The
Issue 577
Island Moon
The voice of The Island since 1996
May 7, 2015
Around The Island By Dale Rankin
editor@islandmoon.com The Chamber of Commerce Weather is here folks. The reds are biting, the wind is only blowing some of the time, and when it is the surf’s up! The First Annual Cinco de Mayo Pro Stand Up Paddleboard and Longboard Pro Surfing event went off on The Island last weekend. For more information see the photos in this issue. The SUP route wound from Lake Padre, through Packery Channel, and out to the beach Saturday morning and was a great success as the route proved to be popular with paddlers and spectators alike. We look forward to next year’s event.
Island Burglary Season We have had a rash of reports of late from Island residents reporting break-ins and attempted break-ins. According to reports here there were two instances in early April in which doors were kicked in, or in one case attempted to be kicked in by a weaklegged would-be burglar; one on Sea Pines and another on Cruiser. There was also another early morning attempt to break into a house even though two cars in the driveway indicated the occupants were home. The Island Burglary Season usually doesn’t swing into full bloom until the end of summer when the tourists go home and the Island police presence is not as great. But it seems this year the burglary crowd has arrived early. So everybody keep your eyes open and your garage doors shut. Unless of course, like many of us, you have too much junk in your garage and need to get rid of some, in which case you can hold an Island Garage Sale by leaving the door up and turning the television up loud so you won’t hear the OTB burglars hauling off that ping pong table you got for Christmas seven years ago. On a positive note, a couple who just moved here from Michigan had their family heirlooms in a trailer parked in their front yard on Capstan stolen last Friday when some thieves with really bad karma drove off with it. The good news; on Tuesday CCPD called to say they had found the trailer with all the belongings still in it and of this writing it is back safe and sound on Capstan. Welcome to The Island you guys. If you have any burglary trouble let us know on Facebook at theislandmoonnewspaper so we can get the word out.
Bluebell Blues For all you Blue Bell Ice Cream junkies out there these are dark days. Island ice creameries are out of their delectable products after the company based in the small Texas town of Brenham voluntarily recalled all their products including ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and frozen snacks because “they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.” Our friends in Brenham tell us the episode has been like a death in the family there as many locals rely on Blue Bell for their livelihoods. Blue Bell has handled the problem about as well as any company could do and here’s hoping Island freezers will be back full of Blue Bell before the Dog Days of summer arrive.
Rip it up Daily warnings of a high risk for Rip Currents have been commonplace this week all up and down our beaches as “sustained and persistent moderate onshore flow has combined with long period swells” to produce the currents. That’s a scientist’s way of saying the surf is going to try to suck you out to sea. The problem is exacerbated around jetties and piers. If you get Ripped drop your beer, as it is difficult to swim against a Rip Current with only one arm, and swim parallel along the shore until you can swim in. You can get more beer back on the beach, but you only get one chance to drown.
Around continued on A3
Weekly
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$250,000 Worth of Sand Blows Into Packery Channel Each Year By Dale Rankin Each year it costs taxpayers $250,000 to remove the sand that blows into Packery Channel each year, according to the number presented to the Island Strategic Action Committee Tuesday night. “Every year 26,000 cubic yards of sand blows off the beach and into the channel,” ISAC Chairman Greg Smith said. “That means it will cost $250,000 to remove it the next time the channel is dredged.” Most of the fine sand that finds its way into the channel was placed on the beach through the dredging of Packery Channel and is blown north along the beach by prevailing southeasterly winds. A study done by Naismith Engineering in 1997 found that stopping windblown sand from reaching the channel, as opposed to channel dredging, to be the most cost effective way of keeping the channel open. “As of today we have done nothing,” Smith said. “Every year that goes by sand blows into the channel that we eventually have to pay to dredge out.”
SEA Banquet May 14 at American Bank Center The 15th Annual Sea Banquet for the Saltwater Fisheries Enhancement Association is set for Thursday, May 14, at the American Bank Center. The event draws a full house of outdoor enthusiasts for live auctions, free food and drink, and is the major fundraiser for the organization which promotes conservation and preservation of saltwater resources for recreational users in the Coastal Bend. The group recently bought and sunk the ship Kinta S at an artificial reef site nine miles out from Packery Channel. All the money raised by SEA stays in the Coastal Bend. The banquet begins at 5:30 and runs for several hours. Individual tickets are $125, a table for eight is $1000, and a Sponsorship Table is $1750. For more information contact Libby Trevino at 361 8861100 or by e-mail at seaccadm@ sbcglobal.net.
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According to numbers presented to the ISAC, it costs $10 per yard to dredge sand from the channel, but only $1.55 to move it by truck from the north end of the beach where it accumulates, to the south end of the seawall where the beach is the narrowest. The last dredging of the channel was done in 2011-2012 at a cost of $1.8 million paid for with funds from the Island Tax Increment Financing Zone which must keep $4 million in a reserve fund for future dredging projects. Researchers from the Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science told the ISAC last year that due to the wording in the dredging contracts, the last two times the channel was dredged the work never touched the sand plug that that has built up in the 600 feet of the channel at the opening at the seaward end of the jetties, which is responsible for the shoaling frequently found at the channel’s mouth. ISAC members voted to appoint a committee to examine the problem and look for a cost effective solution.
Mobile Tax Appeal Coming to The Island May 9 – May 16 What documents you need to take According to the Nueces Appraisal District there is $1.8 billion worth of property on Padre Island. The owners of that property will get the opportunity this Saturday, May 9, to appeal their appraisal values without having to leave The Island. The Nueces County Appraisal District will offer an opportunity for property owners to discuss their property value matters from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. a mobile tax office will be set up at the Seashore Middle Academy located at 15437 SPID. Then the following Saturday, May 16, it will be at Ancel R. Brundrett Middle School, 100 Station St. in Port Aransas. If you go here is the evidence you will need to make your case: • Photos will only be accepted by hard copy, thumb drive or mail (no cell phone downloads).
Tax continued on A5
Improvements to SH 361 in Spotlight After Death of Corpus Christi Police Chief Simpson Rep. Farenthold urges state to build fourlane roadway immediately rather than just add passing lanes By Dale Rankin The accident that claimed the life of Corpus Christi Police Chief Floyd Simpson in a motorcycle crash last Sunday on the 18-mile stretch of treacherous and often deadly State Highway 361 has led to a call by U.S. Representative Blake Farenthold for additional and immediate improvements to the roadway. Current Texas Department of Transportation plans call for passing lanes to be added to the road beginning in the spring of 2016. TxDot spokesman Rickey Dailey said the current timetable for the $12 million in improvements, which have already been funded by the state legislature at the urging of District 32 State Representative Todd Hunter, calls for bids on the project to go out in December. Work is already underway on a $13 million project to
National Weather Services Announces South Texas Drought is Over
add additional turn lanes, shoulders, and rumble strips to SH 361 on the south side of Port Aransas. But Farenthold on Wednesday said he believes that rather than add the passing lanes first, TxDot should move forward immediately for expanding the entire roadway to a full four lanes.
Simpson continued on A12
Inside the Moon
El Nino in Pacific means lower summer temperatures, higher rainfall, less chance of hurricanes
The National Weather Service Office in Corpus Christi announced this week that the drought in South Texas is over. However, Corpus Christi remains the last metropolitan area still under water restrictions, Stage 2, and with its lakes still not filled to capacity with Lake Corpus Christi at only 75% capacity and Choke Canyon Dam at only 26.3% capacity. The local office of the NWS said drought conditions have now retreated northward to the Texas Hill Country and Concho Valley and that it will stop issuing drought notices and updates unless/until drought conditions resume. The office issued
Beach Bollard Art A4
NASA Breaks Laws of Physics, Madonna Breaks Laws of Fashion A6
Drought continued on A16
A little Island history
U.S. Army of Occupation Prepares to Move Across The Island in 1846
Editor’s note: In the past two issues we have been giving a history that lead up to the landing of U.S. troops at St. Joseph Island on July 26, 1845 and the first raising of the United States flag in Texas at that spot. The Port Aransas Historical Society is planning a re-enactment of the landing of the troops there on Sunday, July 26 this summer. The first pass through the area by Lt. (future General) George G. Meade, resulted in a survey which we printed two issues back. What follows is a response to that survey from U.S. Colonel T. Cross to Major General S. Desup, dated February 17, 1846, less than two months after the United States added Texas as the 28th state on December, 29, 1845, as the U.S./ Mexico War was underway. It was written from the camp of the Army of Occupation on Corpus Christi Bay just months before the U.S. Army moved south into Mexico. It describes plans for moving men and material into South Texas and the difficulties posed by the shallow water along the Texas Coast.
Sports A8
Paddle Board Races A9
The Army of Occupation Camp on Corpus Christi Bay, 1846 By Colonel T. Cross Office of the Quartermaster U.S. Army of Occupation Camp on Corpus Christi Bay, Texas, February 17, 1846 Sir, I have but a moment to reply to that part of your letter of the 15th, in which you express a wish that a critical examination should be made by one or more officers of the Quarter Master’s Department, of the “Laguna
Santander,” with a view of ascertaining by what description of boats it can be navigated. I would premise that the “Laguna Santander” is wholly unknown to us here, but presuming that you have reference to the Laguna del Madre, which separates Padre Island from the main land, and connects Corpus Christi Bay with the Brazos de Santiago, I enclose you a copy of the report
History continued on A4
Turtle Update A15
Cinco de Mayo at SMA A16
A2
May 7, 2015
Island Moon
Cinco de Mayo on the Beach Photos by Miles Merwin
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May 7, 2015
Island Moon
Letters to the Editor
Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder
NAS Corpus Christi air show a huge success The Wings Over South Texas 2015 Air Show hosted by Naval Air Station Corpus Christi was a huge success. Approximately 90,000 people turned out over a three-day period Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 17-19.
Distribution Pete Alsop
"Besides the numbers, what we accomplished couldn't have been achieved without the team of people who planned and worked the air show, as well as the community involvement," said Capt. Steve Banta, commanding officer, NAS Corpus Christi.
Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin Classifieds Arlene Ritley Production Manager Jeff Craft Contributing Writers Joey Farah Andy Purvis
"We didn't know what to expect when we started planning this, because it was the first time in four years since we'd held an air show and the first time in more than 40 years since it was held over water," he added, "but the feedback we have been receiving has been extremely positive! "I attribute that to everyone involved in the planning, execution and participation."
Devorah Fox Mary Craft
The weather impacted the execution of the air show - from arrival of acts, to set up, and parking plans. Personnel "flexed" and made adjustments and execution improved each day.
Maybeth Christiansen Jay Gardner Chad Peters
"We saw that our parking plan, when combined with the inclement weather, didn't allow for a steady flow of traffic on Saturday," said Lt. Rob Long, security officer. "So, we changed our plan and Sunday there wasn't the traffic back-up at the gate there was the previous day. Visitors were able to come onto the air station relatively quickly."
Todd Hunter Dotson Lewis Ronnie Narmour Brent Rourk Dr. Donna Shaver Photographers Miles Merwin
Cmdr. Al Lima, air operations officer who spearheaded the air show, aimed to put together "the best air show ever."
Jeff Dolan Mary Craft Ronnie Narmour Office Security/Spillage Control (Emeritus)
"My expectation was to put on a quality air show that was conducted safely, and for everyone to enjoy the experience," Lima said. "We achieved that with the help of a lot of partnerships from security personnel, emergency response, Reservists, tenant commands, and community organizations - too many to name here. "We were able to demonstrate our skills and talents, as well as entertain," Lima added.
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.
There was a great line up of military and civilian performers and static displays, with the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels headlining the show. All branches of the armed services were represented, in addition to all the air station's aviation tenant commands. And, it was all free. "Our success was giving our visitors a 100 percent effort with a positive attitude; putting on a wholesome family event that showcases what we do. We are looking forward to improving upon that success for our next air show in two years," Banta said. Francoise "Fifi" Kieschnick Public Affairs Officer
The Island Moon Newspaper
Bar ditches
15201 S. Padre Island Drive, Suite 250 Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361-949-7700 editor@islandmoon.com Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper
Where to Find The Island Moon Port Aransas Lisabella’s Restaurant Pioneer RV Park
Sandpiper Condos WB Liquors Port A Arts
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Stripes @ Beach Access Rd. 1A
All Stripes Stores
A Mano
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IGA Grocery Store
Isle Mail N More
Carter Pharmacy
Brooklyn Pie Co.
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Texas Star (Shell)
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And all Moon retail advertisers
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Gratitude Gift Shop Keepers Pier House Port A Glass Studio The Gaff
Greg Boss
Coastal Bend Republican Liberty Caucus Meeting We hope to see you at our May CBRLC monthly meeting at Nolan's Restaurant, May 12th 7 p.m. 9 p.m. Our guest speaker is Ann Lee a Co-Founder of RAMP. Ann Lee is an octogenarian, Republican marijuana reform activist and Co-Founder of RAMP (Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition). Ann deeply believes in the core values of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and less intrusion in your private life. After a severe injury led her son to use marijuana as a treatment for nerve pain, Ann looked hard at the science of cannabis, understanding she had fallen “hook, line, and sinker for the propaganda our government put out.” Please join us to listen to Ann's Presentation, it should be very interesting and informative.
Whataburger on Waldron Ethyl Everly Senior Center Fire Station Police Station Stripes on Flour Bluff & SPID
“The Harbor Bridge Replacement Project signifies a dynamic new era for Corpus Christi, the Coastal Bend and all of Texas,” said TxDOT Executive Director LtGen Joe Weber, USMC (Ret). “By replacing the existing span, which was built in the 1950s, this new bridge will make a positive contribution to commerce, public safety and transportation for decades to come. We couldn’t have done it without the financial commitment and support of our local partners and state officials, so we thank them for making this a reality.” The new bridge will have three travel lanes in each direction, full-width shoulders and a shared-use, hike-and-bike path. The addition of shoulders on the bridge will enhance its designation as a hurricane evacuation route and improve safety by allowing stalled or crashed vehicles to be removed from travel lanes. The bridge also will have a higher clearance at about 205 feet, which will give the Port of Corpus Christi access to the largest ocean-going vessels, including ships traveling through the expanded Panama Canal. At 1655 feet, the new Harbor Bridge will be the longest main span cable-stayed bridge in the United States and the third longest in the world. TxDOT has been working with the local community for many years to address this pressing need and create an iconic bridge. As the development of this project continues the department remains committed to working with the entire community to make this bridge a hallmark to be proud of for many years to come. Construction is expected to begin in late 2015 or early 2016, with completion anticipated in five years
Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) at UT Marine Science Institute We are now in need of volunteers to start assisting with our baby bird program. We have already received several babies at the ARK and our numbers will only continue to increase. It is a full-time task each day to care specifically for these animals. If you are interested, please contact aorgill@utexas.edu and let us know your availability. We will provide training the first time you come in. We definitely appreciate any help that anyone is able to give us. Thanks!!!
by Mary Craft mkay512@aol.com or @padreeyelander on twitter
New Advertisers BillCutterz has been saving Islanders money for years on their telephone, cable, electricity and internet bills. You simply send them your monthly bills and they call the providers and negotiate the discounts. The cost for the service is 50% of what you saved for 12 months. I used this service two years ago for my AT&T bill and they saved me $350/year and I paid $175 and continue to enjoy the savings. This business was started by longtime Islander Barry Gross and was featured on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer. Go to billcutterz.com to start saving. Professional Office Space is available across the street from Schlitterbahn at 14646 Compass Street. Contact Phil at 215-0818.
Business Briefs The Nueces County Appraisal District will offer an opportunity for property owners to discuss their property value matters from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. a mobile tax office will be set up at the Seashore Middle Academy located at 15437 SPID. If you go here is the evidence you will need to make your case: hard copy photo, settlement statement or sales contract, written estimates of repairs, sales comparables and current fee appraisal. The Isle of Avalon Spa near Scuttlebutt’s has closed and a real estate office is moving in. Padre Island Dog Owners Group (PI DOG) will meet at Billish Park on Saturday, May 9th for coffee and a dog walk. You can join the group at padreislanddogpark.com and it is free. Sunset Sounds Concert in Port A will feature Russel Edge & Jim Dugan on Friday, May 8th at 7 pm. Bring a chair, friends, food, and drink and enjoy an evening of musical entertainment as the sun sets over the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. Series runs monthly April through October at Patsy Jones Amphitheater in Roberts Point Park. FREE! Island Jewelers next to Scuttlebutt’s has 20% off all 14 karat gold earrings. South Texas Speedway will be having a special ceremony in honor of Chief of Police Floyd Simpson who passed away in a motorcycle accident on Hwy 361. If you have a motorcycle bring it in support. Anyone arriving by motorcycle will get in free. During intermission they will have a parade of bikes.
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Holiday Inn
Scuttlebutt’s Restaurant
Woody’s Sports Center
Do you know why they are called 'bar' ditches? Came from Texanese pronunciation of 'borrow' ditch because the soil removed to build up the road was borrowed from the ditch. Not quite as exciting as Traces of Texas stories.
New Harbor Bridge The Texas Transportation Commission this week selected Flatiron/Dragados, JV to design, construct and maintain the new Harbor Bridge in Corpus Christi. In the works for 14 years and much-needed due to the existing structure’s escalating maintenance costs, the new Harbor Bridge will have a flatter bridge grade, new lighting and other safety enhancements, as well as a new interchange joining US 181, I-37 and the Crosstown Expressway with high-speed, direct connection for drivers traveling through this growing area.
Did Ya Hear?
A3
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The Island Celebrates Cinco de Mayo on the Beach. Photos by Miles Merwin
Around continued from A1 All right you knuckleheads
For all you knuckleheads out there who haven’t figured out that this Sunday is Mother’s Day, you’ve been warned. If you forget to do something special for your mother, wife, significant other, or even the family mutt who just had her third litter of pups under the front porch don’t come crying to us. And just for the record, getting up early to go fishing with your buddies so you can bring home fish for dinner is probably not going to keep you from sleeping on the couch. We’ll see you out and about, in the meantime say hello if you see us Around The Island.
A4
May 7, 2015
Island Moon
Beach Bollard Art
Photo by Jon Steele
NOW! Online Ordering & Payment
Give the creative folks in Port A some bollards and they will turn them into art.
Bag Hero of the Month Skip the Plastic is pleased to announce our May Bag Heroes, the Cook family. The Cooks are an average family that has decided to make a small change to help clean up their hometown and coastline. Please see the attached press release and photograph of the Cooks. We hope your media outlet will help to spread this positive message to your viewers, listeners and readers in your broadcasts, publications and websites. Skip the Plastic is a project of the Coastal Bend Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.
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May 7, 2015
History continued from A1 of a partial survey made of it by Lieutenant Mead (sp), of the Topographical Engineers, from which you will perceive that it is obstructed by a bar extending entirely across it, from shore to shore, and that it is not navigable for any but the very lightest description of boats. Of course it never can be used to any extent as a channel of supply; nor need it ever be acquired for that purpose. After a depot shall be established at the Bay de Santiago, supplies may be sent there direct from New Orleans, as readily as they are not to Aransas Bay, and the depot at the latter place will be superseded. I have not the means of procuring a copy of Lieutenant Mead’s map, which is necessary to illustrate his report fully; but I presume it may be found in the Topographical bureau at Washington. I have frequently urged upon the Commanding General, in vain, the expediency of extending the survey entirely through the Laguna, with a view to the passage of our scows and small boats that way, when the Army moves; but it has not yet been done. I need not tell you, that it is beyond my authority to institute such examinations, which are, in fact, Military Reconnaissance , requiring covering forces and the sanction of the General. The broad bays and inlets and lagunas of this country, as exhibited on the map, are extremely deceptive. From their great expanse one would naturally conclude that they afford good interior navigation; but they are all very shoal and obstructed by reefs and flats, and admit of nothing but light draft boats. The port and harbors on the coast are of a similar character. From the mouth of the Sabine to the Rio del Norte, Galveston is the only harbor into which more than eight feet of water can be safely carried, though the soundings are somewhat above that gauge at several of the inlets. The Brazos de Santiago, according to the best accounts we have of if, affords but seven fee; about the same as Aransas Bay and Corpus Christi Pass, between Mustang and Padre Islands. The entrance into the Rio Grande is over a shifting sandbar, on which six feet of water may sometimes be found, but four and a half is as much as can be generally counted upon. The external commerce of Matamoros, such as it is, passed almost exclusively through Brazos de Santiago, and thence by land to the town, about thirty miles distant. It is easy to see, therefore, how effectually the possession of that point blockades Matamoros, and, with the power of intercepting the communication by the river below, controls the valley of the Rio Grande. A canal, I understand, has been in progress, to connect the waters of the Bay with the River, which would render this control yet more decisive. The distance is only ten miles – surface flat and sandy. I beg to observe, that you greatly overstate the force of this Department under my command here, if you think I can spare officers to make extensive surveys, however important and desirable they may be. The absence of Capt. Hill, since the middle of November, in search of lumber, and the resignation of Capt. Ketchum, have left me without a an immediate number of officers to carry on the duties of depots, and at the same time, this organization of trains, one thousand wild mules drawn by stealth from Mexico – for the trade is contraband – six hundred halfbroke oxen from the interior of Texas, and drivers from all parts of the civilized world! I am, myself, now performing the duties of an Assistant Quarter Master, in addition to those of Chief of the Department with the Army, Captain Sibley having, at my instance, gone out in charge of the exponential train, which I informed you had been dispatched upon the Matamoras road.
A5
Island Moon
Island University Receives Final Approval for Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree
Tourism to Padre Island National Seashore creates $27,198,200 in Economic Benefits
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has received final approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on Thursday to offer a new Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree (DNP) for registered nurses who have earned graduate degrees and are interested in expanding their skills as family nurse practitioners or nurse leaders.
Report shows visitor spending support 361 jobs in local economy
The new online degree is the first of its kind south of San Antonio, and is the highest advanced degree available for nursing practice. University officials expect doctoral graduates to help alleviate the gap in healthcare professionals in rural areas. The two-year program will begin in fall of 2016 with a group of 13 students who are credentialed as family nurse practitioners.
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 578,814 visitors to Padre Island National Seashore in 2014 spent $23,892,700 in communities near the park. That spending supported 361 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $27,198,200. “Padre Island National Seashore welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent Mark Spier. “We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides. We also feature the park as a way to introduce our visitors to southern Texas and all that it offers. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service, and it’s a big factor in our local economy as well. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities.”
The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts that by the year 2025 the United States will face a shortage of between 46,000 and 90,000 physicians. South Texas counties also report a shortage of primary care clinicians, and are often categorized as medically underserved, said Dr. Mary Jane Hamilton, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The online format makes doctoral education available to nurses unable to attend full-time, campus-bound, or blended programs. Students in the new program will complete 40 credit hours online, including 1,000 hours of clinical work in partnerships with diverse healthcare agencies throughout South Texas. The program will initially offer a family nurse practitioner specialty and later add a healthcare executive specialty.
The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and National Park Service economist Lynne Koontz. The report shows $15.7 billion of direct spending by 292.8 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 277,000 jobs nationally; 235,600 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $29.7 billion.
College of Science and Engineering to Hold Summer Educational Program for High School Students June 20-26
According to the 2014 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (30.6 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.3 percent), gas and oil (11.9 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs and other expenses (9.9 percent).
Tax continued from A1
Deadline to apply is Friday, May 1 The College of Science and Engineering will hold the STEM Summer Institute week-long summer educational program from Saturday, June 20, through Friday, June 26, for talented high school students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
• Settlement Statement or Sales Contract • Written estimates of repairs by contractors • Structural engineer/foundation report • American Institute of Architects “A/A” or written proof of material on ground as of January 1 of tax year.
The camp will introduce students, ages 16 to 18, to oceanography research and engineering opportunities, in particular ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) operation, through lectures, exercises, hands-on activities, design and rapid prototyping, field trips, and project competitions. Students will spend one week on the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi campus gaining knowledge in underwater robotics, interacting with other teens, and learning from experienced professors.
• Realtors market analysis (sales and equity comparable). • Complete and current Fee Appraisal • Plans, specs, survey, etc. • If property is leased need Profit and Loss Statement and Rent Roll as of January 1 of tax year.
The property owner will have seven days from the date of filing a written protest to provide the evidence to the District to support their case.
This year, the camp will feature a live broadcast with the Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus, a 64-meter research vessel operated by the Ocean Exploration Trust. The broadcast will give camp participants an opportunity for Q&A with crew members on the ship at sea. The cost is $500 which covers food, lodging, and instructional materials.
According to NAD officials each year 18,000 people in Nueces County appeal their appraisals and all but 2000 of those cases are solved at the first meeting.
The deadline for application is Friday, May 1. For more information or to apply, go to entc.tamucc.edu/stemsi/; or contact Dr. Dugan Um at dugan.um@tamucc.edu; or call 361.825.5849.
• Any other support documentation you fell will help assist your case can be submitted.
Study of Marine Organisms Found Deep Below Ocean Floor Take Island University Professor to Germany
I am, Sir respectfully Your Obedient Servant T. Cross
Deep, deep down below the sea floor, live thriving fungi that could be the next penicillin-like wonder drug. Island University’s Dr. Brandi Kiel Reese, Assistant Professor in the Department of Life Sciences, is studying microbial life found in the deep marine sediments and soon will travel to Germany to continue her research at the prestigious Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, supported by funds and accommodations from Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg Institute for Advanced Study.
949-0794
She will head to the institute in Bremen, Germany, this summer and again in 2016 to study samples collected from the South Pacific Gyre during an Integrated Ocean Drilling Program expedition.
www.theislandsedgehairsalon.com
The Island's
It is only recently that fungi were discovered to be living, and thriving, in the deep-sea sediments -- sometimes as deep as 127 meters below the sea floor. Of the at least eight groups identified in the samples, the team succeeded in growing cultures of four of the fungi. This was a fortuitous discovery that was made while researching bacterial life in these deep subsurface samples.
Edge Salon
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAX SERVICE
Reese said these fungi may be able to break down elements such as some specific forms of carbons which other microscopic organisms are not capable of breaking down, making it into food for those other microorganisms to thrive.
Robert E. (Bob) Maupin
Because these fungi exist below the South Pacific Gyre, a nutrient-depleted zone with little marine life, it is speculated that these fungi are providing an important food source for other microorganisms important to the global carbon cycle. In addition, these fungi could become important to those of us on land. Some of the fungi under study belong to the genus Penicillium, the source of penicillin, a drug relied heavily on and the subject of some concern as it seems to be losing its effectiveness against the illnesses it’s currently used to treat.
Serving the property owners of Upper Padre Island concerning the value of their residential property, exemptions and personal property renditions. My certification as a Property Tax Consultant along with six years as a member of the Nueces County Appraisal review Board and thirtyfive years on the island have well prepared me to argue appraisals and help with renditions and exemptions. Ph (361) 946-2092 Email: remaupin@sbcglobal.net
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A6
May 7, 2015
Island Moon
Stuff I Heard on the Island Madonna Wears Short Pants as NASA Figures Out How to Travel Faster Than the Speed of Light
by Dale Rankin While the popular press this week has been flogging stories about Madonna in leather underpants at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala in New York, and Bruce Jenner’s gender swap, the story of a team of NASA scientists who may have discovered how to travel faster than the speed of light ran in class slop with stories about tree climbing dogs and people who found their long-lost wedding rings in storm drains.
EmDrive None less than Albert Einstein postulated that when matter reaches the speed of light it turns into energy, making it, theoretically at least, impossible and putting long-range space travel out of the reach for mere humans. But this week may go down in history as the time when that began to change. Word leaking out of NASA is that scientists there unintentionally accelerated particles to faster-than-light speeds while using what is called an EmDrive resonance chamber – by firing lasers into a resonance (vacuum) chamber, the particles were accelerated to speeds faster than the speed of light. The thing provides thrust to a spacecraft by bouncing microwaves around in a closed container. The EmDrive resonance chamber is a proposed method of interstellar propulsion which features no moving parts and doesn't require any material fuel to move. Scientist say the system produces something like a “stable warp bubble.” Or in science speak, "...this signature (the interference pattern) on the EmDrive looks just like what a warp bubble looks like. And the math behind the warp bubble apparently matches the interference pattern found in the EmDrive." The irony is that while the system appears to work, no one is exactly sure how. Researchers from the US, UK and China have demonstrated EMDrive over the past few decades, but their results have been controversial as no one has been able to figure out the physics. The concept of an EmDrive engine is so simple that when London-based Roger Sawyer came up with the concept in 2000, the only team that took him seriously was a group of Chinese scientists. In 2009, the team allegedly produced 720 millinewton (or 72g) of thrust, enough to build a satellite thruster. But still, nobody believed it.
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According to classical physics, this should be impossible because it violates the law of conservation of momentum which states that the momentum of a system is constant if there are no external forces acting on the system – which is why propellant is required in traditional rockets. But the word out of NASA is that scientists have reportedly built an EMDrive that works in conditions like those in space, according to users on the forum NasaSpaceFlight.com a number of whom claim to be NASA engineers working on the program. Officially NASA has been tight-lipped about the project. But on the NasaSpaceFlight.com, those allegedly involved in the project claim that the reason previous EmDrive models were criticized were that none of the tests had been carried out in a vacuum; sort of like Thomas Edison and his light bulb. There are certainly skeptics who say providing space propulsion without fuel is like making your car move by sitting at the wheel and pushing on the dashboard. So far other physicists have even refused to peer review it on the grounds that it is a waste of their time since the NASA group involved, known as Eagleworks, runs on a $50,000 per year research budget which, they say, is not enough to do the type of research needed to do the proper experiments and tests. NASA so far has denied access to the two scientists who did the research in addition to their “real” jobs at NASA. But I can’t help but
Bruce wonder if people said the same thing to Einstein when he told them if they split an atom it would give off Energy at the rate of the lost mass times speed of light squared. “That’s just crazy talk Albert,” get back to work in the patent office.” The science team in the Moon's We Can’t Really Get Our Head Around That Department says there are two things we need to know at this point: First, (and we know your already thinking about it) no, you cannot power your house by putting an unopened can of refried beans in your microwave, and two, if the thing works it means we can get to the Moon in four hours, that is after we clear Houston traffic. And by the way, Madonna wore some short pants.
Police Blotter
Corpus Christi Chief of Police, Floyd D. Simpson September 19,1963-May 3, 2015 Police Chief Floyd Simpson was killed in a motorcycle accident on State Highway 361 Sunday afternoon. Floyd D. Simpson became Corpus Christi’s 22nd Chief of Police on March 12, 2012, following a distinguished career with the Dallas Police Department where he retired at the rank of Assistant Chief.Chief Simpson brought extensive management experience, where as Assistant Chief in Dallas he oversaw both the Patrol and Administration Bureaus during his 25 year tenure. Chief Simpson achieved a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Illinois University and earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Amber University. He was a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute, the FBI National Academy, and the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas. He served on the Executive Committee of Special Olympics Texas – Law Enforcement Torch Run. Chief Simpson was married for 27 years and was the proud father of four children. Chief Simpson was an avid runner having completed four marathons, and also enjoyed riding his motorcycle during his few spare moments away from work. Two funeral services have been set for Simpson. The first is Thursday May 7, with visitation at 2 - 8 p.m. Thursday at Corpus Christi Christian Fellowship. The first service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the American Bank Center. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas. He will be buried in his hometown of Chicago. Police announced via Twitter on Monday evening that in lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Special Olympics South Texas Area 2. Donations can be made on the organization’s website, www.sotx.org.
Police Calls 14000 block SPID 2:31 May 3 DWI 14200 block SPID 6:50 May 2 Criminal mischief $500-$1500 14400 block Verdemar 8 a.m. May 30 Criminal mischief $500-$1500 14700 block Compass 7:49 a.m. April 30 Assault 15300 block SPID 12:38 a.m. April 30 Driving while license suspended/vehicle impound 15300 block SPID 3:05 p.m. April 30 Gasoline theft/three counts 15300 block SPID 11:43 a.m. April 28 Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon/ family violence 15400 block Palmira 8 a.m. May 1 Theft $50-$500 16100 block Pionciana 7 p.m. April 29 Terroristic threat 15200 block Capstan 4:29 p.m. April 30 Unauthorized use of trailer
Eagle Ford Shale Rig Count for the First Week of May Previous Week WEBB 19 LA SALLE 17 DE WITT 16 KARNES 19 DIMMIT 12 GONZALES 10 LAVACA 6 MCMULLEN 8 ATASCOSA 5 FRIO 4 ZAVALA 3 BURLESON 2 DUVAL 1 FAYETTE 2 LIVE OAK 2 County
Current Week 19 18 17 17 10 9 7 6 5 4 3 2 2 2 2
Previous Week BRAZOS 1 COLORADO 0 MADISON 1 BASTROP 1 AUSTIN 0 BEE 0 GOLIAD 0 GRIMES 0 LEE 0 LEON 0 MAVERICK 0 MILAM 0 ROBERTSON 0 WASHINGTON 0 WILSON 0 County
Current Week 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
he rig count in the Eagle Ford Shale fell by T two rigs in the first week of May to 127. Natural gas rigs in the Eagle Ford increased by three to 21 rigs even as natural gas prices traded at $2.79/mmbtu, a decrease of $.26 from the previous week. But the number of oil wells in the Eagle Ford fell from by five during the week to 106. A total of 118 rigs are drilling horizontal wells, zero rigs are drilling directional wells, and vertical rigs increased to nine.
Also in news from the Eagle Ford field topped the list of the 100 largest oil fields in the country, unseating Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay for the number one spot.
Drilling Permits The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) released its monthly oil and gas statistics this week confirming a slowdown for production and drilling permits for the Eagle Ford and across Texas. In March, the RRC issued a total of 923 original drilling permits, a 50% decline from 2014 when 1,894 were issued. The March total included 799 permits to drill new oil and gas wells, 16 to re-enter existing well bores and 108 for re-completions. Permits issued in March 2015 included 239 oil, 75 gas, 556 oil and gas, 41 injection, three service and nine other permits. The March total included 799 permits to drill new oil and gas wells and of that, 109 went to the San Antonio area, which is in the heart of the Eagle Ford. 239 permits were issued for oil, 75 for gas and 556 for oil and gas.
The recently constructed barge docks along the Lydia Ann Channel have been busy moving Eagle Ford production from the Port of Corpus Christi. Oil & Gas Well Completions The total year-to-date well completions for 2015 are 5,946 down from 10,130 recorded during the same period in 2014. • March 2015: 1,547 oil, 305 gas, 109 injection and nine other • March 2014: 2,965 oil, 272 gas, 131 injection and 13 other
Pet Adoptions at Ace Hardware on The Island Weekly pet adoptions are being held at ACE Hardware on the Island Saturdays from 11-3. The events are held by Mission Pawsible Animal Assistance. Stop by and say hello and if you can’t adopt an animal they would gladly take a donation for care of the animals in foster homes.
May 7, 2015
A7
Island Moon
Backwater Adventures Rocking The Redfish!
On the Rocks By Jay Gardner & Aaron Baxter
By Joey Farah Farah’s Fishing Adventures This year we have been bleated with a more than usual rainfall. This is a blessing along the Gulf Coast in that all shrimp, crabs, clams, and mollusks depend on fresh water to reproduce. In the last few years we have seen our populations of black drum suffer from hard times, their bodies thin and void of good flesh. The a dance of the small clams and crabs that their diet is based on. This year the bay is a all you can eat Buffet and anglers are seeing a great season for redfish bloom as we enter the summer months. Our success has been revolving around drifting with live shrimp and popping corks. Many brands of corks decorate the shelves of tackle stores and marinas and many work well. I like to try different types and sounds to find what the fish prefer. A leader under the cork should be long enough to put your bait within a foot of the bottom in most cases. A 2 1/2 -3' drop with a small pinch weight towards the hook will keep your shrimp in the strike zone and away from jumping out of the water to escape gamefish. I use clear 30# leader material on all my bait leaders. Sometimes a small piece of fish bites material added to the hook can entice bites when fish are slow, this adds some color to your bait as well.
Lots of big reds still being caught on live shrimp and popping corks. Drifting the king ranch shoreline right now is great and with the recent brown tide the crazy crowds that pushed local anglers out of that area this spring are gone. The windy days have been best with most of the best action being up close to the bank, the last 200 yards. The spoil islands south of Bird Island have also been a hot spot for the big reds as well. Migrations of shrimp use the ICW to travel every night so many of the gamefish that are pursuing them stay close to the channel as well. Drift both the windy and leeward sides of the submerged islands. If you drift with your motor down then you won't drift up too far and get stuck. The top place we have been finding the reds is in Baffin Bay. The amount of small crabs that live in the rocks in this bay are unbelievable.
Another big red from Baffin live shrimp capt Farah Live shrimp along any large set of rocks right now is yielding reds, trout, and drum. Boat noise is very important when fishing there rocks as sound and vibration bounce and refract off of the hard surface sending alarm of your presence. Stay a good cast away from them if anchoring up, or make drifts in various places rather than repeating the same drift over and over again. Rocky Slough, Center Reef, and Los Corralas have been some ace in the hole hot spots. THIS WEEK IS MOTHERS DAY SO REMEMBER THAT SPECIAL GIVING PERSON THAT MEANS SO MUCH. My
Monster 35 inch from the deep rocks in Baffin this week. Farah
Holy high water Batman! The spring bull tides finally hit with this past full moon. If you haven’t been down to the beach, don’t worry about it, there really isn’t much of one. Driving down PINS is mostly hazardous, and it wouldn’t surprise me if there was a closure. There is a rip current advisory out there right now, which happens several times a year. This occurs when the winds shift against the currents along the beach. The current HAD been heading south until recently when the wind shifted around for a few days out of the south. This changes the current direction along the beach, which makes some really strong rip tides. Be careful out there, not even Mark Spitz (or Michael Phelps for you young ‘uns) can swim against the rip currents and get anywhere. In addition, tides are extremely high in the bays too (going to +0.8 on the TCOON site). the high tides will “re-float” some boards and other hazardous objects from the shorelines around the lagoon, so keep your eyes peeled out there on the water for floating hazards. Speaking of being on the water, one would think that the high tides coupled with the recent rains should be clearing the Laguna of the brown tide; but a quick trip over the causeway tells you that this isn’t the case. What’s the story with that, you might ask? Well, since there HAS been a lot of rain, and high tides, and the laguna still hasn’t cleared, you might guess that flushing doesn’t affect the brown tide. There is evidently some other condition or mechanism that drives the brown tide blooms. Is it the circulation of the ICWW? The low water conditions from this past winter? Dust from the Sahara desert coming across the Atlantic? Or is it that brown tide is naturally occurring organism in our waters that has been here for 1000’s of years, and it may thrive under normal conditions around here. They don’t have all the answers just yet, although it is being studied by HRI. Hopefully with the Baffin Bay Water Quality study that is going on currently, they can come
mother Toni Farah is a true super hero. She did not just survive me and my brother growing up, BUT MY DAD JOE FARAH AS WELL! She dealt with the many many times we disappeared into the wilds with no phone or contact, most of the time when my dad was offshore. She dealt with our scams and lies to be able to get out of homework and chores to go surfing and such. Somehow after all that for so many years she still gets this never ending energy to be SUPER GRANDMA! I could never dream of succeeding in the things I've done without my mother. I hope everyone remembers their super woman this week and maybe take her out along the water to make some forever memories. GOD BLESS ALL THE LADIES THAT HAVE GIVEN LIFE AND LOVE TO US ALL. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! Go get wet!
up with some answers. If some of you loyal readers are interested in helping, the volunteers could use a hand, actually a boat, to take them down to Baffin and do their monthly sampling next Thursday (May 14th). Shoot me an email if you have a boat and the time to volunteer to take a few people and some equipment down south next week. jaygardner@scientist.com and it would be greatly appreciated. In any event, fishing has been kind of tough on the laguna lately, at least for me. Well, I’ve been once recently, so not sure how much that counts. I hosted our company fishing tournament at my place, and Emily and Randy were over from Tampa, and my folks were down from H-town. We got a little early fishing in on Friday, and Dad nailed a perfect 27-3/4” redfish on his 5th cast. Rachel followed with a couple trout, and Randy got a decent trout too. I got skunked. But the fishing was looking really good for Saturday, however we got that cool front and tanked the conditions. I got skunked again Saturday (see a pattern here?). Roadkill Willie was the big winner this year (finally!) as well as Roy, who took top three out of four places. Then, there were around 50 people at my place for the fish fry and shrimp boil. Good times! Thanks to some of the locals that dropped by and gave me a hand with the cooking and hosting. If you’re reading this, and you haven’t put together plans for mom yet, you’re going to be in deep trouble. Mothers Day is this Sunday, and you’d better get scrambling. I barely got a box together and got it in the mail, despite thinking about it for a couple weeks. Whew! Hope it makes it and she likes the #$%@# that I got her. Sorry, no hints. It might get lost and I’ll have to resend, sans the surprise part, as Mom sometimes reads the Moon on Issuu. com when the paper gets uploaded (ahem! LOL). So drop me a line, send me a picture, or just say hello when you see me out On the Rocks.
The tide was up to the dunes wednesday morning. Photo by Dale Rankin
Moon Phases
Tides of the Week Tides for Corpus Christi (Bob Hall Pier) April 30- May 6, 2015
Photos by Jon Steele
Day
High /Low
Tide Time
Height in Feet
Th F Sa Su M Tu W
7 High 7:53 AM 1.9 7 Low 11:34 PM -0.1 8 High 8:45 AM 1.9 8 9 Low 12:23 AM -0.1 9 High 9:35 AM 1.9 10 Low 1:19 AM 0.0 10 High 10:20 AM 1.8 11 Low 2:25 AM 0.2 11 High 10:58 AM 1.7 12 Low 3:46 AM 0.4 12 High 11:28 AM 1.6 12 Low 6:30 PM 0.9 12 High 10:51 PM 1.2 13 Low 5:21 AM 0.6 13 High 11:53 AM 1.4 13 Low 6:46 PM 0.7
Sunrise Moon Time Sunset
Moon Visible
6:45 AM Set 9:39 AM 8:06 PM Rise 11:30 PM 6:44 AM Set 10:35 AM 8:06 PM 6:44 AM Rise 12:21 AM 8:07 PM Set 11:34 AM 6:43 AM Rise 1:10 AM 8:08 PM Set 12:34 PM 6:42 AM Rise 1:57 AM 8:08 PM Set 1:36 PM 6:42 AM Rise 2:41 AM 8:09 PM Set 2:38 PM
92
6:41 AM Rise 3:24 AM 8:09 PM Set 3:40 PM
34
86 77 68 57 45
A8
May 7, 2015
Island Moon
SPORTS Sports Talk
Spurs Lose Game 7 Despite Epic Performance By Dotson Lewis Special to the Island Moon Dotson’s Note: According to NBA standards it was a great game. Many are saying that the NBA should change the antiquated method for seeding the play-offs. I agree with this. Instead of seeding the teams by their conference, they should set up a seeding method based on the win/loss record of each team. That way, a match up like the Clippers and the Spurs would not take place earlier than the semi-finals… what do you think?
been banned, however, owner Kelly Swanson tweeting that both were “already credentialed,” and that Beadle “isn’t even on the press list”. Beadle later confirmed that HBO was able to re-approve her credential late Friday night, but she had gone home “after hearing my credential was pulled” – and by which point the confusion over access provoked speculation that Mayweather had tried to prohibit reporters who have highlighted the many accusations against him. The public spat also revived discussion about Mayweather’s past in the hours before his most anticipated fight in years. In September 2014, Nichols interviewed Mayweather in the same week that video emerged of the football player Ray Rice punching his then fiancée. Nichols grilled Mayweather about accusations from five different women that he beat them, including in front of his own children. “Everything has been allegations. Nothing has been proven. So that’s life,” Mayweather said, when pressed about 2011 charges that he battered and tried to break the arm of an ex-girlfriend, Josie Harris. “Once again, no pictures, just hearsay and allegations.”
13-year old Chris Paul, with then NBA rookie of the year Tim Duncan at the AAU Nationals It took until the final possession of the last game, but the Los Angeles Clippers finally vanquished the defending champion Spurs for good on Saturday at Staples Center, ending their title defense with a thrilling 111-109 victory in Game 7 of a first-round series that won’t soon be forgotten.
They Came a Long Way Paul, playing most of the game on a strained hamstring that briefly forced him from the game, scored the decisive basket on a difficult running bank shot over the outstretched arm of Tim Duncan with one second left. The Spurs were not able to get off a final shot as Matt Barnes deflected an inbound lob pass to Kawhi Leonard.
Mayweather pleaded guilty to domestic battery in a deal that spared him felony charges. He served two months of a three-month sentence. Those allegations came in part from Mayweather’s son Zion, who was nine years old when the incident leading to the charges occurred. He told police: “He was punching her and kicking her. He was punching her in the head and he was stomping on her shoulder.” Zion’s brother Koraun, then 10, later wrote to police that he fled from the scene to seek help. Police wrote in their report into the incident that Mayweather threatened violence on his sons if they called police, and also threatened to kill and pour acid on Harris. She was later treated for a “large contusion on the right side of her forehead and chin” at a hospital, the police report said. “Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion,” Mayweather told Nichols last year. “You know, when it’s all said and done, only God can judge me.”
Floyd Mayweather's Domestic Violence History Clouds Fight as Female Reporters Say They Were Banned Dotson’s Note: Sorry if you wasted your money on watching the fight…what a farce. You would be much better off to have donated the hundred bucks to the local Women’s Shelter or some other worthwhile charity. Since it was such a lousy exhibition of “The Manley Art of Self Defense” I thought it might be of more interest to give you a little insight to a happening behind the scenes. To tell the truth, I was not aware that there are female boxing writers. CNN and ESPN journalists accuse boxer’s team of trying to block press credentials. “Confusion” revives speculation about troubled history with women sports writers. Two top female sports reporters said on Saturday Floyd Mayweather’s support team tried to block them from attending the boxer’s highly touted fight with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, prompting speculation that the alleged action was due to their reporting on his history of domestic violence against women. Rachel Nichols of CNN and Michelle Beadle of ESPN said on Saturday that Mayweather’s team had blocked their press credentials and would not allow them into the arena for the Saturday night fight. Nichols tweeted, “No fight for me or Beadle, Mayweather’s team told my producer the camp was blocking my credential,” “I, along with Nichols, have been banned from the MGM Grand Arena for the fight tonight by the Mayweather camp,” Beadle tweeted. The public relations firm that represents Mayweather denied that either reporter had
By Andy Purvis Special to the Island Moon For the first time in a while he appeared emotional after the game. On May 1, 2015, in the top of the eighth inning in a 2-2 game at Fenway Park in Boston, Skipper Joe Girardi sent #13 Alex Rodriquez to the plate to pinch hit for Garrett Jones. The chorus of “boo’s” bore down on Alex like a driving rain.
Rodriquez. You can bet you will see this ball in an auction or on eBay in the future. The Yankees have now won 8 of their last 10 games and hold a 9-7 win-loss record in the American League East Division.
A-Rod has always seemed to be able to tune out the wrath of the opposing fans. After a few practice swings, he stepped into the batter’s box. Interestingly, during his career, A-Rod has been a notoriously bad pinch-hitter. Rodriquez was currently in a batting slump and had only hit safely in 5 of his last 37 at-bats, for a batting average of .135. Alex had recorded a 0 for 6 the night before, while striking out four times in a single game, only the fifth time in 2,589 games played. This at-bat was the 9,888th time Alex had been to the plate during his career.
Willie Mays did what he usually does; he took the high road when he released this statement. “Congratulations to Alex Rodriquez on his 660th home run. Milestones in baseball are meant to be broken, and I wish him continued success throughout his career.”
“Dead Red” Rookie Japanese pitcher, Junichi Tazawa, had taken the mound for the very first time in his career, for the Red Sox. After three called balls (3-0) by the umpire, Alex looked into the dugout to get the green light. On the fourth pitch of the at-bat, Tazawa turned loose a 94 mph fastball, and Alex was sitting “dead red.” Rodriquez promptly hit a laser over the Green Monster in leftfield for a 3-2 Yankee lead and his 660th home run of his 21-year career. This home run also tied him for fourth place all-time in career home runs, with the great Willie Mays. It was the first pinch-hit home run of Rodriquez career. “I heard Joe’s (Girardi) voice in my head to be aggressive,” said Alex afterwards. “I trust Joe.” Yankee manager Girardi responded, “That was a big home run for us. We need him to swing the bat.” Final score: New York 3 and Boston 2. Alex Rodriquez’s Major League baseball career had started here in Boston on July 8, 1994, 21 years ago. He was 18 years of age, wearing the #3 and playing for the Seattle Mariners. A-Rod did not get a hit that day. That’s why he was so emotional that night as he walked around the field at Fenway after the game. Sports reporter Pedro Gomez caught up with Alex and asked him what was going through his mind. “There are lots of emotions right now,” said Alex. “I’m thinking of my mom and daughters who have supported me, and how much respect I have for baseball. I’m just very happy. Mays was one of my father’s heroes and one of my heroes.”
The park fell silent
Paul’s bucket was the last swing in a game that featured 16 ties and 31 lead changes, including 12 in the fourth quarter alone. It was only fitting in a fiercely competitive series that was separated by just a single point in the cumulative score. Paul, who has faced questions about his ability to perform in the clutch throughout his career, finished with 27 points despite his injury, while Blake Griffin had 24 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Tim Duncan led the Spurs with his sixth double-double of the series, 27 points and 11 rebounds.
What a Day
Mayweather and Pacquiao In 2014, Beadle apologized for not better reporting Mayweather’s past, saying she “was not aware of just how horrible his record” is. In 2001, an ex-girlfriend sued Mayweather for a “brutal and unprovoked attack”. After another accusation five months later, he eventually pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of domestic battery against her. She said he punched her in the neck at the mall in front of a friend and their daughter. Mayweather served two days of house arrest and 48 hours of community service. On Saturday, former boxer and current promoter Oscar De La Hoya tweeted that the ban on Beadle and Nichols was a “classless move.” Journalists leapt to decry it and praise the reporters. ESPN anchor Randy Scott tweeted that the ban proved Mayweather, “his camp, and his production team are cowards”. The Nevada boxing commission did not suspend Mayweather after he pleaded guilty to charges in 2011, in contrast to the NFL’s response to the charges against Rice last year. The NFL initially suspended Rice for two games, and then, when more video became public of the assault, suspended him indefinitely. Rice later won an appeal against his suspension. In September, Mayweather defended Rice and criticized the NFL, saying: “I think there’s a lot worse things that go on in other people’s households, also. It’s just not caught on video.” Dotson’s Other Note: In my opinion, Floyd Mayweather should have long since been banned from boxing. It’s a crying shame that he is allowed to continue boxing and conning boxing fans out of millions of dollars. If you are a boxing fan, you would be much better served to support the Golden Gloves. Your suggestions, comments, questions and concerns regarding “Moon Sports Talk” are appreciated. Call the Benchwarmers 361-560-5397 weekdays, Mondays thru Fridays, 3-6 p.m. or contact me. Phone: 361-949-7681 Cell: 530-748-8475 Email: dlewis1@stx.rr.com
Alex also hit his 500th and 600th home runs while playing for the New York Yankees. The Yankees did tweet out an acknowledgement of his 660th home run. According to the Yankees, there will be no further fanfare or bonus paid. After Alex admitted to using performanceenhancing drugs and sat out all of last year, the Yankees do not feel obligated to fulfill his contract concerning milestones accomplished. Rodriquez is now just 44 hits shy of 3,000, another sacred milestone. There are only 28 players to have reached the 3,000 hits club, in the history of Major League baseball. A-Rod’s teammates were ecstatic with the home run and pounded A-Rod on the back when he returned to the Yankees’ dugout. It was his sixth home run this year. The park fell silent. How quickly things can change is part of the magic of baseball. A Red Sox fan named Mike Shuster caught the home run ball and has publically stated he will not return it to Alex
Junichi Tazawa I think fans are tired of trying to decide who did what and where, when it comes to PED’s. That’s baseball. A-Rod or Mays, it’s up to you to decide if this milestone was authentic. You will need to make up your own mind. The first day of May will always hold a special place in the game as there are many other accomplishments that occurred on this day. In 1920, the “Sultan of Swat,” George Herman “Babe” Ruth, hit his first home run as a New York Yankee at the Pologrounds Grounds against the Boston Red Sox. The Yanks beat the Red Sox 6-0, that day. In 1991, Texas legend, Nolan Ryan, struck out 16 batters and pitched his record seventh no-hitter as a Texas Ranger over the Toronto Blue Jays. The final score was 3-0. That same year, Oakland A’s Ricky Henderson passed Lou Brock as the all-time leader in bases stolen with his 939th. Ricky lifted third base out of the ground, pushed it up over his head and announced, “I am the greatest of all-time.” The A’s beat the Yankees 7-4 that day. In 1992, a year later Henderson stole the 1000th base of his career, in the first inning at Tiger Stadium. In 2002, San Diego Padres Trevor Hoffman set the Major League record for the most saves earned by a pitcher with one team, by recording his 321st save against the Chicago Cubs. Last but not least, on May 1, 2015, rookie centerfielder Joc Pederson hit his first career-grand slam for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Oh, what a day in May! Andy Purvis is a local author and radio personality. His newest book “Greatness Continued” in now available to order online at bn.com, Amazon, Google Books, Bookamillion, etc. You may also purchase all three of his latest books at the local Barnes & Noble Book store in Moore Plaza. All three books are also available in e-book format, Kindle, Nook, Apple I Pad and Kobo. Please visit www.purvisbooks. com for more info and leave a message in the guest section. You may also contact him at purvis.andy@mygrande.net and don’t forget to listen to Dennis & Andy’s Q & A Session each Thursday night from 6-8 PM on ESPN 1440 KEYS.
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