Category: Community

Community, Featured, Features, South Texas Stories, Texas

Beyond Sex : Coastal Bend Kink Weekend

Victor Herrera

A three-day convention held in Corpus Christi this summer sought to educate, entertain and create shared community around one central unifier: kink. The event, Coastal Bend Kink Weekend, took place August 14-16 as a safe space for like-minded individuals to engage with a variety of kinks, attend educational lectures, and see physical demonstrations on how to best practice a particular kink safely and consensually. The evening hours featured entertainment and the Play Space, a dungeon area where people could engage in their kinks openly, though with strict rules: no cell phones, no one under 21 years of age, and perhaps…

Community, Drama, Entertainment, South Texas Stories, Theater

Beyond the stage: Robyn Valentine builds community through drag

Arianna Rios

A federal judge ruled Aug. 25 that Texas’ restrictions on certain drag show performances were unconstitutional. The ruling pauses the enforcement of Senate Bill 12, which restricts certain sexually oriented performances on public property or in the presence of minors, and had been temporarily in effect since March while the case was being appealed. For Corpus Christi drag performer and show producer Robyn Valentine, the challenges surrounding drag extend beyond legislation and into the local entertainment industry. “It has been more challenging to find venues willing to work with us,” Valentine said in a June 19 interview. “They’re afraid of…

Community, Entertainment

Anime convention Star Con Texas debuts in Portland Sept. 5

David Phillips

The Starving Artist Collective will host Star Con Texas in the Portland Community Center from 1-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5. The one-day anime convention will focus on the local art and anime community in the Coastal Bend. The collective describes it as an event “created by artist and anime fans for artist and anime fans.” Events include a cosplay contest, a One-Piece TCG tournament, and a Warhammer 40K speed painting competition. In addition, attendees can expect a concert performance by Chrysalia, and an artist alley stocked with local artists. Star Con organizers are focusing on making the event affordable for…

Community, South Texas Stories, Texas

Texas Democratic Convention: Bernie Sanders speaks on the importance of solidarity

Priscilla Barba

The three-day Texas Democratic Convention had appeared to be the largest Democratic party hosted in Corpus Christi, Texas. The weekend was finalized with a speech from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. Sanders has been the senior U.S. Senator from Vermont since 2006 and is the longest-serving independent member of Congress in U.S. history. Since his early career in the civil rights movement protesting segregated campus housing, Sanders has fought for the middle class and equality. Sanders’ speech covered topics surrounding wealth inequality, healthcare costs, housing affordability, and the urgency for political and voting participation. The Hilliard Center arena was filled with…

Community, Texas

Texas Democrats rally in Corpus Christi for three-day state convention

Victor Herrera

Thousands of delegates arrived in Corpus Christi Thursday, June 25 for the Texas Democratic Convention, giving a boost not only to the local economy but to the overall morale of the convention via concerts and shared values.  Many arrived from all over Texas to the Hilliard Center to find common ground with like-minded individuals who wish to turn the state blue.  Democratic candidates spoke with delegates, as they wish to represent their needs in the upcoming November elections. Events and activities included performances by mariachi bands and traditional Mexican folklorico dancers, along with a Donor Appreciation Reception at the Art Museum…

Community

Breaking down the Corpus Christi water crisis: What each stage means for you

Arwen Scafidi

Corpus Christi will likely reach a Level 1 water emergency by September 2026, according to city officials. As a result, the city is now enforcing severe water restrictions Restrictions include a ban on all outdoor watering, prohibiting home vehicle washing (commercial car washes are exempt), and limiting other activities that have higher-level water usage. The city began enforcing these restrictions once it declared the water crisis at Stage 3 in December 2024. Non-compliance citations were being issued starting in January and the Stage 3 water drought status has remained in place since.   During a city council workshop presentation April…

Campus, Community

Del Mar students can find paid internship opportunities through the Small Business Internship Program

Arianna Rios

The Small Business Internship Program at Del Mar College is designed to give students valuable, real-world work experience while they are still completing their education. The program connects students with small businesses in Nueces County, allowing them to apply what they have learned in the classroom to actual job settings. Unlike many internships, the SBIP is a paid internship opportunity for students. Wages begin at $14.50 an hour, and students can work up to 19 hours per week. This pay is partially funded by both the employer and the college, making it financially accessible for businesses while ensuring students are…

Campus, Community

DMC’s bachelor’s degrees offer students a cost-effective solution

Pearl Adams

Del Mar College offers two bachelor’s degree programs, one in Nurse Education-RN to BSN and the other in Organizational Management and Leadership.  This allows students to continue their education in the Coastal Bend while also saving money. Both programs are designed for students who have already earned an associate degree and want to advance their education. The RN to BSN program gives the opportunity for registered nurses to strengthen their clinical skills and develop their roles in leadership and education in the healthcare field.  The Organizational Management and Leadership program allows students with any associates degree to increase their skills…

Community

CC Murals stand against threats, embracing the future

Alondra Alonzo

Over the last few decades, Corpus Christi has been painted with murals that shape the city with historical and memorable artwork. And now the 5th annual Downtown Corpus Christi Mural fest will be bringing five new murals to the city. Between May 30 and June 6, six artists will be painting the future of public artwork in Corpus Christi. The featured artists are Anna Charney of Denver; Daisuke Okamoto and Brenda Cibrian of DBSTUDIO out of Los Angeles; Lucas Aoki of Austin; Megan Oldhues of Austin; and students with Corpus Christi’s K Space Mural Arts Program. More information on the…

Community, Sports

These MLB players have roots in Coastal Bend baseball

Isaiah Elizondo

Six professional baseball players from the Coastal Bend have made their Major League Debut since 2000: Jose Trevino (St. John Paul II High School), Cliff Pennington (Mary Carroll High School), Anthony Banda (Sinton High School), Nick Loftin (W.B. Ray High School), Wyatt Mathisen (Calallen High School), Mike Adams (Sinton High School). JOSE TREVINO Jose Trevino began his baseball career at St. John Paul II High School. After spending three years at Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma, he was selected in the sixth round in the MLB draft by the Texas Rangers. In his last collegiate season in 2014, he posted…