Rugby on the Beach
Issue 539
Free
The voice of The Island since 1996
The Island Moon
August 14, 2014 editor@islandmoon.com
The Get-It-While-You-Can crowd descended on us last weekend as the kids’ summer vacation winds down and everybody between Swinney Switch and Baja Oklahoma with a car that runs headed OTB. The crowds on our beaches which were as large as we have ever seen with two to three rows of vehicles packed in door to door from Newport Pass to Kleberg County. It is hard to see how any more people or cars could have been shoe-horned onto the beaches. Every square foot of drivable sand was covered with people or vehicles. For the first time in memory there were people with chairs and shade set up at the foot of the dunes because the water-side of the road was too crowded.
Urban Traffic The concessioners, particularly in Port A. are reporting that the long ferry lines are altering the patterns of visitors coming to The Island. On busy weekends the beach crowd packs the beaches, but the more savvy uplanders are waiting until the days after the big weekends to head this way. As a result many watercraft operators, from fishing boats to jet skis, are seeing slower crowds on Saturday and Sunday and an increase in business on Monday and Wednesday as frequent flyers dodge the ferry lines by heading down on weekdays. No matter how they are managed the ferries can only handle 650 cars per hour and that is without delays while ship and barge traffic makes its way down the ship channel. There doesn’t look to be a lot of relief in sight as the Port of Corpus Christi gets busier by the month with fifteen to twenty ships at any given time waiting in the Gulf to enter the port.
Weekly
2 weeks to Labor Day - Where did the Summer Go?
CCPD Island Bash Set for August 23
Around The Island By Dale Rankin
FREE
The Last Days of Summer
The Corpus Christi Police Department will hold a CCPD Island Bash Event on August 23rd at the Packery Channel Boat Ramp, located at the corner of Zahn Rd. and S.H. 361, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is the first year we had an Island Police Substation manned on a daily basis to assist tourists and the community with any police related issues. Throughout the summer, we have held several small events to promote our substation. Summer 2014 is now coming to an end and we will be closing this location on September 1st. The Corpus Christi Fire Department and the Flour Bluff Volunteer Fire Department will have fire trucks on display. Driscoll Children's Hospital will provide bicycle safety presentations for children and they will be giving away FREE bicycle helmets. A safety seat belt demonstration will be provided by the Texas Department of Transportation. Parks and Wildlife will have a boat on show and a Game Warden will be available for any questions. The Corpus Christi Police Department will exhibit the Police Museum, Bomb truck, SWAT truck, Dive Team boat, and the K-9 unit. These specialized units will have respective Police Officers on hand for any demonstrations and questions. For questions contact Sgt. Luis Flores at 361-728-3668.
Back to school for Island kids
Inside the Moon
Look for more and more traffic to make The Turn at SPID and SH 361 because when the ferry line gets to a one-hour wait or more it’s quicker to go around.
Island Moon Newspaper ArtWalk As we said last week the Island Moon Newspaper ArkWalk is moving to Schlitterbahn on Saturday, October 25 where it will remain for the foreseeable future. Interested vendors can contact us here or contact Jordan at the park at Jgreer@schlitterbahn. com.
Greatness Continued We Moon Monkeys have been working on a book for about a year now; it takes forever to read one of those things. But Moon columnist Andy Purvis has gone and finished yet another one of his own called Greatness Continued about some of the sports figures he has met along the way. Andy is having a book signing on Saturday August 16, from 5:307:10 p.m. at Hook, Line and Sinker at Whataburger Field. That may sound like a bait shop but it’s not. So go by and see Andy and in the meantime say hello if you see us Around The Island.
Island Legends
On the Rocks... Idle Iron A6
By Brent Rourk
SMA and SLC staff members gearing up for the year. Photo by Shannon Trial Learning never stops
The blissful summer passed by in a ‘Jumping Jack Flash’ for the staff at Seashore Middle Academy (SMA), however, staff members all managed to find their way back to the school front door last Thursday as they began preparations for the coming school year. They looked wiser, refreshed, and loaded with new ideas about teaching our children.
Uneventful return Their return to campus last week was uneventful, unlike the case in some schools around the country.
A teacher in Oklahoma allegedly reported to work the first day last week completely drunk and unable to do much more than breathe. Apparently, she also forgot to wear her pants. A few years back 171 teachers in Philadelphia simply did not show up for the first day. A principal in Massachusetts delivered a baby on the first day of school. No such misfortune, surprise, or malfeasance here on The Island as all the SMA teachers attended and embraced the first day of meetings and in-services.
Buttercup on the Washtub Bass
By Jackie Bales They called her Buttercup. No one really knew her real name. With a name like Buttercup Hartman you didn’t need a real name. Her husband, Bob Hartman, played the piano while Buttercup plucked away on her number 3-washtub bass contraption. They played the beer joints, brothels and bordellos from San Francisco to Saint Louis to New Orleans. It was widely rumored that Buttercup was a centerfold “pin-up” in her younger days. They wound up on this little strip of sandbar in the 1950’s. You would find them anywhere there was a rickety old piano. It didn’t have to be much of a piano. “If it’s not tuned you just play it
louder”, Bob Hartman once said. And that he did. They played the Red Horse in Karnes City and always made the Town and Country Days and Fair up in the little cow town. One could find them at Hogan’s Bait Stand on the Aransas channel between Port Aransas and Aransas Pass. They would rock that little shack apart while the fisherman guzzled beer and joined the chorus. The year is 1960 and I am nine years old. While wrapping up my daily work at Mathews fish house I would hear the old piano chime across the flats. It sounded like a carnival came to town. It’s was Shorty’s place where the islanders would meet to drink beer and stomp the old wooden floor so hard that dust fell off the ceiling. Shorty didn’t allow kids around after dark but I knew a
During the summer several teachers took classes, began graduate programs, or received credentials to teach new classes, quickly dispelling the myth that ’teachers have the whole summer off’. Many of the staff members were able to squeeze some travel as well as some reading into their busy summer schedule.
Backwater Adventures... Land Cut Trout A7
Students must report to school on Monday, August 18th with supplies and smiles. Students will be directed to report to their homerooms
Seashore continued on A3
Three Eagle Scouts for Island Troop By Ken C. Harrelson
Colleen McIntyre... Where does your tax money go? A12
Scoutmaster Troop 949 Luke Howell, Kunal Patel, and Ryan Harrelson are all members of the Island Scout Troop 949 and all three are now officially Eagle Scouts.
Buttercup few nooks and crannies where I could sit undetected most of the time. Shorty’s place was the thumping heart and soul of the little community back then. I often went to see my dad, Roy Bales, and Uncle Leslie Willey
History continued on A3
All three of these young men started their involvement in > scouting over a decade ago in Cub Scouts and achieved the Arrow of Light, the highest achievement in Cub Scouts. They all persevered until they achieved the highest rank in scouting whicn is the rank of Eagle. Placing them in the elite of Scouting ( Less than 5% of all scouts achieve the rank of Eagle ). Luke and Kunal will be will be attending A&M and UT in the fall and Ryan will finish his senior year
Scouts continued on A9
John Cornyn... Texas' Painted Churches A15
Live Music... Green Light Pistol A18
A2
August 14, 2014
Island Moon
The Travelling Moon
We spent the last week of July on vacation in the Chequamegon National Forest near Moose Lake doing some ATVing. The Chequamegon is in northwest Wisconsin. We took the Island Moon with us. Mary and Marc Hoss (left), island residents and Craig and Melisa Wally, Corpus Christi residents.
Hi Friends at the Island Moon, Attached is our recent vacation photo with an Island Moon in hand :-) Text: The Herbics send blessings from Kansas City, Missouri, to North Padre and the Island Moon! They recently enjoyed God's beautiful ocean, your wonderful beaches and discovered two whole sand dollars.
Frog’s Pool Service CONSTRUCTION, SERVICE AND REPAIR
Islanders Donna McLaughlin and Gary Rueschhoff visited Timmie Cullen in Gloucester, MA and went whale watching with The Island Moon!
361-876-9148 Ofce Mark Duncan Jaime Berrones Tired of paying for a pool service that 361-876-9147 charges you Director of Sales & Service Owner
once for the cleaning and again for chemicals? Why www.frogspoolservice.com go through the checkout line twice. At Frog’s Pool Service, all chemicals are included. A full service company providing you with professional pool cleaning and repairs at one low monthly rate. CALL THE FROG. 361.876.9148.
361-876-9148 Office Jaime Duncan Co-Owner Director of Sales & Service
Mark Duncan 361-947-3764 Owner
Steve Moody Senior Vice President
500 North Water Street, Suite 100 | Corpus Christi, TX NMLS# 613901 | 361-887-8771 | ProsperityBankUSA.com Member FDIC
August 14, 2014
Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder
Letters to the Editor
Seashore continued from A1
I have been watching the ferry line situation for some time now, I can easily recall the shaky wooden causeway with the turnouts.
where they will receive their class schedules. Construction on the cafeteria and multi-purpose room should be completed soon. Parents are advised to drive carefully in the parking lot as school begins as there are also construction trucks, equipment, and workers in and around the parking lot.
I would like to see a charge made for a ride on the ferry, say six bucks for a round trip, legal residents could purchase a yearly Pass of some kind.
Seashore Middle Academy, a top middle school in our region that consistently earns the highest rankings, did so again last year. The veteran staff members are ready for the new year.
Ferry Lines Editor,
Distribution Pete Alsop
Staffer Aaron Cardon said, “I am looking forward to a great start to the year with volleyball and then my son’s final year as an 8th grade basketball player.”
Bill Newsom
Island Delivery
Upper Padre
Coldwell Banker Advertising
To The Residents of NORTH PADRE ISLAND
Jan Park Rankin Classifieds Arlene Ritley Design/Layout Jeff Craft Contributing Writers Joey Farah Andy Purvis
We apologize for last week's use of the name "Upper Padre Island" and were surprised by the strong reaction to it (which had nothing to do with the content of our questions.) Our realtor told us the name and we were unaware of the controversy. To quote Shakespeare, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Nacho de Landa and India Lowres
Devorah Fox Mary Craft
History continued from A1
Maybeth Christiansen Jay Gardner
play there. Tonight it was Bob and Buttercup.
Chad Peters
“I started out with a bucket and went to a number 2 tub and then settled on the number 3 washtub”, she once told a reporter from a big city newspaper. “I tried wire and cotton string and fishin’ line but ended up with a pull string from a venetian blind”, she continued. She used a cut-off pool cue to pull the cord tight from a hole cut in the center of the washtub. The tub set up-ended between her legs. She called it her “thump thump”. Yes she thumped it hard and played it sweet. It sounded just like an upright bass fiddle. Bob hammered out old tunes on that out-of-tune piano like “Clementine”, “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain” and “By the Light of the Silvery Moon”. Bob would also sing “Jole Blone” and other favorites in French. “Play it sweet Buttercup”, Bob would shout before the song. “Play it sweet for the gentlemen”. Bob played his brand new song, “Tell Me”.
Todd Hunter Dotson Lewis Ronnie Narmour Brent Rourk Dr. Donna Shaver Photographers Miles Merwin Jeff Dolan Mary Craft Ronnie Narmour Office Security/Spillage Control (Emeritus)
Like Jimmy Buffet said, “it’s like trying to describe the ocean if you’ve never seen it”… It was the spectacle itself, along with the frenzied crowd that added to the music and created the carnival atmosphere.
Riley P. Dog Editor/Publisher/Spillage Control Supervisor 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.
Nothing much has changed at Shorty’s place. The old piano is long gone and new faces have appeared. I do see many folks from the old days doing what we have always loved to do. Sing along with all of the fine local musicians. These are “Island Legends” and we will visit others when once again we meet. Same time next time.
News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left at the Moon Office.
SMA Principal Barbara Beeler stated, “I am excited about the completion of our new facilities, increased enrollment, and a very successful year.” Art teacher Nancy Kneupper claimed, “I am super excited about our new Art 1 Class [available for high school credit]. It is going to be a fun year!” Colleen McIntyre, long time math guru at Seashore Schools was spotted preparing her room (or part of it). McIntyre smiled and offered, “This year presents another opportunity to get kids excited about math.” “I am looking forward to having my son on campus with me and am excited about teaching the high school technology course that we will offer this year”, said long time SMA teacher Shannon Trial. Science teacher Raymond Kanipe was examining the teaching aids, posters and student work on the walls of his classroom early Monday morning. “I am looking forward to new students, new textbooks, new things to try, and the excitement of a new year”, he said. Susan Bernal sat at her desk planning the first part of the school year. She thought for a moment and then mentioned, “I am looking forward to seeing the new faces and the continued academic success that our school has enjoyed over the course of its history.” SMA not only continues to earn respect as a top middle school in the state, but it is offering more classes for high school credit. Students who take these classes at SMA will enter high school with high school credits. Throughout SMA all staff members were engaged in preparing for the school year while down the street at Seashore Learning Center equally skilled and excited teachers were preparing for another year of academic success for the elementary students. We are in good hands with the staffs at both Seashore Schools and happy to see them working hard to make the coming year a huge success. I suspect that perhaps some students might even be ready to trade their lazy summer schedules for seven classes when the school doors open on Monday. Open the books and let’s dig in!
Island of Lines
The Island Moon Newspaper Corpus Christi, TX 78418
Windward
361-949-7700 editor@islandmoon.com
Where to Find The Island Moon
Lisabella’s Restaurant
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A Mano
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Wash Board Laundry Mat
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Snoopy’s Pier
Holiday Inn Jesse’s Liquor Scuttlebutt’s Restaurant Subway
Chamber of Commerce
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And all Moon retail advertisers
Back Porch
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Woody’s Sports Center Shorty’s Place
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Giggity’s
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Stripes @ Cotter & Station
Liquid Town
Gratitude Gift Shop Keepers Pier House Port A Glass Studio
New Advertisers Josette’s Island Care Services is a private home care giver who comes highly recommended by many Islanders including us Moon Monkeys. She participated in the care of Moon founder Mike Ellis when he needed it. She is also available for housekeeping, laundry, ironing and errands. Call Josette at 361-850-0204.
Business Briefs The CCPD Island Bash Event will be held at the Packery Channel Boat Ramp at the corner of Zahn Road and Hwy 361 on Saturday, August 23rd 10 am – 1 pm. There will be fire trucks, SWAT truck, police museum, K-9 unit and dive team boat on display. They will be giving away free bicycle helmets to the kids. The substation will close Monday September 1st and reopen next summer. Halloween on the Green Golf Scramble is a fund raiser for the Wounded Warrior Project and will be held at Schlitterbahn Resort Saturday, October 25th at 10 am. The cost is $55 and includes 18 holes, cart and lunch. There will be a costume contest so dress to impress. The awards banquet and buffet will be held at the swim-up bar so bring your swimsuit and towel. For details and to register call Heather Mader at 970301-6303. The Island Moon Artwalk will be held the same day in the event area next to the kiddie pool. Deluxe Nails owners Vic and Cindy have sold their business. Stop by and welcome the new owners to the Island. Coastalbreezepaintings.com has our coastal area inspired art by Islander artist Karen Wall. You can view her gallery online and she can also be commissioned to create a piece to your needs specifically. Parrot Heads of Port Aransas will meet at the Island Hotel on Hwy 361 on Thursday, August 14th at 6:30 pm. The club was founded in 2009 and the club motto is “Partying With a Purpose.” To join go to portaransasparrotheads.com or call LuAnn Ferguson at 361 749-5141 or 817 291-7034. Seashore Middle Academy and Seashore Learning Center will be starting the new school year this Monday, August 18. The middle school graduated their first 8th grade class six years ago. The City of Corpus Christi will auction over 90 cars, trucks, and vans and 4 motorcycles at the Corpus Christi Police Vehicle Impound Lot located at 5485 Greenwood Drive on Saturday, September 6th at 10:00am. The general public is encouraged to register and view the vehicles for auction from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Friday, September 5.
Port A Arts
North Padre
Port A Parks and Rec
mkay512@aol.com
Our State Representative Todd Hunter has his offices available to assist with questions, concerns or comments at the Capitol Office 512-463-0672 or District Office 361-9494603.
Sandpiper Condos
Stripes @ Beach Access Rd. 1A
Pioneer RV Park
by Mary Craft
Our District City Councilman Colleen McIntyre can be contacted to address any questions or concerns or even to speak with your group about any topic at ElectColleen@gmail.com or 361.5498341.
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Port Aransas
Did Ya Hear?
The Annual T.W.A.T. (Texas Women Anglers) Tournament in Port A will be held August 22-24. The tournament events will be held at the Port Aransas Civic Center and the tournament weigh in will be at Robert's Point Park
15201 S. Padre Island Drive, Suite 250
The Gaff
A3
Island Moon
We’ve been getting a lot of questions and comments here at the Word Factory about the new street markings on Windward and Commodores. For the first time ever The Island has head-in street parking. That’s right folks, the new lines on Windward over by the Holiday Inn allow for head-in parking there; or more accurately back-in parking as the spots are angled away from oncoming traffic. At first it confused locals and visitors alike last weekend as neither could make out exactly what the lines meant. But as soon as one driver pulled in and parked everybody piled on and pretty soon
the east side of the street was full of cars. We like the new parking spaces, as long as no pay parking meters show up. Over on Commodores it’s X marks the spot where the X marks mean “don’t block the intersection.” At the corner of Commodores and SPID we now have the world’s shortest turning lane which will hold two cars; if both are compacts. All seriousness aside, it looks like the new additions are working well, once people got used to them.
Whataburger on Waldron Ethyl Everly Senior Center Fire Station Police Station Stripes on Flour Bluff & SPID
Commodores
The Texas Women Anglers Tournament in Port A will be held August 22-24. The tournament events will be held at the Port Aransas Civic Center and the tournament weigh in will be at Robert's Point Park
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August 14, 2014
Island Moon
Richard Lamb, from Rockport visiting Sturgis last week.
One-stop financial services. Lot | Construction | Mortgage (Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo) | Refinance | Home Equity Business | Personal Banking Business | Personal Loans Cash Management Products
Will & Ruth Dunn took the island Moon to Edisto Beach, South Carolina.
Dan Suckley Branch Executive Officer 361-949-8070
14602 S. Padre Island Dr.
www.AmericanBank.com • Member FDIC
Non-Banking Financial Services: Trust | Investment | Insurance Not FDIC insured • No Bank Guarantees • May Lose Value
Beach Photos by Miles Merwin
August 14, 2014
Island Moon
Cherished Islander and His ‘Island Babe’ Move Mark Pugh Made a Difference in Many Ways By Brent Rourk There are people who ‘pass through our lives’ who we will always remember. Why? Maybe because of the way they treated us or made us feel. Maybe because of the way they carried themselves. Maybe it was because of who they were and what they did. These are the people who we remember and in many ways who we try to emulate. Unquestionably, we respect them. Our island has many such people, but one of them has moved and in that respect I feel compelled to thank him and wish him well. Mark Pugh and his wife Linda (affectionately referred to as his ‘Island Babe’) have been long time island residents who are moving to New Jersey to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. Lil tykes (grandchildren who Mark and Linda are very proud of) are growing up and Mark wants to be an integral part of their lives, a challenging role to accomplish while living here on the island. When I caught up with the traveling duo recently, they were driving to New Jersey. Linda was at the wheel and nearing the spot of a one night layover in Arkansas. Mark was comfortably stretched out in the passenger seat. “I am just enjoying all of the scenery”, Mark chimed cheerfully. He managed my intruding phone call with the grace that Mark has always displayed, obligingly answered specific questions, and then spoke about his time with his ‘Island Babe’ on the island. Giving freely of himself for 12 years to North Padre Island and to people all over Corpus Christi, Mark takes with him great memories of his time here. “I am going to miss my friends there, that is the biggest thing”, stated Mark. “I am also going to miss the beauty of Padre Island, the Gulf of Mexico, the trip over the bridge onto the island each day, and the feeling of relaxation. We really have enjoyed our stay on Padre Island”, Pugh added. It was always part of their life plan to move closer to his family in New Jersey, so moving was not a surprise. They did leave some months
me in the hospital last year after I had surgery. I was one of hundreds he took time to visit, yet I still felt the care and love that Mark shared with everybody he met. He assisted his wife Linda with some of her duties and activities at her school for 12 years. Additionally, he volunteered at Beach to Bay and also at an Arbor Day Program in Corpus Christi. Searching for accurate and heartfelt ways to describe Mark, his friend John Vaughn reported, “Mark will be missed by all on the island. He loves life and humanity. This is evident by the way he treats everyone he meets. Mark has been a pillar with the Kiwanis Club of Padre Island, serving on the Board, as President, and as Lt. Governor of Division 4 of the TX/OK District.” “Mark is always eager to help our children and community. Others will be the beneficiary of Mark’s love for life”, Vaughn summarized. As a member of the Kiwanis Club of Padre Island, Mark also effectively fulfilled a wide range of other roles over the course of 12 years. He worked most of the events that the club sponsored, deftly adding his expertise, efficiency, and care. He worked the Coastal Bend Beach clean-ups, the Breakfast with Santa (as a photographer), the Island Easter Egg Hunt (providing free photographs to locals), and as an incomparable salesman he sold the most nuts during that Kiwanis fundraiser every year. Mark could always be counted on to give to his community and in numerous ways North Padre Island has been a better place because of Mark Pugh. “As a citizen, I believe in a strong sense of civic responsibility. I tried to do that on the island and wherever I have lived”, said Mark. Wandering islander Gladys Choyke commented, “I have known Mark for 12 years and he is the sweetest man I know. I am starting a countdown of the weeks until he decides it is too cold up there in New Jersey and he decides to come back to the island.” Jodie Alley, friend of Mark’s and a member of the Kings Crossing Church of Christ stated, “Mark is an amazing man. I have admired Mark as I have watched him go through his recent accident. He is a man who loves the Lord and leans on the Lord. You could not find a more loving, caring, and strong person. When I think of Mark I think about the song ‘This Little Light of Mine’.” Alley continued, “Mark lives what he believes and he does not know a stranger. Behind every exceptional man is an exceptional woman and Linda is an extraordinary woman who has also been very supportive of Mark. She has been his rock.”
Mark and Linda Pugh earlier than originally expected because after Mark’s bicycle accident he was unable to complete his ministerial work at Kings Crossing Church of Christ in the same manner that he had for the previous 8 years (and the 4 years before that at Windsor Park Church of Christ). Faced with a significant change in his health, he chose to move to New Jersey sooner. Mark unselfishly gave of himself as a popular and well-spoken minister, also officiating at many weddings and providing services at several funerals every year. He also devoted his time giving countless invocations over the years. He made house calls and hospital calls by the dozens yearly, comforting the sick and injured. I recall Mark paying a surprise visit to
Mark passionately discussed his love of North Padre Island freely and with great affection, suggesting to islanders, “Take pride in what you have on Padre Island because it is very unique and very special. People travel from hundreds of miles away to visit what we have every single day. Never take it for granted. It is a little bit of God’s special creation.” Indeed it is. “I feel very privileged to have been a part of the island community for 12 years and we look forward to coming back to visit for as long as the good Lord allows”, concluded Mark. A big thank you and hats off to Mark and Linda. I will long remember Mark’s easy smile, his genuine care about all people, his unbridled kindness, and his unending generosity. Thanks for ‘passing through our lives’ Mark. We wish them great health and memorable times with their family.
Stuff I Heard on the Island by Dale Rankin
For the next eighty days the public’s thoughts will turn to politics, primarily of the state variety as the races for Governor, Lt. Governor and other statewide offices dominate the public consciousness. This year’s version of statewide races looks to be much like the last several cycles with Republican candidates each trying to outflank each other on the right, and Democrats, well, probably not winning any. But lost in the ground clutter of the political season madness are some less sexy but much more relevant, in terms of everyday life, processes going on that take place every year; at stake is how much property owners fork over in taxes for the next year. The Nueces County Commissioners are in budget meetings and have not set a tax rate; the Flour Bluff ISD board is scheduled to release its budget this week. The FBISD board has flown under the radar in the past but I will remind you that the school district taxes make up fully one half of the total property tax burden on The Island and four out of the seven seats on the board are up for election this time and the terms are for four years. We will have more on this in future issues. So far only the Corpus Christi City Council has shown its intent on the tax front. It is still somewhat early in the process but here’s where we are.
19% tax increase in two years On Tuesday the Corpus Christi City Council voted to hold public hearings on its tax rate on August 26, and September 9 during the regular City Council meetings. Then on September 16 they will vote to actually set the tax rate which, according to council material presented this week, will be the same as the 2014 rate of $0.585264 per $100 valuation. For those who have never been to or seen one of these tax hearings I can sum it up for you; a lot of people show up wanting the council to spend more money on their cause/neighborhood/or favorite city service. Pretty much no one shows up asking the council to cut anything except for a few cranks and City Hall hangers-on who want taxes cut in general but don’t have any specific ideas about which programs should be cut. The hearings are a formality. Don’t let the fact that the tax rate is staying the same fool you. If the tax rate stays the same and property values citywide increase then so does the amount of tax money wrung collectively from taxpayers; that’s a tax increase. If the steady rate weren’t a tax increase there would be no need for the hearings. Under state law any council/commission/or board with taxing authority can increase taxes up to 11% without fear of a rollback election. They can unilaterally raise taxes but are required to hold the hearings first; if they are scheduling hearings it is because without them they can’t raise your taxes. Tax hearings and tax hikes are like night and day – you can’t have one without the other. The material included in the council briefing this week was careful not to say just how much city property taxes are going up but here are the numbers: Leaving the effective tax rate the same as last year will constitute an 8.9% tax hike which, according to numbers provided by the City Budget Office on Tuesday will raise $8,496,725 in additional property tax revenue; $4,856,327 to the General Fund and $3,640,398 to the Debt Service Fund over last year. If the 8.9% tax increase is approved on September 16 it, combined with the 10.1% city property tax increase last year that means city property taxes will have gone up by 19% in two years. That’s a pretty good whack.
Mark with other volunteers who help organize the Coastal Bend beach clean-ups on the island
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That is on top of the newly minted street maintenance fee and the $90 million in new debt that will be on the November ballot in the form of three bond proposals. Councilwoman Colleen McIntyre goes into detail in this issue about where the money is being spent – worthy causes all – but the bottom line is that as things now stand your city taxes will have gone up by nearly 20% in two years. Much of the increase is due to collective bargaining with city unions who it is politically dangerous to stand up to because of their numbers at the ballot box. So rather than take the politically risky path it is easier to simply pass the costs on to the taxpayers – or users in the case of streets – and that is what we are seeing. According to estimates by the city staff this year’s city budget will be $92,787,000. Again $8.4 million is a pretty good whack. My question is what is the end game here? When do we get to the point where we hear from the city council that they now have enough money to operate without asking us for more? So far I have heard no plan for this. What I see and hear is more of the same from year to year as property taxes ratchet up. The only way to address this is at the ballot box.
Wasn’t hard to see that coming We are now entering our second round of city elections in the fall; city elections were standalone affairs in the spring before moving to November in 2012. We were told at the time the move was to save the $40,000 it cost to hold the spring vote. Then the council spent in excess of $300,000 to hold a special election for Destination Bayfront which could have waited for this November and been cheaper – at least by a little. According to information presented to the council Tuesday, when they set the vote on the November bond packages, the city’s cost for the round of city elections this November is $246,553. I submit to you that saving money was never the object here; only the smokescreen. When the city elections were in the spring about 25,000 people voted. In 2012 the first time city elections were held on a Presidential ballot about 100,000 people voted; this November in the Gubernatorial cycle expect about 60,000 to vote. What that means is that this November 35,000 voters who didn’t care enough to go the polls when city elections were in the spring will be the majority of voters who will decide the course of our city. We turned the city over to the lollygaggers. And who does this benefit? The people whose voters turn out in November but not for spring city elections. And who is that? Well, the Democrats whose voters are notoriously more fickle than their Republican counterparts. And what does this mean for city governance? You don’t have to look far to see. On Wednesday former talk show host and “conservative businessman” Bob Jones announced for Mayor. His press release reads: “Jones is a former conservative radio talk show host who currently serves as a member of the State Republican Executive Committee. Jones was also appointed by Governor Rick Perry as Chairman of the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation Board.” In short, a Republican running against Mayor Nelda Martinez, a Democrat. It took only two election cycles for city politics to become openly partisan. As to whether that is a good thing I direct you to the U.S. Congress. Look for our future city elections to be littered with debate on gun control, abortion, immigration, and all the other things that city governments have no control over or business trying to regulate. It is hard to see how this can possible be a good thing.
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866-get-a-cow
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August 14, 2014
Island Moon
On the Rocks By Jay Gardner There have been a lot of misconceptions running around in social media and on message boards regarding the Idle Iron Program that is removing oil platforms no longer in use. Generally, after the useful life of an oil and gas platform, it must be decommissioned according to the terms of the Department of the Interior (DOI) lease by which the platform was authorized. DOI regulations include a disposal option that, under certain circumstances, allows it to remain in place through the “Rigs to Reefs” Program . In the past, operators were given a lot of leeway in how long they could leave a platform in the water. That has all changed now, due in part to Hurricane Katrina, which left a lot of rigs toppled over around Louisiana, and of course due to the Deepwater Horizon tragedy and corresponding spill. Many people claim, however, that the administration had a “kneejerk” reaction and began enforcing the policy almost overnight. This amounts to a loss of habitat for corals, encrusting sponges, barnacles and other foundations of the food chain that support what we all know is what can be a good fishing spot when a rig is removed. Of course, DOI leaves the decision of preparing and donating it to the Rigs to Reef program, or if not, the removal method and choice of either cutting or using explosives up to the operator. Of course explosives are cheaper and safer (for divers) to remove the platform, then you also get a resulting fish kill that wipes everything out. Basic economics coupled with added liability has resulted in almost 3,500 rigs across the Gulf to immediately be slated to be removed, and by explosives. This mandate from the DOI may have originated in that department, but the pressure to enforce it come from even higher than that. The current Presidential Administration (you know who) is actually behind the enforcement of the Idle Iron Program. Ken Salazar (ex-chief of the DOI) was the Presidents right hand in getting this implemented. Trading safety for freedoms. Sound familiar? There have been many organizations and people that have attempted to fight this legislation. Locally, CCA-Corpus Christi and SEA have lobbied to have it halted. However local groups don’t have the ear of D.C. Our
Governor Rick Perry wrote a letter to the DOI requesting a moratorium on the removal. No response. The Congressional Sportsman Caucus, ASA, National Boat Makers, Center for Coastal Conservation, RFA, the Billfish Foundation, the IGFA and a myriad of other organizations have all written letters asking for relief. For goodness sakes, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) who oversees commercial and recreational fishing wrote a letter to it’s sister department (DOI) asking for a two year moratorium in 2011. To this date, the DOI has never responded to the NMFS letter, choosing to completely ignore another branch of the government. Right now, Senator Vitter (LA), Rep. Blake Farenthold (TX) and other congressmen and representatives are working on getting legislation through (Rigs to Reefs Habitat Protection Act) and is in front of both the House and the Senate, however opposition from the DOI is making the road more difficult.
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#1 Selling Boat in Texas. 17 Years Strong! What does that mean for us here? That means “change” is headed our way. We’ve already lost 4 of the 10 structures out of Packery, and there are more on the chopping block. Pictured is the “middle” rig off Bob Hall that may be the only one left in a few years. And due to the “5mile” rule, they won’t be able to reef the others in place. They will be removed and be gone. Sorry for the rant folks, I had hoped that this issue would have gotten some relief in the past couple of years I’ve been writing about this. The latest trend we hear from Washington is that the President isn’t planning on backing down on many issues, including this one. The best thing to do is to continue to support the Texas Parks and Wildlife Departments Rigs to Reef Program and get more structure reefed to replace these rigs. Shoot me an email at jaygardner@ scientist.com to learn more on how to get involved, and I’ll see you On the Rocks, because pretty soon there won’t be any rigs left.
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August 14, 2014
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Island Moon
Backwater Adventures Land Cut Trout
By Joey Farah Farah’s Fishing Adventures The glassy surface was alive with baitfish for miles as we entered the Land Cut. The size and manner of their escape told me that it was schools of many different kinds of bait. Shad, mullet, perch, minnows, and more. We stopped the boat and and glided to the edge of the channel, the water was crystal clear and the two worlds came together as we could look into the water. We saw hoards of minnows and mullet swimming in and around the grass beds, redfish and sheep head milling around in the shallows. We casted live croakers out along the drop-off and from the first cast we had rods bending. We caught a few and lost a few, then moved down the channel when the trout got smart on us. My DOA Red Shrimp caught more than a few trout as I casted into the “sweet spot” in between fish. I looked intently out into the flats searching for a redfish to cast to, then I saw her. I pointed out a long fish slithering down the edge of the channel edge and called out look at that trout! As I reeled in and pitched out along her my mind dismissed her as a mullet until she saw the shrimp and turned to meet my lure. I stalled the shrimp and she opened her mouth and sucked it in right in front of us. Her head came out of the water and shook white water out of her gills. She darted for deeper water as my drag peeled out. I brought her to the side of the boat and raised her up into the morning sun and
at that moment I felt like I had seen something special. Her head was deformed and round, with a short upper lip. We made some jokes about the poor girl, but in all I felt very lucky to have sight casted a large trout. She hit the shrimp as she swam among thousands of minnows, I wondered as the day went on why. Did she want something different? Either way I was blessed.
The last few days have really seen a migration of bait out of the back bays and out towards the Gulf passes. Schools of bait are traveling out with the rise in temperature of both water and air. Look for action along the ICW to be good for the next few weeks. Start off with top waters and soft plastics along the edge and live bait where ever you can find some changes in side of the channel. Some of the best fishing has been in the afternoon when the winds have been blowing. Reds are just about impossible to catch when there is no wind from a boat. Look for deep water when it’s calm. To tell you all the truth I usually write these the day before they hit the street, sun burn, wore out, and out of sorts. Today is no different so I’m keeping it short and heading out. Just like last week catch the first and last few hours of the day. First and Last light.
Larry and Jack Adams with one of two limits of trout from the waters close to Bird Island. Live piggy perch. I was lucky enough to sight cast this big trout along the edge of the Land Cut. She sucked up a DOA RED SHRIMP. Her head was deformed.
Smooth seas have allowed anglers robust out of Packery and catch some state snapper and kingfish.
Part time Island Locals Gene and Carla with Genes Big RED
Lary and Jack with a few of their limit of trout. Speckled trout limits change on September 1st to FIVE TROUT.
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August 14, 2014
Island Moon
SPORTS District Judge’s recent ruling may be one of the first steps in legalizing “Pay for Play” for College Athletes.
By Dotson Lewis
Special to the Island Moon Dotson’s note: Before I became the Supervisor of Officials of the Southwest Conference (SWC). I was a member of the faculty/staff at a NCAA Division I University. During my tenure at that excellent school, I had a variety of assignments. One of the assignments was as Coordinator of the NCAA NSYSP (National Summer Youth Sports Program). This federally funded program was designed to give underprivileged teen-agers an on campus college experience. The program allowed student-athletes, who had “full ride” scholarships, to work in the program and be paid for their work. It was ruled by the NCAA that this pay did not jeopardize their athletic eligibility. I suggest that this program be reinstated. This should help clear the major hurdle of permitting the institutions to pay athletes.
US District Judge Issues an Injunction to the NCAA A federal judge ruled Friday that the NCAA's limits on what major college football and men's basketball players can receive for playing sports "unreasonably restrain trade" in violation of antitrust laws.
• The amounts that schools decide to place in trust for the athletes may vary from year to year.
NCAA Lost O'Bannon Ruling, but All (Collegiate Model) Is Not Lost When the news broke Friday evening — a federal judge ruled the NCAA had violated antitrust law by prohibiting athletes from being paid — Twitter blew up, just as you'd expect. The NCAA did not. Not yet, anyway. Other pending cases might do it. But Judge Claudia Wilken's decision in the Ed O'Bannon case wasn't the mortal blow. It's symbolically significant — the plaintiffs won, the NCAA lost, and Football Bowl Subdivision and Division I men's basketball players can be paid for their names, images and likenesses. And it could be the first step on the road to pay for play. But O'Bannon actually was a pretty narrow ruling. Even if the ruling is upheld on appeal and Wilken's prescription takes effect, it won't devastate the system referred to by NCAA types as "the collegiate model."
Send In the Clowns
By Andy Purvis Special to the Island Moon
Remember the movie, “League of Their Own,” about the all girls’ professional baseball clubs created during World War II? It stars Geena Davis and Tom Hanks, as Manager Jimmy Dugan. One of the most famous lines in the movie is when Hanks is confronted by one of his players who begins crying. Hanks responds, “Are you crying? There’s no crying in baseball.” Just ask the Texas Rangers. If there was any team that should be crying, it’s the Rangers. For a team that has been decimated by injuries, watching the Rangers’ team play on a nightly basis, you wouldn’t know it. This happy-go-lucky bunch, always smiling, jabbing at each other with their words, are currently 20 games out of first place and last in the American League West Division. You wouldn’t know it by watching them play that they have had 23 players on the disabled list. You wouldn’t know that they have used a record 81 players this year, or that there have been 11 different first basemen, all because of injuries. Heck, if you could play first base, you might get a start tonight. The Rangers should build a hospital next to Globe Life Park. Sure, to a man they all want to win, but I think they have it all figured out. They’re having fun. They’re having fun playing the game they love. Fun is good; send in the clowns. Everybody loves humor, and that includes the players.
to children at the San Diego Zoo for $2.00 an hour. Ted became known in baseball circles as “The San Diego Chicken.” Yes, he’s been to Corpus Christi, several times. He now calls himself “The Famous Chicken.” Ted has worked 6,500 baseball games not counting birthdays, weddings, parades, you name it, and he’s been there. Max Patkin, “The Crown Prince of Baseball” has also been to Corpus Christi. Max passed away several years ago and baseball still looks to replace the funny man. I once spoke to Max and he told me his biggest fear was somebody saying, “He used to be funny.” I assured him there was no way that would happen. He was funny. People go home knowing the score, but they also take home the experience. It’s true that the fans are the lifeblood of the team, but what about the players. No one likes to lose yet they trot out to their positions, game in and game out, during the “Dog Days
Instead, we'll see a world in which many schools Dr. Mark Emment-NCAA President A good right arm and a weak mind — but probably not all — would compensate
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken, in a 99-page ruling in favor of a group of plaintiffs led by former UCLA basketball player Ed O'Bannon, issued an injunction that will prevent the NCAA "from enforcing any rules or bylaws that would prohibit its member schools and conferences from offering their FBS football or Division I basketball recruits a limited share of the revenues generated from the use of their names, images, and likenesses in addition to a full grant-in-aid."
players up to the full cost of attendance while
Although Wilken's ruling could enable football and men's basketball players to receive more from schools than they are receiving now, Wilken imposed some limits and she rejected the plaintiffs' proposal that athletes be allowed to receive money for endorsements. "Allowing student-athletes to endorse commercial products would undermine the efforts of both the Ed O'Bannon, former UCLA basketball player NCAA and its member schools to protect against the 'commercial exploitation' they're playing (Wilken would allow the NCAA of student-athletes," she wrote. to cap compensation there). Many schools —
For many years, owners and general managers have placed their money and emphasis on putting a winning product on the field and creating a positive and fun-filled night for the fans. The dizzy bat race, bobble heads and jersey give-aways keep fans coming back. Playgrounds, swimming pools, and birthday clubs are a treat for the kids. Baseball likes colorful players. Along the way there have been many funny characters and cut-ups that have become part of the fabric of this great game. Casey Stengel, “The Old Perfessor,” preferred to make reporters laugh instead of making sense. Casey once told a reporter, “See that fellow over there? He’s 20 years old, and in ten years he has a chance to be a star. Now, see that other fellow over there; he’s 20, too. In ten years, he has a chance to be thirty.” The great “Dizzy” Dean not only slaughtered the English language but once said, “The good Lord was good to me; he gave me a strong body, a good right arm and a weak mind.” Yankee pitcher “Lefty” Gomez confessed, “Sure I talked to the ball a lot of times in my career. I yelled, ‘Go Foul, Go Foul.’” Lefty also tells a story about facing the Red Sox, with the bases loaded, and Jimmy Foxx waiting at the plate. Yankee catcher Bill Dickey called for a fastball, and Lefty shook him off. So, Dickey calls for a curveball, and Lefty shakes him off again. Dickey calls time and heads out to the mound. Bill says, “What do you want to throw this guy?” “Nothing” said Gomez. “Let’s wait a while; maybe he’ll get a phone call.”
Ed O’Bannon-Former UCLA Basketball Player but probably not all — would also place $5,000
Wilken said the injunction will not be stayed pending any appeal of her ruling, but it will not take effect until the start of the next Football Bowl Subdivision and Division I basketball recruiting cycles. So, at the earliest, the first group of recruits to be affected by the ruling likely would be those entering school in 2016.
Wilken's ruling said the NCAA will be able to cap the amount of new compensation that Football Bowl Subdivision and Division I men's basketball players can receive while they are in school, but that cap will not be allowed to be an amount that is less than the athletes' cost of attending school. (It is widely acknowledged that the NCAA's current version of a scholarship — which basically comprises tuition, room, board, books and mandatory fees — does not cover costs of attendance like transportation and various incidental expenses. In the wake of Thursday's Division I NCAA Board of Directors vote approving autonomy for the Power Five conferences, cost of attendance scholarships might not be far off anyway.) The ruling also will allow schools and conferences to deposit money in trust for football and men's basketball players that will become payable when they leave school or their eligibility expires.
Under this setup: • The NCAA will be allowed to set a cap on the amount of money that may be held in trust, but that cap cannot be less than $5,000 in 2014 dollars for every year the athletes remain academically eligible. • Schools will be allowed to offer less than the NCAA maximum amount if they so choose, but they cannot unlawfully conspire with each other in setting the amounts they offer.
per year per athlete in trust, payable after they're finished playing (Wilken set the cap there, too).
It's worth noting full cost-of-attendance scholarships already are on the way with the approval of autonomy for the Power Five conferences. Quick, very rough math: Figuring the ruling would affect approximately 120 players per school, the annual outlay at the maximum figure of $5,000 would be around $600,000. Paying full cost-of-attendance (and the preexisting proposals would cover every athlete, not just football and men's basketball players) would cost around $1 million. Though a significant expense, it's still but a fraction of what schools have reaped from TV contracts in which, according to Wilken, players should be compensated for their names, images and likenesses. Wilken ruled the NCAA could prohibit athletes from monetizing the deferred compensation (withdrawing it or borrowing off of it) while they were in school. And in that ruling, she was attempting "to ensure that the NCAA may achieve its goal of integrating academics and athletics." The real significance in Wilken's ruling might be in where it could lead. Wilken is scheduled to hear another batch of antitrust cases against the NCAA. Where O'Bannon dealt with rights to names, images and likenesses, these deal with more direct compensation, seeking to prevent the NCAA from setting limits on the value of a scholarship. In each case, the plaintiffs will draw from Wilken's ruling in O'Bannon to try to help make their arguments.
• The NCAA will be allowed have rules that prevent the athletes from using the money being held in trust for them to obtain other financial benefits while they are in school.
It's possible Wilken ruled narrowly in this case while recognizing the pending cases strike more directly at the heart of the collegiate model. It's not that Wilken will necessarily rule against the NCAA in those cases — though she certainly might — but that she'll have the opportunity to more fully explore the issues in those cases.
• The NCAA also will be able to have rules that prevent schools from offering different amounts of deferred money to athletes who are in the same recruiting class on the same team.
The O'Bannon ruling's significance might not be fully known for several years — and that has nothing to do with the inevitable appeals, and everything to do with those other cases. There's no way to predict what happens from here. But if — and yeah, it's a big if — the NCAA ultimately prevails on the other matters, it didn't lose too much in this one. Of course, the NCAA has already announced that they will appeal. If there is an interest, in future issues of The Moon, we will discuss proposing that NCAA Member Institutions, State and Federal governments get together and fund a new “NSYSP” The paying of “Student-Athletes” would then be legal. Dotson’s Note: Should college”studentathletes” be paid for their service? Also while we are at it, how about high schools giving their “student-athletes” an allowance? Please call the Benchwarmers 560-5397 Weekdays, Mondays thru Fridays, 4-6 PM or contact me Phone: 361-949-7681 Cell: 530-748-8475 Email: dlewis1@stx.rr.com
Bloopers, loopers and droopers The legendary Satchel Paige loved having fun. He even spent some time pitching for a Negro League team named the Indianapolis Clowns. Paige often took his warm-up throws sitting down, with his catcher waiting behind the plate in a rocking chair. Satchel also gave all of his pitches names. “I got bloopers, loopers and droopers. I got a jump ball, a “be” ball, a screw ball, a wobbly ball, a “whipsy-dipsy-do,” a hurry-up ball, a nothin’ ball and a bat dodger. My “be” ball is a “be” ball because it “be” right where I want it, high and inside.” And who could forget his Bowtie pitch? Ted Giannoulas, who stands 5’4” tall and weighs 165 pounds, started wearing a chicken suit 40 years ago. He began handing out candy
Ron Washington of Summer.” That’s where I think the manager makes the difference. How do you get the players to treat every game like it’s opening day?
Dog Days of Summer As the Manager of the Texas Rangers, one of Ron Washington’s jobs is to make out the lineup card. I’m sure Ron has to walk through the clubhouse and take role call just to see who’s available to play. His other job is to remind his players to have fun. He has to set the tone in the clubhouse and the dugout. He has to remind his players to give their best, win or lose, and remember to have a good time. Owners sometimes make the mistake of not hiring genuine, passionate managers. The manager should be able to make the players feel comfortable. Sure, they make a ton of money, but they’re still little boys at heart. No player wants to strike out or to be the last out of a ballgame, but the fact is, a lot of us are the last out and a lot of us do lose. The fun part comes from the effort, and then certain success that follows at the plate. Washington understands that he is still dealing every day with 25 kids, out on a sandlot, doing exactly what they loved when they were six or seven years old. The fans may own the game, but the fun starts with the ballplayers. Humor does not have an age attached. Nope, there is no crying in baseball; just asks Ron Washington. Andy Purvis is a local author and radio personality. His newest book “Greatness Continued” is now available to order online at bn.com, Amazon.com, Google Books, Booksamillion, etc. You may also purchase all three books at Beamer’s Sports Grill 5922 S Staples or the local Barnes & Noble store. Please visit www.purvisbooks.com for more info or contact him at purvis.andy@mygrande. net. Listen to Dennis Quinn & Andy Purvis Q & A Session each Thursday 6-8 PM on ESPN 1440 KEYS.
Corpus Christi Resident Inaugurated into Texas Tennis Museum Hall of Fame The Texas Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame is proud to announce its Class of 2014. This year’s inductees are and Susan Shelby Torrance who played tennis at King High School, President George H. W. Bush and the Honorable James A. Baker, III (to be inducted jointly), and Chris Bovett. The 34th Annual Texas Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will be held in Waco on Saturday, October 18, 2014, at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, located at 1108 S. University Parks Drive, Waco, TX 76706. Induction banquet tickets are $75 each. A table of eight can be reserved for $550. Tickets for the event may be ordered securely online at www. tshof.org or by calling Paige Davis at (254) 756-1633. The official host hotel for this year’s banquet is the Fairfield Inn & Suites located at 4257 North IH-35, Waco, TX 76705, (254) 4122535. The special Texas Sports Hall of Fame room rate of $99 is available until September 15, 2014.
Class of 2014: Susan Shelby Torrance Susan Shelby Torrance was a UIL State Singles Champion in 1968 representing King High School in Corpus Christi. She played #1 on the University of Texas varsity team and finished third in the State Collegiate Tennis Championships. Torrance competed on the professional tour and reached the top 100 while playing in qualifying events at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and French Open during the 1970s and 1980s. She began playing in USTA national senior events in the mid-eighties and was ranked #1 in USTA Women's 35 and over singles in 1986. Ms. Torrance became heavily involved in the national senior Women's Tennis Association and served on that organization's Board of Directors in 2003-2004. Currently the Director of Tennis and Contract Manager of Al Kruse Municipal Tennis Center in Corpus Christi, Torrance teaches players of all skill levels. She has won numerous awards from the USPTA Texas Section, the City of Corpus Christi and the National Women's Tennis Association. She was nominated for the Texas Tennis Hall of
Fame by 27 Corpus Christi tennis players.
President George H. W. Bush and the Honorable James A. Baker, III President George H. W. Bush and 61st Secretary of State James A. Baker have teamed together in service to their country and on the tennis court for many decades. Long-time doubles partners, Bush and Baker will be inducted into the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame as a team. In many of their public appearances, President Bush and the Honorable James Baker showcased the game of tennis. Whether it was a pro-charity event, a fundraiser for a worthy cause or by supporting the game by providing a special presence, the Bush-Baker duo did it selflessly because they loved the game of tennis. While both gentlemen and particularly Baker were accomplished players, they are being inducted into the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame for their service to the game. Both men encouraged youngsters to play tennis, vigorously supported charitable tennis tournaments and generously gave of their time to promote tennis for decades. Their ability on the court and their service to Texas tennis makes them exemplary ambassadors of the game.
Chris Bovett Chris Bovett excelled in high school tennis as a top ten junior in the 18 and under divisions in both England and Australia. Bovett compiled an impressive 93-27 singles record during college before graduating from the University of Houston in 1970. As a pro, Bovett competed in three USPTA Nationals and nine Grand Slams. He was ranked #1 in Men’s 40s Singles in Texas, 1984-1985. In 1971, Bovett began coaching at the Houston Racquet Club. He has received numerous awards for excellence in coaching, including USPTA Coach of the Year and the Texas Tennis Association’s Lloyd Session Educational Merit Award. Bovett’s students embody the excellence and dedication he models. His students have competed in 37 USTA National Junior Championship Finals, winning 25. Over 120 of his students have played college tennis while 25 have gained world professional rankings.
August 14, 2014
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Island Moon
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Art Center of Port Aransas
Metal Jewelry Making Class
The Art Center of Port Aransas will hold a metal jewelry making class on Saturday, Agusut 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Instructor will be Norma Gafford and the cost is $45 Instruction, plus $25 for supplies. The word jewelry is derived from the Latin word ‘jocale’ meaning plaything. Come and learn to work /play with copper, brass, bronze, aluminum, and silver, and to create your own unique jewelry. Learn basic skills in wire and sheet metal: wire findings, bead wrap, links. The Art Center is located at 323 N. Alister in Port Aransas. Contact them at 361-749-7334 / artcenter@centurytel.net.
Scouts continued from A1 at Flour Bluff. While over their scouting careers they have all participated in numerous charity and community service projects, however what is truly noteworthy is that all three boys chose to do their Eagle Scout service projects for local schools. Luke designed and lead the construction for four planter beds for Seashore Middle Academy and Kunal designed and lead the construction of a 80 + foot boardwalk behind the SMA Gymnasium. Ryan planned and lead the construction of cedar pergola shade structure for an outdoor classroom for Flour Bluff Elementary. All three will receive their Eagle awards during a special Eagle Court of Honor 3:00 PM Saturday August 30th at Island Presbyterian Church. Please join us in celebrating their achievement!
Catch the view from Port A’s only elevated bar.
Black Marlin Bar & Grill is the ONLY destination on the island that marries chef-driven cuisine and an elevated bar with gulf views.
Stop by and get hooked.
Lunch 11 – 3 pm Daily
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Dinner 5 – 9 pm Wednesday – Saturday
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Elevated Bar Open Daily
258 SNAPDRAGON • PORT ARANSAS, TEXAS 78373 • 3 61.74 9. 4 6 5 3 • BLACKMARLINPORTA.COM
A10
Island Moon
August 14, 2014