June 17, 2011
Letters to the Editor Love The Moon Dear Mr. Rankin, We enjoy The Moon so much at home when we miss our condo at Island House. You do a great job covering all of the Island happenings and the color & better quality paper are appreciated. Please extend our subscription another year. Thank You, Penny Ellerd
A Little Island History Dale, I’ve had two requests from readers to get either the entire series of history you’re printing or the name of the book you’re pulling from….evidently others (besides myself) think it’s a good series… Jay Editor’s note: We agree Jay, the book is very interesting reading for anyone interested in local history. The book is called Taming the Nueces Strip and it is by George Durham. The copyright is by the University of Texas Press in 1962. The copy that is being used for the series was left to us by Moon founder Mike Ellis and we’re not sure where he got it. We’ll keep looking and if we find a source to buy them we’ll let you know…as of now we have not found one.
Bus Dale,
I found a new way to avoid any .05 alcohol issues while driving:
I went out with some friends last night and had way, way too much to drink.
I did something that I have never done before. I took a bus and arrived home safe and warm; which seemed really surprising since I have never driven a bus before. George and Betty Crawford
Turtle Raffle Dale,
Thanks!
In a project funded by the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, Greg Stunz, professor of marine biology,
Shannon Trial I want to make you aware of and solicit your support of a fundraising effort that we have undertaken to support the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Recovery Project. This project has been very successful in bringing back the Kemp’s Ridley turtle from the brink of extinction by protecting its primary nesting sites along the Gulf of Mexico in Mexico. This fundraising effort has been supported by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and the Texas Game Warden Association, among others. The six gun raffle includes a Remington 700 30-06 that has been customized and is worth in excess of $5000. There are some other nice guns, all of which have been donated by Joe McBride. This link will take you to the web site that describes the guns. www. seaturtlefundraiser.wordpress.com/raffle Tickets can be purchased from this webpage by clicking on the link and emailing us the number of tickets desired with an address and phone number. We will respond with instructions for payment either by check or via paypal. The raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $25, and every penny will be spent on the ground supporting this project. There will be no administrative or overhead deductions. The drawing will be held on July 1, with the first ticket drawn getting first choice and so on. Winners do not need to be present. We will sell no more than 3000 tickets.
Respectfully, Scott Boruff
Tune into 1440 KEYS AM radio on Saturday, June 18th @ 4pm for Everything you ever wanted to know about Hormones but were afraid to ask with Islander Danniece Bobeche, Women’s HealthCare Nurse Practitioner, AKA “Dr. Love”. Call in with your questions and expect an hour of eye opening information. Danniece Bobeche, MSN, WHNP www.danniece.com www.corpuschristibioidenticalhormones.com
Support Senior Health, Wellness and Independence The Leadership Committee for Nueces County Senior Services will be holding its first annual Harvest Moon Ball to support the best interest and needs of seniors. The event will aide in the development of a foundation for under funded programs such as Meal on Wheels, health and wellness programs. This black tie event will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 6:30pm to 11:30pm at the American Bank Center in the Henry Garrett Ballroom. Enjoy hors d’oveuvre, cocktails and dancing. Sponsors are needed. Individual individual tickets are $60.00 or tables for ten at $540.00. With our citizens support Nueces County’s Senior Services Division can continue to provide our seniors with quality services and events.
and the endowed chair for fisheries and ocean health at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and his research crew caught and had analyzed 49 fish during the 2010 summer for mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenxofurans (PCDFs). CBBEP project manager Jace Tunnell consulted with the Texas Department of State Health Services in designing a small pilot study to determine if there was a need for additional research. And there is, Stunz said. Most of the fish had very low, often undetectable levels for contaminants studied. But one redfish measuring around 36 inches in length from Corpus Christi Bay tested 50 times higher than the Texas Department of State and Health Services recommended consumption level for PCBs. The study also showed higher-than-acceptable levels of mercury in all five oversize redfish (sizes ranging from 32 to 40 inches) collected from the surf zone. While no conclusion can be made with only six fish testing high, researchers recommend further study on large oversize redfish. Read more about the pilot study and the full report at www.cbbep.org
Paddle for Parkinsons
By Mona Singleterry
Paddle For Parkinson Organizational meeting will be held June 18th at Billish Park. Those wishing to attempt all or part of the six mile relay route for the kayak/standup paddle board races can meet at the Mont Pelee boat ramp, across from Billish Park and the PIPOA office at 9:00 am. An organizational meeting will be held at the park pavilion at 11:00 am. Individuals and organizations are invited to participate in this year’s event which will held on September 3rd. The event begins with Island Presbyterian Church pancake breakfast, proceeds to benefit their mission projects. Followed by the relay, a party in the park, kayak and stand up paddle board demos, live music, BBQ, silent auction, raffle, awards ceremony, Proclamation by Mayor Adame, and vendors around the park. Vendors are invited to sign up for free space and sell or display their wares. This is an opportunity for nonprofits, religious groups, civic groups, and others to promote their themes and/or raise funds for their cause. Two raffles will be also be held. A $5 ticket will give you a chance at a Hybrid Sup-Yak (on display and tickets available at Kleberg Bank in the Flour Bluff HEB) valued at $2,000 OR a two night stay at the Dunes Condominium in Port Aransas (valued at $750). The second raffle is a four night stay at the Four Seasons in Maui including a $1,000 airfare voucher (+/-$5,800 value). Tickets for either raffle can also be bought from volunteers or on-line at www.catchthecure.org. For more information, to volunteer, be a sponsor, vendor, or sign up for the relay call 960-9597 or go to catchthecure.org. Paddle For Parkinson’s is hosted by Catch The Cure, a 501©3 benefiting the National Parkinson Foundation.
Juneteenth? It’s a Texas Thing
A5
On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, Union Gen. Gordon Granger made the announcement in Galveston that slavery had ended in Texas. The news of freedom gradually traveled to slaves throughout the state as individual plantation owners read the proclamation following the end of the Civil War. This milestone is known as Juneteenth and is celebrated annually on June 19, following the Texas Legislature’s passage of an act declaring it a state holiday in 1979.
The Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) newest heritage travel guide, African Americans in Texas: A Lasting Legacy, serves as a useful tool for celebrating Juneteenth throughout the state. Showcasing 79 sites in Texas, the booklet explores African American heritage through powerful tales of survival and innovation, as well as the impact of civil rights, religious, political, and other inspirational leaders. The publication contains a detailed chronological introduction to African American history in Texas, a multi-page timeline, and nine thematic sidebars on topics such as education, freedmen’s communities, agriculture, and Buffalo Soldiers.
The companion website, www.africanamericansintexas. com, features sites highlighted in the booklet, as well as maps, a photo gallery, additional sites not included in the booklet, and travel planning resources.
For travelers in the Brazoria County area, Varner Hogg Plantation State Historic Site, one of the THC’s 20 historic properties, will observe Juneteenth with a walking tour on June 18 beginning at 10 a.m.
To learn more about Juneteenth celebrations occurring in your community visit www.juneteenth.com. To download a copy of the THC brochure, African Americans in Texas: A Lasting Legacy, visit www.africanamericansintexas.com. For additional information on Varner Hogg Plantation State Historic Site, visit www.thc.state.tx.us.
Absolute magic!
Volunteers Needed for MDA Camp
Sandra Pearson, Executive Director MDA South Texas Chapter
Rockport TX, June 19th – June 25th They are extraordinary people doing extraordinary things. And they run the gamut of everyday people. From wide-eyed, first-year volunteers to big-hearted professional fire fighters, to expert nurses and doctors, they all come together for one cause: the joy, laughter and dreams of the children who annually enjoy Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Summer Camp in South Texas.
Since MDA’s first camp in 1955, thousands of volunteers from throughout the country have annually helped children with neuromuscular diseases enjoy extraordinary weeks at MDA camp. It’s no different at Camp Aranzazu in Rockport in 2011.
Baseball? Got it. Soccer? Yes. Water games? Check. Arts & Crafts? Indeed. Camp dances, karaoke, swimming, and scavenger hunts round out the activities campers enjoy during their week at MDA camp.
The campers are featured guests in what is a loving and inspirational playground known as MDA camp. Stories are plentiful among the long-standing volunteers, medical personnel and the children, who truly are the stars of each weeklong camp session. They will inspire you. They will amuse and amaze you with their stories of summer camp experiences.
Mystery Person of the Fortnight
Contact: Gloria Gooding 361.658.2291 Nancy Chapa 361.510.3515
She has an accent and its not Texan
$1,000 Winner Hi, Thought you might like to see the picture of Lou giving Vanessa Garcia her $1,000 golf ball drop prize check! Betsy
PIE Scholarships Hi Dale,
Office Security/Spillage Control Riley P. Dog
I am on the PIE Board now and would appreciate you putting the following announcement in the “Island Moon”. Thanks as always. Judy Marsyla
Editor/Publisher/Spillage Control Supervisor Dale Rankin
Padre Island Enrichment Club, Inc. (PIE) is pleased to announce their 2011 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS.
About the Padre Island Moon The Island Moon is published every other Wednesday, Dale Rankin, Editor. 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. Mailed subscriptions are available in the US and are $100 per year. Next day home delivered subscriptions are $100 per year on Padre Island and in Flour Bluff. News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left in the Moon tray at Isle Mail & More, 14493 S P I D. For more information call 361-949-7700 or contact the Moon at 15201 S Padre Island Dr., Suite 250, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 or by e-mail to editor@islandmoon.com.
Mercury and PCBs Found in Oversize Redfish
A recent pilot study by the Coastal Bays and Estuaries Program of contaminants in black drum, spotted seatrout and redfish indicates a need for further study after six large redfish from a test of about 50 revealed high levels of heavy metals and other substances.
Hormones
Mike Ellis, Founder Distribution Pete Alsop Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin Office Lisa Towns Classifieds Arlene Ritley Design/Layout Jeff Craft Tracy Stoffel Contributing Writers (In no particular order) Devorah Fox Sunny Reed Mary Craft Chris Adler Maybeth Christiansen Dr. Tom Dorrell Kendal Ezell Jay Gardner Diane Halfety Todd Hunter Mike (Murph) Murphy Ronnie Narmour Dr. Donna Shaver Photographers Andre LaVoy Patrick Lewis Miles Merwin
Further study needed
My husband works for Texas Parks & Wildlife and forwarded this to me after receiving it from a coworker. If you consider it worthy of the Moon, please include it (or put it on the Moon’s facebook page).
Thanks for any help that you could give us in getting the word out about this opportunity to support conservation and maybe win a nice gun.
Who Are the Moon Monkeys
Island Moon
Ms. Amber Lankford and Ms. Mackenzie Spaniol will each receive a $1500.00 scholarship award that can be used towards their future studies. PIE, Inc. would like to wish all the 2011 graduating seniors the very best and continuing success in all their future endeavors.
Field Day Dale, I have two items for you. First is an announcement of the upcoming spoil island clean up. See the attached. Secondly, on June 25-26, Local radio amateurs will be participating in a contest called field day. The object is to make contacts while operating under emergency conditions. If we have a hurricane, phone lines, electricity and cell phone towers will be out of service. These “Hams” may be our only source of communication. This will take place at the Padre Island Yacht Club from noon Sat. until noon Sun. Anyone you might send would be welcome. Chuck Hoffman
Trivia Question of the Fortnight What member of a famous sewing machine family lived on the island, and where?
Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest 2011 Kritter Kamp The Blanche Davis Moore Foundation and Nueces County Parks are sponsoring a wildlife photo contest at Packery Channel Park Visitors Center July 5-8, from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm for ages 8-10. The Kritter Kamp combines science and photography to promote conservation and preservation of local wildlife and habitat. The camp includes Nature Photograph, Field Guide Creation, Wildlife Scavenger Hunts, Exploring conservation practices, Bug hunt and much more. The camp will provide the children with a daily snack and hands on activities to enhance their knowledge of wildlife and habitat in the Coastal Bend. Camp is led by Katie Sikes,who teaches science to grades sixth through eighth at Seashore Middle Academy. Katie’s style of teaching instills in students her own fascination for everything science, engaging students into the natural world and involving them in conservation. Registration is at no charge to the first 10 (ten) students so please call the office at 361 881 9316, or email wildlifephoto@sbcglobal.nettoday to register.
This will be our best camp ever so you won’t want your child to miss it.