Inside the Moon
TGSA Grom Roundup A2
Turtles A5
Fishing A7
Padre Balli Park A11
The
Issue 592
Island Moon
The voice of The Island since 1996
August 20, 2015
Around The Island
Even as Kleberg County Commissioners refuse to sign an interlocal agreement to allow for Nueces County to pick up trash and provide law enforcement on the land acquired by Nueces County south of Bob Hall Pier last year they have unleashed the Kleberg Army on the historically lawless beach. Last weekend a Kleberg County Deputy Sheriff was raising money to pay for the trash pickup by harvesting speeders on Park Road 22. Never mind the naked men and “homeless” people living on the beach for the past six months, nor the gunslingers blasting away at the Kleberg County Shooting Range down there; the Kleberg County lawdogs are out for speeders! Let it be known we gots laws in this here county boy – against speeding that is. For reasons known only to the Kleberg Commissioners Court they have refused to sign the agreement even though it won’t cost them any money. Because the land is in Kleberg County an interlocal agreement is necessary to give Nueces County Constables the authority to enforce the law there.
Weekly
FREE
Photo by Miles Merwin
imposed September 30 deadline. At stake was $117 million in city tax incentives to the developers, of which only $5 million is in hard currency, with the remainder being remittance from Sales Tax and Hotel Motel Tax collected through park operations. Of that $5 million, $2.5 million has so far been paid to build infrastructure around the park and the remainder, as well as the Sales and HOT incentives, will not be released to the park’s developers until the exterior of the building “appears finished.” The tower is the last remaining part of the building’s exterior to be done.
Workers added wire mesh to the tower Monday
After a week of uncertainty the tower at the Schlitterbahn waterpark will maintain is lofty status above the main building.
Late last year the deadline for completing work on the building was extended until September 30 of this year. Completing of the building’s construction was delayed when it was expanded during the construction process from its original 17,000 square-feet to more than twice that size.
The future of the tower hung in the balance for several days as park developers discussed whether to tear it down or finish it by a city-
This week marked that end of the summer season at the park which will now remain open only on weekends.
By Dale Rankin
Seashore Middle Academy Welcomes Students
Students Excited to Begin the New School Year By Brent Rourk
September 1 marks the opening of dove season and Texas Parks and Wildlife this week released their outlook on the dove population. A rainy spring has sprouted lots more sunflowers and seeds across the Texas landscape bringing 30-million mourning doves into the state. Biologists say dove numbers have increased over last year as much as 20 percent.
Wherefor art thou? We are entering the heart of what has passed for Hurricane Season 2015 with nary a storm to play chicken with this year on our little sandbar. We have El Nino that thank for that and according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center this week. They like to use fancy Weatherwonk language over there at the Prediction Center so they call it the El Niño/ Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Diagnostic Discussion. NOAA forecasters declared that a weak El Niño had developed in March 2015
Around continued on A3
By Dale Rankin The Corpus Christi City Council voted Tuesday to install a traffic light at the intersection of SPID and Aquarius Drive. A second reading is required before the decision is official, however, that appears to be only a formality as the council unanimously spoke in favor of the light. City engineers said the project will include a redesign of the intersection
to lengthen the left turn lanes in both directions and will include warning signs on the JFK Causeway to inform drivers there is a traffic light ahead. Several residents who live in the north end of The Island and who access the JFK Causeway through the intersection spoke in favor of the light.
Light continued on A4
Guinness World Shrimp Eating Record Set at Doc’s He did it with one hand tied behind his back! Photos by Bill Thomas They slapped the cuffs on right before lunch but they only got one hand. Island Tom was settled in on the patio at Doc’s Seafood and Steaks to prove that he could eat more shrimp in three minutes than anyone alive with one hand tied behind his back – and he did.
You got to be tough to live in a tent on the beach in this heat, even with the wind you are going to be one steamin’ hombre.
Dove Season
City Council Approves Light at Aquarius-SPID Intersection
So bright and early Monday morning a hoard of workers swarmed the top of the 138-foot tall tower to begin the process of covering it with 5000 square-feet of wire mesh which will eventually hold an outer coating of cement/ stucco in place. The process is expected to be finished in about three weeks.
The lack of enforcement on the six miles of the newly acquired beach has not been lost on the homesteading community which has now grown to about twenty “residences” currently there. As one of the semi-permanent residents told us, “Don’t call me homeless, this is my home.”
The good news is that they are harvesting the aluminum cans and various other flotsam and jetsam left behind by unthinking tourists. All in all the Homesteading Option has turned out to be a pretty good beach cleanup system, and they work cheap. They live on cans!
Live Music A16
Free
The Tower Stays in the Picture
By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com They were thought to be extinct, lo there were many among us who believed they never existed at all. Then this week it happened…a sighting of a trash truck and even a Deputy Sheriff from Kleberg County on the Kleberg County Beach! We even have a photo to prove it.
The Island in 2050 A14
With Flour Bluff ISD football coaches George Henderson and Robert Volkman looking on as stewards, and Terri Wilson, a Sysco Foods employee to make sure the weights and measures were correct,
Shrimp continued on A2 Smiling students filed into the front doors of Seashore Middle Academy (SMA) on Wednesday, seeking out familiar student and instructor faces. The staff, after preparing for seven days, was ready to welcome the students and embark on a journey of 180 days of learning (and some sports and academic competitions.) Staff members helped SMA Director Barbara Beeler direct students to their first period classes and then to an all school assembly in the SMA Gymnasium. Ms. Beeler welcomed the student body, particularly the new incoming 5th grade students who are beginning their middle school careers. Ms. Beeler reminded the student body that in its previous 8 years SMA has earned commended or distinguished rankings, a feat attributed to the dedication of Island students, parents, and staff. Staff members distributed locks for student lockers and by 8:40 AM students found lockers, tried their combinations, and then headed back to class to begin their year. Staff members reminded students about the value of always putting forth ‘Effort’
Seashore continued on A4
Piles of shrimp disappear rapidly during the 3-minute world record attempt.
A little Island history
Texan Troops March into South Texas
Editor’s note: This is the second story in a series based on the writings of Herman Ehrenberg who in 1836 immigrated to Texas from his native Germany to fight for Texas’ independence from Mexico. He fought at many of the early battles of Texas’ War for Independence and was one of the few to escape the massacre of Texian troops at Goliad by the Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Fortunately for us Mr. Ehrenberg was a literate man who kept a full diary of his experiences in the struggle. But his journal was lost to history for 100 years until 1936 when “an ancient German manuscript was found by instructors at the University of Texas” but the language was old German that was not understood
The Battle of San Jacinto, 1885 by any of the professors at the University. As fate would have it a student from Refugio was working on his Master’s Degree at the time and he recognized the language as the old German dialect that his mother had taught him as a child and he translated the 100 year-old story to English and wrote it down
in two versions; one is still on file at the University of Texas Library, the other was a redbound folder which was passed down through his family. In June, 1975, as part of the 140 anniversary of the original
History continued on A6
A2
August 20, 2015
Island Moon
Shrimp continued from A1
TGSA Grom Roundup Surf Contest
Customers & staff of Doc's cheer on Island Tom as a 3-minute clock runs. a Nueces County Constable to make sure the eater used only one hand as required by the rules, the cameras rolled and Island Tom dug in. The date was October 16, 2014 and the place was Doc’s and when the three minutes were up Island Tom had set the Guinness World Record for most shrimp ever eaten in that time by a human being. The new world record of 278 grams beat the old record set by William E. Silver of Ashville, North Carolina, in 2003 by six grams. It took until last week for Guinness to confirm the record and recognize Island Tom as the Three Minute Shrimp Eating World Champion.
Stewards and onlookers watch the time as the world record is attempted.
The Guinness rules require that in the case of the shrimp world record, that one hand remain behind the back at all time, hence the handcuff which was fastened to Island Tom’s belt loop which could be broken by the Constable in case Island Tom got a shrimp stuck sideways in
his throat. Also, a restaurant-standard seafood fork must be used for all bites, with no shrimp eaten by hand. The most-stringent requirement may be that only one shrimp may be eaten at a time—each shrimp must be fully swallowed before proceeding to the next. Yes, somewhere in London there apparently are people who sit around and contemplate these matters.
This Saturday the Texas Gulf Surfing Association will be hosting a special surf contest for any and all young surfers that have never competed in a surf contest before. Competitive surf contests are much more that competition, they are a gathering of great people and a celebration of the beach life and community. The smiles cheers and sense of pride you will see on your young surfers face will lead you to become a regular at our events. The age groups are split up so that the micro groms and small kids can be pushed into waves, so bring your beginner surfers out. The first contestants to sign up get a shirt and trophy at the finish, we are hope ing for a great batch of new surfers to join this family of ocean riders. This is the best place to come bring your kids and make friends,
there will be kids and teenagers everywhere, with their families enjoying a great day on the beach barbecuing surfing playing games and having fun. There will be a few professional photographers there taking pictures of the kids, G-Scott will most likely take more than 4000 pictures and post them of all the contestants and the LIFE ON THE BEACH. you can look at some his photos and see the positive energy we have at these contests on The internet at G SCOTT IMAGING. Texas surf camps will be there so there are plenty of boards to ride if you don't have one. Don't miss out on a great day and introduction to the life of surfing this Saturday at Horace Caldwell Pier in Port Aransass, event sign up starts at 7am. Hope to see you on the beach!
Boats
Following months of waiting and a thorough review of slow-motion video, the London-based records team last week issued the Guinness World Record and published it worldwide at www.GuinnessWorldRecords.com—the official website for Guinness. During the attempt, an official from Texas World Records was also in attendance as a witness, and confirmed that a new Texas World Record for "Most shrimps eaten in three minutes" had been set at Doc’s.
Pct. 4 Deputy Michael Benton handcuffs Island Tom's hand to his belt loop
Maybe it’s just us, but it somehow seems fitting that the Guinness World Record for shrimp eating should be set on The Island by a guy named Island Tom. There is some justice in the Guinness world.
The abandoned boat count is now up to four with the record for longest stay being the boat beached across the canal from the Padre Island Yacht Club which has been there for six months or so. We can’t help but notice they are all sailboats. Anybody know why?
August 20, 2015
Island Moon
Letters to the Editor
Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder
FBFD
Padre Island Teen By Elizabeth Clark
Taxpayers Gary Graham, Mike Morgan, Jennifer Welp need to resign from the Flour Bluff VOLUNTEER fire department board immediately. They lied to the TAXPAYERS about their ability to construct a building on the island without a tax increase. Then they came backed said we can't do this without a tax increase. We want raises. They are closing the station on 361. We will just go to the taxpayers and raise their taxes. Flour Bluff and the Island have CCFD services and they do an outstanding job. Duplicate services are not wanted or needed. Raise you own dollars are close your doors. Taxpayers don't let this go or you will be taxed and never even know it happened. Leave our taxes alone.
Distribution Pete Alsop Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin Classifieds Arlene Ritley Production Manager Jeff Craft Contributing Writers Joey Farah
BTW the Taxpayers are waiting for you to publish your budget in the MOON newspaper. I will send a letter every week until the budget is disclosed. I urge every taxpayer to do the same. Leave our pocket books alone. Thank you to the MOON for educating the public on our pocket book issues called taxes.
Andy Purvis Devorah Fox
D Fleming
Mary Craft Maybeth Christiansen Todd Hunter Dotson Lewis Ronnie Narmour Brent Rourk Dr. Donna Shaver Photographers Miles Merwin Jeff Dolan Mary Craft Ronnie Narmour Office Security/Spillage Control (Emeritus) Riley P. Dog
Communicating as to planned debate tournaments with debate coaches at Flour Bluff H.S, King H.S., and Veteran Memorial H.S. and on to Ray, Gregory Portland, and Calallen would cause anyone to appreciate the significant number of bright students in our community. In addition to the debaters, bright students are also in Decathlon Teams, Mock Trial Teams, National Honor Societies, STEM Clubs and other activities for students in the top one third of their class. We must recognize the importance of those students staying in Corpus Christi and becoming quality leaders in our businesses, industries, government, education, and civic organizations. This community's brain drain problem was pointed out in a recent forum article by Lain Vasley, President/ CEO of the CC Regional Economic Development Corp. with emphasis on the need for new quality of life standards. However, that must begin upon the bright students high school graduation with quality academic institutions so they do not feel compelled to go elsewhere.
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
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
CVS
Coffee Waves
Whataburger
Moby Dicks
Doc’s Restaurant
Spanky’sLiquor
Snoopy’s Pier
IGA Grocery Store
Isle Mail N More
Carter Pharmacy
Brooklyn Pie Co.
San Juan’s Taqueria
Ace Hardware
Wash Board Laundry Mat
Texas Star (Shell)
Port A Parks and Rec
Island Italian
Holiday Inn Jesse’s Liquor
Public Library
Scuttlebutt’s Restaurant
Chamber of Commerce
Island Tire
Duckworth Antiques
And all Moon retail advertisers
Back Porch
WB Liquor
Woody’s Sports Center
Subway
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
As the weather becomes cooler and we sink into autumn in these coming weeks, most teenagers will lose their spontaneity and get into the monotonous motion of school life. So, while the weather is still warm, do it all. Throw that party you’ve wanted to have… go the beach with some friends… pamper yourself. Take initiative in getting it all out of your system before you’re overloaded with homework and extracurricular activities, and go back to school satisfied with your summer. And when the teacher calls on you to tell the class what you’ve done all summer, be prepared to tell a good story. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, email me at PadreIslandTeen@ gmail.com.
Brain Drain
Jay Gardner
Port Aransas
Kids... These are your last days of freedom. Flour Bluff starts back to school on Monday, so it’s about time to kick that summer bucket list.
Liquid Town Whataburger on Waldron Ethyl Everly Senior Center Fire Station Police Station Stripes on Flour Bluff & SPID
First is TAMU-CC President Flavius Killebrew's proud announcement last September of developing the institution as an Emerging Research University. Hopefully, he will announce this September future needed doctoral, professional, and post-graduate research programs. Second,the Southside Business Council, Padre Island Business Association, Flour Bluff Business Association, and the Northwest Business Association adopted in June, 2011 their Higher Education Resolution calling for Del Mar to create a Southside Academic Campus with strong academic programs and Ph.D faculty. Instead, the Board with urging of LULAC One and 'Negative Nick' voted to create a third 'mediocre campus' in the heart of southside on Yorktown/ Rodd Field Road. Obviously, the needed solution now lays in 2016/2018 with southside voters. Guy Watts, JD/Ph.D
The Schlitterbahn Tower Tear down the Schlitterbahn Tower? Can’t Corpus Christi find something more productive than hindering the efforts of another struggling local enterprise? And, especially since we already have $2.5 million in it! Naturally the company has focused on getting to a paying operation first with the rides that attract their customers. Give them a chance and don’t strap them with the needless expense of tearing down the tower. Actually, I thought it was already finished and think it looks rather artful on our Island skyline. Craig Wooldridge
Thank a Vet The Nueces County Clerk, Kara Sands, is pleased to announce the “Thank A Vet” program aimed at honoring the nearly 30,000 veterans who call Nueces County their home. The program is a partnership between the County Clerk and an ever-growing list of local businesses that have chosen to stand up and honor our veterans by providing free or discounted services – recognizing our local heroes by giving back to them. In commenting on the program, Kara Sands stated, “there is no way we can ever fully thank veterans enough for the sacrifices they have endured, but this program is a nod from the community to show that we appreciate and want to honor them.” Eligibility is simple: Honorably discharged veterans present and record their original or certified DD-214 with the County Clerk’s office. Once done, a “Thank A Vet” photo identification card is given – everything is at no cost to veterans. Any veteran who has already filed a DD-214 with the County Clerk has already completed the first step and simply needs to return to receive their “Thank A Vet” identification card. To redeem the benefits associated with the “Thank A Vet” identification card, veterans present it to any of the participating businesses enrolled in the program. All businesses are encouraged to enroll and once registered, will be featured on the County Clerk’s social media pages and added to the list of participating businesses on the County Clerk’s “Thank A Vet” homepage. For more information, contact the County Clerk’s office at 361-888-0862, email ThankAVet@NuecesCo. com or like us on Facebook at www.Facebook. com/NuecesThankAVet. The County Clerk will begin issuing “Thank A Vet” photo identification cards on August 17, 2015.
General I read the article Slittergone and could only laugh. A large number of island residents wish the waterpark would never happen and never built. With all the rubbish surrounding the property it has become known as Litterbahn but now can be also known as Slitterjoke. The possibility of having to tear off the tower skelton has people really snickering. With this in mind, the waterpark is not much to speak of from the get go anyway. Councilwoman McIntyre has her private pedestrian peach and it is a complete failure. We all knew this would be the outcome from the start. Go down to the beach and it is packed except the pedestrian beach which is almost empty. Those who do use that stretch of beach do so because they can park right next to the bollards and walk their stuff a short distance and know it will remain empty. Nobody but Ms. McIntyre wants it so open it up to the people whom want to use it with their car nearby. Lastly the stop light at Aquarius. Why should we the taxpayers pay for and endure another stoplight just because some jerk wants to build another hotel and strip mall. With that thinking everybody along the road should have a stoplight and we all know that's stupid. How many rear end collisions and injuries from people coming over the bridge must happen? The traffic at that intersections is increased during tourist season and then mostly only on the weekends. Is everyone's schedule so full that they cannot wait an extra few minutes to turn? Part of the Island charm is only 2 stoplights. If you want more, move OTB. If a person wishes to find out how insignificant the island traffic is even at peak times, take some time and spend a week or two in Houston, Dallas, Chicago, LA, or New York. Island traffic is like taking a nap. Gary Bachunas
Emergency Elert System The FCC Request for Comment on "New Emergency Alert System (EAS) Codes for Storm Surge and Extreme Wind" was published in the Federal Register on August 10, 2015. The comment period is open until September 9, 2015. I encourage you to please review these proposals and provide your comments to the FCC. To Summarize: 1.) NWS requests that the Commission add a new “Extreme Wind Warning” (EWW) event code to provide the public with advance notice of the onset of extreme sustained surface winds (greater than or equal to 115 miles per hour) associated with a major land-falling hurricane (category 3 or higher) 2.) NWS also requests that the Commission add two new event codes covering storm surges: “Storm Surge Watch” (SSA) and “Storm Surge Warning” (SSW). NWS indicates that the “Storm Surge Watch/Warning will be issued when there is a significant risk of lifethreatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the ocean.” These would take effect during the 2017 hurricane season.
Did Ya Hear?
A3
by Mary Craft mkay512@aol.com or @padreeyelander on twitter
New Advertisers A Cane Harbor Neighborhood multifamily garage sale will be held on Saturday, August 22nd 8 am – noon. There will be furniture, decorative items, lamps, vases, art work, wall hangings, lawn mower, edger, tools, Harley gear and lots of household items. Also for sale is a custom 2007 Gas Club Car golf cart. Janice Minter, Broker with Coastal Area Real Estate has been serving our community with honesty and integrity for over ten years and has been in real estate for more than 30 years. Check out her website at texcoast.com or call 949-8485. Large Moving Sale in the Bluff at the Cornerstone subdivision off Flour Bluff Drive 1225 Seth Street on Saturday, August 22nd 9 am – 2 pm. There will be linens, stained glass, oil paintings, furniture, wet suits and more.
Business Briefs The Angry Marlin Restaurant that is going into the old Johnny D’s location has started early work on the remodel. There is talk that a brewery may be added. Real Estate Broker Mary Melick has a renovated beach condo at Gulfstream for the super price of $255,000. The Paddle for Parkinson’s Kick-off Party will be held Saturday, August 22nd at the Boathouse Bar & Grill 10 am – 2 pm. The Kayak/SUP races will be held at Billish Park Saturday, September 5th. Go to catchthecure.org for more info. The PI Dog Club will meet at JB’s Bakery patio for breakfast on Saturday, August 22nd at 9 am. The Aransas Queen Casino boat has been in port the past week because of mechanical issues. Flour Bluff senior quarterback Cody Brewer officially committed to play football at Washington State and will play for former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach. The season opener will be at home against King High School ojn August 28th. Friday night lights are back! The Texas Women Anglers Tournament in Port A is this weekend starting at 5 pm on Friday, August 21st. It was started back in the 80s with the mission to raise funds for the Women's Shelter of South Texas. The ladies will have decorated boats and will be wearing pirate garb.
Around continued from A1 and issued an El Niño Advisory, which remains in effect. The update has El Niño strengthening and likely to last into early spring 2016. Strong El Niño events are characterized by warmer ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean at the Equator of at least 1.5 degrees Celsius above normal for three months. As one forecaster succinctly put it, “This winter they will be wearing raincoats in Southern California and playing golf in Wisconsin.” But here’s doubting anyone in Southern California owns a raincoat, and it's going to be hard to play golf in Wisconsin with frozen balls. Hang in there everybody, this weekend is the last of the Big Tourist Weekends and it likely won’t be as busy as the last few. School is back in session and the uplanders are saving up for the big Labor Day Weekend which will mark the official end of the Summer Tourist Season. Retailers report a good, in some cases record, summer even with the slow start due to rain. We’ve been discovered and the Old Busy is now the New Normal.
Pup of the week: Pablo
The NWS feels these codes are necessary to effectively communicate tropical threats to the public. In the absence of the storm surge codes, the NWS would issue a storm surge warning under a coastal flood related EAS code as an example. Sincerely, John Metz Warning Coordination Meteorologist National Weather Service
Pablo Hello! Pablo is the name. Supposedly I am a 6-8 year old Rat Terrier mix who is very affectionate and playful, and I really enjoy being held or sitting on a lap. My foster Mommy has done a great job of helping me deal with social situations with my four legged friends and people. I like other dogs, but am happy to be the only doggie in the home. I’m good with cats and really don’t pay much attention to them, unless of course, I want cuddle time. Did I mention that I’m playful? Well that’s a secret really. I might be a little older, but I have some spunk too! I mean age is just a number, right?! I’m crate trained and prefer the crate during thunderstorms. It’s my security “blanket.” I should probably mention that I’m also housebroken and very low maintenance. I obey commands such as stay, and lay down and I don’t care to venture too far away from my humans. In fact it really makes me happy when they are around a lot so we can spend time together. Oh, and I know the words “Treats” and “Eat” very well!! Let me see…I know I’ve left something out. Oh yes, although I’ve been exposed to children at adoption events, I’m still a little wary. Woofully Yours, Pablo is available through Mission Pawsible. info@missionpawsiblecc.org 361-277-1731
A4
August 20, 2015
Island Moon
‘You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown’ Has Pizazz
Police Blotter Police Warn Public of Potential Phone Scam Corpus Christi Police would like help from the public to identify the person in this phone record. A person in the Corpus Christi community received a phone call on August 16, 2015 from 361-219-4997 by a person who identified them self as Lieutenant Wade Harris and claimed the person called had a warrant for their arrest. The person who received the phone call did not believe the caller and then called the Corpus Christi Police and learned there is no Wade Harris employed by the Corpus Christi Police, there was no warrant for their arrest, and this may be a scam. Any person contacted by phone about any warrant for their arrest should ask several questions to determine if the caller is legitimate. A law enforcement officer who contacts a person by phone about a warrant for arrest will provide specific information such as the agency the Officer represents, the Officer’s name, the exact charge against the person for which the warrant has been issued, a phone number for the agency, and the Officer will never demand money in an effort to avoid or delay arrest. Anyone with any information or questions about this caller should call the Corpus Christi Police at 361-886-2600.
Police Calls 13500 block SPID (JFK Causeway) 12:29 a.m. August 11 Possession of drug paraphernalia/Possession of controlled substance 14300 block SPID 6:50 p.m. August 15 Public intoxication/unlawful carrying of a weapon/possession of marijuana/ possession of drug paraphernalia
14400 block Cabana East 1:20 p.m. August 15 Burglary from a motor vehicle
By Brent Rourk
14500 block SPID 2:45 p.m. August 15 Gasoline theft/public intoxication Beach Marker 203 (North Packery) 5:46 p.m. August 16 Assault by contact Beach Marker 208 (North Packery) 9:30 p.m. August 15 Assault with injury 13900 block Sea Anchor 4:18 p.m. August 14 Terroristic threat Leeward and St. Augustine 2:07 p.m. August 12 Possession of marijuana Beach Marker 217 (Seawall) 4:53 p.m. August 16 Public intoxication 15000 block Windward 10:25 p.m. August 12 Public intoxication 15200 block Leeward 9:34 p.m. August 15 Driving While Intoxicated SPID/Whitecap 10:57 p.m. August 12 Public Intoxication 15200 block SPID 10:45 p.m. August 12 Harassment 15200 block SPID 10:33 p.m. August 16 Driving while license suspended 13900 block Ports O Call 11:30 a.m. August 13 Harassment 15800 block SPID 7:22 p.m. August 11 Public intoxication Beach Marker 250 (Kleberg County) Burglary of a motor vehicle State Highway 361 and Zahn Road 7:25 p.m. August 17 Driving While Intoxicated
Snoopy assuming his position on top of his dog house where you might see the Red Baron. Pbotos by Brent Rourk
Very few of us have not heard of Charlie Brown and his group of entertaining friends, including philosophical Snoopy, tough girl Lucy, Linus, Peppermint Patty, Sally, and the gang. Since 1950 the hugely popular Peanuts comic strip has made us laugh and cry, more frequently looking at our own lives. Amazingly, we have been able to identify with the characters at times through 4 or 5 windows of a cartoon or more recently through the television series and several plays and musicals.
solo, sharing a little more about their characters to the audience. The props are simple and few but powerful and believable. One prop per scene is all that the cast needs to successfully deliver their song and present a formidable scene. One piano, a kite string, a school bench, the iconic doghouse, a sidewalk stand (Lucy’s), and a baseball dugout (simply a bench) are all that are needed to catapult the viewer into the scene.
13500 block SPID (JFK Causeway) 12:14 p.m. August 17 Theft $50-$500
Seashore continued from A1 in school. As in any endeavor, the quality and value of the end result is a product of the effort that students give. Staff members quickly slipped into the first day schedule which included reviewing the student handbook.
The baseball TEAM - will they win or lose?
Ms. Beeler commented about the school year, “We started our 9th school year with 230 students. All students and teachers are encouraged to get involved with sports, academics, and community service.” The staff discussed the value of ‘Effort’ during staff preparation time. Beeler stated, “The theme for the year is “I Can”, encouraging students to do their best.”
Ms Beeler welcomes the student body Photos by Brent Rourk
Staff member Susan Bernal was observed helping a student with her locker combination, a common occurrence on the first day of school. Bernal quipped, “I am so glad to be back at school and to be challenging our students.” SMA student Jacob Scanlan said, “I am very excited about making new friends and having fun.”
Total cost of the project is $705,625 with $420,000 coming from the developer of the adjacent property and $285,625 paid by the city from 2014 bonds. The San Antoniobased developer who owns the property on the east side of the intersection and who was the impetus for the light, told the Island Moon last December that he plans to build a retail center on the lots on the east side of the intersection, including a Starbucks Coffee Shop, and a 105 room Hamilton Inn motel. He said the light was needed to handle the traffic for the hotel. According to plans presented to the city council on Tuesday construction on the project will begin in January 2016 and be done by June 2016. Average traffic flow across the JFK Causeway is estimated at about 30,000 vehicles per day and a comprehensive count is currently being done through the summer season. A count on Saturday, July 4, showed more than 50,000 vehicles passed through the SPID/Aquarius intersection. Residents cited safety as the main reason for the light, as the heavy traffic delays drivers trying to enter the roadway from Aquarius or turning across traffic and experiencing long delays leading some to take dangerous changes when crossing. District 4 City Councilwoman Colleen McIntyre, who was a proponent of the light, said city records show a total of 39 accidents in the southbound lane of SPID between the JFK Causeway and the SPID/Commodores intersection in the past two years. The council also discussed dropping the speed limit along SPID but took no action. That change, like the light, would have to be approved by the Texas Department of Transportation.
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This musical will fascinate children as well as Peanuts devotees as it presents touching and melodic scenes from some of the old standby locations: the baseball field, Schroeder’s piano, Snoopy’s doghouse, the playground, the school bus, kite flying at the park, Lucy’s Psychiatrist stand, and more. The musical incorporates some of the classic issues that transformed the Peanuts cartoons and Charlie Brown into a legend – issues that have always challenged people of all ages: confidence, secrets, bullying, relationships, shyness, cowardice, dreams, and loneliness.
“There are still a few spots available at SMA in 6th and 8th grades in one of the best middle school in South Texas”, Beeler continued. Call SMA at 361-654-1134 for information about available spots.
Light continued from A1
Now is your opportunity to enjoy a local rendition of ‘You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown’ where you can watch Charlie and his friends (wait, does Charlie Brown have any friend?) at the Port Aransas Community Theatre. This is a musical for young and old alike, offering a very talented local cast and a generous selection of musical hits.
Island in the Son United Methodist Church Seeking Vendors for “Fabulous Fall” Arts and Crafts Sale
The music is especially entertaining and the cast offers several credible yet uncomplicated dances that add action and keep the pace moving. Undoubtedly, you will identify with at least one of the characters as the musical progresses and at the end you might have a place in your heart for Charlie Brown. This musical is a very entertaining presentation put on by PACT and is fun for children of all ages. It is also amusing for adults of all ages with bonuses to those who followed Peanuts for many years and now finally see the famous characters come to life. This is definitely a ‘Thumbs Up’ musical. The final performances will be held this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:00 PM and the Sunday Matinee begins at 2:30 PM. Ticket prices are $15. See http://www.portaransascommunitytheatre.com/ for ticket information and information about coming events.
Ken Yarbrough plays a very realistic Charlie and the audience might find themselves as empathic supporters of Charlie, Might. The other characters are also very believable, including Lucy’s incessant and inveterate bullying, Linus’s child-like wonder, Schroeder’s addiction to music, and Sally’s relationship with her brother Charlie Brown. The cast of 6 adult actors is experienced and accomplished, with several having strong voices capable of doing justice to the many songs throughout the musical. Snoopy, Lucy, and Charlie Brown in particular shine with song, and all of the cast members get opportunities to
September 26 Island in the Son United Methodist Church will have a “FABULOUS FALL” Arts and Crafts Sale on Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to “shop ‘til you drop” among the great selection of unique items for sale, including food, jewelry, candles, home décor, specialty bags, crafts of all kinds, and more! A Vendor information packet with registration form is available by emailing or calling the church at islandintheson@yahoo. com or 361-749-0884, or you can visit our website, www.islandintheson.org, and click on the “Vendor Info” link on the top of the home page. Vendor spaces will be reserved on a first come, first served basis, and only after payment is received. Deadline for registration is September 14.
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The gang heading to school - A place Charlie Brown finds difficult
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August 20, 2015
Stuff I Heard on the Island
by Dale Rankin In more than thirty five years of covering city council meetings I have never seen one quite like the one I saw Tuesday. Usually a palace coup happens behind closed doors. What I saw Tuesday happened on live television, albeit cable, and looks like it will revamp how business is done and how it is likely to be done at city hall for at least the next fifteen months.
I saw a five-member majority say in so many words they will not support a tax increase – right before they raised taxes - more on that later. But the point here is that I saw for the first time I can remember five members of the council turned on the taxpayers dime and publicly stated that the taxpayers can’t afford more tax hikes.
Island Moon
tax hike has now raised city property taxes 25% in the past three years – 10%, 8% and now 7%. Things reached a point in which a councilwoman actually called out Martinez for “badgering” Magill over his plan and for doing the same to another member who began to waver on his “No tax increase” position. What I saw is a five-member majority on the council, led by Magill, which is looking to take things in a completely different direction. I have two complaints (you knew that was coming.)
A tax hike by any other name
Councilman Chad Magill threw a skunk in the room in the form of a plan to do away with the Street Maintenance Fee altogether and to appoint a nine-person committee to examine how the city bids, builds, and pays for the estimated $800 million it will take to fix city streets. It was clear as Magill passed out hard copies of his plan to each of the council members that at least four of them had never seen it before and had no idea it was coming at them. They were prepared to discuss how big the tax increase would be and whether it was over the 8% where a petition drive and vote to roll the rate back to that of the current fiscal year could be defeated; what they got was a five-member majority who wants to go in a new direction.
First, while professing to be opposed to raising taxes they turned around and did exactly that. Those of you who regularly read these pages know that there is a difference between the Tax Rate and the Effective Tax Rate. The ETR holds the amount of tax revenue raised steady, while the Tax Rate, when kept steady which is what they did, harvests more money from taxpayers’ pockets through increased property values, something Island property owners are all too familiar with. So while the five members may have thought they were not increasing taxes they actually were. Having said that, the simple fact that there are five members on the council who understand that increasing the tax burden year after year is not a sustainable plan if it is akin to electricity coming to Hooterville. Maybe by next year those members will understand that holding the Effective Tax Rate in place is the only way to keep from increasing taxes. But at least they get it.
Hard to watch
Island endorsed
I must say parts of the meeting were hard to watch as Mayor Nelda Martinez and the three members who make up the base of her support on the council watch as their control, at least on this Issue of Issues, slipped from their grasp. It was like watching open heart surgery. As Magill fielded questions about his plan and Martinez kept referring to the decision that the council “team” had made in previous meetings it was abundantly clear that Magill had five votes to support his plan.
Second, and this one really bothers me; out of the five councilmembers endorsed and supported by the Island United Political Action Committee and Island voters in the last election only one was on the winning side. Magill. The other four, all candidates we supported, made up the four votes on the losing side who sounded like, as Martinez put it, they wanted to take a bigger bite out of the elephant.
Martinez, and at least two council members, seemed to be in favor of raising taxes well above the 8% barrier and using the rollback election as a referendum to see whether there is public support for a drastic rise in taxes to fund streets. As Martinez correctly stated, in order for that idea to have a chance at voter approval the council vote needed to be at least 6-3 in favor because a divided council would mean selling the idea to the public which would be next to impossible. Not only did they not get the needed 6-3 vote, the council clearly was 5-4 against a tax increase of any kind and eventually passed the same tax rate as last year; which coupled with a 7.92% increase in property values throughout the city means an increase is tax revenue – a tax increase – of 7%. Having said that, and based on the direct statements of five of the council members that they would not vote for a tax increase – it is still a huge change for a council that with the new
In a council district which pays more than its pro rata share of city taxes, and by the way will get very little of the street repair money, you would have thought some of the folks we helped get elected might have been on the other side. Instead Magill, who is elected At-Large, and four members from Single-Member Districts that don’t include The Island were the ones doing their best to hold the line on taxes. It was clear the other four council members, as well as City Manager Ron Olson, were bushwhacked. As Olson on Wednesday worked to draw up the ordinance to form the street advisory committee and get it seated by October, he must have wondered what just happened. When it comes to public bodies, saying yes is the easy part; real power is the ability to say no, and Tuesday five council members said no to business as usual. Things are starting to get interesting.
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A5
Sea Turtle Nesting and Hatchling Recap For 2015 By Donna J. Shaver, Ph.D. Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery, National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore, e-mail: Donna_Shaver@nps.gov
The sea turtle nesting and hatchling release seasons have gone by very quickly this year. Kemp’s ridley nesting and public releases of Kemp’s ridley hatchlings are over. However, a few loggerhead and green turtles are continuing to nest in south Texas and a few nests from those species remain in incubation at Padre Island National Seashore. Our field activities for nesting and hatching are greatly reduced now and we are trying to catch up on many things that were postponed while dealing with the live animals and safely running a large field operation. We are now working on equipment clean-up and organization, summary of data from this year, and preparation of reports, presentations, and funding proposals. We are also beginning to organize for possible cold stunning of green turtles this winter.
Nesting summary This year, 159 Kemp’s ridley nests were recorded in Texas. One hundred nine of the 159 nests were found locally, including 101 at Padre Island National Seashore, five on North Padre Island north of the National Seashore, and three on Mustang Island. This year, the Kemp’s ridley nesting season was compressed in time. Kemp’s ridleys typically nest on days with strong winds and frontal activity. This spring, severe weather passed through our area about once a week. Kemp’s ridleys can lay up to three clutches of eggs during a nesting season, an average every 21 days. However, this year many nested at 14 day intervals, in association with the passage of those fronts, which caused the nesting season to speed along quickly. Nearly all Kemp’s ridley nesting in Texas was over by mid-June this year. In some years, several nests are found during the last two weeks of June and first two weeks of July. The 159 nests documented in Texas this year is more than found during 2013 and 2014, but is many fewer than found during 2009, 2011, and 2012. Unfortunately, this reduction in Kemp’s ridley nests found was mirrored across the other Kemp’s ridley nesting beaches on the Gulf coast of Mexico. So far this year, eight loggerhead sea turtle nests have also been found in Texas, including two on San Jose Island, four at Padre Island National Seashore, and two on South Padre Island. Four green turtle nests have also been located, including three at the National Seashore and one on North Padre north of the National Seashore. The nesting season could continue through mid-September for these two species, so hopefully more of their nests will be found. Loggerhead and green turtles typically nest during the night. However, they sometimes nest during daylight hours early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Unfortunately, for every loggerhead and green turtle nest that is located, about three other “false crawls” are found. A false crawl is when a sea turtle comes ashore to lay eggs, but does not nest because she is disturbed or something else on the beach is not to her liking. This year, both people and coyotes disturbed some of the emerging turtles and caused them to re-enter the sea without nesting. Tony Amos had some exciting observations and investigations of these loggerhead and green turtle sites on Mustang and San Jose Islands this year.
Although turtle patrollers discovered most of the local nests and track sites, some were found by beachgoers and others working on the beach. Please continue to watch for nesting sea turtles and their tracks while you are on the beach. Immediately report nesting turtles or their tracks by calling 361-949-8173, ext. 226 (North Padre Island) or 1-866-TURTLE5 (elsewhere in Texas). If you see a nesting turtle, please do not rush up her or you could frighten her back into the water without nesting. Also, please do not shine flashlights or your vehicle head-lights on her or you could startle her. To learn more about what to do if you see a nesting turtle and to obtain the latest information on the number of nests found this year, visit the Padre Island National Seashore website at www.nps.gov/pais or our Facebook page titled Padre Island NS Division of Sea Turtle Science & Recovery.
Hatching success and hatchling releases Eggs from most sea turtle nests found at the National Seashore and northward on the Texas coast are brought to our incubation facility to protect them from a variety of human related and natural threats. Eggs incubate for about 4853 days and hatchlings are released when they emerge from their eggshells and become active. Since the Kemp’s ridley nesting season was compressed, their hatching season was also compressed this year. Most nests hatched by early-August, instead of by mid-to-late August as in some other years. Each year, the public is invited to attend about 20-25 of our Kemp’s ridley hatchling releases. These public releases are held in front of the Visitor Center on Malaquite Beach at Padre Island National Seashore, starting at 6:45 am. No fee is charged to watch these releases and thousands of people attend each year. Twentythree of our hatchling releases at the National Seashore were open to the public this year, and nearly 12,000 people attended. It was wonderful to see so many of you at these releases. And, it was great to meet many people that visited our area in hopes of seeing a hatchling release. Hatching is still underway for the loggerhead and green turtle eggs. The last loggerhead and green turtle nests found will hatch at the end of September or beginning of October. If more loggerhead and green turtle nests are found this year, hatching will continue even later into October. Releases for these other species are not open to the public since it is much more difficult to predict when their hatchlings will be ready for release and successfully schedule a release. Also, these other species frenzy mostly at night and we cannot accommodate the public for night releases. White lights cannot be used during releases or they would disorient the hatchlings, and thus it would be very difficult for the public to see the hatchlings from the safe distance that we would need to have them stand. In upcoming columns I will provide final totals for the numbers of nests found and hatchlings released. I will also provide information about our preparations for the cold stunning season and cold stunning training that we will provide this fall.
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PortA
A6
August 20, 2015
Island Moon
Port A Happenings…
History continued from A1 events the Refugio Timely Remarks newspaper printed Herman’s first-hand account of the Texas War for Independence. It is from that newspaper, with many thanks to Islander Blackie Pitzer who brought it to us, that this account is taken. Some of the grammar is clunky; but hey, is almost 180 years old…and so it goes. Our story last week begans on March 10, 1836, four days after the fall of the Alamo, as the Mexican Army lays siege to the town of Refugio with the massacre of 31 men under Texas Captain Amon Butler King after their surrender to Mexican troops. A few days later Ehrenberg and other troops began marching toward the town of San Patricio. By Herman Ehrenberg At this time the Mexicans living in Texas were sneaking from one camp to another. Where anything was to be gained by it, they served as spies. Nothing was sacred to them. This time also, they were the first to bring the ness of King’s destruction. But we hesitated to believe any information emanating from such sources. Fannin’s little army melted together more and more. We heard nothing more from the detachments who had left us. Enemy cavalry often appeared in sight, and Colonel Horton and his 30 horsemen already had several skirmishes with them. Captain King’s heroic role that next spring had melted down to thirty men. The Greys marched to San Patricio to inform that little advanced detachment of the army of the present state of affairs and to induce them not to expose themselves longer to the danger of being cut off from us; and should they yet be unwilling to follow us to induce them to at least put the cannon under strong protection, either to turn them over to Fannin or to await the disposition of the government. Our march led us over a high prairie which was strongly overgrown with mesquite bushes and cactus. Here a Mr. Fagen placed his while rather large herd of cattle and his crop at Fannin’s disposition without any prospect of ever receiving any pay for them, as it was possible only for a Texan to hope that we would be victorious. Late into the second day after leaving Refugio, we arrived at the little tho’ neatly laid out town of San Patricio where, as already mentioned, only Irish Colonists lived. Johnson and Grant with the rest of them had taken possession of a few vacant buildings. Altho’ many other houses were unoccupied we preferred to throw up our quarters on the edge of the forest that bordered the Nueces. As we were much fatigued our old companions soon had a row of lively fires burning; they could be satisfied with providing us with provisions, they would not surrender the work of preparing them, which was the custom of the San Antonio army. The next morning awoke us for the chase, as the whole densely wooded Nueces Valley seemed alive with turkeys. Their cries sounded from all directions. By nine o’clock about forty of them were in our camp, besides several rabbits. These were the first real rabbits I had seen in America; they are fully large as those in Europe but have a much lighter hair color than those and also than the smaller kinds on finds in the States. The landscape was beautiful. While the left bank of the Nueces border a perfectly level plain covered with a growth of mesquite bushes, the opposite side revealed a laughing rolling region. The prairie was decorated in places with groups of live oaks and other trees; and at the foot of the chain of hills lay a bright narrow sea whose waves strutted with fish. This region had been turned over to a German by the Mexican government that he might here found a colony of his countrymen. The disturbance in Mexico and then in Texas itself prevented the execution of the plan. Colonel Grant had already bought a large number of horses and was willing to leave for the Rio Grande in a few days to supply the whole army with fresh horses, as they were usually cheap on the river. On the third after our arrival at San Patricio we received news from Matamoras. The citizens of that city were wishing that we would appear. Then they would seize their arms and drive out General Cos, who was Commander there. Since so many contrary reports from there had come to induce us with our approximately 150 men to attach the city by night, we considered it as such a foolhardy undertaking that we could not give his proposition consideration for a moment. We would not rely so easily on the persuasiveness of the inhabitants on the other side of the river as Grant did. This credulity was Grant’s only week point. In vain the men tried to induce him and his lttle division to retreat. Since we were aware of their bitterness toward Fannin, we proposed returning to San Antonio but not anyone was willing to leave with only the cannon. At the same time Grant and Johnson with their divisions, rode off, however, different directions, through the mighty Tamaulipas prairie to their destination, the Rio Grande. With the promise that they would follow us within six weeks with enough horses for the whole army, they left us. Next week: The Texans fight the Mexicans at the little town of San Patricio
Cub Scout PAC 949 Prepares ‘Round-Up’ for New Scouts
Sunset Yoga in the Park Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department now is offering Sunset Yoga in the Park every Thursday beginning Aug. 20. Meet certified yoga instructor Lianne Thomas at 7:30 pm, at the Patsy Jones Amphitheater in Roberts Point Park, 301 J.C. Boulevard. Cost is $2, checks may be made out to COPA (City of Port Aransas). Bring your own mat. Stretch and enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings.
A Busy Year of Outdoor Activities Planned By Brent Rourk
Beach Walk
Learning in a ‘Hands-On’ manner is the preferred way of learning for the Cub Scouts and Cub Scout leaders again will offer all of the Cub Scouts on the Island (PAC 949) the opportunity to do a lot of hands-on learning this year. Cub Scout Master Bryan Haney exudes excitement about the activities that the young scouts will enjoy as the scouting year begins.
Take advantage of experienced beach guide on a free walk Friday, Aug. 28. Shirley Fischer will keep you entertained as she shares all she knows about critters, shells, plant life and more. Meet her under the purple flag near Horace Caldwell Pier at the end of Beach Street in Port Aransas at 9am. The walk will be upto-two-hours between the pier and the jetties. You decide how long a trip you want to take. Her laid-back attitude is sure to make the experience one worth taking. Held the fourth Friday of each month courtesy of the Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department.
Haney stated, ”The new scout Round-Up for new scouts coming into the program will be held on Thursday, August 27th at the Seashore Learning Center (SLC) Gymnasium from 6:30 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. It is an opportunity for new scouts to understand more about PAC 949, what scouts are about, and what kind of activities that scouts in PAC 949 do.”
Port A RPG Game Night
At the Round-Up each of the dens will demonstrate a variety of scout skills. As well, the Boy Scout Troop 949 will be represented. Representatives from The National Park Service will also be present.
Port Aransas Parks and Recreation is offering a game night for high school and college student, ages 16 and older. In a controlled environment, gamers will play Pathfinder, Star Wars RPG and Mutants and Masterminds. It is held every Friday and Saturday, 4:30pm to close, in the Girl Scout hut inside Parks and Recreation building, 739 W. Ave. A.. There is no charge to attend, but food is usually ordered if gamers want to eat while playing.
Camping is a fabulous opportunity to explore the outdoors and to learn about nature. Haney continued, “This year the Cub Scouts have planned and organized camping trips in November, February, and April at three different locations (Boy Scout Camp, Garner State Park, and another site to be determined.) PAC 949 is a ‘GO-SEE-DO’ Cub Scout PAC so scouts will be doing a lot of hands on exploration and learning.”
Interval Training Not as intense as Cross-Fit, but still a great workout, Interval Training is offered with personal trainer Karen Decker three times a week. It is held Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7am usually at the Community Center, 408 N. Alister St. (occasionally in the Girl Scout hut inside Parks and Recreation building, 739 W. Ave. A when the center is booked).
If you have questions in the meantime please contact Bryan Haney at 361-658-3126 or e-mail at bryan.haney@reagan. com. For additional information about the National Cub Scouts organization see https://cubscouts.org/.
It is open to men and women and is intense, but at a level more conducive to all ages and levels, not as hard core. Everyone works to their own ability, health restraints and level of fitness in a judge-free environment.
First Annual Surftoberfest Announced
Cost is $3 a class or $30 for 15 classes. Cash or check made out to COPA (City of Port Aransas). Classes are courtesy of the City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department.
Birding on the Boardwalk
The Executive Surf Club, along with Water Street Market and the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District, proudly announces Downtown Corpus Christi's First Annual Surftoberfest; a coastal spin on the classic German Oktoberfest celebration. The one day street festival will take place on October 3rd, 2015, on the 300 Block of Chaparral Street. The event is free to the public.
The public is invited for a free guided birding tour for anyone, novice to expert. It is held every Wednesday at 9 am at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center at end of Ross Ave. in Port Aransas. Expert local guide Nan Dietert imparts her knowledge that inhabit or visit the birding center.
The inaugural event celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Executive Surf Club, Downtown Corpus Christi's unassuming, yet preeminent live music venue. Surftoberfest will include live music from over 10 local and area bands, as well as showcase a variety of local, Texan, and German beer and fare.
Tower and a handicapped accessible walkway give plenty of opportunities to see fowl, animal, flora and fauna. Held all year weekly courtesy of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department.
Other activities include: Stein Holding Competition, hosted by Downtown Crossfit; VW Van Photo Booth Experience, hosted by The Bend Magazine; Texas Indie Music Fest; Local Brewing Competition; College Gameday Beer Garten.
Fee Free Day at Padre Island National Seashore, August 25th
CC Museum to install Children’s Science Center
Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 9, classes also will be held at noon on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Civic Center, 710 W. Ave. A, on the corner of Cut-Off Road.
The Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History will install a S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) based Children’s Science Center early 2016. Scheduled for installation late February, the 5000 sf center will feature hands-on learning in: chemistry, atoms, DNA, engineering, physics, space, and math. The center will feature a nearly 3 story DNA strand climber, a mini planetarium, an electronic chemistry lab, interactive walls and more. The exhibits are designed as a “grow with me” concept where children between the age of two to young adult (or young at heart) will gain something out of the experience and continue to learn.
Tuesday August 25, 2015 is National Park Service Founders Day and Superintendent Mark Spier invites the public to help us celebrate our 99th birthday by coming out and enjoying the day at Padre Island National Seashore. Park entry will be free on that day. On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act, creating the National Park Service. Founders Day is celebrated each year on August 25th in all of America’s national parks to honor the creation of the agency. In addition to the fee free day there will be special programs to celebrate Founders Day that will take place on Saturday, August 22nd, at the Malaquite Visitor Center. * However, please note that August 22nd is not a fee free day.
Development of this project has been underway for nearly two years. The museum is offering naming rights for the overall science center as well as name recognition for each of the educational areas within the area in return for sponsorships that underwrite the cost of the center.
11:00 am (1 hour) Hidden Treasures, a program in which participants help capture and release live creatures in the surf. 11:00 am- 2:00 pm (join the program at any time during the three hours) Get tips on sand castle building from a professional during Sand Sculpting.
The Island's
1:00 pm (1 hour) Arts in the Park, this program will demonstrate and teach watercolor painting. All material will be provided.
Edge Salon
2:00 pm (45 minutes) Deck Talk, a park ranger will be showing and talking about some of the fascinating items that have been found in the park. All programs are free and materials are provided. Come and find your national park at Padre Island National Seashore!
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This brother and sister pair are looking for their forever family. They have always been together but in the right homes would adjust to being separated. They are thought to be mixes of Black Mouth Cur/Miniature Shepherd. Both are very intelligent breeds and they should only be on the small side of a medium dog when full grown. They are 10 months old and are spayed and neutered, up to date on all shots, walk well on a leash, housebroken, kennel trained, get along well with large and small dogs and love children! If you are interested in meeting Daisy and/or Duke, you may contact Mission Pawsible by calling 361-277-1731 or emailing info@missionpawsiblecc.org.
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August 20, 2015
A7
Island Moon
Backwater Adventures On the Rocks
The Angry Sea By Joey Hemmingway Farah’s Fishing Adventures Suddenly the waters in our backyard are quiet and the sound of the wind and the waves come back to my ears. I try to take it easy in the rush of pre-dawn light all summer, letting the crowds get out before I decide where to start. Most of the time it's an easy decision, I just fish where they are not. Now that the school bells will be ringing, it is the season for me to be rushing. Getting my things together and in order every morning somehow in between clean clothes, homework, folders signed, and lunches. Even then when I pull out away from the dock, the day starts a new. That sun rises over the dunes over my right shoulder and shines new life upon us every day here on our Island paradise. Schools in and the fishing continues to be better than I've seen it in many years. The effects of the five trout rule are very clear as well as a few years of the change in the flounder regulations. There is an amazing fishery here in our back yard, take some time to learn how to use it and enjoy the world class fishery we hold.
Reds and drum on the run! This time of year we see the larger redfish begin to move and hunt in packs as they make their way towards the open waters and beaches of the Gulf. The drum move out as well and both will keep anglers busy and their drags peeling. The schools of reds are out in the open flats of about 2-3' of water. Many of the tower boats like to run them down then cast into the school, for most without a trained eye this is difficult. Make long drifts with big gold weed less spoons. Anglers can cast them far and when a red hits them it's like hitting a rock! I like a fast retrieve with strong powerful pulls to really vibrate that spoon over the thick grass. I always use a swivel and leader so my line doesn't get twisted. Another great way to out yourself on reds is to make drifts with small live pin perch under a cork. Getting a small perch trap or cast netting some pin perch is easy. They will try to swim down to the grass against the cork driving redfish wild. The harder you pop and move that cork the faster your perch will get tired, so go easy on him. The black drum are also on the move. They have been thick in the ultra shallow waters behind Padre' Island. Sight casting to these fish is a lot of fun with live or peeled shrimp. Just getting it close to them is good, they usually smell the bait from 5feet away and move towards your hook. Combining these two species with a limit of trout can be a full day with a heavy payload of fillets. I can't tell you how much I've been enjoying my new DRAGON EYEWARE SUNGLASSES! They are so light I forget I'm wearing them and they never hurt my face or nose. Dockside Surf shop is our dealer and can custom order combinations of 19 lenses and many, many frame styles. I bent over with them onto of my head the other day and watched them fall in the water, I gasped until they sat there floating
on top of the water, yes they float! Dockside is going to have a big Labor Day Sale on them next week so stop by and check them out and thumb through the catalog, find your style. Another CFO opportunity this week for fishing toys is the AWSOME WATERLOO BAITRUNNER FISHING POLES at Marker 37 marina. Matt is putting them on sale; he has them for close to $100 off. These are custom $300 plus state of the art fishing tools. They will change your angling. He has his big monthly fishing tournament this coming Sunday as well. These monthly tournaments have been fun and have had a great turnout. He picks a species and size slot each time the night before so it's not always biggest trout or what ever. It's always something different that's why they call if a POT LUCK FISHING TOURNAMENT! The water close to the JFK has been very nice even with the winds picking up clear water is everywhere. As you run south the west side turns a bit cloudy In the King Ranch area, but the east side around Bird Island is beautiful. A morning walk along the silent beaches south of the Bird Island boat ramp with a small top water bait could defiantly cure you of any and all anxiety you may have. Baffin is chopped up in the open areas but still full of fish for those who are willing to head down there and fish the rock piles in the back of the bay. The land cut is nice and still holding a lot of trout for anglers throwing plastic and top water at first light. Nine Mile Hole is at its best right now with sight casting redfish some I the most exciting fishing you could ever enjoy. DOA SHRIMP is my favorite kind to pitch, it stays weed less and is exactly what they want to eat.
By Jay Gardner As I type this, Tropical Depression Danny is spinning westerly off the coast of Africa. It appears that there are two or possibly three waves right behind it that may form hurricanes as well. Tis the season I suppose. Thankfully the upper tier has been getting cool fronts already, and these yingand-yang systems typically wipe each other out before the bad stuff can get here. But it will be interesting to see what develops this “quiet” hurricane season. A closer look at our neck of the woods shows on ripcharts that the cold water upwelling is about to whack us for another week. 80 degree water will be the norm by the time this gets in your hot little hands. More dirty cool water that keeps bluefish being occasionally caught this summer will rule for what appears to be another week. However the good news is that it appears to finally train out of the system for a bit, so hopefully we can get on with summer. I’m definitely looking forward to it.
system than what is used in the canals and Packery. That area is not an “official” no wake zone, and people can indeed drive a boat through there on plane. Now, with that being said, it’s not a good idea. Every boater is responsible for every wake thrown by their boat. If there are people tied up to the docks in that area, and someone flys through on plane and that wake bounces the boat against the dock and it causes damage, then the offending boater is responsible to fix the boat. People seem to forget that part for some reason, and continue to blow through there. The “right” thing to do is to slow down. Also, there’s kayakers and other boats coming around the blind corner. You’d do best to treat it like a no wake zone. Speaking of kayakers, there are more and more that are fishing the lights at night in Padre Isles. I’m not going to get into people posing as kayakers and stealing things off back decks or breaking into houses. We are all aware of that one. Also, I’m not going to get into the legality of fishing people’s lights; it’s legal for them to do so, and it’s illegal for homeowners to harass someone in the act of fishing. All that aside, there have been issues of kayakers being close to run over by power boats operating at night. The kayakers have the responsibility to be lit up with lights. Now, there is no regulation on lumens, but the brighter the better. While a kayaker may have an LED burning two feet away from their face and think it’s bright, a boater may be coming in on plane at 40 mph and that LED looks like a firefly. Please EVERYONE use caution out there and try to not run over anyone, or get run over. Play nice if you’re playing in the street. Notice to you loyal readers that my email has changed. They lost the platform somehow. I can now be reached at tarponchaser@mail.com and I’ll see you on the rocks doing exactly that in the next few weeks.
Century old Tree Cut Down
On the Frio River
Some of the crew from our weekend at Lake Mathis! FEELING FRESH!!! I've got the weekend off so I'll be at the beach in Port A Saturday for the TGSA GROM ROUNDUP! This event is for all beginner surfers who want to see what a surf contest is all about! All the surf teams will be there looking for new kids to sponsor as well as a big open invitation to everyone to come join the beach family. Grab your kids and head out to the pier in Port A Saturday morning at 7:30am. Go to the Texas Gulf Surfing Assoc. website for more info. Remember to follow all our hookups on Facebook at JOEY FARAHS BACKWATER FISHING OR GIVE ME A SHOUT WITH ANY QUESTIONS. Get wet!
Well, get on with summer now that summer is over, LOL. The kids have gone back to school, and the laguna is very quiet. We’ve been fishing almost every day for the past week after work, and the most I’ve seen was two other boats on the water in the back yard. The fish bite better when there’s less disturbance, and we’ve been doing ok on redfish. Well, and skipjacks and dink trout too, LOL. Time to get back out there and dust off the old topwaters. Time to sign up for Sharkathon! By the time this comes out, the online frenzy will be over, and there will be people who managed to sign up, and those that will have to wait for next year. Remember, Sharkathon is the annual tournament that brings a lot of people in town after tourist season is over, and contributes a lot to the local Island economy. They also contribute a lot of money to the educational programs down on the Padre Island National Seashore. See y’all out there! There is a lot of talk lately regarding wakes thrown by boats in the local waters. There is also a misnomer about the “no-wake” zone in front of Snoopys and Doc’s. The Coast Guard are the folks for designating no wake zones in the ICWW. They use a different buoy/marker
The Norfolk Pine at Gulfstream is no more. The old girl got a bend in her spine and had to go.
Moon Phases August 2015
The Hamilton Family with a great double! 28in redfish and a 28in trout back to back on a afternoon trip in the Laguna Madre. Live piggy perch along the King ranch shoreline. Afternoon dinner bells have been ringing for big redfish in the flats.
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Day
High /Low
Tide Time
Height in Feet
Sunrise Moon Time Sunset
Th
20
Low
12:23 AM
0.9
7:02 AM Rise 12:06 PM
20
High
6:24 AM
1.2
8:02 PM Set 11:40 PM
20
Low
1:28 PM
0.5
20
High
8:57 PM
1.2
F
21
Low
12:47 AM
1.1
7:03 AM Rise 12:58 PM
21
High
6:25 AM
1.2
8:01 PM
21
Low
2:13 PM
0.3
21
High
10:54 PM 1.3
Sa
22
Low
3:05 PM
22
Su
23
High
2:05 AM
1.5
7:04 AM Set 1:03 AM
23
Low
4:03 PM
0.1
7:59 PM Rise 2:46 PM
M
24
High
2:23 AM
1.6
7:04 AM Set 1:51 AM
24
Low
5:03 PM
0.0
7:58 PM Rise 3:40 PM
Tu
25
High
2:48 AM
1.7
7:05 AM Set 2:43 AM
25
Low
6:02 PM
-0.1
7:57 PM Rise 4:34 PM
W
26
High
3:14 AM
1.8
7:05 AM Set 3:41 AM
26
Low
6:59 PM
-0.1
7:56 PM Rise 5:27 PM
0.2
7:03 AM Set 12:20 AM
Moon Visible
22
31
40
8:00 PM Rise 1:51 PM 50 60 70 79
A8
August 20, 2015
Island Moon
SPORTS Sports Talk
New Era in the National Football League
By Andy Purvis Special to the Island Moon
By Dotson Lewis Special to the Island Moon Dotson’s note: As I do early each week, I went to my favorite website to check what was going on in the National Football League. As usual I first checked the officiating assignments for the coming weekend. As I scanned them, the one that caught my eye was Saturday, Aug 16th, Chiefs at Cardinals, 9 p.m.—Peter Morelli. That triggered two important items for me: I knew that a good friend of mine, Tommy Moore from Houston was Pete’s Instant Replay Official and something else was gnawing in the shadows of my mind. It suddenly dawned on me that Sarah Thomas was the Line Judge on Pete’s crew. This was her first game in the NFL! Also, I feel that it is necessary for you be updated on DeflateGate, so the update follows the latest on
Yrs
2014 crew
Alliance, and won two gold medals with the U.S. team at the International Federation of American Football women's world championships. She became the first woman to play a nonkicking position on a men's professional football team last year when she played running back and on special teams for the Texas Revolution of the Indoor Football League. Welter broke another barrier in February, becoming the first woman to coach for a men's professional team when the Revolution made her the linebackers and special teams coach. The NBA started the gender breakout a number of years ago and the NFL has now followed. In 1997 the NBA hired Violet Palmer and Dee Kantner officials, and last season Lauren Occupation
R 135 Pete Morelli
19
high school principal
U 71 Ruben Fowler
10
Blakeman
retired firefighter
HL 134 Ed Camp
15
Leavy (out)
physical education teacher
LJ 53 Sarah Thomas
1
NA
pharmaceutical sales representative
FJ 15 Rick Patterson
20
Blakeman
banker
SJ 75 Rob Vernatchi
12
enforcement investigator
BJ 104 Dale Shaw
3
pharmaceutical sales
Replay official: Tommy Moore Replay assistant: Glenn King Position changes: Patterson (SJ to FJ)
Winning Isn’t Everything
Note the Line Judge on Pete Morrilli’s Crew, as posted on the NFL Football Zebra’s website
Sarah Thomas NFL on-the-field official.
This is the Beginning of a New Era in the Annals of Football Officiating Sarah’s Duties as Line Judge: Straddles line of scrimmage on side of field opposite Linesman. Keeps time of game as a backup for official clock operator. However, should official clock malfunction or be operated improperly, the time kept by the Line Judge is official. Along with Linesman is responsible for offside, encroachment, and actions pertaining to scrimmage line prior to or at snap. Line Judge keys on closest setback on his side of field. Line Judge is to observe his receiver until he moves at least seven yards downfield. He then moves toward backfield side, being especially alert to rule on any back in motion and on flight of ball when pass is made (he must rule whether forward or backward). Line Judge has primary responsibility to rule whether or not passer is behind or beyond line of scrimmage when pass is made. He also assists in observing actions by blockers and defenders who are on his side of field. After pass is thrown, Line Judge directs attention toward activities that occur in back of Umpire. During punting situations, Line Judge remains at line of scrimmage to be sure that only the end men move downfield until kick has been made. He also rules whether or not the kick crossed line and then observes action by members of the kicking team who are moving downfield to cover the kick. The Line Judge will advise the Referee when time has expired at the end of each period.
What Some Reporters Called “A Game
Holtkamp became the league's third female official. Last season the San Antonio Spurs hired Becky Hammon to be the NBA's first assistant coach, and the Sacramento Kings recently hired Nancy Lieberman, a Hall of Fame player, as an assistant coach under George Karl.
Ruling from Judge Berman won’t be the end of DeflateGate With neither the NFL nor the NFL Players Association showing any real inclination to
Judge Richard M. Berman resolve the litigation arising from Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s four-game suspension, a ruling from Judge Richard M. Berman seems more likely. And some think the ruling will mark the end of the DeflateGate saga. It won’t be. Even if Judge Berman doesn’t opt for a lose-lose decision that sends the case back to a neutral arbitrator for a second hearing, a decision that gives one side a clear win and the other side a clear defeat means that the side that loses will immediately pursue an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. If the NFLPA wins, it undoubtedly means Brady will be permitted to play pending the resolution of the appeal. Then, if the NFLPA loses on appeal, Brady would sit out four games at some point in the future, possibly in 2016.
Jen & Sarah Meet with a Female Flair” On the sideline before the game between the Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs, Sarah Thomas and Jen Welter shook hands. The NFL began a new era Saturday night when Sarah became the first woman to work as a fulltime on the field official and Jen became the first woman to coach an NFL game. This wasn't exactly new territory for Thomas. The 41-year-old had already worked NFL preseason games and training camp, including this year with a variety of teams. She also was the first woman to officiate in major college football and work a bowl game. Saturday night's game was a little different because Thomas is now full-time official, a move that has generated much attention in the male-dominated NFL. Jen Welter earned her place in the spotlight last month, when she was hired for a sixweek internship as an inside linebackers coach for the Cardinals. She has earned praise from the Cardinals and coach Bruce Arians for her knowledge and go-all-time attitude during training camp, and will stay on through Arizona's four preseason games. Welter played rugby at Boston College and spent 14 years as a linebacker, most with the Dallas Diamonds of the Women's Football
If the NFL wins before Judge Berman, things could get even more interesting. At that point, the NFLPA could try to get an injunction allowing Brady to play pending the resolution of the appeal. If Brady wins that motion, he’ll play until the appeal is resolved. That’s another form of loselose ruling from Judge Berman that could help force a settlement. Brady loses the case, the NFL loses the ability to suspend him until the appeal is resolved months down the road, and the issue continues to linger. Regardless of the specific decision made by Judge Berman, only one thing ends this mess: a settlement. Dotson’s other note: As I mentioned earlier, I expect to talk to Tommy Moore in the next day or so, and hopefully he will give me an objective evaluation of Sarah’s work during the game. I will keep you posted. Did you notice that in the NFL’s “Duties of the Line Judge” the word “he” appeared more than once? What are your thoughts on the way the DeflateGate is being handled? You are reminded of the “Veterans Weekly Round Table” each Tuesday 9 a.m.-11 a.m. in the Del Mar College, Center for Economic Development, Room 132. We will keep Veterans updated, and discuss any concerns veterans may have. Spouses, relatives and interested friends are welcome to attend. Your comments, suggestions, questions and concerns regarding “Moon Sports Talk” are appreciated. Please call the Benchwarmers at 361-560-5397 weekdays, Mondays thru Fridays, 3-6 P.M. or contact me. Phone: 361-949-7681 Cell: 530748-8475 Email: dlewis1@stx.rr.com
So much of our sports psyche is focused on winning at all costs, but for some of us, just being a small part of our favorite sport on the big stage would have been enough. I, like most of my friends, would have given anything to be able to say, hey, I played professional (fill in the blank). I wanted to play professional football. I was big enough, strong enough and fast enough, but I didn’t have that killer instinct, the ability to give up everything that is required to separate myself from other great athletes. As a result, I was a good athlete but not good enough to play at that level. So, let me tell you about a guy who never accepted “no” for an answer, a guy who understood the meaning of sportsmanship, a fellow who competed against incredible odds and was willing to see the bigger picture besides winning. Gleason had Carney, Abbott had Costello, Martin had Lewis and the Globetrotters had “Red.” Louis Herman “Red” Klotz was born to Robert and Lena Klotz on October 21, 1920, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the age of ten, Red discovered the wonders of basketball while attending Thomas Junior High. Red later enrolled at South Philadelphia High School and led his team to the 1939 and 1940 Philadelphia City Championships, from the point guard position. Both years, Klotz was selected the Philadelphia Player of the Year. Red received an athletic scholarship to Villanova to play basketball and became part of the Wildcats undefeated freshman team. World War II would intervene and Klotz, like thousands of other boys his age, joined the U.S. Army. After the war, Klotz played anywhere and for anybody. Being Jewish, Klotz spent most of his time playing for the South Philadelphia Hebrew Association (the Philadelphia Sphas) of the American Basketball League (ABL). During this time, Klotz led the Sphas to an exhibition victory in his first ever meeting against the Harlem Globetrotters. Trotter owner, Abe Saperstein, would not forget Red. Klotz’s time with the Sphas ended in 1947. By 1948, Klotz had become a household name in basketball circles. He joined the Baltimore Bullets and helped his new team win the Basketball Association of America Championship. At 5’ 7” tall, Klotz is the third shortest person to play an NBA game and the shortest to play on a championship team. In 1952, Klotz was approached by Abe Saperstein of the Globetrotters. Abe was having trouble finding quality local opponents for his Trotters to play. These one sided games bored the audiences. So, Abe asked Red to form a team that would tour with the Globetrotters. This team would be called the Washington Generals, named after General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and would help introduce the game of basketball worldwide as the Globetrotters’ nightly opponent. This team would change its name many times over the years from Shamrocks, Seagulls, Reds, All-Stars, and Nationals back to Generals, but the ownership never changed. Red Klotz and now his family still own the team. At first the games were played for real. Klotz wanted sound fundamentals and straight-up basketball from his team. Even though Klotz played point guard and recruited some of the best players at that time, the Globetrotters would continue to beat up the Generals on most nights. So, the Globetrotters began to do tricks. Red’s short stature and hair color made him a perfect target for the Globetrotters’ high jinx. Legends such as Meadowlark Lemon and Goose Tatum took turns yanking down Red’s pants more than once during a game. Curly Neal would bounce the basketball off his head and mimic Red’s one-handed set shots. “I got involved in that stuff mainly to take it away from my players,” said Klotz. “I wanted them to play ball and not feel like they were going to be humiliated.” Klotz drilled his teams constantly. Even though they were getting their brains beat out on a nightly basis, he still wanted them to play hard and play to win. The Generals were never owned by the Globetrotters and were never told who they could have on their team. Those decisions were all left up to Red. It’s true that the initial goal was to provide incredible entertainment, but Red always drove his team to be the best they could be. Over five decades, the Generals won somewhere between four to six games of the
over 15,000 games played against the Trotters as “Sweet Georgia Brown” blared from the gym sound system. Even Red was uncertain of the Generals’ record against the Trotters. The last General win recorded occurred in 1971 in a college gym in Memphis, Tennessee. Klotz, who was 50 years old at the time, made a last second shot for the win. The crowd, along with the Globetrotters, was stunned. “The crowd wanted to kill me,” said Klotz. “I didn’t get famous apparently until I became the biggest loser that ever lived,” said Klotz. “I’m the losing-est coach in the world,” laughed Red. “I accepted losing as part of something much more,” said Red. That record alone should qualify him for the Hall of Fame as a contributor. Red performed in 117 different countries for Presidents, Popes, prisoners and Kings. Millions of everyday people have flocked to see the Globetrotters. The Trotters still play about 400 games a year. They have performed worldwide on aircraft carriers, on the bottom of empty swimming pools, tennis courts, and frozen lakes, inside Spanish bullfighting rings, airstrips and on a plywood floor placed on top of beer barrels, in Berlin. Red’s awards were many. Klotz was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. On March 10, 2007, Red was given the Legend Award of the Harlem Globetrotters. The Philadelphia Sportswriters Association presented Red with the 2009 Living Legend Award. Red joined Philadelphia icons Robin Roberts, Wilt Chamberlain, Harry Kalas and Chuck Bednarik. In 2011, the Harlem Globetrotters retired Red Klotz’s #3 for all
Red Klotz time. Red became the sixth player in their history to join a group that includes players like Meadowlark Lemon and Wilt Chamberlain. In November of 2013, The Legend of Red Klotz was published. Current Globetrotter CEO, Kent Schneider said, “Red was truly an ambassador of the sport and as much a part of the Globetrotters legacy as anyone. He was a legend and a global treasure.” Remarkably, Red played until he was 63 years old and then became the team’s fulltime coach until he was in his seventies. “I just called him Red,” said my referee friend, Dotson Lewis. “I never knew his last name, but it was obvious that he was the captain, coach and choreographer of the Generals.” During the late 1940’s, Dotson once officiated a Globetrotter game in Japan. The event drew 103,000 people. “The Japanese people were very quiet,” said Dotson. “Curly Neal said to me during a timeout, ‘Why are they not clapping?’” Off the court, Red Klotz was a quiet, talented man who loved working in his garden, taking care of his pets and talking basketball. On July 12, 2014, Red Klotz died at the age of 93 of cancer. He was living with his wife, Gloria, of 72 years, in Margate, New Jersey. Together they had six kids, 12 grandkids and nine great grandkids. He had won two city championships at South Philadelphia High School, another with the Philadelphia Sphas and a fourth with the NBA’s Baltimore Bullets. Red Klotz was the oldest living NBA Champion at the time of his death. Klotz waited for his call to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame until he was 93. Now his family hopes the telephone will one day ring. The life and legacy of Red Klotz is concrete proof that winning isn’t everything. 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.
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Island Moon
The travelling Moon Gets Around
Chris and Alexandra Dawes along with Rachel Park forgot their Island Moon Newspaper but took their Island Moon koozie hiking in the Hollywood Hills in California. Cheers!
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Island residents Scott and Joanne Cunningham silver salmon fishing in Ketchikan Alaska
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The Texas Women Angler’s tournament kicks off on Friday, August 21st. The tournament is a women’s only tournament benefiting the Women’s Shelter of South Texas. You can register on their website at texaswomenangler’s.com until Friday. Above: The incredible Mr. Cat passed over the rainbow bridge this past weekend. He was 24 years old and weighed 20 pounds. He will be greatly missed by his owner Ron Day. RIP Mr. Cat Left: Captain Blake Sevier, Capt. Jason Boone, Anthony Gallo and Jacob Cornell assisted Miss Katie Greer bringing in this massive grouper on Sunday. They were aboard the boat Texas Crew’d out of Rockport. Photo By Jan Rankin
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A10
Island Moon
August 20, 2015