668 a for the web

Inside the Moon

Winter Texan Welcome A2 Issue 668

Alamo A7

The

Island Moon The voice of The Island since 1996

February 2, 2017

Fishing A11

Night at the Races A9

Free

Weekly

FREE

The Tower That Doesn’t Hold Water

Around The Island

By Dale Rankin Welcome to week one of the Chinese New Year everybody. It’s also known as the "Spring Festival" and is based on the Lunar New Year and kicked in last Saturday. This year is the Year of the Rooster although it is not gender specific so chickens are included too, so we got that going for us.

By Dale Rankin City crews are flushing millions of gallons of treated drinking water from the water tower on the south end of The Island each month in order to reduce the amount of chlorine which builds up in the water when it is stored for too long a period.

Fungus Among Us It starts as a tickle way back in your throat like a marshmellow that didn’t quite go all the way down, then comes the runny nose, and by the time the cough starts kicking in you know something just ain’t right.

Welcome to the Flu Season Island style folks. We don’t have to tell many of you that there is a fungus among us and when it hits it sticks around longer than a cousin without a motorhome. The particular flu strain that has flown to our Island this season is a nasty one that has too many of us hacking and coughing and sneezing and on the first day thinking we are going to die and on the second afraid we won’t. Some Islanders have been fighting the bug for more than a month and are still singing in the Sniffler’s Choir. Patti over at CVS says Muchnex D is the magic elixir but we find that mescal also helps.

Even so, the hacking and sniffling continue to provide the soundtrack for Superbowl 51. Always remember, if your nose runs and your feet smell you might be walking around on your head.

ISAC meeting change The next meeting of the Island Strategic Action Committee has been moved to 5:30, Monday, upstairs at the Veranda at Schlitterbahn. The meetings are usually on the first Tuesday of each month. The ISAC was formed as a result of the 2004 Mustang/Padre Island Development Plan and the Corpus Christi City Council this week approved on a second reading the new plan which was drawn up by ISAC members. The committee is an offshoot of the Tax Increment Refinance Zone formed that year to earmark property tax on new construction inside the zone since 2004 for use inside the zone.

There will be some discussion on the recent push by homeowners along the Laguna Madre side of The Island to move duck hunters beyond the current 1000 feet boundary for shooting near houses. This is an issue that is as old as the ISAC itself and comes up every year about this time. It took more than four years to get the city council to admit it had jurisdiction to move the hunters away from houses and put the 1000-foot limit in place.

The committee has been getting a good deal of attention from new city council members who are beginning to realize that in the squeaky-wheel system at city hall produces much better results for neighborhoods when the people organize. Due to the persistent work of the ISAC since its formation in 2010 The Island has pushed its way onto the city hall radar and finally, after decades of being the silent cash cow, we have started to get some attention from our city.

In combination with the Island United Political Action Committee which focuses attention on the ballot box, The ISAC has changed the politics in Nueces County. In past decades city government’s role with regards to The Island consisted largely of taking money from Island taxpayers to throw at downtown

Around cont. on A4

See the special Winter Texan News on page 14 in this issue!

Live Music Calendar A18

Laguna Shores February 7-11

Scuttle Your Schooner at Boat Turn-in Days

Program provides solution to owners of kaput watercraft The Texas General Land Office (GLO) is partnering with the City of Corpus Christi and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) to offer local coastal Texans the opportunity to remove inoperable and derelict vessels through the Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) free of charge. Designed to provide owners with a voluntary method of disposal, interested boat owners are encouraged

to participate if the vessel is less than 26 feet long, with longer boats being accepted on a case by case basis. The vessel maybe delivered to the drop off point February 7th to the 11th, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

"The Vessel Turn-In Program is proud to provide Corpus Christi area boat owners a voluntary method to dispose of their run-down vessels in

a safe, environmentally-conscious manner," said Land Commissioner George P. Bush. " We want to spread the word: Never abandon or sink a vessel to dispose of it. Not only does it pose an environmental and navigational hazard, it's also illegal.

Removing abandoned or sunken vessels can be hazardous to the safety of others and expensive for the State

The tower built in 2011 at a cost of $4 million was designed to help rectify the problem of “stale” water building up in the many dead end water mains on The Island. The lack of circulation through the Island’s water system has been an ongoing problem as a problem called “plating” forms an algae inside the lines which leeches out chlorine. City workers have

Turn-In Days cont on A4

Tower cont on A5

Barefoot Mardi Gras Season Kicks off This Week

Winter Beach Cleanup

Locals, it is time for our zaniest event of the year! Barefoot Mardi Gras is Saturday, February 25.

Seven beaches targeted for trash pick up

By Debbie Noble

Kick off the season with everyone at Doc's on Tuesday February 7 at 5:30. Meet with friends, have some drinks, float your float ideas, and help our charities!

Then celebrate Fat Friday at The Boathouse on February 17 at 6. Drink some more and bid some more and collect some more beads.

The Parade itself starts March 25th at 11 on the beach. Send in your parade registration forms to participate or put it on you calendar to attend. March or watch - just be

The 13th Annual Winter Beach Cleanup is set for Saturday, February 11 at seven Coastal Bend beaches.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The cleanup will take place from 9 a.m. to noon. there. Get there early to park and then stay afterwards to avoid traffic and enjoy the festival (11-5) with food trucks, beer, artisans, activities for the kids, music, parade awards and float displays.

Then dress in your wildest, brightest attire to dance the night away at the King and Queen's Ball at 7 at

Barefoot cont on A4

The locations participating in the Winter Beach Cleanup are: Padre Island National Seashore − Check in at the Malaquite Visitor Center, 20420 Park Road 22, contact Buzz Botts at 361-9498068 or via e-mail at buzz.botts@ texasadoptabeach.org.

Packery Channel − Check-in is at the parking lot off Highway 361 on

Cleanup cont on A4

Property Owners Association Annual Budget Report

The Padre Isles Property Owners Association collected $1,742,670 in 2016 and spent $1,429,248 on operations, according to figures presented to the Board of Directors at their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday. The figures were complete as of November 30, 2016.

The board voted to place the difference in the two figures. $313,422, into the organization’s investment account which, according to figures released Tuesday shows a total of $6,946,826 with ready cash – Cash and Equivalents - at $1,310,301 and Cash on Hand at $2,028,898.

The figures show total assets of $9,336,794.

Budget cont. on A4

A little Island history

Revolution in Mexico, Raid on a Texas Train, Heads in a Gunny Sack, and Finally Peace in The Valley

Editor’s note: This is the latest in a series of stories about the warfare which broke out along the Texas/ Mexico border in the area south of Corpus Christi one hundred years ago.

Pancho Villa in the north, the other by Venustiano Carranza who’s policies, unbeknownst to American President Woodrow Wilson, had been the cause of the cross-border killing spree along the Rio Grande River.

By Dale Rankin

Carranza’s flirtation with the Germans who were looking for a foothold on the American continent had encouraged him to foment the Border War. Even as the warfare continued along the border Carranza had forged an alliance with General Álvaro Obregon in Northern Mexico and was closing in on victory in the revolution.

The relationship between the United States and Mexico with regards to The Border has always been a symbiotic one. Whether it be a maquiladora plant where cheap Mexican labor assembles parts made in China with a finished product shipped to America, or whether it be a deadly border fight among drug cartels literally fighting for access to Pancho Villa (left center) and Emiliano Zapata in the National Palace in Mexico City an underground American market. said over the years that there are three to divide into five camps and fight The problems along the 1915 U.S./ ways of doing things; the right way, a Balkanized war of attrition. By Mexico border were much like the the wrong way, and the Mexican way. the fall of 1915 the revolution had ones we face now, except the cause The Mexican way to fight a narrowed to two groups; one headed of the fight going on in Mexico then revolution was not to divide into by agrarian land reformer Emiliano had nothing to do directly with the Zapata in southern Mexico and United States. It has been accurately two camps and fight it out, but rather

In October Carranza requested and was granted permission to move troops over the American Railroads from Eagle Pass, Texas to Sonora to reinforce Obregon’s forces fighting Villa. Wilson, unaware of Carranza’s double game of pushing a Border

History cont. on A4

A2

February 2, 2017

Island Moon

The Barrel Welcomes Winter Texans Roof raised slightly, then returned to original position

Under new ownership!

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Open For Brunch Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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MEAGAN FUREY

ROBBIE O’QUINN

STACEY OLIVER

MARY SCRUTON

361-949-0101 View amazing tours & photos at

www.coastline-properties.com 14717 South Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi, Texas 78418 BUYING | SELLING | LEASING | INVESTING

February 2, 2017

Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder

Letters to the Editor

removal of this important docking facility. In fact, its removal could lead to an environmental disaster when numerous barge tows are unsecured against the bank during bad weather while awaiting a berth at the port.

This facility was built at no expense to the government nor the tax payer and it greatly increases maritime safety and reduces environmental damage. Please urge the Corps of Engineers to re-instate the permit previously granted, and give these expert captains continued use of the docking facility in Lydia Channel for their safety and for the protection of the local marine environment.

By Richard L. Watson, Ph.D.

Distribution

Coastal Geologist

Pete Alsop Island Delivery

TexasCoastGeology.com

Barging In

Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin Classifieds Arlene Ritley Production Manager Abigail Bair Contributing Writers Joey Farah Andy Purvis Mary Craft Christiansen Jay Gardner Todd Hunter Dotson Lewis Ronnie Narmour Brent Rourk Photographers Miles Merwin Jeff Dolan Mary Craft Ronnie Narmour Office Security/Spillage Control (Emeritus) Riley P. Dog

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

There are many reasons to support the barge docking facility on the San Jose Island side of Lydia Ann Channel. The first is enhanced safety.

Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) barges are each about 200 ft long. Tows often consist of three barges end to end plus the towboat pushing them. That means that the total length is over 600ft, the size of a ship. They operate in narrow canals and across shallow bays, where they must stay in the channel. When winds are high, they can’t safely cross the bays, especially when the barges are empty and floating high in the water, creating too much windage. They must either “nose up” against the bank in a land cut and hold position with their engines running, or preferably, tie up to bollards placed along the sides of land cuts near bays. It is much safer for the tow to be secured to dolphins than to hold position against the bank with engine power. It is also better for the environment because they are not running the engines, not digging into the bank with the barges or washing sediment with the propellers. There are similar docking bollards in the south end of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge just north of Aransas Bay, with no problems for over 30 years.

With the recent expansion of oil production in the nearby Eagle Ford formation of Texas, ship and barge traffic into the Port of Corpus Christi has greatly increased. Up to two dozen barge tows must wait in the GIWW until there is a berth available for them in the port. If a strong squall occurs while a dozen or more loose tows are pushed against the bank, some could lose control with the real possibility of crashing into other tows. It is far safer for them to be secured to the bollards along the channel. Additionally, there is a tug and crew permanently on site to help secure the tows to the bollards. The docking site in Lydia Ann Channel is, by far, the best location in the area because the channel is quite wide at that location and both north and south-bound traffic can easily pass.

Some are under the misconception that the secured barges are bad for fishing. Some local fishing guides maintain that the fishing is better because fish like to hang out in the shadows of the barges and no damage is being done to the shoreline.

I am a coastal geologist who has studied this coast for 50 years. Waves, beaches, channel currents, inlets and harbors have been my lifelong specialties. I have also lived on boats, been a captain of offshore oilfield vessels, and have over 100,000 miles at sea as a captain on yachts, and long range commercial fishing vessel deliveries. I have been a professional compass adjustor in the wheelhouses of over 1000 vessels from small boats to naval ships.

The best boat handlers that I have ever seen are inland tugboat captains and offshore oilfield captains.

It is a mistake for environmentalists with little knowledge of maritime industries to call for the

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

Angry Marlin

Coffee Waves

CVS

Moby Dicks

Whataburger

Spanky’sLiquor

Doc’s Restaurant

IGA Grocery Store

Snoopy’s Pier Isle Mail N More

Carter Pharmacy

Island Italian

San Juan’s Taqueria

Brooklyn Pie Co.

Wash Board Laundry Mat

Holiday Inn

Ace Hardware

Port A Parks and Rec

Texas Star (Shell)

Public Library

Scuttlebutt’s Restaurant

Chamber of Commerce Duckworth Antiques Back Porch Woody’s Sports Center

Jesse’s Liquor

Subway Island Tire And all Moon retail advertisers

Flour Bluff

Giggity’s

H.E.B.

Stripes @ Cotter & Station

Liquid Town

Gratitude Gift Shop

Port A Glass Studio The Gaff

Richard@TexasCoastGeology.com

Put it in Writing, POA To Whom It May Concern The POA Board The Director Island Home Owners

Having held 4 meetings in the last 40 days, we the Concerned Home Owners and Members of the POA, have chosen to submit in writing the following discussed concerns and to alleviate the perceived inability to get answers to such concerns, want all answers in writing which it has been decided will enhance and inform the communications since a dialogue has not been established at our monthly meetings with the Board.

It is requested that the following questions, concerns, be addressed at our next Board meeting, publically.

RULES 1. How are the Robert's Rules of Order implemented at an open meeting?

2. Please state the policy for term limits for Board members.

3. Provide that the enacted rules have proven the ability of enforcement in a court of law with competent jurisdiction; state specifically that they may be enforced by injunction and/or other equitable and legal remedies as available under Texas law.

4. What mechanism is currently in place to include home owners' input and stated priorities of said policy implementation?

5. Repeal current rules on home owners' maintenance and the $60,000 budgeted for said compliance officers. Mandated: home owners VOTE prior to reinstatement.

COMMUNICATION 1. What, in your opinion, is the clear way of communicating with property owners?

Interested concerned home owners have suggested the following: •

written response to questions concerns clearly addressed

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

Did Ya Hear?

By Mary Craft mkay512@aol.com

Business Briefs The Pelican Plaza small building near the gym has been leased to attorneys Gabi Canales and Gordon Morgan.

The Food Caddy delivers food from a variety of restaurants to your door (even on the Island!) in 30 – 60 minutes. Some of the participating restaurants are P.F. Chang, Eirinis Gyros, Atomic Omelette and Olive Garden. The fee for delivery is $6.50 and does not include the driver’s tip.

The Barefoot Mardi Gras Kick-off Party will be held at Doc’s Seafood & Steaks on Tuesday, February 7th at 5:30 pm. Admission is $8 and includes food, music and a silent auction to benefit Big Brothers & Big Sisters and the Island Foundation Schools.

The Annual Whooping Crane Festival will be held February 23 – 26. The 300+ cranes are best viewed by boat and there are several narrated boat tours that can be booked at their website.

The Black Sheep Bistro is having their Wine Dinner where they pair wines with entrees on Thursday, February 9th. The Barrel Bar has $4 nightly cocktail drink specials and half price wine night on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Boathouse Bar & Grill is taking reservations for the Super Bowl and spots are filling up fast so call 589-9601 before it’s too late.

The Annual William Ellis Memorial Library Book Sale will be held Saturday, February 4th 9 am – 5 pm and February 5th 9 am – 3 pm in Port Aransas. There will be an extensive selection of books plus movies, magazines, audio books and music. There will be lots of bargains so bring along boxes.

The Pelican Lounge has completed its remodel and replaced the carpeting with the popular vinyl wood look flooring, a tiled entryway with the pelican logo in the center, new ceiling fans and more. The bar’s pool league recently won first place in a 14 team tournament. They have shuffleboard on Tuesdays with a $5 entry fee and everyone is welcome to play.

The Polar Bear Open at Schlitterbahn will have a shotgun start at 9 am on Saturday, February 18th. It is open to members for $32 and non-members for $42. The fee includes cart, warm up range balls, prizes and chili buffet.

Countdown - 30 days until daylight savings time.

and

•

newsletter sent monthly

•

budget published in newsletter including a list of expenditures and finances

FUNDS/FINANCIAL 1. Please address (in writing) the equitable assessment of POA funds.

2. Please publish any financial arrangements that exist with the Board and the POA. 3. Fiduciary responsibility must be specific and certain that it is not mandating policy adverse to the covenants.

Padre Isles Property Owners Association, Inc.

4. What is the process to preview the budget prior to passage allowing discussion by POA Members (home owners).

5. Request a better and more visible accountability of our monies and expenditures.

6. When will the POA check register be available to read; what plans for change are currently in place?

7. Please post the Texas Annual Board statement that has NOT been on the Texas website.

8. The periodic report to the Secretary of State was last reported in 2013. Why have we not filed quarterly since then?

PIPOA BOARD

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING MARCH 11, 2017

1. List measures that can be put in place to ensure greater transparency by/of the Board?

THIS NOTICE AND BALLOT/PROXY FORM REPLACES THE NOTICE AND FORM SENT EARLIER THIS MONTH THAT WAS MAILED IN ADVANCE OF THE MAXIMUM 60 DAYS ALLOWED. ANY BALLOT/PROXIES SUBMITTED ON THE PRIOR FORM WILL BE ACCEPTED, BUT ONLY ONE VOTE WILL BE TABULATED FOR EACH LOT.

2. Please provide evidence of trust as we go forward that "past grievances" will not hinder the establishment of a productive, peaceful, and proactive environment.

The Padre Isles Property Owners Association, Inc.'s Annual Meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at the Seashore Learning Center Gym, 15801 S Padre Island Dr., Corpus Christi, Texas (Encantada @ Park Rd 22).

3. State the rights available to homeowners as/when we and the POA Board are in disagreement? e.g., palm tree pruning, etc.

Property owners will receive the audit, various annual reports on the Association and elect two (2) members to the Board of Directors for 3-year terms. You have the following options for casting your vote for Board of Director candidates and other business:

4. Did the Board have a horticulturalist write a report advising on trimming palm trees prior to amending the Covenants as per Texas Homeowners Act 2015? Request it to be published.

Option 1: If you do not plan to attend or if you are not sure whether something might cause a change in plans, you may vote in advance by completing the Ballot/Proxy. Please fill out and mail the enclosed Ballot/Proxy to arrive at Kirk, Monroe & Klostermann, L.L.P., no later than noon on Friday, March 3rd, 2017. If you attend the meeting in person, you may revoke your proxy and vote in person if you prefer.

Option 2: If you do plan to attend, you may vote at the Annual Meeting by turning in the enclosed Ballot/Proxy or obtaining a Ballot at the door and using it.

NOTE: Property owners are entitled to one vote per lot.

2017

Padre Isles Property Owners Association, Inc. OFFICIAL BALLOT BY PROXY

2017

I authorize the Board Secretary to record my vote(s) for the following candidate(s): Three-Year Term Nominees – Vote for Up to Two Persons

 Stan Hulse Carter Tate William Kent Kerr David Dare

George Potter Dennis Sprout

Marvin Jones Robert Algeo __________________________________

The number in the BOX above equals the number of lots owned and the corresponding number of votes for this ballot. By signing below, I/we authorize the Board Secretary to cast the vote(s) indicated above.

OPTIONAL GENERAL PROXY If you cannot attend, and if you want to designate a proxy for the meeting as to other matters, you may designate one person to vote on your behalf at the 2017 Annual Meeting. You may write in as your proxy someone you know who is going to attend the Meeting or one of the above candidates, or you may check the box of one of the current members of the Board of Directors listed below:

Write in__________________________ Brent Moore Nancy Tressa Leslie Hess Darrell Scanlan

Stan Hulse Cheri Sperling John “Jack” Sharlow

This Ballot/Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the undersigned. If a General Proxy is made, it will be voted at the discretion of the proxy holder as to other matters arising at the annual meeting. If it is not marked, or if marked improperly, it will be counted toward a quorum only. This form must be signed in order to be valid.

WB Liquor

Shorty’s Place

Keepers Pier House

A3

Island Moon

Signature

Second Signature (if applicable)

Printed Name

Printed Name

Date:

Date:

Editor’s note: The election of two new officers on the seven-member Padre Isles Property Owners Association will be held on Saturday, March 11, at Seashore Learning Center Gym, 15801 SPID (Encantada at SPID). There are eight members running for the two seats and the top two vote getters will take office. Property owners inside the POA boundaries get one vote for each piece of property they own and usually just over 1000 votes are cast, about 100 of them by proxy. You can vote without attending the meeting by using the form included here.

We extend an offer to all candidates and POA members to write us at editor@ islandmoon.com and we will print any and all (non-libelous) letters in their entirety up to 800 words.

Other candidates can be written in by using the form.

5. Please the state the format for an item to be discussed at Board meeting by concerned home owner.

6. Please state the Board's plan to protect the canals and bulkheads in the event of a hurricane.

7. Revise the format of the Annual meeting to encourage and honor property owners to be heard.

8. What are the POAs plan to combat crime here on the Island?

9. What steps are in place to remedy the ballot which was sent out last month?

10. Please review and revise current method of monthly Board meetings to encourage and welcome the interest that has been established to permit the valuable input and insightful suggestions and alternate plans to meet the needs of the property owners.

11. Request to REACTIVATE the Advisory Board.

12. State current policy to segregate duties to avoid participation of Board members and relatives in an advisory role?

13. Request to establish a community leader(s) for clearer community communication of issues that impact all home owners.

14. Request to utilize the talents and skills of those who live here on the Island to mobilize the numerous willing volunteers that are available and knowledgeable.

15.

Respond formally in writing to acknowledge all who volunteer to enhance our Island life.

16. Request to seriously address the concerns of the elderly and the disabled with property

Letters to Ed. cont A4

A4

February 2, 2017

Island Moon

Turn-in Days cont. from A1 of Texas. We want to encourage folks to take advantage of this five-day VTIP in Corpus Christi."

Vessel Turn-In Program Hours: February 7th - 11th, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Drop-off location: Flour Bluff Drop-Off Location: Laguna Madre Wastewater Facility 201 Jester St. Corpus Christi To pre-register, sign-up at: www.surveymonkey. com/r/vtipcc.

The Winter Beach Cleanup is one of three all-volunteer seasonal cleanups coordinated through the Adopt-A-Beach program of the Texas General Land Office.

Most trash found on Texas beaches is left there by litterbugs. Since 1986, Adopt-A-Beach volunteers have picked up 9,300 tons of trash, which is the equivalent to the weight of 62 blue whales, making it one of the most successful volunteer programs in the nation. Volunteers record data on the trash to learn more about the causes of marine debris and to help mitigate pollution along Texas' 367 miles of coastline.

History cont. from A1 War on one hand while seeking diplomatic recognition for his government on the other, recognized the Carranza government effectively making him the winner of the Mexican Revolution.

Carranza received American diplomatic recognition on October 19, 1915. This opened the way for Carranza to move his troops across American soil on American railroads, it also made him the de facto President of Mexico.

TPWD will verify the vessel (boat) qualifies for disposal. Verification of ownership and a Release of Interest and Ownership must be completed and provided to the VTIP agency.

The title must be free of any loan balances, liens, and/or taxes. The GLO will sponsor the removal of all hazardous materials (fuel, oil, and batteries), while the City of Corpus Christi will transport vessel to landfill for disposal.

Boat must be clear of waste and debris.

Potential participants may contact the GLO with questions at (361) 825-3300 or the City of Corpus Christi Code Enforcement at (361) 8263032. Para instrucciones en español, llame al (361) 826-3032.

The train will be a little late Unbeknownst to Wilson was an attack the night before his recognition of Carranza on the St. Louis, Brownsville, & Mexico Railroad by Mexican Revolutionaries acting presumably without Carranza’s orders. At 10:45 p.m. raiders stuck the rail line which was the lifeline of the

Background - Texas GLO's Oil Spill Prevention and Response The oldest state agency in Texas, the GLO was formed to determine who owned what and where after the Texians and Tejanos won independence. Today the General Land Office manages state lands, operates the Alamo, helps Texans recovering from natural disasters, helps fund Texas public education through the Permanent School Fund, provides benefits to Texas Veterans, and manages the vast Texas coast. With hundreds of millions of barrels of crude oil and petroleum products passing through ports, bays and beaches along the Texas Gulf annually, the Texas General Land Office Oil Spill Prevention and Response team is on call 24/7, ensuring oil stays out of Texas coastal waters.

Barefoot cont. from A1

Cleanup cont from A1 Mustang Island near near Packery Channel.

Contact Jace Tunnell, with Coastal Bays Foundation at 361-882-3439 or via e-mail at jace.tunnell@texasadoptabeach.org or cbbf@ baysfoundation.org.

Port Aransas − Check-in is at Avenue G at the beach. Contact Harry Martinez at 361215-2763 or via e-mail at harry.martinez@ texasadoptabeach.org.

Aransas Pass/Redfish Bay − Check-in is at Lighthouse Lakes Park, four miles east of Aransas Pass on Highway 361. Contact Richard Gonzales at 361-779-7351 or via e-mail at richard.gonzales@texasadoptabeach.org Rockport − Check-in is at Rockport Beach Park pavilion. Contact Kerry Goodall at 361729-6661 or via e-mail at kerry.goodall@ texasadoptabeach.org..

North Corpus Christi Beach − Check-in is at the Texas State Aquarium, 2710 N. Shoreline Blvd. Contact Rosanna Gossett at 361-8811204 or via e-mail at rosanna.gossett@ texasadoptabeach.org.

Kid's Place at Cole Park − Check-in is at 1526 Ocean Drive, contact Celina YbarboPulcher at 361-765-1900 or via e-mail at celina. pulcher@texasadoptabeach.org.

Budget cont. from A1

Listed expenses for 2016 totaled $1,335,234 with the largest expense for Bulkhead Cap Repair at $432,918 followed by Common Area Maintenance at $250,914, and payroll for the organization which was $175,063.

Enforcement The board has also issued a schedule of fines for violation of rules with a universal fine of $50 for infractions ranging from garbage cans in front years, to uncut trees, plastic yard covers visible through rock landscaping, dumping in canals, inoperable vehicles in yards, unmaintained boat docks, clothes lines, gravel in curbs and gutters, and misuse of common areas. The fines are backed with the threat of leans against property if the infractions are not addressed. The board also decided to cut high grass on vacant lots if the property owner fails to act and charge the landowner $100.

POA enforcement officers reported Tuesday that they inspected 4400 separate properties since May, 2016 and wrote 1372 violations of which 1324 have been closed and 8% of the cited property owners have failed to meet guidelines. They inspected 300 properties in January, 2017, writing 130 notices for violation, closing the files on 26 of those.

The guidelines for fines approved Tuesday is a move toward being able to collect on the fines. To the present time the organization has not collected any fine money partially due to a uniform schedule of fines and offenses. POA attorney John Bell told the board Tuesday that while the organization has a long list of rules for governance there is not currently an existing handbook which codifies them. The board also moved to address conflict of interest issue concerning board members and their families and businesses who do business with the organization.

Letters to Ed. cont. from A3

maintenance and repairs that are a challenge to them 17. What is the expectation of the Board?

18. What is the expectation of the home owner?

PROCUREMENT 1. Does the POA have a documented process for procurement that they follow?

2. Is there a policy in place to avoid nepotism?

What is it?

Luis de la Rosa Rio Grande Valley. The southbound passenger train was less than seven miles north of Brownsville, near Olmisto, when sixty raiders, mostly from Matamoros and led by Luis de la Rosa and Aniceto Pizana derailed the train.

They had pulled up the spikes holding a rail in place and as the locomotive approached they yanked the rail away.

The engine overturned, killing the engineer and severely scalding the fireman with steam.

The engine, tender, baggage, and express cars left the track, while the smoking car and firstclass coach remained upright.

Half a dozen masked raiders stormed the train yelling, “Viva Carranza, Viva Luis de la Rosa, Viva Aniceto Pizana and began robbing and shooting Anglo passengers. Hispanics were not molested.

Three soldiers in uniform were shot immediately, one died and the other two were wounded. An ex-Texas Ranger and a Texas quarantine officer tried to hide in the lavatory but a Hispanic youngster on the train revealed their hiding place and the raiders fired through the door. The ex-Ranger had a finger shot off and was shot in the shoulder but survived. The quarantine officer died.

Schlitterbahn. Watch the crowning of the new Barefoot Mardi Gras royalty. Tickets available on-line and at the POA office. Only $25 ahead of time and $35 at the door.

Like us on Facebook at Barefoot MardiGras.

Or register and purchase tickets online at BarefootMardiGras.com. Contact barefootmardigras@yahoo.com to have a display at the festival, be in the parade, sponsor any part of this event, or ask any other questions.

Heads in a gunny sack Little did anyone know this was to the last raid of the Border War which had begun in 1911 and burst into full combat in 1915. This was due partially to Wilson’s recognition of Carranza and partially due to 800 men from the 28th Infantry regiment sent to South Texas to augment the 5000 troops already there. Local citizens put up a $1000 reward for the killing or either or both de la Rosa or Pizana. The U.S. Attorney General reduced the amount to $250 apiece and stipulated that the reward would only be paid to persons who delivered the heads of either of the men in a gunny sack to the American side of the Rio Grande – an unusual bounty to be issued forth by the U.S. government.

But the damage caused by the war between

The local District Attorney, John Kleiber, was returning from court in Corpus Christi and was saved because he was covered in blood from one of the soldiers who was shot and the raiders thought he was dying. Kleiber later said there was blood from one end of the coach to the other.

All these fun and uniquely Island events show off the spirit and generosity of our community as we dance and march and fling beads while raising money for the Island Foundation Schools and the local Big Brothers, Big Sisters program.

A few days later a local newspaper reported that “no inquest would be held” over the four bodies found. The same day as the newspaper posting twenty-five raiders attacked the fifteenman Signal Corps detachment at Ojo de Aqua killing three and wounding eight soldiers. This was the last straw for U.S. General Frederick Funston who issued a statement of No Quarter authorizing the execution of captured raiders on the spot. He also asked the Secretary of War for bloodhounds and Apache scouts to be sent to the border. Three days later raiders tried to burn the railroad trestle which had been rebuilt but were driven off by Army troops.

But Carranza had withdrawn his support for the raids and they stopped. The guerrillas were now so busy dodging the Mexican Army they had no time for raids into Texas. The death toll from the Border War was put at around 5000 – about 300 executed by hanging or shooting by governmental entities. The war to return South Texas to Mexico was over. Carranza executed Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa would flee into the Mexican interior pursued by the U.S. Army.

Thus far the GLO has conducted five VTIP collections in Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda counties, resulting in the processing of 177 vessels, totaling 3001 feet in length, for disposal and a savings of more than $600,200.

There is an additional VTIP in Brazoria scheduled for January 30th, prior to the five-day VTIP in Corpus Christi.

Working with petroleum and commercial fishing industries, U.S. Coast Guard and the general public, Oil Spill Prevention and Response staff support educational opportunities, daily water and shore patrols and firehouse-ready response teams to prevent and immediately address environmental problems - because even the smallest spill can endanger Texas' precious natural resources. Abandoned vessels can leak fluids into coastal waters that can be harmful for the wetland environment, wildlife and humans.

kill those fellows’ and I told him no. He says ‘if you don’t have the guts …to do it, I will go myself.’ I says, that takes a whole lot of guts, four fellows with their hands tied behind them, it takes a whole lot of guts to do that.”

Train wreck and robbery The raiders took $325 in cash from the passengers along with diamonds and watches, even a sample case from a traveling salesman.

They stole shoes – favoring regulation U.S. Army footwear which they stripped from the soldiers. Kleiber had his shoes stolen as well but would later prosecute several men who participated in the attack. The ex-Ranger later testified he recognized Luis de la Rosa even though the raider was wearing a mask.

“I’m going to kill those fellows” What really disturbed the Texas authorities was that de la Rosa had learned that the army had removed the detachment guarding the train station near where the raid occurred only a few days before. The raiders had an infiltrator in the American Army’s ranks. They headed out for Mexico and burned a railroad trestle south of the station so that when the Army troops arrived to help they had to walk the last mile. By then the raiders were back in Mexico.

Along with the army troops from Fort Brown the Texas Rangers also arrived from their camp in Brownsville along with about 1000 Brownsville citizens who flocked to the scene, including a “large number of Brownsville women who had to be carried from the scene due to feinting spells.”

The Texans wanted revenge and Ranger Captain Henry Ransom obliged by seizing four random Hispanics and executing them.

This act created a rift between state and local lawman. Sheriff W.T. Vann from Brownsville later testified “We came out there and arrested those four men. Captain Ransom had them and walked over to me and says, ‘I am going to

3. Request for competitive bidding for ALL anticipated projects; (ie. our Legal Fees)

The Border War was a dirty fight Anglos and Hispanics in South Texas was done.

The Anglos viewed the Mexican-Americans as a fifth column for Mexican interests. The Mexican-Americans, many of whose families had live on their land since before it was part of Texas or the United States, were ostracized by former friends.

The Border War was history but its legacy was not.

The Mexicans who had instigated the war with the intent of retuning Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California to Mexico were left with nothing but the oft repeated fateful line still heard today in the Border Region, “Tan cerca de Estados Unidos tan lejos de dios;” "So close to America so far from God.”

Around cont. from A1 development, a process which sucked up more than $200 million since 2000 with little to show for it.

In the past few years with the addition of Schlitterbahn and now with progress on the development around Lake Padre the city has begun to wake up to the fact that development on The Island produces the highest Return On Investment and, again, with ISAC and IUPAC focusing attention on Island issues we have started to see a paradigm shift toward The Island in recent years and have at this juncture achieved a level of autonomy matched only by downtown which has its own taxing district and budget.

The previous two city councils pushed property taxes up by almost 40% and used most of the increased revenue to pay debt service on the now maxed-out city credit line and with the city facing nearly $2 billion to pay for infrastructure improvements and unfunded employee pensions over the next few years growth is about the only way forward and when it comes to growth in this town The Island is front and center.

We are about to enter into a mayoral race which could have a lot to say about what happens on our Island over the next decade. We have very good representation on the council in the person of Greg Smith and we need a good showing at the ballot box in the planned May 6 election to let our city know that our wheel still squeaks.

Low tide The windblown winter tides have pushed the water south for the season leaving the flats high and dry this week. So try to stay out of the muck everybody, and say hello if you see us Around The Island.

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4. Do any board members or POA staff or their family members either own or work for a business that provides goods or services to the PIPOA? POA OFFICE 1. What methods do you have "in place" currently to ensure the POA Administration conduct work efficiently?

2. What has been researched regarding the benefits of hiring a full time accountant and/or book keeper? Also an auditor, printing services, and grounds maintenance?

We anticipate better communication to all home owners and the POA and the Board.

Sincerely, Concerned Citizen community

Ethical Engineering I am the engineer running for Mayor you are talking about. You failed to mention that I've been on the Ethics Commission for 5 years. I'm running for Mayor because of what I've seen on the City Ethics Commission. I am proud to be a Chemical Engineer and was very upset with what the previous Mayor (he is not an engineer) did to my profession. Real Engineers are held to very high standards of Ethics. Engineers are not to lie or mislead people because if we did, very bad things would happen.

I know my chances of winning are low but I will work very hard for our City. Hard work is all I know. Our political system is a mess and I want to change it. I hope that my campaign helps to get the Ethics Bill passed in Austin, refer Caller Times article on “Lawmakers pushing failed 2015 ethics bill” (Jan. 29, 2017).

Larry White, P.E. Licensed Professional Engineer

Book Sale The William R. “Bill” Ellis Memorial Library will be having its annual book sale February 4th and 5th. This is going to be one of the largest book sales the library has ever hosted. Everyone is waiting for the highly anticipated book sale, which occurs the first weekend in February.

This will be one of the best years ever! There are so many great books this year. You can find almost anything you are looking for. There will be many cookbooks, a fantastic collection of nice western novels, tables and tables of fiction and nonfiction books along with many popular magazines, movies, audiobooks and music. Start saving your boxes because we know there will be so many bargains you will not be able to resist the purchases. The library will take donations of good used books through January 21, 2017. The library is located at 700 W Avenue A. The book sale will be at the Civic Center at 710 W. Avenue A. The hours are from 9 am to 5 pm Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5th from 9 am to 3 pm. All proceeds benefit the Ellis Memorial Library Trust Fund for future library needs. Last year’s sales brought in $8,608.00. We hope to increase our sales this year. This year is especially important since the library is in need of funds for shelving and furniture for the expansion and renovation project to begin in the spring. The Library Trust Fund Trustees would like to thank everyone who has already made monetary contributions to the library for the expansion. Some people have made donations in honor or in memory of someone special. So come one, come all!! Shop till everything is purchased!

Send letters and photos to editor@islandmoon.com

February 2, 2017

A5

Island Moon

Tower cont. from A1 attempted to counter the problem with higher levels of chlorine and by bleeding the lines on a regular basis. More than 30 million gallons of treated water is flushed from fire hydrants around the city each month, about three million gallons of that is on The Island. The tower was built before the completion of a second water line to The Island in 2014 and is at the south end of the city’s water system, far away from the treatment plants and controlling the amount of chlorine through the system has been an ongoing battle.

The tower is designed for a capacity of 70 million gallons, however, Island users even at peak times consume only about 50 million gallons per day. According to city staff if the excess water is left stored in the tower chlorine levels increase to a point that the water is unpalatable. Island water use is often well under the 50 million gallon threshold, on Monday it was only 20 million gallons, and use drops in winter months when Islanders cut back on yard watering.

Dilution is the solution To counter the problem the tower is regularly drained into a nearby field and several fire hydrants across The Island are equipped with mechanisms with a timer which opens the hydrants on a scheduled basis to drain the “stale” water. City staffers say the alternative to draining the tower on a regular basis would be regular water boil orders for Island users.

Tides of the Week Tides for Bob Hall Pier February 2 - February 9

Day

Th

High /Low

Tide Time

12:55 AM

Height in Feet

Sunrise Moon Time Sunset

0.3

7:14 AM

Rise 11:03 AM

6:11 PM

Set 11:58 PM

Rise 11:46 AM

2

Low

2

High

6:48 AM

0.8

2

Low

12:22 PM

0.3

2

High 6:45 PM

0.9

F

Moon Visible

24

3

Low

1:42 AM

0.0

7:14 AM

3

High 8:43 AM

0.8

6:12 PM

3

Low

1:40 PM

0.6

No solution to No Wake

3

High 6:55 PM

0.8

4

Low

2:37 AM

As the summer season approaches there is yet another attempt to find a solution to the on-

4

High

11:01 AM

5

Low

3:38 AM

5

6

Sa

Su

M

Tu

W

Th

-0.2

7:13 AM

Set 1:00 AM

1.0

6:12 PM

Rise 12:31 PM

-0.4

7:13 AM

Set 2:02 AM

High 1:03 PM

1.2

6:13 PM

Rise 1:21 PM

Low

4:40 AM

-0.6

7:12 AM

Set 3:05 AM

6

High 2:10 PM

1.4

6:14 PM

Rise 2:14 PM

7

Low

-0.7

7:11 AM

Set 4:06 AM

7

High 3:00 PM

1.4

6:15 PM

Rise 3:12 PM

8

Low

-0.8

7:11 AM

Set 5:04 AM

8

High 3:43 PM

1.4

6:15 PM

Rise 4:12 PM

9

Low

7:34 AM

-0.8

7:10 AM

Set 5:58 AM

9

High

4:18 PM

1.4

6:16 PM

Rise 5:13 PM

5:40 AM 6:39 AM

34

The tower was a stop-gap to the bad water problem when the $14 million set aside in capital improvement funds for a second water line to The Island under the tutelage of former Mayor Henry Garrett proved to be well short of the amount needed for the project. That line was originally designed to cross the Laguna Madre and tie to the Island water system at the far end, near the location where the tower is located and the estimated cost was $41 million. The second line was competed in 2014 at a cost of more than $20 million in the same right of way as the original line which runs parallel to the JFK Causeway. However, the problem of “stale” water in Island lines continues and the tower, as the main collector of water at the far end of the system, has turned out to be an incubator which must be purged to avoid the problem.

46 57 68 78 87 93

going problem of boat wakes in The Island’s canal system. A presentation at the monthly meeting of the Padre Isles Property Owners Association this week was aimed at pushing the City of Corpus Christi to enforce the No Wake provisions included in existing city ordinances.

But if past history is any indicator the effort will meet with ignominious failure for one simple reason; the city doesn’t have a boat. Well, that is not technically true since the Police Department has a dive boat, but it is not/cannot be used for code enforcement. There are also two cityowned boats which are kept at the downtown marina which are designated, among other duties, to patrol Packery Channel. The Island Tax Increment Refinance Zone pays more than $80,000 each year as part of the original Packery Channel plan. However, due to city rules, that boat has never been used to patrol Island canals and cannot be diverted to canal patrol because the canals are not inside the zone’s boundaries.

Four years ago the Island Strategic Action Committee began raising $75,000 to buy and equip a boat that was to be donated to the Police Department for canal patrol. About $26,000 was raised and placed in the account of the Island Beautification Trust and when that organization was defunded by the POA two years ago the money was refunded. The fundraising effort for the boat was halted when then Police Chief Floyd Simpson told ISAC members that he would not staff the boat even if it was donated to the department.

Several state and federal agencies have jurisdiction in the canals, however, none are charged with the responsibility of enforcing the No Wake provisions in the City Code. That responsibility falls solely on the city…which has no boat to do the job.

The code specifies that a wake is in violation of the City Code when it forms a peak, which means that swells which over time can do serious damage to Island decks and docks are not technically illegal. Past attempts to prod the city to enforce the No Wake provision have gone nowhere and currently damage caused by wakes can only be addressed if the homeowner sees the boat, provides a registration number, and the damage is done by a single wake; meaning that the cumulative damage of continual wakes over time is not covered. There is no known record of a ticket ever being written for an excessive wake in Island canals.

Vietnam Wall Memorial Coming to Rockport February 2-5

The Wall That Heals, a 250-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, along with a mobile Education Center, is coming to Rockport, Texas on Feb. 2-5 at the Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor and will be open and free to the public. The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces during the Vietnam War and its walls bear the names of the more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the most visited memorial in our Nation’s Capital, with more than four million visitors each year.

However, many Americans have not been able to visit what has become known to many as “The Wall.” The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), the organization that built The Wall, wants to give all veterans and their family members all across America an opportunity to see the Memorial.

Send letters and photos to editor@islandmoon.com Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper

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February 2, 2017

Island Moon

Senior Moments

The Unknown Truth about Korea

By Dotson Lewis Special to the Island Moon occupation of China Dotson’s Note: For the past few months I have and Korea since the been hearing about and discussing with friends early 1930s. Rhee who have been there, the happenings in and and his U.S. advisers about the Korean DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), quickly concluded and the danger therein. But during the research that in order to build I heard many facts about the pre-Korean war their kind of Korea period that I believe may be of interest to Moon through the KDP Monkeys. Your reaction to this will determine if they must definitively I should follow-up by relating to you the tense defeat the broad-based and dangerous Korean DMZ. Thanks to Brian KPR. While Kim, who wrote “The Most Dangerous of Rogue with the support of Nations: The United States” and Tom O’Neill who wrote, “Korea's DMZ: Dangerous Divide” Charles H. Bonesteel the Russian forces in the north, was purging for many of the facts contained in this article. that territory of former Japanese administrators U.S. Sanctioned Death Squads and War and their Korean collaborators, the USAMG Crimes, 1945-1953 was actively recruiting them in the south. In The mostly unknown record of the brutal U.S. November the U.S. Military Governor outlawed all strikes and in December declared the KPR and all its activities illegal. In effect the U.S. had declared war on the popular movement of Korea south of the 38th Parallel and set in motion a repressive campaign that later became excessively brutal, dismantling the Peoples’ Committees and their supporters throughout the south.

Young Dean Rusk & Wife occupation and subsequent control of Korea following the Japanese defeat in August 1945, and the voluminous number of war crimes committed between 1950 and 1953, have been systematically hidden under mountains of accusations directed almost solely against the "red menace" of northern Korea. The Korean War itself grew out of U.S. refusal to allow a genuine self-determination process to take root. The Korean people were exuberant in August 1945 with their new freedom after being subjected to a brutal 40-year Japanese occupation of their historically undivided Peninsula. They immediately began creating local democratic peoples’ committees the day after Japan announced on August 14 its intentions to surrender. By August 28, all Korean provinces had created local peoples’ offices and on September 6 delegates from throughout the Peninsula gathered in Seoul, at which time they created the Korean People’s Republic (KPR).

The United States had a different plan for Korea. At the February 1945 Yalta conference, President Roosevelt suggested to Stalin, without consulting the Koreans, that Korea should be placed under joint trusteeship following the war before being granted her independence. On August 11, two days after the second atomic bomb was dropped assuring Japan’s imminent surrender, and three days after Russian forces entered Manchuria and Korea to oust the Japanese as was agreed to avoid further U.S. casualties, Truman hurriedly ordered his War Department to choose a dividing line for Korea.

Two young colonels, Dean Rusk (later to be Secretary of State under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson during the Vietnam War) and Charles H. Bonesteel, were given 30 minutes to resolve the matter.

Kim Ill Sung The 38th parallel was quickly, and quietly, chosen, placing the historic capital city of Seoul and 70 percent, or 21 of Korea’s 30 million people in the "American" southern zone. This was not discussed with Stalin or any other political leaders in the U.S. or among our allies.

Surprisingly, Stalin agreed to this "temporary" partition that meant the Russians already present in the country would briefly occupy the territory north of the line comprising 55 percent of the peninsular land area. On August 15, the United States Army Military Government in Korea (USAMGIK) was formed and on September 8th 72,000 U.S. troops began arriving to enforce the formal occupation of the south.

The Korean People’s Republic officially formed just two days prior to the first arrival of U.S. forces was almost immediately shunned by the U.S. who decided its preference was to stand behind conservative politicians representing the traditional land-owning elite.

The U.S. helped in the formation on September 16 of the conservative Korean Democratic Party (KDP), and brought Syngman Rhee to Korea on General MacArthur’s plane on October 16 to head up the new party.

Rhee, a Korean possessing a Ph.D. from Princeton (1910) and an Austrian wife, had lived in the United States for more than 40 years. To his credit he had detested the Japanese occupation of his native country, but he hated the communists even more. Just before Rhee arrived to begin efforts to consolidate his power in the south, long-time resistance fighter Kim Il Sung returned from exile to begin his leadership in the Russian occupied north. As a guerrilla leader Kim had been fighting the Japanese

Anecdotingly

The Pits

ByAbigail Bair I tried to turn on my heater for the first time this season during the cold snap we had around the first of January.

Predictably, because this is my life, it wouldn’t light. The city spent about six months (instead of the 4 weeks they initially predicted) working on the gas lines in the easement behind my house last spring/summer/fall, and I figured that they just forgot to turn the gas back on. I called the public works department, and a few hours later a guy came out. He, after much tromping around, found that the line wasn’t holding pressure. Houston, we have a gas leak. My gas was turned off and an intimidating padlock was put on my meter.

I called the Rev and the G.P. to let them know.

It was a Saturday, and since weekend rates of plumbers often have to be expressed in scientific notation, we decided to wait until Monday to call one. The G.P. had me covered, though.

He brought over his ancient green metal space heater and announced that I was saved.

Old Shocky

In December 1945 General John R. Hodge, commander of the U.S. occupation forces, created the Korean Constabulary, led exclusively by officers who had served the Japanese. Along with the revived Japanese colonial police force, the Korean National Police (KNP), comprised of many former Korean collaborators, and powerful right-wing paramilitary groups like the Korean National Youth and the Northwest Youth League, the U.S. Military Government and their puppet Syngman Rhee possessed the armed instruments of a police state more

Tracing the line from the house under two large decks proved more difficult than the G.P. thought, and now there are so many post holes that the back yard looks like it’s overrun with prairie dogs. I called the Rev when this was happening and told her that Dad had gone gopher, and that someone was definitely going to break a leg. “Maybe it will be a burglar,” she cheerfully responded.

Eventually, after much digging and cussing, the line was located and it was time to drill the smaller holes. The G.P. looked online for gas sniffing dogs, and then got mad because they were all German Shepherds – “In case the line needs biting when they find the leak,” he joked.

Unfortunately, my yard is made of antediluvian clay baked into a solid secondary mantle, and was too hard to drill through. I tried to tell him, having once nearly decapitated myself trying to turn the topsoil with an electric tiller. He didn’t listen and almost broke his hand when the drill kicked back. Time for a new plan. The G.P. starting posting on Facebook about valor and quests.

150 years of experience

I know this space heater well from my many banishments to the camper. We call it “The Electrocutioner” or “Old Shocky” because not only does it shock you every time you touch it, it also creates a static charge that travels through walls and floors and electrifies everything metal, including doorknobs. Just try to open a door without first covering your hand with your sleeve, and you get a filling buzzing jolt.

As a basic rule, it’s always a good idea to wear rubber soled shoes around my Dad, but when the Shockster is heating the shop, the addition of ugly yellow dish washing gloves is also wise.

It would have to get pretty cold in the house before I would turn that thing on.

Syngman Rhee & Wife

Dad was worrisome to me. I wasn’t allowed to join him due to Dad being positive I'd blow us to kingdom come. My job was to clean the yard and lurk nearby in case he died. The Rev said that if the G.P. did expire, I wasn’t allowed to just kick him into the pit and fill it in with lime and dirt. She can be unreasonable.

I survived the weekend by putting on a sweater.

My parents friends from Kansas, Ron and Nyla, arrived. Ron was the foreman on our family farm for years, and is still hale and hearty at 78 years old. He’s like Spongebob, super cheerful and always willing to lend a hand. He refused to be left out of what I’m sure looked to him like Don Daddy’s Super Fun Time Digging Adventure Project -- so I wound up with over 150 years worth of old guy in my back yard.

They started cutting the soil with a Milwaukee Saws-all. After two days, Don Daddy and Sancho Ron had deep pits running across the yard, and were considering ways to remove one of my crepe myrtle trees. They didn’t have any dynamite, so the tree lived.

The lawn looks like a WWI battlefield – as though the Smurf Nation is about to take on the Kaiser – but you can see a lot of the gas line, except the bits that are under the two decks and the tree. You know, the parts where the leak probably is.

Much like in Cervantes' story, the valiant knight and his stalwart squire got their butts kicked.

Don Daddy hurt his shoulder, and Sancho Ron cut his hand. The G.P. also lost his beloved Yeti coffee cup. That evening, the wounded Don Daddy turned to the Rev (DulceMama?) and said, “Well, Kris, it sure would be a lot easier and much less dangerous just to get an electric heater.”

than able to assure a political system that was determined to protect the old landlord class made up of rigid reactionaries and enthusiastic capitalists.

By the fall of 1946, disgruntled workers declared a strike that spread throughout South Korea. By December the combination of the KNP, the Constabulary, and the right-wing paramilitary units, supplemented by U.S. firepower and intelligence, had contained the insurrections in all provinces. More than 1,000 Koreans were killed with more than 30,000 jailed. Regional and local leaders of the popular movement were either dead, in jail, or driven underground.

With total U.S. support Rhee busily prepared for a politically division of Korea involuntarily imposed on the vast majority of the Korean people. Following suppression of the OctoberDecember insurrection, the Koreans began to form guerrilla units in early 1947. There were sporadic activities for a year or so. However, in March 1948, on Korea’s large Island, Cheju, a demonstration objecting to Rhee’s planned separate elections scheduled for May 1948 was fired upon by the KNP. A number of Koreans were injured and several were tortured, then killed. This incident provoked a dramatic escalation of armed resistance to the U.S./Rhee regime. The police state went into full force, regularly guided by U.S. military advisors, and often supported by U.S. military firepower and occasional ground troops. On the Island of Cheju alone, within a year as many as 60,000 of its 300,000 residents had been murdered, while another 40,000 fled by sea to nearby Japan.

Over 230 of the Island’s 400 villages had been totally scorched with 40,000 homes burned to the ground. As many as 100,000 people were herded into government compounds.

The remainder, it has been reported, became collaborators in order to survive. On the mainland guerrilla activities escalated in most of the provinces. The Rhee/U.S. forces conducted a ruthless campaign of cleansing the south of all dissidents, usually identifying them as "communists," though in fact most popular leaders in the south were socialists unaffiliated with outside "communist" organizations.

Anyone who was openly or quietly opposed to the Rhee regime was considered suspect.

Therefore massive numbers of villagers and farmers were systematically rounded up, tortured, then shot and dropped into mass graves. Estimates of murdered civilians range anywhere from 200,000 to 800,000 by the time the hot war broke out in June 1950.

Dotson’s Other Note: The hot war allegedly began at Ongjin about 3 or 4 A.M. (Korean time) June 25, 1950. Just how the fighting started on that day depends on one’s source of information. It is mostly irrelevant, since a civil and revolutionary war had been raging for a couple of years, with military incursions routinely moving back and forth across the 38th parallel. Your thoughts regarding the foregoing information, much of which I had never before heard and/or read. Do you think we (the United States) blew it, in the way we handled Korea during 1945-53?

Hang in there/Have fun!

The battlefield It really doesn’t get that cold in Corpus Christi, although (admittedly) I did start referring to my place as “Hoth.” On Monday, the plumber came and replaced a fitting near the house. The city returned and told us the problem remained unresolved. To me, living without natural gas wasn’t that big of a deal. I have LOTS of sweaters, and the heater is the only appliance in the house that runs on gas. The Rev and I suggested that when it’s time to sell the house, we just replace the gas furnace with an electric one. There’s little need for super efficiency when you only need the appliance three weeks out of the year. The G.P. was having none of it, and because the plumber's estimate was over $3,000, he began conniving plans to dig up the 35 meters of gas line running through my backyard himself.

“That’s right, Bruce,” she replied. She’s learned after 40 years of marriage to face palm on the inside.

I’m awaiting the order to go fill in the trenches.

I may plant poppies to commemorate the great battle fought there. Maybe I’ll also erect a small plaque that says, “Here fought Don Daddy and Sancho Ron. They didn’t win, but only for lack of dynamite.”

To the trenches!

The day your Daddy goes full on Don Quixote is a difficult one. Instead of jousting windmills, however, the G.P. dug trenches. The initial plan was to dig pilot post holes in order to locate the line, and then to use his drill with an auger bit to make small holes between the larger post holes and use an electronic gas sniffer to find the leak.

He started tunneling alongside the house, to figure out where the gas line went out through the yard. My Dad is 72 years old, and recently spent a month wearing a heart monitor to allow his cardiologist to check on his ticker. The Rev and I suspected that the monitor was more for the Old Man to clock his heart’s efficiency, much like the way he is obsessively aware of his car’s miles per gallon. Either way, Digging

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February 2, 2017

Island Moon on a Spoon

Saturday February 4

Rockport Bountiful Bowl and Clay Expo 15th Annual Bountiful Bowl Pottery Fair and Clay Expo Celebrate Ancient Art Form

The 15th Annual Bountiful Bowl Pottery Fair and Clay Exposition will be held at the Rockport-Fulton High School Commons on Saturday, February, 4 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturday. It is a celebration of this ancient art with a gathering of 42 extremely talented potters from all over the State of Texas. These artisans will demonstrate and sell their creations. The event benefits the Aransas County Council on Aging Senior Center. The “bowl” was chosen as a symbol of food and nourishment and as a reminder that the community needs to keep the bowl "full" for the area seniors rely on the Meals on Wheels program. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn techniques from participating artists who will rotate demonstrations on the pottery wheel every hour. Each potter will donate one piece that is signed and dated. These pieces are first judged and then placed in a silent auction. All proceeds benefit the Meals on Wheels program.

Activities will continue throughout the weekend. A Downtown Gallery Art Walk will also be held Saturday from 11Am -Closing in the Rockport Heritage District. Saturday evening a reception will be held for featured Artists, Mary Fischer /Sally Mitchell at the Rockport Center for the Arts from 5pm -7pm. Fischer will lead

a gallery talk at 4:30pm. In the Garden Gallery.

Mitchell will display new photographic work on canvas and metal. The reception is free and open to the public. Sunday, Feb 3 from 11am – 1pm Rockport Center for the Arts will host a free morning pottery demo. It will be held in the large classroom, with Mary Fischer. A free afternoon pottery demo will follow from 2 p.m.

-4p.m., by Taylor Hendrix.

Sunday Feb 5, 11am -1pm. Rockport Center for the Arts will hold a pottery demonstration by Mary Fischer. Estelle Stair Gallery will host a pottery demonstration by Janis Joplin from 2pm – 4pm. Windway Gallery will hold a pottery demonstration by Genie Mysorski. Featured Artist is Ken Reese from 1:30 -3 p.m.

Tickets are for Bountiful Bowl Pottery Fair are $5 and will be on sale at the door. A list of exhibitors can be found at http://www. bountifulbowl.org/exhibitors/.

For more information call the Aransas Council on Aging at (361) 729.5352 or visit www.bountifulbowl. org. For more information on Rockport Center for the Arts events, contact www. rockportartcenter.com or call the RockportFulton Chamber of Commerce at 361 729-6445 or email tourism@1rockport.org.

The Alamo announces official 2017 Commemoration schedule of events

As the anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo approaches the official schedule of events for the 2017 Commemoration was released this week.

An Evening with Heroes

Friday, March 3 / 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

The Alamo staff presents an after-hours theater walking visitors through seven vignettes that recreate scenes at the Alamo during the siege.

Tickets are available for purchase online, max 400 attendees.

Fiddle Fest Saturday, March 4 / 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Seven performers - including Jason Roberts, Mario Flores, Ron Knuth, and more - provide music on the grounds, with living history demonstrations throughout the day. Free to the public.

Dusk at the Alamo

Siege Readings February 23 - March 6 / 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. daily Alamo staff present twice-daily historical readings that tell what was happening at the Alamo each day of the siege. Each demonstration lasts for approximately 10 - 15 minutes.

Ride for Texas Independence Friday, February 24 / 10 a.m.

The Alamo staff presents a reading of the Travis letter, which is then handed to a mounted rider to demonstrate the courier leaving the Alamo on February 24. Following the reenactment will be history demonstrations, including 19th century letter writing, the printing press, Life of a Soldier, and more.

Padre Island National Seashore hosts Kite Day 2017

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Island Moon

Grill Outside the Box

By Chef Vita Jarrin As Labor Day approaches we start thinking of grilling. Most of us think, burgers, ribs, steaks, etc.

No doubt these are the top grilling favorites.

However, I wanted to shift your thinking before this weekend for you to try new things on the grill. Such things as grilled oysters, topped with a lemon and olive oil marinade tossed with parsley and garlic and topping them off with horseradish seasoned bread crumbs.

Or if you’d like to add an Asian flare, make a quick and easy glaze to finish your dish. You can whisk some soy sauce, fresh squeezed limes, ginger, garlic, sesame oil and seeds, and finishing it off with a touch of sweet chili sauce and top with fresh herbs for garnish. Craving and Indian flare? How about using coconut milk, cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, or garam masala?

The best part is, these simple yet fresh and full of flavor marinades are versatile. They can be used on poultry, beef, pork, shrimp and scallops, filets of salmon or even whole fish. The menu is endless. The important thing to remember is that by using specific spices, herbs and liquids, allows you the option to change flavor profiles with every dish you create.

Another fun, fast and easy grilling dish, are skewers. You can make them in advance by marinating the cubes of chicken, lamb, steak or fish and putting them on skewers with vegetables for the next day. Add a little more flavor and Applewood smoked bacon in between your layers for an added flavor punch. By preparing and making these dishes in advance, gives them more time to tenderize, enhances the flavors more and allows you to enjoy your guests along with the delicious grilled food, without being exhausted by waiting until the last minute.

Another option that’s fresh and fun, is to compliment your entrees, by adding grilled vegetables as a side. Use these same marinades and brush them on zucchini, or par-boiled onions, or scallions, bok choy etc.

You can soak ears of corn in cold water for about 10 minutes, before grilling them. After cooking and turning them, for about another 20 minutes, pull back the husks and grill a few more minutes. You can stop here and either eat them with butter, salt & pepper, or you can cut the corn off the cob and make a roasted corn salsa, or turn it into a corn and bean salad. This dish is great for topping grilled fish or tacos, or dipping tortilla chips as a corn pico de gallo.

Adding fresh mangos, cilantro, pineapple and jalapeños make any dish unforgettable.

Last but not least… you can add grilled fruit to the menu and topping it with a dollop of your

favorite gelato or whipped cream. Peaches, plums, pears, pineapples, apples, let your imagination run wild. Soak them in a little orange juice, liqueur if you’d like, add a couple tablespoons of brown sugar and grill awayl!

So this weekend, as you plan your grilling menu, think outside the grill and have fun with some of these ideas. Change it up and will you will create an unforgettable meal!

Grilled Oysters

1 C cup Panko Breadcrumbs 2 tsp. Horseradish 2 anchovy filets minced 3 cloves garlic, very finely chopped ¼ C finely chopped fresh parsley 1 teaspoon kosher salt Freshly cracked pepper 24 Fresh Oysters 1 lemon zested Juice of 1 lemon (Additional Lemons to serve on cooked oysters) Extra-virgin olive oil.

Pre-heat Grill Combine the breadcrumbs with the lemon zest, garlic, horseradish, anchovies, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice and salt and pepper.

Shuck the oysters over a bowl to catch the liquid. Strain liquid over bread crumb mixture and stir in. Divide the crumb mixture among the oysters. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil to keep moist.

Grill for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy.

Squeeze lemon over oysters and serve immediately.

Tip of the Week: You can use this mixture on Clams, Mussels, Scallops and even fish. If you don’t have a shell to hold the breadcrumb mixture, use a shallow pan or ramekin. Most of all…

Enjoy yourself, get creative, try new things have fun!!! Happy Eats!

Monday, March 6 / 6 p.m.

Alamo staff closes Commemoration with a reading of the Juan Seguin letter (in English and Spanish) in front of the Church.

For Alamo enthusiasts who cannot make it to the events, please visit TheAlamo.org and follow the Alamo on Twitter at twitter.com/ OfficialAlamo and on Facebook at Facebook. com/OfficialAlamo.

Valentine Dance in Port Aransas

Come join kite flying experts, park rangers, and volunteers for a day of family fun at the 6th Annual Kite Festival at Padre Island National Seashore on Saturday February, 18, It takes to the sky from 10 a.m. --2:00 p.m. at the Malaquite Beach Visitor’s Center.

Kids will get the opportunity to decorate and build their own kites with the help of park volunteers (while supplies last), and kite-flying clubs will give tips and demonstrate techniques.

Please note that there will be an entrance fee to the park. Depending upon your circumstances, you will be eligible for one or more of the following entry options:

Skip the Plastic recognizes TAMU-CC Islander Green Team Members as ‘Bag Heroes’

The Port Aransas Art Center will hold its 2nd Annual Rock Around the Arts Valentine’s Dance-Music by the PA Rockers-Time: 6:3010 p.m. on February 14th at the Port Aransas Civic Center on Ave. A in Port Aransas. Heavy hors devours, beer and wine- 25$ per person.

Tickets are selling fast so get your Tickets at the Art Center as soon as you can to secure your attendance at this very fun event!! 323 N. Alister 361-749-7334 artcenter@ centurytel.net

$10.00 entrance fee to the park per car load (good for 7 days). $20.00 annual fee to the park per car load. $80.000 “America the Beautiful” annual pass valid in all national parks.

Free Annual 4th Grade Pass – available to U.S. 4th graders & their family with a valid Every Kid in a Park paper pass. Home schooled 4th grade are also eligible.

Free Annual Pass for active U.S. Military members and dependents.

Free Access Pass – lifetime pass to all national parks for the permanently disabled Senior Pass - $10 Lifetime Pass – U.S. citizens age 62 or over.

Send letters and photos to editor@islandmoon.com

The Skip the Plastic project of the Texas Coastal Bend Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation (TXCBC) recognizes community members and businesses that set a positive example by making the shift to reusable shopping bags or other alternatives to singleuse plastic bags.

Our February Bag Heroes are TAMU-CC’s Islander Green Team. Students on the team work to spread environmental awareness in our community and to promote opportunities for other students to become engaged about environmental conservation while striving for social and ecological justice. Projects they have championed on campus include recycling, solar and wind energy generation, hydration stations for reusable water bottles, the Islander Green Community Garden and campus composting program, LED lighting and a Solar Power-Dok that generates and stores electricity for use day or night. \Islander Green Team members bring their own reusable bags when heading to the store. If asked why, they’ll answer, “We choose to skip the plastic because....plastic is unsustainable.”

For more information visit http://skiptheplastic.org or call 361-765-4445.

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February 2, 2017

Island Moon

SPORTS Sports Talk Special to The Island Moon

Football Basics

By Dotson Lewis Special to the Island Moon when they don't.

So, yes: we've got football terms, rules, Dotson’s Note: Here we are again…the Super positions, penalties, plays, and strategy for you Bowl is only a couple of days away! In the event in the wings. But concentrating on the simple you haven’t been keeping up, it’s Super Bowl LI ebb and flow of the teams is a kinder, gentler (51), and no, the Cowboys are not in it….again. way for you to get comfortable with the football Hopefully you remember some of the past issues basics you'll need to understand the game. of “The Moon” where I shared with you quite a Besides which, since the teams are color-coded bit of information regarding my favorite game to officiate. It’s about time for you to grab your for your viewing convenience, all you have to favorite adult beverage and enjoy the game…if do to get started is pick a color and start rooting I am not watching the game with you and you for your color to get into the other color's end zone more often than they get into yours. Now, have a question, just text me at 530-748-8475. how's that for basic football basics!?!

Checkers on Grass

Tips for Watching Football on TV Here you are, watching football on TV. You studied the rules.

You looked at the diagram on football positions. You know the backfield from the line, and how points are scored. Yet you still feel left out. Well, it's no wonder! Unlike the information on websites, those football players do not stand still! It's like you're back to that Macy’s basement half-price sale.

Carl Cheffers-Super Bowl XI Referee Football basics are pretty basic. American football is a game, after all, not rocket science.

Like most things we don't know (which means things we haven't yet learned), those who do know football basics often disguise them in a sea of jargon, which can make some feel stupid.

And who can enjoy something that makes them feel stupid, right?

In the past I have given you plenty of jargon in other Moon articles on football rules, positions, penalties, plays and even a little basic football strategy, any and all of which I trust you will not use to make others feel stupid . . . except maybe those who make you feel stupid. But before moving on to the details, it's useful to first take a look at the most basic of football basics.

The Big Picture American football is a game in which there are two teams of eleven players each (that is, eleven players for each team allowed on the field at any one time) there are plenty more waiting on the sidelines.

Speaking of sidelines, here's a look at them, with a regulation football field in between.

Not to worry. We've got some tips to slow down the action. But first, a word about motivation.

Being able to enjoy and share a football game is well worth the effort. But since you can't enjoy/share the game if you can't follow what's going on, try some of these tips while you watch a game on television, which, by the way, is a whole lot easier than watching football live.

Television Provides You With All Kinds Of Helpful Guides Lines are superimposed on the television screen to indicate the line of scrimmage (usually bright blue) and the point to which the ball must be carried for the team to complete their ten-yard requirement and begin another series of downs.

As you will recall in the past I have explained lines of scrimmage and downs.

Get close enough to the TV so that you can listen! If you have familiarized yourself with football basics, football rules, and football positions, you'll be able to match what you see to what you hear. The announcers give you an incredible amount of information if you really zero in on what they're saying.

Caged Animals

By Andy Purvis Special to the Island Moon Now I know why our cats used to like me so much, I had never taken them to the veterinarian.

My wonderful wife has been taking care of our two cats, Tangerine and Shadow, for eleven years, until yesterday. Don’t ever make the mistake in thinking that your pets are just dumb animals. They instinctively know you inside and out. I think they can read minds. I’m certain that they just allow Grandma and me to live here with them. Anyway, it took me thirty minutes to catch our cats because they knew before I did that they were going to the vet.

They even knew how to place their paws on the outside of the doors of their cages to keep me from pushing them inside.

I have to tell you, I’ve never before heard the kind of sounds coming from our cats when I placed their cages in the front seat of my car.

It was unbelievable. You would think they were dying a slow, painful death.

Shadow cried like a baby and I think Tangerine would have been a little better if she had been by herself, but eventually she joined in. I prayed a policeman would not stop me for anything, as he would surely arrest me for animal cruelty. So I talked to them and turned the music up and sang songs, but no use. I was the bad guy and they were letting me know it.

When I finally got to the vet, there was only one parking space. That should have been my first sign to turn around and go back home. As I entered the veterinary hospital with a cage in each hand, there were six people with seven pets ranging from a golden retriever that was as big as a horse to another cat smaller than mine. I was greeted to more howling and growling with owners pulling on leashes. It was busy, behind schedule and loud, kind of like my doctor’s office. There were no seats available, so I had to ask for a chair.

I arrived at 9:05 for a 9:20 appointment.

“Good luck” should have been written over the admission desk. I was led to the patient’s room at 10:10. The young girl began to ask me questions about Tangerine and Shadow. I played dumb and handed her the piece a paper with the info my wife had written out for me. Our cats were simply there for their yearly checkup.

They were to be weighed, have their eyes and ears checked and be looked over in general. I

was to purchase some medication for heart worms.

When she took Tangerine out of the cage first, the orange and white hair on this poor cat came out in clumps. I was shocked as she explained to me that Tangerine was just scared and that a burst of adrenaline would create this mess. There was enough hair on the table now to stuff a pillow. But there was good news, Tangy had lost some weight.

Shadow was next and he was so aggravated that she decided to wait for the doctor to weigh him.

Shadow hissed and made noises I had never heard before. The look on my face must have been enough to shoe her away as she turned and left.

Finally, at 10:30, the Vet shows up, a nice looking and acting man, who has never seen me before. With him are three other females who appear to be in training. He too begins to ask questions and I point to the note. He apologizes for the wait and begins to check the cats. Shadow has gained weight which is even better news. Again they hiss, howl, and now some grey hair too is flying everywhere.

Grandma had written something about some previous blood work for Shadow and the Vet asked me again. So I called Grandma. After a brief discussion, the Vet said to Grandma, “I think your husband is ready to give this job back to you.” He could not have been more correct.

You would not believe what it cost for him to tell me my cats were in great shape. Heck, we both knew that; it’s Grandma and me that are having the issues.

Guess what, the howling did not stop on the way home. Shadow and Tangerine may never acknowledge my presence again. We arrived home right at 11:00 AM and they were set free.

I’m sure they are plotting against me as I type.

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.

Send letters and photos to editor@islandmoon.com

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You'll notice that, when seen in this diagram version, a football field resembles an oldfashioned board game, like checkers. And at its most basic, that's pretty much what football is: checkers on grass.

As in checkers, the "pieces" are attempting to move into their opponents' territory. In checkers, the pieces move from box to box. In football, it's line to line. Note the stripes marked across the hundred-yard football field at five-yard intervals. The rule is that a team must move the ball forward a minimum of ten yards in four tries (called 'downs') in order to get another chance to move the ball ten yards in four downs.

Yes, I know: it sounds a lot like 'the bear went over the mountain.' Because, in a way, that's what it is. I told you American football was basic! But, of course, the ultimate goal is to move the ball all the way into the opponent's end zone, which you can also see marked on our diagram, one at each end of the football field.

If you're a romantic, you might see this as an invasion of the wicked King's castle, with the Knights of Truth and Justice (your team) prevailing over the Forces of Evil (their team.)

Trouble is, whether our "checkers" become knights or just plain old football players (your choice), when they actually move out onto the grass (or Astroturf, or whatever the case may be), they start moving a lot faster than your average little round checker.

To the beginner, this can make a football game look a lot like a half-price sale at Macy’s. Which means, of course, that football basics - no matter how basic football basics may be - can be a little tough to see!

But don't worry. I will get into more strategies for seeing through the madness in the section below on how to watch a game of football on television. Meanwhile, to get you started, I suggest you simply focus on the ebb and flow of the teams as a whole as they move up and down the football field. Note that each side takes turns at being offense (the team with the ball) and defense (the team who tries to stop the team with the ball). Sort of like, when you turn around, your left becomes your right.

For now, don't worry about which individual has the ball. It's too small to see most of the time anyway, besides which, as you'll discover soon, American football is a game of deception, and the offense is always trying to deceive the defense into thinking someone has the ball

Again, listen. Listen also to the referee, who is wired for sound for many High School, all NCAA and NFL games. He will give you even more information about what's going on.

When it comes to slowing down the action, nothing beats Instant Replay. If you missed it the first time, pay attention, and you'll get to see it again. Sometimes even in slow motion.

With explanations by the announcers and/or the referee thrown in for good measure.

Prepare for watching football by first understanding the basics. Then look and listen.

The better you understand the game, it will begin to slow down as you connect what you know with what you see, and an actual football game will appear in its place!

Then you can go from watching football to enjoying football. And from enjoying football to sharing football. That's a good thing!

Dotson’s Other Note: I am invited to many football game watch parties. Most of the time I do not accept because too often those present had rather talk and/or drink/eat than watch and listen. On occasion, I may mute the sound. This occurs when the announcers are ignoranter (not a good word, but you know what I mean) than the average. The worst are those TV announcers who attempt to do a play-by-by and/or those who spend much of their time second guessing the coaches and/or criticizing the officials. 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: 361949-7681 Cell: 530-748-8475 Email: dlewis1@ stx.rr.com Have fun

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February 2, 2017

Island Moon

Night at The Races!

Photos by Debbie Noble

A9

A10

February 2, 2017

Island Moon

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Great investment property. Short term rentals allowed. Call Cheryl 563-0444.

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Beachfront Condos! Incredible views of the Gulf of Mexico. Floor to ceiling windows. #805–1/1 top floor. #202—2/2 corner unit. Carrie 361-949-5200.

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Surfside Condos #121 first floor unit, steps from the pool and beach. 2/1 in the rental program. Fully furnished. Call Shonna 510-3445 or Cheryl 563-0444 for more information.

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2,500 sq. ft. Room for a pool. East facing backyard. Upgraded granite, lots of lighting. $375,000. Charlie Knoll 361-443-2499.

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Compass Condo 2-2-1 on water.

Being sold unfurnished. 2nd floor unit, elevator. Move in ready. Call Cheryl 563-0444 for an appointment. $219,900.

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Freshly painted. Open airy floorplan. Granite countertops in kitchen. Call Cheryl 563-0444.

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Marquesas #401 2/2 unit Great complex $184,900

Beach Club Condos One bedroom, one bath units #285 $129,900 #334 $119,000 Two bedroom, two bath units #262 $179,900 #375 $162,900 Studio #394 $119,000 #291 $105,000

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Boat dock. Tile roof, stucco construction. $399,000. Terry 5497703.

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13914 Mingo Cay 1 bedroom, 1 bath waterfront condo with boat slip, covered patio and washer/ dryer hook up in unit, $115,000.

Call Cindy Molnar 549-5557.

Portofino #407 4th floor corner unit w/3 bed., 2 baths, 1,406 sq. ft. of living space. Wonderful beachfront complex, great pool. $190,000. Cheryl 563-0444.

Gorgeous 3/2/2, 2014 built at quiet South end, no thru traffic.

Split bedrooms, open floor plan, sharp MBR suite, superb kitchen.

1,658 sq. ft. Mark 688-4320.

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

Wonderful 3-2.5-3 new construction. Corner lot. Room for a pool.

2254 sq. ft. Bonus room. Tile floors. Mudroom and butler’s pantry and much more. Cheryl.