order your tickets through Ticketmaster. The American Bank Center Selena Auditorium is an integral part of the American Bank Center complex of meeting and entertainment venues and was originally built in 1979. With seating for over 2,500 and an outstanding acoustical rating, the American Bank Center Selena Auditorium has been one of the most attended venues for entertainment in the Coastal Bend area.

Make Homes Safer for Everyone!

Jerry Dugan — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 05:11:07 -0800

When 1 out of 4 women are victims of domestic violence, this issue is too close to home for us to ignore. I am always a proponent and believer that a home is more than just 4 walls and a roof, and my participation in the real estate business is so much more than selling a home and collecting a commission. Readers of this blog post (who reside in Texas) have an opportunity to let the Texas Legislature know that maintaining funding for family violence services should be a priority. http://www.tcfv.org/policy/purple-postcard/ Take a moment to click on the link above and fill out a Purple Postcard. The Texas Council on Family Violence will present your Purple Postcard and thousands of others to Texas Lawmakers as they convene in the 82nd Legislature on the importance of continuing the services to victims of domestic violence as well as pursuing social change to reduce and eventually end domestic violence in our homes.

Corpus Christi ISD Magnet Programs

Jerry Dugan — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:08:52 -0800

Corpus Christi recently received a $6.6 million federal grant for college preparation magnet curriculum in its schools. This grant will allow for new programs that are currently not taught in any of the CCISD schools. Courses in film, architecture, multimedia design (graphic design, video games, computer programming, etc.) and environmental advocacy are among the programs being offered as part of new magnet programs at Wynn Seale Academy of Fine Arts (middle school) and Miller High School next year. The offerings include the possibility of students earning college credit as soon as sixth grade, and provides a continuum of education for students currently attending Chula Vista Academy of Fine Arts (elementary school), which emphasizes performing arts and creativity. Students from Chula Vista will be accepted automatically at Wynn Seale when it becomes part of the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Schools of Design. Unfortunately, Chula Vista will close at the end of this school year. Those who aren’t magnet students at Chula Vista or Wynn Seale must apply and be selected based on a lottery. Students who enter the schools of design at the elementary level can stay in it through their high school years. Fifth-graders who expect to attend Wynn Seale next fall can apply for a spot in the program or attend Baker, Driscoll or Martin middle schools, based on where they live.

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors now have MORE information for clients.

Jerry Dugan — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 23:33:49 -0800

Now, members of the Corpus Christi Association of Realtors (that includes me) can access MORE Listing and Property Information through the MLS Data Co-op. The core benefit of the Data Co-op is that it allows Realtors to access listing information in other markets. This is a great value-add when assisting a client in a relocation to another city providing a little more reassurance and knowledge to a client before making that leap of faith into the hands of another Realtor in a strange city. The Data Co-op is also an excellent way to expose our listings to other REALTORS across the county, greatly improving referral business across state lines. That greatly improves the exposure for our clients in getting their homes sold, too! This is a REALTOR-to-REALTOR solution, so agents will have access to more data compared to what is available to our clients via public real estate sites. CCAR members will also have access to RealAVM to better access the current value of properties with a preview of what the lender will see when they assess a buyer's loan application. The Data Co-op provides everything in one consistent and easy-to-use system.

25 more local businesses partner with Corpus Christi Recycles Program

Jerry Dugan — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 07:38:28 -0800

In recent weeks, 25 more local Corpus Christi businesses have partnered up with Corpus Christi's new recycling program that is tied in with www.recyclebank.com. Citizens earn points every time they participate in the recycling program by placing their Smart Carts on the curbside on pick up days. Rewards come in the form of prizes and coupons that can be redeemed through the Recycle Bank website. Coupons can be printed off from emails sent by Recycle Bank. We just received our first coupons this past week just for enrolling in the program. It was for a free meal at Popeye's chicken. I love fried chicken! It is great to see our city making headway in becoming a greener city. I love that we also have an instruction label printed on the lid for those of us who can't remember what goes into the recycle bin.