Section a for web by Mary Craft

Inside the Moon

Tarballs A2

Aboard the Viking A4

Fishing A7

Sports A8

The

Issue 580

Island Moon

The voice of The Island since 1996

May 28, 2015

Around The Island By Dale Rankin

Live Music A18

Dog Park A11

Free

Weekly

FREE

Photo by Miles Merwin

The Island’s Youngest Graduates!

Schlitterbahn

More Schlitterbahn Photos Inside A16

editor@islandmoon.com

"One day it started raining, and it didn't quit for four months. We been through every kind of rain there is. Little bitty stingin' rain... and big ol' fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath. Shoot, it even rained at night..." F.Gump Forrest would have been right at home on our little sandbar of late folks. But fear not fellow Islanders our dogs are showing us the way!

They sang, they danced, and they rocked the house, and then seventeen of The Island’s youngest scholars got their diplomas from the Seashore Early Childhood Academy Wednesday evening. SECA is an Island Foundation Program and the youngest of the

The Duke Tuesday was John Wayne Day in Texas on what would have been the Duke’s 108th birthday, who said in his movie “The Alamo,” "Talk low, talk slow, and don't say too much." We miss the Duke.

Don’t Panic! It’s Not a Flashback! Old Island Hippies became discombobulated this week when they saw this Yellow Submarine, in the upper corner of this page, taking a Magical Mystery Tour around Island canals. No kids, it’s not the result of spending a little too much time with Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds; it’s a real vessel and everything is okay so don’t freak man. Chill. Everything’s going to be fine and The Dude abides.

So long you guys!

NOAA: BelowNormal Atlantic Islanders Collecting Supplies for Wimberley Flood Victims Hurricane By Dale Rankin The tragic story of nine local people Season is Likely caught in the heavy flooding in the Wimberley area over the Memorial This Year Day Weekend has been on the mind Hurricane forecasting evolving with new storm surge products, upgraded modeling NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center says the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season will likely be below-normal. For the hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 November 30, NOAA is predicting a 70 percent likelihood of 6 to 11 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 3 to 6 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including zero to 2 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher). While

Longtime Islander Gladys Choyke and Jerry Kaczmarek have left The Island! After 25 years of Island life Gladys is taking her talents to Shreveport where she and Jerry have bought a house. Jerry is a more recent Island transplant from Michigan and has been active in the Island Kiwanis Club. Gladys has been active in just about every organization on The Island since her arrival in 1990. She founded and for ten years operated Island Mail & More, worked for the Padre Island Business Association, The Island Moon Newspaper, the Presbyterian Church, and served on several boards and commissions. They had their Island farewell party at the Veranda which was attended by many long-time Islanders such as Mike and Myrna Goodliff seen here.

schools in the system, literally and figuratively. Congratulations to: Kai Denovellis, Elizabeth Fiscus, Patrick Galindo, Senora Garza, Yisreal Griffith, Kalon Lewis, Kennedy MacQuarrie, Eulalio Orta, Sarah Papineni, Hailey Peters, Caden Simmons, Victoria Smitson, Cody Stringer, Remington Sturrock, Aidan Wall, Micah Wilkins, and Billy Wilson.

Hurricanes continued on A3

Island United Political Action Committee Yearly Meeting IUPAC Will Review the Year and Induct New Board Members By Brent Rourk June 3rd will usher in the Island United Political Action Committee (IUPAC) annual meeting and all Islanders are encouraged to attend. In addition to summing up its purpose and the year’s activity, the IUPAC will induct new Board members and discuss future events. The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn on the Island from 6:30-8:00 PM on Wednesday, June 3rd.

We say so long you guys and we will see you in July when you come back for the 4th of July Party and Fireworks. Maybe by then you can explain why you would leave The Island for northern Louisiana. It must be the casinos, right?

Four Board positions will be filled and the IUPAC will take nominations from the floor. During the upcoming year IUPAC intends to bring more speakers to the Island – those involved in making decisions about our city and Island. Additionally, IUPAC plans on fundraisers.

Around continued on A3

IUPAC continued on A5

of all of us on The Island.

As of this writing on Wednesday afternoon the search continues for eight of the victims from the Coastal Bend, three of whom are the daughter-in-law and grandkids of former Precinct 4 Nueces County Commissioner Joe McComb. More than sixty Corpus Christi residents are in the Wimberley area helping with the search. About 300 homes in the Wimberley area were completely destroyed by the rising water in the Blanco River and another 2000 homes in the area were damaged leaving the families in need of basic household items.

Islanders Bryan and Shannon Gulley are organizing a relief effort to get supplies to the flood victims. The most needed items are water, non-perishable food items, paper products, first aid items and cleaning supplies. Donation of items may be dropped off at Dr. Gulley's office at 6421 Saratoga Boulevard, Apollo

Towing at 6342 Harwick Drive, or here at the Island Moon office, 15201 SPID, Suite 250 (next door to Church Unlimited). Cash donations can be made to the fund, Wimberley Flood Victims at any area Prosperity Bank. We thank you for any help you can provide.

A little Island history

The Real Places of Texas Rising

This week the History Channel debuted the miniseries “Texas Rising,” which tells the story of the Texas Revolution, the Republic of Texas, and the rise of the Texas Rangers over the course of five twohour episodes. But for viewers interested in Texas history there is the opportunity to visit the real places where these events actually occurred and learn the real stories behind them. Here are four of many places in the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) Texas Independence Trail Region where you can experience engaging Texas history firsthand.

The Alamo “Texas Rising” opens at the Alamo, one of the most visited and iconic historic sites in the Texas. Nearby in the heart of old San Antonio, THC’s Casa Navarro State Historic Site is the former homestead of patriot José Antonio Navarro. A successful merchant, rancher, and statesman, Navarro was one of only two native Texans to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. An unsung hero, he served in Texas legislatures and advocated for Tejano rights under Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the State of Texas. The house complex is a place to learn about his legacy and San Antonio’s old “Laredito” neighborhood.

Presidio of La Bahia, aka Fort Defiance Fannin Battleground and Goliad Massacre Located between Victoria and Goliad, the Fannin Battleground State Historic Site commemorates the Battle of Coleto Creek, which took place two weeks after the fall of the Alamo. On March 19, 1836, 300 Texian volunteers led by Col. James Fannin retreated from Presidio La Bahía (aka Fort Defiance) toward Victoria. At Coleto Creek, about nine miles east of Goliad, they were surrounded by Mexican forces on an open prairie. The Texians fought off repeated attacks throughout the

day, but Fannin surrendered the following day when it became clear that it was virtually impossible to continue fighting. Although Mexican Gen. José de Urrea recommended clemency, Fannin and his troops were marched back to Presidio La Bahía and executed a week later by order of Mexican Gen. Santa Anna. Deemed the Goliad Massacre, the execution of prisoners served to inflame the Texas cause, and “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!”

History continued on A5

May 28, 2015

Island Moon

Oil Cleanup

Island Power Supply Hanging by a Few More Threads

Repair work to the Island’s main source of power is almost done. The wooden poles which deliver power over the Intracoastal Canal snapped due to high winds two weeks ago and are being replaced by crews using a large airboat and this tracked vehicle.

Photos by Jeff Dolan Crews picked up several patches of oil on Tuesday from the beach near marker 197 in Port Aransas. Last week the Texas General Land Office took samples of oil that washed up on the beach in Kleberg County. Test of that oil have not yet been completed and it is unknown if the oil is from a common source.

Robin Krenek and Glenn Martin share a dance at the Back Porch.

Thresher Shark - By Jeff Morrell

Sentinel - Leslie Willey Jr

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May 28, 2015

Island Moon

Letters to the Editor

Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder

Distribution Pete Alsop Island Delivery

Boating Safety

Thank you Sandfest

Succinctly, you guys in the FAT boats need to do your test driving somewhere else. Going 70+ MPH in front of the most congested part of the ICW (Snoopy’s, Doc’s and under the Causeway Bridge) is reckless, unprofessional, and may result in some serious harm to other watercraft and/or your own drivers. If you’re not concerned with the safety issues, at least have some boating etiquette. I understand this may be business for you, but it’s simply not cool. Please respect our waters and your fellow men, women and children.

In case you haven't heard the news, on Thursday night, the Board of Texas Sandfest handed out donations to their partners. In addition to incredible donations to the Port Aransas Art Center and Port Aransas Community Theater, they gave $5,000 to Keep Port Aransas Beautiful! What a wonderful surprise! Thank you to the Board members of Sandfest for supporting our mission--to protect the natural environment of our community and especially our beach. We will do our best to put the money to good use.

Thanks, Barry G.

Coldwell Banker

Editor’s note: The Texas Water Safety Act, which governs the operation of boats in state water, states: “It is UNLAWFUL for any person to: Operate at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and prudent…”

Advertising Jan Park Rankin Classifieds Arlene Ritley Production Manager Jeff Craft

As chairperson of KPAB, I am interested in the ideas and suggestions of all members as to how to best use these funds. Of course, it is nice to have some money in the bank for our normal expenses. But this might be a good time to use some of it for a new project. I would like to do something to help the beach or possibly something to help phase in the Plastic Bag Ordinance. Send in your ideas! Thanks for your support,

Contributing Writers Joey Farah

Julie Findley

Andy Purvis Devorah Fox

Did Ya Hear?

by Mary Craft mkay512@aol.com or @padreeyelander on twitter

New Advertisers Island Reiki sessions and classes are now being offered on the Island. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation. It is a relaxing way to heal your mind, body and spirit. Visit www.islandreiki. com or call 446-4626 for an appointment. Nueces County Coastal Parks is looking for temporary clerks, and parks or beach workers for about $10/hr. See job announcement at www.co.nueces.tx.us/hr/list/asp. Aqua Pressure Cleaning offers deck cleaning/sealing, mildew removal, roofs, stucco walls, parking lots, patios, sidewalks and more. Call 225-2367 for free estimate and demo or visit their website.

Business Briefs A vapor cigarette store will be opening in July in the small building in front of the Pelican Lounge close to SPID. They will have a humidor with cigars as well. The Boathouse Bar & Grill will celebrate their 2nd anniversary on Saturday, May 30th. There will live music by Beach Stone Rise Band during the crawfish boil on the patio 3 – 7 pm. The Bay City Boys will be playing 9 pm – 1 am at the upstairs bar.

Mary Craft Maybeth Christiansen Jay Gardner Chad Peters Todd Hunter Dotson Lewis Ronnie Narmour

Not a bad place to be a dog.

Brent Rourk Dr. Donna Shaver Photographers Miles Merwin Jeff Dolan

The Rotary Club of Padre Island is always looking for new members seeking to put "service above self". If you are interested, you can join them every Tuesday at noon at The Boathouse Bar & Grill and see what they are all about. . For more information contact Jacqueline Carlson at 361-331-8618 or jcarlson@jmcarchitecture.com. CC Cycle Plaza is having their 4th annual Can You See Me Now Fun Run for motorcycle awareness on Saturday, May 30th with all proceeds going to South Texas Special Olympics.

Mary Craft Ronnie Narmour Office Security/Spillage Control (Emeritus)

Surfside Sandwich Shoppe has happy hour daily 3 – 7 pm. For entertainment there is sidewalk chalk and Jenga blocks. Safeguard Mini-Storage is climate controlled and has units available starting at $39 with no long lease agreement. They have moving supplies available. They are located at 10514 SPID and are closed Sundays. Seashore schools are closed for the summer and CCISD schools have their last day of class on June 5th.

Riley P. Dog Publisher Dale Rankin About the Island Moon

Around continued from A1

The Island Moon is published every Thursday, Dale Rankin, Editor / Publisher.

4th of July Fireworks

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.

The Rip Currents are ripping, the tourists are touring, the Cruiser Sewer Plant/Odor Factory is in full bloom (roll up your windows and hold your nose), and pretty soon it will be time for the 3rd Annual Island Blast! Fireworks display.

News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left at the Moon Office.

The Island Moon Newspaper 15201 S. Padre Island Drive, Suite 250 Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361-949-7700

The Tin Man has left the building

Is this still a dry lot?

editor@islandmoon.com Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper

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

Coffee Waves

Whataburger

Moby Dicks

Doc’s Restaurant

Spanky’sLiquor

Snoopy’s Pier

IGA Grocery Store

Isle Mail N More

Carter Pharmacy

Brooklyn Pie Co.

San Juan’s Taqueria

Ace Hardware

Wash Board Laundry Mat

Texas Star (Shell)

Island Italian

Holiday Inn Jesse’s Liquor

Public Library

Scuttlebutt’s Restaurant

Chamber of Commerce

Island Tire

Duckworth Antiques

And all Moon retail advertisers

Back Porch

WB Liquor

Subway

Shorty’s Place

Flour Bluff

Giggity’s

H.E.B.

Stripes @ Cotter & Station

Liquid Town

Port A Glass Studio The Gaff

We’ll see you on the 4th and in the meantime say hello if you see us Around The Island.

North Padre CVS

Keepers Pier House

This week, May 24-30, is National Hurricane Preparedness Week. To help those living in hurricane-prone areas prepare, NOAA offers hurricane preparedness tips, along with video

Port A Arts

A Mano

Gratitude Gift Shop

Hurricane Preparedness Week

WB Liquors

All Stripes Stores

Woody’s Sports Center

a below-normal season is likely (70 percent), there is also a 20 percent chance of a nearnormal season, and a 10 percent chance of an above-normal season.

Sandpiper Condos

Stripes @ Beach Access Rd. 1A

Port A Parks and Rec

Hurricanes continued from A1

Jerry and Sharon Watkins who conceived and managed the event say everything is on course for another great show, which takes to the skies at the end of Whitecap on July 4 which this year is a Saturday. They still need a little more money to hit the $15,000 mark and Jerry says he really doesn’t want to have to sell his boat to get there so please help out if you can. If you see Smoke on the Water at the end of Whitecap in the days leading up to the 4th don’t be alarmed; Jerry has asked the Flour Bluff Fire Department to conduct a controlled burn on the spoil island there so the fireworks won’t set it off like last year, although we have to say that Fire in the Sky combined with the Fire on the Water was pretty cool.

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

“A below-normal season doesn’t mean we’re off the hook. As we’ve seen before, below-normal seasons can still produce catastrophic impacts to communities,” said NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., referring to the 1992 season in which only seven named storms formed, yet the first was Andrew – a Category 5 Major Hurricane that devastated South Florida. “The main factor expected to suppress the hurricane season this year is El Niño, which is already affecting wind and pressure patterns, and is forecast to last through the hurricane season,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “El Niño may also intensify as the season progresses, and is expected to have its greatest influence during the peak months of the season. We also expect sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic to be close to normal, whereas warmer waters would have supported storm development.” Included in today’s outlook is Tropical Storm Ana, but its pre-season development is not an indicator of the overall season strength. Ana’s development was typical of pre-season named storms, which often form along frontal boundaries in association with a trough in the jet stream. This method of formation differs from the named storms during the peak of the season, which originate mainly from low-pressure systems moving westward from Africa, and are independent of frontal boundaries and the jet stream.

and audio public service announcements at www.hurricanes.gov/prepare "It only takes one hurricane or tropical storm making landfall in your community to significantly disrupt your life,” said FEMA Deputy Administrator Joseph Nimmich. “Everyone should take action now to prepare themselves and their families for hurricanes and powerful storms. Develop a family communications plan, build an emergency supply kit for your home, and take time to learn evacuation routes for your area. Knowing what to do ahead of time can literally save your life and help you bounce back stronger and faster should disaster strike in your area." NOAA will issue an updated outlook for the Atlantic hurricane season in early August, just prior to the historical peak of the season.

Beach Life by Miles Merwin

NOAA also issued its outlook for the Eastern Pacific and Central Pacific basins. For the Eastern Pacific hurricane basin, NOAA’s 2015 outlook is for a 70 percent chance of an abovenormal hurricane season. That outlook calls for a 70 percent probability of 15-22 named storms, of which 7-12 are expected to become hurricanes, including 5-8 major hurricanes. For the Central Pacific hurricane basin, NOAA’s outlook is for a 70 percent chance of an abovenormal season with 5-8 tropical cyclones likely.

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Into the Storm

May 28, 2015

Island Moon

Through the Eye of the Storm Aboard The Viking, Part III into the safety and peace of the eye. We knew that the storm would only be getting stronger and since it could move faster than we, it would eventually overrun us in any case. It was time to escape while we could.

By Richard L. Watson and Betsy A. Churgai Editors Note: this is the Final part of a multipart series by Dr. Richard Watson about sailing his boat through Tropical Storm Dottie.

Once more into the breach

Racing for Florida

The change in wind and wave intensity from the calm of the eye as one sails through the eye wall into the storm is incredible. A curtain of torrential rain raged toward us. Then, only a few hundred yards separated us from the storm seas. Within moments we were once again plunged into hell. We reduced to our small storm jib and went crashing through the waves with deck plunging into the sea to the cabin sides on every wave.

Our greatest fear was that we would run

I had prepared myself for the possibility of death that night. And so calm when death appeared ready to strike. Funny, no memory pictures reeling lickety-split through my mind; no thoughts of things left undone, just quiet and resolute inside. aground on the Florida coast during the height of the storm. It had been several days since we had clear skies and the chance to determine our exact position from the sun, moon, or stars. We were sailing almost due west, racing towards Florida. Our radio bearings seemed to indicate that we had ample sea room, but the bearings were crude, obtained by rotating the whole radio to find the quiet zone pointing toward the general direction of the transmitter. We sustained bruises as we were hurled like rag dolls about the cabin. Exhaustion had made it nearly impossible to accomplish even simple tasks. Yet the job of steering continued. The helmsman, secured with a safety harness so as not to be washed overboard clung to the wheel with both hands. Rough as it was, and much as the rest of us infinitely preferred being below, the helmsman was kept company on deck.

There's a Light Keeping watch was crucial, as we could sometimes see the horizon when cresting the mountainous seas. Suddenly Buddy hollered out, “I think I see a light off to port.” Betsy anxiously peered in the direction he indicated. Black, churning nothingness. She mustered all her strength and cautiously inched herself to a standing position, clutching the rigging wires. The force of the wind blew dangerously hard against her fragile frame, as she strained to confirm Buddy's sighting; although a light meant life, it also meant bad news for us, no matter what form it took. Could anyone else be at sea in this tempest? Then, faintly, but there, yes, a light. "I see it too, Buddy. Richard, hit the deck!! There's someone else out here." Buddy needed all his concentration to steer. Betsy and I scanned the dark crashing waves, trying to interpret the light. Another voyager? A rescuer? Heaven forbid, land? "I see two lights. One’s blue. Getting closer.” Our binoculars were useless from the spume and the motion. “And a red light, and more blue lights.” “What?” “I said more lights. See?” We were fast coming upon a myriad of lights, like no ship's lighting system we had ever before encountered. “Land”, I dismally thought. “We're all going to die. The boat will break up in the surf and we probably can't swim the half mile or so to shore through pounding surf.” As I recollected later... I had prepared myself for the possibility of death that night. And so calm when death appeared ready to strike. Funny, no memory pictures reeling lickety-split through my mind; no thoughts of things left undone, just quiet and resolute inside. But somehow it didn't quite feel like this was “it!” The lights loomed larger and more varied in number and color. Could it be a ship? It was impossible to hear her engines. We had to scream just to hear each other.

Dolphins had used the identical tactic to steer Bernard Moitessier clear of reefs in the south Pacific Ocean. Closer and closer they came. Within minutes, a huge ship that could have only been an aircraft carrier slowly crossed our bow and passed about 200 yards to starboard. We do not know if they ever saw us. We really did not want to be seen for fear that a ship might try to rescue us and crush us like an eggshell in the process. There was a mixed feeling of relief and of loneliness when it slowly passed from sight steaming straight into the wind away from the path of the storm while we, caught in its grasp, must sail into its worst. The wind and seas continued to build through the night. Dawn finally came. We could see fragments of the wild ocean through which we were sailing. The greenish blue water was turgid. It frothed and foamed as the tops of the waves broke, releasing angry energy. We were too tired to do more than hang on and take turns steering. Exhaustion and depression were taking over and we needed a lift badly. We had

Inside the eye the captain found their location with celestial navigation been getting new positions on the storm over the radio and continued to steer for the reported position of the eye.

Steering by Dolphin Out of nowhere about 25 dolphins appeared. These marine mammals are among the most intelligent beings on earth. The dolphins repeatedly swam in unison the length of VIKING on the port side and, made a hard left turn at the bow. They repeated this strange maneuver time and time again. I remembered an account of how dolphins had used the identical tactic to steer Bernard Moitessier clear

of reefs in the south Pacific Ocean. Consulting Bowditch again, I determined from the wind direction that the dolphins were leading us to the eye of the storm. They wanted us to turn and follow them!! I returned to the deck to find them repeating their strange behavior. We brought the boat around and put the wind on our port quarter as Bowditch (and the dolphins) had advised. As soon as we completed the turn, the dolphins disappeared.

dolphins behaving as we had never seen before. They were talking their heads off and lazily swimming along with us at our now very slow speed. They were not at their usual play, tails flipping, playing tag, swimming around, under the boat and each other, now a flank going off a hundred yards, now charging in again. No, instead they remained in the same position relative to the boat, lolling alongside. They sometimes turned on their sides, looking up at us with one eye. Usually they are gone in 15 to 20 minutes but they stayed with us for hours. Betsy recognized the chewed-up fin of one who had guided us to the eye a few hours before. We talked with them and felt a real sense of belonging and friendship between man and animal, both air breathers in the midst of a storm at sea. A small land bird huffed and puffed his way to the boat. After trying various places on deck, he decided that he would like to travel on a shelf in the cabin. We welcomed him and told him that we would gladly help him through the storm if he was smart enough to stay with us. He accepted a little water from Betsy. Toward late afternoon we began to reach the far side of the eye. We were now in good spirits, and knew that we could probably handle the weak side of the storm after we had survived its strong side. As we approached the wall of the eye and began to reduce to storm sail again, the dolphins who were still with us tried to get us to turn back (in a similar manner as before)

In a few hours the wind and seas began to subside and by mid evening on the 20th we were clear of Dottie. All except the helmsman fell into bunks and slept as if dead. We awoke to a beautiful day. It was sunny and warm, a vivid contrast to our ordeal. Was that only yesterday? We rested, ate, and dried out the heaps of wet gear. The cabin had been drenched. The deck took on a circus atmosphere – with the appearance of soaked towels, clothes, bedding, and the lightheartedness of the crew. It felt wonderful to be alive that day. Our flying passenger decided to leave and sadly flew away to the east, away from land. What a pity to have carried him through the storm only to have him fly out to sea and die. The following day, August 22, 1976, we made landfall and sighted the huge missile gantries at Cape Canaveral. Our great adventure was over. Not one of us would have ever chosen to sail through a tropical storm at sea or would ever choose to do so again, but neither would we want to have missed such a rare experience of living.

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We have had dolphins come to us many times and play by the boat or surf on its bow wave but never before have they told us how to steer. It was the lift we so desperately needed. Somebody or something knew that we needed help and the dolphins came. Suddenly we had renewed energy. In 2 hours we penetrated the eye of the storm. It was paradise amidst hell. The sky was clear with both the sun and moon out. Making use of our good fortune, I quickly fixed our position with celestial navigation by observations of the sun and moon and calculated, much to our relief, that we had plenty of sea room left to ride out the rest of the storm. There was only a gentle breeze of about 10 mph blowing and calm seas. We had to go to nearly full sail to move the boat when only an hour before we were screaming along with no sail up in 60 mph winds. A few birds were flying about. All around us, for perhaps a distance of 20 miles were black swirling cumulo nimbus clouds: we were in the middle of a large, black doughnut. In the very center of the eye white, wispy clouds were swirling upwards like a funnel.

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Welcoming committee The dolphins had literally saved our lives. We couldn’t have endured much longer. They took us to a place of solitude where we could restow the boat, assess our (luckily nonexistent) damages, eat a hot meal and get about an hour of desperately needed sleep. I was below getting some rest when the cabin was suddenly filled with a sound like hundreds of fishing reels clicking. I charged up to the deck to find that we were surrounded by 50 or 100

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Dolphins led the Viking into the eye of the storm

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May 28, 2015

Island Moon

Snoopy Paul Celebrates 80th Birthday

History continued from A1 became a battle cry for Texian forces at San Jacinto. At the Fannin Battleground State Historic Site, a commemorative obelisk and historic gin press screw mark the location of the battle, and interpretive panels and exhibits tell its story and significance.

San Filipe

Tony Amos Honored by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Snoopy Paul liked the motorized bike he got for his 80th birthday but he returned the dog because it was the wrong size. Happy Birthday Paul!

The San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site The San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site, about 50 miles west of Houston, marks the location where Stephen F. Austin founded the unofficial capital of his colony in 1824. San Felipe de Austin became the colony’s first urban center. By the eve of the Texas Revolution, it ranked second only to San Antonio as a commercial center, with an 1835 population of 600. The town played a significant role in the revolution, hosting the conventions of 1832 and 1833, and serving as the capital of the provisional government until the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-theBrazos in March 1836. During the Runaway Scrape, Texas settlers fled their homes as Gen. Santa Anna’s Mexican army approached and Sam Houston’s Texian forces retreated through San Felipe de Austin. On March 30, 1836, a small garrison left to defend the town burned it to prevent it from falling to the Mexican army. San Felipe was rebuilt after the war but never regained its former stature. The site features a bronze statue of Stephen F. Austin, a commemorative obelisk, a log cabin replica of the colonial land office, a visitor’s center, and interpretive panel exhibits. The THC is conducting ongoing archeological investigations at the site in preparation for a future museum and major site improvements to this important place that played a central role in the development of Texas.

San Jacinto Battleground

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) Endangered Species Program recognizes outstanding employees on an annual basis through Recovery Champions Awards. This award highlights the contributions of Service personnel and partner organizations for the recovery of endangered and threatened species. This national recognition is awarded for efforts such as working to prevent species’ extinction, conserving and restoring habitat and resources critical to a species’ survival and recovery, scientific research, and public education and outreach. Nominations were solicited from Ecological Services, Refuges, Fisheries and partner groups, and were based on leadership competencies, length of time working on the issues, scope and significance of efforts, and measurable results.

The Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site At the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte, visitors can see the real site of the iconic battle for Texas independence, April 21, 1836. A decisive victory for Sam Houston and his forces, the small army defeated Santa Anna’s 1,200-man Mexican force. Visitors can walk in the footsteps of the Texas heroes, learn more about the battle and the Texas Revolution at the San Jacinto Museum of History, ride the elevator to the 489-foot-tall observation town of the San Jacinto Monument, watch the short film, “Texas Forever! The Battle of San Jacinto,” and tour the Battleship Texas State Historic Site while there.

Juan Seguin Park

The Southwest Region’s 2014 Recovery Champion recipients are Cyndee Watson, Recovery Lead for endangered karst invertebrates, Austin Ecological Services Field Office; and Anthony (Tony) Amos, Director of the Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARK), University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) a partner organization with the Service.

Cycle Plaza to Host Motorcycle Awareness Run

Over the course of more than 30 years, Tony Amos has served as a major contributor to our knowledge of shorebirds, sea turtles, and manatees along the Central Texas coast. Mr. Amos compiled an incredible long-term data set of bird and sea turtle observations that has proven invaluable to the recovery efforts of many species. He has worked tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles and birds, including piping plovers, red knots, brown pelicans, and bald eagles. He is an outstanding spokesman for wildlife conservation in the Texas Coastal Bend region and his dedication to wildlife rescue has been an effective outreach and education resource for listed sea turtles and birds.

May 30, 2015 This Saturday, May 30th, Corpus Christi Cycle Plaza will be hosting their annual Can You See Me Now Fun Run for Motorcycle Awareness in partnership with local Sonic Drive-Ins. All proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics, Texas. “This is our fourth year doing this ride,” said Matt Werkhoven, General Manager at Corpus Christi Cycle Plaza. “We worked closely with C.C.P.D. to get them outfitted with Victory Motorcycles and during that time we developed a close relationship. The loss of Chief Simpson was devastating to our community, and we felt that we wanted to do something to honor him. That’s why we chose to partner with Special Olympics Texas for this event. It’s a great cause, and we’re very gratified to be able to donate in Chief Simpson’s name.” Just outside San Jacinto Battleground, the Juan Seguín Park on Independence Parkway honors the Tejano hero who played a role in the battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto, and directed the burial of the Alamo defenders. Seguín later became a senator in the Republic of Texas and advocated for Tejano rights along with José Antonio Navarro. The park features interpretive panels depicting the events and locations of the Runaway Scrape, including the nearby Lynchburg Ferry site.

The ride will be an At Your Pace Event, with riders starting at Cycle Plaza and then traveling from Sonic to Sonic around the area. Sonic will provide treats for participants along the way. The ride ends back at Cycle Plaza at 4 p.m., where there will be a high/low roll contest, giveaways, and a raffle open to participants. Raffle items include, helmets, t-shirts, an Indian Motorcycle Prize pack, and a Wing Party for 10 from Scuttlebutt’s Seafood Bar and Grill.

These sites are part of the 28-county THC’s Texas Independence Trail Region of southeastern Texas. The region stretches from Liberty (east of Houston) along the Gulf Coast to Refugio (south of Victoria) to San Antonio in the west and to Washington and Bastrop counties in the north. It is full of many more places that hosted key events of the Texas Revolution, including Gonzales, Goliad, and Washington-on-the-Brazos

Participation The Can You See Me Now Fun Run costs $10. All proceeds go to support Special Olympics Texas. “We have always hosted this ride at the end of May (Motorcycle Awareness Month) to encourage drivers to share the road during our busiest traffic season,” continued Werkhoven. “Look twice and save a life!”

IUPAC is a non-partisan organization that provides opportunities for Islanders to meet candidates running for political office through local Meet and Greets. It also provides an opportunity to hear the candidates in a more formal atmosphere where Islanders can vote on who they want to represent the Island at the IUPAC sponsored Candidate Endorsement Night. Historically, this approach has given the Island a voice in political elections. The IUPAC itself does not determine who we want to represent us – you, the voters do. The IUPAC Board members this year were President Linda Walsh, Vice-President Brent Rourk, Secretary Karen Wall, Treasurer Bob Paulison, Historian Rhonda Beadle, Joyce Skowronski, David Devlin, Ray Rose, Victoria Munt Rogers, John Vaughn, and Debbie Noble. Also in attendance at the IUPAC Annual Board Meeting will be several local politicians who will briefly update Islanders on a number of topics. Currently, Mayor Nelda Martinez, Brent Chesney, Mark Scott, and Colleen McIntyre will attend. A cash bar will be available

Corpus Christi Cycle Plaza is a family owned and operated local business that has served Corpus Christi for over 29 years. They are located at 2937 S.P.I.D.

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Island Moon

Padre Island Yacht Club Hosts Memorial Day Picnic Food and Live Music Mark the Day

By Brent Rourk The tantalizing odors of grilled meats slowly permeated the grounds around the Padre Island Yacht Club (PIYC) Monday as members came out to celebrate Memorial Day with a fabulous picnic and live music. Colorful and patriotic banners bordered the driveway and stairway to the PIYC. One of the touching moments of the day was when, after a moment of silence, a moving tribute was offered to our veterans. A set table and empty chair became a focal point of the ceremony while a reading was given describing the symbolism of each item on the set table. A tribute to our fallen, our veterans, and our service members honored the reasons we celebrate Memorial Day.

May 28, 2015

Stuff I Heard on the Island by Dale Rankin

The potential for rainy weather didn’t seem to deter Island visitors dodging heavy weather in Central Texas and the Hill Country. The first sure sign of summer on The Island, city crews hauling lifeguard stations out of mothball back to the beach.

Padre Island Traffic Planning Study Great BBQ meats Photos by Brent Rourk It was a strange Memorial Day for driving on area beaches due to the high water table from the recent rains and high tides which left many beaches either very narrow, inaccessible, or actually underwater. Zahn Road was closed due to high water from Friday through mid-

The food tables were extensive (expansive too) and packed with delectable goodies; salads, appetizers, vegetable dishes, fruit, casseroles, and a mountain of meats BBQd to perfection by Vic and his large crew. The deserts were over the top and no doubt put a few folks out of commission for the day.

week and the beaches from Zahn Road north continued to be partially flooded.

Table set for the fallen

Dave hits some great chords while leading the band Unfortunately that didn’t stop beachgoers from leaving the beach near Newport Pass littered with garbage bags and car parts.

So far this year, 113 nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): 3 Bolivar Peninsula 1 Galveston Island 1 Surfside Beach 0 Quintana Beach 2 Bryan Beach 0 Brazoria County, N. of Sargent Beach 0 Sargent Beach 0 Matagorda Island

PIYC Food line was excited

1 Mustang Island

26 South Padre Island 0 Boca Chica Beach

The City will lead this project with coordination support from the MPO. The Traffic Counts began over the Spring Break with additional counts planned for Memorial Day, July 4th, August (non-peak), and Labor Day periods. Staff is also coordinating with TxDOT for access to the permanent counters on the bridge and with Port Aransas for entry within their jurisdiction.

NEXT STEPS:

3 Matagorda Peninsula

76 North Padre Island, including 73 at Padre Island National Seashore

The objective of this Study is to identify mobility and access management issues within the Study corridors, and develop applicable transportation management strategies to mitigate the issues. The Study corridors includes approximately 11 miles of State Highway 361 between Port Aransas’ southern city limit and Park Road 22 in Corpus Christi, and approximately 4 miles of Park Road 22 between the east end of the JFK Memorial Causeway and Sea Pines Drive, and adjacent arterials including Commodores Drive, Whitecap Boulevard, Encantada Avenue, Sea Pines Drive, Aquarius Street, Gypsy Street, and future Regional Parkway. This project includes obtaining accurate traffic counts and evaluating the driveways and congestion along the corridors to develop long-term mitigation strategies. Counts will be taken on Park Rd 22, Aquarius, Commodores, SH 361, and Whitecap.

The total cost for the project is $240,000 with the City’s share of $48,000 which includes the 20% match. The funds for the City’s match is the Bond 2014 TxDOT Participation. The MPO’s cost share was approved by the MPO Transportation Policy Committee under Category 7 – Metropolitan Mobility Program funds on April 4, 2015.

0 Brazoria County, N. of Surfside

0 San Jose Island

Editor’s note: As we reported a few weeks ago the City of Corpus Christi and the Metropolitan Planning Organization are conducting a study of Island traffic during the summer months to develop a long-term plan for Island roads. Traffic counters were out on several roads over the Memorial Day Weekend. Here is an update on the progress of the study, released by city staff this week; followed by an update on the long-term plans to build a second Parkway to The Island from the Yorktown area in Flour Bluff to connect to The Island – as yet no exact location has been determined.

Padre Island Mobility and Access Management Study

The music was provided by a talented group of PIYC musicians who put out a wide variety of music. The ‘open mic’ time gave all club members a chance to display their vocal and instrumental musical abilities. As the afternoon moved by guests slowly trickled out to the melodic voices of PIYC members singing oldies.

Kemp’s Ridley Turtle Count

One common sense solution would be to immediately allow two right-turn lanes from SH 361 onto northbound SPID at the intersection. That used to be the case until the intersection was “fixed and improved” a few years ago to allow for only one right turn lane, forcing the two southbound lanes to merge. This was the bottleneck for Monday’s traffic. In this case the cure was much worse than the disease.

Across Packery Channel Beach Access Road 3A, at the north end of the Michael J. Ellis Seawall, the roadway has deteriorated to the point that a temporary fix had to be used

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• Approval by City Council for the Interlocal Agreements for both these studies. • Request for Qualifications from Engineers for the Mobility and Access Management Study and contract award. • Completion of the studies with resulting subsequent planning and implementation actions.

Regional Parkway Study

to keep the road open, as it is now the only road to the South Packery Jetty and the seawall beach since the pedestrian-only beach was established at the south end of the seawall blocking vehicular access from the south. The bond issue in 2014 included money to repair the road, but that has become problematic because to close it for construction would leave the beach along the entire seawall and the wide beach south of the channel assessable only by foot. A temporary solution will have to be found before the repair work can be done and in the meantime the road continues to get worse. Before the road repair is done this might be the only way to get to the beach at the seawall.

This study follows the initial Regional Parkway Mobility Corridor Feasibility Study was completed in January 2013, which determined the Regional Parkway route was needed and attainable if constructed in phases (segments) and implemented in a manner consistent with development and need. Information on the initial Study is posted on the MPO website at http://www.corpuschristi-mpo.org/04_studies_ rpmcfs.html. The initial Study evaluated whether a new roadway is needed to alleviate congestion and provide an alternate route in portions of Nueces and San Patricio Counties. The evaluation also determined the feasibility of a new elevated causeway and bridge to North Padre Island and a new or enhanced Nueces River bridge connecting San Patricio County and Nueces County. The study considered ten (10) potential corridors and determined that two corridors are feasible and viable based on the following four major categories: • Traffic Mobility • Social and Environmental Impacts • Engineering • Likely Public Support

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By Monday’s late morning check-out time the traffic was stacking north on State Highway 361 from the Commodores/SPID intersection past Newport Pass, Fish Pass, and nearly to Corpus Christi/Port Aransas city limits line, and was bumper to bumper all the way into Port Aransas. As you can see from the memo from city planners on this page a comprehensive Island

traffic plan is being developed. It couldn’t come at a better time. The traffic counters were out this weekend and we hope to have a Memorial Weekend count in the next issue.

The two corridors both include a new connection to North Padre Island and go west of Robstown. One, Alternative Corridor 6, would connect back to I-37 north of Edroy, and the other, Alternative Corridor 2, connects back to I-37 south of Edroy (see attached map). This Project evaluates two segments which run from State Highway 286 (Crosstown) to Park Road 22. This project also serves as the interim step to a full National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review that is required for projects seeking state or federal funding. The MPO will lead this project including executing and management of a contract agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. (Consultant) to complete the study. The MPO will also enter into a Non-construction Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which administers the Category 7 Program. The total cost for the project is $863,068 with the City’s share of $233,028 which includes the 20% match of $172,614 plus TxDOT administrative fees of $43,153 and PlanSource overhead fees for $17,261. The funds for the City’s match is the Bond 2014 TxDOT Participation. The MPO’s cost share is $690,454 and was approved by the MPO Transportation Policy Committee under Category 7 – Metropolitan Mobility Program funds on April 4, 2015.

May 28, 2015

Island Moon

Backwater Adventures Summer Romance

On the Rocks By Jay Gardner & Aaron Baxter

By Joey Farah

The weather has been absolutely wild around here lately, and prayers go out to the families that lost members in the Hill Country, Houston, and northward to Oklahoma from this vicious El Nino pattern that has been hammering the South lately. While the rain is appreciated, you know what they say about too much of a good thing. Flood stages that have stood for almost 100 years are being broken what seems like weekly. Wow, is about all I can say. Everyone hold on to their knickers the next time you hear lightning.

Farah’s Fishing Adventures When the bell rings and footsteps are heard running for the doors one last time, a buzz of freedom falls upon the Island. We are at the start of the summer season, and with it brings an element of excitement even for locals. We should never forget the reasons we live here, and the reasons that so many people save, sacrifice, and travel to spend time here where we call home. The purest feelings of happiness comes to those who love the water when they are sharing time near the Ocean with special friends and family. A local couple, John and Leah spent some time in my boat this week looking and learning along with catching fish. I could see that when the wind was in their face, and the sound of waves called them together at the front of the boat, they would remember that moment for a long time. I feel the same when I am far out to Sea sitting on my surfboard, with everything left back on the beach only the true feelings inside are what capture your mind and heart. Those smiles that erupt in these places are uncontrollable, unforgettable, and say a thousand things wonderful. Take some time and gather friends, family, and loved ones out along the water and share a summer romance with the ocean that surrounds us here on Padre’ Island.

LIVE BAIT TRIPS ARE ON FIRE! The season for live bait fishing for Speckled Trout is here. We are catching limits of trout every trip, along with some big trophy fish, reds, and some flounder. The fishing for redfish is still incredible when fishermen are

Larry Dwire took his dad out this week and caught a easy limit if trout to take home to Arizona. Fishing the Bird Island shoreline in high winds. small pinch weight or 1/16th cone weight on your leader line to fall down close to the hook will help keep your baits from moving down the channel so fast. Look for small changes in the edge of the channel and side channels. This is where the current will make an eddy and congregate bait and gamefish. The first ten minutes will be the most productive, after 30min I like to move unless there is a solid flow of fish coming through. Quick stops along the ICW during the heat of the day and at first light can bring some solid action from all the top three game fish trout, reds, and flounder. This weekend at Marker 37 Marina there will be an IFA Redfish tournament open

John and Leah, Island locals learned some new fishing spots and shared a beautiful time on the water limiting out on trout this week with FARAH

This big trout was caught and released along the King Ranch Shoreline. The tail had some dolphin scars on it. She got lucky twice!

One benefit that I understand about high water in the bays is the propensity of black drum and redfish to push way up into shallow water that they typically wouldn’t. Keith came down from Houston (to miss the flooding in his neck of the woods) and we went out to some of my favorite marshes. I had a feeling that the fish would be way up on a certain shoreline, and they did not disappoint. Although we had to trudge through

Like the glass half full, however, we have to try to move forward and look at the bright side of things. The lakes are getting the benefit of these torrential rains, and the weeds in the back 40 have never been so tall. The flushing of the Nueces and Guadalupe deltas is years overdue. The sediments that are being flushed down are bringing fresh life to not only the estuarine habitats that depend on them, but also the bays that thrive on them. In addition, the small amount of sediment that makes it out of the bays and into the longshore currents help nurture the beaches of the Texas coast. After all, that’s where the beach sands came from, the rivers. The freshwater slugs will help yield a bumper crop of You can't catch fish like that Keith! shrimp, crabs, and juvenile fishes in the years to come. Unfortunately, it is also yielding such anomalies some soupy stuff for 100 yards, the end result as gar stuck in the fence surrounding the Wesley was well worth it. Zep, Keith and I sightcasted Seale Dam at the lake, and blue and channel drum until we were sore and had had enough. catfish that are being caught in the bays. The Come to find out, 5 drum apiece is a lot of fish! amount of debris washing down the rivers Fish frydays will commence immediately at my will find it’s way out into the Gulf, and will place when I get a break. Get out there and if eventually wind up on our beaches. At least it you’re a wade fishermen, the shorelines up along will be a good fall and winter for bonfires on the the sand lines are excellent for sightcasting with beach with all the wood. this high water. It’s a great time to get out and Another benefit that is occurring is the flushing try it if you haven’t. of all the Gulf passes up and down the coast. The newly opened Cedar Bayou is getting an excellent flushing when the tides drop out and carry the sediment out of the pass. The freshwater signal also will concentrate tarpon around the passes, which makes it easier for anglers to target them. I can’t wait to get out there myself.

All the good things I’ve mentioned still don’t take away the heartache that we’ve all felt for the local McComb, Charba, and Carey families that encountered tragedy. No amount of looking at the bright side of flooding can ease their pain. Our condolences.

to the public. If you are interested in fishing it call the marina for information. Matt just got in a rack of awesome Waterloo Rods, the new BAITRUNNER is a 7’6” croaker chunking trout

drifting with live shrimp as well. Most of my trips have been anglers hunting specks. The numbers are easy, so we change up our strategy mid -morning and look for true trophy fish allowing us to cull the smaller to mid-range sized fish. Live Croaker have been the best bait and have been very healthy at all the local bait camps. Right now the water is high and in good condition, when the tides drop out and the temperatures rise even more it will be more difficult to keep the bait healthy. The Lagoon has been great with good numbers of trout all over the King Ranch area, the Bird Island shoreline, and the Boat Hole. In Port A the best areas have been the drop offs along the back side of the barrier islands like along the San Jose’ Island and the sand pockets of East Flats. In Baffin Bay the trout have continued to hold to the large rock piles all over the bay. The annual movement of trout did not come through the Land Cut as strong as they do sometimes. Local Island girls took the STATE SURFING Bad water conditions with the brown tide CHAMPIONSHIPS!! Coryne Farah, Carly turned many of the “TIDE RUNNERS”, and Hudson, and Bella Bertero swept the trophy forced them to stay towards the south end of bracket! the Land Cut and Port Mansfield. The amount of fish is staggering and the next five years we fighting thing of beauty. All recoil eyes make should see the great effects of big rains, and the it impossible to break the eyes of this rod off, positive growth of the trout populations with the and the sensitivity is amazing. Most of the time FIVE FISH LIMIT. you have to order them online, so come in and check out all the WATERLOO RODS at Marker 37. My favorite customer rod is the SALINITY, it is the 4-WHEEL DRIVE of custom rods. I have some on the boat that have taken 3yrs of abuse, and I mean abuse! I noticed that this week there was some speed boat testing in the side channel along the JFK, very responsible. I’ve had a lot of feedback from last week’s article most all of it agreeing with my concerns. EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE THEIR TIME WHEN AROUND OTHER BOATS, SUMMER TIME IS UPON US AND SAFTY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF HAVING FUN. I am doing about three to four afternoon trips a week Hill country Joey slammed his biggest this month and next, this gives you a chance to trout to date along the islands close to get out last minute with friends or the kids and Bird Island with FARAH enjoy some of this unbelievable fishing at the beginning of summer. Just call and let’s plan an The winds will start to subside in adventure together out on the water. Get out the next two weeks and that’s when the fishing and get wet. and the temperatures will get very hot! Look for the best bite to happen in deep water when the winds die. Key in on places along the ICW that are holding good water conditions and an accumulation of bait. The best two ways to fish the ICW to anchor up along the east side of the channel sliding the boat up into the flats, anchor up just short of the drop off and cast out into the channel. Most of the time the current will bring your bait back along the drop and into the face of feeding trout. The second is a bit trickier but more productive most of the time. The west side of the channel gets a solid current moving along with the southeast winds. That side of the channel is a bit sandier than the muddy east side. Anchor up out deep and cast away from the drop-off. To ensure that you are properly distanced from the edge of the channel, pick a Fully Guided • All Tackle Provided spot close to a red channel marker so you can have something to reference the side of the channel. The current is another factor when fishing live croaker along the ICW. Using a

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First Catch - Deborah Hopkins Sweatman

Moon Phases

Tides of the Week Tides for Corpus Christi (Bob Hall Pier) May 28- June 3, 2015

Day

High /Low

Tide Time

Height in Feet

Sunrise Moon Time Sunset

Moon Visible

Th F Sa Su M Tu W

28 28 28 28 29 29 29 29 30 30 30 30 31 31 1 1 2 2 3 3

High Low High Low High Low High Low High Low High Low High Low High Low High Low High Low

1:16 AM 6:29 AM 11:15 AM 7:02 PM 2:37 AM 8:00 AM 11:28 AM 7:26 PM 3:33 AM 9:31 AM 11:34 AM 7:51 PM 4:18 AM 8:18 PM 5:00 AM 8:49 PM 5:40 AM 9:22 PM 6:21 AM 9:59 PM

1.1 1.0 1.3 0.3 1.3 1.1 1.2 0.2 1.4 1.1 1.2 0.0 1.6 -0.1 1.7 -0.3 1.8 -0.4 1.8 -0.4

6:34 AM Set 3:20 AM 8:18 PM Rise 3:57 PM

6:34 AM Set 3:55 AM 8:18 PM Rise 4:49 PM

6:34 AM Set 4:32 AM 8:19 PM Rise 5:42 PM

6:34 AM Set 5:11 AM 8:19 PM Rise 6:37 PM 6:34 AM Set 5:54 AM 8:20 PM Rise 7:33 PM 6:33 AM Set 6:41 AM 8:20 PM Rise 8:29 PM 6:33 AM Set 7:32 AM 8:21 PM Rise 9:24 PM

91 96 99 99

May 28, 2015

Island Moon

SPORTS Sports Talk

Ten Most Unbreakable Records in Major League Baseball History

By Dotson Lewis

Special to the Island Moon Dotson’s Note: At first, I thought about discussing the torrid NBA play-offs, especially from the officials’ point of view. I decided to file that story until next week, since Thursday (June 4th) will be first game of the finals. Hopefully that will be an interesting lead-in to the NBA finals. The following list was put together by Jimmie Kaylor, writer for Sports Cheat Sheet, who says about the article: “we believe that we have compiled a list of 10 Major League Baseball records that will stand the test of time and never be broken.” I don’t agree, I believe that sometime, down the road, Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 & 9 will be broken in the next few years…what do you think? Please see Dotson’s other note at the end of this article. Then let me hear from you.

Love him or hate him, Rose was one heck of a baseball player. The reality of the situation is that it’s extremely unlikely that there will ever be a player who can even approach his career hits record. The active career leader is 39-yearold Alex Rodriguez, and he is currently 1,285 hits behind Rose. For some perspective on the situation, Rodriguez would need at least six more seasons of 200-plus hits to even come close to Charlie Hustle’s career record.

Carl Ripken Jr.

Raw, Not Rare Bob St. Clair ate his steaks uncooked and once ate a kicker’s toe By Andy Purvis Special to the Island Moon Standing 6’ 9” tall and weighing over 270 pounds, he could not be overlooked. He had what I called a “caveman aura” around him. He reminded me of a Roman Gladiator. His shoulders were as wide as Goliath and his legs resembled tree stumps. Not only was he big, but he was loud and overwhelming. He cursed and laughed with his head back, like he was possessed. Some said he was one of the most powerful men in the game. He could move mountains and was so mean his motto was, “Finish them off; you don’t leave any wounded.” Newspaper guys wrote that he was

Mariano Rivera

Because of his height, St. Clair also played defense in goal-line situations and on extrapoint and field-goal attempts. He blocked ten field-goal and extra-point attempts in 1956 alone. Bob also lost five teeth while blocking a punt by Los Angeles quarterback, Norm Van Brocklin. St. Clair blocked the punt but in return got kicked in the mouth. They filled his mouth with tissue to stop the bleeding and gave him a Novocain shot and sent him back in. Ah, the good old days, when men were men. His height also created another problem, finding a bed big enough for him to sleep in, on the road. Bob would throw the mattress on the floor and add some pillows at the top to create length and then sleep on his homemade bed.

5. Most Consecutive Games Played Record: 2,632 Held By: Cal Ripken Jr. This may be the most impressive and unbreakable record in all of professional sports. Ripkin’s consecutive games played streak equates to just over 16 full MLB seasons without missing a game.

Joe DiMaggio

terrifying and would cut your heart out and eat it in front of you. He once leveled Sam Huff, who was standing beside a pile of bodies at the goal line. He hit Huff so hard that the dust flew off the back of my television. He credited eating raw meat as the source of his strength. As a kid, he became addicted to the high protein energy-producing properties of uncooked meat. At the age of five, his grandmother fed him chunks of raw meat from the cutting block, while preparing dinner. He also loved raw eggs. As he got older, he chewed tobacco, ate raw honey, drank beer in quantity and enjoyed vodka screwdrivers. His teammates nicknamed him “The Geek.” Ordering a steak in a restaurant went something like this. “I want my steak served raw,” he said. “You mean rare?” responded the waitress.” “No, raw, take it out of the icebox and put it on a plate,” he exclaimed.

Up from the mean streets 1. Most Career Saves Record: 652 Held By: Mariano Rivera Rivera is the greatest closer in MLB history by a margin wider than the Mississippi river. He broke Trevor Hoffman’s career saves record in September of 2013 before retiring with 652 career saves following the 2014 season. The active career saves leader is Joe Nathan with 377, and given the fact that Nathan has already celebrated his 40th birthday, there is no realistic chance he ever challenges Rivera’s record.

Nolan Ryan

6. Longest Hitting Streak Record: 56 games Held By: Joe DiMaggio This record won’t be broken anytime soon. In today’s day and age, it’s incredibly rare to see a hitting streak reach 20 or 30 games, let alone 40 or 50. This record has stood for over 70 years, and according to research from ESPN, only three players since World War II have come within 21 games of DiMaggio’s record.

Charles "Old Hoss" Radbourn 7. Most Wins by a Pitcher in a Single Season Record: 59 Held By: Old Hoss Radbourn There isn’t much to say here. Current MLB pitchers don’t even come close to getting 59 starts in a season. Just for reference, a starting pitcher in today’s game could realistically win three-straight Cy Young awards and not total 59 wins.

Will White 8. Most Complete Games by a Pitcher in a Single Season Record: 75 Held By: Will White 2. Most Career No-Hitters Record: 7 Held By: Nolan Ryan

See above statement regarding most wins in a single season. This record will never be broken.

Rickey Henderson 9. Most Career Stolen Bases Rickey Henderson

3. Most Career Strike Outs

Record: 1,406

Record: 5,714

Held By: Rickey Henderson

Held By: Nolan Ryan Baseball fans will likely never see another pitcher like Ryan in their lifetimes. The Ryan Express dominated the Big Leagues for most of his 27-year career, and racked up several MLB records during that time. The two that we believe will stand the test of time are his career strikeouts record, and his record for the most career no-hitters.

Pete Rose

Henderson has almost 500 more stolen bases than Lou Brock, the next closest player on the career stolen bases list, and 916 more than Ichiro, the active leader. As it stands, there isn’t a player in professional baseball with a realistic chance at overtaking Henderson’s record. This record will stand for the very foreseeable future.

Cy Young 10. Most Career Wins by a Pitcher Record: 511 Held By: Cy Young Young is the namesake for the highest singleseason honor a pitcher can receive, and rightfully so. We may never see another 300game winner in our lifetimes, which makes this record untouchable.

4. Most Career Hits Record: 4,256 Held By: Pete Rose

He would spend the next eleven years protecting and opening holes for what would become known as the “Million Dollar Backfield.” The backfield of Quarterback Y.A. Tittle and running backs, John Henry Johnson, Hugh McElhenny, and Joe Perry are the only group to be inducted into the Pro-Football Hall of Fame.

He only kicked out five teeth – put me back in

In any level of sports, records are made to be broken. When it comes to baseball, a.k.a. America’s pastime, however, there are several records that have stood the test of time. The way the game is played by today’s big leaguers is vastly different than the style of play during every other era of Major League Baseball. A great example of this is the way pitchers are treated today versus the way pitchers were treated during the early years of Major League Baseball. As baseball players continue to evolve and grow to be bigger, faster, and stronger than ever before, records will continue to fall. With that being said, it’s becoming more and more rare to see players have long enough careers to seriously challenge the records set by their predecessors. In fact, we believe that we have compiled a list of 10 Major League Baseball records that will stand the test of time and never be broken. Here’s what we came up with.

up and leave with great haste. That night when they called home, I bet they said to their family, ‘I don’t know if I can make this team. There’s one guy here that’s crazy.’” Bob played with a leather helmet early in his career, and the results yielded a broken nose on at least six different occasions.

Dotson’s Other Note: My challenge to every one of you is to list in order 1 thru 10 (one thru ten), with 1(one) being the “least likely” (most difficult)… to 10 (ten) being the “most likely,” of the above records to be broken. Send your order to me and we will acknowledge each and every one received. We will tally the results and inform you of the Moon Monkeys decisions. Your suggestions, comments, questions and concerns regarding “Moon Sports Talk” are appreciated. Call the Benchwarmers 361-5605397 weekdays, Mondays thru Fridays, 3-6 p.m. or contact me. Phone: 361-949-7681 Cell: 530-748-8475 Email: dlewis1@stx.rr.com

Robert Bruce “Bob” St. Clair was born on February 18, 1931, in San Francisco, California. As a kid, Bob ran with gangs on the mean streets of the Mission District in San Francisco. He was scrawny and weak and, according to his high school football coach, too small to play. From his sophomore year to his junior year, Bob grew six inches and gained 60 pounds. He now stood 6’4” and weighed 210 pounds. He also had surprising speed and ran the 440yard hurdles in high school with the best. Bob graduated from Polytechnic High School, which was located across the street from Kezar Stadium. He would continue to grow, while he was in college. Bob enrolled and played football with the 1951 Dons of the University of San Francisco’s (USF) undefeated (9-0) team. He played offensive tackle and tight end on occasion. Six Dons from this team were good enough to play in the NFL, including future Hall-of-Fame players, Ollie Matson and Gino Marchetti and St. Clair. In fact, USF is the only college in the nation to have three Hall-of-Fame members from the same team. The Dons were invited to play in the Orange Bowl at the end of their season, but were told that their two black players, Ollie Matson and Burl Toler, were not welcome and could not attend. The team voted to take a courageous stand against racism. Bob said “We told them, ‘Hell no.’”

Raw liver and chicken hearts USF, a Catholic Jesuit school, dropped their football program after the 1951 season. They were losing about $70,000 a year trying to maintain the program. Bob transferred to the University of Tulsa for his senior season. There, he received a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. Tulsa finished with an 8-11 record and received an invitation to play in the Gator Bowl. St. Clair was the only player to vote against playing in the Gator Bowl, as he was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game to be played in his hometown at Kezar Stadium. Bob St. Clair was chosen in the third round of the 1953 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers. “I grew to love raw liver and dove and quail hearts,” said Bob. “I would sit down with the rookies at their training camp table and cut a piece of raw liver and put it in my mouth, and I’d crunch it, and let a little of the blood trickle down my chin. They would always get

Now don’t be mistaken, there have been other NFL players who were as tall as Bob St. Clair. Morris Stroud, tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs, stood 6’10” tall and defensive tackle, Ed “Too Tall” Jones of the Cowboys was measured the same height as St. Clair, at 6’ 9”. Philadelphia Eagles’ tight end, Harold Carmichael, was 6’ 8.” Ravens’ offensive tackles, Jonathan Ogden and Jared Gaither both stood 6’9,” and the tallest NFL player was Richard Sligh, of North Carolina Central, who topped out at 7’ 2,” for the Raiders. Sligh only played in ten games before his career ended. St. Clair was one of the 49ers’ team captains and one of twelve players to date to have his jersey (#79) retired by San Francisco. Bob was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and was chosen nine times as an All-Pro. He is also listed on the 1950’s NFL All-Decade Team. Bob St. Clair was inducted into the Pro-Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

$20,000 and a shot of pain Bob became a City Council member and the Mayor of Daly City, California from 19581964. He also became a paid lobbyist in Orange County, from 1979-1980. Bob worked in several different businesses including air freight, insurance, a meat distribution plant, and he bought and sold several liquor stores. In 2001, the City of San Francisco honored Bob St. Clair by naming the Kezar Stadium field the St. Clair Field. Bob had played 189 games during his 17-year career on this field. Bob St. Clair loved hitting, and he broke fingers and toes on several occasions. Bob also played an entire quarter of football with a broken shoulder, in 1957. He twice had Achilles tendon surgery and wrote that he had taken 23 Novocain shots during his career, in order to continue playing. St. Clair never made more than $20,000 a season playing professional football. One of the few faceless offensive linemen that became well-known in the 1950’s, Bob St. Clair, died on Monday, April 20, 2015 in a Santa Rosa Hospital, in California. He was 84. Bob had fallen in February and died from complications of a broken hip. He is survived by his third wife Marsha, four daughters and two sons. He also had 19 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. All six of his kids were with his first wife, Ann. We all realize that the athletes today, on average, are bigger, stronger and faster than the athletes of fifty years ago, but are they as tough? They asked Bob St. Clair and you know what the answer was; he said it while smiling. 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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Third Coast Fishing Tournament Yields Whoppers Fish, Fun, and Food By Brent Rourk Looking slightly worn but pleased, boatloads of anglers slowly docked at the Bluffs Landing Marina on Saturday in the early afternoon after a grueling day of fishing. Toting suspected prize fish 250 anglers then headed to the Bluff Landing Events Center to find out if they won a prize for their catch. Except for the weather, everything proceeded like a well-oiled fishing reel. Windblown and wet, the local anglers had their catch weighed and measured and then were lured to the chow line for a tasty BBQ lunch. Fishermen then cast out their sad luck fishing stories about the ‘one that got away.’ or waited patiently to see if they had won a cash prize. Meanwhile, event hosts Wade Grassedonio and Aaron Collins began to give away door prizes before the real prize money was distributed. This Third Coast Fishing Tournament has been a favorite of local anglers for 13 years. Proceeds

from this tourney are donated to the local Young Life Organization, a non-denominational Christian organization for high school students. See www.winthirdcoast for more information about this exciting tournament. The hosts are excited already about next year’s tournament. Winners in the different categories strolled to the stage where they were presented with their prize and a certificate. Not bad for a day of fishing!

This year the winners were: Children’s Division – Lucille Dixon with a 2.1 pound Flounder

Flying high on The Island! Photo by Miles Merwin

Flounder Division – James Cantu – 3.2 pounds, 19.25 inches - $1000 Trout Division – Justin Brandt – 7.46 pounds, 30.25 inches - $1000 Redfish Division – Gabriel Grande – 9.06 pounds – 27.72 inches - $5000

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Proudly displaying their catch, this crew was hopeful of at least one prize

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Swapping fishing stories the anglers ate a BBQ lunch and waited for the prize ceremony. Photos by Brent Rourk

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May 28, 2015