Section A final

Inside the Moon...

Irish settlement of the Coastal Bend A6

Rockport Writers Roundup A7 Take a Kid Fishin’ with Farah A9

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

Birding on the Rocks A10

Free

FREE

Live Music Scene A11

Hemingway in Port A A14

The

Island Moon The Island Newspaper since 1996

Island Area News ● Events ● Entertainment

May 3, 2012

Photo by Brent Rourke

There’s a fine line between fishing and just sitting there looking stupid

Around The Island

By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com It’s been a busy week on The Island so let’s get to it.

Hotdog shortage Island Stripes Stores have reported a run on $1 hotdogs of late due to the influx of workers putting up the thirty-plus homes now under construction. Doughnuts and Pan Dulce have also been in big demand during the morning hours before the hammering starts. It’s a rare sight these days to drive down an Island street without seeing at least one house under construction.

Island Showcase The First Annual Island Showcase has come and gone and was a good show for the first time out. There was a steady crowd for the open houses and other activities. We also made the front page of the Home section of the Big Daily paper.

If you have suggestions for next year’s event please contact us – keep it clean if you can. We want to thank Mary Lou White over at Coldwell Banker for her work on the project and we’ll see you there next year.

Island Moon Market The Island Moon Market is the next project on the horizon. The idea is to hold a monthly arts and crafts market on the Michael J. Ellis Seawall near the Windward parking lot. We are looking for vendors and Island service clubs who might want to staff the vendor’s booths to raise money for your organizations. The market is planned around the end of May or first of June. We’re still in the planning stages but our intent is to do one each month during the months when weather allows, like the old Seashore Marketplace that used to be held each month at Briscoe King Pavilion.

Contact us here at the Moon if you are interested.

Sargasso situation The Summer Sargasso Invasion has begun on our beaches. The offshore boaters say there is more of it out there headed our way. They also say to beware if you venture out into Corpus Christi Bay when the wind is high. It’s been a treacherous journey of late during windy times.

Beach to Bay Get ready…the 37th Annual Beach to Bay Relay Marathon is set for a 7:00 a.m. start time on Saturday, May 19 here on The Island with the runners bound OTB. The starting point is Access Road 5. This marks the first year that the number of participants has been capped. There is a 2,500 team limit so enter early if you want to run. The event is using more buses this year in order to cut down on traffic on The Island but traffic will still be down to one lane on the JFK Causeway and SPID at various times during the event.

Next Publication Date: 5/10/2012

Year 15, Issue 421

Collision in the Ship Channel

Plan to be made public May 8

Tentative Schedule Set for City Council Vote on Schlitterbahn and Island Walk Development

Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper

No oil spilled but Moon Monkey takes a spill

By Dale Rankin Barring unforeseen changes or barriers the Corpus Christi City Council is scheduled to vote on the tax incentive package for Schlitterbahn and the Island Walk projects at its regularly scheduled meeting on May 22. According to that timeline the public’s first chance to hear the details of the plan would likely come after council’s executive session during their next meeting on Tuesday, May 8.

A formal vote can not be taken at the May 8 meeting unless it is posted as a regular agenda item by Friday, May 4, which as of this writing it is not.

If the plan is released to the public at its May 8 meeting as expected it will be posted on the city’s website for public viewing, followed by a formal council vote on first reading for Tuesday, May 15, with a second and final vote to follow on May 22.

City staff had given consideration to posting the plan on the city website on Friday, May 4 with the first reading a formal vote to come on Tuesday May 8. However, as of this writing that plan has been pushed back one week to allow for more time for discussion by the council and the public.

The tax incentives package for the proposed $41 million resort development is expected to be made up primarily, if not entirely, of breaks Schlitterbahn Continued on A3

Volunteers Help Clean Local Beaches Story and photos by Brent Rourk Last Saturday over 200 volunteers helped clean a wide stretch of our local beaches from Packery Channel to miles south of Bob Hall Pier. You might have noticed families, school and church groups, Scout troops, and individuals combing our local beaches and bagging all kinds of garbage.

A loaded tanker, inbound, lost power and collided with jack-up rig being towed outbound. Tanker and rig both have holes in their hulls. The tanker is down by the bow in this photo.

We had some breaking news as we were going to press this time around. The oil tanker FR8 Pride lost power near the mouth of channel in Port Aransas and collided with a jack-up oil rig waiting to enter the ship channel just after 7 a.m. on Wednesday. The tanker was taken under control by tugboats until late morning while outbound traffic from the port was halted.

Both the ship and rig suffered damage but no oil spilled and no one was hurt…no one on the vessels that is.

Moon Monkey Ronnie however was not so lucky. He took off afoot for the end of the south jetty for a better photo op when he slipped on the jetty rocks and busted his keister. He blew out a flip flop and broke his camera. Once again no oil was spilled but Ronnie took a spill and his camera was jacked up. The FR8 is flagged in the Marshall Islands, and Ronnie, well, he was flagged right there on the jetties. Feel free to give him grief if you see him limping around Port A. v

Update on Island projects

Aquarius Extension, Beach Erosion, Windstorm Rates, Whitecap Crosswalks

If you are planning on going OTB that day make it after about 10 a.m. and you should be able to avoid the traffic snarl. One thing you probably can’t avoid before that are the snarling drivers.

For the uninitiated Beach to Bay is the premier event for runners in the area. The course begins on the beach here on The Island and ends downtown by the bay – see how that works out. There are six legs in the race with each runner allowed to run only one leg. So how many runners is that? Well, there are six legs X 2500 teams…hmmm, by Moon Math that’s more than a dozen runners. No wonder there’s a traffic jam!

The Aquarius Extension is almost finished

By Dale Rankin

Say hello if you see us Around The Island.

Texas Gulf Surfing Association announces Cinco De Mayo Longboard Pro/Waveski Invitational $4,000 Pro Divison Prize Purse highlights first ever city sponsored event at Packery Channel.

Presented by the Mayor’s Fitness Council and TGSA. It’s back, it’s on and it’s bigger than ever. The Texas Gulf Surfing Association announced today that the Cinco De Mayo Longboard Pro/ Waveski Invitational will be held the weekend of May 5-6, 2012 at Packery Channel on N Padre Island. This is the first Pro event to be Longboard Continued on A3

Twice annually since 1986 a growing contingent of people from all walks of life and ages have helped rid our beaches of plastics, wood, lines, metal, and various other environmentally toxic and unsafe objects. These clean-ups are part of the Texas General Land Office Adopt a Beach program and are wildly successful in helping restore our beaches to a more natural condition.

Last fall over 9,000 volunteers collected 136 tons of trash from 180 miles of Texas shoreline and bays. Cleaner beaches are safer beaches for both animal and human populations. Clean beaches also draw more tourism to our area.

As in past years, every group of volunteers kept a record of the amount and type of trash that they collected. What was painfully apparent was the amount of plastic they removed from our beaches. Plastics can take from months to hundreds of years to decompose and in the meantime they are a blight to our beaches as Beach Cleanup Continued on A2

Aquarius Extension. Work is nearing completion on the $1,303,865 extension of Aquarius Street. The curbs are complete and work is almost done on the road surface with the final road surface expected to be finished within the next two weeks. City crews say once that is done the road should be opened within a week.

A concrete hike and bike trail is complete except for the ADA ramps at each end of the street.

Beach Erosion Response Plan Work continues on a comprehensive plan to draft a county-wide plan to prevent beach erosion. A group to draft a plan was formed last September and work in progressing. The plan is required in order for the city and county to apply for state grants to help prevent erosion. A 350-foot setback line to prevent new structures from being built within 350 feet of the dune line in order for the city’s requirement to meet that of the county – the first time the two plans have ever agreed on the distance. The proposed plan would also put in place some additional requirements for new construction but would not affect structures already in place. New

buildings located in FEMA impact zones would have to be raised on pilings. New maps for the impacts zones are expected to be finalized by FEMA in the next month.

The area behind the Michael J. Ellis seawall is exempt from the 350-foot setback limit. Of particular concern to planners is the beach between Bob Hall Pier and Whitecap where the rate of erosion is greatest. The average erosion rate for local beaches is 11 inches per year.

However, planners say, that is made worse in some area where maintenance crews scoop up sand and seaweed along the tide line and deposit it in front of the dunes. This serves to narrow the beach by moving the dune line seaward and the water line toward the dune line.

Recent studies have shown that local beaches have the most healthy dune line on the Texas Coast. The beach and the dunes are the first and most important line of defense in case of surge tides during hurricanes.

The area from Whitecap to Bob Hall pier was four feet above sea level when surveyed in 1938 but had no protective dune line. Since then a dune structure has been developed that is an

Projects Continued on A3

A 2

Island Moon

May 3, 2012

Erin doing her mermaid dive was visiting here from Victoria with her girlfriends. Photo by Mary Craft.

Inferno in Port Aransas grows their own vegetables for the restaurant just outside their back door. Photo not by Mary Craft

Paul’s Seafood The Freshest Seafood Available Super Discount Prices 9810 S.P.I.D. (Flour Bluff) 361-939-7447

Emma’s family from Calallen spend lots of weekends enjoying the Island. Photo by Mary Craft.

Local musician David Suarez with his 9 year old twin boys Michael (right) and Matthew. Photo by Mary Craft.

Gopher Gone Gopher Removal

Grant Seger 361-816-5624 grant.seger@gmail.com

Dragonfly bartender Jodi recently arrived on the Island from San Francisco with her boyfriend who is a chef at Beaches Cafe and Bakery in Port A. She is originally from Wisconsin where she was born and raised. Come welcome one of our newest additions to the Island. Photo

by Mary Craft.

Seashore students Cassidy, Lane and Ella doing some line dancing at Padre Island Burger Company. Photo by Mary Craft.

Poor Man’s Shrimp Wild From in the Gulf of Mexico Extra Large 10 / 15 count / lb 5 Pound Box $50

Contact Christi Snodgrass 361-288-5538 Free Delivery on The Island

Chef Nicholas Mackrizz gives us the thumbs up at his new cafe located inside Mail N More. Stop by for some of his Peruvian favorites like ceviche and Leche le Tigre, the perfect cure for a hangover.

Photo not by Mary Craft

This is how we roll in Port A former mayor claude brown shows off his big rig on the beach. Photo by Ronnie Narmour

Extreme Charter fishing guide Trey with his two year old son, Colt, showing off his muscles. Photo by Mary Craft.

These well-constructed table awnings were designed by Snoopy’s owner Ernie Buttler to replace the umbrellas that were unable to sustain our winds. Being built by Ernie they can probably sustain even hurricane force winds.

Now Open

Bron’s Motorcarts located at 314 East Avenue G. Best cars in Port Aransas.

Great service, friendly people.

Call 361-290-7143 for pricing and reservations.

One of the vendors at the recent Island Showcase of Homes

Max is manning the drive up window at the new Coffee Waves Wagon near Scuttlebutt’s on the Island

Beach Cleanup Continued from A1

well as a fatal morsel to our bird and turtle populations. A check of a few trash bags on Saturday revealed Styrofoam, plastic bags, lines, ropes, cigarette butts, and a tremendous variety of plastic containers, lids, toys, and parts. Sadly, some plastic containers bore the tell-tale signs of turtle bites. Turtles are attracted to plastics and inevitably attempt to eat them, mistaking them for squid and other food that turtles typically eat.

The local Padre Island Kiwanis Club again helped sponsor our local cleaning station and provided gloves, plastic trash bags and then after the clean-up provided water, soda, fresh grilled hot dogs, and chips for all of the volunteers.

Hats off to all of the volunteers this year who donated their time to make our beaches safer and cleaner. Special thanks to the Adopt a Beach program and our local Kiwanis Club. For more information about the Adopt a Beach program call 1-877-TX COAST (1-877-892-6278) or go to www.glo.texas.gov/adopt-abeach/news.html .

May Sponsor- Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce

Arte’ de Mayo

Judith DeShong Hall You’re Invited to come and enjoyMay First Friday Reception-May 4th 5:30-7:30 pm Live Music , Refreshments, Art & Artists!

Kaye Hass

Port Aransas Art Center -323 N. Alister Port A 361-749-7334 Great Art Artists and Music Port Aransas Art Center is a 501 ( C) (3) Nonprofit Corp.

Leigh Ann Irish

Debbie Cannatella

Celebrating 16 years of Art & Culture Island Style

May 3, 2012

Island Moon

Schlitterbahn Continued from A1 on sales tax rather than property tax because part of the land for the project is located inside the Island Tax Increment Finance Zone. State law prohibits cities from approving property tax incentives for businesses inside TIF zones.

Rather than remove the portion of the 500 acre site for the project that is located inside the TIF from the TIF zone, a time-consuming and cumbersome process, the city council decided to move toward sales tax incentives which do not require its removal from the TIF.

This means developer Paul Schexnailder would have to pay for the build out of the project without tax breaks and would only begin to reap the benefits of the city’s tax incentives after new businesses at the site begin to flow cash.

Current plans call the Schlitterbahn Resort to be open by next summer with construction on 3600 feet of new canals to begin by the

end of this year. The new canal, known as the Island Walk project, would connect to a water exchange bridge under Park Road 22 (SPID) and would include retail, residential, and resort development along its banks.

The City Council has been holding discussions directed at using some of the estimated $12 million remaining in the 2008 bond package approved by voters to pay for the $8 million water exchange bridge.

The New Braunfels-based family company has proposed a $41 million resort on Padre Island with a 65-acre water park with lodging, golf and restaurants. It’s the anchor piece of a more than 500-acre entertainment district being developed by Schexnailder. The concept for the project would connect Lake Padre to the island canal system for an experience similar to the San Antonio River Walk, but on a smaller scale.

Projects Continued from A1 average of 15 feet tall and 300 feet in depth.

The same numbers hold true for the area from Packery Channel north to Fish Pass where the 1919 hurricane leveled the then existing dune structures.

Anyone interested in seeing the entire proposed plan can attend the city planning commission meeting on Wednesday, May 9, or view the plan on-line at cctexas.com. The final plan, once approved locally, will be submitted to the Texas General Land Office for final approval.

Beach cleanup. Crews continue to battle the incoming flux of Sargasso weed that has been washing up of late. For the most part they are winning the battle. Beach driving has been good except for the beach in the Newport Pass section of the beach north of Packery Channel where for the past week or so driving has only been possible for those with heavy duty fourwheel drive vehicles. That section of the beach is maintained by the county and their crews, while still picking up trash, has ceased at least temporarily to grade the beach there due to a new requirement that each piece of heavy equipment used there must be accompanied by a turtle patrol person which the county cannot afford. No word yet on how/when that might be resolved.

Windstorm insurance rates. The fight continues in Austin over whether to raise rates on windstorm insurance for coastal property owners. The proposed rate which could be put in effect by state regulators before the legislature convenes in January would raise annual rates from about 1% of replacement value on homes and businesses, to about 3%. The legislature would then have to vote to change those rates.

However, the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund (MALDF) and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) have threatened a lawsuit if the new rates are put into place on the grounds that it would disproportionately affect Hispanic homeowners in the coastal areas. That lawsuit could delay action by the state regulators until after the start of the January legislative session.

Traffic signals at Whitecap/SPID intersection. The city has conducted a study to see if the current configuration of the crosswalks at the Whitecap/SPID intersection should be changed. City crews recently spent two days monitoring pedestrian traffic in the area found that while vehicular traffic is increasing at the intersection, pedestrian traffic can be handled by the current crosswalks.

City staffers are checking to see if a fourth crosswalk can be installed at the intersection that would allow pedestrians to cross SPID on Whitecap on the north side of the intersection – currently pedestrians must cross to the south side of the intersection to make the crossing of SPID. When the original crosswalks were installed the north side crossing was not marked due to the increased costs incurred in order to meet ADA standards.

The city is also going to conduct a study to determine if the traffic patterns need to be redirected at the SH 361/SPID intersection to facilitate access to the Strips store on the northeast side of the corner.

Briscoe King Pavilion renovation. The Nueces County Parks Board expects to begin construction on improvements to the Briscoe King Pavilion. The work originally scheduled to begin in January of 2012 has been pushed back

to January of 2013 with completion expected by March.

The improvements would include a reconfiguration of the pavilion and also the installation of air conditioners. The pavilion is currently open and will remain open throughout the 2012 summer season.

Billings and Clem’s Boat Ramp Improvements: Construction of boat ramps at Billings and Clems locations is complete and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) permit is in place to begin construction of the $1.2 million project to pave and landscape the parking lot. Construction on that project is expected to begin in October, 2012.

Road and water line improvements to area west of JFK Bridge. The city is currently making plans to improve the public facilities on the west side of the base of the JFK Bridge, in front of Doc’s Restaurant and Snoopy’s Pier.

The $600,000 project would install a new water line that would allow for the addition of a fire hydrant at the location. The land is inside the city limits but is owned by the Texas General Land Office.

Park Road 22 (SPID) Water Exchange Bridge. The design for the bridge was released to the public during a viewing on April 10.

Comments submitted by the public at that viewing are being processed by city staff to determine what environmental studies must be done. A determination is expected to be made within the next sixty days. City council is currently considering funding for the $8 million project.

New waterline to The Island. The permitting process is currently underway to provide a new waterline to The Island as a redundant system for the existing 24-inch line. If the necessary permits can be obtained in the next few months construction could start in late 2013. The new additions would also include a new gas line, and new line for fiber optic cables for use by city services.

Did Ya Hear?

By Mary Craft

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

New Advertisers Poor Man’s Shrimp has extra large shrimp caught wild from the Gulf. A five pound box is $50. Free delivery on the Island call 288-5538.

The busy tourist season is coming up and now is the time to place your ad. The number of Moon pages will increase as will number of copies. The Moon is picked up by tourists at all the Stripes, CVS, local business, hotels and rental condos and why wouldn’t they – we are FREE. Business card size ads start at $45. Call Jan at 361-949-7700.

Business Briefs Padre Island Enrichment Club plans a huge garage sale for Saturday, May 5th 8 am – 2 pm in front of the Pelican Lounge.

If you have any items to donate call 9440147 or 409-539-2202. All proceeds will benefit the PIE scholarship fund for Island high school seniors.

IG-IC, the Island Grocery/Internet Café in the Subway strip mall, has had to delay its opening until this summer. They will have a wide selection of fresh produce and meat.

Beachside Grill at the Holiday Inn will have two seatings for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 13th. Make sure to make your reservation for 10:30 – noon or 12:30 – 2 pm. Call 949-9996.

The 11th Annual Nautical Flea Market will be held in Rockport May 5th weekend.

Saturday hours are 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday 1- am – 4 pm. The new and used nautical items include rods, reels, boats, sails, nautical art and much more. It will be held at Rockport Harbor and is hosted by the Rockport Yacht Club. For more info visit www.rockportyachtclub.com The 29th Annual Songwriters Showcase in Port A will be held on Monday, May 21st at Roberts Point Park. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers. Admission is $7 and is a fundraiser for the Art Center for the Islands.

A3

Longboard continued from A1

held since the MDC Longboard Pro at Packery in 2008. TGSA is thrilled to have the support of the Mayor’s Fitness Council on board for this event as well as the Corpus Christi C& Visitors Bureau, and Scuttlebutts bar and Grill.

To have the support of the city for a surfing event is HUGE for Texas surfing. There will be 3 divisions: Open Pro, Women, Juniors, with a $4,000 prize purse. The waveski event will take place north of the longboard competition area. A shortboard expression session with a prize purse of $1,000 will also take place during the event. The Pacifico Soundstage lights up immediately after the award ceremony with 3 bands: Peace and Quiet, Beach Stone Rise and The Weakday Boyz. A live CD will be recorded with sales to benefit TGSA. The event kicks off at Scuttlebutt’s Friday night with a massive registration party, free beverages for contestants, grilled burgers, and music by Weakday Boyz. Registration opens this week, get your entries in!!

Game Warden Association Fishing Tournament Set for June 15 -16 For families looking for a weekend on the water and a great music event look no further than the 3rd Annual Texas Game Warden Association Fishing Tournament on Fathers Day Weekend (June 15th and 16th) in Port Aransas.

The Game Warden Association uses the tournament to raise money to put on fishing and outdoor events for kids throughout the year. There are cash payouts for 1st,2nd, and 3rd place for Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Black Drum.

There will be divisions Individuals, and Guided.

for

Entry fees are $60 per person and all tournament events will be held at Roberts Point Park in Port Aransas. There are several fishing spots and piers around the area where anglers can try their luck.

Live music will begin at 4 p.m. with Bri Bagwell, followed by Cody Johnson, Turnpike Troubadours, and at 10:30 headliner Pat Green will take the stage.

For more information see their website at http://tgwa.justgofishin.com/.

Packery Channel Restroom Facilities. City planners are currently awaiting the issuance of new high velocity impact maps from FEMA to determine what type of restroom structures will be required under federal regulations. Project design scheduled to begin in Spring of 2013.

Gypsy Bridge Assessment. A metal plate has been placed over the damage section of the Gypsy Bridge and city staff is checking to see if the repairs can be added to the Aquarius Extension project budget. Repairs are “not imminent”.

Seashore Middle Academy Presents:

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe based on the novel by C.S. Lewis The performance, starring 7th and 8th grade drama students and directed by Ashley Nuckols, will be held at the Port Aransas Community Theatre Show times are May 4th at 7:00 pm, May 5th at 7:00 pm, and May 6th at 2:30 pm Adults: $5, kids12 and under: $3 Please come and show your support for these future Academy Award winners!

Padre Island Baptist Church 14253 S. Padre Island Dr.

Invites you to a

Flea Market ~ Yard Sale Extravaganza Saturday, May 5

!

8 am - 1Dolor pm ???

Lorem Ipsum Sit Amet Come shop from the individual vendors gathered on the Padre Island Baptist parking lot! Many items including housewares ~ electronics ~ household items ~ décor ~ Nick nacks ~ collectibles ~ sporting goods ~ toys ~ furniture ~ one of a kind items ~ and more!

PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE SUMMER 2012 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MISSION TRIP! Info: 361.949.8273

Youth,

Happy hour 4-6 pm Tuesday through Friday

Island Moon

A 4

May 3, 2012

Stuff I Heard on the Island

by Dale Rankin Well last time I answered the most common questions I hear when listening to Stuff I Heard on The Island. But it seems the more questions I answer the more get asked and that’s okay. Answering questions is what we do here at the Word Factory so here goes.

almost certainly not.

In order for us to get out of the city two things would have to happen. First, we would have to vote to leave. Based on what I hear on The Island this vote wouldn’t even be close; it would pass by a landslide. But second, the people in Corpus Christi as a whole would have to approve it and they would have to be crazy to let go of 4% of the population that pays 14% of the tax base.

Why is the water in the bay and in Packery Channel so nice and blue while the water in our canal system is so brown? Why does the blue water turn brown when it gets to the canals?

A very good question and when I asked those who know about such things here’s what they say. The blue water in the bay and in the Packery is natural and coming in through the Packery from the Gulf. The brown water in our canals is man-made, caused by dredging of the ICW that has been going on the south of the canal system for a while.

But then again this is Corpus, a city that voted to move its election cycle to the Presidential ballot so anything’s possible. And, any charter amendments which have found their way to the ballot in the past decade have passed by an 80-20 margin. So if the amendment is worded in the affirmative voice it could slide through the process like berries through a goose before anyone actually reads it.

It seems the spoils from the dredging rather than being pumped onto the existing spoil banks along the ICW are being piped northward and placed back into the ICW. The prevailing southeast wind then blows the subsequent brown water into our canal system.

Let’s sit tight for now. Since we Islanders decided to organize a couple of years back our city has started to pay attention to us and things have started to happen. Prior to that being part of the City of Corpus Christi was sort of like a prostate exam; it feels so good when it stops.

Why is this being done? I haven’t found anyone involved who a) will admit it b) explain why it is being done.

I did hear an interesting story from longtime Islander Red last week. He said that when the vote was taken on The Island about whether to annex in the late 1970s there were 400 residents on The Island. They all showed up for the vote and voted unanimously against annexation, but then the developer came walking in pulling two little red wagons full of proxy votes from absentee property owners who didn’t live on The Island but owned property here. They all voted in the affirmative and the dye was cast for annexation.

But no matter why, the result is brown water in our canals. Maybe when the wind dies down – or the earth cools, homes are powered by fission reactors, and pigs fly – it will settle out.

What are the crews with the bucket trucks doing to the electric lines along the JFK Causeway?

Turns out they are not working on the electric lines but on the Time Warner cable lines. Maybe they are installing the line that will bring the signal from KRIS (NBC) to The Island...nah.

I find some discomforting irony there; the future of our Island was decided by two little red wagons full of paper.

What’s going on with the pipes spread out on the ground along Whitecap near the Gypsy Bridge?

Oh the humanity.

Why do we all of a sudden have an invasion of Department of Public Safety Troopers on The Island?

Remember back about a year ago when the sewer pipe along Whitecap blew up and created a sink hole that almost ate the intersection at Whitecap and Gypsy? Well, that was caused by leaks in the sewer pipe that runs from SPID down Whitecap to the treatment plant at Whitecap and Bonasse. That line was installed way back in the early 1970’s and according to the people working to repair it is way full of holes. The question at the time was whether it could be repaired or must be replaced entirely.

As far I can tell the jury is still out on that but the pipes you see stacked along Whitecap are part of a plan to replace at least some of the line.

Anyone driving down SPID of late has no doubt seen these guys – or guy – with drivers pulled over for such civilization threatening transgressions as not wearing their seatbelt or –OMG – driving with an expired inspection sticker. What a bunch of desperadoes.

Why we are all of a sudden getting the hyper attention of the DPS troopers is anybody’s guess.

I tried calling the local regional commander but after a couple rounds of unanswered calls I gave up.

The big problem is that the route of the line takes it along the middle of Whitecap at some places and through residential yards at other. To replace the entire line would be a real booger and definitely should not be done until the new section of Aquarius is open to provide an alternate route.

Maybe it’s connected to the recent sighting of DPS gunboats in our canal equipped with sniper rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers. It must be in response to a hoard of non-seatbelt wearing, uninspected scofflaws who are a menace to society.

As for myself, I’m much more worried about the DPS troopers causing traffic hazards by creating a scene along the busy highway, zooming up and down SPID, and throwing up clouds of dust as they do donuts cutting across the median on SPID while guzzling Big Gulps behind the wheel.

In the meantime when the wind is out of the southeast you might want to hold your nose when you drive down that section of Whitecap as driving there often produces an Unpleasant Odiferous Island Driving Experience (UOIDE).

Can we de-annex from the City of Corpus Christi?

We are entering our fifth month as a weekly paper after fifteen years as a fortnightly. Coming out every two weeks didn’t allow us to stay on top of news in the dynamic community of 9000 souls The Island has become. The weekly addition allows us to be timelier.

When we were a fortnightly we usually put out about 8000 copies of a 30 page paper every two weeks. We now put out at least 6000 copies of a 16 page paper each week so the editorial content has remained roughly the same as the frequency has doubled and the reach has increased from 16,000 to 24,000 per month – in May it will be 30,000 as there are five issues.

It makes for a quicker read which has its good and bad points. As we enter the busy summer season our pages will increase as will our number of copies. The weekly plan is more work but better for readers as the news is fresher and there will be more pages in each issue as we move into the summer.

It has definitely cut into our Moon Leisure Time. We have yet to soak in the rejuvenating waters of the Blanco River this year, or to spend a night smoking cigars on 6th Street in Austin, and our beach time has been dramatically effected. However, we have been to Flour Bluff twice and managed to sneak across the Mexican border for some cultural exchange on one occasion best left undescribed.

I think we are entering an exciting time on our little Island and the weekly edition of the Moon will be an integral part of that; so the short answer here is that it is working well. We’re moving forward, growing, and having fun; in the end that’s about all you can ask for.

What is the definition of a recession and are we in one? Or is it a depression?

the recent government bailout of the banks which hasn’t helped the economy all that much but has caused World War III in D.C. The father of the modern school of macroeconomics John Maynard Keynes referred to the Great Depression as a “colossal muddle.”

When it comes to a definition of a recession we can only offer the example often used by Keynesians of the Capitol Hill Baby-Sitting Co-op.

This co-op was an association of about 150 young couples who agreed to help one another by baby-sitting for one another’s children when parents wanted a night out. To ensure that every couple did its fair share of baby-sitting, the coop introduced a form of scrip; coupons made out of heavy pieces of paper, each entitling the bearer to one half-hour of sitting time. Initially, members received twenty coupons on joining and were required to return the same amount on departing the group.

Unfortunately, it turned out that the co-op’s members, on average, wanted to hold a reserve of more than twenty coupons in case they should want to go out several nights in a row.

As a result, relatively few people wanted to spend their scrip and go out while many wanted to baby-sit so they could add to their hoard. But since baby-sitting opportunities arise only when someone goes out for the night, this meant that baby-sitting jobs were hard to find, which made members of the co-op even more reluctant to go out, making baby-sitting jobs even scarcer. In short, the co-op fell into a recession.

So judging by the difficulty in finding a babysitter on this Island I’d have say, yea, we must be in a recession too…and that friends is depressing.

Hope that helped.

11th Annual Nautical Flea Market

Ah, something nebulous we can have some fun with. The restroom wall definition of a recession is when your neighbor loses his job; a depression is when you lose yours.

The state of macroeconomics these days is one of complete confusion. Most of the stuff macro practitioners thought they knew turns out to be completely wrong. The emerging definition of a depression is when sub-prime interest rates are as low as the Fed can make them – effectively zero because they can’t be forced any lower – and that still doesn’t grow the economy at a pace high enough to stimulate a recovery then that’s a depression.

By that definition the Moon Economic Advisory Council and Spit and Whittle Club must declare we are in some level of a depression.

The last time this happened was the Great Depression – which was in fact two recessions that taken together met the conditions of a depression as defined above and only ended when World War II forced the government to spend money; which was the rational used for

Buy, Sell or Trade The Rockport Nautical Flea Market is now in its eleventh year. It is a highly successful and well attended flea market, offering nautical related goods. It is a must attend event for anyone interested in buying, selling and trading nautical items. The event brings out more than 100 vendors, offering old and new items, in various price ranges.

The flea market is a two day event which exhibits nautical items only. For Example: Rods, Reels, Sails, Nautical Art, New and Used Boats and many other items relating to Fishing, Sailing, Power Boating , Kayaking, and Windsurfing.

Gates are open from 10-5 on Saturday, May 5 and 10-4 on Sunday, May 6. For more information visit www.rockportyachtclub.org and click on Nautical Flea Market or call 361729-1244

Who exactly is it they are protecting and whom are they protecting them from?

I get this one a lot and the short answer is legally there is a way but as a practical matter WEDDINGS

How is the move to a weekly Island Moon going?

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May 3, 2012

Island Moon

Letters to the Editor Beach Sales in Port A Friends, supporters, and members of Keep Port Aransas Beautiful, and the Port Aransas Cart Club. Below I’ am expressing my personal opinion on an issue that is central to our little town being different from other coastal beach cities, and that is our BEACH. Let’s keep it the way it is, as to what is allowed to be sold on it. The letter below is my opinion, and is not any type of policy statement from Keep Port Aransas Beautiful or the Port Aransas Cart Club. Please go out and vote on this issue, remember to let the peoples voice be heard.

I’ am writing in support of BANNING of all food and beverage sales, and other beach/ocean related services on the Port Aransas Beach. The Public Referendum vote on the ordinance is on the May 12th ballot.

Allowing these types of services would turn the Beach into a Carnival. I can just imagine 20 or 30 food trailers lined up in a row.

Generator NOISE fills the air, and so does the GAS FUMES, not to mention the TRASH that would be produced. How about HEALTH CONCERNS ? Where will their WATER be coming from, will it be CLEAN? Also, when voting on the ordinance, which has already passed City Council, VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE. Voting in the affirmative will delete the food, beverage sales, and other types of beach/ocean related activities from the law. This will then revert back to allowing only beach rental items, and beach parking stickers to be sold on the Beach.

Let the citizens voice be heard.

Be careful, this is a tricky vote, because voters are voting to strike out a part of the ordinance that is already law. So vote FOR ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE. Mike Secich Port Aransas

Just wondering????

THIS IS JUST A SURVEY.....IF .......IF....

If Port Aransas Community Theatre, would do a MOTHER & DAUGHTER TEA...on Saturday, May 12, 2012 afternoon or evening......are there any interested MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS? IF YOUR MOM OR DAUGHTER, IS NOT HERE.....ADOPT ONE......FOR THE DAY......

ONE MORE ......would like to do an OLD FASHION sing-a-along , one night of the old hymns from those brown/green hymnals we grew up with....Sunday, May 27, 2012... there would be no sermon....just singing from our hearts.....

If you’re interested in these or have other ideas, email me at Pactdarlene@yahoo.com

Beach Vending Editor, Please print this in the May 3rd edition. “just the facts” for Port A voters : After the big city council meeting where 98% of us said NO to beach vending - they passed it anyway!

WOW!! Then we get over 400 signatures on a petition to overturn it, and we still get ignored.

Seriously?? So now it has come to this - a confusingly-worded proposition on our ballot to vote on. Insanely Confusing!! So here’s the deal - to ELIMINATE BEACH VENDING - we have to VOTE “FOR” the proposition! Please get out and vote to KEEP OUR BEACHES TRANQUIL & CLEAN!! Don’t mess with Port A beaches.

Thank you. Sally Marco

Who is the PAC? Well, I have a new neighbor who owns the house next to me. They are now members of the PAC. My friends, retired Marine Colonel, Harvey and Diane over on Eaglesnest are also PAC members.

My friends down on 361 at the Mustang Towers and Sandpiper are members of the PAC I am a member of the PAC. You are a member of the PAC if you live here on Padre Island or down 361 until LaMirage.

We are non partisan. Our common goal is vetting those candidates that are running for Mayor and City Council slots in the upcoming election. We want those folks that either have or will take interest in those issues that affect our Island and surrounding areas.

We need your opinions. For the next couple of months we will be meeting at Puente Vista Condos in their clubroom. Come on down, turn between Jesse’s Liquor and the Shell Station.

Turn right on the 3rd street, Sea Horse. Right before the street ends the office will be on your left.

Next Meeting - May 9, 6 P.M. Come join us and keep up with our local issues. www.islandunitedpac.com islandunitedpac@gmail.com Phyllis Freeman Endorsement Co-Chair

Subscriptions Editor: Love your paper/news/pics/format !!! Recently visited the island and received a free copy of your newspaper. Is it possible to purchase a subscription to your weekly publication, to be mailed to Austin?

Thank you,

Darlene Secich

Mike Scholten

Theatre Manager

Mike,

361-749-6036

Stimulus Package Hi mom, Just wanted to let you know - today I received my 2012 Social Security Stimulus Package.

It contained two tomato seeds, cornbread mix, a prayer rug, a machine to blow smoke into strategic places, two discount coupons to KFC, an “Obama Hope & Change” bumper sticker, and a “Blame it on Bush” poster for the front yard. The directions were in Spanish.

Watch for yours soon.

Love you, Craig Who Are the Moon Monkeys

Mike Ellis, Founder Distribution Pete Alsop Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising

We still do mail subscriptions, but the full paper is available online on facebook at The Island Moon Newspaper, save yourself some money and read the paper there.

Dale

Timmons Dental Help May 8, 2012 at 1:40pm the Corpus Christi Dental Society will be here at Timon’s Ministries presenting checks to Timon’s for the free dental clinic that operates here. They will also present a check to Mission 911 for the dental work they provide to their clients. Several of our dentists will be present.

Timon’s opened the William Allen Dental Clinic in April, 09 treating low income non insured clients from throughout the Coastal Bend. We are the only free clinic treating patients from as far away as Victoria. We are staffed completely with volunteer dentints, assitants and hygenists, as well as volunteer nurses who triage the patients prior to treatment.

Since inception we have performed over 2800 procedures on 1567 patients. Corpus Christi Dental Labs has donated flippers that cover missing teeth in the front. Self esteem and the ability to secure jobs is an important by product.

In 2012 we have secured a grant from Methodist Healthcare Ministries which will pay for partial dentures.

Kae Berry, exec. dir.

A5

Island Police Blotter

Cop Shop Motor Sales, Man Crapped Out, Shooting Up The Bluff In need of Transportation or Shopping for an Early Mother’s Day Gift? Stop by the Monthly Auction this Saturday The C.C.P.D.’s commitment to “Keep Corpus Christi Safe” has continued with its “Zero Tolerance No Insurance Initiative” On Saturday, May 5, 2012, a total of 53 cars, trucks, and motorcycles will be auctioned at the Corpus Christi Police Department new Vehicle Impound Lot located at 5485 Greenwood Drive during our monthly auction. The new site has four paved acres for an auction lot.

Approximately 13 of these vehicles are “No Insurance” impounds. On Friday, May 4, 2012, the general public will be allowed to register and view the vehicles to be auctioned from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is no registration fee.

On the day of the auction, the general public can continue to register and view the vehicles from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The auction will commence promptly at 10:00 a.m. The vehicles to be auctioned can be viewed at www. siskauction.com. An auction list may also be downloaded from the same website.

The department’s strong stand and enforcement of this “Zero Tolerance No Insurance Initiative” will continue and all vehicles involved in accidents will be impounded and the driver cited if they are unable to provide financial proof of insurance. Driver’s license and proof of financial responsibility checkpoints will continue to be conducted at the Shift Captains’ authorization.

Officers issued 5,508 citations and impounded 1,212 vehicles for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility during 2011. During April 2012, Officers issued 319 citations for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility and impounded 56 vehicles for the same charge.

Crapped out Robbery

7101 SPID

A 43-year-old victim was taken to Bay Area Hospital by his wife after he was assaulted during a dice game. The victim reported to Officers he was playing dice at Williams Park with several friends when was attacked. He told Officers he was counting his money when a Black male attacked him, punching him in the face and head, knocking him out.

The suspect took the victim’s money, wallet, and cellphone after he was assaulted. The victim called his wife to pick him and take him to hospital where he was treated for contusions to his face and head.

Officers checked the park for the suspect, but he was nowhere to be found. The suspect is described as a 37-year-old Black male who is an acquaintance to the victim.

Anyone who has any information on this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888TIPS (8477) or log on to www.888TIPS.com. If the information provided leads to Clarks arrest it could earn the caller a cash reward

Flour Bluff, Guns, Alcohol an unholy alliance Sunday, April 29, 2012, 1:00am, 554 Crayton, Discharge a Firearm Inside City Limits Three men were arrested Sunday morning for discharging a firearm inside the city limits outside a mobile home in Flour Bluff.

Corpus Christi Police were called to the 500 block of Crayton for a complaint of group of men that discharged a firearm in a mobile home park. Corpus Christi Police Officers located a group of three men that were seated around a table outside 554 Crayton.

A witness identified the three men as taking turns shooting pistols over a dozen times.

Officers discovered the three men, 44-year-old Juan Bolivar (2/15/1968), 45-year-old Eduardo Lazaro (9/1/1966), and 27-year-old Charles Bolivar (2/16/1985), were intoxicated and took turns shooting at opossums and a stump in front of their mobile home.

Evidence was collected then the three men were arrested and delivered to the city detention center for Discharging a Firearm inside a Municipality. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail

and up to a $4,000 fine.

Anyone interested to research reported crime in Corpus Christi is encouraged to search Crimereports.com for valuable information.

City full of blind drivers Texting and Driving is not multi-tasking; it’s essentially driving blind.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, The National Highway Safety Administration, and State Farm Insurance conducted a study which revealed that nearly 500,000 people were injured and over 5,000 were killed in 2009 due to various forms of distracted driving, including texting while driving.

More than a third of young adults say they have been involved in a near crash because of their own or someone else’s distracted driving, according to the Pew Research Center in 2010.

According to the Ad Council, 82% of drivers ages 16-24 said they have texted while driving; 85% of young adults who text while driving agree that texting is a problem; and 77% of young adult drivers are very confident they can safely text while driving.

The Corpus Christi Police Department encourages all drivers to operate their vehicle safely. Focus on a single task and avoid distracted driving. The risk is too great for any benefit of a text message. Stop The Texts.

Police Calls Note: This list does not include stops by Department of Public Safety Troopers who have been active on The Island lately.

SH 361/Beach Access Road 3 12:25 a.m.

May 1 Traffic stop 11800 block SH 361 2:33 p.m. April 29 Traffic Accident 100 block Zahn Road 9:27 p.m. April 28 Traffic Accident 13500 block SPID 4:08 a.m. April 29 Traffic Stop 14200 block SPID 2:47 p.m. April 29 Traffic Accident 14900 block Leeward 9:12 p.m. May 1 Burglary of Vehicle Windward & Whitecap 10:03 p.m. May 1 Suspicious person 15200 block SPID 9:24 a.m. April 29 Theft of gasoline Gypsy & Bounty 12:58 a.m. May 1 Traffic stop Barataria & Laffite 12:30 a.m. May 1 Traffic stop 13900 block Man O War May 1 1:17 p.m.

Alarm 15300 block Peseta 1:52 May 1 Alarm 13800 block Hawksnest Bay 1:07 pm May 1 Alarm 15800 block SPID 11:23 p.m. April 29 Vehicle Impound ALBRITTON CONSTRUCTION 361-480-3001 TOTAL REMODEL, RENOVATION, ADDITIONS, DECKS AND DOCKS Fully insured with W/C and General Liability On Padre Island Homeowner Association General Contractors List

Member of Padre Island Business Association

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REFERENCES IN PADRE ISLAND, PORT ARANSAS AND CORPUS CHRISTI ACTIVE JOBS CAN BE VIEWED REFERENCE LIST UPON REQUESTA

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 Todd Hunter Danniece Bobeché Ronnie Narmour Dr. Donna Shaver Photographers Miles Merwin Office Security/Spillage Control Riley P. Dog Editor/Publisher/Spillage Control Supervisor Dale Rankin About the Island Moon The Island Moon is published every Wednesday, Dale Rankin, Editor.

Total circulation is 10,000 copies. Distribution includes delivery to 4,000 Island homes, free distribution of 3,000 copies in over 50 Padre Island businesses and condos, as well as 600 copies distributed in Flour Bluff, 1,400 copies on Mustang Island and Port Aransas businesses.

News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left at the Moon Office 15201 S P I D. Suite 250. For more information call 361-949-7700 or contact the Moon at 15201 S Padre Island Dr., Suite 250, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 or by e-mail to editor@islandmoon.com.

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

Island Moon

A 6

More than 7,300 volunteers haul 137 tons of trash off Texas beaches Less trash than usual found at annual Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup

Texas beaches may just be getting cleaner, according to reports from Adopt-A-Beach coordinators across the coast.

Among the more amazing items volunteers found Saturday were an oil filter with 10 quarts of oil, a bowling ball, a bottle with two Cuban ID cards inside, a hazmat mask, paper and plastic trash from Venezuela, Columbia and Haiti, an aluminum hand held grenade launcher, muriatic acid, a plastic container from Russia and false teeth. Matagorda Beach yielded a message in a bottle launched from Mexico in January. The note, written in English and Spanish, contained an email address and a request to contact the author when the bottle was found.

The 26th Annual Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup drew 7,369 volunteers to the Texas coast Saturday. But the good weather and the strong turnout didn’t result in more trash than usual, just 137 tons. In fact, many volunteer coordinators reported the beaches were pretty clean when they arrived with their volunteer crews.

“What I hope this means is that folks are starting to get the message that trashing Texas beaches isn’t cool,” said Jerry Patterson, Commissioner of the General Land Office.

“The only way to really address this problem is at the source.”

The Adopt-A-Beach program is one of the most successful all-volunteer efforts in the nation. In the past 26 years, 430,000 AdoptA-Beach volunteers have picked up more than 8,300 tons of trash from the Texas Gulf Coast.

HNTB Corporation was the lead sponsor for the 26th Annual Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup. Other sponsors included Halliburton, the Harris and Eliza Kempner Foundation, the Newfield Foundation, NOAA Marine Debris Program and Keep Texas Beautiful.

Adopt-A-Beach volunteers’ past success can be seen in the mix of trash collected Saturday: cigarette butts, soda cans, beer bottles and beach toys. This mix of trash has changed over the years that Adopt-A-Beach volunteers have walked the beaches When the program started in 1986, the bulk of trash on Texas beaches washed ashore from international ships that simply dumped it overboard. Since then, data collected by Adopt-A-Beach volunteers has helped to pass an international shipping treaty that bans such sloppy practices and requires all oceangoing vessels to dispose of their trash responsibly while in port.

County Cleanup Site

To learn more about items collected at the cleanup, and for information on the health of the Texas coast, visit the Adopt-A-Beach program website at www.texasadoptabeach. org, or contact the Texas General Land Office at 1-877-TXCOAST (1-877-892-6278).

Miles Cleaned

Volunteers

Tons Collected

Pounds

Aransas Rockport Beach (Bay)

3

33

0.22

(450)

3

33

0.22

(450)

4

45

0.44

(875)

County Total

Kleberg and Nueces Baffin Bay (Bay)

Padre Island National Seashore 3

73

1.8

(3,550)

Port Aransas & St. Jo Island

192

3.5

(6,925)

5.3

Mustang Island State Park

3

142

3.4

(6,750)

Corpus Christi Beach (Bay)

9

290

2.4

(4,800)

Cole Park (Bay)

2

150

1.5

(3,000)

North Padre Island

6

330

2.8

(5,650)

Aransas Pass (Bay)

5

25

0.3

(600)

County Total

37.3

1,247

16.14

(32,150)

Matagorda

Sargent Beach

5

187

5.13

(10,260)

Matagorda Beach

4.5

201

8

(4,000)

Palacios (Bay)

2

23

0.22

(450)

County Total

11.5

411

13.35

(14,710)

1

7

0.05

(100)

1

7

0.05

(100)

San Patricio Portland, Sunset Lake Park (Bay)

County Total

Babes on the Bay Biggest Fishing Tournament…and still growing Along the coastal bend, fishing remains one of summertime’s top attractions. The Rockport Fulton area, just 30 miles northeast of Corpus Christi, offers the finest bay fishing. On Saturday, May 19, Aransas Bay will be filled with women! They will be coming for The Annual Jim Ehman Memorial “Babes on the Babe” fishing tournament. The tournament is the largest one day fishing tournament in the United States. Last year Babes on the Bay had 1140 ladies, of all ages, on 320 teams. Now in its 13th year, it is expected to be bigger than ever, with possibly over 1200 entries.

begins at sunrise on Saturday, May 19. Weigh-in for the event will be from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Prizes will be given for five divisions. The divisions are as follows: Team with a professional guide (any bait); Team with a Professional Guide (artificial only); team with NonProfessional Guide (any bait); Team with NonProfessional Guide (artificial only); and Babeette Division (ages 16 and under). 1st -5th places will be awarded for the first four divisions with additional prizes for Babe-ette Division. Awards will be presented at approximately 6p.m., following the weigh in on Saturday.

Along with the fishing tournament, the event also features a Food Vendors Court and a Babes Shopping Mall where vendors sell everything from fishing rods to jewelry.

For more information, visit www. babesonthebay.com or call 361-386-0028.

For information about Places to Stay visit www.rockport-fulton.org or call 1 -800 2420071 or email tourism@1rockport.org

The kick-off for Babes on the Bay will be held at 6 p.m. on May 18, at the Rockport Festival Grounds. The fishing tournament officially

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May 3, 2012

Trivia Question of the Week

How did the events at Live Oak Point on Copano Bay lead to the slogan on the first Texas flag?

Trivia Question of the Week from last issue: What settlement in the area was founded in order to bring Irish immigrants to the area?

This is a story with a distinct Island connection.

The Irish have played a crucial and pivotal role in the development of the Coastal Bend. The Irish diaspora which brought many of them to the shores of this area began in 1840 and continued in earnest through the 1860s. In 1844 the female population of the city of Corpus Christi consisted of exactly three women; Mrs. Mary Hefferman Riggs, a German lady, and a Mexican lady. The remainder of what had been the female population was scared off by the massacre of Mrs. Riggs’ father, his cousin, brother, and his brother’s family in an Indian raid in 1835.

When Zackary Taylor’s United States Army passed through the then unincorporated town in 1845 it included many Irish Americans who became acquainted with the Irish Texans living in the area and many of them returned to settle here when the war was over.

St Patrick’s Church

Among them was Matthew Dunn who wrote to his relatives in Ireland about the potential of Texas. His brothers, Peter and Thomas brought their families to Corpus Christi in 1850 and they were then joined by their brother John in 1851 and then

by Patrick in 1868.

In the early 1850s an Irish sea captain, James McBride put into the town of Corpus Christi and there he met Mary, the daughter of Peter Dunn. They married and McBride exchanged his seafaring life for that of a Texas rancher. This family was the origin of the Dunn ranching family which ranched Padre Island all way into the latter part of the 1900s, and whose decedents still live in the area today.

Nuecestown schoolhouse

Nuecestown Since the creation of Nueces County in 1846 there had been many people of Irish decent that had played active roles in civic life. Richard Powers was among the first county commissioners, H.N. Barry was elected sheriff and Edward Fitzgerald county clerk. In the late 1840’s Charles Callihan was editor of the local newspaper, the Corpus Christi Star – also known as the Corpus Christi Estrella – which printed both in English and Spanish.

The site of the Nuecestown cemetery is bordered on the south by Leopard Street a few hundred yards south of Interstate 37.

In the late 1840s an agent of Henry L. Kinney, the founder of Corpus Christi, had been recruiting Ireland for settlers to bring over the pond. He advertised the town as a trading post and the response was so strong that he established a settlement for the new immigrants called Nuecestown just north of downtown Corpus Christi on the Nueces River. At that time the Irish population was concentrated in an area called Irishtown; a 27-block area bounded by present day Twigg Street, Mesquite Street, Brewster Street, and the bay. It was filled with nice wood-frame houses protected by a fire company called the Shamrock Hose Company.

Former Irish sea captain, James McBride, with wife and It also had a baseball team children which maintained a rivalry with that of Dutchtown located along the beach to the south.

When the first resident Catholic priest arrived from Dublin in 1853 the Irish community of Nuecestown was firmly established. Father Bernard O’Reilly saw to the building of the first Catholic Church in the area in 1857, St. Patricks.

Nuecestown was established thirteen miles northwest of downtown for Irish immigrants.

While it had been previously established as “The Motts” by English and German settlers, it was when the Irish arrived that it flourished, gaining a post office in 1854. Then in 1875 the town was raided by Mexican bandits in what is known as “The Nuecestown Raid” but survived and in 1885 had a school with 32 students. The preserved 1892 schoolhouse is now the largest reminder of the town that once numbered 200.

But like many Texas towns its decline began when the railroads passed it by in 1905 and the post office closed in the late 1920s when the population was reported as 50.

About all that is left today is a cemetery and the schoolhouse; a ghost town with a street address…the 11400 block of Leopard Street.

Proud reminders of Irish settlers who crossed the pond to make Nuecestown their home.

Father Bernard O’Reilly

May 3, 2012

Island Moon

Nesting Kemp’s Ridley Turtles are Coming Ashore

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By Donna J. Shaver, Ph.D. Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery National Park Service Padre Island National Seashore e-mail: Donna_Shaver@nps.gov

The 2012 Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nesting season is off to a busy start. Through May 1, 65 Kemp’s ridley nests have been recorded on the Texas coast so far this year. Thirty-seven of the nests from this endangered species were found in the local area, including 29 at the National Seashore, four on North Padre north of the National Seashore, and four on Mustang Island.

Kemp’s ridleys come ashore to lay their eggs mostly during daytime hours, between April and mid-July. After nesting, they return to the sea and do not monitor or care for their eggs. Left unprotected on the beach, the eggs and resulting hatchlings could fall victim to predators and other factors that could harm or kill them.

Seashore and northward on the Texas coast so far this year were collected and brought to our Incubation Facility for protected care. The eggs from the first nests found will hatch and hatchlings will be ready for release sometime between May 28 and June 6. Each year, we hold 20-30 releases of hatchlings that are open to the public and thousands of people come to the National Seashore to attend. You can find out more information about our releases by visiting our website at www.nps.gov/pais, and calling our Hatchling Hotline at 361-949-7163.

It is challenging for turtle patrollers to find nesting Kemp’s ridley turtles and their nests, and we can use the aid of others working and

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A Kemp’s ridley turtle that nested at Padre Island National Seashore in April

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Kemp’s ridleys tend to nest in synchronous emergences called arribadas, which typically occur on windy days. Kemp’s ridley is the smallest and lightest of the sea turtle species. It can be difficult to spot the nesting turtles or the tracks that they leave in the sand as they crawl on the beach, due to their small size and their light green coloration that blends with the sand and vegetation.

Each year, hundreds of volunteers and staff members from several organizations search Gulf of Mexico beaches in Texas and Mexico to find and protect nesting Kemp’s ridley turtles and their eggs. Our local effort is part of a binational project dating back to 1978 to help recover the population of this endangered species. Most Kemp’s ridleys nest in Mexico,but most nesting in the U.S. occurs in Texas. And, more Kemp’s ridley nests are found at the National Seashore than at any other location in the U.S. I am very grateful to the many people working hard to help locate nesting here. There has been a lot of seaweed on the beach during the last month, which has caused bumpy driving and difficult searching conditions.

I maintain the records of nests and stranded turtles found on Texas beaches, and we post a table on the Padre Island National Seashore web site that lists the number of nests found on various beaches in Texas. Thank you to lsland Moon for publishing this table each week. We are in the peak of the nesting season and the nest tally can change rapidly this time of year. If you want to see the latest numbers before the next issue of the Island Moon is published, please refer to our website at www.nps.gov/pais.

Earlier in the nesting season we outfitted four nesting females with satellite transmitters. One appears to be done nesting for this year. She is currently offshore from the upper Texas coast and moving east towards foraging grounds where many of our turtles have traveled to after nesting. However, the other three turtles remain off the National Seashore and will likely nest again locally 1-3 more times. You can view their movements on www.seaturtle. org. Go to the satellite tracking link and look for the Padre Island National Seashore Kemp’s Ridley Tracking Program 2012. We will attach transmitters on six more nesters that are found this year, and their locations will also be posted on www.seaturtle.org. Transmitters deployed on six turtles that nested last year at Padre Island National Seashore or in Mexico continue to transmit and their locations can also be viewed on this site.

Eggs from 33 of the nests found at the National

recreating on the beach. Several nests are located by beachgoers each year, especially in developed areas of the Texas coast. You can help by watching for nesting while you are on the beach and reporting it to a passing turtle patroller or to me by calling 361-949-8173, ext.

226.

Lastly, don’t forget to check out our Facebook page entitled Padre Island NS Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery. We post photos and videos of some of the nesting turtles found, and will have information about hatchling releases as the dates for those releases approach.

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Turtle Count

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nests documented on the Texas coast during 2012 Location Found Number of nests (north to south) Bolivar Peninsula

0

Galveston Island

5

Brazoria County, N. of Surfside

0

Surfside Beach

2

Quintana Beach

0

Bryan Beach

0

Brazoria County, N. of Sargent Beach

0

Sargent Beach

0

Matagorda Peninsula

0

Matagorda Island

0

San Jose Island

2

Mustang Island

4

Corpus Christi Bay

0

North Padre Island, N. of PAIS

4

Padre Island National Seashore (PAIS)

29

South Padre Island

15

Boca Chica Beach

4

Total

65

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A 8 DEE-SCOVERIES

Island Moon

It’s Roundup Time!

by Devorah Fox I’m not talking about the popular weed killer, although goodness knows I’ve been applying lots of that to my yard every weekend.

No, I’m talking about the First Annual Rockport Writers Roundup, Saturday, May 12, 2012, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Aransas County Public Library, 701 East Mimosa Street in Rockport. The Rockport Writers Group will donate seven books to the Library, and the authors of those books will be on hand to inscribe their books, meet the public and answer questions like “Where do you get your ideas?” and “How long did it take you to write that?” and “How did you get your book published?”

Rockport Writer Group President Woody Davis will open the program with a brief introduction to the RWG, in existence since 1988. Members are writers who practice writing as a craft and want to direct their efforts to improve their skill and technique, with the goal of being published.

They meet twice a month to share what they’ve learned about writing and to encourage each other in the development of writing skills. An important function of the RWG is the “readand-critique.” Writers can bring four doublespaced pages of their work to share and get constructive criticism.

Woody will introduce Council Woman Adelaide Marlatt who will talk about how the arts contribute to making Rockport such a great city. Head Librarian Iris Sanchez will discuss the role the library plays and Terry Samuels, president of the Friends of the Library, will describe how her group helps the library to accomplish its goals.

Then the authors will briefly describe their respective books. The seven authors will present one autographed copy each to the Library. At the conclusion of the presentation, the authors will be on hand to chat with visitors and sign copies. There will be light refreshments.

The works represent just about every genre: history and mystery, children’s and young adult books, self help and fantasy: Annie’s Portion by J. Fran Baird is an amazingly rich family saga fueled by an obsession — redemption. Narrated by three d i s t i n c t l y different Jewish women, each representing her own generation, Annie’s Portion offers a candid new view of an historic story by means of wonderfully diverse characters, settings and secrets.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, J. Fran Baird, a first generation daughter of Jewish immigrants, experienced the rich diversity of a multi-cultural community.

Her writings reflect these roots and three decades of oft-changing venues. Ten years in Hawaii and extensive world travels provide authentic backdrops for her stories. Her new book, The Last Vagabond, will be on the market in July. Annie’s Portion, ISBN 978-1-44018517-5, is available as a paperback and a Kindle book. Visit jfranbaird.com/.

The Survivor’s Guide to Grief by Patricia Chapman is a vividly written narrative based on firsthand experience.

Newly bereaved survivors are led to meet, manage and master their experience of sudden grief.

Interspersed with helpful illustrations and even humor, the book contains practical information about how to navigate through the first year of loss, right down to estate administration and taxes. Special contributors include a medical doctor, a mother whose children committed suicide, a renowned grief therapist and a terminal care nurse. One reviewer commented that the book, “may not sound like the best bedside reading, but you will change your mind when you turn to the first page of this charming personal account.” Pat grew up in China with her American parents, who moved to the U.S. when she was twelve.

She moved to the Texas Gulf Coast in 2003. She has written for the Washington Times, Christian Science Monitor and Associated Press. Visit www.patricialucechapman/blogspot.com.

The Survivor’s Guide to Grief, ISBN 97809765207-1-9, is available from amazon.com.

Julie Hannah’s The Man Who Named the Clouds, a hardcover book for children, was co-authored with her daughter, Joan Holub, and illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye. It has a lot of information about weather science along with the life story of Luke Howard who created a system for naming the different cloud types that is the basis for our cloud names today.

Originally from Houston, Julie has lived in Rockport almost 20 years. “Among the first things I did on moving here was find the library and join the Rockport Writers Group,” she says. She began writing shortly after learning to read. She won a prize in a jingle writing contest sponsored by Walnettos Candy when she was 10, which her parents thought was hilarious. The Man Who Named the Clouds, ISBN 978-08075497-4-2 is available from amazon.com and bookstores or

Julie, in the Korean language as well as English.

Visit www.juliehannah.com.

My People Or Myself, Heather Miller’s young adult novel, is an Alaskan story of coming of age in an Aleut Village.

It shows how three very different people must come to terms with important events in their lives... events that force them to choose between their own dreams, and those of the ones they love. Born in Aransas Pass, Heather moved to Perryville, an Aleut village on the Alaskan Peninsula, at age 9, when her parents got jobs as the teachers there. She still keeps in touch with two friends from Perryville, and has been saddened to hear that now there are only about 100 Aleuts left in the world.My People Or Myself, ISBN 0-89992-154-X can be ordered from the Council for Indian Education, 2032 Woody Drive, Billings, MT 59102, cieclague@ mcn.nete or www.mcn/-cieclague, (406) 2483465, or from heather. Email her at heather_ lea@yahoo.com, call (361-230-0343) or write to 2557 A-1 Hill Rd., Aransas Pass, TX 78336.

Body parts are turning up all over the country on the airport luggage carrousels in Rita Wendell’s m y s t e r y , Unclaimed Baggage.

The job of solving the mystery belongs to the FBI’s top serial killer stalker.

“Follow the trail of a madman who tries to escape his own past by destroying other’s futures,” Rita says, “and hope no one has tampered with your bags.” A mountaineer from West Virginia, Rita came to Texas in her early 20’s. A born reader, she started writing poetry in high school and wrote essays that were published in local papers. She spent ten years writing ads and commercials for Rubbermaid, Inc. in Wooster, Ohio. After she started Unclaimed Baggage, she joined the Rockport Writer’s Group where she received helpful critique and encouragement and made new friends. She’s at work on her next novel, another mystery, Lady Slayer, and a true account of growing up in West Virginia Coal Camps called Running Down the Reddog Road. Unclaimed Baggage, ISBN 978005579116-5-3 is available as a paperback and an ebook from www.lulu.com.

Texas Gulf Coast Stories by Herndon Williams is a collection of Short, sometimes quirky and provocative tales that defy conventional wisdom about well-known Texas events and historical figures.

For example, did you know that Santa Anna was captured at San Jacinto because he could not swim, or that General Sam Houston was not respected by the Texian Army? Born and raised in Houston, Herndon writes for the Bayside Historical Society newsletter, has weekly newspaper columns and a position on the Refugio County Historical Commission. Texas Gulf Coast Stories, ISBN 978-1-60949-032-4, is available from The History Press, amazon.com or from Herndon. Email him at cherndon8695@ sbcglobal.net.

And then there’s my novel, The Lost King.

When all you have owned, everyone you have loved, and everything you have done are gone, who are you?

In The Lost King, King Bewilliam awakens one morning to find himself mysteriously transformed from a beloved and respected ruler and renowned dragonslayer to a homeless vagabond. His quest to uncover and break the bewitching spell that plagues him and regain his kingdom sets him on a journey of adventure, romance and self-discovery. A literary fantasy, The Lost King is a modern tale in a medieval setting. The Lost King, ISBN 978-0977824526, is available from amazon.com as a paperback and a Kindle book. Visit http://devorahfox.com.

For more information about the Rockport Writers Group, send an email to kaybutzin@ sbcglobal.net or visit the group’s page on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ rockportwritersgroup. To learn more about the Aransas County Public Library, call (361) 7900153. Contact the Friends of the Library by emailing President Terry Samuels at terrysam@ cobridge.tv. Or just come to the 1st Annual Rockport Writers Roundup where you can learn about all three organizations as well as meet the mayor and seven real live authors. I’ll see you there. devorahfox.com Devorah Fox, Ph: 361-749-4007 Fax: 361749-4009 Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ devorah.fox Visit http://devorahfox.com

May 3, 2012

Legislative Update

Todd Hunter, District 32

Computer and Video Game Industry A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Texas Film Commission which was established in 1971 by then Governor Preston Smith. Governor Smith believed that it was “ in the social, economic and educational interest of Texas to encourage the development of the film-communication industry,” and that “Texas has a uniquely vast array of resources, natural, human and economic, which lend themselves to the firm and orderly development of a healthy film production industry.” These resources also impact the computer and video game industry.

The Texas Film Commission is under the administration of the Governor’s office and is currently headed up by Evan Fitzmaurice who serves as the Director of the Film Commission.

The Commission outlines that “whether you are an industry professional or new to the business, we are here to help with your film, television, commercial, animation, and video game projects.” In fact you can go to the Film Commission’s website at www.governor. state.tx.us/film and search through their “Job Hotline” which offers information on computer and video game jobs available throughout the State of Texas.

In the United States, the computer and video game industry, also known as interactive entertainment, accounted for approximately $25.1 billion in sales in 2010 according to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) www.theesa.com . The ESA’s 2011 Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry report found that roughly seventytwo percent of United State households play computer and video games.

It is important to know that computer and video games are not just for kids anymore. In fact, today the average age of video gamers is 37 years old and those video gamers have been playing games for at least 12 years. While the average age of video gamers today is 37 years old, approximately twenty-nine percent of video gamers today are over the age of 50.

The percentage of video gamers over the age 50 who are playing interactive games is expected to grow in the coming years because of the incorporation of computer and video games into the daily activities provided by nursing homes and senior centers. In addition to the wide array of ages among video gamers, one of the industry’s fastest growing segments is among females over the age of 18. Today females account for forty-two percent of all computer

and video game players.

While the computer and video game industry continues to grow, so do the opportunities it can bring to the citizens of the State of Texas. Texas currently has the second largest concentration of computer and video game companies in the United States. In fact, today there are more than 155 development and publishing companies located through the state. These companies provided more than 4,000 well-paying fulltime jobs. Based on a 2010 report, in 2009 the average employee compensation provided by these companies was $87,630. The 2009 impact on the state’s Gross Domestic Product by the computer and video game industry was approximately $1.2 billion and provided roughly $600 million in employee compensation.

Here are some games that were made in Texas that you may recognize: • 1997 - Age of Empires for the PC

• Soon to be released - Borderlands 2 for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and PC • 2010 - Epic Mickey for the Wii

• 2012 - Hunger Games: Girl on Fire for the iphone/ipad • 1993 - Doom for the PC

• 2008 - Wizard 101 is a massive multiplayer online PC game • Words with Friends for the iphone

• 2011 - Star Wars: The Old Republic for the PC

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

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

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

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May 3, 2012

Island Moon

Gone Fishin’

Whats Going on in Flour Bluff?

Old Man Island

Gone Bluffin’

Capt. Joey Farah (361)442_8145 Facebook@ Farah’s Backwater Fishing Adventures

Funds for Flour Bluff Skate Park are In

Conditions in the Laguna Madre have been made difficult with the consistent Brown Tide and high winds. We have been doing well by concentrating our fishing efforts in “sweet spots.” Areas with fish that are grouped together rather than scattered out in shallow water.

Traditional techniques here are drifting with lures or live bait under a cork. This is a great way to find fish and cover water, by making mental marks and using GPS technology pinpoint places where fish are congregating along drop-offs and guts, then anchor up and hammer out a box.

Drifting strategies consist of drawing lines across structure and along breaks in the bottom, according to the wind. Our most common wind is a Southeastern flow that will move us across the breaks in structure that usually run north to south. Watch for color changes and if you don’t have a simple depth gauge on the boat use a push pole or wooden stick to regularly check the bottom. My best spots have been 4to5ft of water with gravely mud bottom. As current sweeps the bottom the areas of greatest tidal flow are swept clean of grass and soft mud. The exposed bottom makes for good hunting from Black Drum, whiting, reds, and trout. The lowest and most abundant creatures on the food chain are found in these areas where they can burry up in the bottom, clams, small crabs, sand eels, shrimp, and mud worms. Many small baitfish also feed on these organisms so this brings in the top end predators such as redfish and Speckled Trout. During turbulent times with high winds fish will often seek stable conditions rather than shallow flats with sea grass rolling in their face.

When temperatures rise during mid-day hours these deeper areas will be cooler as well. Drift across the flats with popping corks, then anchor up on productive zones where you caught fish, then bottom fish with live shrimp and baitfish.

Rigging Up Often I see fishermen with there popping corks rigged too shallow. Most pre-maid store bought cork rigs are too short for my tastes. A three foot leader under your cork is best with a small pinch weight to hold the shrimp near the bottom. I

Dirty water has kept a lot of fish to our North in the areas of Shamrock Cove and East Flats.

The water here is beautiful and clear. The open waters of Corpus Christi Bay can be rough but anglers looking for clean clear conditions will find them closer towards Port “A” than south.

The flats in Shamrock Cove are full of trout and redfish for short drifts and wadeing with lures.

The channels and shorelines there have been great when the tides are moving for trout and flounder. East flats is beautiful, idle back to the far east side then drift out with the Southeast breeze, casting into the many sand holes with plastics. Port “A” has had some great fishing for anglers using live Croaker around the small channels and cuts between the big channels and the shallow flats.

The daily double, bottom fishing in Baffin in 40+mph winds really like the corks mentioned last month from SID WALSH CUSTOM TACKLE in Flour Bluff, (361)937-5385. They throw a mile, are made with stainless steel beads and wire, won’t crack and sink, don’t pinch your line, and are much more natural when they hit the water. The sound of a large heavy cork smashing down in the surface can send every mature game fish for 20yds. Running for cover. I prefer a small circle hook with live shrimp. As the fish grabs the bait and pulls against the resistance of the cork the hook sets itself, with a small wide-gap hook the angler must time the hook set perfectly or he misses the strike. ON THE BOTTOM, I customize my rigs for precisely where I’m fishing and for what species I’m targeting as well. Again I use a #3or#4 circle hook and a loop knot to increase the action of my bait. In high winds and current or if I want to really get my baits out away from the boat noise I use a 3/4ounce egg weight. If I’m working an area like the Land Cut or a channel where I want the bait to drift over a point or across some structure use a smaller 1/8 or ¼ ounce egg or maybe just a pinch weight. USEIN “CHATTER WEIGHT” has been a great help in the off colored water.

They take the place of a swivel between your main line and your leader. The sealed BB’s inside make a lot of noise. When snorkeling or diving you will hear many clicks, pops, and snaps. Shrimp, crabs, pistol shrimp, and fish all make these sounds that attract predatory fish to hunt them down. If you doubt for a minute if they are working just inspect the reflective tape after a day of use and you will find many bite marks on them. Attaching them to a soft plastic, suspending bait, or live bait hook works well too, to do this use an o-ring. Trout are a faster striking fish than many others, a shorter leader will be best between the hook and swivel. For Drum and Reds use a longer leader to allow them to take the bait without feeling the angler.

Using baitfish with a bottom rig works well too, as well as cut mullet for redfish. Next week I’ll go over some strategies for fishing with LIVE CROAKER as we enter our SUMMER LIVE BAIT SEASON.

Ty with his stingray and big smile

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DOWN SOUTH, I’m still bringing in big boxes of Black Drum with a mix of trout, reds, and whiting. With the high winds slacking off soon, I’ll switch up to live croaker next week when they “grow up” a bit. The Land Cut is still good for trout mainly on the days we are blessed with a gentle southeast wind. I’ve done well every time I’ve fished the flats along the Flour Bluff Shoreline this week, with nice reds and drum being very consistent with shrimp and popping corks.

Skate Park Skate-park funds have been met!. There will be check presentations on May 9th at 11:00 a.m. at Wranosky Park. Please come witness this long coming event!

Youth Center Youth Center has closed its doors. We will be re-opening as the Learning Center Friday at 6 p.m. with a hot dog cookout for all. Ribbon Cutting with Grande and Timmons Ministry.

We are now located in one of the rooms in the buildings along side of Timmons. Join us Friday at 6!

4H The May meeting of the Flour Bluff/Padre Island 4H Club is set for 6:30 p.m. at the FBISD Intermediate cafeteria on Monday, May 7. For more information call Flo East at 361 813-7221.

Sea Monsters And Sting Rays The wind whistled through the fence outside my window as it was blowing 25mph at grey light. As daylight took over the flags at the bait camps flew strait with the wind. I could see two boys running circles around the dock back and forth, blind to the “not-so-perfect” fishing day.

Guides where taking to customers about the rough conditions and some canceled their trips.

That was not an option for us these kids came to fish. The trip to the coast was a magical voyage towards the never ending sea. Pond fishing was

Trout like this one are not only caught drifting this big girl came from the bottom fun but the chance to hook something from the depths of the ocean and bring it to hand was exciting for these two young guys. We only had to stop once on the way to pee, and the rougher it got the better it was. The boat finally settled down behind an island in Baffin Bay and we threw out all the lines. We started off with bites right away baby trout, hard heads, and whiting.

Suddenly the drag screamed and we were hooked up. Ty’s shoes squeaked against the deck as he wiggled and strained to fight big drum. As we netted the fish I glanced over at his brother , sour faced and mad. I rebaited Ben’s line first and sent his hook to the same spot. Seconds later his frown exploded into a joyous yell as he twisted and turned all over part of his body in a frantic battle. They both filled the day with fish until they had no idea who caught more.

The rod rocked again and the reel screamed, the fish stayed deep and we all assumed it was one more drum. As it surfaced at the boat the wings of a STINGRAY coiled in the net. Mom, Dad, and I all were a bit disappointed but both kids jumped up and down with joy. I haven’t seen smiles and excitement in a long time like I did for that stingray. I clipped off the stinger and we took some pictures of his creature from the deep. After that he kept asking about if it we could catch a shark in Baffin Bay, I told him anything is possible in the Ocean. Remember that the world is a much bigger and brighter place for those young fishermen, enjoy all our little adventures. Keep those lines Tight!

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On the Rocks

Island Moon

By Jay Gardener The Scales and Ales fishing tournament (Scott A. Freund Memorial Foundation) was held this past weekend at Docs Restaurant out here on the Island. Our buddy and part time Islander Rusty Pool got Rockstar Bob and Robert Morris (aka “Permit”) signed up to fish with him and stack the odds so to speak. They put together a pretty good stringer, however didn’t quite make the final cut.

need John Reynolds to come through with the rigging of the “new to us” Verados and we’ll be back skidding the Gulf. While the winds were blowing fiercely last week and this past weekend, its’ almost time to start getting some more consistent weather windows to head out chasing some tail. If you haven’t gone through your boat this season, now is the time to make sure all your stickers and registration are up to date, plenty of life vests that are in usable shape and handy, and all your fluids are filled up.

When you’re trying to get over those standing waves at the end of Packery during a ripping current on that shallow end isn’t the place and time to figure out you have motor issues.

Summer is going to be right around the corner before we know it. The temps are already getting cranked up, and it will be blazing before you know it. I hosted our annual Naismith Engineering, Inc. employees tournament at my place last weekend. New-hire Cody and his girlfriend took top honors in the redfish division with a very impressive stringer of reds, all around 27-3/4” and over 9lbs.

Truly tournament-quality fish. Augs managed to beat out my brotherin-law Adam’s black drum with a stingray that literally beat it by 1mm to take the “Other” category. Yeah, that’s right, “other.” We keep it fun and low pressure.

In the end Robert Morris won the “spot-pot” with a redfish that had 5 spots on it. Way to pull something out at the end there Robert, nice fish.

Speaking of Rockstar Bob (and Erin), I would like to say hello and welcome back to town, Dagmar. Which also reminds me that Mother’s Day is coming up here in a week or so on May 13th; make sure to start planning early on what you’re going to do.

Weedy beach Speaking of fun, the beach really hasn’t been much fun lately. The Sargassum is all over the place, and with the high tides the driving has been fairly challenging. The spring tides should be just about done (after this next full moon) and the water levels will be dropping. It will be time for Sunday Funday’s at local beach any time now. We’ll have to get Bobby and Allison out there to meet the crew this week. Y’all shoot me an email at jaygardner@scientist.com and see you on the rocks!

Good time for birding Birds are going ballistic right now with migration going on. There are still some specialty birds around, as I’ve had a hermit thrush hanging around for over a week now, as well as some orioles. I”ve also seen a lot of kingbirds, a few lark sparrow, and both indigo and painted buntings.

Make sure to get your oranges out there if you want to attract some of these beautiful visitors. The hummingbirds are coming in thick and feeding on a variety of sources, including the large purple thistles.

Time to get those feeders up if you haven’t done so.

May 3, 2012

The Hero Of Cinco De Mayo

By U.S. Sen. John Cornyn Texas-born General Ignacio Seguín Zaragoza— one of Cinco de Mayo’s most revered heroes— led his Mexican army to defeat French forces sent by Napoleon III in the critical Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Zaragoza was born on March 24, 1829, in a stone house in La Bahía del Espíritu Santo near present-day Goliad, Texas. Today, the General Zaragoza State Historic Site, managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife, includes a replica threebedroom stone house and commemorates his birthplace two miles south of Goliad.

In 1844, Zaragoza’s father, an infantryman, was transferred to Monterrey, where Zaragoza entered seminary. However, it was not long before he changed course and set out to become a businessman. After delving into the mercantile business for several years, Zaragoza’s true calling finally became clear – military service.

He joined Nuevo León’s militia as a sergeant and was promoted to captain soon after.

Zaragoza eventually joined the liberal faction of the army led by Benito Juarez, who sought to remove Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna from power and establish a democratic government and constitution. This effort, called the Plan of Ayutla, paved the way for the War of the Reform, which took place in the late 1850s.

Zaragoza fought against Santa Anna’s armies in the battles of Saltillo and Monterrey. He became so engrossed in his mission, he was not present for his own wedding ceremony. Rather than postpone it, Zaragoza sent his brother Miguel to stand in his place in his marriage to Rafaela Padilla in Monterrey.

Zaragoza led troops in Comonfort’s rebellion in 1867. He fought in the battle of Guadalajara and finally in the battle of Calpulalpan, which marked the end of the War of the Reform.

Zaragoza’s dedication and military skill were quickly recognized and he was promoted to the rank of general.

After the war, Mexico’s newly-elected President Benito Juarez named Zaragoza as Minister of War and Navy, and shortly after, made a decision that would give Zaragoza the military challenge of his lifetime. In July 1861, President Juarez attempted to save the national economy by placing a two-year moratorium on Mexico’s debts to Europe. Mexico’s lenders were not receptive. By year’s end, a fleet of Spanish ships had made its way to Mexico and forced the surrender of Veracruz. The Spanish were soon joined by French and English forces.

Zaragoza left his post as Minister of War to

make a return to the battlefield and lead the Army of the East. Though the English and Spanish soon retreated, the French army was considered the most powerful in the world, and it set its sights on Mexico City under the charge of Gen. Charles Latrille Laurencez. Before he could reach Mexico City, however, Laurencez had to conquer Puebla, which was about 100 miles east of Mexico City and heavily fortified.

Unbeknownst to Laurencez, Zaragoza and his men were entrenched in Puebla and anticipating the attack. On May 5, 1862, Gen. Laurencez threw caution to the wind and stormed the Mexican lines at Puebla, believing the population was friendly to the French and would assist them in defeating Zaragoza. Despite being outnumbered and poorly equipped, Zaragoza and his men pushed back against the French in a day-long battle and succeeded in forcing them to flee to the coast. Zaragoza’s victory not only delayed the French invasion of Mexico City, but it served to unify the Mexican people and renew their fight for independence.

Sadly, only months after his historic victory, Zaragoza died at age 33 from typhoid fever. He was honored in a state funeral and only days later President Juárez issued a decree making Cinco de Mayo a national holiday.

While celebrations are held across Texas, Zaragoza’s hometown of Goliad is recognized by the Texas Legislature as the only official venue for Cinco de Mayo. Each year, Goliad hosts one of the nation’s most elaborate Cinco de Mayo celebrations, complete with the coronation of Little Miss Cinco de Mayo, a street dance, food booths serving nopales and taquitos, Mexican arts and crafts, and commemorative speeches from dignitaries and historians.

This year, I’ve joined my colleague Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO), in introducing a bipartisan Senate resolution that recognizes the historical importance of Cinco de Mayo and the reminder it provides that our great nation was founded by individuals from diverse cultures who were willing to fight and die for freedom. On Cinco de Mayo, we join our neighbors in Mexico and Mexican-Americans across Texas in saluting the legacy of General Zaragoza and his quest for freedom and independence.

Sen. Cornyn serves on the Finance, Judiciary and Budget Committees. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney General, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and Bexar County District Judge.

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