By Shanna Smith-Snyder

 

What’s Texas without authentic Mexican food? If you’re in the Abilene area, consider trying El Fenix Café in historic Burro Alley. I consider it one of Abilene’s best-kept secrets. Located at 3241 S. 1st St. and Willis St., El Fenix is family owned and has been serving delicious food in Abilene since 1937. It’s not the chain you find elsewhere.

This restaurant is one of my personal favorites because you can get delectable options at any time of the day. If you venture in for brunch, I recommend getting the huevos rancheros or migas (chilaquiles, crispy tortilla chips, scrambled eggs, topped with cheese and served with carne guisada and beans on the side).

For lunch or dinner, I recommend the Robert’s Special (a bean burrito, smothered with carne guisada, jack and cheddar cheeses, and served with rice and guacamole) or a traditional chicken taco salad. Whichever you choose for lunch or dinner, don’t forget to top it all off with a refreshing, frozen wine margarita. For those of you with a big appetite, El Fenix will be right up your alley.

The perfect way to work off your meal is by browsing a few of the funky little shops surrounding the courtyard of Burro Alley. Some of which include: Robyn’s Nest, La Dee Da, Burro Alley Hair Designs and Doug Hodel Photography.

Overall, El Fenix Café presents a casual and affordable dining atmosphere, friendly (and bilingual) wait staff, optional outdoor dining and plenty of parking in the back.

by Shanna Smith-Snyder

Trying to think of ideas to keep the kiddos busy during the chilly winter months? Well, look no further this weekend — Gator Country is coming to Abilene! The Children’s Performing Arts Series will present “Gator Country,” featuring Gary Saurage, the star of Country Music Television’s action-packed reality show “GATOR 911.”

If your children love animals and all things creepy crawly, this hands-on, educational reptile adventure will be right up their alley. Expect to see and learn about alligators, crocodiles, caimans, snakes, lizards and more as they are presented on stage through demonstrations, handlings and interaction.

After each show, families will be able to safely get up close and personal at the Touching Nature Trail with Gary and his animals. The CMT film crew is set to document Gary’s time in Abilene and use the footage for an upcoming episode during the spring season.

The show will be held at the Abilene Civic Center, Saturday, Feb. 27. There will be two shows of “Gator Country” at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The “Touching Nature Trail” will be at noon and 5:30 p.m. Patron tickets: $15 for adults and $8 for ages 4 to 12. General admission: $10 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and military, $5 for ages 4 to 12 and free for ages younger than 4. Order tickets or get more information by visiting www.abilenecac.org/cparts or by calling 325-677-1161.

This weekend, I was driving on US-277 on the outskirts of Abilene. I had some extra time on my hands and decided to pull off of the road and take a closer look at the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center.

Even though I have seen the wind turbines numerous times before, every time I see them — I am still fascinated by their size and the technology behind their operation.

There are other “wind farms” — or a group of wind turbines in the same location — around the Abilene area, as well as other parts of the world. However, this specific one, the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center is currently one of the largest in the world! It has a total capacity of 735 megawatts and is comprised of exactly 291 G.E. 1.5 megawatt wind turbines and a total of 130 Siemens 2.3 megawatt wind turbines spread across nearly 47,000 acres in Taylor and Nolan County. Wow! Now that is a lot of power … and land!

As I previously stated, the size is another factor that never ceases to amaze me. The turbines are 262 feet tall at the hub in the center of the blades. As you can see, each turbine has three blades. Each blade is 126 feet long. How it works: the generator begins making electricity with wind speeds of approximately 8 mph and can operate in winds as high as 55 mph. When winds exceed exactly 56 mph, the internal computer shuts down. For future reference, optimum wind speed for power generation is between 25 and 35 mph. Also an interesting fact, Abilene’s Dyess Air Force Base is 100% green — using energy only from wind power!

Although there aren’t any official tours open to the public at this time, there are still several great pull off points along U.S. 277, where you can get an up-close look. One thing that always makes me chuckle is the amount of cattle that love to stand under these things. I have been told the “humming “sound of the turbine soothes them and they appreciate the slight shade on the wide open spaces of the Texas frontier. It makes for a great photo op!

By Shanna Smith-Snyder

Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two or exploring historic downtown with a friend, consider exploring Abilene this weekend.

One of my favorite movies, The Proposal, starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, will be shown at the historic Paramount Theatre — at 352 Cypress St. — this weekend. You can enjoy this romantic comedy while taking in the ambiance of the Paramount. It is a gorgeous, fully restored, 1930’s art deco theatre. The film will be shown on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., then again at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are just $6 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, military and children. For more information, call 325.676.9620.

Some of Abilene’s most beloved restaurants are offering great deals during the Valentine’s Day weekend. Yes, that’s all weekend long! Friday, Saturday and Sunday! You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy a meal with your significant other or friends. At Little Italy, 1417 S. Danville Dr., you can enjoy or add two glasses of wine and two full-sized desserts to your meal for just $10 — P.S. Their tiramisu is to die for! Abilene Seaford Tavern, 1882 South Clack St., is set to offer a Two Can Dine for $29.99 special; this includes: soup or salad, blackened redfish or a nine oz. sirloin, side, two full-sized desserts and two glasses of wine. Lytle Land & Cattle Co., 1150 E.S. 11th St., will offer filet mignon and grilled shrimp, two glasses of wine and dessert for two for $39.95. Another option is checking out Cypress Street Station, 158 Cypress St., Abilene’s Landmark Restaurant and now home to the Abilene Brewing Co. located in downtown; Cypress offers a romantic atmosphere, great food and an extensive drink menu. They will offer a prime rib special all weekend. (However, reservations may be required.)

Looking for accommodations? Abilene’s hotels are also offering wonderful packages to sweep that special someone off their feet. This is the perfect opportunity to treat someone to a mini vacation or even a staycation, if you live in the Abilene area. The Hilton Garden Inn invites you to a Valentine’s Day Ball, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday. The Romance Party Package includes a buffet dinner for two, two free drink tickets, dancing, champagne toasting, one free Boogie Heads CD and door prizes. Cost is $99.95. You also have the option of staying overnight for $199.95. The Overnight Package includes everything in the party package, plus a breakfast for two. Call 325.690.6432 for reservations — must be 21 to attend.

You can also celebrate Valentine’s all month long at the MCM Elegante. Book a romantic evening for just $109. You get a two-room suite, bottle of wine or champagne, complimentary beverages from 5:30-7 p.m., set of keepsake glasses and cooked to order breakfast.

For additional events happening during Valentine’s weekend, check out Abilene's calendar.

By Shanna Smith-Snyder

I am often considered the ACVB’s resident health nut … so I enjoy Abilene the most when I am on the move. Whether it is teaching yoga around town, spending an afternoon hitting the links or running around ACU’s gorgeous 2-mile campus trail; I love it all!

Therefore, I am always on the lookout for the latest and greatest exercise craze that most importantly, will be fun! So, I just got word that a women’s only fitness studio in Abilene is now offering several fun and very unique classes — that aren’t being offered anywhere else in the region!

 

The studio’s name is My Physique, Inc., located at 2347 N. 6th St. — a fitness studio designed to offer an alternative to the large exercise facilities that some ladies find intimidating. Owner, Penny Vieau’s goal was to create a comfortable, supportive environment in which to exercise, and according to members, that goal has been met!

This year, Vieau will shock Abilene with a fresh line up of exciting classes, all which have a themed name! Classes such as, Boxing Beauties and Countrylicious: Line Dancing are now offered weekly in conjunction with Body Chizel, Zumba and the ever-popular, Turbo Kick. The biggest news revolves around two risqué workshops that are generally found in larger, metropolitan area, and they include —are you ready? — Pole Dancing and Floor & Chair! Yow-za! The latter two are exclusive workshops and only offered on a seasonal basis, or by request only. Being it the month for Valentine’s Day, My Physique is promoting these as a “Valentine’s Tease Weekend,” February 12 and 13. Sounds like a great time to get the girls together, go try a new exercise and share a giggle — or plan a bachelorette party (hehe).

As I continually preach to my classes, family and friends: It is never too late to start an exercise program. Vieau agrees, as her motto is, “A year from now you’ll wish you had started today.”

Check out the Web site for more information, prices and free passes, www.myphysiqueinc.com or call 325-232-5376.

Considering an overnight stay in Abilene? Then, consider booking your upcoming reservations at the upscale, one-of-a-kind Sayles Ranch guesthouses. These guesthouses evoke a spirit of Abilene’s frontier past and feature super chic West Texas décor. Owner, renovator and decorator extraordinaire, Terry Browder, purchased these five (almost six) homes and has crafted them into fully furnished retreats located among the historic district of Sayles Boulevard — one of Abilene’s most beloved and darling streets. The guesthouses specialize in offering visitors a level of luxury and seclusion not available anywhere else in the area.

In addition, each home has a unique name! The Hideout is a 1940s retro-style mountain cabin with one bedroom and bathroom. This guesthouse’s focal point is a Texas Cedar log, queen-sized bed complete with a Vera Wang mattress and luxurious Ralph Lauren sheets. This guesthouse isn’t the only one to offer this level of luxury — each house is equipped with the comforts of home — or that of a five star hotel!

Cabin Fever is another one of Browder’s masterpieces. It is a 1923 carriage house with two bedrooms and one bathroom. Interestingly enough, Joan Crawford’s father was one of the original contractors on this property! Falling Star Lodge is the next Sayles Ranch guesthouse. It is a 1938 shingle-style, craftsman cottage with the capability to sleep six. This guesthouse received its name when a meteorite fell right in its backyard!

Lastly, the large Sayles Ranch property is the ultimate West Texas getaway; modern luxury meets classic West Texas décor. Browder quips about the property, “It’s John Wayne at Starbucks.” That fact alone makes this four bedroom, two bathroom property one of Abilene’s most trendy accommodation alternatives. It also includes a big screen TV and X-box for entertainment, Jacuzzi tub in one of the bathrooms, and a large, inviting private swimming pool right in the backyard!

Browder has also recently completed another property, appropriately named “City Slickers” (photos included). Be on the lookout for his next project, “Cotton Eye Joe” coming soon!

Eat, gather, sleep and play all in the comfort and privacy of any of the Sayles Ranch guesthouses. What a perfect place for a family gathering, reunion, girlfriends’ getaway or just some relaxation! For more information, visit their Web site.

By Shanna Smith-Snyder

Last week I had the opportunity to see The Wizard of Oz, as a part of the Best of Broadway Series in Abilene. There is no doubt that this show is one of the most beloved and well-known stories of all time.

The theatrical version is a live adaptation of the classic 1939 MGM film. However, you will still see all your favorite characters, such as Dorothy, Toto (an obvious crowd favorite), the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Wicked Witch, Glinda and, of course, the Wizard!

 

As I was watching, I noticed that the theatrical version included several fun extras, such as: a Lion King joke in reference to the cowardly lion and two beautiful, costumed numbers. I later found out, that the songs The Jitterbug and Poppies were actually written and filmed for the MGM version, but were cut prior to the release.

What was also interesting to me was that Dorothy is played by Cassie Okenka, better known as the winner of MTV’s Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods reality show! In my opinion, she did a wonderful job with the vocals and truly made the role her own. She brought warmth to the stage as she introduced and captivated very young audience members to renowned tunes such as Over the Rainbow and We’re Off to See the Wizard.

An additional thing that was awesome about this production was that local children, from the Abilene Ballet Theatre played the munchkins! It was hard to believe that these very talented singers and dancers were so young! Kudos to the Ballet Theatre — those kiddos were amazing!

Want to see a Broadway production in Abilene? It’s not too late! On March 1-2, the Best of Broadway series will be back in Abilene with Tuna Does Vegas at the Abilene Civic Center. The performance will start at 7:30 p.m. and tickets cost around $35-$50, depending on seating. This show is supposed to be hilarious! It all begins when an oddball-conservative radio host announces on air that he and his wife are headed to Vegas to renew their wedding vows … and everyone in Tuna, Texas goes along for the ride! For tickets or more info, call 800-869-1451 or click here.

By Shanna Smith-Snyder

 

College students are often pinpointed for saying, “There’s nothing to do.” However, I beg to differ because it wasn’t long ago that I was sitting in a classroom! Students, if you plan on visiting Abilene this year or are currently a student in town, here are some alternative activities to keep busy:

• Coffee shops. What would students do without the quick pick-me-ups of coffee? Students love the atmosphere that Abilene’s coffee shops have to offer. One of the local favorites is the previously mentioned, Monks, in downtown. Monks offers weekly open mike nights (Thursdays from 7 to 11 p.m.), jazz nights with ACU combos (Tuesdays from 8:30 to 10 p.m.) and local art displays that change out monthly. Additional favorites include the world renowned Starbucks, The Brew.net, Tuscany’s, Mezamiz and Java City.

• The nightlife. Dancing, live music and atmosphere of many local hotspots keep students entertained when they need to take a break from studies. Whether you’re listening to a live performance at Bedford Street Restaurant and Pub, or two-stepping to the sounds of a packed concert at The Lucky Mule, there is actually quite a bit going on when the sun sets in Abilene. One of the most popular places for students to get dressed up and socialize is The Warehouse, now located at 357 Walnut St. The Warehouse makes you feel as if you’ve stepped into a nightclub in NYC … or at least the metroplex!

• Seeing a flick. When Abilene’s students are looking for an escape, they pull into Abilene’s Town & Country Drive-In, located at 2902 Vogel St., which boasts two giant screens. For students on a budget, the drive-in has a great offer of two movies for the price of one! Another popular movie hot spot is the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown, where they can take in the ambiance and catch a classic.

• Getting your grub on. If you’re ever looking for a good deal on a meal, look no further than Harold’s Pit BBQ. You’ll see crowds of college students heading there after their afternoon classes. Many local restaurants offer students exceptional food at great prices. So if the line is too long at Harold’s, don’t fret, there are other great deals at Sharon’s BBQ, Bogie’s or Alley Cats — all favorites among our crowd.

• Work it out. Abilene is home to several parks that are perfect hangouts for students looking to expend pent-up energy on pickup games. Skate at Abilene’s infamous outdoor skateboard park, host friendly competition on the football field or join a baseball game at Rose Park. Gather group of friends together for a game of disc golf or Ultimate at Cal Young Park. Take your activities into the evening at Scarborough Park complete with well-lit softball fields and sand volleyball court.

• Good deals. There’s something about thrift stores that appeals to the college students of Abilene. Whether its clothes for a costume or a vintage video game system … one man’s junk can be a college student’s treasure. Well, students, you’re in luck because the ACVB produces an Antique Guide — that can direct you along your treasure hunt. Pick one up at 1101 N. 1st or print one off of our Web site at www.abilenevisitors.com and search “Antique Guide.”

By Shanna Smith-Snyder

Looking for a real western experience? Stop by the Taylor County Expo Center this week to see the best cutting horses compete in an Abilene tradition — the 18th Annual Spectacular Winter Cutting.

Cutting is a western style of riding, where a horse and rider are judged strictly on their ability to separate a calf away from a herd of cattle for a certain period of time. Cutting has also become quite the popular equine sport these days and its special because once the calf is separated from the herd, the cowboy or cowgirl loosens up on the reigns and then the horse takes over in order to keep the calf separated. These horses are quite the star athletes! I had the opportunity to get an up-close look at these galloping beauties and learn a little bit more about them and the sport while talking to their owners.

One rider said that one of the most common myths of cutting horses is the amount of time it takes to train them for competition. I learned that in order to have a colt competition ready it takes at least 18 months of daily training — and depending on the individual horse it can take even longer. Who knew? I also found out that just because a horse has been foundation-bred, won’t automatically make them a great competition cutting horse! This particular rider said that it’s best to stick with a horse that has been specifically bred to be a cutting horse in order to do best in competition … I’ll remember that next time I am in the market for a horse (smile).

So, if you are looking to experience a truly wild, west experience in Abilene, or just looking for a teachable moment, the Abilene Spectacular Winter Cutting is a great event to check out. The jingling of spurs will be heard through January 13 in the Horse Barn and Covered Outdoor Arena at the Taylor County Expo Center. The event is free to the public and produced by Gully Ranch.

By Shanna Smith-Snyder

Puzzled as to what to do with the kids or out of town guests over the holidays? Whether you are a visitor or local, you won’t have to venture far from your location to enjoy attractions that are educational, affordable and fun for the whole family. Plan ahead to show your family and friends a uniquely Abilene experience!

If you haven’t experienced Frontier Texas!, the holiday break is an excellent time to do so. Travel back in time from 1780 to 1880 and relive the Old West inside the multimedia exhibit “Century of Adventure.” Hear the stories from the men and women who lived and died on the frontier. Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closes at 2 p.m. Christmas Eve, closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The Abilene Zoo is a great location for all ages. Enjoy learning more about the animals as well as indulging in affordable fun—admission is just $4 for ages 13 to 59, $3 for ages 60+ and $2 for ages 3 to 12. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Youngsters will enjoy The Grace Museum’s children museum. Interactive exhibits include: The Health Zone; LCD theater; interactive puppet and creative art zone; and a fully padded play area for children younger than six. However, visitors of all ages will be amazed at The Grace. It includes a History Museum, as well as the Art Museum, which rotates world-class exhibits. It’s currently exhibiting: “Art in Texas” featuring three unique exhibitions, all celebrating the contributions of Texas artists past and present. Generally open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Bring the family to The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature for free family art activities from 1 to 4 p.m. each Saturday. View the NCCIL’s exhibit, “Bravo! Chris Raschka”— perfect for the young or young at heart. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Stop in at the 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum that serves as an educational museum for the study of World War II and its effect on the American people. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Take a short drive out to the Buffalo Gap Historic Village. Enjoy a walk through West Texas frontier history. The Village tells the incredible story of the last 50 years of the West Texas Frontier through 21 buildings. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Don’t forget about our Roundup Pass—this admits you into all attractions for one low price, $15 for adults and $7 for children 16 and younger. Passes can be purchased at Abilene attractions or the Abilene CVB. Also, the Santa’s Savings promotion is great for visitors or locals who have guests. When you check into your hotel, stop by Frontier Texas! or the Abilene CVB, you’ll receive a stocking stuffed with money saving coupons from local restaurants, shops and attractions through Jan. 15!