Inside the Moon...
Street Fees Explained Alley A5
Fish Stories A5, A11
First Friday A2
The
Island Moon
FREE PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY
Sports A14
Live Music A18
Free
Weekly
361-949-7700 editor@islandmoon.com The Island Newspaper since 1996 Facebook : The Island Moon Newspaper
March 28, 2013
Photo by Dale Rankin
The only Island in Texas where every day is a little like April Fool’s Day Next Publication Date: 4/4/2013
Around The Island
By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com
This was one of those weeks where if you don’t like the weather just wait a few minutes and it will change. We’ve seen forty-plus mph winds and we’ve seen beautiful calm days and we’ve seen thick fog. About the only thing we haven’t seen is rain, but then we’re used to that. The water temps are staying low for this time of year which means the southeast breeze still carries some chill after dark, but here’s betting that the current cool snap which dumped a lot of snow in the middle of the country last week on its way down here, will be our last of the season. We don’t know about you guys but when the temperature drops below seventy we Moon Monkeys break out he long underwear. We’re ready for some beach weather.
IslandBlast!
Fire in the sky on the Fourth of July Fireworks Before you know it it’ll be the Fourth of July. So now it’s time to get serious about raising the last of the $15,000 needed to put on a Big Bang fireworks show on Padre Island. It is to be the first annual and with the city council approving the permits this week things are ready to go. So now we’re at the Who Brought the Money Stage. We still need about $10,000 so anyone who can help out please contact Jerry Watkins at 331-7273 or e-mail him at jdwatkins@satx. rr.com. This is a great project and we need to make sure it happens, every little bit helps.
Congressman Blake Farenthold Congressman Blake Farenthold spoke to the Kiwanis Club Wednesday. Here are the highpoints: The Senate has passed a budget that doesn’t balance; the House has passed a budget that balances in ten years. The United States is now 7th in the world in opportunity for individuals to start their own business; Tax reform is drastically needed but “one man’s loophole is another man’s fair tax;” Washington is mired a culture where bureaucrats make decisions based on the “safest answer;” At $4.25 per MCF natural gas from the Eagle Ford Shale is the cheapest in the world; Right before the budgetary sequester the Department of Homeland Security bought new 1000 new uniforms – two pairs of pants, four shirts, one belt – at a cost of $2000 dollars per uniform; They also created a nationwide ammo shortage when they bought 500 rounds per officers for target practice; Bankers are frustrated because under new laws the only criteria they can use to determine whether to give a lone is credit score. A bill is making its way through Congress that would prevent the 22-day furloughs currently planned for CCAD;
Say it ain’t so Andre Some sad news in the people department this week. Long time Islander and Beach Bum Extraordinaire Andre Lavoy has left the building – or The Island. For the past two decades Andre was a fixture along Packery Channel where his favorite pastime was spray painting seashells gold and salting the beach with them so he could take pictures of kids – of all ages – when they found them. “Those things are rare,” Andre would say, “you must be lucky.” Andre packed up and moved to Daytona Beach. He says he’ll be coming back and we hope so. The Island is a better place with you here.
Good news Now for some good news in the Moon People Department; Islander Mark Pugh who suffered a terrible bike crash some months back is back in the pulpit at Kings Crossing Church of Christ for their Easter service. It was a long and tough road but Mark made it. Congratulations Mark and say hello if you see us Around The Island
2nd Annual Padre Island Showcase, Vendor Show, and Home Tour Set for April 6-7 By Mary Lou White marylou.white@coldwellbanker.com 361-960-9460 The 2nd Annual Padre Island Showcase, Vendor Show and Home Tour is set for Saturday and Sunday, April 6-7 from 1-5 p.m. on both days. The event is presented by the Island Moon. This is an ideal opportunity for in town friends and out of town guests to view Island homes covering all price ranges and locations. Perhaps you are already a resident, but might be thinking of down-sizing, purchasing or moving into more square footage. Whatever the circumstances, this is a once a year chance to see what is available, without waiting for an appointment. The Bonus Feature of this year’s tour is The Community Garden located in Douden Park along Coba de Bara. Gardeners will be available to tell you about their accomplishments and show you their abundant crops.
Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Nesting Season Almost Here By Donna J. Shaver, Ph.D. National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore E-mail: Donna_Shaver@nps.gov Most spring breakers and winter Texas have migrated home. Waters are warming, and it will not be long until Kemp’s ridley females intent on nesting here this year migrate to our local waters. In fact, some may already be here, with their first eggs of the season developing within. Nesting has already begun in Mexico, and we expect it to begin in Texas in the coming days and weeks. The earliest that we have found Kemp’s ridley nests in Texas is the first week in April. As warm as it has been, I would not be surprised if we find nests in early April this year.
Look for banners to appear on Friday April 5th, 2013. They are meant to guide visitors and locals to the Seashore Learning Center Gym on Encantada. We will have exhibitors from both sides of the Bridge,available to meet and discuss their services and products. For those who live on the Island, it is a golden opportunity to discuss your remodel, upgrade plans, or refinance needs with a real person, as opposed
16 Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Billish Park
Island Easter Egg Hunt is This Saturday! For the sixteenth year in a row a small army of kids will converge on Billish Park for the Annual Kiwanis Easter Egg hunt this Saturday. So far the Kiwanis have collected 20,000 eggs, a mountain of potato chips, and a truckload of hotdogs. It all comes together this Saturday, March 30 at 11 a.m. with a Moon jump, bouncy house sponsored by Island Baptist Church, a merry-go-round, train, and face painting for the kids. The Island in the Son Methodist Church is providing hot dogs. Things kick off at 11 a.m. and the egg hunt starts at noon with categories from babies all the way up to 12 year-olds. There will be 20,000 eggs some of which will have dollar coins donated by First Community Bank. Billish Park is located at the corner of Gypsy and Fortuna Bay. For questions or to participate as a sponsor call Signa Pappas-Prather at 361 774-0424.
2012 was a Record Year for Area Visitors The figures for tourism in the Coast Bend for 2012 have been released and show that 7.4 million people visited Corpus Christi during the year and spent $1.1 billion, making it the largest visitor attendance on record. Attractions attendance on average increased 12-15% year over year, including record attendance for the Texas State Aquarium, a 53% increase in Harbor Ferry ridership and a 15% increase in Beach Parking Permits sold. The Hotel Occupancy Tax collected $9,327,911 for an increase of 12% year over 2011 and the month of July netted the highest ever recorded monthly total. The Convention and Visitors Bureau recorded 106,000 convention room nights booked, an increase of 17% over 2011.
Nesting and egg protection
Kemp’s ridleys nest in Texas from April through mid-July. Females nest one to four times during the nesting season, at intervals of 14 to 28 days, laying an average of 100 eggs in each nest. Females provide no maternal care for their eggs, which face many human related and natural threats if left unprotected on the beach. Eggs from most nests found on North Padre Island and northward on the Texas coast are transferred to the Padre Island National Seashore incubation facility for protected care. Eggs found in some nests from the southern end of the National Seashore and all nests on South Padre and Boca Chica beaches are brought to “corrals” (large screen enclosures) for protected incubation. Moving the eggs to the incubation facility and corrals allows us not only to protect the eggs, but also to protect the resulting hatchlings as we release them on the beach and allow them to crawl into the Gulf of Mexico.
March training
Padre Island National Seashore staff members have been busy preparing
Showcase continued on A17
th
Year 16, Issue 467
Turtles continued on A4
Pothole Trucks, Drones, Street Maintenance, and Fireworks City Council Roundup from Tuesday, March 26 Editor’s note: The following is a summation of action taken by the Corpus Christi City Council this week taken from the preparation material submitted to the council members. Pothole Trucks. Council approved the leasepurchase of two Bergkamp Flameless Pothole Patchers from Freightliner of Austin, Austin, Texas for a total amount of $277,074.00. Funding is available through the Street Fund. Drone program. A resolution was approved in support of the application of Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi for Federal designation as a test range for unmanned aircraft system. On February 14, 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) solicited proposals from state and local governments, eligible
universities and other public entities to develop six unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test sites around the country. Through the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Congress directed the FAA to establish this program to conduct critical research into how best to safely integrate UAS systems into the national airspace over the next several years and what certification and navigation requirements will need to be established. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is working with Governor Rick Perry and other institutions of higher education in Texas to submit an application to be selected as one of the six test sites. Applicants have 80 days to submit their research and test-site proposal to the FAA. The FAA anticipates selection of the six test sites
A little Island history
The Die is Cast: “We will rather die in these ditches, than give it up to the enemy.” By Dale Rankin When it comes to horseshoes, wars, business, politics or pretty much anything else it’s an unalterable fact that while failure may be an orphan success has many fathers. Such was the case after Jim Bowie and a group less than 100 Texians defeated a company of almost 500 Mexicans at the Conception Mission in late 1835. Stephen F. Austin, in charge of the main Texas Army had completely missed the fight because, against orders, Jim Bowie had failed to send a message giving Bowie’s position so Austin could come up.
good friend Sam Houston. The result of the rift in command of the Texas Army caused a malaise which effectively stranded the Texans on the outskirts of San Antonio where Mexican troops had fortified the town. Command of the army shifted and swayed with the political breeze leading Bowie to resign from the army not long after he again defeated a Mexican force with 150 pack mules trying to reach San Antonio from the west with provisions. A rumor went around that the mules were loaded with silver bullion which turned out to be nothing but grass for the horses and the battle was ignominiously named the Grass Fight.
The result was that Bowie became a hero and Austin became upset. It didn’t help that Austin’s position as Statue of Benjamin Milam The Texas Revolution had Commander in Chief was also in Milam Park Downtown San Antonio being assailed by Bowie’s History continued on A3
Island Moon
A 2
Seashore Students
“Her Senior Year” Wins Third at UIL
P.I.E. Members are Informed of the Future Economic Development of Corpus Christi
On March 8th the P.I.E. members held their monthly luncheon at the Island’s Holiday Inn Beach Hotel. The program was speaker John Plotnik who is the Executive Vice President of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation. He informed the members of the future economic development of Corpus Christi. It was an inspiring look into the future of Corpus Christi.
SMA drama students earned 3rd place overall at UIL One-Act Play competition at GregoryPortland on March 23 for their performance of “Her Senior Year.” Ashton Bidwell earned AllStar Cast, while Hannah Curry and Leighea Kraemer won Honorable Mention. The tech team of Kelsey Morris, Julia Delgado, and Shelby Reed won the Best Tech Award. Congratulations!
SMA cast and crew of “Her Senior Year” includes: (back) Kelsey Morris, Ashton Bidwell, Skylar Powell Shelby Reed, Hannah Curry, Hannah Miller, Robin Delgado, Haley Morgan, Julia Delgado, (front) Jack Gibbs, and Leighea Kraemer. Not pictured: C.J. Evaristo and Chase Dial. Director: Ashley Knotts.
March
28,
2013
Travelling Moon
Betsy Bowen takes the Moon to the Tom Russell show at the Tractor in Seattle, Washington and reports that Russell was nothing short of brilliant. Thanks Betsy! We miss you.
On April 12th the program will be speaker Diane Klutz author of the book “Round EyesAn American Nurse in Vietnam”.Make your reservations by noon on Wednesday, April 10th to PIELuncheon@aol.com. For more information call Sheila at 949-2072. Pictured left to right: Cheryl Henry (P.I.E. President), John Plotnik (Speaker) and Regina Plotnik (Wife & Member).
Add Snow Crab for only $9.99 and Steamed mussels for only $6.99! Who loves you Baby!!! Mr. Mo jams it up with a GREAT fiddler who happened to be on the Back Porch.
First Friday April Reception at the Port Aransas Art Center Features Work by the Beach Babes
The First Friday Reception at the Port Aransas Art Center will feature refreshments, live music, and art by four local female artists.
Island Creations Remodeling
Total Renovation & Remodels, Outdoor Kitchens & Spas, Additions, Kitchen & Bathroom Upgrades, Sunporches, Replacement of Windows and Doors, Roofing, Painting & Stucco
Landscaping Insured Member, Padre Island Business Association Member, Builders Association, Corpus Christi
960-0327
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
Concrete
Driveways, Patios, Sidewalks, Patio Overlays, Decorative Stamping & Staining, Decks, Bulkheads, Grouted Stone Walls & Patios, Decorative Stone Paver Driveways & Patios
Owned & Operated by Island Residents David & Katherine Pierce References Available Upon Request Commercial & Residential
Doing Everything a Home or Business Needs
The event is at the Art Center, 323 N. Alister Street in Port Aranas, on Friday April 5th. It runs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and the public is invited. The April Sponsor is AMano. The show will feature new work by artists Betsy Bowen, Janelle Cox, Pat Donohue, and Rita Reed, the works will remain on display through April 26. For questions call the center at 361-749-7334.
25.00 Off Mfg. Rebate
35
March 28, 2013
Island Moon
by Dale Rankin
Old Ben Milam Into the beach stepped that most beloved of all the men in the Texas cause Ben Milam who, tired of the bickering and indecision on the part of the Texians leaders stood in front of the troops and uttered the words that still ring down through the colorful and glorious history of our state, ““Who will go with old Ben Milam into Bexar?”
On December 7 Milam was standing in the Veramendi House that Bowie had until recently called home studying the bell tower in San Fernando church through a field telescope given to him by Stephen Austin when he was shot in the head by a Mexican sniper. He fell dead into the arms of Samuel Maverick. Two days later Cos surrendered removing the last of the Mexican soldiers then garrisoned in Texas.
lot of Winter Texans who went and judging by the large number of octogenarians who went to Progreso and returned safely I’d say the answer is yes. The Mexican Navy – actually the Marines – who had been manning roadblocks outside the city have left; a sign that things have calmed down.
Why has worked stopped at Schlitterbahn?
So if you need cheap meds, booze, a switchblade knife, a purse made of gum wrapper, a beach blanket, a genuine Rollax watch, or a little puppet on a string wearing a sombrero hop on down for some cultural exchange.
Developer Paul Schexnailder told the Island Strategic Action Committee early this month that his permitting for the BeachWalk canal is nearing completion and fill from that project will be used to elevate portions of the water park.
Ben Milam Cos dumping several bronze cannons “at a bend in the river” but in spite of numerous digs that continue to this day none have been found). There were also powder, solid shot, and canister totaling 1200 rounds, along with four hundred brown Bess muskets with 16,000 rounds of ammunition. The Texan forces were split between the town itself and the Alamo but of the 114 men in the command only 80 were fit for duty with the rest sick or wounded, along with 50 wounded Mexicans left behind by Cos.
“We will die in these ditches”
But the Texans were steeled in their discipline by the rumor that more than a thousand Mexicans were on their way to Bexar, a rumor that turned out to be true but with well more than 1000 men. Houston wanted to abandon the Alamo and concentrate Most of the Texans his army along returned home, Copano Bay where convinced that that he expected Cos to the War for Texas The Alamo during the seige arrive by ship with Independence was his new army. But Bowie was of the opinion over. In fact it had just begun. that if Cos had been willing to occupy the old Bowie had missed the storming of Bexar and mission for a full month in the face of a siege now Houston ordered him to take command of that it was worth holding. He and others set the Texan Army in Goliad and lead it south to about posting the cannons on the Alamo walls. Copano Bay in preparation for the taking of the The previous Texas commander had taken all port at Matamoros which collected $100,000 the horses in Bexar leaving the Texans afoot but each month in tariffs. holding the largest collection of cannons west But Bowie grew tired of the political infighting; of the Mississippi. the action was in San Antonio and that’s where Bowie sent outriders as far as the Rio Frio he headed. He covered eighty miles in a single River fifty miles to the southwest to watch day and arrived in the only Texas hometown he for the approach of General Santa Anna now had ever known to find an army in chaos. believed to be marching on Bexar with as many But Cos had left behind twenty bronze and iron cannons from two to twelve pounders and perhaps two of larger bores. (Rumor persists of
The mail bag has been getting a bit full around the Word Factory for a while, so this week we’ll take some scattershots – in no particular order here goes.
We get this one a lot because people don’t see the heavy machinery moving around much. The fact is that work is going on it just doesn’t involve earth moving equipment. Instead it involves ongoing design and permitting work.
In spite of the legend that it was William B. Travis who used his sword to draw a line in the sand and ask men to step across it, it is more likely it was Milam who did so at this point. The legend has overridden the fact but what is known is that 300 of the 700 Texans present went with old Ben Milam into Bexar. The three hundred volunteers stormed Bexar at dawn on December 5, 1835 and began the events that led to the state of Texas as we know it today. The 300 men, with Milam loosely in charge, entered the town while the remainder of the Texian Army – about 400 men – skirted the outskirts of the town forcing Mexican General Martin Perfecto de Cos do divide his forces between the town of Bexar and the Alamo Mission just across the river. The storming of Bexar took four days of house to house fighting that saw the Texians roust the Mexicans block by block by busting holes in the walls and fighting hand to hand.
A3
Stuff I Heard on the Island
History continued from A1 stalled at the gates of San Antonio even as Houston issued orders for Bowie to take command of the army and move it to Copano Bay. Austin was dispatched to Washington and the command structure of the fledging Texas Army was akimbo.
as 7000 men.
But Bowie had decided to stay; he sent messages asking for reinforcements, or at least orders. “We will rather die in these ditches, than give it up to the enemy. Public safety demands our lives rather than evacuate this post to the enemy,” he wrote. The events leading to the fight over the little mission on the banks of the San Antonio River were winding inexorably down to a bloody conclusion.
We’re told crews will arrive in June with parts of the waterpark which are currently being pre-fabricated in New Braunfels where Schlitterbahn is headquartered. The heavy lifting is slated to begin in August, plenty of time for completion by next spring.
If the National Seashore takes over the beach in Kleberg County will we still be able to drive on it? We get this one a lot too as word of the purchase – first reported in these pages – has spread. For those unfamiliar with the background, the Texas Nature Conservancy is in the process of purchasing 3800 acres of land located between the finger of the Corpus Christi City Limits which extends just over a mile down the beach south of Bob Hall Pier and the current northern boundary of Padre Island National Seashore. The land was purchased over a decade ago for $15 million by the Texas General Land Office. Once the purchase from the GLO is complete the land will then be donated to PINS to be included in the park. There has been no definitive word from PINS on what would happen to the approximately four miles of beach that would become part of the park if the purchase is completed. It is difficult to say based on the current configuration on that stretch of beach. There are currently a line of wooden bollards running perpendicular across the beach at the north end of the park which are apparently intended to block traffic at that point and force drivers to retrace their steps back north to the access road, back to Park Road 22, and then south into the park through the main entrance in order to access the portion of the beach south of the bollards and inside the park. However, for as long as anyone can remember one of those bollards has been removed allowing drivers to continue southward on the beach all the way south to the pedestrian beach inside the park.
ConvenienT Flour BluFF loCaTion 9708 S.P.I.D., Suite A-101 s C orPus C hrisTi (361) 937-5513 s T oll F ree 1-877-888-1369 Licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas Former President of the Corpus Christi Family Law Association (1999-2000) Selected as a Texas “Super Lawyer” in November 2003, October 2004 and October 2005 Issues of Texas Monthly
Can you find fresh water by digging a hole behind the dunes?
Yes and no. You can find water that will support cattle and very thirsty people by digging down about four feet. I know this because I once settled a bet between a couple of beach bums and a know-it-all from OTB by watching them dig a hole behind the dunes and then I tasted the water. Was it drinkable? Yes…but; do you remember when you were a kid and your mother forgot to change the water in your thermos, for about two weeks, and then you drank it and it tasted like maybe it had been strained through a dirty sock; think of Island water that has been curing in a dead end water main for about four months. That’s what it tastes like.
When The Island was a ranch the ranchers didn’t need fences - cows won’t swim unless they have to – and they didn’t have to worry about water. They just dug holes and lined them with wood and they had a tank.
If only the Spaniards beached here in the 1500s had known this they would have had a much better time of it.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
If the purchase is done there will be a series of public meetings explaining what is going to happen. We’ll get definitive answers then.
The answer is I probably won’t win the lottery because I don’t play the lottery and I never met a winner that didn’t bet.
Is it safe to go to the Border?
If you have any questions send them in and if they don’t get lost in our computer system we’ll
I haven’t been in a while but I did speak to a
W illiam a. T hau iii, P.C. l Auto Accidents l Personal Injury l DWI l Criminal Justice l Military Law
I also think the attention brought to us by the Schlitterbahn project is bringing people our way. I think the increased number of Islandlopers is now the new normal.
This is one I don’t think about a lot. From where I sit the lottery is not a retirement plan. I once interviewed a fellow in San Antonio who had won just over $15 million. He had a lot of friends there that day, and two days later he was dead of a heroin overdose. Winning the lottery is not what it’s cracked up to be.
l Divorce and Separation l Child Custody and Support l Adoption/Guardianship l Paternity Cases l Wills and Probate
This is a tricky one because it’s hard to tell by looking when an Islandloper is from in town or from up country. They don’t wear tags. My personal opinion is that some of it is just a function of population increases in the cities to the north of us. The area around San Antonio and Austin – now becoming known as the Mexoplex because of the number of Mexican nationals moving there to escape the troubles down south – grew by almost two million people in the last census. In spite of the Coastal Bend’s well earned reputation for running off progress the sheer number of people in the state– nine million within a four hour drive of The Island – means we’re going to see more and more people come here to visit and to live.
So the answer to the question is that we don’t know yet what the driving conditions will be if the 3800 acres become part of the park. But based on the closer of a portion of the beach inside PINS to traffic we can assume they do have the right to close it to vehicles if they choose to.
Next time: The Battle of the Alamo
“F ormer U.S. N avy L awyer ”
It seems there are a lot more people from OTB on The Island these days. What’s going on?
Member Padre Island Business Association
Member Padre Island Rotary Club
Island Moon
A 4
Turtles continued from A1
News From Your
By Maybeth Christensen There will be a great deal of activity around the POA office this weekend. The Litter Critter will be in the POA parking lot starting at 9 AM Saturday morning, March 30. Since brush set out starts Saturday, we encourage folks to NOT bring their brush clippings to the Critter. Brush fills those bins very quickly and since the City is going to be picking up on April 8, save yourself the work of loading it up and hauling it over to the office.
Easter Egg Hunt The 16th Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be in Billish Park Saturday, March 30. The fun starts at 11 AM. The hunt starts at NOON. Areas will be divided by age groups with babies and 2 year olds hunting for Easter baskets. Activities include a moon jump, inflatable fun house, helium balloons, games, face painting, hot dogs, snow cones and pictures with the Easter Bunny.
Dog Park For those of you who attended the annual meeting, you heard a presentation from the Dog Park Committee. There will be a public forum to learn more about the Dog Park on April 25 at 6 PM at Seashore Learning Center Gym on Encantada. Michael Morris, Director of
Parks for Corpus Christi will lead the meeting. Come and learn about the proposed park, get questions answered and find out how you can help make it a reality. They have a website – padreislanddogpark.com.
Butterfly Garden On Saturday, April 6 at 9 AM, there will be a dedication of a vastly improved butterfly garden at Douden Park. The garden club and the Beautification Trust have been working hard to make the area by the community gardens very inviting and beautiful. We now have 60 garden plots where a variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers are growing.
No Wake! Just a reminder – all of our canals are a NO WAKE area. We continue to get reports of boats going too fast in the canals and causing a wake. Please slow down. Also, do not tow children behind your boat in the canals. Some of us remember a young girl being killed by a jetski not seeing her. It is also a good idea to have the children wear the personal flotation devices. I know they are cumbersome, but, trust me, the children will get quite accustomed to wearing them.
Johnny Ds •
on the island
Dinner
served nightly Tuesday thru Saturday 4:30pm-9:30pm
Served 11:00am-2:00pm
for the upcoming nesting season. We have traveled up and down the coast, from Galveston to South Padre Island, to provide training to staff members, students, and volunteers that will participate in patrols find, document, and protect nesting Kemp’s ridley turtles and their eggs.in Texas this year. We also provided training to beach maintenance crews, law enforcement officials, and others that will work on the beach during the nesting season that might be the first on the scene of a nester. After receiving our training, leaders of the other turtle programs in the state are providing training to more patrol participants and beach workers. By the time that training is complete at the end of March, nearly 1,000 people will be trained to help in Texas. Among those receiving training were about 100 volunteers that will participate in our Kemp’s ridley program at Padre Island National Seashore. This year, we will start our patrols of North Padre Island on April 3. We will use UTVs (utility transport vehicles) to patrol from Bob Hall Pier to the Mansfield Channel, and our volunteers will patrol on foot from Packery Channel to Bob Hall Pier. We are grateful that the county and city will also have personnel watching for nesting in the developed areas on North Padre and Mustang Island.
Other nesting season preparations Most of the National Seashore volunteers will participate in our turtle patrols that will be conducted daily, during daylight hours, from April through mid-July. However, volunteers will also help with radio dispatch, egg transport, hatchling release, and several other activities that are integral to the project. Some of our volunteers help us year-round with our sea turtle conservation and research efforts. One of those volunteers is Jenny
Featuring Fresh seafood, New Zealand lamb chops And much more
Easter Sunday Brunch Menu
March 28, 2013
The island’s only bloody Mary bar $3.00 Happy hour beginning at 4:30pm
Let us help you plan your beach wedding or gradations Indoor and outdoor dining available for 15 or more (weather permitting) Let us help you plan your beach wedding or gradations Indoor and outdoor dining available Call for reservations at 361-949-2500 Located 15605 SPID on the Island
Krouse. I thank Jenny for her hundreds of hours of volunteering since the 2012 nesting and incubation season. Jenny has helped with many things. One noteworthy contribution has been helping Biological Technician Phil Magasich wire the new addition to our incubation facility for egg temperature monitoring. She helped Phil methodically run thousands of feet of wire from our data acquisition system to more than 200 positions on shelves that will hold the egg incubation boxes. Each position had to be wired and labeled precisely so that the temperatures of each incubation box can be monitored accurately. We aim to maintain egg temperatures within a specific range that produces a predominance of females and is conducive to high hatching success. Temperatures during the middle third of the incubation period determine the sex of the hatchlings, with warmer temperatures producing females. Females predominate in the population and we try to emulate the natural sex ratio.
Back to writing
I took a few months off from writing for the Island Moon to take care of other writing obligations, but am back to writing for the Moon. In upcoming columns, I will give you tips about what you should do if you see a nesting Kemp’s ridley turtle. I will also provide updates about how many nests have been found and when hatchling releases will be held.
Aloha Wa
Next Luau
Saturday April 6
ALOHA WA Inside the Holiday Inn North Padre Island
Inside the Holiday Inn
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
Show starts promptly at 5:15 pm
Aloha Wa means “good times”. It is our hope that you will always feel your time with us is remembered as a “good time”.
(361) 949-8041 alohawatx@gmail
Sit back, relax, and enjoy a full 3view of the Early Bird Specials $8.99 ocean .”semit doog“ snaem aW aholA syawla lliw uoy taht epoh ruo si tI si su htiw emit ruoy leef .”emit doog“ a sa derebmemer
We love our Winter Texans
Try out our new seafood menu or join us for Friday Night Seafood Buffet
If you don’t believe us read our article
nnI yadiloH eht edisnI dnalNorth sI erdaPadre P htroIsland N
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT TNEMEGANAM WE N REDNU (361) 949-8041
Aloha Wa means “good times”. It is our hope that you will always feel your time with us is remembered as a “good time”.
We are brining back:
Breakfast Specials
5 to 9 $8.99 dinner specials We are brining back:
99.8$ s3 laEarly icepSBird driBSpecials ylraE 3 $8.99 We love our Winter Texans
If you don’t believe us read our article
raB t
ruo evol eW snaxeT retniW
:kcab gninirb era eW eveileb t’nod uoy fI elcitra ruo daer susu ekiL sruoh hLunch cnuL hours Like us nO On Bar koob ecaF raB ota$6.99 toP & Soup, dalaS Salad ,puoS &99Potato .6$ Face book Friday night seafood buffet teffub doofaes thgin yadirF “Beat the Clock” ” k c o l C e h t t a e B “ Join us for our Breakfast Specials ruo rof su nioJ Like us Sunday Brunch Party slaicepS tsafkaerB
11 to 5 Soup, salad, & We are adding: potato bar $6.99 add a Monthly Hawaiian Luaus burger,Specialty grilled Events chicken, Monthly “Locals” Specials orIncreased grilled cheese for $2 services at the snack shack M-F Lots of fun &andentertainment
Full seafood menu
Friday Night 7 to 11 Breakfast Seafood Buffet specials 1-1:g$17.95 niddaWe eraare eWadding: Monthly suauL n aiiawaHHawaiian ylhtnoM Luaus 1 $3.95, 2-2-2 stnevESpecialty ytlaicepSEvents Monthly “Locals” Specials slaicepS ”slacoL“ ylhtnoM $5.95 kcahs kIncreased cans eht tservices a secivreat s dthe esasnack ercnI shack Lots of fun &f fentertainment t n e m n i a t r e t n e & n u o s t o L Add a dozen oysters on the half shell for $8 and dna
OHA WA
su ekiLMeet our regulars, drink nO enjoy a great koob echampagne, caF
meal and even dance
ytraP hcnurB yadnuS On knird ,sraluger ruo teeFace M book taerg a yojne ,engapmahc ecnad neve dna laem
The type of hospitality Hawaiian’s are known for
Aloha Wa
s kcahs t
rof nwon
The type of hospitality Hawaiian’s are known for rof nwonk era s’naiiawaH ytilatipsoh fo epyt ehT
Located in the Holiday Inn Sunspree
After we now offer de the Holiday Inngreat demand Aloha Wa means “good times”. It is our hope that youPizzas” will always “Take and Bake Gourmet th Padre Island feel your time with us is Take it home and bake it fresh
remembered as a “good time”. DER NEW MANAGEMENT Pans of Lasagna made fresh daily. Subs, Calzones,
(361) 949-8041 alohawatx@gmail
949-0787
Pepperoni Rolls, Hot Subs, Hot Wings & Much More 14993 S.P.I.D
y Bird Specials $8.99
are brining back: Lunch hours Salad & Bar Potato Bar up,Freshest Salad on The Island night seafood buffet $ the Clock” Beat eakfast Specials Off
2.00
Any Extra Large Specialty Pizza With This Coupon
Expires April 31st, 2013
9
1408-949 alohawatx@gmail )163( liamg@xtawahola
Lunch hours Weekend Breakfast $6.99 Soup, Salad & Potato Bar Friday night seafood buffet Buffet $8.99 “Beat the Clock”
Join us for our Sunday Brunch Party Meet our regulars, drink champagne, enjoy a great meal and even dance
AWALOHA AHOLAWA Inside the Holiday Inn
.”semit doog“ snaem aW aholA syawla lliw uoy taht epoh ruo si tI si su htiw emit ruoy leef .”emit doog“ a sa derebmemer
Come Try Our Delicious Homemade Fudges
Delivery on the Island is
Fast - within 30 minutes and Free for orders of $10 or more Like us On Face book
March 28, 2013
Island Moon
Proposed City Street Maintanance Fee Explained
By Colleen McIntyre
Formula needed
City Council District 4 Street maintenance has been a hot topic across the city these days with much information, many questions, and a target that appears to change daily....or at least every Tuesday. I thought since we have no meeting on the 2nd, this information will be good through April 9, so I can get a longer run with it.
Where we stand Where do we stand today: on March 19, council, with an 8-1 vote, passed the first reading of an ordinance setting the parameters of a street fee to support street maintenance. All components of the fee were based upon the Institute of Traffic Engineer traffic generation studies. The ordinance requires the revenue to be deposited in and appropriated from a separate street fund. These funds can only be used to repair and maintain existing roads. Street maintenance will be completed on all residential, collector, and arterial roads in fair or good condition. The ordinance, as presented and approved, set a single family home residential rate of $7.00 per month, regardless of home size and a commercial-residential (apartments, town homes, etc) of $3.36 per unit. The appearance of a “discount” for multi-family is created by the trip generation factor mentioned above.
The ordinance further creates a formula to generate a non-residential fee. This has been the primary sticking point over the last several weeks. The original ordinance, in an effort to Keep It Simple. used the median trip generation factor for all commercial properties (supermarket, mini-storage, church, office building, restaurant...) assigning each to be 4.6. Because it was obvious that office buildings, warehouses, churches and such have larger footprints, but drive less traffic, the size of a building was capped at 30,000 sq ft in an effort to balance the inequity while still keeping it simple. Unfortunately, this merely shifted the inequity, as a 150,000 sq ft supermarket would pay the same fee as a 30,000 sq ft office. It was equally apparent that businesses that would rightfully have had a trip factor of .28 were being dragged up to the median and would be paying over 15 times what they should.
Adjustments Council asked staff to make some adjustments. First, we asked for the cap on square footage to be raised, or eliminated completely. Second, we asked that all trip factors below the median be used. These changes were reflected in the first reading of the ordinance that we passed. We asked that between now and the second reading, the appeals policy be developed and that some
of the trip factors that had been calculated be examined more closely. Finally, in order to use more specific trip factors, staff would need to know what each business is, so we asked staff to begin the process to conduct a survey to identify more appropriate trip factors for our non-residential accounts. On March 26, staff brought forth a $225,000 contract for services to conduct the survey to assign the factors. At the same time, members of a subcommittee from the Chamber of Commerce asked for time to work on a plan that would generate the street maintenance revenue that the business community would support. The survey contract failed 4-4, and we look forward to the Chamber’s statement.
What you will pay City staff has put together a web page for the street fee on which you can find answers to most questions, and even see what fee you would pay under the existing proposal at www.CCTexas. com. This website also answers the two most common questions: why not a gas tax and why not a vehicle registration fee? The answers to both are quite simply, the State will not allow us to do so. We are lobbying to have this authority, and if granted, the street fee will be reduced or eliminated. As always, I am happy to answer any questions or concerns, and consider any suggestions. Feel free to email me ElectColleen@gmail.com or text/call 361-549-8341.
Peace of Mind for You & your Loved Ones
Xenia Maria, CCA Corpus Christi Chapter shows off her personal best Sow Trout caught in the Upper Laguna Madre. Trout was 30. One of the good things about our CCA Girls they can fish!
Tucker Teutsch from Granada, Nicaragua and his friend James came to visit Lighthouse Rick Reichenbach and Ronnie Narmour.
In Home Medication Organization, Monitoring and Management
Private Duty Care Available by Licensed Nurse
• • • • • •
Care
Now Open
Livestock Feed Pet Food, Animal Health Supplies Lawn & Garden Supplies, Plants, Soil, Mulch Cattle / Horse / Poultry Supplies Pool Supplies Organic Chicken Feed & Gardening Supplies
9825 S Padre Island Dr Corpus Christi, TX • 361-657-0531 • info@bertsfeed.com • www.bertsfeed.com
u
s
e
w
a
y
Climate Controlled Storage
Starting at $39.00
No loNG lease aGreemeNt! Climate CoNtrol oN site maNaGer opeN 7 Days eleCtroNiC Gate aCCess ViDeo surVeillaNCe HouseHolD & CommerCial moViNG supplies aVailable
Wa ldro nR oad
Kelly
a
HEB
Flour Bluff
Lag una Sho res
Call for a Free initial Consultation Kelly Byrom LVN 361-244-6081
C
Flo ur B luff Dr.
Providing coordination with Pharmacy & Doctors Pharmacy pick up and delivery Full Vital Signs monitored
Storage iS our buSineSS! offiCe Hours:
(361) 937-8673
m-f 8:30-6:00
sat 8:30-5:30
10514 S.P.i.d.
A 6
Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder
Island Moon
Letters to the Editor Padre Island Dog Park Our Mission Statement To establish a fenced-in, off-leash dog park where well-behaved canines and citizens can exercise and socialize in a clean safe environment without endangering or annoying people, property or wildlife; to develop a beautiful, well-maintained space, open to all dog lovers and friends who are willing to uphold the park’s rules and restrictions; to view this park as a community project, in partnership with the city of Corpus Christi, designed to satisfy the neeeds of dog-owners and non-dog owners alike.
Distribution Pete Alsop Island Delivery
While our immediate goal is to raise funds to create, maintain and improve a spacious offleash dog park on Padre Island, we also hope to make this park more than just a fenced off field.
Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin
We are committed to working with the public and local officials to ensure that the park is a benefit to everyone and to educate them about
Office Lisa Towns Classifieds
Least Sexy City
Arlene Ritley Design/Layout
Hi Dale,
Jeff Craft
I wanted to share the results of a new traveldating study that names Corpus Christi among the least sexy cities in America. Based on a study of member habits, travel dating website MissTravel.com found the least desirable cities for destination dating in America. Two Texas cities made the list with Fort Worth coming in at number 3 with a 94% trip rejection rate, and Corpus Christi at number 9 with an 84% trip rejection rate.
Contributing Writers Joey Farah Devorah Fox Mary Craft Maybeth Christiansen Jay Gardner Todd Hunter Danniece Bobeché
The Least Sexy Cities in America Based on Percentage of Rejected Trip Offers:
Ronnie Narmour Brent Rourk
1. Greensboro, NC 100% 170/170
Dr. Donna Shaver
2. Richmond, VA 98% 100/103
Photographers
3. Fort Worth, TX 94% 155/165
Miles Merwin Jeff Dolan
4. Beverly Hills, CA 92% 1058/1150
Mary Craft
5. Chattanooga, TN 90% 178/198 6. Atlantic City, NJ 89% 345/388 7. Atlanta, GA 86% 1238/1440 8. Jacksonville, FL 85% 272/320 9. Corpus Christi, TX 84% 143/170 10. Minneapolis, MN 83% 168/202 Best, Jennifer Gwynn
Office Security/Spillage Control Riley P. Dog
Public Relations Manager MissTravel.com
Editor/Publisher/Spillage Control Supervisor Dale Rankin About the Island Moon
The Island Moon is published every Thursday, Dale Rankin, Editor / Publisher. Total circulation is 10,000 copies. Distribution includes delivery to 4,000 Island homes, free distribution of 3,000 copies in over 50 Padre Island businesses and condos, as well as 600 copies distributed in Flour Bluff, 1,400 copies on Mustang Island and Port Aransas businesses. News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left at the Moon Office.
The Island Moon Newspaper 15201 S. Padre Island Drive, Suite 250 Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361-949-7700 editor@islandmoon.com
Brush Set - Out Times Heavy brush or bulky items Set out starts March 30 - pickup April 8
Clean light brush Set out starts June 15 – Pickup June 24
Heavy brush and bulky items Set out starts August 31 – pickup September 9
Clean light brush Set out starts November 16 pickup November 25 The big change this year is that setout time has been shortened to 8 days from the previous 2 weeks
Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper
Clean brush means it can be used for mulch – which comes back to the Island in many loads
Where to Find The Island Moon
Which are available at Billish and Douden parks
Port Aransas Lisabella’s Restaurant Pioneer RV Park Stripes @ Beach Access Rd. 1A
Port A Glass Studio The Gaff Wild Horse Saloon Tarpon Ice House
North Padre
Miss K’s Catering & Bistro
All Stripes Stores
Amano
Whataburger
Radar
Doc’s Restaurant
Island Woman Boutique
Snoopy’s Pier
Hello South Texas Emergency Managers, Media Partners and Spotters,
Coffee Waves Moby Dicks
Island Italian Ace Hardware Holiday Inn
Party Supply Liquor Store
Texas Star (Shell)
IGA Grocery Store
Jesse’s Liquor
Port A Business Center
Padre Isles Country Club
Carter Pharmacy
Scuttlebutt’s Restaurant
San Juan’s Taqueria
Subway
Wash Board Laundry Mat
Island Tire
Port A Parks and Rec
And all Moon retail advertisers
Public Library
Flour Bluff H.E.B.
Chamber of Commerce Duckworth Antiques Back Porch Woody’s Sports Center
Liquid Town Whataburger on Waldron
Shorty’s Place
Ethyl Everly Senior Center
The Flat’s Lounge
Fire Station
Giggity’s
Police Station
Stripes @ Cotter & Station
Stripes on Flour Bluff & SPID
Gratitude Gift Shop
Floyd’s
Keepers Pier House
Turtle Moon,
dog-related issues and the value of off-leash recreation. We seek respectful, enlightened co-existence with other park users through properly supervising and maintaining appropriate conduct of dogs off-leash.
My pup and I found this poor turtle on Whitecap beach this morning. :( So beautiful.. it made me sad.
Editor’s note: It appears the turtle may have been hit by a boat propeller.
We do not see our function ending with the implementation of an off-leash dog park for our community; we intend to participate in monitoring the facility for cleanliness and safety, hosting events to educate the general public on a variety of dog related topics from dog park etiquette to behavioral issues, and managing ongoing maintenance through regular volunteer efforts as well as professional services. Sara Russell Editor’s note: There will be a public forum on the project on April 25th @ 6:30 pm at the Seashore Learning Center Gym.
Nueces County Republicans Support House Bill14/ Senate Bill 14 Resolution Backs the state, not one person knew how much local Comptroller Combs’ Fight debt they owed when asked. Be it resolved that the Nueces County for Transparency of Tax Republican Party supports the passage of House Bill 14/Senate Bill 14 - Transparency for Debt Texas requiring cities, counties, school districts, The Nueces County Republican Party unanimously approved a Resolution supporting Texas Comptroller Susan Comb’s efforts to require all taxing entities, such as cities, counties, school districts, community college districts, universities and special districts that levy taxes or issue debt to provide more financial transparency in a timely manner to the public.
community college districts, universities and special districts that levy taxes or issue debt to provide more financial transparency in a timely manner to the public. Ensure that voters will be more informed when they vote on new debt and limits the ability governments to issue debt without voter approval, and further ensure that special-purpose taxing entities demonstrate they serve the purposes for which they were created.
According to Combs, “since 1993, the number of Texas special districts levying sales tax has increased by more than 1,900 percent. The number levying property tax has risen by 45 percent. Additionally, taxpayers are asked to approve billions in debt without sufficient context - often with no idea of current debt load or annual debt service payments, and most Texans have no idea of how much debt they, as taxpayers, actually owe.”
Be it further resolved that the purpose of our support is to make available to the voters more details of proposed new debt such as:
The proposed legislation is designed to ensure that voters will be more informed when they vote on new debt and limits the government’s ability to issue more debt without voter approval.
Thereby limiting debt issued without taxpayer approval or issuing Certificate of Obligations without public notice.
The Resolution was submitted, discussed, and passed at the Nueces County Republican Party Executive Committee meeting Thursday, March 21, 2013.
• Current amount of outstanding debt; • Existing debt service cost;
• Estimated additional debt service cost for the proposed new debt; and • How long the proposed debt will take to pay off.
This resolution was passed by the Nueces County Republican Party Executive Committee on March 21, 2013.
A Resolution on Transparency Legislation Whereas, according to the Texas State Comptroller’s “Texas, It’s Your Money” report series that: In the last decade, local governments more than doubled their debt load to more than $7,500 for every man, woman and child in the state, and Whereas, Since 1993, the number of Texas special districts levying sales tax has increased by more than 1,900 percent. The number levying property tax has risen by 45 percent, and
Custom Built Furniture, Remodeling, Cabinets, Doors, Custom Pull-Out Shelves, Dry-Wall, Tile, Quality Carpentry, Exterior Mold Removal, Power Washing, Faucets-Disposals
Whereas, Taxpayers have been asked to approve billions in debt without sufficient context - often with no idea of current debt load or annual debt service payments, and Whereas, In 40 Comptroller town halls across
After a string of burglaries of Island homes Island resident Michelle Gouin decided to start a neighborhood watch program partnered with the CCPD. Anyone can get involved by calling Brenda Rodriquez at 834-4541 or send her an email at Brendar@cctexas.com. You can also email Michelle at gouin.michelle@yahoo.com
CVS
Isle Mail N More
March 28, 2013
Neighborhood Watch Program
Felder Gallery
Coast Club
...NWS Corpus Christi Doppler Radar upgrade delayed until this Friday March 29th-April 6th... The National Weather Service Doppler Radar in Corpus Christi will be turned off from March 29 through April 6 for a major upgrade. However backup coverage will be provided by radars in Brownsville, Del Rio, New Braunfels, and Houston. About the Upgrade The most significant upgrade to the National Weather Service (NWS) network of Doppler radars [WSR-88D] is in the latter stages of completion. Over 120 of the 155 Doppler radars nationwide have already been upgraded, and Corpus Christi’s upgrade is up next! This upgrade incorporates a new technology called dual-polarization, or dual-pol. The upgrade for the Corpus Christi Doppler radar is scheduled to occur during the last week of March into the first week of April 2013 at the Corpus Christi International Airport. This new technology will result in 14 new radar products to the suite of radar data already available to NWS forecasters. These tools will assist forecasters in the warning and forecast process. This new technology and data primarily will help forecasters improve rainfall estimates along with identifying the type of precipitation that is falling. Please see our webpage for more information on the NWS Corpus Christi Doppler RadarDualPolarization Upgrade and available training. Most Respectfully, John- Metz Warning Coordination Meteorologist National Weather Service
Gulf Coast Stop Burglars & Hurricanes!
With Rolling Shutters Off Season Pricing Starting at Ask About Our New
$399
Security ScreensBurglar Tested And Hurricane Approved. Solar Benefits!
Call for a FREE Estimate Today!
361-852-2555 877-936-2333 (toll free)
gulfcoasthurricaneshutters.net
March 28, 2013
Island Moon
Island Clean-up A Big Success
A7
appreciable difference in the appearance of almost two miles of shoreline. Not only are our shorelines cleaner today, but they are also safer for birds, other animals and humans using the islands.
By Brent Rourk The “refuse ring” that was becoming an eyesore on the islands from the ICW, through Padre Isles and the ski basin, and further east has disappeared thanks largely to the partnership between the Padre Island Yacht Club (PIYC) and the Padre Island Beautification Trust and the sweat equity from countless volunteers on Saturday, March 23rd.
including cooking some awesome burgers. All of the volunteers seemed very pleased to be a part of this project and delighted to observe the difference in the shoreline appearance after they completed their efforts.
The tremendous amount of trash, debris, waste, litter, junk or whatever you want to label it is a global phenomenon that does not easily go away. Increased populations, poor or non-existent recycling programs, uneducated populations, lack of proper waste disposal, and more all contribute to make our global waterways conduits for trash. Currents readily sweep debris from one location to another. Coastlines worldwide including isolated islands are continually finding more trash washed ashore. The damage and decimation to wildlife is sadly staggering. The local littering
Linda Steinford said of the clean-up effort, “I enjoy the fun things on the island and thought that I should ‘man-up’ and do my part in keeping it looking great.” Many private boats and 2 boats from the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary ferried volunteers to the islands to pick up trash, bag it and take it back to the PIYC where dumpsters were waiting to cart it off. Both Vic Schreck (PIYC) and John White (PI Beautification Trust) recruited volunteers, boats, food, and prizes to make it a very satisfying day. Volunteers energetically worked for three to four hours conscientiously cleansing the coastline. Later many of the volunteers enjoyed lunch while Vic handed out prizes donated by Scuttlebutts, The Sandwich Shop, and Island Italian. By 1:00 P.M. the ring of trash, the volunteers and the leftovers vanished.
http://www.nrdc.org/water/ http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/ http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/pollution. html http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=3QxLghTmwiw http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=yPgbtr8Prw8
Gladys Choyke chimed, “I am wet but the water was warmer than I thought. Styrofoam should be outlawed. I like to look at a clean island.”
coupled with waste floating from other places makes clean-up a regular necessity. We need to continue to be good stewards of our island. On Saturday many fine stewards did an outstanding job.
http://www.allthewaytotheocean.com/about. sd.html
This project was another one of those terrific partnerships on the island that help make it
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/facts-aboutwater-pollution.html
http://www.allthewaytotheocean.com/about. do.html
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/naturalsciences/environment/water/wwap/factsand-figures/all-facts-wwdr3/fact-15-waterpollution/
Bev Hoffman mentioned, “It is worthwhile! I have done this for ten years.” When asked why he volunteered, Lee Tallas of the Coast Guard Auxiliary replied, “I volunteered because it is the right thing to do.” Colleen McIntyre readily admitted, “I enjoyed policing the area and keeping our islands beautiful.”
Vic Schreck shared, “We do this every year, cleaning the island and making sure that it is a beautiful place to live. This year was more successful than the last two years.” John White added, “This project has been in operation for 20 years and was started by the Brickels. Today’s turnout was great and the volunteers also enjoyed the lunch and prizes.”
Conrad Kimes, another island resident, offered, “The island gives us so much, it felt good to give something back.” Conrad’s group also collected lots of plastic, rope, bobbers and fishing line. By 10:00 A.M. many boats were docked on the islands while volunteers scattered and cleaned the shores. By noon there was a noticeable and
the amazing place it is. Private businesses and volunteers again showed that when they combine their efforts, energies, and donations, they can accomplish almost anything. A huge thanks to every person who participated in this project. Check out the following internet links about global water pollution that impacts everybody:
Volunteers cheerfully trudged through mud and 68 degree water to retrieve all kinds of trash, including plastic bags, lighters, plastic containers, styrofoam, wood, fishing bobbers and line, bottles, parts to a grill, countless shoes, an intact deck ladder, a bag of grass clippings, a bag of Halloween party costumes, tennis balls, cans and lots of unidentified plastic. Jim and John, who were assistants at PIYC headquarters, helped everything run smoothly,
Get the attention you deserve.
Restaurant
& Wine Bar
Selling a home? Want results?
2,660 sq ft!
14978 Topgallant
$257,500
Call 361-949-7281
Mary Melick Real Estate
-SUNDAY BUBBLY BUBBLY ALL HALF PRICE!
Including: Mimosas, Champagne Cocktails and House Specialty Champagne Martinis
Mary Ann McShane, Realtor, GRI, SRES e-mail: malm335@sbcglobal.net Corpus Christi Realty Group
-SUNDAY BRUNCH11:00 - 3:00 PM -MONDAYALL WINES 1/2 PRICE by the glass or by the bottle -THURSDAYMARTINI MADNESS! $6 executive martinis
Considering a move to the Island? Let me help you find your piece of Paradise - waterfront or interior homes, condos, townhouses, lots
$6
Considering selling your Island Property?
Wine Flights Every Day
361-749-2212
3500 Island Moorings Parkway at The Island Moorings Yacht Club & Marina in Port Aransas
www.labaratariarestaurantwinebar.com
Call me for a free consultation to obtain the current market value along with tips to make your property the one buyers will put on their “must see” list
Island Office (361) 215-8629 High Quality Work at Competitive Pricing!
HOURS
Monday, Thursday, Friday 4 pm - 10 pm Saturday Noon - 10 pm Sunday 11 am - 10 pm Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
Season’s Greetings & Happy Holidays 27 Years Experience ● Commercial & Residential Member On The Island
On Padre Island Duane Ebert 361-658-2459 | 361-949-0661 decksanddocksnorthpadre.com Member Padre Island Business Association
Padre Island Business Assoc.
Home Remodeling and More...
Island Moon
A 8
By Riley P. Dog
• Windows 7 Basics
Last weekend was a big day for Island dogs because a lot of our humans took advantage of the good weather to go boat riding and they took us along. I went on the Spoil Island Cleanup but my humans didn’t pick up any trash; they went fishing and didn’t even get a bite. They should have been picking up trash.
since my catfood eating opportunities have been limited since I went on my diet. Dr. Christi says it will take me a year to lose the 50 pounds I need to lose to get to the regular weight for my kind. I’m hoping sometime soon I get to the part of the diet where I can eat hotdogs and catfood. So far I haven’t made it that far.
The owl that tried to fly away with one of my kitties and instead ended up in the water is going to be released soon. The Guy that picked him up named him Dale and he says he wasn’t hurt he was just wet. He has real fluffy feathers so you can’t hear him when he flies but when they get wet they soak up a lot of water and he can’t fly. That’s how he ended up in our canal last week.
I heard this week there are some nice people on the island who are working to build a dog park. I hope they can do it so maybe that park won’t have stickers and I can go there. All the parks on the island have so many stickers I have to pick them out of my feet with my teeth and leave them on the floor where my humans step on them and yell. I blame the cats but they never go outside so that mostly doesn’t work.
One of my humans says he’s going to take me to the country to live if I keep eating catfood but I don’t believe him. It doesn’t matter anyway
March 28, 2013
Senior Moments
Sea Dogs
The Guy says that owl had broken his wing twice before and it had healed by itself but this time he wasn’t’ hurt just wet. One of my humans told that Guy she was going to let the air out of his tires if he let that owl go around our house so instead the owl is going out to the country to live where there aren’t any kitties.
Anyway, I hope the wind dies down because if I lose any more weight I’m going to get blown into the canal at my house. But at least I’ll be able to catch that owl if he comes back. I’m feeling pretty spry these days after losing four pounds and now I go walking with my humans in the morning. I channel my Inner Puppy but I still miss those hotdogs. Maybe I’ll see you at the dogpark.
Police Blotter
Did Ya’ Hear?
Police Arrest Drunk Driver In Active School Zone On Encatada Avenue
By Mary Craft Send your business news to mkay512@aol.com
New Advertisers
A 39-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon, March 21, for Driving While Intoxicated in an active school zone on the 14200 block of Encantada Avenue.
The CC Chamber Music Society presents “The Winner’s Concert” on Saturday, March 30th at 7:30 pm in the newly remodeled Wolfe Recital Hall at Del Mar College. Violinist Jung-Min Lee and pianist Zhegyu Chen will each perform solos and aollaborate. Tickets are $25 at the door.
A Corpus Christi Police Officer conducted speed enforcement at 2:30 in the afternoon on Wednesday and saw a black 2008 Chevy Equinox travel 25 miles per hour in the 15 mile per hour active school zone. The officer conducted a traffic stop and discovered the operator of the Equinox, a 39-year-old woman was intoxicated.
South Texas Marine Center in Alice has the 4x4 Sand Reeper that you can take from the street to the beach. Get this 40 mpg fun mobile today for only $13,995. Call 664-6193. R&D Construction offers complete remodeling or new construction and has been locally owned for more than 25 years. They do flooring, decks, fencing , painting, outdoor showers and more. Call 230-4154 for more info.
She was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and the Equinox was taken to the city impound lot. She was charged with Driving While Intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration over .15 which is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.
Estate Sale at Spinnaker Condos 14434 Cabana East #112 on Saturday, March 30th starting at 9 am. There will be for sale bedroom, dining and living room furniture and all other contents must go!
Spring Break Final Last issue we ran an incomplete list of Spring Break arrests made in Port Aransas. Here is the complete total.
Business Briefs The Back Porch in Port A will celebrate Susan’s retirement on Thursday, April 4th with entertainment by Mingo Fishtrap Band. Susan sold her half of the bar to her partner former Port A Mayor Glenn Martin.
All Agencies Spring Break 2013 alcohol
• April 22 - May 6, 2013
By Dotson Lewis dlewis1@stx.rr.com
• Monday-Wednesday-Friday; 8:30-11:30 am:
Seniors’ Moments In A Digital World Question of the day: How do I find my way around Windows 8?
• Monday-Wednesday-Friday; 8:30-11: 30 am • Instructor: Dotson Lewis We could also use your help as a volunteer instructor (all of our instructors are volunteers).
Dotson’s note: Shown below are the relocation sites for the activities that were being held at the Ethel Eyerly Senior Center. We will keep you posted as to new changes. Call 361-937-3218 for update information.
Windows 8 Start Screen “This new Microsoft Operating System (Windows 8) is driving me up a wall!” I hear this at least ten times every day. In second place is: “I didn’t want Windows 8 on my new computer, but I was told Windows 7 was not available.” It is very frustrating, but it shouldn’t be. The “old fashioned desk top,” with Windows 7 is hidden under the Windows 8 start screen, which is shown above. Here is my take on Bill Gates’ latest endeavor: Windows 8 represents the biggest change to Microsoft’s operating system since the launch of Windows 95. Here is my take on Windows 8. . I believe it’s the only Windows 8 review you are going to need. If you need further information, feel free to call, Email or come see us Mondays 12:30-2 pm at the Garden Senior Center. Microsoft has finally released its gamechanging operating system, Windows 8. This is the biggest change to the Windows OS since the launch of Windows 95. I have already spent a lot of time using Windows 8, so keep reading to find out what I think of Microsoft’s latest operating system in this Windows 8 review. Windows 8 launched on the 26th of October and, as usual with Microsoft operating systems - apart from a few exceptions - will be the operating system on all new PCs and laptops. It’s also available on tablets, starting with Microsoft’s own Surface and, Windows Phone 8 is now available smartphones. If you are looking for the desktop (that’s what you saw when you booted your Windows 7 and older operating systems) there is an icon on the Windows 8 start screen and “low & behold,” there it is. This icon on the Windows 8 start screen has, what to me, looks like the picture of a sunflower with “Desktop” in small fonts (letters) just below the picture.
PI
85
Aloha Wa Restaurant inside the Holiday Inn will have two seatings for Easter at 11 am and 1 pm. They will be serving prime rib, ham, seafood, chicken and lamb with unlimited mimosas or champagne. There will be a homemade dessert table and candy Easter eggs. Call 949-8041 for reservations.
DWI
185
Are We Having Fun Yet?
DWI+
18
Other
2 (DUI)
It’s Not Too Late To Sign Up For A Computer Class This Spring
Para
Scuttlebutt’s Bar & Grill will be closed Easter Sunday.
Felony 1
Misd
Bay Area Rental Management can professionally handle all aspects of your rental property. They coordinate maintenance and repairs, find qualifying tenants, collect rent and market your property. If you are looking for rental properties they currently have a 1 bedroom at Beach Club for $850/month, a 2 bedroom/2 bath on Fortuna Bay for $1250 and a 3 bedroom/ 2 bath with garage on El Socorro for $2300 amongst their many listings. Call 949-2131.
Warrants
Island Presbyterian Church will have Easter Service at 10 am with choir, brass and bells and sunrise service at 7 am on the beach at the end of Whitecap along with Island in the Son.
Assault
Bay Area Fellowship will have Easter services on Saturday at 6 pm and Sunday at 8:30 am, 10:00 and noon. Go to bayareafellowship.com for more info.
Property
The Sandy Bottom String Band will play at the Easter Sunday Service at 7:15 am at Robert’s Point Park in Port A. This 10 piece ensemble has a banjo, fiddle, two mandolins, guitars, auto harp and stand-up bass. We’ll see if Ronnie gets up early enough for this one.
Other Crimes
51
M/C
13
Misd
10
Felony 2
Unk
The tuition for one 20 hour class is a whopping four bucks. You are eligible to take any or all of these classes if you have been around 50 or more years. The state of the art class rooms are located on the South Campus of Del Mar College, 3209 South Staples. That is just across Staples from Ray High School.
7
Traffic
Ord
Other
Felony 3
Misd
• Beginning Computers (For Beginners-“Starting with Start”)
3
Felony 1
Misd
Felony 2
Misd
Ethel Eyerly Senior Center Activities For Persons Age 50 and Over DAILY ACTIVITIES NUTRITIOUS MEALS SERVED For Persons Age 60 and Over AT 11:30 p.m. ($1.50 SUGGESTED MEAL DONATION)
Waldron Baptist Church, 2042 Waldron Rd. (Flour Bluff) MONDAY-WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY Silver Haired Fitness-10-11 a.m. Caribbean Baptist Church-3125 Waldron Rd (Flour Bluff) MONDAY Computer Interest Group 12:30-2:00 p.m. Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greely (Near Cullen Middle School) Chair Volleyball –12:30 p.m.
Waldron Baptist Church 2042 Waldron Rd. (Flour Bluff) TUESDAY Table Games-12-1:30 p.m.
Waldron Baptist Church 2042 Waldron Rd. (Flour Bluff) Zumba Gold (Co-Ed.) 10:30 a.m. ($20.00/mo, or $3.00/session) St. Paul the Apostle Church 2233 Waldron Rd. (Flour Bluff) Table Tennis– 12:00 p.m. Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greely Road Dr. (Near Cullen Middle School)
Computer
Art Class 1-3 p.m. (TBA) AARP #4181 @ 1 p.m. 2nd Wednesday @ St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2233 Waldron Rd. (Flour Bluff) Next Meeting Wednesday, April 10th THURSDAY Wii Bowling-12:30 pm -1:30 pm
Waldron Baptist Church 2042 Waldron Rd. (Flour Bluff) Table Games- 12-4 pm Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greely Road Dr. (Near Cullen Middle School) FRIDAY Table Tennis– 12:00 p.m. Bingo-12:30-1:30 p.m. Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greely Road Dr. (Near Cullen Middle School)
• April 1-15, 2013 • Instructor: Dotson Lewis • Monday-Wednesday-Friday; 8:30-11:30 am;
5
Here is the April & May 2013 class schedule. Please register soon to insure a seat in the classroom.
5
Relocation Sites
WEDNESDAY
The Del Mar Senior Computer Program is offering the following classes during April and May. You can sign up for a class by calling 361698-1328. If you have any questions about the program, please call Dotson Lewis at 361-9497681.
7
• Introduction to the Internet (Emailing & Surfing the Net) • May 13 - May 27, 2013
Now you are good to go just like Vista, XP & etc.
drugs
• Instructor: Dotson Lewis
• Windows 7 Basics
WHY PURCHASE FROM GARY LUNT, INC.? t 13 years of proven quality and service t Over 3,200 lights sold and working TODAY t The only know system on the Gulf Cost which has actually passed the Building Inspector’s test using the National Electric Code Requirements U.S. Patent 7,008,081 Issued March 7, 2006
• April 6 - May 18, 2013 • Saturdays; 8:30-11:30 am
15 411 arrests / 426 charges
• Instructor: Dotson Lewis
1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
Call for references Standard 50’ models starting at $375 + tax
GARY LUNT, INC 361-537-8333 PORT ARANSAS “YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR”
GIFTS CERTIFICATES AVALIABLE
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..........
XTREME™ EYELASH EXTENSIONS Michelle is a Master Hair Stylist having learned from the best and having trained top stylists herself. She is an expert Colorist and Make Up Artist, and was the former Stylist and Make Up Artist for Miss Oklahoma.
Hours Tuesday‐Friday 10am‐6pm Saturday 9am‐2pm
Walk‐Ins Welcome * Late Appointments Available
14813 S.P.I.D. Corpus Christi, TX 78418 (Next Door to Island Wash) Salon: 361‐949‐4890 www.michellessalon.com
Accounting Services Monthly bookkeeping Financial statements preparation Payroll check and tax deposit calculations EFTPS payroll tax payments Payroll quarterly reports preparation and electronic filing Federal business and individual tax prep and electronic filing, including Corporations, Partnerships, LLC’s and LLP’s State margin (franchise) and sales tax prep and electronic filing Business and individual bill pay
The WRIGHT WAY Accounting Services Mindy Wright, BBA (361) 937-5072 Office & Fax
March 28, 2013
Island Moon
A9
is Looking Forward to the Future! th w o r G d Islan
2014
en: March n h a due to op b r rk a e P Club r � li te a h Sc es Country hase W cost sl P I st re ir d a F n P o g acres and li
Industrial G rowth
il din over 500 $40+ M cover 65 acres inclu encompass o t o t rs a 1 e se y a Ph on in future ll comple� Overa Million over $500
Port of Corpus Chris�
Expansion k r a P i ll a facility Padre B nd laundry athroom a
$48 Million in Rail Yard impr ovements 12 miles of track to be adde d in 18‐24 mon Port facili� ths es have access to Three Class ‐ Union Pacic One Railroads : ‐ Burlington Nor th ern Santa Fe ‐ Kansas City Sou thern Port of Cor pus Chris� has unique Free Tr Includes re ade Zone #122 neries and Jet F uel pipeline to D Allows duty FW Interna�on free transshipm al Airport ent to foreign us ers
00 sq. �. b Phase 1: b Hall Pier es with 3,0 c a p s V rant on Bo a�on R u v 1 a o n st e e r R 5 k n c e ilio d e King Pav d covered i�oned an Brisco d n o ‐c ir a deled Remo g area ent campin t w e or viewing N and area f tl e w d e d Exten soon nstruc�on o c in g y e a b Nemo C nit Townhome Project to 4 u New 4
Cheniere
Liquefac�o n Natural Gas E xport Terminal $10 Billion to be spent on a 4 year construc� October 2013 on period—begi nning 1,800 cons truc�on jobs p er y ear Liquefac�o n Project in serv ice by Decembe 160 perman r 2017 ent jobs expect ed
Tianjin Pipe Co mpany from C $1 Billion Pi hina pe plant/1
.6 million square 2,000 cons foot facility truc�on jobs e s�mated 300‐600 pe rmanent jobs cr eated with trai ning provided by Del Mar M
&G Group
DID YOU KNOW?
50% of Texas’ population is within a 5 hour drive of Corpus Christi!
$1 Billion invest ment in 2 resin manufacturing of the Viola Ch plants on the no annel at Port o rthern side f Corpus Chris� 3,000 cons truc�on jobs d ur ing 36 month e Predicted s�mated const 250 permanen ruc�on phase t jobs and 700 in support the tw di rect posi�ons n o plants eeded to
th w o r G l Regiona y foot facilit
hes 0 square Baker Hug illion/30 acre site/140,00dd 75 jobs
Retail Growt h& Enter tainmen t
20 M yees and a New $ 40 emplo te a c lo e r o Plan t n e e tw e y 44 b utors State Hw L&F Dist0r,0ib00 square foot facility on ansion 5 uture exp f New 1 d and Bockholt ts c e p x e loyees and Clarkwoo t 165 emp u o b a s rt Suppo rters & a u q d a e H rol
Shops at La Palm
e
ra 200,000 squa re foot center, lo cated across Sta Dick’s Spor�n ples from JC Pen g Goods set to op ney en Fall 2013 Corner Baker y Café set to ope n M ay 2013
er Pat ra�ons e p O ld U.S. Bord ie F / ms Offic4e Million combined complex o t s u C . S . U $2
ne w et re site for square fe 30 ac re: 35,000 a sh Sam’s Club l il w t en 50 ag t r o p ir Reloca�on to co A rner of S. Padre Is rna�onal e t land Dr. and Ever n I Bu � ilding permit iss is r s y h hart Road a w C n ued for 139,000 s u u r o n t o ts li il n Corp e square foot stor project cost y: rovem $16.3 M p b r e e s im fo with over $7 Mill u t t c t n u n ra tr fficie o ns ion FAA G sign and c safe and e e r D o : f s 2 & rd a 1 s d e n s a ta h s P st e late raffic Parkdale Plaza ill meet th l Avia�on T CCIA w ial‐Military‐Genera rc Developer Jerry Comme Quick purchased in 2005, shoppi opened in 1957 ta�on ng area originally S l a v a N m ro f d rt r o a p N ew ir ir u A st A l l or a G a es v t n next to new Wal m ar t a U.S. Coa tso Corpus Chris� Internae� Cooastal Guard and the Na re expected to ope Corpus Chris� sa n soon adding to les tax revenue g th Movin hris� provides both C s . Corpu d n a om to exp USS Le Sta�on ro
xington
Annual bud get over $60 mill ion Direct payro ll budget over $20 million 6 million visit ors and coun�ng Totally self sufficient funding
Texas State Aqu arium
14945 S. Padre Island Dr. Corpus Chris�, Tx 78418 361‐949‐7077 800‐580‐7077 toll free www.cbir.com
Over 560,000 gue sts in 2012 and o
ver 61,000 studen t visits
A 10
Island Moon
March 28, 2013