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361-949-7700 editor@islandmoon.com The Island Newspaper since 1996 Facebook : The Island Moon Newspaper
February 6, 2014
The Island where the only thing that disappears faster than the Island Moon Newspaper is no tresspassing signs
Around The Island
By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com
The Winter Texans brought a little of the winter down with them this time out. But take heart friends; there is sunshine at the end of the bleak and blustery times. It is The Island and bad weather never lasts very long.
Call back scam But we have had another invasion of sorts lately as well. Scammers. They have been working a couple of scams on The Island and in Flour Bluff. One involves a call-back move in which they offer a warning that time is running out for the listener to pay a bill or perform some other vital function. They leave a number and hang up and when the caller calls the number given then the call jumps to an overseas operator and zaps a $300-$400 charge on his phone bill. One of the local businesses which has been used to propagate this scam is a local electric company which has sent out a warning to its customers which is printed in this issue. But that is only one company which has been a victim as we have had several calls and questions that involved credit card companies and mortgage companies, and in one case an insurance company. The best thing to do if you get one of these calls is don’t call back. Instead call the company they say they represent directly.
Gas Pump bandits The other scam making the rounds is much more insidious because all the victim has to do to get hit is use a credit card at a gas pump. Scammers are using the availability of small, cheap cameras to execute a new variation on an old caper and they have been actively working Flour Bluff in particular. The plan goes like this: Place a tiny camera next to the slot where an ATM card is swiped on a gas pump. As the card goes by the camera it catches the numbers on the card. After half a dozen or so customers unwittingly have their numbers copied the thief removes the camera and moves on rather than draw attention by staying too long in one place. He then retrieves the numbers and sells them to a middleman who actually prints cards with the stolen numbers on them and goes shopping. He doesn’t need the pass code, only the number off the card. In some cases the perpetrator has been lurking nearby in a vehicle to keep and eye on things. So keep any eye out for anything suspicious around the card slot on gas pumps and if you see a guy sitting in his car nearby and not getting gas, resist the urge to pull out your heater and shoot him dead. Instead, get a license number and if possible a picture with your cell phone and let the PD do their stuff. Enough with the doom and gloom but we though you should be aware.
And now this… They say there’s a fine line between fishing and just sitting there looking stupid and lately around here it’s been mostly the latter as the fish have not been doing their part; unless of course you are Joey Farah who could catch fish in a hurricane. But for the rest of us it’s been mostly whities in the surf or HEB. Water temps have been cool and crews are already getting the beaches ready for the Spring Break Invasion, but gas prices are down, and we hear that our favorite border town of Piedras Negras is open for safe business this season, so we got that going for us. The next big event on The Island calendar is Barefoot Mardi Gras so get your beads and your float ready and we’ll see you there. In the meantime say hello if you see us Around The Island.
Three –way race
County Commissioner Candidates Forum Monday Night
The race between the three Republicans in the race is turning out to be the most hotly contested one of the March 4th primary with the Republican primary winner so far uncontested as no Democrat has filed for the race. The Forum continued on A8
Year 17, Issue 512
Traffic Relief for the Island
By Dale Rankin
From the Port Aransas ferry landings to the foot of the JFK
After battling years of increased traffic during busy summer months some relief is on the way for Island drivers. State Representative Todd Hunter this week announced an aggressive and far-reaching $75 million multi-phase plan to improve statemaintained roadways from the ferry landings in Port Aransas, southward along State Highway 361 to SPID on North Padre, and northward on SPID to the JFK Causeway. Of the $75,608,313 in the project, $58 million remains to be funded, but Hunter said $17 million for the projects is already in place and work may begin along the SPID corridor between the JFK Causeway and the intersection of State Highway 361, Commodores, and SPID on North Padre within the next few months.
SPID turn lane to SH 361 The first project is the addition of a turn lane to the southbound lane of SPID for vehicles coming off the causeway and turning north/ left onto State Highway 361 bound for Port Aransas. The current configuration has one turn lane and one option lane, however, most visitors to The Island are unaware of the option lane and traffic lines up in the inside/left lane often all the way to the top of the JFK Causeway, and on the busiest weekends into Flour Bluff. Hunter announced that to he has identified $400,000 in state funding to extend the current 400-foot inside turn lane by 1000 feet in the current SPID median and run a total of 1400 feet north of the intersection to ease the stacking along SPID during peak traffic. Hunter said he expects the project to get underway quickly.
SH 361 in Port Aransas Also currently funded in the plan is just under $13 million for a redesign of the SH 361 in Port Aransas between Avenue G to Beach Access Road 1A on the south side of town. The area is one of the most congested roadways on The Island during busy weekends as beachgoers cue to make the turn eastward toward the beach. During Spring Break 2013, stacking of northbound traffic in that area backed up more than nine miles along SH 361 as beachgoers cued up to make the right turn toward the beach blocking motorists trying to get into Port Aransas, generating complaints from Port Aransas business owners.
The $13 million project is funded and will remake SH 361 starting at Avenue G and extend two miles southward resulting in a five-lane, guttered section of roadway, from Avenue G to the Nature Preserve, and a four-lane curbed and guttered roadway with a center raised median from the Nature Preserve to 1182 feet south of Beach Access Road 1A. The project will be done by Haas-Anderson Construction and is expected to take 408 days to complete. Work authorization was issued on December 23, 2013 with a 180 delay start date for utility adjustments. The project is expected to be complete by summer 2016. Traffic continued on A6
Packery Channel Park to Get a Makeover To become a nature area and bird sanctuary
By Dale Rankin
decades ago and make it an attraction for birds.
A few years ago Packery Channel Park was mired in questions of ownership which combined with a lack of funding did not bode well for the park’s future. Now the park boasts a nature walk, the Texas Sealife Center, and soon the 38-acres site, located along Packery Channel on the east side of SPID, will undergo a facelift which will turn it into the Packery Channel Nature Preserve Park featuring native woodlands, wetlands, wildflower areas and bird drip stations to attract birds and the people who watch them.
The 38- acres site was part of a larger 60 acre site which became the subject of a legal fight in 2008. The land had been donated to Nueces County in 1993 with the caveat that it be developed into a park within ten years. When that failed to happen the donors filed a lawsuit to recover the land and in the ensuing settlement the 60 acres was parceled out and the attorneys in the case wound up with a twenty-acre subdivided interest. They pushed for the entire tract to be sold for commercial development and the negotiations took several years to settle. The result was that the county now controls the
The first step in the process came last Thursday at the Nueces County Coastal Parks Board meeting when the board voted to move forward with the bidding process for $600,000 in improvements to the park. The board currently has the money available and in response to the board vote bidding information (Requests for Proposals) will go out in the next few months. The board instructed the staff, as part of the plan, to move forward with bollards and cables on the south side of the park’s entrance road to control access from the adjacent subdivision. The park will also be closed from dusk until dawn. Bollards will be placed around the entire parameter of the park and efforts will begin to bring back much of the natural flora and fauna which was native to the area until only a few
Padre Island Showcase This Saturday By Mary Lou White The Island will put its best foot forward this Saturday as the third annual Island Vendor Show and Home Tour sponsored by the Island Moon kicks off in the SLC School Gym on Encantada.
By Brent Rourk Island voters will get their chance to hear from all three candidates in the race for Nueces County Commissioner Precinct 4 when they square off on Monday, February 10 at the Holiday Inn. The event is sponsored by the Island United Political Action Committee (IUPAC).
Next Publication Date: 2/13/2014
Twenty six Island homes will be open for viewing and more than twenty local businesses will be on hand in the gym. The event runs from 9-5 and is FREE to attendees.
Packery continued on A3
Nueces County Declares War! On Brazilian Pepper Trees
By Dale Rankin You can’t root them out, you can’t cut them out, and you can’t burn them out. In the end all you can do is cut them and poison them within five minutes or they will grow right back like a multi-headed hydra from a bad science fiction movie. But the fight against the Brazilian Pepper Tree Invasion on The Island has begun. The earliest accounts of vegetation on the north end of Padre Island dating back to the 17th and 18 centuries described lush grasslands broken by tightly packed Oak Motts. Over the years as man turned the land into pasture and hurricanes did their work, the
native plants were displaced to the point that none of the original woodlands exist but an attempt is being made at Packery Channel Park War on Trees continued on A8
New Superintendent at PINS Mark Spier, a thirty-six year veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), has been named superintendent of Padre Island National Seashore, according to Inter- mountain Region Director Sue Masica. Spier will assume his new position on February 9. Spier is currently the superintendent of Palo Alto National Historical Park in Brownsville, Texas. Additionally Spier served as the interim superintendent of Padre Island National Seashore during the summer of 2013. In his new role Spier will oversee management of both Padre Island National Seashore and Palo Alto National Historical Park.
The Vendor Show will be held, for the third
“Mark has the ability to formulate and execute effective strategies that will help guide Padre Island into the next century” said Masica. “His many years of leadership and experience
Showcase continued on A13
Ranger continued on A8
New PINS superintendent Mark Spier
A 2
Island Moon
February 6, 2014
The Travelling Moon Gets Around
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
Island Creations
Here's a pic of me and my wife Kyndra Shafer with a copy of the Moon at the Parc Güell in Barcelona. Mediterranean Sea in the back ground. Thanks Scott Shafer
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Happy 99th Harvey! Islander Harvey Chisholm turned 99 this week. She celebrated with a ride on her exercise bike.
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B-I-N-G-O!!! That's what we heard loud and clear from these lucky ladies at the January PIE meeting.
Skip The Plastic recognizes Weldon Lucas as ‘Bag Hero’
RAY HERRERA DIRECTOR
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Public Relations Operations Marketing
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Happy Valentine’s TO: All Our Pets and Islanders FROM: Dr. Christi, Ray & Staff $20.00 Bath Special includes nail trim, age, ear cleaning, teeth brushing
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The Bag Hero Program is a campaign to educate and encourage the use of reusable shopping bags in the Coastal Bend. We recognize community members who set a positive example by bringing reusable bags when shopping for groceries or other goods. For the month of February, we’re proud to recognize another of our team members as our Bag Hero. Weldon Lucas owns and runs the Bien Hecho clothing line. If you’ve frequented ArtWalk, one of the local farmers markets or the Island Moon market, you’ve probably seen him selling his goods there. Seeing the need for stylish reusable bags in our area, Weldon added sturdy cotton canvas bags to his product line last year. He purchases bags made by employees with visual impairments at the West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in San Angelo and then adds his popular prints and designs. Weldon walks the walk and can be seen with his bags when at stores or on the beach. Like he says, "The small act of using reusable bags can make a big difference when we all make the change together!" Bien Hecho reusable bags and clothing can be found at www.bornbienhecho.com Previous Bag Heroes include artist Shelia Rogers, Barbi Leo, KSAB-FM Morning Show radio personality and KIII TV3 Domingo Live TV Show co-host, Stephanie Martinez, a student at the Aveda Institute, Aislynn Campbell of GROW Local STX, the team at the Texas Sealife Center, Casey Lain with the House of Rock, Threads resale shop owner Jennifer Reid, KORO-TV News Anchor/Reporter Daniela Sanchez, marine biologist Jeff Francis, mom Lisa James, fireman John Keller, Mayor Nelda Martinez, Ice Rays player Ryan Chiasson, Tony Amos of the ARK (Animal Rehabilitation Keep) and former Mayor Joe Adame. Partners in the Bag Hero Program include: Coastal Bend Surfrider Foundation, Skip the Plastic and the Coastal Bend Green Team. For more information visit http://skiptheplastic.org or call 361-765-4445.
February 6, 2014
Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder
Island Moon
Letters to the Editor Fish
Bridgedroppers
Thank you for writing Bridge Droppers, Island Changers, and Bagheads We Got 'Em All. I really needed the extended laugh I enjoyed while reading the entire article. Humor is such a great stress reliever, especially if it deals with a suffocating truth. Anyways, thanks again for lightening things up a bit :-) Rachell Reed, Realtor
Grammys
Distribution Pete Alsop
Editor’s note: Annie Sampson wrote this in response to Ronnie Narmour’s last column about the Grammys. Annie is the lady who recorded the famous gospel song, "Oh Happy Days".
Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin
Hello Ronnie!
Patrick Kelliher Classifieds Arlene Ritley
What kind of fish is this. From Moon Facebook page.
Design/Layout Jeff Craft Contributing Writers
The Environmentally friendly website, "Arkive," has detailed info on this species, the Frilled Shark. Wikipedia states most of the same, in simpler format, as follows:
Joey Farah Andy Purvis Devorah Fox
"Exhibiting several "primitive" features, the frilled shark has often been termed a "living fossil". It reaches a length of 2 m (6.6 ft) and has a dark brown, eel-like body with the dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins placed far back. Its common name comes from the frilly or fringed appearance of its six pairs of gill slits, with the first pair meeting across the throat."
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 Island Moon Newspaper 15201 S. Padre Island Drive, Suite 250 Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361-949-7700 editor@islandmoon.com Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper
Where to Find The Island Moon Port Aransas Lisabella’s Restaurant Pioneer RV Park Stripes @ Beach Access Rd. 1A
Port A Glass Studio The Gaff Wild Horse Saloon Tarpon Ice House
North Padre
Miss K’s Catering & Bistro
All Stripes Stores
Amano
Whataburger
Felder Gallery
Doc’s Restaurant
Island Woman Boutique Coast Club Coffee Waves Moby Dicks Spanky’sLiquor IGA Grocery Store Port A Business Center Carter Pharmacy
CVS
Snoopy’s Pier Isle Mail N More Island Italian Ace Hardware Holiday Inn Texas Star (Shell) Jesse’s Liquor Padre Isles Country Club
San Juan’s Taqueria
Scuttlebutt’s Restaurant
Wash Board Laundry Mat
Subway
Port A Parks and Rec Public Library Chamber of Commerce Duckworth Antiques Back Porch Woody’s Sports Center Shorty’s Place The Flat’s Lounge Giggity’s Stripes @ Cotter & Station
Island Tire And all Moon retail advertisers
"Seldom observed, the frilled shark may capture prey by bending its body and lunging forward like a snake. The long, extremely flexible jaws enable it to swallow prey whole, while its many rows of small, needle-like teeth make it difficult for the prey to escape. It feeds mainly on cephalopods, leavened by bony fishes and other sharks. This species is aplacental viviparous: the embryos emerge from their egg capsules inside the mother's uterus where they survive primarily on yolk. The gestation period may be as long as three and a half years, the longest of any vertebrate. Litter sizes vary from two to fifteen, and there is no distinct breeding season. Frilled sharks are occasional bycatch in commercial fisheries but have little economic value. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as Near Threatened, since even incidental catches may deplete its population given its low reproductive rate. This shark, or a supposed giant relative, is a suggested source for reports of sea serpents." They are edible for human consumption, by the way, as stated on the Arkive site.
Thanks for your review of the Grammys! You hit the nail on the head! These people are losing the ART of music, they have gone crazy!! Keep up the good work. Annie Sampson
Obituaries Ronnie, I have really appreciated the obituaries you've unfortunately needed to write these last few weeks (Steven Fromholz, Pete Seeger). The world has lost great artists, but your memorials have been heartfelt and personal, and have given me insight to the musicians I wouldn't have had otherwise.
Found this myriad of junk floating in canals last weekend (including the bucket) while paddling. Hope folks will join in the beach cleanup being held on 2/8... and will keep up an ongoing effort in the canals! Laura Merrill
Hang Up on a Phone Scam to trace, you do not need photo identification to collect or spend the money and transactions cannot be reversed.
Nueces Electric Cooperative has learned of a scam that now may be affecting Nueces Electric Cooperative Members.
Because NEC does sometimes contact members by phone, it can be difficult to tell a scammer from a member representative. Here are some tips:
"We want NEC members to know about this possible scam as soon as possible," Sims said, "We want to urge all residents to be careful of giving out personal information to anyone without verifying the validity of the person. Play it safe and always contact the company directly. Never give anyone who contacts you your credit card or bank account information." Prepaid debit cards are becoming an increasingly popular method of payment for scammers. Wire transfer services have tightened their security, so crooks have turned to these prepaid cards instead. The cards are difficult
Tips for Spotting a Scam:
• If a caller specifically asks you to pay by prepaid debit card, this is a red flag. NEC will accept a check or credit card. • If you feel pressured for immediate payment or personal information, hang up the phone and call the customer service number on your utility bill. This will ensure you are speaking to a real representative. • Never allow anyone into your home to check electrical wiring, natural gas pipes or appliances unless you have scheduled an appointment or reported a problem. Also, ask employees for proper identification. " This type of scam continues to make its way around the country on a regular basis. All utility industries have been on alert for this scam previously and as long as the scammers continue to make money, it will unfortunately continue to be an issue for all industries" adds Sims. If you receive a suspicious call, capture as much information about the caller as possible. After calling NEC directly to confirm we did not contact you, notify your local authorities. However, if the person is at your home, please be safe and contact the local authorities for assistance. NEC is celebrating 75 years of serving South Texas! Started by a group of farmers and ranchers who truly exemplified the pioneer spirit, Nueces Electric Cooperative, Inc. has served the Coastal Bend since 1938. Nueces Electric Cooperative has evolved into a Cooperative that provides electric delivery services to over 18,000 meters utilizing over 3,100 miles of energized power line. Nueces Electric Cooperative also provides competitive retail services to parts of Texas outside the NEC delivery area. For information contact us at 1.800.NEC.WATT or www.nueceselectric.org.
Winter Texan Fish Fry
WB Liquor
Flour Bluff H.E.B. Liquid Town Whataburger on Waldron Ethyl Everly Senior Center Fire Station
Gratitude Gift Shop
Police Station
Keepers Pier House
Stripes on Flour Bluff & SPID
by Mary Craft
mkay512@aol.com
New Advertisers The 2013 Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Clean-up will be Saturday, February 22nd. Volunteers should meet at the Malaquite Visitors Center at 7 am. They need four wheel drive vehicles, trailers to haul trash and walking volunteers. Come out and beautify our beach and meet some new friends!
Business Briefs The 3rd Annual Padre Island Showcase of Homes will be Saturday, February 8th and feature more than 25 homes. The Showcase vendors will be at the Seashore Learning Center Gym on Encantada 9 am – 5 pm, where maps can be picked up. The Schlitterbahn 37,000 sq. ft. main building is expected to be completed by the end of March. They are currently working on the fourth floor. Old military cargo life boats will be turned upside down and provide cover to walk underneath to the entrance. There will be a hotel adjacent to the building that will have a 2nd floor walkway connecting the two buildings. Developer Paul Schexnailder announced at the ISAC meeting this week that the waterpark is on schedule to open June 1st.
Missing any trash?
Editor’s note: We’ve had several calls from readers about this scam. Here is a letter sent to members of the Nueces County Electric Cooperative members with details and how to avoid becoming a victim.
If an NEC employee contacts you by phone, it is the policy of Nueces Electric Cooperative to NEVER request confidential, personal financial information - like a credit card number or checking/savings routing and account numbers. Only give your confidential financial information to the co-op if you have contacted the co-op directly to make a payment. Chances are, anyone contacting members asking for a payment is not employed or authorized by the co-op.
Did Ya Hear?
San Antonio, TX
Possible Scammers May Threaten to Turn off Your Electricity
If you receive a call or a visit from someone telling you NEC, or your electric provider, will disconnect your power unless you provide a debit or credit card or a personal financial account number, close the door or hang up and call NEC billing department or contact the electric provider the person claims to be with.
A3
Jonathon Marcos
Robert Johnson
"A member had a phone call from someone who said they were with Nueces Electric Cooperative. The caller identified themselves a Michael or Jason and told them their payment had been denied and requested that they purchase a pre-paid credit card to pay their bill or they would shut off their power" explained John Sims, CEO of Nueces Electric Cooperative. "Fortunately, this member contacted NEC directly using our toll-free number to confirm his account prior to falling for this scam."
The Annual Fish Fry for Winter Texans was held last Saturday at Fortuna Bay with Board members and Jeff from maintenance doing the cooking. Lots of good food and Winter Texans happy to be on The Island.
Hal Linden, “TV’s Barney Miller” will be performing Broadway hits and big band sounds in the Performing Art Center at the Island University on Friday, February 14th. Tickets are $26-$36 and can be purchased online at tamucc.tix.com. The 4th Annual Coastal Bend Boat & RV Expo will be held at Richard M. Borchard Fairgrounds in Robstown on February 14 – 16. More than ten local dealers will showcase over 50 brands of new bay, offshore and pontoon boats and motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels and more. There will also be a wide array of accessories. It will be open 10 am – 8 pm Friday and Saturday and until 6 pm on Sunday. There was a kayak found in one of the canals. Call Kathy at 510-9726 with description to claim. The two turning lanes from Park Rd 22 to Hwy 361 will be lengthened by more than 1000’ to reduce delays during holidays and summer weekends for traffic headed to the beach. The Nueces County Coastal Parks has received a grant to conduct habitat restoration at the Packery Channel Natural Reserve Park. Don’t forget to make your Valentine’s Day dinner reservation. Johnny D’s, Sandy’s on the Beach Dining in the Holiday Inn and Dragonfly Restaurant all have a special menu for that day.
Packery continued from A1 38-acre site which abuts the property line of the houses on the north side of Villa Maria Isabel Street. County staff on Thursday was ordered to clear the brush from the strip of land between the access road inside the park and the property line and to place bollards and cable to block entrance by vehicle from the south. During the course of surveying the site in the 1990s crews discovered a graveyard left behind by the Karankawa Indians. Rather than excavate it, it was sealed and is still in place slightly inland from Packery Channel. The Thursday vote was the first, $600,000 phase of a multi-phase plan the Park Board has in place.
A 4
Island Moon
First Aransas Pathways Birding and Nature Site Tour A Group of 20 intrepid birders braved the unusual cold on Saturday, Jan. 25. Despite uncommon temperatures in the 40’s, Birders from the Aransas Bird and Nature Club and the Corpus Christi Audubon Outdoor Club arrived for the first official tour of the three new Aransas Pathways birding sites. The tour started at the Rockport Demo Garden and Wetland’s Pond (Tule Marsh East). This site consists of five acres and is located on Highway 35 North across from Walmart in Rockport. The site is still under construction, but the Demo Garden has been completed and contains many hummingbird and butterfly friendly plants. There is a boardwalk that leads to a pond in the back as well as a mowed path around the perimeter. Among the notable birds seen on the tour of this site were a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher and Orange-Crowned Warbler. The next stop was the Linda S. Castro Nature Sanctuary. Located at 4041 Highway 35 N. Fulton, this four and one half acre site is the newest addition to Aransas Pathways and is still under construction. Numerous bird (water) drips will soon be installed. The site has a large slab for viewing and a drop off to a natural low spot that becomes a large pond during rainy times. There is a good example of a remnant prairie that has a meandering path. At the Castro site everyone got a great look at a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet and a Ladder-backed Woodpecker. The group then traveled on to Ivy Lane in Peninsula Oaks which is a 28-acre site located on Ivy Lane off Griffith Drive near the water storage facility. The site consists of Live Oaks
February 6, 2014
Welcome from Frostbite Falls, MN Frostbite Betty frostbitebetty@ gmail.com Frostbite Falls is located just off a dirt road past the end of the Information Superhighway, so for a number of us the only way to see the SuperBowl is either watch the TV at the laundromat, or patronize one of the friendly pubs in town. We picked the Tavern with the free chips and salsa. Bert kept feeling bad for the little Peyton boy, as he didn’t seem to be enjoying himself very much even though it’s just a game.
Bert liked the ad with the puppy, he loves puppies. Betty noticed that all the ads about 4G and the app that operated the fancy house and such had nothing to do with Frostbite Falls. The fellow at the next table kept saying to his wife, “What am I going to do with a house like that anyway?” Betty liked the time machine built out of a refrigerator carton. Cardboard and imagination are right up her alley. They weren’t selling either cardboard or refrigerators though. Speaking of being creative in the middle of the long winter, Betty took a ukelele building class. There is a Folk School in town that teaches boat building (similar to the Farley boats), cabin building, sausage making, and three hundred other things that are handy and fun to know. The uke was a lot of work! But at the end of four days, all seven students had strings on and were feeling pretty proud. We had hoped to serenade the bread-baking class with Tiptoe through the Tulips, but they got done with their project before we did.
and wonderful understory plants such as American Beautyberry, Red Bay and Yaupon Holly. Meandering paths transverse the area and numerous bird (water) drips are situated along the paths. Birds that may be seen at the site include Blue-Headed Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Saturday’s group was pleased to see a White-eyed Vireo and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. “It was a very enjoyable morning and hopefully the first of many tours to these wonderful new birding sites”, explains local birder Steve Reisinger, who led the group tour.
February is here, snowbanks grow higher but the sun shines longer. Today is warm enough for skiing! Cheers to all from Betty and Bert.
For more information on Birding Tours, contact the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce at 361-729-6445 www.rockport-fulton.org. For more information about Aransas Pathways call 361- 790-0194 www.aransaspathways.com.
Above: Frostbite Betty made her very own ukelele. Right: Winter Texans line dancing class at the Port A Community Center
New Listing Waterfront Featured In Island Showcase of Homes
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 13757 Primavera
$799,999
Call 361-949-7281
Mary Melick Real Estate
Restaurant
& Wine Bar
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$6
Wine Flights Every Day
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3500 Island Moorings Parkway at The Island Moorings Yacht Club & Marina in Port Aransas
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February 6, 2014
Island Moon
A5
Backwater Adventures Backwater Adventures
On the Rocks By Jay Gardner I was emailing with Ranger Buzz the other day regarding preparations for the Big Shell Clean Up, and he reminded me about the Sharkathon donation to the Education Program out there at the VC (Visitors Center at the Seashore). Which reminded me that I had not posted the donation pictures from the ceremony that occurs every year with the folks at Sharkathon and the Seashore Staff. While Curtis is in Colorado skiing, I’ll take a few minutes to embarrass him.
By Joey Farah be good stewards of the beach we all love so dearly. The Friends of Padre is the organization that is responsible for holding the Big Shell Clean Up every year that literally removes tons of trash from the hardest to reach sections of the Seashore. Of course you loyal readers know this effort was started by one of our heroes, Billy Sandifer, who is instrumental in putting it all together and leading the charge down the beach. Friends of Padre is also involved in other activities regarding preserving the beach
Of course you know that Sharkathon occurred in October of this past year in the middle of some really tough conditions. But what you don’t see are the months and weeks of preparation, meetings, set-up, and break down of this massive undertaking. This team hits it hard year in and year out to put this massive event on. And for good reason. The benefits are immense. First off, they put some of the money right back into shark research and conservation. They donated $6,000 to the Harte Research Institute to get more shark tags for the Sharkathon event and other tagging events. This critical information has resulted in tagged sharks being recovered in Mexico, which helps the fisheries managers negotiate international limits and quotas. In addition, locally shark tagging promotes conservation when you hear stories about fellow anglers re-capturing each others shark, as Brad and James did this past season. Sharkathon also donated a whopping $9,000 to the Padre Island National Seashore to go to the bus grant program to pay for area school kids to go out to the Seashore and go through the Educational Programs they have out there. Ranger Buzz is deeply impressed and ecstatic regarding the donation, and wanted me to say a big THANK YOU to the Sharkathon board for him. He mentioned that the funds should be able to pay for something like 3,000 kids to visit and learn. What a deal, and it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to see the determination and dedication of the entire Sharkathon board in investing in the future generations of children, who will become the next stewards of our environment. In addition, Sharkathon donated $6,000 to the Friends of Padre to support their efforts to also
“Attendees can explore all the different types of adventures on the water or on the open road as the fun and fast toys that go with those adventures,” says Deborah Perry, one of the event’s coordinators. She adds, “The Expo offers a rare indoor environment where event-goers can see, touch and compare – all in one place – so it’s fun and easy to see the latest and greatest in RVs and boats.” The 2014 Expo will feature hundreds of bay and offshore powerboats, cruisers, fishing boats and personal watercraft. “So whether you want to fight for the big catch out in the Gulf, jump waves on your personal watercraft or cruise around the lake at a serene pace, expo-goers will be able to find it all,” says Perry. Most interestingly, there will be numerous examples of pontoon boats, the fastest growing segment of the marine industry today. The three-day show also features a great selection of gas and diesel motor homes, travel trailers, campers, fifth wheels and travel trailers. “Owning a camper gives you the freedom to travel and explore any time of the year. Who wants to stay in a strange hotel when you can travel in the comfort of your own space and at your own
I gave everyone a heads up that after a few weeks of the drastic low tides that we were experiencing the Laguna Madre would be flushed with some of the first of spring tides. This week the view from the JFK Bridge is beautiful with green water lighting up the flats and bringing in bait and game fish. A look under the dock on a sunny day or in the lights behind the house will show the large amount of tiny fish and crabs already coming out. The giant drum are starting to come in the Intracoastal canal this week as well and now is the time to get out and hang into a MONSTER. The trophy trout fishing has been amazing with multiple trout over the eight and even ten pound range lately. The reds are eating as well as full boxes of black drum. The hardest part of fishing right now is shaking these cold fronts that are packing high cold winds.
big poles are out with crab and such, rig up a rod with small treble hooks and peeled shrimp and you will keep busy catching whiting and sand trout witch do not have any size or bag limit but are awesome to eat. Take the kids out and have a good time.
Adventures with plastics The green water in the Laguna Madre’ has brought drifting with artificial for trout to just about the most fun thing to do on the water right now. The fish are being forced to regulate their body temperatures with the cold winter. This pushes them to hang out in concentrated groups. When anglers find out where they are its fun picking through them with soft plastics. When the current slows down along the edge of the Intracoastal Canal that’s when it’s possible
Monsters in the Ditch
for future generations, and I will write more about them later. So Sharkathon is the real deal and here to stay. They just celebrated their 10th year anniversary this past fall, and of course had record attendance again this year. Sharkathon is known all over the Gulf of Mexico and even out to Australia. They also are one of those events that has a good sized splash on the local economy, as folks come from all over and spend big bucks around here participating in the event. They’ve become a Big Deal, and I’d like to give a shout out to all the board members, including Ron, Todd, Joe, Sarak, Christian, Jason, Scott, Eric, Aaron, and Beth. and of course, fearless leader Curtis who started this whole deal years ago. Great job folks! Ranger Buzz also mentioned that the Park would be getting a new superintendent soon to be Acting for this next season. I’d like to welcome Mark aboard, and hope to see you at the Clean Up. You really need to see all the volunteers and the effort that goes into it. In the meantime, shoot me an email at jaygardner@scientist.com if you’d like some more information regarding any of this. I’ll see you on the rocks.
Largest Indoor Boat And RV Showcase In Area Plays Host To 10 Dealers And 50 Brands Valentine’s Weekend
Bring your love because it’s going to be all things “fun in the sun” under one roof over Valentine’s weekend. Thousands of adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts will visit the 4th Annual Coastal Bend Boat & RV Expo. This February 14, 15 and 16, 2014, more than ten local dealers will showcase more than fifty brands of new bay, offshore and pontoon boats, as well as gas and diesel motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers and more.
Farah’s Fishing Adventures
pace?” asks Perry.
Many manufacturers and dealers will be onsite and ready to make amazing deals with preseason low financing, expo specials and rebates. “It’s a great time to buy!” exclaims Perry. Expo-goers can peruse a wide array of accessories. Sound systems, GPS systems, fishing or wakeboard tower, sewer and water hoses, awnings, lights and power poles, as well as the hottest kayaks, wakeboards, tubes and towing equipment will be on-site. Educational seminars hosted by marine, RV and outdoor adventure industry experts will be held throughout the weekend as well. Seminars are included in event admission.
4th Annual Coastal Bend Boat & RV Expo Friday, February 14 - Sunday, February 16, 2014 Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds – Robstown, TX $10 Adults; $5 Children (6 – 12yo); Free Children (under 6yo) www.coastalbendexpo.com
Historically the first and second weeks of February are when the tides roll in and we start to see the schools of black drum come in from the Gulf and file into the bays for their spring spawn. They will ride the new tides and be concentrated in the Intracoastal Canal between the JFK and Bird Island. Live shrimp will soon show up at the bait stands but along with the drum the small hardheads, stingrays, and trash fish will be there to take your bait as well. To get away from the small unwanted fish and concentrate your casts on the big boys use crab and sea lice. These two baits present a challenge to anglers trying to figure out how to use them. With the crab only a small part of the crab needs to be used. Take a crab say five inches across and tear the top shell off, then cut with a heavy knife in four equal parts. If you take your hook and thread it in through one of the joints between the legs and the body then out of the main body you have it perfect. The scent will drive the drum crazy and the perch can only eat the outside of the mass of crab not the meat inside the legs. Some small crabs can be used whole or halved but always put the hook in through the knuckles of the leg. I often take the legs apart and separate each segment. Every small piece can be put on your hook along with a live shrimp for added scent and when the fish take the shrimp easily you have the crab still on there to give you a second chance. Marker 37 Marina has a freezer full of crabs and shrimp so stop by and stock up BEFORE the mad rush of drum crazy fishermen deplete the bait camps of what you need. It’s fun to see a great day and grab some individually wrapped crabs out of the freezer and hit the side of the channel with guests or kids and tie into some of these mega giants. We can only keep drum between 15 and 30inches. If they are anywhere close to 30 inches throw them back, they are breed stock and are fun to fight but not as good as the smaller ones.
The drum are in the Channel!! to catch more fish than you can count. In the five mile stretch south of the JFK look for a slow presentation along the west edge to be your best bet; not only for keepers but for some giants. I vary my color combinations between lights, darks, and natural colors, settling on whatever color they like that day. Make sure your bait goes all the way to the bottom, then bump it along like a sand eel looking to dig down in the mud. As the day warms look for fish to become more active as well as small bait fish to show up in the shallows along the edge. Redfish have been tailing on the warm mornings in the shallow grass there along the drop-off. Out of the channel the open flats of the King Ranch Shoreline have been great for anglers drifting south of Pure Oil Channel. The trout are in about five feet of water along with some schools of nice reds. White has been right, combinations of plum and red with white tails have been rock’n. The channels around the
Catching them on small tackle is a chore that is fun but remember to use at least 2 feet of good #30lb leader. After putting up a long fight these fish are exhausted, don’t keep them out of the water long and then throw them back. All of them should be faced into the current and swam back and forth until they get their strength back
Back to the Good Old’ Days I am excited to be a part of the new changes going on at Marker 37 Marina. One of our local Oilfield Families and local fishermen have stepped up to partner in making Marker 37 the grand marina it was back when Ernie Buttler was on the spot. Stop by and see some of the work going on, new gas pumps with 24hour credit card service, 24-hour security on site for all the boat slips, new bait house and fish cleaning area, along with landscaping and tournament areas. The same friendly crew as always and to the local angler Marker 37 has always been the best place to walk up and check out what’s going on in fishing, and get some friendly advice. The staff there will help you outfit your tackle and show you what to do and give you friendly advice on where. The pier at Marker 37 is very long and lit up well. This is the best place to hang one of the giant drum coming down the channel right now. The channel drops off directly in front of the pier so just a short cast out puts you along the drop-off, don’t always cast as far out as you can. When fishing with live bait I like to walk the pier dropping live baits along the pilings for reds and flounder. Just after dark is the best time to catch some oversized drum. While the
Soft plastics produced this big flounder in the BoatHole Humble area have been good as well, we have had some great boxes of fish from the crash channel and the Boat Hole. The light tick of the line when you get a bite on soft plastics is addicting. Now is the best time to get out and learn how to fish with lures. For the next three months we can hit the water with nothing more than a pocket full of plastic worms and a fishing pole and catch good quality and numbers right here close to the house. My open days can be filled last minute with anglers looking for a very in-depth fishing clinic and lure fishing experience for hundreds of dollars less than a traditional full day charter. I guarantee that when you get off the boat you will have the confidence in what you are doing and where you are at to get you started on your own path to being a successful angler. Heck, we have a lot of fun catching too. Give me a call when you see the weather looking good. Joey Farah (361)442-8145
Tides of the Week
Tides for Corpus Christi (Bob Hall Pier) Feb 6-12, 2014
Day
High /Low
Tide Time
Height in Feet
Sunrise Moon Time Sunset
Moon Visible
Th
6
Low
2:13 AM
-0.2
7:12 AM
40
6
High
11:14 AM 1.0
6:14 PM
Rise 11:48 AM
6
Low
4:03 PM
0.8
6
High
6:17 PM
0.9
F
7
Low
3:15 AM
-0.3
7:12 AM
Set 1:25 AM
7
High
1:09 PM
1.1
6:14 PM
Rise 12:32 PM
Sa
8
Low
4:15 AM
-0.4
7:11 AM
Set 2:18 AM
8
High
2:06 PM
1.2
6:15 PM
Rise 1:18 PM
Su
9
Low
5:12 AM
-0.4
7:10 AM
Set 3:08 AM
9
High
2:47 PM
1.2
6:16 PM
Rise 2:06 PM
M
10
Low
6:03 AM
-0.4
7:10 AM
Set 3:55 AM
10
High
3:19 PM
1.2
6:17 PM
Rise 2:55 PM
Tu
11
Low
6:48 AM
-0.4
7:09 AM
Set 4:40 AM
11
High
3:43 PM
1.2
6:17 PM
Rise 3:46 PM
W
12
Low
7:29 AM
-0.4
7:08 AM
Set 5:21 AM
12
High
3:58 PM
1.1
6:18 PM
Rise 4:37 PM
12
Low
9:31 PM
0.8
12
High
11:48 PM
0.9
Set 12:30 AM
50 60 69 78 85 91
A 6
Island Moon
Letters to Riley
Island Dogs By Riley P. Dog It was a good week for we Island dogs. I went to Stingrays up in Port Aransas where my friend Deb slipped me a good supply of pizza bones. There were a lot of humans yelling at a little square thing on the wall with people all dressed alike running around on it. Humans are funny.
Foundation, International Falls, Minnesota. My friends there will send them to me. Don’t forget…hotdogs…International Falls. Don’t send anything to the cats. Stoopid cats
There are a lot of things happening on our Island this week. Here are a few of them.
Dasmarinas speed humps
No police boat
I tried to blame the wet spot on the cat but the cat ratted me out. Stoopid Cat!
He also said the PD is looking into the use of cameras to catch No Wake violators as part of a department-wide computer system upgrade that should be in place by the end of the year.
I got to go back and see Dr. Christi again because I found another one of the pounds I lost. I think it might have been the pizza bones. Or it could have been the stuff I found when I went trash diving in the office last week. Boy did I get in trouble for that. But I scored a piece of an old hamburger that made my stomach feel funny.
Code enforcement Simpson also said as of February 1 CCPD has taken over code enforcement. That means they now can help police dumping and other formerly non-police offenses and that trespassing is at the top of the list.
Trespassing
This is my nice human friend Deb.
And speaking of trespassing; the No Trespassing signs that went up on private property all over The Island two weeks ago are now gone. The half-life of a No Trespassing sign hereabouts is about the same as a Cheeto in a flock of seagulls.
ATVs The ISAC this week recommended that some ATVs be allowed to remain on the beach but only if they are low speed. The question is how to distinguish between a low-speed ATV and a high-speed ATV and it has now been forwarded to the City Attorney’s office for a legal opinion.
Fire hydrants
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February 6, 2014
by Dale Rankin
Corpus Christi Floyd Simpson poked the final hole in the hull of a police boat to patrol Island canals when he told the Island Strategic Action Committee (ISAC) this week that he doesn’t have the manpower to staff it. It could happen sooner or later but as of now it will be later. He told the group that he would prefer to have a police storefront on The Island and is currently looking for a location and then will be looking for volunteers to help staff it. He said his goal is to ultimately have an “Island Cop” who is the main police contact for citizens on The Island.
My humans left me and the Little Yappy Dog home two nights in a row but we got even. I peed the floor and the Little Yappy Dog pooped the back porch. We dogs got our ways.
Stuff I Heard on the Island
Drivers on Dasmarinas north of Whitecap will notice that five new speed humps are now in place. Congratulations to Dave Zeiler for his persistence in getting it done.
I got kicked out of two other places but that was okay because my humans left with me. Sometimes dogs get in and sometimes we don’t. I can’t figure it out.
I got to stop writing now my nose is starting to throb from hitting the space bar. Please send me some hotdogs. Just put them in a box with Not Hotdogs on the outside and send them to the Save Riley P. Dog
A recent test of Island fire hydrants found that 8% failed inspection due to corrosion. The matter became an issue after a storage facility suffered severe damage over the summer because the nearest fire hydrant was unusable due to corrosion. The next check will be for water pressure after a local builder said he had to install a pump in a new building because the water pressure from the nearest hydrant was not sufficient to get water to the second floor in case of a fire. So if you’re going to have a fire and don’t have a pump make sure it starts on the first floor but remember, fire burns up.
All dogs take notice! Jerky Treats to Return, Veterinarians Provide Advice The controversy surrounding jerky treats for pets has resumed following an announcement that two major pet treat manufacturers will soon return their products to stores’ shelves. The treats in question had been voluntarily recalled, though members of the public were warned by the Food and Drug Administration through a report that approximately 4,500 dogs had reportedly gotten sick and nearly 600 dogs had died, allegedly from consuming jerky treats. Ultimately, an identifying cause of the illnesses and deaths was never found. Some human foods are toxic to pets; onions, garlic, chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, the sugar substitute xylitol, and raw or undercooked food can create major problems for pets.
Beach sticker prices A move to raise the price of beach parking stickers from the current $12 has been underway for about a year but is getting nowhere fast. It will take agreement of the cities of Corpus Christi and Port Aransas, and Nueces County to do it and so far it doesn’t appear they are talking. Even after they agree it will take about a year to get the approval of the Texas General Land Office which must sign off on the deal. The City of Port Aransas sold about $900,000 in stickers last year while Corpus Christi sold only about $700,000. That has led to some grumbling in Port A that splitting the sticker revenue according to linear feet of beach maintained by each entity might need a review. Stay tuned.
Island Dog Shelter The Island Moon Facebook page – theislandmoonnewspaper – has become the Island bulletin board and by watching it everyday it has become apparent that the number of abandoned dogs on The Island is going up steadily and quickly. Some are being abandoned by puppy farms when they become too old to sell and others, sadly, just simply because people don’t want them anymore and know that if they dump them on The Island we won’t let them starve. Indeed a large number of good-hearted Islanders are taking the dogs in until they can find permanent homes. But we are reaching a tipping point where that system won’t work much longer. We need an animal facility where volunteers can take care of them while they are looking for a home. There are plenty of people who will/are helping but they can only have so many dogs in their homes. If we had a place where the dogs could be kept there is no shortage of volunteers. Developer Paul Schexnailder has agreed to donate land near the water tower for a dog park. Maybe that would be a good place for a No Kill shelter as well. Something is going to have to be done and now is the time to start thinking about what is the best thing to do. Any ideas?
Hal Linden, TV’s “Barney Miller”, Brings Broadway Hits and Big Band Sound to the Island University
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s ninth season of The Gloria and Robert R. Furgason Bravo! Series presents “An Evening with Hal Linden”, Tony and Emmy Award Winning Broadway and Film Star and TV’s “Barney Miller” on Friday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Backed by a 7-piece band, Linden, a former big band singer and instrumentalist with the Sammy Kaye Orchestra, will provide decades worth of knowledge and talent and an entire concert filled with an assortment of poise, entertainment and timeless big band, Broadway, and jazz standards. Tickets are available for purchase online at tamucc.tix.com or by calling (361) 825-ARTS or stopping by the Performing Arts Center box office Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. General reserved-seat tickets range from $26-$36; student tickets are $7 with a valid SandDollar ID.
Traffic continued from A1
Passing lanes on “The Landing Strip”
Other improvements along the SH 361 corridor between North Padre Island and Port Aransas, colloquially called The Landing Strip by locals, include $10.5 million, currently not funded, to add two “Super Passing Lanes” to State Highway 361 between the SPID intersection on North Padre and Port Aransas. The lanes will allow for faster moving vehicles to pass slower moving vehicles without having to cross into the lane of oncoming traffic, or forcing slower moving traffic onto the shoulder. The new 12foot lanes will be spaced periodically along the 18-mile stretch of road. No timetable has been set for the project. It is a temporary solution to allow easing of the increasingly busy roadway with a permanent solution of a five-lane roadway all along the area to be done at a later time. That permanent configuration will also include a center turn lane and will cost an estimated $48 million.
Ferry improvements
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Also in the plan is $4.2 million in available funding for upgrades in the ferry system in Port Aransas. The majority of the money will be used to upgrade and repair the ferry landings, with $30,000 to be used to automate the information systems informing approaching motorists of the wait time. The new system will include a Bluetooth application that will automatically update display signs placed along roadway leading to the landings every fifteen minutes and will also pay for additional signs. That work is expected to begin as early as this summer. Also in the plan but not currently funded is $6 million for new ferry landings since the current number of ferries exceeds the number of landings (5). Another $2.2 million, currently unfunded, is needed to the acquisition of and for more space for cars waiting to board the boats. The current ferry system has two 28-vehicle ferries and six 20-vehicle ferries. Up to seven ferries can operate at one time. The plan calls for $39 million for new ferries to supplement the fleet and replacing aging boats currently in use, and another $7.3 million to decrease wait time including the addition of 22 traffic control personnel.
February 6, 2014
Island Moon
Cold Stunning Continues
Dee-Scoveries
By: Donna J. Shaver, Ph.D.
Hot Diggity Dog
by Devorah Fox devorahfox.com
A7
Ah, the hot dog. Just the thought of it brings a smile and memories of back-deck cookouts, beach bonfires, county fairs and camping trips. But you don’t have to build a fire or put up a tent to savor the flavor. All you have to do is cruise down Beach Street in Port Aransas and visit The Hot Dog Lady. Suzanne Piette sets up her colorful cart in front of La Playa restaurant Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to about 4 p.m. and sells freshly prepared hot dogs with a variety of fixin’s. Choose from the Chicago, New York or All American style (The Chicago-style dog is the most popular) or go for the Classic and choose your own toppings. Chips and a soft drink are also available. I like a good chili cheese dog myself and The Hot Dog Lady’s did not disappoint. These are not wimpy weiners. All the hot dogs are one-quarter pound all-beef nestled in a poppy seed bun and mine was hot, juicy, filling and flavorful. Being from the Big Apple I just had to follow up with a test of the New York Style dog. Yummy. On the horizon is a veggie or tofu dog for the non-meat eaters. You may have dreamed about eating hot dogs, but probably didn’t dream about owning your own hot dog stand. However for Suzanne, “This has been a dream work in progress for 5 years and 2 years of hard work.” There was obtaining the cart, for one. That wasn’t cheap. Even more challenging was getting the necessary licenses and permits from city and county agencies. Originally from the Houston/Midland area, Suzanne has been coming to Port A since the second grade. She’s an outdoor girl who liked hunting and skiing with her Dad, and the two enjoyed fishing in Port A. She worked for the phone company for several years in Texas, then in Colorado and Michigan. When she decided to settle down she went to nursing school and served as an emergency room nurse for 23 years. She’s worked as a travel nurse too, taking nursing assignments in cities like San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
ER nursing is tough, with tougher hours. Though Suzanne keeps her license current and still works in emergency rooms she prefers the shorter shifts she works staffing the hot dog cart to the 12-hour days she put in nursing. She enjoys the people contact too. She’s on a first-name basis with a number of folks who have become repeat customers. She’s come to know the folks from the surrounding businesses.
National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore E-mail: Donna_Shaver@nps.gov Unfortunately, cold temperatures continue to cause cold stunning of sea turtles locally. At the same time that Padre Island National Seashore staff and volunteers are busy searching for, documenting, and transporting cold stunned turtles, we must prepare for the 2014 Kemp’s ridley nesting season, which will begin in two months.
Cold stunning Cold stunning began in Texas this winter on November 25, 2013 and has continued intermittently for more than two months. Virtually all of the cold stunned turtles have been located in the bays, estuaries, and passes. The relatively shallow waters there cool rapidly, and the turtles residing there become immobilized and trapped.
“It’s like little family at this corner,” she says. Suzanne starts setting up at 10 a.m. when food service trucks are making deliveries and folks reporting to the neighboring restaurants to get the work day started exchange greetings. A street that’s morning quiet gets gradually busier. By 11 a.m. all the restaurants are open and the corner of Beach and Station Street is bustling. Suzanne does catering too and has provided hot dogs for birthday parties and fundraisers and events like the Channel Vista Hallowe’en block party. When she’s not in the ER or serving hot dogs, Suzanne does volunteer work for organizations like the Animal Rehabilitation Keep, the Parrot Heads of Port Aransas and the turtle beach patrol. For more information find Suzanne on Facebook or just cruise around and look for the cart. Unless the weather’s really bad The Hot Dog Lady will be at her Beach Street spot Wednesday through Saturday. In the not too distant future she’s hoping to be in parking lot at Moby Dick’s on Alister Street on Mondays and at Shell’s on G Street on Tuesdays. I’ll see you there. P.S. Speaking of weiners, help support the rescue and care of homeless dogs and cats, the Port Aransas Animal Shelter, and the volunteers who work so hard to find forever homes for these animals. Come to the Yappy Dance sponsored by Animal Friends of Port Aransas, Saturday, Feb. 8, from 7 p.m.to 10 p.m. at the Community Center, 408 N. Alister St. Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase. I’ll be one of the guest speakers and I plan to talk all night about my cats. OK, no, I won’t, so you’ll have plenty of time to visit with friends and enjoy the musical entertainment provided by the Port A Rockers.
ON S I T N ER E T AT U N T E L VO
program this year, this article contains information on how you can participate. Most people volunteering with our turtle project participate in patrols to find, document, and protect nesting Kemp’s ridley turtles and their eggs using Utility Transport Vehicles (UTVs) from April through mid-July. However, volunteers can also help in other ways such as in our Turtle Laboratory as a radio dispatcher or on walking patrols on local gulf beaches. Volunteers also help with operational support activities such as transporting eggs to our incubation facility by beach and highway. Patrols are during daylight hours since Kemp’s ridleys nest mostly during the day, along designated routes. UTV patrols are conducted in scheduled shifts, but walking patrols are unscheduled. Volunteers conducting UTV patrols are paired with Biological Science Technicians. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. If volunteers will be driving a government vehicle, they must possess a valid driver's license. Not including training, volunteers are asked to make a commitment of at least 10 hours a month for each month of the patrol season (April through mid-July), or at least 30 hours over the entire patrol season. Housing is not provided to volunteers.
Volunteer Training Schedule
So far this winter, 802 cold stunned turtles have been recorded in Texas. All were green turtles except for one hawksbill and one loggerhead. About 65% of these were found in the Upper Laguna Madre. Of the 802, 631 were found alive and 171 were found dead. Live turtles were taken to rehabilitation facilities to slowly warm and recover. Many of the live turtles have already recovered and been released to warmer Gulf of Mexico waters where they can disperse to safety from cold stunning. This has freed space in the rehabilitation facilities so that there has been room for severely injured turtles and new arrivals found during subsequent cold stunning pulses. We may not be done with cold stunning yet this year, so please continue to watch for and report cold stunned sea turtles. The quicker that they are found and rescued the better chance that they have of surviving. Those left helpless on the shoreline can die due to predation and exposure to the elements. To report cold stunned turtles (found alive or dead) please call 361-9498173, ext. 226 (business hours) or 361-8768462 (after hours) if you are at/near the Upper Laguna Madre and North Padre Island. If you are at/near Corpus Christi Bay and Mustang Island, call the ARK at 361-749-6793 (business hours) or Tony Amos at 361-442-7638. We thank the hundreds of people that have helped search for, rescue, document, transport, rehabilitate, and release cold stunned turtles this winter. Most of the cold stunned turtles were found during searches that we and other agencies and organizations conducted. However, several were found by duck hunters, anglers, bait shop owners, and others that spotted and reported cold stunned turtles. Working together we have saved the lives of hundreds of green turtles.
Volunteer Opportunities Padre Island National Seashore staff members and volunteers are also busy preparing for the upcoming 2014 sea turtle nesting season. Each year, more than 100 people from the community volunteer with our program to find, document, and protect nesting Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and their eggs on North Padre Island. This program is a part of the bi-national recovery efforts for this species, and volunteer participation is essential to our success. If you are interested in volunteering at Padre Island National Seashore to help with the Kemp’s ridley restoration
All volunteers that want to participate during the 2014 nesting season are required to attend a classroom training session every year, regardless of the activities they will be conducting. At the classroom training session, volunteers will be provided the forms and documentation required for their participation in the upcoming season. They will also receive information about the program and volunteer duties. Note that attendance at the 2013 fall/winter cold stunned training does not fulfill the requirements of becoming a 2014 spring/summer volunteer. If you attended a full day of classroom training and a full day of UTV training last year and volunteered during the 2013 nesting season, you are eligible to sign up for the Refresher Class held on March 1 (8:00 am-4:30 pm). However, if you are returning and not going to patrol on a UTV, you only need to attend the classroom training in the morning that day. If you are a new volunteer and did not attend the nesting season classroom training and the full-day UTV Training And Safety class last year, or are a returning volunteer that is unable to attend the Refresher Class on March 1, you will need to sign up for the Classroom Session for New Volunteers on either March 8 or March 20 (8:00 am-4:30 pm) and a full-day UTV Training And Safety Class on either March 10 or March 22 (8:00 am -4:30 pm) if you want to conduct UTV patrols. All training sessions will be held at the Padre Island National Seashore Headquarters. Since parking is limited at our Headquarters, please consider car-pooling if you know someone attending the same training. Those attending a full day of training should bring a packed lunch. There will be a 30-minute lunch break. An ice chest will be available to hold your food and beverages. Volunteers that want to conduct walking patrols and/or UTV patrols must successfully complete a physical fitness test, which will entail a short walk at your own pace immediately after the classroom session. For the physical fitness test, please wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes, and be prepared for all types of weather. For the UTV training, you must wear long pants, eye-wear (such as glasses, sunglasses, or goggles), long sleeve shirt or jacket, and boots. If you do not wear the appropriate clothing, you will not be allowed to participate in the UTV class. Additional safety gear (such as helmets and safety vests) will be provided at the training. Please call as soon as possible to sign up for training classes. Space is limited and is filling quickly. Call (361) 949-8173, extension 268 to register.
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Water Access Laguna Madre
2014 is here and that means the 2014 Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Cleanup is around the corner. This cleanup can not happen without the help of our volunteers and your help is needed again. S E E YO U T H E R E !
The Big Shell Beach Cleanup Saturday
February 22, 2014
7 am
Volunteers will meet at Malaquite Pavilion on Padre Island National Seashore. To reach Malaquite Pavilion just stay on (SPID) through Corpus Christi out onto North Padre Island where it becomes Park Road 22. Just keep driving till you come to the entry gate of PINS. Tell the attendant you are there to volunteer for the beach cleanup and you will not be charged admission. The second set of buildings is the Malaquite Pavilion and turn into the huge parking lot. It’s on the left side of Park Road 22. All volunteers will be back at the pavilion by 2 pm. Four wheel drive vehicles, trailers for hauling trash in and out of the work area, and working volunteers are needed. Walking volunteers (those arriving in two wheel drive vehicles) are welcome and will be afforded transportation to and from the work area. Those unable to pick up trash but having four wheel drive vehicles are most welcome to aid in hauling volunteers and trash. The event will not be rescheduled and will take place rain or shine.
Refreshments will be available in the work area and at Malaquite following the event. Long pants and sturdy foot wear recommended. Don’t pick up broken glass or flammable items. Report all hazardous items to your section leaders.
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Based on the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation's fact sheet, once this manufacturing facility is completed then the company will create at least 300 new direct
If you would like to learn more about the economic investments in our community you can go to the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation website at http://www.ccredc.com/ or you can go to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website at www. uschamber.com to learn more about national investments that may impact us here at home. 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.
Their closest relatives in the plant family are poison oak, poison sumac, and poison ivy all of which exude a chemical which suppresses the root system of native plants by depriving them of water, nutrients, and sunlight. The state of Florida has placed the tree on it Prohibited Aquatic Plant List making it illegal to import, transport, collect, cultivate, sell or posses and many Florida counties have passed ordinances requiring their removal from private property. So far no Texas counties have followed suit.
The tree made its way to Texas in the 1950s but only recently become a problem in the state’s wetlands and coastal prairies. Its presence along the Texas Coast was thought to have been limited to Mustang and Padre Islands until it was discovered in 2003 on Galveston Island. Since that time, according to the Texas Forest Service, has aggressively infested coastal habitats around Port Aransas and the Coastal Bend and is now considered one of the greatest threats to Texas’ native biodiversity of both the plants and animal populations.
Ubiquitous invaders Getting rid of the ubiquitous invaders is not easy. The trees produce hundreds of the red seeds which fall and sprout roots. That means to get rid of the trees they must be wrapped in a container with all their seeds when they are cut; and cutting them and leaving the stump only encourages them.
Now Nueces County has joined the fight to remove the trees by obtaining a grant from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program to begin irradiating the trees in the area in and around Packery Channel Park where they have taken hold.
According to literature presented to the Nueces Coastal Park Board which is leading the fight on Padre Island, the only real way to get rid of a Brazilian Pepper Tree is to cut it at ground level, .75 feet from the ground, with a saw then within five minutes of cutting paint the stump with herbicides, Garlon (Triclopyr) or Chopper (imazapyr) are recommended, otherwise the stump will begin to harden and the herbicide will not be absorbed properly. Then the stump must be monitored for six week for sprouting in which case the process must be repeated. If berries are present it is important to remove them as much as possible because they will grow quickly.
Environmental concerns The Brazilian Pepper Tree offers little value to wildlife. They quickly turn native biotic communities into monotypic stands of nothing but Pepper Trees. They take over the landscape and particularly like disturbed areas where the plants have been removed for various reasons by man or nature and quickly move in and take over.
Cut the trees in the fall when the berries are the least present and good luck. These trees are tough to get rid of but the fight has begun.
The tree is an evergreen shrub/tree which will grow up to thirty-three feet tall and completely engulf the native mesquite and oak trees. The tree also has a very high seed production and
Ranger continued from A1 National Military Park in Alabama.
in all aspects of park management are truly invaluable.”
“I am excited for the opportunity to work with the professional and dedicated staff at the park as we continue to manage and protect the many unique resources found at Padre Island and I look forward to engaging the local community as a contributing partner,” Spier said. “To support the thousands of people that visit each year will be an honor.”
Prior to his appointment as superintendent of Palo Alto Battlefield, Spier served as the chief ranger at Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River in Texas, where he was responsible for the daily operations and management of visitor and resource protection. Spier’s other assignments include acting superintendent at Chiricahua National Monument and Fort Bowie National Historic Site in Arizona; district ranger at Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park in Maryland; area ranger at Olympic National Park in Washington; district ranger at Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida; and park technician and sub district ranger at Everglades National Park in Florida. He began his career in 1976 as a park technician at Horseshoe Bend
As superintendent of Padre Island National Seashore, Spier will manage more than 130,400 acres, a workforce of approximately 51 people, and an annual operating budget of more than $5.6 million. Spier, a native of Boulder, Colorado, is a 1978 graduate of Colorado State University in Fort Collins where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history. His wife, Lisa, is a former NPS employee. They have three daughters.
Planned Unit Development for:
$ 3 & 4 Bedroom Townhomes Affordably Padre Island, Corpus Christi, Texas Priced at 249,900 18 3-bedroom 2½ bath Townhomes Close to the pool Alex Harris [Owner] 13 4-bedroom 3-bath Townhomes Beautifully landscaped Pool and Children's Play Area Submitted By: Naismith Engineering, Inc. South Prime Design Group, Inc. Construction begins15217 in Texas February 4501 Gollihar Road S. Padre Island Drive Suite 201 Corpus Christi, TX 78411 TBPE F-355
Corpus Christi, TX 78418
Located on the corner of Windward and Robla Engineer: Craig B. Thompson, P.E. Jon Hall For information or to schedule anDesigner: appointment call Alex Harris (361) 533-7286 4-Bedroom Floor Plan
3-Bedroom Floor Plan
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In 2011, a Chinese-owned high quality seamless pipe company (TPCO) broke ground in the Coastal Bend. According to the United States Chamber of Commerce 2012 report "Faces of Chinese Investment in the United States", the $1 billion dollar investment by the TPCO company represents one of the largest amounts which has ever been invested by a Chinese company in the U.S. manufacturing sector. Based on the company's own information, the construction of the 1.6 million square-foot facility will take roughly 34 months to construct and will provide jobs for many American workers. Once the facility is completed, it will produce approximately 500,000 metric tons of seamless steel pipe every year, which will be used in the United States and shipped around the world.
As our area continues to be discovered, companies all over the United States and around the world are starting to recognize what many of us have known for a long time and that’s the Coastal Bend is a great place to do business. Not only have we seen one of the largest investments ever made by a Chinese company in the manufacturing sector come to the Coastal Bend, but we have also seen investments come from other foreign based companies and even some companies located within the State of Texas. Next week, I will continue to highlight other economic investments that our area and communities have been experiencing over the past couple of years.
The Brazilian Pepper Tree was brought from it native Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay as a decorative species to Florida in the 1840s. It has now infested move than 700,000 acres in Florida including more than 90% of the state’s nature preserves.
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the $1 billion dollar investment by the TPCO company represents one of the largest amounts which has ever been invested by a Chinese company in the U.S
jobs in its first year and will add approximately 100-300 additional jobs within years two and three thereby accounting for 400-600 jobs in the Coastal Bend. Jobs that this company will bring to our area include equipment operators, instrumentation technicians, office/clerical, and other skilled crafts and managers. Over a tenyear period the project is expected to bring in an estimated $2.7 billion in economic impact and $327 million in salaries to the local economy, as well as $37 million for local taxing districts which include school districts and local sales taxes.
germination rates. The seeds are distributed by birds and often spring up along roadsides and other areas under highlines and along fence rows where birds have distributed them in their droppings.
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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. Over the past couple of years, our area has seen significant investment from domestic and foreign based companies. This is important because these investments are creating jobs for us here at home. In last week's article, I 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.
War on Trees continued from A1
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By Todd Hunter, District 32
February 6, 2014
to bring them back. But first the area has to be rid of the invader from Florida. The intruder; is Schinus terebinthifolius, or to non-botanists the Brazilian Pepper Tree, also known as Florida Holly.
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The Great Island Race Island Pinewood Derby a Close One
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SMA Builders’ Club Reads to SLC Kindergarten Students Older Kids Read 70 Books in One Hour By Brent Rourk Anxiously waiting for a mid-day book reading, Ms. Fernandez’s SLC kindergarten students smiled in unison when the big kids entered the classroom last week. Paired with one SMA Builders’ Club student, each kinder kid found a spot in the classroom and then handed their previously chosen books to their ‘reading giant’.
14 pairs of readers fill the classroom of Ms Fernandez
By Brent Rourk The Cub Scouts are at it again. Caught on film (digital card) racing their cars on the island, they were awarded prizes instead of tickets. Why? The scouts were racing in the acclaimed Pinewood Derby, a scouting tradition that harkens back to the invention of wheels or 1953. This year the island race was held at the SLC Gymnasium and involved about 35 car-crafting Cub Scouts from Pack 949. Each den raced within itself and then the top 4 from each den raced in the Pack 949 Championships. Awards were given for 1st through 3rd place on a den and Pack level. The Pack winners were 1st Chase Childers, 2nd - Paul Carroll, and 3rd Caleb Reynolds. Pack Leader Bryan Haney added, “The Pinewood Derby brings the boys together, and they get to construct the car with their parents. Kids also sand, paint and decorate the car the way they want. Participating in the Pinewood Derby offers young scouts planning, building and design skills. They are encouraged to
cheer each other on and learn what it takes to build things, compete and accept winning and losing. It is an incredibly fun event for kids (and parents).” Haney mentioned that one of the adult judges, David Sykes, an outdoor writer for another local newspaper and an avid scout supporter (Eagle Scout), submitted his old Pinewood Derby car that he made as a kid in 1963. Officials ran in it the open division…and it won. This car was said to be blazing and legal. There are several rules that govern how these non-motorized, miniature wooden Pinewood Derby cars are made and what they include, but basically each Cub Scout Scout is given a pinewood block, four plastic wheels, and four nails. The finished product, using all nine pieces, has length and weight limitations. Scouts are permitted to decorate and paint their car how they want and in some areas Scouts are permitted to jazz up their car with options. See pinewoodderby.org and scouting.org for more information.
Kinders love to be read to Quickly, 14 kinder students entered the magical worlds in their books. Most of the SMA students read from 4 to 6 books during the hour long reading. The kinder students appreciated the individual attention that they received and soon formed a positive bond with reader.
SMA Builders Club President Skylar Powell reads to a SLC kinder student
Builders’ Club reader and recent SMA Spelling Bee Champion Mia Moore was paired with a young tike and then found a spot on the floor where they soon relished the joys of reading. Thirteen other SLC students did the same thing until the tables and floor were covered with pairs of readers. SLC kindergarten teacher Peddy Fernandez commented, “The students are able to have so many more books of their choosing read to them in a short period of time when the SMA Builders’ Club students visit.”
Star Wars captivates a kinder student thanks to a SMA Builders Club member Mia Moore
Sandy's on the Beach Dining Romantic Valentine’s Dinner on the Beach 4 course meal, live music, choice of 3 entrees Starting at 6pm Reservations Recommended Happy Hour 4 to 6 Located in the Holiday Inn 15202 Windward Dr.
361-949-8041
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