Section a 643 for the web

Inside the Moon

Bridge Dedication A5

Issue 643

Island Gardening A9

Paddle Practice A7

The

Island Moon The voice of The Island since 1996

August 11, 2016

Bark in the Big Park A9

Live Music A18

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Turtle Season Winding Down

Around The Island

By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com

It’s been too hot for Good Dogs on our little sandbar this week. We heard of one count of a Chihuahua hiding in an Island refrigerator. ¡Ay Chihuahua!

Line down If ever there was a question about how fragile our traffic flow is on The Island it was brought into clear focus Monday morning when a city crew towing a piece of heavy equipment along SPID struck a high

wire (or a low wire) near the SPID/ Aquarius intersection near where the new traffic light is being installed.

The incident was not connected to the work on the intersection but it served to indicate what an impact a traffic impediment at that intersection can have. The line turned out to be a Grande Cable line and blocked traffic for about an hour and blew out service on The Island for the rest of the day.

But during that hour traffic backed up to the City Limits on SH 361, past Whitecap on SPID, to the Aquarius extension on Commodores, and over the top of the JFK Causeway.

AEP crews arrived at the scene first by since none of their lines were effected they couldn’t act. When Grande crews arrived the line was lifted to allow southbound traffic and one lane of northbound traffic.

It took another hour, after the northbound lanes were both opened, for traffic flow to return to normal.

There are now over 15,000 people living on The Island, about 3,3500 in Port Aransas and 12,000 on Mustang/ North Padre, and the vast majority access The Island over the JFK. The Metropolitan Planning Organization says the average of 32,000 vehicle that cross the JFK each day, a high of over 70,000 per day on peak days, will double in the next twenty years.

As we reported in the last issue there are several measures underway to improve Island roads but as this episode clearly showed us having only four lanes on our main artery is a problem that gets worse with each passing year.

Way to go Kara!

As we navigate the political season we should take time to send out a Moon commendation to Nueces County Clerk Kara Sands. She has been in office for less than two years but in that time has identified and fixed overcharges for voting expenses levied by that office to other governmental entities that had been going on for decades. She is in the process of allowing voters to cast ballots at any polling place on Election Day, in the past they could only vote at a polling place in their own precinct, and now has begun charging for holding elections, a function of that office, by voter rather than by polling place. This allocates funds not as a fee per polling place but rather as a user fee based on where people actually vote.

She identified a problem in the Clerk’s office, ran on a promise to fix it, and when elected fixed it. That’s how participatory democracy is supposed to work.

Around continued on A4

The final turtle release of 2016 scheduled for this month. Full story on page A4

Island By The Numbers 15,500 people, $4.2 billion in property on Islands

Island By The Numbers will become a new feature of The Moon. If you have numbers of interest to our readers, please send them to editor@islandmoon.com

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4600 Single family dwellings on The Island

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2.27 People per dwelling on The Island

•

•

$27 billion Total property value in Nueces County

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$2.2 billion Total property value on The Island

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$2.0 billion Total property value in Port Aransas

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$.606264 per $100 of property value The proposed tax rate for 2016-2017 for City of Corpus Christi.

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6.5% Increase in City of Corpus Christi taxes for 2017 based on 6.5% increase in total appraised value of property in City of Corpus Christi (The Corpus Christi City Council has scheduled hearings to maintain the 2015 tax for the 2016-2017

12,000 Padre/Mustang island Population (Estimate based on 2010 census, increase in voter registration since 2010 census, amount of new homes built since 2010)

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300 New houses built on Padre Island since January 1,2014

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3500 Port Aransas population (According to the city staff)

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316,381 Population City Corpus Christi (Source: Suburban Stats)

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359,715 Population Nueces County (Source: County Information Program, Texas Association of Counties)

budget meaning city taxes, and property tax revenue, will increase by 6.5%) •

.272191 per $100 of property value. The proposed tax rate for 2016-2017 for the City of Port Aransas

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1% Historical annual growth rate for the City of Corpus Christi rate over the last 20 years

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10% Historic annual growth rate for The Island over the last 20 years

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60% Corpus Christi population in the 21 to 64 age group

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70% Island population in the 21 to 64 year age group

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29% City of Corpus Christi in the 0 to 20 age group

Updating an Icon Harbor Bridge Project Underway

By Todd Hunter State Representative District 32 The Coastal Bend is celebrating the official groundbreaking of the U.S. 181 Harbor Bridge Replacement Project. The long-

awaited Harbor Bridge project comes as a result of years of research and planning by local, state, and federal officials and community members in order to improve safety, connectivity, and

Numbers cont. on A15

Bridge cont. on A13

A little Island history

The Island Gets a Bird’s Eye View JFK Bridge Completed in 1973

By Mary Craft In 1973 the four lane “high bridge” with a 72 foot clearance replaced the two lane JFK causeway and swing bridge that was in place since 1950 when the iItracoastal was dredged.

The JFK causeway was called the North Padre Island causeway before local area officials renamed it in the 60s. Many locals called it the Laguna Madre causeway.

The swing bridge had openings on either side for small boats to pass. Whenever there was a ship to shore call from a barge, shrimp boat or sailboat to the sole bridge operator the two halves of the bridge swung open.

The shrimpers had a field day when it was closed for a few hours because the current would run north pitching

hundreds of shrimp against the bridge. The shrimpers would swing their nets across the side of the bridge and peel off six to eight hundred pounds of shrimp. They would sell the shrimp to Gene at Billings Bait & Tackle (who is still there under the bridge) and he would haul them in a truck out to Gulf King Shrimp Company in Aransas Pass where they were processed and packaged then sent around the world. The town was known as the “Shrimp Capital of the World” until the company moved 34 of its vessels to Nicaragua in 1994.

Original bridge/causeway design later tweaked The new four mile bridge was constructed by Heldenfels Bros., Inc. which is a family owned

JFK Restaurant History continued on A4

A2

Perseid Meteor Shower Should be Extra Awesome This Year

Shooting-star seekers heading out to watch the Perseid meteor shower Aug. 11 and 12 may see a much better show than in past years.

That's because the Earth will collide with more material than usual from Comet Swift-Tuttle, which is the source of the Perseids. Jupiter's gravity has tugged the debris stream in such a way that Earth will move closer to the middle of the stream, rather than the edge, NASA officials said in a statement.

In fact, Earth may collide with three or more streams during the shower this year. This could result in double the usual rate of meteors, and a spectacular rate of 200 meteors per hour under perfect conditions, according to the statement.

The meteors you'll see this year are from comet flybys that occurred hundreds if not thousands of years ago," Bill Cooke, who leads NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office in Huntsville, Alabama, said in the statement. "And they've traveled billions of miles before their kamikaze

August 11, 2016

Island Moon

run into Earth's atmosphere."

The 2016 Perseid meteor shower will peak overnight on Aug. 11 and 12, 2016. The meteor shower appears to radiate out of the constellation Perseus in the northern sky.

Although the meteor shower is named after the constellation Perseus (the meteors appear to radiate from that direction), the fragments burning up in Earth's atmosphere have a much closer source: Comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 133 years, leaving behind a trail of tiny particles as it goes.

If you have clear skies and live in the Northern Hemisphere, head out to watch the show between midnight and dawn local time on Aug. 12 and 13 (that is, the nights of Aug. 11 and 12).

Go to a dark area, and wait for 30 to 45 minutes for your eyes to adjust. Your bare eyes are all you need in order to see the meteors.

La Posada Foundation Expanding

By Brent Rourk For 42 years La Posada has been a magnificent Island event, and for many of those years the Padre Island Yacht Club and most recently the La Posada Foundation have planned and directed the kick-off party and parades that usher an unrivaled Christmas Spirit to the Island.

Last year the foundation collected over 4000 toys and almost $18,000 which were given to Toys for Tots. As both Padre Island Yacht Club and La Posada Foundation members have stated for many years – ‘It is all about the kids’ While happily working to promote a giving spirit and put smiles on thousands of children in the Coastal Bend before and during La Posada, members of the Foundation considered widening the scope of giving.

Last week, with the help of a donation, the La Posada Foundation presented to Timon’s Ministries new backpacks to give to needy families in Corpus Christi. Just in time for school, the new backpacks will go to children of families who are receiving food from the Timon’s Crisis Pantry.

La Posada Foundation President Doug Seefeldt explained, “The La Posada Foundation has a wonderful time sponsoring the La Posada events around Christmas, but we're now seeking to expand the Foundation's goal of helping

under privileged children in the Coastal Bend.”

Seefeldt continued, “We recently received a monetary donation to purchase school backpacks for children at Timon's Ministries. The La Posada Foundation is operated 100% by volunteers and it's donations like this that allows us to expand your generosity.”

Countless needy families are in need of school supplies as the school year gets under way. The Island La Posada Foundation will be happy to turn your donations into school supplies and tennis shoes for needy children.

Sometimes people take for granted the simplest things and the most basic needs. One such young boy recounted the best things that happened to him last year. After thinking, he stated that the best thing that happened to him was when he received a pair of tennis shoes so that he could play sports and partake of the school P.E. classes. Most children might have responded by claiming that they received a cell phone, computer, wide screen TV, surfboard or some other expensive wants.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the La Posada Foundation now to help young, needy children with school supplies, backpacks and tennis shoes, then please send your check to the La Posada Foundation, 14493 SPID A-249, Corpus Christi, Texas 78418.

You can also make a donation online at www. gofundme.com/laposadafoundation.

The Foundation will ensure that your donation provides local children with supplies, shoes, and clothing they need to begin the school year.

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Island Moon

Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder

Letters to the Editor

Did Ya Hear?

judicial authority.

5. Also, please provide the actual dispersing of all monies collected for violating this Covenant by citing Covenant authority and disposition.

By Mary Craft mkay512@aol.com

Regrettably, Ken & Liz Langer Laffite Drive

New Advertisers

PS just came back from walking the dog; spoke to a neighbor down the street that got a “blue letter”. They were cited for having a cooler at the top of their driveway. There was NO mention of needing to trim their Palm tree, which is in worst shape than ours!

Now if that is not discriminatory, what is??

Distribution Pete Alsop

Padre Island Teen

Island Delivery

Island Owners Have the Blues

Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin Classifieds

Open Letter to Padre Isles Owners Association:

Arlene Ritley Production Manager Abigail Bair Contributing Writers Joey Farah Andy Purvis Mary Craft Christiansen Jay Gardner Todd Hunter Dotson Lewis Ronnie Narmour Brent Rourk Photographers Miles Merwin Jeff Dolan Mary Craft Ronnie Narmour Office Security/Spillage Control (Emeritus) Riley P. Dog

The second paragraph of the “blue letter” states that you were on a routine inspection of ALL the houses on my street. So how many “blue letters “did you send out on my street? It better have been at least 30 or else we will have to assume that we have been discriminated against. I have talked to a number of my neighbors and I haven’t found anyone else that received a “blue letter”.

You checked the line “Trash CANS visible from the street” There was only one can visible from the street. You checked the line “Brown fronds hanging from PALM TREES” There is only one Palm Tree in violation. I bring up the case of one can and one palm tree because compared to the majority of my neighbors our violations are minor.

The day we received the “blue letter” we took a drive down our street that you had inspected. There are approximately 46 homes on our street including the two cul de sacs. Most homes had multiple violations: 87% of the homes on Laffite are not in compliance, including ours.

So we will keep our trash cans out of site.

Now let us talk about those horrid palm trees.

Or in our case the ONE horrid palm tree.

I was originally considering copying this response and sending it to Island residents with Palm trees, but will hold for now.

We have our Palm trees trimmed approximately every 10 to 12 months depending on rainfall.

We do this for a couple of steadfast reasons.

We are a retired couple living on a fixed income and quite natural, we try to stretch out our maintenance cost to what we can.

Publisher 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.

The Island Moon Newspaper 14646 Compass, Suite 3 Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361-949-7700 editor@islandmoon.com Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper

Where to Find The Island Moon Port Aransas Lisabella’s Restaurant Pioneer RV Park

Sandpiper Condos WB Liquors Port A Arts

North Padre

Stripes @ Beach Access Rd. 1A

All Stripes Stores

A Mano

Angry Marlin

Coffee Waves

CVS

Moby Dicks

Whataburger

Spanky’sLiquor

Doc’s Restaurant

IGA Grocery Store

Snoopy’s Pier Isle Mail N More

Carter Pharmacy

Island Italian

San Juan’s Taqueria

Brooklyn Pie Co.

Wash Board Laundry Mat

Holiday Inn

Ace Hardware

Port A Parks and Rec

Texas Star (Shell)

Public Library

Scuttlebutt’s Restaurant

Chamber of Commerce Duckworth Antiques Back Porch Woody’s Sports Center

Jesse’s Liquor

Subway Island Tire And all Moon retail advertisers WB Liquor

Shorty’s Place

Flour Bluff

Giggity’s

H.E.B.

Stripes @ Cotter & Station Gratitude Gift Shop Keepers Pier House Port A Glass Studio The Gaff

Liquid Town Whataburger on Waldron Ethyl Everly Senior Center Fire Station Police Station Stripes on Flour Bluff & SPID

1. Unlike a lot of residents, we do not purposely trim our Palm tree in a “carrot top”manner for 2 underlying reasons, those being: a. It is widely believed and stated by many are nurseries that in recent years Palm tree disease that killed hundreds of Palm trees in the Coastal Bend was caused by the “carrot top” trimming method. b.It is a known fact, that trimming your Palm tree to early creates more growth and causes increased trimmings! We do not have an unlimited budget!

3. We find just borderline insulting to target our single Palm tree as being in need of a trim when at the 40 + palm trees in the back side of your office that are in a much further need of being trimmed than our one tree. Please note that we are fully aware that these Palm trees are under the City of Corpus Christi jurisdiction as they are on Gypsy Park. That said, the upkeep must be in accordance with PIPOA Covenants, regardless!

4. Further, and in that same regard, after driving around the Island we note (quite fairly) that approximately 65% of the Palm trees are in a much more need of trimming than our single tree, discounting lots of course! I notice that the Island Liquor store on Whitecap has not had their Palm trees trimmed for in excess of two years. Same can be said for the condominiums on Leeward and Winward. There are a couple of hotels and the Power generation yard off Park Road 22 that are in dire need of trimming as well.

We further note that it was not mentioned how nice we keep our front yard for public viewing which is above and beyond normal appearances around the Island.

We would like to know who took the time to highlight the Summary of standards? Poor time management as 8 of the highlighted items out of 10 did not pertain to our property.

On another note we would like to bring to your attention to page 3 of the Covenants, Section IV., General Land Use, paragraph 10. We think if you would enforce the 1st sentence of this paragraph that it would do more to beautify our Island then trimming palm trees. We would love to see the second sentence enforced also. But we question your ability to enforce parking on a city street. Isn’t that up the City of Corpus Christi to enforce?

It seems to us that enforcement of all the Covenants is very lax and selective. Now don’t take this the wrong way but going after the palm fronds, when there are other issues that are more important, will most likely end up in court. We don’t need to spend money on attorneys. Enforce the things that people can physically do and can afford to do. Let’s look down at our homes, yards, streets and parks and not up at the palm trees doing what nature means for them to do.

As the PIPOA is a covenant operating under the City of Corpus Christi governing laws, you are none the less responsible for conforming to the laws of the United States of America.

Therefore, we request under the Freedom of Information Act: 1. A copy of the letter that you have sent the City Corpus Christi pertaining to trimming their Palm trees in the back of the PIPOA office.

2. Next, we request the total number of “blue letters “sent this year to Padre Island residents regarding the same issue as ours.

3. Also we request a schedule of fines for each violation.

4. Next we request the amount of fines that were imposed to the residents that did not comply with your demands. Further we request amount of fines paid. If a lien was imposed on the house, please cite final

A3

By Elizabeth Clark Right as August rolls around, the realization finally hits that summer is coming to an end. Back to school shopping is one of my favorite parts of starting the school year, but it can really be difficult for a new kid or even a returning student to pinpoint their personal style and feel welcomed into the school. A whole new group of fish-- I mean, freshmen-are coming into the high school, and it can be hard to find your place. Are you geeky, sporty, artsy, or maybe intellectual?

I know I had a lot of trouble finding where I belonged during my first year.

If you're moving to Corpus Christi or heading towards your first day of high school, or even just wanting to seize the year, there's nothing to it. The best advice that you'll hear is to stick to your values and find your true friends. It's better to have a few great friends than dozens of mere acquaintances. As one friend put it, "It's easier to have four quarters than a hundred pennies." High school can be some of the best years of your life if you make the most of it. Try hard, and have fun.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, email me at PadreIslandTeen@yahoo.com.

New Islanders Hooked Dear Editor, We just wanted to take a moment let all of you at The Island Moon know how much we enjoy reading The Island Moon newspaper. My wife and I recently relocated from Sulphur Springs located in northeast Texas to Corpus Christi, where we purchased a new home on the Island.

My wife has triplet 15 year old daughters (Rylee, Camryn and Madalyn Parks) that will be attending Flour Bluff High as sophomores.

We haven't had a whole lot of free time since our relocation in June, however my nephew, Ryan Pena, was able to schedule a day to take us out on the Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay in his 2014 Blue Ray Purebay 2400 boat for a fun filled day of fishing. Madalyn decided she didn't want to wake up at 5 a.m. and opted to stay home. Boy did she miss out on the fishing fun!!!

Using live croaker and live shrimp, the day started off with Rylee catching the first of 16 keeper speckled trout. Camryn caught the largest of the speckled trout at 18.5". Most of our trout were in the 17-18" range and we released just as many undersize Specs as we kept. We also caught one undersized flounder as well.

We were nearing the end of our early morning trip when Rylee and Camryn decided to cast out the last of the live shrimp we had. Rylee received a strong bite and after putting up

a good fight and running on her several times, she reeled in a 27.5" slot Redfish.

It was minutes after my nephew Ryan netted Rylee's catch and brought it aboard, that Camryn received another hard hitting bite.

As Camryn was working hard to reel in her catch, we watched as the Ladyfish (Skipjack) leapt from the water trying to shake the hook. After a brief run, Camryn was able to bring aboard the beautiful Ladyfish, take a photo with her catch, and return it to the waters.

We returned to Marker 37 Marina where my nephew tied off the boat and promptly filleted all of the fish for us. We ended up with 3, gallon size Ziplock bags of Specs and Rylee's very thick Redfish. Both Rylee and Camryn were very proud of their numerous catches and can't wait to go again. During the trip as we were catching trout after trout, Rylee commented that she was never going to fish in a lake or pond again because all you catch are little fish!

We wanted to share this first fishing adventure with you as we know the girls would love to be able to see their story in print and send a few copies to their grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and lifelong friends in Sulphur Springs. Relocating when your children are in High School can be pretty hard on them, but with activities such as this fishing trip brought real smiles to all of us!

I guess we have to invest in a boat of our own and continue our adventures here on the Island.

We've attached a few pictures from our fishing trip to share with all of you at The Island Moon. What a great time my stepdaughters and I had!

Dr. Lloyd Stegemann is a surgeon and former teacher/coach and is running for city council district 4. The district includes the Island, Flour Bluff and Ocean Drive.

Business Briefs Mikel May’s Beachside Bar & Grill is celebrating their third anniversary Saturday, August 13th with live 80s music 9 pm – 1 am.

Live music by the Daze. There will be drink specials and giveaways.

Jersey Mike’s Subs has opened a location next to CVS on Ennis Joslin. Their most popular sub is the Philly Cheese Steak. They bake their own bread and the beef is sliced for each individual sandwich. Any sub can be made as a wrap or tub.

Island in the Son United Methodist Church is seeking vendors for their “Fabulous Fall” Arts and Crafts Sale to be held on Saturday, September 24, 2016 from 9 AM to 3 PM. Contact the church for a vendor information packet by phone (361-749-0884) or email (islandintheson@yahoo.com).

William Thau III has moved his office from Flour Bluff to 5337 Yorktown Blvd Suite 4A2. His practice specializes in divorce, child custody and support, adoption/guardianship, paternity cases, wills, auto accidents, personal injury, DWI, criminal justice and military law. Call 1-877-888-1369.

The Padre Island Business Association will not have a mixer in August.

The Creative Referral Network will meet at the second floor of Schlitterbahn on Friday, August 12th 8:30 – 9:30 am. They meet weekly for this networking event and everyone is invited just bring business cards.

For more info call Cassandra Strom at 9490735.

Seashore Learning Center schools start Wednesday, August 17th and Flour Bluff and CCISD schools start Monday, August 22nd.

Litter Critter will be on the Island Saturday, August 13th 7 am – 4 pm at the wastewater plant at the end of Whitecap. don’t worry, they will see their friends from Sulphur Springs plenty just as soon as they find out you have a spare bedroom (or empty couch). It’s a fact of life on our little sandbar that over time you will see everyone you have ever known in Texas because sooner or later they all make their way to The Island.

But after you have been here a while your fish story will run more this this…

The sea wan angry that day my friends. We set out early for the wilds of Baffin Bay. So early that the rattlesnakes were still silent and it was so dark Madalyn couldn’t find her way to the boat.

Our guide Rowdy Ryan fired up his Purebay 2400 and we blasted out through the salt flats along the King Ranch shoreline where majestic Santa Gertrudis cattle munched on sweet prairie grass and Spanish treasure buried in Island sands called to us as we roared toward our angling destiny following the trail that General Zachery Taylor blazed on his way to glory as he marched his army to Mexico to liberate this wild land still untamed land on behalf of the heroic Texians who stole it fair and square.

Before we knew it we had caught so many fish we were out of bait and with the last shrimp Rylee caught a Red so big it had its own zip code stamped right on its side. By then our arms were tired from catching so many Big Reds we had to start fishing for trout and then we caught a flat fish with two eyes on the same side of its head like we never caught in a pond (except for the time we fished next to the nuclear power plant)…

We had so much fun we’re going to buy our own boat with a winch on the back to haul up the fish too big for us to drag into the boat by ourselves. Why just the other day we heard about a guy who caught a fish so big…

You get the idea.. Welcome to The Island you guys.

Squatters Begone Captain Moore, I want to thank you and the DPO officer Imelda Rjasko for resolving a complicated matter about the squatters on the private property on Packery Channel. This morning Officer Imelda Rjasko arrived at the Packery Channel property to make an arrest on a Paul Slabaugh. Paul Slabaugh was told to vacate the property a month ago. He was also given a written warning two days ago. When officers arrived this morning he was given one hour to gather his belongings and leave.

Attached is a picture of the officer patiently waiting. If he was not out; his belongings, two nice vehicles would be confiscated and he would go to jail. I appreciate the officers understanding that some people are not fortunate enough to have a home and financial security and in this case used restraint rather than incarceration.

Imelda reiterated to me if another situation like this occurs, to call her so she can be directly involved.

We surely have a great police department.

Thanks, David Pierce

Kind Regards, Kevin Horseman Donna Parks

and

13945 Flintlock Dr. Editor’s note: Thanks for writing Keven and Donna.

If you are going to relocate when your kids are in High School you couldn’t have picked a better place to do it than our Island. And

Squatters being evicted

A4

August 11, 2016

Island Moon

History Cont. from A1

of the bridge from Clem’s. Owner Freddy Edgeman then bought Trainer’s Bait shop and changed the name to Red Dot and is still doing business on the causeway. Trainer’s second bait shop on the east side had to close when the causeway was elevated about ten years ago.

Frenchy’s Seafood Restaurant was located where Doc’s now is and was accessible by a gravel road. Snoopy”s Bar & Grill was also there and changed to Snoopy’s Seafood Restaurant when Ernie Buttler bought it in 1979. It had a fishing pier but the pier was destroyed by Allen.

On the causeway side of the Intracoastal was Grahm’s Bait Stand which was owned

by Harvey Wild. He sold it to Greg and Aida Goodman who changed the name to segmental box girder bridge which became Waterworks Bait Shop but it later burned down increasingly popular. It was the harbinger of and was replaced with a two story A-frame some of the most beautiful bridges in the nation. building. They sold to Charlie who made it into The original high bridge/causeway design did a restaurant called Charlie’s Shrimp Bucket.

In the late 80’s it was sold to a Californian not have a median nor did it have street lights but William Beall who made the name its last one which was JFK Seafood Restaurant.

Beall was a flamboyant character. His place had a petting zoo with animals such as goats and lambs which made it quite odoriferous.

The second floor had the restaurant with great views Dedication of the bridge 1973 and entertainment after a couple of years of numerous accidents in the bar provided by an Elvis impersonator. both were added. The head on collisions that No business was successful here after the caused at least ten fatalities occurred at the high bridge was completed because you curve where the causeway ends and the bridge were past the turn off before you saw it.

Beall left in the mid-nineties and the building begins. Vehicles leaving the Island possibly were enjoying the view and kept going straight was boarded up. It came to have many homeless instead of veering right. The median did not living there and in 2004 it was destroyed by a totally eliminate head-ons because there have fire. been some tragic accidents that occurred when South Padre Island Bridge Collapse drivers leaving west side SPID establishments to go into town turned left before going past the median thus going the wrong way.

In 1998 one of those fatalities was an Ice Rays hockey team player who was driving to the Island where he lived and was hit head on by a drunk driver.

The high bridge has been the site for some thrill seekers who would jump off of it into the usually 20 Queen Isabella Causeway collapse foot deep water. Tragically and sadly there have been several suicide attempts without survivors.

In 2001 a tugboat pushing four barges filled with The bridge affects the longtime businesses below it. steel and phosphates ran into the Queen Isabella There were business under the bridge that Causeway in South Padre. Eight people died had been there for many years before it. The and thirteen were rescued when their vehicles State of Texas has claim to all the submerged plunged 85 feet from the longest bridge in Texas. land and leases the property to these owners.

This is less likely to happen here because it Black’s Bait Stand building was blown off is pretty much a straightaway approach as its pilings into the water by Hurricane Allen opposed to South Padre which in one direction in 1980. It was bought and the name was has a curve not too far from the bridge. Also changed to Clem’s. The building was put there have been reinforcements added at the back up on pilings found on Ennis Joslin Road base of the pillars in the channel here. that were blown there by Allen. The pilings business in Corpus Christi since 1907. They also built the bulkheads in Galleon Bay which is the first subdivision built by Padre Island Investment Corporation. Some believe these bulkheads to be the most sound on the Island.

The bridge was the first precast concrete

Yikes no lights!

Aerial view of the causeway

were from the old bridge that went from the Naval Base to where the present A&M Corpus university is located. Clem’s Marina had 25 big boat slips that held shrimp boats and crew boats that took workers to the many oil rigs.

Intracoastal Cafe was next to Clem’s and was a popular place for breakfast and dinner. The building no longer exists.

Red Dot Bait Shop which had been there since 1950 had to leave because it was too close to the bridge and a potential fire could cause damage. It was just the other side

Since that incident I check to make sure there are street lights ahead of me when I get to the bridge for no lights would mean no bridge ahead. This habit gave me a scare a few years back when the city decided to replace the lights with more high wind resistant ones, unbeknownst to me. I slowed down to 40 mph to see if the cars passing me disappeared. I opened the car window which is what island icon Doc Blankenship (an expert in these matters) told me to do if I am headed for a dive. Obviously, I made it safely but I still look for those lights.

Around cont. from A1 Joe running?

And speaking of elections…we hear that former Precinct 4 County Commission Joe McComb is soon to announce his candidacy for a City Council At-Large seat. Joe has been a friend to The Island over the years.

Everybody get yourself registered and vote early and vote often…in the meantime say hello if you see us Around The Island.

Last Kemps Ridley Release Scheduled for Week of August 14th

By Donna J. Shaver, Ph.D. Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery National Park Service Padre Island National Seashore e-mail: Donna_Shaver@nps.gov There will be only one more chance to see a turtle release this season at Padre Island National Seashore.

If you are hoping to watch a public release of Kemp’s ridley sea turtle hatchlings at Padre Island National Seashore this summer, there will only be one more chance.

So far this year, we have held 21 public hatchling releases, and we are aiming to hold the 22nd release at 6:45 a.m. on one of the mornings between August 16 and August 19.

We are thrilled to report that our public hatchling releases have been a big success again this year. Overall, more than 14,000 people have attended our releases this year and cheered on the tiny turtles as they crawled towards the Gulf of Mexico and then swam away from shore. We have been delighted to see local residents at the releases, as well as many people that traveled here from out of town.

Each year, many people plan their vacations here around the chance to see a hatchling release. This is possible because as Kemp’s ridley nests are found and the eggs are placed into protected care in our incubation facility, we post the projected release dates for them on our website at www.nps.gov/pais. The projected release dates for each clutch of eggs encompass a 5-day-long window. The newborn turtles are released when they have emerged from their eggshells, are physically ready, and begin to become active. It can be harmful to release them too early or too late. So, we advise people traveling here to attend a release to arrive when several clutches are due to hatch at the same time. This provides insurance so that if some hatchlings become active and must be released in the middle of the night, there is a larger chance that others are still available for a public release the next morning.

Last hatchling release for 2016 Hatchlings from our last four Kemp’s ridley nests found this year will be released between August 16 and August 19. We hope to hold the last public release on one of those mornings and the date will depend upon how quickly the eggs hatch and when the hatchlings become ready for release.

Our public releases are held starting at 6:45 am, in front of the Malaquite Visitor Center at Padre Island National Seashore.

No fee is charged to attend these releases.

For information on the last release please call our Hatchling Hotline at (361) 949-7163 or check our Facebook page titled Padre Island NS Division of Sea Turtle Science & Recovery.

End of nest detection and protection patrols for 2016 Padre Island National Seashore patrolled North Padre Island to find and protect nesting Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and sea turtle nests from April through July this year. It was fitting that our program recorded 100 sea turtle nests on North Padre Island during 2016 since this year is the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. These 100 nests included 89 Kemp’s ridley nests and one loggerhead turtle nest found at Padre Island National Seashore, and 10 Kemp’s ridley nests located on North Padre north of the National Seashore. Overall, 186 Kemp’s ridley nests were found in Texas this year. Although this is an increase over the numbers found during 2013 and 2014, it is still less than the totals recorded during 2009, 2011, and 2012.

In January, we will recruit for volunteers to help with the 2017 Kemp’s ridley nest detection and protection program, and we will conduct training for the patrols during February and March. Patrols will begin during the first week of April and hopefully more than 200 Kemp’s ridley nests will be found in Texas next year.

As always, thank you very much for your assistance and support of our work to help save the world’s most critically endangered sea turtle species.

Texas Rangers Talk Colt Revolvers (From the Texas Reader)

the objection raised by persons who have had no experience in the use of these arms, that they may not stand exposure, I would relate the following fact: Major Ben McCullough with 16 men, in returning to Texas, after the capture of Monterrey, in an encounter with the Comanche I really feel for those nineteenth Indians, lost one of these pistols, after having century typesetters in the government discharged three chambers. Three months printing office, assembling yawn after afterwards, he and I, and some others traveling yawn from individual letters. It's a job over the same ground, found the pistol, where Sisyphus would consider unrewarding. it had lain exposed to the storms of the whole

season, and putting new caps on the two loaded But sometimes you come across a nugget of chambers, they were discharged as though pure gold...and it makes it all worthwhile. they had been loaded but the day before."

Below are some excerpts from a report Commodore E. W. Moore, late of the Texas to the United States Senate by Senator Navy: "I take pleasure in stating that, while in Thomas Jefferson Rusk of Texas (formerly command of the Texas Navy, I had an excellent Secretary of War of the Republic of Texas) opportunity of testing the efficiency and regarding the reliability and efficacy of the durability of these arms. The Texas volunteers of Colt revolver during the late Mexican War. war were armed with Colt's pistols and carbines,

which were on very frequent occasions exposed Imagining a Texas Ranger without his Colt is in boats and bad weather, and I unhesitatingly like imagining a samurai without his sword, assert that they are as little injured by exposure and these excerpts illustrate the high regard the to the weather as the common musket or ship's Texas Rangers had for the new-fangled weapon. pistol. Of their efficiency, I think it useless to say

anything. The Colt's pistols, used by the Texas The Rusk report was instrumental in Rangers before annexation, were all supplied overcoming the last resistance of the from the navy, after they had been in constant government to fully adopting the Colt revolver. use in that arm of the service upwards of four By 1853, Samuel Colt was one of the largest years; and I know some of these arms that have manufacturers in the world, when just seven been in constant use for nine years, and are years earlier he himself had been the entire firm. still good. I have seen the recently improved

model which has several alterations or rather Probably the most amazing thing about the improvements, which make it a better arm than excerpts you are about to read is that they don't those I had in use in the Texas Navy, which were appear to have been reprinted or even quoted in among the first manufactured by the inventor." the last 160 years. So, here they are. I hope you The report also noted that: enjoy them as much as I did.

Quotes from the Rusk Report on the Colt Major Ben McCullough of the Texas Rangers, recommends that they be adopted to a certain Revolver - 1849 extent among the regular ordnance materiel General Joseph Lane: "I think I can say as of our service; considers them as preferable much for and about this formidable weapon as to all others for mounted light troops in anyone now living, except Col. Jack Hays, of Mexico. Says they have been in use among Texas. I have seen them tested in several severe the Texan rangers for ten years, and that and bloody conflicts, when a few men, armed their efficacy has been fairly tested. Has at with Colt's revolver, were equal to five, and in this time in his possession one that has been several instances to ten times their numbers. used for ten years without being repaired.

No weapon is equal to it. In close quarters one man is always equal to three or more. I Captain Samuel H. Walker of the Texas know the use of it well, and would recommend Rangers, considers the revolver as the only that all mounted forces be armed with them." good improvement he has seen; instances

the defeat of eighty Comanches by Colonel Colonel Jack Hays, Texas Rangers: "I have Hays and fifteen men, as a particularly had a good opportunity of testing the utility of striking incident to show their value, in Colt's pistols during the late Mexican War, and which fight forty-two Indians were killed. feel no hesitation in saying they are superior (in my opinion) to any other now known for Finally, there are the words of Major G. cavalry. The danger of accidental explosion W. Kendall, Aid to General Winfield Scott: has been obviated by the late improvement.

They go off clear. The cylinders revolve with "Colt's heavy pistol is the very best ever great rapidity, and the distance they carry a ball invented, for use on horseback. No Texan (I mean the conical ball) is indeed surprising. ranger considers himself equipped without one Soldiers should be practiced in the use of of them." them. They soon become easy to the hand; the aim you wish to draw can be easily caught; and when placed in the hands of those who understand the proper use of them, they are unquestionably the most formidable weapon ever used in battle. I therefore concur fully in the opinion that they can be used with the same advantage by the regular as volunteer forces."

Captain G. H. Tobin, Texas Rangers: "As to If you've ever spent any time poring over congressional reports, then you have experienced the literary equivalent of breaking rocks in a prison yard.

August 11, 2016

Island Moon

August Moon Phases

Stuff I Heard on the Island

By Dale Rankin There is something about bridge dedications that always seem to find a way to slip from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Many years ago I covered the opening of the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge across the Rio Grande between the states of Nuevo Leon and Texas. It crosses at a narrow strip of the state boundary which touches the Rio Grande and since there bridges aplenty already in place in the nearby neighboring states the standing joke in the Mexican press assembled was it should have been named the Nuevo Leon Mordida Segador (bribe collector).

Tides of the Week Tides for Bob Hall Pier August 4 - August 11, 2016

Day

Th

Height in Feet

Sunrise Moon Time Sunset

High

2:12 AM

1.2

6:58 AM

Set 1:11 AM

Low

4:33 PM

0.1

8:10 PM

Rise 2:40 PM

12

High 2:46 AM

1.4

6:58 AM

Set 1:52 AM

12

Low

5:23 PM

0.0

8:09 PM

Rise 3:31 PM

Sa

13

High 3:16 AM

1.5

6:59 AM

Set 2:36 AM

13

Low

-0.1

8:08 PM

Rise 4:23 PM

Su

14

High 3:42 AM

1.6

6:59 AM

Set 3:24 AM

14

Low

-0.1

8:07 PM

Rise 5:14 PM

M

15

High 4:06 AM

1.6

7:00 AM

Set 4:16 AM

15

Low

-0.2

8:06 PM

Rise 6:04 PM

Tu

16

High 4:27 AM

1.6

7:00 AM

Set 5:12 AM

16

Low

-0.2

8:05 PM

Rise 6:53 PM

F

Tide Time

11

11

High /Low

6:11 PM

6:57 PM

7:41 PM

8:25 PM

W

17

High

4:47 AM

17

Low

9:08 PM

Th

18

18

Low

18

High 2:14 PM

18

Low

0.0

High 5:07 AM

10:58 AM 9:52 PM

1.6

7:01 AM

Set 6:11 AM

-0.1

8:04 PM

Rise 7:40 PM

1.6

7:01 AM

Set 7:12 AM

1.2

8:04 PM

Rise 8:24 PM

Moon Visible

50

60

69

To kick things off Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, Harvard Class of ‘73, delivered his speech in impeccable English from the American side then the press caravan travelled seventeen miles down what in those days passed for a road on the Mexican border to a burning patch of bare sand in what was euphemistically called the border “town” of Colombia where Texas Governor Bill Clements, (dubbed Catfish Bill by the press corps), Texas oil patch class of ‘47, delivered his speech in oilfield Spanish…”Buuwaynoz deeos meeze eemeeegos,” he began and the Mexican reporters as one busted out laughing. “Él souds como él va a decirnos a recoger el algodón,” they said. (It sounds like he’s going to tell us to pick the cotton). It broke the ice between the Texas and Mexican reporters and after that there was mirth aplenty. One of the Mexican guys said his primo had landed a job as a border guard on the new bridge and had already bought a new house that could never be paid for with a border guard’s salary. All in all it was a mirthful day.

Meanwhile back at the Port

78

92

96

99

The VIPs came disguised as empty parking places.

“Can I park here?”

“No, this is for VIPs.”

Selfie Aug. 11 Gary P. Nunn Aug. 12 Max Stalling The Aug. 13 Dave Fenley Aug. 19 BACK Mario Flores PORCH Aug. 20

Bar

132 W. Cotter St.

The

PortA

BACK PORCH

One Bite and You’re Hooked!

Bar Prime Rib

Sunbaked train rolling down the burning tracks As I surveyed the dais it sort of reminded me of the Last Supper. Everyone knew something bad was coming but there wasn’t much that could be done to stop it. Events had taken their course and this sunbaked train was already rolling down the track the dignitaries were strapped to the burning rails. It was hot in only the way a South Texas day drenched in humidity can be hot. The kind of day when even the slowest cows in the herd find their way to the shade of a mesquite tree and rattlesnakes crawl to the cool bottom of the hole. But there was a herd of dignitaries sweating through their best suits, with ties and collars buttoned to the chin, and, I chuckled, probably cursing the governor for being late and themselves for not attending the planning meeting. This was not a day for Business Casual. This was a Sunday Go to Meeting Deal and the Political Class was dressed accordingly.

Congressman Blake Farenthold was the only one even in a light-colored suit; everyone else in proper dignitary dark attire. I could almost see the steam coming out of Judge Lloyd Neal’s ears waiting to get his hands on the #@%#%$#$! responsible for this Dignitary Bakeoff. Whether you be Democrat or Republican the Judge is not a follow you want to leave out in the sun too long because you know you are going to hear about it.

I’m thinking that after this Todd Hunter may switch from the Man in Black to the Man in Reflective White and who could blame him?

There were sideways glances at the fellow who apparently just arrived from the golf course in a lime green golf shirt that was the envy of every dignitary in attendance.

But when I headed to the Port of Corpus Christi on Monday for the dedicación of the new Harbor Bridge I didn’t expect there to be too many laughs. I expected a somber recital of the many benefits of the new bridge, of which there are many, that will dominate the downtown skyline for the rest of our natrual lives delivered by a Who’s Who of políticos and the lineup didn’t disappoint. Senator John Cornyn and Governor Greg Abbott highlighed the crowd but alas, there was some mirth after all.

First of all when I pulled into the parking lot, ten minutes late, I saw a string of fellow plebeians trudging a hundred yards across the burning asphalt while a lot right next to the event site sat half empty. I pulled up next to a security guard hiding in the slim shady of a lonely palm in resplendent polyester guarding the half-full lot.

The BACK PORCH

The governor was late. I envisioned him sitting in the air conditioner looking out the window saying; “Are you crazy, I’m not sitting out there in that sun, move it indoors.” But it was too late.

Our friend and fellow Islander Charlie Zahn, no stranger to the Texas sun, copped a choice seat in the second row behind a guy from Austin who cast a wide enough shadow to provide some relief but when I checked the Port of Corpus Christi website nowhere could

85

1.3

ON THE WATERFRONT

I find in the job description of the Chairman of the Port Commission, “Must be able to sit in the August sun for at least one hour while wearing a suit and tie.” I’m thinking Charlie will have a good laugh about it once things cool down.

Our able State Senator Chuy Hinojosa at least had the shade of his signature hat; I wonder if he has a straw one though. The only one who looked like she just stepped out of the dressing

“It looks like they all came disguised as empty parking places,” I said. He moved his gun hand toward the heater on his belt and I parked on the other side of Gregory and schlepped my way through the shimmering parking lot to the event; it was the beginning of mirth because after all you have to keep a sense of humor about these things; and the guard did look silly standing out there.

Sounded like a good idea at the planning meeting Somehow, in an air conditioned planning meeting deep in the bowels of a government building somewhere, Austin I figured for screw ups of this magnitude can only come from the Home Office, a decision was made. There must have been representatives from an alphabet soup of agencies planning this Day of Days to kick off the $1 billion project the likes of which the city had not seen since the groundbreaking for the current Harbor Bridge – Napoleon’s Hat – in 1956. It was a day all in attendance would remember; but not all for the same reason.

In the wisdom of that Decision by Committee it was determined that form would crowd out function; in fact function would take the last train outta town. The symbolism of using the majestic if rusting Harbor Bridge as the backdrop for the solemn ceremony was too alluring for the image-makers to pass up and the best – only – way to get the proper framing of the bridge behind the dais with the dignitaries just right was to place the dais with said dignitaries – you guessed it – facing straight into the blazing Texas summer sun at 1 p.m. within spitting distance of the briny harbor water which on this day was sending up a solid cloud of humidity that couldn’t have been cut with the sharpest wit in dignitarydom.

room was Mayor Nelda Martinez who by some force of will seemed like she could sit in the sun for the rest of the afternoon and never sweat a drop. It’s a rare and enviable trait.

In a bow to the obvious the first speaker announced that the speechifying would be cut short due to the undignified heat as we plebeians stood under the relative cool of the shade of the pergola that coved the cheap seats, even as the VIPs - contract-seekers, and wannabees – who couldn’t fill the parking lot stubbornly clung to their important seats directly in front of the stage roasting in the sun on purpose; unlike the steaming dignitaries who had no choice.

Ah yes, there was mirth in the Sweltering City by the Sea this day. In hindsight even the dignitaries had to chuckle. As for me, I shot six pictures and walked past the polyestered guard headed for my truck which I had left running with the AC on.

It seems to me there is a certain dignity in that.

Wednesdays Mini Golf Great Food Family Fun

Seafood, Steaks, Salads, Burgers & a Full Bar Open 11am - 2am • Kitchen Closes at 1am 2034 State Hwy 361

361-749-TACO (8226)

A5

The Gov

A6

Island Moon

Senior Moments

U.S. Embassies in East Africa Bombed

By Dotson Lewis

At 10:30 a.m. local time, a massive truck bomb explodes outside the U.S. embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Minutes later, another truck bomb detonated outside the U.S. embassy in Dar es Salaam, the capital of neighboring Tanzania.

The dual terrorist attacks killed 224 people, including 12 Americans, and wounded more than 4,500. The United States accused Saudi exile Osama bin Laden, a proponent of international terrorism against America, of masterminding the bombings. On August 20, President Clinton ordered cruise missiles launched against bin Laden’s terrorist training camps in Afghanistan and against a pharmaceutical plant in Sudan, where bin Laden allegedly made or distributed chemical weapons.

Osama bin Laden was born in 1957 into one of Saudi Arabia’s wealthiest and most prominent families. His father, an immigrant from South Yemen, had built a small construction business into a multibillion-dollar company. When his father died in 1968, bin Laden inherited an estimated $30 million but for the next decade drifted without focus and lived a jet-setting lifestyle. In 1979, however, everything changed when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.

Like tens of thousands of other Arabs, bin Laden volunteered to aid Afghanistan in repulsing what he saw as the godless communist invaders of the Muslim country.

On August 7, 1998, the eighth anniversary of the deployment of U.S. troops to Saudi Arabia– two U.S. embassies in East Africa were bombed almost simultaneously. The attack at the Nairobi embassy, which was located in a busy downtown area, caused the greater devastation and loss of life. There, a truck loaded with 2,000 pounds of TNT forced its way to the back entrance of the embassy and was detonated, shattering the embassy, demolishing the nearby Ufundi Coop House, and gutting the 17-story Cooperative Bank. By the time rescue operations came to an end, 213 people were dead, including 12 Americans. Thousands of people were wounded, and hundreds were maimed or blinded. The attack against the U.S. embassy in Dar es Saalam killed 11 and injured 85.

By 1997, American intelligence officers knew that bin Laden operatives were active in East Africa but were unable to break up the terrorist cell before the embassies were attacked. They had even heard of a possible plot to bomb the U.S. embassy in Nairobi but failed to recommend an increase in security before the attack. Meanwhile, Prudence Bushnell, the U.S. ambassador to Kenya, independently asked the State Department to move the Nairobi embassy because of its exposed location, but the request was not granted. Revelations of these pre-bombing security issues provoked much controversy and concern about the United States’ vulnerability abroad. Few, however, voiced concern that the proliferation of terrorists eager to kill innocent civilians and themselves in order to strike a blow against the U.S. would soon shatter America’s sense of invulnerability at home.

Within days of the August 7 bombings, two bin Laden associates were arrested and charged with the attacks. However, with bin Laden and other key suspects still at large, President Clinton ordered a retaliatory military strike on August 20. In Afghanistan, some 70 American cruise missiles hit three alleged bin Laden training camps. An estimated 24 people were killed, but bin Laden was not present. Thirteen cruise missiles hit a pharmaceutical plant in the Sudan, and the night watchman was killed.

The United States later backed away from its contention that the pharmaceutical plant was making or distributing chemical weapons for al Qaeda.

After the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York, the United States began to suspect that bin Laden was involved in international terrorism against the United States. The military organization he built during the Afghan War–al Qaeda, or “the Base”–was still in existence, and U.S. intelligence believed he was transforming it into an anti-U.S. terrorist network. In 1995, bin Laden called for guerrilla attacks against U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia, and three months later a terrorist attack against a U.S. military installation killed five Americans.

Under U.S. and Saudi pressure he was expelled from the Sudan in May 1996. One month later, a truck bomb killed 19 U.S. servicemen in Saudi Arabia. Whether or not bin Laden was involved in planning these attacks has not been established.

With 200 of his followers, bin Laden returned to Afghanistan, which was then falling under the control of the Taliban, a faction of extreme Islamic fundamentalists. Bin Laden provided funding for the Taliban military campaign against the city of Kabul, which fell to the militia in September 1996. Soon after his arrival in Afghanistan, bin Laden issued a fatwah, or religious decree, calling for war on Americans in the Persian Gulf and the overthrow of the Saudi government. In February 1998, he issued another fatwah stating that Muslims should kill Americans, including civilians, anywhere in the world.

Regional Director, Corpus Christi Better Business Bureau Last Friday marked the opening ceremony of Never pay to collect your winnings. If they the Summer Olympics in Rio. Over the next two are asking you to give them money first, that’s weeks, many of us will be watching the games a red flag. Legitimate prizes do not come with on TV or online. Unfortunately, Better Business processing fees, and taxes are paid directly to Bureau sees Olympics-themed scams pop up the IRS after winnings are collected. Also, if during the summer games. you’re asked to wire money or send a prepaid debit card, that’s a major red flag. Remember, Olympics scams are variations on scams that you can’t win a contest or lottery you didn’t are common, like promises of money or a trip enter. If it sounds too good to be true, it that never materializes. Lottery-related scams probably is. have been making the rounds leading up to the Olympics. In this scam, “winners” are notified that they’ve been selected out of 10 million email addresses as the winner of an online lottery prize, as well as a trip to Rio to see the Olympics.

Another type of scam to watch out for during the Olympics are phishing attacks. An email will appear to be the original marketing advertisement of the Olympics, but could be an attempt to install malware on your computer in order to steal your personal and financial information. It’s best to avoid opening any attachments or clicking on any links in unsolicited emails. Also, only visit encrypted sites, which will have “https” at the beginning of the URL. Scammers will use phrases like “Rio” and “Rio 2016” in their website address to make themselves seem legitimate.

Scammers have also been known to advertise and sell fake merchandise and claim that it’s official Olympic gear. This counterfeit merchandise could be sold on a website that appears to be legitimate or on online classifieds. Not only are many of these items blatantly fraudulent, they’re often much over or underpriced.

Better Business Bureau serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin offers the following advice:

Never give out personal information to someone you don’t know. Any time someone asks for your bank account number, Social Security number or other sensitive information, that’s an automatic red flag. There is no need to access financial information, like a credit card number, in response to a sweepstakes promotion or email. Even if the email or link appears to be from a trusted source, it could be a phishing message.

Always verify a website’s security. Whenever you are providing sensitive information such as credit cards or bank information, only visit encrypted sites, which will have “https” at the beginning of the URL. Visit the official Olympics website for merchandise. If you want the real deal, visit the official Olympics website to purchase merchandise. Also, remember to use a credit card instead of a debit card when shopping online.

Kelly Trevino is the regional director for the Corpus Christi/Victoria area of Better Business Bureau serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin.

Kelly is available for media interviews and speaking engagements. You can reach her by phone: (361) 945-7352 or email: ktrevino@ corpuschristi.bbb.org.

Do You Need Boat Insurance?

If your plans involve boating, make sure you know what's covered Homeowners coverage Most homeowners insurance policies will cover damage to your boat, but only for a limited dollar amount. These policies don’t provide liability coverage. You will need a separate boat policy to cover a more expensive boat, provide for medical payments, or pay for damage or injuries to others.

Types of boat polices

For the first few years of the Afghan War, he traveled around Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf raising money for the anti-Soviet Afghan fighters. In 1982, he traveled to the front lines of the war for the first time, where he donated construction equipment for the war effort. Bin Laden directly participated in a handful of battles, but his primary role in the anti-Soviet jihad was as financier. During the war, he made contact with numerous Islamic militants, many of whom who were as anti-Western as they were anti-Soviet.

In 1989, the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan, and bin Laden returned to Saudi Arabia. He grew increasingly critical of the ruling Saudi family, especially after hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops were welcomed onto Saudi soil during the Persian Gulf War. Although his passport was taken away, he slipped out of Saudi Arabia in 1991 and settled in the Sudan. From there, he spoke out against the Saudi government and the continuing U.S. military presence in Saudi Arabia, which he likened to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

BBB warns of scams and counterfeit merchandise during the Rio Olympics

By Kelly Trevino

Special to the Island Moon Dotson’s Note: Thanks to many of you Moon Monkeys for your best wishes to me for my “big day” August 7th. To me a much bigger day for all of us was the mass murder which occurred on August 7, 1998. Do you remember what you were doing on that rather warm summer day in 1998 when you first read/heard/saw it on TV? I am willing to wager that you who are near my age remember what you were doing when you first heard of Pearl Harbor and/or the assignation of John Kennedy. But do you remember what you were doing when you first heard “US Embassies in East Africa Bombed”?’ Since you may not, and should, please allow me to refresh your memory.

August 11, 2016

There are three kinds of boat polices: Replacement cost: Pays to repair or replace your boat.

Actual cash value: Pays to repair or replace your boat minus depreciation. For example, a new boat in 2010 might cost $40,000, but today it’s worth $25,000. An actual cash value policy would pay up to $25,000 to repair or replace this boat.

Agreed amount value: Pays to repair or replace your boat up to a set value in your policy.

Understand your policy A layup provision suspends coverage during the months when the boat is not in use.

There may be limits on your policy for ocean use. Talk to your agent to make sure your coverage fits your needs.

Most policies have restrictions on underage drivers.

Many insurance companies that sell homeowners insurance can also sell you a policy for your boat. Be sure to ask your agent about options. There are also insurance companies that specialize in boat policies.

Osama Bin Laden In November 1998, the United States indicted bin Laden and 21 others, charging them with bombing the two U.S. embassies and conspiring to commit other acts of terrorism against Americans abroad. To date, nine of the al Qaeda members named in the indictments have been captured; six are in the United States, and three are in Britain fighting extradition to the United States.

In February 2001, four of the suspects went on trial in New York on 302 criminal counts stemming from the embassy attacks. On May 29, all four were convicted on all counts. Saudi citizen Mohamed Rashed Daoud al-‘Owhali and Tanzanian Khalfan Khamis Mohamed admitted to directly taking part in the terrorist attacks but claimed they did not knowingly engage in a conspiracy against the United States. Lebaneseborn U.S. citizen Wadih El-Hage and Jordanian Mohammed Saddiq Odeh admitted ties to bin Laden but denied involvement in any terrorist acts. All four were sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Dotson’s Other Note: I believe that most of you remember what you were doing on September 11, 2001. That was when you and the world learned that the U.S. embassy attacks were merely a prelude to a far more devastating strike against the United States... On October 7, America struck back with Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led international effort to oust the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, destroy the al Qaeda network based there, and capture bin Laden dead or alive. Your thoughts regarding this or any articles appearing in The Island Moon are greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading and commenting on Senior Moments. I can be reached at dlewis1@stx. rr.com and/or Land Line: 361-949-7681 Cell: 530-748-8475.

Please Note: The next Veterans Roundtable Meeting will be Tuesday, August 16, 9-11 AM, 3209 S. Staples. All Veterans, their families and anyone interested in Veterans affairs, are invited. Coffee & Doughnuts are provided.

Hope to see you there.

Hang in there/Have fun!

Moon Word of the Week 1. Government under the control of a nation's worst or least-qualified citizens.

Origin: Ancient Greek κάκιστος (kakistos, “worst"), superlative of κακος (kakos, “bad") + -κÏατια (-kratia, “power, rule, government").

US Embassy Survivors

Some pictures speak for themselves.

August 11, 2016

A7

Island Moon

On Your Mark, Get Set, Let’s Practice!

Paddle for Parkinson’s is September 3rd, which is less than a month away! Early registration is underway, but perhaps you want to test the waters before signing up. If so, join us at the Billish Park Boat ramp, across from the POA office on Mont Pelee Street, this Saturday, August 13th at 9:00 am with your Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP), Kayak, or anything manually propelled. We’ll paddle to the Padre Island Yacht Club and back which is two legs, of the four leg event. This should help you decide if you need to recruit team members or can go solo. Of course, some may be led to the conclusion to skip the relay and participate in the celebration on land instead. And, for those that have always wanted to try out a Stand Up

Work began this week on Phase 2 of the Village by the Beach development at the corner of Leeward Drive and St. Bartholomew near Granada Drive.

The townhomes by Brite Star Construction are set to be open by May 2017 but are currently available for sale. The emphasis will be on kid-friendly with a pool with a large wading area. The groundbreaking at the site was Monday.

The new pool will look much like this one but with a larger, shallow wading area.

Dragonfly Restaurant Curacao Blues NEW HAPPY HOUR!!!

Tues-Fri 4-6pm New Features!!! $5 Select Appetizers Crab Cake, Goat Cheese Ravioli, Stuffed Jalapenos, Hummus, Bowl of Soup with Toast, Olives with Toast $3 House Drinks $4 Mojitos, Margaritas, Bloody Mary’s $5 Long Islands and Infusions $2/$3 Longnecks * App Specials ONLY in Bar and Patio Seating

Come to Dragonfly and check out our TEXAS size Prime Bone In Ribeyes!!

Dragonfly is Dry Aging & Hand Cutting Steaks in house!!!

Arrive early to ensure yourself the BEST Steak you have had! **Aged and/or Non Aged steaks will be available every night only while supplies last.

Banquet Room & Catering Available!

Book Your Summer Events Now!!

Check out our Pastry Case and Market for Take Home Treats!

Hours of Operation Lunch:Tues-Fri -11am - 2 pm Dinner: Tues-Thurs - 5pm - 930 pm Dinner: Fri & Sat - 5pm -10pm (361) 949-2224

www.dragonflycuracaoblues.com

Paddle Board (SUP), we’ll hang around after the event and let you test drive one from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Early Registration: June 13 to August 13 - $35, Normal Registration: August 14 to September 1 - $40, Packet Pickup Registration: September 2 from 4pm to 8pm $50, Race Day Registration: September 3 from 7:30am to 8:30am - $60. Sponsorships still available, as well. FMI: 361-960-9597

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August 11, 2016

Island Moon

SPORTS

Snakebit

Sports Talk Special to The Island Moon

Olympics 105

By Dotson Lewis Special to the Island Moon Dotson’s Note: After the first week of competition, I believe that the events have been well worth the price of admission. As you know, my press day for the Moon is Mondays, so anything of note that happens between Monday and Friday will not be discussed until next week’s issue of the moon. If you are confused, welcome to “Puzzle Palace.” If you wish please call or Email me and we will, hopefully, solve a least part of the puzzle. Please add to last week’s Olympic TV viewing schedule: http:// www.nbcolympics.com/live-stream-schedule on this website you can watch many Olympic events live.

The Continuing Olympic Schedule Friday, Aug. 12 — Day 7 Track and Field (9:10 a.m.): Women’s 10,000m final. The first track and field medal event includes Americans Emily Infeld and Molly Huddle, who went three-four at the 2015 World Championships.

Shooting (1-2 p.m.): Women’s skeet. In London, Kim Rhode became the first American to win individual medals in five straight Olympics. In 2014, another American, Brandy Drozd, won the World Championship and Rhode missed the podium.

Swimming (8 p.m.): Michael Phelps’ last individual Olympic swim could come in the 100m butterfly final. He’s won it at the last three Olympics. It could also be the final individual swims in Rio for Franklin (200m back) and Ledecky (800m free) in events they won in 2012.

Saturday, Aug. 13 — Day 8 Tennis (10a.m.-6 p.m.): Women’s singles medal matches. No singles player has ever repeated as Olympic champion. Please see Dotson’s Other Note for an update on USA’s women’s tennis players Serna and Venus Williams.

Track and Field (6:20 p.m.): The world’s fastest man will be crowned in the 100m final (8:25). Usain Bolt could try to become the first Olympic men’s runner to win the same individual event three straight times.

The last two Olympic 400m champions could also face off for gold — Grenada’s Kirani James and American LaShawn Merritt.

Track and Field (6:30 p.m.): The men’s 800m final (8:25) and women’s 400m final (8:45) could include both 2012 Olympic champions — Kenya’s David Rudisha broke the world record in the London Olympics.

Tuesday, Aug. 16 — Day 11 Gymnastics (12 noon): The artistic gymnastics competition concludes with three apparatus finals, including women’s floor exercise. USA’s Simone Biles is the reigning World champion in that event.

Track and Field (7:50 p.m.): In the women’s 1500m (8:30), reigning Diamond League champ Jenny Simpson could break a 44-year U.S. gold-medal drought in track events longer than 400m. The 110m hurdles goes 15 minutes later.

The reigning Olympic and World champions are Americans — Aries Merritt and David Oliver. The men’s high jump (6:30) was the most exciting event in 2014, with Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim and Ukraine’s Bohdan Bondarenko making attempts to break a 21-year-old world record.

Wednesday, Aug. 17 — Day 12 Track and Field (6:30 p.m.): Americans Brittney Reese and Allyson Felix are reigning Olympic champions in the long jump (7:15) and 200m (8:30). Felix is tied with Jackie Joyner-Kersee for the most Olympic track and field medals earned by a U.S. woman (six) and three behind the most won by any woman in the sport (Merlene Ottey, Jamaica). The 100m hurdles (8:55) could include the last two Olympic champions — Australian Sally Pearson and American Dawn Harper-Nelson.

Track and Field (6 p.m.): The world’s fastest woman will be crowned in the 100m final (9:35). Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce took gold in 2008 and 2012. No woman has won the same individual Olympic track and field event three straight times. The U.S. could have medal threats in the men’s long jump and 10,000m (training partners Britain’s Mo Farah and American Galen Rupp went one-two in London). Great Britain currently has three medal contenders in the heptathlon that finishes up, including London champion Jessica EnnisHill, coming back from child birth.

Swimming (8 p.m.): The competition concludes with the shortest and longest events (women’s 50m free, men’s 1500m free) and both medley relays. The U.S. men have never lost the Olympic medley relay. Phelps and Franklin were part of the medley relays at London 2012.

Sunday, Aug. 14 — Day 9 Tennis (10 a.m.): Men’s singles final. Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray won the last two gold medals. That means an Olympic title is one of the glaring holes on the résumés of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Golf (5:00 a.m.): Men’s final round. The first Olympic golf gold medals since 1904 will be awarded at the conclusion of the 72-hole strokeplay tournament.

Track and Field (6:30 p.m.): Bolt expects the 200m final (8:30) to be the last individual race of his Olympic career. The world’s greatest athlete will be crowned after the decathlon 1500m (7:45).

American Ashton Eaton is the reigning Olympic and World champion and world record holder. Nobody has repeated as Olympic decathlon champ since Brit Daley Thompson in 1984.

Beach Volleyball (10 p.m.): Men’s medal matches. Several teams are in the medal picture at this point, including 2008 Olympic champion Phil Dalhausser of the U.S. and Brazil’s pair, Alison and Bruno.

Dotson’s Other Note: Former World No. 1 Venus Williams fought a tough first round battle against Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens. After three tight sets, the American fell hard, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6. The Williams sisters Serna & Venus are the prohibitive favorites in doubles*, and both are peaking at the right time for singles success.

In about the time it takes to get to work in the morning, World No. 1 and reigning Olympic gold medalist Serena Williams all but destroyed Russian Elena Vesnina, 6-2, 6-0. The singles semifinal match lasted a mere 48 minutes. *The Williams sisters lost their first doubles match Sunday and are out of the doubles. Your comments, suggestions, questions and concerns regarding Sports Talk articles are greatly appreciated, please call the Benchwarmers at 361-560-5397 weekdays, Mondays thru Fridays, 5-7 PM, or contact me. Phone: 361949-7681 Cell: 530-748-8475 Email: dlewis1@ stx.rr.com Have fun -30-

Gymnastics (12 noon): Men’s floor at noon.

Apparatus finals include women’s vault, where McKayla Maroney’s silver medal-winning facial expression went viral in 2012. This time, women’s vault features Simone Biles at 12:44 p.m.

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rushed for nine more. Bear would later say, “Stabler was the best quarterback I ever had at Alabama.”

Houston Oilers

Gymnastics (12 noon): Apparatus finals include men’s still rings, which may include Brazil’s top gymnastics medal hope. Arthur Zanetti became the nation’s first Olympic gymnastics medalist in 2012, when he took rings gold. He followed that up with gold and silver at the 2013 and 2014 World Championships.

Thursday, Aug. 18 — Day 13

Rowing (8:40 a.m.): Women’s eight. The U.S. won gold at the last two Olympics and the 2014 World Championships.

Hall of Fame football coach, John Madden, once said, “I can’t wait until some of my players retire so I can go drinking with them. This was

Monday, Aug. 15 — Day 10

Beach Volleyball (10 p.m.): Women’s medal matches. The Copacabana Beach venue will be rocking if a Brazilian pair reaches the final. American Kerri Walsh Jennings eyes her fourth straight gold, this time with new partner April Ross replacing the retired Misty May-Treanor.

Venus Williams

By Andy Purvis Special to the Island Moon

one of those guys. He loved fast boats and expensive whiskey. He was one cool country boy.

Born poor, he had big ears and looked like Willie Nelson with blonde hair. He loved fishing, hunting, playing baseball and basketball. In fact, he averaged 29 points per game in high school, playing basketball. He shot pool, drank beer from a paper cup, and dated every girl in Alabama. Tall and thin, his dad called him “Bud.” He had grown up straight as a string. In the ninth grade, he was not interested in playing football. His dad took him to see the Houston Oilers play an exhibition game against the New York Titans. There he would get his first autograph from quarterback, George Blanda.

His father wanted him to play football, so he bought him a 1954 black Ford when he was in the tenth grade. “Hey Bud, it’s yours if you play football,” said his dad. He was excited to have a car and told his father, “I’m going to be a great football player.” Eleven years later, he would be holding for Blanda, while George kicked field goals and extra points for the Oakland Raiders.

Born with the touch “Coach Madden would stand behind me when I dropped back during passing drills,” said Ken Stabler. “It was his way of seeing what the quarterback sees and determining which receivers were open and when.” “Ken, I don’t know how you spot the open receiver and get the ball to them so fast,” said Madden.

“You’re hitting people I can’t even find looking over your shoulder. You’re getting the receiver the ball between two defenders on the dead run. You’ve got the touch.”

Kenneth Michael “Ken” Stabler was born on Christmas Day, 1945, in a farm town of about 4,000 named Foley, Alabama. His father was named Leroy, but everyone called him “Slim.”

Slim served his country in WWII during the invasion of Anzio.

He was wounded in the leg and returned home depressed. Slim earned his living as a mechanic.

He would eventually become an alcoholic and died early, at the age of 47, from a massive heart attack. Kenny’s mom, Sally, worked in a doctor’s office. He also had a sister, Carolyn, born in 1950. Ken Stabler had also been a fine pitcher in high school and was offered a contract with a $20,000 signing bonus his senior year, by the New York Yankees. Stabler had faced future Hall-of-Fame pitcher, Don Sutton, in high school and won. It was Sutton’s only loss in high school.

Runs like a snake Ken Stabler was a fine defensive back and kick returner in high school, before he became the quarterback. He once returned a kickoff that required him to zigzag back and forth across the field four times before he made it to the end zone. “I must have run over 200 yards,” said Ken. One of his high school coaches, Denzil Hollis said, “That boy runs like a Snake,” and the legend was born. “He called me ‘Snake’ and I loved it,” said Stabler. Kenny’s dad had been correct. Kenny would become a star quarterback at Foley High School and a hell-raiser like his dad. Snake and a buddy once tossed five smart alecks out of a local bar. His senior year, Ken was elected All-State, All-Southern and made two different All-American teams. He was also voted MVP of the All-Star Game. He was recruited by Auburn and Alabama. Foley High School would finish with a 29-1 win-loss record during Stabler’s three varsity years. There were only 47 students in his graduating class.

In 1964, Stabler signed with Alabama, after a visit from “Bear” Bryant. Freshmen were ineligible, so Stabler watched as senior, Joe Namath, led the Crimson Tide to a National Championship. In 1965, Kenny was given the #12, the same number Joe Namath had worn.

That year, Stabler backed up Steve Sloan, as the Tide went 9-1-1 and defeated Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, 39-28. In 1965, Alabama won their second consecutive National Championship. As a junior, Kenny took over the Crimson Tide in 1966, and led the team to an 11-0 record and a 34-7 victory over Nebraska in the Sugar Bowl, but finished third in the nation behind Notre Dame and Michigan State. He was elected MVP of the Sugar Bowl and was on his way. Kenny’s senior season (1967) was a little bumpy as Bryant kicked Stabler off the team for cutting classes and partying too much.

Stabler was eventually given a second chance and led Alabama to an 8-2-1 record, with a 53yard run for the winning score against rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl. This incredible run for a 7-3 victory over Auburn is most often referred to as the “Run in the Mud.” Stabler finished his career at Alabama with a 28-3-2 record as the starter. He threw for 18 touchdowns and

The Houston Astros drafted Kenny Stabler in 1968.

He was the 24th player picked, even though he had not thrown a pitch in two years. He was also the last pick of the 2nd round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. Stabler was given #12 to wear and signed a four-year escalating contract that would play him $16,000, $18,000, $20,000 and $22,000 during the next four years. He also received a $50,000 signing bonus.

With three quarterbacks on the team, Stabler was sent to the Spokane Shockers of the Continental Football League, during the 1968 and 1969 seasons, to get some playing time.

Kenny had four roommates while with Oakland: Pete Banaszak, Tony Cline, Dan Connors and Fred Bilenikoff. According to Stabler, Fred Bilenikoff perfected the ability to sleep with his eyes open at meetings.

In his autobiography entitled Snake, written

by Berry Stainback, Ken tells many wonderful training camp stories that happened while he was with the Raiders. One of my favorites included two of his roommates, Pete Banaszak and Ken Herock, devising a way to beat curfew.

Herock takes two pillows and places them long ways in the bed, and then takes a small lamp off the night stand and places it above the pillows with the shade at the top where his head would be. He pulls the covers up over the top of the lamp shade. He then turns to Pete and says, “Cover for me,” and leaves for a night of fun and entertainment. A few minutes after 11:00 PM, an assistant coach comes by and knocks on the door as he sticks his head inside. He looks at Pete and then over at the other bed and says, “Is that Herock?” Pete responds. “I think he’s asleep.” The coach then hits the light switch on the wall beside the door and the lamp shade lights up. When Herock returns he finds a note on his pillow stating he had been fined $200 for missing curfew. Banaszak says, “You should have unplugged your head.”

Play hard, live fast and throw deep.

Eventually, Kenny Stabler was traded to the Houston Oilers in 1980 for quarterback Dan Pastorini. Bear Bryant and Oilers Coach “Bum”

Phillips were good friends and, when Bear heard the news of the trade, he came to Houston.

Stabler had let his hair grow long and, when Bear saw Kenny he said, “Well look, here comes Davy Crockett.” Armed with a beard and silver hair, Stabler looked more like country western singer. The Oilers also traded for Dave Casper and Jack Tatum. Stabler loved playing for Phillips. “At training camp, we’d be practicing in the hot sun at Angelo State, and Bum would blow the whistle and say, “Let’s go drink some beer. It’s no wonder everybody liked him,” said Snake. Kenny led the Oilers to the playoffs, but lost to Oakland in the Wild Card game. “We only had one play in Houston,” said Kenny.

“Turn and hand the ball to Earl Campbell.” The Raiders would go on to win the Super Bowl that season. Stabler came to the Oilers with a label as a hell raiser. “I studied my playbook by the light of the juke box,” said Stabler. “How much sleep do you need to play three hours a day?”

Ken Stabler played in 184 games and he had guts. He threw for 27,938 yards and 194 touchdowns in his 15 NFL seasons. He also had 222 passes intercepted. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the 1974 MVP of the league.

Ken had been married and divorced three times and is survived by daughters Kendra, Alexa and Marissa; his sister, Carolyn Bishop; and two grandchildren.

Sure, he drank too much, stayed out too late and raised Cain, but he also knew how to win football games. He was Bret Favre before Bret Favre. “He would cut you up on a football field,” said Archie Manning. Kenny Stabler’s philosophy in life was play hard, live fast and throw deep. There was lightning in his left arm.

My pal, Gene Upshaw, used to say, “When we were behind in the fourth quarter, with our backs to our end zone, no matter how he had played up to that point, we could look in his eyes and you knew, you knew, he was going to win it for us.

That was an amazing feeling.”

Andy Purvis is a local author and radio personality. Please visit www.purvisbooks. com for all the latest info on his books or to listen to the new radio podcast. Andy’s books are available online and can be found in the local Barnes & Noble bookstore. Andy can be contacted at purvis.andy@mygrande.net. Also listen to sports talk radio on Dennis & Andy’s Q & A Session from 6-8 PM on Sportsradiocc.com 1230 AM, 96.1 FM and 103.3 FM. The home of the Houston Astros.

Send Letters and Photos to editor@islandmoon.com and follow us on Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper

August 11, 2016

Island Moon

The Traveling Moon Gets Around

A9

Gardening: Island Style

Nancy Tressa with the Moon at Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick, Canada on our Canadian Maritime Provinces bus tour this summer.

Jim and Donna Weatherford took the Moon to Jamaica

Looking to purchase ISLAND property?

Give me a call!

I KNOW THE ISLAND! I KNOW THE MARKET!

The Island Gardeners recognized Jeff and Janet Granger at Ullberg Park with an honorary membership to the garden club. The Grangers' home borders Ullberg Park and have helped to maintain it since it was renamed in 2005. The park holds two of Kent Ullberg's bronze sculptures. One is of Kemp's Ridley sea turtles titled Journey's End. The second is of soaring eagles titled Windborne. Jeff helped build the area containing the sea turtles. He keeps both sculptures polished and has been for eleven years now. The Island Gardeners have planted new plants, replaced plants as needed and water regularly. Jeff is always out helping to beautify this park. We are so fortunate to have Kent Ullberg sculptures displayed on our Island and someone as generous as Jeff to give of his time.

Please drive by to see Ullberg Park on Jackfish behind Whataburger.

The Island Gardeners awarded yard of the month to Bobby and Brea Burke who reside at 15302 Barataria. Their home is on the corner of Whitecap and Barataria with a beautiful, lush Floratam lawn, attractive shrubbery and a large bronze deer resting near the garage. Bobby works very hard keeping his lawn watered and weed free.

Our own Dr. Christi Kresser of the Animal Hospital of Padre Island and her dog Kat got to take the ball out to the mound for the first pitch at this month’s Bark in the Park at Whataburger Field. The dog friendly event features a doggie parade around the warming track before the Hooks game. A portion of the proceeds from the event go to PAAC. Good job Kat!

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August 11, 2016

Island Moon

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