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The Island Newspaper since 1996 Island Area News ● Events ● Entertainment
October 25, 2012
Photo by Mike Ellis
The Island where Ghosts and Goblins Go for Tasty Treats Next Publication Date: 11/1/2012 Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper
Around The Island
By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com
Tourist Dollars Up 17% for Fiscal Year
$49 million for the local economy from conventions
Year 15, Issue 446
Let the Voting Begin! Just under 300 Islanders per day so far
By Dale Rankin The final numbers for tourism in the city are in for the fiscal year which ended in July and the number of visitors in the previous 12 months numbered 7.1 million – up by 500,000 over FY 2010. The Hotel/Motel tax – 7% - generated $9.3 million during that time, up from $8.3 million the previous year – an increase of 12.3%. For FY 2011-2012 130,000 conventioneers paid for a total of 105,000 room nights and pumped $49.7 million into the local economy, an increase of 17% over the previous year. A fisherperson caught this 12-foot 3-inch female Tiger Shark at Bob Hall Pier this week. The shark was eventually set free but after a four-hour fight was weakened and didn’t survive and after being set free washed up on the beach. There is some question about whether the person who caught the fish was part of a research project which tags sharks for tracking purposes. Tony Amos from the Animal Rehabilitation and Keep (ARK) in Port Aransas was on the scene and is investigating.
Shoulder Season This is the time of year that the professionals in the tourism business refer to as the Shoulder Season. The time of year when the frantic months of the summer season are behind us and the blistering winds of winter have yet to blow our Winter Texan friends down our way. It’s also a confusing season this year because like the Fourth of July the official Halloween holiday comes in the middle of the week; so which weekend is Halloween when the actual holiday is on Wednesday? It’s bewitching. Most of the parties are this weekend because, well, it just doesn’t seem right to celebrate Halloween in November. But we Moon Monkeys have decided to just throw caution to the wind and celebrate Halloween both weekends. Why not? The fact is that after you get out of college you just don’t get that many chances to dye your hair funny colors and dress up in goofy clothes and run around and do stupid stuff so you got to take every chance you get, right? Riley P. Dog is going as an aircraft carrier this year and he’s heading over to the Dog-Gone Days BBQ and Music Festival at the Animal Hospital of Padre Island on Saturday. Last year he went as a coffee table but that didn’t work out so well for him because every time he sat down the weenie dogs ate the tasty treats right off his costume. There are parties all over The Island and it’s the last weekend for the Back Porch in Port A to be open so there’s a pajama party, then a Halloween Party on Saturday and then on Sunday the annual Turkey Bowling Extravaganza. Also in Port A it’s the weekend for the Old Town Festival which kicks off with a parade from 1112 on Saturday and then goes the rest of the day. For a complete list of events see the ad in this issue.
Islandfest Keith Arnold, who is the Big Chief down at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, gave a presentation to the Corpus Christi City Council on Tuesday and he told them that he wants to add a new festival to the calendar each year. We contacted him and suggested that The Island would be a good candidate for the next new addition and he agreed. So here’s a challenge to those among us who sometimes complain that we need more to do on our Island; let’s make something happen. We plan to meet with Keith in the next couple of weeks and start the planning process so anyone who is interested in being part of it contact us here or Stan at PIBA, which is also involved, and let’s get things moving. Everything is on the table as far as the time of year and the type of event we want to do. The Moon Suggestion Department is open for business.
Watch out There was a sighting of a naked man working on a boat propeller down along the Laguna Madre last weekend. Well, he actually wasn’t technically naked because he was wearing a blue bandana around his head, but nothing else so naked is as naked does. It kind of gives a new meaning to a dinghy on the water. Have a safe First Halloween weekend and say hello if you see us Around The Island.
The month of July, 2012 alone saw the highest Hotel/Motel tax total ever for a single month at $1.4 million.
Island voting precincts traditionally have the highest turnout in the city, a fact not lost on office seekers. By Dale Rankin
The average visitor spent 2.5 days in town and spent an average of $153 per day. The figures came from the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitor’s Bureau in their report to the City Council on Tuesday. Historically about 80% of the visitors who come to this area are what the industry refers to as Nature Tourists – people who are here to go to the beach- and the number of those type of visitors increased by 15%. The CVB does not keep separate figures on visitors to The Island. “The type of trips people are taking is changing,” Keith Arnold, CEO of the CVB, told the council. “People are taking more trips of shorter duration than in the past, and that is good for us because we are a drive in market.”
When it comes to elections Islanders vote early and vote often. That has certainly been the case since early voting began on Monday for the November 6 General Election. There has been a steady stream of voters at Padre Isles Country Club where early voting is taking place and continues through November 2. According to poll watchers about 800 ballots had been cast at Padre Isles Country Club by mid-afternoon Wednesday – official totals at press time don’t include Wednesday numbers – with the busiest times being between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The official totals at Padre Isles Country Club (Monday and Tuesday only) were
313 ballots cast on Monday, 296 on Tuesday for a total of 609 – about 10% of registered Island voters. This round of balloting marks the first time the City of Corpus Christi elections have been held in conjunction with the Presidential elections, and based on turnout during the first two complete days of early voting the turnout this round looks to be almost identical to the 2008 total – the last Presidential election cycle. In that vote in 2008 a total of 104,000 voters cast ballots countywide, at a rate of 52%. By the end of the second day of voting in that Election Continued on A6
The Great Pumpkin is Here!
Arnold said the biggest increase in tourism last year was in the non-summer months – traditionally the slowest months for tourism.
Ten years ago this week
There Has Been Only One Recorded Tornado Death in Corpus Christi History Ten years ago from Wednesday, in the early afternoon hours of October 24, 2002, a thunderstorm produced a family of tornadoes that tore through the northwest portion of Corpus Christi that, amazingly, produced the first recorded tornado death in the city’s history. Three of the tornadoes produced significant damage resulting in 26 injuries and the single fatality. According to the local office of the National Weather Service the three tornadoes were produced by a mini-supercell thunderstorm that moved just east of the Corpus Christi International Airport. The first report of a tornado was about 9 miles south of the Corpus Christi airport at 1:19 p.m. It was located just south of the London community near Farm to Market Road 43. The first tornado was estimated to be less than 50 yards wide, traveled through mainly open land, and tracked about seven miles before dissipating just southeast of the intersection of Old Brownsville Road and Padre Island Drive at approximately 1:28 p.m. It did minimal damage during its nine minute existence. The next tornado formed four minutes later at 1:32 p.m. just to the east of where the first tornado had dissipated, near Navigation Boulevard and Old Brownsville Road. It moved northeast into the Del Mar College West Campus where the most extensive damage to property occurred. This tornado, which was rated as an F2 tornado, had a path length of 2 1/2 miles and was 100 to 200 yards wide. This was the tornado that hit the campus of Del Mar College killing professor Buster Gillis who stayed behind as the storm approached to make Tornado Continued on A3
The “Island Pumpkin Patch” is Back at Island in the Son United Methodist Church beginning October 7th through the 27th. Pumpkins will be delivered to our grounds where they will be for sale daily until dusk. A large variety of pumpkins will be available, priced according to size. This is our 5th year to have a Pumpkin Patch available on the Island and it has proven to be popular with local residents and passersby
on Highway 361. Come on by and pick from the patch! Island in the Son United Methodist Church is located at 10650 Highway 361 on Mustang Island between Newport Pass Road and Beach Access Road #3 (2 miles north of Packery Channel, 12 miles south of Port Aransas). For more information call the church at 316-749-0884 during office hours, 9 AM-2 PM, Monday through Thursday.
Island of Redemption
Surviving the 1933 Hurricane Editor’s note: This is the latest installment of the memoirs of Louis Rawalt who along with his wife Viola lived at various locations on Padre Island after being given six months to live due to injuries from a mustard gas attack in World War I. He lived on The Island for more than 40 years. In the last issue Rawalt had been harvesting gunnysacks of Old Hospitality Bourbon whiskey which had been thrown overboard by the captain of the I’m Alone smuggling ship in the Sigsbee’s Deep where the ship was shot full of holes and sunk by the Coast Guard. By Louis Rawalt So, the days flowed into weeks, and the weeks became months and years. I had grown steadily stronger, and seldom gave a thought to the fact that I wasn’t even supposed to be alive. I could walk for miles without tiring, and many nights I slept on the sand with only a piece of tarpaulin around me when I was fishing away from the camp. It was one of the times when I had gone alone to a spot thirtyfive miles below our shack that the car stalled. No amount of coaxing or tinkering could get a sound out of it. There was nothing to do but start walking. It was seventy miles to Corpus Christi Pass where someone lived who had a car. The tide was exceptionally high, and I had little hope that any fishermen would be venturing down the beach that day.
Aftermath of the 1933 hurricane It was early morning when I started out. A little before sunset I reached our shack. Viola was visiting my people in Kingsville at the time, so the place was still and empty feeling. I ate, drank coffee, and rested for a few moments before starting again. The tide was rising rapidly. It looked as though a storm might be brewing in the Gulf. If I didn’t get the car up out of reach of the water, I wouldn’t have a car. This thought kept my bare feet plodding through the sand all night. It was dark as pitch. Sudden squalls blew in keeping me drenched most of the time. But with the first gray light of morning, I could see by the familiar outlines of the dunes I was only a few miles from the pass. Bill White, another fisherman, was cooking breakfast in his tarpaper shack when I knocked at his door. I was too tired to eat, History Continued on A4
Island Moon
A 2
The Travelling Moon
Javier Garcia, staff and friends hosted Oktoberfest at his new nursery, located between Johnny D’s and Island Tire
October 25, 2012
This is a photo from our recent trip to Cloudcroft, New Mexico. The town takes Halloween as seriously as we do here on Padre & Mustang Islands, and it shares much in common with Port Aransas - the laid back & friendly locals, a walkable community with a desire to preserve Old Town history, a ton of volunteers, with lots of things to do for every age & interest level. All this, and Kiwanis, too! Betsy Churgai, Photo by Richard Watson
Port Aransas resident Zack Fuller recently took The Island Moon to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Brrrrr
The New Wave We will proudly meet your mailing needs! USPS and UPS Ground & Express In The Island’s Shipping & Mailing Shipping & Mailing Stop in to check out our:
‐Faxing ‐Laminating ‐Copies ‐Private Mail Boxes ‐Flight Training Guides ‐Island Artists’ Work ‐Premium Cigars ‐Circle E Candles SEASIDE SUDZ– handcrafted soaps are back on the Island
Open Monday to Friday 9:00‐6:00 Saturday 9:00‐12:00 15037 South Padre Island Drive Call Our Store: (361)949‐7471
Bavaria and Ralf Heckenbach took their Moon to New York and showed the Moon the Big Apple from Times Square to the Empire State Building and of course shopping on 5th Avenue.
“Island Foundation Golf Tournament was a great success!
High Quality Work at Competitive Pricing!
ason’s Greetings Happy Holidays 27 Years Experience ● Commercial & Residential Member On The Island
On Padre Island Duane Ebert 361-658-2459 | 361-949-0661 decksanddocksnorthpadre.com Member Padre Island Business Association
Padre Island Business Assoc.
Remodeling and More...
1st place Team: Albert Kollaja, Pat Harral, Ted Turner, and Mark Jones
2nd place South Texas Exotics’ team: Bruce Frances, Fred Lovass, Victor Garcia, and David Hutchins
Thank you so much to all our sponsors and participants at this year’s Island Foundation Annual Golf Tournament. We had a beautiful day, 85 golfers, lots of prizes, and a great venue in Newport Dunes Golf Course. First place went to Green Things Interiorscapes’ team Albert Kollaja, Pat Harral, Ted Turner, and Mark Jones. Second place went to South Texas Exotics’ team Bruce Frances, Fred Lovass, Victor Garcia, and David Hutchins. We would like to thank and recognize our major sponsors: Chick-fil-A, JT Richards Consulting, South Texas Exotics, Padre Professional Plaza, H-E-B, 3rd Coast Sports Graphics & More,
Bear Ready Mix, Dr’s McIntyre, Garza, Avila, & Jurica, Grande Communications, Schultz Realty, and Valero. We owe another big thanks to our generous and faithful neighborhood businesses that sponsored the contests, beverage carts, 18 holes, and donated great prizes. Island Foundation works hard to give all our students an “exemplary” education. We sincerely thank you for your help in achieving our goal every year. Hope to see you on the course again next October! For more information on Island Foundation or Seashore Charter Schools, please call us at 949-0076.
Cell: (361) 658-2459 Bus: (361) 949-0661
“If You’re Able Buy a Table” Saturday - October 27th 11am - 8pm
Experience l Commercial & Residential
Stop in at the Art Center to purchase a Wooden Tray Table -Hand Painted by Art Center Artists for $100 each.
Season’ Season & Happ 25% OFF Dec
OCTOBER GROOMING NOW OFFERING HALLOWEEN HAIR COLOR
Home Remod
Duane Ebert Cell: (361) 28 Years Experienc
October 25, 2012
Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder
Island Moon
Letters to the Editor Carwashinator
Tour de Cure
Moon,
Hi Dale,
Distribution Pete Alsop Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin Raeanne Reed Office Lisa Towns Classifieds Arlene Ritley Design/Layout Jeff Craft Contributing Writers Joey Farah
The American Diabetes Association is sponsoring a Tour de Cure event and is looking for cyclists. The Tour is a ride, not a race. Whether you are an occasional rider or an experienced cyclist, there is a route just for you. There are a variety of route lengths to choose from, including 60 miles, 45 miles, 25 miles and 10 miles.
What happened to the guy who did so much damage to the Island car wash? I read in the Moon that the police had identified the culprit but no names were given. I believe the short article said more information would follow, but I haven’t seen it. Have I just missed the followup?
The event will be the Coastal Bend Tour de Cure and it will be held on April 20, 2013 at Texas A&M in Corpus. Riders may chose 60 Mile, 40 Mi, 25 Mi or 15 Mi rides. The web site for the tour de cure is http://tour.diabetes. org and the team page is http://main.diabetes. org/goto/stoneysindianoutlaws We are looking for a minimum of 5 team members. Our goal will be to raise in excess of $5000 for diabetes. Riders are not restricted to the Port Aransas area. Riders with diabetes will sign up as RED RIDERS and will receive a Red Riders jersey.
Editor’s note: Well John, here’s the deal. The Carwashinator was indeed identified by the credit card he used to pay for the carwash before he decided to smash the center consol of the boat he was towing into the top of the carwash six times doing over $100,000 worth of damage.
Stoney McGerald
Devorah Fox
Port Aransas TX
Mary Craft
E-mail: cure@hbsm-enterprises.com
Maybeth Christiansen
Photo Contest
Jay Gardner Todd Hunter
Dear Island Moon,
Danniece Bobeché Ronnie Narmour Daphne Fine Dr. Donna Shaver Photographers Miles Merwin Jeff Dolan Mary Craft Office Security/Spillage Control
It’s is my pleasure to announce the second annual Faces of an Estuary Photo Contest. This contest is designed to highlight the beautiful resources of the Mission-Aransas Estuary. The contest has changed a little since last year. There will be six $100 cash prizes awarded for five different categories and a “Viewer’s Choice Award.” Visit www.missionaransas to download an entry form or email colleen. mccue@utexas.edu colleen Colleen McCue Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve 361-749-3153
Second Grade
Editor/Publisher/Spillage Control Supervisor 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.
The police, with the help of the insurance investigators, tracked him down and contacted him at which point he hired a lawyer. His lawyer and the company which insured the carwash have struck a deal by which the burden of paying for the damaged carwash will fall to the Carwashinator’s insurance company and as part of the deal no criminal charges will be filed and the Carwashinator’s identity will be kept secret. The carwash is now back up and running and thus ends the career of the Carwashinator with a whimper and not with a bang. So long Carwashinator – it’s like we never really knew you.
Stolen Bumper Sticker
I would like to know who in the hell thought it was okay to remove my Obama bumper sticker while I was dining at the Dragonfly this evening? Give me a break. I am a veteran who spent three years defending your right to your opinion. Please show some respect for others and allow them to show support for the candidate of their choice. That is the least one can do, is to respect each other. God bless you. Susan Avenell
Dear Dale, Riley P. Dog
John Messina
Thank you for printing our letter in the latest edition of The Moon! My kids were thrilled to be published, and I was thrilled for them to see that writing can make a difference in their community. Mariah Froehlich
PS. Not to worry I have three extras and will be replacing my bumper sticker in the AM
Trick or Treat Time
“Help!! What is the “official time” for trick or treating on Hawksnest and Eaglesnest Bay area?” Andrea Holland
SLC Editor’s note: Tell them to keep writing Mariah.
News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left at the Moon Office.
The Island Moon Newspaper 15201 S. Padre Island Drive, Suite 250
Editor’s note: We made a few phone calls Andrea and frankly got nowhere. If there’s an official time we can’t find an official who knows it. So we’re going to just go with Oh-DarkThirty. For many years we’ve little ghouls and goblins from OTB and descend on Hawksnest and Eaglesnest in search of tasty treats and OhDark-Thirty seems like as good a time as any. Sorry we couldn’t be more specific.
Old Hippies Read This!
Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361-949-7700
The Port Aransas Art Center is holding a TieDye workshop on Saturday, November 10. The workshop can be either a ½ day or a fullday class, depending on the attention span of your Inner Hippy. The instructor is Christine Latkovic and the cost (bummer man) is $20 or $30 depending on which course you take.
editor@islandmoon.com Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper
Where to Find The Island Moon Port Aransas
Woody’s Sports Center
All Stripes Stores
Back Porch Bar The Flats Lounge
Port Royal Condos Lisabellas Restaurant Pioneer RV Park Snappy’s Convenient Store Kody’s Restaurant Beach Lodge Amano’s Miss K’s Catering & Bistro
The Tarpon Ice House
Then on Tuesday, December 4, the Yacht Club will sponsor a kickoff party for the Lighted Boat Parade at Scuttlebutte’s Restaurant starting at 3 p.m. with live music. For information on either event contact Vic at 214 668-6263. Then on Friday, December 7 the first night of the La Posada Lighted Boat Parade winds its way through the south canals and the next night, Saturday, December 8 will be the big night as the parade makes its way through the main canal. The Friday event will start at 7 p.m. while the Saturday event will kick off at 6 p.m. The U.S. Marines will collect for Toys for Tots on both nights. The loading of the toys will begin at 9 a.m., Sunday, December 9 at the Yacht Club with brunch to follow. Jim Witherill who has been the Parade Marshal for the past ten years is hanging up his radio after this year and Islander Brent Rourk is taking over the duties as part of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
How to Read the Moon Online Our family visited Port Aransas recently and got the October 4th issue of your wonderful paper. We would love to read the rest of Louis Rawalt’s story. Please tell us how! We loved Port A. Hope to hear from you... Thanks! Jim & Ivy Editor’s note: This missive came in by e-mail and we’ll answer it that way, but you can find the Moon online at Facebook at theislandmoonnewspaper. We upload it on Thursday afternoon most weeks. We’ve also had several requests for the entire story on Louis Rawalt and will e-mail them on request once we publish the last installment.
Member Padre Island Rotary Club
All Stripes Stores CVS
Snoopy’s Pier
Stripes (361 & IA)
Island Italian
Moby Dick’s Restaurant
Ace Hardware
Duckworth’s Antiques
The Padre Island Yacht Club has announced the formation of the first ever street parade as part of the La Posada Lighted Boat Parade schedule. The street parade will be on Sunday, December 1 and everyone is eligible to take part. No time has been set.
Member Padre Island Business Association
North Padre
Isle Mail N More
Port Chamber of Commerce
Street Parade and Kickoff Party Added to La Posada Events
The Wild Horse Bar & Grill
Neptune’s Retreat
Port A Parks and Rec
Dale Rankin
The Gaff Bar
Doc’s Restaurant
Wash Board Washateria
The tornadoes destroyed four single family and 15 multi-family homes. There were 73 single home and 21 multi-family units that received major damage, and a total of just over 115 other residential structures that received minor to slight damage. Additionally, there were 60 businesses that ceased operations because of the tornadoes and 15 other businesses that suffered major damage. Total damage was estimated at over $85 million.
Port A Glass Studio
Island Woman Boutique
San Juan’s Restaurant
The final tornado formed at 1:40 p.m. just south of Driscoll Middle School just as the second tornado was dissipating and became an F2 tornado as it damaged the H.E.B. grocery store and the U. S. Post Office on Leopard Street. Moving to the northeast, the tornado hit Refinery Row where it did significant damage to the Citgo Refinery before moving into Nueces Bay. The third tornado had the largest base at nearly 400 yards wide.
Gratitude Boutique
Felder Gallery
Carter Pharmacy
sure his students got safely out of the way.
Stripes (Cotter & Station)
Whataburger
IGA Food Store
Tornado cont. from A1
Port A Outfitters
(Except the one next to the VFW where they throw them away) Sandpiper Condos
So fire up the mini-bus and remember, as Bobby Zimmerman says, “he not busy being born is busy dying!”
A3
Holiday Inn Texas Star (Shell) Jesse’s Liquor
GIFTS CERTIFICATES AVALIABLE
Padre Isles Country Club Scuttlebutt’s Restaurant
Michelle Matthews
Subway Island Tire And all Moon retail advertisers
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A 4
History continued from A1
but as I gulped down scalding cups of coffee, I couldn’t help crowing over the fact that four years before I had been doomed. In the last twenty-four hours, I had walked seventy-five miles! During the next year I acquired a fishing partner. We called him “Shorty”, and if he had any other name we never knew it. He was a good man on the end of a net. It relieved Viola from some pretty hard work too. She had found a bale of cotton washed up on the beach and subsequently launched into a quilting project. Shorty set up his tent a little beyond our shack, and until the hurricane that year (1933), we had a pleasant and profitable partnership. That was the year the Gulf staged a real shindig. We had several scares that September. Viola kept most of our valued and important possessions packed in boxes against the time we might have to evacuate. The Friday before the storm hit on Monday was one of the most perfect of island days. The water was flat and blue. The skies clear and the southwest wind, warm and gentle. Shorty was expecting weekend guests, and Viola, thinking they would perhaps visit us too, had unpacked the boxes and made the house cozy and neat. I was fishing early Saturday morning when I noticed that the swells were coming over the beach in an erratic rhythm. Far out over the water, the sky had an ominous look; wildlife had deserted the beach. A squall hit with sudden intensity. I pulled in my line and went into the shack. Viola was still sleeping. I wakened her and told her to get ready to go to town, that I thought thee was a storm on the way. Sleepily, she started pulling on her jeans and shirt, mumbling about repacking everything. I walked to the porch and looked out. The tide had risen so fast that it was already hazardous to travel the beach. “You won’t have time for that,” I told her. “We’ll have to go now, or not at all.” Shorty came in then. He had seen the signs.
Island Moon
straight toward the Texas coast. They expected the storm to hit Monday. After getting Viola more or less safely settled, Shorty and I began to talk about returning to the island and going down the beach on low tide that night to get some of our equipment. We decided to go, and over Viola’s protests, we refueled the Ford, and drove back over the causeway to Padre. The island was a place of darkness and fury that night. It rained incessantly and the wind blew in gusts that threatened to blow the pickup over. We had only gone a mile or two down the beach when we both had to admit that it was hopeless to try to go further until daylight. So we drove the Ford up into the edge of the dunes and sat there all night trying to sleep, our legs cramping and the water reaching nearer with every heave of the Gulf. When morning came, the rain let up a little. We shoved and shoveled our way through the dunes and to the grasslands in the center of the island. It took all day to reach the shack driving over the rough terrain and through the pools of water left by the night’s deluge. It still rained and the wind blew.
I put the gasoline in, and looked back at the house. It had toppled and was being beaten to
Storm Damage
“Victory or Death” Letter to Return to Alamo Where It Was Written 177 Years Ago
What is arguably the most iconic item in Texas history is returning to the Alamo where it was written 177 years ago. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission voted on Wednesday to return the letter to the Alamo for display during the anniversary of the battle. Facing almost certain death as 6000 Mexican soldiers surrounded him in the Alamo on the morning of February 24, 1836, Colonel William Barrett Travis put pen to paper and wrote the words that have been burned into the memories of Texas eight graders ever since. Travis vowed never to surrender or retreat and to “die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country — Victory or Death.” Travis ended up writing at least four more
We left the truck behind the dunes and walked over to the house. The water was running under it so deep it was over our knees as we waded up to the steps. We estimated that the tide was four or five feet above normal. I knew that unless some miracle happened, the shack was not going to stand much longer. I went inside, and dumping a pillow out of its case, started grabbing some valuables and putting them into it. I tossed in a box containing several old coins I had found around the wreckage of an old ship, a rust-encrusted lavaliere I had picked up at the site of the Balli mission-ranch. Then there were stem-wind gold watches I had found in a wooden box on the beach and my collection of arrowheads and spear points. I was looking around at all the rest of our furnishings and equipment, wondering how much to take, when a giant roller hit the shack with terrifying force. I felt the floor sway and buckle under my feet. The water was running up through the cracks when I went out the back door with the pillow case in one hand. The steps had washed away. As I jumped off the porch into the water that was now over waist-deep, I caught sight of a can of gasoline that I was counting on to use for the return trip to town. I caught the can as it floated by me and waded out of the melee. Shorty, having finished collecting his belongings from the tent, was waiting for me in the truck.
October 25, 2012
Republic who had controlled it for more than a century to the Texas General Land Office. On Wednesday Patterson, who oversees the GLO, made a presentation to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to return Col. Travis’ “Victory or Death” letter to the Alamo for a rare public exhibit beginning in February 2013. This would represent the first time the letter has been at the Alamo since it was written there in 1836. Patterson will place the letter there during the 177th Anniversary of the letter’s writing and the Battle of the Alamo in March of next year. “Travis’ ’Victory or Death‘ Letter from the Alamo is not only a Texas treasure, but one of the great, defining documents of American history,” said Patterson. “Imagine the impact on a young Texan seeing this letter in person for the first time. He’ll say ‘I saw the letter’ and a special memory will be passed along to future generations.” Patterson says the state agency plans to raise $100,000 in private donations to cover the costs of the transportation and display.
Text of the Letter Commandancy of the The Alamo Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836 To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World— Fellow Citizens & compatriots—
letters to General Sam Houston pleading for help that never came. On March 6, 1836, the day the Alamo fell, delegates at the convention at Washington on the Brazos, declared the independence of Texas four days before on March 2, 1836. The original “Victory or Death” letter never found its way back to the Alamo. It has since been located in the Texas State Library and Archives in Austin. But Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is now trying to change that. The last session of the Texas Legislature moved control of the Alamo from the Daughters of the Texas
I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna — I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man — The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken — I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls — I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch — The enemy is receieving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country — Victory or Death. William Barrett Travis. Lt. Col. comdt. P. S. The Lord is on our side — When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn — We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves. Travis
2012 Corpus Christi Paddle Prix & Rally Twenty mile long kayak race Don Patricio Causeway before the storm of 1933. There was no need of telling him. Another squall hit as we were getting into the pickup where we squeezed up together in the seat. The beach was almost impassable where the long sweeps crowded us up into the soft sand and shell. But the Model-A came through, and in the late afternoon, we reached the house of some friends in Corpus Christi.
pieces by the waves. When I started to place the pillow on the seat, I discovered that I had grabbed the wrong one – had salvaged only a pillow and a can of gasoline which might not even be enough to get us back to town. Darkness was coming down fast. The storm grew in intensity. We would be lucky if we got out of it with our lives.
I checked with the weather bureau and found that there was, indeed, a storm in the Gulf. It was one of exceptional force and was headed
Next issue: The sea takes away and the sea gives back.
The 2012 Corpus Christi Paddle Prix & Rally event is designed to encourage everyone to stay fit while enjoying the vast natural resources the Coastal Bend has to offer residents and visitors. It serves as one of the Mayor’s Fitness Council’s signature events. It will be held on Saturday, October 27. This year, the event will feature a 20-Mile Race for the serious and experience paddlers starting at Labonte Park, winding down the Nueces River to the mouth of the Nueces Bay, then doubling back to the finish line at Labonte Park. As usual, the Rally will begin at the Port of Corpus Christi Boat Launch and wind up the river to Labonte Park. Paddlers may use a wide range of vessels including kayaks, stand up paddle boards and canoes. This is the third year that we host this event with the purpose of inviting more people in
“Corpus Christi to the sport as a way to enjoy our natural resources, and live healthy and active lives,” said Stacie Talbert, Assistant Director of the Parks & Recreation Department. This event has been made possible through partnerships with the Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department, Port of Corpus Christi, and the Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau. FEES: Rally Fee is $15.00 per paddler. Race Fee is $25.00 per paddler. $5 discount for all American Canoe Association members (must list ACA membership # on form). REGISTRATION: Registration Packages will be available online at www.ccpaddleprix.com or at the Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department For more information about the event, call 361-826-3460 or visit www. ccpaddleprix.com
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October 25, 2012
Island Moon
A Fine life
By Mary Craft Send your business news to: mkay512@aol.com
Monster Mama by Daphne Fine By Daphne Fine I am amazed at the resilience of my children. While I do my best to be a good mama to them, I am thankful for their ability to bounce back from my mistakes! And I certainly give my kiddos plenty to bounce back from – especially when Monster Mama pays them a visit.
New Advertisers my family. I yell and I lecture and I hope the neighbors aren’t in the front yard. After, I go into my bedroom and cry that I have unleashed Monster Mama and given my children one more reason for therapy. And I think, “When I croak, I hope we have left them enough money to pay for their time on the sofa.”
I don’t know about you, but my house has a sore spot. It’s upstairs - my daughters’ domain. Only a bedroom, a loft and a half bathroom, it is the cause of great and constant pain for my household and its primary caretaker – Mama.
I pray for forgiveness, calm down, call them into the bedroom, apologize, ask forgiveness from the children, go upstairs to help them. Peace.
In the same way you might baby a sore muscle, avoiding movement to minimize pain, I resist climbing those steps to their room.
Almost every night our family plays a game called, “High Low.” We ask them to share the highest (best) experience and the lowest (worst) experience of their day.
To be honest, it’s gotten a little out of control. Okay, maybe a LOT out of control. I avoid the space altogether, begging my husband to risk it all, venturing into the fray to wake them up in the morning and kiss them goodnight. I just can’t handle the mess today, I whine to him. Of course the girls are on to me. Knowing I won’t come upstairs gives them a certain reckless abandon. And when I finally work up the courage (succumb to the guilt) and crest the top of the stairs, I know what I will find: a disaster-area of creativity without clean up, snacks sneaked in and left behind, dirty laundry mixed with once-folded clean clothes. I should be prepared, but I am not. I should be patient, but I am not. In a moment, I am transformed into Monster Mama. I grit my teeth, keeping the creature at bay while picking up trash (Gross, what’s that stuck to the floor!), closing dresser drawers (What is so hard about closing a drawer, I ask you?), picking up piles of dirty laundry (That still has tags on it – I’m never buying them clothes again!). I enter the bathroom, (You don’t want the details here.) and it’s just too much to contain. The beast emerges. The “mama howl” erupts. You know the voice - every mama has it, but we sweeten it up in public. No one will ever hear that voice except
Abstract Movement in Watercolor Using Webbing Texture
Did Ya Hear?
And then at dinner, grace.
Normally, I look forward to “High Low,” but tonight when my husband asks the question, my stomach churns and my shoulders tighten, dreading the “low” that I know every child will choose. Monster Mama – without a doubt. I look to my right with a forced smile as daughter number two tells us her high for the day. Then summoning my courage, I ask the question: “So, what was your low today?” She looks up, mentally scanning the day that has passed for a low, but can’t find one. “I don’t have a low today, Mom.” I wait for the other shoe to drop, and look around the table to see if Big Sis will correct her, but don’t hear anything. I sit, fork in my hand, my mouth is closed, but my heart is gaping open in wonder. How can they not remember? How can they not be scarred forever? How can they bounce back from meeting the monster? And I hear, “Mama, it’s not all about today. You pour and you pour every day. It all counts. Even the lowest-of-the-lows evaporate in the atmosphere of everyday loving. Let it go.” Thank you God for miraculous memory loss. Help me accept the bounce-back blessings of forgiveness and fresh starts.
Old Town Festival in Port A will have the parade along Alister 11 am – noon Saturday, October 27th. The Community Center will have an art show and sale and serve gumbo and frito pies. Farley Boat Works will have an open house 10 am – 4 pm to watch wooden boats being built. The Port A museum will have self guided tours. AAA Storage Barns in the Bluff has outside storage for your RV, trailers, boats or vehicles for $19.50/month. They have a computerized access gate, video surveillance and a livein manager. Call 949-4939 or visit www. aaastoragebarns.com.
Business Briefs The Back Porch in Port A will have their doggie costume contest at 3 pm Saturday, October 27th. The next day will be their last open day of the season so they will have their traditional turkey bowling and $1 beer while it lasts. Shorty’s Place 29th Annual Pig Party will be held Saturday, October 27th. This event was started to celebrate owner Rose’s birthday and her assorted pig collection. The family decided to continue the tradition and Miss Rose will be greatly missed. The 6th Annual Port A Art About will be held 4 pm – 8 pm Saturday, October 27. The Chamber of Commerce and Art Center sponsor this event is held to promote Port A as Port Arty. Maps will be available at both locations or download the map at portaransasartcenter.org. Some of the participants are Potters on Cotter, Mustang Island Art Gallery, Port A Glass Studio and Island Made Art Studio. Learn about the local art culture and enjoy some refreshments. Estate Sale at 15401 A Cruiser Street this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Furniture, kitchenware, clothing and more. Corpus Christi Live is offering its patrons the opportunity to pick up their season ticket packet on the Island prior to the first performance November 17th. A representative will be at Gold Falcon Jewelry, near Whitecap, from 10:30 ‘til 2:30 on Saturday, October 27th. All concerts are held at the Performing Arts Center on the Texas A&M CC campus.
A5
The 25th Annual Harvest Moon Regatta is this weekend and the more than 200 boats are expected to arrive in Port A starting at dawn Friday.
Harvest Moon Regatta 2011. Felder Gallery in Port Aransas at the Tower Center hosts a live art event with California Ocean Artist, Wade Koniakowsky. The event titled “SET AND DRIFT” features a casual atmosphere during the Annual Art Walk this Saturday, October 27th. Meet Wade and see his amazing art and get a hand-printed T-shirt with his original block prints. A Mano in Port A at the Tower Center has lots of great folk art celebrating Dia de los Muertos. Join them for fun and refreshments during the Annual Art Walk Saturday, October 27th 4 pm – 8 pm. Island Moon Market at the Windward parking lot on the sea wall will be held Saturday, October 27th 8 am – 5 pm. Lots of crafts vendors, one-ofa-kind gifts and unique eats. Downtown Farmers Market has fresh veggies, eggs, honey, meats and live music every Wednesday 5 – 7 pm. There are also arts and crafts vendors on hand. It is located at 505 S. Water Street near Tango Tea Room. The Barrel is hosting the 1st Annual Pink Party on Thursday, October 25th starting at 5 pm to help promote breast cancer awareness. Come dressed in your best pinks and enjoy some pink sushi. There will be pink items for purchase with all donations going to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Sparrow’s Landing Restaurant/Bar is opening in November where George’s Restaurant was in Flour Bluff. They have remodeled the interior and added a 2500 square foot patio. They will have darts, shuffleboard and live music on stage.
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Learn how to paint abstract watercolor on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 13-14 at the Port Aransas Art Center. The classes run from 1:00- 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, and 9:30 -5:00 on Wednesday. Beautifully vibrant liquid watercolors by New York artist Robert Doak will be featured in these works on Yupo using Halloween cobwebbing for texture. Come learn this three-step process of layering acrylic over watercolor for exciting geometric abstracts that embody the magic of water media doing what it does best. National artist Debbie Cannatella (www. debbiecannatella.com) teaches 1½ day workshop at the Art Center on the Island. For a supply fee, she will furnish Yupo paper, intense liquid watercolors, paper resist and webbing, as well as demonstrations and individual attention. All painting levels are welcome.
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A 6
Election continued from A1
election 12,164 voters had cast ballots, this time that number was 12,636; an indication that the overall turnout this election will likely be in the same range as that election – around 52%. According to the Nueces County Clerk the combined number of voters registered in Precincts 40 and 81, the two precincts that make up North Padre Island is 6516. In the last Presidential cycle 4552 of them voted, a rate of just under 70%. In that election 73% of Island voters who cast ballots did so during early voting, and Island voters favored Republican candidates at an 80% rate. Just over 43% of them voted a straight Republican ticket. In the party primaries last July voters in the two Island precincts voted at a 19% rate compared to 13% countywide. Countywide 24,447 out of 185,045 registered voters cast ballots in that election. For more than a decade the two Island
precincts have had the highest voter turnout of any precincts in Nueces County. In early voting, voters can cast ballots at any early voting location regardless of whether it is their home precinct or not, on Election Day votes must be cast at the polling place in the home precinct. Early voting hours at all locations are as follows: October 22-26, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; October 27, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; October 28, 12 noon-5 p.m.; October 29-November 2, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. The Ethel Eyerly Senior Center in Flour Bluff and Flour Bluff High School are also early voting locations. According to the Nueces County Clerk at the close of voting Tuesday night 6.5% of the registered voters in Nueces County had cast ballots – 12,636 voters. In Port Aransas 332 voters had cast ballots. In Flour Bluff, at the Ethel Eyerly Senior Center 257 voters cast ballots on Monday, 237 on Tuesday. At Flour Bluff High School 134 voted on Monday and 156 on Tuesday.
Gulf Coast
Citywide the largest turnouts have been at the Nueces County Courthouse where 755 voted on Monday, and 732 voted Tuesday; and at the Corpus Christi Area Council for the Deaf where 757 voted on Monday and 808 voted on Tuesday.
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October 25, 2012
Stuff I Heard on the Island
by Dale Rankin
It’s that time of year when people get a little whacky on the political juice. I’m just going to ask everybody to take a deep breath here and chill out. I guess we’re still learning about this Internet thing that Al Gore has unleashed on us and we don’t have a filter on it yet. In a span of about ten minutes this week I got e-mails from six different people informing me that as President, Barack Obama had issued in excess of 900 Executive Orders while the most any of his predecessors had cranked out was about 150 and this was believed by each of the senders to be a significant statement on his character and ability. As I always do I Snopesed it and found out that in fact he had issued about the average number of Executive Orders for any President. Facts are inconsistent little boogers and can get in the way of good propaganda if you pay attention to them. I filed this message away in the file where I keep such things. I’ve got a couple from this poor lady in Nigeria whose husband is the former President and now she’s the victim of a gross injustice that is blocking her from getting at the $20 million she promises to share with me as soon as I send her $5000. I’ve got one informing me that Bill Clinton while a student in England was the President of the local Communist Party Cell. I’ve got another one alerting me to the plot by both of the Bush Presidents to take over the world through the Skull and Crossbones from Yale. I’ve got a whole list of them informing me of the dangers of the Council on Foreign Relations with charts and graphs and breathless pronouncements of their connection to both political parties, the International Monetary Fund, the Trilateral Commission, the World Bank, and a bunch of other organizations I’ve never heard of.
standing in line behind a well dressed middleaged black lady who bought a pack of Kool Menthol Regulars for $6.24 and left. A couple of seconds later she came back in and said, “How much were those cigarettes?”
“$6.24,” the guy said. “Then you owe me a penny,” the lady said, and she stood there waiting. I reached in my pocket and held out a penny and she didn’t even respond. Finally, the guy opened the register and handed her a penny and she walked out and got into a nice, new Mercedes. I thought it was odd but didn’t really know what I had just seen. I went across the street to a hamburger joint and while I was standing in line a kid came in and struck up a conversation with the guy behind the counter about a joint acquaintance. I started to realize what was going on and confirmed it with the guy as I ordered. That section of Dallas is an old, traditionally black neighborhood and some of the businesses are being bought by outsiders who are resented by the locals. Hence the demand for the penny. People are funny.
Robert Bob I stopped by TJ’s Ice House and saw my friend Robert Bob while I was in Oklahoma. He’s having women trouble. “She didn’t drive me to drink,” he said. “But she showed me to the bus station.” Robert Bob has gotten in touch with his inner Native American and now wears an eagle feather in his gimmi cap. He went to see a shaman who told him to stay away from owls and go buy a new towel and new bar of soap and wash with it every day at noon. Then after two weeks drive to the crossroads of two dirt roads at noon and throw both out the window and it will realign the negative energy that is choking up his mojo.
I think there is something about the anonymity Robert Bob did this and on his way home his of the Internet that turns off people’s filter truck broke down. and makes them believe that they must pass “You need a new shaman,” I told him. this information on without question or they “No, I need a new mechanic,” he replied. will somehow be helping in the plot. My take on conspiracy theories is pretty simple; our People are funny. government couldn’t keep it a secret when they RealClearPolitics - 2012 Election Maps - Electoral Map No Toss Ups http://www.realcl sent nine guys into the Watergate Apartments to steal some papers. What makes anyone think that they know about aliens living in the sewers, who really shot JFK, or have a plot to undermine life as we know it and can keep that quiet? It doesn’t make any sense.
If the race for President ended today… Recommend
Neighborhood friction I was in South Oak Cliff in Dallas last week and went into a convenience store where I was
480
24
NO TOSS UPS MAP
RCP SENATE MAP
SENATE NO TOSS UPS
STATE CHANGES
STATE CHANGES
RACE CHANGES
RACE CHANGES
Obama/Biden
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RCP ELECTORAL MAP
But otherwise seemingly rational people keep cranking this stuff out without bothering to even Google it up and see if there is a lick of truth to it. And from what I can tell it’s bipartisan. It began in earnest when Bill Clinton was in office and kicked into high gear with George W. Bush and now has reached new heights of insanity with the election and Barack Obama. Whether it is Obama or Mitt Romney in the White House in January they are going to get the brunt of it too, it’s a reality of life that is here to stay. So when you get that next e-mail informing you that person X is actually a space alien who can fly but doesn’t wear underpants go ahead and sent it along. I say that because I know that asking you not too won’t do any dang good. I’ll put it in the file that reminds me that people are funny.
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RCP HOUSE MAP
Romney/Ryan
281 Obama
257 Romney
270 Electoral Votes Needed To Win (Recent Race Changes)
WA 12 OR 7
MT 3 ID 4
NV 6 CA 55
MN 10 WI 10
SD 3
WY 3
IA 6
NE 5
UT 6
CO 9
AZ 11
KS 6
IL 20
AR 6 LA 8
TX 38
OH 18 KY 8 TN 11
MS 6
AL 9
ME 4 NY 29
MI 16 IN 11
MO 10
OK 7
NM 5
AK 3
NH 4
VT 3
ND 3
MA 11
PA 20
RI 4
WV 5 VA 13
GA 16
SC 9
CT 7
NC 15
NJ 14 DE 3 MD 10
FL 29
DC 3
HI 4
This is the latest map based on a combination of polls done by the Real Clear Politics website showing how the Electoral Votes pan out today. It takes 270 Electoral Votes to win and the gap has closed from 100 apart down to 24 since the first Presidential debate as Mitt Romney has made up groung. RCP shows that 131 votes may still swing either way as we wind down toward November 6 so at this point it is still anybody’s race. CREATE YOUR OWN MAP
DATE
OBAMA
PREVIOUS STATUS
STATE
NEW STATUS
ROMNEY
RCP ELECTORAL COUNT
RCP NATIONAL AVG.
10/22 New Hampshire
Romney
»»»
Obama
Obama 281 - Romney 257
10/19 New Hampshire
Obama
»»»
Romney
Obama 277 - Romney 261
Obama +0.1
10/19
Virginia
Obama
»»»
Romney
Obama 277 - Romney 261
Obama +0.1
Romney +0.4
10/9
Colorado
Obama
»»»
Romney
Obama 294 - Romney 244
Romney +0.7
10/5
Florida
Obama
»»»
Romney
Obama 303 - Romney 235
Obama +2.6
Click Here for More Electoral College Map Changes RCP ELECTORAL SPREAD
Marlins Leap to Victory in Cross Country Meet STATE
Monday the fighting Marlins made Port Aransas proud by winning District at the UIL District 31A Cross Country meet in Corpus Christi. Boys Varsity won the 5000 Meter run capturing the 4 top slots- first place Randall Borden, second place Collin Barr, third place Austin Henderson, fourth place Jesse Marraro. Andrew Hardegree, Jacob DeHart and Victore Baldivia came in seventh, eighth and fourteenth 1 of 2 respectively.
OBAMA
ROMNEY
RCP AVERAGE
RCP STATUS
2008
2004
2000
Ohio (18)
47.9
45.8
Obama +2.1
Toss Up
Obama +4.6
Bush +2.1
Bush +3.5
Florida (29)
46.6
48.4
Romney +1.8
Toss Up
Obama +2.8
Bush +5.0
Bush +0.1
Obama +6.3
Bush +8.2
Bush +8.1
New Hampshire (4)
48.2
47.4
Obama +0.8
Toss Up
Obama +9.6
Kerry +1.3
Bush +1.3
Wisconsin (10)
Virginia (13)
49.5
48.0
46.8
48.0
Obama +2.7
Tie
Toss Up
Toss Up
Obama +13.9
Kerry +0.4
say Port A has plenty to be proud of with this group. The varsity moves on to Regionals in San Antonio NOV. 3rd and then on to state the following week. I would encourage all of Port A to show their support to this exceptional group of athletes. You are sure to see them running around town as they prepare for their Regional Meet. The team motto of ALL DAY EVERY DAY shows in their efforts. Gore +0.2
Michigan (16)
48.6
43.6
Obama +5.0
Toss Up
Obama +16.4
Kerry +3.4
Gore +5.2
Pennsylvania (20)
50.0
45.2
Obama +4.8
Toss Up
Obama +10.3
Kerry +2.5
Gore +4.2
48.8
46.8
Obama +2.0
Colorado (9)
47.6
47.8
Romney +0.2
Toss Up
Obama +9.0
Bush +4.7
Bush +8.4
Nevada (6)
49.5
46.8
Obama +2.7
Toss Up
Obama +12.5
Bush +2.6
Bush +3.5
Bush +6.3
Iowa (6)
Toss Up
Obama +9.5
Bush +0.7
Gore +0.3
43.0
48.3
Romney +5.3
McCain +8.5
Bush +10.5
North Carolina (15)
44.7
50.3
Romney +5.6
Leans GOP
Obama +0.3
Bush +12.4 Bush +12.8
Minnesota (10)
50.3
43.0
Obama +7.3
Leans Dem
Obama +10.3
Oregon (7)
49.5
42.0
Obama +7.5
Leans Dem
Obama +16.4
Montana (3)
42.7
52.0
Romney +9.3
Leans GOP
McCain +2.2
Missouri (10)
43.3
53.7
Romney +10.4
Likely GOP
McCain +0.1
Bush +7.2
Bush +3.3
New Mexico (5)
51.8
41.3
Obama +10.5
Likely Dem
Obama +15.1
Bush +0.7
Gore +0.1
Arizona (11)
Leans GOP
Kerry +3.5 Kerry +4.2
Gore +2.4 Gore +0.5
Bush +20.5 Bush +25.0
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Girls Varsity won the 3200 Meter Run with Victoria Swindle taking third, Emma Shannon sixth, Savanna Dawkins tenth and Aynsley DeHart, Maddison Shannon and Gourtney McNatt at twelve, thirteen and eighteenth place. To round out overall winnings, Junior Varsity girls won first place and the Junior Varsity Boys captured second. Coach Reeves has done a fine job in putting together a stellar group of young men and women to represent PAISD. Having gotten to meet several of the team members and some of their families and friends, I must
Victoria Swindle, Emma Shannon, Aynsley DeHart, Maddison Shannon, Courtney McNatt, Savanna Dawkins, Megan Forrest.
October 25, 2012
Island Moon
The Eight Wonders of Port Aransas
Under the Padre Palms: Arlan Andrews, Sr.
Notes from The Island
arlan@thingsto.com
Halloween: Freedom in Disguise It’s Halloween again, time once more to cringe at the predictable flurry of incensed letters to the editor of our local newspaper, missives complaining of the evil we do in dressing up our children and ourselves and importuning neighbors for treats. But I believe that the basis of this annual monsterly madness reflects favorably on freedom, and should be treated with due respect.
Fears and Sneers Some Halloween objectors express fear that our little neighborhood devils and witches and pumpkin-heads smack of the truly diabolical, that encouraging (or even tolerating) these things-that-go-bump-in-the-night may somehow evoke into existence actual dwellers of darkness to swoop down upon us, or infiltrate our souls. These narrow-minded fear the night, the unknown.
One of the reasons the Romans took such draconian measures against those certain Celts was that these white-robed ones and their followers refused to exchange their rites and rituals for Roman polytheism. (There is much discussion about whether Roman reports of Druidic brutality and sacrifices were truthful, the successful invaders presenting themselves as enlightened liberators…) Perhaps the Druid “priests”, heir to the dawn cultures of the megalith builders, even knew too much,
3. The Tarpon Inn
The history of the Aransas Pass Light Station was driven primarily by weather and politics, both powerful forces of change. In order to spur development of the area, local movers and shakers wished to establish a seaport on the pass, and needed a light to mark the area. Many ships and lives had been lost in attempting to come through this sometimes treacherous pass, and it was obvious that changes needed to be made if the area was to be a successful port. Initial planning pointed out the fact that the pass was shifting rapidly to the south, and thus a movable light, either a buoy or light ship, made more sense than a brick and mortar structure here. Some local and national forces, however, wanted a permanent structure, and they won out.
Built in 1886, the Tarpon Inn is the oldest surviving structure on our island. This hotel was built during the final phase of construction of the Jetties. It has become the icon of our waterfront and appears in thousands of photos.
Construction started in 1854, and the tower was first lighted in 1857. Mounted in the lantern at the top of the tower was a fourthorder Fresnel lens which made the light visible 7 miles out at sea. This lovely little brick tower lit the way into our pass for the next 99 years before being abandoned by the United States Coast Guard. The tower was re-lit in 1989 by a new private owner, and now once again is the only light house marking our section of the coastline. In 1862 the War Between the States erupted (politics again) and the station became the target of confederate forces. In a daring raid, they set off two kegs of black powder, destroying the lens and damaging the tower. The Station was repaired and re-lit using a new fourth-order lens in 1864.
4. The University of Texas Marine Science Institute Established in 1941, this institution brought advanced science to our island. Thousands of scientists have been trained here to push the envelope of marine science forward.
From Fear, Freedom Yet for all the Roman military might and continual campaigns of extermination, and the dark centuries that followed the destruction, legends say that certain of the more gentle Druidic elements – knowledge, understanding, freedom of thought -- survived in the Scottish highlands, giving eventual succor to refugee Templars, and birth to elements of the legends and rites of Freemasonry. So it can be argued – and sketchily traced, for those with a little imagination and vision – that the Druids were linked through time to
Legions and Legends
Arguments for and against the ancient customs practiced at Halloween have persisted throughout the centuries, ever since our Druid ancestors finally fell beneath Roman spears and sandals at the genocidal battle of Anglesey, Scotland, in 61 A.D.
1. The Light House
representing a spiritual and intellectual threat to the legitimacy of Rome. (Remember, the megalithic structures of Great Britain date back past the Pyramids, beyond Babylon, older than Ur itself. Thus, Western civilization may have sprung from around sacred Celtic springs and oak groves, diffusing eastward to fertilize the middle East; Rome a mere modern upstart.)
Other, more sophisticated observers (whose minds are just as strait-jacketed), merely sneer at those of us whom they consider ignorant and superstitious, we who in this modern, rational, enlightened nation, take to the streets and parties and gatherings to celebrate supernatural traditions from a long-ago barbaric era best forgotten by civilized mankind. To these critics, evil lies in superstition, psychology explains all, reason reigns. These poor unimaginatives fear faith and freedom. Yet since the settling of this continent by Europeans, Americans have resisted cries for censorship of thought and restriction of action, continuing to carve pumpkins and tell ghost stories and enjoy the sights of frights. I believe that there is a real appreciation for this one short night of tributes to darkness and the unknown, this Halloween. We sense it in our bones and we laugh at the night, making our peace with personal doubts and discomforts, and we reach out to grasp at eternal truths lurking just beyond the shadows. Beyond the revelry and behind the masks, we are carrying on an ancient tradition that directly affects our history and our nation.
the Knights Templar, and those worthies to the advent of Freemasonry, the group known to have led the geographical and political revolutions that culminated in the finding and the founding of America, and eventually of the USA. (Most of our Founding Fathers were Masons, and Washington, D.C., itself is replete with Masonic and zodiacal architecture and symbols.)
The Great Pumpkin Rises Again In a very real sense, then, it is appropriate that the Druidic Feast of Samhain – our “Halloween” – has found fertile fields in the United States. Hand in hand with the historic greats who found and founded this continent and this free nation, a celebration of our Celtic ancestors survives. By its very existence Halloween is a testimony to the persistence of religious tolerance in Western culture. At the very least, it is a niggling reminder of what came before our present state, of what we were and who we were, and of the ancient world from whence we came. So, when you see the little goblins and ghosts and skeletons traipsing the streets and wending their way to your front door, give generously. These little scary ones are yet one more manifestation of the eternal human quest for freedom.
FLOUR BLUFF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
FLOUR BLUFF SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARDINDEPENDENT OF TRUSTEES ELECTION BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTION Place 6 Place 6 SUPPORTERS FOR Richard C. Pittman SUPPORTERS FOR Richard C. Pittman
Now forces of weather took their turn, and the original houses were destroyed by the 1916 hurricane. These were replaced by a single large house, the one you see next to the tower, which was finished just in time for the 1919 hurricane, a real destroyer that laid waste to Port Aransas. This immensely strong and beautiful building, survived that massive test and stands today as a testament to proper construction.
Politics again, the back half of the north house and the Keeper’s house on the south end of the walkway, were built in 1940 when the United States Light Service was dissolved and the United States Coast Guard took over all the light stations in the country. And finally, finances won the day when the Coast Guard decided to abandon the station in 1954; it was just too expensive to maintain. By this point the pass had shifted southward over a mile before being captured by the Jetties. (See Wonder #2)
2. The Jetties
Christi area. I was on the FBISD Board for 13 years helping to Gabi Hilpold create this reputation.” William Goldston John & Myriam Bell Dr. WallyWilliam & Shirley Graham Goldston Ernie & Corliss ButtlerBell John & Myriam Billy & Christi Granberry Dr. Wally & Shirley Graham Larry & Caren Childers Ernie & Corliss Buttler John White Billy&&Nancy Christi Granberry Paul Tressa Larry & Caren Childers Dr. Bernard & Kim Seger WhiteFrey Dr. Martin &John Demarious Paul & Nancy Tressa Carla & Abel Villarreal Craig & Angela&Hottell Dr. Bernard Kim Seger Charles & Melanie Hambrick Frey Dr. Martin & Demarious Mark & Roe Rock Carla & Abel Villarreal MattCraig Smith,&FB Graduate Angela Hottell Terry & Sally Palmer Charles & Melanie Hambrick Wayne & Linda Reed Mark & Roe Rock Jim & Kathy Alexander Matt FB Graduate Jeff & Smith, Jeanie Paluseo Terry & Sally Palmer Mike & Pam Jensen Wayne & Linda David & Sheryl PerryReed Jim & Kathy Alexander Charlie Eskridge Dr. Greg Maryanne Guthrie Jeff& & Jeanie Paluseo JasonMike & Rachel Johnson & Pam Jensen Ivy Seeds David & Sheryl Perry Mike &Charlie LaureenEskridge Pedrotti Dr. Steve & Suzanne Almond Dr. Greg & Maryanne Guthrie Tracy & Tina Watson Jason&&Gretchen Rachel Johnson Dr. Wilson Perrin Ivy Seeds Ken & Lacy Harrelson Mike & Laureen Pedrotti Donnie & Martha McColskey Dr. Steve & Suzanne Almond Xavier & Marlys Gonzalez Bill Schroeder Tracy & Tina Watson Mikel McGrath Dr. Wilson & Gretchen Perrin Mike & Rhonda Ken & LacyLehnert Harrelson Richard & Georgiana Donnie & MarthaBradshaw McColskey Rod Packard Xavier & Marlys Gonzalez Scott Hanright Bill Schroeder Mike and Beverly Daniels Mikel McGrath Treva Bedwell Mike & Rhonda Dr. Elly Soler Lehnert Richard Georgiana Bradshaw Chuck & & Tracy Daffron Rod Packard Pasty Paradise
Bill & Nora Turnbull Scott Hanright I have been a resident of the Flour Bluff School District for 37 years, 12 years living in Flour Tom Gentry Mike and Beverly Daniels Bluff and 25 years living on Padre Island. I spent 2 years from 1992-1994 trying to get an FBISD Xavier & Marlys Gonzalez Treva elementary school built on Padre Island. After two bond elections failed toBedwell accomplish this I Mike & original Connie Garrisonthat did the initial planningDr. Soler became one of the 5 individuals for Elly an Island school which eventually became IslandStanford Charter School. I testified at theChuck public hearing in 1995 before the Glenn the & Pam & Tracy Daffron Texas EducationSusan Agency favoring a Charter School on the Island. By this time in my life both of my Lawson Pasty Paradise
children were involved in the FBISD School system so this is where I decided to direct my efforts. I was on the FBISD School Board from 1999-2011 and was privileged to be the President from 20032011. For the past 20 years I have been involved in trying to improve the education system. I am running for the FBISD School Board Place 6 because I want to maintain the excellent reputation FBISD has developed as the preferred school to attend in the Corpus Christi area. Richard C. Pittman
It was badly damaged in a fire, nearly destroyed by a severe hurricane, but keeps on coming back to life. You can still book a room and enjoy a fine meal there in the shadow of all that history. A stop inside the lobby is a must. Nowhere else in the world will you find this unique wall covering: tarpon scales, signed by those who caught them, line the walls. On the back wall is a very special scale signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. While you are there have a drink at Roosevelt’s, the restaurant and bar in the courtyard.
The institute now houses the NERR, (National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mission Aransas.) The Mission-Aransas Reserve is a large, contiguous complex of wetland, terrestrial and marine environments named for the two river systems that flow into it. The Reserve’s 185,708 acres is representative of western Gulf estuaries. Its extensive public and private lands include coastal prairie, oak motte, riparian, freshwater and salt marsh habitats. UTMSI houses the ARK (Animal Rehabilitation Keep) and conducts undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral classes. Port Aransas is blessed to have this prestigious and very important program here.
5. The Port Aransas Museum
It stood alone until the 1920’s when the small north house, partially hidden behind the tower, was built in two stages. The front half was finished around the time of the opening of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel (politics again) to allow for one more assistant keeper and family. The small shop building, just next door to the main house, was added during this same period.
“I want to maintain the excellent reputation FBISD has as the preferred schoolreputation to attend in FBISD the Corpus “I developed want to maintain the excellent Christi area. I was on the FBISD Board for 13 years helping to has developed as the preferred school to attend in the Corpus create this reputation.” Norm Baker Ronnie Betty Voss Gabi&Hilpold Glenn & Crystal Norm BakerLyons John &&Molly Ronnie BettyTrice Voss Chuck & Yma Urban Glenn & Crystal Lyons Rocco & Joanne Montesano John Trice Brent & & Molly Nikki Moore Chuck & Yma Urban Charlie & Carmen Hagopian Rocco & Joanne Montesano Edwin & Rebecca Hawn Moore Dr.Brent Bryan&& Nikki Shannon Gulley Frank&&Carmen Dee DeeHagopian Brogan Charlie Jerry Garcia Hawn Edwin & Rebecca James & Trica Skrobarczyk Jr. Dr. Bryan & Shannon Gulley Charlene Held Thomas Frank & Dee Dee Brogan Miles Graham Jerry Garcia George & Sheryl Canales JamesJohn & Trica Skrobarczyk Jr. & Jackie Fisher Charlene Held Thomas David & Katherine Conoly Miles Graham John & Nancy Durham George Sheryl Canales Rick &&Charlotte Hillin John Buddy&&Jackie BrendaFisher Seeds James Skrobarczyk David&&Lawanda Katherine Conoly Tosser & ViviDurham See John & Nancy BoucherHillin Rick Jerry & Charlotte Jackie Visosky Buddy & Brenda Seeds John & Jackie Michael James & Lawanda Skrobarczyk Greg & Deborah Smith Tosser & Vivi See Mike & Pam Morgan Jerry Boucher Calvin & Rene Self Jackie Jimmy Kaylor,Visosky FB Graduate John Michael Jim&&Jackie Kelly Mailhes Randy & Cathy Pierce Greg & Deborah Smith Bob Torres, FBMorgan Graduate Mike & Pam Kim Parker Knief Calvin & Rene Self Randell Buttler Jimmy Kaylor, FB Graduate Jimmy & Sharon Parker Jim & Kelly Mailhes Bill & Nora Turnbull RandyTom & Cathy Pierce Gentry Bob Torres, FB Graduate Xavier & Marlys Gonzalez Kim& Parker Knief Mike Connie Garrison Randell Buttler Glenn & Pam Stanford JimmySusan & Sharon Parker Lawson
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This one is very new, opening just three years ago, but since we are the ones writing this guide it is, of course, included. The speed with which this museum came to be is truly a wonder. It went from idea to open house in less than 3 years. The building that houses the museum was brought to the island as a kit house sometime right after the 1916 hurricane, and was built to replace the Life Saving Station (now Coast Guard) building that was wiped out by that terrible storm. When the “new” Coast Guard station was built in 1923, this building was sold into the private sector, moved, and became the home for several prominent Port Aransas families over the ensuing 87 years. The last family to own it (the Morrisons of San Antonio, TX.), donated the fine old structure to the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association to become a museum for our town.
The Jetties were built to capture the pass, which was moving south at a rate of 200’ per year. It was impossible to operate a seaport, or even build a town, on the banks of this speeding wild channel, and thus efforts were launched to tame and capture it. It would take five attempts and 50 years to finally bring it to a halt. In 1862 a group of local business people raised money and had a rock wall constructed on the south side of the channel to prevent further movement. It lasted less than two years and the pass rolled right over it. The ocean is a tough opponent! Next attempt was by the Army Engineers in 1870. This effort, led by a very competent man named Mansfield, consisted of a single jetty on the south side of the channel. This slowed the restless pass’ southward movement down to about 70’ per year…a significant gain. Major Mansfield strongly suggested to the Engineers that a second jetty be built immediately on the north side of the pass to capture it forever. He was ignored. Over the ensuing years the pass shifted slowly south and the Mansfield jetty begin to deteriorate due to lack of maintenance. Next team to try to stop the pass was a private group. They raised a lot of money by selling land which was to become a new city by the sea alongside the jetties, and started work. They hired a professor of engineering to design their new jetty and he produced what he called a “Reaction Breakwater” that would, by itself, solve their problem and thus cut their costs in half. This new jetty would be built in an S curve along the North side of the pass. It did not work and they went broke. Now we had a real mess… there were two structures nearly intersecting in the middle of the channel and traffic was all but blocked. The Government stepped in again, determined to finish the job this time. They hired a brilliant engineer named Picton, from Rockport, whose company altered the S curve jetty and built a brand new one on the south side of the pass, capturing it forever. Work was finally finished in 1910 and the town changed its name from Tarpon to Port Aransas.
We moved it for at least the third time in its very eventful life. Since it has been moved from its initial location, the state historical commission, in its (limited) wisdom, refuses to grant it a medallion. To our way of thinking, the mobile history of this venerable old house is a big and significant part of the history of our island town and thus worthy of recognition. So we have decided to make and award our own medallion! Step inside and re-visit our island history through pictures, exhibits and movies. Watch Farley boats fishing, see the president catch his 80 lb tarpon and watch folks playing on the beach in the 1920’s. Admission is free, but please leaves us a donation to help keep it healthy. Join the museum and receive our monthly newsletter and other wonderful benefits, plus have the nice feeling of helping preserve the history of our island town.
6. The Farley Boat Works
What a history this institution has. The Farley family arrived here in the 1880’s and established homes and a business. An early member became the town’s first taxidermist and provided specimens from our area to the Smithsonian Institution. In 1915, some new Farleys arrived and opened our first boat shop. It would last un interrupted until 1970. Farley Boats were the nautical icon of our island… everyone, including the president of the United States, fished from one of these fine tarpon skiffs. No one knows how many boats the Farley shop turned out, but it numbered in the high hundreds at least. Their boats were designed and built specifically to meet the local conditions, and were ideal for the job. When the City of Corpus Continued on A8 (next page)
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DEE-SCOVERIES
Island Moon
8 Wonders continued from A7
Where There’s Fire, There’s Smoke by Devorah Fox brushes and paint away. The shop takes care of the firing and the finished piece is ready to be picked up a day or two or three later. The price of the piece includes six paint colors and the firing. “You don’t have to form your own ceramic from a mold, wait for it to dry, etc. etc. before painting and firing,” says Melissa.
It’s getting to be a recurring theme here in the Dee-Scoveries department. A business owner will tell me “I wanted to be in Port Aransas so I pulled up stakes and moved here and started a business.” When I ask “had you worked in that field before?” the answer is very often “no,” said with a beaming smile that could be a sign of serious satisfaction or just maybe a touch of madness. Such is the story behind FireIt, a contemporary ceramics studio. Owner Melissa Shook has redefined “impulsive business launch.” Melissa and her husband Garrett Smith had taken vacations from San Antonio in Port Aransas for many years and those vacations almost always included painting ceramic pieces at Pottery Aransas. In 2007, when they learned that the business was going to close they asked if it could be for sale instead. They bought it and moved in eight days. They had wanted a change. They spent a lot of time commuting around in San Antonio. They wanted more family time and a slower pace. “The kids were being raised in car seats,” says Melissa. (The kids, then three and six are now nine and 11 years old.) Melissa says, “We bought a business we didn’t know how to run. We bought it at nine a.m. and opened it at noon.” She had to learn the business under fire so to speak. Previously she had been a clothing designer who had taken two years off to be with their young kids. A principal Pottery Aransas employee who had worked for the former owners stayed on for 30 days and helped Melissa get oriented. The rest she taught herself through trial and error. “Lots of trials, not too many errors,” says Melissa.
“People are happy here. They’re here because they want to be not because they have to be.” Melissa and Garrett have seen kids grow up at FireIt. They’ve become an extended family. If school schedules or different vacation plans keep them away, Melissa and Garrett miss them. But wait! There’s more. In addition to running FireIt, Melissa manages the property. When the hut on the corner of Alister and Beach Street became vacant, the couple brainstormed about what to do with it. An environmental scientist who consults for the military, Garrett came up with an idea to open a humidor. Garrett likes cigars and likes learning about them. He keeps a cigar journal of how a particular cigar tastes, smells and burns. He saw that there was no other place in Port Aransas to get fresh cigars.
They expanded the inventory, the paint selections, even the store. Finally they outgrew their original location and in 2009 moved to 210 N. Alister. They doubled the space and have 600 paint colors to choose from. Melissa has lost count of how many ceramic items there are to paint. The customers are mostly families. Kids want a souvenir of their beach vacation. Then mom and dad end up pitching in. Dad is surprised at how much fun he has. Melissa says, “The dad is always the last one to finish” because he gets so involved in his project.” Families make ornaments and gifts for Christmas, or gifts like crosses, coffee mugs and platters for other occasions. It’s not a complicated process. First, you select an unfinished piece. Then, select colors and
Christi took away our port, we fell back on sport fishing to survive, and the Farleys became even more important to our future. They would build you a boat. Step inside and see a pictorial history of our dependence on the sea and a chronicle of the Farley builders alongside a preserved 1930’s tarpon skiff, the “Tina”.
from the Bible. He mixed his own Gesso and painted in the ancient manner, practically living in the chapel during this 3 year labor. The Port Aransas Museum now conducts tours of the Little Chapel, and the Carter family grants occasional permission to people wishing to be married or hold special church services here.
The Port Aransas Museum re-established the Farley Boat Works in 2011, and now boats are once again being born here. If you wish to build one yourself, sign up and our team will guide you through the process. You will then have built your own Farley boat.
8. The Last Farley Boat
7. Chapel in the Dunes Nestled on the top of the highest dune in Port Aransas is a beautiful tiny chapel. It was built in 1937 by Ailene Carter. Soon it became the center for Sunday ice cream socials for the kids of the town. Mrs. Carter, who wore long white dresses, was given the nickname “the Angel lady” by the children. Mrs. Carter was a remarkable person in many ways. She wrote two books of poetry, both of which are available at the Port Aransas library, and was named Poet Laureate of Texas. She built an observatory in the upper floor of her house in San Antonio, from which she taught astronomy to hundreds of children. In the 1970’s, Texas artist John Cobb was inspired by her memory to paint the ceiling of the little chapel, depicting scenes
And this is the strangest one yet! The last boat to leave the Farley Boat Works building in 1972 is right in front of you, but may be a bit difficult to see. But some history first. The Farleys sold their business to Steve Janovski. He started this boat and finished the hull, but then found it impossible to keep the shop open and shut the doors. Mr. James Mayfield, a local bait shrimper, bought the hull intending to finish it and use it as a charter boat. He never got around to it and one day, needing a shop, he hatched the idea of making the nearly boat into a unique roof. See it now? All the intricate and strong mahogany framing still live under the shingles, and the shape of the last boat, now upside down, forms the strangest roof in Port A. Thanks for taking this tour and let us know what you think of our efforts at the Port Aransas Museum.
Humidor del Sol opened May 2010. The shop is welcomed by tourists and locals. While the kids and moms are having fun painting at FireIt, the dads visit the humidor. Local regulars come in every day almost on schedule to get a fresh, well-kept cigar as do return visitors to Port A. Garrett appreciates the art that goes into crafting a good cigar. Tobacco is blended with the same attention and care that goes into creating a wine and like wine, cigars are fermented and aged. If properly maintained they will keep for many years. Garrett has some in the shop that are 22 years old. The cigars are maintained at a precise temperature (70 degrees) and level of humidity (70%). Because it can often be quite humid in Port A the humidor needs both a humidifier and a dehumidifier as well as heat and cold temperature control.
“It was the best irrational decision we ever made,” says Garrett. Melissa agrees. “It’s been great as an adult to learn something new.” They ended up loving the community here.
October 25, 2012
The businesses keep the couple busy. Garrett says, “We’re owner operators. We don’t just sit at home. It can be trying if something breaks or goes wrong” at an odd hour. The two know enough about each other’s business that they can run each other’s shops, at least for a short time. Garrett also still hold his consulting position, only now instead of working in San Antonio, he telecommutes to his job.
The Chapel in the Dunes was built in 1937 by Ailene Carter, and occupies the Highest dune in Port Aransas
For more information contact Melissa at 361-749-7967 or visit the Web site at www. fireitceramics.com or just stop by 210 N. Alister. (Be sure to greet the friendly shop cats, Boomer and MeowMeow). During the summer and when kids are out of school, the studio is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Otherwise it’s closed Tuesday, open Monday through Thursday from 10:30 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about the humidor, call Garrett at 361-749-7976 or send an email to humidordelsol.garrett@yahoo.com. Or stop by seven days a week from 11a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays I’ll see you there. —http://devorahfox.com
Peewee's Animal Shelter
Peewee’s Animal Shelter is located at 1307 Saratoga and has been in operations since May, 1997. Peewee’s presently houses over 300 animals, including dogs, puppies, cats, kittens as well as, pigs, goats, rabbits and other barn animals. Peewee’s relies on donations only for its operation. Shelter operations are accomplished strictly by donations. Peewee’s does not get any government, city or federal funding. Peewee’s helps those animals no one else will - the sick and the stray. The volunteers at Peewee’s work tirelessly to rehabilitate poor orphaned pets in the hopes that they will find new, loving homes. The dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, given regular heartworm preventative, and are on flea & tick prevention and medications as needed. Peewee’s does not discriminate due to age or health conditions of the pet. Please visit Peewee’s Pet Adoption World & Sanctuary at 1307 Saratoga Road. You can call them at 361-888-4141 but they do not have staff to answer phones so please leave a message.
The BACK PORCH Sun - Sat 11am - 10pm
Scoopy’s Veranda Sun - Sat 11am - 10pm Daily Lunch Specials Snoopy’s & Scoopy’s 11am - 2pm Carry-out Available!
Snoopy’s
(361) 949-8815
Scoopy’s
(361) 949-7810
13313 S. Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78418
oPEN 7 dAYS + nOON-2AM Live Music
FRI. The 10/25 10/26 BACK PORCH Bar SUN. SAT. THURS.
Pajama Party with Hanna’s Reef
Charlie Hager & The Captain Legendary band
10/27
3 pm... Annual Doggie Costume Contest
The
Later... Halloween Costume Contest with Cruise Control
10/28
LAST DAY Turkey Bowling & $1 Beer!
BACK PORCH
$2 WackyBar Wednesdays! ON THE WATERFRONT
132 W. Cotter St.
PortA
October 25, 2012
Island Moon
Real Estate Roundup
Old Town Festival In Port Aransas Saturday Oct 27th
Flood Insurance By Mary Lou White It is the time of year when everything seems to come up for renewal. Flood insurance happens to be on that list, at our house. Being a real estate agent, near the coast, has given me insight into some factors that other people may not be aware of. The National Flood Insurance Program has been caught up in a cycle of short-term extensions and lapses, since 2008. The program expired four times in 2010 alone. During those periods of being unable to purchase flood insurance, homes that sold and required a mortgage, as part of the transaction, could not close. Lenders require that flood insurance must be in place at the time of closing, for properties located in “flood areas” on FEMA Flood Zone Maps. It was a difficult situation for everyone involved in the “real estate” and “insurance” industry.
What Makes Flood Insurance Unique Most private insurers do not insure against flooding. The reason is explained this way: the number of people who live in flood prone areas is larger than the available number of persons willing to buy flood insurance. In other words, without large numbers of people willing to buy flood insurance, the cost of claims cannot be spread over a huge policy base and insurance companies cannot generate a profit, by writing these policies. To overcome this devastating dilemma, The U S Government stepped into the breach, in 1968, when Congress passed the National Flood Insurance Act. In the late 1960’s, the original estimates were that about 5000 communities had flooding hazards. After more research, it became clear that more than 20,000 counties and towns have some degree of risk and today flood insurance is available. When Hurricane Agnes struck the East Coast in 1972, fewer than 1,200 communities were in the NFIP and only 95,000 homeowners held policies against damage that cost $4 billion. Claims paid for Agnes was only $5 million. In 1973, the Flood Disaster Protection Act was passed. The most significant feature was the mandatory purchase requirement for homes that were financed by mortgage lenders and banks, if they were located in mapped floodplains. In 1981, the Reagan Administration set a goal to have the NFIP be self-supporting by 1988, meaning no taxpayer support would be needed to pay claims and operating expenses. Rates were increased and coverage of certain items was sharply limited. These changes and several years without major floods led to selfsupporting status by 1985, three years ahead of the target date. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo hit South Carolina. NFIP made payments of nearly $350 million. The Midwest floods of 1993, required claim payments of $271 million. In 1998, NFIP cleared the 30 year mark. Hurricane Georges (1998, $149 million),
Activities for the entire family! All Free! Hurricane Allison (2001,$1.1 billion) and Hurricane Isabel (2003,$421 million). Then came Katrina in 2005 and Ike in 2008.
A Five Year Reprieve On June 29, 2012, Congress finally showed bi-partisan support for a long term solution, by passing the Biggest-Waters Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2012. It passed in the House of Representatives with a 373/52 vote and in the Senate with a 74/19 vote. It was part of a conference report package that included other legislation. The program is now extended until September 30, 2017 and it addresses reforms in key areas. It phases out subsidies of many properties, it raises the premium cap to 20%, it allows multi-family properties to purchase flood policies, it imposes minimum deductibles for flood claims and it requires the NFIP to come up with a plan to repay Katrina debt. Map modernization issues were also part of the package. Risk based pricing seems to be the goal of Congress. On July 9, 2012, President Obama signed the Act into law. During Island Strategic Action Committee meetings, I have heard discussions about new FEMA maps coming out soon. No one seems to know any details, other than they are coming soon. As long as we reside on an island, flooding and the impact it carries with it, will forever be a part of our lives. Being informed is a good thing.
Island Real Estate Ticker
3
Multi Family Units For Sale From $358,000 to $2,500,000
10
Commercial Properties For Sale From $150,000 to $4,557,465
165
Lots and Land For Sale
57
Parcels on a canal or water From $100,000 to $1,850,250
108
Parcels not on the water From $17,500 to $975,000
227
Island Residences For Sale
114
Attached Homes For Sale From $59,000 to $529,000
69
Detached Homes on the water From $234,500 to $2,200,000
44
Detached Homes not on the water From $149,900 to $389,000
Photo Let’s Talk Real Estate….. Call or Email Me! 361‐658‐1092 Photo Let’s Talk Real Estate….. Photo Let’s Talk Real Estate….. bbell@stx.rr.com Call or Email Me! Call or Email Me! 361‐658‐1092 361‐658‐1092 ∙Over 10 Years on Padre Island bbell@stx.rr.com ∙ Knows the Market inside & out bbell@stx.rr.com ∙ There for you every step of the way ∙ Padre Island • Over 10 years on Padre Island Betheny Bell Over 10 Years on ∙ Knows the Market inside & out inside & out • Knows the Market Listing & Sales Specialist ∙ Over 10 Years on Padre Island ∙ There for you every step of the way • There for you every step of the way Licensed in the State of Texas ∙ Knows the Market inside & out Betheny Bell Coastline Properties ∙ There for you every step of the way Listing & Sales Specialist Logo Betheny Bell Licensed in the State of Texas Listing & Sales Specialist Coastline Properties Licensed in the State of Texas Logo Contact Betheny Bell & Enjoy The Experience Coastline Properties
At the Port Aransas Museum, corner of Alister and Brundrett Sponsored by Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association
Celebrate Port Aransas
Join in the Old Town Festival Parade
11-12 a.m. on Alister Call Mary Novak for info 501-580-2828.
Old Town Festival Schedule • • • • • • • • • • • •
Plein Air Quick Draw, Roberts Point Park 9-11 Big Shell Bicycle Rally 9-10 Info: 361-749-8479 Expression Session Surfing Contest, Horace Caldwell Pier 9am Info: 361-749-3100 Farley Boat Works - Open House 10-4pm. Watch Wooden Boats Being Built Located At Ave. C Near Cut-Off Road 8 Wonders of Port Aransas, Stop by Museum for Self-Guided Tour Directions. You Won’t Believe the 8th Wonder of Port A!!! Old Town Festival Parade 11-12 Along Alister, Route available at Port A Museum Pat Farley’s World Famous Gumbo 12-2pm, Community Center. Frito Pie too! $5 for Lunch/Carry Out Gumbo $10 for 16oz. Port Aransas Music Showcase on the Porch of the Community Center from 12-till Story Telling “Growing Up In Port Aransas” 2-4pm Community Center Art Show & Sale: Coastal Paint Out – Community Center 4-8pm. Port A Art About 4-8pm All Over Town Annual Membership Drive, Bricks & Souvenirs for Sale All Day Long Port A Museum & Community Center
For More Information and to VOLUNTEER Call 361-749-3800 or email paoldtownfestival@gmail.com
www.portaransasmuseum.org
Annual Membership Drive
Port Aransas Preservation & Historical Assoc. PO Box 677 Port Aransas, TX 78373
Get the attention you deserve.
Logo Contact Betheny Bell & Enjoy The Experience
Beach House Realty
Contact Betheny Bell & Enjoy The Experience
361-332-1021
BIG REDUCTION!
WATERFRONT--Fortuna Bay’s finest! 3/2 penthouse with high ceilings, completely redone in style with stainless, glass tile, granite, quality fixtures throughout, sumptuous baths, attractive furnishings, storage closet, boat dock, community pool/ hot tub, tile/carpet. Ready to go, just move in or rent out--vacation rentals okay. Bring your boat. $164,900 Beach House Realty, Gail D. Spinn, Agent 2217 State Highway 361, Suite A-1, Port Aransas, Texas 78373
Mary Ann McShane, Realtor, GRI, SRES e-mail: malm335@sbcglobal.net Corpus Christi Realty Group Considering a move to the Island? Let me help you find your piece of Paradise - waterfront or interior homes, condos, townhouses, lots Considering selling your Island Property? Call me for a free consultation to obtain the current market value along with tips to make your property the one buyers will put on their “must see” list
Island Office (361) 215-8629
Open House 1-5 Sunday October 28 14981 Canadian Mist $315,000
Selling a home? Want results? Call 361-949-7281
Mary Melick Real Estate
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Island Moon
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October 25, 2012
COLDWELL BANKER ISLAND, REALTORS 14945 S. Padre Island Dr., Corpus Chris�, TX 78418
ISLAND, REALTORS
Magnificent updates as well as wonderful waterviews! 4/2.5 salt water pool. Master down. Call Beth for more information! 7794943. 13757 Eaglesnest. $499,900.
(361) 949‐7077 or (800) 580‐7077 www.cbir.com
Customized house, superb canal location, upscaled kitchen w/granite counters + bamboo flooring, plantation shutters, abundant amenities. Dorothy 563 -8486. $445,000.
Fortuna Bay Waterfront condo 3-2 w/boatslip. Recently updated. Furnished. Just bring your suitcase & enjoy. HOA pool, cabana & spa. Call Cheryl 361-563-0444.
Sale Pending!
15422 Escapade 3/2/2 $189,900. 1600 sq.ft of living area. Granite countertops throughout. All tile floors, ss appliances, great location. Charlie 443-2499.
Extraordinary canal location and view– highly customized s/s kitchen with granite counters & much more. Surprises abound. Call Dorothy 563-8486.
New construction by Seaquist Homes. 4-2-2 on Punta Espada. Open floor plan, split bedrooms, landscaped front yard, builder’s warranty. Call Cheryl 563-0444.
15401 Cruiser 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage $198,000. 1305 sq.ft. Very nice inside and out. Located on a canal. Call Charlie 361-443-2499.
15905 Punta Bonaire $620,100. 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, concrete saltwater pool, boat lift, too many extras to list. Call Charlie Knoll 443-2499.
Sale Pending!
Sale Pending!
Waterfront Townhome on Mingo Cay. 3-2.5-2 courtyard entrance. End unit. Tile down & carpet up. 2 covered patios, multi level decking. Cheryl 563-0444.
13969 Mainsail 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath upscale Energy Star compliant home with inground pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen and much more. $279,900. Call Cindy 549-5557.
Open Sunday, Oct 16th 2‐5
Beautifully Updated 3-2-2 w/ multi purpose room. Split bedrooms. Gas stove. Tile & bamboo floors. Plantation shutters. Large backyard. Cheryl 5630444.
15257 Capstan 3/2/2 well maintained stucco home. Large backyard w/mature trees & covered patio. Tile in kitchen & baths. $149,900. Call Jeremy at (361) 960-7873.
This two story home sits on over 1 acre of land. Water well with sprinkler system. Four bedrooms with four baths. 3 car garage. Two living & 2 eating areas. Call Terry Cox 549-7703. $388,500.
Lovely Flour Bluff 1-story home on 1.3 acre corner. Spacious 4/3/2 w/2 living & 2 dining. Circular drive & water well for yard. Call Pam Morgan 2158116. $343,700.
13853 Topsail $289,000 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, 1756 sq.ft on a nice canal. Tile roof, rock front and back yard. Well maintained. Charlie 4432499.
Sale Pending!
Sale Pending!
This Padre Island home offers three bedrooms, 2.5 baths with 2 living areas and is located on 3 lots. Open floor plan with over 3300 sf. Covered patio, pool & more. Terry Cox $399,000.
Exciting 2-story with great interior lot location. It is on a huge lot with unlimited potential & surrounded by PVC fencing. Call Dorothy @ 563-8486.
Reduced Price 15713 Cuttysark 3/2.5/1 lovely Island home. Large yard with room for a pool. Call Laura Wallace (361) 815-2116.
14945 S. Padre Island Dr. Corpus Chris�, TX 78418 (361) 949‐2131 (877) 269‐2131
Investment opportunity! 4/2.5/2 waterfront with extra parking. Vaulted ceilings, fireplace and wet bar. $267,500. 13541 Royal Fifth. Call Shonna 510-3445.
722 St. Lucy $154,900 3/2.5/1. 1624 sq.ft of living area. 2 living areas. All bedrooms up. Nice landscaping. Above ground pool. Charlie 361-443-2499.
Open Sunday, Oct 16th 2‐5
Sale Pending!
New Construction by TwoSaam. 14126 Coquina Bay. 3/2/2 plus den/office. Granite countertops & tile floors throughout. $219,900. Charlie 443-2499.
13917 Primavera bring your decorating ideas, paint & flooring samples. This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home is waiting for the right person. $149,900. Cindy 549-5557.
www.rentpadreisland.com Superior Service, Outstanding Reputa�on since 1999 Looking for Professional Long Term Property Management Services? Our services include: Tenant Qualifying Collec�ons of Rents Coordina�ng Repairs & Maintenance Professional Itemized Monthly Statements Marke�ng/Adver�sing
Open Sunday, Oct 16th 2‐5
Looking for Long Term Rental Property? Below are some of our available rentals:
Beach Club #394 Efficiency $750
Portono #705 2/2 $1800 furnished
13625 Catamaran 3/3/1 $1800
15505 Palmira #A 3/2.5/2 $1600
Lakeshore Villas #24 2/2 $1150
15702 Finistere 3/2/2 $1400
Sale Pending!
Leeward Isles #5204 2/2 $1200
13545 Catamaran stucco and tile waterfront home offers multilevel deck, boat lift, 2 living areas, 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths. $339,900. Call Cindy 549-5557.
3266 Roscher—zoned for horses, near 5 acres. 2 story home 3-2.52. Backs up to the Oso Bay, private beach, fishing pier, pool. Cheryl or Mary Lou.
121 Gulfstream $209,900 Beautiful 1st floor unit, ss appliances/granite countertop. Updated furnishings. Easy pool/beach access. Call Shonna 510-3445.
6th floor side/front unit-long veranda-great gulf viewimmaculate-newer appointments. Call Dorothy Ernst at 563-8486.
Waterfront Lots for Sale!! Palo Seco $154,900 San Felipe $200,000 Cuttysark $189,000
Mystic Harbor one bedroom corner unit on water. Canal access. Tropical pool. Hot tub. Security entrance. Sold furnished. Call Cheryl 563-0444.
Gorgeous East facing waterfront lot with open views. Very wide intersecting canal + short distance to IC Waterway. 15014 Tesoro. $184,500. Ana 361-443-7771.
For More Info Call: Terry Cox 549-7703 Charlie Knoll 443-2499
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