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The

Island Moon The Island Newspaper

Island Area News ● Events ● Entertainment

February 9, 2012

Photo By Brenda Barnett

The Romantic Island Where Every Day is Valentine’s Day

Around The Island

Next Publication Date: 2/16/2012

It began just after midnight and by the time we woke up the next morning we had almost three inches in some part of The Island. It validated those little pink flags along SPID signifying our bar ditches as wetlands as they were filled with water for the first time in recent memory.

It wasn’t enough rain for Island vegetation to come back and squeeze out the sandbur crop or refill the cattail marshes, but it was enough to knock the sand off our cars and best of all, to pack down the beach sand and make it drivable again, at least for a while.

By Dale Rankin Several Island projects are moving along simultaneously. Here is an overview of their progress according to the information provided to the Island Strategic Action Committee at their February 7th meeting.

We’ll take all we can get in what is turning out to be the driest stretch we’ve had in South Texas since the 1950s.

Aquarius Extension. Work on the Aquarius Extension is progressing. City planners told the ISAC the project should be completed by early June.

Island parents got a chance to teach their toddlers a science lesson last week. “Yes Virginia, some times water falls from the sky.

It’s called rain.”

Spring Break Here at the Word Factory we like to say that when spring breaks we fix it. And like most Islanders the way we fix it is by stocking up on groceries and burrowing in until the half a million or so visitors who descend on our Island go home. If you want to catch up with friends you haven’t seen in the past year just go to HEB on Thursday night before Spring Break and catch up. They’ll all be there with full carts.

Unfortunately the Aquarius extension project won’t be finished by this Spring Break so SPID will be the only north/south thoroughfare.

Hopefully by next year we can get avoid the crush on SPID during Spring Break weekend (this year the 17-18 of March) by cutting through on the completed Aquarius.

So get ready Islanders as we prepare to hold our collective breath for a few weeks there in March. Just keep reminding yourself that April and its beautiful weather is just around the corner and on the fateful weekend in midMarch we’ll see you at the ski basin

Barefoot Mardi Gras Just a reminder that the Third Annual Barefoot Gras Parade and Party is just around the corner.

This has become a great tradition on our Island in only three years and will be held this year on Saturday, March 18. For more details see the story on this page and we’ll see you there throwing moon pies from the Moon float.

Let’s all go to Mexico There are still a few seats left on the bus heading to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico on Valentine’s Day, February 14. For more information you can call 361 949-7700 or e-mail to mexico@ beachsideadventures.com.

The response to the trip has caught organizers a little off guard as people have asked when/if there will be another trip. The answer is yes and as for when it’s looking like it may be the end of February. It’s first come first served so make your reservations early.

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

Bag in a tree...who knew those things could fly?

Parking lot completion adjacent to JFK Causeway. The design for Phase II of the project to complete improvements to the parking lot directly east of the JFK Causeway is complete. The area is bordered by Clem’s and Billings bait stands.

Phase I of the improvements were completed last year and included the rebuilding of the boat ramps at the location and the bulkheading at the south end to keep the parking lot from flooding during high tides.

Phase II will include paving, landscaping, and the addition of about 100 parking spaces for vehicles pulling trailers.

City engineers say preparations will be in place to begin construction of Phase II in June but construction will likely be postponed until the fall, after the summer season.

The $2.3 million project is being funded by a combination of grants, private investment, and funds donated by the SEA. On the Westside of the bridge, City planners are working on a plan for improvements that would raise and widen the existing road, install a looped water line – including a fire hydrant, and landscape the area between Doc’s Restaurant and the JFK Bridge.

SPID (Park Road 22) Water Exchange Bridge.

The City Council has approved completion of this project but as of yet has not defined a funding source. One possible source for the $8.1 million project is funds left over from a bond election in 2004 in which the original funds for the project were approved.

City engineers say a new set of design drawings has been completed and the process of permitting the bridge is ongoing. According to city planners the bridge can be built without permits, however, the planned canal that would pass beneath it must have Coast Guard permits in place before it can open. The problem, they say, is the Coast Guard must issue permits for a canal that currently does not exist. Developer Paul Schexnailder is responsible for permits that will allow for the building of a new 3000 foot canal that will join the existing canal system to Lake Padre by passing under SPID through the bridge. On the Westside of the road the canal will continue from the bridge to the site of the planned Schlitterbahn Resort and Waterpark.

City planners say they believe they will be prepared to begin construction in early 2013.

Packery Channel Dredging. Dredge crews have been working around the clock to remove Projects Continued on A 6

Ban the Bag PhoTto Contest In what best may be catagorized as life imitating art the Coastal Bend Surfriders are working to turn the ridiculous into the sublime.

Even as the City Council prepares for a vote on a Ban the Bag ordinance the Surfriders are launching a BAN the BAG Photo Contest and invite participation of area photographers.

Entries will be accepted from February 15 through March 15.

Send original and unstaged photos of plastic bags in trees, flying through the air, decorating neighborhoods, from anywhere in Corpus Christi. Entries must include name, contact, information, and location. Photos should be sent to plasticbagbanphotocontest@gmail.com..

Winners will be selected and prizes awarded in these categories: Most Artistic, Black&White and color, Best Bag in a Tree, Best Airborne Bag, Most Different Bags, Biggest Mess.

For Contest information about the contest: Pat Gardiner, 361-739-5507. For Ban the Bag Bag Ban Continued on A 5

Year 15, Issue 409

Update on Island projects

Duck Hunting, Water Exchange Bridge, Aquarius, Packery Channel Dredging, Donut Truck Rollovers

By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com

Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper

Mayoral Candidates Visit Island

Streets, Water, Accountability, Budget, Island Development on Agenda in Mayor’s Race

By Dale Rankin

made.”

Both announced candidates for Mayor in the November elections visited The Island and spoke to the members of the Island Tea Party at Padre Isles Country Club.

Both current District 4 Council Member Chris Adler and At-Large Council Member Nelda Martinez spoke for about fifteen minutes outlining their priorities in the race.

Chris Adler Adler, who along with her husband are owners and operators of a family business, spoke first and outlined her background with the council, and the projects she helped plan and complete while a member of the Del Mar College Board.

She also outlined her priorities for the mayor’s race.

They are: Street Improvements. “We need to look at how decisions get made on street repair, she said. “Why has one construction company gotten the last ten big contracts?”

Also, why the city sold an old water tower for $2000 when the buyer was then able to turn around and sell the scrap metal for $200,000?

We need to look at how these decisions get

“We need to try to keep our city contract with local companies when we can,” she said.

She said the main focus of her campaign will be to provide jobs that “will keep our kids here when they graduate from college.”

She also pointed out several Island projects she has worked on during her term as city council person such as, beach cleaning, the renaming of Michael J. Ellis Beach and Seawall, the Aquarius Extension, and efforts to form the Island Strategic Action Committee.

“The two most important things for this campaign and for the future of our city are securing a long-term water supply, and fixing our streets,” she said.

Nelda Martinez

Nelda Martinez, currently serving her seventh year on the council, spoke about her local roots in the community, she grew up in the city as part of a family with nine children, began by speaking about The Island as a catalyst for growth in the area.

Candidates Continued on A 4

House of the Week

Known as the Padre House it Has Been a Gathering Place for Birdwatchers and for Religious Retreats

Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade We ask all businesses and residents to participate in our “oh, so much fun” parade.

Whether it be a float, pick up, cars, boats on trailers, golf carts, bicycles or just plain ol’ walk in Mardi Gras Theme. We are trying to promote our island as well as helping with a nice donation for Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Parade will start at Noon and end at 2:00 in the Briscoe King Parking Lot for naming the 1st 2nd and 3rd place winners of the parade.

Trophies will be given out for the combination of originality, creativity, and theme reflection.

Refer to www.barefootmardigras.com for parade registration forms.

Do not forget about the hilarious party from 6:00 to 10:00 at the Padre Isle Country Club.

A full cajun dinner will be served, with Ponte Bone and the Squeezetones playing. $30.00 per ticket will also get you one free drink. Pick your tickets up at the POA, Michelle’s Salon or the Office Lounge.

When you step into Padre House it is like a step back to the 1950s. Built on nearly an acre of land along Packery Channel on Playa Del Rey Street, the 4700 square-foot house has the original fixtures and paneling from the time of its construction in 1953.

Up to 45 people can be accommodated in up to 45 people in the main house and five separate guest rooms.

The home has a backporch with a view of Packery Channel and an outdoor patio. It has been used over the years as a private residence, weekend retreats by groups from the Methodist Church, and various birding organizations. The backyard is lined with Australian Pines and citrus trees.

It exudes the feeling of the Old Island before there were subdivisions and jetties. It is currently for sale

by Broker-Associate Janice Minter.

Island Moon

A 2

February 9, 2012

Final decision up to Regional Office

Lower Speed Limit to take Effect on PINS During Summer Season As was the case last year the Padre Island National Seashore plans to institute a lower speed limit through the summer season.

The planned change will drop the limit from 25 mph to 15 mph throughout the southern end of the park. The local PINS office held a series of meetings and studies last year to determine whether the make the lower limit a yearly change. Based on those studies they submitted the following list of possible actions to their Regional Office and are still awaiting a ruling.

However, park officials say if the don’t hear from the Regional managers before the summer season they will implant the change.

Guy Morrow Workshop Guy Morrow ,a well known artist from Corpus Christi will hold a 3 Day painting workshop at the Port Aransas Art Center on February 15,16 & 17 from 9:30am-5pm.He will provide the painting panels and a Supply List for materials is available at the A/C desk or by email artcenter@centurytel.net Please pre-pay by February 10th and come learn to paint or improve your skill with this wonderful instructor,says Mary Rose. More info. 361749-7334 Location:323 N. Alister, Port A

Land Sales on the Island

$250,000

$250,000 $200,000

30

$200,000 $150,000 $100,000

*

*

*

*

*

$50,000

*

*

$0 Average Sales Price

Number of Sales

2010-1st Q

2010-2nd Q

2010-3rd Q

2010-4th Q

$168,745

$181,692

$204,207

$184,607 $173,958

24

26

26

14

2011-1st Q

25

*

2011-2nd Q

2011-3rd Q

2011-4th Q

$195,932

$179,711

$199,121

30

26

13

17

$100,000

20

$50,000

15

$0

10

*

$150,000

Average Sales Price

Number of Sales

* 2001

*

200

*

170

*

*

130

*

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

*

2008

* 2009

*

*

2010

2011

90 50

$113,150 $135,272 $145,579 $161,166 $185,847 $200,970 $200,641 $204,883 $194,465 $185,197 $187,166

100

118

For Waterfront /Canal Homes On Padre Island January 2010 - December 2011

170

190

198

158

100

62

76

90

However, U.S. Representative Blake Farenthold (R-Dist. 27) has spoken out against the lower limit and says he will take steps to stop it.

“I oppose the decrease and have staff in Washington working on ways to delay or stop it,” he said. Last year he added a rider onto a funding bill for the park that forbade the use of any federal money for the enforcement of the reduced speed limit.”

Backers of the lower limit say it will help to prevent injuries to nesting sea turtles during their spring and summer nesting season.

The options presented to the park service by PINS for consideration are as follows: To reduce the risk of injury to Seashore

86

For Waterfront / Canal On Padre Island 2001 - 2011

Quarterly Summary

$450,000 $400,000 $350,000 $300,000 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000 $0 Average Sales Price

Number of Sales

*

*

*

*

*

25

* *

*

30

20 15 10

2010-1st Q

2010-2nd Q

2010-3rd Q

2010-4th Q

$365,763

$360,887

$348,857

$322,964 $329,196

19

31

30

27

2011-1st Q

21

2011-2nd Q

2011-3rd Q

2011-4th Q

$337,514

$347,057

$384,754

29

28

35

The value of this information shows trends over time which might reasonably be projected into the future as to average sales prices and number of sales for homes on the Island.

An interesting benchmark for the current market is the number of months inventory on the market at the current rate of home sales. Studies from the chief economist at Texas A&M University Real Estate Center indicate that 6.5 months inventory represent a balanced market when prices increase, 8 or 9 months inventory prices hold firm, and with 10 or 12 months inventory, prices start to fall. As of January 15th, 2012, there were 49 interior homes on the market which represents a 6.8 months inventory which happens to be favorable and compares to the same 6.8 figure as this time last year. As of the same date, there were 68 waterfront homes on the market which represents a 7.23 months inventory as compared to a 11.22 months inventory this time last year showing a dramatic improvement in this segment of the market.

The graphs show average sales prices and number of homes sold both for the eight quarters of 2010 and 2011 and for the ten year period ending December 31, 2011. Two graphs are for waterfront homes and

$450,000 $400,000 $350,000 $300,000 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000 $0 Average Sales Price

Number of Sales

200

*

*

*

*

*

170

*

130

*

*

*

*

*

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

$221,575 $244,163 $259,827 $292,855 $337,335 $410,608 $400,632 $381,651 $344,923 $348,811 $352,964

164

143

159

188

176

133

95

96

73

107

113

two graphs are for detached homes which are not waterfront, which we refer to as interior homes. These graphs do not include condominium sales.

The information for these graphs were taken from the Coastal Bend Multiple Listing Service and do not include transactions reported after the date of the charts preparation or transactions not listed on the MLS. Any questions or comments concerning these graphs should be addressed to Mary Melick, a Padre island real estate broker

employees and visitors from vehicle accidents, and to improve protection of wildlife (including threatened and endangered species) from potential adverse impacts of beach vehicle use. Over the past two summers, the Seashore temporarily reduced the existing 25 miles per hour (mph) beach driving speed limit to 15 mph during a portion of the summer season to reduce potential resource impacts.

This environmental assessment (EA) examines the purpose and need for such actions and

15930 Cabo Blanco Mary Melick Real Estate

Alternative 2: Shorter Seasonal Restrictions Combined with “Safety Zone” Management.

This alternative includes retaining a year-round 15 mph limit on North Beach and from mile marker 0 to 2.5, but with a seasonal 15 mph speed limit for the rest of South Beach from mile marker 2.5 south to Mansfield Channel.

This 15 mph limit would begin when the first Kemp’s ridley turtle nest is observed in the Seashore or on April 15 (whichever is earlier), and would continue through the end of the Kemp’s ridley nesting season (defined as 5 days after the last nest has ever been found at the Seashore). Outside of the seasonal restriction period, a safety zone would be implemented from mile marker 2.5 south in which a 15 mph speed limit would be imposed within 100 yards of people, pets, vehicles, structures, flocks of birds, and other wildlife.

Alternative 3: Longer Seasonal Restrictions (Preferred Alternative). Under this alternative, longer seasonal restrictions limiting the speed limit to 15 mph from mile marker 2.5 south would last from March 1 through Labor Day (early September). Outside of these dates – day after Labor Day to February 28 – the speed limit from mile marker 2.5 to Mansfield Channel would be 25 mph. The year-round 15 mph limit would remain on North Beach and from mile marker 0 to 2.5 on South Beach.

Alternative 4: Year-round Restrictions. Under this alternative, a 15 mph speed limit for the entire beach year-round would be implemented, consistent with Texas Transportation Code, Section 545.352, which limits vehicular speed to 15 mph on state beaches.

90 50

2001

during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 turtle nesting seasons. This includes a 15 mph speed limit on North Beach and from mile marker 0 to mile marker 2.5, and a 25 mph speed limit on the beach south of mile marker 2.5 to Mansfield Channel on South Beach. Closed (Malaquite) Beach would remain closed to public vehicle use.

Alternative 5: Citizens for Access and Conservation Alternative and Options. This alternative has two options. The first (Option A) is an alternative as suggested by a citizen’s group (Citizens for Access and Conservation) during public scoping. Under this alternative, the speed limit would remain at 25 mph south of mile marker 2.5 (like the no action alternative), but year-round safety zones would be implemented within 100 feet of people, pets, parked vehicles, and structures, in which the speed limit would be reduced to 15 mph. Under a second option developed from public scoping (Option B) the 15 mph year-round safety zones would apply to driving within 100 feet of wildlife, people, pets, parked vehicles, and structures (i.e., wildlife was added to better meet project objectives, purpose, and need).

$199,500 361-949-7281

All Things Hearts at AMANO

New Shipment from San Miguel de Allende 1726 State highway 361 in Port Aransas, Tx Closed Tuesdays

361-749-1828

assesses the effects of five alternatives for vehicle management on the beach. The alternatives vary primarily by vehicle speed limitations, since vehicle speed was identified

by Seashore staff as a primary factor that can affect accident/impact potential and that can also be regulated by the Seashore.

Alternative 1: No Action. The no action alternative would result in the continuation of beach driving speed limits prior to the temporary seasonal restrictions implemented

The alternatives were considered for their effects on wildlife (mammals, invertebrates, shorebirds); special-status species (sea turtles and shorebirds); visitor use and experience; visitor and employee safety; Seashore operations and management; and socioeconomics. The analysis determined that none of the proposed alternatives would have major adverse impacts on resources and values at Padre Island National Seashore.

February 9, 2012

Island Moon The Tarpon Ice House Presents

Stuff I heard on the Island

By Dale Rankin

I got an e-mail from my friend Robert Bob up in Oklahoma last week.

Robert Bob is a big believer in Conspiracy Theories. He still thinks the Moon Landing was done on a soundstage in Arizona, “The shadow on that flag is all wrong,” and that there was a small army of CIA agents crouching behind the Grassy Knoll in Dallas, “It was real crowded back there.”

Then there’s the Council on Foreign Relations running the world, “Watch out for Henry Kissinger”, or the Masons or the Illuminati – or some combination of both, “Sometimes they work together,” – the UN “A bunch of foreigners in suits running around New York,” the Commies, “They control our bodily fluids” – Wall Street “In cahoots with the Illuminati and the foreigners in the U.N, and Henry Kissinger,” Fleet Street “I think Rupert Murdoch is tapping my phone,” President Obama “Not really an American, wears a suit, spends a lot of time in New York,” Ron Paul “Could be an alien,” The First Church of the Nazarene with Signs Following “Never trust anyone who handles the Bible and snakes at the same time, just ask Adam.”

You get the point.

Mormons and Mexican oil But now there’s a new player on the Robert Bob Roster. The Mormons.

“There’s two of them in the Republican race,” Robert Bob says. “And it’s only a four-way race; two are Mormons, one might be an alien, and the other looks like he might be a giant Leprechaun who keeps marrying full-size women so he can pass; and whoever wins will run against a guy who doesn’t have a birth certificate.”

Mexicans gonna do? All of their people with any ambition already came to America. Ever since we built that wall it kept the slackers out, we got the cream of the crop. Whoever it is killed the Canadian oil pipeline too. If we got Canadian oil then we don’t need to invade Mexico. Simple”

Gordian headache The problem with unballing Robert Bob’s Gordian Knot of conspiracy theories is where to start.

“Well, Robert Bob,” I said. “Look at it this way. If this is a conspiracy it’s a lousy one. I mean, you live in a French Fry trailer in Bypass Oklahoma and you know all about it. If it’s a conspiracy it’s got to be the worst kept secret since the A-bomb blew up over Japan. Aren’t conspiracies by nature supposed to be kept secret among only those who are conspiring?

Otherwise they call them revolutions.”

I didn’t hear from Robert Bob for about a week. Finally I got a terse reply having to do with Commies and my bodily fluids and a P.S. “I got out of that dump of a French Fry, got me a double-wide.”

But really I’m glad there are people like Robert Bob out there manning the fences. They’re sort of like the canary in the coal mine. If they start squawking it’s time to check the supply of Spam in the basement – the Mormons are ahead of us on that one. Because no matter how many times they may be wrong they only have to be right once.

Come to think of it Henry Kissinger does wear a suit a lot.

The Louisiana Swamp Romp & Gumbo Cook-Off 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:

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Gumbo Cook-Off Tasting/Judgin

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Gumbo Cook-Off Awards

6:00 p.m.

Swamp Romp Music

7:00 p.m. Opening Act TBA

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.

I usually just ignore Robert Bob’s musings since he’ll have a new one next week but sometimes I like to bait him.

Sponsored by The Island Moon & The Juke (sp?)

“Who do you think is behind it all Robert Bob? They must be real smart. If it’s the foreigners at the U.N. they could be backing any of those guys.”

“It’s either the John Birch Society or the Council on Foreign Relations,” Robert Bob says. “They’re the ones that made drugs illegal so they can use it as an excuse to invade Mexico and steal their oil fields. Do you think it’s an accident that our two biggest Army bases full of tanks are in El Paso and Killeen. We can just roll ‘em south any old time, and bang! Plenty of oil right in our own back yard. What are

Groundhog stroll – Annual Groundhog Day Shadow Stroll with 42 looking for our famous ‘Port A Phillip’

Did Ya Hear?

By Mary Craft email your business news to Mary Craft at mkay512@aol.com

Carol Elliott plays to a big crowd of Winter Texans each Friday at the Tarpon Ice House in Port A.

g n i n e v E c i t n a m o One R

New Advertisers Kiwanis Club of Padre Island presents Bingo on the Beach at the Holiday Inn. Admission to the fundraiser is $5 and includes door prizes, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a chance to say BINGO!. The event will be held Thursday, February 23rd 7pm – 10pm. Call Gladys at 8161243 or John at 779=0477 for more info.

Isle of Avalon has a one hour couple massage Cupid sale for $129 just in time for Valentine’s Day. The spa has an expert team of massage therapists that can handle anything from relaxation to pain relief. Gift certificates are available. They are located in Loma Alta Plaza near Scuttlebutt’s. Call 949=7900.

Business Briefs Home Video Studio has a 10% coupon in this issue of the Moon on page A9. Transfer your home movies, slides or photos to a dvd.

They can make a great production out of your keepsakes. They are located in Port A at 1023 Hwy 361. Call 749-3200 for more info.

$

50 2 4

a person

A3

Nueces Stone Quarry has a full line of natural stone and southwestern décor. They have creative walkways, waterfalls and outdoor fireplaces. They are now in their new location on SPID near Flour Bluff Drive.

Now taking reservations

Gratitude in Port A has a wild eclectic array of gift ideas for your valentine. Give a gift that will put a smile on their face. The store is located near the corner of Beach and Station Street.

My Coastal Home Furniture Store has furniture art and accessories for your Island lifestyle home. They offer complete decorating services and condo packages. Call owner Carol Albrecht at 749-2266 or visit the store at the Tower Center on Hwy 361 in Port A. The Third Annual Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade will be Saturday, February 18th. You can participate in the parade by entering a float, car, golf cart or just walking along in Mardi Gras style. Go to barefootmardigras.com for parade registration forms. Tickets for the party at Padre Isles Country Club are $30 for a Cajun dinner, great zydeco band music and a free drink. .The party will be 6 pm – 10 pm and no one under 21 is admitted. Tickets are available at Michelle’s Salon, the Office Lounge and the POA office.

The Pelican Lounge has begun work on its remodel. Construction of the room adjacent to the bar that will hold the kegs for the 40 draft beers has been completed. The lounge will have the largest draft beer selection in the area.

The Tarpon Ice House presents the Louisiana Swamp Romp and Gumbo CookOff on Saturday, April 21st beginning at 3 pm. The music starts at 7 pm and includes the headline act Ponty bone & the Squeezetones.

Admission to this event sponsored by the Island Moon Newspaper is $10. Applications for entry in the cook-off are April 1st and the fee is $25.

Application for booth space deadline is March 15th and the fee is $75.

Isle of Avalon Day Spa

Cupid Special Couples Massage Package

• Expert Team of Massage Therapists • Relaxation • Pain Relief • Circulation • Medical Rehabilitation • Post Surgery Recovery

Susan Keeler, Owner & Island Resident

• Scar Tissue Reduction

14254 SPID Ste 217 Corpus Christi, TX

$129

Gift Certificates Available (361) 949-7900

The Sheehan Company

Custom Residential Painting & Deck Restoration Padre Island’s Finest Painting Company Offers State of The Art Interior and Exterior Painting Deck Refinishing & Restoration with Behr Premium Deck Stains.

All Horizontal Surfaces are Sanded Smooth.

Power Washing - Roofs Included Custom Tile, Granite Countertops, Expert Carpentry, Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing & Painting ● Free Estimates ● Island References ● No deposit required ● Payment upon completion ● Full Insurance ● All work unconditionally guaranteed.

361-461-5144

Island Resident-Brooks J. Sheehan

A 4

Island Moon

Port A Happenings

Candidates Continued fom A1 She also said one of her priorities is to provide jobs that will allow local college graduates to remain in the area after school.

She also emphasized the need for transparency in the decision making process at City Hall.

Martinez, who is President and CEO of Nueces Title Company, said one of her first acts when she became a member of the City Council was to remove her company from the list of companies who are used for city projects.

“My first priority was to separate my private business from public business.” she told the group. “Our title company did not do any city business before I was on the council and I didn’t want it to all of a sudden start getting city business once I got on the council. Things have to be beyond reproach.”

She said when she arrived at City Hall and began looking at how business was done she found that “fundamental principles were missing in city operations.”

“There was no accountability and that effects morale,” she said. “We’ve all been driving down the road when we see five city employees with hard hats on all standing around looking down a hole; we let 184 city employees go that we didn’t need. The city was paying more for insurance premiums for employees than we the private sector was paying and we were paying for the cell phones of 1000 city employees.”

She cited several areas where she has helped

the city improve its operations: ‘We stopped the losses at city-run golf courses,” she said.

We had 144 underused vehicles we auctioned off, we established a city-run gas station for the Regional Transportation Authority that has meant 2700 less trips to the gas station for vehicles, we have begun single-stream recycling, and begun selling methane gas from our landfill.”

She also addressed the move to bring a Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resort to The Island.

“This is a home run for us,” she said. “If you talk to the people in Galveston and South Padre (where Schlitterbahn currently has parks) you will find that this is a family owned company and these are good people. The Island is our catalyst area and we will build on the strengths of The Island. The Aquarius area is the best location for the park.”

She also addressed the problem of streets. “It took us thirty years to create this problem,” she said. “It will take fifty years to fix completely.”

She said the problem began twenty years ago when the city stopped spending money on streets when user fees and money for the Texas Department of Transportation was not enough to fund street maintenance. She said money for streets may have to be taken from the city sales tax and from money currently set aside for maintenance of the downtown seawall.

Trash Heap of the Week

Beach Party Play If you missed the activities or just want to do them again, come on down Friday, Feb. 10, 2 p.m.to the Girl Scout hut, 739 W. Ave. A. Once again, we will be making Wind Chimes & Beach Plaques ~ We had so much fun creating these, we’re doing it again!!! I had so many requests, I’m bowing to public demand.

Yoga on the beach Great environment, great instruction … stretch, focus and energize at the next free lesson of yoga on the beach. It is set for Saturday, Feb. 11, 8am, near Horace Caldwell Pier at the end of Beach Street.

Instructor Nancy Myers will teach basic moves courtesy of the Parks and Recreation Department.

Bring an old towel or yoga mat suitable for use on the beach.

If the weather is bad, Myers will take the group to an inside location, so be early in order to get on the move to inside.

P.A. Movie Time Laughter, music and free admittance and free popcorn, what better way to spend a Saturday night?

Oklahoma Annie, (1951) is on the calendar for Saturday, Feb. 11, 6:55 p.m.

Starring Judy Canova. Raucous musical western comedy with backwoods shopkeeper falling in love with the sheriff. While she performs an act of courage, she not only earns herself a deputy’s badge, but also the right to stick close to her handsome lawman. Soon the two of them are working to rid the community of corrupt politicians and a local gambling den full of bad guys. In a unique turn on the normally male dominated theme, Judy rallies the town’s womenfolk to come to the rescue of the sheriff.

We’re Having Fun Socializing as we play together … you can get in on the fun at ‘We’re Having Fun’ activities. 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. Supplies are provided, Tuesday, Feb. 14, we will be making sun catchers. Mark your calendars for Feb. 21: FISH PRINTS! You don’t want to miss this one! Material provided, bring a shirt if you want to ‘fish it up.’

Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series The Trash Heap of the Week this issue comes to us from the popular fishing spot along Packery Channel just west of the Highway 361 Bridge. The location is usually home to a flock of migrating plastic bags but this time it has become the resting place for a roof full of old shingles.

Someone too lazy to heft these asphalt shingles into

a dumpster decided to just dump them here and go off and leave them. We thank you but it turns out we already have all the old shingles we need and could have done without these.

But we got ‘em…so if anyone needs any old shingles we know where you can get some. Just go and pick them up from the Trash Heap of the Week.

Whataducks!

These Ducks love Whataburger.

They can be found hanging out there after their daily swim.

Photo by Josette Derrick

February 9, 2012

A beautiful show of Southern Utah State and National Parks is slated for the next Brown Bag Series set for Feb. 15.

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

Held in the Community Center, 408 N. Alister St., this 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.

Richard Moers will show a presentation featuring the parks, using photos and more.

On Feb. 22, get a head start on the Celebration of Whooping Cranes and Other Birds week with a talk

by Lowell Schake, on his book titles, “On the Wings of Cranes”.

H.E.L.P. Series Another tour is on the schedule for the next H.E.L.P. series activity. This Parks and Recreation series on health, ecology, lifestyle and preparation is another way to entertain the public.

The tour will be on Thursday, Feb. 16, and begin at 2

pm. Meet in the Civic Center parking lot at 1:50 pm, to carpool to the facility on Port Street.

This working lab develops and commercializes shrimp and sea urchin farming industries for Texas and the US; develops sea urchin feed and production technology for biomedical and ecotoxicological research; develops starfish feed and production for regeneration and stem cell production; and evaluates fishery processing, biofuel/biodiesel, and grain crops as nutritional replacements in shrimp feeds. FREE! Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.

Contact Pam at pamg@cityofportaransas.org or 7494158 to reserve space.

“Love it! Hobby Day?”

Come see the hobbies of a few on Thursday, Feb. 16.

At 1 pm, it’s a What’s Your Hobby? at the Community Center, 408 N. Alister St.

Nebraskans Karen and Tin Helzer will do a show and tell on how taffy is made. Taffy making has been in Tim’s family since 1903, and the couple continues it as a hobby. They will demonstrate the unique craft of candy making and samples will be available for purchase.

Peg Srader of Port Aransas will demonstrate her hobby, cake decorating.

Port Aransan Mike Secich will show off his hobby, stain glass making.

Dave Srader will tell about his passion, the new Port Aransas Cart Club.

If you have a hobby you want to share on this day, contact Parks and Recreation Community Program Coordinator Pam Greene at 749-4158 or pamg@ cityofportaransas.org to be included.

Citywide Garage Sale Now is the time to book a space or get on the list now for the annual citywide garage sale Saturday, Feb. 18.

This is an annual partnership between the City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department and KPAB (Keep Port Aransas Beautiful).

Schedule a garage sale at your house and list your address on the free map by contacting Community Program Coordinator Pam Greene at 749-4158 or pamg@cityofportaransas.org. To be included on the map, get your listing to Pam by 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16. Requests may also be made for maps to be emailed.

Tables are available for rent at Community Center, 408 N. Alister Street, if you don’t have a space to hold one. Contact Darlene Secich at 749-7144 or fbcdarlene@aol.com.

KPAB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, whose mission is to promote public interest to create a cleaner, more beautiful Port Aransas through volunteerism and education.

The organization focuses on litter reduction, beautification and community improvement, to reduce/reuse/ recycle/rebuy and provides environmental education.

“Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Re-purpose” and keep it out of the landfill.

Winter Sounds

Blues music awaits patrons of the February free concert by the Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department.

Come early to get a seat to hear Dicky Neely and Guy LaRoux on Monday, Feb. 20.

A partnership between the Parks Department and the Port Aransas Community Theatre allows the concert to be held at the theater, 2327 State Hwy. 361.

Harmonica playing Neely has entertained in Port A in many venues, always a big draw!

The concert will begin at 7p.m. and, seats are first come, first serve.

Here’s some dead stuff we found on the beach. A Manatee and some stingrays were found between Whitecap and Bob Hall Pier. We don’t know what happened to them, if you do, let us know.

Photos by Heidi Wilson and Jan Rankin TheIslandMoon_Jan_custom_1.25:Layout 4

1/18/12

2:29 PM

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

February 9, 2012

Island Moon

Letters to the Editor Audios Tranquility The proposed Schlitterbahn complex would be a boon to my property values. I have a townhome at the Marquesas located on the corner of Commodores and Cabana East. This is currently a rental unit and it would be literally right across the street from the water park.

However, I now live on the main canal. From my perspective here Schlitterbahn would be a catastrophe for the tranquility and laidback island quality of life my neighbors and I currently enjoy.

Back in the day I worked at the hospital in New Braunfels (formerly McKenna Memorial) located close by the original Schlitterbahn. So I have first hand knowledge of what to expect should we get this water park on The Island.

And what we can expect is the sudden, drastic and permanent loss of our North Padre Island quality of life. In the summertime, when school is out, every single day will be like Spring Break.

Are you ready for that? Do we really want that? Is it too late to stop this project? If not, we need to consider what will become of our infrastructure and quality of life should the water park get built.

Robert Danesi

Schlitterbahn I’d just like to make a comment on the article “Schlitterbahn” in this 2/2 issue, since when is this islands homeowners all retired / winter Texans? I believe the majority of homeowners are in the working class, and would enjoy something new and different to come to the island. So please don’t try and speak for the majority.

Poetry Come to the UU & U Coffee House Saturday February 11th at 7:00pm Established in 1983 and still going strong Music and Poetry by candlelight Jazz,Classical and Folk music. Original Poetry Unitarian Universalist Church 6901 Holly Between Airline & Rodd Field Road Admission is $10, Students $5 For information call 853-7992

Colin Sykes

New Logo Contest

The Art Center for the Islands has changed it’s name to Port Aransas Art Center We require a new original design logo reflective of the island community and evidence of the center’s artistic contributions as a gallery and arts education center. Anyone may enter as many designs as you wish.

Deadline - March 15, 2012 We Can’t wait to see the entries!

Stop in at 323 N. Alister to pick up an Entry Form or go to portaransasartcenter.org artcenter@centurytel.net

Who Are the Moon Monkeys

TO MAYOR ADAME, et al Honorable Mayor and City Council Members:

Ban the Bag Dear Mr. Rankin, Thanks so much for already writing about the Plastic Bag problem on the Island and bringing the issue to public notice. I pick up the annoying bags and other trash every day on my neighborhood walks and every time I go to the beach. The bags are there daily advertising HEB, Stripes, CVS, and Walmart. I guess they really believe there is no bad publicity.

Surfrider’s local Coastal Bend chapter is going ahead with a Ban the Bag campaign, and our first public awareness effort is our Ban the Bag Photo contest. We hope that the Island Moon will be an active partner and help us publicize the Contest.

Thanks so much for your help and your interest in stopping the mess.

Take care, Pat Gardiner Coastal Bend Surfrider Chapter is launching a BAN the BAG Photo Contest and invites participation of area photographers. Entries will be accepted from February 15 through March 15, 2012.

Send original and unstaged photos of plastic bags in trees, flying through the air, decorating neighborhoods, from anywhere in Corpus Christi. Entries must include name, contact, information, and location. Photos should be sent to plasticbagbanphotocontest@gmail.com.

Winners will be selected and prizes awarded in these categories: Most Artistic, Black&White and color, Best Bag in a Tree, Best Airborne Bag, Most Different Bags, Biggest Mess.

For information about the contest: Gardiner, 361-739-5507

Pat

For Ban the Bag information: Neil McQueen, 361-765-4445

Dustin Hall

Anti Duck Hunters Letter to the Mayor

Winter Texan Adopt-ABeach Cleanup Saturday, Feb. 11, 9 am Join Keep Port Aransas Beautiful to help clean up our Port A Beaches in the Texas General Land Office sponsored event.

Meet at Ave. G and the beach in Port Aransas.

For more information contact Coordinator Deno Fabrie at deno.fabrie@texasadoptabeach.org

Host An International Exchange Student

We have come to the end of the three-month duck hunting season without resolve of the illegal hunting within the city limits that has been a problem for several years. Indeed, the situation has worsened, and the nuisance / disturbance of the peace will continue for one quarter of 2012 if action is not taken. The residents of Flour Bluff and Padre Island will be subject to the sounds of shotgun blasts and rifles, and in some cases the peppering of their homes with shot.

I am most familiar with the violations in the area known as “Aquarius ponds” and the surrounding area off Aquarius Street. Wetlands are also being violated, and the illegal shooting from the shoreline out into the water presents a very real threat to boaters and kayakers. Let us not wait until a death or serious injury occurs before taking action.

The most basic Texas law that is continuously violated is Parks and Wildlife Section 61.022.

TAKING WILDLIFE WITHOUT CONSENT OF LANDOWNER PROHIBITED. “ (a) No person may hunt or catch by any means or method or possess a wildlife resource at any time and at any place covered by this chapter unless the owner of the land, submerged land, or water, or the owner’s agent consents.” The “Aquarius ponds” are the property of the Asset Development Corporation. The owner/ developer, Paul Schexnailer and the manager, Pat Mutchler, have stated that papers have been filed with the CCPD and the local P&W requesting that citations be issued to trespassing hunters.

Schexnailer states, “No one has permission to hunt on any of my land. If they are there they are there illegally.” Mutchler stated last year that the land had been repeatedly posted with “no trespassing” signs over the years only to be torn down. Sand berms and barricades have been erected at the site and deliberately run over and destroyed by the hunters’ large trucks.

Other ponds on the island and in Flour Bluff are hunted without express permission of the landowners. Additionally, other ponds and areas designated as wetlands or nature preserves are being illegally hunted, and a great deal of trash is being left behind, including shotgun shell hulls and boxes and, spent rifle bullets.

It was reported that two arrests were made by the game warden of individuals shooting on a nature preserve off Primavera St. on the island.

The municipal code, 33-75 would be quite adequate if it had been enforced by the authorities

and followed by the waterfowl hunters. Neither has happened. Much confusion has arisen surrounding claims, which do not appear to be valid, that the city code contradicts the state code. The CCPD has recently been taking the position that hunting is allowed as close as it is 150 feet distance from a house based on a section of the Texas Local Government Codes that do not apply to incorporated municipalities.

The Island Moon Newspaper stated that ,” an informal inquiry with sources in the Texas General Land Office produced an opinion that since the Island was annexed before the state mandated date of September1, 1981 that state law does not attach and only the city ordinance applies.”

The Rules of the 2011-2012 Texas Water Digest, address Wanton Waste (page 5/6 ) and Species Identification (p.7) are being ignored.

Species Identification states. “ One fully feathered wing or head must remain attached to a dressed waterfowl while being transported between the place taken and the personal residence (personal abode) of the hunter, the personal residence of another personal residence of another person receiving the dressed birds or a migratory bird preservation facility.” Per the Director of The Padre Island Owners Association, the remains of over 100 de-breasted ducks have been removed from the canals by a POA employee who cleans the canals. I wish to strongly state that I am not opposed to hunting, including duck hunting, if it is legal, safe, and if the wildlife resource is not wasted. I believe that the number of hunters in violation of the law is small as well as the number of those discharging rifles, and that they are not representative of hunters in general.

I ask the Council to amend Sec. 33.75 by deleting subsections b. and c., and I am gathering signatures to a petition to that effect.

This change will continue to ban the discharge of firearms by any unauthorized person within the city limits, however, will not grant exception to waterfowl hunters. Response has been positive. Abundant areas for hunting are within a short distance of the city, and I note that the spoil islands are owned by the Texas General Land Office and should not be affected by the change in the code.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Sincerely, Agnes Maier

The Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra Presents

Volunteers are needed to host 180 international high school exchange students for the 20122013 school year. The students, from over 20 countries all speak English, have spending money and medical insurance. Volunteers are asked to provide a bed, meals, and a caring environment for either a 5-10 month period.

For more information on how to SHARE! Your Heart & Home next school year, contact Cathy at 361 739 9988 or go to sharesouthwest.org.

Bag Ban Cont. from A1 information: Neil McQueen, 361-765-4445 The City Council is scheduled to begin formal hearings on a plan that would either ban the single-use plastic bags outright, or place a bounty on each bag of up to $1 with the procedes to be used for bag cleanup around the city. More than thirty countries around the world current ban the bags or place restrictions on their use. The city of Brownsville instituted a $1 per bag fee in January 2011 and collected more than $300,000 in fees last year.

“The Best Of Broadway” Featuring Guest Vocalists Corrie Donovan, Logan Rucker And Joel Herod For Its Fourth Subscription Concert Of The 2011-2012 Concert Season Who: The Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra (CCSO), Maestro John Giordano (CCSO Music Director and Conductor), Corrie Donovan, soprano, Logan Rucker, tenor, and Joel Herold, baritone.

What: The CCSO presents the forth subscription concert of its 66th consecutive season with celebrated music from the Great White Way. Popular selections from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals to Rogers and Hammerstein classics and to Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will be showcased as they were meant to be heard: With the passion and feeling of a full symphony orchestra.

When: Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 8:00 pm.

Where: The Performing Arts Center at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas Why: Maestro John Giordano and the Corpus Christi Symphony give their regards to Broadway in this evening of celebrated music of the Great White

Way. Program highlights include beloved classics by Rogers & Hammerstein with scenes from The Sound of Music, The King and I, Oklahoma! and other favorites. Fast-forward from Broadway’s Golden Age to the modern-day genius of Andrew Lloyd Webber with Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Cats, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Selections from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast add to this glorious night of Broadway hits spanning half a century.

Experience these brilliant show tunes as they were meant to be heard: With the passion and feeling of a full symphony orchestra.

Ticket packages may be purchased by calling the Symphony office at (361) 883-NOTE (6683) or tollfree at 877-286-6683. Mini-Season tickets (a package of the three remaining subscription concerts) start at $80 per seat and are offered at a substantial discount over the purchase of single tickets.

Single concert tickets start at $20 per seat. For more information, visit www.ccsymphony.org.

Spring Break School Schedule 2012

February 27-March 7, 2012 Rice university- Houston

March 5-9, 2012 University of Dallas- Irving

March 12-16, 2012 Mike Ellis, Founder Distribution Pete Alsop Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin Office Lisa Towns Classifieds Arlene Ritley Design/Layout Jeff Craft Contributing Writers (In no particular order) Devorah Fox Mary Craft Maybeth Christiansen Dr. Tom Dorrell Jay Gardner

Abilene Christian University

Port Aransas ISD

Aransas Pass ISD

Rio Grand Valley ISD’s

Austin College- Sherman

St. Edward’s University- Austin

Trinity University-San Antonio

St. Mary’s University- San Antonio

Tulane University- New Orleans

Austin ISD

Texas Tech University- Lubbock

Texas Weslayan University- Ft Worth

Baylor University, Waco

Sam Houston State University-Huntsville

University of Houston-Clear Lake

Coastal Bend College

San Antonio ISD

University of Houston-Victoria

Corpus Christi ISD

S.W Assemblies of God-Waxahachie

Dallas Baptist University

Southern Methodist University-Dallas

University of Texas- Austin

Del Mar College

Southwestern University- Georgetown

University of Texas-Dallas

E. TX Baptist University-Marshall

Stephen F. Austin State Univ.- Nacogdoches

University of Texas-El Paso

Flour Bluff ISD

Sul Ross State University- Alpine

University of Texas-Pan American

Gregory Portland ISD

Tarelton State (A&M)-Central Texas, Killeen

University of Texas- Arlington

University of Texas-Permian Basin, Odessa

Hardin Simmons University-Abilene Tarelton State, Stephenville

University of Texas-San Antonio

Houston Baptist University

Texas A&M International University-Laredo

University of Texas-Tyler

Houston ISD

Texas A&M University-College Station

University of Incarnate Word-San Antonio

Texas A&M University- Commerce

Washington University-St. Louis

Huston Tillotson-Austin

Wayland Baptist University- Plainview

Lamar University, Beaumont

Texas A&M University- Galveston

West Texas A&M University - Canyon

Ronnie Narmour

Le Tourneau University- Longview

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Wiley College- Marshall

Dr. Donna Shaver

Lubbock Christian University

Texas A&M University-Prarie View

William Woods University- Fulton, MO

Photographers

McMurry University-Abilene

Texas Lutheran College- Seguin

Texas State University- San Marcos

Our Lady of Lake-San Antonio

Mike (Murph) Murphy

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.

Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi

Todd Hunter

Katy ISD

March 19-23, 2012

March 26-30, 2012

April 9-13, 2012

Arkansas State University

University of Colorado- Colorado Springs

Louisiana State University- Baton Rouge

Kansas State University-Manhattan

A5

University of Missouri- Columbia

Missouri State University- Springfield

University of Missouri- Kansas City

Oklahoma State University- Stillwater

University of Missouri- St. Louis

University of Kansas- Lawerence

University of Central Oklahoma-Edmond

University of Oklahoma-Norman

A 6

Projects Continued from A1

sand from Packery Channel and pump it onto the beach at the south end of the Michael J. Ellis Seawall as part of the ongoing beach renourishment effort.

The crews are removing between 4000 and 5000 cubic yards of sand per day that was left behind in the channel by Hurricane Ike. So far they have removed 250,000 cubic yards of sand and expect to remove a total of 250,000 cubic yards before they must halt operations before the start of Spring Break in March.

Repairs to the Highway 361/Packery Bridge.

While the dredge was being moved into place it struck a piling that is part of the support structure under the bridge. According to inspectors the damage did not impact the structural integrity of the bridge but on lane on the westbound side has been closed since and a protective sleeve has been placed around the column. Repair work is expected to be completed before the beginning of Spring Break.

Quality of drinking water. The Island has had an ongoing problem with the quality of drinking water due to the large number of dead end water mains. Gus Gonzales, Director/ of Water Operations for the City, told the ISAC that the entire city is now experiencing stress on the water treatment facilities because the city’s supply of surface water is down to 52% of its storage capacity due to the drought. That low water level means a high concentration of minerals which the system struggle to remove, he said.

“We can’t remove that many minerals with a standard plant,” he said.

To prevent a film from forming on dishes after washing he suggest using detergent finishers which contain phosphates since regulations removed phosphates from dishwashing detergents several years ago. They said hot water heaters setting may also cause plating on dishes.

Anyone on The Island having water quality issues should contact Maybeth Christensen at the POA office.

City officials also said they are currently flushing 2.5 million gallons of water per day out of fire hydrants across the city to fight the problem of stagnant water due to dead end water mains. Citywide use is 70 million gallons per day. The city currently flushes the water out of fire hydrants and into storm drains. However, they say they are looking into the possibility of using hoses to reroute some of that water to parks and other dry spots.

Spring Break Plans. The big weekend for Spring Break will be the weekend of March 17-18. A stoplight will be installed at the

Island Moon

intersection of S.H. 361 and Zahn Road and traffic will be rerouted. Beach access will be at Access Road 3 the beach traffic will be back south to Zahn Road which will be the only way off the section of beach just north of Packery Channel. There will also be emergency lanes on the beach and officers will be stationed at lights on The Island to keep traffic from backing up.

The city will also have extra staff on hand for beach cleanup and 300 trash cans will be deployed along with portable restrooms.

There will also be a Code Compliance officer at each beach access road to prevent people from carrying pallets for burning (if they have nails), and sofas and other items which get left behind on the beach after the event.

Last year a traffic snarl occurred on SH 361 when a donut truck overturned near the Packery Bridge.

“There are a couple of things we can’t really control,” a city staffer told the ISAC, “one is the weather and the other is overturned donut trucks.”

They are hoping to make it through this year’s event without a Donut Truck Mishap.

Duck Hunting on The Island. Due to a large number of complaints from Island homeowners about hunters firing guns near Island homes in the recently ended duck hunting season and a petition – now with about 150 signatures – to ban firing weapons anywhere in the City Limits, the city staff is researching the state laws and city ordinances which apply. A meeting is set for this week by the various agencies involved.

Duck hunting has been a longtime activity on The Island but this year some hunters were shooting closer to homes due to a change in flight patterns of the ducks due to the drought conditions. We will have more on this as it develops.

February 9, 2012

Island police blotter

By Bill Palumbo “Just a Beat Officer”

Lock

Spring is rapidly coming upon us. With Spring Break, we normally see a rise in crime, in particular car burglaries. During 2011, Police reports and arrests indicate most car burglaries, occur during the late night hours, or very early morning hours. Several of the car burglar arrests on the island were minors, out during city ordinance minor night time curfew hours. If you see minors out roaming our neighborhoods, during curfew please call the Police. So they can look into the matter.

The Police dispatcher will ask you if you want to be contacted by the responding officers. If you don’t want contact, they will not go to your house. The city ordinance for minor curfew is contained under section 33-40. Minor night time curfew is between the hours of 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM, unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian, or under special circumstances contained in the section. Minor night time curfew is for children under the age of 17 years old. Currently we are seeing fewer car burglaries on the island. Hopefully it will stay that way. Hide, Lock, Take.

Lock your car. Leaving your doors and windows unlocked is just what a thief wants and makes it easy to steal your property or your car. Even if you are leaving your car, or your house, or your bike, or anything else for ‘just a minute…… lock it. A minute is all a thief needs to walk away with your stuff.

Hide Hide your belongings. The old sayings “Out of sight, Out of Mind” and “Better Safe than Sorry” are still good advice.

Leaving valuables in plain sight only tempts a would be thief. Don’t leave items, such as phones, CD’s, MP3 players, DVD’s, purses and other valuables, in your vehicle. If you must leave items in your vehicle, like when you’re traveling, make sure things are hidden out of sight.

And, hide them before you get to your destination. After all, it doesn’t do much good to hide them, if the thief watches you while you hide your stuff.

Take Take your keys with you so a potential thief won’t be tempted to take your car.

And don’t be tempted to hide a spare in or around the car. Thieves know all the tricks and hiding places. Take the keys... keep the car.

Mustang Island State Park 3:15 p.m.

Feb. 3 Burglary of motor vehicle Beach Access Rd/Gulf Beach 3:59 p.m.

Feb. 2 Burglary of motor vehicle 14300 Aquarius St. Jan. 31 6:48 p.m.

Abandoned motor vehicle 14000 block Ambrosia 2:18 p.m. Feb. 2 Theft 15300 block Isabella Ct. 9 p.m. Feb. 1 Burglary of habitation 13900 block Fortuna Bay 7:16 p.m.Feb. 3 Burglary of habitation 14200 block Natal Plum 2:34 p.m. Jan. 27 Abandoned vehicle 15400 block Cuttysark 1:42 p.m. Jan. 29 Burglary of habitation

Hide, Lock, Take

Winter Texans & Tech Betty, I got this email that I thought winter texans might enjoy. And speaking of modern technology, we need a tracking device for vans.

LOL, Thanks, Betsy

Should I Really Join Facebook?

A good laugh for people in the over 50 group !!!

When I bought my Blackberry, I thought about the 30-year business I ran with 1800 employees, all without a cell phone that plays music, takes videos, pictures and communicates with Facebook and Twitter. I signed up under duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my seven kids, their spouses, 13 grand kids and 2 great grand kids could communicate with me in the modern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter with only 140 characters of space.

That was before one of my grandkids hooked me up for Tweeter, Tweetree, Twhirl, Twitterfon, Tweetie and Twittererific Tweetdeck, Twitpix and something that sends every message to my cell phone and every other program within the texting world.

My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everything except the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready to live like this. I keep my cell phone in the garage in my golf bag.

The kids bought me a GPS for my last birthday because they say I get lost every now and then going over to the grocery store or library. I keep that in a box under my tool bench with the Blue tooth [it’s red] phone I am supposed to use when I drive. I wore it once and was standing in line at Barnes and Noble talking to my wife and everyone in the nearest 50 yards was glaring at me. I had to take my hearing aid out to use it, and I got a little loud.

I mean the GPS looked pretty smart on my dash board, but the lady inside that gadget was the most annoying, rudest person I had run into in a long time. Every 10 minutes, she would sarcastically say, “Re-calc-u-lating.” You would think that she could be nicer. It was like she could barely tolerate me. She would let go with a deep sigh and then tell me to make a U-turn at the next light. Then if I made a right turn instead... Well, it was not a good relationship.

When I get really lost now, I call my wife and tell her the name of the cross streets and while she is starting to develop the same tone as Gypsy, the GPS lady, at least she loves me.

Located in the Loma Alta Plaza 14254 SPID, Suite 109 949-4848

Offering Gourmet Take-Out Meals Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Hours: 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Visit our website at www.AuntSissysKitchen.com For weekly menus Full Service Catering Available For Private Parties

Recipient of the People’s Choice Award 2011 Taste of the Island

To be perfectly frank, I am still trying to learn how to use the cordless phones in our house.

We have had them for 4 years, but I still haven’t figured out how I can lose three phones all at once and have to run around digging under chair cushions and checking bathrooms and the dirty laundry baskets when the phone rings.

The world is just getting too complex for me.

They even mess me up every time I go to the grocery store. You would think they could settle on something themselves but this sudden “Paper or Plastic?” every time I check out just knocks me for a loop. I bought some of those cloth reusable bags to avoid looking confused, but I never remember to take them in with me.

Now I toss it back to them. When they ask me, “Paper or Plastic?” I just say, “Doesn’t matter to me. I am bi-sacksual.”

Then it’s their turn to stare at me with a blank look.

I was recently asked if I tweet. I answered, No, but I do toot a lot.”

We senior citizens don’t need any more gadgets. The TV remote and the garage door remote are about all we can handle.

Patty brings a bright new smile to Michelle’s Salon. Patty, formerly of Sport Clips next to Lowes. Mention this ad and receive 25% off any chemical service and guys, you will receive a complimentary scalp massage on your first visit. If you are looking for a military cut or a super fade, Patty is your girl. As always, Walk-ins welcome

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14457S.S.P.I.D. 14225 P. I. D.,Suite Suite109 7 Corpus Christi, TX 78418

February 9, 2012

Legislative Update

Island Moon

Ebb and Flow- The Changing Face of the Island

District 32

Burgers & Bars

Study Charges Released For The 2012 Interim (Part IV) Speaker of the House Joe Straus has released a list of interim study charges for the standing committees of the Texas House of Representatives. These study charges and the resulting recommendations that will be developed during the interim could form the basis for legislation to be considered during the next legislative session. House committees were each given several issues to study.

Committee hearings will be held over the course of the interim period (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, please don’t hesitate to call my Capitol office at 512-463-0672 or visit the Texas House of Representatives at www.house.state.tx.us.

Here are some examples of charges given to the standing House committees: House Committee on Human Services Monitor the implementation of Foster Care Redesign. Evaluate the mechanisms for monitoring and oversight, including rates, contracts, and client outcomes.

Identify policies to alleviate food insecurity, increase access to healthy foods, and incent good nutrition within existing food assistance programs. Consider initiatives in Texas and other states to eliminate food deserts and grocery gaps, encourage urban agriculture and farmers’ markets, and increase participation in the Summer Food Program. Evaluate the desirability and feasibility of incorporating nutritional standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Monitor congressional activity on the 2012 Farm Bill and consider its impact on Texas. (Joint with the House Committee on Public Health) Explore strategies, including those in other states, to support the needs of aging Texans, including best practices in nursing home diversion, expedited access to community services, and programs to assist seniors and their families in navigating the long-term care system, with the goal of helping seniors remain in the community. Assess the feasibility of leveraging volunteer-supported initiatives using existing infrastructure to enhance the ability of seniors to remain active and involved.

House Committee on Insurance - Study whether Texas would benefit from allowing purchases of health insurance coverage across

By Melissa Maupin mmaup@ymail.com

state lines. Examine the options available to facilitate such purchases, and include consideration of how to guarantee appropriate consumer protections.

Examine the handling of third-party claims by automobile insurers. Consider whether any systemic claims-handling issues would be better addressed through new dispute resolution processes, case-by-case action by the Texas Department of Insurance, or a combination of both. Include in the review an analysis of practice in other states.

Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer Well, good God Almighty which way do I steer?

Although Snoopy’s Pier is known for its fried seafood, it started with the Snoopyburger and beer. Ernie Buttler purchased the restaurant in 1979. Before that time, Snoopy’s was a dimlylit beer joint with limited seating and a small kitchen. Although they served burgers, the real draw was the beer and the music. My brother, Steve Shearer, played guitar there in the late seventies. “Back then it was really a rough place.

They had worn picnic tables inside for seating and some pinball machines,” said Shearer.

“One regular I remember was Charlie. He had long red hair and played guitar for drinks and tips. He lived in a white van in the parking lot and woke up each morning and starting drinking and playing music.”

When Buttler bought Snoopy’s he kept the name and the Snoopyburger and continued commercial fishing to help subsidize the restaurant during the early eighties when business was slow.

Eventually the seafood became part of the menu and he expanded the facility with an upgraded, larger interior and covered outside dining area.

While seafood and water views are the highlight of Snoopy’s, the Snoopyburger is still a big draw.

Study the rules of statutory construction and establish a method of determining legislative intent.

Study the public policy implications of lawsuit lending and its effects on the civil justice system.

Study whether the asbestos and silica multidistrict litigation courts should be allowed to dismiss, without prejudice, claims on the courts’ inactive dockets for want of prosecution under certain circumstances.

Study best practices regarding corporate governance. Make recommendations on the confidentiality of communications to ombudsmen in order to provide more protections to complaining parties.

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).

- State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32 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.

High

Tide

Height

/Low

Time

Feet

Th

9

High

2:36 AM

9

Low

9:48 AM

9

High

4:45 PM

1.0

9

Low

10:23 PM 0.5

F

10

High

3:55 AM

10

Low

10:35 AM 0.0

10

High

4:56 PM

0.9

10

Low

10:56 PM

0.2

Sa

11

High

5:19 AM

1.0

7:09 AM

Set 9:22 AM

11

Low

11:27 AM 0.3

6:17 PM

Rise 10:33 PM

11

High

5:05 PM

11

Low

11:41 PM -0.1

Su

12

High

6:54 AM

1.0

7:08 AM

Set 10:04 AM

12

Low

12:33 PM

0.7

6:18 PM

Rise 11:38 PM

12

High

5:08 PM

0.9

M

13

Low

12:35 AM -0.3

7:08 AM

13

High

8:51 AM

1.1

6:18 PM

Tu

14

Low

1:38 AM

-0.

14

High

11:38 AM 1.2

W

15

Low

2:49 AM

15

High

1:16 PM

Sunrise

Moon Time

% Moon

Sunset

Visible

1.0

7:11 AM

Set 8:04 AM

98

-0.2

6:16 PM

Rise 8:26 PM

7:10 AM

Set 8:42 AM

6:16 PM

Rise 9:30 PM

95

88

0.8 80

Set 10:49 AM

70

7:07 AM

Rise 12:42 AM

59

6:19 PM

Set 11:39 AM

-0.6

7:06 AM

Rise 1:45 AM

1.4

6:20 PM

Set 12:33 PM

48

Scoopy’s Veranda Sun - Sat 11am - 10pm Carry-out Available!

Snoopy’s (361) 949-8815 Scoopy’s

Heinz Fifty-seven and French fried potatoes

full burger and bar experience, try one of the locally-owned island restaurants and bars.

House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence - Study the potential effects on victims of family and domestic violence in the judicial process if courts are allowed to issue agreed protective orders without a finding of violence.

1.0

I like mine with lettuce and tomato

Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction, including the implementation of HB 3 (82-1) regarding the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.

Tides for Corpus Christi (Bob Hall Pier) with February 9 - 16, 2012.

Day

Jimmy Buffet, who defines island life with his music, purportedly came into port at the island of Tortola after a long sail through rough seas. He had been living on canned food and peanut butter and was craving a cheeseburger. Buffet put in his order with his song “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”

Monitor implementation of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including any changes that may result from ongoing litigation or legislative modification or repeal.

(Joint with the House Committee on Public Health)

Tides of the Week

A7

(361) 949-7810

13313 S. Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78418

If you’ve been on the water or at the beach all day, you can probably relate. There’s just something satisfying about a juicy hamburger and a frosty beverage after a long day in the sun.

Luckily our own island paradise has plenty of options for burger and beer lovers.

Burger and Brew Beginnings In the 1950’s and 60’s, bait stands often served both a full breakfast plate and hearty burgers for lunch.

According to Ernie Buttler, owner of Snoopy’s Pier restaurant and bar, many bait stands on Laguna Shores in Flour Bluff and those on the island including Clems and Billings Bait Stand offered burgers. “Things were different then, everyone was more relaxed. Fishermen showed up for breakfast and watched the sun come up. They visited and then fished,” said Buttler. “No one was in a hurry and they all caught a lot of fish.” After they filled their boats, they filled their stomachs with a burger and beer. Buttler says the king of burgers at that time was Gus Merckle at Bob Hall Pier. The pier offered six hamburgers for a dollar and had lines of people waiting to eat.

Jitos located on Park Road 22 was a popular hangout in the 1970’s. It was a combination convenience store and grill that served primarily hamburgers and fries. A favorite of the beach crowd, it was often filled with local surfers and suntanned, hungry teens.

Today’s Hamburger Havens Most restaurants now serve some type of burger because they tend to please even the pickiest eaters. For folks on the go, there are two “fast food” burger chains located on the island: Sonic and Whataburger, a hometown original established in Corpus Christi by Harmon Dobson in 1950. But if you want the

Island Italian, a laid back restaurant popular with winter Texans, opened in 1987. While it features Italian food, it offers several burgers on their lunch menu each made from certified Angus ground beef and served with mashed potatoes. They also serve wine and beer and showcase live music Thursday through Saturday. One unique hamburger with Italian flair but not an Italian name is the Randy Burger topped with jalapeno, mushrooms,

pepperoni, mozzarella cheese and pizza sauce.

The Pelican Lounge is known primarily as a sports bar and meeting place for locals—think Cheers with even more colorful characters.

While table shuffleboard, pool and poker tournaments are held weekly and bands liven up the weekends, their burgers are a fan favorite of many regulars. Some folks, in fact, come to the Pelican just to pick up burgers to go. If you show up too early, you can always sip a beer or shoot pool while you wait.

The Padre Island Burger Company is the more recent addition to the burger/brew experience.

They serve up gourmet burgers along with drink specials and live entertainment. Owner Jason Johnson is a chef with a degree from the Culinary Institute of America. His training shows in the creative way his restaurant prepares their food. One specialty is the The Hang Over with caramelized onions, a fried egg and American cheese. I’m not sure if it works but with a bloody Mary, it may be worth a try. All burgers are served with your choice of chips, fries or sweet potato fries. You can also make your own burger combo from a plain (Boring- their name for it) burger to just about any combination using a variety of breads and toppings.

A warning about any of these local burgers—they might be a little too satisfying. Most are made with at least 1/3 lb of ground beef and then there’s the cheese and a myriad of toppings.

Coupled with a tall beer and a side of fries and it may be difficult to finish one at a setting. You can always split one with a friend of course or take home leftovers for lunch the next day. As Jimmy Buffet reminds us in his iconic song: Worth every damn bit of sacrifice To get a cheeseburger in paradise

Great Seafood and Burgers Libations Amusements 18 Holes of Minature Golf

All you can eat shrimp Wednesdays are back!

Thursdays Prime Rib with Twice Open 11 am - 2 am Baked Potato Kitchen Closes @ 1 am

One Bite & You’re Hooked

2034 State Highway 361

361 749- Taco (8226)

A 8

Island Moon

Gone Fishin’

The Great Hormone Debate Danniece Bobeché, MSN Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioner www.danniece.com

don’t have to accept the troublesome hormonal imbalances that often begin in their 30s. European women have benefitted from BHRT for decades and have provided researchers valuable data supportive of this therapy.

In 2002, four short years after Viagra was introduced to mankind, women were told to stop taking their hormones. What? Now visuals of men chasing their hot flashin’, cranky women around wanting some action appeared in my head. That’s when I made a conscious effort to find alternatives for my patients and myself to replace menopausal therapy of days past.

US Pharma Politics Our FDA does not recognize or regulate BHRT because they are not manufactured in a pharmaceutical laboratory. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) defines bio-identical hormones as “plantderived hormones that are biochemically similar or identical to those produced by the body.” BHRT is compounded by specially trained pharmacists for each individual; there is no one size fits all like the synthetics. Because most BHRT is topically applied, absorption is safer than oral forms metabolized thru the liver.

Current thought is that the oral form of hormone replacement interacted with the receptors in a way that increased the blood clot, stroke and heart attack risks.

‘Pause The National Institute of Health’s Women’s Health Initiative studied postmenopausal women on hormone pills made with conjugated pregnant horse urine as well as progestin, a non-human, synthetic progesterone.

This study was halted abruptly due to unexpected incidents of breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes and blood clots. Stopping a clinical trial of this magnitude is unheard of in medical science and raised understandable alarm for health care professionals and women alike. It was difficult to tell patients to stop their hormone therapy without other options. Instead we were to put band-aids on their symptoms with anxiety, depression, and insomnia treatments. Now women were going to think they were just plain crazed.

Personalized Treatment Whether it is hot flash havoc, mental pause, leaky coughs, or shriveled tissues down under, women are discovering they don’t have to take it anymore. There are alternative options with benefits far outweighing the risks. Each patient is unique and deserves individualized diagnosis and care. For more information, click on the resources link at www.danniece.com

International Options After over 100 hours of advanced, professional training focusing on Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) and countless hours of reviewing professional literature, I am rewarded daily by my patients’ positive response to treatment. Women have realized that they

Park Visitors Are Invited To Comment On A Plan To Restore Damaged Wind Tidal Flats Padre Island National Seashore is proposing to reclaim areas within the park’s wind-tidal flats that have been damaged by vehicles.

The reclamation project would restore the surface hydrology of the tidal flats as well as help to restore the park’s natural view shed. Reclamation of the tidal flats provides an opportunity for research and long-term monitoring to determine successful methods for future wetlands habitat restorative efforts.

The specific objective for this project is the discovery of protocols for restoring hydrology and reclaiming the tidal flats with minimal secondary impacts. Once the methodology has been analyzed and it is determined that no additional impacts would occur, implementation of the project would be carried forward.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an Environmental Assessment (EA) will be prepared for this project. This process will provide the decision-making framework that (1) analyzes a reasonable range of alternatives to meet project objectives, and (2) evaluates issues and impacts to park resources and values.

Wind-tidal flats are a very limited and specialized environment existing within a few centimeters of sea-level. As a result, wind-driven seawater moving across the flats is vulnerable to disruption on the surface. Vehicles driven on the tidal flats leave deep ruts and ridges in the soft sediment, which alter the natural surface flow of seawater. Marine worms, crabs, shrimps and insect larvae are affected by the change, and may be cut off from sea water. Blue-green algal mats that cover the flats provide some of the most productive shorebird feeding grounds and are also damaged. Shorebirds, some of which are federally listed as threatened or endangered, lose potential foraging habitat as a result of impacts to the algal flats and the invertebrates.

The National Park Service encourages public participation throughout the NEPA process, during which the public has two opportunities to formally comment on the project; once during initial project scoping and again following release of the EA. The park is currently in the scoping phase of this project, and you’re invited to submit your comments by February 24, 2012. They should be mailed, hand-delivered or submitted online at http://parkplanning.nps. gov/padre_tidal_flats

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

February 9, 2012

Ride the Tide to Great Fishing Capt. Joey Farah Jfarah72@yahoo.com Now that hunting season is behind us outdoorsmen will pull out their poles and hook up the boat once again in their first pursuits of spring time fishing. Many times our excitement and anticipation is slapped down in defeat by the many small details that can and will undoubtedly go wrong. We live in the most corrosive environment I can think of, rust and corrosion can grow overnight on everything associated with fishing and boating. Gas stripped clean of lubricants and high concentrations of Ethanol cause havoc on outboards. Details and the small stuff we didn’t sweat about last summer have caught up with us and are ready to pull the “PEP” out of your fishing stoke.

Your Marine Chariot The worst thing for your boat is to let it sit without use. Idling in the driveway helps but steering cables and hydraulics dry up, gas goes bad, fuel injectors clog up, and much more. If your boat has been sitting don’t run it with bad gas that’s been sitting in the tank all winter.

It might start but running bad gas through the engine will only give you problems shortly down the channel. Take your boat in for a routine check up.

My friends at WAYPOINT MARINE on SPID have always made SERVICE #1 PRIORITY. They prove this by servicing Evenrude, Mercury, Yamaha, and Suzuki outboards. Their open door policy puts priority with you even if you didn’t buy the boat from them. These guys shoot strait and give honest answers and promises.

Don’t tell them you know me or they will charge you extra.

I regularly change my fuel filter, water separator, check the lower unit for any metal flakes and change the juice, inspect the prop shaft, new rubber impeller in the water pump, and new spark plugs. Grease all the fittings, bleed your hydraulic steering and top it off. These are problem solving items that will cause big expensive damage later if overlooked. Trailer hubs need to be greased and check the boards on the trailer for cracks or protruding screws or bolts.

Boat Wiring One bolt can start a crack in the hull or hole in the fiberglass. A dried up strap on the winch can spoil your day as well. Wiring in a boat is probably the number one problem with bay boats. Most of the time the guy who wired your boat was the least experienced one in the factory.

Crawling up under the deck and in the console is hot and a tight fit. It won’t take long for your electronics to start going off line one by one. My buddy ANGELO rewired my boat this year as well as a few of my friends boats. Its like having a new Boat! Angelo is a perfectionist with his work and everything is top quality wire, shrink wrapped fittings and connections, labeled fuse panels, and everything is hidden out of the way and sight. Before he got into my boat their was hoses coming at of my engine into the deck and the wires under the console it looked like a Mexican Hammock. All I can say is WOW!, everything from bait wells, nav. lights, radios, whatever. Give him a call if you need any help giving your boat a new life. Angelo’s Marine Extreme Wiring. (361)462-6867

New Toys Sometimes we need new toys, it gets us out with renewed vigor. I found one new toy this year I don’t know why I took so long to get.

Stiffy products is a local company that makes incredible push poles, sight casting skiffs, fishing poles, unbelievable flounder lights, and my new toy the STIFFY RAM ROD. I mounted a the small bracket on the back of my transom, and anytime I want to stop my boat I just slide the rod into the bracket and ram it down. My boat is 24ft long high sides and it stops me out in the middle of Emmorts hole in six foot of water in windy conditions. You can slide it down and tie the rope off the nose or even the side of the boat as well. When drifting, quickly stop the boat for a few extra casts into some good looking sand pockets or ram it down on the edge of a channel or gut while you fish the channel. I really like it for wadeing, it is a solid anchor in shallow water that wont pull out. And no messy anchor and rope all over the floor between stops. It comes in 6,8,and 10ft models and start off at around one hundred bucks. Call Kevin Shaw and tell him Joey Farah said you want him to give you the RAM ROD! I’m sure I’ll hear about this one. The addition of a wadeing ladder to your boat makes getting in and out of the boat much easier and safer. From wadeing the flats, the kids at the ski channels, offshore diving, and at the car wash. I’ve had some big guys fall overboard in deep water and its not easy to get them back in, if you are by yourself in windy conditions a ladder on the rear of your boat might save your life. Stop by South Texas Trolling Motors and Aluminum Fabrication in Flour Bluff, they build to fit to your boat.

Your Hand Tools Last week I got out with Jim an Island local and we started off catching fish in the Intracoastal right away. I’d spent a week in San Antonio at the boat show and had forgot about the very long wet wadeing trip I’d had the last time I used my reel. Jim must have thought I was crazy for banging the reel on the aluminum rail every time to get it to engage. I finally gave up and switched to a spinning rod, but this is a very common problem and the remedy is not to go purchase a new one every time. I’ve heard and practiced all regiments of reel care from soaking reels in buckets of water, to foolishly dissecting them apart at home. Unless you are a talented mechanic who can easily understand

complex schematics and have lots of free time on your hands let a real expert service your tools. Wipe down the outside of your fishing reels with a dry rag with some Corrosion X, lightly oil the line guide, handles, and drag screw. Roy’s Bait and Tackle is tops with cleaning and repair. When you get your tools back they work like new. Some of those old rods in the corner of the garage could use some fresh eyes and be back on the water for just a few bucks each. I’ve caught big trophy fish on all sorts of rods, sometimes the worst and most uncomfortable in the world. Luck is great, but when your angling game has come up to the point where small details are the deciding factor between one bite and your fish of a lifetime, or winning a tournament quality counts. I started this year out with the right tools, my quiver of fishing tackle starts with my Waterloo Rods.

When you think about Custom Rods you might remember a salty old rod smith wrapping fancy string and glass over a battleship rod to last through generations. Waterloo Rod Company is a local Texas rod builder in Victoria that builds your rod like you want it. I’ve been using

a 6’9” medium heavy HP SLAM MAG with a 9” handle. This thing is increasable!, I can feel the paddle tail on my lures, the lightest bite on mono, flick light lures, but still have the hard bone to set the hook and control big fish. Don’t go out hunting Trophy Trout with loose drags and flimsy rods with short cute handles. When a big fish gets hooked it will run away if you let her take line she will quickly turn back at you shaking your hook free. Light actions take a lot of energy to work big baits as well. The reel seat is molded so your finger clutches the rod and the carbon graphite blank is against your finger for direct sensitivity. The eyes of this rod are nickel plated titanium so you can bend them down against the rod and they won’t break and there is no inside glass to chip or break. The weight to strength equation is definitely in the hands of the angler. Waterloo has just introduced a line of rods that are available at ACADAMY called the SALINITY line. These are priced for the fishermen who wants the great sensitivity, craftsmanship, and backbone of their custom series with a lighter price. Get on the computer and check out their shop, EVERY KNIGHT MUST HAVE HIS OWN SWORD.

Details This whole thing might sound like a big sell out, brown nose, grease the wheels opportunity for me, but its not. These are details that for me this year have already made a big difference in my fishing and confidence on the water. We often put off care or fixing issues because we know we can do it ourselves, but time works against us. Use your time off for the fun stuff and let these guys help you out so you can go fishing. Keep those lines tight, and your hooks sharp!

MARKER 37 PIER--- Bull Drum came in hard with the last cold front, and continue to be caught on crab, sea lice, and shrimp. Come out and take part in the Bull Drum contest this month. Release all Black Drum between 30 and 50 inches after photos.

BEACHES AND PIERS-- Pompano are great at high tide when the surf lays down.

Small hooks baited with ghost shrimp and/or FISHBITES. Sheephead are still going strong at the Packery Jetties.

LAGUNA MADRE-- Spring tides did bring in a bunch of trout and scattered them in the many shallow sand pockets along the King Ranch shoreline area. Crowds of anglers and wade fishermen will make for tough weekend fishing so go during the week when its overcast for best catches. Drifting scattered grass and sand in 4to6ft of water with Norton Sand Eels “chicken on a chain” this is pretty much an Avocado/ Glow color that is BANGN’ OUT TROUT ON THE KING RANCH SHORELINE HUNGRY FOR SAND EELS. Use the full length when they are hot the smaller SAND ELL JR when they are finicky.

Baffin Bay And The Land Cut Drum and Reds are filling my box over the rocks inside Baffin. Some nice trout have come to our boat closer to the mouth of Baffin fishing soft plastics in about five feet of water.

Yarborough Pass has treated us to some great stringers of trout as well wadeing the eastern drop-off. The Land Cut is a DEAD RINGGER for drum and some reds. This is absolutely the best time to stalk the remote areas of Baffin Bay for that Trophy Trout of lifetime, give me a ring for an all day assault on our back yard.

February 9, 2012

Island Moon

A9

Mystique of Morocco

By Brent Rourk It has it all and is frequently overlooked and bypassed. Morocco. Steeped in rich history, as well as cinematic romance, Morocco is a unique blend of people, cultures, and geography. Although it was not high on my list of countries to visit prior to visiting, Morocco soon revealed its charm, history, uniqueness, and rich traditions. Morocco is truly worth a one or two week visit, especially if you take the opportunity to experience all of its rich culture and geography.

pottery, paintings, and virtually any other craft or household good is available in these expansive and energetic markets. A visitor can easily spend a day leisurely strolling through the markets, shopping, stopping to rest, chatting and grabbing some fine Moroccan fare. What a fun way to spend a day. A bottle of water or two to enjoy during your strolls will make your shopping experience even better.

Take your ‘point and shoot’ to capture the magic and mystique of the markets.

The deserts provide the photographer with colorful and gorgeous photo opportunities. Different colors of sand give the photographer marvelous choices about where to set-up a desert studio. Daylight photos reveal incredible dunes with memorable sand designs and textures, while early morning sunrises and afternoon sunsets add hues and colors that make the deserts glow.

Though Morocco has strong Muslim ties and a complex historical bond with the rest of Northern Africa and the Middle East, inarguably it has a strong bond with Europe as a result of being a colony of both France and Spain. Morocco’s location in relation to Spain has made it easy for European cultural elements to impact and influence Morocco. Currently, French is still widely spoken (considered the language of business and government in Morocco) in addition to Arabic, which is considered the official language of Morocco. Additionally, various Berber languages are spoken. The French and Spanish linguistic influences as well as European colonial and protectorate history have given Morocco a distinct European flavor and cosmopolitan flair (especially in large coastal and northern cities). There is evidence of a thriving middle class and market economy that blend well with modern interests, culture, and architecture.

The geography of Morocco is very diverse and a large portion of the land is used for agriculture. It is green and fertile, unlike some of the unforgiving geography in many North African countries. The land emerges from the Atlantic Ocean and extends into three Atlas Mountain ranges. The results are water, favorable growing climates, and fertile soils; all allowing Morocco to easily feed itself and further export foods abroad. Moroccan foods include a wide range of fruits and vegetables as well as meats, with lamb being a favorite. You will enhance your visit by trying a wide variety of tempting and delicious dishes.

In addition to the green agricultural lands, there are white or yellow sand deserts, blue-bordered beach towns, and white-capped peaks.

many churches, palaces, and mosques with striking architecture and art. The unique square mosques in Morocco contrast sharply with the round mosques found in other Muslim countries like Egypt or Turkey.

Casablanca boasts the world’s tallest mosque, a ‘must see’. The Roman Ruins at Volubilis warrant a visit and prove the vast expanse of the Roman Empire while Meknes remains a beautiful, old imperial city.

Morocco has eight incredible places or monuments on UNESCOS World Heritage list, perhaps worthy of a unique adventure by itself.

There are several cost effective tours available that include many of the jewel cities of Morocco; Casablanca, Rabat (the capital), Meknes, Fes, Beni Mellal, and Merrakech. Add a few days to your tour to include a visit to Tangiers in the north, Agadir along the southern coast, any one of several towns that are located near the beautiful deserts, or a day discovering the Ourika Valley. Theme trips might include desert trips (tremendous photography), hiking trips in one of the three Atlas Mountain ranges, market trips exploring the fabulous markets in Fes, Marrakech, and Rabat, or various highlight trips.

There are a dozen or more escorted and exciting Morocco trips available through several reputable

For the historian or art lover Morocco is home to

Speaking of markets, Morocco boasts some of the largest open markets in Africa. Rabat, Fes, and Marrakech all have markets that visitors must experience. A wide variety of handmade crafts are often created in front of you. Clothing, metal goods, leather, shoes, carpets, spices, food, sweets, baskets,

adventure or tour companies. G Adventures lists 7 varied Morocco affordable adventures. Both Gate 1 Travel and GoAhead Tours also list a few Morocco escorted and affordable trips. Compare dates, prices, itineraries, accommodations, airfare, and additional costs that these tour companies and others offer and then make a decision. Another alternative is to setup your own travel and schedule. This alternative offers you more choice about where you want to spend time and gives you the chance to stay or kick back where you want, instead of following a planned group itinerary and schedule. The downside is that it requires a tremendous amount of detailed planning and does not capitalize on the group pricing that tour companies customarily receive and pass on to their customers.

Regardless of which way you choose to explore Morocco, one thing for sure is that you will thoroughly enjoy experiencing the culture, shopping, geography, food, and discovering its history and architecture.

Make sure you have a fine digital camera or two with several memory cards.

Barefoot

Mardi Gras

It’s Wahoo Wednesday’s at Scuttlebutt’s Have it your way blackened, grilled and topped how you like it. Mmmmmm

2012

Laissez Les Bons Tems Rouler (Let The Good Times Roll)

Family Parade

14254 SPID 361-949-6769 www.scuttlebuttsbarandgrill.com

February 18, 2012 Noon until 2:00 p.m.

Free for the Entire Family Starting at Whitecap Beach ending at Brisco King Pavilion Parking Lot for Presentation of 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place Trophies for Best Floats

Party

February 18, 2012 6-10 p.m.

At Padre Isles Country Club Tickets: $30.00 Includes Cajun dinner, Band and (1) Free Drink *No Outside Beverages Allowed* Featuring Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones No One Under 21 Admitted

14602 So. Padre Island Dr. Corpus Christi, Texas 78418 Phone: 361-949-0075 Fax: 361949-2995 Toll Free: 1-866-949-0075 www.ccsecuritytitle.com

Benefiting Big Brothers & Big Sisters www.barefootmardigras.com The tickets can be purchased at Michelle's Salon, the Office Lounge and the POA office on the Island.

You may also call Denise at 361-774-2845 for tickets or any questions.

Robin Print Escrow Officer rprint@ccsecuritytitle.com

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Hair Salon

Joye Samudio Escrow Assistant jsamudio@ccsecuritytitle.com

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Flour Bluff/Padre Island Coastal Cotillion club Presentation Ball

Round Eyes: An American Nurse in Vietnam.

Wham, Bam, Thank You Spam This is an excerpt from Diane Klutz’s (soon to be released) book: I was not much of a cook before going to war.

My stateside specialties consisted of a half-decent spaghetti meat sauce (oregano was the secret ingredient), stuffed pork chops, and meatloaf. Oh, and tossed salad, to which I have been known to add even the kitchen sink. So it was not unreasonable for me to eat meals prepared by someone other than me.

That was until I landed in South East Asia.

I never thought of myself a cuisine prima donna.

Growing up in rural America, I ate my fair share of corn meal mush (in liquid and fried form), rabbits, squirrel, and whatever came from the garden.

Nursing school cafeteria food certainly had its bad points, but all of my previous eating experiences paled in comparison to Army food. In basic training most of our meals, except dinner, were eaten in the Officers’ Mess Hall, so the food wasn’t too bad.

But then came field exercises. I never thought ladles of food glopped together could be considered edible.

Evidently the field cooks did. It seemed the higher the piles of whatever it was, the better.

And then just so we could have the whole wonderful Army eating experience, we got C-rations. It was then I realized how awful food really could be, and I couldn’t imagine anything worse.

never knew if the person you yelled at earlier in the day would receive a cheese package. So it was the better part of prudence to keep bad feelings to yourself, at least most of the time.

And then there was the rice. There was always a thirty gallon drum of this white sticky stuff at every meal, even breakfast. I never ate rice growing up; Dad wouldn’t allow it in the house. He said it was a WWII thing — even though he was on the European front, not the Pacific. But it didn’t matter: no rice allowed.

In addition to the ever-present rice, there were bean sprouts; drums full of these uncooked, green stringy sprouts at the end of every chow line. I had never before encountered a bean sprout, except, of course, in the ground … growing up. And no self respecting person in southwestern Pennsylvania would put a sprout of any sort into their mouth — willingly.

Particularly uncooked.

At that time in America, the only vegetables eaten raw were carrots, celery, tomatoes, radishes, onions, and lettuce. So I wasn’t about to eat raw bean sprouts, especially in Vietnam. I may have been blond and naïve, but I wasn’t stupid. I knew what was used for fertilizer in the fields in Vietnam, and it wasn’t cow manure.

At that time in America, the only vegetables eaten raw were carrots, celery, tomatoes, radishes, onions, and lettuce.

However, I imagined wrong, for in Vietnam horrible food took on a whole new meaning. I’m quite sure it wasn’t the cooks’ fault that the food was unidentifiable — most of the time. Truthfully, they had to cook something with what they had available.

But, holy cow, it was bad.

Okay, to be fair, not everything was bad. There were certain meals, like spaghetti and pancakes, which were pretty good.

But the best was real eggs. The cooks knew how to flip those little white wonders to the perfect overmedium unmatched in the real world. The down side was that real eggs didn’t show up very often, so when they did the word spread so quickly that if you weren’t in line early, you missed it. And, in that case, you had to suffer through the powdered eggs.

As I mentioned previously, I was not a prima donna in the food department and could eat most things when hungry, but even I could not swallow powdered eggs. Unless there was cheese.

With cheese this powdered concoction became a wonder to the taste buds. The cheese came via the always welcomed care package from home. Big blocks of cheddar were especially welcomed. The proud recipient of this treasured delight would carry his or her hunk of solid milk product to the breakfast chow line and stand there, smiling, with the cheese held forth like an offering to the food gods. The cheese holder was revered — adored by all.

Those already in the chow line would allow the holder to proceed to the head of the line. Then the cheese was gently handed over to the cook, who from long experience began the preparation. Silently chards of this yellow delight were shredded into the goop of egg mixture, and the newly created omelet was served to the honored one. And, like a true god, the cheese holder shared with those in line this most precious gift.

Now there was the unspoken rule that if you were on poor terms with the cheese holder, you probably would not be a cheese omelet recipient. Therefore everyone tried to be pleasant to one another on mail day; especially when packages were delivered. One

February 9, 2012

The monotony of mess hall meals was occasionally broken by the Koreans, who were mercenaries paid to fight against the Viet Cong. They were ruthless in battle but were good to have around, particularly when they brought steaks for our hospital staff. The post commander would order the patio grills made ready, instruct the cooks to bake potatoes, and then announce steaks over the PA system.

And, oh my, the steaks were so good: tender with a flavor I can still taste. No one had the nerve to ask what animal these cuts of meat came from, and we really didn’t care. For a brief moment in time, we drank and ate like real folks back home at a backyard barbecue.

Aside from the many, many things that we missed in Vietnam, the oddest seemed not celebrating normal U.S. holidays, such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Passover, and Easter, with special meals. With the exception of Thanksgiving, these religious days were treated much the same as any other day. I suppose it was because these holidays, except for Thanksgiving, were and still are Judeo-Christian celebrations, but it still seemed strange that our country, being “One nation, under God,” could not at least provide something special to eat.

By Connie Garrison The Coastal Cotillion Club introduced eighteen Flour Bluff High School senior girls as this year’s debutantes at the 2011-2012 Presentation Ball, held at the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach, on January 28, 2012.

This year marked the twentieth anniversary of the Flour Bluff/Padre Island Coastal Cotillion which was established by Mrs. Flo East and Mrs. Bruce Hoffman.

Mrs. Flo East introduced the Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Sal Alvarado, Administrator, at Flour Bluff Independent School District.

The debutantes, dressed in their snow white floor-length gowns, were led through columns decorated with white and pink tulle with pink roses, by their presenters, and escorts, while their mothers were seated in the front to view the breathtaking event.

Dr. Sal Alvarado, entertained an audience of over 350 family members and friends. Special guests were Chris Adler, District 4 City Council Member, Dr. Linda Barganski, Director of Special Programs at Flour Bluff Independent School District, and Alexis Hunter.

Classical music, “Pachelbel,” played during the presentation while “Can I Have This Dance,” exemplified the father-daughter dance. After dinner, music for dancing was provided by Ray Montelango, a disc jockey, of San Antonio.

The Flour Bluff High School NJROTC provided a sword arch for the charm presentation, a final portion of the presentation.

Each table was individually decorated by the debutante and family with their own personal theme. Some were: the Academy Awards with little statues and gorgeous red roses, beautiful pink and white roses, an elegant peacock feathered theme, Zebra animal theme, delightful candy theme, and of course an Ocean, seashells and lighthouse theme.

The Coastal Cotillion Club is an organization established to educate and enlighten the young women in the Flour Bluff and Padre Island community about the social and educational opportunities available to them as they develop their college and professional careers. They are offered speakers, workshops, and social functions where they can develop their

Contractor Set To Repair Sh 361 Bridge Over Packery Channel

Anyway, much of the time I cooked my own meals— well at least supper. Cindy and I had a hotplate, and soon both of us became whizzes at boiling or frying delectable dishes. There were a few hitches, though, to cooking: lack of cooking utensils, lack of storage, and lack of available things to cook. Meat was the most scarce, at least the type of meat we would eat or were familiar with. But the one “meat” staple that was never scarce was Spam. The PX was loaded with shelves of this ham stuff. It was cheap and lasted forever.

With a little practice, I soon became the queen of Spam. Did you know you could hash it, smash it, dice it, cover it with pineapple, fry it, put it in soups, and make a Spam salad out of it? Add little slices of precious hoarded cheese on top of saltine and you had appetizers. Slather it with mustard, slap it between two slices of white bread, and lunch was served.

For supper, fry it in Crisco, add boxed macaroni and cheese, and chow down. In war time, necessity really proved to be the mother of invention. And Spam brought out the culinary inventor in a lot of us.

DA BLU TIL

E

MA

Isle Mail N More

COFFEE BAR

Isle Mail N More All your Packaging needs FedEx, UPS, USPS Christmas Gifts (361) 949-9325 14493 S.P.I.D, Ste A Corpus Christi TX 78418

Matilda Blue Cafe Australian Teas, Christmas Gifts, Design your own Gourmet Sandwiches Fresh Croissants

The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Corpus Christi District awarded a $55,560 contract to SCR Construction to make repairs to a bridge column for the State Highway 361 bridge over Packery Channel.

Work will begin later today.

The scope of work for the project will require the damaged bridge column to be scraped clean of all barnacles and other debris below the water line, the installation of a fiber-reinforced polymer jacket around the damaged bridge column, and the injection of an epoxy grout inside the jacket. Work should be completed, weather permitting, in two days. During repair operations, the southbound right lane on the

bridge will remain closed and marine traffic under the bridge will be limited.

The bridge was damaged on December 14, 2011, when a barge ran into two bridge columns chipping off concrete and causing a 15-foot crack that extends about three-feet above and 12-feet below the water line on one of the columns. As a precaution, TxDOT closed the southbound right outside lane.

Costs of the repairs as well as any labor, equipment and design costs incurred by TxDOT will be charged under the District’s Damage Claims program to the barge operator which caused the damage.

First Friday at the Art Center

Photos by Miles Merwin

Scones Cookies (Can be made to order) Fresh Farm Eggs Located inside Mail N More Open M-F 8-4, Sat 9-12

(703) 786-7255 Come in and enjoy a tea or breakfast lunch or coffee break. Dine-in or takeaway, and you can always call ahead.

First Friday at the Art Center for The Islands in Port Aransas had a great turn out for their February event. Photo by Miles Merwin

Happy Hour Monday - Friday

Book your holiday party, birthday or special event now!

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

361-749-joes

Tattoo Sleeves, Funky Sunglasses

Sunglasses, Readers

Live Music, Never a Cover

Handbags, Jewelry

3-7pm

Greeting Cards, Fine Soaps