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Happy Friday, Corpus Christi. In today’s edition: North Beach rebuild, The Nutcracker, Letters to Santa, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Major changes for North Beach: Corpus Christi City Council awarded a $2.1 million contract to rebuild East Surfside Boulevard with infrastructure upgrades, ADA ramps, and a change to two-way traffic between Breakwater and Coastal — see what’s planned for Surfside.
Leaders split on project financing: After heated debate, Island TIRZ weighed a $2.1 million Briscoe King pavilion boost as leaders disputed a $5.5 million seawall shortfall and the city pledged a clearer funding plan soon — get all the details.
Council hears water plans: Facing a November 2026 deadline, Corpus Christi Water said $46 million in state funding backs new wells, expands the Mary Rhodes Pipeline, and brings back the Inner Harbor desalination plan — read the full story.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.
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A treasure trove of books in need of a home for the holidays
In partnership with Black Cat Books
The holidays are for giving, and Black Cat Books has shelves full of forgotten classics, rare finds, and quirky titles waiting for someone to give them a home.
Think of it as adopting instead of shopping.
These are the types of books that have stories beyond their pages. They’ve lived in local attics, traveled through decades, and somehow ended up at 1316 S. Staples St. looking for their next reader.
When you take one home (or gift it to someone you love), you’re keeping its story alive.
Whether you’re shopping for the person that’s notoriously hard to buy for, treating yourself, or just browsing, you’ll find a cozy shop full of options you won’t find anywhere else while supporting Corpus Christi’s newest women-owned independent bookstore.
Ready to give a book a second chance? Check Black Cat’s hours and plan a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
Community preparedness in focus: Driscoll Children’s Hospital and the American Heart Association donated 10 CPR/first aid sports kits to Corpus Christi-area schools, aiming to train students and coaches for emergencies. The push is personal: Dr. Cassidy Hinojosa says quick, effective CPR helped save both her sons. With 23,000 kids facing cardiac arrest annually, every second counts. Read the full story.
Media tour shows progress: After a hiccup with unfinished precast beams, Bob Hall Pier’s rebuild is back on track. Callan Marine began barging in longitudinal beams Dec. 6 and now targets the original Jan. 7, 2026 completion, or faces penalties. The wider, taller pier precedes a 5,000-square-foot restaurant slated for mid-2026. Get all the details.
Fresh color, less fuss: Grown-out highlights? Balayage Salon & Spa delivers soft, dimensional color that suits your schedule, plus extensions and HydraFacial treatments under one roof. Expect a quiet refresh that looks polished, feels low-maintenance, and keeps your routine blissfully simple.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy for regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify who you are and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.
Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🍷 Monthly Wine Tasting @ Montray’s Meat Market | Friday (12/12) at 5:00pm – Montray “The Man” is back on the grill, serving up juicy Tri Tip draped in his signature chimichurri while you sip on complimentary wine—this is not your average grocery run. Roll in for the samples, stay for the top-tier cuts and small-business charm, and don’t forget to stick around for the 6 pm prize drawing.
🎻 Axiom String Quartet Presents “Holiday Storybook” @ The Rockport Conference Center | Friday (12/12) at 7:00pm – Axiom String Quartet is opening their Holiday Storybook with festive tunes and heartwarming melodies. Think less mall speakers, more candlelit sparkle, and virtuosos who make you feel nostalgic without a sugar crash. Bring your favorite person, exhale, and let the strings do the talking.
This weekend
🏺 Intro to Clay Studio @ Art Center of Corpus Christi | Saturday (12/13) at 8:00am – Thinking about joining the Art Center’s Clay Studio? This is the driver’s ed of pottery with Adam Haney, covering slab rolling, wheel basics, glazing, firing, and how not to anger the kiln gods, all supplies included. Finish up, score a 3-month membership, and get making.
🏰 Ingleside Renaissance Faire @ Live Oak Park | Saturday (12/13) at 10:00am – Take a break from errands and play knight for a day at Live Oak Park. Twenty bucks gets you jousts, fire-juggling jesters, live music, artisan finds, and hearty eats, no turkey leg required. Gloriously nerdy, delightfully local, and surprisingly family-friendly.
🍿 Movie Night @ Whataburger Field | Saturday (12/13) at 6:00pm – Head to Whataburger Field for a free screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, a chaotic tune-up for your own family festivities. Sprawl on the outfield or grab a bowl seat, snag classic ballpark grub, and yes, it’s free, so register: bit.ly/Dec13MovieNight.
🖼️ Collage Collage Collage! With Sam Derleth @ Art Center of Corpus Christi | Sunday (12/14) at 11:00am – Got a stash of old magazines you swear you’ll read someday? Bring them to the Art Center of Corpus Christi for a collage class with local artist Sam Derleth, where scissors, composition, and small masterpieces reign, all supplies provided, paper stash welcome. All ages welcome.
🩰 Corpus Christi Ballet Presents The Nutcracker @ Selena Auditorium | Sunday (12/14) at 3:00pm – Holiday season says put on something semi-festive and let Corpus Christi Ballet’s Nutcracker do the heavy lifting. Family Weekend means snowflakes, toy soldiers, and that Tchaikovsky earworm, plus an easy win for grandparent points, memory making, and post-show hot chocolate. Grab tickets now.
🎄 The Sounds of Christmas Concert @ Richardson Auditorium – Del Mar College | Sunday (12/14) at 4:00pm – Gather the whole crew and let Coastal Winds soundtrack your Sunday with a mix of classic, catchy Christmas tunes and gorgeous newer pieces. It’s the kind of concert where you’ll recognize plenty, discover a few new favorites, and leave humming all the way to the car. Best part? It’s totally free, so there’s zero excuse to miss out on the holiday feels.
🎸 Benefit for Jesse “Sacs” Gomez @ House of Rock | Sunday (12/14) at 5:00pm – For decades, Jesse “Sacs” Gomez has packed Corpus shows, championed punk and metal, and helped shape the House of Rock scene—now it’s our turn to show up for him. This benefit brings together a stacked lineup (Black Milk, Fig St. Riot, Oldie Hawn, and Sweet Daddy) for a night of loud riffs and louder love, raising funds as Jesse undergoes cancer treatment.
Next week
🎅 Letters to Santa Presented by Kleberg Bank @ Streat Corner Kitchen | Monday (12/15) at 6:00pm – Downtown has a giant mailbox with a direct line to the North Pole, so wrangle the kids, their wish lists, and your patience. Streat Corner Kitchen has the templates, no stamp required. You get a stroll and a breather, they get Santa’s ear.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🎶 Live music & entertainment
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🏠️ Price is right – Corpus Christi edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: James Sandoval (Prime Real Estate)
Kings Crossing showpiece with 5 beds, 4 baths, and 3,000-plus sq ft framed by a grand entry and private courtyard. An open kitchen, 5-burner gas range, custom maple cabinetry, and miles of granite spill into a living room anchored by a stone fireplace. The downstairs primary pampers with a spa bath, oversized shower, soaking tub, and a closet that could moonlight as a studio.
Upstairs adds three bedrooms, a game room, and a bonus. Office and flex room cover work and hobbies. Outside brings pool, outdoor kitchen, and fireplace with no rear neighbors. Plus 3-car garage, mudroom, and A/C.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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