635aproof1 by Mary Craft

Inside the Moon

Driscoll Telethon A6

Yoga & Surf Fest A2

HOT Tax A9

The

Issue 635

Island Moon

The voice of The Island since 1996

June 16, 2016

Around The Island

By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com In China surgeons are getting ready to do the first human head transplant, or body transplant depending on how you look at it, Russian soccer hooligans slipped into France for a match with England by bypassing airports and taking trains, and in Washington hackers associated with the Russian government hacked into the files of the Democratic National Convention and are now thought to be in possession of the party’s analysis of Republican candidates.

Fishing A11

Free

Weekly

FREE Ridley Rebound

Island Generates $7.7 Number of Kemp's Ridley Nests More Than Triple Last Year's Million in Hotel/Motel Tax $1.6 million spent to clean Gulf Beach in Corpus Christi City Limits

By Dale Rankin

The tax on overnight stay accommodations on The Island generated $7,757,958 million in 2015, according to figures released by the cities of Corpus Christi and Port Aransas.

Meanwhile closer to home, the price of oil is pushing up on $50, actor Tommy Lee Jones is said to have caught both a White and a Blue marlin offshore over the weekend, and a floating forest has washed up on our beaches as a result of inland rains that filled the rivers with stumps and sticks that have now made their way ashore as so much flotsam.

Padre and Mustang Island, inside the Corpus Christi City Limits, charge a 9% Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) and generated $3,520,775 million from about 1200 overnight stay rooms in 2015. Port Aransas, which has a 7% HOT generated $4,237,183 from approximately 3500 overnight stay rooms.

Dr. Donna Shaver looks over the last Kemp's ridley into the water at Saturday's hatchling release.

The humidity has been off the charts of late, which the old salts hereabouts say, can signal an active hurricane season. The Weather Wonks say the humidity and unusually high tides are the product of low pressure systems out in the Gulf, the Specks are biting, and we are quickly heading down into the dog days of summer. Life is pretty good here on our little sandbar.

So far this year, 173 Kemp's ridley turtle nests have been confirmed along Texas beaches, including 92 on North Padre Island (83 of which were on Padre Island National Sea Shore). That is up considerably from this time last year when by June of 2015 only 47 nests had been found state wide – 36 of which were on North Padre Island. Here are the comparable numbers.

Price of real estate A check of Island real estate prices finds that the going rate of residential property in Port Aransas is pushing up well above $300 per square foot, and in some cases on higher-end properties well over $500 per square foot. On Padre that number is around $200. The common wisdom is that over time values on the two ends of The Island will coincide.

Location

2015

2016

Bolivar Peninsula

Surfside Beach

Quintana Beach

Matagorda Peninsula

Matagorda Island

San Jose Island

Mustang Island

North Padre Island

South Padre Island

Boca Chica Beach

Island the Travel Channel

It seems hard to believe but the Fourth Annual Island Blast 4th of July Fireworks Show is only two weeks away. Island Time flies when you’re having fun. Jerry Watkins says everything is in place for the show which will be at the same location as other years at the end of Whitecap next to the Padre Island Yacht Club. The phones have been ringing hereabout with the question, “What day are the 4th of July Fireworks?” While that sounds goofy the fact is that many of the shows around the area are happening Saturday night; ours isn’t. It will go up at sundown on Monday, July 4 after the 4th of July Watercraft Parade. It’s going to be the Mother of All Deck Parties folks. We’ll see you there. And in the meantime say hello if you see us Around The Island.

Total HOT revenue across Corpus Christi in 2015 was $15,381,481 million. For details on where the HOT dollars came from see the chart below.

Islander Goes Commando on Beach Litterers

Littering on area beaches is like the weather, everyone is talking about it but nobody is doing anything about it – until now.

“I saw two guys dumping palm trimmings on the beach and I told them this is not a trash dump,” Beynon said. “They said they were

Send your beach litterer photos to the Island Moon Facebook page

Limo Tony goes OTB

Fourth of July Fireworks

Meaning that in 2015 the HOT generated $7,757,958 million, not including the state’s 6% cut, from Port Aransas/Padre/Mustang islands on gross overnight stay revenue of about $70 million.

Last Sunday afternoon when Islander Jeff Beynon, former Director of Animal Control for the City of Corpus Christi, went commando.

The Island will get some national attention this weekend when the Travel Channel airs “Jeff Henry: The Madness Continues.” Crews from the Travel Channel followed Henry around when he was building the local park and the result will air as part of their series Extreme Water Parks. The shows will air Sunday, June 19, at 8 p.m., and Monday at 11 a.m. Tony (Limo) Adams who operated Paradise Limousines here for the past five years is heading out to Colorado. He has turned the limo business over to a new operator and moving to the Mile High City. He will be missed. It’s harder to breathe the air up there Tony, but hey, you can drink the water.

Live Music A18

Littering Continues on A2

A little Island history

Surviving the 1933 Hurricane

Editor’s note: This is the latest installment of the memoirs of Louis Rawalt who along with his wife Viola lived at various locations on Padre Island after being given six months to live due to injuries from a mustard gas attack in World War I. He lived on The Island for more than 40 years. In the last issue Rawalt had been harvesting gunnysacks of Old Hospitality Bourbon whiskey which had been thrown overboard by the captain of the I’m Alone smuggling ship in the Sigsbee’s Deep where the ship was shot full of holes and sunk by the Coast Guard By Louis Rawalt

So, the days flowed into weeks, and the weeks became months and years. I had grown steadily stronger, and seldom gave a thought to the fact that I wasn’t even supposed

to be alive. I could walk for miles without tiring, and many nights I slept on the sand with only a piece of tarpaulin around me when I was fishing away from the camp. It was one of the times when I had gone alone to a spot thirty-five miles below our shack that the car stalled. No amount of coaxing or tinkering could get a sound out of it. There was nothing to do but start walking. It was seventy miles to Corpus Christi Pass where someone lived who had a car. The tide was exceptionally high, and I had little hope that any fishermen would be venturing down the beach that day.

It was early morning when I started out. A little before sunset I reached our shack. Viola was visiting my people in Kingsville at the time, so the place was still and empty feeling. I ate, drank coffee, and rested for a few moments before starting again.

Rawalt and his wife Viola arrived on The Island across the Don Patrico Causeway built in 1927. It was destroyed by the 1933 hurricane. History continued on A9

June 16, 2016

Island Moon

H.O.T. Tax Continued From A1 The state takes 6% of the HOT revenue pushing the full tax to 15% in Corpus Christi and 13% in Port Aransas. Beginning in the current fiscal year 3% of the state’s take, estimated to be about $3 million, will be remitted to the City of Corpus Christi. Out of the $3.5 million in revenue generated from hotels along Gulf Beaches inside the Corpus Christi City Limits only $1.6 million is remitted for beach cleaning. The city also garners revenue from beach parking permits.

Total expenditures from the HOT fund in 2015 were $18,867,874 million with $8.8 million going to pay for operations and debt on the downtown Convention Center, in contrast only $4.9 million was spent to promote convention business, and $200,000 for tourist amenities. The HOT fund showed a closing balance of $1.2 million, according to the figures released by the City of Corpus Christi.

Island coyote hunting fish in the surf. Photo by Robby Webb

Dragonfly Restaurant Curacao Blues NEW HAPPY HOUR!!!

Tues-Fri 4-6pm New Features!!! $5 Select Appetizers Crab Cake, Goat Cheese Ravioli, Stuffed Jalapenos, Hummus, Bowl of Soup with Toast, Olives with Toast $3 House Drinks $4 Mojitos, Margaritas, Bloody Mary’s $5 Long Islands and Infusions $2/$3 Longnecks * App Specials ONLY in Bar and Patio Seating

Island Commando Cont. From A1 someone littering, break out your cell phone and send us a photo to Theislandmoonnewspaper on Facebook. You might even win a T-shirt.

going to make a bonfire – with green palm fronds.” So Beynon got out his cell phone and started taking the pictures you see here. While he talked to one of the men the other unloaded the palm fronds and the men drove off. Beynon went back the next morning and there was no bonfire; the discarded fronds were still on a pile on the beach. “They were pretty blatant about it,” Beynon said. “They said they weren’t from The Island and maybe they don’t realize how much we don’t like litterers out here.” The area where the fronds were dumped is just south of Mile Marker 257, which is less than half a mile south of the Corpus Christi City Limits. That stretch of beach is part of the 3680 acres recently acquired by Nueces County and is patrolled by Precinct 4 Constable Bobby Sherwood. Maybe Beynon is onto something. If you see a

The pile of palm fronds was still there the next morning

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June 16, 2016

Island Moon

Letters to the Editor

Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder

Fishmen Not Sharks' Chums

Padre Island Teen

Editor-

Distribution Pete Alsop Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin Classifieds Arlene Ritley Production Managers Jeff Craft Abigail Bair Contributing Writers Joey Farah Andy Purvis Mary Craft Christiansen Jay Gardner Todd Hunter Dotson Lewis Ronnie Narmour

By Elizabeth Clark

The June 9 Island Moon front page featured the catching of a 13 foot Hammerhead shark. The "Super Sportsman" had his photo ops with the shark including one holding up it's head showing an open mouth and teeth. So some dude had his fun certainly at the not so common Hammerhead Sharks expense. A shark lying on the beach not thrashing to the point of allowing holding it's head/ mouth open is either dead or close to dead. No matter how you feel about sharks they are majestic animals that are being depleted at an alarming rate. Some articles featured in other than the moon state that the Hammerhead was released so all is ok, right? No Wrong.. I would be surprised if it swam away. but if so it probably didn't make it long. Padre Balli beach maintenance workers report assorted sea life washing up dead near the Bob Hall Pier at regular intervals. Luckily it is not always a total waste as people take the animals for whatever. Often a Park front end loader needs to be called to remove and dispose of the creature by burying it in the dunes. I find it rather appalling that the Sharks, Sting Rays, and others die for no other reason than some "king of the sea" could get his jollies. God forbid it was a turtle but we need the turtle attitude toward all the sea life in our waters or some day there will not be any. Gary Bachunas

One of the most widely practiced American Summer traditions is to pack up the car and go camping. From someone standing outside the campgrounds, this seems like a simple and cheap vacation that brings families together... But, once you're in the tent, things tend to get a bit more complicated. This weekend, I had the opportunity to go to Krause Springs near Austin with my mother and grandma, and though we had an amazing time we hit a few bumps. We first realized that camping wasn't all it seemed when a raccoon stole our entire bag of marshmallows while they were sitting right beside us. Then the Texas heat got to us, and our tents quickly turned from safe havens dividing us from the creepy crawlers to humid saunas. None of us slept a wink. The next morning we got up before dawn and realized that we had all been awake for several hours, and so we took advantage of the peace and quiet to explore the natural springs. It was a lovely vacation, but hopefully next time we'll be more prepared for the challenges we will have to face! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, email me at PadreIslandTeen@gmail.com.

Brent Rourk Photographers Miles Merwin Jeff Dolan Mary Craft

Everybody Poops

Ronnie Narmour Office Security/Spillage Control (Emeritus)

Dear Editor,

Riley P. Dog

This Greater Hammerhead Shark was caught last week and taped out at 13’0” on the dot. It was caught on Padre Island, and an hour and 15 minute fight on an 80W with a hammered drag. She had an 80” girth. Photo by Eric Ozolins

Booth Supports Veterans Publisher Dale Rankin About the Island Moon

The Island Moon is published every Thursday, Dale Rankin, Editor / Publisher. Total circulation is 10,000 copies. Distribution includes delivery to 4,000 Island homes, free distribution of 3,000 copies in over 50 Padre Island businesses and condos, as well as 600 copies distributed in Flour Bluff, 1,400 copies on Mustang Island and Port Aransas businesses. News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left at the Moon Office.

The Island Moon Newspaper 14646 Compass, Suite 3 Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361-949-7700 editor@islandmoon.com Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper

Where to Find The Island Moon Port Aransas Lisabella’s Restaurant Pioneer RV Park

Sandpiper Condos WB Liquors Port A Arts

North Padre

Stripes @ Beach Access Rd. 1A

All Stripes Stores

A Mano

CVS

Coffee Waves

Whataburger

Moby Dicks

Doc’s Restaurant

Spanky’sLiquor

Snoopy’s Pier

IGA Grocery Store

Isle Mail N More

Carter Pharmacy

Brooklyn Pie Co.

San Juan’s Taqueria

Ace Hardware

Wash Board Laundry Mat

Texas Star (Shell)

Port A Parks and Rec

Island Italian

Holiday Inn Jesse’s Liquor

Public Library

Scuttlebutt’s Restaurant

Chamber of Commerce

Island Tire

Duckworth Antiques

And all Moon retail advertisers

Back Porch

WB Liquor

Woody’s Sports Center Shorty’s Place

Subway

Flour Bluff

Giggity’s

H.E.B.

Stripes @ Cotter & Station

Liquid Town

Gratitude Gift Shop Keepers Pier House Port A Glass Studio The Gaff

Whataburger on Waldron Ethyl Everly Senior Center Fire Station Police Station Stripes on Flour Bluff & SPID

June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month and the Island Presbyterian Church Mission Committee humbly host a Booth Exhibit that represents the 22 MILITARY LIVES TAKEN EVERYDAY TO SUICIDE! With a strong military presence here on our Island and nearby NAS, CC & Kingsville, I invite your readers to support Coastal Bend Troop Support in Rockport. In addition to sending care packages to those deployed from local families, CBTS also facilitates a Veterans Outreach Program. Please visit their website at http://www.coastalbendtroopsupport. com/ to see the wonderful endeavors this organization is able to do thanks to the support of the Coastal Bend. We also invite you to drive by IPC at 14030 Fortuna Bay and Gypsy St between June 21st and June 27th to view the boot exhibit which represents these lost lives ‘in the battlefield’ and take a moment to reflect on the sacrifice made by our Military, as well as their families. Additionally, the IPC Mission Team will be collecting donations at the June 23rd Farmers Market on behalf of CBTS. Thank you and God Bless our Military! Mona Singleterry

It’s not fair that by law you have to pick up dogs droppings yet horses can get away with it. And they do this on a daily basis and horses are huge! Horse droppings create biting flies. And they are horrible. Nobody even wanted to search for the kid that drowned because of those flies biting. It’s starting to stink like a ranch out here on the beach. I can’t find parking because of the smell. And the waves do not wash it away fast enough. I'm afraid of the Ecoli bacteria and the fly's it creates. Dan Brazen

Did Ya Hear?

By Mary Craft mkay512@aol.com

New Advertisers An Islander owned car dealership wants to buy your car or truck and will pay cash on the spot. Call Frank De La Rosa at 765-5884. The Turtle’s Nest Coastal Décor & Gifts has 25% off Cotton Connection clothing and you can get a free gift with purchase if you present their ad in this Moon. They are located next to Jesse’s Liquor and hours are Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 7 pm and Sundays noon – 4 pm. 5th Annual Sandollar Jewelry and Gift Show at Aransas Pass Civic Center will be held Saturday, July 2nd 10 am – 5 pm and July 3rd 10 am – 4 pm. Admission is $3 and kids 12 and under are free. Call 888-2253427 for booth space. Garage Sale at 14245 Cabo Blanco at 8 am on Saturday, June 18th.

Business Briefs TRIDE Rideshare is now officially operating in Corpus Christi, Austin and Tulsa. I went to their website to register and enter my charge card info. I then got the app on my phone. It works the same as Uber. They were able to get city approval because they fingerprint their drivers. Boathouse Bar & Grill will host TRIDE's meet & greet Monday, June 20th 7 - 11 p.m. The A-frame next to Keller Williams is just being re-modeled – there is no new business going in. Scuttlebutt’s Bar & Grill will have live music starting at 3 pm on Father’s Day and $2 beers. Bring Dad in for one of their popular steaks. Father's Day Brunch at the Veranda Restaurant will be held 10a.m. - 2p.m. The cost is $29.99 for adults and $14.99 for kids – children 3 and under eat free. There will be happy hour drink prices during Brunch. Make your reservations right now at (361) 589-4200. Many readers have been asking what day the 4th of July Island Blast fireworks show will be held. The answer is on the 4th of July. The Island 4th of July Fest will be held at Billish Park 2 – 6 pm. Games include balloon darts, football toss, pong bounce, bunny hop, ski ball and more with lots of fun prizes. And it will be held on the 4th of July. Padre Island Dog Club will be meeting at Dowden Park for a dog walk Saturday, June18th at 9 am. To make a donation for the dog park visit rileypdog.com. Schlitterbahn Resort is offering golf lessons by Patrick Kelliher for age 6 – 17 with golf clubs provided. To register call 9494221. Swimming Lessons are being offered and the cost for ages 3 to 5 is $55 and ages 6 to 8 is $60. Session one is June 20 - 30 8:30a.m. to 9:15p.m, session two is July 11 – 21 and session three is August 1 – 11.: 8:30a.m. to 9:15p.m. For reservations contact admissions at 589-4219. Wind & Wave Watersports is having a kayak/sup demo day Father’s Day weekend Saturday, June 18th 10 am – 4 pm at the Boathouse Bar & Grill. Enjoy trying out your water toys before you buy. The Boathouse has free appetizer with entrée purchase that day with their Moon ad.

"We Are What We Remember" It is with a heavy heart and terrible sadness that I inform you that our friend Pat Dwyer left us for a better place last night. According to his wife, Pat suffered a stroke. There have been no arrangements made as of yet. Pat’s daughter Colleen and his son Bernie check his email. If you would like to say a few words to his family, Pats email address is colromo1213@yahoo. com.

The Back Porch will feature Gary P. Nunn on Saturday, June 18th.

Blair Beach?

My father once told me that life is about handling loss and then moving forward. How true, but it does not make it any easier. None of us deserves to lose a friend or a loved one, yet we all do. Everything in life appears to be a lesson. There are things that we don’t want to happen, but have to accept. Things that we don’t want to know, but have to learn, and people we feel we can’t live without, but have to let go. I know Pat’s in a better place and I know he is loved, but that does not make it any easier on those of us left behind. I can close my eyes and see him now. I hear his words and his laugh. I can envision his walk. I know what he would have said. I understand that death does not end a relationship but it does change it. What my friends like Pat gave me is a sense of purpose, a sense of importance. I enjoy making them happy and making them smile. Pat became a large part of my sports life and in many ways I needed his approval. Pay Dwyer and I could have been joined at the hip. We became instant friends the moment we first met. We were both born storytellers with a love for baseball. We spent many hours together having lunch and talking sports. Pat enjoyed my stories and I had hundreds of them. I’m so glad I had a chance to share a part of Pat’s life with the folks who came to the book signing event. Pat loved the Dennis and Andy’s Q & A Session radio show and reading my books and was always one of the first to buy one. Pat once told me he cut my newspaper articles out of the island Moon and placed them in a scrap book. He made me feel like a two dollar bill in a hundred dollar wallet. They don’t make many Pat Dwyer’s. I will miss him. We are what we remember! Andy Purvis

Send letters and photos to editor@islandmoon.com Facebook:

The Island Moon Newspaper

Don't be scared. Kids got creative on the beach this week.

June 16, 2016

Island Moon

They came; they dined; they donated By Debbie Nobel Our first annual Dine Island restaurant event is done. From May 11-25, 15 of the best Island restaurants offered special three-course valuepriced meals to entice visitors from over the bridge to try somewhere new or locals to share their favorites with someone new. Restaurants pledged to donate one dollar for each Dine Island meal to the the Food Bank of Corpus Christi, where one dollar is turned into seven meals for the less fortunate. After 15 days, 15 restaurants served 941 meals and generously donated $1,464 to the Food Bank. Three proprietors in particular enthusiastically spread the Dine Island spirit. Texas Mesquite BBQ and

Aunt Sissy's Kitchen both served 200 or more meals, but Black Sheep Bistro took the top honors with 292 meals served. Mike Richardson of Richardson Financial, Inc. matched Black Sheep's winning number, providing even more meals for the Food Bank. And our five star sponsor, Cheri Sperling of Coastline Properties generously matched the restaurant total (and rounded up!), bringing our Dine Island Food Bank donation total to $3, 484. Many, many thanks to all the sponsors and restaurants and visitors who made this a fun Island dining event. I look forward to seeing you all across the room next year!

Sea Lice Pose ‘Ocean Itch,’ Other Threats to Summertime Swimmers on the Gulf Coast Microscopic sea lice are being found along the beaches of the Gulf Coast, with more traveling south. The sea lice, which tend to invade summer waters in Florida and the Caribbean, are also known to inhabit Texas beaches, according to biologists. These sea lice are actually jellyfish larvae. They appear year round, but are most active between April and August.

problem because they trap them and you don’t know it until you get out of the water and the T-shirt sticks to you. Symptoms include an itchy, often raised, rash with red bumps or blisters, and you may not be aware that you have been stung usually until 24 hours later, when the rash appears. Sometimes the rash may be accompanied by fever, chills, headaches and nausea. Oftentimes, the rash is mild and clears up on its own, but in some cases sea lice can produce flu-like symptoms that lasts for weeks. Children and individuals with compromised immune systems are most at risk for serious reactions.

“It was a significant problem during several of the trips,” she said. “If you are in the water for just a little bit, it’s not a big deal,” said Dr. Kim Withers, Assistant Professor of Biology at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. “It may be itchy and usually in Dr. says showering nude might help prevent stings the most uncomfortable places, like your crotch or under your Basically what happens is that the microscopic breasts or arms. But if you are in the water jellies get caught in bathing suits, usually multiple times a day, scuba diving etc., then it wherever they are tight (under the arms, around can actually be more serious. Some people are the legs etc.), and then when they get squished, very sensitive to it, and also, sensitivity seems they release nematocysts (stinging cells). to increase over short time periods if you are Because of this, they care called “pica pica” in consistently exposed.” the Caribbean (itchy, itchy in Spanish). Withers has seen several cases of vomiting and Stinging can also occur when you take a extreme rash, and remembers an instance where freshwater shower after getting out of the water one swimmer had such a severe case that she – if you don’t remove the bathing suit first. had to be taken to a clinic for steroids to relieve Loose clothing (like T-shirts) can also be a the swelling.

Debbie received a plaque in recognition of her work on the Dine Island program photo by Brent Rourk

Junior Girl Scouts Working to Help Local Animals The Junior Girls Scouts of Troop 9611 from the Island are working on their Bronze Award. The Bronze Award is the highest award that a Junior Girl Scout can earn. The girls have decided to put their efforts into supporting PALS - a no kill animal shelter in Corpus Christi. They will be collecting donations at the Island Farmer Market on June 23rd.

Good examples of donations are: Dry/Canned Dog and Cat Food Dog/Cat Toys Cat Litter Stainless Steel Bowls Dish Soap Newspaper Yard Tools (Rakes/Shovels/etc.) Bleach Scrub Brushes Laundry Detergent Paper Towels Towels/Blankets Cat Bowls P.A.L.S services include low cost spay and neuter, pet adoption, vaccinations. Their volunteer program is committed to finding new ways of helping our friends here at P.A.L.S. Animal Shelter.

Debbie Noble presents a check to the Food Bank from Dine Island proceeds by Brent Rourk

Photo

From left to right: Erin Harl, Kiley Lochner and Vonna Anderson

If you would like to volunteers, contact P.A.L.S. either by calling 361-884-0366, or by emailing kaninesandkitties@hotmail.com.

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June 16, 2016

Monday

Island Moon

June Moon Phases Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

5 New

20 Full

Tides of the Week Tides for Bob Hall Pier June 9 - June 16, 2016

Day

High /Low

Tide Time

High 3:47 AM

Low

7:33 PM

Height in Feet

Sunrise Moon Time Sunset

1.3

6:33 AM

Set 3:59 AM

-0.1

8:26 PM

Rise 5:14 PM

1.4

6:33 AM

Set 4:37 AM

-0.3

8:26 PM

Rise 6:06 PM

1.5

6:34 AM

Set 5:18 AM

-0.3

8:27 PM

Rise 6:58 PM

1.6

6:34 AM

Set 6:03 AM

-0.4

8:27 PM

Rise 7:50 PM

1.6

6:34 AM Set 6:51 AM

-0.5

8:27 PM Rise 8:41 PM

High 4:27 AM

Low 8:02 PM

High 5:03 AM

Low

High 5:36 AM

Low

High 6:08 AM

Low 9:34 PM

High 6:39 AM

1.7

6:34 AM

Set 7:43 AM

Low

-0.5

8:27 PM

Rise 9:31 PM

High 7:09 AM

1.6

6:34 AM

Set 8:37 AM

Low

-0.4

8:28 PM

Rise 10:18 PM

High 7:39 AM

1.6

6:35 AM

Set 9:34 AM

Low

-0.3

8:28 PM

Rise 11:04 PM

8:32 PM

9:02 PM

10:07 PM

10:43 PM

11:22 PM

Moon Visible

Stuff I Heard on the Island By Dale Rankin I reached in my pocket for my buzzing phone and realized it wasn’t ringing, it was my stomach growling.

we were cancelled and stuck in Houston for the night. When flight delays are caused by weather the airlines don’t hand out hotel vouchers so we were on our own.

We were standing in at the gate in Houston Hobby Airport gazing out onto the tarmac where the rain was soaking our luggage. When the lightening rolls in the baggage handlers drop what they are doing and run for cover. But as it turned out wet clothes weren’t the biggest problems last weekend as we headed to North Carolina for graduation season.

“You got the same people planning your routes that run the Port Aransas Ferry System,” a nonvouchered head of a party of nine said. “You got all the ferry boats jammed up on one side of the state.”

My lovely wife doesn’t really like to fly so as soon as we got to CC International she hit the wine bar and by the time we were wheels down in Houston she was in flying shape. As we sprinted toward the next gate she missed the turn and ended up in the baggage area and had to re-enter through security. She would have missed the connecting flight except it was an hour late. The first harbinger of things to come. When we landed in Charlotte I went for the bags and there were three big boxy red suitcases that all looked exactly alike. She grabbed hers and away we went. Twenty miles down the road my cell phone rang and it was the airlines; she grabbed the wrong one and we were in an UBER almost to our destination. One of the things I learned is that the nation’s best political consultants are driving UBERs in Charlotte. If they were just put in charge of running the country all the problems would be solved immediately. During basketball season they switch from politics to coach in the NBA where they are equally talented.

About the time the sun came up the bags were exchanged in the lobby of the hotel like a drug deal in a bad Fellini film; we paid for the other bag lady’s cab ride since we were the bad bag grabbers. Then things calmed down for a couple 6/1/2016 9:39 AM of days as we cruised around Lake Norman and 87 headed it back to the airport for the ride home.

“I need you to send me to Houston and my luggage to Atlanta,” another said. “Well, sir we can’t do that,” said the lady. “Why not you did it yesterday!” A gate over the passengers headed for Rochester bedded down for the night. There could be a flight sometime after midnight so they couldn’t leave. We blasted into the parking lot at Corpus Christi International just before midnight. Just in time to see our re-scheduled flight from Houston come gliding onto the runway. We rented a car and away we went. The next day our luggage showed up at the airport in Corpus and everything inside it was soaking wet, a full twenty four hours after we watched it get drenched in Houston. The clothes all smelled like a pair of sweat socks after a marathon. A fitting end to a trying journey. I feel like I’ve been dragged behind a car; not for very long, but dragged behind a car nonetheless. Maybe next time we try the train; and luggage with a big X marked on it. And so it goes.

Everything went great until we got back to Houston to watch our luggage get soaked in the rain. The two-hour scheduled layover turned into four then five. A huge storm over the center of the state was causing havoc in a logistics center somewhere in Dallas. Somehow the schedulers had routed all the eastbound flights to Corpus Christi airport to dodge the weather and now our plane was stuck in Austin because there was nowhere for it to land after it picked us up in Houston. After six hours of being delayed

Photo by Tony Tagliaferro

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Island Moon

June 16, 2016

The Moon went trout fishing at island resident Steve McCumber's Norfork River Resort in Northern Arkansas and took island residents Fred and Lyn Edler and Bill and Lynn Vincent along. Not counting the big ones that got away, the Moon, Edlers and Vincents, together, caught 80 Rainbow and brown trout among them. Pictured are the Edlers, Vincents and Steve.

War veteran Roy Cox, Sr. celebrates his 93rd birthday at Sky Dive the Island hangar with Diana Aston, Tammy and her daughter Royce and Debbie Wells spent a fabulous week in Antigua visiting relatives and touring, sightseeing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and a little rum FUN!

Islanders Dan Carignan and the Island Moon with former Mexican President Vincente Fox and his wife Sahagun in Ireland.

June 16, 2016

Helping Marine Life One Reel at a Time

By: Sarah Claire Gilliam, Troop 9665 Fish, turtles, dolphins… oh my! Don’t you love to admire their beauty and watch them swim by? But what if a deadly line were to get tangled and tied, leading to an awful demise. With a hopeful dream, and a great project team, this project will help all marine life flourish and gleam. Troop 9665 completed our Silver Award May 2012. We wanted to focus on something that we were passionate about. Being a born and raised Islander, the beach and marine life are very important to me. A growing problem for marine life is the entanglement, ingestion, and suffocation from littered fishing line. We brainstormed ways to help prevent people from littering their used fishing line, and decided on the Monofilament Disposal Unit. This is a candy cane shaped PVS structure that the fishing line can be put in with a screw on bottom to be able to remove the line. We constructed and installed twelve units total, six at various boat ramps on the Island, two at the Nueces County Packery Channel Park, and four at Bob Hall Pier. However, many people still used the units as trashcans dumping food trash and dirty diapers. I decided that for my Gold Award, I would do a better job informing the public on how the units are used and the harmful effects fishing line has on the environment. I created four – 4x5’ educational display signs to share with the

Island Moon

public by putting them at various educational sites. The organizations that received a sign were the Texas State Aquarium, the Texas Sea Grant at Calhoun County, the Texas Sea Life Center, and the Flour Bluff ISD Intermediate Campus. All of these organizations are using the signs as an educational tool for children and their families. Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, and if they learn about how to care for the environment at a young age, they will carry this lesson with them for the rest of their lives. I am very excited to see that my project will help inform this generation and help the youth of today grow. Designing and constructing the Monofilament Units as well as the signs taught me how to design things to be easily useable and understood by everyone. The installation process allowed me to learn various ways to install a project based on the use. While designing the signs, I thought it was interesting to learn how to use graphic design to create the sign. I hope you and your children have a chance to see my Educational Display Signs at the Texas Sea Life Center, at the Texas State Aquarium or at the Flour Bluff Intermediate Campus!

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The Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can achieve. It is equivalent to the Boy Scout Eagle Scout Award. Sarah Gilliam is a graduate of Flour Bluff High School, Class of 2016. She will be attending Texas A&M College Station.

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June 16, 2016

Island Moon

SPORTS Sports Talk Special to The Island Moon

Pro and con: Is football too dangerous for kids?

By Dotson Lewis

Special to the Island Moon Dotson’s Note: This Sports Talk article is actually two essays and an article. The essays were written by students in Katherine Cohen's 7th-grade English class at Greenberg Elementary in Northeast Philadelphia. They were assigned the task of writing a persuasive letter. The article was written by Stephen F. Gambescia who is a professor of health services administration at Drexel University.

Paige Osborne: Football is too dangerous for children to play What do you think of when you think of football? Children tackling each other, touch downs, or maybe even the NFL? Do you even think about the concussions, crippling diseases or even the Alzheimer’s disease that your child can develop just from playing? Well these are consequences that are definitely part of football, and this brings up a serious question: Is football too dangerous for children to play? Football is too dangerous for children to play. One reason football is too dangerous for

children to play is because of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, otherwise known as CTE. It is a deadly brain disease that can develop from the repetitive hits and tackles young football players experience. Many parents start their children out at a very young age. However, because younger football players' brains and bodies are not fully developed, they are more vulnerable to injuries, mainly to their brains. With more and more young people playing football, the risk of players becoming disabled is becoming greater and greater. Depression, behavior that is erratic, headaches, and Alzheimer's disease (which does lead to death) are just some of the long-term effects of football. As a result, children should not play football due to its deadly effects. Another reason is you are probably thinking, "My child is safe; they always have a helmet on when playing football." Guess again, because no particular type of helmet can keep children 100 percent safe from injuries. It turns out when researchers tested different brands of helmets; they found virtually no difference in the safety of the headgear. Regarding the concussion rate, Xenith company brand helmets have over a 6 percent concussion rate, Riddell company has over a 9 percent concussion rate, and Schutt company headgear has over 8 percent concussion rate. You may not think these numbers are sufficient, but when you think of all the children that play football, the numbers really do add up. This is one of the many reasons why children should not play football. The helmets cannot always keep them safe. The final reason why football is too dangerous for children to play is a concussion is one of the many risk factors of your child developing Alzheimer's disease. A critical build up in protein in the brain, that has been linked to Alzheimer's disease, has been proven to be five times more likely to occur in players that have had a concussion and memory loss. Drugs that have the potential to block the brain injury from turning into Alzheimer's disease have not been created yet. Therefore, if your child played football and got a concussion which caused memory loss, they would be five times more likely for premature death. Football is too dangerous. Players can develop CTE from just playing football, no safety gear can protect against this, and football or any sport can cause life-changing Alzheimer's disease. In conclusion, these facts should be considered, and you should not sign your children up for football. It could mean the difference between your child living a handicapped life or a normal one.

Queena Wong: Football is not too dangerous Do you think football is too dangerous? People around the world think football is too dangerous, while others say it is not. Football is not too dangerous. More youth coaches than ever are taking education courses to keep football safe for the players in order for them not to get hurt. The coaches have been told to tell the players to use their shoulders instead of their heads. Coaches also have been taught how long to keep the players on the benches to let the players recover when they are injured. Coaches are using what they learned to keep the players safe. This reduces severe concussion rates. No sport is risk free. The severe concussion rate for boy's soccer is 12 percent. This is twice the severe concussion rate of boy's football. Some say any sport or physical activity can cause a concussion. In conclusion, other sports have higher concussion rates than football. Football is a safer game due to programs that are needed. USA Football, the official youth league for the NFL, is dedicated to providing coaches with the programs they need. These include certified coaching education, concussion awareness, USA Football Tackle Progression Model, and proper levels of contact at practice. Players also need properfitting equipment and heat preparedness, proper hydration, and nutrition. In the end football is not too dangerous that it cannot be played anymore. Coaches are teaching children to pay in a much safer way, no sport is risk free, and there are programs to help with the risk. That why football is not too dangerous. Let adults, teenagers, and children keep playing.

Stephen Gambescia: Is football too dangerous for school kids? August is the time when schools across the country start official football practices. Parents and coaches will pray that no player drops dead from heat exhaustion. It’s a rare event, and rule changes and precautions have been made, which is good. But truth be told, parents need to hold their breath through every play of the season, as American-style football — by its design and the way it is played — has high risk of injury to our youth. Football, from the first kickoff to the final whistle, involves bone-breaking, ligamenttwisting, and head-knocking action. Players on both sides line up head-to-head. Defensemen often tackle using their heads, and the ball carriers, as last-ditch efforts, buck with their heads to avoid a tackle or gain an extra yard.

Thoughts on the Greatest By Andy Purvis Special to the Island Moon How do you begin to write about an icon; one of the few people, other than the Pope, who have been known worldwide for over a half century? The world knew his name. He was perhaps the most recognized man on the planet Earth. What more could be written? What secrets lie unknown? His entire life has been documented for history on radio, film, television, and in more books than the entire collection of the Encyclopedia Britannica. From the jungles of the Philippines to the deserts of Africa and all across this great land, the name Ali resonates with young and old, men and women, of every color and nationality, sitting around tables and telling stories. Smiles break out on their faces and their heads begin to move side to side in disbelief as their memory takes them back to a time when a loud, brash, insulting young boxer, not only changed his name and religion, but like the armies of Alexander the Great against the Persians at Issus, he waded knee-deep through the best collection of heavyweight boxers this world has ever seen. Ali always seemed to be

The number of awards that Ali has received are too numerous to mention. Here are a few of the most prestigious. On September 7, 1960, Cassius Clay won an Olympic Gold Medal in boxing. In 1990, Muhammad Ali was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Although trembling and nearly unable to speak, Ali was chosen to light the Olympic caldron at the 1996 Olympic Summer games in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1999, Sports Illustrated named Muhammad Ali the Sportsman of the Century, and he became the first boxer to appear on a Wheaties Box. On January 8, 2001, Ali received the Presidential Citizen Medal from President Bill Clinton. On November 9, 2005, President George W. Bush awarded Ali the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest award that can be achieved by a citizen in the United States. Also in 2005, the Muhammad Ali Center, a museum dedicated to respect, hope and understanding, opened

All sport has some degree of risk for bodily injury; however, the nature and extent of bodily harm due to youths playing football is perverse. In 2013 the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council released a report from an expert committee reviewing the science of sports-related concussions in youth. While the committee pointed out the lack of highly reliable or centralized data concerning the overall incidence of sports-related concussions among youths, there were enough reports reviewed that showed concussions were on the rise and football was a leading cause. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 2.7 million youths under 20 were treated for sports and recreation injuries from 2001 to 2006. During this same period, emergency room visits for traumatic brain injuries among children under 19 rose 62 percent. Because of the risks involved, board members and officials of elementary and high schools should seriously consider not sponsoring football for its students. No question this is a radical idea and would be a major social and economic change for schools and communities. Football at all levels of play is unequivocally part of the American cultural pastime. We invest a lot of time, attention, emotion, and money into the game. Most can relate to the exuberance that winning football teams bring to players and those who watch. Many have had a Remember the Titans experience, recalling the 2000 film about a Virginia high school team. And less-than-stellar players can dream about being the next Rudy, the star of another gridiron film. One of our most red, white, and blue-blooded holiday, Thanksgiving, is spiced up with football. So calling for the removal of football in schools will most likely be viewed as un-American. At a time when we are fighting against our

children becoming overweight and wanting them to get more exercise, why pull the plug on a youth sport that many of them play? At a time when “grit” is identified as a healthy characteristic for college and workplace success, why pull the sport off the list of options? Maybe it is time to think of football, especially at the scholastic level, not only with such terms of endearment. Maybe it is time to think about scholastic football in terms of what benefits and risks it provides our youth on balance and in the long run. It may not be well known, but the American Public Health Association, along with several major medical associations, called for a ban on boxing, at all levels of play, as early as 1985. In its policy statement, the association said boxing is inherently dangerous and, by design, puts players at risk of harm. Second, it said that the litany of rule changes, equipment tweaking, and “better surveillance of harm” by apologists to reform the sport would lessen but not substantially eliminate the injury problems. Third, there are ample alternatives for any benefits that boxing provides. These same arguments can be applied to American-style football. While progress has been made by coaching players not to use their heads directly in a play, the fact is the head is almost always in harm's way; there is no rule change that can make the head incidental. Dotson’s Other Note: In closing his article, Dr. Gambescia said: “We should question why we expend so much time, money, and energy on an enterprise that invariably sacrifices so many young minds, bodies, and sometimes spirits. It is time for school leaders and parents to seriously consider getting our children off the gridiron.” What is your opinion regarding this very controversial game? Your comments, suggestions, questions and concerns regarding Sports Talk articles are greatly appreciated, please call the Benchwarmers at 361-560-5397 weekdays, Mondays thru Fridays, 5-7 PM, or contact me. Phone: 361-949-7681 Cell: 530-748-8475 Email: dlewis1@stx.rr.com Have fun -30-

in a hurry, and he boxed like he was doubleparked. In a sport populated with more celebrities than a “Red Carpet,” Ali was always the best boxer in the room and disposed of his opponents like a box of Kleenex. I was one of the millions who were mesmerized by Ali. Every picture taken of a young Ali had him with his mouth open. It was as if he had been born during a thunderstorm. He always put on a show before, during and after each fight. Ali had a wonderful smile, but those eyes, those eyes could see right through you. Ali could have been undefeated in a staring contest. He was authentic, a pioneer, muscles glistening under the ring lights; he was overthe-top, the “Louisville Lip,” the “Greatest of All Time.” With his hands down style, dancing constantly, bouncing on his toes in the ring, Ali put the sport on the world map and helped usher in the Golden Era of Boxing. So begins my story of Muhammad Ali, the ultimate song and dance man. You see, I’m one of those old guys and from the age of nine, I followed his career, sometimes angry, sometimes enlightened, but always mesmerized and after all that has been said and done, I’m proud to be able to say to any man, “Shake the hand that shook the hand of Muhammad Ali.” That’s right. Not only did I get to meet Ali in January of 1994, in Houston Texas, but I also had him sign a book and a pair of white Everlast boxing trunks, with black stripes down the sides. I could not believe how big he was in person and when I saw him up close, he was even bigger. I also shook his hand and sang “Happy Birthday” to him. I think I surprised him. Everyone waiting in the autograph line joined in. His given name was Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, and named after a former politician. His mother, Odessa, was a cook and house cleaner. His father was a sign painter. Cassius grew up in a little pink house located at 3302 Grand Avenue. He loved playing board games and eating hotdogs with his brother, Rudy, and started boxing at the age of 12, after his new red Schwinn bicycle was stolen off a downtown street. Cassius reported the theft to Officer Joe Martin, who also ran a boxing gym. When Cassius described what he wanted to do to the thief, Officer Martin suggested he first learn to box. Officer Martin would train Clay for the next six years. His amateur debut occurred in 1954. Clay won six Kentucky Golden Glove titles and two National Golden Glove titles. Cassius was not a very good student and excelled in only art and gym class. He graduated 376th in a class of 391 from Louisville Central High School. He later said he never really learned to read a book and had to memorize his speeches. He was part of the 1960 U.S. Olympic boxing team that traveled to Rome. I watched him fight because I loved the Olympics; it was us against the world, and he was representing America. I was not disappointed. In his later life, Ali became somewhat of a saint. Ali was able to transcend from one of the most controversial figures in sports to one of the most beloved. He was respected for sacrificing over three years of his boxing prime for standing firm on his anti-war principles. His demeanor grew softer in old age and the public responded to him in a positive way. Ali generated so much good will that the public’s perception of him changed. Ali had many famous quotes. My favorite goes like this: “It isn’t the mountains ahead that wear you down. It’s the pebble in your shoe.” Ali, a social activist, on integration: “God made us all different. It’s natural to be with your own. I want to be with my own. I have a beautiful daughter and a beautiful wife and they both look like me. We’re all happy and we have no troubles. Every intelligent person wants their child to look like him. I want to be with my own. I love my people.”

in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Sports Illustrated announced that Muhammad Ali would grace their cover for the 40th time, during the week of his death. In the ring, his agility, lightning hand speed, barrage of powerful punches and unpredictable movement allowed him to overwhelm his opponents. He was beautifully trained and conditioned. He circled his opponents like a well-oiled machine. What’s important to remember is that Muhammad Ali defeated every top heavyweight contender in his era. According to his trainer, Angelo Dundee, Ali just made it up as he went along. “Ali worked as hard as he talked,” said Dundee. He broke all the rules in the boxing handbook. He pulled away when he threw a punch, and again when a punch was thrown his way. Dundee criticized him for not slipping punches by moving his head and for keeping his hands low by his side instead of up in front of his face. Ali dared you to swing at him. To become the Heavyweight Boxing Champion, you first have to win a fight. And win, he did. He was the 1960 Light-Heavyweight Olympic Champion and a three-time World Heavyweight Champ. His opponents were up and down off the canvas so many times they must have thought they were riding on an elevator. Over 21 years, his career win-loss record stands at 56-5, with 37 wins by knockout. He had fought in a squared ring for more than two decades, but his stage was never big enough. In the ring he became known for the “Ali shuffle.” He will be remembered more for what he did outside the ring, what he stood for, and what he believed in. People don’t become great because they are perfect every time out. They become great when everything goes wrong and they still find a way to win. We all knew this day was close. Ali suffered with Parkinson’s disease for 32 years. Interestingly, it was his ability to take a punch that ultimately did him in. He spent the last ten years of his life in Scottsdale, Arizona. A part of all of us slipped away today. So, now Ali embarks on life’s last mystery. History will record the date of his death as Friday, June 3, 2016, in a Phoenix-area hospital. He died from septic shock, brought on by natural causes. He was but 74. The man himself, “Ali,” reminded us, “Don’t count the days. Make the days count.” A better fighter may come along one day, but Ali will always be “The Champ.” One of my favorite writers, Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press, tells a wonderful story about Ali visiting a children’s hospital. While there, Ali speaks with a young boy who is dying of cancer. After they had spent a few minutes together, Ali said, “I’m going to beat George Foreman and you’re going to beat cancer. “No,” said the boy. “I’m going to meet God, and I’m going to tell him I know you.” I wonder what that little boy and Ali are talking about now. Muhammad Ali once said, “The fame, the championships, the boxing, it’s all good, but it’s more important to treat people right and to worship God, and living a good life. It’s more important than just being a boxer and beating up people.” Some people just come along at the right time, and some of us never die. Their legend lives on through the ages. Ali’s legacy will always be a part of our history. It has been said that Ali whispered to George Foreman during their fight, “Is that all you got?” He’s whispering the same to all of us now. Andy Purvis is a local author and radio personality. Please visit www.purvisbooks. com for all the latest info on his books or to listen to the new radio podcast. Andy’s books are available online and can be found in the local Barnes & Noble bookstore. Andy can be contacted at purvis.andy@mygrande.net. Also listen to sports talk radio on Dennis & Andy’s Q & A Session from 6-8 PM on Sportsradiocc.com 1230 AM, 96.1 FM and 103.3 FM. The home of the Houston Astros.

June 16, 2016

History continued from A1

The tide was rising rapidly. It looked as though a storm might be brewing in the Gulf. If I didn’t get the car up out of reach of the water, I wouldn’t have a car. This thought kept my bare feet plodding through the sand all night. It was dark as pitch. Sudden squalls blew in keeping me drenched most of the time. But with the first gray light of morning, I could see by the familiar outlines of the dunes I was only a few miles from the pass. Bill White, another fisherman, was cooking breakfast in his tarpaper shack when I knocked at his door. I was too tired to eat, but as I gulped down scalding cups of coffee, I couldn’t help crowing over the fact that four years before I had been doomed. In the last twenty-four hours, I had walked seventy-five miles! During the next year I acquired a fishing partner. We called him “Shorty”, and if he had any other name we never knew it. He was a good man on the end of a net. It relieved Viola from some pretty hard work too. She had found a bale of cotton washed up on the beach and subsequently launched into a quilting project. Shorty set up his tent a little beyond our shack, and until the hurricane that year (1933), we had a pleasant and profitable partnership. That was the year the Gulf staged a real shindig. We had several scares that September. Viola kept most of our valued and important possessions packed in boxes against the time we might have to evacuate. The Friday before the storm hit on Monday was one of the most perfect of island days. The water was flat and blue. The skies clear and the southwest wind, warm and gentle. Shorty was expecting weekend guests, and Viola, thinking they would perhaps visit us too, had unpacked the boxes and made the house cozy and neat. I was fishing early Saturday morning when I noticed that the swells were coming over the beach in an erratic rhythm. Far out over the water, the sky had an ominous look; wildlife had deserted the beach. A squall hit with sudden intensity. I pulled in my line and went into the shack. Viola was still sleeping. I wakened her and told her to get ready to go to town, that I thought thee was a storm on the way. Sleepily, she started pulling on her jeans and shirt, mumbling about repacking everything. I walked to the porch and looked out. The tide had risen so fast that it was already hazardous to travel the beach. “You won’t have time for that,” I told her. “We’ll have to go now, or not at all.” Shorty came in then. He had seen the signs. There was no need of telling him. Another squall hit as we were getting into the pickup where we squeezed up together in the seat. The beach was almost impassable where the long sweeps crowded us up into the soft sand and shell. But the Model-A came through, and in the late afternoon, we reached the house of some friends in Corpus Christi. I checked with the weather bureau and found that there was, indeed, a storm in the Gulf. It was one of exceptional force and was headed straight toward the Texas coast. They expected

the storm to hit Monday. After getting Viola more or less safely settled, Shorty and I began to talk about retuning to the island and going down the beach on low tide that night to get some of our equipment. We decided to go, and over Viola’s protests, we refueled the Ford, and drove back over the causeway to Padre. The island was a place of darkness and fury that night. It rained incessantly and the wind blew in gusts that threatened to blow the pickup over. We had only gone a mile or two down the beach when we both had to admit that it was hopeless to try to go further until daylight. So we drove the Ford up into the edge of the dunes and sat there all night trying to sleep, our legs cramping and the water reaching nearer with every heave of the Gulf. When morning came, the rain let up a little. We shoved and shoveled our way through the dunes and to the grasslands in the center of the island. It took all day to reach the shack driving over the rough terrain and through the pools of water left by the night’s deluge. It still rained and the wind blew.

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We left the truck behind the dunes and walked over to the house. The water was running under it so deep it was over our knees as we waded up to the steps. We estimated that the tide was four or five feet above normal. I knew that unless some miracle happened, the shack was not going to stand much longer. I went inside, and dumping a pillow out of its case, started grabbing some valuables and putting them into it. I tossed in a box containing several old coins I had found around the wreckage of an old ship, a rust-encrusted lavaliere I had picked up at the site of the Balli mission-ranch. Then there were stem-wind gold watches I had found in a wooden box on the beach and my collection of arrowheads and spear points. I was looking around at all the rest of our furnishings and equipment, wondering how much to take, when a giant roller hit the shack with terrifying force. I felt the floor sway and buckle under my feet. The water was running up through the cracks when I went out the back door with the pillow case in one hand. The steps had washed away. As I jumped off the porch into the water that was now over waist-deep, I caught sight of a can of gasoline that I was counting on to use for the return trip to town. I caught the can as it floated by me and waded out of the melee. Shorty, having finished collecting his belongings from the tent, was waiting for me in the truck.

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I put the gasoline in, and looked back at the house. It had toppled and was being beaten to pieces by the waves. When I started to place the pillow on the seat, I discovered that I had grabbed the wrong one – had salvaged only a pillow and a can of gasoline which might not even be enough to get us back to town. Darkness was coming down fast. The storm grew in intensity. We would be lucky if we go out of it with our lives.

Next issue: The sea takes away and the sea gives back.

the

14602 S. Padre Island Dr. www.AmericanBank.com • Member FDIC

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Want to know more? Just give our Branch Executive Officer, Dan Suckley, a call at 361-949-8070.

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Matt Hole prepares to jump out of a perfectly good plane

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"Hutch" displays the duck that he carved

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14802 Compass (361) 949-8200

A10

June 16, 2016

Island Moon

COLDWELL BANKER ISLAND, REALTORS 14945 S. Padre Island Dr., Corpus Chris�, TX 78418

(361) 949‐7077 or (800) 580‐7077 www.cbir.com

ISLAND, REALTORS

14234 Sand Dollar A spectacular, secluded Island retreat. 3/2/2 with 2,889 sq. ft. on over 1 acre of land. Backs up to bird sanctuary. $850,000. Charlie 361-443-2499.

14122 Coquina Bay New paint and carpeting makes this 4 bedroom, 2 bath home with a large covered patio move in ready, $247,000. Call Cindy Molnar 549-5557.

Spinnaker Canal Condo boat slip, updated, granite countertops, fireplace. 1 block from Schlitterbahn. $195,900. Kellye 361-5220292.

15334 Bounty one story waterfront on large body of water with 3/2/2 & circular drive. Quick access to the Intracoastal Waterway. $339,000. Terry 549-7703.

13622 Moro $395,000. 1,703 sq. ft. Gas stove, stainless appliances, split bedrooms, tile/hardwood floors. Granite counters. Great lot, nice landscaping. Charlie 4432499.

Palm Bay 3-2.5-2. Private patio and backyard. 3 stories, great second home or turn key short term rental. Spectacular pool area w/grills. Tony-Cheryl 949-7077.

14878 Granada Move in ready furnished waterfront townhome with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, garage, boat lift and pool, $345,000. Call Cindy Molnar 549-5557.

13638 Camino De Oro 3/2.5/2 stucco and tile waterfront home with huge deck, covered boat lift and recent updates. Must see, $425,000. Call Cindy Molnar 361-549-5557.

Beach Club—one bedroom furnished. Move-in ready. 3rd floor with a view of Lake Padre. Outstanding amenities. Short/long term rentals allowed. Call Cheryl.

Totally Remodeled 6th floor unit at the Gulfstream. Gulf, beach and dun view—at night the lights of Padre shine, close to elevator. Dorothy 361-563-8486.

Condos, Condos, Condos

Check Out these Condos available in Wonderful Complexes allowing Short Term Rentals! Palm Bay Village 2/2.5/2 Pool front units Compass Condo 2-2-1 on water. Being sold unfurnished. 2nd floor unit, elevator. Move in ready. Call Cheryl 563-0444 for an appointment. $225,000.

Tuscany canal townhouse 3 bdrms, 2 1/2 baths, dining room, SS appliances, granite counters and breakfast bar, luxurious woodwork—Dorothy 563-8486.

15202 Main Royal 3/2/2 East facing with 90’ on the water, a covered boatlift, open floor plan with 2 dining areas, $399,900. Call Cindy Molnar 549-5557.

Nice Canal Townhome. Open plan 3/2.5/1. Master down, boat lift, electric & roll down shutters. Large decks. 13901 Mingo Cay #8. Call Pam Morgan 361-215-8116.

15102 Leeward #501 3-2.5-2 Beach Haven townhome, located on the pool. 1,640 sq. ft. Great location, just a short walk to the beach. $229,900. Charlie 361443-2499.

13961 Jacktar $226,000. 3/2/2. New paint, new wood tile floors, tropical landscaping, split floor plan, two eating areas, covered patio and more! Charlie 443-2499.

#902 $229,900 #905 $249,900

Marquesas #306 2/2 unit $199,900 Compass Condos B-17 2/2 waterfront $219,900

Beach Club Condos One bedroom, one bath units #225 $114,900 #283 $129,000 Two bedroom, two bath units #262 $184,900 #362 $172,000 #375 $168,900 Studio #394 $119,000 #291 $105,000

Call Charlie 443-2499 or Terry 549-7703 to view!

Custom Above and Beyond upscale interior house. Four bedrooms, 3+ baths, oversized garage, hardwood floors, aluminum roof, granite. Dorothy 563-8486.

15374 Sabre When it comes to location and views, it’s hard to beat this east facing view down 3 canals and minutes to the ICW, $625,000. Cindy 543-5557.

15870 Punta Espada Canal home. 3-2-2. 2,067 sq. ft. Deck facing east. Pool size backyard. Split bedroom. Open, airy floorplan. Call Cheryl 361-563-0444.

13926 Sea Anchor Beautiful well maintained 4/2/2, split bedrooms, large back yard. Close to Schlitterbahn. $215,000. Allen 830-6600717.

14945 S. Padre Island Dr. Corpus Chris�, TX 78418 (361) 949‐2131 (877) 269‐2131

www.rentpadreisland.com Superior Service, Outstanding Reputa�on since 1999 Looking for Professional Long Term Property Management Services? Our services include:  Tenant Qualifying  Collec�ons of Rents  Coordina�ng Repairs & Maintenance  Professional Itemized Monthly Statements  Marke�ng/Adver�sing

Looking for Long Term Rental Property? Below are some of our available rentals:

15002 Leeward #5306 2/2 $1200

14721 Whitecap #225 1/1 $950

13953 Fortuna Bay #6 2/2 Furn., $1450

15970 Punta Espada 4/2/2 Furn., $2400

15002 Leeward #5302 2/2 $1200

Seaquist New Construction on Eaglesnest 4-2-2. Tile floors. Wrap garage. Open floorplan. Covered patio. Fenced yard. Rocked front yard. Call Cheryl 563-0444.

13906 Mingo Cay #4 1/2 $800

13854 Doubloon 3/2/2 waterfront with 2nd dining or study, multi-level deck w/bar and boat lift plus many extras, $439,900. Cindy Molnar 549-5557.

14428 Compass #207 1/1 $1000

15237 Caravel 3/2/2 Exquisite 15419 Cruiser St. $429,000. 3 remodel. Stunning canal view. bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage. Palm Bay #701 Custom cabinets, glass hurricane Solar screens, laundry shoot. Locat1/1 $1350 doors. Granite throughout. Reed on the water, 2,462 sq. ft. duced, $359,900. Dory 739Kellye 522-0292 or Charlie 44313546 Peseta 6964. 2499.

3/2/2 $2500

13769 Tajamar 3 bed, 3 bath waterfront. Deck to entertain around pool & hot tub. Boat lift, parking for RV/boat, updated throughout. Call Cheryl/Tony.

Surfside Condo #121 2/1 on first floor. Steps from heated pool and beach. Fully furnished, pet friendly. Call Cheryl or Shonna for more information.

Looking for Vaca�on Rental Services you can trust? Call Padre Escapes, Padre Island’s Premier Vaca�on Rental Company at 361‐949‐0430 Visit us online at www.padreescapes.com email at vaca�on@padreescapes.com

Commercial lot 15,790 sq. ft. near Padre Island National Seashore. Vacant, platted, drainage culvert, improvement. Carrie 949 -5200.