View this email in your browser

Major New Beef Processing Plant in Amarillo

Last week, via video at a press conference in downtown Amarillo, Governor Greg Abbott announced that the new Producer Owned Beef would be creating its first processing plant in east Amarillo. The plant will harvest 3,000 cattle per day, and will be managed by Texas cattle producers rather than multinational corporations. According to project estimates, the facility will create more than 1,500 new jobs and bring a billion dollars to the area within its first five years. The payroll is expected to be $121 million per year.

A number of local leaders, including State Representative John Smithee (above) and Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson, spoke at the press conference. Nelson shared that this project—in which cattle producers will own and profit from the processing plant—as the first of its kind in the nation. “Amarillo is in a historic season of economic growth,” she said. William Ware, President of Amarillo National Bank, mentioned the facility was the largest cattle-related project the 130-year-old bank had ever helped fund.

The new Producer Owned Beef facility is expected to break ground in early 2023 and begin operations by the end of 2025.

Local Focus

Local schools start this week: Today marks the first day of school for students in the Amarillo ISD, with the Canyon ISD fall semester starting tomorrow—including the opening of Canyon’s brand-new West Plains High School. Listen to Jason Boyett’s interview with new West Plains principal Eric Gomez on the Hey Amarillo podcast, or read this Brick & Elm “Finish” feature with West Plains’ new football coach, Adam Cummings.

New life for old St. Anthony’s hospital: Located north of downtown, the historic St. Anthony’s hospital campus—the oldest standing building in Amarillo—has been vacant for several years. But renovation is set to begin soon for construction of the Commons at St. Anthony’s, a 124-unit complex of affordable, high-quality senior living apartment homes. It is scheduled to open in 2024.

Amarillo Veterans Affairs hits vaccination milestone: The Amarillo Veteran Affairs Health Care System recently announced it had administered its 20,000th vaccine for COVID-19. The VA serves individuals across the Texas Panhandle and provided free vaccines for all veterans, their spouses and/or their caregivers.

Local water worries: Despite recent rains (with additional rain chances this week), the Texas Panhandle remains in a record-setting drought. The National Weather Service expects the drought to continue through the fall, further depleting the Ogalalla Aquifer, which supplies water throughout the High Plains. This special report details how the local agriculture industry is reacting to the challenge and discussing ways to conserve this precious resource.

Chip Chandler’s “Can’t Miss”

Pentagram String Band: The self-described “Satanic bluegrass” band takes the stage with Abraham & The Old Gods at Leftwoods. For a less blasphemous show, check out Bryan Bielanski on Wednesday or Next Generation Band on Saturday. (9 p.m. Tuesday; 2511 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover; 806-367-9840)

Starlight Canyon Songwriters Series: Sit and chill with songs from Carrey Thompson and Tanner Lane in this new outdoor series at Starlight Canyon Bed & Breakfast. (7 p.m. Wednesday; 100 Brentwood Road; cover $12 in advance, $15 at gate; 806-336-1459)

Goldpine: The HPPR Living Rooms Concert series continues with this Americana duo at Unitarian Universalist Church. (7 p.m. Wednesday; 4901 Cornell St.; $15 suggested donation; 806-367-9088)

Music at Wellington Square Courtyard: Popular Amarillo combo Esquire Jazz revs up for this week’s installment of the outdoor concert series. (7 p.m. Thursday; 1601 Kentucky St.; cover $15)

“Significant Other”: Amarillo Little Theatre kicks off its season with this romantic comedy about a man looking everywhere for his Mr. Right. (7:30 p.m. Thursday and Aug. 25, 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Aug. 26 and 27, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 28; ALT Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle; ticket prices vary; 806-355-9991)

Zac Wilkerson: The golden-voiced Americana singer comes home for a show at Golden Light Cantina. (9 p.m. Thursday; 2908 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover; 806-374-9237)

Reckless Kelly and Band of Heathens: A pair of Americana faves unite for a show at Starlight Ranch Event Center. (8 p.m. Friday; 1415 Sunrise Drive; tickets $25 to $125; 806-556-4456)

The 806 15th Birthday Party: Celebrate the Route 66 coffee joint’s birthday and raise funds for school supplies for kids at San Jacinto Elementary School. Enjoy silent auctions, live music and more, and the party continues at Aunt Eek’s, Smokey Joe’s and elsewhere. (11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 2812 S.W. Sixth Ave.; donations accepted; 806-322-1806)

PampaFest: Head to Gray County for an outdoor festival in downtown Pampa featuring Ryan Culwell, Wight Lighters, Kaitlin Butts, Jamie Lin Wilson, Cody Canada & The Departed and headliners Jason Boland & The Stragglers. (11 a.m. to midnight Saturday; tickets $30 to $40; pampafest.com)

Northside Toy Drive Rooftop Day Party: Enjoy an afternoon of fun while reserving your table for the always-sold-out Black Tie Affair. (1 to 5 p.m. Saturday; Crush, 627 S. Polk St.; 806-680-3602)

Streaming/In Theaters:

“Dirty Dancing”: You’ll have the time of your life at 35th-anniversary screenings of this romantic classic. (7 p.m. Wednesday; Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive, and Regal UA Amarillo Star 14, 8275 W. Amarillo Blvd.)

“Beast”: I can’t think of a more perfect August movie than one featuring Idris Elba taking on a ferocious lion. Also opening (at the Regal only): horror film “Bodies Bodies Bodies.” (Opens Thursday; Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive; Cinergy, 9201 Cinergy Square; and Regal UA Amarillo Star 14, 8275 W. Amarillo Blvd.)

“The Return of Swamp Thing”: The RiffTrax guys give this campy comic book flick their Mystery Science Theater 3000-style ribbing. (7 p.m. Thursday; Regal UA Amarillo Star 14, 8275 W. Amarillo Blvd.)

That’s not all. For a list of more entertainment options this week in and around Amarillo, read Chip’s full list on our website.

Eye on Amarillo

After re-opening in 2021, the new Thompson Park public pool has proven incredibly popular as a summer destination.

While the start of the school year means the city’s pools are now closed on weekdays, Thompson Park will remain open on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month of August, as announced on the city’s Instagram feed.

Hot Grill Summer

It’s hot outside, but it’s still grill season. In these dry, windy months, the Amarillo Fire Department gets called out with frequency to contain backyard fires—most of which begin on the grill. So we reached out to them for summer grilling safety tips—the common-sense ones and a couple of surprising ones.

Number one is a no-brainer: Choose a good location. Most grill-related fires start with bad decision-making.“Usually it’s someone trying to get out of the wind or get into the shade. They’ll move the grill inside a garage or under a covered patio,” explains Jeff Justus, AFD community liaison and a long-time firefighter. “The smoke and heat have nowhere to go. The next thing they know, they’ve caught the ceiling on fire.”

Read more stories and get AFD’s safe summer grilling tips at brickandelm.com.