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Terry Vickery Benefit A2
NaNoWriMo Camp A6 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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Photo by Miles Merwin
The
Island Moon The Island Newspaper since 1996
Island Area News ● Events ● Entertainment
June 28, 2012
The Island where the 4th of July Parade is on the Main Canal, not Main Street
Around The Island
By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com
We’re having a heatwave A tropical heatwave The temperature’s rising It isn’t surprising Because we’re having a heat wave It’s been an active week weatherwise. First a heatwave swooped in from the tropics and brought some scattered rain followed by a high pressure system that took away the breeze and pushed temperatures into the three digit category and also swelled the water in our canals to dock drenching levels for more than a week. While that was going on we played chicken with our first storm of the hurricane season and fortunately, Tropical Storm Debby decided to make a northward turn after clearing the Florida Straits and drop her rain on the Florida Panhandle. A few of the early tracking models had her headed our way but the remnants of the Tropical Wave pushed her away. Debby did push more water up onto our beaches and into our canals and also created some dangerous rip currents along our shores but she also brought beautiful blue water to our beaches the likes of which we hadn’t seen since 2010 when the upland drought stifled runoff and brought the same. The blue water brought the tourists and the beach along the Michael J. Ellis Seawall was as packed with people and cars as we have ever seen. Weekend traffic along SPID seems to get thicker every week as we approach the heart of the tourist season and the traffic count of 26,000 vehicles per day as counted by TXDOT seems like it may be a tad on the low side. Fortunately there haven’t been any more sightings of the Department of Public Safety officers doling out the road tax to seatbeltless drivers, maybe it’s been too hot for them.
Schlitterbahn update No changes to report in the progress of the Schlitterbahn Resort and Waterpark. Discussions between the developers and the bankers continue as details are worked out, while design plans and permits are simultaneously being worked on. No decision has yet been made on when/if the golf course at Padre Isles Country Club will be shutdown for construction. Look for groundbreaking no later than August and from what we hear the ceremony will involve lots of kids and shovels. We’ll see you at the Fourth of July boat parade. In the meantime, say hello if you see us Around The Island.
Friday, July 6
First Friday Reception Features Book Signing by Moon Writer Devorah Fox Devorah Fox will be on hand at the July First Friday at the Port Aransas Art Center to sell and sign copies of her Novel– The Lost King, a National Novel Writing Month 2010 winner, Devorah has written for television, radio, magazines, newspapers, and the Internet. Publisher and editor of the BUMPERTOBUMPER ® books for commercial motor vehicle drivers, she is also developer of the Easy CDL apps for the iPhone. She has written test preparation guides for Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. and edited books for Techni-Com, a Canadian publisher, as well as several novels. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she has lived in Port Aransas since 2005. Secretary of the Rockport Writers Group, Fox writes the “DeeScoveries” blog at http://devorahfox.com and column for The Island Moon. She wrote her first novel in the third grade and has written several more since. The Lost King, a literary fantasy, is her first published work of Author Continued on A4
Next Publication Date: 7/5/2012
Year 15, Issue 429
Discharge South Padre Island Fires a Shot Across Our Bow From Whitecap Wastewater Treatment Into Island Canal System Exceeds State Allowed Standards In the ongoing contest between North and The sign is rather cryptic in its language Padre Island to be THE Padre Island there THERE’S ONLY ONE SOUTH PADRE AND by 27,000 Percent South is a new weapon. Last week this billboard was IT’S NOT NORTH. Seems like that would be Citywide system under EPA investigation
By Dale Rankin In the last test taken of the water discharged from the Whitecap Wastewater Treatment Plant into the canal system on The Island the levels of the bacteria Enterococcus exceeded state approved maximum levels by 10,246%. The maximum level of the bacteria allowed under state standards is 35 parts per 100 milliliters of water. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) the last test taken of the discharge at the Whitecap plant on March 31 of this year was 9208 parts of Enterococcus per 100 milliliters of water, 10,246% higher than the level considered safe by TCEQ standards.
posted by the South Padre Island Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at the intersection of highways 77 and 37 where southbound tourists make the decision on whether to continue down 37 to North Padre or detour south on Highway 77 and head for that other end of the Island.
rather evident to most drivers since we’ve never claimed to be South Padre.
But maybe the sign can do some good anyway. Every Spring Break we have visitors who
Sign Continued on A2
Packery Channel Improvements Progress Report
As we reported previously, discharge from the Whitecap plant has exceeded state allowed levels 27 times since 2009. The figures for sampling at the plant provided by TCEQ this week show that the discharge has exceeded state allowed limits eleven times since January of 2010 with the highest level being 24196 parts of Enterococci -27,087% higher than the maximum approved level – in August of 2011. The results of tests for 2009 have not yet been made available. The Enterococcus bacteria thrives in oxygen depleted water. Oxygen levels in the Island canal system are monitored by the POA and when necessary aerators are installed to increase oxygen levels. The total number of violations at the Whitecap plant since 2010, provided to the Moon by TCEQ are as follows: The middle number is the parts of the bacteria per 100 milliliters of water, the state standard calls for no more than 35 parts per 100 milliliters. Sewage Continued on A4
The Barrel is Open for Business City’s first wine and tapas bar opens on The Island The Island is getting its first wine and tapas bar. Trish and Garrett Frazier who opened Black Sheep Bistro in 2009 are expanding and are now opening The Barrel wine and tapas bar right next door. “Corpus Christi doesn’t have anything like this,” Trish said. “It’s a sort of old meets new design.” The interior of the Barrel, located in the Palm Bay center on SPID, is unique with custom made furniture, a high-tech Natura water purification system, a Spanish inspired tapas menu, and a full selection of fine wines put together by manager Romeo Amaral.
By Dale Rankin In 2003 when the Tax Increment Finance Zone was formed to capture tax revenue from new construction around Packery Channel six projects were approved by the City Council in that area (Note: contrary to popular belief these projects were not voted on by voters but only by the City Council after voters approved $10 million in city matching funds to build the channel. Those funds augmented those provided by the Federal Government in an earmark attached to an unrelated funding bill by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison). The TIF has historically raised between $3 million and $7 million per year in tax on new construction inside the TIF. The following is a list of the Six Pack project which have been completed and a list of those yet to be built. The next project is $129,813 to provide lighting at the parking lot on the north
13th Annual 4th of July Boat Parade and Block Party It’s time to break out the red, white, and blue bunting and decorate your boat for the 13th Annual 4th of July Boat Parade & Block Party Plus.
Garrett and Trish Frazier “Islanders have a new place to relax with their friends in a quiet atmosphere,” Garrett says, “and to hang out before or after dinner at Black Sheep. We saw an opportunity to give Islanders another option for a night out without having to go into town.” The Barrel Continued on A4
The parade will kick off at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 4, in the canal at the Padre Island Yacht Club and make its way through the canals, going past the judging station at 13762 Three Fathoms where the party will be at the homes of Harald and Ann who began the parade after a couple of years of tough weather during the annual La Posada
side of the channel. That work is scheduled to begin by the end of 2012.
PHASE 1 - Restroom Facilities at Seawall Parking Lot (Complete)
PHASE 2 - Packery Channel Improvements (95% Complete) a) Packery Channel Parking and Overlooks b) Navigational aides-Day markers
PHASE 3 - Restroom Facilities at Packery Channel PHASE 4 - ADA Ramps to Jetties PHASE 5 - Northside Pavilion PHASE 6 - Administration & Maintenance Building
PHASE 7 - Parking Lot Improvements at Jetty Ramp $540,000 $2,800,000 $ 100,000 $2,066,000 $290,000 $1,050,000 $715,000 $879,000 $8,440,000
1st Annual Cardboard Boat Race
A Cardboad Boat race is being planned for July 4th and is hosted by Bev Hoffman, the Padre Isles Yacht Club Cruise Director. The rules of the race and construction of cardboard boats are listed below.
A Sign up sheet is at the Club with a copy of the rules below it. The race will begin around 4:30 and Auggie Wagner will be the race starter and judge. Come join in on the fun, but most importantly enter the race w/your very own cardboard boat! Rules for Cardboard Boat Race To be held off the PIYC docks.
Official Rules:
The only materials to use for building your boat: Paper, cardboard, duct tape, adhesive, water based paint. Parade Continued on A4
Race Continued on A4
Island Moon
A 2
June 28, 2012
Sign Continued from A1
follow the signs to South Padre Island Drive and walk into local hotels thinking they have a reservation here when it is actually in South Padre. Then we have to try to explain to them that to get to South Padre they must drive north on South Padre Island Drive. Many is the wary tourist who has sought a second opinion after hearing those directions.
Maybe the new sign is one more reason to drop the traditional North Padre moniker in favor of the Upper Padre brand which the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is already using. Or maybe we should put up our own sign reminding visitors that there is scant reason these days for making the long drive south since they can’t go into Mexico unless they wish to be beheaded. That’s a long way to drive just to lose your head.
Liberty Creek White Zinfandel California
$6
Chateau St. Michelle Riesling Washington 2010 $8/$29
$ 8/2 9
Felluga Pinot Grigio Italy 2010
$39
Sartori Pinot Grigio Italy 2010
$ 8/2 9
The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2010
$7/2 6
Lindeman’s Moscato Australia 2009
$6/2 5
Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc Napa 2010
$4 5
Cakebread Chardonnay Napa 2010
$60
Frei Brothers Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2010
$ 8/3 0
Sea Glass Chardonnay Santa Barbara 2009
$ 8/2 8
Recuerdo Torrontes Argentina 2010
$ 8/2 9
Ramón Bilbao Valiñas Albariño Spain 2010
$ 8/2 9
Rombauer Chardonnay California 2010
$55
Hunky Dory The Tangle (Blend) New Zealand 2011
$9/31
VGS Explorer Sauvignon Blanc Napa 2010
$9/3 5
Cuvée Jean-Louis, Blanc de Blancs Brut France
$9
Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir Sonoma 2009
$35
Mum Napa Brut Rosé Napa
$ 8/2 8
Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label France
$6 5
La Marca Prosecco D.O.C. Italy 2009
$ 8/3 0
Coasta Moon the eight-week old Lab has been hanging around the Moon office of late. So far she has chewed the fur off the tail of the looks-real-but-isn’t cat, barked at the mailman and terrorized Riley P. Dog who is fifteen years removed from being a playful puppy. Coasta was bought at an auction at the Game Warden’s Fishing Tournament in Port Aransas. She lives with her humans James and Nancy Thompson on The Island.
COME VISIT SOUTH PADRE AND HAVE YOUR HEAD CUT OFF. Hey, that has a nice ring to it.
Meet Champ. He’s a 2 ½ year-old Doberman Pincher ready for a new home. Champ is good with children and other animals. Champ was found with something wrapped around one of his back legs which has now been treated but he favors that leg a bit. It doesn’t keep him from running on the beach or fetching the ball. Please call Pee-Wee’s for adoption information.
A fundraiser for long-time employee of the Beachside Grill, Terry Vickery was held last Thursday at the Sandbar. Dozens of locals turned out to support Terry, who is having health issues.
A glimpse of laat year’s 4th of July Boat Parade Photos by Miles Merwin
Rockport Art Festival Over 120 artists, Live Music, Food, Children’s activities
The Rockport Art Festival is now in its forty-third year. The 2012 festival will be held July7-8, right on Aransas Bay on the festival grounds next to Rockport Beach Park.-
The Rockport Art Festival began in 1969. It is one of the largest outdoor art festivals in the country. The festival begins with a July 5 “Stars and Stripes Forever” Art Auction & Party, which includes: a Live Auction, Big Board Auction; Silent Auctions; full dinner; valet parking; live music and open bar.
On Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8, over 120 artists will be displaying and selling their work. Only high-quality fine art and master crafts are showcased. No commercial vendors. There will be live music and food under a large air conditioned tent and a kid’s activity tent with their own live musicians. The festival will open Saturday, July 7 10am-6pm; admission for Saturday is $7. Sunday admission is $6 and hours of operation are 10am -5pm. An All Festival two day pass, with no waiting line, is available for $10/pp. For more information visit www.rockportartcenter.com and click on Upcoming Events or call 361-729-5519
For information about Places to Stay visit www.rockport-fulton. org or call 1 -800 242-0071 or email tourism@1rockport.org.
June 28, 2012
Trivia Question of the Week
Island Moon
Gone Fishin’
What was the Mustang Water Exchange Pass, where was it, and why is it not still open? Trivia Question of the Week from last issue: What are all the cameras we see mounted on utility poles at Island intersections?
By Dale Rankin
The two intersections we have on The Island with cameras are the two with traffic lights. The camera at Commodores and SH 361 is an infrared camera which detects vehicles approaching the intersection. When it detects cars are backing up in one direction it changes the light and allows them to pass. The reason it is infrared is due to the numerous days of the year when we have heavy fog and a normal camera can’t see through the fog to know when to change the light. The infrared camera can and that is why, even on foggy days the traffic moves smoothly through that intersection.
The other intersection with a traffic camera is at SPID and Whitecap and is not infrared. Normally that doesn’t make any difference, but on days when there is fog the camera can’t see the approaching vehicles to know when to change the light. The result is that the mechanism which controls the light shifts into a
default mode which allows for three cycles of a green light for SPID to every one cycle to allow traffic to turn from Whitecap onto SPID. This means that if you are coming from Whitecap and trying to get to work OTB you are likely to be late. If that is your route and it is foggy when you leave your house you should probably take the new Aquarius Extension and connect to SPID at Commodores where the camera can see you coming. The city’s traffic control department says they are taking steps to put an infrared camera at the Whitecap intersection in the next budget cycle so the problem may be solved by the time the foggy season rolls around. As of now we do not have any red light cameras on The Island that take photos of people running red lights. Dale Rankin
Did Ya Hear?
Corpus Christi Water Refining is your water treatment headquarters. They offer water softening and reverse osmosis systems for commercial or residential properties. Call 8549416.
Send your business news to mkay512@aol.com
New Advertisers Coles Cabinets makes custom cabinets for your kitchen, bath, garage, outdoor kitchen and more. They even make wine racks and entertainment center. They can also resurface your existing cabinets. Call John at 949-0406 for more info. Abbey Homes Real Estate has an east facing waterfront home that has been remodeled and shows like new. It is located at 15334 Bowsprit and is selling for $425,000. Call Rhonda at 9399008. Coastal Texas Properties has an island waterfront compound for $1,429,000. There are three buildings on a double lot including a 3 car garage. This 4 bedroom, 4 bath residence has an elevator and two boat slips. To view this gem call Keith Donley at 215-3454. Streem Company can raise your sunken concrete and level homes, sidewalks, driveways or patios. Call 906-1468 for free estimate. FidoSit-Petsitter.net is your kennel alternative. The sitters do not just feed your pet they also spend quality time with your pet. They can also bring in your mail and water your plants. Call 563-3741 for more info. Island Presbyterian Church has Vacation Bible School July 16 – 20 9 am until noon. Call 949-8770 or visit islandpresby.com.
Business Briefs Sweet Swirl Frozen Yogurt will be opening soon on the Island between the Donut Palace and Texas Mesquite Barbeque. It is a self serve yogurt shop with a wide variety of toppings in a cozy setting with WiFi. The Island will then have three places with frozen treats including Scoopy’s for ice cream and Mail n More for gelato. The Gaff in Port A is having a 4th of July Pirate Music Festival starting at 2 pm. This event will have fun and activities for the entire family and feature the Gaff’s favorite bands. Johnny D’s Restaurant has many new items including Vietnamese spring rolls, duck spring rolls, stuffed mushrooms and mahi mahi bites. Like them on Facebook to get daily specials. Restaurants on the Island and in Port A are especially busy now even on weekdays. Be sure to call ahead for a reservation. The Flats Lounge in Port A is having a benefit for Lee Guerra Pratt on Saturday, July 7th. They have live music every Friday and are open until 2 am daily. Donna Garcia-Devlin MA,LPC is a licensed professional counselor on the Island. She does individual, marital and family counseling. The office is located at 15037 SPID, Suite A1. Call 728-4923 for an anppointment. The Animal Hospital of Padre Island is a full service hospital with ultrasound, radiology and clinical lab. Sandy Paws Pet Resort has climate controlled separate cat/dog rooms. Look for 20% off dental prophylaxis coupon in their ad on page 2. Dr. Christi Kresser has been voted Best of the Best veterinarian the last six years. Call 949-8200 for appointment but walkins are welcome.
The Barrel Wine and Tapas Bar will have their Grand Opening on Saturday June 30th
Bundy’s Restaurant in Port A is now closed, however, Tammy Bundy is still making desserts. Check out her website at thattakesthecakeporta. com. Order a cake for your birthday, wedding or anniversary celebration. She also has gift baskets, brownie boxes, pies and more. Call 244-5014 to order your treat.
Coles’ Cabinets Quality Cost But Little More
Now is the time while prices are low! Residential and commercial
John Cole Owner
Kitchen and Bathroom remodeling, custom built entertainment centers. Kitchens Baths Bars Islands Outdoor Kitchens Entertainment Centers Located on The Island near Island Tire
903-245-8151
The Sheehan Company
Custom Residential Painting & Deck Restoration Padre Island’s Finest Painting Company Offers State of The Art Interior and Exterior Painting Deck Refinishing & Restoration with Behr Premium Deck Stains. All Horizontal Surfaces are Sanded Smooth. Power Washing - Roofs Included All Phases Residential Remodeling Custom Tile, Granite Countertops, Expert Carpentry, Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing & Painting ● Free Estimates ● Island References ● No deposit required ● Payment upon completion ● Full Insurance ● All work unconditionally guaranteed.
361-461-5144
Island Resident-Brooks J. Sheehan
A3
That’s A Bunch Of Bull Capt. Joey Farah (361)442_8145 Facebook: Farah’s Backwater Fishing Adventures Monsters of the deep have infatuated our imaginations for thousands of years, very rarely do we believe they are among us on our adventures here in the shallow Back Bays of the Coastal Bend. Do not forget that the magic of Saltwater Fishing is the idea that you are in fact connected to the Oceans of the World by a continuous flow of water, and all fish swim freely within it.
The Hammer In the Eighties we came across a long balled up piece of gill net in a vacant ditch in Flour Bluff. As adventurous “Laguna Bandits” we untangled the mess and staked it out in the Boat Hole out in the shallow flats and made camp on a nearby island for the night. After we ate and played with the fire for hours we set out into the thick fog and darkness to check the net. When we pulled the first few feet of net up it tugged back with strong powerful lunges. We all lit up with excitement of herding up an entire school of giant redfish. As we walked the net hand-overhand through the shallows water churned and boiled in foggy night. Phosphorous exploded in the moonlight and we yelled out “It must be a ball of Bull Reds!!” The small 12ft aluminum boat rocked in the waves of a giant Sea Monster that had gotten tangled in the mesh stretched out across the knee deep flat. We circled the beast and poked it and laid violent blows across its back with the paddle. The beast pulled loose the stake on the far end of the line and struck its tail along the side of the small boat. Finally it
This big sow trout came from knee deep water mid-morning on live croaker.
These are a few of the half dozen encounters I’ve had with sharks here in the back waters of the Lagoon and Baffin in the last 30 year. Uncommon to say the least they seldom cross my mind in all my thousands of hours wade fishing the shallows of our Bays. Even in the middle of the night in search of Monster Trout I don’t ever hesitate to lug stringers of dying fish beside my legs. JUST THIS WEEK, my friend and very accomplished fishermen Jason King had his first encounter with the Brown Inland Sea Monsters we tell of. Jason and his fishing partner made their way over 35miles away from any Gulf pass towards the back of Baffin Bay. They slipped off Jason’s skiff in the pre-dawn darkness hoping to catch that magical time of “grey light” when the beasts of the night are caught feeding at the crack of dawn. As the two anglers spread out and began to cast top waters across the dark stained shallows, a Amy tightened the drag on this King Ranch shoreline trout. cry of urgency ripped out across the water. “I’ve wrapped the mesh around its body in a death roll. The small flashlight reflected the eyes of a been Hit!!!” Jason turned to see his friend get 6ft Greater Hammerhead Shark rolled up in our knocked off his feet and down to his hands and trap. “What the Hell do We do NOW???” We knees in waist deep water. With no idea of what cut the net with a knife and the shark strolled off his friend was speaking of he rushed over to give into the darkness still entangled in Mono. The a hand. A big shark just side-swiped his buddy three of us sat in the boat alone in the dark fog and tail slapped his legs sending him down to the water. Just as Jason returned to the skiff he feeling very small. said he felt water move close bye his leg and felt the rough skin of the shark slash his legs. The massive boil and outline of the shark were clear in the darkness as the shark came by for another tail slashing, perhaps sizing them up for the final strike. “His tail thrashed violently in the shallow water and left a hole in the surface as he bolted off into the flats.” His mate was an accomplished fishermen as well as a regular offshore and shark specialist so imagination was not to blame for their quick retreat to the other side of the Bay. After they returned and contacted the Parks and Wildlife office they said that Bull Sharks and the occasional Black tip are common in the Baffin Area. For those who would take these tales and hunt the Bay Sharks of Baffin you might be in for a long night of waiting. Common is not the word to describe their presence, but they are here among us for sure. Next time you are alone becoming one with nature, hunting the elusive Monster Trout of Baffin Bay, on the fringes of darkness and light. Pay close attention behind you and bring a long stringer because there is always a bigger fish in the Sea.
“Whit” pulled this thick trout to hand with her WATERLOO ROD
Fishing this week has been great with good numbers of trout coming to hand with live bait. Both live croaker, piggy perch, and shrimp have The presence of sharks in the back bays has all been very effective in filling stringers. High never been a secret just a rarity. Biologists have tides have pushed fish to the extreme shallows caught them in their gill net surveys in Baffin, and humps in bay. High sand pockets along mostly Bull Sharks. Bull sharks are by far the the King Ranch have given up both redfish most aggressive of all species, and scientists and big trout. The large rock piles of Baffin in claim that they have the most testosterone of deep water are full of trout, at times aggressive any creature on the planet. Ancient Japanese small males take over the bite but good legal love remedies may not be so far fetched sized limits have been regular. Live shrimp after all. Bull sharks are notably famous for in Baffin has been great with a mix of reds, trout, and drum for anglers swimming and living far from drifting with popping corks. the open ocean and may swim, The surf has been on fire for feed, and live hundreds of miles trout during light winds and up freshwater rivers, So when I small surf. Anglers looking tell my wade fishermen clients,” shallow have had plenty of No we are two far from the Gulf, sight casting action along the water is too salty, and its too the east side of the Meadows hot here, I am cloaking them with and Yarbrough Pass for both security. The chance may be slim reds and trout. For myself but SEA MONSTERS do exist in and my clients hunting the our back yards. shallow grass beds on quiet Schools of Horse mullet trembled shorelines at first light has on the surface, hovering over the been BANGING FOR BIG warm muddy bottom of “THE TROUT. I’ve been moving BADLANDS” in Baffin Bay. deeper as the sun rises and Me and my clients slipped up on temperatures increase. the great school of mullet shaking Jeff Lewellan doubled up on Finding a good midbig trout. the surface in the muddy stained morning bite in areas with water early one May morning. good moving current has I instinctively turned and fired a cast in the put the topping on our boxes. direction of the sound of a surface attack. As This Thursday is the BIRTHDAY for WIND my plug flew in the direction of the noise I AND WAVE SURF SHOP!! For 25yrs Frank was puzzled at the sight of large 12 to 16 inch mullet being thrown up into the air. The third Floyd and his family have been not just a great time horse mullet got thrown up in an explosion surf shop but giving us a daily surf report, of white frothy water I could see a mouth open offering sailboards in the past, skateboards, the up like a BLACK HOLE WITH TEETH and best clothes, KAYAKS, STAND UP PADDLE inhale mullet as they fell back down to the BOARDS, AND EVERY KIND OF COOL water. Its jaws smacked like kids cleaning up TOY YOU CAN HAVE FUN WITH ON OUR a box of chocolates. I could make out the long ISLAND. We will be celebrating 25yrs this dark brown body and side fins of a Bull Shark Thursday night at DOC”S SEAFOOD with a feeding on mullet close to the surface. A hole live band, SURF MOVIE, and free giveaways. opened up and sucked in falling mullet and Come hang out have a great time and tell Frank churned them in the mechanical jaws of a dark and his family THANK YOU AND KEEP IT UP. brown shark.
A 4
Sewage Continued from A1 Date of
Measure
Monitoring
(% over Limit)
1/31/2010
290 (226%)
4/30/2010
361 (306%)
9/30/2010
2420 (2,619%)
11/30/2010
2420 (2,619%)
12/31/2010
1987 (2,133%)
1/31/2011
529 (494%)
2/28/2011
1670 (1,776%)
7/31/2011
4352 (4,790%)
8/31/2011
24196 (27,087%)
2/29/2012
2723 (2,960%)
3/31/2012
9208 (10,246%)
In response to questions from the Moon a TCEQ spokesperson said that organization has not fined the city for the excessive levels of bacteria in the discharge, however, they said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the site, as well as others in the city, under investigation. “EPA Region 6 is currently conducting a comprehensive compliance and enforcement review on the City of Corpus Christi and they will be reviewing and/or addressing these violations. This EPA investigation is broader than just Whitecap WWTP,” a TCEQ spokesperson said. A request for details on fines and other actions taken against the plant by EPA was not answered by press time. TCEQ said the risk of contracting gastroenteritis from swimming in the canals when Enterococci is at the level of 35 parts per 100 milliliters of water is roughly 19 per 1000. No figures are available for levels as high as those found in the discharge from the Whitecap plant. The water samples are taken monthly by the City of Corpus Christi and results provided to TCEQ. The monthly self-reports do not detail exact release dates or duration of the release, only the dates the test were done and the levels at that time are provided. City engineers told the City Council in their June 12 meeting that to avoid future releases that exceed approved levels a new Ultra Violet treatment system is needed at the Whitecap plant at a minimum cost of $3 million. However, TCEQ told us the current filtering system is adequate if properly maintained and operated. The full set of answers to questions submitted to TCEQ by the Moon and their answers are as follows: 1) What were the levels of the bacteria, when was it released, how long was the duration of the individual releases? Based upon monthly self-reporting records, the Whitecap WWTP has exceeded the permitted effluent limit (89 CFU/100 ml) for Enterococci daily maximum for the following months: (see chart above) 2) Has the City of Corpus Christi been fined, if so how much and when? Presently there are no enforcement cases against this site. However, EPA Region 6 is currently conducting a comprehensive compliance and enforcement review on the City of Corpus Christi and they will be reviewing and/or addressing these violations. This EPA investigation is broader than just Whitecap WWTP. 3) What are the risks associated with those levels of the bacteria? Elevated concentrations of Enterococcus indicate that there is potentially an increased risk of waterborne disease that might be contracted by ingesting surface waters during swimming or similar water recreation. Enterococcus itself does not generally cause disease, and it occurs in very high concentrations in the digestive tracts and feces of warm blooded animals. It is used as an indicator of the potential presence of pathogens from human or animal origin. The most common waterborne disease
is gastroenteritis that is caused by various microbial organisms (such as viruses, bacteria). There is always some risk of contracting disease when swimming in natural waters. Based on large scale studies by the U.S. EPA, the guideline criterion (level of concern) in coastal waters is set as an average (geometric mean) of 35 enterococcus per 100 milliliters. This criterion is based on a long term average of a number of samples. The single-sample criterion that’s recommended by EPA is 104 enterococcus per 100 milliliters. The Texas Surface Water Quality Standards are also a geometric mean criterion of 35 enterococcus per 100 milliliters and a single sample criterion of 104 enterococcus per 100 milliliters. The estimated risk of contracting gastroenteritis from swimming when enterococcus is at these levels (average of 35, single sample of 104) is roughly 19 per 1000. Estimated risk decreases below these criteria and slowly increases as enterococcus concentrations rise above these criteria.
Author Continued from A1
fiction. Dee says The Lost King is a once-upona-time story for grown-ups. A literary fantasy, it’s a modern tale in medieval clothing. When all you have owned, everyone you have loved, and everything you have done are gone, who are you? There will also be an exhibit of photos by the winners in the Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo
5) Does the enterococcus bacteria occur naturally in oxygen depleted water, or is the treatment plant discharge its only source?
6) Can enterococcus cause the water to turn red? (We have had several incidents in past summers where the water in canals turned red. Could the released have been the cause?) Enterococcus bacteria are not known to cause red coloration in surface waters. Some species of microscopic algae (including the red tide organism) can cause discoloration when at high densities. 7) What precautions should people who live on the canals take? General suggested guidelines and precautions for recreation in surface waters are available from a variety of sources (U.S. Center for Disease Control, U.S. EPA, and others). A good overall compilation is the following: The following fact sheet, entitled Avoiding illness when swimming or playing in natural bodies of water (lakes, rivers, ocean, hot springs), 7/1/2009, was compiled by the North Carolina Divisions of Public Health and Environmental Health, using information from CDC, WebMD, and EPA. Texas Beachwatch also has helpful information here: http://www. texasbeachwatch.com/. More information on bacterial water monitoring can be found at the EPA here: http://water.epa.gov/type/rsl/ monitoring/vms511.cfm 8) Since the new equipment to correct the problem has not yet been installed is there an ongoing risk of more high levels being released into the canals? The current system is an acceptable method of disinfection. As we stated previously, neither the region nor the enforcement division of the TCEQ has any outstanding issues with the plant at this time. The new equipment gives the system an alternative method of disinfection.
Family Healthcare Lab X-Ray
Open 6 Days a Week No Appointments Necessary Mon-Thurs, Appointments available Fri-Sat Mon. - Sat. 8am - 6pm
14433 SPID “On the Island” Corpus Christi, TX 78418 www.tmcpadre.com
Water Access Laguna Madre
361-949-1900
Peewee's Animal Shelter Peewee’s Animal Shelter is located at 1307 Saratoga and has been in operations since May, 1997. Peewee’s presently houses over 300 animals, including dogs, puppies, cats, kittens as well as, pigs, goats, rabbits and other barn animals. Peewee’s relies on donations only for its operation. Shelter operations are accomplished strictly by donations. Peewee’s does not get any government, city or federal funding. Peewee’s helps those animals no one else will - the sick and the stray. The volunteers at Peewee’s work tirelessly to rehabilitate poor orphaned pets in the hopes that they will find new, loving homes. The dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, given regular heartworm preventative, and are on flea & tick prevention and medications as needed. Peewee’s does not discriminate due to age or health conditions of the pet. Please visit Peewee’s Pet Adoption World & Sanctuary at 1307 Saratoga Road. You can call them at 361-888-4141 but they do not have staff to answer phones so please leave a message.
News From Your By Maybeth Christensen
As we learned at the Hurricane Town meeting, we need to be prepared. But, we also need to not panic. For some folks, the mention of a tropical storm in the Atlantic sends them into a full scale, “the hurricane is coming” mode. We have a hurricane preparedness checklist in the office and I hope to have it up on our website within the next few weeks.
As noted for the previous question, the main effect is that these bacteria indicate an increased potential for the presence of waterborne disease from human or animal sources. Ingesting water during swimming or other similar kinds of aquatic recreation is the exposure of primary concern.
The primary source of enterococcus bacteria are from the digestive tracts and fecal material from warm blooded animals, including humans. In some cases natural populations of birds and mammals can be significant contributers to the measured concentrations in water. Faulty septic tanks, leaks from municipal sewer systems, and problems with the disinfection process of a treatment plant discharge are other possible sources of enterococcus. Enterococcus can sometimes persist for long periods in natural waters (whether oxygen is relatively low or not), but high concentrations are generally related to external sources.
June 28, 2012
The weekend tropical storm watch was interesting and a good case in point for watching more than one station. For some reason, some stations decided to take the “European” model as the one which was predicting the storm would be headed our way. No other models had Debbie turning west, but some folks got excited and worried.
4) What is the possible effect on humans and wildlife?
THE MEDICAL CENTER + Minor Emergency Minor Surgery Occupational
Island Moon
Bill & Sharon Draker-PhotographersWelder Wildlife Refuge-Landowner Contest which will continue at the center through July 29th. The Art Center is very fortunate to have hosted every one of the CBWPC Winners Exhibit since its inception. The Wildlife in Focus Benefactor’s Exhibit is a traveling exhibit that displays the winning photos from the Wildlife in Focus Books. The last book was Wildlife in Focus V-next out will be VI. The contest is held in odd numbered years. Any professional or amateur photographers are eligible to submit registrations. Any private landowners from 16 counties are also eligible to submit registration. For more information contact the center at 7497334, or artcenter@centurytel.net
Race Cont. from A1 The Specifics: Only cardboard, or corrugated cardboard may be used. Cardboard may not have any wax, resin or vinyl coating. Wood, plastic or plastic wrap, fiberglass, metal, Styrofoam or other materials that would aid in floatation or make the boat more rigid are prohibited. Duct or clear packing tape, liquid nail adhesive, and contact or rubber cement are ok. Tar, wax, Silicone, fiberglass resins, epoxy glues, staples, nails, clamps and screws are prohibited. Decorations may be made on any material but cannot help keep the boat together or afloat. Boats may be painted with a water based paint or water sealer, like Thompson’s Water Seal Stain. All paint and sealer must be dry before the boat enters the water. Only oars, paddles or wind may be used to propel the boat. Oars, paddles and sails may be made out of any material. All participants must wear personal floatation devices (PFD’s) throughout the race. All participants will provide their own PFD’s. Passengers in your boat must not be enclosed above their shoulders. All passengers must be visible while the boat is in the water. Each team must remove their entire boat and any boat remains from the water when the race is finished. A dumpster will be provided for disposal of cardboard material.
Parade Cont. from A1 night parade which is held each December. There will be plenty of food and refreshments for everyone. The parade is starting a little later this year than in the past to give boaters and revelers a break from the heat. Anyone interested in joining in, or who just has questions can call Harald at Boat Stop Storage at 937-2423. This is one of those events that always serves to remind us what a great and unique community we live in. We’ll see you on the water!
Port Aransas Community Theatre Looking for Stars Audition for Broadway Musical The Port Aransas Community Theatre has obtained the royalty rights to perform the Broadway Musical “ANNIE”. All adults and children who are interested in performing should attend the auditions on SATURDAY, July 30th at 10:00 a.m. or MONDAY, August 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the PACT theatre, 2327 State Highway 361 in Port Aransas. Director of the show will be Ken Yarbrough. The story is a rags to riches tale about a little girl named Annie who lives in an orphanage and the wonderful things that happen to her as she is picked to live in a large elegant mansion. There will be singing and dancing in this show to delight everyone. Rehearsals will begin on July 5 through July 25. Performances will begin the last week of July and run into August. For further information, call 361-749-6036 or check the next issue of the Padre Island Moon for story details.
Parking on vacant lots has definitely gotten out of hand. This is a reminder that there is no parking on a vacant lot. It does not matter if the owner has given you permission. The City code is very clear. A lot has to have an improved surface in order for something to be parked on it. There are some instances where folks actually have purchased the lot next to their house and have gone thru the replatting process so that the property is now actually one property. So, please get your trucks, trailers, boats, and cars off the vacant lots. They belong to someone else and they are not your parking lot!
New construction has definitely increased. Please keep an eye out for cement trucks cleaning out on vacant lots. They are not supposed to do this because, of course, the cement hardens into a very large rock. This causes a problem for the mowers who are trying to mow the lot. If you see this activity, give me a call and I will pay them a visit.
The Litter Critter will be in the POA parking lot this Saturday, June 30, starting at 9 AM. Bring your throw-aways.
The Barrel Cont. from A1
The Barrel serves flights of wine and beer, as well as appetizers off the menu. New York trained pastry chef Aleida Hinajosa has been brought in for deserts and tapas. The Barrel is also available for private parties or local organizations looking for a place to have lunchtime meetings. There are electric outlets at the bar to recharge cell phones and computers and free WiFi.
Trish and Garrett have lived on The Island since 2004 after moving from Oklahoma City where they witnessed a renaissance in the downtown there. “We saw what can happen to an area when it starts to grow,” Trish said, “and this is just one more reason for people to visit The Island.”
She said about 85% of the business at Black Sheep comes from OTB. “That’s something we didn’t see coming when we started.” Black Sheep is open seven days per week; the Barrel is closed on Sunday.
Paddle For Parkinson’s September 1 Time to Form A Relay Team Mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual Paddle For Parkinson’s event on September 1st, Saturday of Labor Day Weekend. The relay begins at Billish Park boat ramp, 15601 Gypsy Park and is five miles in length. Each portion of the four leg race is 1.25 miles. It can be paddled in kayaks, on stand-up paddle boards (SUP); or anything manually (not wind) powered, in teams or solo. The event will include a BBQ and medals presentation after the relay. Preregistration is $25 prior to August 18th or $30 per paddler afterwards. Entries can also be made by gathering pledges from friends and family, minimum of $25 due at the time of the event. A FREE practice paddle of the route will be held at 9:00 am on July 7th, beginning at Billish Park, followed by an organizational meeting at 10:00 am. Watch for a soon to be displayed kayak to be raffled and ticket sales at Kleberg Bank at the Flour Bluff HEB. Raffle and BBQ tickets will also be available on-line. For sponsorship availabilities, volunteering, or questions; please contact 361-960-9597 or www.catchthecure.org. Rentals are available through Wind & Wave or Jerry B’s Kayak.
Located in the Alta Pl FullLoma Service 14254 SPID, Suite 109 Catering and 949-4848
Gourmet Take Out
Joan (361) 949-4848 Offering SowashGourmet Take-Out M AuntSissysKitchen@stx.rr.com www.AuntSissysKitchen.com
June 28, 2012
Island Moon
Letters to the Editor Fast and Furious Editor’s note: Operation Fast and Furious was an operation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms in which guns were allowed to be smuggled into Mexico for the purpose of making cases against the buyers. An investigation was begun when one of the guns was found at the scene of a shooting in which a federal agent was killed. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform voted to hold the Attorney General of the United States, Eric Holder, in contempt of Congress. This vote came shortly after the Deputy Attorney General sent a letter to the Oversight Committee detailing the President’s assertion of executive privilege over Fast and Furious documents. Congressman Blake Farenthold (TX-27) made the following statement in reaction to the contempt of Congress vote: “Attorney General Holder has consistently refused to comply with the Oversight investigation into Operation Fast and Furious, leaving the Committee with no option but to hold him in contempt. This investigation began as a bi-partisan effort. Now, in order to protect a political appointee, the issue has become divided along party lines, with a last ditch executive privilege notice coming from the President mere minutes before the hearing was to begin. “From this investigation we see a culture of stonewalling rampant in the Justice Department that has known for months what documents are necessary to avoid these contempt proceedings. This Committee has a constitutionallymandated duty to conduct oversight and get answers to all those who have lost loved ones in this botched operation. As I have said before, the cover-up is what will get you in the end as the American public will not tolerate being lied to. U.S. Rep. Farenthold The Case for Contempt Against Attorney General Holder
Resignations from half of Coastal Bend Young Democrats’ Executive Board At the last General Meeting of the Coastal Bend Young Democrats on June 22, 2012, half of the newly elected Executive Board members tendered their resignations, effective July 3rd. The reason behind the resignations was turmoil created by the founders of the Coastal Bend Young Democrats. There was an unwillingness to transfer power to a new Executive Board and it impeded any progress. “Rumors, backstabbing and gossip was at the root of all the negativity and it came to this,” Vice President Yolanda Perez stated. “Nothing was founded in truth nor were any issues brought to the attention of myself or anyone else on the board. Instead, we would hear from individuals who were not even members of the organization that someone had been telling them these tales. Essentially, there was a leak on the Board.”
Fireworks Moon, If a neighbor is setting off fireworks and the neighbor is reasonable, request your neighbor stop. Otherwise, call the police. There are four reasons, listed in no particular order, to stop or report the use of fireworks: Fireworks are illegal in Corpus Christi and the use of fireworks can result in significant fines. Fireworks are dangerous explosives and can and do cause serious injuries. Especially when it is very dry, fireworks can easily cause fires. Fireworks severely frighten some small children and many pets. Billy Bob Editor’s note: Billy Bob hits on an important point here. A Fourth of July Brushfire has become an unfortunate Island tradition (New Year as well) due to the blasting of fireworks into the wind and sending them into dry grass. Three years ago the houses along Sea Pines narrowly escaped the fiery onslaught due to the quick work of firemen. Very often the fireworks originate from the beach in Kleberg County where there are (usually) no law enforcement personnel to enforce the no-fireworks rule. The southeasterly prevailing wind then blows the embers into the grass behind the dunes and the Annual Fourth of July Brushfire is on.
Corn Island Moon, “Corn Producers Association of Texas is disappointed the Senate has passed a farm bill unfairly favoring the Midwest, while leaving our Texas farmers exposed to significant risks that could put them out of business. Our country’s agricultural and food policies need to work for all regions, all crops, all producers and all consumers. CPAT looks forward to working with our Texas representatives and the House Agriculture Committee in the weeks ahead to develop a more balanced and fair approach to managing the risks inherent in farming.” David Gibson, Executive Vice President of Corn Producers Assoc. of Texas, on Senate passage of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012
Bluewater Kayak Classic August 11 The 3rd annual Corpus Christi Bluewater Kayak Classic will be held on Saturday August 11. This is an offshore kayak only kingfish, ling, and Spanish Mackeral tournament. Rules and online registration info can be found at www. bluewaterkayakclassic.com. Check in and weigh in will be located behind the Nueces County Parks Office by Bob Hall Pier. We will have 1st 2nd 3rd place kingfish, plus a prize for the Average Joe kingfish which will be the Kingfish that is weighed in closest to the average weight of all kingfish combined. We also have side pots for the heaviest ling, and heaviest Spanish Mackeral. $10.00 each. 100% payout. We only had 6 local anglers last year out of 46, and hope for more local participation this year.
July 26–29
Despite the ultimate resignation of half the board, the individuals state that they will continue to be committed to the Democratic Party and wish the future of this organization success.
Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Summer Games
Who Are the Moon Monkeys
On July 26–29 Corpus Christi will host the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF) 2012 Summer Games of Texas. Amateur, recreational, and young Olympic hopeful athletes will compete in 12 sports categories: baseball, boxing, fencing, golf, Judo, track, kickball, skateboarding, softball, swimming, tennis and triathlon. Events will be held at various venues throughout the city. Over 8,000 participants and spectators are estimated to be part of the Summer Games of Texas.
Mike Ellis, Founder Distribution Pete Alsop Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin Raeanne Reed Office Lisa Towns Classifieds
“This is a unique opportunity to show both the quality of our athletic venues and facilities what a supportive sports community we have in Corpus Christi,” said Keith Arnold, CEO of the Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau. The city was selected to host the Summer Games in 2012 and 2013. For more details, call toll free 1-800-678-6232 (OCEAN), or visit taaf.com
Schlitterwater Dale, Enjoyed the story “road tax”!! I and others have a big question several of us had been talking about this the other day, how is it that when all residents are being told to conserve water and cut back on watering lawns because we do have a water shortage that Schlitterbahn can come in and use thousands and thousands of gallons of water ?? Are they going to punch some wells or just help suck the lakes dry to help make a few people a quick buck? I and a lot of others sure hate seeing this coming to Padre, I watched what happened living in Port Aransas most of my life going from a quite lil’ fishing village I fell in love with in the 60’s when I was a kid to a GREEDY T-SHIRT SHOP on every corner TOURIST TRAP it is now not to mention the daily traffic jams, guess Padre is not far behind !! Pretty sad! Howard Odom Editor’s note: Well Howard, the quality of life questions are decided by people above our pay grade, however, we can address the questions of where all that Schlitterwater is going to come from. This question was brought up early on in the planning process for the park and the simple answer is that the park simply won’t use all that much water. That may be counter-intuitive but they recycle and they use the entire park site as a giant catch basin to funnel rainwater into tanks where it will be filtered. About all the water the park will lose is what flies away due to evaporation. The amount of water used by the park can be handled by existing pipes and supplies and is minuscule when compared to the one million gallons per month which our city has agreed to supply to the Las Brisas coal fired electricity plant that may or may not ever be built at the port. When it comes to water on our Island there are two key elements to consider. Our city is still running about 13 million gallons of treated drinking water out of hydrants and into the streets every month because of “stale” water in dead end water lines. So far no one has made an attempt to re-use any of this water and the sheer quantity of it running into the bay has led state regulators to study whether it is watering down the salinity levels of water in the Laguna thus posing a danger to wildlife. So while we may be sucking Lake Corpus Christi dry we are still squandering much of the supply we have. Supplying Schlitterwater is the least of our worries.
On the positive side, city engineers are currently permitting a new water main from OTB to act as a backup to the 24-inch main which has been the sole source for water on The Island (and most of the water for Port Aransas) for more than forty years. The new line has been in the works for years and is needed in case something bad happens to the existing line.
At one point the plan called for a 48-inch main to be brought across the Laguna from Yorktown Road. In 2004 this main was completed to Laguna Shores Road in Flour Bluff before the cost of bringing it on across the Laguna went from $9 million, to $14 million, to $28 million, to $42 million faster than you can say “The Contractor Needs a New Speed Boat and Bigger Cabin on Baffin Bay” and the whole enterprise was scuttled. It took several studies and some good work by the city engineers to decide that the new 24-inch line is much cheaper and will get us through about 2030.
A water supply is one area where Corpus Christi is well placed, largely because of the foresight of former Mayor Mary Rhodes, 19911997, who was vilified by the Corpus Christi Taxpayer Association after she pushed the $132 million pipeline project through despite voter rejection of a 1/4-cent sales tax in 1993 to fund it. The Taxpayer group did everything they could to stop the building of the 101-mile line to Lake Texana and if the line had not been built it is almost certain that Corpus Christ would have lost the water rights to the lake to San Antonio in the State Legislature – and believe us they tried. The line now sometimes brings as much as 40 percent of the water supply to the Coastal Bend and has gotten us through the drought of 1998 and the current one without the water rationing seen in San Antonio and many Texas cities; and keep in mind when it comes to fresh water we are at the end of the line down here, we get what the rest of the state lets get away.
The line, now rightly called the Mary Rhodes Pipeline, has been the life’s blood of our city and history has shown that Mayor Rhodes was on the right side of history and the Corpus Christi Taxpayer Association wasn’t.
So while the question of what the Schlitterbahn park will mean to the Island lifestyle is open for debate, the question of whether we have the water to support it really isn’t, thanks to the vision and determination of Mayor Mary Rhodes.
Got Skills? Make Your Hoop Dreams Come True At the Pepsi Bay Ball Ballyhoop 3-on-3 basketball competition raises money for Special Olympics Texas athletes Are you the Best on the Bay? Prove it at the 23rd Annual Bay Ball Ballyhoop set for July 2122 in Corpus Christi. Ballers from all over the state will vie for the title in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament in several categories, including men’s open, women’s open, Unified, and more. Bay Ball will be held at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi in the Dugan Wellness Center, Island Hall and the Moody Field House. The entry fee is $160 per adult team and $100 per youth team (all youth players must be under 18). Proceeds support Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) – South Texas area athletes. Sign up today. Registration/packet pick up
Hey Everybody…Leave Them Birds Alone! It’s summer and that means beaches and boats and birding. The Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program wants to remind everyone enjoying the birds to do so at a proper distance. Birds have settled in on small islands throughout our bays to nest, incubate their eggs and raise up little birds. And they need plenty of space to do so. If birds are disturbed during this nesting time, they may fly off the nests, leaving eggs or baby chicks vulnerable to predators and heat. Disturbance can lead to the loss of an entire season’s breeding effort for thousands of birds, and potentially the complete abandonment of the island by birds in several of the following years. And remember: Fish, Swim and Play from 50 Yards Away!
is July 20 at Academy Sports + Outdoors, located at 5100 South Padre Island Drive. Competition begins at 9:00 a.m. on both days; awards will be presented on Sunday. For more information, call Alice Fulton-Garza (agarza@ sotx.org) at 361.857.5679 or Melissa Matherne (mmatherne@sotx.org) at 512.491.2927.
About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect. SOTX provides continuing opportunities for more than 44,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Lone Star State to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. To learn more, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org or call 800.876.5646. Engage with us on: Twitter @SOTexas; fb.com/SpecialOlympicsTX; youtube.com/specialolympicstexas.
Send the PAC your questions for the Candidates
Before each election, the PAC sends questionnaires to all the candidates to find out their stance on issues affecting the City and the Island. We’re beginning to compile our questionnaire now, so please send your questions to us at jjhartpac@gmail.com.
Arlene Ritley Design/Layout Jeff Craft Contributing Writers Joey Farah Devorah Fox Mary Craft Maybeth Christiansen Dr. Tom Dorrell Jay Gardner Todd Hunter Danniece Bobeché Ronnie Narmour Dr. Donna Shaver Photographers Miles Merwin Office Security/Spillage Control Riley P. Dog Editor/Publisher/Spillage Control Supervisor Dale Rankin About the Island Moon The Island Moon is published every Thursday, Dale Rankin, Editor / Publisher. Total circulation is 10,000 copies. Distribution includes delivery to 4,000 Island homes, free distribution of 3,000 copies in over 50 Padre Island businesses and condos, as well as 600 copies distributed in Flour Bluff, 1,400 copies on Mustang Island and Port Aransas businesses. News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left at the Moon Office 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.
A5
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
Dee-Scoveries
Island Moon June 28, 2012 Are you into Nature Tourism? Island Police Blotter
Postcard from Camp By Devorah Fox devorahfox@aol.com devorahfox.com
“Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah, here I am at Camp Granada...” Remember that tune, also known as “A Letter from Camp”? The 1963 song by Allan Sherman was based on letters of complaint he received from his son while the boy was at camp. The comical tune won a Grammy.
My “stay” at the June 2012 session of Camp NaNoWriMo comes to an end Saturday, June 30. For the uninitiated, Camp NaNoWriMo is a virtual writer’s retreat, a summer of version of NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, which is held in November. Writers challenge themselves to write a novel in a month. The goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. That’s 1667 words a day, every day, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and don’t you dare miss a day. Catching up can be grueling.
Short of building a bonfire in my office or sleeping in a tent, I did my best to create for myself a real summer camp ambience. I got the camp Tee shirt. I got the camp mug. I made up a camp schedule beginning with Morning Reveille and ending with Lights Out. Three writing periods of varying lengths were broken up by meals, exercise, and chores (read: the demands of my business which couldn’t be put aside until July, not even for camp!).
This being a virtual camp, I did not suffer the humiliations that I did as a kid at summer camp decades ago. This time I did not fall out of the canoe while learning to paddle nor did I slice my thumb open trying to whittle.
However, Camp NaNoWriMo was not without challenges and drama. During Week 1 my keyboard broke right the middle of a sentence. No biggie, you’re thinking. Just go get another one. They’re a dime a dozen and all over the place. Which is true. Except for this one. The unusual, idiosyncratic, ergonomic keyboard that I’ve been using for decades (this was my third!), the Lite On SK 6000, not only is NOT to be found all over the place, it’s not even manufactured anymore. Hasn’t been for years. I did have a conventional keyboard and mouse lying around so I could get back to work, after a fashion. But trying to keep pace in a writing marathon using an unfamiliar keyboard and mouse is like trying to compete in a decathlon wearing someone else’s Nikes.
Two dear friends came to the rescue. One found an SK 6000 for sale on eBay, and the other
Nominations Now Open for State Nature Tourism Achievement Award Deadline is July 27
found one on a dusty shelf in a used computer store in San Antonio. MY HEROS!! You know who’s getting a dedication in my next novel. During Week 2, it seemed to me that campers who were on track should be rewarded so I scheduled a beach campfire-and-cookout. The 20-plus mph wind made getting the fire going a challenge. (I should have paid better attention to the fire-starting instructions during camp orientation!). Finally, though, the coals got glowing and the hot dogs got roasted. I had two and would have had three except a seagull swooped in and snatched one from me—right out of the bun! I tried making S’mores for dessert but never could get the marshmallows to toast the way I remembered from summer camps of days gone by. I maintain that it’s because marshmallows are made differently today but it could be that I’ve simply lost my campfire touch. During Week 3, my network switch died and I lost my Internet connection. At this point in my writing I was doing a lot of research online, so Internet problems had me dead in the water. Fortunately a neighbor who knows way more about connectivity than I do was able to swap cables around and get me back online until I could obtain and install a new switch. Note to Self: add another name to the Acknowledgments.)
Nature Tourism accounts for a large part of visitor activities in many Texas communities. Birding, wildlife photography, shelling, kayaking are just a few of the popular outdoor experiences. Do you know of an individual or organization in your community who has really taken the initiative to build a business appealing to the nature tourist? Are you the owner of a ranch that offers Hummingbird Hayrides, Star Parties, or wildflower tours? The Texas Nature Tourism Council would like you to nominate a business or individual for the State Nature Tourism Award. Self Nominations are also encouraged, because who knows a business better than the owner? Nominations are easy, just fill out the one page form with the basic information and the TNTC council will contact the nominee to complete their form. Winners will be selected in two categories, an organization that is a member of the Texas Tourism Industry Association (TTIA) and Individuals, (can be a TTIA member but not required). The award will be presented in September at the TTIA Texas Travel Summit held outside Austin and Bastrop. The Texas Nature Tourism Award was developed in 2009 to recognize those communities, businesses, and or individuals who have dedicated time, money, conservation efforts and resources to Nature Tourism. The nomination process can be completed online: http://www.ttia.org/?page=tntcaward
Random Stupid Crime of the Week They’ll never think of looking for me here June 22 9:40am, 4109 Staples Street, Theft ($500-$1500)
Two people were arrested Friday morning after they attempted to steal a television, vacuum cleaner, and a variety of other items from the Wal-Mart on Staples.
Corpus Christi Police responded to a complaint of shoplifting from the Wal-Mart. 31-year-old Christa Ramon was left behind at the Wal-Mart as her brother, 25-year-old Luis Ramon fled from Wal-Mart employees in a black Dodge pickup truck after a confrontation about shoplifting. Christa and Luis loaded the television and the vacuum in the truck when employees confronted the pair about the shoplifting. Luis Ramon left in the truck with a 32 inch television and a vacuum cleaner together valued at over $700. Wal-Mart employees obtained the license plate number from the truck as Luis Ramon fled.
Christa Ramon had attempted to steal about $100 worth of a variety of items from the store that included costume jewelry, clothes, and several containers of Preparation H. Christa Ramon was arrested and charged with theft, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and up to $4,000 fine.
Corpus Christi Police went to an address at the 3100 block of Austin Street in relation to the license plate number obtained by Wal-Mart employees. Police Officers found the black Dodge truck, the television, the vacuum, and Luis Ramon at the Austin Street address. Luis Ramon was arrested for theft, and the property was returned to Wal-Mart. (Moon Monkey embellishment) “How did you ever find me?” Luis was heard to say, “You are trying to break my rights.”
Despite the mishaps, I reached the goal line early, validating a word count of 51,650 on June 25.
Island Police Calls
True, 50,000 words does not make a complete commercial novel. Those usually run at least 65,000 words and are more like 75,000, 85,000 or even 100,000 words long. However someone who has 50K words under her belt is likely to go on to finish the story, maybe even publish it. That was my experience when I did my first writing marathon, NaNoWriMo 2010. I finished two days and 62 words ahead of schedule. I continued to chip away at the project through the following year and at the end of 2011, The Lost King was published.
14300 block SPID 2:20 a.m. June 26 Deadly Conduct/Firearm Discharge
Speaking of The Lost King, I’ll be signing copies of that book during First Friday at the Port Aransas Art Center, July 6, 2012. You can also enjoy free music and refreshments at the same time and check out the winners of the Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest. The Art Center is located at 323 N. Alister in Port Aransas. I’ll see you there. — http://devorahfox.com
Criteria: • Organization or Individual demonstrates support of nature tourism best practices, i.e. those that result in wildlife conservation, economic well-being of local nature tourism organization employees, and support of local citizen quality of life • Nominee Agrees to complete a TNTC Achievement Award Nominee Information Form - TTIA will contact the Nominee to complete the form after a nomination has been received. • Nominee Agrees to Accept Award & Post on their Web Site • To qualify for the Member category, nominee must be a member of the Texas Tourism Industry Association. If you are not a member of TTIA, please submit nomination in under the non-member category. Award winner will receive the following: • Plaque • Featured placement on the TNTC section of the TTIA Web Site for 1 year
Gulf Beach and Zahn Road 7:53 p.m. June 22 Reckless Driving 13700 block Cayo Cantiles Ct. 5:59 p.m. June 25 Harassment 15400 block Grass Cay 9:00 p.m. June 22 Theft 11900 block SPID 9:04 a.m. June 24 Traffic Stop 13300 block SPID 9:50 p.m. June 23 Criminal Mischief 14300 block SPID 11:20 p.m. June 21 Public Intoxication 14100 block Cabana East 10:50 p.m. June 22 Traffic Stop S.H. 361 and SPID 2:57 a.m. June 23 Traffic stop Zahn Road and Gulf Beach 1:07 p.m. June 24 Traffic Stop 15200 block Windward 10 p.m. June 23 Burglary of vehicle 15800 block SPID 2:33 p.m. June 24 Traffic Stop
• Featured in press release • Award Ceremony at TTIA Texas Travel Summit conference Entry Deadline: Friday, July 27, 2012 Award Presentation: At Texas Travel Summit (Sept. 23-26: Austin/Bastrop, Texas) Online Nominations: org/?page=tntcaward
http://www.ttia.
If you would like to submit photographs (max of 5) or other supporting documents, please email attachments to: MHorine@ visitcorpuschristitx.org
Obituaries
Fishing Tournaments in Port Aransas Hope Devlin’s Kids Fishing Tournament, July 6th - 7th John Uhr Memorial Billfish Tournament, July 11th - 14th Deep Sea Roundup, July 12th - 15th HT-3 Qualifying Tournament, July 18th - 21st Outboard Fishing Tournament, July 20th 22nd
James Patrick Luby Jr
Herbert Tim Buttler
James Patrick Luby Jr., namesake of J.P. Luby Surf Park and J.P. Luby Fishing Pier, died on Saturday, June 23rd. He was 79. Luby served as Nueces County commissioner of Precinct 4 for four terms, from 197691. Precinct 4 includes North Padre Island, and Luby was recognized as a defender of public beaches and as a conservationist who implemented use of discarded Christmas trees to fortify sand dunes as a means of erosion prevention. After losing a bid for a fifth term, Luby was elected Nueces County sheriff in 1992. Often referred to as the “Beach Commissioner,” Luby is remembered as champion for safe, clean and open beaches. He was respected for making tough decisions balancing the interests of beachgoers, conservationists and developers. During the debates on whether to create a state park and close Mustang Beach in 1975, Luby suggested the people vote on the park’s creation. He also juggled debates on beach parking, nude sunbathers and seaweed accumulation. J.P. Luby never was governor, but he did battle with one. In 1979 when a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico contaminated Texas beaches, leaving tarballs behind, Gov. Bill Clements made a remark that those complaining about a little tar could “always pray for a hurricane.” Luby led the charge locally and in Austin to get the beaches cleaned up. He fought for the environment and also because of the importance of tourism in the area. Today’s beachgoers enjoying the effects of his conservation efforts may not know much about J.P. Luby, aside from their favorite surf park being named after him. His family referred to him as a chronic joke teller. Services for Luby are tentatively scheduled for June 29 at Corpus Christi Cathedral.
Herbert Tim Buttler, the father of longtime Islander and owner of Snoopy’s Pier Ernie Buttler, passed away at age 81 on June 21, 2012 after a short illness. Tim was a long-time resident of Flour Bluff. He was born on January 1, 1931 in Sabinal, Texas and spent his childhood years in La Pryor, Texas. On August 1, 1948 he married his lifelong sweetheart, Bettie Jo and they moved to Corpus Christi shortly thereafter to embark on their life together. As the son of a blacksmith Tim learned the welding trade and spent his career as a proud member of the Pipefitter L.U. #185 and as a contract rig welder. Tim cherished his family and was a devoted husband of sixty-four years to Bettie Jo, and a loving father to six children, ten grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren. He was a lifelong fan of all sports and hunting, but especially enjoyed fishing. He had knowledge of the Laguna Madre that only 60 years of angling experience could earn, and he took special care to impart that passion to his children. Tim was preceded in death by his parents Tim and Lena Buttler, his sister and brotherin-law Melba and Ralph Walker, and son, Michael Paul Buttler. Tim is survived by his loving wife, Bettie Jo Buttler, children, Joe (Martha) Buttler, Randell (Sylvia) Buttler, Ernest (Corliss) Buttler, Tina (Jimmy) Ousley, and Timothy (Melissa) Buttler all of Corpus Christi and a daughter-in-law, Alice Buttler of Fayettville, Texas. As a childhood athlete he was known as Herbie, as a welder, Tim, to his children he was always Dad. By whatever name he was known to some, he will be greatly missed by all.
June 28, 2012
Legislative Update
Island Moon
Todd Hunter, District 32
Sunset Review Process State Preservation Board Over the past few weeks, I have been outlining Texas’ sunset review process. The agencies I have covered so far include the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners, the Texas Lottery Commission and the Railroad Commission. As a reminder, 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 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 last week’s article, I covered the Railroad Commission of Texas. This week we will review the State Preservation Board (Board). The Board was formed in 1983, by the state’s 68th Texas Legislature. The Board was established by the Legislature for the purpose of preserving, maintaining and restoring the State Capitol and General Land Office Building, as well as their contents and grounds for the benefit of citizens of Texas. Today, the Board also provides ground keeping services for the Texas Governor’s Mansion and is responsible for operating the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. On the Board’s website they outline and summarize their duties and responsibilities as follows: • Providing housekeeping, maintenance and grounds keeping services at the Capitol, Capitol Extension, Capitol Visitors Center, Capitol Visitors Parking Garage, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum; • Approving all changes involving construction, restoration and repairs in the Capitol, Capitol Extension, General Land Office building, and on their grounds; • Providing educational and curatorial services for the Capitol; • Care for the Capitol Historic Artifact Collection, which includes Capitol furniture, art and other decorative works; • Operating an education and tourism center at the Capitol Visitors Center; • Providing interpretation and guided tours of the Capitol and Capitol Visitors Center;
• Scheduling and managing public events and exhibits at the Capitol; • Scheduling and managing the Legislative Conference Center, Historic Court Rooms, and Extension Auditorium for Capitol occupants; • Operating the Capitol Gift Shops; • Managing the Capitol Extension Cafeteria; • Operating the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage and maintaining the Capitol Complex Parking Meters;
Senior Moments
Del Mar College Senior Education Computer Program By Dotson Lewis dlewis1@stx.rr.com
Senior of the Moment Adolph Barta Adolph, a Flour Bluff resident, is an accomplished pool player. “Pool Shark” is actually more appropriate. He accepts any and all pool match challenges Monday through Friday 10 to 11:30 am. If you are good or just need a lesson (free) come on in and challenge him.
• Operating the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum; and
The Board is overseen by a six member board which is composed of the Texas Governor, the Texas Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Administration, the Chair of the House Committee on House Administration and an individual who represents the public. If you are interested in learning more about the State Preservation Board, you can go to their website at http://www.tspb.state. tx.us/tspb.htm . Some of the other agencies we will review include The Board of Pardons and Paroles, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and a number of other agencies currently going through the sunset process.
Moments Sports Talk
If the threatened NFL Officials strike becomes a reality, look for some local football officials to be on the field when the season starts. A few of my friends who reside in Corpus Christi have been contacted about the possibility of their officiating when the season starts in a couple of months. The following is a recent press release from the NFL front office:
Ref’s union files charge with NLRB
Adoph BARTA is a true American hero, cast from the same mold as Alvin YORK, the Sergeant YORK of World War I, fame and fellow Texan Audie MURPHY, the most decorated soldier of World War II. Adoph served his country, from 1942 to 1946, in the United States Army in World War II. His service record simply states, among many other items, that he served in the European Theater of Operations and was awarded European Theater medal with three bronze stars.
Texas Historical Commission to Seek Registration of World War II Japanese Internment Camp in Crystal City
The Friends of the Texas Historical Commission was awarded a Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program (JACS) grant to aid the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) efforts to preserve and interpret the history of alien enemy internment camps in Texas during World War II. The National Park Service, through the JACS, now in its fourth year, is funding projects to help preserve and interpret the U.S. confinement sites where more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were detained during World War II.
As one response, tens of thousands of Japanese Americans were moved away from the West Coast. A lesser-known response was an internment camp system operated by the Department of Justice through the Immigration and Naturalization Service that held Japanese, German, and Italian Alien Enemies along with their U.S. citizen relatives.
Entitled “Japanese American and Enemy Alien Confinement at Crystal City (Family) Internment Camp, Texas,” the project’s key goal is to increase the historic documentation of Crystal City (Family) Internment Camp, and hopefully facilitate the site’s elevation to the National Register of Historic Places. Through an in-kind contribution of THC staff and City of Crystal City time, this project will result in a National Register nomination for the confinement site as a discontinuous district. Through this grant, the JACS Program will fund a low-invasive archeological survey of two specific sections of the former internment camp.
Thanks to prior grant support from the JACS Program, the THC has significantly increased the documentation and interpretation of the history of the World War II confinement sites in Texas––and is the only agency working on this type of preservation project in the state. Since 2009, the THC has extensively researched Crystal City (Family) Internment Camp, one of five internment sites in Texas during the war. The other four camps were located at Seagoville, Kenedy, and two U.S. Army facilities at Dodd Field on Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, and Fort Bliss in El Paso. Through a previous grant, the THC has produced a free, full-color brochure and onsite interpretation about the Crystal City site. New webpages detailing the history of all five sites will launch this fall at www.thc.state.tx.us.
When the U.S. entered World War II in December 1941, one of many immediate issues to address was the possibility of enemy agents in the country and the Western Hemisphere.
For more information contact the THC’s Military Historian, William McWhorter at 512.463.5833 or william.mcwhorter@thc.state. tx.us.
The goal of the pageant is to motivate and encourage senior women to utilize their full potential and to share a positive outlook on life with others. The pageant is based on the belief that “Seniors are the foundation of America... It is upon their knowledge, experience and resources that the younger generation has the opportunity to build a better society.”
Congratulations Luz!
If you would like to learn more on your own about the Sunset Advisory Commission or other agencies undergoing the sunset review process, you can go to www.sunset.state.tx.us .
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.
and presented a statement that conveyed her “philosophy of life”. For her talent presentation, Luz gave a demonstration of the 4th Kata.
Luz Lamar Pelletier will represent the Coastal Bend in the Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant, and the statewide winner will compete for the national title.
• Providing maintenance and grounds keeping services for the Texas Governor’s Mansion
If you have any questions regarding the State Preservation Board 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).
A7
The NFL Referees Association has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the league with the National Labor Relations Board. The complaint was filed Tuesday and alleges that since talks broke down this month the NFL twice sent letters to officials that “contained inaccurate, false and incomplete information” about the bargaining. Negotiations between the NFL and the referees ended June 3rd after two mediation attempts that followed nine bargaining sessions since October. The league has said it would start hiring and training replacement officials.
Moment Concern (A Matter of Balance)
Do you or an elder friend or relative sometime fall or lose their balance for no apparent reason? Falls are an ever present danger for Seniors. A Matter of Balance is a falls prevention program for adults age 60 and older who are concerned about falling or have sustained a fall in the past. This is accomplished through group discussion, problem-solving strategies and increasing the physical activity level of those who have concerns about falls. The program consists of seven two-hour sessions held twice per week for four weeks. Class will be held: Wednesdays & Thursdays 1-3 pm Starting July 5, 2012
The facts are that the three bronze stars show that he participated in three major battles between the beaches of Normandy and Berlin. One of these battles, simply stated on his service record IN the section titled “Battles and Campaigns” as “Ardennes,” was in fact the very well known and remembered “Battle of the Bulge.”
If you are 60 years of age or older and are interested in attending these FREE classes reservations can be made with: Ethel Eyerly Senior Center Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm 654 Graham Road (Flour Bluff) 361-937-3281
“For the Americans, with about 840,000 men committed and some 89,000 casualties, including 19,000 killed, the Battle of the Bulge was the largest and bloodiest battle that they fought in World War II.”
Activities at the Ethel Eyerly Senior Center
It was during the “battle of the bulge,” that Pfc. Adolph Barta single handedly captured 24 armed enemy (German) soldiers.
Silver Haired Fitness 10 am
After war ended, Adolph continued to serve his county as a part of the Army of Occupation, during the cold war in Czechoslovakia.
Computer Interest Group 12:30-2 pm
Pfc. Barta was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946 and continued serving his country as a civilian employee of the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. Adolph Barta has been an active and viable asset to his country and this community all of his adult life. As a final note of sacrifice and service to country, two years ago, Adolph’s grandson was KIA in Iraq. THANKS AND A SALUTE TO ADOLPH FOR ALL YOU DO AND HAVE DONE!
654 Graham Road (Flour Bluff) Phone: 361-937-3218
Monday ($7 month, Ladies Only) Wii Bowling 12:30 pm
Tuesday Bingo 10 am ($.50 Cards) Silver Life Fitness (Co-Ed) 11 am Zumba Table Tennis & Table Games 12:30 pm
Wednesday Silver Haired Fitness 10 am ($7 month, Ladies Only)
AARP Chapter 4181 1 pm 2nd & 4th Wednesdays
Thursday Silver Life Fitness (Co-Ed) 11 am Zumba
The WINNER of the 17th ANNUAL MS.
Wii Bowling 12:30 pm Quilting Guild 2nd Thursdays
Friday Silver Haired Fitness 10 am ($7 month, Ladies Only)
Scoopy’s Veranda
Table Tennis 12-5 pm Bingo 12:30 PM ($.50 Cards) Line Dancing 2 pm
Ethel Eyerly Monthly Dinner/Dance 4:30-7:30 pm Friday July 19, 2012 Tickets are $5 & go on sale July 9, 2012 Please call 937-3218 for more information and reservations.
Sun - Sat 11am - 10pm Carry-out Available! Snoopy’s (361) 949-8815 Scoopy’s
(361) 949-7810
13313 S. Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78418
If you have questions and/or comments regarding “Senior Moments” please contact Dotson at the Email address shown above, or Phone 361-949-7681; Cell 530-748-8475
COASTAL BEND SENIOR PAGEANT IS: Luz Lamar Pelletier Luz was also selected Ms. Congeniality by a vote of the contestants. Ms. Pelletier who resides in Corpus Christi, was sponsored by the Ethel Eyerly Senior Center. Her special interest is Karate-ShoChin Ru and shet is a member of Toastmasters and Federally Employed Women. The Contestants participated in four events, interview, evening gown, talent presentation,
Two Painting Workshop
Instructor Debbie Cannatella will hold a twoday workshop for Mixed- Watermedia Collage on Wednesday, August 1st and Thursday, August 2nd, from 9:30 a.m. -12:30. The cost is $25 per days with a three student minimum, pre-pay date is July 25. You don’t need to be a proficient artist to play with this technique. But if you are you can add your own composition. Bring your watercolor painting supplies, or borrow some from the Art Center or get all for $10 Supply fee from Debbie.
Island Moon
A 8
SpaSpa Package Retreat 99 Package
$
A Little Island History
The King Ranch, New Horses, and Into Bandit Country
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.
Ask about our VIP Membership Cards New Slimming Body Wraps
99
Spa Retreat Massage Facial Package Pedicure
$
Massage, Facial & Foot Retreat
Treatment $99Spa Package Full Service Body Waxing • Permanent Cosmetics • Call about our Four Handed Massage
361-949-1444
13915 SPID
Day And Night Boardwalk Shopping Center off Kenedy Bridge to the first right.
This is the third installment of a local history series based on a book by Texas Ranger George Durham. The book called Taming the Nueces Strip is a telling of the story of the troop of Texas Ranger formed in 1875 to remove bandits and raiding Indians who had been riding up from the border and terrorizing towns as far east as Goliad and including Corpus Christi. Durham died in 1940 on a house built for him on the King Ranch but fortunately left behind a big trunk full of yellowed papers that told his story. The land between the Nueces and Rio Grande rivers at the time was claimed by both the United States and Mexico in spite of the fact that Mexico had – at least according to the United States – ceded the land to the U.S. in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo at the end of the U.S./Mexican War in 1848. Border lord Juan Cortina operated a cattle operation near the Village of Las Cuevas on the Mexican side of the river in the Rio Grande Valley where he bought cattle without asking questions. Many lawless characters found their way to Texas in that era and rustling cattle in the Nueces Strip was a way to make quick and easy money. Located in the heart of the strip was, and is, the legendary King Ranch. The story of the ranch is the story of the Nueces Strip since it was the only mark of civilization between Corpus Christi and Brownsville during the latter part of the 1800s. In the last issue we told how the troop of Texas Rangers headed by Captain L.H. McNelly had passed through the hamlet of Banquette and moved on to the King Ranch. They were met at the ranch by Richard King himself. June 1875. Captain Richard King had begun as a riverboat captain working along the mouth of the Rio Grande River. During a trip to Corpus Christi in the 1850’s he passed through the region south of Corpus Christi known then as the Wild Horse Desert. After one hundred miles of hard riding he came upon Santa Gertrudis Creek and realized that if the creek could support the abundant wildlife found there it could support cattle. He started buying land. He and his partner Gideon “Legs” Lewis bought 15,500 acres then known as the Rincon de Santa Gertrudis and the King ranch was born.
Isle Mail N More Now inside Mail N More...
All your Packaging needs FedEx, UPS, USPS P.O. Boxes Local Artistry Gelato & Coffees Cards & Gifts (361) 949-9325 14493 S.P.I.D, Ste A Corpus Christi TX 78418
Costa Sur Cevicheria & Cafe
Try the Leche del Tigre Hangover Shot $2 Chef Nicolas Mackrizz 361-949-1989
Johnny D’s
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Happy Hour Happy Hour 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
4:30 Full toService 6:30 p.m. Bar $2.00 Pints
Located on Padre Island, Johnny D's offers Island dining at its best. Serving Corpus Christi with the freshest local
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$2.00 Pints 15600 SPID On the Island 949-2500
Featuring 7 Draft Beers HOURS-Closed SUNDAYS & MONDAYS Located on Padre Island, Johnny D's offers Island dining at its best. Serving Corpus Christi with the Check our website forfreshest daily local specials seafood and culinary masterpieces, order the rack of lamb and you'll be calling your friends from the table! Hours of and more information TUES-SAT 4:30 till 10:00 on 4:30 Tap operation are Tuesday-Saturday 4:30 to 10pm and Sunday to 9pm www.letseat.at/johnnydsrestaurant Daily Features.15600 Fresh Fish. SPID On the Island 949-2500 Great Daily Dinner Specials We will cook your catch.
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Wednesdays Prime Rib with Twice Baked Open 11 am - 2 am Potato Kitchen Closes @ 1 am
One Bite & You’re Hooked
2034 State Highway 361
361 749- Taco (8226)
June 28, 2012
of the best horses in the world and that is why the Rangers had come.
The Rangers were shown to the grub shanty only according to Durham it wasn’t a shanty at all. It included four long tables with seating for one hundred people. The next morning the Rangers were lead to a pen where they were to pick out a horse and drop their lariat around his neck. Durham was a farm boy who had never seen a lariat before he came to Texas and Captain King himself picked out a sorrel gelding and personally gave it to Durham along with a new saddle and scabbard for his .50 caliber Sharps Rifle.
“Wherever Captain McNelly sends you that horse will take you,” Captain King told him. “He’s a good solid animal. Plenty of stay, and enough speed.”
Captain McNelly was eyeing a big bay horse named Segal. “You want him?” King asked. “That’s a five hundred dollar horse Captain,” McNelly said. “I couldn’t ask you for him and Texas would never pay you for him.”
“I’d rather give him to you than have those bandits come and take him,” King said. “Most of those rascals are mounted on my stock and I at least want to do as good by you.”
They now had good mounts and saddles, good pistols, and a leader who knew how to hunt and kill bandits. They were ready to go looking for them but where?
Riding into bandit country
They set out south at a brisk canter in single file five paces apart with a patrol out front and flank riders in the brush to guard against ambush. They were in bandit country and had traveled just over half a day when they smelled smoke. They found the charred remains of what had been buildings on Rancho la Parra which had been torched within the last twenty four hours.
Suddenly Sergeant Armstrong galloped back from the lead patrol and made a circle with his right arm twice and then let his hand fall to the south. He had sighted someone.
The troop moved out of single file and into the half moon shaped line that was their battle formation when fighting on horseback in open country. They all checked their pistols as a group of men road up. It was a one-hundred man posse out of Corpus Christi chasing bandits that had recently raided the town. McNelly was not fond of civilian posses as they tended to get in the way. They had chased the raiders across the river but were not able to catch or engage them.
“Tell these men to return to their homes,” McNelly said.
Richard King
During the Civil War King’s ranch was known as the “Backdoor of the Confederacy” because Brownville was the only port where Confederate cotton could be exported by going around the Union blockade with the use of Mexican flagged ships. But to get there it had to go across the King Ranch – at a price.
The Yankees left but the bandits stayed Now just over twenty years after the war the enemy was a constant stream of bandits rustling King Ranch cattle and horses. The Rangers job was to find the bandits and kill them. Bringing them in to face courtroom justice was a pipedream in that time and recent attempts at doing it by Ranger Captain Neal Coldwell had proven that. Coldwell’s tactics had worked well against marauding Indians on the northwest Texas frontier but not against border bandits. He had been recalled and McNelly sent in. To fight the raiders McNelly adopted their tactics. This was a fight to the death.
Captain Richard King The Richard King who met the Rangers at the ranch that day in the early summer of 1875 was 51 years old. He weighted no more than 135 pounds and stood five and a half feet tall with brown hair and beard. The town of Santa Gertrudis was home to about one hundred people who worked on the ranch and consisted of cattle pens built of sawed lumber which he had traded a boat load of steers for during the California Gold Rush when Brownsville was a popular starting point for prospectors heading west. The pens held a mix of cattle and included thousands of head of Longhorns that roamed the Nueces Strip in the years after the Civil War. They were branded with the now iconic Running W Brand of the King Ranch whose shape looked like a rattlesnake making its way across the prairie. The house at Santa Gertrudis was more like a fort than a house. Inside the main room eighty stands of Henry repeating rifles were kept – these were the first practical lever action repeating rifles ever made and fired a .44 caliber rimfire cartridge. They made their reputation in the Battle of Altoona Pass in the Civil War after which a Confederate officer said of them “It’s a rifle that you could load on Sunday and shoot all week long.”
“They won’t do that,” the posses leader Martin Culver said.
“You have ten minutes and if you don’t lay down your arms my men will move on you and lay them down for you. After ten minutes you’ll be in violation of the Law of Texas and that makes you outlaws and we’ve been sent to kill them,” McNelly said.
There were one hundred men in the posse and only forty Rangers – but they were after all Rangers. One of the posse rode up to McNelly and handed him his pistol butt first.
“You may keep it but only use it to defend your home,” McNelly told him. The remainder of the posse followed suit.
McNelly takes over the Nueces Strip
McNelly had taken over the Nueces Strip. There were those later who said he was bluffing that day but not one Ranger in the troop ever believed it. McNelly didn’t bluff. When he gave an order he was ready to enforce it. The Nueces Strip was full of men with whom parlaying was deadly. It was a straightforward time. State your business and then be ready to back it up with firepower.
As the Rangers moved south they stayed in their battle ready formation. The bandits weren’t far away. That night they made a cold camp - no fires - in a mott of trees known as Mota Tablo located nine miles above the present city of Raymondville. They put out double guards in three shifts all night. The men slept on their saddles behind their horses.
The Law of the Strip
“We’re now in outlaw country,” the Captain told them. “You’ll be ordered out in the scouting patrols in twos and threes. There are only two kinds of people for us – outlaws and lawabiding. Treat these law-abiding folks with all respect regardless of color or size. Don’t enter a house unless a man invites you in. Don’t take a roasting ear or melon unless he tells you to. If his dog barks at you, get away from him. Don’t shoot it. As for the other type of men; place them under arrest and bring into camp. Until further orders all prisoners will be put under the old Spanish law – la ley de fuga – which means the prisoner is killed on the spot if rescue is attempted.”
Such were the rules of engagement for Texas Rangers in the Nueces Strip in 1875.
They were the state of the art in personal weaponry at the time and the fact that the King Ranch kept such a large number of them was testament to the troubled times and area they lived in. Two men stood lookout day and night on the seventy-foot tall lookout tower and scanned the plains for intruders. The bandit raiders knew this but came on anyway as these were desperate times in the Nueces Strip.
Meeting the Captain The first words Captain King spoke to the Rangers were, “How in the world did you get here on those nags?” The King Ranch was and is home to some
Lookout tower on King Ranch
June 28, 2012
Island Moon
Year To Date Lot Sales on the Island
15622 Palmira Ave.
13,000
15601 Cuttysark
20,000
15625 Finistere
14,000
15701 Finistere
20,500
L 21 B 15 Port’s of Call
14,500
15517 Escapade
20,500
Ketch Street
15,000
Cuttysark
20,500
Aquarius
15,000
15117 Tesoro
20,500
15602 Dyna St.
15,000
14209 Natal Plum
21,000
14826 Lighthouse
16,000
14213 Natal Plum
21,000
15422 Escapade
16,000
15722 Dyna
22,000
15601 Escapade
16,380
Escapade
22,500
Palmira
16,500
15606 Cruiser
23,000
15139 Crossjack
17,000
15410 Escapade
23,000
13902 Longboat
17,000
Cuttysark
23,750
13638 Whitecap
17,500
15101 Tesoro
24,500
14757 Dasmarinas
18,000
Coquina Bay
25,000
15509 Cuttysark
18,000
Bay Bean Drive
25,000
15605 Cuttysark
18,000
15918 Cozumel
25,000
15541 Escapade
18,000
Almeria
45,000
Finistere
18,000
14254 Avenaida De San Nico
51,000
Tesoro
18,000
Cartagena Court
79,900
15629 Finistere
18,500
Mizzen
87,500
15205 Lafitte
18,900
14146 Palo Seco
90,000
Finistere
19,000
13842 Captain’s Row
96,900
14265 Sea Pines
19,500
15362 Sabre
121,000
Windjammer
20,000
Cuttysark
178,000
13834 Whitecap
20,000
Camino De Pata
190,000
15613 Escapade
20,000
15369 Isabella
200,000
13809 Flintlock
20,000
A9
Mertens Fishing Trip
15334 Bowsprit-East Facing Waterfront, Recent Remodel, shows like New! Standing Seam Aluminum Roof, Granite, Gas, Cooks Kitchen, Sophisticated Style!
Three generations of Mertens men – Carl Mertens (79), Joe Mertens (45), and Carlton Mertens (11) went fishing to celebrate Carlton’s 11th Birthday. A very successful trip was had guided by Gary Cooper out of Woody’s. We had our limit of Red Fish (9) and Black Drum (15) as well as one trout. These fish were caught in the flats near Port Aransas. The next day the trio went offshore and caught their limits of Red Snapper, Kingfish as well as a 40 pound Ling and Mahi Mahi.
$425,000
361-939-9008 1828 Waldron Rd.
Get the attention you deserve.
Selling a home? Want results?
Under Contract 13845 Gunwale
Call 361-949-7281
Mary Melick Real Estate
$229,900
Beach House Realty 361-332-1021
Driving School SUMMER BLOWOUT SALE! • $20 off the price of the Teen Drivers Education Class with this ad! • Convenient Location in Flour Bluff • Finish classroom in three weeks • Take permit test after three classes
WATERFRONT penthouse 3/2 condominium with boat slip. High ceilings, totally redone, fully furnished, beautiful views and short hop to beach. Close to where new waterpark will be.....$185,900 Make it yours today.
Beach House Realty, Gail D. Spinn
2217 State Highway 361, Suite A-1, Port Aransas, Texas 78373
Turtle Cove Driving School Open Thursday and Saturday June 2 & June 9 9729 SPID #107 Register now for the second summer session: Corpus Christi, TX 78418 June 11th - June 30th (361) 937-1170
Moon
Monday - Saturday
March 25, 2011
15949 Punta Espada Loop Waterfront canal compound built on double lots on Padre Island. Three separate buildings. Main house has 4 bed 4 baths, 3 car garage, elevator, gourmet kitchen, 2 laundry areas. Separate 3 car garage. Separate guest house has 1bed/1 bath plus mini kitchen & living area and generator. Whole house multimedia TV and surround sound. Pool, spa & two boat slips. Much much more! Must see!
AC 1.6 RE S
$1,429,000 Qualified buyers only please call
The best service, The best results...
Keith Donley
Call Liz today!
at 361-215-3454. www.coastaltexasproperties.com
929 W. Young, Aransas Pass, TX Come and take alook at this manufactured home in great condition! Has 3 bdrms and 2 full baths. It is sitting on 1.6 Acres, with lots of trees! It has city water, and Aerobic system for sewer already installed. This great home is also close to Conn Brown Harbor for easy water access to Redfish Bay or the Jetties! Also has Home Warranty for 1 year. Easy to see, just give us a call!
$85,000 MLS# 167879
2
1
Realty, LLC 575 E Goodnight • Aransas Pass, TX • 78336
361-758-8777
Left or right, your always home.
Island Moon
A 10
Roni Owner / Stylist
Denice Stylist
June Island Moon Market
June 28, 2012
Amy Stylist
Hair Salon
New location 15033 S.P.I.D.
Color Services starting at $65
Hair Cuts $25 with Color
949-0794
www.theislandsedgehairsalon.com
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 Island Moon Newspaper T-Shirts are here! Get yours for only $19.95 plus $5.05 shipping and handling. Or you can purchase them at The Island Moon Markets held the fourth Saturday of every month. Shirts come in grey or white short sleeve T-Shirts sizes L. XL and XXL. Tank Tops come in Aqua and White in sizes Med and Large.
Only
$
19.95
To order by mail please send your checks made payable to J. Park to The Island Moon, 14493 S.P.I.D., PMB 220, C.C., Tx 78418.
The second Island Moon Market was great fun on the Michael J. Ellis Seawall last weekend. The next one is set for Saturday, July 28.
Scuttlebutt’s has the Blues every Thursday Night Happy Hour! Come check out Antone & the All Stars on June 28th. Great Music, Great Food, Great Service. It’s where the locals go.
14254 SPID 361-949-6769 www.scuttlebuttsbarandgrill.com New Shipment 4th of July Weekend Talavera Textiles, Blouses, Alebrije, Glass, Equipales & Paintings
While Supplies Last
• • • •
Island Shades CELLULAR SHADES PLEATED SHADES NATURAL SHADES ROLLER SHADES
• • • •
SOLAR SHADES EXTERIOR SOLAR SHADES WOOD SHUTTERS & BLINDS VERTICAL BLINDS
Interior & Exterior Custom Installation Free Estimates / Consultation 361-779-2680 Island Resident
Bron’s Beach Carts
1726 State Hwy 361 In the Tower Center 749-1828
Just inside Port Aransas City Limits. Handmade Arts, Glassware, Clothing, Jewelry. And much more… Come out & see us. “Don’t worry–You have a place for it!”
PORT “A” OUTFITTERS Huge selection of Costa del Mar sunglasses Shimano Yeti Coolers Guy Harvey Clothing Pleagic Gear Saltlife Fishing Tackle
Best Rates, Best Carts
Bron’s Beach Carts located at 314 East Avenue G. Best cars in Port Aransas. Great service, friendly people.
Call 361-290-7143 for pricing and reservations.
126 W. Cotter • Port Aransas, Texas • (361) 749-3474 (FISH)