Inside the Moon
Sinkhole A
Schlitterbahn
2016 Texas Surf Competition
The
Issue 629
Island Moon
The voice of The Island since 1996
May 5, 2016
Live Music A18 Photo By Miles Merwin
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Around The Island
Plastic Bag Ban and Second New Traffic Light Move Forward
By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com We hit a milestone last weekend… or maybe a millstone would be more accurate…our road system from the Port Aransas ferry landings to the top of the JFK Causeway was one continual parking lot. Cars were not moving over the JFK, down State Highway 361, or in Port Aransas. Saturday evening found traffic was still backed up past the city limits of Port Aransas and Corpus Christi in both directions. Travel time in either direction was well over one hour and the line of southbound cars from Port Aransas to Padre Island Sunday morning was bumper to bumper until well into the afternoon. There is currently about $50 million available for road improvements in this stretch of roadway with construction on passing lanes along the SH 361 corridor later this year.
By Dale Rankin
An Island ban on single-use point of purchase plastic bags and traffic lights were the main topics of conversation at the Island Strategic Action Committee Tuesday with the group approving a move recommending that the Corpus Christi Council move on the bag ban, and move forward with studying the need for a traffic light at the SPID/Verdemar/Jackfish intersection in addition to the light already approved for the Aquarius/ SPID intersection.
Tax Season 2016
Islander and New Taxpayer Liaison Officer Offers Tips on Reducing Appraised Home Values By Dale Rankin
Islander Bob Maupin, a longtime consultant for property owners appealing their appraised values, has been hired as the Tax Liaison Officer at the Nueces County Appraisal District. “My main job is to help taxpayers who are appealing their appraisals and to handle complaints,” Maupin said.
The AEP crews using a helicopter to replace equipment on the top of the power poles around the Packery Channel Bridge drew a lot of attention this week. The harsh environment means the equipment must be replaced every few years. The work is expected to continue through next week. But the way things now stand all those lanes will do is get drivers to the traffic jams at both ends quicker. The roadway along SH 361 is now worn to the point that the least bit of moisture makes it slick in a hurry. We also observed a couple of near fights as knuckleheads tried to pass the line of cars on the shoulder kicking up dust and slinging gravel until they were blocked by drivers who moved over onto the shoulder and cut them off. This lead to the exchange of words not heard in the Bible and on a road full of pickup trucks sooner or later will be settled by armed conflict. The rule for Islanders now is run errands on Saturday and don’t travel the Island Runway until at least midafternoon Sunday. After that the road clear because, as we know, what happens on The Island leaves on Sunday.
Port A jammin’ Each week Ronnie outlines the live music in Port Aransas in these pages and over the years the number of live music venues has increased to the point that now there are a dozen live music venues active on any given weekend. Last weekend the Uncle Lucius show at the Back Porch played to an overflow crowd and there were good live bands doing original music all over town from Shorty’s to the Third Coast Studio to Horrace Caldwell Pier with two new venues
Around continued on A3
Property owners, citing six traffic deaths at the Verdemar/SPID intersection since 1998, say a traffic light is needed. The group recommended that the city staff undertake a study of the need for the light.
2016 Sandfest 2nd Place Solo Bert Adams "Gotcha"
Maupin will be particularly busy after he takes office May 16 when a complete list of appraisals from around the county are released by the District, prior to that any homeowner looking for “comps”, the appraised value of homes similar to their own, will have to wait until they are released on the District’s website, or ask for them during their appraisal revue hearing. This will place homeowners who appeal before May 16 at a disadvantage when it comes to gathering background material to use in their appraisal hearing. Maupin said before that time homeowners may check with area realtors for sales prices on homes in their area in an attempt to determine the market value of their home. However, Maupin said there are some basic things that homeowners should know before they appear for an appeal that could help to lower their appraised value.
Meanwhile, city engineers told ISAC members that a contract on the re-design of the Aquarius/SPID
“There are some common things that people miss that can help lower their value,” he said. “As your house ages you can use that to help get your value down.”
Bag Ban continued on A15
Whoop It Up! By Brent Rourk
For instance, if you roof is twenty or more years old you can use that to reduce your home’s appraised value. To determine how much your value can be reduced take the number of square feet of the roof and divide by 84 and multiply that number by $3.60 and that is how much your value should be reduced by. If an air conditioner is more than 10 years old the price of a new unit, about $6000 Maupin said, can be taken off your appraised value. Likewise with an inside paint job that is ten years old or an exterior paint job that is fifteen or more year old.
Heather Reynolds, Chair of the Whoop It Up Committee, is busy with her fabulous and efficient group as they tirelessly work to put on one of the biggest parties on the Island at the best venue. Whoop It Up is the annual party and fundraiser for our own Island Seashore Schools and this year it is going to even bigger and as well different in many wonderful ways. It promises to be one of those handful of events on the Island that we all enjoy and look forward to. What better way to have a great time and support our Island schools than to attend this event on May 14th at Schlitterbahn.
Officials from the Nueces County Appraisal District will be on hand in Flour Bluff on Saturday, May 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Flour Bluff High School Cafeteria located at 2505 Waldron Road, for all property owners in Nueces County who wish to protest their property values.
Rebranding
They will also be in Port Aransas on Saturday, May 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Ancel R. Brundrett Middle School Gymnasium located at 100 Station St. Photos by Miles Merwin
A little Island history
How Coastal Settlers Made Peace with the Karankawa Indians
The Karankawa Indians who populated the Coastal Bend prior to the arrival of Europeans, carried out one of the earliest treaties between Native Americans and settlers in Texas, and also one of the few which both sides kept to.
In 1824 a settler named John White and two others had settled in the Austin Colony near the Colorado River. A group of settlers traveled by yawl to the mouth of the river with the intention of purchasing some corn and on the trip they were captured by Karankawa Indians. To save his life White told the Indians he would go up river and purchase some corn there, then return to trade with the Karankawas and rescue his companions. The Indians consented and White set out in his yawl. The agreement was that when White returned back downstream he would set the prairie grass ablaze ten miles inland so they would know it was him returning. White returned to the settlement and told the others what had happened and a Captain Jesse Burnham raised
Reynolds commented about why this year is a ‘rebranding’ year for this fantastic party, “This year is special because it is the 20th anniversary of the charter schools. Beginning with 18 students, there are now over 500 students. Gone from 2 classrooms to two schools. The school system that started out as a few parents who wanted to better educate their children, turned into a school system that serves the children of the Island and exceeds the state and federal testing standards.”
At Schlitterbahn Another distinction of note is that after years at Whiskey River in Corpus Christi, the event will now be held at the Islands premier facility – Schlitterbahn. Having a huge party here on our own Island in a beautiful and expansive venue makes it even more of an attractive proposition. No excuse for missing it. Thinking about the benefit of holding the bash at Schlitterbahn Reynolds stated, “Schlitterbahn is better because it is a beautiful facility. It is on the Island and will become an integral part of the community.
a company of thirty militiamen who headed back downriver. They found White’s two companions sitting in a boat on the river who reported that the Indians were either at the mouth of the river or across the bay on a peninsula. Burnham divided his men into two groups, one half of the men marched about a mile further down the riverbank, while the other remained where they were. That group set the prairie on fire and in a short time a large canoe filled with Indians was seen coming up the river. As they disembarked on the riverbank they were all killed.
A short time later the same tribe of Karankawas approached the settlers. They said they had grown tired of the war and that their numbers were diminishing in the face of Austin’s settlement and they wanted peace. They proposed to meet Austin at La Bahia to make a treaty. Austin collected one hundred volunteers and met them at a creek four miles east of La Bahia where a treaty was signed by which the Indians promised not come go east of the San Antonio River and the Indians were as good as their word.
History continued on A7
Strongly believing that Schlitterbahn is the absolute best venue Reynolds continued, “They are hosting several other community events and activities that are important to Island life. It gives us a central location to gather, network and enjoy our community.”
Great Entertainment – The Rocket Brothers Band It will be a bigger party, not only a fundraiser for our Seashore Schools but a community wide event. They are bringing in a great band from Austin, The Rocket Brothers Band – a fantastic group that jams different
Whoop it! continued on A4
A2
Island Farmer's Market
Photos By Debbie Noble
May 5, 2016
Island Moon
First Week at Schlitterbahn By Debbie Noble "Daddy, I want to eat those little round things!" exclaimed the smallest member of a large family, each carrying a floating swim tube on their way to the wading pool. "Dippin Dots," his father nodded, "You want Dippin Dots" With over 600 visitors on Saturday, over 30 rooms booked, and 250 employees ready to
her to leave for lunch. They ate at the Veranda and headed back to the river. Seashore alum Skyler Powell was spotted at the bottom of the twin Master Blasters with her whistle, her first aid kit, and her sunscreen, vigilantly watching for sliders to pop out at her feet. She was excited to start her summer job as one of the many lifeguards. With over 100 lifeguards on duty at any time, it almost seemed like there were more of them than guests. It has taken a long time to get to this point, and there is still work to be done, but don't let the view from the street mislead you. We have a fun and functioning world class waterpark on our Island now. Once they clean up the construction mess, finish off the rest of the 90 rooms, and get the inspection paperwork on that last ride filed, we will have a longer walk from the packed parking lot, and a longer wait for that watery slide ride down.
serve, Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi opened for the season. With the exception of one giant rollercoaster-like feature, everything was open. People gently floated in the Lazy River until they frantically splashed over waves and rapids. Tiny tots shrieked with joy as they hit the water at the bottom of tiny slides and the rest of their
family shrieked with joy as they hit the water at the bottom of giant slides. Island resident and Seashore student, Mckenzie Brown came Saturday morning with her grandparents and was one of the first of the day to sign up for her season's pass. Her favorite feature is the Lazy River and her grandparents couldn't convince
May Mixer at Animal Hospital of Padre Island The Animal Hospital of Padre Island, Decks & Docks, and the Island Moon Newspaper are jointly hosting the May mixer of the Padre Island Business Association at the hospital at 14802 Compass Street on Tuesday, May 17 beginning at 5:30. Come and enjoy beer, wine, BBQ, and live music. Good dogs are always welcome, unless their owners are bad humans. Stoopid cats will also be allowed.
Let us help find your piece of Paradise waterfront or interior homes, condos, townhomes, lots
May 5, 2016
Island Moon
Letters to the Editor
Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder
Dale,
Dear Editor.
I wish the well-intended but misguided people would please withdraw their proposal to ban plastic bags on Padre Island. The problem is people and not plastic bags. For example, in Douden Park there is a trash container within several feet of both the basketball court and playground. Almost every day, there are one to ten soda cans, soda bottles and other litter on the ground within several feet of the trash container. Trash of all kinds litters the roads on Padre Island because people don’t really care and just toss stuff out of their vehicles.
Distribution Pete Alsop Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin Classifieds Arlene Ritley Production Manager Jeff Craft Contributing Writers Joey Farah Andy Purvis
I use 2 to 3 plastic bags every day to pick up after my dog. If I don’t get the bags with my purchases, I’ll have to buy plastic bags. Paper bags and reusable bags don’t work very well on dog poop. If the people who want to ban plastic bags don’t want to use plastic bags, that’s fine. Just don’t cause me problems by imposing their will on me. Billy Bob
Devorah Fox
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
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
It is my opinion the Strategic Action Committee is a complete waste. Their proposals seem to be an effort to justify the committee's existence and create an Island nanny society. The newest proposal to ban single use plastic bags from the island has very little value. The number of outlets actually using any number of the bags is small. Most bags come to the island from over the bridge from the likes if HEB, Wal-Mart, and any number of retail outlets. Those bags will continue to arrive. I like the bags and will continue to use them no matter. The plastic bags are easily recyclable. however, we know South Texans seem to have an aversion to recycling. Just look in any dumpster or trash container. Aluminum cans, plastic jugs and bottles, cardboard all of which can be easily recycled. H-Next look in the blue dumpsters provided for recycling. They are filled with household garbage that is not recyclable such as glass bottles and foam clamshells fish guts, more. If the SAC wants to make an environmental difference they should find a plan to encourage and increase the recycle rate including the plastic bags. How many plastic bags would it take in weight (method of how waste haulers and landfill operators keep count) to make one milk jug or water bottle? An aluminum or steel can? A sheet of cardboard? Ever notice the large recycle dumpster across from the POA building at Billish Park?The city of Corpus Christi has a website page for recycling suggestions and spelling out what is and isn't recyclable. Plastic bags are suggested to be tied in a knot (so they do not blow around) and placed in the blue recycle dumpsters. Wow!! Next committee, get that mess all around Slitterbahn (AKA Litterbahn) cleaned up. Bet that equals a lot of plastic bags. But first SAC, may I suggest a repurposing of a single use plastic bag?- Put one over each of your heads... for when it rains- Right!! Gary Bachanus To
the
Editor,
Padre
Island
Where to Find The Island Moon
Pioneer RV Park
Sandpiper Condos WB Liquors Port A Arts
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Stripes @ Beach Access Rd. 1A
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A Mano
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Spanky’sLiquor
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Carter Pharmacy
Brooklyn Pie Co.
San Juan’s Taqueria
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Port A Parks and Rec
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Holiday Inn Jesse’s Liquor
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And all Moon retail advertisers
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Stripes @ Cotter & Station Gratitude Gift Shop Keepers Pier House Port A Glass Studio The Gaff
Dear Editor, In response to the moving letter to the editor last week about post-partum-depression, we want to let your readers know that an affiliate chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness, NAMI, has formed in Corpus Christi. We have many free programs and support groups open to families and individuals with recovery challenges. For more information, please check our website for meetings and classes: www.namitexas.org/nami-greatercorpus-christi. The next open general meeting will be at Bayview Behavioral Health, 6629 Wooldridge, 6:30 to 8 PM. Questions? Please contact us at namigreatercorpuschristi@gmail. com. Jim and Diane Hall
Liquid Town Whataburger on Waldron Ethyl Everly Senior Center
Around continued from A1 – Treasure Island and Berringer’s added this year. Port Aransas now has a live music scene that rivals that of San Antonio and it is growing. An ever-increasing list of talented musicians are gracing Port A stages. As the saying goes, learn how to play an instrument and you too can make hundreds of dollars per year…
Mexican Smoke
Sun & Surf Medical Center offers family, urgent care, minor emergency lab and x-ray on site. They are located in the Loma Alta Plaza near Scuttlebutt’s. They are open weekdays 9 am – 6 pm and Saturday/Sunday 9 am – 3 pm. No appointment is necessary and most major insurances are accepted. For more info call 589-4068. Fecht & Company Hurricane Screen Patios eliminate the need for hurricane windows or shutters and the need to move things inside. The patio keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. For more info call 853-2443. Island Day Spa is offering a Mother’s Day Special with their spa paradise retreat sale for $299 instead of the $350 regular price. They have gift cards for $65 and up. Call 949-1444 to make an appointment. MaryAnn McShane at Corpus Christi Realty Group can help you find your piece of paradise with a new home, condo, townhome or lot. If you are considering selling your Island property call her for a free consultation and tips to make your property the one buyers “must see.” Call 215-8629 or visit the office at 15205 SPID. Port A Art Center is selling $50 raffle tickets for a chance to win a week’s stay at a 5 bedroom, 6 bath villa in Cabo San Lucas. The drawing will be held on May 13th at their Annual Fiesta de Mayo Dinner. Tickets can also be purchased at A Mano, Starkey Properties and Lone Star Taste.
Business Briefs The lung-burning haze that hung over our Island last week was thanks to slash and burn farmers in Mexico and points south. The smoke blew across the Gulf of Mexico last week and brought a Seattle-like feel to our little sandbar. We’re sure there’s a Cheech and Chong joke in there somewhere.
Of fly bags and smoke pipes And speaking of Cheech and Chong they would have been proud – if that’s the right word – of the two guys who got arrested last weekend at SandFest for selling glass smoke pipes out of their booth. That may not have been so bad but eyewitnesses reported they were also offering free trials with live rounds. Another booth had clear plastic bags of water suspended around and when a kid asked the fellow what the bags of water were for he said, “For the flies.”
First thank you for your newspaper, free and enjoyable!
Our friend Okie Pete wore an OU jersey to the first game of the Spur-Thunder game in San Antonio on Saturday and, big surprise, got an earful for the Spurs faithful. The Spurs won that game by thirty-plus points so the fans were in a good mood. If he had been at the Monday game the Thunder won by a point this might be an obituary.
1. I believe you may have mis-titled the article The Big Dig. I suggest that the title on the article below The Biggest Bull that Ever Went Down that Chute would have been more accurate. We have seen one pie in the sky scheme after another from the developer behind the bridge/canal, the latest being the eyesore that is Schlitterbahn. Since the one thing that seems to be common in these schemes is the movement of taxpayer money from the City into activities benefiting the developer and not the residents of the Island, perhaps the term Money Exchange canal is also more accurate than Water Exchange canal.
New Advertisers
Summer Nanny position wanted by college student Kelly. She is available part/ full time May 18 – August 12. Text or call her at 945-1044.
“Well, mister they work ‘cause you sure got a lot of ‘em.”
I read with interest your April 21 edition and was inspired to comment on the following items:
By Mary Craft
Baypoint Construction & Landscape, LLC does landscaping, concrete, decks, plumbing, patio covers, tile, flooring, fencing and more. They are VA builder approved and are plumbing and electrician licensed. Call Danny Dang at 288-5215.
Moon;
Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper
Lisabella’s Restaurant
Bobby Wegner
ISAC
Jay Gardner
Port Aransas
It was great playing pickleball with fellow winter Texans. I hope it will be offered again in 2017...
NAMI Greater Corpus Christ
Mary Craft Maybeth Christiansen
Did Ya Hear?
A3
Chuy's Tex-Mex Restaurant is opening late summer next to Cheddars restaurant on SPID. All their ingredients are fresh - never frozen. Scuttlebutt’s Mother’s Day Special for $33 starts with lobster bisque soup. The entrée choices are seared salmon with honey lavender glaze or grilled filet medallions topped with herb butter with veggie sides. Dessert is Dutch fudge cake drizzled with a cabernet chocolate glaze. The Boathouse Bar & Grill is having a Mother’s Day Brunch that includes a granola/ yogurt bar. Bring in their Moon ad in this issue and Mom gets to eat free with entrée/ brunch purchase. Brunch hours are 10 am – 2 pm.
Were in the sweet spot of the Island calendar everybody get out there and enjoy our Island. As the postcard says, “Weather is here, wish you were beautiful…” Say hello if you see us Around The Island.
2. A thank you to Scott Nichols for his letter on the moving of sand on both sides of Packery Channel. While the City is busy selling parks because of maintenance costs it seems exceptionally sad that they are wasting so much money on moving sand in circles at Packery Channel. Actually to the detriment of beach goers 3. Thanks also to Thomas Spangler for his letter re the Money Exchange canal. Yes I agree, if we have a high water hurricane the canal will serve as a source of flooding and most probably cut off access when the bridge is washed out.
Photos By Ronnie Narmour
I end with a plea to our City Council and Island Council Member. Please start considering the quality of life of the existing residents of this city. It has become appalling to see the degree to which our City government panders to whomever promises the next development scheme no matter how improbable it's scope or the track record of the developer. Since I have little hope for change by our current Council unless change is forced upon them, I also plead that the residents of our City start asking how they benefit from the use of their tax money and requiring their elected officials to consider their quality of life above the amount of profit for themselves and their special interests. Thank You; Mike Linnane, a Corpus Christi native.
Fire Station Police Station Stripes on Flour Bluff & SPID
1st Place Masters Duo Peoples Choice Duo Youths Entrepreneurial Endeavor Results in Lingual Dilemma Morgan Rudluff Abe Waterman Photo by Annette Armstrong Berksan
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A4
Whoop It! cont. from A1
genres of music from the 50s to now. They have played across the united States and have a reputation for rockin’ the house down! Instrumentation and vocals are spot on – they are guaranteed to please! The Veranda will provide a scrumptious meal as part of the entrance fee. Additionally, the bars will be making special drinks for the occasion.
Community Event With Tremendous Raffles and Auctions “We doubled the value of our raffle items (Incredible shotgun, Diamond Ring, and $1000 Amazon card among other gifts) and added small raffles at the event. We have added the ‘Chair-ity project’; a way to bring the kids into the event, to improve their schools, and to build a new campus. Students will have a part in decorating chairs which will be in their own silent auction.”explained Reynolds. The event this year will be the launching of the Capital Campaign, a broader fundraiser effort to raise funds for a structure for 1st and 2nd grade.
May 5, 2016
Island Moon
A fabulous cast iron, Volkswagen branded Chiminea will be available in the silent auction. A few of the other valuable gifts include a weekend trip to San Antonio with hotel and enjoy different activities, tickets to Fiesta, Texas and SeaWorld, a fishing trip for 4, an all-day guided fishing trip in the bay, a Dolphin Watch, Hooks Tickets, and a romantic vacation package for two on the Island with a few incredible activities. One of the silent auctions will be the ‘Cooler Auction’ that will feature gift baskets. Several Island realtors have put together incredible gift baskets for the cooler auction. Why should an Islander come to this event. It promises to be one of the premier parties on the Island. Reynolds summed it up, “It will be a fantastic party – an opportunity for fun, networking, and meeting social supporting people. This is an Island event. The better our schools are, the better our Island is. The success of the school positively impacts the Island.” Tickets are only $20 and include the meal and dancing all night. Tickets are available at Seashore Learning Center and Seashore Middle Academy. May 14th - See you there!
The Rocket Brothers Band
Donations
DOG PARK
Five ways you can help: Join our fundraising committee Buy a personalized paving brick for your family or business Make a cash donation Talk to a committee member about fundraising ideas We are a 501 c3 non-profit corporation. Make checks payable to Riley P. Dog Park, Inc. 14015 Fortuna Bay Dr.C.C., Tx 78418 Visit our website at: rileypdogpark.com or call Bev Hoffman (361) 949-7025
For Riley P. Dog Park
mail to: 14015 Fortuna Dr. C.C., TX 78418
Name:________________
Address: ______________ ______________________ Phone: ________________ Email:_________________ ______________________
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May 5, 2016
A5
Island Moon
Padre Island Real Estate Ticker April 1 -15
May Moon Phases
By Cindy Molnar Coldwell Banker Island Realtors
Waterfront Homes Sold 13817 Gunwale 13501 Carlos Fifth 15381 Sabre Average Sales Price $641,666 99 Waterfront homes listed from $270,900$3,500,000
Average Sales Price $171,500
119 Waterfront condominiums/townhomes listed from $57,500-$499,000
Interior Condominiums/Townhomes Sold 15422 Seamount Cay #303 14907 Island Village 15422 Seamount Cay #206 14861 S. Padre Island Dr. #114
Interior Lot Homes
Tides of the Week Tides for Bob Hall Pier May 5-12, 2016
Day
Th
High /Low
05 05 05 05
Tide Time
High Low High Low
Height in Feet
3:10AM 19:45 AM 1:35 PM 8:36 PM
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Sunrise Moon Time Sunset
Moon Visible
6:44 AM Set 6:47 AM 8:06 PM Rise 7:42 PM
98
14721 Lighthouse
Average Sales Price $176,011
15254 Capstan
73 Interior condominium/townhomes
13910 Laffite
Listed from $79,000-$369,000
14882 Tesoro
Waterfront Lots
13842 Flintlock
Lot 5 Cuttysark
14721 Dasmarinas
47 Waterfront lots listed from $125,000$6,000,000
15221 Capstan 15106 Aquarius 15929 El Soccorro Loop
Lot 10 Finistere
14922 Dasmarinas Average Sales Price $238,235
Lot 31 Finistere
60 Interior lot homes listed from $163,900$ 925,000
Waterfront Condomiums/Townhomes Sold 15302 Bonasse #105 13953 Fortuna Bay #4
F
06 06 06 06
High Low High Low
Sa
07 07
High 5:28 AM Low 10:03 PM
Su
08 08
High Low
6:34 AM 10:51 PM
2.1 -0.3
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09 09
High Low
7:39 AM 11:43 PM
2.1 -0.3
6:41 AM Set 9:23 AM 8:09PM Rise 11:07 PM
Tu 10 High 8:42 AM
1.8
6:40 AM 8:09 PM
Set 10:09 AM Rise 11:58 PM
88
W
11 11
High
9:40 AM 12:37 AM
1.9 -.01
6:39 AM 8:10 PM
Set 10:59 AM
81
Th
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Low High
12:42 AM 10:07 AM
0.1 1.8
6:51 AM 8:01 PM
Rise 12:47 AM Set 11:52 AM
73
4:21 AM 11:10 AM 1:46 PM 9:17 PM
1.9 1.2 1.3 -0.1
6:543 AM Set 7:23 AM 8:07 PM Rise 8:33 PM
99
2.0 -0.3
6:42 AM 8:08 PM
Set 8:00 AM Rise 9:25 PM
Set 8:40 AM 97 Rise 10:16 PM
99
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The BACK PORCH Cruise Control May 6 Thomas Michael Riley May 7 Chris Saucedo May 13 Randy McAllister May 14 Mike Blakely May 20 Jesse Dayton May 21
The BACK PORCH Bar ON THE WATERFRONT
132 W. Cotter St.
The
PortA
BACK PORCH
One Bite and You’re Hooked! Bar All You Can Eat Shrimp Wednesdays 5pm Prime Rib Thursdays 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)
Interior Lots Sold
14802 Windward Drive #214
Lot 18 Logboat Average Sales Price $36,333 73 Interior lots listed from $39,900$449,100
Commercial Lots 18 Commercial Lots Listed from $99,500$4,557,465
A6
Island Garden Tour May 14th
Island Moon
Don’t let scammers ruin your summer vacation plans
May 5, 2016
By Kelly Trevino, Regional Director, Corpus Christi Better Business Bureau Renting someone else’s home, condo or apartment can be a fun alternative to staying in a hotel or motel. Nowadays, it’s easy to connect directly with property owners who advertise their vacation homes online. It’s also easy to fall victim to rental scams.
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The landlord is located elsewhere and prefers to communicate via email. Scammers get you this way because often times you won’t live within a distance to visit the property and check it out. If they avoid talking on the phone or say they’re out of the country, that’s a red flag. But, what if the rental itself is overseas? If this is the case, paying with a credit card or through a reputable vacation rental website with its own payment system is your best option, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
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They ask for a wire transfer or cash. This is the surest sign of a scam. The preferred methods of payment among criminals are cash and wire transfer. Use a credit card instead, as most credit card companies will allow you to recover money you lose to fraud.
Vacation rentals, also called short-term rentals, offer flexibility, more space and a more authentic experience for vacationers. These rentals can also provide a source of income for the property owner. Better Business Bureau serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin warns of scammers who sometimes see vacation plans as an opportunity to rip people off. How does this scam work? First, a scammer will create an online rental listing with appealing photos to attract renters. Known as “bait-andswitch,” the scammer will then show you a home that isn’t actually available and at the lastminute change the location to a less appealing rental. The phony landlord then collects an upfront deposit, leaving the vacationer to find out they’ve been scammed when they show up to the address. In many cases, the address is turns out to be fake or the rental looks nothing like the photos online.
To protect yourself from fake classified ads, BBB recommends the following:
In 2015, BBB received more than a thousand consumer complaints regarding vacation rentals nationwide. Most complaints reported issues with contracts, refund and exchange, and customer service. Because online advertising can be deceiving, visit websites that offer secure payment solutions, customer reviews and rating systems. To avoid falling victim to a vacation rental scam, BBB warns of the following red flags: •
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The photography shows a perfect home. Don’t be fooled by photography. Scammers will post beautiful photos of homes and condos, some real and some fake. It may be a good idea to ask for additional photos — an honest landlord will always have them. The deal sounds too good to be true. Scammers will often list a rental for a very low price to lure in victims. Find out how comparable listings are priced. If the rental comes in suspiciously low, consider walking away.
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Research the owner. Search online for the owner and listing with words like review, scam or complaint. You may find comments from others who have labeled this listing as a rip-off. If you find the same ad listed under a different name or with different contact information, it may be a scam.
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Get a copy of the contract before you send any deposit money. Check that the address of the property really exists. If the property is located in a resort, call the front desk and confirm the location of the property and other details on the contract.
For information on scams in your area or to report one, check out BBB Scam Tracker. Kelly Trevino is the Regional Director for the Corpus Christi office 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.
Be sure to mark your calendar for this year's Padre Island Gardeners annual FREE garden tour on Saturday May 14th, 9 am 'til noon. These are just two of the beautiful tropical yards on the tour.
We now have Gluten Free Pizza!
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Ruben Limas Thursdays Brian Winfrey Fridays and Saturdays Reservations recommended
Daily Lunch Specials Monday - unlimited spaghetti salad and bread $7.50
Tuesday- 9 in. sub for 6in. sub price Wednesday- pasta menu full order for 1/2 order price Thursday- salad 6 in. sub and drink $6.50 Friday- unlimited dinner salad $5.99
The Original Pizza of Padre Island The Island's oldest full-service restaurant Private Party / Meeting Room Available by Reservation
County Commissioner Brent Chesney congratulates the Nueces County Coastal Park employees for a job well done. The Coastal Parks staff goes above and beyond to ensure that beaches in Nueces County are kept clean and safe for the many local residents and tourists who visit.
Delivery on The Island after 5pm
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May 5, 2016
Island Moon
Police Blotter
History continued from A1 Comanche Attack in Corpus The treaty however, did not stop the Comanche Indians from raiding the early settlements along Corpus Christi Bay. When Colonel H.L. Kinney settled his ranch on Corpus Christi Bay it was on the extreme frontier of the southwest settlements of Texas and as such was exposed to regular raids by the Comanches. In late 1844 seventeen Comanches under the command of a chief named Santa Anna attacked some houses on Kinney’s ranch and after killing or driving off the inhabitants retreated into the brush. Colonel Kinney with eleven men gave pursuit and after a few miles overtook the Indians on the open prairie. The men dismounted and the fight was on. During the fight Santa Anna suddenly ran out in front the Texians line holding his shield of hard buffalo hide up for protection. The Texians all fired at him but their lead rifle balls only rattled off the shield. It quickly became obvious why Santa Anna had done this. The Texans now all had to reload their rifles and while they did this the Comanches charged. Colonel Kinney alone among the combatants managed to mount his horse. Immediately one of Kinney’s men was killed, another speared and shot in several places with arrows. A young clerk of Kinney’s was speared and his horse killed. The colonel dragged the man up behind him on his horse as the same instant an Indian’s spear went completely through the rider spearing Kinney in the back. At the same time an arrow went through both sleeves of his buckskin hunting shirt. While trying to get free of the spear another Indian drove a spear though Kinney’s rider killing him instantly. Kinney drew his pistol and shot the Indian dead on the spot. The Indians could not compete with handguns in a close in fight and retreated leaving seven dead on the field with ten more severely wounded. The fight was the first in a long line of skirmishes between Kinney and the Comanches during the early years of the Corpus Christi settlement.
Sinkhole De Mayo
Editor’s note: The full moon of late has made the plebeians restless. We included a few examples.
A 26 year old female called Corpus Christi Police and told them that she was driving west on Baldwin Boulevard when she was cut off by the driver of a Dodge Caravan. The female said that she honked her horn at the vehicle, and a passenger inside the van threw a cup at her car.
Urine a heap of trouble boy May 3 3:00 p.m. 5200 Interstate Highway 37 Offense: Drug Test Falsification.
The female driver and her 22 year-old passenger got upset about the trash being thrown at them and they began to exchange words with the passenger in the van. The driver of the van stopped and got out and pulled out a gun and shot twice in the direction of the two girls. The female told Officers she stopped her car after hearing the gunshots to let the van pull away from her. She called police while following the van as it drove around the area.
A man on parole could be in trouble with the courts after he tried to falsify a drug screen test while visiting his parole officer at 5233 Interstate Highway 37. Corpus Christi Police were called to the parole office after an officer noticed a foreign substance in the urine specimen of a man who was there checking in. When the parole officer questioned the man about the substance in the specimen sample, he said it was not his and he had got the urine from some guy on the street. The man then hid the fake specimen in a travel size shampoo bottle in his pants and then used it when the parole officer requested he provide a specimen of his for drug screening.
When the female saw the van pull into the parking lot of the Housing Authority on Ayers Street, she positioned her vehicle to block the one way in and out access to the parking lot. The driver of the van then reversed into the rear corner of the female’s vehicle at a high rate of speed. The van was only able to get down the street a short distance before police caught up to it.
Police took the man’s name and they will forward the information provided by the parole officer to the courts to see if any charges will be filed.
Officers arrested the driver, Christopher Trevino (12/31/1993). The female that had thrown the trash out of the van had already been dropped off and she was not located. The two females were not injured.
It was a bad day to be this guy May 3 4:35 p.m. 5400 South Padre Island Drive Offense: Auto Theft
Police make Chitty arrest
Corpus Christi Police arrested a man after he stole a vehicle and then crashed it trying to evade Officers at the intersection of South Staples Street and South Padre Island Drive.
April28 12:45 a.m 6500 Weber Road Offense: Burglary Corpus Christi Police arrested a man after they caught him tunneling from his storage unit into four others that surrounded his and stealing items from inside.
Officers received a call from the Port Police Department that they were taking a report of a stolen truck from a convenience store located at 1141 Cantwell Street. The Port Police Officer was told that the victim’s 2004 Ford F250 truck was being tracked by On Star. Corpus Christi Police were notified that On Star had tracked the truck to the area of 4600 South Staples Street. An Officer arrived and found the truck, still occupied, near the intersection of South Padre Island Drive.
Officers arrived at the storage unit business, located at 6537 Weber Road, and owners of the business told them that they had found evidence that the renter of one of their storage units had forced entry into neighboring storage units from inside of his unit. Officers made entry into the storage unit and found that the tin wall separating the units had been pulled off and the renter had entered the next four units through the wall.
When the suspect driving the truck saw the Officer he attempted to speed off, crashing into a 2015 Ford Mustang driven by a 16 year-old man. The suspect then fled the truck on foot, leaving it in gear, and rolling without anyone inside. The stolen truck, which was driver-less now, then collided with a Corpus Christi Police car.
Officers then heard movement from inside one of the neighboring storage units and they found the suspect hiding under a blanket. The suspect, Derick Chitty, 29, was arrested for the burglary. He was additionally charged when it was determined that he had two outstanding warrants out for his arrest. One warrant was for dangerous drugs and the other was an unauthorized use of a motor vehicle warrant. The owner of the business estimated that the damage done to the walls of the units was at least $500.
After a short foot pursuit, Officers were able to arrest the suspect Esteban Deases Jr. (02/27/1977). He did suffer a broken shoulder as a result of the crash. Officers took him to Spohn Memorial Hospital to be treated before he was taken to the City Detention Center.
Maybe you can make her happy! May 27 6:40 p.m. Nineteenth Street and Mary Street Offense: Aggravated Assault
No one else was injured in the crash.
Beware of girls with red hair and pink jackets bearing $100 bills
A 24 year-old man called Corpus Christi Police after the new boyfriend of his ex-wife ran him off the road and then fired several gunshots at him at the intersection of Nineteenth Street and Mary Street.
May 2 10:55 p.m. 3800 Interstate Highway 69 Offense: Forgery
Officers arrived and were told by the man that he was driving west on Mary Street when a car belonging to his estranged wife but driven by her new boyfriend drove head on towards him. The man was able to put his car in reverse and as he tried to out run it traveling backwards, he lost control of his car, spun out and hit the curb. The new boyfriend then exited the vehicle he was in and opened fire on the man’s car with a handgun striking it three times.
Corpus Christi Police were called to a store, located at 3829 Interstate Highway 69, after employees at the business found a counterfeit bill. Officers arrived at the store and were told that a clerk had accepted the fake $100 bill during a transaction last week. Store management was notified of the bill today after they gave it to a customer who noticed it was counterfeit and returned it to the store. The store then called police.
City crews paving on Lanyard hit water main causing new sinkholes.
Volunteers Needed to Help Restore Oyster Reef at Goose Island State Park In an effort to help restore the oyster reef habitats in the Gulf of Mexico, the Department of Life Sciences and the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies will host the “Sink Your Shucks” oyster reef restoration event on Saturday, May 7, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Goose Island State Park. Volunteers will work at one of four stations. Station 1: Volunteers will create bags out of mesh; Station 2: Oyster shells will be shoveled into the bags; Station 3: Bags will be shuttled from Station 2 up to the staging area on the Goose Island State Part fishing pier; Station 4: A line will be formed and the bags will be passed down to the water where they will be placed in the new reef site. Participants must wear closed-toe and backed shoes with thick soles and are recommended to wear clothes that can get wet/dirty, sunscreen and a hat. Work gloves will be provided. Volunteers will be given free T-shirts, and drinks and snacks will be provided by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Water Street Restaurants and Redfin.com. The “Sink Your Shucks” program is the first in Texas to reclaim more than 900,000 pounds of shucked oyster shells from Water Street Restaurant and Groomer’s Seafood and return them to our local waters, providing substrate for oyster larvae to attach, grow and form new reef habitats for fish, crabs and other organisms. The project is co-coordinated by Gail Sutton, Assistant Director of the Harte Research Institute (HRI) for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and Dr. Jennifer Pollack, Assistant Professor of Marine Biology. Pollack, along with Sutton and Dr. Paul Montagna, Endowed Chair for Ecosystem Studies and Modeling at the HRI, developed the first oyster shell recycling program for the Texas Coastal Bend in November 2009.
One of the rounds he fired went through the back glass just missing the heads of two passengers in the vehicle. Luckily no one was injured by the shots that were fired. The suspect was not located, but the man was able to provide Officers his name.
Store management said the clerk, who did not have a counterfeit money pen, accepted the fake bill from a Hispanic female with red hair, who was last seen wearing a green shirt with a pink jacket. At this time that female had not been located. The fake money was recovered as evidence by Officers.
Police Calls The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 806 calls for service and generated 180 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. May 3 to 7:00 a.m. on May 4, 2016.
Hey lady, your baby looks like the sweater from aisle #3 May 2 12:50 p.m. 5600 Saratoga Boulevard Offense: Theft
The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 872 calls for service and generated 204 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. May 2 to 7:00 a.m. on May 3, 2016
Corpus Christi Police arrested a female after she attempted to steal nearly $900 worth of merchandise from a department store located at 5626 Saratoga Boulevard. Officers arrived at the store and were told that an employee had seen the female go into a fitting room with several articles of clothing. When she came out, the employee did not see any of the clothes. The employee stopped the female after she walked out of the store without paying. Officers found over $876 worth of stolen clothing in a stroller the female had, and more stolen merchandise in her purse. Officers arrested, Eilen Puentes-Villafana (01/18/1982), for theft.
The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 799 calls for service and generated 179 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. May 1 to 7:00 a.m. on May 2, 2016. The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 979 calls for service and generated 252 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. April 27 to 7:00 a.m. on April 28, 2016. The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 851 calls for service and generated 225 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. April 26 to 7:00 a.m. on April 27, 2016.
May Day! May Day! - Some people just enjoy a bus stop more than others
Island Police Calls
May 1 5:45 p.m. 1600 Morgan Avenue Offense: Indecent Exposer (sic)
10600 block State Highway 361 7:09 p.m. May 1 Public intoxication
A female was arrested by Corpus Christi Police after she stripped off all her clothes and began running down the 1600 block of Morgan Avenue toward the Crosstown Freeway. Several passing motorist called police and when Officers arrived, they found that several citizens had helped stop the female and had got her a blanket to cover herself.
Beach Access Road 3 and Gulf Beach 11:13 p.m. April 30 Abandoned motor vehicle 13300 block SPID 9:53 p.m. May 28 No insurance/Possession of marijuana/Possession of controlled substance 14000 block SPID 9:52 p.m. April 30 Shoplifting under $100
Officers had been looking for the female for an hour after several other motorist called to report a nude female walking along the street. They were not able to find her until the citizens got her to sit down. Officers located the females clothing at a bus bench at the corner of Brownlee Boulevard and Morgan Avenue. The 50 year-old female was arrested for indecent exposure.
14300 block SPID 2:29 a.m. May 1 Hit and Run 14300 block SPID 1:29 a.m. April 30 Assault by contact 15003 Block Windward 12:59 p.m. May 1 Assault 15200 block Beach Way Drive 5 p.m. April 28 Theft $100$750
Lady brings cup to gunfight
14900 block Aquarius 4:31 p.m. May 3 Terroristic threat
April 28 9:45 p.m. 1900 Baldwin Boulevard Offense: Aggravated Assault
15400 block Salt Cay 7 a.m. May 30 Theft $100-$750 15400 block Grass Cay 12:43 May 3 Assault with injury
A road rage incident, in the 1900 block of Baldwin Boulevard, ended with a man in jail for shooting a gun at two females in another vehicle.
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A8
May 5, 2016
Island Moon
SPORTS Sports Talk Special to The Island Moon
11 (+ 1 Sport?) Most Dangerous Sports Your Child Can Play
By Dotson Lewis
Special to the Island Moon Dotson’s Note: Since I often am asked about the danger of various youth sports, I decided to do a little research. As you will see, there was no way I could do a dangerous sports story without including Cheerleading. I believe that whether considered a sport or an “activity,” the dangers of cheerleading should be taken very seriously. Thanks to Kevin Voigt of NerdWallet for his recent report on the sports that send children ages 5 to 14 to the emergency room.
Participation in volleyball in high school has grown to more than 470,500 students from just under 445,000– an increase of 5.8 percent, according to the National Federation of High School Associations. Volleyball’s growth is fueled by popularity
1. Football Number of ER visits: 240,509 Rate of change from 5 years before: +12.1 percent Measured by TV viewership, football is by far the most popular sport in America – 46 of the top 50 most watched sporting events in the US for the past four years were NFL games. So it’s no surprise that football ranks at the top activity for children ER visits in 2012.
2. Bicycles Number of ER visits: 192,319 Rate of change from 5 years before: -13 percent In 2007 and 2009, more children were sent to the hospital for bicycle-related incidents than any other activity, according to CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) data. But the number of injuries has been steadily dropping, even as participation increased 5 percent, according to the National Sporting Goods Association. Health experts credit greater use of safety equipment such as helmets for the decline.
among girls.
Is Cheerleading More Dangerous Than Football? As shown above, some child activities are more likely to lead to visits to the emergency room. Now another youth activity is in the spotlight after the American Medical Association decided that cheerleading should be designated as a sport. Cheerleading is the number one cause of traumatic injuries for high school and college females. The AMA’s decision follows a similar ruling by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and highlights growing worries in the medical community as the activity evolves from simple sideline cheers to performance of gravitydefying stunts more akin to gymnastics.
Number of ER visits: 189,562 Rate of change from 5 years before: +21.4 percent
From 1982 to 2011, according to National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research, high school cheerleaders had 83 severe or disabling injuries, including two that were fatal. Frederick O. Mueller, head of the center, thinks the actual rate of injury is much higher as incidents often go unreported in the unregulated world of cheerleading.
With its inclusion of both boys and girls in organized college and professional play, basketball leads the numbers for having the greatest participation of 6-to-17-year-olds, according to a Sports and Fitness Industry Association/Physical Council Report.
Mueller told the Washington Post the numbers translate into a rate of 2.68 catastrophic injuries for every 100,000 female high school cheerleaders, compared with 1.96 injuries per 100,000 for high school boys’ football over the same period.
4. Baseball/Softball
“This tells you that cheerleading is dangerous— even more dangerous than football when it comes to the rate,” Mueller said.
3. Basketball
Number of ER visits: 112,577 Rate of change from 5 years before: +3.1 percent According to a recent analysis by ESPN, youth baseball is the most popular organized sport for little athletes ages 6 to 8 and remains the second most popular organized sport behind basketball until high school.
5. Soccer Number of ER visits: 99,068 Rate of change from 5 years before: +19.8 percent The popularity of the sport because of recent World Cup competitions has been feeding participation – and the number of injuries, experts say. “More total hours played of a sport increases absolute injury numbers,” said Dr. Russell Petrie, a sports medicine orthopedist from Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Irvine, California.
6. Swimming Number of ER visits: 79,751 Rate of change from 5 years before: +28.2 percent According to the CDC, 36 percent of children between the ages of 7 and 17 go swimming at least six times a year, so a 28.2 percent increase in swimming-related injuries should raise alarm bells.
7. Trampoline Number of visits: 62,569 Rate of change from 5 years before: -13.8 percent Manufacturers now advise users to only allow one child at a time on a trampoline – 75 percent of all injuries occur when there are two or more jumpers. Enclosures to prevent errant bounces onto the ground are now standard. And injuries, which peaked at 110,000 ER visits in 2004, have been on a long downward slide.
8. Skating (non-inline) Number of 2012 ER visits: 42,117 Rate of change from 5 years before: -6.9 percent The number of roller skaters has dropped to 13.35 million, from 19.74 million in 2007, according to website Statistica. Ice skating enjoys perennial popularity thanks to its Olympic and professional skating status, as well as its close cousin ice hockey (see No. 10 below).
9. Skateboard Number of 2012 ER visits: 39,146 Rate of change from 5 years before: -44.4 percent The number of people who skateboard dropped by 47 percent in 5 years, according to the National Sporting Goods Association. While that drop worries aficionados and skateboard manufacturers, it has brought a bright spot to the ER doctors and parents – the number of ER visits for skateboard-related injuries dropped 44 percent during the same time period.
10. Hockey Number of 2012 ER visits: 21,145 Rate of change from 5 years before: +14 percent Hockey is now the sixth most popular sport in the U.S., according to a recent Harris Poll, up from No. 11 in 1985. Youth participation has grown from 200,000 in 2000 to more than 350,000 to date, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Especially controversial is at what age children should be allowed to “check” opponents – full body defensive blocks of whomever controls the puck. USA Hockey allows checking starting at the 11-to-12-yearold Pee Wee League, but a recent AAP study recommends raising the age to 15.
11. Volleyball Number of 2012 ER visits: 20,490 Rate of change from 5 years before: +22.1 percent
But is cheerleading really a “sport”? Depends who you ask. Legally, it’s not. The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a previous ruling that cheerleading did not meet the requirements to be considered a sport under Title IX, the 1972 federal law that requires equal opportunity for males and females in athletics. “With better organization and defined rules, [cheerleading] might someday warrant recognition as a varsity sport. But, like the district court, we conclude that the record evidence shows that ‘that time has not yet arrived,’” the court said in its ruling. But proponents argue that defining cheerleading as a sport would create better organization, regulations and, importantly, better training for coaches. More than 30 states, including Texas, now recognize cheerleading as a high school sport. Coaches are often chosen because of prior experience as cheerleaders themselves, says Krista Robinson, executive director of the National Cheer Safety Foundation. But the activity has evolved faster than proper training and safety for coaches. “In addition to being trained in CPR and first response, a coach should also be trained in the body mechanics behind the stunts, tumbling, and critical height. And I bet a good 95 percent of coaches don’t even know what critical height is, and yet their flyers are thrown 10-20 feet in the air. Clearly, that is not safe,” Robinson recently said. In a detailed analysis of cheerleading safety for FiveThirtyEight, Walt Hickey notes that unlike all other activities, most injuries in cheerleading happen in practice rather than during a game. Part of the problem is that rehearsal space appears to be “all over the place they’re occurring on asphalt, on grass, on tile,” safety expert Dawn Comstock told Hickey. “And if you think about it, if cheerleading isn’t considered a sport, [it] may not be afforded the same resources—even for practice—as other sports.” Underlining the debate is money. More resources for cheerleading would improve safety, but requires school systems to make tough choices with a limited pool of cash. The Title IX lawsuit was spurred when players and their coach sued after Quinnipiac University decided to cut girls volleyball and replace it with a competitive cheer squad for budgetary reasons. A sports designation can help school systems cover insurance liability for catastrophic cheerleading injuries. But as a sport, cheerleading would find itself in competition with other school activities for money. In New York State, which recently approved cheerleading as a sport, coach Justina Grudzinski worries that as cheerleading becomes an official school team and part of the school budget, it is also at risk during cutbacks. “Now cheerleading doesn’t cost my district hardly anything” but a coach’s stipend, she told the Wall Street Journal. “Right now we fly under the radar.” Dotson’s Other Note: I believe that whether or not Cheerleading is considered a sport, it is important that the activity be considered as the most dangerous activity conducted by Texas high schools. 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: 361-949-7681 Cell: 530-748-8475 Email: dlewis1@stx.rr.com
The Storm before the Storm By Andy Purvis Special to the Island Moon He was as happy as I’ve ever seen him. We took a picture together and that photo said it all. As a coach, he was on top of the world. It was a Monday night, March 7th and the Islanders Men’s Basketball team was gathering for a meal with the Rebound Club members at Fuzzy’s on Staples. The team was headed to Katy, Texas, for the Southland Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament. With a 24-6 record, the Islanders had secured a second-place finish which gave them a double bye in the tournament. They would play on Friday, but their opponent had not yet been determined.
semi-finals. On Friday night, the Islanders, two star big men (Douvier and Thomas) were sitting on the bench with five fouls each, and the Islanders trailing by two points, things got interesting. There were only 1.2 seconds on the clock when senior guard, Hameed Ali launched a three-point shot, from the top of
For a coach, the grind of trying to win over and over is a difficult task that requires extreme concentration, long hours of practice and watching film, continuous questioning of have we done enough, are we ready, do we know everything we need to know and are we prepared to play?” The pressure never lets up. Although the mood was joyous that night, you could feel the intensity in his handshake. Marty Gross was so revved up; he could have played two games back-to-back. Martin Christopher “Marty” Gross was born on August 5, 1955, in Yankton, South Dakota.
Marty Gross and Me Islanders Marty attended Yankton Senior High and graduated in 1973. He was selected All-State his senior year. Gross was a four-year letterman for The University of Jacksonville, serving as the 1977 team captain when he was a senior. He also played on the 1974 Jacksonville NIT team. He received his B.S. in management in 1977 and his masters from UAB (University of Alabama Birmingham) in 1979. Marty is mostly quiet, reserved, and intense: a thinker known for crossing his arms in front of his body as he takes exaggerated steps up and down the sideline, before the game begins. Ahh, “Game time,” he has been in this very place thousands of times. He is trusted, meticulous and thorough; this guy could find dirt in a snow bank. Nothing gets by him. Why? Because he’s put the work in; Marty is the storm before the storm. Gross has a national reputation and has been in the coaching business for 39 years. Head Coach Willis Wilson relies on him and they’ve been together for 20 years. We’ve been through so much together,” said Wilson. “Nobody can outwork Marty. He keeps track of everything, even the stuff the other teams don’t keep up with.”
Sam Houston State awaits
Preston Tucker & Me the key, to give the Islanders a one-point lead. He then interrupted Sam Houston’s inbound pass and was fouled. He would make both free throws for a 79-76 Islander win and a shot at the “Big Dance” by beating Stephen F. Austin on Saturday night. It was the biggest shot in Islander history, and some joked that they may rename the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas, the Ali Center. Marty Gross always does the Islanders’ postgame interview. I could not believe how calm he sounded. Then I remembered, he’s been ready for this his whole life.
Stephen F. Austin Saturday, March 12, was not a good day for the Islanders, as Stephen F. Austin controlled the tempo of the game from start to finish and shut down the Islanders inside. Poor shooting and turnovers resulted in a run-away game for the Lumberjacks. I am reminded of a quotation from legendary coach, “Bones” McKinney who once said, “The problem with officials is that they don’t care who wins.” The whistle did not go our way that night. With Sunday came a new opportunity and maybe even some redemption. For the third year in a row, the Islanders (25-7) were invited to play in the College Insider Tournament (CIT). They opened at the University of Louisiana on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, but it was not to be. The Ragin’ Cajuns made 11 of 24 three-point shots, did as they pleased, and sent the Islanders home early. You can find Marty Gross working today, as he will begin again, looking for fine young men who have character, toughness and talent. That’s what a great coach does.
By Thursday, we knew that we had drawn our two-time nemesis, Sam Houston State, for the
Texas Revokes License of MMA’s Kimbo Slice
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (Department) revoked the Texas boxing license of Kevin Anthony Ferguson, Sr., aka, Kimbo Slice, and also issued an administrative penalty in the amount of $2,500 today. Ferguson was a contestant in a mixed martial arts event in Houston, Texas, on February 19, 2016. Before his bout the Department collected a urine sample from him that subsequently tested positive for nandrolone, an anabolic agent, which is a prohibited substance in the State of Texas. The Agreed Order includes: • An administrative penalty in the amount of $2,500; • Revocation of Ferguson’s State of Texas boxer license; • Ferguson will remain in compliance with all laws and rules administered by the Department, and cooperate with the
Department in the investigation of any complaints, and; • He must comply with the Agreed Order dated May 2, 2016.
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