< Previous20 COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2022 Estella Grace Hendricks of Seabrook skates on the seawall near the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. Hendricks loves to roller skate. She and her friends would go to a nearby roller rink when she was younger. COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2022 21 COVER CONFIDENTIAL MEET ESTELLA GRACE HENDRICKS C oast Monthly chats with Estella Grace Hendricks, who loves to roller skate, which made her a perfect cover model for this issue. Hendricks, 18, lives in Seabrook. She’s attending Texas State University, where she’s majoring in nursing. What got you interested in roller skating? When I was younger, there was a skating rink right by my house and my friends would always go and invite me. I fell in love with the feeling of listening to music, dancing and singing while skating with my friends. What do you like most about it? I love the feeling of excite- ment and joy that comes to me when skating, and the fun memories I get to make with my close friends. What are your favorite things about living on the upper Texas coast? Getting to watch the sun rise over the bay every morn- ing and watching it set in the evening. There’s just a feeling I get when I look out to the water and see how beautiful God’s creation is. The feeling is indescribable. What do you like most about Thanksgiving? My favorite thing about Thanksgiving is getting to spend quality time with my family. I get to see a lot of my extended family during this time and eat really good food, as well as homemade desserts. I also love sitting all around the table and sharing old stories as we laugh until we cry. Thanksgiving is truly such a time I’m deeply thank- ful for my family. Do you have a favorite dish? My favorite dish at Thanks- giving is my Granny’s ham and my Momma’s broccoli casserole! photo by STUART VILLANUEVA22 COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2022 Galveston Police Chief Doug Balli has been an avid motorcyclist for most of his life. COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2022 23 FEATURE ‘I LOVE WHAT I DO’ Island police chief lives to serve, to protect and to ride – when he can story by TRACE HARRIS photo by STUART VILLANUEVA G alveston Police Chief Doug Balli has two loves — keeping his communi- ty safe and motorcycles. Balli’s love of motorcy- cles began when he got his first mini bike at age 5, he said. His love of motorcycles continued through his youth. During his high school and early college years, the interest faded until he got his first job in law enforcement at the Galveston Police Department, and his love for motorcy- cles only continued to grow, he said. “My first job as a police officer was here in Galveston, where I first worked as a motor- cycle officer for about four years,” Balli said. “I had a couple of injuries in those days, but I recovered and got back on the bike.” Balli has taken his love of motorcycles out on the open road, everywhere from the Grand Teton Mountains to the Rocky Mountains and twice to the Sturgis Motorcy- cle Rally in South Dakota. Balli’s wife, Leigh, has been along for the ride, even reading or napping on the way, something Balli is baffled by, he said. “When I’ve rode across the West, I have never had my bike ride in a trailer,” Balli said. “There is no other feeling like being out 26 COASTMONTHLY.COM | NOveMber 2022 FEATURE with the elements, even the unpre- dictable weather. The stress just goes away when you’re on the bike and can listen to the radio and focus on the road ahead.” Balli estimates he has totaled nearly 225,000 miles over the course of 28 years of riding. Today, he can be seen riding his 2019 Harley-Davidson Road Glide — when he has the time. “Serving the community and Gal- veston is my number one priority,” Balli said. “I do not get to ride as much, but I love what I do.” On patrols, Balli trades in his Harley for a standard police vehicle, accom- panied by his beloved 8-year-old bull terrier, Maddie, who has become a fixture around the police station. “My wife and I fostered Maddie about three years ago from the Galves- ton Island Humane Society,” Balli said. “We fell in love with her and she has been a part of the family ever since.” Many thousands of motorcycles will be on the streets of Galveston from Nov. 3-6 for the 21st annual Lone Star Rally — North America’s Largest weekend rally. Although he loves motorcycles, Balli won’t be able to enjoy Lone Star Rally as a participant. “I will unfortunately not be taking part in the rally as I will be on duty for the entirety of the event,” Balli said. “I want to set a good example for my officers. It will be a busy week- end, though, with up to half a million visitors expected.” Lone Star Rally will feature a cus- tom motorcycle show, rodeo games, a sound-off competition, the ninth annual drive-in car show, a tattoo con- test and free concerts on two stages throughout the event. In his 28 years of riding motorcycles, Galveston Police Chief Doug Balli estimates he has totaled nearly 225,000 miles.408 25th Street Open Monday-Saturday, 11 am - 4 pm Spice Rubbed Shrimp with Thai Basil Red Pepper Soba Noodles SPECIAL EVENT VENUE EATcetera offers an elegant space for up to 32 seated guests for private events. This is the perfect island spot for your private dinner, party or event. 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