Island Moon Feb 21 2013 Section A

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The Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center A4

Schlitterbah Groundbreaking A7

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361-949-7700 editor@islandmoon.com The Island Newspaper since 1996 Facebook : The Island Moon Newspaper

February 21, 2013

Soon to be The only Island in Texas with its own rules for golf

Around The Island

By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com The big news on our Island this week of course was the groundbreaking for the Schlitterbahn waterpark. A crowd of about 500 turned out for the event which was emceed by Island favorite Todd Hunter at the Padre Isles Clubhouse then moved to the course where the first scoop of sod was removed by a backhoe with Schlitterbahn owner Jeff Henry at the controls. Hands on management.

Now the real work begins with the sprint to open the doors by spring of next year. We will be printing regular updates on the waterpark as well as the BeachWalk canals and business district as things progress. If you have questions on the project send them to us and we’ll do our best to get them answered.

Photo by Miles Merwin

Next Publication Date: 2/28/2013

Questions from Island Golfers

The groundbreaking on the waterpark is one of the three landmark events on The Island in the past decade: The first was the digging of Packery Channel and the second was the raising of the JFK Causeway. Without either of those projects it is unlikely the waterpark or any of the surrounding developments would ever have come about. .

Island developer Paul Schexnailder has been working since 1994 to bring a development like the one that broke ground last week to The Island and the partnership is a solid one backed by local investors who have a good plan and have committed a good deal of time and treasure to bring it to this point.

Stuck on the bridge The key now is the timely approval of the design and permitting for the Park Road 22 (SPID) Water Exchange Bridge. Of paramount Around continued on A5

The Nest of Texas

Whooping Crane Festival This Weekend

Eventually, plans call for incentives to keep current members enrolled; those incentives have not yet been announced. Plans also call for a members only dining room. The clubhouse will remain open throughout construction, with certain portions closed during the process.

Rule 3. If your ball lands in the scoop of a front-end loader you get a drop and don’t lose a stroke. If you can hit a golf ball into the scoop of a front-end loader you deserve a drop without losing a stroke. This will take some practice but could be worth the time since it could provide a huge advantage in Skins games and Florida Scrambles for the next two years.

Rule 4. If your ball bounces off an earth mover and goes into a water hazard, you get a drop but lose a stroke. If your ball stays dry you must play it as it lies. If you can’t miss an earth mover you get no mercy from Island golfers.

Rule 5. If your ball hits a worker you lose four strokes, must buy a round, and issue an apology as this is forbidden - it doesn’t matter if he’s wearing a hard hat or not.

Rule 6. All golfers should wear a hard hat.

Actually, given the amount of wind on The Island this rule should probably have been in place all along.

Rule 7. If your ball goes into a giant hole in the fairway dug by a front-end loader you get a drop behind the hole. Fair is fair. Unless of course the hole was marked with yellow tape is which case you get a drop but lose a stroke; our suggestion, leave the ball in there as it is likely below the Island water table and in standing water.

Rule 9. If you hit your ball to the site that was previously a green which has been moved you get a Mulligan. We know some Islanders have been playing this course for a long time and old habits die hard.

The 17th Annual Whooping Crane Festival is this weekend in Port Aransas, running from February 21-24.

Things kick off early each day with an early morning continental breakfast and update on the cranes with Dr. George Archibald, International Crane Foundation’s co-founder, Whooping Cranes continued on A8

They broke ground on Friday and on Saturday crews began work in earnest at the site of the 65-acre Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resort on The Island. Where earth movers now roar by spring of next year rivers, overnight lodging, surf, slides, rides and rivers will flow.

So far two sites are busy; the first is the field at the corner of Compass and Commodores which is being cleared for use as a staging area for equipment and work trailers. Eventually it will

be the site of a village that will include a fishing pond and other amenities.

The second site already under construction is a new location for the ninth green located to the southwest of the clubhouse. The new green will replace the existing ninth green which will be located near the hotel, which according to the current drawings will be situated between the ninth and eighteenth greens.

Schlitterbahn Map on A9

18th Annual Big Shell Beach Cleanup Set for February 23

Rule 2. If your ball is run over by a bulldozer you must play it as it lies but you do not lose a stroke; for this you will likely need a sand wedge and you may not clean your ball. The rationale here is that while a bulldozer in the fairway is not technically a natural hazard – hey – those things don’t move very fast and you should have seen it coming.

Rule 8. If your clubs are run over by a bulldozer you are allowed to use your fellow player’s clubs but should probably take stock of your surroundings.

By Bracher Vaughan

Crews Hard at Work on Schlitterbahn Site

Immediately it means very little.

Membership rules for the moment remain in place along with dues. Nothing has changed.

Rule 1: When you look out from the tee box, if you don’t see any heavy equipment in the fairway the hole is open and you may hit. If there is heavy equipment in the fairway and you hit anyway certain local rules apply.

Island landmarks

Groundbreaking!

What does the sale of Padre Isles Country Club mean to the current club members?

Current plans are that at least nine holes will always be available for play throughout construction. However, certain new rules will be in play (these are not official yet but here goes…)

We have had several inquiries from Island business owners who are interested in bidding on construction contracts at the new park. For information on how to do that contact Schlitterbahn representatives at corpusvendorinquiries@schlitterbahn.com.

Year 16, Issue 462

Since construction has begun at Padre Isles Country Club we are getting a lot of questions from members about ongoing memberships and availability of the course. So here’s what we know…

Will the course remain open throughout construction?

Contractors

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Rule 10. In the event none of these rules apply to your situation then we suggest you talk to Patrick. If he is not available then try the old “must have gone into the hole of a borrowing animal” dodge. If that doesn’t fly then we suggest a beer drinking contest. If that doesn’t work then Trial by Combat rules apply with weapons to consist of clubs no smaller than an eight iron (putters are not allowed because some old guys use really long ones),the choice is made by the oldest golfer in the foursome as they are usually the wisest.

We hope that helps.

By Capt. Billy L. Sandifer The event will commence at 7:00 a.m. and volunteers will be back at the Malaquite Pavilion by 2 p.m. Four wheel drive vehicles and operators, trailers for hauling trash and walking volunteers are all needed and welcomed. Walking volunteers will be afforded transport to and from the work area. Water, sodas and drinks will be available in the work area and at Malaquite after the event but if you feel like you might want something more feel free to bring it.

We changed the date of the event this year as there is a potential change of speed limits on the beach from 25 mph to 15 mph on 1 March and at 15 miles per hour it would take most of our work day to simply travel into and out of the work area. In addition; over the years we consistently receive requests from volunteers to not hold the event during Spring Break. So, this date change will alleviate that inconvenience as well. Interestingly enough upon checking back Beach Cleanup continued on A5

A little Island history

A Grog Shop or Two and Hogs Running Wild in the Streets

By Dale Rankin

The period leading up the statehood was a precarious one for the area in and around Corpus Christi. Colonel Henry L. Kinney was doing brisk business at his trading post along the bay where shallow draft boats ferried cattle and cotton. He had begun using the title “Colonel,” which he claimed to have earned during the Seminole War in Florida, but there is no evidence that he took part in that conflict.

On July 25, 1846 General Zachary Taylor moved 4000 troops into the area, first landing at St. Joseph Island then ferrying them to Fort Marcy near the future sight of the Breakers Hotel on North Beach. Eventually 5000 troops were headquartered there and Corpus Christi began to grow.

A grog shop or two A description of the town was written just before the arrival of Taylor’s soldiers by William Bollaert who describes the town: “…at the present time there are some 30 or 40 fighting men, a few cannons, and Colonel Kinney’s house fortified…there are some half dozen American stores and one owned by a German, and a grog shop or two. All businessmen appeared to be on good terms and friendly with each other.”

A portion of the diary of West Pointer Colonel E.A. Hitchcock describes the town

five months after the soldiers arrived: “… in five months the small village had a population of about 2000 people…drinking, horse racing, gambling, and prostitution were rampant…however, not all of the officers and men sought the lewd and licentious, since a thespian group sponsored a theater that was well attended.” Future President U.S. Grant was one of the thespians who participated.

Colonel Kinney for his part, is said to have made up to a million dollars through deals with the Army and with interests in Mexico.

He went so far as to mark the trail to Laredo by attaching a plowshare to the back of a wagon headed there to mark the route. Next he tried to get dredging done across the muddy flats between Aransas Pass and Corpus Christi.

There apparently was some doubt about whether this would get done because when a newspaper editor wrote a story about the

History continued on A3

Island Moon

A 2

Bike Fest

LAJITAS—A group of mountain bikers carefully navigates a stretch of Fresno Creek, while on the Rock House Tour ride, one of several menu choices on Day 1 of the thirdannual Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest. The event, which features challenging mountain bike rides guided by park staff and trained volunteers, continues through Saturday at Big Bend Ranch State Park, Big Bend National Park and the Lajitas Trail System, all located in the rugged mountains of far Southwest Texas.

Islanders Dan and Mandy with Mr. Cowboy, Bob Lilly in Vegas for Superbowl

The Sparrow Has Landed

n the picture from Left to Right:

The Rock House Tour is a new feature for Bike Fest, and is a 25-mile trek past 100-plus-yearold rock home relics and scenic canyonlands inside Big Bend Ranch State Park. Most rides of Bike Fest are geared toward riders with advanced skills, such as the 58-mile Epic Ride.

Seashore News

Katt Standifer, Island resident and 8th grade student at Seashore Middle Academy, competed in 7 events in the Horse Division during the Nueces County Junior Livestock Show. Based on her performance in those events, she won the High Point Award and was presented with a saddle, belt buckle and plaque. She competed in Western Pleasure, Western Riding, Trail, English Pleasure, English Equitation and Halter.

She is seen here with her horse, Frankly My Dear, and her trophy saddle.

The Island’s Horned Owl

Sparrow’s Landing Restaurant & Bar in Flour Bluff is now open for Business.

Pictured above are Owner Travis Gagnon, Owner Kyle Bauer, Owner Kristine Garcia, Holding the ribbon Owner Josiah Toepfer, Kristine’s Son Jay Garcia, Manager Jordan Powell, Council Woman Collen McIntyre, Owner Tyrone Conner, and a member of the Flour Bluff Business Association.

Owner Travis Gagnon, Owner Kyle Bauer, Owner Kristine Garcia, Holding the ribbon Owner Josiah oepfer, Kristine’s Son Jay Garcia, Manager Jordan Powell, Council Woman Collen McIntyre, Owner yrone Conner, and a member of the Flour Bluff Business Association.

You may have seen this guy hanging out in Island palm trees. Photo by Carlos Hinojosa

You will have to excuse us if we have more than our regular number of typos this time out – punch line here – because this hardworking fellow has been banging on the metal pole in front of our office all day and we all have headaches. Attempts to talk him down were unsuccessful.

Hopefully he will be done by next week’s deadline.

Best Happy Hour

on the Come in for a beer and a smile!

23 beers on tap. Half price bottles of wine on Tuesday, Happy Hour all day on Wednesday.

February 21, 2013

The Travelling Moon

Padre Islanders to Hard Rock Resort and Casino, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Photo Members, left to right: Chris Hornberger, George Kirk, Tony Floyd, Larry Perry, Cheryl Floyd, Marilyn Perry, Skip Ziegler, Jack Rueter, Kathy Rueter.

We went on vacation for six days and returned on the 16th. We took the Island Moon with us to the Westin at Playa Conchal in Costa Rica. Had a fabulous time. What a beautiful place.

Hope this goes in the Moon.

Thanks Arlene

Islanders brought the Moon to the Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade

Island.

Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Thompson hang the Moon in the Forbidden City Other than that, how was your fishing trip?

Yard of the Month

The Island Gardeners have awarded February yard of the month to Charlotte Zerbe who lives at 14834 Lighthouse. In just two years Charlotte, with the help of her daughter-in-law Karen, has turned a plain, rock yard into a beautiful zeriscape. Palms, aloe and various cacti placed in a tiered multicolored rock yard is very eye appealing. Don’t miss this one!

Suggestions for yard of the month may be called to Dianne @ 949-7684

Moon Mystery Person of the Week No Extra Charges * Medicines Administered Every Pet is Examined * Soft Bedding Hill’s Science Diet * Grassy Exercise Yards Weekday Coupon $5 OFF/DAY Not valid on Holidays weeks or Fri-Sat-Sun

*Must Present Coupon at Drop-Off *Coupons Cannot Be Combined*

GOOD THROUGHDec FEB. 28, 2013

Who is the Moon Mystery Person of the Week shown in this piece of fried bacon? We have an idea but frankly sometimes the Fried Bacon Artists like to work in the abstract and we’re not sure. Can anyone help?

February 21, 2013

Island Moon

Stuff I Heard on the Island

History continued from A1 effort he ended with the sentence, “Every word of the above is true.” Kinney organized a World’s Fair and began promoting Corpus Christi as a jumping off point for caravans headed for the California gold fields.

by Dale Rankin Next Thursday will mark the twentieth anniversary of the federal raid on the Branch Davidian compound near Waco. As I described a few weeks ago I had arrived in Waco at noon on the Sunday of the raid and found a dancer in the Showtime Gentleman’s Club out on the Waco bypass who had David Koresh’s private cell number. I wired my phone to record sound and called the number. I had no idea who might answer but it was worth a try.

But when General Taylor’s army left town business had dropped off precipitously. In the 1850 census Corpus Christi had a population of 689 souls with 150 dwellings.

Hogs running wild in the streets Most prospectors arrived with everything they would need in California but little in the way of equipment to get there. Local merchants sold them wagons, carts, mules, and mustang horses caught in the Wild Horse Desert and tamed. The county commissioners court found it necessary to take action to keep hogs from running wild in the streets.

Indians continue to be a problem. Most of the trouble was along the trails in and out of Mexico in the vicinity of San Patricio township and along the banks of the Nueces River. A man who went out to bring in his cows for the evening milking was found murdered. Another went out to camp along the reef road and his mutilated body was found the next day.

A new Ranger company led by M.B. “Mustang” Gray was organized and the Corpus Christi Star carried a story seeking troops: “All of our rangers are either mustered out or are being mustered out of the service, which renders the frontier entirely exposed at this time. Thieving parties of Indians may now make a descent upon the unprotected towns.”

Gunfight in a Matamoros alley Colonel Kinney served in the Senate for the First, Second, Third and Fourth legislatures of the new state of Texas. He also became increasingly involved in land speculation by buying large tracts of land and selling them to new immigrants. In 1852 he organized the Corpus Christi Fair in an effort to promote the region which was a success, however, it was less than successful in luring settlers, and he began to lose money quickly. To recover some of his losses, he went to Washington in an attempt to persuade the government to invest in several

I’m a reporter for KENS TV After a few rings a man answered. I knew better than to ask who I was speaking to as the fellow on the other end of the line probably thought I was a fed and would either hang up or say nothing.

Colonel Kinney schemes, including a camel corps to transport goods from Corpus Christi to San Francisco and an army hospital in Corpus Christi. None of the ideas took hold and Kinney then embarked on a venture to establish a colony in Nicaragua.

Financed by New York speculators, he contracted for thirty million acres of land along the Mosquito Coast but faced stiff opposition from the United States government, and when his largest financial backer died Kinney was forced to abandon his plans.

When he returned he found that his wife had divorced him and then in 1862 he became involved in a feud between the Rojos and Crinolinos families in Matamoros and was shot and killed. The Fort Bend Flag newspaper of February 27, 1862 carried the official story which put Kinney in a dark alley one night while attempting to rekindle an old romance with a lady named Genoveva, with whom he had a daughter, and her current husband shot him.

Colonel Kinney went out the way he lived, down the barrel of a gun in a murky corner of civilization. But he had helped to birth a town and Corpus Christi was here to stay.

Travis’ Letter Returns to The Alamo with Plenty of Support

San Antonio - Col. William Travis’ plea for help at the Alamo may have been too late for him, but his “Victory or Death” letter’s historic return Friday has marshaled broad support for the Alamo today.

“My name is Dale Rankin and I am a reporter for KENS television, the CBS station in San Antonio. I am calling from a cell phone at the checkpoint outside your building. Can you tell me anything about what is going on in there? I am recording the conversation.”

“We got a lot of people injured,” the man said.

By this time I had heard rumors that David Koresh had been wounded in the gunfight, which turned out to be true, and the fellow I was talking to didn’t sound like he was injured. So I wasn’t sure who it was but I was pretty sure it wasn’t Koresh.

“How many?” I asked.

“About….” And before he could finish the line went dead. I called back and it just rang. I kept trying for several more days but never got an answer. I’ve always figured that somewhere in a vault at FBI headquarters there’s a tape recording of me talking to whomever it was.

I don’t know the time limit before something like that becomes public record but if I live long enough one of these days I’ll put in a Freedom of Information request for it. It would be a nice thing to have around for bragging rights when I get together with my journalism pals.

As for who the person was I was speaking to, I was never sure but my best guess is it was either Steve Schneider was died of a gunshot wound during the final fire along with his wife and daughter; or Wayne Martin, a Harvard trained lawyer who also died in the fire along with three family members. I thought I would have a chance to speak with whoever it was when it was all over but that was not to be.

A very weird night I had the only tape from inside the building for a few hours until KRLD from Dallas somehow got a line through and had Koresh on live that night. It was a night that is as clear in my memory as if it happened yesterday. We sat around our car radios and listened to Koresh ramble on about the end of days and the seven seals of Revelation while armed AFT agents eyeballed us like they would open up as soon as their boss left.

“It is not surprising, but still fulfilling to see everyone fall in like this to celebrate the historic importance not only the Travis letter, but the Alamo,” said Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. “Bringing this letter to the people, where it was written, is bound to inspire a new generation for liberty.”

Travis’ famous “Victory or Death” letter is set to return to the Alamo Friday. The letter will be on public display for two weeks — from 9

a.m. to 5 p.m. — in a custom-made, climate controlled and bullet-proof case. As always, the Alamo is free and there is no charge to see the letter in this once-in-a-lifetime display.

“I wish to thank Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, the Texas General Land Office Archives and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas for their efforts to bring this remarkable man’s words back to the Alamo for the first time in the ensuing 177 years,” Gov. Perry said in a recent greetings published by his office.

State Senator Leticia Van de Putte sponsored a resolution in honor of the letters return on February 6 and state Rep. Mike Villareal’s House Resolution passed today.

“The Victory or Death letter is an invaluable reminder of the cost of freedom, and it is truly fitting that it be returned to its place of origin so that all people can better appreciate its impact on the foundations of Texas freedom” the House and Senate resolutions proclaimed.

Patterson said he hopes the success of the letters’ public display will help inspire the Legislature to invest an addition $1.6 million to better preserve and protect the Alamo. “I am confident that lawmakers will remember the Alamo this session and help us protect the Shrine of Texas Liberty for another 177 years.”

For more information on the Alamo, please visit www.travisletter.org or the Official Alamo website at www.thealamo.org. Stay posted with regular updates by clicking like on the Travis Letter Returns page on Facebook.

It got cold and the wind started blowing and there wasn’t any light yet illuminating the building where Koresh was on the phone and his fellow Davidians were waiting out what had to be a terrifying night. The AFT had warned us not to use our klieg lights because they might draw fire and we were in the middle of nowhere so there were no street lights; we were illuminated only by the heavens which were in full bloom after the wind blew the clouds away.

The only human light came from dome lights in cars that showed groups of reporters leaning in to hear the radio and taking notes in the dark.

At that point if the earth had opened up and swallowed itself in The Rapture I don’t think anyone would have been the least surprised.

Guns and hand grenades Koresh felt he needed to explain why he had so many guns and hand grenades.

“Look let me explain the weapons in the beginning: OK. The weapons were bought originally because – you know – in the prophecies we understand that as it was…I know this is going to sound weird to you, you don’t know, you don’t – Hahum, you don’t know Micah, you don’t know Zephaniah – but anyway 2000 years ago Christ tried three and half years to present the gospel right…and the night of his crucifixion he told his servants, he says, ‘before I sent you out without cloak nor purse nor sword, so now I say unto you, if you

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About that time a row of military trucks came driving down the little one lane country road where we were parked and headed through the gate toward the compound. It turned out that the reason KRLD had been able to get through to Koresh is because the FBI or the ATF had made an agreement with him that he would come out if they agreed to allow him to broadcast a message on live radio. The trucks were going to bring everyone out.

But as we know it never happened. Over the course of the next 50 days 25 people did come out but Koresh and his closest helpers were not among them. In hindsight his failure to come out after he said he would was the starting point of the long slow slide into distrust on both sides that led to the final tragedy.

Their lips were moving That night we didn’t sleep as we kept our cameras ready to capture video of the Davidians who we thought might be coming out at any time. By noon the next day we were pretty sure we were in for a standoff that would last at least a week. By the next night so many reporters and photographers had arrived that we had our own little mini-Woodstock.

Because the raid had taken place on Sunday most of the original reporters who showed up were young and inexperienced. The more experienced reporters didn’t work weekends and the only reason I was working that Sunday was because I was in graduate school and needed Friday off. But by a few days after the raid the kids had gone home and the veterans had arrived and as a group we were not content with the little – really no – information we were getting from the ATF. We went up the food chain and called our congressmen and told them that their employees were not telling anyone what was going on and soon enough the ATF sent around someone to talk to us.

We soon learned that we could tell they were lying to us by one thing – if their lips were moving. They would tell us one day their agents were outgunned by the Davidians only to tell us the next they weren’t and they never said they were. They first told us the Davidians didn’t know they were coming or they would have called off the raid, then they told us the Davidians did know they were coming and ambushed them. After a few days we didn’t believe a word they said and we had our various news operations send crews to surrounding houses to talk to locals and find out what really went on. We couldn’t leave the site because we weren’t sure if we did that we could get back in.

When the going gets weird the weird turn pro Things started to get really weird; the scene took on a surreal quality and nothing seemed outside the realm of possibilities. About two days after the raid this lady pulls up in a taxi and gets out wearing black leather from head to toe – including a leather cape – and spike heal shoes. She walked over to our satellite truck and introduced herself at Pat LaLama from KCBS in Los Angeles.

“Why are you dressed in black leather?” we asked. “Are you some kind of a witch?” It seemed like a reasonable question under the circumstances.

“I was at a party at David Lee Roth’s house and I got a call to head to the airport,” she said.

She was Roth’s girlfriend at the time and when she got to Dallas they told her to get a taxi and go to Waco, which on a map in downtown L.A. must have looked like it was right down the street from DFW. She did live shots on her cell phone on the way into town by listening to Koresh on the radio. She camped out in the cab of our satellite truck for a week still wearing that incongruous outfit. The good news was that she had brought a bottle of tequila in her purse for which we thanked the news gods.

The Davidians hung a sign made from a bed sheet out their window that said “God Help Us. We Want the Press.”

Someone produced a felt tipped pen and on the back of a pizza box scrawled the words “God Help Us. We Are the Press.”

That pizza box stayed nailed to a tree for the next four weeks. I wish I had kept it.

No Blanket Required

If you are feeling lucky these days you are on the right island. The Kiwanis Club of Padre Island is holding its Bingo at the Beach nights on each of the next three Thursday nights at the

Holiday Inn at 15202 Windward Drive.

The Aloha Wa Restaurant will have a special Bingo Menu. Admission is $5 and there will be refreshments. Each event runs from 7-10 p.m.

The first night is this Thursday, February 21, then February 28 and March 7. We’ll see you there!

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A 4

Island Moon

The Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center

By Brent Rourk

com/animals/reptiles/american-alligator/ for How fortunate we are to live in this part of the more information about the American alligator. world. Our proximity to astonishing landscapes Roseate Spoonbills rich with wildlife year round Arguably, one is without a doubt one of of the most many attractive features of colorful and living here. Our climate also gorgeous birds attracts wildlife throughout visiting the the year. Our beaches, dunes Gulf marshes and marshes are gigantic is the Roseate petri dishes of wildlife where Spoonbill reptiles, amphibians, insects, (Platalea ajaja mammals, and birds flourish. or Ajaja ajaja).

One of many spectacular The spoonbills sites in our area that deserves have been a repeated visits is the frequent visitor Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas. If you Roseatte Spoonbill flying over the birding to the birding center either have not had the opportunity to center as individuals visit there yet, then make plans or in groups, this Saturday, preferably early in the morning as existing early morning marsh life stirs or flocks observed methodically moving their bills from of traveling or hungry birds swoop down to side to side, feeding chiefly on small fish, crustaceans, insects, frogs, and newts. The enjoy the marsh. structure of their bill allows them to swiftly Created in 1994 this 10 acre fresh and salt move their bill through water, silt and soft mud. water habitat attracts countless birds and For several years flocks of spoonbills have insects. A 500 foot wheelchair accessible gathered in the marsh east of the largest body of boardwalk extends out over the water and water at the birding center. Consistently, I have includes a 25 foot observation tower with a free observed pairs and individuals in other areas of viewing scope and two other resting/viewing the Birding Center. A few times I have observed boxes. This boardwalk is considered to be the a larger flock circling the Birding Center for number 1 boardwalk in Texas as rated by The 5 to 10 minutes before settling in away from Texas Parks and Wildlife. The tower offers a crowds and in small ponds in the high marsh spectacular view of the flats next to the marsh. grass. Their colors range from pale pink to dark You will see another boardwalk west of the pink. marsh and you will also see large ships moving Pelicans through the Corpus Christi Channel. A free ADA compliant viewing scope is ready to use in one of the two viewing boxes. Although the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center is located one minute or two by car from Highway 361 and its line of businesses in Port Aransas, once you enter the parking lot you will think that you are many miles into a pristine wilderness.

Located at the end of Ross Street, a sign directs you to a paved parking lot next to the water treatment plant where you can park and instantly feel that you have entered the wilds. A small area between the marsh and the parking lot invites the visitor to observe and hear the wildlife. Red winged blackbirds boisterously call as they cling to the ends of gigantic cattails and marsh grasses while humming birds buzz by your head, attracted to the many flowers lining the fence. Butterflies and insects also share the colorful array of flowers. Other birds dutifully return from insect gathering missions to feed their young, concealed in nests in the trees that face the path. Sit down and enjoy the entrance to the marsh. Experienced birders know that several types of birds prefer this part of the birding center. You might be very pleasantly surprised by what you see here. Before you venture into the marsh take the opportunity to study the wildlife murals on the waste water tanks of the water treatment plant. Before you get too far make sure you have a strong pair of binoculars and your camera (if possible with an effective telephoto lens).

American Alligators Boots and Bags

Herons and Egrets

Heading towards the boardwalk After enjoying the flower garden, grass and shade of the entrance, you will be reminded that you indeed are walking into a wild area by the posted sign warning about the presence of American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Specifically, Leonabelle Turnbull boasts two American alligators, affectionately knick-named Boots and Bags.

Make no mistake. These are not pets, nor baby ‘gators. These are large, healthy and frequently hungry wild alligators that occasionally lunch on large turtles, chomping and swallowing easily and quickly. But not to worry because these two gorgeous alligators have not yet been observed snapping visitors off of the stout walkway that leads into the marsh. One sunny afternoon I observed one of them slowly swim from the far end of the marsh to a spot directly under the walkway where several of us were standing. Visitors love the gators. Several times as I have entered the marsh, visitors leaving have shared with me, “The gator is out”. Read http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/alligators/ fact.php or http://animals.nationalgeographic.

Fortunately, herons and egrets are common to the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, mixing with other birds and regularly searching for a tasty meal. Though their diet is somewhat varied, they love to catch the small fish that proliferate in the marsh. Herons strike at fish with a coiled neck and a long, strong, and deadly beak. They are very successful at catching fish and their strike is lightning fast, almost too fast for the eye (and for some cameras). Herons strike like a dart, reposition the fish in their bill, and swallow the fish in a couple of seconds and then excitedly pursue the next catch. On any given day you will most likely observe herons close to the edges of the marsh slowly and stealthily sneaking up on unsuspecting minnows. You also might observe great white egrets trying to catch some of the hundreds of dragonflies that add color and movement to the marsh. On occasion Blue or Tri-colored Herons calmly and gracefully land on the rail next to visitors, which always brings a wide grin. The types, colors, sizes, and behaviors of the herons

Ducks and Mallards A host of ducks and mallards make the

Northern Shoveler Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center their home, if even for a day or a week. There are bird identification stands located on the boardwalk, however, I might suggest that you take your own

can be seen sunning on anything that floats or is strong enough to carry their weight. At other times the turtles can be seen near the shore or slowly making their way across the marsh and stopping to poke their nose out of the water to get air. When the marsh water is particularly silty or muddy, the protruding nose is a sure indication of a turtle under the water.

Blue Ruddy Duck identification guide and enjoy the challenge of identifying various ducks throughout the birding center. Most of the ducks stay close to the cattails and marsh grasses, so it is best to thoroughly examine the shoreline carefully for movement or even silent and still sleeping ducks that blend in with the grasses.

Other Birds It is extremely difficult to give an exact list of all of the other types of birds that have been

Snakes and lizards can be seen on rare occasion at the Birding Center, however, they are nearly impossible to spot from the boardwalk. They have been observed past the trees across from the hummingbird and butterfly garden. You probably have more to fear from not wearing sunscreen and not bringing water than you do being bitten by a snake that is more afraid of you than you are of it. Just don’t walk in the marsh and you will be fine.

A wide variety of flying insects inhabit the marsh, from butterflies, bees, flies, and beetles to strikingly colored dragonflies. Keep your eyes peeled for these colorful and quick dragonflies as they sun on the tall grasses.

Worth a Trip to Port Aransas

Texas Mud Turtle up close sighted at the Birding Center but there are many. Gulls, Terns, Avocets, Hawks, Kites, Kestrels, Frigatebirds, Turkey Vultures, Rails, Cormorants, White Ibis, and more are daily visitors to the Birding Center. The best time to view them is earlier in the morning (especially good if you intend to take photographs),

The Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center is definitely a treasure trove of wildlife, beauty and peace. I have spent hours there at a time marveling at the scope of wildlife, their sounds and their behaviors. Surprises abound and you can never be sure what might appear on any given day. The Birding Center is a birder’s paradise, however, you don’t have to be an avid birder to appreciate the beauty, tranquility, color, and views.

An early morning outing to the Birding Center followed by a late breakfast at one of the fine restaurants in Port Aransas would be a perfect way to begin an awesome day. Chances are good that you will want to return again and again. The photographs that accompany this article represent a very small sample of the wildlife at the Birding Center. Remember your sunscreen, water, hat, binoculars, and camera.

American Coot however, you are bound to see several bird species throughout the day. One day in 2004 one hundred species of birds were identified from the tower. I have frequently observed over twenty species in a few hours.

Other Treats Blue crabs scurry about the bottom of the marsh, cleverly avoiding becoming lunch.

Some of the crabs are relatively good sized.

Occasionally two or more crabs can be seen in combat, furiously kicking up sediment and scurrying to safety from each other’s claws and from hungry birds.

Avocet

Serving: Padre Island, Flour Bluff, Port Aransas, Mustang Island and Rockport.

9 9 9 9

9 9

and egrets add movement, beauty and interest to the marsh.

White Pelicans landing Life would not be complete without pelicans persistently pestering and picking off marsh minnows. They seem to know that the marsh is not deep enough for them to perform their acrobatic dives into the water from 50 feet in the air, so they glide into the marsh and chase fish from their floating position. Both the Brown Pelican and the White Pelican routinely patrol the marsh in search of a captive meal. It is a treat to see the white pelicans circle the marsh (not unlike modern passenger planes circle airports) and then glide in with their wings outstretched and their golden webbed feet pushed forward. Typically, the White Pelicans gather at the far end of the marsh securely distanced from human contact, however, I have seen them within feet of the main observation tower engaged in fishing, seemingly oblivious to the excited visitors lined along the deck rails.

February 21, 2013

Landscape Design h Decks and Docks First Time Cleanups h Shade Structures/ Pergola Demolitions & Scraping h Outdoor Kitchens We install: Plants, Palms, Rock, h Boat Lifts Sod, Pavers and Outdoor Decor. h Fences & Gates Yard Maintenance h General D&D Repair Concrete Drives/Patio & Retaining Walls

We’re your full service outdoor solution! Give us a call today.

Tim Arlitt - Decks & Docks Specialist 361.229.2530 Sami Wilson - Landscape Designer 361.949.2691

IslandLandscapingDecksAndDocks.com Quality & Insured.

Two species of turtles live in the marsh and are seen nearly year round. Frequently, both the Texas Mud Turtle and the Red Eared Slider

Cormorant

February 21, 2013

Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder

Island Moon

Letters to the Editor Duckie

Around continued from A1 importance for the building of the BeachWalk, marina, and development on both sides of The Island is a firm time and exact location for the bridge. Without both nothing moves forward.

The permitting process, under control of the city, has already been kicked down the road by over a year and is still not done. Once developers on both sides of SPID know when it will be done and exactly where it will be located things can move forward. We can’t blame developers for not wanting to dig a canal to connect to a bridge which is not built, or has moved when the canals on each side are in place.

Duncan

DUNCAN

Dear Dale, “Duckie” has survived the hunting season and while being shadowed by his red headed hen companion, is enjoying paddling, sunning, preening and eating thanks to the generosity and benevolence of his canal friends.

Distribution Pete Alsop

We are looking forward with interest to see what happens when you cross a green headed drake with a red-headed hen...Christmas ducks????

Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin

Remember be kind to a feather headed friend, a duck may be someone’s mother. (and/or friend)!!!...

Office Classifieds

Pun of the Week

Arlene Ritley

Dale,

Design/Layout

I knew a woman who owned a Taser, man was she stunning!

Jeff Craft Contributing Writers

Betsy Bowen

Joey Farah Devorah Fox Mary Craft

Phillip and Darcie Mason want you to know that the Article in the February 7 Edition of the Paper that the Island Moon Market is “taking a hiatus” and “reorganizing” was in error and that the market is in fact operating as scheduled on February 23, 2013. See you on. the 26th.

Maybeth Christiansen Jay Gardner Todd Hunter Danniece Bobeché Ronnie Narmour

Editor’s note: The Island Moon Newspaper is no longer affiliated with this event or its organizers in any way.

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.

Fun with Wax Sculpture and Art Camp Week Beau Hydrick will teach a class in Wax Aculpture during a two-day workshop on Saturday, March 2nd from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 3, 1 -4 p.m. The cost is $85.

No sculpting experience is required, but there is a $10 supply fee for wax, wire & wood bases.

The instructor will lend all tools needed for classroom use. The class will teach the basics of rapidly creating three dimensional sculptures with wax. You will create two sculptures: a total figure and a small bust. These can be displayed as is or be cast later in metal. Pre-Pay

by Feb. 22. There will be a Youth Spring Break Art Camp Week March 11-15 by Marilyn Cook.

The event will be Monday through Friday from 1-3:30 p.m. for Youth in Grades 3-5. Cost is $15, pre-register and pay by march 8. Sign up & pay early to save your spot! Port Aransas Art Center 361-749-7334. 323 N. Alister

P.I.E. Members Go Yoga Style!

News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left at the Moon Office.

The Island Moon Newspaper Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361-949-7700 editor@islandmoon.com Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper

Where to Find The Island Moon

All Stripes Stores (Except the one next to the VFW where they throw them away) Sandpiper Condos Port Royal Condos Lisabellas Restaurant

Gratitude Boutique The Gaff Bar Port A Glass Studio The Wild Horse Bar & Grill The Tarpon Ice House

North Padre All Stripes Stores

Pioneer RV Park

CVS

Snappy’s Convenient Store

Whataburger Doc’s Restaurant

Kody’s Restaurant

Snoopy’s Pier

Beach Lodge

Isle Mail N More

Amano’s

Island Italian

Miss K’s Catering & Bistro

Ace Hardware

Felder Gallery Island Woman Boutique Neptune’s Retreat Stripes (361 & IA) Moby Dick’s Restaurant IGA Food Store Carter Pharmacy San Juan’s Restaurant Wash Board Washateria Port A Parks and Rec Port Chamber of Commerce Duckworth’s Antiques Woody’s Sports Center

I like going for walks, I am learning how to play with tennis balls and other toys and I do not mind sharing my toys with my foster people.

I am looking for a caring home that I can call my own. I will need a yard to run in but I will protect it for you while you are gone. I would probably even like a brother or sister to hang out with. I am really quiet and I only bark when there are strange sounds in the neighborhood.

I hope I can be the friend that somebody is looking for. My foster Dad’s phone number is 361-877-8521 and you can call him anytime.

Thank you!

Duncan

Praise

Moon, I’m writing this now. I just want to send a note to thank you and your staff for putting out such an excellent paper.

On February 8th, the P.I.E. members held their monthly luncheon at the Island’s Holiday Inn Beach Hotel. The program was inspirational exercises called “Laughing Yoga” ( Yougayoga meaning “Happy Yoga”) instructed by Leah Murray (Ingreenpeace.com). The yoga studio is located in back of “Crispy Chichen” on the island.

On March 8th, P.I.E.’s program will be speaker John Plotnik who is the Executive Vice President of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation. He will discuss the economic future of Corpus Christi.

Make your reservations by noon on Wednesday, March 6th to PIELuncheon@aol.com. For more information call Sheila @ 949-2072.

Pictured are P.I.E. members partaking in yoga with instructor Leah Murray

The Island Moon is terrific. If I miss a weekly issue because I didn’t get a copy before they ran out I’m just beside myself. I believe you put it on Facebook so I could get it there, which I’ve yet to try. You cover all the bases. You cover North Padre Island much better than the CallerTimes. The history pieces are terrific. You’re columns are entertaining. I can’t think of a thing you need to change. If I had to pay even $1 for a copy, as long is it’s only a weekly paper, I would have no problem with that price point. It’s worth every cent of that to me, perhaps even more.

If I could suggest any way to improve I would mention it here, but nothing comes to mind.

Wade Knudsvig P.S. If I had more time I would have written a shorter message.

Fire in the Sky Plans for the first ever Fourth of July fireworks displays on North Padre are moving forward.

Islander Jerry Watkins has secured the necessary permits to hold the event at the west end of Whitecap so that it can be viewed by boat or by land. About one third of the necessary $15,000 for the event has been raised but obviously more is needed.

If you can help out contact Jerry at 774-1300 or you can call us here at The Island Moon. Let’s put some fire in the sky on the Fourth of July.

In the meantime, say hello if you see us Around The Island.

Beach Cleanup continued from A1 for the past six years in my daily log books I found that typically the weather and tides are better in late February than in March.

The event will start at 07:00 a.m. but it would really help if people could arrive a bit early as things are awfully hectic and confusing getting everyone lined out in the dark. It is requested that all section leaders and those who are going to help in the parking lot get there by 06:15 a.m. A map will be made available explaining how things will take place in the parking lot prior to the event. Updates and the map will be available on Friends of Padre, Inc.’s web site, Tyler Thorsen’s message board at fishing corpus.com and on Friends of Padre’s web site at www.FriendsOfPadre, Inc. This is a grass roots event made up of volunteers who care about the condition of this wondrous national treasure and are willing to spend one day a year being good caretakers of it. It is advised that vehicle operators carry fix-a-flat, tire plugs and a small air compressor in case of flat tires. Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes to avoid fish spines. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing for the forecast weather. Event t-shirts and goody bags will be given to volunteers. Big Shell beach is a one of a kind place and this is a one of a kind event. You are cordially invited to join us. Your Brother in the Sand.

Saving the Albatross: Thursday Night Latest in UT Science Lecture Series

Breeding on remote ocean islands and spending much of its life foraging for food across vast stretches of seemingly empty seas, the albatross remains a legend for most people.

And yet, humans are threatening the albatross family to such an extent that it is currently the most threatened bird group in the world.

On Thursday, February 21 there will be a lecture by Saving the Albatross: International Efforts to Manage these Endangered Seabirds

by Dr. Robin Doughty, The University of Texas.

The talk will begin at 7 p.m. at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute in the Visitor’s Center Auditorium, Cotter Street (near the beach), in Port Aransas. It is free and open to the public, for questions call 361-749-6805.

Texas Star (Shell) Jesse’s Liquor Padre Isles Country Club Scuttlebutt’s Restaurant Subway

GIFTS CERTIFICATES AVALIABLE

Island Tire And all Moon retail advertisers

Flour Bluff H.E.B. Liquid Town Whataburger on Waldron

Michelle Matthews

Hair Cuts & Color, Waxing, Hair Extensions, Special Occasion Hair, Airbrush Make Up, Feather Extensions Are you tired of wearing mascara? Do you suffer from black circles of smudged mascara? Do you want to have long beautiful lashes 24/7, even when you swim? Do you want longer fuller eyelashes? If you answered YES to any of these questions, we have the answer..........

Ethyl Everly Senior Center Fire Station Police Station

Back Porch Bar

Stripes on Flour Bluff & SPID

Stripes (Cotter & Station)

So far I have beaten the flea/tick issue with oatmeal baths, I have gone from 47 lbs. to 67 lbs. and I will be around 75 -80 lbs. when I am done. My beautiful red coat has come back to life, I have received all of my shots, I am heartworms negative, and they tell me I am going to the vets to have one more task done.

(Neutering). So by the time you all read this I will be the perfect dog! I really like people, I like other dogs and soon I will be going to the Pooch Pad for some playtime. I love to be petted and I will lean against you for as long as you want to pet me. I need some training on the basics because no-one has ever done this for me. I am not a big fan of riding in cars/trucks yet but I will learn that also.

The ball is in the hands of the city staff and right now it is not moving down the field very fast.

When more than $400 million in development is waiting for an $8 million bridge it seems it might be a priority.

Holiday Inn

Port A Outfitters The Flats Lounge

My name is Duncan. I am a 1.5 year old Mastiff/Retriever/? mix. I was found on Leopard Street standing in the middle of the road waiting to be hit. I have been on my own

for about 6 months; I was not doing very well So far I have beaten the flea/tick issue with oatmeal baths, I have gone from 47 lbs. to 67 lbs. and I will on my own. I looked pretty bad with a nasty be around 75 ‐80 lbs. when I am done. My beautiful red coat has come back to life, I have received all of my shots, I am heartworms negative, and they tell me I am going to the vets to have one more task skin infection from fleas/ticks; starvation, done. (Neutering). So by the time you all read this I will be the perfect dog! I really like people, I like other dogs and soon I will be going to the Pooch Pad for some playtime. I love to be petted and I will dehydration, and general wear and tear. For lean against you for as long as you want to pet me. I need some training on the basics because no‐one the past four weeks I have been recovering with has ever done this for me. I am not a big fan of riding in cars/trucks yet but I will learn that also. some folks who are fostering me on their own.

When I was 20 and in college, I was addicted to newspapers and read the NY Times, Des Moines (Iowa) Register, the Daily Iowan (U of I daily student paper), and usually some other local or national paper virtually every day.

I never thought there would be a time that I didn’t subscribe to a daily. However, since 2000 when I cancelled my Sunday only Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel subscription I’ve come to not rely on a daily or Sunday paper at all. In fact I can barely tolerate the viewpoints of most newspapers anymore. The only exceptions have been overseas I would read Stars & Stripes every day and after I moved to North Padre Island in August 2012 I subscribed to the CallerTimes for 90 days to help me assimilate. Also my degree is in Mass Comm/Public Relations.

I tell you all this simply to make a point that I believe I have much different expectations from most readers of what a quality newspaper is regardless of the target audience.

15201 S. Padre Island Drive, Suite 250

Port Aransas

My name is Duncan. I am a 1.5 year old Mastiff/Retriever/? mix. I was found on Leopard Street standing in the middle of the road waiting to be hit. I have been on my own for about 6 months; I was not doing very well on my own. I looked pretty bad with a nasty skin infection from fleas/ticks; starvation, dehydration, and general wear and tear. For the past four weeks I have been recovering with some folks who are fostering me on their own.

Diane Halferty

Lisa Towns

A5

Floyd’s

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Island Moon

Frostbite Betty’s Winter Texan Roundup

February 21, 2013

Frostbitebetty@gmail.com

Sushi Fundraising Event ~

News from Frostbite Betty…

Bert and I jumped in the car last weekend and drove all over Port A for the Citywide Garage Sale. Bert had an eye out for furniture deals and found a great little suede love seat at the Community Center for only $30. I scored a vintage Tintin Comic, “The Secret of the Unicorn” printed in London in 1974. The cartoon fight scenes have squiggle lines with colorful stars, pretty gentle compared to the violent superhero comics of today. Right up my alley. As we drove through the town making stops at all the different garage sales, it became very apparent just how many Winter Texans there are in Port A right now. We stopped at several dozen places and counted a majority of license plates from “up north” at every single stop. The lions share seems to be from Minnesota and Wisconsin… South Dakota and Iowa, too.

It’s mighty cold back home…

Sushi Tasting at the Pelican Club - 914 Tarpon St., Port Aransas, Texas is sponsored by Guy Carnathan of the Pelican Club and Beulah’s on Tuesday March 26th There will be two seatings at 6:00p.m. and 8:30p.m.

The cost is $45 per ticket and includes 2 drinks.

The are a limited number of tickets to be sold Call 749-0580 or 749-48888 to reserve yours or stop by The Pelican Club. Proceeds to benefit The Port Aransas Art Center. Experience supreme sushi and beverages while helping to continue 17 years of art & art education island style.

Artists Opportunity-8thAnnual ArtFestDeadline April 1 8th Annual ARTFEST in Port Aransas, TX, is sponsored by the Port Aransas Art. and the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce. Dates: May 18 & 19, 2013 from 10am-5pm Saturday & 10am-4pm Sunday in Robert’s Point Park.

10X10 Booth Space Fee: $100 Your set-up, no electric. Application deadline: April 1st. Email artcenter@centurytel.net for an application form or go to www.portaransasartcenter. org and download one. Booths assigned on a first come first served basis. Your Original Fine Art & Crafts, Artist must be present (any reproductions must be from your Original work).361-749-7334 Parks and Recreation Department, City of Port Aransas, Texas pamg@cityofportaransas.org, 361-749-4158

This is the reason we winter in Texas!

Beach Walk

And speaking from experience, I’m sure glad to be spending my February in Port A and NOT Frost Bite Falls. The weather there has moderated this week (moderate for Minnesota, NOT for Texas), in the 20’s above zero. The inland lakes have three feet of ice, so the ice fishing is on. I just saw a video of the oldtimey way of putting up ice for the kitchen “ice box”, to keep the milk cold all summer. Men with five-foot-long steel hand saws were on the frozen lake cutting blocks of ice A team of big Belgian horses pulled a dray with the heavy blocks of ice loaded on top. Packed in layers of sawdust from the local sawmill, the ice lasts until fall when the weather cools off again. Bert says they used to bring the ice all the way to Texas, to keep the fish cold. Now we use electricity made from coal and nuclear power and windmills for the refrigeration. My how time flies through the centuries when you are having fun fishing.. Lake Superior has been freezing over on the north shore. Just broke up yesterday. Can you imagine ice skating on the harbor, kind of like the Gulf, for one day, and then coming back to see it normal the next morning? It’s breathtaking!

Life is good…

My songwriting group met again, I love the way each person has a different idea. Ballads, country, reggae, we have it all. It’s fun. I never knew. But I don’t think I’ll quit the day job just yet. Wait, I don’t exactly have a day job, that’s why I get to be a Winter Texan. Mostly me and Bert like hanging out on the porch at the cottage and watching the spring seeds sprouting, and visiting with our nice neighbors.

A hawk swooped back in the yard to add to our excitement. Our birder pal identified it as immature Red-tailed hawk. there will be lots of knowledgeable birders around now for the Whooping Crane Festival this weekend. I like testing out the fancy binoculars at the display in the Civic Center. And those Whooping Cranes are entrancing if you get to see any up Rockport way. It’s worth the trip. You betcha!

Port Aransas Art Center, 323 N. Alister Port Aransas, TX 361-749-7334 artcenter@centurytel.net

Come scout the beach with your own personal guide at the next Parks and Recreation Beach Walk. Meet at 9am, on Friday, Feb. 22. The perfect leader, Shirley Fischer, will share her knowledge and make it the ‘funnest’ walk you’ve ever taken! Meet her under the purple flag near Horace Caldwell Pier at the end of Beach Street on the beach. The tour is free and is held the fourth Friday of each month courtesy of the Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department.

Kid’s Korner Round up the kids and grandkids and come play with Pam during the Whooping Cranes Festival.

Kids can make crafts at the Kid’s Korner while adults shop the booths in the festival. Open Saturday, Feb. 23, 10 am to 5 pm, in the Civic Center, and it’s free.

Peddling in the Preserve Though the air is cooler, some still may enjoy a leisurely ride biking along trails inside the Preserve. If you are one who would, join us the second and fourth Monday mornings of each month. Novice to expert, it doesn’t matter what you skill level is, you are invited to bike with us in the Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture. Meet at 10 a.m., on Monday, Feb. 25, at the pavilion in the Preserve at end of Port Street. The event is free, just a social way of getting exercise in the great outdoors.

We’re Having Fun Get out and make something special each week at the We’re Having Fun (WHF) Activities.

Every Tuesday we learn how to ~or not to~ make or do something [sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t]…but we always have fun! They are held in the Girl Scout hut, 739 W. Ave. A, at 2pm. All activities are FREE with supplies provided unless otherwise stated. Open to everyone. Feb. 26: Make button bracelets and other jewelry with button, beads and more. Mar 5: plastic bottle jewelry- You’ve never seen stuff like this…come see and do!

March 6: Chip CooperHeroes and Heroines. Chip will speak on people who make a difference.

Lab tour A few spaces are available for the next tour to view Texas A&M AgriLife Mariculture Lab is on Friday, March 1. This working lab develops and commercializes shrimp and sea urchin farming industries for Texas and the The Whooping Crane Festival is this weekend!

US; develops sea urchin feed Full Schedule on page A8 and production technology for biomedical and ecotoxicological 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) research; develops starfish feed and production for regeneration and stem cell production; and Where: The University of Texas Marine evaluates fishery processing, biofuel/biodiesel, Science Institute and grain crops as nutritional replacements in shrimp feeds. FREE [For tours, space Visitor’s Center Auditorium, Cotter is limited, and pre-registration is required. Street (near the beach), Port Aransas, TX Contact Pam Greene at 749-4158 or pamg@ cityofportaransas.org to reserve space.] Meet at Info: Free and open to the public, 1:50 pm at Civic Center parking lot, 710 W. Ave 361-749-6805 A, for the 2pm tour. http://www.utmsi.utexas.edu/outreach/publiclectures.htm

Dunk Your Junk The Spring “Dunk Your Junk” day will is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m. to noon. No dumping charges mean there’s no excuse not to clean up your yard, garage and home. The free event will be held at the Port Aransas Collection Station on Ross Avenue and is sponsored by Keep Port Aransas Beautiful, the City of Port Aransas, and Republic Services Allied Waste. Port Aransas residents may bring items such as mattresses, couches, chairs and household appliances (with the Freon removed).

Items that will not be accepted are construction materials such as drywall and shingles, or chemicals, paints, tires or hazardous waste.

Summary of Talk: Breeding on remote ocean islands and spending much of its life foraging for food across vast stretches of seemingly empty seas, the albatross remains a legend for most people. And yet, humans are threatening the albatross family to such an extent that it is currently the most threatened bird group in the world.

UTMSI Movie Schedule February 21- March 6, 2013 Monday - 3 p.m. Cancelled: March 4th

Wanted: Cart Hunters

Fish Meat: Choose Your Farm Wisely (52 min)

All licensed golf carts are invited to participate in a scavenger hunt put on by Parks and Recreation. It will start at 2 pm on Saturday, March 2. Cost is $10 per cart. Register between 1-2 pm in the Civic Center parking lot. Contact Pam at 749-4158 or ppamg@cityofportaransas. org for more information. Any businesses wanting to sponsor this event should contact Pam.

Half our seafood is farmed. The seas are running out of fish, and aquaculture has stepped in to meet rising global demand for seafood.

But what exactly is farmed fish? Where does it come? How is it made? Is it good or bad for the environment? Two friends, an ecologist and an engineer, take a scientific voyage along the sparkling coast of Turkey to pull back the cover on modern fish farming.

Tuesday - 3 p.m. Cancelled: March 5th

Island Fishing Wonder what bait, which line, what pier…just want some fishing clues? City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department Grounds Supervisor Mike McClure soon will share his knowledge of Port Aransas fishing spots.

The free tutorial will be hands-on and will be a spot-to-spot teaching lesson. It will be held on Thursday, March 7, from 11 am to 1 pm.

Mark your calendar now so you don’t miss this information tour. For more information, call the Parks and Rec office, 749-4158.

The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) Public Lecture Series Presents: Saving the Albatross: International Efforts to Manage these Endangered Seabirds

by Dr. Robin Doughty of The University of Texas When: Thursday, February 21, 2013

The End of the Line: Where have all the fish gone? (83 min) Documentary filmmaker Rupert Murray examines the devastating effect that overfishing has had on the world’s fish populations and argues that drastic action must be taken to reverse these trends.

Wednesday - 3 p.m. Cancelled: February 27th & March 6th Thursday - 3 p.m. Cancelled: February 21st Raging Planet: Sea Storms (45 min) Every trip on the Earth’s oceans is a potential battle with nature. Witness the awesome forces that can punch a giant hole in a supertanker, capsize any size ship and leave you fighting for your life on the open seas, thousands of miles from help.

NO MOVIES ON FRIDAY Movies may be cancelled/substituted without notice, Movie listing also available by calling: (361) 749-6729

Fashion and Flip-Flops Style Show March 7

Brown Bag Lecture Series Bring a lunch, munch, and listen to a variety of topics every Wednesdays at this interesting series of talks. Speakers begin at 12 Noon at the Community Center, 408 N. Alister St. Doors open at 11:30 with Marion Fersing playing piano Feb. 27: Heather Tijerina-CASA of the Coastal Bend Training Specialist and Diana Booth-CASA of the Coastal Bend Outreach Director, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers. Come learn how CASA helps children and changes live.

Cutting ice blocks in the frozen lake.

The Island Moon Newspaper T-Shirts are here!

Get yours for only $19.95 plus $5.05 shipping and handling.

Or you can purchase them at The Island Moon Markets held the fourth Saturday of every month. Shirts come in grey or white short sleeve T-Shirts sizes L. XL and XXL. Tank Tops come in Aqua and White in sizes Med and Large.

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To order by mail please send your checks made payable to J. Park to The Island Moon, 14493 S.P.I.D., PMB 220, C.C., Tx 78418.

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While Supplies Last

Standing: Angie Fry, Linda Zahn, Joy Morrow-Lucas, Seated: Jane Moore, Marsha Smith, Barbara Conklin, Kelly Bloomfield, Pete Hartje “The annual Fashions and Flip-Flops style show presented by the Port Aransas Garden Club will be on Thursday March 7 offering a ‘glimpse of Island Style.’ The show will be at the Port Aransas Civic Center located at the corner of Cut-Off Road and Avenue A. Doors for the runway show will open at 12:30 PM for shopping at the special boothtiques while enjoying wine & Hors d’oeuvres.

Creating Dreams for Island Homeowners since 1987

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At 2:30 PM, it’s SHOW TIME. Fun! Fun! Fun! sums up the Garden Club Style Show perfectly.

The models, who are Garden Club Members, will walk and dance the fashion runway featuring outfits from twelve local shops. This year’s models represent a wide range of Port Aransas residents, including husbands and wives, a constable, a lawyer and a judge, plus some wild and wonderful ladies to enlighten and entertain with this year’s spring fashions.

You never know what is in store, so grab a ticket and join us for this hop into Spring event.

There will be 12 participating shops— Absolutely Everything/C&G Sisters, A Mano, Antique Mermaid, Cita Resort, The Coastal Closet, The Cypress Tree, Fish Tales, Island Woman Boutique, Jo D’s ETC, Raggdoll Boutique, Salt Grass Boutique, and Sirena Water Wear. Joy Morrow-Lucas will moderate. Tickets now on sale are $20.00 at all participating shops. Ticket sales are limited, for more information contact Cecilya at 361-7490453 All proceeds are used for PAGC landscaping projects throughout the city and scholarships for Port Aransas High School seniors. PAGC is a 501c(3).

February 21, 2013

Island Moon

A7

Schlitterbahn Groundbreaking Friday February 15, 2013

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Serving a wide variety of donuts, croissants, pigs in a blanket. Also serving fresh hot coffee, teas and juices.

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1726 State Highway 361, Suite G in Port Aransas, Texas 78373

A 8

Island Moon

The four-day festival attracts hundreds of birding enthusiasts each year and features world-renowned speakers, birding experts, boating excursions, as well as guided bird and nature bus tours. The free nature-related “Bird’s Nest” trade show opens Friday, February 22 at 9:00 a.m. at the Port Aransas Civic Center and runs through Sunday afternoon. The festival has added events for families as well at no charge including a charming children’s art exhibit at the Port Aransas Art Center, a children’s corner on Saturday and a ‘Not So Creepy Critters’ show on Sunday at the trade show.

About Port Aransas & Mustang Island Birding The Coastal Bend of Texas, where the lower Gulf Coast bends into a long crescent, is one the birdiest places in Texas and boasts more than 150 nature and birding sites. Port Aransas has been named ‘America’s Birdiest Small Coastal City’ for the past three years. Located at the convergence of the migration superhighways, the Mississippi and Central flyways, the area including Port Aransas and Mustang Island are the perfect place to view hundreds of different bird species as they stop and refuel before heading north or south. Many stay and winter in Port Aransas. From the natural wetlands, inlets and miles of beaches and dunes, to the rock jetties, piers and boats, the area offers dozens of perfect vantage points to view all the birds that call Port Aransas and Mustang Island “The Nest of Texas.”

Presentations by experts in their fields will focus on a variety of conservation initiatives regarding cranes around the world, including the new monitoring method for tracking the only naturally migrating flock of Whooping Cranes.

Birding experts will be onsite at the various wildlife viewing areas that have contributed to Port Aransas’ title as the Birdiest Small Coastal City for three consecutive years. Sponsors for the event this year include Cheniere Energy, Eagle Optics, HEB, the Port of Corpus Christi, and Swarovski Optik as well as many local partners.

Whooping Crane Festival Schedule of Events Thursday, February 21:

Tour

11:00 am International Crane Foundation Children’s Art Exhibit (Port Aransas Art Center)

8:00 am Island Birding Van Tour (Departs Port A Civics Center) 9:00 am Speaker: Dr. Sammy King “Rice, Crawfish & Marshes” (UTMSI) 10:00 am Animal Rehabilitation Keep Tour (UTMSI)

1:30 pm Nature/ Birding Boat Tour (Woody’s Sports Center)

10:00 am Nature/ Birding Boat Tour (Woody’s Sports Center)

4:30 pm Dolphin Encounters Boat Tour (Deep Sea Headquarters)

10:00 am Island Birding Van Tour (Departs Port A Civics Center)

Friday, February 22: 6:00 am Fennessey Ranch Birding Field Trip (Departs Port A Civics Center) 6:30 am Whooping Crane Boat Tour w/ George Archibald (Departs Roberts Point Park) 7:00 am Birds of the Island Field Trip w/ Gene Blacklock (Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center)

10:30 am Speaker: Dr. Juan Hahamon “Humans & Hummingbirds” (UTMSI) 11:00 am International Crane Foundation Children’s Art Exhibit (Port A Art Center) 11:30 am Optics Presentation (Wm. R. Ellis Memorial Library) 12:00 pm Guided Wetlands Education Center Tour (UTMSI)

8:00 am Island Birding Van Tour (Departs Port A Civics Center)

12:30 pm Dolphin Encounters Boat Tour (Deep Sea Headquarters)

9:00 am Speaker: Liz Smith “Saving Whooping Cranes: The Texas Coast Commitment” (UTMSI)

12:30 pm Whooping Crane Boat Tour (Fisherman’s Wharf)

9:00 am Bird’s Nest Trade Show (Port A Civics Center 9:00 am Photography Workshop w/ Sean Fitzgerald (Wm. R. Ellis Memorial Library) 10:00 am Island Birding Van Tour (Departs Port A Civics Center) 10:00 am Nature/ Birding Boat Tour (Woody’s Sports Center)

1:00 pm Optics Presentation (Wm. R. Ellis Memorial Library) 1:00 pm Island Birding Van Tour (Departs Port A Civics Center) 1:00 pm Animal Rehabilitation Keep Tour (UTMSI) 2:00 pm Nature/ Birding Boat Tour (Woody’s Sports Center)

10:30 am Speaker: Kelly Darnell, PhD “Underwater Flowering Plants…” (UTMSI)

2:00 pm Keynote Speaker: Dr. George Archibals “Helping Cranes Survive…”

(UTMSI)

11:00 am International Crane Foundation Children’s Art Exhibit (Port A Art Center)

2:30 pm Guided Wetlands Education Center Tour (UTMSI)

11:30 am Optics Presentation (Wm. R. Ellis Memorial Library)

2:30 pm Dolphin Encounters Boat Tour (Deep Sea Headquarters)

12:00 pm Guided Wetlands Education Tour (UTMSI)

3:00 pm Island Birding Van Tour (Departs Port A Civics Center)

12:30 pm Dolphin Encounters Boat Tour (Deep Sea Headquarters)

3:30 pm Speaker: Sean Fitzgerald “Thinking Like a Photographer…” (UTMSI)

12:30 pm Whooping Crane Boat Tour (Fisherman’s Wharf)

4:00 pm Nature/ Birding Boat Tour (Woody’s Sports Center)

1:00 pm Optics Presentation (Wm. R. Ellis Memorial Library) 1:00 pm Island Birding Van Tour (Depart Port A Civics Center) 1:00 pm Animal Rehabilitation Keep Tour (UTMSI) 2:00 pm Bird Identification Workshop w/ Gene Blacklock (City Council Chambers) 2:00 pm Speaker: Dr. Wade Harrell “Vision: Past, Present & Future of Aransas Whooping Cranes) 2:00 pm Animal Rehabilitation Keep Tour (UTMSI) 2:00 pm Nature/ Birding Boat Tour (Woody’s Sports Center) 2:30 pm Dolphin Encounters Boat Tour (Deep Sea Headquarters) 2:30 pm Guided Wetlands Education Tour (UTMSI) 3:00 pm Island Birding Van Tour (Departs Port A Civics Center) 3:30 pm Speaker: Dr. Robin Doughty “Bringing Back the Crane to England” (UTMSI)

4:30 pm Dolphin Encounters Boat Tour (Deep Sea Headquarters)

Sunday, February 24: 7:00 am Advanced Island Birding Field Trip (Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center) 7:00 am Photography Field Trip w/ Sean Fitzgerald (Departs Port A Civics Center) 7:30 am Port A Nature Preserve Field Trip (Port A Nature Preserve) 8:00 am Whooping Crane Boat Tour (Fisherman’s Wharf) 8:00 am Island Birding Van Tour (Departs Port A Civics Center) 10:00 am Bird’s Nest Trade Show (Port A Civics Center) 10:00 am Registration (Port A Civics Center) 10:00 am Nature/ Birding Boat Tour (Woody’s Sports Center) 10:00 am Island Birding Van Tour (Departs Port A Civics Center) 12:00 pm International Crane Foundation Children’s Art Exhibit (Port A Art Center)

4:00 pm Photography Field Trip w/ Sean Fitzgerald (Woody’s Sports Center)

12:30 pm Dolphin Encounters Boat Tour (Deep Sea Headquarters)

4:30 pm Dolphin Encounter Boat Tour (Deep Sea Headquarters)

1:00 pm Animal Rehabilitation Keep Tour (UTMSI)

Saturday, February 23:

1:00 pm Island Birding Van Tour (Departs Port A Civics Center)

6:00 am Birds of the Coastal Bend Field Trip (Departs Port A Civics Center) 6:00 am Fennessey Ranch Birding Field Trip (Departs Port A Civics Center) 6:30 am Whooping Crane Boat Tour w George Archibald (Departs Roberts Point Park) 8:00 am Registration (Port A Civics Center)

By Brent Rourk Captain Eddie Polhemus started the engines of the catamaran Wharf Cat, a large boat capable of taking 40 or more fishermen or bird watchers.

Soon 13 avid bird watchers slowly climbed up the bright red ramp onto the boat after listening to the obligatory safety speech by George, the friendly deckhand. The main mission today was to view the rare and endangered Whooping Cranes that winter here marshes and wetlands along the Gulf Coast of Texas. We left the wharf in Rockport at 10:00 A.M. excited to be spending the next four hours relaxing and ultimately focusing on one of the rarest birds in the world.

The weather was perfect; slightly overcast and cool with great visibility in spite of sporadic patches of white fog that gave the water an eerie view. The water was pleasantly calm, even as we slowly crossed the bay on our way to the narrow ICW passage where Whooping Cranes ravenously search for food, including their favorite meal, the iconic blue crab. As we crossed the bay, the fog and mist slowly revealed tiny islands that served as a resting place for cormorants, pelicans, gulls, herons, and terns. Captain Eddie offered a few viewing tips and informational tidbits as we crossed the bay.

Why View the Whooping Crane

From the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce

10:00 am Whooping Crane Boat (Fisherman’s Wharf)

February 21, 2013

Whooping Cranes on the Gulf

Whooping Cranes continued from A1 before boarding the Wharf Cat catamaran for a boat tour to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to see the endangered Whooping Cranes. Even though this special tour is only being offered twice during the Festival, the only available space is on the 6:30 a.m. Friday trip with limited capacity. With our cooperative arrangement with Fisherman’s Wharf, trips to view the cranes are scheduled Thursday through Sunday, but only by registered participants for the festival.

2:00 pm Nature/ Birding Boat Tour (Woody’s Sports Center) 2:00 pm Animal Rehabilitation Keep Tour (UTMSI) 2:30 pm Dolphin Encounters Boat Tour (Deep Sea Headquarters) 3:00 pm Island Birding Van Tour (Departs Port A Civics Center)

So why view the Whooping Crane (or Grus Americana)?

The Whooping Crane’s history is truly one of specie conservation’s most heart-warming and inspiring success stories. On the brink of certain disaster and possibly extinction, by the 1940s there were only 15 Whooping Cranes left in nature (21 total). Extinction appeared imminent.

Today the numbers top 600 (wild and captive), largely due to concerted efforts to rigorously protect this large and graceful bird. Of those, over 250 wild Whooping Cranes winter along the Gulf Coast near Rockport, Texas. There is a glimmer of hope. The Whooping Crane stands 5 feet tall and has a wingspan of 7 to 8 feet wide, making it the tallest flying bird in North America. Its sheer white body is accented by red and black coloring on its head and black on its wingtips, visible when it is flying.

Young birds sport a tan or yellow color that disappears as they reach adulthood and prepare to migrate to Wisconsin or Canada for the summer. These beautiful cranes begin to arrive on the Gulf Coast in October and return north in April, giving locals and birders about 6 months to observe them.

The Whooping crane mates for life and as such they are most frequently observed in pairs. Unquestionably, the Whooping Crane is unique, stunningly beautiful, and graceful. For additional information about the Whooping Crane try a few of these websites: https://www. savingcranes.org/whooping-crane.htmlv, http:// whoopingcrane.com/, http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=hTWOnLst0-4 and http://www. allaboutbirds.org/guide/Whooping_Crane/idb.

From the Brink of Extinction The extensive efforts to save the Whooping Crane have not completely ensured it safety and permanent existence, largely because of continued threats from loss of wetlands, predation, and illegal poaching. Efforts to educate the public about this bird and its habitat continue as schools teach students about this bird and about the benefits of conservation efforts. Countless environmental organizations indefatigably inform the public about the plight and precarious existence of the endangered Whooping Crane. Cities celebrate the Whooping Crane by having Whopping Crane festivals (see http://www.whoopingcranefestival.org/).

Currently, tempers flare and arguments spew about whether or not permits should be granted for the building of wind turbines that seem to have been killing a few Whooping Cranes.

This latest threat to the wild Whooping Crane population is beginning to receive international attention, including television news and internet coverage. This problem is incredibly complex and will no doubt have some vocal players from a few different perspectives. For a quick read about the crane and the turbines see http://www. kcet.org/news/rewire/wind/feathers-fly-overwind-turbine-threat-to-whooping-cranes.html.

viewed more birds, both in number and species.

Large herons perched on the tallest shrubs and bushes, getting the “birds-eye” view of their surroundings. Ducks and cormorants dove into the clear waters seeking food. White and blue herons stood in small pools of water searching for food in their comical, animated and determined manner. Gulls gathered together in flocks, resting on shore or on small islands while a variety of terns swiftly scanned the water for fish and then dived like an arrow into the water to catch their prize. The appreciative group aboard the Wharf Cat viewed the variety of birds through binoculars or camera lens.

Captain Eddie continued to direct our attention to birds that he spotted from the helm with his binoculars. He has become quite proficient at spotting and identifying shore birds. Using a clock-face system to help us spot the birds that he mentioned on the intercom, he calmly shared information about the different birds as he deftly and efficiently maneuvered the large boat around the narrow ICW, at times turning on a proverbial dime.

Whooping Cranes Finally, off in the distance we saw very tall white birds with their heads down in the marsh searching for food. Though the Whooping Cranes share their beautiful white coloring with herons and egrets, these birds were easy to identify, even at a great distance. Their bodies are much larger and taller than either egrets or herons. The red and black markings on their head offered clear identification. The excitement level on the Wharf Cat increased a few notches as the passengers honed their cameras and binoculars on the busy Whooping Cranes. Captain Eddie again and again maneuvered the large boat into position and patiently held it steady as cameras snapped photos and binoculars scanned the horizon.

We made several stops to study the different pairs and families of Whooping Cranes and although most of the cranes were a 100 to 300 yards away, a few were closer and cameras and binoculars brought the birds much closer. The Whooping Cranes were busy all day seeking and eating food. Their diet is somewhat varied, including insects, amphibians, small mammals, plants tubers, snakes and other reptiles, and finally their preferred meal, the blue crab.

Although we were too far away to hear them make any of their characteristics calls, we were still thrilled with the opportunity to view them while hearing Captain Eddie’s descriptions and historical data about the Whooping Crane’s notorious demise and their illustrious and celebrated return. The whooping sound that they make when they call is how they received their name.

It was a very exciting, informative and also peaceful day. The boat ride was smooth, comfortable and pleasant. The birds were present and willing to be photographed. The staff was helpful, informed and willing to help in any way. The passengers were excited, curious and appreciative as they descended the red ramp and planted their sea legs on tierra firma.

Eddie and George Deck hand George became animated when he talked about the Whooping Crane. He has worked as a deckhand for 8 years and has seen many gulf birds, including the Whooping Crane.

Though admittedly he is neither a photographer nor a birder, he appreciates all of the wildlife and has a special appreciation for this crane. He shared a couple of photographs he took with his phone camera. The perspective was looking down at a pair of Whooping Cranes from above (on top of the Wharf Cat). He knew that he had a prized photograph.

Had it not been for the tireless work of a few individuals and many organizations, the Whooping Crane would surely be a memory only, another in a sad list of disappearing animal species. Work is not over yet and their continued survival is not guaranteed. Certainly, a total of nearly 600 birds is better than 21 (the numbers estimated in the 1940s), yet with the onslaught of land development, prime Whooping Crane environments continue to disappear [note to reader: numbers of Whooping Crane populations past and present vary with different sources].

Predation continues. Any major natural disaster or disease could rapidly and precariously reduce populations or eliminate them completely.

They need continued protection until their populations become sustainable and their prized and vital wetlands are preserved and protected.

Captain Eddie began this line of work in 1987 and then in 1989 began a career as captain of the Wharf Cat. Over the years he has learned from birding experts like the noted and local ornithologist Ray Little and famous Whooping Crane researcher, author and authority Dr. George Archibald. Over those years Captain Eddie has learned much about shore birds in Texas and can readily identify at most distances all of the shore birds that you would likely encounter in the Gulf area. He loves his job and delights in passing on his knowledge and enthusiasm to his passengers. One of his favorite memories occurred just last year when he observed 4 pairs of Whooping Cranes with twins. He can be found at the helm of the Wharf Cat between December and March.

Port Aransas Whooping Crane Festival

After methodically researching the Whooping Crane and taking the birding cruise on the Wharf Cat I have a more intense and defined appreciation and love for this tall and beautiful bird. I understand its continued struggles and decidedly close brush with extinction. I feel a kinship with this gorgeous animal, a renewed compulsion to protect it, and the strong urge to tell others. Thank you for reading this and … tell others. If you would like to experience a half day journey on the Wharf Cat, then call 361-749-5760 and make reservations. Let them know that you read about the Whooping Crane and the Wharf Cat in the Padre Island Moon.

Port Aransas will be having its 17th annual Whooping Crane festival this year from February 21st-24th. Crane expert and cofounder of the International Crane Foundation, Dr. George Archibald will again speak at the festival. Call to reserve a spot on one of the Whooping Crane excursions featuring Dr. Archibald.

Shore Birds The Wharf Cat finally made its way to the narrow ICW channel with long and narrow islands on each side of us. Just as suddenly we

Protect the Whooping Crane

Island Office (361) 215-8629

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

Considering selling your Island Property?

Island Moon

Let me help you find your piece of Paradise - waterfront or interior homes, condos, townhouses, lots

Considering a move to the Island?

Mary Ann McShane, Realtor, GRI, SRES e-mail: malm335@sbcglobal.net Corpus Christi Realty Group

Doing Everything a Home or Business Needs

Driveways, Patios, Sidewalks, Patio Overlays, Decorative Stamping & Staining, Decks, Bulkheads, Grouted Stone Walls & Patios, Decorative Stone Paver Driveways & Patios

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Design work, Yard Maintenance, Decks, Pergolas, Installation of Rock, Grass, Plants, Trees, Walkways, Paths, Tree Trimming, Container Planting, Vacant Lot Mowing & Shade Covers. All Kinds of Fencing, Pressure Washing & Deck Staining & Sealing

Owned & Operated by Island Residents David & Katherine Pierce References Available Upon Request Commercial & Residential

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Landscaping

Total Renovation & Remodels, Outdoor Kitchens & Spas, Additions, Kitchen & Bathroom Upgrades, Sunporches, Replacement of Windows and Doors, Roofing, Painting & Stucco

Remodeling

Island Creations

Keep in mind that this might change, but for right now here is what is being built.

We weren’t able to get to be the first to put out the new drawings for the Schlitterbahn Waterpark because they were released after out last deadline. So instead of being first we’re going for THE BIGGEST!

Schlitterbahn, Here It Is

February 21, 2013 A9

Island Moon

A 10

February 21, 2013

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(361) 949‐7077 or (800) 580‐7077 www.cbir.com

ISLAND, REALTORS

Immaculate home, sensational courtyard, open floor plan, granite countered kitchen, southeast exposure on a wide canal in Ports O’ Call. Dorothy 563-8486.

Enjoy the Good Life. This two bedroom, 2.5 bath at El Constante comes fully furnished. Awesome views of the Gulf of Mexico. Call Terry 549-7703.

Open Sunday Feb 17th 2‐5

Open Sunday Feb 17th 2‐5

Beautiful Golf Course Home!

4/2.5/2, two living, covered patio, crown molding, granite countertops!

14006 Rudder Ct. $315,000. Call Shonna today 510-3445 to see.

Padre Island Waterfront. Three bedrooms w/two baths. Loft area on 2nd floor. Deck w/plenty of room for a dock/boatlift. Priced at $289,000. Terry Cox. 13570 Camino De Plata.

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Too many extras to list $549,900.

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13821 Hawksnest Bay new construction by Seaquist Homes. 3-2-2 w/multipurpose room.

Covered patio. Rocked front + landscaped.

Lots of tile. Cheryl 563-0444.

Sale Pending!

Open Sunday Feb 17th 2‐5

15397 Caravel Beautiful totally updated home on fingertip lot 3/2.5/2 with 2 living areas, wood/ tile flooring and granite throughout. $649,900. Cindy 549-5557.

15905 Punta Bonaire $595,000. 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, concrete saltwater pool, boat lift, too many extras to list.

Call Charlie Knoll 443-2499.

Sale Pending!

Sale Pending!

13721 Cayo Cantiles 3/2/2,1926 sq.ft of living area, nice deck area w/great views. Located on a wide canal w/quick ICW access. Call Terry or Charlie. $295,000.

15942 El Soccorro Loop stunning stucco home on East facing lot w/room for a pool. 3/2.5/2 with a study, boat lift & many updates. $405,000. Cindy 549-5557.

Sale Pending!

Beautifully Updated 3-2-2 w/ multi purpose room. Split bedrooms. Gas stove. Tile & bamboo floors. Plantation shutters.

Large backyard. Cheryl 5630444.

New Construction 13917 Suntan. 3/2 plus study-2,351 sf.

Open, split plan. Granite throughout, crown molding, arches, covered patio. Call Pam Morgan 215 -8116.

This two story home sits on over 1 acre of land. Water well with sprinkler system. Four bedrooms with four baths. 3 car garage.

Two living & 2 eating areas. Call Terry Cox 549-7703. $379,900.

Great get-a-way. Two bedroom unit completely furnished at Surfside Condos. Great to use or to rent.

Awesome pool, close to beach. Priced at $134,900. Call Terry Cox at 549-7703.

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Open Sunday Feb 17th 2‐5

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Open Sunday Feb 17th 2‐5

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1859 sq.ft. of living area. Tile and granite throughout. Open floor plan. $208,208. Charlie Knoll 443-2499.

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Open Sunday Feb 17th 2‐5

Open Sunday Feb 17th 1‐3

Mediterranean Beauty—3-2.5-2 East facing patio & deck on large water. Master down. Free flowing floorplan. Courtyard entrance.

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Cheryl or Mary Lou.

121 Gulfstream $209,900 Beautiful 1st floor unit, ss appliances/granite countertop. Updated furnishings. Easy pool/beach access. Call Shonna 510-3445.

Build Your Dream Home just a short walk to the beach! Great lot location on Sea Air in La Concha Estates. Recently reduced to $64,500. Call Shonna 510-3445.

Looking for Long Term Rental Property?

Below are some of our available rentals:

Beach Club #137 1/1 $850

Portono #705 2/2 $1600 furnished

15330 Cruiser #B 3/2/1 $1350

15422 Salt Cay #F 1/1 $725

7925 Wolf 3/2/2 $1000

15429 Salt Cay #C 2/2 $1250

13922 Sea Anchor $3/3/2 $1400

Seascape Villa #B‐5 1/1 $1000 all bills paid

13953 Fortuna Bay #9 2/2 $1250 furnished

Open Sunday Feb 17th 2‐5

Waterfront Lots for Sale!!

Bounty $109,900 Palo Seco $154,900 San Felipe $200,000

15125 Crossjack-New construction 3-2.5-2. Split floor plan. Lots of tile. Granite countertops. Covered patio. Fireplace. Gas cooktop. Call Cheryl 563-0444.

3918 Gulfton 3/2/2 $124,900.

1369 sq.ft. well maintained house with a nice location. New countertops & backsplash. Call Charlie 443-2499 or Jeremy 960-7873.

Cuttysark $189,000 For More Info Call: Terry Cox 549-7703 Charlie Knoll 443-2499

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