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February 13, 2014
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The Only Island In Texas With More Superbowl Quarterbacks Than Grocery Stores
Island Seawall at 50
Around The Island
By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com
We’re in the Yo-Yo Season on our Island. One minute the temperature is up and the next it’s down. Carry a coat in your car and dig around in your closet and see if you can find some long pants. We’ve had all kinds of stores come and go on The Island over the years but we’ve never had a Long Pants Store. Maybe it’s time
Vote early and vote often The election season is coming up with Early Voting for the primaries starting next Tuesday, February 18. The three voting precincts on North Padre and in Port Aransas traditionally have the highest turnout of any in the county and this time looks to be no different. We encourage anyone who has not registered to do so. There are currently 6200 registered voters on North Padre Island and a good turnout this time could be decisive in several of the races. The next time someone says that “They” or “Somebody” ought to do something about (insert cause or gripe here) tell them “They” and “Somebody” are: they are voting. Everybody else is just bellyaching.
New Roads We got a lot of reaction from the story in last week’s edition about road improvements announced by State Representative Todd Hunter. The one issue that has The Islands – both North Padre and Port Aransas – holding their collective breath is traffic. In the past two years we have seen a marked increase in the number of people on our beaches and roadways during the peak season and we all know it is not going to slow down anytime soon. It is a quality of life issue that has the ability to trump everything else. Just ask the people in Austin and San Antonio how traffic problems can impact everyday life. Fortunately for us it is a seasonal problem at least for now, and the move by Representative Hunter is an early step in the right direction to try and get ahead of the problem.
Barefoot Mardi Gras Don’t forget that Barefoot Mardi Gras is just around the corner with the beach parade and party on Saturday, March 1 and then the Port Aransas street parade on Fat Tuesday, March 4. We’ll see you at both. In the meantime say hello if you see us Around The Island.
Year 17, Issue 513
The Man Who is Trying to Save the Seawall By Dale Rankin
Bob Currie bought his condominium at El Constante on the north end of the Michael J. Ellis Seawall in 1997. Back then the beach there was barely fifty feet wide and the seawall was free of sand, but now seventeen years later the beach is as wide as the Mississippi River in his native Minnesota and Mother Nature is doing her best to reclaim the 3906 feet of the concrete seawall as part of her natural terrain.
Seawall in 1980 Photo by Lyla Strite. Bob Currie
Over the years the seawall has been at the center of many controversies and questions and now after years of silence Currie and a group of property owners along the seawall are asking some basic questions of their own like: Who is responsible for cleaning the 25-foot wide strip of beach at the base of the seawall? Who is responsible for keeping dunes from forming on the beach in front of the seawall which are not supposed to be there? Why are vehicles being allowed to drive within twenty five feet of the water’s edge in violation of a state law? And finally, why are there still cars driving on the beach eighteen years after the Corpus Christi Seawall at 50 continued on A4
Courting the Island vote
Taxes, Taxes, Taxes!
By Dale Rankin The three candidates for Nueces County Commissioner Precinct 4 came to The Island Monday and played to a full house, eight days before the polls open for early voting. To sum up the main topic of the night in three words: Taxes, taxes, taxes. The event was sponsored by the Island United Political Action Committee and over the course of an hour each candidate had the chance to address the crowd in an opening statement and in response to written questions from the audience. The exchange between the three candidates, all Republicans running in the primary against an empty Democrat slate, was cordial. Unlike an exchange which took place at a forum earlier in the day when one candidate likened following remarks by his opponent to “the guy with a shovel following along behind the elephants in a circus.”
A little Island history
The Story of the Seawall
By Dale Rankin She was built without permits in the early 1960s and it took the state a decade to figure that out and when they did they tried to get her torn down. By that time buildings had already sprung up behind its protective wall and property owners fought back. The Michael J. Ellis Seawall is 4216 feet long and is the Island’s first defense against hurricanes but, no matter, rules are rules and according to the state the seawall had to go. The fight continued until, finally, in 1974 a district court judge affirmed the seawall’s right to stay put. That was the good news. The bad news was the wording in the judge’s ruling was ambiguous and the state’s property line ran right through the lobbies of the buildings located there. As a result financing for developments was almost impossible to get since a clear title was unobtainable. Property values plunged and development came to a halt.
The seawall in the early days The seawall survived Hurricane Beulah in 1967 and Hurricane Celia in 1970. But the threat of Beulah spurred property owners along the seawall to form the Seawall Maintenance Agreement which established a fund for seawall upkeep. Seawall History continued on A7
$3 Million in State Funds for Port Aransas Airport in Jeopardy City could have to refund $990,000 already spent
Taxes continued on A6
Schlitterbahn Site from the Air on Wednesday February 12
By Dale Rankin A 5-2 vote by the Port Aransas City Council to deny a request by the owner of Skydive South Texas to construct a new 5500 square foot hanger at Mustang Beach Airport has drawn the scrutiny of the Texas Department of Transportation which has committed $3 million in improvements for the facility.
More on A2
“I am currently reviewing the minutes of the Port Aransas City Council meeting when they took the vote,” said William Gunn, inspector with the Aviation Division of TxDot which oversees 276 airports around the state. He said
about 80% of those airports get both state and federal funds, however, due to the Mustang Beach’s proximity to the Rockport Airport it is only eligible for state funds, of which it has already spent $994,209. . “If the council vote violates the contract the state has with the City of Port Aransas for the development of a General Aviation Airport we will freeze the $3 million we have committed and look at recovering the money we have already spent. We don’t fund private airports.” Airport continued on A7
A 2
Island Moon
February 13, 2014
Schlitterbahn From Above Photos by Jason Towns
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Paul and Patrice Dutton have been Port A Winter Texans for 9 years. They live in Dryden, ON Canada, a small pulp and paper town in northwestern Ontario, where the winters can be very cold with lots of snow and ice. In the winter, skiing, and snowboarding, snow machining and curling, skating, hockey and ice fishing (yes, people auger holes into the ice on frozen lakes and fish .!) are enjoyed by the residents. In the summer , there is an abundance of fresh water lakes and rivers for fishing, boating and water sports and in the fall the Dryden area is well known for hunting moose and deer. They left Dec. 29th when the temperature was -37F. They should have left earlier!! Paul is retired from the Ontario civil service with a career with the Ministry of Natural Resources in wildfire management and Patrice was employed with the Federal government as well as a community college. They have a son and daughter who live in Calgary, Alberta, home of the famous Calgary Stampede. They knew that they didn’t want to spend their winters in Canada so headed south with thoughts of checking out Texas, Arizona and Florida. A friend suggested that they check out Port Aransas and when they did they knew that they had found their winter home. They enjoy the spirit and sense of community and friendliness of Port A as well as the beauty of the coastal bend, the ever changing ocean and beach, the fishing, walking and biking and the variety of activities to participate in and the opportunities for volunteering. They especially enjoy the amazing abundance of local musicians and entertainers such as the PA Rockers, The Free Beer Band, Carol Elliott, Riptide to name just a few and enjoyed Open Mic with Ule Jackson and others when it took place at the Tarpon Ice House until it recently closed. The PACT and the Island Art Centre are to be commended for their promotion of the arts in the community. Paul and Patrice anticipate each edition of the Island Moon with the area activities and especially Three Chords and the Truth to keep informed of the music scene in Port A and the area. They look forward to returning each winter to reconnect with the Island and its lifestyle and the many friends and acquaintances that have been made over the years. Ronnie Narmour
February 13, 2014
Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder
Island Moon
Letters to the Editor ATV
MoongoonsI have read your several articles about ATV's on the beach and I am completely in disbelief concerning the controversy. I own an ATV and fully expect to be able to operate it on the beach despite it's larger engine displacement and most likely "high speed" classification. With that said I also expect to be required to operate it in the same fashion and with the same rules and restrictions as an automobile. I also expect to be required to have a beach use sticker same as I purchase for my car. There is no distinction between "high speed" and "low speed" automobiles. Most ATV's can not travel as fast as any automobile or truck currently operated on the beach. When
Distribution Pete Alsop Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin
I operate my motorcycle on the highway there too I am expected to follow the same rules of the road as all other vehicles. Please stop showing ignorance toward ATV's. Operated properly they are no more and probably less dangerous than some of the cars and truck on the beach. People operating an ATV, car, or truck in a dangerous or inconsiderate manner should all be stopped and cited by the authorities on the beach. All of the above mentioned vehicles should not be allowed to operate in the dunes not because of the type of vehicle but because of their environmental impact. With that said, a special area for ATV operation as proposed would be a great bonus.
Classifieds
We can't address your expectations. What we can tell you is that currently your ATV is legal on beaches inside the Corpus Christi City Limits but not in Port Aransas.
Design/Layout Jeff Craft
As we reported in the last issue. The Island Strategic Action Committee, which is an advisory committee to the Corpus Christi City Council, voted to approve a draft ordinance that will ban "high speed" ATVs and sent the item to the City Attorney's office for review. The operation of ATVs on state beaches was allowed by a state ordinance approved late last year, with the provision that city's could ban them within their city limits if they so choose. The City of Port Aransas has already banned them.
Contributing Writers Joey Farah Andy Purvis Devorah Fox Mary Craft Maybeth Christiansen Jay Gardner Todd Hunter Dotson Lewis Ronnie Narmour Brent Rourk Dr. Donna Shaver Photographers Miles Merwin Jeff Dolan Mary Craft Office Security/Spillage Control
Riley P. Dog 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. News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left at the Moon Office.
The information presented at the ISAC meeting by a sub-committee appointed for that purpose, made a clear distinction between various models of ATVs and the maximum speeds each can travel. Several of the ISAC members stated a preference for banning them altogether, but ultimately the consensus of the group was an intent to allow only the models which can only achieve certain high-end speeds and prohibit those which can travel above that speed; and they passed a resolution asking the City Attorney to determine how to draft an ordinance to that effect. That is where the distinction between high speed and low speed came from. One question that may arise is whether an ATV that is street legal but can go faster than the maximum speed allowed on the beach in a new ordinance will still be allowed on the beach. That is one of the questions the city attorney will have to address. The way the ISAC draft ordinance was written it would not be, but that could change.
Coyote On the way to school my wife, Kat, spotted a large coyote at 8:00 a.m. at Whitecap and Tesoro area – then she spotted another smaller one crossing Whitecap by Aquarius. Is it mating season? Odd to see these animals active at this time of the day! Regards, Bill
The Island Moon Newspaper
As for operating your ATV on the beach in the "same fashion and with the same rules and restrictions as an automobile" currently that is not a requirement. In light of the recent change in state law an ATV can be legally driven on the beach inside the Corpus Christi City Limits without a license plate or proof of insurance. If you drive your motorcycle on the beach it must be street legal, currently your ATV does not have to be. The rules for licensing and permitting of vehicles on Texas roadways are up to the state, unless otherwise restricted by the city. The state has ceded the choice of ATVs on Texas beaches to its cities and that is where the ISAC and the City Council come in. Texas beaches are considered roadways by state law and vehicles operated there must be licensed for street use unless otherwise allowed by city ordinance; such as in the city limits of Corpus Christi where a city ordinance allows golf carts on Island streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less which includes beaches; and in Port Aransas where golf carts must have an annual permit. At the last ISAC meeting County Commissioner Joe McComb said that the idea of an ATV area in the soon to be acquired land in Kleberg County is off the table. The decision concerning what type of ATVs will be allowed on the beach, if any, will ultimately be up to the city council and you will have a chance to make your case there prior to any vote on the subject; as was the case with the ISAC meeting, before a vote is taken.] Moongoon Dale Rankin
Hole-In-One Long-time Gulfstream Condo Winter Texan Ray Stacherski, from Highland Michigan, scored a hole-in-one on the par 3, 16th hole at Oso Golf Course. His first time ace was hit using a hybrid club in plain sight of his three playing partners. In keeping with golf traditions, Ray treated his group to drinks at the Boathouse Bar after the game was finished. Way to go, Ray.
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New Advertisers The Annual Port A Citywide Garage Sale will be Saturday, February 15th and maps will be distributed on Friday at the Parks & Rec Office, City Hall and the Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center. If you would like a map emailed to you contact Pam Greene at pamg@cityofportaransas.org. The event is sponsored by Keep Port Aransas Beautiful and the City of Port Aransas.
Anchor Resort has had an in town investor complete the purchase of 40 units to be converted to overnight stay units which the condos are already zoned for. They should become operational in this capacity by the the time Schlitterbahn opens and guests will be provided a golf cart shuttle to the water park.
The CVS drug store chain last week said it would stop selling cigarettes and tobacco products in stores by Oct. 1. The change is estimated to cost the company $2 billion in annual revenues. The Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade will start at noon Saturday, March 1st at Park road 4 and will end at the Brisco King Pavilion parking lot. There will be a presentation of trophies for the best floats and best decorated golf cart. The adult party will be at the pavilion 6 - 10 pm where Miss Neesie & the Ear Food Orchestra will entertain. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door and includes a Cajun dinner with fresh crawfish. The event benefits Big Brothers and Big Sisters. The 18th Annual Whooping Crane Festival will be Thursday, February 20th until Sunday. Some of the events include field trips to birding sites, a photography trip of birds aboard The Mustang, a trek to Port A Nature Preserve with birding experts, lectures, workshops and more. Check out their web page to register. The Island Farmers Market at the Presbyterian Church on Fortuna Bay Drive will have fresh farm eggs, kale, swiss chard and beets on Saturday February 15th. If you like you can pre-order at from-the-gardenodem.com City Manager Ron Olson was the guest speaker at the Kiwanis Luncheon this week and he discussed the city’s finances and the importance of the enforcement of the trespassing laws. For more details see Dale Rankin's column on A6 Sally at Gratitude in Port A feels “Love is in the air - breathe deeply” and welcomes you to browse her eclectic shop for Valentine’s Day items. She also has unique items for the upcoming Mardi Gras. The shop is located near Beach and Station Street. Bay Area Fellowship invites couples to join them for the “Four Keys to a Passionate relationship” series Sundays, February 16th - March 9th. They invite couples that want to start out right or couples who feel like it’s all but over. There are three times you can participate each Sunday at 8:30 am, 10:00 and 11:30.
“F ormer U.S. N avy L awyer ”
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13900 block Mingo Cay 6 p.m. Feb. 9 Criminal mischief $500-$1500
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A3
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A 4
Island Moon
February 13, 2014
Seawall at 50 continued from A1 City Council approved Item 6 to the Padre Island Seawall ordinance agreeing to remove them once a parking lot was in place?
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The Seawall Property Owners Committee last met in 1995 but in the last few weeks a group has begun the process of reviving it with the idea of forcing the city to address the issue. Among their options are: begin legal proceedings to force the city to either remove traffic from the beach or return the land which is now the city parking lot on Windward. The land is now appraised at $3.2 million.
A Failed Attempt
Expiration Date
In November 2008 voters citywide passed a resolution that would have restricted driving in front of the seawall to two traffic lanes entering the beach on the north end of the seawall leading to eight parking spaces on the beach near the location of the parking lot. It would also have placed wooden bollards parallel to the waterline and 50 feet landward of the mean high tide line from the north end of the seawall to within 600 feet of the South Packery Jetty. That measure, which was agreed to by both Beach Access Coalition and the Surfrider Foundation, was subsequently approved by the Corpus Christi City Council and the Texas General Land Office and ready to be implemented but is still drawing dust in a file cabinet at city hall.
"We lived up to our end of the deal," Currie said. "Now we want the city to live up to theirs or either pay us for the land we gave them, or give it back. We had a deal."
Quid Pro Quo
Now as mature dunes have begun to form in front of the seawall Currie and the property owners are reviewing permits and other legal documents over the years which they say show that state and federal rules require the city to remove.
The language in the city resolution was clear on the quid pro quo; a parking lot for a vehicle free seawall beach. It states in part: …the Dune Protection and Beach Access Plan, adopted February 28, 1995, an element of the City’ Comprehensive Plan, provides that “Subsequent to the purchase and development of a parking lot landward of the seawall, the City will take action to close permanently the beach seaward of the Seawall to vehicular traffic for safety purpose.” “…the Mustang-Padre Area Development Plan adopted by the City Council Ordinance #025725 on April 20, 2004 an element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, provides “in order
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As they see it, they have lived up to their part of the deal with the city. The eight major property owners along the seawall assessed themselves a special assessment of $471,304 to buy the land under what is now the city parking lot located near the center of the seawall so that closing the beach to traffic would be in compliance with the Texas Open Beaches Act which requires one parking space within a quarter mile of each fifteen feet of beach closed to traffic. (See related story on the history of the seawall). That parking lot has now been open almost five years but removing the cars has been a political career-ending hot potato since November 6, 2006 when voters citywide handily rejected a city charter amendment which would have banned vehicles between the South Packery Jetty all the way to the Nueces County Park at Bob Hall Pier. The emotional and divisive nature of that debate has kept city council members at arms-length from the issue, with one exception.
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Another option buried in Section VII of the Protective Covenants Agreement between the landowners and the city which states that "after the expiration of thirty-five years from the date of this instrument the owners of a majority of tracts in said section may execute and acknowledge an agreement in writing terminating or revising these restrictions and covenants." That thirty-five year period expired in 1999. "Thereupon, these restrictions and covenants shall be null, void and of no further force."
Essentially a seawall works by taking the horizontal energy of high waves and converting it to vertical energy. The problem is that when sand piles up to the top of the seawall the waves easily roll over it and the bottom floor of the adjacent buildings become the wave stoppers. If the seawall is covered in sand when a storm hits it might as well not be there. For the past three years some of the property owners have paid to have excess sand removed from the seawall itself, and from the top four of the eight steps on the beach side. In other areas the sand continues to pile up to the lip. In other areas mature sand dunes have built up and have been in place long enough they are covered with vegetation. "The property owners along the seawall are responsible for maintaining the seawall itself but not the beach in front of it," Currie said. "I've talked to several people at the city and they have helped some, but in the meantime the sand just keeps piling up."
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When Currie first approached the city about cleaning the beach in front of the seawall he was told the private property Million Dollar Inn on the seawall in the 1960s line extended twenty five feet out from the foot of the seawall. This, however, to create a safe day use beach area in front of the is in contradiction of Senate Bill 1688 passed by seawall, traffic will be prohibited once a public the Texas Legislature in 1995 which created the parking area is constructed, once a 300 space 61.017 of the Texas Natural Resource Code and parking lot is available on the existing city land "established the boundary of the public beach as the toe of the seawall." located adjacent to the seawall.” There were two main problems with the plan approved by the city. Instead of limiting the driving restrictions to the beach in front of the seawall the committee which drew up the plans extended the bollards outside the seawall beach, which is where the political peril lies. The second problem arose when city crews told the Island Strategic Action Committee that it would require two full-time crews to keep the traffic lanes on the beach open as the fine sift sand dredged up on the beach from the bottom of Packery Channel moves so easily with the constant wind it would constantly make them undrivable. So a project fraught with political peril and requiring additional city maintenance money has so far, stood little chance of being implemented. .
Time for Action Seawall property owners are now taking action to take matters into their own hands. "We have been patient and it hasn't gotten us anywhere," Currie said. "We want the city to make good on their promise or we want the land back that we paid for."
The owners are also upset that there has been no enforcement of the Beach and Dune Protection Plan which states; "It shall be an offense for a person to operate a vehicle within fifty feet of the water's edge on any section of the Gulf Beach within the incorporated city limits of the City of Corpus Christi." There is also a current but unenforced city ordinance which has been on the books for decades which prohibits vehicles from driving northbound on the beach at the seawall. "What we have is chaos," Currie said. "The only rules being enforced are the ones that apply to property owners and we will pursue legal action against the city if that's what it takes. These issues need to be addressed." Currie has taken on the cause and is rallying other seawall property owners; sooner or later the issue is headed either to the Island Strategic Action Committee or the City Council, and probably both. "Being patient hasn’t gotten us anywhere,” Currie said. “We just want the city to do what they promised." he said.
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County Commissioner Precinct #4 Political ad paid for by Norm Baker Political Campaign Treasurer Tamay Tipton
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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
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February 13, 2014
Island Moon
A5
Backwater Adventures When it comes to Fishing Lines, White is Right By Joey Farah
On the Rocks By Jay Gardner The Friends of Padre is a 501 (c) (3) organization that has been pieced together from a bunch of characters that was the brain-child of our mentor Capt. Billy Sandifer. Billy had single-handedly organized the Big Shell Beach Clean Up, and decided it was time to bring some folks on to help with that and also to advocate for beach users of the Seashore. Their charter and organization has grown by leaps and bounds over the past several years. The Big Shell Clean Up will be held this next weekend, February 22nd at the Seashore (of course). Volunteers will meet at Malaquite Visitor’s Center at 7am and be dressed for success. Participation in the Clean Up gets volunteers free access for the day as well as a sundry of other goodies including a t-shirt (while supplies last) and pizza and hotdogs. Plus you get the satisfaction of a job well done, as after your hard work you drive off the beach and see how much a difference a clean beach makes. Of course we also need more 4WD drive vehicles and trailers, and especially folks that know how to use them. First time volunteers are of course welcome to join, and we will try to fit you in a vehicle with some other folks as space if available. Closed toed shoes and work gloves are a must. Friends of Padre has grown into more than just a beach clean up organization. You need to point your inter-webs browser at friendsofpadre. com and see what all they have going on in there. Jeff Wolda does a beach, driving, fishing, and bird report every time he heads south “riding fence,” as it were. For those of you who wonder what conditions are like “down south” his reports are invaluable when planning a trip or wondering what’s biting. They also have a link to the Seashore web cam that shows a current picture of the beach at the VC, which is nice to use in planning or when you’re just trying to steal away at your desk for a minute and dream. Friends of Padre is also out of the park borders now. They have been working on a few projects, such as a water fountain at the Michael Ellis seawall parking lot for one (hopefully by
summer it should be operational). They also offered up a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators who carried out the illegal trapping and illegal dumping on Padre Island that made the news so much lately. They also link to the Seashore’s website and post about upcoming turtle releases and other Seashore news. The Friends of Padre consists of course of Capt. Billy, but also my mentor David McKee along with V.P. Tyler Thorsen, Aaron Baxter, Todd Neahr, Jeff Wolda, Cody Moravits, Gabe Goodman, and newcomer Clay Wernli. This diverse and energetic crew is getting things done, make sure to look one of them up at the Clean Up and tell them “thanks”. As for myself, by the time you loyal readers get this in your hands I’ll be bombing around in the Florida Everglades chasing those pesky linesiders, which I’ve heard of many reports of cold stunned snook in the canals lately. Remember they have a 24-28 inch slot limit, and snagging is illegal. Live shrimp in front of them would work if you could find it. There have also been a few more cold stunned stranded turtles being found, make sure to call the hotline if you
pick one up. However, looks like the weather is starting to break and hopefully there won’t be any more strandings. The Park has been releasing them on nice days when they recover. Never fear though folks, I’ll be back in time for the cleanup. I’m trying something different this year, I’m getting the hotdogs catered so I can get out on the beach and pick some trash. I might even lead a section if there’s a good turnout. Find me out there and say hello.
Tides of the Week
Tides for Corpus Christi (Bob Hall Pier) Feb 13-19, 2014
Day
High /Low
Tide Time
Height in Feet
Sunrise Moon Time Sunset
Moon Visible
Th
13
Low
8:06 AM
-0.3
7:07 AM Set 6:00 AM
95
13
High
4:05 PM
1.1
6:19 PM Rise 5:28 PM
13
Low
9:46 PM
0.8
F
14
High
12:50 AM
0.9
7:07 AM Set 6:37 AM
14
Low
8:39 AM
-0.2
6:20 PM Rise 6:20 PM
14
High
4:11 PM
1.0
14
Low
10:01 PM
0.7
Sa
15
High
1:48 AM
0.9
7:06 AM Set 7:13 AM
15
Low
9:10 AM
-0.1
6:20 PM Rise 7:12 PM
15
High
4:19 PM
1.0
15
Low
10:14 PM
0.6
Su
16
High
2:45 AM
0.9
7:05 AM Set 7:48 AM
16
Low
9:39 AM
0.0
6:21 PM Rise 8:04 PM
16
High
4:30 PM
1.0
16
Low
10:28 PM
0.5
M
17
High
3:44 AM
0.9
7:04 AM Set 8:23 AM
17
Low
10:07 AM
0.2
6:22 PM Rise 8:58 PM
17
High
4:42 PM
0.9
17
Low
10:46 PM
0.4
Tu
18
High
4:48 AM
0.9
7:03 AM Set 8:58 AM
18
Low
10:37 AM
0.4
6:22 PM Rise 9:52 PM
18
High
4:54 PM
0.9
18
Low
11:14 PM
0.2
W
19
High
5:59 AM
0.9
7:02 AM Set 9:36 AM
19
Low
11:10 AM
0.6
6:23 PM Rise 10:48 PM
19
High
5:03 PM
0.9
19
Low
11:52 PM
0.0
98
Farah’s Fishing Adventures In last week’s column I touched on the statement that with soft plastics “white is right,” this is a classic winter time pattern that should be your first choice in your selection of color when fishing soft plastics. We have had a very cold winter and I’m glad. Last year’s pelages of both brown tide as well as the damaging and unexplained BROWN TIDE HYBRID that emptied the Upper Laguna Madre’ of game fish and stained the water a rust color as it killed thousands of small fish and sand worms. The cold temperatures that we are experimenting will hopefully kill all the remnants of this algae and give relief to the Old Mother Lagoon this year.
Cold Water In recent weeks we have seen water temperatures in the thirties, which is cold. We have seen some fish and turtles dying, but as of late there has not been any fish kills of sport fish. When the temperatures slow fish and their metabolisms down to a crawl smaller baitfish lose their color and turn white. With this, larger predatory game fish will profit on the slower and colder baitfish and feed heavy when the time is right. Our problem is that here lately that is once every few days with the relentless cold fronts that keep sweeping down on us. Look for the second or third day of warm- up to be the key days.
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we will be in favorable fishing days. Look for another group of BIG MONSTER DRUM to come in through Packery Channel and the ICW from Corpus Bay. There is still plenty of crabs and good dead shrimp at the marinas, perhaps with the warm weather this weekend we will see the white flags of live shrimp fly again. Peeled shrimp along with some shrimp Pro Cure along the side of the ICW will put you in the best spot to enjoy some well-deserved sun and hook up with a trophy black drum.
Sheephead
Sheephead are beginning to gather along the Packery Channel for their spawn. These are some of the sweetest eating fish we have because they only We have been having Local angler Christina Lane with eat shellfish, mussels, and our best and sometimes one of a few fat trout she hooked up shrimp, no baitfish. They are on the other hand a beast unbelievable days of this week with white soft plastics of a fish to clean and handle. catching when these warmer days happen on the better along the Flour Bluff shoreline. Watch out for those spines, but they can put up a big lunar days of the week. My friend Christina Lane caught one of these days fight. The sheephead will gather along the rocks this week, she slowly worked white GULP and pilings in the area, moving into the flats on shrimp tails along the bottom of the deepest high tides. Old Timers used to pull up to the flats along the Flour Bluff shoreline to bring to legs of bridges and piers and scrape barnacles hand some great trout. She not only used the off with a shovel to bring in sheephead then predominant color of the food source the trout drop down peeled shrimp. There is a limit on were looking for but also added scent to the sheephead so follow the regulations and when equation. I regularly add some kind of scent you catch your limit move to the beachfront for a chance at pompano and whiting. additive to my live, dead, and artificial baits.
Marker 97
Boat Show Time!!!
Stop by Marker 37 Marina and grab some Pro Cure in shrimp, menhaden, or mullet for your lures, and shrimp or crab for your drum fishing. Tell them I sent you so that they can order some more or else I’ll be out of my own stash! When using soft plastics from the boat right now start off with a ¼ or 1/8th ounce jig head so that your bait is on the bottom. When I am on foot, I like softly bouncing a lighter 1/16th ounce jig head so that fish can suck it up off the bottom much easier and with a larger soft plastic I can suspend the bait just off the bottom and in their face. My favorite plastic this week has been the Norton Bull Minnow in Pear/Chartreuse and the large white GAMBLER paddle tails.
This weekend when the moon, stars, and tides all line up to offer some of the month’s best fishing I will be in ROBSTOWN for the Boat Show!! I will gladly be helping WayPoint Marine show off the big selection of boats they offer. Anglers can see a broad selection of boats from the small simple and affordable to the big bad and bold. This year our local boat dealers came together to put on this show for the public, come out and enjoy the show. My 2014 24ft Blazer Bay is for sale as well, it is less than four months old and absolutely an awesome all around perfect boat. Smooth dry ride high sides and extremely fishable for both offshore and the bay, along with a 57mph top speed! Come take a peek, I will be there all day Sat. and Sunday handing out magazines and talking fishing. I will be able to answer any questions on fishing, rigging, tackle selections, and techniques. And they will probably have FUNNEL CAKES! I would like to thank everyone who supports the Island Moon, and I look forward to every local call from anglers looking to learn more and see more of our beautiful island paradise we have been blessed to have landed on. Capt. Joey Farah (361)442-8145
Channel Drum 99
Coryne Farah wishing the water would warm up soon doing some sidewalk surfing.
The drum that filed into the channel last week moved south along the ICW and peeled off some drag for a few local anglers. There are some good schools holding in the channels and holes in the BOAT HOLE this week. This weekend with the warm weather and the south and southeast winds look for an incoming tide to fill the area again. The lunar calendar is indicating that along with this warming trend
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92
86
We now have Gluten Free Pizza!
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Traditional half-shell season is here!
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13313 S. Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78418
South Texas Grassroots Bluegrass Band Starting Nov. 24th 6-9pm
♥ Reservations Recommended ♥
Lunch Specials Monday
Unlimited Spaghetti Salad
6.50
Tuesday
9 inch Sub for 6 inch Price
6.50
Wednesday Thursday
Pasta Menu Full Order for 1/2 order price Salad with a 6-inch Sandwich & Drink
6.50
Friday
Unlimited Dinner Salad
5.99
Hours: Mon- Thurs 11 AM - 9:30 PM Fri - Sat 11 AM - 10 PM Sun 5-9:30 PM 15370 SPID (Just south of Whitecap) 949-7737
A 6
Island Moon
Letters to Riley By Riley P. Dog
door and those dogs barked for hours. Boy were those humans mad. Those dogs kept barking until not one of them was still going because no dogs wants to be the last one to stop barking. Where's the fun in that.
I got to go to a big building last Saturday and meet some nice people. One of them had a sandwich but my humans called me back before I could work the crowd so I didn't get any.
I wonder if it really is a Big Dog show? I saw a sign on the Island last week for a Big Piano Sale. My human says we don't have room for a Big Piano only a small one. If it's a Big Dog show I could enter because I'm a Big Dog. Not as big as I used to be before Dr. Christi put me on a diet. Now I'm more of a middlesized Big Dog but by the time Mardi Gras is over I might be a Big Dog again. Anybody got a hotdog? Send it to Save The Riley P. Dog Foundation in International Falls, Minnesota. Just put Not A Hotdog on the outside so my humans won't know. I'll see you on the beach with the little yappy dogs from the cold country. Everybody dig a hole!
Club News The Island Moon provides this space for Island organizations. If you are a member of a club and want to get the word out about your events and/or projects send them along and we will get them in. Be sure to include a brief description of what your organization does and a contact person for those interested in joining. Send the info to editor@islandmoon.com and we will include it. Or call us at 949-7700. P.I.E. Padre Island Enrichment Club, Inc., strives to enrich the lives of Padre Island women through social activities and community involvement. Full membership luncheon meetings are held the second Friday of each month at the Holiday Inn. Members may also participant in special interest clubs (bunco, bridge, spades, books, etc) that meet throughout the month. For more information about PIE, please contact Katherine Pierce, President, at 361 960-0327 or Sandy Leber, Membership Chair, at 361 949-4175.
in community and environmental concerns and provide a variety of social activities for people who wish to volunteer. Founded in 2009 the club Their motto is “Partying With a Purpose.” To join go to portaransasparrotheads.com or call Donnie Simpson 210 367-2674.
Padre Island Yacht Club - A members only Club, however we invite all Island residents to visit us. The PIYC is about boating, friendship and enjoying living on Padre Island. We collect more toys than any other organization in the area for the US Marines “Toys for Tots” program KIWANIS Club of Padre Island. The with La Posada events, including the Lighted Kiwanis Club of Padre is kicking off their Boat Parades. To schedule a visit or find out holiday nut sale. All Proceeds Help Children! more information please contact John Diggins New Crop Texas Pecans from the Phone 361-867-1313 as the Rear Commodore/ Durham Pecan Company, Comanche, Texas. Membership for 2014. Prices range from $11 per bag for pecans to $5 per bag for peanuts. See any club member POA - Padre Isles Owners Association. The Association's primary responsibility is to to get a bag. maintain the Common Areas, assess and collect The Kiwanis meet at noon each Wednesday the annual fees and provide information and at Black Sheep Restaurant. They will also assistance to property owners. .. Membership host the annual Breakfast With Santa on in PIPOA is automatic for anyone acquiring Saturday, December 7 at St. Andrew By the record legal title to any property within Padre Sea Fellowship Hall. For more information Isles. Their office is located at 14015 Fortuna contact Karen Wilson at 361-446-4626. e-mail Bay Drive on The Island. (361) 949-7025, at karenwilson61@gmail.com. padreisles@pipoa.net PIDOG. PI Dog Group (PIDOG).Our ARK – Animal Rehabilitation Keep. Located February meeting will be held at Billish Park in Port Aransas the ARK is affiliate with the on Sat. Feb. 1st at 9:00 AM. We will talk about University of Texas at Austin Marine Science walking on a loose lead and we will have a Center. They handle the rehabilitation of most novice Rally course for you to have fun. Come species of wildlife in the area with an emphasis and have fun with your pup. Our next activity on marine animals. They care for abut 1300 will be the Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade. We animals each year, including about 300 sea will have a float and marchers throwing turtles and more than 100 species of birds. If beads. Anyone who would like to volunteer you find an animal in peril they can help to decorate, march, or throw - contact Sara. JustBe@yahoo.com. Bev bevhoffman@aol. Tony Amos is the Director. 750 Channel View Dr. Port Aransas. 361 749-6793, 361 442-7638. com afamos@mail.utexas.edu. IUPAC (Island United Political Action Committee): Maximize representation of Island Strategic Action Committee. A Corpus Christi residents on Padre and Mustang 14-member committee which meets (usually) Islands in area government by promoting the at 5:30 on the first Tuesday of each month and supporting, by the endorsement process, at the Comfort Suites on Windward Drive. The proactive and unified voting in non-partisan committee’s purpose is to advise the Corpus races and other issues and referendums put to Christi City Council on matters pertaining to The Island. public vote. Contact Persons: President – Linda A Walsh lawalshva@yahoo.com 361-445-7999. Secondary Contact Person: Member – Brent Hess, bhess0604@gmail.com. 361-774-0089. Meetings: Open to the public, meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month.
February 13, 2014
by Dale Rankin
It's been a pretty good week for we Island dogs. The cold weather makes for good beach trips but they usually don't last very long because our fur coats are better than our humans' coats and our Island humans don't own any long pants.
There's a Big Dog show in New York City this week. My humans never took me to New York but one time my human was staying in a hotel with lots of dogs who were at that Big Dog show and he came home late and slammed the
Stuff I Heard on the Island
Show Dogs
I'm getting ready for the Mardi Gras season. We do two parades one on the beach and the other on a street. Last year I jumped off my float and ran into the Flats because I know they got treats in there. I got one before a lady grabbed me by the tail and put me back on my float. I'm going to get me another treat this year.
Island's PIPPs Chapter of Corpus Christi Red Hat Society. In 2004 a group of Island ladies got together under a Palapa and founded
the Padre Island Palapa Pals (PIPPs). Our only rule is that there are no rules! We are all about fun and friendship. We meet once a month for Parrot Heads of Port Aransas – A not-for- lunch and various fun outings from cupcake profit organization whose purpose is to assist making to CPR.
City Manager Ron Olson has been in office just over one thousand days now and has been an Island resident since arriving in town. He spoke to the Padre Island Kiwanis Club at their regular Wednesday meeting this week. Here are a few of the topics he addressed.
Police and Fire As cities across the country have increasingly faced financial trouble due to collective bargaining agreements with municipal employees the City of Corpus Christi has been funding its employee retirement fund at between 75% and 80% of the annual cost it takes to makes it solvent in the long term, falling behind by about $6 million per year. “The problems that cities are having is they have a burden in retirement costs of employees they can’t meet, Olson said. “In terms of funding our employee retirement costs are right in the middle of the curve but need to do better.” The numbers are eye-opening. Right now the city’s Total Unfunded Actuarial Accrued Liability, the money it owes the employees retirement fund, in layman’s terms unsecured debt, is a whopping $259,495,175 and again, that number is growing by about $6 million per year. On an annual basis the Police and Fire budget collectively has been 135%, 136% and 129% of the total property tax levy for fiscal years 2012, 2013 and 2014. Even with sales tax added in, the Fire and Police budgets in the past three fiscal years have eaten up 110%, 104% and 101% of total general fund property and sales taxes for 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. That means that all of the money collected through property and sales taxes goes to pay for Police and Fire and still must be supplemented from other city revenue sources just to meet the budget. Olson said the total amount the city has been paying versus what it owes the retirement fund each year has actually been shrinking, but only slightly. “I would much rather see it go the other way,” he said. He is looking to increases in sales tax revenue due to growth, largely from the Eagle Ford Shale play, to shrink the annual debt increase now being incurred.
Island trespassing Trespassing on private property on The Island has become an issue since a 500-acre brush fire just south of Sea Pines in Kleberg County was set off by the catalytic converter on a vehicle trespassing on land there caught the brush on fire. There have also been issues with fishermen on the western shore of Packery Channel just inside the SH 361 Bridge which is also private property. One of the changes Olson has made in the last few weeks is to move code enforcement duties to the Police Department; previously it was an administrative function. From now on uniformed officers will be watching for trespassers and can write tickets on the spot. Further, since No Trespassing signs have gone up Game Wardens can write tickets up to $1000 for poaching if a trespasser harvests game while on private property. “We think moving the enforcement duties to uniformed officers will mean more respect for the law,” Olson said.
Developmental Services “”When I came to this job the Developmental Services Department was in shambles,” Olson said. Getting building permits and inspections was a months long ordeal – if you were lucky. “We still have a way to go but things are much better than they have been in the past,” he said.
Water The city is set for water through 2040 Olson said with the Mary Rose pipeline bringing an additional 35,000 acre feet of water and another 35,000 available through recycling which will be possible after a complete overhaul of the city’s treatment system, consolidating several plants into one central plant. He said the city will also need to rethink how residents use water. Currently more than half the water usage in the city is to grow lawns. ‘That is not the most efficient system out there,” he said. He also said while the city is doing some early groundwork for desalinization it is still years away. “Desalinated water is $2000 to $3000 per acre foot,” he said. “We need to conserve all that we can before we start thinking about that.”
It’s a little disconcerting to think where we would be without Eagle Ford.
Taxes continued from A1 The one thing the candidates agreed on is that the race is about taxes; who has raised them in the past and who would not raise them if elected. Two of the candidates, challengers Brent Chesney, former Corpus Christi City Council member and until last month a County Court Judge, and Island resident and businessman Norm Baker, pointed to tax increases passed by the current Commissioners Court and approved by incumbent Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe McComb, and promised, if elected, not to follow suit. Baker spoke first and told the crowd if elected he would hold town hall meetings to help residents fight higher property appraisals from the Nueces County Appraisal District. Some members of the district’s board are appointed by Commissioners Court. Chesney, reiterated the no tax hike theme that is the cornerstone of his campaign, and also pledged to form an Island advisory committee if elected. McComb, speaking last, did not deny raising taxes as he had in previous stump speeches during the campaign after the Corpus Christi Caller-Times endorsed him in its Sunday editions, but at the same time chastised him for raising taxes and denying it. Instead, McComb talked about the “tax rate” which was lowered during his time in office, but not enough to offset rising property valuations which meant that during his three years in office he has voted
to approve budgets that raised county taxes by over 10%. McComb emphasized improvements to county facilities on the Island during his tenure including expansion at Bob Hall Pier and expansion at Packery Channel Park. The Island vote could prove deciding in a race which was decided last time by a total of 866 votes out of 6526 votes cast. Of that total 1559 were cast on The Island with 1115 on North Padre and 444 in Port Aransas. There are about 6200 registered voters on North Padre Island and they typically turn out in numbers near double those of the rest of the county. Early voting begins February 18 and Election Day is Tuesday, March 4. Registered voters can vote at any location during Early Voting. Early Voting locations on The Island for both parties are at the Island Foundation Seashore Learning Center, 15801 SPID, and in Port Aransas at Port Aransas ISD Administration Building at 100 Station Street. Other (not all) are: Nueces County Courthouse, Corpus Christi Area Council for the Deaf, 5151 McArdle Road, Ethel Eyerly Senior Center in Flour Bluff at 654 Graham Road. Early voting hours are February 18-February 21 8:00 am – 5:00 pm: February 22 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; February 23 12:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.; February 24-February 28 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Hear Yee Hear Yee Let the Good Times Roll Barefoot Mardi Gras is proud to say HIGH FIVE for the 5th Annual Barefoot Mardi Gras to be held on the island the day of March, 2014. There will be a family fun parade on the beach starting at noon with an adult only party to flow night at the Briscoe King Pavilion. The proceeds will go the Big Brothers and Sisters Foundation. We were proud to raise $5,000.00 last year.
1st that Big
For more information please see www. barefootmardigras.com
3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt
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February 13, 2014
Seawall History continued from A1 Then in 1980 along came Hurricane Allen, one of the strongest hurricanes in recorded history. Allen reached Category 5 status on three separate occasions and was one of only two hurricanes in recorded history with sustained winds of 190 mph. When Allen slammed into the Texas Coast between North and South Padre Islands the dirty (northeast) side of the storm pushed a ninefoot wall of water onto The Island and the only thing between it and Island homes was the seawall, and it paid the price.
For months after the storm residents in Gulfstream Condominiums were awakened in the night by loud cracking sounds as more and more pieces of the morose seawall broke away. She had saved the Island but there was no one to save her.
A7
Steel Magnolias Steals the Stage
PACT Performance Keeps Audience Laughing A local entertainment bargain has to be watching plays at our own Port Aransas Community Theatre (PACT). The current play Steel Magnolias should keep you in stitches and probably prompt a few misty eyes. This six woman comedy-drama, written in 1987 by Robert Harling and currently directed at PACT by local Larry Stotts, was hilariously compelling from Truvy’s opening-curtain chatter until M’Lynn wakens the radio with a slap and reassuringly walks out of the beauty salon as the lights dim. Steel Magnolias is based on Harling’s own personal experiences with his younger sisters’ fight with diabetes and her unfortunate death in 1985. Harling created six colorful characters, including one (Shelby) representing his sister, who frequent Truvy’s Beauty Salon in northwest Louisiana. The characters laugh, live
Finally in 1995, with help from the City of Corpus Christi, a bill was passed by the Texas Legislature that moved the property line to the foot of the seawall on the seaward side.
Giving Shelby her wedding day hair treatment salon owner Truvy pauses to gossip
sustenance they need to maneuver their way through life’s challenges. Harling’s play had a very successful run both on and off Broadway as well as internationally, and equally is a hit under Stotts’ direction at the PACT.
Sand currently covering the seawall values didn’t follow. The uncertainty of having the state claim land 100 feet back from the landward side of the structure cast a cloud over ownership and served to dampen interest in development.
According to the minutes of the city council meeting on December 17, 1996, part of the agreement between the property owners and the city that the property owners would purchase land to build a parking lot behind the seawall and when that was done vehicles would be removed from the beach in front of it.
The seawall sat in a rubble of uncertainty until 1983 when property owners amended the Seawall Maintenance Agreement to assess themselves a one-time fee to raise the $1.4 million needed to rebuild and in the same year paid $22,430 to buy insurance against another catastrophic storm.
By Brent Rourk
It was too much for it to handle as the rising water over capped the seawall and ran behind and under the concrete shell of a structure and the seawall, in effect, collapsed under its own weight. The city and property owners along the seawall tried in vain to get help in rebuilding but it was not to be; the seawall was a privately-owned structure and would have to be rebuilt with private money. In 1982 property owners were paying annual fees of .75 cents per linear foot of developed seawall and .35 cents for every linear foot of undeveloped property which was enough to maintain the seawall but not rebuild it.
Island Moon
Steel Magnolias runs Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through February 16th. Evening performances begin at 7:30 and the Sunday matinees begin at 2:30. Tickets are $15.00 for Suffering from diabetic shock, Shelby is surrounded by all seats and can be purchased by going online to Brown Clairee and Truvy and her mother MLynn Paper Tickets or by visiting Everything Beach Boutique at 600 Cut Off Rd. Suite 10 in Port and love in the salon where they share secrets, Aransas on Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-5pm. bicker, and offer each other the emotional Call PACT at 361-749-6036.
On December 29, 1996, less than two weeks after the council voted to approve the deal, property owners passed a special assessment which raised $471,304 to buy 2.9 acres of land to become the site of the 310-car parking lot that was opened in 2009. In 2010 the seawall and adjacent beach were renamed in honor of Michael J. Ellis, the
For the Million Dollar Inn on the seawall, which was already vacant when Allen roared in, the storm was the last straw. The only remnant of the once proud hotel now is the top of a concrete wall running across a bare patch of sand, and somewhere down below, what’s left of the swimming pool.
Cantankerous Ouiser gets the last word about her Magnolia tree and waves off the ladies in the salon before storming off
But even as the seawall went back up property
Valentine’s Day Gifts - More than Chocolate and Flowers Creative Gifts that Might Keep Embers Glowing Jewelry – the Real Stuff
By Brent Rourk founder of the Island Moon Newspaper, who passed away that year. Since the 1960s changes in state and federal regulations would make it almost impossible to construct a new seawall today. But the grand old lady that threw herself in front of Hurricane Allen today is once again taking her place center stage as a group of property owners there have begun pushing for help in maintaining both the seawall and the beach, getting them in shape for the next fifty years.
It is that time of year again when men fill the flower shops, carefully canvas the candy and card lanes, and look for lacy lingerie in the hopes of finding the right sweets, words and attire for their Valentine. Valentine’s Day comes quickly and many leave the shopping until the last minute and some go the route of traditional flowers and candy. Nothing wrong with flowers and candy but there is so much more out there to show your Valentine how much she means to you. With a little time and creative thought you can present meaningful and very memorable gifts that will show that you REALLY think about, appreciate and love HER. Make Valentine’s Day memorable by becoming more creative with your gifts and sentiments. After polling some friends about great Valentine’s gifts they would like to see (and a little research), there are several gifts that might hit a home run this Valentine’s Day. Men, you really do not have to be on some list of the richest men to afford most special gifts.
Weekend Getaway
This is all that's left of the Million Dollar Inn
Airport continued from A1 Gunn said that TxDot and the City of Port Aransas signed a twenty-year contract in October, 2011 designed to develop the airport as a General Aviation facility. He said that in order to receive the state money the city must abide by the rules set down by the state. Those include use of the airport “for all types of uses in a fair and reasonable” manner. He said his office is currently involved in six other cases around the state where cities have taken action that serves to restrict the use of their airports in a way that excludes some activities, such as, in this case, skydiving. “A General Use Airport is just that,” Gunn said. “That means there is no exclusive right for anyone. There has to be room for everybody at a fair and reasonable rate for hanger space, sometimes that creates a problem.” Gunn said so far the $994,209 of state provided money has been spent on improvements to the weather system at the airport and for planning on two additions to the airport. He said in most cases such as this one, an agreement can be reached to avoid the remittance of state provided funds, or the cutoff of future funds. “But it does happen and can be avoided only if there is an understanding that the airport must be open to everyone, and that includes reasonably providing hanger space at something near the prevailing market price.”
The vote by the council was whether to allow the Jason Towns, the owner of Skydive South Texas, to build 5500 square-feet in new hanger space to accommodate the skydiving operation which has been in business for more than three years, and users such as The Commemorative Air Force 3rd Coast Squadron which would base its historic 1943 Stearman biplane in the building on weekends, and the proprietors of the Island’s “Aviation-Themed” Hotel who would house their speed-plane aptly nicknamed “Amelia there,” a classroom for conducting flight-school lessons, and an Island Aerial Charter service. There are now18 hangers at the airport and each is currently leased making hanger space difficult, or impossible, to get without new construction. Long-term plans call for additional hangers on the north side of the existing airport and a lengthening of the current runway. However, those improvements would be paid for with the state money that is now in jeopardy. “I expect to issue a letter to the City of Port Aransas with my findings within the next week,” Gunn said. “It not my job to tell people how to run their airports, it’s my job to apply the rule of law and if a city accepts state money to improve their airport they must abide by the state rules. If they don’t, they have to give the money back.”
Try a weekend away. Somewhere she wants to go. You make all of the arrangements, including baby sitting and pet sitting (don’t leave the planning and details to her!). Give her a little warning about not making plans for a couple of days. This can be done during a Valentine’s weekend or a weekend right after the holiday. Have her favorite wine or champagne ready. A well thought out, loving, hand-written note or two on her pillow during the stay will touch heart strings. Have flowers in the room. Flowers are terrific yet each time you give your sweetie flowers it should be unique and special. One local gent several years ago convinced a florist in his town to sell him the mammoth Valentine floral heart display in the store window. The young romantic presented it to his sweetie. It made a decided impression on her because years later it still puts a satisfying smile on her face.
Spa Try a weekend at a spa resort where she will be pampered and loved. Special dinners and special times focus on her wants and needs. Give her 12 monthly visits to her favorite spa and make sure she has the time to use them. Take her to dinner (or wherever she wants to go) after she finishes her time at the spa. Make it a memorable monthly rendezvous. Go to a spa together for a day or weekend. Spend intimate and special times together. Candles and hand-made cards are a must. One local lady explained, “I need my annual spa day – spa, massage, pedi, mani, and facial. Then I would like my house cleaned and dinner made without having to ask him”.
Matching rings or necklaces can be a hit, especially with personalized inscriptions on them or if you design them (together). Diamonds and heart shaped jewelry are often favorites, however, stick to what she likes in terms of stones, metal, shapes, sizes, and colors. Another local source claimed, “I would like some nice jewelry” [scrap the plated stuff gents]. You want her to love and to wear this jewelry. If it sets in the jewelry box, you struck out.
Gifts that Will Send Cupid Packing Please avoid the blender replacement, new frying pan, or carpet that should have been replaced long ago without Valentine’s Day celebration, unless you have mutually agreed that your relationship has been eternally sterilized of any romance. Renewing the subscription for your home pest control will not launch shivers of anticipation in your Valentine. Washing her car is nice but in itself is probably not ‘romantic’ nice. Now is not the time for a new knife set or toaster. A new tackle box of fishing pole might not lure her into romance. A new car battery, though thoughtful, is not by itself what she had in mind to charge her heart. Dinner at a boring restaurant will not blissfully marinate romance. A new tech vacuum cleaner is simply not heartpalpitating and likely will not capture romantic interest from your Valentine. I can guarantee you that the latest Ron Popeil invention (Set it and Forget it, Veg-O-Matic, and GLH Formula Number 9 Hair System) will not paint your romantic landscape with love and raging lust, nor a smile. Forget it is right! If you purchase a pre-written card with words, remember to keep it real (also read the card to make sure it is for your sweetie and not your mother, sister or son).
Have a Memorable Valentine’s Day Hopefully, this starter list of more creative ideas might energize local gents to be more successful in their Valentine’s Day gift giving. If she is more than a token, then you should present her with more than a token. If you cannot afford the new Mercedes, 4 carat diamond, and trip around the world, then just try putting a little more creative thought into gift giving. If you put effort into meaningful gifts for your Valentine, then her day (and yours) will be memorable. Make it personal and focus on her in special ways that she will always remember. Make it more than chocolate and flowers. Keep the embers glowing. Above all men, remember to tell her many times what she means to you and how special she really is! Ladies, you might consider cutting this article out and setting it on the empty dinner plate or on his pillow (with a piece of chocolate and a jumpstart hint). If you are in your golden years and have given her everything that she needs and wants, then a kiss, holding her hand, an ‘I love you’ and a sharing of incredible memories might do the trick. Happy Valentine’s Day!
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STATE
Island Moon
Economic Investments Come To The Coastal Bend (Part II) By Todd Hunter, District 32 In this week’s article, I want to continue to discuss the economic development that we are experiencing in South Texas and the Coastal Bend. As we have discussed over the past couple of weeks, our area has seen significant investment from both domestic and foreign based companies. These investments are important because they are creating jobs here at home and spurring additional economic growth. In the last two articles, I have talked about the effect the Eagle Ford Shale has had on our area as well as the effect of the oil and gas industry on the State of Texas and the large investment by the Chinese-owned high quality seamless pipe company TPCO. This week, I would like to start off talking about one of the recent investments to come to our area by a Texas domestic company, Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts. Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts is a family owned water-based entrainment business that was initially founded in 1966 with one location in the Texas Hill Country. With the inclusion of their newest location on Padre Island, they now operate 4 locations in the State of Texas and 1 in Kansas. Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi is a $41 million, 65-acre waterpark which will provide guests with on-site lodging, a Torrent Tidal Wave River, rides, slides, a Boogie Bahn and golfing. The new park is to tie in with a master plan that will include a marina in Lake Padre, new hotels, condos and residential homes. The new park is to open this coming summer. If you would like to learn more about or get an update on this new investment coming to the Coastal Bend, you can go to http://schlitterbahnnews.com/. Another industry that is coming to the Coastal Bend is Voestalpine, a steel making and processing group. The welcome addition of this new business shows that our area features many strong assets that have proven to be very
attractive to foreign and domestic companies alike. This is good for economic development in our area as well as job creation. The Voestalpine facility will see a total project development investment of around EUR 550 million or at today's exchange rate, approximately $750 million. In addition, once it is fully operational, the plant is estimated to create around 150 jobs. This comes as another significant investment by a foreign company, which is looking to make our area and South Texas a part of their family. Many of these manufacturing projects boast significant financial investments in our community, along with creating a variety of opportunities for job growth. With this new project, the company plans to utilize state of the art technology to produce high quality HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron), which is better known as “sponge iron.” The plant will use a natural gas furnace rather than a coke-based blast furnace. As a result of this process and other new technologies, the company’s methods will be more environmentally friendly. As plans currently stand, the launch of this plant is slated to start in early 2016. If you would like to learn more about this project, feel free to visit the company’s website at www.voestalpine.com . If you would like to learn more about the economic investments coming to our community you can go to the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation website at http://www.ccredc.com/. If you have questions regarding the giving opportunities mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603.
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces (Part) County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
Combat Marine Outdoors
Unique Fancy Affair will Raise Funds to Benefit Wounded Female Warriors
The Chrome Divas of Corpus Christi will host a Charity Biker Ball on Saturday, February 15, 2014 from 7 pm until midnight. All proceeds from this event will help wounded female warriors attend a Combat Marine Outdoors fishing trip in Port Isabel, Texas in April.
Activities will include a silent auction, fashion show, door prizes, photographer and a wide variety of dance music. The Radisson Inn on North Beach has generously offered their ballroom, so a romantic stroll on the beach with your Valentine could be included!
“…I admire these ladies for the courage they had that propelled them to serve our country and for the courage they will need to continue their lives.” Diva Tonya, Director, Chrome Divas of CC
“When I heard about this event I volunteered to help immediately. We are going to have so much fun and for such a great cause! This will be the event of the season filled with the warmth of charity!” Kim, Entertainment Coordinator.
The theme for the ball has been defined as “Biker Formal” and encourages a bit of wild creativity!
Donations to Combat Marine Outdoors can also be made at Snoopy’s Pier on The Island.
February 13, 2014
Senior Moments
Do You Remember When? By Dotson Lewis, dlewis1@stx.rr.com Special to the Island Moon I thought some of you may wish to share one of my most vivid memories of the early days after our entry into World War II. As a teenager, I was hungry for every story about the war. My friends and I could hardly wait to reach the age of 17 (if we could get a parent to sign, or 18 if they wouldn’t) so we could join in the fight. 73 years ago in the dark hours after Pearl Harbor, America needed a hero. Two days later it found him; Colin P. Kelly Jr., a handsome 26-year-old West Pointer from a small North Florida town. The story of his death, in those earliest days of America’s entry into the war, was greatly embroidered, or perhaps just confused; or a bit of both. There was no doubt though about his bravery or his sacrifice, which was, after all, what inspired the story that quickly spread across the country....
Colin P. Kelly Jr., Captain, United States Army Air Force Colin Purdie Kelly, Jr., of Madison County, Florida became one of America's first heroes of World War II. A 1937 graduate of West Point, the twenty-nine year old Kelly was a B-17 pilot in the Army Air Corps, stationed in the Philippines in December 1941 when the islands came under Japanese attack. On December 10, Kelly's plane was sent on bombing mission to attack Japanese ships off the coast of Luzon. The crew spotted a large ship they believed to be the battleship Haruna and from a height of 20,000 dropped three 600 pound bombs. Though smoke obscured the target, Kelly and his men believed that at least one bomb struck the ship, and that it was probably destroyed. In fact the Haruna was not in the vicinity and Kelly's plane had perhaps bombed a large transport or the light cruiser Ashigara, neither of which had sunk. On the return to its base at Clark Field, a Japanese fighter attacked and severely damaged the American bomber. Kelly ordered his crew to bail out, but he was unable to exit the plane before it crashed. He was killed instantly. Unfortunately, in the rush to publicize a rare American victory in the war's early days, the details of Kelly's sacrifice became garbled and exaggerated. Many Americans believed that he had "won the Medal of Honor by diving his plane into the smokestack of the Haruna, becoming the first suicide pilot of the war." In reality, Kelly received the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest award for heroism, both for the belief that he had damaged or destroyed the Haruna, but also because he "had sacrificed his life so that his crew could live." When Florida Governor Spessard Holland learned of Kelly's death, he immediately sent a condolence telegram to the pilot's parents in Madison.
pages of America’s history.
Spessard l. Holland, Governor In the aftermath of Kelly's death, the Tampa Tribune established a fund to benefit his young son Colin P. Kelly, III. They then published a press release by Governor Holland praising the establishment of the fund for Kelly's son, and a letter from Kelly's widow, Marion Wick Kelly, thanking R.W. Simpson of the Tampa Tribune for starting the fund. Later in the war, a "Four Freedoms" monument honoring Kelly was dedicated in Madison. It was a fitting tribute to a valiant Floridian--one of the first from his state to sacrifice his life in World War II. During the years that I passed, I have often wondered what happened to Kelly’s son Colin P. Kelly III, especially in light of the letter shown below, that President Roosevelt wrote on December 17, 1941 to the future President in 1956. I did some research on Colin P. (Corky) Kelly III and found his story, which I believe you will find very interesting. We plan to publish this story in subsequent issues of The Island Moon. Dotson’s Note: Your comments regarding the foregoing article; and your memories of long or not so long ago will be greatly appreciated. Email: dlewis1@stx.rr.com Phone: 361-9497681 Cell: 530-748-8475 The Ethel Eyerly Senior Center is back with a full activities schedule which is shown below. Winter Texans are welcome. Following that, is information regarding computer classes for seniors at Del Mar College. ETHEL EYERLY COMMUNITY CENTER NUTRITIOUS MEALS SERVED For Persons Age 60 and Over AT 11:30 A.M. ($1.50 SUGGESTED MEAL DONATION) MONDAY Silver Haired Fitness 10-11 AM ($8/mo-Ladies Only) Computer Interest Group 12:30-2 PM Wii Bowling 12:30 PM TUESDAY Zumba Gold (Co-Ed) 10:30-11:30 AM ($20/mo. or $4/session) Table Tennis & Table Games-12 PM
The telegram read:
WEDNESDAY
Mr. and Mrs. Colin P. Kelly Tallahassee, Fla.
Silver Haired Fitness 10-11 AM
Madison, Florida December 12, 1941
($8/mo-Ladies Only)
I have just learned with the deepest regret of the heroic death of your son, Captain Colin P. Kelly Jr., in an engagement with enemy forces while serving with the United States Army Air Corps in the Philippines. As governor of Florida, I beg to extend my deep sympathy which I am sure is equally shared by all of the people of our state. America today salutes the extraordinary courage and exceptional feat of valor of your son in the sinking of the Japanese battleship Haruna and in the destruction of two enemy aircraft. Although your son made the supreme sacrifice in the splendidly successful execution of his mission, it may be of comfort to know that his exemplary bravery and achievement will serve as an inspiration to every patriotic American and especially to the men who now defend our shores in the fight for freedom. His deed will endure, indelibly inscribed on the
Convenient and secure, timely pickup and delivery! COWs of Corpus Christi • 361.937.3930
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AARP Chapter 4181 Meeting @ 1 PM (2nd & 4th Wednesdays) THURSDAY Zumba Gold (Co-Ed) 10:30 AM ($20/mo, or $4/session) Wii Bowling & Chair Volleyball - 12:30-4:45 PM Quilting 2nd Thursday of the Month FRIDAY Silver Haired Fitness 10-11 AM ($8 mo – Ladies Only) Table Tennis – 11 AM Bingo -12:30 PM ($.50 Cards)
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February 13, 2014
Port Aransas Community Theatre
" Til Beth Do Us Part"
Comedy on stage, at the Pact, a side splitting play about marriage, career-driven Suzannah who needs a lot more help on the home front that she's getting from her husband, Gibby, of 27 years.. Beth is hired to take over the household duties, and whips everything into shape, and then goes into the personal lives of Suzannah and Gibby... and then interjects herself into Suzannah's career. .. Gibby sets out to save his marriage, aided by Margo, and her ex-husband Hank, who is in the mist of his own mid-life crisis. Their efforts to stop Beth at any cost sets up the wildly funny climax in which things go
uproariously awry just as Suzannah's boss arrives into town. The play is by Jesse Jones, Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten and directed by Emily Reiger. Whether you’re married, single rethinking your divorce or currently being controlled by someone up to no good, you're sure to enjoy this family-friendly, laugh-out-loud Jones/Hope/ Wooten Comedy!!!Feb. 27- March 16. Thus-Fri-Sat nights 2 7:30; Sunday matinees @ 2:30; All seats are $15.00 tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.com. Everything Beach Boutique 600 cut off Rd. suite 10 361-749-sand or @ Pact 361-7496036.
Island Moon
A9
Frostbite Betty
Greetings from Frostbite Falls, MN frostbitebetty@gmail.com The Olympics! Winter sports make a lot of sense here in the land of ice and snow. Although Frostbite Falls is the only town in northern Minnesota without a hockey team (closest one an hour away), we have nurtured some world class athletes, and have a curling club and great ski trails. Kids are out on the slopes or the ice as soon as they can walk. Betty has enthusiastically shuffled through a number of long cross-country ski races herself back a few years ago. It's thrilling in a cold and sweaty way. The Men's 30K (that's 18 miles!) race was on at the laundromat. Golly those athletes are fit as a fiddle. But since there's only so much laundry to be done, Betty dug deep into technology and tricked her computer into telling the BBC it is in London. Then the live coverage is free. Only trouble is that the nordic skiing is on at 2:30 a.m. The British announcers don't shout as much as the American ones. They say "lovely" more often. Bert was the creative one this week. He completed several dozen elegant small sculptures using the broad variety of Lake Superior stones, willow sticks, and sterling
silver. We had our own First Friday opening. The weekly jam session played lively music upstairs with their usual floor-stomping, and it was festive here, you betcha! One
last
handful
of
hand-picked
wild
Watching the Olympics from the Washateria in Frostbite Falls raspberries were tucked in a back corner of the freezer, saved for the dead of winter, and by golly, when you look around outside in between the snowbanks and the Big Lake being almost frozen over, you can be darn sure it's winter. Bert cooked up a Brown Betty, and added some frozen peaches... big yum. That taste of summer is magical. It gets hard to believe that summer will ever come back, with all the colorful foliage and smells. We hear it's been cold down in Port A lately. We are wishing y'all get back to shorts and tank tops real soon!
Snow banks are up to the top in Frostbite Falls, MN.
Peace and Love,
Bert's latest sculpture
Betty and Bert
VOTE NORM VOTE NORM F O R
County Commissioner Precinct #4 Political ad paid for by Norm Baker Political Campaign Treasurer Tamay Tipton
F O R
County Commissioner Precinct #4 Political ad paid for by Norm Baker Political Campaign Treasurer Tamay Tipton
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Island Moon
February 13, 2014