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The Island Moon Published by Island Moon Publishing, LLC 15201 S. Padre Island Drive Ste. 250 Corpus Christi, TX. 78418 editor@islandmoon.com (361) 949-7700
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The
Island Moon The Island Newspaper since 1996
Island Area News ● Events ● Entertainment
May 31, 2012
Photo by Miles Merwin
The only Island soon to have more Water Parks than Grocery Stores.
Next Publication Date: 6/7/2012
Around The Island
Election Results for the Island
The old Island adage that holds What Happens on The Island leaves on Sunday was true last weekend but with a caveat. It didn’t leave until Monday but when the exodus headed OTB began it hit in earnest. By early afternoon Monday the drive from Port Aransas to Flour Bluff, normally about half an hour, took twice that long.
Voters in the two Island precincts voted at a 19% rate in Tuesday’s primary elections compared to 13% countywide.
By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com
The popular spot on the beach this holiday was in front of the seawall where more cars than ever found their way onto the beach. They entered at the north end of the seawall and exited the same way; most not aware they were breaking the law by driving northbound on Michael J. Ellis Beach which is still illegal under city ordinances. Ellis Beach and Seawall is more and more becoming the beach of choice for out-oftowners and locals alike. The beach renourishment done there earlier this year when Packery Channel was dredged has provided a wide beach with good driving conditions, even as the driving south of Bob Hall Pier and north of Newport Pass has become untenable. All in all the Memorial Day crowds on The Island were not as large as last year and not a whole lot bigger than a normal summer weekend. The parking lots at Island restaurants were full and business was brisk but the beaches were not as Wall-to-Wall crowded as on some recent holiday weekends.
Island Moon Market Speaking of the seawall, the first Island Moon Market was held there on Saturday. About twenty vendors turned out along with a steady pedestrian crowd. After some initial discussion about where exactly to locate the vendors things worked out and the market looks like a good addition to Island activities. They will be held the fourth Saturday of each month with the next on June 23. Expect about forty vendors including some food vendors, provided some space in the Windward Parking Lot can be used. The city provided trash cans for the event and a group of beachwalkers began what is to be the monthly Trashy Hour when they started at one end of the seawall and walked the beach picking up trash. The second Trashy Hour will form up at the Windward parking lot on Sunday June 24 at 5:30 p.m. and everyone is invited to attend. The event is put on by a non-profit group with the aim of raising money for seawall improvements. Anyone interested in becoming a vendor or who is simply curious can contact the organizers at islandmoonmarket@gmail. com, or visit the website at islandmoonmarket. com, or call Phil at 361 403-4032. It’s time to start watching weather reports as we begin the 2012 version of the Hurricane Season. According to the people who study such things it is supposed to be a semi-mild one. Of course the Island definition of “mild” is when they hit somewhere other than here.
Say hello if you see us Around The Island.
Year 15, Issue 425
Memorial Day on the Island
According to the Nueces County Clerk the combined number of voters registered in Precincts 40 and 81, the two precincts that make up North Padre is 6516. Out of that number 1259 voters went to the polls; 656 from Precinct 40, and 613 from Precinct 81. Countywide 24,447 out of 185,045 registered voters cast ballots. Here is a breakdown of votes from North Padre, Port Aransas, and Flour Bluff.
Republicans Precinct 40 N. Padre Total registered voters 3256 656 votes cast 20% of registered voters in precinct Ron Paul 10% Mitt Romney 76% Rick Santorum 5% Newt Gingrich 4% Uncommitted 3% U.S. Senator 527 voted cast David Dewhurst 48% Ted Cruz 41% U.S. Rep. Dist. 27 Blake Farenthold 93% Trey Roberts 3% John Grunwald 2% Don Al Middlebrook 1.4%
A Kit Gutherz profile
Sometimes You Got to Slow Down and Smell the Tuba Editor’s note: Sara Hendricks has just returned to Port A after being away for 32 years. Kit on the other hand has been here pretty much all along. It was Kit who told us years ago that if you play a guitar, harmonica, and tambourine all at the same time you are a one man band, but as soon as you strap a set of cymbals to your knees you become a novelty act. by Sara Hendricks You don’t have to have talent to be a musician, Kit Gutherz says. You just have to be committed. Kit wouldn’t be the first musician to be committed.
Kit Continued on A 3
Converting Rigs to Reefs at a Virtual Standstill
State Sen. Dist. 20 Total votes cast 358 Election Continued on A 4
Time to Reason with Hurricane Season
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center predicts a 70 percent chance of nine to 15 named storms this year. Of those storms, NOAA forecasters expect four to eight to become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes. That is slightly below the average season. So far the season is off to an auspicious beginning with two storms named before the season even started. The Albert and Beryl names have already been burned up and Chris is on deck. It is the first time that has happened since the 1908 season. The season officially runs from June 1-November 30. So what names should be look for this year? Here they are. Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sandy, Tony, Valerie, and William.
Moon Question of the Week
Padre Isles Country Club Since the City Council voted to approved the tax incentives for the Schlitterbahn Waterpark last week and with the developers stating they want to start construction at the site in the next eight weeks we have had many calls asking whether golfers will be able to continue to use the Padre Isles Country Club through the summer.
construction of the waterpark. It depends on how the financing package for the park is done and that is yet to be decided.
As many readers know the planned park would displace nine holes on the existing golf course and current tentative plans call for three holes to be added to the remaining nine holes for a twelve hole course when the final work on the waterpark is done. However, by adding some fairways and using greens for more than one hole eighteen holes could still be played during a round.
If the work on the new course is put off until phase two, not slated to begin until next year, then most likely nine holes would remain open this summer even as work on the waterpark is ongoing.
The plans call for the waterpark to be built in two phases with work on the first phase to begin by the end of this July. The question is whether that would mean all the holes would close during that part of the construction or some would remain open. As of this writing no determination has been made on whether the changes to the course will be included in the first or second phase of
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If the building of the newly constructed course is done is phase one, the entire course would be closed for about four months starting around August and all work on the new course finished by next spring.
Design work on the newly configured course is a work in progress and it is possible the final design could be a 15-hold course. We will keep you apprised as things develop, but for now there are no firm plans to close any of the holes on the course this summer. Dale Rankin
Single clause in federal rule By Dale Rankin To the casual observer offshore oil rigs and environmental improvement may seem like opposite ends of the spectrum. So for the people who are trying to save the offshore ecosystems that have formed around offshore oil platforms education is the first step to progress. The local group Saltwaterfishers Enhancement Association, SEA, has taken the lead in trying to turn the tide on the demolition of 650 offshore retired rigs scheduled to be torn down in the Gulf of Mexico in the next five years. The federal government considers them marine debris.
About 54 percent of U.S. crude oil production and 52 percent of natural gas production comes from the Gulf of Mexico and when the
Rigs to Reefs Continued on A 7
Corpus Christi’s Padre Island National Seashore Recognized by USA Today as the Top Beach in Texas to Visit This Summer USA Today Travel released “Just for summer: 51 great American beaches,” an article featuring each state’s top beach to visit this summer. Padre Island National Seashore was the featured as the best beach for Texas. USA Today has more than 23.6 million readers and has multiple award recognitions from the North American Travel Journalists Association and the Society of American Travel Writers. More than 7.1 million visitors came to Corpus Christi last year and according to industry studies about 80% came to the area to visit the beach. Padre Island National Seashore has over 500,000 visitors annually. The nearly 70 miles long coast protected by the National Seashore is part of the world’s longest undeveloped stretch of barrier island beach. It is also the spot for visitors to witness turtle releases during the summer season as hatchling Kemp’s ridley turtles are released by Dr. Donna J. Shaver and the Division of Sea Turtle Science and
Recovery. The releases often draw crowds of several hundred. PINS is also home to Worldwinds Windsurfing at Bird Island. On Saturday June 9 the park will be free to celebrate Get Outdoors Day. Not only is it a free admission day, it is also Jr. Ranger Day and will include a variety of free family activities and provide children with a chance to earn their Jr. Ranger badge.” For additional information please call the Malaquite Visitor Center at (361) 949-8068.”
A 2 Next Market: Saturday, June 23
Arts leadership workshop Scheduled for Corpus Christi
Island Moon
May 31, 2012
Island Moon Market
Texans for the Arts, the statewide grassroots arts’ advocacy organization announces an “Arts Funding and Leadership Development Workshop� to be held at the Arts Museum of South Texas on Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Registration will begin at 9:30 AM and the workshop will conclude at 4:30 PM. This information packed workshop is designed for arts administrators, arts organizations’ board members and community arts’ advocates. The day will include a challenging professional development workshop with content for all levels and a primer on local arts advocacy that will prepare you to be an effective advocate for the arts or other issues in your community. For more information, including the day’s agenda and a direct link to registration, please visit www.texansforthearts.com.
Restaurant Hours
INSIDE (MORNING) MON-SAT: 7A-12P | SUN: 7A-11A* INSIDE (EVENING)
6P-9P OR LATER** OUTSIDE 11A-8P**
OPENS AT BREAKFAST BLOODY MARY BAR!
WEEKEND
The SandBar Hours
The first Island Moon Market was held on the Michael J. Ellis Seawall on Saturday. They will be held there the fourth Saturday of each month through the summer. 23 vendors attended and the next market on Saturday June 23rd is expected to have about 40.
11A - 12MIDNIGHT **
Snack Shack & Rentals DAILY (MEMORIAL DAY-LABOR DAY) 10A - 6P**
Live Music Schedule FRI, JUNE
MONTY
THU, JUNE
1ST
SAT, JUNE
MONTY
FRI, JUNE
2ND
DOUBLE ‘R NOTHIN GOOD NIGHT AVE SUN, JUNE
3RD
DAVE’S DUO
MONTY
Photos by Jan Rankin
Aransas Pass Shrimporee June 8th, 9th & 10th
7TH
8TH
SAT, JUNE
9TH
GOOD NIGHT AVE THE RED GIANT BAND
SUN, JUNE 10TH DAVE’S DUO
GREAT FOOD AVAILABLE OUTSIDE TOO! 11A-8P**
opens @ 11a daily**
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7P-9P
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made fresh & made to order Daily 7:00a-11a
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7A-11A
12P-2P
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Folks in Aransas Pass are busily making preparations for the 64th Annual Shrimporee. The Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce, along with numerous other entities, non-profit organizations and volunteers are gearing-up for what has the potential to be one of the most successful events of the season!
Each year, Shrimporee has a significant impact on the community of Aransas Pass and has been known to host over 60,000 visitors in a single weekend. Shrimporee Grounds will open on Friday, June 8th at 6:00 p.m. and remain open until 12:00 a.m. Saturday morning, downtown Aransas Pass will take off as the Traditional Outhouse Race starts off the day. The Annual Shrimporee Parade will follow at 10:00 a.m. with Shrimporee Grounds remaining open from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. On Sunday, we have extended our hours, Shrimporee will run from Noon until 8:00 p.m. The Shrimp Eating Contest (Main Stage Event) Men’s & Women’s Sexy Legs Contest, White Tigers, Kidz Korner with Identikid offered to children, Face Painting, Old Time Photography, Pony Rides and variety of games and a Carnival are some of the activities on site. Entertainment for this year include Kyle Park, No Justice, Pear Ratz, Ram Herrera, Seth Candan and Larry Joe Taylor.
$13.95
COOL SHARK’S PIZZA PARLOR
Anyone interested in becoming a vendor or who is simply curious can contact the organizers at islandmoonmarket@gmail.com, or visit the website at islandmoonmarket.com, or call Phil at 361 403-4032.
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STAY INFORMED
MEETINGS
THESANDBARBEACHSIDE
The HEB Culinary Tent will put Seafood on center stage as famous chefs from across the State prepare seafood dishes while they entertain and educate their audiences. The Texas Department of Agriculture will also participate
in educating visitors regarding the importance of the Texas Brown Shrimp and its impact on our local economy.
The Family Stage will host a variety of fun, family entertainment while the Main Stage will have a great line-up of bands performing continuously from opening on Friday to closing on Sunday. Along with great performers, visitors can expect to enjoy a wide variety of music from up and coming, as well as local artists. Both stages will be providing continuous entertainment that should appeal to young and old alike.
When it comes to shopping and dining, Shrimporee offers some of the finest! At least 13 non-profit groups will be serving up a wide variety of delicious foods with the proceeds benefiting area projects and scholarships. Over 110 Arts and Crafts vendors are currently committed to showing their wares over the weekend for those who like to shop till you drop.
The Chamber of Commerce will once again provide free air-conditioned shuttle buses from remote parking sites for the convenience of Shrimporee guests. Admission prices are $5.00 for adults, Kids 7-12 years old, Military and Senior’s over 55 are $3.00 with Children 6 and under being FREE! Three-day passes will be available for $10.00 ($8.00 early bird special)! Friday the first 100 guest purchasing 3 day bracelets receive a Complimentary Tray of Shrimp sponsored by Security Service Federal Credit Union.
Local Girl Scouts Complete Project Collects Discarded Fishing Line
Members of Girl Scout Cadette Troop 9665 dedicated two monofilament recycling bins at Packery Channel Park on Wednesday. The bins are part of Texas Sea Grant’s statewide Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program (MRRP).
Installing and dedicating the bins is the latest activity in a project that will earn the girls the Silver Award, the highest award available to Cadette Girl Scouts and the second highest award given by Girls Scouts of the United States of America. Cadettes are Girl Scouts ages 12-14. Members of Troop 9665 are 13 and 14 and are all students in Flour Bluff. To receive the Silver Award, the girls are required to complete a 50-hour service project that leaves a lasting impact on their community.
Monofilament line is another name for single-strand, highdensity nylon fishing line that is used on fishing reels. Used line can be harmful to boat motors and marine wildlife. Birds and animals cannot see discarded monofilament fishing line, so it is easy for them to become tangled in it and starve, drown or lose a limb.
May 31, 2012
Island Moon
A Bittersweet Trip on the Honor Flight Network
Kemp’s Ridley Nesting Peaks As Hatchling Releases Begin 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
We are in the peak of the 2012 Kemp’s ridley nesting season. Through May 28, 175 Kemp’s ridley nests have been recorded on the Texas coast so far this year. One hundred and six were found locally, including 91 at Padre Island National Seashore, eight on North Padre north of the National Seashore, and seven on Mustang Island.
released at the National Seashore and allowed to go free. The public will be invited to attend 2030 releases of Kemp’s ridley hatchlings at the National Seashore this year. No fee is charged to watch the releases, which are held in front of our Visitor Center starting at 6:45 am.
Seventy-five of the 175 nests were found from May 1424. These included some very exciting days. May 19 was one of those exciting days. It was the day of the Beach-toBay relay race. Anyone that lives on the island knows about this day and dreads the traffic snarls that it causes. Eleven nests were documented in south Texas that day, including two from turtles that decided to nest within the Beach-toBay beach route, right after the runners passed. It was a challenge to get to the nesting A Kemp’s ridley covering her nest at Padre Island National sites to document the turtles Seashore on May 23rd. and protect the nests, but fortunately personnel working for the City of Corpus Christi were on site and The first clutches of eggs found this year began helped tremendously. hatchling on May 29. By the time that this The most exciting day of this nesting season article goes to press we will have held our first was May 23, when 44 nests were found in Texas, public release of the year or it will be imminent. including 31 at Padre Island National Seashore. For information on when and where the first These were the most nests documented in Texas release will be held call the Hatchling Hotline and at the National Seashore in a single day at 361-949-7163.
since record-keeping began in the 1980s. The 31 nests found this day are more than 1/3 of the total number that we found at the National
For information on when later releases might be held, visit the Padre Island National Seashore website at www.nps.gov/pais. The projected release dates for hatchlings that will emerge from eggs currently held in the incubation facility are listed on the website. Hatchlings from eggs currently in the incubation facility will be released through about July 15. As more nests are found and brought to the facility, their projected release dates will be added to the list. Releases could continue into August if nesting continues through June. The projected release date for each clutch spans a 7-day-long window Kemp’s ridley hatchlings released at Padre Island National in which the eggs from that clutch will hatch and the Seashore in a previous year. hatchlings will be ready for release. People coming Seashore so far this nesting season. Finding such from out of town to try to attend a release a large percentage of our nests on one day is should target dates when hatchlings from not unusual for this species, which often comes several clutches are scheduled to be released, ashore in aggregations called “arribadas.” and be able to stay a few days starting at the The peak of the nesting season extends through beginning of the release window. This provides mid-June, and nesting could continue through insurance so if some hatchlings become active mid-July. This is the earliest in the year that and must be released immediately, others will we have reached 175 nests recorded in Texas. be available for a public release that morning If only 25 more nests are found we will reach or another morning during the release window. 200 nests, which would set a new yearly record. As the dates that you are interested in attending In 2011, 199 Kemp’s ridley nests were recorded a release near, call the Hatchling Hotline for the in Texas, the most since record-keeping began. latest details on the next release.
For the latest tally of nests found in Texas, visit the Padre Island National Seashore website at www.nps.gov/pais. We are also posting updates about nests found at the National Seashore on our Facebook page entitled Padre Island NS Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery.
Although most nesting is located by beach patrollers, some is found by others working or recreating on the beach. You can help protect nesting Kemp’s ridley turtles and their eggs by watching for nesting while you are on the beach and reporting it to a passing turtle patroller or by calling 361-949-8173, ext. 226. Please also drive carefully on the beach since nesting Kemp’s ridleys can be difficult to see. Their olive green color blends with the sand and vegetation. They sometimes become partially buried in the sand during nesting, and often nest on windy days.
Eggs from all sea turtle nests found in Texas are protected from human related and natural threats. Eggs from most nests located on North Padre Island and northward in Texas are brought to Padre Island National Seashore Incubation Facility, and the resulting hatchlings are
So far this year, we have affixed satellite transmitters to eight females that nested at the National Seashore. You can view the movements of these turtles on www.seaturtle. org. Go to the satellite tracking link and look
By U.S. Sen. John Cornyn In May 2005, an incredible effort was started to bring veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam from across the country to see the Washington, D.C. memorials constructed in their honor. The Honor Flight Network got its start when Earl Morse, a retired Air Force Captain and physician assistant in a small VA clinic in Springfield, Ohio, wanted to find a way to honor those he’d been caring for during his nearly 30-year career. In the spring of 2004, a popular topic of discussion among Morse’s patients was the recent completion of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. When Earl asked these veterans if they would plan to see the memorial in person, many said they hoped to do so with the assistance of friends or family members. However, during follow-up visits at Morse’s clinic, most of these veterans had resigned themselves to the fact that it would not be physically or financially feasible to make the trip to Washington. Morse was determined to fix this. In addition to being a physician assistant, Morse also flew as a private pilot for one of the nation’s largest aero clubs. In December 2004, Morse asked one of his patients if he could personally fly him to visit his memorial in D.C., at no cost to the veteran. The veteran broke into tears and gladly accepted Morse’s invitation. By January of 2005, Morse had reached out to several fellow pilots to ask their assistance in making this dream a reality for many more veterans. He held a meeting with about 150 pilots and outlined a proposal for flying veterans to the D.C. memorials. He made two requests clear. His first was that the veterans paid nothing; the entire cost of the flight would be absorbed by the volunteer pilot—anywhere from $600 to $1200. His second request was that the volunteer pilots personally escorted the veterans around D.C. for the entire day. At the end of his pitch, 11 pilots stood up and volunteered. A board was soon formed, more volunteers signed on to assist, and funds were raised. The first flight took place in May of 2005. Six small planes flew 12 veterans to the Washington metro area, where they were escorted in vans to visit the memorials. The veterans’ response was extremely moving, and they said it would be an experience that would stay with them for the rest of their lives. Word soon spread and by the end of 2005, commercial aircraft had been employed to transport the growing number of veterans interested. By the following year, similar efforts were springing up across the country, and on September 23 and 24, 2006, a U.S. Airways-chartered jet filled with World War II veterans and their guardians flew to Washington, D.C. Soon the Honor Flight Network was born, and Southwest Airlines donated thousands of free tickets. With the assistance of Southwest, which was named the official carrier of the Honor Flight Network, and thousands of volunteers, in the past seven years the Honor Flight Network has brought more than 80,000 veterans to Washington, D.C. Just this month, I had the privilege of meeting an incredible group of veterans from North Texas who visited Washington courtesy of Honor Flight DFW, an Honor Flight Network hub serving veterans across a 150-mile radius of North Texas. Honor Flight DFW’s mission is to make the trip to Washington a reality for every veteran on their 400-person waiting list.
Kit Continued from A1 But I digress. To get a sense of Kit you should listen to what he says about others.
Kemp’s ridley hatchlings for the Padre Island National Seashore Kemp’s Ridley Tracking Program 2012. Locations of all turtles that we are tracking are posted on www.seaturtle.org. Transmitters deployed on six turtles that nested last year at Padre Island National Seashore and Rancho Nuevo, Mexico continue to transmit and their locations can also be viewed on this site.
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As the son of a World War II veteran, I can’t think of a more worthwhile way to spend a few hours than visiting with these heroes as they see their memorials for the first time. Their personal experiences, stories and biographies are the stuff of war films and novels.
One veteran in this group, Rosebud native Robert Lucas, remembers clearly the moment that changed the course of his life forever. After graduating from Baylor University in 1941, Lucas found himself traveling by car to California for a new job. On December 7, 1941, Lucas stopped for gas in Phoenix, Arizona. At the gas station, he noticed several individuals gathered around a radio listening to the news that the Japanese had just attacked Pearl Harbor. With that, Lucas changed his plans and immediately joined the Army Air Corps.
After training, Lucas began flying missions in 1943. On his 14th mission, Lucas was piloting a B-24 over Germany when dense clouds obstructed his target. Lucas’ B-24 was hit by flak but he spotted a field of snow and managed to belly-land the bomber near the border of Germany and Switzerland. The Swiss interned Lucas and his fellow aircrews. After a sixmonth internment, Lucas narrowly escaped. He disguised himself as a woman and walked to a nearby train station. Once aboard the train, a Swiss officer sat next to him and began engaging Lucas in conversation. Fortunately, Lucas knew some French and managed to make a bit of conversation, while holding a newspaper close to his face. In Geneva, Lucas exited the train and made his way to a safe house owned by a rich American who assisted U.S. servicemen in getting out of Switzerland. After several additional close encounters, Lucas made his way to the border between Switzerland and France, where he jumped the fence dividing the two countries and continued running west. He eventually made his way to England and to safety.
Prior to visiting the World War II Memorial, Lucas said the visit would remind him, among other things, of the empty bunks in his barracks that greeted him after each mission—the “crewmen that didn’t come back that day.” Hardly a day passes when Lucas does not think about the war.
I commend the men and women who have made the Honor Flight Network possible and brought thousands of veterans like Robert Lucas to see and touch the memorials that honor their sacrifices. As we observe this Memorial Day, I hope we can each be reminded of their selfless service and as Lucas said, the many “crewmen that didn’t come back.” May God bless our veterans, their families and our men and women in uniform serving today.
For more information and volunteer opportunities, visit: http://www.honorflightdfw. org/. Other Honor Flight Network hubs in Texas include: Alamo Honor Flight (San Antonio); Heart of Texas Honor Flight (Hewitt); Honor Flight Austin; Honor Flight Fort Worth; Texas Panhandle Honor Flight (Amarillo); and West Texas Honor Flight (Abilene). Sen. Cornyn serves on the Finance, Judiciary, Armed Services, 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. later years, hang out. When Kit’s hens weren’t laying, he asked Flo why. “Do you have a rooster, Kit?” Flo asked him.
Henry Miller put it this way, “Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.”
“Well, Flo,” Kit answered. “At what point does a hen no longer need a rooster?”
Kit lives with his dog Bubba, a Rottweiler sans papers, goldfish thriving in a bait well and a vast collection of plants and tools and lawnmowers and what-have-you.
He may answer a question, then say, “You’re going to make me sound like Roky Erickson,” a member of the psychedelic band 13th Floor Elevators, whose later lyrics echoed years of diagnosed madness.
Two nights a week at Crazy Cajun he plays his fiddle for Crazy Cajun customers. Between “Jolie Blonde” or a Bob Wills number he entertains with a joke or two, sometimes at his own expense. He delivers with a crazy grin, framed by thick gone-to-white sideburns and beach hair. He might be seen about town in one of his school buses, most likely his abouttown bus. The longer one is used for trips to San Diego where he grew up. Wait, did I say grew up? “This is where I grew up,” Kit says, “This is where I quit growing up.” It was 1965 when Kit came to Port Aransas for a job at UT doing marine microbiology research on an obligate oil degrader. When his contract ran out, Kit stayed. He’d always tinkered with the guitar, getting pretty good on bass.
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A3
He started playing with the likes of Floyd Moore and the Pocket Rockets and Two for Texas. He had a smoking jacket-clad agent. Port Aransas was his base, but South Texas was his stomping ground. “I’ve been fired from every bar between Alice and Port Lavaca,” he says, explaining that, “if musicians didn’t get fired, they’d be playing at their first gig forever.” On a recent bus outing to the beach, with Bubba by his side, Kit pulled out a tuba and played a dirge-like “When the Saints Come Marching In,” which gave way to an almost-spirited “La Cucaracha.” Always thinking of the next gig, his stream of consciousness took him to music for all occasions ... jazz funeral, anyone? He can wax poetic on batter-fried turkey gonads and Pearl beer, or Bob and Buttercup, who liked to drink her vodka straight out of the bottle with peanuts. Kit finds fodder for his stories everywhere. At his place in the country, he’d found a little bar where Flo and Catherine, both in their
Flo, with her giant beehive and rouged lips-- a woman of hope, no doubt – raised her penciled eyebrows in shock, “How would I know?”
Kit too is a writer, and he prefers song lyrics because they are transient, he says. “I can say anything I want. I sell beans and rice with the written word. In my current incarnation, I’m playing to little kids, their parents and grandparents. When they leave, they say, “See you next weekend.”
He’s now in his 18th year at the restaurant where mudbugs are spilled onto butcher paper, and customers attack crabs with wooden mallets. After much verbal play and lots of the kinds of nonsense phrases Kit likes to throw at the unsuspecting, I ask him, “What do you want to do next?” Kit knits his eyebrows and says, “I’m thoughtless. Not without guile, mind you, but I have no agenda.”
I was asking about his life; he thought I meant for the remainder of the day. When the misunderstanding was cleared up, he didn’t change his answer. “I’ve had a lot of fun. I’m still having fun, and I don’t have to travel far to do it.” If he didn’t have the gig at the Crazy Cajun? “I would equip this bus with everything I need and do the parking lots of the Southwest.”
Do the parking lots? “Sure, sell ice cream to the RVers and play the kind of music that goes with old-fashioned ice cream socials.”
It matters little because it’s all part of the cycle of life, he says. It’s what makes fleas come back to hitch rides on island critters and white socks. It’s what makes the reporter return to the scene of the crime, he reminds me of my return after 32 years.
Then, in the middle of our ride on the beach, Kit drops the bomb. “You don’t think I tell you the truth, do you?” What every writer wants to hear.
Island Moon Port A Happenings…
A 4
Election Continued from A1 Raul Torres 100%
Sailing Lessons, Weird Science, Concerts
410 voted cast For 90% Against 10%
State Rep. Dist. 32 Total votes cast 501 Todd Hunter 100%
Bingo
Precinct 117 Flour Bluff
Sheriff
Total registered voters both parties 2894
Total voted cast 438 Jim Kaelin 100%
Ballots cast in Rep. primary 379
Tax Assessor
President
Constable Prec. 4 Bobby Sherwood Total votes cast 367 Republican Co. Chairman Total votes cast 385 Darryl Smith 47% Kimbely Curtis 53% Repeal Obamacare Total votes cast 557 For 90% Against 10%
Registration for group swim lesson session #1 at the Port Aransas Community Pool will begin Tuesday, June 5. Parents may register children age 6 months and up for lessons to be held for two weeks, Tuesday through Friday, June 12-22.
Craig James 3% Glenn Addision 2% Lela Pittenger 2% Tom Leppert 3% David Dewhurst 51% Ted Cruz 38%
Total registered voters in precinct both parties 3260
Total votes 276 Todd Hunter 100%
Voted in Rep. primary 613
Repealing Obamacare
Total % of registered voters in precinct 19%
Total votes 305 For 91% Against 9%
Total voted cast 512 Ron Paul12% Mitt Romney 80% Rick Santorum 4% Newt Gingrich 3% Uncommitted 2%
2012 Swimming Lessons
U.S. Senator
State Rep. Dist 32
Presidential
From 1-4 p.m., we will play, allowing a cool, fun afternoon out of the sun.
Total votes 304 Ron Paul 11% Mitt Romney 73% Rick Santorum 6% Newt Gingrich 5% Uncommitted 4%
Precinct 81 N. Padre
3122 total registered both parties
U.S. Senator
509 ballots cast
David Dewhurst 47% Ted Cruz 40% Craig James 5%
16% of total registered voters who voted in Dem. Primary 16%
U.S. Rep. Dist 27
84 total votes in Presidential Race
Total votes cast Blake Farenthold 93% Trey Roberts 3% Don Al Middlebrook 1% John Grunwald 4%
78 or 92% for Barack Obama
Total votes 341 Raul Torres 100%
Presidential Race
Sheriff Isaac Valencia 56% Tax Assessor John Sandejar 41% Rene Saenz35% County Party Chairman
State Rep. Dist. 32
Joseph Ramirez 47% Gerald Rogen 52%
Total votes 452 Todd Hunter 100%
Precinct 40 Democrats-Island
Sheriff
3256 total registered both parties
Total votes 404 Jim Kaelin 100%
656 voted from both parties Percent of total votes in Precinct who voted Primary 20%
Constable Pre. 4 Total votes 351 Robert Sherwood 100%
Presidential Race
Republican Co. Chairman
Paul Sadler U.S. Senate 43%
Total votes 347 Darryl Smith 53% Kimberly Curtis 47%
Barack Obama 84 = 95% U.S. Rep District 27
Repealing Obamacare Total votes 511 For 94% Against 6%
Jerry Trevino 45% Sheriff Isaac Valencia 69% Tax Assessor John Sendejar 43% 3260 registered both parties
Precinct 19 Port Aransas
18% turnout Barack Obama 93%
Total registered both parties 3122
U.S. Senator Paul Sadler 47%
509 turnout
U.S. Rep. Dist 27 Rose Meza Harrison 50%
16% of registered voters in precinct
Tax Assessor John Sendejar 47%
President
Dem. County Chairman Gerald Rogen 55% Precinct 117 Flour Bluff 2894 registered both parties 379 voted 13% turnout
U.S. Senate 389 total votes cast David Dewhurst 47% Ted Cruz 40%
Contact the pool at 361-749-2416 or Parks and Recreation Department at 361-749-4158 for more information.
Barack Obama 89% U.S. Senator Paul Sadler 46% U.S. Rep. Dist. 27
U.S. Rep. Dist. 27
Jerry Trevino 46%
393 votes cast Blake Farenthold 87% Trey Roberts 23%
Sheriff Isaac Valencia 70% Tax Assessor
State Rep. Dist. 32
John Sendejar 44%
330 votes cast Todd Hunter 100%
Dem. County Chairman Joseph Ramirez 52%
Sheriff 276 votes cast Jim Kaelin 100% Tax Assessor 256 voted cast Kevin Kieschnick 100% Constable Precinct 4
Amy Stylist
Two Come Sail Advanced classes will be held: Session #1: Tuesday and Wednesday, June 12 & 13, 9:30-10:30am. Session #2: Tuesday and Wednesday, June 19 & 20, 9:30-10:30am. Students will practice open-water sailing skills in Harbor. Meet at main pavilion in Roberts Point Park. Spaces limited, pre-registration required. $14 per sailor for 2 days of lessons. “Come Sail Basic” or comparable course is a pre-requisite.
Meet at the Olsen Elementary School gym, 100 S. Station St., from 9:30-11:30 a.m. This week we will be playing bocce socks and other games, basketball and more. Get them out and let them work off excess energy in the cool.
Color Services starting at $65
949-0794
www.theislandsedgehairsalon.com
Hair Cuts $25 with Color
From 7 to 9 p.m., the band will entertain at a free concert presented by the Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department. Bring a chair or blanket, your friends and family, any food or drink you want and enjoy. The band of four is made up of diverse musical talent.
Yoga on the beach
The public is invited to practice yoga on our beautiful beach with free instruction courtesy of the city of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department.
Yoga guru Nancy Myers will be the teacher at the 8 a.m. lesson on Saturday, June 9.
Bring an old towel or mat suitable for use on the beach and meet at the Horace Caldwell Pier at the end of Beach Street.
Dog Races and Pageant
Starting at 9:30 a.m., any dog can compete in racing. After the races are over, we will have a short pageant where dogs will be showcased for the audience to admire.
There is no charge to enter or watch, but donations will be accepted for the Animal Friends of Port Aransas.
For more information contact Community Program Coordinator Pam Greene at 749-4158 or pamg@cityofportaransas.org.
Board games Get out of the heat and socialize with others playing a variety of board games on Monday, June 11. From 1-4 p.m., kids of all ages may play at the Girl Scout hut, 739 W. Ave. A, in the Parks and Recreation building.
This free activity is provided by the Parks and Recreation Department.
Get Active: Frisbee golf
Kids can be kids, as rambunctious as needed at our Tuesday morning get active events.
Frisbee golf and other games are on the schedule from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on June 12.
Meet at the Olsen Elementary School gym, 100 S. Station St. Free courtesy of the Parks and Recreation Department.
Chillin’ Time
Chillin’ Time
Get out of the heat and come be crafty Tuesday, June 6.
Make a beach in a bottle on Tuesday, June 12.
From 2-4 p.m., ages 5 and up are welcome to come make a Ojo de Dios.
From 2-4 p.m., ages 5 and up are welcome to come make a keepsake depicting one of our favorite things about Port A.
The cost for the activity is $2 for the first child in a family and $1 for any additional children.
The cost for the activity is $2 for the first child in a family and $1 for any additional children.
It will be held at the Girl Scout hut, 739 W. Ave. A, in the Parks and Recreation building.
It will be held at the Girl Scout hut, 739 W. Ave. A, in the Parks and Recreation building.
Chalk Pictionary
Amazing Art
All ages are welcome to come play Chalk Pictionary under the pavilion at the pool.
Transparent Triumphs are the project on Wednesday, June 13.
The free activity will be on Wednesday, June 6, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Community Pool, 700 Clark Pkwy., off Ross Avenue.
Whether art is your thing or not, come make this easy craft.
Weird Science
It will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., and ages 5 and up are welcome.
Come see how to make rain and other easy science projects Wednesday, June 6.
The cost for the activity is $2 for the first child in a family and $1 for any additional children.
Kids age 5 and up can experiment from 2-4 p.m., at the Girl Scout hut, 739 W. Ave. A, in the Parks and Recreation building.
It will be held at the Girl Scout hut, 739 W. Ave. A, in the Parks and Recreation building.
Wet & Wild Instead of cooling off inside, we will be cooling off outside on Wednesday, June 13. Slip & slide, water wiggle and more for kids ages 5 and up, from 2-4 p.m.
At Parks and Recreation, we’ve found a lot of kids love to party. So again this summer, we will celebrate many holidays for an extra time this year.
The cost for the activity is $2 for the first child in a family and $1 for any additional children.
It will begin with a St. Patrick’s Day party on Thursday, June 7, 2-4 p.m.
Park Play
Wear green and come prepared to do lots of “green’ stuff. Games, food, crafts and more are on the plate.
The cost for the activity is $2 for the first child in a family and $1 for any additional children.
New location 15033 S.P.I.D.
The surf music of Aqua Vox also will filling the area around the Patsy Jones Amphitheater in Roberts Point Park.
Free courtesy of the Parks and Recreation Department.
It will be at the Girl Scout hut, 739 W. Ave. A, in the Parks and Recreation building.
Hair Salon
The pool is located at 700 Clark Pkwy., off Ross Avenue.
It will be held at the Community Park Ball Field behind the rink on Saturday, June 9.
Who doesn’t like a party to celebrate holiday?
Denice Stylist
Kids 9 and up may participate. The cost is $4 per person.
Two Come Sail Basic classes will be held: Session #1: Tuesday through Thursday, June 5-7, 9:30-11am. Session #2: Tuesday through Thursday, June 26-28, 9:30-11am. Basic rigging, nautical lore and sailing will be taught in the swimming pool at the Community Pool, $14 per child for 3 days of lessons.
St. Patrick’s Day Party
Roni Owner / Stylist
Two classes will be held on Friday, June 8, one at 10 a.m. and another at 11 a.m.
Sign up now as spaces are filling fast for sailing lessons to be given in June to children age 10 and up. Pre-registration is required.
The cost for the activity is $2 for the first child in a family and $1 for any additional children.
319 voted cast Bobby Sherwood 100% Prop. 2 Repealing Obamacare
Learn how to cast a net by attending classes at the Port Aransas Community Pool.
Spruce up your dog or the neighbor’s dog and bring them to compete in the Port A Pageant and Races.
Kids of all ages can get physical Tuesday morning, June 5.
Both Parties
417 total votes cast Mitt Romney 75% Ron Paul 8% Rick Santorum 4.5% Newt Gingrich 4.8 % Uncommitted 2%
Fees for private swim lessons for one child include four 30-minute sessions for $18. Semiprivate swim lessons with two children are four 30-minute sessions for $30.Private or SemiPrivate Lessons are by arrangement with Pool Manager only.
Get Active: Bocce Socks
613 voted
Cast net classes
Breeze will not be the only thing floating through the air on Friday, June 8.
Registration for all classes must be made through the Parks & Rec Department by contacting Community Program Coordinator Pam Greene at 749-4158 or pamg@ cityofportaransas.org.
Precinct 81 Democrats - Island
Find out the name of the movie on Wednesday, June 6, by calling the library at 361-749-4116.
Each session will have classes each day at 9:40 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. for ages 13 months and up. Babies ages 6-12 months will be taught from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.
Come Sail Basic and Advanced Lessons
Oscar Berlanga Mandoza 43%
It only costs a quarter and that includes popcorn.
Sunset Sounds free concert
Registration with full payment (space permitting) may be presented at the Community Pool.
Precinct 19 Port Aransas
the City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department.
Sign up at the pool, 700 Clark Parkway, off Ross Avenue, while the pool is open.
The fee for Port Aransas residents are $8 for the first child in family, $7 for the second, $6 for the third, with a maximum of $21 total per family for each two-week session. For nonresidents, the fees are $14 for the first child in family, $12 for the second, $10 for the third, with a maximum of $36 total per family for each two-week session.
Democrats
State Senator Dist. 20
Port Aransas Parks and Recreation summer activities start Monday, June 4, with Bingo. The free activity will be for kids of all ages and held at the Girl Scout hut, 739 W. Ave. A, in the Parks and Recreation building.
13% of total voters in precinct
Total votes cast 398 Kevin Kieschnick 100%
May 31, 2012
25 Cent Cinema Get out for family friendly movies and popcorn every Thursday night this summer with the 25 Cent Cinema. Thursday, June 7, will be the first flick at the Ellis Memorial Library, 710 W. Ave. A. Movie will begin at 7:05 p.m., courtesy of
It will be held at the Girl Scout hut, 739 W. Ave. A, in the Parks and Recreation building. Water waddle walk and more fun with water balloons will be outside the Community Park Pool on Thursday, June14.
Free for all ages, it will start at 9:30 a.m. and go to 11:30 a.m., courtesy of the Parks and Recreation Department.
Chillin’ Time
Pretty star and fish suncatchers may be made at the next Chillin’ Time activity.
Ages 5 and up will meet at the Girl Scout hut, 739 W. Ave. A, in the Parks and Recreation building to participate. It will be held from 2-4 p.m., on Thursday, June 14. The cost for the activity is $2 for the first child in a family and $1 for additional children.
May 31, 2012
Island Moon
Letters to the Editor Your Health Care: Understanding Medicare & Medicaid Navigating the health care system can be challenging for anyone, but for the more than 9 million people who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, it can be especially difficult. Medicare and Medicaid have similar names but are actually very different programs. People who are eligible for both, known as “dual eligibles,” must understand the differences in eligibility requirements and coverage details in order to access the health care services that are available to them. This is especially important for the 60 percent of dual eligibles who suffer from multiple chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. Getting the health care coverage they need to appropriately manage their conditions is critical to their wellbeing. The 626,375 dual eligibles in Texas and their caregivers should take the following steps to help simplify their health care experience and get the best care available. 1. Understand the differences in coverage and eligibility between Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare is a program managed by the federal government that provides health care benefits to people age 65 and older and disabled individuals. Medicare covers medical care services such as physician visits, hospital stays and prescription drug costs. Medicaid is a health care benefits program managed by the Texas state government. Unlike Medicare, each state sets its own guidelines regarding Medicaid eligibility and services. For those enrolled, Medicaid pays for most longterm care as well as Medicare deductibles, co-payments and other health care costs that beneficiaries would otherwise pay for out of pocket. 2. Explore health care options in Texas that provide adequate support for dual eligibles.
Local channels back on Time Warner Cable As you may already have heard, we are pleased to announce that Time Warner Cable has reached a long-term agreement with Cordillera, and we are in the process of returning KRISTV, the CW South Texas, KAJA-Telemundo and KDF to our lineup. Most customers should have seen the channels return on Friday night, May 25. We thank you for your patience and loyalty. We don’t like these kinds of channel blackouts any more than you, and are working hard to prevent them from happening in the future by partnering with other video distributors to make our voices heard at the Federal Communications Commission. Time Warner Cable Who Are the Moon Monkeys
For dual eligibles, the coordination of benefits between Medicare and Medicaid can be confusing, as beneficiaries typically have separate membership cards and different points of contact for their benefits questions. One option to address this challenge that has risen to the forefront of Texas efforts in recent years is what’s known as a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan. Offered by private companies, these plans can be chosen in place of traditional Medicare. Special Needs Plans support dual-eligible individuals by serving as a single entity that coordinates all aspects of care. These plans focus on the unique needs of dual eligibles, offering customized care and support to manage their complex health care needs. Specialized services available with Special Needs Plans may include in-home visits, social support services and help when transitioning home from the hospital. 3. Learn more by taking advantage of the free resources in your community. As state and federal officials work to improve the system that supports dual eligibles, residents should be aware of new options available to suit their unique needs as well as resources they can use to learn more. For more information on Medicare and the Texas Medicaid program, residents may contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY usersshould call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, seven days a week) or 1-800-2528263. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, sometimes called SHIP, can also be a good place to turn for free counseling and support. To contact the SHIP office in Texas, call 1-800-252-9240. Joni Sellers Community Outreach Manager Care Improvement Plus in Texas. Care Improvement Plus
By becoming a person, corporations were granted a license to lie, cheat and steal unaccountably, just like real people. With vast amounts of money available, they can legally procure agents and agencies to form political action committees to influence and essentially “buy” favorable legislation and /or election results. That’s how Super PACS” were born. This miscarriage of justice occurred when the Court ruled in favor of “Citizens United versus the Federal Elections Commission”. That sounds innocent enough, Citizens versus the Feds is OK, but in fact, “Citizens United” is actually an “agency for hire”, to do “dirty work” for politicians. In this particular case, they were hired to make and show a film to challenge the legality of the McCain–Feingold Law, which placed limits on the timing of media advertising during the election cycle.
Mike Ellis, Founder Distribution Pete Alsop Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin Raeanne Reed Office Lisa Towns Classifieds Arlene Ritley Design/Layout Jeff Craft Contributing Writers Devorah Fox Mary Craft Maybeth Christiansen Dr. Tom Dorrell Jay Gardner Todd Hunter
Open Beaches
Moon, I personally would like the open beaches act to stay in force. However, it does constitute an unconstitutional taking. The state, as most states and countries, owns the submerged land below mean high tide, and this is how most of the original Spanish, Mexican and Texas (after independence) land grants were constituted. The property owner owns the land above MHT, including the dry beach between the vegetation line and MHT. Interestingly, Mrs. Severance called me several years ago to see if I would consult as an expert for her lawsuit. I declined, saying that she didn’t have a chance. Hmmmmm. Well, there is another factor of significance here. Nearly all of the shoreline retreat and beach erosion in Texas is due to man-made changes in the shoreline and the rivers that were done by the State and the Federal government. These include: 1. Long jetties such as at Port Aransas and Galveston which permanently trap millions of cubic yards of sand which would otherwise be moving along the shoreline and nourishing the beaches (over 30 million cubic yards or 5 million dump trucks at the east jetty Galveston alone). 2. Inlets which sweep sand into the bays which would have continued along the beaches (about 15 million cubic yards (about 3 million dump trucks) at Rollover Pass, so far). 3. Altering river mouths (moving the Brazos River 7 miles to the west starved the beaches of Surfside. 4. Building reservoirs on every available spot on our rivers has trapped the sand which was moving to the coast from the Rio Grande, Colorado, Brazos and Sabine Rivers. In addition, the flood control by those reservoirs reduces peak flows further reducing sand transport to the coast. The Brazos river transports only 1/4 of the sand to the coast that it did before the major reservoirs and the Rio Grand transports almost none and sometimes
Citizens United How PACs were born
In January 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that Corporations were persons, and entitled to free speech, and for them, money is speech.
The Citizens United’s challenge was rejected by successive hearings through the Federal Court system and eventually ended up before the Supreme Court. On January 20, 2010 by a 5 to 4 majority the Court ruled, that it was unconstitutional to suppress corporate advertising prior to an election, because corporations are persons, and are entitled to First Amendment rights including the right of free speech, anytime, anywhere The members of the Court were surely well aware that corporations are not real persons. Corporations were invented by people, to more efficiently produce goods and services to benefit the community However, corporations do have money. Lots and lots of money, enough to control the media and promote the election of “business friendly” politicians to do their bidding. This development could potentially turn the constitution upside down, to read “government of the people by the corporations for the corporations”, This must not happen. But the Supreme Court’s ruling can only be changed through a constitutional amendment, which is a major
A5
has a dry bar across its mouth. In 1992, the mouth of the Colorado River was diverted into Matagorda Bay, starving Matagorda Peninsula of the sand that it used to dump into the surf. 5. Water extraction for industry has caused subsidence of several feet at Surfside and more in some other places.
We would not be having significant shoreline retreat and would probably have accretion and shoreline advance, if these changes had not been made. Geologic evidence indicates that most of the Texas Gulf beaches were accreting before 1900 when these changes began.
If the State or the Feds build a reservoir which will flood the land, then they must purchase that land from the owner who is to be flooded. The beach erosion was not anticipated when the above changes were made, and the correlation was not even recognized till 10 or 20 years ago. So, in addition to the 4th amendment reasons, I personally believe that the State should purchase the property necessary to maintain a public beach, since the State caused the shoreline erosion, even though this was not anticipated.
The long jetties for ports, moving rivers to benefit ports, reservoirs for water supply and flood control benefit all Texans. Maybe all Texans should pick up the tab for the shoreline retreat caused by these projects. Richard L. Watson, Ph.D., P.G. Consulting Geologist PO Box 1040 Port Aransas, TX 78373 361-749-4152 http://TexasCoastGeology.com
President Obama Dale,
A friend told me she saw a story that said a promotional item for a book written by Barack Obama listed his birth place as Kenya. Is that true? Name Withheld by request
undertaking.
History has shown that it can only be done, by a determined and vocal populace. The words of Thomas Jefferson are supportive when he said “ to consider judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions is a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. Our judges are as honest as other men, but not more so”
Editor’s note: Yes, it is true. The website Breitbart News posted a copy of it last week. It was produced in 1991 when President Obama was represented by Acton & Dystel publishers. Here is a copy.
Justice John Paul Stevens, who wrote the opposing judgment for the Court, and breaking from tradition, read the following statement to the assembled Court. “At bottom, the Court’s opinion is thus a rejection of the common sense of the American people, who have recognized a need to prevent corporations from undermining self government since the founding, and who have fought against the distinctive corrupting potential of corporate electioneering since the days of Theodore Roosevelt, It is a strange time to repudiate common sense. While American democracy is imperfect, few majorities outside of this Court have thought its’ flaws include a dearth of corporate money in politics” A number of nationally based organizations are committed to reverse this perverse legislation which has been foisted on the American public by Judge John Roberts and the Supreme Court. “Move to Amend” is one of many such initiatives, and there will be an opportunity on Thursday June 7, 2012 to meet their spokesperson David Cobb, at 7:00p.m. in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Corpus Christi at 6901 Holly Road (between Airline and Rodd Field). The event is free and open to the public. There will be Q & A, Refreshments, and discussion of future plans. For more details call 853-7992. Defining Corporations as people, is a threat to democracy People created corporations and Labor Unions, and they have served us well in the past, but they have no place in our political process today. Colin Sykes
According to Snopes.com, Miriam Goderich, who edited the text of the bio, the Kenyan reference was “nothing more than a fact checking error by me.”
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 Thursday, 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
A 6 June 13 meeting or vote early
Island Moon
It’s Time to Vote for PAC Board Members Editor’s note: The Island United Political Action Committee (IU-PAC) is holding its Annual Membership Meeting on Wednesday, June 13, at 6:00 p.m. at Holiday Inn – Padre Island, 15202 Windward Dr. All residents of Padre and Mustang Islands who are registered to vote in Corpus Christi city elections are eligible to vote and/or run for a board seat. For more information contact Pam Maupin, Secretary, IU-PAC at pammaupin@sbcglobal. net, 13801 Eaglesnest Bay Dr.
incumbent board members PHYLLIS FREEMAN SHAWN MCGREGOR and STEVE HORTON. Bob Paulison, Jerry Watkins and Brent Moore are recommended for the remaining board positions from membership.. 4. Nominations from the floor will be accepted at the meeting upon verification of eligibility. 5. Membership can write-in candidates on an absentee ballot or designate a proxy to vote at the meeting. (See attached proxy/absentee ballot). Ballots found in the Moon, Island Mail and More, Padre Isles Home Owners Association, on the IU-PAC website (www. islandunitedpac.com), FACEBOOK, or any board member.
The PAC is a great Island institution and we encourage everyone to participate. Purpose: General meeting of the Membership and election of six (6) members to the Board of Directors. Five (5) positions will be Two (2) year appointments and One (1) position will be for One (1) year.
6. Proxies and absentee votes are valid between 30 – 3 days prior to the June 13 meeting. They must be cast at Island Mail and More, the Island Moon office, or Padre Isles Home Owners Association by the end of business on June 10, 2011, received by mail, an IU-PAC board member, or by email by midnight June10, 2011.
Other details: 1. Candidates must reside on Padre or Mustang Island and be registered to vote in Corpus Christi city elections voters in these precincts – 40, 81 and parts of 361 -
7. Membership is requested to bring valid identification and voter’s certificate to the meeting.
2. All residents of Padre and Mustang Islands (Precincts 40, 81 and parts of 361)who are registered to vote in Corpus Christi city elections are deemed to be members of IU-PAC and able to vote for these positions.
8. The Two (2) year and One (1) year appointments will be determined by a “draw of straws” among the Six (6) elected newly elected board members at the Executive Session immediately following the Election.
3. Nominating committee has recommended
ISLAND UNITED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (IU‐PAC) ELECTION TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROXY OR ABSENTEE BALLOT ANNUAL MEETING: JUNE 13, 2012
ELECT SIX (6) MEMBERS TO THE IU‐PAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR FIVE (5) TWO (2) YEAR TERMS AND ONE (1) ONE (1) YEAR TERM. NOMINEES MUST BE RESIDENTS OF PADRE OR MUSTANG ISLANDS AND REGISTERED TO VOTE IN PRECINCTS 40, 81 OR PARTS OF 19 FOR CORPUS CHRISTI CITY ELECTIONS. THE TWO YEAR AND ONE YEAR TERMS WILL BE DECIDED BY ELECTED MEMBERS “DRAWING STRAWS” AT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ELECTION. THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6.
PHYLLIS FREEMAN – 6 month appointed/incumbent member SHAWN MCGREGOR – 2 year incumbent member STEVE HORTON – 2 year incumbent member BOB PAULISON – Isle resident – 2007, retired from command of Coast Guard Sector and Air Station Corpus Christi, directed all operations in South TX.. “Island residents should be well informed and that their views and interests are strongly represented at all levels of government BRENT MOORE – – Island resident‐2000. 2nd term POA board member. AVP/Ports Section Manager‐ HDR Engineering. Parent of Island grade schooler. “Promote a unified voting block for the Island”. JERRY WATKINS – 6 year Island resident, Local businessman, member PIBA, grandparents of Island schoolers, Spouse Island School Board member. “Island growth in the best proportions – get home values back”
A. VOTE ABSENTEE: SELECT UP TO SIX (6) CANDIDATES (Check or circle – blanks on right are for write‐in candidates)
• Test your smoke and burglar alarms.
Pam Maupin John Vaughn William Goldston Skip Greenstreet JJ Hart Bill Brendel _______________________ (other) Attestation: “I am a RESIDENT of Padre or Mustang Island and am REGISTERED TO VOTE in precincts 40, 81 or 361 for Corpus Christi City Elections”. Signed: ___________________________________________ Printed Name:___________________________________Phone:____________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________Date:______________________________ PROXY VOTES ARE VALID THIRTY (30) –> THREE (3) DAYS BEFORE THE JUNE 13, 2012 ANNUAL MEETING. ABSENTEE AND PROXY VOTES BEGIN THIRTY (30) DAYS BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING AND END JUNE 10, 2012, VOTES AND PROXIES MAY BE CAST AT ISLAND MAIL AND MORE (14493 S Padre Island Drive # A), PADRE ISLES HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION (14015 Fortuna Bay Drive), MAILED TO IU‐PAC (13801 Eaglesnest Bay Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78418) OR BY EMAIL TO: PAMMAUPIN@SBCGLOBAL.NET PROXY AND ABSENTEE VOTES MUST BE SUBMITTED BY CLOSING HOURS AT THE RESPECTIVE ISLAND BUSINESSES OR RECEIVED BY US MAIL TO IU‐PAC BY JUNE 10, 2012. EMAIL SUBMISSIONS TO IU‐PAC (PAMMAUPIN@SBCGLOBAL.NET) MUST BE DATED BEFORE MIDNIGHT, JUNE 10.2012. PROXY AND ABSENTEE VOTES RECEIVED AFTER THESE TIMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
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361 749- Taco (8226)
14900 block Windward 6 p.m. May 23 Burglary of Habitation Allamanda & Coral Vine 10:09 p.m. May 27 Criminal Trespass
• Arrange for someone to mow your lawn, rake leaves and maintain the yard to give the home a lived-in look.
Beach Access Road 3 & Hwy 361 2:42 p.m. May 27 Theft
0 _____________________________________
13800 block Laffite 10:17 p.m. May 24 Missing Person
• Stop all deliveries, arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail, newspaper and packages.
0 _____________________________________
13300 block SPID 10:45 a.m. May 26 Theft
13900 block Skysail 10:00 p.m. May 27 Theft from vehicle
0 Brent Moore
Padre Island Beach Access Road 3 & Hwy 361 2:42 p.m. May 27 Theft
• Ask a neighbor to watch your residence while your are away. Leave your vacation address and telephone number with a neighbor so you can be reached in case of an emergency.
• Plug in timers to turn lights and a radio or television on and off at appropriate times.
Please remember, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. They must travel in the same direction as vehicle traffic, stop for red lights, stop signs, and obey all traffic laws.
14700 block Dasmarinas 10:58 p.m. May 27 Retaliation
0 _____________________________________
0 _____________________________________
The bicyclist was taken to Spohn Memorial for medical treatment with non-life threatening injuries. He was issued a citation for Disregarding a Traffic Control Device.
• Leave shades and blinds in a normal position.
A 51-year-old man who failed to stop for the stop sign at the intersection of 17th and Marguerite was struck by a white Nissan P4. The driver of the Nissan braked, but was unable to stop in time, but struck the bicycle’s rear tire.
14500 block SPID 5:49 May 24 Damage to vehicle
5/29/12. 6:47 am Major Accident 400 17th Street
• Make sure your residence looks lived in, not empty.
0 Steve Horton
0 _____________________________________
51-Year-Old Bicyclist Struck After Running Stop Sign
14000 block SPID 8:25 a.m. May 28 Theft of services
0 _____________________________________
call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or log on to www.888TIPS.com. The information provided could earn the caller a cash reward.
• Have good locks on all doors and windows and use them.
B. OR DESIGNATE A PROXY: I designate the following Board Director or personal delegate to cast my vote as he or she seems appropriate: (Circle one (1))
4.
Summer Vacation Crime Prevention
The school year is almost over. Vacation is a time for relaxation and enjoyment. It can also be the time for crime victimization if we don’t take appropriate measures to protect our property. During Spring Break we did a good job keeping crime down on the Island. Let’s all work and look out for each other during Summer Vacation. Parents should know what their children are doing, and realize there is a city wide night time curfew. The city ordinance prohibits juveniles 16 years old and younger from being in public places from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM, unless accompanied by parent or guardian. Car burglaries are still happening on the Island, but it’s getting fewer and farther between. Hide your valuables, Lock your doors, and Take your keys. Home burglaries are lower than last year, but it’s getting hotter and those garage doors are staying open. If you want to ventilate the garage, leave the garage door cracked open a few inches. Takes a little practice with the garage door opener. Just remember if the opening is big enough to put a head in, a body could follow. Here are some crime prevention tips or recommendations especially if you are going to be traveling this summer. Hope all enjoy and have a safe summer.
0 Jerry Watkins
3.
Bicyclist Ticketed, Summer Crime Prevention, When Bowlers Go Bad
0 Phyllis Freeman 0 Bob Paulison
1. 2.
Police Blotter
• Have a neighbor place garbage cans at the curb on your normal pickup day(s) and return them after the garbage pickup is made.
0 Shawn McGregor
May 31, 2012
• Turn the bell or ringer on your telephone down low. If a burglar is around, he won’t be alerted to your absence by a ringing telephone.
13300 block SPID 10:45 a.m. May 26 Theft
Flour Bluff 200 block Lakeside 12:20 p.m. May 18 Theft 700 block Jester 10:00 p.m. May 15 Burglary 500 block Crayton 10:30 p.m. May 23 Assault
• If you have call forwarding on your telephone, forward your calls to a trusted friend or relative. • Don’t announce your absence on answering machine messages; leave your normal message on the machine. • Close and lock garage doors and windows. Ask a neighbor to occasionally park in your driveway.
600 block Castle Park 5:24 p.m. Terroristic Threat 400 block Yorktown 4 p.m. May 26 Criminal Mischief 3700 block Sweet Bay Dr. 5 p.m. May 28 Disorderly conduct 600 block Yorktown 11:20 a.m. May 26 Assault 400 block West Cartagena 2:10 p.m. May 26 Indecency with a child
• If you leave your car at home, park it as you normally would. Vehicles parked outside should be moved occasionally to appear that they are being used.
3000 block Jamaica 7:10 p.m. May 25 Assault
• Consider taking valuables to a bank safety deposit box.
2900 block St. Joseph 5:30 p.m. May 23 Criminal mischief 1200 block Montreal 10:30 a.m. May 25 Burglary of habitation
Sgt. Bill Palumbo
900 block Grand View May 27 Building fire
“Just a beat Officer Bowler Sought In Counterfeit Crime
800 block Purdue 11:54 a.m. May 28 Indecency with a child
Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 9:00pm 6116 Ayers Street, Forgery of Government Instrument
1500 block Dove Lane 11 p.m. May 26 Burglary of vehicle
Corpus Christi Police Financial Crimes Investigators would like help from the public to provide additional information about a man who passed counterfeit money at the Saratoga Lanes Bowling Alley.
1300 block Waldron 7:48 p.m. May 24 Gasoline theft
The same person passed fake money to pay for services at the bowling alley on more than one occasion, and each time has been Tuesday nights. The man is a white male that has a beard and appears to be in his late teens or early 20’s in age. The man wore a long sleeve shirt, blue jeans and tennis shoes.
500 block Claride 10 a.m. May 28 Harassment
1100 block Waldron 2:24 p.m. May 26 Shoplifting
9800 block SPID 9:02 a.m. May 23 Criminal mischief 9300 block SPID 10:02 p.m. May 26 Theft 9500 block Blue Jay 12:13 p.m. May 23 Violation of court order
The man was with a second man and a woman at the time of this crime. The second man had long hair a sleeve tattoo on his right arm and wore a green t-shirt, khaki cargo shorts, and sandals.
700 block Flour Bluff Dr. 10 p.m. may 26 Runaway
The man is suspected of Forgery of a Government Instrument, a second degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
300 block Anchor 10 p.m. May 24 Burglary of vehicle
Anyone who can identify this person or has additional information about this crime should
9400 block Waxwing 5:40 p.m. May 25 Assault
1200 block Flour Bluff Dr. 7 p.m. May 27 Theft
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May 31, 2012
Island Moon
Legislative Update
Todd Hunter, District 32
State Agencies Undergo Sunset Review Process In order to identify and eliminate government waste, duplication and general inefficiencies in state agencies, the Texas Legislature established the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission (Commission) in 1977. The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission is a legislative body which is made up of six Texas Senate members and six Texas House of Representative members. The Commission is tasked with reviewing the policies and programs of more than 150 state agencies. The sunset review process is designed to review each of these agencies every twelve years. This review is done by taking up a certain number of the state agencies each session when the Texas Legislature convenes. In reviewing the various agencies, the Commission examines the continual need for the agency. A review is made of duplication of policies or programs with other agencies. Also, the review looks at new and innovative was to improve each agency’s operations and activities. During the sunset review process, the Commission holds public hearings, and allows the public to provide their thoughts, ideas and general perception of the agency’s need. After each agency is reviewed, the Commission then recommends actions to the full Texas Legislature. One of the agencies currently in the sunset review process is the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE). The TBAE is setup as a multi-professional regulatory agency that oversees architects, interior designers and landscape architects. The agency was established in 1937 by the 45th Texas Legislature. The Legislature established the agency after an explosion at the New London School killed 295 students and teachers. The agency’s mission statement is to “to ensure a safe built environment for Texas by regulating the professions of architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design.” The TBAE duties and responsibilities are outlined in Subchapter B of the Occupation Code, Chapters 1051, 1052, 1053. The agency is overseen by a nine-member Board which is
appointed by the Governor of Texas and confirmed by the Texas Senate. The Board is made up of four architects members, one interior designer member, one landscape architect member and three members who represent the public, of which at least one is a person with a disability. The day-to-day operations of the agency are handled by the staff, and overseen by the executive director, who is hired by and serves at the will of the Board. If you would like to learn more about the TBAE agency and their functions, you can go to www.tbae.state.tx.us . On their site you can learn about the agency’s regulatory laws and enforcement responsibilities and other information. Over the coming weeks, I will take the opportunity to outline and present to you other state agencies currently undergoing the sunset review process. If you would like to learn more own your own about the Sunset Advisory Commission or other agencies undergoing the sunset review process, you can go to www. sunset.state.tx.us . Some of the agencies that that I will be outlining are the Texas Education Agency, Texas Lottery Commission, Texas Ethics Commission, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Texas Railroad Commission, State Preservation Board, and the Texas Commission on the Arts. If you have any questions regarding the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners or the sunset review process, please don’t hesitate to contact either my Capitol or District office. My offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512463-0672; 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.
Rigs to Reefs Continued from A1 wells stop producing the question becomes what to do with the offshore platforms. Most people consider them oil platforms, but marine biologists see them from the surface down and view them instead as essential fish habitat. “If you are a scuba diver and have had the opportunity to dive on one of these steel reefs, you know what an amazing place they are — sharks, sea turtles, lobster, coral, a riot of colorful reef fish of every description, schools of jacks and spade fish and Goliath Grouper that can be as large as the diver themselves,” said Dr. Larry McKinney, executive director of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies in a recent article. “Fishermen are also attracted to these areas. Red snapper, king mackerel and many other sought-after game fish are found in and around these structures.” A 2000 report form the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council shows fish densities 20 to 50 times higher around oil and gas platforms than in nearby open water. The idea of using old rigs as reefs is not new. From 1987-1995, of the over 941 platforms removed from Louisiana and Texas waters, 90 became artificial reefs. By November 2000, 151 platforms had been recycled as artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico from states such as Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Cumulative costs of removal had reached an estimated $1 billion by the year 2000. Federal law requires that these structures be removed from the Gulf once their production life ends. But Gulf States have various programs in place to turn these old rigs into reefs. Those programs were working fine until December 31, 2009 when a federal rule went into effect in Texas waters, and those of other Gulf States. A clause in that rule prohibits the use of a rig to a reef within a five mile radius of another reef site. This rule seems innocuous on the surface but it has brought the Rigs to Reefs
problem to a virtual halt due to the high cost of relocating the rigs. The state of Texas, through the Parks and Wildlife Department began fighting the new rule immediately but then, in 2010 the issue became more pressing when another federal directive required the removal of all unused rigs immediately. This was halted by the Rigs to Reefs Habitat Protection Act of 2011 which does not allow platforms to be removed until an assessment has been completed to determine whether there are coral populations or other protected species in the vicinity of the platform, and to identify any species that have recreational or commercial value. If it is determined that there is a substantial reef ecosystem around the structure, the decommissioning of the platform would be halted until it could be determined that removing it would not harm the reef ecosystem. So at present things are at a standstill. The rigs are not being removed at a fast pace, but only about 13% of them are being converted to reefs. “SEA’s position has always been, we want all platforms to be reefed in place by partial removal (cut off the top 85 feet, without the use of explosives, and place it beside the standing platform jacket). This will do the least damage to the existing marine environment. This is the best reefing option we have available at this time,” said Mike Hurst, Chairman of the SEA’s Offshore Committee. So while one arm of the federal government is extolling the virtues of converting rigs to reefs, another has a passed single clause in an exiting rule that has brought the process to a virtual halt. To learn more about the Rigs to Reefs problem or to contact your congressman to press for a resolution, log on to www.seatexas.org and clicking on the rigs to reef tab.
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A7
A little Island history
When the Island Was the Frontier
Editor’s note: We get regular requests for copies of the stories we ran on the Nueces Strip last year. There were several installments and we are running out of back issues to hand out so we decided to run them again. For those of you who have asked for copies and haven’t received them…here you go. By Dale Rankin Corpus Christi 1875. In the years following the Civil War the area from the Nueces River south to the Rio Grande was known as the Nueces Strip and it was not a place for the faint of heart. The U.S. Mexican War which ended with the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ceded all or part of what was later to become the states of California, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Kansas, Arizona and, depending on interpretation, the entire state of Texas for $15 million in cash. In Mexico it is a wound that has still not healed as many Mexican citizens regard the U.S. as a thief which picked a fight with its smaller neighbor in order to “legally” steal half of Mexico’s territory. The view point is summed up in the phrase often heard south of the Rio Grande, “so close to America, so far from God.”
The Nueces Strip The way the U.S. and Texans interpreted the terms of the treaty with regard to the Nueces Strip was very different than the way the Mexican government and people interpreted it. In their eyes the land south of the Nueces River was still part of Mexico. In the years immediately after the Civil War the carpetbagger government in Austin did almost nothing to police the Strip. On the rare occasions when they would try to run down the bandits or the Indian tribes who raided Texas settlements they did so with highly-bred horses which needed grain for feed. That meant the U.S. troops were chasing Will-O-the Wisp raiders while trailing a caravan of wagons carrying horse feed. To see the futility of this plan one only needs to look a few decades down the road at how successful General Black Jack Pershing was in chasing Pancho Villa into Mexico. Finally, in 1875 a Texan was back in the saddle in the Governor’s office and he formed a Texas Ranger troop to chase the bandits off. The group was commanded by famed Ranger Captain L.H. McNelly who had been a successful leader of a band of raiders for the Confederacy. The record keeper for the Ranger troop was a man by the name of George Durham who rode with McNelly from 1875-1876. He later authored a book about his experiences called Taming the Nueces Strip which gives a detailed description of this area during that period. The book is the most detailed account we have of the Nueces Strip and the Rangers role in running out the bandits during the Rangers’ most active time, the years from 1870-1876. The first thing McNelly needed was to find men and arms. The men he recruited in Washington County east of San Antonio. Most were new arrivals to Texas and some had ridden with McNelly during the war. The Rangers in those days had their own version of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell – as in don’t ask anyone why they came to Texas and don’t expect them to tell you their real name as many people including Rangers came to Texas to get away from their past. Others came for land and a chance to get it. Many of the counties in Texas are named after Rangers who managed to turn the land given them for their Ranger service into large spreads.
Corpus unless someone had told me. I recollect the town seemed mighty quiet for a settlement its size. There were no women or children on the street. And mighty few men. The reason is they were ready for a bandit raid. They were forted as best they could be – had their window shutters drawn close and all hands inside, except for a few outside on errands. I later learned that at the time McNelly rode into Corpus with his new Ranger outfit that April morning in 1875 the river bandits were swarming all over the area, having a big time.”
Nuecestown Raid
In what came to be known as the Nuecestown Raid Mexican bandits in groups of fifty to one hundred had raided as far east as Goliad and Refugio before groups of vigilantes had chased them west. Rancher Mike Dunn had surrendered when thirty outlaws hit Nuecestown at a site which is now inside the city limits on Leopard Street near IH37. The town survived until 1905 when the railroads passed it by.
On Good Friday 1875 the bandits hit the general store in Nuecestown and set it on fire. The store’s owner, Tom Noakes, escaped with his five children through a tunnel built from under the store to the river for just such an emergency. However, his wife Martha returned to the burning store to try and recover a feather bed and was struck with a riding quirt by a man “with a heavy, deep scar, reaching from his hairline to the point of his chin” when the scarred man wanted to know where to find the store’s cashbox. The bandit was described as a “two-pistoled American dressed in all the mailordered finery, somewhat taller than usual with brown saddle-colored hair.”
Martha escaped with the feather bed and revealed nothing about the whereabouts of the cashbox but the bandits made off with eighteen brand-new Dick Heye saddles, the Cadillacs of the saddle world. They were heavily decorated with silver conchos that allowed them to be seen several miles away on a sunlit prairie.
McNelly contacted Sol Lichtenstein who owned the largest store in Corpus and got a detailed description of the stolen saddles then issued an order to “empty them on sight. No palavering with the riders, empty them and leave the men where you drop them and bring the saddles to camp.”
Lichtenstein supplied him with thirty six, single shot, fifty-caliber Sharps rifles. They were normally buffalo guns and most man hunters preferred the lighter but quicker shooting repeating rifles. The sharps had a much longer range but were slow to reload.
“If you shoot at a buffalo and miss you can reload,” Sol told him, “but if you miss a man…”
“I don’t want men who miss,” McNelly replied.
So the Rangers were now armed with thirty Sharps rifles and enough ammunition, parched coffee, frijoles, and corn meal to last for a campaign. The next step was to find horses that could keep up with the bandits they were after.
For that he headed to the King Ranch to see Captain King.
Next time: the Rangers join the war in the Nueces Strip.
Corpus Christi 1875 For arms McNelly came to Corpus Christi. He led his men to town in April of 1875 where they found a bandit that local vigilantes had caught near Little Oso Creek hanging from a pecan tree on the plaza. They found the town almost deserted due to recent raids from bandits based in Las Cuevas on the south side of the Rio Grand near McAllen – more on that later. Comanche Indians who began raiding east during the Civil War had also moved through the area recently. Durham rode into Corpus with McNelly’s troop. His description: “Corpus Christi was a fair-sized settlement at that time. There were one or two big stores and a considerable number of little ones. As we rode into Corpus Christi that morning, I wouldn’t have known that it was
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A 8
Gone Fishin’
Island Moon
Summertime and the fishin’s Easy Capt. Joey Farah (361)442_8145 Facebook: Farah’s Backwater Fishing Adventures Memorial Day Weekend is the ramp that propels us into SUMMER TIME!! Swarms of boaters hit the water to find an ugly stained bay system and very tough fishing. You were not alone! Even when you are on the water every
day and know where good fish numbers are, sometimes you can’t convince them to bite. We had three to four days when tides fell out that even the top guide boats had 10 to 20 fish per box. Some of the Brown Tide might have snuck out the jetties because today the bay looked much better and fishing improved. When times were tough I concentrated on areas I knew had fish hanging and feeding close to tidal movements, the results were good with quality instead of quantity. As of now, Speckled Trout that have spawned in the Laguna Madre’ and Baffin this spring are moving out towards the cooler cleaner waters of Corpus Christi Bay, the surf (via Packery Channel), and to our south Port Mansfield (through the Land Cut). This is a migration that lasts for a month or more with every big change in the tides. I find pinch points and funnels during these times choked up with large numbers of baitfish. When fishing with live bait like croakers, I might hit a spot, catch a few fish and leave, only to return later when I have let the area return to normal. In the last few days anglers drifting with live shrimp and Popping Corks have done really well, perhaps the stained water is keeping some of the pin fish at bay from the shrimp. I have done some drifting this week with great hook-ups. The shallow flats in the Laguna Madre’ are full of big Reds and scattered pods of Specks. Dirty water conditions have made the use of artificals a challenge. Creating lots of vibration and flash has been the key, casting big spoons and dancing LOGIC TANDOM rigs over the big grass beds this week has brought explosions to the surface. My friends from South Padre’ just delivered their baits to our local hardware/tackle shop here on the Island as well as ROY’S BAIT AND TACKLE. Try them out and I guarantee you will be amazed at their realistic action. Under the lights behind the house you won’t believe how it turns those finicky trout on FIRE! They come rigged with fluorocarbon leader and the plastic is injected heavily with their own fish attractant. In the flats make long casts then walk them back and forth over the shallows letting them float into the sand pockets, much like walking a top water plug. The LOGIC WIGGLY jig heads are very unique as well with the jointed shank. This innovative design gives your soft plastics mid-body action as well as keeping fish from spitting the hook, if you have any doubt about that you will be convinced when you try to take it out of a fish’s mouth. Check them out and give me a call for any questions, help, or stories of your catches.
Johnny’s Day Mr. Mendoza and I met at the San Antonio Boat Show this Spring, he isn’t shy about telling you his story about his service in Viet Nam, or about the Land Mine that took his legs. I was excited to fish with him but his wife
passed away suddenly so we postponed our trip. Johnny’s family loves him dearly and joined him on his trip to the coast this last weekend in a hunt for big trout. I hoped for a big fish for him on every cast, hooking him up first and doubling up croakers on each cast. I was super excited when we caught a Monster 31 inch trout at our first stop, but it wasn’t until later in the day that I figured out why the cards fell to the table in the order they did on this day.
May 31, 2012
Trivia Question of the Week
What officer in the English Army passed through the Coastal Bend on his way to the Battle of Gettysburg?
Trivia Question of the Week from last issue: Where were the first houses built on North Padre? By Dale Rankin
While the first construction on North Padre was done on the beach the first homes on North Padre were on Jackfish. As you can see from these old photos home construction was concentrated in that area. There are still a few Island residents living there who moved there when the homes were first built.
I left the gravel bed my father showed me 25 years ago at sunset with some great fish. Colby was grinning from ear to ear with the glow of the orange sun lighting up the waves on the Lagoon. We put the trout to bed and I prayed the school would still be there at daybreak. The next morning Mr. Johnny jumped in my boat and hopped up on the seat like a man on a mission and his excitement fueled me before we left the dock. Mullet skirted the surface along the grassy edge of the shallows, still nervous from a long night in the presence of dangerous mouths. I believe we caught a few keepers when I heard drag ripping off line over my head. The fish shot over two other lines and Leo, Johnny’s son-inlaw, reeled quickly as the fish ran past the bow of the boat. My heart sank a bit when I saw that it wasn’t the rod that I wanted to bend. I assumed it was a great redfish as we cleared out lines and people while the fish boiled in resistance. I calmly told him to keep the rod tip up and relax. Hugging the bottom and driving hard against the 8-foot WATERLOO ROD she shook and ran over and over again. When her face appeared through the stained water I flashed the net under her head. I gently laid the fish on my boat and she eyed each of us carefully. I didn’t let her flip and flop
around in a panic mess, I put her strait into our live well after she stretched past the 31 inch mark on the ruler. We baited up and continued to fish and only moments later Mr. Mendoza himself hooked a second giant trout. The fish bolted to the side and the rod bent double. Only a thrashed croaker came back to the boat with giant fang marks sunken into its flesh. Our trip went great despite a tough day, after all the boats had flown the white flag we had the Boathole to ourselves and snuck in on another big trout hide. This time Mr. Mendoza’s rod was the one that doubled down and he reeled up the slack and brought his big trout’s head to the surface. As she circled the boat he pivoted and held the WATERLOO high. The silver and blue sides of the trout rolled in the mid-day sun. I wanted to jump in and net the fish, this one I didn’t want to loose. The hook couldn’t come out, it was God’s picture perfect story. When the fish was laid to rest Johnny was almost in tears, I hugged him and gave him a big kiss on the cheek, WE DID IT, IT HAPPENED!! I knew it would come together. As we cleaned the fish that day I realized that sometimes one day can mean so much. Leo just gave Mr. Johnny a new baby boy, I believe Johnny’s wife sat in Heaven and asked that OLD MONSTER LADY OF THE BAY to give herself in a heroic fight. Much grander than to die and lay as food for the crabs. This beautiful Lady will inspire Mr. Mendoza’s grandson to follow his Grandpa’s spirit in the great outdoors every time he looks up to his father’s trophy trout. Our Trophies are just that, inspiration to our children, they make us their heroes. The fish and the day will live forever in my memory and in their family. Come make some memories this Summer with your family in our beautiful backyard. FOLLOW OR HOOK-UP’S ON FACEBOOK!! Keep those lines tight and your hooks sharp!
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13915 SPID
Day And Night Boardwalk Shopping Center off Kenedy Bridge to the first right.
May 31, 2012
On the Rocks
Island Moon
A9
Blucher Park By Jay Gardener Sorry loyal readers, I’ve slipped into a bad habit. I get so busy that I neglect to sit down and spend a few minutes getting some decent material in here. I’ve been hit and miss lately; things are just so busy right now. Working on expanding some projects here and there around the City and County, and even outside of the County. But then again you don’t want to hear about boring old work anyway; you want to know where the fish are and what’s been shaking! Memorial Day came and went without too much trouble for us out on the Island; many folks came in to wish Jacob bon voyage as he takes a step and moves out to Hawaii. He’s got a one-way ticket and looking to get into some kind of work out there for a while. He does art, graphic design, makes documentaries, films, infomercials, and all that stuff. If you know of someone out there that needs some kind of design, make sure to pass his info on to them at augsart@yahoo.com We managed to cruise out on the Superfishal for Memorial Day to catch up with the locals at the ski basin. We saw the usual suspects and had a great soak in the big pond. Veronice and Meagan and Shawne showed up in Roys’
Shearwater, and brought the dog. It was a great time, and thanks again Dave and Heidi for hosting the weekend’s activities and for the cruise on the Superfishal. Also thanks to Mickey and Gabby Berry for allowing us to invade y’alls place and take advantage of the pool. It’s that season again, and I’m for one glad. We’ll get some weather windows here in the next month and get out and replenish the
fish supply in the freezer at the Crab Trap. Looking forward to this weekend; my buddy Keith and Jeff Abel will be in town and we’re going to beat the water to a bloody froth. Thank goodness Joey has been keeping us up to date on where the fish are; maybe we won’t get skunked while plying the local waters. The Sargassum is relentless, but I for one don’t really mind it. Well, if we were able to take
advantage of getting at the fish underneath it nearshore, however these winds just won’t seem to cooperate on the weekends. Working man’s curse I suppose. The new Hurricane Alley is finally open downtown. I don’t know about you loyal readers, but that commercial song on the radio is pretty much stuck in my head all the time. Maybe I’ll have to break down and go check it out sometime. Our buddy Mickey Berry took the kids down there the other day after Isabel got her cast off her arm (finally! You’re going in the pool now!) and said while it wasn’t the Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, it was fun enough for a few hours. Sounds like we might have to go check it out before Thirsty Thursday at Whataburger field at some point.
Bron’s Beach Carts
Best Rates, Best Carts
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.
School will be out soon, so make sure to lock everything up good and tight. For some reason things tend to disappear out on the Island when there are work crews building houses AND school is out. We’ll see how the new enforcement of the curfew works out this season. And speaking of curfew, y’all watch out for Moon Monkey Jan’s birthday here this weekend. I’m sure there will be some buffoonery going on. See you on the rocks!
Fresh Produce Trunk Show Friday and Saturday, June 8th and 9th from Noon to 6PM
Island Woman Boutique In case you aren’t familiar with Fresh Produce, it all started with graphic t-shirts Mary Ellen and Thom Vernon
Get the attention you deserve.
designed and sold in a t-shirt kiosk at the 1984 Olympics. Twenty-six years later Fresh Produce is still going strong. Fresh Produce is known for their color and fun prints and
Option Period 14322 Emerald
$225,000
Selling a home? Want results? Call 361-949-7281
Mary Melick Real Estate
PORT “A” OUTFITTERS Huge selection of Costa del Mar sunglasses Shimano Yeti Coolers Guy Harvey Clothing Pleagic Gear Saltlife
they now manufacture about 70% of their line in the USA. We hope you can join us for fashions, food and fun!
361.749.7570
www.islandwomanboutique.com
The Tower Center 1726 State Highway 361, Suite G Port Aransas, TX 78373
C
an
5’
Fr
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The best service, The best results...
Call Liz today!
104 Sailfish, Aransas Pass, TX
The best fishing in Texas and a short trip to the Gulf of Mexico await the new owner of this Pelican Cove treasure. Dock your trawler and lift your bay boat next to 125’ of canal frontage. Plant your garden & watch it grow with water from your private water well. Steam up the veggies and fry those fish in your well appointed kitchen. Now relax in your enclosed hot tub and enjoy a peaceful night in your large master suite.
126 W. Cotter • Port Aransas, Texas • (361) 749-3474 (FISH)
12
al
$625,000 MLS# 138964
2
1
Realty, LLC 575 E Goodnight • Aransas Pass, TX • 78336
361-758-8777
Left or right, you’re always home.
A 10
Island Moon
Sunday’s are special at Scuttlebutt’s, $3.00 Mimosas $3.50 Bloody Mary’s Happy Hour 7 Days a week Great drink Specials! Live Music. Book your office party today! Call Holly at 765-2222 14254 SPID 361-949-6769 www.scuttlebuttsbarandgrill.com
May 31, 2012
The Travelling Moon
In May Dale and Holly Bowers took the Moon to the “Top of the Rock” in Gibraltar and to the Cathedral in San Antonio square, Cadiz Spain.
Mike True (far left) and Billy Farmer (2nd from left), Island residents, took the Moon to Athens Greece. Both them and their wives enjoyed a week cruising the Greek Islands.
Photo taken at San Diego Zoo, May 24, 2012, courtesy of Cindy Nelms.
Friday, June 1
First Friday Reception Features Pottery
Island Creations Remodeling
Total Renovation & Remodels, Outdoor Kitchens & Spas, Additions, Kitchen & Bathroom Upgrades, Sunporches, Replacement of Windows and Doors, Roofing, Painting & Stucco
Landscaping Insured Member, Padre Island Business Association Member, Builders Association, Corpus Christi
960-0327
Design work, Yard Maintenance, Decks, Pergolas, Installation of Rock, Grass, Plants, Trees, Walkways, Paths, Tree Trimming, Container Planting, Vacant Lot Mowing & Shade Covers. All Kinds of Fencing, Pressure Washing & Deck Staining & Sealing
Concrete
Driveways, Patios, Sidewalks, Patio Overlays, Decorative Stamping & Staining, Decks, Bulkheads, Grouted Stone Walls & Patios, Decorative Stone Paver Driveways & Patios
Owned & Operated by Island Residents David & Katherine Pierce References Available Upon Request Commercial & Residential
Doing Everything a Home or Business Needs
The First Friday Art Reception at the Port Aransas Art Center will feature pottery. The event, billed the All Fired Up show, will be on Friday, June 1 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. ad the center, 323 N. Alister. The public is invited and refreshments will be served. There will also be live music. The pottery will be by Genie Mysorski, Amy Sullivan, Lynn Dickey, Amy Sullivan, Ida Pauken, Patima Meza, Merlien Wilder, Brenda Barnett, and Merlien Wilder.
Beach House Realty
Memorial Day Trash Cleanup
361-332-1021
Kay Plut (far left) and Cindy Frank (far right), members of Island in the Son United Methodist Church, hand out trash bags to a visiting family of beachgoers at Padre Balli Park on Memorial Day. Several members of Island in the Son UMC assisted the Nueces County Parks Department in handing out trash bags over the holiday weekend as part of the church’s ongoing beach cleanup ministry.
CHARMING WATERFRONT single bedroom condo with washer/dryer. Remodeled interior, beachy colors, tile floors, upgraded bath, elec box/plugs switches replaced, ceiling fans, new baseboards, window coverings, privacy door on patio. This is a must see showing pride of ownership. Close to the proposed new Schlitterbahn and convenient to everything. Think investment! $105,900 WATERFRONT--Fortuna Bay’s finest! 3/2 penthouse with high ceilings, completely redone in style with stainless, glass tile, granite, quality fixtures throughout, sumptuous baths, attractive furnishings, storage closet, boat dock, community pool/hot tub, tile/carpet. Ready to go, just move in or rent out--vacation rentals okay. Bring your boat. $185,900 Beach House Realty, Gail D. Spinn, Agent 2217 State Highway 361, Suite A-1, Port Aransas, Texas 78373
A fire dancer in front of Shorty’s in Port A
Promoter, Johnie Whisman at the Rockport Festival of Food and Wine over Memorial Day Weekend.
Work continues to replace the aging sewage line along Whitecap