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The Island Moon Published by Island Moon Publishing, LLC 15201 S. Padre Island Drive Ste. 250 Corpus Christi, TX. 78418 editor@islandmoon.com (361) 949-7700

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The

Island Moon The Island Newspaper

Island Area News ● Events ● Entertainment

March 2, 2012

Photo By Mike Ellis

The Island Newspaper since 1996

Around The Island

By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com

It’s been onward through the fog of late here on our Island. We wake up in the soup and then it clears during mid-day only to return in the evening. It makes for some hairy drives down the landing strip to Port Aransas and on the JFK to go OTB. But look at it this way; it’s a lot better than actually having a winter. Our water temperatures have remained high enough through the winter season that the state is only now reopening some areas of the coast to oyster harvesting.

We’ve had plenty of cold fronts but they only last a day or two at most and we’re right back to the milder climate we are used to.

Padre Island Showcase It seems that every little village in Texas has an annual festival based around a truck crop or a farm animal. Freer has its Rattlesnake Roundup, Luling has the Watermelon Thump (highlighted by the crowning of the Thump Queen -insert punch line here), there’s the Heritage Syrup Festival, and events celebrating the glories of the goat, the cow, and even the pig. Here on The Island we have the La Posada Lighted Boat Parade which is a great event but we’ve never had the weekend-long festival to showcase our great Island…that is until now.

On Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29, the Moon is sponsoring the First Annual Padre Island Showcase. It will feature a home tour that begins at 1 p.m. and can be attended by car, boat, or golf cart (did you hear that Bob-O?) and will also have a vendor showcase at the gym at Seashore Middle Academy.

The idea is to showcase our Island lifestyle and bring people out to Island businesses. It’s a benefit for the Island Beautification Trust and so far more than a dozen homes have already signed up for the home tour and the vendor slots are filling up.

To get involved call Mary Lou White over at Coldwell Banker at 361-960-9460 or e-mail her at Marylou.white@coldwellbanker.com. It’s an idea whose time has come and April is the time to do it. We have a beautiful Island and it’s time to let people OTB know about it.

Night at the Races Don’t forget the Rotary Club’s Night at the Races at 6 p.m. this Friday, March 2, at the Padre Isles Country Club. It’s an annual event usually held on Saturday nights but this year is on Friday. The agenda is to buy tickets to bet on taped horse races for fun and prizes. For tickets call the Country Club or John White at 361 5496347.

Back by popular demand There have been several requests from people who missed the first bus trip to Progreso, Mexico, many who wanted to go but can only get away on the weekend. So there’s a return engagement and there is also a second destination being added.

On Saturday, March 24 Beachside Adventures, who organizes the tours, is hosting a return trip to Progreso.

Next Publication Date: 3/9/2012

Schlitterbahn Zoning Approved by City Council

The planned Schlitterbahn Water Park and Resort and the surrounding development took two steps forward on Tuesday as the Corpus Christi City Council in a unanimous 9-0 vote approved the rezoning of 111 acres of land located on the east side of the Padre Isles Country Club where the park would be located, and the developer in the project announced he has a commitment from an investor to build a $21 million residential development on the eastside of SPID. Plans call for a marina and other new development on the east side of SPID where the residential project would be located to be connected to the water park and a 3000foot long Beach Walk retail and residential development on the road’s west side by a proposed $8 million water exchange bridge.

The 600 acre development located on what is Schlitterbahn Continued on A 7

Update on County Park Board Projects

Editor’s note: The Nueces County Park Board has hit the ground running since the New Year.

They have several projects in the works so we will be doing updates as things move forward.

Briscoe King Pavilion improvements. The board has been working for several months to do a makeover of the Briscoe King Pavilion, located just behind the dunes near Bob Hall Pier. The work will do a complete facelift on the building along with adding air conditioning.

Part of the problem in expanding the facility has been the lack of a sewer line but a deal has been worked out between the city and county to share the cost through a joint agreement. Bids on the $424,000 project are expected to be opened by March 8th with approval by the Nueces County Commissioners Court by mid March. Work should begin soon after and must be completed

by June 1st according to the bid agreement.

Island Visitor’s Center. The Board is working to bring a visitor’s center to the Packery Channel Park.

Bob Hall Pier Camera. Several groups have approached the Board about improving the quality of the surf camera on Bob Hall Pier.

County attorneys are reviewing the applicable law to determine what type of arrangement can be made to provide live, high-def video from the camera online.

Update Continued on A 5

By Maybeth Christensen

Another reminder for parents, there is a City curfew ordinance. Minors - an individual under the age of 17, are not allowed in a public place between the hours of 11 PM and 6 AM. A public place is basically any place but their own home and yard. If you see young people walking the streets after 11 PM, call the police.

The big winds of last Friday really blew those plastic bags around the Island. Take a few minutes to pick up

New Texas Navy

By Dale Rankin

News From Your

The garden may be a great teaching moment for some parents in the neighborhood around the park.

Some youngsters have been spotted breaking off some plants and spray painting some of the playground equipment. Take a few minutes to talk with your children about respecting other people’s property. A great deal of money - all donated - and hard work went into building the garden spots. We would hate to see a few young people destroy the work of the gardeners.

Year 15, Issue 412

New residential project announced, funding for water exchange bridge, tax incentive plan still to come

Around the Island Continued on A 5

Despite the weather, a few hardy gardeners attended Saturday’s dedication of the Community garden at Douden Park.

Many of the garden bins are already planted.

Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper

the area by your home including the vacant lot next door or across the street. We all need to work together to improve the appearance of the Island.

Remember - those vacant lots are owned by someone.

They are not to be used as dumping grounds or parking lots. We have more than one neighborhood who thinks the vacant lot is a great place to throw their stuff and park their vehicles, boats and trailers. STOP IT!!!!

Our covenants do require that you keep your property maintained. With the start of spring, take a good look at your home and yard. Perhaps you need some painting or pressure washing to spruce up your house. Plants, palms and bushes could probably use some trimming. The next brush setout dates don’t start until March 12, so don’t set out early, but plan to take advantage of the set out time to clean up your area.

We hope to see you at the Annual Meeting, Saturday, March 10, at 10 AM at the Seashore Learning Center Gym. The gym is located on Encantada, just west of Park Road 22 and across the street from St. Andrews Catholic Church.

You may have seen this guy making its way around The Island lately. It is the first of six boats that will make up the newly formed Highway Patrol Tactical Marine Unit which will eventually number 40 DPS officers. The team will work in coordination with local and federal law enforcement agencies along the U.S./Mexican border. A DPS spokesman says one boat will be assigned to patrol the Laguna Madre and our canals and will have a crew of six officers.

Each of the 36-foot long boats features armored glass and armored hulls, along engines totaling 900-horsepower. The vessels have four

machine gun turrets and state of the art night vision cameras. They carry a variety of guns including five - static mounted [2 dual & 1 single] FN M240B 7.62×51 mm NATO Light machineguns, two - Barrett .50 BMG Sniper Rifles, and other assorted 5.56 rifles, 9mm sub machineguns, and grenade launchers.

The cost of each boat is about $600,000 each and the total cost of the fleet is about $3.5 million. They were first shown at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show and each boat is named after a DPS trooper killed in the line of duty.

Note to self; don’t try to outrun them in a kayak.

Whoop it Up!

Biting Off More Than You Can Chew

Mark your calendar for our 4th Annual Whoop It Up

Starting the Process of Documenting Island History

When: Sunday March 3rd Where: Whiskey River 5702 S. Staples

Sunday, March 04, 2012, 06:00pm - 10:00pm

By Mary Lou White What started out as a simple idea to document the history of our “area home”, from Padre Island National Seashore to “The Bridge”, has turned into something much more monumental and permanent.

If we are going to collect historical data, why not have a place to permanently display those items and share our Island History with interested parties. To accomplish that goal, we need to initiate a Historical Society, parented by a non-profit organization. With those goals in mind, we are asking for your help. If you have any interest in an endeavor of this magnitude, please contact Mary Lou White @361-9609460 or Marylou.white@coldwellbanker.com.

To begin the collection process, we need: volunteers or time, talent and treasure. The immediate need involves a MAC computer, a hard drive and a large scanner. Our end goal, is to produce a book, a permanent collection and a historical museum to pass on to the future.

Whoop it Up! $25 in advance, $35 at door; $500 table Support our schools purchase tickets

Tickets available for $25.00 at all Seashore Schools.

Donate tickets, condos, trips, services, and talent--anything of value--for the auction and/ or raffle.

Sponsor the event.

We will happily pick up your donation (call Sunshine at 361-815-0420 or Jennifer @ 361244-2536), or you may drop it at any school office.

This event is a fundraiser for Island Foundation for Seashore Learning Center, Seashore Middle Academy and Seashore Early Childhood Education Academy.

Location : Whiskey River, 5702 South Staples Street , Corpus Christi , TX , 78413

Tony Amos: “I Know This Bird”

A Life in Lists

By Betsy Bowen Well known Port A naturalist-observer Tony Amos gave one of the popular lectures during this year’s Whooping Crane Festival.

“When you see those flocks of birds on the beach, gulls, shorebirds mingling together, know that each bird is an individual. Each one has its own story,” he emphasized.

Tony’s own life story is one of the more interesting ones on the beach…he has spent 35 years making lists of his 4500 journeys along the same 7 ½ mile stretch of Mustang Island beach, near Port A. And every eighth day he journeys to nearby San Jose Island, having amassed 644 of those observational lists…so far. He looks for periodic changes, over time, watching as well the 18 year lunar cycle: how might it affect tides and other bits of beach life?

Some of the lists are pictorial: we saw the sequential series of vehicles used to traverse the sands; the notebooks and HP7500 computers for recording the sightings of the day. Other points of focus are: Width of the beach, which varies greatly with storm events and other weather. Sea temperature, taken by wading in knee deep and dropping an old-style thermometer in the water.

Birds. So very many wonderful types, common and rare; healthy and injured occasionally. One of the 1.3 million Laughing Gulls Tony has tallied on his jaunts had a one-legged story he followed for a number of years. Some birds, as the Snowy Plover, nest in the sand right on the beach.

Turtles and other wild creatures

Trash: he picks certain items to count, singleuse plastic beverage bottles, gallon green plastic bleach bottles.

Many plastic parts he has found inside of dead or injured turtles, birds, whales, and dolphins.

Messages written in the sand. Messages found in bottle; handwritten bits of happiness and desperation. One of the ones he responded to led to a friendship with a German sea captain from a tall sailing ship in the mid-Atlantic near the equator. . Clouds, Red tide; algae event, “Blue tide;” jellyfish, sea slugs, Human tide; Spring Break.

Wrecks; sailboats, bigger ships. Some of these evolve into habitat for birds and plants.

“I love the beach,” says Tony.

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The Crane – Bird of Peace, Children’s International Art Exhibit

Island Moon

By Betsy Bowen

March 2, 2012

Announcing Results of Big Shell Beach Clean-up and a Public Education Program for Upcoming Sea Turtle Nesting Season

By: Donna J. Shaver, Ph.D., and Dimitra Guerrero National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore E-mail: Donna_Shaver@nps.gov

Artfully rendered cranes by students from Russia, China, Bhutan, South Africa, Canada: Yukon, Europe, Nepal, the U.S., and Port Aransas, were shown at the Art Center for the Islands during the recent Whooping Crane Festival.

Volunteers and staff with the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery at Padre Island National Seashore are busy getting ready for the upcoming Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nesting season. We have been providing training to volunteers and staff members working with nesting sea turtle projects state-wide and other individuals that will be working on the beach during the nesting season. We have already held some sessions locally and elsewhere in the state, and more sessions are scheduled through March. In the last half of this article we will tell you about a session that we are holding for the public in March.

The earliest that we have documented a Kemp’s ridley nest on the Texas coast is the first week of April.

The Crane – Bird of Peace, Children’s International Art Exhibit was started in 1996 by the International Crane Foundation (ICF), as a way to make the connection between children and adults the interest in the natural world.

Joan Garland, Education Outreach Coordinator for the ICF, noted that the Foundation’s research and conservation projects are ongoing in 22 countries, and she tries to get the biologists to take a pile of these art pieces by children from around the world to make a connection that goes beyond the language differences.

Cranes, captivating long-legged wading birds, occur across the earth except for South America.

Hopefully the turtles will hold off from nesting that long so that all of the training and season preparations are done by the time that they come ashore. It has been a very warm spring – so we will see!

But before we talk about the training, we want to report on the wonderful results from the Annual Big Shell Beach Clean-up that was held on February 25 at Padre Island National Seashore. As we mentioned in a previous article, Billy Sandifer, Friends of Padre Island, and the community have come out to

the National Seashore to pick up record amounts of beach trash for nearly two decades. This important effort improves the aesthetics and natural habitat at the National Seashore for both humans and animals. The event is never rescheduled due to weather and this year’s event proved just that! Rain, wind, and 50 degree weather were on the menu this past weekend and all event participants received a healthy portion!

reporting nesting and stranded sea turtles documented on the Texas coast for years, and we greatly appreciate their assistance.

This year’s seminar will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Seashore Learning Center Gymnasium, 15801 S.P.I.D., Corpus Christi, TX 78418. Topics will include a brief history of the program, information about on-going efforts to locate, recover, and protect sea turtle nests, reporting and documenting sea turtles, and ways to avoid inadvertently harming nesting turtles and their nests

The information and training session is provided as a public service and will be free-of-charge. This seminar is designed for the general public and will not satisfy the volunteer training requirements necessary to become an official volunteer with the Kemp’s ridley recovery project. You do not need to sign up in advance to attend. If you have questions about this training or our volunteer program, you can contact one of our staff members by calling 361-9498173, ext. 266 or send us an e-mail at pais_ seaturtlevolunteer@nps.gov.

We hope to see you at the public seminar on March 24, 2012. However, if you cannot attend the seminar,

While the weather left a lot to be desired, we are pleased to report volunteer spirit and enthusiasm were not dampened by the weather! Most of our Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery staff members aided with the clean-up. About half of us arrived at 5:30 am to assist with traffic control. Needless to say, we got “soaked to our bone”. The second wave of park staff fared better, as the rain finally began to subside late morning.

At the end of the work day, volunteers were treated to pizza and hot dogs. While we did not see the quite as many participants as in some recent Big Shell Beach Clean-ups, we are happy to report there were nearly 300 dedicated volunteers ready to work - in the rain. This proved to be plenty of people to clean about 8 miles of beach. Despite the unfavorable weather conditions and smaller workforce, participants picked up about 20 tons of beach trash!

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Padre Island National Seashore wants to thank everyone that participated with the 17th Annual Big Shell Beach Clean-up. The staff at Padre Island National Seashore knows this year’s clean-up was particularly challenging. Your time and effort has not gone unrecognized. If you were unable to attend this year’s event, you can visit the park’s website to learn about future beach cleanups at: http://www.nps.gov/ pais/planyourvisit/events.htm. Just a reminder, you do not have to be part of an organized beach clean-up event to help. If you want to lend a helping hand, we always have a supply of garbage bags available at the Visitors Center for those who want to pitch in on an individual basis.

As mentioned above, staff with Padre Island National Seashore’s Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery will conduct a public seminar to inform people how to provide aid during the 2012 Kemp’s ridley nesting season. Help from the public is needed so that threatened and endangered sea turtles and their nests are found on our beaches, documented, and protected. The public has been helpful in finding and

you can learn more about our program by visiting the park’s website at http://www.nps.gov/pais. You can also contact the Malaquite Visitor Center this spring and summer to find out more information about the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle restoration project and how you can help by attending an environmental program provided by a Park Ranger. The telephone number for the Padre Island National Seashore Malaquite Visitor Center is 361-949-8068.

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March 2, 2012

Island Moon

Stuff I heard on the Island

By Dale Rankin

As I sit here writing this about half of The Island is without power. We’re getting to be quite good at weaving our way through power outages of late. When newcomers first arrive on The Island and they experience the first few outages and then hear that it’s not really all that good an idea to drink the tapwater they start to wonder if they overshot the Rio Grande and ended up south of the border.

Not enough light for poker But after a while we all learn to cope. The first thing to do is buy an oil lamp and tape a cigarette lighter to it. That way when out go the lights you can feel your way over there and snag that lighter and fire it up. Then you can use it to light the oil lamp and you’re in business.

Another solution is to go to the dollar store and buy a whole bunch of those solar powered yard lights. When the lights go out just walk out in the front yard and pluck those babies out of the ground where you’ve been using them to light the sidewalk and take them in the house. Bang, instant mood lighting.

The solar collector on top is about the size of a big sandollar and the light they throw out is enough to play a game of Mah Jongg or maybe dominoes but if it’s poker you fancy you probably need the oil lamp to keep those aces from coming out from between the knees.

Computer homicide The other problem is your computer. If the power goes off once and then back on your computer will most likely come through unscathed. However, if the power goes off, then quickly comes back on and then goes out again you’re likely going to have computer trouble.

Shutting the contraption down once and then powering it back up doesn’t do much harm. But if it is trying to boot back up when the second whammy hits then it blows the computer’s mind and it will lock up.

And we’re here to tell you that a locked up computer will not respond to four letter words, threats, cajoling, or bargaining. They’re like a stubborn chicken. When they’re dead they’re dead.

Long history Islander John Trice who has been working to make things better on The Island for decades says the problem is not a new one. He points out that back in 1988 it was so cold the canals froze and power was out for a week. Then in 1993

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Youth Spring Break Art Camp –InstructorMarilyn Cook Monday—Friday Dates: March 12-16 Ages: 3rd- 5th Grades Time:1:00 pm-3:30 pm Cost:$ 15 for the week. Pre-Pay & Register to save your space.

We will work with a vast assortment of art materials in different mediums while learning Art History as well.

another big power outage hit and a dialogue was opened between Islanders and the power company to see if there was a solution.

The first suggestion was to bury the main lines that run along SPID and SH 361. That was deemed too expensive by the power company.

The second solution that eventually went into effect was to have the fire department or others to periodically wash the power lines with high pressure hoses. This sounds kind of silly on the surface but the water was used to knock off the salt buildup that accumulates on the lines during long periods without rain. The salt adds weight to the lines and when the wind blows it causes them to sway and lose connection to the power source and blow transformers. I’m sure there is a more scientific explanation but that’s pretty much what happens. But we’ve had some rain in the last few weeks and the power outages seem to be getting worse. Sometimes they seem to correlate with wind, sometimes with fog, sometimes with calm sunny days. There seems to be neither rhyme nor reason.

So now what?

I contacted Andy Heines, a spokesman for AEP. He says the problem of late has been high winds.

“The lines on The Island are constantly exposed to the salt air and elements without any kind of windbreak,” he said.

The outage last Friday was caused by a shield line (the line at the top of the pole) when it came in contact with another line and left both North Padre and Port Aransas dark for about two hours. He says those lines were replaced last year by men dangling from helicopters on the polls along SH 361 at a cost of several million dollars in order to build a redundancy into the system. He says that burying the lines comes with its own set of problems when there is flooding.

As John says there has been some attention to the fact that we are on the end of the water system and that is being addressed. But we are also on the end of the power grid and we are having regular problems.

When we tell people OTB that we Islanders don’t have any power they think we are talking about politics; that may or may not be so. But the reality is we’re sitting in the dark hoping to tell someone at AEP we have no electricity before the juice in our cell phone runs out.

As for a solution, one doesn’t seem to be forthcoming. So for now keep that lamp handy and hope for the best.

Calling All Artists

2012 Shrimporee Poster Contest

The Annual Shrimporee in Aransas Pass, Texas is a family oriented, summer outdoor festival. It is a well known tradition to the community and is always held the second weekend in June.

The traditional Shrimporee Poster Contest sets up the commencement of other events that will follow all leading up to the opening day of the festival.

The poster contest is open to all ages. Anyone that has a flair for art is encouraged to participate from the novice to the professional artist. The winning artwork will be selected and then reproduced into a poster that will commemorate the 64th annual festival for years to come.

Deadline to register and submit artwork is April 13th. After the judging a reception for the artist will be held and the winning poster unveiled.

Poster contest rules and information can be found on the website at www.aransaspass.org or call the Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce at (361) 758-2750.

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Did Ya Hear?

By Mary Craft

New Advertisers The 2012 Winter 8-Ball Invitational Shootout Championship will be held at The Flats in Port A. The event is on Sunday, March 4th with player auction at 1 pm and match play at 1:30 pm. Call Don Patterson at 616-212-1656 for more info.

J-B Boutique at the Beach Lodge in Port A has unique clothes, accessories, jewelry, belts and more. There will be fashion shows on Saturdays during March. The shop will be open daily 8am – 10 pm.

Business Briefs Coast Club in Port A has Todd Dorn & the Sea Drifters performing Friday, March 16th and Saturday, March 17th 10 pm – close. The week of March 12th they are doing Irish car bombs for $5. During March Madness you can view every game, every day at the only non-smoking bar in town.

The Sand Bar at the Holiday Inn will be opening Wednesday, March 7th. This bar with an ocean view is a great place to meet visitors to our Island. There is live music every weekend starting at 1 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

March 10th will feature Double R Nothing and The Groove and on the 11th John Cortez and Dave’s Duo.

The Back Porch in Port A will re-open Thursday, March 8th. This popular tiki bar on the marina next to Woody’s has live entertainment every weekend. The first weekend will feature Scarecrow People on Friday and Ruben V on Saturday.

Matilda Blues Cafe inside Mail n More is no longer open.

Kody’s Restaurant in Port A is no longer offering the winter Wednesday all you can eat shrimp special. They still have their prime rib special on Thursdays.

CVS on the Island once again had the most liquor sales this year in their three state regional area.

The Annual Rotary Night at the Races will be at the Padre Isles Country Club on FRIDAY, March 2nd at 6 pm not Saturday. This is the first year it is on a Friday which tripped me up and I put the wrong date in the last Briefs. Call the club at 949-8056 or John White at 549-6347.

Dragonfly Restaurant will have extended hours during spring break weekend. There will be a full bar and late night tapas until 2 am. They also offer catering to help feed your guests who come to visit.

Janet Planet enjoys the Mardi Gras celebration at Sharkey’s in Port Aransas.

Photo by Anette Ables

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A 4

Real Estate Roundup

Island Moon The Tarpon Ice House Presents

By Mary Lou White Due to another project, I have been thinking a lot about why I feel the need to live on the Island. My husband and I bought a home here, by choice, in 2004. Having spent most of my life in the “landlocked” center of the USA, it was not until I moved to Holland and lived on a boat for three years that I realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life on or near water. After weighing many options, each location was eliminated until Corpus Christi was the only contestant left standing. Once we came to the area, The Island felt the most comfortable. We were asked many times, by friends and family, why we would “risk” living on a barrier island. I can only reply with a quote from Lord Tennyson’s poem: In Memorium A.H.H. “Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all.” I think this is true in relationships as well as making housing decisions. Both components are highly emotional and involve a high level of risk. Any time you allow something to cross the barrier into your heart and soul, the chances for pain and suffering enter as well.

Risk Management As humans, we try to find many ways to reduce the risk factor, in our lives. When it comes to housing, we buy insurance policies.

Which means, we are betting something might happen and the insurance company is betting it won’t. To my knowledge, no one has YET sold marriage insurance, except in the form of “prenuptial” agreements. The higher the “risk” that an event will take place, the higher the premium paid, on the insurance policy. Once again, money talks. If you pay cash for your home and you will not be adversely affected, by it’s loss, then you can assume all the risk and proceed without any insurance whatsoever. Obviously, for most of us, this is NOT an option. For those who want to minimize any possible loss, or who used a lender to purchase their home, insurance is a given factor. For homes, on the Island, lenders require, and prudent homeowners want, three insurance policies.

Homeowner’s Insurance This policy covers fire and other hazards, as defined in your specific policy. If you own AND live in your home, it will be possible to have the most complete coverage. If you own the property, but rent it out, then you need Dwelling Insurance and the person renting needs Renter’s insurance to cover their contents. If you own a condo, then the insurance policy will be written based on your Bylaws. Keep in mind, that not all carriers will allow short-term rentals. This is where your insurance agent can be your best source of advice. When your living status changes, remember to let the agent know, so policy coverage can be adjusted to meet the change.

Windstorm

Insurance

This coverage is provided by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and managed by the State of Texas. Anything built before January 1988 will be “grandfathered” , under this program. However, since that timeframe, all construction and certain changes, to your home, must have a WPI8 certificate. Any new homes and any changes or replacement of exterior doors, windows, the roof , the garage door, or any additions must be inspected and certified by an engineer. The Texas Department of Insurance website provides a list of qualified engineers in Nueces County. Just remember, when you are interviewing contractors, do not finalize “the deal” without making sure that a WPI8 Windstorm Certificate will be provided upon completion of the work and final payment will not be made until the certificate has been applied for AND issued. Another caveat, it would be to

Gus the Gorilla has Moved!

your advantage to have an engineer on board, before work begins, so work can be inspected during the process and not after all signs of workmanship are covered and complete, at the end of the process. After” Katrina” in New Orleans and” Ike” in Galveston, insurance companies are far less lenient on any discrepancies. Make sure you are not the homeowner who has to delay closing to try and clear up a missing “windstorm certificate” issue. Once contractors are paid “in full”, it is very difficult to have them return and fix any problems that are discovered by an engineer, who is asked to provide a “short term inspection and certificate” for a looming closing date.

Flood Insurance This coverage is provided by the Federal government through FEMA. To obtain a quote or a new policy, the agent must have a copy of the Elevation Certificate, for your property.

These are provided by a licensed Surveyor. It shows the height of your home above “sea level”. Premiums are based on this information and where your property resides on the “Flood Zone” maps. Flood Insurance policies do have an upper value limit. Make sure that you discuss all of your insurance policies with your agent and READ your policy before filing it away.

You should know what your policy covers, before a loss, not after. There are only two ways to reduce your premium amount. First, if you reduce the amount of coverage value, the premium will decrease. Second, if you opt for a higher deductible (higher amount of loss before insurance pays), then your premium will decrease as well. Another factor, to consider, should be discussed and explained by your insurance agent. Replacement cost coverage will replace your property after a total loss.

However, an “actual cash value” policy will take depreciation into account and you may not be paid a sufficient amount, after a total loss, to replace your property, without making a contribution from your own resources.

Sponsored by the Island Moon Newspaper It’s Cajun! It’s Zydeco! The Louisiana Swamp Romp & Gumbo Cookoff is all about the music and the food!

The Swamp Romp is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, 2012 beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the Tarpon Ice House in Downtown Port Aransas, Texas. It’s all about the music and food. All are invited to join in the Coastal Bend’s largest celebration of everything from the bayou.

Gumbo Cook-Off: 5:00 p.m.

3:00 -

Gumbo Cook-Off Tasting/Judgin 6:00 p.m.

5:00 -

Gumbo Cook-Off Awards p.m.

6:00

Swamp Romp Music p.m.

Opening Act TBA

7:00

9:00 p.m.

Headline Act: Ponty Bone & The Squeezetones Admission to event:

$10.00

(Children under 12 years FREE) Applications for entry in the Gumbo Cook-Off will be accepted through April 1, 2012. A limit of 20 entries are available. Entry fee for Gumbo Cook-Off is $25.00. Each Gumbo Cook-Off participant must supply their own tables, chairs, propane, equipment, serving instruments signage, trash cans, and all necessary food. Gumbo Cook-Off participants will be supplied with a 10x10 foot space for set up. Additional space is available for an additional fee.

Crawfish, crawfish and more crawfish. Crawdads will be available for sale at the Tarpon Ice House from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. or until they run out.

Arts & Crafts booths will be available on a limited basis. Application deadline is March 15, 2012. Booth spaces are limited to a 10x10 foot area. Booth fee is $75.00. All items sold must be approved in advance at the time of application and payment. All items must be in good taste. Preference will be given to Cajun, Louisiana, and Mardi Gras items.

Insurance Agents

Island Real Estate Ticker 238 Island Residences For Sale 114 Attached homes for sale from $39,900 to $495,900 45 Detached homes not on the water from $139,900 to $389,000 79 Detached homes on a canal or waterfront from $199,900 to$2,200,000 206 Island Lots and Land For Sale 145 parcels not on the water from $16,500 to $1,400,000 61 parcels on a canal or waterfront from $ 99,000 to $1,850,250

Harbor Bridge to Get Temporary Towers

The shoring towers will be erected in pieces in the parking lot of the Texas State Aquarium underneath the Harbor Bridge. The shoring towers will rise some 80 feet to the bottom of the bridge, be topped with a neoprene pad, and jacked up in to place. Angle braces, which are in groups of four connecting the truss members, will be replaced one at a time. When the angle braces have been replaced, the shoring tower will be partially removed, lowered and slid over to the next set of braces to be replaced.

Barney Keeton

The Louisiana Swamp Romp & Gumbo Cook-Off

Those who sell insurance policies must be licensed by the State, where they conduct business. Some agents represent only one company, while other agents work as independent “brokers”, who shop for policies that provide the best coverage at the lowest possible price, from many different providers. A fact to remember, when comparing policies and premiums, is the rating, of the insurance company, issuing the policy. Your best protection will be provided by an insurance company with an “A or better” rating. I want to acknowledge Rebecca Root at DeWitt Insurance, here on the Island, for her time and effort, regarding the many questions that I posed to provide information for this article. “Pre-Island” career for Rebecca, was in nursing. That might come in handy, after you receive the quotes on your insurance coverage! Being informed is a good thing.

The contractor working on renovations to the Harbor Bridge will erect two temporary shoring towers underneath the 52-year old steel structure next week to help facilitate the replacement of braces and displace the load on the bridge.

This is just a reminder to let everyone know that Gus the Gorilla has moved to his new home at 15345 Tortuga Ct. When we first started talking about the move Gus was skeptical about that transition because he was afraid of the change and he said all his Facebook friends would not know where to find him. During this time our friends at Apollo Towing stepped up and wanted to do something nice for the community of Padre Island and for Gus so they offered to move him and assured that he would be in great hands since they have the newest equipment and the most trained and certified drivers in the industry.

With this peace of mind Gus agreed even though he weighs in at an even 4,000 lbs and the move went perfect. Gus was moved to his new location without a scratch on his pretty little head. After the move last night the owner of All King Services seen Gus in the driveway and asked if that was his permanent spot or where we had in mind to put him. After conversations Greg Phelps “owner of All King Services” as agreed to donate his time and materials to give Gus a nice landscaped area next to the house with palm trees, flowers, mulch, and a complete automatic sprinkler system. It is amazing what the public and the business owners of Corpus Christi have done for Gus and he is very thankful. Gus has asked for people to come see him at his new location and bring your cameras because he loves to take pictures.

March 2, 2012

Johnny D’s

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Open Tues- Sat 4:30 - 10 PM Sunday 4:30 - 9 PM Closed Monday

Happy Hour 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. $2.00 Pints

Located on Padre Island, Johnny D's offers Island dining at its best. Serving Corpus Christi with the freshest local seafood and culinary masterpieces, order the rack of lamb and you'll be calling your friends from the table! Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday 4:30 to 10pm and Sunday 4:30 to 9pm

Full Service Bar Winter Texan Specials!

Featuring 7 Draft Check Beers our website for more information Daily Features. Fresh Fish. on Tap www.letseat.at/johnnydsrestaurant

15600 SPID On the Island 949-2500 HOURS-Closed MONDAYS TUES-SAT 4:30 till 10:00 SUNDAY 4:30 till 9:00

We will cook your catch.

Great Daily Dinner Specials 2:29 PM

Live music most Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays TheIslandMoon_Jan_custom_1.25:Layout 4 1/18/12

We can cook your catch!

During the angle brace replacement work, which will take several weeks to complete, traffic on the Harbor Bridge will be reduced from three lanes to one lane (i.e. double lane closure) in each direction for periods of four hours a day on weekdays. Drivers should expect delays. On some weekdays, single lane closures in each direction during daytime hours will be in place. Additionally, some visitor parking in the Aquarium’s parking lot will be restricted.

The bridge has been undergoing a $29-$30 million renovation project that includes replacement of rusted and worn out parts, repainting and installation of LED lighting. The project is expected to be completed this spring.

First Friday for March The Port Aransas Art Center, 323 N. Alister St. Port Aransas will host a First Friday reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 2nd -Free & Open to the public.

361-749-7334.

The event features on display-Annual All Member Show Art Exhibit. Member Artists compete for 1st,2nd & 3rd Place & this year’s Judge is well known area artist & instructor, Guy Morrow. Also from March 2nd thru 29th the Public can vote for 1 piece of art from this exhibit for “People’s Choice”.

The winning artists are awarded a “Merit Show” in August 2012.

FEEL AT HOME WITH OUR FREE IN-HOME DESIGN SERVICE

CORPUS CHRISTI 4325 SOUTH PADRE ISLAND DR. 361.854.2391 ©2011 Ethan Allen Global, Inc.

Page 1

March 2, 2012

Island Moon

Letters to the Editor Naysayers, Nabobs of Negativism

Before I retired from my position as a field troubleshooting engineering Technician, one of my requirements was that I could live in any city in the USA as long as I was within a one hour drive to the airport. Much domestic and international travel required. After five years of our 31 years of living on this island, it became obvious to both of us that we made the wrong choice. Non-activity in investments which we made at that time made it impossible for us to make a move. Very little activity out here from that time. No type of entertainment out here during our 31 years of a dreary existence. Now that its getting close to final decision time on the upcoming island projects we can expect the privileged few to butter the buns of the influential to initiate a movement to nip it all in the bud.

Trash

Dale, It was really disheartening to see all of the turned over trash cans Friday morning after the 45mph winds hit. Also adding to the problem was how much trash was blowing out of the top of the garbage trucks as they dumped the containers. Not sure how to combat the problem except to urge residents to place all of their garbage or recyclables in plastic garbage bags before placing the garbage in the containers. My two cents.

Jim Manning

Birds and animals quickly adjust to changing conditions. Frankly they are more intelligent than many of the human species. Leave the wildlife alone and watch for pelicans cranes and birds to perch themselves on top of the highest peaks of the Schlitterbahn structure, even while in daily operation.

As we finally get prime time entertainment out here, including eventually a gaming casino, the revenues will contribute towards lifting this dilapidated city and island out of current stone age conditions.

Kudos to the majority out here who want to eject us out of this same old stifling Deja Boo (Bull) John P. Doyle & Friends Island Natives

Raffle and Support for Jerry Valentine I have done a painting that we are raffling off to help support the Valentine family. As well, Spoon’r Lures has donated one of each of their models as prizes, Spoon’r Fat Mama, Spoon’r Surface Mama, and Spoon’r Outcast. All the money generated will go to the Valentine’s.

Jerry Valentine, Fisherman & Casting Champion Jerry started fishing off Bob Hall Pier and then moved to the Houston area in the early 70′s. It was here that he became one of the legendary Texas casters that dominated Sportcast USA during the 80’s and 90’s and became a USA National Casting Champion.

When you mentioned the name Jerry Valentine around any casting group during an event he was attending, everyone would be waiting for that great Texas “Yeeeeeeeeeha,” as Jerry would unload one of his tournament-winning casts. The “Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeha” would only ever come at the end of a cast where Jerry had given his all and would be an indication that the rest of the field could be in trouble.

Nick Meyer Breakawayusa.com

Who Are the Moon Monkeys

Mike Ellis, Founder Distribution Pete Alsop

Beach walk I noted in your latest “Stuff I Heard on the Island” that the distance from Bob Hall Pier to the north end of the jetty has shrunk significantly in the last while, perhaps it is something to do with all that extra sand they are pouring on the beach.

My wife and I have been walking the routes you mentioned for the past 22 winters (well, we didn’t walk on the jetty back then) and it always struck me as a bit longer than you state. A few years ago I measured the length of the seawall and came up with .85 miles so if it is only 1 mile from Bob Hall Pier to the north end of the jetty then it would appear that it is only .15 of a mile from the south end of the Seawall to Bob Hall Pier.

Would you care to recalculate and enlighten us as to what the distance really is.? Our pride in our fitness program will really suffer if we determine that we are only walking a fraction of the distance we thought we were...

Thanks ! We have enjoyed the Moon for many years and are pleased that you Moonies have taken up where Mike left off. I think he would be proud and happy with what you folks have done.

Jack and Jean Fielder Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and Seahorse Condominiums, Corpus Christi Editor’s note: Thanks Jack and Jean. We Moon Monkeys have never actually measured the walk so we can’t be exact. We can’t really recalculate because we didn’t ever actually calculate in the first place; we just kind of took a wild guess.

Our scientific method was to walk it barefoot and judge distance by how many blisters we got and our ratio of blisters to the mile may have been a bit off. Maybe a reader with a measuring device can get us an exact number and we’ll pass it along. But we still think it’s the Best Beachwalk in Texas and we’ll see you guys out there..

European Vehicles To whom it may concern, I am an island resident currently mobilized with the US Army Reserve to Germany and am surprised at how many economical autos are available here that are not available in the US market. Ford, Nissan, Jaguar, Mercedes, Volvo, BMW and many other manufacturers offer small, mid-sized and full-sized autos here with diesel engines that are clean, environmentally friendly and extremely economical; i.e.

BMW 5 series diesel getting 60+ mpg on the highway. Why is our government preaching fuel economy, decrease dependent upon foreign oil and environmental conscience while not pursuing these automobiles for the US market?

All of this while we are facing increasing fuel prices. By the way, diesel fuel in Germany is 10-15% cheaper than gasoline. All I can ask is, why, why, why????

Regards, Jared Robertson, III

Island Delivery Advertising Jan Park Rankin Office Lisa Towns Classifieds Arlene Ritley Design/Layout Jeff Craft (In no particular order) Devorah Fox Mary Craft Maybeth Christiansen Dr. Tom Dorrell Jay Gardner Todd Hunter Mike (Murph) Murphy Ronnie Narmour Dr. Donna Shaver Photographers Miles Merwin Office Security/Spillage Control Riley P. Dog Editor/Publisher/Spillage Control Supervisor Dale Rankin About the Island Moon The Island Moon is published every Wednesday, Dale Rankin, Editor.

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 15201 S P I D. Suite 250. For more information call 361-949-7700 or contact the Moon at 15201 S Padre Island Dr., Suite 250, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 or by e-mail to editor@islandmoon.com.

Around the Island Cont. from A1

The week prior on Saturday, March 17, there will be a Spring Break Escape trip from The Island to the Outlet shopping malls in San Marcos. Both are day trips and will leave at 8 a.m.

For information contact Beachside Adventures at 361 589-9650, e-mail them at daytrips@ beachsideadventures.com, or book online at beachsideadventures.com.

Spring Break Speaking of Spring Break it is almost upon us. A few schools are out starting this weekend but the majority are in the following two weeks with the big weekend when they overlap being March 17-18.

Police will take over operation of the traffic lights on The Island to try and keep things moving but even with that traffic usually backs up onto the JFK Bridge by mid-afternoon and driving between North Padre and Port Aransas becomes a white-knuckle adventure.

So Islanders, make sure you have clean sheets on the bed in the guestroom because everyone you know from Swinney Switch to Bugtussle will be calling and heading this way.

Tell them to watch out for the Canalligator and not to litter as they move Around The Island.

A5

Big Shell Beach Cleanup

By Jay Gardener It’s been a wild ride around the word factory lately folks. I’m in the middle of moving, and you don’t realize how much stuff you have until you have to move it all.

Actually, I’m not going far. I’m talking about moving my cubicle from one side of the hall to another at the office; nothing terribly drastic, but makes you think a little. Laura has literally packed up all her stuff and is headed to greener pastures for a great job in Galveston. Good luck pumpkin.

The 98th annual Billy Sandifer Big Shell Clean up was held last weekend. I actually think it was the 17th or 18th, but it sure felt like the 98th. The weather really didn’t cooperate, as it was windy and rainy and cold. That didn’t stop a large number of volunteers that, as Billy sez, “showed up, suited up, and cleaned it up.”

Coldwell Banker

Contributing Writers

On the Rocks

Big Shell Cleanup

Judging from their statements, they don’t want anyone or anything interfering with their tranquil, subdued expiration out here. May we say RIP to that, but the majority still have a lot of living left. We wish longevity to all when they find their tranquility base and dare anyone build anything within a 2 mile radius that would interfere with their lifestyles and self proclaimed domain.

The privileged few demand that their lifestyle is more important to the community than the not-sofortunate trying to make a living. Suck it up naysayers, as the inevitable is about to come to fruition. Now interference with the wildlife and their habitat is very often expressed. May we say that the disturbance of the wildlife is solely the responsibility of the peeping tom birdwatchers. Watch for a vast exit when people walk through the trees and the brush. We have heard every possible excuse to eliminate any activity on this island and up to now they have gotten their way.

It was pouring rain in the parking lot at the VC, as well as windy and cold. It was flat out miserable. If you were smart enough to remember to bring rain-gear, it likely failed. But that didn’t stop 310 volunteers from showing up and getting the job done. Yours truly was supposed to be a section leader, but we didn’t have enough sections. So Topdog and I ran south and joined the crews. New leader-in-training Todd Neahr had everyone lined up from the 22 to the 15; and I’m proud to say we got the entire stretch!

It was amazing to see the positive attitudes despite the weather, which mercifully lightened the rain up when we got on-site, and eventually stopped for us. No one got stuck terribly badly, and we didn’t lose any transmissions or have any major failures. The dead hardheads were thick up around the base of the dunes, and driving was pretty tough due to the high tides, but it got done.

Thanks to all the great sponsors, from Ainsworth Trucking, to Daniel Dain at Domino’s, CCACorpus Christi, the awesome guys at Texas Parks and Wildlife, and lastly of course to all the Seashore Staff who show up on their days off to lend a hand to this awesome endeavor. Of course thank you Ranger Buzz for the trash bags, and especially helping out the hotdog crew get set up at the pavilion. Speaking of the hotdog crew, I also want to give a shout out to RoadKill Willie with his famous Frito pies, Big Al and LeeAnn, Cindi and son, and of course the awesome new ring-leader of the hotdogs, Candace Tidmore. She even had a special guest volunteer, Charlie Fisher, who went above and beyond the call

of duty and loaded all the supplies up and got it there.

Thanks Candace and Charlie!

Thanks to Ben Beatty for selflessly donating awesome art every year for the t-shirts. And speaking of t-shirts, thanks to Ace for donating a lot of time running around getting the t-shirts all printed up, organized, and handed out at the event. That’s awesome! And thanks to Gambler for getting all the t-shirts and koozies printed and to the event on time.

Hopefully now I can take a little break for a couple of days and go use some of those Fishbites! that were donated. Oh yeah, thanks to Rob and Kym, Tyler, Jeff, Topdog and Zep for helping stuff all the goody bags.

That’s always a good time.

Spring is sprung

I can’t believe it folks, but spring has sprung. The doves are talking to each other and pairing up, leaves are starting to show on my trees, and flowers are blooming. One way I know spring is on its way is all the molds that make me sneeze. My allergies have been going off lately. I typically would be expecting a freeze this week, but it doesn’t seem to be in the forecast. I’m typically a glass half-empty about spring; I don’t believe it until its almost summer time.

But it is what it is, and I guess this mild winter might be about over. A lot of folks are already getting their spring gardens in the ground; I’m no where near that industrious, I’m still trying to get out there and kill the weeds from last fall.

And I really need to get on that, because with this rain, the mosquitoes are out in force. Geez, where did I leave that Off from last year?

Get ready to teach ‘em the words

Well, here it is folks. Time to get those hummingbird feeders up, the first week we get with southeast winds over 20 MPH, those guys will be flooding back in town. The birds have been really great this season, with all kinds being around. I think the green jays are expanding their ranges; I have seen those guys all over the place this year so far.

Now that gun season is over, for anyone that needs some work on your guns, we found Perky (ex-ranger from the Seashore). He’s working as a gunsmith. Give him a shout at perkywheeler@hotmail.com. Or call him at 361-244-0291. I will be calling him about that sticky firing pin on my 30/30. Until then, I will see you out on the sand for Sunday-Funday! Yay! Beach time again!

Projects Continued from A1 Agreement with City of Corpus Christi for beach cleaning. City and county officials are working out the details of a plan to do away with the current overlapping jurisdictions for beach cleaning. Currently both city and council crews must trailer their equipment from one section of the beach to another due to a hodgepodge of city and county jurisdictions.

The plan under development would provide contiguous sections of beach for each so the crews do not have to spend time and resources driving from one section of beach to another.

Sewer lift station. The city and county are also working on a joint plan to install a sewer lift

station near Briscoe King Pavilion as part of the improvements there. The cost is estimated at $150,000 and will require an interlocal agreement between the two.

Lights, camera, Bob Hall action. A crew from Warner Brothers has inquired about shooting part of a “film pilot” at Bob Hall Pier for 2-3 days in April. It could require the shutting down of the pier during the shoot. But don’t start putting on stage makeup just yet; the County Attorney must first determine if that can be done legally. We’ll let you know when to get ready for your close-up.

Dale Rankin

A 6

Island Moon

Hey Francis Scott Your Keys are Missing!

This just in from the Moon’s How Did That Happen Department.

Somehow people have managed to drive off from the Port Aransas Post Office without their car keys. The folks working there have faithfully kept them around in this box on the counter in case someone comes back looking for them.

We still can’t figure out how they managed to start their cars in the parking lot without their keys. We’re thinking of changing the name of the Moon How Did That Happen Department to the Thing’s That Make You Go Hmmm Department.

Legislative Update District 32

Study Charges Released for the 2012 Interim (Part VII) Editor’s note: The Texas Legislature meets the first six months out of every other year.

It is not meeting in 2012. During the time between sessions the Speaker of the House assigns topics to each of the House’s standing committees. Committee hearings are then held over the course of the interim period (all of 2012) giving the public an opportunity to testify on a variety of issues. At the end of the interim, each committee will submit a formal report to the Speaker of the Texas House with recommendations on possible legislation.

The following is a sampling of charges given to different House committees. If you would like a complete list of the study charges or if you would like more information about issues being studied by any particular committee, call Rep. Hunter’s Capitol office at 512-463-0672 or visit the Texas House of Representatives at www.house.state.tx.us.

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House Select Committee on State Sovereignty - Study and evaluate constitutional methods by which states may encourage the proper balance of power between the federal and state governments. Include an evaluation of interstate compacts as well as the effects on state sovereignty of conditional federal grants, commandeering of state officials, and federal laws requiring coordination with local governments.

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House Committee on State Affairs Examine the issue of resource adequacy in the Texas electricity market, federal and state interventions in the marketplace that may be negatively impacting future adequacy, and the best way to maintain resource adequacy.

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Examine areas of potential privatization of state services in an effort to achieve a higher level of service and greater efficiency for Texas taxpayers. (Joint with the House Committee on Government Efficiency & Reform) Examine state agency rulemaking and consider ways to improve procedural efficiencies and public transparency, and to better inform policymakers as to their use, purpose, and costeffectiveness, including an examination of the financial and other impacts such regulations have on both the license holder and the public. (Joint with the House Committee on Government Efficiency & Reform)

ways to create incentives for technology companies to come to Texas, including the feasibility of public-private partnerships.

The study should include the economic impact of the high-tech industry in Texas and the state’s ability to compete with other states for high-tech jobs. Examine the state’s current areas of differentiated technology research and development and recommend strategies to capitalize on that intellectual property and commercialization. Include strategies to attract Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding to Texas.

Study the impact of federal broadband expansion programs on rural areas. Coordinate this review with the Public Utility Commission’s evaluation of the state Texas Universal Service Fund and the Federal Communications Commission’s national broadband plan.

Examine methods of cloud computing technology to streamline agency operations and generate greater efficiencies for more costeffective operations. (Joint with the House Committee on State Affairs)

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office.

As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

Rep. Hunter represents Aransas, Calhoun, Nueces (Part) and San Patricio Counties. He can be contacted at todd. hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.

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March 2, 2012

Port Aransas Volunteer Fire Department Gets New Brush Truck.

The PAVFD has recently purchased a new truck for their fleet. This beauty is a 1984 decommissioned military cargo truck acquired from the Texas Federal Surplus Program for $6500. According to PAVFD Fire Chief, Dwight Kirkpatrick, the department lost their old brush truck in a grass fire on Hyway 361 in October of 2011 due to mechanical failure when it burned up.

Currently, the departments fleet consists of 9 trucks in their fleet: one ladder truck, two pumpers, three brush trucks, two command vehicles and one rescue vehicle. This purchase was approved by the Port Aransas City Council. The total cost, once fully equipped, will be $18,500. Photos by Ronnie Narmour

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March 2, 2012

Island Moon

Schlitterbahn Continued from A1 now the golf course is contingent on the bridge.

The bridge was approved by voters in a 2004 bond issue and the city council has agreed to fund it but so far no funds have been specifically identified.

City Manager Ron Olson told the council late last year that the money for the bridge is available “if the political will” exists to fund it.

If built, the new development would displace nine holes on the golf course which do not border homes. By city rules no development can be built within 200 feet of existing homes.

Schexnailder told the council that the new development would be on the opposite side of the golf course from existing homes.

“The closest homes to new development will be the homes on Canadian Mist,” Schexnailder said. “There will be Resort Lodging about 450 feet from those homes and when residents there look out at the park they will see the pool area.”

The zoning vote came after a week of heated discussions over whether to zone the area as CR-2 which is Resort Commercial DistrictBarrier Island Business zoning or to zone the area as a Public Use District.

Some council members wanted the PUD zoning, however, city staff had recommended using the CR-22 zoning and the change could have taken up to a year placing the entire project in danger. Council members David Loeb and Nelda Martinez stated concerns that the CR-2 zoning does not include height restrictions.

Project developer Paul Schexnailder told city planners last week he was willing to include a clause in the CR-2 zoning that would provide a 60-foot height restriction, however, city staff said that was not allowed for under zoning laws.

Over the course of the past week Schexnailder and the Loeb came to an agreement to include the height restriction in the tax incentive package which still must be negotiated between the city and the project’s developers. That agreement is expected to be the next step in the approval process for the park, followed by funding for the water exchange bridge.

City staff has told the council that the money for the water exchange bridge is available in the 2008 bond package, however, it will not be available until at least August when 80% of the total money in the bond package will have been allocated. Bond covenants dictate that money left in a bond package due to projects coming in under budget can be reallocated to related projects after 80% of the projects in the

package have been funded, provided the money to fund the remaining 20% of the projects is also available.

The council and the project developers still must work out how to bind the $8 million to the project in August and still allow for the start of construction on the Schlitterbahn park in June as desired by the developers.

Tuesday’s council vote came before a packed house at City Hall as about one hundred Islanders turned out to show support for the project. During the discussions questions were raised about how much water the park would use and how much wastewater it would generate.

City staffer Manuel Saldana who is working on the project did not mention specific numbers for the amount of water needed for the park but told the council that no additional water manes or sewer lines will be needed.

“The park will have a re-filtering system to recycle water,” said Chip Urban, a consultant on the project. “And the backwash water will be used for irrigation. There will be no need for new water mains or additional water capacity.”

As part of the zoning process a survey was sent to the homes of residents living around the area and, according to city staff only two negative responses were returned. During the council meeting four Islanders spoke to the council.

Barbara Jensen, who lives on Dasmarinas, handed the council a petition signed by 50 residents in her neighborhood objecting to their not being included in the survey sent out by the city. Saldana responded that according to state law only residents who live within 200 feet of the property to be rezoned are included in the survey and Dasmarinas is “nowhere near that area.”

“The survey we did was in compliance with state law,” he said.

Islander Nita Smith told the council she was concerned that with the CR-2 zoning, “we won’t get Schlitterbahn but we will get something else.”

Islander John White, who is an officer with the Padre Island Business Association and a member of the Nueces County Park Board said he supported the project.

1st Annual Faith & Fit 5k Fun Run/Walk

Join us on Saturday, March 31st by signing up to run or walk this 5k race! You will be supporting the girls of American Heritage Girls scouts Troop TX0025 as they grow into beautiful, Godly women of integrity.

The race starts at the South Texas School of Christian Studies on Shoreline Dr. (just past the 2nd entrance to TAMUCC University) at 8am.

The 5k entry fee is $25 prior to March 16th, $35 if paid on March 16th or later - there is no “day of race” signup, so don’t wait (T-Shirts & goodie bags not guaranteed unless paid by March 16th). You can also go to Bay Area Cycling at Gulfway Shopping Center (Airline & SPID) to sign up. There will be a kids 1 mile walk/run kids ages 12 & under for only $5. Order an extra T-shirt for you or one for your child at $10 each.

Sign up before March 16th to ensure that you will get a T-Shirt and a goodie bag!

This Faith & Fit Fun Run is an effort to show the girls that there are healthy fundraising alternatives, and to provide them with the opportunity to learn and serve their community.

We are also looking for sponsors for this event to support for Troop TX0025. Proceeds from the race will be used to support our troop and provide activities and learning experiences for the girls as they grow up in an ever challenging and secular world.

The American Heritage Girls Troop TX0025 is a Christ centered scouting organization for Girls in the Coastal Bend. We are the only troop south of San Antonio. Our mission is “Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.” We currently serve 50+ girls ages 5-13 years old.

For more info or to sign up to run, walk or sponsor this event please go to www. faithandfitfunrun.com or call Judy at 361-7394463.

Trash Heap of the Week

A7

Island United Political Action Committee Meeting

The Board of Directors of the Island United Political Action Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 6:00 PM at the Holiday Inn SunSpree, 15202 Windward Drive.

The Board Agenda will address upcoming PAC fundraisers, volunteer efforts in getting out the vote, plans for the May Annual Meeting and current Island concerns.

The IU-PAC is a non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting voter turnout. When it comes to voting, Islanders have a track record of voting at twice the rate of voters in the remainder of the city. We need to do better and we are capable of an even larger turnout at the polls. Board meetings are open to the public and voters in Precincts 40 and 81 and those registered voters in Precinct 19 who are eligible to vote in Corpus Christi elections are invited to attend, offer your services to the PAC and assist in assuring Island issues are addressed and resolved.

Further information may be obtained on Facebook and at islandunitedpac.com.

Update on the Proposed Schlitterbahn Resort Development

Join us on March 7th for coffee and a presentation by Paul Schexnailder, Development Project Partner. It will be at 9:30 a.m., Beachgate Condos & Motel Conference Room (2nd Floor - Building 2). Chamber members only RSVP.

Texas Independence Day A “Toast to Texas” Celebration remembering Texas Independence Day will be hosted by the Nueces County Historical Commission and the Clara Driscoll Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas on Friday, March 2, 2012.

“The Toast” will be held at the Centennial House located at 411 North Upper Broadway in Corpus Christi. The celebration will begin at 1:30p.m. and the “Toast” will take place at 2:00p.m. All individuals interested in history are invited to attend.

Islander Mary Alice Eskridge, who along with her husband Charlie is part owner of Padre Isles Country Club, urged approval of the zoning change saying, “It’s time for us to stop being the ‘city of no’.”

An offering to the Trash Gods Photo by Greg Shealy.

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A 8

Island Moon

Dee-Scoveries

Spring Break for the Rest of Us

By Devorah Fox devorahfox@aol.com devorahfox.com

Spring Break 2012 is almost here, and kids on vacation from school will be flocking to warmweather beaches. The weeklong rite began somewhere around the end of World War II. For many years beginning about 1935, Fort Lauderdale, Florida was the destination. Spring Break caused so much havoc that in1985, city government there passed laws restricting parties. In addition, federal laws meant that Florida had to raise its minimum drinking age to 21. Many under-aged partygoers went out of the country for Spring Break, while others took their party to the more permissive Daytona Beach. Not long after, Daytona Beach also legislated party restrictions.

Here they come

The annual recess from local Texas colleges and schools means an influx of young people to our Port Aransas beaches and bars. Residents usually prepare for this annual onslaught by going on a pre-Break shopping trip, stocking up on a week’s worth of supplies and then hunkering down until Spring Break is over, leaving the beaches and byways to be overrun by badly sunburned youths in casual attire. Meanwhile we grumble about the traffic jams, crowded streets and shorelines and hope our visitors don’t cause too much damage to our town or themselves.

Parrot Heads to the Rescue!

But this year may be different, thanks to the efforts of Sandria Stout and the Parrot Heads of Port Aransas. The Parrot Head Club of Port Aransas is one of 200-plus clubs

in Parrot Heads In Heads” are fans of author Jimmy Buffett “Spring Phling” on

Paradise, Inc. “Parrot the singer/songwriter/ The club is sponsoring Saturday, March 10.

Sandria, who is the club’s treasurer, floated the idea during the winter of 2010, when sunny warm spring days were just wishful thinking.

“Spring Break is fine for college kids and high school students,” she said, “but there ought to be a Spring Break for the rest of us.”

Other club members agreed and the planning began in earnest. Members began recalling scenes from the iconic Spring Break movie, the 1960 Where the Boys Are, and firing off the titles of tunes that harkened back great Spring Breaks from their past.

As is always the case with the Parrot Head club, the party has a serious side.

The Parrot Head club’s motto is “party with a purpose.” Spring Phling will be a fundraiser for the Helping Hands Food Pantry.

Phling it on!

To help partygoers keep up their strength, the club will be offering plenty of food: Frito pies, barbeque, chicken wings, sausage wraps and sandwiches are on the menu. To wash that down, there will be soda for sale and alcoholic beverages will be available for a donation.

Phlingers will receive a Spring Phling 2012 keepsake. There will be games, a raffle/auction and plenty of music, including The Port A Rockers who will play from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

The day long party will start at 2 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. The location is the cul de sac at the end of East Oaks Avenue in Old Town Port A. Tickets are $10 per person in advance and $15 at the gate. No outside coolers will be permitted, but guests are welcome to bring beach chairs. Carpooling is encouraged.

For more information, contact the club president, Luann Ferguson, by email at luann@portaransasparrotheads.com or leave a phone message at (361)-749-7552.

Or, just show up at the Spring Phling. I’ll see you there. — http://devorahfox.com

March 2, 2012

Port A Happenings

Lifeguard/Water Safety Instructor Classes

It is not too late to get in on the classes that are being offered at the Port Aransas Community Pool for certification for lifeguards and water safety instructors. The two-day classes will be held Friday and Saturday, March 2 – 3. March 2: 6-10pm, March 3: 8am-4pm.

WANTED: Lifeguards (Ages 15 Plus) -Register today for American Red Cross Lifeguard Training at an aquatics facility near you. Learn lifesaving skills to help keep people safe in, on and around the water. Course length: approx. 30 – 37 hours

Water Safety Instructors (Ages 16 Plus) Register today to become a certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor. Learn to teach children and adults to swim, and give community water safety presentations. Course length: approx. 30 hours These jobs are in high demand! Plus, American Red Cross certification is recognized nationwide so you can work anywhere in the U.S. Here’s your chance to build your résumé and show the world what you can do: · Prepare for college and a career by developing leadership and communication skills · Be a hero by learning lifesaving skills such as first aid and CPR · Have fun and earn money at a job you love The cost is $102 for complete course. Contact Bonney Mauer at 361-779-8388 to register.

We’re Having Fun Make a beautiful ice candle at the next We’re Having Fun activity set for Tuesday, March 6.

WHF are free fun and crafts, held every Tuesday in the Girl Scout hut, 739 W. Ave. A, in the Parks and Recreation building at 2 p.m.

Materials provided.

Get out, and come play with us!

March 13: stained glass mobiles

Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series Diana Harrington will speak on our ability to naturally heal pain, fear, and challenges when the mind, body, and spirit are brought into balance at the next Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series. it is set for noon on Wednesday, March 7.

She began holistic studies more than 20 years ago due to chronic neck and back pain. After many books, conferences, seminars, too many pills, and unsuccessful medical treatments, Diana found The LifeLine Technique to balance the mind, body, and spirit so that healing can take place naturally. She became a Certified LifeLine Practitioner in 2007 and now shares the healing power of the balanced body with others facing pain, fear, and challenges.

In further studies, Diana attended The International Institute of Soul Coaching where she certified in 2011 as a Certified Soul Coach.

Diana is a 2010 graduate of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology.

She and her husband Joe live in Rockport where they enjoy yoga, numerous pets, healthful

eating, sharing books, and observing nature from their deluxe tree house. Diana is a happy, healthy holistic wellness practitioner assisting others, and living life beyond her fondest dreams.

Doors open at 11:30, with Marion Fersing entertaining on the piano.

This talk will be held in the Civic Center, 710 W. Ave. A, and the free Parks and Recreation activity is open to everyone.

Bring lunch if you care to eat while listening to speakers present at 12 noon every Wednesday.

Pastime Matinee Join us for another afternoon of laughter with Red Skelton with a new set of shows at the last Red Skelton Marathon (# 3) scheduled for Thursday, March 1, at 3 p.m.

Skelton is the funniest comedian who never said a curse word. Using minimal props, he could make you use your imagination to get the laugh.

It will be held in the City Council Chambers, 710 W. Ave. A, in the Civic Center/City Hall Complex. Go to the door closest to Cut Off Road.

Free admittance and free popcorn.

H.E.L.P. Series “Sailing Through the Ages”, an interesting and informative presentation, is on the calendar for the next H.E.L.P. [health, ecology, lifestyle and preparation] Parks and Recreation series activity.

At 7 pm, on Thursday, March 8, Peter Falus will be the speaker at the FREE event. Falus is a retired architect who as a teenager spent a few years on a square-rigged sailing ship in the North Sea off Norway. He has raced sailboats on the open ocean, and has been involved all his life in reconstruction of traditional ships as a hobby.

As a skilled draftsman, Falus created drawings to show how the ‘Tina’ was put together for the Port Aransas Museum. The ‘Tina’ is a restored Farley boat. He currently is involved at the Museum annex, the Farley Boat Works, with a boat-building class.

It will be held at the Community Center, 408 N. Alister, at 7pm.

P.A. Movie Time A deadly female with martial arts skills will entertain at the next P.A. Movie Time in “Catch the Heat”.

It will be shown in the City Council Chambers, 710 W. Ave A..

Saturday, March 3, doors open at 6:30 p.m., with Marion Fersing entertaining on the piano as the free popcorn is popped.

The free movie begins at 6:55 pm.

The movie description is, “She’s smart, sexy and lethally dangerous. Get ready for a femme fatale whose looks are as deadly as her martial arts. Tiana Alexandra punches, kicks and shoots her way to the seedy underbelly of South America in this sizzling action-packed thriller.”

Billy Koberick was in town from his home near Lake Kiowa in North Texas to visit his parents Bill and Carol who live on The Island. Father and son decided to go fishing and headed out to the King Ranch shoreline where they hit the jackpot. They took along Bill’s beagle dog Nick and in four hours they caught forty two fish, all were trout except for this big fellow, a giant drum who was about four feet long. Thirty two of the fish they caught were legal to keep but the Kobericks threw them all back after taking pictures.

Pee Wee’s Animal Shelter

South Texas Grassroots Band Sundays 6:30-9:30

Peewee’s Animal Shelter is located at 1307 Saratoga and has been in operations since May, 1997. Peewee’s presently houses over 300 animals, including dogs, puppies, cats, kittens as well as, pigs, goats, rabbits and other barn animals.

Peewee’s relies on donations only for its operation.

Shelter operations are accomplished strictly by donations. Peewee’s does not get any government, city or federal funding. Peewee’s helps those animals no one else will - the sick and the stray. The volunteers at Peewee’s work tirelessly to rehabilitate poor orphaned pets in the hopes that they will find new, loving homes.

The dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, given regular heartworm preventative, and are on flea & tick prevention and medications as needed. Peewee’s does not discriminate due to age or health conditions of the pet. Please visit Peewee’s Pet Adoption World & Sanctuary at 1307 Saratoga Road. You can call them at 361888-4141 but they do not have staff to answer phones so please leave a message.

March 2, 2012

Island Moon

A9

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We made our way across the open water back towards home, as we approached the eastern side of Emmorts Hole I could see the color change clearly. The lime-green water was broken by the rich dark forest of grass. The sand pockets glowed even in the overcast skies and misty fog. The Good Doctor’s eyes searched like a hawk in the mist and I could see his back arch when he peered into the scattered pockets.

He had become the predator, this was his find.

We arched the boat around to settle down just above the big flat. On his second cast his rod bent and we all saw white water erupt and gills Alex at Marker 37 Marina holds one of breached the water. The thick speck dived deep many Monster Drum battled off the pier for the bottom but in the crystal clear water we this week. Ask him how to get rigged up could see the pumpkinseed paddle tail hooked for the fight deep. When the trout came to hand I could see my friend light up. Booking a guided trip can falls the small baitfish move out to open water be a great experience, every charter needs to in search of small mud worms, mites, shrimp, be custom fit to the anglers needs and wants. and other stuff that comes out of the mud in the Sometimes my clients are looking to get out dark. Like wolf packs trout round them up and have fun and catch lots of fish, I MAKE IT take them out. The NIGHT HAWK area can EASY FOR THEM TO FISH HARD. My most be protected water in high winds and has been rewarding outings are those in which I get to a REDFISH ZONE FOR GENERATIONS. pass on some insight as to what the bait, fish, Shrimp migrating down the Intracoastal canal and environment is doing more through the many cuts that directly influences our in between the islands and fishing success. Teaching settle in the soft bottoms angers to “see” the clues to behind the islands bordering finding feeding fish, fine the Intracoastal Canal. Make tune their angling skills, rod your drifts from one side all techniques, lure and bait the way across, as boat traffic presentation, rigging, and back and forth will often even boat handling. We are affect fishing quickly. Plastics all good at something, and and live shrimp under corks, much of what I have learned spoons, and top waters are is from putting bits and your best baits here. The wind pieces of information from is your friend and WHEN THE thousands of anglers together BOTTOM GETS TURNED on my boat. I couldn’t UP THE REDS START TO successfully do a Doctors PARTY!! Always drift with job, or even an accountant’s. Dr. James with one of the nice your engine down so when With patient and helpful sow trout plucked from the sand you touch bottom in the instruction I might get you pockets of ZONE 2 shallows you can raise up out of the redline, maybe. and idle out.

Fishing right now is going off, there is so much “South Of Bird” happing that it is a perfect time to learn with success. Go out and learn, experiment and South of Bird Island the open water may FISH!! intimidate some boaters but there are many unique areas that offer structure that gathers fish within this area. Emmortts Hole widens greatly There are flashing yellow lights signaling and the water depth increases as well. Grass us to slow down and keep from running over lines far from shore hide in wait for anglers our students. There are many signs to stop probing the bottom with plastics far away from fishermen and bring their eyes and lines in on the crowds of boats to the north. The deep congregations of fish. Speeds above 40mph grass flats stretch out away from the shoreline make it hard to catch the bait flipping on the up to a half mile in some areas. These are full surface, or small terns crashing tiny minnows. of distinct sand pockets. Drifting with top Slow down and take it all in. It is hard to waters for BIG TROUT can reward fishermen drive and spot, but its not a race. Many times with a trout of a lifetime. Waders I like to approach an area, combing the shoreline can not turn off the motor and just wade quite so deep and many big watch and listen. Look for TROPHY TROUT will shy away herons hunting the shallows, from the pressure and move out gulls and turns floating on to these deeper grass flats. Don’t the surface above bedded reserve your top water efforts shrimp, small perch flipping for still calm days. Deploy a on top, and the obvious drift anchor and make long casts mullet jumping. Areas with with top waters of varied size varied choice of birds carry and action. Throw what you can varied bait sources which see, keep an eye on the bait and in turn holds schools of top imagine you are the wounded end game fish. Monday we Island local Jim Boswell baitfish. Pause frequently giving went out to learn some new with a few keepers pulled the stalking fish time to attack areas and fish hunting skills. up along the Flour Bluff your plug. The spoil areas along We selected four Zones shoreline this week in the the Intracoastal are teeming with to cover, starting from the reds up shallow and trout along fog.

North and worked our way the drop-offs. Making drifts over South. The migration of life and around these submerged into the Lagoon is still in full swing. Masses of islands as well as wading them can bring varied fish and bait are not evenly scattered across the and heavy stringers. Live shrimp can be used bay. Every big swing of the tide or flush of fish successfully as the large areas of open water movement sends these masses on the move only do not hold as many small pin perch. The to settle in Zones within the Laguna Madre’. open waters and deep holes in this area are home to many schools of black drum. Find Zone One And Two the deepest parts of open water then probe the The Boathole and the channels along bottom with a push pole looking for a crunchy the Causeway make up the very tidal and mud bottom slide the anchor in. Tandem rigs consistently productive area of zone one. In with live shrimp are lethal on black drum. A this area fish feed by not only the lunar time small amount of chumming will increase your table but also on the movement of daily tidal success. Over do it and it will bring in trash changes. Look for lines of bubbles in the flats, fish, cut up 3to5 live shrimp in tiny pieces wakes around the channel markers, and floating about every 10min, scattering them out behind grass to bring your eyes in to the areas where the boat. The miles and miles of shoreline south water is moving. Areas with mixed sand and of Bird Island can really let the mind wander. grass bottom close to deep channels with Beautiful shorelines with dunes spilling into moving current are choice. As of now trout up to the water, sandy beaches drop off into waist 5to6lbs along with many “keeper” and smaller deep grass. As kids we named some of these fish can make up days of catching more than 50 little spots “paradise” and “Eden”, even as kids fish in a matter of a few hours. I’ve had better we enjoyed and respected the beauty and bout luck with paddle tails because of the pin perch. fullness of the area. Beach the boat, let out the Live mullet and crabs kept anglers battling huge kids to play and walk the beach melting into Black Drum and Redfish for folks fishing the the island. I’ve brought many 30inch plus trout deeper channels and guts during good incoming up from this area. Lack of floating grass makes tides. The Intracoastal canal north and south it an perfect area to learn the top water game. of the bridge is a highway of fish and is solid Bumping plastic along the sandy drop is a dead packed with shrimp every night. First light ringer for reds and flounder right now. fishermen with live shrimp and soft plastics As the migration of life continues to flow should look for groups of gulls along the ditch and fish the drop-offs for trout, reds, flounder, into the Mother Lagoon follow the signs and target these “Zones of Water”. At times one and drum. area may seem empty and dead, yet only a few miles down waters may boiling with action.

Zone 2 As tides flow so should anglers following the As one flows south the Mother Lagoon opens herds of fish. GROUPS OF BOATS ARE NOT her arms along the wide banks of the KING GOOD INDICATIONS OF GOOD FISHING. RANCH shoreline and NIGHT HAWK BAY. Concentrate on your own game and finding fish The western side of the by funnels through the your way.

Pita Island area then falls into the next 3miles The GOOD DOCTOR caught fish all day, but of Emmorts Hole. Look for congregations of Fish in these funnel areas or along the long I saw his eyes change as the day progressed. His grass lines. Pockets of fish may gather around eyes moved from the shorelines and channel big bends in grass lines or blow-outs in the markers towards the glow of the bottom. His side of the Intracoastal canal. Points in the casts became pin-point strikes to potential shoreline or small bays along the beaches will hiding spots for lurking fish. Rod strokes pool fish together as well. Sandy shoals out moved with finesse’ and lures were danced in in the flats where BLUE HERONS GATHER front of hungry trout. The size and respect for TOGETHER ARE GOOD SIGNS OF SMALL his fish grew as our morning went on, so did BANDS OF REDFISH HUNTING CLOSE his understanding of the water we call our back BYE. As predatory fish hunt they chase bait yard. Improve your game with every outing and up to edges, the bait likes to hide in the grass. learn from success and failure alike. Right now Hunting trout stage in hiding in the mixed sand fishing is on fire, it is a great time to experiment pockets waiting for their victims to wander and play with new strategies and presentations. out over the unprotected sand. From the edges Anyone who needs a hand opening the door of the dark grass bolt specks. Casting to deep to the classroom can give me a call anytime. sand pockets in 4 to 5ft of water with natural KEEP YOUR LINES TIGHT AND YOUR colored plastics has been amazing. As darkness HOOKS SHARP!

Finding The School

A 10

The Travelling Moon

Island Red Hats on the “Gogh”

On February 21st, the Island Red Hats lunched at the island’s GERMAN BACKERY J B’S CAFE and highlighted their artistic talents at the island’s Art Center VINO 2 VAN GOGH. Pictured left to right: Judy Johnson, Pearl Benoit, Guest, Roseanne Milroy, Mikki Garrow, Pat McKeone, Clara Mosley, Katie Clark, Sharon Campbell, Tricia Jones, Nancy Horsley, Jackie Boyd & Lauret Bridgford.

Island Moon

Pete and Hannie Woren’s took their Island Moon on their Caribbean Cuise to Costa Maya, Belize, Roatan Honduras and Cozumel. This picture was taken in the center of Belize.

This Islander group that took a trip to Curacao recently. Pictured from left to right are: Jack Rueter, Don Stewart, Marilyn Stewart, Tony Floyd, Cheryl Floyd, Chris Hornberger, Kathy Rueter, Skip Ziegler, George Kirk.

March 2, 2012

Sandball Art

By Ronnie Narmour Where are all those sandballs coming from They seem to be everywhere. You may have seen them on the beach balanced on a sign or piece of driftwood… or maybe stuck on the tip of a giant metal hook at your local ice house.

There’s big sandballs and little sandballs and you see them stacked three and five high in oddly conspicuous locations around the island, cleverly disguised as sculptures. They started popping up about a year and a half ago and have now taken on a life of their own. The reason is because the guy with the sandiest hands around,

Watching him make sandballs is very calming.

He packs it and finesses it, at one point tossing it back and forth in his hands to get it perfectly round.

Kenny says his most FAQ would be, “How do you get them so round.”

He’s learned that he has to so they will balance easily on any number of precarious things.

But, Kenny’s not keeping his technique secret. He’ll show anyone who cares to listen.

Watching Kenny kneel on the beach with his jug of water, digging and mixing just the right consistency for the perfect sandball is almost Zen. It’s very basic and soothing. I was reminded of the art of balancing rocks. It takes patience. And, Kenny hasn’t had a drink in 14 years so he’s always on his game.

The devilish part of this process comes out when its time to find some place to exhibit the sandballs that will show some attitude. Kenny has no shame and where they end up is usually hysterical and always uplifting. I honestly think Kenny thinks it’s his duty to find any and every protrusion on this earth and balance a sandball on it.

Nothing is sacred. One day I saw him fashion a sort of path on the road down the beach that the cars had to take as not to run over them. He had dozens of sandballs all over the road.

He would happily roll another one as soon as one was run over. Most everyone laughed and waved at us and did their best to miss the sandballs.

Some just plowed through and didn’t get it. Kenny kept some kind of mental statistic going as to age, gender and the kind of car it was. I sat and watched the cars drive through and dodge sandballs for an hour.

It was good, clean fun and nobody got hurt. I mean after all…it is only sand.

Kenny Fain, is a man possessed. He loves to roll up sandballs and balance them on anything he can. Today in front of the pier, he was ecstatic about having just balancing three on a stick and one on a rope. No easy task.

Kenny is an amiable and gentle beach bum who has a lot of time on his hands…and sand. He stays on the move living up and down the beach with his little dog, Melmen, leaving a most artistic trail of sandballs along the way. In the last year he’s perfected his water to sand ratio and now makes some pretty mean sandballs that hold up amazingly well to our elements, considering that they are after all… made of sand. I asked him how many sandballs do you think you’ve made?

That one got him thinking, “No idea…but I’m sure I make at least 100 a week.

I’ll start counting them and get back to you.”

Mike and Susan Kocian showed off their Island Moon Newspaper while in Costa Rica.

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On The Island

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Landscaping Insured Member, Padre Island Business Association Member, Builders Association, Corpus Christi Polished Pebbles

Polished Pebble Tiles

Flagstone Limestone Sandstone River Rock Boulders Granite Walkways Patios Rock Scaping Xeriscaping Wall Construction Ponds Fountains Signs Waterfalls

(361) 946-8962 10010 S. Padre Island Drive In Flour Bluff

*10% OFF with purchase of $50 or more WITH THIS COUPON. *Restrictions apply!

Offer Expires June 30, 2012

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

Happy Hour Monday - Friday 3-7pm Todd Dorn & the Sea Drifters March 16-17 10pm-close March Madness Every Day Every Game

In Ace Hardware Strip Center 1023 Hwy 361, Ste A pORT aRANSAS tx

361-749-joes